i really enjoyed this one! i loved the inclusion of the photographs into the book. the book handled some heavy topics, and i really liked the way it centered grief. i wanted a little bit more from the ending, but other than that i would highly recommend.

I loved this book from start to finish. Who doesn't love a haunted hotel?!? Gorgeously done dual POV as well!

When best friends Mira and Layla break down on their college tour road trip in small town Indiana, they get stuck at Wildwood Motel until their car can get fixed. Mira can't shake the feeling that something is weird about their motel room as she is haunted by the ghost of her younger brother while Layla battles with her confusing feelings about her best friend. After befriending the front desk worker and son of the owner, Ellis, they learn the room they're staying in has a history of deaths becoming more frequent as the years go on, and Mira might be in danger. There were a lot of layers here: a bit of horror combined with a bit of queer coming-of-age and cultural analysis. I really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves haunted houses and friends-to-lover romances.

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

rep: bisexual Arab Muslim MC with PTSD, sapphic-unlabled Arab Muslim MC, Black sc

This was a pretty quick read. I read it in two sittings. Wow it wastes not time and dives right into the spookies.

I love to see sapphic Arabs. They were really both secretly pining for each other huh lol wish we would’ve gotten to see more of their relationship develop. This story isn't really about that. I just wanted Layla to finally come out and confess to Mira. The author also doesn’t shy away from showing some very real realities of having Arab parents and their beliefs. Especially the homophobic beliefs, unfortunately.

It was interesting seeing Mira (and the room’s pov of her and their surroundings) pov, where she’s the only one experiencing all these weird paranormal things, yet Layla and the others don't see anything. It must be so frustrating seeing and experiencing these things while no one else can, and having them be very skeptical of you. Bad enough she’s still dealing with her brother’s death and that guilt, now she’s seeing and hearing him too. It was nice to see them both discuss their culture, the differences and similarities.

I’m glad Ellis didn't make any moves on Mira. He obviously had a crush on her, but never really acted on it. He was just happy to have people that he could talk to about everything and try to figure it out with. I was a bit suspicious of his at first, but he turned out to be alright. I’m very surprised he managed to avoid to room for so long.

Ellis’ mom was grieving in her own way and obviously cared a lot for her son and wanted the best for him. But damn, how much evidence do you need before you maybe start believing something is up? Kind of curious to know if she believe them by the end of it lol I’m also surprised she wasn’t haunted by the door, with her past and all.

The way someone was in all their pictures and even snuck into their room was so creepy. You’d have thought it was a ghost or part of the room’s creepiness. Devlin was so suspicious at first. It felt very convenient that he was around then. Him being there did advance the story though, as it confirmed the room also affected other who stayed there, not just the ones who died in it.

I didn’t really expect the ending. I was really curious how it would end and all come together. It makes a lot of sense the way the author went about it. I didn’t expect that one person to not make it out. We’re left with a bit of an open ending. We aren’t really sure of the outcome of the room and the creepiness that lives in it. It is implied that it will never go away.

I hear that the physical and ebook copies have pictures included, which I didn’t get to see with my audio version. That’s a very cool touch and I would love to see them one day. The distortions in Mira’s pictures were a nice addition to the overall creepiness. I assume the pics shows in the book are the ones Mira takes throughout the story.

The cover is very pretty. The narrators did a good job. I like that each girl had a different narrator, plus the room, I guess you could say, also had a narrator. It was really cool and different seeing the story from that pov.

There’s a lot of discussions around death and how people died, along with a character death on page. There’s also some other trigger warnings that might need checking out before picking up this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book

I loved seeing the Tunisian representation, but ultimately this seemed like a run of the mill haunted house book. The pacing was quite slow too. I was hoping for something like Hill House/Bly Major, but this unfortunately didn't deliver.

The kids selected a Guide to the Dark for their summer reading challenge. I had conflicting feedback from the kids. The boys liked the "horror story" portion of the story, but overall, they felt the book was "lame." 2* from them.

The girls liked the book, especially the cultural aspect of seeing life in America through the eyes of second-generation Arab American immigrants. They also enjoyed learning about teenage girls' "coming out" dilemma. Layla and Mira are seventeen and visiting college campuses without their parents. (There is some lying.) 4*

I'm in the middle. The plot is interesting, but the execution is only OK for me. I liked the horror story, and I'm not a horror story fan. The ghosts and the mystery of Room 9 correlate to Layla's grief over losing her younger brother. She is suffering and more open to the paranormal. Mira is often oblivious to the dark surrounding them.

Like the girls, I enjoyed learning about their culture. However, the lesbian conflict sometimes felt a little preachy and a little redundant. Also, there is so much repetition that made it difficult to distinguish between the two characters and their conflict. Sometimes I had to re-read multiple paragraphs to remember whose head I was in. (Apparently, the kids didn't care.)

The ending is so rushed I didn't get satisfying answers to the questions spinning in my head. The author tried to resolve this with too much glossed over as the story ended. I asked my kids how they felt. The girls didn't have an issue, and the boy didn't care. I think young adults/teens will enjoy the story more than the over fifty crowd if we are a good example.

This author, Meriam Metoui, has a lot of potential. A Guide to the Dark is her debut novel. She is from Tunisia and knows the major topics of the story intimately. I trust she will write the next book tighter with more character development.

The audio is well done by the three narrators. Vaneh Assadourian, Ariana Delawari, and Ramiz Monsef brought a lot to the story and kept me interested. My teens enjoyed listening to the story and felt the narrators performed well, highlighting the tense moments, which gave them a more profound experience.

Overall this was a pleasant experience.

This book gave me so many goosebumps. I enjoyed this paranormal mystery book about two friends who get drawn in by the darkness on a road trip before college. It was creepy and unnerving at times. A good book for and YA fan. The narrators did a fantastic job!

I really enjoyed this! Now, I will say that I would not classify this as horror. Maybe thriller or suspenseful paranormal unless we are leaning into the “cozy horror” genre. I’m not going to rate it based on the genre because like I said, I did enjoy this! I appreciated Mira and Leila’s POVs and all of the pining. I also liked that we got insight into their families and culture.

There was also a nice commentary on family expectations and whether we can trust that those who love you will love you even if they know the worst thing you’ve ever done or if who you are goes against what they believe to be right. I also liked how the real horror was internal and how certain things can literally eat away at you. I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to give spoilers!

There was definitely a lot of inner dialogues and “does she love me? Does she like me?” at the most inopportune moments (lol) which honestly is sometimes expected in YA so I didn’t mind it.

I listened to the audiobook so I want to speak to that as well and it was superb!! I loved that there were three narrators. It set the tone really well, particularly the third POV which aided in the suspenseful, creepy tone that I loved.

All in all, I enjoyed this even if I wouldn’t classify it as horror.

If I could give half stars, I’d give it 3.5 or 3.75! Solid debut!!

FLEW through this excellent, incredible book. Tightly written, earnest, haunting at several parts—one of the best YA fantasy books I've read in ages.

Not only is the cover so rich and beautiful, but so is the story and the world-building. I adored Mira and Layla. The eeriness, the feeling of having something always watching you while you read this book, it was all such a fun experience and I would love to listen to more audiobooks like this.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio Arc. All opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars

In "A Guide to the dark" we follow two queer, muslim girls on a rode trip. There car breaks down in the middle if nowhere, so now they are stranded at a small motel. They soon realize that something is wrong with the motel, more specifically the room that they are staying at (Room 9). Together with the motel owners son Ellis and another guest they are going on a journey to figure out what is happening in this ominous Room 9.

Let's start with the things that I liked. For one the representation. Not only are the two main characters both queer, but also muslim. I always try to read inclusive books, so this was perfect.
I also really liked the dark topics rhat are portrayed in this novel. Especially the topic of grieve is talked about in a very moving way.

I also had some issues with this. I went in, expecting a horror book. I would not call this horror. This is probably a mystery or a thriller.
One of the main characters name was Layla and I could not warm up to her. Her decisions and mistly the things she thought about, but didn't do left me frustrated.

However the narration if this book was amazing. I loved the multiple point of views. I think that a lot of people that like a little crewpy story, but don't like to be scared will probably enjoy this book.

Can your past cause you to see what isn’t there? What about a hotel in the middle of nowhere?

College Tour - Mira and Layla are on a road trip to visit some potential colleges when they get into a car accident in a small town

Creepy room - The only place they can stay is in a small hotel with a room that feels like it’s just a little creepy to Mira

Terror Past - She also sees her brother there, but he has been dead for over a year.

I had heard some really interesting things about this book and I did listen to it over the course of a day. It was thrilling and kept my attention. However there is a third character’s POV here which you sort of find out in the end who it is. But for me it didn’t feel like it was totally a definitive ending, but only one that was supposed to stay with you. And while I loved the rest of the story, due to that ending, it just didn’t have the impact I hoped it would.

3.5 ⭐️ A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui

Once you check into room 9, you can’t leave. Mira and Layla are two best friends on spring break on their way to tour their future college. When they run into a car mishap that lands them at the Wildwood Motel in the middle of nowhere. Mira has an eerie feeling that something is terribly wrong with their room, she keeps dreaming about her brother that’s passed away and she can see him but Layla cannot. Layla is too wrapped up in her confusing feelings about her best friend, until they learn 8 people have died in their room.

I enjoyed the paranormal bits of this book and I thought it was an interesting book and I was entertained. Unfortunately there were parts that didn’t quite work in the story but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I listened to this as an audiobook and I liked the narrator. The narrator kept my focus on what was happening through the book and I think positively added to my book experience. And the audiobook itself went by pretty quick.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC, and giving me the chance to listen and review it honestly.

This book was great. I loved the way the story came together over time. There was so much depth to be discovered.

The characters were also so good, each with their own story and depth. I love how layla and mira interacted, one confused by love, the other scared by what is happening around her. Room 9 keeps surrounding people in darkness. If you wanna find out why? You should totally read this book.

It is superfun to read something a little different than the standard books! Absolutely interested in more.

the narrators also did a great job in capturing the emotions and thoughts. i also specifically liked the added voice of the room

Thanks to netgalley and the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

You can check out of Room 9, but you can never leave...

I really enjoyed this coming of age paranormal mystery about two best friends who get drawn in by The Darkness on a road trip before college. Between complex family dynamics, grief, secret crushes, and the mystery of the hotel, even if they are able to leave, will they ever truly escape?

This YA novel describes as The Haunting of Hill House and Nina LaCour is full of mystery, spookiness, and heart.

Audio listeners can expect this multiple POV tale to also have multiple narrators, including one for the perspective of The Darkness (eek!).

First, thank you Netgalley for this book. I went into it fairly blind, but assuming it would be scary and thriller-ish. While it had those elements it spent a lot more time on the romance aspect and the kiddy-like jealousy of both characters.
I enjoyed the friendships, Ellis was a delight. It had a couple spots where you think you know what's happening, but it kept me guessing until the end. I'm not sure I really feel like I got closure, or any real answers, but I still enjoyed this. I recommend going in blind and deciding how you feel on your own.

This was such a good YA horror. A haunted hotel room! How scary and awesome. There is not much creepier than something that gets into your head to haunt you that no one else can see. It makes things happen to you that you feel but there is no outward appearance to others that it is actually happening. Just crazy right!!?? I read this in one sitting. I just couldn't stop. I had to know the things. If you are also a fan of YA horror, check this one out. Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

really enjoyed this book. I loved the pictures and how they added to the story. Its so rare to see ya books with photos and I always enjoy it. I also really liked the characters. They felt relatable in this situation. I can't wait to recommend this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and RB Media for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I first heard about this book on Instagram and after reading the synopsis and a few reviews I was desperate to get my hands on a copy of this book.

Synopsis: Mira and Layla are best friends and high school seniors taking a road trip for spring break to check out the colleges to which they have applied. Visiting New York, and Nashville, they are headed to Chicago before returning home.

Mira's motivation for the trip is to help Layla make an impression with her dream university which has waitlisted her for their photography program while in Chicago.

Layla's goal is to get Mira out of the house and perhaps take her mind off her grief.

However, fate has different plans for Mira and Layla. When their car breaks down just outside the little town in Indiana they are forced to stay at the Wildwood Motel while Mira's car is repaired. When strange things start to happen to Mira the girls must solve the mystery of what is happening with the help of another hotel guest and a few hotel employees. As Mira and Layla begin to unravel the menacing history of Room 9 it might already be too late.

Thoughts: The last hour of this book was insane in the best possible way for a book with a mystery component. I sat with my mouth agape as the plot unfolded and I can honestly say that until events unfolded I had no idea what was coming.

This book is a bit of a slow burn with regard to the resolution of the mystery, but it did not feel as if the plot was dragging along to the resolution. The dual viewpoints of Layla and Mira's experiences really held my attention. I also really liked how Metoui was able to weave typical teenage worries with, the experience of being children of immigrant parents, and the struggles of coming into one's own. Layla and Mira felt three-dimensional and were well-constructed characters that you were rooting for throughout the book. It was also really great how in the audiobook they were each given their own voice actor. Both of whom really brought the characters to life.

If you enjoy suspense-filled, mystery books with teenage angst and a friends-to-lovers story arch I highly recommend this book.

Will Room 9 leave its claws in you?

This a compelling queer, YA paranormal mystery that delves into themes of grief and coming out.
The story offers a unique perspective on how Muslims perceive queer and western norms, artfully presented throughout.

The narrative revolves around Layla and Mira, each facing their own challenges. One copes with the unexpected loss of a loved one and grief, while the other struggles with parental acceptance and coming out.

The narrators, Vaneh Assadourian, Ariana Delewari, and Ramiz Monsef did a fabulous job portraying Layla, Mira, and darkness. They did a wonderful performance and kept me engaged till the very end.

This book leaves you with a lasting impact on readers' hearts and minds.

This was an interesting ride! I really love the friendship and will they/won't the relationship of the girls! The way it ended makes me wonder if there is maybe more to come in the future if the dark does get out! I will definitely be reading more books by Meriam Metoui!

#AGuidetotheDark
#NetGalley