You know that feeling when you invite someone into your home and they just won’t leave? Now imagine that person is your stepdaughter, and you’re pretty sure she wants you dead. Welcome to Joanne’s nightmare in Nicola Sanders’ latest psychological thriller, “Don’t Let Her Stay.”
The Setup: A Perfect Life… Or Is It?
Joanne thinks she’s got it made. Gorgeous house in the countryside? Check. Adorable baby girl? Check. Successful, loving husband? Double-check. But when Richard’s estranged daughter Chloe shows up out of the blue, Joanne’s perfect world starts to crumble faster than a sandcastle at high tide.
At first, Chloe seems sweet as pie (if you like your pie with a side of creepy). She offers to help with the baby, she’s all smiles for daddy dearest. But Joanne can’t shake the feeling that something’s… off. Maybe it’s the way Chloe looks at her when Richard’s not around. Or how things keep going missing, only to turn up in bizarre places. Or, oh yeah, the fact that Joanne’s pretty sure Chloe’s trying to poison her baby.
The Twist: Who’s Crazy Here, Anyway?
Here’s where Sanders really cranks up the heat. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out – boom! – she pulls the rug out from under you. Is Chloe really the psycho stepdaughter from hell? Or is Joanne losing her marbles, imagining threats where there are none?
The beauty of this book is how it keeps you guessing. One minute you’re team Joanne, convinced Chloe’s got some serious Norman Bates vibes going on. The next, you’re wondering if maybe, just maybe, Joanne’s the one who needs to lay off the crazy juice.
The Characters: A Dysfunctional Family for the Ages
Let’s break down this twisted little family, shall we?
Joanne
Our protagonist is a hot mess of insecurities and maternal instincts. You want to root for her, but sometimes you just want to shake her and yell, “Woman, get a grip!” Still, her descent into paranoia (or is it clarity?) is disturbingly relatable.
Chloe
The stepdaughter from your darkest nightmares… or is she? Sanders does a masterful job of keeping us guessing about Chloe’s true nature. One moment she’s practically twirling a cartoon villain mustache, the next she’s so vulnerable you want to give her a hug (but maybe keep one hand on your pepper spray, just in case).
Richard
Oh, Richard. Sweet, oblivious Richard. Or is he? His refusal to see the tension between his wife and daughter will have you screaming at the pages. But as the story unfolds, you start to wonder – is there more to Richard than meets the eye?
The Writing: A Rollercoaster of Suspense
Sanders’ writing style is like that friend who’s telling you the juiciest gossip—you know you shouldn’t believe everything they say, but damn if you can stop listening. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that’ll have you saying, “Just one more…” until suddenly it’s 3 AM and you’ve finished the book.
The author has a knack for building tension in the most mundane situations. A family dinner becomes a minefield of passive-aggressive comments and meaningful glances. A trip to the local shops turns into a white-knuckle game of cat and mouse. It’s exhausting in the best possible way.
The Themes: Trust No One, Not Even Yourself
At its core, “Don’t Let Her Stay” is a story about trust—or rather, the lack of it. Can Joanne trust her own perceptions? Can she trust her husband to believe her? Can anyone in this godforsaken family trust each other?
Sanders also digs into the messy reality of blended families. The jealousy, the resentment, the struggle to find your place in a ready-made family unit. It’s like “The Brady Bunch,” if Marcia was trying to murder Carol and the kids.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Thriller Fans
Is “Don’t Let Her Stay” perfect? Nah. There are moments where the characters make decisions so boneheaded you’ll want to reach through the pages and slap some sense into them. And if you’re not a fan of unreliable narrators, this book might drive you up the wall.
But hot damn, is it entertaining. Sanders has crafted a psychological thriller that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime, second-guessing every creak in your house and side-eyeing your own family members.
If you enjoyed Nicola Sanders’ previous thriller “All The Lies,” you’ll find “Don’t Let Her Stay” hits that same sweet spot of domestic suspense with a twist of crazy. It’s also a great pick for fans of authors like Frieda McFadden, Sue Watson, and Shalini Boland, who specialize in those “is it all in her head?” type thrillers.
Final Thoughts: Lock Your Doors and Trust No One
“Don’t Let Her Stay” is like that rollercoaster you’re a little scared to ride, but once you’re strapped in, you can’t help but throw your hands up and enjoy the wild ride. Just maybe don’t read it right before meeting your stepkids for the first time. And if someone offers to make you a cup of tea afterward, maybe politely decline. You know, just in case.
Pros:
- Addictive plot that’ll keep you guessing
- Complex, flawed characters you love to hate (and hate to love)
- Masterful buildup of tension and paranoia
- Satisfying twists that’ll make you rethink everything you’ve read
Cons:
- Some character decisions might strain credibility
- If unreliable narrators aren’t your jam, this might frustrate you
Who Should Read It:
- Fans of domestic thrillers with a psychological edge
- Anyone who’s ever had a less-than-perfect relationship with their in-laws
- People who enjoy staying up all night, jumping at every sound in their house
Who Should Skip It:
- Those looking for a light, breezy read
- Anyone about to welcome a stepchild into their home
- People who already have trust issues (this book will NOT help)
The Bottom Line
“Don’t Let Her Stay” is a deliciously twisted tale of family secrets, paranoia, and the dangers of letting the wrong person into your life. Nicola Sanders has delivered a psychological thriller that’ll have you questioning everything and everyone – including yourself. Just don’t blame me if you start eyeing your houseguests with suspicion after reading this one. And maybe invest in some good locks. You know, just in case.
