Guilty Hands: My Bloody Valentine Collection

by Jessica Lynn Sorensen

A psychological horror thriller novelette where revenge is personal and permanent.

This Valentine’s Day, love isn’t what he’s after... it’s payback.

He hunts thieves. Not just the ones who stole from him, but anyone who’s taken something that didn’t belong to them. One by one, they’re marked on his Valentine kill list.

Rachel is different.

She didn’t steal money or possessions. She stole something far more valuable, and for that, death would be too merciful. Instead, he stalks her. Inserts himself into the quiet corners of her life, determined to make her feel every ounce of what she took from him.

Will she expose the monster hunting her… or will he succeed in ruining her life, one calculated move at a time?

95 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

Reviews

[🐷Shay loves books🐷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book through me through a loop. It was good. Kept me entertained and a little creeped out. I love a good holiday thriller and this short story gave me that and more! Thank God for Mandy and the neighbors cameras, or poor Rachel may have had to spend her life locked away for something she had no control over.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and also the second book I’ve read from this collaboration and I’m def gonna be reading more of her work!

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me by the throat!! It’s book 1/3 in the My Bloody Valentine Collection. It definitely makes you second guess the romanticized “secret admirer”, yeah no thanks! Full of suspense! Loved it!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great for Valentine’s Day! You have a secret admirer that’s not only creepy, but also dangerous. This person just wants to ruin Rachel’s life because of something that she’s done. Her secret admirer wants revenge.

[Cheyenne Joy Mijdam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guilty Hands: My Bloody Valentine Collection – Jessica Lynn Sorensen

This was a fun, fast, bite-sized read—the kind you inhale without realizing you’ve already reached the end. Short story, just enough suspense, and a solid psychological mindf*ck sprinkled in. Lots of why, how, and who?
And listen… I still don’t actually know who did it. I think I know. I have a theory. But did I get confirmation? No. That might be the book. That might be my brain currently operating like scrambled eggs. The why, though? Crystal clear.

This story isn’t really about justice—it’s about revenge. Messy, grief-fueled, anger-soaked revenge. And honestly, that worked for me. I don’t think I’ve read many stories that leave you with more questions than answers, and to my own surprise, I actually appreciated that. Sometimes closure is overrated. Sometimes confusion fits the mood better.

Four stars from me—not because it’s bad, but because I’ve read books that made me feel more. And five stars, in my world, means perfection. This one just didn’t quite crawl under my skin the way I wanted it to. That said, I can easily see this being a five-star read for other beautifully unhinged, chaos-loving readers.

If you’re in the mood for revenge, murder, and creatively wrapped Valentine’s gifts (romance is dead anyway), this is an easy one to squeeze in between reads. Quick. Dark. A little twisted. And slightly smug about not explaining itself.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This psychological horror novelette wastes zero time pulling you into a twisted, obsessive mind where revenge isn’t just a motive — it’s a lifestyle. The concept alone? Chilling. A man who hunts “thieves,” not just of money, but of emotional and personal things he believes were stolen from him? That’s the kind of villain that crawls under your skin because he thinks he’s justified.

And that’s what makes this so unsettling.

The tension in this story is razor sharp. It’s not loud, chaotic horror — it’s quiet, creeping dread. The kind where someone is watching. Waiting. Planning. The calculated nature of his revenge makes it feel disturbingly intimate. Every move he makes toward Rachel feels deliberate, controlled, and terrifyingly patient.

Rachel’s situation is especially chilling because death isn’t his goal. Ruin is. And honestly? That psychological warfare hits harder than physical violence ever could. Watching him slowly infiltrate the corners of her life made my stomach twist in the best thriller-loving way.

For a novelette, this packs an impressive punch. It’s tight, intense, and doesn’t waste a single page. By the end, I felt like I needed a minute to just sit there and process.

Perfect for readers who love:
• Obsession-driven psychological horror
• Morally warped, unreliable villains
• Slow-burn stalking tension
• Dark Valentine’s Day reads

This isn’t a love story. It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in menace. And I devoured it

[Holly Cerutti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty Hands may be a quick read, but it packs a powerful punch. The pacing is relentless, pulling you into a tightly wound, suspenseful story from the very first page. Switching between Rachel’s perspective and that of the mysterious Gift Giver creates a chilling contrast—you’re torn between being horrified by his actions and fascinated by what could have shaped him into this person. What truly sets the story apart is the revelation of motive; the “why” is shocking, unsettling, and brilliantly explores the thin, dangerous line between devotion and madness. For anyone craving a dark, gripping, and perfectly themed Valentine’s Day thriller, this one is impossible to put down.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A valentine kill list and the hunter who targets thieves. One at a time, he deals with them. Rachel is a different story - he doesn't want just death for her, she deserves worse. What she 'stole' was precious to him. He watches her closely and plots his revenge, sending gifts and messages. Rachel unravels, piece by piece. Will she discover who this monster is, or is it too late for her?

The pace is fast, brutal, and heart-pounding. Gripped me from the first page with it's darkness and suspense. Thanks Jessica, I loved it, your narrative is chillingly good as always 🥰

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Guilty Hands” by Jessica Lynn Sorensen is a dark, revenge-filled highlight in the My Bloody Valentine collection. This psychological horror thriller novella is intense, unsettling, and beautifully twisted. The atmosphere is heavy and the revenge is ruthless. Short but powerful, it delivers a chilling punch that lingers long after the final page.

[R.M. Demeester · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I love supporting another author who lives in cold, freezing Saskatchewan. This is a short, intense, and unsettling psychological horror. It isn’t heartbreak on Valentine’s Day you should be afraid of. The revenge and twist delivered in Guilty Hands were executed perfectly. 5 stars.

[Ashley Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this… until the end. It just abruptly ended.. no resolution… what happened with the killer? He was so hell bent on making her pay then just … what? The end felt rushed and unfinished which sucks because I really enjoyed the story.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentine's revenge yes please!

Stalker! Murder! Revenge! As a girly that loves thrillers this valentine's one was right up my alley. Very quick paced short read that that grips you from the beginning.

[Kari Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica is a master of writing great, suspenseful, short reads that will keep you guessing! When the pieces start to fall into place, it is jaw-dropping!

if you're looking for a great anti-Valentine read, this is the book for you.

[Jaime Tragesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable quick Valentine's read.

Having a secret admirer no longer seems like an enjoyable time. I think I will continue to either be anti-Valentine's or just go for a Galentine's event.

[Crystal O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge filled, bite size story that has you gripped from beginning to end and still wanting more. Psychological twists and you may or may not know who the killer is.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty Hands is a sharp, sinister psychological thriller that wastes no time getting under your skin. Dark, obsessive, and deeply unsettling, it turns revenge into something terrifyingly personal.

[Elaine Rainbolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story. I liked the revenge on Avery. I didn't like his attitude anyways. I'm looking forward to see if there is a sequel to this short story.

[Marsha Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Elisa Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch who you accept candy from this Valentine’s Day… seriously. You’ll understand exactly what I mean once you crack open this book.

This story had me glued to the pages, my heart racing, and side-eyeing every character. The tension is continuous; the suspense is deliciously cruel, and just when you think you’re safe… boom, another twist.

And let’s talk about the k!ll list. Yes, there’s a list. No, you absolutely do not want to be on it.
This is not a sweet Valentine’s read. It’s dark, intense, and unhinged in the best way. If you like your romance season with fear, chaos, and a side of what the hell did I just read, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Just… maybe skip the candy.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing style in Guilty Hands. It’s a short book, but the story is tense and fast-paced so it grips you right away. The POV jumps between Rachel and the Gift Giver were intense but intriguing—you spend half the time thinking "this person is crazy" and the other half wondering what actually drove him to be like this.
The standout for me was definitely the "why"—it was absolutely mind-blowing and did such a great job of blurring the lines between love and insanity. If you're looking for a quick, intense Valentine Day read, this is it.

Want to see spoilers or trigger warnings? Check out: https://www.spoiltheplot.com/books/gu...

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Bloody Valentine Collection!! 💕

A Valentine's killer with major grudges turns them into revengeful kills. His way of taking action is meticulously planned and executed. He's obsessed with getting under Rachel's skin and spinning her life out of control. She is left with constantly looking over her shoulder waiting for him to strike again. The unease never lets up.

Jessica gives you bread crumbs of the why and when it's fully revealed, it will leave you shaken and shocked.

[Michelle Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has done it again! Another book that I will need for my shelves! Dark, disturbing, and completely gripping. This is revenge taken to a whole new level, and I couldn’t stop reading until the very last page. Jessica Lynn Sorensen is an auto buy author for me!

[Gary Vassallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner. Had me hooked from the start. An ideal Valentine’s Day thriller.

[Gail Clouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Guilty Hands. Rachel's Valentine stalker has found her. She thought it would stop when she moved away. But, when she finds a package with an envelope, with that same familiar writing, her life is quickly turned upside down. Her stalker wants her to suffer for what she stole from him! He has a list of others, a kill list, but Rachel stole something precious and must suffer for his pain.

[Kim Parham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved everything I've read by this author, and Guilty Hands did not disappoint! A thrilling twist on the secret admirer, a perfect story if you're looking for an anti-love story.

[Rosemary Willhide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty Hands is a fast-paced, short story filled with suspense. I read this in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down. Bravo!

[Amy Reads Along (Amanda Harris) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first novella of 3 in a special fun valentines day collection from a tight knit trio of indie author friends and it starts with an absolute BANG 💥 If writing was a sport and Jessica an athlete she for sure would bring in the touchdown every single time! Her books are always incredible! Her words flow so perfectly and her descriptive writing scores all the points!