If V. C. Andrews and Kate Morton had a literary love child, Emma Rous’ USA Today bestseller The Au Pair would be it.One of the most anticipated books of 2019 from Pop Sugar, Bustle, Cosmo, Parade, and Goodreads!Seraphine Mayes and her twin brother, Danny, were born in the middle of summer at their family’s estate on the Norfolk coast. Within hours of their birth, their mother threw herself from … Norfolk coast. Within hours of their birth, their mother threw herself from the cliffs, the au pair fled, and the village thrilled with whispers of dark cloaks, changelings, and the aloof couple who drew a young nanny into their inner circle.
Now an adult, Seraphine mourns the recent death of her father. While going through his belongings, she uncovers a family photograph that raises dangerous questions. It was taken on the day the twins were born, and in the photo, their mother, surrounded by her husband and her young son, is smiling serenely and holding just one baby.
Who is the child, and what really happened that day?
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I found this book very compelling up until the end, and though I won’t give spoilers, I will say that I found it to be melodramatic in the end. Still well worth the read, but I found that the idea of what seemed likely had to be stretched a bit. Up until that point, I found it to be a page-turner and the description of being a cross between V.C. Andrews and Kate Morton is apt. (Which is saying a lot because I loooove Kate Morton books.) I would definitely read another by this author, hoping for an ending that seems to flow better with the excellent prior narrative. I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a chilling suspenseful novel that had me guessing until the last chapter. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I would find out a few pages later how wrong I was. This was a debut novel for this author and I think we’ll see additional great books from her in the future.
After Seraphine’s father dies, she goes through his desk trying to find out the mystery in her family. Her two brothers – Edwin and her twin Danny don’t understand why she is so obsessed with her past.
She finds a picture of her mom the day she died holding one baby – but where was the other twin when this picture was taken? And why did her mom committ suicide on the same day the twins were born? Seraphine decides to track down Laura, the au pair who was living with the family at the time of the birth. Once she finds Laura, the pieces to the puzzle of the picture become clearer but when someone tries to kill Laura, the family wonders if they are all in danger.
This story is told in alternating chapters by Laura, the au pair who took care of Edwin and left on the day the twins were born and by Seraphine who is trying to solve the mystery. It was a great way to find out the past and present and to see how the stories came together at the end. This was a real page turner that kept me questioning everything until the surprising ending.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
This book was rated on it’s journey. The ending was a bit of a stretch for me, but I can’t discount how fast I read this book and how engaged I was the whole time.
I found this book hard to put down. I wanted to keep reading to see where the story & characters lives were going. The story had so many unpredictable twists & turns I wasn’t able to decide on the ending ahead of time. It left me shocked & thinking about the book after I was finished reading.
Entrancing and compelling, The Au Pair seamlessly alternates between two riveting narrators. Atmospheric and reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier’s work, it’s a beautiful read that delivers a shocking and satisfying ending.
This will keep you turning those pages. The characters are still playing on my mind.
Read October 2018 thanks to an ARC! Very quick read and kept my interest. Twisty! Will not bore you with the description. Full review coming on release day 1/8/19. Thank you so much to Berkley!
**UPDATE . NOW RELEASED! The Au Pair by Emma Rous. This book will leave you guessing. I liked this book and I thought this was an very original story and a great wrap up. I kept saying through the book, “Oh, I got it!” and “Oh, no it’s…” But, I was wrong. What more fun can you have but guessing through a book AND being wrong?
This isn’t about the Au Pair but about a whole family and the secrets and lies that are told and woven to protect the ones telling the lies. However, the fallout is usually reserved for the innocent victims, not the liar. I recommend this book. It will eave you guessing!
After you write your chart of who everyone is this book keeps you guessing.
totally enjoyable book
About 100 pages too long, and the ending was totally unbelievable. To say more would be a spoiler.
At first it took me a bit to get into this story. I almost stopped reading it, and then realized how very smart the writing is and how ridiculously impatient I was being. She doesn’t hit you over the head with huge twists first cat out of the bag. It’s a very clever, slowly building story that has a very deceptively written tone; you think you know it all and what’s coming – but you don’t. Just keep reading. I just love surprises like that!
Absolutely loved this book!
Overly long and just too many twists to be even remotely believable
Couldn’t put it down!
This was an excellent read.
Well written novel. First I have read by this author. I enjoyed it.
This is an amazing debut novel. If you love a good mind twister, THE AU PAIR is for you!!! After Seraphine’s father dies, she stumbles upon a photo that will send her down a rabbit hole of lies and deceit. This one will keep you guess right to the very end. I am very excited to see what’s next from Ms. Rous.
A whole lot going on in this book.
Good read…terrific characters
This book kept me up late. Love it.