Lisa Unger is always an author that I look forward to reading, so her latest novel "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" was no different! Unger knows how to thread stories between one another and make readers keep guessing until the end, and this deserted island/reality livestream contest was an intriguing premise!

I enjoyed this novel overall, but it did take me awhile to get into it. There were a lot of characters to learn, and their alternating viewpoints took me a bit to straighten out. Once I had everything down, the story flowed much better for me. The characters were well-developed, I thought, with a lot of complex backgrounds. There were some areas of the book that I felt slowed down a bit more than necessary. The setting of the novel was a character in and of itself, lots of descriptions that made me feel like I knew the island they were on.

My final reaction: A dark, twisty mystery from talented Lisa Unger that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. I was drawn to this book because I love reality series shows like survivor and alone and this reminded me of them. I have also seen some extreme hide and seek shows and been fascinated with them and the ingenuity that contestants possess (look it up!). This book was a solid whodunit, I wouldn't say I was wowed, but it was definitely a page turner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for a review copy. This was a fun twisty listen centered around social media influencing. Good standard thriller fair with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. There were a few different story lines unraveling at once, but I enjoyed them all. I thought the main characters were easy to like. Somehow this was my first Lisa Unger novel, but I'll be coming back for more.

thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the free ARC!

i really enjoyed this lisa unger novel, and the audiobook narrator was fantastic. this story had a different vibe from my usual thriller/mystery reads—leaning into a locked-room mystery with multiple povs that added depth and propelled the plot forward.

the characters are flawed, desperate, and deeply complex. the book feels modern and timely without coming across as forced or cringey. unger masterfully explores the question of why, diving into each character’s background to provide a rich understanding of their motivations and thought processes.

i’d definitely read more from lisa unger and would love to listen to more audiobooks by this narrator!

I think you can do no wrong with Lisa Unger-who is definitely a go-to author for me. Her new book, "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" is a great read. Love it and the narrator.

*Close Your Eyes and Count to 10* follows a group of social media influencers caught up in a high-stakes game of hide and seek. Nearly every character is haunted by a dark past, with some secrets intertwining in unexpected ways. While the novel presents moments of suspense, certain sections feel slow, and others lean into the absurd. The social media platforms in the story, "WeWatch" and "Photogram," clearly echo YouTube and Instagram. Though the exploration of social media could offer a thought-provoking angle, it ultimately comes across as a bit cheesy.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger is a psychological thriller that explores the complexities of trust, secrets, and the fine line between obsession and love. The story follows Annie, a woman trying to piece together her life after a traumatic incident. As she uncovers the tangled web of secrets surrounding her, Annie must confront her past, the people she once trusted, and her own perceptions of reality. The novel delves into the mind of its protagonist, exploring themes of guilt, trauma, and how our past shapes the choices we make in the present.

Things I Liked:
1. Atmospheric Writing: Lisa Unger does an excellent job of building suspense through her atmospheric writing. The tone of the book is tense, and the dark, brooding ambiance is maintained throughout. From the first page, I felt drawn into the eerie and unsettling world she created, which helped immerse me in the mystery and intrigue of the story.
2. Twisty Plot: The novel's plot is packed with unexpected turns and revelations. The mystery surrounding Annie's past and the people involved kept me hooked from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed how the book kept me guessing, with each chapter revealing a little more about the truth while simultaneously introducing new questions. Unger masterfully builds tension and intrigue, making it hard to put the book down.
3. Complex Characters: The characters are multifaceted and compelling. Annie, in particular, is a well-crafted protagonist, whose emotional struggles and conflicting desires make her a believable and relatable character. The supporting cast, with their own layers of secrets and hidden motivations, adds depth to the story, making it clear that no one is entirely trustworthy.
4. Exploration of Psychological Themes: The book does a great job of exploring psychological themes, such as obsession, guilt, and trauma. Annie's internal conflict and the way her mind unravels as she uncovers more about herself and her past felt real and raw. The emotional depth added a layer of complexity to the thriller, making it more than just a mystery.

Things I Didn’t Like:
1. Pacing Issues: While the plot was intriguing, there were moments when the pacing slowed down significantly. Certain sections of the book felt repetitive, and the suspense built up too slowly, causing me to lose a bit of interest in the middle chapters. I think tightening the pacing in the second half of the book would have helped maintain the tension and kept the momentum going.
2. Predictability in Some Plot Points: Although the book had plenty of twists, there were moments where some of the plot developments felt a bit predictable. I saw certain revelations coming from a mile away, which took some of the excitement out of the more dramatic moments. A few more surprises or red herrings would have kept me on my toes more effectively.
3. Underdeveloped Secondary Characters: While the main characters were well fleshed out, I felt that some of the secondary characters could have been developed more. Some of the supporting cast felt one-dimensional or too stereotypical, which diminished the impact of their roles in the plot. A deeper exploration of their motivations could have added more layers to the story and made the book even more immersive.
4. Ending Felt Too Neat: The conclusion of the book, while satisfying in some ways, wrapped up a little too neatly. Given the dark, complex nature of the narrative, I was hoping for an ending that felt a bit more ambiguous or open-ended. Instead, everything seemed to come together a bit too easily, which reduced the emotional weight of the resolution.

Feedback and Recommendations for Improvement:
• Pacing: The book could benefit from tightening the pacing, particularly in the middle section, where the suspense wanes a little. Fewer repetitive moments and more continuous action or discovery could help maintain the sense of urgency.
• Surprise Elements: More unexpected twists or misdirection could enhance the thrill factor and keep readers engaged. The story had a lot of potential for shocking moments, but some of the plot developments were too predictable, which dampened the excitement.
• Secondary Character Development: Giving more attention to secondary characters and fleshing out their backgrounds and motivations would add depth to the story. It would make their involvement in the plot feel more meaningful and allow for more complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Ending Ambiguity: While the ending is clear and satisfying, a slightly more ambiguous or open-ended conclusion could have left a more lasting impact. It would have allowed readers to reflect on the themes of the book in a more profound way.

Conclusion:
While it has its flaws, particularly in pacing and predictability, the book offers a compelling exploration of the human psyche and the consequences of our past actions. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a strong emotional core and dark themes, this is definitely worth a read. However, if you prefer stories with more unpredictable twists and a faster pace, you may find some sections of the book dragging.

Social media influencers on a hide and seek reality show on a secluded island -thanks Harlequin Audio and NetGalley For ALC!

This book was OK. It was a quick and easy listen and I was generally entertained. liked the narration and it was to follow the multiple points of view.

I have read or listened to several Lisa Unger books, and this one wasn't my favorite. I never really connected with the characters, and thus felt the book was too long. As for the game, there were few contestants (including main character Adele, a single mom who needed money), an extreme adventurer as a host, and only a day of competition before there was a murder and a big storm. I thought the turn of events near the end was predictable. 2.5-3 stars.

Great story but unfortunately an ending that left me wanting more. I loved the premise of the hide and seek game but only 3(4 technically) players and one day of “seeking”. It’s like the side story took over and the thrilling part of the story took second place. Still good just not what the outline made me believe.

I was expecting a mystery thriller based on something like Mr. Beast and a subtle critique at influencers. You get a little of it but also some shoehorned tropes like a podcast going on through out. My expectations were low and I was expecting a dumb but amusing thriller about influencers on an island and it slightly surpassed those expectations.

Adele's husband is accused of wrong doing at his company and he has disappeared. The FBI is actively searching for him, but she doesn't know where he is and she hasn't heard from him. But her life and their kids' have been upended. They lost their home and their way of life. She's working hard to give them as much as she possible can, but she's struggling. When her son finds a reality contest that he believes she can win, she considers and applies. All she needs to do is to be the best "hider" in the contestant group.

What she doesn't know is that the sponsoring group may not be on the level. And the primary players in the company are all holding a lot of secrets - very damaging secrets. When the company employees and the contestants are stuck on an isolated island, with structures about to collapse around them, and with a huge storm about to collide with the island, the setup for a thriller is already there. It gets worse...

I've enjoyed Lisa Unger books in the past so I was thrilled that I was able to listen to an early edition of the audio book. I can easily see this book become a movie. The narrator was superb. As the action ramped up, so did her delivery. Very well done!

The book centered around a single mother who is a low level influencer. Her son encouraged her to sign up for an extreme hide and seek game on a small island in a dilapidated old hotel. Maverick, the creator of the challenges, is a popular streamer with no regard for safety. A storm comes in making the game even more extreme, but Adele stays since the million dollar prize would be life changing. In one of the previous extreme games, a woman went missing and still Adele rationalized staying.

I was rooting for Adele throughout the book. I did find the over use of slang terms by Maverick irksome.

Adele is a now single mother struggling to make ends meet with two teenage children and a husband in the wind, after he allegedly embezzled money from the company he worked. At the encouragement from her some Adele decides to compete in a game of extreme hide and seek with a prize of one million dollars. Things would be a whole lot easier with the win. The extreme team is met with local opposition even though the local government granted the permits with the promise of a huge tourism windfall.  As the games is set to begin, a hurricane is bearing down on the remote island. What could go wrong? Edge of your seat excitement. Twists and turns abound. A very enjoyable, fast paced read.

The narrator was great. The production quality was top notch.

5 stars

After committing a crime, Adele's husband, Miller, left her and their children, Violet and Blake. The FBI has followed her for years, thinking she knows where he is. She doesn't, and her family is struggling. When her son, Blake, recommends that Adele, who has a WeWatch following, go to an extreme hide-and-seek event to win a million dollars, she does. What could go wrong?

This thriller is as much about Adele's family as it is about the game, which goes horribly wrong. It's tense and fast-paced, and I enjoyed it.

This book had so many twists and turns. I enjoyed listening to this narration. It was interesting to see all the characters and how they handled the hide and seek challenge in their own way.

Not my favorite Lisa singer book but still amazing. She is a thriller master. The tension is built in so well it sneaks up and grabs you. It was a quick read from a go-to author. Easy to recommend.

3.5/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Audiobook

I had a hard time getting into this book and the storyline overall.
A look into the “influencer” lifestyle - how far will people go to get subscribers and make money?
There are a few different storylines all intertwined - some action and twists that will keep some readers guessing.
Overall, I found this novel just okay - not unenjoyable, but also not a book I would likely recommend.
Narration was great and definitely added to the overall enjoyment of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin audio for early access to this audiobook!

This story was okay. There were too many storylines going on at one time so it wasn’t always easy to tell what (or when) things were happening. This was an audiobook version so I don’t know if I would have been able to follow it easier had I been reading it with my eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this advanced copy.

𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑬𝒀𝑬𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑻 𝑻𝑶 𝟏𝟎 𝒃𝒚 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒂 𝑼𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 was my #ThrillerThursday that I was able to enjoy from @htp_hive @htpbooks & @harlequin_audio and it was a wild read for winter escape! Put this on your radar for the February 25th pub date!

This is a spectacularly catastrophic reality show event, bringing together a cast of wild characters that examines the growing need to be seen.

I don't like to say much, but this does give many perspectives of the people involved in the reality show, as well as a closer personal look into the life of one contestant in particular. This multi POV was at times a bit harder to hold onto, but having my ears and eyes on it helped. It actually feels like it would make a fantastic screen option!

Speaking of ears, I did really enjoy Vivienne Leheny narrate this wild ride. I thought she did a great job with all the characters and made them very individual.

I enjoy the journey Unger takes me in her stories. This one did make me think about the social media culture and how we monetize ourselves. It was a very entertaining way to consider!

Fun concept (a group of people participate in an "EXTREME hide & seek" challenge on a remote island), and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, but this dragged and the ending was very anticlimactic. There were a lot of wild things that *could* have happened that would have made this better, but it followed a more predictable path, which was a big disappointment. Specific to the audiobook: The narrator had some real sketchy accents that were distracting AF

I think readers who love Unger will really like this - I tend to be hit or miss with her books, and it turns out this one wasn't for me - hopefully the next one will be more my speed because I do think of her as an auto-read/listen when I see her books on NetGalley.