I really enjoyed this. Until the end, I wasn't sure if we could trust Grace or what her true motive was. There were a lot of twists and turns - many of which surprised me. I look forward to reading more thrillers from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The Assistant
Nicole Trope

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Whew this was a good one! This was my first novel by Trope and I’m looking forward to discovering more! I definitely dove into this novel expecting it to go a certain way. Grace seems like the perfect candidate for an assistant to over-worked Ava, but there's definitely more than meets the eye… 👀 This story had a good flow and was easy to get into. As more and more details are disclosed about the characters' lives, I wondered if any mysteries were going to be left to uncover. It is not quite a twisty thriller in comparison to others in the genre, but the pivotal twist at the end was unexpected for sure!

The novel "The Assistant" by Nicole Trope presents a compelling psychological thriller that revolves around Ava, who enlists Grace as her assistant in an effort to balance her demanding professional and personal life. From the moment Grace enters Ava's world, a sense of harmony appears to emerge; however, the narrative soon provokes inquiries regarding Grace's genuine motives and whether she may be the catalyst for the escalating challenges Ava faces. The story unfolds from both characters' viewpoints, interspersed with letters addressed to "baby girl," effectively immersing readers in the intricacies of their intertwined existences. The narrative unfolds at a rapid pace, characterized by suspense and unexpected developments that maintain reader engagement until the conclusion. There is rich character development and the effective intertwining of Grace’s back story only enhances the narrative. The final twist is quite shocking, and I did not see it coming.

I highly recommend this book and author. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would!

This was good! Very interesting and dark and kept me reading throughout. Interested in reading other books by this author.

"The Assistant" is a riveting tale full of twists and turns that captivated me from beginning to end. Having read numerous books by this author, I have yet to be disappointed. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, as well as all others by Nicole Trope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I am really happy that I started with this one.

Ava, a wife, mom, and business woman, needs an assistant. Luckily, Grace walks in the door and everything seems to run smoothly. But, who is Grace really? Will things continue to go well?

I love love love psychological thrillers and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC copy on exchange for my honest review.

This felt like a slow burn but I did like the twist at the end!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc!

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
Fast paced, whodunnit, which is what I expect from Nicole Trope novels. And they always have a big surprise twist at the end. This book was no different. Grace takes a job working as an assistant for Ava and makes herself indispensable. She has a past she's trying to live with and you keep wondering what she's up to. It's told from Grace and Ava's point of view and it keeps you guessing until the very end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Assistant - Nicole Trope

Infuriatingly twisty and unpredictable - this thriller was a centred around a great concept.

Perhaps not knowing what the main character’s purpose for being involved in these people’s lives was a plus point, but I could have done without waiting till the last couple of pages to know for certain.

Twisty, pacey and easy to read - a solid 3 from me!
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I was hooked right away, up until the thrilling end! The Assistant is an addictive psychological thriller that took me on a roller coaster, complete with all the thrills!
I can’t wait for book 2 in this exciting new series!

Thank you, Nicole Trope, Bookouture, & netgalley, for my copy! All opinions are my own.

This was incredibly juicy and thrilling from the get go. We follow Grace as she starts to work as an assistant for Ava. The pacing is great, and the dual POVs from both of the women is really great as you get a feel for both characters perfectly. It's addictive and moorish and left me gasping until the final chapter. Fantastic read, highly recommend

Ava Green's life is a delicate balancing act, juggling her career and motherhood with precision. Then, Grace appears - an assistant with a perfect resume and an unnerving ability to anticipate Ava's needs.
But what secrets hide behind her polished exterior?
Nicole Trope's domestic suspense weaves a tangled web of lies and half-truths, drawing us in through the perspectives of Ava, Grace, and a mysterious letter writer. As the story unfolds, we're hurtled toward a shocking conclusion that upends everything. The truth slowly reveals itself, exposing Grace's true nature - a master manipulator with a hidden agenda. Trope's writing is a subtle dance of deception, where nothing is quite as it seems.
If you love twists, don't miss this.

This one was a fantastic read. The perfect amount of mystery and the ending, whoa, completely unexpected. This was a quick read and one I could hardly put down because I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Grace has made a mess of her life, and is looking for a bit of a fresh start. Ava desperately needs a new assistant so atleast one part of her life can be better organized. When Ava interviewed Grace, it was easy to determine that she was the one. From there Ava’s life started to get easier, until things started to twist and turn.

This author never disappoints! Absolutely adored this book. Brilliant from start to finish. A great read. Highly recommend this one.

The Assistant by Nicole Trope is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The story follows a woman who cleverly manipulates her way into a job with a seemingly perfect family, hiding her true intentions. Trope skillfully builds suspense and delivers a series of unexpected twists. While some elements might feel familiar, the story’s intense pace and surprising ending make it a standout read for fans of the genre

Nicole Trope can always be counted on to write a fabulous psychological thriller with twists and turns and myriad threads which are knitted together! Love her writing style, characters and story development. Great read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

This author did it again!!!! I always end up loving her books, she is so so amazing!!!! She has an incredible writing style and her plots are perfect.

The Assistant by Nicole Trope was engaging and kept me reading from start to finish. I love books like this, suspenseful, but not super deep requiring tons of concentration. It's a light thriller that was totally enjoyable. I cannot wait to read more books by this author.

She knows everything about you… but can you trust her?

I walk in to my interview with Ava Green and carefully hand over my application. It’s all made up, of course, but Ava doesn’t have to know that.

There is so much worry in her blue eyes. Her phone pings with constant messages and a small stain marks her crisp shirt. Breakfast with her two little girls before heading out to this high-flying job every morning can’t be easy.

Ava needs me, I think. More than anything.

The interview goes perfectly, because I have made myself into the perfect assistant. Now I just hope Ava never finds out why I’m really here. Not before she lets me into her home, and I meet her charming husband, and get to babysit her children.

Because I have plans for Ava. She just has to trust me…

3.5 stars rounded down!
my bookclub podcast is doing an episode on this book soon, thank you Bookouture team and Netgalley for copies!
This was such an easy quick read. Idk if I personally would describe it as a psychological thriller, because it wasn't too intense, but there were plenty of twist and turns. I'd recommend this book to someone who really wants to start getting into the thriller genre.

Characters: I really loved that there weren't too many characters and they were all very memorable and had their own unique traits. I didn't really feel too compassionate for any of them (Ava a bit), which I think makes for a good thriller.

Plot: Loved the story line/ plot, I just wanted a little more suspense! I think there could have been more of a thriller aspect, as it felt very predictable to me. Except for the epilogue, I loved the ending!

Writing: I liked Nicole’s writing style and felt it was super easy to read and follow. Will definitely read more by her.

Really enjoyed this read and excited for more by Nicole Trope.

I adore Nicole Trope, being an autobuy author for me. She's great at twists and keeping the story moving.

Unfortunately I didn't absolutely love this one. I guessed the twists and honestly they weren't even that exciting.

I still enjoyed the quick read, but definitely not my favorite of hers. I'd still recommend!