The Deciding Hour by Jerrod Fasan is a suspenseful and chilling psychological thriller. Six friends, seeking refuge from a storm, check into a strange hotel, only to find themselves trapped in a sinister game where their darkest secrets are revealed. As they face life-or-death choices, the boundaries of friendship, trust, and morality are pushed to the limit. Fasan weaves a gripping narrative full of tension and unexpected twists, making it a thrilling exploration of guilt, redemption, and survival. A compelling read for fans of dark, character-driven thrillers.

I started this book knowing there would be religious context. It did not impact the story for me until the end. The thrill at the core of the story was interesting and creepy. However, the written dialogue was not good. The conversations did not feel natural and writing “haha” into your dialogue feels unprofessional.

At about 85%, I really wanted to end the book. There were chapters upon chapters of preaching and resolution that could have been summed up in one or two small chapters. I am not a religious person, but I understand the importance of the words being conveyed at the end. It would have packed a better punch being succinct.

Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and author Jerrod O. Fasan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Friends returning from a holiday in Acapulco take shelter from a storm in a strange hotel. They soon face a series of games where they are playing for their lives. Each character comes with their own back story. An entertaining read. 3.5/5 Cold Blooded Books on Instagram

If I’m being honest this just wasn’t for me.

I felt like there was too much thriller and not enough suspense.

Everything about this would normally pull me in but I like and prefer a shorter sharper thriller or mystery than one that has too much words and writing

Six friends, an unexpected storm, a creepy hotel...and decisions that must be made. Christian horror is hard to find, and dare I say, hard to do well. It can easily come across as melodramatic or preachy, neither of which apply to The Deciding Hour. Fasan does an excellent job drawing readers in and keeping their attention. I loved the setting and the high stakes game the characters are forced to play. The author did a fantastic job of creating and holding tension, making me want to speed right on through.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

I simply picked this book based on the blub as it came off as interesting and the right thriller to continue the journey I've been on. The characters are all interesting although some more defined than others so I cared more about some fates than others also. I really liked the premise of this creepy hotel and the game the guests must play in order to escape. It was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.

The writing is kind of choppy, and the dialogue is stilted. The conversations just don't flow like a normal conversation would, and even in the course of the game, these characters say things that don't really fit with the circumstances. Then there are the characters who desperately needed some development, in my opinion. Most of them are very one-dimensional. I mean, obviously, not every one of this group is gonna make it through the game and out of the motel, but I at least wanted to care what happened to them.

When I first read the blurb for this book I was intrigued. Then I noticed it was labelled as a ‘Christian thriller’. No idea what that mean but now I know and I’m not sure I’ll read one again. As someone who grew up with religion I have nothing against it but the constant references in this book was just a bit too much and it took away from what I wanted to enjoy from this…a thriller.

The middle section of this book was the best and when I was most engaged with the storyline. A group of friends end up stranded at a deserted hotel on their way home from a holiday. In this hotel, strange things occur and they end up playing a game that forces them to share their deepest, darkest secrets and in time they learn they need to do this in order to survive. I flew through this section because I wanted to know their secrets (which ended up being pretty horrendous). However, I felt there were holes in the story, none of the characters were likeable, some grammatical errors and then I lost interest towards the end.
The book had some promises but I didn’t feel like it was executed well.

I couldn’t put this book down, it was a real page turned and I felt like I was thrown straight into the book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes this genre of book, it was a lot better than I was expecting.

This was not for me. At all. I wanted to like it but there were just so many unnecessary words! It all felt so pointless and just like filler which got very annoying, very quickly. I liked the premise but I wad expecting something a bit more creepy and supernatural rather than religious and about sinning.... whoch is totally not my vibe

What a thrilling ride with a band of friends navigating a chaotic adventure. This narrative combines a chilling thriller with spiritual insights, that will captivate readers. The friends embark on a journey filled with tension, emotion, and moments of tragedy. Fasan developed well-crafted characters, and as each event unfolds, readers are gifted with real-world examples, resulting in a thought-provoking masterpiece. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers or seeking a life-affirming read, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

an intense thriller with interesting characters lots of twists and turns and unpredictable events. A real page turner and a must read

Brilliant read that kept me hooked. I was terrified but enthralled at the events of this book, a real page turner that had me wanting to keep going!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book is hard to review. Mainly for these reasons: the idea was there, the elements were there, the lesson was there. But it just was executed poorly. The writing style made it hard to get into the story. The dialogue was too formal, especially for college age characters. As a Christian, I appreciated the message behind the story, as it is an important message. If the writing style was switched up, the dialogue loosened up a bit to reflect actual conversation, and it went through editing again, I think Mr. Fasan would have a great book on his hands.

I picked up an ARC of this because I found the synopsis intriguing. It has a great premise: six friends in a mysterious hotel face unexpected horrors and their friendship is tested. I knew it was a Christian thriller, and having recently read (and reviewed) an awesome Christian horror novel (Thomas Smith’s ‘Something Stirs’) I had my hopes up this would follow in the same direction: no preaching, no Christian deus ex machina. Well, I was pretty much right in that, but, still, the emphasis started to feel off very soon, as the plot revolves too much around sin, redemption, and salvation. This is the point of the story, and the point is made repeatedly, both explicitly and implicitly. Putting (the serious) editing issues aside, there were a lot of problems with the book: the story is given to the reader very confusingly, it’s too wordy, the characters are not differentiated enough, and the situations are not always clearly described. Although I didn’t give up reading the book, I don’t feel that I’ll read anything else by this author.

This was a very intense and dark game playing with the lives of the friends and exposing their secrets and lies.

Six friends seek refuge in a strange hotel during a storm and find themselves trapped in a house of horrors. They play a game that forces them to share their deepest secrets, testing their friendships and beliefs. Unexpected surprises make the story even more gripping, as it explores the consequences of our choices and how far we are willing to go for those we love.

Personally this wasn't for me. I found the writing to be 'clunky' however I enjoyed the premise of the novel. I also wasn't aware this is the genre of 'Christian thriller' and I'm an atheist but totally respect those with a belief, but I think if I was a Christian I would've enjoyed the novel more.

Jerrod Fasan delivers a heart-pounding thriller with "The Deciding Hour," a gripping tale of survival and suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Set against the backdrop of an unexpected storm and a sinister hotel, this novel plunges six friends into a nightmare from which there may be no escape.

The premise is deceptively simple: seeking shelter from the storm, the friends find themselves trapped in a hotel room that holds unimaginable horrors. As they navigate the twisted game set before them, each must confront their darkest secrets if they hope to survive. For some, these secrets offer a path to freedom, while for others, they spell certain doom.

Fasan's writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into a world of suspense and terror where every moment is fraught with danger. As the friends' truths are exposed and their loyalties tested, tensions mount and alliances shift, leading to a thrilling climax where life and death hang in the balance.

What sets "The Deciding Hour" apart is its exploration of the depths of human nature in the face of extreme adversity. As the friends grapple with their own inner demons and the chilling reality of their situation, they must confront the choices they've made and the consequences of their actions.

In conclusion, "The Deciding Hour" is a pulse-pounding thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Jerrod Fasan has crafted a masterful tale of suspense and survival that will leave readers breathless with anticipation. Prepare to be swept away by this adrenaline-fueled ride into the heart of darkness.

Couldn't wait to read this. It had great potential with such a strong plot.Unfortunately UT fell flat. The writing was super at best and impossible to get into.