Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a fan of Sara Shepard since I was a freshman in high school diving into the very first Pretty Little Liars novel. I was hooked immediately, and followed the series past the initial four and into the following four. Admittedly, I petered off of the series once the show began, but one thing that always remained true is that Sara knows how to write DRAMA.

This story had me audibly gasping, frantically hurrying to the next pages, and I was completely glued in by the end. It was frustrating at times, and the ending admittedly left me a little confused as it seemed sort of unfinished.

However, this was a thoroughly entertaining read and a fascinatingly scary look into cults.

In a story that fully explores multiple timelines, we follow the now, before, and after of the lives affected by being involved in a cult. Is this story anything new? No.

An unexpected knock at the door, throws Bex back into her past when Danny shows up, alone and desperate in need. Suddenly the reader is thrown into multiple timelines, following each girl’s journey in the cult and the escape Bex already has. And the confusion if it’s what Danny wants.

I like the portrayal of the friendship- the mixture and hesitation both feel for each other. But the distrust and judgment coming from Bex’s (Rebecca’s) husband feels unwarranted and unnecessary. I almost would have liked it better if he wasn’t a character at all. But watching the characters of Danny and Rebecca was almost like a before and after of a cult experience.

Trigger warning for moderate sexual assault; the book plays into the obvious cult trope- older gentleman, taking advantage of impressionable young girls. And in those moments, a hard read. But I would think I could give this four stars, if I could delete every chapter from the husbands point of view

I absolutely loved this book and read it in record time! The cult lifestyle is so fascinating to me and I loved how this book not only told you a back story on the characters, but also showed an inside perspective to what being in the cult was actually like. The characters were unreliable, there were twists, the writing was really good and overall I just loved this book and need more like it! Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the eARC of this title!**

While the premise and cover of this book are incredible, the story itself has not captured my attention over multiple attempts. I am DNFing this one FOR NOW at 50%. I will definitely return to this one at some point but I can't give a glowing recommendation at this point. I think fans of literary fiction and deep dives on cults will love this one. I went in expecting a fast-paced thriller and this one left me wanting quite a bit.

This book definitely has an audience out there, it just isn't for me at this point in time. I will definitely be updating / posting a full review once I finish it down the line.

It’s taken years, but Rebecca has built a wonderful life with her adoring husband Tom and their two beautiful children, Roscoe and Charlie. They live in a nice house in a suburb of Carson City, Nevada, just a short drive away from where Tom’s parents stay. Rebecca doesn’t like to talk about her own parents much. In fact, there’s not a lot about her past that Rebecca is willing to share, despite Tom’s openness about his own battles with drug addiction.

So when an unexpected figure shows up on their doorstep one morning, neither of them really knows how to react. To Tom, Danny Martin looks like the classic junkie looking to rob an old friend in hopes of affording her next fix. Rebecca, on the other hand, knows better: Danny would never “pollute” her body with drugs. Still, it’s a shock to Rebecca to find her former best friend looking so down at heel, especially after an adolescence spent envying the other girl:

QUOTE
Deep down, Rebecca was always comparing herself to Danny. She was so much prettier than Rebecca. And Danny, once you brushed the cobwebs and darkness from her, was so…captivating. She was pretty and bubbly and had this starry-eyed optimism that Rebecca sometimes couldn’t muster. She sang [...] in a beautiful voice, and she was artistic, and she always said she had big plans for the world, even if she didn’t know what they were. Danny also had a mom that adored and celebrated her, versus Rebecca’s mother who didn’t even notice when she got an A on a test. Yeah, some crappy things had happened to Danny–like the stuff about her dad leaving–and, fine, Danny lived in an apartment instead of Rebecca’s enormous house, but who cared about that?
END QUOTE

Rebecca’s shock at Danny’s unannounced appearance is quickly superseded by her sense of self-preservation, as she hustles Danny out the door. While she wants to know why and how Danny found her, she doesn’t want Tom to hear anything that might lead to uncomfortable conversations that she’d rather not have.

Once Rebecca and Danny are alone, Danny confesses that she’s run away from the cult she’s been involved with for the past ten years. The self-improvement group called ISB was once everything Danny thought she’d ever need. After the charismatic Ben Rahm recruited her in high school, Danny became obsessed with becoming his best disciple, no matter what it took:

QUOTE
But above all this is another feeling roiling in her gut–desire. Drive. Danny wants to be on that stage. She wants to be the one holding Ben’s hand. Basking in his light. She doesn’t care what kind of sacrifice it requires. Spending the rest of her money on ISB sessions. Moving to the compound in Oregon. Breaking free of her mother entirely. Trusting Ben completely. Whittling herself down to the smallest girl she can be. She’s heard whispers about other sacrifices, too–major sacrifices, ones that prove total loyalty and honor.

Danny will do all of that. She will do anything to continue to feel the way she feels. She will be the best student. She will score straight As. She’ll blow everyone out of the water. Or she’ll die trying.
END QUOTE

But now something has changed, something she’s reluctant to talk to even Rebecca about. Luckily for Danny, her former best friend understands all about keeping secrets. Rebecca also understands instinctively that Danny needs help. Perhaps even more importantly, she feels that she owes Danny for the multitude of small betrayals that led to the last lasting break in their relationship.

Yet even as the women are trying to find their way back to each other, malevolent forces are closing in on them. Danny’s escape from the Oregon compound did not go unnoticed. Will Danny and Rebecca’s friendship, once fractured, be able to see them through what could be the most dangerous experience of their lives?

Gaslight is a powerful examination of the ways in which shame can keep people trapped, even as predators exploit the vulnerable while pretending to care deeply about their wellbeing. Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard do an excellent job of exposing the inner workings of cults, riffing off of the details of several real life sects that have made headlines in recent years. Most moving, though, are their dissections of female friendships, especially the ones made in adolescence that have a hard streak of competition running through them. Danny and Rebecca have a complicated history that is made all the more realistic and sympathetic for being imperfect, as they struggle to overcome years of conditioning in their fight to save both each other and themselves.

You know how as readers, we have those auto-authors - they are the ones that no matter what they release or have their name added to - we will always read and give it a go. For me Sara Shepard is one of those authors as over 20 years ago I fell in love with her Pretty Little Liars series which at the time I had read it - she had only written the first two books. I even had the opportunity in 2017 to meet Sara Shepard and of course, I got a few pictures with her as she was dressed as Red Coat "A". Gaslight starts with Becca having her old friend Dani turn up from her past. It's a life Becca wants nothing to do with as she escaped it and did her best to stay hidden, but now with her other friend Toby who also escaped dead. It's only a matter of time before they track down Becca and her oldest son. Growing up Becca's family was heavily involved in a religious cult and during her high school and college days, Becca recruited some of her friends into the cult. When Becca became pregnant with her son, who was also the leader's son - she soon realized things weren't as they seemed and escaped. Now with Dani out on God's mission and pregnant, Becca wants to help her but what happens when she realizes Dani isn't ready to break ties and Becca's son's life hangs in the balance? Can Becca's now husband learn to accept her past and help Becca to save their family or will he feel betrayed and leave Becca on her own to save their son? Find out in this cult fiction read "Gaslight" by Miles Jorie-Peyrafitte and Sara Shepard today, and yes - the head on the cover is actress Chloe Grace Mortez (don't ask me why her)

Culty books always draw me in. Gaslight was good, and satisfied my need for cult info, but I wish everything had been developed a bit more. Nonetheless, I would recommend!

Rebecca is living a decent life with her husband and her two kids, a far cry from the life she used to know, and the life she would like to leave as far in the past as she possibly can. However, her past comes crashing into her present when her old best friend Danny comes to visit her.

This book is excellent. There wasn't a dull moment where I felt like I had to stick it through till the story started moving, the story kept moving throughout. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the pace, and definitely the subject matter (psychological thriller with cults, manipulation, and suspense).

This is the first book I've read by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, but I will definitely keep my eyes out for the next book they put out. I love Sara Shepard and her book series, so it was no surprise to me that she put out another excellent tome.

I would also say that this book may be important to some who may not recognize the manipulation that they may be going through. The behavior of the cult leader may ring familiar for some so that they recognize that they are in a toxic relationship. There's hope for that. The cult leaders behavior seemed familiar to a narcissist I used to know, and I recognized the manipulativeness and gaslighty behavior is similar in both this character and that person I knew. A great representation of a narcissistic person I'd say as far as the cult leader is concerned. Bravo on that one!

I'd definitely recommend this book to Sara Shepard fans, as well as lovers of psychological thrillers. It was an entertaining and perhaps even informative read. I'd also recommend it to people interested in reading about cult stories or narcissists as well.

What happens after someone escapes a cult? And what happens to everyone they leave behind?

Rebecca has kept her past a secret from her husband, but when the best friend she recruited and then left behind in a cult shows up at her door...everything she's kept so tightly bound explodes. Rebecca, her husband, her children, and even her friend are all in danger from multiple directions.

It was hard to read this at times because it's brutal, because you see how these young women were manipulated and used by a man who only wanted power. My stomach was twisting, I was tense, at one point I think I was shaking. It's a painful read with a satisfying ending.

My last Sarah Shepard was another cult book, Nowhere like Home, and both do a great job diving into the power and sinister control cults have over those they indoctrinate. While her other book was my preferred book of choice, this was still an enjoyable read. This story did not hesitate to get close to the darker side of cults and it felt believable in a way that turned it into a horror story for me (in the best way).

Gaslight by Sara Shepard is an intense thriller that explores themes of cult manipulation, deception, and the fragility of relationships. The story follows Rebecca, who has built a quiet life in Nevada with her family, only to have her past resurface when an old friend, Danny, shows up unexpectedly. As the plot unfolds, it delves into Rebecca’s history with a dangerous cult, raising questions about trust and loyalty. The narrative is split between the present and flashbacks to Rebecca’s time in the cult, adding layers of suspense and tension. While the characters could be more fully developed, the chilling portrayal of cult dynamics stands out. Fans of psychological thrillers will appreciate the eerie atmosphere and unpredictable twists.

Loved this one so much. The cult phenomenon is so fascinating to me and one of my all time favorite tropes. I liked the dual timelines and various POVS. I thought the characters were likeable and the cult leader was as awful as I would've imagined. I love the cover and will read more by the author.

Gaslight had some interesting moments. It was an honest look at the way cults abuse their members. It was fairly horrific. Yet, I didn't think any of the characters were filled in. They were the outlines of characters. No one trusts anyone. With good reason. But I didn't feel that I as the reader got to know them on more than a surface basis. For a book of its length, that was disappointing.

Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte offers an intriguing premise: a woman’s seemingly idyllic life is disrupted by the reappearance of a former friend with ties to a dangerous cult. Unfortunately, the execution falls short of its potential.

Rebecca, living peacefully with her family in Carson City, Nevada, is thrown into turmoil when her old friend Danny shows up. Danny’s involvement in the Infinite Spiritual Being (ISB) cult and her life at its secluded compound in Bend, Oregon raises questions about Rebecca’s past and the secrets she’s hiding. As Rebecca tries to navigate Danny’s intentions and protect her loved ones, she finds herself caught in a web of deception and danger.

I was excited to dive into Gaslight by Sara Shepard and Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, given the premise and the promise of a taut psychological thriller playing out in the small space of Rebecca's home. Danny's sudden appearance creates a delicious amount of tension, especially since the reader does not know what her intentions are. I enjoyed much of the first third of the novel as the premise unfolded.

However, this novel fell short of my expectations and struggles with character depth and pacing. The characters feel one-dimensional, and the plot often feels predictable or implausible. (Your OB has Saturday appointments and you managed to get one? Totally unbelievable.) The dual timeline narrative interrupts the tension of Danny's unexpected visit, and some chapters and details were unnecessary to the plot.

Ultimately, Gaslight is a missed opportunity. While the premise is promising, the execution leaves much to be desired. If you're looking for a gripping psychological thriller, I recommend exploring other options.

This review will be posted to Goodreads on September 14, 2024.

Rebecca is living a peaceful life in Nevada with her husband, Tom, and their two young children. Her past is in the past but she has never completely stopped looking over her shoulder. Then one Saturday morning, her past finally catches up to her. Her former best friend, Danny, shows up on her doorstep. The problem is, Rebecca has never told Tom about her past, about the fact that she was in a cult. She and Danny were both in the cult called ISB.. You are never allowed to leave, so when Rebecca finally found a way out she took it and went on the run, leaving Danny behind. She knows if the cult leader finds out where she is, he will kill her. So she needs to figure out why Danny is here and what she is up to, and see if she can control the narrative before her husband gets suspicious.

I love this author's books, but this one was not one of my favorites. I think it was the subject matter - I always find reading about cults and their members depressing. So that is a "me" thing and has nothing to do with the writing itself. The book started out as a bit of a slow burn, but about halfway through it really picked up the pace and became a thriller. Overall I give this a solid 4 out of 5.

I thought the cult aspect of this book was well executed, it felt believable and authentic, the characters felt a little lack luster in places but overall an enjoyable creepy psychological read

3.5

I think the cult lovers will really enjoy this one.

This was a solid read, I enjoyed it, it held my attention, the plot never lulled but I just couldn’t quite connect to our two MCs, I never really felt empathy for them and that made this an ok read versus a great one.

Nonetheless I think people who love cult stories and really plotty books will still really enjoy this one.

Bex has worked hard to overcome past traumas and built a cozy family life. She has it all: two happy children, a wonderful husband and a gorgeous suburban home. But her comfortable existence is threatened when her old friend Danny shows up at her door.

Danny has spent nearly a decade deeply enmeshed in a dangerous cult. She lives on its compound and is one of its charismatic leader’s romantic partners. She even appears in YouTube videos promoting its teachings. But she tells Bex that she’s ready to leave it all behind. She says she’s run away and needs help from her old friend. Bex doesn’t know what to do. If Danny’s telling the truth, it would be cruel to turn her away. But if she’s lying, and still working for the cult…Bex and her family could be in its crosshairs.

I loved this book. It had the page-turning pacing that I’ve come to expect from Sara Shepard’s thrillers as well as some enjoyable and surprising twists. Like much of Shepard’s other work, female friendship, and the tensions and jealousies that can coexist with heartfelt care, is a big theme. I am a person who has consumed WAY too many documentaries and podcasts about cults, and the one in this book rang true to me. The way characters got sucked in by personal attention and seemingly reasonable teachings felt very realistic, as did the way the cult’s control over their lives escalated.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun thriller, and especially anyone fascinated by cults.

A creepy look at the reality of living in a cult. Feels almost like a memoir or documentary even though it's fiction. Will leave you with goosebumps throughout.