3.5 Stars

72 Hours is Bella Jewels start in the Romantic Suspense, and I have to say, a good step into this genre. The story was very intriguing and unique, and I had no problem being sucked into this crazy game the killer came up with. I liked the thrill of wondering what would happen next, and how (or if) these character would survive. The suspense part I had no problem with and it's what kept me reading.

The characters, however, I found hard to like and connect with. Lara came off as immature for me, especially when the reason that her and Noah aren't together anymore was revealed. I hate that kind of drama in a book and it makes me hate whatever character starts it. I was hoping that throughout the book we would get more of them as a couple but that didn't really happen so I never saw the connection between them.

There were also a few things that I felt didn't add up in the story, a big thing being the prologue not fitting into the rest of the book. It almost seemed like the story got lost at parts and it was a little hard for me to stay focused on it.

Overall, it's still a book I would recommend because the suspense was well done. I was intrigued for the most part and I'm excited to see what else Ms. Jewel will deliver for this genre.

Wow! 72 Hours had me on the edge of my couch. Seriously, I couldn't read fast enough to find out what is going to happen to Noah and Lara. This book is reminded me of the Hunger Games, but with a Saw twist. A total mind-f*** read.

Lara and Noah use to date, but after a misunderstanding, these once in love couple are now not speaking. And it is the perfect plan for the mystery "killer" to put his sick and twisted game together. What I love about this read, is getting the POV of both Lara and Noah, and also a glimpse of the sick mind of the "killer."

This mystery "killer" has planned a long time to play a game of cat and mouse with Lara and Noah. As you read, you're not quite sure why he chose these two, but his plan all along is to break them down and have them turn on each other as he hunts them. But Lara and Noah aren't quitters. They may have their issues, but these two fight. And they fight hard.

72 Hours is a read that will make you feel all the pain and scariness that the two characters go through to the very end. But don't worry, there is a HEA--it's just a puzzle on how they will get there.

72 Hours by Bella Jewel

Three days in which to find a way out of their predicament or die horribly – that is what ex-lovers Noah and Lara are faced with when they are captured by a psychopathic murderer. They must deal with their past relational issues as well as manage to survive in an enclosed Florida forest. There is pain, hunger, and the need to find a way to thwart their abductor if they are to survive.

This book was told in first person and predominately from Lara’s viewpoint. There were scattered thoughts of the villain and once or twice Noah’s point of view was shared. Both Noah and Lara were strong characters that did not give up. I enjoyed this action-packed story and found it entertaining but would have liked to have had more backstory about the villain and perhaps more about Lara and Noah, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3 Stars

DNF @ 33%

When I first read the blurb to 72 HOURS, I was excited for what twisted sort of suspenseful story it could be. And while I'm still very curious how the book ended, I couldn't make it past 33%. One of my main issues lay with the female main character. There's a way to write a character who doubts herself and lacks self-esteem without making her grating and repetitive. There were moments the true her shone through only to disappear behind the 'too much telling' problem. And what any romance rests upon, most especially romantic suspense, is the connection between the hero and the heroine, and I couldn't get a grasp on them. In flashbacks, he came across super creepy and, to be honest, like a douche, while in the present he seemed caring and more real. I couldn't see the marriage between both sides of him, and instead it came across as very inauthentic (the past him, anyways). Because of my issues with her, I was leaning on the male character to be everything I needed in order to like her and them together, but with his character being so un-cemented, it just became the downfall. Lastly, with any bad guy, there needs to remain a certain amount of mystery and air to what their motives are and who they might be, but I felt it did a disservice to the story to have his POV as part of the early parts of the book. (and possibly throughout, but I cannot tell you that since I didn't finish).

I can see where Jewel wanted this story to go and how she hoped to execute it, but it did not work out for me as it was written. I found myself getting turned off by the writing and the characters too much to continue on, which is really unfortunate because the blurb truly excited me with its possibilities. If you're a fan of Jewel, I think you'll have no problem enjoying this story, and even if you've never read her before, such as myself, I think you should at least give the sample a shot and see if it'd be your kind of story. Just because I didn't like it doesn't mean you won't.

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
Oh my what did I just read. I need a second to let my heart fall back into place. I will be honest here and say I say this was a Bella Jewel book and was all over it before I read the blurb. That’s right I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I don’t do scary books but this was great. The suspense and thrill of trying to figure out what was going to happen next was amazing. I was on the edge of my seat, heart in my throat, flipping pages like a mad woman.
What do you do when you wake up and find yourself in a game you never asked to be in and fighting for your life? That is exactly were Lara and Noah found themselves. Lara and Noah use to be a couple a while back an now Noah is back in town ready to talk to Lara about what went wrong with the relationship an Lara is not having any part of it when they get taken by a psychopath and made to play a game where they are fighting to stay alive. Not only are they trying to stay one step ahead of the psychopath but they are trying to get along and do it together. This is not what the game master had planned.
This was a great read I was never sure what was around the next corner. I was always trying to figure out how they were going to get out of their current predicament. What these two endured and attempted to overcome was outstanding. Lara was trying to overcome second guessing herself trying to find the old Lara and Noah was struggling with being mad at Lara and trying to protect her all at the same time. Both were trying to outwit, out play and out last the one trying to choreograph the game. A true game of survival that only one side would win only question is who?
I am looking forward to more books like this from Bella. Way to keep me turning the pages.

The suspense in this book just about killed me. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, how it could be resolved, who was the bad guy - I couldn't guess any of it! This was super suspenseful and even had a little steam and romance. I enjoyed this one!

I've read quite a few Bella's MC books and liked them a lot, so when I saw she rote a romantic suspense, I knew I wanted to read it too.

72 hours is a story of Lara and Noah, two ex-lovers who are kidnapped by a psychopath and forced to play his game. A game he's been preparing for an entire decade.
The kidnapper leaves them in a forest and gives them 72 hours to prepare themselves before he comes to hunt them.
To have a chance at survival they need to work together. It's not easy, but that's their only chance.

I liked the characters in this book. Especially Noah. If it wasn't for him, I think Lara would've end up dead. He was the one to give her strength to fight for her life. He protected her and did not allow her to give up. Thanks to him Lara was finally able to find that strength and confidence she lost when her grandmother died.
But was that enough?
Were they strong, smart and lucky enough to survive hell? Well.. You'll have to read this book to find out. I can tell you that it was a page turner for me. It was a bit predictable at times, I admit, but I still enjoyed reading it.
I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Przeczytałam już ładnych kilka książek Belli Jewel, wszystkie o tematyce MC. Nie ukrywam, że lubię jej styl pisania, dlatego gdy usłyszałam, że napisała książkę w innym gatunku, po prostu wiedziałam, że muszę zobaczyć jak jej to wyszło.

"72 godziny" to historia Lary i Noah, ex pary porwanej przez psychopatę i zmuszonej do zagrania w zaprojektowaną przez niego okrutną grę.
Zabójca zostawia ich w specjalnie przystosowanym lesie i daje im 72 godziny na przygotowanie się do gry. Po upływie tego czasu rozpocznie swoje polowanie.
By mieć jakąkolwiek szansę na przetrwanie tego koszmaru, Lara i Noah muszą wreszcie porozmawiać o tym co między nimi zaszło i zacząć działać wspólnie by przechytrzyć czyhającego na nich mordercę. Nie będzie to dla nich proste, ale to ich jedyna szansa.

Dla mnie najfajniejszą postacią tej książki był Noah. Gdyby nie on, Lara raczej nie przetrwałaby tej próby. To on dawał jej siłę do walki o życie, chronił ją gdy tylko mógł i nie pozwalał się poddać. Super facet ;) Dzięki niemu Lara stopniowo zaczęła odzyskiwać siłę i pewność siebie, którą odebrała jej tragiczna śmierć babci.

Jednak czy to wystarczyło by przetrwać koszmar jaki zgotował im ich oprawca? No cóż.. Nie odpowiem Wam na to pytanie. Aby się przekonać będziecie musieli sięgnąć po tę książkę.
Mi czytało się ją bardzo szybko i dobrze. Mimo, że momentami była przewidywalna.
Mogę ją śmiało polecić.

3.5 Against All Odds Stars.
An intriguing read with action packed moments, moments of desperation. Of hope and of not giving up however much you want to. This is as spoiler free as I can make it.
A chain of events leads to our main characters Lara and Noah fighting for they lives. At times nail biting for the reader but at times equally frustrating. Noah’s emotions for one were all over the place. Yes I know they’ve been kidnapped and have 72 Hours before they have to fight for their lives. But I felt that is only possible emotion is anger. Rarely is it touched upon that he is scared, desperate or any other emotion that there is.
For me it was a quick and intense read. We switch between the past and the present of the couple of when they were together. It took me some time to figure it out but it was in italics. We also have the psycho’s POV which sometimes ripped me out of the story as well.
Planned well with how the beginning, the middle and the end were setup. It gives a depth to the background of the characters. What especially left me content that the aftermath was included and how they deal with it all. Admittedly I thought at that one scene there wouldn’t be a HEA. Rest assured there is.
There is a great character development and Lara stops being a whiny mare. They went from being at one another’s necks to working together to figuring out their problems. Although with the life and death situation going on they still have time for a shag? Alright then. I guess it was kind and considerate of the killer to give them some time together. Got to say I could have lived without the sex. Yep shocker I said that.
Ms. Jewel has ventured into romantic suspense and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised although it wasn’t rainbow and cupcakes. Although I’ve given it 3.5 Stars there were some things that bothered me.
Evil Knievel put a lot of effort and most likely money to put his plan in motion. Where did he get the money? Why didn’t anybody notice? Suddenly other bodies were missing as well. Where did that come from all of a sudden?
For some reason I understood that Lara grew up with her Nanna as in they lived together. I felt that it was implied and then suddenly at the end parents turn up? Yeah that threw me for a loop.
It took them a while to catch how he was following them I mean isn’t that the first thing you think about? The second thing I didn’t thing I didn’t think about so well done for slipping that little tid bit in there.
Unfortunately the language was at all for me I can’t really describe why. Oh wait there was one thing where she wrote super-strong and that kind of made me think of a sorority girl or a cheerleader. Sorry if I’m stereotyping here.
I can see what the book appeals to a lot of readers and I can also see why a lot of readers didn’t like the book.
My verdict is that it is a book to be read as the story is unique and it’s something different. Maybe you’ll like it maybe you won’t but at least you’ve tried.
Although this author is a hit and miss for me this time it worked. I am looking forward to reading The Watcher.

Must say not my favorite read by Bella it was missing something. Lara & Noah had broken up a couple of months previously and now she sees him everywhere and she just wants him to leave her alone. He has hurt her enough but all Noah wants is for her to listen to so that he can explain. It looks like he is going to get his chance to explain and hopefully get Lara to forgive him before they both die.
A real sick man has taken them both hostage and he has given them 72 hours to come up with a plan before he starts hunting them. He is banking on Lara falling apart and Noah losing his patience with her so he can have some more fun with them.
Can they get through this together or will they really lose each other forever? A great thriller but just too predictable.

Suspenseful story. This couple is going through a rough time but nothing compares to being kidnap and hunted. They will need to solve their differences to work together against a common enemy. At the end what would be stronger, fear or love? Maybe both. One thing is for sure in this story, these are strong characters who learn and teach to never underestimate and never let your guard down.

I grabbed 72 hours because the premise sounded like a short story my students read at the beginning of their freshman year called "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. Its about a big game hunter who falls of a ship and swims to a near by island. The island is inhabited by a former hunter who wants to hunt the man. My students love the story because its so bizarre and crazy.

There is also an episode of Criminal Minds where these two hillbilly's capture people and then let them run around the wilderness is Idaho (maybe? I could be wrong about the locale) and hunt them down. Creepy.

And, let me not forget to point out the most obvious parallel, The Hunger Games. Whenever my students read The Most Dangerous Game they first say "Hey, this guy ripped this off of The Hunger Games!" until I point out it was written in the 20's. Then they are kind of pissed at Suzanne Collins. But, the stories have a lot in common: fighting for survival, someone who finds joy in watching others fight to the death, etc.

So, I was intrigued by the premise of 72 hours right away. And, Bella Jewel is a new to me author, and I am all about finding more of those! Here is a peek into my thoughts as I read:

Oh gosh....what happened to her Nanna is sad and I could totally see how that would have affected her.
Noah is kind of a dick. Lara is kind of an wimp though. I get that she changed after what happened, but I think because how she was 'before Nanna' is only referenced or seen in small flashbacks, its hard to really understand it
Who is Marc and why was Noah so pissed?
Who the eff is this psycho? Is is related to Nanna? Why Noah and Lara? They broke up 3 months ago...
Ugh....the 'miscommunication' trope....I hate that.
Diabolical.... seriously.
Ok, this really appeals to the true crime addict in me!
So, my struggles with the book center mostly around Lara. First, the miscommunication trope is so annoying to me because its very immature. Continuing that theme, Lara was really immature. If I were Noah, there were a few times I would have slapped some sense into her, for real.

But, the beautiful thing about this story is the 'after'. Like I mentioned above, this has a real 'true crime' feel to it. Certainly, this is something that could have happened and the events are terrifying and believable and so is the was Lara and Noah respond. The PTSD, the media, etc is all very well written and powerful. Jewel managed to really capture the anguish and emotional destruction a victim feels. This part of the book was impactful! Its not often in modern, contemporary romance I see examples of such deep and meaningful themes like those present in the end of 72 hours. Its more than love conquers all or other shallow, typically romance themes. Its about real pain in life and about the effects trauma and pain have on the human psyche. The idea that painful events can change who we are at our very core is difficult to really imagine if you have never experienced it. Jewel does a great job giving us that visual, even though it made Lara a difficult character to like for awhile!

If you like heart pounding drama, bossy alpha males, truly psychotic antagonists, and real emotions, 72 hours is a great read. You will be pulled in almost from the start. Even as I sit here writing my review, I know this won't be a story I forget anytime soon.
Link live on 4/3/17
(Preview Link): https://thebookdisciple.com/?p=6940&preview=1&_ppp=7ac1d6755d

Non-stop thrill ride! Two people are pawns in a sick game of hide and seek. This guy planned his strategy years before then put his players in the game. Lara and Noah dated for years when something happened to split them up. He's back to explain when their torture begins. The idea is similar to the movie Surviving the Game but with a unique twist. So methodical, scary, creepy and brilliant. An excellent start to a new series. I received my copy through Netgalley and voluntarily wrote this review.

I am so so torn between a 3 and a 4 for this.

Loved the whole concept of the story. It was original and I really wanted to read it.

And I did enjoy it. However, I have had a slight issue with this author before in that she can come up with great stories, I am not denying that, and overall I enjoy her books, but it seems like the bare bones, the foundations to hold up the story are sometimes forgotten about. And it felt like the case here.

We start with the prologue, which is after they have been captured and running for their lives, and then go back in time a bit to before it all happens. Yet, when we get to the point, later in the book, that the prologue should fit into, it just .....doesn't.

And the heroine, she is a hard to like character, maybe as we never got to experience her really as she was, other than being told she used to be x,y,z. Just as she was now, full of self hatred and bitterness.

The hero, given how the story starts, you think you will not like him, thinking what we think he has done. But in the end, he is the saving grace of the book. I adored him, he was so determined that they were going to survive.

The villain....well....yes, the book was creepy and had my heart pounding at times, yet I think possibly, NOT having the villains POV might have actually helped. He was supposed to have planned this for YEARS! Picked the perfect couple etc, yet within hours they are not acting how he expects and he at times came across a bit petulant and stroppy and not all that clever. Which actually took something away from the book.

So, think I will sit firmly at 3.5 stars, and I would probably read it again for the hero.

It was enjoyable, and tense, and sad and all the things you expect. It just seemed to miss that something that can be so hard to define. I mean I knew, given the title it was not going to be a long book, time frame wise, but it felt rushed, character development felt rushed and it lacked depth.

** ARC given by Netgalley and Publisher and Author for a honest review**

OMG I absolutely loved this book.. I have read almost everything Bella Jewel has written and I have yet to find something I didn't just love. This one I wasn't quite sure on when I first read the blurb but I was like oh its Bella Jewel.. it has to be good.. WRONG.. IT was phenomenal...

72 hrs is a fast paced on the edge of your seats suspenseful thrill ride... I just loved Lara and Noah.. The cat and mouse game this evil man was playing with these two scorned lovers... I mean he just knew these two wouldn't be able to work together.. I mean why would they.. the past these two shared.. it wasn't pretty.. but what happens when the two scorned lovers put it all behind them to actually try and work together to make it out on the other side... ALIVE..? I could not put this book down.. I devoured it in one sitting.. Excellent Job!!
Gail with Night and Day Book Blog

The premise of this one was different! The 'hunt' was unique compared to many other suspense book son the market. While I enjoyed the twists on something new, the characters fell a little flat and I really didn't care if they survived or not.

Overall, a good quick suspense story with a dash of second-chance-romance. I'll be looking for more Bella Jewel books in the future.

Be ready to stay up all night reading this book. This is exciting, pulse-pounding, and all those other words one sees when looking at the blurb for a book. This book has angst, chills, creepiness, love, bravery, and people acting in real ways.

One thing I liked is that the damsel in distress didn't always get rescued by the hero; in fact, she did her share of rescuing him. They both relied on each other, and his made the book even better.

6 stars out of 5. Read it!

It took less than 72 minutes for me to be hooked...

To be honest, I jumped on this book because of the author. I didn't even know what it was about. What a shock to discover what I had gotten myself into. I was tempted to read with my hand over my face, peeping between my fingers, with one eye closed, holding my breath. If it was a movie I'd be huddled under a blanket fort.

Now reading the synopsis, after the fact, I realize there's not much more I can tell you. You need to experience it for yourself. As the story plays out the details will have your eyes bugging and your jaw dropping. You'll get to the know the characters better as they share their memories, replaying the events that brought them to their current circumstances. You'll experience their pain and their fear as they are forced to focus on what's important to stay alive. If you have any nails at the beginning, you won't by the end. And if you're like me, you'll be ready for more as soon as you turn the last page. The line forms here...

Superb writing I couldn't put the book down or turn the pages fast enough. This is a romance/psychological thriller. There were lots of twists and turns and holding my breath as I turned the pages. Noah and Lara are such a great couple that I found myself routing for them through the whole book. I just loved this book and look forward to reading more from Bella Jewel.
****I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book****