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.

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!