Melissa Burke is a single mom who moves with her five-year-old son to a new city after an ugly divorce, seeking peace and a fresh start. At a friend’s dinner party, she meets Thomas Danver, a charming widowed pediatrician who even tucks her son into bed before joining the gathering. It isn’t until later that Melissa learns Thomas was once accused and exonerated of his wife’s suspicious death three years ago. As mysterious warnings begin to arrive telling her to stay away from him, Melissa must decide whether to trust her instincts or risk her heart on a man with a dangerous past.

I gave this book four stars because it really pulled me in right away. The premise kept me asking myself, could you date someone accused of murdering their spouse? Ever since Melissa met Thomas Danver, I was hooked by his kindness, his mystery, and the question of his guilt or innocence. However, I did feel the middle slowed down and stalled the tension a bit, but overall the twists and reveals kept me turning pages. I loved how Melissa’s fear and hope felt so real, and how Andrew DeYoung made me question every new piece of information without tipping into cliché. This one will have you debating his innocence long after you finish.

The Vibes It Brings:
🔍 Domestic suspense
❤️ Second chance romance
🤔 Unreliable narration
🏘️ Small town intrigue
👩‍👦 Single parent perspective

Stay Away From Him is a fast-paced domestic suspense that will have you questioning every text message and glance. If you love thrillers that blur the line between danger and desire, you’ll find this story irresistible. Just be ready to sit on the edge of your seat and wonder until the very end. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of Stay Away From Him. These opinions are my own.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I don't want to put it down, and was completely invested while reading. I didn't find myself making excuses to play on my phone or do other things, which says a lot about how interested it kept me.
Yes, there were some moments where I felt like certain aspects of the romance between Melissa and Thomas felt rushed, however, as someone who has been where Melissa has been - I could also understand it.
I enjoyed the plot twists - most of which I didn't see coming. Thomas was a lot to take in, but it makes sense with the story. I also liked the different POVs. It kept the story interesting. It had a little Freida McFadden vibe to it, so if you like her books, you'll definitely enjoy this one.

Brilliant read! I really enjoyed this one and the story was gripping and a page turner! Some of the styles used in the book reminded me of other thrillers I read but I actually loved this and felt nostalgic almost. Really good plot and brilliant twist at the end. Highly recommend you read it when it comes out in July! Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

First, thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

This chilling thriller had me hooked from the start, that much was for sure. I have been drawn in my the cover and the blurb, and really flew through the pages once I have started reading, following newly divorced Melissa having a fresh start in a new city. There she does meet Thomas. Thomas seems to be a nice man and could end up being a good friend. At least, on the surface...

Of course I had tried to guess what was going on - figured when reading so much, I should be able to guess right, at some point, but that sadly did not happen. The twisty just kept coming, and every single one had been very unexpected and shocked me. Very much recommended!

This book was incredibly thrilling, and I enjoyed it immensely. The narrative was both suspenseful and thought-provoking; I read it in a single sitting. "Stay Away from Him" is the type of psychological thriller that gets under your skin and lingers there. A subtle sense of menace builds throughout the story,through atmosphere and implication...my favourite kind of suspense.

4,5/5⭐️

I was hooked on this book from the very first page — it was so captivating that I kept flipping through without even realizing it! The author’s writing reminded me a bit of Freida McFadden and Alice Feeney, which made it all the more enjoyable. 🖤

As for the plot twist? I did not see it coming — and while it didn’t blow me away, I really appreciated that the author didn’t leave any obvious clues. That subtle buildup totally worked for me!

Stay Away from Him by Andrew DeYoung was a fun and scary ride.

Melissa recently moved to the north suburbs of the Twin Cities in order to get herself and her son away from her emotionally abusive ex-husband. She is currently living in a friends house, without a job, and all consuming debt related to her divorce and getting full custody. She is attending a dinner party hosted by her landlords when she locks eyes with a handsome man across the room. Meet Thomas: handsome pediatrician, who's wife went missing three years ago, and everyone thinks he had something to do with it. Or did he?

This book gave me chills at multiple points, and I think what made it so scary was the fact that the story felt so real. The second guessing, the multiple opinions, and a main character just trying to do what's best for her and her son. The pacing of this book kept me engaged the whole time, and I was second guessing myself until the last 100 pages on who could be the villain. The twist was well timed, and I loved the way the book wrapped up with Amelia and Thomas (IYKYK). I am very much so looking forward to anything DeYoung writes going forward and being able to pick up a physical copy of the book on 7/8 to add to my book trophy shelf.

If you like a domestic thriller that has you guessing until the end, make sure you add this one to your summer TBR!

ILY @poisonedpenpress feel free to approve me for more ARCs thank you

And thank you to @AndrewDeyoung and @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a great suspense story! It’ll keep you guessing the entire time and you will want to finish it. Everything tied up together well.

I didn’t expect that ending. Many twists and turns, which I absolutely loved!

I love thriller and this one didn't disapoint!!! Very twisty, keeps you on edge. It is very well written also. You get a first-class seat into the MC's mind, but still get surprises and unexpected turns.

When newly divorced Melissa moves to Minnesota with her son to start over she isn’t looking for love. During a dinner party she meets Thomas a pediatrician, widower with two teenage girls. Sparks fly instantly and even though she wasn’t looking for romance she is swept off her feet by Thomas.

But all isn’t what it seems Thomas has a pretty complicated past. Even though charges were dropped he was accused of killing his wife Rose. Navigating life after divorce and in a new place now she must decide which side she’s on. The side that believes Thomas is innocent or the side that still believes he’s guilty and hiding something.

Just when you think you know what happened new information is dropped in your lap and makes you question what you you think is the truth.

I love this trope in thrillers and Stay Away From Him did not disappoint! This was highly entertaining!

Holy Cow!!
I have not read a thriller like this in a long time. Highly recommending to others. Can't wait to add this to my collection.

This is a captivating read that hooks you from the start. The protagonist’s internal conflict is portrayed masterfully, making it easy to empathise with their struggles and emotions. As the story unfolds, you feel the weight of their decisions and the moral dilemmas they face, which keeps you invested in their journey.

What truly sets this novel apart is the unexpected twist that leaves a lasting impression. Just when you think you have everything figured out, DeYoung skillfully pulls the rug out from under you, reshaping your understanding of the entire story. His writing style flows effortlessly, making it a pleasure to read. Each page draws you in deeper, compelling you to turn the next one. Overall, “Stay Away from Him” is a remarkable exploration of conflict and empathy, underscored by a thrilling twist that resonates long after you finish the last page. Highly recommended!

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

This book had its claws into me from the first page. I was so completely hooked, it is fast paced, easy to read and interesting. I wanted to know what was going to happen and simultaneously yell at the main character over and over "OPEN YOUR EYES!" I really thought I had this book figured out and I didn't. I must say I was a bit disappointed in the twist. I love a good twist but I wanted more hints and tid bits to call back to from previous parts of the book. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Wow—where do I even start? I just finished Stay Away from Him and all I can say is: read it. Immediately.

This novel is sharply written, fast-paced, and gripping from start to finish. The shifting timelines and perspectives are handled seamlessly, keeping the tension high and the story moving without ever feeling overwhelming.

It’s the kind of book you’ll fly through because you simply have to know what happens next. The twists hit hard, the suspense keeps building, and the ending? Completely satisfying.

I’d recommend this one to fans of Verity by Colleen Hoover—except this leaves you with a much clearer sense of closure. And I have to give Deyoung credit: he weaves in smart, powerful feminist undertones in a way that’s both subtle and impactful.

A standout psychological thriller that deserves a spot on your TBR.

Stay Away from Him by Andrew DeYoung is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge with its twists and moral dilemmas. Melissa Burke, fresh from a painful divorce and a relocation with her young son, isn't looking for a new relationship, but she finds herself swept into one when she meets Thomas Danver, a charming pediatrician with a dark past. Exonerated for the suspected murder of his first wife, Thomas is a polarizing figure—some believe he's innocent, others are convinced he's a killer. Despite the whispers and the weight of his past, Melissa is drawn to him, and soon they begin a whirlwind romance. But as she becomes more involved with Thomas, Melissa starts receiving chilling anonymous threats, making her question everything she thought she knew about him. With complex characters and a tightly wound plot that masterfully builds tension, Stay Away from Him is an addictive thriller that will leave you second-guessing the truth until the very end.

Gut Instincts: A Single Mom's Deadly Gamble

Andrew DeYoung's new thriller hits like a punch to the gut. The story starts with a choice that'll make your skin crawl: Melissa Burke, fresh from a brutal divorce, lets a charming stranger help put her five-year-old to bed. That stranger? Thomas Danver - pediatrician, father of two, and an exonerated murderer.

The real magic here is how DeYoung messes with your head. One minute, you're convinced Thomas is innocent, wrongly accused of a heinous crime. Next, you're screaming at Melissa to grab her kid and run. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and diary entries, each one making you question everything you thought you knew.

DeYoung, who spent years as a children's book editor, knows exactly how to turn the screw. The tension builds so naturally you won't realize you're holding your breath until your lungs start burning. As author Jaima Fixsen puts it, he "masterfully balances narrative tension with razor-sharp insight into the dark corners of the human mind."

But this isn't just another thriller. It's a raw look at single parenthood, past mistakes, and that nagging voice in your head that whispers, "something's not right." Sure, seasoned thriller fans might see some twists coming, but the psychological depth more than makes up for it.

Stay Away from Him drops in July 2025, and it's the kind of book that'll have you side-eyeing your neighbours and double-checking your locks. As thriller writer Tasha Coryell warns, it'll hook you from the first line and keep you guessing until the last page.

4.5/5 stars - A masterclass in psychological suspense that proves sometimes, paranoia is just good sense.

📘April Read: Stay Away from Him by

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
( Pub Date: July 8, 2025)

I was fortunate to received a ARC of this book. I finished it in 2 days. I was truly a great book and kept me up wanting to read “just one more chapter”. The character development was on point. The story line moved fast and kept it very interesting from the first meeting of the main characters.

It had passion, family secrets, old flings, accusations, mental health, and much more.

At the end of the book I thought everything figured out…..NOPE I did not see that coming.

Story: Relocating with her 5-year-old son to a new city after an ugly divorce, Melissa Burke isn't looking for a new relationship right away. But an unexpected relationship is exactly what she finds at a friend's dinner party when she meets Thomas Danver, a charming widower who asks for her number at the end of the night.

Thomas's first wife went missing three years ago, presumed dead, and Thomas was eventually cleared of her murder in an investigation that became a local media sensation. But while some still believe he killed his wife, Melissa's friends insist that he was unfairly targeted by the police and couldn't hurt a fly.

But when Melissa receives a chilling, anonymous threat—or perhaps it's a warning—she begins to question how much she truly knows about the man she's falling in love with. Is he really innocent?

Highly Recommended

Thank you @netgalley and @Poisoned PenPress

This was a great thriller. I really enjoyed reading it. It started a bit slow, but then it picked up pace and went totally twisted. It kept me guessing back and forth, who did what to whom. Loved it all the way. I'm so glad I got this opportunity to read this before publication.
I also liked the bit where you can read bits and pieces of Rose her diary throughout the book and you understand slowly what went so horribly wrong.

If you want a twisted story with a great plot, you have to read this one...
Thank you, Netgalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for my copy!