I like Ruth Ware a lot. But this just seemed like a very average thriller to me. Nothing really stood out. But I did like it. However, I do not think I will reread this one. But I will keep reading books by her.

Better than the last few of her books, but still didn't compare to her early novels. It felt like a forgettable thriller to me. I did enjoy the chapter breakdowns - the "days." I just finished it two nights ago though and otherwise can't remember much.

Crisp, brisk, and clever, Zero Days is a bit of a departure for Ruth Ware. Known for moody, atmospheric novels where the setting is a star, Zero Days is a character driven take on The Fugitive. When Jack (short for Jacintha) finds her husband Gabe brutally murdered in their home, and with a shaky alibi, she becomes the number one suspect. Knowing the cards are stacked against her, and suspecting she's being framed, Jack decides to run. Part of Jack's mistrust of the police comes from a previous relationship with an abusive cop who still nurses a vendetta against her. Gabe's actual killer is revealed about half way through (although you may guess even earlier), with the rest of the plot focused on the "why." Zero Days is a twisted tale involving technology, apps, and greed as Jack searches for the truth and tries to stay alive while eluding the police. Some of the technological terms may be unfamiliar to non "techies," but it's fairly easy to follow, and gives Zero Days a very modern feel. While the tone of Zero Days may be different from her previous novels, the rest is vintage Ruth Ware-especially the breathless intensity and character study. Well worth your time.

For the most part, I usually have a pretty decent relationship with Ruth Ware books. They’re quick and entertaining enough and can usually fill my thriller fix. However, I’m a bit sad that her upcoming book did not work for me.

The MC, Jacintha “Jack”, works as a pen tester with her husband. After completing a job, she returns home to find her husband, Gabe, dead, and she find herself at the center as the main suspect. Using her working skills, Jack goes on the run from the police and does whatever it takes to clear her name and find out the truth of what happened to Gabe.

I went into this book blind and I’m wondering if I had the read synopsis, things might have been a little different. This book definitely felt different than the author’s past work. While she normally writes more of your typical kind of thriller, this one felt more like a Jason Bourne or Mission Impossible kind of plot and I just wasn’t a fan.

Jack manages to constantly sneak around, evade police, hack into things, etc and a lot of it just felt so implausible. Plus, just like the movies, she winds up with a pretty severe injury yet continues her mission and does the unthinkable. There was just so much suspension of disbelief that it took away from the enjoyment.

There also wasn’t a whole lot of character development at all, so as the story progressed, I found myself not really caring for the outcome of Jack’s quest or her in general.

Honestly about a third of the way through I found myself not feeling the story, but wanted to prevail out of curiosity. Ultimately the reasonings behind Gabe’s death and those involved was a bit on the convoluted side and at the end of the day the conclusion wasn’t anything special.

This book felt very different from Ruth Ware's other books. Zero Days was more action packed and suspenseful. It had a lot more technology related stuff going on - cryptocurrency, AI, tracking technology, etc. Everything is told from Jack's POV. It starts off with Jack and her husband Gabe in the middle of a pen test - basically the 2 of them go into companies to test their security by infiltrating the building and their data servers. After things go sideways, Jack heads home only to discover Gabe dead in the most gruesome way. Jack soon finds herself searching for why Gabe was killed because things just don't seem right to her - she evades the police, evades tracking devices, and gets herself into some crazy situations.

I really liked her sister Hel and I wish there was more of her. Although this book was a little OTT, it was still entertaining and fast-paced with so many things going on.

I have read all of Ruth Ware's novels, and up until last year's "The It Girl," I would always describe her as a writer whose every book was increasingly better than the one before. I had been very disappointed with "It Girl," but I was ready to give her a pass, expecting her to return to form with "Zero Days." Unfortunately, this story was just too frustrating and implausible for me. The plot doesn't hold up to scrutiny in any way, and the solution to the crime was entirely predictable in all ways. Worst of all, the main character's actions defy all logic and reason, both mentally and physically. Thanks to Netgalley, and to the publisher, for an advance copy in exchange for review.

Zero Days is a fast-paced book, more of a thriller than a mystery (although a crime is committed and the book details the protagonist’s efforts to figure out who did it), and I sped through it. I was completely engaged right from the start and what I loved most was the fact that I felt as if I was right there with Jack every step of the way. Ruth Ware has a gift for making the reader feel as if they are totally immersed in the story. I think that the publisher’s description of “Mr. And Mrs. Smith meets The Fugitive” to be an apt summary; I found that the nuances of tracking and evading were fascinating. To be honest, I have read and loved all of Ware’s novels, but this one was absolutely my favorite. A perfect summer read (even if it takes place in February) due to the fact that it felt like such a wild ride! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This was my first Ruth Ware and had a lot of elements that fit with my taste in thrillers, and overall I enjoyed but didn't love it. A star off for the denouement, which I won't spoil but which really didn't work for me for a couple of reasons. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review!

I am a huge Ruth Ware fan, but unfortunately this one didn’t do it for me. The book still kept me reading until the end, but I think all the high-tech talk, bitcoin, etc kind of left me less interested. Still great writing but not my favorite story.

3.5 rounded up. This story kept me entertained, especially near the end. The beginning was a little bit slow but near the end, I couldn't stop reading to figure out what happened. There were a few places where ideas seemed a little farfetched, but overall, I enjoyed the book.

I love Ruth Ware. Every book she has ever written has been an auto buy for me and I have loved it. Until this one. I HATED the characters. I didn't understand why they made any of the choices they did and the storyline just seemed so overdone. I kept thinking there would be a twist or something to make it all come together, so I just kept chugging along. I honestly wish I had DNF at about 20%.

This novel was pretty straightforward and easy to read but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. There were great highlight moments with a steady flow of events but it doesn’t hold your attention the entire time. I felt like we weren’t given the same energy throughout the entire book. About 35% in things drastically declined. Then after Jack discovered her husband had been murdered the reader spends the majority of the time watching her jump from one location to another with minimal development.

It was just so much with this book that I questioned. For example if you found your husband dead why would you wait over an hour to contact the police? It made her seem suspicious even if she was innocent.

The book also focused on two major themes being falsely accused and seeking justice. Quite a few of the chapters were repetitive not to mention she was doing some Kim Possible type stuff all while being hurt which made things seem unbelievable. I did feel the beginning of the book took full advantage of the premise but everything after turned into this action-packed type thriller.

I gave the book a 3 not necessarily because I enjoyed it but because the author had some great action scenes that were entertaining. Most of the side characters were one dimensional and lacked depth so you don’t really care for any of them. Then it was immediately obvious as to who was behind the murder. I thought the reasoning was boring and not really climatic because I saw it coming.

Overall, I found the book to be very mid and felt this one just wasn’t for me. But it may be for you so read at your own will. Special thanks to the author, gallery books, & netgalley for my advanced copy!!!!

Thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for the copy of this book.

Touted as Mr. and Mrs. Smith x The Fugitive, I was excited to read this even though spy books are not always my favorite. I also really enjoyed Ruth's last book, The It Girl.

Zero Days unfortunately fell pretty darn flat. While there was a lot of action, I was somehow still bored and thought it was incredibly predictable (aside from one very random twist thrown in there). There was A LOT of book left after the major twist was revealed and there were quite a few unbelievable moments in the book leaving me saying, "really?!" and kind of wondering how Jack ever got hired as a pen tester. I'll still read more Ruth Ware in the future, but this one wasn't for me.

This is a heart-pounding novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. The author skillfully crafts a suspenseful narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns, ensuring an enthralling reading experience.

The story introduces readers to a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. As the plot unfolds, their lives become intertwined in a high-stakes game of danger and deceit. The author expertly maintains a sense of suspense throughout the book, keeping readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth.

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to create a palpable atmosphere of tension and unease. The author's vivid descriptions and attention to detail transport readers into the world of the story, making them feel as if they are right alongside the characters, experiencing the thrilling events firsthand.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I must start by saying I am a big Ruth Ware fan.

However, Zero Days was just ok. I was expecting more. The characters were meh. I mostly figured out the twist. With all that said, she can write a book that hooks your interest: the pacing was good. I read it quick. I wouldn’t shy away from reading or recommending- it’s not a bad book - she’s just written better.

I really enjoyed Zero Days, by Ruth Ware! The story follows Jacintha, "Jack" as she investigates the death of her husband. You can't help but root for Jack as she investigates, and the supporting characters are interesting and definitely add to the story. I would not say there are any crazy plot twists or shocking twists, but the story was well-written and interesting, I couldn't wait to find out what happened next at the end of each chapter!

3.5⭐️I liked this book, but I didn’t love it.

What I enjoyed:
-The premise is unique, especially how Jack (the protagonist) is hired by companies to see if their security system is “hack proof” or not
-There was a lot of action packed into a short period of time
-How the title came into play
-How it differed from Ware’s other novels

What wasn’t for me:
-Once Jack was on the run, the story dragged, and I was waiting for a “wow” moment
-The “bad guy” reveal was obvious
-I didn’t really enjoy Jack as a protagonist
-Her sisters name was “Hel”

Book Title: Zero Days
Author: Ruth Ware
Publisher: Gallery Books-Gallery Scout Press
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: June 20, 2023
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 368

In this story Jacintha (Jack) and Gabe Cross, own and operate a cybersecurity company and are ‘penetration specialist’ known as “pen testers”. They are hired by companies to break in and therefore test if there security system is secure. Gabe controls the technology and Jack does the physical work of breaking in.
However, one night after a routine assignment, Jack comes home to find her husband Gabe has been murdered. She is in shock and does not inform the authorities immediately; of course, this makes her a person of interest.
Jack thinks the police are not doing enough and sets out to find out who killed her husband.

Story is about love and loss and is told from the POV of Jack. Her pain of losing Gabe is clear.
She goes on the run from the police and she doesn’t stop until the end of the story. Thus the story chapters are a count down to Zero Days starting with
Saturday, February 4, 2023 Minus Eight Days etc. until
Sunday, February 12, Zero Days. Then
Monday, February 13, Day One
Monday, February 12, 2024 Day Three hundred and Sixty-five.

I am a big psychological thriller and love twists and turns but this didn’t quite deliver as Whodunit wasn’t a surprise to me.

This is my eighth novel by author, Ruth Ware. She is an author who has been a ‘hit or a miss’ with me. There are stories I love but then there are the okay stories. I liked "The Turn of the Key", The Death of Mrs. Westaway", and "The It Girl" - they were all big hits with me!

Want to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books –Gallery Scout Press for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 20, 2023.

Thank you NetGalley and Ms. Ware for giving me the opportunity to review "Zero Days." This is the third book by Ms. Ware that I have read. What I have come to realize is that each of Ms. Ware's books are unique. There is no paste and cut formula like so many of the popular authors these days. "Zero Days" is no exception. This book reminds me of Mission Impossible. It has a lot of action. The only fault with the book is that it lacks a lot of different characters. Because there was not a lot of characters I was easily able to guess who "did it." Not to say that there wasn't suspense it just had you guessing why more than who. I would definitely recommend this book.

Jack (Jacintha) and Gabe are a husband and wife team who are “pen” specialists - people hired to break into companies (penetrate) and test security. While Jack, guided by Gabe’s assistance through her ear, completes a job and is then detained, he is murdered. Under suspicion and being questioned at the police station, Jack uses her skills to escape and hunt for the killer herself, endangering her own life.

The falsely accused is one of my least favorite tropes yet I chose this book because of the author. It had a decent plot but the pages and pages of little and sometimes repetitive details found me doing a lot of skimming. Jack turns into almost a super action hero as she narrowly escapes precarious situations. The book struck me as being written as a pitch for a movie or Netflix series….one that I probably wouldn’t choose to watch because I am not into action films…especially those that strain credulity.

Fans of Ruth Ware might find this book surprising; action aficionados will enjoy it.