** spoiler alert ** A reality show on a remote island that had creepy vibes, count me in. We have the host, Maverick, that is known for crazy stunts and selected influencers to join in a survivor style game that is broadcasted. One of the main POV that intrigued me was Adele, a single mom who joined wont hopes to win the big cash prize.

The story is told in multiple POV, I wished the narration was told by multiple narrators. Vivienne Leheny did a good job but it would've been a more enriched experience with different narrators.

One part of the story that really bothered me was that Adele left her kids alone. I can't recall how old they were but leaving time for a time would not be something I would be comfortable doing in real life. I also didn't like that the dad appears and has a change of heart all of a sudden. It felt so forced to be part of the story.

Thank you @parkrowbooks @htp_hive for a copy of the audiobook.

An extreme game of hide and seek at a creepy abandoned building all while being live steamed?! Count me in!!! The narration was spot on and really brought the book to life. Bravo! The multiple POV was hard to follow at times but overall I really enjoyed this book. I feel there were some missed opportunities of what “could have happened”. Definitely give this a read when it releases February 25!

3.5 stars

A Survivor-style game of hide and seek in an abandoned and decrepit luxury hotel sets the stage for this thriller. Full of eerie and haunting imagery, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is a captivating new read from Lisa Unger.

I overall enjoyed the book and was definitely hooked throughout the story, but I feel like there were too many plotlines fighting for your attention. Maybe that wouldn't have been so confusing if it has been written in third person, but the first person chapters from the many characters and switching in and out of the game was distracting. I understand the overall purpose and see where the author was going with it, but it left me confused more than once. I had a hard time getting track of the characters.

Because of the many characters and switching POV's, I would've loved to hear this as a multi-cast narration. However, the single narrator did an excellent job with narrating the story and driving the urgency of the plot.

Thank you Harlequin Audio, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the gifted ALC and ARC.

The cover and title and summary are extremely captivating.

Unfortunately that was about all I enjoyed about this. There were a lot of characters and everything was so slow moving and just felt like there really wasn't a lot happening.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and Harlequin Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for a honest review.

Are you ready for an unforgettable game of hide-and-seek on a remote, abandoned island, where the stakes are a whopping one million dollars? "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten" is an exhilarating thriller that weaves together the crazy world of social media with a locked-room mystery set against the eerie backdrop of an abandoned and crumbling resort on the remote Falcao Island.

Meet Maverick, a daring influencer and extreme adventurer who organized this highly controversial event despite ominous warnings from the local community and a massive storm on the horizon. His thrill-seeking spirit makes for good entertainment, but the real drama unfolds when the players arrive.

Then there's Adele, a single mother drowning in debt after her husband walked out. She's willing to leave her kids for a few days with the chance to change her family’s future hanging in the balance. What could go wrong? Adele is fit, ready, and determined to win, but once she steps on the island and the game starts, she starts questioning her decision.

Thanks to Harlequin Audio and Park Row Books, I had the opportunity to dive into the ebook and audiobook versions of this gripping tale. Experiencing the story while listening to it adds a new layer of depth, enhancing the thrill! I've admired the narrator, who brings characters to life with her talent.

Unger is one of my favorite authors, and I try to grab early copies of her books whenever possible. This book might not reach the heights of some of her earlier works, but it still delivers a heart-pounding survival thriller that will keep you engrossed.

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Adele is barely making ends meet after her husband ran off after embezzling money from his company so when her 14 year old son suggests she apply to play extreme hide and seek to win 1 million dollars on daredevil Maverick Dillan's social media channel (think Mr. Beast) she jumps at the chance. But the game is being played on a secluded island that's home to a defunct resort and there's more than just one storm brewing on Falcao Island. This was a quick listen and I enjoyed the narration but it was just way too confusing for me. A character would be somewhere doing something then all the sudden with no warning it would jump back to a scene that led to the one you were just reading. There are a ton of characters to keep straight but they all lacked the depth to make me care about them. I usually love this authors books and I'm still excited to read whatever she comes up with next. Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my ALC.

This atmospheric thriller had a fun concept, but I found the execution to be slightly lacking.

Influencers are invited to play extreme hide and seek on an island for a cash prize, and of course things go badly wrong. From a giant storm to locals wanting them to leave to secrets in the Extreme team hosting the challenge, if it can go wrong it surely does.

I loved the island setting and thought single mom Adele was a pretty badass character. The concept poked fun at YouTubers and the wild things they do for views and likes, and I enjoyed all of that.

Overall, I think there were too many different storylines going on and none of them felt fully developed. The book also skipped around so much that it confused me several times- a character would be running to hide one chapter, then sitting by their tent in the next. The continuity was off, making things unclear. There were side storylines that really didn’t add much to the story as well, adding extra length but not additional substance.

The audiobook narrator had a huge task in front of her, narrating so many POVs along with internet comments and podcasts. Due to the continuity issues mentioned above, I ended up switching to reading this one with my eyes instead of my ears, as it got confusing to listen to. This is no fault of the narrator, who does a great job voicing so many characters.

Thank you to HTP for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I would probably rate this closer to a 3.5. I loved the premise and the shifting between point of views. However, the later half of the book felt too predictable and not quite suspenseful or thriller enough to actually keep me guessing compared to other titles by this author. They are masterful at juggling multiple characters with equal emphasis which is enjoyable!

Maverick Dillian has always been about pushing the limits, and now he’s taking it to a whole new level with an insane hide and seek challenge in a remote location. This isn’t his first time hosting one of these wild events, but there’s definitely some drama surrounding this one. Last time, one player was never found, and it caused quite a stir. This time, he’s brought together four influencers from all over to battle it out for a jaw dropping $1 million prize. The latest challenge is happening on Falcao Island— an island that definitely doesn’t want them there, but Maverick is determined to make it happen. Will they all make it out in one piece? And who’s going to walk away with the grand prize? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book! Absolutely thrilling!!! I loved learning about the characters and what made them tick. Learning why each person wanted to be there and seeing them all grow so much

I DNF at 52% . I tried picking this up multiple times but it was confusing and so far fetched I couldn’t continue .

It was so much the narrator but the story line itself.

Lisa Unger is always an author that I look forward to reading, so her latest novel "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" was no different! Unger knows how to thread stories between one another and make readers keep guessing until the end, and this deserted island/reality livestream contest was an intriguing premise!

I enjoyed this novel overall, but it did take me awhile to get into it. There were a lot of characters to learn, and their alternating viewpoints took me a bit to straighten out. Once I had everything down, the story flowed much better for me. The characters were well-developed, I thought, with a lot of complex backgrounds. There were some areas of the book that I felt slowed down a bit more than necessary. The setting of the novel was a character in and of itself, lots of descriptions that made me feel like I knew the island they were on.

My final reaction: A dark, twisty mystery from talented Lisa Unger that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel!

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. I was drawn to this book because I love reality series shows like survivor and alone and this reminded me of them. I have also seen some extreme hide and seek shows and been fascinated with them and the ingenuity that contestants possess (look it up!). This book was a solid whodunit, I wouldn't say I was wowed, but it was definitely a page turner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for a review copy. This was a fun twisty listen centered around social media influencing. Good standard thriller fair with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. There were a few different story lines unraveling at once, but I enjoyed them all. I thought the main characters were easy to like. Somehow this was my first Lisa Unger novel, but I'll be coming back for more.

thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Audio, for the free ARC!

i really enjoyed this lisa unger novel, and the audiobook narrator was fantastic. this story had a different vibe from my usual thriller/mystery reads—leaning into a locked-room mystery with multiple povs that added depth and propelled the plot forward.

the characters are flawed, desperate, and deeply complex. the book feels modern and timely without coming across as forced or cringey. unger masterfully explores the question of why, diving into each character’s background to provide a rich understanding of their motivations and thought processes.

i’d definitely read more from lisa unger and would love to listen to more audiobooks by this narrator!

I think you can do no wrong with Lisa Unger-who is definitely a go-to author for me. Her new book, "Close Your Eyes and Count to 10" is a great read. Love it and the narrator.

*Close Your Eyes and Count to 10* follows a group of social media influencers caught up in a high-stakes game of hide and seek. Nearly every character is haunted by a dark past, with some secrets intertwining in unexpected ways. While the novel presents moments of suspense, certain sections feel slow, and others lean into the absurd. The social media platforms in the story, "WeWatch" and "Photogram," clearly echo YouTube and Instagram. Though the exploration of social media could offer a thought-provoking angle, it ultimately comes across as a bit cheesy.

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten by Lisa Unger is a psychological thriller that explores the complexities of trust, secrets, and the fine line between obsession and love. The story follows Annie, a woman trying to piece together her life after a traumatic incident. As she uncovers the tangled web of secrets surrounding her, Annie must confront her past, the people she once trusted, and her own perceptions of reality. The novel delves into the mind of its protagonist, exploring themes of guilt, trauma, and how our past shapes the choices we make in the present.

Things I Liked:
1. Atmospheric Writing: Lisa Unger does an excellent job of building suspense through her atmospheric writing. The tone of the book is tense, and the dark, brooding ambiance is maintained throughout. From the first page, I felt drawn into the eerie and unsettling world she created, which helped immerse me in the mystery and intrigue of the story.
2. Twisty Plot: The novel's plot is packed with unexpected turns and revelations. The mystery surrounding Annie's past and the people involved kept me hooked from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed how the book kept me guessing, with each chapter revealing a little more about the truth while simultaneously introducing new questions. Unger masterfully builds tension and intrigue, making it hard to put the book down.
3. Complex Characters: The characters are multifaceted and compelling. Annie, in particular, is a well-crafted protagonist, whose emotional struggles and conflicting desires make her a believable and relatable character. The supporting cast, with their own layers of secrets and hidden motivations, adds depth to the story, making it clear that no one is entirely trustworthy.
4. Exploration of Psychological Themes: The book does a great job of exploring psychological themes, such as obsession, guilt, and trauma. Annie's internal conflict and the way her mind unravels as she uncovers more about herself and her past felt real and raw. The emotional depth added a layer of complexity to the thriller, making it more than just a mystery.

Things I Didn’t Like:
1. Pacing Issues: While the plot was intriguing, there were moments when the pacing slowed down significantly. Certain sections of the book felt repetitive, and the suspense built up too slowly, causing me to lose a bit of interest in the middle chapters. I think tightening the pacing in the second half of the book would have helped maintain the tension and kept the momentum going.
2. Predictability in Some Plot Points: Although the book had plenty of twists, there were moments where some of the plot developments felt a bit predictable. I saw certain revelations coming from a mile away, which took some of the excitement out of the more dramatic moments. A few more surprises or red herrings would have kept me on my toes more effectively.
3. Underdeveloped Secondary Characters: While the main characters were well fleshed out, I felt that some of the secondary characters could have been developed more. Some of the supporting cast felt one-dimensional or too stereotypical, which diminished the impact of their roles in the plot. A deeper exploration of their motivations could have added more layers to the story and made the book even more immersive.
4. Ending Felt Too Neat: The conclusion of the book, while satisfying in some ways, wrapped up a little too neatly. Given the dark, complex nature of the narrative, I was hoping for an ending that felt a bit more ambiguous or open-ended. Instead, everything seemed to come together a bit too easily, which reduced the emotional weight of the resolution.

Feedback and Recommendations for Improvement:
• Pacing: The book could benefit from tightening the pacing, particularly in the middle section, where the suspense wanes a little. Fewer repetitive moments and more continuous action or discovery could help maintain the sense of urgency.
• Surprise Elements: More unexpected twists or misdirection could enhance the thrill factor and keep readers engaged. The story had a lot of potential for shocking moments, but some of the plot developments were too predictable, which dampened the excitement.
• Secondary Character Development: Giving more attention to secondary characters and fleshing out their backgrounds and motivations would add depth to the story. It would make their involvement in the plot feel more meaningful and allow for more complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Ending Ambiguity: While the ending is clear and satisfying, a slightly more ambiguous or open-ended conclusion could have left a more lasting impact. It would have allowed readers to reflect on the themes of the book in a more profound way.

Conclusion:
While it has its flaws, particularly in pacing and predictability, the book offers a compelling exploration of the human psyche and the consequences of our past actions. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a strong emotional core and dark themes, this is definitely worth a read. However, if you prefer stories with more unpredictable twists and a faster pace, you may find some sections of the book dragging.

Social media influencers on a hide and seek reality show on a secluded island -thanks Harlequin Audio and NetGalley For ALC!

This book was OK. It was a quick and easy listen and I was generally entertained. liked the narration and it was to follow the multiple points of view.

I have read or listened to several Lisa Unger books, and this one wasn't my favorite. I never really connected with the characters, and thus felt the book was too long. As for the game, there were few contestants (including main character Adele, a single mom who needed money), an extreme adventurer as a host, and only a day of competition before there was a murder and a big storm. I thought the turn of events near the end was predictable. 2.5-3 stars.

Great story but unfortunately an ending that left me wanting more. I loved the premise of the hide and seek game but only 3(4 technically) players and one day of “seeking”. It’s like the side story took over and the thrilling part of the story took second place. Still good just not what the outline made me believe.

I was expecting a mystery thriller based on something like Mr. Beast and a subtle critique at influencers. You get a little of it but also some shoehorned tropes like a podcast going on through out. My expectations were low and I was expecting a dumb but amusing thriller about influencers on an island and it slightly surpassed those expectations.