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Nerve Damage
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Expected 12 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
20 days and 05:11:14
15 copies available
U.S. only
A 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 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!
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 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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so good, covering hard topics (trauma, stalking, isolation) in a way that is somehow profound and funny, relatable and revelatory all at once. I felt like I knew the protagonist and cared about her right away, so that as she stumbles and makes mistakes and navigates her life and fear I was fully invested in understanding what led her to this place and how she would find her way out again. I laughed out loud (which rarely happens, even in books marked for humor) and also re-read passages to drink in the language and ideas. I was in a reading rut before I picked this up, struggling through a handful of well-written books tackling big concepts but that were hard to pick up and easy to put down. This was the opposite. I tore through this and had a hard time putting it down at night because I wanted so much to know what happened and spend time with these characters. Readable and exciting, different, fun and moving. What more can you ask for?
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.
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.
April 4, 2026
this feels very trippy like Bunny/Saltburn
March 20, 2026
I really savored this one because the writing of how someone with a traumatic past sees love - made for beautiful liners.
“We don’t love these guys despite them being assholes, I’ll tell her. We love them because they’re assholes! These are the subtle power of self-hatred.”
“I’ve only recently begun to suspect that love and struggle are not necessarily one enterprise.”
“The reason you are the unfortunate way you are, it’s got to be transgenerational stress inheritance.”
What happens when you are on fight or flight mode since the beginning? Since you were a child. You were shown love you don’t see on TVs. Your innocence taken and you’re pushed into adulthood faster than you can say stop. So you keep pushing through, pushing the bad memories down. Down so deep. Where ultimately, you don’t know if you can believe your eyes or your mind. You had to learn to make your reality a different scenario to make it through. To survive it. Your paranoia then becomes your closest ally. Your friend in survival.
“We don’t love these guys despite them being assholes, I’ll tell her. We love them because they’re assholes! These are the subtle power of self-hatred.”
“I’ve only recently begun to suspect that love and struggle are not necessarily one enterprise.”
“The reason you are the unfortunate way you are, it’s got to be transgenerational stress inheritance.”
What happens when you are on fight or flight mode since the beginning? Since you were a child. You were shown love you don’t see on TVs. Your innocence taken and you’re pushed into adulthood faster than you can say stop. So you keep pushing through, pushing the bad memories down. Down so deep. Where ultimately, you don’t know if you can believe your eyes or your mind. You had to learn to make your reality a different scenario to make it through. To survive it. Your paranoia then becomes your closest ally. Your friend in survival.
April 20, 2026
This story was suspenseful, yet trippy... and a super quick read! My only qualm was I didn't 'love' the ending, but I could appreciate the purpose of it and why the author took the characters in that particular direction. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
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!
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.
April 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Knopf for giving me access to this eARC!
The stalked becomes the stalker. I was biting my nails during parts of this book, oh my god! I’d say Nerve Damage is definitely for the weird girl lit lovers.
Just one month after the restraining order is up, while at a bar with friends for a Halloween celebration, Clarice believes she sees her ex boyfriend, turned stalker. It’s been three years since she last saw P.T., but the possible sight of him that night makes it clear that she is still struggling with the trauma of her past. Becoming increasingly paranoid, anxious, and fearful that her abuser could be lurking at any turn, she begins obsessively searching for clues that may lead to knowing the truth. Is he really tormenting her again or just a figment of her traumatized imagination, and just how far is she willing to go to find out?
This book gives such a closeup look at the psychological and physical toll of PTSD, fear, and paranoia. Being inside Clarice’s head as she recounts not only her relationship with P.T. and the stalking, but also the childhood abuse she endured that led her to being with someone like him all feels incredibly real. I think Nerve Damage is a story that many women could relate to in one way or another (with that being said, keep any trigger in mind). I liked the dark humor, the chilling descent, and was hooked by the unhinged nature of this book. I recommend if you like thrilling psychological stories with messy, flawed protagonists!
The stalked becomes the stalker. I was biting my nails during parts of this book, oh my god! I’d say Nerve Damage is definitely for the weird girl lit lovers.
Just one month after the restraining order is up, while at a bar with friends for a Halloween celebration, Clarice believes she sees her ex boyfriend, turned stalker. It’s been three years since she last saw P.T., but the possible sight of him that night makes it clear that she is still struggling with the trauma of her past. Becoming increasingly paranoid, anxious, and fearful that her abuser could be lurking at any turn, she begins obsessively searching for clues that may lead to knowing the truth. Is he really tormenting her again or just a figment of her traumatized imagination, and just how far is she willing to go to find out?
This book gives such a closeup look at the psychological and physical toll of PTSD, fear, and paranoia. Being inside Clarice’s head as she recounts not only her relationship with P.T. and the stalking, but also the childhood abuse she endured that led her to being with someone like him all feels incredibly real. I think Nerve Damage is a story that many women could relate to in one way or another (with that being said, keep any trigger in mind). I liked the dark humor, the chilling descent, and was hooked by the unhinged nature of this book. I recommend if you like thrilling psychological stories with messy, flawed protagonists!
Want to Read
March 19, 20262026 is all about matching energies. Even if it's an ex-boyfriend's stalking problem. Let's stalk back.
excited to read this
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
excited to read this
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Even when we start over sometimes the demons follow, you know? That's just my take after reading this story. Thank you Netgally for this earc.
Nerve Damage takes readers into the life of Clarice a few years after she's ended a toxic relationship and has since moved to L.A. to start over. The story moves back and forth through time from the time of the breakup and the present day.
While out at a party with a friend she panics when she think s she spots her stalker, toxic ex-boyfriend. Telling those around her Clarice isn't sure if it's her mind playing tricks on her or their doubtful responses that makes her want to get proof that he's back to destroy her life.
I had some challenges with this story. The main one being that Clarice was told more often to let it go or that is was probably just her mind playing tricks on her rather than being believed right away. The doubt of it being her ex-boyfriend is palpable, but women in these kinds of situations shouldn't be told to distrust their guts. This particularly struck the wrong cord with me because so often the dismissal of these fears and suspicions lead to women being harmed or worse.
While Clarice never really became a character that I 100% liked, I understood her motives and the situation she was in. I also didn't find her behavior to be all that weird considering PT's past actions.
She's a character we can understand and empathize with. She comes from a toxic family history and carries around the weight of being devalued from the men and father figures in her life. And her love addicted mother has never had a positive relationship either.
So her realizing on her own that PT is dangerous and manipulative makes sense. For the life of me, I just did not understand who those around Clarice were so fixated on the fact that she was single and not sleeping with anyone since her break-up. I feel this ties into m y frustration with her inner circle not taking her concerns serious. If that was their way of trying to help her with her loneliness and depression I just was not a fan.
Spending time on her own was a good thing especially since that toxic relationship ended. It affected her mental health and with the toxic history she has with her family, in my eyes it makes sense. Sometimes perspective and distance are what prompt growth and healing.
As the story progressed and I learned more details of their relationship and what happened after I was invested in seeing how she got her revenge. There are a few surprises for readers who think they know how the story will play-out.
Overall, Nerve Damage paints a really strong image of a person's life after a toxic and traumatic relationship.
Nerve Damage takes readers into the life of Clarice a few years after she's ended a toxic relationship and has since moved to L.A. to start over. The story moves back and forth through time from the time of the breakup and the present day.
While out at a party with a friend she panics when she think s she spots her stalker, toxic ex-boyfriend. Telling those around her Clarice isn't sure if it's her mind playing tricks on her or their doubtful responses that makes her want to get proof that he's back to destroy her life.
I had some challenges with this story. The main one being that Clarice was told more often to let it go or that is was probably just her mind playing tricks on her rather than being believed right away. The doubt of it being her ex-boyfriend is palpable, but women in these kinds of situations shouldn't be told to distrust their guts. This particularly struck the wrong cord with me because so often the dismissal of these fears and suspicions lead to women being harmed or worse.
While Clarice never really became a character that I 100% liked, I understood her motives and the situation she was in. I also didn't find her behavior to be all that weird considering PT's past actions.
She's a character we can understand and empathize with. She comes from a toxic family history and carries around the weight of being devalued from the men and father figures in her life. And her love addicted mother has never had a positive relationship either.
So her realizing on her own that PT is dangerous and manipulative makes sense. For the life of me, I just did not understand who those around Clarice were so fixated on the fact that she was single and not sleeping with anyone since her break-up. I feel this ties into m y frustration with her inner circle not taking her concerns serious. If that was their way of trying to help her with her loneliness and depression I just was not a fan.
Spending time on her own was a good thing especially since that toxic relationship ended. It affected her mental health and with the toxic history she has with her family, in my eyes it makes sense. Sometimes perspective and distance are what prompt growth and healing.
As the story progressed and I learned more details of their relationship and what happened after I was invested in seeing how she got her revenge. There are a few surprises for readers who think they know how the story will play-out.
Overall, Nerve Damage paints a really strong image of a person's life after a toxic and traumatic relationship.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Nerve Damage may win the prize for the greatest whiplash I’ve ever felt in reading a book that I was positive I would never finish – and then ended up not being able to put down.
In the first pages I was inside a windowless black box listening to an all-male free jazz trio with a young and unhinged narrator on the day before Halloween. Her life is chaotic: her mother is getting married for the fourth time, her ex-boyfriend named P.T. may be stalking her once again and she’s verging on paranoia. And me? As a reader, I’m already searching for the exit door.
Then comes chapter 2. And suddenly, I can’t get this book out of my head. Because it’s fresh. Chilling. Profound. Excellently written. And impossible to believe it’s a debut book. Clarice (and yes, she was named after THAT Clarice, from Silence of the Lambs) is courageously honest, genuinely searching, and trying desperately to claw her way forward to confirm her own truth and reclaim her life.
Clarice and P.T. share a lustful sex life until she found out he cheated on her. She breaks it off and he begins stalking her. Dozens of emails a day. Lots of calls and texts to friends and acquaintances. Unwanted gifts. Even used Q-tips at her front door. She ends up getting a temporary restraining order but as soon as the order expires, he is back again at his old tricks. Clarice ends up fleeing across the country from N.Y. to L.A. where, a few years later, she believes she catches a glimpse of him.
The question that looms is, did she really? Or is she blurring her victim trauma with an unhealthy dose of PTSD? As she tries to figure out her own state of mind, she leaves the reader to wonder: who is the stalker now and who is the person being stalked? Her sessions with her therapist provide some insight into her state of mind, exposing decades of intergenerational trauma that have dulled her sense of knowing who to trust and how to love in a healthy way.
Through Clarice’s darkly comic and deeply unfiltered and sometimes absurd voice, we see how she struggles to cope with her escalating isolation and fears – and we root for her. Nerve Damage is an excellent and unique look into the effect of trauma on survivors, and I am most grateful to Knopf and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
In the first pages I was inside a windowless black box listening to an all-male free jazz trio with a young and unhinged narrator on the day before Halloween. Her life is chaotic: her mother is getting married for the fourth time, her ex-boyfriend named P.T. may be stalking her once again and she’s verging on paranoia. And me? As a reader, I’m already searching for the exit door.
Then comes chapter 2. And suddenly, I can’t get this book out of my head. Because it’s fresh. Chilling. Profound. Excellently written. And impossible to believe it’s a debut book. Clarice (and yes, she was named after THAT Clarice, from Silence of the Lambs) is courageously honest, genuinely searching, and trying desperately to claw her way forward to confirm her own truth and reclaim her life.
Clarice and P.T. share a lustful sex life until she found out he cheated on her. She breaks it off and he begins stalking her. Dozens of emails a day. Lots of calls and texts to friends and acquaintances. Unwanted gifts. Even used Q-tips at her front door. She ends up getting a temporary restraining order but as soon as the order expires, he is back again at his old tricks. Clarice ends up fleeing across the country from N.Y. to L.A. where, a few years later, she believes she catches a glimpse of him.
The question that looms is, did she really? Or is she blurring her victim trauma with an unhealthy dose of PTSD? As she tries to figure out her own state of mind, she leaves the reader to wonder: who is the stalker now and who is the person being stalked? Her sessions with her therapist provide some insight into her state of mind, exposing decades of intergenerational trauma that have dulled her sense of knowing who to trust and how to love in a healthy way.
Through Clarice’s darkly comic and deeply unfiltered and sometimes absurd voice, we see how she struggles to cope with her escalating isolation and fears – and we root for her. Nerve Damage is an excellent and unique look into the effect of trauma on survivors, and I am most grateful to Knopf and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I haven't read many books about characters with PTSD that talk about the paranoia that can come with it and Nerve Damage does a really good job of it. I know a woman who had to file a restraining order against someone and she suffers from the same kind of paranoia Clarice does. If he's obeying the order, it always feels like he's only doing it for now. The order is supposed to make you feel safe, and it does, but there is always a chance that he could decide to violate the order, so you never stop looking over your shoulder. And when the order expires? Anything could happen as far as paranoia is concerned. Clarice's fear and paranoia drive her to actually stalk a man who may or may not be her own stalker. She's putting herself in danger but can't stop herself because finding out if P.T. is in LA or not is the only way she can cope with the fear.
The book is written in first person, and the writing feels very much like we have been given permission to peek inside Clarice's head. It's a raw and honest look into her mind as she spirals further and further into her paranoia. But her past relationship with P.T. isn't her only trauma. Her parents weren't great when she was a kid and they didn't get much better as she aged. Her relationship (or lack thereof) with her father really struck a chord with me and I spent a day away from the book to think about my own father. I love when I connect with a character like that, even when it's because we both have shit dads.
Clarice feels so real and believable. There were some flashbacks to right before she initially filed the restraining order against P.T. that were really tough to read because I could feel her anxiety so acutely. This is the kind of book I will not forget.
Read if you like character driven stories in which the character is darkly funny and a bit messy.
Many thanks to Knopf for the ARC!
The book is written in first person, and the writing feels very much like we have been given permission to peek inside Clarice's head. It's a raw and honest look into her mind as she spirals further and further into her paranoia. But her past relationship with P.T. isn't her only trauma. Her parents weren't great when she was a kid and they didn't get much better as she aged. Her relationship (or lack thereof) with her father really struck a chord with me and I spent a day away from the book to think about my own father. I love when I connect with a character like that, even when it's because we both have shit dads.
Clarice feels so real and believable. There were some flashbacks to right before she initially filed the restraining order against P.T. that were really tough to read because I could feel her anxiety so acutely. This is the kind of book I will not forget.
Read if you like character driven stories in which the character is darkly funny and a bit messy.
Many thanks to Knopf for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"A riotous revenge novel about a woman’s quest to escape her stalker ex-boyfriend—by stalking him herself."
That description sold me in wanting to read this. I expected an unhinged and bonkers story of a stalkee becoming the stalker. How delicious does that sound?
That isn't at all what this novel is.
This is a story about Clarice who was stalked by her ex-boyfriend P.T. while living in NYC. It is now three years later and she's living in sunny LA with her bestfriend, Bunny. Imagine her surprise when she thinks she spots P.T. sitting at a bar she's also at. She's at a distance and at an angle making it impossible to see his face but she's sure it's him. It has to be. He's come back to finally destroy her.
The rest of the novel is Clarice thinking about P.T., searching for him online, and well ... that's about it.
This was the tamest of all stalking novels I have ever read. Mostly, this is a character study of a woman grappling with her (and her mother's) history of mistakes with men. Not bad at all, in fact, Stinson is an immensely talented writer, but the expectations promised were wildly different to what the reader actually gets.
This one could have been great if she had been willing to go deeper, darker, and set the stakes higher. For what this is, it's good, but not the great suspenseful stalker story I hoped for. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for my complimentary copy.
That description sold me in wanting to read this. I expected an unhinged and bonkers story of a stalkee becoming the stalker. How delicious does that sound?
That isn't at all what this novel is.
This is a story about Clarice who was stalked by her ex-boyfriend P.T. while living in NYC. It is now three years later and she's living in sunny LA with her bestfriend, Bunny. Imagine her surprise when she thinks she spots P.T. sitting at a bar she's also at. She's at a distance and at an angle making it impossible to see his face but she's sure it's him. It has to be. He's come back to finally destroy her.
The rest of the novel is Clarice thinking about P.T., searching for him online, and well ... that's about it.
This was the tamest of all stalking novels I have ever read. Mostly, this is a character study of a woman grappling with her (and her mother's) history of mistakes with men. Not bad at all, in fact, Stinson is an immensely talented writer, but the expectations promised were wildly different to what the reader actually gets.
This one could have been great if she had been willing to go deeper, darker, and set the stakes higher. For what this is, it's good, but not the great suspenseful stalker story I hoped for. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for my complimentary copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had a unique, almost off-kilter feel to it from the very beginning, and I’m always intrigued by an unreliable, slightly unhinged narrator, which this one definitely delivered on. The premise immediately pulled me in, a stalker turning the tables and stalking her stalker is such an intriguing setup, and I was curious to see how it would unfold.
There was also something slightly off in the storyline in a way that made it feel a bit quirky and unsettled, which I think was intentional. I did like how unhinged Clarice was as a main character, she definitely brought a chaotic energy to the story, but I never fully felt connected to her.
As I got further into the book, it didn’t quite deliver anything that felt especially new or surprising for me. I’ve read a number of psychological fiction novels with a similar tone and structure, so while the concept is strong, the execution didn’t fully stand out. I did enjoy learning more about Clarice’s backstory, which added some depth even when the overall plot felt a bit familiar.
Even though this wasn’t a particularly memorable read for me, I do think it’s an entertaining debut. There’s definitely potential in Stinson’s writing, and I’d be interested to see how her style evolves in future books, I’d likely pick up her next one out of curiosity alone.
Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion
There was also something slightly off in the storyline in a way that made it feel a bit quirky and unsettled, which I think was intentional. I did like how unhinged Clarice was as a main character, she definitely brought a chaotic energy to the story, but I never fully felt connected to her.
As I got further into the book, it didn’t quite deliver anything that felt especially new or surprising for me. I’ve read a number of psychological fiction novels with a similar tone and structure, so while the concept is strong, the execution didn’t fully stand out. I did enjoy learning more about Clarice’s backstory, which added some depth even when the overall plot felt a bit familiar.
Even though this wasn’t a particularly memorable read for me, I do think it’s an entertaining debut. There’s definitely potential in Stinson’s writing, and I’d be interested to see how her style evolves in future books, I’d likely pick up her next one out of curiosity alone.
Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After fleeing an emotionally abusive relationship, Clarice obtains a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, P.T.. She then leaves everyone she knows behind and moves from NYC to LA to start over all while keeping herself untraceable. P.T. had stalked Clarice relentlessly after their breakup and it’s clear she has intense trauma and paranoia because of it. When Clarice believes that she sees her ex at a bar in LA two months after the restraining order expires, she decides to find out everything she can about the guy she thinks in P.T., and her behavior escalates quickly.
There is a lot of exploration of abuse and really dives into the romanticizing of stalking and abuse of a romantic relationship. It also covers Clarice’s childhood trauma with her father, mother, and how others sexualized her as she grew up.
While I like what the novel had to say, I think it could have used more balance. I expected more plot based on the synopsis, but it was more inner turmoil. The parts felt uneven to me and the pacing could be smoothed out. The characters also felt flat to me – besides Clarice, her mother, and P.T.-- Damian, Bunny, and Roz were interchangeable, and I didn’t get too much of a sense of who they were (especially Bunny and Damian). I found that a bit odd as the opening scene had Bunny with Clarice at the bar. There were parts of the book where I completely forgot she existed. Some things felt too easy which was in juxtaposition with the core themes of the book: trauma is hard. Clarice goes on a first date with a guy who just happens to have previously been a private investigator. What are the chances? Too easy.
Anyways, 3 stars for me on this one and thank you, Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog, for the ARC E-book in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date May 12 2026
There is a lot of exploration of abuse and really dives into the romanticizing of stalking and abuse of a romantic relationship. It also covers Clarice’s childhood trauma with her father, mother, and how others sexualized her as she grew up.
While I like what the novel had to say, I think it could have used more balance. I expected more plot based on the synopsis, but it was more inner turmoil. The parts felt uneven to me and the pacing could be smoothed out. The characters also felt flat to me – besides Clarice, her mother, and P.T.-- Damian, Bunny, and Roz were interchangeable, and I didn’t get too much of a sense of who they were (especially Bunny and Damian). I found that a bit odd as the opening scene had Bunny with Clarice at the bar. There were parts of the book where I completely forgot she existed. Some things felt too easy which was in juxtaposition with the core themes of the book: trauma is hard. Clarice goes on a first date with a guy who just happens to have previously been a private investigator. What are the chances? Too easy.
Anyways, 3 stars for me on this one and thank you, Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog, for the ARC E-book in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date May 12 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Why can’t you just give me a chance?”
I took a breath, let it out.
“Because I fucking hate myself when I’m around you.”
When I got accepted for this ARC, I thought I was prepared for what this book was going to do to me, but I by far was not at all prepared for the emotional ride I was about to be taken on.
What happens when your own obsessive thoughts from the trauma inflicted on you cause you to become the exact thing you are running from? You see yourself turning into the stalker, no longer just the stalked.
Stinson is able to address multiple layers, unpacking the ins and outs of generational trauma, and how the emotional traumas and choices from their parent’s lives of the characters have affected the way the character is able or unable to move forward and has thus shaped who they have become. Stinson created characters that are able to show us how those choices have directly related to the way they navigate through life in they way the accept so little and label it as love, accepting the crumbs as full meals, clinging to torturous relationships as one’s that they’ve deluded themselves into thinking fulfilled them. All the daggers straight to the heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
I took a breath, let it out.
“Because I fucking hate myself when I’m around you.”
When I got accepted for this ARC, I thought I was prepared for what this book was going to do to me, but I by far was not at all prepared for the emotional ride I was about to be taken on.
What happens when your own obsessive thoughts from the trauma inflicted on you cause you to become the exact thing you are running from? You see yourself turning into the stalker, no longer just the stalked.
Stinson is able to address multiple layers, unpacking the ins and outs of generational trauma, and how the emotional traumas and choices from their parent’s lives of the characters have affected the way the character is able or unable to move forward and has thus shaped who they have become. Stinson created characters that are able to show us how those choices have directly related to the way they navigate through life in they way the accept so little and label it as love, accepting the crumbs as full meals, clinging to torturous relationships as one’s that they’ve deluded themselves into thinking fulfilled them. All the daggers straight to the heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review completely voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yes, Nerve Damage by Annakeara Stinson is funny. But I'm afraid it's going to get lumped in with some of the more absurd literary-leaning "Weird Girl Lit" titles (Big Swiss, Milk Fed, etc.) since it's being marketed as "a riotous revenge novel." Nerve Damage succeeds not in its loud absurdity, but rather in its quieter success in showing how past traumas can lead to behavior that from the outside can look absurd or inexplicable and can warp one's priorities and perception. Rather than a revenge novel, it instead shows the lengths that someone can go to feel the safety and control that was stripped from them. Clarice as an unreliable narrator felt so real to me I forgot I wasn't reading memoir/autofiction. The prose was so smooth I forgot I was reading at all but for a well placed metaphor or turn of phrase. The ending was satisfying and felt oddly hopeful.
Yes, there were a few things I would have changed or wanted more of. For example: I wanted more of Clarice's friendship with Bunny, especially the other relationships in this book were so fully rendered (side note: the portrayal of siblings with two very different relationships with imperfect parents was painfully real).
I loved Nerve Damage. It's lingered with me long after I finished it. A rare 5 stars from me. Many thanks to Knopf for the ARC through NetGalley!
Yes, there were a few things I would have changed or wanted more of. For example: I wanted more of Clarice's friendship with Bunny, especially the other relationships in this book were so fully rendered (side note: the portrayal of siblings with two very different relationships with imperfect parents was painfully real).
I loved Nerve Damage. It's lingered with me long after I finished it. A rare 5 stars from me. Many thanks to Knopf for the ARC through NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow. This book obliterated me. I love Stinson's writing style. Clarice as a character demands your attention and sucks you in. Gorgeous writing. I found myself drawn closer and closer because I was so enthralled in the story.
So many gut-punch quotes. Here's some of my favorites:
"'I think history has proven there's not anything keeping anyone safe, Roz,' I say, and as always, she tells me that's the core belief we have to tackle."
"She knew it was a noise I was used to, perhaps that soothed me in some perverse way. It was what I heard in the womb. Then part of the way I learned how to talk. And then, more or less, how I learned how to be in love. P.T. and I had screamed at each other all the damn time."
"...have the potential to spend my whole life wanting, trying, and failing to get through to someone."
"I had this muddled notion that if he had the audacity to threaten, he better have the moxie to act. Be a man and murder your ex-wife and children."
"No one is born knowing how to transmute violence, so she swallowed it quietly and it transmuted her."
"I am confused as to how my mother has that kind of courage and I do not, like only I caught a disease from a virus we were both exposed to."
"It takes years, such effort and restraint, to tell each other something like the truth."
So many gut-punch quotes. Here's some of my favorites:
"'I think history has proven there's not anything keeping anyone safe, Roz,' I say, and as always, she tells me that's the core belief we have to tackle."
"She knew it was a noise I was used to, perhaps that soothed me in some perverse way. It was what I heard in the womb. Then part of the way I learned how to talk. And then, more or less, how I learned how to be in love. P.T. and I had screamed at each other all the damn time."
"...have the potential to spend my whole life wanting, trying, and failing to get through to someone."
"I had this muddled notion that if he had the audacity to threaten, he better have the moxie to act. Be a man and murder your ex-wife and children."
"No one is born knowing how to transmute violence, so she swallowed it quietly and it transmuted her."
"I am confused as to how my mother has that kind of courage and I do not, like only I caught a disease from a virus we were both exposed to."
"It takes years, such effort and restraint, to tell each other something like the truth."
January 16, 2026
Thank you to Library Journal for allowing me to read the ARC of this book!
This novel is in the perspective of Clarise, the victim of being stalked and harassed by her ex-boyfriend, P.J. In the midst of taking him to court and obtaining restraining orders, she decides to uproot her life from NYC to LA. One night, years after that ordeal went down, she is out with her friends at a local bar/club; she sees him talking and laughing with the bartender. From here, she swears it was him. It was him, she tells herself. She, in response, becomes the stalker and harasser. She goes to great lengths in order to prove to herself she's "not crazy" and is only trying to help herself move on with her life again.
I will keep it short and simple to hopefully entice you to read the novel. There were times throughout the novel I felt the need to justify certain aspects of peoples behaviors; it also makes you realize that we are in the day and age where social media has impacted our lives to such negative extents. Though this topic of social media is not a main focus of the story, it helped me put into perspective that we all need to just mind our business as well as keep our social media profiles on private.
I enjoyed this read much more than anticipated. I had a lot of time to finish this novel, but I flew through it.
This novel is in the perspective of Clarise, the victim of being stalked and harassed by her ex-boyfriend, P.J. In the midst of taking him to court and obtaining restraining orders, she decides to uproot her life from NYC to LA. One night, years after that ordeal went down, she is out with her friends at a local bar/club; she sees him talking and laughing with the bartender. From here, she swears it was him. It was him, she tells herself. She, in response, becomes the stalker and harasser. She goes to great lengths in order to prove to herself she's "not crazy" and is only trying to help herself move on with her life again.
I will keep it short and simple to hopefully entice you to read the novel. There were times throughout the novel I felt the need to justify certain aspects of peoples behaviors; it also makes you realize that we are in the day and age where social media has impacted our lives to such negative extents. Though this topic of social media is not a main focus of the story, it helped me put into perspective that we all need to just mind our business as well as keep our social media profiles on private.
I enjoyed this read much more than anticipated. I had a lot of time to finish this novel, but I flew through it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Initially, I was drawn to this novel for its premise. A woman deciding to stalk her stalker ex? Tell me more!
Nerve Damage is a nuanced, honest portrayal of the psychological toll that abuse and harassment can have on a person. Predominantly character-driven, the story is shaped by Clarice's refreshingly unfiltered reflections on her relationship with P.T. and her understandably chaotic means of processing his potential reappearance in her life.
This novel was haunting, and I mean that to be a compliment. Clarice is a character who will stay with me. I think her familiarity made her stand out for me. She is a woman simply trying to do her best while reckoning with the horrible things she's lived through.
Being situated in Clarice's mind will make you doubt yourself, which is a testament to Stinson's brilliant writing. Can you trust a narrator who doesn't trust herself? Would it be better to believe her, really? How far is too far to prove you can trust your own mind?
I would recommend this one! Just make sure you read it with the curtains drawn and the windows locked.
Thank you to Annakeara Stinson and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced reading copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Nerve Damage is a nuanced, honest portrayal of the psychological toll that abuse and harassment can have on a person. Predominantly character-driven, the story is shaped by Clarice's refreshingly unfiltered reflections on her relationship with P.T. and her understandably chaotic means of processing his potential reappearance in her life.
This novel was haunting, and I mean that to be a compliment. Clarice is a character who will stay with me. I think her familiarity made her stand out for me. She is a woman simply trying to do her best while reckoning with the horrible things she's lived through.
Being situated in Clarice's mind will make you doubt yourself, which is a testament to Stinson's brilliant writing. Can you trust a narrator who doesn't trust herself? Would it be better to believe her, really? How far is too far to prove you can trust your own mind?
I would recommend this one! Just make sure you read it with the curtains drawn and the windows locked.
Thank you to Annakeara Stinson and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced reading copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a vengeful bitch! The premise is immediately gripping: a woman flees across the country to escape a stalking ex… but is she actually free of him? That constant question creates an undercurrent of tension that never really lets up.
What elevates this beyond a straightforward horror/thriller is how sharply it captures the lived experience of being a woman. Especially the exhaustion of not being believed. The story traces that reality from childhood into adulthood, showing how those patterns compound over time. It’s uncomfortable, but intentionally so.
This firmly lands in that “weird, angry girl horror” space, and it absolutely works for me. The tone is raw and unfiltered, and the protagonist feels real; flawed, reactive, and incredibly easy to connect with. I found myself seeing pieces of my own experiences in her, which made the story hit even harder. The writing is tight, the pacing keeps things moving, and the tension builds in a way that pays off. And an ending that lands. Dark, unsettling, and deeply satisfying, Nerve Damage is a standout for anyone who loves literary horror with teeth.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Annakeara Stinson, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
What elevates this beyond a straightforward horror/thriller is how sharply it captures the lived experience of being a woman. Especially the exhaustion of not being believed. The story traces that reality from childhood into adulthood, showing how those patterns compound over time. It’s uncomfortable, but intentionally so.
This firmly lands in that “weird, angry girl horror” space, and it absolutely works for me. The tone is raw and unfiltered, and the protagonist feels real; flawed, reactive, and incredibly easy to connect with. I found myself seeing pieces of my own experiences in her, which made the story hit even harder. The writing is tight, the pacing keeps things moving, and the tension builds in a way that pays off. And an ending that lands. Dark, unsettling, and deeply satisfying, Nerve Damage is a standout for anyone who loves literary horror with teeth.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Annakeara Stinson, and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A new hook on the stalker trope. The stalked becomes the stalker. It happens slowly, insidiously before the reader realizes reverse stalking is taking place.
Clarice and PT have broken up. Again. This time Clarice means it. PT love bombs her, threatens and follows her while in between requesting his stuff back and that he really really loves her. Eventually Clarice gets a restraining order.
The weirdness takes place when the restraining order finally runs out. Clarice has moved to the opposite coast and now she is certain that PT has taken up stalking her again. She's positive. Or at least will be when she can actually see the face of her would be stalker.
Clarice is unhinged, depressed, and barely functioning. She wasn't too functional before this all took place as evidenced by her relationships with her step and would be step fathers. She is an uncomfortable character.
Nerve Damage appeals to the readers of atypical characters showcasing unhinged behaviors with a foot still in reality. It's not so hard to imagine in a bid to retain one's sanity, that reverse stalking would make perfect sense.
Clarice and PT have broken up. Again. This time Clarice means it. PT love bombs her, threatens and follows her while in between requesting his stuff back and that he really really loves her. Eventually Clarice gets a restraining order.
The weirdness takes place when the restraining order finally runs out. Clarice has moved to the opposite coast and now she is certain that PT has taken up stalking her again. She's positive. Or at least will be when she can actually see the face of her would be stalker.
Clarice is unhinged, depressed, and barely functioning. She wasn't too functional before this all took place as evidenced by her relationships with her step and would be step fathers. She is an uncomfortable character.
Nerve Damage appeals to the readers of atypical characters showcasing unhinged behaviors with a foot still in reality. It's not so hard to imagine in a bid to retain one's sanity, that reverse stalking would make perfect sense.
April 1, 2026
This novel is challenging to review without revealing too many spoilers. While I found some parts intriguing, I ultimately didn’t enjoy the book as much as I had wanted.
Narrated through alternating timelines, the novel centers around Clarice, the main character, who is grappling with an unexpected encounter with her former boyfriend, P.T. After relocating to a new city, Clarice wants to move on from her past, only to be confronted with P.T., the man responsible for a tumultuous breakup that resulted in a restraining order. As the story unfolds, Clarice finds herself spiraling out of control, reliving the tumultuous events of their past relationship.
A few aspects of this book were quite far-fetched, but delving deeper into Clarice’s relationship with her parents added a touch of intrigue to her character development. It’s a quick read, and I appreciated the author’s writing style, but I doubt it will gain widespread acclaim.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this upcoming novel, which will be released on May 12, 2026. If you’re a reader who like stories that a little wild and “out there,” this may be a good fit for you.
Narrated through alternating timelines, the novel centers around Clarice, the main character, who is grappling with an unexpected encounter with her former boyfriend, P.T. After relocating to a new city, Clarice wants to move on from her past, only to be confronted with P.T., the man responsible for a tumultuous breakup that resulted in a restraining order. As the story unfolds, Clarice finds herself spiraling out of control, reliving the tumultuous events of their past relationship.
A few aspects of this book were quite far-fetched, but delving deeper into Clarice’s relationship with her parents added a touch of intrigue to her character development. It’s a quick read, and I appreciated the author’s writing style, but I doubt it will gain widespread acclaim.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this upcoming novel, which will be released on May 12, 2026. If you’re a reader who like stories that a little wild and “out there,” this may be a good fit for you.
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