Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

Special thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
While this was a quick read, I did have to go back and re-read some pages because there was a lot going on. I enjoyed the first part of the book, although I was confused (much like Eden) why her family kind of sucked and why she was so obsessed w/ a boy from college but things really got crazy when Olivia entered. I honestly didn't know who to feel bad for in this book..it just got kind of messy. It was definitely a fun little thriller that kept me very engaged but after it was over and I thought about it, I was more annoyed with all of the characters than anything.

this book was ok. I enjoyed the length and the pacing, but the story was unbelievable to me at times. The fact that she touched herself in her car was just too much for me. I don't have much else to say. Not memorable at all.

Edens daughter heads off to college and she is worried how she will adjust to her empty nest. When her husband announces he wants a divorce, she is completely shocked. Alone and desperate, she starts to ask “what if” and eventually reaches into her past. This leads to a suspenseful thriller, a quick read that found me wishing the characters would just listen to me. This one is written by a Canadian author who does a great job with this genre. Family drama, betrayal and secrets run deep. A thriller that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. I would call this a domestic type of thriller and for me it hit all the marks of what I want out of a thriller read.
I want a captivating storyline, dark atmospheric feelings and for it to haunt me once I have finished it. In this book we have Eden a very recent empty nester whose husband has also just asked her for a divorce. Eden is still cradling her broken heart on her forty-fifth birthday with only a now empty bottle of champagne and her Facebook account to keep her company. When her best friend sends her a happy birthday message accompanied by a picture of themselves as college students, Eden starts reminiscing about her college crush, Justin Ward. Twenty-three years ago, she was in love with the bad boy drummer, but in one fateful night everything changed and resulted in Eden walking down the aisle with Dave instead. Before she can stop herself, Eden sends him a friend request and is shocked when he accepts it straight away. The next morning, rather than regret what she’s done, Eden feels reawakened by the attention that Justin has paid her. Not wanting to back away from this new feeling, she throws herself headlong into an online relationship and takes risks that would have made her cringe just days earlier. But as the weeks pass, something starts to feel off. Justin seems to know things that he shouldn’t. Could he have been following her? But if so, why? This was one of those mesmerising reads where you just keep telling yourself you will just read "one more chapter" because it is just too fast paced to put down and I found myself swept up in the momentum of it all and trying to uncover just what Justin's intentions were and whether or not Eden was safe in this new relationship of hers. I loved the darkly disturbing characters and the unexpected twists as the story unfolded, it definitely kept me holding on until the very last word. It will leave you questioning any friend requests you receive from people from your past and definitely make you think twice before requesting any people from your own pasts that you find on social media. #afriendinthedark #samanthambailey #thomasandmercer #goodreads #getlitsy #thestorygraph #fable #netgalley #domesticthriller #bookqueen #bookstagram #tea_sipping_bookworm

Another one pulled out of my kindle backlog and it's a good one. 🇨🇦 author Samantha Bailey's written another gripping story!

It's told in two POV. One is Eden. She is newly separated from her husband and contacts an old crush on line. What could go wrong? The other is Olivia. She lives with her husband but is she happy? How will these two women connect?

This was a twisty and steamy thriller. I don't think I liked it as much as, "Watch out for her" though. Still kept me guessing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this 2024 Publication. I'm glad I read it. Now I can't wait for her newest one!

I always love a psychological thriller with a ton of plot twists and this did not disappoint. I would suggest you go in blind. I had whiplash from all the twists. I enjoyed the story and couldn’t put this book down.

I wanted to love this. I love the cover. Unfortunately this fell flat for me. I feel like this whole trope is getting overdone and is so predictable. I also kind of hated Eden and found her irritating as a character I was supposed to be rooting for.

I read this in one sitting, and it kept me turning the pages till the end as it is a fast paced story with lots of twists. It's not for you if you are after a serious thriller as the characters, particularly the main character, will drive you nuts with her soppiness and unbelievable naivety. However, as eye rollingly ridiculous as the plot gets, it is crazily good too! It is well written, and a fun fiction thriller that will get you out of any reading slump you may be in as you wont be able to put it down

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey is a gripping psychological thriller that explores trust, betrayal, and hidden secrets. The story follows Sabrina, who, after a traumatic experience, begins to suspect that her new friend, Olivia, is not who she seems. As Sabrina’s paranoia deepens, she must decide whether she can trust her instincts or if she is being manipulated. Bailey crafts a tense, fast-paced narrative filled with twists and emotional depth, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological suspense and dark, twisting mysteries.

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey is a pulse-pounding psychological thriller that explores the complexities of regret, longing, and the dangers of revisiting the past. Eden Miller’s life is in turmoil—she’s grappling with a painful divorce, a strained relationship with her daughter, and a yearning to reclaim the lost opportunities of her youth. In a bid for escape, she reconnects online with Justin Ward, her college crush, igniting a rekindled emotional connection that challenges everything she thought she knew about her life and relationships.

Bailey expertly builds suspense as Eden begins to question the true identity of Justin. What starts as a harmless attempt to relive the past quickly spirals into a terrifying realization that someone has been watching her for years, and the consequences of her actions could be deadly. The story masterfully blends elements of obsession, deception, and psychological tension, as Eden races to uncover the truth about Justin—and about a long-buried secret from her past that could destroy her family.

With its gripping pace and twists that keep you guessing, A Friend in the Dark is a taut, engrossing thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Bailey delves into themes of emotional vulnerability, the dangers of online connections, and the haunting question of what might have been, all while delivering a heart-stopping, suspense-filled narrative. It’s a must-read for fans of dark, twisty psychological thrillers.

A twisty, gripping thriller that will keep you engaged to the very end. 'Small but mighty' most certainly comes to mind!! A must-read author for any thriller fans out there.

Lonely on a Friday night, months after her daughter moved to college and her husband announced he was leaving her, Eden sends a friend request to the one that got away in her college days. Justin is coincidentally going through a separation too and the sparks begin to fly immediately. Justin is extremely charming, but he might have a bit of a temper... and did he enter Eden's home?

I could not put this book down. I had to know each characters angle and motivation, and what would happen next. While I found some of the "twists" to be a bit predictable, there were other parts that left me reeling. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and left me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey is a small, but mighty thriller that will keep readers guessing. I have read other books from this author, and she's becoming a must-read author for me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Really enjoyed this story. Kind of scary how true some of the themes are. Didn’t love the main character but liked her enough to keep reading. Wasn’t shocked at the twist and felt like something that I have read before but overall enjoyable read. Would recommend and looking forward to more from this author

Eden’s whole world is falling apart around her. On the day she dropped her only child off at college her husband chooses that day to tell her he wants to separate. Having been married for over 20 years Eden is at a loss for what her life will now look like. When she friends her college crush on Facebook and starts to correspond with Justin, she wonders if this is her second chance. If only she knew it might be the last hoping she ever does.

This was a solid thriller. Somewhat far fetched in parts, but twisty enough to make it worth reading!

A FRIEND IN THE DARK was such a suspenseful sexy thriller that was so addictive I finished it on one sitting. If you're looking for a wild ride, this is definitely the book for you!

Eden and her husband Dave have been together for twenty-three years, so she is blindsided when he says he wants a divorce. Eden is heartbroken, so she decides to Facebook stalk her old crush Justin and friend him. To her suprise, he immediately follows back, and they first start chatting in their PMs and then on the phone. He makes her feel wanted and sexy again, but he somehow knows a lot about her. Is he following her, and should he be trusted?

SOOOOO GOOD !

I love every book by Samantha Bailey and this one totally shocked me with how dark it was, I wasn't expecting that! Definitely her darkest of the bunch I would say and it WORKED , SO WELL!

This book totally gave me 'Last Mrs. Parrish' vibes . Savage and twisty , addicting and engaging.

Highly recommend FOR SURE!

"A Friend in the Dark" was my first book by Samantha Bailey. It was twisty and fun, and definitely kept me on my toes throughout.

Eden and Dave are college sweethearts who have recently sent their daughter, Ava, to college. Eden is excited to begin her empty-nest phase of life, and rekindle the romance that she and Dave once had. However, Dave drastically changes when his father passes away, becoming ever distant from Eden and eventually asking for a divorce. Eden is absolutely crushed, and lonely in her new, single life. Until one night, after a bit too much to drink, she contacts an old college flame, Justin. What begins as a simple internet flirtation quickly becomes a sizzling, erotic endeavor. Within a matter of days, Eden becomes completely infatuated with Justin....until she finds out that he is married.

Eden is confused and heartbroken once again. Is Justin playing with her, or does he truly want to end things with his wife? As Eden is caught up in the drama, she develops a friendship with a woman whose past seems to be riddled with secrets. Does the woman know something about Justin and his past?

As Eden tries to work out Justin's motives, she is also trying to fix a fledgling relationship with Ava. Until one day when the unthinkable happens, and Eden is forced to figure out Justin's ulterior motives....or possibly lose her family forever.

This was an interesting enough book, but it had a LOT going on, much of it fairly unrealistic. (The whole story basically takes place within a week's time period, and it seems ridiculous how invested/obsessed Eden became with Justin within that time frame). There was also a backstory of a college mystery, mental illness.....I felt that the author tried to throw too much together to see what would stick. Overall though, it was a quick and entertaining read, and I would not be opposed to reading more from the author in the future.

I loved this novel. It kept me entertained and guessing the whole way through and I couldn't read this one fast enough. Highly recommend this one and I look forward to more titles by this author.