Don't Watch Alone

by Elisa D. Daniels

On November 9, 1984, the horror wasn’t just on the screen… it was in the mall.
What was supposed to be a night of scares and laughs turns into a waking nightmare when six friends attend the midnight premiere of Don’t Watch Alone—and find themselves locked inside the mall after the final scene fades to black.
But this isn’t some prank or accident. Someone’s watching. Someone who knows their every move… and their darkest secrets. One by one, the group is stalked through neon-lit hallways, vintage storefronts, and dark food courts. The killer isn’t just after blood—they’re staging a slasher film of their own.
As the body count rises, the lines between fiction and reality blur. The only way out is to survive the night—but not everyone is getting a final scene.
Don’t scream. Don’t run. Don’t Watch Alone.

Genres: Horror, Thriller

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2025

About the author

Elisa D. Daniels is from a small town in Oklahoma. Married to the love of her life and a proud mother of three children, she also loves being called Mimi by her handsome grandsons. She loves spending time with family. Since childhood, Elisa has been fascinated by true crime stories and had developed a deep passion for reading mystery books. Motivated by a steady determination, Elisa is now following her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.

Reviews

[Sarah * Between the Lines Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releases September 12-
Don’t Watch Alone… more like Don’t Read Alone!

Holy Moly, this one was a great thriller with some horror slasher takes, THINK 80’s horror or the 90’s like SCREAM, and this is it!

From about the half way mark is when all the action starts and my face had so much shock and ick and WTF moments and my eyes bulging from my head.

Elisa Daniels outdid herself with this one. My new favorite from one of my top favorite authors.

Thank you Elisa for allowing me to be one of you ARC readers!

[Kori Westfall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love a book that gives 80s/90s slasher vibes? A book that will pull you in and not let you go until the very last page? A book that delivers what it promises? Do you also love supporting Indie Authors?

Check out "Don't Watch Alone" by Elisa Daniels. This book releases tomorrow, September 12th, and is available for $2.99 for the ebook & $11.99 for the paperback.

Let's get into my review :

First of all, I've read three ARCs for Elisa Daniels now, and this was BY FAR my favorite.

I love the growth that I'm seeing in her writing. Its amazing being on this journey with such a talented friend. I love being able to support her and cheer her on with each new book release. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your ARC team.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

This book had me intrigued from the very beginning, but once I got to 62% (Yes. I know that was exactly the turning point!)

I was HOOKED. I could not freaking stop reading!!

This follows our FMC Blaize. A few of her friends make plans to go to a movie premiere for a new Horror movie "Don't Watch Alone." After the movie, six friends find themselves LOCKED in the mall, which doesn't sound so bad right? But one by one, they start to become victims. Their movie premiere night out with friends, quickly turns deadly.

I loved how Elisa used a single point of view throughout the first 62% of the book, but then switched to multiple points of view. This was something I've never seen done before. You get a point of view from each of the six friends while they are in the mall running for their lives. It made it so much more "real."

You know I'm very stingy with my 5 star reads!! But this book earned every star.

[Jessica Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. 😍 It’s one of my favorites by this author. I really connected with the FMC, Blaiz. The chapters are short and gripping, keeping me hooked from start to finish. I think I’ll wait a while before going to a movie or a mall. 😱 The last third of the book was incredibly intense!😬

[JD Setzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being a ARC reader for this amazing book! 📕
Pulls you in from the first page with loads of nostalgia, and then spirals you into the point you feel like you’re in a slasher film! Read in one day! I could not put it down, you have to know what comes next, and it delivers!

[alpacaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly executed amateur attempt at a slasher novel.

⭐⭐⭐ and that's being very generous.

[Blaiz Ferrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Watch Alone is pure 80s slasher glory—dripping with neon terror, pounding with heart-racing suspense, and packed with the kind of thrills horror fans live for.

A relentless stalker. A deserted mall after midnight. And one unstoppable FINAL GIRL who refuses to go down without a fight.

Elisa has outdone herself—her sharp, fearless storytelling put me right in the middle of the carnage. I’m so proud to be part of her circle and to see her genius up close. Bravo, book bestie—you’ve created a horror classic! 💗

[Karen Brooks - TheTxLitChic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yo, get ready for a totally tubular ride back into the 80’s with Don't Watch Alone by Elisa D. Daniels. I kid you not when I say that Daniels brings grody to the max to a new, gnarly level in this gag me with a spoon horror/thriller. So take a chill pill, don't be buggin' and get ready for a bodaciously bitchin' time! And if you don't like it, you can eat my shorts!

OK, enough of my flashback to the 80’s slang there! But seriously, get ready for a ride to the 80’s you won't forget in Don't Watch Alone! Now, onto my review!

 

Dont' Watch Alone

~Elisa D Daniels

Blaiz (FMC) works at the mall, but lately, she can't shake the feeling she's being watched. A cryptic warning from her stalker, Andy, leaves her torn – take him serious or let it go. Her boyfriend, Tony, and their friends – Jade, Derrick, Eva, and Drew – say he's just trying to scare her and to dismiss his warnings as infatuation.
 
It's November 9th – the night of Don't Watch Alone's release and the group has plans to be there. Blaiz can't seem to ignore the eerie undercurrent to the evening, but once the movie begins, she starts to relax. Reassurance from Tony as he wraps a comforting arm around her shoulder that nothing's going wrong. Yet after the credits roll and bathroom stops are made, the real horror begins. The group of friends are locked inside the mall – starring in their own real-life, front row seat, slasher movie.
 
Will anyone make it out alive? And if so, how far will they have to go in order to survive? You will have to read Don't Watch Alone to find out – and if you jump scare easily, maybe keep the lights on!

Daniels has delivered a masterclass in pacing and atmosphere. Instead of bogging readers down with excessive backstory, characters are given just enough detail to take root in your mind and then deepen as events unfold allowing your mind to wander. Blaiz is instantly relatable – balancing her relationship with Tony, the stresses of work and personal friendships – while the friend group dynamic feels so natural and cohesive.
 
Don't Watch Alone pulls you straight into the story, immersing you with vivid imagery you won't soon forget. While this isn't a gore-fest from page one, the tension starts simmering from Andy's first warning, building into a nail-biting crescendo once the real-life slasher movie begins. Some scenes – no spoilers here – will make you cringe. True fans of horror/slasher movies will appreciate how Daniels balances all aspects – dread, pacing and the grand payoff.

Daniels immediately engages you into a slow-burn starting slasher that tightens its grip with every chapter. Then once the chaos starts, she plunges you straight into the madness leaving you unable to put it down. It's a read in one sitting kind of book that I highly recommend – I actually read it back to back twice.
 
Don’t Watch Alone isn’t just a title - it’s good advice.

I would like to thank Elisa D. Daniels for the opportunity to Alpha/Beta/ARC for Don't Watch Alone. As always, ALL opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation, current or future, by the author or publisher for leaving a fair and honest review of the book.

 If you enjoyed this review, or any content on my page, please follow me on all social media as thetxlitchic.

 
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[Stephanie Chaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad and good for a quick slasher book but the writing wasn’t the best and I didn’t really care too much for the final reveal it was just meh to me

[Chapters_with_VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all! November 9, 1984: big hair, neon lights, leg warmers, wild jackets… and a midnight slasher flick. Sounds like a total 80s dream, right? WRONG. In Don’t Watch Alone by Elisa D. Daniels, the horror doesn’t just stay on the screen—it follows you out into the mall, hiding in shadows, waiting for the perfect moment.

I tore through this in just 4 hours, and every chase, twist, and blood-soaked page had me on edge 🍿🔥. The characters feel ripped straight from the 80s teen scene—awkward crushes, loud personalities, and sneakers squeaking across tile floors. The writing is so vivid I could smell the greasy fries, hear the flicker of neon signs, and feel my pulse racing as the terror crept closer. Daniels perfectly blends nostalgia with heart-pounding suspense, making it impossible to put down.

💀 Creepy. Nostalgic. Cinematic. Totally binge-worthy. 5 ⭐️. Just… maybe don’t read it alone. Your nerves will thank you. 😉🔪

[Jaime Tragesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a totally righteous thriller read make sure to bounce on over to Amazon to grab your copy of Don't Watch Alone by Elisa Daniels on September 12th!

This gnarly book follows Blaiz, a homegirl just trying to make ends meet by helping customers look fly with fashions found at Electric Avenue where she works in the mall (and also appears to have landed a creepy stalker).

Blaiz and her homies decide to go to a late night showing of Don't Watch Alone and before that night, she gets a creepy warning to stay home.

This book is totally rad. There were many times I had some gnarly reactions as I was reading.

Make sure you dont miss out! Word to your mother! ✌️✌️

[Nyxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of getting an advance copy of Don't Watch Alone.

This book is absolutely fantastic! You will immediately be drawn back into the 80s!

This book would actually be amazing ( totally rad !!) if it was made into an 80s slasher movie!!

If you loved the 80s - love slasher movies - you MUST read this book !!

[Carol Gulliford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Watch Alone takes us back to the 80's, and really, what's not to love. A group of friend's head to the mall for a midnight premier of a horror movie, and let's just say they get a lot more than they bargained for. Blaiz was warned plenty of times to stay away, but did she listen? No, of course not! It was fun, brutal, and thoroughly entertaining!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED the setting of the book! Even though I wasn’t a teenager in the era, I consider myself an 80s kid. I felt like I was with the characters getting dressed and doing all the fun stuff kids did back then! I was hooked from the very beginning. I could picture myself being with the characters and feeling what they were going through. It kept me guessing with all the twists. Love that it gave me the vibe of an 80s horror film and a Final Destination movie. Great read! Definitely recommend!

[Elaine Rainbolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly can't say enough about this book. It truly left me on the edge of my seat and yelling at people during situations in the story. Trust me if you think you know who it is halfway through your wrong. The twist on the end had me floored. I am definitely super stoked about buying a paperback copy of this book.

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can feel the research that the author put into this book to make it as accurate as possible! A new favorite read from one of my top fave authors. The twists, the anticipation, the HEART PALPITATIONS! I can’t!

Think 80s slasher (it gives me total Scream vibes) and IM HERE FOR IT! Also the FMC is a total badass and you know how I love strong FMC’s. Beautifully done!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of “Don’t Watch Alone” by Elisa D. Daniels:
Omg—I’m never going to the mall again! From the halfway point on, I was holding my breath, my heart was pounding, and I was jumping at every little sound. This slasher horror delivers the perfect mix of Scream-style tension, I Know What You Did Last Summer chills, and classic Final Girl grit. Elisa D. Daniels took all the best parts of slashers and brought them together in one unforgettable story of her own. Set in 1984, she perfectly captures the era, making me feel like I was right there in the mall, watching the terror unfold and fearing I’d be next. Absolutely chilling and brilliantly done! If you’re a fan of slasher horrors, this is a must-read.

[Angelica Ybarra · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Wow!!Wow!! Don't Watch Alone is an amazing book! I was hooked from start to finish. I even scared myself because I was so focused when I was reading. 😂

"We're the bitches who laugh in the face of terror. The Queens of horror. We are fearless."

The FMC, Blaize, is such a strong character and so relatable. She's a young woman taking time off from school, working,spending time with her boyfriend, and partying with her friends. She's just enjoying her life until she notices someone watching her. Blaize dismisses the creepy feeling until she notices this man everywhere. He is at the same party, shows up at her job, and wits for her after work.

The stalker warns her to stay home. He tells her something bad is going to happen if she goes to the movies with her friends to watch the new horror movie Don't watch alone. Blaze doesn't want this stalker to ruin her plans so her and her friends go anyway.

After the movie, Blaize's boyfriend (Tony) goes to the bathroom and never comes out. Blaize and her 4 friends go looking for Tony when they realize they are locked in the mall. They decide to split up to cover more ground and that is when all hell breaks loose.

"You should've stayed home." "You're next"

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! release date September 12, 2025

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strap yourself in for a wild trip to the 80's which wouldn't be complete without SHOULDER PADS!!! Arrrgghh, who on earth said "shoulder pads are cool?" Lol.

I was fortunate to receive an ARC from Elisa for this fantastic book! The FMC gets this eerie feeling she's being watched... She's right, some creepo is stalking her and then warns her not to go see the new movie "Don't Watch Alone" which she has been eagerly awaiting for - along with her friends.

Her eagerness, however, is overshadowed by feelings of fear and pending doom. Once at the movie, she tells herself she's fine, seeks reassurance from her boyfriend Tony and is relieved once the credits start rolling...

Blaize is wrong. The spine-chilling events in the locked Mall afterwards are from her worst nightmare. The killer is staging their OWN 80's slasher film and Blaize has been cast as the main character.

I felt like I was right there in the Mall amongst the chaos, body counts, and palpable fear. My heart was RACING and I did not see that ending coming...

As usual, Elisa has set the fast-paced atmosphere where you find yourself holding your breath in trepidation. The story telling is chilling, intense, and extremely well written. I felt like I could FEEL Blaize's fear!

Elisa captured the 80's perfectly. As a teenager myself in the 80's I remember the Neon coloured clothes and accessories and yes, the shoulder pads...and I related to both the character's and era.

Thanks Elisa for this excellent heart-pounding thriller which I devoured. The Acknowledgments are really cool too...

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun. Bringing it back to the 80s with a slasher novel. The majority of the novel takes place in a mall and is filled with 80s slang and style. I was thinking of the Scream movies a lot for this novel and it has a lot of similarities so if you are a fan this is the novel for you. I absolutely love the cover it drew me right to the book. I will definitely check out other books by this author.
A slashing good read.

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right Back to the 80s!

Complete with the horror tropes and tension and big hair.

This is a fantastic read. I was worried it wouldn't stick the landing, but it did! I liked the twists and the atmosphere.

A great, very bingeable book. Worth reading!

[Tamara Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is obsessed with the Scream movies, I absolutely loved everything about this.

[Amy Tackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitchin.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T WATCH ALONE BY ELISA DANIELS
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Release day set for the 12th of September 2025.
Let me tell you this book is the perfect book for anyone who wants to be scared shitless.
I had the sense of dread from the very beginning and I'm sure at one point my blood pressure went up 🤣
Creepy and scary.
Chilling to the bone.
I read this in one sitting as just didn't want to put it down.
Fantastic book.
Highly recommend

[Laurie Elwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in from the beginning to end. If u like horror & the thrill of the case, with a few secrets, you will love this book!! The ending doesn’t disappoint.

[Felecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't Watch Alone by Elisa Daniels

MA'AM. WHAT IN THE ABSOLUTE FRICK AND FRACK. I'm STILL trying to gather my dang words. I had chills Chile. Friggin chills.

Let me tell you something (picture Ace Ventura saying this 🤣): If someone repeatedly tells you the same message/warning/words of wisdom, WHATEVER, You better dang listen to them! (I apologize but I'm still on edge! 👀🫣🤣) or that could be your life!

This book took me on a ride where I'm still drifting in the clouds. I mean COASTING yall! The setting is based in the 80s and how everything was described, you definitely felt like you were there.

This book of greatness will be released on September 12th. Go👏🏽and👏🏽put👏🏽this👏🏽on👏🏽the👏🏽list👏🏽RIGHT👏🏽NOW! Like now. Whatchu still looking at the post for?! Go on now! Let me get my breathing and these chill bumps together because hun-nee (honey. Yall know! 🤣🤣)! I'm still wearing my jacket trying to warm up! 🤣🤣

[Jine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness gracious! First off I was given an arc of this book for my honest reviews!
This author for me is a read when published kind of author you just know you’re going to love whatever it is!
This book is set in the 80s it gives you that perfect nostalgia It gives with the descriptions and lingo!
I love love the slasher and scream vibes if you’re a fan of either of these please give this book a chance you won’t be disappointed!
Lastly for me this book is extra special when my name was included in the shoutouts in the back it really makes a reader feel included!

[Mike C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t Watch Alone by Elisa Daniels


If you love 80’s slasher films and all the nostalgia that goes along with it, this one is for you.

Blaiz is a typical young woman in the 80’s working at the mall. All seems well until some weird dude starts hanging around giving her weird ominous warnings about going to a movie with her friends. Cut to 80’s horror in all of its glory. The action starts and you won’t stop until you’re done.

This one had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t get to the next chapter fast enough. In typical Elisa fashion, I definitely had a whole lot of “wait, what?” Moments.

Thank you to Elisa for allowing me to ARC read this new one that releases 9/12/25. If you haven’t preordered this one yet, yall need to get on that. This one is a banger for sure.

[Carmela Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

90s slasher movie vibe but not in a good way. Confused at the ending. Disappointing read

[Kari Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I was 14 at the time the book takes place and right away, I had a feeling of nostalgia. The clothing mentioned, the hair styles, the slang (I had a friend who said rad all the time!), the mall stores that are no longer around.

The story was great. Every time I thought I had it figured out BAM, twist time!

This book was well written and fast-paced, especially once they went to the movie theater.

Highly recommend. I plan to read more by this author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[NH MotherTucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has so much 80's nostalgia, it's ridiculous!
Like a great 80's Slasher film, this has it all!
Mall
Friends
Parties
Coworkers
Movie theater
Clothing stores
Food court
Drama
Revenge
Suspense
And murders.
I mean..like not just one or two either.
And if you don't know, I have TOTALLY deemed Elisa the Queen of Covers because....
C'mon!
Look at this!!
What a great one to add to her Bree Turner covers!