He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.
Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…
An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude―but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.
Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?
MY THOUGHTS:
Arden Bowie is a relatively new author who has been busy promoting her books through signings and appearances. Among her admirers is an especially devoted fan named Dustin. What begins as a seemingly harmless request for an autograph soon proves to be far more troubling. Dustin hasn’t attended just one of Arden’s events. He has followed her to several signings across different locations.
Before long, Dustin pressures Arden into meeting him for coffee. Aspiring to become a writer himself, he believes there is no one better suited to mentor him than his favorite author. However, his admiration quickly turns into obsession. When Arden becomes the victim of a terrifying assault, Dustin is arrested and held accountable for his actions. Yet one question lingers: for how long?
Seeking a fresh start, Arden relocates to a small town in Oregon. She knows Dustin will eventually be released, but she hopes the move will provide both distance and security. As she begins rebuilding her life, she meets Gideon, a former LAPD detective. It doesn’t take long for a relationship to develop between them, and Gideon’s protective nature becomes increasingly important as Arden struggles to move beyond her traumatic experience.
There were moments in the story that reminded me of the movie Misery, starring Kathy Bates, although Dustin’s motivations differ from those of that infamous fictional fan. In Dustin’s mind, he and Arden are destined to be together, and he is determined to make that fantasy a reality. His relentless disregard for Arden’s boundaries and his escalating obsession create a constant sense of unease. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, making it an engaging and suspenseful read that explores the frightening consequences of obsession taken to the extreme.
