I have to admit when I received this book I was nervous because I am not a Marvel girlie AT ALL but I LOVE Lisa Jewell so I went in not knowing what to expect. I LIKED IT A LOT but I will say I am not hugely familiar with Marvel so I can not speak to that portion as much. What I loved was it was not heavy on the Marvel  aspect so I wasn't lost or confused at all.  I found I related to this book in so many ways with being a parent trying to navigate tech and the way the internet wants us to portray our lives as perfect whether it be houses, beauty , lives! Was a super fun suspense mystery that made me want to know the answers to WHAT IS GOING ON ? I recommend this book!

This book had a different feel from Lisa Jewell's other novels but still lives up to the quality I am used to reading from her.
This book is about Jessica Jones a retired superhero working as a private investigator. She is fighting her own internal battles when she is asked to help a mother find out what happened to her twins as they were changed while with their father. It was a pretty wild ride and very enjoyable story. I would not pass this one up it was definitely worth the read. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that pulls you in from page one. With her signature blend of suspense and rich character development, Jewell keeps you guessing until the very end. The story is dark, twisty, and impossible to put down—one of those books you think about long after finishing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Really great book! Intriguing premise, some supernatural/superheroes thrown in, which was interesting. This book hooked me from the start and I loved it the whole was through. Really engaging writing style and a fast moving plot. Really enjoyed all the characters and the ending. I love Lisa Jewell and this was a departure from her usual style of writing, which was kind of cool! 5 stars!

Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel
by Lisa Jewell
Pub Date: Mar 25 2025
Ok, so when I saw Lisa Jewell's name on this preview, I didn't bother to read the tagline. I just thought, "Nice! A new Lisa Jewell thriller!" and dove right in. Then the name Jessica Jones popped up. Those who know me know my husband is a comic book fan (and I am too by default) and I thought "No way...!" (I love Jessica Jones btw).
This was awesome! Great crossover of bringing a well-known author into the Marvel world and vice-versa.
Jessica is a super-powered private investigator who has been through the ringer. Once known as Jewel (nice connection there to the author), she was abducted and brainwashed into using her powers for evil. Jessica feels the ick that remains even though it was not her fault and has not used her powers since, instead, barely making it as a hung-over PI.
Then comes the case of the perfect twins Fox and Lark. Their mother is concerned after they spent a month in England with their father and they came back picture perfect. It's as if a literal filter has been placed over them in real life, perfect skin, perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect grades, perfect athleticism.... everything perfect. As Jessica digs deeper into this mysterious glowup, she uncovers a sinister plan that feeds on teens' insecurities.
This novel speaks to all the endless filters we place on our social medias; the picture perfect presence so many people try to portray online hoping it will bleed into real-life.
Great read with a great moral tale without being preachy.
#netgalley
#lisaJewell
#breakingthedark

"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is an enthralling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of relationships, the nature of secrets, and the profound impact of the past on the present. Jewell masterfully weaves a story rich in suspense and emotional depth, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

The novel follows the lives of its characters as they navigate the shadows of their personal histories. Jewell's character development is one of the standout elements of the book. Each character is intricately crafted, with unique backgrounds and motivations that provoke empathy and intrigue. The dual timelines enhance the narrative, allowing readers to understand how past decisions reverberate through time, shaping the characters' identities and futures.

Jewell's writing is both engaging and evocative, bringing vivid imagery and poignant moments to life. The pacing is expertly managed, with twists and revelations delivered at just the right moments to keep readers guessing. The atmosphere in "Breaking the Dark" is palpable, with a sense of foreboding that builds throughout the story, compelling the reader to turn the pages rapidly.

One of the remarkable aspects of the novel is its exploration of themes such as trust, forgiveness, and the struggle to overcome one's demons. As the characters confront their fears and unveil their secrets, the narrative prompts readers to reflect on their own relationships and the complexities that lie beneath the surface.

"Breaking the Dark" is not only a gripping thriller but also a deeply reflective exploration of human nature. Lisa Jewell's skillful storytelling invites readers to lose themselves in a world where every choice has consequences and where the darkness of the past can either bind or liberate.

Overall, this novel is a compelling read that will resonate with fans of psychological dramas and thrillers. Lisa Jewell has once again proven her prowess as a master storyteller, delivering a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

I was a complete skeptic before reading this book due to the Marvel back story because I don't really enjoy that or understand super heroes. But this book was wow!! It only touched on Marvel super powers so little I couldn't put this book down. The storyline was so easy to follow and was a complete page turner. I had to know what was happening and going to happen. I'd recommend this book to my friends again and again.

I love Marvel and I love Lisa Jewel! How could I want anything more?
Turns out I could...lack of depth in the storyline, wasn't attached to any characters, and lacks a feeling of purpose.
Wanted to like this one so much more

i had absolutely no idea what this book was about when i started it, but i very quickly fell in love with this world!!
to preface, this is the first in a new series called marvel crime. i am NOT a marvel girl, i have no prior knowledge about any of these characters, though i did find myself researching a bit about the comics throughout reading the book. our main character is jessica jones (who also apparently has a netflix series i must now definitely watch) and follows her as she investigates a case about two teenagers who come back from a summer abroad looking and acting different.
there were SO many twists and turns along the way, i genuinely did not know where the story was going 80% of the time but i was ENTHRALLED and tried soooo hard to figure out the ending before it came but i was STILL surprised by the plot twist at the very end. this story was CRAZY in the best way possible. there was so much action to keep readers entertained and at the end you see how every single piece of the story is connected and everything just makes sense.
this book dealt with themes of perfectionism, motherhood, addiction, therapy, and ptsd. i really loved how connected i felt to jessica by the end of the book. my ONLY complaint is that the last couple of chapters were more difficult to get through since the main mystery had been resolved by that point. but, that was only a few pages and i did enjoy how everything wrapped up for the characters.
i enjoyed this book so much more than i anticipated considering i’m not into superheroes at all, but i will 10000% be putting the next book in this series on my tbr once it comes out!!
the main point i want to get across here is that you definitely DO NOT have to be well versed in the MCU to enjoy this book. if you DO happen to love the MCU and thriller/crime books, i’d almost guarantee you’d love this.

This book follows Marvel superhero Jessica Jones on as she investigates a case of two twin teenagers that come home from a trip acting and appearing very differently than their previous selves. I don’t typically follow Marvel, but have enjoyed previous books by the author, so I wanted to give this one a try. I was very pleasantly surprised, as there was great character development that allowed me to easily connect with the character, despite having little knowledge of her before. The story was also captivating and had meaningful storylines exploring current social themes. In short, I really liked the book and would recommend to others knowledgeable or new to Marvel characters!

I was approved as an ARC for this book, it was a very interesting book. Not my favorite Lisa jewel work but I’ll take it. It dives into criminal investigations and what’s happening next so it was fun to read. I do love marvel but I can’t say if I’d follow up on this series. But altogether a nice and enjoyable read

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this earn! This was such an interesting read! Lisa Jewell is an incredible writer and I was so intrigued that she was writing a Marvel story. I have watched the tv show Jessica Jones, so I have a bit of understanding with her story and think fans of Marvel will overall enjoy. Now, being that it’s in the Marvel world almost nothing is off limits making it a very weird, dark, strange and twisty story. Anything is possible! The beginning was a bit slow and took a bit to get into. There is not a lot of back-story given, it’s mostly implied. So if you don’t know Jessica’s history it may hinder your reading experience. Once I got to the second half of the book it really picked up and was fun and entertaining! All in all, it did feel a bit like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t completely fit together.

If you’re a Marvel fan I would definitely give this a read! If you’re a Lisa Jewell fan, I still feel it’s worth experiencing the mash up of thriller writer meets Marvel world.

As a fan of Jessica Jones I felt it just didn’t truly capture her character in the way I would have hoped. Having watched the series I was looking forward to having that same sass of her personality burst off of the pages but I just didn’t get that in the way that I had hoped. With that said, I was engaged and found myself wanting to know what happened next. Overall good read but hoping next book will show more of her character traits that make Jessica Jones’s a fan favorite. Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for the ARC!!

I am not a super fan of Marvel or super heroes, but I love Lisa Jewell. I really liked Jessica Jones, I love a female private investigator. It was a fast pace read for me & I look forward to the next books in this series!

As a big Marvel fan, and also a Lisa Jewell fan, I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat.
The first 30-40% was very slow. It was a challenge to get through.
The story was a little like the “what if” Disney series.
I didn’t enjoy it and will probably not explore others in the series, if there are any.

You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to LOVE this new thriller by Lisa Jewell! Despite zero background knowledge of superwoman Jessica Jones or her story, I thoroughly enjoyed the twists, turns, and plot of this captivating novel. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of Breaking The Dark by Lisa Jewell
I had forgotten I read this previously, this was my review
I liked the concept for this novel and I love Lisa Jewell and previous books that I have read, this one was missing something.
I don't think I connected with the characters, I felt there needed to be more discussion around the super powers that some of the characters were supposed to have. I found it a bit confusing
The story is told both past and present, which made sense, but I got a little lost with who some of the characters were. I also didn't realize this had something to do with Marvel comics when I started reading, although I don't think it would have changed my review or perception of the book.
Not a hard read, good plot, I just felt it needed a little more depth and reality and background on the special powers.
Will continue to read books by Lisa Jewel

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I had to dnf this at 20%. It was hard to follow and not what I expected.

This story took me quite some time to get into. It wasn't until I was about halfway through the book that I found myself truly engaged. The plot felt convoluted at times, making it challenging to fully immerse myself in the narrative. I also did not know much about Jessica Jones going into this, so it took me a bit to warm up to her character.

While this was not my favorite, there were moments of brilliance that kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next. Once things became clearer with the side story of Ophelia and Polly, I was hooked and needed to know where the story where headed. The complexity of the storyline did leave me wanting more and left with several questions at the end.

I think this is a decent read for fans of crime thrillers but may require some patience to fully appreciate the story if you are not a Marvel/Jessica Jones fan. If you are a fan of Marvel and/or have seen the Jessica Jones Netflix series, I think you will really enjoy this! I think if I had more background knowledge going in, I definitely would have liked it more.

. It was not at all what I was expecting, but it was also interesting. If you are into superhero and thriller, this is a great book! I did enjoy the thriller aspect but the superhero part was not my cup of tea. I also felt that the writing was a little confusing, but still a good book.