I really did not care much for this one. I feel like this whole pregnant and crazy trope has definitely overstayed it's welcome. I did not care for the character development in this book. There is supposed to be an autistic daughter, however her characterization fell flat. The only character I really ended up liking was Irina, however this was more because she was the only non-flat character in the bunch. The paranormal elements were contrived and did not fit. I would be interested in seeing what else this author can do. I think she had an interesting bunch. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I personally didn't enjoy this story as much as I expected. The pace was hard for me to keep up with but I feel like it has the potential to be a great story.

Charlotte is a young mother of 8 year old Stella. Stella is an unusual child. She is bright, reading books on her newest obsession of aviation. She likes to be alone. At times she will have fits to show her displeasure, such as the bath water being too hot or being touched. Sounds also cause her pain. For all her differences, Charlotte knows that Stella is a very special child. When the family needs a caregiver for Charlotte, the task seems impossible. It is only after Blanka enters their life that Stella seems to find comfort in someone. Blanka is unique in her own way. Saying little more than "oh, yes", she shares little about herself. One day Blanka simply texts to Charlotte that she quits. A week later Charlotte finds out that Blanka is dead. It is after this that Charlotte sees Stella slowly changing. She goes from shunning people to slowly accepting others into her world. Stella's father, Pete, is thrilled. Charlotte, however, sees something more sinister. Stella is slowly becoming Blanka. Charlotte, who is pregnant and desperately trying to avoid another miscarriage, struggles to convince others that Stella is not well. When Irina, Blanka's mother enters their lives Charlotte finally finds an ally. Can they solve the question of why Blanka is still here and save Stella or is Pete right? Charlotte has had an emotional breakdown and none of this is real? The twists and turns of this book will keep you guess right up until the end.

Although I’m not typically someone who enjoys books with paranormal or supernatural plot lines, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had just the right amount of “make you second guess yourself” parts. I also liked that it wasn’t just your typical “creepy child” book.

Wow! This book had the creep factor all right! It was so eerie, chilling, creepy and it was engaging. I loved that the author had me second guessing everything I was guessing in such a way that I didn't know if I was coming or going. I was guessing all over the place. This is not the kind of book that the reader is likely to easily predict what's happening, so for that reason it might be considered confusing to some.

Charlotte is a pregnant woman who has a young daughter named Stella. Odd things happen to Stella or around her. Her babysitter, Blanka, dies and that totally changes who Stella is. She suddenly takes on characteristics of Blanka and she begins to crave different foods. Charlotte is alarmed by the changes in her daughter. Stella's changed behaviors had me wondering if she was possessed, and I hate stories or movies that involve something like demonic influences and/or possessions so it made it more difficult reading for me. At the same time, I love not knowing who the "crazy" one was: Charlotte or Stella.

I thought the book was well-written and organized. I just had a hard time dealing with possible demonic possession or not knowing if it was a mental health issue. That was what made the reading the most emotionally difficult for me.

Listen, I'm a mother and I'll be the first to say that kids are kind of creepy. Add in a possible supernatural element and you've got yourself a giant case of the heebie-jeebies. All mothers have probably at some point in time jokingly told their child, "who are you and what have you done with my kid," after they suddenly do something they normally wouldn't unless nagged to. Take that feeling and multiply it tenfold and you'll maybe start to understand Charlotte's unease throughout the book. So good, even with the creepy kid!

Alright, let's be real, "Clever Little Thing" by Helena Echlin almost lost me in the first few chapters. I was sitting there, turning pages, thinking, "Where are we going with this?" It felt like I was walking through thick fog, and I just couldn't quite see the path. I even considered putting it down and picking up something else, which I rarely do!
But something, maybe just stubborn curiosity, made me stick with it. And you know what? I'm so glad I did. It was like the fog finally lifted, and suddenly, I was caught in a whirlwind. The characters, who initially felt a bit distant, started to come alive, and the story started to grip me. I found myself actually caring about what happened to them.
Echlin has this way of building tension, slowly, almost sneakily. You don't realize how invested you are until you're completely hooked. And then, BAM! The ending. I mean, seriously, I did NOT see that coming. I was sitting there with my jaw on the floor. I even had to go back and reread a few parts just to make sure I hadn't missed something.
Look, I'm not going to lie, the beginning was a bit of a slog. But if you're willing to be patient, "Clever Little Thing" delivers a really satisfying payoff. It's the kind of book that makes you think, "Okay, I see what you did there!" And honestly, that's a pretty good feeling. So, three stars from me, with a strong recommendation to stick with it – you won't regret it.

Woof. This was just…. Not good. The pace was good and it kept me interested, because I wanted to know what happened. But then when everything came together it was so random and far fetched and just not steeped in reality at all. I wish I had DNFed just because now I’m annoyed that I spent time waiting to see what happened. AND I guessed all the reveals.

I devoured this in the best possible way. I was left with a reader hangover because I had no idea what was real and what was a fabrication of possession. I simple couldn’t put it down. This thriller will have you glued to your seat until you turn that last page to an ending you never saw coming. 📚

First special thank you to Penguin via Netgalley and PRH Audio for the copies. I usually go crazy about a psychological thriller with a creepy child. This is way too slow burn for me. I do not like how unreliable Charlotte is. The book is worth the read but not my favorite to date.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of clever little thing in exchange for my honest review. This book has a very solid start and I was very engaged and interested in the story. It certainly has a wild twist that I did not see coming. I went in not really knowing what the genre of the book was and im not really sure what the genre was by the end. I assume its intended to be a psychological thriller. Charlotte has a daughter named Stella with her husband Pete. Charlotte has trouble getting pregnant again but finally does, charlottes nanny Blanka abruptly quits and then mysteriously to Charlotte dies just days later. Charlotte notices a very big change in Stellas personality and behavior and she cant figure out what it is. Pete thinks that Charlotte is acting crazy and delusional. Is Charlotte crazy or is something supernatural occurring? Four stars. I really enjoyed the majority of the story.

Psychological thriller with some supernatural/horror elements. Great potential, but fell a bit flat for me. Perfect length read though, and I'd try this author again.

This book was a fantastic read, blending magic, mystery, psychological thrills, and family drama. A major theme revolves around mothers and daughters, capturing the complexities of their relationships. The writing is strong, the characters—main and supporting—are well-developed, and the fast-paced storytelling keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Oh my goodness...this book was creepy and not always in a good way. A disturbed child and a mother who is losing her grip on reality...not really my kind of book!!!

This book was not what I was expecting but I still really had a good time with it. This book follows Charolette after the death of her daughter’s babysitter. Charolette notices some changes in Stella that were similar to Blanca ( her babysitter). I was expecting a creepy kid story with this one and it is not really what you are getting. This felt much more like a family drama with a little magic realism thrown in it wasn’t really creepy or unsettling but still kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I will say not having kids of my own I don’t think I was the target audience for this book. The writing was engaging and kept me interested throughout. This was my first book from this author but hope to read more in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

There is so much to this story! Clever Little Thing surprised me – while it has the horror theme I was expecting, it brought so much more in other areas – abusive relationships, the traumas of motherhood, mental illness, the pure love of a mother for her child and so much more.

What I loved most was my own uncertainty chapter to chapter – I never doubted Charlotte’s love for Stella but was that love so big that she couldn’t see the forest for the tree’s? Then, things really took off and I cannot say enough about this plot’s twists and turns. Just so well done!

Thoroughly engaging and a unique storyline that is both compelling and thought-provoking, all while giving me the heebs and the feels!

My thanks to Penguin Group Viking for this gifted DRC!

I read a lot of thrillers, but this one felt different from the start—Stella’s sudden shift after her babysitter’s death is creepy enough, but the little details (like craving Armenian meat stew after a lifetime of being vegetarian) made it even more unsettling.

Is it possession? Trauma? Something else entirely? Clever Little Thing keeps you guessing, blurring the line between the supernatural and psychological. I’m not a mother, but I can only imagine how much more haunting this would be to read as a parent, watching your child become someone unrecognizable and not knowing how to fix it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this one. It had a twist that I didn't see coming, and I really enjoyed the characters. 5 stars for sure!

Very creepy and unsettling portrait of motherhood, pregnancy, and postpartum. Lots of nods to maternal mental health and extreme anxiety as it relates to kids. Ultimately, this was too slow for me. I didn’t want deep explanations and background. I wanted a faster pace, more clues, and compelling characters. I didn’t get that.

Clever Little Thing is a complex look at motherhood with a paranormal twist. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The character development was wonderful, characters flawed and trying. And the suspense was top notch.

I had my suspicions about the twist and I was correct, but it was so well done.