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Scandal Next Door
What if the man you loved was the man you should fear most?
Callie Borden has the perfect life. A successful literary agent, she’s engaged to be married to a man who isn’t intimidated by her success. The only problem is, she’s miserable.
Her fiancé is dull as cardboard and emotionally detached. He also has a wandering eye. Her job forces her to walk a careful line with her most successful publisher, an ultraconservative man who dislikes negotiating with women. Her intimate life is unfulfilling. She is too busy for much of a social life.
She longs for adventure...and is plagued by memories of the man that got away.
So when her high school boyfriend, Bryan Blake, shows back up in her life as a breakout writer looking for new representation, a desperate Callie couldn’t be happier.
Their working relationship quickly blooms into a torrid affair that leaves Callie guilt-ridden and full of
doubts. And when strange coincidences and incidents occur to send her life into turmoil, she realizes it’s all too convenient—and bizarre.
Something isn’t right, but to uncover the truth, Callie will have to delve into the dark past, where secrets have been buried for a reason and bringing them into the light of day could cost her everything.
Scandal Next Door – the chilling psychological thriller by the best-selling author of The Stepfather and The Scorned Wife.
Callie Borden has the perfect life. A successful literary agent, she’s engaged to be married to a man who isn’t intimidated by her success. The only problem is, she’s miserable.
Her fiancé is dull as cardboard and emotionally detached. He also has a wandering eye. Her job forces her to walk a careful line with her most successful publisher, an ultraconservative man who dislikes negotiating with women. Her intimate life is unfulfilling. She is too busy for much of a social life.
She longs for adventure...and is plagued by memories of the man that got away.
So when her high school boyfriend, Bryan Blake, shows back up in her life as a breakout writer looking for new representation, a desperate Callie couldn’t be happier.
Their working relationship quickly blooms into a torrid affair that leaves Callie guilt-ridden and full of
doubts. And when strange coincidences and incidents occur to send her life into turmoil, she realizes it’s all too convenient—and bizarre.
Something isn’t right, but to uncover the truth, Callie will have to delve into the dark past, where secrets have been buried for a reason and bringing them into the light of day could cost her everything.
Scandal Next Door – the chilling psychological thriller by the best-selling author of The Stepfather and The Scorned Wife.
- GenresThriller
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2024
892 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 20, 2025
This was my first Theo Baxter book, and I was unfortunately not impressed.
The beginning started ok, I saw potential, but things just went downhill after those first few chapters.
A lot of times, I sincerely felt like the author used rage bait to keep the readers reading.
This was a thriller without the thrill, half of the book is just smut, I love a good smut, but if I am picking a thriller I am not expecting half of the book to be literally the MCs sex life chapters after chapter.
The FMC was also pretty annoying, which made it very hard to connect with and to feel empty for her situation. She was walking, contradiction. She didn't love her fiancé, but she wanted him, she hated her job, but she loved her job, she wanted to break up with the MMC but she kept going back to him, he was all this horrible things, but he wasn't that bad, even the money situation I was so taken back, she went back to the MMC because she caught her fiancé cheating, and had no where to go ? Uhmm, so NY has no hotels ? So many times, she talks about how her little savings are getting a hit after she is let go, but in the end, she opens her own business because she had a small fortune saved up 🙃. Also annoyed me so much how she was always forgetting every major detail.
Let's also talk about how she saw firsthand how aggressive the MMC was, and she says she was so scared but kept putting aside all of the security instructions her private detective gave her, and doing whatever she felt like it was the right thing.
The only character worth caring for at the end of this book was Mel. She was definitely a great friend.
At any moment, I was like woow. This scene got me, I wasn't expecting !
What it's sad, even tho I don't care if I find out before the big reveal, some aspects, getting to find out all the big pieces of the plot right out of the bat, in my opinion is definitely not the key to a good thriller book.
The beginning started ok, I saw potential, but things just went downhill after those first few chapters.
A lot of times, I sincerely felt like the author used rage bait to keep the readers reading.
This was a thriller without the thrill, half of the book is just smut, I love a good smut, but if I am picking a thriller I am not expecting half of the book to be literally the MCs sex life chapters after chapter.
The FMC was also pretty annoying, which made it very hard to connect with and to feel empty for her situation. She was walking, contradiction. She didn't love her fiancé, but she wanted him, she hated her job, but she loved her job, she wanted to break up with the MMC but she kept going back to him, he was all this horrible things, but he wasn't that bad, even the money situation I was so taken back, she went back to the MMC because she caught her fiancé cheating, and had no where to go ? Uhmm, so NY has no hotels ? So many times, she talks about how her little savings are getting a hit after she is let go, but in the end, she opens her own business because she had a small fortune saved up 🙃. Also annoyed me so much how she was always forgetting every major detail.
Let's also talk about how she saw firsthand how aggressive the MMC was, and she says she was so scared but kept putting aside all of the security instructions her private detective gave her, and doing whatever she felt like it was the right thing.
The only character worth caring for at the end of this book was Mel. She was definitely a great friend.
At any moment, I was like woow. This scene got me, I wasn't expecting !
What it's sad, even tho I don't care if I find out before the big reveal, some aspects, getting to find out all the big pieces of the plot right out of the bat, in my opinion is definitely not the key to a good thriller book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2025
Theo is one author whose books I read as soon as they are published. I especially like his Detective series. I’m not crazy about domestic thrillers. And I will mention that if you like extremely graphic sex, then you might want to grab this book. For me, it was way too much, and I scanned over those parts. This was not a favorite of his books, but I enjoy his writing style, and will definitely read whatever he writes!
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January 11, 2025I have enjoyed this author's previous work, but this book was soooooo excruciatingly difficult to get through that I had to DNF, which I hardly ever do. The writing and plot was terrible, and the characters were extremely unlikeable.
January 21, 2025
Writing this review has been a challenge, because Scandal Next Door is a book that left me with far more frustration than intrigue. Marketed as an “unputdownable, gripping psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist,” the book unfortunately failed to deliver on almost every one of these promises.
Let’s start with the basics: the writing. Grammar issues are one thing, but the sheer number of misplaced commas, awkward sentence structures, and overuse of exclamation points (and then all CAPS when multiple exclamation points were apparently not enough) made the text nearly unreadable at times. I found myself rereading passages just to make sense of them, which dragged what should have been a quick read into a painfully slow one. The dialogue and narration felt disjointed, often pulling me out of the story rather than immersing me in it.
Callie, our protagonist, was equally challenging to connect with. She’s written as a bundle of contradictions: simultaneously longing for her youth yet still living a seemingly youthful life, frustrated with her loveless engagement yet clinging to it, disliking her job while professing her enjoyment of it. These inconsistencies made her motivations hard to follow and left me questioning her reliability as a narrator. Instead of feeling layered or complex, she came across as self-righteous, insecure, and unfortunately “pick me” in tone. It’s difficult to root for someone who doesn’t seem to know who she is or what she wants.
The book’s pacing and structure were equally problematic. Countless times, either at a new chapter or right in the middle of one, the tone shifted so dramatically it felt like I was reading a completely different book. The plot itself (which should be the backbone of any psychological thriller) was riddled with unbelievable scenarios and clichés. The “breathtaking twist” touted in the subtitle was predictable and lacked any real impact, leaving me more annoyed than surprised.
I’ll give credit where it’s due: the premise had potential. The idea of a psychological thriller set in the hustle of the New York City publishing scene could have been gripping, but the execution fell flat. Instead of adding depth, the repeated focus on superficial observations and monotonous routine of her day-to-day felt more like filler than meaningful commentary.
Ultimately, "Scandal Next Door" was neither gripping nor unputdownable. It reads more like a disjointed romance novel with psychological elements shoehorned in. If the author had focused more on tightening the plot, creating believable characters, and addressing the grammar issues, this could have been a far stronger story. For me, it’s a miss.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Let’s start with the basics: the writing. Grammar issues are one thing, but the sheer number of misplaced commas, awkward sentence structures, and overuse of exclamation points (and then all CAPS when multiple exclamation points were apparently not enough) made the text nearly unreadable at times. I found myself rereading passages just to make sense of them, which dragged what should have been a quick read into a painfully slow one. The dialogue and narration felt disjointed, often pulling me out of the story rather than immersing me in it.
Callie, our protagonist, was equally challenging to connect with. She’s written as a bundle of contradictions: simultaneously longing for her youth yet still living a seemingly youthful life, frustrated with her loveless engagement yet clinging to it, disliking her job while professing her enjoyment of it. These inconsistencies made her motivations hard to follow and left me questioning her reliability as a narrator. Instead of feeling layered or complex, she came across as self-righteous, insecure, and unfortunately “pick me” in tone. It’s difficult to root for someone who doesn’t seem to know who she is or what she wants.
The book’s pacing and structure were equally problematic. Countless times, either at a new chapter or right in the middle of one, the tone shifted so dramatically it felt like I was reading a completely different book. The plot itself (which should be the backbone of any psychological thriller) was riddled with unbelievable scenarios and clichés. The “breathtaking twist” touted in the subtitle was predictable and lacked any real impact, leaving me more annoyed than surprised.
I’ll give credit where it’s due: the premise had potential. The idea of a psychological thriller set in the hustle of the New York City publishing scene could have been gripping, but the execution fell flat. Instead of adding depth, the repeated focus on superficial observations and monotonous routine of her day-to-day felt more like filler than meaningful commentary.
Ultimately, "Scandal Next Door" was neither gripping nor unputdownable. It reads more like a disjointed romance novel with psychological elements shoehorned in. If the author had focused more on tightening the plot, creating believable characters, and addressing the grammar issues, this could have been a far stronger story. For me, it’s a miss.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 27, 2024
Scandal Next Door by T. Baxter is a psychological thriller, suspenseful, twisty and with turns that had me guessing till the last page.
I enjoyed reading the book, 4 stars.
Blurb: Callie Borden has the perfect life. A successful literary agent, she’s engaged to be married to a man who isn’t intimidated by her success. The only problem is, she’s miserable.
Her fiancé is dull as cardboard and emotionally detached. He also has a wandering eye. Her job forces her to walk a careful line with her most successful publisher, an ultraconservative man who dislikes negotiating with women. Her intimate life is unfulfilling. She is too busy for much of a social life.
She longs for adventure...and is plagued by memories of the man that got away.
So when her high school boyfriend, Bryan Blake, shows back up in her life as a breakout writer looking for new representation, a desperate Callie couldn’t be happier.
Their working relationship quickly blooms into a torrid affair that leaves Callie guilt-ridden and full of
doubts. And when strange coincidences and incidents occur to send her life into turmoil, she realizes it’s all too convenient—and bizarre.
Something isn’t right, but to uncover the truth, Callie will have to delve into the dark past, where secrets have been buried for a reason and bringing them into the light of day could cost her everything.
I enjoyed reading the book, 4 stars.
Blurb: Callie Borden has the perfect life. A successful literary agent, she’s engaged to be married to a man who isn’t intimidated by her success. The only problem is, she’s miserable.
Her fiancé is dull as cardboard and emotionally detached. He also has a wandering eye. Her job forces her to walk a careful line with her most successful publisher, an ultraconservative man who dislikes negotiating with women. Her intimate life is unfulfilling. She is too busy for much of a social life.
She longs for adventure...and is plagued by memories of the man that got away.
So when her high school boyfriend, Bryan Blake, shows back up in her life as a breakout writer looking for new representation, a desperate Callie couldn’t be happier.
Their working relationship quickly blooms into a torrid affair that leaves Callie guilt-ridden and full of
doubts. And when strange coincidences and incidents occur to send her life into turmoil, she realizes it’s all too convenient—and bizarre.
Something isn’t right, but to uncover the truth, Callie will have to delve into the dark past, where secrets have been buried for a reason and bringing them into the light of day could cost her everything.
January 5, 2025
Wow.
I’m going to write this honest review in the order in which my thoughts developed.
First, talk about triggering from the beginning! Everyone can commiserate with a difficult commute and job, but coming home to Norris, the dead beat fiancé? Why is Callie with this guy if she dislikes him as much as it seems? Why does she entertain his friends instead of just staying locked in her room? Why is she worried about cheating on him when it is clear he is cheating on her?
Next, when Bryan comes onto the scene, he seems just as skeevy as Norris. Callie is an accomplished professional, but she is surrounded by men who do not seem to appreciate her at all.
So much exposition. While I liked this initially - the mundane nature of Callie’s commute at the beginning really set the scene - it quickly became tiresome. It keeps the reader away from the story, like we’re being held at arm’s length.
Callie becomes more unlikeable as the story goes on, as does Bryan. I won’t ruin the storyline, but my God. If there is anything one should not do to antagonize an abusive partner, Callie does it.
Overall, this book has a lot of promise. It has an interesting premise and could really be “unputdownable.” Currently, however, it is unbelievable and aggravating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m going to write this honest review in the order in which my thoughts developed.
First, talk about triggering from the beginning! Everyone can commiserate with a difficult commute and job, but coming home to Norris, the dead beat fiancé? Why is Callie with this guy if she dislikes him as much as it seems? Why does she entertain his friends instead of just staying locked in her room? Why is she worried about cheating on him when it is clear he is cheating on her?
Next, when Bryan comes onto the scene, he seems just as skeevy as Norris. Callie is an accomplished professional, but she is surrounded by men who do not seem to appreciate her at all.
So much exposition. While I liked this initially - the mundane nature of Callie’s commute at the beginning really set the scene - it quickly became tiresome. It keeps the reader away from the story, like we’re being held at arm’s length.
Callie becomes more unlikeable as the story goes on, as does Bryan. I won’t ruin the storyline, but my God. If there is anything one should not do to antagonize an abusive partner, Callie does it.
Overall, this book has a lot of promise. It has an interesting premise and could really be “unputdownable.” Currently, however, it is unbelievable and aggravating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2025
Scandal Next Door by Theo Baxter is full of action psychological thriller that will make your blood freeze.
There is some good information about DV and some good explanation that not everything is black and white, so could benefit some groups of readers who question things.
This thriller is an absolute madhouse! And I mean it! There is so much happening that you need some time to process everything!
Callie's fiancé Norris is a wealthy guy who believes he can do whatever he wants. Why Callie is with him, everyone will question it.
Callie's job in a publishing company is her dream but her boss is an absolute nightmare and why she is letting him be like this, everyone will question it.
Callie's high school sweetheart Bryan Blake is a well-known writer in New York and no one will question why she is happy to meet him out of the office to discuss his next contract.
Callie is positive that she has a good life so she is not ready to face a nightmare that is waiting behind the corner.
I would not say that this thriller is full of twists but this thriller definitely is full of unexpected turns!
There is some good information about DV and some good explanation that not everything is black and white, so could benefit some groups of readers who question things.
This thriller is an absolute madhouse! And I mean it! There is so much happening that you need some time to process everything!
Callie's fiancé Norris is a wealthy guy who believes he can do whatever he wants. Why Callie is with him, everyone will question it.
Callie's job in a publishing company is her dream but her boss is an absolute nightmare and why she is letting him be like this, everyone will question it.
Callie's high school sweetheart Bryan Blake is a well-known writer in New York and no one will question why she is happy to meet him out of the office to discuss his next contract.
Callie is positive that she has a good life so she is not ready to face a nightmare that is waiting behind the corner.
I would not say that this thriller is full of twists but this thriller definitely is full of unexpected turns!
December 31, 2024
One thing about novels by Theo Baxter…they’re going to have layer upon layer upon layer. Scandal Next Door is no different. The storyline is pretty straightforward; the characters were downright scary—borderline creepy even; the plot twists and turns were absolutely insane; and the lead up to the finale—ohhh my goodness! Even though this book has all the Theo Baxter prerequisites, it seemed to fall just a tad short of his normal perfection. Even so, it’s one helluva read and deserves to be on your TBR list. This one is definitely worth your time. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was definitely surprised.)
January 23, 2025
I have mixed thoughts for this one. My big issue is that I don’t understand the title. Figuring out where the title comes from is one of my favorite things while reading a new book. I just don’t understand why it’s called scandal NEXT DOOR. The scandal is at her door…
I did end finishing this one because I was invested in the characters but the plot was wild. Things got unrealistic towards the end and I was grasping at straws to stay in the story. While the sex scenes were graphic, I was not bothered by it. I probably won’t pick up this author again but we will see!
I did end finishing this one because I was invested in the characters but the plot was wild. Things got unrealistic towards the end and I was grasping at straws to stay in the story. While the sex scenes were graphic, I was not bothered by it. I probably won’t pick up this author again but we will see!
February 13, 2025
Wow what a whirlwind of deception this was. Theo has a way of grabbing you right from the start and immersing you into the story, so much so that you simply can’t put it down until you finished it entirely. That being said as much as I enjoyed the story I had to give it only 4 stars because the title simply didn’t fit the story. It implies the scandal involves someone next door but that simply is not the case.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 1, 2025
Moved ever so slow and when it got to the “aha” moment, it was so anticlimactic. I was shocked to think any woman, let alone a woman who climbed her way to the top in NYC would be so deft, but then I noticed it was a male author writing as a female lead and it all made sense. Finished just for the good laugh, but as far as the story and characters, it is a far cry from success.
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February 18, 2025This book follows Callie as her life takes a drastic turn when she is reunited with her old high school boyfriend Bryan. I really enjoyed this thriller, and couldn't put it down even though admittingly, I found Callie to be incredibly frustrating at times.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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February 25, 2025This is one of my least favorite books from Theo Baxter. The switching from the characters full name to nicknames throughout the book was a bit much. ANDDDD the most frustrating part was that the main characters name was Calista/Callie Borden, yet on multiple occasions, she was called Callie Barton and/or Miss Barton. As well as Audrey/Audrina being listed as Adriana on one page.
July 5, 2025
Disliked this book and did not finish it. Scrolled through page after page of very unnecessarily descriptive sex. Main character is a confused woman juggling and using men. There was a long boring chapter with the main character and her only friend hashing over her mess of a love life. Skimmed most of this book just to try and finish it which I didn't. I'm done with this author.
December 31, 2024
Arc review For a honest review in my own words on a book I read. Calista Borden thought she was headed down a great path in life a great job, a fiancee, her own home ,till it all blows up. Awsome read
January 14, 2025
This book wasn’t very good. The author spent almost the entire first half of it describing the main characters sex life in pretty graphic terms. The second half finally got to the main plot line about an abusive and controlling boyfriend. Not rec.
February 8, 2025
I have liked Theo Baxter books, but definitely not this one. Cringeworthy and couldn’t wait to finally be finished with it. The main character is so ridiculous and unlikable. So many things wrong with this book. Terrible depiction of a domestic abuse relationship.
March 30, 2025
Don't waste your time.
Theo Baxter has really disappointed with this book. I really tried to slog through it, but chapter after chapter was grueling prose of "same old, same old." Characters were predictable, boring and deserved a good slap! Sorry, Theo. You've written much better
Theo Baxter has really disappointed with this book. I really tried to slog through it, but chapter after chapter was grueling prose of "same old, same old." Characters were predictable, boring and deserved a good slap! Sorry, Theo. You've written much better
April 6, 2025
Great book! Callie sure knows how to pick a man! Neither of her choices are very good! We get to follow her as she makes not the greatest decisions. She is a bit of a stereotypical victim, but zi found it was necessary to the story! Theo Baxter knows how to write!
July 24, 2025
Your Books
Callie gets together with a high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in decades. At first it’s great. Then she finds out he had a girlfriend he made to look like her surgically. It was a great novel.
Callie gets together with a high school boyfriend she hasn’t seen in decades. At first it’s great. Then she finds out he had a girlfriend he made to look like her surgically. It was a great novel.
December 29, 2024
3.75
I really did like this but not as much as I thought I was going to. This is a psychological thriller about an obsessive, possessive guy who can’t get over his high school girlfriend Callie who is a literary agent and he’s a writer. Callie’s fiance cheated on her with his secretary but to Callie something seems off and she gets angry so she goes and has romantic connections with Bryan who is her past boyfriend who’s obsessed with her but it does show until later. I was wanting more to this, more thrills and stuff but it was still fun and fast paced with a lot going on. I really liked the ending too, I couldn’t stand how possessive and aggressive/controlling Bryan was.
I really did like this but not as much as I thought I was going to. This is a psychological thriller about an obsessive, possessive guy who can’t get over his high school girlfriend Callie who is a literary agent and he’s a writer. Callie’s fiance cheated on her with his secretary but to Callie something seems off and she gets angry so she goes and has romantic connections with Bryan who is her past boyfriend who’s obsessed with her but it does show until later. I was wanting more to this, more thrills and stuff but it was still fun and fast paced with a lot going on. I really liked the ending too, I couldn’t stand how possessive and aggressive/controlling Bryan was.
January 3, 2025
It’s an easy-to-follow story. The twists were fun, but I felt like something was missing. Some characters were quite scary, which added to the thrill. The spice was just right, though! The ending was pretty satisfying. Overall, I’d still recommend it for fans of spice and psychological thrillers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2025
Fair
Had to finish it to find out what happened, but it was an effort. Unrealistic, too much irrelevant graphic sex.
Had to finish it to find out what happened, but it was an effort. Unrealistic, too much irrelevant graphic sex.
January 13, 2025
Boring
I felt this book dragged on and on. It was not a thriller, just a boring book.
I was very disappointed in it.
I felt this book dragged on and on. It was not a thriller, just a boring book.
I was very disappointed in it.
January 14, 2025
Good but
Not being a prude but...I felt like I was reading a porn novel. Too descriptive for me. Would prefer a good book with out the details
Not being a prude but...I felt like I was reading a porn novel. Too descriptive for me. Would prefer a good book with out the details
January 31, 2025
This was a disappointment. Too much repetition give and take relatioship between Blake and Callie.
May have good storyline idea but needs work.
May have good storyline idea but needs work.
February 9, 2025
Not very well written
February 13, 2025
Thrilling
There were so many twists and turns I wasn't expecting this book to do.
It was definitely a page Turner for someone who loves the thriller genre
There were so many twists and turns I wasn't expecting this book to do.
It was definitely a page Turner for someone who loves the thriller genre
February 18, 2025
Read as an ARC.
February 23, 2025
This whole story was a big convoluted mess. All the characters, but one, Mel, were unlikable. I kept hoping, while reading it, it would get better. Spoiler alert - it didn’t.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews