This is my first Hayley Smith novel, and it certainly won't be my last. Smith has a talent for gripping storytelling, with characters whose twisted, manipulative actions create chaos in others' lives - a hallmark of a great psychological thriller.

However, I did have one issue that kept me from giving this book five stars. The suspense surrounding the poison pen letters and messages was brilliantly built up, but the eventual revelation of the culprit and their motives felt rushed. A more detailed and gradual unraveling would have better served the tension that had been so carefully crafted.

That said, this is one of the creepiest and most twisted psychological thrillers I have read. The stakes are high, not just for the parents, but for their children, who are trapped in a storm at a beachside cottage with a vengeful enemy among them.

The author also delves into the psychology of her characters, exposing their flaws and lack of accountability. By the end, some characters evolve, while others are left to deal with the mess they have made.

The final twist caught me off guard - I had to read it twice to believe it. It was a jaw-dropper, completely unexpected.

The Childminder by Hayley Smith is not your typical psychological thriller. While it has its ups and downs, one thing is certain: it will keep you guessing until the very end, even when you think you have it all figured out.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Childminder. I liked the plot, the characters were shady and the writing made for fast reading. It was a good read, it all came together nicely. Thank you again.

This s my third outing with this up and coming author and once again a compelling binge fest.
A child care circle which holds many secrets which are revealed dramatically over a weekend away.
The characters were so well written and seemed true to life they came to life of the page and I liked them and hated them in equal measure. The true story as it unfolded was gripping as I wanted to know the truth more than kim.
The ending however was something else and there was a tiny part if me that thought I need this loose end tied up but this was just so entertaining. Can't wait gir the next outing.
Thank you do much to netgallery and publisher and author for this highly recommended 5 star read. Such a pageturner.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A decent thriller with an interesting enough storyline and lots of characters to follow. The twists and surprises were great and not predictable but I just felt like this drug on and wasn’t that exciting. I found myself more excited to finish the book than know what happens.

The Childminder by Hayley Smith gives off “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Pretty Little Liars” vibes. I loved to see how the twists and turns ended up connecting.
If free childcare and a vacation with said members of the group sounds like a sweet deal, think again! Anonymous letters threatening to reveal their darkest secrets are sent to the adults that form the childcare circle. The thought process of some of the women in the group made me want to throw my e-reader to the wall, because why?! The ending was shocking and I did not see it coming. This thriller is worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That ending!! Wow! The twists and turns just kept coming in this book. Hayley Smith has a way of writing that really makes you feel like you're in the scene with the characters. I loved this one and recommend it to anyone looking for a great psychological thriller!

The Child Minder: So many secrets, so many lies! Are your children safe?
This jaw-dropping, gripping, twisty thrill ride had me at the edge of my seat the whole time!5 stars

This is the type of book which grabs the reader's attention from the very early chapters. I was hooked on the book from chapter 2 and was unable to put the book down... I have read my fair share of thrillers but this will be on my recommended list for a long time.

3.5 stars for me because I found the book too depressing. Nothing good comes out of it.

None of the characters are likeable. Kim was barely, others either not developed sufficiently and remaining like cut boards, or highly unlikeable. I couldn’t believe how much lack of accountability among these people. It was always someone else’s fault. The type of attitude and rationale, well if you didn’t drive me there, I wouldn’t have killed this person. Really, are we in a kindergarten here? Also after discovering the killer of her brother, Kim just moves on as it’s no longer important. Really? And we are supposed to be okay with that? I couldn’t stand these people. Every single one was despicable. Please give at least one likeable person or some depth to understand what led to their despicable behavior.

Omg! That ending……. Was Iinsane.. really enjoyed this book couldn’t put I down today! Lots of secrets and lie all entwined!

Great read. Lots to intrigue you in this book. Also, a very clever ending. Would certainly recommend this author. Thanks Netgalley for sharing this book with me.

A genius idea! A childcare circle with five sets of parents and children, who all do one day per week of after school care for the group.

Three of the group are old friends from their own school days and feel that they’re above the other two, but every one of the five has secrets.

The characterisation was horribly spot on - if I think “toxic playground politics with a twist of prejudice”, this is exactly it! And actually it’s terrifying!

A weekend away brings everything to the surface with devastating consequences and some of the twists were proper gasp out loud moments!

I definitely had my suspicions about certain people, but there was so much more going on beneath the surface of everyone’s deception!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Hayley Smith and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The Child Minder by Haley Smith, Kim and her daughter Dulcie are newcomers to the town so Kim is excited when she becomes a part of a child minding group with four other parents Jarvis is a single dad of little Hayden, Nina is a mother to Lil Bobby Stacy has Carly Joe and Rihanna is the mother to Freya they all struggled with childcare until joining the child minders group. With the exception of Jarvis and herself the other three ladies have known each other for years and were even at one point best friends so when they all receive a letter saying someone knows their deepest darkest secrets and they have five days to confess they all react differently. Jarvis has his own problems to deal with, but when he tries to do just that Something Happens that only makes his problems even worse. Thankfully they’re getting a bit of a break with the child minder group going on a bit of a holiday and it just so happens to be the last day they have to confess. Before it’s over their secrets will come out but they may just have to be coerced. They say confession is good for the soul, but may not be great for the extension of life because they don’t all make it out unscaved. I love Haley Smith‘s books her character they’re always multidimensional people with good and bad and every time you think the twist have been twisted there’s always more to come. Her books are like the gift that keeps on giving and I was down for all of it. There’s a few authors who no matter how tall my TBR list I never reject reading the arc in Miss Smith is definitely at the top of that list. She never disappoints and certainly didn’t with The Child Minder.#NetGalley, #Bookoucher, #HaleySmith, #TheChildMinder,

Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Hayley Smith has not disappointed thus far, and she certainly didn’t start now. This story was full of twists and turns, some you think you see coming (and really don’t) and some that you don’t see coming at all. Another fantastic thriller!

I loved reading this book, where there have been twists after twists just when I thought it was the end. The only thing I wasn't a real fan of, was the
format of time switch. But overall, it was amazing to uncover all the secrets !!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Well, it's not a terrible book, but I did figure out a lot of the ending about halfway through. That was kind of disappointing. I like book that keep me guessing. I had a hard time staying focused on it but I will give it 3 stars.

WOW! This story was a real roller coaster. I was totally captivated by the beginning as we meet the 5 parents in the child minder circle and delve into their backgrounds. As the book progresses, I was then thinking that I knew exactly where the story was going, but I was so wrong. I had whiplash by the time we reached the end. As the group goes off on the ill-fated weekend, I had no idea had where the journey would end. I do not want to give any spoilers but I love how the loose ends were wrapped up in the end.

I loved this one, new Author for me and Hayley had a knack for weaving together a story that left you wanting more. I was hooked from the first few pages. Full of twists and turns and this kept me guessing. Excellent read if you want dark and a bit of scandal.

A childcare circle has been set up by a primary school, and the five parents within the circle each have a secret to keep. They plan a weekend away at the coast with their children, but then each one receives a letter asking them about their secrets. Who has the letter come from, and what do they know?

This book is full of twists, lies, and an ending that I loved. It is a perfect thriller, written so well by the author with more added to the story the further you get into the book.

It is a relatively slow start when the reader is introduced to the characters, but once the story kicks in and the pace speeds up, it becomes so gripping that I didn't want to put it down.

A definite five-star read that I would recommend. This is the third of Hayley Smith's novels that I have read, and I can't wait for the next one.

Thanks to Bookoture and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

A thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller from the ever wonderful Hayley Smith!

I found this novel to be both original and gripping... also it had me seriously rethinking my childcare options!!

The plot is based around an after school childcare circle - 5 parents are matched, the children of whom are looked after by one parent each day of the week. All goes well until 2 things happen - the group arrange a weekend away, and all receive a threatening note - demanding that they share their darkest secret. This book delves into secrets, lives lived in the care system and the experiences of old age. It is escapism, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining. Overall a really great read! 100% recommend!

My thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.