Watching Ames

XO Surveillance #1

by R. Handler

Where do you draw the line between a secret admirer and a stalker?

Ames Fitzgerald never expected to have to ask herself that question. She did everything right after her parents graduated college, got a steady, boring job, and set her dreams aside in pursuit of stability. But when a sudden gift reminds her of everything she’s been missing, Ames starts to crave the danger of not knowing whether the man behind the gifts is a harmless admirer, or something more sinister.

**Watching Ames is a lighthearted, stalker romance that contains explicit content that may not be suitable for all readers. This is the first book in the XO Surveillance series, a trilogy of interconnected standalones with over-arching plot lines and themes and HEAs guaranteed at the end of each book.**

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Mafia Romance, Love, Spicy, Found Family

322 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2023

About the author

R. Handler enjoys writing sweet(ish), morally gray characters who are obsessed with their partners. She believes characters that might operate outside the traditional boundaries of right and wrong also deserve heartfelt, happily-ever-afters, which are what got her into reading in the first place. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in English, she settled down in her hometown in Virginia with her husband and four cats. When not writing, she enjoys reading and tending to the plants that always find a way into her books. Watching Ames is her debut novel.

Reviews

[ken! · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was scared this was going to be like haunting adeline BUT ITS NOT!!!

alex actually respects her boundaries !! WHOOP WHOOP!!!! he’s like the perfect man minus the hacking (but also kind of including the hacking)!!!

she’s not annoying and everything she did was justifiable!!

love them 🫶🏽😝

[yeonjoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

I must admit the beginning was kind of slow and I wasn’t really sure where the book trying to go... BUTTTT, then the plot really set in and I was so invested in the whole storyline!!!
Can we please talk about this sweet friend group? They were everything🤭😩
I’ll definitely be reading the next books in this series! Next off is Wren and idk why but I can kind of imagine her being with Bex…? But at the same time I can picture Dev with Bex so perfectly… I guess I’ll let the author surprise me 🥰

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you second guessing how bad stalking really is (fictional stalking at least). Watching Ames is aptly described as a “sweet stalker romance”, and it really embodies all three of these characteristics:
1. Sweet – Alex, the MMC, is obsessive, overprotective, and stubborn, all in the best way when it comes to the FMC Ames. There’s only a handful of romance MMCs who would go to the lengths that Alex goes to in Watching Ames to win over their love interests. There’s a specific extravagant display of obsession (that I won’t reveal) that I can’t compare to any other romance hero I can think of.
2. Stalker – This one is pretty self-explanatory. Secret admirer versus stalker? Alex toes the line at times, and at other times, he simply ignores the line or destroys is entirely. The novel is dual POV, so you get snippets of motivations and explanations from Alex’s point of view that help to convince the reader that even if he’s a stalker, he’s still a stalker you’re rooting for.
3. Romance – A slow-burn romance without a doubt, but the buildup, tension, and pay off are well worth the wait! The chemistry that Alex and Ames share is fun to read, and Alex’s devotion to Ames is as romantic as it gets. Despite the dubious nature of their meeting, Alex treats Ames with respect and love at all times throughout the novel. I appreciated the control and power that Ames felt when she was with Alex, as that’s not always something you see in romance FMCs.

Other aspects of the novel that I really enjoyed in no particular order:
• The found family aspect of the novel was a refreshing surprise. I loved each member of the family, and each member has a distinct voice that you fall in love with even though they’re not the focus of the story.
• I found the writing style to be a nice change of pace as well. Oftentimes I’ll read a novel with awkward wording and stilted sentences, but the writing in Watching Ames is rich.
• While not a dark romance, the novel has some darker themes (no surprise from a stalker romance), and I found these darker elements to be just enough to keep the book interesting and to set it apart from a simple contemporary romance.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I was lucky enough to be able to read this book from the author before it was released, and I can’t wait for the next two books in the series! Definitely pick this one up if you’re interested in passionate romances with just a hint of something darker to keep you turning page after page.

[Sabs ✨️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 / 5 ⭐️ First half of the book was too slow for me, second half was better

[Delightfully · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluffy, feel-good, stalker romance. The FMC was kinda annoying, and the conflict never really kicked into high gear. But it was fine.

[Deadxpooll · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most wholesome books have ever read, this is such a good book despite being just the 1st book the author has written
Alex ,my gawd easily my top 3 best MMC's have ever read about
Ik it says stalker romance
But i promise hes the most caring , loving , respectful stalker ever💜

Spoiler- he asks her if she ever bought a house how she would want it, after she described it
He bought it for her😭😭😭
Also shes a potter and makes ceramics right , he even takes weeks of classes just for her
He built her a whole studio too
He was just so good
The fmc is little annoying ngl she ignored her ex's redflags for a v long time albeit she had her reasons....
Definitely worth reading 100%


This is the 1st time am commenting on good reads despite reading so many books lol

[Elz · Rating 4 out of 5]

i too would bust it wide open for my stalker if they bought me all the things he did 👀

[Macey (spoilers!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 forest-chasing stalkers and the kilns that took too long to get delivered ⭐️

❎ third act breakup
✅ OM drama
❎ cheating
✅ dark-haired mmc 😌

Ames (A) & Alex (XO)
I wanna compare this to Haunting Adeline (Cat & Mouse Duet) due to the stalker theme (and I'm pretty sure it was the book Ames was reading that caused her and Peter to fight) but other than that nada. Basically, it was a softer, much calmer sibling of the infamous dark romance duology. Yep they had a rough forest chase scene as well but not as dark as Zade's softest. Alex is secretly a cinnamon roll and it only comes out (along with his rare smiles) when he's around Ames.

I like the pace of their relationship but I didn't like how she just accepted mediocre explanations for the stalking in the beginning (before she knew the entire story), and then get mad later when she was told the obvious. The ending was also a hit rushed and was like an afterthought. Probably should have hinted more on the assistants being assaulted like Penny appearing with a faint bruise or her pleading eyes slipping when she visits Ames without Peter but then composing herself again. The 'someone is watching me' also didn't go well since it was (i think) only mentioned once and in passing, could have added more mysterious tones to that like Ames thinking she saw familiar eyes (Peter's) but then they disappeared in the crowd and thought she was just hallucinating or something similar. Maybe even made it more prominent than just feeling someone watching you once. Nonetheless, it was a sweet stalker story and I'm a sucker for men who are as attentive as Alex is to Ames' hobbies, interests, dream house, everything (yep i guess im an attention whore 🤷🏼‍♀️).

Plus points for the forest chase 🙈

I like the tight-knit group that they have, including Bex in the end. Bex still has a lot to develop which I'm pretty sure will be tackled on the 2nd book. However, I'm more excited about Dev's story and how it will be. Our golden retriever trigger happy boy might be paired with an ex-military like himself or someone who might be even tougher and sinister than him. And I'm all for it.

Plot: ⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️⚪️
Book BF: 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
Blush: 🟠🟠🟠🟠🟠
Spice: 🔴🔴🔴⚪️⚪️

03/02/25 - 2nd reading

I'm actually more focused now on how Alex actually makes sure to give her every choice (other than her privacy 💀) given how her bitch of an ex did not give her a single one. Him giving her the reigns from the beginning and settling on waiting hand and foot with everything he knows she loves makes him more endearing to me than he was the first I read this. 10/10 will let him chase me in the forest 😛

[Bf review: should probably have prepared some cloth for the forest scene]

[Shu'rtugal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a little too sweet

[Carley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but not great

I enjoyed sections of this book. I absolutely did not like ames her indecisiveness and lack of self respect grated on my nerves. I did however really like Alex. Did not like bex either.. this story would have been better an a novella a quick in and out, there just wasn't a lot happening and it made me bored half of the time.

[Emma ^ - ^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a stalker romance, I recommend this one! "Watching Ames" is underrated IMO, I really enjoyed it!! Ofc it had dark elements, with it being a darker romance but I didn't think the darkness was over the top. It was a perfect mixture of dark and swoon-worthy romance lol.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went in with a certain stalker romance mentality, I was pleasantly surprised as the story developed. Secret Admirer with some stalker mixed in, There is a you are mine in here and hello here for it. I enjoyed the development of feelings between Ames and Alex, from friendship to more. I would have liked to know more about Alex, the tidbits left me wanting to read more about their story. Overall good read, nicely paced as we learn about the characters and a start to a series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[birbpal · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

This book was such a delight. I love "darkish" books that aren't actually too dark but have some dark themes. Stalking but from a sweetheart MMC? Right up my alley!

There was so much to like about this book. I love the found family created between FMC Ames and MMC Alex. It was so sweet, and their connections were so organic, ugh. My heart is full from their interactions. 😭💗

I honestly just love the side characters so much, especially Dev. His juxposition between being a goofball to being a secret military badass has me so curious! (I really am looking forward to a maybe potential story from him? Next is Wren, though, so I'm still excited!!)

For people who are similar to me and prefer their "dark" romances to be more like a shade of grey, this book is for you. Alex did cross boundaries and was maybe not correct with all his methods, but his love for Ames was so pure. He genuinely loved and wanted the best for her, being her number one supporter and friend throughout the story.🦋💓

This is my segway into my only problem with this book. Our FMC Ames, although such a well-rounded character, was sometimes hard to get behind. How she responded and reacted to certain events in the book made me want to pull my hair out in frustration. It took her a long time to fully accept Alex's feelings (which was annoying as is), but once she did, I felt like the dynamic of their relationship really didn't change. Maybe that is intentional, but I just wish I saw her fully returning his affections with equal or even more enthusiasm. I wanted to see her enitiate PDA or even sex. It just felt very one-sided and unsatisfying to me when it's all Alex.

I would say that because of the above issue, half the book was a tiny bit harder to get through. But once the slide characters were fully introduced, this book was so hard to put down.

Would I recommend this book? Heck yeah. Just FYI, though, if you're expecting tons of spice, don't. The spice happens in the way end but it is quality 👌 ✨️

🐥💕

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 really cute and lovely light for a stalker romance

[allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so conflicted about reading this in fear that it would be a repeat of haunting adeline but it honestly didn’t even feel like dark romance, a few chapters into the book and the characters are fully revealed.

The writing was very mediocre and SO EXCESSIVE, instead of just saying “i grabbed my coat and left”, there were 3 pages of details about furniture in the room, every single movement the character makes, and just DRAGGED IT OUT SO MUCH

fmc and mmc had no chemistry whatsoever and the book just gets boring towards the end, totally predictable, and a very bad attempt for the author to plug the next book in the series.

It had the possibility to be a very good book and i was so captivated during the first few chapters but it quickly went down hill and gave me wattpad vibes

[pageturners · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. It was so good. Ames is a pottery maker & the girlfriend of Peter who’s an aspiring senator. After he walks out on her and doesn’t talk to her for a few weeks she starts receiving gifts that she thinks are from her boyfriend. The gifts aren’t like the normal things Peter gives her so she thinks he’s finally realizing her taste, only for her to find out that the gifts were sent from someone else and she has no idea who sent them.
This is a stalker romance but it’s not dark at all. It’s so good and sweet.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the Top Perfection

This book was JUST what I wanted. Hero was SO over the top and obsessed with her to the point of wanting to know everything she liked. He wanted her to THRIVE not just be with him. Also loved that she had a unique career and it was well fleshed out not just a quirky plot element. RUN DONT WALK

Be aware of the triggers listed. It was both less and more dark than I expected.

[Jace · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 35%

This book is so blah. There's nothing dark or gritty about the stalker. The female Mc is in a relationship with someone else, and even though she doesn't really like him and enjoys when he's not around she is staying with him and doesn't actually have any plans to leave him.

At 35% I just felt like I wasn't really liking either character and therefore I should go find a better book.

[Bryn Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s pray I never have a stalker cause i might just fall in love with them if they’re anything like this GENTLEMAN ALEX

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hated the h in the beginning but she finally grew a backbone and stood up for herself.

[bookish_and_wine · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒎𝒆𝒔
4.25⭐️
1.5/1.75🌶️

If you’re asking yourself if a sweet stalker/ admire romance exists, the answer is yes 🙌🏼

I expected something darker but was pleasantly surprised by my read.

Ames is in a relationship with Peter, the son of a highly respected politician figure. Let me tell you, they’re nothing alike. She loves her pottery and started her own business, while he thinks he can have whatever he wants because Daddy has money 🤌🏼 and thinks her job is a joke and a hobby 😒

When Ames has an important meeting with a future client, she starts receiving gifts on her doorstep. Thinking it was from her boyfriend after the fight they had, she thought that he finally decided to support her in her career choices (wrong).
Little does she knows, the gifts are not from him but from a secret admirer, or stalker if you prefer 😉

Alex has been watching her for some time but has his reason (you’ll have to read it if you want to know 😉). Little by little, he starts to be obsessed with her. He noticed she hasn’t been her own self and tries everything to make her smile again (swoon).

They start to be friends meeting up for coffee or lunches without her knowing it’s him 😬

Ames feels her life falling apart and with Alex, she feels secure and has finally someone to talk to.

I love the friendship Alex and Ames developed. It was INTENSE. He’s completely smitten with her and will do whatever it takes to have her. And boy this man is patient ☺️

I love the side characters, Dev is actually funny and protective, and Wren is the little cherry on the top that I didn’t expect. Regarding Bex, I’m not quite sure how I feel about her. Yet 😂

Alex is obsessed, possessive and sweet at the same time. I would have loved to see more of his job in the book though.

The slow-burn 🤌🏼🥵 I loved that Alex didn’t pressure anything on Ames and knew she was in a relationship, but the tension between them 🔥🔥🔥

If you’re looking for something different than the dark stalker romance you’re used to. Give it a go 🙌🏼

Now I’m really excited about book 2 😍

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘙. 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 🫶🏼

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping novel that focuses on the murky territory of obsession, suspense, and the blurred lines between a secret admirer and a potential stalker. In this captivating story, Ames Fitzgerald's mundane life takes an unexpected turn when she receives an enigmatic gift that awakens long-buried desires and leaves her questioning the true intentions of her mysterious benefactor.

Ames, a woman who meticulously follows the path of stability and predictability, suddenly finds herself caught in a whirlwind of intrigue and uncertainty. R. Handler skillfully portrays Ames' internal struggle as she grapples with the allure of the unknown and the inherent dangers that come with it. The author masterfully crafts a tale that explores the human fascination with danger, the allure of the forbidden, and the fine line between excitement and fear.

Handler's writing style is immersive and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the mounting tension and unease that permeates the story. The pacing is well-executed, gradually building suspense and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. As the plot unfolds, the author skillfully plants seeds of doubt, making readers question the motives and identity of Ames' secret admirer. The uncertainty surrounding the characters' true intentions adds layers of complexity, leaving readers eager to uncover the truth.

This is an enthralling and thought-provoking story that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense. R. Handler's skillful storytelling, atmospheric prose, and well-crafted characters make this book a compelling read from start to finish. As the tension escalates and the lines between secret admirer and stalker blur, readers will find themselves engrossed in a tale that explores the darker shades of obsession and the power of the unknown. Fans of psychological thrillers will be thoroughly satisfied with this gripping tale that keeps them guessing until the very end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, at heart, a safe stalker novel. It's told from "Her" and "Him" POV's. Ames is the main female character, that has a admirer/stalker. Sign me up for a stalker like this ❤️‍🔥! Ames does have a boyfriend, Peter, though. Seriously what did Ames EVER see in Peter? When he said "Youre disgusting," I would've so been done with Peter! Add in the fact they had a nonexistent relationship almost. Now, Ames is forced to look at her life. Ames is living the life she thinks she should and doesn't really like but what would happen when Ames starts living the life she really desires? I think Ames is also forced to face her biggest fear. Her admirer promises he will be different for Ames, so she doesn't have to face her fears when it comes to him. Is what this admirer/stalker did so bad? I think that's for each reader to decide 🤔. It depends on what your limits and triggers are. I can say one thing, this admirer is DETERMINED! I think the last confrontation with Ames and Peter was absolutely necessary. I was beginning to worry it wasn't going to happen, leaving me with a lot of unresolved questions. I do wonder why Peter was so determined to stick with Ames? I think I do know why. It takes some time for the relationship between Ames and her admirer/stalker to evolve, when it does 🔥🥵! This admirer let's Ames be free to who she really is and not be ashamed of that, which is what Ames fought this whole book. Overall, I didn't think the stalking was that "dark" but that doesn’t mean I didn't enjoy the novel. There are a couple of scenes that can potentially be triggering for some people, that involves a attempted sexual assault, kidnapping, and physical assault.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[sash · Rating 1 out of 5]

there are good books, books that are so bad they’re somehow good, mediocre books
and then there are plainly bad books

unfortunately, this one is the latter. i gave it a fair chance, kept pushing through the first 50% in hopes of the story picking up or the MC suddenly pulling her head out of her ass or some other miracle, but nope

⚠️ spoilers ahead:

i really don’t want to be mean, but idk how else to express my thoughts, so here goes:
the mc is genuinely dumb (can’t put together literally anything) and playing the victim, there’s no chemistry between ames and alex whatsoever, the situation between ames and peter is completely fucking ridiculous (bestie be going for weeks without talking to the dude then she’s suddenly moving in with him? be so for real, ur not even in a relationship w him at this point)

the writing was a solid 3.5/5
if the plot had been better it would’ve been bearable, but the amount of unnecessary details (description of a house that goes on for two full pages? give us something substantial xx) and things like “i planned my outfit days in advance” and then it’s just a plain tank top and shorts? mkay — that’s just hard to read

if you enjoyed this book — i’m genuinely glad for you, don’t take offence at my thoughts xx

[Aashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! Alex is a cinnamon roll wrapped in black packaging and that's about it. May be my moral compass is broken after reading way too many dark romances but I genuinely didn't think the stalking part was bad😭

This is a dark romance if you consider Twisted Lies as one, otherwise nope! It was a really sweet story imo.

Alex is obsessed at first sight with Ames but maintains distance till he can but when he sees her sad, softie just wants to do anything to make her feel better and can't keep his distance anymore.

My man kisses the ground she walks on, never lets her pay for a single thing, can't let her face any inconvenience and is genuinely in love with her. He respects her and never once manhandles or forces her for anything. See? No dark romance!

There is plenty of om drama though, who is basically her boyfriend and fmc is a doormat for him, which kinda pissed me off but it's okay, I get where she's coming from.

Except the om, everyone is a cutie in this book and I enjoyed the overall vibe of the book. It was a short read, so if you want to read about a mmc who will pluck his eyes out without a second thought if the fmc asked him to, give this book a try🩷

[Flor Espinoza Sanchez ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

to have someone see you and immediately be infatuated with you is always a crazy thing for me to imagine but to read it in a story 😻 from the moment alex sees ames he is drawn to her. ames is in a relationship that is emotionally draining her and turning her into someone she doesn’t know anymore. she is an amazing character to have in a story because she shows how people adapt to the things that happen around them and how people will stay in relationships because it’s convenient. but once alex sees her he’ll stop at nothing even if it means becoming a stalker 👀 don’t worry though my man alex has morals, making sure to be there for her whenever she needs someone to talk. he is able to put his feelings aside and care and protect her when she needs it. not once does he push his feelings to her, don’t get me wrong he straight up “… i totally understand you’re with peter and i respect that… i like being with you, period… i’m not going to push anything beyond a friendship, but i will fight for it” 🥰 LIKE YES SIR PLEASE!!! it’s safe to say that alex is definitely a book boyfriend of mine now 🥺


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Payton R · Rating 5 out of 5]

XOXO Gossip Ames 🖤😂

I was soooooooo pleased with this morally gray stalker romance!

It wasn’t too dark where I wasn’t in the mood but the right about of gray to spark an interest along with the fact I read the second book earlier last year as an @rc lol. It is a duel POV but mostly from Ames side. Little spice just in case you’re more interested in plot than shmex.

I love interconnecting stories like this because you learn more about the next characters and how they are and it’s so fitting!

Ames is a potter, lost her self in a toxic relationship and didn’t think she would be able to find herself or learn to be artistically independent.
Alex stalks Ames and gets a little too excited lol that’s all I’ll say

There world collides in all the best ways! I truly love these two … by far my favorite couple and series!

If you haven’t already you have to read all three books since they’re now all officially released and on kindle U 🖤

[Caroline Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watching Ames is a slow-burn romance, telling the story of Alex and Ames and their journey from friends to something more. Ames finds out early on in the book that she has a 'secret admirer' and we follow her as she gradually learns more about the person who seems to know her so well, and keep sending her gifts and flowers that really hit the mark. All the while her new friendship with Alex is growing, her relationship with her sister is rocky, and her relationship with her partner is slowly unravelling. It's a great read, a slow burn, but worth the wait! I really enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more stories about the rest of the crew.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry I don’t understand the good reviews and feel like I read a different book bc this was so boring. Ames is boring I don’t understand how Alex found any enjoyment stalking her bc yikes. The writing was fine but there would be extremely long details that would span a few pages all to describe what something looked like. There was little to no dialogue for the first 20% and even when she does have a “conversation” with someone she would go back in her head for a long ass inner monologue. It was painful ☠️

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ames Fitzgerald did everything right after her parents died: graduated college, got a steady, boring job, and set her dreams aside in pursuit of stability. But when a sudden gift reminds her of everything she’s been missing, Ames starts to crave the danger of not knowing whether the man behind the gifts is a harmless admirer, or something more sinister. An intriguing, suspenseful read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.