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Nerve Damage: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26A riotous revenge novel about a woman’s quest to escape her stalker ex-boyfriend—by stalking him herself.
Clarice’s breakup with P.T. began the usual way—she discovered he was cheating. Then came the constant texts, the nonstop emails from burner accounts, hundreds of phone calls from dozens of different numbers. He showed up outside her house and her office. He sent her flowers and poems, and, perhaps most sinister of all, a link to the music video for Dido's “White Flag.” Relief only arrived when Clarice finally obtained a restraining order and one-way ticket from New York to L.A.
Just as the restraining order expires—and three years to the day since she left him—Clarice spots a man who looks suspiciously like P.T. at a nightclub. Could it be him? Her best friend thinks she’s imagining things. Her therapist wants her to focus on healing her inner child. Her mother is busy planning her wedding to her fourth husband. A psychic medium can only reveal that P.T.’s energy is too volatile to locate on the spiritual plane. As painful memories resurface, Clarice is convinced her ex has returned to ruin her life. . . But with scant evidence to prove it, she takes increasingly unhinged steps to uncover the truth, ultimately leading to a place where paranoia and reality begin to blur.
A profane and poignant debut novel, Nerve Damage is a different kind of survivor narrative, about how far one woman will go to wrest back control of her life in a world determined to send her spiraling.
Clarice’s breakup with P.T. began the usual way—she discovered he was cheating. Then came the constant texts, the nonstop emails from burner accounts, hundreds of phone calls from dozens of different numbers. He showed up outside her house and her office. He sent her flowers and poems, and, perhaps most sinister of all, a link to the music video for Dido's “White Flag.” Relief only arrived when Clarice finally obtained a restraining order and one-way ticket from New York to L.A.
Just as the restraining order expires—and three years to the day since she left him—Clarice spots a man who looks suspiciously like P.T. at a nightclub. Could it be him? Her best friend thinks she’s imagining things. Her therapist wants her to focus on healing her inner child. Her mother is busy planning her wedding to her fourth husband. A psychic medium can only reveal that P.T.’s energy is too volatile to locate on the spiritual plane. As painful memories resurface, Clarice is convinced her ex has returned to ruin her life. . . But with scant evidence to prove it, she takes increasingly unhinged steps to uncover the truth, ultimately leading to a place where paranoia and reality begin to blur.
A profane and poignant debut novel, Nerve Damage is a different kind of survivor narrative, about how far one woman will go to wrest back control of her life in a world determined to send her spiraling.
240 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 12, 2026
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 5, 2025
"So much of love is whatever horrible shit only the two of you know."
What happens when crazy meets someone even crazier?
Phew! This was f**king wild!
The thing that caught my eye was obviously the cover. Then the synopsis hit me. There was no way that I could turn my back on something like this and I'm glad that I didn't because this was insane in the best way possible.
What we have here is something I've never seen before. The stalked becomes the stalker. Let me tell you, this was one hell of a wild ride. I was glued to these pages and could not put this down. I was in disbelief as I kept reading. Maybe cringed a little bit. Clarice had me screaming obscenities as more of her story unfolded. Even after finishing, I sat there stunned. I may still be sitting here with wide-eyes thinking about this story.
'Nerve Damage' is a must read. I love a good unhinged woman and Clarice is just that. Her decent into becoming more and more unhinged as the story progressed was a masterpiece. I'm ready to read it again. Don't sleep on this book or Clarice will get you!
What happens when crazy meets someone even crazier?
Phew! This was f**king wild!
The thing that caught my eye was obviously the cover. Then the synopsis hit me. There was no way that I could turn my back on something like this and I'm glad that I didn't because this was insane in the best way possible.
What we have here is something I've never seen before. The stalked becomes the stalker. Let me tell you, this was one hell of a wild ride. I was glued to these pages and could not put this down. I was in disbelief as I kept reading. Maybe cringed a little bit. Clarice had me screaming obscenities as more of her story unfolded. Even after finishing, I sat there stunned. I may still be sitting here with wide-eyes thinking about this story.
'Nerve Damage' is a must read. I love a good unhinged woman and Clarice is just that. Her decent into becoming more and more unhinged as the story progressed was a masterpiece. I'm ready to read it again. Don't sleep on this book or Clarice will get you!
December 18, 2025
DAMN.
I am so thankful to Annakeara Stinson, aaknopf books, and NetGalley for granting me advanced access to this spiraler of a book before it hits shelves on May 12, 2026.
Unfortunately, Clarice is living a hell so many of us have felt, utter delusion following the messy breakup and further harassment from her ex-lover turned stalker. After multiple restraining orders and protective rulings, she thinks she spies him at a concert venue across the country, thus sending her into a state of delusion that has her risking her life and the safety of those in her space to uncover the truth.
Stinson unveils the years of generational trauma Clarice underwent throughout her youth, leading her to the present day, where her expectations of love set a low bar. Sad but true, this is so real and felt by many, and I felt this was a very accurate description.
I am so thankful to Annakeara Stinson, aaknopf books, and NetGalley for granting me advanced access to this spiraler of a book before it hits shelves on May 12, 2026.
Unfortunately, Clarice is living a hell so many of us have felt, utter delusion following the messy breakup and further harassment from her ex-lover turned stalker. After multiple restraining orders and protective rulings, she thinks she spies him at a concert venue across the country, thus sending her into a state of delusion that has her risking her life and the safety of those in her space to uncover the truth.
Stinson unveils the years of generational trauma Clarice underwent throughout her youth, leading her to the present day, where her expectations of love set a low bar. Sad but true, this is so real and felt by many, and I felt this was a very accurate description.
November 6, 2025
Unique, strange, and addicting - I couldn’t out this book down. Flipping the tables on an obsessive stalker ex, Clarice is an epic main character. It was fascinating to see her becoming more unhinged as the book goes on. I was becoming as paranoid as she was and really felt like I was inside her brain. This is a must read for women. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first e-arc :') many thanks to the publisher.
"So much of love is whatever horrible shit only the two of you know. You mistake that for loyalty, living through what you don’t want. Enduring is the work."
Whew, this one hit me where it hurts. If you have ever been abused, stalked, or harassed, this is going to feel so real.
What really struck me about this book is the nuances of the relationship between a man and the woman who fears him. Women are often raised to be afraid of men in a variety of ways, and those fears are rendered entirely legitimate over and over, literally driving some of us to madness.
I really recommend this, if anything for its dark humor, but also for its hard-hitting truths about relationships and the terror of a toxic ex.
"So much of love is whatever horrible shit only the two of you know. You mistake that for loyalty, living through what you don’t want. Enduring is the work."
Whew, this one hit me where it hurts. If you have ever been abused, stalked, or harassed, this is going to feel so real.
What really struck me about this book is the nuances of the relationship between a man and the woman who fears him. Women are often raised to be afraid of men in a variety of ways, and those fears are rendered entirely legitimate over and over, literally driving some of us to madness.
I really recommend this, if anything for its dark humor, but also for its hard-hitting truths about relationships and the terror of a toxic ex.
December 28, 2025
If you enjoy the fast pace of a thriller, but want something more emotionally/psychologically driven, you’ll want to add Nerve Damage to your tbr right now! Seriously, add it.
Clarice is attempting to heal: from her absent father, parade of unhealthy men her mother brought into her adolescence, and most pressingly, her last relationship . Having moved across the country to avoid her ex-boyfriend, PT - whose harassment escalated to the point of requiring a protective order - Clarice has been able to focus on therapy, friendships, and her remote job. But when the two-year protective order expires and she thinks she spots PT at a local bar on the West Coast, she understandably panics. Rather than waiting to be found, Clarice becomes consumed with locating PT first, setting the novel’s tense tone and quick pace. As a reader, I felt second-hand anxiety driving me to keep reading until I also had the answers Clarice was searching for!
Clarice is a deeply developed FMC and will be (unfortunately) relatable to many women, in some capacity. Stinson skillfully provides just enough background to understand Clarice more fully without slowing down the current day plot line.
I greatly appreciated the portrayal of a woman actively engaging in therapy, genuinely trying to process her trauma in a healthy way, though I fully empathized with (and maybeee even rooted for) her more unhinged moments. The depiction of the protective order process was also powerful; it depicted how bureaucratic, drawn out, and retraumatizing seeking protection through our judicial system can be.
Know going in that there are some really heavy themes (harassment, stalking, SA, addiction/ACOA, etc.) and take care of yourself if needed while reading. But Nerve Damage is a must read in my book!
Clarice is attempting to heal: from her absent father, parade of unhealthy men her mother brought into her adolescence, and most pressingly, her last relationship . Having moved across the country to avoid her ex-boyfriend, PT - whose harassment escalated to the point of requiring a protective order - Clarice has been able to focus on therapy, friendships, and her remote job. But when the two-year protective order expires and she thinks she spots PT at a local bar on the West Coast, she understandably panics. Rather than waiting to be found, Clarice becomes consumed with locating PT first, setting the novel’s tense tone and quick pace. As a reader, I felt second-hand anxiety driving me to keep reading until I also had the answers Clarice was searching for!
Clarice is a deeply developed FMC and will be (unfortunately) relatable to many women, in some capacity. Stinson skillfully provides just enough background to understand Clarice more fully without slowing down the current day plot line.
I greatly appreciated the portrayal of a woman actively engaging in therapy, genuinely trying to process her trauma in a healthy way, though I fully empathized with (and maybeee even rooted for) her more unhinged moments. The depiction of the protective order process was also powerful; it depicted how bureaucratic, drawn out, and retraumatizing seeking protection through our judicial system can be.
Know going in that there are some really heavy themes (harassment, stalking, SA, addiction/ACOA, etc.) and take care of yourself if needed while reading. But Nerve Damage is a must read in my book!
December 20, 2025
Nerve Damage by Annakeara Stinson follows Clarice after she thinks she spots her ex-boyfriend (former stalker) on one of her outings. This encounter marks the beginning of her descent into paranoia, as the effects of trauma intertwine with a dive into her past and formative years, painting a complex understanding of her psyche. Paranoia emerges as the thematic core, underscoring how her perception is warped by fear, leaving the reader to question reality alongside her.
Overall, the story had me gripped by the role reversal of the stalker becoming the stalked victim, as we witness the extremes Clarice goes to to get answers about P.T. after their suspected encounter. This exploration into paranoia deepens the discomfort, striking a chord that resonates with anyone who might have faced similar unsettling experiences. It was compelling to try to rationalize her actions initially, only to find myself screaming, 'holy shit, girl, what are you doing?!'
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read about a character doing the most out-of-pocket actions in pursuit of understanding.
Overall, the story had me gripped by the role reversal of the stalker becoming the stalked victim, as we witness the extremes Clarice goes to to get answers about P.T. after their suspected encounter. This exploration into paranoia deepens the discomfort, striking a chord that resonates with anyone who might have faced similar unsettling experiences. It was compelling to try to rationalize her actions initially, only to find myself screaming, 'holy shit, girl, what are you doing?!'
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read about a character doing the most out-of-pocket actions in pursuit of understanding.
December 21, 2025
Nerve Damage by Annakeara Stinson. Thanks to @knopf for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clarice’s restraining order on her ex has just expired and she thinks she’s seen him even though she now lives on the opposite coast of the US. Trying to figure out if it’s him, she begins stalking her stalker.
I thought this was going to be a thriller, but I read it more as a literary fiction, which was actually a nice surprise. It really makes you think as you live with Clarice and the aftermath of the experience. This is a good reflection on the emotional damage harassment can cause ; as some may question the harm when there was no violence or physical abuse. I liked how her family history came into play as well.
“You don’t realize how free you are just walking around living life until you aren’t anymore, until you’re always expecting something.”
Read if you like:
-Stalking tropes
-Survivor narratives
-Mental health fiction
Nerve Damage comes out 5/12.
Clarice’s restraining order on her ex has just expired and she thinks she’s seen him even though she now lives on the opposite coast of the US. Trying to figure out if it’s him, she begins stalking her stalker.
I thought this was going to be a thriller, but I read it more as a literary fiction, which was actually a nice surprise. It really makes you think as you live with Clarice and the aftermath of the experience. This is a good reflection on the emotional damage harassment can cause ; as some may question the harm when there was no violence or physical abuse. I liked how her family history came into play as well.
“You don’t realize how free you are just walking around living life until you aren’t anymore, until you’re always expecting something.”
Read if you like:
-Stalking tropes
-Survivor narratives
-Mental health fiction
Nerve Damage comes out 5/12.
November 21, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for the ebook. Clarice is irrationally in love with P.T., even though it feels so unhealthy. When he cheats on her, she finally leaves him. Then P.T. seems to have a manic period where he’s constantly emailing, calling and texting Clarice until see has to get a restraining order. Three years later, Clarice lives in LA, but is still dealing with the wounds of that relationship, alone and petrified to even think about dating. Her best friend drags her out to a bar and she’s shocked to see P.T. at the bar, flirting with a bartender. She flees, but did she really see him? So now Clarice is forced to make sure. It’s not lost on her that she’s now stalking her stalker. Somehow the author makes this story hilarious and harrowing.
December 17, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"You don't realize how free you are just walking around living life until you aren't anymore, until you're always expecting something."
Annakeara Stinson's debut novel is bold, captivating, and at times darkly funny. What starts as a harrowing recount of obsessive harassment and stalking evolves into an unpredictable psychological journey as the main character confronts her past. The story is sharp, propulsive, and I didn't want it to end. I wish I had a million books like this one waiting on my shelf, and I hope Annakeara Stinson plans to write many more novels, because I will absolutely be reading them.
"You don't realize how free you are just walking around living life until you aren't anymore, until you're always expecting something."
Annakeara Stinson's debut novel is bold, captivating, and at times darkly funny. What starts as a harrowing recount of obsessive harassment and stalking evolves into an unpredictable psychological journey as the main character confronts her past. The story is sharp, propulsive, and I didn't want it to end. I wish I had a million books like this one waiting on my shelf, and I hope Annakeara Stinson plans to write many more novels, because I will absolutely be reading them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a masterful story about processing through the aftermath of a destructive relationship. I am in awe at how the author was able to deliver this narrative so thoughtfully and comprehensively. This is not a revenge comedy, it is a true survivor story that portrays every part of the main character’s life gently but with unflinching honesty.
Thank you to Knopf and Net Galley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Knopf and Net Galley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews