First published 2019
Lucy Albright arrives at her small California college eager to escape her Long Island past and her mother's betrayal. She wants a fresh start, far from old wounds. Then she encounters Stephen DeMarco. He's magnetic, self-assured, and sees potential in her that others miss. Lucy finds herself drawn to this new version of herself reflected in his eyes. Stephen carries his own secrets, an incident from his past that could destroy his carefully constructed future. He pursues success relentlessly, including winning Lucy's devotion. Lucy senses something untrustworthy about Stephen, yet she cannot pull away. Stephen knows Lucy remains captivated despite her doubts. Their toxic relationship follows them from campus life through their post-graduation years in New York City. The story unfolds through both perspectives, revealing how their destructive connection shapes their choices and futures in ways neither anticipated.
Genres: romance, psychological-thriller, contemporary-romance, new-adult
Vibes: dark, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: California, Long Island, New York City
Period: post-graduation
384 pages · Paperback · Atria Books
Content warnings: emotional-abuse, toxic-relationship