Mind Games

by Kristi Jones

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2026

About the author

Kristi Jones lives in Oregon, Ohio with her husband (Scott) and their three children (Seth, Abel, and Skye). Her family also includes a dog, two cats, a ferret, and a hamster. She is a college graduate, with a degree in both Early Education and Nursing, and currently works as an RN in a junior high school. In her spare time, Kristi enjoys playing video games with her children, watching horror movies with her husband, and reading. Kristi is in a book club that meets every month and is regularly reading at least two or three different books at any given time. After years of playing with the idea of writing a novel, Kristi finally made the decision to make that dream a reality. Mind Games is her first of many novels to come.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! Kept my heart racing! I couldn't put it down. If you like sci fi, horror, or video games you will love this book.

Shawn the main character struggles with very relatable issues. I connected with him on many aspects. It was definitely an adventure following along with him as he navigated love, life, work, and the unreal! I will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.

[Patricia Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, wow! What an amazing book. I’m so glad and privileged to say that I personally know this author and have watched her grow from a young kid, blossom into a young lady and become an amazing wife and mother. For this book to be her first novel, she did an amazing job. First you feel kind of bad for the main character, then you are sitting in the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next to him. My mind is blown with how captivating the storyline is. This book is a definite must read.

Shawn is a man who lives with his girlfriend Alyson. Things seem to be going well except for the fact that Shawn plays too many video games, he even owns a shop that sells vintage video and other games. It’s at his shop that he finds a helmet that resembles a VR helmet that was in a box that was donated, which he thinks is odd because obviously it’s not vintage. He takes the helmet home and tries the game and is told he has to win all 5 levels to beat the game. Sounds simple enough right? Wrong. The game takes over his life and calls to him when he isn’t playing it and refuses to let him quit or it’s a “permanent game over”. I won’t give any more details away. But hold on to your seat because this book is a wild ride.

[Stefany Petrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the video game levels and how they played into the story. Especially at the end of the book, I was on the edge of my seat. Great debut!

[Bre Rafferty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the concept of this story!! It’s such a creative and engaging idea.. different than anything I’ve read before. The ending especially stood out to me… it’s one of those that leaves you a little frustrated, but in the best way possible. It stuck with me even after I finished, which I always love in a book.

[Katie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love suspense, mystery, sci-fi, do yourself a favor and pick up Mind Games.
The concept is incredibly creative, and the chapter titles alone had me excited to keep reading. Every chapter feels like it pulls you deeper into a world where you're never quite sure what's real and what's coming next.
Kristi Jones has created a story that's engaging, fast-paced, and completely different from the typical thriller. The characters feel real, the stakes keep rising, and the twists keep you invested.
This is the kind of book that grabs your attention early and refuses to let go. Definitely one to add to your TBR list.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Best novel ever. Once I started reading this book I wanted to keep reading this until the end. Very exciting, suspenseful. This novel is written so well I feel a movie should be made from Kristi Jones’s book. Can’t wait for a second book from Kristi Jones!