Years after her friend was murdered, Georgina and her childhood boyfriend are arrested and charged with her gruesome murder. Since the police want to nail her ex Calvin, they give her a great deal to testify against him. After serving her time and heading to her father's home girls begin to be murdered again.
While the story was an awesome read I still had trouble feeling sorry for Geo. It's like a love, hate thing. The story was captivating and kept me reading well into the night , I had to keep reminding myself that Geo was a killer. Great read!

A Mistake Can Haunt Your Life

Geo, has it made. She’s a vice president at a Seattle pharmaceutical company, engaged to the CEO: her future is bright. Then the unexpected happens and her world comes crashing down.

Fourteen years ago Geo and Angela were best friends. One night after heavy partying, Angela disappears. Geo knows the truth of what happened, but she keeps quiet until, Kaiser, a friend from high school and now a detective with the Seattle PD, wants to know what happened. Angela’s remains have been discovered in the woods behind Geo’s childhood home. She was a victim of Calvin James, the Sweetbay Strangler. Calvin was a serial killer, but more than that he was Geo’s obsession. Now she’s entangled in his prosecution and looking at jail time herself.

This is a dark psychological thriller. There is plenty of violence both current and in the past. The plot is filled with twists. However, it’s easy to follow because the author gives hints so the twists don’t come out of the blue. I like that about a thriller.

The characters didn’t appeal to me. Geo was not a sympathetic character. Her best friend was killed. She had a hand in it, and she lived with that knowledge for fourteen years. The other characters seemed rather one dimensional. I did like Kaiser, the detective, but he seemed too much a stereotype for my taste. The story is told in flashbacks between present and past, but it’s easy to follow.

If you enjoy dark thrillers with lots of violence, you may enjoy this book.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Do you ever read a book and when you are done, you just don’t know how to feel? This book wasn’t one of those jaw dropping books. It’s like a slow build up. Not that the book is slow, though. You get little snippets of what happened throughout the book so when it finally reveals the truth, you are just kind of stunned. Surprisingly, this book doesn’t just have one truth revealed, there are several. And it all ties in, wraps up pretty well. This book is very thought provoking, in my opinion anyway. Because you just never know.

So, when I give a book three stars, the question becomes is it a good 3 stars or a bad 3 stars? It depends. Jar of Hearts was a quick and easy read but I wasn’t on-the-edge-of-my-seat while reading, which would have brought it up closer to 4 stars (maybe 3.5). The writing is certainly accessible for many readers. The story was sort of interesting. The pacing was a little slower than I thought it could have been. At 79% in I had figured it all out. I thought, “No, this is too easy. That can't be right?” Sadly, there weren’t any twists and turns at the end that made go “what??????”

Jar of Hearts is one of those books that you just don't want to put down and want to devour in an entire sitting. It sucks you in and makes you forget about all of those "adulting" duties like cleaning, eating, laundry, etc. This was one creepy thrilling story that grabs ahold of you and doesn't let you go until the end. I wish that the ending would have been a little bit longer or more detail given, but other than that this was a a total winner! I highly recommend this if you love thrillers with creepy thrown in.

An excellent thriller that truly had me on my toes throughout, "Jar of Hearts" is a dark and disturbing tale about betrayal, evil, and the loss of innocence. This book had me hooked from page one. The author did an excellent job narrating the tale from the perspectives of Georgina, recently convicted for helping to hide her friend's murder, and Kaiser Brody, her high school buddy-turned-police detective.

Georgina "Geo" and Angela are best friends in high school. Angela was the shining star, and Geo was her sidekick, always living in Angela's shadow.

Until the night that Angela disappears without a trace. Geo claims to have no knowledge of what happened to Angela, but that could not be further from the truth. In fact, Geo's boyfriend, bad-boy Calvin, was responsible for taking Angela's life. And Geo was there with him. No one knows of Geo's involvement though. Geo moves on with her life, and Calvin continues to murder, apprehended later on as a serial killer.

When Angela's remains are finally discovered fifteen years later, Geo is a successful young woman with an excellent career and a handsome new fiancee. While on the surface she has managed to put the past behind her, she has always known that this day would come. Geo is arrested and convicted as an accomplice to Calvin. She is sentenced to five years in prison. Meanwhile, Calvin was also jailed for his multiple crimes, but while Geo is locked up, Calvin escapes.

And the murders begin again.

This time, though, something seems different. The crimes have become more violent, and the victims include children. What could be going on? Is Calvin responsible? If so, why has he changed his MO? Does Geo have anything to do with these new crimes? And more importantly, what was her REAL role in Angela's murder? Was she simply a scared and brainwashed teen, or a mastermind in her friend's murder?

Together, Geo and Kaiser try to find out what the murders mean, while Kaiser also grapples with his growing feelings for Geo. Can he let himself fall in love with a woman who may have had a role in her best friend's death?

I was on my edge of my seat, and devoured this book in two days. It's not for the faint of heart.....the content matter is dark, and there are a couple disturbing scenes of rape that are rather graphic. However, if you can stomach some of the more intense pieces, you won't be disappointed. The end had me gasping out loud, as I truly did not envision many of the twists and turns.

I already can't wait to check out more of this author's work. The only reason I am giving this book four stars is simply because it is so graphic at times. I know that is not everyone's cup of tea, and it can be hard for some to read.

I saw this book on Netgalley under the "read now" tab and I clicked on the description to read a bit more about it. I got hooked, I downloaded it and me being me forgot all about it ahah

A few weeks later I was scrolling through my stuff and I found it there and I started reading and I couldn't really stop. I read whenever I had an opportunity.

Let's just get something straight, I did not read this book for the characters, they were not likable at all. Honestly I don't think there was one character in this book that I did completely like. But that's ok because it was meant to be like this, and this is a book driven by the story and not by characters.

This book was great. It was perfectly paced, going from present to past, telling you how Angela got murdered and how Geo deals with it and how she manages in prison. Also we get Kaiser's view, since he is now a policeman and is investigating this new stream of murders that look like they were commited by Calvin and figuring out how Geo may be involved.

It was a surprise how well this book flowed. Geo, even though I didn't like her, adapted pretty well to any situation she was put in and see her debate whether she was a good person or a bad one was really interesting. Calvin was a psycopath there's no other way to describe him, but I feel like he was really inconsistent emotionally because either he cared about stuff that you wouldn't believe he cared or he was doing something atrocious. There was really no in between with him.
Kaiser and Geo's dad were okay, but still dealt with certain things a little bit weirdly if you ask me, but hey they're human and everyone's different right?

Also the writing was great even though the arc had a few mistakes in it, I'm sure the final product will have those sorted out.

Jar of Hears is a great thriller and a great read, it deals with difficult topics, and they are dealt with in shocking ways but this brings substance to the book. I would recommend it to everyone who is looking for a great thriller.

Intense and unsettling and I absolutely loved every minute of it! I was engrossed in this book right from the start. The whole story just captivated me.

4 stars for this dark and disturbing thriller! It's filled with murder, lies and some twisted relationships that make for a very chilling story! It revolves around 3 high school friends - 1 who is murdered, 1 who is involved with the cover up and lies about it for many years, and another who becomes a police officer and investigates the cold case years later! It goes back and forth in time recounting what happened that fateful night and current day - where Geo/Georgina has to come to terms with her involvement!
I definitely love a good psychological thriller... but unfortunately at about 80% in, I was able to figure out what was going to happen! I am not sure if it was slightly predictable or just because I read so many books in this genre - but non the less, I enjoyed it! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Jar of Hearts is the best thriller I've read so far this year. That said, part of me wishes it had been just a straight drama. I was pulled in to these characters' lives and cared about them far more than I cared about the twists and turns of the story.

Geo's life is upended when she is arrested and sent to prison for her role 14 years earlier in the death of her best friend in high school. We follow Geo as she gets used to life behind bars, and then once she is released from prison, we see how she adjusts to that.

This book is broken into 5 parts, a couple of them told from the alternate perspective of Kaiser, the police detective on the case (as well as Geo's other best friend from high school). I found the sections from his perspective were a little too info-dumpy, often explaining pretty well-known terms to anyone who has ever watched even one episode of CSI. These sections did not feel as polished to me and so they were not as compelling as the parts that followed Geo. Her parts slowly trickled details about what really went down so many years ago, which helped to build the tension of the story.

Nothing is really as it seems at first glance in this book -- Jennifer Hillier has woven together a story that very few people will fully figure out before the end. The author has some pretty awesome character-building skills -- it takes some mad skills to make the reader empathize with characters who have done some pretty horrible things.

Badass Female Character score: 5/5 Our main character, Geo is pretty tough, as are a couple of the other characters she meets in prison.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book.

What an addictive, page-turner!

This is the story of Angela, Geo and Kaiser. Through alternating chapters, readers are introduced to the three friends. We get to know that Angela is dead and Geo has been arrested in connection with her murder. Kasier is the officer at the center of the investigation. What is more interesting about the trio is the fact that they used to be best friends until Angela’s death.

I really enjoyed this story. The first chapters are set in prison and they reminded me a lot of Orange is the New Black, which is one of my favourite TV Shows. Geo as a new inmate was quite a sympathetic character. I was curious to know how she would survive prison especially given her background. The chapters set in past were equally thrilling. Naturally, I was curious about the events leading up to Angela’s death. I especially needed to know how Angela died, how Geo was involved and why? I like how these chapters were sprinkled throughout the story. They were told as flashbacks and readers have to wait until the last chapters to connect all the dots.

This was an addictive read. I couldn’t stop turning the pages until I got to the end. The story had a number of shocking reveals that I couldn’t have predicted. Each time I thought I had everything figured out, something new came up.

Jar of Hearts is an extremely well-narrated story that I have no doubt fans of this genre will enjoy!

hanks for a ARC to read and give my honest opinion.


This is one of those books that don't leave you for awhile and after your finished you sit there and go wtf did I just read. I had to reread that last chapter just to be sure of what I read. The brain doesn't want the eyes to catch up apparently.

Georgina falls for an older guy in high school, with a decidedly twisted and dark way. When her best friend goes missing, no one had any idea she had anything to do with it.
At best this is full of mind fuckery... this book evoked so many feelings for Geo. I felt sorry for her, her life hadn't been easy but she got more life than her friend Angela. The story just grabs you and drags you away. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed the unique storytelling and I would definitely read more by this author. Five amazing stars of entertainment!

Angela Wong’s body is found buried and dismembered fourteen years after her disappearance in Jar of Hearts. DNA links the crime to Calvin James, aka the Sweetbay Strangler, who is ultimately found guilty of four murders. His 16-year-old girlfriend at the time of the murder, Geo Shaw, is found guilty too but receives only a five-year sentence due to her testifying against Calvin.

Jar of Hearts tells the story of the trial, Geo’s prison time, and what happens when she gets out of prison. Each section is based on one of the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I think it is best not to tell more of the plot. Personally, I read a review that gave away the surprise twist ending, which is just rude.

The book is recommended for thriller fans. How Geo survives in prison is an interesting story but the meat of the story is in the last two thirds after she gets out. There are some twists in the story and the ending is good so Jar of Hearts receives a solid 3 stars from me. Be aware that there is a rape scene and a sexual assault in the book if that bothers you.

Thanks to the publisher, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Wow! This book took me for a ride. It was very intense. The characters are excellently written and even though we shouldn't exactly like the main character, I was rooting for her the entire time. The pacing was perfect and kept me intrigued the entire time. The writing style allowed the story to flow and the switch between the past and present gave me just the right amount of information to keep me hooked and wanting to know more.

Angela Wong disappeared at the age of 16 after attending a party. She was beautiful, wealthy, and the most popular girl in school. Her best friend, Georgina "Geo" Shaw, who was with her on that fateful evening, became an executive with a Seattle pharmaceutical company. Kaiser Brody was their good friend in high school and is now a detective. Angela's remains are unearthed 14 years later near Geo's childhood home where her physician father still resides. Calvin James, a serial killer responsible for the deaths of at least three other women, who was Geo's older boyfriend in high school, also murdered Angela. Geo finally admits her involvement in Angela's death and serves five years in prison. When released, she returns home to live with her father. But she is not welcome there & is the subject of derision, harassment, and vandalism.

A series of heinous new murders appear to have been committed by the same person -- Calvin, who escaped from prison and remains at large. After all, Geo told the truth about her knowledge and involvement . . . didn't she? Kaiser is determined to learn the truth, not just to solve the current crimes and prevent further deaths, but also to finally resolve long-standing questions about the night Angela disappeared and his relationship with Geo.

Hillier creates a story based upon secrets and half-truths that keeps readers guessing about Geo -- just how involved in Angela's murder was she? What does she know that she has yet to reveal? What was the real nature of her relationship with Calvin and how far will she go to keep their remaining secrets from being revealed? What disgusting acts is Geo capable of? The pace of the book never slows as Hillier peels away the layers of secrets, leading to a disturbing and dramatic conclusion, and shocking conclusion.

Wow...not what I was expecting. The twists and turns of the story kept me turning the page. I have never read anything by this author before and I will definitely read more by this author.

This is a dark, disturbing story. I like psychological thrillers, and this fits the bill to a T. However, the story was more graphic and descriptive than I can usually take. It made me sick a few times, and I actually had to stop reading it to settle down.

This was an advanced reading copy, so thanks to NETGALLEY for providing it. There are some typos in the copy, so hopefully that gets corrected. There were a few things that happened that I didn't think were quite realistic, but I won't mention them, as they would ruin the story.

If you like dark tales, and don't cringe when reading crime scene reports, you will like it.

When she was sixteen, Georgina Shaw (Geo) helped cover up the gruesome murder of her best friend, Angela Wong, by the young man she thought she loved. Now 14 years later, the crime has been uncovered and her world is crumbling as she heads off to prison for five years. And her lover, Calvin James, dubbed the Sweetbay Strangler, is sentenced to life imprisonment for Angela's death and three subsequent murders.

But before her prison term is finished, Geo learns Cal has escaped from prison and now more bodies have been found near Geo's home--is this psychopath she once loved back at work? Is he leaving her a message?

I enjoyed the pacing of this psychological thriller, as the secrets of the past are slowly revealed through flashbacks. Hillier adds some nice plot twists near the end to surprise the reader.

I'm not sure whether I can honestly say I 'liked' any of the characters but they make for some fascinating reading. Some sex and graphic violence are depicted--a warning for those readers faint of heart.

Thank you to netGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this new thriller. I definitely look forward to reading more of her work.

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This title is popping up everywhere on suggested summer reads. It's a fascinating story mostly about people you aren't inclined to like who make terrible mistakes. I have stopped watching crime shows because they are so dreadful and cut back on the thrillers I once loved.

FIRST SENTENCE: "The trial has barely made a dent in the national news."

THE STORY: Georgina called Geo is best friends with Angela and Kaiser in high school until one night Angela disappears. For fourteen years Geo has kept secrets causing additional pain to all involved. Now she is on trial for murder.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Structured around the five stages of grief, the level of tension keeps the reader engaged although violence, rape, dismemberment, and sex may be a bit much for some readers.

I wasn't familiar with Christina Perri's hit Jar of Hearts, so I checked it out on You Tube. You might want to do the same.

BOTTOM LINE: If you can stomach the ugliness, this is a quick and engrossing read. I have to admit I devoured it in two days.


Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 12, 2018)
ISBN-10: 1250154197
ISBN-13: 978-1250154194

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier from NetGalley/Minotaur Books for my honest review.

I don't know what it is about summer, but hot weather always makes me want to read thrillers. If that's true for you, too, this is the book you need. 

It is completely intense and you may think you see everything coming but trust me, you don't. 

This is my first Jennifer Hillier novel and I think it's probably the best one to start with. (NOTE: I do want to read her backlist, and I think I actually have one of them already.) It's so compulsively readable---good luck getting anything else done, so maybe start it early on a Saturday, if you have no other plans. 

Highly recommended.