It’s been twelve years since Nan screamed out her frustrations into that teddy bear nanny-cam, but she’s back in Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus’ sequel, Nanny Returns, publishing today. For fans of The Nanny Diaries, reading about Nan again makes it seem as if no time has passed at all.
In those twelve years, Nan and Ryan (“Harvard Hottie” turned husband) have lived abroad following his work assignments around the world. Now they’ve returned to New York City, bought a fixer-upper, and are in the midst of getting settled into this new chapter of their lives when two bombshells are dropped on Nan. First, Ryan is ready to start their own family, immediately. While she’s still reeling from the unexpected timing of that announcement, Nan is soon brought back into the world of the X’s after Grayer X, now sixteen, shows up on her doorstep late one night. Twelve years has changed the four year old she nannied into a sullen and troubled teenager who reaches out for help while simultaneously pushing her away. To top it all off, he’s got a younger brother who he’s trying to care for as his parents are as neglectful as always. Still battling her guilt from the abrupt ending of her role in Grayer’s life, Nan sees no other option than to try to help, which means getting pulled into the drama that engulfs the X family.
As I read this book, laying on my IKEA couch in my teeny tiny suburban Maryland townhouse, one question played on repeat in my head: Do people like this REALLY exist?? I can easily say that I was disgusted, time and time again, with the descriptions of the uber-rich in NYC, and that my simple life has more appeal than ever. While the antics of these monetarily rich, but value-impoverished people were horrendous, the story itself was entertaining, just like it’s predecessor. Witty dialogue and spot-on contemporary cultural references made me chuckle, even as I cringed at the mess Nan is soon trying to clean up. The novel read like a movie with the action playing out on the pages, and I could honestly see the characters’ expressions (even the tight botoxed foreheads) in my mind’s eye.
If you got swept up in Nan’s college adventures as Grayer X’s nanny in The Nanny Diaries, you’ll surely want to reconnect with her in her adulthood in Nanny Returns!
Dawn’s lives worlds away from the couture-clad, with the evidence of her informal life on display at her blog, my thoughts exactly.
I saw the movie but never read the book (gasp and horror)! I really did like the movie though and have wondered how closely it followed the book and whether or not I would want to read it. I hadn’t heard there was a sequel coming out though so thanks for the review!
Oh Dawn–you don’t even know! I’ve never told you probably, but I worked as a PA (personal assistant) to someone very very similar to this. It’s scary that it’s so real, and I too get sort of a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about it.
That said, this update sounds very interesting. I never read the first book (because I lived it — ha!), but did think that the movie was cute.
Great review, Dawn! I liked The Nanny Diaries so I would like to try this one too. Although I think I will have to re-read the first book again, as I have forgotten some of the story line. As always, I am intrigued with the books you select!
Finally a review that makes the book sound good.
Thanks Dawn, i have been looking on Amazon and everyone seems to be bashing this book.
I worked as a nanny in DC, right after college. There ARE people like this. The book was so real I swore the authors had been following me around. And this sequel is just as good, and sadly, even more accurate today.