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dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before you dive into this book, heed my warning: there are some heavy themes that need to be acknowledged. I’m not entirely sure if the book includes official trigger warnings, but let me break it down for you: we’re talking stalking, domestic abuse, murder, and mental health struggles that run deep throughout the story.
Honestly, reading this book felt like watching a Lifetime movie unfold on the page. Picture this: glamorous party girl Cathy crosses paths with the irresistibly charming macho man, Lee. It all seems way too perfect, right? Well, spoiler alert—Lee turns out to be the living definition of a psychopath.
The opening really hooked me in with a gripping court transcript. I’m a sucker for those courtroom dramas! However, about 20% in, things started to lose their grip on me. Cathy’s obsessive “checks” felt a bit repetitive, and I initially attributed her behavior to anxiety or some unresolved mental health issue. Yet, I was intrigued to learn what had shaped her into this anxious version of herself. In her carefree days, Cathy had no expectations; she was the life of the party, always out late, living it up with friends by her side—just as wild as she was.
A word of caution: you’ll need to pay close attention to the timeline shifts between Cathy’s life before and after the abuse, as they can trip you up if you’re not fully engaged. As the story unfolds, you see Cathy grappling with OCD and PTSD from the trauma inflicted by Lee. What really struck me was how utterly alone she was—none of her friends believed her when she needed them the most, and the fact that they chose to side with Lee? I still can’t wrap my head around that.
Then there’s Stuart, who acts like he’s got her back, but ultimately ends up facing the consequences of his disbelief.
Overall, the book was a decent read, though it was littered with mundane details and characters that I can’t quite recall right now. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers similar to Lifetime movies, you might just find this one worth picking up; it’s geared specifically for that crowd—and maybe not much beyond.
Honestly, reading this book felt like watching a Lifetime movie unfold on the page. Picture this: glamorous party girl Cathy crosses paths with the irresistibly charming macho man, Lee. It all seems way too perfect, right? Well, spoiler alert—Lee turns out to be the living definition of a psychopath.
The opening really hooked me in with a gripping court transcript. I’m a sucker for those courtroom dramas! However, about 20% in, things started to lose their grip on me. Cathy’s obsessive “checks” felt a bit repetitive, and I initially attributed her behavior to anxiety or some unresolved mental health issue. Yet, I was intrigued to learn what had shaped her into this anxious version of herself. In her carefree days, Cathy had no expectations; she was the life of the party, always out late, living it up with friends by her side—just as wild as she was.
A word of caution: you’ll need to pay close attention to the timeline shifts between Cathy’s life before and after the abuse, as they can trip you up if you’re not fully engaged. As the story unfolds, you see Cathy grappling with OCD and PTSD from the trauma inflicted by Lee. What really struck me was how utterly alone she was—none of her friends believed her when she needed them the most, and the fact that they chose to side with Lee? I still can’t wrap my head around that.
Then there’s Stuart, who acts like he’s got her back, but ultimately ends up facing the consequences of his disbelief.
Overall, the book was a decent read, though it was littered with mundane details and characters that I can’t quite recall right now. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers similar to Lifetime movies, you might just find this one worth picking up; it’s geared specifically for that crowd—and maybe not much beyond.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Stalking, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not really my kind of pace in a book but it was a wonderful read! Had me on the edge of my seat toward the end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Stalking, Sexual harassment
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking
Moderate: Cursing, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity
The main character of this book has OCD. Many of her compulsions are described in detail, in a way that could be upsetting for someone with this disorder or a similar one.
There are also graphic scenes of physical abuse and sexual assault. Not excessively long or detailed. There are only a few brief scenes of violence, but they can be fairly graphic at times.
Not wanting to invite constant vivid details of assault and trauma into my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Stalking
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m really not sure why this book came across my radar, but I bought it a few months ago and hadn’t given it a second thought.
I picked it up as a challenge to myself to read more of the books I physically own, and I can say that I’m glad I did
The subject matter really forced me to reflect on my own opinions and biases and left me feeling like I’ve bettered myself.
It’s a tough subject matter, not for everyone but I would definitely recommend it.
I picked it up as a challenge to myself to read more of the books I physically own, and I can say that I’m glad I did
The subject matter really forced me to reflect on my own opinions and biases and left me feeling like I’ve bettered myself.
It’s a tough subject matter, not for everyone but I would definitely recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Stalking
Moderate: Mental illness