In a story that blends the parasocial with the paranormal, the reader is taken deep into the dark side of family vlogging as we follow a long-time fan who gets the opportunity to nanny for the kids that she has seen online from their literal birth.

This book had a really strong sense of in media res as the reader feels as they have been plonked a couple of chapters into the story as Caitlyn starts her new job as a nanny. We very quickly learn the background of family vlogger Bella Greene and get hints to "an incident" that lead her to flee to a secluded Washington island whilst she works on her comeback to social media. From the very start, you get a real sense that everyone is keeping secrets, no one more so that Caitlyn. You really couldn't look away as all of the layers of the story were peeled back and you realise that things are so, so much worse than you ever could have predicted.

Readers who are well-versed in the genre will likely predict some of the twists and turns of the story but the execution is utterly impeccable and several aspects of the story are played really close to the chest and are guaranteed to shock. With an atmosphere that is guaranteed to send shivers down you spine and events that have you questioning what is real, this book is so incredibly addictive; you'll need to make sure that you have plenty of time to read this book because once you start reading, you aren't going to want to turn away from the show that is unfolding.

Massive props to Lee for this masterpiece that will have your jaw on the floor when you realise what they are doing. I can't wait to re-read and annotate this book as it will be SO satisfying to see all the dominoes fall into place a second time around.

The story is told by what I would consider an unreliable narrator, but the story is also a slow burn/slow build. I was glad to know that a theory I had from chapter one was correct, but mingled into it there was also a bit of twist I hadn’t expected. Once the twist was revealed though, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the story. The only thing that I would’ve changed is for the big reveal to happen a little earlier in the story. I enjoyed the ending as sometimes it’s refreshing when the bad guy doesn’t always get their just desserts. Would recommend this book.

I was so grateful to NetGalley and H Lee Justine for the chance to read You Watched in Silence early and it was an easy 5 star rating for me. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year and in my Top 10 all time reads!

This story centers around Caitlyn who has signed on for a job as a nanny to her favorite family vlogger Bella Greene. The catch? Bella has recently been cancelled due to a scandal and has relocated to a remote island to try and escape her situation. Caitlyn relocates herself to take the job and is excited for the opportunity to work closely with Bella and the kids, even with the scandal. When she arrives she learns quickly that things in the Greene family are nothing like she assumed and that this cancelling has gone farther than she ever expected. Now stuck on this remote island and thrown into the center of the Greene’s chaos Caitlyn must navigate her new job, a budding romance, and the paranormal horrors that seem to be following her.

You Watched in Silence is the perfect queer gothic horror to keep you at the edge of your seat until the very last page! Even the things you may see coming will catch you by surprise. If you do pick this book up plan to be staring at the wall for a good while after because your mind is about to be blown.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion. This book was really fast paced and kept me guessing to the very end. There were a lot of passages that I highlighted in this book that were just beautiful analogies and so real in how they actually describe mental illness and how messy but beautiful life is. It’s supernatural horror, mixed with the reality of mommy bloggers and how that impacts children’s lives (honestly the reality was more terrifying) 😅 I would recommend this book for all my psych thriller/horror girlies! 🖤💜

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy! Okay so you think you know where this book is going at the end?
You don’t.
Genuinely did not see the ending coming. This debut was delightfully creepy, kept me on edge through the whole book, and had my mind whirring when everything came to a close in the end. Absolutely loved this.

I rarely mark reads as 5 stars. But I received an ARC courtesy of the author and was BLOWN AWAY. I’m generally the annoying person making up theories and either disappointed in the resolution or figured it out. This was a ride start to finish that I think I’m going to have to go back on to see areas I didn’t pick up on the first time, because there was plenty I didn’t see coming or revealed way differently than I anticipated.

I’ve read some other similar indie novels of the same genre and this one is def supreme.

I am going to keep this review spoiler-free.

A powerful debut novel by H. Lee Justine. This story focuses on a real issue being faced by hundreds (if not thousands of children) around the world; being the offspring of influencers and bloggers who decide to cash in on their childhood. Think Eight Passengers. Justine does an amazing job at revealing the horrors these kids face and being a bystander in their exploitation (or worse, a part of it). The classic horror elements are woven well into the story, but the real horror is what happens to these children who are used for content.

It should be noted that this novel, based on its premise, includes the exploitation of children on the internet and may be upsetting for some readers. It contains elements of horror, which involve a bit of blood and gore. Justine does an amazing job at weaving these into the story and creating a sense of horror and dread that I enjoyed greatly.

I found all the characters compelling and was gripped by them as they developed/revealed throughout the story. It is a relatively short book, and I think the author had space to expand a little more as it kept me turning the pages and wanting to get back to it when I had to stop. It is the type of book that kept me up late so that I could finish it, and it was well worth being tired the next day.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys thrillers with some horror mixed in (or just thrillers! Trust me, you will be thrilled).

I inhaled this book in nearly one single sitting. The atmosphere of the misty, rainy, evergreen island in Washington, empty after the tourists have left for the autumn, offered a perfectly creepy setting for the story. Caitlyn has gotten the opportunity of her lifetime to work as a nanny for her idol, a Youtube-comedian-turned-family-vlogger Bella Greene, after both of their lives fell apart.

I was hooked from the first page. The vibe of the cover matches perfectly what's inside, the creepy incidents that keep happening, Caitlyn feeling like someone is watching her every move, and the atmosphere in the house is brewing for drama, as personalities clash and feelings start to develop. I enjoyed the writing style, the pacing, and the characterisation of each person, and especially appreciated how all of them seemed to be harbouring secrets that made me suspicious of them all.

This is a perfect book for the spooky season and I just know I have to get a physical copy to reread and annotate!

A disgraced family vlogger needs a new nanny, and Caitlyn needs a new start. Working for her favorite influencer should be the dream, right? But what happens when the parasocial relationships turn into something completely unexpected and everyone’s secrets come into the light?

This novel is a mix of psychological and paranormal and I was on edge the whole way through. At not a single point did I know what was going on, even if I thought I did, and I tell you I was SHOOK at the end.

Lee does a great job of highlighting the dangers and downsides of family blogging, as well as throwing in some extra icks that some people may not think could be possible. I definitely recommend for a creepy, real feel type read that I’ll be thinking about for some time!

Thank you Lee and Blackstone publishing for the advanced copy!

A huge thank you to @blackstonepublishing and H.Lee Justine for the eARC! First, H.Lee Justine's marketing was incredible - l've been anticipating this book since seeing her posts on threads months & months ago. This author truly knows how to entice readers. Family vlogging horrors mixed with the horror genre and the Haunting of Bly Manor vibes?!?
This sounded incredible & it did not disappoint!
From the start the writing was addictive - I found myself wanting to know more and reading this came so easily as I was so into the story. First person style was so compelling and effective in this instance - you could tell something was amiss but it was a mystery as to what. Being in the Main character's head affected every aspect of the story and made it all the more alluring as to just what was happening. I had my suspicions throughout and picked up on a few things but I did suspect what was revealed. My jaw dropped and everything instantly clicked into place. This was very well done and I am absolutely looking forward to future works from this author.

This book had me consistently questioning what I knew about the story and about nearly every character involved. Every single person felt like they had their own motivations and flaws that end up playing out in unexpected ways. Lee creates an atmosphere that was both beautifully described and delightfully suspenseful.

When I heard the premise I was hooked and this book definitely delivered. If you love twisty gothic books with social commentary, this is the book for you, especially if you share my love of collecting beautiful lines. The entire book is so atmospheric and gothic that you will feel like you’re really there

You Watched in Silence hooks you in quicker than you can even catch your breath. I can’t wait to gush about this book with my book club, I know they’ll be just as hooked as I’ve been.