To Have and to Stalk: A Dark Romcom

by Mary Catherine Gebhard

From USA Today Best Selling author Mary Catherine Gebhard comes a brand new dark romcom about a girl who makes a dating profile to live out all of her spicy, bookish fantasies.

He was all my twisted, dark book boyfriend fantasies come to life. Masked. Tattooed. Dirty talking—and totally unhinged.
Morally grey? Check.
Stalker? Check.
A very illegal, very bloody hobby? Check.
Possessive, obsessive, and calls me a good girl? Check. Check. Check.
I should probably call the police.
I definitely shouldn’t take dirty selfies because I know he hacked my phone.
But what’s a girl to do?
It’s my very own stalker romance.

Genres: Dark Romance

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 18, 2026

Reviews

[Alice Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a an emotional romance with memorable characters, great chemistry, and plenty of spice.

Shay, a smart cosmologist living with a chronic illness, felt realistic and relatable, while Calder's intense devotion, patience, and care made him an unforgettable hero.

the stalker romance element was sweet, balanced with humor, heartfelt moments, and strong character growth. while the ending felt a little confusing and almost like the author just wanted it to be wrapped up quickly, the engaging plot, hot romance, and genuine connection between the characters made this a highly enjoyable read. fans of possessive yet caring heroes, emotional depth, and spicy romance will likely love this one.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

Shay is a cosmologist with a chronic illness who wants to experience some of her kinks. When she sings up on an app she draws the attention of Calder. His obsession with Shay starts and he begins stalking her, which includes cleaning her house and doing her laundry. So you know, the good kind of stalking.

The book was pretty good and I enjoyed it. There were just a few parts that fell a bit short for me. Calder’s job with the mafia was a side story, and while I understood what he did for them, the ending of the book was a bit confusing. I don’t want to give anything away, but I wasn’t sure how Shay got the resolution to the threat against them to work.

I really liked Calder’s devotion to Shay, and understanding her chronic illness. His research into it and his dedication to finding ways to help her was so sweet. It was interesting that Shay had a kinky side, and the stuff she wanted to explore was definitely hot. Their spicy scenes were good, and varied. They were a good match for each other, and I loved them together. I would read more from Mary Catherine, and am hoping the next book features Shay and Calder’s siblings.

No third act breakup

4/5 on the Spicy Scale

Violence

Chronic Illness

Past domestic emotional abuse

[Lisa Villarreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story felt like a direct version of our book fantasies coming to life on the pages. But in an intense and brutal emotionally invested kind of way that Mary Catherine Gehbard is great at giving us. I loved the characters and their development. They're rich and full of dimension.

The stalkering was so darn cute too. And I absolutely loved how the story twisted a little before halfway. I had the best time reading this one. It had some really hilarious moments. Some crazy sweet moments. And there's so much vulnerability spilled throughout the pages. I haven't laughed so hard in a while at the funny bits.

Shay was the type of FMC you really fall in love with. And Calder was one delicious MMC. Obsessed with him. The he falls first hit hard, he was down bad for her. Their chemistry was so hot it was setting me on fire. Calder was caring, devoted, and with Shay's chronic illness and past he was patient, supportive, and took extra steps to understand it.

While I wasn't into all the kinks in the book I loved the dynamic and the way they both conversed over them and how they were done for the context of the book.

Overall such a well done story with plenty of plot, tension, and incredible characters to keep me invested and pulled in. The pacing was perfect and the chemistry so hot. Spice was spicing. The twists were clever. Absolutely recommend. 10/10.

[ThatBook Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. This completely plays into the book girl fantasy of the masked stalker and risque sex, but in the best way.

Shay is a great and very real and interesting FMC. With chronic illness and insecurities from past relationships, I really felt like I could relate to her and wanted to know her more. She's also a wicked smart cosmologist which is pretty unique. I really loved getting to know Shay and following along as she tries to explore her kinks and learn to live and take risks.

As for Calder. Daaaaaamn, he is a great MMC. Sure, he has that stalker thing going for him but he is the ultimate book boyfriend and consent king. I love how he truly wants to know everything about Shay and seems to understand her and her limits better than she does. He gives her what she needs and wants without pushing her too far. And the way he takes care of her? Chef's kiss.

As serious as some of the content was, there were also a lot of funny scenes that had me laughing out loud. The bff's (and sister) brought a lot of fun to this as well.

I highly recommend this book. I'm such a huge fan of Mary Catherine Gebhard's books and I can't wait to see what's next. I'm hoping there's an interconnected story with other characters in this book because I'm not quite ready to leave this world behind yet.

[Mary Gallitano · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Be a good girl for me, Shay, and let me buy you books”

There were so many things I liked about this book! Our FMC Shay has a PhD in Black Matter, and her sister and friends are all smart and accomplished. She’s not an 18 year old naïve girl being taken advantage of.
She and her friends have a smut book club. Yes, you can be super smart and nerdy and still enjoy some smut.
Calder, our FMC is such a great morally grey hero with a heart of gold. He is an accountant and launders money for the mafia to pay off a debt. At night, he helps women out of abusive relationships.
Speaking of abusive relationshipa, Shay has just gotten out of a relationship with an abusive ex, Graham. The emotional abuse has left her really questioning herself and her worth. To top it off, she has a chronic illness.
This book started off spicy on Page 1 and kept spicy through the whole story. But there’s a great plot and the spice is integral to it.
Calder accepts Shay as she is with her sickness and helps her to realize her own worth and to grow into herself. Shay helps Calder with …. (I can’t say that because it’s a spoiler) But trust me – they are both good for each other.
I’m hoping for a second book with Lilith and Sloane because I think that would be an amazing story.

[OM]

Thank you to @smuthoodpromo for the ARC! 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not gonna lie I’ve been in a mood for a dark stalker romance and this didn't disappoint if anything it raised the standard. I didn’t expect to laugh or enjoy myself as much as I did. 🥰

The Com in his dark rom com wasn’t just the situations the characters found themselves in but it was in the digaloue between them, and their inner dialogue had me rolling on the floor. 🤣

Dark rom-com is right. With an add that it was also sweet. It truly represents why so many people, myself included like stalker romances because in the fictional world it’s representative how much the MMC cares (not the real world power dynamic.)😅

The spice was exciting! It was plenty dark, while also doing a really good job at showing how consent appears in these moments. Talk about a sex positive book.😍

The plot was perfection. I loved the storyline and how both of the characters were growing✅ Both characters were multidimensional and immediately I cared about them, and their stories as individuals and together.

I loved Shay and Calder and I can’t wait till what comes next though I have a couple of ideas 👀👀👀👀

[Ashlee Buongiovanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER FREE REVIEW.

Oh my god. I started this book Saturday night at 10PM and it was complete on my kindle by 10PM Sunday. Shay & Calder had a whirlwind of a story and I am so happy I was able to read this and review it early.

Shay & Calder had insane chemistry… the opening of the book knocked me off my feet bc idk what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that (in the best way). These two were electric together & Shay is a great representation of chronic illness. Just wow!!!

This story was sexy, funny, full of witty banter & and MMC who makes you feel safe and secure. I was kicking my feet, giggling & found myself saying more than once how this type of dark romcom reminded me of Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird.

This book for sure rivaled those 2 HUGE dark romcoms in the book community. I really enjoyed Mary’s writing and how it was dark but there was an underlying theme of consent and concern for the FMC. This book was beautifully written & I cannot wait to read book 2!

Secretly hoping this becomes an audiobook because WOW, I would love and d!e to hear 2 of my favorite narrators perform this book.

5/5 Plot
4/5 Spice
5/5 STARS

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to this author, and I enjoyed seeing how she spun this storyline.

Everything Shay wants and asks for, in a dark dating profile is encapsulated in Calder... and she is wrapped up in something even more intense (and potentially fatal) than their scenes! I loved that Calder was available and more than willing to risk everything for her. Soo hot!

Under the relationship these two form (based on her desire for a real life sta!ker) is an interesting web of tough family dynamics and loyalties, mafia business, and it was hard to stop reading. It certainly kept me engaged.

There were a few things that bugged me (totally a 'me' thing) and absolutely triggers for some. Shay certainly enjoys that her kinks are happening...!
I loved Calder's personality and understanding for Shay. Sooo sweet!

I recommend this dark romance, thank the author for my ARC, and voluntarily leave my review.

[DENISSE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has probably become my top stalker romance, it was sooooo delicious 🫠 Gebhard's writing had me hooked from the very first page, that first chapter OMG.

Shay is a cosmologist that wants to explore her kinky side. I immediately fell in love with her, specially during heated bookish conversations with her friends. Calder is a criminal that becomes obsessed with Shay and cannot stay away. He stalks and hacks her, for a good cause of course. One of my favorite tropes is text banter, specially when they're strangers, we get plenty of that. It had me all giddy and cackling, there were several laugh out loud moments. And the spice!! Oh boy 🥵 The bookstore scene tho, I need that. I cannot wait for the next standalone book aaaaah!!

Thank you Mary Catherine Gebhard and TheSmutHood for the ARC <3

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner and you don’t want to stop! The stalker gets stalked and when she messes with him it is hilarious! From the way they met to the graveyard to her shooting a ding dong off. It has all the elements in this that will leave you dripping and wanting more of them. I can’t wait to see what domes next because what is up with stone and Lithie!! Can’t wait!


“This time I did channel Spider-Man, doing everything I could to stay suspended above the litter. Shoulders wobbling, knuckles white. Just as I was thanking god for the clean litter, the cat came in. I stared at him. No way. No fucking way.”

[Jessica Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book. Seriously though, who knew a dark romance could also be funny. It’s strange because it was also relatable in the sense that Shay even questions the red flags like it’s crazy she’s into them. Shay and Calden are great together though. Despite him being morally gray, her is very much a softy. Calden is 100% book boyfriend material. Over all the story had me on edge from the very start. There was a twist I did not see coming. The story also flowed so smoothly. It did feel like anything was missing or could have been done better. It was a bit of a quick read for me but totally worth rereading again. Also I’m excited to see how the rest of the series goes!

[Brittany Michaele · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this was advertised as a dark romantic comedy. And I think that's the problem, it's trying to be too many things at once. Vigilante, mafia, stalker, hacker, dark past having, perfect body with a soft side MMC. FMC is simultaneously the smartest and dumbest person in the book? And the "twist"? There's a reason it's in quotes... i found this gem of a sentence pretty early in the book and it set the tone for what I was going to endure "the coffin was suspended, so his cock was eye level with mine."

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

these two.. i mean, the title says it all. They are so hawt together, and they are so perfect for each other. The spice, i mean, that was everything; with the heat, chemistry and the pull they had on each other.

Calder and Shay are so meant to be for each other. They may have their differing lives, but it is so clear as to where their hearts lie.. it almost makes you want to scream at the words to make them alter themselves so they are happy!!

Thank you Mary Catherine Gebhard and House of Hearts for an advanced copy.

[Katie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

To have and to stalk

Oh my...calder was definitely something. I loved this one. I mean who wouldn't want a stalker who respects boundaries.

I loved that Shay was a little kinky but with no experience. It made it seem like she was just a normal nerdy chick and a chronic illness baddie, that this could actually happen too. Sometime i wish more books would do this.

Oh side note i loved her friends and sister. Such great side characters. The dildo scene was so funny.

I ate this up in one day!

4 stars. Thanks for the opportunity to arc read this great book.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced copy from the author. My review is purely my own.

I absolutely fell in love with Calder and Shay. I was hooked from the first page. Their story played out well and had some twist and turns but I was hooked. I cannot wait until the next book! It’s definitely addictive.

[Rachel C]

RTC

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do like a good stalker romance, and while this one was fine nothing really stood out to me about it. Everything about this book felt pretty average, so I’d give it an average rating to match.

[Candace P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 starts

Rtc