This was a very predictable story and one that I could not relate to. I did not like any of the characters and felt that there was no way that a mother and son could exist in such a manner. It was a relatively short book which helped but in places I must admit that I found it turgid. The premise of the book could have worked had it had more depth about the story but to me it was not an author that I would want to read again if this was typical of her style.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 3rd Dec 2023. Wow, Emily Shiner does it again what a mind blowing twisty unputdownable thriller full of twists and turns which made it impossible to put down!

My favourite character was Anne- Marie as I turned the pages I reflected on her situation and it made me think what would I do in this situation. I liked her as a character as well.

Overall, yet again a fantastic twisty thriller by Emily Shiner. I can’t wait for the next one! 😊

Thanks to #NetGalley and #InkubatorBooks for the ARC #TheWaitress by #EmilyShiner. This book has me wanting to sympathize but also shake Anne Marie to wake up. Not saying that I wouldn’t do the same, you don’t know until you are out into a situation.

I had high expectations for Emily Shiner's new thriller The Waitress, especially because I really enjoyed her previous novels. Unfortunately this really fell flat for me. I like the premise that a mother would go to great lengths for her son, but the plot was very predictable and the writing seemed stilted and awkward. The characters were also extremely unlikable, which made it even more difficult to keep reading.

Another great read from Emily Shiner. This is one of my go to authors and she never disappoints. Characters were great and kept me reading long into the night. Nice and creepy with a healthy dose of codependency. The perfect storm of emotions. Thank you NetGalley and Emily Shiner for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What lengths would you go through to protect your child? Anne Marie's son Dave is a trouble maker, cutting class, smoking behind the school and getting in all sorts of trouble. She has to constantly take of work at the diner to meet with the principle and is jeopardy of losing the job that pays for everything they need. Is her son really as bad of a kid as everyone makes him out to be? She begins to really question everything when an elderly neighbor is hit by a car and left on the side of the road to die. Could Dave be involved some how?

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for my ARC!

I found this book tedious and frustrating. A spoiled teenager who walks all over his mum and she just let's him do it. He does lots of awful things and breaks the law and she does all she can to protect him. Not as good a stort as I'd hoped. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

What a great book. I devoured it in 24hrs. I couldn't put it down, it had me gripped.

I loved Anne Marie's character, she is desperate for her boy to be good and she goes to extreme lengths to keep him that way.

Dave is the ultimate bad seed and really doesn't care about anyone but himself.

Brilliant ending, looking forward to reading more of Emily's books. I'm up to 3 books so far so have a few more to work through.

The writing in this book felt rather juvenile right from the start. I felt that most plot points were overly predictable and I didn't really enjoy it. Could be a good airplane read due to its simplicity.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I’m a big fan of Emily Shiner and this book did not disappoint. I was turning the pages so fast!
It’s about a single mom and her son and how far she would go to protect her child.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Even though I guessed the ending so the twist didn’t shock me, it was still an entertaining book. Would I say it’s the best thriller I read, no not by a long shot. I will say that I am a mother and I would do crazy things to protect my children but I don’t think I’d do that! That seems pretty extreme and crazy.

From the beginning both Dave and Anne Marie gave me anxiety. Dave for being such a spoiled brat and Anne Marie for letting him walk all over her. Anne Marie is a single mother and it about drove me crazy with how much she would do to protect her son. This was a fast-paced novel keeping be intrigued from start to finish.

Emily Shiner is one of my favourite authors and so it really pains me to say that I found this book quite disappointing.

Anne Marie is a single mum who will do anything for her son, Dave, despite his behaviour and the endless problems he creates for her. Dave isn’t just a normal teenager, he is off the rails and when there is a hit and run in their road, Anne Marie can’t help but wonder whether there is an extra dent in her beaten up wreck of a car.

The premise is great, but it felt like it had been written in a rush; the plot lacked depth and the characters were really unlikeable and needed further development and depth. For me, I realised very quickly who the blackmailer was as there were some really obvious hints in the way that person spoke and I knew what the twist at the end would likely be around halfway through the book.

2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Emily Shiner and Inkubator for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed the start of this book, but really had higher hopes for the outcome. Halfway through it just became a struggle. The Mum and Dave really annoyed me. Mum was just a doormat, and her contact "I'll do anything for my son" just sounded like whining.

I'd definitely read more from Emily Shiner, but this was just not for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What will a mother do to protect her son is at the center of this book. Anne Marie is a single mother raising her teenage son, Dave. I had some sympathy for Anne Marie but that went out the window with all the wrong choices she makes. As for Dave, three strikes and all your chances are done.
Thanks Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy. Wow! This looks deep into just what a mother will do for her son! Fast paced, shocking thriller!

You think you know your kids best, right? They wouldn't do any harm, they know right from wrong, and they certainly wouldn't kill another person. Or would they? Anne Marie and her son Dave are thrust into a bad situation that keeps on getting worse. Dave has always been a handful, but suddenly, after the death of their neighbor, Dave has become kinder and has even started helping Anne Marie around the house. As welcomed as this behavior is, Anne Marie fears it is connected to something darker. When Dave begins receiving notes from a blackmailer, Anne Marie fears the worst and is becoming more involved than she'd like to be. They need to find out who the blackmailer is and what they really want. Did they see Dave make that fatal mistake? Do they have something against Dave and/or Anne Marie? No matter who it is or what they want, Anne Marie and Dave are set on ending this - in whatever manner that takes.

I had been striking out lately with some of Emily Shiner's books, but this one was SO good. Some of the twists were easy to figure out if you were paying attention, but I absolutely could not put it down. I really connected with Anne Marie and her struggles with Dave; I felt for her and how hard it is to parent a child who just does not care about the world around them (until it directly affects them). The dynamic between the two kept the story moving and really brought the story together in the end. If you want a quick read that will keep your attention all the way through, give The Waitress a read! It's the perfect combination of twists and drama that will keep you coming back for more.

I loved this, quite a quick read and keeps you engaged throughout - which you would expect from an Emily Shiner book. Just loved it and for me it was a definite one session read as I wanted to see what happened in the relationship with the son and mother. I am not sure what I would have done if that had been my son and I know that sounds harsh. The author just gets you thinking.

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

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✨️✨️ Arc Review ✨️ ✨️
The Waitress
Emily Shiner
Incubator Books


Anne Marie, a single mother, works long shifts at a local diner to support herself and her teenage son. Despite her son's rebellious behavior, Anne Marie remains fiercely loyal and will do whatever it takes to safeguard him.

The concept of parental love and commitment was interesting, but I found the story was a bit over the top.
We're all devoted to our children, but not to the extent of breaking the law.

Growing up, I knew a few kids whose parents viewed them through rose colored glasses - basically, they could do no wrong and never had consequences for their actions.
This raises the question of whether these parents failed in their responsibilities or if they were caught in an endless cycle. 

That being said, the book was a fast read with short chapters and was, in fact, a page turner despite how many times I may have rolled my eyes or wanted to shake the protagonist. I absolutely think it would be an excellent book club selection.

How far will you go to protect your child?

Releases Dec. 3rd, 2023

A psyhological thriller about a mother protecting her son despite the stupidity he has done. Does he deserve her fierce protection, the answe is no but all mothers know that we are willing to do whatever it thakes to protect our progeny and this mother is not different. The plot itself is intirguing but I find it difficult to bond with the main character beceause I find her acts unacceptable and think both she and her son need professional help. My dislike for the characters and predictable outcome are the main reason for three star review.