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sasisaskia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Infidelity
Minor: Abortion
soobooksalot's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
"From that day on, the Summerbourne family hasn't been allowed to keep it's twins."
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Pregnancy
markedwithanm's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Child death, Grief, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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 was a pretty good mystery, though I would say it’s more mystery than thriller. It kept me guessing, but there was never a sense of “someone’s about to die” intensity, especially because most of the drama happens twenty-five years in the past, and by that point you know who lived and died back then. But it was still a nice reveal/climax at the end.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent
caitn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
shannonsshelf's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
kathryn_a's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Death of parent
detria's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a good paced book. It was easy to read and it switches perspectives between past/present. It unfolded well like story telling.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Suicide
adalgibson's review
mysterious
- Strong character development? No
3.5
Was an entertaining enough read. I really wanted to know what happened but I didn't particularly connect with the characters and I didn't find the plot especially compelling. I rolled my eyes at the locket/abortion reveal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Suicide
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, and Blood
Minor: Dementia and Vomit
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