Happy Pub Day!

So... where do I begin?

Date Night keeps you on the edge of your seat, makes you question everything and everyone and truly blew my mind.

Libby has always felt secure and safe in her marriage to Sean. She’s never had a reason to think they’re anything but happy together. All that changes when she finds a note on her windshield stating that Sean is having an affair. When she confronts him, he of course denies an affair. Libby starts to question whether she can trust her husband after all. As her paranoia increases, they decide to go out on a date night hoping to repair some of the damage that’s been done in their marriage.

When they return home, their babysitter is not in their house and left with no explanation. Their young daughter is still safe and sound in their bed. When the babysitter Sasha doesn’t return- they decide it’s time to involve the police. And what ensues is a wild chain of events that are both thrilling and explosive!

Definitely check this one out. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced reading copy.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Date Night was sort of an impulse request of mine on NetGalley – I think the cover caught my eye, and then the synopsis sounded so good, I couldn’t resist asking for an early copy. I’m so thankful the publisher, author, and NetGalley gave me access to the ARC – this thriller was everything I hoped it would be and more! Date Night is out TODAY, August 20, and trust me, you want to add this one to your shelves. It is everything I want in a thriller: unputdownable plot line, unreliable narrator, heart-pounding twists, and a never-ending list of characters that may or may not be guilty.

Libby and Sean have a strong, loving marriage, and are parents to their sweet young daughter, Alice. But when Libby finds a note accusing Sean of having an affair on her car windshield, her faith in him and their marriage begins to crack. Sean maintains that the note is a ridiculous prank, but Libby can’t let it go. Finally, they decide to indulge in a date night out to help patch things up, leaving Alice with their usual babysitter, college student Sasha. But instead of fixing everything, date night is when their lives really begin to crumble: they come back to realize that Sasha is missing, all of her things left behind in the house. What happens from here only continues to strain Libby and Sean as guilt, worry, blame, and distrust begins to swirl around them and their loved ones…reaching a breaking point when Libby is arrested for Sasha’s murder (dundundun)…

Plot – 2/2: I am a sucker for a plot like this one: a good, ol’ fashioned whodunnit with a side of some potential gaslighting. (I swear I am a normal human and there’s nothing wrong with me…) This story line wasn’t necessarily totally unique from other thrillers I’ve read, but the rest of the pieces of the book made the plot work SO WELL.

Writing – 2/2: Date Night jumps back and forth between “Before” (before Libby was arrested) and “Now” (present – duh, Megan). Sometimes when a thriller oscillates between two timelines, the writing can get a little convoluted, but Hayes doesn’t have this problem. Her writing is never confusing; she offers up small hints and pieces of the puzzle in each chapter – keeping you hooked and never wanting to stop reading.

Thrills/Twists – 2/2: Okay, first, the ongoing thrills throughout the book were superb. So often I thought, “okay, this person is bad; they did something,” and then two chapters later completely reversed my position because a new piece of information came to light. But, no matter how many times I came up with a guess about what was going to happen, I DID NOT FIGURE IT OUT. Holy smokes, the ending had me saying, “WHHAAAATTTTT?!?!?!?” Such an amazing twist in the last couple of pages. Yup. Last PAGES.

Characters – 1/2: Overall, I really enjoyed the characters Hayes created. Especially Libby, but I’m always partial to leading women. However, Date Night loses one point because I wanted just a little more from some characters – I can’t say much without getting too close to giving away something, but I did walk away wishing I knew more about the back stories of several characters.

Feel – 2/2: I. Could. Not. Stop. Reading. Except when I was exhausted at night and couldn’t keep my eyes open…seriously, two nights in a row I tried SO HARD to stay awake reading, but had to put the book down before losing my place as I dozed off from extreme tiredness. Even with my parents visiting, I found every spare minute I could to read because I kept needing to know what was happening next. And the ending y’all…this ending will stick with me.

Overall, 9/10 for a very, very good 4.5 star read. This is a thriller you need to add to your list, and I will DEFINITELY be checking out Hayes’ other books ASAP!

Happy Reading, friends!

Bloody loved this. I loved the dual time narrative and the that past narrative kept adjusting and changing - I felt in reflected the state of mind well. Fab read.

Ok This one was cray-cray but in a good way..There are so many lies and betrayal and secrets..So we meet Libby who has gone out on well a date with her husband and they were trying to have a good night since they have been having some problems. Libby had gotten a note stating that Sean (her husband) had been having an affair, Sean of course denies it and tells her she is the only woman..They get home and their babysitter is not there and she had left there daughter alone and that is when everything goes to hell. Sean is supposedly helping her she trusts him, where is Sasha? Is Sean having an affair..Libby gets blamed and no one is believing her..But the ending, yeah suprises you.

4.5 stars!

Well, wasn’t that a pleasant surprise?! After fearing “genre burnout” due to my last read, I was understandably hesitant to start this one. My fears quickly subsided the moment I started reading. It had me hooked from the start and didn’t let go!

Date Night takes us for the ride of our lives and it’s EVERYTHING! Full of lies, secrets, secrets and especially SECRETS! Everything I adore in a psychological thriller! Twists at every corner that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. Speaking of the end......one of the best finishes I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Trust me on this - even the sharpest super sleuth WILL NOT see this coming!

This is a good one my friends! Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Samantha Hayes for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

Libby and Sean are the parents of Alice, age 4. Libby runs All Things Nice which is a company that offers stress-free dinner parties. Libby is a talented cook who once was head chef at a local restaurant. Sean works for a veterinarian and is always busy with with his patients, often making house calls.

One day, Libby finds a note on her car saying that Sean is having an affair. Of course she is shocked and upset, but Sean assures her that it’s not true. But Libby can’t help but suspect that it may be true especially on the days that Sean is late getting home from having to care for a patient on a house call.

In order to try and prove to Libby that he loves her, they decide to go out for a nice dinner. They call upon Sasha to babysit Alice while they are gone. Sasha often helps Libby with her private dinners. At dinner, they get into yet another argument because Libby can’t let go of her fear that Sean is seeing someone else. Their meal is ruined by her accusations and they end up going home a bit early.

When they arrive home, Sasha is gone, leaving her belongings behind. Thankfully, Alice is asleep in her bed. The police are called in and people are questioned, but no one has seen her.

Oh, dear. There is so much repetitive dialogue in this book that it became boring. Libby is a twit who acts as though she is not playing with a full deck. Sean is squirrelly himself.

This book is dark and depressing and I was glad when it ended. I feel generous in giving it 3 stars.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It’s been a long time since I read a domestic thriller. It’s been even longer since I read GOOD domestic thriller. «Date Night» by Samantha Hayes was the most enticing and interesting read of August so far.

This is a perfect example of a book with “now and then” writing style done perfectly! You might remember that I read «Lock Every Door» by Riley Sager in July, and I don’t want to compare these two books as they are completely different styles of thrillers / mysteries, but in my review I’ve complained how the “now and then” element wasn’t the strongest. It was just there, not adding the thrills to the story.

In «Date Night», Samantha Hayes shows how to create the perfect, thrilling and interesting story, where every “then” chapter made me want to read the “now” chapters even more, trying to find out the truth.

In a whirlwind of emotions, Samantha Hayes made me care for the main character - Libby, more than any characters from the books I’ve recently read. The main focus of thrillers are usually the plot, the twists and the surprise elements. But in «Date Night», the characters and their inner demons and fears were given a spot on this dire stage. I worried about Libby’s fate, I got nervous when she did and I just hoped that everything would turn out well for her (wishful thinking, considering that I was reading a thriller, not a fairytale!)

There were so many bread crumbs left for the reader to try to figure out THE twist on our own, and I still didn’t manage to do it! Which is obviously the best thing about thrillers. I love when I can guess the twist and then that feeling of anticipation as I wait for the author to confirm I was right. But I love it even more when every single theory I had turned out to be wrong.

Unpredictable twists and a page-turner, it took me less than 5 hours to finish this book. Which I happily did on a Sunday afternoon.

Why didn’t I give it 5 stars you might wonder?

As much as I loved the characters, the story, the mystery and the eerie feeling of the book, the ending was a big let down! But, of course, no spoilers! So you’ll need to read this book yourself to see what I’m talking about.

Date Night is not going so well for Libby and her husband , Sean. Receiving a note that states her husband is cheating on her isn't real conducive to a romantic evening. Even though Sean denies there is anyone else, why does his phone keep pinging with texts and he doesn't even look to see who it's from?

Returning home early from the disastrous date, they find that their babysitter is missing. Their young daughter is safe in bed asleep ... but where has Sasha gone? She would never leave the child along. Her things are still there .. backpack, laptop, text books, phone. TV is still on. But no Sasha ....

Days later, Libby is arrested for Sasha's murder, although no body has been found. She tells them she didn't hurt Sasha .. but no one is listening to her. What did happen that night?

This psychological drama is told in Libby's voice. It starts with being arrested, and then returning to events leading up to date night. But is what she remembers what really happened? Turning to current events again, the ending is explosive ... and unpredictable. I never saw this coming!

DATE NIGHT is well written, full of suspense. Lies are wrapped around dark secrets. The characters are finely drawn, with no hint of what is to come. I thought I had it all wrapped up halfway through ... I couldn't have been more wrong.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I defy anyone to see the ending of this one - what clever story-telling!!! This really is a book that grabs you from the first page and keeps you turning the pages as fast as yo can as little bits of information are fed to the reader. So many moments when I had to re-read a sentence to make sure that was what I'd just read and a host of red herrings to distract you. Fantastic story - loved it!

I loved the synopsis and chose this as one of my vacation reads. Sadly, this just didn’t work for me and I wanted it to. My opinion on this one seems to be an unpopular one as I have read many 4 and 5 reviews. I liked all the red herrings sprinkled throughout that made me question myself. There was one part that came as a COMPLETE shock to me but also several parts where I felt the writing was lacking creativity. I will read another Samantha Hayes without question... maybe I was too excited for this one.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my advanced copy of, Date Night, in exchange for my honest review.

Well I definitely did not see that ending coming, I had some theories but they all had holes in them, and the actual ending is so much more wow, than anything I was thinking.

Written in such a way that you start thinking you have an unreliable narrator, and also not being completely sure what was happening at any point.

At all times it felt like there deliberate holes in what the reader was being told, leaving me to come up with many wrong theories, which is fun.

I really enjoyed reading this, it kept me on my toes at all times, and at various points it was unputdownable.

All I wanted to know is what happened to Sasha and why, as its not normally to return home after a date night, to find the baby sitter has disappeared, but the child is still in the house.

A very gripping story, that held my attention throughout.

Thank you to Bookouture on Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Just imagine for a minute that you find a note on your car windshield telling you that your husband is having an affair. How would you react? Then imagine that when you ask him about it, he is offended and brushes you off. Then, every time you try to bring up the subject again or anytime you ask who he is texting or calling, you are met with his impatience and frustration. Suddenly you are the "bad guy" because you have doubts...

Now all of a sudden, this person you used to know so well starts to feel like a stranger. So, you go to dinner to try and find a way to reconnect and apologize for doubting him. Except, it doesn't go well...at all. So, you come home only to find your babysitter is missing and your child sleeping alone upstairs. What is going on? This craziness is what Libby is dealing with. Couple this with her husband's ex-wife who is clearly still interested in him and a mother-in-law who treats Sean like the world revolves around him and it all makes Sean a lot to deal with. On top of everything else, Libby is arrested for Sasha's murder several days later. At this point, the confusing timeline of events starts to unfold along with several twists and turns. Suddenly, Libby sees that she can't truly trust anyone.

I really enjoyed Date Night. It was a great domestic thriller/mystery. Every time I thought I had things figured out, a new twist took me down a different path to a new theory.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Libby and Sean have been having problems since someone left a note saying Sean was having an affair. They go out for dinner to try and talk but when they return home their babysitter Sasha has vanished. What follows is the search for Sasha but told in two timelines both before the disappearance and after.
I thought it was well written and kept me hooked from the first page. The story also makes you question your own assumptions as well. Can’t wait for Samantha Hayes next book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
#DateNight #NetGalley

Libby and Sean are back from a terrible date and come home to find their daughter sound asleep in bed but their babysitter no where to be found. Libby and Sean have been having problems lately due to Libby finding a note on her car saying that Sean is cheating on her. Libby is arrested for suspicion of murder of Sasha, but Sasha has not been found.
I liked how the story was told through the past and present. My mind was spinning every time I read new details and I kept trying to predict what about happen next. Wow, the ending of this book was not predictable at all! This book kept my attention right from the very beginning and the ending left me jaw dropped. I did get a little annoyed with Libby’s character at times and I did not like Sean. I didn’t like Sean as a character, but I think the author did a great job with how she wrote his character and how she portrayed him. This is great fast paced thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this unputdownable book!
It was a thrilling, unnerving read. The characters were realistic. The plot was gripping and fast-paced. Run, do not walk, out to get this fab book.
Thank you NetGalley.

As always an absolute stunner from Samantha Hayes. This is such a gripping psychological thriller with lots of lovely twists. How could one night out spin so horribly out of control. The backstory and the conclusion come together so dramatically. Highly recommended.

4 stars ⭐


This book is about: 

A woman named Libby who receives a note saying her husband Sean is cheating on her. After debating it with herself, she decides to confront him and although he denies it completely, she doesn't believe him and they go out for dinner on a date to ease the tension.

However, it doesn't go very well and they end up going home early and finding the babysitter they left their daughter with missing.

Now, in the present, Libby has been arrested under the suspicion of having murdered the babysitter. 


Pros: 

This story is told in two different timelines: one in the past narrated in the first person by Libby and the other in the present time narrated in third person. This narration choice keeps the reader interested since they are trying to connect the storylines.

Moreover, the plot is very thrilling, keeping you on the edge of your seat, because, as it unfolds, more information is unravelled which makes you question what you knew until that point.

Last but not least, I definitely wasn't expecting the plot twist at the end when the truth is revealed. I especially loved the very last chapter due to the way that the final reveal is done.


Cons:

Towards the middle, I got a little frustrated because I felt that the plot was moving very slowly and I wasn't getting any answers.

Also, sometimes Libby's obsession with the fact that Sean might be cheating on her was a bit annoying.


Final thoughts:

To sum up, Date Night is an amazing thriller and an absolute page-turner which is bound to leave you speechless by the end. I would highly recommend it whether or not you are a thriller lover as I am certain you will enjoy it either way!

Libby thinks that she has a solid marriage to Sean. Then one morning there's a note on her windscreen telling her that her husband is having an affair. She confronts him and of course, he denies it. She doesn't believe him but they go on a date night to try and ease the tension. The date night does not go well, so they return home. But when they get there the babysitter is missing. Libby is arrested under the suspicion of murder.

This story is told in a dual timeline. One in the past that's told from Libby's point of view. One in the present that's told in third person. The plot is thrilling and I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. It does dip a bit in the middle where the story seems to slow down a bit. I was hooked by this story from the beginning. It's got some twists but boy, I did not see that last twist coming. What an ending. I have not read any of the authors other books but I will be adding them to my tbr list. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley,Bookouture and the author Samantha Hayes for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, I want to thank Samantha Hayes, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW!! Samantha Hayes is the queen of jaw dropping ending twists. She is a brilliant storyteller so much so that I could not put the book down till I knew Sean’s big secret. I thought I knew but nothing prepared me for the truth that I was to find out! Samantha kept the best and biggest secret for last!!!

Date Night is a must-read book for so many reasons! It captures your attention on sentence one and won’t let it go til the very end. The story is incredibly suspenseful, drama filled, lots of big secrets, questionable infidelity, accusations, missing persons, violence, adorable little girl, not so nice ex, etc.

Samantha breaks this book up into today and in the past when all this happened. This way you the two sides of the story.

The one thing that bothered me about Sean’s character is he kept denying that he was having an affair on Libby. I have been in her shoes before where they try to hide it and deny it. So, I felt for her when she knew in her heart he was lying. The main question who was he cheating on her with?!

There were so many amazing side stories within the main story that the other characters were a part of.
In a warped kind of way there is a lesson in the book. That family will do what they can to protect eachother.
Alice the little girl in the story pulled on my heart strings. She was adorable.

Samantha says she got the idea for writing this book when she saw a woman’s cry for help after she’d been sent an anonymous note stating her husband was having an affair. Sadly, it was on many similar public posts on forums about break-ups.

What Samantha loves most about writing psychological thrillers is that nothing is ever quite as it seems. People in ‘real life’ don’t fall into neat categories, and neither should they in fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of Date Night!

Wow... wow... I don’t know if I’ve read another book as fast as I did this one. If I didn’t have to go to work and adult everyday, I probably would’ve finished in a day! This book is about Libby and Sean, a married couple who starts having problems when Libby receives a note on her car one morning implying Sean is being unfaithful. They decided to go out for a “date night” to clear the air and everything only goes downhill from there! This story is filled with murder, affairs, family betrayals, lies and so much more! I literally couldn’t figure out what in the heck was going on until I actually read what happened! #mindblown You’ll read throughout the story about Sean’s secret and how all of these people are covering up for him and keeping his secret, even from his wife. Let me tell you, I was dying to find out what this big secret was and once I did, I was shocked!! While it was completely unpredictable throughout almost the entire book, the second I started reading the epilogue, I thought “oh that’s gotta be the secret” but up until that point I was clueless! For me, this book had everything that makes a great exciting thriller!!