The first chapter in I almost put this book down. O did not like Saye and how spoiled he was. Definitely not a person I would ever like to be around. However you kind of sympathize how lonely he seems despite his friends. Then he pulls his spoiled brat routine and I decided I didn’t like him all that much then he got kidnapped. He handled it better then I ever would have. The story got crazy fast and I could not out this book down. It was amazing and so well written. There was a couple things I wish that would have been answered (why happened with Luke?) but his relationship with Evan was everything. All it took was him getting kidnapped by a serial killer to show his true colors and realize what a douche he was. I was so sad when this book ended .

I wasn't expecting to be completely shattered by Dark Room Etiquette, but that's what happened. I was expecting a mystery/thriller about a kidnapping, but this is so much more than that. This is hard to read - what Sayers goes through is absolutely horrifying. But it's the aftermath that really broke me. How trauma scars you and how you go forward after so much trauma. I like that there wasn't a "pat" happy ending. It wasn't the worst case scenario ending, but it was so realistic and honest and painful, acknowledging that healing is a slow process that looks differently for everyone.

I highly recommend this book, but please read the trigger warnings first.

This was a hard book to read, so I'm going to start my review with some content warnings. This book is really good, but it's not going to be for everyone.

Warnings for kidnapping, suicide, captivity, bullying, assault, sexual assault, ptsd, starvation, physical and mental abuse, teenage drinking and drugs, Stockholm Syndrome. I might be forgetting something.

Saye is very hard to like. He's insanely rich and privileged and he goes along with whatever his friends are doing. He has a girlfriend and a best friend. But another one of Saye's friends is not a good person. At all. He starts bullying a kid named Evan and Saye goes along with it. On the night of homecoming, Evan goes into the woods alone with Garrett. Saye doesn't know what happened, but he can see how horrible Evan looks. At school, Evan's friend comes to his defence and threatens Saye. So when Saye goes missing, Evan and his friend were suspects. But Saye was kidnapped by a man that thought he was his son, Daniel. He said that Daniel was kidnapped when he was ten. He said he was taken by people that pretended to be his parents and that they experimented on him. That's why Daniel doesn't remember anything. But the man believes that time will turn back suring the meteor shower and Daniel will be young again. He keeps Saye locked up. He's chained and there are no windows. The man, Caleb, gives him toys and books that a ten year old Daniel liked. He used abuse and manipulation to get Saye to forget who he was. He starts calling Caleb dad and starts to love him. Even when he locks him in the dark basement. Caleb also takes a local girl to keep Saye company when he has to leave. He staves them at times and they're left in the dark for days at a time. Saye is finally rescued, but he doesn't know how to be Saye again. He gets his life and Daniel's life confused. He doesn't talk to his old friends and actually befriends Evan. Penny has major trauma and can't even be around Saye. His mom isn't the same and he fails at school. The last part of the book is seeing how Saye is after the kidnapping and how it affected everyone around him.

I gave this book 4 stars. It was a bit longer than I would have liked (512 pages), but it did keep me wanting to continue to read at times when I needed to stop.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a link through Netgalley.

Trauma. How do you deal with it? What does it do to you? Dark Room Etiquette is the intense and discomforting story of Sayers (Saye), a sixteen-year-old privileged boy who gets kidnapped and is trapped in a windowless room.

This book was one of my most anticipated 2022 reads, and I was a little anxious to get in. I knew this would be a harrowing story, but the harshness started differently than I expected. Soon after I started reading my stomach churned, and a band tightened around my chest. Not because of what happened to Saye, but because Saye was such an asshole. And then he got kidnapped.

I sat under huge olive trees in Italy and watched my boys beside me, reading and having fun. Meanwhile, I felt sicker and sicker, and eventually, goosebumps crawled over my body. I almost hated the privileged Saye, but I wanted to hug the kidnapped Saye so badly. When I thought it couldn’t get worse, anger burned itself through my skin, and tears prickled in my eyes.

This story is not only about kidnapped Saye. It’s also about the aftermath, about being back in the everyday world—about a traumatized boy who had to find himself again. And I had huge lumps in my throat, and I cried, like a lot. Eventually though, Dark Room Etiquette is a hopeful story and I’m so happy about that.

Last but not least, I want to spotlight that gorgeous cover by a Dutch artist (yes 😀!) Martina Johanna. It’s so stunning!

Thank you so much, Robin, for trusting me to read and review this ARC. Like I said, it was one of my most anticipated 2022 books, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I highly recommend this story but please, everyone, read the trigger warnings first! Even though this book is hopeful in the end, it’s really dark and disturbing.

I've been waiting for another book from Roe since I finished A LIST OF CAGES which left me an utter wreck of emotions. And again, I've been ripped to shreds in the best way possible.

DARK ROOM ETIQUETTE will have you up all night, heart in your throat. Gripping, addictive, disquieting, yet undeniably hopeful in the face of life-altering trauma. An expertly crafted ride of twists and dips that is guaranteed to linger in the reader's psyche.

Dark Room Etiquette was out of my comfort zone but in a good way as thrillers aren’t normally what I read. This book is dark, twisted, and eerie. I loved almost all the characters, the relationships between them, and how they grew. I loved the conflict and how it was resolved. There were no loose ends and the ending was tied together very well and it wasn’t rushed. I loved the writing, the story and how I felt like I was in it. Dark Room Etiquette is a great second novel and I can’t wait to read more from Robin.

Okay it’s been about three hours so I do finally feel qualified to think about this book. This book is intense, and very interesting, and very long. It’s 512 pages, and it absolutely does not feel like 512 pages — it feels like it’s 200 max, and I finished this book inside of four hours. (I’m also a VERY fast reader, so, there’s also that). And yet? I wish there was more? I need more information pre-trauma (I literally do not think Sayers had a personality pre-trauma, or if he did, it wasn’t a very strong personality, and also I could not keep his friends apart At All) and I need SO much more information post-trauma. It’s the aftermath! I need the ‘real’ information! The reader (me!) is left with questions still at the end! And yet it’s still really good! If this novel was a fanfiction, it would be hurt/comfort with emphasis on the hurt — I needed More Comfort at the end. I needed a newspaper article at the end that was like “these are the events that actually happened, not according to our unreliable narrator”. Also they never say “dark room etiquette” or really refer to the metaphor of the title, and I think it’s a really good metaphor/title so I’d really like to have that. But I AM still thinking about this book, so. Four and a half stars, rounded down for NetGalley/Goodreads.

Overall rating: 4/5🌟

Giant thank you Robin Roe and Netgalley for providing me with the e-ARC off this book!!
I remember stumbling over A List of Cages sometime last year and being absolutely DESTROYED by it. It grasped my heart and just shredded it to pieces.
So being the person I am, as soon as Robin announced she's making another book that would also destroy me I immediately added it to my tbr.

I was lucky enough to receive an e-ARC.

And, naturally, I cried.

Robin isn't afraid to show the absolute abysmal side of humanity. Dark Room Etiquette was bleak and raw. It was dark and gritty and gut wrenching.
It was a blinding reminder of how sick and twisted humans can be.
It was also a scary reminder of how the human brain can be twisted and manipulated with just a few words…

Our MC Sayer's was a young man who went from living a life of privilege and money and ease, to fighting for his life.
Sayer's was a mildly unlikable character in the beginning, but compared to some others, Sayer's still had redeeming qualities.

Robin had a knack for writing mental trauma and traumatic events. It takes great skill to pull off what she has achieved. There were times where Sayer was confused; I found myself confused and disoriented.

Karma always comes to get what's due. Be kind to everyone. And don't surround yourself with dickbag friends because they aren't your friends.

I vastly enjoyed the character development of some of the characters; I wish we saw more of other characters.

I highly recommend this book. Robin will be my go to author for when I want a good cry.

"It turns out humans have notoriously terrible memories— and sometimes we even make our memories up."

--
If you're looking for a happy story all around book, I'd turn around. This book is heart breaking and makes you hold your loved ones close.

I want to thank Robin for allowing me early access to this masterpiece of a book before I dive into my review. I have been looking forward to getting my hands on this after I read Robin's book, 'A List of Cages.' I read 'A List of Cages' all in one sitting and could not believe how gritty she gets with her writing. It's captivating and makes you want to keep going because you are so concerned about the safety of the protagonist.

I apologize if my review is all over the place.

Starting off you're introduced to Sayers Wayte, a sixteen year old boy who is living the dream! He has money, a gorgeous girlfriend, and is very well liked amongst the school.

Things take a turn when he is kidnapped. Sayers believes it's all a joke at first and he can bribe his kidnapper with money. But the kidnapper utters three words that send chills down anyone spine:

"I want you "

Sayers is now fighting to maintain his sanity while he is locked up in a room without windows. Can he survive until he is rescued?

--
So I'm definitely giving this book a 5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

At first I did not know how I truly felt about Sayers friends, especially Garrett. He seems to be able to influence Saye quite a lot in the book, and at one point Sayes girlfriend, Bria, calls him out on that. Saying he is a sheep and always following Garrett around. I agree. Sometimes people are easily influenced by others because they've never learned to be themselves due to fear of being judged by their peers.

Garrett quite often picks on Evan while Sayers just allows it to happen, even eggs it on at times despite Say feeling bad. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone else on the issues with Garrett and Evan.

Dark Room Etiquette is gritty and reminds you about sick people can be. How easily the human brain can be manipulated with just a few words of remember when...

My favorite character overall is Penny. Despite the stuff she goes through, I can't help but love her.

This book made me remember that karma is a bitch, excuse the language haha. Always treat people with kindness because you don't know what kind of hell they're going through. Especially when the universe decides that you are going to run into that same person in the future.

Friends don't get off on hurting other people that are weaker than them. Friends get off on seeing you stand up for what's right and being there when you can't stand on your own.

**Special thanks to Robin Roe and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book**

“It was a beautiful story, with a lot of heart and a profound message of love, loss, trauma, and hope.”

I had read Ms. Roe’s first book “A List of Cages” for the first time in 2017. I read it again that same year and then again a few years later. It’s one of my few 5 star rated books and suffice to say; I was more than ecstatic when I heard a second book from this author was in the works. It felt like ages and ages of small updates and little tips of info. Finally there was an announcement on the author’s instagram for a chance to get an ARC of the book and I jumped at the opportunity. This review does NOT contain spoilers and I have not been paid to say anything. All opinions are my own.

All I knew going into this book was what was written as the official synopsis, and the author blurbs on the cover. I love a good psychological thriller and I knew from Roe’s previous work she can write with a voice that speaks to me and makes me feel what the characters are feeling. Sometime to an uncomfortable degree. She has such a grasp on human emotion and her ability to translate that into words makes me jealous. I loved the pacing of this book, all the story beats hit and none overstayed their welcome. I was immediately drawn to Sayers as a character and enjoyed seeing the story through his eyes. He was a character (while flawed) you could root for and I was definitely rooting for him every step of the way. Even though he starts the book as a bit of a prick he still has redeeming human qualities and I thought that was very important for later story beats. I loved in certain parts when Sayers was confused or disoriented I, as the reader, felt even more confused and disoriented. Roe’s talent for writing such mentally traumatic content is brilliantly showcased here. The plot of the book was intriguing and I finished in about 24 hours (I even read it at work).

There were some characters I wish I could have seen more of and some I would have liked to see a little less. Certain relationships I wish were given more time to change and grow as the author saw fit. At certain times I was a little too confused but by the end everything I was confused about was cleared up. Other than that, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book. My only question I am still baffled by is: if Sayers is on the cover of this book why is he not blonde?

Once again, I’m so so happy I was able to read this early and I’ll be one of the first in line to buy this when it hits shelves in October. Maybe I’ll even find little changes made in last minutes edits.

Thank you again, Robin Roe and Net Galley! An outstanding sophomore book! It was a beautiful story, with a lot of heart and a profound message of love, loss, trauma, and hope. I will definitely be recommending to all my fellow book lovers.

This book was mediocre at best. Sure it messed with my head, but it fell flat. I didn't know what to expect, but this was not really it.

I loved this book so much, that I jumped at the chance to offer an official blurb! Here it is:

Haunting, beautiful, and impossible to put down, DARK ROOM ETIQUETTE is nothing short of a masterpiece. Expertly paced with unforgettable characters and addictive, gorgeous writing, Robin Roe offers up a story that is as deeply thrilling as it is profound.

P.S. Add to your TBR today!

I really liked this book, although some parts were really drawn out. It’s interesting how fast your mind can change itself to survive.

Similar to the book Room, Dark Room Etiquette follows the ultra rich Sayers, with endless amounts of money, popularity and no consequences he is unprepared for it to collapse. He’s kidnapped and in order to survive develops Stockholm Syndrome. This is the story of hope, after terror and making amends.

Thank you to Net Galley for giving me an ARC for a review!

This book was heartbreaking, but good.

This book is all in the perspective of Saye, and no way of knowing what was going on outside the house he was being held in. I wasn't a huge fan of not knowing but I am glad I didn't because when Saye felt hopeless, I felt hopeless. And when Saye had no concept of time, I had no concept of time.



This book had just the right amount of before, during, and after the traumatic event of being kidnapped. In my past experiences of reading books with kidnapping in it, you don't experience the aftermath of a kidnapping, only during and just a little chapter on how they are after they are found. But with this book, I was very impressed with the authors ability to portray trauma and I liked that we get to see Saye after being kidnapped for a big chunk of the book, and how he copes.

I would highly recommend you read this book but there are trigger warnings which I have listed below.


TW: Kidnapping, Suicide, Mentions of off screen Sexual Assault.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of Dark Room Etiquette.

I really enjoyed Roe's first book, A List of Cages, so I was excited for another one from her. This was even better. A dark psychological thriller that I could not put down. I would rank this a little below a perfect five only because the very very end seemed rushed and I wanted just little more with that part of the story, while other parts seemed dragged out.

Dark Room Etiquette is a haunting and chilling glimpse into the trauma of kidnapping and Stockholm Syndrome. I've never read anything similar. It was so unique and well written and I genuinely felt for the characters. It was absolutely horrifying what some of them went through and I'm not going to sugarcoat the fact that some points in this book made me extremely uncomfortable and got under my skin. It takes great skill to be able to tackle such topics, and Robin Roe did an extremely good job writing this book, I know it will stick with me.

spooky, fun and amazing!! this is hands down one of the most unique books ive ever read, highly recommend!

Thank you, HarperTeen, for allowing me to read Dark Room Etiquette early.

A List of Cages was disturbing and, at moments difficult to read. But Robin Roe takes readers in her sophomore book to another, higher level of discomforting. Dark Room Etiquette is harrowing, shocking, and emotional. The pacing is on the spot, and the writing is fabulous. An insanely good story that I’d recommend to every teen around the world!