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Swipe
Sonya's fed up with bad internet dates—but she never meant to kill anyone.
After a stressful day at work and a creepy first meetup, Sonya Romano goes on a mission: teach a lesson to the smarmy guys she's meeting on her dating app. But when one of them falls to his death as a result of her confrontation she realizes she's gone too far.
Meanwhile, Jake Parker, former Pulitzer nominee, has hit rock bottom. His boss gives him an assignment: go under cover and produce a click-bait story about dating apps. Things start to look up when another married man on the app is murdered, and Jake suspects that there may be a serial killer targeting cheaters.
With Jake hot on her trail, Sonya races to cover her tracks, until they finally meet. Fighting a powerful mutual attraction but suspicious of each other, neither of them knows a deranged psychopath is closer than they think, and much more of a danger than either of them realizes.
After a stressful day at work and a creepy first meetup, Sonya Romano goes on a mission: teach a lesson to the smarmy guys she's meeting on her dating app. But when one of them falls to his death as a result of her confrontation she realizes she's gone too far.
Meanwhile, Jake Parker, former Pulitzer nominee, has hit rock bottom. His boss gives him an assignment: go under cover and produce a click-bait story about dating apps. Things start to look up when another married man on the app is murdered, and Jake suspects that there may be a serial killer targeting cheaters.
With Jake hot on her trail, Sonya races to cover her tracks, until they finally meet. Fighting a powerful mutual attraction but suspicious of each other, neither of them knows a deranged psychopath is closer than they think, and much more of a danger than either of them realizes.
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2025
81 people are currently reading
5699 people want to read
About the author
R.G. Belsky
14 books505 followersCo-author with Bonnie Traymore of Swipe (2025);Author of Broadcast Blues (Oceanview - 2024); It's News to Me (Oceanview - 2022); Beyond The Headlines (Oceanview 2021); The Last Scoop (Oceanview-2020) Below The Fold (Oceanview - 2019) Yesterday's News (Oceanview - 2018) Blonde Ice (Atria - 2016; Shooting for the Stars (2015); and The Kennedy Connection (2014).
Also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.
Former Managing Editor of NBCNews.com
Worked as Managing Editor of NY Daily News; News Editor of Star magazine; Metropolitan Editor of NY Post.
Author of numerous other mystery novels including Loverboy and Playing Dead.
Contributing Writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.
Also writes thrillers under the pen name of Dana Perry.
Former Managing Editor of NBCNews.com
Worked as Managing Editor of NY Daily News; News Editor of Star magazine; Metropolitan Editor of NY Post.
Author of numerous other mystery novels including Loverboy and Playing Dead.
Contributing Writer for The Big Thrill magazine and BookTrib.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 283 reviews
October 20, 2025
Two married men on a dating app are murdered.
Is a serial killer targeting male philanderers?
This fast-paced popcorn thriller plunges headfirst into the treacherous world of online dating.
Chapters are short and punchy, showcasing a steady stream of suspects and red herrings.
WHY NOT 5 STARS?
While the plot was whip-smart, the final act, when the killer is revealed and pursued, felt slightly rushed.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Helen Laser and Robb Moreira.
Both narrators gave outstanding performances that elevated the listening experience.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
March 20, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 2.5-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
📜┆ARC ⤿ BooksGoSocial & NetGalley
✒️┆Authors ⤿ Bonnie Traymore & R.G. Belsky
💌┆Pub Date ⤿ 05/01/25
❝ This little mission of mine has gone way too far. On the plus side, He will never cheat on his wife again. ❞
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot
What started as an innocent date has spiraled into something darker. An encounter awakened a dangerous sense of purpose. Now, there's no turning back.
Most dates end quietly with no sparks and no second thoughts but some men need to be taught a lesson. Sonya became something more than a woman seeking justice. She wanted to protect women from men like them. It feels like a public service but somewhere along the way, she lost control. As she never meant for anyone to die.
As Sonya flees from the consequences of her actions, death follows her. Meanwhile, Jake’s boss pitches him a story about dating apps, asking him to explore who uses them and whether they’re effective. But Jake digs deeper, uncovering a chilling pattern of how such deaths are linked to MetMee(a dating app) and are all connected in ways he never expected. The further he investigates, the closer he gets to a truth that might be more dangerous than he ever imagined.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Sonya Romano, is just a regular dating app user, looking for a real connection. Sonya is introspective and self-aware, juggling her past trauma, pain, and mistakes. Despite feeling cynical about love, she still holds onto an ounce of hope, questioning if it's even possible to find a true connection.
⟡ Jake Parker, was a former nominee for a Pulitzer Prize and reporter for the New York Banner but as newspapers have declined with the rise of digital media, he lost his job. Jake ended up working for The American Scene, an online platform focused more on viral stories than “real news” he wished to make. He is charming, passionate, and observant.
Throughout the story, we get a glimpse of both character’s pasts, thoughts, and perspectives. Where we get to gather how they became the way they are. Despite that, I couldn't help but wish for a bit more character depth and development. Sonya's past offers some explanation for how she became the way she is but it still feels like there's more to uncover as it seems incomplete. For Jake, while he showed his charming and passionate side, I couldn't shake the feeling that he needed more depth to truly understand his character as we only get to see the “charming journalist” that he is. (I like the date scene where they describe each other tho. Wdym Sonya looks like a mix of Sophia Loren and Sophia Vergara and Jake looks like a mix of Jimmy Steward and Ryan Gosling. Searched them up and was stunned! Absolutely gorgeous!)
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
Overall, Swipe is a thrilling page-turner dating app mystery. The dating app element adds an exciting twist to the story which brings a modern layer to the suspense.
As the story goes, we get bomb after bomb which made it addicting to read and kept me on the tip of my toes! However, the thrilling aspects of it all lessened when it neared the reveal/ending. The build-up I did enjoy but the reveal for the mystery didn’t give the impact I was expecting (it felt quite predictable or maybe it was just that I was sus of everybody from the very beginning and was hyperanalyzing everything). Despite my concern about character depth and reveal impact, I quite enjoyed the mystery this story had. It felt short with how fast-paced the story went which left me wanting for more(this is a positive). Giving this book a solid 2.5! That epilogue hihi! It was a nice read but I just wanted and needed more.
Now, will I be using dating apps to find love? No. However, the story and acknowledgment left me with a sense of hope that love has a way of finding us, whether as a lesson or a lasting connection.
➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & authors—BooksGoSocial, Bonnie Traymore, R. G. Belsky & NetGalley—for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Swiped right on this arc! Have I ever used a dating app? no. Am I scared to use one? yes. Will I be using one after reading this? Only one way to find out hihi!
📜┆ARC ⤿ BooksGoSocial & NetGalley
✒️┆Authors ⤿ Bonnie Traymore & R.G. Belsky
💌┆Pub Date ⤿ 05/01/25
❝ This little mission of mine has gone way too far. On the plus side, He will never cheat on his wife again. ❞
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot
What started as an innocent date has spiraled into something darker. An encounter awakened a dangerous sense of purpose. Now, there's no turning back.
Most dates end quietly with no sparks and no second thoughts but some men need to be taught a lesson. Sonya became something more than a woman seeking justice. She wanted to protect women from men like them. It feels like a public service but somewhere along the way, she lost control. As she never meant for anyone to die.
As Sonya flees from the consequences of her actions, death follows her. Meanwhile, Jake’s boss pitches him a story about dating apps, asking him to explore who uses them and whether they’re effective. But Jake digs deeper, uncovering a chilling pattern of how such deaths are linked to MetMee(a dating app) and are all connected in ways he never expected. The further he investigates, the closer he gets to a truth that might be more dangerous than he ever imagined.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Sonya Romano, is just a regular dating app user, looking for a real connection. Sonya is introspective and self-aware, juggling her past trauma, pain, and mistakes. Despite feeling cynical about love, she still holds onto an ounce of hope, questioning if it's even possible to find a true connection.
❝ I carry my weighty baggage into my relationships. Tons of it, like I’m going aboard the Queen Mary for a steam across the pond. ❞
⟡ Jake Parker, was a former nominee for a Pulitzer Prize and reporter for the New York Banner but as newspapers have declined with the rise of digital media, he lost his job. Jake ended up working for The American Scene, an online platform focused more on viral stories than “real news” he wished to make. He is charming, passionate, and observant.
❝ No, I think news is about something else altogether than a story about dating apps. News is writing about politics, exposing corruption, and covering major events like plane crashes and mass murders and wars and natural disasters. Those are the kinds of stories I’ve been covering as news for my entire career. ❞
Throughout the story, we get a glimpse of both character’s pasts, thoughts, and perspectives. Where we get to gather how they became the way they are. Despite that, I couldn't help but wish for a bit more character depth and development. Sonya's past offers some explanation for how she became the way she is but it still feels like there's more to uncover as it seems incomplete. For Jake, while he showed his charming and passionate side, I couldn't shake the feeling that he needed more depth to truly understand his character as we only get to see the “charming journalist” that he is. (I like the date scene where they describe each other tho. Wdym Sonya looks like a mix of Sophia Loren and Sophia Vergara and Jake looks like a mix of Jimmy Steward and Ryan Gosling. Searched them up and was stunned! Absolutely gorgeous!)
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
❝ Who knows? Maybe I will find love on a dating app. Or maybe I don’t even know what love is. Maybe none of us really do. ❞
Overall, Swipe is a thrilling page-turner dating app mystery. The dating app element adds an exciting twist to the story which brings a modern layer to the suspense.
As the story goes, we get bomb after bomb which made it addicting to read and kept me on the tip of my toes! However, the thrilling aspects of it all lessened when it neared the reveal/ending. The build-up I did enjoy but the reveal for the mystery didn’t give the impact I was expecting (it felt quite predictable or maybe it was just that I was sus of everybody from the very beginning and was hyperanalyzing everything). Despite my concern about character depth and reveal impact, I quite enjoyed the mystery this story had. It felt short with how fast-paced the story went which left me wanting for more(this is a positive). Giving this book a solid 2.5! That epilogue hihi! It was a nice read but I just wanted and needed more.
Now, will I be using dating apps to find love? No. However, the story and acknowledgment left me with a sense of hope that love has a way of finding us, whether as a lesson or a lasting connection.
➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & authors—BooksGoSocial, Bonnie Traymore, R. G. Belsky & NetGalley—for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
Swiped right on this arc! Have I ever used a dating app? no. Am I scared to use one? yes. Will I be using one after reading this? Only one way to find out hihi!
June 16, 2025
4.75/5
Swipe is a psychological thriller with dual POV. We read from the POV of Sonya and Jake. Sonya has decided to find love with the help of dating apps, however, she had not had the best luck with the dates that she was matched with. Jake is a successful journalist, who is not happy at his current job, and is assigned to write an article about dating apps. To further investigate the subject of dating apps, he decides to sign up and stumbles upon a series of accidents that are occurring to some of the men in the dating app.
Overall, this book was an excellent read. The storyline had me on the edge of my seat and I just wanted to know how the story was going to end.
Thank you BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Swipe is a psychological thriller with dual POV. We read from the POV of Sonya and Jake. Sonya has decided to find love with the help of dating apps, however, she had not had the best luck with the dates that she was matched with. Jake is a successful journalist, who is not happy at his current job, and is assigned to write an article about dating apps. To further investigate the subject of dating apps, he decides to sign up and stumbles upon a series of accidents that are occurring to some of the men in the dating app.
Overall, this book was an excellent read. The storyline had me on the edge of my seat and I just wanted to know how the story was going to end.
Thank you BooksGoSocial for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️| Enjoyed this read, I will definitely be staying away from dating apps lol. This story was well written, very enjoyable & well paced. Likeable main characters, and even when you wish they do things differently, you still love them. This story made me interested in reading more from these authors.
Sonya is looking for love online, as it is awkward meeting people in person these days. Not initially revealing her true identity, she tackles these dates, one at a time and runs across some very “interesting” men. She slowly finds herself in compromised situations & when she finds herself smack dead in the middle of a murder investigation, she doesn’t know where to turn nor who to trust.
Overall a solid read that was very entertaining, and kept my attention. Thank you BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Sonya is looking for love online, as it is awkward meeting people in person these days. Not initially revealing her true identity, she tackles these dates, one at a time and runs across some very “interesting” men. She slowly finds herself in compromised situations & when she finds herself smack dead in the middle of a murder investigation, she doesn’t know where to turn nor who to trust.
Overall a solid read that was very entertaining, and kept my attention. Thank you BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2025
"Swipe" by R.G. Belsky and Bonnie Traymore is a thrilling ride that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story perfectly captures the dangers lurking behind dating apps, exploring how something as simple as a swipe can go terribly wrong, leaving you unsure of who is telling the truth. The pacing was spot on, building tension and suspense with every chapter. I was hooked, constantly guessing what would happen next and never quite sure who to trust. It’s an intense, captivating psychological thriller that makes you think twice about the connections you make online.
November 7, 2025
2.5⭐️ it wasn't horrible. It was a super fast read but it was just okay. I probably wouldn't recommend this one to anyone.
March 15, 2025
3.5/5
Easy and fast paced read
Sonya is on a dating app to meet someone. She meets a series of bad dates. She gets revenge.
Jake is a journalist who figures out things aren’t as they seem. This book has some good twists. Some twists you see coming. Some twists you don’t see coming at all.
Good read.
Easy and fast paced read
Sonya is on a dating app to meet someone. She meets a series of bad dates. She gets revenge.
Jake is a journalist who figures out things aren’t as they seem. This book has some good twists. Some twists you see coming. Some twists you don’t see coming at all.
Good read.
May 2, 2025
SWIPE BY BONNIE TRAYMORE, R. G. BELSKY
Good solid first couple of chapters that engages you to want to keep reading.
The more I read I didn't want to put this book down.
Povs from both the main characters Sonya and Jake. So easy to follow along.
This book surprised me big time.
I for one can say I've never been on a dating app before and never will as I am a married woman 😂.
This is my 2nd book by bonnie traymore.
Good solid first couple of chapters that engages you to want to keep reading.
The more I read I didn't want to put this book down.
Povs from both the main characters Sonya and Jake. So easy to follow along.
This book surprised me big time.
I for one can say I've never been on a dating app before and never will as I am a married woman 😂.
This is my 2nd book by bonnie traymore.
November 5, 2025
Easy listen! Gotta love the dating profile thriller
April 28, 2025
Good credentials for both authors when googled them but both names new to me so wasn’t sure what to expect
What got was a quirky, fiesty yet casual to read book centred around dating apps and what can happen when the wrong person/people use them
For saying the subject matter it was quite a homely book and at least one of the authors love the Hudson river area re the descriptions given of it ( within context and built a good minds eye of the setting )
It was funny and serious, in equal measure and a bit romantic and a bit scary too
If ‘different’ is your thing then a pretty good read tbh, enjoyably dark and yet light and a good story within…l.
What got was a quirky, fiesty yet casual to read book centred around dating apps and what can happen when the wrong person/people use them
For saying the subject matter it was quite a homely book and at least one of the authors love the Hudson river area re the descriptions given of it ( within context and built a good minds eye of the setting )
It was funny and serious, in equal measure and a bit romantic and a bit scary too
If ‘different’ is your thing then a pretty good read tbh, enjoyably dark and yet light and a good story within…l.
April 2, 2025
Who knew the crazy world of online dating! A news reporter for a newspaper is to write a story about those online dating and finding their soul mate! But who knew two murders would appear and have more in connection than the police saw! And cared to admit! Are both deaths connected to the same killer? Both married men appearing as single men online, will the news reporter solve the crime before the police?
April 6, 2025
I picked up this book because I love a good revenge story—especially one where a woman is dishing it out to cheating married men. And honestly, the premise is great! Sonya is fed up with dating app creeps, and after one particularly gross encounter, things go way too far. Suddenly, a guy ends up dead, and she’s caught in a spiral she never intended.
Then there’s Jake, a down-on-his-luck journalist trying to turn a fluff piece into something big. His storyline was actually pretty fun—going on bizarre app dates and slowly realizing there might be something more sinister happening. I liked the tension between him and Sonya, especially once they start crossing paths.
But while the idea was strong and the pacing kept things moving, I felt like the character development was a little weak. Sonya’s motivations for going full vigilante felt vague—there’s a mention of her childhood, but not enough to really understand her actions. I wanted to connect with her more, or at least get a clearer sense of why she was doing what she was doing.
That said, it’s a fast read, and even though I figured out the twist early, I still enjoyed seeing it unfold. If you're into twisty dating app thrillers with a side of revenge, it’s worth a shot—just don’t expect super deep characters.
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Then there’s Jake, a down-on-his-luck journalist trying to turn a fluff piece into something big. His storyline was actually pretty fun—going on bizarre app dates and slowly realizing there might be something more sinister happening. I liked the tension between him and Sonya, especially once they start crossing paths.
But while the idea was strong and the pacing kept things moving, I felt like the character development was a little weak. Sonya’s motivations for going full vigilante felt vague—there’s a mention of her childhood, but not enough to really understand her actions. I wanted to connect with her more, or at least get a clearer sense of why she was doing what she was doing.
That said, it’s a fast read, and even though I figured out the twist early, I still enjoyed seeing it unfold. If you're into twisty dating app thrillers with a side of revenge, it’s worth a shot—just don’t expect super deep characters.
My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 6, 2025
I enjoyed both point of views. It kept it entertaining throughout the whole book.
May 27, 2025
Online dating has never been more deadly as some are about to find out in this book. Sonya Romano is fed up with so many of her supposed single dates, ending up lying and already being married or in relationships. None of her first blind dates has turned out well, beign complete disasters really and putting her off dating almost entirely. She had been using the MetMee dating app, and after creepy first meetup, to a plastic surgeon suggesting she get her nose fixed and other improvements he could make to her, to ensure she represented properly as his wife, to another she could never tie down for a date. Angry at the plastic surgeon’s comments, she decided to make him pay in a roundabout way. Her latest one she managed to figure out the true identity of and decided to face him and record get him to admit he was married on video. She followed him to a place he often went for hikes and when she surprised him, he got angry and lunged for her, but he was over the barrier and too close to the cliff edge and falls to his death. She has no idea if she might get accused of killing him and so runs off without calling the police and deletes the video she was going to show his wife. She decides she should stop using the app, but just as she does, a new match comes up with a man called Jake Parker, who in reality is a reporter now working in a demeaning job, where his boss wants him to produce a click bait story about dating apps, going along for the ride himself as a single man. His first few choices turn out to be pretty much a nightmare, but then he meets a woman called Claire Atkins, who could almost make him want to see her outside of the app and soon telling her exactly what he is really doing!
Jake was once a Pulitzer nominee and a serious reporter, but now all he does is fluff pieces now and wishes for a story that could get him back on a serious news team, doing proper stories. As he continues his dating journey, he finds out about the death of the estate agent, which the police had deemed an accidental fall, and the fact he had been on the same dating app. When he talks to Claire, he finds out about the plastic surgeon as well and soon gets the feeling that the two events were connected and his tingly senses are firing! He thinks a woman on the site may well be targeting the married men who have joined this dating app, and his story starts to concentrate on that, rather than what his editor wants. He has matched with Sonya, and they seem to have an almost perfect match between them. But some of those similarities are the ones he had figured out were from the woman who matched with two of those men. Sonya is trying to lie low and cover up any tracks she may have left, deleting anything that could connect her to these men and what happened to them. Sonya and Jake meet up for a date, Jake because she could be the killer and Sonya because she just can’t ignore how much he could be someone she could see a future with. They can’t deny their attraction, but neither is quite sure how much they can trust the other. What they don’t realise, is that there is a deranged psychopath out there targeting them both, and just how much danger they are actually in. A great twisting story that makes you believe you know who the person dogging their every move might be, but then you get proven wrong! Completely unexpected twist at the end and some fantastic subterfuge.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Jake was once a Pulitzer nominee and a serious reporter, but now all he does is fluff pieces now and wishes for a story that could get him back on a serious news team, doing proper stories. As he continues his dating journey, he finds out about the death of the estate agent, which the police had deemed an accidental fall, and the fact he had been on the same dating app. When he talks to Claire, he finds out about the plastic surgeon as well and soon gets the feeling that the two events were connected and his tingly senses are firing! He thinks a woman on the site may well be targeting the married men who have joined this dating app, and his story starts to concentrate on that, rather than what his editor wants. He has matched with Sonya, and they seem to have an almost perfect match between them. But some of those similarities are the ones he had figured out were from the woman who matched with two of those men. Sonya is trying to lie low and cover up any tracks she may have left, deleting anything that could connect her to these men and what happened to them. Sonya and Jake meet up for a date, Jake because she could be the killer and Sonya because she just can’t ignore how much he could be someone she could see a future with. They can’t deny their attraction, but neither is quite sure how much they can trust the other. What they don’t realise, is that there is a deranged psychopath out there targeting them both, and just how much danger they are actually in. A great twisting story that makes you believe you know who the person dogging their every move might be, but then you get proven wrong! Completely unexpected twist at the end and some fantastic subterfuge.
I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
March 12, 2025
5/5
I absolutely loved this book,
From the first page I was hooked and couldn't put the book down
I enjoyed the book more because I couldn't guess the ending half way through
I had no idea which way it was going to go
There's definitely enough curiosity for there to be a second book.... and I'd love a second book!
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book
I absolutely loved this book,
From the first page I was hooked and couldn't put the book down
I enjoyed the book more because I couldn't guess the ending half way through
I had no idea which way it was going to go
There's definitely enough curiosity for there to be a second book.... and I'd love a second book!
Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to ARC read this book
November 21, 2025
This book was okay. Super fast read and some okay twists and turns but I feel like the author just did a little too much interweaving the storylines together. But if you like fast paced thriller it should do the job.
June 8, 2025
Special thank you to NetGalley, Bonnie Traymore, R. G. Belsky and BooksGoSocial got an ARC. I enjoyed the multiple POV, short chapters and incorporation of modern dating. There were plenty of twists through - some predictable and some not so much. I would recommend!
November 12, 2025
This was SOO good from start to finish. The twist was crazy and the ending makes me think that there might be a part 2.
April 3, 2025
I liked this.
I do think the overall idea of the books was awesome. I would have liked to see more in depth dates in the story but still overall a good read.
Anything with online dating and murders is interesting because this is a real life issue. You never know who someone is based on their online presence.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do think the overall idea of the books was awesome. I would have liked to see more in depth dates in the story but still overall a good read.
Anything with online dating and murders is interesting because this is a real life issue. You never know who someone is based on their online presence.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2025
Was very happy to be approved for this book immediately on @netgalley . I was hoping for a fast, gripping, popcorn thriller and I was not disappointed.
A short and easy read of a woman sick of cheating married men online and wanting to get a bit of payback and teach them a lesson. We loveeee a woman’s revenge story!
But then more characters appear and none of them seem completely innocent. Everyone is a suspect, everyone has some secrets. Meanwhile Jack is hoping to turn his low-level online dating article into something much bigger. As he goes on a series of dates with a stream of women and collects some wild stories of his own, he tries to unravel the sinister goings on in the world on online dating at the moment.
I was hooked and steamed through these pages completely swept up in it all and trying to figure out who, if anyone, could be trusted.
Would highly recommend for a fast-paced and scandalous good time.
Thanks again to @netgalley and @booksgosocialgroup for my digital copy of this book.
4.5/5
A short and easy read of a woman sick of cheating married men online and wanting to get a bit of payback and teach them a lesson. We loveeee a woman’s revenge story!
But then more characters appear and none of them seem completely innocent. Everyone is a suspect, everyone has some secrets. Meanwhile Jack is hoping to turn his low-level online dating article into something much bigger. As he goes on a series of dates with a stream of women and collects some wild stories of his own, he tries to unravel the sinister goings on in the world on online dating at the moment.
I was hooked and steamed through these pages completely swept up in it all and trying to figure out who, if anyone, could be trusted.
Would highly recommend for a fast-paced and scandalous good time.
Thanks again to @netgalley and @booksgosocialgroup for my digital copy of this book.
4.5/5
May 2, 2025
OMG! You guys HAVE to check out "Swipe" by R.G. Belsky and Bonnie Traymore! When I saw this story pop up on Netgalley and got approved for an early read, I was seriously thrilled!
MY READING EXPERIENCE:
Sonya is a character you'll instantly connect with. She's just trying to navigate chaotic world of dating apps, but things take a seriously dark turn.
What starts with Sonya just wanting to teach some bad guys a lesson quickly turns into something way bigger and way more dangerous. The authors do such a fantastic job of building the suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering just how far Sonya will go. And for those of us who appreciate a bit of "righteous revenge", especially when it's aimed at those who DESERVE it, WELL....let's just say Sonya delivers in a way you won't see coming. Just my opinion only...
Then we have Jake Parker. He is a journalist who's got his own stuff going on, and he finds out that there's something way darker happening than just bad dates. As Jake starts looking into things, the story gets even more interesting and mysterious.
When Sonya and Jake finally meet? It's like watching two cats circle each other. You know something's gonna happen! The air is thick with "Do I trust you?" vibes. It's brilliantly awkward and keeps you playing "Who's the bigger weirdo?" game in your head the whole time!
"Swipe" is one of those books that sticks with you. You'll finish it, but your brain will still be trying to untangle everything.
And the ending? Let's just say there's a creepy danger hiding in the shadows that Sonya and Jake don't even see coming. And that makes the whole story even more chilling! If you're looking for a smart, suspenseful thriller with characters you'll be invested in, put this on your list immediately!
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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective. Big thanks to BooksGoSocial, Netgalley and to authors (Bonnie Traymore and R. G. Belsky) for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
MY READING EXPERIENCE:
Sonya is a character you'll instantly connect with. She's just trying to navigate chaotic world of dating apps, but things take a seriously dark turn.
What starts with Sonya just wanting to teach some bad guys a lesson quickly turns into something way bigger and way more dangerous. The authors do such a fantastic job of building the suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering just how far Sonya will go. And for those of us who appreciate a bit of "righteous revenge", especially when it's aimed at those who DESERVE it, WELL....let's just say Sonya delivers in a way you won't see coming. Just my opinion only...
Then we have Jake Parker. He is a journalist who's got his own stuff going on, and he finds out that there's something way darker happening than just bad dates. As Jake starts looking into things, the story gets even more interesting and mysterious.
When Sonya and Jake finally meet? It's like watching two cats circle each other. You know something's gonna happen! The air is thick with "Do I trust you?" vibes. It's brilliantly awkward and keeps you playing "Who's the bigger weirdo?" game in your head the whole time!
"Swipe" is one of those books that sticks with you. You'll finish it, but your brain will still be trying to untangle everything.
And the ending? Let's just say there's a creepy danger hiding in the shadows that Sonya and Jake don't even see coming. And that makes the whole story even more chilling! If you're looking for a smart, suspenseful thriller with characters you'll be invested in, put this on your list immediately!
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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective. Big thanks to BooksGoSocial, Netgalley and to authors (Bonnie Traymore and R. G. Belsky) for giving me the opportunity to read this early.
March 14, 2025
‘And for now. We leave all the other stuff behind’
I really liked the premise of this book, cheating men on dating apps getting murdered is super interesting. Unfortunately for me this fell really flat.
This book was described as ‘twisty’ but I guessed the big plot twist almost immediately (the epilogue twist was also predictable).
The main characters were boring shells of people with little to no development, and who didn’t speak or think like actual humans. The narration style didn’t read well and often felt stilted, there was mostly telling with a sprinkle of showing every now and then. I had hoped in the first 25% the overdone exposition and info dumping was just to get it out of the way but it never ended.
Chapters I believe 25 and 26 are tell the exact same scene from both characters perspective. Something that could be super interesting and I love in theory, ended up being frustrating as between chapters there were differences in dialogue and action that made it confusing to follow. I am unsure if it was meant to show them both as unreliable narrators, but seeing as the rest of the book did not do that I was just lost.
Special shout outs to instead of describing the characters or making them memorable, having them ask which celebrities they look like. Also the Jake Parker smile, and the fact that Jake even in the most inappropriate situations will be thinking about how hot a woman is.
The ending just sort of… happened. A brief moment of suspense and then the major conflict was over in a chapter or less. The aftermath fell flat, but perhaps may have had more impact if any part of this story had me caring about the characters.
I was personally not a fan of this book which is unfortunate because I truly did think it sounded interesting.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial for a digital advanced reader copy via NetGalley of Swipe
I really liked the premise of this book, cheating men on dating apps getting murdered is super interesting. Unfortunately for me this fell really flat.
This book was described as ‘twisty’ but I guessed the big plot twist almost immediately (the epilogue twist was also predictable).
The main characters were boring shells of people with little to no development, and who didn’t speak or think like actual humans. The narration style didn’t read well and often felt stilted, there was mostly telling with a sprinkle of showing every now and then. I had hoped in the first 25% the overdone exposition and info dumping was just to get it out of the way but it never ended.
Chapters I believe 25 and 26 are tell the exact same scene from both characters perspective. Something that could be super interesting and I love in theory, ended up being frustrating as between chapters there were differences in dialogue and action that made it confusing to follow. I am unsure if it was meant to show them both as unreliable narrators, but seeing as the rest of the book did not do that I was just lost.
Special shout outs to instead of describing the characters or making them memorable, having them ask which celebrities they look like. Also the Jake Parker smile, and the fact that Jake even in the most inappropriate situations will be thinking about how hot a woman is.
The ending just sort of… happened. A brief moment of suspense and then the major conflict was over in a chapter or less. The aftermath fell flat, but perhaps may have had more impact if any part of this story had me caring about the characters.
I was personally not a fan of this book which is unfortunate because I truly did think it sounded interesting.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial for a digital advanced reader copy via NetGalley of Swipe
October 17, 2025
Mindless read honestly. The plot was so weird but entertaining. Really unfulfilling ending. Felt rushed and not well thought out to me.
June 4, 2025
MY THOUGHTS -
Wow, what a great book! So suspenseful! I read this book in one day. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. In fact I can’t even remember the last time I read a whole book in one day. It was brilliant. The writing, the two main characters, the suspense, everything, brilliant!
This book is written in two different perspectives, Jake a reporter, and Sonya, the on-line dater. I didn’t think I would like them both but I really did. I enjoyed reading each characters chapters equally as much, really connecting to both of them. Excellent character development.
I knew the answers, right? I mean there was never any question as to what happened. It was pretty straightforward right from the beginning. But this had me second-guessing everything I thought I already knew.
And then… All of a sudden… I audibly gasped and said “oh my gosh!“ out loud! 🤯 MIND BLOWING! Well you’re just gonna have to read this to find out because I am not giving any spoilers! And boy is this one worth reading!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
Wow, what a great book! So suspenseful! I read this book in one day. It’s been a long time since I’ve done that. In fact I can’t even remember the last time I read a whole book in one day. It was brilliant. The writing, the two main characters, the suspense, everything, brilliant!
This book is written in two different perspectives, Jake a reporter, and Sonya, the on-line dater. I didn’t think I would like them both but I really did. I enjoyed reading each characters chapters equally as much, really connecting to both of them. Excellent character development.
I knew the answers, right? I mean there was never any question as to what happened. It was pretty straightforward right from the beginning. But this had me second-guessing everything I thought I already knew.
And then… All of a sudden… I audibly gasped and said “oh my gosh!“ out loud! 🤯 MIND BLOWING! Well you’re just gonna have to read this to find out because I am not giving any spoilers! And boy is this one worth reading!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
March 29, 2025
Swipe follows Sonya and Jake as they navigate the world of dating apps, albeit for different reasons.
But on MetMee, people aren’t who they say they are, and the road to love comes via some very dark turns.
I really enjoyed this. A quick and easy little thriller with some good twists.
Told in multi points of view, this kept me on my toes and turning the pages. Fast paced, a little predictable in places which is where it lost a star for me, but a fun read nonetheless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my advanced copy.
But on MetMee, people aren’t who they say they are, and the road to love comes via some very dark turns.
I really enjoyed this. A quick and easy little thriller with some good twists.
Told in multi points of view, this kept me on my toes and turning the pages. Fast paced, a little predictable in places which is where it lost a star for me, but a fun read nonetheless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for my advanced copy.
April 12, 2025
I am OBSESSED with the book!!! I love the dating app thriller aspect, that's what really drew me into this book. It was full of suspense & twists - that had me gasping for air. I loved the elements of true crime, mystery & journalism!
Every single side story got woven into the main plot, nothing was forgotten! All of the plotlines from the MMC got woven in with the FMC and it was so cool seeing it play out, it felt like watching a movie.
Every single side story got woven into the main plot, nothing was forgotten! All of the plotlines from the MMC got woven in with the FMC and it was so cool seeing it play out, it felt like watching a movie.
October 28, 2025
Swipe is a twisty psychological thriller that revolves around the world of online dating and the dangers of it all.
Sonya never meant to kill anyone however it happens and to teach other creeps a lesson to remember, she continues on the dating app. On the other hand, Jake Parker, former Pulitzer Prize nomiee has to do an assignment after hitting rick bottom. His assignment is to show this treacherous online dating story. He's reluctant but having no other choice but to agree to his boss.
Then a married man who was on the app got killed on a hike and suspicious of foul play, he pursues it. And when Sonya and Jake meet, they are both fascinated and suspicious of each other. Will they figure out the lies about each other?
This was a dark, pulse - pounding, suspenseful thriller that highlights the notoriously destructive effects of online dating apps where people not only fake their identities but also find ways to fulfill their dark and sinister desires. The smart tactics to lie and create this twisted reality added a layer of complexity of trust and dread and it truly rattled my nerves. And it's both men and women who are completely different from what they convey on app and in-person meetings. The chase to find the truth and the desperate attempts to hide the same are well done by the author.
A perfect example for re- evaluating the digital age choices and decisions that expresses the dubious patterns of leveraging personal information to commit acts of deadly revenge and crimes.
Sonya never meant to kill anyone however it happens and to teach other creeps a lesson to remember, she continues on the dating app. On the other hand, Jake Parker, former Pulitzer Prize nomiee has to do an assignment after hitting rick bottom. His assignment is to show this treacherous online dating story. He's reluctant but having no other choice but to agree to his boss.
Then a married man who was on the app got killed on a hike and suspicious of foul play, he pursues it. And when Sonya and Jake meet, they are both fascinated and suspicious of each other. Will they figure out the lies about each other?
This was a dark, pulse - pounding, suspenseful thriller that highlights the notoriously destructive effects of online dating apps where people not only fake their identities but also find ways to fulfill their dark and sinister desires. The smart tactics to lie and create this twisted reality added a layer of complexity of trust and dread and it truly rattled my nerves. And it's both men and women who are completely different from what they convey on app and in-person meetings. The chase to find the truth and the desperate attempts to hide the same are well done by the author.
A perfect example for re- evaluating the digital age choices and decisions that expresses the dubious patterns of leveraging personal information to commit acts of deadly revenge and crimes.
May 4, 2025
I received this book as an Advance Readers Copy, this is my honest review (Released May 1, 2025).
I was suppose to be done with this book, but life was definitely lifing for me in April. These authors were a new for me & I do like the writing style of this book. Imagine trying to find love on a dating app but running into all the wrong type of men is the challenges that Sonya faced. The things that happened in this book can most definitely happen in real life & especially 2025. This book definitely took a turn but I knew it had to be a reason Ms Psycho was always mentioned.
Thank you to NetGalley, & BooksGoSocial for approving me for this ARC.
Favorite Quote- “Maybe I will find love on a dating app. Or maybe I don’t even know what love is. Maybe none of us really do.”
I was suppose to be done with this book, but life was definitely lifing for me in April. These authors were a new for me & I do like the writing style of this book. Imagine trying to find love on a dating app but running into all the wrong type of men is the challenges that Sonya faced. The things that happened in this book can most definitely happen in real life & especially 2025. This book definitely took a turn but I knew it had to be a reason Ms Psycho was always mentioned.
Thank you to NetGalley, & BooksGoSocial for approving me for this ARC.
Favorite Quote- “Maybe I will find love on a dating app. Or maybe I don’t even know what love is. Maybe none of us really do.”
May 12, 2025
Easy, and a Fast Pace Read!
Thriller story with lots of twist, Sonya who is looking for a love interest on this dating app and she meets a number of bad dates. She decides to get revenge based on all the bad dates she's had and Jake who is a journalist figures something isn't right about the entire situation.
This book has a lot of twist to it, and even though it started off slow, it turned out to be a really good book with a lot of twist. The story was kinda easy to figure out. ☺️
We need to stay away from those dating apps 🫣
Thank you Netgalley for the providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thriller story with lots of twist, Sonya who is looking for a love interest on this dating app and she meets a number of bad dates. She decides to get revenge based on all the bad dates she's had and Jake who is a journalist figures something isn't right about the entire situation.
This book has a lot of twist to it, and even though it started off slow, it turned out to be a really good book with a lot of twist. The story was kinda easy to figure out. ☺️
We need to stay away from those dating apps 🫣
Thank you Netgalley for the providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 26, 2025
I want to thank netgalley, R.G Belsky and Bonnie Traymore for selecting me as one of their ARC Readers , I love doing arc reviews especially for indie authors.
This thriller is the definition of being careful who you meet online and brings out the fears of online dating. I love that’s is from a female and male perspective of what it’s like to go on dates, what I admire about the main character Sonya is that instead of falling head over heels for all the men she is outing them for the liars, cheaters and bad people that they are, but that’s when things start to go astray, things get dark and things get suspicious, two men ends up dead but who is it and why is this all linked? I do feel sorry for these men though I mean it’s not their fault they ended up on a date with a sociopath
I’ll be posting a full review on the blog soon
This thriller is the definition of being careful who you meet online and brings out the fears of online dating. I love that’s is from a female and male perspective of what it’s like to go on dates, what I admire about the main character Sonya is that instead of falling head over heels for all the men she is outing them for the liars, cheaters and bad people that they are, but that’s when things start to go astray, things get dark and things get suspicious, two men ends up dead but who is it and why is this all linked? I do feel sorry for these men though I mean it’s not their fault they ended up on a date with a sociopath
I’ll be posting a full review on the blog soon
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