GREENWICH is such an engaging and suspenseful read. I especially enjoyed how the author would drop these teasers, mentioning the future trial so that we wonder what happens and how we get there. However, I would not say that it's fast-paced; honestly, it could have been shorter. Some of the college parts could easily have been trimmed and the story would have been stronger. The other thing to mention is that if you are looking for a redemptive narrative, it's not here. There's a definite ick factor in terms of none of the characters being likable. Rachel is a pretty awful protagonist, even if we make some excuses for her youth. Nonetheless I'll admit this is a very gripping novel that's hard to put down. Recommended for fans of Kiley Reid and Rachel Kapelke Dale.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

This was a strong debut novel, it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed from the description. The characters worked overall with this story and thought they were realistic. Kate Broad has a strong writing style and left me wanting to read more.

This is a very timely novel, about guilt and wealth, and those caught in the web. Rachel comes to visit her wealthy relatives and becomes involved with their nanny, Claudia. The novel centers around the accident which is life changing. Rachel is forced to walk a fine line and protect her family, wealth and reputation, while Claudia is left with the burden of victimhood.

I enjoyed this very well written novel. The author provided an excellent sense of closure for me.

I thank Netgalley for this ARC.

In 1999, Rachel Fiske is on the cusp of leaving for Swarthmore, ready to start her college journey. But with her family consumed by her younger sister’s illness and her once-close friends icing her out, Rachel jumps at the chance to escape to Connecticut to help her glamorous aunt care for her three-year-old cousin, Sabine.

Upon arrival, Rachel is drawn into a world of wealth and tension, one where her aunt and uncle’s marriage shows cracks beneath the shiny veneer of privilege. But what truly captivates Rachel is Claudia, Sabine’s live-in babysitter. Still reeling from the pain of her friends' betrayal, Rachel is thrilled when Claudia befriends her, offering the kind of connection she’s been missing. As their bond deepens, Rachel finds herself both fascinated and bewildered by Claudia.

Through Rachel’s eyes, we glimpse the unspoken tensions simmering within the household—the subtle manipulations, the secrets, and the simmering rivalries between her aunt and uncle. Broad weaves in themes of race and class, skillfully portraying the complexities of privilege, envy, and ambition within the family’s wealthy Connecticut community.

From the outset, we’re aware that a tragedy will shatter this delicate balance, adding a layer of tension and suspense as we watch Rachel navigate her way through this world of power plays and veiled threats. Broad’s storytelling keeps us guessing: What will Rachel do in the face of this tragedy? How will it change her? The answers are both surprising and thought-provoking.

This novel is a compelling exploration of family, friendship, and the quiet dramas that unfold behind closed doors.
#stmartinspress #greenwich #katebroad

After being on the outs with her high school friends from Cambridge, Rachel moves to Greenwich to live with her aunt, uncle, 3 year old cousin and the summer nanny. Rachel believes that the nanny wants to be her friend, but she will later learn that the nanny, Claudia, is being paid to also supervise her.

Ms. Broad superbly describes Rachel's life in Greenwich, and the day to day decisions that Rachel needs to make. After a weekend in Block Island where Rachel believes that she and Claudia have become close, tragedy strikes the family with the death of Sabine, Rachel's 3 year old cousin. But who is responsible for her death? Is it Claudia or is it Ellen, Rachel's aunt, who was in the house when Sabine died?

A great novel with a wonderful plot. Many important topics are not discussed but inferred.

this was a quick read, reminiscent of "yellowface" and "while we were burning." similar type of main character to yellowface but not as easy to follow her thought process and motivations. i wasn't a huge fan of the foreshadowing present from the first chapter where the narrating character (Rachel) would jump to her thoughts on the events years down the line. pretty solid ending though after the main event.

thanks netgalley and st martins press.

I'll admit I could have done without the near-constant foreshadowing of doom. You realise early on there is no way these people can be in the same space without something dramatically awful happening eventually, so let's not dwell on it, you know? That said, it won a whole star back for that sneaky ending.

Greenwich is a coming of age novel set in the affluent suburb of Greenwich, CT. Rachel asks to spend the summer there ostensibly to take care of her aunt who is recovering from a fall. The real reason is that Rachel is trying to escape her own life, dominated by friend troubles, before she leaves for college in the fall. She is pleasantly surprised to be welcomed with open arms by Claudia, the nanny employed to take care of three year old Sabine. In Claudia, Rachel finds the easy friendship she has been craving. We soon understand that the relationship she is craving is actually much more than just friendship. Early on, we understand that a terrible tragedy has occurred and the unfolding story provides intrigue throughout the book. This is an engaging story and I enjoyed getting to know Rachel and Claudia, not to mention Rachel's aunt and uncle. All have struggles that lead to their actions that summer. The story culminates with a struggle for Rachel between family loyalty and doing the right thing. I highly recommend!!

I fell fast at this story! Broad's creative story telling abilities drew me in and I couldn't put this book down. I thought I knew a lot about rich communities in Connecticut, but there was a lot more to uncover, and Broad does just that with Greenwich. I look forward to more books from her. Excellent writing and characters that are intriguing.

This was a pretty intense family story.. Recent HS grad Rachel goes to visit her Aunt and Uncle for the summer--her Aunt is recovering from something (I don't think it is explicitly named, but it involves her back) and Rachel is to keep her company and help out if necessary with the couple's young daughter Sabine. We know from the start that something bad happens that summer but as we read on there's so much darkness in that house and Rachel has to try to figure out how to deal with it all--with the help of Sabine's nanny, Claudia. I could not stop reading this book. It toucnes on themes of money, power, corruption, race, family loyalty--so interesting.

Rachel is spending the summer with her aunt and uncle in Greenwich. Her cousin has a live-in babysitter Claudia who Rachel wants to be friends with. But then a tragic accident occurs and the family turns on Claudia. Rachel is the only one who knows what really happened and she has to decide what to do.... I do not want to give too much away. The story was well written and I liked how privilege/wealth was handled. This book could have been shorter since the accident happens much earlier in the book but I still felt like it was different than other books I have read. I give this a 3.5.

It’s 1999 when seventeen year old Rachel goes to live with her aunt, uncle and young cousin for the summer. She quickly makes friends with her wealthy family’s nanny Claudia, a 21 year old recent college graduate. The two hit it off and even managed to get into a little good trouble along the way. When an accident befalls the family, what avenue will Rachel choose? Will she protect her family or her new friend.

I found this story to be well written and quite engaging. Claudia is black and racism, whether overt or not, definitely makes its way into the story and colors many of the interactions and it was undertaken in a well done manner. The conversation around privilege was equally well handled. My main criticism is how much of the book was left after the tragic event occurs. Enough about Rachel’s character had already been written, the additional chapters felt too drawn out and unnecessary, I would have been happy skipping right to the jump in time. For that I am rating this 3.75 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

A very quick read. A teenage girl spends the summer with her aunt and uncle while her parents deal with her younger sister"s cancer treatment..
Looking to escape from a messy situation with her friends, an escape to Greenwich, is a win win for her. However, new problems arise between her relatives and the nanny who is employed to watch her young niece. What follows is fairly predictable; however there were several questions that were left unanswered for me. Without giving away the ending, I wonder if other reads feel the same way.