When you get a Lisa Unger arc, you drop everything to read your Lisa Unger arc.
“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” by Lisa Unger follows Adele, a single mother who decides to compete in an ultimate game of hide and seek in hopes of winning one million dollars. But there’s so much going on behind the scenes- the production company is in trouble, the other competitors have questionable reasons for playing, and even Adele’s own past with her husband comes into play. Top all of that with a hurricane looming, something is bound to go wrong at this abandoned hotel in the jungle.
This book was not what I anticipated it being. I thought for sure I would be bored with a theme that has often played out in mystery and thriller books. That wasn’t this book.
Adele is this formidable character that is dealing with pressures from all angles. Somehow she’s still positive and thriving despite her world of chaos. I love how she relates to the other competitors, but I really love seeing the moments with her kids.
While I felt like this mystery broke from the mold, I was still able to guess some of the major plot twist, but that didn’t take away from the book for me, all that proves is that I read a lot of mystery books and can pick up on cues.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. (Although remind me not to read books with hurricanes when a hurricane is coming). Overall, this was a solid 4 star read for me!
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the arc! This book hits shelves on February 18, 2025!

knew going into this book that I wasn't into the premise (reality tv show on a deserted island) but I went through with it. Unfortunately, I should have trusted my gut. I feel like this would be perfect for fans of Survivor or Naked and Afraid, but not I. There were two main story lines: the Hide and Seek game with its array of social media "stars" and the downfall of Extreme Sports (i.e the company heading the show). I wish that there was more on that scandal of the people/drama that went along with the company versus the lackluster hide and seek game.

Adele is up to her eyeballs in debt. Her husband Miller, is on the run from the authorities, after stealing millions from his company and leaving her bankrupt. Her son Blake, a video game tv junkie, tells her she should sign up for this Extreme Hide and Seek game with a prize of 1 million dollars. Adele is hesitant, but ultimately agrees. She flies down to Falcao Island, where she meets the other contestants and Maverick. Maverick is the head of extreme sports and a famous adrenaline junkie. HE has been in charge of these types of shows (extreme haunted house etc) for years ,but every single one has had issues. People have gotten hurt and even disappeared. Maverick is desperate because this is his last ditch effort to save the company from going bankrupt and crumbling from all his haters. So despite the terrible weather, shamans refusing, old hotels crumbling, birds eating each other Maverick insists they continue. He puts everyone in harms way to try and save himself. Until someone from Mavericks past infiltrates the island, and will stop at nothing until Maverick and this horrible industry are exposed.

Thank you to Harlequin books for the ARC.

Last thing that really irked me: who leaves their two children alone. YES ALONE while you go on reality tv. Only other thing that bothered the crap out of me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!!!

I have read quite a few of Lisa Unger’s novels, and this was as good as the rest!! I loved the idea of influencers and the told that can take on a person. I feel like some plot lines weren’t really tied up at the end, like how there was one chapter from the POV of Agent Coben, but then he never came back up again. However, overall really great book. I love her writing style and her imagery.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10.

The premise drew my attention though it's nothing original, but I always hope the author will surprise me.

First, I liked Adele; she was tough, resourceful and determined, and not because she's a single parent working to rebuild her life and take care of her kids after her no-good husband left them in the lurch. That's cliche #1.

Cliche #2 meant her desperation leads her to participate in a grueling physical challenge where the winner reaps a big award - seriously, the money isn't that much especially when you deduct for taxes.

Cliche #3 gives us Maverick and Angeline, the 'tough' guy, the egotism and overbearing masculinity that attracts the silly woman who loves him.

I'm generally against numerous POVs in a narrative, unless each character can add to the story.

The many POVs read as unnecessary filler, like the FBI agent and Adele's kids.

I liked Adele but not the constant repetitiveness of her and her kids mulling over her husband/dad's wrongdoing and what he did to the family.

The pacing dragged and lacked suspense partly due to the numerous POVs and switching back and forth between characters.

I love the setting; the author provides great atmosphere and tension, the storm coming, the desolation and crumbling facade of the buildings.

Hard core fans of the author will like, even love this, but I didn't.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger takes readers on a tense and atmospheric journey that starts as a thrilling social media stunt but quickly turns into a deadly survival game. Maverick Dillan, a daredevil adventurer, invites a group of contestants to participate in an extreme hide-and-seek challenge on Falcao Island, but as a storm rages and a mysterious threat begins to stalk them, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary game. At the center of it all is Adele, a single mother determined to protect her children at all costs, who finds herself navigating a web of lies, deception, and survival.

This is a slow burn of a book! While the premise is gripping, the story takes its time building up to the action. There are multiple POVs, which help keep the story moving, and it’s easy to track the different characters. All the different POVs and storylines weave together so well. The action doesn’t really pick up until about 60% of the way in…BUT once that point is reached, it’s SO hard to put the book down! The tension that lead up to it ramps up as the survival game shifts into overdrive, and suddenly you’re racing to see who will make it to the count of ten. The end of the story delivers suspense, action, and unexpected twists.

I love all and always recommend @launger books and this was no different!

Thank you to the author, @htp_hive and netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review!!

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.