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markedwithanm's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Stalking, Mental illness, Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
stanleykaty's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Stalking
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 oftoofondofbooks_'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This doesn't come out for a few more days but I read it early because I'm a prime member ✨
Anyway, this was a fun read. It was kind of stupid but also really readable. I barely put it down since i started it. I honestly just kind of enjoyed the unhinged ride it took me on for what it was: a ride. I was definitely engaged with the writing even if I found myself thinking many times that these characters were very conveniently dumb as rocks. There was something about this little book that kept me going and I honestly don't know what it was exactly. Maybe I just needed something fast paced that didn't demand too much of me to help me get through the week? Who knows. if you're looking for something fast paced that isn't going to require too much critical thought, pick this one up for the vibes and vibes alone.
Anyway, this was a fun read. It was kind of stupid but also really readable. I barely put it down since i started it. I honestly just kind of enjoyed the unhinged ride it took me on for what it was: a ride. I was definitely engaged with the writing even if I found myself thinking many times that these characters were very conveniently dumb as rocks. There was something about this little book that kept me going and I honestly don't know what it was exactly. Maybe I just needed something fast paced that didn't demand too much of me to help me get through the week? Who knows. if you're looking for something fast paced that isn't going to require too much critical thought, pick this one up for the vibes and vibes alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Ableism, Stalking, Sexual content, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Car accident, Drug use, Child abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Bullying, Confinement, Blood, Gore, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Fire/Fire injury
ulviyyask's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Car accident
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
theseniorswiftie's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Stalking, Sexual content, and Mental illness
lindsayreads21's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Murder, and Kidnapping
bellebookcorner's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was such a page turner, how do I know ?
I sit down to read this book and the moment I want to stop reading it, I didn’t realize I was already more than halfway through reading it!
The story is told in multiple POVs and also divided into three parts. I really like the 2nd and 3rd parts where the truths start to come out one by one.
There’s also a couple unexpected twists throughout the story especially near the ending that really surprised me as well.
As for the characters, it took a while for me to really like Eden’s character because I got annoyed with her poor decision making skill, however at one side I also can understand her feelings regarding the situation she's in which can cloud her judgment.
Then there’s Olivia, I don’t know what to say about her to be honest… she’s a very complex character and it was interesting to get to know her story. I really enjoy following this story through her POV.
One thing I wish differently is only about the flashbacks, sometimes it happen too abruptly in the middle of something going on in the present time which can be slightly confusing.
Nevertheless, I feel satisfied with the ending, it was wrapped up nicely – the mystery from that night party 20 years ago is finally solved along with the main characters finally on the process of healing and to a better future.
I’m looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!
Thank you to ThrillerBookLoversPromotions, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: stalking, kidnapping, mental illness, domestic abuse, death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Stalking
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
Minor: Death of parent
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
theinstabookworm's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Dark, deceptive, and sexy! And I'm obsessed with the pink in this cover! I didn't quite devour this like I did Sam's previous two books, and it took me a minute to get into this story. But, when part two starts and we are given another perspective, I had whiplash! At first I wasn't sure how I felt about that shift, but as the story progressed and I saw that character in a different light, I had a change of heart and started to really feel for the character and their story. And THAT ENDING?!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
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