I loved this! Fast paced thriller with a strong female lead. Different than many of the murder mysteries that are out there-it reads less like a domestic thriller and more like a spy novel.

Well, I think most reads felt the same as I did with this so I will keep this short in respect to the author. I have enjoyed her Christie like style in the past (except for one novel) however, Ware wrote a book in complete 180 fashion here. I do respect that she took a risk and changed her style. I just don’t think it worked all that well. Sometimes it is better to stick with what you know, especially when you are extremely successful.

This one started off exciting and I was curious. The banter between Jack and Gabe was cute/flirty and it was exciting. I liked the whole “Pen Test” idea and had never heard of that before as well as the techy aspect.

I just thought this dragged, was whole heartedly unrealistic and the decisions Jack made (who is supposed to be a super bad ass) questionable and foolish. I don’t want to give spoilers, but I figured out the “twist” right away so mainly I was bored and kind of wanted it to be done. While I think the intent was a good one, this did not hit the mark for me.

Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy!

Ruth Ware just simply does no wrong. I couldn't put this down and I want everyone to put this in their summer beach bag. While her stories feel like they might be too similar, they simply are not. She is able to make everything she does fresh and unique. Zero Days is no exception.

This is a very well-written cat and mouse chase with a smart and resourceful main character and a steady plot that keeps the reader turning pages. Jack and her husband, Gabe, provide security system checks for company clients. They are quite a team, he can hack almost any computer network and she is an expert at testing physical security. When the book opens Jack is breaking into a company and immediately the reader is drawn into the tension and Jack's thought process as she works her way through the company plant. When Gabe is found murdered and she is the main suspect the chase begins as she realizes that she is being set up and runs to find the real killer and clear her name. Who to trust? How to stay one step ahead of the police? Jack is smart, resilient and tenacious. While not as exciting as some of Ruth Ware's other story climaxes, this one is a steady top notch story.

I've been eagerly awaiting Ruth Ware's latest book, Zero Days. I've enjoyed every book she's written, including this one.

This latest is another edge of your seat read! Ware plays with the reader's perceptions in the first chapter. I was quite certain I knew what was going to happen. And, nope - I was (happily) wrong.

Jack is our protagonist. I quite liked her, her thinking and her tenacity. She's been accused of an unthinkable crime and is determined to clear her name, and find the actual perpetrator. So, she goes rogue and her unusual skill set is put into play. I was fascinated by this bit - how she gets in and out of places, procures information, convinces people to believe in a bit of chicanery. I wondered how much of this part is true? And because I was enjoying the book so much, I decided to just go with it.

Almost every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, there's twists and the suspense just doesn't let up. (Love it!) Which makes for some addictive page turning! I had guessed the whodunit before the final reveal, but it's the journey there that so much fun to read.

I can see Zero Days as a movie and indeed, it will be one! Universal International Studios has acquired the rights.

Ruth Ware's recent novel, Zero Days, is a decent thriller that kept my attention, but definitely not at the level I've come to expect of a Ruth Ware thriller. I was eager to be whisked away on a wild ride of twists and turns that never manifested.  I found this one to be a bit predictable, though still entertaining on a basic level. I love Ware's past thrillers (maybe having elevated expectations because of their level of awesomeness) and look forward to her next.  For me, this one just didn't hit the mark. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and am reviewing.

Unfortunately, this was a disappointing read for me. I usually love Ruth Ware's books, but I found this story to be slow and repetitive. Jack is on the run very early in the book, and she doesn't finish until almost the end of the book. Sometimes I felt her physical abilities were a little far-fetched, and I wish she had been a more realistic character. I'm still grateful to NetGalley for this advanced copy, and I can't wait to see what Ware writes next!

Zero Days
Pub date 6.20.2023

3.5 stars/5 (rounded down to 3 on here)

Thank you netgalley and Scout Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
*
We all know I love a good Ruth Ware book. I love her writing and her storylines just draw you into the story. This book was definitely different than her last ones and while I enjoyed reading it, I can definitely say it wasn’t one of my favorites of hers. It was an entertaining read that held my focus even though there was a bit more of technology in the book. Usually this is something that would bore me, but I was invested in the story and wanted to know how it would end. Overall, it was still a decent read, but not one that I will be recommending over and over again like some of her other books.

I have found myself having very different opinions of Ruth Ware books. Some I liked and some just missed the mark for me. This was my favorite Ruth Ware book ever. I loved the plot. I loved the action. I loved the characters. Unfortunately, I think the bad guy was pretty obvious from about 1/2 way. The opening was exciting and clever. I love a book with nonstop tension. There was no chance of relief. Devour this in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Ms. Ware for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. An honest review was requested but not required.

I've found this author to be more hits than misses for me, and I've seen other reviewers remark this as well. I would say on the whole this was a "hit", as it was certainly a rollercoaster of action that kept me glued to the pages for a 24 hour car ride. I was so engrossed, I didn't even get car-sick, which is really saying something. Was it believable? No. Not really. I think in London and the UK it would be a lot harder to go under-the-radar, with all the CCTV cameras, than it is here. As Jack noticed, some businesses and services don't even take cash anymore, so it's really hard to avoid a digital footprint. Jack also read as older, maturity-wise, than her given age. The blurb wanted to make it a Mr. and Mrs. Smith situation, but Jack came across as much older than Mrs. Smith-era Angelina, not to mention that, ahem, there was really no *Mr.* Smith. The character field was also pretty small so guessing the whos and hows was pretty easy, and I am not usually much of a guesser. On the other hand, I thought the commentary on privacy in apps and security of data was very timely. Reminded me of all those "Privacy" commercials I see Google and Apple putting out lately. Makes me want to go turn all mine off :)

All in all I think I have preferred other books by Ms. Ware to this one, but that does not mean it wasn't a fun, entertaining, high-velocity ride. I'd recommend this to readers who are looking for more of an action-thriller than a suspense-thriller. ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

Gabe and Jack Cross live WAY more interesting lives than your typical married couples with their unique careers as security penetration specialists. As if this wasn’t enough stress for the two to manage, Gabe is found murdered in their apartment shortly into the start of the book- leaving Jack as prime suspect.

Ruth Ware has a way of writing that sucks me right into her stories, building up tension and suspense naturally as the chapters go on. This is no different for her latest story, and I was quickly drawn into this world with Gabe and Jack.

Overall, I had much higher hopes for this one than what actually played out over the course of the novel. It started off SO well, and then just felt repetitively long and drawn out towards the middle. Also, for a main character that supposedly had such advanced training in her career, something didn’t sit right with me about many of the decisions she made throughout the course of the book. I can’t say much more without spoiling things, but truthfully by 60% of the way in I was really just ready to find out what happened at the end.

As a big fan of Ruth Ware I’m looking forward to what she comes up with next!

I was super excited to receive Zero Days by Ruth Ware as a free ebook from NetGalley Ruth Ware is one of my favorite authors. This book did not disappoint. It was a unique storyline. I liked the characters and the settings and couldn't put this down. It is fast, easy read with suspense and thriller, but the middle of the book seemed a bit too drawn out. Definitely worth a read, if you like Ruth Ware, technology, suspense, thrillers, London, murder, law enforcement, and female protagonists.

Abandoning this one for now 😩😭😞

After finishing 40%, here are my quick thoughts:
- This book doesn’t feel like a Ruth Ware novel ☹️☹️☹️ I. AM. SAD. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer!!!
- I was bored really quickly. I don’t know how to explain it— one big murder happens, but bc it happens SO early in the plot, I wasn’t at all connected with the characters yet. Meaning, I didn’t care lol… like it happened too sudden? I wonder if Ware was trying to go for the shock factor here. But it just didn’t work! 😭
- This sister is amazing. Always here for a sister that helps but why isn’t she asking more questions about what the hell Jack is doing?! 😂

Stay tuned bc I WILL finish it eventually and share my overall review on Goodreads! 🤍 Still a Ruth Ware girly!!!

Thanks a million Gallery Books for my #gifted e-ARC!

Ruth Ware’s Zero Days will have you hanging from your fingertips right along with protagonist Jack Cross as she races to find out who killed her husband before she’s locked up for it or much worse.

The international bestselling author of The It Girl has been referred to as the new Agatha Christie. In fact, the British novelist’s short story Miss Marple’s Christmas was included in the New York Times bestseller Marple: Twelve New Mysteries.

Zero Days, however, is no cozy and Jack Cross is no Jane Marple. Instead of knitting needles in her bag, Jack has tools to pick locks, break into buildings and hack computer systems for corporate security reports. She is also smart and brave and tough and sad, her physical pain and grief raw and palpable on the page, all the while moving the story’s pace in this one-day-read-page-turning-heart-pumping suspense thriller.

I highly recommend Zero Days for anyone who loves a good mystery and suspense thriller.

I received this free egalley from Simon & Schuster, courtesy of NetGalley. This review is fair and impartial.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

For this author, I don't even read the blurb; I just auto read her books. That said, Zero Days was in line with my interests with security, tech, IT and modern computer jobs. There was suspense and a mystery to solve throughout with a deep worry for Jack.

Jack and her husband, Gabe are testers for security systems at companies. Jack does the physical work of breaking in, or finding open doors or windows, following people into places or pretending to be a delivery person. Gabe does all the computer testing. He is on earbuds with her and often provides information about the floor plan or sometimes is able to hack electronic door systems.

Jack is caught at her car after the last job and questioned by police. She can't reach Gabe or the people who hired them. Eventually, she is allowed to go home near dawn, only to find Gabe murdered. This begins her quest to find his killer. The police, unfortunately, are always after the spouse and have decided to arrest her even though she cooperated when exhausted with no sleep. She ends up on the run, not knowing how to solve who killed him.

Jack is physical and saavy at hiding, and knowledgeable enough about tech to not let the police catch her with cameras, phones or other methods. Slowly, she collects information to catch the killer. She gets a bit of help from her sister and Gabe's best friend.

Jack really puts herself in danger as she is injured in an early dive over a fence. Then she falls for someone pretending to be her sister. She tries for help to get the last piece to the puzzle and is smart enough to avoid a trap. But she still is in horrid shape when she finally figures out everything.

Initially, it was slow with the grief and the running without any ideas. The running got more difficult and required more strategy and when Jack started to make progress on the investigation it was a race to the finish. I really enjoyed this exciting set of capers. I was thoroughly disgusted with the cops just taking the easy route and not really investigating.

Thank you @netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review! I have been a huge Ruth Ware fan since reading Turn of the Key several years ago. I was so excited to receive a copy of this one!
True to fashion, this book kept me on my toes and turning page after page. I read this one by the pool, and ended up finishing it in a day!
I love that the main character is female- and she is smart and crafty and I rooted for her the whole book. I couldn’t put this one down, and totally recommend you grabbing this one!

4/5 stars

Ruth Ware's latest novel, Zero Days, is a straight up thriller almost ready for the big screen. Part Mission Impossible, part The Fugitive, Zero Days follows female bad ass, Jack, as she is on the run from the police after the murder of her husband, Gabe. Someone is out to frame Jack for the murder, and she must gets some answers before the police catch up with her.

All in all this is a decent thriller from start to finish and the reader can't help but root for Jack and she evades the police day after day. My one complaint is how the audience has to suspend belief for a bit, as there is no way Jack would have been able to get as far as she could under the radar, for so many days in the state that she was in. If this had been a real life situation, Jack is severely injured and barely eats while she is on the run and somehow still is able to trek long distances. She would have simply collapsed from injury or exhaustion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery and Scout Press for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, Ruth Ware decided to change things up this time! Ware is an immediately read for me so I didn't read anything about this one and am so glad I didn't! Can I please be like Jack? What a badass MC! I did have my suspicions during this but it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I love an author who changes it up so if you do too than get this one immediately.

This one felt a little different from Ware's previous titles. While I anticipated the "twists," it was much more action-filled and seemed to hit the gas from the very first paragraph. She's always a reliable author, and this one was no exception.

“Zero Days,” by Ruth Ware, Gallery/Scout Press, 368 pages, June 20, 2023.

Gabriel Medway and Jacintha “Jack” Cross, who own Crossways Security in London, are hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, a process known as penetration tests. Jack does the physical part and Gabe does the computer hacking.

The latest test doesn’t go well and Jack is taken into police custody. When she is finally released, Jack goes home and finds that Gabe has been murdered. She goes to stay with her sister and brother-in-law, Helena and Roland Wick.

When the police call her in to be interviewed a second time, Jack realizes she is the suspect and escapes from the police station. She is now on the run, is injured and has to figure out who to trust. She decides to call Gabe’s best friend, Cole Garrick.

“Zero Days” is different than Ruth Ware’s usual thrillers, but the characters are good, especially Jack and Helena. Jack gets a lot of help from the kindness of strangers. This a combination of “Mission Impossible” and “The Fugitive.” The people and reason behind Gabe’s murder are a surprise.

Ruth Ware is the author of eight books. Her last, “The It Girl,” and “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” are my favorites.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.