The best way to describe this book would be——
If Survivor the TV Show, Charles Manson and Jake Paul had a baby it would be this book 😂

Thank you so much NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to review this book in advanced! I absolutely adore Darcy Coates writing and find it an utter privilege to get this opportunity!

Ruth the FMC has survived A LOT within her short life span; your wildest imagine couldn’t fathom what she has been through. Ruth, her boyfriend and two of his friends embark on a cruise/ festival to a secluded island where things spiral out of control.

How Bad Things Can Get is an understatement for what transpires in this book; the events just keep getting worse and worse! I couldn’t put this book down, after one shocking event you are instantly hit with something even more wild! Absolutely creepy, and if you are into cult themed fiction this book is for you!

This book just solidifies my love for Darcy Coates novels!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

This was just straight wild! Ruth goes to a private island owned by the rich and famous Eton who runs social media games and gives away millions of dollars in prizes. But things don’t go as planned on the island. People start to get hurt and some disappear. Ruth starts to worry that the people around her know who she really is. Then things turn sinister on the last night and all Ruth’s fears come true.

This was an intense and graphic read. If you like cultish books, then this one is definitely for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

Bonus star alert! What did I just read!!! This book was a wild ride from page one. Gruesome and horrifying don’t do it justice. This book had it all, a terrifying plot, suspense and abject terror and amazing characters. I read this in one sitting I could not put it down. This might be my favourite read of the summer. A Unique plot that was super creative. The atmosphere was awesome… I love island reads. I will be raving about this book for a long time.

This one starts a little slow but finishes strong. The twists kept me guessing until the end. I love it when an author can do that. Darcy Coates does a phenomenal job writing thrillers. She does it again with this book. I stayed up way too late reading just so I could find out what happened.

Thank you to Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press, and Netgalley for the e-arc of How Bad Can Things Get. Suspenseful cult thriller! Unlike any Darcy Coates book I’ve read in the past! An unhinged gruesome read that flips between past and present experiences for the main character. Kept my attention throughout. This book publishes on 8/26/25!

This is my first Darcy Coates novel so I went in not knowing what to expect. I’m not a horror/gore reader normally so this aspect took me by surprise. The story line drug on thru the beginning, then picked up around 60% the way thru. Once I hit that point, the story moved pretty quick. My other issue with this novel is the characters lacked depth. There were so many characters and they all had little to no back story. That made it hard for me to keep track of everything and everyone. This book is in the “okay” category for me. 3 stars.

This horror thriller is so messed up and so suspenseful, that it’s impossible to put down! Ruth survived a cult massacre when she was a child, and has lived a life of anonymity, always hiding her identity. That’s why a massive party full of influencers is probably the last place she should be. But when her boyfriend and his two besties win tickets, what can she do? So off they go to a private island to play games and hopefully win tons of money. All Ruth wants is to keep being invisible and unremarkable. This is escapist popcorn fiction, which to me is high praise. Some of the twists are a little out there, but we don’t read these books for verisimilitude so I was happy to suspend my disbelief. And Ruth may be the protagonist, but we get to know some other characters so that, when the blood hits the fan, you care about them. Some people make some very questionable decisions, others are smarter and more cunning, which makes sense, considering there are so many guests (and please, if somehow you manage to get the upper hand, get the bad guy’s weapon!). Sometimes, the smart ones don’t make it, while others just get lucky. I don’t want to give away what the horror is, but it builds slowly. At first just little things that few notice. When the author goes all out it is massively horrible, disturbing and very bloody. Easily impressed readers beware, but horror fans, this is highly recommended.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Poisoned Pen Press.

I went in blind just because she's a popular author in some of my book pages I Iike. Did not disappoint! Perfectly laid out story, a little graphic descriptions for those with triggers, and good twists you dont see coming. Already downloaded more of her books!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!
This was such a good book and would make a great movie. It's tropical island meets hunger games.

Things unravel quickly in How Bad Things Can Get, the latest thriller from Darcy Coates. While this novel has its solid moments, it ultimately fell short of my expectations–but worth the read.

It was supposed to be the party of the century: miles of idyllic white sand beaches, lush jungle foliage...and a dark legend nobody dreamed might be all too true.

When an online influencer and several hundred of his most loyal fans land on Prosperity Island, the plan is simple: five days of elaborate games, drinking, and suntanned fun.

A week in paradise should have been a welcome respite. The only survivor of an infamous cult, Ruth wants nothing more than to keep her head down and not draw attention. She's spent decades outrunning her blood-soaked childhood, and her identity is a closely held secret.

But then the true history of the island is revealed…along with its sinister connection to Ruth's past. As guests go missing and games turn deadly, Ruth and the rest of the attendees are forced to question whether they've really been invited to paradise...or whether something much darker―and far bloodier―is waiting for them just beyond the bonfire's light.

Over the past few years, Coates has become almost a must-read author for me. Naturally, I couldn't resist cracking open How Bad Things Can Get, this one didn’t quite resonate with me the way some of her previous novels have. I found it difficult to connect with the story, as if I was simply pushing forward to reach the end.

The cult aspect was one of the book's more intriguing parts, and Ruth's struggle to escape her past added something special to the story. However, the rest of book felt a bit overcrowded. The story felt like it was pulling from too many threads at once, detracting from my reading experience. This excess made the deaths feel understated and overshadowed. By the time I reached the big reveal, I felt much of the mystery had been spoiled by Ruth, which was never really explained.

This all being said, the book does have strengths. The fast-paced storytelling and high level of gory moments creates a truly gripping read that is easy to breeze through. The characters seem to be generally likable, but they lacked the depth and backstory (ironically enough as there is a great deal of flashbacks) to make them truly memorable. The setting is fun and atmospheric, although I prefer Coates' haunted house stories, which carry more of the eerie charm I have come to love in her work.

Darcy Coates has delivered a solid novel, albeit with a few minor missteps. While How Bad Things Can Get wasn't quite for me, its quick pacing and distinct premise still made for an enjoyable read. I'll continue to look forward to future releases from Coates, this one just wasn't for me.

As a longtime Darcy Coates fan, I picked up “How Bad Things Can Get” expecting the usual chills and tightly wound suspense—and Coates delivered, with edge to spare.

Set on the eerie and secluded Prosperity Island, the novel follows a group of guests who quickly realize their idyllic getaway has a sinister undercurrent. When bodies start turning up, everyone becomes a suspect, and paranoia simmers just below the surface. Coates’s signature atmospheric touch is sharper than ever here, but this one leans into something darker—more psychological, more twisted, and all the more fun.

The writing is tight and punchy, the kind that keeps you flipping pages deep into the night. There are thrills at every turn, with just enough emotional depth to make you care about the characters—even as you second-guess their every move.

How Bad Things Can Get is a bold, edgy entry in Coates’s ever-growing horror canon. It’s a locked-island mystery fused with her trademark gothic tension, and it shows she’s not afraid to push boundaries. Fans will love it. New readers might find themselves hooked.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have no words. That was wild! My first Darcy Cotes book and I get the hype! Gruesome, edge of your seat reading.

Overall How Bad Thing Can Get was good but not that memorable. The book started off strong and then it really slowed down. I got to around 50
% and wanted to DNF if but kept pushing forward. After that it did start to pick up and the chapters moved quickly. There was a lot of action and gore. I think part of the reason that I never got sucked into the book was that I never got attached to any of the characters. There were a lot to keep track of other then the main characters.

I’ve never read a book by Darcy Coates before but it will not be my last. This was so good!! A little bit disturbing, but I was hooked. Ruth was smart and had a good head on her shoulders. Nothing irritates me more than a main character that just keeps making dumb decisions. She was great. There were multiple POVs but I was never confused. They weren’t really labeled, but it was clear whose storyline we were following when it changed. I couldn’t put it down. Any chance I had to read, I did. It was very Influencer/Squid Games/Purge/FyreFest. I liked it a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this!

Hooked from start to finish! Darcy Coats is an auto-buy author for me, her books are full of tension, suspense and plot twists!

I thought "How Bad Things Can Get" was an eerie and atmospheric read, the storyline kept me guessing! I binged the entire book cover to cover in an evening because I had to know what was going to happen next.

I'll be adding this one to my collection when it releases and look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you Darcy Coates, Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Somehow, I’ve never read Darcy Coates before. I’ve seen her books on shelves, but haven’t picked one up until now. I honestly thought they were too scary for me and I was kind of correct, but I think I could get into her books. I do plan to give some of her other books a try. This one was creepy, but it’s so fast paced after the 50% mark, that you don’t have much time to sit in your fear.

Ruth, the main character, survived a cult as a child. As an adult, she tries to stay anonymous. Her boyfriend Zach won tickets to go to Prosperity Island to stay a week in luxury and participate in games put on by an influencer. I totally thought of Mr. Beast, but that’s just me. Then people start to die in horrific ways. The seclusion of the island adds to the helplessness they experience.

There is very little character development except for Ruth. I didn’t mind that so much in this type of book because it’s not character-driven, it’s all about the plot and what a plot it is. There are so many side characters and their deaths add to the plot of the story. This was a gory, creepy, and fun time. If “popcorn horror” is a thing, then this is it. Don’t confuse “popcorn horror” with cozy because there’s nothing cozy about this book. I couldn’t put it down and was glued to the page.

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this book. I am writing this review based on my own opinion.

3 stars

Another exciting CULT book, for my fellow cult devotees, but before you get too excited, there’s very little cult action here, so don’t come to the book looking for it, regardless of what the info on the back says. You’ve been duly warned.

However, it’s OK horror as famous (in those sorts of circles) influencer and millionaire Erin is holding a five day getaway experience on Prosperity Island (this sounds like home to a Scooby Doo mystery) with lots of games, drinks and sun for 600 lucky guests and VIPs, which truly sounds like my idea of hell, but, wait! That’s not the horror part, believe it or not!

Ruth, the only survivor of the Petition cult is there with her boyfriend Zach (and let me tell you, Ruth is a LOAD of fun, said with all the sarcasm I can muster). They are joined by their friends Hayleigh and Carson. Ruth, in addition to constantly worrying that someone will discover who she is is about the wettest blanket you can imagine.

Then the killing starts. Take Ruth first, she’ll probably have a better time dead.

You know, people who went to that stupid Frye Fest don’t know how lucky they were…I mean they had no real food, or lodging, and I gather bathrooms were pretty scarce on the ground, but they weren’t picked off by killers, right? The youth of today appreciate nothing.

Oh this book had a hold on me from the very first page!
It had everything you want from a horror - cults, isolated islands, ghost stories, influencers.....

I loved every second of this book. Another brilliant read by Darcy Coates.

Twenty years ago when she was still a child, Ruth was the only survivor of cult. Since then she's done her best to remain anonymous and out of the spotlight. But now her boyfriend has gotten tickets to an exclusive party on Prosperity Island. Though she is reticent about the being among all the people and the publicity of the event, she goes along. And this promises to be the bash of the century. as it's being thrown by a hugely popular social media influencer known for his games and lucrative prizes, a special fete for his biggest fans. But the island has a sordid history, one involving another cult.that also met a gruesome fate.
Everything seems fine at first, but then the first body turns up. And the strange people in the jungle. There's more than just the influencer's games going on, and soon the partygoers will find themselves facing life death stakes.
This novel was one big "wow." There's something simmering beneath the surface right from the start, and when it starts to rear its ugly head, everything just keeps getting dialed up more until it hits "11." There are plenty of books about dastardly cults out there, but none play out the way this did. The story just keeps you guessing as completely unexpected revelations hit hard when they show themselves. My favorite Darcy Coates book to date.

Darcy Coates has long been one of my one-click authors. See a new Darcy book? Snatch a new Darcy book. (This goes double, as she also happens to be a wonderful human being!) Luckily, Darcy never keeps readings waiting too long, and so naturally the second HOW BAD THINGS CAN GET hit my inbox (thank you, Poisoned Pen Press), I was in.

Whether she’s writing cozy paranormals (her Gravekeeper series) or simmering Gothics (Gallows Hill, my personal favorite in Coates’s Catalog), Darcy delivers. This woman has range. HOW BAD THINGS CAN GET is Darcy’s take on island horror, Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” meets Nick Cutter’s The Troop meets…The Wicker Man? While it’s hard to get too into this one without spoilers, dooming a group of influencers on a remote island fits nicely into my recent reading theme of darker side of social media while pushing me firmly back into the wonderful world of horror.

And horror, this is. Her characteristically warm, inviting tone fully intact, Darcy doesn’t pull any punches with the bloodshed in HOW BAD THINGS CAN GET. This one leaves quite the sunburn.