*Close Your Eyes and Count to 10* by Lisa Unger is a gripping and intense read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The story starts with Maverick Dillan, a daredevil and extreme adventurer, inviting people to play the ultimate game of hide-and-seek on Falcao Island. What begins as a fun social media challenge quickly turns into a dangerous test of survival as a deadly threat hunts the contestants.

The main character, Adele, is a single mother with a strong will to protect her children. She enters the game not knowing the real danger she’s about to face. As the storm rages and the competition becomes more fierce, Adele must use all her strength and smarts to survive and make it back home to her family.

Lisa Unger does a great job of creating tension and suspense throughout the story. The mix of adventure, danger, and the twisty plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. The characters are well-written, especially Adele, who is both brave and relatable.

*Close Your Eyes and Count to 10* is a thrilling, fast-paced novel that blends the excitement of a survival game with the intensity of a suspenseful mystery. If you enjoy stories where the line between reality and danger gets blurred, this book is definitely for you!

#CloseYourEyesandCountto10 #NetGalley

This is a slow burn, locked room thriller with multiple points of view. Adele is a single mom struggling to make ends meet and provide for her two teenagers. Her son Blake encourages her to apply for reality game show and a cash prize of a million dollars. She leaves her teenagers alone to go to remote island with abandoned hotel to compete.

The game is an extreme game of hide and seek. The island and hotel give it a creepy vibe. A storm is coming and puts everyone in danger.

The multiple points of view were hard to follow at times. I had a lot of questions at the end of things that happened and I like things to be wrapped up in a bow.

Lisa Unger is consistently one of my favorite authors. Her stories are always fast-paced and super interesting and every time you think you have it figured out there’s a new twist coming. In this book, a game of extreme hide and seek goes terribly wrong as everybody involved has major secrets that can cause catastrophic harm. Maverick has been hiding behind his public persona for so many years. He’s not even really sure who he actually is anymore, Adele is a single mom after her husband disappears after embezzling money and ruining her and her kids life, and Chloe went missing on one of Maverick’s other extreme challenges, but her memory haunts everybody on the team. As they go to a remote island, which the author says was inspired by the Azores, to play extreme game of hide and seek mother nature and seemingly the island itself, don’t want them there as the reader through various points of view and jumps, you learn more and more about the people there. This was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

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

“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” by Lisa Unger is a gripping thriller that explores the dark side of extreme influencer competitions (think of a more extreme version of Mr. Beast’s videos) and the lengths people will go for fame and fortune. The story centers on Adele, a resilient single mother who joins a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on the remote and ominous Falcao Island. Hosted by the charismatic but morally ambiguous Maverick Dillan, the game promises a million-dollar prize, but as a deadly storm approaches and contestants begin to disappear, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary game and the secrets of the Extreme company come to light.

Adele’s motivation is clear from the start—she’s struggling to provide a better life for her children after being abandoned by her fugitive husband. Her backstory and determination to win the prize money to secure a fresh start for her family are some of the book’s strongest elements. I actually enjoyed the focus on Adele more than the main plot at times. Unger does an excellent job of portraying Adele as a complex and determined character, willing to do whatever it takes to protect her children.

However, while Adele is ostensibly the main character, the story often shifts focus to the perspectives of other contestants and members of the Extreme company, the organization behind the game. These multiple POVs add depth to the story, but they can also be overwhelming, making the plot feel chaotic at times, especially since a lot of these different perspectives seemed to take over when I just wanted to focus on Adele. I was expecting more from Adele and her part in the plot, but the story shifted to mainly focus on the Extreme perspective while Adele was put on the sidelines. It just wasn’t what I was expecting based on the synopsis.

The book starts with a slow burn, gradually building tension as the contestants arrive on the island and the sinister atmosphere begins to take hold. Unger excels at creating a sense of dread, with the island itself feeling like a character, filled with secrets and dangers lurking in every shadow. I absolutely loved the island setting, especially with the descriptions of the abandoned hotel. However, the pacing was a bit uneven; the actual hide-and-seek game doesn’t start until about 70% into the book, leaving the earlier sections feeling a bit drawn out. The hide-and-seek game is also revolved very quickly.

Despite this, the last 30% of the novel is fast-paced and intense, delivering a thrilling and action-packed conclusion. The twists and turns in this section keep you on the edge of your seat. There were a couple plot twists that I honestly wasn’t expecting. The conclusion wraps up the various plot threads neatly, especially with Adele’s perspective, which I appreciated.

One of the book’s more intriguing aspects is its commentary on social media and the influencer culture, reminiscent of current trends in extreme online challenges. This book reminded me of Mr. Beast and his challenges, though this may not be a great comparison at the moment due to the current controversy going on with Mr. Beast. This backdrop of the influencer competition adds a layer of relevance to the story, though some of the dialogue, particularly the slang used by the characters, can feel cringey and forced. I can’t believe so many people would regularly use the word “brah” in their speech, including grown adults.

Overall, “Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” is a compelling read, especially for fans of locked-room-style mysteries and thrillers set in secluded, eerie locations. While the book has its flaws—mainly in pacing and character focus—it still offers a satisfying, suspenseful experience. Adele’s story, in particular, is one that resonates, making this book worth picking up for those who enjoy thrillers with a touch of social commentary.

I got lost in this book! A fast paced page turner with interesting characters, moody locale, and lots of cultural insights pertaining to our collective TikTok culture. The blur between what is real and what is show heightens the tension in this riveting thriller.
I could not put it down! Absolutely loved it and will definitely read it again.

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me access to read this book early. I’m always thankful when I get to read and review books early.

However… I was not a fan of this one. Nothing really happens until 70% of the way in. It’s very slow and a lot of build up. Honestly, I was expecting more out of this one since her last book was so good.

It also took me forever to finish reading this because I took a break from reading it because it was extremely slow and hard to get into.

Interesting premise! I did not love the influencer theme because that isn’t really my thing, but I thought the characters were developed and dynamic. I really enjoyed the storyline of Adele’s husband and thought that the author also did a good job writing the characters of the children. Very fast paced and surprising.

This is a slow-burn thriller with some edge of your seats moments and some really fun twists. This isn't your typical locked room thriller because the room is an island, plus there's so much history to learn about all of the characters that you're not stuck on the island the whole time. The setting feels much more expansive.

The flash forwards (with social lives) almost seem like they start too soon in the book and I felt like they took me out of enjoying the start of the game and the setup. For a hide and seek game, there's very little time spent on the hiding portion...and the seeking? Well...you'll see. It would have been fun to feel more "in the game" with the contestants.

The multiple points of view were really fun to read, and there are characters you'll love, ones you'll question, ones that bug you, and certainly ones you'll be wrong about. The end seemed to wrap everything up a little too quickly/neatly, but it did leave me satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are my own.

Lisa Unger chose to take a stab at the recently popular locked room/remote location, reality show genre and I’m SO glad she did - she absolutely knocked this one out of the park! This was for sure my favorite book I’ve read in this genre and definitely one of my favorite of hers! She is one of my all time favorite thriller authors, I’ve loved ALL of her books and this one was no exception! Her incredible writing style will draw you in immediately and keep you hooked until the end. This was such a perfectly paced, heart pounding, popcorn thriller and I couldn’t get enough. I loved the multiple POV and the strong female MC. I loved the ending and just had so much fun reading this book. And can we talk about how incredible and stunning that cover is, as always?! Lisa Unger continues to be one of my favorites and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and HTP Books/Park Row for my early digital copy and I can’t wait to pick up a finished copy when it releases!

I enjoyed the setting and getting to know the characters. I was really intrigued by the different points of view. It will be interesting to take an excerpt and share with students as a discussion into social media and the type of behaviors we see others exhibit online. I think it could lead to many interesting thoughts on influencers, para social relationships, and how money and viral fame can change people. I found the ending a bit convoluted and rushed. The motivations of the antagonists ultimately fell flat and could have tied in more with the social media aspect of it. Fun characters and great pacing. Overall enjoyable read with a rushed ending. 2.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great book!! Such a good thriller/mystery! Perfect writing style and that plot twist!! PERFECT!!

If you’re looking for a slow burn thriller, multiple points of view and a locked room mystery this one’s for you. Fans of Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple will love Lisa Unger’s Close Your Eyes and Count to 10. This one will have you hooked from the beginning and reading well into the night.

3.25 stars-I have been reading Lisa Unger from the beginning and I would consider her one of my favorite writers, so I was so excited for the chance to read this arc. I was intrigued to start, you’ve got a little Ozark vibe going in the beginning with Adele’s (the mom) husband disappearing right before it is discovered that he is embezzling money from his company. Short on cash, Adele decides to enter an extreme hide and seek challenge. (I kept going because I was thinking, if Squid Games can make Red Light Green Light interesting…) but for me, this one just kind of fell flat. I didn’t not engage with the characters and the story felt very surface level, what you see if what you get ish. I was expecting a lot more depth in the story or some big plot twist, and it just didn’t really hold up for me. I still will always read Lisa Unger’s books. I am bummed I could not offer a better review, but thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book.

• Slow burn drawn-out atmospheric thriller mystery
• For fans of Rachel Hawkins, Ruth Ware, and
Ashley Winstead
• Multiple POV's, timelines, and inconsequential characters make this story very chaotic and confusing
• Contradictory plot lines
• Underwhelming, rushed, and unfinished reveal at the end
• Not enough time spent on the actual "hiding"
• Sick of Maverick-mentioned 651 times in a 384 page book
• Predictable plot
• Possibly a decent read for fans of locked-door-style mysteries
• Lisa Unger is usually a 5-star read for me, so l was disappointed that this one did not quite live up to my expectations

AHHH!! Yes! Just what I needed.

This was fast paced, entertaining, mysterious and a little eerie. If you're looking for a popcorn thriller or a locked room mystery, check this book out!

Told in multiple POVs with narrators that will leave you wondering what is going on?! Each person brings their own story line that adds to the plot. So many twists and turns and secrets, some you will probably be able to predict but others will leave you reeling.

Cover and Title: 5⭐ sooo good!

If you like a slow burn thriller that's more twists and turns than fast paced action, this is for you. Perfect for fans of Alex Michelades this story builds and slowly reveals itself.

A reality show that is already borderline unsafe goes way past the boundaries of what's expected when contestants agree to compete in a hide and seek game in a decrepit haunted house.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy to review.

I am beyond loving this emerging genre of reality show popcorn thrillers, this book was SO fun.

Meet Adele, mother of two kids, and a husband who has gone AWOL after being wanted by the police. To make ends meet her kids convince her to sign up for a reality streamed show of extreme hide and seek in an abandoned hotel on a remote island.

We get this story through multiple POV’s and questionable narrators. With a missing contestant from the previous extreme hide and seek, drama ensues.

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!

Another winner-winner-chicken-dinner is the latest novel of Lisa Unger! "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" was a wonderful, quick read per usual for her!

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.

Ready, Set , Go....

If you're looking for a slooowww burn locked room thriller type Vibe , then Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is for you !!

I have no doubt this book is going to be a huge hit !! The premises alone is enough to hook anyone , specially if you are a fan of reality TV game shows , such as Survivor or Alone .

When contestants sign up for the ultimate game experience of Hide and Seek hosted by the famous adventurer Maverick Dillan , the buzz it is creating on the internet for these social media influencers , is everything they need to get them that much closer to the $1 million dollar prize , but it is very clear from the get go that this island is riddled full of lies and deception. These contestants better watch their back as it looks like a deadly storm is heading towards Falcao Island and that may not be the only thing they are hiding from !!

Read this story if you like :
* Multiple POV's
* Reality TV Game Shows
* Decrepit run down Motels
* Secluded Island Vibes
* Secrets

I really wanted to love this book, it was actually one of my most anticipated ARC's that I received this year , but unfortunately this book was not for me . I felt there was too many POV's and for me all the characters voices in my head were all the same and at times the story felt " Stuffy" . I don't struggle with multiple characters typically but this one felt chaotic and blocky , there was no flow, I felt I kept hitting walls and having to reread the pages taking me forever to finish. I think this book could have been easily a 5 star read if it was told through a single person narrative and more focus on the contestants playing the game giving us more of a thrill and an atmospheric read .

However I really think fans of Rachel Hawkins, Ruth Ware and Ashley Winstead will inhale this book!

Cover Rating : 5 STARS!!!!! Just Gorgeous !

Thank you Netgalley , Harlequin Trade Publishing and Lisa Unger for this ARC

Respectfully Another Read by Angie