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Imprinted
A home invasion at Tessa Schroeder's 18th birthday party ends in the tragic accidental death of her boyfriend, Chris. Her OCD intensifies and she enters therapy for PTSD.
Dealing with intense grief and issues with her narcissistic mother, Tessa is vulnerable to the advances of her parents' college friend, David. She can't help but be drawn in by his humor and kindness so much like Chris's. They begin a rocky relationship.
When Tessa eventually uncovers the unimaginable secrets David's been keeping, she'll have to dig deep to survive his hidden agenda. Then, one final surprise will change her relationship with her family forever.
Imprinted, a psychological thriller, is told through the eyes of three generations of women and explores the cyclical nature of trauma, mental illness, and abuse. Not recommended for readers under 18 years old. See content warnings below.
Content Warnings:
Grief over loss of a loved one, infidelity, underage drinking, underage sex, crude language, murder, shoplifting, mental health issues, burglary, stalking, home invasion, shooting, sexual assault (involving a minor), rape, attempted rape, abuse, child abuse, gaslighting, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, suicide, fat phobia, violence, death, thoughts of having an abortion, blood, ableism, misogyny, sexual situations, freak accident resulting in injury, drowning.
Dealing with intense grief and issues with her narcissistic mother, Tessa is vulnerable to the advances of her parents' college friend, David. She can't help but be drawn in by his humor and kindness so much like Chris's. They begin a rocky relationship.
When Tessa eventually uncovers the unimaginable secrets David's been keeping, she'll have to dig deep to survive his hidden agenda. Then, one final surprise will change her relationship with her family forever.
Imprinted, a psychological thriller, is told through the eyes of three generations of women and explores the cyclical nature of trauma, mental illness, and abuse. Not recommended for readers under 18 years old. See content warnings below.
Content Warnings:
Grief over loss of a loved one, infidelity, underage drinking, underage sex, crude language, murder, shoplifting, mental health issues, burglary, stalking, home invasion, shooting, sexual assault (involving a minor), rape, attempted rape, abuse, child abuse, gaslighting, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, suicide, fat phobia, violence, death, thoughts of having an abortion, blood, ableism, misogyny, sexual situations, freak accident resulting in injury, drowning.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2024
9 people are currently reading
1610 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Charles
1 book13 followersElizabeth Charles is the pen name for a cozy mystery author from California. Like her young protagonist in Imprinted, Elizabeth struggles with OCD and related disorders.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 22, 2024
Heartbreaking in so many ways. I don't think mental illness is talked about enough, and it shows the many ways of how just one event can really affect you and the struggles people go through. It's definitely a book that will have you thinking about it after you finish it.
May 11, 2024
I am still processing this story as I write this review. It is a thriller, but really is also a book that has a focus on mental health…PTSD, OCD and not only the central character, but generational mental health and also those people that surround them. It is one I will continue to think about.
Thanks to Goodreads for the ARC of this book.
Thanks to Goodreads for the ARC of this book.
May 2, 2024
i cannot stop thinking about the characters the story and omg i just loved the timelines and the family drama, if any of this sounds interesting to you get it, it’s an indie (means independent right?) published book. its just so amazing and the more i think abt it the more i wish i savored it and the more i want to reread it after like an hour of finishing it. just omg please go buy it!!! (need my own copy bc i read it on kindle😢😢)
edit: ok i change it to a 5 stars bc i cannot stop thinking about it and it is so good!!!!
edit: ok i change it to a 5 stars bc i cannot stop thinking about it and it is so good!!!!
May 8, 2024
IMPRINTED follows the story of Tessa Schroeder, a grieving young woman tortured by many demons. As the reader experiences Tessa's grief, we have a front-row seat on her harrowing, desperate journey to salvation. Tessa's story, as well as her mother's and grandmother's, will leave you reeling in all the right ways. With vivid depictions of mental illness and abuse, Tessa's story shines a light on the dark corners of the human psyche. A thriller not for the faint of heart, IMPRINTED will stay with you long past the final page.
April 16, 2024
*4.5
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I kind of figured out what was going to happen halfway through the book but the writing was so engaging that I still looked forward to reading it. The story is heavily focused on grief and mental health, particularly PTSD and OCD, and how it has affected 3 generations of women. We have the main character, Tessa, her grandmother and her mother. The way the author incorporates the 3 POVs was clever and didn’t interrupt the flow of the book at all. Tessa’s POV is in the present and we get glimpses of her diary entries whilst her grandmother’s story is told through a letter and her mother’s story is told via an assignment given to her by her therapist.
The grandmother’s story is so heartbreaking and features a lot of domestic abuse while the mother’s story focuses on her childhood and promiscuous college life. I despised Tessa’s mother as she doesn’t appear to care for her daughter’s mental health and often times makes derogatory comments.
The author portrays OCD really well and I’m glad that Tessa came out a stronger person at the end and accepted herself.
Please check TW before reading!
Thank you to netgalley and the author for the ARC! ✨
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I kind of figured out what was going to happen halfway through the book but the writing was so engaging that I still looked forward to reading it. The story is heavily focused on grief and mental health, particularly PTSD and OCD, and how it has affected 3 generations of women. We have the main character, Tessa, her grandmother and her mother. The way the author incorporates the 3 POVs was clever and didn’t interrupt the flow of the book at all. Tessa’s POV is in the present and we get glimpses of her diary entries whilst her grandmother’s story is told through a letter and her mother’s story is told via an assignment given to her by her therapist.
The grandmother’s story is so heartbreaking and features a lot of domestic abuse while the mother’s story focuses on her childhood and promiscuous college life. I despised Tessa’s mother as she doesn’t appear to care for her daughter’s mental health and often times makes derogatory comments.
The author portrays OCD really well and I’m glad that Tessa came out a stronger person at the end and accepted herself.
Please check TW before reading!
Thank you to netgalley and the author for the ARC! ✨
August 20, 2025
Imprinted by Elizabeth Charles is a psychological thriller that refuses to let you read it at a safe distance. It gets under your skin, sometimes in ways you expect, sometimes in ways you don’t. For me, the surprise was deeply personal: the book’s portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder. I’ve been medically diagnosed with OCD, and while Tessa’s (our protagonist’s) compulsions are different than mine, the way Charles captured the intrusive thoughts, the looping mental patterns, and the profound effect it has on daily life was startlingly real. That kind of accuracy is rare in fiction, and it was unexpectedly validating to encounter it here. I suspect the author has real experience with OCD and trauma for how precisely this was portrayed.
This work is told through the eyes of three different women: grandmother Olivia, mother Sandy, and 18-year-old Tessa. Tessa’s journey is what we are following, with the help of letters and therapy assignments from the matriarchs. Tessa’s story is a constant push-and-pull between reality and perception. The story toys with you – maybe she’s imagining everything, maybe her mind is working against her.
One violent night changes everything. Tessa witnesses the death of her boyfriend, Chris, during a home invasion that seemed to be only for robbery. The trauma of that night follows her into every corner of her life, magnified when a trusted family friend, David, exploits her vulnerable emotional state. From there, Charles pulls you into a web of grief, confusion, and distrust – both toward the people around Tessa and her own mind. Her fear is palpable, her vulnerability raw, and yet, by the end, her resilience comes through with satisfying force. If she doesn’t always feel like an authentic teenager, it’s because her trauma has forced her into an adult’s headspace far too soon. Her toxic relationship with her mother only sharpens that edge.
The tone throughout is unnerving. Even in the still moments, there’s a nagging suspicion that you’re missing something, just as Tessa is. The multi-generational POVs amplify this, as each woman’s voice is distinct and layered with her own motives. It’s a clever structure that keeps you guessing without ever feeling gimmicky. If the opening chapter feels rushed, it’s in service of the story. You’re thrown into Tessa’s trauma the way she experienced it, confused, replaying events, searching for clarity. It’s disorienting, but intentionally so.
What stands out most here is the shockingly real portrayal of mental illness, paired with an unflinching look at how women (especially young women) are often dismissed in their fears and experiences, even by other women. This is a thriller that lingers because it feels so possible. For readers who love psychological thrillers and aren’t afraid of trigger warnings, Elizabeth Charles’ Imprinted will grip you from the first page.
This work is told through the eyes of three different women: grandmother Olivia, mother Sandy, and 18-year-old Tessa. Tessa’s journey is what we are following, with the help of letters and therapy assignments from the matriarchs. Tessa’s story is a constant push-and-pull between reality and perception. The story toys with you – maybe she’s imagining everything, maybe her mind is working against her.
One violent night changes everything. Tessa witnesses the death of her boyfriend, Chris, during a home invasion that seemed to be only for robbery. The trauma of that night follows her into every corner of her life, magnified when a trusted family friend, David, exploits her vulnerable emotional state. From there, Charles pulls you into a web of grief, confusion, and distrust – both toward the people around Tessa and her own mind. Her fear is palpable, her vulnerability raw, and yet, by the end, her resilience comes through with satisfying force. If she doesn’t always feel like an authentic teenager, it’s because her trauma has forced her into an adult’s headspace far too soon. Her toxic relationship with her mother only sharpens that edge.
The tone throughout is unnerving. Even in the still moments, there’s a nagging suspicion that you’re missing something, just as Tessa is. The multi-generational POVs amplify this, as each woman’s voice is distinct and layered with her own motives. It’s a clever structure that keeps you guessing without ever feeling gimmicky. If the opening chapter feels rushed, it’s in service of the story. You’re thrown into Tessa’s trauma the way she experienced it, confused, replaying events, searching for clarity. It’s disorienting, but intentionally so.
What stands out most here is the shockingly real portrayal of mental illness, paired with an unflinching look at how women (especially young women) are often dismissed in their fears and experiences, even by other women. This is a thriller that lingers because it feels so possible. For readers who love psychological thrillers and aren’t afraid of trigger warnings, Elizabeth Charles’ Imprinted will grip you from the first page.
June 23, 2024
Imprinted, by Elizabeth Charles, is a riveting psychological thriller that delves into the intricate connection between mental illness and a dysfunctional family upbringing. The story begins with a traumatic event at Tessa Schroeder's 18th birthday party, where an intruder accidentally kills her boyfriend. Overwhelmed by guilt for not saving him, Tessa's OCD intensifies, and she develops PTSD and paranoia. Living with her narcissistic mother and the looming threat of a potential stalker, Tessa finds herself increasingly vulnerable and spiraling into darkness. Amidst this turmoil, she discovers solace and affection in the arms of David, a close friend of her parents. This relationship, however, raises concerns from her father and stepfather and leads her to uncover dangerous family secrets and deceptions.
Elizabeth Charles masterfully crafts a narrative that offers readers a profound insight into the challenges faced by those with mental illnesses such as OCD, PTSD, and agoraphobia. The novel presents a compelling exploration of how these disorders impact daily life, making it both an educational and emotionally charged read. As the plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, Charles keeps readers on the edge of their seats, consistently exceeding expectations.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of psychological trauma as a shared experience, intricately woven into the fabric of family dynamics. Charles's characters are richly developed and relatable, reflecting her deep understanding of the subject matter. This authenticity likely stems from the author's personal connection to these themes, lending her writing an added layer of depth and credibility.
While Imprinted does come with several trigger warnings, its merits far outweigh any potential discomfort. Elizabeth Charles has gifted readers a well-written novel with formidable characters and a gripping, unpredictable storyline. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of mental illness and family complexities.
Elizabeth Charles masterfully crafts a narrative that offers readers a profound insight into the challenges faced by those with mental illnesses such as OCD, PTSD, and agoraphobia. The novel presents a compelling exploration of how these disorders impact daily life, making it both an educational and emotionally charged read. As the plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, Charles keeps readers on the edge of their seats, consistently exceeding expectations.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of psychological trauma as a shared experience, intricately woven into the fabric of family dynamics. Charles's characters are richly developed and relatable, reflecting her deep understanding of the subject matter. This authenticity likely stems from the author's personal connection to these themes, lending her writing an added layer of depth and credibility.
While Imprinted does come with several trigger warnings, its merits far outweigh any potential discomfort. Elizabeth Charles has gifted readers a well-written novel with formidable characters and a gripping, unpredictable storyline. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of mental illness and family complexities.
September 27, 2024
I would never have guessed! Never. My stomach is still in knots. Definitely recommend. I almost stopped reading partway through. I don't know if it's the structure or the flow I was finding it hard to get in to. I am so glad I kept going because the story itself was amazing. The twists kept coming. After the big reveal the ending was a bit anticlimactic.
March 29, 2025
Very messed up and relatable to anyone that's been through trauma deft check your triggers
September 28, 2024
1.5 STARS
Imagine the most campy soap opera, where so many bad things happen to the main character that it's not even slightly believable, and you have this book. No one acts like a normal person, everyone is weird, the adults and teenagers all basically have the same level of maturity.
The mustache twirling supervillains are so over-the-top that I risked eye sprain from all the rolling.
Imagine the most campy soap opera, where so many bad things happen to the main character that it's not even slightly believable, and you have this book. No one acts like a normal person, everyone is weird, the adults and teenagers all basically have the same level of maturity.
The mustache twirling supervillains are so over-the-top that I risked eye sprain from all the rolling.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews