Chasing Shadows : An Erotic Horror

by Lorien Ray

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

Reviews

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows, book two in the Psychotic Tendencies Duet, was one of my MOST anticipated reads of 2026—and Lorien Ray did 👏 not 👏 disappoint.

After that cliffhanger, I needed answers immediately. This book dives even deeper into the twisted world of Hello Listener, expanding the mystery, raising the stakes, and keeping me glued to the page. Every reveal made me question what I thought I knew, and the tension never let up.

I was basically screaming: LORIEN. NO. YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT. 😭☠️

Dark, disturbing, addictive, and completely unpredictable, this was one hell of a ride from beginning to end. The atmosphere is suffocating, the twists are relentless, and the story kept me guessing right up to the final page where this ending would go.

If erotic horror is your thing and Lorien Ray isn’t already on your TBR, fix that ASAP. And if you haven’t read book one yet—START THERE. Trust me. 🖤

[Kaitlyn Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this book, I knew it was going to be good, but I was absolutely blown away. Lorien Ray’s writing style is truly captivating; I just could not put the book down. Chasing Shadows might be erotic horror, but the thrills and suspense kept me wanting to go on. I found myself sad, crying, and distraught along with the characters. Chasing Shadows picks up where we left off in Hello, Listener, and takes us on Alan’s journey of self-help. Of course, not all of us can be helped. Lee’s story is one of sadness, pain, and trauma, and shows us that no matter the circumstances, healing can come with time. This book was such a good cap on Alan and Lee’s stories. Will I be weary of every new person I meet after reading this duet? Yes, yes I will, because you just never know who might be the monster under your bed.

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

I was really excited to read this after Hello Listener, and I definitely enjoyed it!
I really liked how this book continued the story and brought back so many things from the first book. Even though it had been a while since I read Hello Listener, I never felt confused about what was going on.
There were definitely some moments that surprised me, and this book gets really dark. If you’re sensitive to certain topics, I would definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings first.
I also really enjoyed getting to see more of Lee, Thalia, and Alan’s story. Alan especially… I definitely had some feelings about him. 😂
Overall, I enjoyed this book and loved getting back into this story. If you liked Hello Listener, I definitely recommend giving Chasing Shadows a read!

[Eden Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I RECEIVED AN ARC COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


I was so excited to jump back into this world after reading Hello Listener! Chasing Shadows picks up after the first book and immediately throws you back into the dark, twisted world Lorien created.

One thing Lorien definitely isn’t afraid to do is shock her readers, and this book starts off STRONG. I also really appreciated the callbacks to Hello Listener throughout what I read, it had been a while since I read the first book, so those little reminders were really helpful.

If you enjoyed the dark and disturbing elements of Hello Listener, definitely check out Chasing Shadows. This series gets very dark and graphic, though, so PLEASE read the trigger warnings beforehand!

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As someone who is very particular about writing style, so much so that I will drop a book after the first chapter if I don't like the writing style, this book was perfect. The story was captivating and kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering if Alan would be caught and if Lee was going to spiral into a depression so deep he wouldn't be able to help the police, let alone himself. I DEVOURED this book when I sat down to read it and I highly recommend it.

[Amber Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced reader copy review
I loved hello listener the first book however I liked this book even more than the first book. It is beautiful to see how Loren’s writing has evolved and grown. I feel like this book perfectly bridged any gaps I had from book one and gave me more some of it was stuff I didn’t even know I needed at the time.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just like every Lorien Ray book there are parts where I’m just shocked she did that and I really shouldn’t be and have to reread to make sure I read it correctly and continue to be just as shocked! This book is was quite literally WORTH THE WAIT!! I absolutely loved this book! She finished the duet perfectly!! I couldn’t ask for a better sequel!!

[Candimichelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’ll never find an author like Lorien. Chasing Shadows is an amazing book that keeps you guessing and anticipating what will happen next (don’t worry, you get answers). I cannot wait until I get a copy of Chasing Shadows to go next to Hello, Listener on my shelf.

[Kacie Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows had me hooked from the very beginning. Lorien Ray pulled me right back into this dark, twisted world, and I genuinely enjoyed seeing where the story went.

There were plenty of moments that had me questioning everything, and I definitely did NOT see some of those twists coming. Dark, disturbing, unpredictable, and such an addictive read.

4 ⭐️ 🖤

[Darcii · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Alan is completely unhinged.
When you think he even has some slight redemption that thoughts taken away instantly!
The beginning? Hello one way to start a book! And straight into it by chapter 3 had me going ‘oh god no…’

I’m glad there was clarity on who the shadow is as Alan’s alter which would have been nice at the end of the first book in some sense but I’m glad it got page time in this book. As before it was like why does Alan change to this when we know it’s him? But now it makes sense that it’s his alter.

Also Lee, I’m so glad you got peace! I was rooting for him the entire time throughout the book whenever his chapters come about, he deserves a good ending after everything.

Genuinely thought at about 80% there was no chance for a good ending and I was looking through my fingers like MAKE IT STOPPPP!!! But holy, I’m so glad that it went the way it did. You are one sick fuck Alan!

[Megg0na · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow up did so much to close the chapters I needed to devour! Hello listener had me in a chokehold… so of course I had to have those hands squeezing me harshly through this second half of the duet. Now, I will say that you absolutely should read them in order- hello listener then this: chasing shadows. However, if by some force brought you to this one and you just couldn’t bother to read the first- you may be in luck as there is quite a bit of crossover laced in. Did I appreciate the refresher? Eh, yes. Did it take up a few chapters that were almost repeats and could’ve been used to extend the story- eh yes again. However, this story truly was an erotic horror. There were some good scenes and even better scenes. You decide which is which in the erotic vs horror. I had fallen in love with Lee, had so many mixed feelings with Alan and didn’t even know what to feel about Thalia. But that opener? Holy shit, you get right into it! Wham, bam- fuck you maam!
To say you nailed it on taking us into the mind of a psycho is being kind. You made us part of the psycho and for that- I thank you!

[Lauren Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book didn’t just get under my skin. It moved in, changed the locks, and started rearranging the furniture! If you loved Hello, Listener for that slow burn descent into darkness, Chasing Shadows takes that same unsettling energy and turns the volume all the way up! Alan is the kind of character you know you absolutely should not be fascinated by…and yet, here we are. 🤷🏻‍♀️ His descent into madness is seductive, disturbing, and impossible to look away from. And the writing? Gorgeous and grotesque. It’s atmospheric, voyeuristic, addictive, and somehow manages to be tender in the middle of all the destruction. Lee is the exhausted, steady presence trying to hold onto the last bit of light while Alan convinces himself there’s nothing left to save. Their dynamic made everything feel painfully personal, and the tension kept me turning pages like I had something to prove. There were moments where my stomach dropped, my throat went dry, and then, somehow, I wanted to applaud like an absolute psychopath. 

Dark. Twisted. Unsettling. Completely Addictive.

Chasing Shadows is an erotic horror novel. Please remember to check the trigger warnings before reading!?!

[argyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Hello Listener… you NEED to read Chasing Shadows.

This is the follow-up, and we FINALLY get to find out what happened to Lee, Alan, and of course… Thalia.

And let me tell you, this book was SO GOOD. The author did such a good job setting this one up because I read Hello Listener as an ARC, so it’s been a while, and somehow I NEVER felt lost.

There were so many little pieces from the first book that came back to me while reading this one. It was like my brain went, “WAIT… I remember that!”

AND ALAN.

If you hated Alan before, just wait. You’re going to dislike that man on a whole new level. The evil that is Alan continues to make everyone’s life absolutely miserable.

You will FEEL for Thalia and Lee, and there are also some new characters who get tangled up in Alan’s nightmare.

[Rissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an AMAZING second book that follows ““Hello, Listener”! This book picks off right after book one ended, and I was hooked.
Alan, Lee and Thalia wake up in their own places and are trying to recover in their own ways.
Lee is struggling with his memory after everything that happened, so he is hellbent to figure out what happened, and to find his missing girl.
Meanwhile, Alan is distraught to say the least. He goes completely off the rails. There’s a part of me that feels bad for him as he just wants to be expected and loved for who he was. But nobody was honest, nobody was true, not like her.
I cannot believe the way this book pulled me in, all the way up until the last chapter! It’s not conventional but I do think Alan and Thalia got their happy ending, in what way they knew how.
(Clearly i’m team Alan not team Lee) lol

[Amber Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! This is the second book in the series, the first being “hello listener” and it did not disappoint. I love how the beginning of the book recaps and brings you into the story right from where you left off in the first book. I loved Lee as a strong character and I love we get to see his internal struggles. The way Lorien wrote Alan you can’t help but sympathize with him to an extent. The book was heartbreaking and was a rollercoaster. The scenes were graphic and well written I felt as if I was watching it and it was very disturbing but I couldn’t put the book down. If you like an erotic horror this book is for you! Be sure to read the trigger warnings! It has self harm and things that maybe to much to some readers but it is an amazing book.

[Danielle Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading!!! This is the 2nd book in the series and follows Hello Listener. There were some parts that had my mouth dropped open and I literally watched my brain reset! Stranger always made me crack up with his antics and there were certain parts that I felt sorry for the characters. But in the end I did love this story. Lorien Ray has a way of making even the evilest of villains steal your heart and she did it again with this one. ***Please remember to always read trigger warnings before reading any book**

[Marley Ghostfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls, gays and theys: FCK YES, go read this book.
I loved book 1, I loved book 2 even more. The insanity of it! It was a perfect ending of the duet and I am so happy we got to find out what happened to Alan, Lee and Thalia

I loved it and devoured this story and enjoyed the little flash backs to book 1.
There are some characters you will hate (even more) in this book and there are characters you will feel sad for. Heartbroken even. It's a rollercoaster and it was HARD to put down.

If you love erotic horror with plenty of TW's: go grab this book. You won't regret it.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This duet was a wild ride, the vibe of this book did a whole 180 from book one and I LOVED IT. Thalia, you haunted the narrative in the best way I found that you got your justice. Lee WHAT A MAN, you need a good and long vacation. Alan, Alan, Alan. It gave YOU vibes but better, being in his mind as he goes in and out was riveting. To see how hard he truly wanted to fight his darkness but letting it take over anyway. In the words of Lee Reynolds, Alan you are a Sick F***.

[Brittany Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhh I loved this so much. It was the perfect mix of horror, spice, and the plot had me gripped!

Lee was always my favorite and seeing him turn badass Alan hunter was awesome!

Shadow and Alan are two perfect sides of one another. The instigating and banter was very entertaining.

It was a very interesting perspective !

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woah....

That was one hell of a ride.
My heart breaks for Lee the most. Everything he lost. Then having to relive it all and everything he finds out. I just want him to heal.

I liked when she took us back to high-school and all the signs were there but nobody really believed them.

Alan got off too easy for my liking. That's the only reason I'm giving this three stars.