You may want to think twice next time you want to download an app!

Brendan and Abby have hit a bit of a rocky spot in their marriage and decide to seek out marriage counselor. This counselor may not be the most conventional but at this point they’re game to try anything. Her suggestion is that they download a new and popular app called Sugar & Spice. Guaranteed to put the heat back into their marriage!🔥

But what happens when an app wants to take over your life? How well do you read the small print, the before you clicked accept? Let me just say after reading this book I’ll always take a closer look! Ha, who am I kidding? I’ll just click accept like everyone else and hope for the best!🙈

This is another full-throttle thriller from the very talented J.D. Barker with a rather spicy start. But quickly moved into an all out unputdownable thrill ride. All in all J.D. once again kept me on the edge of my seat to the end!

Make sure to read the author's note on his inspiration for this novel. I think it’s something we’ve all experienced …😉

A buddy read with Susanne that we both enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press

I love all JD Barker books, and this one did not disappoint! A twisted realistic storyline that will have you reading well into the night! A dating app gone wrong story that has twists you will never see coming!

Meet Brendan and Abby who are having marital problems. Their couples therapist suggests they try an app, Sugar n Spice! What starts as innocent fun turns deadly. Soon they are caught in a game of truth or dare they can't escape.

This was an ARC I greatly enjoyed

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Hampton creek press and the great author J.D.Barker for an early copy of his book to read.


This book is completely different from his other books I've read, A shocking opening chapters,making you wanting to see what was going to happens..Brendan and Abbey a married couple seek a therapist there sex life wasnt as exciting,the therapist started to ask personal questions and recommend an app, this was working great for them to start with until the app started to get dangerous will they continue following the instructions? Enjoyed this read its completely different started great and exciting only found this book abit to long for this storyline. So my rating is 3.5 rounded to four..looking forward to reading more of his books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and waterstone's...

I will read anything JD Barker writes as they are always fascinating books and this one was awesome! It opens with Brendan and Abby seeing a marriage counselor as their union feels "stale." But then it gets to be anything BUT stale as they are introduced to a new app called Sugar and Spice that allows them to choose between the two and then act out these fantasies. At first it appears fairly innocuous but then things get dicey as "Romeo" and Juliet" come into the picture and Brendan and Abby are forced into awkward sexual situations that are embarrassing and leak over into their business lives as well. This novel is a train-wreck in every sense of the word and kept me gasping for breath as I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Be prepared but dig in immediately!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for this ARC.

Are you ready for a wild ride?! This J.D. Barker book is a bit different from his earlier works, but nothing wrong with that. Filled with unexpected ‘dark’ twists, never-stopping action, sex, murder, suspense and great characters. Abby and Brendan Hollander, who only want to spice up their marriage to Romeo and Juliet who are taking murderous instructions over the phone. This book starts with you thinking it’s just another ‘spiced up’ story, but this story actually has some ‘surprises’ for the reader, which I loved. A dark twisted story that will let you turn the pages like nothing else. This story is like a 4000 Shades of Black. I’m not going to give any spoilers, but this is definitely a book you must read, except if you are not into very dark thrillers, S&M, Sex, Spice and Twisted Games, in that case you probably won't like this book. Before I forget; if you come across an app called ‘Sugar & Spice’, you better skip it!!

4-5 stars

‘Sugar and spice and all things nice
Kisses sweeter than wine….’ that’ll be a big fat NO!

Brendan and Abby Hollander consult a therapist to work out the problems in their marriage. She recommends they download an app, Sugar and Spice, to spice things up between them, so things are all sweet between them again, presumably. However, to say the app isn’t quite what they anticipate would be the understatement of the decade. It seems a bit, er, invasive, and along the lines of truth or dare. It starts to become very twisted sister, seriously messed up as they teeter precariously into dangerous territory and it’s only going to get a whole bunch worse.

I begin this latest original and creative offering from JD Barker and I’m thinking this is rather a change of direction, what’s going on here? There’s quite a lot of blushing (me) and eye popping (me again) as things definitely get fruity and spicy between Brendan and Abby and I’m certainly of the opinion they should ditch that app. If only they had listened to me, but then it wouldn’t have been half so entertaining, would it? They certainly end up wading in a whole load of effluent.

Alongside the increasingly scary demands of the app, is Brendan‘s job as a financial crime detective, investigating companies nefarious deeds and what is uncovered here becomes seriously weird and deepens the precarious nature of their situation. Initially I think some of this is somewhat far-fetched, but then I reflect for a bit and decide, actually it may be exaggerated, but it ain’t out of the realms of possibility. It gets darker and darker, very much JD style. The eyes are still popping but for different reasons!

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.

The moral of the tale ? So app(t). Buyer, beware, read your t’s and c’s, tech can work for you, but on the flipside… talking of flips… Where’s my old flip phone? That might be safer than big brother, watching and listening!! However, can I survive without my gadgets?!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hampton Creek Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

JD Barker co-wrote The Coast to Coast murder with James Patterson and it was one of my favourite books for the year....so I was ridiculously excited to get my hands on Behind a Closed Door.

We have Abby and Brendan who at their first marriage counseling session, when their counselor suggests they try the Sugar and Spice app to help connect them again and spice things up.

We also meet Romeo and Juliet who seem to be on some sort of murderous spree..... and then Brendan and Abby's best friends, Hannah and Stuckey. Eventually one realises the app is more sinister and not just about spicing up relationships....

The book started off intriguing and the writing is great, I do love Barker's writing style, but there was just something that didn't connect me to the pages. I did finish it though, so maybe that counts for something.

There was one twist that was very obvious to me, one scene that was really disturbing as a woman, and perhaps that got me checked out. I didn't have the desire to keep turning the pages and I didn't feel that there was much tension or suspense for me. Perhaps it was the legal/financial jargon that I didn't enjoy or need....I think that possibly a different angle around that plot would have had me more invested.

I will say that reading the Author's notes at the end of the book, I can appreciate why he wrote the book, it really is a cautionary tale of how technology is taking over the world....literally!

As said in the blurb, would you kill a total stranger to save someone you love?

This alone drew me into this book, it gets you thinking doesn’t it? Would you?

Abby and Brandon are struggling within their marriage, they go to see a therapist who tells them to try this new craze app that everyone is going on about - I mean, it’s the highest rated app, so trustworthy, right?

The app starts with a bit of fun, boosting their sex life, but then things get deeper, more sinister asks are popping up. Soon the couple find their lives being dragged through some very dark stuff.

Without giving any more away, you must read this book! I thought the overall experience of the book was brilliant, I did struggle personally about 3/4 of the way through and I just wanted to find out what happens, but the ending did not disappoint

Let me first state that I am a big fan of J.D. Barker.

Then let me say that "Behind a Closed Door" exhausted me. There is that much action. It's almost two books within a book. We open with steamy sex that builds and builds. Then the intrigue comes onboard and we start a more typical Barker adventure through the twists, turns, and action that make his books to addicting.

"Behind Closed Doors" is a layered novel that should keep J.D.'s fans satiated for awhile. Then again, it might have us begging for more. Read it and see.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a new book by JD Barker available. As much as I have enjoyed reading his past books, this one not so much. The subject matter was not a comfortable read. While I am sure that Mr Barker’s many fans will enjoy the book, this one was not for me.

Thank you the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book

Wow. The app Sugar & Spice is truth or dare for adults. The key word is “adult,” so the book begins with much erotica. Then the tune changes to violence, bloody and painful. Throw in debauchery. Almost 500 pages of these tunes was a bit much for me. I liked the ending and the lesson it has.

The producer of “Get Out” has bought rights to this novel. Be prepared to wince while watching!

3.5 stars rounded up.

Barker is back with his unique brand of horror and I could not be happier.

Sugar & Spice is the app everyone is talking about. But downloading it could be deadly!

On the advice of their therapist ( my alarm bells went off), Abby and Brendan download the app, thinking it will lead to some erotica and put the spice back in their relationship. The app tells them to do things. At first, not too out there. But the tasks get progressively more shocking. And violent.

There are multiple story lines here and that keeps you on the edge, trying to figure out who is behind this sick game.

At first I thought we were going in a different direction. Maybe a bit of S&M? Nope, it’s just Barker setting up another dark and twisted tale. Thank goodness!

Netgalley/ IBPA, Hampton Creek Press, May 06,2024

"Sugar and Spice and all things nice..."

Not so much!

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.

Initially, I wondered is Barker veering off into S&M territory? Is this his foray into erotica? Not so fast! 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. A lot of dangerous and sinister things are at play!

J.D. Barker's books are original and unique. They are also well written and well thought out. I had no idea where this book was going or how everything was connected. When everything came together, I had several "aha" moments and thought very clever and well played, Barker, well played.

For me this was a mixed bag. There were parts that I thought were absolutely brilliant and other parts where my attention waivered a little. But overall, I enjoyed this unique book and appreciated the author's note at the end of the book where he shares what inspired him to write this book. It was extremely relevant and timely.

Original, dark, well written, thought provoking, and captivating.

Where to start? Hmm...I love J.D. Barker's writing! He's never written a story I didn't like/love/suck me into its world. BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR was the ultimate roller coaster ride.

No spoilers, of course. You'll need to read the book, I hate when people ruin the story by saying and then THIS happened... I'll tell you that this is the story of two couples who start out loading an app and playing a game. Things evolve from there. I don't think that J.D. outlines, rather he writes as the characters evolve. So, don't assume you can figure this out. This author has one of the most twisted minds imaginable. This novel builds to a kickass ending that I just loved.

Book clubs take note: J.D. has even written some questions for you to take to your group. It's sure to help get the conversations flowing.

I can't wait to read (and see) everything else he has coming. Another thought before I leave. CLOSED DOOR seems to have a running theme of love. Looking for a love story? Here's a five star thriller love story

"Behind a Closed Door" by J.D. Barker is a gripping and suspenseful novel that introduces readers to the dark and dangerous world of the Sugar & Spice app. This book promises a thrilling ride, combining elements of romance, mystery, and psychological suspense.

The story revolves around Abby and Brendan Hollander, a couple whose decision to download the Sugar & Spice app sets off a series of events that will challenge them in unexpected and perilous ways. The app assigns them tasks that escalate in taboo nature, leading them into a sinister game where the stakes are life and death.

Described as a fusion of "50 Shades" and David Fincher's "The Game," the novel holds the promise of a sexually charged dark thriller. The comparison suggests a narrative that delves into the complexities of relationships and the psychological toll of participating in a game that blurs the lines between seduction and violence.

The tagline, "Would you kill a total stranger to save someone you love?" immediately raises ethical and moral dilemmas, setting the stage for intense and thought-provoking scenarios. The book seems to explore the lengths to which individuals are willing to go when pushed to the limits, particularly in the name of love and survival.

J.D. Barker, known for his mastery of suspense, brings his storytelling prowess to this novel. As the New York Times bestselling author of "The Fourth Monkey," Barker has established himself as a skilled writer in the thriller genre. Readers can expect a well-crafted narrative with twists and turns that keep them on the edge of their seats.

The promise of a major motion picture adds an extra layer of anticipation, suggesting that the story's visual elements and intense atmosphere will translate effectively to the screen.

In summary, "Behind a Closed Door" appears to be a tantalizing thriller that explores the dark side of technology, love, and human nature. With its intriguing premise, the novel aims to deliver an immersive reading experience filled with suspense, danger, and unexpected twists.

If took me a few minutes to really wrap my head around this book. There’s suspense & murder & it all feels like a game but then things take a turn for the better and for the worst. I enjoyed it. I unfortunately won’t be reaching for it again because I was Looking for different kind of vibes. I’d say that there tons of suspense & it’s a great thriller but I’m more a a Spicy Dark Romance Person.

If you are a fan of the 4 Monkey series by J.D. Barker he has an ARC on Netgalley of his newest release Behind a Closed Door.

I just finished this action packed thriller. It kept up late into the night and I enjoyed this more than the 4MK series. It has trigger warnings and is more sexually graphic than some of his other novels.

Abby and Brendan have hit a rough patch in their marriage. On the recommendation of their marriage counselor they download an app called Sugar & Spice. The app is similar to truth or dare but for couples and bedroom related activities. As the prompts from the app progress things start to get pushed too far. How far will Abby and Brendan go to save their marriage and each other? It was thrilling to read and find out. I give this book a solid four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley, Hampton Creek Publishing, and J.D. Barker for this ARC.

While mostly known for his 4MK series, J.D. Barker does not disappoint in his newest novel. Filled with the same thrills, twists and mind bending story line that makes his books so good, yet it’s unique enough to not be anything like 4MK.
The content of the book is more adult that his previous titles however it does not detract from the story itself. It was a thrilling and engaging book that I could not put down! He did it again.
Follow a couple as they download an app to help strengthen their relationship. Suddenly the innocent Sugar and Spice “games” start to get too real and dangerous yet they can’t seem to be free of it. The harder they try and get away, the more they see just how much of society is involved and under this app’s control.
Highly recommended and completely worth the read.

This is a twisted book hands down. however you won't be able to put it down. the author is brilliant.