An unreliable narrator with a past in Nelly made for a fast fun thriller! Would recommend! Always fun to read stories based around teachers. Just something we can all relate to even if we were never teachers ourselves

The Good Teacher was a pretty close depiction of how the local community and students can influence the perception and treatment of teachers. Although some of the plot was a bit far-fetched, but it still made for a decent story line. The ending was unexpected that the two of them stuck together even after all the horrible things he had done-- all to keep the love of her life was a bit lame. I enjoyed it as it was a quick, easy read.

Nelly, who was assaulted when she was young, moves to a new town to work as a teacher. And suddenly in her new school, she meets another teacher, who looks very similar to the man who assaulted her.

But the man's reputation is perfect, and everyone loves him. So, is it him, or is she going crazy?

Well, this is my least favorite Brian O'Rourke book so far.
The plot is good, all the characters are well-developed, and there is enough suspense to keep the interest, but, sadly, something was off for me.

I give one more star just for the description of the horror that follows the SA, for pointing out the problem of people not believing victims and how hard it is to prove the truth.

Even if I didn't enjoy this book as much as others, I definitely will continue to read all the books by Brian O'Rourke.

The Good Teacher by Brian O'Rourke is a tense and gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows Nelly Peak, a middle school teacher starting over after a difficult divorce, who is thrust into a nightmare when she realizes one of her new colleagues, Emmett Moore, is the man who assaulted her twenty years ago under a different name.

Nelly’s growing unease turns to terror when strange events begin to occur—her work is sabotaged, a stalker targets her, and it becomes clear that Emmett is trying to push her out of her job. What follows is a heart-pounding game of cat and mouse, as Nelly fights to uncover the truth while protecting her career and reputation. With Emmett’s dark past hanging over them, Nelly must gather her courage and confront the terrifying reality that he will stop at nothing to maintain his perfect public image.

O'Rourke masterfully builds suspense and tension, skillfully revealing secrets while keeping the reader guessing. The conflict between Nelly and Emmett is fraught with danger and emotional complexity, as Nelly's personal and professional worlds collide. The stakes are high, and the consequences of Nelly’s actions could be deadly.

This thriller is perfect for fans of slow-burn suspense and psychological drama, with a deeply compelling protagonist in Nelly, whose fight for justice and survival makes for an unforgettable read. The Good Teacher is an intense, dark, and gripping story that explores the lengths to which some will go to protect their past—and the cost of unearthing the truth.

**5-Star Review for *The Good Teacher* by Brian O'Rourke**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*The Good Teacher* by Brian O'Rourke is a riveting, thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human nature, morality, and the fine line between right and wrong. From the very first page, I was captivated by the deep emotional currents and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. This is a gripping psychological drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, questioning everything you think you know about the people around you.

O'Rourke’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and deeply atmospheric. He skillfully creates a world that feels both familiar and unsettling, making it impossible to put the book down. The story centers on a well-respected teacher whose life begins to unravel as secrets and lies come to light, and O’Rourke does an exceptional job of building suspense, layer by layer. Every chapter reveals new twists, and just when you think you know where the story is headed, O’Rourke pulls the rug out from under you with surprising revelations.

What really sets *The Good Teacher* apart is its rich, multi-dimensional characters. The protagonist is brilliantly complex—someone you can sympathize with, even as you question their decisions. O'Rourke delves into the character's inner struggles with empathy and depth, making them feel real and relatable, even when their actions are morally ambiguous. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each adding to the story’s emotional complexity and raising the stakes.

Themes of power, influence, and accountability are explored in ways that are both fascinating and chilling. The novel forces you to confront difficult questions about what it means to be a “good” person and how easily our perceptions can be manipulated. It’s a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, leaving you reflecting on its messages about trust, integrity, and the fragility of our reputations.

*The Good Teacher* is an absolute triumph. It’s an engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally charged read that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers, moral quandaries, and complex character studies. Brian O'Rourke has crafted a remarkable, unforgettable novel. A solid 5-star read!

The Good Teacher by Brian O’Rourke is a tense psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge. Nelly Peak, a teacher recovering from a painful divorce, discovers that her new colleague, Emmett Moore, is actually the man who assaulted her two decades ago. Now a respected figure in the school community, Emmett is hiding his dark past, and Nelly must expose him while protecting her own reputation. As Nelly faces sabotage and increasingly dangerous threats, the stakes rise in this gripping cat-and-mouse game. O’Rourke’s fast-paced narrative and twisty plot make for a chilling exploration of trauma, revenge, and the lengths one will go to keep secrets buried.

3.5

I really enjoyed The Good Teacher. It was fast paced and I flew through it. However, I felt like it got a bit rushed towards the end and parts could have been fleshed out a bit more. It did keep me guessing for most of it though and I'll definitely read more from Brian O Rourke in the future.

Suspenseful and thrilling! O'Rourke knows how to write dynamic and dense characters. I am very interested in what else this author has to bring to the thriller genre.

This was SUCH a good thriller!! I could not stop reading it! It was creepy in all the right ways and being a teacher myself, I found it to be very accurate in its portrayal of many aspects of teaching. This was so good and I really connected with Nelly.

This book wrecked my nerves! My anxiety was through the roof wanting to know2 what was going to happen. I was engrossed and on the edge of my seat the entire time. If manipulation and gaslighting were a person! I wasn’t sure what to think

I really enjoyed this read. Always trust your instincts even when no one around you believes you.
Nelly knew something was off with Emmett at her new school she was teaching at. She knew him but how do prove it when he was the golden teacher.
I wanted to get through the book to see how it was going to play out. It did not disappoint.
Thanks #netgally for the opportunity to read this.

I enjoyed the plot of this novel and it kept me entertained and hooked until the very end. This was my first read by this author and I look forward to more of their books.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Good Teacher by Brian O'Rourke is an intense, gripping thriller that will leave you breathless. Nelly Peak's journey from a hopeful fresh start to a harrowing battle for survival is filled with suspense, twists, and a sense of impending danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The cat-and-mouse game between Nelly and Emmett is skillfully woven, with each revelation pulling you deeper into the mystery. O'Rourke's storytelling is relentless, making it impossible to put down as you race towards the shocking conclusion. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers!

This was my first book by Brian O'Rourke but it won't be my last! I loved the twists in this and it kept me reading. Fast pacing and a desire to know what's going to happen made me read it in less than a day! It felt a bit atmospheric, like you were there with Nellie, not sure if you can trust what you think is going on! Great ending as well.

I enjoyed this story. I was hooked from beginning to end. The only thing was I was able to figure out what had happened.

The Good Teacher by Brian O'Rourke is a thriller that follows Nelly to a different state and a different teaching job after her divorce. She thinks she is in the clear, but one of her co-workers looks eerily familiar but she can't quite place her finger on it right away. Eventually, Nelly realizes where she recalls him from - she believes he assaulted her many years ago. Now she has to get everyone to see that the town's 'golden boy' isn't really as great as everyone thinks he is. Butt as she gets closer to the truth all sorts of bad things begin happening to her. This story had me captivated from the first couple pages, I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. I liked the character development, they were realistic and well thought out - I think a good character makes all the difference in a story! This is the first book I've read by this author, however I would definitely read another one. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator books for the opportunity to read and review this story.

I LOVERD THIS BOOK! It was fast past, easy to get into, lived the character and plot. This was my first book by this author and I hope there is another one because I’d love to see what Nelly does next!

"The Good Teacher" is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. I highly recommend it for fans of the genre.

3.5/5 (I enjoyed it while I was reading it but it will is not memorable)

Wow, where to start? The basic premise is that Nelly moves to a small town to teach at a middle school. When she gets there, she sees the most well-liked man on the faculty (Emmett) and realizes that he looks exactly like the boy who attempted to sexually assault her when she was in high school, but he goes by another name.

Throughout the book Nelly tries to expose Emmett for what he did to her, all while he makes her job miserable. It's definitely a thrilling book, but instead of the suspense part I felt a lot of frusteration toward Nelly's situation--so many terrible things had happened to and around her and no one took her seriously. It was very well written in that regard and hard for me to read because I know it happens in real life.

I had only one issue with the plot of this book: the ending seemed really unrealistic. Otherwise it was a great ending.

Overall a fun and quick thriller to read! I did enjoy it and would consider reading some of Brian O'Rouke's other books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley + Inkubator books for this ARC!

This is the first book I have read from this author and I was really impressed. The storyline kept me interested and I needed to read it quickly. I had to know what was going to happen. There was a bit of a twist near the end which I didn't see coming. Once I hit this part, I had to keep reading until I finished. Will definitely look out for more written by this author.