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I Wish You Could Call Me Sooner: An Absolutely Gripping Psychological Story Exploring Narcissistic Ties and Family Secrets
"I thought he was my lifeline. I didn’t realize he was my captor."
My marriage is slipping through my fingers. The constant arguments and emotional distance leave me feeling utterly isolated and drowning in anxiety. Every day at home is a battle against my own self-doubt.
Then, he walks into my office.
My new colleague is everything I have been craving for so long. He listens. He validates my pain. He understands the silent struggles I face every single day. What starts as an innocent workplace friendship quickly becomes my emotional sanctuary.
But slowly, the air begins to change.
A casual comment makes me question my own sanity. An unexpected cold shoulder leaves me desperate to fix mistakes I didn’t know I made. From the outside, he’s just a supportive coworker. But inside, I am shattered, trapped in a suffocating web of confusion, anxiety, and psychological mind games.
I am losing my mind, my confidence, and my grip on reality.
Pushed to the absolute brink and terrified of losing both my job and my fragile marriage, I make one desperate phone call for help. But as the terrifying truth is finally unveiled, I realize the danger wasn't waiting for me at home.
It was sitting at the desk right next to mine.
A gripping, slow-burn psychological thriller of gas-lighting, workplace manipulation, and hidden dangers. Perfect for fans of domestic suspense who love twisty, mind-bending stories.
My marriage is slipping through my fingers. The constant arguments and emotional distance leave me feeling utterly isolated and drowning in anxiety. Every day at home is a battle against my own self-doubt.
Then, he walks into my office.
My new colleague is everything I have been craving for so long. He listens. He validates my pain. He understands the silent struggles I face every single day. What starts as an innocent workplace friendship quickly becomes my emotional sanctuary.
But slowly, the air begins to change.
A casual comment makes me question my own sanity. An unexpected cold shoulder leaves me desperate to fix mistakes I didn’t know I made. From the outside, he’s just a supportive coworker. But inside, I am shattered, trapped in a suffocating web of confusion, anxiety, and psychological mind games.
I am losing my mind, my confidence, and my grip on reality.
Pushed to the absolute brink and terrified of losing both my job and my fragile marriage, I make one desperate phone call for help. But as the terrifying truth is finally unveiled, I realize the danger wasn't waiting for me at home.
It was sitting at the desk right next to mine.
A gripping, slow-burn psychological thriller of gas-lighting, workplace manipulation, and hidden dangers. Perfect for fans of domestic suspense who love twisty, mind-bending stories.
409 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2026
About the author
Sera Sterling
4 books10 followersSera Sterling is an author of dark, high-stakes psychological thrillers. Known for her cinematic pacing and intricate plotting, she specializes in slow-burn suspense that masterfully peels back the layers of deception, memory, and fragile human ties.
Drawing inspiration from the glittering, high-tech glass towers and sharp social contrasts of modern global landscapes, her writing blends intense emotional depth with dark, unpredictable mind games.
When she isn’t weaving complex webs of psychological tension or designing her next devastating plot twist, she spends time with her family.
Drawing inspiration from the glittering, high-tech glass towers and sharp social contrasts of modern global landscapes, her writing blends intense emotional depth with dark, unpredictable mind games.
When she isn’t weaving complex webs of psychological tension or designing her next devastating plot twist, she spends time with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 23, 2026
I Wish You Could Call Me Sooner follows Mansi, a woman in a stable marriage with her husband Sameer, yet something emotional is missing from her life. This vulnerability draws her into the orbit of a narcissistic colleague who uses manipulation, silent treatment, and emotional games to pull her in.
As the story unfolds, Mansi begins to struggle with anxiety and physical symptoms, and the reader follows her emotional journey as she tries to understand what is happening to her.
I found the book really interesting and emotionally engaging. Many readers will relate to it, especially if they have ever encountered someone with narcissistic traits. The novel clearly shows the patterns of manipulation and the emotional impact they can have on a person.
As the story unfolds, Mansi begins to struggle with anxiety and physical symptoms, and the reader follows her emotional journey as she tries to understand what is happening to her.
I found the book really interesting and emotionally engaging. Many readers will relate to it, especially if they have ever encountered someone with narcissistic traits. The novel clearly shows the patterns of manipulation and the emotional impact they can have on a person.
May 26, 2026
Achhi book hai, language simple hai aur padhte waqt flow bana rehta hai.
Content relatable laga aur overall reading experience kaafi smooth tha 📖
Highly recommend
Content relatable laga aur overall reading experience kaafi smooth tha 📖
Highly recommend
January 26, 2026
one of the best reads after a long time, something real and very engaging instead of a love story. while I was reading unable to move myself away, felt so real and intense.
must read.
must read.
May 31, 2026
Sometimes, we become so used to carrying our burdens alone that we forget help may be closer than we think. We convince ourselves that asking for support is a sign of weakness when in reality, it often takes courage to reach out. I Wish You Could Call Me Sooner by Kanchann Agarwal revolves around this very idea—that sometimes healing begins the moment we allow someone else to walk beside us.
The story follows Mansi, a woman juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. She is a wife, a mother to her son Ayaan, and a dedicated professional working as a Lead Consultant. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Aditya, a new employee at her firm. What begins as casual workplace conversations gradually develops into a friendship that leaves Mansi questioning feelings and situations she never anticipated. At the same time, she finds herself caught in an emotional cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to understand and even harder to break free from.
As confusion gives way to self-reflection, Mansi is forced to confront truths about herself, her relationships, and the patterns that have shaped her decisions. In her search for clarity, she turns to an old friend, Vedant, whose presence becomes a reminder that support often exists long before we gather the courage to ask for it.
At its core, this is not a story about romance, betrayal, or dramatic twists. It is the story of a woman learning to recognize her own worth, set boundaries, and understand that strength does not always mean enduring everything alone. It explores emotional dependence, self-awareness, friendship, and the importance of seeking help when life feels overwhelming.
The writing is simple yet effective, allowing the emotions to take centre stage. The gentle pacing gives readers the opportunity to fully understand Mansi's thoughts, struggles, and growth without rushing through her journey. The narrative feels intimate, almost as if you are quietly witnessing someone's life unfold one realization at a time.
What I appreciated most about this book is Mansi's characterization. She is not written as a perfect protagonist, nor is she portrayed as someone who always knows the right thing to do. She is flawed in ways that feel deeply human. She makes mistakes, struggles with uncertainty, fears judgment, and sometimes hesitates to ask for help. Yet what makes her compelling is her willingness to keep moving forward, learning, and growing through her experiences.
Overall, I Wish You Could Call Me Sooner is a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and deeply relatable read. If you enjoy character-driven stories that explore self-discovery, emotional growth, and the quiet courage it takes to ask for help, this book deserves a place on your TBR.
The story follows Mansi, a woman juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. She is a wife, a mother to her son Ayaan, and a dedicated professional working as a Lead Consultant. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Aditya, a new employee at her firm. What begins as casual workplace conversations gradually develops into a friendship that leaves Mansi questioning feelings and situations she never anticipated. At the same time, she finds herself caught in an emotional cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to understand and even harder to break free from.
As confusion gives way to self-reflection, Mansi is forced to confront truths about herself, her relationships, and the patterns that have shaped her decisions. In her search for clarity, she turns to an old friend, Vedant, whose presence becomes a reminder that support often exists long before we gather the courage to ask for it.
At its core, this is not a story about romance, betrayal, or dramatic twists. It is the story of a woman learning to recognize her own worth, set boundaries, and understand that strength does not always mean enduring everything alone. It explores emotional dependence, self-awareness, friendship, and the importance of seeking help when life feels overwhelming.
The writing is simple yet effective, allowing the emotions to take centre stage. The gentle pacing gives readers the opportunity to fully understand Mansi's thoughts, struggles, and growth without rushing through her journey. The narrative feels intimate, almost as if you are quietly witnessing someone's life unfold one realization at a time.
What I appreciated most about this book is Mansi's characterization. She is not written as a perfect protagonist, nor is she portrayed as someone who always knows the right thing to do. She is flawed in ways that feel deeply human. She makes mistakes, struggles with uncertainty, fears judgment, and sometimes hesitates to ask for help. Yet what makes her compelling is her willingness to keep moving forward, learning, and growing through her experiences.
Overall, I Wish You Could Call Me Sooner is a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and deeply relatable read. If you enjoy character-driven stories that explore self-discovery, emotional growth, and the quiet courage it takes to ask for help, this book deserves a place on your TBR.
March 1, 2026
When I dived into the story, I did not expect it to be this deep and emotional. The story revolves around Mansi, who is married to Sameer and has a son named Ayaan. She has been married for eight years but now the dynamics of their relationship aren't the same. She has developed over the years and has gained more confidence and strength. Sameer isn't understanding towards her and always wants things to be done his way.
One day Mansi encounters a man named Aditya in her office, and that's where her life began to change. No, it's not a love story but something far more dangerous. Aditya played games with her mind. He made her feel special and seen when she was vulnerable and on the verge of a broken marriage. Then withdrew himself without explanation and came back into her life like nothing happened. He always kept his life a mystery.
This kept happening for over a year. She was trapped in a loop that felt hard to escape. That's when she called someone. Whom she wished she had called sooner. How will she escape this loop? Whom did she call? What does Mansi's future hold?
Read the story to find out the answers to all these questions. This book isn't about cheating, it's about how loneliness can exist in a marriage. This story covers many psychological emotions like gaslighting, silent treatment and hoovering. Emotions that people don't talk enough about, that can crush and play with your mind.
It explains how someone's silence can affect us. How important it is to trust our intuitions and listen to ourselves. How it's okay to ask for help when you need it because it's not necessary to handle everything alone.
We need more books like this because everyone needs to understand how emotional control tactics work. It doesn't start with control, it starts with attention.
One day Mansi encounters a man named Aditya in her office, and that's where her life began to change. No, it's not a love story but something far more dangerous. Aditya played games with her mind. He made her feel special and seen when she was vulnerable and on the verge of a broken marriage. Then withdrew himself without explanation and came back into her life like nothing happened. He always kept his life a mystery.
This kept happening for over a year. She was trapped in a loop that felt hard to escape. That's when she called someone. Whom she wished she had called sooner. How will she escape this loop? Whom did she call? What does Mansi's future hold?
Read the story to find out the answers to all these questions. This book isn't about cheating, it's about how loneliness can exist in a marriage. This story covers many psychological emotions like gaslighting, silent treatment and hoovering. Emotions that people don't talk enough about, that can crush and play with your mind.
It explains how someone's silence can affect us. How important it is to trust our intuitions and listen to ourselves. How it's okay to ask for help when you need it because it's not necessary to handle everything alone.
We need more books like this because everyone needs to understand how emotional control tactics work. It doesn't start with control, it starts with attention.
June 3, 2026
I honestly didn't expect this book to affect me the way it did. I finished it with a heavy heart, just sitting in silence for a while to let everything sink in. This isn't a loud, dramatic thriller or a typical romance story. It is a quiet, deeply unsettling psychological dive into the type of pain people rarely talk about openly.
What cut the deepest was how the author shows that emotional abuse doesn't start with violence. It starts with warmth. It starts with making a vulnerable person feel seen, only to weaponise that attention later, It reminds you how terrifyingly powerful silence can be.
What cut the deepest was how the author shows that emotional abuse doesn't start with violence. It starts with warmth. It starts with making a vulnerable person feel seen, only to weaponise that attention later, It reminds you how terrifyingly powerful silence can be.
January 19, 2026
I enjoyed reading it. The story is so engaging and keeps you hooked, making you want to turn every page. A wonderful read for all age groups.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews