The Au Pair by Emma Rous

The Au Pair by Emma Rous
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seraphine Mayes and her twin brother Danny were born in the middle of summer at their family’s estate on the Norfolk coast. Within hours of their birth, their mother threw herself from the cliffs, the au pair fled, and the village thrilled with whispers of dark cloaks, changelings, and the aloof couple who drew a young nanny into their inner circle.

Now an adult, Seraphine mourns the recent death of her father. While going through his belongings, she uncovers a family photograph that raises dangerous questions. It was taken on the day the twins were born, and in the photo, their mother, surrounded by her husband and her young son, is beautifully dressed, smiling serenely, and holding just one baby.

Who is the child and what really happened that day?

One person knows the truth, if only Seraphine can find her.


After the death of her father, Seraphine comes across a photograph of her mother (from 25 years previously ) holding a baby. Her mother supposedly threw herself from the cliffs hours after she has given birth to twins Seraphine and Danny; the photo shows only one baby and her expression does not fit with someone mentally unstable enough to commit suicide.

Seraphine has always felt there was something wrong either she didn’t belong or there were things her and Danny didn’t know. Determined to find the truth she tracks down Laura the nanny who was present at their birth to give her answers.

Seraphine opens up long buried secrets that become deeper the further she digs.

It was a page turner novel but I felt the ending was hurried and not entirely satisfactory. It was also confusing in some parts to decipher who was who.

I enjoyed the read but felt the rushed ending and trying to sort out identities and family connections was confusing and at times frustrating. Because of this I can’t give it more than 3.5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending in exchange for an honest review.