Close your eyes and Count to Ten
by Lisa Unger
Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
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.
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. I was thrilled when I was able to get the ARC of this book.
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.

This story was so fun and I couldn’t put this down. I loved the unfolding of the truth. The pacing in the middle fell a bit flat for me and I wish we would have seen more of the contestants trials and tribulations before the peak. It definitely became more about the crew than contestants.

Overall this was so fun and will be a great isolated thriller read for everyone who loves that eerie feeling!

This book is four books in one! There are so many storylines, characters and POVs that it becomes an exhaustive read by the mid point. I wish that Lisa had picked three characters and their storylines and really ran with it.
I love a slow burn but by 51% of the book, nothing of consequence has happened and a lot of it is repetitive, especially Adele wondering how she didn’t see her husband for the con he was.
Then FINALLY something big happens and that has nothing to do with pretty much the first half of the book. Then new plot points appear and climaxes into a cliched mess with a hail marry attempt to tie in to the plot line that had been introduced in the beginning of the book.

Ahhh I’m so frustrated!

Thank-you NetGalley for sending me an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I wish it was a better one.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger was a page turning thriller. While a bit far fetched at times, the story line drew me in. Adele leaves her teen children at home to compete in a survival competition on an island. She needs the money after her husband left her and took their money. But is the competition really what it seems or is something more sinister going on? Whatever the case, Adele is determined to make it back to her chicken. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

📖 Book Review 📖 At what point do childhood games turn from innocent to dangerous? Adele is a single mother who has been through the wringer raising her son Blake and it has not been easy for them. When an intriguing opportunity to participate in a next-level game of hide and seek on an exotic island presents itself, she can’t resist the chance to turn her luck around. Parenting is not for the faint of heart…and neither is Falcao Island! Lisa Unger delivers an intensely gripping and suspenseful read from start to finish with a reminder that through all of the storms, mothers really are the toughest ones out there!
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I absolutely loved this book, and it is probably one of my favorites by Lisa Unger so far (I have not read all of them). A reality social media game gone awry? Sign me up. This book focuses on Adele, mother of two children who is in this game with other influencers, etc. There are multiple POCs in this novel, not just Adele. There's a storm, a missing contestant from the last game, and I loved every minute of this! If you love thriller, social media issues, and a game to win $1 million, this is definitely the book for you!

When you get a Lisa Unger arc, you drop everything to read your Lisa Unger arc.
“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” by Lisa Unger follows Adele, a single mother who decides to compete in an ultimate game of hide and seek in hopes of winning one million dollars. But there’s so much going on behind the scenes- the production company is in trouble, the other competitors have questionable reasons for playing, and even Adele’s own past with her husband comes into play. Top all of that with a hurricane looming, something is bound to go wrong at this abandoned hotel in the jungle.
This book was not what I anticipated it being. I thought for sure I would be bored with a theme that has often played out in mystery and thriller books. That wasn’t this book.
Adele is this formidable character that is dealing with pressures from all angles. Somehow she’s still positive and thriving despite her world of chaos. I love how she relates to the other competitors, but I really love seeing the moments with her kids.
While I felt like this mystery broke from the mold, I was still able to guess some of the major plot twist, but that didn’t take away from the book for me, all that proves is that I read a lot of mystery books and can pick up on cues.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. (Although remind me not to read books with hurricanes when a hurricane is coming). Overall, this was a solid 4 star read for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc! This book hits shelves on February 18, 2025!

knew going into this book that I wasn't into the premise (reality tv show on a deserted island) but I went through with it. Unfortunately, I should have trusted my gut. I feel like this would be perfect for fans of Survivor or Naked and Afraid, but not I. There were two main story lines: the Hide and Seek game with its array of social media "stars" and the downfall of Extreme Sports (i.e the company heading the show). I wish that there was more on that scandal of the people/drama that went along with the company versus the lackluster hide and seek game.

Adele is up to her eyeballs in debt. Her husband Miller, is on the run from the authorities, after stealing millions from his company and leaving her bankrupt. Her son Blake, a video game tv junkie, tells her she should sign up for this Extreme Hide and Seek game with a prize of 1 million dollars. Adele is hesitant, but ultimately agrees. She flies down to Falcao Island, where she meets the other contestants and Maverick. Maverick is the head of extreme sports and a famous adrenaline junkie. HE has been in charge of these types of shows (extreme haunted house etc) for years ,but every single one has had issues. People have gotten hurt and even disappeared. Maverick is desperate because this is his last ditch effort to save the company from going bankrupt and crumbling from all his haters. So despite the terrible weather, shamans refusing, old hotels crumbling, birds eating each other Maverick insists they continue. He puts everyone in harms way to try and save himself. Until someone from Mavericks past infiltrates the island, and will stop at nothing until Maverick and this horrible industry are exposed.

Thank you to Harlequin books for the ARC.

Last thing that really irked me: who leaves their two children alone. YES ALONE while you go on reality tv. Only other thing that bothered the crap out of me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!!!

I have read quite a few of Lisa Unger’s novels, and this was as good as the rest!! I loved the idea of influencers and the told that can take on a person. I feel like some plot lines weren’t really tied up at the end, like how there was one chapter from the POV of Agent Coben, but then he never came back up again. However, overall really great book. I love her writing style and her imagery.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10.

The premise drew my attention though it's nothing original, but I always hope the author will surprise me.

First, I liked Adele; she was tough, resourceful and determined, and not because she's a single parent working to rebuild her life and take care of her kids after her no-good husband left them in the lurch. That's cliche #1.

Cliche #2 meant her desperation leads her to participate in a grueling physical challenge where the winner reaps a big award - seriously, the money isn't that much especially when you deduct for taxes.

Cliche #3 gives us Maverick and Angeline, the 'tough' guy, the egotism and overbearing masculinity that attracts the silly woman who loves him.

I'm generally against numerous POVs in a narrative, unless each character can add to the story.

The many POVs read as unnecessary filler, like the FBI agent and Adele's kids.

I liked Adele but not the constant repetitiveness of her and her kids mulling over her husband/dad's wrongdoing and what he did to the family.

The pacing dragged and lacked suspense partly due to the numerous POVs and switching back and forth between characters.

I love the setting; the author provides great atmosphere and tension, the storm coming, the desolation and crumbling facade of the buildings.

Hard core fans of the author will like, even love this, but I didn't.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger takes readers on a tense and atmospheric journey that starts as a thrilling social media stunt but quickly turns into a deadly survival game. Maverick Dillan, a daredevil adventurer, invites a group of contestants to participate in an extreme hide-and-seek challenge on Falcao Island, but as a storm rages and a mysterious threat begins to stalk them, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary game. At the center of it all is Adele, a single mother determined to protect her children at all costs, who finds herself navigating a web of lies, deception, and survival.

This is a slow burn of a book! While the premise is gripping, the story takes its time building up to the action. There are multiple POVs, which help keep the story moving, and it’s easy to track the different characters. All the different POVs and storylines weave together so well. The action doesn’t really pick up until about 60% of the way in…BUT once that point is reached, it’s SO hard to put the book down! The tension that lead up to it ramps up as the survival game shifts into overdrive, and suddenly you’re racing to see who will make it to the count of ten. The end of the story delivers suspense, action, and unexpected twists.

I love all and always recommend @launger books and this was no different!

Thank you to the author, @htp_hive and netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review!!

I found this book to be a pacy story which at first made me feel like it might be gimmicky, but later on had me flipping pages and feeling more depth in the characters than I would originally have thought. I liked to commentary on social media personalities and I feel like this was reminiscent of Ungers other work where the plot moved quickly and the thrills didn’t disappoint

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

On an isolated island in the middle of nowhere, there is a hide and seek game happening. What? Is it real?
Yep. Oh, did I mention that a storm hit the island too? Yes it did.

This book was very tense, so chilling, and at the same time very atmospheric.

I really enjoyed this thriller it’s heart pounding showing how far a mother will go to protect her kids. How brave and determined she is to survive.

You should add this book to your list. I definitely recommend.

Thank you so much HTP Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Publication Day 02/18/2025

Fans of Lisa Unger and/or fans of the genre will enjoy Close Your Eyes and Count to 10. There’s nothing groundbreaking about the plot or characters, but it’s a solid addition to the genre.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" by Lisa Unger is a suspenseful read, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The plot has potential, but it often feels predictable, with some clichéd twists. While the characters are somewhat relatable, they lack depth, making it hard to fully invest in their journeys. Unger’s writing is decent, but it doesn't evoke the tension that the premise suggests. Overall, it’s an okay read for fans of the genre, but it might leave others wanting more.

This is such a slow burn thriller, there are so many POV's that it sometimes got confusing. I really tried to get into I was so excited for this one, but it was just too slow for me.

Lisa, oh how I would love to get together for coffee or wine, and just ask, how do you write these incredible books?! I devoured this story. I could not put it down! It was just thrilling! I had goosebumps, I had to close the book to process for a second, and I couldn't stop reading to see how the story would end. Fantastic! Highly recommend this book. Add TBR to February 18th. -Kelsey Vogeney @little_blue_book_hutch

Three contestants are selected to participate in an extreme game of hide and seek on an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. All of the contestants have a social media presence so the game is going to be live streamed. As a tropical storm rages, the game takes a deadly twist.

Extreme adventurer Maverick Dillan is hosting a game of hide-and-seek in an abandoned hotel on Falcao Island. At stake is a million-dollar award, something Adele, a single mother, could greatly use.

When Adele accepts the challenge, she has no idea the level of deception at the helm. Soon it is less about the money and more about making it off the island alive.

This is a fast-paced thriller with a compelling concept. Subplots add to the intrigue as well, with two missing people and a murder. However, too many characters are being followed throughout, and each new character’s viewpoint adds a distraction instead of building tension.

Fans wanting a fun and quick read who enjoy Unger’s other works will enjoy this new addition.