Make Him Leave

by AJ Carter

Everyone loves him.
But mother knows best…

When Zoey’s daughter brings her new boyfriend home, everyone thinks he’s charming, handsome, and flawless. But when no one's watching, something flickers behind Finn’s eyes. Something cold. And the harder Zoey tries to warn her family, the more they close ranks against her. They think she’s losing her mind.

And maybe that’s just what he wants…
—————

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 26, 2025

Reviews

[Medollga · Rating 1 out of 5]

it started out boring and repetitive, had one semi-decent plot twist, and then became unbelievable and not logical in the slightest 🆘🫣

[Jennifer Sweeney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out as a decent read, but about 2/3 through, it took a turn that just went too far for me.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so hoping to love this book, but I did suspect the outcome quite a ways before the end, and I honestly didn’t find it all that thrilling.
Am I just on the hunt for the ultimate unicorn of mystery/thrillers? Yes. Yes I am. 😂

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it on two sittings, kept me guessing..

I love AJ Carters books and this latest story doesn’t disappoint. It’s a tense, unsettling psychological thriller that taps into a mother’s deepest instinct: knowing when something is wrong, even when no one else believes her. As Finn’s perfect façade convinces everyone else, the creeping dread builds through Zoey’s isolation and self-doubt. The slow unraveling is chilling, making the reader question appearances, gaslighting, and how easily evil can hide in plain sight. Gripping and disturbing, it’s a story that lingers long after you’ve finished reading it.

[Anika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was extremely repetitive I thought I was rereading the same chapter back to back because of how redundant it was. Good plot twists but skipped through a lot of the repeated thoughts of the mom. Was very ready for it to be over

[Phyllis Fried · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

Dark, heart stopping, pulse pounding and so twisted. This is not a book that is easy to put down. I kept thinking one more chapter but sleep won out. I found some of it sad and scary but it was so well developed and claustrophobic and an excellent thrill ride.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like this author’s books, but this one not so much. It started off good, had me curious as to what was going on, but the last quarter of the book was rubbish. It just didn’t make any sense. It was too far-fetched. None of the supposed reveals made any sense. What exactly had her husband planned? It seemed disoriented and haphazard. And as for Finn, that never made sense from the beginning as to why he would want to kill her …for having a one night stand? And the ending was just ridiculous. A torture chamber? Just locked rooms painted black was torture and terror? Please. Again, no plausible explanations, just totally silly unbelievable ones. I was very disappointed in this jumbled mess as I have read other of his books and enjoyed them.

[Frankie Stoffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real thriller!

Zoey's daughter brings home her new boyfriend. Everybody thinks he's wonderful - everybody except for Zoey, who thinks he's evil.

The suspense builds right from the start, but nothing goes the way you think it will. I found this story to be really gripping, and each new development made sense, even when it shocked me.

Highly recommended, and I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Cara Lynn Kasonovitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is good, but the plot progression gets overshadowed by the sheer repetitiveness of the narrative. The author really beats things into the ground, and it drags the book out in an annoying way. There were some great story jabs but that’s the only highlight. None of the characters were at all likable and I got tired of the same old things over and over again. I don’t recommend it.

[Jenn.reads.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
This book resonated with me as someone who watched their father go through cancer—those parts detailing the disease hit close to home, although mine didn’t end up like the man in the story LOL

It was fast paced and just a good smooth book. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Mark Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a book

Great read I can’t believe how hatred and revenge can control you to such a degree that you would destroy your child Wow

[Valerie Lacross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense psychological thriller, a roller coaster ride of emotions filled with shocking twists and turns!

[Cheryl Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out ok, but just got too unbelievable.

[Anthony Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant! You will never see the twist coming. Love the escape room references which make this book stand out. I was really rooting for the main character. 5 stars!