Bad Date

by Ellery Lloyd

An online flirtation between two apparent strangers takes a deliciously wicked turn in a twisty short story about love, obsession, and deadly deceptions by the author of The Club.

Fay Roper is a divorced single mom and a globally famous actress. She’s also unlucky in love. Maybe because the last thing Fay wants in a man is yet another superfan. But somehow, every time she has a boyfriend who isn’t a stalker, he abruptly disappears from her life. With the help of her best friend and right-hand woman, Poppy, Fay decides to change the game and join an exclusive new dating app under a false identity. A subscriber named Oliver takes the bait. But Oliver likes to play games too. And only one of them can win.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Novella

58 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

Ellery Lloyd is the pseudonym for New York Times Bestselling husband-and-wife writing team Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos.

Collette is a journalist and editor, the former content director of Elle (UK) and editorial director at Soho House. She has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, and the Sunday Times.

Paul is the author of two previous novels, Welcome to the Working Week and Every Day is Like Sunday. He is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Greenwich.

Reviews

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good for a short story. In fact, I feel like it could have been longer. Or maybe a sequel? Because I don’t think a certain person is done killing just because she said so. Lol

Thank you to Amazon First Reads for this free advance copy.

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a good buildup but the ending was such a flop. I was prepped for a big plot twist and it was just.... blah.

[Vicki Herbert - Vacation until Jan 2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Don't Get to...
Make a First Impression Twice

BAD DATE: A Short Story
by Ellery Lloyd

3 stars. Fay Roper, along with her BFF and sister from another mister Poppy, host a podcast called Ride or Die...

They talk about life, love, and their bad choices...

This week, Fay will be trying an ultra fancy dating app called Raya, catering to the Beautiful People...

After all...

If you're rich and famous, you can't just set up a Tinder profile. Besides, Fay is financially in trouble...

And needs someone with money...

Her fake name is Francesca. She made an instant connection with Oliver (Ollie) Sharpe on the app...

Their casual date is at a pizza parlor. You don't get to make a first impression twice...

But...

Both are not who they appear to be, and they each know more about the other than they've been told on the date...

This story was an Amazon First Reads selection. It was a solid 3 stars. It was interesting and fairly good, but this kind of story just needs to be a little bit longer to get the most out of it.

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was engaging, right up until the end where it fell flat! It’s a pet peeve of mine when short stories just end abruptly like that, but the writing throughout did keep me hooked

[Laura Lovesreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable stocking filler to quickly binge too!

[Melody McNamara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bonus story on Amazon First Reads for August, but it just didn't work for me. Filled with unlikeable, underdeveloped characters, especially Wolf, who was a creepy and disturbing teenager. I just couldn't connect with the flow of the story, which ended so abruptly that I wasn't sure I had actually reached the end. There are many good reviews of this one, but I don't think this author is for me.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story from Amazon Originals about Fay and Oliver who meet on an online dating service and then pursue a crazy relationship. Both of them are playing games but do not realise that the other is too.

I thought it was very entertaining and that the twist at the end was quite remarkable. This was written just the way a short story should be. Four stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Nancy Yager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellery Lloyd’s Bad Date is a quick read, but it leaves a strong impression. The story has a definite horror feel to it, centered on Fay and the unnerving question: why do all of her boyfriends keep dying? It’s the kind of premise that immediately hooks you and keeps you turning the pages to see just how dark things will get.

I’ll admit, I didn’t care for the characters much—but I don’t think we’re supposed to. They’re written in a way that makes them difficult to connect with, almost deliberately unlikable, which only adds to the unease the story creates. That sense of detachment works in service of the horror, making you feel like something sinister is always lurking just under the surface.

Lloyd’s writing style is sharp and efficient, which works perfectly in the short story format. The pacing is tight, the atmosphere is eerie, and every detail feels like it’s pointing to something bigger and more unsettling. Even though it’s brief, the story manages to plant seeds that stay with you after you’ve finished.

If you’re a fan of horror-tinged short fiction that’s unsettling and thought-provoking, Bad Date is worth your time. It’s creepy, quick, and leaves you thinking long after the last page.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing the advanced readers copy.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad Date is a novella about a famous actress called Fay Roper who connects with a man on an online dating service and plots to set him up with the help of her longtime best friend and assistant Poppy.
Flitting between a podcast between Fay and Poppy, the dates POV and Fay's teenage son, we enter a game of cat and mouse, but who will win?
This was a great short story that had lots of potential to be a full-length novel or even a prequel or sequel to one as there's much could be dug into and unfolded within this book from these four characters alone.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story could be a prequel of murderous things to come. It kept me engaged and wanting more. I was disappointed when it was over. It’s original, entertaining and suspenseful. The alternating POVs kept the story moving. This was an intriguing quick read.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy cow, that was a fast, fun short story! I wish it was longer. That kid is not going to turn out well.

[Carm · Rating 1 out of 5]

So few stories can boast characters this flat, a plot so far-fetched even Lifetime would pass, and a 14-year-old boy somehow both infantilized and over-sexualized. Add a lackluster ending and you’ve got a recipe for something truly special. Did I say special? I meant abysmal.

[Lackof_shelf_control · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was written by a husband-and-wife duo, which made the dynamic even more intriguing. While the plot is a bit over the top, the fast pace and short format made it incredibly satisfying. Honestly? I enjoyed this more than their full-length novel The Club. It’s the perfect bite-sized thriller to keep on your phone for those in-between moments—waiting rooms, coffee lines, you name it.

✨ Final Takeaway: A perfectly bingeable mini-thriller that proves a short story can pack just as much punch as a full-length novel.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good short story available as a bonus read from Amazon First Reads. Took less than an hour and was worth the time!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, pretty good for a short story! It gives Frieda vibes - bingeable, fun, and some twists.

[Jessica Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this could’ve actually been really good but it just ended suddenly? 🤣

[SJARR ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a rollercoaster, and I loved it.

At every single point I was positive I knew what was going to happen next. But actually, I didn’t.
The turns this kept taking!

4 stars for being a bit boring at first, but then it gets interesting. And then it gets exciting.

For a short story, it’s really good.

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 3⭐️⭐️⭐️ this was alright… if I compare to my last short story read, its a 3 not a 2!!

This is freebie I got from Amazon First Reads, I am having so much trouble lately finding a really decent read, and I am really tired so I have been doing short stories… this was ok. It was nothing special, I liked the format and it had promise. I think in fact if it was a bit longer it might have been better.

It was free and it kept me entertained for the 58 pages so it’s a three!!!

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad date—I’ll bet everybody has had at least one, but I guarantee not as bad as this one. 2 very disturbed people meet online; expect the worst to happen, and it does.

Yeah, this was not fantastic but not bad either. I can’t complain—it was free!

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

AMAZON FIRST READS AUGUST 2025


Fay Roper is a washed up actress. Poppy is her BFF and personal assistant. This short story thriller opens with these two bantering in their podcast allowing the husband and wife author duo, Ellery Lloyd, to lay the background for BAD DATE.

How bad is dating for Fay? It will take less than an hour for readers to find out. I would venture to guess that most will never again complain about their dating life.

Ollie is the date of the moment. He’s got game; lots of it. Will he succeed where others have failed?

Does Fay ever have a decent date? Can Poppy or her petulant 14 year old son help?

Three viewpoints, short chapters, well written and nicely executed with a horrifying realization for an ending📚

[Janelle Schiecke · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements I enjoyed about this story, but I was hoping it would have more depth and be more riveting. The ending was pretty abrupt, too. That said, it's a breezy thriller and a quick read.

[Katy Fann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, it was okay.

[Sally Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good 5 stars!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick and easy short thriller story - a great binge with solid reveals, although not too memorable simply because of its length. I recommend if you’re looking for something to fill up 45 minutes.

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Bad Date’ by Ellery Lloyd is really a fun little short story of stalking, podcasting, and celebrity. Oh, and a murder or four. Who is counting?

I have copied the book blurb:

”An online flirtation between two apparent strangers takes a deliciously wicked turn in a twisty short story about love, obsession, and deadly deceptions by the author of The Club.

Fay Roper is a divorced single mom and a globally famous actress. She’s also unlucky in love. Maybe because the last thing Fay wants in a man is yet another superfan. But somehow, every time she has a boyfriend who isn’t a stalker, he abruptly disappears from her life. With the help of her best friend and right-hand woman, Poppy, Fay decides to change the game and join an exclusive new dating app under a false identity. A subscriber named Oliver takes the bait. But Oliver likes to play games too. And only one of them can win.”

This little silly gem is available on Amazon’s Unlimited membership plan. I’d rank it about two and a half stars worth to read. I would recommend it for situations like waiting for a bus or while eating lunch especially if you enjoy dark but humorously fun murders…

[Kelsey Cornelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a novella but it was so good and shocking i need a whole book if there’s a sequel.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

so juicy 😂

[Lari ᥫ᭡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

the end wasn't my favorite

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read that kept me interested. Level of unhinged? 6/10.

[Lynn Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Very short novella that was fast paced and entertaining.