EVERYONE IS WATCHING

Release Date : 2024-03-26

Duration : 9 Hours 2 Mins

Publisher : Harlequin Audio

SYNOPSIS

This is the latest release from author Heather Gudenkauf, whose debut novel, The Weight of Silence, remained on the NYT bestseller list for 22 weeks.

Five contestants have been chosen to compete for ten million dollars on the game show “One Lucky Winner.” The contestants include Audrey, a restauranteur; Samuel, a handsome district attorney; Richard, a former US senator; Camille, a psychiatrist; and Maire, a single mother of a chronically ill child. None of them knows what to expect when they arrive at the secluded Italian villa in Northern California. They are given strict instructions not to leave the property and are to have zero contact with the outside world. When a few of the competitors begin to recognize each other from past misdeeds, they begin to become suspicious of what’s really going on. Everything is streamed live, and the challenges they face are not only treacherous but also life-threatening. When clues from the game begin to reveal their long-kept secrets, the contestants realize this is no longer just a reality show—someone is out for revenge. And the person behind it all won’t let the game end until all their dirty secrets are exposed to the world!

REVIEW

The story is highly entertaining and unputdownable from start to finish. Each contestant is mistrustful and conniving and will do anything to win the $10 million prize. From the onset, it’s easy to root for Maire, the single mother trying desperately to stay afloat and pay for her daughter’s astronomical hospital bills. The interlude reactions from the online audience are also very supportive of Maire and their gossipy banter about the show’s contestants is hilariously entertaining. The relationship between Fern, the show’s host, and her boss, Cat is a story on its own and an unpredictable rollercoaster of emotions. The twists and reveals are slowly unravelled throughout the novel, and the story culminates with a shocking, pleasing twist that you likely won’t see coming.

Narrator Brittany Pressley elevates the entertainment value of the story to a whole new level. Pressley demonstrates her immense talent by portraying all the characters with very convincing, distinct voices that you’ll assume come from multiple talented narrators. In particular, her portrayal of Maire is wildly entertaining and full of neurotic emotion and suspenseful drama, perfectly depicting a woman becoming unhinged as she’s willing to do anything to win money for her sick child. For those who don’t enjoy watching reality TV, you’ll likely still find this audiobook engrossing and entertaining. This is definitely a book where the audiobook is the recommended format. If all of this sounds intriguing, then definitely give this one a listen – you’ll be thoroughly entertained and won’t be able to stop listening!