Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was gripping from the beginning. I liked how the main character was noticeably a bit unhinged, but you still felt for her because of her past of abuse from her mother. Claire was someone I could root for because she was honest about her insecurities and feelings of self-doubt. The journal entries that showed her thoughts and feelings in the past were my favorite element of part 1. I love a timeline switch, especially when it provides context for the current timeline.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the trial aspect of part 2. Courtroom scenes are so interesting to me (I was raised on Law & Order) so the witness testimonies brought so much more context to the story.

What fell a little flat for me was the big “twist” that Claire had been delusional and not really in a relationship with Noah. I felt that it was really predictable and I was hoping that something bigger was at play to make Claire look guilty.

Other than the predictability, I did enjoy the ending, especially the final journal entry that showed Claire continued to be unhinged. I would highly recommend this book to beginner thriller readers or fans of Frieda McFadden as I found the story structure to be easy to follow!


3.5 stars rounded up to 4

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐳𝐮𝐦𝐢
𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰
𝟒.𝟓⭐️

Happy Monday! Spring break is over and I am so sad to be back in reality😑.

I finished up 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 by author @callieuntitled and although it was slightly depressing I truly enjoyed every minute of it. The author did such a great job executing this story and creating such a complex main character. I was so invested in Claire’s story and I was hooked to the pages, it definitely was a quick, addictive, read.

This story is dark, disturbing, and does include many difficult topics, so be sure to check trigger warnings. The conclusion of this story was WILD and 100% unpredictable! I really hope we get more stories from this author in the future!

Thank you to @netgalley and @bantambooksuk for the early copy! This book is now available and I 100% recommend!

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: “Claire is excited to drop off a surprise workday lunch for her fiancé, Noah. It’s their anniversary, after all. But when the receptionist tells her that no one with Noah’s name works there, Claire thinks there must be a mistake.

Noah isn’t picking up her calls. Her texts go unanswered. It turns out Noah has a different life . . . one with a beautiful girlfriend, a beautiful house. Claire was never really in the picture.

Desperate to unpack all of Noah’s lies, Claire plunges into a nightmarish journey of obsession that submerges her deeper into the murky waters of her own past—a past dominated by a manipulative mother who shattered her sense of self.

Will Claire break free from the ghosts that haunt her? Or will they become more costly than any of Noah’s lies?“
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#bookstagram#bookstagrammer
#clairedarling#bantambooks

I received an arc from NetGalley and Random House Publishing. This was such a quick read as I couldn't put it down. I suspected the first twist as it was a bit predictable but it was still nice to see everything play out. I didn't expect the final twist and I'm hoping it means a sequel. Overall, a great debut novel.

I enjoyed this somewhat domestic thriller until the end! I feel like the twist was so. lackluster and could have been more well done. A solid three star read.

Claire, Darling completely consumed me from start to finish! This is one of those not so creepy thrillers, but more like constant and tense suspense. I listened to the audiobook (highly recommend!). The narrator absolutely nailed it! She captured Claire’s unraveling with eerie precision. You could the desperation in her voice. The premise of this book hooked me right away…girl gets ghosted by her fiance, only to find out he has a completely different life?! Claire spirals while trying to piece together what’s real and what’s not, both in the present and from her deeply messed up childhood. It’s twisty, emotionally dark, and so well written!

When Claire stops by her fiancé's office to drop off lunch on their anniversary, she's stunned to discover he hasn't worked there in months. Devastated and confused when he won't return her calls and fails to come home, Claire spirals as she delves deeper into Noah's double life. When an accidental tragedy ensues, Claire finds herself in the unforgiving spotlight desperate for the truth. Claire, Darling is a page-turner, the current timeline interspersed with both Claire's memories growing up with her emotionally abusive single mother and diary entries from the past year. The twist is a fairly predictable conclusion to the story.

Picture this: You go to drop off lunch for your fiancé and find out he's never worked in the office he claims. What?! After digging around, Claire has found out her fiancé is not who he says he is...and he's ghosted her for his real family.

There are a ton of twists and turns in this and it sucked me in from the very beginning. I loved it so much. For a debut, this is top tier!

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi
Started this Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi.. Claire surprises her fiancé at work with lunch only to find he has not been working there for months. With the help of her friend, Sukhi she discovered Noah has another life with another woman. She tries to contact him but she’s been ghosted. Will she just let him go or seek revenge.. Just starting to get glimpses into her childhood and her manipulative mother, I doubt she is one to leave it alone.. Fast paced and thrilling read in this debut novel by @calliekazumi! Thank you to @netgalley, @ballatinebook @ randomhousepublishing and @calliekazumi for the advanced ebook copy. Already out on 3/11.

Claire Darling pulled me in right from the start. Claire's journey after being ghosted is relatable and full of twists I didn't see coming. Layered read that kept me turning the pages. Recommend if you're into messy real stories about possibly picking yourself up when you're down or .. something more sinister.

Wow! Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi was an amazing psychological thriller that delivers twist and turns yet it is slowly building to an amazing ending. The characters were so well written , the tension was just enough to keep the reader questioning what else could happen to this main character, Claire. Kazumi brilliantly illustrated how mental health and family dynamics could affect children. Thank you to Netgalley & Bantam /Random House Publishing Group for the advance e- book copy for a fair review.

"Claire, Darling" is a gripping psychological thriller that draws you in from the very first page. The story revolves around Claire, who believes her life is perfect. Engaged to her charming fiancé, Noah, they are on the brink of moving in together, and their wedding is on the horizon. Claire feels a sense of euphoria as she envisions their future together.

However, her idyllic existence is abruptly shattered when Noah mysteriously disappears without a trace, leaving Claire bewildered and ghosted, grappling with unanswered questions. This sudden void in her life triggers a cascade of emotional turmoil, pushing her to confront not just the disappearance but also the haunting dynamics of her past.

Claire's relationship with her narcissistic mother intensifies the chaos in her mind. Having grown up in an environment rife with mind games and emotional manipulation, Claire struggles to discern reality from deception. As she delves deeper into her spiraling thoughts, she begins to question her sanity, especially when others around her seem to encourage this self-doubt.

The narrative is rich with suspense, filled with unexpected twists and intriguing revelations that keep you on the edge of your seat. The author's skillful storytelling masterfully balances moments of tension with introspective reflections, creating a multifaceted experience for the reader. Although there are a few pacing issues in certain sections, the overall momentum of the story compels you to keep turning the pages.

In summary, I found "Claire, Darling" to be a fantastic debut that explores themes of trust, identity, and the fragility of perception. While I would rate it 3 out of 5 due to its slower parts, the blend of mystery and character development keeps it an engaging read throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy.

*Claire, Darling* by Callie Kazumi offers an emotional and often raw look into heartbreak, loyalty, and the way our past shapes the instincts we follow. I really enjoyed experiencing the story through Claire's perspective. Having been ghosted before, I found it easy to connect with her deep need to find out the truth, even when the person she loved was giving her absolutely nothing. Her friend’s unwavering support stood out to me too — it was comforting to see that kind of steady presence in her life, especially when others were quick to dismiss her.

At times, I found myself a little puzzled by how often the story veered into Claire’s memories of her childhood and her relationship with her mother. While it did feel somewhat disconnected at first, by the end, I appreciated the way it helped explain some of Claire's emotional reactions and tendencies. It added a subtle depth to her character, even if the transitions weren’t always as smooth as I would have liked.

The courtroom portion of the book dragged for me. I wished it had been tightened up because it slowed the momentum of the story quite a bit. That said, while the outcome became fairly obvious through the trial, the final few paragraphs were genuinely delightful and left me with a good feeling about Claire’s journey. Overall, I would give *Claire, Darling* 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’m grateful to have received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

3.5 🌟 rounded up

Claire is thrilled to surprise her fiancé, Noah, with a workday lunch for their anniversary, but she discovers he does not work where she thought. When Noah stops answering her calls and texts, Claire learns he has an entirely different life with another woman. Desperate to win him back, Claire falls into a dark spiral fueled by obsession and haunted by a troubled past shaped by her manipulative mother. As she fights to reclaim her future, Claire must face whether she can truly escape the ghosts that have always followed her.

Claire, Darling is a quick psychological thriller. I thought the pacing was even and appreciated how parts 1&2 were broken up. I can't say much else about what I liked/didn't quite like about it without spoilers.

Recommended for fans of fast-paced popcorn thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

This starts out as a typical woman being ghosted, then gaslighted, by the man of her dreams.
It has a sinister twist, which was kind of predictable, but still a fun read.
What made it interesting was the TOTALLY unreliable narrator!
The issue I have with this book is that the plot is so similar to others I have read - the horrible, abusive mother, the bland, timid child who was bullied for a reason unknown, except that she made it easy to be bullied - I tended to skim over the parts with the flashbacks about her mother.
There could have been less of that, just a suggestion of abuse.

I absolutely love a good psychological thriller and this one, was definitely it! This is very twisty and grabbing.

I grabbed this on a whim after seeing all the buzz—and wow, the hype is real! This twisted thriller had me hooked from the first page and kept me guessing right up to the final twist. It’s the kind of book you devour in one sitting, then need a strong cup of coffee the next morning to recover… and honestly? Totally worth every sleepless minute.

Claire is excited to be engaged to Noah. One day when she decides to drop lunch off for him, she is informed that he doesn't work there. She starts to wonder what is going on, as she discovers that Noah is living a double life. He has been dating a beautiful woman, who live in a beautiful house. As her past starts to invade her present life, she is reminded of how controlling her mother was, and the abuse that she went through.

This is an interesting story that keeps you wondering.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

“I look down at her body, crumpled in an awkward heap, dark blood pooling beneath the head.” Wow! This first sentence of Claire, Darling instantly hooked me. This is a fantastic debut! I loved every crazy, intense, emotional minute! The story is told from Claire’s perspective both past and present. Events are relayed through diary entries and current happenings. Claire is a memorable, complex character that is not easily forgotten. “If you don't trust people they can't let you down.” Being a thriller addict, I was able to predict some of the twists, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment in any way. I was obsessed from start to finish during Claire’s journey. There were many times my heart went out to her and other times she frustrated me with her questionable decisions. This is a twisted ride and I look forward to the next creation from Callie Kazumi. Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine/ Bantam Publishing for my copy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Claire is excited to drop off lunch for her fiancé, Noah. It’s their anniversary, after all. But when the Claire is told that Noah hasn't worked there in months, and then Noah won't take her calls, things start to spin out of control.

What a wild ride! Is Claire a jilted, ghosted bride to be? Or a vengeful, bitter, crazypants? THAT is the root of this story. Who do you believe, especially when the evidence starts to point both ways. I absolutely loved this one.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for this ARC! I imagine this book will be quite popular, and I kept thinking it would be a very fun show to watch. I really enjoyed this and will recommend for people wanting fun thrillers this summer.