All the stars for A Friend in the Dark. I have read and really enjoyed the author’s previous two books. Samantha is an auto buy author for me and I highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I knew instantly I was going to love it and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on my digital review copy!

On the night of her birthday, alone and distraught because her husband wants a separation, Eden drinks too much and sends a friend request to her old flame from high school, Justin. Soon, she embarks on a full-fledged online sexual and emotional relationship with him. Is Justin the one who got away?

The author paints the perfect picture of a middle-aged woman going through a separation and not feeling loved or wanted by both her husband and distant college aged daughter. I found Eden’s character very relatable and the storyline realistic. I think everyone knows someone who has had an online relationship. I love a good Prologue as it sets the tone of the book for me. The Prologue sucked me in, and I could not put my Kindle down! This author really knows how to write a spinetingling thriller and I'm officially obsessed with her writing 😍.

Fans of domestic thrillers who like a little spice will devour this book!

Holy Smokes!! This was good!! Eden and her husband Dave drop their daughter off at college and in the learning lot he asks for a divorce.

On the night of her birthday she's been drinking & friend requested a man, Justin, whom she had a huge crush on in college. He seemed to know a lot about her but as a realtor her life is pretty public. No big deal right? This is how the book starts. No warm-up. We're off to the races so to speak. Y'all we're on a fast & wild ride!

I don't want to give any details away. Just know I enjoyed this book!! I couldn't put it down! Thank goodness for it being on my Kindle! I could read late into the night. You won't regret picking up this book for your next thriller or recommending it to your thriller-loving friends!!

This was my first book by Samantha Bailey, and it definitely won't be my last.  This was a wild, twisty ride, and I enjoyed it.

Eden Miller's life is turned upside-down the day she drops her daughter Ava off at college. Dave, the man she thought she was going to spend her life with, asks for a divorce, and her relationship with Ava has never been a good one. She comes back to an empty house, feeling unwanted and very alone.  One night, after a little too much wine, she decides to friend request an old college crush, Justin Ward.  He could have been the one, but instead, it was Dave.  Justin accepts the request, and they start to talk.  Things quickly escalate into a steamy online relationship.  Eden's doing things that she'd never thought she would do, even jeopardizing her career.  But he seems to know a lot about her life. Things she hasn't told him.  Has he been stalking her?  She needs to find out the truth about Justin and what really happened 20 years ago. Her life and her family's may depend on it.

Told in dual POV, this was an engrossing read.  It definitely kept me turning pages with all the unpredictable twists.  There were some spicy scenes and some cringe-worthy moments.  A few times, I actually wanted to yell at Eden and ask her, "Why are you being so stupid?"  Overall, this was a good psychological/domestic thriller, and I would definitely recommend it.

"Her husband might own her money, her body, and her life. But he doesn't own her mind. Or what she does when he's not around."

I really enjoyed this one, and it had me on the edge of my seat. I found myself unable to put it down and read it in the space of a few hours.
Olivia's parts of the story reminded me a little of Behind Closed Doors, but it went in a completely different direction and I loved every part of it.
This was my first book from this author and I can't wait to read her other work.
Thank you so much to @sbaileybooks and @thrillerbookloverspromotions for my gifted copy and chance to be part of this awesome tour.

A friend in the Dark is a twisty and exhilarating ride - Samantha’s best book yet.

Sam Bailey became an auto-buy author for me after her first book, Woman on the Edge, which I literally could not put down. I remember reading it, sitting on the side of my bed wrapped in a towel fresh out of the shower because I couldn’t stop falling into the story. Sam captivates the reader because her books are spooky, creepy and oh-so-real. These are the stories that could happen to someone you know. Or you.

Sam’s latest book features Eden - at 45, suddenly separated from her husband and with a daughter acting out in her first year of university - all she wants is some support and care. And then she stumbles onto a crush from university—someone she desired but who ghosted her after a messy party. Eden gets attention from him, and it feels so good to do naughty things over the phone. We get caught up in Eden’s emotions and, turmoil and needs. And then, she meets Lila at an open house she’s hosting. And they keep running into each other. And Eden can’t help but feel that she’s being watched.

And then, her separated husband gets into a car accident, and her daughter goes missing, and Eden is suddenly not sure what is happening. A Friend in the Dark is told from two different points of view and really looks at the basis of a relationship - how much do we know about the people we marry and live beside? Both Eden and Lila have big secrets, and their partners are not who they seem. What makes a perfect relationship? And what do we tell those we love, and what do we tell our friends?

And do we ever really know the people we trust with our intimate secrets?

A Friend in the Dark is intimate and dark. I couldn’t put it down, and I didn’t want to leave Eden, Lila and their angst and fragile lives. I liked how the book, although it was super fast-paced, also focused on the past when Eden was in university and went to a final house party that got out of control. It was also when a good friend of hers went missing and never was found. I loved how Sam weaves past and present and reminds us about the people we carry with us even when they are gone. How much do certain parts and people in our lives affect us? How much are we defined by them? Sam asks these questions and has both Eden and Lila answer the questions, whether they want to or not.

If you loved the TV show, Desperate Housewives, then you will devour A Friend in the Dark.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this and it didn’t disappoint. I read it in two sitting, staying up way to late - since it was psychological/domestic thriller that gave Verity vibes. There was some spice early on in the book, which was unexpected for a thriller, but I loved it! I enjoyed the dual POV, but would have loved some more POV from the past.

As the reader, it was tough watching Eden miss all the red flags with Justin, but it made the twist that much better.
At times, it was a little predictable, but I was so into the story that it didn’t bother me.

What a quick and fun read! I really enjoy this author’s writing. The characters and their multiple POV’s kept me hooked. There is a lot of drama and suspense with some spice too!

A new novel from one of my favourite authors, the amazing Samantha Bailey, is always cause for celebration!! So when I got the chance to read an early ARC of her latest thriller, A Friend in the Dark (out March 1/24) I jumped at it. And let me say, it is so good!!

This is a dark, twisty, action-packed ride about a relatable middle-aged main character, Eden, whose husband has asked for a divorce and who is also struggling in her relationship with her teenage daughter. Eden decides to reconnect with an old college flame and gets caught up in events that turn her and her family’s lives upside down. Just who and what has she invited into their lives?

This is a fast-paced story that grips you immediately and keeps up the intensity to the very end. The writing is so smooth and easy to read that the pages practically turn themselves. The story flows seamlessly between dual viewpoints and the twists and turns and reveals keep coming one after the other. It’s so dark and twisty and suspenseful! It’s another winner from this author!

If you love fast-paced, gripping thrillers that keep you turning the pages well into the night, then make sure to pick up A Friend in the Dark when it’s out next March! Can’t wait for this author’s next novel!!

A huge thanks to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, Thomas and Mercer and the author for my advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was such a quick read. I was consumed from page one. I cant believe I haven't read anything by this author. Her writing is truly a treat. She grabs you and takes you on a wild goose chase.

𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅, 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕....

Special thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @sbaileybooks and @amazonpublishing for this 𝓔𝔁𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓿𝓮 tour and ARC.

MY REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so f*cked-up, but in a good way, it left me wanting more. I was so intrigued and captivated that I had to physically make myself stop and sleep because I had to catch a plane the next day (but of course, I finished it on the plane).
The spiciness was added extra feature that I personally loved. And the twists - had 👏🏼 me 👏🏼 shook 👏🏼.

I think if you love a great twisty thriller with some spiciness , this one will be PERFECT!

PUB DATE:
March 1, 2024

QOTD❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever reached out to an old flame to see if the heat is still there?

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#thrillerbooks #suspensethriller #thrillerreader #thrillerlover #thrillerobsessed #bookrecs #bookreview #bookstagram #bookaholic #booklover #bookstagrammer #booklove #bookcommunity #bookobsessed #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #booksofig #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookishfeatures #tbr #tbrpile #bookbuzz #mysteryandthrills #BookstaBFF23 #thrillerbooklovers
#afriendinthedark #samanthambailey #thrillerbookloverpromotionsexclusivetour
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4,5 stars

Wow, this was such a pleasant surprise! Fortunately the blurb didn't reveal much, so I literally went into this book blind, thinking it was going to go in one direction, when in fact it went in a completely different one.

Eden is still struggling with the end of her marriage when she impulsively decides to send a friend request to Justin Ward, her college crush. To her surprise, not only does he respond promptly, but soon she finds herself having an online relationship with him. This not only awakens all sorts of desires in her, but also reminds her of a painful time some twenty years ago when her friend Tyler disappeared the same night she went out with Justin. Too bad she was too wasted to remember what had happened.

I loved how this kept me on my toes!

The beginning was a bit slow as we got to know Eden and her marital problems, but then the story picks up speed and I couldn't put the book down! What happened the night Tyler disappeared is crucial to the development of the plot and the ending was a crescendo of dread that kept me on the edge of my seat!

Thanks to @thrillerbookloverspromotions & @sbaileybooks for having me on the exclusive tour.

I flew through the pages of this book. Dave tells Eden he wants a divorce on the day they drop Ava off at college. Eden is stunned. Although Dave has been distant she did not see it coming. Eden starts to think about what could have been with an old college flame. They reconnect or so she thinks, but is Justin who she remembers? Odd things start to happen. Then her soon to be ex-husband gets hit by a car and Ava goes missing. Pieces of her past are front and center. Can she save herself and her daughter?

You will definitely want to add this one to your TBR!

I’m so excited to share my review with you today. This one isn’t even on NetGalley yet. You need to add this to your tbr as it’s wild.

As I started reading I thought the main character was a little needy but still likable. I grew to like and relate to her midlife identity crisis. And unlike most domestic suspense books I’ve read lately this one had danger. I could not figure out where the danger was coming from. My heart raced in a couple of spots and more than once I wanted to shout WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!! Danger. Danger.

It was fast paced and I did not want to put this one down. Full of secrets and a few twists, this was a heck of a ride!

A digital copy of this book was provided to me by Thomas & Mercer. The opinions given are my own and freely given.

The day that Eden takes her daughter, Ava to school, at the same college that she and her husband, Dave went, her husband tells her he wants a divorce. On her birthday, after a few drinks, sitting at home alone, and feeling sorry for herself, she decides to look up the "one that got away", Justin, on social media. They exchange messages back and forth and become very intimate, without having met up in person. Eden meets Lila at an open house, where Eden is the selling realtor. She then runs into her while shopping. They become friends.

In the meantime, Olivia, Justin's wife is stuck in an abusive, controlling marriage, with no way out. Everyone thinks that Justin is GREAT and so she can't rely on anyone, but her brother. Eden also starts finding out things about Dave, and how he had changed in the few months prior to his request for a divorce and she starts investigating.

This is the story of a woman who wants to reconnect, a wife who wants out and a daughter her wants her parents back together.

This book is not what I expected at all. There are mental health issues, abusive husbands, cheating husbands, an illicit club and the daughter that blames her mom for everything.

I recommend this book.

This will be posted to Instagram @kuhlreads on 10/22/23

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I was thrilled to be given a very early copy of this book and to be participating in an exclusive book tour to help promote this upcoming book of Samantha Bailey’s. I loved her first one, Woman on the Edge, and while I still need to read her second book, Watch Out for Her, she is definitely an author I want to read more from…and this new one totally exceeded my expectations and then some!

I totally binged this book in one sitting – it is so addictive and twisty that I just could not put it down. It moves so fast and pulls you in right away and I totally got some Verity vibes from it, which kept me totally intrigued. This book delves into obsession and secrets and pushes some boundaries but you just can’t stop reading. The characters are all flawed and I loved that. Reading about a female in the later part of her life is so refreshing as I can relate to that…I’m right there with her, though I don’t find myself wanting to make any of the choices Eden does here – just saying!

This is a dark, complex story that went in directions I was not expecting and I could not have loved it more. It had twists I didn’t see coming and an ending I felt was completely satisfying. This is one thriller you don’t want to miss!

Wow! Do I need to say anything more!

I loved this book and devoured it so fast. There is just something about Bailey’s writing that immediately hooks you and doesn’t let go until the very end. I loved the dual POV and it really increased the suspense. There were so many plot twists that left my jaw on the floor! I highly recommend that you add this to your TBR because is this one you don’t want to miss! If I could give more than 5 stars, I would!!!!!

Many thanks to Samantha Bailey and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for allowing me to be apart of this exclusive tour!

I will be posting my review on Instagram (@thriller_book_sisters) on 10/27/23.

What did I just read? This story has so many twists and turns that I had a hard time keeping track. This had me swiping on my kindle until all my questions were answered. I love theo books where we get one character's side of the story, and then it switches to another character's side. I will say that I didn’t know where this was going at some points, but it all came together beautifully in the end. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Don’t miss out on this one when it comes out in March! You will be on the edge of your seat reading just like me!

WOW it’s giving Housemaid and Verity vibes!

I loved this and devoured it right up until the very end. It was fast-paced, short chapters, dual POV, and LOTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TWISTS! Exactly how I love my books and now Samantha is an absolute must read author for me.

I thought at first it might be difficult to relate to a middle-aged FMC with a college-aged kid and marital problems but Samantha did an amazing job at making the FMC relatable and likable to anyone regardless.

I’ve already recommended this to all of my friends and to bookstagram and I can’t wait for it to release so I can make everyone read it!

Thank you SO MUCH to Thomas & Mercer, Samantha, Thriller Book Lovers Promotions, and NetGalley for the advance digital review copy!

Buckle up for this fast paced psychological thriller loaded with twists and a bit of spice! This storyline is gripping and highly excitable never knowing what to expect.

Each character added something unique to the plot that allowed the storyline to play out in unexpected ways! MC Eden is a relatable character as many know someone just like her trying to rebuild after a life-changing upset. I found myself pondering the “what ifs” of the past with the emotional connection Eden felt with Justin with thoughts of the one that got away.

Samantha Bailey has written a powerful novel that kept me engaged throughout with distinctive characters facing intense circumstances.