This was just an ok read for me. The storyline was promising but much of the "action" was going on in Sam's head, and that was just not a place I wanted to be.

I don't mind novels that are written from multiple points of view, but I found Sam's narration in secondary present first person to be a distraction. Maybe it's just me, and others will enjoy this story more than I did. There really wasn't much of anything "dark and twisty" as promised in the description. I mean yes a psycho stalker is dark, but as far as twisty goes you could pretty much see the path the story was taking, which was slow and straight ahead.


I received an advance copy for review
( )

Watch Me is a compelling psychological thriller about how far obsession can go. It's easy to see why this would be compared to [b:You|20821614|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1411958102s/20821614.jpg|39913517]. Sam's narrative is reminiscent of Joe's but that's about where the similarities end.

Watch Me alternates between the POV of Sam Grist and Kate Youngblood.
Sam is a grade A sociopath. No doubt about that. He sees the world the way he wants and won't let anything - or anyone - derail his plans. He's worked 5 years to get to Kate and well...he's not about to let go of the fantasy life he's created in his mind.
Kate's had a rough go of it. She's a struggling author, recently divorced and at 38 feeling increasingly invisible. In walks Sam, a 22 year old student in her writing workshop who really sees her. The attraction is undeniable but she's determined not to cross that line. Problem is, he's relentless in his pursuit and seamlessly integrates himself into her life. She just has no idea how far he's willing to go - or has already gone.
I really enjoyed the writing style and despite how disturbing Sam was, I quite liked his character.

Would definitely recommend to fans of psychological thrillers - especially ones featuring stalkers or forbidden desires.

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

3.5 stars.

Watch Me by Jody Gehrman is a tangled tale of obsession and murder.

Kate Youngblood is in her late thirties and still reeling from her recent-ish divorce. She is a college professor struggling to make tenure and a published author whose latest novel is rejected by her agent. With her best friend, Zoe, about to give birth, Kate is feeling left behind and unnoticed by the opposite sex. Needless to say, she is quite flattered by the attention of one of her students, Sam Grist. Realizing she would be committing professional suicide if she acts on their mutual attraction, she tries to keep the intense twenty-two year old at arm's length. However, unbeknownst to Kate, Sam has been quietly and carefully stalking her for quite some time and his obsession could turn deadly if she thwarts the plan he envisions for their future.

Sam is quite charming and oozes sex appeal. But Kate notices a few less than savory aspects of his personality that do not initially alarm her. She is astonished by his poise and maturity and her low self esteem leaves her very vulnerable to his attention. Kate is a bit of an annoying character who whines a lot about her life yet she is unwilling to do anything to change her circumstances.

Sam is sly, cunning and deeply troubled. He has been obsessed with Kate for years and he will do anything to make his intricate fantasy about their future together a reality. Sam well aware that he is quite different from everyone else and he has made a very conscious effort to mask his inadequacies.

Written from alternating points of view, Watch Me has an interesting storyline but it is incredibly slow moving and somewhat repetitive. None of the characters are overly appealing and for the most part, they are a little under developed. Sam's past is nominally more interesting than Kate's but both characters lack depth (which is maybe the point?). Sam's obsession with Kate is quite creepy and the way he stalks her is chilling. Kate is incredibly self-absorbed and it takes her a little too long to clue into the fact that someone is paying a little too much attention to her. And her reaction once she does realize is eyebrow raising (but not in a good way). Jody Gehrman is a gifted storyteller whose latest mystery is intriguing but never quite measures up to its potential. ( )

This is a story of obsession. Sam, 22, is obsessed with Kate, an author he has researched because he loved her first novel. He has created a fantasy where they fall in love and move to NY to be together. Kate, is 38, and a professor in a college in Ohio. Sam gets accepted into the writing seminar that Kate teaches. Kate Immediately feels an attraction to Sam when she sees him in class, but knows it is wrong to become involved with a student. Sam won’t relent, and increases in his intensity to win Kate.
Sam is a psychopath, but when Kate realizes it, it may be too late. The last chapter of this book is incredibly chilling.
#WatchMe #JodyGehrman ( )

Creative writing professor Kate Youngblood feels as if life is passing her by. Her husband left her for a younger woman, her second novel was not a success, her looks are fading.

But Sam Grist is watching . . . .

Creepy stalker Sam has a cold, calculating voice, but Kate’s is far less compelling, making the narrative a bit uneven as it alternately offers each person’s perspective. One wonders how an educated woman can become so clueless and make such vacuous choices. It’s no wonder she’s so unlikeable.

The intriguing narrative . . . dark, creepy, sinister . . . keeps the pages turning. However, readers should be aware of the distasteful graphic scenes sprinkled throughout the narrative. Additionally, a too-often used expletive [from a college professor, no less] is odious and may offend some readers. ( )