Dark Roads

overall this book was just okay and a bit long. the reason this is a 2 star instead of like a 3 is because this was inspired by the trail of tears which is a real life road that indigenous women still go missing on every day. idk if chevy stevens was really the person to tell a story based on that because she barely touched on it and the issue of missing and murder indigenous women.

This was my first book by this author and I picked it up because I had heard rave reviews. While I liked the author's writing style, I felt that this book was way too long. The woodsy parts while atmospheric were dragging, and I was skimming through them. I liked the dual perspective but didn't feel particularly attached to either. The killer did surprise me though! 

I was very behind on reviews this year and I promise I will not say that next year but that is not important. I decided that since I was not going to make it by the deadline for this review that I would buy the audiobook and I am so glad I did. A story that tugs at the depths of your soul. I think I only paused this book long enough to eat and use the restroom it is that good. Characters that become so alive you cry with them, get angry for them, and want them to prevail. Twist and turns you never see coming, inhaling the book so fast, but wanting it to last much longer than it ever does because you can't put it down. A Prologue and Epilogue that sent chills through my body I loved this very much and will be picking up more books by this author very soon.

Dark Roads is the first book by Chevy Stevens I've read and it's a doozy. An engrossing psychological suspense novel, it's four main characters – all in their twenties – have stories which intertwine in a thoroughly realistic and absorbing way.
Cold Creek Highway in the Pacific Northwest is infamous for the series of women hitchhikers who have gone missing in the area. Hailey, whose father has died, is living with her aunt and her policeman husband and hanging around with her childhood buddy Jonny, while striking up a romance with Amber, a waitress at the local diner. When her home life becomes unbearable, she retreats into the deep woods, in almost survivalist mode, and everyone believes she another one of the victims of the area killer. When Amber comes looking for Hailey, she's killed so midway through the book, we are introduced to Amber's sister Beth, who moves to town to investigate her sister's death and quickly becomes romantically involved with Jonny. The three young adults join forces to catch the culprit and the suspenseful ending will keep you guessing, as Stevens has twists up her sleeve you won't see coming.
This is a book chock full of descriptions of spooky deep woods, meandering back roads, and overgrown trails which reminded me of the best passages in The Marsh King's Daughter. There's also a wonderful dog named Wolf who you'll fall in love with. The interplay between the characters is well-played although one of the villains is a bit broadly drawn. Definitely one that will keep you turning pages, wanting desperately to believe good can triumph over evil. Prepare to stay up a few nights as Dark Roads pulls you into its intricate plot.
My thanks to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.