Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2021
Genres: Psychological Thriller, Dark Romance, Mystery
Audience: Grade 12+, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: The Obsession
Content Warnings: Toxic relationship dynamics, obsessive behavior, stalking, domestic abuse, violence, and manipulation.
Publisher’s Summary
Logan is a stalker. He prefers the term “romantic,” but he spends his days learning everything about Delilah through her social media and a hidden camera trained on her house. He believes nobody knows her like he does—until he witnesses her killing her abusive stepfather.
Suddenly, Logan realizes his “perfect” Delilah has secrets of her own. For Delilah, the act was a path to freedom from the controlling men in her life. But Logan saw everything, and he has no intention of letting her forget it. Delilah is done being a victim, and she refuses to be a character in Logan’s twisted fantasy. If Logan won’t let her go… she’ll make him.
Review
The Obsession is a dark and twisty romantic thriller that kept me turning pages even when I felt uneasy about what I was reading. The story follows a woman who is struggling with loneliness and romantic disappointment. When she meets a charming stranger, she becomes convinced he is her perfect match, and her feelings quickly become more intense than she expects. As the plot moves forward, it becomes clear that what starts as a crush turns into something more dangerous and controlling. The tension builds steadily, and the book blends suspense with dark humor in a way that feels both entertaining and unsettling.
My reaction to the book was mixed. I liked how the author created a character whose thoughts feel real and messy, and I appreciated the way the story explores how easily obsession can replace healthy love. At the same time, the relationship dynamic is disturbing, and it made me think a lot about how society romanticizes intense devotion. The book is written for adults, and I would not recommend it for younger readers. Possible older high school age students to college age. It deals with mature themes such as manipulation, unhealthy relationships, and emotional control.
🔍 The Psychology of Stalking vs. Romance
The novel hinges on Logan’s delusion—his belief that surveillance and control are forms of “romance.” In an educational or library context, this book serves as a powerful starting point for discussing the “Relationship Spectrum.”
🚩 Red Flags in The Obsession
The “Love Bombing” and surveillance depicted in the book are classic psychological tactics used to erode an individual’s agency.
📱 Digital Privacy & Social Media
The author uses Logan’s use of social media to build a profile of Delilah as a cautionary tale. This encourages discussion on Digital Footprints:
- Privacy Settings: How much of our personal lives are unintentionally visible?
- Persona vs. Reality: Logan fell in love with a digital image, entirely missing the real-world trauma Delilah was experiencing.
