Absolutely fantastic! I loved this book - so worthy of the genre psychological thriller. The writing is flawless, the characters come to life immediately. I loved the school gate descriptions - so realistic! The theme seemed like it was going to be a familiar one but it goes on an amazingly unique direction to a wonderful ending! Five huge stars.....

"I was lucky to receive a free e-copy of The Perfect Family by Shalini Boland from NetGalley in exchange for my review. I was excited because I have read one other book by the same author "The best friend" and I really liked it. From the moment I started reading "The Perfect Family" I had a dreadful feeling something was wrong. Gemma seems to have it all, handsome husband, beautiful girls, dream house, fulfilling career. She wants to be the perfect wife, mother and boss but she is spreading herself thin and it feels she is about to lose it. She also seems to be having a tough time lately. First her little girl goes missing, then she found graffiti painted on her car then the house key does not work and on top of everything, a computer virus deletes her work files! It sure feels like none of these events are a coincidence, like somebody is out to give her grief! Fortunately, a new nanny/tutor, recommended by her mother in law arrives to help and Gemma starts to feel relieved, even lucky! Now she will have more time to spend with her family and focus better at work. Sounds like a dream, except....the nanny has her own agenda and it is not what I imagined! Fantastic book!

What happens when you appear to have the Perfect Family, the perfect life?

Working Mum, Gemma, loves her perfect life and her Perfect Family. But when her youngest child goes missing the family get a jolt of how fragile life can be. But a one-time fright is just the beginning. Soon every area of the family's life is affected with misunderstandings, vandalism and the husband's possible roving eye. What is really going on? Just when she thinks everything is running smoothly and under control, all hell breaks loose.


Another superb thriller by Shalini Boland! Thrilling, twisted and one of those books that makes you wonder....

Amazing book! I may have found a new favorite author. I love the way the action started from page one and didn't stop until the end. It was refreshing to see a husband like Robert. I knew who the bad guy was when I first met the character, but that didn't stop me from loving the book, and at some points even questioning if I was right. The mother in law reminds me of my very own, except for the rich part. I can't wait to pick up another book by Shalini Boland!

I did enjoy this book, but for some reason it just didnt grip me like it could have done unfortunately, but it was an easy read.

Well I didn't see that ending coming! Oh, I loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the pace was great, each chapter leaving you wanting to start the next and the tension built up to a fabulous climax. As a working mother, you always juggle the guilt that you may not be spending enough time with your children and this book plays on that very basic insecurity. then interlaces it with the introduction of another woman into the mix - I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the surprise. Suffice to say, the author manages to introduce all the little worries that a working mother lives with and turns them into something sinister. Genius!

This was my first book by this author and iy definitely won't be my last!

What an absolutely amazing new book by Shalini Boland. The Perfect Family is a must read psychological thriller that just keeps giving. I knew I was in for a great book when Bookouture and NetGalley were kind enough to let me read an advance copy. I have only read one of her books before but there was never any doubt that this book would be as amazing as the previous.

The story revolves around working mom Gemma, her husband Robert and their two little girls. After Gemma’s business takes off she finds it hard to do everything and still have quality time with her family. After some strange happenings Gemma lets herself being convinced to hire a nanny to alleviate some of the stress.

Sadie gets hired as a nanny and tutor for Gemma’s 10 year old daughter and for a while peace reigns in the family. Of course this being a thriller that peace doesn’t last long and we are in for a bumpy ride.

The ending comes as a total shock and there’s not much else to say except bravo! I definitely recommend this book and happily give it 5 stars. Just love Shalini Boland!!

I love all the books this author has written and this one was no exception! A well paced and tense narrative made me want to keep on reading well after lights out!

I'm definitely in the minority with this review. It's a good book and I liked it, well written and the writer is obviously accomplished and it was an easy read, just didn't 'wow' me as it has done others.

The lead character has strange things happening to her and the book does keep you guessing and is nicely rounded out at the end.

A definite read for fans of this author and for those who enjoy an easy read that maintains your interest, it's a good one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This was a fantastic book that I could not put down. When reading the synopsis you mentally decide where the story is going to go. I have never been wrong so many times! This is a book where you find yourself turning the page back as you can’t believe what you’ve just read.
The premise was simple Gemma and Robert Ballantine are a happily married couple with two girls. Gemma finally gives in to the pressure to get a nanny as she runs her own company. This is where things begin to go wrong. The book is written from the POV of Gemma and the nanny Sadie. Sadie is obviously up to something but you just don’t know what.
Highly recommend this book but don’t book anything else as you won’t be able to put this down.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC.
#ThePerfectFamily #NetGalley

Every Shalini Boland book I read is her "best one yet", and that includes her latest " The Perfect Family". Gripping from the start with a twist that was so unexpected. Absolutely brilliant. I loved it. Highly recommended

Love this author, I’ve read all her books and was excited to read this book. It doesn’t disappoint. The story hooks you right from the start and makes you wonder what’s going on and who’s behind it. I did see a couple of twists coming but the end is great. Well done, another fab read.

"Sometimes I forget myself. I let myself relax and believe that everything is okay. But it’s never okay. And I can never relax."

Gemma Ballantine has the perfect family. Being the mother of two girls and a loving husband, but when her life starts to fall apart she gets a live in nanny named Sadie to help but this seems to make things worse. How could a little extra help possibly make things worse... Well you'll just have to pick this one up and find out for yourself, beacuse this was one novel full of tension and appealing characters! You won't be able to put it down.

Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC of #ThePerfectFamily
Pub Date: 06 Nov 2018

Wow, I knew this would be another great read by Author Shalini Boland and I was certainly not disappointed. What a page turner this book was! Robert and Gemma both have great careers and two beautiful daughters Eva and Katie. With their very busy careers, they hire a nanny recommended by Robert's mother, Diane. Lots of twists and turns and an ending I did not expect, or suspect. If you love a good psychological thriller, this is the book for you.

I was very eager and excited to start reading this book, after I had read the blurb.

The story flows beautifully and is full of intense moments that make you so eager to continue on. The characters are well written and engaging.

I really could not recommend this book more to anyone,.

Shalini Boland just doesn’t disappoint! I saved this pre approved copy for my holiday and it was just as good as her previous!
Gemma is a busy married mum of 2 who doesn’t appear to have a lot going right for her! The book starts with a missing child, a vandalised car, and a sexually inappropriate client - but these things are actually the least of her worries! Pressured by her mother in law she hires a frumpy nanny to help out! Things go from bad to worse, and I won’t give any spoilers away, but I loved it! A few twists and turns - one I guessed, but that is the nature of these books now - your mind does start trying to piece things together before you reach it! Absolutely fantastic read - Gemma did get on my nerves at times - but not enough for it to spoil the book! Just one question - where did the cleaner go?!

Gemma is having a nightmare of a day and it’s not even lunchtime yet. Her youngest daughter Katie has gone out of the front door and wandered off. Thankfully soon found this then makes Gemma late for an important meeting at work. Her phone rings during the meeting and despite initially ignoring it, her older daughter’s school is demanding that she comes and collects her immediately. On going back to her car she finds it has graffiti on it with the words “Bad mother”. Could any or all of these be linked? Meanwhile, in alternating chapters a female is running away from someone violent, one whom if he finds her could kill. Gemma’s mother in law suggests getting a nanny and when Sadie arrives Gemma’s life is not so turbulent however she is not sure about having a pretty young nanny around the house. Shalini has the skill and talent that draws you in, even a short time into the book. Believable well rounded characters that you take to (or not!) and a plot that develops chapter by chapter, which are kept to a nice level to keep the flow and pace. I didn’t see where this was going. Shalini is one of my “go-to” authors and this book bears this out. If you like a psychological thriller to mess with your head, throw you around a little and not be quite sure where you are going to land- then Shalini’s books could just be your cup of tea. An excellent read
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
(rest of links on publication day)

I received a free e-copy of The Perfect Family by Shalini Boland from NetGalley for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Shalini Boland but it will not be the last. From the first chapter of this book, I was hooked. A fantastic psychological thriller with great characters and an intriguing plot.

Gemma, has the perfect life. The perfect husband and two wonderful children. She has a beautiful home, a brilliant job, life couldn't be more amazing. Then a series of events happen to Gemma that makes her life start spiraling out of control. She works all the time and is overwhelmed so she is convinced by her over-bearing mother-in-law to hire a live-in nanny. She finally meets Sadie and is convinced that she is the one. Sadie moves in and life is much easier with her around, or is it? Sadie has secrets of her own but what are they and what are her intentions? A wonderfully written and intriguing read.

Amazing book! Couldn't put it down.
Was hooked all the way through. Really enjoyed this book!

Would really recommend this to others
Great work

That was genius! Talk about pure evil! There were many twists and red herrings and the manipulation was off the charts! First book by this author but won’t be the last.

This story started out with a disappearance and I thought that was where the story was going (didn’t read much obviously) but I was so wrong. I’m glad I was as the missing child thing is overdone lately for me. Then we have the mean mom thing and the awful mother-in-law. There are so many “awful” characters.

Sadie is a great character! She was fun! The story does conveniently wrap up things perhaps a bit too tidy (easy) but then you throw in the final reveal and I’m right back on board. Bravo!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for a copy in exchange for a review.