I always enjoy Unger’s books and this one was a thrilling, high stakes, action packed account of a reality contest gone wrong.

I thought that the hide and seek premise of a reality show where the prize is 1 million dollars was so fun! It didn’t quite pan out how I thought it would, but not necessarily in a bad way. I thought it would be more of a fight for survival amongst the contestants and while there was that element, it was ended up being more about the showrunners and their corruption than the actual game. We only get 3 contestants and the focus was mostly on the mother in the group, Adele, and her backstory. I did love her resiliency as a mother as she strives to make a better life for her kids after her husband leaves her abandoned and in debt.

The island setting itself was incredibly atmospheric and chilling. I loved the folklorish element from the local residents.

Overall I would have preferred more focus on the game but did really appreciate the thought provoking layer the author embedded into this story when it comes to fame, exploitation, and social media.
If you enjoy survival stories with well developed character backstories, I think you will enjoy this! The audiobook was well narrated and I appreciated the differentiation between characters!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for my #gifted ALC!

I loved the idea of this book with the game on an island but I was kind of lost in the middle and was wondering when something else was going to happen. Still overall a great book!

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger delivers a gripping blend of The Hunger Games and Survivor, but with a psychological depth that takes the story to a whole new level.
The high-stakes "game" at its core pushes the limits of human desperation, forcing players to confront just how far they're willing to go for money.
From start to finish, the tension never lets up, and while some plot points stretched believability, the strong writing and intricate twists kept me fully engaged. It's a dark, thought-provoking thriller that lingers long after the final page.
Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am probably in the minority here, but I just thought this book went on and on and nothing really ever happened. It was super boring. I am upset because usually Lisa Unger is a really good writer. I would still be interested in reading more books by her, but unfortunately this one was not for me. I did like the audiobook narrator though!

Many thanks to the publisher for the arc and alc!

Lisa Unger delivers another gripping psychological thriller in Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten, a tense and immersive audiobook experience that keeps listeners on edge from start to finish. Known for her intricate storytelling and deeply layered characters, Unger masterfully weaves a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and perception, leaving audiences questioning everything.

The audiobook format enhances the suspense, drawing listeners into the protagonist’s unraveling journey with expert narration that captures every nuance of fear, doubt, and revelation. Unger’s signature psychological depth shines through as she explores themes of trauma, memory, and the hidden forces that shape our lives.

With a plot packed with unexpected twists and a protagonist whose psyche is as compelling as the mystery itself, Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten is a must-listen for fans of psychological suspense. The pacing is impeccable, the tension never lets up, and the ending delivers the kind of satisfying payoff Unger’s readers have come to expect.

For thriller enthusiasts and audiobook lovers alike, this is a riveting and expertly crafted listen that lingers long after the final chapter.

📚Review: Close Your Eyes And Count To 10
I was really hoping to like this book a little more than I did. This is the second book I’ve read by this author that was just okay to me. Maybe she’s just not for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️ As with the first book I read by her, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, I thought the premise was so cool, but what started off good, quickly unraveled for me. (And not in a good way)
What I noticed with the last book I read and with this one, is that there is a good idea for a storyline, but then too many other things are going on as well. It’s like there’s a good main story, but then too many other characters and side storylines are brought in and it takes away from how the story started off. Anyway, that’s what killed it for me. Too many other things going on. It made it a little confusing to follow at times. At least for the audio version it did anyway.
About the story itself, it’s about a single mother of two, who could use some help financially. Her kids tell her about a game from this well known influencer, of hide and seek. Where there are contestants who will try to survive the ultimate game of hide and seek, and then if they do, there is a million dollar prize. But a storm is looming once the game starts, and the contestants are in trouble from the storm and a number of other things too. I don’t want to say too much about it. But how cool does that sound right!? I thought it sounded like it would be like Survivor meets The Hunger Games and that it was going to be such a cool book, but for me, that just wasn’t the case. It was just okay for me. It had so much potential, but then just got too crazy for me. I wish it stayed with one POV and no side stories. I think I would’ve liked it better. This was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars for me! But if this sounds interesting to you, don’t let me keep you from it. Maybe you will like it better than I did. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Have you read or listened to this one yet? What were your thoughts?

Thank you to @netgalley and @harlequin_audio for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: February 25, 2025

The premise was intriguing - an extreme game of hide & seek in a remote island for a cash prize. The contestants when their own reasons for participating. Add in a tropical storm and social media storm and everyone is fighting to survive.

It was a quick read but left me wanting more especially with the ending (which was easy to figure out). I liked this book it’s not my favorite by Lisa Unger. Vivienne Leheny did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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.

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!

This book was an action-packed, thought-provoking thrill ride! The alternating POVs, while potentially tricky in other books, were handled beautifully here. Each character was distinct and well-developed, with enough backstory to make their motivations and struggles feel compelling.

The plot revolves around “Extreme,” an online streaming platform run by Maverick, a former extreme sports star turned influencer. His latest contest, “Extreme Hide and Seek,” takes place on a storm-ravaged island, where contestants hide in an abandoned hotel for a $1 million prize. The sinister twist? A contestant from the previous season is still missing, adding a chilling undertone to the game.

Adele, a mother of two, stood out as a deeply relatable character. After her husband’s embezzlement scandal left her penniless and ostracized, Adele’s determination to win for her children brought real emotional stakes to the story. Her resilience and drive made her a character worth rooting for.

What impressed me most was the book’s commentary on social media and influencer culture. It explores not just the toxicity but also the deeper reasons people are drawn to this world, questioning whether the real problem lies with influencers or the audiences that fuel them.

The ending tied everything together perfectly, with a glimpse into the characters’ lives post-contest. I loved Mav and Angeline’s arcs and am still curious about the mystery surrounding Alex—please message me if you’ve read it so we can discuss!

Fast-paced, dramatic, and filled with twists, this book balances gripping action with meaningful commentary. It’s a must-read for fans of high-stakes thrillers and social insight. Absolutely loved it!

3.5 stars. A flawed but fun novel. The many POV characters create awkward redundancies in the text. Still, for a little mindless entertainment, you could do worse.

Single mother, Adele, signs up to participate in an extreme hide-and-seek challenge hosted by Maverick Dillan, a famous influencer, adventurer, and daredevil. She hopes to win a large cash prize, but quickly, the game devolves into something more sinister than the intended social media stunt. A storm rages as a deadly threat stalks the contestants, turning this game into a true quest for survival.

I really liked the concept of this book. A Mr. Beast challenge gone wrong of sorts. Mix that with a spooky setting and high stakes, and you've got an interesting thriller. So I was very excited to read this. But I just wasn't a fan of the execution. This book felt very busy and at times, too fast-paced to keep everything straight. I felt confused at times as stories and characters were jumping around. I think this made the story lack the character development I usually enjoy. I listened to the audiobook version which may have made the book more confusing since the narrator didn't always differentiate between characters, though I did like the narrator overall. While this one wasn't my cup of tea, if you enjoy a faster paced book with more of a thriller vibe than mystery, this is definitely worth a read.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I so wanted to love this book! Unfortunately I had a really hard time with this one. I absolutely loved the premise of the story, but the execution fell a bit flat for me. I was immediately drawn into the story and loved the narrator in this audio book, however I had a really hard time keeping the storylines straight. I felt like the flipping back and forth wasn’t super clear, which often left me a bit confused. Maybe I would have had an easier time following the story if I had read a physical copy of the book. With that said, it was still an interesting and engaging story.

Read this if you like:
→ Isolated settings
→ Reality shows
→ Multiple POVs

Thank you @harlequin_audio and @htpbooks for the advanced copy.

This was such a fun book to listen to! The story is told from multiple POVs and I enjoyed the reality game show plot. I loved the secluded island setting with an impending storm looming. There’s so many secrets that are revealed as the story unfolds and I could wait to see what was going to happen next. The narrator did a great job and brining the story and book to life.

Close Your Eyes And Count To 10 by @launger

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the gifted audiobook and HTP Books/ Park Row for the e-ARC.

Let me preface this by saying that I am newer to audiobooks that are fiction. So please know that it takes me some time to get used to. I usually do audio memoirs.

The synopsis alone says this is an extreme game of hide-and-seek. However, I felt the excitement didn’t hit the mark for me until the last 25% of the book. We have many POV. Everyone is struggling with something. I usually can follow a big cast but I seemed to struggle with keeping up.

One thing that bothered me was how Adele was an influencer who wanted to make it big. Stream with your followers that you’re on an isolated island in a high stakes game? 😳 All the chat and emoji references were a bit too much for me. That’s just me.

A highly anticipated slow burn thriller. If you’re a Lisa Unger fan and enjoy slow burns, you just might like this one. Please read other reviews, as many have loved it.

Pub date 2/25/2025
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall it was an interesting mystery that moved at a good pace. It was engaging. It jumped around a lot which was a bit frustrating. I was hoping for more of the actual game but the twists made up for that. The husband story line was predictable. It was a quick good read!

Listening to the audiobook version of Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 by Lisa Unger was an exhilarating and immersive experience. Narrated by the incredibly talented Julia Whelan, the audiobook brings this suspenseful thriller to life in a way that is both captivating and chilling.

Julia Whelan’s narration is nothing short of spectacular. Her ability to convey the tension and emotion of each scene is remarkable, making it easy to get lost in the story. She masterfully differentiates between characters, adding depth and personality to each one, which enhances the overall listening experience.

The story itself is a gripping blend of real and virtual worlds colliding in a high-stakes game of survival. Adele Crane, a single mother, finds herself participating in a reality competition called Extreme Hide and Seek on the remote Falcão Island. What starts as a thrilling adventure quickly turns into a deadly game, filled with twists and turns that keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

Lisa Unger’s writing is sharp and engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that unfolds at a relentless pace. The audiobook format amplifies the suspense, making every moment feel immediate and intense. The combination of Unger’s storytelling and Whelan’s narration creates an unforgettable experience that is hard to pause.

Overall, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a must-listen for fans of thrillers and suspense. The audiobook delivers a perfect blend of tension, intrigue, and emotion, making it a standout in the genre. I highly recommend this audiobook for its exceptional narration and gripping story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for sending me this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for my copy of CLOSE YOUR EYES AND COUNT TO 10. This one publishes on 2/25.

This one was one of the slowest burn books, but with lots of characters who are easy to confuse with each other and also with their own side issues to keep track of. I had a really hard time getting my brain around all the people and keeping up with the story. I feel like this could have been edited down a little more and it would have been much better. I don't recommend this one.

Lisa Unger's Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten presents an interesting concept, but ultimately, the execution left me wanting more. The plot, while intriguing on paper, was lackluster and felt a bit too choppy to maintain a consistent level of suspense. Maverick Dillan, the charismatic daredevil at the center of this high-stakes game, initially promises a thrilling experience, but the story quickly loses steam as it dives deeper into its convoluted twists.

The tension of the storm and the deadly game on Falcao Island could have made for a gripping read, but I found the pacing uneven and the character development lacking. Adele, the single mother with a heart of steel, is a character I wanted to root for, but I struggled to connect with her journey amidst the chaotic backdrop. The blurring of reality and social media stunts was an interesting angle, but it didn't quite have the emotional depth it needed to be truly impactful.

Overall, the book's premise had potential, but the execution felt rushed and sometimes disjointed. While I didn't completely dislike it, I couldn't shake the feeling that Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten missed the mark on delivering a truly immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience.

I know I can depend on Lisa Unger for a solid thriller, and Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 was no different than her previous great reads.

This was fast paced, kept my interest, and had a solid plot. I was invested till the end, and overall really happy with this read. I liked that it continued Unger's trend of complex characters and an ending that was deliciously not neat, but still provided overall closure. I think what I like most about Unger is she delivers such a satisfying read while still poking edges of discomfort that leave you with an eerie feeling that the story could get worse still despite the book being over. She has definitely honed her craft, and you can tell in the writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.