Member Reviews
Thrilling until the end!
Behind A Closed Door begins with a therapy session. A couple's relationship, Abby and Brendan Hollander's marriage is in trouble. When the first session ends, their therapist recommends that they download an app called Sugar and Spice to improve their sex life.
In the beginning, the app seems interested in only spicing their sex life but progressively it becomes more intense until the app asks Abby to kill someone or Brendan will die. Abby believes this is true but she is nowhere near ready to murder a stranger or is she?
J.D. Barker writes very interesting characters that take over your life while reading his books. I could not put this book down. I had to know how it was all related and what ending was I getting.
Was I able to guess some of the twists? Yes, but not all of them. This could be a great movie!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Hampton Creek Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is not a typical J D Barker book but I liked the idea and the way it was executed. Well, after reading this you might think twice before installing any application on your phone.
A couple, Abby and Brendan seek a help of a therapist and come to know of a app called Sugar and Spice that could help them to win their trust and spice of their relationship back. The app first gives them easy and sexy tips in the form of truth and dare later taking a drastic turn.
It was a typical cat and mouse tale and the deaths in between the chapters made it interesting. Although I thought the ending could have been a bit better but nevertheless I really enjoyed the read.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy.
I want to start off with a huge thank you to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press, and J. D. Barker for an eARC of this title.
I kept hearing about J.D. Barker from people posting about how amazing the The Fourth Monkey (A 4MK Thriller) series was. Its on my to be read lest, but I have yet to get to it. When I saw this title available for request I took a shot, not thinking I would get selected. I'm sure glad I did.
From the first few pages I was into it and could not get enough. The book does not disappoint and had me from the start. The more I read the more I wanted to read and the entire time I was picturing this like a movie. I kept thinking to myself now I have to go read the 4MK series. J.D Barker takes the reader on a wild ride and I look forward to checking out more from this author.
D Barker has a knack for creating irresistibly engrossing books. Despite usually facing a mental block with longer reads, I breezed through the 4M series and this one, finding them to be remarkably quick reads.
"Behind A Closed Door" plunges readers into the complex dynamics of Abby and Brendan's relationship, which is initially reignited by the suggestion of a therapist-recommended app called Sugar & Spice. However, as the app gradually assumes greater control, the couple becomes enmeshed in a mysterious and dangerous game orchestrated by unseen forces. Suspicion and distrust loom large as they navigate the treacherous web they find themselves entangled in.
While some aspects of the story may verge on the extravagant, it serves to highlight the unsettling plausibility of the narrative. Brendan and Abby's gradual realization mirrors our own tendency to unquestioningly accept the terms and conditions of digital platforms, never anticipating the potentially perilous consequences.
For fans of JD Barker's work and those who crave a blend of sizzle, danger, and skillfully crafted thrills, "Behind A Closed Door" comes highly recommended.
I found the book to be refreshingly original, resembling the excitement of watching a blockbuster action movie. Contrary to my expectations based on the 4MK series, the book took an unexpected turn. The first part was notably rich in spice, while the latter half was action-packed. Overall, I enjoyed the book, appreciating its departure from typical thriller conventions and its unique premise.
It was worth the wait of 2 years for Barker's new book....WOW!!!! This book makes "50 Shades of Grey" look like a fairy tale! I could not put this book down and honestly it gave me heart palpitations.. You will definitely be very cautious of apps you download - this book brings technology and sex apps to the next level - so scary!!! J.D. - please don't make us wait too long for your next book.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the awesome opportunity to read Behind a Closed Door by JD Barker . Sugar & Spice is the latest app craze taking the world by storm, but for Abby and Brendan Hollander, downloading it leads to a dangerous game of life and death. When the app assigns them a series of increasingly taboo tasks, they soon find themselves caught up in a twisted web of seduction and violence. This book was an on edge of seat keep wanting what’s next book. I loved it to the end!
I don’t have enough words to describe this book. I’m so thankful to be able to read this book early through netgalley. I got it around Christmas and was so excited my husband laughed at me! I love J.D. Barker books and craved more of his books so when this one showed up I was so very happy. This book will take you on a roller coaster ride of action, love and suspense.The characters you get to know each and everyone you build that likable and anger towards them and the ending was perfect and not seen coming and I love to read his author notes all I can say is thank you Mr. Barker for hitting send finally to share this book with us.
I am a massive J.D. Barker fan and this book did not disappoint! Abby and Brendan, are having some marriage problems, after a few therapy sessions, they find themselves downloading an app calles "Sugar & Spice". At first the app is fun with its questions and fun little dares but eventually things begin to take a turn.
All it takes is one Spice that Abby doesn't complete, and the game turns from fun to destructive. This is going to make a great film, as it was a super unique and fun read. However, as much fun I had with this one, I also found myself loosing focus at some points.
nah nah nahhhh
she said they trust her scalpel so i know you’re in on it!!!
i just don’t know… how… >_>
<_<
for how long this felt (and happily so!)
i feel i need another book
i need to delve further
come on jd
chop chop
tell me you’re writing a sequel
go ahead and comment on this post bc i know you’re gonna see this! 👀😤
who da heck is elsa!
what is going on at the end! i need more answers
i sped read and couldn’t put this down, had to know what was going on
Sugar and Spice, but it’s not always nice!
Abby and Brendan Hollander’s marriage has become a little stale, and they decide that some counselling sessions will help. Their therapist Dr Donetti suggests they download an app called Sugar and Spice that is apparently taking the world by storm. They take her advice in order to help spice things up. Big mistake!
Initially it puts a little welcome steam back into their love life, but as the app sends ever more weird and dangerous missions for them to complete, they realise (too late) that it’s completely taken over their lives.
Well, ten out of ten for originality Mr Barker. This is a cautionary tale about clicking on some random app without checking (All) the terms of service - and how many of us actually do that - that small print that goes on forever? The app turns out to be a very dark and dangerous online game, but it provided lots of tension and it was certainly a page turner! I always thought my smartphone was the best that technology could offer - the bees knees, but ‘ Behind A Closed Door’ got me thinking that there was a lot to be said for my old flip phone after all!
3.75rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the ARC .
This book was a wild ride. There’s several plot twists that kept me guessing, and I was thoroughly entertained throughout the book. Good read!
This author is one of my favorite authors of late, he has a real masterful way of telling a story that really grabs your attention and keeps it. Abby and Brendan have been married for a while, hoping for a child, both working and both feel like they want more from their relationship, so decide to see a therapist. She recommends they download an app, Sugar and Spice (this book will make you think twice about downloading an app) is an app that promises to add some excitement to a relationship, at first both Abby and Brendan pick Sugar types of challenges, most are a little risky, sex in an elevator, buying and wearing expensive/sexy clothing, touching sexually in public. But then the Spice challenges start, and they aren't so sexy and that's where things get scary. Another story line follows Romeo and Juliet (a not so romantic couple, they appear to be murdering indiscriminately) , at first what they do doesn't tie together with what is happening with Abby and Brendan, until their paths cross and things go from scary to downright terrifying and Abby and Brendan are in a fight for their life as well as trying to figure out what or who is behind the chaos that has become their life. I will say I found the beginning made me a bit squeamish with some of the sex acts, but once past that I really did enjoy this and would recommend it. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Hampton Creek Press for the ARC.
During a marriage counseling session, Abby and Brendan are given a suggestion to download a relationship app called Sugar and Spice to add some inspiration into their marriage. Brendan is a financial analyst who discovers that a company he is assigned to investigate is siphoning money into a secret account. Abby is a writing her second novel and decides to use inspiration for her new book from the Sugar and Spice tasks they are given from the app. Little did they know, the app takes over every “smart” device in their lives. They discover millions have downloaded the app and earn points for every task they complete, and with each task completed the next task becomes more daring. Soon the app becomes deadly putting Brendan and Abby at the top of the hit list.
by J.D. Barker ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
WHAT A PAGE TURNER!!!
J. D. Barker is a fantastic author who just isn't talked about enough and I don't understand why! If this is your first time trying this author I STRONGLY suggest you start 'A Callers Game' or 'The Fourth Monkey' series next.
I loved the concept of this book, it had a real John Marrs feel to it. (in particular 'The Passengers') it also made me want to ditch my smart phone.
Can not recommend this book enough as a must read for 2024
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I'm a big fan of J.D. Barker's, so I was happy to read this, and I wasn't disappointed! This is the best book he's written since the Fourth Monkey.
Brendan, an agent for the FDIC, and Abby, a writer, were in marriage counseling, and their new therapist suggested that they download an app called Sugar & Spice to help with their sex life. And it worked! Until it got more and more dangerous with no way out.
What a wild ride! Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, there was a twist. Not just once, but over and over! J.D. Barker knows how to keep you guessing and keep turning pages late into the night.
I definitely recommend Behind a Closed Door for anyone who enjoys spine-tingling suspense. I can't wait for more of his books to be published!
4.25 stars-I love that JD Barker goes all in on his books, violence, sex, nothing is held back or minimized. Know going in, this book is heavy on both (I have read all of his previous books so I was prepared.) The story begins with a couple who have grown apart. They find a card for a therapist on their car windshield and decide to visit. (Weird way to advertise, but ok…) The therapist recommends a relationship app, kind of a relationship version of truth or dare, nice or naughty theme.) Meanwhile, Brendan, the husband, is a forensic accountant who is looking into a company that is syphoning money out of their business. The two things connect and the story unfolds. What I really enjoyed/kind of freaked out about, is how real the technology in this book could be. Millions of people downloaded the app, and like most people (including me), did not pay attention to what they were allowing in terms of privacy settings. The app has access to your photos, all of your Bluetooth devices, your camera, your microphone, etc and it pays rewards when you reach new levels. In this case it was a let’s see how far we can make people go. What if something like that did come out, and people wee given choices and challenges like one from the book “would you kill someone if it meant saving your partners life?” A lot of moral considerations to ponder for sure. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc. All opinions are my own, and heck yeah, I am going to be seeing this when it becomes a movie!
An action-packed thriller by bestselling author of the Fourth Monkey series. The Fourth Monkey series is highly regarded and before reading I'd seen it recommended everywhere, so I was eager to see what else this author could offer up. The story was a little slow to start with but once it got going it didn't let up. The story was fast-paced and thrilling and I could easily see this one being made into a movie. The premise of an app is interesting and very current and relevant today. There were twists and reveals I didn't see coming. Overall, a great book by a talented author.
Wow what did I just read. This was such a unique concept. I loved the plot. The characters were very well done and relatable. This book moved at a great pace. Oozes with suspense and terror. There are moments in this one that will leave your jaw literally hanging. Heart pounding chills throughout. This one is a real page turner a great creepy spine tingling read!
Thank you to netgalley and Hampton Creek Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed the grittiness of this book.