You already know when you have the perfect husband, the perfect baby and the perfect life that something turns out not to be quite perfect, right? What on earth could go wrong when a family has it all? Well, for starters, Joanne Atkinson didn’t plan on having an addition to her already perfect family, but Chloe, her stepdaughter, out of the blue, decides to contact her dad, Richard, for a much needed visit. They hadn’t spoken in almost two years.
Joanne was excited to meet her stepdaughter because she knew very little about her and she figured it would be so much fun getting to know her and while she visited, Chloe could get to know her baby sister, Evie. Chloe was elated to have a new baby sister. She adored the little bundle of joy about as much as her parents did. She was going to prove what an awesome big sister she could be.
Chloe’s suitcases weren’t quite unpacked when immediately Joanne sensed something was off. Could it have been a look Chloe gave her or a smile that didn’t quite reach her lips and forgot to advise her face of such? Umm, Joanne figured it was nothing, just the jitters in meeting her new stepdaughter. Richard was over-the-moon having his eldest daughter with him. So, imagine their surprise when she mentions that she quit college and her job and decided she was going to live with them forever. Whoa! Wait a minute? Pump your brakes! Who said anything about living here forever? Coming to visit and meet the family was one thing, Joanne thought. But it’s an entirely different matter living permanently with them.
Joanne decided it was time for her to do something for herself and called her old job to see if she could work remotely for a couple days a week. Joanne hired a nanny to look after Evie so that she could get back to some adult things and rejoin the workforce of sorts.
When Joanne mentions at dinnertime that she was excited to have found a nanny, Chloe got in her feelings and wondered why she didn’t ask her to watch her baby sister. Joanne wasn’t thrilled with that idea because she wasn’t exactly comfortable with Chloe, but Richard figured this would be the best for all involved. Hmm, and that, readers, is where our psychological thriller takes off!
Oh my, my, my! I do declare we have ourselves some suspense here! Actually, being a seasoned reader, I figured this story out, but it didn’t matter one bit because I truly enjoyed it. However, having said that, what grated on my nerves was how dumb Joanne was. There were things that Chloe said and did that would have made me catch a case for real. This had to be a fictional story because there isn’t any way in hell Chloe would have said the things she did, but that’s beside the point. 🙄
Anyhow, I felt this was a really good storyline. Most avid readers will be able to figure out most of it, but I have to say, the ending did have a twist. I enjoyed that. Overall, this was a really good book and if you like reading dramas and psychological thrillers, I’d highly recommend it.
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Reviews with images
Mostly entertaining but drug out
-no spoilers- This book was written well and was mostly entertaining but there were many points, particularly at the end, where I was just bored or felt like parts were drug out. 4 stars because I do think it is a good, quick read, but don’t expect any incredible twists or nail bitting chapters.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
I have been on the hunt for an amazing thriller that leaves me looking over my shoulder & wanting to keep the lights on. Sadly, I don’t think this was the one for me. Maybe it is for you.
Don’t Let Her Stay focuses on Joanne, a spacey 30-ish new mom to baby Evie, who lives with her husband Richard in their London country estate. (Hard life…I know) Richard also has a daughter, Chloe, from his previous marriage where his wife has passed away. Chloe, who has been estranged from Richard for years, suddenly decides she wants to come back into Richard’s life and get to know Evie….no mention of Joanne.
As expected, this doesn’t go well. Chloe is an absolute nightmare to Joanne and an angel in front of Richard. Meanwhile, Richard gaslights Joanne every time she tries to talk to him about it, to the point that she wonders if she is going crazy.
This book’s saving grace, was the double plot twist at the end. To me, this thriller was good, but not great.
I hope you enjoy it more than I was able to.
Don’t Let Her Stay focuses on Joanne, a spacey 30-ish new mom to baby Evie, who lives with her husband Richard in their London country estate. (Hard life…I know) Richard also has a daughter, Chloe, from his previous marriage where his wife has passed away. Chloe, who has been estranged from Richard for years, suddenly decides she wants to come back into Richard’s life and get to know Evie….no mention of Joanne.
As expected, this doesn’t go well. Chloe is an absolute nightmare to Joanne and an angel in front of Richard. Meanwhile, Richard gaslights Joanne every time she tries to talk to him about it, to the point that she wonders if she is going crazy.
This book’s saving grace, was the double plot twist at the end. To me, this thriller was good, but not great.
I hope you enjoy it more than I was able to.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
Thriller Bookie
Fast paced, Freida’s fans will love it
Reviewed in Germany on April 8, 2024