Jesse Q. Sutanto’s The Obsession is a chilling thriller that deconstructs the “perfect romance.” When a stalker witnesses his crush committing a crime, a deadly game of survival begins. Exploring the thin line between devotion and danger, this novel is a gripping look at toxic dynamics and digital privacy—perfect for older teens who enjoy psychological tension and morally gray characters. Note: Best suited for Grade 12+ due to mature themes of manipulation.
Lots of teens find themselves in obsessive and toxic relationships, whether romantic or platonic. While most are not as volatile as Rabbit and Juliet, young people could learn from the mistakes Rabbit makes. There are many occasions where Rabbit does not listen to her own hesitations and goes along with Juliet’s plans. In the end, Rabbit does snap out of it, though almost too late. It is clear that she will be haunted by her relationship with Juliet for the rest of her life.