I love Lisa Unger and I wanted to love this book, but I didn't. The concept behind the TV show in the book didn't work for me; I didn't like several of the point of view characters, and I wanted more from the back story about the disappearing husband. But she's a great writer and I'll still eagerly read anything else she publishes.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 intrigued me right when I read the plot (I love love love! closed circle murder mysteries), but the execution of everything fell flat for me.

The story felt a bit all over the place. There were too many characters and plotlines, which made it hard to stay focused. None of the characters really stood out, and I found myself struggling to tell them apart, especially when switching between the multiple POV chapters. And the “hide and seek” element that I was so excited for? It didn’t pan out like I was hoping for. The book had a lot going on, but not enough focus. I’m still curious enough to give Lisa Unger’s other books a try.

Thank you Netgalley and Park Row Books.

Lisa Ungar is an auto buy/read for me so, I was disappointed when Cloae Your Eyes and Count to Ten failed to live up to Confessions on the 7:45, Last Girl Ghosted, and The New Couple in 5B. The setting was perfect (creepy and cultish) but that's where my enjoyment ended. I don't mind unlikable characters but this group, for some odd reason got on my last nerve in the worst way. When I root for everyone to just die already, I know there's no enjoyment left on the horizon. This wasn't good at all.

3.5 rounded down. I really liked the beginning of this book, but found myself losing interest and steam as it moved along. Sad I didn't love it, but it was decent.

This book had way too much going on for not a lot of hearty material. There were many POVs I didn't think were necessary. and I hated the video game dynamic added in order to have a plot twist - just unnecessary.

I loved the concept and wanted to like this book but I couldn’t. The story went in too many directions that didn’t feel like parts of a puzzle but more like pick up sticks randomly thrown. Many villains but I knew who the “master” villain was early on, so no surprise. A sad compilation of stories about people making all the wrong choices with no story really going anywhere and no real redemption

I wish there had been more suspense around the competition, but this book did pull me in and I read it very quickly. Fast paced and great for a suspenseful duh ride.

I usually always love a Lisa Unger book, but this one lost me about halfway through. The premise was exciting - a reality tv game of hide-and-seek with a large reward for the winner, set on an old deserted hotel plot. Add a tropical storm and it sounds like the perfect recipe for an exciting thriller.
I think where this went wrong for me was that during the middle of the book there were just too many different storylines and characters that all seems to be going in different directions, and I had a hard time of trying to keep track of how they all related.

Besides that, I did enjoy the main character and her kids, and really felt sympathy for their situation. There also was some creeping encounters amongst the gameshow contestants that were certainly engaging.

Not going to lie though - best part was the unexpected ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this arc in return for my honest review.

Pub Date: 25 Feb 2025

Story: 2.5 ⭐️
Audiobook narration: 4 ⭐️
Overall: 3⭐️

Oh, this book. This story itself was decently engaging, and I definitely wanted to see how the mess these characters made for themselves would turn out. But the premise—a fitness influencer enters an extreme hide-and-seek challenge put on by some shady online streamers—is infuriating because it sounds great but the execution is…not.

Don’t get me wrong: the arc of the story isn’t horrible, but the way it was set up and the premise that has been marketed to readers? That’s all a big ol’ let down. I think it would have been so much better if it didn’t seem like the whole point of the story was this freaking game.

Thankfully, the audio narration was pretty good, so I stuck with it until the end.

I haven’t totally written off Lisa Unger because of this one, but it may be a while before I pick up another of her books.

Full review on Goodreads; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6623601815

Sadly this one didn’t live up to the hype for me. I was so excited to read it. But it just fell flat. I was excepting more of the thriller aspect durning the hide and seek game and we didn’t get that. For the most part it was okay.

it was a decent book, 6/10. it was long but not super suspenseful, as much as it could have been for being this long. the premise was good, it was just a little underwhelming.

This books sucks I had to dnf 37% through. It’s ridiculously boring and I don’t believe anybody was able to finish this book

Revenge, money, extreme sports, and blood. That is what you will find in this Lisa Unger thriller - especially the last 30%. What you may not find? An actual game of extreme hide-and-seek.

Extreme adventurer and Social Media Icon Maverick Dillan has just announced the most exciting reality game of hide and seek to be played on the desolate Falcao Island. Maverick has not exactly been known for his ethics and honesty when hosting his Extreme games. Already, one woman has been reported missing from a previous game. When a woman named Adele, who is fiercely competing to protect her children from their fugitive father, finds herself a contestant on Extreme Hide-and-Seek, she has no idea the deceptive webs she is walking into. Told from 10 different points of view, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a ruthless competition for survival where the stakes grow higher and higher.

This definitely was a good book, especially in the last 25%. I just felt that the isolated setting mixed with bad weather made it very common. I don't think I would have given the book the title "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10". The hide-and-seek extreme game made up about 10% of the actual storyline. I would have been much more invested had the game been the focal point of the book. This one just doesn't stand out. Plus, several MAJOR plotlines are never followed through. Most of this book trope is business drama, which I struggle with anyway. And if you are a fan of that trope, this book IS for you. I probably would have titled this book "The Edge of Revenge" or "Extreme Karma".

A special thank you to Lisa Unger, Netgalley, and HQ Fiction for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one started out strong and I was excited about the storyline but then it lost me. So many things going on and it just seemed to go on forever. Not her best book.

I wasn’t able to read this digital copy but I did end up buying the book. I will review and post it after I’ve finished reading it.

I think this book did a great job at highlighting issues with social media and how easily it is to get wrapped up in other people's lives and ongoing events that aren't always exactly as what we are led to believe. Social media can be very deceptive, as is evident in this narrative.

I hate to say it, but I was disappointed in this one. It was not a bad book by any means. However, it was overall very average and didn't have many points that stood out to me.

I struggled mainly with two things in this book:
1. I didn't like any of the characters. The majority of them were just truly awful people, and the ones that weren't terrible, we honestly kind of boring.
2. The multiple character POV. This is shocking coming from me because I am typically a sucker for a story told from multiple characters. In this book, however, there were some POVs that I didn't feel added much to the story, which made me struggle with the pacing.

Another issue I had is that I feel like the title is misleading. I was so excited for the setting of this with the epic game of hide and seek, but the game actually never happen. That was disappointing and anti-climatic.

I did enjoy the setting of this story and the creepy vibes. Overall, this was very average for me. The twists were not surprising, and I just did not like most of the characters.

I had really high expectations from one of my top authors, but this just didn’t deliver. The atmospheric setting was perfect and the characters were diverse and relatable, but the suspense and excitement were lacking and it just wasn’t memorable like her other books.

Lisa Unger has really honed her craft as a psychological thriller author! This extreme hide and seek, locked room thriller caught my attention from the beginning and kept me on my toes the entire time! I will admit: the ending did seem a bit rushed, but Lisa Unger managed a larger cast of characters well and balanced intrigue and suspense beautifully! Thank you, NetGalley!

Filled with so many secrets and lies and I absolutely love it!!! I loved all the twists and turns, action pack read!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

𝐶𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐸𝑦𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 10 is a psychological thriller that captures the tension and intrigue of today’s reality TV adventure shows, which I love to watch. I listened to this one solely on audiobook and hearing it made me wonder if some of the shows I watch are truly like this. It definitely has me questioning some things about some shows.

Ava, a strong yet deeply scarred FMC, finds herself wrapped up in a high-stakes reality TV game, while Nolan, a podcast host with hidden motivations as they navigate their way through this game with added suspense and mystery. The story weaves in themes of trust, manipulation, and the weight of buried secrets, creating a narrative that keeps you guessing and hooked from start to finish. Unger’s ability to dive into the mind while exploring the influence of media was done well.

After having the privilege of attending her last two book signings, I’ve quickly become a dedicated fan. Hearing her speak has been amazing and fun, and I’m committed to diving into her backlist.