Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride that expertly weaves together multiple storylines. Each character brings a unique perspective, adding layers of suspense and intrigue. From mysterious disappearances to dark family secrets, the plot twists keep you guessing at every turn.

Lisa Unger masterfully jumps between timelines, creating a sense of urgency that keeps you hooked. While some moments feel a bit fragmented, the way everything ties together in the end is both satisfying and unexpected. Fast-paced, intense, and full of surprises—this is an easy 4-star must-read!

As an extreme game of hide and seek quickly turned from stunt to survival, I held my breath as the plot twisted and turned to its dramatic conclusion. Pacy and gripping, I couldn’t read fast enough. Take it on holiday and savor every deliciously dark page

This has been one of several thrillers I have read recently about secluded reality show contests gone bad--it seems to be a new subgenre. This one was good--not the best but not the worse either. I'm not entirely sure that the subplot of the husband who disappeared fit in with the overall story. It seemed like its only purpose was to give the main character motivation for appearing on the show and was a little distracting. The plot was a little slow going but ramped up about two thirds of the way into the book, and I didn't particularly care for the jumping around timeline. It relied heavily on virtual reality/social media as part of the action. Maybe because I don't care for those topics it was harder for me to relate or get into the story.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is another great thriller by Lisa Unger. The story is engaging and the characters relatable. It was a fast read that Unger fans will devour.

This was what I expected, and a little more interesting with the side stories of Chloe Miranda and Miller. I found the switch between Tavo and Gustavo to be confusing, and it felt like it ended a little quickly for me. Other than that, enjoyed and will recommend!

*Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten* by Lisa Unger is a gripping psychological thriller that pulls readers into a web of suspense, secrets, and unexpected revelations. Unger’s talent for crafting complex characters and layered narratives shines through as she unravels a story filled with tension and dark twists. The novel follows a protagonist whose seemingly ordinary life begins to unravel as buried memories and hidden truths come to light, forcing her to confront her deepest fears. Unger’s writing is immersive and atmospheric, building a palpable sense of unease that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from the first page to the last.

One of the standout features of this novel is Unger’s ability to delve into the intricacies of the human mind, exploring themes of memory, trauma, and the blurred lines between reality and perception. Her characters are richly developed, flawed, and utterly relatable, which makes their journey all the more compelling. Unger’s plot is expertly paced, with each chapter peeling back another layer of the mystery, keeping the suspense taut throughout. *Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten* is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy stories that challenge the boundaries of truth and force characters to face the darkest corners of their psyche. It’s a chilling and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

Unger had been on a roll, but this one is phoned in. An overdone premise that’s been much more intriguingly & surprisingly explored by others; shopworn observations about social media; in short, a bundle of cliches. And not suspenseful at all. And so many typos!

3.5. I liked the premise of this book an abandoned resort a real life game of hide and seek. Corruption. I didn’t love that it wasn’t as twisty as I was hoping but I still really enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hide and seek? On a haunted island? Streamed live until there is a winner? Sign me up.

Adele has faced a lot over the past few years being a single mom trying to make ends meet as an accidental influencer. When her son suggests she enter Maverick's hide and seek challenge to win a million dollars she finds it a little hard to say no. App on entering Falco island Adele has an eerie feeling, but knowing she'd be in the same predicament as she left unless she wins leads her to stay. As a storm approaches the contestants not only have to survive the storm but also the games.

I loved the story and the set up to the challenge, but was a little let down when I realized the challenge was so far into the book. I loved the twists and turns we take with each 'side' of characters and the mystery behind it all, I just wished it happened a little more in the game? I liked that I physically read it as it did have so many POV but also loved seeing each side so in depth. Overall loved the book and cannot wait to read more!

Adele, a single mother who joins an extreme game of hide-and-seek on remote Falcao Island, hosted by the charismatic daredevil Maverick Dillan. What starts as a social media stunt quickly spirals into a deadly contest as a storm rages and a real threat emerges. The fast-paced plot and many unexpected twists keep readers on the edge of their seats, while Unger’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted characters enhance the immersive experience.

It’s hard to go wrong with a Lisa Unger novel. Although this isn’t my favorite of hers, it’s still a very gripping, heart-pounding thriller.

In the time of social media, when views are money, people will go to extremes to get followers. So when Adele, a single mom and an influencer herself, sees that an extreme game of hide and seek could reap a reward of a million dollars for the winner, she maxes out her credit card on survival gear, and heads to the remote island where the game is being played. As a storm rages and the organizers of the game seem to be fighting amongst themselves, Adele and two other contestants realize they need to fight for more than the prize money. Who will make it home?

I love the reality tv setting for this novel. The characters are very well written, each with a distinct personality, and you’ll never guess the extremes one will go to for money in this one. I highly recommend this 4-star novel to thriller lovers and anyone who loves a very well written book. Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC.

I have read a couple of books recently billed as thrillers placed into extreme ‘’hunger’ game style competitions. In this one Adele, a single mother as her husband literally vanished after some fraud deal decides to compete, at her kids urging for a dubious Tiktok celebrity organizing another extreme challenge for big money. On a small island. Of course there is a major storm. Of course there are other competitors with secrets. Sometimes interesting, mostly one dimensional. Enjoyed other LisaUnger books more than this one but other fans may love it

A slow that turns into a fast paced thriller of hide and seek. I could not put this book down and as a mother I found my heart pounding through my chest with each page. Lisa Unger literally does no wrong and “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” locks you in. Great for readers who enjoy multiple POVs. Can’t wait to hear this on audio!

The dark side of influencer culture and one mother’s quest to secure financial stability for her family collide in a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on a dangerous secluded island.

Adele is a single mother struggling to provide for her two teenaged children after their father leaves them high and dry and becomes a fugitive on the run from the FBI. Her son introduces Adele to the latest challenge by daredevil and influencer Maverick Dillan, an extreme game with a large monetary prize that may solve all their problems, but at what risk? Because Mav and his crew are banking on this competition more than they are letting on, and are willing to go to great lengths for views. As tensions rise and an impending storm threaten the safety of the competitors, the game quickly becomes more than any of them bargained for.

What I enjoyed:
Adele’s character- Adele is well-developed, her motivations are clear, and she is relatable as a mother and person. She has a healthy relationship with her kids and refuses to crumble in the aftermath of their tragedy.

I liked how the dark side of influencer culture is explored- the ruthlessness of the commenters, the continued chasing of views, and the lack of real human connection resulting in emptiness and loneliness. Mav’s relationship with social media is downright toxic, and his continued willingness to push the line for views added a great dynamic to the competition and plot. The impacts of cancel culture are depicted with the “Wild Cody” character.

The setting- the secluded island and abandoned resort are extremely effective. The hotel is personified as if it was a real player in the game and is genuinely creepy. Local superstitions and a looming tropical storm also add a sense of foreboding. The cover art depicts this atmosphere well and will draw readers in instantly.

What I wanted more from:
Adele’s storyline- Adele begins as the main character but gets a sidelined midway through in favor of Mav and his crew. I felt like this was a disservice to her character arc that the first half of the story took great time to get the reader invested in. The storyline with her husband is unresolved and felt like a missed opportunity.

The setting and competition- The atmosphere and the game are interesting and the strongest aspects of the story, but they feel like a footnote for most of the book. It builds up to an extreme game of hide-and-seek, but in reality, the characters spend very little time playing the game.

The twists & turns- I am by no means a mastermind, but the twists and turns felt obvious and therefore the reveals underwhelming. Many of the character’s motivations are made completely clear from the beginning so it wasn’t a surprise when they acted on those desires.

Dialog choices- Some of the dialog choices feel like a caricature, in particular Blake’s POV and the many “bruh’s” between Mav and his crew. Additionally, the back and forth between Gustavo and “Tavo” feel unnecessarily confusing when the reader is already attempting to keep track of multiple POVs and characters.

Overall, this hits as an okay read for me. Adele’s storyline, the premise of the social media competition, and the atmospheric abandoned resort kept me turning the pages, but the shifts in story focus, loose ends, and underwhelming reveals detracted from making it a five-star read.

This one was a lot of fun! I have really enjoyed everything I’ve read by Lisa Unger and I look forward to more! This story was an exciting, twisty, thriller! There was so much anxiety though wanting to know what was going to happen! Definitely page turner!!!!!

Another amazing story from this author! I will say, it did take a little bit in the beginning to get me hooked but I knew once I gave it a chance I would not be disappointed! The twists she kept throwing in had me on the edge of my seat and I had no way of which the story was going to go. I love how the story followed mainly about Adele and her family's struggles, but also included a whole other story line as well feeling like multiple amazing stories in one. Lisa Unger did a great job with all of the different POVs. I wasn't confused at any point with what was going on and I love how she can do that. Every time I would think I had a grasp on what was coming she threw me for a loop and I couldn't put this book down! This was such a thrilling read! It is definitely one to pick up when you need something to keep you on the edge of your seat while reading.

Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the early copy!

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is Unger’s strongest book to date! The tension simmers throughout and there are truly terrifying moments. Adele is the best type of character, courageous, determined and with a troubling history. I loved how the multiple POV’s gave us full entry into this thrilling world. If you thought hide and seek was a kids game, you’re going to want to read this and see how Unger can flip this game on its head.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 was an absorbing thriller that doesn’t (just) focus on domestic strife but grips you with a fairly unique story line that plays out nicely with the tension you expect from Lisa Unger.

Opening with Adele, a mom whose husband has effectively screwed over her whole town and left her and her two kids high and dry, she can’t help but go for a thrill seeking competition of hide and seek for influencers that her son brings to her. With a prize of a million dollars quite a few emerging influencers and has been stake part in the game on a moody island, and while that alone spells trouble the cursed hotel they play at and the less than upstanding organizers are key elements that make this more than just spooky. I love the characters that joined into the games adding some emotion and more mystery to the going ons. The side plot of Adele’s kids also tethered this novel to a bit of an escape so that the game’s mysteries didn’t get to be too much. While this could have easily gone sideways with the vapidness that influencer life can easily bring, I felt that everything played out well and appealed to my thriller sensibilities. Pick this one up if you like a thriller plot but want to experience it in a unique way.

This book was just ok for me. I recently read Stranded and loved it and maybe I couldn’t help myself comparing them. This was much slower paced with so much build up, I was really losing interest and almost gave up until about 3/4 of the way through. Even then, it was just “fine”. I enjoy books with multiple POVs when they were done well. This one wasn’t done well. It could easily have been written from Adele’s perspective and been far more streamlined.

I do think others will enjoy this, and think maybe the trapped on and island, in a hotel, one-by-one picked off thing is something I need a little break from to cleanse my palette.

This latest by Lisa Unger was fabulous. I will read anything she writes forever!! Highly recommend and will purchase for my library locations.