Close Your Eyes And Count To 10 [ARC]
Lisa Unger
3.75⭐️

Pub date: 3/4/2025

This one was a lot of fun but also gave me lots of frustration. The premise was interesting- being trapped in a building/island playing hide and seek with the pressures of social media. I think the social media aspect of this plot more so frustrated me more than anything. The characters did things that are crazy, way out of line, and obviously murderous stuff just for their audience and sponsorships. It brings things into perspective. It got pretty twisty to the point of me being really uncomfortable. This is more of a slow burn too especially in the beginning with little bits of faster paced events and I think that was why it bumped my rating down a bit. But around 60% is where it went mad! The plot was pretty solid. I don't think I found holes in the story. Did I guess the killer? No. Not at all.

Thank you @netgalley and HTP books for a gifted digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa Unger is an exceptional psychologist thriller writer but I had some trouble getting into this one. The plot is one that’s been popular with thriller writers recently: competing contestants are stranded
in a remote location while trying to survive both a terrible storm and a murderer. Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters and there wasn’t anything in the plot that had me hooked enough to make this a page-turner. There was also a lot going on that didn’t necessarily tie together well for me. One of the main characters was dealing with family issues that didn’t seem to go with the rest of the plot. The vivid descriptions of the storm were good and readers will like the intensity.

Adele is mother of two with an ex-husband on the run from police. Having money troubles she is convinced to join a reality show on a remote island. Then the craziness starts!
I loved this book, it was fun, twisty, and full of action! It is a bit of a slow burn in the middle but it gradually builds tension. Multiple perspectives and layered plot lines make for the perfect popcorn thriller. Overall it's super suspenseful and an awesome read.
Many thanks to NetGally, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Lisa Unger for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Expected publication date: February 18, 2025

I was so excited to read this book because after I read the author’s notes she based it on a trip she took to Açores, which is the islands am from. So I was beyond excited to get an ARC it was full of adventure and very exciting. I liked the twists and the mother /children relationships.

This book was AMAZING but I expect that from this author. This was such a fun read, I was addicted to finding out what was next. I loved the multiple povs. I love isolation thrillers they literally make you also feel like you’re freaking out! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers!

The ultimate game of Hide-and-Seek is created to be played by social media influencers for a one million dollar prize. The game takes place on Falcao Island, where a delapidated resort exists, and neither the game's organizers nor the players are welcomed by the locals. The island, as well as the game, is full of lies and deception. A huge storm is brewing (figuratively and literally), and is heading their way. On top of that is a missing, presumed dead, player from a previous game. What happened to Chloe? Will it happen again to the new players ? Each player has their own set of secrets, and so do the organizers of the game!

I enjoy books in this genre, as well as watch the occasional survival television show. I really wanted to love this book, but I struggled to finish it. The main character, Adele, was likable and I wanted to root for her. A mom of two teens, who was abandoned by her fugitive husband, I really wanted her to win. However, too many other character's points of view made it difficult to navigate through the story. I kept having to go back and reread to figure out who was talking, and at what time in the story. I don't usually have trouble with multiple characters, but this book really had me struggling to keep up. In my opinion, this book would have been AMAZING if it had been told from a single person narrative, and more of the story was spent on the actual game play.

"Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger is a twisty thriller inspired by the childhood game of hide-and-seek. Many of us played this game growing up, and the book’s premise draws from that. As a fan of the author, I was eager to dive into her latest work, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

The story follows a group of social media influencers who enter an extreme game of hide-and-seek on Falcao Island. The game is hosted by the adventurer and influencer Maverick Dillan, along with his partners Angeline, Hector, Alex, and Gustavo. Among the participants is Adele, a single mom in desperate need of the $1 million prize after her husband ran off with money embezzled from his company. The other contestants include Wild Cody, a survivalist who has fallen on hard times, and Malinka, the first woman to climb all seven summits, who is also the founder of the "Yes I Can" clothing line and an influencer.

The rules are simple: hide in the area of the abandoned house overnight, and the last one found wins the game. Despite repeated warnings from the locals about the island’s curse and worsening weather, everyone chooses to stay. But when the storm hits and secrets are revealed, the game turns deadly as their chances of survival dwindle.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t completely win me over. It was well-written, cleverly plotted, and packed with twists (some of which I managed to predict). However, the pace was very slow due to the multiple POVs, over-introspection, and extensive backstories. On one hand, these backstories enriched the narrative, but on the other, they slowed it down. The pace and action only picked up once the actual game begins.

The book shifts between characters and timelines (before and during the game). Although the cast is quite large, it’s surprisingly easy to keep track of everyone. The main characters are well-developed with interesting histories, albeit sometimes overly detailed. I found myself rooting for Adele and admired her determination and courage. Her relationship with her two kids was heartfelt, and I appreciated the risks she was willing to take for their sake. The lessons she learned during the game are ones we could all stand to embrace.

The book also delves into themes of social media, influencer culture, and the lengths people go to for fame and followers - living their lives on display, seeking approval, and blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds. Unger offers a scathing critique of skewed morality and the impact of social media on society. Other themes, such as greed, bullying, social status, family, and ethics, are woven into the narrative as well.

While the writing is generally easy to follow, it can feel a bit erratic at times and could benefit from some smoothing out. There were also a few typos and formatting issues (like extra spaces after certain letters), so another round of editing would help. Despite these flaws, I loved the atmospheric setting, the sense of impending danger, and the inclusion of the True Crime podcast element.

Considering the pros and cons, I’m giving this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, rounded up to 4. With some refining and trimming, it could be a more engaging read. I recommend it to fans of Lisa Unger and those who enjoy slow-burn, locked-room mysteries mixed with reality TV vibes - just don’t come in with overly high expectations.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

An enjoyable thriller that will have you hooked from the very beginning. Full of chills and thrills, it was fast paced to read, especially once the storm arrives and things go sideways very fast. I enjoyed the novel and I recommend.

I gave this book three stars. I feel like I have read too many thrillers about games or couples stranded on an island.

I thought the plot was fun an unique! It was a good locked door thriller! The pacing was great and was never bored while reading it. I enjoyed most of the POVs, but some I wasn't sure why we had them (like the FBI agent or MavisaLiar I think we only had those POV once?). It was also sometimes a little confusing when the timeline shifted between before the game started and to when the game was going on and everyone was hearing the scream. Overall a fun read 3.5/5 rounded up to 4.

4 stars

As a long time (15+ years) reader of Unger, you just can’t go wrong with her books. This one was fantastic. Very relevant and real world relatable. A fast paced roller coaster of a read!

Wow! Thank you for this ARC!! What a wild ride, could not put this book down! The pressures of social media/game shows/views is privilent throughout this book. Also, a mother who is willing to do anything for her children. Lisa Unger has a way of writing that pulls you in and doesn't let go. Pick this one up for your book groups/library. Sure to be a popular read!

This was a fast paced adventure surrounding one of those influencer brands (think Mr. Beast) who does challenges and gives away millions of dollars a year. Except this is the dark underbelly and truth about the group and its star Maverick. Set on an isolated island in the Atlantic, they host 3 influencers/micro influencers for an extreme hide and seek game set on the grounds of an abandoned (and possibly cursed) resort.

They were warned off and threatened by locals but they did not listen - they forged ahead despite volatile and dangerous situations for their contestants, all in the same of views and sponsorships. Because the truth is, it’s all a house of cards list waiting for a strong gust of wind (or a little murder) to topple them all down once and for all.

The only truly trustworthy character is Adele - a single mom of two who is encouraged to do the show by her 14 year old son because the million dollar prize money will change their lives after her husband embezzled money from his company, ran off and left half their hometown unemployed and hating Adele and her family. Will she make it out safe? And who can she really depend on while fighting to survive this cruel and desolate island full of villains?

Overall Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 was a great read. I didn’t care for the Extreme storyline as much which impacted the rating I gave for this book. If you are a fan of Lisa Unger’s books, I would suggest giving this book a read.

This one is a slow burn for sure. I wanted to love this book with all of my heart but for me it dragged on so much!!

I loooved the plot. And really think it has all the makings to be great. It just took a little too long to get there and there were too many POVs.

It was super hard to invest in any characters. I didn’t hate it but didn’t love it!

Wow! This is one action-packed book! I love Lisa Unger's books and she has another big success in her hands! Adele and her family's characters were well-delineated and likeable (well, maybe not the husband, haha). The descriptions of the Extreme challenge were interesting and intense. The members of the game were also vividly described. The relationships between all changed and revealed much about their true selves and what was truly important to them. This was a fabulous read!

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that takes an extreme game of hide-and-seek to deadly new heights. Adele, a single mom desperate to win the prize money, quickly realizes that this social media stunt on a remote island is far more dangerous than expected. Maverick, the thrill-seeking influencer behind the event, embodies the dark side of the influencer culture, obsessed with attention and fame.

Fast-paced and full of twists, this novel keeps you on edge as the characters fight to survive both the elements and each other. If you’re into thrillers with intense suspense and social commentary, this one’s a must-read.

I’m a sucker for book titles with numbers in them and I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not the only one. They seem to stand out from other titles. And the numeral “10” versus the spelled out “ten,” is far preferable, even though it is grammatically incorrect. Don’t look at me, I don’t make the rules.

Basically this is some serviceable suspense as long as you are willing to suspend your disbelief at the door. Or dock.

Maverick Dillan (Lord, help us) is an extreme adventurer (what was he going to be with that name? Accountant?) with a humongous presence on YouTube, enough to make it a business with employees and such and invited a select number of players to Falcao Island (what makes me think there will be a really big storm that prevents anyone from leaving?) for a game of hide and go seek with a big prize - a million dollars.

One of the players is Adele, a single mother, whose husband, Miller is believed to have embezzled most of his company’s funds and is now on the run. She needs the money to give her kids and her some sort of financial security. However, someone disappeared from Maverick’s last hide and seek challenge so I’m wondering, a. how did he get any sponsors for this one? and, b. why was a single mother foolish enough to sign up?

AND THEN THE STORM SETS IN! Plus you’ve got unhappy, spooky locals, tons of weird stuff, a shoestring operation…it all sounds bad.

The book was too long at nearly 400 pages. There’s no actual game, and though the book is well-written the parts involving the contestants are all rather dull, while the sections about Maverick and his staff are better. Some people will like it, I found it just O.K.

4.5 Rounded up to 5 Stars

When the opportunity to review Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 arrived, I could hardly wait to start the book. For thirteen years, this reviewer has followed the author's career and devoured each one of her novels, novellas, and short stories.

The central characters in her latest novel are fully developed, enabling the reader to relate to their roles in an extreme hide and seek competition on an obscure island. The contest is bound to be a disaster, of course, since the book is a thriller. Adele, the protagonist (love her name, lol), and the antagonist, Maverick (love his name, too), an influencer who promotes extreme events, have clear reasons for participating.

Adele needs to win the million-dollar prize to help her family. Mav needs to save his gaming company from bankruptcy and feed his insatiable need for attention. His drive for social media follows, views, likes, and sponsorships has driven him to the brink of insanity. The compulsive need of influencers like him to grow their audience is at the heart of Mav's story. His unquenchable desire for attention mirrors what we see every day on social media.

Challenges to extreme hide and seek become more deadly and complex as unforeseen problems enter the mix. Fans of reality TV shows like Survivor and Deal or No Deal Island will enjoy the storyline but will soon learn that Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 hosts a far deadlier game than those we see on television.

Unger's book is deeply layered with multiple plotlines and points of view. I would have preferred fewer shifts from one character to the next but otherwise enjoyed the story construction. One thing I absolutely loved, which added immensely to my reading enjoyment, is the close relationship between Adele and her teenage daughter, Violet. I found it refreshing to follow a girl who supports her mother wholeheartedly and champions her in everyday life. This reviewer has seen too many teenage girls portrayed in books and movies as difficult, unlikable, and entitled. Violet is a fully formed character with a healthy self-esteem who loves her family and stands apart from the caricatures we too often see in fiction.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Close Your Eyes and Count to 10. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

Overall I enjoyed this book but there were a lot of pieces that felt crammed in or underdeveloped. The disappearing husband seemed as though it would be a much bigger storyline. I just felt a little whiplash trying to keep up but it was entertaining and I liked the premise!