I loved this book! Natiello has an amazing ability to infuse the thriller genre with wry humor, social commentary, and existential questions and still keep her book a beach read! (Or late-into- the-night read, as was the case with me). I admire the range of characters she takes on, and the humanity she gives them. The character of Honey is my favorite. As was true with this author's last book, The Memory Box, reading it was like being at a magic show-- the way the author pulls of plot twists and turns is stunning.
FOLLOWING YOU: Suspenseful page turner with surprising ending
by Eva Lesko Natiello
FROM NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR of THE MEMORY BOX.A fear-induced split-second decision goes terribly wrong, altering the fate of three strangers.It's New Year's Eve. Shae Wilmont, the adored celebrity host of IShop—a popular shopping site—is ready to reclaim her life. Her stalker has been caught. But en route to a party, a harrowing encounter lands her in the wrong place at the wrong time. She panics. And trusts her gut. It's a devastating mistake.Only one person knows where she ends up. It's where no one can find her.Shae's stunned fans quickly galvanize to track her down. Yet the charismatic Shae they know, who delivers digital intimacy to viewers who'll buy anything she sells, off camera is an enigma—private and strangely insecure—unable to let anyone get close. When startling personal secrets are exposed during the investigation, the paradox of Shae begins to unravel.In this dark psychological suspense, the lives of three strangers collide irreversibly. Honey, a displaced Southern girl with a painful past, is fiercely protective of her friends at the expense of her own safety, derailing her new life in California. Creepy Lawrence, a Detective Bureau fast-tracker with a penchant for latex gloves and a perverse obsession with Shae. And Shae, with millions of fake friends but hardly a real one.All three are hiding something, but only two of them are lying. This suspenseful page-turner bares our assumptions of strangers. Who we believe without judgment and who we judge without believing. A story about privilege, family, identity, the need for belonging and the destruction caused by secrets. How can you trust your instincts when they turn out to be wrong? PRAISE for FOLLOWING YOU“FOLLOWING YOU is a raw, unflinching story about obsession as it follows three characters through a maze of twisted lies. Guaranteed to shock, this one will keep you reading late into the night.” —Samantha Downing, USA Today bestselling author of My Lovely Wife and He Started ItHoney is a train wreck, and that is the beauty of this novel. With one eye covered, you can't help but turn the page. Expertly paced, gripping, and intoxicating, the NY Times Bestselling author of THE MEMORY BOX returns with a sophomore effort that will leave you breathless.—J.D. Barker, New York Times bestselling author of A Caller's Game“FOLLOWING YOU is a dark, delicious thriller. I voraciously flipped the pages, looking over my shoulder, at times thoroughly creeped out, other times shocked. Read it with the lights on. And the last couple of twists – oh, my! I did not see them coming.” —Amber Garza, author of When I Was You
“An inherently riveting and deftly crafted novel of dark psychological suspense, FOLLOWING YOU showcases author Eva Lesko Natiello's genuine flair for originality and a distinctively entertaining narrative storytelling style. Highly recommended, especially for community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections . . . and all dedicated psychological thriller fans . . .”—Midwest Book Review
“Eva Lesko Natiello, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE MEMORY BOX, returns with a sizzler in FOLLOWING YOU . . . Diabolically twisted and entertaining . . . Intense and creepy . . . A smart, wickedly plotted psychological thriller brimming with dark surprises at each page turn. From the enigmatic and stunning front cover to the gripping last page, you will be spellbound.”—Judith D. Collins, Must Read Books
Reviews
A page-turner with a sense of humor
She does it again with the suspense!!!!!
I'm a huge fan of Eva Natiello's books. I absolutely LOVED The Memory Box (I read it twice) and just finished Following You. I love how there is so much suspense throughout the book and just don't know how she comes up with these story lines. Creepy Lawrence totally threw me for a loop at the end - what nut. I read the book in just a few days - couldn't wait to get in bed and read it every night. Great job Eva, can't wait for the next one! I just love your story lines!
If thrillers thrill and chill you
Intriguing and can't put down until you finish it. Waiting for number 3 to be published. Bravo Eva.
Total Stars: ★★☆☆☆ 2.6/5
Following You by Eva Lesko Natiello
Readability: ★★★☆☆
Immersion: ★★☆☆☆
Character Depth: ★★☆☆☆
Originality/Innovation: ★★★☆☆
The Message: ★★★☆☆
Total Stars: ★★☆☆☆ 2.6/5
The opening chapter of this book, literally, gave me a “stank face”. I started reading next to my husband, and he asked me “are you okay?”. This is neither here nor there - but be prepared for a rather gross and weird opening chapter.
After that chapter, we got into the main protagonist's story, a TV shopping host who has anxiety and a stalker. I thought this would be a psychological thriller and was excited - but it veered much more into a gory horror. I don’t mind either genre - but it was misleading to me from the description and how it is being marketed. I didn’t feel the psychological thriller genre at all.
If you enjoyed Stephen King’s “Misery” then this book may be for you. However, be prepared that the level of writing is not the same (which, to be fair, it would be hard to top Stephen King).
The story felt disjointed, and I wasn’t sure about the characters and who to root for. Everyone came off odd, annoying, and confusing.
I enjoyed the author's first book - but this felt rushed and not give a thoroughly good editor. I will read her work again, but I wouldn’t read this story again
Thank you Fine Line Publishing, author, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Read On,
SJ
If you love a ton of suspense and a really good twist, this book's for you!
I can't remember the last time I read a book that wouldn't let me put it down! Each chapter ended on such a gripping cliffhanger, there was no way to resist the urge to continue reading. The character development was so thorough, I almost wished it wasn't. I'll never look at a surgical glove the same way again, Lawrence... you dirty bird! (The Misery connection was undeniable.) But just when you think you've got it all figured out, and re-figured out, the plot takes yet another turn and it's back on another potentially false trail on its wild ride! Don't bother trying to guess the ending - it'll do you no good. And Eva Lesko Natiello's style is wonderfully witty, smooth, and easy to read. I didn't think I could like it as much as I liked The Memory Box, but Following You proved me wrong. A fantastic, albeit creepy read, for sure! Can't wait to see what comes next from this author!
Fantastic read
Following You is such a great read . It is a suspenseful thriller and will keep you guessing. There were many twists and a surprise ending!
Amazing book.
A thrilling and suspenseful book that held my attention throughout the entire time. A must read.
Staying engaged with the story.
OMG!!! Following You is such a captivating story. I can’t even begin to tell you how many morning workouts I missed due to the fact I couldn’t put the book down. Eva Natiello has the ability to keep the reader engaged throughout the entire book. I loved how she can bring the characters to life. Can’t tell you how many times I shouted out; “holy ...”
A truly fantastic read.
