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My Othello
Dr. Madeline Lovette built a life on language. As a respected Shakespeare professor and columnist behind the viral “Ms. Shakespeare” series, she’s spent years dissecting love, tragedy, and betrayal on the page, never expecting to live them so literally.
After fleeing an abusive ex and a failed trial that left her labeled a victim, Maddie sought refuge in New Orleans, hoping to disappear into poetry and distance. What she found instead was a brilliant, obsessive sculptor who carved love out of clay and shadow. Their affair was fast, intoxicating... until Maddie tried to leave.
Now she’s being hunted through the bayou by the woman who once worshipped her.
Peyton has killed before.
She’s an artist of flesh and ritual, reciting Shakespeare and composing haikus between steps, convinced this is the final act of a love story Maddie never agreed to be a part of. With the swamp closing in, Maddie must reckon with her past; what she’s survived and what she’s buried, and decide if she’ll remain a character in someone else’s play, or rewrite the ending herself.
My Othello is a viciously lyrical tale of obsession, survival, and feminine rage, blending queer gothic horror with literary suspense. Perfect for readers of Gone Girl, You, Bunny, The Pisces, and Boy Parts, this debut
What happens when the muse fights back?
After fleeing an abusive ex and a failed trial that left her labeled a victim, Maddie sought refuge in New Orleans, hoping to disappear into poetry and distance. What she found instead was a brilliant, obsessive sculptor who carved love out of clay and shadow. Their affair was fast, intoxicating... until Maddie tried to leave.
Now she’s being hunted through the bayou by the woman who once worshipped her.
Peyton has killed before.
She’s an artist of flesh and ritual, reciting Shakespeare and composing haikus between steps, convinced this is the final act of a love story Maddie never agreed to be a part of. With the swamp closing in, Maddie must reckon with her past; what she’s survived and what she’s buried, and decide if she’ll remain a character in someone else’s play, or rewrite the ending herself.
My Othello is a viciously lyrical tale of obsession, survival, and feminine rage, blending queer gothic horror with literary suspense. Perfect for readers of Gone Girl, You, Bunny, The Pisces, and Boy Parts, this debut
What happens when the muse fights back?
- GenresThriller
414 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2025
11 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 7, 2025
A cat and mouse game for Peyton, a disturbed college student who becomes obsessed with her unsuspecting professor, Madeline. Peyton desperately wants to find love and keep it forever. Madeline is stuck in a web she isn’t sure she can get out of, or if she even wants to. Peyton can only hope that this one doesn’t leave…or at least try to.
A psychological thriller that had me so enthralled I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The majority of the book was dual internal dialogue and I appreciated that because I was able to connect more with Peyton and Madeline. I felt that having the ability to deep dive into their thoughts, emotions, and motivations was important and gave me a better understanding of them. The chapters weren’t too long and the dual POVs going back and forth gave the book a nice flow. Honestly, it made me think of a sapphic version of the series 'You' and I just couldn’t put it down.
If you’re looking for an epic love story, then this one probably isn’t for you. Overall, I enjoyed it and I think fans of psychological thrillers with the most unhinged of characters will enjoy it. I highly recommend giving this one a read.
🖤 “I’m not scared of my hunger. I’m scared of what happens when I starve."
🖤 “You can have pain and still choose not to hurt other people.”
🖤 “Loving her so much it swallows me whole?”
A psychological thriller that had me so enthralled I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The majority of the book was dual internal dialogue and I appreciated that because I was able to connect more with Peyton and Madeline. I felt that having the ability to deep dive into their thoughts, emotions, and motivations was important and gave me a better understanding of them. The chapters weren’t too long and the dual POVs going back and forth gave the book a nice flow. Honestly, it made me think of a sapphic version of the series 'You' and I just couldn’t put it down.
If you’re looking for an epic love story, then this one probably isn’t for you. Overall, I enjoyed it and I think fans of psychological thrillers with the most unhinged of characters will enjoy it. I highly recommend giving this one a read.
🖤 “I’m not scared of my hunger. I’m scared of what happens when I starve."
🖤 “You can have pain and still choose not to hurt other people.”
🖤 “Loving her so much it swallows me whole?”
September 17, 2025
Well.
That was kind of confusing…
That was kind of confusing…
August 14, 2025
My Othello is a beautifully written book which chronicles the relationship between an obsessed lover and the object of her obsession. The slow build of romance and erotic tension are well written and pull the reader along quite skillfully toward the climax of the story. Jackon has a great gift for description – this was one of those books where I could “see” everything in my mind, like scenes in a movie, which I love. The POV shifts between the two main characters, which I feel worked well for this story. The book starts out with a beautifully brutal scene that foreshadows events to come and it never really lets up from there.
Other things I loved about this book: there’s a cat who figures prominently in the plot and whose character is as well written as the human ones! The erotic scenes are spicy without being too explicit. This book makes me think of stories by Anaïs Nin, the famous writer of erotica, who wrote stories of women discovering their sexuality and explorations of the human psyche. The mind of the objectively psychopathic main character is explored in such a way that you feel a grudging sympathy for them even when they say and do terrible things. This book is a quick read, in spite of it being a respectable length (385 pages)
I did not give this book a 5 star rating because the plot itself was really never surprising (to me at least). Many stories of obsession and toxic relationships pretty much follow similar beats to this novel. It is pretty clear to the reader where this relationship was headed from the beginning. Like the Anaïs Nin stories I mentioned, this book is really more about relationships and an exploration of the ways an obsessive mind works, vs being a twisty tightly plotted thriller.
All in all, My Othello is an excellent read. If you are person who loves a character-driven narrative and a skillful exploration of the minds of the obsessed and the objects of their obsession, this book is for you!
Other things I loved about this book: there’s a cat who figures prominently in the plot and whose character is as well written as the human ones! The erotic scenes are spicy without being too explicit. This book makes me think of stories by Anaïs Nin, the famous writer of erotica, who wrote stories of women discovering their sexuality and explorations of the human psyche. The mind of the objectively psychopathic main character is explored in such a way that you feel a grudging sympathy for them even when they say and do terrible things. This book is a quick read, in spite of it being a respectable length (385 pages)
I did not give this book a 5 star rating because the plot itself was really never surprising (to me at least). Many stories of obsession and toxic relationships pretty much follow similar beats to this novel. It is pretty clear to the reader where this relationship was headed from the beginning. Like the Anaïs Nin stories I mentioned, this book is really more about relationships and an exploration of the ways an obsessive mind works, vs being a twisty tightly plotted thriller.
All in all, My Othello is an excellent read. If you are person who loves a character-driven narrative and a skillful exploration of the minds of the obsessed and the objects of their obsession, this book is for you!
October 23, 2025
As someone who reads a lot of literary thrillers and dark academia, My Othello completely took me by surprise. It’s not just another psychological thriller, it’s a gorgeously written, emotionally intelligent exploration of what it means to be both a survivor and a storyteller of your own life.
Dr. Madeline Lovette is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a long time. You can feel the layers of her grief, intellect, and guarded strength in every page. Her background as a Shakespeare scholar gives the story such rich texture there are quotes and reflections woven throughout that never feel pretentious, just hauntingly relevant. It’s as if Shakespeare’s tragedies are quietly echoing through her modern nightmare.
And then there’s Peyton. What a chilling, unforgettable antagonist. She’s part artist, part predator, and fully human in a way that’s disturbingly relatable at times. Jackson doesn’t make her a caricature of evil; she makes her a portrait of obsession and control. The dual POV structure lets us slip into both women’s psyches, and that’s where the horror really lives not in jump scares, but in the psychology.
The writing itself is stunning. Every sentence feels deliberate and lyrical, even when the scenes are brutal or claustrophobic. The pacing is perfect too: short, tense chapters that build dread like a heartbeat you can’t slow down. I finished it in two sittings because I had to know how Maddie’s story would end.
Beyond the suspense, this book really resonated with me on a deeper level. It’s about reclaiming narrative how women are written, erased, and rewritten by others, and how survival can sometimes look like rebellion.
If you love beautifully written thrillers that straddle the line between horror and literature think Mona Awad, Tana French, or Gillian Flynn with a more gothic, queer edge My Othello will absolutely stay with you. It’s fierce, heartbreaking, and masterfully done.
Dr. Madeline Lovette is one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a long time. You can feel the layers of her grief, intellect, and guarded strength in every page. Her background as a Shakespeare scholar gives the story such rich texture there are quotes and reflections woven throughout that never feel pretentious, just hauntingly relevant. It’s as if Shakespeare’s tragedies are quietly echoing through her modern nightmare.
And then there’s Peyton. What a chilling, unforgettable antagonist. She’s part artist, part predator, and fully human in a way that’s disturbingly relatable at times. Jackson doesn’t make her a caricature of evil; she makes her a portrait of obsession and control. The dual POV structure lets us slip into both women’s psyches, and that’s where the horror really lives not in jump scares, but in the psychology.
The writing itself is stunning. Every sentence feels deliberate and lyrical, even when the scenes are brutal or claustrophobic. The pacing is perfect too: short, tense chapters that build dread like a heartbeat you can’t slow down. I finished it in two sittings because I had to know how Maddie’s story would end.
Beyond the suspense, this book really resonated with me on a deeper level. It’s about reclaiming narrative how women are written, erased, and rewritten by others, and how survival can sometimes look like rebellion.
If you love beautifully written thrillers that straddle the line between horror and literature think Mona Awad, Tana French, or Gillian Flynn with a more gothic, queer edge My Othello will absolutely stay with you. It’s fierce, heartbreaking, and masterfully done.
August 10, 2025
For starters, I have struggled to sit and read for months, yet after picking up this book I was intrigued and managed to finish the book in around 3-4 days! If you like shorter/quicker paced chapters, this book, has it! You are given information you need without huge paragraphs of filler information meant to expand the length of the book. I personally believe this pacing can easily tie into the mental states of the people it portrays, enhancing the slow descent that is bound to happen with any connection such as this. The chapters depict the day to day each person goes through, good or bad alike, and their thoughts, allowing you to still able to connect as if it were a slower information packed book. And a plus if you have busy days and need to take quick pauses, no need to try to mark what line you pause at. Thats if you can manage to put it down!
The dual pov easily gives both sides of this stalker thriller story, describing the narrators' thoughts and emotions in a way that feels like a deep dive into their individual minds. Machaela paints their mental spirals and traumas beautifully.
The slow burn carries throughout the book until meeting an unbelievable head where the depravity that is hidden for so long comes to light. For the first time in years, upon finishing My Othello, I had to pause and process, taking that deep breath that every avid reader knows comes with the thrill of an unforeseen outcome and the accompanying emotional rollercoaster.
I look forward to whatever else this author might be planning to publish!
The dual pov easily gives both sides of this stalker thriller story, describing the narrators' thoughts and emotions in a way that feels like a deep dive into their individual minds. Machaela paints their mental spirals and traumas beautifully.
The slow burn carries throughout the book until meeting an unbelievable head where the depravity that is hidden for so long comes to light. For the first time in years, upon finishing My Othello, I had to pause and process, taking that deep breath that every avid reader knows comes with the thrill of an unforeseen outcome and the accompanying emotional rollercoaster.
I look forward to whatever else this author might be planning to publish!
September 11, 2025
My Othello is a haunting, visceral, and beautifully written debut that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Machaela Jackson has woven Shakespearean themes of obsession, betrayal, and survival into a modern, gothic horror that feels both timeless and urgent.
Dr. Maddie’s voice is sharp and deeply human, and the way her past and present collide is heart-breaking yet empowering. Peyton, meanwhile, is one of the most chilling and fascinating characters I’ve read in years, equal parts artist, lover, and predator. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic through the New Orleans bayou is cinematic, terrifying, and lyrical all at once.
The prose is rich and poetic without ever losing intensity, and the atmosphere drips with dread and beauty. If you loved Gone Girl, You, or Bunny, you’ll find echoes here, but My Othello stands fiercely on its own.
This is not just a story of survival, but of reclaiming authorship of one’s life. I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend, and I can’t wait to see what Machaela Jackson writes next.
Dr. Maddie’s voice is sharp and deeply human, and the way her past and present collide is heart-breaking yet empowering. Peyton, meanwhile, is one of the most chilling and fascinating characters I’ve read in years, equal parts artist, lover, and predator. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic through the New Orleans bayou is cinematic, terrifying, and lyrical all at once.
The prose is rich and poetic without ever losing intensity, and the atmosphere drips with dread and beauty. If you loved Gone Girl, You, or Bunny, you’ll find echoes here, but My Othello stands fiercely on its own.
This is not just a story of survival, but of reclaiming authorship of one’s life. I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend, and I can’t wait to see what Machaela Jackson writes next.
September 23, 2025
Let me just start with saying what an amazing, enthralling, chilling, spine tingling, horrifically creepy read this book is!!
Meet Maddie--an English professor who lives alone with her cat Clementine and just wants to be loved by someone and move on from her past. Meet Peyton aka Othello, "student", lover, stalker, murderer with a deadly past.
"Real love isn't pretty or soft. It's claws that dig in deep. It's an ache that never stops. It's a storm that howls your name and never lets go."
"I will love her so hard she forgets her own name. I'm not scared of my hunger. I'm scared of what happens when I starve."
"This isn't love. Not really. It's something adjacent to it. Something dangerous and unstable."
"You can love someone and still need to run."
"Healing isn't linear. Neither is leaving."
Dual POV. Fast paced chapters. The descriptiveness in this book is out of this world and conveys the obsession and innocence and different view points of the FMC's so well. This book had me staring at the wall when finished.
Meet Maddie--an English professor who lives alone with her cat Clementine and just wants to be loved by someone and move on from her past. Meet Peyton aka Othello, "student", lover, stalker, murderer with a deadly past.
"Real love isn't pretty or soft. It's claws that dig in deep. It's an ache that never stops. It's a storm that howls your name and never lets go."
"I will love her so hard she forgets her own name. I'm not scared of my hunger. I'm scared of what happens when I starve."
"This isn't love. Not really. It's something adjacent to it. Something dangerous and unstable."
"You can love someone and still need to run."
"Healing isn't linear. Neither is leaving."
Dual POV. Fast paced chapters. The descriptiveness in this book is out of this world and conveys the obsession and innocence and different view points of the FMC's so well. This book had me staring at the wall when finished.
October 10, 2025
My Othello, a great book that will have you gasping with shock multiple times, written from the perspective of both main characters swapping perspective with each chapter. Is this a book for everyone? No, it touches on topics not all are willing or ready to experience. The characters are well written and enjoyable. It is very important to read the preface stating that the book seems to go all over the place when in fact you are following not one but two unreliable narrators. I feel that Jackson was able to fully transcribe the obsession beautifully. The victim was also well written. 10/10 would read again! Kept me on the edge of my seat.
August 16, 2025
Amazing slow burn sapphic cat and mouse romance turned thriller
So well written, dual POV. Great ending!
I really enjoyed this book! I read it in 8 hours. It had me hooked from Chapter 1.
I highly recommend this book!
So well written, dual POV. Great ending!
I really enjoyed this book! I read it in 8 hours. It had me hooked from Chapter 1.
I highly recommend this book!
December 1, 2025
Can one’s obsession be to much? She took her obsession way too far. Even when she was given a chance after showing just how nutso she was. She cooled that down, just to come back even crazier.
All is fair in love, but obsession. Sometimes you need to take a step back & chill out.
All is fair in love, but obsession. Sometimes you need to take a step back & chill out.
October 14, 2025
Ironically, I was OBSESSED with this book!
Peyton is a college student with a mysterious past and Maddie is a college professor who just wants to be seen. Peyton quickly “falls in love” with Maddie- although most of us would find this kind of love scary.
I loved the duel POV- especially experiencing the same scene from each of their views to see how easily certain actions or reactions can be twisted in the eye of an obsessive artist who has already killed.
Peyton is a college student with a mysterious past and Maddie is a college professor who just wants to be seen. Peyton quickly “falls in love” with Maddie- although most of us would find this kind of love scary.
I loved the duel POV- especially experiencing the same scene from each of their views to see how easily certain actions or reactions can be twisted in the eye of an obsessive artist who has already killed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews