Thank you NetGalley for the copy of Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier that I read and reviewed.
I really enjoyed this book. I have never read anything by Hillier before but now I am a fan.
Had of Hearts was a very emotional thriller with a number of twist that keep the reader on edge. I also loved the book being told from both a male and female perspective to add another dimension to the story. This was an excellent read and I absolutely loved it.
Jar of Hearts gets five out of five stars.

When I wasn't actually reading this book I was thinking about it. And it was really hard to put down.. Fast paced, well written, darkly disturbing. Everything in place for a fantastic psychological thriller. I finished it in 2 days and will continue to think about it for a few more....I had a few things figured out but there was a doozy in there I never expected. This was a really good book and I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley, for the ARC!

I could NOT put this book down from page 1. It was SO SO good! In the present where the book opens, the main character, Georgina Shaw (Geo), is an educated, shrewd, successful, well-off business woman engaged to another wealthy exec at the company she works at. The book goes back and forth between the present where Geo has been arrested and is sent to prison for helping her high school boyfriend kill her best friend, Angela, many years ago. Her then boyfriend is a serial killer who has been on the loose all these years and has finally been caught. The detective in the story, Kaiser, was a close high school friend of Geo's and still has feelings for in spite of being the one who arrested her and helped send her to prison, and he knows she is still hiding something. As the book progresses, Geo is released from prison after 5 years and is living in her old house with her dad near the original place her best friend's body was found. The story continues in the past with the event leading up to Angela's murder interwoven with current murders that have happened since Geo was released from prison. The twists in this book are awesome and unexpected. I kind of figured it out close to the end but it too me awhile. The writing is fantastic, the characters super interesting and the plot is killer (no pun intended). LOVED this book and definitely will read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's/Minotaur Press for the ARC. WELL WORTH your time!!!

At first I didn't know if this book would be to my liking - a dark suspense involving murder and prison time. Especially as one of my closest relatives work at a Federal Penitentiary.

Georgina and Calvin were involved in the murder and cover up 14 years ago of Angela Wong. At age 30 when Georgina (Geo) has her life in order Angela's body is found and eventually cost her 5 years in prison. Calvin escaped from prison and more bodies are found dead in the same style as Angela's. Whoa! Catch your breath!! Want more info?? Need to read it for yourself without spoilers.

This dark suspense is a roller coaster ride - so hang on to your seats.

It will grab you from the first chapter and hold your attention to the end!

Read it! Love it! Buy it for a friend. First Class entertainment!

This is the best that I've read in a while. This is a true mystery novel.

This book was a great read! It's a mystery wrapped in a romance. I love that it's not the traditional of either of those descriptions. The characters are real with flaws of their own. The setting, although fictional, could be any small town in America. The author weaves the past and present seamlessly in this book. I'd love to read more!!

This is the first book I’ve read by Jennifer Hillier and I loved it!!!!
Why haven’t I heard of her books before?
I was hooked from the beginning and it just got better and better. Great twists and turns that kept the book suspenful throughout!
I will be checking out her other books for sure!
Thank you Netgalley for introducing me to this wonderful author,,,,

Jar of Hearts kept me hooked all the way through, with new twists popping up that kept me guessing. Murder mysteries, family drama, and just a touch of romance- I didn't want to put it down! The violent situations that the characters found themselves in may produce strong emotions for some readers.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for honest feedback.

As a reader, I want a book that pulls me into the story from the beginning. I generally prefer to read with minimal background noise, but I will read where and when I can.

When this book came up as a choice for review, I clicked immediately without reading the premise or anything about the author.

As timing would have it, I started this book while I was sitting in the middle of a hair salon on a Saturday. I had a forty-five minute window of time for the color to work it's magic, so I began.

Time seemed to move quickly and before I knew it, I had to put the book down. After leaving the salon, I texted my friend and said, "I hope you have this book, because it's amazing."

From the beginning, we are launched into the middle of the courtroom where Georgia "Geo" Shaw is being tried for the murder of her best friend from high school, Angela Wong, fourteen years prior. With the remains being found only a half-mile from Geo's house, the odds aren't looking favorable. Also convicted with Geo is Calvin James, the Sweetbay Strangler, her high school boyfriend.

After a note was slid to Geo in the courtroom, you are left wondering, "Did she really do it? What kind of person keeps a secret of this magnitude without cracking under the pressure?"

Both Geo and Calvin are out of prison. New victims emerge, all killed in the same manner as Angela. This new crime spree opens a world Geo had hoped to never visit again.

With twists and turns at every corner, Jennifer Hillier skillfully takes you on adventure like no other, leaving you guessing how all the pieces fit until the very last page.

This is the first book I've read of Jennifer's, and I look forward to reading her other works.

I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

Wow! This was a great, twisty surprise! I enjoyed this one and couldn't finish it fast enough!

The decisions of a sixteen year old girl result in a lifetime of complications. This intelligently written psychological thriller was mesmerizing. I will never look at cinnamon hearts without thinking of this book!

At 16, Georgina Shaw is raising herself. While her ER doctor, single parent father is working to save lives hers is spinning out of control.

Fourteen years after the disappearance of her BFF, Angela, Geo finds herself serving a five year prison sentence - her successful career and high society wedding disappear.

The plot twists seem inevitable as the story behind Geo's life decisions and experiences are revealed in flash backs.

I was completely absorbed in the tragedy that is Geo's life yet never gave up hope that it would improve when she could find her way back to what should have been if only her mother hadn't died young.

I am definitely finding Jennifer Hillier's previous four novels while I wait for her next one!

This is my first book from Jennifer Hillier and let me tell you it won't be the last one either.

Jar of Hearts had my attention from the minute I started the first sentence of the book.

Georgina Shaw which they call Geo for short is the main girl character, always has you second guessing if you love her character or you were dumbfounded by her and her own actions to things. Geo has a dark and dirty secret that no one know but her and Calvin James, her boyfriend which was a toxic and volatile relationship at the time (in high school). Her best friend in high school Angela Wong went missing and they had no idea where she went or if she is alive or dead. No one ever thought Geo was involved in any certain way to the disappearance of her best friend, not even Kaiser Brody; who was both really close with both girls when they were in High school. But Geo had that secret, she knew exactly what happened to Angela Wong. She carried this secret for fourteen years until she was arrested and sent to prison.

Scroll ahead fourteen years later, one day the remains of a girl were discovered in the woods really close to where Geo lived when she was a child. Fourteen years later and Kaiser Brody has now become a detective of the Seattle PD. He is on the case of Angela Wong so he can find out who killed her. Now Brody, find outs that Angela was a victim of Calvin James himself. The entire Seattle PD see Calvin James as serial killer, because he has killed at least three other women besides Angela Wong. These other murders that are popping up are all killed just like Angela Wong was killed, the past is fast approaching and coming back to haunt Calvin and Geo. How does the story end.......there is way more complex and even more chilling things to this whole case. You will have to read Jar of Hearts to find out how it ends. Let me tell you you might think you know how it ends but nope it has you thinking again.

From the minute I started this book I was not able to put it down, I needed to know how it ended! It is a fast read. Defiantly a must read!!

I have received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest and truthful review.

Jar of Hearts is a fast paced mystery/thriller that I definitely could not stop reading. The story line goes back and forth between past and present, detailing the life of Geo, a woman sent to prison for 5 years for being an accessory to murder - of her best friend when she was a teenager. In present day, as Geo is let out of prison, additional murders are taking place that seem to be linked to her past. Geo is not a character who is easy to like, and her choices made little sense at times. What was her motivation? Little explanation is given. The ultimate plot twists were disappointing, far fetched, and cringe-worthy, for me. But, it was definitely a book I couldn't stop reading. Up until the end, I would have rated this much more highly.

This was my first book from this author and I absolutely loved it. It was such a page-turner - a suspenseful genre novel that pulls the reader in for the entire ride. I am the same age as the protagonist so I loved the pop culture references in the high school flashbacks (even when it was a little creepy!) I will definitely be seeking out the other titles from this author.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book! Twists and turns that you just don't see coming until the very end.

Wow, what a story. It seems almost inconceivable to me, but I am certain things like this have happened.
Youthful ignorance and indiscretion, bad luck masquerading as getting away with things, really bad decisions and even more violence surround these people. The cruelty is indescribable and they do get away, for a while. Then things all fall apart and continue to do so.
The final explanation ties things together, neatly, if it can be called that. I guess it was satisfying in a way, maybe a bit Shakesparian.
Interesting perspective as the narrator throughout the story.

Thank you Netgalley for this book. This review is my own opinion and completely honest.

I’ve been a fan of this author since I read her first novel, Creep, which was absolutely impossible to put down. Let me say, Jar of Hearts is just as amazing! I read this book while waiting for my cases to be called at court, at the gym, pretty much everywhere until I was finished.

I like how the book doesn’t try to be too obscure like so many mystery/thriller novels these days. You’ll get no “Gone Girl” vibes from this book, which is not to knock Gone Girl but I feel like the unreliable narrator novel is just so common lately. All of the characters in this book are well-developed and the story is well-paced.

My only criticism in the entire novel would be that the storyline with Cat seemed unnecessary. I loved the ending & the twist at the end felt like it fit well. I kept thinking at the end what a great movie this would make.

Definitely one of the best books I’ve read in recent memory.

I read this in 1 day, it was hard to put down.
This book is a suspenceful then and now book. The consequences of actions committed as a teen, living with the repercussions as an adult. Each chapter providing just information to guess what happens next but not being sure until the twisted end
A good read, tough subject matter- teens, good kids and bad kids; drinking, murder, prison, responsible adults and terrifying adults.

When the authorities come knocking Georgina Shaw knows the secret she has been holding onto for the last fourteen years needs to finally come to light, but doing so will put her life in jeopardy... it's a small price to pay for taking part in the death of her once best friend. She knew back then that Calvin James was trouble, but she was young, naive, and thought she was in love, and now she is paying dearly for her ignorance. She has given up five years of freedom for that man, and now that she has rejoined society, that man is once again reeking havoc on her life, he believes they have unfinished business and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants... more time with her! Bodies start to pile-up, in the same way they did years ago, and all signs point to Calvin... but sometimes things aren't always as they appear!

Between the pages of this twisted little tale, you will meet some exquisitely crafted characters who will immerse themselves into your world, manipulate your thoughts and feelings, push you beyond your boundaries, and make you second guess yourself at every turn! Ms. Hillier has created a gem of a tale here, with it's thought provoking plot, edge of your seat action, and well constructed characters you won't be able to put this one down... it will lure you in from the first page and hold you hostage until the last!! It's definitely one of the best first reads I have had the pleasure of devouring in a long while, I wholeheartedly loved every single mind twisting moment of it!! Highly recommend!!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed.

This was an excellent psychological thriller. As the blurb states, you think you know the truth, but you don’t. This book is written in a style I don’t normally like, but it works for this storyline. You slowly learn throughout the whole book what happened that fateful night. As you think you know the whole story, BAM it tasked a turn you never expected. It’s going to take a few days to mull over this storyline. It was truly a very engrossing tale. Received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.