This was a 3 star solid thriller about Rose Barclay who is a nine-year old who is essentially a mute. It can be traumatic when she witnessed the "possible murder" of her nanny. A lawyer who shares a similar history of dealing with a traumatic past - is assigned to Rose to try to have a breakthrough with Rose. In the end, it had a few twists and turns but it wasn't my favorite.

Audiobook/Psychology Thriller: I liked this book until the ending. It's written in first person, my favorite. It did keep me guessing: he did, then she did it , the kid did it, all four did it.
The ending was disappointing because it could have ended with a good feeling, but instead, after the climax, it was five chapters of stuff.
The narrator was great.
I want to thank Netgalley for a copy of the audio.

I really wanted to love this audiobook because of the whole “The Orphan” vibe. BUT not only was the narrator irritating, the story was so long and drawn out. the way the two plots combine and overlap seemed like a large, unrelated stretch to me as well. The parts I liked though, I really liked.

House of glass
I really enjoyed this book!
4.5 stars

Stella is an attorney who decides which parent a child should live with. The client she has been placed with is Rose, a beautiful little girl who became mute after watching her nanny die. As Stella gets to know the family, the more questions she has about each member. The mom seems uptight and private, the dad openly admits to cheating on her multiple times, the grandma is overly involved, and Rose. Well, Rose seems to be collecting shards of glass for a hobby.

This was a fun domestic thriller with a side of creepy vibes. The narrator of the audiobook did a stellar job as well. I highly suggest adding this to your TBR pile for sure!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5⭐️ rounded down

I enjoyed Sarah Pekkanen’s previous book, Gone Tonight. So when I saw she had a new book coming out I was excited to read it. This is definitely a twisty book that had me reading late into the night. I really wanted to find out what the heck was going on.

I was really invested in finding out what was going on with Rose and her parents. If she was really as evil as she was portrayed or if it was one of the parents. The subplot involving Stella’s past wasn’t my favorite. I felt like it detracted a bit from the main story with Rose. Charles was also a strange side character. I still can’t decide how I feel about his part of the story.

Overall, this was a good thriller that kept me guessing. I didn’t enjoy it as much as Gone Tonight, but still a solid read.

What a book! I was sucked in by the characters right away and just had to know what happened. I absolutely loved every minute, never knowing who to trust. I listened to the audiobook version, and I thought the narrator did a fantastic job. She really brought the whole book to life. Well done!

I read a review of this book where no less impressive of a thriller writer than Freida McFadden said she loved this one so much that she didn’t want it to end. She’s not wrong.

Stella is a best interest attorney, which means that in child custody cases, she helps determine what living situation is in the best interest of the child. She never takes on young children as clients because she likes that older children have more agency. Young clients also hit a little too close to home in bringing back memories of Stella‘s own traumatic past, which included her father dying in a car accident, her mom dying of a drug overdose and her going to live with a relative who never really wanted her. in the case of Rose, however, a young girl who is mute after the trauma of seeing her nanny plunge to her death through a window, Stella’s mentor and father figure tells her she’s the only one who can do this case justice. Stella begrudgingly takes it on and we meet a cast of characters including Rose, who may be traumatized but may also be evil; her wealthy parents, including an old-money, elegant mother, the more down-to-earth father whose cheating with the nanny broke up the family; and his mother, who came to recover from surgery and never left. There is a lot of protection and deception taking place, and it’s up to Stella to figure out what’s what before her own past trauma gets in her way or she goes the way of the nanny.

This one kept me guessing through the large majority of the book, which isn’t always the case with thrillers. That takes a strong writer and a strong story. Pekkanen’s words are also so beautifully chosen. Her descriptive scene setting and other nuances are so evocative and really put you in the middle of the story. The only critique I can offer here is, as with some other psychological thrillers I’ve read, the author succumbs to the temptation to throw in “just one more twist.” Stella learns some information about her personal life that is a really interesting development at first, and then just veers into too much. I also wondered if some of her unconventional tactics could get her disbarred, but I’m willing to go with it for the sake of a good story.

In all, a really good read here. Bonus points for the narration from Laura Benanti, who I’ve seen on Broadway! This publishes on Aug. 6 and I thank #NetGalley, #MacmillanAudio and #SarahPekkanen for the advance listen!

Sarah Pekkanen’s House of Glass is tightly written and packed with surprises at every turn as her main character, ad-litem attorney Stella, takes on Rose, a young client stuck in the middle of her parents’ testy divorce. Complicating matters, Rose has gone mute after a traumatic loss. Stella’s work is made more difficult by Rose’s parents and grandmother, who want nothing more than to have Stella out of their way. Relentless to help the child, Stella uncovers the family’s secrets and lands in danger’s path.

Pekkanen’s plot is unique and captivating. Her clean writing, fast pacing, vivid imagery, and unforgettable characters make House of Glass all the more enjoyable. The audiobook narrator provides convincing variations between characters. At times, making the listener forget a woman is reading dialogue for male and child characters. Expertly done, all the way around.

Special thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Thank you for the Advance Copy. I have read several books from the author and went into it knowing it would be great. This story did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. This book kept you guessing and when you think you have figured it out, you are wrong. I loved it. It had several elements from mystery, suspense, heartbreak and even romance. I would recommend this book to anyone because it kept you invested in the story the entire time.

In House of Glass, Sarah Pekkanen is back with another domestic, slow-burn novel of suspense. (NOT a thriller). We have a family, a dead nanny who might have been murdered, several suspects, and a lawyer, who is tasked with helping decide what will happen to the child involved. This is told in first person present tense, which I usually don’t enjoy, but in this case, it worked well.

This style of writing is perfect for an audiobook, so I was thrilled to be approved for an advance copy. And not only that, Laura Benanti, a very talented actress, is the narrator.

However, her delivery is on the overly dramatic side. I don’t know if it’s the direction she was given but it was a bit distracting. Her voice is lovely but it sounded overwrought. I still think the delivery was enjoyable for the most part.

Pekkanen is a talented writer, very good at creating interesting characters and a plot with some unique elements. I did guess some twists pretty early on, and the plot just didn’t really hold my interest in the same way as her previous novel, so this will be a three star book for me. Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one took me a few chapters to fully get invested in, and then I definitely wanted to read to find out what would happen next! It wasn't the best thriller I have ever read... and to be honest, this was more of a psychological thriller than "thriller-thriller", but it was still a good read! I would recommend for sure to anyone looking for a twisty read!

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC! This was a highly enjoyable mystery that I was able to binge in a few days. The mystery surrounding the nanny’s death, a child with traumatic mutism, and sketchy MC’s all worked to create a fun story that hooked me from beginning to end. My only critique is that I would have liked more jaw dropping twists but overall this was a highly enjoyable read that I think people will devour when it comes out!

Marketing this as a thrillers feels incorrect because this is much more of a family drama.

Stella is a child advocate attorney who begins working with the Barclays, a family going through a custody battle. Not only are they in a custody battle, but they are also under some public scrutiny after the mysterious death of their most recent nanny.

As Stella gets to know this family and investigates the death of the nanny, it becomes clear to her that there is more happening than she could have ever imagined.

This book has multiple plotlines, including one involving Stella's past. Having context of Stella's past provided some rationale for her actions and decision-making, but it was a little distracting from the primary plot.

I was skeptical of where we were being led as readers from the start, and the plot twists didn't seem too surprising to me, but the reveals were still enjoyable.

My biggest gripe with this book was Stella's questionable relationship with a long-term mentor in her life, even when that person is revealed to not be who she thought they were.

This was a serviceable popcorn thriller, not bad but nothing too incredible.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

Wowser!! I really enjoyed this one! Kept me hooked the whole way through. I didn’t see any of the twists coming!! Great read and I enjoyed the narrator as well.

I tried to read this book, and it wasn’t clicking. So I tried the audiobook, and it still wasn’t clicking. I really struggle with this author. She’s good for a popcorn thriller, and those are usually pretty palatable, but there is something that just doesn’t mesh with me and her writing. I keep trying, and it’s time to stop. I didn’t enjoy this book at all, I’m sorry.

House of Glass, by Sarah Pekkanen, is more than just a twisty thriller. Readers are taken on an emotional journey with Stella, the attorney appointed to serve the best interest of Rose, a little girl with lots of issues. For audiobook listeners, this book is an absolute MUST. Why? Laura Benanti. You may recognize her from the Younger tv series- one of my absolute faves. If not, check out her IMDB page-I have no doubt you will recognize her from her extensive list of credits (oh, and did I forget to mention her Tony award??). Seriously, Benanti's voice is magical. She hasn't read very many audiobooks (after you fall in love with her voice in House of Glass, definitely listen to Here in the Dark, by Alexis Soloski, which was absolutely brilliant, and my first audio from her.) Highly recommend!!!

It was okay, but felt very slow. Initially, I was interested and a bit creeped out, but it dragged on longer than necessary. I guessed the big twist, though it was still enjoyable, and I liked the audio format. However, I was ready for it to wrap up sooner and wished it had been faster-paced with more surprises. Overall, not my favorite, but still an entertaining listen.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook!

On the outside they were the golden family with the perfect life. On the inside they built the perfect lie.

On the outside she’s a lawyer with the perfect career. On the inside she has a dark past.

Stella Hudson is a best interest attorney assigned to helping Rose Barclay - a nine year old girl who at best witnessed the death of her nanny, at worst was responsible for the death. Stella has to unravel the secrets in her own past to help Rose and to discover the truth.

I super enjoyed this book! Twisty and turny and full of all sorts of good tea.

What’s more mysterious and creepy than a little girl who hides shards of glass in her room, pushes her doll out of the attic window, and doesn’t speak?

Not much.

Nine year old Rose Barclay hasn’t spoken since her nanny, Tina, fell to her death. She’s become a recluse since that day, being removed from her school and finding comfort only in reading, listening to classical music, and playing piano. Since Rose’s parents, Ian and Beth Barclay, are getting a divorce, a case worker named Stella had been assigned to monitor Rose in order to determine who will gain custody of her. This is no ordinary case. Upon arrival to the home, Stella immediately notices bizarre things. No glass is allowed in the home - of any kind. In addition, the Barclays appear to be hiding something and are extremely protective over Rose. As Stella begins to uncover the truth, she is forced to face her own past trauma.

“The Barclay estate reminds me of a beautiful rock that you turn over to reveal wet, rotting leaves teeming with wiggling bugs stuck to the underside.”

I read the kindle ARC and the audio at the same time. Broadway star, Laura Benanti is the BEST narrator I’ve ever heard. Her characterization choices and inflection made the story flow with such authenticity. I was partly drawn to the audio recording because of her.

This book was a next level thrill for me. The storyline concept, the writing, the timing of each revealing piece, and the building denouement was (chef kiss 😚 🤌🏼) perfection. These characters were so poker faced that I could not detect who was bluffing! The action scene toward the end had me on the edge of my seat. The page turning rate of this whole read was sonic!

Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Sarah Pekkanan, and St. Martin’s Press for this thrilling ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Golden Couple was one of my favorite thrillers, so I was insanely excited to read House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen. After reading a few of Pekkanen's titles now, I've realized what I love the most about her writing style is her ability to craft wholly believable psychopaths with rich backstories that make you question your sanity. Her characters are often so flawed and damaged that they're a little TOO relatable, in the very best way. One chapter into House of Glass, I was fully convinced that a sweet little girl offed the Nanny and was about to unleash the same murderous rampage on anyone in her circle. Does this story end this way? Was the nanny lying? Is everyone in this story hiding something? You'll just have to read it to find out for yourself, but trust me, you won't be disappointed!