Arc review - thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley all opinions are my own

Close your eyes and count to 10

I liked the premise of this book but I think it kind of lost the plot with all of the characters and family story line. I don’t think the husbands story line was necessary at all. It would’ve made sense to just have Adele be a single mom looking to enter the challenge to make cash for her family. At first I didn’t mind the introduction of the children’s pov but at times it felt like a little much since they weren’t on the island with the mother but then it never tied in to the ending. It felt to me as though there was no main character(s) it jumped around between all the characters but never gave you enough to want to latch on any of them or care for them. I didn’t like was the jumping between being in game and before it. It made it very confusing and I found myself have to keep switching back the chapter title to know when it was taking place and who’s pov we were in. While it was important to get their back stories it felt as though they would be in the middle of an action and then it would be like okay now let me just tell you why we’re here (every single time). Speaking of the ending- it was predictable I mean I could’ve guessed Chloe was alive from page one. The plot of this book had potential but it needed to raise the stakes less world building more game action.


This is just like housekeeping but there was always a space after the letter f for some reason and the doc was formatted weird, so sometimes it was hard to determine what was text exchanges to online communications.

When charismatic adventurer Maverick Dillan invites contestants to a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek on the remote Falcao Island, it promises to be a thrilling adventure. However, what starts as a social media stunt quickly devolves into a chilling battle for survival as a deadly threat emerges amidst a raging storm.

Enter Adele, a resilient single mother determined to provide a better life for her children after being abandoned by her fugitive husband. Juggling her new career as an influencer and the challenges of raising her son Blake and daughter Violet, Adele’s life takes a dramatic turn when she decides to join Maverick’s extreme game. The lure of the million-dollar prize is too tempting to pass up, especially with her financial struggles and the hope of a fresh start for her family.

From the moment Adele sets foot on Falcao Island, the atmosphere is charged with tension. The locals’ warnings about the island’s curse, coupled with the questionable ethics of Maverick and his team, set the stage for an ominous game. As contestants vanish and sinister occurrences mount, Adele’s focus shifts from winning to sheer survival.

The novel excels in its portrayal of Adele’s character. Her determination to protect her children and her fierce spirit are inspiring.

As the storm intensifies and the danger escalates, the plot becomes a relentless, adrenaline-fueled race. The contestants’ fears and suspicions mirror the reader's growing unease. Maverick’s obsession with fame and the ominous backdrop of the island contribute to a sense of impending doom. The mysterious disappearances and the constant threat of the storm create a palpable tension that keeps the reader on edge.

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.

The story’s strength lies in its vivid characterization and the chilling atmosphere of Falcao Island. The blend of reality show dynamics with survival horror elements creates a unique and captivating narrative. The author’s commentary on social media’s impact and the exploitation of personal struggles for entertainment adds a thought-provoking layer to the story.

In conclusion, this novel is a gripping, heart-pounding thriller that explores the lengths a mother will go to protect her children. It’s a compelling tale of survival, resilience, and the blurred lines between reality and spectacle. Despite some minor pacing issues, it delivers a satisfying and thrilling read that will keep you hooked until the very end. Perfect for fans of suspenseful survival stories and those intrigued by the darker side of reality TV.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for providing me this action packed locked room mystery's digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest thoughts.

Thank you for the ARC! This was a good read with good character development and a fast paced plot that didn't drag out forever. It kept my attention and had a few twists throughout.

Lisa Unger's newest thriller is a fast-paced, entertaining read about a reality competition gone wrong.

Pros:
- I really liked Adele's character and her relationship with her kids.
- I enjoyed the mix of narrative and live-stream-content-formatting.
- Most of the character perspectives felt unique and added to the overall atmosphere and story; information wasn't constantly repeated just to show the same thing from a different point of view.
- There was strong character development

Cons:
- While it was fast-paced, nothing really happened until 60%-70% through; everything before that was just build up, and a lot of it felt too drawn-out and unnecessary.
- Adele was supposed to be the main character but it seemed like the story revolved around the other characters far more.
- Several character perspectives were unnecessary and made things feel a bit confusing.
- The twists contradicted a lot of what was learned early on in the book.
- The big reveal was underwhelming and felt unfinished.
- The ending seemed rushed.


Overall, I enjoyed Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 but it wasn't quite what I was hoping it'd be. I'd still recommend it if you're a fan of locked-door-style-mysteries, and I think it's a decent read even if that isn't your usual kind of genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nope, this didn't just happen

I didn't have to beg, plead, sell a kidney?

Did the book goddesses really align to bring me my most favored authors, sure to be best seller?

Lisa Unger, I hang on your every word. The minute I conclude the most recent published, I start salivating, drooling, over the release of the next. There is no way I could control myself when they just keep getting better and better.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10

This IS the book of the year, and you heard it here first.

Jam packed with twists and turns, you won't pick up your jaw fast enough before your gut punched with the next revelation.

Let's go people, I might be Lisa Unger's self proclaimed "hype girl" but its well deserved.

Check out this teaser :

When the real game begins, who will make it to the count of 10?

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.

Enter Adele, a single mother with a fierce determination to protect her children at all costs. When she begins the game, she unwittingly enters a twisted web of deception and intrigue. Can she maneuver through the treacherous storm and the relentless competition and get home to her family? In a ruthless battle for survival where the stakes are higher than ever, the blurry line between the virtual and the real proves that the only person we can trust is ourselves.

There are way too many reality tv show thrillers this year. If you haven’t done many yet (like I have) I bet this author’s is really good just based off her previous work but at this time it’s not for me.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger The story highlights the dangers and ultimate consequences of the the obsession with social media and reality TV. Although slow-moving at times the story is a suspenseful thriller featuring multiple POVs and multiple twists. An entertaining read but not a favorite one of Ms Unger.
Thank you to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing , and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it was pretty good, but on the other it wasn't what I expected at all. The plot of this book was giving me One Perfect Couple vibes, so I was expecting something more similar to that book, which I loved. However, the game doesn't even start until 70% of the way in. Up until then it was a lot of build-up, sub plots and drama amongst the Extreme crew. I was also expecting Adele to be the main character, but I would say that the Extreme crew, especially Maverick and Angeline, were the focus. Unfortunate, because Maverick was an atrocious little man baby. Adele was a strong character and I liked her a lot, so I would have preferred it had been more about her struggling to survive on the island and win the game. Ultimately, it was really more about the dangers of social media and what our obsession with it leads us to do. There are also a lot of POVs, and I think some were unnecessary. I'm not sure that Blake, Violet and Agent Coben added much to the story. The twists that happen near the end seem to come out of nowhere and I had a hard time believing them given everything we knew up until that point. Lisa Unger is usually a 5-star author for me so I'm disappointed that this one and her previous book, The New Couple in 5B, didn't quite work for me. Overall, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is generally well-written and is a pretty good story it just didn't meet my expectations.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

I feel like I missed a twist at the end with the way Adele was talking about not being able to share secrets that weren't hers alone. Did she actually know more about what her husband was doing than she admitted? Was there another big reveal? A solid book though, with the elements of reality TV I was looking for. Another question I was left with was if Maverick did what he was accused of, or if that was part of the plan in blackmailing him? Recommend to fans of Heather Gudenkauf.

A suspenseful reality TV/influencer thriller playing the game of hide-n-seek with multiple POVs. It’s an intriguing plot full of twists. The timeline is not in chronological order thus making it more intense. I’m not sure which person I disliked more - Mav or Angeline. What a wild and fun ride!! If you are a fan of Ruth Ware’s One Perfect couple (I am), then you will LOVE this!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lisa Unger is a master of thrillers and a master of pacing! There were so many secrets in this book that each twist brought something new to light. I loved the premise - an extreme hide and seek game! This was also extremely well written with perfect use of multiple perspectives. I found all the characters easy to keep track of and enjoyed seeing their motives firsthand. The messaging was an interesting blend of virtual reality combined with real life - whether through gaming or social media - the focus on love and family was clear. Another must read for suspenseful thriller fans!

Thank you to Netgalley, Park Row Books, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've said it before and I'll say it again- Lisa Unger knows how to write a book! This is probably my favorite out of the last 15-20 books I've read. Yes, I was able to figure out a good chunk of the mystery myself, but it's almost like she wrote it purposely to lead the reader to the correct conclusion. It didn't subtract from the story at all. I felt like this was more than just a really great, well-written story, as it had very valid points about living life online and actually living life. The characters were all really fleshed out and I had compassion for them all- even ones like Mav and Tavo and Chloe, who aren't necessarily the most sympathetic characters. I literally, at this point, will read a shopping list if it's written by Lisa Unger, period. Definitely will be recommending the heck out of this one!

This book was another hit from the author. Another book filled with mystery and suspense. Twists along the way keeps the reader interested. This is a book which I would recommend to all who enjoy a good mystery.

loved this hide and seek with the different point of views of those working in the extreme sport and those that are coming to hide and their reasons behind it. Loved the mystery and slight romance and loved seeing the kids point of view and their reactions to their father and what happens to them at school. loved that not everyone was honest and everyone had a secret. loved it.

Lisa Unger's latest novel Close Your Eyes And Count to 10 taps into our society's fascination with influencers and suspenseful stories. While the plot was slow-moving at times, I enjoyed the story overall. Despite the overdone reality show and influencer theme in the past few years, I appreciated Unger's unique take. The novel revolves around influencers competing in a high-stakes game of hide and seek to boost their views and win money. As the influencers believe the game is rigged, they are determined to survive. The subplot involving the absent father was a nice addition, although I felt it was left a little unresolved at the end. If you are looking for a gripping suspense novel that makes you question whether competing for money is worth all the trouble, go grab this book!


Thank you to NetGalley and to Harlequin Trade Publishing for giving me a copy

You can count on Lisa Unger to write a good thriller and CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 fits the bill. Players meet on an island to compete in a game of hide-and-seek for a huge cash prize. The problem is, there's a tropical storm and a sinister presence stalking them. I loved the suspense and the POVs from different characters. This reminded me of "Everyone Is Watching" by Heather Gudenkauf. Recommended reading for suspense lovers, and Lisa Unger fans. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
#CloseYourEyesandCountto10
#Netgalley

It’s Lisa Unger’s turn to put her spin on the reality-game-on-a-deserted-island-gone-wrong story (Ruth Ware’s terrific “One Perfect Couple” is part of this locked room mystery sub-genre). This time it’s “Extreme Hide and Seek” on an island with a shuttered, derelict luxury hotel. Our primary contestant is likable Adele, a forty-something whose millionaire businessman/con man/husband has been on the run from the FBI for five years, leaving her nothing but mounting debts and two teenagers: video game obsessed and bullied Blake and volatile Violet. Blake convinces Adele to apply for the million dollar prize — her self-care therapy for the past few years has been being an influencer on a streaming channel, chronicling her physical and mental comeback from the betrayal of a fugitive CEO spouse. The perfect resume for a survival show.

Once we meet the event organizers of Extreme, Inc, you get immediate Fyre Festival calamity vibes, except that disasters have already apparently happened (including a previous contestant who hid and was never found). The showrunner is Maverick/Mav, a manboy who really needs family therapy, surrounded by co-workers/lackeys who worry a lot but do not question enough.

The other contestants are “Wild Cody,” an older and previously disgraced outdoorsman; and Malinka, a Russian model/uber-influencer who has conquered the Seven Summits — just three “hiders” (which, narrative-wise, makes the plot easier to follow). Each of them seems to believe in advance that the show is rigged and each is being subtly pressured — a planned game trick or a malevolent other?

There are more outside factors to complicate the game — the contestants and producers are actually connected to the multiverse — doing live feeds, commenting on the status of other players and hosts, being “stalked” and “tracked” by all sorts of unseen eyes via social channels. And, of course there’s a ghastly storm heading their way and since it’s a volcanic island (what’s that constant rumbling sound?), what are the chances that lava will be spewing?

If you loved Ruth Ware’s “One Perfect Couple,” you’ll be experiencing a different reality game thriller. In this one, the creators (Mav, Angeline, Gustavo, etc) have as big a part as the game contestants. And “Close Your Eyes” is actually all about how many “views” the streaming feeds are getting instead of the sense of isolation of trying to survive on an inhospitable island. Both books are great stories of reality shows gone wild.

The plot is entertaining, suspenseful and twisty, but it does meander a bit with the missing dad sub-plot. But “Close your Eyes and Count to 10” will definitely keep you turning pages all night long and telling yourself that you would never want to be a reality contestant, even if there’s really a million dollar prize. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Petra, the town elder, the hot Stepford mom robots in the Death Knell game, and Angeline (“smoky green hazel”) all have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Falcão Island (a fictional place) is “famous” for its wild hydrangeas.

Thank you to Park Row/ Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

This book is about a social media company’s attempt to host an Hide and Seek game at a deserted hotel. Danger quickly follows and the characters have to make decisions about their lives. It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

This books feels very familiar - I can’t put my finger on it though. I enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Written by a talented author, this book is intriguing. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Red herrings and secrets kept me guessing. Do not try to guess the ending too soon. Thanks Netgalley.