I am beyond behind this year that I think I have crammed in six books in one day which I think is pretty impressive. While I am sure Netgalley would have liked to get my review on time when this book was set to release that is sadly not how my life worked out this year.

I apologize to the author and publisher because this book is absolutely stunning.

What a debut novel! It was such a disturbing read that I seriously couldn't put it down. As a compulsive thriller reader, I really appreciated the obsession and young family in this book. It was perfectly creepy, intimate, and entertaining, making it a sure 5-star read for me. The title character, Delta Dawn, is a taken family photographer in New York City. She is hired to turn pouts into smiles and turn tantrums into memories She loves her job and the job loves her, but then... she is hired to photograph an 11--year-old Natalie's birthday party. That is when she realizes that she wishes she could become part of this family. This is where her editing skills come in handy and she sets out to become part of the family. First by becoming the babysitter then by offering to do something much more personal praying on the need for another child by Natalie's mother. There is so much more I could say honestly but I think the best thing to say for this book is go read it. I will be waiting on more books by this author for sure I was impressed and obsessed in equal measure.

3.5 stars - I went into this book pretty blind. I have been a professional photographer for 14 years now, so obviously the title caught my eye! I'm glad a photographer (me) has read this book, as I've written down some corrections, some of them specifically photographer-related. I thought it might be helpful to get some feedback from a professional photographer AND an avid-reader :) Though, I will say in advance I am *nothing* like Delta, the photographer in this book though ;)

Here are the notes I wrote while reading this book:

8% - If the character is supposedly a professional photographer with a decade of experience, she wouldn't think of her camera as a "digital Canon EOS". She would just think of it as "her camera", but to give some detail to the reader, this should be replaced with Nikon D5, or the d850, but if Canon MUST be used (bleh) than it should be the Canon 5D Mark IV.

13% - So... this photographer is creepy. She has issues for sure. Hopefully we get more background info or history on why she's like this as the story moves forward. (I was very disappointed that by the end of the book we didn't get any history on her family, or her childhood, or just WHY she is the way she is.)

18% - These chapters are very long, and could easily be broken up into shorter chapters. Generally, I like 5-minute chapters, but these are like 30-minute chapters. (I did notice in the second half of the book, the chapters did get shorter, to about 10-minute chapters.). Also, a random thought: There should be a camera on the cover somewhere. And the girl on the current cover has a green eye, but in the story it says she has blue eyes. Small disconnect there.

19% - Why would the photographer bring a present to her client? That doesn't happen for regular clients, and if she's working for a friend, it should say that to explain the random client gift. Also, most professional photographers don't wear their cameras around their neck, as it causes neck strain over time.

22% - Clients would never look through the viewfinder of my camera, but I would show them images on the digital display that I had already taken. (The word "viewfinder" was used a few times mistakenly throughout the book, where it should say "digital display on the back of the camera".)

28% - It's still not exactly clear what Delta wants. A friendship with Amelia? To replace Amelia and be with Fritz? And why the obsession with this couple specifically? (By the end of the book, I assumed Delta wanted to just be part of a loving family, but it never explicitly says what her goal is, or what's driving her intentions.)

40% - Early on in the book, Delta says she never edits photos unless absolutely necessary. But then it constantly says how she's working on editing, how she spends her days editing, etc. That earlier line about "never editing" should probably be taken out. Also, photographers definitely spend more time editing than they do actually shooting!

42% - Wouldn't the first thing they do, be to call the airline to see if Amelia got on the flight? Then when they find out she didn't, go through her calendar?

65% - Okay, so why did Amelia ghost Delta for 2 weeks?? Just because she asked Lucia the name of the baby? This isn't very clear.

68% - Delta was there when Lucia came over to tell them in person! Of course she knew, why would Fritz ask if she had heard?

76% - Okay this isn't being explained. What is a "garden apartment"?? Like a basement apartment? I keep picturing it as a separate building in the backyard.

79% - Finally Ian called her on it... It was very obvious that Jasper wasn't her son from very early on. A very predictable "twist".

80% - I forgot to mention this earlier, I love that she has a cat, and how feisty Eliza is!! More cat scenes would be awesome. Especially one where Delta is trying to edit but the cat keeps walking in front of her monitor, or on her keyboard, because that happens to me ALL the time!! Delta needs to respect the cat more, and be nicer to her though :(

100% - Photographers always have backups of their photos somewhere, especially edits that they have worked hard on. Delta just deleting her images, I can't see that ever happening in real life, especially since she cherished them apparently enough to print and save copies. It should probably be mentioned somewhere that she backed them up in the cloud or on a backup device or backup server.

Overall, I feel like the story could be just SLIGHTLY darker to really push the envelope, in terms of Delta's manipulations etc. Also some history as to why she is the way she is, some info about her family, etc would have been wonderful. Overall though I really enjoyed the book - there are certainly not enough thrillers where the main character is a photographer who values photos and "freezing moments in time", and definitely not enough books where the photographer owns a cat! :D ( )

3.5 stars ( )

Delta is an unstable photographer who takes pictures for rich people's kid parties. She's an excellent photographer and is obsessed with socioeconomic status, photo shopping herself into her clients lives, and living in worlds that she created. It's hard to separate fact from fiction. She targets a family to immerse herself in and the game is on. Red flags galore and a kind of familiar plot with a used before ending. Okay book to pass the time but there are better ones with the same plot. ( )

This is the type of thriller that follows a seriously deranged, infatuated, obsessive, well respected female photographer to NYCs finest, without anyone suspecting a thing. It doesn’t have many shocking twists or turns, but how creepy is it to think that someone you hire, for such an intimate moment in your life such as the birth of your baby is a crazed sociopath?? It gives me pause the next time, I hire anyone to come around my kids thats for sure!! Eeek!!
It does start a little slow, but I definitely recommend you continue to read it!! ( )