She’s a liar. She’s a stalker. She’s in your house.When Claire sees Hannah Wilson at an exclusive Manhattan hair salon, it’s like a knife slicing through barely healed scars. It may have been ten years since Claire last saw Hannah, but she has thought of her every day, and not in a good way. So Claire does what anyone would do in her position—she stalks her.Hannah is now Mrs. Carter, living the … her.
Hannah is now Mrs. Carter, living the charmed life that should have been Claire’s. It’s the life Claire used to have, before Hannah came along and took it all away from her.
Back then, Claire was a happy teenager with porcelain skin and long, wavy blond hair. Now she’s an overweight, lazy drunk with hair the color of compost and skin to match. Which is why when Hannah advertises for a housekeeper, Claire is confident she can apply and not be recognized. And since she has time on her hands, revenge on her mind, and a talent for acting…
Because what better way to seek retribution—and redress—than from within the beautiful Mrs. Hannah Carter’s own home?
Except that it’s not just Claire who has secrets. Everyone in that house seems to have something to hide.
And now, there’s no way out.
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This was the first novel I’ve read by Natalie Barelli and, boy, what a ride it was. It was a twisted, psychological thriller with an imperfect (and sometimes unlikeable) main character. The plot kept me guessing the entire time and it had twists I didn’t see coming. I will definitely be reading more of Natalie Barelli’s work.
This is a quick read and an easy one, but highly entertaining. Despite how messed up the main character is, you get sucked into her life. Claire had it all when she was young. A happy home life, rich parents, tennis lessons, pony rides. Then Hannah waltzed into her world as a nanny for her younger brother and her life took a nosedive. I’d say more about why, but that’s part of the story, and I don’t want to spoil anything.
Fast forward ten years and Hannah is now married to a wealthy doctor, living the high life in a beautiful house. She’s in need of a housekeeper who will also help care for her infant daughter from time to time. Through a series of pretty “out there” circumstances, Claire changes her appearance, assumes another identity, and lands the job. She’s there to upend Hannah’s life and exact revenge.
This is a juicy read which alternates for the reader between disliking Claire and cheering for her. Written in first person POV, there is plenty of snarky asides sprinkled throughout as well as a steady build of suspense and tension. There aren’t many characters to keep track of, but all play an integral part in the story, and the ending is well worth the ride. This is my second book by Natalie Barelli, but I like her work so much, I’ve already picked up another two for my Kindle.
This book was an amazing read. I could not put it down. Start to finish twists and turns.
Reading this book was like riding a roller coaster.
The moment you’re sure you have it figured out, it flips around again.
Part of the reason Barelli is able to do this so successfully is because Claire is the poster child for the unreliable narrator. From the get-go, she makes it clear all she does is lie.
So, how do you know what’s real or not? That is the problem.
(But it’s also what makes it fun.)
You can read my full review on my blog MPWNovels.com https://mpwnovels.com/2020/06/05/book-review-the-housekeeper-by-natalie-barelli/
It starts slow and I loathe the main character so I almost quit it. Don’t quit it!
I loved this. Claire is smartly drawn and suitably sketchy as she sets out to destroy the woman she blames for ruining her life. Things do not go according to plan and the plot becomes wonderfully ambiguous as the story careens to a twisty, unexpected ending. Recommended!
I like a good mystery that stays a mystery to the end. This was unexpected.
Thank you Natalie Barelli.
I love how unpredictable it was!
This isn’t one of those books you read because of the likable characters. In fact, what kept me turning the pages was to see if the main character could pull off her revenge plot. It reminded me of trying not to look at an accident on the side of the road. Though as the story goes on, you gain some sympathy her, and she actually does start to change. Everything was explained by the end and it wrapped up well.
This book was so refreshing after reading that Twighlight nonsense. Like being back home. Right up my alley. Meet Claire, who seems a bit dark, a bit off, and you can’t decide how to feel about her. A touch obsessed with a woman that wronged her family. And after running into her again, she can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The story is simply fascinating and when you think it’s going one way it goes another. And I loved that ending. Perfect, satisfying, and nothing left undone. Great read, will read this author again.
Not too interesting
Good read. Engaging main character.
At first, I thought this book was boring. I even contemplated deleting it from my NOOK. Then, all of a sudden, I couldn’t put it down. The climax was so exciting, and not at all what I thought it would be. This was very well written and I look forward to more of her books in the future.
Great book. I will be looking to read more from this author.
Every time I thought I knew the ending, I got tricked again.
Yep, okay…I thought I knew the score. I was completely wrong.
Well done, Ms. Barelli; hat tip to you because I am tough to surprise.
That narration though? Please. It made my ears bleed.
If I want to hear gratuitous overacting and drama I’ll go to my mom’s house, hmmmmkay…
Great humor, great story, well told and kept me reading.