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.
Damar Scott 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 an affair that ends 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 someone is out to destroy her, unaware that 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 Damar 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.
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.
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 😂
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.
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!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
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.
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.
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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
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.
Title: I Love You Too Much Author: Jessica N. Watkins Genre: Domestic Thriller - Romance Format: Ebook & Audiobook Narrated: Vance Goodwin, Morris Kellswater, and Lacy Laurel Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️ (4.2.)
I thought I knew where Jessica N. Watkins was taking us in I Love You Too Much, but that plot twist had me gasping for air, and looking at my kindle with side eyes. Because what did I just read? How do i do this review without spoiling all the juicy information. Just know this book is a hot juicy mess! With unreliable characters and you don't know who to trust or believe.
If you love domestic thrillers with a side of absolute chaos, pick this up immediately.
The audiobook is multi-casted with Vance Goodwin, Morris Kellswater, and Lacy Laurel. They all did a good job; they each gave the characters they played depth and were easy to listen to and understand. I listened at 2.5x speed.
The ending: Happily Ever After Would I Recommend: Yes Days Read: 1 Day
Thank you, NetGalley, and Black Odyssey Media for the ebook, in exchange for my honest review.
What originally drew me in was the cover and the author. This definitely gave more of a suspense vibe than a full-on thriller, in my opinion. I gotta admit, some parts were predictable. Once I got acquainted with the characters, I started to piece together what was gonna happen. Therefore, I wasn’t shocked with some events that took place. Still, there was drama, and the twists and turns were enough to keep me reading to the end.
Overall, this was messy, tense, and emotionally charged the kind of story that has you side-eyeing characters and questioning everybody’s motives. For me, this wasn’t a favorite read. While it had its moments and did keep my attention at times, it just didn’t fully hit the way I hoped it would. Still, if you enjoy suspense with drama woven all through it, this one will definitely hold your attention.
Thank you Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC; all thoughts are my own.
I love the cover of this book! The story was wild, a real rollercoaster of emotions. "I Love You Too Much" mixes twisted romance with suspense, and there was never a dull moment. While reading, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how it would all end. My jaw dropped several times, and I was shocked by some of the twists.
The tangled relationships between Avi, Damar, Mia, Mythic, and Lelani were all about obsession and manipulation. Here's what I think:
Obsession and manipulation! Mia felt betrayed, even though she was a real snake. (The irony) Damar is the devil got everything he deserved, and Mythic, despite believing he was doing the right thing, had his heart elsewhere. Lelani, caught in this web, and she needed to move on from someone who didn’t reciprocate her feelings and she was weird because girl what?!. Meanwhile, Jeremy my heart goes out to him. Shout out to the 111 boys, for holding him down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was a whole emotional ride. Jovian is on a mission to right all his wrongs, and he’s willing to do it no matter who gets in the way. That determination drives the story and keeps things intense from start to finish.
Mia though… whew. She is the textbook back-stabbing friend, and let’s just say it does not end well for her. Actions met consequences, and honestly, it was deserved. And faking cancer to try and keep a man? Absolutely diabolical behavior. No excuses. None.
What really grounded the story for me was Mythic and Aviana. Their connection reminded me that true love always finds a way, even through lies, betrayal, and chaos. Their storyline brought balance to all the madness and gave the book heart.
Overall, this was a dramatic, emotional read about obsession, redemption, betrayal, and real love. It had me shaking my head, clutching my chest, and rooting for the right people all at once.
Omg let me collect myself because this book had me clutching my pearls. It gave Black, dark, urban, twisted thriller romance and I was HERE for every bit of it. I enjoyed this read ate it up.
The characters were written so well. Aviana I’m proud of you, sis, for finally standing up to your parents. Mia whew, I know hell is hot, need a fan? Damar had me shook because whew, folks really be out here living double lives. Mythic is officially a new book bae; I loved that he didn’t play a single game when it came to Aviana.
Jeremy SMH. I’m not happy about what happened, but I can’t deny you’re smart. Leilani, you and your mama can go straight to hell, respectfully. Aviana’s parents? Eww. But I will say I’m glad they eventually came around.
Overall, I really liked this book. This was my first read by this author, and I also listened to the audiobook which was really good too. Definitely won’t be my last.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC 💌
⭐️ 3.75/5
This book started off really strong and had me hooked from the first few chapters. Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t fully last throughout the entire story. I was honestly surprised because I loved the author’s previous work, so this one felt a little different from what I expected.
Based on the cover, I went in thinking this would be more of a thriller, and it definitely leaned another way. Some parts felt repetitive and a bit slow for me, but there were moments where I found myself really enjoying what was happening and wishing the story went deeper.
Overall, it wasn’t bad at all just not quite a hit for me. I think with tighter pacing and more development, this could’ve been a really strong read. Still grateful for the opportunity to read and review 💕📖
This book was not what I was expecting based on the blurb. I would not have read it knowing what I know now.
I have never seen more shitty people in one book. I love morally grey characters but not a single person here had even one thing likable about them. They just all sucked in one way or another.
You’ve got a cheating door mat, a cheating street thug, a cheating manipulator, a POS liar, and a betrayer and thief. And let’s throw in murder with one of the people mentioned above.
I’m not even mad about all that, I read dark romance, none of that is shocking to me. My issue was I hated the writing and some of the verbiage was off putting.
I don’t think I’m the target demographic.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
This story dives headfirst into the emotional wreckage left behind when a marriage begins to crumble under the weight of hidden betrayals. Instead of relying on big shocks, the author builds tension through the slow peeling back of each character’s carefully maintained façade. What emerges is a portrait of a family caught in a cycle of mistrust, where every revelation deepens the sense that loyalty is far more fragile than anyone wants to admit. I found the story engaging enough to keep me reading, but I never really connected with the characters, so it didn’t leave a strong impression on me. It was an enjoyable read overall, just not one that stood out in a big way.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Jessica N. Watkins delivers a gripping domestic thriller that explores the dangerous side of devotion and the thin line between love and obsession. I Love You Too Much pulls readers into Aviana’s world—one that looks polished and secure on the surface, but fractures quickly as secrets, betrayal, and emotional manipulation come to light.
Watkins masterfully peels back the layers of marriage, fidelity, and identity, showing how loving “too much” can blur boundaries and invite destruction. The tension builds steadily, with twists that feel both shocking and unsettlingly believable. Characters are flawed, complex, and emotionally charged, making it easy to question motives and loyalties right alongside them.
I Love You Too Much had me yelling WTF in the best of ways. This story was REALLY good and honestly not at all what I expected from Jessica N Watkins but listen… her pen NEVER disappoints. Ever. She stepped outside of what I thought I knew and still delivered a story that pulled me in, made me pause, and had me talking about Damar for the last week!
It’s emotional. It’s uncomfortable in some places and tender in others. The kind of read that makes you say whew… because love can be beautiful and dangerous when we don’t know when to let go.
If you’re looking for a book that’s going to surprise you and remind you why go get this one.
Don’t add it to your list.
Don’t save it for later.
Buy the book!!!!
Read it. Then come back and talk to me about it because Jessica did THAT.