This suspense thriller serves as a cautionary tale. Be careful...

If ever there was a book that would make me think long and hard about all my connected electronics, this was it. Our smart homes, smart phones, and all of the social media combined with the extensive list of apps should give us pause. What do we really know about what all of that is tracking in our lives.

Abby and Brendan Hollander are going through a bit of a rough patch in their marriage. A therapist suggests they download the new popular app, Sugar & Spice, to bring some excitement and intimacy into their relationship. What could go wrong -- it's just an app. A little bit of fun, right? After all, no one can MAKE you do anything you don't want to do, correct? Little do they know...

No spoilers here but I almost DNF because of all the violence and graphic sex details. I didn't really like any of the characters who just made one bad decision after another. The premise and concept were unique, and I wanted to see how it played out, so I did finish. I tried listening to the audiobook while following along with the e-book ARC (provided by the publisher), but the narrator was so bad at doing women's voices that I had to stop. I've found it's always a mistake to have only a single narrator for most books and it definitely negatively affects the quality of the production.

I've loved other books by this author, but this was a disappointment.

Sugar or Spice what would you pick.. It’s was just suppose to be a game until it wasn’t. It’s amazing what you will do for the right motivation. We take a look at a married couple Abby and Brendan who aren’t so happy a the start of the book but as it progresses they grow closer together as the game takes a dangerous and unexpected turn. I did figure out part of the twist at the end but man it still took me for a loop. Do your self a favor and read this book and if you have not read anything f by JD Baker what are you waiting for

This book didn't quite resonate with me. I didn’t gel with the characters, they seemed too shallow. I hated Romeo and Juliet, they were very irritating.

Make sure to read the author's note on his inspiration for this novel. I think it’s something we’ve all experienced …😉
Original, dark, well written, thought provoking, and captivating.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press

J.D. Barker’s book “Behind A Closed Door” delves into Abby and Brendan Hollander's attempt to revive their marriage through a counselor recommended app called Sugar and Spice. Initially adding excitement, the app soon spirals into a series of increasingly dangerous and kinky tasks, consuming their lives and invading their privacy.

This book didn't quite resonate with me. If I had picked it up without knowing the author, I would have easily assumed it was written by a man.

2/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this copy.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: thriller/mystery 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This book was UNHINGED! But I enjoyed it!

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Truth or dare vibes
Compelling and original plot
Action packed
Spicy scenes
dark and thought provoking reads
Suspenseful and twisty
Broken marriage

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
I was hooked from the start

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
So over the top but honestly I’m here for it
Will leave you questioning your technology lol

JD does it again! I couldn't put this book down at all, one of my 5 star reads of the year. It had so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Makes you think twice on an app you're gonna download. Thank you for this arc!

A thriller that is a web of suspense, seduction, and danger. There are unpredictable twists with a fast pace.
Many thanks to Hampton Creek Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! I can’t believe this is my first J.D. Parker book, and it certainly will not be my last! What an incredible ride!

Behind a Closed Door is a great thriller, and I’m so excited to see how they do it justice in movie format.

“Would you kill a stranger to save your spouse?” A couple with marital issues download an app to help them out - Sugar & Spice. Like a truth or dare game for adults. What starts out as way to get them out of their comfort zone and expand in the marriage and in the bedroom, turns out to be deadly.

I really enjoyed this. It kept me captivated throughout, and couldn’t wait to see what was around each new corner.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

Pub date: 13 May 2024

"Behind a Closed Door" by JD Barker is a masterful blend of psychological thriller and classic mystery. Barker expertly crafts a tale filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of trust, deception, and the haunting remnants of past traumas. Each character is meticulously developed, their secrets unraveling in a gripping narrative that culminates in a truly unexpected climax. This novel is a must-read for fans of intense, character-driven thrillers that leave a lasting impact long after the final page is turned.

This was a really good book with a lot of twist and turns. The main couple Abby and Brendan are looking to repair their relationship. They are told to download an app called sugar and spice. This app is not all that it’s cracked up to be, while bringing them together is it also tearing them and others apart? I really enjoyed this book, but at times I thought certain parts dragged out a little.

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.

Ever wondered what would happen if your relationship therapy came with a side of tech and a sprinkle of danger? Dive into the rollercoaster that is Abby and Brenda’s marriage in this thrilling read!

When Abby and Brenda find their marriage on the rocks, they turn to couples counseling for a lifeline. Enter their therapist’s unconventional solution: the Sugar and Spice app. Sounds cute, right? Well, it starts off that way. The app assigns them fun tasks to rekindle their spark and awards points for each completed task. But hold on to your seat, because things quickly take a wild turn. What begins as simple and sweet soon spirals into a series of dangerous dares, making it seem like the app has a sinister agenda of its own.

This book is a mixed bag of suspense and slow burns. The concept is fresh and intriguing, pulling you in with the promise of tech-driven therapy gone awry. There are moments of genuine tension and excitement as Abby and Brenda navigate the increasingly perilous challenges. You’ll find yourself rooting for them, cringing at the danger, and questioning what’s coming next.

However, be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. There are sections where the pacing lags, and the narrative gets bogged down with overexplained details. These parts might have your mind wandering, but hang in there—the plot picks up again and keeps you engaged till the end.

Despite these slow patches, it’s an enjoyable read overall. The author’s creativity shines through, and there’s enough suspense and emotion to keep you turning the pages. This is my second book from this author, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what other intriguing tales they have up their sleeve.

In a nutshell, if you’re in the mood for a story that mixes marital drama with a techy twist and a dash of danger, give this book a try. Just be ready for a few slow spots, and you’ll find yourself entertained by this unique and thrilling journey.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. On one hand, there were parts I enjoyed, but on the other hand, everything seemed so far fetched and over the top.

Abby and Brendan are having trouble in their marriage, so they decide to download an app to help them get their spark back. Things start off well as they reconnect and explore their relationship by doing small dares. However, the app soon turns sinister as the dares get more and more dangerous.

If you’re able to suspend your disbelief and just want a wild ride, I’m sure you’ll love this. However, after loving the 4MK series so much, I was a bit disappointed. The premise seemed really interesting, but something about this book just didn't work for me.

I'm lucky I picked this book when I was sick or I'd have got no work done and it helped me keep my mind off how everything sucked 😂

This book was unbelievable. The synopsis was very interesting and the book delivered what it promised. In most books, the middle part is the most likely to drag. In this book, however, when I reached about 50%, I was gobsmacked at some of the twists. And then the twists just kept coming. Were they believable? Absolutely not. Was it fun? Oh hell yes.

The only reason I'm not giving this one five stars is because the twists were a little over the top, but you better believe I'm combing through J.D. Barker's backlist after this

Behind a Closed Door by J.D. Barker  is mystery/thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Hampton Creek Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Abby and Brendan Hollander have been struggling in their marriage.  Their love is strong, but so much has gotten in the way of romance and sex.  A therapist suggests an app which seems to be working for a lot of people.

So, they download Sugar & Spice to their phones, and agree to play by the rules.  This app seems to have all their information, no doubt by accessing other information on their phones.  This soon becomes problematic...as does the "suggestions" made by the app.

On the good side, Abby suddenly has all sorts of ideas for the new book she is writing, which was at a standstill (similar to her marriage).

Then there is Brendan who, along with his neighbour and best friend Stuckey, work with the FCID, a financial crimes division of the SEC, and they are currently investigating thefts from a peer-to-peer lending scheme that seems "off".

 
My Opinions:
This is the first JD Barker book that I struggled with.  I had no problem with the sexual aspect, just hated the financial end of things, and so I had a hard time when I started, especially knowing that Barker's books are always quite lengthy.  However, around the 45% mark (a little late), I found myself invested.  Then, I was more than invested.  It ended up being quite good!

There was hype about sexual content in this book, but I found the eroticism to be very mild, although I did find some degrading comments about women that annoyed me.  There was also a lot of violence and gore, but that didn't bother me.

In this age of technology, perhaps we should all be reading The Terms of Service, and double-checking what we allow our apps to have access to.  Yes, the author took it a little further with the app listening to our every conversation, and cameras watching our every move, but.... This was a little scary!

The book also looked at the question of morality and greed, and how far people would go to achieve their dreams....or just for purpose of pleasure.  That, too, was a little scary!

Overall, the book was good, but I was suspicious early on as to the identity of the perpetrator, and was proven right (to a certain degree).  There were also a couple of twists that I did not see coming, and those raised my rating.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to whatever Barker throws my way next!

I have enjoyed nearly everything that JD Barker has written and have raved over most. While I wasn't a huge fan of his last novel, it was different, I still enjoyed reading it. Behind a Closed Door, however, went in a different direction completely. Barker began his writing career as a horror author, the Bram Stoker guy, the one who created crime and horror and suspense - as well as humor - all in one. Where did that author go? This? This was pulp fiction. From the first page to the last one I read, which was not the last one of the book, I simply sat there shaking my head. I hated it. Not "didn't care for it" or "it wasn't my thing." I hated it. I won't be reading Barker again. Each book I've read has been worst than the last and this one was the bottom of the heap. I'm done. Sorry JD.

I struggled with whether or not I liked this book. The weird adult content bothered me. I read erotica so it's not the actual adult content that bothered me, but the awkward me too vibes of some of the situations.
I likes how he ended the book, and did feel most of the book was well written.
I'd give it a 3.5 stars overall, so will round up to a 4 on goodreads and Amazon.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

Make sure you have time because you won’t be putting this book down anytime soon! Thought provoking and twisty. A thriller with some spice. Buckle up for a wild ride!

I resisted reading this despite receiving the eARC and the physical ARC because of the unsavory PR stunt that was attempted. That turned me away from this author and publisher. However, I have loved Barker's prior novels and decided that I needed to give this one a try too. I was not disappointed. The premise is based on a married couple who are having marital difficulties and go to see a therapist. While coming up with ideas for how to reinvigorate their marriage, they are given information about a new app for their phones. It is a game that they can play together to get them to open up more to each other or to try more adventurous activities in their sex lives. The app is called Sugar and Spice. I don't want to go much further than this because this is one to go into without too much of a plot summary. Let's just say that things don't always go as expected. Barker weaves in twists and turns throughout the story and does not let the reader down.
This is a good read and will definitely appeal to prior Barker readers, and I would say Blake Crouch or John Marrs readers as well. There is enough of the plot you expect mixed with the questions of what would happen if____? This gives a great bird's eye view of things many of us take for granted in modern society that might have unexpected consequences when used for the wrong reasons.
Highly entertaining and definitely recommend.
#BehindACosedDoor #NetGalley #HamptonCreekPress