The Waitress

by K.L. Slater

My job as a waitress means I’m used to watching everything – and used to lying. Soon I’m posing as someone’s girlfriend… But what does he really want from me?

When I slip on my waitress’s uniform I become a different person. And I’m good at what I do. I instantly identify Trent as the most important man in the room, and I catch his eye as I serve canapes to his rich clients. We share a little smile… and later that evening, he asks me to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Of course I accept. It’s the perfect way for me to escape my own past. He just needs me to watch certain people. It seems easy.

Soon I’m living in his opulent home, wearing a new wardrobe of designer clothes. Then I discover there was a woman here before me. Saskia. Nobody will talk about her…

Suddenly I don’t feel safe anymore. If I leave, I’m no longer protected. But if I stay here, in this silent apartment of secrets, will anyone miss me if I disappear?

A completely compelling and twisty page-turner from number 1 bestselling author K.L. Slater. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden will be hooked by The Waitress.

What everyone is saying about K.L.

‘OMG!!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ!!!! I DID NOT EXPECT THAT!!! MIND BLOWN MUCH!!! Wow!!!… had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end… omg the twists!!! I DID NOT see any of them coming!!!… What an ending!!! One of the most gripping unputdownable nerve-wracking psychological thrillers I have EVER read!!!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh. My. Goodness. What a book!… It kept me awake when I should have been asleep… I couldn’t put it down!… Kept me hanging onto every single word… I just needed to know what happened.’ Stardust Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from the first page and finished this book in one sitting… I devoured this book, I could not put it down, I just had to keep on reading… I was sat on the edge of my seat. As for the ending OMG it was a shock… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This. Book. Is. Amazing. I dropped everything and read it in two sittings. It’s addictive, it’s dark and twisty, it’s deceitful, you think you’ve worked out what’s going on and nope… twisty again… Everyone needs to read this.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely brilliant! I sat and read the book in a day and did not want to put it down!… I even text my mum when I was halfway through telling her it was a book she NEEDED to read!!… Without a doubt 5 stars – I LOVED it!!!’ Donna’s Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I want to take it and scream from the rooftops. I want to make everyone I know read a copy. I want to knock on doors and leave this book in mailboxes… Enthralling, fast-paced and dark… I read this one into the night, I left the book open on my bed so I could try and absorb more as I slept… if you want a hair-raising thriller, then look no further.

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2025

About the author

Kim is the number one bestselling author of sixteen psychological crime thrillers. She has sold over two million copies of her books worldwide. She has also written four Carnegie-nominated Young Adult novels as Kim Slater for Macmillan Children’s Books. Kim has an MA in Creative Writing and lives with her husband in a small Nottinghamshire village.

Publishers: Bookouture, Sphere, Grand Central, Audible
Agent: Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson

Author website: www.KLSlaterAuthor.com
Twitter: @KimLSlater
Facebook: KL Slater Author
Instagram: KLSlaterAuthor

Reviews

[Hannah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

BRODEH.

[Cara Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

BRODEH. That is all.

[Jayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

No tip for "The Waitress"!

WHY?
I listened to the audiobook.

The storyline unfolded from multiple POVs.

Although Claudia Jessie's narration was good, it was frequently difficult to remember who was saying what.

A full-cast narration would have significantly helped this book.

Also, the storyline lacked the sizzle and thrills of K.L. Slater's earlier releases.

Not sure if the book eventually delivered. DNF at 40%.

Fortunately, this was an Audible Plus freebie, so no credit was wasted.

[Kelly Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall story was good. The sister was a little frustrating. I did not see the twist at the end coming.

[Kelly H · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a 3.75 for me. Kept me entertained while getting ready for work and en route to work, but would I tell all my friends to read it? Nahhh. One of those “just call the cops already” thrillers, but I played along AND I will say the end did have a twist I was not expecting.

[Aloha4Ever · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, but a lot of things made no sense. Like what motivated Trent to seek out these random women to employ? Why would he trust a woman he had just met to do spy-work for him? And why on earth did he allow two different women to blackmail him??

K.L. Slater’s books have mostly been misses for me in recent years. But I keep reading in the elusive hope that I’ll strike gold again. This book was included in my audible plus membership, so at least I didn’t use a credit.

[Beccy · Rating 2 out of 5]

there is a reason it was a free audible original lol - kept me somewhat entertained on my 400km drive but it was tedious and I did want to drive off the state highway at least twice, think Claudia Jessie saved it if I’m honest

[Tierney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Had me gripped from start to end. I'm not sure why some reviewers are so down on it.

The multiple POV approach isn't confusing *at all*. Just 3 POVs, with 3 different voices. Mainly tho, this is Alicia's story, and she's a strong lead, whose depth is revealed and layers peeled back as we go along.

Sure, the sister is the weakest of the 3 leads, and you might want to smack some sense into her, but her role makes sense in the whole context.

A super climax, a neat twist, and *excellently* performed by Claudia Jesse (so good, I've tracked down 2 other audio stories featuring her)

[Amy Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure it's just me, but the abused woman who stays/lets the man come back in her life, OMG I just can't. I know this happens in real life. I don't understand it but I know it is too common to be believed. But man, I just cannot even in yet another book plot.

The rest of it was just ridiculous. No way she goes from being a server on the catering staff to the penthouse, with someone in power having her make event decisions and business insights, as if he didn't already have staff to do those tasks. Please. Also, the author decides not to tell you why the MC is in the situation she's in until essentially the whole story and all the tension is already over. Essentially they just reveal the MC's motivation in an epilogue. As a result, I couldn't get on board or root for the MC at all.

[Annabelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear, definitely not one of K.L. Slater’s best, very disappointing.

[Stacy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

[Heather Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story didn’t make sense at all, not invested in the characters, the main character was unlikeable. Disappointing

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alicia leaves her young son with her sister and moves to London, determined to reinvent herself and escape a past she won’t confront. At The Orbit, an exclusive high rise for the elite, she slips easily into the background, watching everything. When its charismatic owner, Trent Connors, offers her a lucrative arrangement to pose as his girlfriend, she accepts a deal that quickly becomes more complicated than either of them intended. As she settles into this glossy new life, the cracks beneath its surface begin to show, while her sister back home hides a far more dangerous secret that is slowly closing in.

The book didn’t quite meet the author’s usual standard for me. Aside from Alicia, several characters felt underdeveloped, and the plot was fairly predictable, with only one twist that surprised me. I’m typically fully absorbed in this author’s work, but this time the story didn’t have the same depth or momentum that normally keeps me turning the pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

A good story with an overall good plot.

It was very much 1 note, not a lot of tension/suspense. Saw most of it coming.

[Kitty Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read of 2026! Love this author!

[Julier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like after finishing the audio. I didn't like any of the characters. Alicia was so worried about her baby but she knew where he lived and could see him? She was manipulating and dishonest. Alicia makes sure Trent might have to face the law for the young woman's ACCIDENTAL death. All he did was lie about being there when it happened. But she doesn't have a problem with Trent pushing someone off a building? Just because she wanted him dead, too. makes her an accomplice! no respect for her, either!

[Paul Botterill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It was suspenseful and thrilling.

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

How far would you go to protect your family. Hired by one man to sabotage another. The mark plays into her scheme and now she has a chance to free herself from both and make a good life for her and her family.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE WAITRESS is a standalone psychological thriller by bestselling author K.L. Slater. Having read and enjoyed her previous novels, I was anxious to start her new novel.

Her Novels Include:
Safe With Me (2016)
Blink (2017)
Liar (2017)
The Mistake (2017)
The Visitor (2018)
The Secret (2018)
Closer (2018)
Finding Grace (2019)
The Silent Ones (2019)
Single (2019)
The Apartment (2020)
Little Whispers (2020)
The Girl She Wanted (2020)
The Marriage (2021)
The Evidence (2021)
The Widow (2021)
Missing (2022)
The Girlfriend (2022)
The Narrator (2023)
The Bedroom Window (2023)
Husband and Wife (2023)
Message Deleted (2024)
The Married Man (2024)
The Lucky Winners (2025)
My Husband Next Door (2025)
The Waitress (2026)
We Tell Lies (2026)

This is my review of The Waitress.

Alicia Turner is in central London working for Elevate, a premium events agency for members clubs and art galleries. She is looking for a new start to escape her past and provide for a better life in London for her and her two-year-old son, Brodie.

Alicia has left her young son behind with her sister to chase a better life in London. But she’s not just chasing opportunity. She’s escaping the truth. And no one in her new life needs to know what she’s running from.

At The Orbit, a high-rise building that highlights the future of urban living, Alicia meets the owner, Trent Connors, who is very impressed by her skill in reading people. Here, Alicia waits tables and watches everything.

Trent Connors, offers her a deal — she must pretend to be his girlfriend for an enormous salary and a luxury apartment in The Orbit and she accepts. She will be working for Trent in complete secrecy acting as his girlfriend as a cover. She will be a partner on the ground…to listen and watch. Trent works with a lot of high-profile people, and needs someone with a skill in reading people…a spy!

Trent tells Alicia that he is on the verge of finalizing a major project, and both him and his partner, Steve Brett are bidding for the contact. Trent needs Alicia to get close and check out Brett. But when Trent shows Alicia a picture of Brett, she realizes that she knows him… the man who controlled her life for the last two years!

Two men are plying he same game of blackmail and corruption…and Alicia finds herself right in the middle of this dangerous mix.

And all the while, back home, her sister is hiding something far worse — something terrifying that Alicia has no idea is creeping closer.

The story is told from different POV’s in different time frames that gives us more depth into the intention of the main key players.

This fast-paced novel addictive read but not quite up there with some of the authors other books but I still enjoyed it.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.

[Edie Kennard · Rating 3 out of 5]

K.L. Slater is a veteran of the "domestic noir" genre, and The Waitress delivers exactly what fans expect: secrets, shifting loyalties, and a high-gloss setting that feels just a bit too perfect. However, while the premise is addictive, the execution occasionally feels like a retread of familiar thriller tropes.

The Hook: High Stakes and Glittering Lies
The "fake dating" trope is usually reserved for rom-coms, but Slater twists it into something much more sinister. Alicia is a compelling protagonist because she isn't "innocent"—she’s a woman running from a dark past, making her the perfect unreliable narrator.

The Setting: The Orbit is a character in itself—a claustrophobic, high-end high-rise that perfectly encapsulates the "gilded cage" feel.

The Conflict: The dual-timeline/dual-perspective structure keeps the tension high. While Alicia is playing a dangerous game in London, her sister’s storyline back home provides a slow-burn sense of dread that balances the fast-paced glamour of Trent Connors' world.

Why it’s a 3/5
Despite the strong setup, the middle section of the book sags under the weight of some predictable "thriller logic."

Suspension of Disbelief: The deal offered by Trent Connors—a massive salary and a luxury apartment just to play a girlfriend—is a bit of a stretch, even for a psychological thriller.

The "Twist" Fatigue: If you read a lot of Slater or Freida McFadden, you might spot the "big reveal" coming from a mile away. The book relies heavily on characters making questionable decisions to keep the plot moving, which can be frustrating for readers who prefer a more grounded mystery.

The Ending: While the climax is explosive, it feels somewhat rushed compared to the meticulous buildup of Alicia’s lies.

Final Verdict
The Waitress is a solid, popcorn-style thriller. It’s the perfect "beach read" or "airplane book"—fast-paced and engaging enough to keep you turning pages, even if it doesn't reinvent the genre. It’s a story about the masks we wear and the price we pay for a "better life," though it lacks the emotional depth to make it truly haunting.

Read this if: You love stories about the dark side of the ultra-wealthy and don't mind a few far-fetched plot points. Skip this if: You prefer gritty, realistic police procedurals or are tired of the "unreliable narrator" trope.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second K.L. Slater book. Last year I read Message Deleted and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to see what The Waitress had in store for me.

The book follows Alicia as she’s immersed in the luxury world of Trent & his new business venture, The Orbit. As readers we’re kept in the dark (until the very end of the book) about why Alicia is running from her past, which I enjoyed as it kept me guessing.

From the get-go The Waitress is quick-paced. I liked that the chapters were short and told from three POVs; the main character - Alicia, Trent & Alicia’s sister, Jen. It kept me wanting to read “just one more” (which often turned into several.)
There was a scene that was re-told from the perspectives of different people which I really enjoyed. I thought it was a clever way to ‘get inside the head’ of different characters and provide new information. It felt like a creative way of building tension by taking you back for a second, to ‘see’ the scene from somebody else’s view.
I also liked that the book made use of different mediums for telling the story, including forum posts and newspaper articles.

The author’s description of The Orbit & its different layers made it feel immersive and like I could really ‘see’ and ‘feel’ the atmosphere.
She also tackled the theme of domestic abuse sensitively, whilst also highlighting how people can unwillingly get caught up in its cycle.

There were a few minor things that removed a ⭐ for me. It felt like a bit of an anti-climatic ending - everything seemed to tie up too easily. I would have liked to have seen more of an explanation of the character’s backgrounds; e.g. why did they end up that way? What made Trent treat women as he did? Trent also seemed to be (figuratively) pushed over too easily at the end, for being as cunning as he was throughout the rest of the book. His actions didn’t seem to fit his character.
That being said, I thought the twist at the end was great - I didn’t see it coming!

Overall, The Waitress was a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s one I’d definitely reach for again.
I’d particularly recommend it to fans of Freida McFadden.

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher Bookouture for the advance copy.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waiting staff in the hospitality industry are, in my opinion, often not treated very respectfully. It may have improved somewhat, but far too often these people are expected to respond to a “hey” or a snap of the fingers. What’s wrong with addressing them as sir or madam? We don’t behave like that in a shop when we want to get the attention of a staff member. Would those people like to be treated that way themselves? I don’t think so.

It’s also well known that some privileged or wealthy individuals display this arrogance even more strongly. They only notice the staff when they can use them or benefit from them. When someone carrying a tray moves among the “important” people, they sometimes overhear things not meant for their ears — information that can then be passed on to their employer. So be careful what you discuss when it’s meant to stay private. You never know what might happen with that information.

I thought this was a very enjoyable book. Alicia was a top-notch character, and I admired her courage and the way she made sacrifices for a greater good. It was intriguing to discover how she ended up in that hornet’s nest. She played it all incredibly smart. I’m happy to give it 5 stars.

Thank you.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I read the Kindle version

Alicia finds herself entangled in a web of deceit, caught between two rich and influential men who want her to spy on each other. One is blackmailing and threatening her, while the other offers her a new glamorous life posing as his girlfriend as she seeks information to help him in his business endeavors. The driving force behind her treachery is the desire to protect and improve the lives of her son and sister, who is temporarily taking care of her nephew while Alicia navigates through her own personal struggles.


This is written in a style that is popular now, with fast-paced short chapters and multiple point-of-view narrations which some are calling “domestic noir.” The main characters aren’t particularly likable, with some of them lacking any redeeming qualities. However, I did find one of the themes—the connection between wealth, power, and its abuse—to be quite relevant to our times.

I’ve read a few books by this author before and enjoyed them. This story has suspense and a twist, but I wouldn’t rate it as among her best. Nevertheless, I’ll definitely continue to seek out and read her other works.


Thanks to @NetGalley and @Bookouture for the DRC.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t what I was expecting but it was enjoyable. Could definitely see this being a tv series!

[Lee Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast forwarded to the end just to see what happened to Alicia.

Short book, but it could’ve been even shorter. VERY tedious at times.

[Buggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Enjoyed the beginning, things got more mediocre as it went on. Ending was anticlimactic.

[Michelle Confere · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just ok. The story line was intriguing enough but the MC is supposed to be some super sleuth, and she just ended up being annoying. Who leaves their 2 year old to move hours away at the demands of someone else instead of calling the police? She was a private detective who clocked him as a cheater and when he threatens her, she just takes it? Makes no sense to me. Also when the boyfriend has the sister pinned in the bathroom, she calls the MC who is hours away instead of the police?! Make it make sense. Not the best Slater book.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unexpected, delightful plot twists but moves slowly, heavy on descriptions of every breath, dress, room, emotion. Characters are two-dimensional, predictable--the sleazy mobster business guy, the Machiavellian real estate titan, the abused girlfriend, the clever fairytale heroine who outwits the villains with the help of the empowering sisterhood of older women.

[Travis Loran · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were times when I was confused in this book. I do feel as if the ending felt super rushed and every character changed their behaviors which did not feel natural.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up - a lot of descriptions of clothes and the building and cologne but kept me curious