The Babysitter’s Secret by Casey Kelleher
Published: May 24, 2023
Bookouture
Pages: 318
Genre: Psychological Fiction
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Casey Kelleher was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, and grew up as an avid reader. Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant she could give up her day job and concentrate on writing full-time. She has since written fourteen books.
Now: As I walk up the path to the beautiful family house in front of me, I am determined to make the most of this chance. And when Cecelia leads me into her spotless kitchen to explain my duties, I vow to be the perfect babysitter to her family. I’ve been given a shot at a fresh start. I can’t mess it up.
So I try to ignore Cecelia’s lack of interest in her two gorgeous children, her sharp words and unreasonable reactions – plus her two, then three glasses of wine every evening. But I know a bad mother when I see one. I know what that’s like all too well.
I’d promised myself I’d never look the other way. I can’t stand by while these innocent children are neglected. But I also can’t afford to lose this job. So I decide to do the only thing I can think of. I will use the secret I’ve been hiding, the past I’ve been running from, the person I really am…
Because Cecelia has no idea that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep these children safe. Or who she has actually let into her house…
“What kind of a woman could do that to a child?”
Emily wants to avoid remembering her past. It’s dark, painful, and wrong. Sasha wants to learn more about where she came from. Who was she? Why can’t she remember? Cecilia is trying to be the best parent she can be, but she struggles to find balance.
This was a wild ride. The way this story was layered was smart, and the plot was intricately presented, enticing me to keep reading.
The characters in this book were all well done. The depth, detail, and emotion were brilliant. There was so much humanity represented in various forms.
There are so many twists and turns in this book. I have whiplash, but the ride was worth every moment. I couldn’t put this book down- the storyline was engaging, and the pacing made finding a stopping point difficult.
The use of time and coincidence was clever. Revenge is a great motivator, as is learning to act normal.