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natalieandrews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Pregnancy and Child death
themoodreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Abandonment, Abortion, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Child death, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Alcohol, Death, and Infidelity
soobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Seraphine and Danny are twins, born just hours before their mother Ruth ended her life. Years later, Seraphine finds a family photo from that day of Ruth holding only one baby.
Questions are raised as to the events of that day and the role of the family's au pair, Laura, who fled after Ruth's death.
Who was actually born on July 21, 1992? Who is in the photo and who isn't?
Secrets held by and for the family are slowly revealed throughout this domestic suspense, told in alternating chapters and timelines from Seraphine and Laura.
The Au Pair took me a bit to get into, a little slow to start. But once the reveals and additional questions started coming, I flew through it.
Recommended!
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Pregnancy
markedwithanm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Child death, Grief, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This one switches back and forth between Seraphine’s POV in the present and Laura’s POV in the past, which I thought was well done. They were both easy characters to be invested in, though I wouldn’t say they got any stunning development. I thought some of the secondary characters deserved more attention too, particularly Danny and Vera.
I did think the ending was rushed; I would’ve liked more time to sit with the characters as they digest what they’ve learned over the course of the story. But it was definitely more focused on the plot, which is fine.
Overall a decent read that kept me entertained! It had a lot of good atmospheric vibes too—which you can tell by the cover!
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent
shannonsshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
kathryn_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Death of parent
moonlitnox's review
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Xenophobia
Minor: Abortion
adalgibson's review
- Strong character development? No
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, and Blood
Minor: Dementia and Vomit