Meh. This was ok, but nothing to write home about. I read a lot of YA thrillers so I’m not expecting anything super great, but this was just so-so.

*Review will be published 7/12/24

This was a very... interesting book. It had its ups and downs. Mystery/thriller really takes on a new meaning in this book when the characters can't even trust their own memories. I remember asking myself what the heck was going on half the time, haha. It was very confusing at times trying to sort out all the details and figure out what was happening, but I was highly invested in seeing things through to get some answers. 

I didn't feel too attached to any of the characters. I think Tucker and Blythe might have been the only ones I was interested in. They had a bit of romantic angle to their relationship, but I didn't find myself caring too much about it. I think because the characters felt detached from the story I couldn't bring myself to care about their relationships. I was mostly just looking to figure out what was going on and learning about their backstories for the sake of filling in parts of the plot. 

The overall plot ended up being much more complicated than a simple mystery/thriller which was pretty fun, but I still wished the other parts of the book had been just as good. I'm a huge fan of Kelley Arstrong's work and I think this was a pretty ambitious story to tell. Although I enjoyed it, I'm not sure that it was executed as well as her other works. I'd still recommend it though if you're looking for a quick, interesting mystery/thriller!

Someone Is Always Watching was one of those books I couldn't manage to put down. I was interested from the very beginning, and just continued to get more and more intrigued the more the mystery unraveled! I loved the premise, and while I think some suspension of disbelief is necessary for this one, that's not a bad thing. I'm glad I picked this one up!

3.75/5

This one was def a little over the top at times 😅

I went into this book blind since I’m a huge fan of Kelley Armstrongs writing and books, she’s always been an automatic buy/read for me! For a YA thriller it definitely kept you on your toes and trying to piece together what was happening.

At times you were trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not & the ending definitely caught me off guard 😅

If you’re a YA fan or a psychological thriller junkie I think you’d really like this book! i may be biased because I’m a huge fan of the author 😂

Thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

I was utterly captivated by the masterful blend of suspense and the supernatural, making it an unputdownable thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.

This book threw me a bit. I was expecting a thriller, but I didn’t expect a slightly dystopian vibe. The plot was interesting and there were some nice curves throughout the story. Anyone who reads a lot of thrillers will probably see them coming, but I’m confident my students will enjoy the ride.

In a tale of trust and turmoil, 17-year-old Blythe Warren is thrust into a perplexing mystery at her parents' STEM school. When a friend's breakdown leads to a shocking discovery of a crime scene, Blythe's own memory loss complicates matters. As she unravels the tangled web of secrets among her peers and family, the story unfolds into a gripping thriller, enticing readers with its twists and layers of intrigue. With its blend of drama and mystery, this plot-driven narrative promises a captivating read, especially for those drawn to suspenseful tales of youth in turmoil. A mental feast of twists and turns awaits in this compelling thriller.

This is one of those YA thrillers that you read and think “is this allowed in YA” lol. It’s fast paced toward the end and I absolutely had no idea what twists and turns were headed my way when I picked this one up. It’s not my absolute favorite YA thriller I’ve read, but it was very enjoyable on audio and it allowed me to get in some reading time. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and because i’ve been in such a slump I think this was just right book wrong time personally. The writing was great and the twists and plot were unique and entertaining! If you’re looking for a new YA thriller to try I suggest giving it a shot!

This book started off pretty well but then it just was downhill from there!. Unfortunately, I did not care for or like any of the characters. That makes any book really difficult to read. The pacing was pretty slow and I was quite bored at times. I found myself skimming at many spots.

I also felt that the plot was really obvious, which again, took away from my enjoyment of reading the book.

Maybe my mistake picking a young adult read. Perhaps those who are truly young adults might enjoy this one, but otherwise, probably not for the adult reader.

I THINK I understand where Armstrong was trying to go with this book, but the execution was incredibly poor.

The story kept me invested throughout as I tried to figure out who had done what. I found the relationship between Tucker and Blythe to be interesting. Some of the story, though, I found to be predictable.

Someone Is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong is a mystery with a bit of a dystopian feel to it. When a group of high school friends start doubting their own memories, they start investigating their pasts. What they find is a whole lot more than what they expected. This was a quick, enthralling read, just like all of Armstrong's books. I have read so many of this author's books, and they've all been great. Definitely recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

I want to start out by saying I wish there was a different synopsis. I feel like based on the synopsis of the story there are just not many hidden elements to the story. With that being said it’s a good thing that I picked this book based on the cover! I don’t know that I would have given this a 4 star had I read what the book was about. Not knowing the description left some things a surprise for me. Had I not had those surprises I would have wanted way more out of this book. I enjoyed the character development and getting to actually find out what was in all their files. I really liked Blythe and tuckers characters and the way the story unfolded for them and what you find out about the incident you discover in the opening of the book. I also really liked her younger w character and the bond they had felt relatable. There was some nice twists I didn’t see coming. Overall I really enjoyed this book I just wish the book description didn’t give so much of the story line away to the reader.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I was surprised by this one. I actually struggled to get into it, though I have enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's books in the past. It felt kind of slow, like the pacing was dragging a bit. I am a mood reader, so I may just have to come back to it at a later time and give it another shot.

At the beginning of this book, I was not sure how I was going to feel. I also did get a bit confused, but that was honestly on me. The more we got into the story the more I could not put the book down and was very interested in how the story was progressing.

I honestly did not expect to devour this book as fast as I did. I think it is mostly that I have not read YA in a while and the pacing is just faster than what I have been reading lately. Honestly not complaining because I greatly enjoyed this book.

I read this book in three days and honestly can't wait to read more by this author.

This was an amazing book that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I read this in one sitting, I could not put it down.

5/5 stars for sure! Kelley Armstrong delivers again!

I loved how unique the idea behind this book was. The story kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to figure out what was coming next.

Due to this being published by an imprint in the the SMP brand I will not be leaving a review until they choose to take a better stance.

This was a typical ya thriller book, with a a group of high school kids. I kinda expected more by just reading the description but I didn’t get it.

"Someone Is Always Watching" by Kelley Armstrong presents a thrilling narrative centered around Blythe and her close-knit group of friends, whose lives take a dark turn after an act of violence strains their relationships. The novel skillfully explores themes of trust, memory, and the unraveling of long-buried secrets.

Armstrong adeptly builds tension throughout the story, keeping readers engaged with the mystery surrounding the violent incident at school and Gabrielle's unsettling state. The exploration of unexpected bursts of aggression and disturbing nightmares adds a psychological layer to the narrative, heightening the suspense.

The author excels in portraying the complexities of friendships and the impact of traumatic events on relationships. The strained dynamic between Blythe and Tucker, as well as the cracks appearing in their collective memories, creates a sense of unease that permeates the narrative.

However, the novel has its drawbacks. The pacing, particularly in the middle portion, can feel sluggish, hindering the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, some plot points and revelations may come across as predictable to readers familiar with the genre, detracting from the element of surprise.

While the concept of questioning one's own memories and the theme of trust within the friend group are intriguing, the execution occasionally lacks the finesse needed to elevate the story to its full potential. The resolution of the mysteries, while satisfying, may leave some readers craving a more profound exploration of the psychological and emotional ramifications.

In summary, "Someone Is Always Watching" offers a compelling exploration of friendship, trust, and memory within the context of a mysterious and suspenseful plot. Despite its shortcomings in pacing and predictability, the novel succeeds in delivering an engaging thriller with moments of genuine tension and emotional resonance.