This book started out with promise, but it became a chore to read. Lady at first seems like an interesting complex character but she became cliche and predictable. I couldn’t read past chapter 3.

DNF - I gave it 111 pages and I just couldn't give it anymore. I found this to be a well written book with two main characters who were both rather odd and given the right plot they could have been really interesting. Unfortunately this plot never went aware. Thanks to the publisher and librarything for providing me an advanced copy to an honest opinion. ( )

Do not waste your time on this book. A woman, age 42, is having a crisis. Wants a trial separation and hires a live-in nanny. All so she can “write”. Please. Enough of privilege. ( )

Author Lady Daniels needs to finish her memoir. And now that she's separated from her husband, she realizes she may need some help. And that help comes in the form of S., a young artist who is willing to work as a nanny to make ends meet. She connects right away with Lady's younger son, and Lady's capable-of-taking-care-of-himself older son, Seth, does not seem to mind her all that much either. But as everyone in the house gets to know each other better, secrets bubble to the surface that everyone hoped would stay hidden. And sometimes the truth can be the most poisonous of all...

I found this to be an enjoyable and interesting read. There's quite a bit of embedded commentary here on mother-daughter dynamics, both between Lady and S. and between each of them and their own mothers. Add in the interactions between Lady and her two sons, and there might be more here about parent-child relationships in general. And, of course, there is the question of truth and omission of fact. Is it okay to keep information from someone if you think it will protect them or make their life easier? Or is that really up to anyone else to decide besides the person it all affects? And when our secrets are revealed, regardless of how it happens, do we really have anyone else to blame but ourselves?

[Disclaimer: This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher via the First to Read program.] ( )

This was torture. I don't even know what to say except I did DNF it the other day at the 26 percent mark when I realized I loathed the two leads (Lady and Esther though she is called S (S for Snake) by Lady's younger son.

I felt like I was drunk while reading. I saw words on the page and nothing made sense. I hated the POV of Lady and I hated the POV of S. They are both two sides of the same messed up coin. I finally called it quits on page 75 of 311 of my e-book copy when I realized that I was rooting for a serial killer or some horrible accident to take them out.

I think the biggest issue I had was that Lady and S are not very nice. They are both doing a terrible job of being human beings. Lady is annoyed by her young son and that her current husband is a good guy. That's all I got really. She is trying to write a book and so filled with artistic spirit she can't be a mom as well as write at the same time. And I get that. You really can't work with a little person hanging off of you. But instead of taking her estranged husband up on his wanting to watch their son she's all no. You shall not pass. It's like she is afraid that even though she doesn't want to be bothered with their son, she doesn't want him to have his father.

And Lady has an older son that is mute. I was intrigued for five seconds there and just lost any interest in him as a character. It seems that the author is without an ounce of subtlety showing that something may go down between S and him.

S is messed up. The end.

Sometimes I can get into a book showing terrible people (Holden Caulfield anyone) but after a while I find it boring to read. It's just the writer showing you how terrible they are again and again and you waiting for other characters to say screw this and be done with them.

The writing is not pulling me in at all. I am just annoyed this was touted as a thriller and so far there is none of that happening. Also the darkly comic part is not coming through at all. ( )