Alex Marks lives a small life in NYC, basically in hiding because of something that happened in her past. After Francis Keen, her favorite advice columnist "Dear Constance", is murdered, Alex finds herself applying for -and landing- the job as the Dear Constance replacement. Alex starts to get anonymous, threatening letters, and since she isn't sure if they have something to do with her past or with with Francis Keen's murder, she decides that she needs to solve the open case and find out who killed Francis. Alex is a sympathetic protagonist, and the supporting cast are interesting with unique eccentricities. Suspenseful with several surprises revealed along the way, I found this to be a moderately paced and enjoyable mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!
Although you know Alex is running from something, it’s easy to think she’s a bit paranoid at the beginning. She is not. It’s all well earned.
Big “Sleeping With the Enemy” energy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author of this book for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think the premise of this book was good, but it fell a little flat. I thought the main character wasn't very likable and she was a little boring. I didn't really want to follow along with her story because of it. It was a little darker than I thought it would be and it still had some okay twists, but nothing too shocking. One thing that I did like was the "Dear Constance" portions. Although they were a little boring until the end, I thought it was pretty unique and made this book stick out a little bit. I think a more matured mystery reader would easily guess this, but a new reader to the genre would enjoy this.

I picked this book up because I really enjoyed her previous book The Golden Spoon. I loved the idea of the famous column advice writer Dear Constance being murdered and her successor possibly being targeted next. I liked how the author included the letters to Dear Constance in the book. However, this book was somewhat predicable. It was fine. It’s a solid three star read but there is nothing new or noteworthy. It’s a good light page turner when that’s what you’re in the mood for but it’s not going to leave you asking questions or wanting more.

Loved! I half read on my kindle/half listened in the car on a couple long drives and I was super invested in this story and these characters! I’d say it falls somewhere in between cozy mystery and thriller - but minimal gore. Also, check your trigger warnings, some parts might be sensitive for you!

I thought this book was the perfect pick for me because I always like a good, classic murder mystery. And I was exactly right—I had a great time reading it!

The main character of the story is an aspiring newspaper columnist who is attempting to understand the reasons behind the deceased former columnist and her idol.
The way the characters in this novel truly kept the plot flowing was what I found so amazing. It kept me interested the entire time and never became boring. I truly liked Alex as a character, and I found it fascinating what she was running from.

With two mysteries being solved simultaneously, this book has a quick paced plot with a few slower sections. The timelines in this book, which alternated between the past and present, were easy to follow. I found the idea of the advice column intriguing and anticipated it would play a larger part. Even though I liked the Dear Constance letters' point of view, there were moments when it seemed a little repetitive.

When you read a mystery, the finest sensation is when you see how everything comes together at the end and are shocked—this finale surprised me! I think fans of murder mysteries will really enjoy this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

I thought the premise of this one was cool, although it did take me a little bit to get into it when I first started. I actually listened to the beginning like 3x before I continued on. Once I got going it was a solid audiobook though. The narrator did a nice job too.

I loved the diner friends that the MC, Alex Marks formed a relationship with. I’m not sure why I liked that little trio so much but I just loved them.

The twist I totally didn’t see coming. The pacing towards the end picked up so quickly that I didn’t have time to even think of a twist. Now when I say fast and picked up quickly don’t take that as it was rushed because I didn’t get that vibe at all.

There is a quote in the epilogue about running away that I really enjoyed but I felt like it added to the impact of the ending so I’ll let you savor it for yourself.

This was my first introduction to Jessa Maxwell and I was pleasantly surprised. The story did have a bit of a slow start (first half actually) but as more information was becoming divulged, I was getting more and more hooked! It was interesting how everything came together and I truly did not expect the story to unfold the way it did, but it was worth it! My only wish was that the beginning of the story was as captivating, because I found myself getting a little bored as things were being set up.

Thank you to Atria Books, Jessa Maxwell, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read from this author! This book was a wonderful change from the normal thrillers I read. It has me reminiscing about "Dear Abby" that I would read in the newspaper every weekend. I did not catch on as some may have. The characters were amazing. I felt like I knew them all.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for allowing me to read early.

One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time. My Mom read the Dear Abby advice column religiously when I was growing up so the advice column plot line was complete nostalgia for me. The characters are well done and make you really root for them!

Solid 4 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I Need You to Read This" by Jessa Maxwell is an absolute gem of a mystery that had me hooked from page one. The story follows a young writer who lands a gig as an advice columnist for a NYC newspaper, stepping into the role of a recently murdered icon. But it’s not just about solving the murder—there’s a whole lot of personal drama and intrigue going on.

Our protagonist is juggling a new relationship, quirky colleagues, and a diner waitress who seems to be part of the whole mystery. The way all these threads connect is both clever and entertaining. Maxwell’s writing is sharp and fun, keeping you guessing with every chapter. The big reveal is both a pleasant surprise and a bit of a “Oh, I saw that or didnt see that coming” moment, which makes it even more satisfying.

This was my first dive into Jessa Maxwell’s world, and I’m super grateful to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC. Can’t wait to see what Maxwell cooks up next!

3.75/5 Stars rounded up to 4.

I definitely enjoyed reading this book. The premise of the story was so much fun, and I think Jessa Maxwell executed it quite well. I loved the inclusion of the Dear Constance letters and how we learn as the book goes on that the letters from LostGirl were actually written by Alex herself. I didn't find the twists to be all that surprising, but I still enjoyed them anyway. I would have liked to see more of Alex's relationship with Tom though. There seemed to be so much potential there, but it sort of fell flat.

I was a little bit skeptical about this book in the beginning as it just wasn't grabbing my attention like I thought it would. Boy am I glad that I decided to stick with it. That twist at the end! I was so happy with how everything tied up in the end and will definitely read more by this author as she releases them. If you are a fan of books with letters and things like that this one is for you. I love the aspect of letters, emails, and text messages in books. It really breaks up all the words! I definitely recommend you pick this one up if you love thrillers and shocking twists!

Thank you Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

In her follow-up to The Golden Spoon, Jessa Maxwell's I Need You to Read This is another strong, well-written psychological mystery. When reclusive copywriter Alex's favorite advice columnist of the famed The Herald newspaper is murdered, she feels the loss deeply. Dear Constance has provided weekly advice for years and served as a constant in Alex's life. Months later, murder still unsolved, The Herald advertises an opening for a new Dear Constance writer. On a wine-induced whim, Alex applies and is shocked that her written responses (as part of the application process) were selected out of hundreds of entrants. While living in NYC for years, mostly stays to herself, forging relationships with her favorite diner companions: waitress Janice and retired detective Raymond. This job will force Alex into the public more acutely than she desires-and it is clear she is hiding from something-or someone. While answering the ever growing pile of letters the column receives, Alex also receives threatening letters and soon finds herself wrapped up in the mystery of the murder. What ensues is a thrilling cat and mouse chase where the past startingly collides with Alex's present-and her future is at stake.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Looking for a fresh start, Alex Mark moves to New York. She has taken a rather boring copywriting job. When the murder of Francis Keen, Alex's childhood hero, hits the news, Alex is shocked. Francis was the creator behind a very famous advice column, Dear Constance.

When an advertisement looking for a Dear Constance replacement, Alex impulsively applies, never expecting to actually get the job. However, strange letters start arriving, while Francis's killer has never been found, Alex can't help but question her new boss/editor-in-chief.

On top of all of this, Alex suffers from severe OCD and has routines that help her feel safe. This unsettled job and new life in New York push this into a giant mess.
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Alex has the struggle of OCD that so many people deal with every day. It's refreshing to see a portrayal that doesn't lean into tropes.

This is a fun and twisty little thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book really surprised me. I am torn about the rating, but overall I really liked it. At first, I thought it was going to be pretty predictable, as I guessed some of the twists up front and there were some random side plots that kind of felt out of place. However, I enjoyed the creepy vibes of the Harold building and loved how there was this scared reverence surrounding Francis's office. I also loved the compassion that both Alex and Francis encompassed when reading people's letters. The last 3rd actually shocked me and that's when I started yelling out loud at the book and characters. YES, this is exactly what I look for in a thriller and even though it was a low burn, the ending was electric.

Also, I read the first half and listened to the second half. I liked that format because it got me oriented to the letters between chapters. The audiobook definitely ramped up the creep factor (some of the characters were truly AWFUL and their voices matched perfectly).

Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this advanced reader e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller had a little bit of everything. A relatable but secretive FMC. A gang of colorful characters. An unsolved murder. And…an advice column? Like I said, it has a little bit of EVERYTHING.

I originally went to school for journalism and so that’s what sparked my interest with adding this to my TBR. The fact that it was resembling a “Dear Abby” type column is what made it stand out from others and it stayed true to that plot line.

The plot build was overall good, even with some unnecessary or slower parts. I understand the character development and smaller moments. Until you get to the climax, some of it leaves you feeling like, “is this really important or are we just overly describing.” Especially the odd love interest and the repetitive office scenes. But I promise, it will all come together when you reach the reveal.

The climax and turning point was absolute chaos and I LOVED IT. It was like boom, bang, oooohh, oh dang, uh what???, breathe. BANG. It was one thing after another between something happening and things being exposed. The reveal was honestly what saved this book from a 3-star rating. The reveal and climax is what a mystery should be. Well done Jessa Maxwell.

If you like an easy-to-read mystery with a modern whodunit plot line, give this a go.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(Review shared on Amazon, Target, and Barnes and noble)

I Need You to Read This started strong, with a premise that gave me "Only Murders in the Building" vibes. But the story never really went anywhere, the character were flat and underdeveloped, and the ending was predictable. I'm sad because I really enjoyed The Golden Spoon. I think the classic mystery structure of that book served the author better than this, which felt all over the place, with a murder, mysterious letters, and an elaborate backstory for the main character that just served to crowd out the more interesting aspects of the plot.

Alex lives in NYC, paying her bills by writing copy for drug companies. She’s mousy and socially awkward with a secret in her past.

Then the job of a lifetime presents itself and Alex applies on a whim. And unbelievably gets it.

Now she’s “Dear Constance” the advice columnist for the largest newspaper in the city, assuming the role after the original agony aunt, Frances Keen, was murdered.

Once in the office, Alex begins searching for clues to the unsolved murder. The backstory here is that Alex herself wrote many letters to Frances during a difficult time and so feels a kinship, I guess.

Hopeful though I may have been, this ultimately didn’t work for me. But that’s ok! Your friendly writing teacher has some notes!

Alex isn’t a compelling character and with no interest in the outcome of her story, it’s hard to invest in the book. It becomes clear what her secret is, which isn’t problematic on its own, but, much else is.

What is problematic? There’s a whole lot of telling, which is bad writing but especially troublesome in a thriller.

There are two side characters, one with a pointless backstory, who I think were introduced as red herrings - but aren’t. There’s a potential love interest and the conversations between Alex and him are weird and unrealistic, also feeling as though it’s meant to make you think twice.

The suspicious character is glaringly so from the start, and that Alex can’t see it only makes her less sympathetic.

The big reveal about who killed Francis is an after thought and explained away in two pages. There are too many coincidences disguised as clever literary devices and not enough thrill.

I usually struggle with thrillers because I’m too chicken to read them. This one? I mostly rolled my eyes.

Ultimately the title is a misnomer. I don’t need you to read this. Sorry.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC. This one came out August 13, 2024.

Jessa Maxwell must take her own advice in following your dreams in I NEED YOU TO READ THIS, her latest whodunnit.

When copywriter, Alex Marks was younger, she religiously read the Dear Constance advice column in the newspaper. When ‘Constance’ is murdered and the paper is looking for someone to take over the column, Alex applies on a whim. She lands the job but is fearful of not living up to her predecessor. There are so many mixed feelings about accepting the job, but she throws herself into it wholeheartedly. She also seeks the council of her friends at the Bluebird diner, Janice and ex-cop Raymond. On her first day, she meets Lucy Bentley, who reports that she was Constance (Francis Keen)’s assistant for the last five years. When she takes Alex to the Mail room, Alex is overwhelmed with the amount of mail received for the column. And that’s just the paper and pen ones, not the huge number of emails waiting for her in her inbox. When Alex finally gets to meet the editor in chief, Howard Dimitri, and let’s just say, she is underwhelmed by him. But all is not lost when a new love interest enters Lucy‘s life.

Then Alex begins receiving threatening notes. Are they directed towards her, or were they threats made against Francis? As she tries to put the pieces together, Lucy is her only ally at the paper. And Lucy is reportedly petrified of the big man, Howard Dimitri, at one point even hiding under Alex’s desk to avoid him. As Alex and Lucy continue to collect the dots, they are led to house where Francis was murdered.

I enjoyed this book. There were a lot of moving parts and they all fit together, seamlessly at the end. Interspersed throughout the book, there were letters to Constance from one writer chronicling the relationship of a woman and her boyfriend. This style was an interesting one in telling some of the backstory. I could feel myself surrounded by mounds of envelopes and received quite a few paper cuts from opening the letters to Constance. I have not read Jess Maxwell in the past but will certainly be keeping an eye out for future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.