If you read the first chapter of this, you'll be taking it home with you! This reads like a Lucy Foley, Lisa Unger, Sarah Pekkanen/Greer Hendricks sort of locked thriller, trust no one sort of book. Wow!

What’s the buzz? Five contestants compete in a high-stakes reality gameshow and only one lucky winner comes home to the tune of 10 million dollars. The catch? They are not allowed to leave the property and will have zero contact with the outside world. While millions of viewers are streaming in live, the latest trending reality show is more than a competition of wits and physical endurance, it’s a vicious game that plays with people’s lives and no one seems to know why and who is behind it all.

Revenge by reality show? Yes please! This one was an easy and binge-able thriller highly reminiscent of Squid Games crossed with reality TV drama. Five players are selected and named accordingly: The Best Friend. The Confidant. The Senator. The Boyfriend. The Executive. The setting takes place in a luxurious Italian-inspired villa with Romanesque architecture and decor depicting muses and goddesses. The wine flows freely here and with that comes much vengeance and blood. Someone is obsessed with retribution and how the course of these games play out is quite the scandal. The ending wraps up with a nice clean touch and if any of these vibes appeal to you, I would highly recommend and say: Let the games begin!

Thank you NetGalley, HTP, and Park Row for my e-ARC and the author for a thrilling read.

What a ride this was!!! Absolutely binged this in one day and it's been a long time since I've done that!

I have read a few of Gudenkauf's books over the years (My favorite is Weight of Silence!!!) and was excited to receive this ARC. To be totally honest, I didn't even read the premise, just requested it since I am a fan of the author's work!

With that being said, I went into this one totally blind and I feel like that's the way to go so I will leave off a big synopsis here but will leave you with- reality show, 5 contestants, 10 million dollars on the line....how far would you go?

The characters were kind of unlikeable but yet so well developed, the pacing was fast and suspenseful, you got the POV from multiple different characters and at no time was it confusing at all, and the action did.not.stop! This thriller was incredibly unique and like nothing I have read before. I am not a huge fan of typical reality TV shows but I found myself not wanting to put this one down at all!

Huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this one!

Out today! 3/26!

This author knows how to write an exciting story and she does exactly that in her newest novel. Everyone is Watching has a good premise, characters and storyline. The pages really turn. Reading this novel may be enough to make folks reconsider all those reality shows despite the prizes.

Wow! This book captured my attention right away with the premise of a prize of ten million dollars for winning a reality show called “One Lucky Winner.” The show is live-streamed constantly, so everyone really could be watching the five lucky contestants. Setting up the scene for the competition introduced the characters and immediately had me cheering for my favorite, an underdog competitor to be sure. The hostess of the show, Fern, is manipulative and secretive in letting the contestants know how to score points and end up winning. None of the characters was particularly likable, except my favorite, of course, as all were portrayed as somewhat greedy. Plus every contestant had hidden secrets that are slowly revealed to the public and influence how well they do in the game. I really enjoyed how there were so many surprises throughout the book, both in the game and in the backstories of the characters. With a fast pace and a lot of action, this is a psych thriller that locks you in and won’t let go until the satisfying and brilliantly written conclusion, which was also head-spinning, by the way. I was not expecting so many surprises and each time a new one came up, I was left gasping and saying to myself, “No way!” This is a page turner that had me intrigued as well as enchanted by the way the guests on the show were outmaneuvering each other and how Fern was trying to fool everyone. What an amazing thrill ride!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Everyone Is Watching is a masterclass in excitement, thrill and psychological drama. The story has so many moving parts and is quite compelling. It will keep you on your toes and also keep you shocked and surprised.

What would you do for ten million dollars?

This is the premise of the plot. A reality show, One Lucky Winner is offering one of five contestants ten million dollars if they can complete the arduous, physical challenges as well as the puzzles and emotional stress in order to win. The catch…they were offered the spots on the show. They will be broadcast live so the fans will be able to see the good, the bad and the horror.

The creator of the show Cat and her assistant Fern have worked tirelessly to put this show together. Set in a castle, (Cat’s ex-husband’s), as they await the arrival of the participants, there is already trouble in paradise! Something truly unexpected occurs.

The guests begin to arrive and rather than using their names they use pseudonyms which is how the audience will view them. They are:

The Best Friend, The Confidant, The Senator, The Boyfriend and The Executive

Their phones are taken away and they are told they are not allowed to leave the premises, or they forfeit their chances of winning. They must also sign a waiver that the show is not responsible if they are hurt or die. DIE?

Thus begins the excruciating challenges. Some of the participants will try to not rock the boat, others will do everything in their power to torture the others. Suddenly the contestants begin to discover that perhaps their being chosen was not just random. They seem to have something in common. But what? How are they all connected?

As they begin to play the game and find clues, they start to realize their deepest, darkest secrets are about to be exposed. That my friends is what the game is all about! What is happening? Their mistakes are being exposed one clue at a time with millions watching them! They will be ruined.

As the game continues, the contestants begin to turn on each other. Panic sets in. The challenges, dangerous. Is this really worth the money? Who has it out for them?

Everyone Is Watching is scandalous, yet deviously enjoyable. The reader can’t get enough of the twists and unexpected turns with an awe dropping ending to what seems is a game filled with lies and past secrets which come back to haunt and perhaps destroy those who decided to play the game.

Thank you #NetGalley #ParkRow #HeatherGudenkauf #EveryoneIsWatching for the advanced copy.

EVERYONE IS WATCHING
Heather Gudenkauf

Heather Gudenkauf is back- this time with a thrilling standalone that will meet every reader's mark.

Five contestants are stranded somewhere off the beaten path in Northern California. They’re competing in a worldwide televised reality show. There are 10 million dollars up for grabs, no one knows the truth, and EVERYONE IS WATCHING…

What would you do for 10 million dollars?


I enjoyed EVERYONE IS WATCHING and compared to similar titles with similar themes this one added a fun and engaging element. A high stakes game turning predators into prey and turning secrets into valuable assets.

I loved how each character blooms into a more concentrated version of who they were as the competition progresses. Cattiness and competitiveness aside, these people were allowing their true colors to show.

Gudenkauf does a great job here with pacing and plot. I enjoyed this one and I expect you will too.

EVERYONE IS WATCHING is due to be published on March 26th, 2024. Make sure to grab a copy or add it to your library queue.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for the advanced copy. It was my pleasure to provide feedback!

EVERYONE IS WATCHING…⭐⭐⭐⭐

4.5/5 ⭐

Five people show up to a remote Californian villa to compete in a new game show that promises a prize of $10 million. However, once the game starts, things become more intense than expected. Also, some of the things mentioned seem to hit home, close to the contestants' secrets.

Overall, I enjoyed this one! I was really drawn in and thought it was quick-paced and very suspenseful. While I did think perhaps the big reveal was a little obvious, I enjoyed the ride. The ending felt abrupt to me though and there was a bit deus ex machina with the ultimate reasoning of why now, which is why I took off half a star. Despite that though, a really good thriller!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I recently read Everyone is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf as an ARC and it was absolutely thrilling and amazing! I loved the idea behind this book and it definitely didn’t disappoint! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and you won’t regret giving this one a try!

Thank you to @htp_hive, @htpbooks, Netgalley and Heather Gudenkauf for an ARC!

Would you go on a game show for a $10 million? Five "lucky" people are hand picked to go on a LIVE game show to compete for the ultimate prize and become "One Lucky Winner".

First off, I'm so down for a competition plot. This book reminded me of Survivor set in a mansion and boy, was it a wild ride! I was instantly hooked! There were multiple POVs, dual timelines and the suspense during the competition was intense. The writing was so smooth, with little clues here and there but I definitely didn't figure out all of the twists!

Perfect if you love:
• Locked door thriller
• Competition
• Morally grey characters
• Multiple POVs

This book comes out TODAY and I highly recommend you go pick it up! Don't sleep oj this one!

I am a reality tv loving girl. I admit it with no shame. So, this sounded like such a promising premise and it just.... ugh.

We are following a handful of characters as they arrive at this secluded estate to compete for a chance to win 10 million dollars. I was most excited for the reality tv/game element of the story and I was so bored by that. It was both overly complex but also completely rushed through somehow and I found myself not really caring who won and who didn't. I could see the big reveals coming so early on, which doesn't always bother me, but with this game element and all the supposed big secrets, I would have liked to have felt more of a puzzle to be solved.

I also hated the ending. The majority of my reading experience with this was just lukewarm, nothing to write home about but nothing awful, but that ending just pissed me off. I cannot even express how frustrating and annoying I find that particular trope/plot device when they are used like this in a thriller. I can't say much about it as it would be a pretty big spoiler but it immediately brought this book down for me.

This was such an ingenious idea for a storyline! This was a quick straight to the point thriller. A reality game show that is a "what the heck is going?!?" on type of show. Most of the characters were likable. However there is always one that you wanna use a taser on.
I was on the edge of my seat towards the end. It was as if was watching the reality show myself and was going to submit a vote. Is it weird to say this was a fun book?

A suspenseful book you are going to love unraveling!! If you read The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf and loved it, this will be a continuity of incredible writing to you!! The stakes are high in this reality show One Lucky Winner will win $10 Million Dollars! With 5 contestants from different walks of life: Best friend, The confidant, The survivor, The boyfriend, The executive.... With it live-streamed and secluded in an estate in CA, mirroring Big Brother with zero contact to the outside world. The difference... each one holds a secret that can be deployed against them if they can endure.

This was absolutely entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat! I felt as if I was in survival mode and up against an invisible being. The twists were unexpected. I think the characters were dynamic in their own way building the climax and concealing motives. It was a web of intrigue and I am excited for everyone else to read it, so don't miss it!!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for this incredible ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun book. I love this concept of a game that no one quite knows what is happening, and itself is a game within a game. The stakes are high when there is $10,000,000 on the line. Everything about this book is fast paced. Twist and turns face readers left and right and lead to a delightful read. The only thing that bothered me about this book was that the end was predictable and way too quick for all the buildup throughout the rest of the book. That being said, the ending does sum up the story very well.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

EVERYONE IS WATCHING is about a reality show where the contestants are competing for 10 millions dollars and it’s being broadcast in real time on TV. While there were multiple characters and some switching back and forth in time which was slightly confusing at times, it all made sense in the end. This fast paced, intense thriller held my attention throughout, went in a direction, I was expecting, and ended with a bang! I really, really liked it! I definitely recommend it!

4/5 stars

Thank you Park Row Books for the advanced reading copy!

SYNOPSIS -- The Best Friend. The Confidant. The Senator. The Boyfriend. The Executive. These five seemingly have nothing in common, other than being chosen to compete on the mysterious game show One Lucky Winner in hopes of winning ten million dollars. The show is set to defy the norm, and will be live streamed at random times throughout the world from a beautiful and secluded winery in Northern California. After being cut off from the rest of civilization and put through some unexpectedly challenging and complex challenges, the contestants realize this set up isn't everything it seems, and someone might be losing more than money...

This book was sooo fun to read! The storyline was fast-paced and unique, just like all of Heather Gudenkauf's books, but this was so different from anything else I have read by her! I loved the game show format, it reminded me of the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter + Survivor -- two things that I LOVE. With multiple points of view and timelines I felt like we got a really thorough look at the various relationships and dynamics and play.

Major negative is that my ARC copy had a pretty significant typo (Think Threat Level Midnight's "Dwigt" 😬). Based on the ending, I'm actually still a litttttle confused about this -- IYKYK -- but it definitely took some of the shock factor out of things for me.

Overall, though, I really loved this book. I haven't read anything quite like it and it was impossible to put down. Just like I feel on any game show, there were reasons to root for and against every single character and contestant, making it even more interesting as their characters developed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and unique thriller!

Imagine being chosen to compete on a reality tv show for the chance at $10 million. The catch there’s only five contestants and everything is live streamed and everyone is watching. Think survivor meets Big Brother meets Squid Game. The contestants will be tested in many different forms and the last one standing takes home all the money.

Everyone is Watching is such a unique thriller. Told in multiple point of views, we get to see what contestants as well as the host are thinking. Everyone has a motive for $10 million dollars right? I really enjoyed the character development and the thrill of the challenges. Motivation is a huge part of this read and seeing what is important to them was really interesting. Five people from five different walks of life in one setting. What could go wrong?

I was a huge fan of the Overnight Guest, and getting a chance to read the ARC for Everyone is Watching was exciting. This is a different vibe but still just as intriguing. If you love competitions shows and thriller books, this one is for you!

Thank you to @netgalley @heathergudenkauf and @harlequinbooks for the advanced copy of this book!

Five contestants are invited to participate in a brand new game show called “One Lucky Winner.” All of the contestants will be competing via live stream for a grand prize of $10 million dollars. Little do they know how deadly the competition will be while also trying to unveil all of their deepest secrets.

The reality tv junkie in me really enjoyed this concept! Each character was clearly developed and it definitely had me rooting for some while disliking others. This Survivor meets Big Brother (but to an extreme) type storyline definitely kept me wanting to see what would happen next and how the characters would intersect.

👍🏻: reality tv-esq storyline, drama, secrets, clear-cut characters, multi-timelines

👎🏻: I kind of saw the big reveal coming, the excerpts of the past felt randomly thrown in with only one storyline prominently recounting what happened

Everyone is Watching is a fast-paced thriller with a unique game-show premise. This game show is unlike any others though, and not only is it intense, but it's dangerous. Each day/night brings on a new challenge for the contestants and it was gripping to see what was going to be asked of them next. Having the story told from multiple perspectives with occasional flashbacks also added to the intensity. My only complaint is that a few scenarios seemed a little far-fetched, but it didn't take away from my need to know how all of the contestants were connected and why they were invited to participate in the show. Heather Gudenkauf's thrillers are quickly becoming must-reads for me! Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for my early copy to read and review!

How far would you go for $10 Million Dollars?

The Best Friend. The Confidante. The Senator. The Executive. The Assistant. All these people are selected to be on this coveted TV show that is all the rage right now. All secluded in an Italian Style Villa to compete for life changing money. What secrets and lies will come to light?Who will make it out alive?

This book is honestly like nothing I have ever read. I was really intrigued by the idea of the reality game show idea! This was a fun, twisty, roller coaster ride. Sometimes I get a bit confused when there are more than two POV in a book, but I was able to to follow along very well with this book. This was honestly a wild ride! I found myself frustrated and yelling at the characters, then rooting for them to accomplish the gruesome challenges. Yes, this can seem a bit predictable and far fetched, but I myself am not always reading books just for the realism. I love the journeys, the imagination of the author. I binge read this book in two days and it was such a fun read!