I want to start by saying I absolutely love this cover! It is so pretty and peaceful looking.
Iris In The Dark is a great romantic suspense book. Beautifully written, it kept me interested the entire time. I was so intrigued to learn about Iris and her past. I wouldn’t consider it a thriller, but it does lean towards darker topics.
Trigger warnings include domestic abuse, drugs, human trafficking, violence.

This one starts right away, which I love. Iris is a single mom who has run away from one life to lead another. We find her on her way to watch a house that belongs to her boss, who is more like her own family. Iris still fears whatever in her past will find her, and those fears increase when she hears an unknown voice coming from a walkie talkie.

Pick this one up for a nice blend of suspense and romance that you will not want to put down.

This was a real page turner for me and I was eager to read Iris’ story as she faced her past. I wouldn’t call it a thriller although there was suspense and mystery. This was a fast paced well written story in my opinion and I look forward to reading more from this author.

So for starters, what did Watson have against Iris?! Like geez, what an ahole! With that said, this was a good story about a mom with a terrible past doing everything she can to protect her son. I thought Iris was a well rounded character and loved that she was willing to accept help from others. I really enjoyed her relationship with Lowell (and Ivan even though he’s not actually around). This is a perfect summer read as it’s fast paced with short chapters.

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨!

This is my second book from this author and I love her writing style. Her books are a mix of mysterious and moving, heartwarming and dark. This story pulled me in since the first chapter and kept me turning pages until the end.

Thank you Lake Union Authors for this gifted copy.

𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 by Elissa Grossell Dickey released June 7, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨!

This is my second book from this author and I love her writing style. Her books are a mix of mysterious and moving, heartwarming and dark. This story pulled me in since the first chapter and kept me turning pages until the end.

Thank you Lake Union Authors for this gifted copy.

𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 by Elissa Grossell Dickey released June 7, 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Why do suspenseful things always seem to happen in South Dakota in literary world? I have been there, it is a nice place. I don’t think anything suspenseful or mysterious happened when we were there, unless driving for a couple of hours without my brother hitting me while in the backseat of our parents car counts. Come to think of it, that was out of character. Maybe authors have some insight.
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Anyway, you can probably surmise that South Dakota is the setting for Iris in the Dark, a romantic suspense novel by Elissa Gosselin Dickey. Some heart pumping moments, some heart warming moments, and some cold hearted people make this an interesting read.
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In my visits to South Dakota the people seemed kind and I think that, and the protective mama bear parts of the book were my favorites.
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This is a good, quick and enjoyable read, you do have to suspend belief in some parts but that is what I like about fiction. This book is out today so grab a copy, pull up a chair and a cozy spot by the fire pit like I did, and enjoy!
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Iris has secrets that few know. This story is narrated by Iris, mainly in current day perspective, but we get snippits from her past that show us when and why she ran. She ran to save herself. And, even more important, she ran for her unborn child.

Lowell and his partner Ivan stumbled upon Iris just after she ran and took her under their wings.
Ivan is now passed, but Lowell looks after her like a father would. He knows some of her past, but not all. He doesn't feel he needs to.

She works for Lowell's newspaper and, as he plans to retire and sell, he offers her the chance to run his lodge. She's unsure, so he has her house sit for a week to see how it feels and if she thinks it will be something she would like to do in the future.

Things seem to be going well. She meets Sawyer, the property's caretaker, and after a misunderstanding on who is who, they execute an event together. All seems to be going well until Iris hears a voice asking for help. It's coming from a toy walkie talkie. She's freaked out. The cops don't take her seriously. And we realize she thinks her past may be coming back to haunt her.

I really connected with Iris of the love of Finn and how she would do anything to protect him and keep him safe. A romance starts to bloom with Sawyer, whose teenage daughter Natalie is an intern at the paper and occasionally babysits for Finn. A horrific connection between Iris and Sawyer/Natalie comes to light and things go horribly wrong for a while.

Loved the mystery aspect, how the little bits were fed to us and allowed us to discover Iris' past. Also loved the romance between Iris and Sawyer.

My first book by this author but look forward to more!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Solid Sophomore Effort That Doesn't Live Up To The Author's Debut. With this book, Dickey gives a solid story that has elements across several genres - and thus may not work for readers who are exclusive to any given genre. For readers who are more open though, this one actually works quite well. There is a mystery/ creepiness factor (combined with a tragic/ dark backstory) that almost gives mystery/ suspense vibes, but when combined with the more romance side of the tale switches to almost a romantic suspense vibe. Then there are the women's fiction elements of a woman trying to find herself yet again when her world begins to collapse - or is it simply her mind collapsing? In the end, I would suggest that the book ultimately follows all rules I know of for the romance genre, and thus likely best fits there - though I'm not sure that this is what Dickey or her publisher (not known for romances) intended. I appreciate that Dickey tells a dramatically different story here than her debut (The Speed of Light), and I encourage all readers to go check out that book as well, no matter your own thoughts on this one. This book is ultimately the well-travelled tale of a phenomenal debut making the next work so much harder, as it has so much to live up to. Judged on its own, this story is truly a solid and intriguing one. Recommended.

Iris In The Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey released on June 7, 2022 by Lake Union Publishing. It’s a suspense filled story that has romance included. The main character, Iris Jenkins, is a single mother who has had a really hard life. Her mother was never there for her, her grandmother who raised her dies and instead of being alone, she hooks up with the worst kind of guy possible. He is a drunk and a drug dealer amongst other things and is abusive. Once Iris learns she’s pregnant, she knows she must escape to protect her unborn baby. She ends up in another state where she meets 2 older gentlemen who help her get on her feet. It’s a story of trauma and fear, always wondering what’s in the shadows, and will her past ever catch up with her. I thought it was a fascinating read and one I had a hard time setting down. This was my first time reading this author and I really liked her writing style. Sawyer and Natalie brought a whole new dimension to the story being that their pasts had come together in tragedy but the way they forgave each other and came together in the end made the story all the more appealing to me. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc that I obtained off the Read Now section. I really enjoyed this and will be recommending it to my reader friends. I’m also glad to have found a new author to read and I’m looking forward to getting her other book, The Speed Of Light very soon. I’m somewhat puzzled by other readers ratings because this was a 5 star read for me!

📖BOOK TOUR STOP & REVIEW📖

This domestic thriller is my first taste of Ms. Dickey’s work. After reading so much praise for her previous book, I was thrilled to receive this ARC. It had a little too much romance for me but the author is a talented storyteller!

Iris has a past she keeps hidden. It takes a while before we find out how shocking it is but it’s worth the wait. Her tragic history and new dangers unfold and what a wild ride! Hold on and enjoy.

Pregnant, alone and crying at a truck stop, she meets the men who will turn her life around. They give her a job, a house and the support she needs. And now Lowell has another gift for her as she faces the reality that her job could be ending soon.

Thank you to Lets Talk Books Promo and Lake Union Publishing for providing this complimentary book copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#irisinthedark #elissagrosselldickey #lakeunionpublishing #letstalkbookspromo #justfinishedreading #newrelease #advancedreaderscopy #domesticdrama #domesticthriller #secretpast

This was a quick and semi-intense read for me. The author sure knows how to keep the readers engaged and on their toes from the first page to the last. I was really invested to find out how Iris can escape her past and what she’ll do when it catches up with her. I liked that she’s so relatable, especially with her mama bear instincts and her unconscious need to belong and feel wanted. The twist was a nice surprise which I didn’t see coming, and the ending tied up nicely with the rest of the story. I’d recommend this book if you are looking for a quick thriller with romance on the side. It’s already out in the world and free on Kindle Unlimited!

Iris is a dummy and the plot is just ok. The writing could be better and the ideas need a bit of polishing. You’ll get nothing spectacular and nothing really bad. I can’t recommend it either way.

Thank you for this opportunity. Readerly gist under invisiblemonster is mine.

Iris Jenkins thought the worst was behind her when she fled her old life eight years ago. Stuck in an abusive relationship, Iris got pregnant. This was her wake up call. The day Iris got away was the beginning of her new life.

But old habits die hard. Years have gone by, but that hasn’t kept Iris from looking over her shoulder. Sure she’s worried about herself, but her bigger worry is for her son, Finn who knows nothing of the life she led before. Instead she, as well as almost everyone who knows her, see her as kooky and overprotective.

Then Iris is given the opportunity to manage a friend’s lodge in South Dakota. Reluctant at first, she decides to take a chance. There she meets the handsome neighbor and property caretaker, Sawyer Jones. Sawyer is charming and inviting, quickly earning Iris’s hard to earn trust. But when Sawyer’s brother comes to town, along with other mysterious happenings, Iris begins to wonder if the past she thought she outrun has finally caught up to her.

Iris in the Dark is the sophomore release by @elissaadickey and one that’s every bit as page turning as her first novel. Elissa was one of the first authors I connected with on Bookstagram when I started, so her writing will always hold a special place in my heart. This gorgeous book just released this week so go grab this and her previous release, The Speed of Light, now!

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book because i love it when weird things happen in everyday instances and you start seeing of you are you the only who saw them or not!

I did like the split timeline but i felt it could have been done slightly better it alluded to many different things but never outright said anything i suspected.

Overall this book remained me of a lifetime movie there was nothing super twisty and turning and i was able to predict a lot of what was going to happen. If you like books like that this is perfect if you like more gripping thrillers or mystery’s i would maybe pass on this book.

Iris in the Dark is a thriller with a bit of romance. Elissa Grossell Dickey's writing is dark and yet moving at the same time.

Trigger warning. This book does contain abuse and violence.

The story follows a single mother, Iris, as she is raising her son Finn in South Dakota. From the very beginning, you get a sense that Iris is more protective of her son for a reason. She doesn't really trust too many people but one of the people she does asks for a favor; to house sit his lodge. She accepts because the man has been kind and someone of a father figure.

Things start to get more complicated when she meets the neighbor, Sawyer. He is kind and compassionate but she can't afford to be charmed just to get her heart broken all over again. Sawyer also has a teenager named Natalie so it's easy for them to talk about their kids. As they spend more time together, Iris opens up and we start to understand why she put up her guard in the first place.

Then, when they least expect it both of their pasts start to find their way back to the present. So many secrets and half-truths bring about harsh memories and even danger. That adds mystery to the story and it's so thrilling.

I give Iris in the Dark 4 stars. I feel like this had a great balance of suspense and romance. This being my first time reading this author made me want to read more of her work. It's captivating and emotional. The whole book really fit together and I was happy with how the book ended.

Iris has a past she's been running from for a long time. All she wants is to raise her son, Finn, to be happy and healthy. Her mother abandoned her to be raised by her grandmother but made sure she knew she considered her worthless. After her grandmother died she got in a relationship with Mitch who was the standard abusive boyfriend but she was convinced he loved her and that she deserved they was she was treated. Mitch dies in a wreck while drunk driving and she flees to another state with her newly discovered pregnancy and finds Lowell & Ivan who become her adoptive family and help her. She has a job working at a newspaper working for Lowell but after he tells her he might sell it and offers her a back up job working at his lodge that he rents out for events and hunting parties. She decides to stay at the lodge for a week to test it out and on the first night hears screaming. She tracks it down to a toy walkie talkie in a closet. After it happens again she starts to realize her past is trying to rear back up. She met and started a budding relationship with Sawyer, who is the caretaker at the lodge and is afraid the past is going to end it before it really gets started.

This was a well told story about a victim of domestic abuse and the mind set they carry with them even after they no longer live in that situation anymore. Iris voice is true feeling and being with her as she struggles to forge a new path for her and her son is a journey I'm glad I went on.

I was expecting a more suspenseful novel after reading the blurb of Iris in the Dark but it was more of a women's fiction with some suspense and romance elements added to it. I am a fan of women's fiction novels but that just wasn't what I wanted from this novel. The story felt very simple and straightforward, the latter I appreciated. The author didn't really beat around the bush and went straight to business. I was a bit intrigued and wondered how the story would develop. But I didn't love the characters or plot that much. I thought the story was okay and I was able to finish the book so there was something that kept me going. I also love the cover but it didn't really match the story in my opinion.

Ever read a book where the main character hooks you in and you want to read more but kinda frustrates you so much you want to yell at her and stop reading?

That for me is Iris. She is so topsy turvy... over protective one minute, not the next. Avoiding love one minute, in insta-love the next...she drove me up the wall!

There was a lot and I mean A LOT going on in this book. I felt maybe too much going on and therefore some things didn't make sense to me.

I still enjoyed reading this book and it was very quick to read, which is a great thing if you want a weekend read.

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This book was an awesome mix of light thriller and sweet romance. It’s the perfect book if you’re not a huge thriller fan but want some dark twists thrown in there!

The main chapters are based in the present with a few flashback chapters thrown in. I definitely loved the flashbacks the most because they had the dark backstory in them (it should surprise no one at this point that this mama loves her drama).

Iris as a main character had a lot of depth to her, and I loved learning more about her and seeing her grow throughout the story. She had an incredibly hard past which contributed to low self-esteem and extreme paranoia. Although I couldn’t relate to how she just let everyone walk all over her, I could definitely relate to the paranoia that consumed her life (except she had a reason to be paranoid and I definitely do not, I just have issues).

Sawyer was also a great character and I loved everything about him. He was just precious and I was rooting for him and Iris the whole time.

Overall, this was a fun read with some dark twists thrown in there to keep the reader on their toes!

I received this book for free as part of a Bookstagram tour. My review is posted on my Goodreads and my Bookstagram account (@janinesbookcorner).