𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊⁣
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐃𝐞 𝐋𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐳⁣
𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝟎𝟏.𝟑𝟏.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 ⁣
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In this ripped-from-the-headlines Gone Girl meets A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz weaves a white-knuckle YA thriller about a beautiful young influencer who vanishes after going on vacation with her boyfriend. ⁣
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𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊⁣
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🖤 An influencer goes missing in Rome while on vacation - true crime fans you will love this⁣
💖 Fast paced and an edge of your seat read⁣
🖤 Great storytelling and a cast of characters⁣
💖 I love the writing that mixes up social media posts and diary entries ⁣
🖤 Melissa DeLaCruz knows how to grip you from the start, never lets go, and leaves you satisfied until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley and Union Square for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Influencer girlfriend, Amelia Ashley doesn't return home with boyfriend, Josh Reuter after vacationing in Italy. What a ride this book was! I always enjoy a book with multiple POVs...it adds to the suspense for me! This thriller was definitely unique. I haven't read one with a social media/influencer main character yet...so this was a first for me! With all the flashbacks and social media posts, I was definitely left guessing up until the very end.

I really enjoyed this engaging YA mystery/thriller and look forward to reading more from Melissa de la Cruz!

Going Dark is an extremely readable new adult psychological thriller that centers around a popular food influencer/college student who disappears on a trip to Rome with her boyfriend. Like I said, it's very readable! It's not going to stick with you - I think the best comparison here is the tv show "You" (I've not read the books) as it's a little silly but extremely entertaining. I would definitely recommend to new adults looking to try psychological thrillers (it's probably a pretty good entry point to the genre for most folks tbh). 3 stars.

Privacy is basically an illusion, right? What happens if you just wanna drop from the face of the earth? You can't because your next door neighbour's dog could find you the way things are right now.

The cover of this book is so old school mystery thriller vibes - a fun throwback!

This book was a mixture of sugar, spice and everything bad about the world. Evidence: We have a lame-o boyfriend, missing girls, social media influencers, a hacker and the cops being flops. Everyone in this book is capital S stressed except for the flop boyfriend who was calmly eating a sandwich while his girlfriend was missing. I guess you gotta fuel on those carbs no matter the situation.

This book touches on a lot of important topics such as how missing women of colour and their families are treated. Trust me when I say I was clenching my teeth and feeling an intense need for vengeance as I was reading. I thought the twist felt a little predictable but was still enjoyable because of the flashbacks and social media aspect of it. I liked the inclusion of media sources and transcripts. It felt like I was watching the mystery unravel like I was following the disappearance of a real influencer.

Overall, I didn't think this was the most interesting mystery but it wove a lot of important factors into a fun little mystery. It's not deep, but it's not so shallow that you won't have a good time. I feel like I'd see this show on my Netflix homepage.

If you're like me and in the mood for quick, easy reads where girls are super smart and keep you wondering what's gonna happen next - then try this young adult mystery thriller out.

Rating 3.5/5

This is my first book by this author and I was so drawn in by the description, there is something about the situation of a popular influencer going missing that sounded kind of fascinating and I was wondering with so many people invested in your life what the outcome of that would be. I think one of the great things about this book is that it pointed me a little in that direction but then turned into this entirely different story which is just as gripping and interesting just not in the way I expected it would.

I will admit, it starts off a little slow, and I got to a point where I wasn’t sure if it would keep my interest. I stuck with it though and as the POVs change and we start to get to know Amelia a little more, I suddenly could not tear myself away from this story. It is tough to say much at all about it because it could be very easily ruined but there were definitely some surprises, and where things felt a bit more obvious it was still quite exciting to find out the reason behind what was happening.

The structure of this is a little different, it includes Amelia’s blog posts and transcripts from her vlog, it threw me a little at first but then it was as if I could hear how she was speaking to her audience, it created the right atmosphere to make you feel like you were one of her followers being updated on her life. I liked that whilst the influencing part of the story gives us the chance to see Amelia’s life and the contrast of what she omits, the story overall points to something so much bigger. It looks at how the media and social media can sway opinion for the better and the worse, and at the differences in coverage depending on race and other factors.

Again I can’t talk too much about the characters because I don’t want to spoil the story, but there were some I liked more than others, I thought the author hit the perfect tone with Josh and Amelia. I liked Harper but on occasion, she felt like a tool to move the story along, I think I had envisioned her as more of an invested follower who was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and she wasn’t really involved in that way. At certain points, I also felt like things were maybe a bit too convenient for all of them, the way things slotted into place, whilst there was a lot of tension in the second half of the story I feel like this could have been even higher with a few more hurdles.

Going Dark is a thrilling mystery that I did not want to put down, with a plot that manages to be both surprising and a little predictable, but in that way you still have to read to the end to get every detail.

"Going Dark" is a roller coaster ride of suspense and intrigue as readers try to get to the bottom of the question, "Where is Amelia Ashley?" Almost universally known, and equally beloved, travel and food vlogger Amelia Ashley has been taking the internet by storm. From her down-to-earth ramblings about a boy she thinks she falling in love with, to the trips and restaurants she brings her fans along to experience, she's the type of girl everyone wants to befriend.

As a regular poster, fans start to worry when she suddenly goes dark in the middle of a European vacation with her boyfriend Josh Reuter. After a fight in a restaurant, Josh leaves Italy without Ashely, claiming he has no idea where she's gone and that he had nothing to do with her failure to appear for their trip home.

Hacker Harper Delgado finds the case caught her attention. The more she reads about Amelia Ashley's online presence, the more she thinks her story doesn't quite add up. As she digs into Ashley's background, she discovers another girl who went missing two years before, one who never made a single headline. Could it be possible for this teenage hacker to connect the dots before the police? And if she does, how can she fill them in on what's really happening without revealing her illegal activity?

All three of our major players will find themselves on a crash course to the truth that will be enough to have even the most seasoned thriller reader on the edge of their seats. A must-read for fans of Courtney Summers and Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, "Going Dark" is sure to be one of the hottest thrillers of the year. Special thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Going Dark" in exchange for an unbiased review!

Thank you Netgalley for letting me review this story. My opinions are entirely my own.

It's 2:01 am and now that I know the fate of the characters I can sleep. This was a fabulous mystery with all sorts of twist and turns to keep you guessing. I really enjoyed the work that went into this story to get all the little hints to make sense.

I also liked the way the comparison of how missing persons are given exposure. We have a missing indigenous woman issue in my country and your point that race plays a part is absolutely true.

When Josh returns home alone after a trip to Rome with his girlfriend Amelia, questions arise immediately. Why would he return home alone? Why is it life as usual amidst his girlfriend’s disappearance? No one is speaking up, at first. But then, once her disappearance is brought to light, a frenzy is born. It is in this frenzy that the storyline unfolds.

I loved this one. I liked the alternating timelines and perspectives. There were diary entries to help further the storyline. At first, their introduction was a bit vague, yet they added another element to this already perplexing story.

Randomly, I incredibly appreciated the line, “You don’t need to wait twenty-four hours or whatever to report a missing person.” So many books and shows still include this pet peeve of mine, and I cheered on the author for busting that myth.

I apologize for the vague review, but I feel it’s best not to spoil anything for future readers. Going Dark unfolds in a unique way that keeps the reader on their toes. I love a good mystery, and this had so many elements I didn’t want to put it down.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange of an honest review!!

I personally don’t like trying and thinking too hard about what the plot twist is in thrillers. So, even though the plot twist could be suspected I personally didn’t get it until more than halfway through. However, I do think that it wasn’t that shocking of a plot twist and could be improved. Still, I think this was an okay and enjoyable mistery book.

3/5 ⭐️

From the book cover, to the description, to the hype I've seen online, I was drawn to this book immediately! Even though this is listed as YA, I honestly think this could just as easily be categorized as a New Adult mystery. The book was a very quick read for me and I was able to get it done in a day, but honestly I think the length and pacing was perfect for the story.

I like that it switched from multiple points of view and different formats. Of course we get to watch Josh as he is struggling to understand what has happened to his girlfriend, but it was the bits of the story we get to see through diary entries, youtube videos, instagram posts and blog entries that help tie everything together. This could have been very difficult to pull off, but I think it was done well and each one was introduced at the right times in the narrative to drop a few clues at a time without giving everything away.

I think the ending did kind of end abruptly and some parts of it seemed out of character for our FMC. Everything was so elaborate and thought out, so when it came time for the big reveal, it just seemed a little lack luster. It didn't ruin the story and I still loved it overall, I guess I was just waiting for a bigger punch,.

Overall, it was a great book! I was not disappointed and I'm glad I got the opportunity to review it. Ive seen the comparison to Gone Girl, but honestly? I think I liked this better!

For the first part of this book, I really wasn’t sure what to make of it, or where it was going. Once the story started peeling back, however, I was utterly hooked, and I read most of it in one sitting, unable to put it down. It was a fantastic read, full of plot twists and turns, so well plotted that even Agatha Christie would be jealous.

It was an emotional ride, taking you from huge highs to massive lows, and you feel your own mood being pulled with the current, so evocative is the writing. The different perspectives we are given to put the pieces together all have something huge to put towards the puzzle, and my heart was almost beating out of my chest in the last few chapters.

The collection of characters we meet is small, yet each is impactful, and your view of them changes and twists as things move along. You’ll find yourself frowning, mouth agape, nodding… When things start to develop, you’ll be cheering for someone different on almost every other page. It’s an adrenaline-fueled read, and you will thank it for the stress.

This is a powerhouse of a book, one to binge yet savour at the same time. It’s a wonderful, creative take on a missing person’s thriller, one that will be hard to be rivaled. It will be playing over in my head for a long time to come in free moments, and I think I will wonder at it for a while yet.

Social media influencer Amelia Ashley disappeared after an Italian getaway with her boyfriend, Josh Reuter. Josh returns from the trip alone after a fight with Ashley, who he assumes stayed with other influencer-friends in Rome, and he is the main person-of-interest for the police and among Amelia Ashley's extensive fan-base. Hacker Harper Delgado gets involved when Amelia's friend contacts her to trace Amelia's phone. Though she doesn't want to get involved, Harper becomes intrigued and makes a connection between Ashley's case and the case of a girl who went missing two years prior in the Pacific Northwest...a case that made no waves on social media and the victim was dismissed as a runaway.
This was a thrilling YA psychological novel that uses social media posts and alternating POV. The first half of the book takes place in the present with alternating chapters from Josh and transcribed social media posts as Harper digs deeper in to Amelia Ashley's life. Because the POV change, there is always a sense that readers are only skimming the surface of who these characters are (which, I think, is intentional). This is especially true with Josh's character who seems like red-flag city with barely suppressed rage. The second half of the book takes place in the past told from the POV of the missing girl from the PNW through diary entries. The final segment ties together of the mystery around Amelia Ashley's life and disappearance. The characters are all either brilliant/talented/popular and read a bit older than their 19 years.
I feel like this could have been a bit longer - especially with the ending - and there are a lot of unanswered technicality questions. Unfortunately, the lead is buried in the marketing byline, which took me away from the suspense of the narrative. Solid 3 stars.

I couldn’t finish this one. i don’t know if the problem was me, not being in a right mood for this type of story, or if it was the repetitive writing and the uninteresting character, but this one did not work for me.

I loved the concept of this book and at some points it reminded me of headlines we have seen in real life. I felt like this book was fast paced and kept me entertained.

Book Summary:

Can hashtags be used to solve a case or find a missing person? Let's find out. #WhereisAmeliaAshely is trending online, all thanks to Josh Reuter's return from vacation – sans influencer girlfriend.

While the police don't find the situation suspicious, Amelia's friends and followers disagree, kicking off a social media-fueled investigation. It's only a matter of time before their actions force detectives to take note, but where will it all lead?

My Review:

I love seeing authors branch out and try new genres, so I was immediately interested in seeing what Melissa de la Cruz would deliver in Going Dark. Overall I would have to say that it is an interesting read, one with lots of twists and unique storytelling angles.

For example, much of the story is told through multiple points of view, flashbacks, and, most interestingly – social media posts. It's basically the modern version of newspaper clippings, I suppose. Some readers will adore this format, while others might find it dry or off-putting.

Whoever first described Going Dark as having Gone Girl vibes couldn't have been more accurate. It's essentially a modern and younger retelling of Gone Girl, which is fine as long as you're aware of that going into it.

Highlights:
Multiple threads
Mystery
Gone Girl Vibes
#WhereisAmeliaAshley

Trigger Warnings:
Missing Persons

“Here we are, at the end of all things. Where have we gone? Find us here.”

It's the third thriller I've read and it's definitely a masterpiece to me. I was drawn into the story as if it were literally quicksand. It amazed me from the first chapter!!! That thing pulled me in curiosity, and I just couldn't stop flipping the pages.
It was an easy read, but it wasn't easy for me to take clues as to what was actually going on in this story. And this thing smothered me until that moment when I discovered the truth about the issue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am so glad to have this opportunity!
Big thanks to the author, to the publisher, and TBR book tour company for approving this book.

This was a YA mystery about a popular influencer, Amelia, who goes missing while on a romantic European vacation with her boyfriend Josh. When Josh returns without her, her followers think he looks very sus! His behavior and actions are definitely making him seem guilty. As things unfold, the story picks up. Starts out a bit on the slow side, but when the twists start happening, you will wonder who Amelia really is!! I say go in blind on this. It's a fun, fast read, definitely entertaining.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out Jan. 31. Will also post my reviews on Bookbub, goodreads and Amazon once it publishes.

Going Dark is a twisty thriller. The story is so good, and the characters are believable. I am telling my school librarian to buy this!!!

#WhereisAmeliaAshley
The hashtag went viral when Josh went home without his influencer girlfriend, Amelia after they spent a vacation in Italy. Police thought there was some foul play but Josh believe he was innocent and didn't know what happened.

And here comes Harper, a hacker who after Amelia's friend asked her to help find her, became super interested in the case when she slowly found weird shreds of evidence.

Until half of the book, you will keep guessing who's the real culprit and who's the victim here. The suspense and mystery are there!

This book totally reminds me of one of that really famous thriller movies. I won't say what, because it might give a major spoiler and will end up predictable. But after you pass that twist, you'll find yourself rooting for the culprit! It was emotional and I could understand the motive for it.

I'm a big fan of mixed media in thriller books, and this one has a mix of social media posts, vlog transcripts, and also diary entries. We also go back to the past timeline. Overall a thrilling book that keeps you keep reading!

Amelia Ashley is the influencer all girls want to be, effortlessly beautiful, fun and loving a glamorous life. So when Amelia goes missing in Rome while on holiday with her handsome boyfriend it becomes international news. Josh maintains his innocence even as the evidence is mounting against him. But everyone in this story has secrets and hacker Harper Delgado, our sleuth, is determined to find them out and help right wrongs. Told from multiple points of view this story has lots of red herrings and shocks! A fun read i know my students will enjoy!