You can trust the nanny, she’s always there, watching over you and the baby with equal affection, she helps you when you’re injured and overwhelmed, she even makes it look easy. But she’s never satisfied with what she has. With a new born baby, a recent break up and a dangerous husband in prison who caused her long term injuries, the nanny comes to the rescue. Soon she’s wearing your clothes and posting pictures of you child on her Instagram and that’s only the start of an obsession that goes too far and risks everything Cecilia has worked and fought for. Her house, her baby, her security, and even her life. Slowly slowly the lies and betrayals unravel but who’s left to believe her.

What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda has me seriously thankful that I never had need of a nanny...absolutely addictive read! Will be purchasing for library collections.

What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda is a suspenseful, psychological thriller that expertly delves into the secrets, lies, and power dynamics within a seemingly perfect family. The story is told from the perspective of the nanny, who becomes an observer of the cracks forming within the picture-perfect life of her employers. As the narrative unfolds, we begin to see just how much the nanny’s presence—and her unique vantage point—puts her in a position to uncover dark truths about the family she works for.

What made this book so gripping was the slow-burn tension that Rouda builds. The nanny, while dutiful and observant, also has her own personal struggles, and as she gets closer to the family, she starts to see things that no one else is aware of. There’s a voyeuristic element to the story, as readers are given insight into the family’s carefully curated facade, only to discover that behind closed doors, there’s a whole other story unfolding. The sense of foreboding grows steadily, and just when you think you have things figured out, Rouda pulls the rug out from under you with unexpected twists.

The writing is sharp, and the pacing kept me engaged throughout. I appreciated how Rouda used the nanny as both an observer and an unreliable narrator of sorts—sometimes it’s hard to tell whether she’s being overly suspicious or if there’s truly something sinister going on. This uncertainty adds layers of suspense and keeps you questioning everyone’s motivations.

The characters are complex, and while you may not always like them, Rouda makes sure they are fully fleshed out, which adds to the tension. The family at the center of the story—especially the parents—are fascinating in their own right, hiding secrets that become more twisted as the plot progresses.

In the end, What the Nanny Saw is a well-paced, entertaining psychological thriller that keeps you guessing. It’s a story about power, control, and the dangers of not knowing the people closest to you. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with unexpected twists and dark secrets, this book is definitely worth reading.

All of the stars for this book. I love novels by Kaira Rouda and this novel was no different. I love thrillers that keep me guessing to the end and this book had exactly that. With so many secrets, deceptions and betrayals, this will have you reading at the edge of your seat until you turn the last page.

A must read that I highly recommend!

This was definitely an insane read. I didn't see a lot of the twists happening. Also, if you liked Housemaid, I think this book will be right up your alley. The book keeps your attention the entire time. The reveals were so good.

What the Nanny Saw is the follow up to The Second Mrs Strom. With Paul in prison, Cecilia has moved on with a new partner and a baby, living in a luxurious home in Malibu. When she meets Lizzie at the coffee shop, who agrees to be her nanny, everything seems perfect...until things start to go wrong. Paul won't give her a divorce, her health starts failing and the nanny seems a little too obsessed with her life. This story is full of plot twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end!

Wow! This book highlights that sometimes the help you hire, are the ones out to hurt you the most. Loved everything about this book and can't wait to read more books from this author.

What the Nanny Saw (Family Secrets #3)
By Kaira Rouda
Publish Date November 13, 2024

Review:

This is book three to the Family Secrets, however, it could be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend you starting at the beginning with Best Day Ever.

Paul is the reason why this is all happening. Paul started it.

Cecilia has a baby daughter named Peyton and has decided that she needs help and hires a Nanny. So she hires Lizzie… but what she doesn’t realize is who Lizzie is.

Be ready to make some time for this one because you will NOT want to put it down.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader.


Description:

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me…

Cecilia has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she’s a long way from perfect.

She’s let me into her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she’s on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, I rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex-husband.

It's a shame that Cecilia doesn’t have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognize me. I’ve been following her for a while, after all.

If she knew who I was then I don’t think I’d be so invisible. And she wouldn’t be so surprised one morning when little Peyton’s cot is found empty…

Had no idea this was the third book in a series but read great as a standalone. Maybe that’s the point? Regardless…really kept me intrigued the whole time and will be looking forward to reading more from this author!

I have loved being part of the @bookouture book tours this year so much. I was so excited to especially be asked to join this one. Today was my stop!

I have to be honest, I haven't read Kaira's first 2 books of this series, but i felt this read well as a standalone. Mind you, after finishing this, i am keen to read all of her books.

It's:
An addictive popcorn psychological thriller,
Packed with suspense,
Got tension that it is so palpable your toes will curl,
Got unlikable characters,
Twisty,
Dual POV,
Got an intriguing plot,
Envy,
Power,
Bingeworthy,
Going to keep you guessing,
Secrets,
Deception,
Betrayal,
Revenge,
and the ending - just WOW!!

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me.

Cecilla has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she's a long way from being perfect.

She's let me int her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she's on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, i rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex- husband.

It's a shame that Cecila doesn't have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognise me. Ive been following her for awhile, after all.

If she knew who I was, then i don't think I'd be so invisible. And she wouldn't be so surprised one morning when little Peyton's cot is found empty.

For a scardy cat like me. who, by the way, read this during the day, I just could not put it down.
I was hooked.
It was sooooo great!

Thank you, @kairarouda, @bookouture and @netgalley
for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.

This book alternates chapters between Lizzie, the Nanny and Cecilia the mother. Lizzie knows she can't stay with the current family she is working for. With the exception of the youngest boy, the children are all spoiled and don't need her anymore. The mother hides herself in her bedroom day drinking and the father is a creep who doesn't have time to be a father, or a husband. When she sees Cecilia at the coffee shop, a new mother who is frazzled she knows that Cecelia needs her. Cecilia is a single mom, who has all her soon to be ex-husband, Paul's money. However, quickly learns the money is running out and her ex is out of prison. She spends a lot of time looking over her shoulder thinking that he is out to get her, not realizing the danger might be closer to home.

I enjoyed this book. Lizzie just wanted a life like she used to have, and Cecilia wanted to keep the life she had grown accustomed too. I wasn't really a fan of Cecilia though. Too me, it felt like she thought she was better than everyone and entitled to what she had. This is the second book in the Family secrets series, and I have not been able to read The Second Mrs. Strom (the first book), but I was not lost.

A great follow on from The Second Mrs Strom, and although I didn't read the first book, and couldn't remember much of the Second, It all was told in such a way that you could read the Nanny as a stand alone.
This is a very good domestic thriller. with plenty of twists. Well recommended even if you haven't read the first two.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

LOVED IT! LOVED IT! WOWZA!

Kaira Rouda’s newest addition to the Family Secrets series brings back the second Mrs. Strom, Cecilia, five years further down the road. She now has a five month old daughter, Payton, with her partner, Evan, who is somewhat of a deadbeat but his mother is a constant thorn in Cecilia’s side.. Her ex-husband Paul is still in jail, Celia is still working as creative director for Evan’s event company and decides that she needs help with Payton so hires Lizzie as nanny. Being such an introvert, she and Lizzie quickly become friends. But Cecilia didn’t get to where she is without stepping around or over a few people. Someone is watching her, skulking in the shadows and the hair on the back of Celia’s neck is on end. Can she open up and trust Lizzie? Anyone? Ask for help? How much longer until Evan is released?

But Lizzie has her own reasons for being there. She can’t believe that Cecilia doesn’t recognise her from her past. Being the nanny is the perfect opportunity to snoop and investigate Cecilia.

It’s no surprise to me that Kaira Rouda has done it again. Her characters jump from the page and I found myself vacillating between which ones I was rooting for, wondering who was villain and who was victim. The plot twists took my breath away and kept me turning pages much, much too late. Can’t wait to see where she takes me next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

What The Nanny Saw is a deliciously unhinged popcorn thriller that just so damn fun to read.

I am absolutely obsessed with the Paul Strom books from @kairarouda and not once have I ever been disappointed in how entirely diabolical these storylines are. There is something about a book full of characters who are just such terrible humans, but somehow you are totally rooting for them to get away with their constant bad behaviour. It’s an art and Kaira is the queen of it.

This latest is filled with the fast paced drama that this series is constantly serving up, wild twists, incredible suspense and our beloved unreliable narrators. It’s so hard to explain why this book is so good and so fun without giving any spoiler hints, but safe to say both Cecilia and Paul are back and both are as brilliantly diabolical as always.

This is the exact kind of easy thriller reading that is just so perfect at this time of year - fast paced, crazy and just easy to lose yourself in, I cannot tell you enough how much you should get into these Strom books if you aren’t already fully addicted to them. You’ll never regret the fun of it all.

Many thanks to @bookouture for having me on the tour and @kairarouda please always write this level of unhinged drama, I need more.

This was the first book I read by Kaira Rouda. When I requested it I didn’t realize it was book 3 in a series. I was gonna wait and read the others first but gave in.
Standalone I was able to read it and understand most of the past. I didn’t feel like I was missing something and had to read the others.

Interesting characters, intriguing plot and storyline.
Lots of twists and turns.

Will definitely go back and read the others

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

I have read this authors books before. This book was pretty good as well. I really liked the writing style.

After reading and loving The Second Mrs. Strom, I jumped on the chance to read What The Nanny Saw. I enjoy hating characters as much as I love them and this cast delivers that morally grey vibe. Cecilia dominates this story, and the addition of her nanny Lizzie was amazing. If you like twisted domestic thrillers with big twists and dramatic plotting, you’ll enjoy this book.

ARC Review- 4.5 ⭐

Wow--what a great book! I devoured this book over 2 days--reading late into the night with little regard for how much sleep I got! This book was so much of everything I love in a good thriller. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between the two women, Cecelia--a pretentious new mom whom has some skeletons in her closet and Lizzie, a young nanny who always seems to be at the right place at the right time. The domestic undertones between Cecelia and Evan as well as the mother-in-law Marian were great as well--it added to the overall appeal of the story and book.

The one thing I didn't realize until after reading (which doesn't affect the story at all, but would be nice to know going into it), this is the 3rd book that references a character by the name of Paul. There are 2 books written before this one that take place before this one with him in it, Best Day Ever and The Second Mrs. Strom. This didn't affect my reading of the book whatsoever, it would just be nice if you wanted to read the books in order to know ahead of time. This can definitely be read as a stand alone novel like I did.

Very twisty and attention grabbing--would highly recommend!

On the edge suspense that keeps the pages turning late into the night! Who is the best caregiver for Peyton? The twists and turns will keep you on guard and changing your mind!

This is the first book I've read by this author & I really enjoyed it!! Though I didn't realise it was the 3rd book in a series! I'm off to get the first 2 books now & will probably re read this one again!!!