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Perfect?

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Emily Winters thought she had found the perfect man. Elliot Vance is everything she ever dreamed of-charming, intense, and ready to build a life together at his secluded farmhouse. Emily goes willingly into his world, embracing a romance that feels like a fairy tale come true.



But for Officer Courtney Lawson, the "perfect" life in Shadowbrook is starting to look like a cemetery. Courtney has been tracking a series of disappearances-women who seem to vanish into thin air, leaving behind nothing but a trail that always goes cold. She's the only one who sees the pattern, and she knows time is running out for the next victim.



In the shadows of the farmhouse, the dream quickly becomes a nightmare. When Elliot's devotion turns to boredom, his true self is revealed, and Emily is forced to face a terrifying the man she loves is a monster, and the farmhouse is where he keeps his perfect collection. While Courtney desperately tries to piece together the clues, Emily must find a way to survive the man she gave her heart to before she becomes the latest permanent addition to his gallery.

1 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

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T.C. Shadowbrook

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5 stars
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9 (36%)
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2 (8%)
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3 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Haly Hoards Books.
292 reviews48 followers
June 27, 2026
2.5☆
To start a psychological thriller inside the head of a serial killer, while said killer is in the act of torturing his victim, is gutsy. But, that is exactly what Shadowbrook has done.

From the beginning I was shaking my head in frustration. Emily, dear, as a well educated woman and therapist you truly did not see all of the numerous, glaring neon red flags Elliot was waving in front of your face?! Really?! And, Elliot wanted you for your brain?!

I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goodreads.

This was a disappointing experience. The idea was good but the execution fell through. If a serial killer is collecting pieces of women because those parts are perfect I don't think he would really want Emily's brain. Yet again, why not, she wasn't using it.
Profile Image for Haley Jordan.
9 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2026
Received as an ARC -
This was a very interesting and addicting thriller to read. I loved watching the relationship between Emily and Elliot unfold and witness the changes take place.

However, I struggled to follow the plot around chapter 23 (83%) Courtney mentions struggling to keep professional distance from Emily - and i’m just so confused on how the potential romantic connection came up? Then Courtney calls Emily to bring her along to the gas station to potentially catch Elliot, which is kinda odd and doesn’t seem safe but oh well i’ll ignore that, but then it turns out to be a setup. There is no further details in the book explaining how that would make sense which continues to confuse me.

In chapter 26 Emily decides to get a rental car and go to the farmhouse to catch Elliot and claims she would call Miller if she sees his car. As she pulls up to the house she sees his SUV and what does she do? She walks into the unlocked house without calling the cops.

Chapter 27 introduces Jade as the next victim but I have no idea where she came from or why she would be willing to listen.

In chapter 28 Courtney sees Emily’s note and starts speeding to the farmhouse to save Emily/kill Elliot (valid) but there is no further mention of her again. No idea if she got there or what happens next.

Chapter 29 ends with Emily knocking out Elliot.

“As I tower over his motionless body, should I take his heart?”

I feel like I have whiplash from this part of the book. I totally love the idea of Emily being corrupted and taking his heart as a plot twist, but I needed more character development to understand how she got to this point.

Overall I really really really loved this book, I just wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed? I’m lowkey hoping the ARC I got was just an accidental version or the file didn’t upload properly or something. If so I will definitely update this review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for MELANIE J Williams.
27 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy
March 27, 2026
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Psychological Thriller

"Perfect?" completely exceeded my expectations. This was a psychologically thrilling, unpredictable read that had me hooked from the very beginning. There honestly wasn’t much I didn’t like about this book. It pulls you deep into the characters’ minds—especially Elliott’s—with such detailed insight into his thoughts and actions that it almost feels unsettling in the best way.

What really stood out to me was how this story makes you both love and hate the characters at the same time. Elliott is terrifying in how easily he draws people in and molds them into what he wants and needs. Watching Emily fall for him, only to uncover the reasoning behind his behaviors, added another layer of tension and intrigue. On the other side, Courtney is exactly the kind of determined, relentless cop you root for—strong, persistent, and unwilling to be silenced.

This book truly plays with your mind. It constantly shifts, making you question your instincts as a reader. Just when you think you understand what’s happening or where things are going… it changes. It dives deep into the human psyche, showing how easily a “normal” mind can be twisted into something darker, especially when love and fear become intertwined.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the ending—it felt like there should have been just a bit more. However, realizing this is part of a series (with at least two more books coming) actually made me even more excited!! I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this story.

Overall, this was an intense, thought-provoking thriller that keeps you on your toes the entire time. If you’re looking for something dark, psychological, and unpredictable, this is absolutely one to pick up.

I received a free ARC of this book via StoryOrigin, and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. This review will be posted on Goodreads, StoryOrigin, and Amazon.


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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for elegancija | ARCs & books.
26 reviews
April 1, 2026
I liked the book—at least half of it. It was fun to read the POVs of the killer, victim, and detective. The tension was nice, and many parts were unexpected. There were certain parts that had me scratching my head in confusion. One review pointed out Emily not calling Miller when she claimed she would, then the girl named Jade whom many of us simply forgot, and the fake Elliot which was a setup but not further developed (we could've gotten it from Elliot's POV).

I really hoped Emily, as a therapist, would read Elliot and Elliot would become her victim (the summary made me feel this way as it's ambiguous + it's about the final parts of the book, not the middle or the beginning, introducing the idea of the missing girls. I think it needs some fixing), but OK, she was weak, madly in love. Now the confusion. In one part, Emily spoke about "writing a novel"; in others, she's painting (her career as a therapist long forgotten—later on, I found out she hadn't been a therapist for a long time). I wanted her to reunite with her besties, but the ending was creepy and sweet enough for me to let it pass.

Courtney had a big-brain moment; she realized the connection between victims. OK, she's the best officer in her area, but even so, I thought she was nearly reading Elliot's mind at that part. Also, is she lesbian? She knew Sienna and seemed to have a crush on Emily.

Emily thought this when she saw crime photos: "I’ve seen crime scene photos before—grad school seminar, one very bad internship—but it hits different when you know you’re supposed to be the fifth name in the pile." Girl, this isn't only about photos. You saw them yourself when Elliot showed them off. It's way creepier. You saw them live!

What's with Elliot's name, also? Sometimes he was Elliot, other times, ElliotT.

Finally, that many of spicy parts were unnecessary, especially if one character's POV ended with sex scenes and another's return to that but in after a few days. We want more action here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
67 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 24, 2026
I want to start off by saying that I received this book as an ARC.

I loved this book! It’s a great psychological thriller. It’s a quick read and the only reason it took me a few days to read it was because I read it in several different quick sittings.

I never wanted to put this book down- the writing definitely had me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

Emily’s character shows how easily it is for someone else to manipulate you in a relationship and shows how if you love someone so much sometimes you can be blinded or oblivious to their actions or intentions. Even if you’re so smart and went to school and are a therapist. Although at the end now- cliffhanger- she caught me off guard. Will she now kill Elliot? Is she going to join him? She still seems like she’s so in love with him that she will forgive what he was going to do or what he’s done in the past?

Elliot’s character was very complex and interesting. He could manipulate anyone into doing what he wants in a relationship once he gains their trust. Almost seems like sometimes he feels bad but not enough to change what he’s doing or maybe he even thinks he can’t stop or nothing can stop the urge to do it.

Courtney’s character is a cop who isn’t treated 100% seriously but busts her ass every day and cares about her cases. She definitely has some demons she’s fighting herself but still fighting for others before herself. She genuinely cares about helping others.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out. I hate cliffhangers lol I am so eager to know what happens next.
If you’re on the fence about reading this book- don’t be! I will definitely read this again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cliey.
43 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2026
This book gave me exactly the kind of creeping dread I look for in psychological horror.

The farmhouse setting is brilliantly unsettling. Early on, it feels peaceful and remote, but as the story progresses, that same isolation becomes terrifying. Every time Emily was alone in that house, I felt anxious. T.C. Shadowbrook does a great job turning an ordinary location into a nightmare.

The standout section for me was the middle of the novel when Elliot's mask begins to slip. The transformation isn't sudden; it's gradual and deeply disturbing. The author lets the tension build chapter by chapter, creating a constant sense that something horrible is waiting just around the corner.

I also enjoyed the investigative side of the story. Courtney's search for missing women added urgency and made the plot feel larger than Emily's personal nightmare. The two storylines eventually collide in a way that felt satisfying and intense.

What makes PERFECT? memorable is its exploration of obsession and control. Elliot is frightening because he hides behind charm and normalcy. By the end, I was equal parts horrified and unable to stop reading. If you enjoy dark thrillers with serial killer elements and strong suspense, this one is worth picking up.
Profile Image for Villanerareads.
110 reviews
Review of advance copy
March 28, 2026
I went into this ARC knowing absolutely nothing about the author or the story… and honestly? Best decision ever.
This book was fantastic.

It strikes such a good balance between horror and thriller, blending tension, unease, and pacing in a way that keeps you completely hooked. The story moves quickly without ever feeling rushed, and the writing style made it incredibly easy to stay immersed the entire time.

I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, and even then I found myself tearing through most of this in one sitting because it just didn’t let go. That kind of grip is rare, and this book absolutely delivered.

And then there’s the ending…
CRIMINAL.

The kind that leaves you staring at the wall, questioning everything, and immediately needing the next book.
Overall, this was a really strong read that pulled me out of a slump and kept me fully engaged from start to finish. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.

Highly recommend. 📚🔥
Profile Image for Destiny Wilson.
94 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 31, 2026
Perfect? by T.C. Shadowbrook is the kind of thriller that slowly shifts from romance into something much darker. Emily believes she has found the perfect man in Elliot and willingly steps into the quiet life he offers at his secluded farmhouse. At first it feels like a dream, but the deeper the story goes, the more unsettling everything becomes. Watching the illusion of Elliot’s charm crack and reveal something far more disturbing made the tension build with every chapter.

I also loved the way the investigation storyline with Officer Courtney Lawson unfolded alongside Emily’s nightmare. The growing realization of what Elliot is actually doing created this constant sense of dread that kept me turning pages. The ending twist completely caught me off guard and made the whole story hit even harder. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with obsessive villains and high-stakes survival, this one definitely delivers.
Profile Image for Samantha Alejandro.
68 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 22, 2026
ARC review

“Somewhere in the back of my mind, a tiny voice reminds me that men who seem perfect are usually anything but. But I drown it in caffeine and the smell of warm cookies.”

If this book taught me anything…
listen to that voice.

I went into this ARC with zero context, no expectations, no idea what I was getting into… and it completely pulled me in.

A few chapters in, I thought I had it all figured out. The plot, the direction, even the ending.

I was wrong.

This book plays with your mind in the best way. The kind of psychological tension that makes you question your own instincts as a reader.

You think you understand the characters… until you don’t.
You think you know what’s coming… until it shifts.

And suddenly that tiny voice?
Yeah… you should’ve listened.

Psychologically thrilling, unpredictable, and way more than I expected.

Thank you for trusting me with this ARC.
Profile Image for Michelle Shamy.
996 reviews15 followers
May 4, 2026
I’m not sure how to describe what I just read… you’ll want to buckle up this one because it’s one heck of a wild ride. Emily and Elliot are in love. Happy times. They go out to his farm in a secluded area, but as time passes he gets bored. Then things start getting strange.
From the very beginning of this, I knew it was going to be good and only get better. And it did not disappoint. This held such depth, all you could do was keep going. I was completely intrigued. Elliot was definitely not the person he wanted Emily to believe he was.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I read this in one sitting because there was no way I was putting this down. The twists and turns were wild. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I wasn’t even close. This is one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read. And that ending…I need to know…
499 reviews8 followers
May 20, 2026
This could almost be a horror romance movie because the MMC was super suave, and he had some unusual tendencies. He’s all loving and caring, until he’s not. The FMC fell for it, too, hook, line and sinker, as they say. The way the two main characters met was all planned out by the MMC. I love the way this story was laid out. I definitely couldn’t read it fast enough to find out what happened next. I couldn’t put it down. It was suspenseful and intriguing throughout the book. It was set at a quick pace and was easy to read. Some of the book was a little gruesome. I thought there was a small possibility he would be different with her, but the situation went a different route. The spice was really good. I enjoyed this story and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for OinkyThePiggy (Vanessa).
32 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 29, 2026
[Free ARC reader, voluntary review]
First time reading this genre and I gotta say, wow. The story opens up like a scene from Criminal Minds, so if that's your cup of tea, you'll love this. So very detailed with everything Elliot is thinking and doing, and why he does what he does. Quite eerie if I do say so myself. Then comes the depth of what the Emily goes through, the subtle changes, the not so subtle, I almost got caught up in it at times, forgetting what was going on (as intended). Then later, I found myself absolutely loving Courtney at first intro and was rooting for her as she tried piecing things together.
You will find yourself loving and hating characters, questioning yourself and the characters' decisions, all the way to a point where you ask yourself... did that really just happen?
Profile Image for Britany.
156 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2026
I went into this knowing nothing about the author and just the blurb. Best decision!
If you love Criminal Minds or Dexter, this is just for you!
A glorious combination of dark, love and hate for the characters, and a perfect balance of suspense, tension and horror.
Elliot knows how to draw people and get them to do what he wants you to, but he's got to trust you first.
This done end on a cliffhanger (which I hate) BUT it's worth it. I'm not an overly huge fan of psychological thrillers but this definitely did it for me.
8 reviews
July 16, 2026
I received a copy of this book from a giveaway.

Not my favorite psychological horror/thriller to read, but it was entertaining. I was disappointed to know that the profession of the main character did not help sway or deter her from harm, but I definitely understand that the antagonist is a narcissist, so I guess I cannot be too upset. There are other inconsistencies in this book that I did not care for, but overall, the story is interesting and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read this genre.
Profile Image for Sabrina  Leonard.
249 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 14, 2026
This was so good that I read through it in one sitting. Emily is an amazing character and shows how easy it can be to start living entirely for someone else. Can you really become “yourself” after that. Elliott is terrifying in how well he knows how to draw people in and mold them to what he wants/needs. Courtney is a wonderful example of a determined cop unwilling to let herself be silenced and exactly what we wish more police were like.
Profile Image for Tiarra.
65 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 16, 2026
This book was amazing. It kept you on your toes. The ending was not what I expected ! If you want thriller-psychological-this is it! If you want to keep one eye open and feel like someone is watching you now...yup this is it! Emily finds the most charming-knows what he wants-wants a future with her kind of guy. She falls for him only to find out his peticular ways had a reason behind them. He only wanted one thing from her and that one thing saved her life. That ending was jaw dropping.
173 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2026
Perfect was wild. This book grabbed me from the start and never let go. It balances horror and thriller so well that the tension sneaks up on you and tears you apart in the best way. The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere pulls you in, and before you know it you’re flying through pages. And that ending… absolutely ridiculous.
Overall, it was beautiful, heartbreaking, and exactly the kind of story you didn't know you needed.
Profile Image for Joni Couch.
33 reviews
April 5, 2026
This is a phycologist thriller romance amd it definitely keeps you on your toes.

I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down until I was finished reading.

There were a few moments I was like huh.

I am still trying to figure out if I love or hate the characters (in a good way)

This book had me questioning my instincts because everytime I thought something i was wrong.

The ending has me like wtf but I cant wait to read book 2
26 reviews
March 15, 2026
This is a thrilling story of murder. It delves into the human psyche in a way that draws you into the twisted mind of a collector and shows how a healthy, normal mind can be twisted to become exactly what it both loves and fears.
Profile Image for Stephanie Sousa.
23 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 20, 2026
I absolutely loved this story, it was a can't put it down read for me from the start. I was invested in what was happening and loved the characters. The only reason for 4 stars is the way it ended, I felt there should have been just a bit more. Maybe a sequel?
82 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 1, 2026
Perfect? completely drew me in with its dark, psychological tension. The story explores the idea of appearances versus reality in a way that kept me intrigued from start to finish. The slow-building suspense and underlying unease made every page feel charged and had me constantly wondering what happens next. The characters are engaging, and the story keeps you on edge without feeling rushed. Overall, it’s a gripping, tension-filled read that will appeal to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and suspenseful storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews