The description of Jennifer Hillier’s “Jar of Hearts” intrigued me, and I believed I was in for a treat. Reading the novel, however, soon blunted this feeling.

There are pages and pages of the author telling us how the characters feel, but little of the emotions show in the action, making it difficult to embrace the people we’re supposed to care about. It’s not that the author didn’t offer the information. It’s there, but the presentation is what transform the potential of an exciting scene into a vanilla blandness. On occasion, this bled into the dialogue, leaving the characters with unrealistic conversations.

Many instances contradict with my personal knowledge of how prisons are run. Inmates (especially in multiples) living in Maximum Security would find it almost miraculous to escape, Maximum Security is not “gen pop,” and Max inmates do not live in dormitory-style settings (perhaps there have been instances of maximum security inmates living this way, but it is hard to imagine it being allowed to happen). Questioning suspects by officers not allowed to offer Miranda rights wouldn’t occur (at least, not in the random manner described) and daily listening to lawyer-inmate phone conversations would constitute violations of lawyer-client privilege. The idea of paying a prison officer $100 a month for information that could be obtained at no cost – especially to a police officer working an active case – doesn’t make sense, though it is more believable than a Maximum Security inmate being given sharp objects and allowed to work in the prison barber shop or kitchen. I could go on, but you get the idea. A few hours of deeper research could have legitimized much of the background the author presented. The creation of a fictional prison didn’t bother me in the least. Twisting and bending normal prison procedures did.

Authors at times strive for whatever will inject a high level of surprising events, the “twist” that at times provides high satisfaction to readers. Sometimes, the best plots are those that contain the most simplistic elements. I felt enough suspense that the simplistic plotline would have succeeded. Ms. Hillier performed well in this area, the flip-flop of past and current events neatly dovetailing as she worked toward the climax. The multiple twists inserted at the end didn’t work for me, and the explanation to justify a major change in direction seemed rushed. Additionally, the abrupt change-in-direction of the major characters did not ring true, especially with those who I would label as psychopaths.

I completed the book because I was caught up in the suspense aspect I previously mentioned. I truly expected “Jar of Hearts” would finish with more power and believability than it did. Coupled with the elements listed above, this is an offering that will appeal to some readers as well as Ms. Hillier’s most devoted fans. Two-and-a-half (rounded to three) stars.

Really riveting book. One of those books you don’t want to put down and don’t want to do anything else until you’ve finished it. Really liked this one. Haven’t read a book that grabbed me and held my interest in a really long time.

When Geo was 16, her best friend was murdered by Geo's boyfriend. Geo unwillingly played a role in the crime and as a woman in her early 30s, spends time in prison. While she is in prison, her ex-boyfriend escapes. Murders begin and they are eerilly similar to the murder of Geo's friend. Geo is set to be released and she believes these murders to be a warning to her.

The book flashes back to the past, where we see the relationship unfold and understand more about the original crime. It also focuses in the present time, where detectives are working to solve the current crimes.

The book is a dark, edgy ,shocking, deeply terrifying psychological thriller. It is very fast paced. I found it to be a unique book, very different from the usual thriller. I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to Macmillan/ Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier.

As Georgia, aka Geo, and her best friend, Angela, head to a high school party for fun and excitement, they don’t have any idea how exciting the evening will be. One of the girls will not make it home and the other girl lives with the secret of that night for years. Calvin, the handsome older boy, has won the heart of one of these girls, and will change her life forever. The reader is kept in suspense wondering what really happened that night, who will be missing next, and how will anyone survive this terror in a small town. This book is a real page turner, keeping you guessing right up to the end. What an exciting read!

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Let me start off by saying it was amazing. This is the first book i have read by jennifer hillier , amd definately will not be the last.

Kaiser ,Angela, and Geo , are the best of friends in high school. Everything is wonderful until Geo meets Calvin. At sixteen years old she falls head over heels with him. Hes older and mysterious, with a dark side that Geo sees but at sixteen she chooses to ignore . At that age we dont listen to anyone and this will change her life forever. When Angela disappears and is found murdered and dismembered no one suspects Geo or Calvin and she leaves Calvin and memories of that day far behind . A successful businesswoman she still has the fear that the police will show up and arrest her for helping Calvin cover up the murder of her friend, and finally they do.

Fourteen years later Geo and Calvin are convicted for Angela's murder. Geo serves five years and gets out expecting to move on and rebuild her life again. Unfortunately some secrets you just cant put behind you and forget about them because they come back to haunt you....
This book gave me chills at times at other times it made me sad. I love how the author lets us see the point of view from Geo at 16 and Geo after prison at 35 . We view life and love so differently as a teenager than we do once we are adults. This book is a must read i could not put it down until i knew what Geo has been hiding all these years. Anyone who loves a good thriller or mystery will love this book.

Reading this story was .....Wow, just amazing really.
I had some serious anxiety while reading this book. Those characters, the setting, the overall story was really just brilliant.
This was my first time reading a book by this author. I very much enjoyed this story and look forward to reading her other books.
I received an ARC e-copy through NetGalley.
#JarofHearts #NetGalley

I definitely wanted to finish this book sooner!! Sucks being busy a lot but wow! Jennifer Hillier did not disappoint. This was my first book of hers to read and I was highly impressed. Georgina Shaw, Geo, was once in love with Calvin James...the serial killer wanted for the murder of at least three different women. One of those being her best friend Angela Wong. 14 years later, Angela’s body is discovered and Geo was the only person who knew what happened. This book will grab ahold of you and keep you anxious to know just what will happen. You think you know it all and then Hillier hits you...

This is my first book by Jennifer Hillier and I went into it blind, but knowing anything about her writing style nor anything about this book.... I was pleasantly surprised! This book had a grip on me from the first chapter. I could not turn the pages fast enough to solve this mystery !

A dark thriller at its finest, Jar of Hearts is well written and well plotted. Juxtaposing the point of view of a convicted con and a police officer, this story keep me reading until the last gruesome page. Horrifically graphic at times, this gripping tale of friendship, love, and betrayal will not disappoint.

I loved this story. The protagonist, Georgina Shaw, Geo to friends, is as complex a character as you will ever meet. Early in the story she’s snatched from her successful, high profile job and packed off to prison for a series of poor choices she made as a teen. Bad boyfriend, a night of insanity, the murder of her best friend, and a collision of circumstances ruin her life, and those of many others. And poses the question: What happened to Angela Wong? And where is her body? As the narrative moves back and forth in time, her actions and motives are exposed as the plot twists and turns, ultimately leading to a shocking conclusion. Well written and paced, this is one you must read.

DP Lyle, award-winning author, lecturing, story consultant

Holy page turner! This book had me hooked from chapter one. The most popular girl in school goes missing and 14 years later her remains are found.....in her best friend’s yard. Who can you trust?? Very well written. Easy to want to know more about the characters. I would actually look forward to a follow up on this one. I would like to see the progression of their lives “after”.

Loved this book! Perfect suspense novel. It revolves around Georgina Shaw as a 16 year old and then again as an adult. Lots of secrets, twists, and suspense. I highly recommend it.

Geo is a successful executive working for a Pharmaceutical company and planning her wedding to its
CEO when she is arrested for her involvement in a 14-year-old crime. When she was 16 her best friend Angela disappeared and Geo withheld what she knew about her murder. Angela may have been the first victim of a serial killer called the "Sweetbay Strangler"--who just happens to be Geo's ex-boyfriend and first love Calvin James. Arresting Gia is the police detective on the Sweetbay Strangler investigation and he was once part of the trio of high school friends--Angela, Geo and Kai. Both Geo and Calvin are sent to prison--Geo serves her five years and Calvin is put away for for life. When Calvin escapes and new bodies turn up, it seems Geo may be in danger.

A dark and twisty thriller with a rapid-fire pace and interesting story and characters, there is a lot going on in this book--so many secrets, twists and turns. Geo is an interesting character--we're given more than enough reasons not to like her but it's hard not to feel sympathetic. Her time in prison and how it changes her and further hardens her is interesting--it gave me strong Orange is the New Black (series--I still need to read the book) vibes. I mentioned dark and twisty--the murders are graphic and hard to read about--especially the new murders which have an even more disturbing twist to them--so fair warning if you have issues with graphic violence and physical and sexual abuse. I do wish that I didn't see some of the big twists coming--I think some things were a bit obvious, causing me to yell at Kai for not catching on sooner. But there were still some surprises and I didn't want to put it down until the end. This is the first book of Hillier's I have read although I happened to have had both Creep and Freak loaded on my Kindle and her writing in this one made me immediately read both after I turned the last page of Jar of Hearts.

Note: I was given a copy of Jar of Hearts through NetGalley for the purpose of a fair review. I was not compensated in any way and my thoughts and views are my own.

Holy crap!!!! What a rush!!! This is the 3rd book of Jennifer Hillier's that I have read and I really enjoyed it just as much as Creep and Freak! The flashback scenes are well done so you are not confused in the timeline, The characters are real, and even though Geo is no angel I admire her determination to make it through her time in prison. It's creepy, and twisted, but it was written by Jennifer Hillier and that says it all!

Magnificent book. It was slow for the first 10 pages and then I could not put it down.
posted on amazon as barth gimbal

ROLLER COASTER RIDE of a HEART!! Not sure where to put the emphasis to entice picking up this author's amazing story. Hillier has achieved the talent to make emotions smoke out of each page. Geo Shaw has a life of privilege, heartache, challenges, regret and resolve. Secrets mount in the telling of the Jar of Hearts and is the warning to us all that keeping them is DEADLY!! Intense crime drama with fast moving plot, intense characters and surprising events. Have a chunk of time allotted to spend on this because you will not be able to easily put it down! "A copy of this book was provided by Minotaur Books via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." NO KIDDING EXCELLENT BOOK!

What happens when secrets you think you buried resurface?

Three best friends in high school, one disappeared, one who longed to know what happened, and the third who kept it a secret for 14 years. When bodies start appearing, Kaiser must determine who's killing women like his friend was killed all those years ago. Set in three different phases of life (high school, before prison and present day), we follow Geo and Kaiser stories as we learn the truth of what happened the night Angela Wong disappeared.

This book gripped me from the beginning, I read it in less than 2 days. The plot was interesting and there were several twists and turns that I was not expecting. The ending is SHOCKING! I enjoyed this book more than I anticipated that I would, as I usually can predict the ending of most novels. The plot summary doesn't do this book justice. This was the first novel I've read by Jennifer Hillier, and now I'm itching to read her previous novels.

I received an advanced copy of Jar of Hearts through NetGalley for my honest review. Thank you, Minotaur Books and Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity.

This book had my attention from the start. It's an easy read with some twist that you don't expect! I was recommend this book by a friend in a FB group and I would definitely read other books by this author as well!

Jennifer Hillier writes with brilliant creative flair, and her stories are so chilling, yet gripping. This is no different! I was drawn in from the very first chapter, and literally did not put this down! I cannot recommend this enough!

Jennifer Hillier writes a gripping, emotive, dark and twisted psychological thriller that had me reading as fast as I possibly could, desperate to see how it all ends. Popular 16 year old Angela Wong disappears without trace, only for her dismembered remains to resurface in the woods 14 years later, close to Georgina 'Geo' Shaw's home. Geo is now a successful VP at Shipp's Pharmaceuticals in Seattle, and engaged to the CEO. Her life falls apart as the knowledge of what happened to Angela, and her role in it, secrets she has kept all these years, now spill out. Kaiser Brody, is a police detective in Seattle PD, he has never got past the stumbling block of his obsessive unrequited love for Geo through the years. He sees that Angela has been a victim of the 'Sweetbay Strangler', Calvin James. When Geo was 16, she developed an blinding obsessive teenage crush on the older Calvin that will indelibly shape her future. The story is told through multiple perspectives, going back and forth in time.

Geo is sentenced to 5 years in prison, and Calvin is imprisoned for life for the killing of Angela, and other deaths. Hillier gives us a chilling portrayal of Geo's prison life, for which Geo has to draw on her inner resources and strength to survive the experience. Calvin manages to escape, and other bodies with a similar MO turn up as the past comes back to haunt the present. As Geo is freed, you wonder if Calvin is responsible and if Geo's life is in danger. There is more to this deadly affair than is first thought as Hillier reveals twist after twist in this tale of abuse and violence. Geo, the once successful and wealthy business woman, now faces life as a pariah, shunned and derided. The narrative gives us a picture of broken and manipulated lives, prison hardships, abuse, friendship, and wrecked futures.

This is a fast paced, beautifully written and impressively plotted book. Admittedly the characters are difficult to like, but Hillier, nevertheless, makes them riveting and compelling, you want to know more about them and the direction their lives head in. I must warn readers that there is dark, unsettling and disturbing material that covers issues such as rape and abuse that may be too much for many readers. I found myself sucked into the story, and found it thought provoking, intense, and an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. I highly recommend this to readers who love twisted psychological thrillers that are a little different. Many thanks to St Martin's Press for an ARC.