I don’t know what it is about Lisa Ungers last two books but I have absolutely devoured them and loved every second!

“Close your eyes and count to ten” is absolutely my favourite book Lisa has ever written!! I was fully enraptured by the plot and the characters.

The chapters alternate between multiple POV, sometimes when books have more than 2 POV I can find them to be confusing, but this was done beautifully and I knew exactly who was who and also felt there was enough background information given on each persona that I felt I had an in-depth understanding of each character and how they came to be in present day.

The plot revolves around an intense online streaming platform with real life real contestant challenges. The face behind “Extreme” is Maverick who got his following by doing extreme sports. Now with his tech team he hosts contest for other social media influencers, the current contest is “Extreme hide and seek” where contestants are flown to a remote island and have to hide in a run down abandoned hotel and brave the natural elements as a big storm hits the island.

Sounds all fun and games, however the last extreme hide and seek they hosted, one of the contestants was never found and is still a missing persons 1 year later.

I enjoyed the focus on the character of Adele and her two children. Adele will be participating in the contest for the 1 million dollar prize. She needs funds as she is surviving the aftermath of her husband’s embezzlement scheme where he is currently on the run from the police and abandoned his family to be shunned by society and penniless.

This book cleverly highlights the downsides to social media and influencers, but instead of focusing entirely on the toxicity we also delve into how and why people find themselves in this career path, and whether they are the problem or if the real problem stems from the viewership.

I loved the ending to this book and was happy with how everything came together, I enjoyed getting a brief flash forward into each of the contestants and hosts lives following the aftermath.

I actually found myself routing for Mav and Angeline and would love to hear more about them. I also still have questions about the mystery surrounding Alex so once you’ve read this please somebody message me to discuss thoughts 😂

LOVED this book, it was action packed, fun filled, dramatic with touches of reality, thought provoking, and twisty!

10/10 5⭐️

Thank you to Lisa Unger, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Press for the EARC!

Publish date: Feb 18th 2025 🩵🩵🩵

Literally in love! Once this book comes out I will *Have* to acquire a physical copy! Loved this book!

This is my first Lisa Unger book. And I thought it was just, ok. The synopsis : an island, abandoned resort, a haunting game of hide and seek. Sounds intriguing right? I went into this with so much excitement and was left feeling disappointed. First off, the writing is exquisite. Very visual, intense, claustrophobic. Loved the writing. But I went into this thinking it was going to be like Heather Gudenkauf’s latest book and we would actually get to be a part of a hide and seek game. Well, if that’s what you’re thinking, I’ll save you the trouble. It’s not at all like that. There’s SO much character development. The pace is slow. The actual game doesn’t even start until 80% through the book!! By then I couldn’t care less what happened to them. Then something does happen and bam! The book is over. Like…what?? It left me annoyed. Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book 27 of 2024
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book gives Fyre Festival; but rather than a music fest, it’s a disastrous game of hide and seek all live streamed on a fictional WeWatch channel.

If you’re a gamer, live streamer, or a subscriber, this book will feel right at home.

The Extreme team is putting together another live stream game of hide and seek.
The players have a troubled past and winning the challenge, gaining viewers, and a stack of money might just give some relief.
But what happened during the previous game? A girl went missing.
Despite the mystery, Maverick and his Extreme team are at a new location hosting another game.
They are high off money and popularity, ignoring all warning signs that this game might not end well for everyone involved.
But the past and Maverick’s chat still want answers. For Mav and the Extreme team, money is all that matters and if you ignore your issues everything with just works out. Right?
They will soon find out the real world cannot be played.
Your decisions and consequences will catch up to you. You can run but you cannot hide from this fact.

During this read you really get a glimpse into the gaming/streaming life, the addiction of escaping reality, and the dopamine bump of likes, comments, and view numbers.

I am so thankful for being approved for my very first ARC on @NetGalley!
Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing, for this opportunity.
“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” by Lisa Unger is scheduled for release Feb 2025. I cannot wait to see the cover reveal!

Fantastic! I love lock room thrillers, and this one did not disappoint. Lots of twists and turns and suspense. This author always pulls through and she’s done it again with this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Fantastic!!!! I loved this book! Lisa Unger never disapoints! A master storyteller and an automatic read for me! Great characters and the perfect amount of suspense and pacing. I enjoyed the multiple point of views and twists. I didn't want to put it down. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I can't wait for the next Lisa Unger book!

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10
Lisa Unger
2.18.25

First thoughts! I’ll be back to tweak!

Super early review coming but I cannot pass on survival thrillers and for this one, I’m glad I didn’t. Love Lisa Unger and this survival thriller brought all the suspense, action, and duplicity I could’ve dreamt of.

Uber popular social media company, Extreme and its charismatic leader, Maverick Dillan started his career with outrageous stunts but he found true notoriety and fame when he delved into thrilling games of hide and seek. His last game ended with a missing person along with some nefarious rumors but that didn’t stop him and his crew from forming a new challenge on the deadly and mysterious Falcao Island at the abandoned Enchantments Resort.

Warned off by the islands mysterious leader and impending bad weather, Mav goes ahead with the game despite everything pointing towards deadly consequences.

The cast of characters is exceptional! In an effort to avoid spoilers, I’ll avoid too much about this but each character brought something unique to the story. All SM influencer with a cross to bear and their stories enhanced the main plot instead of just adding filler, I was invested in them all! This is one of those times when multiple POV never got bogged down and I had no trouble keeping track of

Another thing that kept me riveted is the rich description of Falcao Island and the resort. What an atmosphere Unger created! I had such a vivid image of what was happening through each chilling encounter with nature and villain. Bravo! And the plot twists? Just spectacular!

Everything tied up beautifully right to the last word. Such a fantastic reading experience and reinforces my love for Unger’s skill in the craft. As usual, I’m looking forward to her next novel!

A social media influencer, Maverick, invites other social media influencers to compete in what should be a simple game of hide and seek on a remote island called Falcao, with a prize of $1,000,000 for the winner. Despite warnings from a local woman who insists the hotel hosting the competition is cursed, the opportunity to win $1,000,000 is too tempting to pass up. Maverick is driven by his desire for fame and fortune and pushes the boundaries of the game much farther than he should’ve. Simple hide and seek turns into a battle for survival in the middle of a crazy storm.

The main contestant we follow is Adele, a single mom determined to provide a better life for her children especially since her husband became a fugitive and left them high and dry. Adele’s determination to protect her children makes her a compelling character who is easy to root for. Her journey is fraught with tension, and I could feel the unease and stress she faced throughout the story seeping through the pages.

This story is a bit of a slow burn, the first half was dedicated to introducing the characters and setting the scene of the story. The second half is action-packed and the build-up was worth the wait. I did find myself wishing for more about Adele’s husband, as his background could have added more depth to the story.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the combination of the reality show format with the survival-of-the-fittest theme. It kept me hooked until the very end. I highly recommend “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” to anyone who enjoys survival stories or suspenseful thrillers. It is a great read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I want to thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for providing me with this digital advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’m torn about this one, I really had high hopes for the storyline and the “hiding” portion of the book, but it was honestly so short lived and barely seemed relevant to the book. There was also a chapter that seemed to be slapped into the middle that I had no idea where it came from or how it came about?

Arc review - thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley all opinions are my own

Close your eyes and count to 10

I liked the premise of this book but I think it kind of lost the plot with all of the characters and family story line. I don’t think the husbands story line was necessary at all. It would’ve made sense to just have Adele be a single mom looking to enter the challenge to make cash for her family. At first I didn’t mind the introduction of the children’s pov but at times it felt like a little much since they weren’t on the island with the mother but then it never tied in to the ending. It felt to me as though there was no main character(s) it jumped around between all the characters but never gave you enough to want to latch on any of them or care for them. I didn’t like was the jumping between being in game and before it. It made it very confusing and I found myself have to keep switching back the chapter title to know when it was taking place and who’s pov we were in. While it was important to get their back stories it felt as though they would be in the middle of an action and then it would be like okay now let me just tell you why we’re here (every single time). Speaking of the ending- it was predictable I mean I could’ve guessed Chloe was alive from page one. The plot of this book had potential but it needed to raise the stakes less world building more game action.


This is just like housekeeping but there was always a space after the letter f for some reason and the doc was formatted weird, so sometimes it was hard to determine what was text exchanges to online communications.

When charismatic adventurer Maverick Dillan invites contestants to a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on the remote Falcao Island, it promises to be a thrilling adventure. However, what starts as a social media stunt quickly devolves into a chilling battle for survival as a deadly threat emerges amidst a raging storm.

Enter Adele, a resilient single mother determined to provide a better life for her children after being abandoned by her fugitive husband. Juggling her new career as an influencer and the challenges of raising her son Blake and daughter Violet, Adele’s life takes a dramatic turn when she decides to join Maverick’s extreme game. The lure of the million-dollar prize is too tempting to pass up, especially with her financial struggles and the hope of a fresh start for her family.

From the moment Adele sets foot on Falcao Island, the atmosphere is charged with tension. The locals’ warnings about the island’s curse, coupled with the questionable ethics of Maverick and his team, set the stage for an ominous game. As contestants vanish and sinister occurrences mount, Adele’s focus shifts from winning to sheer survival.

The novel excels in its portrayal of Adele’s character. Her determination to protect her children and her fierce spirit are inspiring.

As the storm intensifies and the danger escalates, the plot becomes a relentless, adrenaline-fueled race. The contestants’ fears and suspicions mirror the reader's growing unease. Maverick’s obsession with fame and the ominous backdrop of the island contribute to a sense of impending doom. The mysterious disappearances and the constant threat of the storm create a palpable tension that keeps the reader on edge.

While the novel starts with a slow burn, introducing a myriad of characters and backstories, it quickly picks up pace in the second half. The action-packed chapters and high-stakes scenarios keep the reader engaged. However, some subplots, like Adele’s absent husband, feel slightly unresolved, leaving a few loose ends.

The story’s strength lies in its vivid characterization and the chilling atmosphere of Falcao Island. The blend of reality show dynamics with survival horror elements creates a unique and captivating narrative. The author’s commentary on social media’s impact and the exploitation of personal struggles for entertainment adds a thought-provoking layer to the story.

In conclusion, this novel is a gripping, heart-pounding thriller that explores the lengths a mother will go to protect her children. It’s a compelling tale of survival, resilience, and the blurred lines between reality and spectacle. Despite some minor pacing issues, it delivers a satisfying and thrilling read that will keep you hooked until the very end. Perfect for fans of suspenseful survival stories and those intrigued by the darker side of reality TV.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for providing me this action packed locked room mystery's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest thoughts.

Thank you for the ARC! This was a good read with good character development and a fast paced plot that didn't drag out forever. It kept my attention and had a few twists throughout.

Lisa Unger's newest thriller is a fast-paced, entertaining read about a reality competition gone wrong.

Pros:
- I really liked Adele's character and her relationship with her kids.
- I enjoyed the mix of narrative and live-stream-content-formatting.
- Most of the character perspectives felt unique and added to the overall atmosphere and story; information wasn't constantly repeated just to show the same thing from a different point of view.
- There was strong character development

Cons:
- While it was fast-paced, nothing really happened until 60%-70% through; everything before that was just build up, and a lot of it felt too drawn-out and unnecessary.
- Adele was supposed to be the main character but it seemed like the story revolved around the other characters far more.
- Several character perspectives were unnecessary and made things feel a bit confusing.
- The twists contradicted a lot of what was learned early on in the book.
- The big reveal was underwhelming and felt unfinished.
- The ending seemed rushed.


Overall, I enjoyed Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 but it wasn't quite what I was hoping it'd be. I'd still recommend it if you're a fan of locked-door-style-mysteries, and I think it's a decent read even if that isn't your usual kind of genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nope, this didn't just happen

I didn't have to beg, plead, sell a kidney?

Did the book goddesses really align to bring me my most favored authors, sure to be best seller?

Lisa Unger, I hang on your every word. The minute I conclude the most recent published, I start salivating, drooling, over the release of the next. There is no way I could control myself when they just keep getting better and better.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

This IS the book of the year, and you heard it here first.

Jam packed with twists and turns, you won't pick up your jaw fast enough before your gut punched with the next revelation.

Let's go people, I might be Lisa Unger's self proclaimed "hype girl" but its well deserved.

Check out this teaser :

When the real game begins, who will make it to the count of 10?

Charismatic daredevil and extreme adventurer Maverick Dillan invites you to the ultimate game of hide-and-seek. But as the players gather on Falcao Island, the event quickly spirals into a chilling test of survival. A storm rages as a deadly threat stalks the contestants, turning the challenge into something far more sinister than the social media stunt it was intended to be.

Enter Adele, a single mother with a fierce determination to protect her children at all costs. When she begins the game, she unwittingly enters a twisted web of deception and intrigue. Can she maneuver through the treacherous storm and the relentless competition and get home to her family? In a ruthless battle for survival where the stakes are higher than ever, the blurry line between the virtual and the real proves that the only person we can trust is ourselves.

There are way too many reality tv show thrillers this year. If you haven’t done many yet (like I have) I bet this author’s is really good just based off her previous work but at this time it’s not for me.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger The story highlights the dangers and ultimate consequences of the the obsession with social media and reality TV. Although slow-moving at times the story is a suspenseful thriller featuring multiple POVs and multiple twists. An entertaining read but not a favorite one of Ms Unger.
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing , and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it was pretty good, but on the other it wasn't what I expected at all. The plot of this book was giving me One Perfect Couple vibes, so I was expecting something more similar to that book, which I loved. However, the game doesn't even start until 70% of the way in. Up until then it was a lot of build-up, sub plots and drama amongst the Extreme crew. I was also expecting Adele to be the main character, but I would say that the Extreme crew, especially Maverick and Angeline, were the focus. Unfortunate, because Maverick was an atrocious little man baby. Adele was a strong character and I liked her a lot, so I would have preferred it had been more about her struggling to survive on the island and win the game. Ultimately, it was really more about the dangers of social media and what our obsession with it leads us to do. There are also a lot of POVs, and I think some were unnecessary. I'm not sure that Blake, Violet and Agent Coben added much to the story. The twists that happen near the end seem to come out of nowhere and I had a hard time believing them given everything we knew up until that point. Lisa Unger is usually a 5-star author for me so I'm disappointed that this one and her previous book, The New Couple in 5B, didn't quite work for me. Overall, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is generally well-written and is a pretty good story it just didn't meet my expectations.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

I feel like I missed a twist at the end with the way Adele was talking about not being able to share secrets that weren't hers alone. Did she actually know more about what her husband was doing than she admitted? Was there another big reveal? A solid book though, with the elements of reality TV I was looking for. Another question I was left with was if Maverick did what he was accused of, or if that was part of the plan in blackmailing him? Recommend to fans of Heather Gudenkauf.

A suspenseful reality TV/influencer thriller playing the game of hide-n-seek with multiple POVs. It’s an intriguing plot full of twists. The timeline is not in chronological order thus making it more intense. I’m not sure which person I disliked more - Mav or Angeline. What a wild and fun ride!! If you are a fan of Ruth Ware’s One Perfect couple (I am), then you will LOVE this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lisa Unger is a master of thrillers and a master of pacing! There were so many secrets in this book that each twist brought something new to light. I loved the premise - an extreme hide and seek game! This was also extremely well written with perfect use of multiple perspectives. I found all the characters easy to keep track of and enjoyed seeing their motives firsthand. The messaging was an interesting blend of virtual reality combined with real life - whether through gaming or social media - the focus on love and family was clear. Another must read for suspenseful thriller fans!

Thank you to Netgalley, Park Row Books, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.