
Member Reviews

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate
The power of grief and hurt that ripped a small town apart. These books make you edge with all twists and turns of each event as it unfolds the pain that lurks inside. It's such a great book and I love and can't wait until this gets released!
I just reviewed Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate. #twentysevenminutes #NetGalley
[https://www.netgalley.com/member/book/289202/review]

This was not my favorite. There were so many POVs that I was left confused and unsatisfied. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a fair review.

Review: Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really did not care for this book at all. The only thing I liked was the multiple POVs. I felt that this book didn’t really have a true plot. It dragged on so much, and I just couldn’t get into it at all. I kept forcing myself to pick it back up to read. I felt like I had been reading for hours when I had only read 10 pages. The book didn’t flow well. It had a lot of back and forth, between past and present, which I don’t mind, but I feel lost the flow of this book. On top of that, all the characters were unlikeable. I can’t say anything positive about any of the characters at all. They were supposed to be close to 30 and acted like a bunch of thirteen year olds. The concept was interesting, but I feel like the execution was a miss. I didn’t even really care about or for the ending. I think that was an extra thing that was just thrown into the book. It just really wasn’t for me unfortunately…

The title and plot of the book caught my attention, and I was pleased with the many twists and turns. The characters were well-developed, with their own unique perspectives, and their interactions were seamless. The level of tension was just right, making for an enjoyable read. However, I was disappointed to find that I couldn't relate to or like any of the characters. Despite this flaw, the book was still decent, and the ending was satisfying with an unexpected twist. Overall, it's a compelling read with a few minor imperfections.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC, All opinions are my own.

This book was an absolute page turner for me. Having grown up in a small town where everyone knew everyone else's business, the characters were very relatable to me. The multiple POVs kept me guessing over and over, questioning what I thought I knew. Just when I thought I had figured it out, the ending threw me for a loop. I really appreciated the way the author explored the feelings of guilt and grief throughout the story. I would highly recommend this book!
I received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley.
My opinions are all my own.

This really kept me on my toes. Four unreliable narrators, two timelines, and so many twists. All led to an explosive collision.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
I thought this was well-written, and the chapters from the perspective of Becca were well done. The rest I wasn't so keen on. The mystery of why Grant waits 27 minutes to call an ambulance for his sister is cleared up at the end, but the book takes a long time getting there. The time line constantly shifts between the present day and 10 years ago and there are chapters from the perspectives of different characters. This is not confusing, but all the male characters were either unpleasant or absent or both, and the female characters (apart from Becca) were either downtrodden or unkind or weird (Phoebe) or featured so fleetingly that I got them confused (e.g.Kelsey and Harley). I didn't find anyone particularly relatable and the ending wasn't a huge surprise.

A Gripping Tale of Secrets and Redemption
Twenty Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a compelling novel that delves into the aftermath of a tragic car accident and the burden of a long-held secret. With its intriguing premise and well-developed characters, this book manages to keep readers engaged throughout its pages.
The story revolves around Grant Dean, haunted by the question of why he took twenty-seven minutes to call for help after the accident that claimed his sister's life. The weight of this guilt, combined with a lingering secret, has consumed Grant for a decade. Ashley Tate skillfully captures the inner turmoil and emotional struggle of Grant, allowing readers to empathize with his pain and longing for redemption.
One of the strengths of the novel lies in its exploration of the dynamics between the characters. Becca, the only other person who knows the truth, adds an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. The author skillfully weaves together their shared history, highlighting the complexities of friendship and the power of secrets. Additionally, the introduction of June, a character grappling with her own loss, adds a fresh perspective to the story and raises the stakes for the characters involved.
The pacing of the plot is generally well-maintained, with the suspense building gradually as the anniversary of the accident approaches. The author effectively creates tension by alternating between past and present, slowly revealing the events leading up to the tragic night. However, there are moments when the pacing feels slightly uneven, with certain sections dragging on while others speed ahead. Nevertheless, the overall momentum of the narrative remains intact.
Ashley Tate's writing style is descriptive and evocative, allowing readers to vividly imagine the small town of West Wilmer and its inhabitants. The author captures the essence of grief, guilt, and longing, creating an emotionally charged atmosphere that resonates with the reader. The dialogue is realistic and engaging, effectively conveying the characters' emotions and motivations.
In conclusion, Twenty Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate is a captivating novel that skillfully explores the aftermath of tragedy and the power of secrets. With its well-drawn characters, emotional depth, and an intriguing storyline, this book offers an engaging reading experience. Although it has a few minor flaws, it remains a compelling read that will leave readers pondering the weight of guilt, the search for truth, and the possibility of redemption.
Rating: 3.75/5 stars

At first I was a bit weary with 4 characters and a dual timeline but the author did this masterfully. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time and did not see that ending coming. The characters were a bit annoying - Phoebe is perfect, Grant is the bad boy, June was a creeper and Becca didn't appreicate that Grant was the fall boy. I will be watching out for future Ashley Tate books because she is the perfect thriller writer for the young adult 20s age range between Karen McManus and Shari Lapena.

Wow! This book is full of twists, turns, and unreliable narrators. We have 4 different perspectives alternating chapters throughout the book. I found June the most sympathetic. The fact that I could never be sure who to trust helped to keep the truth of "that night" a secret until the end. While I wasn't totally shocked by the ending (which is a good thing because it made sense and kept the book grounded in reality), the author did a great job of keeping the drama and tension high and the book engaging.
Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

after only a few pages i fell in love with this book. it had be hooked and i didn’t want to put it down. as always i love a book that changed perspectives as timegoes on. I loved how it switched between the past and the present. I read for hours and hours just so I could know the outcome of the book. This is for sure one of my favorite books I have gotten off of NetGalley. This book did keep me guessing, of what actually happened that night, and who was lying. I wanted to know what they were trying to cover up. changes. the ended had me shocked. i read for 4 straight hours and couldn’t wait for the ended !

This book was not bad, but it wasn't my thing. I was looking for more of a straight-forward thriller mystery. I also thought I knew the plot twist, and then was misled by supernatural elements that I wasn't expecting, only for my guess to be correct after all. I also really struggled with unreliable and unlikeable characters, in fact I don't think I liked anyone which makes it hard to be invested in the book. For folks that like these elements (and I know a lot do), they would probably really like this title, but I did not.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Exciting prologue that had me hooked from the start! The style of character switching and past/present with every new chapter kept me engaged in this novel. The hardest barrier for me within the story was I couldn't fully connect with all the characters. Not all are likable for having a common connection to me, which made it a little more of a struggle to keep going halfway. The ending and epilogue filled in the questions I was wanting answers to and were very enjoyable to finish with.

Struggled with this one though the plot did intrigue me. I had a hard time keeping up with the multiple pov's. Gonna wait for the audiobook and try again and I think it will be better..thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I have read many psychological thrillers over the past few years, but nothing made me expect this ending! I thought the beginning was a bit hard to grasp, it changed from character to character a bit too quickly in the beginning before I could comprehend their rol.e But, it was a great story, and I was not expecting the ending. A must a read!

I think this book suffered from too many POVs. It made it a little clunky to read in parts and didn’t flow smoothly.

I thought this book was a very engaging gothic thriller. Ashley Tate has a strong talent for creating atmosphere that is almost like its own character within the story. I felt like the story was in sepia tones, the environment felt dusty and rusted and filled with creaking floorboards and spiderwebs. The atmosphere helps the reader connect to the theme of overcoming (or failure to overcome) grief. The atmosphere becomes symbolic of the rot of grief that isn’t dealt with in a healthy way, that transforms people into sad, angry, resentful people who then create a cycle of loneliness and sadness in others within their family.
This book has a lot to offer and I think a lot of people will enjoy reading it.
I’m so excited to see what Ashley Tate does next.

One of my most anticipated thrillers of 2024 and it did NOT disappoint! I was wholly absorbed in the tense storyline and the cryptic and intriguing prose. The insightful dissection of the destructive effects of parental expectations and small-town gossip was incredibly well done, as was the exploration of the complex and inescapable nature of fraternal and sororal bonds. My heart broke for June and for Becky, as well as the long-dead yet ever-present Phoebe, as their unique yet closely-woven stories brought them closer and closer to a climactic and heartrending conclusion. Will definitely be recommending this one!

I read this till about 25% and I just couldn’t get invested. The characters were unlikeable and I wasn’t dedicated enough to read about what happens.