Well, I certainly didn’t see that ending coming! The short chapters made this a very quick read for me. I was intrigued enough to peruse it to the end. I love my kids but I’m not sure I’d be inclined to go to the extent that The Waitress did.
Thank You to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Emily Shiner for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC.

A really good psychological mystery. I really liked the main character and her sheer strength throughout. Some good twists I didn't see coming. Highly recommended xx

I normally like anything but this author but I sort of struggled with this one. I'm not sure if it was the book itself that I wasn't turned off by or the characters. The storyline felt a bit ridiculous to me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

An interesting psychological thriller about a mother who will do anything, and put up with anything, including a lifetime of psychological abuse, from her awful son.

No lessons to put forward regarding good vs evil in this book, albeit it is a captivating read that will keep you turning the pages.

A pretty good thriller. Lots of drama, deceit, secrets, and sinister intentions. Some of the twists were predictable but I was still intrigued by the story and characters enough to keep reading. A quick and easy read with an excellent cover.

I really LOVE this book! I did guess some of it but there were some twists that I would have never thought of. I will definitely have to read some more of her books! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers, mysteries, and murder stories!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this book. I was not paid to read this and it is my honest review.

Call me a sucker for a good cover, but this one delivered!

Between the title, author, and cover. I knew without a doubt, I wanted an early copy of The Waitress.

Emily Shiner, has intrigued me since she first released, The Bad Nanny. My love for Shiner only grew with each release that followed, The Good Teacher, The Liar House, The Wife in the Photo... the list goes on and on.

BUT

and there is a big BUT

The Waitress, has stolen the show and I am here for it.

Secrets, Lies, Deceit... do I need to say anything else? The Waitress packs a punch that will leave your stomach in knots and your head spinning.

Check out this teaser :

Secrets can be kept. If you’re willing to pay the price.

Anne Marie’s life isn’t easy. She’s a single mom in a dead-end waitressing job with a beater car and bills to pay. Adding to the pressure, her teenage son, Dave, is out of control, and no matter what she does, Anne Marie can’t seem to get through to him.

Then, out of the blue, Dave completely changes. He’s kind, he’s thoughtful, he helps out around the house and looks after his mom. Anne Marie can’t believe her luck.

Until she discovers the reason for her son’s sudden transformation – he’s done something really awful and he’s terrified he’ll be caught. Even worse, someone out there knows about it and they’re blackmailing him.

Anne Marie is desperate to protect her son and knows she has to somehow stop the blackmailer. But how?

As she considers her choices, Anne Marie realizes she may be taking the first steps on a path that will lead her straight to the gates of hell.

How far is she willing to go to save her only child?

This story took me a minute to get into but I ended up enjoying it in the end. Any mother would go to any extremes to protect her child. This author is able to capture that strong love and bond through mom and child.

I read The Waitress very quickly - it’s a great book if you’re looking for something fast to get through.
If you’re looking for deep plot and suspense, with characters that suck you in and leaving you wanting for more, this is NOT it.
I typically love Emily Shiner books but this one just disappointed. There was no depth and just felt rushed - maybe that’s why it was so easy to get through quickly. I didn’t really fall in love with the characters. The mom let her son walk all over her, and the son was just a big bully.
I figured out who the blackmailer was early on and I think that may have ruined it for me.

Overall it grabbed me right away, but just sort of let me down. Great idea. Captivating cover.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date: 03 Dec 2023

The queen of revenge plots, Emily Shiner, returns following The Better Mother with her latest wild, twisty thriller, THE WAITRESS —A single mother takes desperate measures when she realizes her son is a monster.

Anne Marie has had a tough life but is about to get tougher. She got pregnant as a teen and did not graduate high school. Her parents were not supportive, and the baby's father was no good.

A single mom alone raising her son, Dave (age 16). She wants a better life for him, but his behavior is uncontrollable. She sometimes works two shifts at the Early Bird Diner, has one friend at the diner, and her son disrespects her with his no-care attitude.

Dave is always in TROUBLE! The school always calls her for meetings, and her boss at the diner does not like it. He has warned her numerous times to stop bringing her personal life into work, or she will be without a job —then what will she do?

She drives a beat-up old Camry and barely has enough money for groceries. Dave is either acting out, skipping school, smoking dope, selling drugs, smoking at school, or something. He is sixteen and does not offer to help around the house or with expenses. He takes the car without permission and often damages property. He needs psychiatric help, or jail would be best for him.

His latest stunt, he took her car, and an elderly neighbor man winds up dead. Now the police are at her door. But there are so many dents in the car; what is one more?

To protect her son, Anne Marie gives the cop a fake alibi for her son. Then, the worst, someone saw something, and now comes blackmail letters. Dave even takes her diamond earrings—the only thing worth anything she has.

She says she will help him. Anne Marie finds that when her son is desperate and worried and needs her help, he is helpful around the house. This gives her hope. She likes this, similar to a drug addict. So, she needs to keep him upset, a fix, she thinks, to keep him in line. (absolute madness)!

The blackmailing escalates, and they come up with a plan. However, Dave does not follow the plan, and now there is another murder. Instead of turning her son in to get help, the two seem to be more concerned about getting rid of the blackmailer than feeling any remorse or guilt about people being murdered.

How is Dave supposed to be held accountable for his actions if his mother keeps trying to clean up his messes? How far will she go to protect her son?

The entire town knows he is a troublemaker, and Benji, the guy she was dating, breaks it off because he cannot take the son and all the drama.

In one way, you feel sorry for Anne Marie, but she wears rose-colored glasses when it comes to her son. This is fiction, but she needs to turn him over to the cops and stop enabling him.

Of course, with Emily's signature style, there is a wicked twist at the end. That was the best part. She does a great job of building suspense and the atmospheric setting in a dead-end town. This is one of the craziest books I have ever read. I wanted to call the cops on Dave, put him in prison, and send the mother to a head shrink! No likable characters here.

THE WAITRESS is entertaining, humorous, wild, and frustrating. What an imagination!

Do not take this one too seriously—it is more of a popcorn thriller, and, at times, the plot goes beyond believability. I guessed the blackmailer's identity but kept reading to discover how this would turn out. The novel would be great for a book club discussion with nature vs. nurture topics.

THE WAITRESS is for fans of Freida McFadden's The Perfect Son and Daniel Hurst —readers looking for an entertaining drama-filled wild domestic suspense instead of a serious complex whodunit mystery. A big fan of the author—she always surprises! #CoverLove

Every parent should read this book as a cautionary tale of what NOT to do.

Thanks to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Dec 3, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Dec 2023 Must-Read Books
Dec Newsletter

The Waitress by Emily Shiner.
Anne Marie’s life isn’t easy. She’s a single mom in a dead-end waitressing job with a beater car and bills to pay. Adding to the pressure, her teenage son, Dave, is out of control, and no matter what she does, Anne Marie can’t seem to get through to him.
A really good read. I didn't expect that though. I didn't really like or dislike Anne Marie. Dave I felt was spoilt. I really didn't like him. 4*.

Title: "The Waitress"

Author: Emily Shiner
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Rating: ★★★★☆
"The waitress" by Emily Shiner is a gripping mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Set against the backdrop of a quaint yet eerie small town, the story unfolds with a series of mysterious events that will leave readers guessing until the very last page.
Harper's writing is atmospheric and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the town and its inhabitants. The author skilfully weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a complex tapestry of characters, each with their own motives and hidden agendas. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger, driving the reader to keep turning the pages.
The characters in "The waitress" are well-developed and realistic, each harbouring their own secrets and flaws. Amelia Lawson is a compelling protagonist, haunted by her past yet determined to seek justice. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with relationships and conflicts that add layers to the mystery.
The plot is intricate and cleverly constructed, with red herrings and twists that will keep even the most seasoned mystery readers guessing. Shiners skilfully drops breadcrumbs throughout the narrative, allowing readers to piece together the puzzle alongside Detective Lawson. The resolution is satisfying and unexpected, tying up loose ends while leaving room for the characters to evolve beyond the final pages.
While the novel excels in building tension and suspense, some readers may find certain elements of the plot predictable or reminiscent of other mystery novels. However, Harper's unique voice and well-crafted prose set "The waitress" apart, making it a compelling and enjoyable read for fans of the genre.
In conclusion, "The waitress" is a well-crafted mystery that combines a compelling plot, complex characters, and a captivating setting. Emily shiner has delivered a suspenseful and engaging novel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next venture into the world of mystery and intrigue.

Wow! The lengths some people will go to protect their children goes way beyond normal in this book. Anne Marie Kerns cannot seem to fathom that her 16 year old son, Dave, is not a good boy. She wants to see him as the little boy he once was instead of the scary delinquent he has become. She gets calls daily from his school threatening to send him to alternative school. Every time she meets with the principal, she has an excuse that he will do better, and he is doing better. You can feel the animosity and disdain from the principal leaping off of the pages as she looks at Anne with pity. He has suddenly made an about face with his behavior. He is helpful and respectful. She does not know why he has changed, but she is glad. That is until she finds out he has done something horrid and he is afraid of the consequences of his actions.

There was a definite darkness to Dave. I could see that immediately. He was definitely not right. He needed professional help, but Anne Marie needed it as well. Her excuses for his behavior got old. She was determined to make him into a better man. Her protective instincts were dangerous as they fed into his darkness. I think it made him worse because now she has been pulled into his darkness. This book was emotionally intense as a battle of wills was present in each chapter. This was a superb book with an interesting plot line. This is the first book I have read by Emily Shiner, but it will not be my last.

Thank you to Inkubator Books and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The beginning of this is so relatable; the car, the street, the porch. It felt like normalcy. That is what I want in my books. Oh and the dented car! I have one of those too.
I do not have a Benji though. That guys sucks.
and Public schools can't just be kicking kids out for basic stuff like being large and smoking so I had to suspend disbelief for a little bit.
And you can't fire people for leaving during their lunch break, well in most states anyway. You can here in Utah.
Anyway, if you don't get hung up on little weird things this is a great book. I do love some Emily Shiner.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC!

I wanted to like this book--the description and the cover were what initially interested me, but the story was predictable. I had a hard time liking the characters, especially Dave. I was frustrated by the pacing, too. This is one of those books that only works if you're not trying to get invested. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

I can only imagine the time and talent it takes to write a book so I hate to ever critize but this book just was not for me. The characters were not likeable at all and I kept waiting for something to happen but it was just very predictable and a bit boring.

I’m sorry I had to DNF @ page 129 because these characters are just absolutely insufferable. Nothing could have made me push through to the end. I tried for days but both main characters have terrible personalities and character traits and it completely turned me off from what could have been a good storyline.

I liked this book a lot. It was definitely a darker story than I normally would read, but the cover and description intrigued me enough that I read it in just a few hours.

This book was good. Really kept me engaged.
Dave, I wanted to knock this kid into the middle of next week
He was super spoiled and knew how to get his way from his mom
Anne Marie always has been a single mother. She's never wanted anything to do with Dave's dad. She is doing the best she can, trying to make ends meet with her mediocre waitress job.
But Dave is 16. Dave feels like he can do what he wants. Run the streets, skip school, drink, and party.
One night, Dave runs over and kills a neighbor with the car, and that's when the notes start
Someone saw what Dave did, and they are now blackmailing Dave every chance they can
How far will a mother's love go to protect her son
Why can't Dave just be a good boy? Why can't he be a nice 16 year old teenager who is kind?

I love Emily Shiners books and this one was no different. It kept me hooked throughout and I would recommend it.