Book Review | The Escape Game + Giveaway!
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Escape Game by Gina Holder, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Escape Game
Series: The Game Masters
Author: Gina Holder
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal. Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined. Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal. Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests. They’re players. Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they’re ready to face. With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape. In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal. Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb? Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Irene Hannon who enjoy puzzle-driven Christian suspense filled with danger, secrets, and faith under fire.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
*Thank you to Just Read Tours for the gifted e-copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
After reading (and loving) book 1, The Puzzle Within, I just knew I had to read the next installment of The Game Masters. And wow! Am I glad I did! The Escape Game had even more puzzles, more thrills, and higher stakes. I flew through this one!
First, while this is technically a series, each book is it’s own complete mystery, and I don’t recall any crossover characters from book 1. So, feel free to read the series in any order, so far. I really loved the concept of this one. From missing family members, to a giant, escape HOUSE, this one kept me hooked from the very first chapter. I had no idea where this story was going to go, or how it was going to end, and that is something I loved. Also, can we just talk about how SMART Demi and Liam are?! I could never. 😂😭
One thing I will say, I did not love any of the men in this book, lol. I loved Demi and Liam’s relationship but I did not love him. I wanted to, I realllly did. But I found his judgement a bit hard to deal with. Then there was her best friend’s fiancé, Bobby. He felt very selfish, in my opinion, but he was a minor character so it’s no big deal. Thankfully, there is a lot of beautiful character growth for all the characters, but especially Demi and Liam, and so at the end of the day, he did get some redemption from me, lol.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. This is a Christian suspense, and it definitely delivers on both aspects. It is a very absorbing read that leaves you hooked until the very end. Also, I’ve never been to an escape room, and by the time this series is over, I don’t think I will want to! 😂 I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian suspense and solving puzzles.
More in This Series
About the Author
Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you’ll never see coming.
She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel, Whither Shall I Go, in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her works often weave themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness, aiming to inspire readers with uplifting messages rooted in Biblical principles. Gina is also an active member of the Christian readers and writers community and is involved in the writing community through her blog, where she shares insights, interviews, and book reviews. Her first traditionally published novel released in June 2025 with Scrivenings Press LLC, after winning their “”GetPubbed”” contest’s grand prize. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.Connect with Gina by visiting storiesbygina.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 gift card and a copy of The Escape Game (eBook or paperback, Winner’s Choice)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
the calico books 
right?? I won’t be doing any escape rooms anytime soon! thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
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