Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC privilege on this one, a topnotch domestic thriller.
How can anyone resist a fast paced domestic suspense ride like this one - where those nice houses in nice neighborhoods are stuffed with dysfunction, deception, and no end of disturbing secrets. And don't forget the hidden cameras, mysterious unknown stalkers and vaguely suspicious neighbors with possible hidden agendas......ooo boy, can't wait to move in.
So let's roll out the welcome wagon for nervous newbie Sarah, husband Daniel and rambunctious little toddler Jacob. They just moved out of their previous home after a weirdly upsetting experience with their early 20's babysitter Holly, who desperately latched on to them as a replacements after her own family disowned her.
But Holly's quite a story all to herself, which indeed gets told in previous timeline'd chapters that alternate with Sarah's currently dread-filled attempts at a fresh start.......a fresh start at a life free of Holly's unhealthy needy attachment to her family.
The dread comes to Sarah from all directions......Who stuck the hidden camera in the new house? who's sending the ominous, semi-threatening texts? Who's the unidentifiable person skulking around? And what in the world is up with the pushy, nosy next door neighbor and that creepy guy across the street who keeps staring?
And right there we've got every element in place for an absolutely riveting trip into domestic thriller-land.
True, there's no real sympathetic characters anywhere in sight here but Samantha Bailey never ever lets the pace lag for even a single paragraph. She deftly avoids the fatal flaw of other domestic thrillers that tumble down the rabbit hole of internal monologues and never climb out again. I simply couldn't zip through these pages fast enough.
And all the startling twists and reveals arrive right on time with the breathless finale......and maybe I'm old fashioned but I do adore one of those hyper-melodramatic showdowns that channel old Hitchcock movies....which "Watch Our For Her" nicely serves up. That always makes for a fast, fun 4 star read.......so if you love this genre, this one's a 'don't miss'.

There has been a lot of buzz about this book, and I was beyond thrilled when I was approved by NetGalley for an e-ARC.

This is one of those books where you are going to want to clear your schedule – you will not be able to stop reading. I was immediately hooked from the first chapter!
I love books with dual timelines and multiple POV and this author did a fantastic job with her storytelling. Every chapter ended in a cliff hanger, and I couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded. You know you are in for a ride when your heart is pounding at the end of every chapter!

This is the perfect domestic thriller filled with obsession, stalking, lies, and highly dysfunctional families. I thought I had the ending figured out and I was totally blindsided!

I cannot wait to read the author’s previous book, WOMAN ON THE EDGE.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my e-ARC.

I love domestic thrillers, but this one didn't quite work for me. The pacing was too slow, and the characters weren't as developed as I'd expected. There were a few good twists along the way. I also liked the alternating timelines to give a full look at what happened. However, you did have to suspend reality on occasion. Sadly, nothing will stick with me now that I've turned the final page.

Holly is the twenty-two year old daughter of John Monroe, the extremely wealthy owner of Health ProX. Her mother died when she was born, her stepmother barely notices her, and she only feels her father’s love when she gets rich investors for his company. Though she spent her life using petty thievery and sex to feel important, her stepsister is the only one who loves her unconditionally.

As Sarah Goldman has gotten older she feels as if she’s lost part of herself by taking care of her husband and son’s needs. When her husband suggests she hire Holly to babysit six-year-old Jacob over the summer so she could focus on her photography Sarah is thrilled. In a short time Holly becomes the daughter and confidant she never had, while Holly sees her as the mother she’s never known.

Through alternating voices and flashbacks, Sarah and Holly tell their stories of how they went from a love filled mother-daughter relationship to one of anger and betrayal. Sarah was so upset about what happened that she and her family moved far away, leaving Holly all alone. However, even in their new city, it seems as if Holly is obsessed and doesn’t want to let them go. How does a mother protect her son from someone who loves him as much as she does?

Bailey’s cliffhanger chapter endings and tension-filled pages kept me eagerly reading, while her plot twists and turns had me biting my nails. Sarah and Holly were believable, likable characters and my heart ached for them, as they both just wanted to be loved and accepted.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing from start to finish. I truly enjoyed this book by Samantha Bailey, she was able to tell the story through the eyes of two main characters, Sarah and Holly, seamlessly, I also enjoyed how she was able to differentiate between present day and the past. This book had me on the edge of my seat wondering how it would all end and I was NOT disappointed. A very solid effort that had a satisfying payoff. A very special thank you to Samantha M Bailey, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Synopsis per Amazon:
Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.

Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to wonder: Has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?

Watch Out for Her is a nail-biting psychological thriller that keeps you in suspense from the first page. Sarah, Daniel, Holly, and Jacob are unforgettable characters who you want to just cling to and direct as they go about their clandestine deeds. The plot is so well-woven that the secret remains until the end. I loved the mysterious tale.

I have just finished reading Watch Out for Her by Author Samantha M. Bailey.

This is a thriller that takes place in two Canadian cities – Vancouver and Toronto.

One of the main characters Sarah Goldman has a six-year-old son Jacob. The father Daniel Goldman would like his wife, a stay-at-home mom to have more time for herself and her passion of photography. They hire a young med student - Holly, who comes from a well to do family whose father has a business connection with Daniel.

There are lots of nanny cams, drama and watching.

I see that the book is getting mostly 4 and 5 stars so far, but for me it missed the mark, and fell short. I found myself just wanting to get it finished about halfway through and move on to something else that I would enjoy more.

2.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Simon & Schuster Canada for your advanced copy to read and review.

BOOK REVIEW
Watch Out for Her by: Samantha M. Bailey
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Publication Date: April 19, 2022
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Synopsis: Sarah Goldman, mother to six-year-old Jacob, is relieved to move across the country. She has a lot she wants to leave behind, especially Holly Monroe, the pretty twenty-two-year-old babysitter she and her husband, Daniel, hired to take care of their young son last summer. It started out as a perfect arrangement—Sarah had a childminder her son adored, and Holly found the mother figure she’d always wanted. But Sarah’s never been one to trust very easily, so she kept a close eye on Holly, maybe too close at times. What she saw raised some questions, not only about who Holly really was but what she was hiding. The more Sarah watched, the more she learned—until one day, she saw something she couldn’t unsee, something so shocking that all she could do was flee.

Sarah has put it all behind her and is starting over in a different city with her husband and son. They’ve settled into a friendly suburb where the neighbors, a tight clique of good citizens, are always on the lookout for danger. But when Sarah finds hidden cameras in her new home, she has to wonder: Has her past caught up to her, and worse yet, who’s watching her now?
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Review: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick read, but full of all the family drama. Told in alternating POVs that flip back and forth between past and present, it was very fast paced and kept you saying “just one more chapter.” This book had you trusting, then distrusting characters left & right. Which I really enjoyed, keeps you guessing and keeps you wanting more. I have not read this author’s other book “Girl on the Edge,” but I will after reading this one by her!

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Recommend: Yes! It was an excellent, quick, and an un-put downable read

I have some mixed feelings about this, as I feel rather guilty giving a book with this much profanity five stars. And the characters were all so unlikeable. But I read it in two days, and my mind kept prodding me to pick it up and read some more. Oh, and WOW, the twists!

Holly is the insecure daughter of a wealthy businessman and is expected to follow in his footsteps, get a medical degree and take over the company. This is what her father wants; it is NOT what Holly wants. She doesn't get along with her stepmother and mostly gets negative attention from her dad.

So when she gets a nanny job with Sarah for the adorable 6-yr-old, Jacob, she soon bonds with the family and feels like she belongs with them. Just as one starts to relate to Holly and care for her, it's learned that she also has an "evil side".

Same with Sarah. She comes across as such a nice person, also.... until she isn't. Their relationship is the backbone of the story and will hold your interest. I can't say that I loved the ending but I, certainly, didn't expect it!

What a thrill ride this was. It’s a cautionary tale of how secrets and lies do not pay. There are some shocking turn of events in the story.

The story is told from the point of view of Holly, who just wants to be loved and who is hired to babysit for Sarah and Daniel’s son. It is also told from the pint of view of Sarah, a photographer who has a hard time trusting people.

Both characters have difficult childhoods in common and they bond, but Sarah soon becomes suspicious of Holly’s intentions and everything starts to go awry.

It’s suspenseful and explores themes of anxiety and self worth. The characters are well developed although not necessarily likeable. But no matter, it was an engaging thriller and I would recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh boy. I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. I hate giving books less than three stars, but I can't justify giving this book more than two. I'm not going to lie, I had to skim parts of it to get through the book (mostly Holly's chapters), and I rarely have to do that because I'm a quick reader. I considered DNFing it but decided to push through.

Sarah's chapters are written decently (though not great), but Holly's chapters came across as amateurish and felt super out of place. This book is also super drama-heavy, and it is completely unnecessary most of the time. A lot of Sarah's reactions to the drama are way too much. I cringed a few times because some of the reactions were so far-fetched. The book was also extremely predictable most of the time (not always a bad thing, but in this case, it was).

I'm still considering reading Baily's debut novel "Woman on the Edge" because it has such fantastic reviews, but if the writing style is the same, maybe this author just isn't for me? Who knows, maybe, once again, I'm the odd one out, and you will like it!


Note: Thank you to Netgalley & publishers for allowing me access to this arc in exchange for an honest review! Please note that all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Loved, loved, loved, this book and could not put it down. Every sentence was perfect. The author told an engaging story. Typically never request early release of books because I have so many purchased ebooks in my queue and never have time to read but the buzz on this book caught my interest. Happy to devour over the weekend. ‘Watch out for her’ by Samantha M. Bailey is a must read! It lives up to the hype!!!

Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Watch Out for Her, from cover to cover. The main character was relatable and intriguing. Also, the author’s writing style was very captivating for me.

I would recommend this book to any and all thriller readers.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

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After the events of a summer open a chasm amidst the family, Sarah, Daniel, and their son Jacob have suddenly moved across the country for a fresh start. However, as the family tries to settle into a new life, Sarah learns that not everything stays in the past.

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I find that I'm not very interested in stories that focus heavily on family drama, which I think is why this book was only okay for me. There were some points in the story that were painfully dull to read, which wasn't what I was expecting from a book marketed as a thriller.

The story is told in a nonlinear fashion, jumping between the past and present. I wasn't very interested in the "present" portion of the story, and after a while, the "past" portion lost my interest as well. I felt like a lot of the characters were quite cliche in their presentation and motivation, which might be why I got so bored with this read.

On the other hand, there were some aspects of the characters that I found relatable and compelling enough to keep my interest until the end. Unfortunately, the ending was pretty predictable and lacked the excitement I was hoping for.

I guess I just found this to be a very average read. The writing itself was effectual, just the story wasn't very interesting to me. I'd recommend to those who (unlike me) do enjoy a family drama with a slow, peeling-back-the-layers approach.

3.5 Stars

That song by The Police kept going through my head the entire time I was reading this domestic thriller. Told via two points of view and two timelines Watch Out for Her is my favourite type of book. I always enjoy a good Now and Before timeline story. There is a lot of internal dialogue within this book and I love that as well. There isn't a better way to get inside the characters head.

This is my first read by this author and if her sophomore book is any indication I will be reading her debut Woman on the Edge. I can't finish this review without mentioning that it takes place in my hometown of Toronto, Canada which is also where the author is from.

I'm a big fan of Bailey's writing. Woman on the Edge was a masterclass of suspense, and when I saw the cover reveal for Watch Out for Her, I knew I had to read it immediately.

Sarah wants nothing more than for things to go back to the way the were before Holly came into her life--her family's life--and in order to do that, there needs to be a change. Moving to a new house is a start, but she can't shake the feeling that she's being watched. As her suspicions grow, she begins to question everyone around her, determined to find the truth.

I love love LOVED this one.

First, be prepared to lose all sense of time when you open this book. From the first page, I couldn't put it down. Unreliable, unlikeable, or downright authentic--call it what you will--Sarah's narrative voice is spectacular. You want to like her, but you're not sure you can trust her. Why? Is she truly that despicable, or do her insecurities hit a little too close to home. Bailey's commentary on motherhood and identity is so spot on it hurts, and I couldn't wait to see how Sarah's behavior would unfold. I also loved Holly's POV for similar reasons. Identity, sexuality, acceptance--all of these things blend together into an engrossing character who will keep you turning pages.

Crisp, smart, and utterly un-put-downable, Watch Out for Her is a must-read.

Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

If you like thrillers that make you feel uneasy, that make you feel like a plot twist is coming this is a book for you. A domestic thriller that keeps your attention and makes you think, Watch Out for Her keeps your mind guessing till the end. You trust and distrust the characters all at the same time, wanting to believe in their goodness but knowing something is askew. An excellent read.
#WatchOutforHer#NetGalley

I liked the writing style. Figured out the twist fairly early on. Solid 4 out of 5 stars. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Watch Out For Her by Samantha M. Bailey

Watch Out For Her follows the Goldman family Sarah, Daniel, and their son Jacob. They soon hire a nanny, Holly who was disowned by her own wealthy and well known family. She begins staying at the Goldman’s full time, in hopes this could be her new family.

The story changes between two POVs, Holly in the “before” and Sarah in the “after”. I was very intrigued within the first few chapters but then it fell short for me. I was not invested in the characters and there was no big plot twist. This was my first book by this author and I really wanted to love it!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was so much fun and such a fast read. I couldn't put it down and stayed up way too late to read it! It kept me questioning the entire time and suspecting everyone. I loved the unreliable narrator and the dual timelines - two tropes that can sometimes feel overdone but we're extremely well executed in this book. I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!