In The Dark

by JL Mel

479 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2026

Reviews

[Nicole Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie is hit with back to back world crushing events. Already surround by darkness, it grows, smothers her, begins to swallow her whole. Unable to find a sliver of light to bring her out. Until a guardian angel tell her “choose to live”. She fights with all her might to find happiness. Unsure of where it might lay. To fight off the darkness everytime it comes knocking. Looking back: on her past, the endless grief, wanting to slip away into the darkness more times then none, she is astonished where her life ends up going. She never thought it would be this way.

In the Dark by JL Mel is a a six star read, can we rate that high? Built heavy on emotional darkness (so please read the trigger warnings). It reminds me that everyone hits hard times in life, no matter how big or small. And some are better at hiding it than others. That everyone needs a friend. To just listen to them, or drink coffee and eat waffles with late at night. That there is always hope. A way to crawl out of that dark hole. You just need to want it, to choose it!

Congratulation again on your debut novel! So proud of you!

[Lawren Hadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to sit and just be with this book before i wrote this review. I’ve never read a book in which so much was covered, but you never felt like it was over the top. JL Mel did an amazing job covering extremely tough topics. Definitely check your trigger warnings, but I do highly recommend reading this. I went through so many feelings and emotions while reading In the Dark. I saw myself a few times in Katie, the FMC. How she was able to overcome so many mental, emotional, and physical barriers was truly empowering. She is one of the strongest and most resilient FMCs I’ve read in a really long time. I believe so many will relate to at least something Katie and/or her few close friends are able to overcome in this story. There is not another book out right now that even comes close to the type of story In the Dark is. This book is definitely a 5 star read! Thank you JL Mel for being brave enough to write a story that discusses topics of mental illness, drugs, alcohol, sex, suicide, acts of self harm, depression coupled with overcoming major obstacles, found family, restored purpose, strong female, and more. Be prepared to lose all track of time, cry, laugh, smile, and fall in hate and in love.

[Angel aka BooksnCats007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC from the author, this is my honest review.

I struggled with what to write to review this intense, dark, and incredibly breathtaking debut novel. Simply because, there was such an emotional depth to this story, that it took me some time to process what I read, and I wanted to give it justice.

Hear me out. Do not go into this thinking it is a psychological thriller or dark romance.
Oh, it's psychological. And, its dark.
Three words going in... mental health matters.

To be honest, I wasn't sure about this story at first. I was appalled. Disgusted. Confused... and not in the way that you're thinking. Keep reading.

After collecting myself, pausing the book after 21% for a bit, I realized that this story wasnt going to be a 'bed of roses' so to speak and that I needed to approach it with sensitivity and care. It deals with some extremely intense subject matter that a reader must prepare themselves for. Be in a good state of mind going in.

Fictional, yes. But the trauma and personal inflection the FMC endures and speaks to in this story is REAL for so many people. I choked up a time or two, and folks, I do not cry to books. It takes a LOT for me to feel an emotional connection to a book, that if I cry, that author should know, job well done.

I saw how destructive the FMCs behavior was to herself within the first 21% and wanted to hug and shake her at the same time.

This story explores themes of love, friendship, addiction, depression, trauma, bullying, deception, and human endurance.

It contains explicit, detailed descriptions of sexual expression/curiosity, thoughts of self-harm, and deep psychological distress.

Medium pacing, with a confusing plot line. You don't know what is truly going on yet, which is both frustrating but also intriguing.

Definitely a book you should only start if you are in the right emotional state and prepared for intense triggers.

Favorite quote, and a future tattoo for this reader:
"Choose to live."

If that doesnt speak volumes to how powerful this story was... I dont know what to else I can tell you. Read for yourself. And, take care of you, friends. 🫶

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Dark was unlike anything I’ve read before, blending psychological darkness, trauma, romance, and a touch of the paranormal into a story that kept me wondering what was really going on. What worked best for me was Katie herself. She is messy, complicated, deeply flawed, and sometimes incredibly self-destructive…but she’s also a survivor. Her strength doesn’t come from having everything figured out; it comes from continuing to fight when everything around her, and sometimes within her, is falling apart. I also really enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded. Katie doesn’t fully understand what is happening to her or even pieces of her own past, so as she starts putting those pieces together, the reader does too. That uncertainty kept me turning pages because I genuinely wanted to know where her story was going. I especially enjoyed the storyline between Katie and Theo. Their complicated history, the secrets between them, and the depth of their lifelong connection added so much emotional weight to the story. Their relationship was one of the parts of the book I found myself most invested in. While the romantic direction didn’t completely click for me personally, I really appreciated the themes of found family, friendship, survival, and hope woven throughout such a heavy story. In the Dark goes to some very dark places, and after everything Katie endured, I was glad to see some light waiting for her on the other side. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Renee Getty · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you @JL Mel 📚🌿 for allowing me to be apart of the arc team for your debut novel! Second of all: I can’t wait for everyone else to get a chance to read Katie’s (aka Willow) story!
TW: this book deals with some dark mental health matters and behaviors that some might not be prepared to read, so please use caution and see the triggers warnings before you dive in.
Katie (or Willow as she prefers to be called) has had a series of traumatic events in her short life, and clearly battles depression. I actually love the authors description of depression as a dark molasses that suffocates her. Her mother is gone, her mothers best friend has also passed away, and her father is a shell of a man at this point. She has one friend (Theo) and a job in the bookstore that belonged to her mothers dearly departed friend. Katie engages in some activities that aren’t conducive to getting better; but she also doesn’t have the healthy tools to “get better”.
On top of all of this, she is having terrible visions that seem very real to her; and she knows there are things that have happened and can’t seem to piece together a timeline or what those things are. Meanwhile, terrible things continue to happen in her life.
The author does wrap everything up beautifully at the end (which I won’t give away), but Willow does get her HEA after so much darkness 🖤
Choose to live (a sentiment echoed throughout the book) was one of my favorite quotes ❤️

JL is aiming for an August 21st release, and I do hope you’ll check it out 🖤

[Arie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ❤️ It was Dark but Beautiful. Written with such a raw and wonderful understanding of Katie (willow's) pov & Life . I felt all the feels reading this book!!! I really felt like I was seeing everything through Katie's eyes in real time, I was shocked, hooked, gutted, mad, sad, happy and really related with some of the things in this book. I even think I've found a few new tattoo ideas 🖤♥️🖤

Thank you so so much JL Mel for the eARC it was an Absolutely honor to read this Beautiful Book 🖤😊 I really can't believe this was your Debut Novel ❤️ it's was Amazing!!! I can't wait to see what you write next 🫶🫶🫶 Congratulations Your an Author👏🥳🎉🎉🎉
10/10 Recommend reading this book, but Do your job as a reader & Check The Triggers ( your mental health matters) 😘

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is JL Mel’s debut novel, and you would NEVER know that if I hadn’t told you. This book is so amazing. Yes, the content is heavy, but that’s life. Read the content warnings and take them to heart.
Katie goes through things that would break most people, but she has Theo by her side every step of the way. She deals with the loss of a loved one, grief, a parent that is alive but coping in his own way, mental illness, promiscuous behavior, self sabotage, and growth.
You’ll meet characters that you absolutely love (Theo/Margie), and you’ll meet characters you can’t stand … but they all play a crucial role and some may just surprise you in the end.
I’m giving it 5 stars, but would give it 5 more if I could! I can’t wait to see what JL writes next.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️
This book is a BANGER!

It is heavy on those menu warnings in the front, so make sure you take heed and really read that list. Really, be ready!

In the beginning, I was like hmmm where is this going? But then…. Eyes opened… OK!!!!

This book is GOOD…. Like HOLY SHIIIII GOOD!

This one is a serious page turner. You will not wanna put it down.

I absolutely cannot wait to have this shelf trophy.

🖤 And can we talk about the cover! Stunning!
Girl…. YOU DID THAT!!!

[Undercover Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is dark and gritty and deals with a lot of personal demons for the main character Willow. Willow has experienced unimaginable loss before the story starts, but when her father is in an accident all of the dark secrets of those around her will start to come to life. Willow has to decide whether to be buried in them or work through them and create a life that she is proud of.

The writing is well done and the story flows well. The characters are ‘mostly’ likable and you are really rooting for them. There is one major plot hole that left me wondering related to the accident that her father is in and that is the only thing that kept me from giving it five stars.

Be aware of the trigger warnings and be ready. I would not recommend this book if you are in a dark place mentally.

[Courtney Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I could not put it down. It was different than other books I normally read but in a good way. Katie has very bad things thrown her way but can still see light in the dark. I would highly recommend reading this book!