How Bad Things Can Get, which follows an online influencer hosting a retreat on a private island, started out with a glimmer of intrigue for me, but quickly nose-dived into eye-rolling territory where I was just wondering when it would finally be over.After skimming through some other reviews once I finished, I definitely think I'm in the minority with this opinion, so please take this review with a massive grain of salt, because that's exactly what I am: salty.I'm honestly starting to think tha...

2.5/5 stars ★This book is like a Mr. Beast video gone HORRIBLY wrong, mixed with The Blair Witch Project and The Sacrament.In How Bad Things Can Get by Darcy Coates, Ruth joins hundreds of devoted fans of a popular online influencer on a remote island for a week-long party they’re hosting, complete with crazy challenges and huge prizes. But beneath the lively atmosphere and excitement lies the island’s dark past, once home to a dangerous cult. As creepy events unfold, Ruth starts to think that s...

This was pretty good! I loved how the past and present timelines merged in certain ways. It definitely needs a prequel because I'd love to delve much deeper into Ruth's past. I thought it had a lot of action, mystery, and some seriously creepy bits. A solid premise, and once again, great writing from Darcy Coates in *How Bad Things Can Get*. Darcy Coates... hint for that prequel please! If you're looking for a spooky read, I highly recommend *How Bad Things Can Get*. This is a great example of ...

Confession: I don’t DNF books—books DNF me. This one made the choice for me right around the halfway point.I usually get really excited when Darcy Coates drops a new book, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The whole "party of the century → survival game → spooky jungle island hosted by an obnoxious influencer" setup really grated on my nerves. It didn’t feel like a week in paradise; more like a week in hell, and I'm not even just talking about the horror elements.What I Did Lik...

Grabbing "How Bad Things Can Get" on a whim at the bookstore yesterday was honestly one of the best decisions I've made, because Darcy Coates' "How Bad Things Can Get" is easily one of my new favorite thriller/horror books EVER. And trust me, I am incredibly picky with this genre, lol. If you are looking for **thriller book reviews**, look no further.I devoured this book in one sitting. The pacing was incredible—I was on the edge of my seat every single second. The author did an excellent job ca...

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On: The Book Review Crew BlogI love Darcy Coates's books; Gallows Hill and Dead of Winter are two of my favorites. Like most of her books, "How Bad Things Can Get" is a slow burn, but in the best way possible. In this one, we're whisked away to the mysterious Prosperity Island with an influencer and a horde of their fans. What's meant to be a five-day dream party turns into a total nightmare when it's revealed that the island was once home to a cult. One of the fans,...

Have you ever seen someone so excited they did a cartwheel? Well, you missed your chance to see me do one after I got the email saying NetGalley approved me for "How Bad Things Can Get"! I usually try to read my ARC books in the order I receive them. But for Darcy Coates?! I threw that rule out the window at about 90mph... and I'm not even a little bit sorry. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE Darcy Coates!!!!!! She has never disappointed me.I can't lie, I didn't even read the synopsis for "How Bad Things Can Get...

Just how bad *can* things get? Apparently, pretty damn bad on Prosperity Island in Darcy Coates's "How Bad Things Can Get". Eton, a millionaire (or maybe even billionaire!), has just snapped up the island and invited a gaggle of VIP guests, plus a couple hundred more lucky souls who snagged a ticket through some kind of lottery. The plan? Five days of pure fun, packed with entertainment, games, and prizes. To kick things off, the island’s dark and twisty past gets a dramatic reveal via a brief, ...

This novel is both disturbing and terrifying, in the best way imaginable! It's a horror, mystery, and thriller that delivers a hefty dose of suspense! While "How Bad Things Can Get" started a little slow for me, it quickly gained momentum and turned into a fast, entertaining read! This was my first Darcy Coates novel, so I went in not knowing exactly what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the quality of the writing! The book is atmospheric, with a clear theme and vivid image...

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Yeah, things can get real bad… and boy, did they ever. In more ways than one…"How Bad Things Can Get" was my first Darcy Coates book, and I'm kinda on the fence about it. It reminds me of honeydew. I mean, honeydew's alright, but does anyone actually *crave* it? It’s gotta be the most 'meh' fruit out there. This had a total B-movie feel, but without the cheesy fun that makes those movies a blast. I just didn’t connect with any of the characters, and the only enjoyment I got was from how...