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Persuade
PersuadeWhat if the most dangerous weapon ever created wasn't a machine... but an idea?
Every day, billions of people scroll, search, click, and consume information without a second thought. They believe their opinions are their own. Their decisions are their own. Their future is their own.
But what if someone discovered a way to influence them all?
When a series of unsettling events reveals the existence of a technology capable of shaping human behavior on an unprecedented scale, one man finds himself caught in a web of deception, manipulation, and hidden power. What begins as a search for answers quickly becomes a fight to uncover a truth that powerful forces will do anything to keep buried.
The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that the greatest threat isn't what people know.
It's what they've been convinced to believe.
As allies become suspects and every new discovery raises even darker questions, the line between free will and control begins to vanish. In a world where perception can be engineered and truth can be manufactured, knowing who to trust may be impossible.
Persuade is a gripping psychological thriller that blends suspense, conspiracy, and emerging technology into a story that feels unsettlingly close to reality.
Perfect for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers, hidden agendas, shocking twists, and stories that linger long after the final page.
Some books entertain.
This one will make you question who is really influencing your thoughts.
Read Persuade today.
Available in eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, and Audiobook.
Free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
Every day, billions of people scroll, search, click, and consume information without a second thought. They believe their opinions are their own. Their decisions are their own. Their future is their own.
But what if someone discovered a way to influence them all?
When a series of unsettling events reveals the existence of a technology capable of shaping human behavior on an unprecedented scale, one man finds himself caught in a web of deception, manipulation, and hidden power. What begins as a search for answers quickly becomes a fight to uncover a truth that powerful forces will do anything to keep buried.
The deeper he digs, the more he realizes that the greatest threat isn't what people know.
It's what they've been convinced to believe.
As allies become suspects and every new discovery raises even darker questions, the line between free will and control begins to vanish. In a world where perception can be engineered and truth can be manufactured, knowing who to trust may be impossible.
Persuade is a gripping psychological thriller that blends suspense, conspiracy, and emerging technology into a story that feels unsettlingly close to reality.
Perfect for readers who enjoy intelligent thrillers, hidden agendas, shocking twists, and stories that linger long after the final page.
Some books entertain.
This one will make you question who is really influencing your thoughts.
Read Persuade today.
Available in eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, and Audiobook.
Free to read with Kindle Unlimited.
154 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Riley Hoffpauir
15 books3 followersRiley Hoffpauir is an independent author, entrepreneur, gamer, and animal rescue advocate based in Tyler, Texas. Born in Orange, Texas, Riley later moved to Tyler, where he met and married his wife, Faith. He considers marrying her to be the greatest achievement of his life. Through her love, support, and encouragement, she taught him patience, confidence, and the importance of being true to himself.
After graduating high school in 1991, Riley attended college before choosing a different path and pursuing opportunities through work, entrepreneurship, and creative projects. Over the years, he has worn many hats, including food delivery driver, small business owner, and independent creator.
In addition to writing, Riley operates the Amazon apparel brand Penehoff Perfect, creating original T-shirt designs and merchandise. His entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to explore new challenges have become defining parts of both his professional and creative life.
A lifelong gamer, Riley enjoys spending time in immersive worlds such as Call of Duty: Warzone and Destiny 2. He is also deeply passionate about animal rescue, dedicating countless hours to rescuing, fostering, and caring for abandoned kittens. Helping animals in need remains one of the causes closest to his heart.
Riley writes stories that challenge readers to think differently and question the world around them. While his interests span many subjects, his current focus is on thrillers and mysteries that blend suspense, psychological tension, and thought-provoking themes. His debut novel, Persuade, explores the fragile line between influence and free will in a rapidly changing world.
Currently, Riley is working on his next novel, continuing his journey as an independent author. Although he doesn't point to a single literary influence, his home has always been filled with a love of storytelling—helped in no small part by his wife’s admiration for Stephen King.
For Riley, writing is about embracing new challenges, exploring big ideas, and telling stories that stay with readers long after the final page. Whether he's writing, designing apparel, rescuing kittens, or gaming with friends, he approaches life with curiosity, creativity, and a belief that it's never too late to start something new.
After graduating high school in 1991, Riley attended college before choosing a different path and pursuing opportunities through work, entrepreneurship, and creative projects. Over the years, he has worn many hats, including food delivery driver, small business owner, and independent creator.
In addition to writing, Riley operates the Amazon apparel brand Penehoff Perfect, creating original T-shirt designs and merchandise. His entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to explore new challenges have become defining parts of both his professional and creative life.
A lifelong gamer, Riley enjoys spending time in immersive worlds such as Call of Duty: Warzone and Destiny 2. He is also deeply passionate about animal rescue, dedicating countless hours to rescuing, fostering, and caring for abandoned kittens. Helping animals in need remains one of the causes closest to his heart.
Riley writes stories that challenge readers to think differently and question the world around them. While his interests span many subjects, his current focus is on thrillers and mysteries that blend suspense, psychological tension, and thought-provoking themes. His debut novel, Persuade, explores the fragile line between influence and free will in a rapidly changing world.
Currently, Riley is working on his next novel, continuing his journey as an independent author. Although he doesn't point to a single literary influence, his home has always been filled with a love of storytelling—helped in no small part by his wife’s admiration for Stephen King.
For Riley, writing is about embracing new challenges, exploring big ideas, and telling stories that stay with readers long after the final page. Whether he's writing, designing apparel, rescuing kittens, or gaming with friends, he approaches life with curiosity, creativity, and a belief that it's never too late to start something new.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 13, 2026
I’m still shaking… Absolute 5-star masterpiece! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wow. Just wow.
I literally just finished the last page of Persuade and my mind is completely blown. I am a massive fan of psychological thrillers, but Riley Hoffpauir has created something truly special here. It’s not just a book; it’s a wake-up call that forces you to look at your phone, your laptop, and your entire life differently.
I couldn’t put it down
The concept grabbed me by the throat from the very first chapter. The idea that our clicks, searches, and choices are being engineered by a hidden system is chillingly plausible. As I followed the main character deeper into this massive tech conspiracy, my heart was racing. The pacing is absolutely relentless. I told myself "just one more chapter" at 11 PM, and suddenly it was 3 AM and I was turning the final page.
Those twists completely wrecked me
Hoffpauir is an absolute genius at misdirection. Every time I thought I finally figured out who was controlling the narrative, a new layer of government secrets and AI manipulation was uncovered. The suspense is deeply psychological, blurring the lines between free will and total control so perfectly that you start questioning your own reality.
You need to read this immediately
If you love mind-bending suspense, unexpected twists, and stories about the terrifying power of technology, do yourself a huge favor and pick this up. It’s easily one of the best books I’ve read all year. I’ll be thinking about this one for a very, very long time!
Wow. Just wow.
I literally just finished the last page of Persuade and my mind is completely blown. I am a massive fan of psychological thrillers, but Riley Hoffpauir has created something truly special here. It’s not just a book; it’s a wake-up call that forces you to look at your phone, your laptop, and your entire life differently.
I couldn’t put it down
The concept grabbed me by the throat from the very first chapter. The idea that our clicks, searches, and choices are being engineered by a hidden system is chillingly plausible. As I followed the main character deeper into this massive tech conspiracy, my heart was racing. The pacing is absolutely relentless. I told myself "just one more chapter" at 11 PM, and suddenly it was 3 AM and I was turning the final page.
Those twists completely wrecked me
Hoffpauir is an absolute genius at misdirection. Every time I thought I finally figured out who was controlling the narrative, a new layer of government secrets and AI manipulation was uncovered. The suspense is deeply psychological, blurring the lines between free will and total control so perfectly that you start questioning your own reality.
You need to read this immediately
If you love mind-bending suspense, unexpected twists, and stories about the terrifying power of technology, do yourself a huge favor and pick this up. It’s easily one of the best books I’ve read all year. I’ll be thinking about this one for a very, very long time!
June 20, 2026
AI apocalypse?
Persuade by Rylie Hoffpauir is a thought-provoking thriller centered on an AI-powered invention capable of manipulating people into doing whatever it wants—even committing murder. The author masterfully introduces a diverse cast of characters, each handling the sudden invasion of this technology into their lives in a unique way. When they discover that the AI is creating tens of thousands of fictional accounts, they grow deeply concerned about the consequences. Can artificial intelligence truly understand right from wrong, distinguish between power and control, or grasp the human condition? Read the book to see if they can uncover who is behind the AI, figure out its ultimate goal, and stop it before it is too late.
Persuade by Rylie Hoffpauir is a thought-provoking thriller centered on an AI-powered invention capable of manipulating people into doing whatever it wants—even committing murder. The author masterfully introduces a diverse cast of characters, each handling the sudden invasion of this technology into their lives in a unique way. When they discover that the AI is creating tens of thousands of fictional accounts, they grow deeply concerned about the consequences. Can artificial intelligence truly understand right from wrong, distinguish between power and control, or grasp the human condition? Read the book to see if they can uncover who is behind the AI, figure out its ultimate goal, and stop it before it is too late.
July 5, 2026
The shifting points of view can be a little confusing at times, but the story kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. It raises thought-provoking questions about what freedom really means, how much of the truth we’re actually meant to know, and whether we’re truly prepared to handle that knowledge once we have it. It’s an engaging, compelling read that stayed with me long after I put it down. Highly recommend!
October 12, 2026
Congratulations to Riley Hoffpauir for publishing this work. Every book represents time, effort, and imagination, and I wish the author continued inspiration and success. I hope Persuade reaches more readers and encourages thoughtful discussions about its themes and characters
August 27, 2026
"Persuade" is a thought-provoking psychological suspense novel that makes the reader think about how much free will we actually have in an era of artificial intelligence becoming more prominent by the day. This book expertly gives insight into human nature in a high-tech world that could easily be present-day instead of an imagined future, which makes this novel so easily relatable.
October 13, 2026
This book messed me up. I picked it up thinking it was just another tech thriller, but Riley Hoffpauir came out swinging. The idea that our clicks and choices are being engineered? Chilling. I literally side-eyed my phone after finishing.
Pacing is relentless. I said "one more chapter" at 11 PM and hit the last page at 3 AM. The twists wrecked me—every time I thought I had it figured out, another layer got peeled back.
Only gripe: the shifting POVs got a little confusing at times. But honestly? Didn't matter. This one stays with you.
If you like conspiracy, and stories that make you question everything—grab it. Absolute banger.
Pacing is relentless. I said "one more chapter" at 11 PM and hit the last page at 3 AM. The twists wrecked me—every time I thought I had it figured out, another layer got peeled back.
Only gripe: the shifting POVs got a little confusing at times. But honestly? Didn't matter. This one stays with you.
If you like conspiracy, and stories that make you question everything—grab it. Absolute banger.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews