'After Dark' centers around Afton and her dark past... a past she can't seem to remember. This one even has dictated and ruined the following 20 years of her life. She's a social pariah in her town and ever thankful that her bestfriend (and her family) chose forgiveness... something that wasn't easy considering that she was accused of murdering their dad.

However, as Afton struggles to uncover the truth and shine light on everyone's secrets, someone is out to make sure things stay in the dark.

Kent does a wonderful job of creating vivid characters. I felt for poor Afton throughout the book (which also adds to why I felt the way I did). You feelt the frustration and confusion she does when things start falling apart. All the while thankful that she has Syndey and Cynthia to stabilize her.

The reason for a '3.5 star rating' is because I wasn't shocked when everything was revealed. Perhaps it's just me but I already knew it was coming. I was also.hoping so much for a sort of palpable retribution on Afton's behalf. Something tangible that would free her from the curse she's been burdened with for the last 20 years.

It was a fun read and Kent captures the 'small town' mentality perfectly.

So this suspense read leaves you with a lot more questions. It opens with a murder having just happened and the lead character is found with the weapon in hand. It then skipped to some twenty years later, after having served her sentence and for the most part, everyone involved having moved on in their lives. While she may have served her sentence, she doesn't even know if she was guilty or not, having blacked out. So a part of the story is her dealing with the lack of knowledge she has, while trying to keep a low profile in the town whom most residents think she got away with murder. Trying to make amends with her childhood best friend (whose mother was the one saving grace in her life during that time, and whose father was the one killed that fateful night.) There are several other incidents that happen that change her motivations. There is a lot of talk about mental health issues, and some mention of drug use/abuse. The book is written in a way that you can't really predict the outcome. With the murder or the other incidents, you just never know which way it will go. Was she guilty of that crime, or did she take the fall for someone else. It could go either way. I do wish there was maybe an extended epilogue that answered some of those questions we are left with. It had as somewhat open ending. But then again, this is a thriller/suspense novel, so it didn't disappoint in that perspective. There is no sexual content, and no violence in the pages. I'd say this is ok for teens and up (as long as they are mature enough to understand the whole mental health aspect of it.) It alternates POVs.

*I received an copy of this book from Netgalley.

I am a huge fan of Minka’s books so I was super excited to read this (thank you to Minka & Netgalley) for a copy.

After Dark tells the story of high school best friends, Afton and Sydney, following their lives into adulthood. 

The book captivated me from the prologue and I could not put it down, finishing it in one day. While it is not my favorite of Minka’s, I still found it enjoyable; a quick page-turner with a plot twist that was certainly surprising. My only wish for this storyline was to make the main character, Afton, a bit more lovable. I felt little attachment towards her and wanted to feel more. Overall, it’s a great day read and I highly recommend it!

It was my first Minka Kent book. It's a quick and simple read. Although there are a few surprises, much of what occurs is what I expected. Despite not being the most fascinating novel, there are a number of enjoyable moments. Sincere appreciation to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! From the very first page I was convinced I knew what was going to happen, but man was I wrong. Having been born and raised in Kansas City, I felt such a connection to this book! The flashbacks gave just enough away to make me want to keep flying through and figure out what I thought I knew.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

This was my second Minka Kent book and I feel the same about this as I did Unmissing, remarkably underwhelmed. Afton is an unreliable narrator, but she also just isn’t likable. I find myself beginning to question why one is supposed to care about where the story is going, honestly. The plot is a hard stretch and an impossible sell. The first half of the book I would have DNF’d had the book not been gifted from the publisher.

I'm a fan of Mika Kent's mystery/suspense books so I couldn't wait to read "After Dark." This read involves a narrator who is unreliable and themes of trauma, memory, and relationships. I would recommend this for fans of Minka Kent and readers who enjoy domestic suspense. There are some nice twists and turns in this, but it is not my favorite of Kent's work. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Another good read by Minka Kent. I’ve enjoyed all her books. She sure can tell a story. Interesting characters and some really good twists. The lottery ticket…

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Minka Kent talent shines as she writes this outstanding thriller that spans the gamut of human emotions (love, hate, loss, jealousy and everything else you can imagine).

A top quality stunner, this book had me shaking my head and reeling in its aftermath. In short, if you are a fan of psychological mysteries, Minka Kent is likely a name you are very familiar with - and this novel is one of her best!

Dear readers, until next time, watch for this book to hit the shelves, and when it does, buckle up for a very unexpected bumpy ride with numerous unexpected twist and turn along the way!

Minka Kent is an author that I consistently read - and enjoy - her books. This one was no exception. I didn't read the summary before starting, so I didn't know what to expect. The first 50% was so-so, but once I hit that first twist, I was sucked in and had to finish the book ASAP. There were a few things that were unlikely, but overall, it was a great story. I only wish there was a bit better of an ending (seems like I have a more vindictive side to me than the author does. lol). I recommend this if you're looking for an intense story!

There is nothing I love more than an unreliable narrator, and After Dark delivered that and so much more.

Afton Teachout comes from a rough home. She has no father and her mother doesn’t seem to care about supporting her. She builds a strong relationship with the Carsons, including oldest daughter Sydney and mom Cynthia. Afton, with a history of psychotic episodes, does the unthinkable to a member of the Carson household, or so it seems…

Despite Afton’s probable role in something tragic, Sydney has kept Afton around as her BFF even through adulthood. Sydney’s life looks perfect from the outside — high school sweetheart husband, 3 boys, and good jobs. But financially they’re struggling, and Afton has also planted seeds of doubt about Sydney’s marriage.

After Dark was told in two points of view, Afton and Sydney. While only one of those characters has psychological issues, the reader will find herself questioning the truth from both of them.

Overall, this was another quick, well-written thriller from Minka Kent!

I've read quite a few of Minka Kent's books now, some I've loved and others not so much.

After tells the story of Afton and Sydney, teenage best friends before Afton was accused of m*rder in a blackout fit of rage.

Twenty years later, Afton is a small town outcast, Sydney her only friend. Afton has no recollection of the night of the m*rder.

The whole thing pivots on what really happened and on Afton's fluctuating mental state. There's a lot of looking back, not so much forward momentum. There are some good moments, but it isn't the most eventful book.

One for fans of Minka Kent, but honestly not one of my favourites.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer

Absolutely gripped me from start to finish! I’m a massive fan of this author and this did not disappoint! Genuinely felt the suspense and I had to finish the book in one sitting as I couldn’t wait to see what happens next!

Recommended for anyone looking for a genuinely thrilling read!

I’ve enjoyed Minka Kent’s books before, so I was excited to read this book.

This book is about two friends, Afton and Sydney. Afton has psychotic breaks and Sydney tries to enjoy her life with her boyfriend Drew. Sydney’s father gets murdered during one of Afton’s psychotic breaks but she doesn’t believe she actually did it.

This book had a lot of good twists and turns.

I really liked Afton’s character but her name kind of took away from the flow of the book in my opinion but it was still a great book overall.

I received this book for free from netgalley in return for my honest opinion.

Anytime I see Minka Kent has a new book, I RUN for it. This is my 6th book by her and I will be a life long fan. As someone who primarily reads thrillers, I enjoy ones that keep me guessing, make me feel jumpy, and have a good ending. This book fits that description and then some!

I enjoyed the past and present back and forth narrative as it kept me trying to figure out what happened to Afton in the past to get to where they are now.

To be honest, I was not rooting for Afton for about 80% of the book, but then things started to change my mind.. (read and see!)

I devoured this book in a day and was so tense up reading it at night trying to figure it out. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is crazy good! Afton and Sydney are best friends. But there are dark secrets lurking in their past that only surface at the end. In the present Afton works in hotel management and Sydney is an ER nurse and runs a day spa. Their lives collided in 2003 when Afton was deemed mentally ill after not being able to remember the events of a night that left her with a bloodied knife in her hand and Sydney's father on the ground. Told through the past and present, the novel reveals their highs and lows, their friendship, and their falling out over events, texts, and phone calls that neither one truly understands. I have enjoyed Kent's other novels and this one kept me up until the bitter end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Was a fast read. story of two friends, one dealing with mental illness, who wants to help the other get away from her cheating husband. Interesting twist but melodramatic, which isn't my favorite, but think others will like it 3.5

I have read all of Minka Kent's books and this one doesn't disappoint! I like her writing style and how you can become immersed in the story!
Thanks Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book!

4.5⭐️/5

Wow! I devoured this book in only a couple of hours. Sucked me in and held on tight. Plot twists that I did not see coming! Enjoyable characters. I can’t make sense of the title in regards to the story - only thing I dinged points for.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of After Dark by Minka Kent. All in all though, this was a decent read and I wanted to read it until the end. The first half seemed to be mainly establishing Afton as an unreliable narrator and nothing much really happened. Afton came off as really unlikable, which made it hard to care about her. There was a lot of ‘past’ content, but it didn’t really give clues, so it was disappointing that the reveal came out of nowhere.