This is an engaging mystery about Alex Marks, who becomes involved in investigating her childhood hero’s murder after taking over her advice column. While the premise is intriguing, the pacing feels uneven, and the focus on Alex’s personal struggles sometimes overshadows the mystery. It’s a solid read but lacks the thrilling payoff one might expect. Still a good read and I’d recommend it to friends.

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for this book.

I was so excited to receive an early copy of I Need You to Read This, as I loved the author's debut. Unfortunately, her follow up fell a bit flat. I went in blind, which I would suggest, but I didn't really love it! The characters were pretty one note and I didn't think the story was really memorable this time. It was a quick and easy read, and more of a cozy mystery than a thriller, but something just didn't work for me. I definitely look forward to seeing what Jessa Maxwell comes up with next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I Need You To Read This is a mystery/thriller novel packed with eerie letters and secrets. Be ready for plot twists as you delve into this gripping story!

The story revolves around our main character, Alex Marks. Seeking a fresh start, she escapes to New York City to lead a solitary life and, most importantly, avoid any exposure or romantic entanglements. (kinda like me tbh 😫) However, her tranquility shatters when her childhood idol, advice columnist Francis Keen, is brutally murdered. Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Alex applies for Francis's vacant position and, defying expectations lands the job (GO ALEX!!).

Soon, ominous letters begin arriving at the office, hinting at a dangerous game for her.
"Danger is not always to be found in the places that seem most predisposed to it, that it often can be found in the places you least expect it."

Overall, I liked this book! The story is filled with suspense, plot twists, and a chilling sense of paranoia as the main character tries to unravel the mystery murder and protect her own buried secrets. 🤫

The story had some interesting characters, but I found it hard to fully connect with them. I'd say the most engaging aspect of the story was its dark side. I loved the Dear Constance letters that were inserted throughout. These letters seamlessly intertwined past and present events, creating an interesting reading experience.

While I enjoyed the book, I felt the pace was slow-moving. Not much happened until the end, making the story drag a bit until the final act.
Also, my ability to predict the twists left me slightly disappointed.

If you are into murder mysteries, check this one out 🖤

Huge thanks to NetGalley, author Jessa Maxwell and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review has been posted to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7015051099

The characters in this book is what made it so great for me!
It did have a bit of a slow burn start but it picked up and grabbed my interest by 50% - now I know that’s too long for some people - but hear me out - it was worth it!

I loved this suspenseful read! Taking place in present day and in the past, I loved that the past story happened through a series of letters written to an advice columnist (the one who died at the beginning of the book).

The present-day story was engaging and tense even without the link to the past, and I loved guessing who the villain was (I failed), and connecting the two timelines.

Overall, an excellent read!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy of this book. Book was fine, really good if you like the genre! I would read more from this author.

Alex moves to NY for a fresh start. She is shocked when she discovers that Francis, the famous author of the Dear Constance advice column is dead. Alex ends up applying for the open job not expecting to actually get the job. Alex starts receiving strange and threatening letters once starting the new job. She starts to wonder what happened to Francis and who murdered her. Once she starts investing more secrets are revealed. This was a predictable slow burn mystery. I think this could’ve been so much more but lacked in the character development. Overall entertaining!

Jessa Maxwell’s I Need You to Read This is an intense and emotionally charged novel that looks into the complexities of communication and connection in the digital age. The story follows several characters whose lives intersect through a series of cryptic messages and letters, each containing life-changing revelations. Maxwell examines themes of loneliness, love, and the impact of modern technology on human relationships. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with suspense, and offers a unique commentary on how we share and receive vital information in today's world.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

This story started out with a very interesting idea and then quickly lost its luster for me. I didn’t find the plot as a whole all that enjoyable and it really lacked the thrill, mystery, and excitement I’d expect from a book in this genre. I’m really disappointed with this one.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

Jessa Maxwell's debut The Golden Spoon was one of my first ARCs through NetGalley and I really enjoyed it so I was excited to get to read her next novel. This mystery was exactly what I was looking for- twisty and unpredictable with a hint of romance, it kept me guessing the whole time. Alex was the perfect character to lead us through the story especially with her own mysterious background and I loved the way that the "Dear Constance" letters were scattered throughout. I couldn't put this one down and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about. Highly recommend for your next mystery read! I chose it for my book club pick for this month and can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks of it

This book was addictive and I was unable to put it down. I was on vacation while reading this one and it really locked me in from beginning to end. What a unique story!

Enjoyed it although I did like this author’s prior book a lot more. It almost felt like two different books in one, we spend the majority of the book with Alex, a copywriter who somehow gets a coveted job writing a popular advice column, along with two other characters she befriends at her local diner, try to figure out what happened to Constance, the writer who has her job prior & was murdered, the two friends are not very well developed and left me with some questions.

All the while, after all this meddling & investigating she ends up getting attacked by her ex’s sister who didn’t even know her brother was abusing Alex & that’s why she fled? I dunno I dunno. It just didn’t work for me.

This was a fun, quick thriller, with a few high's for me (I don't think I've ever considered the lives of advice columnists before!), but unfortunately I found the low's to be a bit more prevalent. The main character was woefully lacking in personality, and character development was underwhelming across the board (although I did find Janice and Raymond to be fun!). I think the pacing was a bit slow for my taste, and it seemed as though not much happened until the ending, which felt a bit rushed and out of left field. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a miss for me. 2/5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for providing an ARC for review.

Awesome read! I loved going on the journey with Alex to figure out Francis's murder. I feel like the story was well-written and I could easily follow along. I would definitely recommend this book to friends. It was fun and entertaining!

I loved Alex as a character and related to her a lot. The way the story flowed felt very natural. The writing was good, but not exceptional. I did figure out the twists before they happened though which left me feeling a little disappointed.

*I Need You to Read This* by Jessa Maxwell is a clever and introspective exploration of the relationship between authors and their readers. The story centers on a writer’s struggle with her identity and the pressure to be understood, all while navigating her personal life. Maxwell's writing is sharp, insightful, and full of emotional depth, making the characters feel real and relatable. It’s a thought-provoking read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever grappled with the desire for connection through words.

I Need You To Read This by Jessa Maxwell is the second book I've read by this author. and won't be my last.
A novel told in part via Dear Constance letters? Sold! Good premise, but ultimately predictable! It was still a fun mystery, and I wanted to see how it played out!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Grabs you, then a slow build as it sets things up, to rather a page turner as it finally all comes together. More about the characters and their interactions than actually solving a murder.