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The Meaning of Fear
Amid the turmoil of the 2008 recession that threatens her career, Lea Johnson, a behavioral researcher dedicated to curing post-traumatic stress disorder, is also struggling to save her marriage. When her husband, Jay, is brutally attacked during an attempted robbery, Lea is shaken to realize that being an expert in fear doesn’ t make her an expert in healing her own husband’ s trauma. Things take a dark turn when Jay confronts a young trespasser outside their home, only for the boy to be reported missing shortly after. Lea begins to suspect that Jay is hiding something, and as she feels a growing attraction to the sympathetic cop investigating the case, she’ s torn between her loyalty to her husband and the urge to uncover the truth. When an unexpected opportunity arises for Lea to confront her own childhood assailant, the lines between healing, revenge, and forgiveness blur. In a battle with her past and her husband’ s potential secrets, Lea must decide whether her affair will be the catalyst for healing or the final fracture in a marriage already on the brink.
284 pages, Paperback
Published March 24, 2026
About the author
Laura Hulthen Thomas
5 books17 followersLaura Hulthen Thomas’s work has appeared in The Cimarron Review, Nimrod International Journal, Epiphany, Witness, and many others. She received her MFA in fiction writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writing. Her short story collection, STATES OF MOTION (Wayne State University Press, 2017) was a finalist for a Foreword Reviews Indie Award. Her novel, THE MEANING OF FEAR, was a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards and the American Fiction Awards. Her novel, WOMEN AREN'T FUNNY, is forthcoming in Summer 2027. She currently heads the undergraduate creative writing program at the University of Michigan’s Residential College, where she teaches fiction and creative nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 25, 2026
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the invitation to be a part of this book tour, to the author for sending an advanced copy of the book, and to Regal House Publishing & Netgalley for the gifted e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📖📱The Meaning of Fear📱📖
Author: Laura Hulthen Thomas
Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
MY RATING: 3.5/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
Happy Pub Week to The Meaning of Fear and author Laura Hulthen Thomas! This literary fiction novel explored themes of fear, love, and the possibility of redemption, amidst the complexities of experiencing trauma and its impacts on our future relationships.
This was an emotionally heavy read, and not one that is quick or fast-paced. The summary of the book almost makes it sound like it's a mystery with deep character development, but in my opinion, this is more of a heavy character-driven fiction with a mystery storyline in a portion of the book. Hulthen Thomas's writing is beautifully descriptive and her ability to create multi-faceted characters is incredible.
Overall, this book has a very melancholic and almost-bleak vibe, with many of the characters seeming to have a mindset in which they merely accepted the dredges of what they were given in life.
This book is one that would do well to include trigger warnings. The first 50-60 pages included a great deal of some type of animal cruelty, abuse, or death -- and I didn't love that...It wasn't necessarily overly detailed or gory, but as an empath and someone who really loves animals, this continual subject matter throughout the book was really difficult for me. There were also references to childhood sexual abuse and grooming, which may be challenging for some readers. While the book's summary does note some of the darker topics explored in these pages, I think it's important to share the trigger warnings because they really caught me off-guard.
This was initially a tough go for me, but ultimately I'm glad I stuck with it. The character development was top-notch and the depth of emotion in this story was so incredibly well-written. I think you'd enjoy this book if you like a more melancholic vibe in your fiction or are a fan of character-driven reads.
#TheMeaningOfFear #LauraHulthenThomas #RegalHousePublishing #TLCBookTours #gifted #ARC #Netgalley #fictionalreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📖📱The Meaning of Fear📱📖
Author: Laura Hulthen Thomas
Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
MY RATING: 3.5/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
Happy Pub Week to The Meaning of Fear and author Laura Hulthen Thomas! This literary fiction novel explored themes of fear, love, and the possibility of redemption, amidst the complexities of experiencing trauma and its impacts on our future relationships.
This was an emotionally heavy read, and not one that is quick or fast-paced. The summary of the book almost makes it sound like it's a mystery with deep character development, but in my opinion, this is more of a heavy character-driven fiction with a mystery storyline in a portion of the book. Hulthen Thomas's writing is beautifully descriptive and her ability to create multi-faceted characters is incredible.
Overall, this book has a very melancholic and almost-bleak vibe, with many of the characters seeming to have a mindset in which they merely accepted the dredges of what they were given in life.
This book is one that would do well to include trigger warnings. The first 50-60 pages included a great deal of some type of animal cruelty, abuse, or death -- and I didn't love that...It wasn't necessarily overly detailed or gory, but as an empath and someone who really loves animals, this continual subject matter throughout the book was really difficult for me. There were also references to childhood sexual abuse and grooming, which may be challenging for some readers. While the book's summary does note some of the darker topics explored in these pages, I think it's important to share the trigger warnings because they really caught me off-guard.
This was initially a tough go for me, but ultimately I'm glad I stuck with it. The character development was top-notch and the depth of emotion in this story was so incredibly well-written. I think you'd enjoy this book if you like a more melancholic vibe in your fiction or are a fan of character-driven reads.
#TheMeaningOfFear #LauraHulthenThomas #RegalHousePublishing #TLCBookTours #gifted #ARC #Netgalley #fictionalreads #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
March 12, 2026
The Meaning of Fear is a thoughtful psychological drama that explores what happens when the person who studies trauma has lived it their whole life and the lasting, rippling effects it has. Lea Johnson has built her career researching fear and PTSD, but when her husband Jay is suddenly and brutally attacked, she quickly discovers that understanding trauma academically is very different from navigating it within herself and her own home. Thomas skillfully builds and maintains a palpable tension through uncertainty. Jay's behavior after the attack becomes troubling, especially when a young trespasser disappears shortly after an encounter with him. As suspicion creeps into Lea's, and also Jay's minds, so does emotional distance. The arrival of a compassionate police officer complicates her already fragile marriage. The novel balances mystery with emotional depth, asking difficult questions about truth and (maybe) unreliable narrators. What makes the story particularly compelling is Lea herself. Her professional knowledge of fear is at odds over her personal deeply human reactions like grief, anger, curiosity, and even temptation. As she confronts both her husband's secrets and the ghosts of her past, the narrative becomes less mystery and more understanding the messy and unpredictable process of healing. The Meaning of Fear is an introspective, layered story about trauma, trust, and the difficult road to forgiveness. Thank you Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. You can pick this book up March 24, 2026 wherever you buy your books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a bold, wise writer! I am in love with Laura Thomas’ luminous, empathetic worldview. She is a connoisseur of interiority and nuance. I was utterly enthralled by The Meaning of Fear, a remarkable feat of characterization. The narrative delves into the lasting effects of trauma and abuse, masterfully detailing how perceptions based on personal experience and bias sometimes lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments. The story highlights the ripple effect of all our choices and offers the reader a powerful picture of what it means to be human: the messiness and beauty and the enduring capacity for hope.
Did Not Finish
April 14, 2026‘The Meaning of Fear’ is an introspective psychological drama that explores a wide range of touching themes, while painting a raw portrait of the nuances of navigating relationships tainted by the lasting effects of past traumas. The element of what I read of this novel that I enjoyed most of all was Laura Hulthen Thomas’ writing - this author conveys the layered stories of these complex characters with an undeniably strong voice, and an authenticity that is genuinely enjoyable to be an audience to. Her depiction of this cast of characters, their traumas, and their resulting emotions, behaviours, and experiences, is as brutal as it is elegant, and I would love to read more of this author’s written works in the future. Unfortunately, I stopped reading ‘The Meaning of Fear’ a little after midway through, as I found the content too heavy to bear during a time in which I personally did not have the emotional capacity to persist. However, this is solely a personal circumstance, and I truly believe this novel is a gorgeously honest representation of trauma and humanity enduring, with powerful and moving writing from Thomas. For fans of ‘A Little Life’ by Hanya Yanagihara, I believe you will find a new favourite in ‘The Meaning of Fear’. This is a novel I can see myself returning to finish. My endless gratitude to NetGalley and Laura Hulthen Thomas for early access to ‘The Meaning of Fear’.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book.
From the very first pages it pulled me in and didn’t let go. The way fear is written here isn’t the obvious scary stuff, it’s quiet and creeping, the kind that sits in your body and shapes how you move through the world. A true reflection of trauma!
The tension isn’t just on the page, it’s something you feel, in the small decisions, the hesitations and the silences between people. That felt very real to me.
The characters felt so alive. I could see them and hear them, even when I didn’t agree with what they were doing. They weren’t perfect, and they weren’t neatly “good” or “bad.” I could feel their worry and their frustrations as well as their vulnerability, and it made me care about them in that way you only do when a book is really well written.
I found myself thinking about them long after I put the book down, especially about how fear shaped their choices and relationships.
The story moves steadily, without ever feeling rushed. There were moments when the tension slowed, but it felt intentional, and at times needed, and it didn’t at all take away from the overall experience, if anything, it made the emotional moments land harder.
The writing is soft but precise, with small details that stay with you. Nothing is over-explained.
In summary:
A quiet, emotionally honest book that explores fear in a way that feels real and embodied rather than dramatic. It stayed with me long after I finished, and it’s one I’m genuinely glad I read.
From the very first pages it pulled me in and didn’t let go. The way fear is written here isn’t the obvious scary stuff, it’s quiet and creeping, the kind that sits in your body and shapes how you move through the world. A true reflection of trauma!
The tension isn’t just on the page, it’s something you feel, in the small decisions, the hesitations and the silences between people. That felt very real to me.
The characters felt so alive. I could see them and hear them, even when I didn’t agree with what they were doing. They weren’t perfect, and they weren’t neatly “good” or “bad.” I could feel their worry and their frustrations as well as their vulnerability, and it made me care about them in that way you only do when a book is really well written.
I found myself thinking about them long after I put the book down, especially about how fear shaped their choices and relationships.
The story moves steadily, without ever feeling rushed. There were moments when the tension slowed, but it felt intentional, and at times needed, and it didn’t at all take away from the overall experience, if anything, it made the emotional moments land harder.
The writing is soft but precise, with small details that stay with you. Nothing is over-explained.
In summary:
A quiet, emotionally honest book that explores fear in a way that feels real and embodied rather than dramatic. It stayed with me long after I finished, and it’s one I’m genuinely glad I read.
April 26, 2026
I appreciate this book a lot in terms of the themes it explores and the questions it asks, and the way it digs deep into the psyches of the main characters and the complicated role of fear in people’s lives. It’s not afraid of confronting the ugly and destructive ways people may behave in the face of fear - the extent they may go to shield themselves or hide away from the source of their fear - and the way that fear can often be inextricably tied into feelings of both anger and love. The 2 main characters, Lea Johnson and Paul Rilke, were both impacted in their childhoods by episodes of violence in a way that twisted together fear and love. Their circling of and increasing involvement with each other is a big part of the book, and I enjoyed the interplay between their different perspectives and the ways the both reflected and contrasted one another. It’s not a love story, but it shows them both influencing each other and triggering changes in their lives.
It’s definitely a hard read, with an unrelenting sense of gloom and foreboding, compounded by some difficult and dark topics. In my opinion, the depictions of animal abuse and death, child abuse, and grooming, whilst difficult to read, are used to great effect in the kind of emotions and conversations they prompt. They’re pretty unflinching in a way that still doesn’t feel gratuitous, and, like much in the book, take place in a kind of slow motion agony. You know what’s coming, and it skips around depicting explicitly the most graphic moments in a way that replicates the sense of a horror lingering in the corner of your eye.
The synopsis makes it seem a lot more a straightforward mystery thriller than it really is. My impression upon reading it was that it is a much more slowly unfolding, character-driven novel, with a constant thrumming tension and elements of a mystery. Whilst I thought the atmosphere and character analysis was generally excellent, for me it falls a bit short on a level of structure and plot. There’s a lot happening in the background that contributes thematically and atmospherically but made the story feel quite confused and overstuffed. Some of the plot elements felt a little underexplored - the whole part with Lea’s friend Dinah, for example - and I feel they should have either been dropped or committed to more fully. It felt like I was surfacing in moments not entirely sure exactly why they were happening or what they were supposed to mean - this was particularly true of the climax/conclusion of the novel. This is where I think the incredibly detailed and intense writing style occasionally worked to it’s detriment, because when it came to describing plain action it was at times so layered in description that it was difficult to follow what was actually happening.
The main plot really takes place within a pretty short period of time - with a lot of diversions for flashbacks - and each finite smaller moment within this series of events feels stretched taut, buzzing with repressed motion. The writing is very richly descriptive, and creates a feeling of like moving through honey, with every sensory feeling amplified. It almost has the vibe of a fever dream, which I mean positively. Some of the events linger on the edge of feeling absurd - people behaving in a way that feels just a bit off within an overall atmosphere of vague dread, scenes slipping almost unknowingly into something strange and intense. Some of the characters outside of Lea and Rilke come across as a little uncanny and unreachable, like NPCs. There’s the sense of a desperate maintenance of a thin veneer of normality, which works really well with the setting of a hollow, suburban housing development crumbling in the 2008 recession, encroaching into dying farmland and forest.
I guess I wish it had leaned harder into that quality, perhaps taken things more extreme or gone for a more intense conclusion. The climactic scene almost feels a bit of a damp squib, like it’s veering back into more standard suburban thriller territory, when I feel it could’ve worked better with a Mona Awad-esque spiral into insanity. Perhaps not, as this is more of a character-driven, introspective novel, but I felt a little let down by the end, and a little confused by what was really going on, and what it was meant to have been building towards. It was maybe toeing the line between something more experimental and something more straightforward, and so didn’t fully work in either direction. In the end it felt almost like a series of interconnected vignettes or flashes of a life than a coherent story. It’s not that it’s style over substance, but more that it’s viscera in need of some connective tissue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for access an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
It’s definitely a hard read, with an unrelenting sense of gloom and foreboding, compounded by some difficult and dark topics. In my opinion, the depictions of animal abuse and death, child abuse, and grooming, whilst difficult to read, are used to great effect in the kind of emotions and conversations they prompt. They’re pretty unflinching in a way that still doesn’t feel gratuitous, and, like much in the book, take place in a kind of slow motion agony. You know what’s coming, and it skips around depicting explicitly the most graphic moments in a way that replicates the sense of a horror lingering in the corner of your eye.
The synopsis makes it seem a lot more a straightforward mystery thriller than it really is. My impression upon reading it was that it is a much more slowly unfolding, character-driven novel, with a constant thrumming tension and elements of a mystery. Whilst I thought the atmosphere and character analysis was generally excellent, for me it falls a bit short on a level of structure and plot. There’s a lot happening in the background that contributes thematically and atmospherically but made the story feel quite confused and overstuffed. Some of the plot elements felt a little underexplored - the whole part with Lea’s friend Dinah, for example - and I feel they should have either been dropped or committed to more fully. It felt like I was surfacing in moments not entirely sure exactly why they were happening or what they were supposed to mean - this was particularly true of the climax/conclusion of the novel. This is where I think the incredibly detailed and intense writing style occasionally worked to it’s detriment, because when it came to describing plain action it was at times so layered in description that it was difficult to follow what was actually happening.
The main plot really takes place within a pretty short period of time - with a lot of diversions for flashbacks - and each finite smaller moment within this series of events feels stretched taut, buzzing with repressed motion. The writing is very richly descriptive, and creates a feeling of like moving through honey, with every sensory feeling amplified. It almost has the vibe of a fever dream, which I mean positively. Some of the events linger on the edge of feeling absurd - people behaving in a way that feels just a bit off within an overall atmosphere of vague dread, scenes slipping almost unknowingly into something strange and intense. Some of the characters outside of Lea and Rilke come across as a little uncanny and unreachable, like NPCs. There’s the sense of a desperate maintenance of a thin veneer of normality, which works really well with the setting of a hollow, suburban housing development crumbling in the 2008 recession, encroaching into dying farmland and forest.
I guess I wish it had leaned harder into that quality, perhaps taken things more extreme or gone for a more intense conclusion. The climactic scene almost feels a bit of a damp squib, like it’s veering back into more standard suburban thriller territory, when I feel it could’ve worked better with a Mona Awad-esque spiral into insanity. Perhaps not, as this is more of a character-driven, introspective novel, but I felt a little let down by the end, and a little confused by what was really going on, and what it was meant to have been building towards. It was maybe toeing the line between something more experimental and something more straightforward, and so didn’t fully work in either direction. In the end it felt almost like a series of interconnected vignettes or flashes of a life than a coherent story. It’s not that it’s style over substance, but more that it’s viscera in need of some connective tissue.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for access an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 28, 2026
**⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)**
Thank you to Laura Hulthen Thomas, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles | Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.
*The Meaning of Fear* is a thoughtful, emotionally layered psychological thriller that proves some of the most gripping mysteries aren't driven by shocking twists alone, but by the complicated people at their center. Laura Hulthen Thomas delivers a story that blends suspense with a deeply compassionate exploration of trauma, forgiveness, and the ways fear quietly shapes every decision we make.
What stood out most to me was how grounded the characters felt. Lea isn't a perfect protagonist—despite being an expert on fear and PTSD, she struggles to apply that knowledge when her own life begins to unravel. Watching her navigate her husband's trauma, the growing mystery surrounding the missing boy, and her own unresolved past made for an incredibly compelling emotional journey. Every character felt flawed, human, and believable, which made the story's moral dilemmas all the more powerful.
Rather than relying on constant action, the novel builds tension through uncertainty. I found myself questioning everyone's motives, wondering who was telling the truth, and eagerly turning the pages to uncover what had really happened. The mystery unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the emotional stakes to develop alongside the suspense. While I would have liked a slightly faster pace in the middle sections, the strong character work more than made up for it.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of trauma. Thomas doesn't offer simple answers or easy resolutions. Instead, she examines how past experiences continue to echo through relationships, how fear can distort perception, and how healing is often far more complicated than we'd like to believe. The themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the difficult choices people make felt authentic and stayed with me long after I finished reading.
The writing itself is elegant and introspective, balancing moments of quiet reflection with genuine suspense. It's less about heart-pounding thrills and more about the psychological weight of guilt, trust, and survival, making it an especially rewarding read for those who enjoy character-driven mysteries.
Overall, *The Meaning of Fear* is an intelligent and emotionally resonant novel that offers far more than a typical thriller. It asks difficult questions about justice, healing, and what it truly means to move forward after trauma. While the slower pacing may not suit readers looking for nonstop twists, I found it to be a rewarding and deeply human story that lingered with me well after the final page. A compelling read that combines mystery with genuine emotional depth.
Thank you to Laura Hulthen Thomas, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles | Regal House Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.
*The Meaning of Fear* is a thoughtful, emotionally layered psychological thriller that proves some of the most gripping mysteries aren't driven by shocking twists alone, but by the complicated people at their center. Laura Hulthen Thomas delivers a story that blends suspense with a deeply compassionate exploration of trauma, forgiveness, and the ways fear quietly shapes every decision we make.
What stood out most to me was how grounded the characters felt. Lea isn't a perfect protagonist—despite being an expert on fear and PTSD, she struggles to apply that knowledge when her own life begins to unravel. Watching her navigate her husband's trauma, the growing mystery surrounding the missing boy, and her own unresolved past made for an incredibly compelling emotional journey. Every character felt flawed, human, and believable, which made the story's moral dilemmas all the more powerful.
Rather than relying on constant action, the novel builds tension through uncertainty. I found myself questioning everyone's motives, wondering who was telling the truth, and eagerly turning the pages to uncover what had really happened. The mystery unfolds at a measured pace, allowing the emotional stakes to develop alongside the suspense. While I would have liked a slightly faster pace in the middle sections, the strong character work more than made up for it.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of trauma. Thomas doesn't offer simple answers or easy resolutions. Instead, she examines how past experiences continue to echo through relationships, how fear can distort perception, and how healing is often far more complicated than we'd like to believe. The themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the difficult choices people make felt authentic and stayed with me long after I finished reading.
The writing itself is elegant and introspective, balancing moments of quiet reflection with genuine suspense. It's less about heart-pounding thrills and more about the psychological weight of guilt, trust, and survival, making it an especially rewarding read for those who enjoy character-driven mysteries.
Overall, *The Meaning of Fear* is an intelligent and emotionally resonant novel that offers far more than a typical thriller. It asks difficult questions about justice, healing, and what it truly means to move forward after trauma. While the slower pacing may not suit readers looking for nonstop twists, I found it to be a rewarding and deeply human story that lingered with me well after the final page. A compelling read that combines mystery with genuine emotional depth.
March 31, 2026
What time of the day do you like best to read? I do most of my reading at night before bed.
In 2008, Lea Johnson is a behavioral researcher who is struggling to keep her lab going during the downturn in the economy. Even though she is a behavioral researcher, she is unable to help her husband Jay who was violently attacked by youth outside their home and no longer is the same man. When a youth disappears that Jay had confronted outside their new home, did he have something to do with it?
Paul had a hard life growing up. Now as a cop, he is investigating the disappearance of a local youth when he runs into Lea, who he met as a youth. As attraction grows between the two, will they be able to confront issues from the past, figure out the current mystery, and move forward?
My thoughts on this novel:
• This novel should have some trigger warnings. It had a rough and depressing start that included the violent murder of a beloved pet cat and the grooming and discussion of a sexual assault of a young teenage girl. There was a lot of violence against animals in this book.
• The book is set in Michigan. I grew up in Southwest Michigan and I appreciated the Southeast Michigan setting of the book.
• This was a very well written book, and I loved the language.
• It was interesting the Lea studies the fear response and trauma, but she can’t see and understand the same thing in her husband.
• There was a lot of discussion on the treatment of animal. Lea used mice in her research and her childhood friend Dinah is an animal rights activities. There is a deer cull also happening in Lea’s neighborhood.
• This book explored how trauma impacts relationships and an individual’s future.
• This book is a literary fiction novel and a psychological drama.
• It was a dark and heavy read, but very readable and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
• The characters were very well written and developed.
• There were interesting book discussion questions at the end of the book that could be used for book clubs.
Overall, The Meaning of Fear by Laura Hulthen Thomas was a very well written psychological drama and literary fiction novel with an interesting mystery and great character development.
Book Source: Thank-you to @laurahulthenthomas @regal_house_publishing @tlcbooktours for a review copy of this novel as part of the TLC Book Tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
In 2008, Lea Johnson is a behavioral researcher who is struggling to keep her lab going during the downturn in the economy. Even though she is a behavioral researcher, she is unable to help her husband Jay who was violently attacked by youth outside their home and no longer is the same man. When a youth disappears that Jay had confronted outside their new home, did he have something to do with it?
Paul had a hard life growing up. Now as a cop, he is investigating the disappearance of a local youth when he runs into Lea, who he met as a youth. As attraction grows between the two, will they be able to confront issues from the past, figure out the current mystery, and move forward?
My thoughts on this novel:
• This novel should have some trigger warnings. It had a rough and depressing start that included the violent murder of a beloved pet cat and the grooming and discussion of a sexual assault of a young teenage girl. There was a lot of violence against animals in this book.
• The book is set in Michigan. I grew up in Southwest Michigan and I appreciated the Southeast Michigan setting of the book.
• This was a very well written book, and I loved the language.
• It was interesting the Lea studies the fear response and trauma, but she can’t see and understand the same thing in her husband.
• There was a lot of discussion on the treatment of animal. Lea used mice in her research and her childhood friend Dinah is an animal rights activities. There is a deer cull also happening in Lea’s neighborhood.
• This book explored how trauma impacts relationships and an individual’s future.
• This book is a literary fiction novel and a psychological drama.
• It was a dark and heavy read, but very readable and kept me wondering what was going to happen next.
• The characters were very well written and developed.
• There were interesting book discussion questions at the end of the book that could be used for book clubs.
Overall, The Meaning of Fear by Laura Hulthen Thomas was a very well written psychological drama and literary fiction novel with an interesting mystery and great character development.
Book Source: Thank-you to @laurahulthenthomas @regal_house_publishing @tlcbooktours for a review copy of this novel as part of the TLC Book Tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...
Review of advance copy received from Author
This riveting, perceptive, and richly layered novel explores the lasting effects of trauma, and how it can limit our ability to trust or love. It’s also a compelling mystery story, one that considers the possibility that sometimes, the greatest enigmas are posed by those closest to us.
I appreciate the fact that the novel draws no neat, black-and-white conclusions about the effects of trauma on the main characters (Lea Johnson and Paul Rilke). Instead, it authentically conveys the complications and sometimes-confusing emotions that can accompany deeply distressing or disturbing experiences.
I also admire how the novel portrays moral complexity in many dimensions. For example, characters wrestle with whether taking another life is ever justified or merciful. As the novel confronts this question, Paul Rilke might be seen as the novel’s moral center. Even though he’s a cop and thus no stranger to potentially dangerous situations, he seems to take the stance that violence and killing, however they may be justified, should never be thoughtlessly carried out or easily tolerated, even when they’re spun as serving a greater good.
It’s these characteristics of Paul, and his sensitivity, that help shape the outcome of a highly contentious and dangerous episode near the end of the novel. Also shaping the outcome is Lea’s gutsiness, a characteristic that she’s held onto since the time of her trauma, years before. In this tense episode and other scenes, Lea’s and Paul’s individual traumas affect their actions and reactions, and also build deeper connections between these two characters, lending an emotional richness to their relationship and to the novel as a whole.
In the end, I found The Meaning of Fear to be a compelling, unsparing, and unforgettable novel.
You can read my full review of the book here: https://smallpresspicks.com/the-meani....
I appreciate the fact that the novel draws no neat, black-and-white conclusions about the effects of trauma on the main characters (Lea Johnson and Paul Rilke). Instead, it authentically conveys the complications and sometimes-confusing emotions that can accompany deeply distressing or disturbing experiences.
I also admire how the novel portrays moral complexity in many dimensions. For example, characters wrestle with whether taking another life is ever justified or merciful. As the novel confronts this question, Paul Rilke might be seen as the novel’s moral center. Even though he’s a cop and thus no stranger to potentially dangerous situations, he seems to take the stance that violence and killing, however they may be justified, should never be thoughtlessly carried out or easily tolerated, even when they’re spun as serving a greater good.
It’s these characteristics of Paul, and his sensitivity, that help shape the outcome of a highly contentious and dangerous episode near the end of the novel. Also shaping the outcome is Lea’s gutsiness, a characteristic that she’s held onto since the time of her trauma, years before. In this tense episode and other scenes, Lea’s and Paul’s individual traumas affect their actions and reactions, and also build deeper connections between these two characters, lending an emotional richness to their relationship and to the novel as a whole.
In the end, I found The Meaning of Fear to be a compelling, unsparing, and unforgettable novel.
You can read my full review of the book here: https://smallpresspicks.com/the-meani....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Before anything, I would like to give this book some trigger warnings, especially for animal cruelty. It happens on several fronts: animal abusers in daily life, the culling of deer, a car accident involving an animal, and cruelty on lab animals for scientific research. All these were rather explicit, and I found myself skipping some pages to avoid the worst. Furthermore, this is a book about trauma and thus it cannot go past the source of these. There is grooming and SA, although not as explicit.
That said, it is a dark and intriguing story, simmering and blurred. The author managed to draw me into a complicated web of ambiguous characters and actions that didn't immediately made a lot of sense but gradually built up a slow-burn suspense. Where I wasn't sure that I would like the book at all in the first paragraphs, I felt drawn to it in such a way I really wanted to continue reading. I'm sure that this would make an excellent movie, as it has that dark cinematographic feel to it. The only flaw that I could find (aside the trigger warnings mentioned) is that there is absolutely no relief from the dark thriller mode, there is not one little moment of lightness - maybe just on the very last page.
If you are looking for "what am I actually reading here" moment, instead of a plain whodunnit or whydunnit, then this is your thriller for this year.
Thank you NetGalley, Regal House publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
That said, it is a dark and intriguing story, simmering and blurred. The author managed to draw me into a complicated web of ambiguous characters and actions that didn't immediately made a lot of sense but gradually built up a slow-burn suspense. Where I wasn't sure that I would like the book at all in the first paragraphs, I felt drawn to it in such a way I really wanted to continue reading. I'm sure that this would make an excellent movie, as it has that dark cinematographic feel to it. The only flaw that I could find (aside the trigger warnings mentioned) is that there is absolutely no relief from the dark thriller mode, there is not one little moment of lightness - maybe just on the very last page.
If you are looking for "what am I actually reading here" moment, instead of a plain whodunnit or whydunnit, then this is your thriller for this year.
Thank you NetGalley, Regal House publishing and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Thank you BookSirens for a copy of this ARC for an honest review.
This story was incredibly immersive as we learn about the backstories of our two main characters, Lea who works at an animal testing lab and Paul who is a police officer. Both suffer unique traumas in their youth and we follow them as adults and witness how trauma still lives within their bodies. The Meaning of Fear is a display of how PTSD shows up in even the most subtle of ways. Laura Hulthen Thomas’ writing was fantastic, her descriptions were so easy to imagine. I can picture her scenes and scenarios so clearly and Im recalling as I write this, scenarios that actually made me scared and I don’t mean scared in a paranormal way, but fear and uncomfortability that feels realistic, scenarios that could happen to any of us on any given day. It also shows how our trauma is generational because of the way our children pick up on our reactions and adopt habits that we didn’t mean to pass on. Laura weaved a complex web when it came to her plot and I’m impressed by her ability to wrap everything up while still making the reader work for it. She made us believe one thing and proved our thoughts wrong in the next chapter.
There are a few plot points that I felt ended abruptly that I wished we would return to for closure, but overall, very, very good.
This story was incredibly immersive as we learn about the backstories of our two main characters, Lea who works at an animal testing lab and Paul who is a police officer. Both suffer unique traumas in their youth and we follow them as adults and witness how trauma still lives within their bodies. The Meaning of Fear is a display of how PTSD shows up in even the most subtle of ways. Laura Hulthen Thomas’ writing was fantastic, her descriptions were so easy to imagine. I can picture her scenes and scenarios so clearly and Im recalling as I write this, scenarios that actually made me scared and I don’t mean scared in a paranormal way, but fear and uncomfortability that feels realistic, scenarios that could happen to any of us on any given day. It also shows how our trauma is generational because of the way our children pick up on our reactions and adopt habits that we didn’t mean to pass on. Laura weaved a complex web when it came to her plot and I’m impressed by her ability to wrap everything up while still making the reader work for it. She made us believe one thing and proved our thoughts wrong in the next chapter.
There are a few plot points that I felt ended abruptly that I wished we would return to for closure, but overall, very, very good.
March 24, 2026
The Meaning of Fear is one of those books that quietly creeps under your skin and then just… stays there.
Lea Johnson literally studies fear for a living. She has built an entire career on PTSD and trauma, but the second it hits her own life, everything gets messy in a very human, very unacademic way. Turns out, you can’t exactly research your way out of emotional chaos (who knew?).
After her husband Jay is attacked, the vibe shifts hard. His behavior? Off. The tension? Palpable. And when a tresspassing teenager goes missing after crossing paths with him… yeah, my trust issues were fully activated. I was side-eyeing everyone.
What I loved most is how this isn’t just a “what happened?” mystery...it’s more of a “what does healing even look like when you’re in the middle of it?” kind of story.
Lea is such an interesting character because she knows all the right things about fear… but still feels all the wrong ones. Grief, suspicion, curiosity, temptation..you name it.
Also, can we talk about the emotional chaos?? A possibly shady husband, a missing boy, unresolved childhood trauma and a growing connection with the cop investigating everything? She is going THROUGH it.
The story slowly shifts from suspense into something deeper and more introspective, blurring the lines between forgiveness, revenge, and closure, and it feels real.
Lea Johnson literally studies fear for a living. She has built an entire career on PTSD and trauma, but the second it hits her own life, everything gets messy in a very human, very unacademic way. Turns out, you can’t exactly research your way out of emotional chaos (who knew?).
After her husband Jay is attacked, the vibe shifts hard. His behavior? Off. The tension? Palpable. And when a tresspassing teenager goes missing after crossing paths with him… yeah, my trust issues were fully activated. I was side-eyeing everyone.
What I loved most is how this isn’t just a “what happened?” mystery...it’s more of a “what does healing even look like when you’re in the middle of it?” kind of story.
Lea is such an interesting character because she knows all the right things about fear… but still feels all the wrong ones. Grief, suspicion, curiosity, temptation..you name it.
Also, can we talk about the emotional chaos?? A possibly shady husband, a missing boy, unresolved childhood trauma and a growing connection with the cop investigating everything? She is going THROUGH it.
The story slowly shifts from suspense into something deeper and more introspective, blurring the lines between forgiveness, revenge, and closure, and it feels real.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Rating is 4 stars!
"The Meaning of Fear" is a quietly powerful read that blends psychological tension with deep emotional introspection. Rather than relying on constant shock or fast paced twists the story takes its time exploring fear in all its forms for example: how it shapes choices, relationships and the way we see ourselves and others.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth. The writing invites you to sit with discomfort and uncertainty making the fear feel intimate and personal rather than distant or abstract. The characters feel grounded and believable and their internal struggles carry just as much weight as the external conflict.
The pacing is measured which works well for the themes the book tackles. It’s reflective without being heavy handed and the tension builds in a subtle effective way. This is the kind of story that lingers and gives you plenty to think about after you’ve finished.
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an ARC, this was definitely a story that is out of my comfort zone but i was pleasantly surprised with the writing which made for a wonderful read!
"The Meaning of Fear" is a quietly powerful read that blends psychological tension with deep emotional introspection. Rather than relying on constant shock or fast paced twists the story takes its time exploring fear in all its forms for example: how it shapes choices, relationships and the way we see ourselves and others.
What stood out most to me was the emotional depth. The writing invites you to sit with discomfort and uncertainty making the fear feel intimate and personal rather than distant or abstract. The characters feel grounded and believable and their internal struggles carry just as much weight as the external conflict.
The pacing is measured which works well for the themes the book tackles. It’s reflective without being heavy handed and the tension builds in a subtle effective way. This is the kind of story that lingers and gives you plenty to think about after you’ve finished.
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an ARC, this was definitely a story that is out of my comfort zone but i was pleasantly surprised with the writing which made for a wonderful read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've decided to DNF this at 42%, which is a tough choice because the premise initially felt so aligned with my thriller interests. The blurb promised a tense, psychologically driven story focused on trauma and moral complexity, so I went in expecting a narrative that would steadily build toward those elements. Unfortunately, the pacing was much slower and quieter than I expected and it was difficult for me to find a character or storyline to stay invested in. The incident mentioned in the blurb also didn't land with the urgency I'd anticipated, which probably added to the growing sense of disconnect as I tried to keep pushing forward.
There are readers who will appreciate the more introspective approach, but I needed more momentum or more initial emotional pull to continue.
*As a reviewer, my baseline is 3 stars, which is a good book. So, I'm giving this 2 to reflect that my personal reading experience of misaligned expectations, slow pacing, and inability to emotionally connect fell below that standard.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.
There are readers who will appreciate the more introspective approach, but I needed more momentum or more initial emotional pull to continue.
*As a reviewer, my baseline is 3 stars, which is a good book. So, I'm giving this 2 to reflect that my personal reading experience of misaligned expectations, slow pacing, and inability to emotionally connect fell below that standard.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.
April 16, 2026
"I guess I should thank you for showing me how humane cruelty can be."
Rarely do I love a book in which almost none of the characters are lovable, but here we are. This is a dark and twisty slow burn, with so many unexpected events and reveals. I don't want to give anything away (and, surprisingly, I didn't see many of the reveals coming, so I want to preserve that for others).
Lea is a hard-working research scientist, living in a big, new-construction house in a big, new-construction community, with two beautiful, mostly well-behaved kids and a marriage in shambles. A couple of bizarre break-ins reveal cracks in the facade, both past and present.
I enjoyed the accurate portrayal of the complicated ethics involved in animal research, lab dynamics, and the usage of grant funds. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a somber, dark thriller with uneven pacing.
"How could she leave this mess? Then again, how could she come back to it?"
Thank you, NetGalley and Regal House Publishing, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
Rarely do I love a book in which almost none of the characters are lovable, but here we are. This is a dark and twisty slow burn, with so many unexpected events and reveals. I don't want to give anything away (and, surprisingly, I didn't see many of the reveals coming, so I want to preserve that for others).
Lea is a hard-working research scientist, living in a big, new-construction house in a big, new-construction community, with two beautiful, mostly well-behaved kids and a marriage in shambles. A couple of bizarre break-ins reveal cracks in the facade, both past and present.
I enjoyed the accurate portrayal of the complicated ethics involved in animal research, lab dynamics, and the usage of grant funds. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a somber, dark thriller with uneven pacing.
"How could she leave this mess? Then again, how could she come back to it?"
Thank you, NetGalley and Regal House Publishing, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
May 20, 2026
The Meaning of Fear is, of all things, utterly fearless. Laura Hulthen Thomas is an unflinching writer who looks fully in the face of trauma, memory, violence, trust, and vulnerability. Her characters are lived in and multilayered, and Lea and Paul both bring their complicated histories - with all of their limitations and blindspots - into their adult relationships, including with each other.
I love a book that is hard to encapsulate. I can tell you what this book is not: it's not a simple psychological thriller. It is not a simple story of marriage. It is not a meditation on the ethics of our choices for everyone in our care, humans and animals alike. It is all of these things at once woven together through a deep dive into the messy nature of these characters. What I was stunned by in the closing pages and paragraph, was how well I knew Lea. She was as intimate to me as a dear friend, flaws, contradictions and all.
I loved this book. It is dark and beautiful.
I love a book that is hard to encapsulate. I can tell you what this book is not: it's not a simple psychological thriller. It is not a simple story of marriage. It is not a meditation on the ethics of our choices for everyone in our care, humans and animals alike. It is all of these things at once woven together through a deep dive into the messy nature of these characters. What I was stunned by in the closing pages and paragraph, was how well I knew Lea. She was as intimate to me as a dear friend, flaws, contradictions and all.
I loved this book. It is dark and beautiful.
December 8, 2025
This book felt like a hug I didn’t know I needed just in a darker, more psychological way. Lea is one of those characters you can’t help but root for, even when her choices get messy. Watching her navigate fear, loyalty, trauma, and temptation felt achingly real. Jay’s unraveling adds this tight, uneasy tension that keeps you questioning everyone’s motives.
The missing boy, the sympathetic cop, the strain of a marriage crumbling under the weight of secrets it all weaves together into a slow-building suspense that hits emotionally as much as it does psychologically. And when Lea is forced to confront her own past? Those scenes carry a punch.
Fans of character-driven psychological dramas that explore trauma, healing, and moral gray areas are going to eat this up.
The missing boy, the sympathetic cop, the strain of a marriage crumbling under the weight of secrets it all weaves together into a slow-building suspense that hits emotionally as much as it does psychologically. And when Lea is forced to confront her own past? Those scenes carry a punch.
Fans of character-driven psychological dramas that explore trauma, healing, and moral gray areas are going to eat this up.
March 3, 2026
Thank you to the author and Book Sirens for an advance reader copy of this book. This is my honest review which I leave voluntarily.
I’m sad to say that I struggled with this book. The beginning was strong, and the writing throughout was really engaging in places…
However, I wanted more from both the plot and the characters. There were multiple scenes that felt unnecessary to the overall plot, and I struggled to like any of the characters. There seemed to be an awful lot of description of guns and killing animals/animal cruelty which I’m not sure added anything aside from a melancholy tone.
Overall, this book wasn’t for me, but I think the writer has great promise if there had been a bit more substance to go with the, at times, beautiful writing style.
I’m sad to say that I struggled with this book. The beginning was strong, and the writing throughout was really engaging in places…
However, I wanted more from both the plot and the characters. There were multiple scenes that felt unnecessary to the overall plot, and I struggled to like any of the characters. There seemed to be an awful lot of description of guns and killing animals/animal cruelty which I’m not sure added anything aside from a melancholy tone.
Overall, this book wasn’t for me, but I think the writer has great promise if there had been a bit more substance to go with the, at times, beautiful writing style.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Received as an ARC by NetGalley. Thank You for the advance copy.
The Meaning of Fear is a type of book that haunts you, a psychologically bending novel that is a bit traumatic. Blending literary fiction with the tension of a thriller, the author crafts a story that is less about what happens and more about what trauma does—to memory, to relationships, and to the self.
This is not an easy read—it’s heavy, unsettling, and emotionally demanding. Thomas asks difficult questions: Can trauma ever truly be healed? Is revenge a form of closure, or just another cycle of harm? And perhaps most importantly, can love survive when fear is at its core?
It did not carry trigger warnings which would have helped to decide to read. Since it deals with dark themes.
The Meaning of Fear is a type of book that haunts you, a psychologically bending novel that is a bit traumatic. Blending literary fiction with the tension of a thriller, the author crafts a story that is less about what happens and more about what trauma does—to memory, to relationships, and to the self.
This is not an easy read—it’s heavy, unsettling, and emotionally demanding. Thomas asks difficult questions: Can trauma ever truly be healed? Is revenge a form of closure, or just another cycle of harm? And perhaps most importantly, can love survive when fear is at its core?
It did not carry trigger warnings which would have helped to decide to read. Since it deals with dark themes.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I feel the need to remind myself constantly that fear is a reaction, while courage is a decision. More than ever, I did this while reading this book that showcased how fear shapes us. They say love is the strongest emotion, but I would argue that fear is stronger. Often, the result of brutality and betrayal past traumas shape our responses to what life throws at us, as exemplified by main characters Lea and Rilke. Disturbing, but still with hope, a story that is likely to stay with most readers. 4 and a half stars.
I feel the need to remind myself constantly that fear is a reaction, while courage is a decision. More than ever, I did this while reading this book that showcased how fear shapes us. They say love is the strongest emotion, but I would argue that fear is stronger. Often, the result of brutality and betrayal past traumas shape our responses to what life throws at us, as exemplified by main characters Lea and Rilke. Disturbing, but still with hope, a story that is likely to stay with most readers. 4 and a half stars.
May 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
A novel set primarily in 2008, principally focused on Lea Johnson, who is now a behavioural biologist, and her family. In spite of her career, Lea struggles greatly with understanding her husband’s, Jay, behaviour following a traumatic event, as well as with her own traumatic past. When a teen boy goes missing, eyes turn to Jay.
I enjoyed this although it was not exactly what I expected, I thought it would be a lot more thriller-esque based on the OG blurb. Regardless, it was a well written novel, and I really enjoyed how it was broken down into 3 sections: Conditioning, Response, and Extinction. Quite heavy warnings required.
A novel set primarily in 2008, principally focused on Lea Johnson, who is now a behavioural biologist, and her family. In spite of her career, Lea struggles greatly with understanding her husband’s, Jay, behaviour following a traumatic event, as well as with her own traumatic past. When a teen boy goes missing, eyes turn to Jay.
I enjoyed this although it was not exactly what I expected, I thought it would be a lot more thriller-esque based on the OG blurb. Regardless, it was a well written novel, and I really enjoyed how it was broken down into 3 sections: Conditioning, Response, and Extinction. Quite heavy warnings required.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*A big thanks to Laura Hulthen Thomas and Regal House Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book; this in no way affects my honest review*
I absolutely loved The Meaning of Fear. It’s one of those books that sneaks up on you.
This is the first book I have read by Laura so I wasnt sure what to expect, but I was hooked instantly.
Laura Hulthen Thomas does an incredible job exploring fear in all its forms, not in a dramatic way, but in a very real, human one.
I absolutely loved The Meaning of Fear. It’s one of those books that sneaks up on you.
This is the first book I have read by Laura so I wasnt sure what to expect, but I was hooked instantly.
Laura Hulthen Thomas does an incredible job exploring fear in all its forms, not in a dramatic way, but in a very real, human one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think there was something really interesting being done in The Meaning of Fear. The book is broken out into 3 distinct sections around Fear - Conditioning, Response and Extinction. Unfortunately, this just wasn't for me. The violence and animal cruelty were hard to read and for that reason I just didn't enjoy it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 17, 2026
In The Meaning of Fear, behavioral researcher Lea Johnson grapples with the haunting interplay of trauma, revenge, and redemption as she confronts the shadows of her past. In an unflinching exploration of fear and resilience, the novel navigates Lea’s struggle with her husband’s obsession with guns and her evolving bond with a police officer investigating events swirling around her home. A gripping story that keeps readers on edge until the last page!
Review of advance copy
Lea is a highly skilled and respected researcher. She is good at prioritizing things in the lab at work, but her home and family are troubled. They need help to heal.
A moving story about the lasting impact of trauma and the lengths people go to in order to change their futures. A compelling read.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
A moving story about the lasting impact of trauma and the lengths people go to in order to change their futures. A compelling read.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Meaning of Fear is a deeply moving story about the lengths people go to trying to change their futures due to lasting impact of trauma.
The writing style is reflective and have a pacing on the slower side of the spectrum.
Beware of animal cruelty in this novel.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC.
The writing style is reflective and have a pacing on the slower side of the spectrum.
Beware of animal cruelty in this novel.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC.
April 22, 2026
Just as the edges of suburban and rural life overlap, the central characters’ past traumas intersect with the present, shaping it and threatening to unravel them. The Meaning of Fear trains an unflinching eye on the darkest aspects of suffering and survival. A sharply drawn landscape where curves in the road become sharp turns. Highly recommend.
May 3, 2026
Three traumatized people circle each other—distinct, yet bound by shared histories. We don’t know whether Lea, Paul, or Jay will ever come to terms with what they carry. The writing is dense and propulsive; nearly every scene builds to a rolling boil that leaves you gasping. If you enjoy psychological drama, this is a must-read.
September 30, 2026
A compelling and well-structured psychological thriller that explores the effects of trauma through nuanced and richly drawn characters. Highly recommend!
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