***I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.***

This was a great book. The story was captivating and kept me interested throughout. Can’t wait for more from this author.

A bit too predictable with stereotypical characters. When characters fit such a literary norm, it’s too easy to figure out the ending because you know who the villain is.

Review: THE BABYSITTER by Sheryl Browne

If THE BABYSITTER came packaged with a warning label, that label would read: "CAUTION: If it seems too good to be true, WATCH OUT!!" In smaller print, a second warning, "BEWARE OF GASLIGHTING!"

Detective Inspector Mark Cain, his sculptor wife Melissa, and their daughters, Poppy, age seven, and infant Evie, seem to be a fairy-tale happy family. A marriage built on a strong foundation of mutual love and trust, dual devotion to their children--seems a happily-ever-after often unheard of in modern times. Mark and Melissa have suffered tragedy and depression, surviving and eventually thriving. But now--will their marriage--and their lives and children--survive gaslighting? Insanity can be contagious.


["Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or in members of a targeted group, making them question their own memory, perception, and sanity." Wikipedia. Term derives from the 1944 film "Gaslight," starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, and Joseph Cotten.]

The Babysitter is quite different from the other thrillers out there. There’s not much mystery involved and there’s no shocking twist and turn in store along the way as the truth of who Jade really is and what she’s up to is immediately laid out. It was pretty predictable. However, that didn’t make this any less of an exciting read. If anything, I was even more intrigue of how things will play out knowing the who and why and looking forward to the when and how or if she’ll ever be caught. The pacing was okay but dragged on the middle. The moment the action happened, though, it didn’t let up until the end. The ending seemed a bit rushed and I was hoping for more than the open-ended that it was. It can be a little unsettling, too, as some description can be quite graphic. In spite of the lack of surprises, I still find The Babysitter a decent thriller and ended up enjoying it as a whole.

When their new neighbour Jade finds herself homeless after a house fire Mark and Melissa Cain are quick to offer their help. Discovering her qualifications in childcare and seeing how good she is with their daughters seems like kismet. She's just what they need as Marks job as a police officer always keeps him busy and Melissa has struggled running her business. Jade soon makes herself indispensable, she seems perfect. But Jade isn't all that she seems, and it's no accident old fate that has brought her into their lives.

This is an entertaining psychological thriller. There are no real surprises but that isn't the point of this novel - it isn't a twist in the tale story. It's more a story about manipulation and obsession, and how one person can wreak havoc in a seemingly perfect relationship. At moments it's a bit mental. Jade is a one woman mafia, and frankly I loved her. I know, I really shouldn't but she's a great baddie especially against quite bland characters like Mark and Mel. For pure entertainment value alone this is a definite 5 star novel.

Wow. This book has been sitting in my to read pile for ages and I’ve resisted, it sounded a bit silly, far fetched and dramatic....I’m so pleased I read it! Yes it’s all of those things but it’s gripping and such an enjoyable dramatic read! Like a special treat! Thanks so much for the read and def want to read more from this author!!!!

The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne
Publisher: Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ebook ARC of The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne.

You trust her with your family. Would you trust her with your life?

Mark and Melissa Cain are thrilled to have found Jade, a babysitter who is brilliant with their young children. Having seen her own house burn down, Jade needs them as much as they need her. Moving Jade into the family home can only be a good thing, can’t it?

As Mark works long hours as a police officer and Melissa struggles with running a business, the family has become more than ever reliant on their babysitter, who is only too happy to help. And as Melissa begins to fall into depression, Jade is the one who is left to pick up the pieces.

Before long Mark notices that things aren’t quite as they seem. Things at home feel wrong, and Mark begins to investigate their seemingly perfect sitter. He is shocked to his core when he discovers that he has met Jade before. And now he suspects he might now what she wants….

Now Mark is in a race against time to protect his family. But what will he find as he goes back to his family home?

I give this book a rating of 4 stars! It kept me on the edge of my seat and kept guessing until the very end. It was creepy and suspenseful. It was written in different points of views between the three main characters, Mark, Melissa and Jade. Parts of the story was kind of hard to believe because Mark is a detective and he couldn’t see what was going on in his own house. Other than that I highly recommend reading this book. It was well written.

A tense and well paced thriller that keeps the reader guessing.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A brilliant modern thriller. I read it in a day and couldn't put it down. Mark and Melissa are a happily married couple with two young children. Mark is a policeman. When Jade who is a 20 something neighbour, has a fire in her home, Mark and Melissa invite her to stay. Soon Jade is indispensable, she looks after the household chores and the children, as Melissa appears to become very depressed. Mark and Melisa's marriage and lovely family life starts to disintegrate and as they blamed each other. I felt like I was screaming at this book! Shouting "It's the babysitter!" As the reader, the story was fantastic, I just couldn't believe people were so trusting! Read on!

The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne is a psychological thriller that I loved............I've never read a book from this author but I found this book well written, gripping, tense, realistic and just wanting more. A very quick paced story, where you will not want to put it down. So don't start reading it before you go to bed!

Mark and Mel are both in very busy jobs. Mark works long hours as a Police Officer and Melissa struggles with running a business. They have 2 small children a baby Evie and 7 year old Poppy, and are both juggling with child care and their work lives.
They meet a young girl called Jade who is their neighbour. Whilst she's waiting for the Fire Brigade she watches her house burn down and get all get talking. They all get on and Jade offers to babysit Marks and Melissa's small children to help them out. Jade is now homeless and they asked Jade to move in. The family become more reliant on Jade the babysitter as Melissa begins to slip into depression. Jade is left picking up the pieces.
However, Mark soon notices things are different at home and begins to investigate their seemingly perfect sitter Jade.
However, what he discovers shocks him. He’s met Jade before many years ago.

Now he suspects he might know what she wants .............Is he going to be in time to save his family!?!?
What is he going to find when he gets back home?

What a read.....So looking forward reading more from Sheryl Browne

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions

Unfortunately, I had a very hard time with this book because it was hard to believe this loving couple would completely doubt the other and then turn on each other almost seemingly overnight and I expected Jade to be a little more ruthless but she's just a whining, tantrum throwing child herself. Just wasn't for me.

Lovely thrilling tale that kept me entertained. From the beginning to the end. True page turner. Will recommend this book.

*3.5 stars*

When new neighbor Jade’s house burns down, Melissa and Mark don’t think twice about welcoming her into their house and making her their new babysitter. But Jade isn’t who she seems, and the entire family is in danger...

So I have mixed feelings about this psychological thriller. On one hand, it kept my attention with its excellent pacing and impending sense of danger. I was really worried about the kids and the pet dog for most of the book.

But, I couldn’t believe that a seasoned detective would welcome a stranger into his home, caring for his kids, without looking closer into her background or even calling her references. The same goes for Melissa. Where is the parental instinct? Jade escalates, and for too long the couple turns a blind eye to her, instead thanking their lucky stars that she’s there to help out. What??? I understand that they’re going through a rough time, but I didn’t believe that they would be so gullible.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc.

This is a psychological thriller which will have you hugging your children even more once you have read it.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

A mixed reviiew from me. There were moments I loved this book, and times I found I was skim reading. I think that’s because from the outset we know the assailant and the plot.

And thus it’s a not for me, but please don’t be put off by our review. It could be a good read for you as for others who have left very positive reviews.

It’s a medium paced book,

I enjoyed this book but found it little slow going.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This was an ok book, but I found it written as though it was a teen thriller, and the plot a little unbelievable. Unfortunately I didn't gel with the characters either and found it hard to believe that a married couple wouldn't just ask each other what was going on!

Fans of stalker/betrayal thrillers will love this book, which combines some classic aspects of the genre - a psychopath, murder and madness - with some interesting twists.

Mark and Melissa Cain offer to house their neighbor when her home burns down one night. She seems too good to be true: she loves their kids and is willing to help out with whatever they need. But you what they say about things that are too good to be true, and that's certainly the case here. Who exactly is Jade, and what is her plan for the Cain family? Hopefully they figure it out before it's too late.

This book has a lot of really good things going on: there's the main plot with the Cains and Jade alongside an intriguing mystery involving a missing local little girl, as well as a couple other subplots that are entwined in there. I liked that multilayered effect.

The book is high on suspense, but there's not a ton of mystery, because that's not the type of book this is. It's more of a "what is going to happen," not "whodunnit." I also enjoyed the "How far will Jade go?" aspect of the book. And it's pretty far.

Overall, this is a great "Hand that Rocks the Cradle"-esque thriller, which is full of suspense and packed with different subplots which keep things interesting.

I've heard so much about this book and the cover was what totally drawn me towards it at the first place.

I must admit, knowing who the main antagonist was from the beginning threw me a bit. It's quite unusual and I wasn't sure if the book will hold my attention but it did. It wasn't so much about knowing Jade was after Mark and his family, it was following and watching her well made web of lies and deceive. What a great plan she had and how she went to get what she believed was hers.

This book was well written and made me turn pages just to see what Jade, Melissa or Mark will do next. I felt quite involved in the story and the fact that I knew who is all behind it didn't change my opinion about this book. I really enjoyed reading it and I hope you will to

The hand that rocks the cradle by a millennial= so very twisted.
The book is fast paced from the beginning, I found the shift in Jade excessively quick which did question the reality initially until you continued into the book and realised just how damaged she is.
I did feel the book touched on too many issues, Sexual Abuse, psychosis, special needs, depression, affairs, corrupt police, infant loss, life threatening allergies, this list goes on and with this I feel some of the issues were rushed through.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what happened. Fab cliff hanger that has left me wanting more.
I did feel for the victims and it amazes me how quickly a good relationship can crumble and self doubt and recrimination can destroy strong foundations. The Babysitter makes you think and know not to take anything for granted.