It has been a long time since a book has kept me up late into the morning simply because I couldn’t put it down.
No Exit by Taylor Adams was a tale about a young woman who stumbles across a kidnapping in progress. With each twist and turn, my stomach dropped. I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next!
My Thoughts on No Exit by Taylor Adams
At the beginning of the story, we meet Darby, a young woman in college who receives a text from her sister, telling her that their mom has cancer and is in the hospital. As Darby rushes to drive across the mountains to get there before her mother passes, she runs into a nasty snowstorm that strands her at a rest stop with four others; an older man and his female cousin on their way to visit family for the holidays, and two younger men, one of which won’t stop talking and another that hardly talks at all.
As Darby fights to find a signal on her dying cell phone, she discovers that in the back of a van in the parking lot, a young girl is locked in a cage. Darby is determined to save the girl, but she has no idea the intensity of the situation that she has stumbled into. The plow trucks are expected to be there in thirteen hours, but will Darby survive until then?
This novel is one of those fast-paced thrillers that will keep you up at night simply because you need to know how things will turn out! I picked it up one evening, and before I knew it, it was 1:30 AM, which is long passed my usual 10:30 PM bedtime!
The original premise of being trapped at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere while desperate to get through the storm on the way back home is terrifying enough. But add in four strangers, a kidnapping, a no cell phone service… Yikes! There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming. Each time I thought Darby was onto something that would be helpful, my hopes were soon dashed.
I didn’t particularly love the main character, Darby, at first, but I was definitely routing for her all along! I loved how persistent and brave she was, no matter what she was facing. I also enjoyed that she kept her sense of humor, even after being put through the ringer. She was so protective of little Jay (the girl who had been kidnapped), and I loved seeing how close the two girls became in such a short time. While facing terrible horrors, they quickly began bantering like sisters.
In order to preserve the tale, I will stop there.
My Final Thoughts on No Exit
If you enjoy thrillers that span a very short amount of time and keep you on the edge of your set, then I highly recommend this one.
However, there are bits that are not for the squeamish! One scene in particular made me cringe and groan out of sympathy for the character.
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Amy says
Aw I love good adult-child relationships. This also sounds like a total nightmare of a scenario!
Erica Metcalf says
Me too! And oh my gosh, it was insane!
Stephen Donovan says
This sounds like a great page-turner, Erica. I love books that make me want to keep on reading in the way! Excellent review!
Erica Metcalf says
I definitely recommend this one!! 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer | Book Den says
I have been in such a thriller mood. I need this!
Erica Metcalf says
Yesssss!! I'd love to read your review!!
Angela Lawrence says
What a thrilling premise! Great review!
Erica Metcalf says
Right?! Thank you! 🙂
Katherine P says
Most of the thrillers I've read lately have been on the slower side so this sounds fantastic! I'll have to give it a try.
Erica Metcalf says
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did if you get to pick it up!
Greg says
I just read this last week and LOVED it! And yes I know exactly what moment you're talking about- yikes I had to wince!
Erica Metcalf says
Right?! Eek!! So hard to type when thinking about it! haha
Elnade says
Wow this sounds really good. Going on my TBR right now!
Erica Metcalf says
<3 Enjoy!!
Shooting Stars Mag says
Ooh this sounds intense – but very very good!!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Erica Metcalf says
It sure was! I was SO hooked!!
Barb says
I'm off to reserve this from my library now. Great review!
Erica Metcalf says
Wahoo!! Enjoy!!
chucklesthescot says
This book was on my e-reader and I'm pleased to see two positive reviews of it this last week or two! I hope to get to it soon.
Erica Metcalf says
😀 Enjoy!!
Olivia-Savannah says
I remember seeing this on a lot of top books of 2018 posts and I am glad to know you could love it. Interesting tha although you didn't love the main character there were still so many elements to the book you could love and you still rooted for Darby regardless! Great review, once again ^.^
Erica Metcalf says
Thank you! 🙂 I would LOVE to see this one adapted into a film!
McKenzie Allyshia says
Oh wow, this sounds pretty intense! Thrillers can be such a great read, especially ones that leave you on the edge of your seat.
Erica Metcalf says
For sure!! I loved this one so much!