I thought he was the man of my dreams. He may just be my worst nightmare.
After years of struggling, I never expected someone like Evan Sinclair to walk into my life.
Confident, charming, and well-dressed, I couldn’t believe it when he asked me — a waitress at a diner — to go out with him.
He swept me off my feet, offering me a life I never imagined — a luxurious apartment, new clothes, a world beyond my wildest dreams. For the first time in years, I thought I was finally happy.
But as our relationship deepens, things start to change. Evan’s love comes with strings unspoken rules, decisions made for me, and a creeping sense of control. The more I try to hold on to this perfect life, the more I feel like I’m losing myself.
Evan won’t talk about his past. His temper flares if I even ask about it. And when I find out the reason why, I wonder if I’ve made a terrible mistake.
I thought this new life was everything I wanted. Now, I’m scared I won’t be able to get out before it’s too late.
A dark, addictive psychological thriller about obsession, control, and the lies we tell ourselves to feel loved.
If you’ve ever trusted the wrong person — read this.
Perfect for a beach day, this is a quick read. We have Grace, who meets Evan when he is a customer at the diner she works in. Told from Grace’s perspective, the story follows her whirlwind romance with wealthy Evan, and illustrates her naive belief that she’s found her happy ever after. Despite her best friend Jenna’s suspicions, Grace quickly gets swept up in Evan’s lavish world. Some of Grace's choices can be indecisive and frustrating to the reader, with her consistently failing to spot the multiple red flags. There are more here than a warning label factory! The ending has a twist and, although it covers familiar ground, it's a solid, undemanding thriller for anyone looking for a quick escape.
I liked this. It was crazy wild with an ending I never saw coming. This book is perfect for the beach and it's such a bingeable read. You want to read it in one go because you want to devour every word until the last sentence. The allure of a better life is what we all want but finding out that "dream" may not be all that.
As I was reading it, I was sure I knew where it was going. I was sure I knew what the twists would be. I was sure I knew exactly how it would play out. Ha! But I didn’t! I was wrong!
The book literally catfished me into believing it would be something else.
And that was the best catfishing out there. Yes, most of the story goes pretty predictably. And yes, I can totally see most of the readers hating the FMC for being “so dumb” and “naïve”. But that’s not really what the story was about, wasn’t it?
You read it, and you think you have read this kind of story before. You read it and you think, yeah, I know exactly where this is heading. You read it and you think, yeah, this thing here, it’s been around forever, and it happens in every book that starts out like this one.
But then, boom. And nope. You were wrong. You were so wrong, you laugh out loud about how wrong you were.
Seriously, the twist, and actually I’d say it’s not just a twist, a major deviation of how stories like this are supposedly supposed to go – it will have you gasping for air and then laughing. Because the ending here is nowhere near what anyone would ever expect. And yes, LOVED IT.
When I was done reading it, it somehow made me think about the “boy mom” phenomenon out there. How it’s mainstream normalized to say, “I might not have married the greatest man, but I’m raising him”, and how common it is to say, “I had him first”, wanting him to “choose you first”. Honestly, that is toxic af. Why is that being normalized nowadays? Why is every other “boy mom” doing it?
Rowen Chambers delivers a taut, emotionally charged psychological thriller that explores the seductive allure of a perfect life—and the chilling reality that may lie beneath it. Behind Closed Doors is a masterclass in slow-burning suspense, where glamour and danger intertwine in a haunting portrait of control, obsession, and the fragility of trust.
The story follows a young waitress swept into a whirlwind romance with the enigmatic Evan Sinclair. At first, his charm and generosity seem like a dream come true. But as the relationship deepens, so does the unease. Chambers deftly captures the subtle erosion of autonomy, the quiet manipulation, and the creeping dread that builds with every page. Evan’s refusal to speak of his past becomes a sinister thread that unravels the illusion of safety.
What makes this novel so compelling is its psychological depth. The protagonist’s internal struggle—between gratitude and fear, love and self-preservation—is rendered with raw honesty. Chambers doesn’t rely on shock tactics; instead, the tension simmers, making the final revelations all the more devastating.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Kaira Rouda, Behind Closed Doors is a gripping exploration of what happens when love turns toxic and escape feels impossible. It’s a reminder that the most dangerous threats often wear the most charming masks.
With thanks to Rowen Chambers, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 She thought he was the man of her dreams. He may be her worst nightmare. Evan Sinclair is confident, charming, and seemingly perfect. When he asks a diner waitress out, she can’t believe her luck. He sweeps her into a life of luxury, excitement, and desire — everything she’s ever wanted. But the deeper she falls, the darker things become. Evan’s love comes with rules she didn’t agree to and a control she can’t escape. His past is a mystery, and his temper flares when questioned. What started as a dream could turn into a trap, and she’s not sure she’ll get out in time. 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 moments that had me rolling my eyes and even talking back to the book because the FMC could be so frustrating. The constant reminders about how “poor” she was got a little repetitive too, I definitely felt like, okay, I got the point. That being said, the writing is super easy to read, and the short chapters made it hard to put down. The pacing kept me interested, and some of the situations felt very realistic. I also loved that a few of the twists managed to surprise me. All in all, a solid domestic thriller that kept me reading late into the night and has me curious to check out more from this author.
Thank you @NetGalley and @JoffeBooks for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Behind Closed Doors by Rowen Chambers was a great emotional psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the very beginning till the very end. This was a book I binged read in a day and was very entertaining.
Grace is a waitress at a diner and down on her luck, and whilst serving food she meets someone called Evan Sinclair he was a customer but he was everything she looked in a man, he was confident, charming, and well-dressed, Grace could only dream of dating someone like him......But when he asked her out, she couldn’t believe her luck especially as she is only a waitress at a diner.
Evan swept her off her feet, offering Grace everything and a life she could never imagined, He lived in a luxurious apartment, he bought her new clothes, and it was a world beyond her wildest dreams. Now, for the first time in years, Grace was finally happy.
But, as time goes by Evan starts to show his true colours and he wasn't the person who she fell in love with.
Evan will not talk about his past. His temper flares if she even ask about it. Then, Grace find's out the reason why, she starts to wonder if she has made a terrible mistake. But, there is no way out of this relationship.
Will Grace get out of this relationship before it is too late!?
A great holiday quick read that will pull you in from the very beginning till the very end.
Behind Closed Doors by Rowen Chambers is an enthralling, suspenseful read that delves deep into the complexities of love and control. The story follows the journey of a waitress, whose dreams seem to come true when the charming Evan Sinclair enters her life, offering her luxury and a taste of a world she had only imagined. However, as their relationship progresses, the glittering facade begins to crack, revealing a darker reality filled with unspoken rules and simmering danger.
Chambers masterfully captures the intoxicating highs and chilling lows of romantic entanglement, immersing readers in the protagonist's internal struggle as she grapples with her newfound reality and Evan's enigmatic past. The pacing is taut, with a mounting sense of dread that keeps you turning pages, eager to uncover the truth behind Evan's charm.
This novel serves as a gripping reminder that sometimes, the person who seems like a dream come true can quickly become a nightmare. With its well-crafted characters and a compelling narrative, "Behind Closed Doors" is a thrilling exploration of love, ambition, and the fight to reclaim one's identity. Perfect for fans of psychological drama and romantic thrillers, this book will leave you questioning the true cost of happiness.
A psychological thriller with a lot of gaslighting and a helluva twist!
The story starts with our main character, Grace, pleading for her life as a knife wielding attacker causes her to inch backwards to the edge of the roof and a death drop. Fast rewind, and Grace is serving in the diner and is exhausted. She has crippling health care debts, an ongoing debilitating health problem, no money, and no prospects. What she does have is friends who care and have her back! Her best friend Jenna also rents her a room and loans her clothes and is not too demanding of the rent. Her boss Martin treats Jenna and Grace fairly and is very lenient if Grace needs time off for her recurring headaches. All this changes when she serves the well-dressed and attractive Evan Sinclair. He quickly captures Grace with his charm and wealth, but the gaslighting soon begins. Jenna and Martin both tried to advise her that there was something wrong and that Evan was gradually controlling her, but Grace is blinded by his money and lifestyle. A shocking story gradually unfolds as Grace digs into Evans past, and a sting in the tail will leave the reader stunned!
Behind closed doors A very good read with surprising climax. A young woman, down on her luck and barely making ends meet, I'd found very attractive by a customer at the diner where she works. He is very rich and pursues her. At first, she rejects him but eventually succumbs and goes on dates with him. He introduces her to a completely different environment. So far, it's a homage to George Bernard Shaw's Pymalion, but from there, it gets a lot darker when he will tell her very little of his background and life before he met her. It becomes a fast-moving psychological thriller, with coercive control to the fore. This book is written in the first person, and with a linear timeline that I found refreshing. It has some very interesting characters, and the whole thing comes over as utterly believable - it could actually have happened. It's quite short, and some might like to read it in one sitting, I wish I'd been able to do so.
After years of struggling, I never expected someone like Evan Sinclair to walk into my life. Confident, charming, and well-dressed, I couldn't believe it when he asked me - a waitress at a diner - to go out with him. He swept me off my feet, offering me a life I never imagined - a luxurious apartment, new clothes, a world behind my wildest dreams. For the first time in years, I thought I was finally happy. But as our relationship deepens, things start to change.
This is a quick and easy book to read. It's told from Grace's perspective. Grace was struggling to make ends meet. She works in a diner where she meets a rich customer who asks her out on a date.
The pace is fast. There are some good twists. I was kept guessing and the characters are well-developed.
Published 11th September 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #JoffeBooks and the author #RowenChambers for my ARC of #BehindClosedDoors in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. Unfortunately I think the ‘damsel in distress/man comes to save her but isn’t nice’ trope is very overdone.
I found myself shocked at the plot twist which is really good because I’m usually one to guess the twists so bonus points for that! I also really liked the prologue, it was immediately intense and threw you right in. I just wish it had stayed consistent throughout.
I’ll definitely read more from this author as I liked their writing style. I just think it’s the overdone storyline that bothered me and the ending just felt a bit flat.
This book will definitely be a hit with people because it’s fast paced and a quick read.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed a fast paced, quick read.
The writing style is easy to read and fast-paced. I found myself finishing it in a day. This was definitely a psychological thriller and though I was interested in finding out the ending, I didn't feel invested in the characters. The FMC, Grace, felt immature for someone who was 28 years old. Although I could see some of her internal struggles with her situation and relationship with the MMC, Evan, her behavior didn't feel consistent with someone who had been on their own trying to survive. The MMC's behavior at the end was also inconsistent with how his character was written throughout the entire book. I was able to predict the twist but not the ending. The ending left me a bit unsatisfied.
This is my first book by Rowen and I cannot wait to read more by her. I liked how the story unfolded and it kept me hooked the whole way through. The characters were all believable and I was unsure of Evan right from the start. I felt as though I did not know who to trust and both Evan and his mother Vivian were both suspicious in my eyes. I could not predict what the outcome would be and the twist near the end made me gasp out loud. It was mysterious, suspenseful and slightly eerie to read. It was an easy read that you won't want to put down. It was a fantastic thriller that will make you want to read more by Rowen. I cannot wait to read more of her books now.
Behind Closed Doors by Rowen Chambers 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 Infatuation! Brainwashing and gas lighting Would you trust your boyfriend of 3 weeks, over your friend of 20+years Who knows you best? Who looks out for you the most?
Grace is swept off her feet by Evan. They are complete opposites in life. Grace scrimps watching every penny, whilst Evan has more money than he knows what to do with. Can they make it work?
Graces friend has doubts and starts questioning Evans intentions. What follows is a grippy story! The final twist.......I knew it was the person involved, but not the reason.
Loved the premise of this one. A domestic thriller is always a favourite and this one does justice. The chill and creep vibes are on point and the characters and supporting characters are well written.
The writing style is easy to consume and the quick chapters make it engrossing. It is also quite well paced. I also liked how some of the sections seemed very realistic. And the book did manage to keep me guessing on some of the twists. Definitely recommend.
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
This book has red flags all over it!! The lesson, be careful who you trust. You can think you know someone, and be completely wrong. Grace thought she had met the man of her dreams in Evan. But as things progress and time moves on, she is quickly figuring out that he may not be whom he portrays himself to be. The characters are relatable, and the plot was realistic. Overall, I LOVED this book and will be recommending it to my book club friends!
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for a great way to spend a day reading Behind Closed Doors. CRAZY READ!!!! Young type of writing but fast reading, Grace was sooooooo immature but it kept me soooooooo interested. I Love books like this that are so ridiculous but grab you and you can’t put it down. I was surprised at the ending, that twist I did NOT see coming. Thanks again and remember date someone awhile before you get engaged.
When Grace met Evan at the diner where she worked, she thought she was so lucky. He was rich, handsome and wanted nothing better than to look after her and spoil her for the rest of her life. Her friends were worried things were happening too quickly but Grace was sure she knew what she was doing, but it was not long before she had doubts but she just kept brushing them away. I was gripped by this book and didn't see the end coming.
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it! I absolutely loved this book and I am so excited that I discovered this author. I really could not put it down and enjoyed the characters and the twists. I also liked how the author did not have to use a bunch of bad language which is a plus for me. I cannot wait to start another book by this author. I highly recommend
This book started strong but then meandered all over the place. Rowen Chambers is an absolute favorite author of mine. I have read everything she's written so it pains me to say that this story left me feeling bewildered and annoyed. The protagonist seemed one dimensional and the plot was pretty boring. Then there was that ending. Really? No decent human being is going to turn a blind eye and think to themselves "not my problem"
This is the first book I have read by Rowen Chambers. It was an easy read. I could not put it down and read it in 2 days. The intial story line feels like a fairy Tale. A rich handsome man meets a struggling waitress and proceeds to woo her and save her from her meagre life. Later on in the book the story turns to a darker place with an unpredictable twist at the end. A good holiday read to put in your case
2.75 rounded up. This book was like a Lifetime movie in worst way. Predictability, dramatic friendship fallout, cheesy/awkward back and forth dialogue, and the main character blatantly ignoring all of the multiple red flags right in front of her face. I predicted the twist, and the ending felt very abrupt, far fetched, and incomplete. Overall it felt slower and was just very very predictable. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.
Behind Closed Doors by Rowen Chambers. Slow moving domestic drama. Grace's narratives were repetitive and her actions were immature. Didn't care for either Evan or his mother. The ending did not provide closure.
Thank you to the author, Joffe Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
This was a good book although I didn’t love it, mainly because I found a lot of the conversations a little repetitive. However, the story is a good one and I raced through it. This is the first book I’ve read by Rowen Chambers and I will definitely seek out more books by this author.
I guess I’m one of those super annoying people that can’t stand seeing typos and sentences that don’t make sense. There was a lot more in this book than I have read anyyyywhere else. The story was decent but got a little repetitive just the same issues every chapter over and over again.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS BY ROWEN CHAMBERS. Release date set for the 4th of September 2025. This is my 2nd book by this author. I love there writing style and storyline is so addictive. Love the cover. Looking forward to picking up another book
This is an age-old story: Poor girl meets rich guy. Rich guy sweeps her off her feet. Then Rich guy starts to show his true colors and poor girl wonders what she got herself into. The ending is different in this story. One I was not expecting. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
This was a very easy and enjoyable read which I whizzed through. The only thing that let it down was that the main twist was really obvious and the ending was abit abrupt. But the epilogue was really clever and I just love Rowen’s style of writing so much, I can’t wait for her next book!