Possession: Olivia's Trap: A Dark Psychological Romance of Obsession, Control & Surrender

by Vicky Zander, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

He thought he was free. She taught him what freedom really costs.
Ethan was supposed to move on.
After Olivia vanished without a word, he tried to rebuild, new apartment, new rules, new silence. But when a mysterious invitation appears, leading him back into a seductive web of dominance and deceit, he realizes he never truly left her game. Or her grip.
In a world ruled by unspoken contracts and whispered power, Ethan finds himself pulled between two Olivia, the ghost who broke him and Eve, the enigmatic woman determined to claim what remains.
But in this game, there are no winners, only those who surrender.
Dark, addictive and twistedly elegant, Olivia’s Trap is a psychological slow-burn thriller that explores the limits of control, identity and desire. Perfect for fans of Verity, You and Gone Girl, with a hypnotic edge all its own.
Read at your own risk. You might not come back the same.
Desire is dangerous. Control is addictive. Nothing is what it seems.

Tropes You’ll A seemingly perfect girl hiding dark secretsObsession that twists trust into dangerous devotionPower games where predator and prey constantly shiftForbidden desire that thrives on secrecy and surrenderA haunting ex-lover who knows too muchFriends vs. isolation, found family clashing with controlForbidden desire that blurs every boundaryRivals who become dangerously entangledA descent into shadows where innocence can’t surviveSymbolic tokens of collars, contracts, blindfoldsA psychological descent where love and control become indistinguishable

Audible Audio

Published August 10, 2025

Reviews

[May Oktan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Possession: Olivia’s Trap with that unsettled feeling that usually means a book did its job. The psychological tension is the book’s strongest element. Rather than relying on constant twists, the story builds through atmosphere, repetition, and subtle shifts in power that slowly tighten around Ethan and the reader alike.

The dynamic between Olivia, Eve, and Ethan is compelling, though not always easy to sit with. I appreciated how control and vulnerability are constantly blurred, making it hard to fully trust anyone. That said, one aspect I did not fully connect with was the writing style. The frequent use of short sentences and abrupt cuts sometimes disrupted the flow for me, especially in emotionally intense scenes where I wanted more continuity and depth. While this style may be intentional, it occasionally pulled me out of the moment instead of drawing me in.

The pacing also leans toward a slow burn, and parts of the middle dragged slightly. Still, the unease never fully disappeared. This is a dark, psychologically driven book that prioritizes control and identity over romance, and it will not suit every reader. Despite my reservations, it remained immersive and memorable, earning a solid four stars.

[Shuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possession: Olivia’s Trap is a slow-burn psychological thriller that pulls you in with its heavy atmosphere and never lets go. Ethan’s struggle to escape Olivia’s shadow—and the seductive trap she left behind—sets the stage for a haunting exploration of obsession, power, and the fragile line between love and control. When Eve enters the picture, the tension sharpens, and suddenly Ethan is caught between two forces that blur desire with danger. This book has a hypnotic pacing. While some moments move slowly, the psychological undercurrents keep the story taut, leaving you second-guessing every character’s true motive. The writing has a deliberate elegance that makes the darker themes feel even more unsettling, and the symbolic touches—contracts, blindfolds, whispered bargains—add to the sense that nothing is ever what it seems. For readers who enjoyed Gone Girl, You, or Verity, this story offers a similarly addictive descent into the murky spaces where devotion becomes obsession and freedom comes at a cost. It’s disturbing, addictive, and impossible to shake off—a thriller that lingers long after the final page.

[Ailsa Mellor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this given the blurb but I was disappointed, having started off so promisingly. While the opening chapter is strong and compelled me to read on, the story didn’t flow as I’d hoped. Many of the sentences seemed clipped and without feeling and to this end, I couldn’t connect with either the protagonist, Ethan, or the antagonist, Olivia. The characterisation seemed very surface level and doesn’t encourage empathy or investment in the outcome—at least for me. While the premise is interesting, the human touch is missing. As much as I wanted to, I did not care to escape into Ethan and Olivia’s entangled world nor lose myself in their story. Maybe it will work for someone else. It just didn’t work for me.

[Gina DelGaudio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for my review from Voracious Readers, these thoughts are my own.


Not my usual type of book, but it seemed interesting so I figured why not. I couldn't put it down, but I also have no idea what I read. I felt like I was watching a play, suggestions of scenes, but I was never 100% sure what was going on fully.