Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Kate is a struggling writer and teacher who is disillusioned with her life and with her ability to create another successful novel.
Sam is a mature student of Kate's who is fixated with her. He has studied her work for years and now watches her every move.
To Kate, Sam displays a maturity beyond his years and an ability to write with a freshness and talent which both astonishes and intrigues her.
As Sam's obsession grows and Kate remains unaware of his feelings, could she be in danger?
Loved the book. It was well written and even contained a few darkly humorous moments which made me smile.
A rare five stars from me.

OK so this book has a SERIOUSLY creepy beginning and it goes on from there. Dark and disturbing for sure.

Watch Me is pretty much your stereotypical stalker book. The stalker obsessing about his prey and fantasizing about the life they will have together when the object of his affection realizes they are in fact, supposed to be together. And of course doing all these crazy stalker things along the way out of jealousy/infatuation/craziness. As it stands it would probably be a 4-5 star book for people that are into this genre. It is very well written and the blurb tells you exactly what you need to know about the book. For me though it was too repetitive and stalkerish-but-nothing-else-happening to love.

WATCH ME has a very strong You/Hidden Bodies (both by Caroline Kepnes) vibe, only here the object of affection actually likes the person back (even though god knows they shouldn't). You and Hidden Bodies are the type of stalker / crazy narrator books that I like, but they just felt so different from WATCH ME. I loved those two novels, but this one fell a tad flat for me. I think it was just all the obsessing that Sam does the entire time and nothing else really seems to happen.

There is definitely quite a bit of repetition in this book in Sam's POV that I wasn't crazy about (Kate's point of view wasn't as repetitive). He literally obsesses about the exact same things like the entire novel. We also learn what I felt to be very little about his background, I would have liked to know more.

Final Thought: Personally, I didn't love this one, but I think lovers of straightforward stalker stories will love it. Like I said earlier, very well written, just not the story for me. Overall a fast read though, and I didn't skim anything so there is that too! I just couldn't bring myself to give it more than a 3 because of my personal preferences.

My review can be seen right now on my blog and my Goodreads account.

Blog: https://readingbetweenwinessite.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/book-review-watch-me-by-jody-gehrman/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2188650380

I have also posted it on my Instagram (Bookstagram): https://www.instagram.com/p/BdLVsVHgDAD/?hl=en&taken-by=reading.between.wines

A bit predictable, but a spellbinding page=turner nonetheless. Kate Youngblood is a middle-aged professor for Blackwood College, as well as a published author. She is suffering from a failed marriage and a loss of self-confidence in her writing ability. Enter young, suave, Sam - a student who shows her the attention she emotionally craves. I enjoyed the book, until the end, which fell flat for me. Four stars until the last chapter, downgraded because of that. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

‘After five years waiting for this moment, watching you for the first time still catches me off guard.’

Kate Youngblood is a creative writing professor at Blackwood College. She’s aged in her 30s, and starting to feel as though life is passing her by. Kate is recently divorced, her husband has left her a younger woman. Kate has been unable to replicate the success of her first novel: her second novel has failed. Kate’s poised between the success of her past, and the possibility of an invisible future. Will anyone now want to get to know her?

Kate’s most promising student is Sam Grist. He has a raw talent which Kate wants to nurture. But Sam, whose writing tends towards the dark and twisted, has more than one secret. Sam is obsessed by Kate. He’s been working on learning more about her, preparing to get to know her in person for five years. Sam envisages a life with Kate: she’s ‘the one’ for him. As Sam insinuates himself into Kate’s life, he starts to take control.

‘I’ve been worried about your judgment for quite some time now.’

Kate is torn between being attracted to Sam, and recognising the inappropriateness of any personal relationship. She’s intrigued by him, flattered (up to a point) by the attention he pays her. But just how far will Kate let Sam into her life? And, can she stop him?

‘Isn’t it sad, the way we grasp the beauty of everything too late?’

The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Sam and Kate. In Sam’s view, his actions are both logical and justified as he demonstrates to Kate why they are made for each other. I found Kate’s perspective more difficult, as she is torn between what she thinks she wants and what she knows she should do. And the ending? You’ll need to read it for yourself. Just keep in mind that obsession is dangerous, and may even be fatal.

Note: Note: My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Kate is a creative writing professor at a college. She is divorced and at a stand still in her life. Sam is one of her most promising students. Sam has been watching Kate for years, trying to find a way into her life.

This book is written in the first person which is not my favorite style of writing. Also there are alternating chapters told from Sam and Kate’s point of view. I didn’t like that either. Sam is a very troubled, make that crazy individual. Kate was not a very interesting character to me, she was hard for me to relate to. The psychological suspense part of the book was good, I just had trouble with it being in first person and having the alternate chapters. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Kate is a professor at a small college. She is an intelligent, attractive, and recently divorced author in her late thirties. Sam is a student in her creative writing class. Sam is a charming, smart, and handsome college student in his early twenties. Kate isn't in the best place in life, and Sam comes along at just the right time. He knows her. Understands her. Wants her.

An intriguing novel about obsession. The story was told from alternating points of view, and I enjoyed reading both Kate's and Sam's stories. Kate seemed vulnerable, a bit trusting, and lonely. Sam studied Kate in such a way that was creepy, and he wanted desperately to be in her life. I liked Sam's character a little more than Kate's, but both characters could have been a little better developed.

This was a "stay up late to finish" type book. I was curious how far Sam's obsession would go. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but, overall, it was a good read.

3.5 stars. Watch Me is a story about Kate, who is a professor at Blackwood College, who is being stalked by her most promising student, Sam Grist. Sam has spent years planning the perfect life with Kate; watching her, wanting her and working his way into her life.

This book was certainly creepy, but the main character Kate kind of annoyed me. I have to assume that because she is a professor at a college that she is fairly intelligent, however you wouldn't know that by some of her actions throughout the book. Then when she goes kind of figure out Sam's creepy ways, it doesn't disturb her like it should, which only encourages Sam more. The book is told from both of their perspectives and some of Sam's language just wasn't my favorite. His point of view almost reads like letters to Kate, which was a bit confusing at first. The book did remind me a lot You by Caroline Kepnes, which I really enjoyed, but it also was fairly disturbing.

Overall, this was an interesting plot, a creepy and disturbing one, but interesting none the less. The alternating perspectives give the reader an idea about what is going on with both characters in this book. The reason for the 3.5 stars is I kind of feel like I have read this plot before in You.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Not sure what to say about this book as some parts were really good and others weren't hence the 3 star review

When I first read the description for Watch Me on Netgalley, by Jody Gehrman, the book sounded right up my alley, even though I had never heard of the author. I figured she was probably a debut author. But now I see that she is a playwright AND the author of eleven previous books. Which is surprising. But seeing how at least one is a YA novel and most of the reviews for her books call them "fun," I see why I may not have picked her up in the past.

But seriously, it's surprising that this is her first thriller because it was pretty spot on. That said, I wasn't personally a huge fan of Kate. Maybe it's because she is the type of adult I don't really identify with. She just seemed kind of whiny and oblivious to the fact that her student Sam is obsessed with her and will be the end of her career if she isn't careful.

She's in her late thirties, recently divorced from her husband (who left her for a younger woman) and is clearly jealous of her best friend's new baby and all the attention she is giving her family over Kate, her best friend. I mean, I get it, I just find it so odd that someone would actually still be so immature as they approach middle age that they need to feel wounded somehow that their best friend would actually like to build a foundation and a life.

So Kate isn't amazing. But the book was a surprisingly solid thriller. I believed that Sam was a real person (albeight bat shit crazy) and I even believed Kate was a real person even though she really kind of sucked as a person. There weren't a lot of twists and turns, but I appreciated how the story progressed and built to a satisfying end.

So, if you are a thriller reader, check this one out, it's worth the read. If you are a Jody Gehrman fan, probably check it out although it certainly sounds like a departure from her previous work. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

Sam Grist has met his "one," in his mind anyway, and has been planning their future for close to five years now, he is completely consumed with thoughts of her and starting a life with her... now he just has to work up the nerve to actually talk to her and formally meet her...

College professor Kate Youngblood has hit an all time low, first her husband leaves her for another woman, a younger version at that, and now her second novel has tanked. She is lonely, heartbroken about her husband replacing her, and craves a little attention... little does she know she has drawn the attention of one of her students, and he has plans for her!

When you settle down with this one prepared to have your mind toyed with and your boundaries pushed... Watch Me is quite an intense thriller!! It is certain to captivate your attention from the very first page, and with each page that follows the more addicted you will become, it had me teetering on the edge of my seat the whole way through. This was my first experience with this authors work, and I have to say I was quite impressed with what I found, her well crafted tale kept me completely enthralled from start to finish! Highly recommend this one, it's sure to take you on a thrilling literary escape!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Hmm. This was a book full of mentally unsound people. It had a lot of similarities to You by Caroline Kepnes, but didn’t impact me quite the same. If I hadn’t got the chance to read it early, I question if I ever would have been interested, and I don’t regret reading it but it’s also something I’d probably never talk about or recommend. The idea of being the main focus of someone so unstable is a terrifying concept though, and I feel it is written in such a believable way, what is unbelievable though is how it’s receiced, even when aware of the severity.

Kate Youngblood is an Author and College professor whose husband has left her for a younger woman. She is a lonely and sad woman who appears to have only one friend. To add to her melancholy, her second book bombed which was a huge let down as her first novel was a big success. She is just going through life when she notices one of her students taking notice of her.

Sam Gist is a promising student and writer himself. He has a dark talent that comes in second to his dark intentions. He has been watching Kate, making observations about her, wanting her and inserting himself in her life. Soon Kate has noticed Sam and has also noticed that she gets a thrill out of his attentions. But she is his professor and they are living in a small town. She needs to remain a professional and attempt to move on and rebuild her life. Sam is not deterred. He is determined to be in her life and continues to insert himself into situations where he will have contact with Kate.

This book is told through both characters POV in alternating chapters. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if the book was mostly Sam's POV with maybe Kate's POV told in the beginning, middle and end of the book. Sam is a creepy, troubled person and his story was much more interesting. I also found I wanted more backstory on him and his mother. I felt there were some plot holes here. I also wanted to know what she knew about a character from the past who disappeared as she questions him this individual.

Dare I say that I wished this book had been darker and creepier. If Sam has a dark and violent past, let's see him go a little more over the edge in this. I found that obsession books have been done before and this didn't bring anything new to the table. Sam was interesting character. I found Kate to be flat and a little boring. The writing in this book is good but I found that I wanted more - more of Sam's backstory and more drama.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting story about a young man obsessed with his literature professor and her own compulsive thoughts about him. There was a subplot about the antagonist's mother that needed to be tied up. There were moments that I had to check back to see the chapter POV because the language sounded the same. I didn't buy the final conclusion.

2.5 Stars.

WATCH ME did not quite work for me, but there is a mystery to solve and I thought the writing good.

In a sleepy college town in Ohio, we have SAM, a dangerous student with secrets, a stalker with an evil mind and an obsession with both his English teacher KATE and her murder mystery novel.

The prose alternates between SAM and KATE throughout the entire novel with a dual person POV as each protagonist narrates their own story and feelings toward each other and their lives....which was ok.

After a somewhat slow start, all was going along well until KATE makes SOME incredibly inane choices....choices that were difficult to swallow for an educated 38 year old college professor....choices she continued to make even after becoming aware of her privacy invasion. No matter how lonely or enamored she was with her handsome 22 year old undergrad student, the author lost me here.

2 Stars for plot....3 Stars for writing.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for this ARC coming January, 2018 in exchange for an honest review.

I had not read anything by Jody Gehrman before, but I shall be looking out for her books as I really like her writing style.
This psychological thriller tells of Sam Grist who is an outstanding creative writer in the college class run by Kate Youngblood. Kate is late 30s, worn out, feeling dejected after her husband left her for a younger woman. Sam is the only person who makes Kate'sit up and take notice as his writing is so intriguing and raw..Soon Kate realizes that Sam seems to have a crush on her and she is flattered, as even her best friend is now a new mom, and can't have the girls night out fun that they used to enjoy together. But Kate knows she should not allow this student teacher fatuation to develop, but is drawn to Sam. This thriller will keep you reading late into the night as the story has good flow and you wonder how involved Kate will allow herself to get with her young student..

3.5 Stars - I wish Goodreads had half star ratings

Kate Youngblood is an English professor at a small college in a sleepy town. She is recently divorced after a 10 year marriage and trying to find her way in the dating pool.. She had a very successful published novel, however her second novel was a complete failure. In her mid 30s she is starting to feel a little cast aside and not as recognized like she used to be. Then along comes Sam.

Sam Grist is one of her students. Charismatic and charming to Kate, there is something mysterious about him that draws her in. He makes her feel noticed and alive for the first time in years. Kate knows how inappropriate it is, she knows that she should keep her distance, but Sam keeps showing up at places where Kate is. Her friend's party, a play at the college, and then her house. It gets to the point where Kate starts to become a little concerned, but she's drawn to him like a magnet and feels stuck. Kate has to decide how far to let Sam into her life, if she even has a choice.

This book slowly drew me in. It took a couple of days for me to get into it. Once I did I was hooked until the very end. The chapters alternate between Kate and Sam's perspective and they are both disturbing for different reasons. Sam is clearly mentally ill but for some reason relatable. Kate is unable to make her mind up about him and I was able to relate to her inner turmoil.

I would recommend this book. I think certain parts could have been expanded on a bit more. I really liked Zoe's character and a couple of chapters towards the end from her perspective would have been a refreshing break from only hearing from Kate and Sam. It would have added a nice twist to the story.

"Watch Me" is a thriller that follows a 38 year old professor (Kate) and her 22 year old student (Sam) in alternating first person points of view. Sam has been obsessed with Kate since he he stumbled upon her best selling thriller and has come to her college just to take her class. His obsession is intense and focuses every one of his sections.

Kate is desperately lonely, having gone through a recent divorce and losing her best friend to an infant after an unexpected pregnancy. Kate is struggling to write her next book while fighting for tenure. She begins to like the attention from her student too much and slowly begins to notice something more sinister involved.

This is a solid thriller, but it didn't have the oomph I was expecting at the end, perhaps because relationships were so complicated in this book. Sam's point of view was very creepy and extremely well done, but Kate's didn't feel as polished to me (maybe because she wasn't as put-together as a person). She began to grow towards the end, but early on, she seemed very innocent and naive, more so than I would expect for someone with her experiences (but this may just be me). The book has spans of great intensity and then breaks where it gets much slower and led me to put it down- it wasn't as fast paced as I expected.

Overall, it was a solid thriller built around the premise of forbidden lust. I'm not sure I'd read again as it didn't really catch me, but I know it'll have a good audience elsewhere. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This is an uncomfortable book to read. Kate Youngblood wrote a successful first novel that made her famous but, after her second book tanked, she has been making a living as a creative writing teacher. Sam Grist is her best student. He is raw and very talented. She wants to mentor and tutor him. Sam only wants one thing: Kate. There are two points of view. Kate's in first person and Sam's, written as a second-person account. This reminded me a little of You, so at first it was distracting. Still, this is a different beast. It also deals with obsession and a very rich fantasy life, but the characters are writers. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: writing about writers must be the hard to accomplish. Kate and Sam both have their styles and voices when they discuss literature, so Jody Gehrman is actually three authors in one. The final part is so suspenseful that it made me gasp. But it's the characters and their rich internal life that make this a great novel.

Suspenseful and intriguing. with a creative plot and well developed characters. This was my first book by this author and I am definitely interested in reading more by them.

DNF so will not be rating or reviewing. Thank you for the opportunity to review this title.