Iris is a woman traumatized by her past. She constantly looks over her shoulder in fear that someone that knew her before will find her and drag her back into the darkness. She's a single mother to Finn and he has severe allergies which adds another level of stress to Iris' life.

Lowell and his partner found Iris at a truck stop after she'd run for her life. They took her in and she gradually became the daughter they never had. Now, years later, Lowell has asked Iris to try her hand at running Windy Acres, his bed and breakfast. Iris and Finn go there on a trial run. Everything seems to be going fine until some eerie things happen that set off Iris' alarm bells.

I like twists in stories like this. Even though I saw this one coming before it happened, it still fit well into the storyline. I thought that Iris was well depicted. She's a young woman who lived through a great deal of trauma and has low self esteem. It's hard to know exactly how someone would behave after coming out of that experience. I strongly suspect that they'd be paranoid and protective like she was.

I don't want to tell much more in my review for fear I'll give something away. Let me just say I read this book in one day because I was intrigued by the plot and wanted to see the resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Iris In The Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey is a well written fast paced story that was more than I expected. It will keep you engaged through past and present throughout the story. It has a lot in it, a domestic thriller with romantic suspense and mystery. The characters are strong and well developed. This story will touch some sensitive topics but Dickey handles them with care. She will keep you engrossed from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful book and look forward to more from this talented author.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Elissa Grossell Dickey for and advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
#netgalley #irisinthedark. #arc #elissagrosselldickey #lakeunionpublishing

This author does such an amazing job creating vulnerable, real characters. Characters people may not see - but pass every day - her writing giving the reader a glimpse into their lives, with no apologies. The utter raw emotions of being a single parent - the weight of responsibility for your child. The fear of contemplating a new relationship. Just so intense.
Blurb -
Iris takes on the role of house sitter- a remote lodge in South Dakota. Her neighbor and caretake of the property - Sawyer, makes Iris feel again; yearning for something she hasn't wanted in a long time.
Riffling through some toys, Iris discovers an old walkie talkie. Seemingly harmless until it starts to taunt Iris - long buried secrets from her past.
Chilling and real, good read.

Iris in the Dark by Elissa Grossell Dickey is a suspenseful story of one woman’s life in the shadows. Iris Jenkins is a single mother who spends most of her day looking over her shoulder. She knows bad things happen. She has seen bad things happen. For eight years, she has shut the door on her past and made a new life for herself and her son, Finn. But she can’t help but fear that the past isn’t truly done with her yet. When her close friend and boss entrusts her to house sit at a lodge on the South Dakota prairie, she’s ready for anything. Little does Iris know but she’s in for a few surprises. First, Sawyer Jones, the lodge’s neighbor and caretaker. He is a caring and reassuring person who helps her feel safe and even truly alive once again. Late one night, Iris hears a chilling cry for help coming from an old walkie-talkie buried in a box of toys. She tries to dismiss it as her overactive imagination but soon the voice becomes more desperate, personal and menacing. Has her past truly found her? Will she find the strength to fight back or will she run again?
Iris in the Dark is a suspenseful and gripping story. It takes the idea of those strange night noises that would cause any of us to imagine the worst and asks what if? It is a story of domestic violence and the fight to end the cycle and survive. It is a story of finding one’s worth when the world tells you that you are worthless. I enjoyed Iris’s character and understood her need to be overprotective and overly anxious. She has spent her life afraid of her own shadow, hiding out of the spotlight, hoping not to draw attention to herself. There is a little bit of romance between Iris and Sawyer but not enough to take away from the main story. It was nice to see Iris in a safe place with a safe relationship. Once I started, I could not put it down. It was a slow build, adding elements until the final dam breaks and the action takes off. This story has all the elements of a good suspense with red herrings and misdirections. It was a surprise when the tormentor was revealed. I wasn’t expecting that! I thoroughly enjoyed Iris in the Dark and I highly recommend it!

Iris in the Dark is available June 7, 2022 in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

Iris is a survivor. She literally ran for her life and the life of her unborn child. Iris has been ridiculed, tormented and abused all her life, but her boyfriend pushed her to a new low so when she final gets the strength to leave, she does. She turns up at a truck stop without any money or a plan but Lowell Gordon and his partner see this traumatized young woman and decide to help her. Their kindness saves Iris and her unborn baby.
Iris is now working for Lowell and living in one of his properties with her son, Finn, who has just turned 7. Lowell is looking to sell some of his businesses so he can retire, and offers Iris the chance to move out to the country and run his lodge for him. Iris decides to take a chance on country living and although she is always looking over her shoulder for her past to catch up with her, she thinks maybe they’re finally safe until one day she hears a voice coming from her son’s walkie-talkie and finds out that her past may not be her past anymore. With the help of the caretaker on the land, she faces her demons and starts a new life. They say all things done in the dark always come to light, and Iris is left to deal with the consequences of that.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC with honesty.

Iris in the Dark is a bit thriller, a bit romance and a lot of suspense. We watch Iris as she goes through trials of paranoia and fear. Her past is a mystery that keeps her on alert at all times. Especially if it deals with her child's protection. When she finds out that her job might be laying off workers, her boss gives her an opportunity to run his lodge for the week and see if it's something to be more permanent. Iris and her son decide to try it out...only things seem to be happening. Iris loves the home but between creepy visitors and strange voices, she's not sure if maybe she's losing her mind or actually in danger anymore.

This was a decent suspense book. There are triggers in this regarding abuse and drugs so please look those up.

Overall, the ending was a little predictable but still an interesting read in terms of a woman's struggle to face her past while trying to create a future for her son and herself.

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟💫 3.5 (rounded up to 4)

The writing kept me rapidly turning pages, and I was invested in seeking a happy ending for Iris and her son.

Iris was a character that was easy to like, despite the fact that she was so fearful and constantly on the alert. I did find her low self-esteem trying at times – you just want to tell her to stop being such a wuss and stand up for herself. Her anxiety was palpable, yet it seemed over the top at times. Though, to be fair, if I had her upbringing I might act the same way.

The romance aspect of the book was well executed, and seemed authentic, though there were aspects of the plot that seemed slightly contrived, as in ‘too good to be true’. There seemed a perfect balance between the romance and the suspense to be a worthy contender in the romantic suspense genre.

This is an easy read even as it touches on some sensitive issues. Fans of the author, romantic suspense, and women’s stories will want to check this one out.

Scary on the prairie. Iris has a past to hide and when she moves out to a lodge she thinks someone is out to get her. What I thought this book was about actually turned into something much different.
What I liked best about the book was that it was set in South Dakota, my favorite state. I had empathy for Iris, but wondered if she wasn’t overly paranoid. At times I thought the plot was a little thin, but it finished strong.
It worked out for Iris, but for many it doesn’t.

*Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Elissa Grossell Dickey, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Did you ever read one of those books that make you want to scream at the main character?

Iris in the Dark started off really strong, but the premise of two men meeting a woman at a rest stop, buying her a house to stay in and giving her a full-time job doesn't really happen. And that story is never fully explained.

Iris comes from meager beginnings, growing up with her grandmother, as her mom is an addict. When her grandmother dies, she falls into an abusive relationship, which involves many forms of abuse, drugs, trafficking. When they get in a car accident, she flees with no money and somehow meets two men at a rest stop and is set for life. The book begins seven years after that car accident when her job is in jeopardy after the newspaper she works at is sold. The man who gifted her the original home is now gifting her a hunting lodge. Iris then falls in love with the caretaker at the lodge but is always looking over shoulder, thinking her ex's friends are after her.

Despite some editing errors and plot holes, I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the fast pace and succinct writing. Iris' character is quite contradictory, but if you got past that, it is an enjoyable storyline.

Short synopsis: Iris works for a small local newspaper on its last leg. When her boss/friend Lowell Gordon invites her and her 7 year old son to stay at his Hunting Lodge outside of town for the week, she packs up their bags and goes. But, her hidden past quickly comes back to her when the toy walkie-talkie starts screaming “Iris, you left me” in the middle of the night.

My thoughts: I was hooked from the very beginning of this. The writing was very immersive and done so well, I felt like I was living inside the story. The thriller aspect was somewhat predictable but I loved the experience regardless.

Iris was a strong female character, doing the absolute best she could to bury her past and create a new future for her son. I loved seeing her growth throughout, and everyone deserves a friend like Lowell.

Above all, this is a story of survival. If you are in an abusive situation, they is a chance for you to get out. It may seem impossible and you might be scared, but there are groups that can help.

Read this if you’re a sucker for:
* Thriller with a touch of romance
* Short chapters and under 300 pages
* Strong female survivor

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: domestic abuse, drug use, human trafficking

Iris has a past and so far has kept her secret hidden but someone knows something and Is taunting her. Who could it be? A creepy talking walk-in talkie, some romance and mystery. Has it all. Story unravels well, has some predictable twists and some that are unpredictable. Overall good story and very fast easy read.

Thank you to @letstalkbookspromo for having me on this tour of Iris in the Dark.

This was my second novel from Elissa Grossell Dickey, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed!

Iris Jenkins is a single mom raising her 7 year old son, Finn, in a small South Dakota town. With a sordid past behind her, Iris is looking ahead while keeping one eye on the past. Desperate to feel safe once and for all, she takes up her boss’ offer to check out and run his lodge business for a week. When she meets the local handyman, Sawyer, sparks fly. As she begins to get the lay of the land and comfortable in the idea of this new life, she begins hearing screams in the middle of the night coming from her son’s walkie-talkie. Scared that her past has finally caught up to her, Iris is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery once and for all.

I really loved this story. It had a lot of great elements to it - mystery, thriller, romance. While I did guess a lot of the main plot points, I absolutely loved the writing and overall storytelling. The love that Iris has for her son reminded me so much of my own love for my two children. A mother would do absolutely anything for her children, and Iris shows us that. I was also so happy to see Iris finally find her family, the people she always needed in her life.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this e-ARC!

3.5 STARS!

I wanted to love this book so much. The blurb sets the scene for an amazing story, and in fact, the story itself was amazing. Iris Jenkins is running from her past. A past that includes an abusive ex-boyfriend who left her in fear for not only her life but also her unborn son at the time. Lowell Gordon and his partner find a place for Iris in their home and their lives.

Her son, Finn, has just turned seven, and she is Lowell's assistant at the Prairie Daily News. When the newspaper is sold, she accepts Lowell's offer to be an event planner at his Windy Acres lodge. However, as it often happens, the past has a way of catching up, and now Iris fears for her and Finn's lives. She doesn't want to run anymore, but what can she do?

Sounds amazing, right? Like I said, it was, but for me, it was all of the holes that had me going back and rereading things to see if the answers were there and I somehow missed them. I'm fine with certain characteristics without explanation, but the really important ones sometimes need a little more explanation. There was also a lot going on in this book. Honestly, there was so much it could have been two books.

Single mother Iris has protected her son from her terrible past. She is offered a job in a hunting lodge by her close friend. He has looked after her since she arrived in town. She makes new friends, but then her past comes hurtling back towards her!
Excellent read, the relationship between the characters was superb. Truly felt good after reading it!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic version of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 7, 2022
Elissa Grossel Dickey’s second novel, “Iris in the Dark” is a little bit romance, a little bit spooky “things that go bump in the night” and a little bit of “starting over”, wrapped up in the “general fiction” genre.
The main character, Iris, has been working as a journalist for the last eight years, after a tragic accident left her alone with her unborn son. Now her son is seven and Iris is facing termination from the newspaper, so when she is offered the chance to run an inn for a short time, she jumps at the chance. Finally, Iris and her son Finn have found somewhere to settle in and Iris is slowing starting to let her guard down, including letting her feelings for the inn’s chef and caretaker, grow. But Iris is haunted, in ways that no one in her new town could even guess at, and when her secrets threaten to spill out and reveal all, Iris has to decide if she’s finally found something worth sticking around for.
“Dark” was a quick read and I found myself flipping through the pages easily. The story is told from Iris’ standpoint, primarily in the present day although we do get a few snippets from her previous life, told slowly and in reverse order. The secrets Iris keeps are held close to the chest, slowly being excavated like gum off of a shoe, until the final big reveal when everything spills out in a pulse-pounding and powerful climax.
Iris is a likable character, and she was easy to root for, especially as she painstakingly and desperately ensures that her son, Finn, is safe and out of harm’s way. It is difficult to not empathize with Iris as she struggles between consistency for her son and safety for them both. There were a lot of obvious moments in this novel (for example, the introduction of the “inn’s cook” Sawyer was a blatant attempt at giving Iris a love interest) and of course the downright dirty, dislikable characters were in it up to their eyeballs, leaving no surprises as to who was involved.
That being said, “Dark” has a lot of romantic, sappy moments and quite a few jump scare moments, but overall it belongs somewhere right in the middle. There is never a dull moment, and although “Dark” is only the second novel for Dickey, she has the initial talent to go far.

Iris has a shady past of sorts which catches up to her in this novel that has a lot going on- including a lot of tropes. She changed her name when she left her ex while pregnant with her son Finn and pushed that whole part of her life back down. Now, though,, she's living in a lodge, has met a good guy in Sawyer (or is he?) and someone is gaslighting her. It's a fast read that might make you scratch your head more than once. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Meh from me because it felt like a mishmash of multiple topical themes.

A fast-paced thriller with the added bonus of main characters I actually liked! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this novel.

Iris in the Dark is Elissa Grossell Dickey's second book. This book does include instances of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Iris has been trying to stay in the "dark" to protect herself and her young son from her past. She is viewed by her peers as an extremely over-protective mother and just kind of different. Well, she has good reasons for her actions. Iris is given the opportunity to manage a guest lodge by her long-time friend and the closest thing she has to a father. Here she meets Sawyer who cooks at the lodge and the diner in town that is one of the few places she feels comfortable taking Finn to. Sawyer is also a single parent. Sawyer and Iris feel a connection from their first meeting. Strange things start happening at the lodge and Iris wonders if she and Finn are in danger.

This book includes some intense subjects and situations but is not extremely graphic. I was interested in the story all the way through and didn't realize the connections until they were revealed. The going back and forth in time was easy to follow. I thought the relationship between Iris and Sawyer moved a little fast, but that's just me. Overall, it was a good book, and I will continue to follow this author.

My sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my opinion of it.

Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the copy of Iris in the Dark. This ended up being a heavier story that I was expecting, but not in a bad way because I read a lot of thrillers and don’t have any triggers. The story was engaging and really kept me reading to find out what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the writing style so this was an easy book to read. Iris was a great character even though she was mysterious, but everything eventually became clear. If you’re looking for a fun, fast beach read with suspense and a bit of romance, this is the perfect book for you!

Fair warning that the subject matter in this is heavy so it's worth checking whether it's right for you. I found it to be passable as a thriller but all fairly predictable. It was also trying to do a little to much, cramming in so many different themes that it couldn't spend enough time with any of them. I did really like Sawyer as a character and the relationship that he built up with Iris's son. Overall it started from a good place but needed more focus.