4 ⭐️ Much like the New Couple in 5B, I devoured this book. I loved it so much but my biggest issue is the the predictable ending but overall I think this is going to be a huge hit when it finally hits shelves and I do recommend everyone add to their list of thriller mystery TBR piles! This book doesn’t come out until February 2025 but I think it will be a fun wait for this crazy story.

This book has a lot going on with multiple storylines, multiple POVs and it truly does get intense, in that it gets your heart pounding in a few spots. The main story being Adele a single mom who has her own backstory of a mistrustful husband who is on the run from the law and joins an ultimate hide and seek challenge on a remote island, put on by a famous extreme stunt social media influencer and of course things go sideways. This book has a lot of commentary on the social media and gaming world and the dangers, pitfalls, and obsessions people have with so called ‘social media influencers’ and l loved it. Does anyone remember the movie Nerve about a bunch of high schoolers doing crazy stunts online for views? It reminded me a lot of that movie and its theming. It was a unique story that is very relevant in today’s world and I liked how all the stories came together using different formats to tell the story (podcasting, live streaming, flash back and forwards). Get your popcorn ready.

Read this if you liked:
* Locked door mysteries - secluded settings
* True crime podcasters, social media influencers - live stream reality shows
* Slow burn story in a medium paced setting
* Multiple POVs and storylines

Big thank you to Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Lisa Unger for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

Also, I can't wait to see what the cover ends up being?!? Dying to see it.

Pretty good read. There were some things I wasn’t the biggest fan of but it was a quick and entertaining read! I would definitely recommend this book. There was some drama, a little thrill and some pretty high stakes. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Unger brings you into the world of streaming an extreme challenge and you will feel like you’re a part of the challenge. This book is a real thriller and will have you on the edge of your seat until the end. As always Unger delivers a great story. Thanks for the advanced read.

I'm a huge fan of Unger's so was delighted to get this one and it was a thrill-a-minute! Adele is a single mother with two children, seventeen-year-old Violet and fifteen-year-old Blake. Ex-husband Miller has been on the run for years after being convicted of fraud and embezzlement. Blake is being bullied at school but won't tell as he's fearful of reprisals., but he's a big fan of online games. So when Adele decides to compete in Extreme Hide and Seek on a remote island for a prize of 1 million dollars, he's scared for her but proud that she's willing to do what it takes to get them out of debt. However, when she arrives on this island, something seems "off" but she's determined to follow through even though it will be live-streamed. And then the craziness begins! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time as the pacing keeps you reading as there are surprises on each page!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Adele is a single mother struggling to provide for her children. When her son tells her about a competition, an extreme game of hide and seek, the million dollar prize is enough to get her to apply. Soon she is off to the remote Falcao Island where the competition will be held. What she finds are locals warning them to leave and the company founder, Maverick, who seems willing to do anything to shore up his failing company.
There is a lot of time spent on character building. Even before things start to go wrong (bad weather, disagreements among the extreme team members, comments from followers that imply, Maverick was responsible for the disappearance of a former player), the vibes from this creepy location made me wonder if anybody would survive this game. I won’t risk sayingv much more about what happens, but it intrigued me enough to stay up way too late reading.
If you’ve ever wondered, what an influencer will do for followers and sponsors, this story was a real eye-opener.

If you loved The Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware and Everyone is Watching by Heather Gudenkauf, this book is for you! A high stakes reality show sets the heroine on a crazy adventure, where the ultimate risk is losing her life. Highly recommend this thriller!

Extreme Games and Insane Challenges invite you to the ultimate game of hide and seek. Maverick and his company host extreme challenges that are broadcast over social media for all the world to see. Their latest challenge takes place on a remote island in a crumbling hotel that may or not be safe, especially since a contestant from the last hide and seek challenge is still missing. All four contestants have their own reasons for entering the challenge, including a 1 million prize, but is it worth the danger and uncertainty. Fast paced, edge of your seat thriller that is impossible to put down. I have read all of Lisa Unger’s books and this is definitely one of my favorites!

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.