I am a long time Lisa Jewell fan, so I immediately signed up for this ARC just in that alone. I had no idea this was a Marvel / Jessica Jones collab. Jessica Jones was always an interesting character to me, but I didn’t know what to expect.

The story was interesting, it didn’t feel very Marvel / Superhero to me, but more like a mystic thriller novel. I didn’t really know what to expect, and I can’t say this was predictable. Overall, good, enjoyable story.

Lisa Jewell is a phenomenal author and this book is no different! It felt a little slow getting into but otherwise I absolutely loved it.

This book was average. I had hoped to see Jessica using her powers more and to see her as a superhero, but that didn’t happen. It wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t memorable either.

"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is a captivating psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows the lives of several intertwined characters, each harboring their own secrets and dark pasts. As the plot unfolds, Jewell masterfully reveals the connections between them, leading to a shocking and satisfying climax.

The novel explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones. Jewell's writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Breaking the Dark" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, offering a gripping and immersive experience that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the last page.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

As a fan of Lisa Jewell, I was excited but also a bit hesitant when I saw Breaking the Dark in my NetGalley feed. The cover pulled me right in as well as the synopsis.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from her entry into the Marvel Crime universe. But I’m so glad I gave this ARC a chance!

Breaking the Dark introduces Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator, trying to leave behind a life filled with trauma. Set in the gritty world of Hell’s Kitchen, New York, Jessica’s quiet life is interrupted when Amber Randall, a distraught mother, asks for her help. Amber believes her teenage twins have been replaced by something unnatural while visiting their father in the UK. As Jessica digs into the mystery, she travels to a small, eerie village where secrets, dark energies, and a strange girl named Belle await.

What I loved about this novel is how it blends superhero elements with a chilling thriller and a touch of sci-fi, making for a uniquely twisted experience. Even though I’m not typically a Marvel fan, I found myself completely immersed in this story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and couldn’t wait to get back to the next chapter. The pacing is fantastic, and Jessica’s gritty, no-nonsense attitude makes for a compelling protagonist.

The suspense and mystery of the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, and the unexpected twists had me guessing until the very end. Though this book ventures into unfamiliar territory for me, I’ll admit—it was hard to put down. I’m giving Breaking the Dark a solid 4.5 stars and am already looking forward to the next installment in this thrilling new series.

If you enjoy a good blend of superhero action, psychological suspense, and a bit of sci-fi weirdness, I highly recommend checking this one out. Even if you’re not a Marvel enthusiast, Lisa Jewell’s masterful storytelling will pull you in!

"You’re gorgeous. You’re clever. You’re cool. You’re loving. You’re scary . You are so, so strong. What those people did to you, it doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you stronger. You just need to believe that. And you need to open your heart to yourself. Break through the dark. Find the light."

💜My Thoughts:
Full disclosure, I started this book because it was written by Lisa Jewell not because of the Marvel storyline. I enjoy Marvel movies but overall not an epic follower. For this book I believe whether you are a fan of Jessica Jones or not the story will stand on its own. I did find the story to have a rocky start and felt disconnected in certain parts. But the overall storyline picked up the pace in the middle and I felt invested in knowing how Jessica would solve the mystery. This novel is not a typical Lisa Jewell psychology thriller and after reading the author's acknowledgements at the end I could appreciate Jewell's love of Jessica Jones in the pages but I could also sense her struggle with the different writing style with the general pacing of the story

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this opportunity. All opinions are my own.

I have never been a huge fan of Marvel or super heroes, however I love Lisa Jewell. I have been a huge fan of just about anything she writes forever. I ended up loving Jessica Jones, I love a female private investigator. And I loved her assistant Malcolm.
I enjoyed that this was fast paced and that it tackled things like perfection, acceptance and trauma. I look forward to the next books in this series.

I’m not a huge marvel fan and didn’t even realize that’s what this book centered around so my review isn’t really from a good perspective. I didn’t really care for this writing style of Lisa jewell, but once again I’m not into comics at all.

This book was not for me. It felt like the background on Jessica was both too short and also too much. I didn’t really feel like I knew her but the parts I did know were annoyingly not explained enough. The action took a bit too long to get going and it was not keeping my attention.

I absolutely love this author and was so privileged to receive an advanced copy. The story part of the Marvel crime universe was definitely different than my normal reads but totally worth the read, especially if you were somebody that is interested in the Marvel universe, but also loves mystery and crime.

This one wasn’t for me.
I love Lisa Jewell as an author and the writing style didn’t disappoint but it’s too sci-fiction and not thriller enough for me. I struggled through it.
I’m sure this one would be perfect for people who like Marvel or science fiction novels but for me it was a miss

★★½

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell, while a perfectly serviceable read, unfortunately fell a little flat for me. I've come to expect a certain level of twisty suspense and captivating character development from Jewell's novels, and this one just didn't quite deliver the same spark. The premise had potential, but the execution felt somewhat predictable and lacked the usual surprises and edge-of-your-seat moments I've come to associate with her work.

The characters, while well-written, weren't as compelling or complex as I'd hoped. I struggled to fully connect with them, and their motivations felt a little underdeveloped. The story unfolded at a rather slow pace, and I found myself waiting for a twist or a significant plot development that never really materialized in the way I anticipated. While the writing itself was fine, the overall narrative lacked the tension and intrigue that usually keeps me glued to the page with Jewell's books.

While not a terrible book by any means, it simply didn't live up to my expectations based on her previous work. It felt like a more straightforward narrative, lacking the intricate plotting and unexpected turns that typically define her style.

*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This one is dark. Darker than expected. The writing is great and the backstory of Jessica comes out in a slow, suspenseful way. The pace of the plot is also on point. But it is just too dark for my taste.

My first foray into the world of Marvel's Jessica Jones and reading Lisa Jewell; these two make a good match. It is difficult to step outside of the mold that made you successful and to also take on a character that comes complete with an existing fandom takes guts. She did both with superhero agility.

The prose shines here above all else, it is dialogue heavy but remains accessible; these characters paint their world with words. This was an immersive read, I love feeling like I'm right there experiencing everything from the grimy refrigerator to the emotional stranglehold, and the action sequences and boy, did this ever deliver. Jessica Jones experiences an incredible character arc in <i>Breaking the Dark</i> her growth explodes off the page. Characters who pick themselves up after failure are admirable and I liked that we see both sides of the coin that Jessica struggles with. She is flawed but never stops striving to make a difference.

The themes visit a dark place, if you're a sensitive reader please bear that in mind. The villainous side of things was discussion worthy, and I love that. It's easy to create a "big bad" and leave it at that, but Jewell took it a step further and produced something with feasible roots. Social media, false perfection, and today's obsession with phones are all tackled. The idealized photos and views that inundate social media and their laser focus on teens is in the spotlight here.

The novel was a little long, but the plot stayed on point.

Hats off to Jewell for tackling this project. It had to be daunting on every level.

3.5 rounded up to 4⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review.
All opinions are my own.

Very fast paced and gripping. I couldnt read fast enough! What a roller coaster of a ride! I will definitely read more from this author!

I am loving the marvel based books that Lisa Jewell is writing! She perfectly mixes suspense with supernatural and I adore it! This is definitely the type of author that could truly write anything. I’d love to see a fantasy novel from her next!

I couldn’t put Breaking the Dark down—it was an electrifying mix of thriller, supernatural mystery, and social commentary that had me hooked from the first page. Lisa Jewell masterfully weaves together an intricate plot that explores beauty standards, the dangers of social media, AI, the allure of perfection, and even quantum physics. It sounds like a lot, but somehow, it all comes together in an action-packed, eerie, and thought-provoking ride.

The story follows Jessica Jones, a hardened private investigator and survivor of psychological torment, who’s now living a secluded life. She drowns her past in alcohol, keeps her relationships complicated (especially with Luke Cage), and reluctantly takes on new cases. But when psychiatrist Amber Randall seeks her help regarding her twin teenagers, Lark and Fox, Jessica is drawn into something far more sinister than she ever expected. The twins returned from a trip to the UK… different. Too perfect. Too controlled. Fox keeps mentioning a mysterious girl named Belle, and Jessica starts to suspect something deeply unnatural is at play.

Her investigation takes her to a small, eerie village where secrets run deep. A secluded farmhouse, a protective caretaker, and a father with a disturbing past all tie into the mystery. As Jessica digs deeper, she uncovers unsettling connections between the town’s curse, the twins’ transformation, and an ominous force that threatens to consume her. Adding to the intrigue, a parallel storyline set in the 1980s follows Ophelia, a young woman whose entanglement with a manipulative older man may have set these sinister events into motion decades earlier.

What truly sets this book apart is how it blends traditional crime fiction with supernatural elements. The underlying themes—obsession with perfection, the dark side of influencing, and the pursuit of eternal youth—make the story feel both timely and timeless. The eerie atmosphere, pulse-pounding suspense, and layered storytelling make this a must-read for thriller lovers and Marvel fans alike.

If this is the start of a new supernatural crime series, I’m already desperate for more. Bring on the next adventure!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Breaking the Dark
By: Lisa Jewell
3.75 stars rounded up ⭐️
This book was based on Jessica Jones a Marvel super hero who is a private investigator. Jessica just received a new case, solving the reason two teenage twins are acting ‘perfect’ since they returned home this summer from their dad’s home.

You’re in for a crazy adventure in this Marvel story through solving this case. Not only does it take us on twists and turns like typical Lisa Jewell books, but there is also a supernatural element to it just like all Marvel stories.

I enjoyed this change of a book and always enjoy Lisa Jewells writing even though I typically steer away from super natural books this one had my trying to figure out the case as the went along as I was also like what the heck is happening multiple times (in a good way). I rounded this one down a little because I feel the story could have started with some more backstory and grounding around Jessica Jones and who she is for her character for those that aren’t familiar with Marvel and her, so if you aren’t do some googling a little before hand to help you out although you will pick up on enough to keep you reading if you don’t.

The ending tied things up very nicely and as all Jewell books it had multiple plots twined together and was very well written.

Thank you #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this #LisaJewell book ahead in exchange for my honest review.

#BreakingtheDarkAJessicaJonesMarvelCrimeNovel

Liked the read a lot! Definitely an interesting original plot. Great character development. Kept me on the edge of my seat! Ready for more in this series!

I enjoyed reading the book. It was a fast and easy read. Jessica Jones is one of my favorite marvel characters. Im not a big fan of the pregnancy trope in books and would have loved that this not been such a big part of the book amd instead just be about her dealing with her trauma and not just for her baby. I would have love move action sequences, after all this is Jessica Jones, so I was disappointed there. Overall I would read more if they were available, but it wouldn't be a book I would generally pick up again.