I found this quite a slow burner. At first I thought it seemed the same as many other books on this theme, and wasn't sure I wanted to continue but I did. It livened up the further I read, and I liked the way the time shifted so we saw the then and now. One thing that played on my mind throughout is that I didn't believe that Gina would leave her children with a stranger without at least speaking to Annie. She got text replies from Annie so knew she had phone reception so why not phone her before she moved in etc. A lot of the revelations were laid out throughout the book so were not very surprising, but some of the twists towards the end were more interesting.
I usually really like Samantha Hayes books, but thought this was not one of her best, sorry!.

After a fire at their own home, Gina and her husband Matt move into Gina’s best friend, Annie’s house with their two young children. Annie is away on holiday so they are left in the big house on their own until Mary arrives.
Mary is Annie’s housekeeper and is keen to continue cleaning for the family whilst they are staying but then ends up moving in with her teenage son Tyler after she is made homeless.
Gina has a horrible feeling about Mary and doesn’t trust her- the reader is left to wonder if Gina’s suspicions are warranted or because of events in her past.
Interspersed with the present story told from both Gina and Mary’s POV, is chapters written when Gina, Annie and their friends Laura and Sara were young.
The mixture of the two timelines and POV’s worked well to reveal the plot which had a lot of different twists. Some of the twists I managed to work out during the book but there were one or two at the end that came as a surprise which I loved.
There was a lot going on throughout the book which kept it pacy and kept me reading until the end.

Overall, a twisty thriller with a great ending.

Her Housekeeper is one of the creepiest and most unhinged thrillers I’ve read this year, and I love it.

I’ve been very into popcorn thriller reads lately, that are perfect for devouring and easy, escapism reading, and this book hits all those marks. A family who moves into a rental, that “comes with” a housekeeper - and everything that seems on the up and up until it most definitely doesn’t.

Twists, suspense, moving character POV’s, timeline shifts, and creepy hints that nothing is what it seems all make this hugely addictive and impossible to stop reading.

This is most certainly a book that you want to know very little about going in, and then just enjoy the ride. The tension is nearly claustrophobic and you know all the while very bad things are about to happen….which makes it the ideal read for cooler winter nights when you want pure, delicious entertainment.

Many thanks to @bookouture for having me on the tour, and to @samanthahayes.author for the insane twists. Still not over that ending.

Hayes is one of my go to psychological thriller authors and her books never disappoint.

I was sold on the prologue and that was me hooked and I didn't stop until the final page flip of my Kindle.

It's narrated from multiple POV, that weaves a twisty tale through the events of the before and after leading up to the exposé of Mary, and the reasons behind her cuckooing.

Characters throughout are complex with Mary hands down my favourite.

BOOKWORMS REVIEW: So this was fast paced and really keeps you invested. Told from several points of view,over different timelines. .its the story of couple Matt and Gina and their 2 kids who are temporarily living in a friend's home. Their house has gone on fire hence this situation. Annie,who owns the house,has a housekeeper Mary,who stays in the house,along with her son, with Gina and family. Gina doesn't feel comfortable with this at all and thinks someone's watching her. It's suspenseful,dramatic and has some twists,which is always good. Enjoyable.
With thanks to Bookouture NetGalley and Samantha Hayes for an arc to review
BOOKWORMS RATING: 📒 📒 📒 📒

Her Housekeeper by Samantha Hayes, when the book starts, we meet Jennifer, her husband, Matt, her toddler, Tommy and baby Grace they’re staying with her very rich and talented friend from school Anne who is away on Safari. as a child, Jennifer, Anne, Lori and Sarah were a group of friends that called their self the gals. Jennifer is staying with Anne, because when her and her husband were visiting, Laura in London they got a call saying their house was burning down and burn down it did. Jennifer never thought she would be back in her hometown, but that is exactly where she is Wild. They fix up her home on the third day when is heard and when Jennifer opens it, a woman in a maid uniform says hi I’m Mary, should I just do what I usually do? and Jennifer, not knowing what else to say says… Sure. Jennifer contacts and through WhatsApp and ask about Mary who can’t help but sing her praises but when a couple of more days go by and Mary shows up claiming she needs a place to stay due to her abusive husband against Jennifer’s better judgment she agrees because how can you kick a domestic violence victim out on the street?!! this is when Mary and her strange older son Tyler moves in when they walked in. They should’ve had an announcer to scream. Let the games begin… Because games is exactly what happens. From dirt and Jennifer’s bed to marry taking her kids without permission, locking her in a room, and even being touchy-feely with husband, Matt in front of her, but this is just the beginning and although it sounds crazy, it doesn’t prepare you for the wild and crazy ending. Mary and Tyler have secrets, but they are not at all the only ones in the home to be keeping life altering past decisions from Jennifer and whenever every thing comes out, it is more a cluster crunch of confessions than a big reveal. let me start by saying I really like the way the story was written and laid out with everyone having their own first person narrative and I found myself not really wanting to put the book down, but when it got to the very long extended ending I really felt like I was almost over it. I wish I could say more, but don’t want to give anything away. I love books that you think they’re over and they’re not over because there is another big twist but I think there was so many twist. I felt like I was dancing to Chuck Berry. I am still writing it for stars because I would be lying if I didn’t say I was entertained 99.5% of the time. I like this authors books with the exception of the last one I read, but I really close to loving this one. #NetGalley,#book archer, #SamanthaHayes, #HerHousekeeper,

While awaiting repairs to their fire damaged home, Gina and her family are invited by her bestie, Annie, to stay in her recently renovated Victorian house. Upon their arrival, Gina discovers that Annie has a housekeeper, Mary. Gina does not question things, but finds Mary to be a little odd. Her questions are strange and she seems to be watching Gina. Things take a turn when Mary and her son move in, as they allegedly have nowhere else to go. As time goes on, Gina realizes that her past may be connected to what is going on...

Although I didn't find some of the twists/turns/reveals that surprising (guessed some), I still really enjoyed this book! The final twist, however, did get me and I was genuinely shocked. It is an easy read and definitely a page turner. The housekeeper/maid genre is a bit overdone, but Samantha Hayes has some new and refreshing storylines for a fun read!

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Samantha Hayes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Gina and Matt's house was destroyed in a fire, but thankfully their friend, Annie, was out of the area for work and allowed them and their children to stay at her home. Mary, Annie's housekeeper, shows up and is soon moving into the attic room with her teenage son because of an abusive situation at their home. Gina isn't completely comfortable with Mary and feels she is acting too close to Matt. But Annie assures her that all is well. But is it?

This was such a fast paced thriller with many twists and turns. You might be like me and think you have it all figured out, but there were so many shocking reveals. Told from multiple POV and in different timelines, the suspense keeps building and I couldn't put it down. The characters were relatable - you could feel Gina's angst and concern for her family, as well as her frustration with Matt and Mary. Another fabulous read by Samantha Hayes!

Her Housekeeper by Samantha Hayes is another gripping thriller.
It is a well written, well plotted story of secrets and lies, with a cast of well drawn characters who you will love to hate and enough twists to keep you guessing.
Intriguing plausible storylines, that are not overly complex and yet manage to retain a twist in the tale end. Another great book by a great author!

Only my second read by Samantha Hayes but another smasher of a story, completely and utterly deserved 5 star rating, brilliant just brilliant!

Gina, Annie, Laura and Sara were known as the best friend GALS in their teenage years, in Hastings, with their motto of “big love, true friends, no secrets”. Sara was a little less involved with the girl group with her being quite quiet and withdrawn due to a difficult home life but was still considered one of the girls. Then one night Sara disappears, a search ensures but she is never found and therefore proclaimed missing and presumed dead, the girls are shocked to their cores but still try to get on with the rest of their lives the best that they can. Fast forward to the girls being adults now and Gina, Annie and Laura are still good friends, but the absence of Sara still weighs heavily in their hearts. When Gina’s house gets destroyed in a fire Gina finds herself homeless and living in a hotel with her husband Matt, toddler Tommy and 7 week old Gracie. Annie has decided to go travelling so offers the family her house whilst their home is being rebuilt and Gina jumps at the offer, despite the worry about returning to Hastings after what happened with Sara. On the second day of moving in, a woman called Mary arrives on their doorstep claiming to be Annie’s housekeeper and despite Gina feeling odd about it when she texts Annie, she reassures her and sings Mary’s praises. Strange things then start to happen when Mary is around and things then escalate when Mary turns up at the house, not long after Gina first meets her, and asks if she can stay with her son Tyler due to leaving an abusive partner, obviously both Gina, Matt and Annie agree considering the house is so big and has enough room. Once Mary and Tyler have moved in events start to intensify and old memories of the teenage GALS in Hastings are stirred up once again with the spectre of Sara hanging over all of them. But who is Mary really? Just the innocent housekeeper or something else entirely? And if her motives are nefarious then what does she want with Gina and her family?

Wowsers! I am not sure I can do a good enough review to give this book the justice it needs, utterly captivating, but I shall try my best! As this is a spoiler free review, I will also do my upmost to describe my reading experience without giving anything away. I really enjoyed hearing the story through the different POV’s and I thought the character of Mary was written so well as you could sense the sinister and manipulating vibe she gave off very well through the pages. I do feel that because I am a seasoned psychological thriller fan I had got some bits figured out early on, but I was still totally blindsided by the three (yup you read that right) THREE huge twists! I ended up lying in bed at 1am, still reading, with my mouth gaping open, especially when I read the second twist. Outstanding writing by Samantha Hayes. It isn’t often that I can understand why the villain in the story is so revengeful but, in this book, I really understood their need for revenge and I did feel sorry for them, which again, as I say, is highly unusual.

Overall, utterly brilliant and I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. If you love psychological thrillers, you will love this one! I can’t wait to see what Samantha Hayes writes next. Extremely well deserved 5 star rating!

Thank you to NetGalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out now.

One of my favourite authors who never fails to deliver a compelling storyline. This one has dark undertones and the twists get tighter as the book goes on. The ending had me sat open mouthed because no way did I see that coming. Compelling, dark and chilling, you won't want to put this one down once you start.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this eCopy to review

When I picked up Her Housekeeper by Samantha Hayes, I was immediately drawn into the world of domestic suspense. The story revolves around a housekeeper who isn’t quite what she seems, and the tension builds with every page. I found myself completely engrossed in the protagonist’s dual life—her meticulous attention to her duties and the secrets she harbours.

The story follows a family who temporarily move into Gina's friend, Annie's beautifully renovated Victorian house in Hastings while their own home undergoes repairs after a fire. A housekeeper named Mary, arrives one day saying she was hired by Annie. However, Gina soon realizes that Mary is not who she claims to be. As Mary ingratiates herself into the family, strange and unsettling events begin to unfold. Gina becomes increasingly paranoid, suspecting Mary of having ulterior motives. The tension escalates as secrets from the past resurface, leading to a shocking and dangerous climax.

The plot twists were masterfully executed. Just when I thought I had figured out the mystery, Hayes threw in another curveball that left me reeling. The psychological depth of the characters added a layer of realism that made the story even more gripping. I could feel the protagonist’s anxiety and determination, which kept me on the edge of my seat.

One of the standout aspects of the book was the writing style. Hayes has a way with words that paints vivid pictures and evokes strong emotions. The pacing was perfect, with just the right amount of suspense to keep me hooked without feeling overwhelmed.

However, there were moments when the plot felt a bit predictable, and some of the secondary characters could have been more developed. Despite these minor flaws, the book was a thrilling ride from start to finish.

It’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a good twist and a well-crafted story.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #112/130 for 2024:
Rating: 5 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Book: Her Housekeeper
Author: Samantha Hayes
RELEASES on November 11, 2024!!!

Sipping thoughts: I was not expecting this plot! While I figured out who the housekeeper was going to end up being and what she did to get there very early on, I could not have predicted that last few chapters of the book. Gina and her husband seem to be playing a cat and mouse game with the unexpected housekeeper, Mary. This story is told in dual storylines and timelines. I really enjoyed reading Mary’s side as it shows how diabolical she really was. This book starts off with a bang and keeps the thrills and twists high from beginning to end. There was not a dull moment. There is one question of a small loose end that I wish I could ask the author. Did anyone else catch what Gina thought she saw when she woke up from nursing her baby?

Cheers and thank you to @Bookouture and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @HerHousekeeper.

#HerHousekeeper #SamanthaHayes #Bookouture #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

WOW! This one was a knockout. I loved the fast pace, the twists and devoured this one. Bravo Samantha for a banger of a book.

When Gina temporarily moves into a large Victorian home, as a favour from her friend Annie, she does not expect to meet Mary, who arrives one day saying she is their housekeeper. Soon after, Mary says she needs to move in with her son as she is fleeing an abusive relationship. Gina feels something is not quite right about Mary is she right to be suspicious?

This seemed like it would be a fun thriller and it ended up being entertaining with dark themes and an engaging narrative. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed that the story is told in different voices and timelines. Although there were a few twists, I found the majority quite predictable and the pacing to be slow. I found some characters also had similar names. Overall though, this was a dramatic read with an interesting storyline where you never know who to trust. I will definitely read more by this author. 3.5 stars rounded down.

As soon as I started this book I felt drawn into the tension and suspense that kept me hooked until the end.

This is an absolutely outstanding psychological thriller. A group of childhood friends, Gina, Annie, Laura and Sarah, GALS, are rocked by tragedy, their lives are never the same again. Although three of them still meet up, they never talk about Sara.

After a fire ripped through their home, Gina, her husband Matt and their two children take up Annie’s offer to stay at their house whilst she is away on a much needed break. When Annie’s housekeeper turns up, strange things start happening that put Gina on edge.

Without giving any spoilers this is as much as I can say about the book. However what I can say is it is brilliantly written with so many twists and turns you may end up dizzy however there is a blinding final twist or two that come from nowhere.

Simply brilliant

Very easy read which I devoured in an evening of solid reading.
Four girls that were inseparable back in their schooldays but then something happened and then there were only three.
Fast forward to the modern day and the three are still friends but what is the secret between them and is Anne's mysterious new housekeeper somehow linked to events of the past as she takes over.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for the unbiased review

In this gripping psychological thriller, Gina and her husband, Matt, are forced to rebuild their lives after a devastating fire destroys their home. Moving their young family into the luxurious home of their friend Annie seems like a safe refuge—until housekeeper Mary unexpectedly arrives and begins to reveal layers of mystery. When Mary and her enigmatic son, Tyler, need a place to stay, Gina's kindness leads her to open the door, only to find strange events unfolding around her. As unsettling incidents mount, Gina begins to suspect Mary’s motives and fears her family may be in danger.

The story masterfully alternates between the present and the past, offering glimpses into Gina’s formative years with her close-knit group of friends, the “GALS,” and her early romance with Matt. This dual timeline adds depth, peeling back secrets and hinting at the collision of past and present.

Filled with twists and turns, this novel keeps readers on edge, unraveling secrets at just the right moments and culminating in an unexpected, explosive climax. An absorbing read for fans of suspense, it’s a clever, thrilling ride that will leave you second-guessing every character’s intentions.

Her Housekeeper was a tense thriller!

Gina didn't really want to come back here, to this town where "it" all happened. But her home was destroyed in a fire and once Annie, her best friend, invited her, her husband, and their two kids to stay in her enormous house while she was traveling, it seemed like a great solution. But then Mary shows up proclaiming to be Annie's housekeeper. You know that's going to be a problem right?

Gina catches Mary snooping, and worse, she gets a funny feeling about her. And that Tyler shows up. Mary's son. Although Hayes never really says, he seems to be neurodivergent with some uncanny tech skills. You might guess some of the predictable twists, but as the story escalates, you won't be able to put this book down!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Books on Tour for an advance reader's copy.