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The Monster We Made
Some monsters don't hide under beds.
HER
My new boyfriend, Jamie, is the epitome of perfection. He’s kind, patient, funny—the total opposite of my abusive ex. After everything I’ve been through, life was supposed to be smooth sailing from here. But someone’s been watching me. Following me.
I think my ex is trying to come back into my life. And I’m terrified he’ll do something awful to Jamie. It’s not like he isn’t capable of it.
HIM
She’s perfect.
Everything I’ve ever wanted.
And she has no idea what’s coming.
HER
My new boyfriend, Jamie, is the epitome of perfection. He’s kind, patient, funny—the total opposite of my abusive ex. After everything I’ve been through, life was supposed to be smooth sailing from here. But someone’s been watching me. Following me.
I think my ex is trying to come back into my life. And I’m terrified he’ll do something awful to Jamie. It’s not like he isn’t capable of it.
HIM
She’s perfect.
Everything I’ve ever wanted.
And she has no idea what’s coming.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
110 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 17, 2025
No, no, nope. I had to force myself to go through that first part (which is like 180+ pages). It’s a horror show, and not in a good way. The synopsis of the novel is absolutely misleading, which was the whole purpose I suppose (a marketing thing). ‘The monster we made’ had nothing to do with Harper or Jamie, but it sure as hell involved them in the end.
So, Harper, which is a 30+ woman who went through an abusive relationship with her ex (Mark) and became all paranoid (bear this aspect in mind), literally CANNOT SEE all the fucked up things about Jamie, her new boyfriend of six months. It's utterly unrealistic to me. As I read the book I was screaming inside, ‘wtf, wth, how can you be so blind?’
When we switched to ‘His’ perspective, I just couldn't. This is literally the TV show ‘You’. And obviously, I don't like the TV show, so this book instantly went to my ‘no no list’. I did finish it because I can't DNF books, but I had zero interest in what was happening there at this point. The monologue is exactly like that, ‘You’ style, obsessive guy watching, stalking the girl.
That being said, this first part is overtly cheesy, the dialogues, the monologues, the whole action, it makes you roll your eyes, cringe, gag, whatever. It was dreadful to go through that first part. And I still can't believe that a lot of people see this as great writing or great story (like 5 stars? are you serious?), but I suppose it's because of the phenomenon of ‘You’, and all the younger audience that is obsessed with this sort of romanticizing obsession/stalking thingy. Clearly not for me. The FMC character was annoying, the action mind numbingly repetitive and redundant.
To me it seemed like the book insisted a lot on Harper's paranoia, constantly describing this for the purpose of creating this suspenseful atmosphere. I feel like this could've been done better without resorting to this sort of cheap repetition. Look, I understand, she went through some shit, we understand that…to some degree for the love of god, but this…this is just insane. The whole book is packed with ‘is he trying to kill me? Hurt me? Is that what it looks like? Is that man following me? Why is this like that? What if this is something else? What if I can't see the truth? What if he's lying? What if there’s a dead body there? Am I losing my mind? What, what, what, why, why, how, how? Fml, kill me instead so I can escape this hell or limbo of insanity.
Here’s a thought, an advice for younger crowds that might read this sort of book- go to a therapist (seek professional help) instead of jumping into another relationship (with the epitome of perfection guy) when you have serious self-esteem issues and went through awful toxic relationships. Definitely do not engage in a new relationship, get married and have children. Instead work on yourself, learn to love yourself because you as an individual are enough, a partner shouldn’t complete you, or make you happy in such a way that without them you’re miserable. A partner should be just someone to enjoy the pleasures of life together. But I digress.
Believe it when I tell you, there are so many obvious things that it's incredibly surreal how stupid and blind Harper is (think: antagonizing your family, isolating you from your loved ones, pressuring you into life changing decisions like marriage and children). Can’t say I was happy with that subtle trope of ‘let’s build a family together’ either, another pressure point for women, throwing topics like moving in together, marriage, and having children because hey, children after 35 is considered geriatric pregnancy (a term which is not even used anymore nowadays due to several reasons). Could you make it more scary for women and pressure them into following societal norms? I guess you can. But onward we go.
The cheesiest point: the song that tormented Harper: ‘Every breath you take’ by the Police. My brother in Christ…my brain could only take so much.
Fortunately, I was spared in the second and the third part. No more idiocy, and more focus on the actual monster, which surprise surprise, it’s not who you thought it was.
Here it is almost as if we read a different novel. A good one for what is worth, after all that failed emotional chow chow, we’re finally thrown a bone. My only nitpick here is that the author should research a bit more primary and secondary psychopathy (maybe scientific papers and actual real good therapists), because suffering from antisocial personality disorder does not equate with being a psychopath. And truth be told, there is no living soul on Earth who doesn’t feel anything or has no emotions (because newsflash people: there are many other emotions other than empathy, can you believe that?). There's no such thing, but let’s skip the science behind this and move on.
We switch to even more perspectives, bridging some gaps and adding more and more layers to the monster’s identity, which believe me, their background is rather sad (though very reminiscent of Dexter ‘training’ his son)
These final parts pick up the pace and it's the only reason why the book got three stars. Was it predictable regarding Harper's relationship? Absolutely. But it was surprising in another sense, that the story happens on two fronts and these two fronts collide at this point in a way that actually feels like karmic justice which was truly nice.
In reality I’d be more interested in reading more about the monster, and less about this senseless repetitive drama. For this reason I’d recommend the book only if you have absolutely no other options, and I’d really advise to just skim through the first part as it brings absolutely no value to the story.
Many, many thanks to Shade Owens, Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
So, Harper, which is a 30+ woman who went through an abusive relationship with her ex (Mark) and became all paranoid (bear this aspect in mind), literally CANNOT SEE all the fucked up things about Jamie, her new boyfriend of six months. It's utterly unrealistic to me. As I read the book I was screaming inside, ‘wtf, wth, how can you be so blind?’
When we switched to ‘His’ perspective, I just couldn't. This is literally the TV show ‘You’. And obviously, I don't like the TV show, so this book instantly went to my ‘no no list’. I did finish it because I can't DNF books, but I had zero interest in what was happening there at this point. The monologue is exactly like that, ‘You’ style, obsessive guy watching, stalking the girl.
That being said, this first part is overtly cheesy, the dialogues, the monologues, the whole action, it makes you roll your eyes, cringe, gag, whatever. It was dreadful to go through that first part. And I still can't believe that a lot of people see this as great writing or great story (like 5 stars? are you serious?), but I suppose it's because of the phenomenon of ‘You’, and all the younger audience that is obsessed with this sort of romanticizing obsession/stalking thingy. Clearly not for me. The FMC character was annoying, the action mind numbingly repetitive and redundant.
To me it seemed like the book insisted a lot on Harper's paranoia, constantly describing this for the purpose of creating this suspenseful atmosphere. I feel like this could've been done better without resorting to this sort of cheap repetition. Look, I understand, she went through some shit, we understand that…to some degree for the love of god, but this…this is just insane. The whole book is packed with ‘is he trying to kill me? Hurt me? Is that what it looks like? Is that man following me? Why is this like that? What if this is something else? What if I can't see the truth? What if he's lying? What if there’s a dead body there? Am I losing my mind? What, what, what, why, why, how, how? Fml, kill me instead so I can escape this hell or limbo of insanity.
Here’s a thought, an advice for younger crowds that might read this sort of book- go to a therapist (seek professional help) instead of jumping into another relationship (with the epitome of perfection guy) when you have serious self-esteem issues and went through awful toxic relationships. Definitely do not engage in a new relationship, get married and have children. Instead work on yourself, learn to love yourself because you as an individual are enough, a partner shouldn’t complete you, or make you happy in such a way that without them you’re miserable. A partner should be just someone to enjoy the pleasures of life together. But I digress.
Believe it when I tell you, there are so many obvious things that it's incredibly surreal how stupid and blind Harper is (think: antagonizing your family, isolating you from your loved ones, pressuring you into life changing decisions like marriage and children). Can’t say I was happy with that subtle trope of ‘let’s build a family together’ either, another pressure point for women, throwing topics like moving in together, marriage, and having children because hey, children after 35 is considered geriatric pregnancy (a term which is not even used anymore nowadays due to several reasons). Could you make it more scary for women and pressure them into following societal norms? I guess you can. But onward we go.
The cheesiest point: the song that tormented Harper: ‘Every breath you take’ by the Police. My brother in Christ…my brain could only take so much.
Fortunately, I was spared in the second and the third part. No more idiocy, and more focus on the actual monster, which surprise surprise, it’s not who you thought it was.
Here it is almost as if we read a different novel. A good one for what is worth, after all that failed emotional chow chow, we’re finally thrown a bone. My only nitpick here is that the author should research a bit more primary and secondary psychopathy (maybe scientific papers and actual real good therapists), because suffering from antisocial personality disorder does not equate with being a psychopath. And truth be told, there is no living soul on Earth who doesn’t feel anything or has no emotions (because newsflash people: there are many other emotions other than empathy, can you believe that?). There's no such thing, but let’s skip the science behind this and move on.
We switch to even more perspectives, bridging some gaps and adding more and more layers to the monster’s identity, which believe me, their background is rather sad (though very reminiscent of Dexter ‘training’ his son)
These final parts pick up the pace and it's the only reason why the book got three stars. Was it predictable regarding Harper's relationship? Absolutely. But it was surprising in another sense, that the story happens on two fronts and these two fronts collide at this point in a way that actually feels like karmic justice which was truly nice.
In reality I’d be more interested in reading more about the monster, and less about this senseless repetitive drama. For this reason I’d recommend the book only if you have absolutely no other options, and I’d really advise to just skim through the first part as it brings absolutely no value to the story.
Many, many thanks to Shade Owens, Red Raven Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.
November 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, BookSirens and Red Raven Publishing for providing and ARC of The Monster We Made by Shade Owens in exchange for honest feedback.
This was a gripping, slow-creeping psychological thriller that maintained an eerie sense of dread throughout. It had a unique premise from your typical thriller that felt both intimate and unsettling. The FMC was flawed in ways that made her behavior believable, and watching her choices spiral was extremely unnerving. The pacing was a bit slow at first, but the character development along the way made up for that.
While some of the twists were a bit predictable, others were definitely a surprise as things started to really unfold. Overall it was a solid, atmospheric thriller perfect for those who love emotional depth mixed with creeping dread.
This was a gripping, slow-creeping psychological thriller that maintained an eerie sense of dread throughout. It had a unique premise from your typical thriller that felt both intimate and unsettling. The FMC was flawed in ways that made her behavior believable, and watching her choices spiral was extremely unnerving. The pacing was a bit slow at first, but the character development along the way made up for that.
While some of the twists were a bit predictable, others were definitely a surprise as things started to really unfold. Overall it was a solid, atmospheric thriller perfect for those who love emotional depth mixed with creeping dread.
November 16, 2025
4.25 stars rounded down.
Apart from the fact that I might need to seek medical treatment for the whiplash I sustained, this book was truly fantastic. It's a rollercoaster ride with a fast pace, numerous twists and turns, and a dark, gritty atmosphere that kept me thoroughly engaged. I really enjoyed every aspect of it. The characters are complex, flawed, and portrayed in a realistic manner. While I didn't necessarily like any of them personally, I was still completely invested in the story and eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding Harper. The only reason it didn't receive a full five-star rating was due to some questions about the plausibility of certain events, particularly how some storylines intertwined and the locations of some characters—not the stalking elements, which unfortunately are too common place!
Overall, it's an exceptionally dark and gripping thriller, and I loved every minute of it. I’m definitely looking out for more books by Shade Owens to add to my reading list.
Thanks to the author, publishers and Booksirens for the ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Apart from the fact that I might need to seek medical treatment for the whiplash I sustained, this book was truly fantastic. It's a rollercoaster ride with a fast pace, numerous twists and turns, and a dark, gritty atmosphere that kept me thoroughly engaged. I really enjoyed every aspect of it. The characters are complex, flawed, and portrayed in a realistic manner. While I didn't necessarily like any of them personally, I was still completely invested in the story and eager to uncover the mysteries surrounding Harper. The only reason it didn't receive a full five-star rating was due to some questions about the plausibility of certain events, particularly how some storylines intertwined and the locations of some characters—not the stalking elements, which unfortunately are too common place!
Overall, it's an exceptionally dark and gripping thriller, and I loved every minute of it. I’m definitely looking out for more books by Shade Owens to add to my reading list.
Thanks to the author, publishers and Booksirens for the ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 23, 2025
Shade Owens blows my mind every single time!!! This book gripped me from chapter 1 and never loosened its hold. From the start, there’s this eerie vibe lurking in the background that makes every page feel like a warning you can’t quite figure out.
The characters were mysterious, complex, and impossible to read. I had no idea what was truly going on, which is exactly what I want in a thriller & expect from this author. I guessed, second guessed, and still ended up wrong every single time lol.
Overall, I loved it. If you’re a fan of stories that are heavy on the wth is happening here & keeps you guessing, I highly recommend this one! 4th read by this author and I have not once been disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters were mysterious, complex, and impossible to read. I had no idea what was truly going on, which is exactly what I want in a thriller & expect from this author. I guessed, second guessed, and still ended up wrong every single time lol.
Overall, I loved it. If you’re a fan of stories that are heavy on the wth is happening here & keeps you guessing, I highly recommend this one! 4th read by this author and I have not once been disappointed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 31, 2025
This was definitely a “what the hell did I just read” thriller in the best way. A page turner from the start, and definitely dark and twisty.
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. This was definitely a “what the hell did I just read” thriller in the best way. A page turner from the start, and definitely dark and twisty.
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. This was definitely a “what the hell did I just read” thriller in the best way. A page turner from the start, and definitely dark and twisty.
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily .
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. This was definitely a “what the hell did I just read” thriller in the best way. A page turner from the start, and definitely dark and twisty.
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. This was definitely a “what the hell did I just read” thriller in the best way. A page turner from the start, and definitely dark and twisty.
Harper meets a new man, Jamie . He’s the perfect guy, or is he? She can’t seem to shake Mark, who is still after her. You feel Harper’s anxiety throughout, and you won’t be able to put this one down. A great read for sure!
I received a copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily .
Read
October 25, 2025Are you looking for a diabolically creepy psychological thriller perfect for autumn? Stay tuned to find out what’s in store!
For the first time in months, Harper is finally happy and treated like a queen by her new boyfriend, Jamie. After being emotionally and psychologically abused by her ex boyfriend, she thinks she got the “golden retriever” boyfriend but he seems almost too good to be true. Absolutely terrified that her ex would make good on his threats to hurt her new boyfriend if she ever moved on from him, Harper becomes more and more paranoid , thinking that she’s being stalked by Mark or having someone watch her every move. Is this all in her mind or is it true? Is Jamie the real deal or someone else entirely, a true wolf in sheep’s clothing? Or is there really a stalker that wants to keep her as his own play toy?
This story is so freaking creepy in all the best ways possible! You have all the classic elements that make you want to keep all the lights on in your home especially at night (just as I’m doing now as I’m writing this review… probably not the best idea but I’m here for the scares) and questioning every little sound you hear. The characters all gel together; their dialogue natural and on point. It truly is a story that is hard to put down and you can always tell a story has great dynamics when it is hard to put down!
So if you’re a lover of psychological thrillers like myself and want a book that can truly creep you out and give you involuntary goosebumps, then this book is for you! Check it out and happy reading!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For the first time in months, Harper is finally happy and treated like a queen by her new boyfriend, Jamie. After being emotionally and psychologically abused by her ex boyfriend, she thinks she got the “golden retriever” boyfriend but he seems almost too good to be true. Absolutely terrified that her ex would make good on his threats to hurt her new boyfriend if she ever moved on from him, Harper becomes more and more paranoid , thinking that she’s being stalked by Mark or having someone watch her every move. Is this all in her mind or is it true? Is Jamie the real deal or someone else entirely, a true wolf in sheep’s clothing? Or is there really a stalker that wants to keep her as his own play toy?
This story is so freaking creepy in all the best ways possible! You have all the classic elements that make you want to keep all the lights on in your home especially at night (just as I’m doing now as I’m writing this review… probably not the best idea but I’m here for the scares) and questioning every little sound you hear. The characters all gel together; their dialogue natural and on point. It truly is a story that is hard to put down and you can always tell a story has great dynamics when it is hard to put down!
So if you’re a lover of psychological thrillers like myself and want a book that can truly creep you out and give you involuntary goosebumps, then this book is for you! Check it out and happy reading!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 15, 2025
I’ve started this review several times, but I am still trying to wrap my head around what I just read. I’ll admit, it kept me engaged and I finished it quickly. Mostly because I was trying to figure out what the heck was happening. The FMC surely made questionable life choices. I get that her history played a big part of that but I spent a lot of the time wishing I could reach through the page and shake her. Girl, get it together! The twists were unexpected, I’ll give it that. I finished and I’m still scratching my head, like what did I just read?! 😂🫣😳🤔
ARC review in exchange for my honest review.
ARC review in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2025
The Monster We Made by Shade Owens is a new psychological thriller with aspects of horror that was released this week.
Harper is in a new relationship with Jamie, who seems like the perfect boyfriend, especially after her last relationship with Mark, who was very controlling and mentally abusive. Jamie is almost too perfect, and Harper has a hard time trusting him 100% because she doesn’t completely trust herself with the men she picks.
Jamie is attentive, caring, and patient, especially with Harper’s past. Mark sends Harper a text wanting to apologize for all the things he did in the past, and Jamie is there to support Harper when she feels scared and is worried she is being stalked. She moves in with Jamie after finding her place trashed and no longer feels safe. Jamie lets her know that the house is hers to make herself comfortable, but to stay away from the basement. He had a depressive time in his life and left all that in the basement. She wants to trust him, but curiosity gets the best of her, especially when she later finds the basement now has a lock on it.
Then there is the creepy guy across the street who just watches Jamie’s house, and Harper has caught him a few times pressed against the window and then gone.
This book has so much crazy stuff going on that I couldn’t put it down. This book is perfect for those of you who love watching true crime documentaries because the horrors revealed in this book are the same things we find fascinating to watch in the documentaries. There are three POVs: Harper, Jamie, and The Animal. The last couple of chapters give us an aftermath explanation, but the last four pages had my jaw dropping!! I’ll be keeping my eye out for this author in the future!
Thank you, Red Raven Publishing, Shade Owens, and Netgalley for this gifted advanced reader copy.
November 10, 2025
A fast paced, creepy, anxiety inducing thriller. Harper, freshly out of an abusive, controlling relationship, falls for the seemingly perfect new guy. Jamie, the perfect, caring, golden retriever new boyfriend is everything she thinks she needs. Mark, the ex, begins messaging, worrying Harper.
The twists just keep coming. Everything you think you have it figured out, you don't. This was my first book by Shade Owens, but will not be last.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The twists just keep coming. Everything you think you have it figured out, you don't. This was my first book by Shade Owens, but will not be last.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 6, 2025
Phew! If you think you guessed what is going on, you definitely have not. What a twisty read!
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Who is messing with Harper and why? Is it Mark, her ex? I will say, at first Harper was a bit annoying and paranoid. But then you quickly realize she had every right to be.
I love Shade Owen’s writing style. It’s easy to read, flows nicely, and keeps you wanting more. I love her books! They’re so unique and well thought out.
Definitely recommend this one.
This book had me on the edge of my seat. Who is messing with Harper and why? Is it Mark, her ex? I will say, at first Harper was a bit annoying and paranoid. But then you quickly realize she had every right to be.
I love Shade Owen’s writing style. It’s easy to read, flows nicely, and keeps you wanting more. I love her books! They’re so unique and well thought out.
Definitely recommend this one.
November 5, 2025
THE MONSTER WE MADE BY SHADE OWENS.
Release date set for the 19th of November 2025.
This book grabs your attention from the very first page and holds on tight until the very end.
Throughout the story I had a sense of dread and waiting for something to happen.
Great characters and really good storyline.
This is my first book by this author and it most definitely won't be my last.
Release date set for the 19th of November 2025.
This book grabs your attention from the very first page and holds on tight until the very end.
Throughout the story I had a sense of dread and waiting for something to happen.
Great characters and really good storyline.
This is my first book by this author and it most definitely won't be my last.
October 28, 2025
ARC Review: The Monster We Made by Shade Owens
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Suspense / Psychological Horror
Some monsters don’t hide under beds.
I’ve long since lost count of how many Shade Owens books I’ve read, we’re well past the “take your socks off to count” stage. Whether she’s crafting dark dystopian worlds or twisted psychological thrillers, she never misses.
I devoured The Monster We Made in two days flat, then needed another two to recover and process what I’d just read.
This book puts the 'psycho' in psychological and the 'creep' in creepy, and when you put those together, you get “psycho creep” in all the 'best' ways. Owens spins a web of suspense so taut it practically hums. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, she smacks you upside the head with another twist you never saw coming.
To call this a page-turner feels like an understatement of epic proportions. I couldn’t flip fast enough to see what fresh horror, not the jump-scare kind, but the sickening real-world kind, awaited me next. Owens weaves her threads with the precision of a spider in her web, luring you deeper into her world before devouring you with one final, perfectly placed sting.
The characters, the setting, the tension… everything clicks together with unnerving precision.
After weeks of wading through literary duds, the BookSirens email announcing this ARC felt like divine intervention. Within seconds, I’d hit “request,” and I’m so glad I did, because this one broke my bad-book streak in spectacular fashion.
At the risk of sounding like a shameless fangirl: Shade Owens remains my go-to, even before the greats like Koontz, King, Patterson, and Kava.
(They’ll always have a special place on my shelf, but I’d happily put their books down in a heartbeat to pick up the next Shade Owens release.)
Keep them coming, Ms Owens. My fingers are already itching to turn the virtual pages of your next masterpiece, no matter the genre.
If you love page-turners that play with your mind and shred your nerves in the best possible way, The Monster We Made deserves your full attention, and a solid five stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Suspense / Psychological Horror
Some monsters don’t hide under beds.
I’ve long since lost count of how many Shade Owens books I’ve read, we’re well past the “take your socks off to count” stage. Whether she’s crafting dark dystopian worlds or twisted psychological thrillers, she never misses.
I devoured The Monster We Made in two days flat, then needed another two to recover and process what I’d just read.
This book puts the 'psycho' in psychological and the 'creep' in creepy, and when you put those together, you get “psycho creep” in all the 'best' ways. Owens spins a web of suspense so taut it practically hums. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, she smacks you upside the head with another twist you never saw coming.
To call this a page-turner feels like an understatement of epic proportions. I couldn’t flip fast enough to see what fresh horror, not the jump-scare kind, but the sickening real-world kind, awaited me next. Owens weaves her threads with the precision of a spider in her web, luring you deeper into her world before devouring you with one final, perfectly placed sting.
The characters, the setting, the tension… everything clicks together with unnerving precision.
After weeks of wading through literary duds, the BookSirens email announcing this ARC felt like divine intervention. Within seconds, I’d hit “request,” and I’m so glad I did, because this one broke my bad-book streak in spectacular fashion.
At the risk of sounding like a shameless fangirl: Shade Owens remains my go-to, even before the greats like Koontz, King, Patterson, and Kava.
(They’ll always have a special place on my shelf, but I’d happily put their books down in a heartbeat to pick up the next Shade Owens release.)
Keep them coming, Ms Owens. My fingers are already itching to turn the virtual pages of your next masterpiece, no matter the genre.
If you love page-turners that play with your mind and shred your nerves in the best possible way, The Monster We Made deserves your full attention, and a solid five stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2025
The Monster We Made is my second book by Shade Owen’s, with The Remedy being the first book which I rated highly. I loved the authors fresh take on a thriller genre that left me thinking about it long after I completed the book, so it was an auto-request when I saw the author on NetGalley! This review will be very mixed.
Part One:
The first part of this book read like a romance novel written by a lovesick teenager. Even with the treat of a stalker-ish ex lover, it was gushy and charming and all the things that don’t mesh with thriller/suspense. But the little breadcrumbs of something on the horizon made it tolerable. The angst to get to the “big reveal” (aka suspense) kept me reading.
Part Two:
Woah, now we’re talking. Like a book in a book in a book. We get to meet the “monster”. Not only that, but learn why he is the way he is! And it’s a good excuse- though not a new concept, definitely a new representation of a good one. At this point, I’m way more intrigued than in part one- but dying to know how they’re connected!
Part Three:
Pretty good representation of the merging of both storylines. Decent closure, no open ends.
Opinion:
Ok what?! So I feel like this could be a really GREAT story but fell short. It felt rushed in many ways, like the ending between the FMC and the “dad” (trying to avoid spoilers). And what happened with the girls?
There were times when reading this book that it felt ChatGPT generated, not saying it was though. There were rudimentary grammatical and spelling mistakes that will likely be reviewed and addressed prior to publication. Overall, just small errors that add to the feeling of being rushed.
Thank you NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for this ARC.
Part One:
The first part of this book read like a romance novel written by a lovesick teenager. Even with the treat of a stalker-ish ex lover, it was gushy and charming and all the things that don’t mesh with thriller/suspense. But the little breadcrumbs of something on the horizon made it tolerable. The angst to get to the “big reveal” (aka suspense) kept me reading.
Part Two:
Woah, now we’re talking. Like a book in a book in a book. We get to meet the “monster”. Not only that, but learn why he is the way he is! And it’s a good excuse- though not a new concept, definitely a new representation of a good one. At this point, I’m way more intrigued than in part one- but dying to know how they’re connected!
Part Three:
Pretty good representation of the merging of both storylines. Decent closure, no open ends.
Opinion:
Ok what?! So I feel like this could be a really GREAT story but fell short. It felt rushed in many ways, like the ending between the FMC and the “dad” (trying to avoid spoilers). And what happened with the girls?
There were times when reading this book that it felt ChatGPT generated, not saying it was though. There were rudimentary grammatical and spelling mistakes that will likely be reviewed and addressed prior to publication. Overall, just small errors that add to the feeling of being rushed.
Thank you NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for this ARC.
November 2, 2025
First of all ... I LOVE THE COVER! Buuut... sadly, the story itself didn’t quite live up to it for me.
We follow Harper, who’s rebuilding her life after an extremely abusive relationship. She’s finally with a nice guy, Jamie ... sweet, patient, caring… maybe too perfect. You just know something isn’t right beneath the surface. The setup had real potential for a chilling, emotional thriller.
But whew, the choices Harper makes … 😵💫 Let’s just say I asked myself multiple times, “is common sense in the room with us?” From ignoring red flags to skipping basic safety steps (girl, call the police!), I found it hard to connect with her decisions, especially since she’s around thirty and should have a bit more grounding.
The story blends a few tropes : domestic suspense, stalker vibes, but i didn't feel like it committed to any of them. The pacing felt uneven and the tension just didn’t land. The last act does ramp up into some unexpected twists, but by then I was more confused than creeped out. And tbh, I just wanted to know more about the other characters.
Overall, The Monster We Made had a solid premise and a very cool cover, but the delivery wasn't as strong I was expecting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for the ARC!
We follow Harper, who’s rebuilding her life after an extremely abusive relationship. She’s finally with a nice guy, Jamie ... sweet, patient, caring… maybe too perfect. You just know something isn’t right beneath the surface. The setup had real potential for a chilling, emotional thriller.
But whew, the choices Harper makes … 😵💫 Let’s just say I asked myself multiple times, “is common sense in the room with us?” From ignoring red flags to skipping basic safety steps (girl, call the police!), I found it hard to connect with her decisions, especially since she’s around thirty and should have a bit more grounding.
The story blends a few tropes : domestic suspense, stalker vibes, but i didn't feel like it committed to any of them. The pacing felt uneven and the tension just didn’t land. The last act does ramp up into some unexpected twists, but by then I was more confused than creeped out. And tbh, I just wanted to know more about the other characters.
Overall, The Monster We Made had a solid premise and a very cool cover, but the delivery wasn't as strong I was expecting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Raven Publishing for the ARC!
November 13, 2025
A thrill ride from beginning to the very end!
Shade Owens does not disappoint again!!! One of my new favorite authors!!! Harper and Jamie have been dating for six months, and things are going well, that is, until Harper gets the feeling that someone is watching her, and she fears it might be her ex.
This book had me engaged from the first page, with well-developed characters that I truly cared about, and a story that left me in awe more than once. I was kept guessing and second-, third-, and fourth-guessing theories, which is exactly the kind of psychological thriller I enjoy.
There was one part of the book that felt a little out of place with the rest of the story, which is why this wasn't a five-star review...I thought the same outcome could have been achieved without some of the secondary storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Shade Owens does not disappoint again!!! One of my new favorite authors!!! Harper and Jamie have been dating for six months, and things are going well, that is, until Harper gets the feeling that someone is watching her, and she fears it might be her ex.
This book had me engaged from the first page, with well-developed characters that I truly cared about, and a story that left me in awe more than once. I was kept guessing and second-, third-, and fourth-guessing theories, which is exactly the kind of psychological thriller I enjoy.
There was one part of the book that felt a little out of place with the rest of the story, which is why this wasn't a five-star review...I thought the same outcome could have been achieved without some of the secondary storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2025
This one gave me that creepy You stalker energy in the best way. It follows a woman who thinks she’s finally escaped an abusive relationship and is trying to rebuild her life, but of course… her past isn’t done with her. The chapters switch between her POV and the man who’s been watching her—convinced she’s “perfect” and meant for him—which adds this eerie, sinking-stomach feeling as you realize how close he really is.
The pacing is a bit slow at the start, but the overall mood and the way the characters were written kept me engaged. The main character is flawed in a very real way, so watching her try to move on (and sometimes make messy choices) felt believable. And getting inside the stalker’s head? Equal parts fascinating and disturbing.
Some twists were predictable, but a couple genuinely surprised me once things really started sliding off the rails. Dark, unsettling, and perfect if you like psychological thrillers where obsession slowly closes in on you.
The pacing is a bit slow at the start, but the overall mood and the way the characters were written kept me engaged. The main character is flawed in a very real way, so watching her try to move on (and sometimes make messy choices) felt believable. And getting inside the stalker’s head? Equal parts fascinating and disturbing.
Some twists were predictable, but a couple genuinely surprised me once things really started sliding off the rails. Dark, unsettling, and perfect if you like psychological thrillers where obsession slowly closes in on you.
November 23, 2025
The Monster We Made by Shade Owens hooked me instantly with that delicious, skin-prickling tension. HER chapters feel like a heartbeat in your throat—fresh-start vibes with a cinnamon-roll boyfriend, Jamie, who smells like warm flannel and safety… until footsteps start following her and that familiar cologne slaps the air.
And HIM? His POV is smooth, cold, and terrifyingly controlled. The kind of villainy that doesn’t need to raise its voice to make you sweat. 😳
Owens’ writing is sharp, atmospheric, and claustrophobic in the best way. The extra layers on Jamie??? Chef’s kiss drama. The twists crack like thunder and the dread is practically a character of its own.
💀✨ Creepy, clever, and wildly addictive. I devoured it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And HIM? His POV is smooth, cold, and terrifyingly controlled. The kind of villainy that doesn’t need to raise its voice to make you sweat. 😳
Owens’ writing is sharp, atmospheric, and claustrophobic in the best way. The extra layers on Jamie??? Chef’s kiss drama. The twists crack like thunder and the dread is practically a character of its own.
💀✨ Creepy, clever, and wildly addictive. I devoured it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2025
I absolutely did not like the book. From the start the book seems rushed. Between Harper and the other characters the distant interactions seemed so rushed. The discussion about the key with Jamie did not really give me anything about their relationship. Jamie had a few lines and the Harper’s on the phone with her best friend doing house work. The discussion of abusive boyfriends and being abused, I felt that it was light. The subject did not portray as serious for me. I don’t know it was all too hot and miss on things for me. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2025
This novel opens with an ominous, unsettling first chapter that sets the tone for the whole plot. It has a serious creep factor and is tense and suspenseful. The Monster We Made is fast-paced and will keep you guessing until the final shocking twist at the end. Within the plot, you will find a woman reeling from a bad relationship, a stalker, an unbelievably perfect boyfriend, and odd neighbors mix together to create a gripping psychological thriller.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Booksirens and Shade Owens, for the arc.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, Booksirens and Shade Owens, for the arc.
November 11, 2025
This was the first book I read by this author and I will definitely read more by them. The first chapter had me hooked from the beginning. As you continue the story you want to find out whether Harper is going crazy and if her ex is the one causing all the issues for her. The twist in the last chapter was one I did not see coming and definitely made finishing the book worth it.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 13, 2025
The Monster We Made is another fast-paced, creepy thriller from Shade Owens. She has such a great way of making me trust no one and doubt everyone. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop reading until I connected all the dots. The ending was action-packed and tied everything together perfectly. Definitely another solid, twisty read from Owens!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 2, 2025
Absolutely 5* for this book. The twists that came just kept me reading. I couldn’t put this book down, I’ve literally binged read all day with this. First book by this author and absolutely won’t be the last. Every time I hit the next part in the book I was gob smacked.
I have already recommended this book before I even finished it!
I have already recommended this book before I even finished it!
November 18, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from BookSirens and author Shade Owens. This is the second book I’ve received as an ARC from this author and he did NOT disappoint!!! The twists and turns in this thriller were crazy and had you rethinking things constantly. I highly recommend this book and this author
November 6, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It starts off great and never lets up. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I was wrong. The twists were so good and unexpected. I would recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers and a great story. Fantastic book!
November 24, 2025
The Monster We Made had me locked in from page one. Dark, intense, emotional, and so well-written. The twists had me shocked, the pacing stayed smooth, and the characters felt real in that messy, human way.
If you like dark, psychological reads that hit hard and linger? This one delivers. 📚🔥
If you like dark, psychological reads that hit hard and linger? This one delivers. 📚🔥
November 8, 2025
Harper’s trying to rebuild after a toxic relationship.
Jamie’s the new boyfriend, patient but aware of her past. Mark’s the ex who can’t let go, and Curtis—the creepy neighbor—has secrets of his own..
In all seriousness, this was a wild ride!
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist hit.
I had NOTHING figured out which was such a refreshing surprise 🤣
Tense, addictive, and full of surprises!
ARC provided — all thoughts are my own.
Jamie’s the new boyfriend, patient but aware of her past. Mark’s the ex who can’t let go, and Curtis—the creepy neighbor—has secrets of his own..
In all seriousness, this was a wild ride!
Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist hit.
I had NOTHING figured out which was such a refreshing surprise 🤣
Tense, addictive, and full of surprises!
ARC provided — all thoughts are my own.
October 27, 2025
I went into this book with high expectations after reading Beneath These Walls by Shade Owens. I feel like the book had a lot of potential but ultimately it ended up being so unrealistic that it ruined the book for me. It seems like she tried to include every trope/cliché possible into the book and it was just too much.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 2, 2025
Brilliant! Truly Brilliant! A really well written psychological thriller, it had me gripped from the first page & just confirmed what an amazing writer Shade Owens really is! I do recommend!
November 11, 2025
ARC review- 11/19/2025 pub date
Shade Owens thrillers are always a hit for me and this was no different. absolutely diabolical and twisted up until the last page (literally). I loved this book and flew through it, highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy to review!
Shade Owens thrillers are always a hit for me and this was no different. absolutely diabolical and twisted up until the last page (literally). I loved this book and flew through it, highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy to review!
November 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chaos, red flags, and one basement too many
Listen, I picked this up thinking I knew exactly where it was going. I should have known better being that it was written by Owens. Her thrillers just haven't missed for me. Girl with a messy past, new perfect boyfriend, creepy ex lurking around like a human pop-up ad for trauma. Simple enough. Then Shade Owens looked me in the eye and said, “You think so?” and proceeded to ruin my entire day in the best possible way.
Harper finally thinks she caught a break with Jamie, who is sweet and patient and just suspiciously flawless. Life should be calm now, except someone keeps watching her. Calling her. Showing up in ways that feel a little too familiar. She thinks it's her ex, Mark, because he absolutely has that “I would ruin your peace just because I am bored” energy. But as things escalate, Harper’s world starts slipping, and every clue points in a new direction. Jamie’s basement is locked for no reason, the neighbor is doing Olympic level staring from across the street, and Harper’s paranoia starts feeling less like paranoia and more like survival instinct trying to tap dance on her forehead.
And then the story yanks the rug, sweeps the floor, and throws the rug away entirely.
Shade Owens knows how to write suspense that crawls under your skin and whispers, “Girl, you in danger.” My heart was literally racing and I was sweating as I read this. I was convinced I had cracked the mystery several times, yet each time I was wrong with confidence, and the book kindly laughed in my face.
The pacing stays tight, the tension stays high, and Harper’s anxious inner monologue felt entirely too relatable. Jamie is giving supportive boyfriend, almost too supportive, to the point where I kept side eyeing him like, sir, are you good or are you good at pretending you are good. Mark continues to be chaotic and useless. The creepy neighbor across the street deserves his own restraining order arc. Everyone is suspicious, even the trees felt like they knew something.
The last few chapters had my mouth wide open while staring off into the distance. And the final twist, in true Shade Owens energy, was a complete WTF moment!
It is twisty, messy, unsettling, funny in a dark way, and Shade Owens served a thriller that keeps giving long after the last page.
Chaos, red flags, and one basement too many
Listen, I picked this up thinking I knew exactly where it was going. I should have known better being that it was written by Owens. Her thrillers just haven't missed for me. Girl with a messy past, new perfect boyfriend, creepy ex lurking around like a human pop-up ad for trauma. Simple enough. Then Shade Owens looked me in the eye and said, “You think so?” and proceeded to ruin my entire day in the best possible way.
Harper finally thinks she caught a break with Jamie, who is sweet and patient and just suspiciously flawless. Life should be calm now, except someone keeps watching her. Calling her. Showing up in ways that feel a little too familiar. She thinks it's her ex, Mark, because he absolutely has that “I would ruin your peace just because I am bored” energy. But as things escalate, Harper’s world starts slipping, and every clue points in a new direction. Jamie’s basement is locked for no reason, the neighbor is doing Olympic level staring from across the street, and Harper’s paranoia starts feeling less like paranoia and more like survival instinct trying to tap dance on her forehead.
And then the story yanks the rug, sweeps the floor, and throws the rug away entirely.
Shade Owens knows how to write suspense that crawls under your skin and whispers, “Girl, you in danger.” My heart was literally racing and I was sweating as I read this. I was convinced I had cracked the mystery several times, yet each time I was wrong with confidence, and the book kindly laughed in my face.
The pacing stays tight, the tension stays high, and Harper’s anxious inner monologue felt entirely too relatable. Jamie is giving supportive boyfriend, almost too supportive, to the point where I kept side eyeing him like, sir, are you good or are you good at pretending you are good. Mark continues to be chaotic and useless. The creepy neighbor across the street deserves his own restraining order arc. Everyone is suspicious, even the trees felt like they knew something.
The last few chapters had my mouth wide open while staring off into the distance. And the final twist, in true Shade Owens energy, was a complete WTF moment!
It is twisty, messy, unsettling, funny in a dark way, and Shade Owens served a thriller that keeps giving long after the last page.
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