I struggled to get into this one. I think maybe it was just to slow for me. I didn't finish reading it because I wasn't enjoying it enough to carry on.

3.5 stars
This had a lot of potential and a lot of good things going for it. But I think there was just too much going on, too many different storylines trying to come together, too many characters. I found it slow to begin with and only picked up for me from Holly's story onwards.

I found the sections about Alena and her mother to be the most interesting and would have loved it if we'd got to know that sooner in the book.

The writing was good and it did hold my attention. And I thought the last 10% of the book was really really good. Hence my extra half mark.

The premise of this book is interesting. Some of the characters are truly awful people. I felt the backstories were too long. It is very well written.

I found this book very slow, and a little bit of a dissappinting read. I finished it, but it was a slog.
There was nothing all that memorable to me, perhaps because I struggled to engage with it. Possibly just not for me.

I found this a slow read and struggled to connect with the characters. Unfortunately I did not finish the book as this was not for me.

This is the first novel by Amanda Bestor-Siegal and it is a beautifully written, well plotted, intricate story from this talented new author. It is set in the suburbs of Paris in 2015, and concentrated around a group of young women who work as au pairs for wealthy families in the city. Their need to feel that they are part of the family is often misunderstood due to the issues of identity, privilege and culture from both the American and French cultures and this is ably demonstrated in this compulsive gripping tale. When one of the children dies suddenly while in the charge of a young American au pair, Alena, the child's mother, Charlotte, blames her for the death and has her arrested and taken away in handcuffs.
As the plot develops we are unsure as to who is at fault, is it the Charlotte who never was really involved in the lives of her children or is it Alena who couldn't forge an emotional connection with the family? As the turbulent power dynamics of the family are unveiled and secrets are revealed that expose another side of these complex women, we see that the pressures, misunderstandings and miscommunication of the outside world can have catastrophic consequences.
Looking forward to reading Amanda Bestor-Siegal's next book.

A brilliant debut set in Paris. A child’s death and different perspectives make this a slow burn that will keep you hanging in till the end. I’ve just bought this for my mum and my daughter as it’s so good. An amazing talented writer.

The novel is marketed as a thriller / mystery but it’s hard to say really what genre I would put it under as it’s not the who done it I was hoping for . It starts off strong , I loved the Paris setting and references to current events but the whole storyline of the child’s death seems to be somewhat in the background . Instead we have alternating chapters from different characters who are residing in the suburb and are linked to the family concerned in some way . The back stories of these people doesn’t really seem relevant in anyway and I was getting lost with who’s who especially the group of au pairs . Personally I think it would make for a much better mini series as I can see the similarities to little fires . It wasn’t bad just not a stand out read for me

Despite being set in Paris that was the highlight of the book. I felt the writer had no idea of who to make the main protagonist and how to develop the characters properly. It sounded like a good read but I wouldn't recommend it. It took me forever to finish it.

A great story about a group troubled of au pairs in Paris. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review

I loved this setting in Paris, and the thriller element kept me guessing. My issues with this book were more around the characters, there were a few too many to keep track of, and the changing perspectives with chapters led to some confusion at times. However, overall it was an enjoyable read.

A difficult but important read. Not perhaps something I would look to pick up again in the future any time soon but still a good read none the less.

A brilliantly written look at isolation and the struggles that come with it.

I devoured this book and was honestly bereft when I finished.

It kept me on the edge of my seat and had more twists and turns than I was expecting.

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

I must say I was expecting this to be a thriller, but it was different than my idea. I really struggled with finishing the book and have mixed feelings on the last chapters. Full review will be added when I’ve given it a second read.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please look for the blurb of the story elsewhere here are my thoughts and opinions only.

If you are here for a thriller, please keep looking this is not it.

The book starts quite strong and makes you think its going to be a mystery, or a thriller or at least a “who done it” But that first feeling washes away within few pages as the introduction of the characters and their back story takes over the book, so it flopped for me pretty badly as I was expecting to read some other type of book.

The writing is ok, could be polished, mostly because the author can’t decide which character to follow, (so it follows a lot of them). And what’s important for the reader to know about each of the complex women we are learning about. All of that extra información and their back story doesn’t add much to the main event that somehow joined them.
The lack of focus on one story line makes the book slow and at the end I didn’t care for any of the Au-Pairs, I was happy when I finished and I hope never to read anything like this again.

Having said all of that, I should’ve given it a 2, but I have to admit that I found myself thinking about my own au-pair experience. The book reminded me of that time of my life, and got me thinking about the whole “international baby sitting” experience So I had to give it an extra star only because it brought emotions and memories.

I would recommend the book if you are hoping to become an Au-pair, or if you like idea of living in Paris working for a family. This book might bring you some perspectives on the subject, some harsh realities on the matter, some very unrealistic expectations some others a little more down to earth.

I struggled with this novel. The idea was promising but there were too many characters for me as a reader to keep my interest and focus.

I really struggled to get into this one, but I am glad I stuck with it.

Thanks Net Galley for this ARC of this book

Firstly, I would like to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

A story set in Paris about three au pairs - Lou, Holly and Alexa, and the families whose children they are looking after. Everyone in the book has some sort of dysfunctional back story, and I found it a bit slow and meandering. I also found it difficult to connect with any of the characters.

However, the book was well enough written, and, according to previous reviews a lot of people enjoyed it. It just wasn’t ‘exciting’ enough for me.

"The Caretakers" by Amanda Bestor-Siegal refers to the au-pairs who look after the children of suburban Parisian families. It revolves around the death of Julien, the child that Alena is hired to look after. Is she guilty? Just how did they get into this situation? We see related events from the perspectives of other au-pairs, a French language teacher, the mother and sister of the family affected, and also their back stories too. Definitely relatable to anyone who has spent a year abroad, trying to make friends. A good read.

The Caretakers is an intriguing and unexpected read. It sweeps you away to Paris. Lifting the lid on the life of au pairs, the families they look after. It's full of feeling and is emotive read that makes you think about the class divide and privilege seen world wide.