There’s no shortage of toxic manipulation in the wealthy community of Little Venice in London. From the first page, this book pulled me straight into a world of charm, deception and dangerous secrets. The nanny’s arrival feels like a blessing for a struggling young mother, yet the tension grows as it becomes clear she wants more than the role she was hired for.

I enjoyed how the story weaves between the past and present, revealing long-buried truths piece by piece. The pacing kept me turning the pages and the psychological twists were perfectly placed to keep me guessing. I was fascinated by the manipulative behaviours and how quickly power and desire can corrupt.

An atmospheric and unsettling read that lingers after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had all the right elements for a twisty domestic thriller—an overwhelmed young mother, a seemingly perfect nanny, and a trail of secrets, lies, and bodies—but unfortunately, it didn’t quite deliver the punch I was hoping for.
The story follows Lucy, a new mom struggling with postpartum depression and a partner who isn’t exactly supportive. When Taylor, a dream nanny, enters the picture, it seems like help has finally arrived. But things quickly spiral as trust is broken,lies are told, and the danger creeps closer to home. With people ending up murdered and others go missing.
While I was engaged enough to finish, I never truly connected with the characters or felt deeply invested in the outcome. The pacing felt slow at times, and when the final twist came, it didn’t have the impact I expected. It all felt a bit too predictable, with not enough build-up to justify the payoff.
That said, Lara Finch does a good job exploring the emotional weight of motherhood and the vulnerabilities that come with it. If you enjoy slower-paced thrillers focused more on atmosphere and emotional tension than shocking twists, this might still be worth checking out.

Thai was my first book by author and I liked the story. It has a good amount of twist and turns and keeps you guessing. It finished it in 2 days so I will most definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for providing me with an eARC.

I found this book very engaging. The story and characters kept me coming back for more. Although, I couldn't put it down after I got through the first few chapters, that is. The author had to set the story up in the first few chapters and I found that it didn't move as quickly as I would have liked, but after that it moved and flowed quite smoothly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read this book before the world did.

This book was a well-crafted psychological thriller with themes of manipulation, identity, and familial secrets. While the pacing was a bit slow at times, it was still enjoyable. I liked the dual timelines. If you enjoy unraveling dark mysteries with emotional layers, this one’s definitely worth your time.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

Great book - but you have to push past the first chapter or two, because the set up is not like the rest of the book!

This is such an interesting story and definitely has you guessing what the truth is the whole time. It did take me a couple chapters to get into the book because the writing doesn't hook you right away with the set up...I know why it starts a bit heavy, but the writing doesn't seem to be as good as the rest of the book.

The backstory is well-told and really puts you into the past. The switch to present-day is a great device to move the story and does not leave you feeling like the story was interrupted (hate when that happens). There are multiple POVs that round out the story - and keep you on your toes.

I will keep my eye out for more by this author!

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

3.5/5 Stars
I wouldn't say this book was bad, but at the same time the pacing throughout the entire story felt extremely off. I found myself juggling between the past and present and then between Taylor and Lucy and wondering why isn't anyone using one ounce of braincells. I will give it one thing, the tension and the toxicity was extremely present and it does make you think that no one can be trusted the entire time. Otherwise, I just wish it had better pacing because the characters weren't exactly the worst.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

While I enjoyed the story, there were parts that felt overdone in past thrillers and some of it just dragged on. I didn't connect with any of the characters, which in turn made me not really care where the story went but I was curious enough to finish the book. Most of the loose ends are tied up by the end of the book but there is still some questions left to answer.

Overall, I enjoyed it but it's one I wouldn't feel bad about not reading if I had it to do all over.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC!

Oooo this was a good one honest to god I was reeling from half the book! Such a gripping story with great characters and one I’ll remember for a very long time, fantastic book and one I can’t wait to tell my friends about ❤️

I really really enjoyed this book! It was fascinating and kept me on my toes the whole time! I’ve yet to read anything by this author if they have other works, but should they it definitely made me want to read more!

Well woven, suspenseful and not what I would have originally expected it reminded me of prime-era Lisa Jewell. A domestic thriller definitely worth adding to your list!

Thank you for the ARC!

Wasn't as good as I'd hoped. A slow-burner which at times made me put the book down and read something else. Finished it at last. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Starts off well but it’s definitely a slow simmer, rather than a page turner where all of your life stops until you finish. Lots of twists and turns.
Thank you for an advanced copy in return for my review

What the Nanny Said is a beautifully written mystery that will keep even the most seasoned readers hooked and turning the page.

|:: What the Nanny Said
By Lara Finch
Chapter Three Page 21
September 1999
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

{ TL - Lucy and I became friends, and I started helping out with her daughter, Evie. It went from there.
AR - You didn't know Sam or Lucy before Spring this year?
TL - Correct.
AR - Can you tell us how you came to know them?
TL - Sure. It started in the spring, like you said. I was in the communal garden one day. Back then I was living on Sanderson Road. Anyhow, I spotted Lucy and Evie, and Lucy looked incredibly weird - like she shouldn't be in charge of a small child.
AR - What do you mean by that?
TL- She wasn't steady on her legs for a start. }

For Lucy, Sam, and their daughter Evie, life is going by slowly. Lucy is a pampered, well-looked-after stay-at-home mom; Sam is the forever-doting husband providing for their family; and Evie is a happy child in the safety of her two adoring parents.

However, not everything is as it seems. In the privacy of their home, things are starting to crack. It's as if a guardian angel has come into their lives in the form of Taylor Love. Young, beautiful, and friendly, Taylor clicks with Evie from the moment she sees her and seems to be the answer to all of their problems.

But Lucy isn't the woman she used to be. Taylor helps her remember her passion for life and her work ethic, while Sam starts acting a little bit strangely. The only one who seems perfectly happy is Evie, especially when Taylor is around. So when Evie starts to become ill in random bouts of sickness, things take a very ugly turn.

Navigating the murky waters of Lucy and Sam's ever-growing hostile relationship, the only person who seems to know the truth about what is going on is Melody. She is the only one Lucy can confide in, so why is she choosing not to say anything?
Twenty years later, a girl comes looking for a past—a past that could be hers. But why is she holding back?

This book had me gripped from the beginning. The author laid it out beautifully in a mix of information, a process that I never saw coming. It was clever in the way it concentrated on each character, revealing flaws and weaknesses that could have been a hint of what was to come.

It left me hanging on to every word, and now that it's finished, it has left me with so many more questions! I enjoyed reading this book immensely. The only one who had my sympathy was Lucy and how she came to her end.
What a beautiful, insightful and fantastically thriller of a book!

A huge thank you to Lara Finch, Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|

I’ll be honest, I originally didn’t finish What the Nanny Said when I first picked it up. Something didn’t quite click at the time, but for whatever reason, I felt compelled to give it another shot. And I’m so glad I did. The second time around, I found myself pulled into the slow unraveling of secrets and the subtle tension that builds with every chapter. Lara Finch crafts a tightly layered domestic suspense where nothing is quite what it seems, and the characters, particularly the nanny, keep you guessing until the end. The pacing is more of a simmer than a sprint, but if you stick with it, it pays off in a twisty and satisfying way. A solid pick for fans of quiet, psychological thrillers that sneak up on you.

There was so many twist and turns in this book the end had me shocked! Highly recommend
Triggers include
Mental health issues
adultery
murder

Started off strong but lost steam about halfway through. I gave it a 3.5 as I was interested enough to finish and did have one decent twist I didn't see coming.

I really was hooked on this book when I started but then it fell off for me. I expected a lot more suspense. The character of Lucy was all over the place and I know that was part of the point, but it made it really hard to follow. I felt like there was a lot that could have been left out and just cut to the chase. It still kept me interested but this wasn’t a hit for me. I appreciate the ARC.