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The Boyfriend

400 pages

A bingeable, twisty descent into the terrifying realization that the perfect match might actually be the perfect monster.

What it feels like

Reading this thriller feels like scrolling through a dating app where every swipe right might be a death sentence. It is the ultimate popcorn read, designed to be devoured in a single, breathless sitting. The narrative voice is highly conversational and relatable, grounding the escalating dread in the mundane frustrations of modern romance. As the story unfolds, the atmosphere shifts from cynical and witty to deeply claustrophobic, wrapping the reader in a thick blanket of paranoia where no character can be trusted. The prose is punchy and unpretentious, utilizing short chapters and sharp cliffhangers to keep the momentum entirely propulsive. It is a perfect fit for readers who love twist-heavy, addictive suspense that makes them second-guess every charming smile.

Mood
  • tense
  • dread-soaked
  • claustrophobic
Tone
  • paranoid
  • conversational
  • suspenseful
  • cynical
Pace
propulsive
Themes
deceptive appearances · perils of modern dating · gaslighting and trust · hidden monsters
The writing
Punchy, accessible, and highly readable, relying on short chapters and cliffhangers to maintain a relentless momentum.
The arc
Moves from the cynical exhaustion of modern dating into creeping paranoia, culminating in a frantic, adrenaline-fueled fight for survival.
Who it's for
Readers looking for a bingeable, twist-heavy popcorn thriller that will make them question everyone's motives.
Content notes
  • murder
  • violence against women
  • stalking
  • gaslighting

About the book

She's looking for the perfect man. He's looking for the perfect victim.

Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She's seen it all: men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.

Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.

Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.

Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can't shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn't get to the truth, she'll be the killer's next victim...

Description from Open Library.

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