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The Valentine's Date: A short psychological thriller
A twisted short psychological thriller from the author of The Perfect Daughter and The Wife’s Mistake
He’s looking for romance, but she has other plans…
“Happy Valentine's,” I say, clinking my glass against Red's. I gaze into her beautiful dark green eyes and wonder how I ever got this lucky.
I've had a crush on this woman for weeks, but I never thought she'd agree to go out with me. In fact, I’m still amazed I plucked up the courage to ask her out. And yet, here we are, seated across from each other in a candlelit restaurant. A band plays softly in the corner, and she looks absolutely stunning in her form-fitting outfit. Dressed to kill, you might say.
So you can imagine my surprise when she reveals that she actually hates Valentine’s Day. And as she tops up my glass, I begin to realise that this night isn’t going to go quite the way I planned. In fact, I’m starting to suspect she has something else entirely in mind.
You will devour this dark psychological thriller about love, regret and long-awaited revenge.
For fans of Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
19 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Dounaeva
39 books273 followersLorna Dounaeva is a politics graduate who worked for the British Home Office before turning to crime fiction. She writes dark domestic thrillers and is especially fond of female villains. She lives in the Orkney islands with her Ukrainian husband and his parents, three children, a crafty cat and a happy dog.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2026
Thoughts
This was a decent short Valentine’s Day themed thriller (49 pages on KU) wasn't as gripping as I would've liked it to be but still enjoyable
Plot Summary
Damon can't believe he's finally going on a Valentine’s date with the woman he’s been crushing on, he can hardly believe his luck as they toast over candlelight and soft music. But the romantic evening takes an unexpected turn when Red casually admits she despises Valentine’s Day. As the drinks keep flowing and her behavior grows increasingly curious, Damon starts to sense that this night may not unfold the way he imagined—and that she might have her own plans in mind.
My Bookstagram
This was a decent short Valentine’s Day themed thriller (49 pages on KU) wasn't as gripping as I would've liked it to be but still enjoyable
Plot Summary
Damon can't believe he's finally going on a Valentine’s date with the woman he’s been crushing on, he can hardly believe his luck as they toast over candlelight and soft music. But the romantic evening takes an unexpected turn when Red casually admits she despises Valentine’s Day. As the drinks keep flowing and her behavior grows increasingly curious, Damon starts to sense that this night may not unfold the way he imagined—and that she might have her own plans in mind.
My Bookstagram
February 14, 2026
Looking for something short to read, I turned to this piece by Lorna Dounaeva. A gripping psychological thriller with all the elements to make the reader think twice about a date on Valentine’s Day.
Damon has been working up the courage to ask Red out on a date. He goes for broke and hopes that Valentine’s Day will be magical for the two of them. The date begins well, as they share stories and seem to make a connection. This continues when they extend the date back to Damon’s house. However, it is at this point that things go south quickly. Damon is hoping for a deeper connection, Red has someone else on her mind. Their competing obsessions soon take things to an awkward place, only to get more problematic when Red admits to a deep secret and a mission she's on. Together, Red and Damon make it a Valentine's Day neither will forget. One might say it's forged in.... blood. Lorna Dounaeva delivers something mind-bending in this psychological thriller that explores the darker side of Cupid's conquests.
This was a great read and easy to digest in a single sitting. Dounaeva sends the reader flying through this book, unsure what to expect. What begins slowly soon builds, though the momentum is soon able to take over and leave the reader wondering what awaits them. The story goes dark swiftly and soon there is no stopping things, forcing a rush to the end, paved with short chapters and a chilling aspect that will not allow the reader to stop flipping pages.
Few characters grace the pages of this story, but those who do are well-established and wonderfully crafted by an author who knows what she wants. Damon and Red seem innocent enough on the surface, but their obsessions soon take over and leave the reader to surmise that this is a love train ready to wreck. Just when it seems things are going along as planned, Dounaeva tosses in a character flaw that sends the story hurtling in a new and precarious direction. It has psychological thriller painted all over it, with two protagonists that fit the bill
Surprises and twists serve as a foundation for this piece, ensuring that the reader will be fully involved in all that is going on. There is a little of everything and then some, as the reader finds themselves trying to grasp onto anything that might serve to right their balance. However, Lorna Dounaeva offers little time to make sense of it all before new surprises engulf the unsuspecting reader. This is one Valentine's Day read where chocolates and rose petals will not usher in happy thoughts!
Kudos, Madam Dounaeva, for sharing something that still has my spine tingling.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Damon has been working up the courage to ask Red out on a date. He goes for broke and hopes that Valentine’s Day will be magical for the two of them. The date begins well, as they share stories and seem to make a connection. This continues when they extend the date back to Damon’s house. However, it is at this point that things go south quickly. Damon is hoping for a deeper connection, Red has someone else on her mind. Their competing obsessions soon take things to an awkward place, only to get more problematic when Red admits to a deep secret and a mission she's on. Together, Red and Damon make it a Valentine's Day neither will forget. One might say it's forged in.... blood. Lorna Dounaeva delivers something mind-bending in this psychological thriller that explores the darker side of Cupid's conquests.
This was a great read and easy to digest in a single sitting. Dounaeva sends the reader flying through this book, unsure what to expect. What begins slowly soon builds, though the momentum is soon able to take over and leave the reader wondering what awaits them. The story goes dark swiftly and soon there is no stopping things, forcing a rush to the end, paved with short chapters and a chilling aspect that will not allow the reader to stop flipping pages.
Few characters grace the pages of this story, but those who do are well-established and wonderfully crafted by an author who knows what she wants. Damon and Red seem innocent enough on the surface, but their obsessions soon take over and leave the reader to surmise that this is a love train ready to wreck. Just when it seems things are going along as planned, Dounaeva tosses in a character flaw that sends the story hurtling in a new and precarious direction. It has psychological thriller painted all over it, with two protagonists that fit the bill
Surprises and twists serve as a foundation for this piece, ensuring that the reader will be fully involved in all that is going on. There is a little of everything and then some, as the reader finds themselves trying to grasp onto anything that might serve to right their balance. However, Lorna Dounaeva offers little time to make sense of it all before new surprises engulf the unsuspecting reader. This is one Valentine's Day read where chocolates and rose petals will not usher in happy thoughts!
Kudos, Madam Dounaeva, for sharing something that still has my spine tingling.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 27, 2026
A short little Valentine’s novella which, unusually and unfortunately, didn’t hit the mark for me.
Damon has been coveting Red ever since he first saw her in the coffee shop that he daily frequents. He finally gets the courage to ask her on a date and she agrees. The date lands on Valentine’s Day which both of them admit they don’t particularly like due to past experiences on that particular day; but they decide to leave the past in the past and make new better memories. However, what neither Damon or Red realise is that they both have different agendas for the date, will their Valentine’s Day be better than the one the year before or will they still continue to hate the day as passionately as they both did before their date?!
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella very much which is such a shame as I usually love anything Lorna Dounaeva writes. The characters were very strange, and the storyline was quite weird but at the same time still quite compelling. I will say that I thought it was quite clever how the story eventually came together but I just felt I was left with more questions than answers when the book finished.
So, this book is getting a 3 star rating from me as I liked the premise and, as above, I felt the story came together well, but I just wanted more when it ended and felt unsatisfied. I don’t like giving books low star ratings but at the same time my reviews are always my honest opinions.
Despite my disappointment with this story, I want to add my opinion is entirely my own and totally subjective. I am sure that other readers in the reading universe will enjoy and appreciate this short and snappy Valentine’s novelette so I would say give it a go and see what you think. I still can’t wait to read what Lorna Dounaeva writes next though as I have previously enjoyed three of her other books!
Damon has been coveting Red ever since he first saw her in the coffee shop that he daily frequents. He finally gets the courage to ask her on a date and she agrees. The date lands on Valentine’s Day which both of them admit they don’t particularly like due to past experiences on that particular day; but they decide to leave the past in the past and make new better memories. However, what neither Damon or Red realise is that they both have different agendas for the date, will their Valentine’s Day be better than the one the year before or will they still continue to hate the day as passionately as they both did before their date?!
Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this novella very much which is such a shame as I usually love anything Lorna Dounaeva writes. The characters were very strange, and the storyline was quite weird but at the same time still quite compelling. I will say that I thought it was quite clever how the story eventually came together but I just felt I was left with more questions than answers when the book finished.
So, this book is getting a 3 star rating from me as I liked the premise and, as above, I felt the story came together well, but I just wanted more when it ended and felt unsatisfied. I don’t like giving books low star ratings but at the same time my reviews are always my honest opinions.
Despite my disappointment with this story, I want to add my opinion is entirely my own and totally subjective. I am sure that other readers in the reading universe will enjoy and appreciate this short and snappy Valentine’s novelette so I would say give it a go and see what you think. I still can’t wait to read what Lorna Dounaeva writes next though as I have previously enjoyed three of her other books!
February 15, 2026
Very nice
February 16, 2026
This is fantastic!
February 17, 2026
A quick read but didn’t really grab me.
February 17, 2026
I enjoyed this book and it was twisty, but I found it a little confusing. I will try another by this author though
February 28, 2026
Poppie
Intense Quick Read! I have found another new author! Similarity to Freida McFadden.
Happy Reading! You will really like this book if you want a quick read.
Intense Quick Read! I have found another new author! Similarity to Freida McFadden.
Happy Reading! You will really like this book if you want a quick read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews