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Let's Play a Game: A gripping and twist-filled domestic thriller that will keep you hooked
The most dangerous games are the ones you don't know you're playing.
Jade has built a perfect life. But perfection takes work – and she's worked harder than most to bury what happened all those years ago.
Only three people alive know the truth about that Jade, her husband Seth, and his twin sister Sacha… and Sacha has just turned up unannounced on their doorstep.
She claims she's here to bond with her niece, Penny, but Jade knows better. Sacha hasn't come to reconnect — she's come to play games. And everyone must play by Sacha's rules.
Then the accidents begin. Small at first, easy enough to explain away. Until the danger is aimed at Penny — and Jade is forced to confront the past she's spent years trying to outrun. Because Sacha knows exactly which secrets to weaponize, and once the game begins, there's only one question How far will each woman go to get what they want?
Let's Play a Game is an addictive domestic thriller about the lies, manipulation and learning who you can really trust, perfect for fans of Andera Mara and Lisa Jewell.
Jade has built a perfect life. But perfection takes work – and she's worked harder than most to bury what happened all those years ago.
Only three people alive know the truth about that Jade, her husband Seth, and his twin sister Sacha… and Sacha has just turned up unannounced on their doorstep.
She claims she's here to bond with her niece, Penny, but Jade knows better. Sacha hasn't come to reconnect — she's come to play games. And everyone must play by Sacha's rules.
Then the accidents begin. Small at first, easy enough to explain away. Until the danger is aimed at Penny — and Jade is forced to confront the past she's spent years trying to outrun. Because Sacha knows exactly which secrets to weaponize, and once the game begins, there's only one question How far will each woman go to get what they want?
Let's Play a Game is an addictive domestic thriller about the lies, manipulation and learning who you can really trust, perfect for fans of Andera Mara and Lisa Jewell.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2026
46 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Savage
4 books50 followersNancy Savage writes psychological thrillers published by Bloodhound Books and Inkubator Books. She lives in a house overlooking the hills with her partner, their six kids, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 29, 2026
Let's Play a Game by Nancy Savage.
I loved the cover of this book. Even with the rules are simple trust no one. I signed up straight away for that alone. I got into this book straight away. I read this in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. Action throughout the book. I really didn't like Sasha at all. I liked Jade and Penny. I wasn't sure how Seth. Omg the ending. what a twister of a read. I certainly didn't see that coming. I was shocked. I definitely recommend this book.
I loved the cover of this book. Even with the rules are simple trust no one. I signed up straight away for that alone. I got into this book straight away. I read this in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. Action throughout the book. I really didn't like Sasha at all. I liked Jade and Penny. I wasn't sure how Seth. Omg the ending. what a twister of a read. I certainly didn't see that coming. I was shocked. I definitely recommend this book.
April 23, 2026
This was a pretty solid thriller! It was suspenseful throughout, and I loved the pacing and the short chapters. Although it was a bit predictable, I did really enjoy the very last twist! If you are a Freida reader, or you enjoyed What Lies in the Woods by KAM, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
April 14, 2026
4.75 ⭐️.
I’M SHOCKED. I NEVER EXPECTED THAT PLOT TWIST AT ALL.
Nancy Savage never disappoints me. This story is totally different from her style, but I love how it ended in a way I never thought about. It's like a mix between Romance and Thriller. In many scenes, I disliked how the main characters acted in this book. That's why, I love how no one is perfect in this book. We, humans, are not perfect. We are a mix between evil and good. I felt bad because of their story background and then, they lack empathy showing their bad side. I really felt sad about happened to that female character (no name no spoiler hehe).
I can't wait to read more books of Nancy Savage. She's like my safe place author in the thriller genre hehe.
I’M SHOCKED. I NEVER EXPECTED THAT PLOT TWIST AT ALL.
Nancy Savage never disappoints me. This story is totally different from her style, but I love how it ended in a way I never thought about. It's like a mix between Romance and Thriller. In many scenes, I disliked how the main characters acted in this book. That's why, I love how no one is perfect in this book. We, humans, are not perfect. We are a mix between evil and good. I felt bad because of their story background and then, they lack empathy showing their bad side. I really felt sad about happened to that female character (no name no spoiler hehe).
I can't wait to read more books of Nancy Savage. She's like my safe place author in the thriller genre hehe.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First time reading Nancy Savage. A fast paced read I couldn't put down. Intriguing plot. When a group of teenagers vow to keep a secret which over the years eats away at them. Only Seth and Jade seem to have moved on, settling into married life and having their daughter. Until Seth's twin Sacha arrives and starts putting a spanner in the works. I didn't know who to believe or trust so I didn't see the twist at the end coming.
Thank you Bloodhound books and author Nancy Savage for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Thank you Bloodhound books and author Nancy Savage for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚
Let's Play A Game by Nancy Savage
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Blurb
The most dangerous games are the ones you don't know you're playing.
Jade has built a perfect life. But perfection takes work – and she's worked harder than most to bury what happened all those years ago.
Only three people alive know the truth about that Jade, her husband Seth, and his twin sister Sacha… and Sacha has just turned up unannounced on their doorstep.
She claims she's here to bond with her niece, Penny, but Jade knows better. Sacha hasn't come to reconnect — she's come to play games. And everyone must play by Sacha's rules.
Then the accidents begin. Small at first, easy enough to explain away. Until the danger is aimed at Penny — and Jade is forced to confront the past she's spent years trying to outrun. Because Sacha knows exactly which secrets to weaponize, and once the game begins, there's only one question. How far will each woman go to get what they want?
Review
This book has more twists and turns than a corkscrew! Warring siblings and a past tragedy will create enough drama, but throw a young child's safety into the mix and, well....
The book is structured with chapters set in the present, alternating with chapters describing a night back when the main characters were teenagers, and a terrible accident (?) occurred. It seems that the fallout from that night has far-reaching consequences, arriving in the form of Sascha, who may now destroy Jade's carefully constructed and controlled adult life.
There follows a series of misunderstandings, near-misses, mishaps and confusion, all of which could be explained away, but could also point to something more sinister. The upshot is that husband, wife and sister (-in-law) are all at loggerheads with little Penny being used as a pawn.
Of course, a couple of mature conversations could have sorted out a lot of the mess, but this is fiction, so where's the fun in that?! This may have been a case of one twist too far in the end, but I did enjoy the book, and it certainly held my attention.
Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books, for the eARC of this book.
Let's Play A Game by Nancy Savage
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Blurb
The most dangerous games are the ones you don't know you're playing.
Jade has built a perfect life. But perfection takes work – and she's worked harder than most to bury what happened all those years ago.
Only three people alive know the truth about that Jade, her husband Seth, and his twin sister Sacha… and Sacha has just turned up unannounced on their doorstep.
She claims she's here to bond with her niece, Penny, but Jade knows better. Sacha hasn't come to reconnect — she's come to play games. And everyone must play by Sacha's rules.
Then the accidents begin. Small at first, easy enough to explain away. Until the danger is aimed at Penny — and Jade is forced to confront the past she's spent years trying to outrun. Because Sacha knows exactly which secrets to weaponize, and once the game begins, there's only one question. How far will each woman go to get what they want?
Review
This book has more twists and turns than a corkscrew! Warring siblings and a past tragedy will create enough drama, but throw a young child's safety into the mix and, well....
The book is structured with chapters set in the present, alternating with chapters describing a night back when the main characters were teenagers, and a terrible accident (?) occurred. It seems that the fallout from that night has far-reaching consequences, arriving in the form of Sascha, who may now destroy Jade's carefully constructed and controlled adult life.
There follows a series of misunderstandings, near-misses, mishaps and confusion, all of which could be explained away, but could also point to something more sinister. The upshot is that husband, wife and sister (-in-law) are all at loggerheads with little Penny being used as a pawn.
Of course, a couple of mature conversations could have sorted out a lot of the mess, but this is fiction, so where's the fun in that?! This may have been a case of one twist too far in the end, but I did enjoy the book, and it certainly held my attention.
Thanks to the author and Bloodhound Books, for the eARC of this book.
April 30, 2026
Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.
Ok first I have to say the cover was so cool and different. Wasn’t what I was expecting in a thriller read at all and I liked that !!!
Excuse me while I still try and process this book and what I just read !! This book had me hooked right away and I couldn’t put it down.
This is my first time reading this author and let me tell you I’ll be getting more of her books asap !!!
We have a much of teenagers who vow to keep a secret a secret that eats away at them all but Jade and Seth they have moved on and had a kid and they seem to just have it all that is until Seth’s twin sister shows up and in comes the problems. And I get it I have a sibling but I feel like Sacha is petty and for Jade it just really all comes back to her from when they were teenagers the petty little things the jealousy the being favored and that one night the bad night where it all went wrong !!!
O how I loved the dual timelines of when they were teens to the now and the tension is just instant and really keeps you on your toes and guessing and you just don’t know what end is up!!
I seriously was so Into this read. The writing was done so well and really kept me on the edge of my seat!!
The twists came and came and I didn’t see one of them coming and the end wowwww all I will say about that.
Overall go get this read and read it asap !!!
Ok first I have to say the cover was so cool and different. Wasn’t what I was expecting in a thriller read at all and I liked that !!!
Excuse me while I still try and process this book and what I just read !! This book had me hooked right away and I couldn’t put it down.
This is my first time reading this author and let me tell you I’ll be getting more of her books asap !!!
We have a much of teenagers who vow to keep a secret a secret that eats away at them all but Jade and Seth they have moved on and had a kid and they seem to just have it all that is until Seth’s twin sister shows up and in comes the problems. And I get it I have a sibling but I feel like Sacha is petty and for Jade it just really all comes back to her from when they were teenagers the petty little things the jealousy the being favored and that one night the bad night where it all went wrong !!!
O how I loved the dual timelines of when they were teens to the now and the tension is just instant and really keeps you on your toes and guessing and you just don’t know what end is up!!
I seriously was so Into this read. The writing was done so well and really kept me on the edge of my seat!!
The twists came and came and I didn’t see one of them coming and the end wowwww all I will say about that.
Overall go get this read and read it asap !!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fifteen years ago, six friends walked into the woods. Only five came out. Now the past isn’t just buried - it’s rotting.
Two are already dead. Jade and her husband Seth have spent years pretending none of it ever happened, building a picture-perfect life on top of something that should have stayed buried. But then Seth's twin sister, Sacha shows up… and suddenly the past comes screaming back.
This is my third from this author and it kills me to say it… but this one just didn’t hit. The characters just made it so hard to care.
Jade was just an idiot. I spent half the book questioning what she was doing. Sacha was jealous, obsessive, and just exhausting to be around. Seth was a complete wet wipe. Zero backbone. Just… there. And the twins together were absolutely insufferable. The bickering, the tension, the childishness - I wanted to shake both of them and tell them to grow up. The ONLY saving grace was little Penny. Protect her at all costs.
Now don’t get me wrong, the plot itself had something. The twists were twisting, I genuinely couldn’t predict where it was going, and there were moments where I thought “okay… here we go...” But then, it just sort of… fizzled.
Everything built up to a finale that felt way too soft for what it was trying to be. No real punch. No chaos. No real oh shit moment.
And that’s what made it disappointing, because it could have been so much more.
Two are already dead. Jade and her husband Seth have spent years pretending none of it ever happened, building a picture-perfect life on top of something that should have stayed buried. But then Seth's twin sister, Sacha shows up… and suddenly the past comes screaming back.
This is my third from this author and it kills me to say it… but this one just didn’t hit. The characters just made it so hard to care.
Jade was just an idiot. I spent half the book questioning what she was doing. Sacha was jealous, obsessive, and just exhausting to be around. Seth was a complete wet wipe. Zero backbone. Just… there. And the twins together were absolutely insufferable. The bickering, the tension, the childishness - I wanted to shake both of them and tell them to grow up. The ONLY saving grace was little Penny. Protect her at all costs.
Now don’t get me wrong, the plot itself had something. The twists were twisting, I genuinely couldn’t predict where it was going, and there were moments where I thought “okay… here we go...” But then, it just sort of… fizzled.
Everything built up to a finale that felt way too soft for what it was trying to be. No real punch. No chaos. No real oh shit moment.
And that’s what made it disappointing, because it could have been so much more.
April 26, 2026
This was an addictive read! I loved everything about it. Dark, twisty, and packed with psychological tension, it’s the kind of book you can easily devour in one sitting.
Jade and Seth have built a seemingly perfect life with their young daughter, Penny, but that quickly starts to crack when Seth’s twin sister, Sacha, turns up unannounced. From that moment on, the atmosphere shifts completely. There’s an underlying sense of unease that just keeps building, and you know something is about to go very wrong.
Sacha’s arrival drags a long-buried past back into the light, and what follows is a gripping cat-and-mouse game filled with manipulation, secrets, and toxicity. I loved how the story constantly kept me questioning everything—who to trust, what really happened, and how far each character was willing to go.
The dual timeline worked brilliantly, weaving between the present day and the events of that fateful night 15 years ago. Watching the two timelines slowly converge added so much tension, and when everything finally clicked into place it was so satisfying.
The final stretch of the book was especially strong. I was completely hooked, racing through the last chapters as the truth began to unravel and the story built to an intense, unforgettable showdown.
A clever, fast-paced psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Definitely a five-star read!
Jade and Seth have built a seemingly perfect life with their young daughter, Penny, but that quickly starts to crack when Seth’s twin sister, Sacha, turns up unannounced. From that moment on, the atmosphere shifts completely. There’s an underlying sense of unease that just keeps building, and you know something is about to go very wrong.
Sacha’s arrival drags a long-buried past back into the light, and what follows is a gripping cat-and-mouse game filled with manipulation, secrets, and toxicity. I loved how the story constantly kept me questioning everything—who to trust, what really happened, and how far each character was willing to go.
The dual timeline worked brilliantly, weaving between the present day and the events of that fateful night 15 years ago. Watching the two timelines slowly converge added so much tension, and when everything finally clicked into place it was so satisfying.
The final stretch of the book was especially strong. I was completely hooked, racing through the last chapters as the truth began to unravel and the story built to an intense, unforgettable showdown.
A clever, fast-paced psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Definitely a five-star read!
April 28, 2026
Jade prides herself on the 'perfect' life she's built with Seth and their little girl, Penny. She's content with their firmly established routine and even though Seth is currently unemployed she knows he's doing his best to find a new job and that soon, things will be looking up.
And then Sacha, Seth's twin sister arrives, and Jade's carefully curated, seemingly picture-perfect facade immediately starts to crumble. Because Seth and Sacha have never been close, like you'd expect twins to be. No ... they've always hated each other!
She says she's there to get to know her niece, but from the minute she arrives Jade is immediately reminded of their teenage years: the constant petty squabbles and back-biting, the jealousy, the favoritism ... and one particular night when things went badly wrong.
Told in dual timelines between now and then (that night), the tension builds from the instant that Sacha arrives. You know immediately that she's up to no good, but the seeds of unease that are planted throw doubt onto every character, making Jade an unreliable narrator. There are twists galore and you will second guess yourself numerous times before reaching the breathtaking end!!
I couldn't put this down and highly recommend it if you like your thrillers fast-paced and twister than a bag of pretzels!
And then Sacha, Seth's twin sister arrives, and Jade's carefully curated, seemingly picture-perfect facade immediately starts to crumble. Because Seth and Sacha have never been close, like you'd expect twins to be. No ... they've always hated each other!
She says she's there to get to know her niece, but from the minute she arrives Jade is immediately reminded of their teenage years: the constant petty squabbles and back-biting, the jealousy, the favoritism ... and one particular night when things went badly wrong.
Told in dual timelines between now and then (that night), the tension builds from the instant that Sacha arrives. You know immediately that she's up to no good, but the seeds of unease that are planted throw doubt onto every character, making Jade an unreliable narrator. There are twists galore and you will second guess yourself numerous times before reaching the breathtaking end!!
I couldn't put this down and highly recommend it if you like your thrillers fast-paced and twister than a bag of pretzels!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Let’s Play a Game is a gripping and suspenseful read that kept me engaged from start to finish. At its core, it explores how a seemingly perfect life and relationship can slowly unravel under the weight of buried secrets and outside influence. Jade’s carefully constructed world feels fragile from the outset, and the tension only builds with the arrival of Sacha, whose presence is as unsettling as it is unpredictable.
What stood out most was how the story delves into the impact of the past on the present, showing how unresolved truths can resurface in dangerous ways. The dynamic between the characters, particularly the psychological push and pull between Jade and Sacha adds a compelling layer of intrigue. The twists and turns throughout kept me guessing, with just enough unpredictability to maintain suspense without feeling forced.
Overall, this is an intense and thought-provoking thriller that highlights how quickly control can slip away when secrets are exposed. A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who likes tension-filled stories with complex relationships and unexpected developments.
What stood out most was how the story delves into the impact of the past on the present, showing how unresolved truths can resurface in dangerous ways. The dynamic between the characters, particularly the psychological push and pull between Jade and Sacha adds a compelling layer of intrigue. The twists and turns throughout kept me guessing, with just enough unpredictability to maintain suspense without feeling forced.
Overall, this is an intense and thought-provoking thriller that highlights how quickly control can slip away when secrets are exposed. A thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who likes tension-filled stories with complex relationships and unexpected developments.
April 29, 2026
This psychological thriller is a read-in-one-sitting book. There's perfect pacing, and the author had me questioning everything. Who is telling the truth? There is so much deception and manipulation, especially with the female characters.
The book moves between NOW and THEN timeframes, revealing an event from the past that haunts every person that was in the woods that night.
The story begins with Jade and her husband Seth, who live an idyllic life with their four-year-old daughter, Penny. Then, one random day, Seth's twin sister, Sacha, invades their world and changes everything. She is a trainwreck, and her mission appears to destroy her brother's life.
The THEN story is from fifteen years ago, when Jade, Seth, Sacha, and three other friends get together for a party after high school ends. One big blowout before they start their adult lives. After a tragic event in the woods occurs, it binds them together for life - because they all l Iied about what truly happened.
This is a page-turning thriller with so many twists and turns. Well-written, unreliable characters, lies, and pulse-pounding moments-a perfect thriller read!
4 🌟
The book moves between NOW and THEN timeframes, revealing an event from the past that haunts every person that was in the woods that night.
The story begins with Jade and her husband Seth, who live an idyllic life with their four-year-old daughter, Penny. Then, one random day, Seth's twin sister, Sacha, invades their world and changes everything. She is a trainwreck, and her mission appears to destroy her brother's life.
The THEN story is from fifteen years ago, when Jade, Seth, Sacha, and three other friends get together for a party after high school ends. One big blowout before they start their adult lives. After a tragic event in the woods occurs, it binds them together for life - because they all l Iied about what truly happened.
This is a page-turning thriller with so many twists and turns. Well-written, unreliable characters, lies, and pulse-pounding moments-a perfect thriller read!
4 🌟
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A group of teenagers makes a pact to keep a secret, only to find that silence is a particularly hungry ghost—it just spends the next few decades eating them alive. Nancy Savage has delivered a properly fast-paced debut that’s essentially a masterclass in domestic unease, where the "happy ever after" is built on a foundation of absolute rot.
We have Seth and Jade, who’ve managed to do the impossible: move on, get married, and produce a child without the past clawing its way back up. Or so they thought. Enter Seth’s twin, Sacha, who arrives like a human spanner tossed into the gears of their quiet life. It’s a deftly woven mess of "who do you actually trust?" where the narrative keeps you so off-balance that the final twist feels like a genuine slap in the face. If you're looking for an intriguing, propulsive read that makes you question the sanity of everyone on the page, this is your lot.
We have Seth and Jade, who’ve managed to do the impossible: move on, get married, and produce a child without the past clawing its way back up. Or so they thought. Enter Seth’s twin, Sacha, who arrives like a human spanner tossed into the gears of their quiet life. It’s a deftly woven mess of "who do you actually trust?" where the narrative keeps you so off-balance that the final twist feels like a genuine slap in the face. If you're looking for an intriguing, propulsive read that makes you question the sanity of everyone on the page, this is your lot.
April 28, 2026
If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will make you question who’s version of the truth you should believe, THIS is the book for you 👏🏼
Jade, a devoted wife to Seth and incredible mum to little Penny, is horrified when Seth’s twin sister turns up at their apartment unannounced one day. She’s instantly suspicious of her reasons for being there, and as the story unfolds, we quickly learn why 👀
Is Seth really who he says he is? Or is Sacha just looking to destroy the life of a brother she’s always played second best to? 🤔🤨
As we travel from past to present, learning more about Seth and Sacha, one thing’s for sure. One of them is lying… but which one? 🤐
I was GRIPPED the whole way through reading this! I was absolutely desperate for Jade to find out the truth, and I truly couldn’t guess how the story would end 🤯
If you’re a fan of a plot that keeps you guessing right until the very end, you absolutely need to put this on your TBR! 👏🏼📖
Jade, a devoted wife to Seth and incredible mum to little Penny, is horrified when Seth’s twin sister turns up at their apartment unannounced one day. She’s instantly suspicious of her reasons for being there, and as the story unfolds, we quickly learn why 👀
Is Seth really who he says he is? Or is Sacha just looking to destroy the life of a brother she’s always played second best to? 🤔🤨
As we travel from past to present, learning more about Seth and Sacha, one thing’s for sure. One of them is lying… but which one? 🤐
I was GRIPPED the whole way through reading this! I was absolutely desperate for Jade to find out the truth, and I truly couldn’t guess how the story would end 🤯
If you’re a fan of a plot that keeps you guessing right until the very end, you absolutely need to put this on your TBR! 👏🏼📖
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.75 ⭐️
I absolutely love Nancy Savage books they are always super packed with suspenseful moments. This book was good had me trying to figure out the plot twist throughout. It’s a fast paced read and loved the moments of “this girl is crazy” or “Seth what the..”
Jade kind of annoyed me though like she seemed kind of dumb and clueless but Sacha (Seth’s twin sister) was obsessive and jealous which led her to do some horrible things.
The ending kind of fell flat to me just because it seemed like it needed to wrap up quickly and abrupt. Made me feel like “that’s it”?? But honestly it didn’t ruin the story and I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I will always read Nancy’s work because she is talented in her writing she makes you feel like you are in the book and feeling the frustration and emotions for a great thriller.
I absolutely love Nancy Savage books they are always super packed with suspenseful moments. This book was good had me trying to figure out the plot twist throughout. It’s a fast paced read and loved the moments of “this girl is crazy” or “Seth what the..”
Jade kind of annoyed me though like she seemed kind of dumb and clueless but Sacha (Seth’s twin sister) was obsessive and jealous which led her to do some horrible things.
The ending kind of fell flat to me just because it seemed like it needed to wrap up quickly and abrupt. Made me feel like “that’s it”?? But honestly it didn’t ruin the story and I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I will always read Nancy’s work because she is talented in her writing she makes you feel like you are in the book and feeling the frustration and emotions for a great thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my 2nd book by Nancy Savage. Her first one – The Motel – impressed me so much that I was running around yelling at everyone to read it ASAP. It also impressed me so much that I decided that whatever this author writes next, I’m reading it. So of course as soon as I saw this title, I had to run to get it.
This is not The Motel, but this is equally good. Weird characters. Weird events. Weird motivation. Weird places. Weird vibes. Weird moods. None really relatable, none really likable, none really fully understandable. Not really unreliable – just not fully there in their own heads, and not fully in your head too, as it takes the whole book to get to the point where… it all clicks. And the click happens… with a bang.
A twisty domestic psych thriller where you don’t know who to root for and you aren’t even sure if you should be rooting for anyone at all.
This is not The Motel, but this is equally good. Weird characters. Weird events. Weird motivation. Weird places. Weird vibes. Weird moods. None really relatable, none really likable, none really fully understandable. Not really unreliable – just not fully there in their own heads, and not fully in your head too, as it takes the whole book to get to the point where… it all clicks. And the click happens… with a bang.
A twisty domestic psych thriller where you don’t know who to root for and you aren’t even sure if you should be rooting for anyone at all.
April 24, 2026
📆 single, non-linear timeline.
👀 single POV
🐢 -🐇 fast-paced
💬 "the woods have a way of making your mind fill with shadows and whispers"
Review:
Woah! What a fast-paced, twisty thriller that was. I read it in one sitting because I just could not put it down. It was full of secrets and lies and a little girl who I wanted to save from the madness.
I don't think I've ever disliked a fictional woman, or a real one for that matter, as much as Sasha. Which made me wonder if there was a BIG twist coming. You'll have to read the book and see if there was.
The plot had me in an absolute choke hold, my mind was racing to try and figure out the truth about what happened in the woods. I have to admit I'm rather glad I grew up as a ballet kid rather than a getting drunk in the woods kid!
Savage is a new to me author, and I'll definitely be looking out for her books in the future.
👀 single POV
🐢 -🐇 fast-paced
💬 "the woods have a way of making your mind fill with shadows and whispers"
Review:
Woah! What a fast-paced, twisty thriller that was. I read it in one sitting because I just could not put it down. It was full of secrets and lies and a little girl who I wanted to save from the madness.
I don't think I've ever disliked a fictional woman, or a real one for that matter, as much as Sasha. Which made me wonder if there was a BIG twist coming. You'll have to read the book and see if there was.
The plot had me in an absolute choke hold, my mind was racing to try and figure out the truth about what happened in the woods. I have to admit I'm rather glad I grew up as a ballet kid rather than a getting drunk in the woods kid!
Savage is a new to me author, and I'll definitely be looking out for her books in the future.
April 28, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Rating: If I could give more, I would. 5 stars!
Yes! Yes! Yes! If you are into thrillers, this is the one for you! I am a thriller junkie and I loved every single minute of this book. The chapters are short so it's easy to have stopping points, but good luck putting it down once you start it. Jade and Seth are a married couple with a deep, dark secret they have kept since high school days, along with their friends and Seth's sister, Sacha. After a night of partying in the woods, someone ends up dead. When Sacha resurfaced after years of being away, things quickly hit the fan and chaos occurs. What really happened that night? Who is responsible? You'll have to read it to find out. Phenomenal novel! Definitely on my recommendation list for psych thrillers.
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Rating: If I could give more, I would. 5 stars!
Yes! Yes! Yes! If you are into thrillers, this is the one for you! I am a thriller junkie and I loved every single minute of this book. The chapters are short so it's easy to have stopping points, but good luck putting it down once you start it. Jade and Seth are a married couple with a deep, dark secret they have kept since high school days, along with their friends and Seth's sister, Sacha. After a night of partying in the woods, someone ends up dead. When Sacha resurfaced after years of being away, things quickly hit the fan and chaos occurs. What really happened that night? Who is responsible? You'll have to read it to find out. Phenomenal novel! Definitely on my recommendation list for psych thrillers.
Review of advance copy
A creepily gripping story about jealousy and love. Sasha has always been jealous of her twin brother, Seth, who is clearly the golden boy and the favourite of their parents. Jade has loved Seth since they were both teenagers, and believes that they have a perfect marriage. Sasha’s unexpected reappearance in their lives, combined with her obsession with their daughter, Penny, unsettles everything. The memories of the death of their young friend, Squeak, some fifteen years previously have always haunted the five survivors. When they hid Squeak’s body they hoped to avoid the consequences of their irresponsible behaviour. But they couldn’t escape the guilt. Now another two of the friends are dead and the remaining three are unhappily thrown back together. Who is lying and who is telling the truth? Some games are deadly. And some books, like this one, keep the reader enthralled until the very last lines.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Told in a mixture of present day, and flashbacks to an evening 15 years earlier where a girl lost her life, the story follows Jade and her husband Seth, who's perfect life is disrupted when Seth's sister Sasha turns up unannounced. But is it all Sasha's fault?
This was enjoyable, but something about it stopped me loving it in the way I wanted to. I think this might have been that I found Jade slightly annoying, she was so quick to always believe the worst that it got slightly tedious....even though she was ultimately proved right! However, if you like a twisty tale, I think you'll enjoy it.
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ooh this was really twisted!
I loved the pace in this book! My thoughts were racing and my heart was pounding, every time there was a new reveal or twist i was feverishly trying to read faster.
We meet Jade and Seth and their adorable daughter Penny and their seemingly normal lives. Enter Sacha - Seth's sister and this is where things start going absolutely crazy.
We go along with Jade as she is trying to work out what is true and what not and you slowly start to realise that things are really not okay.
I loved the intensity of the book and the twists were just incredible! I mean I did not see most of them coming and the end .... we you will have to read it yourself to see!
I loved the pace in this book! My thoughts were racing and my heart was pounding, every time there was a new reveal or twist i was feverishly trying to read faster.
We meet Jade and Seth and their adorable daughter Penny and their seemingly normal lives. Enter Sacha - Seth's sister and this is where things start going absolutely crazy.
We go along with Jade as she is trying to work out what is true and what not and you slowly start to realise that things are really not okay.
I loved the intensity of the book and the twists were just incredible! I mean I did not see most of them coming and the end .... we you will have to read it yourself to see!
April 26, 2026
This is one of those books that hooks you early and refuses to let go. The pacing is incredibly well done, making it hard to put down once you get started. There are plenty of twists and turns, with just enough unpredictability to keep you constantly second-guessing who to trust and whether you believe them or not. It even got me second guessing a 4 year old 😂
The characters themselves can be a bit frustrating at times, but that feels intentional and adds to the overall tension of the story. If anything, it makes the psychological elements hit even harder.
A solid read especially if you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you guessing.
The characters themselves can be a bit frustrating at times, but that feels intentional and adds to the overall tension of the story. If anything, it makes the psychological elements hit even harder.
A solid read especially if you enjoy psychological thrillers that keep you guessing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jade has a lovely husband and beautiful daughter but she also has a secret. When her sister in law Sacha turns up unannounced claiming she just wants to spend time with her niece. Things heat up and take a turn for the worst. The secret is about to explode. I was enthralled in the mystery of what really happened and I felt unsure of Sacha. I could understand the motivation to expose the truth but I was not expecting it. The twists kept coming and my head was spinning like a Ferris wheel. The plot is cleverly full of surprises and suspense that keeps you engaged.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A very gritty tale from start to end… examining friendships and relationships from an early age and from all points of view. Some of the characters I felt were stronger than others and I didn’t feel I could empathise with them as they did not seem to be really passionate about anything, but the plot develops and twists all the time, so you are constantly changing your mind and your allegiances as the history unfolds. Lots of twists to keep you guessing and some shocking events right to the finish!
( I was asked to read and review this book by the Publisher- but ny opinions are my own)
( I was asked to read and review this book by the Publisher- but ny opinions are my own)
April 24, 2026
Any shorter and this book could have been a novella, or is it already one? And yet, the author managed to pack so much into it. Though the book starts at a slow pace, there is a sense of disquiet right from the beginning that accelerates into a finale packed with a punch. I could not quite figure out if Jade was a reliable narrator, with so much at stake for her and so much to hide. But her sheer resilience in the face of high emotional stakes makes her so human. I could not predict any of the twists, and that made reading the book an amazing experience for me.
April 25, 2026
This page turning thriller is incredibly intense!
Throughout the book, I constantly questioned who had done what. Even after attempting to strategically guess the unfolding events, I was always wrong.
The then and now concept effectively ties the book together with even more twists at the end. With mouth gaping twists at that.
This is precisely the kind of storyline that makes for a thrilling read – full of twists, turns, doubt and strong characters.
The scenes described were not complicated to imagine, thanks to the authors detail.
Absolutely loved it!
Throughout the book, I constantly questioned who had done what. Even after attempting to strategically guess the unfolding events, I was always wrong.
The then and now concept effectively ties the book together with even more twists at the end. With mouth gaping twists at that.
This is precisely the kind of storyline that makes for a thrilling read – full of twists, turns, doubt and strong characters.
The scenes described were not complicated to imagine, thanks to the authors detail.
Absolutely loved it!
April 27, 2026
Let’s Play a Game is a true psychological thriller - twists, turns, truths, lies, secrets, and plot twists! All things that kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what really happened. I finished the book in a few hours despite needing to get some things done around the house, so make sure you check off the high priority items from your list before sitting down to read this book, or you might have to push those priorities to tomorrow’s to do list! Seriously, though, I truly enjoyed Let’s Play a Game and found it to be unputdownable :) 5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Highly recommend!
Read
April 28, 2026If you like books that keep you guessing, have unexpected twists and characters the author makes sure you can’t quite get your head around then Let’s Play a Game is for you.
I was very quickly drawn into this book and it is definitely one of those page turners where you just want to finish it to know the truth!
The story is told from the point of view of the main female character Jade and splits between what happened when she was a teenager and her present life with her husband and daughter.
If you like being kept on your toes this one is for you.
I was very quickly drawn into this book and it is definitely one of those page turners where you just want to finish it to know the truth!
The story is told from the point of view of the main female character Jade and splits between what happened when she was a teenager and her present life with her husband and daughter.
If you like being kept on your toes this one is for you.
April 30, 2026
Whoa. What a tense, twisty read. This was a one sitter for me because I could NOT put it down. There just wasn’t a point where I thought “okay this is a good place to stop for a while”. Nope. The more I read the more I wanted to read, I was completely invested. The whole premise is so clever and the characters are so well written. I loved the past and present dual timeline which suited the plot perfectly. The tension is presently pitched but utterly relentless and it really ramps up as the book reaches its crescendo. A gripping, thrilling read. I loved it and I want more!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
From the start, I was captured into a gripping, creepy, page-turner, full of twists and revelations. There are strong characters each have a story to tell
I loved the way the story built up and portrayed the story in the past and present.
It kept me guessing all the way through, and I certainly wasn't expecting that final twist.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
I loved the way the story built up and portrayed the story in the past and present.
It kept me guessing all the way through, and I certainly wasn't expecting that final twist.
My thanks to Bloodhound books for the advanced copy. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
April 25, 2026
This is a phenomenal book, it was addicting, and I did not want to stop reading. I loved the setting of this, parts of the past and you definitely see what’s coming. Then you have the present time, which everything unravels and truths come to surface.
It is such a tricky story, it makes you wonder who you can REALLY trust, & do you ever actually really know anyone. This book definitely makes you feel every emotion going, especially from a parent’s perspective.
It is such a tricky story, it makes you wonder who you can REALLY trust, & do you ever actually really know anyone. This book definitely makes you feel every emotion going, especially from a parent’s perspective.
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