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nyquillll's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What a mind bender. This book didn’t deliver the most shocking of twists - I predicted at least half of the twists, and I think the author left a heavy dose of bread crumbs throughout the book - but it did mostly keep me interested and engaged.
Things I liked: the plot around getting divorced after being married so long and having a kid, the complexity around establishing a new sense of normal after such a life-changing event/change in identity, mother-daughter dynamics, the confusing and messy process of finding yourself and who you are when it isn’t tied to a role (mother, wife), and the importance of female friendships who will give it to you straight.
Things that were more challenging for me: (more notes in the “spoiler” section of my review, the content warnings I’ve added are also somewhat spoilers) the amount and depth in which the darker themes of this book were covered was a LOT for me. From reading the synopsis, and knowing it was a thriller, I knew there were going to be some fucked up things, but the level of detail that’s included related to some of these topics made me viscerally unwell (which I guess also means the author did a good job of describing situations accurately enough to provoke and emotional response). I found it difficult many times to read some of the darker parts - and I almost kept reading just to see if there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Though I was also quite confused with the ending because kind of open-ended and ominous? Eden was also a hard character to get invested in - because she had her positives (trying to be a good mom, working in her community, trying to encourage her ex-husband to be more expressive), she also had her flaws (pushing people too hard, engaging in an affair before the divorce was filed, bad cop/good cop parenting). Her decisions mainly made me frustrated with how much she was leading with her desires rather than logic.
That said, I don’t know that I would’ve chosen to read this book knowing the level of context and details are used for the darker parts.
I also was confused why the ending was left open a bit? And ominous?
If anything, this book did have me thinking “What’s going to happen next??” and the twist where all the storylines come together was unexpected - I literally had to cover my mouth with my hand when my jaw dropped. But also the last two chapters didn’t give as much closure as I would’ve appreciated.
Things I liked: the plot around getting divorced after being married so long and having a kid, the complexity around establishing a new sense of normal after such a life-changing event/change in identity, mother-daughter dynamics, the confusing and messy process of finding yourself and who you are when it isn’t tied to a role (mother, wife), and the importance of female friendships who will give it to you straight.
Things that were more challenging for me: (more notes in the “spoiler” section of my review, the content warnings I’ve added are also somewhat spoilers) the amount and depth in which the darker themes of this book were covered was a LOT for me. From reading the synopsis, and knowing it was a thriller, I knew there were going to be some fucked up things, but the level of detail that’s included related to some of these topics made me viscerally unwell (which I guess also means the author did a good job of describing situations accurately enough to provoke and emotional response). I found it difficult many times to read some of the darker parts - and I almost kept reading just to see if there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Though I was also quite confused with the ending because kind of open-ended and ominous? Eden was also a hard character to get invested in - because she had her positives (trying to be a good mom, working in her community, trying to encourage her ex-husband to be more expressive), she also had her flaws (pushing people too hard, engaging in an affair before the divorce was filed, bad cop/good cop parenting). Her decisions mainly made me frustrated with how much she was leading with her desires rather than logic.
That said, I don’t know that I would’ve chosen to read this book knowing the level of context and details are used for the darker parts.
I also was confused why the ending was left open a bit? And ominous?
If anything, this book did have me thinking “What’s going to happen next??” and the twist where all the storylines come together was unexpected - I literally had to cover my mouth with my hand when my jaw dropped. But also the last two chapters didn’t give as much closure as I would’ve appreciated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Stalking, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Rape, Torture, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Alcohol
Things I found challenging about the book: this book is DARK in its coverage ofcasualpaper's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Spoiler but the book ends with Olivia being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and being institutionalized. This is NOT an accurate depiction of BPD at all!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Infidelity
Moderate: Car accident, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death of parent, Dementia, and Sexual violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol
soobooksalot's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The word "dark" in the title of Samantha Bailey's newest release is certainly fitting!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my eARC of A Friend In The Dark for the book tour review!
I've been a fan of Sam's books since her debut with Woman On The Edge, then her follow-up Watch Out For Her.
A Friend In The Dark definitely keeps the streak going. Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down.
This novel is Sam's wildest yet. It's dark, edgy, and doesn't hold back on the reveals and twists.
But it's also about damaged women trapped in painful relationships and past events that are spilling into the present.
Told from the dual-POVs of Eden and Olivia, I was second-guessing the entire time.
Both women are lost souls, in questionable marriages, but one is much more damaged than the other.
A Friend In The Dark will be released on March 1 - you can preorder now. Recommended!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my eARC of A Friend In The Dark for the book tour review!
I've been a fan of Sam's books since her debut with Woman On The Edge, then her follow-up Watch Out For Her.
A Friend In The Dark definitely keeps the streak going. Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down.
This novel is Sam's wildest yet. It's dark, edgy, and doesn't hold back on the reveals and twists.
But it's also about damaged women trapped in painful relationships and past events that are spilling into the present.
Told from the dual-POVs of Eden and Olivia, I was second-guessing the entire time.
Both women are lost souls, in questionable marriages, but one is much more damaged than the other.
A Friend In The Dark will be released on March 1 - you can preorder now. Recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Murder, Car accident, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
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