The Boyfriend: Every Parents Worst nightmare

by D.E. McCluskey

Lisa Quinn has a boyfriend... His name is Sean Knight . She is just 16 years old and he is her first. He's handsome and with his charm he wins over her usually overprotective parents.Yet there is a dark side to him. When her parents go on vacation, Sean's darkness emerges and he viciously attacks her over a two-day period, sending pictures of his work to someone he calls Jay . Lisa's life is turned upside down, and her allies are few are far between. Luckily she has a close friend to confide in. When her parents return Lisa seems like a different person. They say revenge is a dish best served cold. How well do we really know the people in our lives? Do we truly know which way their moral compass spins? Monsters come in all shapes, sizes, and guises. Is there such a thing as a hero? In this novel, as in life, even the good guys have deeper shades of grey.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Dark, Psychological Thriller, Splatterpunk, Suspense, Fiction

303 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2023

About the author

I love horror, and I love Christmas. Some would say that the two are not mutually associated, I would tell you different.

I started writing at Christmas, back in the days of yore. I was reading The Night Before Christmas, by Clement Clarke Moore to my daughter who was too excited to sleep. But, I used my secret weapon, my boring voice she was soon catching the right amount of zzzzz's... As I tiptoed out of the room, giving Santa the space he needed to do his bit, I thought to myself, you know what? I could write something like that...

So I did...

The good Behaviour Act was written, the first story in Interesting Tymes, my very first publication.

I live in sunny Liverpool in the UK with my partner and daughters, I used to work in IT but don't anymore, and am the happier person for it. I love football, music and film... I also enjoy long walks, pretty flowers, and gratuitous violence and nudity...

I can be found mostly on Facebook @demccluskey_author
or on Twitter @dammagedpro @demccluskey1

my website is www.dammaged.com

Reviews

[KillerBunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking masterpiece. I was not ready. I would give this book 6 stars on 5 if I could.
Thriller/Extreme Horror/Psychological Horror

Stop reading this review just buy it .

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edit 9/23: Love that I touched some nerves on the torture porn fans 🤪.

This was the bastard red-headed step child of The Last House on the Left and low budget torture porn ala Hostel, and you can immediately tell this was written by a man because of the cringe dialogue from the women. Apparently we giggle at everything, call each other girlfriend/biiitch/slutwhore every time we all congregate.

Gore doesn’t bother me that much (see the book Intercepts because good god), but the abuse described really turned my stomach. I know it’s supposed to drive the story and cause for revenge but I would rather read about human experiments turning themselves into ground beef (again, see Intercepts) than reading pages and pages and PAGES of some snot nosed fuck face calling a girl PIG over and over while inflicting pain for shock value.

IDK why I even read this because this isn’t my usual genre and it’s officially staying that way. The only good part…good? Part was the revenge portion (I mean, that part did feel good because that pre-mentioned fuck face was ANNOYING) because characters, dialogue, overall plot (did I mention the guys parents just had random sex parties with the neighbors?) were stupid. I mean really, this guy just believes that this rando on a burner phone can get him into a SoOpEr SeCrEt ClUb with no proof one actually exists by performing heinous tasks and just wait around for a phone call to confirm you’re accepted into this secret society? Bitch what?

[Horror Bookworm Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
The Boyfriend by DE McCluskey
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/

Seventeen year old Lisa has a crush on a certain boy at school. A very courteous, polite and handsome young man by the name of Sean Knight. As their first date approaches he greets her parents armed with flowers, candy and wine. After a short time of innocent butterflies and first kisses, the naive relationship blossoms into a budding romance. When Lisa’s parents go away on a mini vacation, she has the household all to herself. What she did not see coming was an unexpected evil beyond comprehension and an uncontrollable passion for pain.

The Boyfriend by DE McCluskey is a first hand look into those heart skipping beats and tingles of anticipated make out sessions. Fusing these untarnished affections with a deranged mind devoid of any emotion and you have a recipe for heartless disaster. A cruel malicious villain that craves ultimate domination over another human being is introduced with full fledged selfishness, insecurity and violence. Revenge and street justice are delivered with a gut punch of extreme brutality. This fast-paced intense novel is gonna stick with ya for awhile folks.

The Boyfriend is a very powerful novel. Physical, sexual and mental control over another human being often leads to domestic violence which in turn slowly and painfully takes innocence and turns it into a feeling of helplessness. McCluskey successfully enters the mind of both victim and perpetrator with a heavy heart in hand. He conducts and orchestrates twists and turns throughout, demonstrating how much deeper of a story this really is.

What happens when your safe little world goes black and you’re forced to find your own happy place? DE McCluskey would like to show you. Just be sure to bring a roll of caution tape and a forensic evidence bag with you. A solid five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Recommendation.

[STEPH · Rating 2 out of 5]

***MINOR SPOILERS***

Hmm. Not sure how to feel about this one. It was a slow-burn and it did pick up in the middle part but I was kinda expecting more from Lisa, really.

When you meet someone like Sean—the almost perfect boy-next-door type of guy, one would think that he's a good catch, a little too good to be true but as they say, looks can be very deceiving. Hence, when he finally showed his true colors and the evil within him, I couldn't help but feel bad for innocent Lisa.

The abuse were graphic and really degrading. Anyone would feel compelled to sympathise for the helpless victim, any parent would traverse heaven and hell to get their revenge and this book was satisfying in that sense.

I would've enjoyed to see Lisa take the center stage when the revenge arc came on, but she was clueless until the very end. Also, the punishment for Jay shoud've been as brutal as Sean's.

I advise you to tread lightly when reading this.

[Lynn Carrabino]

DNF. This book is terrible. Terrible writing, terrible editing, just awful. McCluskey is just another old white dude who (a) has no idea how teenagers text/speak and (b) should never write from a woman’s perspective. And I don’t understand, is this book set in America or Britain? It seems like he meant for it to be American but used all British terminology. And what time period is this? The teens are texting but they go to a “milk bar” (hamburger joint) to hang out like it’s the 50s. Do yourself a favor and leave this book on the shelf.

[Sarah Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

Once I started reading this, I couldn’t stop… I devoured this book in a couple of hours! The writing was excellent, the plot was great, there was a twist at the end I never saw coming, everything about this book was just 100% brilliance!

[Jerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't work for me on so many levels. I am glad I can't remember which book tok video recommended it because I'd have to unfollow them if not block them. I love a good revenge story. This wasn't one of them. It just didn't work for me. The characters were so shallow. My first problem - Sean. He was a sick person but is the author trying to throw in his family issues to gain some sympathy? Can't have your cake and eat it too. Pick a lane. Jay - It was an insult how easy it was to guess who Jay was. Lisa - endured torture which is awful but that didn't make it easy to like her. I had no connection with any character and that made it impossible to enjoy the story. The book would have benefited from a good editor. Too much repetition. After reading the author's notes, I think the story would have been better left as a short story. Also grammatical errors like were instead of we're are frustrating and pull me from a story that I was barely hanging on to as is. The writing was adequate at best. The motivation for the crime was simply stupid on both the part of Sean and Jay. I can see there is an audience for the story but I can't fathom why. I like extreme horror and revenge books (check the Mindf*ck series by Abby) but this wasn't for me and was just disappointing.

[KayleeNeedsANewBook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid.

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audio - 3.5 stars because of mouth noises
Story - 2.5 stars

[Steph's_Creepy _Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If horror and thriller and mystery combined forces this would be the result.
Completely different from the other works I've experienced from D.E but so so good! I had my suspicions about the ending but only at the chapter before the revelation. This kept me on tender hooks.
I want a daddy like Lisa's.

[Sarah🥀⛓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late review but like most of his work, D.E. McCluskey doesn’t disappoint (or rather I’ve yet to be)! I’ve discovered his work this year, & I’ve become a huge fan!

This book did a really good job of having you second guess the villain in this story! I’ll be honest though- I’m sure like others the rape scene was extremely uncomfortable to read through. The rest of the book was great, but this felt like a whole separate story! This author has been delving more into Splatterpunk, which is not an easy jump! I’m honestly impressed with the crazy ideas his brain has been coming up with! The twist at the end was really well done! I kept thinking it could be this person, but there’s no way as it’d be extremely messed up lol Really well done story regardless, & look forward to checking out more!

[Rachel M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy meets girl………. Girl falls for boy………. Boys a t**t!……. Daddy gets involved…….. boy is more than sorry!

This is a great read! I couldn’t put it down, at 1st you think oh here we go another boy meets girl romance, they fall out then live happily ever after. NO! There is no happy ever after! There is deception, lies, torment, rape, torture, revenge and loads more in between!

[Kellie M. Hardison · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only thing I can write is that I’m so glad this piece of crap book is over. Second worse (or is it “worst”?) book I’ve ever read. This is basically American Psycho High School edition. Bad bad bad.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely well written and enjoyable and it had me on the edge of my seat many times throughout,some scenes were distressing and upsetting but they needed to be there as they played a big part of the story. I didn't find any part of this book to be boring or unnecessary.The ending had a real twist to it...all I can say is Sean was a nasty nasty boyfriend😡😡👿👿...Well worth reading and 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟from me.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely phenomenal. Will be back soon to attempt to write a review that does it justice

Update:
Let me preface my review by saying..D.E. McCluskey, you have a true skill for writing some horrendous content beautifully. Your writing was excellent,  with a solid plot and a twist that made me go "no fucking way!".  I intend to read Zola next, but my love of cheese keeps deterring me!

This book is brutal, I won't sugar coat it, this book is not for the weak of heart or stomach. There are parts that are going to invoke some seriously visceral feelings.  You are going to be shocked,  you may feel physically ill and if your like me you may want to yeet your phone or paperback clear across the room!

This book is literally a parents worst nightmare, much like the title implies.  Don't worry, the bad guys get theirs.....oh boy do they ever! If you're looking for a teen romance gone horribly wrong with a kickass revenge story mixed in then I highly suggest this as your next read.

I have loads of things I want to include in my review but I refuse to do so because I don't want to spoil this experience for anyone. So please, just stop reading and go buy a copy. It's on kindle unlimited and cheap cheap cheap on kindle! Literally no reason not to pick up a copy ;)

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒚’𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.” – 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒌𝒂

I've only read one other book by this author, the splatterpunk masterpiece ZOLA, so I was surprised to see this book with a description that was more geared toward a thriller. I wasn't too far into the book before I could see the horror aspects, so be aware this is a brutal read in places, but it's an important read if you have teenagers.

Lisa is just 16 when she meets Sean. He seems just as smitten with her as she is with him, and he's even won over her overprotective father. When Lisa's parents go on a European vacation for 10 days, Sean sees the moment he's been waiting for...to get Lisa alone to make her suffer. The whole time he's been romancing her, he's been texting someone named Jay, and the two of them have some brutal plans for Lisa.

Over a two-day period, Sean viciously assaults Lisa and sends the photographic and video evidence to Jay. With the help of her one remaining close friend, Lisa manages to hide as much of the physical marks as she can before her parents return home. However, her father is too astutely tuned in to his daughter and knows something is wrong. When he sees the proof of what Sean has done to his daughter, he channels all of his grief and rage into one purpose--retribution.

If you are sensitive to violent content, be aware of the triggers I mentioned earlier in the review. I thought the subject matter was incredibly well done, and the author brought attention to some hard topics that parents often avoid. Just how well do we know the people in our child's lives? Available in paperback and on KU.

[Christina Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...

Friends, this is going to be a top novel for many in the community, I just know it. From the opening chapter to the last, McCluskey keeps us on the edge and anxious as hell.

Lisa has the perfect boyfriend, Sean. Her parents love him, she loves him and she’s ready to give him something that can be given once. But sadly, things do not go as she expected.

THE BOYFRIEND is not for the faint of heart. It’s a difficult book to read because it’s every parent’s worst nightmare. McCluskey takes that fear and forces the reader to not only face it but to face it brutally. And I have to mention the whiplash it causes. Just when you think you have figured it out, you don’t.

I have read a lot by DE from his children’s novels and graphic novels, to his splatter books and I’m here just going to say it, it’s his best to date. I cannot recommend it enough so… HIGHLY RECOMMEND. 5/5.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa!
This book was insanely good, I love books like this yuno with the domestic violence type plot but this book was amazing!

The characters were brilliant and I felt for Lisa and Flo and loved Tony ( the dad) the best, I loved that he came across as the typical loving dad but flipped his shit and protected his daughter when he needed to. His line of work came in useful when that sweet ass revenge happened. I loved how it wasn't over the top and unrealistic either, his reactions to seeing what happened to his daughter was a normal reaction, I mean who wanted want to do that after that happening?
Yhe twist at the end I didn't see coming either but It was brilliant! I really can't wait to read more from this author, my best read so far this year.
Graphic violence and detail so please check trigger warnings

5⭐️

[Christina Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa is a young teenager experiencing love for the first time with Sean. He does everything right while wooing Lisa and getting in her parents graces.

What they don’t know is it’s all a rouse. Sean has other sinister plans in his mind that he and a partner have devised.

Sean’s “game” is absolutely brutal. It was hard to get through some scenes as my imagination took over and I felt every impact given as I read. McCluskey describes the scenes in such vivid detail that you feel like you are there as the reader watching as the abuse unfolds.

This is not for the light hearted. This book is full of triggers and some very hard core scenes. The opening chapter starts with a bang and sucks you into the story immediately. The story felt very real to me although I’ve never personally experienced anything like this. The sadistic nature of Sean and the fear and shame of Lisa are realistic of abusive relationships reminding us that unfortunately some people actually live this. Some are lucky enough to get out and get help, while others are not and stay in the cycle of abuse.

This story is a wild ride. I really enjoyed how the story played out in the end. If you are ready for the hard core, jump right in!

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my jaw drop to the floor several times!!

It was horrifying and I hated Sean and Jay with my whole being. The revenge was amazing and too short in my opinion.

It’s scary that we live in a world where people like Sean and Peter are not uncommon.

I sped through this story, it was captivating from start to finish.

Yes, I did read the Author’s Notes, and can relate to protective fathers (my own made sure all suitors to the house knew he had guns and could dress a deer with his eyes closed) and the inspiration behind the book. I’m so glad Tony was there for Lisa!

[John The Crippledgimp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy fuckin REVENGE. This book was a page turner man I flew through this one. I think when my daughter is old enough and has someone she wanting to date this will be a required read for that person before they're allowed to go out on a date.... This book is a prime example of why you should never mess with someone's daughter.
I highly recommend this one it's a psychological horror story that bring the brutality and gore its just a damn satisfying read. D.E. McCluskey you rule and you hit this one outta the park man awesome fuckin story

[Stephen Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the biggest compliment I can give this book considering how much I've enjoy all the authors work to date is that it's now probably my favourite of his. Very much a book and two halves, and I loved both half equally. I had no idea where it was going at the half way point and that's the way I liked it. Great book, and deserves all the the praise its got.

[Mrsgmamma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book started out, it was so deep, intense, and exciting to me. I kept wanting more and couldn’t stop reading. I love how the dad is the hero in this story. I just really didn’t like nor understand the reasoning of why what happened, and why this person did what they did. Didn’t make very much sense to me. But all in all I did really like this book.

[Rhiannon Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent although somewhat predictable story of a horrifyingly traumatic assault on a naively innocent 17 year old girl and the vengeance wrought upon the perpetrators for their deeds.

First, a mention about the violence. Yes, it's horrifying and somewhat extreme but I didn't find it overtly so (compared with other extreme horror or splatter stories.) Obviously if you have 'triggers' don't bother with this. I didn't find the violence particularly gory but it did pack a visceral and emotional punch, as was intended.

The story begins with the budding romance between Lisa and her apparent 'knight in shining armour', Sean, just starting. Obviously every reader will react differently to how these kinds of stories land with them, but although I was interested to see how the story would unfold I was not particularly drawn to any of the characters in the book at all. My personal reaction to how Lisa and her friends interacted with each other just didn't ring true for me. And Sean's interactions with Lisa and her parents seemed such an obvious ploy that I was wondering how so many people could be so plainly stupid. It's been a very, very long time since I was a teenager, and clearly I'm a suspicious cynic at heart, but I found it difficult to believe that in this modern time all these people would be so oblivious (as a teenager in the eighties we had FAR less media screaming at us about the horrible predators and evil in the world and I was still very much more aware of the dangers that existed.) But ok (shrugs), what do I know about current teenage behaviours anyhow? So I just go with it (and think the world is truly doomed if they really are all that shallow and horrible to their supposed best friends.)

Turns out the assault on Lisa was very specifically motivated and targeted but this is where I not only figured out right away who/what was behind it, but also where my credulity was truly tested as that eventual plot 'twist' seemed like the easiest, most low hanging fruit that surely that's not the way the story would go. I hoped I was wrong and was really anticipating that it would surprise me and not take the expected route, but alas... The 'reason' for this horrific assault was just too much for me to believe and I think that's where I really had to downgrade this (I was at about a 4 out of 5 up to this point because hey, I was still reading it, and quickly at that.)

The 'vengeance' part of the story kicks in and that helped a bit as it was interesting to read how that played out. But overall, by the end, I was just too preoccupied with questions about (most of) the motivations (not Lisa's and not her vigilante's - those I got) of the characters and my inability to believe that they would be that stupid/ignorant/dense to have 'planned' such an abominable act for the most preposterous and nebulous of reasons. Despite all that, the overall conclusion was reasonably satisfying so not bad, just... average.

[Megan Blazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! From beginning to end I was captivated!! I loved how I could envision everything! I felt like I was watching it play out in real time! Which I don’t have to tell you, is not easy to do especially with thrillers!
The sad part about this book for me was finding out the who done it. And unfortunately things like this actually happen, which again made me love the book, but scared me on a different level.
Over all a VERY much loved book!! Thank you to the author for sending this to me for an unbiased review!! I truly did love it!

[Lacey Devane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, well, well, that was one hell of a story!!! A very interesting revenge story!!

I want to start with if you have any triggers at all please check them before reading this.

This story as horrific as it is, was so beautifully written. What makes The Boyfriend so terrifying is that for the most part this can really happen. I was obsessed right away. I was in a constant state of needing to know what was next, what the next move was, how this was going to play out! It’s a story that captures you from the start and makes you think twice about the people around you!

[Dara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After sleeping on this one I'm questioning my 3 star rating. I really did enjoy the story however I had to knock two stars off because the first 25% was pretty *eye roll* cheesy. So many times I almost quit thinking this was too much in the teenage category. Some of the things the teenage girls were saying to each other felt a little forced, by an adult author who seems to not know how teens actually talk to each other about boys! Then all the sudden I'm reading along and BAM it becomes very uncomfortable to read due to the graphic content. I pushed through and even though I knew exactly what the twist was from pretty early on I was eager to figure out how the characters would discover it.

[Medina Muhaiudin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing could've been a little bit better.. There were some instances where it's like time jumped way too fast. The way the "texts" were spelt were very cringe as well.. people don't text like that?! At least not me or anyone I know lol.

BUT the twist and revenge is what made me actually enjoy this book and bump it to 3.5/4 stars. It was great! Not easy to read some of the disturbing gory scenes that took place but I found it enjoyable. Definitely a book that should be read once.. you never know what kind of person you're letting into your home, or better yet, dating!

[Nicole C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. Talk about a freaking reveal I can’t even lie I didn’t even ponder it until about 90% of the way in. WOW WOW WOW. I’m truly at a loss for words. No review I write can express what I just read, pure madness. The REVENGE???? So well deserved, I’m glad justice was served for Lisa. I’ve finally read a book worthy enough to read the Authors note.

[Machelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holy frick this book was CRAZY!!!!!

Absolutely 110% disturbing. I’m a little speechless at the whole thing. I KNEW it. 🤣 and now you need to read it so we can discuss!

I’ve heard of a million different ways to get the girl…. But this one is all new.

Seriously, a must read. But absolutely not for the squeamish!

Book 80