Since The Fourth Monkey Trilogy has been in my TBR for a while, this is my very first read from J.D. Barker and it just put that series to the top of my list. I am highly impressed to say the least. An app called Sugar and Spice meant to help relationships immediately raises red flags with couple Abby and Brendan, but they decide to give it a try after being recommended to it by their therapist. At first it seems to be a success in helping their marriage, asking truth or dare type questions revolving around their sex life. Until it starts asking them to perform more dangerous tasks with subtle threats if they choose not to.

I was a little hesitant at first because I'm not a fan of romance or books loaded with detailed sex but the description sounded so intriguing. With the world we live in today this was made much more alarming and less far fetched than it normally would. I simply could not put this down. It was addicting, original, nerve-wracking and non-stop. The writing was brilliant as was each well crafted character. To read that this will be a motion picture was the least surprising thing about it and well deserved. For those that aren't fans of sex, it wasn't too much or too detailed but definitely there. So don't let that keep you away because the story alone overweighs that by far and will make it well worth the read. To say you need to read this is putting it lightly. There is a great story here, and while it seems simple at first, it's complexity will blow you away. Five Solid Stars.

Thank you Netgalley and Hampton Creek Press for this ARC.

In the second chapter I had to DNF.
Overall the plot had me intrigued. I liked the writing style and it had me drawn in. However in chapter 2 a character used a derogatory word in a very flippant way. I struggled on what I should do; keep reading or DNF. Ultimately I decided that there could have been another way for the author to emphasize his meaning of the situation without using this word. I hope that before publication this is addressed with the author and I wish him all the best.

A wild ride this book will take you on.
I loved the storyline and how it evolved into some craziness going on. The end still left me wondering..lol in a good way.
Definitely an author who's books are worth dropping everything to read.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

JD Barker is without a doubt my favorite author, I was SO excited to see a new book available on NetGalley! Of course I wasn’t let down, a spine tingling page turner that had me up at all hours of the night to finish, you will NOT regret this one!

Behind a Closed Door is the latest thriller by J.D. Barker and is a bit of a different twist than his usual cop chases serial killer fare. Here, he takes an ordinary suburban couple, Brendan and Abby Hollander, who are busy dealing with the usual work-life balance and suspicions of cheating and thrusts them headfirst into a high stakes game. Indeed, their troubles begin with the downloading of a sexy-game application to their cellphones called Sugar and Spice, sort of the adult version of Truth or Dare, and one thing leads to another and their lives spin out of control as they realize they have granted permissions for the app to fully access everything from bank accounts to photos and that there are others playing the game, trying to earn their way up the ladder to gold or platinum status. Points are awarded for completing tasks and the tasks are far more risque than one might imagine, leaving one open for blackmail and embarrassment and social media shame. But that’s only the beginning of the challenge which takes the young couple far out of their comfort zone and into a game where they are manipulated and blamed for numerous deaths, shootings, and the like. With other players after them as well as half the state’s law enforcement, they have to figure their way out of their dilemma. This is one of those novels where you want to put it down, but can’t.

I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to more from this author

~This book was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I’ve been a long-time fan of J.D. Barker since reading his amazing 4MK series and was thrilled to get the chance to read BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR. The premise was fascinating and had so much promise - unfortunately, the plot lost me around the halfway mark and became overly convoluted and difficult to follow. I understand some suspension of belief is required for these stories but in this case, I had to suspend a bit too much to get through this one.

I’m still excited to read whatever this author comes out with next, he’s a fabulous writer with an engaging style - this one just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the opportunity to read and review BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR.