Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eArc of After Dark. I enjoyed my first read by Minka Kent. This was easy to read and although I predicted almost everything, I enjoyed the story.

I loved the alternating POV’s and timelines. There were some twists and overall a very bingeable psychological thriller. I think this was a good palette cleanser as the characters were pretty well developed except for the dad, the writing was interesting, and it kept my attention. Definitely pick this one up!

I think this is a good in between thriller. I always enjoy Minka's writing so i got invested early on but i will say after i read it i was somewhat underwhelmed. that being said i will always read her books because theyre always a good time.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I always eagerly await Minla Kent's books and this was no different. The story was great and the multiple POVs were very well done. The characters were pretty good. Lots of twists and turns too! Grab a copy today

It’s been 20 years since Afton was accused of blacking out and killing her best friend, Sydney’s, father. No one really knows what happened that night, not even Afton. Now, Afton and Sydney have found a way to move on and repair their friendship after tragedy. But as strange events begin to occur, and the secrets of that deadly night begin to unfold, neither of them are prepared for what will happen when they finally learn the truth.

I went into this book completely blind. I have never read any of Minka Kent’s previous works and I didn’t even know the synopsis for this story. All I knew was that this book was classified as a “thriller”. Now having read it, that is not how I would describe this book. I would label it more as a psychological drama because outside of the murder that takes place in the prologue, very little happens for about 80% of the book. There is a very slow build-up, and Kent takes her time establishing the 3 major players in this book (Afton, Sydney, and Sydney’s husband, Drew) and their relationship with one another. There was an overarching tone of dread that had me anticipating that something sinister was about to happen, and though it came much later than I expected, the groundwork Kent laid in the first two-thirds of the book made the final third act a satisfying payoff. I was invested in the characters and their lives (especially Afton), and wanted to know how their story would play out.

I would say my biggest criticism of this book was that Sydney’s father, the murder victim and therefore the catalyst for this story, was very underdeveloped. Much of this book is told in flashbacks leading up to his demise, but he is rarely even mentioned in these scenes. I actually found it surprising that, again outside the prologue and the final act, his murder is not a major plot point. It made the story feel a little disjointed as if I was reading two separate books.

Overall I give After Dark 4/5 stars. The writing and characters are both great, the ending was well executed, and the story (though a little slow) kept me intrigued from start to finish.

I was excited to receive an ARC of After Dark. I flew through this book, finishing it in one day. The author kept me guessing the entire time and I didn’t see the twist coming. Minka always keeps me on the edge of my seat. Great read

I’m not gonna lie, After Dark threw me for a loop in a lot of ways. That said…. I feel like the twist was much bigger than the ending? I felt kind of let down when all was said and done, which is not typical for me with this author. I enjoyed the story, I was engaged to the point of not wanting to put it down to human…. But that ending felt like a cop out.

It took me forever just to say I did not enjoy this one by Minka. It certainly will not deter me from reading future novels. Writing this is hard because I wanted to love it and I forgot I read it.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Wait wait wait a dang minute!!! Let me catch my breath for a second, that was one heck of a ride! Phewwwieee!

Seriously, there is no way I won't be thinking about this book for a long time. Kent put such a unique twist to the unreliable narrator perspective. Keeping you on your toes from the prologue all the way to the last chapter!

The pacing and addictive plot makes this easy to fly through in one afternoon

And as your sleuthing your way through this one when those twists drop there's no way your jaw won't hit the floor.

Although this is my first read from Kent, it's defenitly not going to be my last!! Now excuse me while I go add her entire backlist to my TBR. 🤭

Thank you to Netgalley and Minka Kent for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my thoughts and opinions 🖤

Minka Kent is an author that I look for releases from. I stumbled on her about 5 years ago and now I anxiously await any release. As with all of her other books, this one did not disappoint! Her book are fun, fast paced, and have a fun twist. The story mainly follows Afton and Sidney and the past incident that brought them together. If you like dual POV's, mental health issues, murder, and twists, give it a read! I gave it 3.5 stars simply because I have read every book of Minka's so far, so I have a specific ranking system for her lol.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for a review.

This was a very fast paced, super twisty page-turner. Some of the plot points require a lot of looking the other way from the reader in order to suspend disbelief, but it's still an enthralling suspense.

This was my first read of Minka Kent and I will definitely be reading her books again. "After Dark" was fast-paced and included interesting characters. This flips back and forth between Afton and Sydney’s POV's. I didn’t know who I could trust. It seemed like it could be an unreliable narrator. I liked that though because it kept me on my toes and is a main part of the reason why I finished so quickly. Some of the plot was a little unbelievable, however, sometimes I enjoy that if I can suspend my belief. All in all, this book was entertaining and I thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this twisty thriller. The beginning was slow, but it picked up midway through and the ride continued until the end. I liked the main character, Afton, and the characters were well developed. Afton was an unreliable narrator, and I enjoy books like that. The storyline was compelling, and I enjoyed the dual timelines. Overall, this was a good and enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I love this author. The characters are never what you think. It’s a book that even what’s presented to you should be in question. I couldn’t wait to find out the truth.

This story starts with a bang! Then you’re left with trying to figure out exactly what happened.

Afton has been a lot throughout the years, being accused of something she honestly feels like she never did. It’s always in the back of her mind her innocence. Only a small amount of people believe her.

Sydney seems to be a perfectionist, wanting a picket-fenced house with the perfect husband and kids. Only something just does not seem so perfect!

I honestly did not expect that twist but would have wished for Afton to have gotten better satisfaction towards Sydney!

Book Rating: 4.25/5
Audiobook Rating: 5/5

I am coming to love Minka Kent more and more with each book I read by her, and After Dark is another perfect example of how talented she is. The viewpoints alternate between Afton and Sydney, and even though I was so sure I had this book all figured out, the twists never ceased to surprise me. There is a little bit of repetition that I noticed, but besides that, I don’t have anything but positive things to say about this twisty little ride. It was a little slow to start but once it picks up momentum it doesn’t quit, and I think this is another book where it is best to go in blind. Afton did drive me a little bonkers at times - like girl go get your money! – but I really liked her viewpoint overall as well as Sydney’s.

This book kills it on audio, and I can’t think of better narrators than Hayden Bishop and Hannah Church. They each voiced their characters so well, that I couldn’t help but feel like these were real people and not just fictional characters. Thankfully, I don’t think either of them are like their counterparts 😆 While the end isn’t completely what I had expected it was thoroughly satisfying and I loved that devious nod to something earlier in the book. After Dark was a satisfying thriller and it felt very short due to the barreling to the end after the pace picked up. I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen, and I highly recommend sticking with it because you won’t be disappointed!

Minka Kent is one of my favorite authors who I will scoop up and read every time a new book of hers comes out. This one was super fun and devilishly twisty. I loved how things were not what they seemed for Afton (no spoilers so no details here) in the first part of the book so I was second guessing literally everything. I loved how Kent really sells her characters, both good and bad, in such a way that you can't help but be invested in what's happening to them. Again not trying to spoil anything but MAN she likes to use all the tools of deception and I am HERE for it!! What a wild fun ride with a subtle but powerful twist to wrap it all up. Well done, another gem!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review. Great read for those who love an unreliable narrator psychological thriller.

Starts off with a bang and keeps going strong from there. Loved the two points of views and alternating storylines. They blended together so well to tell a story of friendship with some seriously unpredictable twists that I didn't see coming.

This left me feeling so unfulfilled.
It had all the trappings to be a great read but it just fell flat at the end.
I was hooked for a second, following the mystery and even feeling thrilled by the dark secrets when they were revealed.
I mean, you have 2 unreliable narrators, one struggling with crippling mental health issues. Lies, deception, scheming, all the good spices you’ll add to a recipe primed for drama.
However, the potential to capitalize on the pure karma cultivated throughout the book never came.
I don’t just want the idea of how someone should suffer, I’m too damn petty for that, I want front-row seats and a face guard to the inevitable carnage.
I’m pushing that big mad energy right now.
Uhhgghh

Obsessed from start to finish. Kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the page. I was fully immersed with the story.