Amaya Montgomery seemingly has it all—a life of luxury, elegant dinners, a stunning home, and a devoted husband. Her heart aches to have children of her own, unlikely given her endometriosis, but Amaya nurtures that loss by searching through adoption websites and dedicating her time to people less fortunate. Despite her superficially perfect life, Amaya struggles with anxiety and a deep, abiding sense that she’s never truly been accepted by others—as well as a tenuous relationship with her addiction-ridden parents. Lurking beneath her facade is a web of dark secrets and shocking revelations that eventually turn Amaya’s world—and all she holds dear—inside out.

Shavers’s debut is more than a chilling story of love gone wrong; it’s one woman’s therapeutic journey to overcome traumatic events, in scenes that feel as if they were ripped from a horror movie. Readers will suspect early on that Amaya’s husband, Quentin, is harboring ulterior motives closely tied to her immense fortune, though the true depth of his greed is revealed gradually. Shavers places a strong emphasis on personal relationships, particularly those surrounding Amaya’s grandparents’ legacy—extending beyond the mere material inheritance she receives from them. Dialogue is filled with glimpses of Amaya’s relationship dynamics, offering insight into her naive nature, but as the plot thickens, these exchanges take a darker turn, revealing the complexities of the characters.

In a nod to her life experiences, Shavers acknowledges Amaya’s story was born out of her desire to heal from her own past trauma, and, in many ways, the narrative feels as if it’s delivered by an omnipresent observer, weaving through the lives and minds of each character. Readers will piece together crucial information ahead of Amaya, who eventually must harness her inner strength, with the help of unexpected friends, to escape, making this an intriguing, character-driven study on the healing power of telling your story.

Takeaway: Twisty psychological thriller with character revelations around every corner.

Comparable Titles: Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid Is Watching, Leila Slimani’s The Perfect Nanny.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Marketing copy: A