Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book.

This was one of my first medical thrillers and I went in not knowing what to expect. As a science and medical nerd I did love this. It was a little slow in the beginning but then picked up and was gripping. It honestly makes you think about medical advancements as well as morals. Now i hope there is a sequel because the way it ended left a lot to be desired. It felt like a rushed ending without much of a satisfying conclusion. This book does have a lot of potential though and I can see it as a series and also maybe even a show.

I loved this book! Its a perfect combination of a scientific romance (perfect for Ali Hazelwood lovers) mixed with a bit of detective/thriller. I loved how the book made me really think about the plot, even when I wasn't reading. I would absolutely recommend it!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Uncontrolled Variables is a masterfully told story about big pharma and the lengths they will go to control the narrative. Although fictionally based, it makes one consider omniscient power.

Along the way, we make the journey with a couple of young female research assistants, and with the protagonist this story becomes a much larger novel about familial betrayal, truth, and even a love story.

I greatly enjoyed this read and a personal note for the author "keep writing, and your audience will keep reading your books".

I am looking forward to the next heartfelt exploration from this talented author.

The Uncontrolled Variables by Jana Foster had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages on my kindle so fast that I’m surprised I didn’t get friction burn.

Jana Foster’s The Uncontrolled Variables is a surreal and thought-provoking novel that blurs the lines between fiction and reality, leaving readers questioning just how plausible its premise might be in today’s world. With an intriguing concept and a narrative that keeps the reader engaged, Foster crafts a story that is both unsettling and captivating.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to create a world that feels eerily possible, drawing the reader into a reality that is both familiar and unsettlingly unpredictable. The themes explored are timely and relevant, making the story resonate on a deeper level. Foster’s writing is immersive, and the book’s unique premise ensures that it lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page.

However, there are moments where the pacing and complexity of the narrative make certain elements difficult to follow. Some sections could have benefited from further development, allowing for greater clarity and depth in the storytelling. While the novel’s unpredictability adds to its intrigue, a more seamless connection between certain plot points would have strengthened the overall impact.

Despite these minor challenges, The Uncontrolled Variables is a compelling read that pushes the boundaries of reality and fiction. Fans of speculative fiction and thought-provoking narratives will find much to appreciate in Foster’s storytelling, even if some moments leave them wanting just a little more depth.

Great dark thriller that I devoured from beginning to end. It caught my attention from the beginning and never let me go.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC.

I love going into books blind where sometimes I don't even know what genre I am reading. This book did not disappoint and I devoured it within a day. I could not put it down. I typically do not read thrillers and I enjoyed Amara's journey throughout the book. The idea of falling in love and trying to do the right thing in pursuit of helping others while there's a medical conspiracy going on made this book captivating. This book left me with so many questions in the best way possible.

Review & opinions:

The beginning of the book kinda dragged and was confusing. But I loved Amara and Jamie’s relationship. What would you do if you could get the chance to help more people with treatments without waiting years for medications to be approved for individuals. As a nurse, I understand why Amara would join this dark-web medical research. As a nurse, I understand the unethical reasons. And as a nurse, I understand why it is so hard to destroy something that’s so unethical, but gains knowledge and money.

This was a good book. The ending definitely got to me and there is a TW of sexual abuse, fyi. So, avoid if SA is triggering for you. Overall, I give the book 4 ⭐️ and it does have some spicy scenes (nothing crazy). I would recommend this book to someone who likes medical thrillers with romance! 💘

*thank you net-galley for an arc in return of an honest review*

WOW. I don’t think I’ve flown through a book quite as quickly as I have this one in so long. I started this 3 and a half hours ago!!!!!! It was fast paced, i got engaged with the characters, i got engaged with the story and there’s so many moments that gave me a little giggle. Publishes on the 18th of Feb, I’ll be waiting to get my trophy copy!!!!!

The Uncontrolled Variables by Jana Foster is a medical thriller crossed with science fiction. Amara Ferguson is a soon to be science graduate who begins a summer job at a medical research institute before she starts her PhD studies. It's there she meets Robert, a charming and smart PhD student. He helps her forget about her high school sweetheart and their breakup which she still has no explanation for. Amara has always dreamt of creating a treatment that saves lives and winning a Nobel Prize. As her relationship with Robert develops she is introduced to a secret organisation which steals research and provides patients with treatments before they've been fully tested. Amara is torn between following the long and tedious scientific process of drug creation and the possibility of accelerating the release of live saving drugs.

I found the story engaging and well balanced with a nice blend of mystery, action and romance. Each character shaped Amara in some way and they each had a purpose in the story. I particularly liked the friendship with her best friend Colleen, it was honest and for the most part wholesome. I was not expecting spice but it was fun and not tacky. The pacing and length of the chapters made it easy to read when I only had small amounts of time available. Towards the end it seemed like we were being set up for a second novel but then the story seemed to end kind of abruptly. Overall I enjoyed this, I thought whole idea of this rogue pharmaceutical company was exciting. I give it a 3.5/5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book!

This book explored morality and what risks are worth it for the greater good.

We follow Amara as she starts working at a pharmaceutical research facility, exploring the set backs and extensive process that is required to get a medication out to the public. It’s here that she meets Robert and is pulled into a secret society that put out trial treatments and medications without all the red tape.

I enjoyed the pacing of this book and how Amara was a flawed yet relatable FMC. Along with the underlying plot I also enjoyed the interpersonal relationships explored in this story.

Full review will be posted on TikTok (@batty_books) Feb 11th.

The Uncontrolled Variables by Jana Foster | ARC Review

Thank you Jana Foster and NetGalley for sending me this ARC!

4⭐️//2🌶️

This book was not at all what I anticipated, but it was a riveting story. Amara Ferguson is an aspiring scientist; since she was little she has dreamt of one day winning the Nobel prize for advances in science. After being heartbroken without explanation, Amara begins working at a research institute alongside her best friend Coleen. Shortly after beginning to work at the institute, Amara meets Robert, a PhD Candidate who instantly catches her attention, and makes her feel less lonely and dejected. The more she gets to know him, the more secrets she uncovers about his involvement with a secret organization that conducts medical research, with promises to make new and ground-breaking drugs available to the larger population. Soon Amara learns that the secrets Robert keeps will test the limits to what ethical medical research entails, and how far Amara is willing to go for the greater good.

There were so many twisty turns in this book that I did not anticipate, but when I reached the end of the book and saw the full picture, all the pieces fell into place. There were moments when I was questioning whether Amara knew what is happening, but was purposefully avoiding them, just to protect herself from all the terrible things happening to and around her. Seeing her trying to rebuild herself after heartbreak, to experiencing being ignored and put down by her mother, to feeling as an outsider in most social situations, Amara has always felt like she is cannot be enough for the people in her life. A lot of the decisions she made throughout the book made so much sense when you see how other treat her. Her emotional growth throughout the book, and the way she learned to stand up for herself was incredibly gratifying.

This was an interesting read. I’ve been on a thriller kick lately and this was a good mix of a medical thriller and the unpredictability of the relationships we form with others. It was a bit darker than I originally expected it to be but that just made it even better.

I don’t know how to rate this. It was a decent medical thriller, with a bit of a slow start but once it got going the premise was truly interesting and gripping, until the ending. It’s like the author gave up or hadn’t thought it through. It was abrupt and unsatisfying and didn’t fit with the dark features of the mystery. If I could rewrite the last four chapters I think this would be four stars but as it is? I dunno. I will give it a three for now because I feel very blah about it.
If this is a series or part one of two it would make more sense but I didn’t get the sense that there is more to the story. I need an epilogue or something because wtf?

This was an interesting read! I liked that it was relating science and facts to the unknown and unpredictability that comes with relationships and emotions. I think the story was well written and it was interesting having the medicine tie in!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I found myself immersed in a compelling blend of personal struggles and societal pressures that really resonated with me. The way the story unfolds highlights how individuals navigate their paths amid uncertainty, which is something I can relate to.

I particularly enjoyed following Amara’s journey, especially for her friendship with Colleen added a warm and wholesome element to the narrative. Their bond felt genuine and offered a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of their lives. The cozy mystery and suspense woven throughout kept me hooked, making it hard to put the book down. Overall, it was a good read.