Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey

4 reviews

toofondofbooks_'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.

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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

deshanejt's review

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Grief, Death, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Drug use

Minor: Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Blood, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Panic attacks/disorders

casualpaper'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! 

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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!

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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