★ 4.5 Stars ★
Do you watch reality TV, or have you ever wanted to be on a show? "Every One is Watching" is a thrilling locked-room mystery set on a remote island where five contestants compete for a prize of ten million dollars. However, this show is shrouded in secrecy. There must be a catch! Red Flag!

Personally, I'm not a fan of reality TV due to the excessive drama. However, when it comes to books, it's a different story (pun intended). I thoroughly enjoyed this book's well-developed characters, diverse personalities and backgrounds, and intense altercations.

The remote island setting adds an element of tension to the story. As the challenges begin, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary reality show, and the contestants were not chosen at random!

I want to thank HTP Books/Park Row Books for providing me with an ARC of this book through NetGalley. As always, all opinions expressed are entirely my own and given voluntarily.

What would you do for 10 million dollars. Well we are about to find out what five contestants with deep dark secrets will do to win that amount of money in a very secretive reality show called One Lucky Winner. The old saying six degrees of separation, becomes a mantra with the five contestants when they realize they are all connected somehow and that the person running this show has more to prove than just producing a game show. Get ready for a wild ride when Survivor meets Saw in this thriller that will keep you wondering, what’s next, from beginning to the end. The story was enjoyable and well put together. It jumped from the now to then, whereas then, highlighted the bad deeds of the five contestants. There wasn’t a connection to anyone character. The story was very linear, but there were some tense scenes. The ending was fairly predictable. Overall, it was a good story and one that I would recommend reading.
Thank you #netgalley and #HarlequinTradePublishing for the ARC of #everyoneiswatching

I loved The Overnight Guest and thought it was going to be hard to top it, but wow, this one just might have. If you loved the show Big Brother, you will definitely love this story. The premise and setting is very reminiscent of that. With even higher stakes, lots of drama and secrets, it will keep you guessing. Her writing is so compelling you won’t be able to stop turning the pages. It’s dark and sinister, with a complex cast of characters. Like a train wreck of disaster that you can’t help watching for the thrilling intrigue of it all.

Ok I am a huge competition reality show person! Reality TV is my favorite especially competition shows like The Traitors, The Challenge.. anything where they’re competing to win prize money! I love the backstabbing, the hooking up, the alliances.. and this book had it all! I would classify it as a fast-paced, popcorn thriller that while may be a bit predictable, is still bingeable and entertaining! This is one to throw in your beach bag this summer!

There are five contestants competing for $10 million: Marie, a single mom and artist with a secret; Camille, a therapist and podcaster; Samuel, a DA who went to college with Marie; the Senator, who doesn’t want his secrets unearthed; and Ned, a TV executive and an unexpected contestant who is connected to Fern, our host.

What makes this show different from others is that it is live, and you never know when it’s going to air or what will happen. But as it continues to unfold, the contestants start to question if it even is a real show because not only is it dangerous, but the clues keep hitting a bit too close to home.

Once the book got my attention, I couldn’t put it down.

This was a slow burn to capture my attention, and it took until about 40% in for me to start to get hooked. While the book is marketed as a thriller, it’s not the classic thriller that comes first to mind. The characters, while all interesting, were slightly shallow. We didn’t know much about their pasts (if anything beyond what would be shared at a cocktail party), but we got to know what they wouldn’t want to be revealed intimately.

The ending was absolutely crazy, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. How Gudenkauf wove everything together and drew the final connections between the characters was mind-blowing. All of the perspectives and jumping in the storyline took a bit to adjust to since that isn’t typically what I prefer to read, but they were very well done because they were well placed and thought out in the broader scope of the book’s timeline.

This was an extraordinarily detailed and thought-out novel, and it is a work of art because of how Gudenkauf put the final puzzle pieces together.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to be an early reader of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Everyone is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf is scheduled to be released on March 26, 2024.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC! I’m a little late to posting my review but don’t let that detract from how much I enjoyed this book!

Everyone Is Watching is such a unique, compelling, and totally binge-worthy story. I couldn’t get enough of this book and the characters in it. I was instantly intrigued by each of them and I love how there are not only multiple POVs but also a past/present timeline. The plot and the twists were also very enjoyable. Some of it was predictable but that didn’t take away from the thrill and suspense of it all.

A solid 4 star book! Be sure to add this one to your tbr! Official publication date was 26 March 2024!!

There are five contestants that have been nicknamed The Best Friend, The Boyfriend, The Executive, The Confidant, and The Senator that have been invited to compete for 10 million dollars. The name of the game show is One Lucky Winner and little do they know there is more to this contest than they ever expected.

When they arrive at the secluded mansion and have to give up their cell phones and the ability to interact with the outside world, things start to feel a little off, but there is no turning back now. However, this competition starts hitting a little close to home and each contestant realizes that each of their biggest secrets might end up exposed to the world. Will the contestants be able to stop their secrets from getting out? Will they survive the competition? They find that there is definitely more at risk than just a chance at 10 million dollars.

All and all I really enjoyed this book. The challenges were unhinged and the contestant's secrets were juicy. We are treated to flashbacks explaining what each is trying to hide and it is extremely enjoyable. Truthfully, this book had the makings of the perfect thriller for me, but for some reason something felt a little off. I can't seem to put it into words, but it kept me from giving the book 5 stars. However, I will say that I still really like this book and would highly recommend it to everyone who is looking for a fun thriller. I definitely didn't see the big reveal coming and I was not disappointed in what it was. Ultimately, Everyone is Watching is worth the read.

This was gripping and I was invested from the very beginning. This was a unique tale and one that I could not put down. Eventually, I was frustrated with the antics and ready for it to be over. It felt very drawn out and over the top. Entertaining, yes. But, that only takes you so far.

TLDR: I liked it, but the ending made it a 4 instead of a 5.

The good: the pacing and secrets shared.
The meh: the ending (wrapped up too quickly and too neatly)
The could be taken either way: it has a lot of bait and switch. Like oh no, wait. Again and again. It makes it interesting but is used pretty often as a chapter level cliffhanger.

Also, as a funny aside, this copy messed a name up that was supposed to be a reveal later. Not a big deal since it was fairly obvious, but it was funny.

All in all, it’s a 4 but could have been a 5 if the ending had a stronger point to it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved the unique premise of this novel that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go.
Five contestants are chosen to compete for ten million dollars on the new reality game show "One Lucky Winner".
The contestants face challenges competing against each other and the game quickly becomes dark, twisty and deadly.
Nothing is as it seems as we learn why these five people were chosen and the secrets that they keep.
A page-turner!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very interesting concept. I enjoyed the reality tv show theme. I had a few questions that were not answered at the end but overall it wrapped up pretty nicely.

A solid popcorn thriller!!

This is a fast paced easy read where contestants are competing for a $10 million dollar prize they're are so desperate to have.

Anything goes. There are no rules. Their secrets will be exposed. Will anyone make it out alive? Keep turning the pages to find out.

If you're looking for a different kind of thriller this is worth checking out!

Thank you to NetGalley and park row for this arc

3.5 ⭐️ What would you do to win $10 million dollars? Or maybe the better question is what wouldn’t you do. Five completely different contestants are chosen to partake in a reality game show called One Lucky Winner. However, this reality show is anything but normal. There are no rules and anything goes.…even hurting others.

This was an enjoyable thriller. While some of the things were completely outlandish, I did enjoy the story. I kept trying to figure out how the contestants might be related or what was the common thread between them. They each had their own secret to protect and I enjoyed how it came together at the end. This book kept me on my toes and it was a fun ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy.

Loved the concept but I'm definitely gonna forget I read this in a week, which I have found to be a trend with this author.

eather Gudenkauf's "Everyone Is Watching" plunges readers into a high-stakes game of deception and danger where the line between reality and illusion blurs with each passing moment. Set against the backdrop of a secluded estate in Northern California, this locked-room thriller keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The premise is simple yet captivating: five contestants, each with their own secrets and motivations, are chosen to compete for a staggering ten million dollars on the game show "One Lucky Winner." Secluded from the outside world and live-streamed for all to see, the contestants quickly realize that they are not just playing for money—they are playing for their lives.

Gudenkauf's storytelling is masterful, weaving together intricate plot twists and pulse-pounding suspense with skill and precision. As the contestants grapple with the increasing isolation and the mounting tension within their ranks, long-buried secrets begin to surface, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed facade of the game.

What sets "Everyone Is Watching" apart is its exploration of the darker side of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets and survive. As alliances shift and betrayals abound, the contestants must confront their own inner demons while navigating the deadly game that has been thrust upon them.

In conclusion, "Everyone Is Watching" is a riveting and immersive thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Heather Gudenkauf has crafted a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue that will leave readers breathless with anticipation. Prepare to be swept away by this adrenaline-fueled ride into the heart of darkness.

This was an interesting book. The premise was good but the writing wasn’t my favorite. Still a good story if you’re looking for a thriller.

So let me just say, I LOVED this book. That said, I was a little disappointed by the twist. I just didn’t feel like it was as much of a shock as I wanted it to be.

The story follows Maire, a single mother of two girls, one of whom suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. Maire receives a strange email that she initially chalked up to a scam, only later to fall victim to the chance at a 10 million dollar prize for participating in and winning a “first of its kind” reality show.

Maire is one of 5 participants in One Lucky Winner. All of the contestants are from very different backgrounds. All of them have secrets. As the game begins, they begin to realize that there is more to the game going on here…. There’s some kind of underlying motive to reveal their secrets to the world.

All in all I greatly enjoyed this book. I wish that the ending had been a little more of a surprise. It just didn’t seem like there was enough of a buildup to get us where we ended up.

I look forward to other work from this author!

Special thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Five contestants are invited to compete on a reality show named One Lucky Winner that will be streamed live around the world and the prize is ten million dollars. None of them know exactly what sort of challenges they will have to compete in and the shooting location they arrive in is a remote and completely isolated estate, but all of them agree to the rules of the game. But when the challenges begin, the contestants realize very quickly that something is amiss and they are all being targeted by someone who knows their darkest secrets and means to reveal them to the world.

I’ve read a couple of locked room mysteries before, and this sounded like an interesting variation on the concept. After several rather slow paced reads in a row, I was excited to pick up this book which sounded like it would be a fast, exciting read.

In terms of plot and concept, this book definitely lived up to the blurb. Right from the contestants arriving at the isolated villa and their phones being taken away, cutting off their contact with the outside world, it set the mood immediately. The challenges themselves weren’t as fun as I expected, given that the events that took place during the challenges were entirely unrealistic and would never actually happen in real life.

This was a fast paced read and it was very easy to get through, I think I finished it in under 2 hours. I haven’t read any other books by this author to use as a comparison, but the writing was good and it hooked me right from page one.

I don’t often say this, but this book ought to have been a bit longer. The concept was there, and it could have easily been played out for some more time, building the tension even higher.

The five contestants each had their own reasons for wanting the prize money and for some, there was no extent they weren’t willing to go to in order to win. While initially, I did have a little trouble keeping them all straight, as the story unfolded, there were brief flashbacks for each character to introduce the reader to their story and background which helped a lot. I didn’t find really myself particularly invested in any of the characters, but I enjoyed watching the dynamic between the group change by the day as each challenge brought out their different sides and they all steadily grew more paranoid about someone knowing their secrets.

The last couple of chapters felt extremely rushed and there was way too much happening all at the same time. Apart from that, I did like the ending and how the truth and connection the five seemingly unrelated contestants shared.

Overall, this book had an excellent concept but the execution could have been better. Still, this was a fun read and I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend Everyone Is Watching for fans of the genre!

This is the sixth book that I read by this author. While she is usually a mystery writer, this book felt so different from her others. As soon as you start the book, you are so immersed in the plot and the characters. It was a page turner for me. While reality shows are usually not my thing, the basis for the one in the novel just drags you right in.
The executive, the best friend, the confident, the senator, the boyfriend.
Why were they specifically chosen for this contest? Who chose them?
The premise of the novel involves a reality show contest where “One Lucky Winner” will win ten million dollars. They five contestants all have their personal reasons for wanting to win the big prize. They also have lots of secrets. Thanks to the internet, everything they do is live-streamed and can be commented on.
The contests the five are involved in are often dangerous and life threatening. They can win clues along the way to give them an edge up in the competition. They have to be physically, emotionally and mentally prepared for each test. As they are competing for such a large amount, the stakes are high. Eventually, the five realize that their lives are on the line. Is this really a competition or is someone out to get them?
This is a very tense read. The plot and characters draw you right in. You will cheer for some and hope others will lose or chose to leave. If you are ready for a good suspenseful, thrilling ride then this is the book for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Published on March 26, 2024.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I adore this author and was excited to read this new book! I am not a fan of reality TV etc but thought I would give it a shot. Not my cup of tea but this was a Greta story. Characters and story were well done.