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

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I really liked this story and how the horror elements were incoproated with the real-life facts of gentrification. I also liked the way the neighborhood messaging app was incorporated between chapters.

Spoiler

I was not the biggest fan of Sydney and Theo's romantic relationship. I do not like relationships were one character learns to let go of their bigotry/bias because they are in a relationship with someone they were bigoted/biased against. I did not take any stars off because I did feel that Theo changed, but I would have rather their relationship remain a friendship, or just hint at romantic feelings in the end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Police brutality

Minor: Sexual content

CW for sexual content:

Spoiler

There is a consensual sex scene between two of the adult characters near the end of the book. Not descriptive or graphic, but could make those who are sex-repulsed, such as myself, uncomfortable.