Almost a Stranger: A Psychological Thriller Romance

by Mira Shaw

She left everything behind. Except the person who never let go.
Once upon a time, I dreamed of being a romance writer. For a while, the dream came true. The books took off. Fan mail rolled in. Readers said my stories made them feel bold, desired, alive. I soaked up every word.

Until the messages shifted.

The sweet notes turned personal. Then intimate. Then obsessive. Emails arrived quoting details I’d never shared. My private number lit up with texts no one should have had. Photos of me appeared—on a jog, in my home, in the shower. Packages landed on my doorstep. Flowers. Jewelry. Dead animals.

The police did nothing, even after my stalker tricked someone into attacking me and nearly got my little brother killed. To protect my family, I had only one choice.

I ran.

New name. New life. A quiet bookstore café on Whisper Island, where I pour lattes, recommend paperbacks, and pretend I’m just another small-town girl who’s never been hunted.

I almost believe it.

Until a woman collapses in my shop and died, poisoned from one of my mugs. Until the first new message arrives. Same tone. Same style. Same nightmare.

He’s found me. And wants to pick up exactly where the terror left off.

Mira Shaw delivers obsession, buried identity, and dangerous desire in Almost a Stranger – book two of the Final Chapter Book Club series, perfect for fans of Verity and The Housemaid.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2025

Reviews

[P J Van Benthusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of an ARC team. Who can you trust when you have no idea who is stalking you? This is a deep dive into a stalking situation that will give you the creeps. The characters are well chosen and seem like normal people trying to live their normal lives. But someone in Nat's tight inner circle is not who she thinks they are. Natalie (aka Natasha, aka Nat) is running from a situation that was ruining her life. One in which she had absolutely no control. So, she left and got as far away as possible from home and the people she loved. She wanted to start a new life and not put her family in jeopardy. Things don't always work the way we want, and it seems the person stalking her has found her! As a victim many years ago of a stalking situation this book hits home. You are truly helpless. You have no control, and the law does not help. Paper, even legal paper, doesn't stop someone on a mission. You lose a bit of yourself. You don't smile as often because you are not sure if that is someone's trigger. Your life is not your own anymore. This book captures a lot of the feelings you sort through. It's a good read!

[DianaRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

"ALMOST A STRANGER" by Mira Shaw is the second installment in "The Final Chapter Book Club" series. This is a tense and emotional story about surviving the past and present. The plot grows steadily until it grips you with its twists and turns, leading to a chilling climax. Each installment reveals the secrets of a different book-club member. This time, it's Natalie, owner of The Prologue Café & Books shop.

To protect her family, Natalie was forced to secretly relocate to Whisper Island, telling no one where she went. But now, she's seeing shadows where there are none, someone watching her, but only she sees him. Has her stalker found her? Or is it just her nerves and imagination slowly driving her insane?

This is so good from start to finish; it's hard to put down for even a few minutes. The characters aren't perfect; like real people, they have flaws, but you'll still want to be friends with them.

Dark secrets have haunted Whisper Island for thirty years. This story is just the most current secret that is about to come to light and may destroy people's lives.

I received an ARC of this book from the author, and the above is my voluntary and honest review.

[Becky Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natasha moved all the way to Whisper Island to start a new life under a new name and profession after a stalker threatened her and her family. Under the name of Natalie, she has opened a book store/coffee shop and is beginning to feel part of the community and begins seeing someone romantically. She keeps in touch with her family and best friend but does not allow them any knowledge of where she is to protect them. Then, she begins receiving little notes and gifts similar to what her stalker sent her. Then a customer dies in her shop poisoned by the creamer she favors. Things keeps escalating and the story keeps you in high suspense. There are so many twists and turns and then the ending just shocked me! This is a great book and definitely keeps you reading late into the night even though it scares you too! Definitely recommend this series.

I received this as an ARC.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat had a stalker when she lived in Colorado with her mother and siblings. She ended up with a stalker who escalated into threating her and her family with harm. She did the only thing she could and changed her name and moved not telling anyone her new name and location. Now she has started getting threats in her new life that sound like her old stalker. It seems like it could only be someone that is in her new life - could it be the guy in the gray windbreaker? or someone else? Does she have real friends in the Final Chapter Book Club? I was totally into this book and Nat's situation. I felt her fear. This is a great psychological thriller with some romance thrown in that makes it perfect. I can't wait for the next book to see what Mira Shaw comes up with. I know I'll read it.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance, fear, redemption, all woven tight together in the story of the young woman leaving everything, including her family, behind because of the stalker. It all starts on an easy note, funny, loving friends, great customers at the cafe, oh and the creative ridiculous names for the muffins and coffee. I loved “Flat White Lie” latte lol. Only Mira/Mary can come up with these. I was shocked how fast and smoothly the story turned into the twisty terror, shame and betrayal. I could not stop reading. I lived Natalie’s story, I loved , I feared, I cried, I struggled and despaired. It’s was CATHARTIC. Yes it’s Mira’s Word and it’s perfect description of this second book of the wonderful series about strong women. It’s so real. Thank you. Lida

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! Mira Shaw is amazing, catching all the large overwhelming feelings to the smallest ones in a book that just carries you away.
Not sure what to think when first starting the book but I started realizing The Prologue was an amazing Coffee, Muffin, book comfort I would love. The people, Nat, Junie, Arlo amazing people who it all worked for them, until it fell apart bit by bit but they still held together supporting each other. The death threats, the bribery, the killing it all fit inside one small package that almost destroyed it all.
You have to read this book. You will love it.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 2nd novel in The Final Chapter Book Club could be considered a psychological thriller but I see it more as romantic suspense with a twist. I really enjoyed getting to know the main character, Nat, and all her layers. The story was fun yet suspenseful and made you feel a lot of angst, fear, elation and sadness. I felt a little wrung out by the end but in a good way. The plot unfolded in a linear fashion and kept up the same pace until the end. If you didn't read novel one yet, you need to go back and read it but part two is even better!

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nat came to Whisper Island escape a stalker and to build a new life, one that had no bearing on her previous life. She didn’t let anyone in her family, nor her best friend, know where she was to protect them. But life has a way of throwing curve balls and looks like her stalker has found her. Will she finally find out who her stalker is and be able to stop them or, will they wind on destroying her? Another wonderful thriller from Ms Shaw that is hard to put down.

[Jen Monastra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book because #1 of the series was addicting!! This chapter of the story was more a romance book to me than a psychological thriller. The suspense in the book was weak to me and at times predictable. The whole concept of the book club and how each member is different and integral to the story, is unique and brings a new level of interest to these stories. Hoping the next member's experiences are a little more harrowing.

[Carol Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in The Final Chapter Book Club series. After being stalked by an unknown person, Natalie leaves everything behind, changes her name and moves across country to Whisper Island.

She opens a cafe-book store and everything is good until a mysterious person starts visiting her shop and strange things start to happen.

The book is full of twists and turns and I would highly recommend it.

[Robin E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC

LOVED it! I had a sneaking suspicion about the time the villain showed up that it might be them. I wasn’t quite sure about the stalker but that was a really good twist. It really threw me when the villain admitted to killing someone in Nat’s family! That was not anything I saw coming!

I am VERY eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! They are Unputdownable!

[Sue Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling read! Nat is trying to start over after a stalker terrorized her. She has left her Mom, brother, sister and her bestie behind to save everyone in her circle from dealing with the mysterious stalker. The local police were not able to catch this guy. Life on the island is going good till one day a message is found that makes her fear she’s been found.

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great story in this series. It pulls you in and doesn’t let you go till the end. it has twist and turns, will keep you on the edge of your seat, and a lot of mystery and suspense. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Shaw brings us next.


I received a complementary ARC and I’m leaving an honest and voluntary review.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost a Stranger: A Psychological Thriller Romance (The Final Chapter Book Club)Book 2 of 2: The Final Chapter Book Club By: Mira Shaw. This is the second book in the series and it is so good. It kept me wondering what would happen next. I enjoyed it .

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Final Chapter Book Club series. It’s a very engaging psychological thriller. The plot is gripping and I didn’t see the twists coming! A very well developed must-read!

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome story about Natalie and her new name and somebody is still out there stalking her with an ending that was mind boggling with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this great story Mira.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darn. So good

Mary or Mira, both wrote another kick butt book. The drama and intrigue and twisted scenarios just.keep on going page after page. The characters in the story are here from book one also. They really add so much to the story. Can't wait for book three.

[Teresa A. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of "Twisty Twists"!

This book is simply chock full of twists and dead ends and wrong way streets. Just when I thought it was solved, it wasnt! Mira Shaw has a gift with Psychological Thrillers that aren't filled with blood and gore, but great writing. Can't wait for #3.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. At first I thought it was a little slow but once I got into the book. I was hooked I loved all the twists, turns & unexpected plot twists this book has to offer. It was another 5 star read from me.

[Diane D. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Some interesting twists to keep me wanting to turn the page.

[Bonnie Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great twist

Love all the twist and turns had a hard time putting down the book. The ending really shocked me! Kept me in suspense. Another great story! Keep them coming!

[Patricia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book has so much suspense, loved everything about it. I would recommend this to every mystery reader out there. Love the new books can't wait till next one.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I could not put this book down. I liked the first one too, but this one really caught me off guard. I love that! Thank you "Mira"!