Compulsion: A Dark Stalker Romance

by Julia Sykes

360 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2025

About the author

Julia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.

Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), and fancy dresses.

An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. To say the MMC is unhinged is putting it mildly in my book. And that cliffhanger was just ahhh!! Looking forward to seeing how things turn out.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I 10/10 recommend this book. I’m excited to read the next one.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Hambright pr for the book!!
A dark stalker romance with all the spice and some unexpected twists!
I enjoyed !

[Susanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a whole beautiful plan to write and explain why I love stalker romances. That went up in smoke at the end of this godforsaken novel. There's a lot of darker content that appeals to me. Our main male character raping the girl before they're together, then justifying it later, isn't one of them. I don't want my plot twist or redemption arc to go from a literal violent sexual assault on the main character. I can't go back from that. I can handle dubious consent or consensual non-consent. Rape in a romance novel between the two main characters? Absolutely not. The idea of seeing her come to terms with her rapist in the following two books literally turns my stomach. I went from entranced and enthralled to horrified and disgusted. So yeah. Hard pass. I really should learn not to just be drawn in from FB ads. Fuck this book.

[Luna R. M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️’s rounded up.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was a little bit darker than a normally read. I liked it. It was a wild ride. I’m just getting into the stalker romance and masked men side of reading 😬🫣
So please check the trigger warnings before reading!!!

This book follows Abby who has become the obsession of Dane a Dr who knows what he is. A psychopath. You get dual POV starting the 1 chapter (not the prologue) with Dane’s. Which I found refreshing. Normally the 1st chapter of the FMC’s POV. Also Dane has a British accent.
Stalker, masked man, and British accent? Need I say more lol
Obvi this ends in a cliff hanger it’s part of a trilogy but the ending?!?!?! I think I am going to reread this before I start the next book!

[Crystal L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down as soon as I started! Abby Foster is a timid painter. And Dr. Dane Graham is dangerously obsessive and can't seem to let her go.
It was a scorching spicy dark romance and unsettling in the best way. I thought I knew where the story was going, and I wasn't exactly wrong but it didn't matter. The whole book was thrilling. When Abby slowly let's her guard down, feeling safe for the first time in Dane's arms, was beautifully heartbreaking. The chemistry was electric, and with one wrong move changes everything. It does end on a cliffhanger so I cannot wait to read Redemption!

Thank you so much Julia Skyes and Hambright PR for the #gifted copy.
All opinions are my own.

[Samantha Christo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insert primal scream right here!!!!!!

THE MMC in this book is UN-FREAKING-HINGED and I LOVED IT. Does that make me unhinged too???? Just asking lol.

On a real note, this book was everything I never knew I needed! This focuses on Abby who lives by herself. She paints and works as a barista. Little does she know that she has a stalker. Her stalker is Dane, who is a doctor. They begin a pet and master relationship that is SPICYYYYYYYYYY!!!! I may have reread those parts so many times that I have them memorized lol. The ending of this book is a FREAKING CLIFFHANGER! I need the second book like right now!

Loved this!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a definite page turner for me! The MMC is charming yet deeply disturbed. MFC sweet and unassuming. It’s not surprising the chemistry between them. I was shocked at the cliff hanger ending and can’t wait for the next book!

[Elena777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting, if somewhat predictable and shallow. It was fun to read and had a nice easy flow

[Kimberly Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

made it to 17% and just could not continue