I really enjoyed this book, it was full of twists and turns. and there were several surprises that I hadn't anticipated. It was an easy read and I was hooked from the start. This was the first novel I've read by Jennifer Hillier but I will certainly look out for this author again.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in return for my honest opinion. I am sharing this review on Goodreads.

Geo is about to go to prison for her involvement in the murder of her best friend. She didn't kill her but she kept it a secret for many years. She goes to prison but he escapes. Then more bodies start turning up in similar circumstances. Has he started again or is this a message to Geo.

This was an interesting quick read. Only took me a couple of days to get through it. The plot was good as was the ending though I did figure out what was happening. It was an interesting ending and perhaps the only possible outcome. The story flickers between past and present but it was always nice and clear.

I don't quite know how I feel about Geo. I think she's one of those characters that will always make you think.

If I could have sat and read this straight and finished it in one go I definitely would have.

It was one of those books that I couldn't stop myself from reading even though I was terrified of it from the start. It's so haunting and so disturbing but it's just too good and too gripping to put down. It was so vivid, so real that I was caught up in it just as much as the main character Geo.

It's a story of three best friends. One who is murdered, one who is serving time in prison and one who wants to find out the truth from 14 years ago.
That's just the beginning though, there's so much more to it than I ever expected. So many twists that I didn't see coming, right from the first page. I was pretty blown away as the book went on and more secrets were unravelled. I was constantly wondering where the story was going to go, I had no idea that it would play out the way it did.
There's some pretty heart-wrenching stuff that happens that I also didn't expect and I was hiding behind a pillow for most of it.

I loved it though, I really didn't want to stop reading it, I loved how I had no idea where it was going to go. I loved how wrapped up I got in it. I couldn't stop thinking about it because I really needed to understand, the find out the secrets. When I finally did I was pretty blown away, I did click on to the biggest twist, but only just before it was revealed, I never saw it coming until it was made pretty clear. I was a brilliant addition and ended the story perfectly.

I cannot wait to read more from Jennifer Hillier now.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book to review - All thoughts are my own.

I found this book to be a real page turner but was disappointed with the ending as I thought it very implausible that Geo was still free at the end.

Geo Shaw is a successful executive at a pharmaceutical company. But her life is about to be turned upside down when a body is found in the neighbourhood she grew up in, the same neighbourhood where her best friend went missing when they were 16.

What follows as a gripping, emotional, dark and twisted psychological thriller. Using a now-and-then narrative to skilfully craft the story and some brilliantly written characters, this is the first book for a while that I have literally not wanted to put down. I really don’t want to say anymore for fear of ruining the story for anyone. If you enjoy this genre, I recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Jar of Hearts is a thriller that got me hooked from the first chapter!
It's a complex story that actually leaves you feeling slightly sympathetic for a murderer which is interesting. It was definitely one of the best crime thrillers I've read this year.
The story is a simple (not) tale of young love turned sour with serious repercussions.
If you like Orange is the New Black- you will love this!!!

Gosh! This is an excellent psychological thriller that had me hooked from the first page to the last and it was so good that I finished it in 24 hours.

Geo (Georgina) is a young woman whose best friend disappears and who has secrets she's holding about what happened. It's a multi-layered tale about friendship, love and loss as well as a dark, sinister tale within. The characters are so well written, especially the 3 school friends; Geo, Angela and Kaiser and I loved the ebb and flow of the story as it is told from a few perspectives.

It's just such a good read. That's really all you need to know! haha and I certainly don't want to give anything away. Just be ready for an emotional rollercoaster with some disturbing scenes but never anything that doesn't add to the horror, suspense and compelling tale. But, do beware, there are some difficult passages.

A solid 4.5* from me and many thanks to netgalley, Atlantic Books and Jennifer Hillier for the opportunity to preview this excellent read.

Reading the title, I wasn't sure if I was about to embark on a romantic tale or a macabre journey. 'A Jar of Hearts' is neither of these, although it does feature an unlikely romantic and serial killings.

It's a thriller about retribution, forgiveness, obsession and lies. Geo rises like a phoenix from the ashes in the aftermath of her friend's disappearance. Years later she finds that her lies come back to haunt her and then her life implodes. Geo keeps 'The Jar of Hearts' as a reminder of that fateful night.

There are many subtle twists in this story, but even if you understand them, they don't reveal everything. The murders are shocking and graphically portrayed, but only to demonstrate the murder's state of mind. The ending is both poignant and disturbing and perfect for this absorbing book.

Suspenseful, surprisingly and often shocking; 'A Jar of Hearts' is a compelling read.

I received a copy of this book from Atlantic Books - Corvus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

“In every story, there’s a hero and a villain. Sometimes one person can be both.”

A thrilling tale of twists and turns that keeps the reader hooked throughout!

Georgina, Angela and Kaiser were always inseparable at high school, until Calvin James appeared and changed their lives forever.

When Angela disappears without trace after a party when the trio are just 16 years old, Georgina (or Geo as she is known to her friends) has to make a choice; go to the police and tell them exactly what happened that night or keep quiet and live with the consequences for the rest of her life.

In Jar of Hearts, author Jennifer Hillier has created a gripping psychological thriller that explores and tests the human psyche to its limits. What lengths are we prepared to go to in the name of love? When does love become fear? And, most significantly, can we ever really prepare ourselves for the ripple effect our choices have on those around us?

A must-read!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book

what a book, what an eye opener could not put this book down...so many twists and turns that grips you right to the end....

its a story of childhood friendships and betrayals and murder and lies that once are said can never be taken back

this author is now added to my favourites

Very well written so it kept you hooked in and waiting for the next part, secrets always come out and these do eventually with some shocking exposures. I just kept reading this as could not put it down, so much happened but Jennifer Hillier just gave little bits out to keep your attention. The ending was a surprise for me as never thought about that happening. Really liked this and will look out for Jennifers next book.

“In every story, there’s a hero and villain. Sometimes one person can be both.”

What a twisted, unpredictable thrill ride this book was! It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down.

The writing style is excellent. Well paced and written in such a way as to make you believe you know what’s going to happen right up until you don’t. Great plot twist at the end which I only saw coming right before it happened.

The characters were believable and relatable even though they weren’t necessarily likeable. The scene setting was subtle and added just enough to the story without detracted from the drama.

Jar of Hearts contains plenty of graphic scenes including murder and rape.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one in a sick and twisted way - highly recommend to fans of thriller mysteries with a gritty edge!

4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jar of Hearts is available now.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publishers (Atlantic Books, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur) for providing a copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

Love love loved this!!! So dark and intense but gripping. I couldn’t put it down. The pace of the story was good and I enjoyed how it all unfolded. Now I’m off to download anything else Jennifer has written! Thanks to Corvus, Netgalley and the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Georgina (Geo) Shaw, Angela Wong and Kaiser Brody have been best friends all through school and it appears nothing will come between them, that is until Calvin James comes into their lives and starts dating Geo, from that day on nothing will be the same again and only Calvin & Geo know why.

Fourteen years later Geo is a successful executive, about to marry Andrew when her ex is accused of murder after bones are found buried in the woods at the the back of Geo's house, but what part did Geo play on that fateful night, and will Kaiser, who is now a police officer, finally uncover all the secrets of the last fourteen years.

This is the first book I have read by this author, it is a dark, gruesome and in some parts very gory tale which is not for the faint hearted, it kept me hooked from page one and didn't let me go till the end, a great thriller and I look forward to reading more by this author very soon.

I would like to thank Atlantic Books for the approval and will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Goodness me! If I say I liked this book, what does it say about me!!! This is definitely a very dark and twisted tale with twists and turns you won't see coming. I read it with a degree of horror. Is evil really hereditary? I hope not. Calvin is definitely a control freak and Georgina, is she a fatalist?
No spoilers but I found the epilogue unsatisfactory - you will know what I mean when you get to the end.
Listening to the lyrics of the song 'Jar of Hearts' takes on a whole new meaning after reading this book.
This book is definitely not for the faint-hearted! I think I would be a little bit frightened of her if I was a member of her family!!!
I will definitely read more of Jennifer Hillier's previous titles.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Jennifer Hillier/Atlantic Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A good well plotted story that drew me in and one that I very much enjoyed reading. I did work out the ending about 2/3rds of the way through, but this didn’t stop me enjoying the book.

If you want a psychological thriller that has it all then this is the book for you.

It all starts when 16 year old Angela Wong goes missing without a trace and the 14 years later her remains are found near her best friend, Geo’s family home. It turns out that Angela was the first victim of the Sweetbay Strangler, Calvin James, who also happened to be Geo’s first boyfriend. The discovery of Angela’s body results in Geo and Calvin going to prison, after it transpires that Geo knew more than she was letting on about what happened to Angela.

The book follows the life of Geo both before and after Angela’s death. We find out what prison life was like for her as well as the events that led up to the disappearance and death of her best friend. We also see the relationships that she has both inside prison and on the outside.

If you are after a book with a bit of everything then this is the book for you. It includes murder, rape, school dramas, prison life. relationships, love, lies and so much more. It’s a book that will have you eager to turn the pages so you can find out what really happened that fateful night as well as what is happening in the present day.

Thank you to Atlantic Books and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

This book had me gripped throughout.
Geo is sentenced to five years in prison for her involvement in the murder of her best friend fourteen years ago.
At the trial she comes face to face with Calvin who actually murdered Angela, and it all comes flooding back to her.
We follow Geo during her time in prison and it’s difficult reading at times.
When she’s released she struggles to fit back in to her home town and soon bodies are found near her home so attention is once again focused on Geo.
Kaiser is the police officer responsible for arresting Geo but he was also best friends with Geo and Angela at school. Kaiser visits Geo in prison and is there for her when she is released but what is she hiding from him?
This is a gripping read and it will have you hooked from the first page.
Thanks to Corvus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Jar of Hearts is the first book I’ve read h Jennifer Hillier and I’m definitely excited to read more of her work.

This book had me hooked from the first page, it’s dark, tense and thrilling. It follows the story of three friends Angela, Geo and Kaiser. They experience the usual teenage trials and tribulations of friendship and daily school life. Then Geo meets Calvin, a boy who is five years older and things start to change.

Angela’s body is discovered fourteen years later.

This book goes between past and present and although it’s told from different peoples perspectives it’s never confusing. You will find yourself drawn into the story eager to know what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atlantic Books and the author for the chance to review.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this an engrossing and fascinating read from start to finish. Two friends growing up,with their friend Kaiser, until they all go to a party and one of them is never seen again.
Highly recommended.