Strange Shape of Love

by Herta Feely

Buried secrets, a past she can’t outrun, and one threat that could destroy everything.

Charlotte Cooper thought she’d finally rebuilt her life. A new reporting job. A home in London. A second chance with the man she loved and lost. Then an anonymous envelope arrives—five explicit photos from her past and a threat that could destroy everything.

She has two weeks to uncover who’s blackmailing her… or watch her career, her reputation, and her future go up in flames.

As Charlotte races to identify the sender, she’s pulled back into a night she’s avoided for a reckless summer, a tragic accident, and the powerful men who benefited from her silence. Each clue tightens the trap, forcing her to confront long-buried truths, toxic power dynamics, and a world where wealth and influence hide darker crimes.

With danger closing in and no one she can fully trust, Charlotte must choose between protecting the life she’s built in London, or risk everything to stop the person determined to bring her down.

“A gripping, twisted mystery, a second-chance romance, and a provocative, adrenaline-filled thriller for fans of Gone Girl and Winnie M. Li’s Complicit.” — Rebecca Anne Nguyen, author of The 23rd Hero

Genres: Mystery

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Herta Feely (also published as Herta B. Feely) is an award-winning writer and editor (Chrysalis Editorial). She is the author of two novels, SAVING PHOEBE MURROW and STRANGE SHAPE OF LOVE (released on September 30, 2025). Both fall into the category of suspenseful women's fiction and address contemporary topics, in this case the dark side of social media and the internet. Her short stories and memoir have been published in anthologies and literary journals. In the wake of the James Frey scandal, Feely edited and published the anthology, Confessions: Fact or Fiction? She was awarded the James Jones First Novel Fellowship and an Artist in Literature Fellowship from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Johns Hopkins University, Feely is the co-founder of Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization dedicated to saving children from unintentional injuries. She founded Chrysalis Editorial in 2007. She lives in metro Washington, DC, with her husband and orchids.

Reviews

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Herta Feely, and it turned out to be an utterly captivating read. The story gripped me right from the very first page. The protagonist, Charlotte Cooper, works for Savvy Faire magazine in New York. When media magnate Nigel Thorntree acquired the publication and decided to move it entirely online, Charlotte was asked to relocate to the London office.

Once in London, Charlotte reconnects with her close friend from Oxford, Celia, who mentions that Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend, Rafe, is now single and willing to forgive her. Years ago, Charlotte had abruptly walked away from their relationship. When she meets Rafe again, he encourages her to leave the past behind.

However, Charlotte’s life takes a shocking turn when she receives an envelope containing her nude photographs.

The author has done a wonderful job crafting the characters, making them feel authentic and engaging. The suspense kept me hooked and constantly eager to know what would happen next. This is a gripping mystery that will surely appeal to fans of the genre.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of suspenseful stories should definitely pick up Herta Feely’s Strange Shape of Love. The novel centers around Charlotte, a print journalist based in New York. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she learns that her magazine has been acquired by a powerful media magnate, forcing her to relocate to London.

Charlotte dreads the move—not because of the city itself, but because her ex-boyfriend Rafe, a sculptor, lives there. Once in London, she discovers that Rafe is still single and eager to reconnect. When they finally meet, Charlotte opens up about why she disappeared from his life years ago.

Things take a dark turn when Charlotte receives an envelope containing her nude photos. She’s left questioning whether her ex-boyfriend Russ is behind this or if Rafe is seeking revenge. Who sent the photos—and what do they want from her?

This gripping tale is filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked until the final page. The writing is clear and engaging, the pacing is spot-on, and the cover art is striking. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book.

[bookhaven__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

QOTD: How would you react if someone sent you an envelope containing your explicit photos?

Charlotte Cooper, a twenty-nine-year-old journalist from New York, relocates to London—a city tied to painful memories and her ex-boyfriend, Rafe. Years ago, she walked away from him, and after Abbie’s death, she did everything possible to cut ties with both Rafe and England.

But life gives her an unexpected second chance. Charlotte reconnects with Rafe, who seems to have forgiven her, and for a moment, everything feels right again—until an unmarked envelope arrives, containing explicit photos from her past.

Determined to uncover the truth, Charlotte dives into a mystery that will test her strength, trust, and past decisions.

This is an eye-opening and thought-provoking read. The author crafts a gripping world of secrets and suspense that keeps readers hooked until the very last page. A must-read for fans of romance and mystery alike. I am impressed by Herta Feely’s writing. I am excited to explore more books by the author.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book is that it’s told a way that would make a fantastic movie. It is a fast paced romance with a backdrop of wealth and excitement, but it’s also a high stakes thriller with tons of mystery and suspense.

The FMC is Charlotte Cooper. One summer night when she was a young woman, she gets reckless, and a bunch of bad decisions get made. (I had a season like this!) They have devastating consequences (yes, mine did too!) and she starts numbing the pain from them any way she can (absolutely). In the present day, she’s a journalist and her company ends up being bought and she relocated to London. Someone sends an anonymous threat involving photographs from her past that will ruin her both personally and professionally. The blackmailer gives her two weeks to do what she’s instructed, and she finds herself in an environment where the fast paced and luxurious trappings betray a dark underbelly of the blackest sort of revenge and exploitation.

This treaded into dark territory for me. It does expose issues that a lot of teenage girls and women have to deal with as we’ve developed so much with technology. Images that are real or even well faked can destroy lives and dreams and careers and families. I did find the story very gripping. I would caution the reader to pay attention to potential triggers: sex trafficking, imbalance of power, revenge porn, and blackmail. The book ends with a sense of hope, and anyone who loves a good thriller would enjoy this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Shape of Love is a fast-paced, juicy read as well as an intriguing and frightening look into the world of revenge porn. I found the main character, Charlotte Cooper, engaging and believable as she fights to keep her career on track and reunite with the love of her life, all the while battling the betrayal and mystery of who is trying to destroy her.
There’s a lot going on here—gender politics, love lost and found, psychological suspense—and it all works because of the author’s gifts for pacing, plot, and characterization. I think anyone looking for an intriguing story with substance will find it in this novel.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Shape of Love by Herta Feely is a fast paced suspense novel involving Charlotte, our MC. Charlotte gets past pictures of herself that were taken in a lets say provocative light. She is forced to make a choice, give up her career as a journalist or have these photos come to light to the public. Charlotte is forced togo to London as her company is bough out by a man named Thorntree. She heads to Thorntree entertainment in London to work there and sees a man named Rafe from her past. This book has so much going on with revenge, human trafficking, and more tough issues, that some people may find this book a little triggering. The story itself is an emotional journey about a woman who will go pretty far to find out who is blackmailing her and try to save her life and career. I loved this book and the way the author wrote a compelling and tense read, I recommend this one for fans of women fiction and also thrillers!

[Maci-Bookishlyeverafter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Shape of Love surprised me in a good way. I tend to enjoy books with darker themes, and this one definitely delivered…blackmail, secrets, and the past coming back to haunt you. It had enough thriller elements to keep me guessing, while still giving me the emotional depth this story needed.
Charlotte isn’t perfect, but that’s what made her interesting to follow. Watching her try to piece her life back together while someone was threatening to destroy it kept me hooked. The pacing isn’t super fast, but there was always that pull of what’s going to happen next? that made me want to keep reading.
And let me just say… the ending worked for me. It wrapped things up in a satisfying way, and the epilogue? Loved. It gave me that little extra closure I was hoping for.

-If you’re like me and don’t mind diving into some heavier themes with a mix of romance and suspense, this is a solid read worth checking out.

Trigger Warnings: blackmail with intimate photos/revenge, manipulation, emotional abuse, anxiety and threats to reputation, past relationship trauma.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to @castle_bridge_media_publisher for my copy! Revenge porn?! Umm…that sounds interesting. This novel is cinematic, relevant and unfortunately timely for women today. There are lots of themes in this one-revenge porn, sex trafficking, privacy violations and the balance of power.

This story is based on real issues and things that we continue to see make headlines. The story is told in linear format with some flashbacks. It really helped me keep flipping pages. It’s part romance, part mystery with emotional weight. I had to know who was targeting Charolotte. I also enjoyed the London setting (armchair travel!) which made it a bit glamourous. If you are looking for something thought-provoking, with a bit of hope-check this out!

[Teresa Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Shape of Love
Herta Feely
09/30/2025
Castle Bridge Media

Charlotte Cooper’s life shattered in the summer of 2013—one reckless night, a car accident, the death of her cousin, and the haze of drugs and secrets that followed. Once a free spirit, Charlotte did whatever it took to numb the memories, even as her choices pushed her deeper into dangerous territory. Now, years later, she’s a journalist in London trying to rebuild when an anonymous threat resurfaces with photos from her past. With two weeks to act, she’s thrust into a world of where the glamour barely conceals the darkness of blackmail, exploitation, and revenge. Urgent, raw, and inspired by real issues making headlines today including revenge porn, sex trafficking and sexual harassment. This story doesn’t give Charlotte or the reader a moment to breathe.

The Strange Shape of Love is so compelling in how it blends high-stakes suspense with an intoxicating backdrop of wealth, travel, and artistic circles. The linear timeline, punctuated with devastating flashbacks, keeps the tension sharp while exploring the strange, messy forms love can take. I was swept away by the allure of the settings—the money, the beauty, the artistic allure—yet equally gripped by the grit of Charlotte’s fight to reclaim her power. Herta Feely doesn’t just spin a thrilling story; she shines a light on issues that women continue to face in silence. This novel is urgent, cinematic, and painfully relevant—and yes, love really does come in strange shapes.

[Pam K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Strange Shape of Love through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

Charlotte Cooper has a really messed up past. But she has gotten her life together and on track, somewhat.
When the magazine she writes for is bought out by a London online company, she is sent to London to work. She used to live there 7 years ago. She reconnects with Celia, her good friend. Charlotte runs into her ex, Rafe. They reignite their relationship and then her past comes back to haunt her.
The story is sometimes fast paced and sometimes slow. Sometimes it's exciting, but more often boring. You figure out quickly who is to blame for Charlotte's troubles. It isn't much of a mystery.
I understand the devastation Charlotte felt when her cousin died. But the horrible choices she made, I can't feel sorry for her. I like a character that I can relate with or commiserate with. I feel sorrier for Rafe. He has 2 women that he cares for and both are screwed up.

I would recommend this book for the way it puts a spotlight on human trafficking and harassment, along with the #MeToo movement.

[Karen Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Strange Shape of Love* by Herta Feely is a fast-paced, compelling read that combines psychological suspense, romance, betrayal, and the frightening realities of revenge porn.

Charlotte Cooper is an engaging and relatable main character, and I found myself rooting for her as she fights to protect the career she has worked so hard to build while trying to uncover who is determined to destroy her. Woven throughout is a story of love lost and possibly found again, adding another layer of emotion and complexity.

Herta Feely does an excellent job balancing some very timely and serious issues—including the devastating consequences of technology—with a story that keeps you turning the pages. Her pacing and character development make the suspense feel both believable and personal.

An intriguing, thought-provoking novel with plenty of twists, heart, and substance.

[Philip Blackwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Strange Shape of Love by Herta Feely hit closer to home than I expected.

A few years ago, someone from my past reached out after a long silence, nothing dramatic, just enough to remind me how certain moments we think are buried can still linger quietly in the background of our lives. That uneasy feeling of wondering what might resurface stayed with me while reading Charlotte’s story.

What I appreciated most was how the tension didn’t just come from the mystery, but from the emotional weight of confronting something you thought you’d outgrown. The fear of losing the life you’ve carefully rebuilt felt very real.

It’s the kind of thriller that makes you think about how fragile moving on can sometimes be.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a chilling tale of revenge, mixed with a bit of mystery, and love. The story starts off with a hint of what’s to come, then takes us back to before the threat arrived. I enjoyed the descriptions, they bring each unique setting to life. My heart really went out to Charlotte, her life uprooted first by her job, then this threat of revenge porn being released. The flashbacks give us further insight into Charlotte, and her life. I loved how art was woven into the story, it was a nice contrast to the darkness. That said, the story overall is quite dark, but not in a bad or cliché way. If you enjoy dark romantic suspense stories, then you’ll want to read this!

[Krystal Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are times I pick a book to read based off of the cover- this was one. I honestly didn’t even read the blurb before I started- I thought the title and cover alone was enough convincing. And I wasn’t disappointed. From the moment I started it I couldn’t put it down because I was super invested in who was the one involved with the stuff happening. Super well written. Almost written poetic. Almost graceful- amidst the sometimes heavy topics presented. Interesting plot that I haven’t ran across before! Very much enjoyed it and will look forward to more from this author!

[Linda Sienkiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one will not disappoint. What's particularly chilling is the fact that it could happen to any woman, really. The main character was believable and empathetic as she deals with lost love, regret, and grief while trying to move on with a life that won't let go. And there's a touch of humor to lift the darkness, so it isn't all darkness. A smartly written novel that won't disappoint.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herta Feely’s "Strange Shape of Love" is a relevant and compelling novel about Charlotte Cooper’s challenges starting a new job in London while facing the complexities of current and past relationships. The story is both timely and intriguing, and I hugely recommend.

[amanda_coffee_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying that I had idea what this book is about. I went into reading this book blind. I can’t believe that I haven’t heard from this author before. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself. But when I really started reading I couldn’t put this book down. I needed to know who the heck was doing this to Charlotte. I felt really bad for her. Always living in the past of what happened to her and her so called choices. And things that she had no control over. This is the first book that I have read about with certain subject matters in. I was yelling at Charotte towards the ending of this book. Like why the heck are you doing this with this man. (No spoilers here). I do plan on reading more books from this author. I highly recommend this book but read triggers in this book. Thank you rrbooktours and the author for the opportunity.