Reading in Between the Wines book review #24/125 for 2025:
Rating: 2 ½ 🍷🍷🍷 (rounded up to 3)
Book: Close Your Eyes and Count to 10
Author: Lisa Unger
AVAILABLE NOW!!!

Sipping thoughts: This was such a cool premise, especially in this social media heavy world. I really wanted to love this book. I liked it enough, but I thought it was pretty predictable, and there was just not enough punch for me. This is not the opinion of a lot of the reviews that I skimmed, and that is okay because I did not dislike the book but was just wanting and hoping for more. I hate giving not so stellar review opinions, but I also appreciate reading ones that are honest and not mean, so here is mine.

Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @HarlequinTradePublishing for an advanced copy of @CloseYourEyesAndCountToTen.

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The premise of this story was intriguing to me. Social media influencers are invited to play an extreme game of hide and seek for the grand sum of a million dollars. As expected, the island is abandoned, the old hotel where the games are being held is dilapidated to the point of ruin, the weather is dark and stormy, and there is a murder.

The majority of the story takes place prior to the actual game of hide and seek. . .in fact, the game almost doesn't happen at all, and while reading the story,it did seem like the hide and seek aspect of this story was missing. I think that was a misstep for me. I was expecting this story to be mystery and intrigue while the hide and seek game was playing out, but it wasn't at all.

There are quite a few POV in this book, too many for me. I also think there were too many subplots occurring all at the same time. Adele's family, Chloe's disappearance, Maverick's money issues, Miller's FBI trouble. . .it was too much, and if I'm being honest, it prevented the story from being wholly cohesive for me. It was just too much.

Fast paced and action packed suspense thriller was a fun read.

A celebrity influencer and owner of Extreme Games and Insane Challenges, Maverick Dillan, and his team are setting up another challenging game and looking for just the right contestants. This will be a hide and seek type of game with a million dollars as the prize. Those selected travel to the remote Falcao Island to a run down, old hotel crumbling into ruin at the edge of a cliff. But, aside from the game that will be live on WeWatch, there’s a hidden agenda for this stunt.

Lots of interesting characters and points of view in the narrative with some time shifts. Some I liked, others were suspect, and a few I knew right off were bad news. I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go and I’ve read a few of these that feature influencers going somewhere to compete in a contest. I wanted to like it, and I did. The writing was good and the atmospheric setting descriptions created the right mood for the story. Some of what happens was predictable but there were some pleasant surprises along the way to a satisfying conclusion.

I listened to the audiobook while also reading the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. I enjoyed the narrator but she definitely lacked enough depth and range to do the many different characters. Most of the male characters all sounded the same and there were some sketchy accents, but in general, it was satisfactory. This is one of those that could really have benefited from a larger voice cast to enhance the production.

In Lisa Unger's 'Close Your Eyes and Count to 10,' everyone has secrets. When single mom/influencer Adele decides to enter a game of extreme hide and seek with the chance to win 1 million dollars, she never would have guessed how risky it would be come. The team hosting the hide and seek has their own set of secrets, and Adele and the rest of the contestants find themselves wrapped up in a mess years in the making.

'Close Your Eyes and Count to 10' kept me guessing until the end. I felt that because there were so many twists and turns to the story, a few of the storylines remined underdeveloped. This lead to the feeling that things were tied up a little too neatly (or inexplicably), but the majority of the major action resolves in a satisfactory manner.

Thank you to Lisa Unger and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of 'Close Your Eyes and Count to 10.'

Lisa Unger's new thriller is a gripping read that dives into the world of social media influencers and a race against Mother Nature on a secluded island to survive the ultimate game of hide and seek.

While the first half of this book is definitely a slow burn, filled with the backstories of (maybe too many) POVs and timeline jumps, the second half was action-packed and filled with some great twists. The social commentary on influencers and the impact social media has on our culture added another great layer to this thriller.

With so many POVs and branching storylines, there were some subplots that felt unnecessary or too distracting from the fast-paced competition/survival. Overall, I was hooked on the concept and satisfied with the ending. I will be recommending this book to readers who enjoy social media storylines and reality tv/survival shows. An easy 4 star read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for providing an advance copy of this book to review.

A Promising Premise That Falls Flat
I picked up this book with high hopes, drawn in by its intriguing premise—an extreme take on a hide-and-seek game that promised thrills and tension. Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite live up to the potential. As I’ve been reading, I’ve found myself struggling to keep track of the different points of view. I’m not sure if the characters’ perspectives simply aren’t compelling enough to hold my attention or if the narrator fails to distinguish their voices effectively. Either way, the lack of clarity has left me disoriented.
Adding to the confusion, there seem to be nonlinear timeline passages woven into the narrative. I say “seem” because it’s hard to tell for certain—another sign that the storytelling isn’t as sharp as it could be. Too often, I’m either puzzled about what’s happening and who’s speaking, or I’m simply bored. It’s a frustrating combination that detracts from what could have been an exhilarating read.
The concept at the heart of this book is undeniably cool, and I went in hoping for a page-turner that would capture the adrenaline of a real hide-and-seek game, amplified to an extreme level. So far, though, it feels like a missed opportunity. I’m still holding out hope that the story will pick up and prove me wrong, but as it stands, the execution falls short of the gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience I was expecting. For a book with such a dynamic premise, it’s disappointing to find myself more confused than captivated.

The world Lisa Unger crafts in "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" is one steeped in shadows, both literal and figurative. It’s a novel that explores the fractured nature of memory, the enduring power of trauma, and the complex, often unreliable, tapestry of the human psyche. Unger doesn't just tell a story; she unravels a mystery meticulously, layering psychological suspense with poignant emotional depth. The narrative, presumably, centers around themes of buried secrets and the repercussions of past experiences on present realities. The very title, "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10," evokes a sense of vulnerability and a forced attempt to control or compartmentalize fear and pain. One might anticipate a narrative that delves into coping mechanisms, the fragile nature of identity, and the struggle to reclaim a sense of self in the face of overwhelming adversity. Unger's skill likely lies in her ability to create characters that are both flawed and sympathetic, individuals haunted by their pasts and struggling to navigate a world that seems determined to keep them tethered to it. The novel promises to be a compelling exploration of the human capacity for resilience, the enduring need for connection, and the unsettling truth that sometimes, the most dangerous monsters reside within ourselves. "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" suggests a journey into the darkest corners of the mind, a journey that is sure to leave a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Extreme hide and seek, a missing persons case, fraud, and murder - what more could a thriller reader ask for. And ask and you shall receive in this latest novel by Lisa Unger.

This one was fun - I really enjoyed the premise of a viral, social media based challenge as the backdrop for an isolated island murder situation. The characters were compelling - I did manage to get a hunch as to who and what was going on, but the characters had depths to them and the switching POV chapters helped make this story flow and be fun. I really enjoyed how each character had their own clear motives for what they were doing - and none of them are as bad or good as they appear.

I also this think book is a great commentary on what it’s like to be alive in the current social media age. Eyes are every where and people are always watching - and sometimes that audience is something you crave….in good or bad ways. Having that omnipresent social media playing a role in this plot honestly felt like we had one additional character - the online world is uncontrollable, and the chaos that ensues from it added to the plot.

I have yet to find a book by Lisa Unger that I haven’t liked - so if you’re a thriller reader looking for a fun twist on a classic trope, definitely check out this book!

This was my first Lisa Unger book to read and I anticipated it to be great based on what I've heard about the authors previous books. I really loved the premise of this book, an intense hide-and-seek game on the eerie and deserted Falcao island in which the last person found earns money. The book kept alluding to the start of the game ....and it never came. There were many POVs which were all separate stories that didn't really fit together. I was underwhelmed by the "twists" and the book missed the thrilling mark for me.

This is a thriller in which a single mom travels to a secluded island to compete in an extreme game of hide-and-seek.

The book is divided into four parts and has multiple POVs.

I did enjoy that the book featured a strong heroine. There were two aspects to this story. The first was about Adele and her teenage kids. Her husband had done something bad that left the family in turmoil. I loved this part of the story.

The second aspect had to do with an intense competition on a remote island. I thought that I would love this part of the story as I adore reality competitions. But I didn’t like Maverick and Angeline (the people running it). So I was less interested in their parts of the story.

There is a major storm on the island. And lots of bad things are happening. There are also a couple of mysteries.

Overall I just really connected so much more to Adele’s part of the story. I found her teens Violet and Blake to be fascinating. And I was very happy that we got to see their POVs too. But I found the hide and seek aspect of the book a bit disappointing.

Close your eyes 👀 and count to ten for this extreme game of hide and seek. Adele’s husband disappears without a trace, leaving her and their children behind. He’s on the FBI watch list, suspected of embezzlement. Adele sees an opportunity to earn a million dollars joining Maverick Dillion’s extreme game of hide and seek on Falco island to take care of her family. The prior years contestant Chloe has disappeared never to be found. Will the same thing happen this year? It’s a race to stay alive and win when treacherous storms hit the island. Thank you @netgalley for the fast past locked door mystery.

"An extreme game of hide and go seek turns deadly", yes please! The competition takes place in an abandoned hotel on a remote island with a dangerous storm coming in that is keeping everyone trapped from entering or leaving. What starts as a social media stunt turns into a game of survival between its competitors and a deadly threat. The main characters are Maverick, Adele and Angeline.
The game is hosted by Maverick, a well known charismatic daredevil and extreme adventurer (and his friends at Extreme). Adele, a single mother of two signs up this competition for a chance to win one million dollars, because she will stop at nothing to protect her children.
I enjoyed the blurred lines between reality and spectacle and the vibes of competition reality tv. Definitely a slow burn mystery, took me a while to finish. Found myself picking up and blowing through other books before I finished this one. But, with that being said, the last 25-30% of this book had me hooked! The only negative thing I have to say about this book is the overuse of FUBAR, made me cringe every time I saw it after the first.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy for an honest review of this book.

An extreme game of hide-and-seek on a remote island - with 1 million dollars as the prize. Would you do it? Throw your name in the pot?

Adele is still reeling from her husband disappearing after stealing money from his company. She's remade herself into an influencer - a bada$$ mom of 2. Her kids convince her to throw her name into this contest and the million dollars is an alluring prize.

Maverick is the host and finder in this game. There's a lot of controversy around him. On one of his last games, one of the contestants went missing and he's been fighting the on-line trolls and instigators since - the ones that believe he had something to do with the girl going missing.

There are a few more POV in this story and they round the details out so you know what's happening on and off the island. It's an interesting mystery but not necessarily one that will keep you up late, flipping the pages. It's a slower burn, as you learn everyone's secrets, and slowly build your own opinions of everyone. Although I felt a few of the twists were easy to guess, I did love how it all played out. It was a great ending. And the cover - just perfect! 🤌🏼

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This story had such a great premise and I was so excited to read it. The book was good but it really could have been great. There were too many POVs and just as you got to an exciting part, the next chapter would start and onto the next story. It took me out of the story too many times and really took away from the excitement building in the story. It felt slow and too choppy due to all the POVs. If you like multiple POVs, give this one a try.

Unfortunately this was a miss for me. The premise sounded so interesting, I love the idea of a reality show hide and seek game in an abandoned resort. There were too many storylines and they moved slowly so m it hard to follow and stay interested in. Not my favorite by Lisa Unger but I still enjoy her writing and will continue to read her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Typically, when I read a thriller, I am looking for an escape. This book definitely provided that. It was fun and fast paced. I enjoyed Adele and her kids. Adele is a mom trying to make ends meet for her kids. She makes some bad decisions, but she is still a relatable mom. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and I would highly recommend it

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 just goes to show why Lisa Unger is such a popular name in thriller fiction. I have read a few of her other books, and I have enjoyed every one. My decision to download this one was a no-brainer; I know I can always count on Lisa Unger for an entertaining read that will have me racing through the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Leave it to her to take something like a childhood game of hide and seek and turn it into an addictive game that you can't help but watch. The coastal setting and storm mirror the tension that occurs throughout the story, and I think this one is the perfect summer read. Adele and Maverick were great leads. As a mom of three myself, I really related to Adele and the lengths she went to in order to protect and defend her kids. It really made me think and wonder what I would do if I were in her situation. Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book!

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.

Adele is a great character, even if she makes some dumb decisions…heck the whole book is full of dumb decisions. I wonder why I finished it? Because there is something about the location and the build up that kept me reading. I loved the intensity surrounding the storm and I enjoyed the remote location.

Lisa Unger has some really great books. However, this one is not my favorite. I, apparently, am not a fan of adult games. This is the second book I have read with this premise and I did not like that one either. In other words, take what I say with a grain of salt. Not everyone can like every book and this one fell short for me.

Another reason I stuck with this novel is the narrator. This is narrated by Vivienne Leheny and I like her! She kept this book moving for me.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 was a fun and exciting read… but a LONG one. It was one of those novels where several chapters/pages of detail could have been omitted and the book would still have made sense and been atmospheric. It only had 384 pages but certainly felt like a 500-pager! It was also wildly predictable. While I did like the timeline jumps and the podcast transcripts sporadically placed, The 2 “mystery characters” were very obvious, so I wouldn’t exactly call this “twisty” or “shocking”

That said: I really wanted to know how it ended!

Adele is a mother of 2, her family has been disgraced and abandoned by her husband when he was caught embezzling from his tech company - and vanished. Adele was left to pick up the pieces. She’s struggling to make ends meet, when her son‘s gamer friend suggest she do this extreme hide and seek contest, where the grand prize is a cool $1 million.

2 other contestants are on the island, and although they’re Adele’s competition in the challenge, they all quickly form bonds.

Once the challenge starts, everything that could go wrong, does. Everything is live streamed on a fictional version of Instagram. And I mean everything. I’m talking spelunking down flooded elevator shafts while live-streaming.

The ending seemed a bit rushed (especially after how long the build up was), but it did give closure without a big, red “happy ending” bow (which i like! Real life isn’t perfect, so I hate when books end perfectly haha)

A solid 4 for Unger on this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC!!
Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you gripping the edge of your seat. What begins as a high-stakes game of hide and seek—offering the promise of adventure and life-changing money—quickly spirals into a deadly social media spectacle.

Adele, a single mother with a complex past, is desperate to protect her children and make ends meet. When she gets the chance to join this extreme adventure on a secluded island, it seems like the perfect opportunity. But as contestants start to vanish without a trace, the atmosphere shifts, especially with a looming storm that casts a dark shadow over the game. The line between reality and a staged publicity stunt blurs, forcing Adele to shift her focus from competition to mere survival.

Explore the dark underbelly of social media and reality TV, filled with unexpected twists and intricate side stories that weave a compelling narrative.