I loved this book. Barker is one of my favorite authors. It kept me guessing and was suspenseful. The twist ending was a surprise. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thriller.

This book was SO good. Loved the app and how that played into this. Would recommend to anyone that loves something twisty

Wow, this book was amazing! From the very first page, I was totally hooked. The twists and turns just kept coming, and I never knew who to trust or what would happen next. The story was super intense but easy to follow, and the characters felt real—like people you’d want to know (or avoid!).

If you love thrillers that keep you up way too late because you have to know what happens, this is definitely for you. I couldn’t put it down!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for giving me an early copy to read and review.

Rating: 4/5

This is a darker twist to the usual works of J.D.B. that I've read so far and loved it! So why 4 stars?

*the resolution part of the story felt hurried
*inconsistent character development/traits
*would have worked as a movie script but some scenes, and how they're written were not translating well on text

I love the concepts and themes explored in this one though.

If you want to stay awake and love mystery thrillers, I highly recommend this one.

Tropes:
*miscommunication
*blackmail
*big reveal and twist by 'villain' speech

This was a great book that kept me guessing what was going on and wha was going to happen next! The ending pulled it all together and was more action packed than I expected. The storyline is slightly far fetched but still fun to think about and makes you wonder about all of these devices we rely on everyday! Overall very enjoyable read.

JD Barker is completely unpredictable. You absolutely never know what you’re going to get when you start his novels. Behind A Closed Door is unputdownable and unforgettable. A must read!

I feel like I should be ashamed to say I like this. I wholly wasn't expecting to, especially after the drama around the author and a little email that went around, but I did, I really really did. I think my only gripe is it definitely didn't need to be this long.

Behind a Closed Door” by J.D. Barker is a wild, dark ride from start to finish. The twists hit hard, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you up way too late. Definitely a must-read if you love a good psychological mystery.

Such an enjoyable book, the pacing was a little off and somewhat predictable on the plot, but overall enjoyed it for what it was...

This book gave me a little bit of an escape room vibes/ extra creepy fifty shades vibes There was nothing in this book that held my interest. I struggled to get through this book. I didn’t think I’d ever finish. I couldn’t connect with the characters or the story line. Thank you NetGalley, J.D. Barker and Hampton Creek Press.

There are parts I liked and there were others I didn't. In general it was just ok.

Thanks NetGalley, Author and publisher for this

Reading Between the Wines book review #96/130 for 2024:
Rating: 3🍷🍷🍷
Book: Behind a Closed Door
Author: J.D. Barker
Available now!!

Sipping thoughts: I really liked how relatable to current events this book concept was with the Sugar and Spice AI app. I thought the beginning of the book was pretty fast-paced, took a little dip in the middle, and then pretty action packed towards the end. I was hooked to see how it would pan out. I wasn't thrilled with the background behind the app and why it was created. I think it kind of got too convoluted and confusing. It was interesting in a way I wasn't expecting.

Cheers and thank you to @HamptonCreekPress and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @BehindAClosedDoor.

#BehindAClosedDoor #JDBarker #HamptonCreekPress #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

This author has done it yet again. This book was thrilling and current at the same time in an eerie way. The Sugar & Spice app is definitely next level and really does a good job of building up the suspense to a razor's edge. This book is definitely very graphic and violent, however this is needed to really capture the picture of what is going on. The only downside I saw was the character Abby. She just irritated me to no end. There is someone who goes wild and then there is someone like her that just completely flips the script. This did not really make sense for her character. This book is oddly thought provoking though with the connections that social media creates in our life. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I loved this book! I went in without much context and I think I had a better read because of it - I was glued to my kindle.

I found the first half faster paced and moved through it quickly, there was a little lull in the middle but it all came together for that ending!

I haven’t read something like this before and will absolutely be picking up more from this author.

I really,really loved this book and I bet you will too! Pick it up and just start reading it and before you know it you’ll be right in the thick of it! Thank you for such a fantastic book!

There’s no telling where the money went in this lurid truth or dare sex games gone wild kill or be killed adult fiction, “Behind A Closed Door,” by J.D. Barker.

What starts out as a neighborly tome about childless couples Abby and Brendan and Hannah and Stuckey who enjoy weekly game nights and socializing, soon turns into a horror story about an online App called Sugar & Spice that the couples download.

Before long the Sugar & Spice App is sending frequent challenges offering higher points for undertaking risky actions both sexual and dangerous. Before long it becomes apparent that the App infiltrates every electronic device in its surroundings. It also audio and video records everything. The App, at the direction of its coders, can even deep fake videos at their discretion.

Before long there are millions of Sugar & Spice users around the globe. With this, paranoia and chaos abound, especially if you’re being hunted by the creators of Sugar and Spice.

Something dark is at the center of Sugar & Spice. What is this evil and why is it so ruthless? If you can stomach lots of sexual triggers, as well as gory bloodbaths then this may be the book for you. It’s definitely not my genre. I did persevere to the end, although we are left hanging with another mystery. Oh, well. If there is a sequel, I’m not coming back for seconds.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author J.D. Barker, and Publisher Hampton Creek Press for this advanced reader’s copy for review.

This is another level of horror and thriller written by J.D. Barker. It is truly remarkably indeed like the Fifty Shades of Gray but with a concept that just like Hostel vibe of horror for me.

It started with Sugar and Spice, a dating platform that find you matches but it pays a total price. Some parts haunts me and saddens my entire reading experience because of how darker and darker the story goes.

Writing was good but J.D. Barker needs some improvements in his prose more but still the concept was well crafted.

I went into this book completely blind... and boy am i happy i did!!! Such a great, crazy surprise! Loved everything about it, the spice, the dilemmas, characters, and the just absolute craziness of it all. Barker has become and auto-read/buy for me with his 4th monkey books.... and im so glad i trusted my gut to request and read this one!

I found this to be suspenseful....it just didn't work for me. It got wordy and didn't keep my attention.

In Behind a Closed Door, Abby and Brendan Hollander turn to counseling to rejuvenate their faltering marriage. Their therapist, Dr. Donetti, recommends the trending app "Sugar and Spice," promising to reignite their romance. What begins as a playful experiment quickly spirals into a nightmarish ordeal as the app's increasingly bizarre and dangerous missions take over their lives.

Barker's novel delivers a fresh take on the perils of unchecked technology, blending suspense with a cautionary tale about the risks of blindly accepting app terms. The story is a gripping reminder of the potential dangers lurking behind seemingly harmless digital tools, making you think twice about the true cost of convenience.

4/5.