I enjoyed this so much more than The Golden Spoon! The plot was enjoyable and not too predictable; anything I did predict was based on good clues by the author. Nothing out of left field; all twists made sense. I liked the angle of the advice column, and the way the column ties into the overall plot was really good!

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was a roller coaster read for me. What I meant was that it started off okay...then the fun started to rise a bit. But then the interesting parts dipped with a drawn out storyline. And finally, some movement near toward the end. Usually there's the reveal, but it didn't pack enough punch to reel it all in.

It was fun, sure, with some twists, but it seemed as if the main setup (Alex working as the advice columnist) didn't do much for the overall outcome of what constituted this as a thriller. It's like reading a world build, which was the main part that was dragged out, but the overall punch only relied a little bit of that world. I enjoyed it, however, as this was a quick and easy read. It had its thrilling moments, but more on the lukewarm level. I think this was what most people would label as popcorn thriller?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Growing up, my grandma always read those columns and it became part of my adult hood. I had myself in Alex's shoes for half of this book but I would've been out the second i got these threatening messages lol. This had me on a ride that I questioned how far was enough for a person to handle when it comes to their job.

I could not get into The Golden Spoon, but once again Jessa Maxwell's fabulous covers and premises drew me in, so I requested this one with crossed fingers that this time I'd see the magic so many other readers seem to in her writing. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Once again, I struggled to connect with the writing and characters, and despite the wonderful ideas, I just couldn't find my way into the story. Sadly, I think her writing style and my reading style just don't mesh...

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a readers copy of this book. My reviews never contain spoilers and are freely given.
I Need You to Read This is the story of a woman who applied to replace a deceased advice column writer. The former columnist was murdered, and her case remains unsolved. Alex, the new columnist, begins to investigate her predecessor’s death, but she has a few secrets of her own.
The characters in this story are very well developed and unique. Overall, an entertaining and engaging read.

Thank you to Atria books and the author for an ARC. This was such a fun read. I had loved the author’s earlier book ‘The Golden Spoon’ and was super excited to read her latest releasing in August of this year. The book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it wanting to know what was going on. I had guessed a part of the suspense but not the entire ending and there are quite a few twists in the second half which helped answer all the questions I had. I really liked how the author wrote the main character as I was really rooting for her. Would definitely recommend if you like reading fast paced, suspenseful and engaging reads.

I loved the premise of this book as I have always been interested in the advice column of the newspapers. I enjoyed Jessa Maxwell's first book, but this one disappointed me. It was a quick read but I wasn't really invested in any of the characters.

I enjoyed this much more than The Golden Spoon, Maxwell's debut. Some was quite predictable, but it was a quick read and an engaging plot. Found the epilogue a bit too tidy of a wrap up, but overall a fun read!

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I am officially hooked! The title caught my attention right away and the description pulled me in. This is such a clever and creepy read. Very twisty and full of unexpected turns. Definitely check this one out when it’s released on August 13th 🔪🩸

Huge thanks to @netgalley, @simonandschuster and of course @jessamaxwellauthor for the ARC!

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#arc #netgalley #ineedyoutoreadthis #jessamaxwell #newrelease #mystery #creepy #thriller

I loved The Golden Spoon so i was thrilled to read another novel by Jessa Maxwell! This is absolutely perfect. A light hearted thriller that captivates the reader but doesn't leave you feeling restless and for a lack of better words, icky? Really enjoyed this one. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t want to be dramatic, but i feel like this will be a massive hit! Advice columnist with her own terrifying past gets pulled into a mystery entwined with her own life in ways she never could have expected. I was FLOORED by the twist (this would make an excellent movie, to be sure) and especially loved the secondary, found family cast of characters! Jessa Maxwell does it again; and BETTER than “the golden spoon” if you ask me!

love a good thriller that keeps me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages as fast as I can. The beginning of this book had me there but then I think it slowed down from about 10%-80%. I felt that as we got to know Alex we kind of went in a loop and were slowly crawling to the plot. I was kept waiting for more to happen, but we did get there.. slowly. I will say the little trio moments we got were some of my favorites as it showcases how these three random people formed this bond with another until the end. The last 80% or so of the book was pretty good, I mean of course everything unraveled but I enjoyed how it unraveled. I also enjoyed the Dear Constance letters we got every so often and how we figured out how significant they are to the story. I will say this book does remind me of a Nicholas Sparks book/movie a bit but with more of a thriller aspect with a sprinkle of romance. One thing that was not my favorite about this book was the main character being quite oblivious. I understand she has a lot going on in her life and maybe at times her mind wasn’t always there but somethings were just right in her face. Overall, I think this book was a good filler book. Although I do think it was more on the slower side it was fairly easy to read through and easily written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC! "I Need You to Read This" by Jessa Maxwell is a candid and thought-provoking collection of essays that explores a range of personal and societal topics with honesty and insight. Maxwell's writing is engaging and introspective, inviting readers into her world as she reflects on relationships, identity, and the complexities of modern life.

Each essay is crafted with care, blending personal anecdotes with broader observations, which allows Maxwell to offer both personal storytelling and universal truths. Her voice is authentic and relatable, making the reader feel connected to her experiences and perspectives.

Through themes of love, loss, growth, and resilience, Maxwell encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships. Her writing is heartfelt and poignant, touching on themes that resonate deeply with the human experience.

"I Need You to Read This" is a compelling read for anyone interested in introspective essays that explore the nuances of personal growth and relationships. Maxwell's ability to blend vulnerability with wisdom makes this collection both enlightening and emotionally resonant.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me the ARC for I Need You to Read This. Overall, I really liked this book. I like how the past moved its way to the present. I also liked the characters the main character met through the diner. I do wish in the ending that we got some sort of closure about the man who owned the hardware store, I just wanted to know that he was okay lol! Overall, I would give this book a 4/5.

A couple spoilers: At first, I wasn't feeling this book. But it didn't take long for me to fall into it. Great setting, something I really appreciate and propulsive structure. The reason I was hesitant was because some of the plot positioning didn't feel realistic. The way that Alex began her "investigation" into Francis's murder didn't feel believable, nor did the risks she took to prove her boss was up to no good. But once I put those aside, I really was able to fall into the story. I was looking forward to picking this book up whenever I put it aside, and I'd definitely read more from this writer.

Rating: ★★★½

"I Need You to Read This" by Jesse Maxwell is a fast-paced read set in the world of newspaper publishing. The story kicks off with a bang when the writer for the advice column "Dear Constance" is murdered. Enter Alex, who applies for the now-vacant position and soon discovers that there's more to the job than just giving advice. Alex has been hiding out in NYC and has only befriended a waitress at the diner by her apartment and a retired cop that is a regular there.

As Alex delves deeper into the role, she begins to sense that something fishy is going on. Driven by curiosity and a need for justice, she starts her own investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her predecessor's death. The plot thickens with multiple storylines that merge towards the end.

There are a couple of twists along the way—one of which might be a bit predictable, but the others unfold in a more surprising manner. The ending picks up the pace with mounting suspense and rapidly converging on the truth. I appreciated that the tone of the book was suspenseful without veering into overly dark thriller territory.

Overall, "I Need You to Read This" is an engaging and thrilling read, perfect for those who enjoy a blend of mystery and suspense set against the backdrop of the bustling newspaper industry. Despite a few predictable moments, the book keeps you hooked with its plot and characters.

I loved Jessa Maxwell’s last book so I was excited to get the ARC for her latest. This one delivered on the twists and turns again. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Fun, fast-paced mystery/suspense book. I'm a sucker for newspaper/publishing industry books, so the setting and premise pulled me in, and this was a fun read between some heavier ones.

A beloved advice columnist in a major newspaper is murdered. Her replacement gets herself caught up in the search for the killer.
I would categorize this book as a cozy thriller. There were multiple plot lines, but, for me, they muddied the story. The characters were somewhat stereotyped. The short chapters made this a fast read.

Thank you, Atria Books, and Net Gally for an advanced copy of this book. The thoughts expressed are my own.

Really good story idea was definitely intrigued from the beginning. Liked the main character and thought there were some good twists was a good story and would read more by Jessa Maxwell 3/3.5 stars would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review.