Watch Over Me

A modern ghost story about trauma and survival, Watch Over Me is the much-anticipated new novel from the Printz Award-winning author of We Are Okay

★ "Gripping; an emotion-packed must-read." -Kirkus, starred review
★ "A painfully compelling gem from a masterful creator." -Booklist, starred review
★ "Moving, unsettling, and full of atmospheric beauty." -SLJ, starred review

Mila is used to being alone.

Maybe that's why she said yes. Yes to a second chance in this remote place, among the flowers and the fog and the crash of waves far below.

But she hadn't known about the ghosts.

Newly graduated from high school, Mila has aged out of the foster care system. So when she's offered a teaching job and a place to live on an isolated part of the Northern California coast, she immediately accepts. Maybe she will finally find a new home--a real home. The farm is a refuge, but it's also haunted by the past. And Mila's own memories are starting to rise to the surface.

Nina LaCour, the Printz Award-winning author of We Are Okay, delivers another emotional knockout with Watch Over Me about trauma and survival, chosen family and rebirth.

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288 pages

Average rating: 8.25

16 RATINGS

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5 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Shahna
Jul 18, 2024
6/10 stars
I thought this was going in the cult direction.

It's so much more depressing than that.
My emotions are tired.
AbbeyLileTaylor
Aug 29, 2023
8/10 stars
This was absolutely *nothing* like what I was expecting, but, in the end, was truly a beautiful piece of writing - a solid 4.5 stars. It was a beautiful story of grief and becoming okay with all the feelings that go along with it.
caileebrommel16
Jun 01, 2023
8/10 stars
the cover drew me in first again. i loved the vibe of this book and i loved that she was a teacher. her past was so sad but im glad that she finally has a bunch of family that love her and that she’s happy.
Anonymous
Apr 26, 2023
8/10 stars
I don't think I really knew what this was about when I started it. And that's probably the best way to go into this one.

First things first.
I am not someone who generally cares about the cover too much but dang this has a beautiful little cover (one that is ultimately a perfect representation of a beautiful little book).

Second things second.
The description mentions ghosts and there are ghosts but absolutely NOT in a spooooooky sort of way. If you are expecting any kind of horror/suspense, you will be completely disappointed. As I mentioned, I didn't remember what this was about when I started digging in, but I quickly realized that while there is some mystery to it, it isn't of the "house of horrors" variety but more of a gradual unveiling.

Third things third.
Both the writing and the story are quite gorgeous. There isn't a lot of outward action but there is plenty of inner action of the most painful variety - hurting, remembering, healing. The atmosphere is beautiful. The farm is as vivid as (if not even more so) the characters, and I was pulled into the property with its big farmhouse and minimalistic cabins and old schoolhouse.

This wasn't perfect by any means. The characters could have been flushed out a bit more. I felt that I was missing something with all of them, even with Mila. But this is still such a sweet, sad, pretty book that is well worth the read.

4 Stars
TheCleverReader
Feb 03, 2023
10/10 stars
Another beautifully written novel by the lovely Nina LaCour.

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