This was so twisty and suspenseful. I was loving it. We are introduced to Eve, who is alone in this world after a car accident kills the love of her life. Well, mostly alone. She meets Julia and Christopher who want to hire her as a nanny for their child. They seem like the perfect couple, and the job offer seems too good to be true. That usually means it is, right? By the time she figures it out, it’s clearly too late.

Honestly, this was great. I loved Rose Carlyle’s last novel, The Girl in the Mirror, and this one didn’t disappoint. I think it started out a little slow and it was a little weird with the beginning and the boyfriends family - then…nothing. But boy did everything pick up after we meet Julia and Christopher. This one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved the character development, I love the way everything came together. I think the big time jump threw me off initially, but it came back around in the end. Overall, this is a great suspenseful thriller that has some twists I didn’t see coming. The ending was better than I hoped for.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Rose Carlyle for the eARC of No One Will Know in exchange for an honest review. I’m a little behind on this…but No One Will Know came out 01 October 2024. You should definitely grab a copy now, if you haven’t already!

I absolutely loved The Girl in the Mirror and was so excited to get an ARC of No One Will Know. Unfortunately the beginning of the book immediately starts with a car accident and it messed with my PTSD so I had to put the book down and it took months to want to pick it back up. It was a good book and I was jaded after the car accident so I don't think I gave it a full, fair chance. The overall story line was good and I will definitely read more by Rose Carlyle in the future.

I read and loved Rose Carlyle’s novel, The Girl In The Mirror so I was excited to get my hands on No One Will Know, hoping for the same nail-biting suspense and excellent writing. And wow, was this good!

The story centers on Julia and Christopher who hire a nanny named Eve, who has no close relatives or family of her own. She is perfect for taking care of their child. Eve is expecting a baby, so for her, this is a great opportunity to earn money and while living a fabulous lifestyle.

As you can guess… things are not what they seem. The amazing job offer and perks soon give way to something more sinister.

Here is the official synopsis:

Julia and Christopher Hygate have the picture-perfect life: gobs of money thanks to their lucrative shipping enterprise and an estate on a secluded island.

When they meet Eve Sylvester, they know she is the exact person they should hire to be their child’s nanny. Eve doesn’t have any living relatives, she’s lost touch with her friends, and her partner is out of the picture. Best of all, she’s expecting a baby.

Eve thinks she’s landed the greatest gig — previously desperate and penniless, now she’ll live like a queen and have a promising future for her daughter.

But the job seems too good to be true. Why would the Hygates hire Eve if she has no prior nannying experience? Why must Eve stay out of sight? And what’s with the mysterious yachts coming in and out of the Hygates’ private marina?

It’s too late to ask questions, though, Eve is already in far too deep.

I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on October 1, 2024.

As much as I wanted to like this book, it really fell flat. The storyline was so odd and unrealistic that I had a hard time getting invested in the story.

The synopsis for this book was so good, I just had to read it. I thought I was in for a popcorn thriller, as the trope of a naive nanny working for a crazy wealthy family is used often, but this is actually a deep, dark thriller that deals with serious topics, all while taking the reader through a fantastic story!

Eve is a young woman who’s had a hard life. Her parents died when she was young, her Nanna raised her until she died, and then Eve dropped out of high school and started traveling the world, taking odd jobs whenever she could. While working as a crew member on a yacht, she meets Xander, who turns out to be the love of her life. He wants to marry her, and with his significant family money, Eve thinks this is her shot at a normal life, especially when she realizes she’s pregnant with his baby. Then, on their way to meet his parents to come out as a couple, they are in a car accident that kills Xander. Eve is once again all alone.

While visiting Xander’s grave one day, she’s approached by an older woman named Zelde. She works for Christopher and Julia Hygate, who live on a secluded island, and Julia is about to have a baby. They are looking for a nanny, and Eve is invited to meet them. Why would they hire a pregnant, homeless and penniless woman with no experience? Because Julia isn’t really pregnant - and she wants Eve’s baby. At first Eve refuses, but soon realizes this child will grow up with money and two parents, and they’ve even invited her to stay as a nanny to be in its life. She agrees, as hard as it is, and spends several years with the family.

Then the entire story flips around with a twist I never saw coming; I’m impressed if anyone figures out this twist before it’s revealed! It’s been a long time since a book has shocked me like this, and it made for an ending fraught with both fear and hope. The writing in this is great, the whole story is very entertaining, but that twist before the brilliant ending is what pushed my rating up to five stars. All I can say is, wow! I wouldn’t mind a sequel to this one…

(Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks, Rose Carlyle and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This book definitely had its head spinning moments! Right when I started to feel it getting a little predictable, it completely flips the narrative and I know nothing all over again! The characters were all very well developed and I loved getting little pieces of information and insight into their backstories. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves psychological thrillers and mysteries!

oooh a fun twisty thrill ride?! sign me up!

I absolutely loved the author's other book, The Girl in the Mirror so I knew I had to read this one asap and I'm so glad I did. I definitely recommend going in blind as it will make the reading experience more fun.

No One Will Know is a fast-paced, edge of your seat, twisty thriller. The FMC is a bit naive which is a bit annoying but honestly, that seems to be a trope of choice nowadays and it makes the story a bit more interesting.

Read this if you like:
Unlikeable characters
Binge-worthy plot
Crazy twists
Fun, dream-like, setting

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review :))

I found this to be an easy, fast read. The premise of the story made me think that this could possibly happen.,People can be made to do unthinkable things when their back is against the wall. People go to great extremes to keep themselves safe.

The story unfolds in Tasmania, a setting that instantly drew me in, reminding me of my own visit there 15 years ago. The stunning landscapes serve as a backdrop to a tragedy that sets the stage for a series of unexpected and often unsettling decisions. Each character's choices spiral out of control, leading to moments that left me questioning their motivations and the reality of their situations. Just when I thought I had it figured out, new layers of complexity emerged, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The writing brilliantly captures the tension between appearances and the truth lurking beneath the surface. I found myself fully invested in the characters, each with their own secrets and struggles, making the narrative all the more intriguing. The twists and turns felt organic, not forced, and the climax delivered a resolution that was both satisfying and thought-provoking. This haunting tale lingers in my mind, challenging my perceptions and emotions long after I reached the end.

Rose Carlyle’s "No One Will Know" is an engrossing psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense, secrecy, and the dark side of human relationships.

The novel centers on a holiday trip that takes a dramatic turn, revealing buried truths and testing loyalties in increasingly sinister ways. Carlyle excels at creating a backdrop where the idyllic setting is contrasted by the simmering tension beneath the surface as the characters' hidden motives and complex pasts come to light.

The meticulous pacing will keep readers on the edge of their seats, with every chapter building a sense of foreboding and drawing them deeper into the mystery. Carlyle's portrayal of psychological dynamics and moral ambiguity is outstanding. Exploring the gray areas of human nature captures both the allure and danger of secrets, something which is sure to keep readers engaged until the very end.

Overall, "No One Will Know" is an unforgettable journey through deception, desperation, and the resilience of the human psyche. Carlyle’s skillful storytelling and nuanced character development make this thriller a captivating read, perfect for fans of rich, psychologically complex mysteries.

A twisty domestic thriller that sees a young pregnant woman surviving a car crash that kills her wealthy boyfriend and has her getting caught up in a baby swapping scheme. This one kind of went all over the place for me. I thought it was going in one direction and things turned out quite differently. If you like underdog stories and books about rich people behaving badly plus horrific motherhood experiences, this might be for you. I liked the Australian setting and the accent of the narrator. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Rose Carlyle’s “No One Will Know” is a masterclass in suspense, weaving a tale of deception, greed, and the dark underbelly of wealth. Set against the lush, isolated backdrop of a remote island, this novel plunges readers into a world where secrets are currency and trust is a luxury few can afford.

The story centers around a desperate young woman who becomes entangled with a manipulative, wealthy couple. The island setting amplifies the sense of isolation and danger, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. Carlyle expertly paces the narrative, revealing twists and turns that challenge the characters’ morality and survival instincts.

The protagonist’s journey is harrowing yet compelling. Her vulnerability and determination make her a relatable and sympathetic figure. The wealthy couple, with their polished exteriors and sinister motives, provide a stark contrast, embodying the novel’s themes of greed and betrayal. Carlyle’s character development is nuanced, ensuring that even secondary characters leave a lasting impression.

Carlyle’s writing is seductive and propulsive, drawing readers into a web of lies and half-truths. Themes of power, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked ambition are explored with a deft hand. The novel’s suspenseful tone is maintained throughout, with each chapter ending on a note that compels the reader to continue.

“No One Will Know” is a gripping thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense and intricate plotlines. Carlyle’s ability to create a tense, immersive environment and populate it with complex, flawed characters makes this novel a standout!

It’s a story that lingers, leaving readers to ponder the true cost of secrets and the lengths people will go to protect them.

Great mystery read! This book has so many twists & turns that keep the reader guessing. Everytime you think you have figured it out the mystery keeps unraveling. I read it in a few days, it was hard to put down. I was very invested in the story & wanted to know how it would end! Loved that the ending was just want you want-the kids were safe & the criminals were mostly held accountable.

Glad to find another clean book to recommend to my teenage daughter. I will definitely check out the authors other books.

I had a hard time with this one because I felt like the main character. Eve was so gullible. Why did she make any of these choices? It made the plot feel sort out of cheap just to get to a plot twist. I like mysteries of more real people in them and not this strange mysterious rich people private island nonsense—- they didn’t seem like the author had met people before

This book did not go as I thought it was going to go. Was a good mystery/thriller book. I like the few chapters from the past, it let us know Julia in a more personal manner. Glad it ends in a happy ever after.

I went into this book not knowing the synopsis. What I originally thought was going to be a book about a young woman having to raise a baby on her own turned into a soap opera plot line with so many twists and turns that kept me guessing about what the ultimate end game was the entire time.

Eve Sylvester has just returned to Australia from time abroad. She has sailed back to Australia across the Pacific Ocean with Xander, who she has fallen in love with. They plan on revealing their relationship to his family when tragedy strikes and Xander is killed in a car accident. Xander's family casts out Eve, especially when they find out she's pregnant, thinking she is trying to get money from them. Eve, all alone, encounters a woman who offers her a job with the mysterious Hygate couple. The catch is she would have to fly to a small island and live as a nanny for their child. When she gets there, the craziness begins.

The Hygates are not who they seem. There is no baby and the Hygates want to adopt Eve's baby and raise it as their own, with Eve as the nanny so she can stay involved in the child's life. However, over the course of the book things keep turning out to be stranger than anticipated.

This book was highly entertaining, although being in Eve's mind could sometimes be annoying. Anyone else want to shake her or scream at her at certain points? I know the book wouldn't have happened otherwise but I really wanted Eve to wake up and realize this was a bad idea before getting to the island. I figured out the plan to take Eve's baby and use it as the baby to hand over in the human trafficking scheme. But what I was not expecting was the reveal in the epilogue. That actually took my breath away.

*** SPOILER*** Julia was actually pregnant at the same time as Eve and they both had babies on the same night. But when it came time to hand over Eve's baby for the trafficker, Zelde mixed up whether Eve or Julia had the baby boy. So in the end, no one knows whether the boy or girl was actually Eve's child. It ultimately doesn't matter since she ends up with both children.

**Many thanks to Scene of the Crime and William Morrow for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!**

When you go to buy a used car, it can often feel like you are walking through a minefield.

Even if you find a reputable dealership and have heard good things about the personnel, there's ALWAYS the chance that your 'dream' car...you know the one you just CAN'T believe is such a good deal, with such great mileage, and a 'all of THIS is included!?' sort of warranty could turn out to be be a total and complete lemon the minute you pull in your driveway at home.

And while this 'deliciously twisty and suspenseful' novel promised all of those too good to be true sort of promises...the unhinged, implausible ridiculousness of this book had me scrambling to brush up on lemon laws...because even more precious than gold is the TIME I will never get back after going on this ridiculous journey with one of the most naive narrators I have EVER read...and honestly not caring at ALL whether she made it out unscathed!

Our story begins with said narrator, Eve Sylvester, and a quick glimpse into her great grand love affair with Xander (and get prepared to read that name...A LOT), which is cut short when he tragically passes away in a (completely unnecessary) car accident. Eve is heartbroken, and for some reason Xander's parents seem to blame her for the incident. With no other close relatives, family, or friends of her own (why, we aren't ever told) this down on her luck woman finds out even MORE shocking news: she is carrying Xander's baby. With the prospect of having to raise this child on her own, with very little money or support, she seems to have the proverbial storm cloud following her...until the PERFECT stranger JUST HAPPENS to sidle up to her with an offer she cannot refuse....go figure.

Turns out uber-wealthy couple Julia and Christopher Hygate are in need of a nanny for their child...and are willing to let Eve be a live-in nanny to said child on their gorgeous and secluded private island. (Yup, no red flags there!) Eve jumps at the prospect to give her life some meaning again and accepts. But when she arrives, she finds not one but TWO rooms (one set up for a baby boy and the other for a baby girl) and realizes that the baby she will be caring for will be her own...sort of. The Hygates need to convince the world that Eve's baby is truly theirs in order to inherit a great fortune...so Julia's going to wear a fake belly, abstain from alcohol, etc., and once the kiddo is born, Eve will slide into the role of 'nanny' that she was sold at the get-go. But the crew at the Hygate mansion seems a bit...off, and there are unexplained boats going in and out of the marina at all hours...and Eve begins to get suspicious. (FINALLY) Was this picture-perfect opportunity that fell into her lap for no particular reason ACTUALLY too good to be true after all?!

I tried very hard to keep sarcasm out of that quick recap...but with a plot this bonkers, I'm not sure that could have happened, honestly. From about 15% in, I knew this book was going to be completely off the rails and the eye rolls began...and they never truly let up. From a heavy emphasis on mourning Xander (which I guess was supposed to make us feel sorry for Eve but which I quickly found to be grating and repetitive) to the complete lack of common sense exhibited by Eve at pretty much all times, this is the narrator you're going to want to bop upside the head...over and over. Even in her blissful ignorance at the beginning (before she's involved in the Hygate's schemes) she asks some pretty straightforward questions and doesn't get a direct answer AT ALL:

"Can I ask how old your son or daughter is? Zelde said you've just got one child, but she didn't mention whether it's a boy or a girl."
"That's right, just the one," said Christopher, and then he put Zelde back on, and she booked me a flight for the next afternoon.

...Okay. So not only did Christopher not answer your question, but apparently Eve thought she should a) not protest this at all and b) get on a flight paid for by a cagey stranger.

Riiiiight.

This was my first clue that this book was going to descend into weirdness and stay there, and trust me...it does. No matter how uneasy Eve feels at any given time, she (in the next breath) thinks everything is fine and is willing to go along with every scheme. As an author, Carlyle makes this even more unclear, as conversations not only lack any sort of natural flow, but are at times laughably odd. I didn't have any sort of buy-in, and Eve was constantly TELLING us details rather than Carlyle showing us through her storytelling, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. There's also a plotline involving gecko and lizard smuggling that I guess maybe makes sense if you're from Australia, but to me was COMPLETELY out of left field.

And then there's the child in question, Alec and Carlyle's description of him, which may be one of the most unrealistic parts of the book. (And again, there are plenty to choose from!) Alec, a SIX year old, not only can drive a boat, but speaks in articulate, fluent sentences with adult-level vocabulary words in them too. I'm not sure how many children the author has spent time around lately, but Alec isn't even presented as some sort of prodigy...this is just 'normal'. We are supposed to feel all of this tortured unhappiness at the situation and the fact that Eve isn't allowed to just TELL Alec she is his mother, etc....but I kept questioning WHY she had put herself in this position in the first place, since she quite literally SIGNED UP FOR THIS...and even when more of an explanation as to what is going on is revealed, you aren't going to be more sympathetic to anyone.

All of this builds to what can only be described as the Far-Fetched Cherry on top of the Unbelievable Pie...and as someone who is not exactly a fan of a plot involving this particular set of crimes (and no, it's not just gecko smuggling although I'm not for THAT, either!) I wish I had known what this book was truly about going in so I could have skipped it entirely. There is an attempt at a 'gotcha' twist pretty far along in the book, but although it was confusing for about fourteen seconds, I didn't get fooled. And when the big main 'bad guy' is revealed, everything gets even MORE ridiculous. To cap it off, there is an incredibly unnecessary epilogue where we are supposed to believe something even MORE unrealistic than everything you've read thus far...and let's just say, Carlyle could have left well enough (or what was left of it) ALONE.

Remember that minefield I mentioned earlier? Although the minefield itself can be plenty dangerous when the bombs are a-ticking below, this book and an already-decimated stretch of land had one other thing in common:

...I couldn't even COUNT the number of holes.

2.5 stars

Very well written in terms of prose, and gets you interested right off the bat. Good book!

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. A quick, easy, but fun domestic suspense. My first by this author, but I will be reading more.