✨Spoiler free review✨

Title- Gray after dark by @noelleihliauthor
Rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a first for me by Noelle and my first survival thriller in a woods/cabin setting. This was a fast read for me, I read it one sitting😮‍💨

This story was inspired by the incredible true story of Kari Swenson, a pioneering biathlon athlete who faced unimaginable tragedy when she was abducted, assaulted and left for dead in Montana’s wilderness by a father-son duo in 1984. Showing immense resilience and determination, Kari not only survived the ordeal but went on to compete in the Oslo Norway Olympics in 1986, where she took an impressive fourth place. The way that Noelle was able to take this remarkable tale of human spirit & make it her own with her fictional characters is truly commendable.

If you like a good survival thriller in the middle of the woods, this books is for you.

I’m excited to read more by @noelleihliauthor as I have a couple of her other books on my forever long tbr list. 📚

Thank you @netgalley, Dynamite books, and @noelleihliauthor for this advanced copy of Gray after dark🙌🏽

This book will be available on kindle unlimited and for purchase on March 22nd, you can also pre order now✨👏🏽

If Noelle W. Ihli writes it, I will read it. Her latest, Gray After Dark, is another fast-paced thriller just like the rest of her books!

Gray After Dark tells the story of Miley, an Olympic athlete taking a job at a summer camp while she recovers from an injury. While on a run in the remote Frank Church Wilderness, she runs into two menacing and terrifying men. The men abduct her and bring her back to their cabin, where one plans to make her his wife.

This story started slower than her others, but it definitely picked up speed as I kept reading. Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for this ARC. Get your copy on March 22, 2024!

This is my second novel by this author Noelle and what I have learned after reading Gray After Dark is that she will be an auto buy for me from now on .

Noelle's novels are fast paced gripping reads and when turning the pages your senses seem heightened and as each page goes by you can feel your heart clambering in your chest!

"I pressed my body tighter against the trunk of the big Douglas Fir and listened . The lodgepole pines surrounding the cabin creaked in the chilly breeze, whispering a warning. The underbrush rustled, hinting at the creatures seen and unseen. Some hunters. Some prey. Some both. No footsteps . No voices ....what was taking so long ?"

Miley Petrowski was a biathlon athlete that is mending an injury from several years ago and is determined to race again in the Olympics . While navigating her love for Brent her teammate , she decides to head to the acres of Frank Church alone , to sort her thoughts and to take a on summer job and retrain taking advantage of the hundreds of acres full of hiking trails to run through .

Miley is stubborn and despite her injury is still quit fit and does not give herself enough credit. One day she finds a trail that leads to a beautiful secluded little lake in the mountains and takes relief to take a cold swim to relieve her aches and pains . This is where I suggest you wear your seatbelt and buckle up because this is where things get wild and hectic! Noelle is abducted by a father and son living in the woods off the grid and what transpires next is a lot of gasping while your anxiety is put through a test and will blow the roof off your house!

A few times I rolled my eyes during these short chapters catching myself saying yah right , but shame on me as , it wasn't until I was finished the book that I learned that the story was inspired by real events that took place back in 1984 when Biathlete Kari Swenson was abducted . While the author stresses that the story is inspired by Kari's resilience and tenacity it is complete fiction , but the book sent chills up and down my spine multiple times just imagining for a minute how terrifying it would have been!!

You need to read this book for yourself to see what happens !!

Thank you Netgalley, Dynamite Books and Noelle W Ilhi for this bone chilling digital ARC!

Thanks to NetGalley, Dynamite Books and Xpresso Book Tours for an advanced copy of Gray After Dark.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Gray After Dark follows Miley, an Olympic biathlon athlete, as she had been recovering from a devastating, traumatic car crash a couple years prior. Hoping to train once again participate in the Olympics and win the gold, she takes the summer off to work at a campground while focusing on her training in her personal time. However, Miley's life is derailed when a father/son duo of self-proclaimed "last real mountain men" kidnap her and force her to become the son's bride. Inspired by true events, this chilling tale of survival took me on a truly emotional journey, the only way Noelle can do it.

I went into this story somewhat blind, as I am fond of Noelle's writing and knew I was going to be in for a wild ride. I didn't realize until I was maybe a quarter of the way through the book that this was inspired by true events. Knowing that made this story so much more horrifying. I really felt a connection to Miley, after all the trauma she had suffered first from the car crash, followed by the horrific kidnapping. Her strength, patience, and resilience were truly inspiring, much like the real-life inspiration for her character. The anger and hatred I felt for those men was also very intense. Noelle did a fantastic job capturing the isolation, dread, fear, and tension of Miley's situation. I felt all the feelings through every step of this journey. My only gripe was that I wish the ending didn't happen so quickly - I wanted a little bit more vengeance for Miley (even though this was essentially a more realistic ending). I also enjoyed the extra chapter I was able to access about the other woman, Rayna. It was nice having more background and closure for her character as well.

This was a very fast-paced, intense, anger-inducing thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could tell throughout the story the respect and admiration Noelle had for the woman behind her inspiration, which was very beautiful to me.

Ihli’s newest book, Gray After Dark, publishes March 22nd and is one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. I was fortunate enough to be approved for an ARC via Netgalley. If you aren’t familiar with this one, here’s a quick synopsis for you: This story is inspired by true events and follows Miley. When an accident sidelines Miley’s dreams of Olympic Gold, she takes a job at a mountain guest lodge to help get her mind right. Her plan is to rest, recoup and train but her plans are derailed when she’s kidnapped on her morning run. Can she outwit her captors and survive the wilderness before it’s too late?

The prologue will pull you in, immediately getting the blood pumping but you’ll stay for the events that led up to the action in the prologue. The story is told from the POVs of our FMC Miley, and her best friend/teammate Brent. I really enjoyed reading from both POVs and felt it gave quite a bit of depth to the characters' friendship which also made the story all the more harrowing. I also love the family aspect that Noelle includes in her stories, the connection between Miley and her mom is so real, the bond between a mother and child is unmatched and I could feel it in my heart. The thrill aspect of the novel was front and center, my hands were sweating, and I was on the edge of my seat when the SHTF, intense and heart pounding for sure because nobody is safe and if you’ve read any of Noelle’s other novels, then you know that, there are no guarantees. Also, I will never own chickens. (Thank you Netgalley and Noelle W. Ihli for the ARC!)

Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli is a survival thriller. It's a gripping story about resilience and determination.

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. But Miley’s plans take a terrifying detour when she’s abducted during a morning run.

The story is fairly fast-paced after the first third of the story begins. The storyline is frightening, and at the end of the book, the author discusses how this story was based on some events that actually happened, making it even more terrifying of a story.

The book provided trigger warnings about some of the content. It was sometimes hard to read about these triggers, but the story is good, scary, heart-pounding, and sad. A rollercoaster of a ride.

I would recommend this book and this author.

#GrayAfterDark #NetGalley @XpressoReads

I absolutely loved this one!! It was such a great fast paced read!! My eyes couldn't take it in fast enough! I loved the determination of the main characters and refusal to give up.

When I tell you this book had me on the edge of my seat. What a thriller!! I felt every emotion!!
Miley, an Olympic trained athlete, takes a job at a remote resort. While running trails she encounters two not so nice men. The fight for survival is brutal. Another amaozng book by Noelle Ihli! Highly recommend this fast paced, amazing read!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Of course I loved this book, I have no criticisms or critiques Noelle Ihli really can do no wrong when writing a book. I’ve loved everything she’s ever written and this book is no exception. This book was so fast paced, engaging, and you never knew what was going to happen next. I could not put it down and just had to know what would happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good thriller!

An intense, adrenaline rush of a thriller that had my heart pounding non-stop! This book was absolutely terrifying, and I had no idea that it was loosely based on a true story until I finished reading. I wanted to fight and scream and puke all at the same time. Monsters are real y'all and Ihli portrays them so well in her novels. This book should be turned into a movie. If you're into horror, thrillers and/or true crime, this book will definitely satisfy your taste buds. I highly recommend!

Thank you to the author, Dynamite Books, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

This is my second book from the author and I have decided she must be added to my favorite author list!

This book was so fast paced and suspenseful. There are a bunch of trigger warnings so be aware. At times the book was hard to read due to the abuse detailed, but it was part of being immersed into the character's story. So while it was difficult to read, it was also what made the book. Sign up for the bonus content and a little happy ending. This was one wild ride that I didn't want to end!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dynamite Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow..what a ride and I admit I was a blubbering mess at the end. Such a great book with characters you'll fall in love with and others not so much. So well written that the story just pulls you in.. I absolutely loved everything about this book.

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

Well this book was definitely hard to put down!
I didn’t read any reviews or even the write up on the story to be honest. So I was very surprised when I found out it was based off a true story. But I was only 5 when the events that inspired the story took place so I have no memory of it.
A story of an Olympic athlete who is trying to pay her way to the Olympics doing a job and being able to train. Who doesn’t take to the warnings of her co workers to be careful in the wilderness. Until she is taken by some “Preppers” who live off the grid who say the world is ending. Who need to keep their women tame and not cause any issues.
A definite story about of how some people are unable to be broken and held. The fighters of the world who don’t stop under any circumstances to find their way back.
Hard to read with the violence to woman for some I’m sure but if you realize it’s a book you can get thru it.
I will definitely be looking for more of her books.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy for my honest review

Thank you to #NetGalley, Dynamite Books and Noelle W. Ihli for the opportunity to read Gray After Dark, to be published 22 March 2024. 5/5 Stars for this harrowing nightmare Miley went through. This was a not putdownable book for sure! I was mesmerized by the ability of this woman to survive such disturbing goings on. She is definitely a mentor and great example for young women everywhere. This was one of the most thrilling novels I’ve read. It is impossible to convey the strong feelings of pride and accomplishment this young woman caused in reading her story. Great Read. #NetGalley. #DynamiteBooks #GrayAfterDark #NoelleW.Ihli

Wow! This is my second book by Noelle W. Ihli and I am so happy I discovered this awesomely talented author. I was offered a copy in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Daniel McBreakneck and Noelle for asking me.
I only knew that this author's name seemed to be getting more common place on social media, so I went into this book blind. I didn't read the blurb, I just went in on instinct. That instinct was perfectly correct.
Gray after Dark is a thriller that delivered in every department for me. Noelle W. Ihli creates the best characters. I was invested in Miley and Brent after the first couple of chapters.
The story is told in alternating chapters from Miley and Brent. This gave me a nicely rounded perspective of both characters. Miley is one heck of a gutsy female and Brent. Well, he is someone I would want on my team anyway!
There is such a strong sense of place throughout this thriller. So strong I could see the forest in my minds eye and felt like I could have been by Brent and Wes's side as they took it upon themselves to attempt to find Miley when she goes missing. I was getting as frustrated and worried as the men as the story unfolded.
The twists in the book really had me on edge for Miley throughout. The fear and tension kept me glued to the story totally. I read this in two days. I even took it with me to an appointment so I could read while I was waiting for my husband! It's an addictive read and one that had me hoping that both women would escape and the men could find Miley at least.
I found myself holding my breath at certain moments in anticipation of what would come next!
It was an absolute cracker of a read. One that has me properly addicted to Noelle W.Ihli's writing. Now I'm going to find her other books!

Miley, still reeling from her mother's death, is working at a lodge in the Frank Church Wilderness. While runnning the desolate hiking trails to train for the 2026 Olympics, she is abducted by two men who live in the middle of the forest. She is beaten, raped, and forced to marry the younger of the two men. Along with another missing woman made wife, Miley must find a way to escape.

Noelle W. Ihli writes a fantastic survival thriller and this is no different. Using the real-life kidnapping of Kari Swanson as inspiration, Ihly tells the story of an Olympian who feels guilty over the death of her mother and fighting her feelings for the man who loves her. The way Ihli tels this story keeps the reader interested. The story is well-told and makes you fear that some men are capable of this behavior. There are trigger warnings at the beginning of this book so please take care of yourself when deciding to read this book.

The worst thing in these woods was already inside the cabin. Miley took on a summer job at the Hidden Springs Resort where she cross-trained in the wilderness. There are over two million acres in Frank Church. It’s a popular location for hunter, hikers and backpackers.
…
Miley worked alongside Wes helping in the kitchen. Jennifer the owner of Hidden Springs Resort was trying to separate the two of them. Wes knees Mikey went for runs by herself so he insisted she take bear spray with her. During one of there campfire outings Jennifer shared a story of how a girl was attacked by a bear four years ago.
…
Bears isn’t what Mikey needed to worry about. On the day visitors were to arrive Mikey was cornered by two doomsday preppers.
…
Brent and Miley are biathletes. Miley is in good health and physically fit. She knows how to survive in the wilderness. Her mother has been training with her since she was thirteen.
…
This is an atmospheric story about miles of thick forest where a cabin is hidden and occupied by two men preparing for doomsday. Noelle Ihli hit the mark on this scary and frightening nightmare. Miley was the ideal type of character to survive. Being an athlete prepared her for this type of survival strategy. I enjoyed every breathtaking moment of this story. It was a fast pace story that entertained from beginning to end. Nicole Ihli is a phenomenal storyteller. She knows how to hook her readers. Each and every book she writes is fantastic with its horror filled pages that have you gripping your seat with terror.
…
The story is told from Brent and Miley’s points of views. This is my favorite way to read a story when two characters are involved the way these two are with Miley missing and Brent determined to find her. The way they used their friendship and love to help each other survive the elements of pain. I learned what a biathlon is and how biathletes compete in these types of events. I had no idea it was an Olympic sport.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was my first Ihli book but I’ve obviously heard the hype for Run on Red. I would say this book met my expectations. There’s nothing super unique about the plot, but I loved the fact that it was loosely based on a true story. What I enjoyed about this book was the pacing and brutality of it all. There are tws listed in the beginning that I absolutely recommend noticing if domestic violence can be triggering.

The story was well written but I do feel like the characters could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. Fred felt like a bit of a cliche at times. I also struggled with some of the plausibility aspects of the book overall. The ending felt a bit rushed and I could’ve used further expansion.

Overall, I feel this will be well received within the thriller community. Despite feeling a bit cliche at times it’s well written and hard to put down.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

While out practicing for another attempt at making any Olympic team, Miley has a horrifying encounter which causes her to realize she has greater strength and resilience than she has ever credited herself with having. Along the way, she banishes old demons and discovers love.

Miley dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal, which is why even while taking a summer job at a remote mountain lodge, she can’t stop herself from training. During her trail run one day, she’s abducted by two men and brought to their off-the-grid cabin where they live as “preppers”. Desperate to survive, Miley must determine how to outsmart her captors before it’s too late…

Ohhh… myyyy… 😮‍💨😮‍💨 This was the most intense book I’ve read in quite some time. My heart is still pounding from the exhilarating journey this story took me on!

From the very beginning, the prologue grabs your attention as you’re thrust into the action. You can physically feel the main character’s run-for-your-life fear as it radiates off the page! 😬

The story slows down a bit so you can get some backstory of the characters - but by 25% in, you’re back to heart-pounding suspense! This book definitely is not a slow burn. It’ll have you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages so vigorously there’s no way you can put it down. I finished it in less than 24 hours. It was such a fast, enthralling read!

4.75 ⭐️ rounded up! What an incredible MUST READ novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dynamite Books, & Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read this captivating thriller as a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.