This was full on page turner from start to finish. Luckily it was a quick read and something that didnt take long to get through! This is one i would compare to Frieda McFadden with a few small things that bothered me. One of the biggest part of the book I had a challenge with was that there really wasnt a whole lot of mystery or trying to solve a puzzle in this book and we kinda knew everything up from. The characters were definitely interesting but werent stand out at all. But as a whole the book was pretty good and up there in the psychological and thriller books I have enjoyed. I would recommend to those who like Frieda McFadden, Riley Sager and the likes.

I finished this book in one day because I needed to know what happens. Nelly starts teaching at a new school and recognizes another teacher. A man from her past. A terrible man. But he has a different name. And everyone views him as a prime citizen. Is it really him?

I loved this book because of how it portrayed how women aren’t believe. Women are called crazy and men get superior treatment. There’s men out there who think they can do nothing wrong based on their social status. I needed to finish this book and see if this man got what he deserved.

OMG this BOOK......This book is a page turner!! I read this so fast compared to other actual reading. I normally listen. I was just in suspense as to what is true and what isn't true. The twist part was a little confusing, I had to read it a few times to grasp what it was saying. The ending is a little over the top, but it is fiction after all. I really enjoyed this one and will be recommending it. Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this one. #TheGoodTeacher #NetGalley

Thank you Inkubator books and NetGalley for this E-ARC of The Good Teacher by Brian O'Rourke

Omg, If you like Freida Mcfadden's books you will love this edge of the seat thriller about Nelly who's had a traumatic past, and has just been through a bitter divorce. She meets someone she recognises at this school she's teaching in, who she knows is a monster who molested her. But she just can't reconcile the colleague she's working alongside with now, And this gripping edge of the seat psychological thriller had me hooked from the first page to the last.

I have never read a Brian O Roarke book before. but Ill be keeping an eye out from now on.

Really good read. It is so clever. Nelly thinks she recognises a teacher at the new school she has come to work at. But this man is handsome, charismatic and popular. It couldn't possibly be the same boy who once assaulted Nelly could it? Nelly tries to carry on and convince herself it is not the same person but as he makes snide comments to her, mutters things to her under his breath that only she can hear she is determined to find out the truth. Is this man pretending to be someone he is not? Nelly decides to find out the truth no matter what the cost and as things start to spiral.......as she nearly loses her job and her mind, she must keep going to uncover the truth. This book is so good and as a woman, I can understand why she questioned herself and her memories so many times. We've all done it. Pretended that things are ok when they are clearly not. Highly recommend.

This book was just ok to me. I never do not finish a book. It did take me several sittings to finish. I’m glad I stuck with it though. It wasn’t terrible and I would read again. Just a slow read for me

Quite enjoyed this one…felt creeped out, and on edge, stomach churning throughout the story of a woman stalked by a childhood predator. I could feel the stress she was enduring and the anxiety of what was happening.

*I did receive this book from NetGalley*

The Good Teacher tells the story of Nelly. Nelly has just gone through a divorce and has moved all the way across the country to teach middle school history. The very first time she meets her new colleagues is at a run. It is here where she meets Emmett Moore, the schools poster child. Everyone loves Emmett - that is, everyone but Nelly. Emmett looks exactly like Marshall Dawes, the creep who tried to rape her in middle school. At the time, no one believed her, and history is repeating itself when no one believes her here as well. Soon, a mysterious figure is showing up at her house late at night, her tires are getting slashed, Nelly is getting drugged, and her claims of it being "Emmett" are ignored. Nelly has to find a way to get real proof of her claims while also staying alive.

I really liked this book, which is why I'm giving it four stars. It missed the five star rating because I just feel like there was no mystery to it. Like there was nothing for my brain to kind of figure out and speculate. But, I loved the pace of the book, the characters, the plot, and the ending. I also liked that the first thing you read is something that occurs later in the book, and that the chapters after the prologue build up to the climax of the book.

Description sounded good but sadly I couldnt get in to the story. Sorry but this one isnt for me although lost of other readers have enjoyed it

What a fabulous thriller, and what a week from Hell for Nelly! - As if starting a new job in a new town wasn’t stressful enough, a blast from her past has turned up to haunt her. A fast paced, intense read which you’ll race through in a bid to find out the truth. I loved all the twists and the way the tension built up that had me wondering at times whose side to be on! Well written and a great read that would make an exciting screen adaptation.

This was a decent read, centered on Nelly, who moves to a small town in Pennsylvania to take a teaching job after her divorce. When meeting her colleagues, she recognizes one of them as a boy who assaulted her as a child, but this guy has a different name and is very highly respected. Soon, weird things start happening to her and she just knows this guy is behind it.

I definitely felt for Nelly during the book, as she was trying to make a good impression but didn’t have any credibility yet when she she started complaining. I thought she did what normal people would do how she continued to escalate. There was a a point where I felt the story was a tad repetitive in the middle, but then the action picked back up. The climactic scene in the book was a little abrupt but I still found it interesting, and I was satisfied with how the book ended.

Overall, this was a unique story that (mostly) moved at a fast pace throughout. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by this author and although the premise was intriguing, and a fast paced read, it somehow missed the mark for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nelly is looking for a fresh start. She takes a teaching position in a small town. On her first day, she instantly recognizes one of her new colleagues, as Marshall, the man who assaulted her 20 years ago. But Marshall now goes by Emmett. And is apparently a perfect guy - a loved teacher, respected man in the community, and also good looking. Nelly is not falling for the rouse - she knows that this man is Marshall.

Soon, strange things began to happen to Nelly - she is pretty sure someone is stalking her. And it is pretty clear that Marshall/Emmett is trying to make Nelly lose her job. Nelly is determined to expose Emmett's true identity as Marshall, at whatever cost.

This was a pretty solid average read. I preferred the first half or so of the book. After which, especially near the ending, I felt like the storyline became a bit too ridiculous. It is fast paced and a bit too predictable, but overall, not a bad read. There was a lot repetition, which I did not like. Even some words were overused.

I give kudos to the author for carefully handling the topics of sexual assault and victim blaming. He did an excellent job with these very difficult subjects.

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Good Teacher is a captivating exploration of education, morality, and justice within the confines of a small town. With masterful storytelling, the author brought a world where urgency and intrigue drive the narrative forward from start to finish.

The Good Teacher is a captivating exploration of education, morality, and justice within the confines of a small town. With masterful storytelling, the author brought a world where urgency and intrigue drive the narrative forward from start to finish.
The vivid and memorable scenes stayed in my mind long after the final page was turned. From tense courtroom showdowns to quiet moments of reflection, each scene is imbued with precision and care, drawing readers deeper into the lives of the characters and the moral dilemmas they face.
In one particularly striking moment, protagonist Sarah, a dedicated teacher, grapples with the harsh realities of the school system as she endeavors to make a meaningful impact on the lives of her students. Through her interactions with troubled teenagers and bureaucratic obstacles, it painted a touching portrait of the challenges educators face in today's society.
Another standout scene unfolds during the climactic courtroom showdown, where truth and justice hang in the balance. As tension mounts and stakes escalate, readers are held on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the resolution of the central conflict. The author's writing kept the suspense building until the very end, leaving me aching with anticipation.
Yet, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of "The Good Teacher" lies in its exploration of timeless themes such as morality, integrity, and the power of compassion. Through the struggles and triumphs of the characters, O'Rourke raised thought-provoking questions about the nature of right and wrong, challenging readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values.

In conclusion, "The Good Teacher" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that resonates long after the final page is turned. With its compelling characters, gripping storyline, and exploration of powerful themes, Brian O'Rourke's book is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating journey into the depths of human nature.

Oh my!!! This Author turns out 5 star reads, this being no exception. Run....don't walk....to get this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital copy in exchange for a review.

Twenty years ago, Nelly met a monster. Now he’s back.After a difficult divorce, things seem to be looking up for teacher Nelly Peak when she takes a job at Overland Middle School. But then she’s introduced to her new colleagues…And she’s sure she recognises one of them - Marshall Dawes, the man that assaulted her twenty years ago.Only now he goes by a different name - Emmett Moore. And Emmett is a highly respected teacher at Overland, beloved by pupils and staff alike. There’s even talk of him becoming principal one day.But Nelly knows who he really is. And when things quickly start to go wrong for her – a mysterious stalker, her work being sabotaged - she is sure that Emmet is trying to squeeze her out so that he can keep his dark past hidden.Nelly desperately needs this job and realizes she must fight to protect her reputation while seeking to uncover Emmet’s true identity.But this is a dangerous game. As Nelly gets closer to the shocking truth, she discovers that she’s up against someone will do whatever it takes to stop her. This gripping game of cat-and-mouse is about to turn deadly…

Loved it so much. Nelly is an amazing character.

This one got a little confusing, slightly repetitive for me. I thought the basic plot was original but the more that was added to it and then twisted just kind of fell a little flat for me.

Thanks a lot to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

So, I recently finished reading this awesome thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning till the end. The story is about Nelly, who after going through a divorce, decides to make a big move from the West Coast to the East Coast. She accepts a teaching job in a small town and everything seems to be going great for her. But then, out of nowhere, she comes across someone from her past, someone who still haunts her in her nightmares. The story then takes us on a journey through flashbacks, revealing what happened to her in the past. Things start to get really intense and I couldn't help but eagerly wait to see how it all unfolds.

This book took me completely by surprise as it was hugely engrossing and well written. The plot developed well throughout and it was a very enjoyable read.
This is’ my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Nelly is running away from her past. A failed marriage, a lawsuit filed by her ex’s boss and an event that forever changed her life 20 years ago. Nelly was raised to not trust men by a mother who has been scorned by men her whole life. And when Nelly tags along with her middle school friend to an abandoned building she realizes that her mother is right.
Nelly is yet again reinventing herself, she is good at that. But her move to a new town and new teaching job is abruptly upended when she meets the star teacher, Emmett. However, she does not know him as Emmett, she knows him as Marshall, the boy who attacked her all those years ago. “What if she was wrong about it all? What if she was the one lying, only to herself?” Nelly is feeling herself losing control, but how can she prove this is him when she is not believed now nor then? She can’t let him get away this time!
Overall rating 3 /5
A quick read from beginning to end. The emotional roller coaster O’Rourke takes the reader on is palpable. I started to second guess if Nelly was a reliable narrator and if she was to be believed, which I feel is the essence of the book. There was a slight twist at the end which ties up all the missing pieces and ends on a happy note.

*Thank you to Brian O’Rourke, Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.