Actual rating 3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for sending me this for review.

in this book we follow two characters, first we meet 18 year old Alice who leaves America after she has stolen some money from her church to go and be an Au Pair to a family in Scotland, the family are a bit quirky but she soon sparks up a good relationship with the girls she looks after, and starts to have feelings for their Uncle, Alice goes missing (we know this from the prolouge) and it is assumed she drowned and we follow the strange events leading up to this and the Aftermath. We also follow Donna who takes a job as the families new Au Pair and soon discovers all isn't what it seems.

overall this one was fine. it's pretty easy to figure out what's gone on quite early on though and it kind of takes away from the twist, towards the end the pacing really speeds up and I was on the edge of my seat and really anxious for the characters.

A gripping thriller. I enjoyed the multiple POVs as it added to the suspense. The plot was compelling and I was engaged throughout. It had sort of an eerie feel to it which was fun!

The Au Pair by Jane Renshaw is an absolutely gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. With its eerie atmosphere, unsettling characters, and slow-burning tension, this book kept me on edge from start to finish.

Melanie, the new au pair, arrives at the Davidsons' remote Scottish lodge, only to find that something feels off. From the strange comings and goings at night to the unnerving behaviour of the family—especially the sinister Uncle Gray—there’s an underlying sense of dread that only intensifies as the story unfolds. The isolated setting adds an extra layer of suspense, making Melanie’s growing paranoia feel even more real. And then there are the scratch marks on the floor of her bedroom—was Alice, the previous au pair, trying to keep something out? Or someone?

Renshaw masterfully builds tension, weaving together past and present mysteries with eerie precision. The pacing is perfect—gradually revealing dark secrets while keeping the reader constantly guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would throw me off completely. The sense of claustrophobia and danger is so well written that I felt like I was right there with Melanie, questioning everything and everyone around her.

Dark, chilling, and full of unexpected turns, *The Au Pair* is a must-read for anyone who loves a psychological thriller with a deeply unsettling edge. Highly recommended!

As someone who Nannied overseas in my late 20's, thank goodness this wasn't my experience. Great Read!!!

Review of The Au Pair by Jane Renshaw

The Au Pair by Jane Renshaw is a captivating psychological thriller that intricately weaves themes of mystery, identity, and family dynamics into a gripping narrative. From the very first page, Renshaw hooks readers with an intriguing premise: a young woman, struggling with her own past, becomes an au pair for a wealthy family, only to uncover dark secrets that threaten to unravel everything.

The story is set against the backdrop of a picturesque countryside estate, providing a stark contrast to the tension that builds throughout the novel. Renshaw excels in creating a vividly atmospheric setting that enhances the suspense. The opulent home of the family serves as both a sanctuary and a prison for the protagonist, who finds herself entangled in the complexities of her employers’ lives.

The characters are well-developed and multidimensional, particularly the protagonist. Her journey is both relatable and compelling as she grapples with her own insecurities while navigating the intricacies of her new role. The relationships she forms with the family members are layered and nuanced, adding depth to the narrative. Renshaw expertly explores the theme of trust and betrayal, leaving readers questioning the true motivations of each character.

One of the standout elements of the book is its pacing. Renshaw skillfully balances moments of quiet introspection with heart-pounding tension, making it difficult to put down. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, unexpected twists and revelations keep you on your toes, making for an exhilarating reading experience.

Additionally, Renshaw’s writing style is engaging and immersive. She masterfully blends descriptive prose with sharp dialogue, making the characters and their interactions feel authentic. The exploration of themes such as motherhood, loss, and the longing for belonging resonates deeply, elevating the story beyond a mere thriller.

While the novel has many strengths, some readers may find certain plot points predictable, especially for seasoned thriller enthusiasts. However, the emotional depth and character development more than compensate for this, creating a narrative that feels fresh and impactful.

Overall, The Au Pair is a beautifully crafted psychological thriller that will keep readers engrossed until the final page. Jane Renshaw has created a suspenseful and thought-provoking tale that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading. This book is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers and those who enjoy a rich blend of mystery and emotional complexity. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an engaging read filled with twists and turns.

This was a well-written thriller that had so many twists and turns. I received this as an ARC and was happily surprised to enjoy the writing style and the plot. One of the biggest surprises was revealed quite early but the plot still flowed! All of the characters were really interesting and kept me on my toes.

Really enjoyed this read. There's a huge amount of tension as Alice's story unfolds plus the current day as Melanie investigates and is also caught up in the events. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

Families, secrets, a missing girl and strange happening's. This book has it all suspense, thrills, chills, drama. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Once you start reading you won't be able to stop as it is a well paced book with so much going on and so many thrills you just need to know what happens next. I had no trouble reading this one in a day.

Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book kept me intrigued from the first chapter. I found the characters to be relatable. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was an eerie, suspenseful and tense thriller! I felt so anxious for Alice and Melanie! Many twists and turns kept this story moving along in a rapid pace.

Oh, oof, this was super creepy! You can't trust anyone these days. Not even the parents of the children you are supposed to watch!

This was a great read! The story was so suspenseful I finished it one day. The characters were well done and relatable. The plot kept me intrigued and guessing throughout. Highly recommend

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What a great domestic thriller. Well written, great characters and I loved the setting.
Kept me interested and wondering. Well written.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

The Au Pair – the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Stepson and The Child Who Never Was.

4.25 stars!!

Really enjoyed this one, read it in a day as it’s soooo easy to read and you won’t want to put it down!! The author fully succeeded in gaslighting me also so 💯💯💯 loves it

This book wasn’t for me I’m afraid, I didn’t enjoy the premise of the storyline. However iii is well written and if you enjoy mainstream crime you’ll likely like this

When Alice Snyder goes missing while working as an au pair in Scotland, Melanie is determined to find her. So determined that she becomes the new au pair for the same family. And it isn't long before she realizes she may be going down the same path as Alice.

Fun quick thriller. A little creepy, but of course, that's the idea.

Overall, a great weekend read!

Thankyou to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.
I really really enjoyed this title!
It has everything you want, suspense, intrigue, double crossing and betrayal.
This i my first title by this author and will read more from her in the future.
This book had it all!
I found myself obsessed with reading this book until I could finish it and discover what was happening!
Found myself getting whip lash with this book thinking I knew what was happening but boy I was wrong!
Highly recommended this book!
5/5

American student Alice Snyder was excited to be spending the summer in Scotland, working as an au pair for the Davidson family at their remote lodge. But one month after she arrived, Alice disappeared without trace. Now the new au pair, Melanie, has arrived - and soon notices that the Davidsons are a bit odd. There’s the strange comings and goings at night, the creepy paying guests, and sinister uncle Gray who makes her flesh crawl. And then there’s the worrying scratch marks on the floor of the au pair’s bedroom. Did Alice try to barricade herself in? What could she have been so afraid of? Are the Davidsons somehow linked to her disappearance? And is Melanie herself now in danger? As she desperately tries to find out what happened to Alice, Melanie begins to understand that this old house harbours a truly horrifying secret. Alice was its last victim, but she might be its next. Gripping thriller that kept me up reading all night! Highly recommend.