Monday, June 4, 2018

Review: Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

Title: Jar of Hearts
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Minotaur Books (June 12, 2018)
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
"Jar of Hearts grabs you by the throat! The perfect blend of riveting characters, chilling details, and gasping twists in this standout thriller will keep you frantically reading until the explosive end.” – Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Right Behind You

This is the story of three best friends: one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who's been searching for the truth all these years . . .

When she was sixteen years old, Angela Wong—one of the most popular girls in school—disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever suspected that her best friend, Georgina Shaw, now an executive and rising star at her Seattle pharmaceutical company, was involved in any way. Certainly not Kaiser Brody, who was close with both girls back in high school.

But fourteen years later, Angela Wong's remains are discovered in the woods near Geo's childhood home. And Kaiser—now a detective with Seattle PD—finally learns the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James. The same Calvin James who murdered at least three other women.

To the authorities, Calvin is a serial killer. But to Geo, he's something else entirely. Back in high school, Calvin was Geo's first love. Turbulent and often volatile, their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met right up until the night Angela was killed.

For fourteen years, Geo knew what happened to Angela and told no one. For fourteen years, she carried the secret of Angela's death until Geo was arrested and sent to prison.

While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep. And what happened that fateful night is more complex and more chilling than anyone really knows. Now the obsessive past catches up with the deadly present when new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the exact same manner as Angela Wong.


How far will someone go to bury her secrets and hide her grief? How long can you get away with a lie? How long can you live with it?










A Jar of Hearts is intense in almost every sense of the meaning. It had me gasping, holding my breath and sometimes gripping my kindle in anticipation of what would happen next. It was, in short, an extreme read. 

It was thrilling and horrifying and I never knew what was going to be said or revealed next. It was brutal and raw and even tough to read at times and yet, tough or not, brutal or not, it drew you in and refused to let go. It was like a leech, sucking all the air out of the room until you finished it. Your breath stolen from the horror of what was happening, what was done and what you knew was coming.

Told in parts and alternating between the past and present, it was a train wreck that I couldn't look away from. It was oh so addicting in all the wrong ways and I couldn't help but love it in-spite of  all the feels and wrongness of the story unfolding before my very eyes. 

It was everything I like in a good mystery and everything I love to hate in a thriller. It truly was a stand out read that is sure to garner a lot of fans and a lot of talk. 





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

46 comments:

  1. This sounds so intense! I will have to check my library to see if they have it. It's been a long time since I read a gripping thriller/mystery.

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    1. It was definitely intense and weird too LOL, all in a good way though.

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  2. great review Kindlemom. I just got in in cd audio so I can't wait to dig in!

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  3. Oh yes I heard about this one!

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  4. I really enjoyed this one too Ali. Perfect summer mystery!

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  5. That sounds like a pretty good thriller.

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  6. I keep thinking I want to try this but then again, I think I am too chicken.

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    1. It isn't really scary as much as it is demented maybe is the right word. I think you could do it Heidi. ;)

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  7. Great review! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope your summer is awesome, Ali!

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  8. I think I want to try this one. Sounds like a story I would enjoy.

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    1. Yay! I hope you do, it really was a crazy story in the best way possible.

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  9. Ooh I love an intense thriller! This sounds like one I might really like!

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  10. wow this sounds gripping, think I have a physical copy of this so will have to find out what I did with it o.o

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    1. Find it Lily! I know you would like this one.

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  11. Yes, this is one that I would probably read when I was younger. I still enjoy a good romantic suspense, but this one sounds like it would wring me out and hang me up to dry!Joking of course-sorta-but I still think I must pass on it. I am turning into a wuss!

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    1. There really isn't much in the way of romance in this one but definitely full of suspense. ;)

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  12. What a review! I have this one my goodreads To-Read list so I'll have to try and find a copy. I'm glad it's coming out soon!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I think it came out today so hopefully your library will have a copy!

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  13. This sounds like a perfect Summer mystery! I'm definitely keeping this one on my radar.

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  14. Oh you totally sold this one for me! I love to be on the edge of my seat and love a past/present timeline. Great review!

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    1. It was super crazy Grace, I think you will like it.

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  15. Oh this looks like an interesting novel. I could read a thriller like this
    xx

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  16. I'm so happy this was a great read for you, I have a ARC I'm hoping to get to this month.
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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  17. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! It's been on my list for awhile now. I love books that you cannot look away from, even when they start to go bad. It means the author has utterly captivated you. Lovely review!

    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. Yes exactly! I hope you end up enjoying it as well. :D

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  18. I was actually impressed with this one. It was told very well. I want to read more of her books now.

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    1. Agreed and I do as well. I need to look her up, I keep forgetting to see what else she has written.

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  19. Oh I am always on the lookout for a good thriller. I will have to see if the library carries this one.

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    1. I hope it does, it really was so well done. :D

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  20. I can't believe I haven't heard of this before. The cover is so pretty! And I really want to read a good thriller.

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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  21. Dang. You had me in this one! Definitely adding this one to my list :)

    xx
    Vanessa
    Blushing Geek

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  22. I'm almost afraid to pick this up but it sounds like it'd be an awesome audio book! I already anxious just reading your review! :)

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    1. It was a crazy read and I bet the audio would be fantastic!

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