💔 Book Review: Bad Date: A Short Story by Ellery Lloyd (Kindle Edition)
A slick, twisty thriller that turns online dating into a deadly game—Ellery Lloyd delivers a fast-paced short story packed with deception, obsession, and a chilling finale.
🧠 Overview
Published through Amazon Original Stories in August 2025, Bad Date is a short psychological thriller by Ellery Lloyd, the husband-and-wife writing duo behind The Club and People Like Her. This story follows Fay Roper, a globally famous actress and divorced single mom, who’s unlucky in love—especially when her exes keep mysteriously disappearing.
Encouraged by her best friend Poppy, Fay joins an exclusive dating app for celebrities and elites, using a fake name to protect her identity. She matches with Oliver, a charming stranger who seems perfect. But neither of them is being honest—and their flirtation quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 📱 Online dating gone wrong: The story explores the risks of digital anonymity and curated personas
- 🎭 Celebrity vulnerability: Fay’s fame makes her both a target and a mystery, adding tension to every interaction
- 🧠 Psychological suspense: Motives are murky, and the truth unfolds in layers, keeping readers guessing
- 💥 Sharp pacing: The story builds quickly to a dramatic and unsettling conclusion
“This short story is expertly crafted, with the suspense perfectly timed… leading to a series of shocking moments that kept me on the edge of my seat.” — A Book and A Dog review
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.84/5 from early readers
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s tight structure, unexpected twists, and dark tone
- 🧾 Some found the ending abrupt but effective, while others wanted more depth given the intriguing setup
- 💬 “A deliciously wicked short story about love, obsession, and deadly deceptions.” — YouTube review
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At around 30 pages, it’s a quick read—best enjoyed as a suspenseful vignette
- 📚 Standalone story: No prior reading required, though fans of Ellery Lloyd’s novels will appreciate the familiar tone
- 🧠 Dark themes: Includes manipulation, stalking, and psychological tension—intended for mature audiences
🏁 Final Verdict
Bad Date is a clever and chilling short thriller that turns the familiar discomforts of dating into a high-stakes psychological game. Ellery Lloyd’s writing is crisp and layered, making this Kindle edition a perfect pick for fans of twisty suspense and character-driven drama.
