This was such a great book and a fast read. Though the main characters are teenagers, it is not considered to be part of the YA genre, it is a psychological thriller with heavy themes. I was gripped throughout the entire book and was anxious to find out what truly happened. My heart ached for the teens, and as a mom my heart ached more when trying to imagine what it would be like if one of my kids experienced this themselves, and also how I would feel as a mom of one of them. I was absorbed in every aspect of this book, from the background of each family, the characters, the storylines, and especially the suspense and twists. This would be perfect on film.

Everything that happened in this book just seemed so incredibly unrealistic it was difficult to stay reading.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

I enjoyed the idea of this book but it was way too slow for my personal taste. I don't feel like the present day timeline really mattered at all other than to set up the twist. We didn't learn much information in it because we were given everything in the past storylines so I felt very disconnected during the past timelines. I think this would have been better for me if it were in one timeline or shorter. I had no issues with the writing itself and would consider reading from this author in the future though!

I felt like every chapter in this book was trying so very hard to be suspenseful that the overall plot just got lost. The concept wasn’t overly original, and the characters were nothing special. Everything about this book was just fine, but that’s it.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a fast-paced thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. This gripping novel masterfully blends suspense with deep emotional resonance, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the complexity of human emotions in the face of tragedy.

The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, giving readers a well-rounded view of the events as they unravel. The shifting viewpoints are expertly woven together, offering a nuanced look at how each character processes their pain, while keeping the tension high. It’s a clever narrative choice that allows for a deeper connection with the story and its characters.

What truly stands out in this book is the emotional depth. Tate doesn’t shy away from the rawness of grief, and this emotional exploration enriches the thriller aspect, making it not only a page-turner but also a reflection on how people cope with devastating loss.

Overall, I would give Twenty-Seven Minutes a solid 4-star rating. The pacing is tight, the plot engaging, and the characters compelling. I’m thankful to NetGalley for providing the ARC, which allowed me to experience this thrilling read early. Highly recommend to fans of psychological thrillers and those who appreciate a deeper emotional journey within the genre!

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate didn’t quite hit the mark for me. While the premise has potential, the book’s slow pacing and predictable plot made it difficult to stay fully engaged. The story revolves around a traumatic event that takes place in just 27 minutes, but instead of the intense, fast-paced narrative I expected, the plot feels drawn out and repetitive at times. There are also far too many characters introduced, which not only muddles the narrative but also makes it hard to form a strong connection with any of them. The shifting perspectives added to the confusion, rather than enhancing the story. Ultimately, the book feels overstuffed and lacking in emotional depth, which was disappointing given the interesting premise. It’s not a book I’d recommend for those looking for a tightly-woven, fast-moving thriller.

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.......