I enjoyed reading this book thank you for the opportunity. This is only my second book by this author, the first being A Caller’s Game. Behind A Closed Door reminded me of A Caller’s Game with the action it offered. I keep wanting to call it Sugar or Spice, so maybe it deserved a better title, something more catchy and unlike similar titles by other authors. If it wasn’t JD Barker and I saw just the title and cover I would not pick up this book. Also I don’t consider it Horror another thing that would prevent me from picking it up. It was a great read but I think I like reading the Author’s Note more than the book itself, and I think the note after the first book is what has actually made me a fan. So was it worth the wait? Yes, absolutely and I will look forward to the stock pile of new releases that may come. It’s nice to have discussion questions included too.

This is a well written story, but honestly I'm not surprised. Coming off the 4MK Series I had high expectations, but J.D. Barker did not disappoint! I never knew what was going to happen next, it was such a crazy entertaining ride from beginning to end!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hampton Creek Press and J.D. Barker for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for Behind A Closed Door is May 13, 2024

BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR
by J.D. BARKER
Thanks to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for the opportunity to read and review BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR.
I am sure I was on book four of a series. I just did not not what I read. Too often, sex is added as fillers or word counts, Just felt it was less .

This story really had me going for a while. At first, I wasn't sure what kind of story it was, after all it starts out with a couple who is trying to overcome an issue in their marriage. But then there are odd murders thrown in being done by a couple that randomly targets people? But it was the ending that blew me away! I thought, what the hell just happened?! Excellent job!

J. D. Barker does it again! His books are always captivating with "out there" plotlines, but they never fail to draw me in and keep me racing through the pages. This book starts with an app, a fun way to spice up your love life! From there it's a crazy ride with threads galore, that end up coming together in a satisfying manner. This is an author who has earned his place on my auto buy list. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

I love every book by JD Barker, but this one takes the cake. The plot is outrageous, but totally realistic. The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time. If you're looking for a book to keep your heart racing and keep you up late at night reading one more chapter, this is it.

When a couple finds a card for a therapist underneath their windshield wiper and decide to take her advice and download a saucy little app that "Sugar & Spices" up their marriage all is well until of course it isn't. Because naturally the requests become crazier and crazier and well, the secrets, and you know...

J.D. Palmer does his thing again and I am there for it as always.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

One hell of a crazy ride! Being a fan of 4MK trilogy I am thankful to NetGalley for allowing to read this pre-release copy. A conniving thriller we starts off with ways to repairing a broken marriage and dives into relatable themes of how apps and internet on a whole have such a strong hold on our lives, particularly when it comes divulging our privacy.

Running a bit longer than I would have expected to, author J.D. Baker keeps every page engrossing and intense, with some sweet and hilarious moments peppered throughout to keep readers like myself completely involved till the last page.

Sugar & Spice, the latest frenzy of an app, has swept the globe like a whirlwind. However, for Abby and Brendan Hollander, diving into its world leads to a perilous game of life and death. As the app presents them with a series of increasingly forbidden tasks, they soon find themselves entangled in an intoxicating web of desire and brutality in this dark and sensually charged thriller.

Barker, the masterful and captivating writer, weaves a chilling tale that steadily builds, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. With a breathtaking twist at the end and a cliffhanger finale, his storytelling leaves us precariously hanging by our fingertips.

This narrative unfolds on multiple layers. We meet Abby and Brendan Hollander, our protagonists, along with their circle of friends. Yet, there are also Romeo and Juliet, who carry out the sinister deeds instructed by an unknown figure through a phone.

The complexity of this book surpassed my initial expectations. When all the pieces fall into place, epiphanies abound, and I couldn't help but acknowledge Barker's cunning and strategic craftsmanship. The story becomes a tantalizing puzzle, with suspense, intensity, and an abundance of twists. Each chapter concludes with a thrilling cliffhanger, keeping us firmly ensnared in the trainwreck of Brendan and Abby's lives. The plot is meticulously constructed, tighter than Barker's previous works, resulting in a sharper and more focused reading experience. The tension mounts relentlessly, making it action-packed, and deserving of a blockbuster film adaptation. This wild ride is undeniably entertaining.

The meticulous composition of this book and its unique storyline captured my attention. However, it dawned on me – perhaps we should read the terms and conditions before mindlessly accepting any app. But who really delves into that? We rarely take the time. Perhaps now, I'll think twice before downloading any app, no matter its purpose. What if, indeed?

In conclusion, this book is an unputdownable gem. I was thoroughly engrossed, unable to tear myself away. Congratulations in advance, as it undoubtedly possesses the potential to become a captivating movie.

I have just read Behind A Closed Door by Author J.D. Barker

WOW, Does J.D. Barker know to start off a book, and this one starts off fast and furious, and as always with the Author got my attention right away.

He is one of my favourite Authors and is an excellent storyteller.

This is to be a major motion picture soon, and I can see it really being written so.

The main characters Abby and Brendan Hollander and having some marital problems, and have gone to see a therapist.

The therapist has recommended that they download an app that will be of assistance to them.

This is when the story really takes off.

It is a story unlike any that you have read before, and covers a lot of topics, and the modern day connections to a computerized society and the use of APP’s

I really like J.D.. Barker’s writing, stories and books. He is creative beyond words.

However I did start to lose a bit of interest about 2/3rds in. However a very exceptional read

3.5 Stars


Thank You to Hampton Creek Press, NetGalley and the Author for my advanced copy to read and review.

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

This one is a little different from the author's previous books. Abby and Brendan Hollander have decided to see a therapist to work on some of the issues in their marriage. When their therapist suggested an app titled Sugar & Spice, they decided to give it a try. It will bring a little heat, sizzle, and steam back to their marriage. Things start interesting enough but soon the app is giving them more twisted and dangerous things to do. There are many layers to this story. We have our main characters - Abby and Brendan Hollander and their friends. But there is also Romeo and Juliet who are killing people that an unnamed person (on a phone) is instructing them to do so. There is a lot more at play in this book than I initially thought there was. When everything came together, I had several "aha" moments and thought very clever and well played, Barker, well played. It becomes a real puzzle you try to connect, it’s so suspenseful, intense, tense and naturally, twisty, twisty. I love the cliffhangers that many chapters finish on which certainly keeps me glued to the train wreck of Brendan and Abby‘s lives. It’s well plotted, it’s much tighter than some of his other novels, which makes a sharper and much more focused reading experience. It builds and builds, it’s absolutely action packed, and most certainly action movie worthy as it barrels and turns to a cracking end. it is definitely a wild train ride but it’s an entertaining one. I very much so enjoyed this one!

I loved the Fourth Monkey series, but this one didn’t quite do it for me. I wasn't personally a fan of the increased romance angle as it seemed to come at the cost of well developed and carefully thought out action. Still worth reading, but less of a memorable book that blended more into the rest of the genre for me.

Wow! what a unique and detailed storyline.
This book drew me immediately at the beginning.

It's different from what I usually read but that's one of the reasons why I requested an Arc for this book. We also need something different so that we don't get bored or lose interest in reading. This book is long but when I read the first sentence. I said "Oh! wait what?!" I'm not prepared haha. I just didn't expect that.

This book is very well written, such a unique storyline that caught my attention. But wait, should I read the terms and conditions first before accepting an app? Oh no! But seriously no one really reads that. Yeah, we don't usually read that. Maybe I'll think twice about downloading an app or whatever app it is. What if, right?

Overall this book was a page turner. I just couldn't put it down. Advance congratulations because it will be a movie/series.

“Thank you NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”

Unlike any book I’ve ever read…in a good way

Once again we are brought into the lives of some really great characters, and some really really horrible ones. Abby and Brendan find themselves addicted to an app filled with innocent dares to spice up their marriage. As they become more addicted, the dares become not so innocent and in Barker fashion, all chaos ensues and you cannot stop reading.

I really enjoyed the majority of the book, but some parts were a little too unbelievable…I will not go into detail. Overall this was a solid 4/5 and I’m excited for what’s to come.

Thank you Mr. Barker for making words and sharing them with your people! And thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was so excited I didn’t have to wait until 2024 :)

Not every mystery and crime novel needs a cop or a agent or a hero, sometimes hero comes out from the people around us and the simple characters we met in our way to reach some common goal.
that is what happens in this new and brilliant book by JD Barker.
I always excited to read and explore new and old works of authors i love to read without having a second thought and Mr Barker is one them. and he never disappoints when it comes to soul thrilling stories with ordinary people in it.
a very intense , thought provoking , keep wanting you to ask for more from this other side of this author, we have never seen before.
characters are so much like the people you meet daily in your lives, most of them are insecure and struggles in daily life to find a way to carry out their lives with a purpose.Glad to see that in first few chapters both couples did not commit anything which could cause a stir.
i won't stop thinking about characters in this book and how they grew on me.
Mr Barker developed every character in this book very thoughtfully and in way that you will love them and remember them.
He developed them with a purpose and deep consciousness. A great mystery subtlety unfolding itself behind a closed door or should i say turning the wheels of another story unfolding another story itself.
tension building in this story is of just another level.
when you are at mid point of the book you feel its going to end, cause of much action and thrilling situations, and you wonder how this story gonna make it up to at least 90%, if not 100%.
bad guys turning in to hero, bad guys come to save the day thing, very unpredictable.
this book is totally fun and exciting and left you satisfied with every thing you will wish to happen.

It's not often that i rate a story 5 stars, but i was gripped the whole way through. I think it has something for everyone, action, suspense, sex, gore and romance. Great characters and a detailed storyline that scaroly could be real life, a dismal and grizzly reality. I have been championing this story in my virtual book club and recommended to my husband too. Thank you for accepting my request to read and review. Abby was a kick ass woman, and Juliet was one of my faves. I will be keeping an eye out for more of your stories.

The idea of the book was Ok, just seemed sooooo far-fetched at times so I had a bit of trouble relating. The ending didn’t totally wrap things up for me, and I feel like there could have been a bit more added.

BEST BOOK THAT I HAVE READ FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW.
I finished the book in one sitting and it made me think about it for quite some time. Captivating, sitting on the edge of the seat page turner, this book made me forget i was reading.
theres a lot of stuff going on, quite surprising stuff. The book made me think twice about downloading the app and ticking the terms and conditions page without reading.
A very twisty and thrilling ride, definitely recommended.

Wow! A fantastic cautionary tale about a couple who download an app to spice up their marriage and the chaos that ensues.

It romps along and I thoroughly enjoyed the unique tale of Sugar and Spice. It’s got sex, violence, intrigue and twists and is very well crafted.

It certainly makes you think twice about the risks involved in downloading apps, clicking on links and general dangers of our internet linked world.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to preview and it’s great to have this author back publishing his own works, following his success with James Patterson.