This thriller gripped me immediately. I loved how it was written and the dual POV was easy to read.

Some things seemed a bit out of character for Alice and Melanie (Donna), but I’m unsure if that was done on purpose since they grew throughout it all.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! It was a fun read and I will definitely recommend it!

I loved this book.
When I'm reading a mystery I like thinking that I know what's going on, especially if I second guess myself and think that I'm totally off, and then you manage to surprise me again after that? I love it. (I know that was word salad but I don't want to give anything away).

When we meet 18 year old Alice as she arrives in Scotland as an Au Pair for a mysterious family in a secluded location. The location is transportive. Hearing her describe the beaches and woods and rolling hills made me want to book a ticket (just not to where she was working).
Alice is a sheltered teenager that hasn't had any real experiences outside of her family and friend network in her small town. She acts naive, which makes sense for her character. But she's also youthful and optimistic and has rose colored glasses about the world and people, and it was really nice to see that portrayed in a positive way of a young person. Slowly you see the rose colored glasses come off and you get to see more and more of who Alice is at her core.

Then there's Melanie. I really enjoyed her character and seeing the inverse of Alice, someone who is older and hardened by a hard life. Seeing bits of her past and her present was really interesting to see how her life was shaped into what it is when we meet her. I don't want to say too much about Melanie because you really don't know who she is when you first meet her.

I really enjoyed the converging timelines of the story. If I was listening to it on audiobook I could see how it might be difficult to follow along with the dates from where the book began to where each chapter is taking place on the timeline. I think it worked really well to up the ante of suspense.

Overall, I don't want to say too much and give away anything but I will say that it was an enjoyable mystery. It deals with hard topics but in an easily digestible way, nothing is too graphic (IMO).

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator books for the ARC. I look forward to reading more by Jane Renshaw in the future.

The Davidsons appear to be an ordinary family, but behind their appearance lies a hidden truth. Alice, an enthusiastic American student, was so excited to work as an au pair for the Davidson family in their Scottish lodge over the summer. But after just one month she disappeared

Now, the new au pair, Melanie, has taken over the role, and it doesn't take long for her to notice odd things about the Davidsons. The unsettling nightly activities, strange guests, and Uncle Gray raise red flags. The scratch marks on the floor of the previous au pair's room intensify the mystery—did Alice attempt to protect herself? What terror haunted her, and could the Davidsons be connected to her disappearance? Is Melanie herself at risk?

Determined to find out what happened, Melanie realizes she could be next! Can you figure it out before she does?

Actual Rating 1.5

Alice is an American who decides to spend the summer in Scotland, taking a job as an au pair with a local family in a remote lodge. One of the young girls is lovely, the other is shy, and the teenager is…a teenager. Things seem fine, but a month later, Alice disappeared without a trace. Now Melanie arrives at the same family for the same position, hoping to find answers relating to Alice’s disappearance. But does the same fate await her?

This book wanted to be many things, but unfortunately it fell short. It relied on many standard tropes relating to this premise, but didn’t utilize any of them in new, engaging, or interesting ways. There was so much promise to explore real, emotional topics relating to powerful themes (mother/daughter relationships, protecting family at all costs, narcissism, etc.) but instead each thing just felt like it was tossed in without a second thought or any attempt at depth. The characters were also lacking depth and it was impossible to make any emotional connection with them. And the isolated Scottish setting could have been utilized to create a strong atmosphere and add tension, but it wasn’t.

The writing was extremely exaggerated and juvenile during Alice’s sections – I’m sure this was partially intentional, but the number of explanation points and italics for emphasis made her read like she was a manic 10-year-old rather than 18. It was likely supposed to be used to portray her innocence, but it failed. The other POV had some similar issues. The author also fluctuated whether she referred to a character going undercover as Melanie or Donna, and there didn’t appear to be any rhyme or reason for when the author chose to use what name.

It honestly kind of felt like someone dumped all the ingredients for a cake in a bowl but didn’t try to blend them or make them into something delicious and cohesive. I can’t recommend this to anyone, but I’m in a minority so check out other folks’ reviews if you’re interested in the premise. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a well-written suspense novel that I enjoyed! Lots of twists and unexpected turns. The “twist” or ending was predictable, but it is difficult to surprise someone who reads lots of suspense novels. Overall. I would recommend this to others because it is well-written and enjoyable.

Alice was your typical sheltered valedictorian, until she decided to runaway for the summer and join a family in Scotland agreeing to work as their au pair. But naive Alice was not ready for what was in store for her. As odd things begin happening to Alice, we then begin reading the alternating timeline about a thirty something named Melanie, Alice's birth mother who is searching for Alice. Alice was reported missing after spending some time with the Davidson family in Scotland. Does the house hold secrets? Is something sinister is going with the Davidson family? This story will keep you guessing.

The Au Pair was a great read! The story included interlaced alternating timelines that were used to unfold the mystery in perfect timing.The Au Pair was surprisingly addictive.The deeper I found myself in the story the harder it was to put down. I felt like there were elements of this story that were unique and it wasn't especially predictable. The writing drew out the appropriate emotions towards the characters and their circumstances. The creepy elements were indeed creepy. Great read!

This thriller gripped me immediately. I enjoyed how the mystery was told by alternating points of view. Atmospheric and foreboding describe this intriguing, addictive thriller. This story made me care about the characters which is not always the case with this genre. The plot is compelling and perfectly paced with unexpected turns throughout

This book kept me up all night! I love that I was able to read this book. The mystery and drama are fantastic. I can’t wait to see what comes next!

Loved this thriller - so many twists and turns all the way through out.
Very talented writer and such great descriptions. Read this in less than a day.
Excellent work - 5 tars. Highly recommended.

I love books like these- never know what to expect! Very cleverly written. Will be recommending !

I just reviewed The Au Pair by Jane Renshaw. #TheAuPair #NetGalley

I give this 4.5 stars. The beginning was slow and honestly probably longer of a backstory then was really needed. I enjoyed the slow reveal and trying to figure who the villain(s) were. I really enjoyed the dual pov and how it told the story. The last 25% of thr book was by far the best and I’m really satisfied with the ending though I do wish we would have gotten a reunion with Tess and Isabell as well.

The tension in this book is palpable from start to finish. A true nail-biter that will leave you breathless, I couldn’t put it down and read it in two sittings!!!!

This is the sort of book I really love , so full of mystery!
Alice is the families new Au Pair an you know she is going to be in for a time as the family are the nicest -
Things take a turn and Alice disappears. A new Au Pair joins the family but is she all she seems...
Such a good read, I loved it.

A really good book, it had everything and I was pleasantly surprised, I’m looking forward to the next one

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2-Format: ebook

A high school graduate runs away to the Scottish Highlands and nothing can go wrong, right? No. She disappears and is presumed dead but her body was never found. So what really happened to Alice? This was a pretty good read. It was short and moved fast. The story was interesting but predictable. It’s told from multiple points of view and multiple timelines, which I did really like. It was written well so that the reader isn’t confused by POV or time. The characters were a little bit flat but still likable. Overall, it was worth the read.

This was my first book by Jane Renshaw and I really enjoyed her writing. I will have to look into other books by her.

One of my favourite experiences when reading books is when I get hooked from the start. Another is when different POVs that don't seem connected end up coming together in the end. The Au Pair had both! This was intriguing, dark, unexpected, and left me guessing until the very end, sitting at the edge of my seat until I finished it in two sittings.

The story is about the mysterious disappearance of Alice Snyder, an 18 year old American girl, that went to Scotland as an au pair without the knowledge of her parents in search for some adventure and a deeper sense of self. Until her clothes are found neatly folded on a rock close to the water, giving the impression that she had gone for a swim a drowned. Shortly after this tragedy, the family hires a new au pair to take over the duties of the house and taking care of the kids. But this one is not as naive as Alice, and she is determined to find out what happened to her predecessor.

This book made me think of The Housemaid by Freida McFadden in the best way possible, so if you are a fan of thrillers this would be a great choice. Will definitely stay on the lookout for other books by the same author!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The family at the heart of this book are so absolutely awful and horrible and you just know that poor Alice, their new AuPair is going to have a hellish time there. Despite their strange behaviour, Alice tries to hard to integrate herself into the family and to take care of the children but things soon go awry and Alice goes missing. Then, a new AuPaiir shows up but is she what she seems or does she have an ulterior motive? A good read, enjoyed it very much

this was an amazing read! I really want to dive into more thrillers this year and this was a great start.
Books was written from 2 POV's - Alice and Melanie /Donna . It was entreating and kept me wanted more with each page turn. Plus it also a book that hits home as I myself was an au pair and traveled from Europe all the way to USA. It was a decision I made in heartbeat and never regret it. Compare to poor Alice my experience was better. to make my story short... the first fam was a disaster but the second family was amazing and we still in touch.
Never the less this book was high on my TBR and it did not disappoint. And do I want to read more by the author? Yes I do :)

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Scotland and a disappearing AuPair? What more is there to love than a mystery in Scotland?