Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

You've Got the Wrong Guy

Rate this book
CJ's past collides with the present when he finds an ominous sticky note on his windshield: "Return what you've stolen... or else."
He says it's a mistake, but as new notes appear and loved ones are hurt, it's clear his blackmailer thinks otherwise.
From high speed chases to breaking and entering, CJ finds himself slipping back into old ways. To make matters worse, his actions lead friends to question his innocence.
CJ must decide how far he's willing to go to prove they've got the wrong guy.

412 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read

About the author

Michael Jaymes

3 books6 followers
Michael Jaymes is an author, editor, and writing coach from Scranton, PA. His love for writing developed at a young age when a close friend passed away. In response to the tragedy, Michael wrote a poem, which received an award in a state-wide fine arts competition. The admiration sparked a fire within him, and a passion was born.

In 2019, he pursued studying story structure and began his business, offering services such as outlining, editing, and consulting. In 4 years, he’s delivered over 500 orders, with one client receiving awards for their work, and another going on to be a best-seller on Amazon.

Now residing in Greensboro, NC, Michael continues to write his own works and serve clients both online and locally within his community.

His favorite genres to both read and write in include: Mystery, Suspense, and Drama.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
4 (21%)
4 stars
9 (47%)
3 stars
4 (21%)
2 stars
2 (10%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Kristi | ATX.
1 review
August 2, 2024
This was a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. I love short chapters that keep the story moving, and this book delivers there. (I also appreciated that the chapters were titled!) The mystery element is definitely strong right from the beginning. It's a case of mistaken identity....or is it? Is our narrator reliable or not? And what exactly is his past?

The narrative is fast-paced and filled with action. The characters are fun, and you can't help but root for the protagonist CJ as he fumbles through trying to solve a mystery and get his life back.

Many thanks to Michael Jaymes for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kyreadsthrillers.
234 reviews27 followers
July 25, 2024
✨Spoiler Free Review ✨

Title- You’ve got the wrong guy by @michael.jaymes.v
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

This book wasn’t bad, but I’ve come to realize that action thrillers just don’t do it for me, and that’s perfectly fine. It took some time for the story to gain traction, but once it did, it moved at a quick pace. The use of post-it notes as a means of communication within the narrative was a unique touch that I appreciated.

With that said, if you love action with some thriller thrown in this one is for you. This one comes to kindle unlimited August 1st✨

Synopsis-
Bobby E.CJ’s past collides with the present when he finds an ominous sticky note on his “Return what you’ve stolen... or else.”He says it’s a mistake, but as new notes appear and loved ones are hurt, it’s clear his blackmailer thinks otherwise.
From high speed chases to breaking and entering, CJ finds himself slipping back into old ways. To make matters worse, his actions lead friends to question his innocence.
CJ must decide how far he’s willing to go to prove they’ve got the wrong guy.
Profile Image for Angel (Bookn.All.Night).
1,681 reviews45 followers
July 18, 2024
This was a quick and enjoyable read. The story starts a tad slow, but picks up pretty quickly. The slower start is necessary to lay the groundwork for the adventures to come, so that didn't take any enjoyment away as a whole.

While a tad predictable and unbelievable in spots, this still made for a fun mystery with some thrills and chills thrown in. I haven't read a mystery before with the use of post-it notes as a means of communicating, and actually liked this part.

CJ is frustrating and loveable. I wanted to hug and smack him at the same time LOL. Also enjoyed his brother and hodgepodge crew. Together they mesh well.

All-in-all, this is a good one for those who like a mystery with a little razzle dazzle thrown in. The ending goes fast and the pages go flying by. Short chapters make this one easy to get lost in. This releases on August 1, 2024. Mark those calendars and enjoy the ride.

I sincerely appreciate the author for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Mikaela Hope.
6 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2024
You've Got the Wrong Guy by Michael Jaymes is such a gripping mystery I just couldn't put it down! I am so honored to have been considered for an ARC and definitely look forward to reading more from this author.

if you enjoy a fast paced mystery dive into this gem because it DELIVERS
Profile Image for Loren.
39 reviews10 followers
August 15, 2024
You've Got the Wrong Guy by Michael Jaymes is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The story follows CJ, whose life is thrown into chaos after finding an ominous note on his windshield demanding that he return what he’s stolen—or else. While CJ initially brushes it off as a mistake, the situation escalates quickly as more notes appear and people close to him start getting hurt. What unfolds is a wild ride full of high-speed chases, breaking and entering, and a tense unraveling of who’s behind these threats.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the character development. CJ is a well-crafted protagonist, and I loved seeing his dynamic with his two best friends and his estranged brother. The relationships in this book feel incredibly real, with their ups and downs adding emotional depth to the fast-paced plot. The theme of friendship and knowing who you can count on is consistently highlighted throughout the story, making it not just a thrilling read but also one with a strong emotional core.

The pacing of the book is spot-on. Spanning just a couple of weeks, the urgency in the story builds with each chapter, making it impossible to put down. I found myself constantly saying, "Just one more chapter," only to realize I had read several more. The author does an excellent job of dropping little clues throughout the narrative, which kept me engaged as I tried to piece together the mystery alongside CJ and his friends.

The twist in the story—where it’s revealed that CJ has two different people after him for completely different reasons—is nothing short of mind-blowing. It’s a twist that makes perfect sense, yet it’s so well-executed that it catches you by surprise. I loved how the author manipulated my expectations, leading me down one path only to completely flip the script.

The resolution of the story is satisfying and well-done. In the last 100 pages, all the plot threads are tied together in a way that feels natural and unforced. While the ending is definitely tense and nail-biting, it doesn’t rely on excessive violence or gore, which I appreciated. It’s intense without being overwhelming, and it left me feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Overall, You've Got the Wrong Guy is a must-read for thriller fans. It’s a well-paced, character-driven story with unexpected twists and a strong emotional core. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you care deeply about the characters, this is definitely one to add to your reading list.
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,133 followers
July 31, 2024
What do you call a mystery wrapped in an enigma and ensconced in a puzzle? A mysenigzle? Well, that word describes this book to a T!

This is the story of CJ. One of the most unique main characters in fiction. One would think he is a classic antihero but he doesn't rise to that. He is no hero, he is no villain. For a good part of the book the reader is left to decipher exactly what and who CJ is.

This is a mystery unlike any other I have ever read. For the longest of time, I had no idea what was going on. If you like a mystery that will keep you guessing, then you must get your hands on this book.

The character development is very well done. There is a cornucopia of characters that are rich and full. CJ and his two friends are like the three musketeers except they have no swords or the ability to use much more than a dull bread knife and that means slices of bread might be in danger.

A creatively crafted mystery that will keep you on edge right to the end. A further look into the life of CJ and his people might flesh out the story even more. Take a chance on a mystery unlike any other. You get an insight into Uber driving that you might not have. I have never been in one, so it was eye opening to me.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mr. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Profile Image for A Curly Book Dragon.
90 reviews
August 8, 2024
Thrillers / Mysteries are not my normal go to but I loved that the chapters in this were shorter because it kept it moving. The start was a smidgen slow BUT that’s typical when you need to lay the ground work for the rest of the book.
Once it started to pick up it really picked up. The way that the threats were being left for CJ is actually pretty creepy in my opinion and the timing of them give you that unsettling creeped out feeling haha.
I liked CJ and I liked his friends. I felt at moments his friends were a bit too harsh but that’s probably just my softie self coming through.
Adam and his fast talking self gave me a little bit of anxiety not going to lie haha that is a personality that would tire me out so quickly.
Overall this was a solid book and I enjoyed it a lot. There were moments that had me laughing and moments that had me a little stressed out. I did get a little confused towards the end when things were starting to be revealed. But as I pushed forward it started to click into place for me.
If you are super into mysterious thrillers give this one a look! It’s available on KU.
Profile Image for Teresa Brock.
846 reviews72 followers
August 3, 2024
BLURB

CJ’s past collides with the present when he finds an ominous sticky note on his windshield: “Return what you’ve stolen... or else.”
He says it’s a mistake, but as new notes appear and loved ones are hurt, it’s clear his blackmailer thinks otherwise.
From high speed chases to breaking and entering, CJ finds himself slipping back into old ways. To make matters worse, his actions lead friends to question his innocence.
CJ must decide how far he’s willing to go to prove they’ve got the wrong guy.

Things I loved :

The conversations and friendships between CJ and his close companions flowed perfectly seamless. Even when they questioned each other and wondered what the truth was - they had a great bond.

I alternated continually as to whether or not CJ was guilty and slipped into old habits or if he really was innocent.
Profile Image for Tamara Baker.
190 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2024
2.5 stars for a well written tangled web

Im not sure exactly how to review this as I had so many different feelings. It started off as a really interesting concept, with main character CJ receiving post it notes with threats on them. I was so interested in where this story would take me but sadly it just dragged on. It was so unnecessarily long, with long drawn out conversations and describing things that didn’t really need to be described in such detail. I personally didn’t find any of the characters likeable and I definitely couldn’t identify with them or the storyline. I did however enjoy the ending and liked how it all wrapped up with no loose ends.
I think this will be very enjoyable for some people but sadly it missed the mark for me.
Profile Image for Lauren Robillard.
89 reviews2 followers
July 28, 2024
🔎 You’ve Got the Wrong Guy by Michael Jaymes OUT AUGUST 1st 🔎

Thank you Michael Jaymes for the advanced copy! All my opinions are my own.

CJ has started a new life. He has a new apartment, new friends, and feels like he has left his past life behind. That is until he gets random sticky notes saying “return what you have stolen… or else”. Have they got the wrong guy? Or is there more to CJ’s past that his friends don’t know about?

This is a great read from a new author! It was a quick read and very easy to follow as the mystery unfolded. I was nervous there were going to be loose ends at the end, but I enjoyed the ending! This book has a lot of dialogue with characters that it sometimes read as a tv show. Look out for it on Amazon August 1st! 4 ✨
Profile Image for Abigail Grace .
3 reviews
September 22, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers, and action! As a fan of short chapters, it was perfect for my reading style.

The characters are not only lovable but also have great character development, making the story even more engaging. The twists and turns kept me eagerly turning the pages.

It was a somewhat quick read that I couldn’t put down, though I took my time with it because I didn’t want the story to end too soon. Overall, it was a captivating story that I highly recommend!
1 review
March 17, 2025
This was a great read. A page turner from beginning to end. Kept you on the edge of your seat. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves suspense and mystery.
Profile Image for Samantha Cooper.
239 reviews28 followers
September 18, 2024
There are some novels that you read where you genuinely feel like you're walking through the streets with your main character. This one of them. I felt like I was in the friend group, navigating this wild scenario with them. The characters truly made the book elevated for me.
As we navigate this ordeal with CJ, we slowly unravel more and more pieces of his past as well as putting together the pieces solve to his current crisis. I enjoyed this approach a lot as it helped avoid any monotony that can sometimes come with cat and mouse stories.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.