💔 Book Review: Bad Date: A Short Story by Ellery Lloyd
A taut, twisty thriller that turns modern dating into a deadly game.
Written by the husband-and-wife duo behind The Club and People Like Her, Ellery Lloyd’s Bad Date is a fast-paced short story that packs a punch in under 50 pages. Originally released through Amazon’s First Reads program, it’s a sharp exploration of fame, deception, and the dangers of curated identities.
📖 Plot Overview
Fay Roper, a divorced actress and single mom, is struggling to reenter the dating world. Her celebrity status makes genuine connection nearly impossible—until her best friend Poppy convinces her to try an exclusive dating app for the rich and famous. Fay signs up under a fake name and matches with Oliver, a charming stranger who seems too good to be true.
But as their date unfolds, it becomes clear that neither Fay nor Oliver is being honest. What begins as flirtation quickly spirals into a psychological cat-and-mouse game, with each character hiding dangerous secrets. The tension builds to a shocking and abrupt climax that leaves readers questioning everything.
🎭 Themes & Highlights
- Identity & Illusion: The story explores how fame and anonymity can distort relationships and trust.
- Modern Dating Dangers: It’s a cautionary tale about curated personas and the risks of digital intimacy.
- Suspenseful Structure: The pacing is tight, with revelations dropped at just the right moments to keep you hooked.
⭐ Reader Reception
- Goodreads Rating: 3.6/5 from nearly 100,000 ratings
- Praise: Readers enjoyed the suspense and clever twist, calling it “expertly crafted” and “edge-of-your-seat thrilling”.
- Criticism: Some felt the ending was too abrupt or that the twist lacked impact.
🏁 Final Verdict
Bad Date is a quick, unsettling read perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and unreliable narrators. If you enjoy stories where nothing is quite what it seems—and everyone has something to hide—this one’s worth your time.
