I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing a chance at reading this.

I think the story could have been interesting if the girl ditched the guy. As soon as he showed up, he became a sidekick who did nothing but quips. Quips, quips, quips. Not a single thing that came out of his mouth was worth listening to. I made it 50% in before DNFing it. Was he a villain? I hoped he would double cross her.

Another issue I had was the use of political activism as a scene dressing. The guy was someone who she ran into during a rally. Though, the rally screamed an awful lot like Jan 6th. And, the main character was staying somewhere in Tel Aviv at one point in her life? What?

Codebreaking is fun but this story just wasn't doing it for me.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were relatable, the plot was interesting, and the story was great! I would definitely recommend!

An impressive debut novel! While this is billed as a YA novel, there was plenty of propulsive action for adults to enjoy it as well. I especially enjoyed the interactive element of the code solving, and the pace and plotting were very well done.

I love this type of story! Second guessing myself and not knowing who or what to believe! This YA thriller will have you hooked!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC Review

Codebreaker
By Jay Martel
Publish date: July 22, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @wednesdaybooks @stmartinspress for sending me a copy to read and review.

This is Jay Martels debut interactive YA thriller. The premise of the book is why drew me in and kept me hooked. Who doesn’t want to solve a puzzle/code as you read! Sign me up!

This book was so fast paced, full of action and so interactive. I’m enjoyed trying to crack the codes even though I sucked at it lol.

My one critique I wish there was more romance between Mia and Logan however with it being YA i completely understand. I still enjoyed the whole book.

If you want to try cracking codes while reading a book full of spies, mystery, twists and turns this is the perfect book for you to pick up this summer.

Mia is preparing for a nice quite summer when her home is invaded by gun wielding government agents who are demanding something her dad supposedly stole. In the ensuing chaos her mom is killed and dad runs away. It’s up to Mia to discover why it all went down. Luckily Mia’s father taught her various code breaking strategies used throughout history and she is able to put the clues left to her together, solve the codes, find what it is the government is after and save her community from impending disaster. This is “Nancy Drew” at a new level. Readers are introduced to a number of secret codes and given a chance to solve the mystery along with Mia. And of course there is the teen love interest in the form of Logan who helps her along the way. Recommended YA read that will also appeal to adults who devoured “Nancy Drew” or perhaps even “The Hardy Boys” as teenagers. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books and Netgalley for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC.

I was so intrigued by the cover and the synopsis.

Mia lived a normal life until one moment when everything changed three weeks before her birthday. First, her mother receives a fatal gunshot wound, and her father becomes a criminal, disappearing...

Later, her father leaves clues for a mystery hunt that unveils deep secrets about her family and the federal government.

The plot is dynamic, filled with conspiracy theories, codes, and family secrets. Political and economic issues add relevance to the story, reflecting real challenges people face in the fight for justice.

Despite the captivating plot, some moments developed too quickly for me, especially the love storyline.On the one hand, I realize that everything happened in a small period of time. However, their love didn't quite resonate with me, although it's not crucial.

Overall, I was glad to read it!

3,5/5

3 stars

Mia Hayes is preparing for a quiet summer of maybe working in a D.C. area coffee shop and trying to make a college decision (Harvard or Boston University?) when her home is invaded by what might be government agents. They kill her mother; her dad goes on the run and she has no idea what is happening. Then, a few weeks later, on her 17th birthday, she receives a cryptic message from her father pointing toward a puzzle box he had given her; puzzles, codes and scavenger hunts were a birthday tradition tradition in her family and now she has the most important one ever. With her new friend Logan by her side can she figure out the clues her dad left for her and outwit the agents chasing her?

Oh, puzzles and codes are fun and this s nice because this YA book gives kids a good look at some famous codes and gives them a chance to solve to puzzles on their own first. Even though Mia is 17 I would say the book skews a bit younger than that; I would feel comfortable giving it to any kid who isn’t going to freak out over parent death. It’s way too YA for adults, what with two teenagers successfully going against two agents over and over again, but young people may enjoy this thrilling debut.

Codebreaker is a fast paced novel that grabs the reader from the very first page and takes them on a heart stopping thrill ride through Washington DC as the two main characters, Mia and Logan, race against time to solve codes that hopefully will lead to answers and safety from a subversive faction that wants to take down the United States government. The book is perfect for middle grades on up. There is a sweet romance, some mild language and violence and death. The book will make you smile, bite your nails and perhaps even cry. I look forward to reading more books by the Jay Martel team.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.

I had a hard time downloading the book.

The title and the concept is great idea.

Keep up the great work author

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @stmartinspress for an early copy of Codebreaker by Jay Martel. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: July 22nd, 2025

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217388220-codebreaker?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=E54lLPsfmD&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Codebreaker tells the story of Mia, whose life suddenly turned upside down three weeks before her birthday. Her mom was shot dead, and her father became a fugitive on the run in a single night. On her birthday, she meets Logan, a hacker, at a protest. Just as she was enjoying her first happy moment since three weeks ago, she receives a voicemail from her father, giving her clues to her birthday scavenger hunt, only, this scavenger hunt hides secrets about her family, and the federal government.

This novel is fast-paced, interactive, and action packed, filled with conspiracy theories, cyphers to decode and mysteries surrounding Mia’s family. Political and economic issues is also present in this story and pretty much made it relatable and feels almost real, to be honest, and it depicts how much people would go through to fight for what they think is right, regardless of the methods.

While the story could do without the romance between Logan and Mia, I found that them teaming up was refreshing especially with how much Mia was currently going through. Though dangerous, her journey in looking for clues her father left her was a fun distraction from everything else. Surratt and Powell eventually catching up with them for every clue they come across became quite repetitive though.

Codebreaker is an overall fun and thrilling read. The story didn’t feel all too emotionally heavy with drama, which was refreshing and a great palette cleanser or an in-between genre read. Would definitely recommend picking this up when it releases in July!

This book is the perfect for people who loved the National Treasure Movies. I recently got this book as an arc and I am so glad that I was able to get an arc of this book. This book just got me out of a reading slump. I read it in two days and I would have read it in one sitting if I had the time.

Lets get into the premise of the book: We are dropped into the story and meet the main character Mia Haynes and how she is an ordinary teenager who main concern is telling her parents that she does not want to go to the college that they wanted her too. However, this becomes the least of her worries as she learns that her parents have a secret and everything is not wwhat it seems when agents show up at her door, demanding something from her parents. Mia, who thinks that her parents are regular people gets thrust into a world that sends her on a treasure hunt and turns her world upside down.

This book is very interactive and gives you a moment to solve clues. I felt like I was apart of the book and that I was actually with Mia in her journey to discover the truth. I hope the authors continue to make more book like this because I would read them all

This is a wonderful story about a young heroine on her quest to find answers about her father's past. It brings in vibes of the Da Vinci code or National Treasure with its rich plot components.

Codebreaker by Jay Martel is an exciting and fast-paced debut thriller that combines heart-pounding action with clever puzzles and a touch of romance. The story follows Mia Hayes, a brilliant teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when government agents show up at her door, seeking something her father has taken. After a tragic turn of events, Mia is left grappling with the betrayal of her father, who has gone on the run, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her mother's death.

A non-stop race through Washington, D.C. follows, as Mia teams up with Logan, a rebellious hacker, to decode her father’s final message. As they uncover hidden secrets about Mia’s family and a potentially devastating attack, readers are invited to solve the codes alongside them, making the experience feel interactive and immersive. This makes Codebreaker so unique—it’s not just a thriller, but a puzzle you can actively engage with.

Mia is a fantastic protagonist: smart, resilient, and deeply relatable as she navigates the chaos that has upended her life. Logan adds a dash of charm and tension, creating a dynamic partnership that keeps things fresh. The romance between them is well-paced, never overshadowing the book’s suspenseful plot but adding depth to their connection.

The book’s setting in D.C. is a perfect backdrop for the story, with iconic locations and hidden historical secrets adding extra layers of intrigue. Martel does an excellent job balancing the technical aspects of codebreaking with the emotional journey Mia undergoes, keeping the pacing tight and the stakes high.

If you’re looking for a gripping, interactive thriller with heart and brains, Codebreaker is an absolute must-read. Jay Martel has crafted an engaging and intelligent debut that will leave you hooked from the first page to the last. Highly recommend!

This book is super fast paced and action packed. It is filled with so much history and there were several twists I didn’t expect. I’m always impressed with books that can intertwine history like this with the story. Plus conspiracy theories and cryptography with historical facts and places… it’s brilliant.

The story also includes real frustrations we are currently facing in this country. I thought that was cool.
I really enjoyed it. I love how the reader has the opportunity to crack the code themselves. It’s really neat. Great read

Thank you St Marten Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

For those who like the excitement of spycraft and/or hacking their race to crack a near impossible code is a bit of a thrill. I enjoyed the puzzles and loved when Mia decided to stop running. Quite the adventure! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a spy/conspiracy story. Excellent pacing and it never felt dull. Exactly what I needed this weekend.

Thank you for providing a copy for me to read and review; I loved it!

Synopsis: A brilliant teenage girl races across D.C. to decode the clues her father left behind which might be the key to saving the country.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. This was action packed and engaging. Adults can enjoy this even though we are not the target audience. The story gets started with an intense confrontation that changes the course of the main character's, Mia, life. Over the course of the book told in both real time and flash backs, we are shown how her life got to this point. There is a really good twist that changes the reader's perception of how to read the progression of the story. The only drawback to the story for me was that the flashbacks are introduced to0 abruptly and they would initially take me out of the story. I could get back into it, but it was a bit jarring. The writing style was very accessible and typical of an action/thriller that you read
today (a la Patterson, Balducci, etc.). The story has a clear ending, but it is certainly left that there could be a sequel. I would be up for reading another book by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for accepting my offer of an ARC!
“This is what you get for playing spy.”
4.75/5
When I first got ahold of this book I honestly didn’t know what to expect. What I got in return is a book that read like an action-thriller movie with fleshed out characters and a story that got crazier by the chapter that heavily reminded me of Nation Treasure: Book of Secrets meets Carmen Sandiago. The twists and turns that took place in this book had me on the edge of my seat and I really felt like I was there with Mia and Logan trying to solve these riddles. Granted, my Nancy Drew/Benoit Blanc/Hercule Poirot/Sherlock Holmes hat had a solid layer of dust on it but nonetheless I always answered the riddles with confidence, whether they were right or wrong.

I enjoyed this one even more than I thought I would. Recognizing that I am absolutely not the target audience, it was still a fun little mystery/thriller. If you have a little that likes puzzles and codes, smart heroines, and a teeny touch of PG romance, they will love this book. Huge bonus points for the interactive parts (easily skipped if you don't want to play). A couple of them had me stumped!

Codebreaker, the debut novel by Jay Martel (the pen name of husband and wife writing duo Andy Bennett and Katy Helbacka), is an engaging and inventive thriller. While geared toward a teen/young adult audience, the novel will certainly appeal to adult readers - I simply could not put it down. Mia is a rising high school senior who is looking forward to a relaxing summer break. Instead, her world is shattered when government agents invade her home in search of something they think Mia's father has stolen. In the blink of an eye, Mia's mother is dead, Mia's father goes on the run, and Mia herself will soon be in danger. Mia soon teams up with hacker (and potential love interest) Logan, following a trail left by her father all over the nation's capital - chasing down clues, cracking codes, and evading shadowy government figures - to uncover the truth. I absolutely loved the interactive component of the novel - the reader has the opportunity to codebreak alongside the protagonists. Think of National Treasure x Dan Brown x The Night Agent. Highly, highly recommend, and can't wait to see what's next for Martel.