What a great story this novel had me turning the pages so fast and really made it hard to put down. I think the character development in the book was great and loved how everything clicked together but while also giving surprises still.

This book was entertaining but no real surprises - I finished it quickly and stayed engaged the same time. Give it a read!

Looking for a fresh start, Nelly takes a teaching job in the small community of Overland. Much to her shock and horror, she recognizes one of her new fellow co-workers… as the man who attempted to rape her when she was 13. Only now, he’s going by a different name. Is it truly him? Strange things start happening that make Nelly question if she’s losing her mind or if this man is truly the evil from her past set to ruin her future.

What a roller coaster of a psychological thriller! This book keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Not only does the story keep you hooked and desperate for answers, it also gives a real life perspective of how women who claim abuse are treated in society. The emotions are palpable, and I related so strongly to our FMC Nelly. Around every corner, she was being gaslit by the men around her. I was so intensely gripped by this story, not only wanting to know what happens but also wanting justice for Nelly!

The ending was a bit more rushed than I would’ve preferred (maybe that’s because I didn’t want it to end!) and part of the twists required a suspension of belief, but overall this was an excellent book!

If you’re a fan of Freida McFadden or Kiersten Modglin books or you just love a good popcorn thriller with an unpredictable storyline, this is definitely a book you should read!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley & Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Good Teacher centers around Nelly, a single woman, recently divorced and struggling to rebuild her life after a personally tumultuous year. She lands a teaching job at a small school out East but her plans to rebuild are interrupted when she's horrified to learn that a teacher at her new school was the perpetrator of an assault on her over 20 years ago. As she navigates this shocking revelation, it becomes clear that her nemesis is a monster in disguise.

This was my first time reading a book by Brian O'Rourke and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. Although the premise and overall storyline is intriguing the writing was wooden and the main character had little character development or depth. The plotting was too transparent to be surprised by the eventual outcome and it missed an opportunity to draw out the suspense. Overall the book is a fast read, and has potential, but missed the mark.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for allowing me to read an ARC of The Good Teacher. I flew through this book!! It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I would pick up the book every chance I got to see what was going to happen next. Definitely 5 stars for me and a must add to your TBR!!!

This was a good read overalls I really liked Nelly and admired how she was starting over. That said, the story was a little heavy on places and lacking in others.

Thank you NetGalley! This was an amazing book. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time waiting to see what happened. The characters really pull you into the story

This book was disappointing. I went into this book with high expectations because it sounded really intriguing and I've liked similar things in the past. But I feel like this was done so poorly. I felt like I just read it off Wattpad. The twist was eh. Overall I feel like people that are new to reading and came from Wattpad might like this but if you're already a avid book reader then I would pass.

Nelly moves and starts a new job after her divorce comes through. She takes a job at Overland Middle school, everyone seems really nice but she has a feeling that she has met one of the teachers years before but he was going by a different name back then. Marshall Dawes, he assaulted her over 20 years ago now he is posing as a nice and friendly middle school teacher. Things start happening to Nelly when she is at the school. and she feels that Marshall is doing it but can't prove it. Will she get a chance to prove he is the same man she knew 20 years ago?
Total rating 3 1/2 stars

I had the opportunity to read an ARC, which was my first book by this author. It proved to be a quick and enjoyable read. It kept my attention and I would read more from this author.

This is the first book I have read by this author, I will be reading more!
Nelly sets out to restart her life in a new place but soon encounters someone she thinks she knows from her past. The story flicks between present and past and keeps you guessing right to the end with a good twist thrown in.
Thank you to #Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read the ARC

I absolutely loved this one as I'm a retired teacher and know ANYTHING can happen when you least expect it! Nelly is new to Pennsylvania but has teaching experience so now as the "new" history teacher, she's sure she's got things under control...until she sees one of the administrators whom she thinks she recognizes as her would-be rapist from a party she attended when she was in 8th grade. And when she's accused of "misplacing" her lesson plans and has her tires slashed on the first day of school, she's not sure where to turn as she knows no one. here. The sheriff doesn't appear to be worried--after all she's the "new girl" in town and has no credibility with him. But Nelly is dedicated and determined to get to the bottom of all this and her perseverance pays off after some mind-blowing revelations! Great book!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

After a difficult divorce, things seem to be looking up for teacher Nelly Peak when she takes a job at Overland Middle School. But then she’s introduced to her new colleagues… And she’s sure she recognises one of them, Marshall Dawes, the man that assaulted her twenty years ago. Only now he goes by a different name, Emmett Moore. And Emmett is a highly respected teacher at Overland, beloved by pupils and staff alike. There’s even talk of him becoming principal one day. But Nelly knows who he really is. And when things quickly start to go wrong for her – a mysterious stalker, her work being sabotaged - she is sure that Emmet is trying to squeeze her out so that he can keep his dark past hidden!!. Great read!! Fantastic who done it! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! Highly recommend! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

This is my first book by Brian O'Rourke and wow, he had me hooked from the very first page. Somehow I managed to read it all in one day as I could not put it down and it seemed like one big rollercoaster ride of a book. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. Due out April 28, 2024.

I read this book because I was a teacher but I found it a bit boring and too implausible to enjoy it. The ending was satisfying though.

Nelly Peak finds a job at a school in a small community. She attends a fun run where she is introduced to the staff. To her horror, she recognizes a man who, when she was 13, almost raped her. But he is going by a different name. He has a different personality, this man is respected.

He is totally different from the boy she has been trying to forget all her life. She knows it is him who is stalking her and trying to get her fired, she just has to prove it.

Wow! Now that was one roller coaster of a book! I read it in one sitting, and finished at 1am, and then could not sleep!!

I felt different emotions and feelings. Uncomfortable, creeped out, scared and yes, my heart raced as well.
I am sure those are signs of a good book!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book.