Afton Teachout is a bit of a mess. Still living in the same small town where, years ago, she was accused of killing her mother's lover during a fit of rage, Afton is an outcast. Living with her aging grandmother and working overnight shifts at a local hotel, her life is pretty boring....until her best friend's husband checks into the hotel with another woman.

I was very torn about this book. Right from the start I found the names to be really distracting for some reason. For example Afton is an interesting name but then she mom's name is Vangie, again, ok, cool, but their last name is Teachout and for whatever reason Afton Teachout and Vangie Teachout just seemed a little out there. Also, in the beginning (and in the book description) it seemed like a book about Afton exposing her best friend's husband and it kind of was but the whole thing dragged and struggled to get into it until almost 60% through when a big twist shocked me. I flew through the rest of the book (the other twist was pretty obvious from the get go) and ended up really enjoying it, but it took me a lot longer to get through the first half than it usually does with this author.

While I do think the book was a bit tough to get into, my first thought after the twist was 'Wow I hope this gets made into a Netflix movie'. It's hard to explain without spoilers, but the twist in this book would allow for a really awesome mind-bender (that's not the word I want to use but you get it :) and I think it would capture a huge audience.

Minka Kent does it again!! The story kept me engaged the entire time and I didn’t anticipate many of the twists that kept on coming. Will highly recommend reading this fast-paced exciting thriller.

. Thank you to NetGalley for this arc

Afton is trying to escape the stigma of her past. When she was in high school, circumstances implied she had committed a murder but she had no memory of the event. Without adequate proof, she was released but the people of her town never forgot and have never let her forget.

Now as an adult, Afton is trying to take care of her beloved grandmother and her best friend, Sydney. There are strange events happening that Afton is trying to make sense of. And she's pretty sure Sydney's husband may be having an affair but she doesn't seem to believe her. She feels cast adrift and out of sorts but can't figure out why.

This is a well done psychological thriller with a nicely devised plot. The characters were well-crafted and it all came together in a way that was seamless.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Thank you for the ARC!
I love all the books by this author including this one! Definitely kept me engaged and I enjoyed the twists in the story

I really loved the premise here and the prologue dives into the day that changed Afton’s life forever. It was chilling and puzzling because it lays the groundwork for a very solid mystery but it also leaves so many questions unanswered. This flips back and forth between Afton and Sydney’s point of views each chapter as well as different time lines that slowly provide insight into both women’s lives. The pacing here was fast and furious and I truly couldn’t put this down, I read it all in just a couple of days because I was desperate to get to the truth. I found myself really sympathetic towards Afton but didn’t know if I could trust her either. I liked that though because it kept me on my toes and is a main part of the reason why I finished so quickly. I don’t want to say much more but if you like friendship dramas, super fast paced and addictive stories and tricky plots try this one is for you!

Minka Kent's books have never disappointed me and this one didn't either, although it didn't feel as twisty as her other books. I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to many more books by her.

Afton Teachout has a sketchy history! After a history of mental breakdowns, she was accused of the murder of her mother's married boyfriend during a drunken, blackout rage!

Fast forward and Afton is now a local outcast who lives with her grandmother and requires medications to maintain mental stability. After a chance windfall, Afton decides to help her best friend escape her cheating, manipulative husband but now strange things are happening, restricted phone calls, people lingering outside Afton's home, and missing medications.

What's real and what's not in Afton's world? Who can she trust? And, what really happened the night that Afton was discovered covered in blood holding a knife?

After Dark was one of the rare reads that I absolutely couldn't put down! I devoured it because I had to know what was happening! Great read that keeps the suspense up from beginning to end!

Thank you Netgally and Thomas and Mercer for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My first book by this author and it won’t be my last! The story kept me engaged the entire time and I didn’t See most of the twists coming. Will highly recommend and also check out some other work by Kent. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love Minka Kent! All her books sit with me for longer than a day, and After Dark is no different! I loved this twisty story of friendship and made family. I thought the characters were well developed and I felt I was right there with them. I would highly recommend this book to those who love psychological thrillers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I definitely enjoy Minka Kent's writing. It's easy to read and I overall enjoy her stories. This one was no different. I think the unreliable narrator worked really well, along with getting another perspective of her family members. There were definitely twists I didn't see coming, but I felt like the ending fell short. I'm always hoping for the what now- what happens next. Overall, a decent read though. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

This book did not pack as big of a punch as Kent's other thrillers. Almost all of the characters are annoying and no one has a redeeming quality. There is an unreliable narrator (TW for gaslighting and mental health issues), potentially cheating husband, and weird relationships - it is all a bit of a stretch. The title doesn't seem to match what the book is about other than one MC works the night shift. This book was ok, but felt off to me.

This is a mystery that has a lot of suspense that pulls you in right away! Once you start you can’t stop as you try and figure out what’s coming next! A must read! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

2.5⭐️

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

Unfortunately I really wanted more from this book. It felt a tad bit all over the place and without a great plot.
The characters were all quite unlikeable for my taste.

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

"After Dark" is a tale of second chances, it masterfully explores the thin line between dreams and nightmares. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the final chapters. Minka Kent's novel is a captivating blend of mystery and human drama, leaving a lasting impression and showcasing her prowess in storytelling.

Wow, just wow! I've become such a huge fan of Minka Kent and this one blew me away! Fast-paced thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what's going to happen next! Nicely blended dual time periods and POV's. She really got me with the twists at the end!

Afton and Sydney have the friendship everyone has had at some point - the “cool” one and the “not as cool” one. Only this not as cool girl is thought to have killed someone. Or did she? Loved this one and it had me guessing until the end! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Minka Kent is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. When I see a new book coming out by her I know it’s one that I’ve got to read. She writes suspenseful thrillers that are so good, they are realistic and they always hold my attention. After Dark is the story of two friends, Afton and Sydney. Afton is portrayed as a psycho teen who has committed a heinous crime as a teenager and Sydney is the good friend who sticks by her. But this friendship is so deceiving and deceptive. This story had me puzzled at first as to who the villain or guilty one really was but in the end it all becomes crystal clear. I thought it was a great story, I really enjoyed reading it and I will be recommending it to others. Honestly I haven’t read a book by this author that I haven’t liked. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this book a 4 star rating and I look forward to reading what this author writes next.

Years ago, Afton was convicted of murdering her mom’s boyfriend, who happened to be her best friend’s dad. Now, she is still infamous but trying to remain hidden. Her life changes when she believes she’s won the lottery and becomes determined to save her best friend from what she believes is a toxic relationship.

I was missing the suspense here. I feel like it was more of a domestic drama than a thriller. There were some good twists at toward the end, albeit I feel like the whodunit of it all was a little obvious. After finishing it though, I can see the unreliable narrators throughout which made me enjoy it a little more. However, again, it didn’t feel like much of a thriller to me.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

💊 BOOK / REVIEW 🔪

I must be on a roll with books that feature unhinged and delusional MCs recently 😅. I just finished the newest installment by @minkakentauthor, and boy was #afterdark a mindf*ck. 🤯

I adore the way that Kent crafts #psychologicalthrillers - and by psychological, I mean PSYCHOLOGICAL. She does such an incredible job of getting deep into her characters' minds and thoughts - and creates so much chaos along the way. In fact, I really disliked most of the characters throughout the entire book, and that's a telltale sign of an amazing read.

The chapters are well paced, and the 2003 flashbacks were such a fun part of the plot. As an 80s/90s baby, I loved all the references ❤️.

You'll zip right through this one - #unmissing will never be replaced as my favorite book by this author, but this one comes close! Thank you, @netgalley and #thomasandmercer, for my #gifted copy - OUT NOW!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love Minka Kent’s books, they’re always twisty and full of drama. This one, while a little unbelievable at times, did not disappoint.

Afton killed her best friend Sydney’s Dad. He was also having an affair with Afton’s mum. Afton and Sydney are still best friends 20 years on …. YES!

A well written, duel narrative story on toxic relationships, mental health illness, and in part the justice system. I totally felt for Afton and was rooting for her the whole way.

Many thanks to @netgalley, Tomas and Mercer for an advanced reading copy 🎧