I liked this. It’s more of a 3 1/2 star book for me. It was dark and disturbing this time and a little different than I expected. Otherwise it’s a solid thriller.

Gray After Dark
by Noelle W. Ihli
Pub Date: 22 Mar 2024

Gray After Dark is a book you will not be able to put down, trust me. My heart rate would not go down while reading this non stop thriller! The drama is absolutely non-stop breathtaking! A must read for thriller fans!

Short Description:

A merciless wilderness. A harrowing attack. A desperate escape.
When a tragic accident sidelines Miley's dreams of Olympic gold, she takes a summer job at a mountain guest lodge. The Frank Church Wilderness is remote, but it’s the perfect place to train and recover. Local lore about a staffer who died years ago doesn’t scare her.
But it should.

Many thanks to #GrayAfterDark & #NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC of this 5 star thriller.

Inspired by true events, Gray After Dark is about an Olympic athlete who was abducted by two doomsday preppers and ‘tamed” to be a wife for the younger man. She was held in an off-grid cabin and tormented in myriad ways. Since it was assumed that she was attacked and killed by a bear, the search and rescue team stopped looking for her. It was only by sheer tenacity and grit that she saved herself.

This book is so very difficult to read. It touches on very tough subjects such as kidnapping, rape, brutal beatings and sheer terror. The kidnappers are sinister and terrifying, but Miley is able to persevere and survive.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dynamite Books for the ARC of this 5-star thriller.

Amazing bonechilling book, brought so many emotions to my heart and had me on the edge of my seat so good

My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this was good… I enjoyed it and had trouble putting it down!!!

A merciless wilderness.
A harrowing attack.
A desperate escape.

When a tragic accident sidelines Miley’s dreams of Olympic gold, she takes a summer job at a mountain lodge. The Frank Church Wilderness is remote, but it’s the perfect place for Miley to train and recover.

Local lore about a staffer who died years ago doesn’t scare her… but it should. Miley’s plans take a terrifying detour when she’s abducted by off the grid preppers who have nightmarish plans for her. She is trapped in a remote cabin with no way of escape… that is until there is… Can Miley make it out alive??

Inspired by true events.

So I really love this author this is only the third full length book of hers I have read and my experience with her last one was a bit disappointing, I wanted to love it so my rating was generous but this one I did really enjoy. The suspense was real and it was back with a vengeance.

The story really sucked me in right away and I was intrigued about the inspiration… which I am not gonna lie is terrifying. Noelle can write and she can write scary so well done …. I was on the edge of my proverbial seat with this one… the events that led to Miley’s abduction and then the description of her damaged feet, her capture and the shackles… ugh I felt for her every step of the way.

Miley isn’t super easy to like but you gotta feel for her even leading up to her abduction… she has clearly been through some stuff but it is not all revealed straight away and I liked that… you can pretty much guess what happened in the accident and shes tortured by it every day so shes sassy and rude…but I get it. I would probably be rude and bitchy too if I was carrying that much guilt around like luggage with me as well. I think her character development was amazing and I realise its only based on true events but I can only imagine the horror the real girl went through and I applaud her tenacity.

This story was unique…. I really enjoyed it. The changing POV are always a winner for me… I really liked Brent a lot what a good guy… everyone should have a Brent in their life. AND Wes… poor overlooked Wes.

I liked the way the events were brought together and the past merged with the present… it truly is a terrifying thing to think you can be living your life and then snatched up only to feel like you will never be seen again…. I hope I never have to truly know what that feels like… because the way the author describes it is f*cking scary enough thank you very much… a true testament to her writing.

Overall, I really enjoyed this… it was thrilling and it was edge of my seat. It was back to the Run on Red style that I loved. I know know all my friends liked Run on Red… but I really did so if you did too I think this one will be for you.

I want to thank Dynamite Books, NetGalley and Noelle W. Ihli for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am glad I have stuck with this author cause we can’t like every single book someone writes but I really do enjoy her style. Thank you.

I also really love the extra short stories you get to get some insight into another character… this was no exception… I got a little free story after I had finished this and I really liked that as well. Once its available to review on GoodReads I will pop up a short review.

Wow, what a wild ride!!! This book had me going WHAT THE HECK!?!
This story is crazy enough to actually be true. This would make a great movie.

This is my third book by Noelle W. Ihli and so far it is my favorite! This book was intense and action packed. I could not put it down. It will make you second guess your decision to be alone in the woods. Noelle Ihli has fast become a new auto buy author for me. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This is a binge book. It didn't start out that way, I just couldn't find a good place to stop so had to keep reading through the end.....the fantastic end. As Miley works towards recovering her Olympic level skills after an accident, she will take a job in a wilderness park for peace and quiet. Never suspecting danger, Miley will be taken and held hostage. At this point, it's Miley will face decisions that will test her strength and resolve.

This book deserves much more than 5 stars. I'm sorry I can't give more but I can and will be watching for Noelle Ihli's next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dynamic Books, and Noelle Ihli for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My initial reading of the book's blurb, in addition to the beautiful cover art, got me excited to read another Ihli piece. This will be my second completed book by this author in 48 hours. They are becoming one of my newest favorite thriller authors and I cannot wait to read more of their books in the future.

Imagine you are great at most of what you do, but then something you didn't expect happens to change your life...twice. You are disoriented in more ways than one both of those times, but you know that like the first time, the only thing to do is survive...any way possible.

The overall pace and writing style (multiple POV) of this book scratches the ADHD itch that kept me engaged. In all honesty, I am new in my reading journey and stories like this with multiple twists/unseen characters only strengthen my love of my newest hobby. I would absolutely recommend this book to those who love the thriller genre.

Two of my favorite similes: "He looked like a maniacal string bean" & "the feathers [...] floated among them like morbid confetti."

Triggers: animal hunting, SA, abduction, death

There aren't enough stars for this book. I wish i had more to give. The raw emotional turmoil I felt reading left me sick. The author told Miley's story so perfectly that I felt like I was there with her the entire time. Living her story. Must read!

Very intense book that keeps you engaged.

Thank you Dynamite Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to NetGalley, Dynamic Books, and Noelle Ihli for an arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ok, this was a heavy read and there are def some triggers. This book was intense but def found it to be slow at parts. Character development was good and but the plot description was even better. Totally happy with the ending!

This is my second book from this author and she definitely has a unique writing style. Looking forward to more!

Noelle is fast becoming one of my go to thriller authors. Her books are just so suspenseful, anxiety inducing, and fast paced! Gray after dark was no different!

We follow Miley after she is kidnapped by a psychotic son and father duo looking to make her one of their “wives”. We also follow Brent as he is trekking through the woods determined to find Miley.

I really enjoyed this one! Super fast paced, readable, heavily triggering because of the subject matter obvi, and just keeps you wanting to read to find out what happens next! Loved Miley as a main character also, which is sometimes hard to find likable MC’s in thrillers.

Also, really enjoyed the authors note at the end. Bringing attention to the case that inspired this story was a really beautiful thing to do.

Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli
SYNOPSIS: An Olympic athlete with a sorted past goes to the Frank Church Wilderness for a summer job. She works at a resort where she is able to continue training and going for runs in her free time. She finds the most beautiful and serene spot to run to that is the perfect distance for her training, but when she hears gunshots a little too close for comfort, everything changes. She is taken deep into the wilderness and left to fend for herself with people who want her for their own purposes. It is not until Miley confronts her past that he she realizes what she must do to survive this horrible nightmare.

MY THOUGHTS: WOW! This book really surprised me. It is my first book by this author and it was fast paced, terrifyingly realistic, and I could not wait to get to the end (in a good way)! There were so many twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. It reminded me so much of a really great true crime podcast (if that is what you are into), and I came to find out this story is inspired by a kidnapping that happened over 30 years ago! My heart was pounding and at times the images were too gruesome to continue. This thriller will give you all the goosebumps, have you biting your nails, and shaking in your boots. But it will also give you hope in the strength of friendships, even those in unlikely places. I enjoyed this and am thankful to @netgalley and Dynamite Books Publishing for this awesome ARC! Available March 22, 2024!

Miley is an independent, 24yo biathlete who, after losing her mother to a car crash, tries to get her sh*t straight. Working a part-time job at the posh Hidden Springs Resort while training for the upcoming Olympics, Miley pushes herself every morning by running an even more remote trail in the wide, dangerous woods.

Her co-worker Wes warns her of the bears in the Frank Church Wilderness and practically begs her to take a big can of Mace. Wes already lost a dear co-worker at the lodge years ago because of the wild bears roaming the forests.

But what happens on her run on the seventh day to Miley is neither godly nor a blessing to the young woman. No matter what Fred and Hamish might think…

OYFG, why did no one inform me, that this was partially inspired by true events? (okay, kind of my fault for missing that part in the Description)

This was the third book in the past few weeks I read which was basically about the abduction of a young woman… and it couldn’t be any more different from the other one.

The storytelling was very descriptive and the suspense great all around, the Author had me impatiently reading line after line.
The book was basically +80% fast-paced and it took me from one teeth-gnashing moment to another. I actually screamed and cursed at the characters, which is always a good sign about the quality of the book I am reading.

About the characters…
I won’t say much about Miles and Brent themselves. You can make your own assumptions about them as much as you want.

But Wes and Mary? -Wes was a stupidly loyal young man (too loyal for nothing in my eyes) but Mary, *#x! woman! How I loved to hate you… but in the end I could not.
Fred was evil, and Hamish a product of Fred’s madness and religious indoctrination. Of course, I don’t condone what Hamish did, but it was basically his father’s fault.

This book was great to read and I loved the ending.
I also enjoyed the Bonus pages about Mary at the end, the Author gifted us with some hope even though at one time I was expecting for it all to end badly.

A 9.6 Stars Rating for this one!!
The release Date is 22'nd of March 2024.

I can clearly recommend this to everyone who loves the right amount of thriller and/or suspense. You will love it!

As always, Noelle W. Ihli did an amazing job with this one. I don't think it has ever taken me longer than 1-2 sittings to read one of her books. this book spooked me (as hers always do, let's be honest), but also had a good storyline. I will say it could have been a bit shorter and I was unhappy with a few parts of the ending, but will still be recommending this one!

I went into this book with only the blurb and I did not know what I was in for. This was a very fast paced book. I read it in two days! Based on true events,

Gray After Dark tells a thrilling story of Miley, a biathlete who dreams of olympic gold. After a tragic accident deters her plans, she ends up taking a job at Fort Wilderness Lodge which starts a chain of events that lead our main character through a series of thrilling, down right scary, and very realistic situations.

Please read trigger warnings in advance for this one.

I would have loved to have this book as my introduction to this author. If you are looking to start with Noelle W Inhi books, definitely start here!

This was an amazing four star read for me!

Thank you to Dynamite Books, Noelle W. Ihli, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

Dark and daring, this book had me on the edge of my seat! It had a concept that I don’t read about often, and the fact that people like Hamish and Fred are still out in the world is daunting. This hit all of my triggers without going too much into detail that I wasn’t able to finish it. The writing was incredibly well done, and I love how strong and capable (and stubborn!) the main character is. I had so many feelings reading this, I am now in a slight book hangover. The content was heavy but the ending was completely satisfying.

First, I’d like to thank Dynamite books & Noelle Ihli for the opportunity to read this book early! Got my ARC copy just a few days before the release & read it just one sitting! This was quite the suspenseful journey with Miley & Brent for that matter. It was quite dark in the middle which is not my fave & I am learning that the whole captive trope is not for me. But otherwise this was well written and very suspenseful. Clearly, since I read it in one sitting I did enjoy it!

Note: some triggers, so please investigate before you read.

🌟 rating: 3.5/5
🗣️ genre: general fiction, mystery & thrillers
📖 pages: 370
🍾 publishing date: 3/22/24
📚 read dates: 3/18/24
📝 same author as: Run on Red, Ask for Andrea, Room for Rent & others…

A merciless wilderness. A harrowing attack. A desperate escape.

When a tragic accident sidelines Miley's dreams of Olympic gold, she takes a summer job at a mountain guest lodge.

The Frank Church Wilderness is remote, but it’s the perfect place to train and recover. Local lore about a staffer who died years ago doesn’t scare her. But it should.

Miley’s plans take a terrifying detour when she’s abducted during a morning run. Held captive in a desolate off-grid cabin, she’ll have to use her athletic prowess, cunning mind, and courage to survive. But as the nightmare at the cabin escalates, Miley is forced to form an unlikely alliance and attempt a risky escape.

Can she outwit her captors and survive the wilderness before it’s too late?

Inspired by true events, Gray After Dark is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller with a finale that will leave you breathless.

Just like the premise says, this is a fast paced psychological thriller that reminded me of vintage Michael Crichton or Blake Crouch. Fans of either of those authors, or anyone looking for an action packed thriller, pick this up!