If You're Reading This

by AJ Carter

Love is a death sentence…

In a cold hotel room, Rachel sits on the bathroom floor, contemplating the razor and the bath she's prepared for her final moments. After months of being stalked, isolated, and psychologically tormented, death seems like her only escape.

The nightmare began after her husband's death, when Rachel joined a social app and met charming estate agent Mark at a New Year's Eve party. What started as a promising connection quickly soured, with Mark's presence haunting every aspect of her existence.

As Rachel found new love with museum curator Ollie, Mark's obsession intensified. With police unable to help without concrete evidence and nowhere left to turn, Rachel must find the strength for one last confrontation with a predator who anticipates her every move—or risk losing everything, including her will to live.

A gripping psychological thriller about obsession, isolation, and what happens when the one person who believes you is the one trying to destroy you.
—————

"A masterclass in domestic suspense.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"AJ Carter crafts tension like a spider spinning its web – slowly, deliberately, until you're completely ensnared." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"A chilling exploration of family dynamics that will have you checking the locks twice." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Just when you think you know where it's going, AJ Carter pulls the rug out from under you. Brilliant!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Deliciously twisted. I devoured it in one sitting!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Had me holding my breath until the very last page. Another triumph from the twisted mind of AJ Carter." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"If you read one thriller this year, make it this one." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

424 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 2025

Reviews

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes psychopath to a whole new level. Holy cow! And the EPILOGUE !!! Left me speechless!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If You're Reading This

I enjoyed this book. It was different from other books. It had a twist toward the end that I didn't expect. I definitely recommend this book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meah

Not really a fan. The book did lend just enough suspense to finish it, but, I found that the constant descriptions, of the exact same things, throughout the book somewhat annoying (like the typos)...like the writer was trying to get the "word count" in for the book. In addition, the plot is completely off...1 date and a ghost? Leading to that? Naw... not happening.

This is the first and last book by this author.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was part way through another book and picked this up to read a few pages and here I am with it finished

What a read

Firstly a warning,suicide is covered in the book, well the potential of it and the main character deciding if she will go through with it

This is a dark, dark tale of stalking, Rachel ( author ) joins ‘Mingle’ after the death of her partner and meets Mark ( Hamspon ) and after a night of sex he gaslights her…..except he doesn’t and he turns her life into a horrifying stalker victim existence where his persistent cruelty and determination to wreck and manipulate her life are shocking, even to a ‘read it all’ like me

The descriptive writing of emotion and feeling are spot on, the author manages to make a carpet sound interesting and the many nods to Bristol where it’s set is grand, I felt Ihad a good idea of what Bristol is like and how it functions, very precise and clever writing that created an understanding of the atmosphere of the place

This is a unsettling book, Mark is toxicity x1000 and will get under your skin, the author then has done his job and done it very well

Interestingly a warning before the epilogue as the author is unsure wether to have included it or not and tells us to decide on reading it, I say yes!

AJ Carter gets better and better, do not miss this scarily realistic story, but be warned, its a 1 sitting/lying read that will stay with you

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

If You're Reading This (Standalone Pyschlogical Thriller) by AJ Carter.

I thought the concept was very good but the delivery was quite poor as the author reiterates the same things throughout.

The story starts with a bath filled with water and a razor blade and suicide note with the words 'If you're reading this.' which was written by Rachel a widow of twelve months. The story starts from the present and back to the beginning.

Her therapist advises her to get out more in order to not be engulfed with grief for her dead husband. So she signs up to a social app called Mingle. Unbeknown to her there is a handsome predator of sad and lonely widows also on the same app called Mark an estate agent.

Unfortunately Rachel's life is going to be turned upside down as Mark befriends her and starts stalking her even when she has ended their relationship.

I did love how AJ Carter pens in his hometown Bristol plus his hobby of Lego as he described on page 116 this is a brief summary from this page. This particular Thursday, Bristol had decided to impersonate summer. Tourists photographing colourful houses stacked like lego along the hillside.

[KathyD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid three stars.
Took me three or four attempts to get through the first few chapters ~ starting in the bathroom with a woman I knew nothing about and who *to me* was so wishy-washy that I couldn’t bring myself to care if she followed through or not. The last third of the book the story moved along *finally*, with the introduction of the MFC’s sister *the ONE character in the book I actually enjoyed! After the end of the book, the author had inserted an alternate ending for the reader to accept or deny. I actually loved that version better than the one the author chose to close the story. Again, the end better than the beginning. Stick with it and let me know what you think!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read That Held My Attention

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the beginning and consumed it.

My only criticism is that there were some descriptive prose phrases and sentences that were used too often - often enough that I was aware of them and started noting them. They were good, but over used and each instance was so similar that for a split second I felt like I was rereading a previously read excerpt...to the point that it became a distraction.

However, I enjoyed the story and will search out and read this author again.

[Sally Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark and disturbing read by AJ Carter where we follow Rachel who, after losing her husband Daniel, joins a social app and meets up with the charming estate agent, Mark. After gaslighting her, she finds friendship with corduroy and cardigan museum curator, Ollie but the charming estate agent is always lurking in the background. A tense storyline throughout and an excellent read. Thank you to AJ Carter for the ARC of If You're Reading This

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok read

I found this book to be a bit drawn out and dragging in the story line. Personally, a bit unbelievable as the main character wrote a book on gaslighting and stalking and yet after enough research to write a book, fell so blindingly for it herself.
Also, the author used the same style of imagery phrases over and over again (part of the dragging).
I have read others from this author and really liked them but this one was not as good.

[janet whalen salvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provocative!

What I liked was the excellent prose, compelling story.

Disturbing content, because we all know these guys exist, and cause irreparable harm.

What was painful was Louise's death!

Also the eight year sentence for murder, stalking, and physical abuse over years? Really!

Great entertainment!

[WYNDI S HARP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Me

Another psychological thriller, that is fast paced and barely gives you breathing room so prepare yourself to not do anything with your life as you continue to read till the last page.

[Lydia Correa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of the best but it was okay. Definitely confusing with a lot of parts. Big words I never heard. Even though it’s a books it’s definitely happening in real life and it’s ashamed that cops or detectives don’t believe the woman right away until they are near death or are already dead.

[valerie gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling

A really good twisted read some really tense moments,fantastic plot believable keeping you guessing and turning the pages marvellous characters really enjoyed reading this book

[cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable!

I read the whole book one less than one day. Heart pounding, breath held, smiling, sighing and living every minute. A truelly brilliant read! Oh and just so you know, I've never reviewed a book before.

[Barbara Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5****

This was a book that made my pulse race at every twist. Should have warning label about heart palpitations. Scores a 5 on that. Just do yourself a small favor and follow the author's advice when the ending is presented. No spoiler

[Brianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the most REPETITIVE AND BORING AND SLOW AND DREADFUL BOOK booooooooooooooo 👎 what plot twist were yall talking about because we surely read different books or sum 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲genuinely so confused this was so so awful to get through

[mrs carole webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reading

This book really gripped me, I got slightly confused between then and now. One of AJ Carter s best books and I've read almost all of them.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great thriller but a little confusing at times. Is now, now or is then yesterday or couple hours ago? Was not happy with ending either.

[Jennifer Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel!!!!!

I went back and forth about reading the second ending. I'm glad I did...come on AJ you can't just leave us hangin'!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love AJ Carters book but this storyline was predictable.

That epilogue though...superb!!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent

[Megan Hunter]

A hot dog is for sure a sandwich

[Megan Rigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very gripping book. I like when a book flicks from past and present

[Trish Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Loved this book. A J CARTER IS A GREAT MYSTERY WRITER, I have loved all of his books. This book will not disappoint.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. lov this

Another Carter great book. He includes all types of emotions. Happy dependency scary madness obsession
Sadness and the saga doesn’t end

[Sam Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

feeling neutral, liked the story but the main characters sarcasm was insufferable

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very poor editing several paragraphs repeated over and over as if no one read it before publishing

[robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rare 5 star! His writing style is brilliant.
I had a bit of trouble getting into it, but once I did, I was hooked.
I look forward to reading more from this author.