Reviews with content warning for Stalking - A Friend in the Dark

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.

Content Warnings

toofondofbooks_'s review

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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.

Content Warnings

theseniorswiftie's review

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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

deshanejt's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

*Read as an Amazon Prime First Reads edition*

This was a fast suspenseful read for me, and had me flipping pages to figure out how everyone was connected. The author didn't dwell on scene setting or too much character development, so you're plunged headlong into the drama and suspense.

If I take away one thing from this book, its communication is key, folks! 😅

If you're a sensitive reader, please read all TWs. I didn't find this book to be overly graphic in detail, but certain topics were discussed heavily and frequently.

Content Warnings

bellebookcorner's review

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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

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