This was a bit of a slow burn, though it did pick up after awhile. Quite a good first novel I did enjoy in the end!

Thank you so much @poisonpenpress and @netgalley for the copy of this eARC!

This book is a captivating slow-burn literary mystery set in a small American town, steeped in secrets surrounding the death of a young girl. The central question revolves around the tragic night of Phoebe's accident—specifically, why her brother, Grant, waited twenty-seven minutes to call for help after the crash, even though Phoebe was still alive. Could those precious minutes have saved her life?

The story is told from multiple POVs characters spanning both past and present timelines, the story unfolds over a period of ten years, leading up to Phoebe’s memorial. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping me hooked until the very last page. The final plot twist is masterfully executed, leaving me in utter shock and awe.

This gripping tale would make an excellent movie adaptation and I highly recommend it to fans of thrilling, suspenseful mysteries!


“But the truth, it will come out. Nothing can keep the truth buried; it will always unfurl itself, lay itself bare. It is unstoppable—like the tide, or a storm, or a ghost.

It will hunt you down.”

I just finished reading Twenty-Seven Minutes: A Novel by Ashley Tate, and I'm so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is an emotional rollercoaster that dives deep into the lives of its characters, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience. Ashley Tate's writing is incredibly poignant and beautifully crafted, making it impossible to put down.

One of my favorite moments in the book is when the protagonist, Olivia, faces a crucial turning point in her life. There's a powerful scene where she finds herself at the edge of a cliff, both literally and metaphorically. Tate’s vivid descriptions and the raw emotions of the moment are so gripping. Olivia's internal struggle and ultimate decision to step back from the brink is portrayed with such depth and sensitivity, it left a lasting impact on me.

What I love most about Twenty-Seven Minutes is its honest portrayal of human emotions and the complexity of relationships. The characters are richly developed, and their journeys are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Tate has a unique ability to capture the nuances of life's most challenging moments, making this book a compelling and thought-provoking read.

If you're looking for a novel that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you reflecting on the beauty and fragility of life, Twenty-Seven Minutes is a must-read. Grab your copy and immerse yourself in this unforgettable story!

This book had an interesting premise but was a bit slow paced for me and more emotional drama than thriller as the aftermath of a fatal accident is explored through the impacts in various characters in the story.

This one had me gripped from the very first chapter! I couldn’t wait to keep reading and find out what happened next

A tragic accident takes the life of the beautiful, smart and well loved Phoebe. But a question looms WHY did it take her brother 27 minutes to call for help? Ten years later as the day of the memorial approaches the truth of what happened that night slowly begins to unravel.

I absolutely loved this format of the narrative and multiple POVs and the artful execution of blurring the lines between reality and wishful thinking,

Really beautifully written, with intriguing and well portrayed characters with intertwined storylines to keep you guessing until the end. Lovers of Liane Moriarty will enjoy this book too!

5 stars as I truly couldn’t fault this one.

This book really wasn't it for me. It's described as a thriller but not much happens, so it's hard for me to consider it a thriller... the surprise at the end was kind of lackluster, and I was left disappointed.

I was not able to get into this book. It has an interesting premise, but not one that held my attention.

A decent debut novel. I enjoyed the fast paced story with an unreliable narrator, my favorite kind of thrillers. Will definitely read more from her in the future.

This was a pretty good book with a mystery that held together but was disturbing. I liked this book but found the end to be disturbing. It flows along well and keeps the reader engaged throughout most of the book. However, the ending was pretty harsh. I do recommend this book but feel it could have been better if the ending was a bit different.

This fast-paced story is about how one moment can change everything. It’s exciting and emotional, with characters you’ll care about. If you like books that make you feel like you’re right there, this is for you.

Ashley Tate is a first-time author for me - and if this book is any indication of how she can capture attention and hold it throughout the book - I'll be looking for another book written by her! It begins with the horrible accident and death of a town-wide popular young girl, Phoebe, and the thoughts whirling through her brain as she knew she was dying. But the big question hanging over her death - is why did her brother wait 27 minutes to call an ambulance? Those minutes could have saved her life. The chapters of the book are broken down into the characters who were most affected/involved in the accident: her brother Grant, his "girlfriend" Becca, Wyatt who disappeared from town the night of the accident, and June -Wyatt's sister who is still trying to find where Wyatt went and why. As the 10th anniversary of Phoebe's death approaches, her mother plans a memorial gathering making the characters spiral out of control trying to hide and keep secrets, trying to find out the truth, trying to survive their own guilt, trying to find a way to carry on. The storyline of learning snippets of that night - when a teenage drinking party goes out of control for the main characters - keeps their secrets until the truth comes barreling at them all through an unlikely source ----- Wyatt. And how that all comes to an end is a surprise I did not see coming. Definitely a book to recommend for those that like the mystery-thriller with a bit of teenaged angst mixed in. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TwentySevenMinutes #PoisonedPenPress #AshleyTate

Thank you Netgalley and author for this arc, Twenty-Seven Minutes is an emotional drama that delves into the lingering grief, regret, and secrets of a family and town torn apart by the tragic death of Phoebe Dean. The novel, told through multiple POVs, centers on her brother Grant, who has never recovered from the night he drove the car that killed her, and the rumors surrounding the mysterious twenty-seven minutes it took him to call for help. While the book offers an interesting twist, it's more of a character-driven exploration of trauma and the weight of guilt than a suspenseful thriller. The writing is well done and the characters are well written. 3.5/5

This debut novel from Ashley Tate is a deep and harrowing look at what lengths people go to when dealing with grief, secrets and the dark truth. When people from a small town want answers to a horrible event in the towns' past that resulted in the death of a young woman and the Man that could've prevented it all. When the difference between life and death could be 27 minutes.......

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate!

I can’t believe I made it through this repetitive soap opera, filled with unlikable characters and a drawn out storyline. I enjoyed it at first, but then it turned into an immature drama that went around and around until the very predictable ending.

Are you a fan of unreliable narrators? You'll love this book. Who didn't have that perfect person in your school, the one who could do no wrong? Who didn't have the bad boy and the jock and the nerds and all the other players you find in a high school? What happens when they all merge into something that never should have happened.
This book kept me on me toes and the suspense was well written. Great book for a debut, will keep an eye out for more.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate sounded intriguing when I requested the book from NetGalley. However, I found the book to be more on the slow burn side of the spectrum and had trouble getting into the story. I believe it's partly due to my mood as to the reason why I wasn't feeling the story, but as of right now, this book is a DNF (did not finish) for me. I will give this book another try down the road, and my opinion will likely change.

2.50 stars
-
TW: Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of a parent, Cancer, Stalking, Drug use, Blood, Self-harm
-
Ten years ago the small town of West Wilmer is shaken to its core when a car accident involving 3 local teens leaves one of them dead. As the anniversary of the crash fast approaches this claustrophobic town, those involved are hoping that the real secrets of that night don't come to the light of day.

Ten years ago Wyatt Delroy left his home in the middle of the night, never to be seen again - until he shows back up on his sister June's doorstep with the promise that things will be clear soon enough, but she must not tell anyone that he's returned. June begins to question what his motive involves.

As a debut, I wanted to like this one so much. The book starts off with a gripping prologue that keeps you on the edge of your seat. After that, the book fizzles out. There's a lot of worry regarding what happens with the fateful bridge that took Phoebe's life years ago. The book is repetitive. There's a lot of conversation about why Grant Dean took twenty-seven minutes to call for help while Pheobe was dying. I think part of my issue was that I disliked a lot of these characters, they're unrelatable and just awful.

This one was too slow for me, there's a lot of buildup (a lot) for a bittersweet ending. This book is around 360 pages but felt like so much longer with its slow pace. Overall, an interesting read, but far too slow for me.

-
I would like to thank NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Ashley Tate for a copy for Twenty-Seven Minutes in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book was published on January 30th 2024.

In "Twenty-Seven Minutes," Ashley Tate crafts a narrative that’s as brisk as its title suggests. It’s a fast-paced romp through the tangled web of ambition, love, and the harsh realities of chasing dreams. While it may not rocket to the top of my favorites list, it’s certainly a page-turner that delivers some sassy insights.

Tate’s characters are a delightful mix of relatable and ridiculous—think of them as your quirky friends who always find a way to make life dramatic. The dialogue sparkles with wit, and you might catch yourself snickering at their misadventures. The pacing sometimes feels a bit like a rollercoaster—just when you think you’re catching your breath, you’re whipped back into the chaos.

However, the plot does stumble over its own feet occasionally, leaving a few threads dangling like last year’s holiday decorations. Yet, Tate’s ability to capture the essence of youthful ambition makes it a worthwhile read. If you’re in the mood for a light, engaging story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, "Twenty-Seven Minutes" is worth the time—just don’t expect it to change your life. It’s a delightful distraction, and sometimes, that’s all you really need.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate captivated me from the start with its intriguing premise and complex characters. I'm always drawn to mysteries rooted in past trauma, especially when revisited through the lens of adulthood. The story revolves around the aftermath of a tragic car accident that claimed the life of Phoebe Dean, the town’s golden girl, and the lingering question: why did her brother Grant wait twenty-seven minutes to call for help? As the novel unravels, we see the perspectives of Grant, Becca, and others tied to the night Phoebe died, and the slow buildup of tension was gripping.

Becca, in particular, struck me as a deeply sympathetic character, desperate to be believed, yet trapped in a delusion that others dismiss. While the pacing is deliberate, with twists slowly peeling back the layers of this small-town tragedy, it builds to a satisfying and vindicating conclusion. However, the slower pace and emotional distance from the characters left me feeling less invested than I expected. It’s a well-written, dramatic thriller with a bit of graphic content, perfect for readers who enjoy a slow-burn mystery. While I appreciated the story, it didn’t quite hook me enough to be an enthusiastic recommendation, though I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Tate.