Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate!

I can’t believe I made it through this repetitive soap opera, filled with unlikable characters and a drawn out storyline. I enjoyed it at first, but then it turned into an immature drama that went around and around until the very predictable ending.

Are you a fan of unreliable narrators? You'll love this book. Who didn't have that perfect person in your school, the one who could do no wrong? Who didn't have the bad boy and the jock and the nerds and all the other players you find in a high school? What happens when they all merge into something that never should have happened.
This book kept me on me toes and the suspense was well written. Great book for a debut, will keep an eye out for more.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate sounded intriguing when I requested the book from NetGalley. However, I found the book to be more on the slow burn side of the spectrum and had trouble getting into the story. I believe it's partly due to my mood as to the reason why I wasn't feeling the story, but as of right now, this book is a DNF (did not finish) for me. I will give this book another try down the road, and my opinion will likely change.

2.50 stars
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TW: Car accident, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Death of a parent, Cancer, Stalking, Drug use, Blood, Self-harm
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Ten years ago the small town of West Wilmer is shaken to its core when a car accident involving 3 local teens leaves one of them dead. As the anniversary of the crash fast approaches this claustrophobic town, those involved are hoping that the real secrets of that night don't come to the light of day.

Ten years ago Wyatt Delroy left his home in the middle of the night, never to be seen again - until he shows back up on his sister June's doorstep with the promise that things will be clear soon enough, but she must not tell anyone that he's returned. June begins to question what his motive involves.

As a debut, I wanted to like this one so much. The book starts off with a gripping prologue that keeps you on the edge of your seat. After that, the book fizzles out. There's a lot of worry regarding what happens with the fateful bridge that took Phoebe's life years ago. The book is repetitive. There's a lot of conversation about why Grant Dean took twenty-seven minutes to call for help while Pheobe was dying. I think part of my issue was that I disliked a lot of these characters, they're unrelatable and just awful.

This one was too slow for me, there's a lot of buildup (a lot) for a bittersweet ending. This book is around 360 pages but felt like so much longer with its slow pace. Overall, an interesting read, but far too slow for me.

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I would like to thank NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Ashley Tate for a copy for Twenty-Seven Minutes in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book was published on January 30th 2024.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate captivated me from the start with its intriguing premise and complex characters. I'm always drawn to mysteries rooted in past trauma, especially when revisited through the lens of adulthood. The story revolves around the aftermath of a tragic car accident that claimed the life of Phoebe Dean, the town’s golden girl, and the lingering question: why did her brother Grant wait twenty-seven minutes to call for help? As the novel unravels, we see the perspectives of Grant, Becca, and others tied to the night Phoebe died, and the slow buildup of tension was gripping.

Becca, in particular, struck me as a deeply sympathetic character, desperate to be believed, yet trapped in a delusion that others dismiss. While the pacing is deliberate, with twists slowly peeling back the layers of this small-town tragedy, it builds to a satisfying and vindicating conclusion. However, the slower pace and emotional distance from the characters left me feeling less invested than I expected. It’s a well-written, dramatic thriller with a bit of graphic content, perfect for readers who enjoy a slow-burn mystery. While I appreciated the story, it didn’t quite hook me enough to be an enthusiastic recommendation, though I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Tate.

Twenty seven minutes, that's how long it took for Grant to call 911 the night he crashed his truck on the bridge and his sister died. This book went in circles. It was pretty boring. The ending at least was a bit of a surprise. But this was not thrilling. More like family drama

Twenty-Seven Minutes is an intense study on pain and loss and how sometimes the people of a town can not come to grips with the loss of youth.

Although a little slow throughout, it did keep my interest, and I didn't guess the ending.

That's what you want in a thriller.

I was really excited to read this authors debut novel! For her first suspense/ thriller, I was very impressed with how invested I was in the story. It was slightly too slow-burn for me, but that just made me want to keep reading! Great thriller!

In this novel we are in the small town of West Wilmer, where 10 years ago a girl by the name of Phoebe Dean was killed in a car accident, her brother Grant was the driver.
The story is slow but grabbing. I liked the multiple POVs and dual timelines, from present back to ten years ago, informing the reader the timeline of the accident.
I think this novel was well written. Great character development, the mystery of the accident and people involved.

I recommend this to readers that enjoy mystery/thriller.

I started this one but gave up after like 20%. The writing seemed a little too immature for my liking. I did buy the physical copy so maybe I'll try to finish it in the future.

I really enjoyed Twenty-Seven Minutes. It was such a slow-burn with some twists and turns. Overall, very well executed and had me guessing throughout.

Wow! I didn’t see that coming. I think Becca was my favorite character, I always like the crazy ones. I can’t imagine the stress of keeping secrets for 10 years and secrets that huge. Such a good book, I can’t wait to read her again.

**Book Review: *27 Minutes* by Ashley Tate**

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Ashley Tate's *27 Minutes* is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that explores the ripple effects of a single event and how it impacts the lives of everyone involved. The novel’s structure—centered around the 27-minute gap between life-changing moments—creates an urgent, ticking-clock atmosphere that keeps the tension high throughout.

The story revolves around a devastating accident that occurs at a high school party, leaving a young girl dead. Tate masterfully uses multiple perspectives, allowing readers to see how this tragedy unravels the lives of the students, parents, and teachers connected to it. The 27-minute window becomes the focal point of the mystery, with every character harboring secrets about what really happened that night.

Tate excels in creating flawed, complex characters, each dealing with guilt, grief, and confusion in their own ways. The protagonist, in particular, struggles with memories of the accident and her role in it, giving the novel a deep psychological layer. As more details about the accident emerge, the tension builds, and it becomes clear that not everyone is telling the truth.

The pacing of the novel is steady, with a blend of flashbacks and present-day chapters that gradually reveal key pieces of the puzzle. Tate’s writing is sharp and filled with emotional depth, as she explores the themes of responsibility, friendship, and the far-reaching consequences of a single decision. There are enough twists and red herrings to keep readers engaged, though some plot points may feel slightly predictable for seasoned thriller fans.

What makes *27 Minutes* stand out is its emotional weight. Tate doesn’t just focus on the mystery but also the psychological toll that guilt and secrets can have on individuals and relationships. The aftermath of the accident is just as important as the event itself, making this more than just a standard thriller—it’s a reflection on how trauma can reshape lives.

The ending delivers a satisfying twist, though some readers may wish for a bit more closure on certain character arcs. Nevertheless, *27 Minutes* is a compelling, thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who enjoys a good mystery with emotional complexity.

Overall, *27 Minutes* is a solid psychological thriller with a strong emotional core. Ashley Tate has crafted a story that is both suspenseful and deeply human, making it a must-read for fans of character-driven mysteries and domestic thrillers.

Ohh I loved this!! What a gripping story, so well written and I was hooked from the get go! I actually felt my shoulders tensing up and had to put it down a few times for a breather.

Tried several times to get into this but it was a DNF for me. Will give this author another try with other books this just wasn’t a good fit!

Ugh a very LONG 27 minutes! It’s a slooowww read that was goi g nowhere. It took so long to get there that I was not motivated to pick the book up. I would have to go back few pages to remind myself who is who. I suffered to the end. It did have a twist, however it was rushed. Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC read in exchange for my review.

Twenty-Seven Minutes is a slow burn YA thriller striving to answer the question of why it took 27 minutes for Grant Dean to call the police for help on the night of the car accident that claimed his sister, Phoebe's life. There are many players involved and they all know something but no one is willing to come forward with the truth. I enjoyed this book but really felt the pace to be a little slow. To be fair, slow burns aren't my favorite so I may be a little biased. Overall, this was an enjoyable book that was engaging and had a satisfying ending.

I really hoped to enjoy this more than I did. This was a very slow burn, and while I can usually push through those, this one made me lose interest in the story.