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.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book, and it was an easy read (read it in two days), but it was slow to start. The excitement of the book didn't really start until it was already 75% done. While it was an enjoyable read, its not one of my favorites of the year.

I Need You To Read This by Jesse Maxwell. I loved the idea for this story. It had great characters and a good storyline. That being said it was hard for me to connect to it. I could not get “ into “ the story. I didn’t hate the book but this one wasn’t for me.

Alex moved to NY to disappear. She has developed routines and rituals and rules to help make her feel safe, but she lives a small life. And she is definitively afraid of someone finding her.
On a whim, Alex applies for an advice columnist position, and surprisingly she gets the job. The only issue is that this job will put her out in the open and make it impossible for her to keep hiding.
This book touches on domestic abuse, PTSD, anxiety and imposter syndrome.

There was one twist that was easily figured out, but the rest kept me on my toes. This book was fast faced and had you rooting for Alex right from the start!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced ecopy to read and review.

Thank you to Atria Books for this complimentary copy of I Need You to Read This. This was a great book. It's been a while before I read a book that I could not put down. This was one of those. It had great pacing, and was so easy to get into. The perfect balance of a great story line that was easy to get into. And this book had a twist that I DID NOT SEE coming! Pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed all of the characters both good and bad. Can't wait to read the next Jesse Maxwell book!

Overall, I Need You to Read This is a quick but "meh" read. It should be categorized as a cozy mystery, not a thriller. It's not the best, but definitely not the worst either.

I Need You to Read This has three plot lines:
The unsolved murder of beloved advice columnist Frances
Alex (Frances's replacement) is in constant fear of being found by someone from her past.
Rumors are swirling about Howard, Frances's former boss & Alex's current boss, and his questionable behavior.

The story dances around the three mysteries, but everything is shrouded in secret, so nothing is revealed to the reader until the book is almost over. The book is relatively short (less than 300 pages), but truthfully, it could have been cut down another 30%. There were extraneous storylines that served no purpose to the plot's core. Character development was lackluster, presumably to maintain the mystique of a "big reveal." However, this strategy left me disconnected from the characters and less invested in the overall outcome of the book.

The writing style and book format are engaging, keeping the pages turning despite minimal action or suspense. I read it in a day. So, while this is certainly not my favorite book of the year, it might be a good choice for readers seeking a distraction while traveling or struggling to get out of a reading slump.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and the publisher.

While I wanted to love this book, I just had a harder time getting into the story. The premise was a great one. A talented advice columnist is killed and her replacement soon starts to feel caught up In the mystery. I also enjoyed the addition of letters you could read from someone seeking advice and trying to figure out if it was an additional character. The twist at the end was a little to unrealistic for me.

I really liked this book as I had no idea what the twist would be, and when a book can keep me hooked and wanting to keep reading, it’s always a win for me. I did at times have a suspicion, but it wasn’t exactly what I thought and therefore I was pleasantly surprised. I also found myself wanting to pick it up and see what was going to happen next so this was a definite win for me..

The character development was quite lacking and the plot is somewhat forgettable, but I appreciated the idea of the protagonist reinventing herself, finding friends, and moving away from her previous toxic relationship. Definitely suspend your disbelief with this one, and expect a quick wrap-up!

In I Need You To Read This, Maxwell takes readers on a thriller of a journey. After finding a new life in New York City, Alex Marks submits an application to be the new Constance of the Dear Constance advice column. Alex was an avid reader of Frances Keen, the original Constance, who was brutally murdered at her seaside house. Expecting to continue living her somewhat dull copywriter life, she receives the opportunity of a lifetime when she's given the columnist position. All is not what it seems at the newspaper office, and Alex begins receiving threatening letters, and she's not sure who she can trust. Maxwell weaves together Alex's story with Dear Constance letters, and readers will not be disappointed with picking this book up. I'm grateful to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!