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Her Dead Boyfriend
“Love and trust are flipped on its head in this psychological suspense. A compulsive read!” - Georgina Cross, author of One Night, Nanny Needed, and The Stepdaughter.“A deliciously sinister thriller about obsessive love that's full of breathtaking twists.” – Author Florence Wetzel.Her Dead Boyfriend is a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
300 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
March 11, 2024
Erin is struggling. Her boyfriend was killed in a car accident a year ago right after having lost her father from a stroke. She barely leaves the house. Her best friend Fiona is urging her to get back out there.
Turns out Fiona has met a new guy, Mark, and they've really hit off. She invites Erin to dinner to meet him and Erin can't believe her eyes. He's the spitting image of her deceased boyfriend, Sean.
Erin is convinced that her and Mark are the two people that should actually be together and now she needs to figure out a way to remove Fiona from the picture once and for all.
Truth be told I had a lot of issues with this book. In my opinion this was not well executed at all. The dialogue between characters never rang true. Some of her wording choices seemed a little silly and nonsensical. Almost as if she was trying to create flowery prose but wasn't successful at it, if that makes sense.
Erin was pathetic, strange, and unlikable which made it hard to get invested in her story. A couple of other notes I made:
🚫 A grown woman that refers to her mother as mommy. Please stop. (I understand that outside of the states this is more common but here? Not so much.)
🚫 This book takes place in Boston. When Fiona invites Erin to Mark's beach house on Cape Cod she says ... "It's in a town called Truro, right on the beach."
Trust, as a Massachusetts native, you've heard of Truro before.
🚫 When Erin is picked up by her date in a Tesla she mentions "I've always wondered why it's called a Tesla?" "It's named after, Nikola Tesla, who invented the induction motor and alternate current power transmission." "Show off, I have no idea what you just said, but it sounded very impressive."
I hate to call a woman an airhead but really? That didn't sound overly complicated. I would think that most adults have at least heard of Tesla before but I could be wrong and I probably am.
🚫 When waking up to a noise in the night Fiona says "What was that?" "Probably just a mouse," Mark replied. "A mouse?" "Don't worry, I'll protect you," Mark said. "Come closer."
I'm not sure how spooning will keep her safe from the big bad mouse but way to go, Mark! My hero! *GAG*
🚫 "He wore dark blue swim trunks, and his legs were long and muscular and covered in black hair."
Is it getting hot in here? Just me?
🚫 "With a proficient touch, he undid the buttons of my black blouse, enabling it to charmingly fall from my shoulders."
Charmingly fall? Nobody really talks like that, right?
🚫 "What color are your eyes? I thought they were brown and now they look green." "Hazel."
Those elusive hazel eyes. Seriously, has this woman grown up under rock or what?
🚫 "I had never heard Fiona call anyone an "asshole" before."
Really? Best friends for years and you've never heard her call ANYONE an asshole? Impossible.
Just when I thought this book couldn't get any more convoluted the ending arrived and it was completely off the wall. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kingsley Publishers for my complimentary copy.
Turns out Fiona has met a new guy, Mark, and they've really hit off. She invites Erin to dinner to meet him and Erin can't believe her eyes. He's the spitting image of her deceased boyfriend, Sean.
Erin is convinced that her and Mark are the two people that should actually be together and now she needs to figure out a way to remove Fiona from the picture once and for all.
Truth be told I had a lot of issues with this book. In my opinion this was not well executed at all. The dialogue between characters never rang true. Some of her wording choices seemed a little silly and nonsensical. Almost as if she was trying to create flowery prose but wasn't successful at it, if that makes sense.
Erin was pathetic, strange, and unlikable which made it hard to get invested in her story. A couple of other notes I made:
🚫 A grown woman that refers to her mother as mommy. Please stop. (I understand that outside of the states this is more common but here? Not so much.)
🚫 This book takes place in Boston. When Fiona invites Erin to Mark's beach house on Cape Cod she says ... "It's in a town called Truro, right on the beach."
Trust, as a Massachusetts native, you've heard of Truro before.
🚫 When Erin is picked up by her date in a Tesla she mentions "I've always wondered why it's called a Tesla?" "It's named after, Nikola Tesla, who invented the induction motor and alternate current power transmission." "Show off, I have no idea what you just said, but it sounded very impressive."
I hate to call a woman an airhead but really? That didn't sound overly complicated. I would think that most adults have at least heard of Tesla before but I could be wrong and I probably am.
🚫 When waking up to a noise in the night Fiona says "What was that?" "Probably just a mouse," Mark replied. "A mouse?" "Don't worry, I'll protect you," Mark said. "Come closer."
I'm not sure how spooning will keep her safe from the big bad mouse but way to go, Mark! My hero! *GAG*
🚫 "He wore dark blue swim trunks, and his legs were long and muscular and covered in black hair."
Is it getting hot in here? Just me?
🚫 "With a proficient touch, he undid the buttons of my black blouse, enabling it to charmingly fall from my shoulders."
Charmingly fall? Nobody really talks like that, right?
🚫 "What color are your eyes? I thought they were brown and now they look green." "Hazel."
Those elusive hazel eyes. Seriously, has this woman grown up under rock or what?
🚫 "I had never heard Fiona call anyone an "asshole" before."
Really? Best friends for years and you've never heard her call ANYONE an asshole? Impossible.
Just when I thought this book couldn't get any more convoluted the ending arrived and it was completely off the wall. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kingsley Publishers for my complimentary copy.
April 21, 2024
A year after Erin’s boyfriend, Sean, was killed in a horrible car accident, she’s still reeling from his death. Suffering from PTSD and a lack of any clear memories from the crash, she’s been hiding herself away in her Boston brownstone, unable to shake the shadow of her one true love. With the help of her psychiatrist, however, Erin is convinced to walk back out into the world of the living by going back to work part-time as well as hanging out socially with her best friend, Fiona, once again.
At her first coffee date with Fiona, Erin is plagued with jealousy when she learns her best friend has a new love interest in her life. As she talks incessantly about the dark-haired, gorgeous doctor, Erin plays the good friend and asks to see a picture of Mark. But what she sees could be the spitting imaging of Sean. In that instant, her world seems to shift and all she can think about is Fiona’s new boyfriend. Maybe his presence in her life will bring her back to life. Maybe her writing will even be rejuvenated with his presence.
Over the next couple of weeks, Erin spends as much time with Fiona and Mark as she can. Even if it means having to deal with being paired off by Fiona with Mark’s brother, Oliver. But as the days pass, Erin begins to think that she’s making progress in winning Mark over for herself. After all, they have so much in common. Deep inside, though, she feels nothing but guilt. How can she do this to the one person who helped her get through her grief over Sean? All she knows, though, is that she needs to make Mark hers for good. No matter the cost, he will become hers in the end.
After reading the synopsis for Her Dead Boyfriend, I couldn’t wait to dive into the book. Sadly for me, for a good 90% of the story, the plot was a long slow burn that took all of my willpower to continue. Worse still, however, was how the blurb was nothing like what I just read. Other than a few tantalizing similarities, one had no relation to the other. In addition to that, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters or getting absorbed into the writing. Disjointed and seemingly flowery for the sake of being flowery, the prose just didn’t work.
There were some positives, however. With short chapters and a fast-paced conclusion, I found myself flying through the pages in just one sitting. Add in one heck of an unreliable, unhinged narrator, and my attention was well and truly held. Unfortunately, though, that just wasn’t enough. And, thanks to an abrupt, rushed conclusion, my opinion wasn’t altered by the finale. Needless to say, this debut tale of domestic suspense just didn’t do it for me. Although, I do have to say that the final twist was pretty darn good. Ultimately, perhaps give this book a shot, but just be prepared to be both frustrated by the protagonist and flummoxed by her actions. Rating of 2.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to C. Fitton and Kingsley Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 22, 2024
Trigger warning: death of a significant other, PTSD, near drowning, infidelity, stalking, fatal stabbing
At her first coffee date with Fiona, Erin is plagued with jealousy when she learns her best friend has a new love interest in her life. As she talks incessantly about the dark-haired, gorgeous doctor, Erin plays the good friend and asks to see a picture of Mark. But what she sees could be the spitting imaging of Sean. In that instant, her world seems to shift and all she can think about is Fiona’s new boyfriend. Maybe his presence in her life will bring her back to life. Maybe her writing will even be rejuvenated with his presence.
Over the next couple of weeks, Erin spends as much time with Fiona and Mark as she can. Even if it means having to deal with being paired off by Fiona with Mark’s brother, Oliver. But as the days pass, Erin begins to think that she’s making progress in winning Mark over for herself. After all, they have so much in common. Deep inside, though, she feels nothing but guilt. How can she do this to the one person who helped her get through her grief over Sean? All she knows, though, is that she needs to make Mark hers for good. No matter the cost, he will become hers in the end.
After reading the synopsis for Her Dead Boyfriend, I couldn’t wait to dive into the book. Sadly for me, for a good 90% of the story, the plot was a long slow burn that took all of my willpower to continue. Worse still, however, was how the blurb was nothing like what I just read. Other than a few tantalizing similarities, one had no relation to the other. In addition to that, I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters or getting absorbed into the writing. Disjointed and seemingly flowery for the sake of being flowery, the prose just didn’t work.
There were some positives, however. With short chapters and a fast-paced conclusion, I found myself flying through the pages in just one sitting. Add in one heck of an unreliable, unhinged narrator, and my attention was well and truly held. Unfortunately, though, that just wasn’t enough. And, thanks to an abrupt, rushed conclusion, my opinion wasn’t altered by the finale. Needless to say, this debut tale of domestic suspense just didn’t do it for me. Although, I do have to say that the final twist was pretty darn good. Ultimately, perhaps give this book a shot, but just be prepared to be both frustrated by the protagonist and flummoxed by her actions. Rating of 2.5 stars (upgraded).
Thank you to C. Fitton and Kingsley Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 22, 2024
Trigger warning: death of a significant other, PTSD, near drowning, infidelity, stalking, fatal stabbing
February 15, 2024
Special thanks to the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 24, 2024
Erin has hidden herself away for almost an entire year, since the death of her boyfriend, Sean, in a car accident. When her friend, Fiona, reaches out to encourage Erin to meet her new, seemingly perfect boyfriend, Mark, Erin feels obligated, since Fiona was the only one there for her through her difficult year. But when she meets Mark, Erin agrees with Fiona, he’s absolutely perfect—for Erin. Mark resembles Sean in a way that is completely uncanny and soon, thoughts of Mark fill Erin’s head constantly. There’s only one obstacle that stands in Erin’s way- Fiona. Although the two have been best friends for years, is Erin willing to risk it all to get what she wants?
“Her Dead Boyfriend” is the first novel by author C. Fitton. I loved the cover, the premise and then add on that the main character and I are name twins (and she works in a bookstore)? Well, I was intrigued before I even read the first page. With that said, the novel did not live up to what I was expecting, and I was a little disappointed.
The story is told by Erin, in the present tense. Erin is an aspiring writer and she shares her work of fiction with Fitton’s readers, making it a book-within-a-book. There is a reason for the story to be written, as the discovery of such leads to a pretty big plot point, but the story-within-a-story didn’t do much for me as a reader.
I enjoyed Fitton’s plot development and how she connected all the dots, adding some unexpected twists at the end (the revelation about Fiona’s character was the most surprising), but the writing was unpolished. I felt Fitton had a great premise, but it needed some further developing, especially with details of characters and environments. As a debut novel, this one was a decent read and Fitton seems to have some lingering talent. With some polish and effort, Fitton will be able to deliver a page-turner and I will continue to follow her progress.
Expected publication date: March 24, 2024
Erin has hidden herself away for almost an entire year, since the death of her boyfriend, Sean, in a car accident. When her friend, Fiona, reaches out to encourage Erin to meet her new, seemingly perfect boyfriend, Mark, Erin feels obligated, since Fiona was the only one there for her through her difficult year. But when she meets Mark, Erin agrees with Fiona, he’s absolutely perfect—for Erin. Mark resembles Sean in a way that is completely uncanny and soon, thoughts of Mark fill Erin’s head constantly. There’s only one obstacle that stands in Erin’s way- Fiona. Although the two have been best friends for years, is Erin willing to risk it all to get what she wants?
“Her Dead Boyfriend” is the first novel by author C. Fitton. I loved the cover, the premise and then add on that the main character and I are name twins (and she works in a bookstore)? Well, I was intrigued before I even read the first page. With that said, the novel did not live up to what I was expecting, and I was a little disappointed.
The story is told by Erin, in the present tense. Erin is an aspiring writer and she shares her work of fiction with Fitton’s readers, making it a book-within-a-book. There is a reason for the story to be written, as the discovery of such leads to a pretty big plot point, but the story-within-a-story didn’t do much for me as a reader.
I enjoyed Fitton’s plot development and how she connected all the dots, adding some unexpected twists at the end (the revelation about Fiona’s character was the most surprising), but the writing was unpolished. I felt Fitton had a great premise, but it needed some further developing, especially with details of characters and environments. As a debut novel, this one was a decent read and Fitton seems to have some lingering talent. With some polish and effort, Fitton will be able to deliver a page-turner and I will continue to follow her progress.
March 19, 2024
Her Dead Boyfriend is a fast paced psychological thriller
The short chapters had me devouring the story at a rapid pace. Short chapters seriously make me enjoy a book more, especially a thriller.
At its core, it's a story of obsession, and the lengths people go to get what they want.
I will definitely read more by this author.
The short chapters had me devouring the story at a rapid pace. Short chapters seriously make me enjoy a book more, especially a thriller.
At its core, it's a story of obsession, and the lengths people go to get what they want.
I will definitely read more by this author.
February 19, 2024
HER DEAD BOYFRIEND was filled with surprises. I liked the flow of the story, it was easy to read in a day's time. Erin was quite the character, her obsession was out of control! I liked that the author added her own dog's name Digger into the story, I thought it was cute. Overall, I found this to be a great debut by C. Fitton.
Thanks to Kingsley Publishers and the author for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
Thanks to Kingsley Publishers and the author for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to pub date.
March 13, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of this book. I love a thriller so I really looked forward to reading it.
The book was a real page turner. The chapters were really short and always ended on a cliffhanger/dramatic ending. I couldn't put it down.
The writing style was a bit basic for me but the story made up for that by being fast paced and action packed.
There was a lot of description, and in my opinion not all of it was necessary but I was a fan of the story.
There were parts where I thought I knew what was going to happen, only to find out I was dead wrong. And that ending...wow. Did NOT see it coming.
The book was a real page turner. The chapters were really short and always ended on a cliffhanger/dramatic ending. I couldn't put it down.
The writing style was a bit basic for me but the story made up for that by being fast paced and action packed.
There was a lot of description, and in my opinion not all of it was necessary but I was a fan of the story.
There were parts where I thought I knew what was going to happen, only to find out I was dead wrong. And that ending...wow. Did NOT see it coming.
March 16, 2024
First of all, thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book. It's not very often I get a physical ARC.
This was a quick, twisty read filled with secrets, deceit, and an unreliable narrator. I was not overly fond of the ending as it all felt a little rushed, but overall, a great debut.
I did enjoy it, but I had the sense I'd read this before. The whole way through, I kept feeling like I'd read this before, but it hasn't been released yet, so I can't have. And it has been bugging me throughout.
This was a quick, twisty read filled with secrets, deceit, and an unreliable narrator. I was not overly fond of the ending as it all felt a little rushed, but overall, a great debut.
I did enjoy it, but I had the sense I'd read this before. The whole way through, I kept feeling like I'd read this before, but it hasn't been released yet, so I can't have. And it has been bugging me throughout.
January 19, 2025
Erin, still grieving the loss of her boyfriend Sean, has closed herself off from the world. When her best friend Fiona starts dating a new man who bears a striking resemblance to Sean, Erin is convinced he’s meant to be with HER, not Fiona. So begins a slow descent into obsession, denial and delusion.
Erin comes to life again, returning to her work at the bookstore even as she schemes to get closer to Mark. As her obsession grows she views Fiona as an obstacle to be removed. An aspiring author, she begins writing a disturbing and violent story as an outlet for her feelings. Will she act on them? How far will she go?
Erin is simultaneously likable and unlikeable. Her inner struggle between loyalty and desire, her questionable decisions (sometimes regret afterwards) and sketchy behavior made her very real and relatable. I was interested to see what shenanigans Erin would engage in next! The addition of Keeper, the pug dog, was sweet. I love when a character has a pet!
Her Dead Body is more of a simmering domestic suspense than thriller; more action and less description would’ve made this more intense for me. C. Fitton’s love of language is evident as some passages almost read like lyrical poetry, which I enjoyed. I even learned a few new words and adding to my vocabulary is always a welcome thing for this logophile! This was an entertaining debut and I certainly hope to see more from Catherine !
Thank you to Catherine Fitton and Kingsley Publishers for the #gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Infidelity, drug use, sexual situations (closed door), violence, death
Erin comes to life again, returning to her work at the bookstore even as she schemes to get closer to Mark. As her obsession grows she views Fiona as an obstacle to be removed. An aspiring author, she begins writing a disturbing and violent story as an outlet for her feelings. Will she act on them? How far will she go?
Erin is simultaneously likable and unlikeable. Her inner struggle between loyalty and desire, her questionable decisions (sometimes regret afterwards) and sketchy behavior made her very real and relatable. I was interested to see what shenanigans Erin would engage in next! The addition of Keeper, the pug dog, was sweet. I love when a character has a pet!
Her Dead Body is more of a simmering domestic suspense than thriller; more action and less description would’ve made this more intense for me. C. Fitton’s love of language is evident as some passages almost read like lyrical poetry, which I enjoyed. I even learned a few new words and adding to my vocabulary is always a welcome thing for this logophile! This was an entertaining debut and I certainly hope to see more from Catherine !
Thank you to Catherine Fitton and Kingsley Publishers for the #gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Scroll down for potential spoiler trigger warnings.
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Infidelity, drug use, sexual situations (closed door), violence, death
Read
March 25, 2024
Kudos to C. Fitton for her debut novel, 𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗬𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗. From start to finish, this gripping thriller captivated me. The characters, particularly Erin, were well-developed, though occasionally frustrating. Fitton masterfully crafts a narrative of obsession, betrayal, and murder, keeping me guessing until the very end. The final twist blindsided me completely. Despite its brisk pace, the story retains depth, exploring the blurred boundaries between reality and fiction. I devoured this book in one sitting and eagerly anticipate Fitton's next work. Highly recommended for fans of suspenseful page-turners.
March 24, 2024
This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. the story follows Erin's journey through grief after the loss of her boyfriend. The author takes readers on a rollercoaster journey, just when you think you know and you've cracked it, you find out you didn't know. it was fun making all the predictions on the way then being totally shocked. Although the book was a little too descriptive in some areas, the amazing plot, characterisation and setting is undeniable!
March 25, 2024
A great story of, love, lies and betrayal. They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer, in this case we struggle to see which character is to be trusted. Obsession does strange things to people, even best friends.
January 27, 2024
Erica and Fiona are best friends. Fiona has really been there for Erica over the last year while she grieved the loss of her boyfriend Sean, who died when their car crashed. Now Fiona has a new boyfriend, a handsome doctor named Mark. Unfortunately for Erica, Mark looks a lot like Sean, and Erica is privately smitten. Meanwhile, Mark’s brother Oliver shows increasing interest in Erica, but Erica’s fixation on Mark only grows stronger. Is Erica willing to sacrifice her friendship with Fiona to pursue Mark? Will Fiona fight back? And are the two nice brothers really what they appear to be?
Congratulations to Catharine Fitton on her debut novel! Well done! This is a twisty domestic thriller, with lots of unpredictable developments, which holds your interest to the end. It becomes clear through the progression of the story, that none of the characters is really the person they present themselves to be. None of them are especially likeable or even “good” people, but they are intriguing! This was a rollercoaster ride, and I had a lot of fun reading it. Thank you so much to Catharine Fitton and Kingsley Publishing for allowing me to be a part of the cover reveal and read an advance copy.
Recommended for readers who enjoy a domestic thriller with unpredictable characters.
Congratulations to Catharine Fitton on her debut novel! Well done! This is a twisty domestic thriller, with lots of unpredictable developments, which holds your interest to the end. It becomes clear through the progression of the story, that none of the characters is really the person they present themselves to be. None of them are especially likeable or even “good” people, but they are intriguing! This was a rollercoaster ride, and I had a lot of fun reading it. Thank you so much to Catharine Fitton and Kingsley Publishing for allowing me to be a part of the cover reveal and read an advance copy.
Recommended for readers who enjoy a domestic thriller with unpredictable characters.
April 30, 2024
Her dead boyfriend by C Fitton.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
A good read with likeable characters. I did find this slow going. I didn't like Erin at all. The chapters were easy to get through. 4*.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
A good read with likeable characters. I did find this slow going. I didn't like Erin at all. The chapters were easy to get through. 4*.
January 15, 2024
Thank you, Cindy Lapa, at Kingssley Publishers for an ARC of Her Dead Boyfriend by C. Fitton.
The debut thriller is a fast-paced page turner.
Loyal friendship or true love ? Perhaps both ?
Couldn't put it down! I thought I had figured out the ending but didn't see it coming.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
Book release is on March 22nd, 2024.
You can get order it now:
https://mybook.to/HerDeadBoyfriend
The debut thriller is a fast-paced page turner.
Loyal friendship or true love ? Perhaps both ?
Couldn't put it down! I thought I had figured out the ending but didn't see it coming.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
Book release is on March 22nd, 2024.
You can get order it now:
https://mybook.to/HerDeadBoyfriend
March 12, 2024
Thank you to Kingsley Publishers for my copy to review. Her Dead Boyfriend is a debut thriller due for release on the 22nd of March 2024.
I loved the premise of this - the lines blurring between fiction and reality. It sounded fun, a little creepy maybe? I felt it had great potential for a solid thriller and I couldn’t wait to get started!
I admit, at times the main character Erin felt quite juvenile, and I struggled to connect with her even though I was given chances to feel some sort of empathy towards her for how her life was turning out. I think perhaps if we spent more time at the beginning seeing Erin in her grief rather than just being told about her hiding away, it would have given Erin more depth perhaps? Exemplified her grief and how vulnerable and fragile she was. I’m not sure, but for me, she jumps from being described as someone who is grieving her boyfriend to being obsessively in love with Mark and I think spending time building this jump would have been worth it. It would have also helped to flesh out Erin’s erratic behaviour, lack of serious judgement, selfishness and insensitivity towards others.
Perhaps that’s a lot to ask given most thrillers don’t have the time for these details - let’s get to the actual thrills please! And I certainly feel we jumped straight into it. The ending is like little fires everywhere. Boom! I did this. Boom! I did that. It was one thing after another which was fun after waiting so long for things to happen. It was a satisfying way to end!
Overall, if you like light thrillers this would be a good fit for you. It’s twisty enough, the characters are all a little unhinged and unreliable, and it’s relatively quick to read. I can’t wait to see what C. Fitton brings out next!
I loved the premise of this - the lines blurring between fiction and reality. It sounded fun, a little creepy maybe? I felt it had great potential for a solid thriller and I couldn’t wait to get started!
I admit, at times the main character Erin felt quite juvenile, and I struggled to connect with her even though I was given chances to feel some sort of empathy towards her for how her life was turning out. I think perhaps if we spent more time at the beginning seeing Erin in her grief rather than just being told about her hiding away, it would have given Erin more depth perhaps? Exemplified her grief and how vulnerable and fragile she was. I’m not sure, but for me, she jumps from being described as someone who is grieving her boyfriend to being obsessively in love with Mark and I think spending time building this jump would have been worth it. It would have also helped to flesh out Erin’s erratic behaviour, lack of serious judgement, selfishness and insensitivity towards others.
Perhaps that’s a lot to ask given most thrillers don’t have the time for these details - let’s get to the actual thrills please! And I certainly feel we jumped straight into it. The ending is like little fires everywhere. Boom! I did this. Boom! I did that. It was one thing after another which was fun after waiting so long for things to happen. It was a satisfying way to end!
Overall, if you like light thrillers this would be a good fit for you. It’s twisty enough, the characters are all a little unhinged and unreliable, and it’s relatively quick to read. I can’t wait to see what C. Fitton brings out next!
March 3, 2024
This book was so captivating that I couldn't stop reading it from the moment I got it. It held my attention until the very end. What stood out to me were the short, engaging chapters and the action-packed storyline with intriguing characters and plots. It was my first advanced reader copy (ARC) experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The well-developed characters and deviation from my usual genre made it a delightful read. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this book is a must-read for you.
March 30, 2024
I struggled with this one, I felt it was a slow burn, although the story did have some twists it didn’t grip me the way a thriller usually does. Also felt the ending was rushed which was disappointing as I was really hyped up for this book.
March 23, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for providing this opportunity to read such a mesmerizing book.
I have no words just as I have too many words.
I would like to describe this book as a baby of the Freida McFadden books.
It has the engagement and plot to keep you reading. It talks about delicate subjects such as grief and how it affects you and all sides of your life.
I would definitely reccomend to all the thriller addicts and even for the readers who are starting to dip their toes into this genre.
3,5/5*
I have no words just as I have too many words.
I would like to describe this book as a baby of the Freida McFadden books.
It has the engagement and plot to keep you reading. It talks about delicate subjects such as grief and how it affects you and all sides of your life.
I would definitely reccomend to all the thriller addicts and even for the readers who are starting to dip their toes into this genre.
3,5/5*
March 22, 2024
Short chapters so a fast read. Although they were short chapters it still left you guessing/wondering what was going to happen next with twists and turns
July 21, 2024
Easy, fast paced and crazy read. It’s easy to judge and dislike the main character a bit but it’s action packed and kept my attention. I’m curious to see what this author comes up with next!
March 8, 2024
Review of "The dead Boyfriend" by C. Fitton - Kingsley publishing - review copy
I had not heard of the author before I was asked if I wanted to read the book. When I saw the title, I became curious and could quickly sense that there was something right here.
“Her Dead Boyfriend is a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin's life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she's met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend's happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin's fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel. With secrets hidden, it's only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.”
Assessment:
I didn't get more than a few pages in before I could feel that this book was going to stick with me. The book is written in really easy language and that makes it easy to understand and combined with a well-written environment and characters, it is completely at home. There are some good layers under the lines and they emerge just as quietly with imagery that makes you part of the book from the start, can sense the feelings and thoughts between the characters, understanding of actions etc. Why is the friendship between Erin and Fiona starting to crumble?
I give 6 hearts out of 6 hearts because I have to admit that this book is one of the best crime novels I've read this year. The author writes vividly and I'm sure I'm not done with this author yet. I hope for more.
🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️
I had not heard of the author before I was asked if I wanted to read the book. When I saw the title, I became curious and could quickly sense that there was something right here.
“Her Dead Boyfriend is a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin's life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she's met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend's happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin's fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel. With secrets hidden, it's only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.”
Assessment:
I didn't get more than a few pages in before I could feel that this book was going to stick with me. The book is written in really easy language and that makes it easy to understand and combined with a well-written environment and characters, it is completely at home. There are some good layers under the lines and they emerge just as quietly with imagery that makes you part of the book from the start, can sense the feelings and thoughts between the characters, understanding of actions etc. Why is the friendship between Erin and Fiona starting to crumble?
I give 6 hearts out of 6 hearts because I have to admit that this book is one of the best crime novels I've read this year. The author writes vividly and I'm sure I'm not done with this author yet. I hope for more.
🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️
March 23, 2024
Love and trust are flipped on its head in this psychological suspense. A compulsive read!” - Georgina Cross, author of One Night, Nanny Needed, and The Stepdaughter.
“A deliciously sinister thriller about obsessive love that's full of breathtaking twists.” – Author Florence Wetzel.
Her Dead Boyfriend is a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
Overall a really good book, I highly recommend. I absolutely did not see the big twist coming and it definitely pulls the whole story together. My only criticism would be Erin's obsession. Seems a bit repetitive and juvenile at times, but I guess makes sense considering what she has been through. Thank you Kingsley Publishing and C. Fitton for this advanced copy. Release date March 22, 2024.
Pre-order available here https://mybook.to/HerDeadBoyfriend
“A deliciously sinister thriller about obsessive love that's full of breathtaking twists.” – Author Florence Wetzel.
Her Dead Boyfriend is a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
Overall a really good book, I highly recommend. I absolutely did not see the big twist coming and it definitely pulls the whole story together. My only criticism would be Erin's obsession. Seems a bit repetitive and juvenile at times, but I guess makes sense considering what she has been through. Thank you Kingsley Publishing and C. Fitton for this advanced copy. Release date March 22, 2024.
Pre-order available here https://mybook.to/HerDeadBoyfriend
May 26, 2024
Yikes. I thought this book started out okay, but once Erin meets Mark it went downhill fast. I felt like a was reading about a silly hormonal teen instead of a grown woman. She was completely obsessed with Mark, and I was constantly rolling my eyes at her pathetic unhinged behavior. She was utterly ridiculous, and I can't imagine treating your best friend like that over a guy. And not even because he was so great, but because he looks like your ex. Wow. The dialogue was cringy too and didn't come across as natural. I made it to 40% and then jumped ahead and read the last few chapters. There were quite a few twists at the end, but they seemed over the top and hard to believe. The chapters were short which made the book go by quickly, but the writing and the plot didn't work for me at all.
March 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC
Unfortunately I hated this book, I was really looking forward to it based on the other reviews and description but it was terrible. It had potential and I kept going bc I thought it would get better but it did not. I kept expecting the main character to escalate considering her obsession is instantaneous in chapter 1 but it's literally the last two chapters that anything happens. The dialogue in this book is deranged and I am begging someone to take away the thesaurus. I'm sorry I did really really want to like it but I don't have anything redeemable except the premise.
Unfortunately I hated this book, I was really looking forward to it based on the other reviews and description but it was terrible. It had potential and I kept going bc I thought it would get better but it did not. I kept expecting the main character to escalate considering her obsession is instantaneous in chapter 1 but it's literally the last two chapters that anything happens. The dialogue in this book is deranged and I am begging someone to take away the thesaurus. I'm sorry I did really really want to like it but I don't have anything redeemable except the premise.
March 25, 2024
Name : Her Dead Boyfriend
Author : C. Fitton
Genre : Psychological thriller
My 💭:
[25/03/24 6.46PM]
At 71 chapters long, I was a bit daunted by the length. But once I started reading chapter 1, I realised how entertaining and engaging the next 70 chapters are gonna be.
If you read the blurb ⬇️, you'll see how unusual the plot is and it will definitely pique your interest in the story. Right from the beginning, I wanted to know what's the deal with the main character Erin and how much resemblance she finds between her dead ex and her best friend's new boyfriend. I formed so many theories from the start, like mayyybe the guy survived and was gaslighting her or something, maybe she doesn't remember everything correctly and so many theories. But my god, the actual relevetion made me sit upright ramrod straight. Never in my wildest theory, did I consider THAT!
The story was EXTREMELY well written. You won't believe that this is the author's first work. I absolutely loved it. The writing was so gripping, that it will keep you hooked to the book. It kind of reminded me of Freida Mcfadden's addictive writing style. Today I had planned to nap in the afternoon after reading a few chapters, but now it's evening and I spent the whole afternoon binge reading this book, sleep long forgotten.
Is it a norm for a guy to always pay for a date? Aren't we at the age where we split the bill or even treat the guy? Why were the guys always paying for Erin's dates? And the way she let Oliver carry all her bags at that vacation, like couldn't she have helped him out? Are basic manners gone? Okay, I think I like Erin less and less. She was pitiable sometimes, and at other times I wanted to shake her, I swear.
There was one character who unexpectedly went crazy. It felt a bit unnecessary to me because he really seemed very genuine and sweet from the start. And his reasons for going THIS much beserk was really stupid. I felt really cheated when his character took a dark turn. Thank GOD this was not the main twist. The main one super duper awesome!
All the characters in this book seems shady, now that I have finished it. I am NEVER trusting anyone ever again, except for my parents 😂. And I lesson I got from this book is that never ever go overboard for crushes, it might lead to stalkerish obsession. Seriously, while reading what Erin was doing under the influence of her 'crush', I was having a mild anxiety attack and second hand embarrassment. I kept wanting to tell her, "girl, get a grip!".
Author : C. Fitton
Genre : Psychological thriller
My 💭:
[25/03/24 6.46PM]
At 71 chapters long, I was a bit daunted by the length. But once I started reading chapter 1, I realised how entertaining and engaging the next 70 chapters are gonna be.
If you read the blurb ⬇️, you'll see how unusual the plot is and it will definitely pique your interest in the story. Right from the beginning, I wanted to know what's the deal with the main character Erin and how much resemblance she finds between her dead ex and her best friend's new boyfriend. I formed so many theories from the start, like mayyybe the guy survived and was gaslighting her or something, maybe she doesn't remember everything correctly and so many theories. But my god, the actual relevetion made me sit upright ramrod straight. Never in my wildest theory, did I consider THAT!
The story was EXTREMELY well written. You won't believe that this is the author's first work. I absolutely loved it. The writing was so gripping, that it will keep you hooked to the book. It kind of reminded me of Freida Mcfadden's addictive writing style. Today I had planned to nap in the afternoon after reading a few chapters, but now it's evening and I spent the whole afternoon binge reading this book, sleep long forgotten.
Is it a norm for a guy to always pay for a date? Aren't we at the age where we split the bill or even treat the guy? Why were the guys always paying for Erin's dates? And the way she let Oliver carry all her bags at that vacation, like couldn't she have helped him out? Are basic manners gone? Okay, I think I like Erin less and less. She was pitiable sometimes, and at other times I wanted to shake her, I swear.
There was one character who unexpectedly went crazy. It felt a bit unnecessary to me because he really seemed very genuine and sweet from the start. And his reasons for going THIS much beserk was really stupid. I felt really cheated when his character took a dark turn. Thank GOD this was not the main twist. The main one super duper awesome!
All the characters in this book seems shady, now that I have finished it. I am NEVER trusting anyone ever again, except for my parents 😂. And I lesson I got from this book is that never ever go overboard for crushes, it might lead to stalkerish obsession. Seriously, while reading what Erin was doing under the influence of her 'crush', I was having a mild anxiety attack and second hand embarrassment. I kept wanting to tell her, "girl, get a grip!".
February 22, 2024
Erin, an aspiring author who works in a bookshop, lost her boyfriend Sean a year ago, and two years ago, she lost her father too. She is in deep mourning and is on therapy as she visits Dr Pritchard on a regular basis.
In this circumstance, her close friend Fiona announces to her that she’s seeing Mark, a doctor by profession. Erin is glad for her friend until she sees Mark during a get-together party. He resembles Sean almost to T, a doppelgänger in the making.
What begins as a mild fantasy in Erin’s inner mind—to make Mark her lover and have a life with him—soon becomes an obsession when a weekend trip confirms that both Erin and Mark are attracted to each other, eventually leading to the accidental yet obvious lovemaking.
Meanwhile, Erin starts recovering (that is what she thinks) from her sad state and sees colour spreading to her life as she engages enthusiastically in book events and starts writing a story—in a journal presented by Oliver, Mark’s IT brother—with three main characters, twins (Eva and Faith) and Max, a bloody murder-mystery revolving around a girl’s fixation for her sister’s boyfriend.
The gravity of the infatuation/love/lust of Erin towards Mark becomes so addictive and maniacal that the fictional story in her head and then in writing starts to unfold in reality (almost), where the end is only betrayal to her close friend Fiona.
What did Erin do to get past her ghost? Did she turn into a sociopath/murderer? If she is not the real murderer, then who is? Who is murdered? Did she join hands with Mark and betray Fiona?
For answers to these whys, whos, and hows, read this engaging thriller novel with a solid storyline and a good character arc, resulting in a riveting experience.
Overall, debut Canadian novelist Fitton makes a promising debut with her domestic thriller, Her Dead Boyfriend. It has all the elements that are required for a page-turning (mostly) and pulsating (bits and pieces) murder-mystery thriller that will keep you hooked until the last word, with a good (unexpected) twist at the end.
I devoured this 340-page novel in two sittings over the weekend. That shows the author’s command over language to keep her audience glued to the page (screen). It is a must-read for thriller genre readers, and I recommend it with no second thought.
In this circumstance, her close friend Fiona announces to her that she’s seeing Mark, a doctor by profession. Erin is glad for her friend until she sees Mark during a get-together party. He resembles Sean almost to T, a doppelgänger in the making.
What begins as a mild fantasy in Erin’s inner mind—to make Mark her lover and have a life with him—soon becomes an obsession when a weekend trip confirms that both Erin and Mark are attracted to each other, eventually leading to the accidental yet obvious lovemaking.
Meanwhile, Erin starts recovering (that is what she thinks) from her sad state and sees colour spreading to her life as she engages enthusiastically in book events and starts writing a story—in a journal presented by Oliver, Mark’s IT brother—with three main characters, twins (Eva and Faith) and Max, a bloody murder-mystery revolving around a girl’s fixation for her sister’s boyfriend.
The gravity of the infatuation/love/lust of Erin towards Mark becomes so addictive and maniacal that the fictional story in her head and then in writing starts to unfold in reality (almost), where the end is only betrayal to her close friend Fiona.
What did Erin do to get past her ghost? Did she turn into a sociopath/murderer? If she is not the real murderer, then who is? Who is murdered? Did she join hands with Mark and betray Fiona?
For answers to these whys, whos, and hows, read this engaging thriller novel with a solid storyline and a good character arc, resulting in a riveting experience.
Overall, debut Canadian novelist Fitton makes a promising debut with her domestic thriller, Her Dead Boyfriend. It has all the elements that are required for a page-turning (mostly) and pulsating (bits and pieces) murder-mystery thriller that will keep you hooked until the last word, with a good (unexpected) twist at the end.
I devoured this 340-page novel in two sittings over the weekend. That shows the author’s command over language to keep her audience glued to the page (screen). It is a must-read for thriller genre readers, and I recommend it with no second thought.
March 24, 2024
Here’s my review for Her Dead Boyfriend by C Fitton
This was a very interesting read and I got into it straight away. It was well plotted and the writing was superb. The descriptive text is exceptional and describes everything really well. This is a great thriller that is filled with love, obsession and murder. Erin is grieving the loss of her father and her boyfriend but she can’t move on. She meets her best friend’s new boyfriend who resembles her recently deceased boyfriend and she gets something new to focus on as she gets obsessed with him. He even inspires her to start writing again in the journal that Oliver got for her. It’s a great read and I loved it, but found it hard to put down.
Blurb :
Her Dead Boyfriendis a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
This was a very interesting read and I got into it straight away. It was well plotted and the writing was superb. The descriptive text is exceptional and describes everything really well. This is a great thriller that is filled with love, obsession and murder. Erin is grieving the loss of her father and her boyfriend but she can’t move on. She meets her best friend’s new boyfriend who resembles her recently deceased boyfriend and she gets something new to focus on as she gets obsessed with him. He even inspires her to start writing again in the journal that Oliver got for her. It’s a great read and I loved it, but found it hard to put down.
Blurb :
Her Dead Boyfriendis a gripping thriller infused with obsession, betrayal, and murder.
Erin’s life is not going according to plan. An aspiring author, her world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Behind the walls of her Boston Brownstone, Erin hides away from the outside world. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy, but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked.
Her loyal best friend Fiona stands firmly by her side. So when Fiona announces that she’s met Mark, an apparently perfect man, Erin attempts to share in her friend’s happiness.
But Erin is stunned to discover that Mark bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her growing infatuation, she begins to write a story in the small hours, blurring the lines between her fictional and real worlds.
As Erin’s fixation for Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona begins to unravel.
With secrets hidden, it’s only a matter of time before someone is left with blood on their hands.
February 22, 2024
Easy 5 stars. Holy unhinged narrator!
Thank you to C. Fitton and Kingsley Publishers for my advanced copy of this book.
Erin's boyfriend passed away in a tragic accident a year ago. As she is trying to move on with her life, she becomes obsessed with her best friend's new boyfriend, who looks eerily similar to hers who died.
I can't explain how this one gripped me. Erin was the most subtly unhinged narrator that I have ever experienced. You see her engaging in all these stalkerish behaviors and doing wild things, but you kind of just accept it because you like her and she is grieving. I kept finding myself rationalizing her behavior as "weird but not THAT bad," until I looked back on it and it was definitely over the top bad.
The book follows Erin, her best friend Fiona and Fiona's new boyfriend, Mark. Fiona and Mark try to set Erin up with Mark's brother, but she only has eyes for Mark and can't seem to move past this obsession.
This book had me on edge the entire time because I was just waiting for everything to come crashing together and all of Erin's bad decisions to finally come back on her. Her unhinged behavior started out slight but kept escalating.
One other thing that I loved was that this book had the short chapters of my dreams. It was so hard to put it down because the story was gripping, but I also found myself doing the, "just one more," thing, late into the night.
I will say that I knew something was coming for a plot twist, but it was the complete opposite of what I thought, and it linked everything together so nicely. It was an absolutely fantastic debut, and I hope to see another book in the future.
Thank you to C. Fitton and Kingsley Publishers for my advanced copy of this book.
Erin's boyfriend passed away in a tragic accident a year ago. As she is trying to move on with her life, she becomes obsessed with her best friend's new boyfriend, who looks eerily similar to hers who died.
I can't explain how this one gripped me. Erin was the most subtly unhinged narrator that I have ever experienced. You see her engaging in all these stalkerish behaviors and doing wild things, but you kind of just accept it because you like her and she is grieving. I kept finding myself rationalizing her behavior as "weird but not THAT bad," until I looked back on it and it was definitely over the top bad.
The book follows Erin, her best friend Fiona and Fiona's new boyfriend, Mark. Fiona and Mark try to set Erin up with Mark's brother, but she only has eyes for Mark and can't seem to move past this obsession.
This book had me on edge the entire time because I was just waiting for everything to come crashing together and all of Erin's bad decisions to finally come back on her. Her unhinged behavior started out slight but kept escalating.
One other thing that I loved was that this book had the short chapters of my dreams. It was so hard to put it down because the story was gripping, but I also found myself doing the, "just one more," thing, late into the night.
I will say that I knew something was coming for a plot twist, but it was the complete opposite of what I thought, and it linked everything together so nicely. It was an absolutely fantastic debut, and I hope to see another book in the future.
February 12, 2024
😡 M A L I C I O U S 🔪 M O N D A Y 😡 featuring “Her Dead Boyfriend” by C. Fitton!
BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
One year ago, Erin’s boyfriend Sean dies in a tragic car accident. For the past year she has secluded herself at home trying to cope with his death. She has been struggling to write her first book after suffering from writer’s block post-accident.
Now Erin is trying to get back out there socially as recommended by her therapist. Erin goes back to work and makes an effort to see her friends. Her bestfriend Fiona has always been there for her and encourages her to get out and come to a party with her. Fiona has a new boyfriend named Mark who is super hot and a doctor. BUT Erin cannot get over how much Mark looks like Sean … and soon a sinister chain of jealousy, obsession and betrayal ensues as Erin sets her sights on Mark 🎯!!
Will Erin follow girl code and be happy for Fiona and her new relationship?? Or will infatuation take over and put a wrench in their friendship??
This domestic thriller is a JUICY one and is full of twists and turns! The blurred lines and unreliable narrator truly keeps readers on their toes!!! This story focuses on fixation, obsession and poor decision making! Erin does a dance with the devil when trying to decide between lust and friendship!
Bravo to @pugsnpages on this deliciously calculated debut novel!! Thank you to @kingsleypublishers for sending me an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on March 22, 2024!
BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
One year ago, Erin’s boyfriend Sean dies in a tragic car accident. For the past year she has secluded herself at home trying to cope with his death. She has been struggling to write her first book after suffering from writer’s block post-accident.
Now Erin is trying to get back out there socially as recommended by her therapist. Erin goes back to work and makes an effort to see her friends. Her bestfriend Fiona has always been there for her and encourages her to get out and come to a party with her. Fiona has a new boyfriend named Mark who is super hot and a doctor. BUT Erin cannot get over how much Mark looks like Sean … and soon a sinister chain of jealousy, obsession and betrayal ensues as Erin sets her sights on Mark 🎯!!
Will Erin follow girl code and be happy for Fiona and her new relationship?? Or will infatuation take over and put a wrench in their friendship??
This domestic thriller is a JUICY one and is full of twists and turns! The blurred lines and unreliable narrator truly keeps readers on their toes!!! This story focuses on fixation, obsession and poor decision making! Erin does a dance with the devil when trying to decide between lust and friendship!
Bravo to @pugsnpages on this deliciously calculated debut novel!! Thank you to @kingsleypublishers for sending me an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on March 22, 2024!
March 22, 2024
Erin is an aspiring author whose world shatters when her boyfriend dies in a tragic accident. Haunted by her past, she tries therapy but soon discovers that some doors are best left locked. When Erin meets Fiona, her best friend’s new man, she discovers that Mark resembles her dead boyfriend. Inspired by her infatuation, she begins to write a story, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. As Erin’s fixation on Mark grows, the unbreakable bond between her and Fiona unravels.
HER DEAD BOYFRIEND is a tale of obsession and the unruly consequences of pining after something that isn’t yours. At first, I felt sorry for Erin. But then she meets her best friend’s new man, who is a spinning image of her dead boyfriend, and things change. Erin takes it upon herself to break every girl code imaginable. The delusional fixation was incredibly cringy. I couldn’t stand any of these unpredictable characters. I only managed to stomach the doppelganger’s brother since he seemed somewhat level-headed.
As the drama untangled, so did the book-within-a-book concept, giving the narrative a fun touch. Now, I had an inkling something was off by the finale, but I didn’t expect that mouth-dropping twist! As much as I thought this was a decent, well-developed debut, I sometimes struggled with the slow-burn pace. Despite that, it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to write a book, and I’m happy to say Fitton has a bright, thrilling future ahead of her!
HER DEAD BOYFRIEND is a tale of obsession and the unruly consequences of pining after something that isn’t yours. At first, I felt sorry for Erin. But then she meets her best friend’s new man, who is a spinning image of her dead boyfriend, and things change. Erin takes it upon herself to break every girl code imaginable. The delusional fixation was incredibly cringy. I couldn’t stand any of these unpredictable characters. I only managed to stomach the doppelganger’s brother since he seemed somewhat level-headed.
As the drama untangled, so did the book-within-a-book concept, giving the narrative a fun touch. Now, I had an inkling something was off by the finale, but I didn’t expect that mouth-dropping twist! As much as I thought this was a decent, well-developed debut, I sometimes struggled with the slow-burn pace. Despite that, it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to write a book, and I’m happy to say Fitton has a bright, thrilling future ahead of her!
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