There seem to be several new thrillers featuring housekeepers/nannies, and I thought 'The New Nanny' had the most unique premise. With rising tension and emotion in the narrative (some overwrought and implausible), this page-turner kept me glued to my seat. The author did a great job of misleading readers, and the characters lied or held many secrets that led to some startling, diabolical twists.

As a teenager, Christa gave birth to a baby boy and was told the baby had died. She always felt the baby was alive and never stopped searching for him. Looking through records in her local small-town hospital, she discovered the wealthy Mayer couple had adopted a baby boy born at the same place and date. They lived part-time in the USA and spent summers at their lavish home in the Austrian Alps.

Christa made up a false resume when learning that the Mayers were hiring a housekeeper/ nanny for the summer. She was delighted that her application was accepted. This would allow her to secretly connect with her son, now age 15 and named Wyatt.

On arrival in Austria, Christa is dazzled by the lavish Mayer home surrounded by beautiful grounds and gardens. The small town in a scenic mountainous setting gave an idyllic sense of place. She found the relationship between Wyatt and his adoptive parents very strained. They seemed to dislike and avoid Wyatt, and he kept trying to please them. Failing to do so, he became unresponsive and sullen. She learned that he was not allowed to leave the premises. Going into the village was forbidden, resulting in Wyatt having no friends. He spent most of his days online playing violent video games. Christa offered to play chess and monopoly with him, and he soon opened up to her, and they became close. His adoptive mother felt he needed psychological intervention because he was so withdrawn and barely speaking to them. Luckily, Christa's resume included training as a psychologist. His Austrian father was demanding Wyatt learn German.

Christa persuades the Mayers to be permitted to take Wyatt into the village to access books and recordings for learning German. She also secretly brings Wyatt to a horse stable, which makes him beam with pleasure. While in town, she learns that Mayer's former nanny vanished without a trace. They meet a man, James, a teacher who offers to give Wyatt German lessons for free. James also tells her there are rumours that the Wyatts murdered the former housekeepers, and he believes the gossip. Christa realizes that if she can find proof that the Wyatts murdered their previous housekeeper, she might be allowed to bring Wyatt back home with her, and she is obsessed with that goal. James volunteers to help her search for evidence, and they explore the many rooms in the Mayer mansion whenever Wyatt's adoptive parents are out of town. Christa feels she is in danger from the Mayers. Wyatt is overjoyed when James takes him to play video games with his nephew, a secret from the Mayers.

A romance develops between Christa and James, but it is shattered when they learn they have withheld crucial secrets from each other. One day, Christa's search is interrupted by violence and death. Christa has taken a DNA test to prove she is Wyatt's biological mother. She hopes the test will help in bringing Wyatt home with her.
I was wrong whenever I thought I had guessed where the story was heading. Recommended for readers who enjoy a domestic thriller with unforeseen twists and drama. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. The publication date is September 11.

Before writing my review, I want to thank NetGalley, L. G. Davis, and Bookouture for gifting me the ARC of THE NEW NANNY! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

This was my first book from L. G. Davis and I enjoyed it so much!! I do like her writing style and the beautiful picture her words painted of Austria! The alternating Povs between Christa and Robin worked so well to help build the suspense, especially as you grew closer to the ending. The addition of Robin’s diary entries was a brilliant way to shed light on the past, while adding to the mystery. Admittedly, the book was a slow burn, but once the drama intensified about midway through, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

The characters, especially our protagonist, Christa, and teen Wyatt, were very well developed. The evolution of their relationship is written very well and believably by L. G. Davis. The novel offered the reader more than one twist, and that final one was so unexpected and oh so brilliant!

Overall, this was an enjoyable, intense read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery that keeps you guessing! I’ve also learned that a sequel to THE NEW NANNY is expected soon, and I cannot wait to see where the continuation of the story takes us!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The New Nanny by L.G. Davis.
I found the book a little bit difficult to get hooked into it right away. I did persevere with it and then I found myself enjoying the book. It had many unexpected twists that I did not see coming. It was quite a twisted tale. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy reading psychological thriller. My rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars due to the difficulties getting hooked at the beginning.

'The New Nanny'
Arc provided by: @netgalley @bookcouture
Releases: September 11

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I loveeeee a good thriller! This was my first read from this author and I will be a long-time reader. I loved the plot of this book it definitely had me turning the pages superquick. The thing I did love the most about this book was the dual POV. It was nice seeing things from the other perspective and really paint the scene in your head. I even audibly gasped at some parts and others I could figure out but STILL a twist would come and knock you off your game.

Christa is a nanny who has started working for a new family. When the job takes her to Austria for the summer and in turn she finds out many secrets about the family she's working for that she shouldn't have.

This book was really good. I read it in one day!

We meet Christa who the Mayer’s hire to be the nanny and watch after their son Wyatt. Turns out that - belives Wyatt is her son. This gives her the perfect chance to spend time with her son and also find out what happened to the previous Nanny. I can’t believe all the twists and turns in this book. I certainly wasn’t expecting to end the way it did. Christa did get somewhat of a happy ending. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley, L.G. Davis and Bookouture for the ARC!

The New Nanny (The Lies We Tell Book 1) by L.G. Davis

Unputdownable, twisty, and must-read thriller.

Christa left her country and flew to Austria as a nanny to take care of a 15yo teenage boy called Wyatt, who was the son of the richest family the Mayers.

Wyatt’s mother Robin always kept her son at home, also, Robin didn’t like the idea that Christa talking to the local. W the local knew she worked for the Mayers, they ended the conversation too. Christa knew Robin was keeping a secret.

“Be careful” - a note was found in Christa’s belonging. What danger was Christa facing? She was shocked to find out the previous nanny Eva was vanished 7 years ago, probably already was murdered.

The New Nanny was a fast-paced thriller. It was smartly written, especially a twist followed another. It kept me guessing who to trust and who was the murderer. A jaw-dropping ending which satisfied me!

Kindle: 276 pages
Pub date: Sep 11, 2023

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

This is a gripping and intense story about a nanny concealing a powerful hidden motive and working herself into the lives of the powerful Mayers. As she forms a bond with the teenage boy entrusted in her care, she discovers the truth behind his isolation, and gradually helps him open up. The story takes a wild and dark turn she when uncovers the disturbing fate of the boy's previous caregiver, raising chilling questions about the Mayers and their secrets.

A really great and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.

This was not a favourite of mine, and I hate to say it because I know how hard authors work, I did enjoy the setting in Sweden.

I went into this book blind, I had no idea what to expect, The author does a fabulous job of describing the landscape, giving you ability to really picture the characters and their surroundings, I felt as if I was there myself. The basics you need to know about this story, are that Christa, takes a job as a nanny for a well known & wealthy family traveling abroad to Austria with their son. Quickly, she learns that this is no normal family, and there are secrets that she is compelled to uncover. The townspeople aren’t to fond of the family, and do not want to be involved with helping her, or answering her questions. As she starts unraveling the truth, she starts questioning…. Who can she trust? How far will people go to protect the family or those they love? What is the truth?

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: The New Nanny
Series: The Lies We Tell #1
Author: L. G. Davis
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: September 11, 2023
My Rating: 4. 2 Stars
Pages 278

Christa Rodgers is thirty-three when she accepts a summer job with the Mayer’s at their villa in Salzburg, Austria as the family assistant as well as caring for their fifteen year old son Wyatt.
Needless to say Robin and Paul Mayer are wealthy and powerful.

While Christa is getting to know Wyatt, she gets a message to be careful.
She it told that the previous nanny went missing seven years ago and although everyone was questioned is seems the Mayer’s might have secrets and had something to do with her disappearance.
However, Christa stated that she studies child psychology but decided she really did not want to go into that field but preferred working and caring for children as a nanny.
Hmmm does Christa have her own secrets?

This turned out so much better than expected. It truly was a page turner!
The ending left me wanting to read more from Liz Davis! In fact, I immediately put "The Nanny’s Child" - Book #2 in ‘The Lies we Tell series on my TBR list!

About the Author:
Author L.G. Davis (Liz Grace) creates fast-paced, unpredictable, twisty-turny, psychological thrillers set in small towns. She strives to create characters that feel so real that her readers would want to meet them in real life. She loves to set her thrillers in small towns that, at first sight, look picturesque, but upon closer inspection, dark secrets and dangerous minds threaten the residents.

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 11, 2023.

As a keen reader of psychological thrillers, I find they can get somewhat predictable after a while. I'm happy to say that definitely wasn't the case with The New Nanny by L.G. Davis.

At the beginning of the book, we meet Christa, who has just taken on what seems like an exciting opportunity. She'll be nannying in Austria with an immensely wealthy family but her charge is a fifteen-year-old boy named Wyatt who'll be able to do most things for himself.

But once Christa actually starts working for the Mayer family, she realises that something is not right. A mysterious note written in German warns her to be careful. Paul, Wyatt's father, doesn't want her there. Robin, Wyatt's mother, has strange rules about keeping Wyatt inside and not letting him interact with anyone from the village. Neither Paul nor Robin seem to be able to communicate with Wyatt, and he noticeably shuts down whenever either of them are present.

Then Christa learns that the Mayer's last nanny inexplicably disappeared and that her body was never found. It should be the perfect time for her to leave. But Christa has her own motivations for wanting to stay with the Mayers...

What a rollercoaster ride of a book! Just when I started to get comfortable and think I had figured things out, the book threw me for another loop. With a cast of seemingly suspicious characters including a questionable protagonist, I found myself revising my idea of 'whodunit' over and over again. It was gripping, entertaining and well worth the read.

If I could offer any suggestions, it would be to revise the blurb. I believe that this story would have been even more effective if I hadn't been aware of a certain part of the plot, particularly as the reader otherwise doesn't discover this until much later in the book.

But overall, I would still rate this as five stars for an enjoyable and enthralling book that kept me guessing—right until the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC. I'm already looking forward to the sequel!

Publication Date: September 11, 2023.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several books by L.G. Davis and she does not disappoint. This book is no exception.

The synopsis: Crista takes a job as a housekeeper/nanny for a wealthy family in Austria, the Mayers. She finds she will be a nanny for a 15 year old teenaged boy, Wyatt. Crista has a reason for taking the job for this particular family. However, Crista and the family are holding several dark secrets. When and how do those secrets come to light?

My thoughts: The New Nanny was fast paced and intriguing. It grabbed me from the beginning, as the mysteries starts to unfold. There were several engaging and surprising twists throughout, Kept me guessing until the end. I would highly recommend The New Nanny by L.G. Davis and look forward to reading more of her books.

4 stars!

Oh my gosh! I’m already ready for the next one in this series! I had no clue what was going to happen and I love that it was left open ended for more. I have to know what happens next!! This was so well written, I didn’t want it to end. I’ll be checking out more from this author for sure.

As usual, another twisted psychological gripping story as can only be expected by L.G. Davis, she never disappoints!!
I love how the story insinuates that different characters all had a motive of some sort making the whodunnit take a little longer to figure out ..
When Christa takes on a nanny job so she can reclaim her son back , things are definitely not what they seem. Robin , Wyatt’s adoptive mother dies not want him out of her sight for reasons unknown yet Wyatt seems like such a loving smart boy..
And.. what has happened to the previous nanny that she replaced? She just disappeared years ago .. what is Christa getting into???
This story will definitely keep you hooked and make you want to keep reading this writer’s amazing thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC and my honest review. I enjoyed the fast pace of the book, and the short chapters kept me reading. The characters were a strange group and once the first twist is revealed it all becomes clear. There is a hidden diary that gives many of the clues as to how the story progresses any why everyone seems to be protective of their secrets. The big twist at the end is predictable. All in all a good enjoyable thriller. Hopefully book 2 in the series picks up the story and is less predictable. I would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy of The New Nanny by LG Davis in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed how quick of a read this was, but that’s pretty much all I enjoyed, unfortunately. The dialogue wasn’t realistic and there was a lot of telling, instead of showing with the plot. The storyline was also very predictable.

But if you’re new to thrillers, or just looking for a quick read, you may enjoy this. I seem to be in the minority of my rating- I think I just didn’t connect with the writing style. Normally, I really enjoy Bookouture thrillers, so even though this book was a miss for me, I’m still looking forward to reading more titles through this publisher.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The New Nanny. Very fast read, disturbing journal entries and Twists that make you understand the journal entries. I didn’t like any of the characters, they were very selfish BUT I am looking forward to the sequel which I am starting next. It’s a GREAT weekend read by the beach.

Honestly if I could give more than 5 stars to this book, I would. It has everything I like, short chapters, captivating story, many twists and turns, fast pace, different povs and also unlike several books of this style, I could empathize and root for the protagonist. Although I guessed one of the biggest plot twists, many more kept coming and on several occasions I was left with my mouth open. The gasp meter went all the way to the roof. I would definitely recommend this book to those who have enjoyed "Verity", "The Housemaid", "The Perfect Child" and "The Push". I am very much looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

This was such a fun thriller! I'm glad I went into it completely blind, without having read the blurb or reviews in detail. I binge read this in less than 24hrs. The story was very fast paced and although I guessed a couple of things, I was thrown off by the ultimate plot twist! I will now start the 2nd book as I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me the ARC in exchange for an honest review