Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love that they delved into anxiety and some agrophobia. Loved this mystery and couldn't figure out the end. This one had some unique twists.

I really enjoyed this little thriller. It was fast paced, kept me on the edge of my seat, and the characters were interesting. I loved the Dear Constance letters and what they added to the story. It took me til halfway through before I figured out who was writing them. I loved the twist at the end and I did not see it coming! This was well done and I will be reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Alex Marks lives a routine life with a job in New York City as a copywriter that pays the bills but she isn't passionate about it. One day she reads that her childhood hero, Francis Keen, has been killed and the newspaper she worked for is taking applications to replace Francis as the writer of the "Fear Constance" advice column. This column got Alex through some darker times when she was younger so on a whim, she applies. She is shocked and thrilled when she is hired! She loves the idea of following in her hero's footsteps on the job, but when she starts receiving threatening letters, she's afraid she may be in danger just like Francis had been.

I enjoyed this book, but in spite of the title and cover, I wouldn't consider it a thriller. It was an entertaining mystery that was fairly light except for a portion that dealt with domestic violence. Alex is a likable character who truly wants to help people. She is great at her new job, but is definitely over her head when it comes to investigating. Luckily she has help from some new friends, including Janice who is a waitress at  her favorite diner and Raymond who is a former detective. I liked their friendship but wish their characters, especially Janice, would have been fleshed out more.

The mystery of who killed Francis Keen is interesting and Alex is determined to get justice for the woman had looked up to for so many years. Most of the story is told in the present, but events from the past are brought to light through older letters written to "Constance" that show a young woman in peril from an abusive boyfriend. I liked this method of giving up backstory that turns out to be relevant to the current plot. There were some red herrings in the death of Francis and threats to Alex, but I was suspicious of all the right people. There were still a couple of plot twists that took me by surprise. I had to suspend disbelief at some of them but I found the hopeful ending satisfying. 

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Atria Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

4.5 stars. What an interesting mystery!

I really enjoyed The Golden Spoon so felt pretty confident I’d like this one - it’s very different in overall tone but sets some great suspense throughout. It was so compelling that I didn’t want to put it down! I really liked Alex and the new family she was able to make for herself, especially after landing her dream job.

Another hit from Jessa Maxwell!

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

3.5
This one was fun, but not a favorite thriller. It was pretty quick paced but in the end just didn't stick with me. Thanks to netgalley for the eARC.

I love Alex.
Loved the book.
Wish if never ended.
I was so caught up in all of the characters.
Thank you for my ARC copy!

I really liked The Golden Spoon by this author and was excited she had another book coming out. I really liked The Golden Spoon and I really liked this book!

In “I Need You to Read This” we are following Alex who takes over the role of advice columnist “Dear Constance” who was murdered. While reprising the role of “Dear Constance” Alex is determined to find who committed the crime. As she starts digging into the murder, dark secrets start to emerge and Alex’s dark past surfaces.

I liked the cast of characters in this book, I liked Raymond, Janice and Tom. They were all fun and had unique personalities. This reads like a cozy mystery to me, with just a bit more thriller. I read the entire book in a day, it was a thrilling page turner. I liked that there was a little romance, sprinkled into our mystery as well. The book had some twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, mysteries and thrillers.

Thank you Atria Books for an advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this twisty thriller. It kept me guessing, and a couple moments made me actually gasp out loud.

I love the concept of this book. A murder and an advice column and mystery- it all had potential. It fell flat for me. I couldn’t relate to the main character and I liked the side characters, but it all just felt very surface level.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books Publishing for an eARC♥️

I loved the idea behind the story - a murder at a newspaper advice column? So intriguing! I mean, who wouldn't want to read about a column that's all about secrets and scandals, and then a murder happens? It's like the ultimate whodunit.

But, to be honest, I had a bit of a hard time connecting with the main character, Alex. I wanted to know more about her, you know? What makes her tick? What's her backstory? I felt like we only got glimpses of her personality, and I wanted more.

And the supporting cast was pretty interesting, but I felt like we only scratched the surface. I wanted to know more about the people around Alex, like her colleagues and friends. What were their motivations? What secrets were they hiding?

The mystery itself was pretty good, though. I didn't see everything coming, which is always a plus. I loved how the author jumped back and forth between the past and present. It kept me on my toes! I was trying to piece together the clues along with Alex, and it was fun.

One thing that did bug me a bit was the pacing. Sometimes it felt like things were moving too slowly, and I just wanted to get to the bottom of the mystery already! But overall, it was a good read, and I'm glad I stuck with it.

All in all, it was a good read, but not my absolute fave. If you're into mystery and suspense, you might really enjoy it, though! Three stars from me.

This book was absolutely unputdownable; I originally scheduled three days for myself to read this and finished in half the time - it was THAT compelling. It had every element I love in a story - unlikely friends, a mystery, alternating timelines, varied narrative devices. I put together early on who the author of the Dear Constance letters was but I eagerly read as the story unfolded. At first, I wasn't sold on the addition of Tom as a character but I do think he was an excellent device for Alex to reveal and process her trauma.

This story was unique, fast-paced, and at times gave me Only Murders in the Building vibes with the odd trio of Janice, Ray, and Alex. I was on the edge of my seat and though I found some parts of this story predictable, there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and gasping. One of my favorite thrillers of the year thus far and one I'll be recommending to anyone in search of heart-pounding, page-turning thriller.

From the author of The golden spoon (a favorite 2023 debut for me) comes a new murder mystery involving Alexis, the new advice columnist for a NYC newspaper who finds herself trying to solve her predecessor's murder and ends up having her past come back to haunt her. Good on audio narrated by Carlotta Brentan. Heads up that this book contains mentions of sexual assault in the workplace and domestic abuse. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and Simon.Audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Alex's favorite advice columnist has been murdered. Now the newspaper is advertising for a replacement. Alex, stuck in her apartment and in a boring job, has an extra glass of wine and applies. Of course she gets the job and what follows is not quite a cozy as she starts making her way in Frances' footsteps and out of her own apartment, hunting down Frances' killer, and trying to protect her own anonymity. Many plots points seemed obvious, but even more were surprises! I especially enjoyed the historic letters to "Dear Constance" that were placed throughout the book to provide context. I do wish a few more pages were given to the ending. It felt a bit rushed after the rest of the story. Other than that, this was a good book to read where it is heavier than fluff but doesn't require massive brain power. Take it to the beach! Read it on a train! Great summer read!

Thanks again to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for a chance to read the ARC of #INeedYouToReadThis !

I must confess I was hoping for something like Jessa Maxwell's prior book "The Golden Spoon" as I loved it. (if you haven't already, get yourself a copy of the fun food tv type who-dun-it!) So I was a little disappointed to realize that INYRT is a completely different feel. My disappointment didn't last long.

This a twisty fun mystery / thriller that takes shape in NYC. Alex, plagued by anxiety and hiding her past, is hired to take over a famous advice column with a big city newspaper. The former "Dear Constance" was murdered a year ago but no killer was found. Alex starts wondering about the murder and becomes embroiled in the lives of those around her. While she receives threatening letters, she also makes strides in finding out what happened to the original Constance.

"I Need You to Read This" kept my attention throughout and I basically devoured the novel in one day/night. Maxwell crafts a great story!

A beloved "Dear Abby" -type advice columnist dies under mysterious circumstances, and an OCD copywriter decides to apply for her job. The fact that she actually gets the job, despite there being over 500 applications, is only the first of the man incongruences in this book. The author seems to stretch credulity to the breaking point in order to set up the mystery, but for me, that only made it seem even less plausible. Alex's office is down a long, spooky hallway in a completely different part of the building from the rest of the staff. The onIy people she meets at the newspaper office are the person who greets her when she arrives at her new job, her assistant and her boss. I shouldn't go on because of spoilers, but trust me, there's a lot of blind acceptance the reader has to go through to arrive at the conclusion.

The good news is that the book is relatively short, and keeps the pages turning with short chapters, cliffhangers and intrigue. The characters are all well drawn, If you're able to suspend belief and enjoy a mystery in which truly anyone could be guilty, this is the book for you.

The latest release by Jessa Maxwell takes us into the world of a troubled advice columnist, Alex Marks, who steps into the spotlight after the murder of her predecessor, Francis Keen. Alex’s journey from a reclusive writer to the center of a high-profile investigation is both intriguing and unsettling. As she navigates her new role, the novel cleverly blends her personal struggles with a mystery that keeps unfolding in unexpected ways. The backdrop of the advice column, combined with Alex’s complex character, creates a suspenseful read that manages to be both gripping and introspective.

While the plot keeps readers guessing, some of the twists might feel a bit familiar. Nevertheless, the engaging writing style and well-developed character moments make it an enjoyable experience overall. Fans of Maxwell's previous work will find this novel a satisfying follow-up, with a balance of mystery and personal drama that hits the mark.

Finding this book on Pinterest, I was excited for its release! This is my book I have ever read and reviewed on Netgalley, and it didn’t disappoint! I previously read “May Day” by Jess Lourey and felt that “I Need You to Read This” had a similar plot that I would genuinely enjoy, and I did!

When a famous column writer is found dead, Alex slides into the position to fill the loss. Being a newcomer to New York, Alex is scared and alone. While she’s odd and kinda skittish, you grow to love her. While Alex is trying to find her footing replacing a large spot, the reader comes to learn that Alex is running from her past. She’s trying to solve who murdered her hero, Francis, while hoping she doesn’t meet a similar fate.

Hats off to Jessa Maxwell for how she writes about mental health! This book so accurately portrays OCD and anxiety, which is so refreshing to see and read. This was such a calm and cozy read with such a unique twist on the plot, not to mention this was a very fast paced read!

Thank you to Atria, Simon and Schuster Audio, and NetGalley, for the free copy for review.

The book kicks off with a gripping letter from a terrified sender, seamlessly transitioning into a prologue that leaves readers hanging in suspense. My immediate reaction was, “Who is Francis, and what happened to her?”

The narrative unfolds through punchy chapters, ensuring there’s never a dull moment on each page. The protagonist is perpetually looking over her shoulder, and whether on the page or in the audiobook, her palpable terror resonates deeply, even as the source of her fear remains shrouded in mystery. The author masterfully weaves a twisty tapestry of familiar tales about relationships gone awry, making this read both engaging and satisfying.

The inclusion of letters throughout the novel keeps the pace brisk and adds an intriguing layer of mystery that subtly piques the reader's curiosity. I found myself pairing the text with the audiobook, and as I mentioned earlier, the audio truly intensifies the emotional weight of the character’s terror, enhancing the overall experience. Carlota Brentan did such a wonderful job voicing each of the characters

Thank you to Atria Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my review!

On a whim, Alex fills out an application for the position of an advice column writer at the New York Herald. This position is to replace famous Frances, who was the loved and respected long time writer of the Dear Constance column prior to her unsolved murder. After finding a troubling note tucked away in Frances old desk, Alex starts to look into what may have happened to the original Dear Constance author.

I was drawn to this book by the cover and then I recognized the author’s name. I haven’t read The Golden Spoon yet, but I remember seeing it all over bookstagram. Once I read the synopsis of this book, I couldn’t wait to read it! This story is told in duel timelines- through Alex who is getting hired by and then working for The Herald and then through Dear Constance letters. I enjoyed having the letter chapters throughout the book, found them really interesting to read, and I liked how they told an important part of the story.

I liked Alex as a character and was rooting for her taking on the Dear Constance article as she had really big shoes to fill. It’s clear that Alex has some serious past traumas and it’s difficult for her to trust people, which has you rooting for her even more. And I was absolutely loving Alex’s support system of Raymond and Janice at the diner- two unlikely older friends. Overall, the characters made some decisions in the story that I didn’t really understand and the twist that I was waiting for just didn’t surprise me at all.

Loving it the first ~50%. I was absolutely loving Alex’s support system of Raymond and Janice at the diner- two unlikely older friends. But then when they started snooping around trying to find out who Alex’s boss was having an affair with and they start thinking he could be involved in Francis murder, Janice straight up tells her not to go to the police for help. At 71% of the way into the book, Alex wants to “turn everything into the police and be done with it,” and Janice dissuades her by telling her that the police don’t believe women and she doesn’t have enough evidence, so she needs to bypass the police and figure it all out herself. First of of, no she doesn’t have to figure it out herself, that’s not her job and she’s putting her own safety and wellbeing at risk. And second of all, I can understand not trusting the police, but if you literally think someone is involved in a murder, I’m pretty sure going to the police is the only route to go. It was just a very bold choice for this conversation to happen the way it did and it rubbed me the wrong way.

My question with this book is basically why does Alex care who her boss was having an affair with? She’s been at this job for all of 5 minutes and is convinced she just has to get to the bottom of who Howard is sleeping with. First it seems she wants to know because she doesn’t want Howard taking advantage of the younger girls in the mailroom, then it becomes mixed with her being convinced he was involved in Frances’ murder. And half the time it seemed that Alex didn’t know her own motivation for being so obsessed with it. To me, I felt like she should have been focusing on the job more and less on her boss’s personal life. Additionally, how did it never cross her mind that maybe it was Frances who he was having the affair with… this seemed so obvious to me, but was intended as the twist in this story.

Jonathan’s motivation for not liking Alex- that he loved Frances almost as a mother figure and friend- and him not wanting to see her replaced- was understandable, but not necessary to the story. The chapter where Alex and Jonathan bond and very blatantly clear up any issues between them was a bit transparent and unnecessary. Alex helped Jonathan and then Jonathan feels the need to have a heart to heart with her and spill his guts and apologize for making it difficult for her around the office, but he really wasn’t even that bad to her. This was a little distracting for me.

Another distraction from the storyline that took away from my enjoyment of the book was when Raymond, Janice, and Alex went to the exclusive bar and started asking questions about Howard. The dialogue at this point felt so cringey to me when they were asking the bartender questions. And then the situation where Raymond ran into a family member of his ex partner and caused a scene, all upset and yelling at him… we didn’t need this situation at all. It felt as the author was trying to do some character building of Raymond, but the situation that lead him to leaving the police force had absolutely nothing to do with the storyline and it was distracting from the actual plotline.

My last gripe is that I didn’t much understand Lucy’s motivation for infiltrating Alex’s life. I understand Lucy was a victim of her bother and was trying to defend him, and even get back at Alex, but for Lucy to go through all she did in order to to set up Alex at the beach house for her brother to come get her, it felt like a retaliation that was out of proportion. Especially for something that happened so long ago.

I really enjoyed the Golden Spoon so I was super excited to check out Jessa Maxwell’s latest book!

The Golden Spoon felt a bit more cozy mystery to me, but I Need You to Read This feels decidedly more intense. And while I felt like I knew where things were headed at some points, I was definitely on the edge of my seat as they played out.

I think my favorite thing about this book was probably the friendship dynamics. I loved the crew from the diner, and the way Alex and Jonathan’s friendship evolved.