Go into the book reading and then things change, twist and take off. This novel revolves around Miley, a biathlon Olympian athlete with a whole lot of emotional baggage, who is kidnapped in the remote Idaho wilderness by a couple of deranged mountain men in search of a “bride” for one of them. It's based on the true story of Kari Swenson, an Olympian who was kidnapped in Montana in 1984. While Miley's fictional ordeal differs from Kari's in many respects (especially in length – Kari's abduction lasted less than 24 hours while Miley's lasted for weeks), the basic details are very similar. I think that's part of what made this book so difficult to read, knowing that it's based on the experiences of an actual person. The ending...I wanted more!! Not to give spoilers, it felt flat that is the reason it did not hit 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publlisher for the opportunity.

wow. This book was heavy and so intense but so well written. I love Noelle Ihli’s writing style. This was my 3rd book by the author and I can’t wait to read another. As mentioned in the beginning of this book, there are a few trigger warnings so please read those before you go into reading this. It was also based a true story but is a work of fiction. I really became attached to these characters. I highly recommend this one! Thank you netgalley and Dynamite books for the ARC! It is out now (and on kindle unlimited) so go read it! #grayafterdark

This was an unsettling read especially after finding out this was closely based on a true story. This book follows Miley a biathlon athlete who takes a job a resort for the summer, one day while running she is abducted we follow her as she try’s to escape. We also follow her friend/ boyfriend as he is trying to find her. This book was unsettling and the scenes that follow Miley after she was abducted were just terrifying. If you are looking for a fast paced thriller/ horror novel to get your heart racing this is the book for you. This is my first book by this author but hope to read more in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli is a gripping survival thriller set against the harsh backdrop of the Frank Church Wilderness. After a life-altering accident derails Miley's Olympic dreams, she seeks refuge at a remote mountain guest lodge, hoping to recover both physically and mentally. However, her quiet summer takes a terrifying turn when she's abducted during a routine morning run and taken to an isolated off-grid cabin.

With her dreams of a comeback hanging in the balance, Miley must rely on her athletic abilities, quick thinking, and unwavering courage to survive the harrowing ordeal. As the situation escalates, she is forced to form an unlikely alliance with one of her captors, and together, they hatch a dangerous plan to escape. Every moment is a race against time as Miley fights to outwit her captors and survive the unforgiving wilderness.

This fast-paced thriller combines elements of psychological tension and physical endurance, making for a heart-pounding read. With its strong female lead and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Gray After Dark is perfect for fans of survival stories and intense thrillers. The brutal wilderness, the ticking clock, and the ever-present danger create a relentless atmosphere that will keep readers hooked until the final page.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

”Run, rabbit, run, rabbit. Run! Run! Run!”

I devoured this book! This was my first read by this author, and it definitely won’t be the last. I went in completely blind, and I’m so glad I did—it did not disappoint.

In this gripping story, Miley is training for the Olympics while working a summer job at a remote camp. One morning, during a solo run, she stumbles upon two men living off the grid who decide she’s the perfect "bride" for one of them. From that moment on, Miley’s life is turned upside down.

Miley is such a strong, resilient protagonist. She’s a fighter to her core. The atmosphere in this book is so vivid, the situations are stomach-churning, and the detail? Chefs kiss. I couldn’t put this book down—each page had me racing to know what would happen next. It’s unpredictable, full of shocking twists, and definitely packs some emotional punches. This book is gripping and definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Honestly, I think I might have had anxiety reading this. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, hardly breathing as I turned each page. Every plot twist had me stressed and sweating, especially knowing this story is based on true events. The fact that it was inspired by Kari Swenson’s story made it even more chilling and heartbreaking. I wasn’t familiar with Kari before, but I definitely looked into her story after finishing the book.

I strongly recommend this book to true crime and thriller enthusiasts. The author masterfully handles the graphic content, ensuring it adds depth to the story without overwhelming it. It's an unforgettable read, and I highly suggest it!

This was a good read. This book had me tearing up, gasping out loud and at points it was so intense I was holding my breath. The ending had my heart racing. I was just feeling all the feels. Overall this was a really good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for the E-ARC

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this one!

It's a heart pounding, thriller of kidnapping and captivity! A fight for the main character life, with many twists and turns! Great read!

HOLY!!!COW!!!!! 🚨 This book was an absolute
rollercoaster from start to finish. Like, I blinked and suddenly I was halfway through, white-knuckling my Kindle because what just happened?! There’s not a single dull moment—it’s all gas, no brakes. 🏃‍♀️💨

Miley, the Olympic athlete with a mysterious past, goes missing, and let me tell you, I was stressed. The foreshadowing in the first few chapters? Brilliant. I was picking up on little clues like a detective, but still, the twists hit me like a ton of bricks. 😱 The whole time, I was like, “Is she alive? Will they find her? WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING?!”

And the ending? Wow!👌 I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say I didn’t see it coming, and I’m still recovering. This was my first book by this author, but it 100% won’t be my last. If you’re into fast-paced, heart-pounding thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, this is your next read. Just maybe don’t start it before bed unless you’re okay with pulling an all-nighter. 🌙☕

Miley's summer plans are working at remote resort while training for the next Olympics. Her plans are thwarted when she is taken captive by a father/son duo who live off the grid! They take Miley to be the son's wife and Gray After Dark proceeds through the nightmare that her life becomes, her attempts at escape, and her best friends attempts at finding the answers on Miley's whereabouts!

Gray After Dark will get your heart racing many times! While the pace be slow at points it's story will keep you reading! Noelle W. Ihli is known for easy, thrilling reads and this not an exception.

Thank you Netgalley and Dynamite Books for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is exactly why women will always choose the bear over the man.

Noelle Ihli is an auto-read author for me. Her thrillers always hit on the potential real-life horrors of being a woman in our society, and I find that way more terrifying to read than any type of speculative elements. In this one, Miley is training for the Olympics while working a summer job at a camp in the middle of nowhere. While out on a run by herself one morning, she happens upon two men who live off the grid and decide that she'll make the perfect "bride" for one of them. What follows is a kidnapping and captivity straight out of my worst nightmares.

What made this even more terrifying and gut wrenching was that it's based off of a true story. I hadn't previously known about Kari Swenson, but I definitely educated myself when I was done with this book. Highly recommend.


If this book was Taylor Swift lyrics:

"Keep your aim locked, the night goes dark
Keep your eyes open"

Miley is training for the next Olympics and goes for a run, when she is intercepted by two wild men. She is held captive and is forced to survive or become one of them. Will she make it out alive?

HOLY CANOLI! This book was 🤯🤯. It starts with a disclaimer, anytime this happens I know my world is about to be rocked. This book did not disappoint. It was incredibly fast paced and nail biting. I made all the faces: 😳🤯🫣🫢😧😵‍💫🥴🤢.

This novel is loosely based on true events and former Olympic athlete who went through a similar situation. I think this made the book much more intense. So many things are real and you hope they are fiction, this was a case like that. Mind blowing and cringe worthy. I was anxious through most of the novel, coupled with being sad for the characters and horrified at the actions of these men. Such a good book, it’s hard to place into words. I finished it in two sittings, nail biter.

Highly recommend but this read is not for everyone.

Woah Woah Woah!!!

This novel was fantastic. It was so fast paced, I could barely keep up. There wasn't a single slow point in the novel.

I really enjoyed reading this story, I was sucked in from the get go. Miley is a Olympic athlete, with a past who's now gone missing. There is some very clever foreshadowing in the first few chapters that I really enjoyed. I was terrified the entire book for Miley, would she be found? Would she live? I don't want to give away too much, but man oh man the twists and turns in this book were so well done.

This was my first novel by this author but it definitely won't be my last.

Gray After Dark was my first by Ihli. Definitely will look into more of her titles! Apparently this was based on a real event that happened in the 80's. An Olympian kidnapped and fights for her life to escape. It wasn't a typical thriller for me that curveballs keep coming. We know from the get go what happens and just experience the trauma Miley goes through. 3.5 ⭐️

This book was interesting…Suspenseful through and through but the setting had me 🥴for so much of the story but I went with it and it was such a wild ride and I loved it. 4 stars because of the setting. That being said it was very cool and worth the read to learn this was based on some true events from the 80’s

For this book started as a slow burn read, after I got past 37% it was quick and a page turner. I had a love hate relationship with Mikey.
Already recommended it for a few of my book clubs to pick as a monthly read.

This was a good, quick read. It add some extra discomfort just knowing it is based on actual events. The woods, some weird people, and an excuse not to be exercising because you don't want to get abducted. It's all in there.

This is what ARCtober is all about! I pretty much forgot about this book that I’ve had from NetGalley for … a while (published in March 2024). And I picked it up and I loved it!!

Miley is an Olympian. She competes in the biathlon with her best friend. But ever since her accident, she’s struggled to get back into elite shape. So she’s taking a summer job in the mountains. To get away and get back to nature. But she finds more than she wanted in the woods and finds herself captured! She’s going to have to fight physically and work mentally to get out of this.

Hot take: I didn’t like The Quiet Tenant. This book is everything I wanted that one to be. It was fast paced, action packed, and the main character is a fighter who never gives up on herself!

Thank you @netgalley for the advanced digital copy. All opinions are mine.

**Gray After Dark** by Noelle W. Ihli is a fast-paced thriller that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. Gray is sharp, determined, and just flawed enough to feel real, while the twists and atmospheric scenes keep you on edge. A couple of plot points felt a bit rushed, but overall, this is a gripping, stormy-night read. Four stars!

Wow- this author has blown my mind again with another 5 star read. She is another author that I will be putting on my must read list without reading the plot to the book.