The Waitress - K L Slater

 

Title: The Waitress
Author: K.L. Slater
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5★)

Synopsis
A waitress is drawn into a dangerous game when she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of a powerful man—only to uncover secrets that make her question everything, including her own safety.

---

My Thoughts

This book had a really interesting premise, which is what drew me in, but it ended up being a bit of a mixed experience.

First of all, I didn’t realize this was a re-release. And the title itself felt slightly misleading. The “waitress” aspect is only present in the beginning and then it quickly fades into the background. I was expecting more of that angle, maybe even some undercover or “spy-like” elements tied to it, but that wasn’t really explored.

That said, the the story is still intriguing.

After meeting Trent at a high-end event where our FMC was waitress-ing (like I said, this is the only time we get to see Alicia being a waitress), she is asked to pose as his girlfriend and gather information for him. From there, the story leans into secrets, manipulation, control and a series of twists as she starts to realize that nothing is quite what it seems.

I did enjoy the “double agent” vibes of the story. Watching her observe, question and slowly piece things together, especially when it comes to Trent’s ex, who is almost treated like a ghost; was one of the more engaging parts. It adds a layer of tension that keeps you reading.

However, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me.

Jen, the FMC’s sister, was a frustrating character. While I understand the complexity of abusive relationships, some of her decisions (especially those involving Alicia's child) were difficult to overlook. It’s one of those situations where readers may empathize with her circumstances but still struggle with her choices.

And then there’s Trent. He remains somewhat of an enigma, but not always in a satisfying way. I was left with quite a few unanswered questions, and it felt like certain aspects of his character and storyline could have been explored more deeply.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is an engaging thriller with a strong premise, interesting twists, and a compelling central mystery. However, it may not fully meet expectations for readers who are drawn in by the “waitress” concept or who prefer more fully developed character arcs.

A solid read, but one that didn’t completely deliver on its potential for me.

ARC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley and Bookouture, and this is my honest and voluntary review.