Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger

Lisa Unger delivers a unique and timely thriller with Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, blending reality TV spectacle, social media obsession, and survival horror. The premise—a deadly hide-and-seek competition on an isolated island—feels fresh and gripping, pulling readers into a world where the quest for internet fame turns into a fight for survival.

While the concept is strong, the execution stumbles in a few places. The nonlinear timeline, combined with multiple POVs, made the narrative feel disjointed at times. A more straightforward timeline with multiple perspectives might have worked better, or even a single, tension-building prologue before diving into the competition. The storm trapping the contestants added a “locked room mystery” vibe, which heightened the stakes, but some elements—like the shaman character—felt underdeveloped. She could have added an intriguing layer of mysticism or insight but remained more of a background figure.

The book effectively taps into the darker side of influencer culture—where people will risk everything for views—and the dangers of live-streaming real-time events. The combination of social media spectacle and actual life-or-death stakes is chilling, but at times, the story stretches believability. That said, it’s still an entertaining, fast-paced read for fans of thrillers with a modern, tech-driven twist.

I received this ARC through netgalley for my review.

For me this book started out slow. It took me some time to really get into it but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. There are a lot of characters in this book and we are able to read from a lot of their perspectives. Because there were so many people, there were a couple times I was confused and had to go back and reread a section. Overall, I liked this book and will always pick up a book by Lisa Unger. Give this one a read if you like a mystery and games.

I am a huge reality TV fan so the premise of this one really appealed to me.

A game of hide and seek on a remote island with a huge cash prize put on by Mav Dillan is bound to attract some influencers.

Adele is a single mother struggling to give her kids the best life she can. Their father was accused of some white collar crimes and fled, leaving her to pick up the pieces. She's added influencing as a new part time career and, with encouragement of her gamer son Blake, she decides to enter this game and try to win the million dollar prize.

She arrives at Falcao Island and immediately feels the tension. The locals warn the team putting on the show and the contestants about the island's curse and give them the option to leave. They stay. Mav has some accusations against him from prior competitions. When people start to vanish, it becomes more about survival then winning the big prize money.

I loved Adele and her spunk. The action really picked up in the second half of the book. The audio narration by Vivienne Leheny really portrays the tension felt on the island. Very enjoyable remote location, reality tv inspired read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an ALC and HTP/Park Row for an eARC.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten By Lisa Unger will be released on February 25th. This read is an excellent psychological thriller, including tropes such as hide and seek gone wrong, multiple POVs, secluded island, social media, twisty, and whodunit. I recommend this read for those who enjoy psychological thrillers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was so excited to see this one pop up for me! One of my favorite authors and this book didn’t disappoint!! I started this book late last night and ended up not getting any sleep!!

This novel is a heart-pounding thriller that combines the high-stakes tension of a survival game with the dark underbelly of social media spectacle. Maverick Dillan, a charismatic adventurer, invites contestants to a dangerous game of hide-and-seek on the remote and storm-lashed Falcao Island, promising fame and a million-dollar prize. What begins as an exhilarating social media event quickly spirals into a chilling fight for survival as sinister forces come into play.

At the story’s center is Adele, a resilient single mother desperate to provide a better future for her children after her fugitive husband abandoned them. Balancing her new life as an influencer and her financial struggles, Adele sees Maverick’s game as an opportunity she can’t pass up. But once on the cursed island, it becomes clear that survival, not winning, is the ultimate goal.

The novel excels in crafting a suspenseful, immersive atmosphere. The warnings from locals, Maverick’s questionable ethics, and the island’s haunting isolation create an air of dread that grows with each chapter. As contestants start vanishing and the storm intensifies, the story transforms into a relentless, adrenaline-fueled battle. The constant threats—both from the environment and an unseen predator—keep readers on edge.

Adele is the novel’s greatest strength. Her fierce determination to protect her children and her emotional depth make her a compelling and relatable protagonist. Her maternal instincts and resilience shine as the situation becomes increasingly dire. The dynamic between her and her children adds emotional weight to the story, elevating it beyond a typical survival tale.

While the pacing starts slow, with multiple characters and backstories introduced, the narrative picks up rapidly in the second half. The action-packed sequences and psychological tension keep the story engaging, even though some subplots, like Adele’s estranged husband, remain unresolved. The book’s commentary on the exploitation of personal struggles for entertainment and the dangers of social media fame adds a thought-provoking layer.

In conclusion, this novel is a gripping blend of survival horror and social commentary, exploring the lengths a mother will go to protect her family. With a chilling setting, vivid characters, and relentless tension, it’s a must-read for fans of thrillers and survival stories. Despite minor pacing issues, it delivers a satisfying, edge-of-your-seat experience from start to finish. Thankyou NetGalley for my ARC

⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten
Author: Lisa Unger

ARC review! Thank you Netgalley, and Harlequin Trade Publishng for this ARC! As with all of Lisa Ungers books I have read, I really enjoyed this one. I was in the mood for a thriller read, and this releases next Tuesday 2/25 so it was the perfect time to start! A mother named Adele, that’s also a social media influencer, decides to join a deadly game of hide and seek on a private island. The game is broadcast live, and she thinks it’s the perfect way to gain followers for her social media. Maverick is the mastermind behind the games. Also, there was a missing girl from a previous game that is presumed to be dead. Adele’s husband has also been MIA leaving her alone with her two kids to raise by herself. What the heck is going on? Lots of random twists and turns, and multiple character POVs. Will we solve the mystery of the missing girl, Adele’s husband, and Mavericks messed up ways? Will more people turn up dead this game? Should the games be shut down? If this sounds interesting to you pick up this read. Lisa Unger is a great thriller author and I’m so grateful for the copy! Also can we have a moment of appreciation for the cover of this?

When extreme adventurer, Maverick Dillan announces his next game of hide and seek, the location is a scary one. Adele is a struggling single mother in desperate need of cash and with a million dollar prize, she’s all in. Upon arrival on the island things start to unravel quickly and a simple game of hide and seek is about to turn deadly. This was not my favorite of Unger’s books. An OK read, but not her best. Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

An extreme, high-stakes game of hide and seek with social media influencers? That’s not something you come across every day. Add in a determined mother fighting for her family’s future, and I was all in.

The main character, a mom of two teenagers, had a compelling arc. With her husband missing after embezzling money and leaving their family in shambles, she decides to train, build her strength, and enter the competition to win the prize money.

There were a lot of characters and side stories to keep up with, which sometimes made things feel a little chaotic. But overall, it was interesting to see how they were all connected in the end.

My biggest gripe was the pacing. Some sections just dragged. There were over-explanations, and the level of detail about every character’s backstory, thoughts, and motivations made certain chapters feel like they went on forever. I found myself wanting to skim just to get back to the action.

If you’re into competition-based thrillers with a mix of strategy, survival, and deception, this one is worth checking out.

Thank you, #NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for a chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

As players gather on Falcao Island for an extreme game of hide and seek with a high stakes prize, the event quickly spirals into a chilling test of survival. A tropical storm rages, making everything more treacherous. With every man (or woman) for themselves, it becomes not just about the money, but a matter of survival.

I usually really enjoy this author's books, but this one just didn't work for me. I love locked-in mysteries, so this book should have been perfect for me. I think part of it was the fact that the story was told in the viewpoint of the different players as well as those running the game, and the children of one of the contestants. All of the contestants were influencers, so a lot of their chapters were filled with them producing footage for their audience, no matter how fake the situation, and feedback from their fans, and I just found that to be tedious, and it took me out of the story. I was more interested in an exciting game of hide and seek, but it felt like most of the book was those social media influencers posting for views. I guess this just wasn't as exciting as I had hoped it would be. This won't stop me from reading her next book, but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.

As someone well outside the target demographic for influencer culture, I found the premise of this novel both intriguing and slightly bewildering. The main character, Adele, finds herself drawn into a high-stakes game hosted by Maverick, a wildly popular WeWatch influencer whose extravagant stunts and live challenges have amassed him a massive following. While the concept will likely resonate with younger readers or those familiar with the world of online personalities, it may not land as well for a more mature audience unfamiliar with these themes.

Adele, along with Blake and Violet, is facing a personal and financial crisis. Over a year ago, her husband disappeared, leaving her drowning in debt and entangled in an FBI investigation over the millions he embezzled. With options running out, Adele reluctantly agrees to participate in a bizarre, live-streamed hide-and-seek game with a million-dollar prize—an offer presented by Blake. The game takes place on an ominous, isolated island, complete with a looming storm, eerie atmosphere, and even a murder. But is this all part of the spectacle, or is something far more sinister at play?

The novel is undeniably fast-paced, and the tension kept me engaged. However, I struggled to connect with the story’s reliance on influencer culture as a central theme. The idea of a desperate woman risking her life in a YouTube-esque survival game for cash felt more outlandish than compelling. While thrillers often require some suspension of disbelief, this one occasionally stretched it too far.

That said, fans of Lisa Unger’s signature blend of mystery and suspense may still find plenty to enjoy, especially if they’re willing to embrace its modern, internet-fueled premise.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance copy—I appreciate the chance to listen and share my thoughts.

This popcorn thriller has lots of great ideas, but seemed to take the path of most predictable. I loved Adele's character and I felt that her husband's backstory could have played a more prominent role. I also felt more time could have been spent on the playing of the actual game. I have so many questions about side characters left unanswered. It's a quick read with a fun premise.

DNF at 50%, this one was unfortunately not for me, the characters were super unlikable, the main character you should root for is just so unlikable, the premise was not for me

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! What a story full of twists and turns! Really makes you look at the world of these “reality survivor” type shows with a different eye. I wanted a bit more from some of the characters and the storyline, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Overall, I think the premise of the story is great, building up the suspense and making you side eye a lot of the characters.

3.5 rounded up. Immersive, a little claustrophobic at points, but a compelling story. Intriguing premise with social media influencers and a competition on a remote island. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book is billed as an extreme game of hide and seek that turns deadly. But, for me this really only held true for the last quarter of the book. There was a big cast of characters, with multiple POVs, and everyone had something to hide. This made for a few good mysteries weaved throughout this narrative. However, it was hard to focus on the main plot, when there were often abrupt breaks that threw you into the subplots. It was definitely an interesting take on social media influencers and that style of life that they live, constantly online despite being in dangerous situations… anything for the views! I feel like there were so many creepy and interesting ideas that were started towards the beginning of this book, but that they were fully developed, and seemed to just flutter away towards the end, leaving a fairly straightforward ending and reveal. Overall, this was a decent, slow burn thriller, that offers a good perspective on the influencers culture.

Ready or not, here I come, the old familiar schoolyard refrain takes on a whole new meaning in Close Your Eyes and Count to 10.
Maverick is the influencer behind Extreme, a social platform that started with him performing extreme stunts to one that has extreme hide and seek challenges. Monies received from sponsors and his many viewers are supposedly given to charities. What we find out is that his reality show is fraught with lots of secrets and controversy.
His latest endeavour is a hide and seek competition on an island in an abandoned hotel that is crumbling and guarded by a spooky dignitary.
Enter 3 contestants who all have their own pasts that are controversial. The main character is Adele, a mom and fitness influencer who will do anything to provide for her children after her husband left her and the kids with debt due to an embezzlement charge in the past. The other contestants are Wild Bill Cody and Malinka, two other social influencers with pasts that have left them disgraced.
I found myself rooting for Adele right from the very beginning. The whole story made me feel like I was a watcher caught up in the intrigue and the suspense as a storm sets in, and choices have to be made all with different consequences. I did find the ending to be just a tad predictable but it was a page turner to be sure. It really did give new meaning to the old adage, you can run but you can't hide.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing who provided me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Huge thanks to HTP Hive, Park Row, and Lisa Unger for this ARC!

🎭 Extreme hide-and-seek on a secluded island… hosted by a shady daredevil influencer who only cares about clout? What could possibly go wrong? 🤯 As players arrive, secrets start unraveling, and soon, the stakes turn deadly.

🌴 What I Loved Most:
🔄 The multiple POVs worked so well! Seeing the story unfold through different perspectives kept me guessing—who was telling the truth? Who had secrets?
📱 The social media commentary was spot-on! From influencer culture to the blurred line between reality and online personas, this book had some sharp observations on how far people will go for views, fame, and validation.
🌊 The isolated setting was chilling. You could feel the claustrophobia, the rising tension, and the looming danger creeping in like an incoming storm.

📌 What to Expect:
🐢 Slow-burn tension that explodes into chaos
📖 Short, bingeable chapters
📱 Dark social media & influencer themes
🏝️ High-stakes survival on a remote island

⏳ How Was the Pace?
The beginning was a slow burn, but just like the gathering storm, tension steadily built until all hell broke loose. Once the action kicked in, it was fast, intense, and impossible to put down.

⭐ Final Verdict:
If you love psychological thrillers with a mix of survival horror, reality TV gone wrong, and influencer drama, this one’s for you. The social commentary, unreliable narrators, and high-stakes tension made for a gripping read. Lisa Unger delivers again! 🔥

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is my 2nd book by Lisa Unger and I found this isolated game concept really good. This story is told through various perspectives but it was necessary to get different view. It was supposed to be a game but soon turns into a survival game.

We get Adele’s point of view where she is willing to do anything to save her children, the stakes are higher but really enjoyable. I loved this premise.

"Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" by Lisa Unger is a 3-star read. Adele is a single mother struggling to make ends meet when she enters a high-stakes hide-and-seek competition hosted by Extreme on Falcao Island. Maverick Dillan, Extreme’s CEO and a world-famous social media influencer, oversees the event. But trouble soon arrives in two forms—human interference and a major storm. Can Adele and her fellow contestants make it out alive?

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. While it will likely appeal to readers interested in social media, influencers, and podcasts, it just wasn’t for me. Nearly every character gets a dedicated chapter to share their story, which made the pacing feel slow. If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with a “trapped while trying to escape” element, this book might be a good fit for you. There are a few twists that were somewhat surprising, and the action picks up near the end, but I still found myself just wanting to finish it.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Lisa Unger, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.