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Privacy
A therapist's patients are the victims in a campaign to destroy her life in this unsettling and electrifying novel from the author of Convince Me.
What is the cost of carrying not only your own pain and grief, but that of so many others?
Dr. Lana Landers is good at her job. She's an accomplished marriage and family therapist, dedicated and compassionate. When she is summoned by the police after one of her patients holds his wife hostage at gunpoint, she is able to intervene and dissuade him. Lana becomes a media sensation. But as her star rises, the target on her back grows larger.
How much can a person bear before breaking?
Not everyone is impressed by Lana's achievements. In fact, someone is after her. And to get to her, they are targeting what matters most to her: her patients. One by one, Lana's patients begin to spiral out of control after the receipt of unsettling "gifts." An embezzler and his wife receive "dirty money," bills soaked in rancid oil; a cuckold receives an audio file of his wife with her lover; a young woman receives a jar of formaldehyde that reminds her of a dreadful mistake from her past. Then Lana herself is the target of a home invasion, and when the perpetrators flee, they leave behind a message: I'm watching you.
Aided by Cal Murray, the ambitious and charismatic investigative journalist with whom she has an explosive attraction, Lana discovers that someone has it in for her. Someone with access to her patient records. Someone who wants to end her stellar reputation, her newfound success, and even, perhaps, her life.
What is the cost of carrying not only your own pain and grief, but that of so many others?
Dr. Lana Landers is good at her job. She's an accomplished marriage and family therapist, dedicated and compassionate. When she is summoned by the police after one of her patients holds his wife hostage at gunpoint, she is able to intervene and dissuade him. Lana becomes a media sensation. But as her star rises, the target on her back grows larger.
How much can a person bear before breaking?
Not everyone is impressed by Lana's achievements. In fact, someone is after her. And to get to her, they are targeting what matters most to her: her patients. One by one, Lana's patients begin to spiral out of control after the receipt of unsettling "gifts." An embezzler and his wife receive "dirty money," bills soaked in rancid oil; a cuckold receives an audio file of his wife with her lover; a young woman receives a jar of formaldehyde that reminds her of a dreadful mistake from her past. Then Lana herself is the target of a home invasion, and when the perpetrators flee, they leave behind a message: I'm watching you.
Aided by Cal Murray, the ambitious and charismatic investigative journalist with whom she has an explosive attraction, Lana discovers that someone has it in for her. Someone with access to her patient records. Someone who wants to end her stellar reputation, her newfound success, and even, perhaps, her life.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2022
53 people are currently reading
10561 people want to read
About the author
Nina Sadowsky
6 books339 followersNina R. Sadowsky's eclectic career has spanned work as an entertainment lawyer, a producer, a film executive, a screenwriter, a director and a film professor. She has written numerous original screenplays and adaptations and done rewrites for such companies as The Walt Disney Company, Working Title Films, and Lifetime Television.
She is currently serving as adjunct faculty at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts program, teaching both script development and producing. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Syracuse University's Semester in L.A. and has been a frequent guest lecturer at Columbia College Chicago's semester in L.A. program. Sadowsky is also proud to be serving as a mentor for the Humanitas Prize's New Voices initiative. She is also excited to be newly accepted into International Thriller Writers, Inc.
She is recently married to businessman Gary Hakman, with whom she shares two children and two stepchildren, living proof that a second marriage is a trumph of optimism over experience.
She is currently serving as adjunct faculty at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts program, teaching both script development and producing. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Syracuse University's Semester in L.A. and has been a frequent guest lecturer at Columbia College Chicago's semester in L.A. program. Sadowsky is also proud to be serving as a mentor for the Humanitas Prize's New Voices initiative. She is also excited to be newly accepted into International Thriller Writers, Inc.
She is recently married to businessman Gary Hakman, with whom she shares two children and two stepchildren, living proof that a second marriage is a trumph of optimism over experience.
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June 14, 2022
Privacy by Nina Sadowsky
Dr. Lana Landers is a successful therapist and her business is about to grow with the opening of another facility. When one of her marriage therapy patients hold a gun to his wife's head and threatens to kill her, Lana approaches the armed man and talks him down from shooting anyone, despite the gun being aimed at her. Now she is a media sensation.
One of the reasons is that investigative journalist, Cal Murray, who has his eyes on a top network anchor job someday, is on the scene with a cameraman, when Lana works her magic with the gunman. Now, he wants Lana's story, her background and her life, everything about her, could be the big step to the top. Is his infatuation with her true attraction or is it a way to fame for him? Lana is infatuated with Cal, too, something she usually doesn't allow to happen.
There is trouble though. Lana's patients are being threatened by someone who knows their most damaging and private secrets. Grotesque "gifts" are left that relate to her patients' secrets and now Lana may be losing all the progress she has made with each patient. Can she really have a relationship with Cal when she knows she is his biggest story, yet? Lana's work partner wants Cal gone as Lana's work world may be falling apart. Several of her patients are acting out in the most violent of ways, after receiving their "gifts". How did Lana not see that violence coming? This wasn't a story where I liked anyone in it but trying to figure out the anonymous gift giver was very interesting. How many people is the gift giver planning to take down?
Published June 14th 2022
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for this ARC.
Dr. Lana Landers is a successful therapist and her business is about to grow with the opening of another facility. When one of her marriage therapy patients hold a gun to his wife's head and threatens to kill her, Lana approaches the armed man and talks him down from shooting anyone, despite the gun being aimed at her. Now she is a media sensation.
One of the reasons is that investigative journalist, Cal Murray, who has his eyes on a top network anchor job someday, is on the scene with a cameraman, when Lana works her magic with the gunman. Now, he wants Lana's story, her background and her life, everything about her, could be the big step to the top. Is his infatuation with her true attraction or is it a way to fame for him? Lana is infatuated with Cal, too, something she usually doesn't allow to happen.
There is trouble though. Lana's patients are being threatened by someone who knows their most damaging and private secrets. Grotesque "gifts" are left that relate to her patients' secrets and now Lana may be losing all the progress she has made with each patient. Can she really have a relationship with Cal when she knows she is his biggest story, yet? Lana's work partner wants Cal gone as Lana's work world may be falling apart. Several of her patients are acting out in the most violent of ways, after receiving their "gifts". How did Lana not see that violence coming? This wasn't a story where I liked anyone in it but trying to figure out the anonymous gift giver was very interesting. How many people is the gift giver planning to take down?
Published June 14th 2022
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 28, 2022
Wow! This is truly intense, gripping and absolutely surprising psychological thriller meets romantic suspense!
It’s a like exciting movie binge watch session to devour this entire execution. Thanks to author’s screenwriting experience, I was more intrigued as a film maker and read each chapters as they were scenes from a successful and unputdownable movie script.
Final twist was hard blow! I never see it coming! I still bang my head against the wall and keep telling myself “stupid, how can you see that obvious thing?”
The execution of mystery was slow burn but it still kept my attention intact. I’m drawn into Lania Landers even though her name reminds us of villanelle in DC Comics. She was a enigmatic character from the beginning who always puts her patients first. A secretive, a little fragile psychiatrist truly cares the patients’ well beings she works.
But an urgent call she gets from her famous politician patient putting gun to his wife’s head makes her alert. She’s bold enough to go to her client’s house to negotiate with him even though he threatens her to kill her! And luckily she manages to stop him! In the meantime hotshot reporter Cal Murray arrives to the crime scene to get more juicy details from bold psychiatrist who saved the day.
Cal Murray gets wooed by the beauty and vulnerability of Lania. And Lania who still nurses the wounds of her traumatic and secretive past slowly learns to trust her by accepting making an interview despite the hesitations of her longtime partner Harley Weida.
But there’s peeping Tom/ Joe Goldberg out there, spying on her clients, sending them special gifts triggering their worst secrets’ coming out with “ I’m watching you” notes plastered on them!
Who targets Lanie’s clients and what’s her/ his motivation? Could be someone really close to her forming a secret revenge plan? But why?
Nothing as it seems in this book so I advise you give it your full attention not to get fooled like me!
I hope o didn’t give much away! Please enjoy your read responsibly:)
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
It’s a like exciting movie binge watch session to devour this entire execution. Thanks to author’s screenwriting experience, I was more intrigued as a film maker and read each chapters as they were scenes from a successful and unputdownable movie script.
Final twist was hard blow! I never see it coming! I still bang my head against the wall and keep telling myself “stupid, how can you see that obvious thing?”
The execution of mystery was slow burn but it still kept my attention intact. I’m drawn into Lania Landers even though her name reminds us of villanelle in DC Comics. She was a enigmatic character from the beginning who always puts her patients first. A secretive, a little fragile psychiatrist truly cares the patients’ well beings she works.
But an urgent call she gets from her famous politician patient putting gun to his wife’s head makes her alert. She’s bold enough to go to her client’s house to negotiate with him even though he threatens her to kill her! And luckily she manages to stop him! In the meantime hotshot reporter Cal Murray arrives to the crime scene to get more juicy details from bold psychiatrist who saved the day.
Cal Murray gets wooed by the beauty and vulnerability of Lania. And Lania who still nurses the wounds of her traumatic and secretive past slowly learns to trust her by accepting making an interview despite the hesitations of her longtime partner Harley Weida.
But there’s peeping Tom/ Joe Goldberg out there, spying on her clients, sending them special gifts triggering their worst secrets’ coming out with “ I’m watching you” notes plastered on them!
Who targets Lanie’s clients and what’s her/ his motivation? Could be someone really close to her forming a secret revenge plan? But why?
Nothing as it seems in this book so I advise you give it your full attention not to get fooled like me!
I hope o didn’t give much away! Please enjoy your read responsibly:)
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
June 17, 2022
WATCHING
Someone is watching all of Dr. Laina Landers therapy patients…but why?
WATCHING YOU
TWO powerful words, written in heavy block print on a postcard attached to gifts being delivered to the front doors of Dr. Lander’s patients, letting the recipients know that the things they shared with the presumption of privacy, are no longer secret.
PRIVACY is the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people-a basic human right that we seem to be losing in today’s world.
But, are the patients the target or is the WATCHER trying to discredit the Doctor?
After one of Dr. Landers patients called her, while holding his wife hostage at gunpoint-and she talked him down-Laina became a media darling-attracting the attention of a new reporter in town, Cal Murray-a guy with a nose for a good story.
And, an attraction for the good Doctor.
It would appear that Dr. Landers is an accomplished therapist with a strong track record-until all of the patients she has supposedly helped, start ending up on the news-AS THE NEWS!
Cal innately doesn’t like or trust coincidences, and there are too many mounting up to ignore. He believes in the power of truth, and he is determined to figure out what that truth is.
EVEN IF IT HURTS
But what should prevail? Truth or Privacy?
How much pain can any of us carry before we break?
The book opens with the WATCHER and a therapy session, quickly grabbing my attention and not letting go!
Although I don’t usually enjoy romance mixed in with my psychological thrillers, it mostly works here, as the therapist and reporter become distracted with each other, possibly missing some disturbing clues……
This is my second book written by author Nina Sadowsky-an accomplished screenwriter and film director. I discovered her work last year, when I read and enjoyed “Convince Me” a book that didn’t garner much attention on Goodreads and I was thrilled to be invited to read an early copy of this. It didn’t disappoint!
Don’t read the book synopsis! It says too much!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Convince Me:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank You to Ballentine books for the gifted ARC! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
Someone is watching all of Dr. Laina Landers therapy patients…but why?
WATCHING YOU
TWO powerful words, written in heavy block print on a postcard attached to gifts being delivered to the front doors of Dr. Lander’s patients, letting the recipients know that the things they shared with the presumption of privacy, are no longer secret.
PRIVACY is the state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people-a basic human right that we seem to be losing in today’s world.
But, are the patients the target or is the WATCHER trying to discredit the Doctor?
After one of Dr. Landers patients called her, while holding his wife hostage at gunpoint-and she talked him down-Laina became a media darling-attracting the attention of a new reporter in town, Cal Murray-a guy with a nose for a good story.
And, an attraction for the good Doctor.
It would appear that Dr. Landers is an accomplished therapist with a strong track record-until all of the patients she has supposedly helped, start ending up on the news-AS THE NEWS!
Cal innately doesn’t like or trust coincidences, and there are too many mounting up to ignore. He believes in the power of truth, and he is determined to figure out what that truth is.
EVEN IF IT HURTS
But what should prevail? Truth or Privacy?
How much pain can any of us carry before we break?
The book opens with the WATCHER and a therapy session, quickly grabbing my attention and not letting go!
Although I don’t usually enjoy romance mixed in with my psychological thrillers, it mostly works here, as the therapist and reporter become distracted with each other, possibly missing some disturbing clues……
This is my second book written by author Nina Sadowsky-an accomplished screenwriter and film director. I discovered her work last year, when I read and enjoyed “Convince Me” a book that didn’t garner much attention on Goodreads and I was thrilled to be invited to read an early copy of this. It didn’t disappoint!
Don’t read the book synopsis! It says too much!
AVAILABLE NOW!
Convince Me:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank You to Ballentine books for the gifted ARC! It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
June 29, 2022
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine, and Nina Sadowsky for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 6.14!!**
"Privacy is like sleep - something you don't appreciate until you have to go without it."-Helen McCloy
Nina Sadowsky explores the ins and outs of what it means to have it and to unwillingly or WILLINGLY be without it in her latest thriller, a quick and thought-provoking suspense novel meant to keep you guessing...about just how much privacy we have...and how much it takes just to stay alive!
Dr. Laina Landers runs the Better Help clinic, along with partner Harley, and she has fully embraced her calling. As a therapist, she naturally hears everything from the mundane to the salacious...and things at the clinic are on the up-and-up until one client loses his cool....and is found holding his wife at gunpoint. Laina is summoned to the scene to talk him down, but it is here she catches the eye of Cal, a journalist who is intrigued by Laina, in more ways than one. (wink wink)
Though she's able to diffuse this particular situation, once Laina's face is splashed all over TV, her journey into the public eye brings forth a series of odd events. Laina's patients begin receiving gifts...but hold the thank yous, because these gifts are of the blackmailing sort---and all indicate that the giver knows EXACTLY what's going on in Laina's sessions. Has Cal and Laina's romance not only clouded her judgment, but kept her just distracted enough to let an interloper in...to destroy her credibility, her work, and even her life?
I've been a Sadowsky fan ever since Just Fall, and this was another solid thriller. It's set up in a three narrator structure, where we bounce back and forth between leads Laina and Cal, but there is also a third mystery narrator, whose chapters are simply titled "WATCHING" and peek behind the curtain at this individual's voyeuristic tendencies. Nothing too complicated here in terms of plot and structure, and this one also starts with a bang, as the almost-crime happens near the beginning of the book. I didn't initially know about the romance angle, but luckily Sadowsky handles it well and it felt very realistic between these two characters.
This may also be the first book I've read since the era of COVID that MENTIONED COVID without making it the entire plot...apparently, that IS possible! There's certainly a plethora of issues to be discussed related to the pandemic, our human reaction to it, etc., but it was so nice to have characters that acknowledged the situation without it having to feel shoehorned into the plot somehow.
On a more disappointing note, much like Sadowsky's last book, I figured out the twist pretty early on...but in THIS case, I actually didn't mind at all! This was a fun ride and I was curious to see how things would play out in the end (and of course, there's always a tiny part of me that is wracked with self doubt in these situations too, so obviously second guessing myself comes with the territory.)
What also set this book apart from so many other mindless thrillers I've read lately (you know who you are) is that Sadowsky's last chapter is FANTASTIC and really gave me pause. She wrote this novel during the pandemic and the entire last bit of the book is essentially a springboard for you to think about what PRIVACY means in your own life, and what is truly left of it in our world today. This was unexpected, but gave the book a little extra oomph to set it apart from the pack and left me with something to chew on.
Fiction or non, drama or thriller, there's always room for you to take a piece of what you read away with you...and not only did this section inform some of her inspiration for writing, but helped to take a story-line that wasn't entirely new and make it feel fresh, relevant, and NECESSARY. You know...just the way PRIVACY should be! 😉
4 stars
"Privacy is like sleep - something you don't appreciate until you have to go without it."-Helen McCloy
Nina Sadowsky explores the ins and outs of what it means to have it and to unwillingly or WILLINGLY be without it in her latest thriller, a quick and thought-provoking suspense novel meant to keep you guessing...about just how much privacy we have...and how much it takes just to stay alive!
Dr. Laina Landers runs the Better Help clinic, along with partner Harley, and she has fully embraced her calling. As a therapist, she naturally hears everything from the mundane to the salacious...and things at the clinic are on the up-and-up until one client loses his cool....and is found holding his wife at gunpoint. Laina is summoned to the scene to talk him down, but it is here she catches the eye of Cal, a journalist who is intrigued by Laina, in more ways than one. (wink wink)
Though she's able to diffuse this particular situation, once Laina's face is splashed all over TV, her journey into the public eye brings forth a series of odd events. Laina's patients begin receiving gifts...but hold the thank yous, because these gifts are of the blackmailing sort---and all indicate that the giver knows EXACTLY what's going on in Laina's sessions. Has Cal and Laina's romance not only clouded her judgment, but kept her just distracted enough to let an interloper in...to destroy her credibility, her work, and even her life?
I've been a Sadowsky fan ever since Just Fall, and this was another solid thriller. It's set up in a three narrator structure, where we bounce back and forth between leads Laina and Cal, but there is also a third mystery narrator, whose chapters are simply titled "WATCHING" and peek behind the curtain at this individual's voyeuristic tendencies. Nothing too complicated here in terms of plot and structure, and this one also starts with a bang, as the almost-crime happens near the beginning of the book. I didn't initially know about the romance angle, but luckily Sadowsky handles it well and it felt very realistic between these two characters.
This may also be the first book I've read since the era of COVID that MENTIONED COVID without making it the entire plot...apparently, that IS possible! There's certainly a plethora of issues to be discussed related to the pandemic, our human reaction to it, etc., but it was so nice to have characters that acknowledged the situation without it having to feel shoehorned into the plot somehow.
On a more disappointing note, much like Sadowsky's last book, I figured out the twist pretty early on...but in THIS case, I actually didn't mind at all! This was a fun ride and I was curious to see how things would play out in the end (and of course, there's always a tiny part of me that is wracked with self doubt in these situations too, so obviously second guessing myself comes with the territory.)
What also set this book apart from so many other mindless thrillers I've read lately (you know who you are) is that Sadowsky's last chapter is FANTASTIC and really gave me pause. She wrote this novel during the pandemic and the entire last bit of the book is essentially a springboard for you to think about what PRIVACY means in your own life, and what is truly left of it in our world today. This was unexpected, but gave the book a little extra oomph to set it apart from the pack and left me with something to chew on.
Fiction or non, drama or thriller, there's always room for you to take a piece of what you read away with you...and not only did this section inform some of her inspiration for writing, but helped to take a story-line that wasn't entirely new and make it feel fresh, relevant, and NECESSARY. You know...just the way PRIVACY should be! 😉
4 stars
May 28, 2022
“Liberation through truth, right?”
Dr. Laina Landers is an accomplished marriage and family therapist, who helped found the Better Life Clinic with her partner Harley. She is doing her best to help treat clients when it becomes clear that they are victims in someone’s effort to destroy her career. Someone is delivering cryptic messages that say “Watching You.” Bombshell secrets are revealed in her patients’ lives, causing great interest in the media. When Cal Murray, a Black investigative reporter takes interest in the case, she not only finds herself attracted to him, but a victim of the watcher as well.
Will Cal crack the case before it’s too late?
This book was written and inspired by the pandemic, as mentioned in the author’s acknowledgments. It deals with themes of Black stereotypes, racial inequality, racial profiling, and racism.
Note: This is not an escapist fiction thriller.
This plot seemed like one that I would enjoy. However, I found myself skimming through most of the pages. While the author casts doubts on many suspects and provides several red herrings, I easily predicted the person behind this scheme. Also, the romantic connection between the two main characters is very OTT.
However, if you enjoy slow burn thrillers, the reveal is saved until the very end!
This book might appeal to those who enjoyed All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris.
Expected publication date: 6/14/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for the ARC of Privacy by Nina Sadowsky in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
Dr. Laina Landers is an accomplished marriage and family therapist, who helped found the Better Life Clinic with her partner Harley. She is doing her best to help treat clients when it becomes clear that they are victims in someone’s effort to destroy her career. Someone is delivering cryptic messages that say “Watching You.” Bombshell secrets are revealed in her patients’ lives, causing great interest in the media. When Cal Murray, a Black investigative reporter takes interest in the case, she not only finds herself attracted to him, but a victim of the watcher as well.
Will Cal crack the case before it’s too late?
This book was written and inspired by the pandemic, as mentioned in the author’s acknowledgments. It deals with themes of Black stereotypes, racial inequality, racial profiling, and racism.
Note: This is not an escapist fiction thriller.
This plot seemed like one that I would enjoy. However, I found myself skimming through most of the pages. While the author casts doubts on many suspects and provides several red herrings, I easily predicted the person behind this scheme. Also, the romantic connection between the two main characters is very OTT.
However, if you enjoy slow burn thrillers, the reveal is saved until the very end!
This book might appeal to those who enjoyed All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris.
Expected publication date: 6/14/22
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballantine for the ARC of Privacy by Nina Sadowsky in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/5 stars rounded up
July 16, 2022
Dr. Laina Landers… 👩🏻⚕️yes that is her name…prides herself on her compassion and her discretion with her patients… but that is all blown to you know where 🤯when she is caught on live television… negotiating a hostage situation..😮… then… things got… creepy…😬😏
After getting this unwanted attention.. Laina and her patients start to get weird… gifts 🎁.. indicating.. someone is watching them. Eww so creepy!! Why?? How does this person know who her patients are?? Sooo many questions… sooo many suspects…🤔
I personally felt a connection with this book.. not because I am a creepy stalker..😂… but because it takes place in San Diego 🌴 and I have been to alot of the referenced places… which just adds to the story. ❤️I also really enjoyed the creepy stalker POV chapters…just because you know… my thriller loving heart🖤 loves that kind of stuff…🤷♀️
Then there was Cal… probably my favorite character…charming journalist that seems a bit infatuated with the good doctor… 🤫
Who is watching Laina and her clients? I had it all figured out… until I didn’t! The final twist was jaw dropping..🤯😮🤭
Thank you Suzy Approved Tours and Bantam Books for my gifted copy!
After getting this unwanted attention.. Laina and her patients start to get weird… gifts 🎁.. indicating.. someone is watching them. Eww so creepy!! Why?? How does this person know who her patients are?? Sooo many questions… sooo many suspects…🤔
I personally felt a connection with this book.. not because I am a creepy stalker..😂… but because it takes place in San Diego 🌴 and I have been to alot of the referenced places… which just adds to the story. ❤️I also really enjoyed the creepy stalker POV chapters…just because you know… my thriller loving heart🖤 loves that kind of stuff…🤷♀️
Then there was Cal… probably my favorite character…charming journalist that seems a bit infatuated with the good doctor… 🤫
Who is watching Laina and her clients? I had it all figured out… until I didn’t! The final twist was jaw dropping..🤯😮🤭
Thank you Suzy Approved Tours and Bantam Books for my gifted copy!
February 22, 2022
I don’t know how I feel about the book. For the most part it was just ok and I pretty much figured out the twist fairly early. However I did like how it unfolded at the end.
Dr. Laina Landers is a marriage and family therapist dedicated to helping her patients. After one of them holds his wife hostage, she is immediately present at the scene. She is able to successfully deescalate the situation. The incident propels her to stardom however, not everyone is a fan of the doctor.
Someone is watching, waiting. The best way to get to the doctor is to go through her patients, and that’s just what this person sets out to do. One after the next Laina’s patients begin to receive odd gifts and Laina is the victim of a burglary. The criminal leaves a message behind to all his victims; I’m watching you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Dr. Laina Landers is a marriage and family therapist dedicated to helping her patients. After one of them holds his wife hostage, she is immediately present at the scene. She is able to successfully deescalate the situation. The incident propels her to stardom however, not everyone is a fan of the doctor.
Someone is watching, waiting. The best way to get to the doctor is to go through her patients, and that’s just what this person sets out to do. One after the next Laina’s patients begin to receive odd gifts and Laina is the victim of a burglary. The criminal leaves a message behind to all his victims; I’m watching you.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2022
About the book: “You never know who’s watching. . . .
A successful therapist’s world is upended when her patients are targeted by a campaign of twisted psychological harassment in this propulsive novel from the author of Convince Me.”
I’ve been wanting to try a book by this author, and Privacy was a great place to start. It’s the story of Dr. Laina Landers, a skilled therapist. A patient of hers calls in distress when her husband has her held hostage. Laina is able to convince him to let her go. As a result, Laina gains media attention and fame.
The attention isn’t all positive, and someone begins targeting her patients as a way to get to her. Eventually, her home is broken into. With that, she has to take action with the help of Cal, a journalist, to figure out who is after her. Who is watching her and trying to destroy her career and her patient’s lives, putting her best analytical tools to the test.
I found Privacy to be compelling and a true psychological thriller, which I’m always looking for. There’s also a romance at the center as well. It’s a slim 272 pages that packs a wallop. I definitely plan to read more by the author because I love her style. Convince Me is on my TBR!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
A successful therapist’s world is upended when her patients are targeted by a campaign of twisted psychological harassment in this propulsive novel from the author of Convince Me.”
I’ve been wanting to try a book by this author, and Privacy was a great place to start. It’s the story of Dr. Laina Landers, a skilled therapist. A patient of hers calls in distress when her husband has her held hostage. Laina is able to convince him to let her go. As a result, Laina gains media attention and fame.
The attention isn’t all positive, and someone begins targeting her patients as a way to get to her. Eventually, her home is broken into. With that, she has to take action with the help of Cal, a journalist, to figure out who is after her. Who is watching her and trying to destroy her career and her patient’s lives, putting her best analytical tools to the test.
I found Privacy to be compelling and a true psychological thriller, which I’m always looking for. There’s also a romance at the center as well. It’s a slim 272 pages that packs a wallop. I definitely plan to read more by the author because I love her style. Convince Me is on my TBR!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
March 9, 2022
This starts off with a bang. Our first chapter is entitled "Watching". We don't know who the Watcher is or who they are watching but it definitely sets an ominous tone to start the book.. Our attention is then turned to psychologist, Dr. Landers, part owner of her own practice called Better Life. She receives a call to the home of a current patient in crisis.. As the crisis unfolds we are then introduced to Cal, a journalist for a major broadcasting station who is at the scene reporting. The chapters flip between Dr. Landers and Cal and their interactions, with some lovely stalker commentary from the Watcher thrown in for a bit of fun.
What I really found fun about this book was trying to determine who the Watcher was watching, its never quite evident but you could definitely try and put the pieces together. I also thought sitting in on the patient sessions was nicely thrown in to get an understanding of what each one was going through. It was hard to try and remember them all but that may just be me and a bad memory. I did have to test myself a few times to see if I could remember.
Now for what I wasn't a fan of: The ending, not because it was bad but because of who was revealed to be the Watcher. It didn't seem to work BUT the "why" did work so to me it averaged itself out..
This was a super fast read and certainly held my attention. The "wow" factor wasn't there but I did enjoy it. The writing was easy to read and each chapter had a bit of a cliff hanger that made me wanting more..
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
What I really found fun about this book was trying to determine who the Watcher was watching, its never quite evident but you could definitely try and put the pieces together. I also thought sitting in on the patient sessions was nicely thrown in to get an understanding of what each one was going through. It was hard to try and remember them all but that may just be me and a bad memory. I did have to test myself a few times to see if I could remember.
Now for what I wasn't a fan of: The ending, not because it was bad but because of who was revealed to be the Watcher. It didn't seem to work BUT the "why" did work so to me it averaged itself out..
This was a super fast read and certainly held my attention. The "wow" factor wasn't there but I did enjoy it. The writing was easy to read and each chapter had a bit of a cliff hanger that made me wanting more..
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House - Ballantine for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
June 11, 2022
Privacy, a June 2022 thriller written by Nina Sadowsky, made it to my TBR list because it had been listed as a hot new release for this summer and the cover had caught my attention. A therapist successfully helps several troubled clients and becomes semi-famous for saving one's life. Soon after a reporter publishes a feature on her, the woman's world begins to spiral into chaos. Secrets about her patients become public, and her own past comes to light. Who is seeking revenge on her?
This was a well-written book, filled with intriguing scenes and curious characters. The plot captures your attention, but there's much disbelief to suspend if you want to enjoy it without analyzing all the potential holes. I don't mind those tactics in a book as long as they come together in a solid ending. Here, the finale was good enough but left several open holes. I wonder whether there's intentional room for a sequel. It's clear who was after the psychiatrist, but the culprit is technically not caught
In terms of writing style, there are alternating chapters where the troublemaker is doing their best to target each victim, and it keeps the suspense percolating, but the confrontation scene was a letdown. Anti-climactic in many ways. All that said, I would definitely read more by the author. She's strong at scene-building and plot-creating, two skills I look for in a thriller writer as a priority.
This was a well-written book, filled with intriguing scenes and curious characters. The plot captures your attention, but there's much disbelief to suspend if you want to enjoy it without analyzing all the potential holes. I don't mind those tactics in a book as long as they come together in a solid ending. Here, the finale was good enough but left several open holes. I wonder whether there's intentional room for a sequel. It's clear who was after the psychiatrist, but the culprit is technically not caught
In terms of writing style, there are alternating chapters where the troublemaker is doing their best to target each victim, and it keeps the suspense percolating, but the confrontation scene was a letdown. Anti-climactic in many ways. All that said, I would definitely read more by the author. She's strong at scene-building and plot-creating, two skills I look for in a thriller writer as a priority.
February 21, 2022
An interesting take on what “privacy” really means in the social media driven, camera-filled world we currently live in.
The two main characters in this book are well-drawn. There is Laina, the main character, a therapist at the center of an explosive domestic violence event at the beginning of the novel. And then there is Cal, an investigative journalist looking into the story who of course eventually falls in love with Laina.
One thing to mention about this book is that it reads a little more like a romance and less like a thriller than some of Sadowsky’s previous books. While I generally prefer the straightforward thrillers, in this case I enjoyed the more languid and character-driven way this one was written. But being a bit more of a romance, this book comes with more of the sex and more of the adverbs and adjectives that these books traditionally have. Luckily, it is skillfully done, so I still enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed the character of Cal, and it was fun to read a mystery investigated by a Black broadcast journalist rather than a white cop for a change. The plot flowed well and although I guessed the ending, I was very happy with the way it was executed. You know how sometimes you guess the ending and you get so worked up about it that any other ending would disappoint you? This was one of those times and I’m glad it followed so well from the clues.
All in all, though I liked Sadowsky’s previous novel Convince Me a bit better than this one, this was a very enjoyable read and I think its two very appealing main characters will land especially well with fans of the romantic suspense genre. 3.75 stars. I’ll definitely be reading Sadowsky’s next book, blurb unseen!
Thanks to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
The two main characters in this book are well-drawn. There is Laina, the main character, a therapist at the center of an explosive domestic violence event at the beginning of the novel. And then there is Cal, an investigative journalist looking into the story who of course eventually falls in love with Laina.
One thing to mention about this book is that it reads a little more like a romance and less like a thriller than some of Sadowsky’s previous books. While I generally prefer the straightforward thrillers, in this case I enjoyed the more languid and character-driven way this one was written. But being a bit more of a romance, this book comes with more of the sex and more of the adverbs and adjectives that these books traditionally have. Luckily, it is skillfully done, so I still enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed the character of Cal, and it was fun to read a mystery investigated by a Black broadcast journalist rather than a white cop for a change. The plot flowed well and although I guessed the ending, I was very happy with the way it was executed. You know how sometimes you guess the ending and you get so worked up about it that any other ending would disappoint you? This was one of those times and I’m glad it followed so well from the clues.
All in all, though I liked Sadowsky’s previous novel Convince Me a bit better than this one, this was a very enjoyable read and I think its two very appealing main characters will land especially well with fans of the romantic suspense genre. 3.75 stars. I’ll definitely be reading Sadowsky’s next book, blurb unseen!
Thanks to Random House, NetGalley and the author for the ARC!
July 5, 2022
Review to come
July 7, 2022
Thank you so much to Random House and Nina Sadowsky for my copy of Privacy. The book was about Dr. Lina Landers, a therapist who’s patients who are being targeted in efforts to hurt her. Lina is an accomplished marriage and family therapist who is called by the police when one of her patients holds his wife at gunpoint. Lina starts to become popular, but as she does, she is putting a target on her back. Someone is after her and is targeting her patients by sending them unsettling gifts that cause them to spiral. Someone has access to her patient records, and this is just the beginning.
Thoughts: This is a creepy and unsettling psychological thriller. I loved the therapist aspect and the way the book referenced real therapeutic techniques. I love the multiple narrators and felt it added a lot to the story, especially the mystery narrator. I also thought it was clever that the author did reference Covid without making this a Covid-centric book. There were also many important points made about racism, gender bias, social media, and privacy in a digital age.
I did find myself getting a bit bored, even though this book was relatively short. There were lots of people involved, but only one person that made sense, so the ending was extremely predictable which was disappointing. As a personal preference, I also dislike thrillers with a romance aspect, which this had too much of, but if you enjoy that you will love those parts of this book. Overall it was a pretty fun and basic thriller. 3-stars.
Thoughts: This is a creepy and unsettling psychological thriller. I loved the therapist aspect and the way the book referenced real therapeutic techniques. I love the multiple narrators and felt it added a lot to the story, especially the mystery narrator. I also thought it was clever that the author did reference Covid without making this a Covid-centric book. There were also many important points made about racism, gender bias, social media, and privacy in a digital age.
I did find myself getting a bit bored, even though this book was relatively short. There were lots of people involved, but only one person that made sense, so the ending was extremely predictable which was disappointing. As a personal preference, I also dislike thrillers with a romance aspect, which this had too much of, but if you enjoy that you will love those parts of this book. Overall it was a pretty fun and basic thriller. 3-stars.
September 18, 2022
“ People litter pieces of themselves everywhere, all the time, without so much as a glance backward.” Laina Landers is a therapist that puts her patients well being as her top priority. As tragedy starts to follow not only her patience, but Laina her self, danger seems to be lurking around every corner. “How much paced n can people bear before they break?” This thriller shows that eyes are always watching. One never knows what is being revealed behind closed doors. Who is the Watcher? What secrets will surface as lives are exposed? This is a fast paced thriller with a surprising ending that left me wanting more. Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for my copy.
April 5, 2022
Here’s my confession: I saw some reviews which took issue at all the racism talk in the book. Some of those reviews indicated that they were tired of politics being placed in what should be an entertaining book. And reading that, from the point of view of a POC reader/reviewer, I was ready to love the book.
Reader, I did not, in fact, love the book.
First: the plot itself (leaving aside racism for the moment) – it’s clunky.
I found the mysterious happenings just kind of odd and awkward. It’s not suspenseful and it’s clear from the beginning that there could only be a couple of suspects. Once you find out the why of it all, it just leaves you scratching your head. It’s…not a good reason for things. In addition, the sex scenes were purple cringe. I think there’s an award out there for bad sex scenes? This may qualify.
Now, the racism:
Where do I even start??? In the afterword, the author thanks someone for being so frank about race. I do not think this was a paid diversity/sensitivity reader, but if it is, the author needs to get their money back.
Our main character is racist. She’s shocked that her jungle fever love interest doesn’t love rap. After sleeping with him, she feels the need to point out that she is white and he’s Black and wants to know if she’s his first white woman. Holy. Freaking. Hell.
And as for Cal, he’s a Black man in racist world. I know this, because almost every character he meets (even ones who are background) are racist against him. And if they aren’t, he expects them to be. By the way, this has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLOT. It’s just 300 incidents of hey the whole world clearly doesn’t trust Black people. I mean, I think the author meant well? Like I don’t think she’s an out and out racist at all, but this is not the way! (By the way: If I, with my brown skin, go to the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, they are not going to be racist. They are going to give me a lovely room with a view.)
There’s a trans character in the book. I was pleased with this until I realized the whole point of having them in the book was HELLO WE HAVE DIVERSITY BECAUSE LAINA HAS A TRANS FRIEND. I mean it. That’s it. This character is wallpaper.
I did finish the book. I’ll admit that I was kind of reading to see how the author would next bring racism into a book that was not about racism and well, she certainly did it. The end of the book has the main character doing something so racist that I was just disgusted.
So, my apologies to the reviewers who hinted that this book descended to some weird political posturing. You were right.
*ARC via Publisher
Reader, I did not, in fact, love the book.
First: the plot itself (leaving aside racism for the moment) – it’s clunky.
I found the mysterious happenings just kind of odd and awkward. It’s not suspenseful and it’s clear from the beginning that there could only be a couple of suspects. Once you find out the why of it all, it just leaves you scratching your head. It’s…not a good reason for things. In addition, the sex scenes were purple cringe. I think there’s an award out there for bad sex scenes? This may qualify.
Now, the racism:
Where do I even start??? In the afterword, the author thanks someone for being so frank about race. I do not think this was a paid diversity/sensitivity reader, but if it is, the author needs to get their money back.
Our main character is racist. She’s shocked that her jungle fever love interest doesn’t love rap. After sleeping with him, she feels the need to point out that she is white and he’s Black and wants to know if she’s his first white woman. Holy. Freaking. Hell.
And as for Cal, he’s a Black man in racist world. I know this, because almost every character he meets (even ones who are background) are racist against him. And if they aren’t, he expects them to be. By the way, this has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLOT. It’s just 300 incidents of hey the whole world clearly doesn’t trust Black people. I mean, I think the author meant well? Like I don’t think she’s an out and out racist at all, but this is not the way! (By the way: If I, with my brown skin, go to the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, they are not going to be racist. They are going to give me a lovely room with a view.)
There’s a trans character in the book. I was pleased with this until I realized the whole point of having them in the book was HELLO WE HAVE DIVERSITY BECAUSE LAINA HAS A TRANS FRIEND. I mean it. That’s it. This character is wallpaper.
I did finish the book. I’ll admit that I was kind of reading to see how the author would next bring racism into a book that was not about racism and well, she certainly did it. The end of the book has the main character doing something so racist that I was just disgusted.
So, my apologies to the reviewers who hinted that this book descended to some weird political posturing. You were right.
*ARC via Publisher
March 13, 2022
This was a fast paced book that kept me guessing. It centers on Dr Laina Landers whose patients are getting targeted by some kind of “watcher”, causing her to question her competence as a therapist. Enter Cal, who is a journalist and potential love interest who likes Laina but will stop at nothing to get a good story.
The story was really fast paced and the author gave us lots of options as to who the villain could be. I had an inkling of how it was going to all turn out and thought it was far too “out there” to be true, but that’s how it ended up. It felt like a little bit of a stretch but I still enjoyed it because it was truly difficult to figure out who the villain was.
I could’ve done without the romance which is definitely not my thing. It wasn’t a huge part of the story so I could get behind it overall but at the end of the day I would prefer no side stories to distract from the primary topic.
Overall, fast paced story with a really good twist as long as you are ok with the romantic side story and a little suspension of disbelief. I’d definitely recommend it because I love a good twist and it kept me guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story was really fast paced and the author gave us lots of options as to who the villain could be. I had an inkling of how it was going to all turn out and thought it was far too “out there” to be true, but that’s how it ended up. It felt like a little bit of a stretch but I still enjoyed it because it was truly difficult to figure out who the villain was.
I could’ve done without the romance which is definitely not my thing. It wasn’t a huge part of the story so I could get behind it overall but at the end of the day I would prefer no side stories to distract from the primary topic.
Overall, fast paced story with a really good twist as long as you are ok with the romantic side story and a little suspension of disbelief. I’d definitely recommend it because I love a good twist and it kept me guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2022
This book started with a bang that snagged me immediately. I was fully engrossed until the storyline strayed. It went from this intense mystery and drama with so much suspicion on so many characters to a domestic drama that focused too much on romance and day-today things, especially other patients that didn't have a role in the main plot. The ending, however, was stunning. I so did not see it coming and . . . WoW!
One thing that really put me off about this book and the writing was the racial comments. It needs to be toned down. Period.
One thing that really put me off about this book and the writing was the racial comments. It needs to be toned down. Period.
June 14, 2022
This was a pretty average thriller for me. I guessed the twist pretty early but the story was still interesting.
March 3, 2022
Dr. Laina Landers has a successful career as a marriage and family therapist. When one of her patients has a breakdown and holds his wife at gunpoint, the police call Laina in to diffuse the situation. After Laina is successful and disaster is adverted, she becomes a bit of a media sensation and placed right in the public eye. This seems to trigger someone to come after the good doctor. In fact, now they are coming after her patients one-by-one with very targeted harassment stunts. Will Dr. Landers be the next victim?
Nina Sadowsky has penned a perfectly written mystery that will keep you guessing! The storyline is very clever and original. I was playing detective throughout the story but I was ultimately wrong about the final twist. After reading this author’s bio and the fact that she has spent time working at Lifetime Television, I can see the connection in her writing and I am a fan!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
Nina Sadowsky has penned a perfectly written mystery that will keep you guessing! The storyline is very clever and original. I was playing detective throughout the story but I was ultimately wrong about the final twist. After reading this author’s bio and the fact that she has spent time working at Lifetime Television, I can see the connection in her writing and I am a fan!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
March 22, 2022
This gets points for being a pretty different thriller. For much of it I wasn't sure what it was going to do or where it was going to go, which isn't as common as you'd think. Sadly the ending was rather lackluster, too twisty for its own good.
A note that our protagonist, psychiatrist Dr. Laina Landers, does not have the most ethical boundaries about her practice pretty much from the start of the book. It made it hard for me to like her and have her at the center of a story. But that lack of boundaries is exactly what this book wants to dive into, especially as she keeps running into Cal Murray, a TV reporter shooting for stardom who also is willing to bend more than a few rules. Just rule bending right and left, basically every single character with a duty of care throws it out the window a few times. How this book works for you will likely depend on whether you find that interesting or not.
A note that our protagonist, psychiatrist Dr. Laina Landers, does not have the most ethical boundaries about her practice pretty much from the start of the book. It made it hard for me to like her and have her at the center of a story. But that lack of boundaries is exactly what this book wants to dive into, especially as she keeps running into Cal Murray, a TV reporter shooting for stardom who also is willing to bend more than a few rules. Just rule bending right and left, basically every single character with a duty of care throws it out the window a few times. How this book works for you will likely depend on whether you find that interesting or not.
October 20, 2022
Dr. Laina Landers is a well-respected, intelligent, gifted therapist who is kind and compassionate, and has won the trust of her many patients. Called to the scene by the distraught husband of a couple seeing her for marriage counseling, the budding politician is holding his wife at gunpoint. Dr. Landers is able to approach the man, gun pointed at her as well, and talk him away from the brink of disaster. He flings his wife into the arms of the doctor and allows himself to be taken into custody by the police, knowing his life is over. More than a little impressed by what he and his cameraman have witnessed, charming and upcoming journalist Cal Murray approaches Dr. Landers at the scene, and is promptly shut down. Working his magic, and with more than a few sparks flying between them, Dr. Landers agrees to an interview with her lawyer present to discuss mental health. When Cal throws in a question that has not been approved beforehand, Alaina’s attorney/friend Vanessa puts an immediate stop to the interview. Other upsetting things begin to happen to Alaina’s patients who begin to receive unwanted “gifts” which expose their deep-seated fears and past traumatic events. One patient’s whose secret shame as a Catholic who has had an abortion receives a fetus in a jar, another whose father is a suspected embezzler receives a hundred dollar bill soaked in putrid oil to indicate “dirty money,” still another receives a videotape of his wife’s secret affair. Each comes with a note that simply reads, ”Watching you.” Laina herself becomes the recipient of such a gift and note, left after a break-in to her home where nothing was taken. She recruits Cal to look into her patients while the two slowly become a couple, falling in love. It seems someone is targeting Laina’s patients to destroy her reputation and the practice she intends to expand, and possibly end the doctor’s life as well.
What a stunner of a book! Following along and feeling the horror for each of the gift recipients, the reader tries to figure out who could possibly have the motive, access, and knowledge to target each patient in such an intimate way. Who is “The Watcher?” What is this person capable of, and how far will he/she go to ruin the reputation of a practically perfect woman and doctor? The answer to this question is darker and more surprising than expected. The climax and reveal literally made my jaw drop open as I took one of the red herrings for the truth and thought I had figured out the perpetrator. It’s an exciting, taut, infinitely readable novel, and the pages turned quickly and easily for me as I devoured the book in its entirety in one sitting. It was a psychological thriller from the prologue to the addendum, and it is a horrifying thought that this type of situation (if not the specifics) might actually occur. I think all fans of (medical) psychological thrillers would thoroughly enjoy this book, and highly recommend it.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Nina Sadowsky, and Bantam Books/Random House for the ability to read and review this ARC.
What a stunner of a book! Following along and feeling the horror for each of the gift recipients, the reader tries to figure out who could possibly have the motive, access, and knowledge to target each patient in such an intimate way. Who is “The Watcher?” What is this person capable of, and how far will he/she go to ruin the reputation of a practically perfect woman and doctor? The answer to this question is darker and more surprising than expected. The climax and reveal literally made my jaw drop open as I took one of the red herrings for the truth and thought I had figured out the perpetrator. It’s an exciting, taut, infinitely readable novel, and the pages turned quickly and easily for me as I devoured the book in its entirety in one sitting. It was a psychological thriller from the prologue to the addendum, and it is a horrifying thought that this type of situation (if not the specifics) might actually occur. I think all fans of (medical) psychological thrillers would thoroughly enjoy this book, and highly recommend it.
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Nina Sadowsky, and Bantam Books/Random House for the ability to read and review this ARC.
May 28, 2022
Laina Landers is a therapist, and a good one at that. She usually does one-on-one sessions but she went out on a limb once for a couple and they were so pleased that they told a few people and word got around. Now Laina has a handful of couples she works with.
As she’s leaving work, she gets a really bad feeling. She thinks she’s sensing danger in the parking lot but she makes in to her vehicle and locks the door. Her intuition was right. There is trouble but it’s not in the parking garage right now.
Peter and Clare are in big trouble. They’re patients of hers. Peter is threatening to shoot Clare! Laina says she will be right over. She arrives there to tons of media but races over to help anyway.
That’s when we meet Cal, a black male reporter just biding his time in this conservative wasteland he calls San Diego, until he can make it to LA. We learn from him that Peter Hutchison is a Republican candidate for Congress because of course he is! As the standoff comes to a close because Laina diffuses the situation, Cal is desperate for a response either from police, Clare, neighbors or ideally Laina. He sees that she’s the real scoop here. He is forced instead to suffer the neighbors’ microaggressions to get a little morsel of info.
Laina brushed Cal off but once she gets home and finally has a good cry, she sees herself on the news. Cal showed her declining his request for comment. Now her phone is ringing off the hook. Why’d he have to go and do that?
As her profile grows, someone starts targeting her patients. Basically playing a game of Saw, sending them reminders of their problems. How do they even know? What do they want?
I’m going to be blunt and honest, I just didn’t care for this because I don’t like surprise political issues in my fiction. It’s distracting and annoying. We deal with too much in real life right now not to deserve an escape.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
As she’s leaving work, she gets a really bad feeling. She thinks she’s sensing danger in the parking lot but she makes in to her vehicle and locks the door. Her intuition was right. There is trouble but it’s not in the parking garage right now.
Peter and Clare are in big trouble. They’re patients of hers. Peter is threatening to shoot Clare! Laina says she will be right over. She arrives there to tons of media but races over to help anyway.
That’s when we meet Cal, a black male reporter just biding his time in this conservative wasteland he calls San Diego, until he can make it to LA. We learn from him that Peter Hutchison is a Republican candidate for Congress because of course he is! As the standoff comes to a close because Laina diffuses the situation, Cal is desperate for a response either from police, Clare, neighbors or ideally Laina. He sees that she’s the real scoop here. He is forced instead to suffer the neighbors’ microaggressions to get a little morsel of info.
Laina brushed Cal off but once she gets home and finally has a good cry, she sees herself on the news. Cal showed her declining his request for comment. Now her phone is ringing off the hook. Why’d he have to go and do that?
As her profile grows, someone starts targeting her patients. Basically playing a game of Saw, sending them reminders of their problems. How do they even know? What do they want?
I’m going to be blunt and honest, I just didn’t care for this because I don’t like surprise political issues in my fiction. It’s distracting and annoying. We deal with too much in real life right now not to deserve an escape.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
July 6, 2022
Privacy started out a little slow for me, but I was eventually caught up in the intrigue of trying to figure out who was behind the mysterious notes and targets toward therapist Laina Landers' clients. I kept changing my views on who did what, and why. Only at the very near end did I hazard the correct guess, but what a ride to get there!
It was interesting to read Laina's backstory as it slowly came out to her new love, Call Murray, the reporter assigned to interview her. Watching the cautious closeness enfold the two of them was sweet and exciting. What I didn't understand is why the author decided to give two characters the exact same name, the reporter and his friend, the cop. It was slightly confusing, and seemed pointless.
Overall, the book was full of intrigue and suspense, with a killer (pardon the pun), twisty ending that I didn't see coming.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine publishers or an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It was interesting to read Laina's backstory as it slowly came out to her new love, Call Murray, the reporter assigned to interview her. Watching the cautious closeness enfold the two of them was sweet and exciting. What I didn't understand is why the author decided to give two characters the exact same name, the reporter and his friend, the cop. It was slightly confusing, and seemed pointless.
Overall, the book was full of intrigue and suspense, with a killer (pardon the pun), twisty ending that I didn't see coming.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine publishers or an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 18, 2022
4.5 Stars rounded up!
I do love a thriller when it has a psychologist as it’s protagonist and this one did not disappoint. Someone is stalking and WATCHING Dr Lana Lander’s well known patients as they soon start showing up as criminals or associated with known criminals.
Cal Murray, journalist, is trying hard to find out who this stalker is and to protect Lana from any further harm as they are getting to close. Time is running out and he needs to solve this puzzle quickly; however, there is one piece he has missed.
With an unreliable narrator, a quick tempo, a ton of romantic suspense, murder, lies and mischief this is one of my favorite stalker thriller books I have read and you should check it out now!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbookstours, Bantam Pub and PRHA for the gifted copy of this sensational twisted suspense.
I do love a thriller when it has a psychologist as it’s protagonist and this one did not disappoint. Someone is stalking and WATCHING Dr Lana Lander’s well known patients as they soon start showing up as criminals or associated with known criminals.
Cal Murray, journalist, is trying hard to find out who this stalker is and to protect Lana from any further harm as they are getting to close. Time is running out and he needs to solve this puzzle quickly; however, there is one piece he has missed.
With an unreliable narrator, a quick tempo, a ton of romantic suspense, murder, lies and mischief this is one of my favorite stalker thriller books I have read and you should check it out now!
Thank you @suzyapprovedbookstours, Bantam Pub and PRHA for the gifted copy of this sensational twisted suspense.
April 4, 2022
A therapist and a reporter, both investigators of the truth come together to solve the mystery of what is happening to her patients. And then we have the watcher, the one who is manipulating behind the scenes. this book has an interesting take on trauma, privacy, love and ethics of modern life
January 31, 2022
Dr. Laina Landers is the sort of shrink anyone would want. She’s super smart, wonderfully compassionate, and completely devoted to her patients. So when the husband of a couple she is working with holds his wife hostage at gunpoint—an incident broadcast on live TV—Laina quickly gets to the scene.
She saves them both, while also meeting investigative journalist Cal Murray. Empathetic? Check. Handsome? Oh, yes. Reliable? Totally. Which comes in handy, as Laina really needs a friend/lover she can depend on as her patients are receiving deeply unsettling “presents,” like a plastic fetus in a bottle of fluid, each with the same message: Watching you. More disturbing, the gift giver is relying on knowledge about the patients that can only be found in Laina’s notes from her sessions. But who would want to destroy Laina and kill her practice in the process?
As Laina and Cal search for the possible culprit, the stakes get higher as the therapist herself is targeted. The I-didn’t-see-that-coming conclusion is guaranteed to make your head explode.—Brian Kenney, First Clue
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She saves them both, while also meeting investigative journalist Cal Murray. Empathetic? Check. Handsome? Oh, yes. Reliable? Totally. Which comes in handy, as Laina really needs a friend/lover she can depend on as her patients are receiving deeply unsettling “presents,” like a plastic fetus in a bottle of fluid, each with the same message: Watching you. More disturbing, the gift giver is relying on knowledge about the patients that can only be found in Laina’s notes from her sessions. But who would want to destroy Laina and kill her practice in the process?
As Laina and Cal search for the possible culprit, the stakes get higher as the therapist herself is targeted. The I-didn’t-see-that-coming conclusion is guaranteed to make your head explode.—Brian Kenney, First Clue
For more reviews of crime fiction, subscribe to our weekly newsletter, First Clue: https://www.getrevue.co/profile/First...
February 17, 2022
Nina Sadowsky has written another thriller that I gobbled in less than 2 days. One does have to eat and other things! Fast paced, with a deep knowledge of psychology and trauma, Ms Sadowsky has a gift for twists and surprises that ranks with the best of this genre. I love when I can’t guess the outcome, and all too often it’s obvious. Not with Privacy — it’s deftly crafted and Ms Sadowsky’s background in the film industry translates so well to novel writing. This book would be wonderfully adaptable to a film or miniseries ! Very entertaining and skillfully executed (pun intended). Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC and opportunity to review!
October 28, 2022
Privacy is a chilling story about what happens when our personal information gets into the wrong hands.
Nina Sadowsky does a great job with this book. The therapist and her romantic interest—a journalist—are both likable and believable characters. I enjoyed their banter and evolving romance. the first half is a bit more suspense than thriller compared to Convince Me, but just as gripping.
There are exciting plot twists that I did not see coming. This is the kind of book you can get engrossed in and read in a few sittings. If you like Nina’s other work, you will definitely like this as well. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!
Nina Sadowsky does a great job with this book. The therapist and her romantic interest—a journalist—are both likable and believable characters. I enjoyed their banter and evolving romance. the first half is a bit more suspense than thriller compared to Convince Me, but just as gripping.
There are exciting plot twists that I did not see coming. This is the kind of book you can get engrossed in and read in a few sittings. If you like Nina’s other work, you will definitely like this as well. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!
June 22, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Privacy.
This was not good; the narrative and the characters left much to be desired.
This read as more of a cheesy romance and the plot was filled with your standard trope-y characters.
Laina Landers is hot, Cal Murray is hot, they have instant chemistry, they hook up and soon fall for each other.
The writing isn't good, nor is the character development.
There are some silly scenes, like when Cal approaches Laina's ex-lover and soon to be ex-business partner, Harley, and gets in the man's face, protecting Laina's honor or whatever you want to call it.
Despite the creepy stalker's perspective, I felt no urgency or suspense about the motives behind this individual, nor did I ever feel tense or scared about what was going to happen next.
I also guessed correctly who the identity of the stalker was.
It was obvious when you think about it.
Not that this book required much brainpower.
This was not good; the narrative and the characters left much to be desired.
This read as more of a cheesy romance and the plot was filled with your standard trope-y characters.
Laina Landers is hot, Cal Murray is hot, they have instant chemistry, they hook up and soon fall for each other.
The writing isn't good, nor is the character development.
There are some silly scenes, like when Cal approaches Laina's ex-lover and soon to be ex-business partner, Harley, and gets in the man's face, protecting Laina's honor or whatever you want to call it.
Despite the creepy stalker's perspective, I felt no urgency or suspense about the motives behind this individual, nor did I ever feel tense or scared about what was going to happen next.
I also guessed correctly who the identity of the stalker was.
It was obvious when you think about it.
Not that this book required much brainpower.
June 17, 2022
“How much grief and pain can any of us carry before we break”? That is the motivating drive behind our main character, Laina, who works as a therapist helping people resolve their sufferings. But someone is WATCHING and it is creepy and invasive and destructive. This is my first read with this author and I’m curious about her other books now. This book was a languorous page turner for me, kind of easy going but shocking events and cliff hanging chapters kept my interest. And of course, I was anxious to discover who “Watcher” turned out to be. The ending was an unexpected twist. I had my suspicions but really hoped I was wrong. And I’ll say no more to avoid spoiling anything but do check this one out, it’s available June 14, 2022. Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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