A review by ci_reads
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

What an incredible ride this was! The story follows Sydney, a long-time resident of a Black neighborhood in Brooklyn, and her new neighbor, Theo, a white man who just moved in across the street with his stereotypical blond, ponytailed white girlfriend. The two start researching the local neighborhood history to create a walking tour of the area, and while they are learning of actual history of the Brooklyn area, strange things begin to happen: long-time residents disappear, replaced by rich white people.

Alyssa Cole brilliantly mixes the base story of heavy topics like gentrification, redlining, white priviledge, and police brutality with some romance and some laugh-out-loud funny dialogue. For example, "the bags under her eyes would have to be checked on most airlines." Hilarious.

I loved Sydney and all her complexity. The characterizations of the each of the neighborhood characters and their community was absolutely lovely. Theo is a very useful character to explain race issues, that Black people would inherently understand, to white/non-Black audiences. 

The last 10% or so was just insane, like a full-speed roller coaster. I couldn't put the book down. It did feel a bit rushed compared to the pacing of the rest of the book, but it had my blood pumping and my hands sweating, so I'd say Cole succeeded in thrilling me.

I bust out laughing, imagining white people chastising their kids for literally describing a person's race. I guess if you think being Black is an unfortunate affliction, of course it would seem rude.

When I think of a Black community, the first thing that comes to mind- even if I don't want it to- is crime. Drugs. Gangs. Welfare. That's all the news has talked about since I was a kid. Not old people drinking tea. Not complex self-sustaining financial systems that had to be created because racism meant being left out to dry.

"Sydney." Theo is grinning as he calls my attention back to him, though his eyes are somber. "I need you need to channel the confidence of a mediocre white man. I'll give you mine. We'll figure it out because we don't have any other choice."
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