You Watched in Silence

by H. Lee Justine

A shivery blend of queer psychological thriller and horror, evocatively set in the secluded islands of the Pacific Northwest, You Watched in Silence has the bite of Jessica Knoll with the twists of Verity and the atmospheric tension of The Haunting of Bly Manor.

Having been cut off by her best friend, Caitlyn is devastated—until a miracle occurs. Family vlogger Bella Greene—the celebrity influencer with whom her ex–best friend was obsessed—offers Caitlyn a job as nanny to her twins. Like millions of others, Caitlyn knows that Bella’s life is in pieces, too. Canceled (unfairly in Caitlyn’s opinion) over perceived indifference to a tragic suicide by one of her fans, Bella fled with her family to a remote island. For Caitlyn, the opportunity to help Bella Greene will also help her to heal; a way to honor the past while creating a new future.

At first, Caitlyn can’t believe how easily she bonds with the twins. She also feels an instant connection with the family’s flirtatious chef, Hannah Zhou, who soon stirs romantic impulses that Caitlyn never imagined having again. It feels like magic … until she catches a glimpse of a mysterious girl that nobody else can see. Before she knows it, Caitlyn is in constant terror, unable to tell if she is losing her mind or being haunted by a past she’d rather forget. Worse, there is magic here, a dark force that manifests in mysterious pentagrams, animal sacrifices, and scrawled threats. But who’s behind it? Is it a disgruntled employee? A scorned lover? Or someone out for unjust revenge? Because Bella didn’t do anything wrong … right?

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Lesbian, Queer, LGBT, Adult

Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Nikki Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caitlyn accepts a job as a nanny from a famous family vlogger, Bella Greene. This is the job of a lifetime, even if Caitlyn isn’t really an experienced nanny. Her and her best friend were obsessed with Bella. If only her best could see her now. However, she can’t because her friend just up and disappeared.

The job is in Washington. Bella moved away from LA to hideout a little while. A traumatic event unfolded with her fans. Caitlyn is trying to figure out just what happened. Now, Bella’s fans are angry. The vlogger used her kids to get famous. Bella is working on her comeback, but, just what did the famous influencer do?

Caitlyn soon finds that her children are amazing. She begins to fall in love with them. The husband, not so much. However, their personal chef, Hannah, is a whole other ballgame.

Things turn grim when messages are left on the property that appear as a threat. Just what was it that Bella did?

I was hooked into the story from the beginning. I had to find out what the mystery was. A good chunk of the book focuses on influencer culture and how it can affect your family. It does slow down in the middle. I enjoyed the reveal and how things wrapped up.

This is a slow burn mystery that I enjoyed. Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and H. Lee Justine for the gifted copy.

Pub Date - 11/18/25

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TW- suicide

[♡❀Caroline. K❀♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading H. Lee Justine, and her starting point was really strong and intriguing. The style of her writing immersed you into the scenery so well. There were moments where you genuinely felt creeped out or spooked, and it kept you wanting to solve the mystery. But as I got further into the book, I started to lose interest. There seemed to be so many different plot threads that by the end, I just didn’t care as much. Overall, I give this book a 3½.

But if you love slow-burn mysteries, I’d definitely give this one a try.


I want to thank Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and H. Lee Justine for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Rebekah Deal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Katty · Rating 3 out of 5]

**DISCLAIMER: RATING IS BASED ON JUST THE PROLOGUE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE**


I’m not one for reading prologue teasers, but when I saw that author H. Lee Justine was promoting a first glance into the book, something in me just said “bet”.

The ending of the prologue left me with chills. I felt the temperature drop around me and I was left desperately wanting to read further.

The Hill House vibes that it gives off is already alive and I am at the edge of my seat waiting for the book to fully release.

If you have a moment and enjoy spooky, unsettling reads, please sign up for H. Lee’s newsletter so you can get an idea of what to expect.

In the meantime, I’ll be over here waiting and sobbing in a corner.


-----UPDATED REVIEW----
Final Rating: 3.5 Stars

Originally I had rated the book based off of the prologue, which had my grabby hands itching for the full book.
While I'm sad that it wasn't included in the ARC, it still really set the tone.
Even though I found there were some minor lull's in the story, and there was no real horror, I still felt like H. Lee did wonderful of keeping the suspense, constantly making you question whether you were on the right track or if it was a red herring.
Every twist, turn, and bump had me at the edge of my seat! The Chapter 29 reveal had my flabbers GAHSTED!

Overall, I found myself enjoying You Watched in Silence.

[chelsea reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

wow!! this book!! I was sucked in by a gorgeous cover but stayed for the whirlwind of a story.

you watched in silence is a debut book, but definitely doesn’t read as one. it was so well thought out and meticulously planned. the whole time I was trying to guess what would happen next (some I was right, and others wildly wrong 😂). I had such a fun time reading this book.

I really loved the characters from the first moment. bella and caitlin were both really likeable and fun. learning their history and what drives them was one of my favourite parts. the side characters also all had their part to play and felt well rounded - not just cookie cutter to serve the plot.

I found the writing included the perfect amount of creepiness and intrigue to keep me hooked and on my toes. I was pleasantly creeped out exactly when I wanted to be.

while the end revelation was easily guessed and not that surprising, I did find the twist unexpected. (no spoilers- that sounds confusing af, but if you’ve read it you’ll understand).

I look forward to reading more books that this author puts out and seeing what she comes up with next.

[Bethany Busse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really an important read for today’s world and how parents should be cautious for how they may show their kids online.

This was a great spooky read to add to the fall. It gave me Housemaid or Hidden Pictures meets a story similar to Ruby Franke and her true crime.

So many great quotes and I loved the writing style!

Perfect representation for an island in Washington. The vibes were spot on.

The twist was actually unexpected and got me good. Along with the queer representation.

Would read another by this Debut author!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an arc copy

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Thank you to Lee and to Blackstone Publishing for the advance review copy!

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel a lot. It hooked me right at the start and just kept getting better as it went along. It perfectly nailed the vibes and managed to be a spooky haunting story as well as a critique on modern culture, fandoms, and influencers. This story was twisty and turny, and although some of the reveals you easily see coming (some you don’t!) the journey is still an enjoyable ride.

There was a big element of mystery in this novel that kept me engaged and flipping digital pages, while also delivering a quality romance and bonus ghost story. The author does some very creative things with the writing as well….. which I am not going to spoil here. The characters were delightfully complex, nuanced, and layered.

This is one of those stories where the less you know going in the better, so ill stop talking and just tell you that you should check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.

[Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Watched In Silence follows Caitlyn, reading from losing her friendship with her best friend, accepts an offer to work for recently cancelled influencer Bella Greene (whom she and her best friend were obsessed with) as a nanny to her twin children. She believes this is the chance of a lifetime and a way to heal her friendship wounds. She’s eager to learn everything she can about Bella and get the behind the scenes view into the lives she has seen documented online from conception. As she settles in and thrives in her new role, new terrors await - a mysterious girl no one else can see, pentagrams, and animal sacrifices soon appear outside Bella’s home. Is it a result of the scandal or something more supernatural?

I feel very conflicted about this book. I was so excited about this book, having been lucky enough to read the prologue in anticipation of the full book and thoroughly enjoying it - from my review at the time, I noted it was relatable, full of intrigue, and good initial characterisation. I couldn’t wait to read more. Unfortunately, the rest of the book did not live up to my expectations.

Firstly, this prologue was missing from the ARC and I had to rely on my vague memory of this. I’m not sure if it was written purely for the discord group, to create excitement, or was mistakenly left out but I did feel its absence.

The characterisation I loved so much was absent. Caitlyn was incredibly inconsistent, frequently contradicting herself in her internal monologue. One moment defending Bella whole-heartedly but later contradicting herself in ‘never making excuses for what Bella did’ when that’s all she’s done so far. Frankly there were so many inconsistencies it was driving me crazy, from being served fettuccine alfredo that is suddenly Penne, to wildly diverging internal opinions on the same topic within sentences. I understand much of this may be attributed to the ‘twist’, but frankly it doesn’t make sense but I’ll discuss that more later. Caitlyn views this job as a lifeline, an opportunity to break out of her depression, and is desperate to keep it but she frequently goads, speaks out of turn, and does almost everything to risk jeopardising her job, including getting the kids to keep secrets from their parents on her first day. For someone who wants to find things out, she sure antagonises those that could help her and WHY doesn’t she google anything? She’s so dense.

For the rest of the characters, they remained two dimensional, serving their plot purpose and nothing more. Bella remained an influencer with little insight into why she made the choices she did. Tim, practically a ghost but even the ghost had more agency. Hannah who did nothing but care for others and presented no other real qualities, and yet Caitlyn repeatedly refers to her as a snake (so often it should’ve been a drinking game) when she has done nothing but answer difficult questions honestly. And finally, Adam, a lapdog who served only as a vector to move the plot along when needed and to be the token POC. The kids at least demonstrated some depth but the impact of family vlogging could’ve been explored deeper, particular as a contemporary issue. (Spoilers)As could the whole nonce angle, which seemed to open up a conversation on the current concerns expressed on social media, how they’re handled, and the seedy dark side of the internet, only to be forgotten as an afterthought.(end)

Further to the poor characterisation, the relationships were also unrealistic. Caitlyn quickly bonds with the children, each caring for the other deeply at great speed. I highly doubt children that have gone through multiple nannys, minimal interaction with their mother outside of a camera, and have learnt that they must perform for affection would trust, let alone love, another nanny so quickly. The same could be said for the romance between Caitlyn and Hannah. Hannah pursues a friendship/relationship with Caitlyn despite the fact Caitlyn has been nothing but a dick to her, all because she’s the only person around her age? And Caitlyn repeatedly tells us she’s not going to get close to Hannah or let her in, then does so almost immediately. Neither really present a reason for the other to want or like them and they don’t seem compatible besides being the only gays in the village.

There was very little horror present, the odd animal sacrifice and blood, but primarily Caitlyn seeing the ‘mysterious wet blonde girl’ repeatedly. She puts this down to missing a few doses of her psychiatric medication (WHY the hell did this need to be included as a plot point, especially with the ending????) and has no idea who this apparition could be, when frankly it was extremely obvious, predictable, and annoying as hell that she didn’t even consider who it could be. This combined with the ‘twist’ just made the rest of the book silly. I especially hate when we read a characters POV and they lie or hide things in their internal monologue from the reader, when that’s not remotely how people think. We don’t dodge things in our heads to build suspense or to create twist ending. I want to rant so much more about this twist but I’m trying to be careful to avoid spoilers. In essence, what was meant to be shocking was predictable, but played in a way that made the entire rest of the book a lie. At best, I can chalk it up to Caitlyn being an unreliable narrator, but in actuality, it was an attempt to be clever that felt like a slap in the face. So many things didn’t add up and the twist made it worse, not better. The prose suffered throughout for the constant similes and metaphors, as it tried so hard to be deep and poetic but ended up being exhausting, eye-roll inducing, or at times unintentionally funny. The pacing suffered due to this, but despite these issues I found myself turning page after page. Somehow, I couldn’t put this down. Yes, I shouted at it and ranted in my notes, but I still wanted to continue the story, coming back to it at any spare moment and instead of doing other tasks. I can give credit for keeping me interested and entertained.

Another element that disappointed me was the promise of disability rep. There is a couple of off-hand comments about someone being ‘sick’ and a mention of POTS but that is it. It’s not shown anywhere within the text and in my opinion, a mention doesn’t count as representation.

Overall, whilst this kept my attention, I found it predictable and infuriating. I feel lied to as it didn’t deliver what it promised. Other than the twist, I feel if this was edited to remove the constant metaphors (and the frequent errors and formatting issues) it would flow much better. The times were it was poetic would hit much harder than the consistent attempts to outdo Mike Flanagan. It has such good bones and could’ve been a great story, but it just didn’t deliver unfortunately. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving this review voluntarily***

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).

[Katie Eakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Katy Fann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off strong and I like the concept, but I found myself gradually losing interest.

[Jess Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing H. Lee Justine and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this debut thriller.

This thriller has a paranormal/horror aspects that I think was done really well. The scenes were detailed enough to be cinematic, but not overly gorey or scary, making it an exciting read for those that don't normally consume horror. I really enjoyed the social commentary on the repercussions of influencer life in this one, as well. It was a nice change for a thriller to take a deeper dive.

This was a solid three star read for me. I enjoyed the ride and one of the twists did shock me. The structure, however was a bit of an issue. The explanation after the climax weakened the ending. I feel like the ending would have been better if it wasn't wrapped up in a nice bow.

Overall this was a nice debut and I look forward to what this author comes up with next.

[Mary (m_lockreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to @blackstonepublishing and H.Lee Justine for the eARC! First, H.Lee Justine’s marketing was incredible - I’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.

[Kathrin Rades · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to have an advanced e-copy, and I’m so glad that I read it!
You Watched In Silence was a wonderful read - small island in the Pacific Northwest, some spooky mysteries, a queer romance between the nanny and the chef, and an insight to how awful family vlogging can be.
H. Lee Justine’s prose is so magical, I appreciated really being able to feel the wetness of Washington, the forest, the beach, being unable to trust your own thoughts.
The story is swift without being rushed, you’re questioning what’s happening the whole time, and slowly piecing together any clues that still won’t help you when the last few chapters hit you.
Amazing work, and I’m so excited to be able to read this again when it gets published, and see how it reads a second time around knowing that ending.

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I'm definitely judging by it's cover alone, since we just got the cover reveal! *squee* It looks amazing and I'm even more excited about this book!

Updated: I've finished the arc, and I seriously enjoyed this one. Hard to put down and finished in just a few days (damn work getting in the way).

The writing grabbed me in much the same way as Freida McFadden-- just the right mix of psychological horror and people living real lives. I loved the romance bit of the book.

Most impressive was the insight into family vlogging and people's "real personalities" behind the scenes. If there's one takeaway from this book, it is don't believe them when people tell you who they are- observe and judge for yourselves. It's not that actions are louder than words, it's that those actions can be so easily used to create a persona for others.

[Addy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very grateful that I was granted an E-ARC for You Watched In Silence by H. Lee Justine via Netgalley. Honestly, there is SO MUCH I want to yap about and discuss, but alas, I must keep it spoiler-free. It was so freaking good! 5 out of 5 stars!

Let me just say, the story was written very well! It was wild, insane, and eye-opening while also being raw, serious, and I gut punch. So many different emotions and thoughts consumed me as I read.

I conducted so many different theories in my head as I tried to piece the story together. There was plot twist after plot twist which kept me gripped onto the story. Each one, more wild than the next. I did manage to predict part of the story but not fully.

All of the characters were compelling and had a beautiful depth to them. You got to know each one a bit, and it was done amazingly! Truthfully, the MC wasn't always the most likable; however, it did work and make sense for the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the overarching message within. It was actually very eye-opening to read. We do need to be careful with social media and what we consume. Especially in regards to minors. Unfortunately, there are so many weirdos out there, and it's important to practice internet safety!

You Watched In Silence was so good! I really enjoyed it, and would wholeheartedly recommend it! Just make sure to look into the TW's!<3

[Kim Seay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super creepy thriller! Literally had goose bumps while reading. The story follows an influencer that has been cancelled due to an unfortunate event and is forced to relocate herself and her family! She hires one of her fans to be a nanny for her twins. Crazy things start happening around the house and had me turning pages! This was a fun and spooky read, definitely recommend if you love thrillers! Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lilly of the Library &#x1f4d6;&#x1f33f; · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly engaging! Definitely Unputdownable. The story from the beginning intrigued me and though the plot was slowly building, it was written in a way that every page seemed necessary.
I enjoyed the brief mentions of Greek mythology, too! My only criticisms would be that the relationship between Hannah and Caity felt a bit too forced, and some of the ending felt rushed, but overall a decent conclusion to the story.

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book!

What would you do when you start to nanny for your favorite YouTube influencer and discover things are not what they seem …..

[Nelly]

WOOOAAh what a beautiful cover!!! I NEED THIS ON MY TBR ASAP.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy!

Popular lifestyle influencer, Bella Greene, has fled with her family to an island off the coast of Washington to escape a huge scandal. Caitlyn is hired as the nanny to the 7 year old twins. It’s a rare opportunity and a dream job for any fan. Caitlyn, having no experience with children, bonds quickly with the Greene kids. She also has an instant connection with the family’s private chef, Hannah. But Caitlyn is seeing a mysterious girl that no one else can see. And she’s finding disturbing things in the woods surrounding the forest. Is Caitlyn losing her mind or is someone messing with her?

I loved the Pacific Northwest setting of this story, it was very atmospheric. The mystery behind Caitlyn’s hallucinations kept me flipping the pages. This is a solid debut. This is definitely an author to watch!

Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on November 18, 2025

[Amanda Webster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some books collapse under the weight of their own ambition. You Watched in Silence is one of them.

I really wanted to like this novel. The premise—a psychologically fraught, queer-tinged thriller about obsession, motherhood, and online celebrity—had all the ingredients of a dark, atmospheric read. Unfortunately, the execution was another story.

The setup alone strains believability: Caitlyn, still reeling from a friendship fallout, is offered a nanny job by none other than Bella Greene, a disgraced family vlogger she’s been borderline obsessed with for years. It’s hard to take seriously the idea that a public figure—one who’s been “canceled” and fled to a remote island—would turn to her own fan group to find childcare. Even harder to accept that any reasonable adult would think this is a good idea. The unhealthy fixation these fans have on Bella isn’t just unsettling—it’s a massive red flag, and one the story seems oddly unconcerned about.

I gave this book every opportunity, but ultimately couldn’t finish it. The writing is packed with so many similes and metaphors that they start to suffocate the prose. Every emotion, every object, every glance has a comparison, until the language collapses under its own weight. The result isn’t atmospheric—it’s exhausting. Instead of feeling the tension tighten, I found myself rolling my eyes. What begins as potentially eerie just devolves into something unintentionally silly.

It’s a shame, because the bones of the story could have worked. The Pacific Northwest setting is inherently moody, and the idea of parasocial relationships turning toxic is a timely one. But You Watched in Silence never finds the right tone—too overwrought to be chilling, too implausible to be psychological realism.

An advance reader copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ Rating: DNF / 1.5 stars

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had everything I could ever want in a thriller—deception, lies, suspense, mystery, and a spine-chilling vibe that had me hooked from start to finish. Honestly, if I could have, I would have binged it in one sitting without hesitation.

The pace was so fast, it was hard to take a breath, and every chapter brought something jaw-droppingly new.

From the very first page, the atmosphere was suffocating. It was creepy in the best way, keeping me on edge and constantly questioning what I thought I knew. The layers of deception are woven so tightly into the story that just when you think you have it figured out, bam—a new twist comes out of nowhere, leaving your jaw on the floor. The suspense is relentless, and every page feels like a countdown to something explosive. There were so many moments where I found myself gasping out loud, struggling to tear my eyes away from the page, even though life was calling and responsibilities were piling up.

This book had a chokehold on me, and I loved every second of it. The writing is so immersive that it’s almost impossible to put it down. Every moment was tense, every turn of the page made me want to read faster and faster, desperate to uncover the next shocking revelation. The story keeps you guessing, twisting and turning in ways that feel so unexpected, you almost have to remind yourself to breathe.

If you're a fan of thrillers that keep you up all night, where you can’t trust anyone, and the stakes are high with everything on the line, then this book is for you. It's one of those rare reads that you’ll think about long after the last page is turned. This author is incredible, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. No doubt, this is an easy 5 stars for me. Absolutely phenomenal.

[Jonna Ahnberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I was honored to receive an ARC of this and I’m so happy I did! It didn’t come with any demands, this review is 100% my honest opinion!

Thriller x Romance done in the best way!

Gosh I don’t even know where to start with this one! It was a rollercoaster for sure and I enjoyed every twist and turn immensely. It’s so crazy to me that this is a debut because H. Lee Justine is such a skilled writer with such creativity! The way she describes the setting and the character’s thoughts and feelings were so lyrical and poetic.

As an avid thriller I usually pride myself in being able to figure out the plottwist in many of the books I read, this book had multiple twists and while I almost could guess a few of them, others left me speechless and the big twist at the end had my jaw on the floor! Literally never would have guessed that in a million years.

I also really loved the way H. Lee Justine blended the cutesy wholesome moments with the spooky unsettling moments so seamlessly, that way you never knew when it was going to hit you right in the face.

Adored (most) of the characters in this book! They all were developed super well and had their own distinctive personalities and I became really fond of them during my reading, especially the twins, my cutie pies🥹

This book also does a great job at critiquing some very real and fatal flaws in the influencer and “mommy-vlogger” industry that was really interesting to read and ponder about and that definitely should be brought up more.

All in all, I’ll definitely recommend every single one of you to read this at the release and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, I hope it gets all the hype it deserves

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

WHAT DID I JUST READ?? 🫨 First, I love the trend of social media influencer thriller/horror. It’s such a new concept for me so I was instantly intrigued about what this book was about. I love how the author touched on the possible negative consequences of vlogging your kids’ life experiences (definitely when it comes to AI images 🫥).

This was a slow-burn mystery. It took me a little bit to really get engrossed into the plot but once I did I could not stop reading. I think I finished the second half in one sitting 🤣 I did not expect that ending! The last 100 pages 😮‍💨 MY GOD. At that point I was ready to ride-or-die for Olive and Max. The setting really helped set the book up as it took place in the Pacific Northwest where it is always rainy and overcast.

This book also has some paranormal horror elements. There’s ghostly visions, pentagrams, and animal sacrifices that kept me guessing who was behind it all?? Or was it even a person??

The writing style *chef’s kiss.* It basically told through Caity’s mind and what she was thinking of. The author had such a poetic way of describing all the feelings the characters were saying. I genuinely loved all the metaphors and constantly going back to it so it tied all the feelings together.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of You Watched in Silence.

This book was really intriguing and talked about important social concepts for us in 2025. The themes that this book explores are truly important right now, and as a decent person consuming social media, we need to look at the dark truths surrounding it. I value the different perspectives shown and discussed through diverse characters that each have distinct and well-developed personalities. The pacing of the book was entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked pretty much everything about this book.

Honestly, there were only a couple things I *didn't* really like:
- the fast-formed romantic relationship
- length of the book (there were a lot of sinister and sad topics being considered, but I didn't feel quite as emotionally attached as I think I could have if there was a little more time to sit on it all)


Typically, it's really difficult for me to read books that rely on pop culture references or refer to very current technology. Books that rely on current day knowledge don't typically age particularly well, and reach a much smaller audience. In this case, though, it really is done well. The current ideas aren't introduced or used in a cheesey way, but out of necessity to talk about specific societal issues.

I am honestly so excited to see what H. Lee Justine writes next! I can't wait to keep exploring various perspectives through her characters and stories.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Watched in Silence by H Lee Justine. Thanks to @blackstonepub #blackstoneinsider for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Caitlyn is thrilled when she gets a nanny position for Bella Greene, celeb influencer, despite the recent scandal. She bonds quickly with the kids and Bella, but starts feeling haunted by the past and events that start.

This story is creepy from the very beginning. While I wouldn’t call it a horror story, it’s a contemporary mystery that has a gothic and spooky subplot to it. The creepiness factor remains in the background and comes out more in the latter portion. There’s a major twist at the end that rocked my entire understanding of the plot. There’s also a lot of commentary on the influencer industry and how children are involved.

“Tragedy is a monster with razor sharp teeth and insatiable hunger. It ate me, every rigid tooth tearing into my flesh, scraping against my skin until I became nothing but crimson shreds.”

You Watched in Silence comes out 11/18.

[Jamie De · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to be haunted by a book, You Watched in Silence delivers! This book WILL NOT let me go,
I'm still on that remote island inside Caitlyns mind!
With gothic vibes, eery setting, and paranormal elements this Psychological Thriller takes you into the world of Caitlyn as she Nannie's for her favorite vlogger who has been cancelled. When Caitlyn begins doubting what she is witnessing, you will be filled with dread, doubt, and won't stop turning pages until the end! Fans of thrillers, mysteries, gothic queer romance, and just good books that won't let you go will LOVE You Watched in Silence.

[Naomi Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap ! Just when I thought i had an idea of the twists to come, I was extremely wrong .

This book will leave you reeling with your jaw on the floor.

Caitlyn has gotten her dream job nannying for an influencer that she's a super fan over. She was having a hard time, and the job fell into her lap just in time. but Bella Greene is possibly responsible for another fans death, and threats are coming from all over the place.

If you need a book that will have your heart racing and looking around every corner and avoiding reflections, then you have found your book.