Even though this book started off atmospheric and engaging, my lack of connection, or care, to the characters made my reading experience quite dull. I do like thrillers and horror stories set on isolated roads and stuff like that - especially if it's during the winter, though.

2.50 rating. Three main characters with another turning up towards the end. One of them tries to be a decent person which is more than can be said for the rest of them who were selfish to the core and only out for what they could get. It didn’t matter who they trampled on either. This was a very slow book - the start was ok but not really that exciting and it only really burst into life around 79/80% when it did get a bit livelier. The ending leaves the reader in limbo with two of the characters so not the story for those who like all the ends to be tied up. Despite skimming lots of the mid section it still took me ages to read because I simply couldn’t get into it until almost the end..

4.5 stars

Guys, this is a true case of don't judge a book by it's cover. That cover not my favorite. BUT this book is goooood.
I would have never looked at it if not for Rachel's review.

Burley is a bachelor who manages the local Mini-Mart. He has never really been one to get attached to women so when he meets Lavender she throws him for a loop.

Lavender just so happens to be married too. But she bored with that.
Lavender knows Burley is just what she needs to rescue her from her boring old life. A hardworking husband and kid with ADHD is about all she can stand. She needs some fun in her life.

Then we have Marta-she has been in love with old Burley since high school.

This was the hot mess express and I was totally there for it.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for reveiw.

This is the first I have read by this author, but it will definitely not be the last. The story was very intriguing. It truly kept my interest from start to finish. It also had a lot of twist and turns and a surprise ending. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys mystery, suspense, and thrillers.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Ron Burley is a long time bachelor with one major rule: never get involved with a married woman. Lavender LeClair is a young, unhappily married mother who has her sights set on him. Against his better judgment, the Mini Mart manager begins a steamy affair with the young beauty and things heat up rather quickly. But the affair has one person left feeling jilted, and it's not Lavender's husband. Burley's ex-girlfriend Marta is determined to win him back with promises of a job that pays double his current salary and other benefits that may help him out of his dire financial situation. Suspicious of the whole situation, Lavender enlists the help of a local psychic who warns her to beware of Marta...and Burley. Down a Bad Road plays out like a steamy soap opera set in the snowy Adirondack's. The writing style is easy to read and keeps you engaged as you get to know each character and their secrets. It's a slow burn but those who prefer a fast-paced thriller should not be put off by this book, as it is a definite page turning guilty pleasure.

I truly had high hopes for this one, unfortunately, it missed the mark entirely. I did struggle with it, but still intrigued about how it would all end and tie up.

The characters are supposed to be unlikeable I get that, but this was hard to get passed as they were completely unrelatable, annoying at times. Lavender the FMC is just a plain horrible person and I didn't care what would happen to her.

The story overall was interesting and kept me intrigued. The execution is maybe where for me it was less enjoyable. I felt as if multiple plot ideas were all combined in one. I felt like the story was a bit all over the place. To be honest nothing truly happens until about 80% in and then everything feels jumbled and rushed. The ending was disappointing for me, extremely rushed and no epilogue to know what happens afterwards.

Although this one was not for me you might find it's for you !

Ron Burley is a simple man. He’s hardworking, kind and honest. He’s a bachelor, and likes it that way. He lives a modest life managing a convenience store, driving a rundown truck and living in a trailer with his two dogs. He likes domestic beer, living his life the way he wants, and country music.

Lavender LeClair is the miserable wife of Clint and mother of Logan, who has ADHD. Her psychic (yeah, that’s right) tells her she’s a young soul, and it shows. She is disgusted by her nerdy husband, annoyed with her overactive child, and is wanting something new. She likes shopping, wine, and more shopping.

When these two meet, it sets into motion an irreversible chain of events. This is definitely a case of opposites attracting. Lavender can’t stand his dirty trailer, his low-paying job, and his dogs. He can’t stand that she’s materialistic, can’t cook and oh, IS MARRIED. Normally he would never fall for a married woman, but the promise of no-strings-attached sex is appealing to both of them, so an affair begins, and love follows.

Soon, Burley is finding himself having to lie. A lot. He knows he needs to make more money if he’s going to be able to hold onto Lavender, but he’s not sure where to start. His old friend from high school, Marta, recently lost her husband and she needs help running his business. She’s offering good money, but Lavender might get jealous, and he’d only be able to see her on the weekends. He decides to take another career turn, and this takes him to the title of the book - down a bad road.

This wasn’t my usual horror/thriller read, but it was fantastic and suspenseful. This is not a short book, but I read it in one sitting because I got so invested in the characters that I couldn’t stop. Needless to say, I couldn’t stand Lavender, and I loved Burley. He wouldn’t be my type either, but he tries his hardest at everything he does. He has foibles, but deep down, he’s a good man. Lavender was amusing at first, then annoying, then downright gross. I commend the author for writing these two (and the other, smaller characters) so well.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this, but it turned out to be a surprise five star book for me. I loved the location (upstate New York) and the snowy atmosphere, I loved the characters, and I loved this whole story. It was touching in places, funny in places, and had several great twists and turns. I look forward to more by this author!

(Thank you to Black Rose Writing, Regina Buttner, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on May 4, 2023.)

Do you think that jealousy can kill you? Did you ever approach a road with two forks and had to decide quickly which one you should take? Do you think that can have deadly consequences? Or perhaps make a choice that makes you rethink things? These are some thought-provoking questions in ‘Down A Bad Road” by Regina Buttner.

In this psychological and suspenseful thriller, Author Regina Butter writes in an intriguing style that almost feels like a satire. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, dysfunctional, greedy, and unstable. Betrayals, bad communication, poor choices, revenge, and twists and turns appear throughout this novel. Most of the characters don’t have or show common sense. One interesting character is the psychic, who does have a grasp on the situation, and also provides a warning to one of the characters.

I would recommend this intriguing, suspenseful, and witty novel to others.

I was so excited to read this one because it had such great reviews on goodreads! However, I quickly learned that this was not the book for me. I understand that the characters are supposed to be unlikeable, but Lavender was so bad I really didn’t care what happened to her. I usually don’t mind reading about characters I don’t like, usually I can find something to relate to, but that was not the case here. I never did get into this one and ultimately did DNF it. I will not be leaving reviews outside of netgalley.

Thank you to the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.