A woman recently separated from her husband and whose daughter just started college begins an online, sexual relationship with a mysterious man from her past. Exploring her own identity throughout this, her life starts unraveling before her eyes, making her question if it is self-sabotage or someone out to get her.

This was one of those addicting, page-turning, fun mysteries that can easily be devoured in one sitting. I didn't exactly relate to, nor care deeply for any of the characters here, but it was still really enjoyable and highly entertaining even when the protagonist made some questionable decisions. The different perspectives were inserted seamlessly and worked perfectly for this this one. If you are looking for a good beach read or just need something that won't make you think too hard while still being good, give this one a try. Three and a half stars.

Thank you, Netalley and Thomas and Mercer, for a copy of "A Friend In The Dark."

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this book, with my honest review below.

A Friend in the Dark was an enjoyable thriller, quickly dropping the reader into the thick of the mystery, which was fairly standard in premise, if you read many thrillers, but certainly with a unique twist that keeps the reader glued.

Eden is newly separated (soon to be divorced) from her husband Dave, with their daughter Ava freshly out of the house attending college. This stirs Eden’s memories of her own college life experience and her almost was with bad boy Justin. And while it was clear to me that he was a classic ‘f**k boy’, to quote the current jargon, what wasn’t clear were why so many bad things kept happening to Eden after she got reacquainted with Justin.

This isn’t going to be a genre changer for thriller lovers, but it’s a great way to pass the time. For those wanting to dip their toes in the thriller waters I think this would also be enjoyed (maybe especially by those reminiscing ‘what if’ as they get older. This should stop any regrets).

This is a story that has elements which will be familiar to most of us: a midlife crisis of sorts, an impending divorce, a long-lost crush from college, and the road not taken.

The difference here is that nothing is quite as it seems with Eden's past history with Justin or her husband Dave - any more than it is with her present relationships with either of the men.

But ignoring all red flags (perhaps understandable, giving the distress she is experiencing over Dave's rejection after decades of an apparently happy marriage), Eden goes ahead with reintroducing Justin into her life. With consequences both expected and unexpected...

This was a good read, with plenty of twists. Although it was at times hard to fathom why Eden was so determined to ignore all the things around her that weren't quite adding up. Overall, worth checking out for those who love psychological thrillers.

As I began reading this I quickly felt like I had read the story before… that happens to me from
time to time. I turned the pages swiftly wanting more and to figure out what was going to happen between the two main characters. I figured out a lot of thingsbefore they were unveiled. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is an absolute page-turner that will keep you hooked from the very first chapter. The author's writing style is both captivating and atmospheric, making it easy to get lost in the story. I absolutely loved Eden from the start, she became my favourite very very quickly.

The plot is filled with suspense and mystery, and the author does a fantastic job of building tension throughout the book. With unexpected twists and turns, you'll find yourself constantly second-guessing and trying to piece together the puzzle. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own secrets and motives that add to the intrigue. Throughout the whole book you think one thing, only for it to be completely different to what you thought by the end, it’s truly incredible.

What I particularly enjoyed about this book is the way it explores the complexities of friendships and the dark secrets that can lie beneath the surface. The author delves into the psychology of the characters, making them feel real and multidimensional. It's a thrilling and chilling exploration of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves. I love psychological thrillers and this was definitely a good one, it’s so intense and some parts are literally jaw dropping!

The pacing of the story is spot-on, with just the right balance of action and quiet moments to keep you engaged and thinking, leaving you space to try and figure things out and to try and guess what’s going to happen. It's the kind of book that you won't be able to put down until you reach the shocking conclusion, which is why I read it all in a few hours.

Overall, A Friend in the Dark is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that will leave you breathless. If you're a fan of psychological suspense with well-developed characters and a twisty plot, then this book is definitely for you. I highly recommend it!

Ah, the dangers of ignoring every red flag...

Eden Morris is at a crossroads. Her only daughter Ava just went to college and their relationship is strained, due in part to fact that her loving husband Dave of twenty years asked her for a divorce the day they moved their daughter into school --completely blindsiding her. She doesn't know who she is without the comfort of titles "wife" and "mom" -- which makes her vulnerable to a message from her old college crush and resident bad boy, Justin.

Eden is quick to fall into a steamy online relationship with Justin --- despite several unexplained and weird occurrences that start up at the same time -- like a missing spare key, a strangely personal surprise gift, and a house fire she didn't start.

This book was interesting but ultimately didn't score higher for me because none of the motivations of the characters really made sense and because the events happened on such a shortened timeline. I get that Eden was lonely and looking for a little external validation (aren't we all?) but to fall head over heels for a version of guy you barely knew 20 years ago over the course of twelve hours? Not buying it. To divorce your wife over something after two decades of a picture perfect marriage and not even provide an explanation? Not buying it. And no spoilers, but the motivations of the other characters in this book didn't line up for me either.

But a good reminder to never take a drink you're served at a frat party and never trust anyone you're talking to exclusively online!!

Book review 📖

📜A Friend In The Dark
✍️Samantha M. Bailey
📠Thomas & Mercer
📚Mystery/Thriller, Fiction
🗓️Pub date: March 1, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨Thank you @NetGalley and #thomasandmercer for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to @sbaileybooks for keeping me on the edge of my seat!

✨Eden’s life takes a tumultous turn as her husband, Dave, leaves her and wants a divorce, and her daughter is barely speaking to her.

✨Eden always wondered what if. What if, on a night 23 years ago and when she had the opportunity, she ended up with Justin. Justin, her college crush, was just that—a crush.

✨Friending Justin on social media is a shot in the dark, something to pique her curiosity, where her life could have taken her had she made different decisions back then.

✨But after beginning an online relationship with Justin and he seems to know too much already about Eden’s life and family, things start to take a dangerous turn. What if becomes what now and obsession turns to death.

✨This was an unputdownable creepy and thrilling rollercoaster! Anyone who’s ever tried online dating can relate to the feeling of the unknown and the danger lurking behind the screen. Such a quick and pulse-pounding read!! Read this now🤩📱👥

#netgalley #afriendinthedark #samanthambailey #thomasandmercer #springreleases #advancedreadercopy #arc #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #ivegotbooks #killmewithwords #idratherbereading #thrillerfiction #quickreads #readthisnow

This was a quick page turner, easy to read thriller. The plot was interesting and engaging, but very predictable. There was not a lot of development with the characters or the story, making it all very surface level. The first part of the book follows Eden, who made so many bad decisions throughout the book I just wanted to yell at her.
I didn't love it, didn't hate it, just nothing really stuck out for me and none of the characters were developed enough to really get attached to them.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

samantha bailey did a great job with this book! took me a bit to finish but once i did, i liked this thriller quite a bit

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

A Friend in the Dark
By Samantha Bailey
Available to Purchase Now!!

📚MY RATING:

⭐⭐✨

📚THE SYNOPSIS:

Eden Miller’s world is crumbling. Her husband blindsided her with divorce, and her daughter barely speaks to her. In an impulsive decision to escape her present and revisit the past, she sends a friend request to her college crush, Justin Ward.

One night twenty-three years ago changed the course of her life. It closed the door on Justin and opened the door to her husband, Dave. But what if Eden could have a do-over?

Eden begins an online relationship with Justin that awakens her in ways she never thought possible, and his voice and words make her take bold risks. But something’s off. He knows too much about her and her family…he’s been following her.

Eden is forced to awaken from her fantasy and look for answers—who really is the man on the other line? The truth about Justin—and about what happened that fateful night two decades ago—puts her and her family in a fight for their lives.

📚MY REVIEW:

What I loved about this book was that it was set in Michigan, where I've lived my entire life. It was fun reading about locations in Ann Arbor and on the east side of the state, both places with which I'm familiar, because I felt connected to it.

This book is described as a "sensual domestic thriller," which I think it was. But...eh. Maybe that specific genre just doesn't do it for me? I don't know. Overall, it was a good read. There was just a lot going on with varying subplots throughout the book: a pending divorce, a teenager going off to college, a reconnecting to an old flame through Facebook, a new friend, college memories, a realtor business, teenage college drama, domestic violence...There was SO MUCH packed into this book, it felt disjointed at times. And I found myself having to suspend my disbelief far too often - I literally yelled "what?!" several times because I just didn't buy what was happening. It was a quick read and kept my attention, but...I guess it just wasn't for me. 🤷

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this copy in exchange for my honest review!

#AFriendintheDark #netgalley #bookreviews

This being the second book that I have read by the author, I was very excited to receive it. finished this entire book in a matter of hours and would’ve done so in one sitting if life had allowed.

It started off strong but it faltered in places but I couldn’t stop reading.

However, for me personally, this book fell short in character development in relation to the story, that was unfolding. I could not follow the motivations of each character and was left with way too many unanswered questions.

I give this book 3 stars because I couldn’t put it once I started and any book that does that is a great read!

I enjoyed this book. It has enough family drama and suspense rolled into it. I wanted to finish it in one sitting. I like thrillers but also like family drama and a little romance, and this book had a little of each. I would have liked to have Ava’s ( the daughter) personality explored a little, but that does leave room for a follow up book about Ava if the author decided to go that route in a sequel.

I recommend this.

Gripping psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down! Eden is a mid fourties’ woman whose husband has asked for a divorce right after dropping their daughter off at college. Trying to find herself, Eden reconnects with an old college flame on social media. The online chatting quickly becomes intense, and Eden begins to see herself in a new light - a woman desired. Her college flame may have other reasons for reconnecting with her, and Eden soon finds out that you don’t know the secrets people keep behind closed doors.

The authors writing style had me hooked from page one! Great afternoon read that left me guessing until the very end.

Well, this was interesting! I don’t quite know how to describe this true thriller! There are several twists and a great finale! I read this quickly because I simply couldn’t put it down! If you like thrillers, I think you’ll love this one!

Eden Miller and her husband Dave are dropping their daughter, Ava, at the University of Michigan for her first semester. They will be empty nesters for the first time. Dave surprises Eden by telling her he wants a divorce. Out of the blue, with no warning at all. Eden is devastated, angry, and hurt. She can't understand why Dave wants a divorce and why now? When Ava finds out she spirals out of control. She wants her parents together and will find reasons to get them together. Dave has packed a bag and rented an apartment. He drops Eden at home and goes on to his new life. This isn't at all the evening that Eden thought she'd be having. What is she going to do now?

Eden chats with her two best friends online and tells them about her day. They are as shocked as Eden is. They all drink too much wine and when Eden gets off of FaceTime she decides to look up her college crush. Justin Ward was gorgeous in college and every girl wanted him. Eden was his tutor to help him pass his classes. Justin was a drummer in a band and played almost every night. Eden wanted him and decided to go to a frat party that he had invited her to. She got very sick at the party and that was the last time she saw Justin. She finds him on Facebook and decides to send him a friend request. Almost immediately, her phone pings, and the friend request has been accepted.

Eden begins chatting online with Justin and he gives her everything she needs. She's even sexting for the first time in her life and she's never felt more desirable and alive. Why is it when Eden visits him at one of his construction sites that he seems so angry to see her? Why does Eden feel like someone is watching her? Is she imagining it or is there a silver car following her? What happened to the spare key that is hidden under the porch swing? Why does it feel like someone has been in the house? Is Eden imagining things or is she being stalked? When things start happening and her family is in danger who can she turn to?

A Friend in the Dark is an unsettling thriller that makes you question who's really on the other side of your online chats? Be careful what you wish for! I rate A Friend in the Dark 4 stars and recommend it to anyone that likes a good thriller. There are some twists along the way that will keep you flipping the pages way too fast. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of A Friend in the Dark in exchange for a fair review. #AFriendInTheDark #bookreview

This was an interesting, intriguing fast read. I would recommend this book for psychological thriller fans and will definitely read more from this author.

I loved the pace and build up of suspense in this book, darkness stemming from a simple friend request! I loved it overall.

#AFriendInTheDark #NetGalley
Eden Miller’s world is crumbling. Her husband blindsided her with divorce, and her daughter barely speaks to her. In an impulsive decision to escape her present and revisit the past, she sends a friend request to her college crush, Justin Ward.
One night twenty-three years ago changed the course of her life. It closed the door on Justin and opened the door to her husband, Dave. But what if Eden could have a do-over? Eden begins an online relationship with Justin that awakens her in ways she never thought possible, and his voice and words make her take bold risks. But something’s off. He knows too much about her and her family…he’s been following her.
Eden is forced to awaken from her fantasy and look for answers—who really is the man on the other line? The truth about Justin—and about what happened that fateful night two decades ago—puts her and her family in a fight for their lives.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

Samantha Bailey truly knows what she is doing when writing a suspenseful book. I initially was a bit frustrated with Eden... for being of a mature age, she was so naive, woes me, and easily manipulated. But as the story continued, she grew on me because let's be real, this could happen to anyone.

When Eden rekindles a relationship with Justin (a college fling from over 20 years ago) after separating from her long-time husband I was sad for her while captivated at the same time. Her desperation to feel desired and important was relatable despite all of the red flags Justin was putting off. As soon as Justin entertained the idea, Eden was hooked and doing more and more things unlike her responsible self. Red flag after red flag Eden didn't bat an eye. At one point I said at loud, "GIRL OPEN YOUR EYES", but it was still fun to watch the drama unfold.

There were many pieces that left me guessing. Is Eden being watched/followed? Was somebody besides Eden in the house? I thought I knew what was happening and then we ventured down the mystery of the BDSM. At that point I just didn't know what to think or even know who to trust. Some of the story felt so predictable and like many of the thrillers I have already read but I was still left intrigued and waiting to see how all the turmoil unfolded. This book was easily binged in 2 todays and I enjoyed every moment of it. Once I got started, I truly did not want to put the book down. I would most definitely recommend this book to others and totally recommend binging it like I did if you can.

What harm can a drunk friend request do? That is the start of this stalker thriller. After divorcing her husband and dropping her daughter off at college Eden is feeling defeated and alone. On her birthday after a little too much wine she decides to send her crush from college a friend request because what harm could it do. She feels like a new woman when Justin starts paying attention to her after accepting her friend request straight away. After she weeks in a full speed online relationship she notices that Justin may know a little too much about her......is it possible he has been following her?

This is a super fast paced thriller that is both dark and twisty. The duel POV really gives the book a unique and interesting twist that keeps you guessing throughout the whole book. There were so many motivations of the characters and they ranged from naively innocent to deeply disturbed. The plot really allowed the characters to shine and it was interesting to see a book that takes place with middle-aged characters as opposed to the younger characters I typically read about.

This is a fast paced and bingeable book with interesting characters and a bit more steam then usual in a thriller book.