Review: Nanny Dearest by Flora Collins (Blog Tour)

On Sale Date: November 30, 2021

9780778311614

Trade Paperback

$16.99 USD

336 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK

From the Publisher...

Compulsively readable domestic suspense, perfect for fans of THE TURN OF THE KEY and THE PERFECT NANNY, about a woman who takes comfort in reconnecting with her childhood nanny after her father’s death, until she starts to uncover dark secrets the nanny has been holding for twenty years.

Set in New York city and upstate New York, NANNY DEAREST is the story of twenty-five year-old Sue Keller, a young woman reeling from the recent death of her father, a particularly painful loss given that Sue’s mother died of cancer when she was only three. At just this moment of vulnerability comes Anneliese Whitaker, Sue’s former nanny from her childhood days in upstate New York.

Sue, craving connection and mothering, is only too eager to welcome Annie back into her life; but as they become inseparable once again, Sue begins to uncover the truth about Annie’s unsettling time in the Keller house all those years ago, particularly the manner of her departure – or dismissal. At the same time, she begins to grow increasingly alarmed for the safety of the two new charges currently in Annie’s care.

Told in alternating points of views, switching between Annie in the mid-90s and Sue in the present day, this is a taut novel of suspense with a shocking ending.

My Review

After her father’s death, Sue Keller is devastated.  She lost her mother at a young age and now she has no one.  Then, she meets up with Annie…her live in nanny from her childhood.  It’s been twenty years since they’ve seen each other, but they are able to reconnect once again.  Annie quickly becomes the only one in Sue’s life as she pushes away even her closest of friends.

Sue begins to realize that something isn’t right with Annie.  As she starts looking into her family’s past, she finds there’s more to Annie than meets the eye.

For me, the book started off slowly, but then began to pick up speed about halfway through the book.    The characters are quite intriguing.  Annie is a very complex character both in her younger days and her older days.  Sue is as well, but she was a bit too naive and trusting as an adult.  I attributed much of Sue’s actions towards grief and confusion.  

I do have to add a warning, however, there is a scene of animal abuse which is a personal turn off for me.  I had difficulty with that part.

It’s told in alternating viewpoints  - one is set in the 1990’s and one in present day.  I do like this technique as you find out different pieces of information throughout the story. 

It’s a very dark, intense story.  It’s one of those books you find yourself wanting to see how it ends which makes it difficult to put it down.  A twisty, psychological thriller is the way I would describe it.  It's the type of book that keeps you on your toes until the very end.

For reading challenges:

Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge 2021

FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/nanny-dearest/9780778311614 
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780778311614 
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nanny-dearest-flora-collins/1138522927 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nanny-Dearest-Novel-Flora-Collins/dp/0778311619
Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780778311614?AID=10747236&PID=7310909&cjevent=3aaff079426711ec81b7ebac0a82b839

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Flora Collins was born and raised in New York City and has never left, except for a four-year stint at Vassar College. When she's not writing, she can be found watching reality shows that were canceled after one season or attempting to eat soft-serve ice cream in bed (sometimes simultaneously). Nanny Dearest is her first novel, and draws upon personal experiences from her own family history.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flococo16?lang=en
Instagram: @floracollins_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56472992-nanny-dearest