Xpresso Book Tour: Watching You by Shannon Greenland (Review)

Watching You
Shannon Greenland
Published by: Entangled Publishing
Publication date: July 2nd 2018
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult

Viola’s always been that girl from thatfamily, so a scholarship to a prestigious private school in Florida was supposed to be her ticket out of poverty and into a brand-new life. But Viola’s secrets have followed her. Her relationship with the intelligent and gorgeous Riel should have been the salvation she needed—he understands her troubled past better than anyone. But then weird things start to happen.

Frightening messages.

Missing personal items.

The unsettling feeling that she’s being watched.

Viola’s never been one to give her trust easily, but she’ll need to trust in Riel if she’s going to survive her stalker. Because she’s not fighting for a new life anymore—she’s fighting to stay alive.

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Author Bio:

Shannon Greenland is the award winning author of several novels including the teen spy series, THE SPECIALISTS, and the YA romances, THE SUMMER MY LIFE BEGAN and SHADOW OF A GIRL. She also writes thrillers under S. E. Green and lives off the coast of Florida with her very grouchy dog.

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My Review

Watching You by Shannon Greenland is an engaging Young Adult thriller packed with romance, revenge, and a mysterious stalker who is definitely beyond disturbed.

Viola is dead set on getting a top-notch education at Ponce de Leon Academy in Florida and then MIT. And if she has to fib a little bit on her scholarship application to get into the Academy, then so be it. I like the backgrounds that the author has created for both Viola and Reil. They are academically intelligent and resourceful, but they aren’t rich or pampered like most of the students at the Academy. Viola and Reil scrimp and work and struggle to achieve their dreams. Viola comes from a dysfunctional family, and Reil is basically raising his 11 year-old sister, Mar. When Viola falls hard for Reil, she includes a spot in her heart for his sister. The dynamics between the three are touching and sweet, albeit a bit idyllic.

To offset that sweet romance, an all-around creeper is stalking Viola. If that isn’t enough, Abbie, a rich girl with a chip on her shoulder, starts giving Viola jealousy-laden hell for spending so much time with Reil. It’s quite the quandary because Abbie has connections (her rich daddy) and isn’t above threatening Viola when she finds out she lied to get the Academy’s scholarship. Viola just wants to get a good education and eventually a well-paying job to help her family, but she can’t seem to stay out of the cross hairs of her enemies.

Ultimately, this story is about pursuing your dreams in the face of hardships, owning up to your missteps and lies, determining who your true friends are, and loving your family despite their shortcomings.

The pacing is super fast, as it should be for a thriller, and the mystery keeps getting mysterious until you are sucker-punched with a plot twist toward the end. It happens so suddenly, and then it’s a speedy downhill ride to the finish. The Young Adult vibe is there, but a word of caution: While the relationship between Viola and Reil becomes sweet and romantic, a few titillating scenes may be a bit too steamy for the younger reader. Overall, this story is fun, with just enough mystery to keep you guessing and just enough action to keep you turning the page.

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