I really enjoyed all the female main characters in this book and their stories. The mystery and intrigue made this a fast read for me. I thought the setting added additional interest as well.

Boom Town is a gritty, haunting, and emotionally charged thrill ride that peels back the layers of glitz, power, and pain in Atlanta’s underground nightlife. In her adult thriller debut, Nic Stone delivers a bold and fearless narrative that doesn’t just entertain—it confronts, questions, and cuts deep.

From the opening chapter, you know this isn’t your average whodunnit. The mystery begins when Damaris “Charm” Wilburn—one of the newer dancers at Boom Town, the city’s most infamous gentlemen’s club—fails to show up for her shift. For most, it might be written off as a no-show. But for Michah “Lyriq” Johanssen, a former headliner who’s danced her way through pain and power struggles alike, it triggers something deeper. Especially because another dancer—Lyriq’s former partner and secret lover, Felice “Lucky” Carothers—disappeared in eerily similar fashion not long before.

What begins as a search turns into a descent—into a maze of hidden agendas, buried trauma, and the invisible ways society fails to protect women like Charm and Lucky. As Lyriq starts asking questions no one wants to answer, the tension escalates fast, and so does the danger. Every lead opens another door, every conversation adds a new piece to the puzzle, and every answer seems to reveal a darker truth.

Stone writes with intensity and empathy, illuminating the spaces where justice is often an afterthought—particularly when the missing are Black women working in industries that society deems disposable. But here, these women aren’t background noise—they are the heart of the story. Complicated, strong, flawed, loving, angry, afraid, and determined. Lyriq, in particular, is a standout—a woman shaped by loss, fueled by loyalty, and unafraid to dive into the fire to get the truth, even when the world around her would rather she disappear too.

The pacing ebbs and flows—some parts burn slow while others hit with explosive force—but that uneven rhythm feels reflective of real investigation: moments of frustration, followed by breakthroughs, then the weight of what those discoveries mean. The multiple points of view and time jumps require your attention, but they also reward it, adding depth and complexity to the unfolding narrative. Each layer you peel back reveals something more unsettling than the last.

What struck me most was how Boom Town walks a fine line between thriller and social commentary. It grips you with suspense, then quietly delivers gut punches of truth—about gender, race, class, power, and the silence that protects abusers. It's unapologetically raw, unapologetically Black, and deeply resonant.

This isn’t just a story about missing women. It’s a story about who’s allowed to go missing without consequence—and who dares to refuse invisibility. Lyriq’s relentless pursuit of answers becomes a powerful act of resistance, of care, and ultimately, of justice.

A very huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this thought-provoking, intense thriller’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts. This one will linger long after the final page—it’s bold, it’s fierce, and it matters.

Nic Stone is fire in every genre. Boom Town is Nic Stone’s first adult novel and she hits all the right angles. Boom Town is a page turner to the very end.

Dark and twisty - check
Multiple storylines - check
Badass characters you don’t want to f*ck with - check

Nic Stone is an author I automatically read regardless of genre. (Because I’m an adult who reads YA and middle grades books. Boom Town is obviously for grown folk. Don’t get it twisted.)

If you’re grown, get yourself a copy ASAP..
4.5 stars

The synopsis had me from the first line! "Gone Girl meets P-Valley!" Sign me up please and thank you! When you think you've figured out the twist, think again! The ending tied everything up just like it needed too.

Nic Stone makes a fiery entrance into adult thrillers with Boom Town, a sultry, high-stakes mystery that sizzles with danger, desire, and deep emotional undercurrents. Best known for her YA work (Dear Martin), Stone pivots boldly into the adult crime-fiction genre, delivering a gritty, suspenseful, and culturally rich narrative that echoes Gone Girl's psychological twists and P-Valley's raw, sensual realism.

Set in the shadows of Atlanta's nightlife, Boom Town follows Michah “Lyriq” Johanssen—a retired headliner from the city’s infamous gentlemen’s club—as she investigates the disappearance of new dancer Damaris “Charm” Wilburn. But for Lyriq, this isn’t just about a missing coworker; it’s personal. Her former lover and dance partner, Felice “Lucky” Carothers, vanished under eerily similar circumstances. Lyriq’s journey becomes a collision course with Atlanta’s underworld, where money, misogyny, and power blur the lines between predator and protector.

Stone builds tension masterfully, teasing out secrets at a heart-racing pace. The characters are electric—especially Lyriq, who commands every page with her fierce resolve, sharp wit, and quiet vulnerability. She's a survivor navigating a world where women are often consumed and discarded—but she refuses to become another casualty.

The setting is more than a backdrop; Atlanta pulses with life, grit, and contradiction. Stone captures the glitz of the clubs, the coded power of high society, and the danger that stalks just beneath. Through this lens, she crafts a nuanced social commentary on race, class, and exploitation—without ever sacrificing the propulsive momentum of the plot.

Boom Town is as much about reclaiming agency as it is about solving a mystery. It’s a tightly wound thriller that also dares to be emotionally resonant, politically aware, and unapologetically Black and female.

Final Verdict:
Boom Town is a sexy, smart, and suspenseful debut that will leave you breathless. Nic Stone proves she’s not just crossing genres—she’s redefining them. Fans of Gillian Flynn, Megan Abbott, and S.A. Cosby will devour this one.

I love Nic Stone's books and was excited to read this because it's her first adult thriller debut. I appreciate her wanting to shed light on African American women going missing and not receiving any or little attention compared to white women. But I was completely underwhelmed. I could not keep up with the story and the characters because of the back and forth dates and perspectives. It was hard trying to figure out who was telling the story and there were so many names to keep track of between the dancer names and the given names. I didn't feel any attachment to the characters because I feel like they weren't really developed, and I didn't get a good back story on any of them. The way the story was written was super hard to follow and I'm still confused on what I read. Thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was gripping from the beginning pages. Two dancers go missing and the reader is immediately drawn into the twists and turns in the dark side of Atlanta, GA. This is a page turner that examines race and power with a thriller storyline.

Such a powerful, yet vulnerable, portrayal of black women. There are so many themes jam-packed into this novel including sisterhood, body-image issues, resilience, and racial and sexual power dynamics.

This was a thrilling, emotional ride. It’s essential to have strong, powerful, and vulnerable black women at the forefront of stories.

Ok, so I thought this was pretty good… The theme was more unique and I enjoyed that. It was fast-paced and I had no trouble blowing through the book…. I would say, though, that the characters were confusing. There were too many names (everyone had at least one nickname and many started with the same letter as another person, so that ended up being hard to follow) and I did find that I was often confused about who was doing what… or with whom 😆 Overall, I thought it was a good read, and I am thankful to NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me.

I sadly did not check trigger warnings before reading this book. the premise sounds amazing but as i started to read and heavier things got brought up i realized this was not the book for me :( so sorry to DNF! but it was only due to TW.

This book grabbed me with the “Gone Girl meets P-Valley” headline and I wasn’t disappointed.

Felice, known to many as Lucky, is one of Boom Town’s most popular dancers. When she goes missing, it’s unsettling how quickly the club moves on. But when a second dancer vanishes, Micah, aka Lyriq, refuses to let it go. Determined to uncover the truth, she sets out on a mission that puts her right in the middle of a web of secrets.

I really enjoyed how the alternating POVs gave depth to the story, each one added a new layer to the mystery. While the culprit is clear early on, the plot is still full of twists that keep the tension high right up to the (very satisfying) end. I can already imagine how entertaining this story will be in audiobook format (especially the club scenes with the DJ).

Boom Town sheds light on the disturbing lack of urgency when Black women (particularly those living on the margins) go missing.

This was an ARC so I’m hoping that by the time it’s published, editing will be cleaned up a bit. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and I’ll never be mad at an Atlanta based story 🍑. I finished with a few lingering questions but it was still an entertaining read.

Thank you NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

Pub Date: Oct 14, 2025

This was SO GOOD — like “hold on, what did I just read??” good 😭 I was immediately suspicious of everybody. Who’s lying? Who’s deflecting? What’s really going on here?? Nic Stone grabs you early and does not let up.

We’re in Atlanta’s hottest strip club, and Lyriq — the headliner with a whole lotta baggage — starts connecting dots when a new dancer disappears. The vibe? Way too familiar. The deeper she digs, the more the lines between grief, guilt, and obsession blur… and baby, it gets messy.

The writing is intentional, the tension is tight, and the music cues?? Cinematic. It’s gritty, queer, layered, and so much deeper than it looks on the surface. If you like P-Valley, characters who feel real and flawed, and stories that unravel fast — this one’s for you.

I was locked in from chapter one.
Huge thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschuster for the eARC — I’m definitely grabbing a physical copy too👏🏾

I had mixed feelings about this one. The author’s writing style is bold and lyrical—there’s no denying the voice and atmosphere were compelling. However, the pacing felt uneven. It started off as a slow burn and took a while to find its footing, though things definitely picked up midway through.

One of the biggest challenges for me was keeping track of the characters. The multiple POVs combined with the switching between real names and stage names made the storyline confusing at times. I also found myself wishing the characters were more fully developed—I wanted a deeper emotional connection, especially with Lyriq.

That said, the mystery kept me intrigued, and once the tension ramped up, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a gritty thriller with strong themes and an interesting dive into Atlanta’s underworld. Overall, a decent read with some standout moments, even if it didn’t fully stick the landing for me.

Thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

As a high school teacher, Nic Stone's YA books are auto-buys for me and I was thrilled to get to read an early copy of her first adult novel. Unfortunately, I did not love it. The premise and plot were fine and I appreciated how the story addressed power dynamics and differentials that women face based on race and class. I think what threw me off while reading was the fact that this was a very adult novel, but the writing still felt juvenile. It took me out of the experience a bit.

I'm excited for Nic to step outside the world of YA and MG and I am sure this book will be a hit with a ton of readers, but just wasn't one for me. It was a very quick read, so it is perfect for anyone looked for a short and snappy thriller!

Pulled me in from the very first page. I loved the storyline, the characters, and the multiple POVs. I could help but think about the tv show P Valley while reading this. Great read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Boom Town.

I've never read this author before but the premise was intriguing so I went into this with an open mind.

First, I really like the author's writing style, the tone, writing exactly how people speak is not easy to do.

Second, the premise drew me in, a former dancer named Lyriq begins her personal investigation when one of her dancers is a no-call/no show. It reminded her of a previous dancer, a former good friend named Lucky who also disappeared under similar circumstances.

I liked Lyriq and I didn't like her; I understood her emotional shortcomings, struggling with recovery after a devastating cancer diagnosis, and her determination to do right by her friend and lover.

Then, the narrative became confusing; timelines got blurry and there were too many POVs happening at the same time with similar plot threads.

I also wasn't a fan of the typical tropes; I understand exotic dancers need to look a certain way but all the men are hot or built a certain way and all the Black women are hot, including the ones not dancers,

The women disappearing was a subplot to the real narrative; how exotic dancers and the sex worker industry are dangerous professions and how the staff and women are mistreated, misunderstood, and disregarded; how Lyriq and Lucky's relationship due to the former's inability to commit emotionally and truthfully and the relationships the dancers cultivate (or not) in this industry.

I couldn't help but think of Diddy when I was reading this.

I was looking for a straightforward mystery and this wasn't it.

This book takes you into the world of Boom Town, the hottest strip club in Atlanta. The new girl, Charm, is a no-call, no-show at her next shift. Headliner Lyric knows that this isn't a normal situation of a stripper quitting, especially after her former girlfriend Lucky went missing in the same fashion. She goes digging and the off of lines are blurs as she gets deeper than intended.

This book definitely gives P-Valley vibes, so if you loved that show you will love this book. It does start a bit slow but once it picks up you will not be able to put it down. I have read a few of Nic Stone's YA novels and loved them. Her first adult novel doesn't disappoint and I hope this is a lane that she sticks around in.


Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Boom Town is out on October 14th! I can't wait to grab my physical copy!

Boom Town was such a good read!! From the multi perspective to the past and present timelines. I found myself super engaged trying to piece together all the parts of the story as I was reading. It almost felt interactive. I have always loved Nic Stone's YA books and I know this is her first adult novel and I'm looking forward to her writing many more. Highly recommend!!!

Thanks to Net Galley for an advanced copy. Nic Stone’s Boom Town is a fast-paced adult thriller set in Atlanta, centered around a famous Black strip club where a dancer goes missing. It’s gritty, with real tension and just the right amount of mystery. I admit that it took me some time to keep up with characters and their relationship with each other, but most readers will probably be able to keep up just fine. As a fan of Nic Stone, I was curious how she would adapt to “adult” writing. Yes, there is language, sexual situations, and other adult topics covered, but Boom Town seems tamer than what I was expecting given the potential of her freedom to write with fewer limits and for an adult audience.
Stone handles issues like privilege, and exploitation while keeping readers interested in what happens next. Definitely not for middle schoolers—it’s adult —but a good read for mature and older teens and adults looking for something that keeps you thinking even after the last page

Woooooo!!! Nic, you really did your thing with this one! This book had me thinking I knew what was happening—and then flipped the script completely. What a ride!

Now let’s talk about Lyriq… that stealing heffa! 😂 She did a lot that made it hard for me to root for her at times. Honestly, I wasn’t her biggest fan. My favorites were Damaris and Lucky—those two carried the heart of the story for me. After everything they went through, that somewhat happy ending was so needed. 😩

There were moments with flashbacks or inner thoughts from the characters that felt a little distracting or extra, but in the end, many of those details added depth and helped bring the full picture together. I truly enjoyed it.

I also appreciate how the story didn’t shy away from addressing real issues—especially the way Black women are so often overlooked when they go missing or are harmed. The media loves to point out our flaws, as if that justifies the violence we face. No one deserves that.

Thank you, Nic Stone, for the twists, the turns, and for shedding light on truths that need to be heard. Big thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

4.5 ⭐️