Gina, her husband Matt, and their two children are living in their friend Annie's house temporarily as their own house had been destroyed by a fire. Mary is Annie's housekeeper, so she continues to keep house in her employers absence. Mary and her son move into the attic rooms after Mary had been abused by her partner. It's not long before Gina thinks that she is being watched, She feels uncomfortable in Mary's presence. But Gina will soon realise just how much danger her family are in.

I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. The pace is fast in this thrilling and twisted read. I could not put it down. The characters are well-developed, and the story is told from multiple perspectives. The suspense builds gradually, and I was kept guessing along the way. I did guess part of the story correctly, just a small part, but the big twist I never saw coming.The story is written in the past and present day format. I loved this book.

Published 11th November, 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SamanthaHayes for my ARC of #HerHousekeeper in exchange for an honest review.

I felt like the plot of this one kept meandering around in circles without actually getting anywhere until close to the end. After a fire destroys their home, Gina and her family accept an offer to stay in her vacationing friend's empty house. They don't realize that there's a housekeeper until the woman shows up and lets herself in one morning, but Annie assures them that Mary is trustworthy and when Mary suddenly needs a place to live she makes herself right at home. Of course she's not who she claims to be -- the author makes that immediately clear. Flashbacks and alternating points of view slowly reveal that it all goes back to their group of high school friends and something that happened after a party decades earlier. Some scenes near the end had me holding my breath, but it took a long time to get there.

Thank you to Bookouture for providing me an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

This book was exactly what I needed after a series of meh books that I felt I had to force my way through. It grabbed my attention from the very first chapter where we get a snippet of the past that sets the tone for the whole book after. It was such a great move since it left me anticipating what was to come and trying to put the pieces together to figure out the mystery.

The characters made me equal parts like and despise them and they were truly flawed individuals put into an impossible situation. The writing was suspenseful and I really liked being able to get parts of the story from each of the characters and see the whole picture slowly being put together throughout the book.

There were some minor inconsistencies and character choices that irked me, but nothing major that ruined the book for me. Some things were more predictable than others but I was not able to guess everything, which is always a good thing when it comes to thrillers. All in all a solid read worth picking up.

Whew! Talk about being kept on your toes and fully invested!!! Her Housekeeper was gripping, shocking, tense, and twist filled. Samantha Hayes takes readers on a wild ride in this riveting psychological thriller! I thought I had things figured out in this book, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong! Samantha Hayes carefully and expertly crafted a twisted tale that I did not want to put down!

Gina, Matt, and their two young children find themselves in need of a place to stay after a fire at their home. When Gina's friend, Annie, offers them the use of her home, they can't refuse. When a woman shows up saying she is the housekeeper. Annie who is out of town, confirms that Mary, the woman at the door is her housekeeper, they let her in.....


I loved the tension in this book. I thought Samantha Hayes did a great job depicting Gina's sense of unease and doubt that arose during her interactions with Mary. I could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as she questioned Mary's intentions and motives. I also enjoyed the POV of both Mary and Gina. What a nice touch!

As I mentioned, this book has a nice number of secrets, suspense, tension, and twists. I love books which keep me guessing and Her Housekeeper did that and then some! I look forward to reading what Samantha Hayes writes next!

Release: Nov 10
Publisher: Bookouture
 
Rating: 3.75/5 ★ 
 
Her Housekeeper is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of trust and deception within the confines of domestic life. The story revolves around the seemingly perfect household of the protagonist, who hires a new housekeeper to help manage her busy life. However, things quickly take a dark turn as secrets unravel, and the true motives of the housekeeper come to light. 
Samantha Hayes masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-developed, particularly the housekeeper, whose enigmatic presence adds an unsettling layer to the story. The exploration of themes such as power dynamics, loyalty, and betrayal creates an engaging and thought-provoking read. 
What I particularly enjoyed was the atmospheric writing that immerses you in the setting, making you feel the weight of the protagonist's growing anxiety. Hayes skillfully balances suspense with emotional depth, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a personal level. 
Overall, Her Housekeeper is a compelling page-turner that keeps you guessing until the very end. It's a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate intricate plots and complex character relationships. 
Favorite Quote: 
"Trust is a fragile thing, easily broken and hard to mend."

When Gina and Matt find themselves homeless due to a fire their friend Annie offers them her house in their childhood hometown. They agree with some trepidation as the place holds some bad memories for them both. When they were young a friend of theirs went missing and was never found. Once in the house the housekeeper appears and in true creepy fashion becomes more sinister, even moving in her son.

The story is on a dual timeline, with the past seeing the girlfriends growing up and becoming infatuated with Matt, who later marries Gina. It covers up to the night Sara goes missing and there are some very twisted and tragic events covered, some which completely come out of the blue and an ending I really wasn’t expecting.

Well written and an interesting twist on a thriller. I enjoyed the housekeeper character who was creepy but once you hear her backstory was a great one to find out about.

Name :- The Housekeeper
Author :- Samantha Hayes
Genre :- Psychological Thriller
Plot :- Samantha Hayes’ The Housekeeper delivers a tense, twisty tale of secrets, deception, and unexpected dangers lurking behind closed doors. Narrated by an enigmatic housekeeper with a hidden agenda, the story unravels as she inserts herself into the lives of a seemingly perfect family, using her position to dig into their personal lives while keeping her own motives well concealed.
Likes:
1 Unreliable Narrator: The housekeeper’s perspective is delightfully unreliable, which keeps readers on edge as they try to piece together her true intentions. Her sly manipulations add to the psychological depth, making her both intriguing and unsettling.
2 Well-Built Suspense: Hayes’ writing skillfully builds tension as the housekeeper’s obsession escalates, and the stakes become higher with each chapter. The mounting unease makes it hard to put the book down.
Dislikes:
1 Pacing in Early Chapters: The story takes some time to hit its stride, as the housekeeper’s motives remain vague for a good portion of the beginning, which might test some readers' patience.
2 Predictable Aspects: While there are several strong twists, some readers might find certain elements of the plot familiar if they are fans of domestic thrillers.
Overall Impression :- The Housekeeper is a suspenseful, character-driven thriller that explores themes of trust, obsession, and hidden agendas. Hayes crafts an eerie atmosphere filled with hidden motives and dangerous secrets, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a strong, mysterious protagonist. With an unreliable narrator that keeps you guessing,
My rating :- 3.6/5

Gina, her husband and small children move into their friend Annie's home while their own house is being renovated after a fire. Annie is away travelling. Gina is astonished when Mary shows up, claiming to be Annie's housekeeper. Before long Mary has moved in with her son. Mary's agenda is slowly revealed with lots of twists, turns and red herrings along the way. Hayes ramps up the tension in this gripping thriller dealing with past friendships, secrets and betrayals.
Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
I throughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down and was blown away by all of the twists and turns.
My first by this author but I’ll definitely be reading her others.

A woman named Mary enters the Gina's life as a housekeeper in a temporary accommodation. The protagonist feels uneasy around Mary and suspects her of watching them closely, especially when she becomes overly familiar with the protagonist's husband. As suspicions grow, Gina discovers unsettling secrets about Mary and the house, leading to a realization of the danger they are in.

This book is a fast-paced and suspenseful read that will keep you guessing from start to finish. While you may think you have the plot figured out early on (I did, but not the main twist), the clever twists and turns will keep you on your toes and constantly surprised. The characters are well-developed, and the gradual reveals throughout the story will confirm your suspicions while also throwing unexpected curveballs your way.

The multiple points of view in the storyline provide a deeper understanding of the characters and their development, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. The main twist is truly unexpected and will leave you reeling, unable to predict what comes next.

If you enjoy a suspenseful page-turner with a mix of tragedy and happiness, this book is must-read. It's a quick read that you can easily finish in a day, especially on a rainy day when you're looking for a captivating story to get lost in.

Thank you, Bookouture for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I'm a fan of Samantha Hayes books and this one delivered once again. The story moved quickly and, while a little over the top at times, was quite entertaining. Recommended for an entertaining and quick read!

I finished this book this morning and was blown away by how many twists right at the end . I would never have guessed which is what makes it such a great book.
It tells the story of a group of girls who have been friends since childhood. One of them disappeared presumed dead whilst they were still at school. Someone wants to know what happened to her and will stop at nothing to find out
A great book from start to finish. I can't wait for the next book but this author.

Another fantastic book from Samantha Hayes. I've read all of her books and I must say that this is one of her best ones. Had me up all night turning the pages ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Her HouseKeeper by Samantha Hayes is a very good psychological thriller.
I was really looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint.
There were some likeable characters and i disliked and hated some other characters.
I wasn't sure where this book was going to go i thought it was going to be predicable but how wrong i was.
That final twist at the end.
This is my first time reading this author and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Samantha Hayes never fails to deliver and this book is no exception. It is totally enthralling from the first to the last page. Why was the housekeeper there? What was she looking for? Do you ever really know who is in your home? Do you really know your friends? I found myself holding my breath in parts. I would highly recommend this. I was totally enthralled. It had twists and turns, a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC of Her Housekeeper.

Samantha Hayes delivers a masterful psychological thriller in Her Housekeeper, keeping readers on edge from the first page to the last. The story follows Gina and her husband, Matt, who temporarily move into a friend’s house after a fire destroys their home. The setup seems ideal until Mary, Annie's housekeeper, arrives unannounced, bringing an unsettling energy to the household. As Mary and her mysterious son Tyler insert themselves further into Gina’s life, Gina’s gut warns her something is wrong—yet she finds herself increasingly entangled in their unsettling behavior.

The novel unfolds from Gina's perspective, offering readers insight into her mounting paranoia and maternal instincts as she tries to protect her young children. Hayes expertly builds tension, weaving between the past and present to reveal hidden secrets among Gina and her childhood friends, the "GALS." This backstory adds depth to the mystery, as past friendships and rivalries resurface, slowly exposing the twisted motives driving the present-day chaos.

One of Hayes’s strengths is her ability to create characters who feel real, flawed, and compelling. Gina’s naivety can be frustrating, but it’s understandable given her fatigue as a new mother and the reassurance from her friend Annie. Mary’s sinister presence creates a tense atmosphere that heightens the suspense, while her disturbing past hints at a dark motive that keeps the reader guessing.

The twists come at just the right pace, each revelation building toward a climax that’s as shocking as it is satisfying. Hayes balances suspense with psychological depth, leaving readers both intrigued and unnerved by the secrets lurking in ordinary lives.

Overall, Her Housekeeper is an addictive, twisty thriller that explores friendship, betrayal, and the haunting ways the past can come back to find us. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a gripping, character-driven psychological mystery.

A new Samantha Hayes book? Always a big fat yes from me! I’ve been a fan of this author for years now and I know that she never lets me down-her books are like a comfort blanket for me to snuggle into knowing I will not be disappointed. Her Housekeeper was a fantastic read and even though I thought from the start that I knew exactly where the plot was taking me, Samantha Hayes had a few perfect twists up her sleeve to wipe the smugness from my face!

Gina and her husband Matt have had a terrible fire at their home and are lucky enough to be able to stay at their friend Annie’s home whilst she is away travelling. Annie’s housekeeper Mary is also at their disposal while they stay there but Gina doesn’t quite trust her. When Gina discovers Annie snooping around, she handles it very politely but she is still on her guard and so she should be! Gina is a new mum with a baby and a challenging toddler to deal with so she’s tired and tiredness affects our ability to see what’s often right in front of us. So I wasn’t frustrated with Gina and her naivety because she had a lot on her plate and her contact with Annie reassured her that all was well.

The themes of friendship between the female characters is handled perfectly as the reader meets them in the past-where secrets are gradually revealed-to their present lives. There are some upsetting scenes sometimes as those secrets unravel in the present. What happened all those years ago and what does it have to do with the woman now working for Annie? I definitely thought I knew but things aren’t quite what they seem…

I loved this book so much and devoured it in one afternoon. It’s a gripping read full of unreliable narratives that pull you into the nightmare of who do you trust when you’re in trouble? Her Housekeeper is a warning to all that sometimes the past catches up with you in unexpected ways!

Highly recommend!

Her Housekeeper is a wild, unsettling ride that had me hooked from page one! This psychological thriller follows a seemingly innocent housekeeper who worms her way into a family’s life with an agenda she keeps chillingly hidden. The story is full of tension as she digs into the mother’s secrets while weaving herself deeper into their home. As the layers peel back, the mystery unfolds with shocking twists that kept me guessing. Hayes’ storytelling is gripping, suspenseful, and packed with enough psychological twists to make it impossible to put down. A must-read for fans of thrillers!

now this book is so Addictive. Gina and her husband and children have moved into Annie her best friend's house as there was a fire at their house Annie is travelling. On their first day there, the doorbell goes a woman says she Annie housekeeper. Her name is Mary. then a couple of days later she moves into the house with her son, this story will take you too past and present. of what happened to their friend it's just so good gripping twisty and sad

Who is Mary, really? Gina and her husband Matt are staying at her friend Annie's house while their own is being renovated and Annie is out of the country. Or is she? Mary shows up one day claiming to be Annie's housekeeper and then she moves in. Boy does she move in. This sets off one way and then turns into a tale of old secrets coming back to haunt. It's got some plot holes but it's also got some good twists. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.