She’s his obsession. She just doesn’t know it yet.
For six months, Roman has been her shadow, hacking her cameras, sneaking into her home, and memorising every inch of her life. Tonight, he’s taking her. And he won’t let go until Lily-Mae admits what he already they’re inevitable.
Captivity. Heat. Touch-her-and-die obsession. This is a dark, depraved romance where the villain always wins, and you’ll beg him to.
I tried. I really really tried to like this. I read the whole thing and I even tried to not skim at all (it worked until the last 10%, but by then I was just over with it)
I am obsessed with a good stalker romance. Unfortunately I felt absolutely no chemistry between our main characters. Worse I didn’t connect with either of them which left me with a very disconnected reading experience. I wanted to love Roman, and I enjoyed parts of his personality… but I just didn’t like him all that much. He seemed a bit too unredeemable. I love a Villain but yeah I just wasn’t feeling this.
By the end we get to a cliffhanger that I didn’t expect. I already felt like this book was just toooooo freaking long for what it was, so when I found out there was another story left to go? I bounced. Unfortunately not interested in book 2.
This book scratched an itch that I didn’t even know I had! Lisa Baillie has a gift at sucking the reader right in. The storyline unfolds beautifully and kept my interest the whole time. I found myself eager to get back to this world any chance I had. I appreciate this authors writing style and ability to insert humor and relatable moments (even the dark ones) throughout the book. Excited to see what comes next from her!
Once again, another amazing book from one of the best authors!
Look, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with Roman, and for a stalker romance, that’s pretty darn good! The fact that you never question what is going on in mind just completely helps with your desire for him to win the love of his girl.
When she wanted nothing but Roman in the store during her panic attack? Adorable.
When she said I love you for the first time and he just acted like okay cool cause he already knew? Swoon.
When he forced her to go home because he knew she would resent him forever if she didn’t go be with her family for a bit? Yeah, that’s it. Here’s my hand in marriage sir.
AND THAT ENDING. Look, Lisa and I have already had words about that ending. I’m somehow supposed to wait to find out what happens next? Not sure that I am capable of this type of patience, but I guess I will be learning.
Come Find Me? Okay, I’ll be right there!
Overall, again, one of the absolute best books out there, no surprise because it’s a Lisa Baillie book, but still has to be said. So read this book! You know, if you like dark romance, and stalkers, and possessive MMC, and feisty FMC, and maybe don’t mind a bit of m*rd*r? Yeah overall, if you like those things, read the book! 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is an intense book and I loved every moment of it! It was like a twisted, spicy take of Beauty and the Beast, which happens to be one of my favorites!
I’ve not read a lot of stalker/obsession books, actually this may be my first. I loved Lisa Baillie’s Checkmate and her writing, though, so I tried something new. I am so glad that I did! Roman was a complex character and his story was gripping. I loved learning about him first and all the things that shaped him and brought him to Lily. His devotion was soooo unhealthy and also so sweet! He seemed a bit unhinged at times, but somehow it made him even more appealing. I may have something wrong with me, but I loved Roman and actually got upset with Lily at times for how she treated him or reacted to him…her captor. Yes, I sympathized with the beast of the book!
I was more conflicted on Lily up until the end, which was just perfection, but left me wanting more. That is the sign of a great book, though. She was so stubborn, which she was initially a captive, so it makes sense. After coming to learn and getting to know Roman in the book first, though, the way she initially treated him was surprisingly frustrating. I can’t even believe I am saying that, because I am ALL about girl power, but she actually seemed weaker for denying herself. It was really “Harold” that brought her to finally embrace all the parts of herself she was trying to suppress. I won’t lie, I had to take a break for a little bit after that part. I won’t spoil it, but it had my stomach rolling a bit. It was such a pivotal moment, though, that I wouldn’t change a thing about it. That was the moment where Lily really came into her own and proved that she was really the perfect match for Roman and could handle him.
I loved Nathaniel and Gordo as their little found family. I was definitely left wanting to know more about Emily and Kate respectively. They were an interesting pair and I’d love to know more about their lives in a future book. (Sequel, please.)
The end was absolute perfection and has left me wanting a sequel! I don’t want to spoil, as I said, but it really could be the perfect set up for Lily’s story and her becoming the predator after the prey. I’d love to see how much she managed to learn from Roman. Did I mention I’d love a sequel? ;)
At this point, I’d recommend anything Lisa Baillie writes to anyone. Her writing style keeps me enthralled from beginning to end with her tight plots and complex characters. She has become one of my must read authors where I want to just find and devour anything she writes!
This book by Lisa Baillie was dark, romantic, and a stunning read!! I think this book also became my favorite by Lisa Baillie. This was her first Dark Romance book and she did a fantastic job.
Roman is the MMC and let me tell you, he's a combination of a dream & nightmare with everything from money, a body made up of muscle & tattoos, to being a master stalker and sexy as hell!
Lily is the FMC, a nurse and a bit sheltered from the world as she is a people pleaser not a self pleaser. That is something Roman wants to help her change.
The ending left me a bit emotional, please let there be a book 2, I need to know what happens next!
I absolutely loved this book, I devoured it! This is Lisa's first DR and she did incredibly well with it! Roman is VERY self aware and calculated, but he longs to be loved, as hard as he loves. He is a *perfect* MMC. Lily is the thrill seeker we all wish to be and she grew so much during this book. I loved the cat & mouse, push & pull, and the feelings when they both realized there was no end to the madness. The last few chapters had my jaw dropped and I am super excited to find out what happens next.
I binged this book and couldn't put it down. It's split in a way that shows you the before and the present. I liked the way the author made it seem like in the first half, like Roman was talking to the reader. Telling you about what was going on and how he got to where he was in the present.
I thought Roman was a fantastic mmc that we all love in a DR, and with the addition of Nath and Gordo, they were the perfect guys. I love it when the side characters are lovable (please keep these guys safe 🤞)
I admit I think Lily took a little longer for me to like. I preferred her more in the present than before Roman took her. i warmed to her the more the book went on.
The pace of the book quickened the more I read, and I wasn't expecting the ending, and it definitely leaves you knowing you'll pick up book 2!
Well done, Lisa, on a great debut in the Dark Romance genre!
I really enjoyed The Observer—the storyline was gripping, and the characters were great. I was fully invested… right up until the ending. Honestly, it felt abrupt and unfinished. Not sure if Lisa Baillie is planning a part two, but if this was meant to be the ending, it didn’t give the closure I was hoping for. Still, the book was a good read, and I’d recommend it for anyone who likes suspenseful, character-driven romance.
I really tried. I love a lot of elements like the stalking, and how well Roman would read people. But this is a love story of sorts for a man who traffics women. Lily was hot and cold the whole book, which I think could have been 100 pages shorter. And then epilogue ended abruptly.
This is my second book from this author and this one was definitely interesting. I love the mentions of Beauty and The Beast as it's my fav princess movie (makes sense lol) and this one is absolutely wild in the best way!
Who doesn't want a hot stalker man who is all about her? 👀
I am convinced she has a magic brain because every single thing she publishes is a work of art. And The Observer definitely proves that! Each page had me absolutely begging for more and THAT ENDING!!! It had me feeling every single emotion, but most importantly, it had be on the edge of my seat and aching for more! This is definitely a big one to look out for, and to sink your teeth in!
This book had me drenched, fanning myself and thirsty af! I love the perfect balance between plot and spice, where the spice fit perfectly and never felt forced! Plus, theres some scenes that felt completely unique (at least for me), like the camera/ phone scene? HOT Its not even just the smex, every single thing Roman does for Lily is hot, from the little to the big ;) If youve ever wanted to be f*cked by the hot computer genius, this book is for you
Move aside all previous book boyfriends, Roman has officially stolen my heart! He is so incredibly thoughtful to Lily, it makes my heart flutter with every action. Obviously, dark romance, he is a morally grey man, and his action do reflect that, but the way he takes care of Lily never falters. From making sure her cat is safe and (most importantly) her books are protected, he always thinks of the little things and i love him for it
As always, please take into account the trigger warnings before reading this book. Your mental health matters.
You can call me a Lisa Baillie fan. But only after I stalked her social media and realised there would be a follow up to that cliff hanger omg. I love Roman. I love Nathaniel. I love Gordo. Lily took me a minute because I feel like she doesn't want to admit who she is. Whereas the guys in this book are unapologetically authentic, even in their darkness. But I can see it there underneath the surface especially when shut cuts off his you know what! But she doesn't ruin the story. In fact I can understand her. It's hard to admit those dark desires even to ourselves. But I hope in the next book she doesn't hesitate. Although I don't know if she'll have the freedom not to 👀 Big fan. Preordered the next books. Utterly hooked!