Lisa Unger writes fabulous thrillers and this one adds a locked room element tangled with a mysterious disappearance. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the storyline of an abandoned wife and kids and an online viewing platform of extreme adventure but the chilling setting made for a great backdrop for fear and dread. I enjoyed how parts of the two subplots intersected however, I was expecting a little more tie in.

I typically love Lisa's books. She is one of my must-read authors. Unfortunately, even with my love for Lisa's writing and the story having elements that I enjoy, this book is my least favorite of Lisa's books. I normally love thrillers with beautiful, but remote settings. I also loved the idea of a hide & seek challenge. However, I guessed a lot of the twists in this one, so it was just ok for me. I'm still looking forward to reading more by Lisa and would recommend this one for someone who does not read a lot of thrillers.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger is a propulsive story about a mother who will do anything for her children, including becoming an influencer, and signing up for an extreme competition that’s risky in the best circumstances. But this certainly isn’t a best circumstances situation…

I really enjoyed the multi POV approach to this novel, which allows the reader to see things from other POVs aside from the main character. They deliver pertinent information at just the right time, leaving the reader beyond curious, and turning the page.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this advanced copy.

Really enjoyed this! This was different from the thrillers I would normally read but it was a nice change. Not sure I would classify it a thriller for myself but it kept you reading

Thank you to Park Row Books for the digital copy to review.

I loved the premise of this one, an extreme game of hide-and-seek on a remote island off the Atlantic Ocean, where the winner gets a million dollars, and it really started off strong. As it went on, I struggled to stay engaged, and the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I read the ebook for this and I’m not sure if that helped or hurt as I usually do audio, but with all the live followers and comments I don’t know how that would have come across on audio. I am a huge fan of this author’s work and while this was not my favorite, I cannot wait to she what she has in store for us next.

Maverick is a daredevil and extreme adventurer who is hosting an extreme game of hide-and-seek on Falco Island. As the players gather, the game quickly spirals into a chilling test of survival as a storm rages and a deadly threat stalks the contestants, turning the game into something far more sinister. Adele is a single mother who is determined to protect her children at any cost. This game of hide-and-seek is the entry point to a web of deceptions and intrigue… will she be able to make it through the game and return to her family?

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 is a book that was high on my list of anticipated reads, but unfortunately, did not live up to my expectations.

That said, let’s get into what worked and what didn’t. I really enjoyed the isolated and atmospheric setting of Falco Island. Add in the concept of a high stakes reality TV show premise with a seemingly underdog main character, and it sounds like you have a winner. Tension quickly builds from the outset and the inclement weather adds another dimension to the eerie setting, making Falco Island feel like a character in its own merit.

Adele is the main character, and narrator, of this novel with alternate chapters in other key characters’ viewpoints. Each character is vivid, well-defined, and realistic, but Adele is the most tangible. Her determination and courage were evident and inspiring. She’s also very relatable, making it easy to become immersed in her POV.

I enjoyed the critique on social media and its impact, particularly the exploitation of one’s struggles for entertainment, that’s explored within these pages. The plot is action-packed with short chapters that served to hold my interest right until the end. There’s also plenty of drama and lies spread through the novel, serving to up the tension. I did find the middle part of the book is where it bogged down, but it soon picks up, leading to a very intriguing ending.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Park Row, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

A quick, fun, easy read. Exactly what I needed after reading a couple duds. Slightly predictable, but still engaging and enjoyable!

CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10 by Lisa Unger

A multilayered thriller about a single mother who joins a high-stakes hide-and-seek influencer competition on a remote island, only to realize the game has deadly consequences. This eerie, atmospheric story is equal parts mystery and commentary on influencer culture. While it's not my favorite from Unger, it's still definitely worth the read!

An utter page-turner! A wild and twisty ride right until the very end.

I am a fan of reality extreme game shows like Survivor, Fear Factor, etc, so the premise of this story piqued my interest.

A group of influencers sign up for an extreme game of hide and seek on a remote island for a million-dollar prize, but early on it is made aware that this is no ordinary game, and the stakes go beyond the cash payout.

In the first half of the novel the author does a good job of helping us get to know all the characters and their motivations behind the choices they make as the story unfolds.

“Even when things seem like they’re standing still, they’re in constant motion. The good. The bad. Nothing lasts.”

The second half is exciting, and I found it exhilarating as the game was set in motion. The author painted a vivid picture of the scenery; even the storm that fell upon the island was so clear I could almost hear the wind blowing through the trees.

My two favorite characters in the novel were Adele and Malinka, two completely different women ultimately both risking everything for the same cause.

“We’re worthy of life and love because of who we are, not because of what we do. You’re enough, Malinka. I wish someone had told me that when I was younger.” — Adele to Malinka

All the characters in this novel were motivated for their own reason. The players of the game, some were motivated to play the game for money, love, redemption, or just to be seen.

The novel takes us into the world of social media and what Influencers go through, seeking approval in one way or another whether it be admiration of others or proof of success by the size of a bank account.

In the end what ultimately matters is to live another day and be with the people we love.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this Advanced Reading Copy of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10.

Lisa Unger’s Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 takes the classic childhood game of hide-and-seek and turns it into a pulse-pounding fight for survival. What starts as a thrilling, social media-fueled challenge on a remote island quickly becomes a nightmarish battle against an unseen, lethal force.

The novel’s premise is irresistible: Maverick Dillan, an extreme adventurer and influencer, gathers contestants for the ultimate high-stakes game on Falcao Island. But as a storm descends and the players disappear one by one, it’s clear that this is no mere competition—someone is hunting them. At the heart of the story is Adele, a single mother whose survival instincts kick into overdrive. With every moment, the line between game and reality blurs, forcing her to make impossible choices to ensure she makes it back to her children.

Unger expertly weaves tension and psychological suspense, crafting an atmosphere thick with paranoia and uncertainty. As the contestants fall victim to the island’s unseen dangers, the novel explores themes of social media spectacle, the limits of human endurance, and the primal fight for self-preservation. Adele’s perspective grounds the novel, giving it emotional weight beyond the thrill of the chase. Readers will root for her as she navigates a world where trust is a liability, and every decision could mean life or death.

Fast-paced and filled with twists, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page. Fans of survival horror, locked-room mysteries, and psychological suspense won’t want to miss this harrowing, adrenaline-fueled ride.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Perfect for fans of Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Squid Game-style survival thrillers.

I haven’t read a book by Lisa Unger since 2010 (Fragile, which I enjoyed) and I really fell for the cover of this book, not going to lie before I realized I’d previously enjoyed books by this author.

Luckily, for me, the book lived up to the cover! This is a modern day thriller told in multiple POVs following an elaborate hide-and-seek game that is being played in an abandoned hotel on an island that isn’t exactly happy this game is taking place. A tropical storm arrives just as shit hits the fan and the game gets deadly.

The story mostly follows single mom Adele who needs the money after her husband leaves her in the lurch when his company falls apart and he flees under the dark of night. She’s barely making ends meet and is sick of worrying about, well, everything but money seems to be the biggest issue. She was an absolute joy to get to know as was Wild Cody.

The action takes a while to ramp up and I feel that some bits could have been expanded more when others could have been condensed but overall I found myself grabbing this book because I just needed to find out how it all ended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Close Your Eyes and County to 10 by Lisa Unger is a new thriller complete with a reality show on a secluded island, lots of secrets, a dangerous storm, and a maybe cult? This one had me intrigued from the blurb and, being and Unger fan, I knew I wanted to read it. Unfortunately, this one wasn't as thrilling as promised.

The premise of this one was really fun - a locked-room style (and there have been many of these tropes recently) where the suspects are all stuck together in a secluded area and there are a number of unreliable narrators. But the twists here were easy to guess/anticipate and the thrills never really reached the level I was hoping for. There were a lot of characters/POVs to keep track of (and many of them were a bit slow) but one I really connected with was Adele - a mom who would do anything for her kids. While it was entertaining, the storyline just didn't grab me and I felt like I could have put the book down and not really been bothered if I hadn't had time to pick it back up again. I guess I'm saying that it just wasn't very memorable. But being an Unger fan, I will look forward to the next one!

If you like locked-room style mysteries, reality TV, survival stories, and atmospheric storms where the island might just take you all down...then you'll like Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I loved this book! I loved the plot and the way it played out. She is such a awesome writer. I look forward to reading more from her.

I like Lisa Unger and her slow burn thriller style of writing with a few twists added in. This novel didn't have the same effect, though. I couldn't connect to any of the characters and the whole premise of influencers going to a deserted resort to play hide and seek for a million dollars seemed far-fetched. The liability of this endeavor would automatically prohibit it, combined with a tropical storm that just happened to come in during the small time frame of the game, made this a non-starter. And there is no way a mom who was in debt and the single parent to teenagers would spend more money to attend this game, leaving her children in a precarious situation. I didn't buy it.

Interesting concept.
I liked the action parts of the story because they kept my interest.
The other parts dragged for me and failed to capture my interest.
It was not my favorite book by Unger.

I was so excited to read this, but sadly I did not care for it. I normally finish a thriller in a couple hours, if I’m really busy-at least in 1-2 days. This book took me almost 3 weeks to get through. I found it so difficult to keep reading. There was nothing really thrilling about it. I felt very confused by the authors need to write a lot of “filler”. There was so much useless information in this book and then we never actually found out who killed Alex. The first 75% of the book was such a slow burn….it was painful. Then as things on the island started to pick up & things with the Extreme group started to crumble-the book picked up the pace but it never really took off for me. The ending was so fast-I blinked & the book was over. I just really did not care for it. The only twists were the dad talking to the kid through the video game which I saw coming. & Chloe being the one harassing Maverick online-which I also saw coming. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this but it just was not for me.

3.5⭐ for a roller coaster of a time! I was glued to the page for every moment of this book. The twists were twisting and I was just a long for the ride. In the beginning it felt like it was going to lean more into the lore and mystique of the island and I'm really sad it didn't actually do that more. It was giving some seriously creepy vibes and I was loving it.

In the end I was pretty happy with where all, but one, of the characters ended up, seemed true and fair. Where Chloe ended up was pretty dumb in my opinion. So much of the story was centered around her and then in it was wrapped up with basically no justice served.

Also it felt like what Adele's husband did was made such a huge deal and alluded to and you also get a look into how hard her and her kids life has become, yet it's not really delved into. Again briefly sort of mentioned as a side tangent. I wish more of that was gone into.

Goodreads informs me that the author has written twenty two books. This is the first I’ve read. I’m always happy to meet a prolific writer as long as they can keep up the quality. My one quibble with the book is the jumping around from person to person. For a good grilled, one needs to keep the narrative building. I didn’t find myself biting my nails. I’d give it 3.5 if that were an option. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

There's something about the game of hide and seek that has always been a bit creepy to me, so the premise of this book really had me intrigued. A reality show game with contestants playing an extreme version of the game on a secluded island. 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬 - even the title sounds a bit ominous. So I was pretty excited going into it and at the beginning I was still interested. Unfortunately, my interest slowly dwindled. I think part of the problem is this author just isn't for me as this isn't the first book that left me feeling disappointed. But the other problem was mainly the pacing. It was soooo slow and the "hide and seek" wasn't really a large part of the plot. There was a lot more going and I mean a lot. But, for having a slower paced plot, it was still a pretty quick read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Lisa Unger's new novel has a great set-up. It's set on a deserted island, on a deserted property, with all the trappings of a good thriller. The end result is a little mixed. Like most good thrillers, it's set in a world that somewhat like our own (with apps such as Photogram and BoxOfficePlus), where we understand who the players are and the dynamics, without going too far into real world slander. Her prose, as usual, is good and moves the plot along at a good clip. So why didn't this work for me as much as some of her others? Maybe it was the juggling POVs. There's a lot here. Seems like almost every character gets a POV chapter at some point. Add in the fact that some of the characters feel a little one-dimensional or alike (was there really a difference between Hector and Gustavo when you boil down to it?). The payoffs and mystery weren't all that compelling by book's end. I think less is more with this one. Unger's strongest stories for me seem to be either 1 or 2 narrators. I hope she sticks to that for the next novel. As I will read it. She's still got the juice. I'm just hoping for a new or added flavor.