I have loved being part of the @bookouture book tours this year so much. I was so excited to especially be asked to join this one. Today was my stop!

I have to be honest, I haven't read Kaira's first 2 books of this series, but i felt this read well as a standalone. Mind you, after finishing this, i am keen to read all of her books.

It's:
An addictive popcorn psychological thriller,
Packed with suspense,
Got tension that it is so palpable your toes will curl,
Got unlikable characters,
Twisty,
Dual POV,
Got an intriguing plot,
Envy,
Power,
Bingeworthy,
Going to keep you guessing,
Secrets,
Deception,
Betrayal,
Revenge,
and the ending - just WOW!!

I keep all her secrets. She thinks she can trust me.

Cecilla has it all. The house on the beach. The cute figure. The beautiful baby. But she's a long way from being perfect.

She's let me int her gorgeous house as her nanny because now she's on her own, she needs a little help with her baby daughter Peyton. She barely notices me. But I see everything.

While Peyton naps, i rifle through her drawers and discover the dark secrets in her past, the threatening letter from her ex- husband.

It's a shame that Cecila doesn't have my powers of observation. If she took some time, she might just recognise me. Ive been following her for awhile, after all.

If she knew who I was, then i don't think I'd be so invisible. And she wouldn't be so surprised one morning when little Peyton's cot is found empty.

For a scardy cat like me. who, by the way, read this during the day, I just could not put it down.
I was hooked.
It was sooooo great!

Thank you, @kairarouda, @bookouture and @netgalley
for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.

This book alternates chapters between Lizzie, the Nanny and Cecilia the mother. Lizzie knows she can't stay with the current family she is working for. With the exception of the youngest boy, the children are all spoiled and don't need her anymore. The mother hides herself in her bedroom day drinking and the father is a creep who doesn't have time to be a father, or a husband. When she sees Cecilia at the coffee shop, a new mother who is frazzled she knows that Cecelia needs her. Cecilia is a single mom, who has all her soon to be ex-husband, Paul's money. However, quickly learns the money is running out and her ex is out of prison. She spends a lot of time looking over her shoulder thinking that he is out to get her, not realizing the danger might be closer to home.

I enjoyed this book. Lizzie just wanted a life like she used to have, and Cecilia wanted to keep the life she had grown accustomed too. I wasn't really a fan of Cecilia though. Too me, it felt like she thought she was better than everyone and entitled to what she had. This is the second book in the Family secrets series, and I have not been able to read The Second Mrs. Strom (the first book), but I was not lost.

A great follow on from The Second Mrs Strom, and although I didn't read the first book, and couldn't remember much of the Second, It all was told in such a way that you could read the Nanny as a stand alone.
This is a very good domestic thriller. with plenty of twists. Well recommended even if you haven't read the first two.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

LOVED IT! LOVED IT! WOWZA!

Kaira Rouda’s newest addition to the Family Secrets series brings back the second Mrs. Strom, Cecilia, five years further down the road. She now has a five month old daughter, Payton, with her partner, Evan, who is somewhat of a deadbeat but his mother is a constant thorn in Cecilia’s side.. Her ex-husband Paul is still in jail, Celia is still working as creative director for Evan’s event company and decides that she needs help with Payton so hires Lizzie as nanny. Being such an introvert, she and Lizzie quickly become friends. But Cecilia didn’t get to where she is without stepping around or over a few people. Someone is watching her, skulking in the shadows and the hair on the back of Celia’s neck is on end. Can she open up and trust Lizzie? Anyone? Ask for help? How much longer until Evan is released?

But Lizzie has her own reasons for being there. She can’t believe that Cecilia doesn’t recognise her from her past. Being the nanny is the perfect opportunity to snoop and investigate Cecilia.

It’s no surprise to me that Kaira Rouda has done it again. Her characters jump from the page and I found myself vacillating between which ones I was rooting for, wondering who was villain and who was victim. The plot twists took my breath away and kept me turning pages much, much too late. Can’t wait to see where she takes me next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

What The Nanny Saw is a deliciously unhinged popcorn thriller that just so damn fun to read.

I am absolutely obsessed with the Paul Strom books from @kairarouda and not once have I ever been disappointed in how entirely diabolical these storylines are. There is something about a book full of characters who are just such terrible humans, but somehow you are totally rooting for them to get away with their constant bad behaviour. It’s an art and Kaira is the queen of it.

This latest is filled with the fast paced drama that this series is constantly serving up, wild twists, incredible suspense and our beloved unreliable narrators. It’s so hard to explain why this book is so good and so fun without giving any spoiler hints, but safe to say both Cecilia and Paul are back and both are as brilliantly diabolical as always.

This is the exact kind of easy thriller reading that is just so perfect at this time of year - fast paced, crazy and just easy to lose yourself in, I cannot tell you enough how much you should get into these Strom books if you aren’t already fully addicted to them. You’ll never regret the fun of it all.

Many thanks to @bookouture for having me on the tour and @kairarouda please always write this level of unhinged drama, I need more.

This was the first book I read by Kaira Rouda. When I requested it I didn’t realize it was book 3 in a series. I was gonna wait and read the others first but gave in.
Standalone I was able to read it and understand most of the past. I didn’t feel like I was missing something and had to read the others.

Interesting characters, intriguing plot and storyline.
Lots of twists and turns.

Will definitely go back and read the others

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

I have read this authors books before. This book was pretty good as well. I really liked the writing style.

After reading and loving The Second Mrs. Strom, I jumped on the chance to read What The Nanny Saw. I enjoy hating characters as much as I love them and this cast delivers that morally grey vibe. Cecilia dominates this story, and the addition of her nanny Lizzie was amazing. If you like twisted domestic thrillers with big twists and dramatic plotting, you’ll enjoy this book.

ARC Review- 4.5 ⭐

Wow--what a great book! I devoured this book over 2 days--reading late into the night with little regard for how much sleep I got! This book was so much of everything I love in a good thriller. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between the two women, Cecelia--a pretentious new mom whom has some skeletons in her closet and Lizzie, a young nanny who always seems to be at the right place at the right time. The domestic undertones between Cecelia and Evan as well as the mother-in-law Marian were great as well--it added to the overall appeal of the story and book.

The one thing I didn't realize until after reading (which doesn't affect the story at all, but would be nice to know going into it), this is the 3rd book that references a character by the name of Paul. There are 2 books written before this one that take place before this one with him in it, Best Day Ever and The Second Mrs. Strom. This didn't affect my reading of the book whatsoever, it would just be nice if you wanted to read the books in order to know ahead of time. This can definitely be read as a stand alone novel like I did.

Very twisty and attention grabbing--would highly recommend!

On the edge suspense that keeps the pages turning late into the night! Who is the best caregiver for Peyton? The twists and turns will keep you on guard and changing your mind!

This is the first book I've read by this author & I really enjoyed it!! Though I didn't realise it was the 3rd book in a series! I'm off to get the first 2 books now & will probably re read this one again!!!

Kaira Rouda is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I gave this book 5 stars because it hit every mark. I was trying to guess along but she had me completly fooled. This book is one you will want to pick up when you have plenty of reading time! Once I got started I did not want to put it down even when I had to.

What the Nanny Saw is the third book in a loose trilogy which began with the deliciously bonkers Best Day Ever, about charming malignant narcissist Paul Strom, and continued with The Second Mrs Strom, which introduced scheming temptress Cecelia. This book picks up Cecelia’s story five years on - I don’t want to say too much in case I spoil the earlier books for anyone who hasn’t read them. This one would actually work fine as a standalone, and spare the reader the disappointment of finding out what motherhood has done to our once Machiavellian heroine.

Cecelia lives in luxury in Malibu, but is struggling emotionally - she adores her infant daughter Peyton, but her previously attentive partner Evan is now too busy at work to help, and his interfering opinionated mother Marian is no use either. When kind, dowdy Lizzie, the nanny from next door, is willing to step in, it seems the perfect solution, and the two women quickly become friends. But everything is not what it seems, both are hiding secrets, and only one can hold on to the dream life Cecelia fought so hard to achieve.

Kaira Rouda has produced a suite of domestic/psychological suspense thrillers featuring obnoxious wealthy characters and their toxic relationships. I enjoy them like fast food - they’re a guilty pleasure but you don’t feel good afterwards. I thought Best Day Ever was brilliant, mainly because Paul Strom was so delightfully awful, but the following books haven’t quite lived up to my expectations, with plots that are too far fetched and unbelievable behaviour from the protagonists. Paul barely features here, although his legacy haunts the narrative - it does feel like his story is incomplete, so hopefully he will appear in another book. This did do a good job of showing what Postnatal depression can do to even the uber-privileged, and probably does explain how Cecelia can be so blind to what’s been going on.
I didn’t predict how it would all turn out, and was satisfied enough with the ending, assuming there is going to be another book. 3.5 rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. What the Nanny Saw is available now.

When I added this one to my TBR I didn’t realize it was book 3 in the Family Secrets series and I was excited to see more of Cecelia and Paul. Paul was a minor character in this one, but it was still good to see him again. I was a little disappointed in the difference between the Cecelia from the last book and this one, but it was still a fun popcorn thriller. There were several points the reader needed to suspend some disbelief (especially about Cecelia going from beyond loaded to broke in two seconds) but it was still fun. I did see the twists coming but enjoyed them all the same. Cecelia has had a baby with Evan and while she hasn’t gotten Paul to sign the divorce papers yet he’s still in prison and life is good. Except Evan isn’t very helpful with the baby and her back is still prone to hurting after being thrown off a roof. Lizzie is a nanny and feels it’s time to start looking for her next gig since her current family is driving her crazy. The two women meet in a coffee shop, but they have a lot of secrets even from each other. This is fun and I can’t wait to see the next one.

As a first-time reader of Kaira Rouda’s work, I can confidently say that her storytelling holds promise, even if this book wasn’t my personal favorite. Her writing style reminds me of Freida McFadden, blending psychological tension with domestic chaos. However, unlike McFadden’s edge-of-your-seat pacing, I found the first three-quarters of this book slow to engage. It wasn’t until the final 25% that the suspense truly gripped me, making it a slow burn rather than an immediate page-turner.

That said, What the Nanny Saw is far from a bad book. For readers new to this genre, its familiar tropes and twisty narrative will likely be irresistible. Those who’ve read fewer domestic thrillers may find it an unputdownable debut. However, for someone like me who’s read a lot of similar novels recently, the predictability of certain elements dulled the intrigue. Though some aspects of the plot felt predictable, I was genuinely shocked by the revelation of who took Peyton—a twist that redeemed some of the slower moments.

The dual perspectives of Cecelia and Lizzie add depth to the story, introducing a range of (for me) very unlikable characters that keep readers guessing. Cecelia, in particular, stood out as a compelling protagonist. Her portrayal as a struggling new mother felt incredibly authentic and relatable, grounding the story in emotional realism that makes you root for her. Meanwhile, Lizzie’s observations reveal just enough to keep you questioning her motives—and everyone else's.

One drawback was the sense that I was missing key background details about Cecelia’s relationship with her ex, Paul. Only after reading other reviews did I realize this book is part of a series. While it can be read as a standalone, I suspect that diving into the earlier books would provide a richer context for Cecelia’s story and enhance the reading experience.

Overall, while this book wasn’t a standout for me, it is a solid entry point for readers exploring domestic thrillers. Rouda’s ability to craft relatable characters and her potential for shocking twists make me interested in checking out her other works. I’d especially recommend this book to those new to the genre or looking for a light, suspenseful read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I wish I’d read The Second Mrs. Strom first simply because it sounds like I really would’ve liked it! What the Nanny Saw can definitely be read a standalone. It gives enough of Cecilia’s background so it all makes sense. But just a heads up it also includes spoilers for The Second Mrs. Strom.

If you’re a fan of domestic suspense, interesting villains and overall unlikeable characters, you’ll be entertained by this one. Everyone seemed like they were in it for themselves but that’s exactly what propelled the story forward. Lies, secrets, twists, turns, it had it all. If you’re looking for your next fun, quick, suspenseful read, you need to check out What the Nanny Saw.

There’s so much excitement about this one among my
@thrillerbookloversthepulse peeps! A huge thank you to Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda is the 3rd book in the Family Secrets Series and I have loved it Kaira has done it again......This book is fast paced, with lots of twists and turns that will have you turning your pages over quickly to find out what happens next.

A superb book/series and I highly recommend them.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

Another outstanding book by Kaira Rouda. Our favorite bad guy is back and up to no good as usual. This time he has some help. Loved the book, as I do all of her books, from the first chapter. Lots of twists and turns and you keep thinking you have it figured out, until you don’t. Keep them coming, Kaira! That you to Netgally and Bookoture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ secrets
✨ lies
✨ 2 different povs



✨ oh gosh.. this is hard.
I have been looking forward to this and I thought it will be fast paced. It is,, but it took me so long to get on each of the chapters.
It’s hard to understand on my side so I have to listen all over again.


✨ the story was plain. It was supposed to be a nanny who has a secret but turns out to be a friend.
Okay .. now the ex convict of an ex just came by all of a sudden but the main characters still hiding and doesn’t want to get involve the police.
I don’t get. While she is married to this ex convict and had a baby to this new guy, with a mother in law that has a screw loose aswell,, I just… nope.. too many going on that doesn’t connect.

Just sad that it was a lovely blurb but unclear plot.



✨ Thankyou @bookouture for the opportunity to read this arc for a honest review




❤️shaye.reads

This author is a favorite of mine. Her books are always outrageous fun! This one follows Cecelia, following her recovery from her marriage to Paul Strom. In this one she has a new beau, a overbearing mother in law, a new baby and a nanny. This book was a fast paced read with some over the top situations. I liked how the author captured the culture of southern California within her setting. A recommended read!