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The Perfect Date
When Melissa goes out on a date with Sean, she’s immediately drawn to his charming personality. Thinking she’s hit a jackpot, she dismisses her initial reservations and agrees to go to his place after dinner.
As the night unfolds, it becomes apparent that Sean is hiding something. A door she’s not supposed to open, a hushed call she wasn’t meant to hear, a camera she shouldn’t touch. Each clue points to an increasingly terrifying conclusion about Sean's secret.
By the time Melissa realizes the disturbing truth, she’s trapped in Sean’s house, just another victim in his elaborate ploy. Can she escape before she ends up like the other girls?
As the night unfolds, it becomes apparent that Sean is hiding something. A door she’s not supposed to open, a hushed call she wasn’t meant to hear, a camera she shouldn’t touch. Each clue points to an increasingly terrifying conclusion about Sean's secret.
By the time Melissa realizes the disturbing truth, she’s trapped in Sean’s house, just another victim in his elaborate ploy. Can she escape before she ends up like the other girls?
156 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2023
348 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 16, 2025
The paranoia with our lead, Melissa, really started things off in a good direction. Her conflicted feelings and, at times, impulsive reactions, all just matched up really well. However, I kept feeling like I was missing something until it was all finally divulged a little ways in. Not anywhere near where I wanted it to be, but sort of. Joshua, specifically, was written in a way that made me feel like this was a middle book in some series. Just no real background or proper development, which made everything else feel strained. The pacing wasn’t bad, but the plot also got a little too deep for its own good. I think that Joshua and/or Sean could have easily been removed from this story, making everything simpler and more streamlined. The writing was fine, as was the premise, but there were just a lot of core issues that took away from the overall experience. Fans of the genre may or may not take to this.
September 26, 2023
I try not to shit on peoples writing, but I’m making an exception here.
This is the kind of book that gives me confidence I could write a novel and actually have people buy and praise it. I do not intend that as a compliment. Clearly, anyone can throw down some garbage on a page and call themselves an author nowadays.
From the utterly unlikable protagonist to the story so rushed you can’t possibly feel any investment in the characters, to the “twists” that are so asinine and predictable you can’t even call them twists, to the clear total lack of research into schizophrenia and depiction in the most stereotyped and incorrect characteristics of the disease, which is beyond harmful for people who already deal with stigma from that awful disease (along w any other mental illness), this was a dumpster fire from start to finish. Please do not waste your time. The single worst book I have read in years.
This is the kind of book that gives me confidence I could write a novel and actually have people buy and praise it. I do not intend that as a compliment. Clearly, anyone can throw down some garbage on a page and call themselves an author nowadays.
From the utterly unlikable protagonist to the story so rushed you can’t possibly feel any investment in the characters, to the “twists” that are so asinine and predictable you can’t even call them twists, to the clear total lack of research into schizophrenia and depiction in the most stereotyped and incorrect characteristics of the disease, which is beyond harmful for people who already deal with stigma from that awful disease (along w any other mental illness), this was a dumpster fire from start to finish. Please do not waste your time. The single worst book I have read in years.
October 9, 2023
Awful
What is this, 1950? What a disgusting, outdated, dangerously inaccurate take on mental illness. I wish I could give zero stars.
What is this, 1950? What a disgusting, outdated, dangerously inaccurate take on mental illness. I wish I could give zero stars.
April 2, 2024
2,5 stars.
The plot had a lot of potential but in my opinion was not well executed. The writing could be better, and I find that the book in general isn't developed enough and doesn't really make sense at times.
The passage that's supposed to be the real highlight of the book, the one that makes up the whole story, only lasted a few pages and went by very quickly. I'd have liked more detail, more action and less foreshadowing of plot twists, as I saw 90% of the book coming.
Despite this, I still had a good time reading this book, it entertained me, so my rating is split between 2 and 3.
The plot had a lot of potential but in my opinion was not well executed. The writing could be better, and I find that the book in general isn't developed enough and doesn't really make sense at times.
The passage that's supposed to be the real highlight of the book, the one that makes up the whole story, only lasted a few pages and went by very quickly. I'd have liked more detail, more action and less foreshadowing of plot twists, as I saw 90% of the book coming.
Despite this, I still had a good time reading this book, it entertained me, so my rating is split between 2 and 3.
January 11, 2024
When I started the book I was enjoying it. But as I carried on reading it was so predictable. Read it in a few hours, disappointed and a lot of spelling mistakes. Waist on anyone is not spelt waste.
April 3, 2025
Absolute tripe, could have done with about ten more rounds of editing and a better plot
July 11, 2025
Melissa, twenties, has had horrendous luck with dating. But she hasn’t given up yet…
Match on Tinder. Sean is a huge and welcome surprise.
Melissa is a teaching assistant; Sean is a successful marketing executive.
Joshua Dawson, Melissa’s toxic ex-boyfriend.
Is this supposed to be set in America? Multiple issues with that…but we don’t call men’s fragrances ‘perfumes.’ 👎🏻
Roommate Rachel is a programmer and a good friend.
Dinner. Sean’s home is very nice. And he wears Tom Ford cologne. ✨
Anna.
The digital camera…
Do all of Iris Baxter’s “heroines” have super helpful friends? And misunderstood ex-boyfriends? The trends developing in her writing are troubling, to say the least. The Perfect Apartment has so many of these same boxes checked. But The Perfect Impostor is actually good. So clearly this author has some creativity…
Sean is an amazing boyfriend.
The mental illness angle… 😳 Umm…oof.
Identity Reveal is…meh 😑
Not sure whether the epilogue, with Anna, helps or hurts.
Match on Tinder. Sean is a huge and welcome surprise.
Melissa is a teaching assistant; Sean is a successful marketing executive.
Joshua Dawson, Melissa’s toxic ex-boyfriend.
Is this supposed to be set in America? Multiple issues with that…but we don’t call men’s fragrances ‘perfumes.’ 👎🏻
Roommate Rachel is a programmer and a good friend.
Dinner. Sean’s home is very nice. And he wears Tom Ford cologne. ✨
Anna.
The digital camera…
Do all of Iris Baxter’s “heroines” have super helpful friends? And misunderstood ex-boyfriends? The trends developing in her writing are troubling, to say the least. The Perfect Apartment has so many of these same boxes checked. But The Perfect Impostor is actually good. So clearly this author has some creativity…
Sean is an amazing boyfriend.
The mental illness angle… 😳 Umm…oof.
Identity Reveal is…meh 😑
Not sure whether the epilogue, with Anna, helps or hurts.
June 2, 2025
I want to first say that this review is no hate to the author, nor do I intend to tear down this novel. But, I did not enjoy this at all. It was only about 150 pages, which is not long enough to be considered anything other than a novella (in my opinion). The plot had SO MUCH potential, but the book just was not long enough to actually develop any of the characters or ideas. This book left me feeling confused and gave me whiplash throughout reading it because I felt like it jumped around A LOT. It was not the worst book I have ever read, but it definitely was not the best. I would love to read a novel with a similar storyline that is triple the length and takes some time to explore each topic, rather than briefly mentioning it and moving on.
December 13, 2023
I am giving it four stars because it gave me a creepy feeling while reading. I didn't really know what to expect next and I found it to be a good first book.
On the less positive note, I agree that more research should be done on schizophrenia, as it does seem to play on some untrue stereotypes, at least in the way I've known people with it.
On the less positive note, I agree that more research should be done on schizophrenia, as it does seem to play on some untrue stereotypes, at least in the way I've known people with it.
May 4, 2024
GOOD...
This was a good story with a very SURPRISING ending. I have to admit,I was into the story but didn't pay attention to a clue given earlier in the book. That is the reason why the ending kind of threw me. I'm glad I didn't catch it though. It always makes for a better surprise.
This was a good story with a very SURPRISING ending. I have to admit,I was into the story but didn't pay attention to a clue given earlier in the book. That is the reason why the ending kind of threw me. I'm glad I didn't catch it though. It always makes for a better surprise.
October 8, 2023
Very good short read
Really enjoyed this book. It moves fast and there is good character development. Enough characters with odd behavior that it keeps you guessing. Good twists with who is who and what is real.
Really enjoyed this book. It moves fast and there is good character development. Enough characters with odd behavior that it keeps you guessing. Good twists with who is who and what is real.
September 5, 2023
Wow
What a great story! It held me until the end with all the twists and turns! Very enjoyable! It was well written.
What a great story! It held me until the end with all the twists and turns! Very enjoyable! It was well written.
September 7, 2023
sooo good
I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one evening. Captivating and suspenseful. Great book. Highly recommend it. Keeps you guessing til the end
I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one evening. Captivating and suspenseful. Great book. Highly recommend it. Keeps you guessing til the end
Read
September 28, 2023What a page turner!
Great read with an easy suspenseful flow! Couldn't put it down! Can definitely relate to Melissa in the dating scene.
Great read with an easy suspenseful flow! Couldn't put it down! Can definitely relate to Melissa in the dating scene.
September 30, 2023
Great first book
Fun read, I enjoyed it. It'll be interesting to see how this author hones her craft as she publishes more books.
Fun read, I enjoyed it. It'll be interesting to see how this author hones her craft as she publishes more books.
October 27, 2023
Great read
This story had me reading it every chance I got, so it turned out to be a quick read for me. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. I would recommend this, definitely!
This story had me reading it every chance I got, so it turned out to be a quick read for me. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot. I would recommend this, definitely!
November 15, 2023
amazing
This book was awesome. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down. Lots of twists and turns.
This book was awesome. I read it in one sitting because I could not put it down. Lots of twists and turns.
November 23, 2023
Interesting story.
This was an interesting story. I wanted to know what happened next. Alot creepy. I recommend reading this book. I like the way it ended.
This was an interesting story. I wanted to know what happened next. Alot creepy. I recommend reading this book. I like the way it ended.
December 19, 2023
No such thing
This was short & I read it in one snowy weekend. I really liked this book & look forward to another book by Iris Baxter.
This was short & I read it in one snowy weekend. I really liked this book & look forward to another book by Iris Baxter.
February 13, 2024
Very predictable and written almost in an unpolished way. It felt rushed through
February 20, 2024
Good but predictable.
March 1, 2024
The opening scene with Melissa is a great hook. Unless you like obsessive women, don't bother reading The Perfect Date. Very disappointing.
April 4, 2024
Quick little read. Read it in a single sitting.
This book had a LOT of potential, but it was so so so so rushed, and the main character was so beyond stupid, it was absolutely unbelievable.
This book had a LOT of potential, but it was so so so so rushed, and the main character was so beyond stupid, it was absolutely unbelievable.
May 29, 2024
Good read
Great read. Edge of seat read. All the way to the end. I'd read again and again. Suspenseful. Be worth the read.
Great read. Edge of seat read. All the way to the end. I'd read again and again. Suspenseful. Be worth the read.
June 15, 2024
good book
It was a good book. I figured it out sort of but still a good book. I’d recommend it for reading.
It was a good book. I figured it out sort of but still a good book. I’d recommend it for reading.
July 16, 2024
Really good read it took me under a day to read it
April 7, 2025
perfect date
Thiswas between a 3 and 4 for me. Not a bad book but I got bored a few times. Worth reading
Thiswas between a 3 and 4 for me. Not a bad book but I got bored a few times. Worth reading
July 25, 2025
Interesting twists!
Thought I had it figured out but thee twists were pretty good. I would be wary of online dating for sure
Thought I had it figured out but thee twists were pretty good. I would be wary of online dating for sure
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews