Emily is a struggling nursing student who is thrilled to land a job working for renowned psychiatrist Dr. Roth. He's needing a nurse to look after his mentally ill wife Sabrina in their luxurious Florida home. The position pays well and Emily needs a reliable income. She is excited to start her job until she notices strange things about the situation. Is Dr. Roth trying to over-medicate his wife? Emily soon realizes that this job is not as simple as it seemed at first, and she must figure out the truth about Dr. Roth and his wife Sabrina before it's too late.

A great, twisty read! A tad slow in the beginning but hooked me in the end!

3.5 stars

Author Jenna Kernan creates a suspenseful story of a new nurse agreeing to become a personal nurse to a prominent doctor's wife, but what is really wrong with the wife or is there anything really wrong with her? Such an interesting story that grabbed me from the start.

The Nurse by Jenna Kernan
Narrated by Madeline Pell
4⭐ Publish date 10/2/23

This book has all the makings of my favorite genre, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Madeline Pell did a beautiful job narrating this one making the story come together perfectly. This may be my first read by Jenna Kernan, but it won't be my last.

Have you ever thought something was a dream come true only for that dream to quickly degrade into your worst nightmare? Emily is an LPN with rent to pay and debt that she needs to get out from under. So when Dr. Roth hands her this dream job she could hardly pass it by. More money than she has ever made and perhaps ever will. All she has to do is look after his wife Sabrina, make sure she takes her meds, do a little cleaning, warm up some meals, and help her run errands. Sounds easy enough, Emily can't believe her luck.
By the way, he did mention she has some mental illness, and from time to time thinks people are after her, and whatever you do, don't let her drive.

The Nurse will have you staying up way too late trying to figure who to trust, and who is playing you. Sometimes that answer isn't as straightforward as you might think, and sometimes the player gets played

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the book The Nurse, author Jenna Kernan follows Emily who is starting her new job working for Dr Roth looking after his wife Sabrina. But is Sabrina really mentally ill? What is her husband – the famous Dr Roth – hiding?
But is Emily who she appears to be? This is a fast pace psychological thriller. The ending was different. I did not care for the ending twists. I would recommend this book. The audio-book narration was very good. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, quick read. It was my first book by Jenna Kernan and I look forward to getting to read more of her back catalog. Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to review this book in exchange for an advanced copy.

Emily has just gotten a job working for Dr. Roth and his lovely wife Sabrina. Except, Sabrina is a bit odd and takes an interesting cocktail of drugs daily to help keep her at bay. Her husband says she needs these medications, yet Sabrina thinks her husband is trying to keep her from leaving. Emily gets caught up in the drama and it may cost her her life! I was anxious to find out the truth behind Sabrina, and it did not disappoint! An enjoyable book from this author.

Title: The Nurse
Author: Jenna Kernan
Narrator: Madeline Pell
Pub Date was: October 2, 2023
Publisher::Dreamscape Select-Bookouture Audio
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 427

Emily Lancing is a Licensed Practical Nurse who recently graduated at the top of her class. She is excited to be hired right away. .Psychologist Dr. Henry Roth needs a health care profession to care for his wife Sabrina who has mental health issues and is often delusional. He requests the applicant be the Valedictorian of the class.
Turns out that Emily has additional duties other than being her nursing supervision; she is also a personal assistant and expected to serve as a housekeeper, prepare meals as well as doing the laundry. The Roth’s live in a beautiful Florida home and it sure seems they should have hired helped for most of the duties. However we learn that Dr. Roth doesn’t rust his wife and needs someone he can trust to watch her thus a nurse who will follow his directives and can keep Sabrina safe.

The story is a slow burn - we go through the same detailed descriptions of the daily routine. Usually Sabrina is very demanding and rude to Emily or is so heavily medicated she sleeps all day.
However this is just ground work for the 'real story'!
Sabrina tells Emily that she is responsible for her twin brother’s death due to drowning when they were three years old. Sabrina’s mother accused Sabrina of being responsible for his death. She also said she is responsible for killing someone in an auto accident.

Emily is sure Dr. Roth is over-medicating his wife. She is also sure that she cannot trust anything that either of them tells her.
Certainly seems things aren’t what one might expect from this affluent couple,

Can our top of the class Emily figure it out?

Awww that ending!!
.

I am a big Psychological Thriller fan; just love the twists and turns. I was pleased when one reviewer mentioned that this story has a slight feel of Frieda McFadden’s “The Housemaid”.

This is only my second Jenna Kernan novel. I read and enjoyed "The Ex-Wives"
Looking forward to my next Jenna read.

I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Select/Bookouture Audio for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was Monday October 2, 2023.

Wow! These people are A LOT and are huge jerks!! Also murders and rude! This was a wild ride and my 1st book by Jenna Kernan but definitely not my last! I am adding all of her books to my TBR!!

#TheNurse
#NetGalley

Colleen Chi-Girl
*** 3 stars
bookshelves: 2023, audio, contemporary, crime-mysteries, us-no-amer, women-centered, florida, illness-suicide-addiction, bookouture, netgalley

Thank you for this audiobook ARC from Bookouture, Jenna Kernan, and NetGalley. I love audiobooks and am so happy to find more publishers utilizing them.

Publisher: “Can you start right away?” I can hear the desperation in Dr Roth’s voice. He’s longing for someone to look after his poor, sick wife, Sabrina in their perfect Florida home. The job pays an awful lot. And I really need the money. As long as they don’t ask too many questions…"

"I spend my days by Sabrina ’s side. She has everything money could buy – a luxurious home, a handsome, doting husband who would do anything for her. I hate cleaning up her mess, picking her designer clothes off the floor, and driving her to the golf club. I hate how she sneers at me, no matter what I do. But I have to remember why I’m really here."

My Review: The premise for this thriller was intriguing and interesting, and I wondered how Emily, this young, but educated and trained nurse would handle herself with the very wealthy husband and his mentally ill wife (husband was suspect from the beginning IMO). The story began very slowly and I had difficulty staying at normal speed on the audio, because it dragged and went in circles for the first 1/3 of it. This was despite the full-on excitement I felt regarding what was going to happen and when, when, when!? Emily takes this job for the money clearly. She has to pick up after this sad, ill, and spoiled woman, Sabrina, be her driver, keep her away from the house and car keys, keep an eye on her constantly, and most importantly, keep her on her meds.

I liked that there were secondary characters, such as the housekeeper, and Emily's best friend, who added some reality and normality to the plotline. There were flashbacks and history that unfolds throughout the book that helps the suspense and drama.

There was a really good twist at the end, which made it worthwhile. However, it also could have been shortened immensely. This author is so talented and creative, and perhaps needs editing help so the story could be more dramatic and shortened by a couple hours. Less can truly be more.

This was my first Jenna Kernan book. This was interesting domestic thriller. I can't say I loved it but enjoyed it.

“Can you start right away?” I can hear the desperation in Dr Roth’s voice. He’s longing for someone to look after his poor, sick wife Sabrina in their perfect Florida home. The job pays an awful lot. And I really need the money. As long as they don’t ask too many questions…

I spend my days by Sabrina ’s side. She has everything money could buy – a luxurious home, a handsome, doting husband who would do anything for her. I hate cleaning up her mess, picking her designer clothes off the floor, and driving her to the golf club. I hate how she sneers at me, no matter what I do. But I have to remember why I’m really here.

Dr Roth has made it clear I have to make sure she takes her medication. Because if she doesn’t, there’s hell to pay. Three times a day, I count her sedative pills carefully. Sabrina rambles about the death of a child. About a terrible accident. Dr Roth shakes his head sadly. Delusions are a heartbreaking symptom of his wife’s illness, he says.

But when Dr Roth leaves the house, Sabrina becomes more clear-headed. She tells me she’s done something terrible. And that her husband is lying. He keeps her trapped because of what she did. And I’m the only one who can help her escape.

Can I believe the words of a woman suffering from delusions? Or is Dr Roth not as trustworthy as he seems? Someone is lying. And if the Roths find out why I’m really here, this could take a deadly turn…

Is this thriller about an unhinged, delusional, paranoid woman, or a controlling, diabolical, scheming man? Who is the victim and who is the villain? I enjoyed speculating on who was telling the truth throughout this twisted tale of deception and betrayal. This is an intense game of cat and mouse with the players stealthily racing toward vengeance. Who should be feared and who should be protected? The conclusion was full of twists and turns that were surprising and satisfying. Their narrators did an excellent job of bringing the story to life, adding a layer of suspense. Thank you Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for my audiobook.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Nurse by Jenna Kernan an audiobook narrated by Madeline Pell is a completely unputdownable master manipulator that makes you suspect everyone without an option to guess who is the guilty one! The twist was completely mindblowing and kept me guessing until the very end. I loved it!


Emily graduated top of her class as a nurse and all she needs is a job that will pay her bills and student debt! When she saw the position of private nurse - she knew, she must have it. There are a lot of rules but good pay so Emily is happy to challenge herself. Everything would be fine if Emily would not ask the questions but stick to the rules! But she just could not!


Madeline Pell made this story so enjoyable, and so intense! Perfect choice for this book!


This is an absolutely must-read story just because of the twist!
This was my first book by this author but definitely not last!


Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for this audiobook - I enjoyed every second!

The Nurse is a psychological domestic thriller encompassing moral and ethical dilemmas as Dr. Roth, a psychiatrist is treating his wife for her alleged mental illness. He is desperate for a full time nurse to look after his wife, and Emily seems to be the perfect candidate as a newly graduated Valedictorian from nursing school. But as Emily witnesses what is happening within the house, she must decide where her loyalties lie...with Dr. Roth her well respected employer, or her patient and her delusional thoughts, or are they? The story slowly and methodically builds until it reaches its crescendo, and then it takes off as one twist after another is revealed.
Although I thought I figured out part of the twist early on, I realize that the author wasn't necessarily hiding this bit of information. So as it simmered in the back of my mind, I definitely didn't know the how or the extent of the impact and of course, there was a whole lot that caught me by surprise. This is more of a character driven thriller. And I personally found Sabrina the most complex character of all. She was quite a complex enigma.
Madeline Pell did a fabulous job with the narration. She gave nothing away while keeping the characters clear and different

Yikes! What a clever twisty psychological thriller. I was completely hooked and couldn't stop until the end. This was an engaging, engrossing and addictive ride.

The story did start a little bit on the slow side for me in the first part but then it just picked up and didn't let go until the very end. The characters were so complex, so hard to trust which makes for an even more electrifying read.

The plot was intricately constructed, so well done. The authors writing will grip you and once the twists start coming you will be completely shook. I loved how everything just gives you closure to the reasoning behind everything. This one will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.

I listened to this one and the narrator did a fantastic job with making you feel all the emotions and the suspense of the story.

If you're looking for a fantastic domestic thriller that will captivate you with incredible twists, add this to your TBR now!

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @dreamscape, @bookouture & @jennakernan for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Housemaid X Verity X Gaslight (1944)

This is very Frieda McFadden, except more of a slow burn. For me, it didn't satisfy the way some other domestic thrillers do, and I think a lot of that had to do with the pacing. The first 1/3 hashes (and re-hashes) out Emily's dire financial straits while the second 1/3 hashes (and re-hashes) out Sabrina's rich bitch meanness. The last 1/3 really kicks it into high gear, so if you're cool with a slow burn, I say go for it.

But like I said, this didn't really do it for me. I guessed the big twist and having read this a couple weeks ago, I had to jog my memory before writing this review. Fun while it lasted!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to listen to an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Nurse by Jenna Kernan released on October 2nd, 2023.


Honestly, I don't have much to say about this book. It's the generic 'thriller' book with a twist you 'never see coming' - you know, the kind that are super quick reads and almost always on kindle unlimited? The book isn't anything special or revolutionary, but it is entertaining and a mindless read (or listen).

Think Frieda McFadden and other authors like her, the type of books that they write. If you enjoy those, you will probably love this one too. Again, the book isn't bad, it just isn't anything that stands out. I also found the premise to be a bit out there, a bit unbelievable.

And the employers/main characters annoyed me.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3!

This was a slow burn domestic thriller that ramps up in the last 30ish%. There were some points that kind felt a bit sluggish but it was worth sticking through it to get to the ending.
Emily has recently graduated as valedictorian of her nursing school class and is now an LPN. She comes from a humble background and is burdened with student loans and dealing with the loss of her mother, she’s trying to save for a headstone. So when she hears of a home healthcare job that seems to good to be true, she decides she has to apply for it anyway and she gets the job and that’s where the story kicks off. The husband is a psychiatrist who is also responsible for the care of his wife, who he says has many issues caused by trauma in her past and it will be Emily’s job to make sure she takes her meds and stays calm and stays on her routine so that she won’t become unstable. But Dr. Roth doesn’t seem completely stable himself. Is Mrs.Roth really a danger to herself and others or is Dr.Roth just super controlling? Do the Roth’s have secrets they’re trying to hide?
The pacing was a little slow for the first half and then it started to pick up but then it had enough twists to keep me intrigued and questioning who was telling the truth and who was lying.
The narrator did a fine job of keeping the story engaging and the characters distinctive.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this audiobook arc in exchange for my review.

I listened to the audiobook of this one and I did enjoy the narrator. I felt like she did a good job bringing the main character to life the best she could. I felt like all of the characters in this book The first third of the book was really hard for me to get through. I felt like the writing could have been better and I got tired of repetitive sentences and weird metaphors that took me out of the story. I really liked the concept of the book and for me just a little polishing to the writing would have helped a lot. The second third was ok but super slow and still not enticing.. I would have given up if this wasn’t a book I had through Netgalley. The next 20 percent was interesting and a bit twistier than I initially expected from the book. The last part with the “big reveal” was too thorough. It didn’t feel revealed but lectured. I liked the resolution for each of the characters but it could have been done a little more smoothly. I was also confused by the couple of chapters by other narrators. In a book totally told from one perspective those couple of chapters were weird and out of place and a dead giveaway that there were some missing pieces. Emily has an interview for the best paying job she’s ever come close to. A private nurse for a rich couple where the wife has mental health struggles and needs help. In the interview she realizes the job is more housekeeper than nurse but she is determined to get the job (as she states clearly about a dozen times). As she gets to know the family she can’t help but wonder what exactly is going on in the Ross home. Overall I gave this one 2.5 stars rounded up because of a decent twist and a really good concept.

I should have stopped reading this after the trial. The « reveal » as to who Emily was and what she did totally soured the book for me. Prior to this absurd “twist” I had mostly enjoyed the book and it was a true psychological thriller oh I didn’t know who to believe or what was actually true. I had some other problems with the writing; for example the early chapters were painfully too descriptive and I didn’t understand why Emily was snooping and eager to snoop; but these issues, while distracting, were not enough to make me quit or dislike the book. The ending however ruined the experience entirely.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook. I thought this book was really intriguing giving me Verity vibes. The narrator was great and really played the main character well.. What I didn’t like was the characters in general. They weren’t convincing and made the story fall flat.

I listened to the audiobbook and the narrator was great! The book itself was entertaining and held my attention through most of it. I liked a lot of it but felt like some of it dragged.