WOW, I don’t even know what to say! It’s by far one of my top suspense thrillers probably ever! It’s a fast-paced-crazy-twisted story that you will find yourself not being able to put down. If there’s one thriller you plan on reading this year, let this be it. You will NOT regret it!

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier was not at all what I was expecting. I read only the first paragraph of the description, which said this was about three friends – one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who wanted to find out the truth – and that was enough to hook me.

I liked that this moved at a rapid pace. We get a little taste of Geo in prison right off the bat, a darker Orange is the New Black if you will, but it doesn’t drag on with unnecessary details or focus too much on her activities while inside. We get a taste of what it’s like, her connections, her life, and then we jump ahead to her release five years later, which is when things start to really get interesting, but continues to move at a quick and suspenseful pace.

The characters were also interesting. The women in the prison weren’t around for too long, but those who were introduced made an impact and were there for a reason. I liked the complicated dynamic between Geo and Kai. Old friends, lots of history, lots of memories and still a bond and sense of caring underneath everything else. Sure, Kai is the reason Geo is in jail, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel a little bad about it, only a little. I liked the layered relationships and the oddball team these old friends made.

But specifically, the relationship between Geo and Calvin is what drives the story. An abusive, manipulative first love, if you will. It wasn’t pleasant to read about, but I think Hillier handled it really well and Geo’s reactions and self awareness and understanding made this a really interesting and complex layer of this story.

I think what I enjoyed most about this was how Hillier dragged the reader along. We were never given full details about the crime off the bat, but the missing details also weren’t so obviously omitted just to keep us in suspense. There were little secretive meanings that were known only to the characters, things that created intrigue and a need to know how it all fits. Even in the end, when the fog starts to clear and the reader begins to see what is happening, even when I had that ‘ah ha’ moment and everything clicked into place, that wasn’t held over my head to keep the suspense going. Hillier confirmed my suspicious, continued the story with more suspense and ended on a note with a twist I think a lot of other authors would have shied away from. I hate being toyed with, but Hillier knows how to play her readers well and give them exactly what they need.

This was not a pleasant book, the crimes are brutal and while they aren’t described in morbid detail, they also aren’t sugar coated. The people are messed up, the villains are somewhat ruthless, and it all comes together perfectly. A little too perfectly in the end with the epilogue, but I won’t dwell too much on that because the rest of the book had me holding my breath and viciously turning pages totally caught up in what was going down.

Graphic and dark, but this book kept me reading. The past can come back to haunt you. Warning that there are some explicit areas but the writing style is very good and engaging. I loved the story. This is my first book by this author and I must read more. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
Jar of Hearts
by Jennifer Hillier (Goodreads Author)
14233569
Mary Beth *Traveling Sister*'s review Jun 19, 2018 · edit
really liked it

4.5 stars

Geo's best friend, Angela Wong, vanished without a trace, when she was in high school. No one found out what happened to her until 14 years later. Her remains were found in the woods behind Geo's house.
Angela died when she was 16 years old. She was murdered

She now has a successful job, and all that is lost when she is arrested. Geo 's boyfriend, Calvin James is also arrested.

Geo knew for 14 years what happened to Angela and told no one. She kept that secret. Kaiser Brody is the detective, and He was also one of Geo's friends in highschool. Geo is sentenced to prison for five years and Calvin is sentenced for life.

While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep. Now new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the same way as Angela Wong.

This book had everything I love in a thriller. I couldn't stop thinking of this book. It's a dark thriller with lots of twists and turns. It is a little graphic. I kept on guessing and guessing wrong until the end. This story will stick with me for a long time. It is very tense. It is full of secrets and lies. The ending is shocking and disturbing.

The characters were very well done. They all were realistic. I had so many different emotions for Geo. I also loved the writing style.

I read Jennifer Hillier's book Creep and I now want to finish the rest of that series.

I want to thank Netgalley, Jennifer Hillier, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Chilling, disturbing, and oh so good! This is the first book I’ve read by this author and will be adding more to my to-read list.

This book is wonderfully written and sectioned into five stages of grief/loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. So fitting and perfectly fitting as the story unfolds. I also loved the flashbacks between past and present revealing just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way. I read the last half of the book between yesterday and today. I did not want to put it down although some disturbing scenes made me take a water or bathroom break. So here is my warning: some graphic sections of rape, murder, and dismemberment. I promise this book is chilling and will keep you turning the pages to find out more.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’ll be watching for more Jennifer Hillier books!

Jennifer Hillier is one of my favourite mystery/thriller authors and she doesn't disappoint with "Jar Of Hearts".
High school students Angela, Georgina and Kaiser were best friends who did everything together. One fateful night everything changed. One was murdered, one went to prison and one became a cop to search for the truth and justice.
What happened that crucial night is more complex and chilling than anyone knows. As the details emerge we are taken on a roller coaster ride of thrilling, chilling moments that make this book unputdownable.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

"It is easier to commit murder than to justify it." — Aemilius Papinianus

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a psychological thriller that gets down and dirty quickly.

Geo (Georgina) Shaw has it made. She's beautiful, smart, well to do, has a fantastic job, and is engaged to a rich man. Then past events from nineteen years ago wipe out her life as she knows it and bring horrifying events from the past to the forefront.

This tale had complex characters and a twisty plot. It captured my interest for the very first page and kept me reading pretty much non-stop. I will definitely read more by this author.

I received this book from Minotaur Books through Net Galley and also through the Amazon VINE program in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

This book is dark, twisted, gritty and a thrilling read - and I loved it!!

The story is well woven and it drew me in right from the first few pages. I loved the characters and I was completely engrossed as the plot unravelled. I thought they were well developed, had complex back stories and worked so well together. There were a few bits that made me cringe but it was all in keeping with the plot and style for the book. The pace was spot on for the story and the writing style was superb.

I loved how the book almost creeped forward, you were taken one way in the plot only for there to be a twist which took you in a completely new direction.

This is the first book I have read by this author so I will definitely be looking to check out her previous books now - five stars from me, a highlight of the year so far!!

This is the only novel that I have read by super talented author Jennifer Hillier and I am absolutely sure that it won’t be the last. It consumed me, it excited me and it’s surely the best crime thriller I’ve read this year. When I reached the tantalising and shocking ending I was covered with sweat and my heart was racing. I really felt that I had read an engrossing and very thrilling novel. I was very sad to have reached the finishing post. This is definitely an unmissable read and a real page-turner.
Georgina (Geo) Shaw, Angela Wong and Kaiser Brody are a supportive teenage friendship group. Angela is the golden girl and knows it, a ‘Miss Popularity’ whilst Geo is quieter but seriously hot, dancing in the flames of her best friend. Kaiser gets on with both girls but makes no secret of the fact that he wants to be Geo’s boyfriend, though he looks out for both girls. Then Geo meets Calvin James, an older, more experienced youth and falls under his spell. Angela is jealous and wants her best friend back whilst Kaiser is really devastated. Nevertheless Geo falls madly in love and, even though Calvin can be a bit rough at times, he respects her and is happy for their love to deepen and more than happy to wait for sex.
Then one night Angela disappears after attending a party. She is only 16 years of age. With this tragic split in the group, the two friends drift apart, until years later when a body is found in woods behind Geo’s father’s house, another victim of the infamous Sweetbay Strangler who was identified as Calvin. It’s Angela. This novel tells the story of what happened that fateful night and also what happened when Calvin broke out of gaol whilst Geo was serving time for her part in the crime. It’s full of red herrings, blind alleyways and shocking twists and turns. The plot develops like a runaway train gathering speed. Gradually the truth unfolds in this excellent story about loyalty, love, friendship and guilt. The characters are beautifully crafted and expertly developed. Sweet Kaiser becomes a committed policeman bent on protecting Geo, herself a complex but admirable character who keeps secrets that should have been revealed so much earlier and would have prevented a second wave of dreadful murders.
I received this superb novel through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Corvus, all in return for an honest review. This is my 5* review. Believe me this is an excellent, ingenious and unforgettable novel. All the opinions are my own with no influence from other parties.

4 Fabulous Stars.

You know that old saying, “the past will always come back to haunt you?” Well, no one's past could ever possibly out do Georgina (Geo) Shaw’s.

Geo is now an uber successful business woman. She had the best friends in High School. The kind of friends you never forget, the kind that haunt you. They did everything together. Until the day Geo met Calvin James. He is older, absolutely gorgeous and quite devious. He is also controlling and manipulative, yet Geo is drawn to him. It’s that whole moth and flame thing yet again, and boy does she get burned. Geo, however, is not the only one.

Angela Wong (one of Geo’s best friends), is sixteen when she goes missing. Calvin James gets arrested for her murder. Fourteen years later, so does Geo. Now, instead of wearing pin-striped suits, she wears, pinstripes. Life, isn’t exactly what you’d call good. Then, right before she gets out, it gets even worse. New bodies are found - in the exact same location they found Angela And the M.O.? Well it’s her old boyfriends’ of course. Talk about a happy homecoming.

Are you intrigued yet? The answer better be yes!

“Jar of Hearts” by Jennifer Hillier was one of the better psychological suspense novels I’ve read in awhile. Though a few things were a little unbelievable, there were several jaw dropping moments that absolutely rocked. All in all, the novel was gripping, terrifying and totally cray cray and I highly recommend it.

I read this with Kaceey! We had the best time reading it together. :)

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Jennifer Hillier for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter, Instagram and Amazon on 6.19.18.

Here's an unusual psychological mystery, Jennifer Hillier's Jar of Hearts, that explores a teen girl's devolution after she enters an abusive relationship with a charismatic young man who totally dominates her life - and destroys her future.

Though I had trouble liking the lead for most of this story of obsession, it is masterfully written, and not at all like the usual mystery fare - well worth reading.

Twenty years ago, Geo was sixteen years old and madly in love with her older boyfriend, Calvin. Geo's relationship with Calvin caused a rift between Geo and her best friends, Angela and Kaiser. Angela, used to being the one who gets the attention from boys, was jealous, and Kaiser, who had secretly been in love with Geo for years, found it hard to watch her fawn over someone else. 

When Angela disappears, all of the friendships and relationships between the group are fractured, and for good reason. Fifteen years later, Geo has moved on with her life, and has tried her hardest to put the past behind her. Her new life shatters when Angela's body is uncovered, and she's arrested in relation to the murder - it turns out, her ex boyfriend Calvin was a serial killer known as the Sweetbay Strangler. What's worse, is the fact that Geo knew what happened to Angela and never told. 

After spending five years in prison, Geo returns home. While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep, and what happened that fateful night is more chilling than anyone knows. Now, the obsessive past catches up with the deadly present when new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the exact same manner as Angela. How far will Geo go to protect her past? 

I've been a big fan of Jennifer Hillier's since reading Creep, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on Jar of Hearts, especially after reading the synopsis of the book! Jar of Hearts is a twisted, dark, story that brilliantly intertwines the past and present until it reaches its explosive finale. 

The first part of the book is told while Geo was still in prison, and I thought that was a nice touch to the book, rather than catching up with Geo after she's released. Despite being a morally flawed character, as shown through multiple actions, I couldn't help but root for Geo, and to me, that's a sign of great writing! 

Jar of Hearts alternates between the past and present, and I thought it was done really well. Alternating timelines is always hit or miss for me, because I feel like it's easy for the reader to put the book down, or fall out of the story when those time jumps happen, but in this case, it worked even better than telling the story in a single timeline would have. We slowly uncover what exactly happened the night Angela died, which builds suspense and leaves the reader able to put the pieces together as the plot reaches its climax. Until the facts were hitting me in the fact, I didn't figure everything out, so I was racing through the end of the book to see how everything would play out! 

All in all, this was an explosive, twisted, 5 star read for me that I highly recommend for fans of the thriller genre! I continue to be impressed with Ms. Hillier, as her books keep getting better and better! She's definitely a "must read" author for me, and if you haven't read Creep and Freak yet, but enjoyed Jar of Hearts, pick them up ASAP! I'd like to thank Minotaur Books and Netgalley for my copy of Jar of Hearts. It was my pleasure to provide an honest review.

I came across this book on Netgalley and thought "wow what a gorgeous cover, let's see what it's about." I thought it sounded interesting and right up my alley. So I requested it, grabbed it, and then saw it was coming out on audio. So I decided to wait for the audio. I do prefer audio if I can grab it. The audio was very good and I am so glad I did get the audio. This book was pretty intense. Lots of serious issues being addressed and pretty dark. I loved it. It was good. There were a few things that didn't quite leave me satisfied but just the little things. Overall, very good reads.

Gio was just a teenager when the worst day of her life happened. Her best friend, Angela, was killed and she was a part of covering it up. It's 14 years and the body is finally discovered. The truth comes out and Gio has to pay the price. In more ways than just one. Gio finally feels free, the truth is out and now the nightmares can stop, she can pay her penance, and she can move on with her life. What's left of her life?

Brody is the cop that was on the case. He was also best friends with Gio and with Angela. He was there when Angela went missing. He and Gio drifted after that. Now Brody is back in Gio's life.

Gio's high school boyfriend went to prison for the murder of Angela Wong. It's five years later and he has escaped. Murders are happening again. Brody feels Gio is in danger and together they try to figure out the murder and keep Gio Safe.


This book had a lot going on. The story is told in multiple timelines. Some back and forth and in order. There are flashbacks to before Angela was murdered and the night she was murdered and flashbacks of the aftermath of the murder. The story also briefly follows Gio in jail and then after she gets out of jail. Many timelines but not hard to follow at all. It flowed nicely and it never confused me. I am a big fan of flashbacks and multiple timelines. I think I say this on every review I write with multiple or dual timelines. But I really do favor stories told this way. It just keeps me in suspense and makes it all the eerier.

I can't say whether or not I liked Gio or not. I liked her in the present, I didn't like her decisions in the past, but I understood how troubled she was. I understood how scared she was and how she came to the decisions she made. What I didn't understand is the violence that was within her. She had a tough life, but it was so little that happened to turn her into something that someone else could change. It just goes to show how important a teenagers decision can change their entire life. It was quite sad actually. I didn't like her at times but I felt for her many times.

Brody was a great character. I just wished there was more of him in the story. I thought he was a stand-up guy and as confused and angry as he was he still cared for Gio. At times I wonder how he could forgive so easily then I would think he was so wonderful for forgiving. I really liked him.

This book has lots of triggers with domestic abuse, rape, and just so much violence. It was pretty dark. I wouldn't recommend this to everyone. I could see how it would be too much for some but I do believe the issues addressed in this book are some important ones. I do like how the author addressed the issues. I do believe that Gio's abusive relationship was true to form. There are so many different abusive relationships out there and not all of them are the same in intensity when it comes to physical, mental, and emotional abuse.... but they are all the same with the danger and damage.

The author did such a great job with the writing. It was done so well with the setting, the feeling, the tone, the character development. This book was layered so well and had so much depth.

The ending was a little off for me. This was the only part where it felt a bit forced and rushed. It didn't flow as well as the rest of the book. I guess the believability kind of left me wanting. I didn't hate it and it wrapped everything up. I just think it needed a bit of tweaking for it to be perfect.



A really fast-paced thrilling read.

This is my perfect thriller. I love serial killer stories and this book exceeded my expectations. It really was a mix between Orange is the New Black and Criminal Minds. I enjoyed the morally gray characters and the development of the story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Highly recommend if you like twisted stories!

Jar of Heart is the first book I have read by Jennifer Hillier. I am always optimistically worried but wow this book was good! This book was so different than what I was expecting! Jennifer writes between two present and past and also gives the reader different POVs which kept me glued to my kindle.
Jennifer Hillier does a good job with this thriller. I look forward to read more from her!

I was provided an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was my first read from Jennifer Hillier. It was definitely not what I was expecting, but in a good way. After reading the summary, I thought that it would follow a similar formula as many other romantic suspense novels I have read before. Not the case. The first chapters blew my preconceived ideas out the water and I was hooked. The storytelling switched back and forth between flashbacks/past to present as well as point of view. We learned a lot about the various characters because of this. There were not many all good or all bad characters in the book. I really enjoyed reading this book and the suspense of everything.

This was a great psychological thriller. It follows Georgina Shaw, a young and successful executive who was convicted because of her involvement with her best friend’s disappearance 14 years ago. Days before completing her sentence, Geo is released and new bodies start piling up, an investigations is reopened and Geo finds herself in the eye of the storm once again.

I enjoyed reading this novel, the plot and writing kept me captivated. The author did a great job of keeping the story suspenseful while at the same time creating interesting and well-developed characters.

I also liked that the book had a good number of characters with diverse backgrounds, although diversity is not one of the elements of the novel, I still liked that there were a few characters with diverse backgrounds.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I’m looking forward to reading more. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it to readers of thrillers, mysteries, and contemporary fiction.

Received and ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

4.5 Creepy Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

“Who do you Think you are? Runnin’ ‘round leaving scars. Collecting your jar of hearts. And tearing love apart.“
Christina Perri 🎵Jar of Hearts🎵

What if you had thought you got away with murder for 14 years? What if you found out your high school boyfriend was a serial killer? Welcome to Geo’s world! Geo was a complicated character... I found her very likable, but I knew she had a huge dark secret, and had done something bad.... I mean she was in jail and she wasn’t claiming that she was innocent.... but how big a part did she play in the murder of her high school BFF Angela?

Loved how this story was told... Clues were given and memories were revealed at the perfect pace... I felt the tension and terror that Geo felt throughout the entire story.... The parts of the book that took place in prison were interesting, however some of them were downright disturbing.... but at least in prison she was safe from Calvin her ex-boyfriend who was a serial killer, or was she?

Kaiser who was BFFs with both Angela and Geo in high school was Geo’s arresting officer... Kaiser has always had a thing for Geo, so he was very conflicted.... really liked him and couldn’t help but think... had she just dated him all of this could have been avoided... so many twists and an ending I did not see coming...

Absolutely recommend to fans of the psychological thriller with a bit of a darker side🖤🖤🖤

*** many thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book ***

Need a little suspense while you’re soaking up the sun this summer? Then take a copy of “Jar of Hearts” in your luggage. Geo is serving a 5-year sentence for the part she played in the murder of her best friend when she was 16. Her former boyfriend is sentenced to life. As her release date approaches, Calvin, the ex-boyfriend, has escaped from prison. And then, two bodies are found in the same location as the original murder victim. Kaiser, the police detective on the case has been in love with Geo since high school, and fears that Calvin may be coming back for her. With her only support coming from her widowed father Geo is trying to put her life back together but can she overcome the memories, and will they locate Calvin before more women have to die?

Do not hesitate to pick up this book. If you like psychological thrillers you will not be disappointed. This is the first book I’ve read from this author but it won’t be the last. This story is complex and twisty is all the right ways. The story is told both in the present and the past through the memories of the characters. The circumstances of the original murder unfold gradually in way that keeps you wondering and wanting more. I also really loved the characters created here. Geo may at first seem predictable but as you follow her you begin to see just how complicated her life has been and how she came to make the choices she did, good and bad. I liked her both as a teenager and as an adult. Kaiser is also a very likeable guy. He’s handsome, devoted to duty, but also a very caring and loyal person. He matures through the story from an awkward teenage boy into a highly respected law enforcement officer and friend. The icing on the cake for me is that the story is set in the Pacific Northwest, my favorite part of the country. I hope you check this one out because it’s worth the hype.

I rounded up tp 3 stars, because I did like the story and characters, and it kept my attention, but it was a bit too gritty for me. I wouldn't really recommend.