Phoebe, a high school senior, has died and her death has mysterious circumstances. It was a car accident and her brother, who was driving, waited twenty-seven minutes to call 911 to get the help that could have saved her life. Why did he wait twenty-seven minutes and is the boy who went missing that night connected to the accident? On the ten year anniversary of her death, friends get together to memorialize Phoebe. Secrets are revealed. Will the questions that everyone in town has had since that night be answered?

This is told in multiple POV and dual timeline. I thought it was slow moving at first, but got better. I gave it 3.5 stars.


Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks so much to Poisoned Press for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked the overall premise of the book and I found the characters and story super interesting.

There was a lot of detail and insight given into the characters which really helped me get an idea of who they are and what drives them.

This, however, could at times make certain sections really drag on - with specific characters traits and feelings becoming a little bit repetitive.

The overall outcome of the mystery was a little lacklustre but overall I had a good time!

I had a chance to read an ARC of the book and I'm glad I got the chance.

The writer did a great job. I'm fact the writing style is the thing I enjoyed most from this book.

Overall it was not a bad book but one I don't see myself picking up again. I think it could have cut down on perspectives and focused a little more on building everyone's past and present dynamics.

I really am glad I got to read it and I know this will have a big audience that really enjoys it.

This book is good but not fabulous. The story of a friend, a brother and sister who are in a terrible cash where the sister dies. Nobody in ton is really sure what happened that night because there is a lag between when the crash occurred and when 911 was called. The book alternates between when the rash happened and now, ten years later. I have started and re-started this book several times before I was able to actually get into the story and finish it. The main characters, Grant, Becca, and friends June and Wyatt are just not super interesting people. The story was not interesting enough and seemed almost like a soap-opera, although I did manage to finish it in spite of the book dragging on and on and then the climax happens in the very last pages of the book....I felt like I needed more action during the story of the book.

This is my first novel by Ashley Tate, and I have to say I was blown away by the intro. That first chapter, page, and sentence hooks you. I felt like I was right there with Phoebe as she died. It was a short snippet, but I already had an idea of who she was and what she determined to be important in her life. This is probably the best hook for a book I’ve read in years.

However, everything from then on wasn’t as good. From too many characters to vague and boring scenes, I just couldn’t get into this one.

I’m this book we have four main POVs:
Grant
June
Becca
Wyatt
There are a few flashbacks that feature other characters such as Kelsey, AJ, Reggie, or Harley, which just felt like character overload to me.

One main aspect I was not a fan of was the multiple main POV we had throughout the book. I get that this helps tell the story from everyone’s perspective and fills in some gaps, but sometimes I found myself getting confused by all the different characters.

Tate kept the mystery alive by being very vague throughout the entire book. You would get a snippet of something in one chapter but would have to wait a few more chapters to put the pieces together. This kept me wanting to know what happens; however, there were times when this was frustrating. I would think I had the whole picture but then would find out there was more…it kept me from seeing the bigger picture until the end.

By the halfway point of this book, I just wanted to know what had caused the accident and the whole truth rather than these half lies and tiny pieces to the puzzle we got along the way.

I will say that ending was one I did not see coming. It all made sense, but I was still shocked when the truth came out.

**An ARC was provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Grant is trying to forget the memories if what happened to his sister. He has kept the secret from everyone he knows. This book garnered my attention from the first page.

I’ve had a hard time deciding if I should rate this 2 or 3 stars. I had a lot of feelings about this book, but not many were positive.

First off, the amount of grief and trauma was incredibly well portrayed, because for each character it was entirely different. However, it was at times very difficult to read because of how heavy the subject matter was.

Second, I could not STAND anyone except for June. Becca was so annoying to me because of her obsession with Grant, who was just plain awful to her. Grant was the worst character I’ve ever read about. He was a classic manipulator and it’s no surprise that his own mother couldn’t stand him.

Lastly, I found the plot to be rather predictable. I had a feeling Grant was lying to Becca about what happened the night of the accident. It seemed all too convenient that she couldn’t remember, and he was there to “remind her” it was her fault. I find with that when I can predict the ending, I either DNF or power through to see if I was wrong. In this case, I powered through because I wanted to know what Grant was doing that it took 27 minutes to call for help.

Overall, I didn’t hate this, but I didn’t love it either. So for that it’s getting a 3 ⭐️

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of Twenty-Seven Minutes.

The premise of this book sounded SO interesting but it fell so flat. The only reason this didn't get one star is because I somehow actually finished it (with a lot of skimming oops). I hated every single character. LOATHED. There is zero mystery about this and the deal with what actually happened was zero surprise at all. It was entirely each character whining, falling apart because of their ~trauma~, and gaslighting each other. Zero plot, do not recommend.

What a page-turner…luscious prose, beautifully written, compelling characters. Secret upon secret upon secret riddle the small town of Wilmer for 10 years after Phoebe dies on a small bridge…what really happened that night will keep you guessing right until the very end…and ending I never saw coming…I thought I had it all figured out but boy was I wrong. 10 out of 10 stars from me…thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book…it was so freakin’ good!!!

I was going to give this two stars, but that insinuates I found something about it redeemable, when it was awful from start to finish.

Phoebe died ten years ago in a tragic car accident. She might have been saved, but her brother Grant waited twenty-seven minutes to call an ambulance, and no one knows why. We follow Grant’s POV, along with three other characters who have a connection to the awful accident.

Four POVS was too much, especially since they were all awful and boring. None of them had a distinct voice, and they all were so flavorless. The only character who sparked any emotion was Becca, and that’s just cause of how annoying she was. Even then, I didn’t care what happened to her; at least her chapters made me feel something.

Nothing happens until the last 10%. The whole book is just our characters going “No one can know what happened!” Okay, but you have to give me something to keep me reading. Whether it’s strong characters, or small clues along the way, if you leave the whole mystery for the last 10% I will feel cheated. By that point, I didn’t even care what happened, I just wanted the book to be over. The big reveal? I guessed it within the first quarter, so that was even worse.

Mysteries don’t have to be insanely clever or outside of the box to be entertaining. Figuring out what happened before the characters do is half the fun. Yet, when all of the characters are insufferable, and nothing about the book is entertaining, there should at least be a good ending to make up for it.

I wouldn’t recommend this.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book was gripping initially but then lost steam afterwards. I couldn’t connect with the characters and it didn’t seem like their lives had changed much as adults from since they were in high school. The book dragged towards the end. I feel the book could have been shorter.

A twisted tale of mistakes made in youth coupled with teen obsession and a desparation to get out of town. This tale is told from multiple points of view and bounces between the year of the accident and ten years later. The teens involved at the time are still processing their grief - almost anguish - about the loss of Phoebe. The trajectory of their lives ricocheted that day, and they also mourn the loss of their dreams. As the ten-year anniversary of the accident approaches, the townspeople come together, resentments flare, memories resurface, and the truth explodes out of the dark like fireworks. The characters are well developed and their faults laid bare; the story was engaging as you learned nuggets of truth through the memories and experiences of those involved. Great tale of loss by a master storyteller!

This story delivers a gripping and emotionally charged narrative that explores the lingering aftermath of a tragic car accident in the small town of West Wilmer. Grant Dean's guilt over the fateful night when his sister Phoebe lost her life becomes the focal point of a decade-long mystery. The suspense builds as Grant's secret threatens to consume him, and Becca, another passenger in the car that night, harbors knowledge that could shatter the fragile peace they've managed to maintain. With the anniversary of Phoebe's death approaching, the story unfurls over three intense days, culminating in a shocking twist that will leave readers breathless. This tale masterfully navigates the complex terrain of grief, dark secrets, and the relentless pursuit of truth, making this a riveting and thought-provoking read.

The author skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives and a haunting atmosphere, creating a story that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page. As the characters grapple with their past, their guilt, and the weight of their secrets, the novel invites readers to explore the profound impact of tragedy on individuals and communities. With its unexpected twists and revelations, this book is an enthralling exploration of the human capacity for resilience, redemption, and the enduring search for closure.

3.75 stars

This one definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I desperately needed to know where it was going.

Coming up on the tenth anniversary of Phoebe’s death, the town is abuzz with memories of the bright young woman. Her brother Grant, is struggling with his own demons, considering she died while they were in the car together, along with Becca. Why did it take Grant 27 minutes to call an ambulance that night? They are the only ones who know the truth, and Becca’s recollection of events is shady at best.

There were honestly very few likable characters in this book, and I felt the ending was rushed. Even still, this was a great debut and I did find myself glued to the page the entire time.

Considering the premise of the book, I was actually really excited to read this. I don’t read a lot of thrillers, so I was hoping this one would live up to the name. Sadly, it was disappointing. I stopped about 60% through.

This book was so slow and drawn out. Like, we don’t even find out WHY Grant waited 27 minutes to call for help until the VERY END of the book. You don’t really get to know the characters, they’re all terrible people dealing with their own trauma and grief and they’re all using everyone else for their own benefit.

It all felt very stereotypical: the drunk, the crazy girl, the dead girl…. I got all the characters confused and everything just seemed kinda repetitive.

Twenty-Seven Minutes, by Ashley Tate, bounces between two timelines with each chapter told from a different character's perspective. Alcohol, trauma, etc. affect the way the events of a horrific night are remembered. Hints and revelations twist what you think is the reality and have you grasping for the truth. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I found this book easy to get into and I read it in one sitting! The twists and turns kept me hooked throughout.

The prologue started off great. However, the rest of the book did not deliver as well for me. I didn’t really connect with the characters. The ending was interesting if not a bit strange. I actually got quite into the end. . I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through Net Galley.

After a high school party, Phoebe dies. But why did Grant and Becca wait 27 min before calling an ambulance? The flashes between current day and 10 years ago on that night reveal secrets and the truth is revealed. Lots of twists and turns. The ending felt off from the remainder of the book. Overall, a solid 4.5 stars.

I finished this one is 24 hours ! It was definitely more of a slow burn psychological thriller than a typical thriller. . There was a good twist at the end. I think this was really good for a debut novel. I liked the variety of characters and the flashback to 10 years ago and the present. I look forward to reading more of the author's future books.

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.