Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

4.25 stars

It’s crazy that I read two kidnapping stories almost back to back (I guess I’m never gonna go outside again btw) because normally I don’t really like them.
This one had a very slow start, it really dragged on and my hopes weren’t high that it would pick up or be interesting at any time.
But after about 30% it suddenly got so interesting that i stayed up until 1am to finish the rest in one sitting.
Like damn!

First I’d like to say that this my second book by the author and I absolutely hated the first one. But this was such an improvement and they even included TWs this time!
Fair warning: these trigger warnings shouldn’t be taken lightly, there were moments in this book that made me feel nauseous.

I really loved how well researched it was and how the author told about the woman who inspired this novel. In true crime we often entertain ourselves at the expense of the real victims so I think this was really well done and respectful.
Miley was an amazing character and I loved her development over the course of the story. The real star here for me was Rayna. Such an interesting and twisting story really.

All in all if you’re into really dark thrillers this one’s for you. Also if you enjoy a good nature theme, are interested in preppers and liked the book “The woods are always watching” by Stephanie Perkins (mind you that book is a YA thriller and far from this book, the aesthetic and topic are just really similar).

This book keeps you reading until the wee hours of the morning. Miley and Brent have been friends since childhood. They are Olympic competitors. In the off season, Miley decides to apply for a job at the local resort. This may be the worst decision she’s ever made. She decides to run some of the trails to keep up with her training. One day Miley goes for a run on a trail, but never comes back. Brent knows that he will find Miley no matter what it takes. The terror that Miley endures while running turns this story into a nightmare. Miley wonders if she can ever escape this terror. This book is like a cat and mouse game. The story contains a lot of violence. But the author brings it into the story to show the readers Miley is desperate for help. I definitely recommend this book. It’s non stop action along with the thrills and surprises. Read this book, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you for the ARC!
This book was so good I could not put it down. Loved the story and characters !

Noelle Ihli is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. This is the second book of hers I have read and loved it! Thank you NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Go run and read this book, I promise you will now be disappointed!

This is a fast pace thriller that will have your adrenaline pumping! This every ounce of pure psychological thriller. This book will break your heart and make you want to throw it across the room just to run and pick it back up to see what’s around the next corner. This is a dual POV between Miley ( main character) and Brent ( Miley BF)

Check your trigger warnings before checking this book out!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC !

This book kept me on the edge of my seat ! Her books are always books that you can’t put down . This book has trigger warnings including sexual abuse , rape,

Honestly, I couldn’t finish reading this book…
I loved Run on Red, but the thing with this author is: she describes too much and her books are always so slow to get to the action parts.
I’ve probably read less than half of the book and still haven’t found the best part of it. The beginning is boring and so descriptive and I’m not able to read books like this.

This was one of the best horrible books I have ever read! I mean that in an absolutely complimentary way. Miley is an Olympic athlete out jogging in the Idaho wilderness. She is kidnapped by two deranged father/son survivor types and held hostage in their cabin in preparation for "marriage" to the son. Yes. Exactly what I said. What happens to Miley is absolutely disturbing and awful, but the writing and characterization are so amazing that you just can't stop reading and rooting for Miley. I do not want to give anything away, but I cried ugly tears at the end. Be sure and read the author's note at the end. also. Very interesting info about the story that is based on. I am now going back and ordering all of this author's previous books too. Even the supernatural ones. And I generally do not like those. This book was that good.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book. This was my least favorite Noelle W. Ihli books, but by no means was it a bad book. For me it was easy to pick up and put down until the action at the end, then I was hooked. Short chapters, easy to read (although dealing with a lot of abuse), and interesting. Might have just been me, I read right before bed, but I was confused at how expansive the terrain was and why the boys were not making much progress during the course of the story. It wasn't until the end that I grasped that concept. But to me it was a lot of the same stuff during the middle of the book without much progress. Unfortunately, that was what lost my attention for a while. The ending did redeem the book and it was enjoyable overall.

Holy cow. This story was absolutely gripping. I found myself holding my breath multiple times throughout this book. After reading at the end it was based loosely off a true story it made that much more of an impact. Great book.

📚 Book Review 📚 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli

Miley takes a summer job in the Idaho wilderness and while on a morning run she is abducted and taken deep into the woods. 🏃🏻‍♀️

Run Rabbit RUN and add this book to your list IMMEDIATELY!! The content is not always pleasant but it was beautifully written and keeps you gripped to the book that you don’t want to put it down.

Absolutely LOVED this book. I could NOT put it down. It was so good, so intense, so well written. I highly recommend it!! I want to read all Noelle W Ihli’s other books now. I’ve found a new favorite author! Such a good book.

I had heard a lot about this book and was glad to get the chance to read it! I’ve got to say, I loved it. Although the story isn’t for everybody, if you like thrillers, you must give this book a try. I did find myself scared at night with all that happened to the two girls kidnapped in the story. It always surprises me what humans can do to another human. I loved the love Miley’s boyfriend had for her and what he would do to find her. I was surprised to read this story was based on a true story. This makes this book even that much more heartwrenching to read. I found this to be a book about strength and survival at any cost. I have read this authors books before and have liked them, but this one is outstanding!

If you’re looking for a quick thriller with some fun twists and turns, this one is for you! Inspired by true events……Miley gets abducted during her run in the woods, she’ll need to dig into her Olympian athlete determination to survive it all! I love the way Noelle writes with such bluntness….there’s definitely no sugar coating in her books! I was hooked right from the beginning and really enjoyed learning about each character as I read.
*FYI; there is some sensitive subject matter in this book

I have loved all the books I have previously read by Noelle and this one was no different as it was full of tension and suspense.

Thank you Dynamite Books and NetGalley for this ARC of Noelle Ihli’s Gray before Dark.

Like all Noelle Ihli’s books this book is truly a psychological thriller that leaves you on a cliffhanger till the very end. Without giving away any spoilers - I can truly say. WOW I didn’t see THAT coming!

Do not hesitate if you’re considering buying this. It’s a must buy!

Gray After Dark" by Noelle W. Ihli is a captivating read that had me hooked from beginning to end. One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was the unwavering determination of the main character. No matter what challenges they faced, they never gave up, which made for a truly inspiring story.

I found myself rooting for the main character throughout their journey, eagerly turning the pages to see how they would overcome each obstacle.

With its unpredictable twists and turns, "Gray After Dark" kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would happen next. It's a story of resilience, courage, and the power of never giving up, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a compelling and uplifting tale.

The book is a four-star gem that leaves a lasting impression.

To be completely honest and transparent, this book was messed up...but it was really, really, REALLY good.

Often it feels like the absolute worst horror that humans can inflict on other humans are themselves, and in the case of this book, that is indeed the case. There's something to be said for a book that starkly looks upon the worst possible scenario and gives a plot that focuses on it without flinching, and this book does exactly that.

I did find that the introduction and the first steps into this story were a little slow - I really wasn't sure on the character of Miley, and to be honest I did consider whether or not it was worth the read in the first 50 pages or so. Once it picks up though, it REALLY picks up. The abduction and resultant series of events is certainly intense, and goes a long way to making this feel viscerally real and, when you come to the end and learn what the inspiration for the story is, you know why very quickly and sharply.

The descriptions in this book are certainly not for the faint-hearted, and if you find yourself somewhat easily affected by descriptions of assault or violence, this book may not be for you. With that said, this story is a fantastic light and focus on something that is not considered very much when dealing with true crime and trauma, and it is so worth the read and the effort, even if you do find yourself struggling with the subject matter.

Spooky and a book I couldn’t put down from the moment I started! I needed to know what was coming and everytime I thought I had it I was wrong!

🐇 Run, run, rabbit, run and grab this book if you love a fast paced thriller, set in the wilderness, that’s packed full of twists.

Miley is working at a mountain resort for the summer. The resort sits on thousands of acres in the Frank Church wilderness which is the perfect place for Miley to train for the Olympics. She’s found the perfect trail to run for miles, then dips into a nearby lake to cool off before returning back to the resort. She doesn’t know many people at the resort and hasn’t told a soul about her whereabouts outside work. One day, when Miley is alone in the lake, two hunters spot her and take her against her will.

Will her coworkers realize she’s missing?
How will they find her?
What will happen to Miley?
Have there been more kidnappings in the area?

In the beginning, I was fearful that this book would set off all my triggers and I almost stopped reading, but it doesn’t go into depth like I thought it would. I enjoyed the scenery of the setting, the characters, and wished so desperately for the main characters safety.

In the end, readers are informed that this story is loosely based on the kidnapping of Olympian Kari Swenson, a story I had never heard of, but it made the book so much more real and spine-chilling.