Thank you Netgalley, rb media for the free ALC in exchange for honest review. Wow this was a really good, creepy, coming of age book. Appreciate the photos as part of the book and story it helped visualize the scenes and what the characters look like in eyes (hand) of the author.

This was a bit darker (tw suicide, death etc) then I was originally expecting and crazy creepy should have read during day rather then just before bedtime..

I think I would have enjoyed this one much more without the interstitial chapters. If it was just Layla and Mira working through their issues large and small and finding a way to come together despite the darkness that surrounds and separates them. Mira’s grief is a hugely important part of the story, but I felt like things didn’t wholly come together until we also understood her guilt. I also think we saw Layla in too much of a negative light throughout the story - we don’t see her being supportive really until the very end, and it feels almost like a reward granted for being chosen.

I was also more than a little shocked by Mira and Layla’s complete lack of self-preservation being alone in a small town in the Midwest when they’re women of color. Like, wandering around through the woods alone? No way. Taking a jog through a town you don’t know alone? No way. Not mentioning the fear or awareness you’d have in those circumstances?

A Guide to the Dark has 1408 vibes (a horror movie from the 2000s.) Mira and Layla are on a spring break college visit. On their way to Chicago, the girls get into an accident. The car is then towed away. They realize quickly that they need to find a place to stay for the night (Wildwood Motel.) They reach the front desk only to find out that there are no vacancies, according to Ellis the front desk clerk. However, Ellis’ mom tells him to look again because room number 9 is available. Weird things happen in room 9.


It was exciting to listen to 3 perspectives (Mira, Layla, and the narrator). Sidenote: the audiobook narrators were great! The three perspectives give readers the ability to see what Mira saw in the room, what Layla did not see in the room, and what the narrator explains. I can say that I was not in love with the romance in this book. The romance was a lot of the book as the back and forth happens between Mira’s feelings for Layla and vice versa. Mira was also grieving her younger brother, whom she may or may not see in the room. I also wanted to know more about Izzy and Ellis it felt as though they were there only to push the story forward. Maybe it is just a me thing but I wanted to see more of their research about each person who died in room 9. I would have liked to have known more about Layla as well. Most of the time Layla's point of view is her jealousy and being stuck in her thoughts.


I gave it 3 stars. A Guide to the Dark was heavy in romance or contemplating romance. Best-friend romance is not my thing. I wanted it to get a little darker. Which is laughable for me because I am a scaredy cat. If you are even more chicken than I then I would recommend it, If you like best friend-type romance and a haunted house or a haunted room then this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley and Publishers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.