Every Riley Sager book I've read has a plot that sounds like exactly my kind of thing and I get really excited but then the execution leaves me disappointed. ( )

I want to watch this as a movie, now that I've read the book that is. I was not even halfway through when I started say, this would be such a freaking awesome movie.
I finished this in less than a day. All I can say is Riley Sager did it again. ( )

Riley Sager does it again!! This is tied for me with Home Before Dark. Loved it and didn’t see the twists and turns coming my way. So happy I found this author and the thrillers he’s created. ( )

Charlie's best friend has been murdered; so, Charlie Jordan decides that she has to get away from Olyphant University, she has to go home. She’s posted a flyer looking, asking, begging for someone to give her a ride. Then she "just happens" to meet a stranger who "just happens" to be going her way. Riley Sager is so incredibly good at psychological horror. If you have read any of his other books, then you know that high-concept plots are always there. In this one the whole tale unfolds over one long, eventful night in 1991. Charlie is a girl that doesn’t seem to be very interested in self-preservation; or else she's just careless or too trusting for her own good.... or she just behaves in ways that are just plain stupid, doing this again and again and again. In the start of the story, she spends a lot of time wondering if it seems reasonable for a young woman who just lost her friend to a serial killer to travel across two states with a man she’s never met. DAH! No Charlie...it's NOT reasonable at all!!! The whole first half of the story is Charlie discovering that her driver may not be who he says he is, and guess what???...she wonders if he may plan to harm her. He certainly doesn't want her looking in the trunk! A great deal lot of time is spent on establishing something that everyone is already assuming. The end of this tale is filled with twists, turns and realizations. Some are genuinely surprising because they are what any half intelligent human being would already have figured out. But... they are as inevitable. There’s also something about Charlie’s love of classic films and history of trauma that is used to create a one-time condition where she momentarily leaves reality behind and gets lost in cinematic fantasy. This made very little sense, but you can surmise how it's supposed to be important to the plot and helps to remind us that Charlie may not be playing with a full deck. Despite these flaws, it's the reader who gets to decide if they want to just give in and go along for the ride. If you do, you will have an interesting and sometimes frustrating few hours ahead of you. It is a good story, even though it sometimes seems to be a flawed story. Overall...it can be described as suspenseful...and sometimes...silly. ( )

ooooh this one is tough. I can see why others had harsh criticism of this one. But if you take it in the spirit of, what I think, what the author intended, then you can just glide along with the story without worrying too much. Don't try to make it more than it is. Imagine Charlie's movies and just enjoy the ride.

I found myself caught up in it. I was curious how it would all end. I liked the time updates, so you knew what part of the night we were on. Once we hit a certain point, all bets were off and I was just along for the conclusion. I didn't try to guess anything so I was surprised by each twist and turn. It was interesting and I enjoyed it for the entertainment it was. ( )

Forgot Sager was a man until the 50th time Charlie was described as waif-like.

Charlie is in desperate need of a ride back home from college, and just her luck, there's a guy going her direction. Her boyfriend Robbie wants her to wait until the weekend, but she needs to get away now. With her best friend and roommate, Maddy, being the victim of a serial killer, Charlie can't be on campus anymore. I mean, it was her fault, right? But with a campus killer around, is Josh really the safest way to get home? As the night wears on, Charlie becomes more and more convinced that she made a very bad decision. Is she going to end up just like Maddy?

Sager never fails to fully grip me with his stories of suspense, survival, and twists. One of my favorite authors, I haven't read a book of his I haven't loved. This was no different. I could hardly put it down, and I didn't see the twists coming. One of Riley's best yet, Charlie is a flawed character but you still want to root for her and hope she survives the night. The others characters were just as realistic and fleshed out.

All in all, a great addition to the Riley Sager catalog. If you enjoy a road trip story with a little bit of murder and mystery, then grab this one up! ( )

Another page turner from Riley Sager! What first interested me in this title was how the main character is obsessed with movies and I was guessing there would be a lot of movie references - and it did not disappoint. I felt like the main character throughout most of the book - unsure what was real and what was imagined - which kept me enthralled.

I enjoyed that the chapters skipped between different characters' perspectives, but still kept the protagonist, Charlie, at the center of the story. Charlie also had a lot of great character development, so readers will understand her past and present. I think there could have been a bit more for some of the other characters, but since the story revolves mostly around Charlie I didn't mind. There were chapters that I just couldn't finish quickly enough because there was so much tension and I just had to find out what was next.

The only reason this is not a 5 star for me is I ended up figuring it out before the end, and I'd like to know where others fall on this. Overall, I would definitely recommend this title for those seeking thrillers and mysteries, and anyone who really loves movies.

Thank you to Netgalley Penguin Group Dutton for sharing a digital ARC with me to read before publishing! Release date is 6/29/2021 ( )

[2.5] the female main character’s actions were the stupidest things ever given the context - and with such a small cast, the killer reveal was not that shocking. i did enjoy the last few pages though. ( )

Why would Charlie had to punch someone or anybody she shouldn't putting her hands on anyone she wouldn't like it if someone punched her she would complain about it to somebody and cause they annoy you that isn't really nice to do to people. Maybe some people like to watch the same tv shows especially if it's reruns of old tv shows or maybe they find comfort in a old tv shows, movies can be little boring after awhile. I like how Riley Sager mentions my homestate which was and always will be New Jersey. If Charlie didn't trust Josh who was a stranger to her maybe she shouldn't have gotten in the car with him instead she should have taken the bus to Ohio. Before moving to Pennsylania I have into the Poconos by the the Delware Water Gap once in a while and I still take the Delware Water Gap once in a while if I am going to New Jersey. I also liked how Riley Sager mentions old hollywood actors like Rita Heyworth, to Marlon Brando to my favorite actress of all time Audrey Hepburn. I wonder what part of a small town in the Poconos was Maddy was from? And then Riley mentions my all-time favorite band and also from New Jersey Bon Jovi and which I call them my Jersey boys. Charlie doesn't seem like a good friend too Maddy for leaving her by herself and should be feeling guilty for leaving Maddy to die alone.

Why would Josh lie about the person he was because Charlie found a wallet with a different license with a different name on in that wasn't Jake. Who would ask a weird question about what is your favorite building on the college campus I think that question was odd to ask someone I don't think people would have a favorite building unless it's the library. Delware Water Gap is in Pennsylvania where do you think it is? It's not in New Jersey and Josh was not the one who killed Maddy the way Charlie keeps thinking that way.

I wouldn't want to help out some girl that I didn't know and was acting crazy and talking to herself when no one else wasn't in the bathroom and who was out of her mind seeing things that aren't there. I would be calling the cops on her not trying catch a ride with me and what if she tried to killed me. There was another person that was mentioned in the book and that person was Bing Crosby a favorite cooner. Maybe it's the middle of the night is why Charlie didn't see other cars around on the road.

Charlie seriously needs to realize that Josh wasn't the one that didn't do a thing to Maddy and I doubt Josh even know who Maddy was and If Charlie didn't still feel comfortable being in the same car with Josh then why did she get into the car with me since she doesn't know him all that will or never saw before does Charlie know that saying don't get into cars with strangers.

And I had a feeling about that Marge had something to do with what has been going on and see Charlie proved herself wrong about Josh being a campus killer and it's was probably Marge who had Maddy and was a campus killer.

Marge Maddy's grandmother was kinda creepy how could Charlie know who killed Maddy if Charlie wasn't there, why does Marge has to hurt or kill Charlie that doesn't sound good to Marge even thou she had months to live. How does Marge want Charlie to remember who killed if she didn't see the person's face. I don't think Maddy would want her grandmother to kill someone especially Charlie and Josh who was innocent in this madness with Marge.

It sounds like Robbie is the one that had to do with killing Maddy and apparently killing of other girls not just Maddy because of Charlie found a box in the glove compartment with Maddy's and the other girls tooth and seems like Robbie wanted to do the same to Charlie that's when she should have had her guard up. I'm was glad that Josh well seems like his real name was Jake made out alive and also Charlie I gave this one once again even thou I read this once before a 4 stars. ( )

I almost bailed at the beginning because it starts off with the girl making a clearly risky decision but after that hump it got significantly more interesting, overall it was twisty good but I didn't have enough draw to the characters to push it to great. The ending was clever and did explain away a lot of what I thought wasn't great. ( )

Started off slow, got better halfway through. Not my fave but I will continue to read books by Sager. ( )

I enjoyed the ride, no pun intended. I rated it 3.5 stars because I don't know that I will remember this much beyond tomorrow. I also found the "mind movies" a bit confusing at time. I don't know what actually happened and what was just in her head. I think that was the point, but even now I'm kind of confused on what actually happened. But despite that, I was looking forward to listening to it and got through it quickly. SPOILER: I didn't see it coming that the waitress was Maddie's grandmother or that Robbie was the bad guy - because why would he have let her go? I'd recommend if you're looking for a quick, easy-to-read thriller with a few good twists. ( )

Until about 90%, I thought Charlie (the main character) was the stupidest woman ever. She made a lot of dumb decisions. And things were assumed in the book that I don't think people would have realistically figured out so quickly.

Over all I enjoyed the book. Great twist that I definitely didn't see coming! ( )

The narrator ruined the book with her heavy breathing. Will read the ebook. ( )

i guessed the plot twist Riley ( )

Cinematic, creepy and fun. I loved the movie and music references!
Not my favorite Riley Sager, but better than Final Girls! ( )

2.5 stars ( )

Riley Sager is very much like Ruth Ware to me; I have read and continue to read all of their books despite the fact that I have never been "wowed" or even remotely impressed by anything that they have written. However, I think this has a lot more to say about me than it does about the book - I tend to enjoy a book that is built upon atmosphere and characterization rather than the very formulaic and predictable composition of a thriller.

One of my biggest criticisms of this book is the fact that it b a r e l y plays off of its time period. This book takes place in 1991, but I only knew that because of the fact that Charlie is using a pay phone and that there was one very lame description of a certain cassette tape that had a baby floating in water on the cover. Not for anything, when I read a book that's set in the 90's, I want to be transported back in time! I want to be able to see slip dresses, tattoo chokers, tacky boots, and grungy clothing. I want that 90's vibe!

All that being said, don't let my two-star rating dissuade you from reading this book. It was fun! There was murder! There was even an unexpected twist! This one just wasn't for me because I'm a picky snob, but hopefully it will be for you. ( )

Rounded up from 2.5 but maybe that's a stretch. This book was tense and fun while I was reading but the ending was beyond ridiculous. Very hard to follow -- the ultimate unreliable narrator. If I could turn back time I'd choose not to read this book. Riley Sager is off my list. ( )

second book I’ve read by this author - this one better than the last! ( )

Typical Riley Sager novel. Predictable plot. Dumb main character. Overall, an entertaining time in a B-movie type of way. ( )

this fr wasnt as bad as people made it out to be lol. it was pretty average for me personally, i listened to the whole thing on audio omw to work for like 2 weeks and i had fun. i could not stand the main character tho, she read like a "not like other girls" girl with the whole old movies refrences every 2 pages and it was very annoying. she also made dumb decisions multiple times but i just dont care that much, i didnt take the book too seriously from the start so maybe dats why i dont hate it as much. ( )

This is only the second Riley Sager book I have read, I absolutely loved Final Girls sadly Survive The Night didn’t hit the spot as much as I wanted it to.
It was very slow to get going and I didn’t really feel any connection to the main character. I felt that what was happening was a little farfetched. The last part of the book was better and did have me gasping at a few places and I did enjoy this part. Overall it was okay.
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The twists! The turns! ( )