A review by katiemack
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I've read several reviews that take issue with Cole's heavy-handedness regarding the effects of gentrification and the behavior of the white folks in the neighborhood. Honestly, though, that's the part that felt the strongest in the book--I appreciate the amount of research Cole did into the history of redlining, particularly in Brooklyn, and that she doesn't shy away from its destructive effects. It's also a great reminder that America was colonized and that it was not "uninhabited" at its founding; rather, the land was stolen from the Native Americans who already lived there.

While the background and theory behind the book are both strong, the pacing was uneven; the execution didn't work as well for me as I thought it would--it starts off slow and then goes off the rails the last 25% or so. The romance between Sydney and Theo is fine but, like many works of romantic suspense, it didn't feel essential. This was exacerbated by the fact that the reader doesn't get much insight into their lives; instead, Cole will drop bombshells about their past without clarifying them.

It's a quick read and, again, I learned a lot. If you've enjoyed Alyssa Cole's work in the past, this one is worth picking up. 
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