Everyone Is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf

EVERYONE IS WATCHING

Author: Heather Gudenkauf

ISBN: 9780778310792

Publication Date: March 26, 2024

Publisher: Park Row

My thoughts

This is my new favorite by this author. All of her books are good but this one is just a bit better than good. I loved it. Couldn't put it down. Didn't want it to end and boy what an ending it was. I loved how the author tied all the characters to one person and gave me a brilliant ending.

Five people are notified via text that they were to be in a contest with a TEN MILLION DOLLAR pay out. One lucky winner would go home with the single prize. But at what cost. How does the person in charge know each of these players or does she just think she does. What could be worth such a huge payout? It won't be easy and a lot of things will be revealed. If they are up for the challenges. If they don't mind losing a bit of themselves along the way.

Fern, the assistant, is helping Cat carry out this reality show. Cat is not really good to Fern in many ways but they have been friends since something awful happened or almost happened to Fern where she use to work. Fern is the host of ONE LUCKY WINNER. She's also Cat's assistant and they are somewhat best friends. Fern will do almost anything for Cat. 

Ned, The Executive. He has a few secrets he does not want revealed. He's been in charge of his life for quite a while and doesn't care about anyone's thoughts or feelings. He's there to win and will do, ANYTHING, to win. I didn't like him. You will learn all his dirty little secrets...

Richard Crowley, The Senator. He's really an ex-senator with a past he will kill to keep secret. At least that is how it looks. You'll get to know him and his past very well. I didn't much like him either.  You'll get to know all his dirty little secrets...

Samuel, The Boyfriend. He is a nice looking man in great shape and also comes with a past. He may or may not know one of the other players in this contest. He's a famous lawyer who definitely does not need things from his past coming to light. It could ruin all he's worked hard for. You get to know all his dirty little secrets.

Camille, The Confidante. She's a therapist and has lots of big secrets also. She doesn't want anyone to know certain things about her past. It could ruin her. It would ruin her. She's likable in many ways and a strong player. I liked and disliked her. You'll get to know all her dirty little secrets.

Maire, The Best Friend. She has two daughters. One of which is very sick. Her youngest daughter has Cystic Fibroses. After her husband up and left Maire lost their insurance and it costs a lot to keep her youngest child alive. She will do anything to win. She's another strong player. She has a past that could hurt her also. I like Maire. I thought she should win. You will get to know her dirty little secrets.

A lot went into this contest. A lot of planning. A lot of money. The person behind it all had something to say and they say it good and loud. In most instances. I liked her and didn't like her. At times I did because she could be so nice. Then she would turn into a monster. Ok not a monster but a very mean person. She treated Fern bad. The way she talked to her. I didn't blame Fern for what she did. You'll get to know her dirty little secret. 

You will get to know all of these characters and the things they do and don't want you to know. Each one is there for a reason. After the first one is voted out things start to get more intense. At least one player starts figuring out what is happening. At least they think they do. 

One good book by one of my favorite authors. This was such a good edge of your seat thriller and mystery. The author did a very good job with it. I loved the ending and getting to know each of the characters. Also a few of the people watching the contest and messaging their thoughts online. 

Thank you #NetGalley, #HeatherGudenkauf, #HarlequinTradePublishing, and #ParkRow, for this ARC. This is my true thoughts about this book.

Five big stars and a high recommendation. 

 Book Summary:

The Best Friend. The Confidant. The Senator. The Boyfriend. The Executive.

Five contestants have been chosen to compete for ten million dollars on the game show One Lucky Winner. The catch? None of them knows what (or who) to expect, and it will be live streamed all over the world. Completely secluded in an estate in Northern California, with strict instructions not to leave the property and zero contact with the outside world, the competitors start to feel a little too isolated.

When long-kept secrets begin to rise to the surface, the contestants realize this is no longer just a reality show—someone is out for blood. And the game can’t end until the world knows who the contestants really are…

Heather Gudenkauf is the critically acclaimed author of several novels, including the New York Times bestseller The Weight of Silence. She lives in Iowa with her family.
You can connect with Heather here:
Website: https://heathergudenkauf.com/
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