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Perfect
After years of enduring abuse and control, Alex Shearer takes her chance and runs. Determined to live life on her own terms, she escapes to a quiet town on the Oregon coast and starts over.
Alex wants Theo Anderson to be part of her fresh start. Charming, attentive, and handsome, Theo seems like he’s exactly what she needs.
Luckily for her, Theo’s already decided that Alex is his.
Fresh from prison and struggling to control his impulses, Theo has been watching her for weeks. In his mind, they’re already together - she just doesn’t know it yet.
What Theo sees as making their relationship official, Alex sees as being trapped in a connection she can’t escape.
As Theo sinks deeper into his obsession and Alex’s grip on reality begins to blur, she fights to outmaneuver him, desperate to prevent her captivity from becoming the connection he insists it is.
Alex wants Theo Anderson to be part of her fresh start. Charming, attentive, and handsome, Theo seems like he’s exactly what she needs.
Luckily for her, Theo’s already decided that Alex is his.
Fresh from prison and struggling to control his impulses, Theo has been watching her for weeks. In his mind, they’re already together - she just doesn’t know it yet.
What Theo sees as making their relationship official, Alex sees as being trapped in a connection she can’t escape.
As Theo sinks deeper into his obsession and Alex’s grip on reality begins to blur, she fights to outmaneuver him, desperate to prevent her captivity from becoming the connection he insists it is.
739 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2025
198 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
December 4, 2025
3.8 stars. This is a dark romance that people who enjoy Sam Mariano’s book would like. It’s an “he’s obsessed with her and stalks her” book, but he’s sweeter than Sam Mariano heroes (but still unhinged). Overall, I enjoyed this.
Alex (26) is running away from her abusive husband, and moves to a town in the Pacific Northwest. She meets Theo (31), who just spent 10 years in jail. He’s a sweet but damaged guy who has issues with impulse control, stalking, and being delusional.
This is mostly focused on their relationship, without a lot of other plot, but I wasn't bored. Their relationship had enough interesting movement, as she alternates between trying to get away from Theo, and grappling with how she’s starting to like her delusional stalker. It was a good move to establish that she was attracted to him, even before learning that he was a little psycho.
I’m hit or miss with the “he’s an obsessive stalker,” trope. But this book did a good job of finding the secret to making that work: Theo’s POV was often very funny. He wasn’t trying to be comedic on purpose, but his delusional attempts to convince himself that his actions were Totally Fine often made me laugh. Like, when he was lurking in her bushes, his inner monologue was like, “She doesn’t notice me, she’s so unaware of her surroundings. Doesn’t she know there are psychos out there? I will stalk her more, to protect her from the danger.” Sir….you are the danger.
Also, aside from the fucked up things he does (like secretly putting cameras in her place), Theo is pretty sweet. I’ve read too many dark romances where he’s mean to her for 90% of the book. That gets boring. It also has more psychological depth, to have the heroine be like, “I kind of like him, even though he’s a lunatic, is that okay, what does that mean?” and grapple with that. If he's only hateful, there's less to explore. Too many authors don’t get that.
My Mount Rushmore of obsessed dark heroes are Nick Bruin (from the Royals of Forsyth University series) and Shay (from Torment by Dylan Page) and those guys ALSO made me laugh a lot (and they're also both often tender while being scary). Theo wasn't as iconic as Nick or Shay, but he was good. Too many authors get too serious about dark heroes, and it makes them bland (like Shantel Tessier). This threaded the needle well, between being a "fun" dark book, and being legitimately dark; and being a fantasy (what if a deranged stalker was hot and weirdly kind of a great boyfriend?) and acknowledging reality (his serious psychological issues don't get swept under the rug, this isn't like, "let's forget about that, it's fine!"). This story also threaded the needle well between having him somewhat change to be better for her, but also not change too much. It deftly covers a lot of ground that's tricky to navigate -- on both a psychological level and a storytelling level -- and it mostly doesn't stumble.
Even though I compared this to Sam Mariano, I enjoyed it more than many of her books. Alex was less stupid and bland than her heroines. She wasn’t a great heroine, she was average. But, during the moments when she seemed dim, she at least had a valid reason for it (all of her past trauma), where Sam Mariano heroines often have no reason for being bland and stupid.
Why is this just under the 4 star mark? I really liked it, but it could have been tighter. It was 700 pages long, and it didn’t need to be. I wasn’t bored, but if a book isn’t epic with a lot of subplots and a big scope (like my favorite 700 page romance, Fearless by Lauren Gilley), it has no business being that length. This book's scope is small, zooming in on Alex and Theo, without a lot of side characters or subplots. Weirdly, for a book that long, the side characters didn’t feel that fleshed out. And, the pacing could have been better. Like, there was a climactic action scene, but the story kept getting drawn out after that, with some unnecessary additional stuff happening. Also, this glossed over some parts. Like when Alex tells her terrible ex husband’s family that he had abused her, we don’t see that in-scene. We’re just told that it happened. What’s the point of being 700 pages, if we don’t see moments like that play out in-scene? That wouldn't have annoyed me as much if this was 300 pages. This also implied that Alex had a drinking problem, and 700 pages should be ample time to address it, but it never really felt like that story thread got dealt with. Again, that's fairly minor, but a 700 page book is long enough that I shouldn't feel like even minor things are left unaddressed.
Anyway, this wasn’t flawless, but it was an enjoyable dark “he’s obsessed with her and stalks her” book. If you're in the mood for that type of read, it hits the spot well. It’s apparently the author’s first book, it was quite good for a debut. I’ll be on the lookout for what else this author releases.
Alex (26) is running away from her abusive husband, and moves to a town in the Pacific Northwest. She meets Theo (31), who just spent 10 years in jail. He’s a sweet but damaged guy who has issues with impulse control, stalking, and being delusional.
This is mostly focused on their relationship, without a lot of other plot, but I wasn't bored. Their relationship had enough interesting movement, as she alternates between trying to get away from Theo, and grappling with how she’s starting to like her delusional stalker. It was a good move to establish that she was attracted to him, even before learning that he was a little psycho.
I’m hit or miss with the “he’s an obsessive stalker,” trope. But this book did a good job of finding the secret to making that work: Theo’s POV was often very funny. He wasn’t trying to be comedic on purpose, but his delusional attempts to convince himself that his actions were Totally Fine often made me laugh. Like, when he was lurking in her bushes, his inner monologue was like, “She doesn’t notice me, she’s so unaware of her surroundings. Doesn’t she know there are psychos out there? I will stalk her more, to protect her from the danger.” Sir….you are the danger.
Also, aside from the fucked up things he does (like secretly putting cameras in her place), Theo is pretty sweet. I’ve read too many dark romances where he’s mean to her for 90% of the book. That gets boring. It also has more psychological depth, to have the heroine be like, “I kind of like him, even though he’s a lunatic, is that okay, what does that mean?” and grapple with that. If he's only hateful, there's less to explore. Too many authors don’t get that.
My Mount Rushmore of obsessed dark heroes are Nick Bruin (from the Royals of Forsyth University series) and Shay (from Torment by Dylan Page) and those guys ALSO made me laugh a lot (and they're also both often tender while being scary). Theo wasn't as iconic as Nick or Shay, but he was good. Too many authors get too serious about dark heroes, and it makes them bland (like Shantel Tessier). This threaded the needle well, between being a "fun" dark book, and being legitimately dark; and being a fantasy (what if a deranged stalker was hot and weirdly kind of a great boyfriend?) and acknowledging reality (his serious psychological issues don't get swept under the rug, this isn't like, "let's forget about that, it's fine!"). This story also threaded the needle well between having him somewhat change to be better for her, but also not change too much. It deftly covers a lot of ground that's tricky to navigate -- on both a psychological level and a storytelling level -- and it mostly doesn't stumble.
Even though I compared this to Sam Mariano, I enjoyed it more than many of her books. Alex was less stupid and bland than her heroines. She wasn’t a great heroine, she was average. But, during the moments when she seemed dim, she at least had a valid reason for it (all of her past trauma), where Sam Mariano heroines often have no reason for being bland and stupid.
Why is this just under the 4 star mark? I really liked it, but it could have been tighter. It was 700 pages long, and it didn’t need to be. I wasn’t bored, but if a book isn’t epic with a lot of subplots and a big scope (like my favorite 700 page romance, Fearless by Lauren Gilley), it has no business being that length. This book's scope is small, zooming in on Alex and Theo, without a lot of side characters or subplots. Weirdly, for a book that long, the side characters didn’t feel that fleshed out. And, the pacing could have been better. Like, there was a climactic action scene, but the story kept getting drawn out after that, with some unnecessary additional stuff happening. Also, this glossed over some parts. Like when Alex tells her terrible ex husband’s family that he had abused her, we don’t see that in-scene. We’re just told that it happened. What’s the point of being 700 pages, if we don’t see moments like that play out in-scene? That wouldn't have annoyed me as much if this was 300 pages. This also implied that Alex had a drinking problem, and 700 pages should be ample time to address it, but it never really felt like that story thread got dealt with. Again, that's fairly minor, but a 700 page book is long enough that I shouldn't feel like even minor things are left unaddressed.
Anyway, this wasn’t flawless, but it was an enjoyable dark “he’s obsessed with her and stalks her” book. If you're in the mood for that type of read, it hits the spot well. It’s apparently the author’s first book, it was quite good for a debut. I’ll be on the lookout for what else this author releases.
November 16, 2025
dnfed 15% the writing is very cringe!
also he just got out of jail after 9 years. saw the heroine found her very cute and attractive. fucked plenty of ow thinking it was the heroine, then stalked her for a bit and then he got a bj from ow, after this I DNFed. Also he loved someone else deeply in college. Left a bad taste
also he just got out of jail after 9 years. saw the heroine found her very cute and attractive. fucked plenty of ow thinking it was the heroine, then stalked her for a bit and then he got a bj from ow, after this I DNFed. Also he loved someone else deeply in college. Left a bad taste
September 10, 2025
The story follows two broken souls - both carrying heavy scars from the past. He’s a criminal, and she’s a domestic abuse survivor. Each of them is battling their darkness the best they can.
This book is dark - and I mean it! It threw me onto emotional rollercoaster. The lines between what’s truly good and what’s unhealthy are very blurred here. The author doesn’t romanticize delusion, stalking or obsessive behaviour at all. At times, I felt manipulated and gaslighted by the MMC, which was deeply unsettling. I found myself angry at him while feeling immense sadness for the FMC.
If you enjoy dark romances that aren’t afraid to dive into shadows and explore the uncomfortable side of obsession, this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
It’s not an easy read, but it’s a powerful one.
Thank you, Ariana, for gifting me an ARC!🖤
This book is dark - and I mean it! It threw me onto emotional rollercoaster. The lines between what’s truly good and what’s unhealthy are very blurred here. The author doesn’t romanticize delusion, stalking or obsessive behaviour at all. At times, I felt manipulated and gaslighted by the MMC, which was deeply unsettling. I found myself angry at him while feeling immense sadness for the FMC.
If you enjoy dark romances that aren’t afraid to dive into shadows and explore the uncomfortable side of obsession, this book will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
It’s not an easy read, but it’s a powerful one.
Thank you, Ariana, for gifting me an ARC!🖤
August 25, 2025
First off, I want to say that Ariana Rivers masterly wrote a f***ed up book. I mean that in the best possible way. For all the dark romance men and women this is your book. The character portrayal in this book is deep, emotional, and raw. I was drawn into the story immediately, and wanted to know what would happen next!
Now, the second part of my review is to also warn readers to check their trigger warnings. I personally just started reading dark romance this year. So far, I don't have any triggers. However, I did find one element that can be found in the trigger list uncomfortable while reading this book. So I'm learning what I'm comfortable with and honestly this one got a little too dark for me.
Overall, I'm glad to be a part of the reading experience and getting an ARC for Perfect. I think Ariana is an amazing writer. In the end I learned something about myself as a reader so it'll help me pick my next reads!
Now, the second part of my review is to also warn readers to check their trigger warnings. I personally just started reading dark romance this year. So far, I don't have any triggers. However, I did find one element that can be found in the trigger list uncomfortable while reading this book. So I'm learning what I'm comfortable with and honestly this one got a little too dark for me.
Overall, I'm glad to be a part of the reading experience and getting an ARC for Perfect. I think Ariana is an amazing writer. In the end I learned something about myself as a reader so it'll help me pick my next reads!
August 23, 2025
“Oh, I’m aware, but I’m not in that kind of trouble. I’m in Catherine has a pretty receptionist trouble.” EEK!!!!
Twisted. Raw. Beautiful. Haunting. Bittersweet?
I could rave about this book like no other.
Ariana was kind enough to gift me an ARC for Perfect. Thank you so much!!
Theo is a dangerously-in-love criminal. Misunderstood and as imperfect as they come.
Alex is a runaway wife from a sadistic excuse for a man. A girl who has never known true love.
As for both? Incredibly loyal individuals trying to learn how to operate like the rest of us while fighting their own battles.
This story straps you in and quite literally WILL NOT let you go. Every second of this story was a journey. For a debut novel, Ariana knocks this out of the ballpark. If you love unconditional, questionable, unconventional, and twisted love: this is for you.
This is a dark romance. Read with your best mental health in mind. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to be CONSUMED by a book. If you’re looking for that sensation of cathartic danger, you’ve found it here. I hope you take a chance on this.
Twisted. Raw. Beautiful. Haunting. Bittersweet?
I could rave about this book like no other.
Ariana was kind enough to gift me an ARC for Perfect. Thank you so much!!
Theo is a dangerously-in-love criminal. Misunderstood and as imperfect as they come.
Alex is a runaway wife from a sadistic excuse for a man. A girl who has never known true love.
As for both? Incredibly loyal individuals trying to learn how to operate like the rest of us while fighting their own battles.
This story straps you in and quite literally WILL NOT let you go. Every second of this story was a journey. For a debut novel, Ariana knocks this out of the ballpark. If you love unconditional, questionable, unconventional, and twisted love: this is for you.
This is a dark romance. Read with your best mental health in mind. I would recommend it to anyone who needs to be CONSUMED by a book. If you’re looking for that sensation of cathartic danger, you’ve found it here. I hope you take a chance on this.
September 3, 2025
***ARC Review***
I have to say I am so thankful that this author chose me to read as an ARC book and even took the time to message me when I provided her the wrong information because - I am infatuated with her writing. I am obsessed! She deserves all the love right now because she just wrote my next favorite book!
I have goosebumps from the book. Literally - hated stepping away from it because every scene is significant and drags you in. I’ve read so many books that I was always trying to assume the next thing - no! Safe to say Ariana Rivers did an amazing job keeping me in suspense. I love it when authors are so creative like that. I loved the dynamic between the main characters - also love the side characters. I was totally sucked in emotionally- I was angry and sad and happy and I love it when a story can get a rise out of you. I look forward to seeing more work done by Ariana Rivers 🤌🏼🖤
Please check all TWs - there a plenty. Be mindful and be healthy to yourself!
I have to say I am so thankful that this author chose me to read as an ARC book and even took the time to message me when I provided her the wrong information because - I am infatuated with her writing. I am obsessed! She deserves all the love right now because she just wrote my next favorite book!
I have goosebumps from the book. Literally - hated stepping away from it because every scene is significant and drags you in. I’ve read so many books that I was always trying to assume the next thing - no! Safe to say Ariana Rivers did an amazing job keeping me in suspense. I love it when authors are so creative like that. I loved the dynamic between the main characters - also love the side characters. I was totally sucked in emotionally- I was angry and sad and happy and I love it when a story can get a rise out of you. I look forward to seeing more work done by Ariana Rivers 🤌🏼🖤
Please check all TWs - there a plenty. Be mindful and be healthy to yourself!
October 9, 2025
This one is a mix for me. There were things I liked and things I did not. Remember to check the trigger warnings bc this one can get rough at times.
I have read a few stalker romances and it's a genre I enjoy very much but this one felt different from the others. This one is about the MMC who is clearly mentally unwell stuck in his own delusion forming his own perceptions about a woman he has had very little contact with believing there is a connection. I am not saying this is an accurate representation of what goes on in the mind of someone stuck in a delusion, but I would say this is a representation that doesn't make it sexy or romanticize it and it can show the real harm that can come to the one being stalked. I will say where it obviously differs is when confronted with reality that his vision of who he thought the FMC was to who she actually is which is a flawed and traumatized woman way before he traumatized her rather than lashing out at her for challenging his delusions he became more committed to making it work with her and didn't actually try to change her but wanted to learn more about her to get to know the real her. It was an interesting read in that capacity. As I said the FMC is a complex as well because she is very traumatized by an abusive marriage she fled and because she is in hiding, she is unable to get help as she is stalked by the MMC. Where the complexity of her comes into play is that she is a woman who has been traumatized, and she has very unhealthy coping mechanisms which cause her to lash out at the MMC. So, you are sympathetic to her and her situation sometimes you can get a little frustrated bc this is a dark romance, and you see the MMC doing everything he can to prove himself to her and take care of her and she responds negatively. So, you get annoyed at her but then remember the situation as a whole and ur like ooooh yea this is what's really going on. All this to say in a very long way this is a complex story with complex characters that you're going to have mix feelings about sometimes.
Now I will say for me personally I think the story could be edited down a little bit because it's a big book and while I love big books, I love them because they don't feel big, but this one did. I think that's because this can be a slow-moving book without big action items and that you are on this daily journey experiencing life with these two different characters and sometimes there are just going to be mundane days where nothing really happens. I also thing what made the book longer is that we have scenes where we will have one characters perspective and then the next chapter is the whole same day from the other characters perspective. I usually love these moments because I do like to get everyone's perspective, but I think redoing the whole day including the mundane moments didn't add to the story and just made it longer. Like reading Theo's perspective in the courtroom when Alex is testifying didn't feel as necessary of a rereading of a scene from his perspective bc all he was doing was observing the jury and murmuring a couple things back and forth to his lawyer.
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the complex feelings it made me feel as it gave me a less romanticized version of a genre I enjoy. My favorite would prbably be the last 35-40% because that is when things get intense IMO.
------
This book is about Alex who after enduring years of abuse in her marriage runs in the middle of the night to get to safety and reclaim as much of her life as possible while trying to stay hidden from her cop husband. She ends up in a quiet town in the coast of Oregon and deicides to settle there for her fresh start. In starting over she ends up meeting Theo a charming handsome man who piques her interest. Little does she know Theo is fresh from prison and after running into her at his attorney's office ends up stalking her for weeks because he has decided they have a connection and she is his. She just doesn't know it yet but it's only a matter of time because in in his mind they belong together and when Theo decides to make it official their relationship, he ends up trapping Alex in a connection she had no idea even existed between them and can't escape. But as Theo is confronting with the reality and not the delusion, he has built in his head about their relationship he sinks deeper into a depression that has Alex plotting how to outmaneuver him, desperate to escape him and whatever plans he has for her because of this "connection" he insists they have.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have read a few stalker romances and it's a genre I enjoy very much but this one felt different from the others. This one is about the MMC who is clearly mentally unwell stuck in his own delusion forming his own perceptions about a woman he has had very little contact with believing there is a connection. I am not saying this is an accurate representation of what goes on in the mind of someone stuck in a delusion, but I would say this is a representation that doesn't make it sexy or romanticize it and it can show the real harm that can come to the one being stalked. I will say where it obviously differs is when confronted with reality that his vision of who he thought the FMC was to who she actually is which is a flawed and traumatized woman way before he traumatized her rather than lashing out at her for challenging his delusions he became more committed to making it work with her and didn't actually try to change her but wanted to learn more about her to get to know the real her. It was an interesting read in that capacity. As I said the FMC is a complex as well because she is very traumatized by an abusive marriage she fled and because she is in hiding, she is unable to get help as she is stalked by the MMC. Where the complexity of her comes into play is that she is a woman who has been traumatized, and she has very unhealthy coping mechanisms which cause her to lash out at the MMC. So, you are sympathetic to her and her situation sometimes you can get a little frustrated bc this is a dark romance, and you see the MMC doing everything he can to prove himself to her and take care of her and she responds negatively. So, you get annoyed at her but then remember the situation as a whole and ur like ooooh yea this is what's really going on. All this to say in a very long way this is a complex story with complex characters that you're going to have mix feelings about sometimes.
Now I will say for me personally I think the story could be edited down a little bit because it's a big book and while I love big books, I love them because they don't feel big, but this one did. I think that's because this can be a slow-moving book without big action items and that you are on this daily journey experiencing life with these two different characters and sometimes there are just going to be mundane days where nothing really happens. I also thing what made the book longer is that we have scenes where we will have one characters perspective and then the next chapter is the whole same day from the other characters perspective. I usually love these moments because I do like to get everyone's perspective, but I think redoing the whole day including the mundane moments didn't add to the story and just made it longer. Like reading Theo's perspective in the courtroom when Alex is testifying didn't feel as necessary of a rereading of a scene from his perspective bc all he was doing was observing the jury and murmuring a couple things back and forth to his lawyer.
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the complex feelings it made me feel as it gave me a less romanticized version of a genre I enjoy. My favorite would prbably be the last 35-40% because that is when things get intense IMO.
------
This book is about Alex who after enduring years of abuse in her marriage runs in the middle of the night to get to safety and reclaim as much of her life as possible while trying to stay hidden from her cop husband. She ends up in a quiet town in the coast of Oregon and deicides to settle there for her fresh start. In starting over she ends up meeting Theo a charming handsome man who piques her interest. Little does she know Theo is fresh from prison and after running into her at his attorney's office ends up stalking her for weeks because he has decided they have a connection and she is his. She just doesn't know it yet but it's only a matter of time because in in his mind they belong together and when Theo decides to make it official their relationship, he ends up trapping Alex in a connection she had no idea even existed between them and can't escape. But as Theo is confronting with the reality and not the delusion, he has built in his head about their relationship he sinks deeper into a depression that has Alex plotting how to outmaneuver him, desperate to escape him and whatever plans he has for her because of this "connection" he insists they have.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Wow! What a wild ride this book was and I was completely and utterly blown away by it.
Arian Rivers made two unhinged characters lovable in a way that will leave us readers in a spell. Theo and Alex’s dynamic is next level, with so many layers to them that you feel extremely connected to their world and feelings for each other.
I have never loved a character more than I love Theo despite his idiosyncrasies and his OTT personality, he was such a simp for Alex and her feelings that I was bowled over by him.
For a debut novel, this book is amazingly written with so much emotional depth that I wish the author writes more books in the future so that I can devour them like I did this one.
Arian Rivers made two unhinged characters lovable in a way that will leave us readers in a spell. Theo and Alex’s dynamic is next level, with so many layers to them that you feel extremely connected to their world and feelings for each other.
I have never loved a character more than I love Theo despite his idiosyncrasies and his OTT personality, he was such a simp for Alex and her feelings that I was bowled over by him.
For a debut novel, this book is amazingly written with so much emotional depth that I wish the author writes more books in the future so that I can devour them like I did this one.
December 25, 2025
700 pages of two mentally ill bitches telling each other “exactlyyyyy” (positive)
February 5, 2026
I actually can't believe I got through this book. I've had quite a few 1-star reads in the last few months, but none of them have absolutely PISSED ME OFF the way "perfect" did. and trust me I'm a dark romance girlie. the darkness and stalking is not what turned me off lol.
I'm just going to quick bullet point so I don't spend anymore time thinking about this.
-this book DRAGGED. for 739 pages, barely anything even happened. so much unnecessary blabber and inner monologue and stupid thoughts and feelings. towards the end we were getting the same scenes told in two different perspectives and I just did not care. either time. something way more interesting had to happen to justify a 700+ page book.
-theo narrates like an angsty teenager with a giant victim complex. oh my good lord I can't find one thing attractive about this delusional mentally unstable man-baby. at least get a job dude. I love me a problematic man but this guy AIN'T it. sorry for anyone who was into him. I felt like I was reading whiny diary entries of an incel. "why doesn't she love me yet?? we're CONNECTED!!1"
-the overuse of italics in the dialogue irritated me so much. I'm sure this is a personal pet peeve but my god, italicizing something does NOT make your dialogue sound intense. you have to actually write intense dialogue for it to sound cool. theo had absolutely no chill and it was super not hot.
-there were so many instances were alex went on a tangent about how mad she was or how she hates him or should not forgive him or take him back, just for it to end with "...BUT I love you silly hehe!" god ENOUGH. don't make me read all that just for it to be BS AGAIN.
-why the hell is the narrative trying to convince us that the therapist is the villain of this story lol?? reading both theo AND alex curse out the therapist and call her "fucking stupid" was just embarrassing to read. especially when the therapist was 100% correct, and whenever she tried to help, theo would throw a baby bitch fit and either yell at her for paragraphs, storm out, or both. and then to threaten to kill her afterward and ruin her life?? I love a morally black moment, but I'd prefer for the narrative NOT to pretend like it's acceptable behavior. theo learned absolutely nothing and I was honestly rooting for him to rot in jail for much longer.
-these people should NOT HAVE CHILDREN EVER. alex had a ton of her own issues. but enabling theo by telling him how horrible of a therapist he had and helping him report her to the board for negative bias and abuse (???) was the final nail in the coffin. she's a lost cause too.
please excuse all of that. I clearly have not had a good time reading this. I think if theo were written in a more compelling way, I could forgive some of the other complaints. but god I found him SO insufferable, and alex wasn't much better with her wishy washy attitude about everything. I think this book would have been better without a HEA honestly.
I could say more but I should stop here. theo has been added to my list of types of men I never want to read about again. thank you.
I'm just going to quick bullet point so I don't spend anymore time thinking about this.
-this book DRAGGED. for 739 pages, barely anything even happened. so much unnecessary blabber and inner monologue and stupid thoughts and feelings. towards the end we were getting the same scenes told in two different perspectives and I just did not care. either time. something way more interesting had to happen to justify a 700+ page book.
-theo narrates like an angsty teenager with a giant victim complex. oh my good lord I can't find one thing attractive about this delusional mentally unstable man-baby. at least get a job dude. I love me a problematic man but this guy AIN'T it. sorry for anyone who was into him. I felt like I was reading whiny diary entries of an incel. "why doesn't she love me yet?? we're CONNECTED!!1"
-the overuse of italics in the dialogue irritated me so much. I'm sure this is a personal pet peeve but my god, italicizing something does NOT make your dialogue sound intense. you have to actually write intense dialogue for it to sound cool. theo had absolutely no chill and it was super not hot.
-there were so many instances were alex went on a tangent about how mad she was or how she hates him or should not forgive him or take him back, just for it to end with "...BUT I love you silly hehe!" god ENOUGH. don't make me read all that just for it to be BS AGAIN.
-why the hell is the narrative trying to convince us that the therapist is the villain of this story lol?? reading both theo AND alex curse out the therapist and call her "fucking stupid" was just embarrassing to read. especially when the therapist was 100% correct, and whenever she tried to help, theo would throw a baby bitch fit and either yell at her for paragraphs, storm out, or both. and then to threaten to kill her afterward and ruin her life?? I love a morally black moment, but I'd prefer for the narrative NOT to pretend like it's acceptable behavior. theo learned absolutely nothing and I was honestly rooting for him to rot in jail for much longer.
-these people should NOT HAVE CHILDREN EVER. alex had a ton of her own issues. but enabling theo by telling him how horrible of a therapist he had and helping him report her to the board for negative bias and abuse (???) was the final nail in the coffin. she's a lost cause too.
please excuse all of that. I clearly have not had a good time reading this. I think if theo were written in a more compelling way, I could forgive some of the other complaints. but god I found him SO insufferable, and alex wasn't much better with her wishy washy attitude about everything. I think this book would have been better without a HEA honestly.
I could say more but I should stop here. theo has been added to my list of types of men I never want to read about again. thank you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
I am so thankful to have been an ARC reader for Perfect - I cannot scream about it enough from the rooftops!
Firstly I want to say how refreshing it was to actually read a book of this subgenre where the fmc does not magically accept her stalker within act 1. Alex doesn't buy into the delusion and the depth of these characters made it so captivating but heartbreaking on both them to see Theo unravel all the lies and accept his behaviour. Or not accept, the entire book is a rollercoaster that had me hooked from chapter one.
I felt so emotionally invested in both characters, because Theo is kind of the best in a very manipulative but touch her and die kind of way 😂 gifts as a love language? Yes please.
I think I cried and chuckled so much through out, it was the perfect balance.
Giving away no spoilers, the last third of the book will have you utterly HOOKED wanting to find out how this story concluded. It dives in direction I just never expected and the epilogue is so cleverly added to really emphasise nothing about the love story is conventional.
With this being the authors debut (chefs kiss) I'll read anything she puts in front of me 🙌
Firstly I want to say how refreshing it was to actually read a book of this subgenre where the fmc does not magically accept her stalker within act 1. Alex doesn't buy into the delusion and the depth of these characters made it so captivating but heartbreaking on both them to see Theo unravel all the lies and accept his behaviour. Or not accept, the entire book is a rollercoaster that had me hooked from chapter one.
I felt so emotionally invested in both characters, because Theo is kind of the best in a very manipulative but touch her and die kind of way 😂 gifts as a love language? Yes please.
I think I cried and chuckled so much through out, it was the perfect balance.
Giving away no spoilers, the last third of the book will have you utterly HOOKED wanting to find out how this story concluded. It dives in direction I just never expected and the epilogue is so cleverly added to really emphasise nothing about the love story is conventional.
With this being the authors debut (chefs kiss) I'll read anything she puts in front of me 🙌
December 18, 2025
I picked up a copy after seeing it pop up one too many times on the dark romance subreddit.
And I found it underwhelming. I think I expected too much out of it. For the story it told, I think it was way too long. And for how long it was, it didn’t inspire any strong emotions especially with it dealing with dark subject matters like domestic abuse.
I liked seeing how Theo changed the narrative to fit his reality and see that juxtaposition with Alex’s reality. The romance was meh. Never really understood why he chose Alex and honestly I wish we got more insight into Theos friendship with Kevin
And I found it underwhelming. I think I expected too much out of it. For the story it told, I think it was way too long. And for how long it was, it didn’t inspire any strong emotions especially with it dealing with dark subject matters like domestic abuse.
I liked seeing how Theo changed the narrative to fit his reality and see that juxtaposition with Alex’s reality. The romance was meh. Never really understood why he chose Alex and honestly I wish we got more insight into Theos friendship with Kevin
January 11, 2026
DNF at 50%
I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t work for me. The chapters felt too long, and the pacing dragged to the point where I almost slipped into a slump. I managed to push through to the halfway mark but couldn’t stay engaged after that and ended up skimming.
This one simply wasn’t for me, though I can see how readers who enjoy longer, more drawn-out storytelling might connect with it more than I did.
I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t work for me. The chapters felt too long, and the pacing dragged to the point where I almost slipped into a slump. I managed to push through to the halfway mark but couldn’t stay engaged after that and ended up skimming.
This one simply wasn’t for me, though I can see how readers who enjoy longer, more drawn-out storytelling might connect with it more than I did.
January 7, 2026
Theo made this book, he took stalking to the next level. Really good plot but wish it was shorter, spice was good. Very slow burn. Stalker, possessive MMC, ex-con & DV survivor.
October 19, 2025
I want the thank the author Ariana Rivers for the opportunity to read this early. I thought the main characters were complex and their stories were very traumatic. I’m always a sucker for a stalker romance, and this delivers in the stalker department. Theo is intense and feels so deeply towards Alex. She is in hiding from her abusive husband, and just wants to start over in peace. Theo has other plans once he has his sights set on Alex. Her reaction to Theo was very realistic and I found myself laughing because Theo couldn’t understand why Alex was upset. For a good portion of the storyline it felt that I was in the same cycle of stalking, FMC is upset, calls MMC delusional, spicy time, she seems interested, and then regret. My interest peaked again towards the end with the climax with the husband. Overall, it was an interesting story.
September 6, 2025
My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My chillis:🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
'I'm somewhat aware that I'm not in control anymore...'
***ARC review***
If dark romance is your poison, this is the glass you'll want to drain dry. It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s obsessive. It’s Perfect.
Wow. Just… wow. What a debut Ariana Rivers has gifted us with. I laughed, I screamed, I cried (a LOT). I felt all the feelings - and then some.
From the very first page, the atmosphere is transfixing. It's an all-consuming spiral into madness, love, lust, and everything deliciously wrong that somehow feels so right. You tumble headfirst down this dark, twisted rabbit hole, and once the story sinks its claws in, it does not let go. I was captivated from the start. I couldn't put it down, and I wouldn't if I could.
The characters are insanely complex and beautifully written. You feel like you're living their story. Theo is a dream of a morally-grey MMC. He's delusional, obsessive, yet so heartbreakingly easy to empathize with. Somehow, you find yourself loving the overbearing stalker in all his twisted glory. And Alex? Pure grit. Smart, resilient, vulnerable, and impossible not to root for. Their push/pull dynamic is addictive, the balance of light and dark between them utterly delicious.
And the spice… chef’s kiss. Intoxicating without ever overshadowing the story. Instead, it adds layers of emotion, complexity, and tension that elevate everything.
This book is dark, damaged, addictive, and unforgettable. The pacing never skips a beat, the story devastates and delights in equal measure, and the emotions linger long after the last page.
Come for the spice, stay for the gut-punching, heart-shattering story. For my dark romance readers; THIS is the one. Ariana Rivers, I’m begging… more books, please. I need them. I need them yesterday.
My chillis:🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
'I'm somewhat aware that I'm not in control anymore...'
***ARC review***
If dark romance is your poison, this is the glass you'll want to drain dry. It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s obsessive. It’s Perfect.
Wow. Just… wow. What a debut Ariana Rivers has gifted us with. I laughed, I screamed, I cried (a LOT). I felt all the feelings - and then some.
From the very first page, the atmosphere is transfixing. It's an all-consuming spiral into madness, love, lust, and everything deliciously wrong that somehow feels so right. You tumble headfirst down this dark, twisted rabbit hole, and once the story sinks its claws in, it does not let go. I was captivated from the start. I couldn't put it down, and I wouldn't if I could.
The characters are insanely complex and beautifully written. You feel like you're living their story. Theo is a dream of a morally-grey MMC. He's delusional, obsessive, yet so heartbreakingly easy to empathize with. Somehow, you find yourself loving the overbearing stalker in all his twisted glory. And Alex? Pure grit. Smart, resilient, vulnerable, and impossible not to root for. Their push/pull dynamic is addictive, the balance of light and dark between them utterly delicious.
And the spice… chef’s kiss. Intoxicating without ever overshadowing the story. Instead, it adds layers of emotion, complexity, and tension that elevate everything.
This book is dark, damaged, addictive, and unforgettable. The pacing never skips a beat, the story devastates and delights in equal measure, and the emotions linger long after the last page.
Come for the spice, stay for the gut-punching, heart-shattering story. For my dark romance readers; THIS is the one. Ariana Rivers, I’m begging… more books, please. I need them. I need them yesterday.
October 19, 2025
5⭐️ I didn’t finish this book. It finished me. Beautifully, painfully, completely.
This book… It’s the kind of book that makes you stop at the last 50 pages because you don’t want it to end. The kind that, once it’s over, leaves you heartbroken knowing you’ll never get to experience it for the first time again. The kind that makes you feel nothing & everything all at once.
This isn’t just another stalker dark romance.
It’s a window into the chaos of Theo’s mind. A man who loves too hard, feels too deeply & doesn’t know how to stop. It’s not about him being the villain in Alex’s story, but about his struggle with mental illness & how his love for her blurs the line between delusion & reality.
Then there’s Alex. Quiet, distant, haunted in her own way. She carries her pain under her sleeves, pretending she’s fine because it’s easier than admitting she’s not. Her survival isn’t loud. It’s in her silence, in the way she fades when things get too heavy.
This book is the story of both sides of brokenness. How love, trauma & mental illness changes the way we love & the way we see ourselves. It doesn’t glorify it. It reveals it. And understood, I did.
This wasn’t just another read for me, but a journey of its own. One that reminded me how love, pain & healing can exist all at once. That sometimes, understanding is the purest form of love.
This book… It’s the kind of book that makes you stop at the last 50 pages because you don’t want it to end. The kind that, once it’s over, leaves you heartbroken knowing you’ll never get to experience it for the first time again. The kind that makes you feel nothing & everything all at once.
This isn’t just another stalker dark romance.
It’s a window into the chaos of Theo’s mind. A man who loves too hard, feels too deeply & doesn’t know how to stop. It’s not about him being the villain in Alex’s story, but about his struggle with mental illness & how his love for her blurs the line between delusion & reality.
Then there’s Alex. Quiet, distant, haunted in her own way. She carries her pain under her sleeves, pretending she’s fine because it’s easier than admitting she’s not. Her survival isn’t loud. It’s in her silence, in the way she fades when things get too heavy.
This book is the story of both sides of brokenness. How love, trauma & mental illness changes the way we love & the way we see ourselves. It doesn’t glorify it. It reveals it. And understood, I did.
This wasn’t just another read for me, but a journey of its own. One that reminded me how love, pain & healing can exist all at once. That sometimes, understanding is the purest form of love.
February 12, 2026
DELULU IS THE SOLULU
If you like your men obsessed, unhinged, just a little pathetic, and absolutely delusional like he's world champion for daydreaming, this is the perfect book for you.
also, how is this Rivers' debut??? definitely keeping my eye out for any future releases 👀👀
If you like your men obsessed, unhinged, just a little pathetic, and absolutely delusional like he's world champion for daydreaming, this is the perfect book for you.
also, how is this Rivers' debut??? definitely keeping my eye out for any future releases 👀👀
February 21, 2026
This book gaslit me into falling desperately in love with an unhinged, golden retriever stalker and I don’t regret it one bit.
Alex is a survivor of domestic abuse and is on the run and hiding from her dangerous husband. She settles in Astoria and starts a new life with a hidden identity but what she doesn’t realise is she’s now being watched by someone else.
Theo has just come out of 9 years in prison and is trying to control his impulses and start fresh. Except when he sees Alex everything shifts for him and he falls down a new cycle of obsession.
This book explores emotional conflict and puts you in such a morally compromising situation. In many ways you feel sorry for Theo and understand the complexity of his feelings, I found myself rooting for his happiness deeply.
In other ways I felt sad for Alex, to find love in the most unconventional, manipulative way and for her to struggle with knowing what was her choice and what wasn’t.
Theo is very much golden retriever, he is obsessed with showering Alex in endless gifts, affection and caring for her in every way possible, even when she’s not ready to accept it from him. This man installs cameras and trackers everywhere so that he can follow her and keep her safe, and I was just as delusional as him because I was like “JUST LET HIM PLEASE”
The last 40% of the book made my heart hurt in so many ways, and it got SUPER dark, but as someone who struggles to cry in books I appreciate that it brought so much emotion out of me.
The reasons this didn’t hit the 5 star mark for me were:
1.) this is LONG, like 700 pages, and despite the fact that I grew to love that because I became so attached to the characters, I did nearly dnf in the first 15% because of the slow pace.
2.) this is just an editing thing, but after someone had said something in speech marks, it would immediately be followed by the other persons responsive action, which meant I’d need to go back to figure out who had delivered the line.
Despite all of this, to craft such an emotionally wrenching book as a debut novel is a huge achievement, and I know for sure I’ll be reading all future books by this author.
Alex is a survivor of domestic abuse and is on the run and hiding from her dangerous husband. She settles in Astoria and starts a new life with a hidden identity but what she doesn’t realise is she’s now being watched by someone else.
Theo has just come out of 9 years in prison and is trying to control his impulses and start fresh. Except when he sees Alex everything shifts for him and he falls down a new cycle of obsession.
This book explores emotional conflict and puts you in such a morally compromising situation. In many ways you feel sorry for Theo and understand the complexity of his feelings, I found myself rooting for his happiness deeply.
In other ways I felt sad for Alex, to find love in the most unconventional, manipulative way and for her to struggle with knowing what was her choice and what wasn’t.
Theo is very much golden retriever, he is obsessed with showering Alex in endless gifts, affection and caring for her in every way possible, even when she’s not ready to accept it from him. This man installs cameras and trackers everywhere so that he can follow her and keep her safe, and I was just as delusional as him because I was like “JUST LET HIM PLEASE”
The last 40% of the book made my heart hurt in so many ways, and it got SUPER dark, but as someone who struggles to cry in books I appreciate that it brought so much emotion out of me.
The reasons this didn’t hit the 5 star mark for me were:
1.) this is LONG, like 700 pages, and despite the fact that I grew to love that because I became so attached to the characters, I did nearly dnf in the first 15% because of the slow pace.
2.) this is just an editing thing, but after someone had said something in speech marks, it would immediately be followed by the other persons responsive action, which meant I’d need to go back to figure out who had delivered the line.
Despite all of this, to craft such an emotionally wrenching book as a debut novel is a huge achievement, and I know for sure I’ll be reading all future books by this author.
October 15, 2025
Theo and Alex are just two people who end up having the short end of the stick for a long ass time. Alex is in a terrible marriage and finally gets to leave and start over. When she gets comfortable to go out she meets Theo and instantly is attracted to him. What she doesn’t know is Theo is already obsessed with her and maybe stalking her.
Stalker turned lover is always a good trope to read and Ariana put her heart and soul into these characters to ensure there wasn’t any missing piece of the story line. Literally, I love all the side characters except one. (Iykyk). It’s a thick book but damn did it hit me in all the right feels. The spice was out of this world detailed and smoking hot!! Ugh can’t wait to read more of this author!
Stalker turned lover is always a good trope to read and Ariana put her heart and soul into these characters to ensure there wasn’t any missing piece of the story line. Literally, I love all the side characters except one. (Iykyk). It’s a thick book but damn did it hit me in all the right feels. The spice was out of this world detailed and smoking hot!! Ugh can’t wait to read more of this author!
February 17, 2026
DNF 40%. Nothing exciting. The MMC doesn't have a job which bothers me for some reason even though he does have money. He just spends all his time stalking the fmc and it all seems very unimpressive. I like my fictional men to be very competent and ambitious along with being crazy obsessed. The crazy obsessed without those two things is just weird and not fun to read.
October 20, 2025
I loved this book!
I would give it more than five stars if I could.
Full review to come
I would give it more than five stars if I could.
Full review to come
February 6, 2026
THEO 💍
September 7, 2025
Reading Perfect is like being pulled into a storm you can’t look away from. Ariana Rivers has written a story that is at once intoxicating, terrifying, and painfully human. Through Alex’s desperate attempt to shed her past and Theo’s relentless fixation, the novel pushes boundaries in ways that feel raw, unsettling, and utterly addictive.
Alex is the kind of heroine who doesn’t just run from abuse - she dismantles herself to survive it. Her transformation from Alice Murphy to Alexandria Shearer isn’t simply a change of name, it’s a visceral act of rebirth. The notes of fragility in her new life - the thrifted furniture, the cautious first friendships, the planner she clings to for control- make her victories luminous even when they’re small. Her inner dialogue, often fragmented between fear and defiance, felt so close to the bone that I caught myself holding my breath.
And then there’s Theo. Fresh out of prison, unmoored, and immediately drawn to Alex, his obsession spirals into something suffocating, erotic, and horrifying. The annotations around his perspective are some of the most chilling - hidden cameras, micro-trackers, the belief that watching her every move is “love.” His voice carries this calm, almost reasonable cadence, which only makes the transgressions worse. There’s a duality in him: gentle gestures colliding with violent entitlement, tenderness twisted into control. It’s disturbing, but that’s the point.
What struck me most was how Rivers blurs the line between terror and intimacy. The sex scenes are not written to comfort. They’re meant to confuse, to disarm, to make both Alex and the reader question what it means to consent when desire and fear coexist. One moment she’s laughing for the first time in years, the next she’s trembling under a man who swears he’s her salvation. That dissonance lingers long after the page is turned.
The thematic undercurrent - the cycle of abuse, the way trauma rewrites your perception of self, love, and safety- is woven seamlessly into the narrative. The Neruda poem underlined by Alex, the echoes of her mother’s painting, even her struggle to enjoy something as simple as casual dating - these moments remind us that Perfect isn’t about a flawless romance. It’s about the impossible task of reclaiming autonomy when every form of care you’ve known has been poisoned.
And here’s what makes it all the more impressive: Perfect is a debut. A debut that reads with the confidence and precision of an author who has been sharpening her craft for years. Ariana Rivers delivers layered characters, an unflinching narrative voice, and prose that knows exactly when to cut deep and when to soothe. It’s the kind of first novel that doesn’t just promise a career - it demands attention.
This is not a light read. It’s dark, consuming, and at times deeply uncomfortable. And yet, that’s what makes it brilliant. Rivers refuses to romanticize obsession, but she also doesn’t simplify it into pure villainy. Theo is terrifying precisely because he is believable - lonely, methodical, convinced he knows what Alex needs. Alex is compelling because she is imperfect - strong and fragile, brave and broken, fighting for freedom while drawn into dynamics she can’t fully untangle.
Perfect is, in many ways, the story of two people circling the abyss from opposite sides. For Alex, the abyss is her past. For Theo, it’s his obsession. And for the reader, it’s the realization that the lines between love, possession, safety, and danger are far messier than we’d like to believe.
⭐ ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
If you want a debut that crawls under your skin, challenges your sense of comfort, and refuses to let you look away—this one is unforgettable.
Alex is the kind of heroine who doesn’t just run from abuse - she dismantles herself to survive it. Her transformation from Alice Murphy to Alexandria Shearer isn’t simply a change of name, it’s a visceral act of rebirth. The notes of fragility in her new life - the thrifted furniture, the cautious first friendships, the planner she clings to for control- make her victories luminous even when they’re small. Her inner dialogue, often fragmented between fear and defiance, felt so close to the bone that I caught myself holding my breath.
And then there’s Theo. Fresh out of prison, unmoored, and immediately drawn to Alex, his obsession spirals into something suffocating, erotic, and horrifying. The annotations around his perspective are some of the most chilling - hidden cameras, micro-trackers, the belief that watching her every move is “love.” His voice carries this calm, almost reasonable cadence, which only makes the transgressions worse. There’s a duality in him: gentle gestures colliding with violent entitlement, tenderness twisted into control. It’s disturbing, but that’s the point.
What struck me most was how Rivers blurs the line between terror and intimacy. The sex scenes are not written to comfort. They’re meant to confuse, to disarm, to make both Alex and the reader question what it means to consent when desire and fear coexist. One moment she’s laughing for the first time in years, the next she’s trembling under a man who swears he’s her salvation. That dissonance lingers long after the page is turned.
The thematic undercurrent - the cycle of abuse, the way trauma rewrites your perception of self, love, and safety- is woven seamlessly into the narrative. The Neruda poem underlined by Alex, the echoes of her mother’s painting, even her struggle to enjoy something as simple as casual dating - these moments remind us that Perfect isn’t about a flawless romance. It’s about the impossible task of reclaiming autonomy when every form of care you’ve known has been poisoned.
And here’s what makes it all the more impressive: Perfect is a debut. A debut that reads with the confidence and precision of an author who has been sharpening her craft for years. Ariana Rivers delivers layered characters, an unflinching narrative voice, and prose that knows exactly when to cut deep and when to soothe. It’s the kind of first novel that doesn’t just promise a career - it demands attention.
This is not a light read. It’s dark, consuming, and at times deeply uncomfortable. And yet, that’s what makes it brilliant. Rivers refuses to romanticize obsession, but she also doesn’t simplify it into pure villainy. Theo is terrifying precisely because he is believable - lonely, methodical, convinced he knows what Alex needs. Alex is compelling because she is imperfect - strong and fragile, brave and broken, fighting for freedom while drawn into dynamics she can’t fully untangle.
Perfect is, in many ways, the story of two people circling the abyss from opposite sides. For Alex, the abyss is her past. For Theo, it’s his obsession. And for the reader, it’s the realization that the lines between love, possession, safety, and danger are far messier than we’d like to believe.
⭐ ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
If you want a debut that crawls under your skin, challenges your sense of comfort, and refuses to let you look away—this one is unforgettable.
December 23, 2025
Delusional as hell lol. Both of them.
Overall an entertaining and interesting read, although heartbreaking at times. Would’ve been 5 stars had the book been shorter. Much of it was needlessly repetitive and drawn out.
Overall an entertaining and interesting read, although heartbreaking at times. Would’ve been 5 stars had the book been shorter. Much of it was needlessly repetitive and drawn out.
November 3, 2025
This book ... this god damn book..
this book had me by the throat. I haven't been this invested/panicky/wtf is happening?! since reading UYS!!
The MMC - Theo - quite literally the definition of UNHINGED! LOL Think like a mix between Joe Goldberg and Damon Salvatore 💀 The most off the wall rationalization and goofy ass chipper personality of Joe combined with the passion, sexiness, rage, and mystery of Damon.
The FMC - Alex - is quite literally fighting for her life theough the ENTIRE book. In the beginning she's LITERALLY fighting for her life to escape her abusive husband. Then she just simply is fighting to regain control of HER life. To have independence and pride in just being her. She's incredibly strong even though life has been nothing but cruel to her.
This book was sooooo damn good. The last 20% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I was STRESSED... messaging the author losing my absolute mind over the storyline.
As a debut novel, Ariana KILLED this!
I can't say enough positive things about this book. 🙌🏻🖤
this book had me by the throat. I haven't been this invested/panicky/wtf is happening?! since reading UYS!!
The MMC - Theo - quite literally the definition of UNHINGED! LOL Think like a mix between Joe Goldberg and Damon Salvatore 💀 The most off the wall rationalization and goofy ass chipper personality of Joe combined with the passion, sexiness, rage, and mystery of Damon.
The FMC - Alex - is quite literally fighting for her life theough the ENTIRE book. In the beginning she's LITERALLY fighting for her life to escape her abusive husband. Then she just simply is fighting to regain control of HER life. To have independence and pride in just being her. She's incredibly strong even though life has been nothing but cruel to her.
This book was sooooo damn good. The last 20% of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I was STRESSED... messaging the author losing my absolute mind over the storyline.
As a debut novel, Ariana KILLED this!
I can't say enough positive things about this book. 🙌🏻🖤
Read
February 18, 2026I forced myself to finish this book and I’m with the others who agree that it’s about 200 pages too long. It is not necessary as an author to repeat the same chapter from both characters point of view. It’s only if you have something new or different to add. But instead, several pages, we’re just repeating the same information and I found myself glowing over a lot of the inner monologue. Or as others call it info dumping.
I found both characters to be annoyingly, flawed, and more just annoying than anything. With her crying all the time all the time. A lot of repetition. And just unnecessarily inner monologue.
I liked the premise of the book, but it could use another edit
I found both characters to be annoyingly, flawed, and more just annoying than anything. With her crying all the time all the time. A lot of repetition. And just unnecessarily inner monologue.
I liked the premise of the book, but it could use another edit
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
This book was gripping and has an amazing storyline.
please check your triggers!
It has it all, everything a dark romance needs. Twisting, raw emotions, and spice!
Stalking
Touch her and die
Morally grey MMC
Secret Identity
please check your triggers!
It has it all, everything a dark romance needs. Twisting, raw emotions, and spice!
Stalking
Touch her and die
Morally grey MMC
Secret Identity
December 13, 2025
I loved this book! The fact that bell hooks was referenced in what healthy love is for a dark romance is incredible. FMC held her own and MMC understood how his actions were harmful. It was def way too long and could be tightened but for a debut book by a new author, I’m forgiving of that. Esp as I loved it all the way through!
November 19, 2025
Not really direct spoilers, but I'd recommend not reading this and going in blind.
It's very rare that I find a book that doesn't fit exactly what I want, but delivers so well on what the author wants, that I make a complete 180.
The beginning was classic, if not rushed. The middle was sappy and long. Well, the whole book was long. The ending was really good. I expected the classic confrontation and the quick resolution and the speed-off to happily ever after. Rivers took the time to make that realistic and raw, to add stakes and intensity to what could've felt like a forced third act.
I love a long book. It gives me the opportunity to get to know the characters intimately, even if it's just through filler. That might be why I'm so biased towards it being as good as it is, but I think it also has a lot to do with shyness and emotional depth. Most stalker dark romances try to make the smut as kinky as possible and then click Publish, which is all well and good, but it's very hard to find something that meets the emotional requirements of being dark (along with the sex/kink/OTT stuff).
Theo was spectacularly written. At first, I wished it was single POV so that there was more intrigue to Theo's character, but it ended up working out anyway. His anxiety, his mixed perceptions of things, overall mental health, experiences in therapy, codependence, separation anxiety, stalker behavior: all of it really coalesced into something very real and fragile, and I felt like I was stuck in his twisted, broken body rather than just reading. He was a monster to the very last paragraph of the book, but never to her.
My favorite aspect of this book is by far Dr. Mills, and I think the epilogue being from her perspective is such a fantastic way to complete this story. The complexity of her being right and also being wrong, of Theo's relationship with her, and interestingly enough, Alex's. She's the one who convinces Theo to commit to therapy and she's the one who really loses her cool at their seemingly last confrontation. Then in the epilogue... wow, really tied the picture together and added just the right amount of nuance and clarity to what their relationship is now.
It had the perfect blend of side characters to main characters, dark emotion to fun romance, sweetness to toxicity. Fantastic book and criminally underrated.
It's very rare that I find a book that doesn't fit exactly what I want, but delivers so well on what the author wants, that I make a complete 180.
The beginning was classic, if not rushed. The middle was sappy and long. Well, the whole book was long. The ending was really good. I expected the classic confrontation and the quick resolution and the speed-off to happily ever after. Rivers took the time to make that realistic and raw, to add stakes and intensity to what could've felt like a forced third act.
I love a long book. It gives me the opportunity to get to know the characters intimately, even if it's just through filler. That might be why I'm so biased towards it being as good as it is, but I think it also has a lot to do with shyness and emotional depth. Most stalker dark romances try to make the smut as kinky as possible and then click Publish, which is all well and good, but it's very hard to find something that meets the emotional requirements of being dark (along with the sex/kink/OTT stuff).
Theo was spectacularly written. At first, I wished it was single POV so that there was more intrigue to Theo's character, but it ended up working out anyway. His anxiety, his mixed perceptions of things, overall mental health, experiences in therapy, codependence, separation anxiety, stalker behavior: all of it really coalesced into something very real and fragile, and I felt like I was stuck in his twisted, broken body rather than just reading. He was a monster to the very last paragraph of the book, but never to her.
My favorite aspect of this book is by far Dr. Mills, and I think the epilogue being from her perspective is such a fantastic way to complete this story. The complexity of her being right and also being wrong, of Theo's relationship with her, and interestingly enough, Alex's. She's the one who convinces Theo to commit to therapy and she's the one who really loses her cool at their seemingly last confrontation. Then in the epilogue... wow, really tied the picture together and added just the right amount of nuance and clarity to what their relationship is now.
It had the perfect blend of side characters to main characters, dark emotion to fun romance, sweetness to toxicity. Fantastic book and criminally underrated.
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