Maybe this book could be used as film script, and then it would make more sense… we don’t get much information about what is going on and the chapters were too long for me and named very strangely for what is going on, let me explain further;

Our main character, Denise for all we know is the main character, and she learns that she is pregnant, but to make things weird, she didn’t have intercourse, so no reason to be pregnant, and each chapter is named after a day of the week, but her pregnancy doesn’t have, nothing to do with the days, because in the first day she discovers she is pregnant, but in the third she is about 6 months… so I got really lost there…

While the story advances we learn that she is a scientist, working in genetic, is this pregnancy a test? Is it real? What is going on? I wish the story was a bit more science fiction, but its more thriller, also it didn’t help me to have different points of view (more like many things were happening at the same time from different points of view) in each chapter…

to be honest, I felt bored, and I couldn’t wait to finish… so the book dragged for months… Before reading, I thought it would be a kind of a feminist view of the world about pregnancy, so I got disappointed with what I got… I am sorry, possibly I wasn't the intended reader for this book.

Thank you Netgalley and HB Welbourne, for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Thank you Net Galley for providing me with an arc of this title. This felt like an A24 film that does't exist but should. This was alright towards the end but it took 25r% in the beginning to really pull me in.

H.B. Welbourne's The Hollis Code is a gripping blend of mystery and suspense, filled with clever twists and intricate puzzles. The protagonist’s determination and sharp intellect make for an engaging journey as they unravel secrets hidden in plain sight. Welbourne’s writing is fast-paced and immersive, balancing tense action with moments of reflection. While some clues feel a little too obvious, the story’s intrigue and satisfying revelations make it a compelling read for fans of thrillers and mind-bending mysteries.

Thank you NetGalley HB Welbourne for this eCopy to review

The Hollis Code is a psychological thriller that follows Denise West, a renowned geneticist, whose life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers she’s pregnant under inexplicable circumstances. Her pregnancy is tied to an ancient conspiracy, and she soon finds herself in a race against time to uncover the truth behind a buried secret1.

Denise’s life was orderly and predictable until her impossible pregnancy and a buried secret bring her face-to-face with deadly forces. Her ground breaking research is now under threat, and her life is in danger as dark forces, both corporate and governmental, will stop at nothing to unlock the secret she carries. With only days remaining before an event that could change everything, Denise turns to her ex, Navy Captain Ryan McNair, and together they embark on a race to uncover the truth behind a mystery buried for centuries. As enemies close in, Denise must confront the shocking truth about her pregnancy and the unimaginable power it represents.

Welbourne’s writing is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The multiple twists and turns add to the suspense, making it a thrilling read.

The writing in The Hollis Code by HB Welbourne just, unfortunately, didn't work for me, so I found it hard to get through. Even though the concept for the book is interesting, I don't think this first person present tense writing style will be for everyone. It feels repetitive, and some of that is certainly intentional to give it the unsettled fever dream conspiracy feeling, but part is just due to some not great editing and word choice. Particularly the same adjectives over and over. While there's real potential in the storyline, I was too disappointed in the ending and lack of answers to truly enjoy this one.

This was such a great book! I really enjoyed the concept and how it was so futuristic and modern, but at the same time related back to ancient times. I don’t wanna give a lot away, but it was very suspenseful with lots of unpredicted things occurring, and I really enjoyed reading this book.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

The Hollis Code is a thriller that involves technology, ambition, fear and the need to set things straight.

Denise West, a geneticist working for a company that works on projects that are to benefit humans. However, West finds herself in a predicament involving her work, which sets in motion the actions of various people, who for different reasons, purse West at all costs. The story lies with how West deals with all she is facing.

Though the book starts off slow and there seem to be some repetitions in the storyline, the ending is what makes this book!

I would recommend this book to people who live thrillers involving technology and see what people are willing to do for personal gain.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that psychological thriller element to it and works in the scifi element. The plot was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters had that element that I wanted from this type of story and glad I was able to g through this journey. HB Welbourne has a strong writing style and can’t wait for more.

This was a DISASTER OF A BOOK. The storyline and characters were incredibly underdeveloped. I did not give a damn about anything happening to anyone in this book. The timeline of Denise’s pregnancy was unclear given that months were passing despite each chapter being named a day of the week. There were a lot of unanswered questions at the end of the book, and the answers and explanations we did get at the end were incredibly cheap and convenient. On top of it all, the writing style of this was atrocious. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for an enjoyable experience.

Thank you to Netgally for the digital arc. I have found that this is yet another example of cool cover not equaling a good book.

This was not at all what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed this. This book was odd and gory but I liked that about it. I was disappointed that it wasn't as gory as the cover would suggest. Otherwise it was a solid read.