Perfect Stranger

by Kay Schubach

Kay Schubach almost has it all – a great job, a beautiful apartment, a life of champagne and mixing it with Sydney's A-list, and a steady relationship.

By chance she meets handsome and charismatic Simon. He sweeps her off her feet with promises the one thing her younger boyfriend won't give her – a baby. She takes the biggest risk of her life, leaving all certainties behind for love.

All too quickly, the romance turns sour, and Simon goes from charming to controlling, from magnetic to threatening. By the time Kay uncovers his violent past, Simon has decided he will not let her go – and he's not a man to be argued with. Trapped in a terrifying relationship, isolated from friends and family, Kay must decided what she values most, and fight for it.

Genres: True Story

280 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2012

Reviews

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 40-year old professional woman, with a live-in partner, great job, and beautiful home, allows herself to be wooed by a handsome stranger, who turns out to be a sadistic bastard. By the second date, red flags are waving. She ends up throwing away all of the above-mentioned good things in her life, in an effort to please him.

Hard to review this one. I didn't really care for it, and I've tried to analyse why that is. I think it is the way she wrote it. To me, she seems quite immature for a 40-year old professional. On the other hand, we all do stupid things, even at the age of 40. I still make stupid mistakes, at the age of 62!

I wish someone else had written the book. It would have had more clout, I think. I find her 'voice' to be too shallow.

I read some interviews where she says, "Simon ruined my life." Now, I understand what she is driving at here ... that you have to watch out for psychos, and not be taken in by them, like she was. But she had a part in that 'ruining my life' bit. Yes, stand up and warn other women about the 'Simons' lurking out there ... but also make it clear that you are responsible for your own actions, too.

Anyway, I don't want to 'judge' her. I'm no stranger to domestic violence, trust me. Enough said.

For me, this is a 2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me bumped up to a 3 Stars=I'm glad I read it, simply because it may serve as a warning to others.

3 Stars = I'm glad I read it.

[Ruth Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARGH! I’m sorry but I have little or no sympathy for Kay. She had so many chances to get out of the relationship, from the second date she could feel it wasn’t right. Even after she had gone to the Police and had the support from them she just went right back and stayed.

Difficult to be sympathic she after he throws her out the door naked into the foyer, then opens the door and lets her back in, he says sorry and she felt pleased he was wrethced with remorse – YEAH RIGHT!!!

When I heard an interview she gave and how she likened what she was doing, ie … sleeping with another man while still with her partner to jay walking and her saying she thought she wasn’t doing anything wrong – DAH – sorry thats sleeping around and yes it is wrong!

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this is the most amazing story, true story, it took me only 2 nights to read it. I could not put it down. Shock, horror, tears how easily she became trapped, whilst reading this I had a voice in my head going don't do this, don't do that...amazing a must read....

[Kylie Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm frustrated as to how many times she kept going back. Not being in her situation I probably shouldn't comment but if anyone in a similar situation reads this I hope to god they get out and stay out

[Vanessa De boer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A riveting read but I was astounded at how a woman puts herself in a situation like that with so many warning signs.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely compelling and gripping true story as told by Kay Schubach.What a nightmare experience this woman has lived through with Simon Lowe...I think she was truly lucky to get away from him with her life. It makes you wonder how such a strong,capable and independent woman could get so completely taken in by such a monster.But even monsters can wear masks of charm and sophistication and anyone could be fooled.
Kay has taken a brave and cathartic step in writing this book about her experience.It is a true cautionary tale to all women about violence within relationships and how your life can change course in an instant that your vulnerabilities are exposed and how someone can manipulate,undermine and control your whole life,drive your friends away,make you lose your job and reputation.Destroy your life.
I found this book to be very honest and raw account of something no woman should ever have to be subject to any aspect of their lives.

[Sharna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this difficult to get into due to her blatant name dropping. Also, having followed the case I felt she could have perhaps saved such heart ache for others had she just committed to the court case. Sorry. Didn't connect to her story.

[Melissa Pouliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to hear Kay Schubach speak about her experiences before I read her book, and she captivated a hall full of people of all ages from the very first word she spoke. I read more fiction than non fiction because sometimes reading the heartbreak of real life stories can be too much to bear. However, this is one non fiction novel I would recommend highly - not only for the way it was written but the power of the story Kay tells. Her writing style is simple and carries you along, she refuses to get bogged down in what she experienced in her mission to finish this story and get the words just right. What makes Perfect Stranger even more compelling is the conversations, advocacy and support for women that it starts. I am giving five stars for the book, but Kay deserves a whole sky of stars for standing strong against domestic violence towards women.

[Karen Bendo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read... Read this one in a few hours yesterday. I was fascinated by the story but the author just annoyed me at her weakness! From her second date, at her age with some decent education under her belt, how is it possible to be this stupid? I found it difficult to be sympathetic... I spent most of my time just shaking my head and screaming 'idiot'...

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frightening - every woman sh0uld read this.

[Heidi Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, could'nt put it down. True life story of lies,violence,and of a woman who was trapped in a terrifying relationship!!!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly fascinating, but how she could have not come forward and allowed other women to avoid this fate?

Not my place to judge but that felt a bit infuriating.

[Dane Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frightening and maddening.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this. I applaud Kay’s honesty in telling her story, but this was frustrating to read. If Kay was a young girl with no life experience I could kind of get it, but a professional, obviously intelligent woman in her 30’s. Um.. what?
So Kay is in a long term relationship spitting it because her partner doesn’t want a baby, when she meets this loser, Simon and jumps into bed with him. To me he sounded like an absolute dick from day one. I could see so many warning signs right from the start. Just the bit where he calls her an old boiler in front of his friends. It floored me that she had no concern for STD’s and finding out he’d been in jail just rolled off her back.
It was horrible how many times she kept going back. I just didn’t get it. I mean, someone tries to kill you, why would you go back there to give them another chance? In the end I guess she had a bit of Stockholm syndrome, but in the early days she certainly had many chances to walk away from that guy.
I realize that I am a lot more cautious than the average person, but this to me was like reading about a car crash. I’m sure it will help many women. I hope it does. I hope Kay has been able to move on in her life (the final chapter was really sad and shocking) and not seek Mr Excitement.

[Alyssa Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brave woman. I was enraptured by this story and Kay’s courage. It’s hard to understand why women stay in abusive relationships, if you’ve never been through it. From the beginning of the story I saw heaps of red flags in which I was thinking “what a stupid woman, walk away” but you just never know how you’re going to react until you’re in that situation yourself. It’s hard to escape. You do what you need to do to survive. And the paragraph about Stockholm Syndrome? God, I related to that on so many levels. I’ve felt exactly like that. I applaud her.

[John Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, sad, angering, sometimes despairing. How can we judge others. We might do something else in a similar situation Kay found herself in. This story was so brutally honest and surprisingly well written that it compels one to try to understand the situation she found herself in. How easy it is with hindsight or to judge from a distance to her actions, but she lived it and decided to share her experience with all of us. Well done, but very hard to read and absorb.

[Debra Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can relate to this book.. it was a good read that you cannot put the book down while in your mind it’s don’t go there, don’t do that!! I was in a similar position with my ex who was a charmer and promise a child, little did I know he was part of the drug ring

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A terrifying true story showing just how quickly one could end up in some of the most difficult situations.

[Di Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggled to put this book down at times.

[Venessa Johnstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad she's free... and I understand her journey <3

[Tammy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

They say..better the devil you know. But I'm damned to understand why it took her so long to wake up!

[Annette Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 & 1/2 ⭐️

[Jamie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bloody brilliant read. Makes you think twice about people thats for sure. So glad she was able to move on with her life & he was held accountable

[Karen Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this one down. Yes, very surprising for an astute, independent woman to fall into this trap. However, there were obviously some deep needs there that she wasn't consciously aware of. The fact that he had repeated the behaviour with so many seems to indicate his ability to see deeply into women and identify their deep needs and then initially meet them. Beware ladies, fairy tales do not come true and if it feels like one it is likely to be too good to be true so step away. In the end, Kay demonstrates character and could only admire her honesty and openness in laying herself bare. An excellent read and a must for all women young and all about how easily this can happen - Thank you Kay - would love my 19 year old daughter to read this!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read - Finished 30/3/14. What a harrowing and challenging book.. made all the more confronting when we consider it's a true story. A successful woman led into a nightmare by a man you can't seem to ever understand why she fell for him.
This really hit home for me on a personal level, making me remember again that even the strongest of women can be deceived.

[Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.It shows the side of a vulnerable woman who wants to believe in a man that brings her down fast.Once a strong woman, Kay loses everything only to fight her way back and starting her life over.A true story about a woman who wants to believe in happily ever after and finds herself lost only to find her inner strength to move forward.

[Kate Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was an eye opener, would love to see a follow up book on how Kay is getting on with her life now. I suggest every one to read this book before dating, yes even guys as this story could be reversed.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great great read, read it in two sittings. powerful story and brave.

[Kathryn Alp · Rating 3 out of 5]

So scary that destructive relationships can have such a toxic effect and destroy any confidence a woman has in herself.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like a good true story and this is one of the best I've read. Anyone who has been in an abusive relationship will relate in some way to this book. Couldn't put it down once started.