I really, really enjoyed this book, especially the main character. Priscilla is so relatable, and there were times when her commentary made me laugh out loud. Her defensive-sarcastic voice was perfection and fit her character arc so well. The side characters are well-drawn and each unique, some villainous, but mostly either good souls, or relatably grey.
There was a huge shocker right in the middle of the story that caught me off guard in the absolute best way, and it had me reading way past my bedtime. And the men in this story...well, let's just say one is lovely and the other, a nightmare, and the contrast is startling and poignant.
When it all boils down to it, Relentless is Priscilla's story about learning to trust again, and it's beautifully, romantically, and grippingly told. Highly recommend!
This is my first Desi Stowe story and I literally could not put it down! The story dealt with some really serious issues that are, unfortunately, very common.
The main character, Priscilla, is dealing with her abusive, narcisstic ex-husband who stalks, threatens, and hurts her repeatedly. Priscilla, feeling shame over having fallen for her ex's schemes in the past, finds it hard to rely on anyone else. But, eventually, she lets others into her life (including a cinnamon roll coworker) and allows them to help her, but it's a very hard road for her to take. I found myself really thinking about people in my own life, how aloof and distant they could be - it's easy to label people a certain way (cranky, mean, bitchy), but there could be so much more going on underneath that we just don't know.
I appreciate that the author was able to put this situation out there into the sun - not hiding behind shadows. This is a book of facing your fears, learning to rely on others, letting love back into your life, and forgiveness for wrongs done to you (although Priscilla's sisters wrong was gasp worthy for sure). We do have a sweet HEA and justice putting the abusive ex-husband behind bars.
I received an ARC copy of this story via NetGalley.
“Relentless” is Desi Stowe’s third volume in her “Charleston Harbor” series, following “Done” and “Shadows,” both of which I read previously. I received these as advanced review copies from BookSirens and Ms. Stowe, and all of my opinions and reviews are voluntary. I found “Done” to be a compelling commentary America’s healthcare industry; I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Stowe’s writing and found the plot arc to be terrific and the characters well defined. “Shadows” was a nice, easy, quick read, lighter than my usual fare, despite the fact that it contains quite a lot of darkness, beginning with a sudden, unexpected death; his fiancé is riddled with guilt and confusion and suffers severe, repetitive panic attacks. The book is a study about the harm one inflicts on oneself with one’s negative thoughts and a guide to learning to love and accept oneself and stand up for what one wants.
“Relentless,” is considered the third book in this trilogy only because it contains some of the same characters and takes place in the same location, but it doesn’t share any plot characteristics with either “Done” or “Shadows.” Although I found the writing in “Done” superb, I found it slightly less so in both “Shadows” and “Relentless.” Although I enjoyed these, I didn’t find their plots or their characters nearly as appealing or engaging as in “Done.” “Relentless” follows the obsessive stalking of the protagonist’s ex-husband as he turns increasingly violent and her denial of his threat to her. Maybe I’m naive, but I found her dismissals of her safety needs improbable. I also found her steadfast refusal to seek help at any level absurd. She seemed too much of a caricature to me. Nevertheless, I enjoy Ms. Stowe’s extremely casual, easy going writing style, and I enjoyed reading about the protagonist’s ride-or-die girlfriends and her young niece, and her new boyfriend and their banter was fun, too.
This was a fairly short book, so it was a pretty quick read overall. However, some events moved a little too quickly for my taste. I think some of the relationships in the book could have had more development and a little more time to naturally progress, because at some points I just didn't feel enough connection there.
The book also deals with some pretty serious topics, including abuse and harassment, and I thought these parts were handled quite well and felt believable. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone, but they felt particularly realistic to me.
I wouldn't necessarily describe this book as a romance. The heavier topics are a pretty important part of the story, so readers who expect a light rom-com based on the 'Romance' label alone might be a little surprised.
Overall, it wasn't really a book that worked for me. I would have preferred more developed relationships between the characters, as some things felt rushed and I just wanted more time for them to actually develop. There were also a few moments when I got a little lost, partly because English isn't my first reading language, so some parts were harder for me to follow.
There were definitely things I appreciated about the story, especially the way it approached the heavier themes, but overall it was kinda a miss for me.
This is a book I would label as more so women’s lit than a romance. The story goes through an important journey of self discovery and improvement at the end of an abusive relationship. Even though the story focuses on hard topics, there is definitely humor woven into the characters telling of it. Desi Stowe’s voice really shines through in this story, and you can tell.
The character at the beginning of the story can seem a little hard to want to understand because of what she’s dealing with, which can be true in real life, as well. Although I have not been in an abusive adult relationship, I can see when a woman has experienced this sometimes those around her retaliate based on how she responds and reacts to the situation. We see the main character grow and find space for healing throughout the book.
I would love to have seen the author be less afraid of writing a run on sentence. So many lines, especially towards the opening of the story, are very short and broken up. There is also a lot of telling and not showing, but nothing so extreme it takes you out of the story.
This book is perfect for those who prefer a book that has romance as a sub-plot and want to watch a character overcome struggles in their personal life.
This book was a flurry of bad decisions by the FMC, but it was also a great depiction of the mental toll and challenges that victims go through.
The plot had a steady flow, and the main character showed that she changed and had growth and development throughout the story. Even though she occasionally relapsed in her judgment, that felt natural and realistic for someone in her situation. I know I have made choices and contradicted my own ideas, so it was relatable in that way. The additional insight into the supporting characters' motivations was helpful, as it gave them a chance to tell their side of the story.
However, I honestly think the book might have been stronger if it had stayed entirely in the FMC's POV. Experiencing revelations as she discovered them, and feeling her reactions in real time, could have made the story more immersive and allowed for a more creative reveal. Instead, some of the additional POV chapters felt like they were included mainly to move the story along.
Overall, I think this was a good book that dealt with real and challenging themes. Those themes were captured well, although I think more conflict and struggle with her friends could have added another layer to the story. Despite that, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
This was a miss for me. Priscilla is a medical professional who has been hiding the abuse from her ex-husband, even from her family. I understand why someone might be ashamed or afraid to share something like that, but because she never gives her family a reason for the divorce, they constantly push her to get back together with him—even resorting to blackmail.
Her coworker Briggs has always had a love/hate relationship with her, but he’s secretly been into her for months while she’s only just starting to see him differently. Once the truth comes out, Priscilla spends much of the time pushing him away and warning him about all the drama, despite how supportive he’s been.
The story is mostly told from Priscilla’s POV, with one chapter from Briggs and one from her sister. Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with the story or the characters. Briggs was definitely the saving grace for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Desi Stowe for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Relentless is an engaging and emotionally charged story about a woman who has reached her limit and decides she is no longer going to let the people around her control her life.
I felt for Priscilla as she dealt with the manipulation from her ex-husband, the lack of support from her family, and the frustrations of dealing with a workplace nemesis. As her ex-husband’s behavior becomes increasingly concerning, the story takes on a more serious tone, and I found myself rooting for Priscilla as she worked to regain control of her life.
I especially appreciated the way the story shows that asking for and accepting support is not a sign of weakness. Watching Priscilla find her strength and realize that she doesn't have to face everything alone made her journey particularly satisfying.
Overall, Relentless is an emotional and thought-provoking read about finding your voice, setting boundaries, and having the courage to fight for yourself.
4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC! Relentless is such a thoughtful, well paced slow burn romance. At its heart though is Priscilla's story of reclaiming her voice and rebuilding her life. Watching her navigate her ex husband's escalating harassment while learning to lean on her community and friendships felt genuinely empowering rather than just a backdrop for romance. The connection with Briggs develops beautifully through small moments of trust, humour, and care. Their sarcastic bickering giving way to something real felt earned and satisfying. I appreciated how the spice stayed relatively low, keeping the focus on emotional healing and Priscilla's growth rather than the romance alone. This is a character driven story about starting over, finding strength, and letting people back in without losing yourself. A wonderful read for anyone who loves mature romance grounded in real emotional depth.
A highly enjoyable romance suspense you’ll need to finish in one sitting.
Going into this book, I anticipated a rom-com, but little did I know I was getting a suspenseful read filled with twists, but also wholesome love story. It was a perfect combination of tropes that made it almost impossible to put down.
I really appreciated the healthcare setting and the perks that came with it, as well as the fact that the characters were in their 40s (we need more books like this!). I’m glad the mental health struggles were portrayed realistically as well. I loved the characters and the complexity of the relationships they brought to the table. The banter and yearning were also super fun to see. Honestly every woman needs a Briggs in their lives.
I have to say, this was a book worth reading, as it blended tropes and reality amazingly while also leaving the reader feeling hopeful. I look forward to more books like this (maybe Sheila and Brady?) from the author.
Pensé que sería un libro ligero y no podría haber estado más equivocada.
Priscilla vivió un infierno durante su matrimonio y ahora que está separada, lamentablemente nada ha mejorado, ya que su abusivo ex sigue agrediéndola y obligándola a pagar su estilo de vida. Debido a la manipulación a la que Priscilla ha estado expuesta durante años, le resulta muy difícil salir de este ciclo de violencia y para mí, esta fue la parte más difícil del libro.
Afortunadamente, no todo es malo y durante este proceso tiene personas que la quieren y la ayudan. Además, se vuelve cercana a un compañero de trabajo.
No vi venir la traición de esa persona, sinceramente, yo no podría perdonarla.
* Hay temas sensibles que recomiendo tener en cuenta: violencia, ya que hay escenas en las que la protagonista es golpeada por su exesposo y amenazada para que le dé dinero.
This book had me in my feels. A story of navigating how to be in a healthy relationship after being consumed by such a toxic one and learning to accept help from others to help carry the load those relationships leave you feeling a burden with after. Riding the emotional roller coaster of mixed thoughts and that negative voice in your head that remains after.
This one is for the girlies that can unfortunately relate but can be comforted by the hea and knowing there’s light at the end and good people who will show up as the opposite and want to secure and protect and value you just as you are, damage and all. Because everyone deserves love without conditions. Briggs was the perfect person for Pricilla and will give you all the warm fuzzy comforting feels. Well written and addictive read. Solid 4 stars for me.
Priscilla feels stuck. She’s recently divorced and her ex won’t stop coming by to make his demands. She’s been in a weird limbo with her family since they’ve taken his side. She’s can’t seem to rely on anyone else and keeps up a hard exterior. She comes off professional and put together but there are people at work that break through to her.
As she’s learning to open up, get to know her coworkers better, and have a life outside of family and work.. she continues to question and doubt herself.
It took me a while to get into the book but once it picked up it was a fast read.
It’s a clean romance with a bit of suspense and heavier topics like domestic abuse, stalking, betrayal, and just unhealthy family dynamics.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Relentless is exactly why I keep returning to Desi's books — she handles delicate, painful situations with such grace and emotional clarity, and her characters always feel real, grounded in issues people truly face. Priscilla’s experience with an abusive, narcissistic ex is portrayed honestly, yet Desi still gives her the space to rebuild her strength in a way that feels natural and deeply respectful. I especially appreciated how she lets Priscilla find support without ever minimizing what she’s endured. And even though this story stands alone, I’ve become so invested in the characters across the series that stepping back into their world feels familiar and comforting. It’s a powerful, character‑driven read I genuinely enjoyed.
I haven’t read any of the other books in this standalone but interconnected series and I didn’t feel lost at all!
The MFC is struggling to balance her life after divorce and her ex becoming unhinged. She constantly talks about discussing things in therapy and I loved seeing that.
There are some pretty crazy things that happen in this book so check triggers
The girlfriends she makes are amazing and I loved how loyal and fierce they are and we all need a close girls friend group.
Briggs … well … he’s swoon worthy and patient, kind, loving. Absolutely loved his character and no matter what he’s there.
Fantastic read and will need to check out the rest of the series now!!
This book completely pulled me in! I found myself really connecting with Priscilla—there were so many moments where I could relate to her, which made her journey feel even more personal to me.
And Briggs… I absolutely LOVE him! There’s just something about him that made me root for him and Priscilla from the very beginning. Their chemistry, the emotions, and the way their relationship developed kept me turning the pages.
But Joel? I LOATHED him! Every time he appeared, I wanted to scream. He was definitely one of those characters who made me feel ALL the emotions.
Overall, Relentless was such an enjoyable read. I loved the romance, the characters, the emotional moments, and the way the story kept me invested.
I received an ARC copy of Relentless by NetGalley and invited to share an honest review. I gave Relentless two stars, primarily because I was invested enough in the characters, Priscilla and Briggs, to want to read to the end and know the story's conclusion. Relentless was shelved as a romance but I am not in agreement. The story includes mutliple descriptions of physical assault and the central premise of the story is our main female character, overcoming and escaping, escalating violence. There is so much trauma to work through in this story that it did not seem that Priscilla and Briggs had adequate time to establish a connection. It wasn't for me. Maybe it's for you?
This is a surprisingly emotional and realistic romance, and I am totally here for it! Priscilla is recently divorced, and is trying to rebuild her life and her self esteem after the horrible treatment from her ex-husband. She begins to heal when she starts a friendship with some of her coworkers after cutting herself off from everyone for so long. As her Ex begins to start his intimidating and abusive behavior over again, she gains strength from her friendships and her new love interest in order to become happy again. I loved the relationships, humor and positive energy within this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for an ARC of this book.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me this Arc in exchange for a review!
This book falls under romantic suspense and is super fast paced! I read it all in one sitting mainly because I was curious to see what happened next. Because of the pacing of the book, I felt at times things moved a little too quickly and would've loved more development and more chapters in the pov of our mmc. However, I enjoyed reading it and would read more by this author. And for all my no spice readers, there is no spice in this book.
This book was good. More romance than mystery. You knew who the bad guy was and who the romantic interest was, so for me this was more about the heroine. And can I say that I loved her as much as I got infuriated with her. She was messy and complicated, and the author wrote her perfect. I also loved her girlfriends. Can we get a book about Henrietta yesterday! All in all, a perfectly fine read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Relentless. The reader follows the FMC through a difficult chapter in her life after divorce from a manipulative narcissist. She has “ride or die” girlfriends and work colleagues who have her back, but the FMC has trust issues that hamper their efforts. Stowe tackles the difficult topic of domestic abuse with poignant grace. The family drama and healthcare setting add complexity to an already emotionally charged story. Stowe’s unique voice shines through in Relentless. The book reads as if you were listening to a friend tell this story as you sip lattes in a coffee shop.
Very thankful I found this book on NetGalley!! I thought this would be a rom-com kind of vibe but turned into a suspenseful romance! The pace of the story is nice and it definitely keeps you engaged as a reader! While I found the main character to be too much at times, I feel like it really worked out overall. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to others. It was a nice generally light read!
This book made a change from the typical upbeat rom-coms I usually read. There were some pretty heavy themes in here too.
Whilst it took a moment to get into it and I wasn't initially attached to the characters but half way through it really picked up and I finished it pretty quickly after that which I think was partially due to the character development also making the FMC more likeable throughout.
This was everything the title suggests, but also a story of hope. I was lucky enough to read an advanced reader copy through Net Galley. The experience of the FMC is unfortunately an all too common experience for many women, but as Priscilla (FMC) opens up to her new friends and people who care for her, the relentlessness of her situation gives way to hope. I am glad I persisted.
Be warned though, take note of any trigger warnings!
I received an ARC of Relentless and leave this review voluntarily.
Trigger warning: Domestic abuse, stalking
Relentless is a powerful book that shows the importance of reaching out for help while showing the impact of domestic violence. It was done in a way that was captivating, and I was hooked from the start. While the domestic abuse that is shown on page is intense, it was handled in a respectful way. I definitely recommend.
I was sent this advanced readers copy of "Relentless" from the author, so thank you!🩺
To be honest I had a really hard time getting into the book. From chapter one, I was kind of confused by what was happening and who were all these characters. I felt like the author was telling more than showing, something that ruins the reading experience for me...
This wasn't a book for me, but if you like a fast paced storyline then this might be for you
Good read, closed door romance with a heavy focus on domestic violence post breakup.
I enjoyed it, however it felt like the novel was trying to tackling domestic violence and be a romance. It would have been even better if the writing style and structure was more literary fictionesque instead of comptemporary romancesque.
🌶️🌶️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 Single POV HEA; Interconnected standalone - Book 3 of the Charleston Harbor series
Thank you Desi Stowe and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy. *I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A short but very good read. Priscilla faces a real life situation, a horrible marriage that may can connect with or know someone who can... this is a really good book to help other see what can be going on in someone life without anyone knowing.
Real life story in a fiction book.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of this book.
This was my first book by Desi Stowe.
This is a book that is fiction while being very strongly based in reality. It is about a woman, Priscilla, who is trying to survive her life after divorce while dealing with an ex who stalks her, and financially and physically abuses her. His gaslighting is not only relentless but extends to her family in not so pleasantly surprising ways. She is trying to get on with her life, and may have even found love, but the ex husband of the year does not want to let her go.
This book explores the contrast between healthy and unhealthy relationships, which I love. It follows Priscilla's journey with self esteem while reminding us that things are not always what they seem. There are element of found family and unconditional love as well.
While Relentless comes with trigger warnings, I (as an abuse survivor myself) found that the story moved quickky . While certain parts were a little difficult to read, the author's first person narration kept me in a safe emotional place!