So, I don’t think I can accurately rate this book. Turns out I’ve read it before (or at least a version of it—it was previously published in an anthology). I read it about 8 years ago, so I didn’t remember all the details, but I remembered enough that I kind of knew what was going to happen.

Having said that, this is a good story. It’s short (perfect for those times when you want a quick read), the characters are likeable and relatable, and the tension is great throughout. If you’re in the mood for a novella that is suspenseful, clean, and includes a budding romance, this is a great choice. Novellas don’t allow for as many twists as Ms. Black normally puts into her full-length novels, but it was still a great read.

In the novella, Mallory is working her way through college after recovering from a family tragedy and the depression that followed. She’s crushing on the grad student who keeps coming in early to work so he can be there while she’s doing her janitorial job, and she’s living with her sister and brother-in-law. But then her sister finds drugs in the house, and Mallory’s family is sure they’re Mallory’s. So begins a search to find out who’s behind the drugs—and why—and if Darien (the adorably nerdy grad student) will be scared away or turn into a stalwart defender.

Such a good read! I loved that it was a novella, too; it was a great change of pace for me.

I'd imagine that writing a suspense story this short would be hard to do and Stephanie Black did a great job with it. Nothing in the plot was forced to move the plot along, everything felt natural. It really was a good story!

Eye for an Eye is a short (80 page) suspense novella. Mallory is 22, a freshman at college and getting her life back on track after her mother's death five years before. She is living with her sister and brother in law when they confront her after finding drugs in their home. Mallory doesn't know if they or someone else is out to get her. She turns to her new friend Darien for help. The action is fast paced and exciting and the author builds a real sense of fear and paranoia. But being a short book there is no time for red herrings, twists or turns. Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Eye for an Eye by Stephanie Black, 80 pages. Covenant Communications, 2021. $7.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Mallory finally feels like she’s getting her life back on track at age 22: she has a job to pay for her freshman year at college while benefiting from cheap rent by living with her sister and brother-in-law. And then they accuse Mallory of using illegal drugs in their home. With everyone pointing fingers, Mallory worries that no one will believe her and that her life will end just as it was beginning.
Black hooks her readers early through her inexplicable way with words and then never lets up on the subtle wrongness that hints of what is lurking in the background. Mallory and the characters around her felt like real people, which made the suspicious activity even more nerve-wracking. Don’t be fooled by its length: this novella still includes all the excitement of a full-length thriller. The mature content rating is for a strong theme of drug use and abuse.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I didn’t know that this was a novella before i started reading it. The whole book is only 80 pages long but it is a great read. Mallory Ingram is living with her sister and brother in law while trying to turn her life around after a family tragedy. When illegal drugs turn up in their home they accuse her and she is desperate to prove her innocence with the help of her new friend Darien. Can they uncover who from her past is setting her up and why?

This book is very intense. So much so, that it's over before you know it. The characters are well written. Although, I struggled with the mistrust between family member.

This is a perfect book to read if you don't have a lot of time but love a great book with mystery. The book kept me enthralled and I couldn't believe I had read it in so short a time. The characters are well written and the plot was interesting.

EYE FIR AB EYE is a really exciting romantic suspense novella by STEPHANIE BLACK with a good story and interesting characters.
Mallory Ingram has done many foolish things in her past, including mixing with friends who were doing drugs, but she herself has never taken them. When drugs are found in the house she lives in with her sister and brother in law, they suspect her, but her new friend Darien Thomas works with her to try and find the truth.
It is a most enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Covenant Communications. The opinions in this review arae completely my own.

This book has me hooked from the beginning. I really liked Mallory’s character. Even though she had a pretty difficult childhood, she pushed through it and got it together. There was mystery and suspense up until the very end. I definitely recommend it!!!

I was surprised how quickly I flew through this one. What a great short little Romantic Suspense. I had just started and the next thing I knew it was done. I am glad for the logic showed by Darien, he saved Mallory from her sister and her husband from suspicions that proved false. This is perfect for a lunchtime read or a quick read after the kids go to bed.

Stephanie Black is a wizard with suspense and knows just how to keep a reader interested. I am looking forward to this release.

I received an early copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

This is a well written novella that hooks you on the first page. It is full of suspense and will keep you turning the pages. Loved it!!
Thank you Covenant Communications via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a good story but I had no idea it was a novella- the whole book was 80 pages and took me about 40 minutes to read. It centers on Mallory who is trying to get her life back together after a family tragedy 5 years ago. When she gets accused of having a drug problem, her new friend Darien helps her figure out what is really going on.

There are pros and cons to this being such a short book. On the good side, it was very fast paced and had pretty much non-stop action. On the other side, there really wasn’t much suspense- while there was action, there weren’t twists and the unveiling of the villain is pretty straightforward.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I am not a reader of short stories and would not had picked it up had I known, but I’m glad I did, as it was a fun way to spend the better part of an hour. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book had a lot of stuff crammed in only 80 pages. It is a short little novella that is super fast paced. There is so much suspense in just a few pages. The characters are real, and believeable.

5 years before, a family tragedy nearly destroyed Mallory’s sanity, but she is getting back on track. However, soon after receiving bad news, her sister accuses her of being a drug addict. Someone is trying to frame Mallory, and Mallory wants to prove her innocence.

Because the book is so short and quick, there really isn’t any time to catch your breath or even to really connect with the characters. But, fans of Stephanie Black won’t want to miss this short novella.

"Eye for an Eye" is a short romantic suspense story. Because it's short, everything happened very fast and with little pause to rest. This created a strong suspense. Someone set Mallory up to look like an illegal drug addict. Even her family suspected her and urged her to get help or they'd go to the police. Darien supported her efforts to discover the truth of what's going on. He listened to both sides, not just accepting her word because he's got a crush on her. The romance happened pretty quickly, but he's supportive and helpful (and it's not like they're getting married at the end). There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this short story to fans of romantic suspense.

I really enjoyed this quick fast paced thriller. It was a fun read and kept me reading to find out how it would end. I liked the little romance thrown in the mix as well. If you are looking for a quick read full of twists and intrigue, pick this book.
#eyeforaneye #netgalley

Usually, I have to read Stephenie Black's books in a room with other people and the light on. Not this time. The plot was predictable without the usual twist I've come to expect from this author.

It felt rushed at times, and the ending felt a little abrupt. A good mystery to solve, without leaving you terrified to turn off the light and go to sleep.
And I still don't know if I'm relieved or disappointed about that!

This was the perfect suspense novel! After a family tragedy nearly destroyed Mallory Ingram, she's fighting to get her life on track. When her sister and brother-in-law open their home to her, Mallory is certain that moving across the country will allow her to focus on a hopeful future. That future looks even more promising when her enrollment at a local university connects her with the charming Darien Thomas.
I loved the plot. And the writing is fabulous. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did!

This is a very short and completely satisfying novella.

Mallory works a 4 am shift cleaning an office and is also enrolled at the local university. She lives with her sister and brother-in-law, while she tries to get her life back on track after a family tragedy.

But after a phone call from her uncle with some bad news, strange, upsetting things start happening that she can't explain.

Darien is a recent friend but he's committed to helping her and they draw closer as they try to unravel the mystery.

Like I said, it's short but you almost don't realize since it doesn't feel rushed. It also has a super cute romance.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A fantastic tale of suspense from Stephanie Black
Stephanie Black is a master of suspense. This book will pull you in with the first few pages. The characters are real, compelling and believable. Mallory is working her way through college as a campus custodian after being orphaned and raised by an uncle. Currently living with her sister, who is eleven years older, and her brother-in-law she tries to make for time she lost after the murder of her mother by a drug addict that Mallory had known. When illicit drugs are found in the house and Mallory is accused of using drugs, she has no one to turn to except Darien, a grad student from the office she cleans. She knows she isn’t using. She can’t believe her sister or brother-in-law are trying to frame her. Who planted the drugs? Are they just out to ruin her college career or is something more sinister going on? Can Mallory and Darien solve this problem before it’s too late? This is a fantastic