What do you think?
The Frayed Trilogy #1
Frayed Obsession: Special Edition
I was only three the first time I lost someone I loved.
And I was thirteen when my world shattered beyond repair.
Thrown into a nightmare—desperately trying to pick up the broken pieces
of the girl I was before.
Escaping the demons of my past, I’m ready to disappear for good. But before I go, I want one more glimpse of the man who unknowingly gave me the strength to live.
Except the pain I see hidden behind his cold eyes pulls me in so far I can’t leave.
I can’t stop watching—waiting for the obsession that binds me to him to be severed.
Until I get caught.
Sebastian Reed doesn’t know who I am.
But when he finds out I hold the answer to the question that’s been slowly destroying him, he will do anything to get at the truth.
Even making a deal.
Except I didn’t expect him to keep me in his penthouse until he gets what he’s owed.
Sebastian has the power to cut me deeper than any of the scars marring my body.
But the more time we spend together, the deeper desire burns between us, and the harder it is to remember why I have to leave.
What should have been my downfall might be the only thing that can save me.
And I was thirteen when my world shattered beyond repair.
Thrown into a nightmare—desperately trying to pick up the broken pieces
of the girl I was before.
Escaping the demons of my past, I’m ready to disappear for good. But before I go, I want one more glimpse of the man who unknowingly gave me the strength to live.
Except the pain I see hidden behind his cold eyes pulls me in so far I can’t leave.
I can’t stop watching—waiting for the obsession that binds me to him to be severed.
Until I get caught.
Sebastian Reed doesn’t know who I am.
But when he finds out I hold the answer to the question that’s been slowly destroying him, he will do anything to get at the truth.
Even making a deal.
Except I didn’t expect him to keep me in his penthouse until he gets what he’s owed.
Sebastian has the power to cut me deeper than any of the scars marring my body.
But the more time we spend together, the deeper desire burns between us, and the harder it is to remember why I have to leave.
What should have been my downfall might be the only thing that can save me.
293 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2022
About the author
Sherri White
8 books21 followersDark Desire. Ruinous Devotion.
Where obsession blooms and love leaves scars.
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Where obsession blooms and love leaves scars.
Instagram: sherriwhiteauthor
Facebook: Sherri White Author
Facebook group: Sherri's Wild Souls
TikTok: sherriwhite
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 11, 2022
Talk about a cliffhanger…If it hadn’t been 1 in the morning when I got to the ending, I probably would have screamed in frustration. The trauma and sheer terror of Emery to get away is so palpable, I feel so much for her. The story is so well built that I’m easily able to relate and care so much for all of the characters. I love the smaller characters too, Mason’s fatherly concern, Lauren’s compassion towards Emery, and then obviously Shadow! Shadow will remain my favorite for his natural protective instincts. I’m of course bias because I have my own German shepherd who is the same.
I’d love to hear more of Easton and Sebastian’s past to understand Easton’s true protective nature in the friendship. We typically don’t see too many stalker books where the fmc is the stalker, so it was definitely an interesting change of pace! What I’d like to see in the coming books, hopefully is Emery growing into herself more and gaining more strength and confidence now that she’s free. Assuming she stays free that is…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 29, 2023
This hits different.
March 10, 2022
My new obsession
She is his stalker but he can't let her go.
This book sucked me in from the first page! It chewed me up, wrung all the emotions from me and then left me hanging off a cliff! I've never hit pre-order so fast on a series.
Sebastian and Emery's story is so intriguing and while Sherri doesn't give you all the information right off it is not frustrating, more of an adventure as you read and discover more of the story.
I'd love to see more of Mason's story and even Emerson. Shadow is a gorgeous companion and reminds me of my own protector. I cannot wait for Broken Truths. If I could give more stars I would!
She is his stalker but he can't let her go.
This book sucked me in from the first page! It chewed me up, wrung all the emotions from me and then left me hanging off a cliff! I've never hit pre-order so fast on a series.
Sebastian and Emery's story is so intriguing and while Sherri doesn't give you all the information right off it is not frustrating, more of an adventure as you read and discover more of the story.
I'd love to see more of Mason's story and even Emerson. Shadow is a gorgeous companion and reminds me of my own protector. I cannot wait for Broken Truths. If I could give more stars I would!
March 17, 2022
Final Rating: 4 Stars
What I loved the most in this story is the connection between Emery and Sebastian. The sizzling tension between them is so perfect. Their chemistry is undeniable. On top of that, I love the writing style of the author.
The plot is intriguing and I'm drawn by the dark and mysterious aspect of it. What's bugging me is that the conflict or plot is so slow. I get it that there's a ton of secrets in this series but 75% of the book and things are still vague. I saw people DNFing it and I get why they decided to do that. I just wished that there are minor revelations early on here and there to keep the interest going.
The ending was a very good cliffhanger and now, I am so ready for the next book.
*Thank you Net Galley for providing me the ARC of this story!*
What I loved the most in this story is the connection between Emery and Sebastian. The sizzling tension between them is so perfect. Their chemistry is undeniable. On top of that, I love the writing style of the author.
The plot is intriguing and I'm drawn by the dark and mysterious aspect of it. What's bugging me is that the conflict or plot is so slow. I get it that there's a ton of secrets in this series but 75% of the book and things are still vague. I saw people DNFing it and I get why they decided to do that. I just wished that there are minor revelations early on here and there to keep the interest going.
The ending was a very good cliffhanger and now, I am so ready for the next book.
*Thank you Net Galley for providing me the ARC of this story!*
February 20, 2022
I think this book was nearly a great read for me but it has a slow start and a confusing middle and then an abrupt cliffhanger. I think the book was turning into a 5 star book for me but I just needed more in this book . Who knows I could think it over and Chang eit. I loved the mysterious vibe and the billions of unanswered questions so we shall see
July 22, 2026
⤷ ゛3–3.5 stars read ⭐️ ˎˊ-
“A fire burns in my heart, igniting the tendrils of my deep-seated obsession until they’re burning so bright I’m not sure anything could suppress the flames. I’ve written about this—imagined it—to the point it felt so real I didn’t know any differently, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was real. What was happening right now was real, and I couldn’t get enough of it.”
For a start, 16-year-old me thought this book was a masterpiece—5.5 stars, even. Twenty-one-year-old me still thinks the same. This book is how you start a trilogy. However, it's actually a 3.5-star read.
Emastian were, are, and I guess will always mean something to me.
So, a quick summary for this book: it's a dark romance, really dark, so I suggest going through the TWs before actually picking up the book. It was a heavy read years ago, and it's still a heavy read after all those years too. It also has contemporary romance following the leads, Sebastian and Emery (they have an age gap, btw).
✧ about the characters & the plot:
I gotta say that Sebastian is your casual dark romance MMC, except that he is too focused on his parents' deaths to be exactly like the rest of them. As for Emery, who goes by Grace, she is a bolter who is trying to escape her tyrant of an uncle—may he burn in hell.
This book discusses a few aspects. First, their traumas (sexual abuse for Emery, childhood abandonment for Sebastian), how these traumas shaped them and how they view this world and its people, and how they cope with them. Then we have fantasy and reality. This was what kept Emery from going insane once and for all. We also have the forbidden attraction (Seba's side) and how different their backgrounds are. Also, the power they both have over each other. On one hand, Grace does have information about how his parents were murdered. Then Sebastian, who, in exchange for that information, agreed to offer her a way out of the country once he confirmed how true the information she provided was. We also get a hint of found family for Emery with Lauren, Mason, and Shadow. They made things much easier for her. Of course, this book also shows you the morals and standards expected since the book is introduced as a dark romance, which I find very important, btw. However, the book wraps up with Emery's secrets and lies being teased and ready to finally come out.
⋆. 𐙚˚࿔ spoilers ahead 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
More deep talking about the characters, their characterization, and the plot itself ↓
The plot itself was kinda sidelined for the sake of explaining the characters. I didn't mind that considering it's a trilogy.
It was heartbreaking seeing that Emery wanted one last look at Sebastian before walking away completely, but the moment he noticed her, she knew their lives would be changed forever. And this was proven right when she went back to get her journal and he caught her—and in exchange for her freedom, she gave him the name of his parents' killer.
You can tell from the first chapter that Emery is clearly traumatized, has trust issues, and is so paranoid. And as she talks about her past life, you can spot why and how she reached this point. Starting from her parents' deaths, her maniac uncle who showed up out of nowhere in her life, her trying to escape him, people who died just because they tried helping her... and the rest is history.
One would ask now, so how does Grace cope with what happened to her? The answer is given in the first chapter too: 1 - photography and 2 - Sebastian.
Realizing that the roles were reversed for the first time, I actually enjoyed knowing that Emery was the obsessed stalker to an oblivious Sebastian. It made the way their relationship worked more interesting and exciting. And what made things more complicated and disturbing (?) is the fact that Emery was on the run, and being on the run meant that Emery had too little to be attached to—this being her journal. Or her lifeline at this point.
Since we're talking about obsession, I gotta say I was blown away by the fact that her obsession started, and still is, about survivability, not because she was some creepy, weird, and malicious person. The fact that she was always close to him, could've shown herself earlier, or simply tried to threaten/seduce him for her benefit but didn't, and instead just watched from afar and built a world where they were together, and this was enough for her? Having the imagination of him... my g o d, this broke me. Especially when they started staying in the same space and the lines between reality and her imagination started blurring. She was so afraid she was gonna lose herself in the thing that had kept her sane for the past years. BTW, I don't excuse the stalking part. It's still disturbing and creepy, but I'm talking about how it is a coping mechanism for a traumatized young girl.
Sebastian himself was a bundle made of abandonment issues, btw. The fact that his biological mother left him in the street, then his adoptive parents were killed out of nowhere... different reasons from Grace's for trust issues, but still just as strong and just as rotten. So the confusion he felt about Emery was on point, especially since she was supposed to be his stalker. But I guess he did see something in her that made him willing to forget how and why she was in his life, which he did, btw, when they slept together and her secrets started unraveling one by one.
Now that I mentioned it, I think it's an interesting turn of events that when Seba started to trust, Emery started to lose hers because she witnessed his demons, and they reminded her of her uncle. Which was very sad, but I guess she needed to rethink her life decisions now that she's kinda fully committed to him. Her confusion and fears being triggered by the fact that just when she thought she was safe, she learned that he also had his demons unleashed was
The ending though... holy moly, the same insanity and fear I lived through a few years ago happened again. Lucas Hale is just that type of character, and nothing could prepare you for book 2.
Just to get it off my chest. I fucking loathe Easton. His misogynistic behavior has no excuse. Every time I saw him, my rage was triggered. And when it was finally revealed why he treated her this way, I let out a loud laugh. What a messy, miserable bitch, for real. He just genuinely sucks and exists to make you feel better about yourself because trust me, whenever you think you've hit rock bottom, Easton can still go lower. ❤️
Quick random thoughts to wrap this review up: the "I love you" moment was a piece of cake. This is the true, real angst. LIKE I WAS F E D. It fits Grace's character so well it makes me sick. The pace of the book was meh, but as book one, it's amazing. I adored Shadow—that's my baby—and I wish he'd bitten Easton out of nowhere, honestly. Lauren and Mason mean a lot to me. They're family fr.
So, I'm done with this review. My review makes things lighter than they actually are. I once again suggest going through the trigger warnings for your own sake.
4th of Aug, 2026.
“A fire burns in my heart, igniting the tendrils of my deep-seated obsession until they’re burning so bright I’m not sure anything could suppress the flames. I’ve written about this—imagined it—to the point it felt so real I didn’t know any differently, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was real. What was happening right now was real, and I couldn’t get enough of it.”
For a start, 16-year-old me thought this book was a masterpiece—5.5 stars, even. Twenty-one-year-old me still thinks the same. This book is how you start a trilogy. However, it's actually a 3.5-star read.
Emastian were, are, and I guess will always mean something to me.
So, a quick summary for this book: it's a dark romance, really dark, so I suggest going through the TWs before actually picking up the book. It was a heavy read years ago, and it's still a heavy read after all those years too. It also has contemporary romance following the leads, Sebastian and Emery (they have an age gap, btw).
✧ about the characters & the plot:
I gotta say that Sebastian is your casual dark romance MMC, except that he is too focused on his parents' deaths to be exactly like the rest of them. As for Emery, who goes by Grace, she is a bolter who is trying to escape her tyrant of an uncle—may he burn in hell.
This book discusses a few aspects. First, their traumas (sexual abuse for Emery, childhood abandonment for Sebastian), how these traumas shaped them and how they view this world and its people, and how they cope with them. Then we have fantasy and reality. This was what kept Emery from going insane once and for all. We also have the forbidden attraction (Seba's side) and how different their backgrounds are. Also, the power they both have over each other. On one hand, Grace does have information about how his parents were murdered. Then Sebastian, who, in exchange for that information, agreed to offer her a way out of the country once he confirmed how true the information she provided was. We also get a hint of found family for Emery with Lauren, Mason, and Shadow. They made things much easier for her. Of course, this book also shows you the morals and standards expected since the book is introduced as a dark romance, which I find very important, btw. However, the book wraps up with Emery's secrets and lies being teased and ready to finally come out.
⋆. 𐙚˚࿔ spoilers ahead 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
More deep talking about the characters, their characterization, and the plot itself ↓
The plot itself was kinda sidelined for the sake of explaining the characters. I didn't mind that considering it's a trilogy.
It was heartbreaking seeing that Emery wanted one last look at Sebastian before walking away completely, but the moment he noticed her, she knew their lives would be changed forever. And this was proven right when she went back to get her journal and he caught her—and in exchange for her freedom, she gave him the name of his parents' killer.
You can tell from the first chapter that Emery is clearly traumatized, has trust issues, and is so paranoid. And as she talks about her past life, you can spot why and how she reached this point. Starting from her parents' deaths, her maniac uncle who showed up out of nowhere in her life, her trying to escape him, people who died just because they tried helping her... and the rest is history.
One would ask now, so how does Grace cope with what happened to her? The answer is given in the first chapter too: 1 - photography and 2 - Sebastian.
Realizing that the roles were reversed for the first time, I actually enjoyed knowing that Emery was the obsessed stalker to an oblivious Sebastian. It made the way their relationship worked more interesting and exciting. And what made things more complicated and disturbing (?) is the fact that Emery was on the run, and being on the run meant that Emery had too little to be attached to—this being her journal. Or her lifeline at this point.
Since we're talking about obsession, I gotta say I was blown away by the fact that her obsession started, and still is, about survivability, not because she was some creepy, weird, and malicious person. The fact that she was always close to him, could've shown herself earlier, or simply tried to threaten/seduce him for her benefit but didn't, and instead just watched from afar and built a world where they were together, and this was enough for her? Having the imagination of him... my g o d, this broke me. Especially when they started staying in the same space and the lines between reality and her imagination started blurring. She was so afraid she was gonna lose herself in the thing that had kept her sane for the past years. BTW, I don't excuse the stalking part. It's still disturbing and creepy, but I'm talking about how it is a coping mechanism for a traumatized young girl.
Sebastian himself was a bundle made of abandonment issues, btw. The fact that his biological mother left him in the street, then his adoptive parents were killed out of nowhere... different reasons from Grace's for trust issues, but still just as strong and just as rotten. So the confusion he felt about Emery was on point, especially since she was supposed to be his stalker. But I guess he did see something in her that made him willing to forget how and why she was in his life, which he did, btw, when they slept together and her secrets started unraveling one by one.
Now that I mentioned it, I think it's an interesting turn of events that when Seba started to trust, Emery started to lose hers because she witnessed his demons, and they reminded her of her uncle. Which was very sad, but I guess she needed to rethink her life decisions now that she's kinda fully committed to him. Her confusion and fears being triggered by the fact that just when she thought she was safe, she learned that he also had his demons unleashed was
The ending though... holy moly, the same insanity and fear I lived through a few years ago happened again. Lucas Hale is just that type of character, and nothing could prepare you for book 2.
Just to get it off my chest. I fucking loathe Easton. His misogynistic behavior has no excuse. Every time I saw him, my rage was triggered. And when it was finally revealed why he treated her this way, I let out a loud laugh. What a messy, miserable bitch, for real. He just genuinely sucks and exists to make you feel better about yourself because trust me, whenever you think you've hit rock bottom, Easton can still go lower. ❤️
Quick random thoughts to wrap this review up: the "I love you" moment was a piece of cake. This is the true, real angst. LIKE I WAS F E D. It fits Grace's character so well it makes me sick. The pace of the book was meh, but as book one, it's amazing. I adored Shadow—that's my baby—and I wish he'd bitten Easton out of nowhere, honestly. Lauren and Mason mean a lot to me. They're family fr.
So, I'm done with this review. My review makes things lighter than they actually are. I once again suggest going through the trigger warnings for your own sake.
4th of Aug, 2026.
Want to Read
March 9, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (9/6/2023)! 🎁
💝 ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 💝
💝 ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 💝
March 23, 2022
(I received an ARC for this book)
This book ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings include:
child neglect, sexual assault against a minor, violence against a minor, references to drug use, references to self harm, mentions of rape, mentions of human trafficking.
I was confused by the situation right off the bat, and NEEDED answers. Unfortunately, most of the books skims just on the line of handing over answers, but it’s mostly just hints. Which is kinda fun, trying to figure things out ourselves. But it would have been nice to get just a smidge more than crumbs! I did definitely enjoy the tension between the main characters! Emery and Sebastian were like fire and gasoline, just ready to set the other on fire without getting burned. After he locks her in his golden tower, it becomes harder and harder for them to walk around each other. It doesn’t take long for them to bump elbows, and lips. And then all bets are off. Forget needing to keep distance between them, like they should, once they get a taste, that’s impossible. I wasn’t expecting Sebastian to have a sweet side, and I definitely wasn’t expecting him to get sappy! I couldn’t quite figure him out, and I liked that! 20% left, and we still didn’t have ANY answers, and the burning was SO torturously slow! 10% left, and I knew we were heading into a cliffhanger I wouldn’t enjoy (I didn’t). I’m not a fan of cliffhangers like this. When you’re left to make the decision to wait around for the next book, or just stop there without answers. I felt like I was being strung along on details for so much of the book.
My Favorite Quotes:
• ‘I want all of her smiles-every last one.’
• “If you’re going to look at me like that, you need to be prepared for what it’s going to make me do.”
• “What are you doing to me?” “The same as you do to me.”
• “I trust you.”
• “Open your eyes. Stay with me.”
• “You’re so beautiful when you come.”
• “Don’t look at me like you want me to sink into you.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Forced Proximity
9/10 Secret Identity
7/10 Slow Burn
7/10 The CEO Type
This book ends on a cliffhanger!
Trigger Warnings include:
child neglect, sexual assault against a minor, violence against a minor, references to drug use, references to self harm, mentions of rape, mentions of human trafficking.
I was confused by the situation right off the bat, and NEEDED answers. Unfortunately, most of the books skims just on the line of handing over answers, but it’s mostly just hints. Which is kinda fun, trying to figure things out ourselves. But it would have been nice to get just a smidge more than crumbs! I did definitely enjoy the tension between the main characters! Emery and Sebastian were like fire and gasoline, just ready to set the other on fire without getting burned. After he locks her in his golden tower, it becomes harder and harder for them to walk around each other. It doesn’t take long for them to bump elbows, and lips. And then all bets are off. Forget needing to keep distance between them, like they should, once they get a taste, that’s impossible. I wasn’t expecting Sebastian to have a sweet side, and I definitely wasn’t expecting him to get sappy! I couldn’t quite figure him out, and I liked that! 20% left, and we still didn’t have ANY answers, and the burning was SO torturously slow! 10% left, and I knew we were heading into a cliffhanger I wouldn’t enjoy (I didn’t). I’m not a fan of cliffhangers like this. When you’re left to make the decision to wait around for the next book, or just stop there without answers. I felt like I was being strung along on details for so much of the book.
My Favorite Quotes:
• ‘I want all of her smiles-every last one.’
• “If you’re going to look at me like that, you need to be prepared for what it’s going to make me do.”
• “What are you doing to me?” “The same as you do to me.”
• “I trust you.”
• “Open your eyes. Stay with me.”
• “You’re so beautiful when you come.”
• “Don’t look at me like you want me to sink into you.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy
8/10 Forced Proximity
9/10 Secret Identity
7/10 Slow Burn
7/10 The CEO Type
February 18, 2022
This book had me from the first chapter. Emery has been through so much in her life but when she was a little girl she had the best parents. When tragedy strikes, she ends up alone and being raised by a monster. She was abused since she was 13 years old and hasn’t had anything good in her life in many years. She did have one saving grace. One reason that she made it out alive and the person has no clue who she is. Sebastian is a wealthy 29 year old guy. He is very handsome and would be a catch for any young woman. What he wants more than anything is to find who killed his parents and took the people he loved more than anything from him. He is now running his father’s company, which deals in the crime world. He has constant guards and he trusts no one more than his best friend. Emery has been stalking her savior, Sebastian, for months now. She has taken so many pictures of him to where Sebastian finally starts to feel like he is being watched. When he figures out who has caused these feelings, he goes after her and ends up having Emery live with him. Only he doesn’t trust her and doesn’t even know her real name. He knows her as Grace and she wants to keep it that way. Things start to develop in finding the murderer and in their relationship. This book ends in a cliffhanger and you will be dying to read the second book of this trilogy series. I was given and ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2022
This book captured me from the very first chapter, we have the main character, Emery, that even though she is young she has been through so much having by raised and abused by a monster for the last 7 years of her life. But to the picture enters Sebastian, a man who without knowing saved her life, giving her the strength to escape her life, he is handsome, wealthy, and a thriving businessman, what the one thing he only wants in life is to find out who murdered his parents. And that is how these two eventually end up meeting in person, as Emery has been stalking him for the lasts weeks following her escape, he one day catches her spying on him and the only way she has to be able to keep her freedom is to give him what he wants and that is a way to finding his parents killer. But naturally, he doesn't trust her so he ends up taking her to live with him till he finds the one responsible for the deaths, but as the days pass things start getting complicated between them, and there is also the looming danger that haunts Emery, the person she is running away from could find her any day.
I enjoyed this book a lot, definitely fast-paced, a tension-filled romance that will have you turning every single page eager to know what happens next. This book ends in a cliffhanger and I definitely need to know what happens next so I will be continuing with the trilogy. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book a lot, definitely fast-paced, a tension-filled romance that will have you turning every single page eager to know what happens next. This book ends in a cliffhanger and I definitely need to know what happens next so I will be continuing with the trilogy. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2022
Frayed obsession by Sherri White.
The Frayed Trilogy Book 1.
I was only three the first time I lost someone I loved.
And I was thirteen when my world shattered beyond repair.
Thrown into a nightmare—desperately trying to pick up the broken pieces of the girl I was before.Escaping the demons of my past, I’m ready to disappear for good. But before I go, I want one more glimpse of the man who unknowingly gave me the strength to live.
Except the pain I see hidden behind his cold eyes pulls me in so far I can’t leave.
I can’t stop watching—waiting for the obsession that binds me to him to be severed.Until I get caught.Sebastian Reed doesn’t know who I am.
But when he finds out I hold the answer to the question that’s been slowly destroying him, he will do anything to get at the truth.
Even making a deal.
Except I didn’t expect him to keep me in his penthouse until he gets what he’s owed.
Sebastian has the power to cut me deeper than any of the scars marring my body.
But the more time we spend together, the deeper desire burns between us, and the harder it is to remember why I have to leave.What should have been my downfall might be the only thing that can save me.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Great story. I'm looking forward to the next book. 4*.
The Frayed Trilogy Book 1.
I was only three the first time I lost someone I loved.
And I was thirteen when my world shattered beyond repair.
Thrown into a nightmare—desperately trying to pick up the broken pieces of the girl I was before.Escaping the demons of my past, I’m ready to disappear for good. But before I go, I want one more glimpse of the man who unknowingly gave me the strength to live.
Except the pain I see hidden behind his cold eyes pulls me in so far I can’t leave.
I can’t stop watching—waiting for the obsession that binds me to him to be severed.Until I get caught.Sebastian Reed doesn’t know who I am.
But when he finds out I hold the answer to the question that’s been slowly destroying him, he will do anything to get at the truth.
Even making a deal.
Except I didn’t expect him to keep me in his penthouse until he gets what he’s owed.
Sebastian has the power to cut me deeper than any of the scars marring my body.
But the more time we spend together, the deeper desire burns between us, and the harder it is to remember why I have to leave.What should have been my downfall might be the only thing that can save me.
A really enjoyable read with good characters. Great story. I'm looking forward to the next book. 4*.
August 31, 2026
Frustrating
Frayed Obsession by Sherri White is a frustratingly heavy dark romance that ultimately falls short as a 1 star read, despite its nostalgic charm. The plot is heavily sidelined to focus on Sebastian, an MMC consumed by his parents' deaths, and Emery, a paranoid runaway hiding from a truly awful tyrant of an uncle. While the role-reversal of Emery acting as an obsessed stalker out of survival trauma is an intriguing concept, the execution relies too heavily on meandering pacing, disturbing dynamics, and exhausting characters like the intensely misogynistic Easton. The raw exploration of abandonment, abuse, and mental health issues creates genuine angst, but the tedious character studies and lingering loose ends make it a tough slog rather than an engaging start to a trilogy. Please check your trigger warnings before diving in, because this messy, emotionally draining read is definitely not for everyone.
Frayed Obsession by Sherri White is a frustratingly heavy dark romance that ultimately falls short as a 1 star read, despite its nostalgic charm. The plot is heavily sidelined to focus on Sebastian, an MMC consumed by his parents' deaths, and Emery, a paranoid runaway hiding from a truly awful tyrant of an uncle. While the role-reversal of Emery acting as an obsessed stalker out of survival trauma is an intriguing concept, the execution relies too heavily on meandering pacing, disturbing dynamics, and exhausting characters like the intensely misogynistic Easton. The raw exploration of abandonment, abuse, and mental health issues creates genuine angst, but the tedious character studies and lingering loose ends make it a tough slog rather than an engaging start to a trilogy. Please check your trigger warnings before diving in, because this messy, emotionally draining read is definitely not for everyone.
December 16, 2022
So good
*WARNING ends on cliffhanger as this is a trilogy.. light smut towards the end.. TRIGGER WARNINGS are: child neglect, sexual assult against a minor, violence against a minor, references to drug use and self harm, mentions of rape and human trafficking*
Not sure what I was expecting but this was so good.. I was worried this was going to be your typical mafia romance (girl has to live with the boss they fall for each other and boom she is his) but it was different its light on the mafia and Sebastian is a CEO that has aide dealings with drug and weapon shipments. Emery (or grace her fake name throughout) is stalking him with vague reasons why but she knows who killed his parents = she lives with him till the name is confirmed. Ofcourse a crush from him begins but it was nicely written that it was slightly realistic and wasn't love at first sight. Shadow and Mason are stand out side characters. I hope we get a bit more lauren because she seems great to. Cant wait for more on this.
*WARNING ends on cliffhanger as this is a trilogy.. light smut towards the end.. TRIGGER WARNINGS are: child neglect, sexual assult against a minor, violence against a minor, references to drug use and self harm, mentions of rape and human trafficking*
Not sure what I was expecting but this was so good.. I was worried this was going to be your typical mafia romance (girl has to live with the boss they fall for each other and boom she is his) but it was different its light on the mafia and Sebastian is a CEO that has aide dealings with drug and weapon shipments. Emery (or grace her fake name throughout) is stalking him with vague reasons why but she knows who killed his parents = she lives with him till the name is confirmed. Ofcourse a crush from him begins but it was nicely written that it was slightly realistic and wasn't love at first sight. Shadow and Mason are stand out side characters. I hope we get a bit more lauren because she seems great to. Cant wait for more on this.
February 25, 2022
A new trilogy read with loads of drama and suspense. Emery has been through so much during her life now she is trying to escape her past and start new but before she leaves she want one more glimpse at the man who helped give her the strength to leave. Sebastian is in pain and she may have the answers to help him. He plans to hold her until he gets what he wants, what will happen when sparks begin to fly. Fast-paced read with load of drama, suspense and sizzling chemistry. Great characters with intense chemistry and plenty of twists and turns. I liked it.
May 14, 2022
Honestly I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I liked it but some of the side characters I needed to know more about. The story starts off slow with Emery, a young damaged women stalking an older successful business man named Sebastian. When Emery gets found out by him the chemistry and tensions begins between them. I feel like this story gave off some major 50 shades of gray/gideon cross vibes. With the romance and the wealthy business man. The book ends in an abrupt cliffhanger and I look forward to the second book in this trilogy.
December 18, 2024
Not what I was expecting from this one. I didn't really find it suspenseful, just confusing. I was asking questions like "just why?" but not because I was on the edge of my seat, just because the plot seemed to skip from one scene to the next without making sense. I get the cliff hangers were supposed to make you want to read the next two books in the trilogy, but for me I just felt like I had to work too hard to make it make sense. I didn't get there in the end, so it is a no for me.
February 22, 2022
As a debut book, I think this author had great ideas and this book series has so much potential. I cannot wait to watch her grow and continue to be a brilliant story teller.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced book, I felt I got to know a lot about the characters quite quickly and I'm excited to see how the rest of the books continue! I'll definitely be sticking around for book 2.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced book, I felt I got to know a lot about the characters quite quickly and I'm excited to see how the rest of the books continue! I'll definitely be sticking around for book 2.
January 4, 2023
Big “No Reading” breaks in the time frame
It is a good book because you got both P.O.V’s of the characters and can enjoy their frustrations. However, recently new to the “smut” genre/side of books and to see the tease reel about it expecting so much heat to then wait till the end of the book for it + the big cliff hanger - not knowing it was a trilogy/series = downer of it all.
It is a good book because you got both P.O.V’s of the characters and can enjoy their frustrations. However, recently new to the “smut” genre/side of books and to see the tease reel about it expecting so much heat to then wait till the end of the book for it + the big cliff hanger - not knowing it was a trilogy/series = downer of it all.
March 24, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
This book is literally addicting! I couldn’t put it down. It ends on a cliffhanger FYI. This author did so good for a debut novel ! I can’t wait for the next one !
This book is literally addicting! I couldn’t put it down. It ends on a cliffhanger FYI. This author did so good for a debut novel ! I can’t wait for the next one !
January 3, 2023
I have to admit that I stopped reading in the middle of the book. That's why only two stars. I'm not into female stalkers and I think the male main character was too into the girl in the beginning. Maybe the story have been better if I just had tried harder. I don't know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
this was good. it was actaully really good. i dont have a whole lot to say, because i almost feel like there was little to no plot in this one overall, but i liked the charcaters well enough and i think it could get a lot better in the next book.
August 13, 2023
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting romance with multiple triggers (check before reading) and seriously morally grey content. It was well written and paced, great debut. It ends on a cliff hanger so the next book is an immediate pick up to combat that.
An interesting romance with multiple triggers (check before reading) and seriously morally grey content. It was well written and paced, great debut. It ends on a cliff hanger so the next book is an immediate pick up to combat that.
June 7, 2022
4.5/5
January 29, 2023
Ok. I’m torn. The book did hold my interest even though nothing really happened. Just a lot of back story. Then some action at the end and boom…cliffhanger. Will I read the next book? Maybe.
October 12, 2024
There was a whole lot going in just for nothing to happen....
November 26, 2025
So good!
The mystery of what was happening and the tension between the two main characters had me Luke in to read what was next.
The mystery of what was happening and the tension between the two main characters had me Luke in to read what was next.
March 6, 2022
This book definitely climbed my list of interesting reads in 2022. The storyline has an incredible amount of potential that Sherri can definitely take this book in all different directions, which I'm excited to see happen as the trilogy continues!
Both characters and complex and interesting, which makes them fit perfectly with one another. Emery is a broken character and Sebastian is what I felt her saving grace. They compliment one another and although their story is rocky in the beginning, there is so much potential as the book goes on!
In the beginning it's off to a bit of a slower start, but it definitely starts to ramp up later on within the book. It's fast-paced, filled with angsty tension, and had be turning my pages as soon as I could because I needed to know what happened next. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books to see where Sebastian and Emery's story end!
Both characters and complex and interesting, which makes them fit perfectly with one another. Emery is a broken character and Sebastian is what I felt her saving grace. They compliment one another and although their story is rocky in the beginning, there is so much potential as the book goes on!
In the beginning it's off to a bit of a slower start, but it definitely starts to ramp up later on within the book. It's fast-paced, filled with angsty tension, and had be turning my pages as soon as I could because I needed to know what happened next. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books to see where Sebastian and Emery's story end!
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