What a fabulous thriller, and what a week from Hell for Nelly! - As if starting a new job in a new town wasn’t stressful enough, a blast from her past has turned up to haunt her. A fast paced, intense read which you’ll race through in a bid to find out the truth. I loved all the twists and the way the tension built up that had me wondering at times whose side to be on! Well written and a great read that would make an exciting screen adaptation.

This was a decent read, centered on Nelly, who moves to a small town in Pennsylvania to take a teaching job after her divorce. When meeting her colleagues, she recognizes one of them as a boy who assaulted her as a child, but this guy has a different name and is very highly respected. Soon, weird things start happening to her and she just knows this guy is behind it.

I definitely felt for Nelly during the book, as she was trying to make a good impression but didn’t have any credibility yet when she she started complaining. I thought she did what normal people would do how she continued to escalate. There was a a point where I felt the story was a tad repetitive in the middle, but then the action picked back up. The climactic scene in the book was a little abrupt but I still found it interesting, and I was satisfied with how the book ended.

Overall, this was a unique story that (mostly) moved at a fast pace throughout. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by this author and although the premise was intriguing, and a fast paced read, it somehow missed the mark for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nelly is looking for a fresh start. She takes a teaching position in a small town. On her first day, she instantly recognizes one of her new colleagues, as Marshall, the man who assaulted her 20 years ago. But Marshall now goes by Emmett. And is apparently a perfect guy - a loved teacher, respected man in the community, and also good looking. Nelly is not falling for the rouse - she knows that this man is Marshall.

Soon, strange things began to happen to Nelly - she is pretty sure someone is stalking her. And it is pretty clear that Marshall/Emmett is trying to make Nelly lose her job. Nelly is determined to expose Emmett's true identity as Marshall, at whatever cost.

This was a pretty solid average read. I preferred the first half or so of the book. After which, especially near the ending, I felt like the storyline became a bit too ridiculous. It is fast paced and a bit too predictable, but overall, not a bad read. There was a lot repetition, which I did not like. Even some words were overused.

I give kudos to the author for carefully handling the topics of sexual assault and victim blaming. He did an excellent job with these very difficult subjects.

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Good Teacher is a captivating exploration of education, morality, and justice within the confines of a small town. With masterful storytelling, the author brought a world where urgency and intrigue drive the narrative forward from start to finish.

The Good Teacher is a captivating exploration of education, morality, and justice within the confines of a small town. With masterful storytelling, the author brought a world where urgency and intrigue drive the narrative forward from start to finish.
The vivid and memorable scenes stayed in my mind long after the final page was turned. From tense courtroom showdowns to quiet moments of reflection, each scene is imbued with precision and care, drawing readers deeper into the lives of the characters and the moral dilemmas they face.
In one particularly striking moment, protagonist Sarah, a dedicated teacher, grapples with the harsh realities of the school system as she endeavors to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her students. Through her interactions with troubled teenagers and bureaucratic obstacles, it painted a touching portrait of the challenges educators face in today's society.
Another standout scene unfolds during the climactic courtroom showdown, where truth and justice hang in the balance. As tension mounts and stakes escalate, readers are held on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the resolution of the central conflict. The author's writing kept the suspense building until the very end, leaving me aching with anticipation.
Yet, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of "The Good Teacher" lies in its exploration of timeless themes such as morality, integrity, and the power of compassion. Through the struggles and triumphs of the characters, O'Rourke raised thought-provoking questions about the nature of right and wrong, challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.

In conclusion, "The Good Teacher" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that resonates long after the final page is turned. With its compelling characters, gripping storyline, and exploration of powerful themes, Brian O'Rourke's book is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating journey into the depths of human nature.

Oh my!!! This Author turns out 5 star reads, this being no exception. Run....don't walk....to get this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital copy in exchange for a review.

Twenty years ago, Nelly met a monster. Now he’s back.After a difficult divorce, things seem to be looking up for teacher Nelly Peak when she takes a job at Overland Middle School. But then she’s introduced to her new colleagues…And she’s sure she recognises one of them - Marshall Dawes, the man that assaulted her twenty years ago.Only now he goes by a different name - Emmett Moore. And Emmett is a highly respected teacher at Overland, beloved by pupils and staff alike. There’s even talk of him becoming principal one day.But Nelly knows who he really is. And when things quickly start to go wrong for her – a mysterious stalker, her work being sabotaged - she is sure that Emmet is trying to squeeze her out so that he can keep his dark past hidden.Nelly desperately needs this job and realizes she must fight to protect her reputation while seeking to uncover Emmet’s true identity.But this is a dangerous game. As Nelly gets closer to the shocking truth, she discovers that she’s up against someone will do whatever it takes to stop her. This gripping game of cat-and-mouse is about to turn deadly…

Loved it so much. Nelly is an amazing character.

This one got a little confusing, slightly repetitive for me. I thought the basic plot was original but the more that was added to it and then twisted just kind of fell a little flat for me.

Thanks a lot to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

So, I recently finished reading this awesome thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning till the end. The story is about Nelly, who after going through a divorce, decides to make a big move from the West Coast to the East Coast. She accepts a teaching job in a small town and everything seems to be going great for her. But then, out of nowhere, she comes across someone from her past, someone who still haunts her in her nightmares. The story then takes us on a journey through flashbacks, revealing what happened to her in the past. Things start to get really intense and I couldn't help but eagerly wait to see how it all unfolds.

This book took me completely by surprise as it was hugely engrossing and well written. The plot developed well throughout and it was a very enjoyable read.
This is’ my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Nelly is running away from her past. A failed marriage, a lawsuit filed by her ex’s boss and an event that forever changed her life 20 years ago. Nelly was raised to not trust men by a mother who has been scorned by men her whole life. And when Nelly tags along with her middle school friend to an abandoned building she realizes that her mother is right.
Nelly is yet again reinventing herself, she is good at that. But her move to a new town and new teaching job is abruptly upended when she meets the star teacher, Emmett. However, she does not know him as Emmett, she knows him as Marshall, the boy who attacked her all those years ago. “What if she was wrong about it all? What if she was the one lying, only to herself?” Nelly is feeling herself losing control, but how can she prove this is him when she is not believed now nor then? She can’t let him get away this time!
Overall rating 3 /5
A quick read from beginning to end. The emotional roller coaster O’Rourke takes the reader on is palpable. I started to second guess if Nelly was a reliable narrator and if she was to be believed, which I feel is the essence of the book. There was a slight twist at the end which ties up all the missing pieces and ends on a happy note.

*Thank you to Brian O’Rourke, Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Nelly just wanted to teach. She loses her husband and her job. When she finally gets new job one of the first people she meets is a man from her past. A man she never wanted to see again. Very good story.

People say that you have to be crazy to teach middle school. According to The Good Teacher by Brian O'Rourke, you might just be right. As a former middle school teacher myself, I enjoyed this book, and it brought back a lot of memories. The meetings, making besties at work, the kids, the parents, and there is always that one colleague that you wonder about. Ha.

The main character, Nellie, recently divorced, took a job across the country at Overland Middle School to get away from her husband and her old life. On the first day, she comes across Emmett, a respected teacher at her school. The problem is that he looks exactly like the monster from her past. However, the monster wasn't named Emmett. Strange things start happening, but Nellie is new in town, and no one really believes her.

The Good Teacher moves along quickly, and I couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what happens with Nellie and Emmett. I gave this book four out of five stars. The book wrapped up a little too nicely for me, which is why it wasn't five stars. That being said, I still recommend this book. It's a fun read.

Thank you to Inkubator Books, NetGalley, and Brian O'Rourke for a free copy in order for my honest review.

"The Good Teacher" delivers a gripping psychological thriller that hooks you from the start. With its tension-filled narrative, it explores themes of identity, revenge, and the lengths people go to protect their secrets. Nelly Peak's journey is one of resilience and determination as she confronts her past and faces a dangerous adversary in the present. Packed with suspense and unexpected twists, this book keeps you guessing until the final page. If you're a fan of heart-pounding thrillers, "The Good Teacher" is a must-read that will leave you breathless.

So many things to like about this book. But the best was that this was a little different premise. It totally hooked me!

Nelly is a woman going through a rough time. She picks up and moves and starts a new job as a teacher. Her first day, she is introduced to a teacher she knows from her past. Or is it him?

Marshall is a man from her past that assaulted her. But this man goes by Emmett, and he is highly respected and people love him. Is this the same man? Of course, since this is a book you assume you know the answer to his, but this book took some crazy twists.

Nelly starts getting sabotaged, and things quickly go wrong. She knows it's Marshall/Emmett - or is it?

The first half of this book was SO good. I couldn't turn those pages fast enough. The issue is the second half started getting weirder and weirder and Nelly actually got on my nerves. I still needed to know what happened, but I was not nearly as engrossed. In fact, I might have found myself skimming here and there..

So 3 stars is average. The issue is that the first half of this was almost 5 stars.. But the second half... blah. So I will be giving it 3.5 stars -rounded to 3.

is it worth the read? For sure. But maybe on Unlimited?

Thank you to #netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC which did not impact my review.

Excellent thriller with a great twist at the end. The story follows Nelly who has just joined a new school as the history teacher. She is hoping for a fresh start on the other side of the country in a small town in Pennsylvania. When she first meets her new colleagues one of them looks familiar, and she realises he looks just like the man who attached her over 20 years ago and got away with it!
The story is well written and you can empathise with Nelly throughout. Would be recommending to fellow thriller lovers!

From the first page, the reader is drawn into a story where they wonder eho can they trust. Nelly has many reasons to be scared, or is it just her mind playing tricks on her? Follow through this maze of a story, where once you figure it out, you discover you were wrong. Great book, kept me in suspense. 4 stars because the ended was just tied up a little too much with a big shiny bow. (It just worked out a little too lovely.) Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.

It was a story that I was got me intrigued from the start. I do feel Nelly was a bit psychotic and paranoid as well- but having a past trauma would do that to you. Couple of twists i didn’t fully see coming which was good

There’s some things that were not fully finished I feel.
Beck giving her a heads up they found things at her apartment where did that come from? Surely they wouldn’t given details just to anyone? Why did the teacher mysteriously leave so there was a spot for her?

Good all round book

A recently divorced woman, Nelly, has moved her entire life to another part of the country to start over. A teacher new to the area, she finds herself meeting her colleagues at a charity event. Everyone seems really great except one person - Emmett. While Emmett appears to have everything going for him (and everyone absolutely loves him), Nelly sees him differently; she believes he is actually a man who tried to rape her when she was a young teen but is going by a different name now. Nelly tries to figure out who the man really is, all while strange things happen at work (her lesson plan goes missing, she falls ill during end of day pick up, etc). Is Emmett really Marshall? Is someone sabotaging her and if so, why?

I enjoyed this book. It's an easy read with a few great twists. It hooked me from the start and kept me entertained the entire time. There were moments when I second guessed her thoughts on Emmett and questioned a few characters' motives. It has a few good twists and was a quick read. It reminded me of Freida McFadden with the writing style, which is a huge plus in my book.

I would recommend this for a quick read with some good "what the heck" moments.

I was lucky enough to read this for free, thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher, This was my honest review.

Brian O'Rourke creates a cat-and-mouse game played out to perfection. After a move, Nelly ends up working with an individual from her past and it isn't someone she cares to reunite with. This time he has a new name but his past is about to creep up on him and he will go to great lengths to keep it in the past. The characters and plot are well thought out and one is immensely engaged in this psychological thriller right up to the last word.