heater43 's review for:

Stay Away from Him by Andrew DeYoung

4.0

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Stay Away From Him is a smart, unsettling thriller that pulls you into a web of deception, obsession, and psychological tension. Andrew DeYoung crafts a story that plays with perception in a way that keeps you questioning what’s real, who’s trustworthy, and what might be hiding behind even the most ordinary door.

The pacing hooked me right away, with early tension that steadily builds as the layers of the characters and their motivations are revealed. DeYoung does a great job creating a chilling atmosphere without relying on over-the-top scares. It’s more about the slow, creeping dread—the feeling that something is just slightly off—and that really worked for me.

The characters are complex and imperfect, which made them feel real. I especially appreciated the subtle exploration of relationships and control, and how easily boundaries can shift when you aren’t paying attention. Some of the twists I saw coming, but there were still moments that genuinely surprised me. I would have loved a bit more depth in certain character arcs, but overall, it was an engaging read that I couldn’t put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this gripping novel.