I mean... it was ok? I couldn't quite connect with any of the characters and I know it was to make a point but I got really tired of hearing about her doing her checks

This was a pretty intense book dealing with obsession, stalking and domestic violence. I really liked how it was told from two different view points, one during the abuse and one years later to show the affects that the ordeal has had on the main character. Definitely an author that I will keep my eye on.

Tense and thought provoking book which doesn't fit easily into any particular genre. It started slowly and at first I found the jumps between time periods confusing and the book and I parted company after a few chapters. That was a mistake. When I returned to it some months later I was quickly gripped as the story built and built and the jumps between time periods added to the tension and understanding.I would definitely recommend this book.

This was a gripping read, but it should definitely have a content warning on it for survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault.

I was straddling a 3 and a 4 in rating this book. While in some ways necessary to build the suspense of the story, at least the first half of the book dragged on for way too long. Cathy's recovery happens pretty quickly as well. She goes from not even being able to think of Lee to confronting & attacking him without hesitation. Seems to be pretty rapid therapy to me. Lastly, while it is not implausible that a psychopathic Lee would return to attack Cathy, as well as her boyfriend and former friend, it does feel a little out there.
The best parts of the book were the places in which we were able to get into the mind of Lee, especially in the way he was able to turn Cathy's friends against her. Watching Lee exercise his power over Cathy & seeing her go from being a strong, independent woman to what she later becomes was also a solid point of the book. One could barely make a connection between what seems to be two completely different women.
Overall, a good book, just a bit too long.

3.5

This book did things to my heart. Not in a sappy way, either. However, the characters were a bit unbelievable at times.

This is much better as a book than it would be as a Lifetime movie; I say that because I can imagine myself cringe-watching it on a boring Sunday evening. The most important thing about reading this book, is that a little over halfway through, I was in a cold sweat until the ending. The realest thing is understanding that people like Lee actually exist in the world. It reminded me of a combo of 50 Shades (the sex...at first, but the sex, like the main character does a complete 180) and The Girl on the Train (time hopping and coming to realizations about characters). Haynes did a great job bouncing between past and present. It's worth it to remember that this is at least one persons real life story: abuse, stalking, compulsions... It was a ton of worst case scenarios wrapped into one nail-biting story. The ending definitely sent a chill up my spine. I sympathize with anyone who has lived such a terror.

A terrifying read - will keep you gripped