Thank you Netgalley for this arc by Lisa Unger. This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the audio version very much. It was really good and interesting. I rated this book a 3.5 stars.

I was super excited to receive an ALC of this book from NetGalley and Harlequin Audio. I am a big Lisa Unger fan so any book she writes I’m going to read!

This newest book sadly was not my favorite. It started off strong but as the story continued I just felt myself having a hard time getting into it. The concept was fun, social media and extreme adventures and had the potential to be a suspenseful twisty thriller. However, it didn’t go that way, at least for me. There were some suspenseful parts but overall there were no real twists and the wrap up was disappointing.

Good, but not my favorite Lisa Unger book. This one just didn't have the same feel as the others one: the feeling that the author cared about this plot and can't wait to share it with you. I have found this a lot around "influencer" plots, because of the notoriety around said people.
I loved the setting and thought it was a marvelous locked room ambience with a menacing dilapidated hotel crumbling behind those fighting for their futures. The protagonist was very likable, as well as her children, and I was absolutely rooting for her and the other 2 contestants as well. The ending was very satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Lisa Unger, and Harlequin Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook

I’m a big fan of Lisa Unger and was so excited to read this book when I first heard about it. The idea of extreme hide and seek is exciting and when you throw in a remote island with a dilapidated old hotel during a storm, you get a winning combination! The multiple POV kept things interesting and fast paced. Overall this was a really suspenseful and intense read! I loved the audiobook version of the book and finished it in less than 24 hours!

This book was not for me, as I am not into gaming or competition shows. The plot seemed lost during parts, there were a lot of characters and a lot going on. I did however enjoy the storyline of the main character and her husband, because its very real, how you fall in love and don't see things from the people you love. I also enjoyed the ending. I did not enjoy the narrator.

This audiobook had me completely hooked from start to finish- I did not want to stop listening, and got thoroughly annoyed when I had to. I LOVE a good thriller, and this absolutely hit the mark for me.
The premise was so unique- a disappearance and murder mystery, tied into an extreme live stream competition? Brilliant, and so different than anything I’ve ever read. The pacing was perfect- fast enough to keep the story moving, but steady enough to plant the necessary seeds, and build suspense. There were so many twist and turns, and I was so desperate to get to the end to figure out what the hell was going on. And not only was I truly invested in the stories, but I connected with so many of the characters, and found myself rooting for them.

If Suspense/thrillers are your thing, this needs to go to the top of your list! And even if it’s not your normal genre, you should definitely take a chance on it. I would absolutely read more from this author.

Huge thanks to The Hive & Harlequin Audio for this advanced listener copy.

With an exciting synopsis, I went into this one with high hopes. It started out well and I was fully invested until the games began. Things then started to become a bit confusing with multiple stories and many POVs. I found the pacing a bit off as well and found that the story dragged in certain areas. I was hoping for more from the ending too. This wasn't my favourite by this author but I will still read what she writes next.

The audiobook was well narrated with the narrator changing her voice and accents for different characters.

This book both confused me and excited me. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and wondering what was going to happen next. It was so good and the ending was wow!

Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten is a fast-paced locked room type thriller that takes place on an isolated island during a severe tropical storm. It features a strong Mom and a host of other characters all of whom are put in situations where they have to come to terms with what is really important in life. They have all made bad decisions (like taking part in the Extreme hide and seek game on the island) some of which are much worse than others. Those whose decisions are based on greed and selfishness are eventually made to pay.

Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, is a new thriller coming out at the end of this month by Lisa Unger. Several influencers are invited to take play an extreme version of hide and seek where the prize is one million dollars. With so many large personalities, and a scandal from a prior game looming, can you really trust anyone when it comes to money? The game occurs on an island at an abandoned (creepy) resort, you can’t help but just feel something is not right. This is told through multiple povs, and we get to know these characters pretty well. I did find myself rooting for some more than others, and wanted more to happen to certain ones. The suspense was pretty good and this game quickly turned into one of survival. I thought this was pretty enjoyable but had a few pacing issues towards the end. I hoped this would go a couple different ways but ultimately had a predictable ending. I read this and listened to the audio version, that was narrated by Vivienne Leheny, and she did an amazing job! Vivienne brought these characters, their eagerness and worries to life. Lisa knows how to keep things in suspense and this kept me entertained from start to finish. This would be enjoyable for fans of survival thrillers and the not so glamorous side of reality tv.

Thank you to NetGalley, Park Row Books, HTP for providing me this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

There is a lot going on in this book with twisty plot points seemingly unconnected. It was a little hard to keep everything straight with so much switching between timelines and characters. Overall, this was an interesting premise of a mystery with most ends tied up in the end.

Thank you, Lisa Unger, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this audiobook! The sound quality was excellent. The narrator, Vivienne Leheny, did a great job bringing the characters to life.

**What worked well:**
- A tense, high-stakes premise
- An eerie, storm-ravaged island setting
- A mix of survival thriller and corporate intrigue

Lisa Unger sets up an enticing locked-room mystery with a social media-driven game of hide-and-seek gone horribly wrong. The isolated island, dangerous weather, and shifting alliances create a solid foundation for suspense. The concept feels fresh, blending elements of virtual challenges with real-world danger, and there’s a strong sense of unease as the stakes become deadly.

However, the execution doesn’t fully deliver on the setup. The pacing is uneven, slowing down when the tension should be mounting, and racing through moments that could have had a stronger impact. Character development, particularly for Adele, feels surface-level, making it harder to connect with her struggle. Instead of the classic one-by-one elimination I expected, much of the story revolves around the behind-the-scenes operators of the game, which shifts the focus away from the players’ fight for survival.

While the writing is immersive and the atmosphere is well-crafted, the climax lacks the payoff needed to make this a standout thriller.. It's a solid read for those who enjoy psychological thrillers, but not quite as gripping as it could have been. -- the audio book narration was excellent.

A single parent and inspo to many via socials, Adele is keeping it together. Barely. High-stakes games in exchange for a million dollars feels like a no-brainer! 🙈

What I loved:
🔍 who dunnit
👯‍♀️ contestant comraderie
🎮 interwoven virtual elements

This is a multifaceted story: past betrayals made fresh, parallel crime timelines, romantic entanglements, and life-and-death conditions in a forboding setting. Fans of Riley Sager, and Gillian McAllister will want to check this out!📖

Wow! This was probably my favourite Lisa Ugner books. I also feel like I said that about her last book, but this one definitely tops the last one. There was so much happening in this every complex thriller with multiple POVs and many different stories to follow.
The main premise of the story is that social media influencers go to remote island for a hide & seek reality show game. The host is an eccentric online thrill seeker who was involved with a missing contestant from a previous event. Since then a cloud of scrutiny has been following him. The island itself was an interesting setting and gave another layer of mystery and intrigue to the story.
This book was fast-paced and kept me at the end of my seat with all the secrets, lies and deception.

I was really curious about the online coverage of the island, almost like a survey, and I was eager to see what would unfold. However, it wasn't quite what I expected. The experience was fast, which could’ve been a good thing, but it lacked the depth and clarity I had hoped for.

Though it didn’t take up much time, there was a fair amount of confusion along the way. The information seemed disorganized, and I found myself having to piece things together. I was really hoping for something more reliable and straightforward, something I could easily follow and trust.

In the end, while the process was quick, the lack of reliability and clarity left me a bit disappointed. It wasn’t the experience I was hoping for, but at least it didn’t drag on.

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: Falcao Island (An isolated, dark, and tense island where the game takes place)
Genre: Psychological Thriller

Lisa Unger’s latest book, Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten, sets up an intriguing concept—an extreme game of hide-and-seek that morphs into a deadly fight for survival. The stormy island setting and the mystery surrounding Maverick Dillan’s twisted competition create a suspenseful atmosphere, and the book initially teases high stakes and pulse-pounding tension.

Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t live up to the premise. The characters, particularly Adele, have potential, but their development feels shallow, making it hard to fully connect with their struggles. The pacing is uneven, dragging in places where tension should be building and then rushing through critical moments. The plot twists are predictable, and instead of delivering shocking revelations, they often feel formulaic or forced.

The biggest letdown is the climax, which lacks the payoff the story promises. The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving too many loose ends and not enough emotional impact. While Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten has flashes of excitement, it ultimately falls flat, making it a frustrating read for those expecting a truly gripping survival thriller. #netgalley

Lisa Unger’s Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 is an engaging, atmospheric thriller that blends social media spectacle with high-stakes survival. The premise—a high-profile hide-and-seek competition on a remote island—immediately draws you in, but the tension truly ignites when the game takes a sinister turn. As a storm rages and contestants begin disappearing, what was meant to be a viral stunt transforms into a desperate fight for survival.

Adele, a single mother determined to make it back to her children, is a compelling protagonist. Unger expertly layers her character with grit, vulnerability, and an unwavering instinct to survive. As she navigates the treacherous island and the shifting dynamics among the contestants, the suspense steadily builds.

Unger’s writing style is as immersive as ever, weaving psychological depth into a fast-paced plot. The story keeps you guessing, with unexpected twists and shifting alliances adding to the tension. While some moments stretch believability and a few secondary characters could have been more developed, the overall experience is gripping.

A solid four-star read, this thriller delivers suspense, strong character work, and a cleverly executed premise. Fans of Unger’s work will find plenty to enjoy.

Hide and seek reality tv game on a secluded island! It’s a fast paced book. The cast and characters were all very interesting and made the read so captivating. I loved the multiple point of view of a few of the players. Lots of secrets and twists. The storm and atmosphere of the island really amped up the experience with this story. I recommend going in blind to just experience the game and book.

The audiobook is narrated by Vivienne Leheny. Such an easy audiobook to listen to and follow even with all the various characters. I found the story really captivating.

A game of hide-and-seek where you can win $1 million? Say less, I was hooked! This read was an absolute blast, filled with adrenaline-pumping twists and turns. Not only do you have the wild game of hide-and-seek, but there's also a video game challenge thrown into the mix with Adele's son—talk about a chaotic thrill ride!

While the plot was packed with excitement, I did feel like we were left hanging on some details. Nonetheless, it was superbly written and kept me on the edge of my seat. If you're up for a rollercoaster of a story, this one’s definitely worth the ride! I really enjoyed the narrator!

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Audio review: The audio is a fine way to take in the story. No complaints. I will say a full cast narration would have been cool but this book is so darn good it's not needed!

Review: This book has already went on my favorites list for 2025 and will be in my top books of the year. That being said, I'm not sure if this book will be well received across the board. It just happened to check every box for me. I think it's important to know this story isn't really about a hide n seek on an island (that doesn't happen until the last third of the book). This is the story of a failing company, a cold case murder, family drama, island protections, and just comprised with morally grey characters.

This story goes back and forth in time and place. I am not going to rehash the synopsis, hopefully you've read that before reviews. If not go read the book then come back. I'm just going to make a list of things I loved about this book because I'm not sure how else to do it.

In no particular order:
1) a single Mom fighting for children
2) teenagers back home using technology and live streaming to follow their Mom's time on the island
3) a creepy island with dedicated natives who protect and honor the land
4) morally grey characters with their villain origin stories included
5) lying, cheating, murder
6) social media and influence culture is heavily used
7) extreme sports and an interesting, new premise used within the island trope
8) mixed media, multiple POV, multiple timeline to keep the story moving at an interesting and exciting pace
9) a virtual reality game used by teenagers back home who are being bullied and live another life within it
10) book contains so much more than the premise
11) true crime podcast episodes
12) dangerous weather... cuz duh

This book was just such a hit for me. I can't wait to read it again. There is so much going on, but not too much were you feel like it's filled with things that aren't relevant. Everything feels like it's placed with a purpose and packs a punch. I hope that you will give this book a try! Gosh I loved it so much. I can't wait to read it again, even knowing the ending.