I had an interesting experience with Unaccounted For by Chelsea Blyss. It’s a book that left me with mixed feelings—there were moments I liked, but overall, it struggled to hold my full engagement.
The premise initially intrigued me. I was drawn in by the cover and synopsis, expecting a fun office romance with maybe a hint of tension. However, the book turned out to be quite different from what I expected, blending multiple genres, from romance to thriller. While genre-blending can work well when done smoothly, here it felt a bit disjointed. It was difficult to tell where the story was trying to go, and that shift in tone made the second half less satisfying for me.
One of the highlights of the book was the author's immersive writing style. Chelsea Blyss has a talent for setting the scene and drawing readers into the characters’ world. At times, I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing everything firsthand. However, this level of detail sometimes became overwhelming, focusing too much on small, unnecessary things that detracted from the overall pacing. While immersive, there were moments when I wished for a quicker pace and fewer distractions from the main story.
As for the characters, I had a tough time connecting with them. Gabe, the male lead, had his charming moments, but some of his behavior edged a little too close to inappropriate for me. His personality was playful, but at times, the jokes felt cringy rather than endearing. Maryn, on the other hand, felt scattered. She seemed to embody so many different traits that it became hard to grasp who she truly was. The emotional depth of the characters didn’t always align with their actions, which made their dynamic feel off and somewhat forced.
What could have earned this book a higher rating from me? A more cohesive plot and deeper character development. The story tried to juggle too many different elements, and as a result, it lost focus. If the author had tightened the narrative and allowed more space for the characters to grow in a way that felt natural, the book could have had a much stronger impact. I also would’ve liked to see more emotional depth between the characters, especially in their relationship—more genuine connection, less forced escalation.
In the end, Unaccounted For lands in the middle for me. It wasn’t a bad read, but it also didn’t fully live up to its potential. If you enjoy a mix of romance and light thriller elements and don’t mind a few pacing issues, you might find it enjoyable. For me, it’s a solid 3-star read—not bad, not great, but with some potential that I wish had been fully realized
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.