Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten* by Lisa Unger delivers a compelling setup with an intriguing mystery at its core. The story follows a protagonist dealing with a traumatic past, blending suspense with emotional exploration. Unger’s writing shines in creating tension and atmosphere, but the plot can feel uneven at times, with pacing that drags in places. While the characters are interesting, some of the twists are predictable. Overall, it's an enjoyable read for fans of psychological thrillers, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a tightly woven narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I am such a long time fan of Lisa Unger, but I struggled with this one. In my opinion, her best work will forever be The Hollows series that blends police work with mysteries. This one felt very trendy with its premise of an extreme hide and seek competition that is live streamed across social media platforms. None of the characters are particularly likeable and they are all just in it for the shares/views/followers. There are too many red herrings that don't really lead anywhere. The book was too long and could have been edited down.

Adele feels herself sinking. Life is overwhelming her. She is divorced, raising two teens, and deeply in debt. She was the wife of a financial analyst. He took funds from his clients and disappeared, leaving her to answer for his sins. The FBI keeps close tabs on Adele because she might know more than she is showing. She is on social media posting about her life as a single parent and a woman trying to get fit after years of self-neglect. Her son is a fan of an online personality that offers one million dollars to a survivor of extreme hide-and-seek at a secluded location. Adele is selected and prepares for this grueling game. There are problems surrounding the influencer. He is losing subscribers, losing sponsors, and losing money. He is counting on the event to rescue his brand. His last event ended with one of the participants going missing, will this event end the same way? Adele's children prepare to watch their mom compete. The remote island holds secrets and death. Will Adele win or even make it off the island?

The author has an imaginative story. A broke mom needs money and goes to the extreme to win a contest. Along the way we see the family attempting to hold their heads up in a town where they are judged guilty for the husband's mistakes. Unger captures the nuanced relationship mothers have with their children during their teen years. Very realistic! The social influencer and his crew are the perfect illustrations of how fleeting fame can be. A tropical storm on a nearly deserted island is the perfect backdrop for crime and Unger doesn't disappoint. The story begins to get muddled with so many happenings. A storm, murders, a missing person, and a contest become unwieldy. Bringing all these items together successfully ends the story but misses the opportunity to move social media back from being life to being a tool to use in life.

This is a good book to grab on a rainy fall day. It moves well and is highly entertaining. Can we call it a cozy psychological thriller?

I appreciate Harper Collins books, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for providing early access to this book.

This book is full of action and suspense. Seeing as how the extreme game show contestants are extreme risk takers, it is sure to be a fight to the death, isn’t it? If you are excited about the premise, you may be disappointed, as the game show takes a backseat to the real drama, that comes out of nowhere. The characters are very hard to pin down and there is no guessing the end. Interesting book, but disappointed on the twist it took. Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the ARC. I got 30 percent into this book and just couldn't connect with it. I wanted to like it. Too many books in this world to read one I can't connect to. Sorry

Here is my confession…

I am a Huge fan of Lisa Unger, have been for many a decade. I love the fast pace, twisty, and delicious thrillers she writes.

“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10,” is one of my favorite 5. Our novel revolves around a group of successful Social Media Influencers that gather for a fun and innocent game of Hide and Seek. However, it turns out not to be so fun and so innocent when it becomes a game of survival for all,of them.

Full of tension spikes and twists this novel grabs you and has tou reading long into the night. It’s a fine commentary on social media and the power it has, either good or bad.

Thank You NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

One of my favorite Lisa unger books!! She always knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time !! Can’t wait for more by her !!

“Close Your Eyes and Count to 10” by Lisa Unger is a thrilling, high-stakes psychological drama revolving around a group of influencers who play an extreme game of hide and seek as part of a contest. What begins as a seemingly fun and harmless challenge quickly spirals into a deadly game of survival. Unger expertly increases the tension, creating a fast-paced narrative full of unexpected twists. This book is a must-read for fans of suspenseful, twist-filled thrillers.

I was excited to receive an ARC of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10. I have read some of Lisa Unger's past books and enjoyed them. This one was relatable. The world of social media, going live, views, endorsements, etc etc Mixed with mystery and murder. Overall, the story was good. I only guessed part of the mystery and there were a couple of unexpected twists. My only reason for 3 stars is that it was too long. It seemed to drag on and was well over 50% through before it really started to get interesting. I have no doubt some people will enjoy this. The ending was good and no loose strings were left.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an e-arc of close your eyes and count to 10.

3.5 rounded up! I really enjoyed this low burn of a thriller. Although on the slower pace with multiple povs, I couldn’t put it down and ended up reading it in 2 sittings. However, it took a while to get into and found the buildup of the first 20% to be long. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed and wish the reader could have discovered all the twists on page isn’t sad of jumping ahead and having the characters tell all.


Single mom Adele is struggling to make ends meet after her husband disappears and is wanted for fraud and embezzlement. When her son, Blake, signs her up for the ultimate game experience of hide and seek for a chance to win 1 million dollars, Adele sets off to Flacao island. Upon the contestants arrivals, a deadly storm is headed their way. Adele quickly realizes that the island and game is full of lies and deception. Will she make it out alive?

As much as I wanted to love this book it just wasn’t a love for me.

It was a good story, well written and had such great promise and while I will still say it was a good read it wasn’t wonderful or great.

I did enjoy the multiple points of view but this story just felt incredibly slow and it was very hard to love any of the characters.

I have come to realize that I do not enjoy books with a slow burn. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Lisa Unger's writing style and this was written extremely well, I am just someone who needs to be gripped from the start. A more fast-paced thriller I should say. However, I did enjoy having multiple points of view and the lives from the game placed throughout the book. I thought this was a nice way to represent modern society with the use of social media, but with a thrilling twist to it.

Such a fun and atmospheric thriller! The book starts as a bit of a slow burn and then quickly picks up into an action-packed and high-stakes story. The chilling atmosphere of the Island really made the book for me. I think if the setting wasn't as interesting my rating would have been lower. I also really enjoyed Lisa Ungers commentary on the impact of social media. Usually in a thriller I am only there for the plot, but this story had so much more! I will definitely recommend to friends, family, and followers upon release.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh. My. Gracious.

I've read so many good thrillers and this one was not one. It was so boring. Filled with unlikeable characters with too many outrageous storylines, the twists and turns this book takes you on are so predictable and not at all exciting. It took me almost three weeks to read this book because I kept falling asleep and not once was I excited to pick it back up to finish it. Go with your gut if it says DNF.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this ebook.

Loved this book! The last few novels Unger has written, have become favorites! Great book I devoured in one sitting. Just the right touch of creepiness mixed with family and interesting characters. Great story line that caught my attention.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 has a very promising premise, however I've found it difficult to get into. I started this book in July and it continues to be a DNF for me. I enjoy this author's works, but this one felt a bit far fetched in terms of the main character's motives and it's very slow. Nonetheless, thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

ARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

In Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, Lisa Unger masterfully weaves a psychological thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the final twist. Known for her ability to blend intricate plotting with deep psychological insights, Unger delivers another captivating tale that explores the complexities of memory, trust, and the shadows of the past.

The narrative centers around the enigmatic character of the protagonist, whose life is turned upside down when a series of unsettling events begins to unfold. As the story progresses, Unger skillfully unravels the layers of her character’s psyche, drawing readers into a world of paranoia and uncertainty. The exploration of the protagonist's struggles with her memories and perceptions of reality creates a deeply immersive reading experience.

Unger’s writing is both evocative and taut, effortlessly building tension throughout the narrative. The pacing is expertly crafted, with each chapter ending on a note of suspense that compels you to keep turning the pages. The author deftly interweaves flashbacks and present-day events, creating a rich tapestry that enhances the story’s depth and complexity.

The themes of trust and betrayal resonate strongly throughout Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, as the protagonist grapples with her relationships and the secrets that threaten to unravel everything she holds dear. Unger’s ability to create morally ambiguous characters adds to the intrigue, leaving readers questioning whom to trust and what lies beneath the surface.

As the plot unfolds, unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing, culminating in a shocking climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Unger’s knack for crafting intricate mysteries shines through, as she expertly leads readers down a path filled with red herrings and revelations.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Lisa Unger has once again proven her talent for crafting gripping narratives that delve into the darkest corners of the human mind. With its blend of suspense, emotion, and complex characters, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Lisa Unger does it again. A game of hide and seek but deadly... Yikes 😳 right. You remember the game hide and seek but the difference is you can win a million dollars. This isn't your regular hide and find. Read today!

I'm bummed! I had to give up on this at 50%.. it's not that the writing was bad....it just felt like a few recent books that I read and it was dragging out. I usually love Lisa Unger and will still be reading her future books.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Book: Close Your Eyes and Count To 10
Author: Lisa Unger
Publisher - Harlequin Trade Publishing
Pub Date: February 25, 2025

I need to start this review off by saying I am Lisa Unger's number one fan. I love her. She is an auto read/buy for me. So I absolutely hate saying I didn't care for this book. Ughhhhh.....it just wasn't for me. I am really not into the reality show trope and I think that was a turn off for me. I highly recommend all books by Lisa Unger but I guess you can't love them all. I don't even want to discourage anyone else from reading it because I love this author that much.