In THE AU PAIR, Teddy Wayne’s stunning novel of suspense, a struggling marriage sets in motion a series of tragic events. 
 
Acclaimed author Steven Hammer enjoyed great success with his first novel. But that was a long time ago. His second effort did not fare so well, and now his agent is having trouble selling the newest idea for his next book. The truth is that Steven has hit a wall. Try as he might, the words simply won’t come. Making matters worse, his wife, Lucy, is a business powerhouse. It certainly pays the bills, but it also plays havoc on his sense of self-worth. The best part of Steven’s life is his children. They truly seem to cherish him, and he absolutely treasures them. 

"The book reads like two trains on the same track racing headlong toward each other. A collision is inevitable, but no one does anything about it."

One day, Steven returns home after meeting with his agent and discovers their nanny dead from a heart attack. With Lucy so busy, it falls on him to find a replacement. And that’s where the trouble starts.
 
Steven posts with a highly respected au pair agency. After reading through a multitude of responses, he settles on a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Oslo. It’s hard to see how Astrid could be more qualified. Aside from her excellent education, she loves reading and writing, is fluent in English, enjoys quiet time, adores children, and is absolutely beautiful. That’s not all, though. There’s much more that Steven doesn’t know about. And a lot of it will come out later. During the trial.
 
With a capable nanny once again at home, Lucy feels comfortable spending more time at work. Steven tries to focus on his writing, but he soon finds that his writer’s block is allowing Astrid to distract him. So it doesn’t take long before temptation gets the best of him. Astrid not only flatters Steven by paying him the attention he’s been starved for, she also showers him with praise over his failed second novel. As one of its rare fans, she claims to really “get” what the book is about. 

Is this young woman consciously trying to destroy Steven's marriage, or is he falling prey to his imagination? Astrid is about half his age. What could a female possessing her incredible beauty possibly see in a washed-up has-been like him? She must have a hidden agenda. Steven simply can’t see what it might be. He foolishly allows himself to be led astray, unsure what he plans for his future but enjoying every day for what it is. He simply doesn’t care. Then one day, his future is decided for him. And suddenly he cares very much.
 
THE AU PAIR will keep readers furiously turning pages to find out what happens while also examining a relationship gone stale. A stalled dream and forbidden desire clash at the precise right time and lead to the downfall of more than one person. Could someone have foreseen what was coming? Could any of them have stopped it? The book reads like two trains on the same track racing headlong toward each other. A collision is inevitable, but no one does anything about it.