4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for this e-ARC. I couldn’t put it down. This was the first book I’d read from Chevy Stevens, and it will not be the last.

Atmospheric, compelling, and beautifully written, this thriller is a slow burn — and I do mean that as a positive. We as the reader get the opportunity to learn about and deeply care about our two narrators, Hailey and Beth. As a result, the twists felt like punches to the gut.

The latest novel from Chevy Stevens, "Dark Roads," is loosely based on the Highway of Tears in British Columbia, Canada but according to the author's note, she changed the setting to Cold Creek Highway out of respect to the victims.

For decades, people have been warned about Cold Creek Highway and its penchant for luring women to its death. When Hailey McBride realizes she has to extricate herself from her uncle's home, she thinks of the unforgiving wilderness. With the help of her best friend, she makes a plan to escape into the woods, hoping her survival skills will be enough to stay alive and that people will assume she was another victim of the killer. For the better part of the year, she stays undiscovered, known only to her best friend and a stray dog, until someone too close to home arrives in town, luring her out of hiding. How can she go back to hiding knowing the dangers that are out there?

I've had a difficult time committing and finishing any novels these days so I will say this was a good novel that kept me engaged until the end. Whether or not it was particularly suspenseful is debatable. Everything is laid out on the table for you so it wasn't quite a thrilling ride. I thought the writer did an excellent job of constructing nature scenes and Hailey's determination to survive in the wilderness, so that worked for me. The beginning of the novel was also very good, stronger for me than the second half. There were a few choppy transitions that made it hard to follow along, so I wish some scenes were a little clearer. I thought the epilogue also confused me more than it added to the plot.

What an emotional rollercoaster of a book!
It started out a little slow for me, but I persisted and was rewarded! The writing and character development is impeccable. The story is haunting, fascinating, and dark. But also soulful, real, harsh, and unforgettable. I will not go into a storyline, you can find that on your own. I will suggest you read this book. I found the story a fascinating character study.

Intense and creepy thriller. This keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out what is really happening!

This story follows three women and their time in Cold Creek- Hailey, Amber and Beth. Cold Creek has been struggling with a serial killer who attacks women on the highway. The police have been unable to solve any of the cases.

Hailey has moved in with her aunt and uncle and is unhappy with this arrangement. Her aunt’s husband is overbearing and she is positive he is hiding secrets. When she uncovers one, she runs away and begins using her survival skills to evade being found. She meets one of the coolest characters- Wolf, a dog that ends up adopting her. She and Wolf have to avoid the killer and survive until she is 18 and can take over her own inheritance.

Amber is a girl who moved into town and has been a local waitress. She is killed on the Cold Creek highway and her death impacts both Hailey and her sister Beth. Beth comes to be at victims memorial a year later and is still dealing with the loss. She wants to solve the mystery of her sisters death. But this may put her in the way of the serial killer.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley but the review is my opinion.

Another great book by Chevy Stevens. She never fails to draw you in and Dark Roads was no exception.

It was a slow burn with differing points of view which I really liked. Girls are getting killed and disappearing on a highway and have been for years. The warnings to girls not to hitchhike.

We start with Hailey who discovers her uncle has some secrets that he would rather leave hidden. Then we meet Beth the sister of a girl who is killed on the highway. Together can they find the killer before he finds them?

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of DARK ROADS by Chevy Stevens in exchange for my honest review.***

Chevy Chase, it’s been way too long. I’m glad you’re finally back.

Young women, often forgotten women turn up dead on Cold Creek Highway. Many speculate if their skirts weren’t so short, if some weren’t sex workers or runaways, if if if their murders weren’t their fault. Many Canadians, like many Americans, care less when First Nation women go missing than white ones. Beth’s sister Amber one of those women. Fearing her police officer uncle, Hailey runs, hoping to be presumed dead until she turns eighteen and can live alone.

Told from Hailey’s first person and Beth’s third person points of view, DARK ROADS is an atmospheric mystery that I wouldn’t classify as a thriller. After a slow start Chevy Stevens kept me glued to my kindle, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next and if my theories were correct. I can’t decide how I feel about the wrap up since the real killings which inspired DARK ROADS aren’t solved. I do prefer a definite rather than open ended ending.

DARK ROADS is a must read for mystery fans.

Another great page turner from this author of suspense. Unpredictable and chilling are only two of the descriptive words for this novel.

I’ve been a long time fan of this author and this thriller did not disappoint. A creepy thrilling who done it kept me guessing till the very end. I was surprised.

Thank you Netgalley for and advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I’d highly recommend this book and author.

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review. I enjoy this author, I've only read a couple of her books but enjoy her style of writing and resilient heroines. This book was inspired by the Highway of Tears in Northern BC, and prompted me to investigate more on the sad disappearances and violence toward women on this stretch of highway. The story was fictional. I finished it in a day, trying to stay awake through the night to find out what happened next. Was a little frustrated by the poor choices made by young people in the story, and the seeming superhuman abilities of the "Iceman", the local cop who seemed untouchable no matter what he did. Other than that, the story was absorbing and I felt the terror of the 2 heroines {alternating stories throughout the book} of the story as they fought to bring justice to the victims, as well as save themselves. I enjoyed the ending, tying up loose ends and the spirits of the deceased girls finding peace. Our state just had a mass shooting a week ago today and the 10 victims are being laid to rest this week. Was sensitive to the violence in this book due to that I think, as well as sadness for the innocent victims. 4 stars.

4.5 stars, rounded up in this breathtaking, suspenseful story about a small town and the girls who keep disappearing and turning up murdered.

What I liked: All 3 parts of the books. I loved Part One, which focuses on Hailey and her home situation, which causes her to want to leave, even though she's been told to stay away from the highway, because of the "highway killer" who preys on young girls in the area. The other two parts tie together a sister of one of the victims who comes to the small town looking for answers and the way their stories intersect. Also, can we just pause a moment for how amazing Hailey is? Absolutely loved her character.

What I didn't like: Not a whole lot. There were a few times the story lulled or took a bit to get where it was going, but the payoff is it worth it.

Lots of action at a neck-breaking speed, this was a great story!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Chevy Stevens for an opportunity to read and review this one.

This was not an easy read to get through so it took me sometime to finally finish it. I found myself picking it up and putting it back down. It is a heavy read and not because it is badly written but because the source of the story is not easy to take. The way Chevy Stevens rights hits close to your heart and pulls at it little by little ripping away at it. That is hard to take and made me walk away from this book multiple times. That is what makes a great writer. This is a haunting tragic and unforgettable story that will stay with me long after I write this review. If and when you read this prepare yourself for a soul crushing journey that forever change the way you see the world. This is an amazing read that takes a piece of you with it in the end.

Well this book went and sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down!
Many girls have gone missing along a Canadian highway and Amber moves to a small town near this highway. The story is told from multiple viewpoints.
Suspense builds throughout the book to really keep you invested in the story.
I loved the surprise ending!

Thanks to NetGalley for my advanced ebook copy.

This book grabbed me on the very first page and kept me turning the pages all day. It was an intense thriller to say the least. I was impressed by Haley’s survival skills and resourcefulness. It certainly kept me guessing to the very end. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for an edge of your seat thriller I enjoyed it!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

Dark Roads is well written, though slower paced than I was expecting. It's more literary than your typical mystery, in the pacing, tone, and style. More Tana French than Gillian Flynn. For some reason (I guess because I'm familiar with the Highway of Tears), I expected this to be about First Nations women, which would've been more compelling for me, but the character development was strong nonetheless. I think this would actually make for a great film adaptation, because of the strong female protagonist(s), the setting, and the action.

"Dark Roads" is a suspense novel that takes place along the ominous Cold Creek Highway. For years, young women have disappeared and been found murdered along the highway with no clues left as to their killer. The book focuses on a teen runaway who has escaped an awful living situation, but in doing so has put herself in the crosshairs of the killer. Later in the book the focus shifts to the sister of one of the victims who must risk her life to find her sister's killer.

The book starts off strong and has an exciting climax. It's an interesting premise. As a dog lover, I found the heroic canine in the book to be my favorite character.

Despite the horrible tragedies that the characters in this book endured, I never really found them likable. Much of the book was slow for me because I didn't find the storylines believable. I could not understand the protagonists' choices. Readers who like strong women characters may enjoy this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me with an advance galley of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Chevy Steven’s does a great job of character development in Dark Roads. Courageous and strong willed Hailey will surprise you with her will to survive. Beth is determined to find out what happened to her sister Amber. Based on a true story of a dark highway where women have gone missing for years. With corrupt policemen and shady characters, this book will keep you on your toes and guessing until the very end.

Chevy Stevens, welcome back! A powerhouse storyteller, as always, Chevy Stevens blew me away with DARK ROADS. Her ability to build imperfect characters that we fall in love with and root for is crazy good.

In DARK ROADS we are introduced to a lost voice, hauntingly beautiful, warning us of the dangers of the murderous local highway. I'm immediately immersed and can't stop reading. The story is split between two young women who are struggling to move on from tragic losses. Hailey, the rough and tumble tomboy, and Beth, the by-the-book soon-to-be lawyer.

Hailey wants to escape her current living situation - potentially abusive and untrustworthy "foster" father, local sergeant Vaughn. Beth wants to discover the reason behind her sister, Amber's disappearance and potentially help catch her killer. Amber and Hailey had recently entered into a relationship shortly before Hailey's disappearance. Beth & Hailey's stories stand alone to begin, but slowly blend together to a strong climax!

What unfolds in these pages is a tale full of strength, survival, struggle, loss and true pain. Some bits adventurer, some bits psychological, all of it a thriller beyond words. With suspenseful turns, surprising twists and strong bonds - these young women prove that you don't have to be a victim - you can be the author of your own story.

A kind thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Ms. Chevy Stevens for my eArc in exchange for my honest review.

This is my kind of thriller! I love Chevy Stevens so knew I was in for a treat with this ARC. Hailey is living with her aunt and uncle after the death of her father, but there is something "off" about Uncle Vaughn as he is the town sergeant and is more than a little protective of her, constantly watching and warning her about the brutal deaths that have occurred on the deserted highway nearby. But when she realizes her welfare is not all he's interested in, she knows she must leave and runs away with the help of friend, Jonny. Later Beth shows up in town after her sister, Amber disappears. How these two events are connected is part of the mystery so dive in and be prepared for a fast-paced ride with some shocking surprises!

Super Creepy!!

The highway was haunted, and so was the town of Cold Creek—the last real stop for gas and provisions before taking your chances on the dark road ahead. It was also the last place several women had been seen.

This thriller will send a feeling of dread up your spine.
Hailey’s father has died and she went to live with her Aunt and Uncle. But something is just not right and she wants to find out why.

This twisted tale will keep you turning the pages until the stunning ending.

Wow, I loved this book.

This is the first book I read by Chevy Stevens and it definitely won’t be my last.

This is such a well written thriller and I loved that it was inspired by a true highway in British Columbia called The Highway of Tears, to bring awareness to a real life issue.

The book is told from two perspectives, Hailey and Beth. I loved both the characters in their own ways. Part 1 pulls you in right away with Hailey’s story and then next is Beth’s, that does start out a little slow, but that doesn’t last long.

This is a whirlwind of a story that will keep you guessing until the very end. I have to admit I was shocked with the ending.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an early digital copy for my honest review.

Release date is August 3rd and you won’t want to miss it!