When her husband’s 20 year-old daughter comes to stay with them, Joanne is thrilled to meet her stepdaughter Chloe and excited their family will finally be complete. What she doesn’t know is how many lies this family has been holding onto for years. She quickly realizes something is wrong, but no one will listen. Someone in the house wants her and her baby, Evie, dead… but who?
This is a gripping thriller you just can’t put down. It will have you going back and forth, wondering who you can trust. One thing is certain, nothing is what it seems.

When you hear these words, "Don't Let Her Stay" it will send chills upon you!
It all begins innocently enough as we are led through this he said/she said scenario.
Little by little the tension builds, the plot thickens, the characters become more engaged, and the thrillers just keep on coming smacking you literally in the face.
If you think you have this one pegged you'll be scratching your head and saying, "Wait, I thought"...and then going back for more.
Joanne is honestly believing she's the luckiest woman to have married Richard especially with her newborn Evie and a gorgeous house.
That's until Chloe (Richard's 21 yo daughter) shows up and flips the script on its head-no pun intended!
Who knew that a seemlessly harmless fall down the stairs could result in so many accusations about the past wife Diane.
How did she die? Did she take her life? Was she suffering from alcoholism> or does Chloe know the truth? Keep in mind Chloe was just a young lady at 11 yo when her mother passed.
Could we becoming the key holders to this pandora's box ?
As things play out we're led to believe that someone's crazy/psychotic but is that the case or is someone hiding something far worse?
What about the past is Richard not acknowledging?
Could it be true that there's something he's not telling us and it involves not one but two deaths?
Or, is Chloe the gal that rubs you raw in the beginning going to become our hero?
Well, be prepared because this is just getting started and you won't believe the ending! YIKES!
This does have some discussion about crib deaths aka cot deaths, suicide, cancer, and drugs for those that are squeamish.
Thank you to Nicola Sanders, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I received this book from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This statement is always true. I’m not given compensation to discuss a book and I’m not told how to rate a book. I am given a book in exchange for my opinions on it, and I am truthful in all my reviews whether I loved them or not.

The beginning was a little slow and it took a bit to get used to an audio book. The book started to pick up in Chapter 5 after all the back stories and character development. There's Joanne, a doting mom to an infant named Evie, Richard, husband to Joanne and Evie's father. Then you have the estranged daughter of Richard, 20 year old Chloe. Richard and Joanne seem to have a perfect life, marriage, and home. They are both over the moon with the birth of their new daughter, Evie.

Chloe comes into the picture unexpectedly, being sweet and kind to Richard. She constantly gaslights Joanne and stirs up trouble for this happy family. She's antagonistic and rude to Joanne and constantly changes her story when it comes to her dad and it seems like Richard is constantly on Chloe's side. Is Joanne going crazy or is Richard guilty of something?

As events unfold of Richard's and Chloe's past life and the end of his first marriage, the plot twists and keeps unfolding. Just when you think you have it nailed, the circumstances change. Then the circumstances change, again. This is a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat until the very last line of the book suspense/thriller. I thought that this was going to be a cookies cutter thriller. This definitely turned into a psychological thriller.

I want to read/listen to it again. All the hints that are missed, all the clues, and finally, the big finale in the end. "Don't Let Her Stay" is a winner and highly recommended by this reader.

Thank you Dreamscape and Netgalley for this opportunity.

The story of a new mom happily staying away from the city with her rich husband. It's all like a dream life until her 20-something stepdaughter arrives and everything is rolling downhill. You will feel you know where the evil resides all the time, but the author does a good job of keeping you confused till the end.

I like reading such thrillers once in a while that make me feel like everything is processing at a 2x speed, the reading, the story and the plot twists. Especially consuming this in an audiobook format makes it entrancing.

Genre: #mystery #thriller
Rating: 3.5/ 5 ⭐️

Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media for the Audio review copy
#DontLetHerStay #NetGalley

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

The narration of this book was clear, concise, and easy to understand. The story is about a couple with a young baby trying to incorporate the husbands adult daughter from his first marriage into their lives. There were points where I thought I knew for sure where it was headed, only to be completely taken off guard! I really liked the way it wrapped up and it would be great to see a sequel to this story. If you’re into psychological thrillers with unreliable characters, check this book out!

More like 3.8 stars.

Your wonderful life is suddenly upended when you become the evil step mother, gas lighted by your "new" 20 year old step daughter and constantly ignored by your previously loving husband. As everything crumbles around you (especially your mental state), you begin to think that someone within your house wants you dead and the only question is who? Will you be able to figure it out in time to save your baby and yourself?

If you love a good thriller (and prefer them on the twisted side), this book is for you. You'll be unable to put it down as you wonder over (and over and over) again why Joanne doesn't try a myriad of other ways to escape what her life has become.

While the narration was amazing (and kept me hooked from the first sentence), the character development felt rather disjointed. There was little build up throughout the story and often aspects of the characters felt like they were tossed in as an after thought.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Joanne, her husband Richard, and their baby Evie move to a large house in the English countryside. Richard's 20 year old daughter comes to visit after a long estrangement. There is a lot of gaslighting happening to Joanne and its up to her to figure out who is telling the truth now and about Richard's first wife. Solid twist at the end.

Penelope Rawlins did a very good job narrating the book.

Joanne has a wonderful husband, Richard, and a beautiful baby girl, Evie, and they live in a beautiful house. But Richard's twenty year-old daughter, Chloe, comes and casts a shadow on her happiness when she moves in and makes everything happen to make Joanne think she is loosing her mind...
This psychological thriller had me hooked from page 1! It got me doubting the whole time, even when I didn't want to... And the twist was great! The last 20% of the book is super tense, and I loved it. I somehow missed how old Chloe was, and fell off my chair when I realized 74% in that she was 20, not an evil 13 year-old brat... The audio book narration was amazing.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I listened to the audiobook the narrator is great. This book is well written the ending was a surprise. I finished this book in a day it’s hard to put down.

This book will take you on a roller coaster ride. There's suspense, gaslighting and danger. Johanne is married with a 4 month old baby girl. Her step daughter has come to stay with her and her husband and she's not the sweetheart her husband says she is. She immediately starts causing trouble.

Penelope Rawlins was the narrator for this audiobook. Nicola Sanders wrote a superbly twisted story and Penelope brings it to life. I recommend this book if you enjoy books that will shock you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Nicola Sanders for the opportunity to read this ARC.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a book have me at WTF. This book is it!

Joanne is married to what seems to be a loving husband and they have a 6 month old baby in the house. This isn’t Richards first wife and he has a daughter from that marriage. Chloe decides to come stay with the family for awhile. However, she has the perfect face for her dad and Joanne gets the dark nasty side. I wanted to scream at Chloe a couple of times through this book. You’ll have to check out the book to see if Chloe is a monster or is there another one or is Joanna mad thinking someone is after her and the baby.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance book

I was pleasantly surprised by this gripping psychological thriller! The pacing was quick but slow enough to help build suspense. I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I will say that there was endless gaslighting in this. It was a constant throughout the entire book. I loved Joanne and how protective she was of Evie despite the constant gaslighting. I'm glad she trusted her instincts. The ending of this one took me by surprise and I can't wait to read more by this author.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book has it all! A fast paced addictive thriller with creepy twists along the way that will have you questioning everything you know to be true as a mother.

The narrator did an exceptional job of capturing the emotion and pulling the listener in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this early audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book publish date March 7 2023.

Holy Guacamole Batman I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I received Don't Let Her Stay this morning from Netgalley, ignored my husband for 8+ hours and just finished it now. I'm writing the review immediately because OH MY GOSH.

I'm not going to tell you more. If you want the book summary, read the description. Everyone should just make themselves some cookies and coffee (I'm American), put the world on hold, and read this book as soon as it's released.

Capisce?

This was really addictive and I devoured it over a few nights. The story kept me interested and not knowing what was going to happen. It has been ages that a book has done that for me.

The narration really added to the suspense.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own

This was completely enthralling. I couldn't stop listening. I didn't get distracted even once. The thing with the fish was a lot. Before that I was like "well Jo could have handled that better."
But the fish thing.. That's when you know.
And it gets more and more intense from there.
I had postpartum anxiety. I completely felt like Jo just needed a little help and maybe needed to chill a little. Also her obsession with her husband was weird. I loved that. I love these flawed protagonists. I love slightly creepy young people. Anyway I found it believable that she was losing it a little. It happens.
BUT she also seemed really reliable.
I'd be the babiest wearing baby wearer the second weird stuff started and I'd be going to work with the baby or something.
OSCAR!
What a disaster.
The narration was spot on. I couldn't get enough. I need more of these.

Someone in your house wants you dead.

Is that "someone" your angry, bitter, and estranged stepdaughter, who recently invited herself into your home to meet her new baby stepsister?

Or is it someone else?

This twisty domestic thriller with an ultra-compelling premise featured strong characterizations and staggering twists and turns.

Unfortunately, my eyes started to roll at the end of the book.

In other words, the final "staggering" twists required a HUGE suspension of disbelief and were waaaay too staggering to be realistic.

Also, I felt that some portions of the book were overwritten.

The audiobook (9 hours, 45 minutes) easily could have been a 7-hour audiobook. If so, I would have upped my star rating.

The audiobook was read by Penelope Rawlins, one of my favorite UK narrators. As usual, Penelope Rawlins did a superb job with the narration.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Joanne is stuck between her husband and his estranged daughter Chloe when she comes to stay with them for a while. Chloe is a different person when her father isn't around, but so sweet when he is. Joanne is frightened for her life and her babies life. Who should she believe?
Great story that kept me guessing, but the abrupt ending fell flat.

Joanne is a stay at home mom to her baby daughter, Evie. Her husband Richard has a demanding job and works a lot. He is a bit older than Joanne, and has an adult daughter from a prior marriage, in which he was widowed.

They haven't seen Chloe, Richard's daughter, since their marriage. Suddenly, she wants to come stay with them and get to know her baby sister.

Joanne is friendly and tries to welcome her. But something feels off. She and Chloe often disagree on how events happen and there are misunderstandings. Joanne is fearful of Chloe, but Richard reassures her that Chloe is harmless.

Things escalate. Is it Chole out to get her? Or could Chloe's twisted version of events actually be true?

This one keeps you guessing until the end!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an early copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I'm voluntarily sharing my thoughts on this book.

It's a wild ride. Joanne, her husband Richard, and their baby Evie have recently moved to a big house in the English country side. One day, Joanne sees a letter that she worries is from Richard's ex-girlfriend. Only, it's actually from his estranged 20-year-old daughter, Chloe, from his first marriage. Chloe stopped speaking to him two years ago when he married Joanne. She heard that he and Joanne had a baby and wanted to reconcile so she could get to know her new sister. Richard is overjoyed because he's made several attempts to reconcile with her. Joanne wants to make Richard happy and does her best to welcome Chloe.

The visit quickly spirals out of control, though. Chloe repeatedly gaslights Joanne and treats her poorly overall. Each time, Richard immediately sides with Chloe and aggressively tears Joanne down in ways I consider verbal and emotional abuse. He also gets volatile and throws objects. There are one or two times when he does side with Joanne, but for the most part, he aggressively defends Chloe, which Chloe is fully aware of and exploits.

Despite how obvious the gaslighting is, Joanne begins to worry that she's becoming like her own mother, who was hospitalized for paranoia and other mental health related issues when Joanne was a baby. She also really wants to make Richard happy.

The gaslighting here was so heavy-handed and repetitive that I almost DNFed the book because I was annoyed. The last third is where things really started to pick up though. It was twist after twist. I kind of wish it ended two chapters early. That would've been the ending I was hoping for as I read it. I'm still not sure what I think about the last two or three chapters. I am glad that there was more to the story than a stereotypical gaslighting story, though. I also enjoyed the "Rebecca" vibes.

Overall, I recommend it if you enjoy psychological and/or domestic thrillers. There's definitely some dark twists and turns.