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Cupid is a Liar
I thought the worst thing that could happen on Valentine’s Day was getting stood up.
I was wrong.
When my date ghosts me and I decide to confront him, I don’t expect the night to spiral. I don’t expect danger and I definitely don’t expect the quiet, intense man from down the hall to step in and change everything.
Damian Salvanti is calm under pressure.
Terrifyingly observant.
And far too willing to put himself between me and the world.
The more time I spend with him, the more unsettling the truth becomes.
He knows me.
My routines.
My fears.
The things I want but never say out loud.
Because Damian hasn’t just been watching out for me.
He’s been watching me…
Cupid Is a Liar is a dark, fast-paced Valentine’s romance featuring an obsessive, morally gray hero who falls first, a heroine who chooses danger over safety, and a love story that blurs the line between devotion and obsession.
I was wrong.
When my date ghosts me and I decide to confront him, I don’t expect the night to spiral. I don’t expect danger and I definitely don’t expect the quiet, intense man from down the hall to step in and change everything.
Damian Salvanti is calm under pressure.
Terrifyingly observant.
And far too willing to put himself between me and the world.
The more time I spend with him, the more unsettling the truth becomes.
He knows me.
My routines.
My fears.
The things I want but never say out loud.
Because Damian hasn’t just been watching out for me.
He’s been watching me…
Cupid Is a Liar is a dark, fast-paced Valentine’s romance featuring an obsessive, morally gray hero who falls first, a heroine who chooses danger over safety, and a love story that blurs the line between devotion and obsession.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2026
79 people are currently reading
1159 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Davis
12 books1,192 followersLexi Davis loves long walks on the beach, drinking iced mochas, and writing smut. She believes in the ultimate power of love to both heal and transform. Her greatest hope is that her books bring joy to readers and allow them to escape one page at a time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,457 reviews
February 8, 2026
I really liked this!! It was quick and entertaining, a little spice and obsession mixed with action and an incredibly sweet Valentine's date!!
Hannah got stood up on Valentine's Day and she's determined to confront the man. Damian, her quiet and mysterious neighbour, is determined to stop her.. She doesn't back down, so he accompanies her. He's been watching her and he's ready to burn the world to protect her, especially since danger is waiting..
I had so much fun, Hannah was determined and ready to call out her date for ditching her, I loved her drive.
Damian was a man obsessed, he really was ready for everything to protect her and he was so sweet. We love a stalker that is obsessive, but respectful.
I loved them together, it was very fast-burn, as this is a short novella, but we did get some great moments and a lot of action. Who doesn't love some gunshots and life-threatening situations that bring them closer together..
The last scene was adorable and spicy, I really enjoyed it!!
I do wish we got more scenes with just the two of them, it would've made this even better..
I really like Lexi Davis and the way she writes, she's definitely an author I'll always read!!
*Thank you to Netgalley, to the author and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
Hannah got stood up on Valentine's Day and she's determined to confront the man. Damian, her quiet and mysterious neighbour, is determined to stop her.. She doesn't back down, so he accompanies her. He's been watching her and he's ready to burn the world to protect her, especially since danger is waiting..
I had so much fun, Hannah was determined and ready to call out her date for ditching her, I loved her drive.
Damian was a man obsessed, he really was ready for everything to protect her and he was so sweet. We love a stalker that is obsessive, but respectful.
I loved them together, it was very fast-burn, as this is a short novella, but we did get some great moments and a lot of action. Who doesn't love some gunshots and life-threatening situations that bring them closer together..
The last scene was adorable and spicy, I really enjoyed it!!
I do wish we got more scenes with just the two of them, it would've made this even better..
I really like Lexi Davis and the way she writes, she's definitely an author I'll always read!!
*Thank you to Netgalley, to the author and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
![Profile Image for Salma [HIATUS].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1762154839i%2F63142765._UX200_CR0%2C77%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 9, 2026
⤿ rating: 3.5 stars
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: 1.5/5
➜ Thank you so much to Netgalley, Victory Editing Co-op and Lexi Davis for providing me with this ARC!
I'm not the biggest fan of stalker dark romance books, but this was an exception! I totally didn't expect to enjoy this novella as much as I did. I loved the MMC; he wasn't an overbearing MMC—which I love in books like this. The FMC wasn't the greatest FMC I've ever read. She had her moments when I felt like she lacked a few brain cells.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, this was a very quick read with a great plot and just the right amount of tension between the characters. I can't wait to read more of this author's work!
⤿ age: 18+
⤿ spice: 1.5/5
➜ Thank you so much to Netgalley, Victory Editing Co-op and Lexi Davis for providing me with this ARC!
I'm not the biggest fan of stalker dark romance books, but this was an exception! I totally didn't expect to enjoy this novella as much as I did. I loved the MMC; he wasn't an overbearing MMC—which I love in books like this. The FMC wasn't the greatest FMC I've ever read. She had her moments when I felt like she lacked a few brain cells.
── .✦ 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼: Overall, this was a very quick read with a great plot and just the right amount of tension between the characters. I can't wait to read more of this author's work!
February 4, 2026
Okay, I LOVED this! 🩷🖤🩷
This is a short little Valentine’s Day novella that can be read in one sitting, but it’s packed full of all the good stuff. I love my stalker romances with some humor, and this delivers. There’s action, obsession, and the sweetest (unhinged) MMC you’ll ever see!
Hannah is sick of everyone’s nonsense, and ready to tackle the world, even if it means trouble. Lucky for her, her quiet and mysterious neighbor is ready to keep her safe while she does. Damian is SO SWEET! I mean, yeah he stalks her but he also takes care of everyone and worships the ground she walks on, so… 🤷♀️
If you like Lights Out, you’ll love this bite-size read. 🤭
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the arc! 🖤
This is a short little Valentine’s Day novella that can be read in one sitting, but it’s packed full of all the good stuff. I love my stalker romances with some humor, and this delivers. There’s action, obsession, and the sweetest (unhinged) MMC you’ll ever see!
Hannah is sick of everyone’s nonsense, and ready to tackle the world, even if it means trouble. Lucky for her, her quiet and mysterious neighbor is ready to keep her safe while she does. Damian is SO SWEET! I mean, yeah he stalks her but he also takes care of everyone and worships the ground she walks on, so… 🤷♀️
If you like Lights Out, you’ll love this bite-size read. 🤭
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for the arc! 🖤
February 9, 2026
3.5⭐️
╰► 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
❰ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰! ❱
“𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
"𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒏. 𝑻𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ for how short this book was i really enjoyed it. i think even with the shortness of it, the author was able to make the characters have a connection. and that’s surprising because in a lot of more lengthy book, the characters have zero connection and it’s honestly annoying. so i’m really glad this one was good fun!
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
just got accepted for this today! and it’s only 58 pages so i’m going to finish it today if i don’t get distracted by my phone🤞
╰► 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
❰ 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰! ❱
“𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
"𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰'𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒏. 𝑻𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖."
₊˚ʚ ➼➻❥ 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭
╰┈➤ for how short this book was i really enjoyed it. i think even with the shortness of it, the author was able to make the characters have a connection. and that’s surprising because in a lot of more lengthy book, the characters have zero connection and it’s honestly annoying. so i’m really glad this one was good fun!
↠━━━━ღ◆ღ━━━━↞
❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･pre-read ʚɞ
just got accepted for this today! and it’s only 58 pages so i’m going to finish it today if i don’t get distracted by my phone🤞
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute, funny and hot. Just enough to leave you wanting more.
A great short read to get you in the mood for Valentine's day!
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
A great short read to get you in the mood for Valentine's day!
Thanks to the author for this ARC!
February 1, 2026
"𝙊𝙝, 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧?" 𝘾𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙙 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙙. "𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚. 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧." 🏹ˏˋ°•*⁀➷💛
I've actually never read a romance book that's like, this centered on Valentine's day and I loved this experience!!!
it was fast paced (but that was purposeful! y'all it's 54 pages you gotta get to the point BEFORE the end of the book 😭)
Everytime I enjoy a standalone novella I always want more!! and I really enjoyed this one!! I loved the two main characters 𝘿𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙖𝙣 + 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙝, I think they had amazing chemistry and despite the book only being 54 pages I was rooting for them the entire way!
I actually also got the ARC for Davis's Christmas novella and LOVED it! so happy I can say the same for this sweet Valentine's novella!
guys the bar is 6ft under. "awww! he cares!" like any man should. but in my defense? he cares way more than any man I know.
-------------⌗
"My favorite hobby. My favorite person."
"Hannah, with her long brown hair and thick-lashed hazel eyes. Hannah who cries at the end of every movie, happy or sad. Who bakes cookies with good intentions, burns them every time, and eats them anyway while muttering, "I'm not wasting food," to her cat, Mr. Wiggles, like he's judging her.
She talks to him 𝙖𝙡𝙡 the time.
Hannah who sets alarms she doesn't technically need, waking up at eight a.m. on Saturdays to go to the gym, to the store, to get coffee, because she likes having somewhere to be. Who goes to bed at ten on weeknights with a book she swears she'll read, only to fall asleep holding it. Who lets herself stay up until midnight on weekends like it's a small, personal rebellion.
Hannah who says yes when she means maybe, who overthinks texts for far too long, who laughs too loudly on the phone when she's nervous and apologizes for things that aren't her fault.
Hannah who tries so hard to be easy to love.
No.
No, I haven't talked to her.
But I know her better than anyone on this planet, probably better than I know myself."
-------------⌗ SEE WHAT I MEAN???
"Mrs. Sewart is wearing her thick crocheted sweater, the purple one with the uneven sleeves that she made last winter. That usually means she forgot to pay her heating bill. Again.
With a sigh, I log into Mrs. Sewart's utility account and sure enough, it's in the negative. I pay off the balance with a few simple clicks
𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚.
I don't interact with my tenants. I don't knock on doors. I don't attend building meetings. I don't even make eye contact in the hallway if I can help it.
But I know when their smoke detector batteries are low.
When their prescriptions lapse.
And who needs groceries delivered before they admit it."
-------------⌗ I'm literally crying 💔🥹
"A single tear tracks down her cheek, and the sight of it rearranges something in my chest.
How much would a hitman cost? I wonder, picturing my bank account, and how I'd like to drain it to kill Marco right now."
-------------⌗ 😳 Damian the man you are
𝙃𝙚𝙮 𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙞.. 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮, "𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝘾𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙙" 𝙗𝙮 𝙅𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙍𝙇𝘿 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮." 🏹❤️
𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞 - 𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨! 💘
♥️dual pov!
🧸he falls first!
🍷a taboo romance!
💌morally grey mmc!
🌹strangers to lovers!
💋obsessive stalker mmc!
———————— ୨ᰔ୧————————
Spice level: 2/5🌶 (the only reason it's a 2🌶 imo is because the spice doesn't start until page 50 😭😭 mind you.. only 54 pages in the book😂 + it was a little lackluster speaking that we waited the entire book for 3 pages 💀)
prediction! ↝ 5⭐️'s!!
final rating! ↝ 5⭐️'s!!
started ↝ 1-31-26 📱
finished ↝ 1-31-26 📱
do I recommend it? YES!
What format did I read the book in? EBook!
———————— ୨ᰔ୧————————
thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to read this book early, Netgalley and Lexi Davis!!
𝙭𝙤𝙭𝙤, 𝙘𝙮𝙙 ♡
I've actually never read a romance book that's like, this centered on Valentine's day and I loved this experience!!!
it was fast paced (but that was purposeful! y'all it's 54 pages you gotta get to the point BEFORE the end of the book 😭)
Everytime I enjoy a standalone novella I always want more!! and I really enjoyed this one!! I loved the two main characters 𝘿𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙖𝙣 + 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙖𝙝, I think they had amazing chemistry and despite the book only being 54 pages I was rooting for them the entire way!
I actually also got the ARC for Davis's Christmas novella and LOVED it! so happy I can say the same for this sweet Valentine's novella!
guys the bar is 6ft under. "awww! he cares!" like any man should. but in my defense? he cares way more than any man I know.
-------------⌗
"My favorite hobby. My favorite person."
"Hannah, with her long brown hair and thick-lashed hazel eyes. Hannah who cries at the end of every movie, happy or sad. Who bakes cookies with good intentions, burns them every time, and eats them anyway while muttering, "I'm not wasting food," to her cat, Mr. Wiggles, like he's judging her.
She talks to him 𝙖𝙡𝙡 the time.
Hannah who sets alarms she doesn't technically need, waking up at eight a.m. on Saturdays to go to the gym, to the store, to get coffee, because she likes having somewhere to be. Who goes to bed at ten on weeknights with a book she swears she'll read, only to fall asleep holding it. Who lets herself stay up until midnight on weekends like it's a small, personal rebellion.
Hannah who says yes when she means maybe, who overthinks texts for far too long, who laughs too loudly on the phone when she's nervous and apologizes for things that aren't her fault.
Hannah who tries so hard to be easy to love.
No.
No, I haven't talked to her.
But I know her better than anyone on this planet, probably better than I know myself."
-------------⌗ SEE WHAT I MEAN???
"Mrs. Sewart is wearing her thick crocheted sweater, the purple one with the uneven sleeves that she made last winter. That usually means she forgot to pay her heating bill. Again.
With a sigh, I log into Mrs. Sewart's utility account and sure enough, it's in the negative. I pay off the balance with a few simple clicks
𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚.
I don't interact with my tenants. I don't knock on doors. I don't attend building meetings. I don't even make eye contact in the hallway if I can help it.
But I know when their smoke detector batteries are low.
When their prescriptions lapse.
And who needs groceries delivered before they admit it."
-------------⌗ I'm literally crying 💔🥹
"A single tear tracks down her cheek, and the sight of it rearranges something in my chest.
How much would a hitman cost? I wonder, picturing my bank account, and how I'd like to drain it to kill Marco right now."
-------------⌗ 😳 Damian the man you are
𝙃𝙚𝙮 𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙞.. 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮, "𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩 𝘾𝙪𝙥𝙞𝙙" 𝙗𝙮 𝙅𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙍𝙇𝘿 𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙮." 🏹❤️
𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞 - 𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨! 💘
♥️dual pov!
🧸he falls first!
🍷a taboo romance!
💌morally grey mmc!
🌹strangers to lovers!
💋obsessive stalker mmc!
———————— ୨ᰔ୧————————
Spice level: 2/5🌶 (the only reason it's a 2🌶 imo is because the spice doesn't start until page 50 😭😭 mind you.. only 54 pages in the book😂 + it was a little lackluster speaking that we waited the entire book for 3 pages 💀)
prediction! ↝ 5⭐️'s!!
final rating! ↝ 5⭐️'s!!
started ↝ 1-31-26 📱
finished ↝ 1-31-26 📱
do I recommend it? YES!
What format did I read the book in? EBook!
———————— ୨ᰔ୧————————
thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to read this book early, Netgalley and Lexi Davis!!
𝙭𝙤𝙭𝙤, 𝙘𝙮𝙙 ♡
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This cute little novella was a fun read. Especially, if I'm looking for a short holiday read. Sometimes I just love a quick, straight to the point book.
The story centers around Valentine’s Day, when Hannah, finally ready to start dating, gets stood up. In her frustration that all men are horrible and that no man treats her right, she decides she should confront the guy. What she doesn’t know is that she has a stalker who’s completely obsessed with her…
I’ve come to really enjoy Lexi Davis’s books, and this one was no exception. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars ⭐.
I want to thank Netgalley and Lexi Davis for the eARC. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
The story centers around Valentine’s Day, when Hannah, finally ready to start dating, gets stood up. In her frustration that all men are horrible and that no man treats her right, she decides she should confront the guy. What she doesn’t know is that she has a stalker who’s completely obsessed with her…
I’ve come to really enjoy Lexi Davis’s books, and this one was no exception. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars ⭐.
I want to thank Netgalley and Lexi Davis for the eARC. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
![Profile Image for Anna ʚɞ [i'm back after my small hiatus!].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1727628240i%2F57906850._UY200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✎ᝰ. Actual rating: 2.5☆, rounded up.
╰›Publication date: February 9th, 2026 ✮⋆˙
: ̗̀➛ Post-reading:
I’ve never thought of myself as a dark romance reader (not for a lack of interest, I just haven’t ventured into that genre yet), but I was really hoping this could be a fun lil introductory read for me 🤭.
⤹ I found the holding-my-hand-while-we-read-the-trigger-warning-together to be SO CUTEEE!
This is my first Lexi Davis story, and I acknowledge that you can only do so much within a novella. While the pacing was well done and the writing solid, I didn’t quite connect with the characters, which was disappointing, as I genuinely wanted to like Damien and Hannah.
While the story was very quick-paced and filled with action, it just lacked something I personally felt I’d been expecting and hoping to connect with. I’m not sure if I would have liked there to be more spice, for the book to be darker or if I just don’t like stalker-romance stories… so I’m thinking this is more on me rather than the story itself.
I’ll still definitely be checking out Davis’ other work at a later day, but all in all I’d still recommend this story for a nice lil Valentine’s Day read. It’s also a great pick for readers wanting to dip their toes into the dark-romance genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Lexi Davis & Victory Editing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. ⋆˙⟡
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
: ̗̀➛ Pre-read:
I’m having the best time scouring NetGalley for interesting titles and this one peaked my interests IMMEDIATELY 😍
Valentine-esque-dark-romance-stalker novella???? Like sign me up right now!!
╰›Publication date: February 9th, 2026 ✮⋆˙
: ̗̀➛ Post-reading:
I’ve never thought of myself as a dark romance reader (not for a lack of interest, I just haven’t ventured into that genre yet), but I was really hoping this could be a fun lil introductory read for me 🤭.
⤹ I found the holding-my-hand-while-we-read-the-trigger-warning-together to be SO CUTEEE!
This is my first Lexi Davis story, and I acknowledge that you can only do so much within a novella. While the pacing was well done and the writing solid, I didn’t quite connect with the characters, which was disappointing, as I genuinely wanted to like Damien and Hannah.
While the story was very quick-paced and filled with action, it just lacked something I personally felt I’d been expecting and hoping to connect with. I’m not sure if I would have liked there to be more spice, for the book to be darker or if I just don’t like stalker-romance stories… so I’m thinking this is more on me rather than the story itself.
I’ll still definitely be checking out Davis’ other work at a later day, but all in all I’d still recommend this story for a nice lil Valentine’s Day read. It’s also a great pick for readers wanting to dip their toes into the dark-romance genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Lexi Davis & Victory Editing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. ⋆˙⟡
· · ─ · 𝜗𝜚 · ─ · ·
: ̗̀➛ Pre-read:
I’m having the best time scouring NetGalley for interesting titles and this one peaked my interests IMMEDIATELY 😍
Valentine-esque-dark-romance-stalker novella???? Like sign me up right now!!
February 9, 2026
5🌟
1.3🌶
This was a 'stalking' good time...get it? 🤭
In this short, but super sweet story, we meet Hannah who doesn't have the best taste in men...like at all...
You're going to want to read this creamy Valentine's day story x
With a cherry on top 😉
🍒
1.3🌶
This was a 'stalking' good time...get it? 🤭
In this short, but super sweet story, we meet Hannah who doesn't have the best taste in men...like at all...
You're going to want to read this creamy Valentine's day story x
With a cherry on top 😉
🍒
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this stalker valentine novella! Perfect read for the holiday. Quick overview, Damien is the mysterious techy hacker guy slash bad boy golden retriever that lives across the hall from Hannah. He secretly keeps tabs on his neighbors especially Hannah. Obsessed is an understatement, he knows her routine and everything about her. If you love stalker romance reads, you need this! 🖤
February 12, 2026
This was fun and cute!
We'll call the MMC, Damien, a light-hearted stalker.
I was getting golden retriever vibes from him and thought he was adorable.
Sweet and obsessed 🫶🏼
Hannah, the FMC, is fed up with men and reacted exactly the way I wanted her to. I mean, she was stood up on Valentine's Day after all.
Damien was just so cute and timid. I was rooting for him from the very beginning.
Quiet, mysterious, attentive, sweet computer nerd? Um, yes, please.
Also, that ending was a perfect way to end the book 🌶
You'll read this book in one sitting and wish it wasn't over. I could read a whole book about them.
Invisioning yourself dateless for Valentine's Day? Who cares! Pick up this fast-paced romance book instead, but please don't find yourself a Damien. We only like that in books 😅
Thank you, Netgalley and Lexi Davis for the ARC!
We'll call the MMC, Damien, a light-hearted stalker.
I was getting golden retriever vibes from him and thought he was adorable.
Sweet and obsessed 🫶🏼
Hannah, the FMC, is fed up with men and reacted exactly the way I wanted her to. I mean, she was stood up on Valentine's Day after all.
Damien was just so cute and timid. I was rooting for him from the very beginning.
Quiet, mysterious, attentive, sweet computer nerd? Um, yes, please.
Also, that ending was a perfect way to end the book 🌶
You'll read this book in one sitting and wish it wasn't over. I could read a whole book about them.
Invisioning yourself dateless for Valentine's Day? Who cares! Pick up this fast-paced romance book instead, but please don't find yourself a Damien. We only like that in books 😅
Thank you, Netgalley and Lexi Davis for the ARC!
February 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Cupid Is A Liar was the first novella I’ve ever read, and I had way more fun with it than I expected. I finished it in just a couple of hours, which made it the perfect quick read to put me straight into a Valentine’s Day mood. Short, addictive, and exactly what it promised to be.
Apparently my reader kryptonite is mysterious hacker men who stalk the woman they love, are unhingedly devoted, and would burn the world down for her. Noted. 😮💨 Damien was everything. Absolute swoon material. I loved both main characters and honestly could have devoured a full-length novel about their love story without hesitation.
This was my first book by Lexi Davis, and it definitely won’t be my last. It immediately bumped her other books higher on my TBR. Pretty Vicious has been glaring at me from my list for a while now, and after this, it’s getting read very soon.
If you’re in the mood for a quick Valentine’s Day read with a little spice, a lot of obsession, and a MMC who knows exactly what he wants, this is a great pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Cupid Is A Liar was the first novella I’ve ever read, and I had way more fun with it than I expected. I finished it in just a couple of hours, which made it the perfect quick read to put me straight into a Valentine’s Day mood. Short, addictive, and exactly what it promised to be.
Apparently my reader kryptonite is mysterious hacker men who stalk the woman they love, are unhingedly devoted, and would burn the world down for her. Noted. 😮💨 Damien was everything. Absolute swoon material. I loved both main characters and honestly could have devoured a full-length novel about their love story without hesitation.
This was my first book by Lexi Davis, and it definitely won’t be my last. It immediately bumped her other books higher on my TBR. Pretty Vicious has been glaring at me from my list for a while now, and after this, it’s getting read very soon.
If you’re in the mood for a quick Valentine’s Day read with a little spice, a lot of obsession, and a MMC who knows exactly what he wants, this is a great pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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February 28, 2026
Short, spicy and fun!
Please.
Please.
I will burn down churches.
I will make deals with gods I don't believe in.
A valentines date gone wrong.
A hot neighbor that wants to help.
A angry woman filled with female rage.
A little bit of mafia, drugs, gunshots.
(You know, the usual)
And a golden retriever neighbor that kinda stalks you?
This reminded me of lights out, but shorter.
Like a quick snack.
(You can read it in just 24h!)
Please.
Please.
I will burn down churches.
I will make deals with gods I don't believe in.
A valentines date gone wrong.
A hot neighbor that wants to help.
A angry woman filled with female rage.
A little bit of mafia, drugs, gunshots.
(You know, the usual)
And a golden retriever neighbor that kinda stalks you?
This reminded me of lights out, but shorter.
Like a quick snack.
(You can read it in just 24h!)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Lexi Davis, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Cupid is a Liar releases on February 9th!
3 / 5 ⭐️
This was such a short, sweet, and spicy Valentines Day novella!
Cupid is a Liar delivered us a heartwarming, yet tense dark rom-com esque story. I felt that the trigger warnings in the beginning were laid out loud and clear, and the novella definitely delivered! It was fast paced, and easy to read in one sitting!
Hannah was definitely a fiesty, fiery character. She knows what she wants and she knows what she doesn't want. I loved how headstrong she was, but at times she did feel incredibly naive.
And Damian.. If you liked Josh from Lights Out, I assure you, Damian will be right up there with him! He gives off such golden retriever energy. There's the obsessive/stalker aspect to his personality too. Just overall, his devotion to Hannah was very refreshing to read!
I do admit, there were some issues with the pacing.. and some moments that I thought were wholly unrealistic, but I still enjoyed this read nevertheless!
♡ pre-read ♡
Ready to begin my Valentine's Day a little early with this one hehe!
3 / 5 ⭐️
This was such a short, sweet, and spicy Valentines Day novella!
Cupid is a Liar delivered us a heartwarming, yet tense dark rom-com esque story. I felt that the trigger warnings in the beginning were laid out loud and clear, and the novella definitely delivered! It was fast paced, and easy to read in one sitting!
Hannah was definitely a fiesty, fiery character. She knows what she wants and she knows what she doesn't want. I loved how headstrong she was, but at times she did feel incredibly naive.
And Damian.. If you liked Josh from Lights Out, I assure you, Damian will be right up there with him! He gives off such golden retriever energy. There's the obsessive/stalker aspect to his personality too. Just overall, his devotion to Hannah was very refreshing to read!
I do admit, there were some issues with the pacing.. and some moments that I thought were wholly unrealistic, but I still enjoyed this read nevertheless!
♡ pre-read ♡
Ready to begin my Valentine's Day a little early with this one hehe!
February 12, 2026
Непогано, нагадала мені книгу «Світло згасло» але не знаю для чого було пхати сюди русню😩
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️
I loved this! It was short, with fast paced action, tension and incredible spice! It's a pretty "safe" dark romance to read, but so so fun!
♡ Valentine's novella
♡ stalker MMC
♡ touch her & 💀energy
♡ strangers to lovers
♡ obsessive MMC
♡ dark romance
Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️
I loved this! It was short, with fast paced action, tension and incredible spice! It's a pretty "safe" dark romance to read, but so so fun!
♡ Valentine's novella
♡ stalker MMC
♡ touch her & 💀energy
♡ strangers to lovers
♡ obsessive MMC
♡ dark romance
February 15, 2026
Review of ARC from Author in Netgalley
What a great novella! I generally can't get invested in characters that fast but I was hooked on Hannah and Damian almost immediately. Very well written, highly recommend for snapping out of an after book funk or just to really like a short story. #CupidIsALair
What a great novella! I generally can't get invested in characters that fast but I was hooked on Hannah and Damian almost immediately. Very well written, highly recommend for snapping out of an after book funk or just to really like a short story. #CupidIsALair
February 13, 2026
Novellas are hard to write. You have to make the story believable in a limited number of pages.
In my opinion, in just 74 pages the author packed in so much action that there simply wasn’t enough time to build anything meaningful between the characters. Everything was a miss for me. I only liked his name and the catnapping thing (heheheh).
I understand how novellas work and, in general, I’m very okay with fast-burn (especially in short stories). But here, the lines felt cheesy and full of clichés, so even in moments where I could - and should - have felt the chemistry, I sadly didn’t.
In the author’s note, they mentioned "very on-page, very graphic, definitely not fade-to-black explicit sexual content", so I (understandably?) expected more of it. Instead, I got it only in the last four pages - and that covered everything from kissing to finishing.
In my opinion, in just 74 pages the author packed in so much action that there simply wasn’t enough time to build anything meaningful between the characters. Everything was a miss for me. I only liked his name and the catnapping thing (heheheh).
I understand how novellas work and, in general, I’m very okay with fast-burn (especially in short stories). But here, the lines felt cheesy and full of clichés, so even in moments where I could - and should - have felt the chemistry, I sadly didn’t.
In the author’s note, they mentioned "very on-page, very graphic, definitely not fade-to-black explicit sexual content", so I (understandably?) expected more of it. Instead, I got it only in the last four pages - and that covered everything from kissing to finishing.
March 21, 2026
Thank you netgalley and Lexi Davis for allowing me to read this 5 star 🌟 novella.
If you are in need of a palate cleanser and quick read with a kick to it, then this is the book for you. This is a spicy stalker romance, so please check your trigger warnings. The author does a wonderful job at addressing them. I don't have any triggers that I have found yet.
Are you fed up with guys ghosting you, not showing up for a date? How about not showing up for the biggest date night of the year, Valentines Day? Well that's what this story is about and not willing to take it anymore. Hannah is our main character, and Damian her stalker neighbor. Get ready for some twists and turns.
I wish it was longer as I was enjoying the ride.
If you are in need of a palate cleanser and quick read with a kick to it, then this is the book for you. This is a spicy stalker romance, so please check your trigger warnings. The author does a wonderful job at addressing them. I don't have any triggers that I have found yet.
Are you fed up with guys ghosting you, not showing up for a date? How about not showing up for the biggest date night of the year, Valentines Day? Well that's what this story is about and not willing to take it anymore. Hannah is our main character, and Damian her stalker neighbor. Get ready for some twists and turns.
I wish it was longer as I was enjoying the ride.
February 14, 2026
𖤐⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ 2.5 stars ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆𖤐
this is was fun and a very fast read but it was definitely too short but I picked it knowing that so isn't the consequences of my own actions😃😃
this is was fun and a very fast read but it was definitely too short but I picked it knowing that so isn't the consequences of my own actions😃😃
February 15, 2026
Wow, what a fun Valentine holiday read! It was perfect with suspense, intensity, and an emotional rollercoaster of an ending. It was exactly what I hoped for from Lexi Davis. I’m just loving all of her work and can’t wait to read more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW 💖
What a fun Valentine’s Novella! Looking for a quick and great read Cupid is a Liar is perfect. Damian Salvanti obsessed morally gray stalker, hacker, landlord, hot neighbor watches her and knows everything. Hannah is ghosted on Valentine’s Day she was mad and goes to confront the guy Damian insists to go with her. The adventure begins. Don't miss this one!
Thank you, Lexi Davis
I could have kept reading
What a fun Valentine’s Novella! Looking for a quick and great read Cupid is a Liar is perfect. Damian Salvanti obsessed morally gray stalker, hacker, landlord, hot neighbor watches her and knows everything. Hannah is ghosted on Valentine’s Day she was mad and goes to confront the guy Damian insists to go with her. The adventure begins. Don't miss this one!
Thank you, Lexi Davis
I could have kept reading
February 24, 2026
Fast paced, hold onto your kindles girlies because once this starts it takes off!
This was a crazy stalker obsessed hacker neighbour who spies and knows everything about his female neighbour.
She is a wild fire when she was stood up for a date on valentines and well kind of takes him along for the ride. This was crazy excited and full of chaos I loved it!
This novella was small but throughly enjoyable and it’s definitely a once you start you can’t stop read. Perfect for those moments when you need a little light read, fun and dark moments but don’t need a full novel. Definitely recommend this to everyone, it was perfect with the right amount of spice too.
This was a crazy stalker obsessed hacker neighbour who spies and knows everything about his female neighbour.
She is a wild fire when she was stood up for a date on valentines and well kind of takes him along for the ride. This was crazy excited and full of chaos I loved it!
This novella was small but throughly enjoyable and it’s definitely a once you start you can’t stop read. Perfect for those moments when you need a little light read, fun and dark moments but don’t need a full novel. Definitely recommend this to everyone, it was perfect with the right amount of spice too.
February 16, 2026
This was a fun Valentine’s Day read. Suspended your belief and strap in for a silly stalker romance. Is this healthy? No but did I eat it up? Yes I did.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author before I’d be willing to try out a full length novel and see how I like their writing. I mostly rate novellas pretty high unless they really offend me. This one was silly and fun, the spice wasn’t anything I liked and could easily be skipped in my opinion.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author before I’d be willing to try out a full length novel and see how I like their writing. I mostly rate novellas pretty high unless they really offend me. This one was silly and fun, the spice wasn’t anything I liked and could easily be skipped in my opinion.
March 16, 2026
This was the shortest book/novella I have ever read (chose it intentionally 🤭) and I am rating this purely on vibes.
I really liked the book/novella, it was fun, quick paced and overall a very fun time!
Plot: A Valentine’s Day themed story about Hannah, whose "date" leads her to her neighbour Damian (her stalker)
Some reviews say its spicy.. meh, 1 out of 5 chilli spices for me 🌶
Although the writer specifically mentions it is not a long book and dont expect it to drag, I would have loved an epilogue.
But it was fun!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked the book/novella, it was fun, quick paced and overall a very fun time!
Plot: A Valentine’s Day themed story about Hannah, whose "date" leads her to her neighbour Damian (her stalker)
Some reviews say its spicy.. meh, 1 out of 5 chilli spices for me 🌶
Although the writer specifically mentions it is not a long book and dont expect it to drag, I would have loved an epilogue.
But it was fun!
⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Valentine’s Day said roses. This book said surveillance.
I came in expecting seasonal chaos. What I got was a hyper-observant neighbour with morally grey hobbies and laser-focused devotion.
And honestly? I was entertained.
What Worked
Damian Salvanti is not loud-alpha chaos. He’s controlled. Measured. The kind of man who notices everything and speaks only when necessary - which somehow makes it worse. (Better.)
The tension isn’t built on theatrics; it’s built on precision.
The “he fell first” energy? Elite. No confusion. No emotional fumbling. Just quiet certainty.
Once Valentine’s night goes sideways, the pacing locks in. It’s tight, fast, and doesn’t wander. This is a contained spiral - no unnecessary subplot fluff, no dramatic filler. Just escalating intensity between two people.
I also appreciated that Hannah isn’t oblivious. She clocks the intensity. She understands the risk. And she still steps toward him. That choice makes the dynamic work. This isn’t accidental entanglement - it’s deliberate proximity to danger.
Why Not 4 Stars?
I wanted one more emotional crack in Damian’s armor. One moment where the calm slipped just enough to expose something raw.
The obsession was there. The devotion was clear. But I didn’t fully sink into the psychology of it.
Because here’s the difference:
Compelling obsession = 3.5 stars.
Obsessive vulnerability that ruins me = 4+ stars.
The relationship progression is quick, which fits the fast pacing, but I didn’t quite reach feral attachment levels.
Still? I was entertained the entire time.
Final Verdict: This is Valentine’s Day for the girls who prefer red flags shaped like heart emojis.
It’s not emotionally devastating.
It’s not deep-dive psychological darkness.
But it is sharp, focused, and deliciously intense.
And sometimes, a controlled spiral is exactly the vibe.
Tropes & Vibes:
• Morally grey neighbour
• He fell first (and never doubted it)
• Protective with possessive undertones
• “I know more about you than I should” tension
• Valentine’s Day gone wrong
• Fast-paced, contained suspense
• FMC chooses the danger
• Devotion walking the red-flag tightrope
• Quiet intensity > loud dominance
• Short, punchy dark romance energy
Valentine’s Day said roses. This book said surveillance.
I came in expecting seasonal chaos. What I got was a hyper-observant neighbour with morally grey hobbies and laser-focused devotion.
And honestly? I was entertained.
What Worked
Damian Salvanti is not loud-alpha chaos. He’s controlled. Measured. The kind of man who notices everything and speaks only when necessary - which somehow makes it worse. (Better.)
The tension isn’t built on theatrics; it’s built on precision.
The “he fell first” energy? Elite. No confusion. No emotional fumbling. Just quiet certainty.
Once Valentine’s night goes sideways, the pacing locks in. It’s tight, fast, and doesn’t wander. This is a contained spiral - no unnecessary subplot fluff, no dramatic filler. Just escalating intensity between two people.
I also appreciated that Hannah isn’t oblivious. She clocks the intensity. She understands the risk. And she still steps toward him. That choice makes the dynamic work. This isn’t accidental entanglement - it’s deliberate proximity to danger.
Why Not 4 Stars?
I wanted one more emotional crack in Damian’s armor. One moment where the calm slipped just enough to expose something raw.
The obsession was there. The devotion was clear. But I didn’t fully sink into the psychology of it.
Because here’s the difference:
Compelling obsession = 3.5 stars.
Obsessive vulnerability that ruins me = 4+ stars.
The relationship progression is quick, which fits the fast pacing, but I didn’t quite reach feral attachment levels.
Still? I was entertained the entire time.
Final Verdict: This is Valentine’s Day for the girls who prefer red flags shaped like heart emojis.
It’s not emotionally devastating.
It’s not deep-dive psychological darkness.
But it is sharp, focused, and deliciously intense.
And sometimes, a controlled spiral is exactly the vibe.
Tropes & Vibes:
• Morally grey neighbour
• He fell first (and never doubted it)
• Protective with possessive undertones
• “I know more about you than I should” tension
• Valentine’s Day gone wrong
• Fast-paced, contained suspense
• FMC chooses the danger
• Devotion walking the red-flag tightrope
• Quiet intensity > loud dominance
• Short, punchy dark romance energy
February 6, 2026
I'm here for the vibes only.
And the vibes aren't half bad. The writing is decent and this book was a great little palate cleanser!
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And the vibes aren't half bad. The writing is decent and this book was a great little palate cleanser!
I received an advanced copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 4, 2026
I absolutely devoured this novella.
Cupid Is a Liar is the perfect reminder that a short book can still deliver a completely addictive, emotionally satisfying reading experience. Lexi Davis packed so much tension, chemistry, and obsession into these pages that I genuinely didn’t want it to end.
And Damian… wow. Dark romance readers are going to fall hard for him. He is protective, morally gray, quietly intense, and just unhinged enough to keep you on edge in the best possible way. There is something irresistible about a hero who falls first and loves with unwavering focus, and every moment he was on the page felt electric.
What I loved most was how the romance balances that delicious line between devotion and obsession. It’s swoony while still carrying a darker edge, which made the emotional tension impossible to look away from. The pacing is fast, the connection feels real, and the suspense threaded throughout kept me flying through the story.
Some novellas leave you wishing there had been more because the story feels incomplete but this one left me wanting more simply because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.
If you enjoy dark romance with obsessive energy, Valentine’s atmosphere, and a hero who would do absolutely anything for the woman he loves, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s a one-sitting read that delivers far more punch than its length suggests.
Thank you to Lexi Davis for the early reading opportunity!
Cupid Is a Liar is the perfect reminder that a short book can still deliver a completely addictive, emotionally satisfying reading experience. Lexi Davis packed so much tension, chemistry, and obsession into these pages that I genuinely didn’t want it to end.
And Damian… wow. Dark romance readers are going to fall hard for him. He is protective, morally gray, quietly intense, and just unhinged enough to keep you on edge in the best possible way. There is something irresistible about a hero who falls first and loves with unwavering focus, and every moment he was on the page felt electric.
What I loved most was how the romance balances that delicious line between devotion and obsession. It’s swoony while still carrying a darker edge, which made the emotional tension impossible to look away from. The pacing is fast, the connection feels real, and the suspense threaded throughout kept me flying through the story.
Some novellas leave you wishing there had been more because the story feels incomplete but this one left me wanting more simply because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.
If you enjoy dark romance with obsessive energy, Valentine’s atmosphere, and a hero who would do absolutely anything for the woman he loves, I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s a one-sitting read that delivers far more punch than its length suggests.
Thank you to Lexi Davis for the early reading opportunity!
February 11, 2026
-ˏˋ₊˚꒰⌨️꒱ ⊹ 2 stars ₊⊹
⤿ super short review, for a super short book! i knew what i was personally getting into, hence these short books are supposed to be quick and fast paced, no backstore, just instant love. i've never really minded that oh plus its a dark romance, but it just made me giggle on how everything happened all at once. there was just no chemistry even from the get go.
with love always, ashley 🤍
⤿ super short review, for a super short book! i knew what i was personally getting into, hence these short books are supposed to be quick and fast paced, no backstore, just instant love. i've never really minded that oh plus its a dark romance, but it just made me giggle on how everything happened all at once. there was just no chemistry even from the get go.
“Let me prove that I can give you the perfect Valentine’s date. You deserve it. Meet me on the roof. Thirty minutes.”
with love always, ashley 🤍
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ms Lexi Davis is quickly becoming one of my auto-buy/auto-read authors.
Her MMCs are *chef's kiss*, her FMCs badass, the writing style exactly my cuppa tea, 5 stars all round.
Our MMC here is morally grey to say the least and yet.. can he be my neighbour too please thankyew.
Hannah is relatable and loveable and I honestly would like a whole book on them because I just KNOW the YEARNING would be top notch.
Her MMCs are *chef's kiss*, her FMCs badass, the writing style exactly my cuppa tea, 5 stars all round.
Our MMC here is morally grey to say the least and yet.. can he be my neighbour too please thankyew.
Hannah is relatable and loveable and I honestly would like a whole book on them because I just KNOW the YEARNING would be top notch.
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