Rating: 🙂/3.75

Thoughts: This book is DARK with lots of trigger warnings. It was absolutely propulsive with characters you have strong negative feelings about. Has a Squid Games vibe and you need to suspend reality and just go for the ride. 

Format: 📖

Source: Currently Reading podcast

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Park Row in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***

I've enjoyed Heather Gudenkauf's writing in the past, so I was immediately intrigued when I was invited to join the blog tour for her newest title Everyone Is Watching. Then I read the blurb, and I knew I simply HAD to read it. I absolutely loved the sound of the reality TV angle and how things seemed to be a lot darker than just a bit of over the top drama you usually see on those shows... And I couldn't wait to dive in and discover just how far things would go. Spoiler alert: even further than you can imagine! I had an absolute blast reading this story.

Before I continue, I have to confess that Everyone Is Watching is not for everyone. You definitely have to be able to suspend your disbelief in able to enjoy this story... And I mean big time. The plot is both extremely over the top and lacks credibility, which I personally didn't mind at all with the entertainment level being through the roof and all. I was having too much fun to spend time wondering just how credible the situation would be, and how on earth the contestants wouldn't run away screaming after the first signs of just how twisted One Lucky Winner would be. I guess that they do have 10 million reasons not to do so, but still... If you think you can't look past this, I would suggest passing up on this story; if you are able to just go with the flow, you are in for one heck of a ride.

I'm keeping this review short, because I don't want to give away too much and spoil the plot twists and the clever way everything fits together in the end. A very well constructed plot indeed! Everyone Is Watching uses a multiple POV structure, where we switch between all five contestants, the assistant slash host of the show and multiple viewers (although those POVs are minor). There are also a couple flashback chapters to the past, revealing more information about what certain characters are hiding and how it relates to the present. This all sounds like a lot, but somehow it's quite easy to keep track of it all.

Most of the characters aren't exactly likeable, but in this case it didn't really matter as the main focus is on the reality show and everything that happens. And trust me, you will be too busy with every crazy twist and event the plot throws at you to crave a stronger character development... Just as you think the plot has reached its peak level of disturbing, yet another event is introduced that will bowl you over. Again, this plot is by no means credible, but it is SO deliciously twisted and exhilarating! The writing itself is once again engaging, and it is very easy to just keep turning those pages. Especially since I simply HAD to know how everything would end!

Everyone Is Watching is one of those books you either hate or love depending on how you react to over the top, high octane and seriously twisted rollercoaster rides. I personally had a blast with this story though, and I can imagine it would make a fantastic movie adapation! 

This book is wild.

I watch a lot of reality TV, so Heather Gudenkauf’s premise for Everyone is Watching definitely piqued my interest. Five contestants come together to an estate in California to compete for a $10 million prize. They all have their reasons for wanting the money, and the realization that they’ll do whatever it takes to be the winner.

Early on, it becomes very apparent that this isn’t your average reality TV premise and that these folks weren’t randomly selected. Each of these contestants has something to hide, some have connections to one another or folks behind the scenes, and the competitions within the show are deadly.

The chapters were focused on each contestant in the present, and for some, their past. There’s also chapters focused on some of the people watching the show (though I didn’t think many of these added to the story outside of the very first one). Knowing how heavily reality TV is produced, mixed with how elaborate many of the set-ups for the challenges were, the number of people who were on set/involved on the production side was a bit unbelievable. Fern was clearly very competent and resourceful, but her pivot to be the host (without any direction or coaching) really felt like a stretch. Initially I felt a lot of empathy for Fern and all that she faced, but as time went on she became complicit and deeply woven into the destructive events of the show.

That being said, the book was compelling and I kept reading furiously to find out how the story would come together and understand the why behind this complex and harrowing show. There was a lot of tension, twists & turns and unexpected moments. It definitely had that can’t look away quality of reality TV.

Content warnings: gun violence, mentions of sexual assault, stalking, child illness

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.