I Love You Too Much

by Jessica Watkins

A husband’s deadly affair sets off a chain of deception, obsession, and unraveling truths in this twisted domestic thriller where love becomes a weapon, the past won’t stay buried, and the truth is more dangerous than the lie.

Jovian Clarke is a man with everything to lose—and even more to hide. To the world, he’s a devoted husband and father, but behind closed doors, he’s keeping an explosive his affair with his wife’s best friend, Mia, ended in tragedy. Now, he’s desperate to erase the evidence, bury the truth, and preserve the illusion of a perfect life—no matter the cost.

Aviana suspects Mia is out to destroy her, unaware the real threat lies much closer to home. As her marriage begins to unravel, she turns to Mythic—her first love and longtime confidant—rekindling feelings she thought she’d buried. Torn between past and present, and with her sense of reality slipping, Aviana inches closer to a truth that could shatter everything.

As Jovian sinks deeper into guilt and delusion, and Aviana untangles the lies tightening around her, the truth erupts—warping love into control and exposing the wreckage left by secrets too dangerous to stay buried.

Genres: Romance, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Thriller, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! I Love You Too Much is giving twisted romance mixed with suspense.
The twisted entanglement between Avi, Damar, Mia, Mythic and Lelani had me shocked because it all centered on obsession and manipulation.
Here are my thoughts….
Poor Jeremy.
Avi needed to choose better for herself.
Mia felt she was betrayed because she was the snake.
Damar was the devil.
Mythic thought he was being a good man but his heart belonged somewhere else.
Lelani needed to let go of a man that didn’t want her.
Props to the 111 boyz
All in all this was a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start off by saying that I LOVE the cover for this book! I thought I had set myself up for a domestic thriller based on the cover and description, but found I Love You Too Much leaned hard on the drama with a love story entwined in all the mess. Unfortunately I wasn’t rooting for any of the characters, because I found them all to be terrible people I couldn’t relate to. EVERYONE was either lying, cheating, stealing, or killing! I did still find the story interesting and entertaining, but not my usual read.

[Bria · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for an entertaining, messy, twisted read…just go to Kindle and read it. I loved the pacing of this book. There was so much going on, and the husband Damar is actually a psychopath?! I enjoyed this one. That is all lol 😂

[Keeping.Volumes.Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy, messy, and intense 😳🔥
Demar’s chaos, Mythic’s hero vibes, and Aviana in danger kept me hooked—but some twists were a bit over the top. Still, a wild ride from start to finish!
3.5 ⭐️

[Kayᥫ᭡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫’s!!!

This one was a TRIP!! A HOT MESS. TWISTED. Had me on my toes! Avianna?? baby girl went THROUGH it!

A definite page turner! And listen… I’m a slow reader gurlie and still finished this in 2 days flat. Let that sink in and say what it may!

Enjoy!

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4

[CT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

This was such an enjoyable contemporary romance. I Love You Too Much had a great mix of humor, heart, and emotional moments that kept me invested in the story. The characters felt relatable, and I really liked watching their relationship develop over time. Their chemistry and banter made the story fun to read, while the emotional moments added depth to the romance.

Jessica N. Watkins did a great job balancing lighter, sweet moments with more heartfelt ones, which made the story feel genuine and engaging. The supporting characters and overall atmosphere added even more charm to the book.

If you enjoy character-driven romances with strong chemistry and a satisfying romantic journey, this is definitely one to pick up.

Tropes:
• Friends to Lovers
• Fake Relationship
• Opposites Attract
• Slow Burn
• Witty Banter

[Jasmin Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild enjoyable ride!

This was a good thriller that kept me engaged.

We have our fmc who settled for an older stable man, but whose heart is still madly in love with her soul mate/bestfriend/ex who once broke her heart. As we venture through her every day life, we realize things are not as they seem.

Her bestfriend, her husband, her ex, who is a moral character and who is faking it? Who can she trust and can she be trusted?

Ive never read a thriller so messy, I had my feet up cackling at the craziness happening in this book.

And I must say I enjoyed it! There are aspects of second chance romance, I just wish when we sell a soul mate, one who got away connection, we dive into the emotional depth of it to make the reader really feel the emotions.

Overall a solid read, I enjoyed

[Natarsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is being advertised as a domestic thriller, but while reading it felt more like a twisted romance with thriller elements. I really enjoyed the plot development of this story. I was hooked by the beginning, it’s messy, jaw dropping and downright scandalous. Damar was a man that was only interested in ensuring he maintained control over Avianna. He was willing to do anything to ensure his secrets remained a secret. Mia, Avianna’s best friend, is just a pawn in Damar’s plan to have it all. Mythic, Avianna’s best friend/first love, is still in love with Avianna and willing to do anything to protect her.
Overall, this book was good.

Thank you Black Odyssey for the ARC!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wild Ride!

This book was absolutely wild! A rollercoaster of a story with emotions all over the place. I am not one to do spoilers but just know that Mythic is that guy and I would have folded much sooner than Aviana. Jessica always delivers for sure. The plot was thick and tense, the ending was very satisfying! Enjoy!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew Chiiiiilllllddddd!

A gritty domestic thriller involving deception, lies, and murder.

messy, messy, messy

Perfectly blended mix of urban fiction, romantic suspense, and domestic thriller

Nice Second Chance love story, as well.

Loved and will reread again soon!

[Princess Queen H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a book be... too good?
There was never ever a dull moment here.
This is a story of obsession, control, greed, manipulation, so much.
Second read by this author and I picked up another one immediately.

[Fantasia Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was definitely a messy good time. Had me screaming as I’m listening because what???

[Tamekia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesss

From beginning to end this book was a page turner. I’m so happy Avi got a happily ever after! This was really good!

[Kayybereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Jessica N Watkins and I really enjoyed this book. I went in blind idk what i thought was gone be going on but it wasn’t this and i was shooketh! Damar was the nuts . Literally insane ! Everything he did was just insane! I loved Mythic tho!

[Jasmine Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica as always knows how to write a book! 📕

[Nina DuBois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t let my 3-star rating fool you — I did enjoy this book.

My main reason for rating it lower than a 4 is that the romance vs. mystery/thriller ratio wasn’t what I expected. The suspense element didn’t feel all that mysterious to me. There were one or two moments that were shocking at first, but overall it wasn’t too hard to connect the dots.

I’d categorize this more as suspense than romance. It’s hard for me to fully call it a romance when the FMC is stuck in an unsatisfactory marriage while still being in love with her first boyfriend. We’re given the cliff notes version of their past relationship, but there isn’t much actual romancing on the page.

That said, what the FMC goes through is absolutely bananas, and I did like seeing how she handled everything — even if I wish she had been a little less oblivious at times. I found myself wanting her to question more and suspect more.

I also liked Mythic to a degree, but even considering the type of man he’s portrayed to be, I think he should have caught on to certain things much quicker. And honestly, I wasn’t a fan of his career choice — I don’t feel like it added much to the story. He could have simply been a player and achieved the same perception from others.

All in all, this was a rollercoaster ride, and I’m glad I read it. It just didn’t quite hit the balance I was hoping for.

[Fatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay — Heavy on Drama, Light on Depth

I Love You Too Much had an interesting premise and plenty of drama, but overall it was just an okay read for me.

The storyline definitely delivers chaos, secrets, and emotional tension. However, a lot of the drama felt rushed instead of naturally building. Big moments happened quickly, and I didn’t always feel the emotional weight behind them.

The main female character frustrated me at times. She came across as naive and, honestly, too forgiving given everything she was dealing with. I wanted to see more growth, more strength, or at least more internal conflict. As for Damar… he was completely unhinged. His actions were so extreme that by the end, I felt like he deserved everything that came his way.

That said, the book is not boring. If you enjoy messy relationships, betrayal, and high-stakes emotional drama, this might work for you. I just wish the pacing had been tighter and the characters a bit more layered.

Overall: Entertaining, but not unforgettable.

[Troynika Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense!

Whew! I love a good suspense/thriller and this did it for me! This was good, messy, and suspenseful! Being betrayed by the people you love is never a good feeling. I'm glad Avi didn't let it keep her down. Mia and Damar definitely are terrible. This book drew me in and was so good!

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love You Too Much by Jessica Watkins is an emotional rollercoaster that tackles themes of love, obsession, and the fine line between the two. I went into this novel expecting a deep dive into complex relationships, and Watkins did not disappoint. This book is both beautifully written and emotionally charged, creating a gripping atmosphere that’s impossible to pull away from.

The protagonist, whose internal struggles are laid bare on every page, feels incredibly real. Their conflicting desires, self-awareness, and emotional turmoil are portrayed in such a raw and vulnerable way that it’s hard not to feel sympathy for them, even when their actions become more questionable. Watkins masterfully explores the concept of toxic love, making the reader question the very nature of affection and attachment.

The writing is sharp and evocative, with every scene carefully crafted to evoke a sense of discomfort, longing, and sometimes even dread. The pacing of the story is deliberate, allowing the tension to build slowly before the emotional climax, which hits harder because of that build-up.

What really sets this book apart, though, is how it delves into the darker side of relationships. It’s not just a love story; it’s a study of obsession, manipulation, and the dangers of idealizing someone. The complexity of the characters makes the narrative compelling, but also unsettling at times. I found myself torn between wanting to root for the characters and wanting them to confront their flaws.

There were a few moments where the pacing seemed a little slower than I would’ve liked, and some of the secondary characters could’ve been fleshed out a bit more. However, these are minor criticisms in a book that otherwise hits so many emotional notes perfectly.

I Love You Too Much is a powerful exploration of love’s darker side, and Jessica Watkins succeeds in creating a story that is haunting and thought-provoking. If you’re looking for a book that challenges your perceptions of love and relationships, this one is a must-read.

[Ann-Marie Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark romance that is not for the faint of heart. While I was reading, I was on edge, wondering how everything would turn out. My jaw dropped quite a few times and I even hollered with some of the things that were happening that shocked the heck out of me. Damar Scott is married to Aviana and is in love with her in the most controlling and obsessive way. This is a story of a wolf in sheep’s clothing because Aviana is none the wiser to the lengths he will go to to keep her in his life. To Aviana , he comes off as the perfect husband who loves her and provides for her, yet she is unfulfilled. Aviana is always conflicted because he is the man that her parents, who are super religious, love her with. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and especially that it was set in Chicago. I felt like this was happening right in my own city, from the restaurants and businesses mentioned, I felt like this was something that was happening currently, and I was reading a newspaper write-up or something like that. Like I easily could imagine myself with me and my friends out on the lakefront for a yacht day, having fun, turning up, and a body popping up, which is scary, but also makes this book feel so real. The story is filled with suspense, betrayal violence, deception, spice, and drama. Jessica really did her thing. I do wish we had more of was flashbacks or chapters dedicated to the past because I would’ve loved to get more of the early days of all of the characters to really push and elevate these character motivations because he was doing some wild things in this book, and we were mostly given a summary of why he did certain things. I would’ve loved to see how him and Aviana originally came to be as well as some of these other entanglements. Thank you to Black Odyssey Media, as well as NetGalley for this ARC.

[Hey_She _Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark romance is not for the faint of heart. The novel maintains a constant sense of tension, delivering moments that are both shocking and unsettling. Damar Scott is married to Aviana and professes a love that is deeply obsessive and controlling. He presents himself as the ideal husband—devoted, successful, and attentive—while concealing the extreme measures he is willing to take to keep Aviana in his life. Unaware of his true nature, Aviana struggles with a persistent sense of dissatisfaction, compounded by pressure from her deeply religious parents, who view Damar as the perfect match.
Set in Chicago, the story benefits from a vivid and realistic backdrop. The use of recognizable locations lends the narrative an immediacy that makes the events feel disturbingly plausible. The novel is rich in suspense, blending betrayal, violence, deception, emotional conflict, and romantic tension. Damar emerges as a compelling character not because he is sympathetic, but because he is convincingly flawed. His descent into paranoia as he attempts to conceal the truth creates an increasingly claustrophobic atmosphere.
Aviana serves as the emotional anchor of the story. Her confusion, growing fear, and unresolved connection to her first love, Mythic, add depth and vulnerability as her marriage begins to fracture. While additional flashbacks exploring the characters’ pasts could have further strengthened their motivations, the novel succeeds in weaving psychological suspense with complex, morally fraught relationships. By the conclusion, it is clear that the consequences are inescapable and no character emerges unscathed. Thank you Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love You Too Much is a twisty, fast‑paced thriller that digs into the darker side of love, loyalty, and the lies people tell to protect the lives they’ve built. From the opening chapters, it’s clear this story isn’t just about an affair—it’s about the fallout, the obsession, and the way one terrible decision can spiral into something far more dangerous.

Damar is a fascinating character to follow, not because he’s likable, but because he’s so convincingly flawed. Watching him scramble to hide the truth as his guilt morphs into paranoia gives the book a tense, claustrophobic energy. You can feel the walls closing in on him long before he does.

Aviana, meanwhile, brings the emotional heart of the story. Her confusion, her growing fear, and her pull toward Mythic—her first love—add layers of vulnerability and tension. As her marriage starts to crack, the sense that she’s being manipulated becomes almost unbearable in the best way. You’re rooting for her even as you dread what she’s about to uncover.

The novel shines in the way it blends psychological suspense with messy, complicated relationships. Every chapter tightens the knot a little more, and by the time the truth finally breaks open, it’s clear that no one is walking away unscathed.

If you enjoy domestic thrillers where love turns toxic, secrets pile up fast, and the truth hits like a punch, I Love You Too Much is a gripping, binge‑worthy read.

With thanks to Jessica n Watkins, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[The Urban Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica N. Watkins was absolutely in her thriller-suspense bag with I Love You Too Much.

This recent release jumped straight to the top of my TBR, and I’m so glad I was able to grab the audiobook through Libby because whew… this was a wild ride from start to finish.

Going in, I didn’t fully know what to expect. What I got was twists, turns, romantic suspense, betrayal, violence, deception, spice, and drama — layered in a way that kept me completely locked in.

Damar Scott is married to Aviana and loves her in the most obsessive, controlling way possible. On the surface, he presents as the perfect husband — devoted, providing, deeply in love. But beneath that polished exterior is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Aviana has no idea how far he is willing to go to keep her in his life.

Aviana, at times she tested my nerves (those pity parties!), but I ultimately warmed up to her by the end. Mythic also took a minute for me, but by the conclusion, I appreciated the role he played in the unraveling of everything.

The suspense? Jaw-dropping. I hollered more than once. There were moments that genuinely shocked me.

If I had one critique, I would have loved more flashbacks or deeper chapters exploring the early dynamics between Damar and Aviana. The motivations behind some of his actions were summarized, but I would have been fascinated to see those moments fully played out on the page.

Jessica delivered suspense, drama, and emotional intensity in a way that kept me hooked until the final page.

I absolutely need more of this from her.

[Brea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love You Too Much by Jessica N. Watkins is feral, volatile, and unapologetically uncomfortable—and the brilliance of this book lives entirely in the writing. Watkins doesn’t rush, soften, or rescue the reader from the emotional damage unfolding on the page. Her prose is deliberate and sharp, letting tension coil slowly until it feels suffocating, and she trusts the reader enough to sit in that discomfort without hand-holding. Through Arielle and Malik, she dismantles the illusion of romantic safety, showing how easily love mutates when secrecy, guilt, and fear are allowed to fester. Every choice they make is frustrating, messy, and deeply human, and the emotional logic behind those choices is so clear it hurts. Watkins excels at writing obsession not as spectacle but as erosion—the quiet paranoia, the internal justifications, the way control disguises itself as protection and possession masquerades as devotion. The pacing keeps tightening the screws, not through constant twists, but through the slow collapse of trust, where intimacy becomes a weapon and vulnerability turns dangerous. This is not a feel-good romance or a story interested in redemption arcs wrapped in bows; it’s character-driven chaos that understands emotional wreckage is the point. By the end, you’re not shocked—you’re shaken, because the fallout feels earned and disturbingly real. Thank you to Jessica N. Watkins, NetGalley, and Black Odyssey Media for the opportunity to read and review

[Crissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Love You Too Much is not my first book from this author but it's the first book that I didn't really care for. It wasn't the worst story I've read but this is definitely a one-time type of read story for me. There were things I liked and disliked about this story. I liked the suspense and I enjoyed Mythic's character a lot. I liked Aviana and Mia in the beginning and enjoyed their friendship, but their characters went downhill for me. Mia's betrayal with Damar and Avi weakness was a lot. It was hard for me to get into the story when the characters really started to work on my nerves. The story flowed at a slow pace but there were never really any peaceful or calm moments in the story until the very end. Between the repetitiveness, fraud, planning, plotting, scheming, betrayal, vandalism, murders, craziness, arrest, kidnapping, threats and gangs it was all too much too fast. There was no moment to let things settle before something else was thrown in there and it didn't work for me when it came to this story. I've read dark and dirty, nitty and gritty reads with a lot more than what happened in this story and loved it however, story was just okay. I say okay because I don't think this story is worth giving a two-star rating to, just because it wasn't my favorite doesn't mean it deserves two stars. I would tell other readers to just give the story a try and see if it's the story for them.

[JustB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love You Too Much by Jessica N. Watkins is a gripping domestic thriller that dives deep into obsession, deception, and the dangerous lengths people will go to protect their version of love.

From the very beginning, the story pulls you into Damar Scott’s carefully constructed life and then methodically tears it apart. What starts as a secret affair quickly spirals into something far more sinister, and the tension never lets up. Watching Damar unravel under the weight of his own lies was both unsettling and fascinating.

Aviana’s perspective adds an emotional layer that makes this story hit even harder. Her growing sense that something is wrong, combined with her reconnection to a past love, creates a constant feeling of unease. You can feel her confusion, her fear, and her pull between what feels familiar and what feels safe. The way her reality slowly shifts kept me questioning everything right alongside her.

Jessica N. Watkins does an excellent job exploring how love can turn controlling, how guilt can distort reality, and how secrets refuse to stay buried. The pacing is steady, the characters are complex, and the psychological tension builds beautifully toward a satisfying and intense conclusion.

If you enjoy domestic thrillers filled with manipulation, emotional depth, and twists that creep up on you rather than jump out, this one is absolutely worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Amby Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the very beginning, this book comes in swinging. I mean the plot is thick right out the gate. By the first 8%, I was already clutching my chest because things escalated fast.

The characters immediately pulled me in. Aviana is our main female lead, and I’m rooting hard for her to rediscover her spark and remember who she truly is. Damar, her husband is… a trip, to say the least. And then there’s Mythic. We don’t get much of him early on, but trust me, his presence is felt, and I was eager to see how his role would unfold.

Just when I thought the plot couldn’t get any thicker it did. And then it did it again. And again. By the time I was about 70% in, I realized the beginning was just a warm-up. The tension kept building, layer after layer, and I honestly didn’t know who was going to make it out emotionally unscathed.

This book took me on a full rollercoaster ride steady climb after steady climb keeping me on edge, waiting for the drop. And what made it even more interesting was that even at the very end, I was still anticipating what would happen next.

Overall, this was an excellent read. If I could rate it higher than five stars, I absolutely would. It had me laughing, yelling at the pages, talking to the characters, and fully invested from start to finish. Aviana, Damar, Mythic, Mia, Lelani every character brought chaos in the best way.

In the end, laughter still prevailed, and that made the journey even sweeter.
Highly recommend. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say other than "WTF did I just read?" This book was chaotic from the prologue to the epilogue. Each chapter I kept thinking "well where do we go from here...it can't get worse" but it does...it really does. There is almost TOO much happening. This has to be how my great grandma felt watching soap operas. You're thrust into the whirlwind from the very first pages. You really don't have time to really connect with the characters before things start going awry. Some of the twists were expected, some exceeded what I thought they were going to be. While the book is very fast paced, it did have me engaged from start to finish. I finished in 2 days, probably could have been one if not for me forcing myself to sleep and work. Overall, I found that I didn't want to put it down.

I'll warn you, the characters are not the most loveable bunch. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, carries a secret- some are just more dangerous and conniving than others. I guarantee that at LEAST once in this book, you'll find yourself saying "may a love like this never find me." And girl, (or guy, or nonbinary)....I truly hope it doesn't.

There are definitely some trigger warnings here. I found myself on edge regarding Damar's gross violation of privacy (which was not anywhere close to the worse thing he had done in the book it was just relatable). But you have cheating, assault, murder- you name it...it's got it.

[LaTasha Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS book right here?! 😮‍💨🔥
SO good!! But honestly… it’s by Jessica Watkins, so I’m really not surprised at ALL!! She does NOT miss!! 😉

You already know I love me a good unhinged, messy read and babyyyy this one DELIVERED! 😏This was a twisted, chaotic, yet somehow satisfying love story that had me locked in from start to finish!!

And let’s talk about KARMA real quick… because when I say I wanted her to spin the block EXPEDITIOUSLY… 😤 Listen… she did NOT disappoint!! 😌

Every single person who played dirty got EXACTLY what was coming to them!! Good and bad!😉👏🏽👏🏽

There was NEVER a dull moment!! No slow parts, no dragging… just straight chaos, drama, and “oh wow” moments the entire time and I LOVED that for me!!🤗

My heart really went out to Aviana 🥺 because baby she went THROUGH it!! Was she a little naïve? For sure! 🤦🏽‍♀️However, did she deserve the betrayal and hurt from the people she loved the most?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! 🤨 I was rooting for her HEAVY!!

But the way things turned around in her favor?? Mythic alone made ALL that chaos worth it!! 😌✨

The spice was definitely SPICIN’ all up in this book and I loved it for the participating parties!🤭

Now…in my forever petty, bookish imagination… I just KNOW Damar still out here getting handled by life!😌 Mia?? Yeah… she does not deserve to rest peacefully either..🙂‍↔️

10/10!! Hands down a messy, chaotic, satisfying MUST READ!🤭🔥