I like the overall idea of this book but I pretty much guessed the ending. It was an easy read though!

This book got me from the very first page! It was super entertaining and a lot of twists. I really enjoyed The Golden Spoon and I was so excited to get picked for this Arc! I found this concept really interesting about a new advice columnist. I was surprised by the end and I can not wait for the next book from this author! Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review,

This was as great of a book as everyone says it is! It did start out a little slow to me and took me a bit to really get into the story but that last half took a great turn! Alex has been through trauma in her past and through the story we learn a little more of how she got to that point. She lands a great job as the writer for an advice column that she loves, only after the original writer was murdered. She finds herself mixed up in trying to solve that murder when she starts getting threatening letters and some clues from people in the office. I think the whole plot was so interesting. I loved the ending.

This was a decent thriller, but I found it lacking something. The premise was good..an advice columnist is murdered and a fan, Alex, inherits her job. Alex is also apparently running from something in her past, which makes her a little on the jumpy/secretive side, with a touch of OCD. Her background is revealed as the book progresses, when you see how she has rescued herself from a domestic situation while writing to the former columnist for advice.
I think the problem I have is one that I find with a lot of quick thrillers-there’s no build up before Alex has thrown herself into finding the murderer. Nothing occurs but her finding an old note in a book, and then she is convinced it’s from the murderer. If you find a simple note in someone book, would you be embroiled in a murder plot with your friends? Probably not. So this is an area that I just go along with in reading thrillers, sometimes things just happen for the sake of moving the story along.
I did enjoy the climax and ending, and the twists that bring the story to a satisfying conclusion. Overall it was a good, quick read that you will enjoy!
Thanks to Jessa Maxwell and Atria Books for this advance readers copy!

This book had me from the first chapter! The mystery behind who killed Francis and who Alex was kept me going. I couldn’t read this book fast enough.

I loved the cozy, mystery vibes that the book had the short chapters. It was almost like a Netflix show you can’t stop watching and need to find out what happens. I had no idea where this book was going to go and all the twists it had. My jaw was on the floor at the end! Very suspenseful and would recommend if anyone enjoys a fun mystery.

I really enjoyed The Golden Spoon and was so happy to be approved to read this ARC. The concept was very interesting and how she becomes the new advice columnist. There are many twists and turns and while I did see many of the coming, the book was still an enjoyable read. I can't wait to see what this author does next. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Loved this read! So fast paced and could not wait to get to the end. The ending definitely had me going! Jessa has a bright future and can't wait for what comes next! For sure recommending this to anyone thriller/suspense fan! Thank you for this ARC!

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell
✨ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (rounded up to 4)
💃🏼 Vibes: Dear Abby, whodunnit?
📖/🎧 Read Type: E-book/ARC (Thank you @netgalley, Atria Books, and Jessa Maxwell!)

I Need You to Read This is a mystery novel centered around Alex, an advice columnist at a New York newspaper with a sordid past. After her predecessor is murdered, she takes over the column while secretly investigating the killing. As she delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies among her colleagues, making it difficult to trust anyone.

I love a thriller/mystery novel; with my dying breath I’ll be asking whodunnit. This type of book is in my top three guilty pleasures in life. Truth be told, I only requested this ARC because I like the cover, but I was so impressed with its execution! It was a captivating page-turner that cleverly blended the world of advice columns with a thrilling mystery. The author weaves a web of intrigue that really keeps you guessing until the final reveal. While I think the characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, the plot is undeniably gripping. If you enjoy a fast-paced read with unexpected twists, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I Need You To Read This had an interesting premise. I was really interested in the beginning because who doesn’t love a story about writers?

A writer for a famous newspaper column, Dear Constance, gets murdered. Alex Marks takes her place for the job. Soon, she starts getting unsettling letters in the mail. Is Alex safe? Why are they doing this and who exactly killed her? Or is it someone from Alex’s past?

I think this is good for readers who are new to thrillers. The story was very mild and a slow burn.

Thank you to Jessa Maxwell, Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Publication August 13, 2024
3 ⭐️

I Need You to Read This by Jessa Maxwell is a highly recommended mystery about an advice columnist searching for answers about her predecessor’s murder.

Alex Marks is a copywriter in NYC who applies to be the new writer for the advice column, Dear Constance that was originally penned by her hero Francis Keen. Francis was murdered and the paper is now looking for someone to step into her shoes according to Raymond, the retired police detective Alex has breakfast along with Janice, the owner of the diner. Alex applies and is thrilled, but trepidatious, when she is chosen to be the new advice columnist by the editor-in-chief Howard Dimitri.

Once she starts Alex faces mountains of letters and email that she must sort through and read to find the letter she is going to reply to for her first column. She also learns she has an assistant, Lucy. As she reads through the missives asking for her advice she notices that there are threatening notes among those asking for help. As more clues seem to surface regarding who may have murdered Francis, it seems Alex could be in danger too.

Included along with Alex's narrative are excerpts from letters people have written, asking for advice. As readers follow Alex, it also becomes obvious that Alex is running from someone or something and her adoration of Francis Keen is based on Alex's past. Alex's current, quiet, reticent life is clearly based on something in her past, something she fears.

I Need You to Read This has the feel of a cozy mystery, in part because of the letters written by people asking for advice, something which seems dated. It also has a creepy atmospheric element. You also have to set some disbelief aside while reading but that was easily done. Clues are gradually revealed along the way creating tension right up to the quickly occurring ending. Overall, this is an entertaining novel. Thanks to Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I did not expect the ending. I figured out one of the twists but not the others. The story starts out slow but gets better about half way through it. I will definitely read more from this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC! #INeedYoutoReadThis #NetGalley

Alex Marks came to NY for a fresh start as a writer. When her favorite advice columnist, Francis Keen, is murdered, she sees the posting for a replacement, has a few drinks and hits submit on her application. Alex is totally unconfident, untrusting and uncomfortable in her own skin and to her complete surprise, she gets the job complete with the corner office that Francis used to occupy at the Herald. Her assistant brings her the boxes of letters where she starts getting threatening letters aimed at specifically at her and find strange things in Francis' office. With the help of her friends at the diner she frequents, she starts trying to determine why and who murdered Francis but encounters many roadblocks as people don't want her asking questions and she and her friends get deeper and deeper into dangerous territory. Takes a bit to build so hang in there because when things come together there are a lot of twists!

The very interesting l Book how she had two stories going on at the same time. Alex was living in New York City and she had a pass but was very interesting.How this past came up when she took a job as a correspondent for a newspaper. And I told the story through her letters when she was younger When she wrote to this Women call Francesca. Who Wrote this newspaper. Alex talks in the present. But when she reads the letters from Constantine, then you know about her past. This is a very well written book. Because it's like a Murder mister and I love story as well. The murder part is about how Francis died. In this alex , trying to figure out why this woman died. This will keep you guessing all through the book. You finally find the clues how it's all tied together.

This was a thriller that had me guessing till the very end! It follows Alex Marks, a woman running from her sordid past who is trying to find her purpose. When the opportunity arises to become a new columinist under the pseudonym Constance, she at first hestitates but applies and runs into an array of secrets that she wants to unfold, especially since "Constance" has helped her once before.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for the ARC. This was such a heartwarming read, I really loved it. The thriller aspect was also well done, there were several instances where I felt absolutely scared and worried for the main character, but it was really well balanced with the advice aspect. The ending was also really sweet. I loved the friendship between Alex, Ray and Janice.

So thankful to have been given an ARC! I really liked the authors first book and knew I had to read this as well.

A beloved New York City advice columnist is murdered. Months later, Alex is her replacement. Alex will uncover the truth about the murder.

WOW. I was able to guess some twists but not all of them! Absolutely loved the premise and setting: NYC, advice columnist. I would say this is even better than the authors first book! Truly could not put it down.

I absolutely love the way this author constructs a mystery. The past letters was such a great element to add the story and further the plot. I really enjoyed the story and the mystery

3⭐️

Alex Marks moved to New York City for a fresh start and to lay low from her past. When Francis Keen, the advice columnist behind Dear Constance, is found murdered, Alex applies to take her place. Having written to Dear Constance as a child, she feels qualified to provide advice to readers. Almost as soon as she starts the job, Alex starts receiving anonymous letters telling her that she's not qualified and to remember her past. Alex starts to investigate Francis Keen's death her dark secrets start to come to light.

This was just okay. I liked the idea of the advice columnist but wanted it to play into the story more. The ominous letters fell a bit flat the way they were. Alex's backstory did add some drama, but Alex herself was just a boring character. The way her internal monologue tried to talk herself out of dating anyone didn't do enough for me to actually build that drama. The newspaper office was creepy and could have played into the story more than it did. I liked Raymond, but a lot of the side characters didn't really add much to the story. All around I just wanted more.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC to me!

I love a cozy mystery but this one had a little dark side. Trigger warning for domestic abuse. I loved Alex and how she pulled herself up and found her dream job. Even though she was scared, she did it anyway! So inspiring.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy of I Need You To Read This by Jessa Maxwell. I was interested right away because Alex was such an engaging character. I loved the advice columnist gig, and I liked how it was woven into the story, but not the main part of the story. If you love cozy mysteries and are branching out to thrillers, this is a great entry point, because it’s a great mix of both genres. If you’re looking for an enjoyable, engaging read, try this well-written book! 4 stars