Whoa.
This was definitely one of the most dark and disturbing books I've read in some time. It was good and very well written but I would definitely make sure you're in the mood for a heavy read and of course, you must enjoy darker books. There are many plot lines that are uncomfortable to read but the writing keeps you enthralled in the story and wanting to know what happens. This is one of those books that has a lot of "extra" stuff in it that isn't necessarily related to the plot. This typically tends to annoy me but in this book I feel it totally added to the character development and the train wreck that you want to turn away from but much keep watching (reading). I think Hillier slowly unfolds the ending to you so that you figure things out piece by piece. Some of my friends I would highly recommend this to while others I would say don't touch it. You'll know who you are based on if you like this genre or not ;)

When sixteen year old best friends Angela and Geo met twenty-one year old Calvin, they were entranced by his good looks and the fact that he was an older man. Angela was usually more popular with the opposite sex, but Calvin was drawn only to Geo. None of them had any idea how much their lives would be changed in just a short time.Geo falls hard for Calvin, even though there are aspects of their relationship that concern her. Angela and Geo , who used to be inseperable, find their friendship threatened because of the time that Geo spends with Calvin. After a late night party, Angela disappears without a trace and remains missing for over a decade. Geo soon parts ways with Calvin but is forced to keep a terrifying secret for many years.

Fast forward fourteen years. Geo is a successful businesswoman soon to be married to a rich executive, enjoying life to the fullest. When Angela's remains are discovered in the woods close to Geo's home, Geo's life begins to spiral out of control. The murder investigation leads directly to Calvin and subsequent evidence identifies him as the serial killer known as the Sweetbay Strangler. Geo is also implicated in Angela's murder and she takes a plea deal that will sentence her to only five years in a correctional facility. Calvin is sent to prison for life, but soon escapes. When Geo is released from prison five years later, more grisly murders are committed, and they all seem to connect to Geo.What consequences led Geo to that night that ended in her best friend's death? Does she still have feelings for Calvin after all of these years? What is Geo's connection to the recent murders? Is her life in danger?

This is an edgy, nail-biting psychological thriller that you won't want to put down. You will be drawn into Geo's world and will be shocked more than once as her teenage decisions continue to impact her adult life.

This is a fast paced thriller and even though I started to figure things out before the end it didn’t distract me. The author did a great job in her characterization of the main character (Geo) and I enjoyed the scenes where they jumped back and forth to high school (probably because I’m the same age as the Geo and it brought back memories) and the tension between her and her old friend from high school, Kai. I couldn’t put this one down!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received a free advance ebook copy from Netgalley.

Other reviewers have posted fairly detailed synopses, and I won't repeat their efforts here.

The book is well-written and well-paced. Unfortunately, for me, those are the only good things about it. (Others' mileage may vary.) It was too gritty for my personal taste, and I really did not need to know all those details about life in prison. And I really didn't much like any of the characters. I prefer stories with characters that I can root for.

If you like gritty stories with gory details, go for it. If you prefer stories in which the gory details happen offstage, this book is not for you.

Jar Of Hearts – Jennifer Hillier

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

This is one of those books that you just cannot stop reading because you HAVE to get to the end – yet you don’t want it to ever end – it’s THAT good!!

Georgina Shaw, Angela Wong & Kaiser Brody were best friends in high school. Angela was the beautiful one, the ‘queen’ of the high school, popular, and a star cheerleader. Georgina, ‘Geo’ to her friends, beautiful in her own right, but often hidden behind Angela’s glamour, was always at her side, and Kaiser, young, struggling with his own adolescence, was an unlikely, but well-loved addition to the trio.

One fateful day, after a daily excursion to the local convenience store for a beverage purchase, the trio meets Calvin James – an older guy, 21 to their 16, and he seemingly only has eyes for Geo, much to Angela’s chagrin. Despite her misgivings, Geo & Calvin become a couple…

This novel opens with Georgina ‘Geo’ Shaw testifying in a trial about her complicity in the death of her friend Angela Wong, who died at the hands of Geo’s then boyfriend, Calvin James, 14 years ago. Calvin has been identified as the Sweetbay Strangler, charged, and now sentenced to 4 consecutive life sentences for the murders. Georgina is sentenced to five years in nearby Hazelwood Correctional Institute – all after Angela’s body was recently unearthed in nearby woods. Shortly thereafter, Calvin escapes from prison, and the murders begin again – but THIS time they’re a little different…

As Geo settles into prison life, her present situation, along with the past stories of Angela, Kaiser & Calvin are told in snippets as Georgina drifts between her past and how she came to be here in the present in this situation. There are multiple complex layers to each individual, and those layers are slowly unwrapped, chapter by chapter, as the story continues. You’ll think you know what’s coming, but you don’t…not until it does…

A brilliant MUST read! But be sure you have plenty of time ahead of you because you will not want to put this book down!! It I could give it 6 stars, I would!! Fabulous!!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book!! Characters were well written and the plot was exciting. This is a definite must read book.

I loved Jar Of Hearts. It is a novel told in different parts; each enjoyable in its own way; a fast paced psychological suspense novel which goes back and forth between the past and the present. I loved this novel.

An excellent & thrilling read! The surprises keep coming right until the end. I loved the alternating POV from the characters. Another cleverly written book by Jennifer Hillier.

This title entices the reader to keep going until the end! A story filled with friendship, relationships, secrets, love and murder! Filled with surprises on each page the guessing does not stop until the last word is read. Engrossing and nail biting for sure---a definite winner! Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this title prior to publication!

I like a good mystery. I also like a good suspense. I have found it hard to find a book that can keep the suspense up while unraveling a mystery. So, I have become very picky about what I read. When the publisher approached me to review Jar of Hearts, the blurb caught my attention. I was very interested in a mystery about what happened after the murder and trial. I thought that it made for an interesting storyline. So I accepted. I am glad I did. Not only did this book keep the suspense high but the mystery was fantastic.

When I started reading Jar of Hearts, I had no pity for Geo. She showed little to no remorse for her part in Angela’s death. She was more worried about what was going to happen to her in prison and that made me not like her. But, as the book went on, her remorse and sadness started to show. I started to pity her when it was revealed what happened that night. The trauma she endured that night shaped her into the woman that she was 14 years later.

I liked how the author kept what happened the night Angela died under wraps until almost the end of the book. I wasn’t surprised at what happened. I was surprised at Geo’s role in it when it was revealed. What happened afterward took me by surprise also.

Geo’s relationship with Calvin was complicated. He was her first love but she also hated and feared him. He wanted to own Geo completely and wasn’t afraid to use physical violence or mind games to get her to stay with him. I had no issue seeing him turning into a serial killer. His transformation started the night that Angela was killed.

I thought that second storyline of the other serial killer was pretty good. I thought I had it figured out until Geo last flashback. Looking back, there were hints but I didn’t see them. I was surprised at who it was and who that person was to Geo. I was also surprised at who came to Geo’s rescue.

The storyline with Kaiser didn’t make sense to me at first. I didn’t need to know that he was sleeping with his partner. That was unneeded information. But his relationship with Geo and Angela was. I do think that his relationship with Geo after jail was complicated. I was not expecting what happened to them to happen. Now that came out of left field.

I know that the book stressed that Geo and Angela were besties and had been besties for years. But I didn’t see that. I saw a spoiled girl used to getting her own way ruling her friends. The whole cheerleader practice fiasco was what made me feel that.

The end of Jar of Hearts was one shock after another. All I can say about it is “Wow“. The epilogue got me too. I guess some people deserve their happily ever after. I wasn’t expecting who Geo was experiencing hers with.

What I liked about Jar of Hearts:

A) The suspense was kept high throughout the book

B) Everything was kept under wraps until the end of the book.

C) Interesting storyline

What I didn’t like about Jar of Hearts:

A) Geo showing little to no remorse in the first half of the book

B) Kaiser’s storyline. Didn’t need the sexcapades with his partner. Him doing the police work was fine.

C) Geo and Angela’s friendship. Screamed friendemies to me. Also Geo and Calvin’s relationship. Super creepy

I would give Jar of Hearts an Adult rating. I would suggest that no one under the age of 21 read this book. There is explicit violence. There is language. There is sex with a few rape scenes thrown in (F/F, M/F). There is also a brutal scene of a body being dismembered.

There are trigger warnings with Jar of Hearts. They would be: rape, attempted rape, domestic violence, and assault.

I would recommend Jar of Hearts to family and friends. I would give a heads up about the triggers. This is a book that I can see myself rereading.

I would like to thank Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Jar of Hearts.

All opinions stated in this review of Jar of Hearts are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

I honestly did not think I would like this book at first. It starts kinda slow, but once it picks up: get ready to be hooked! I loved the alternating povs. I especially enjoyed Kai and Geo’s chapters. I liked that the author showed us the present and the past- this was a smooth transition- I was never confused. I enjoyed that there was retribution for things that were done and that most ends were tied up by the end. As a high school teacher, the girl drama and high school setting is one which I am all too familiar and I thought this was realistic and well done. I enjoyed this book and will absolutely recommend it to others. Thanks for letting me read it!

Wow wow Wow! If i could give this book 10 Stars I would. It is the best book I've read for a long time. There were so many twists and turns I wanted to finish it but I didn't want it to end. I have serious book hangover now. Highly highly recommend this book.

Angela Wong’s remains are discovered after fourteen years. For fourteen years, Geo has buried the secret. For fourteen years, she has been waiting for the truth of what happened to her best friend to come out. When it did, the only surprise was the arresting officer—Detective Kaiser Brody. Geo, Kaiser, and Angela were the best of friends, until the events of that night forever changed the future.

Geo leads us on a fourteen-year ride, resulting in the knowledge that there are things worse than death.

This story starts out in the murder trial of serial killer Calvin James. From there it takes to on many twists and turns from that fateful night fourteen years ago through years following the trial, when Geo is finally released from prison.

The detailed glimpses inside prison walls and inside Geo’s soul are riveting. Is a person simply bad or good? Or is there a little good in the worst of us—a bit of evil in the best? Do we just see what we want to see?

Jar of Hearts is a fast-paced thriller filled with surprises. It’s also filled with a lot of foul language, some sex scenes, and graphic violence. Even though I prefer not to read those things, I was reeled in by the synopsis of this story. It held me captive to the very end. If you are sensitive to these details, do not read this book. Otherwise, grab it! If you’re looking for an intense thriller with strong characters, a terrific plot, and action from start to finish, don’t pass up Jar of Hearts.

I give this book five stars with an asterisk for language and content. If Hillier published a “cleaner” version, I would give it seven stars! It’s that good.

Available for pre-buy now, Jar of Hearts releases on June 12, 2018.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and contains my own thoughts and opinions.

Thank you netgalley, the author, & publisher for the advance copy of this book. It is hard to figure out where to begin, as this book is polarizing. I found myself stopping to read at different points throughout the day., wanting to know what happened & why. No doubt this book is intriguing. It delves into the teenage girl best friend dynamic wonderfully. It makes you remember how you were closer to your friends at that age than you will ever be as an adult. Yet, it also explains how all it takes is one boy to wreck all that best friends build. There are many twists & turns in this book. It is hard to put down & you will rush to the end!

Great book. This is my first from this author. I received an advance copy from Netgalley and I'm so happy I did! I started reading it yesterday morning in the waiting room at the doctor's office and finished last night in bed. It's hard to put down.
There are some graphic parts, and I'm not even referring to the murders. So be aware: there are multiple rape scenes.
I think the only thing holding me back from giving this 5 stars is that I couldn't relate to the main character. I didn't dislike her, but she did have a part in this horrible event and kept it a secret for many years. She is now remorseful and the book takes you through her 5 year sentence in prison where she serves her time. So she isn't a horrible character, but again, I couldn't really connect to her. Sometimes in the present tense, she still had the voice of her 16 year old self, so it was hard to grasp her as being this high level executive in big Pharma.
But those are nitpicky things. I really, really enjoyed the book. There are some great characters. Kaiser and Georgina's father are my favorites.

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for a review. Wow, I really enjoyed this book a lot! It kept my attention from the first page and I was able to read it within a day. I enjoyed that it was from a few different character's viewpoints during the book to get a different side of the story. There were a few elements of the story that surprised me, though I did have the main plot twist figured out I still enjoyed reading it and liked how it was all revealed in the end. The main female character is initially unlikable due to her past actions but I ended up caring what happened to her by the end and wanting it to end in a certain way. I have read another book, The Butcher, by this author which I also really enjoyed and I defiantly plan on reading her others soon

Wow. I did not want to put this book down. It grabbed ahold and didn't let go until the last page.

When Geo's best friend Angela disappeared one night during their junior year of high school, everything changed, but eventually Geo moved on and built a new life. But secrets don't always stay buried, and 14 years later the world finds out that Angela is dead, has been since that night she disappeared, and Geo had something to do with it.

And that's just the beginning. There were surprises in every chapter. The book moves seamlessly between the present and the past and slips effortlessly between current happenings and memory until we finally find out the whole truth.

The book is scheduled for publication in June, and I'd definitely recommend it. I received an Advance Copy which still needed a lot of editing, and picky as I am, I loved it anyway. It will be even better once those errors are fixed. (they didn't affect the story)

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier was EXCELLENT! 4.5 gripping, terrifying, titillating stars! I definitely see this being the book of the summer! I started this boarding a flight and read the first 40% while in the air. I didn’t even notice we were descending- fastest 3 hours of my life!

Georgina Shaw is the youngest VP at Shipp Pharmaceuticals; she is bright and beautiful and engaged to a very rich man- she has it all! But it is all about to fall out from under her when a very dark and buried secret is exposed. Geo is arrested in the conference room of her company and is hauled in for questioning. Everyone is shocked, except for Geo; she has been waiting for this day to come for the last 14 years, since the night her very best friend went missing, gone without a trace. “Because buried things can, and do, come back.”

“The past is always with you, whether you choose to think about it or not, whether you take responsibility for it or not. You carry the past with you because it transforms you. You can try to bury it and pretend it never happened, but that doesn’t work.”

“You see what you want to see, not what’s there.”

I really enjoyed this compelling and shocking thriller and cannot wait to see what other adventures Jennifer Hillier will take me on- I am so glad I have some catching up to do!

***Warning for some it’s a little detailed in sex scenes but maybe I am just a wimp.

*** Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books an imprint of St. Martin’s Press for letting me devour, Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier for my honest review.

Review will be posted to Goodreads on 5/12/2018 in preparation for release date of 6/12/2018 and will submit review to Amazon and Barnes and Noble on release date.

Short Take: Way more than I bargained for. In a good way.


*Note: I received a free advance copy of this book for review.*


When is a punishment enough? Like, say you steal a bag of Doritos from the local convenience store, because you’ve had a few adult beverages and you forgot your wallet when you walked over and you had REALLY bad munchies and it was snowing so you didn’t want to walk back home and get your wallet, so you managed to smuggle them out under your coat without being caught.

But then when you get home and start to chow down on some delicious, illicit, chemical dusted fried corn product, you find that you just can’t do it. Oh you still have the munchies, all right, but you feel bad for having taken them, and you just don’t want them the way you thought you would.

Is that punishment enough? Or should there be fines, jail, public humiliation?

It’s an interesting question on a much larger scale in Jar of Hearts, which opens with Georgina Shaw (Geo to her friends), age 30, testifying in court about the role she played in the murder of her best friend Angela when the girls were 16. You see, Geo’s first love was none other than Calvin James, a serial killer who began his career with Angela, and then skipped town and went on to murder three other women, while Geo helped to hide the body and lied to protect them both.

Angela’s remains stay buried, and Geo goes on with her life as best she can, until 14 years later, when both Angela’s bones and the truth about that night come to light. Geo admits to her role in the crime, and is sentenced to five years in prison. Calvin is sentenced to prison for life, but escapes almost immediately.

And shortly before Geo’s release, new victims start turning up, practically in her backyard. It looks like Calvin never forgot his first love either, and is coming back for her.

So…. punishment. Although Geo doesn’t go to prison for well over a decade after Angela’s murder, her life in that time isn’t exactly unicorns and rainbows. Her time in prison is about as bad as you’d imagine. (Worse, if your imagination isn’t as messed up as mine). And when she gets out, well, some pretty awful things continue to happen. Her father’s home is vandalized repeatedly, and mistakes from her past continue to rise up and torment her, plus there’s that whole “being stalked by a serial killer” thing, which doesn’t sound like much fun at all.

I wanted to feel sympathetic towards Geo. Surely, I imagine, this poor girl has suffered for like 20 years for something she did when she was 16. I was an IDIOT at 16, and every day, I’m grateful that there was no internet back then or digital cameras or anything else that would serve as a record of my idiocy. Hell, EVERYONE is an idiot at 16. How long should she be punished for what she did (and just as importantly didn’t) do? The court decided that 5 years in prison was punishment enough. The residents of her small town decided that heaping scorn on her after that was necessary.

And there’s a terrifying man who wants to punish her more than anyone for [spoiler].

Is it enough? Does Geo deserve to have a life with love and happiness and whatever else comes to people who weren’t involved in murder?

The truth is, I don’t know. Jar of Hearts surprised me with how thought-provoking a sexy, twisty, violent little thriller could be. My feelings for Geo whiplashed between pity and disgust, between admiration and contempt.

There’s obviously more to any book than the main character, of course, and although the other characters weren’t fleshed out to nearly the same degree, the pacing was exceptional, and the writing itself was smart and engaging. It says something that although I was able to figure out what was happening about two thirds of the way through, I still couldn’t put it down, and I’m so glad I kept going - the ending is seriously WHOA.

Jar of Hearts is my first book by Jennifer Hillier, but I can safely say that it won’t be my last.

The Nerd’s Rating: FIVE HAPPY NEURONS (and some cinnamon candy. Bring the heat!)