Title: All Because of You
Author: Lissa Lovik (Debut Author)
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
My Rating: 4.2 Stars
Pages: 335

The stars aligned when Chris and Serena met in that Winn-Dixie.
And they’re going to be happy together . . . even if it kills them.

One reader described this as ‘deliciously disturbing’! A train wreck... you didn't want to watch but also couldn't look away!

Story is told from the "villain’s POV".
Chase is infatuated with Serena the minute he meets her.
You soon find yourself shouting a warning to Serena as she is oblivious that Chase is manipulating her. True we aren’t the only ones shouting at her of the danger she was in. However, Serena isn’t accepting what seems to be the reality of who Chase really is.

I went into this not realizing what it was about. As I got into it – I knew it wasn’t going to be an enjoyable read.
I did enjoy the Author’s Note.
I believe it is important for authors to offer resources when they tackle tough topics.
I hope this reaches those who need support. And that the readers will tell anyone/someone who would benefit from this message. It is obvious this message is personal to our author!

About author Lisa Lovik ~ She states she lives on a farm with all the animals and a few small children. Her life is Word docs, fictional
characters, children, dogs, books, shoes, and baths. (Also states she has no impressive educational background and lives in the middle of
nowhere.

Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 29, 2025.

This is an impressive debut!

Chris and Serena experience a chance encounter in the Winn-Dixie grocery store. Chris is immediately smitten with Serena and goes home to do a little research on her. Finding out she’s a realtor, Chris quickly makes an appointment to see a house with her. From there we dive into the twisted thoughts and actions of Chris as he stalks and tries to win over Serena’s affections.

Just like in the book, “You”, this story is told from the male stalker’s point of view so the reader has a front row seat to his disturbing thoughts and chilling actions as he pursues his current obsession. Filled with claustrophobic suspense, this was a fast read and hard to put down.

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on July 29, 2025

"There's a weak spot in everything [...] That's how the light gets through."

My favorite book of the summer! This was an incredibly fast-paced thriller that made it difficult for me to focus on anything else until I finished it.

Chris is the most love-to-hate main character I've encountered for a while. His jealousy made my skin crawl; anything would set him off, from his girlfriend's homosexual boss protecting her, her hugging a friend at a party, the fact that she uses tampons, the grocery clerk mishandling her produce (like literally apples, not even an inuendo here). Everything she wore when leaving he house and everything polite phrase she said to a stranger were interpreted as slutty or whorish. I couldn't help but keep reading and rooting for her to get as far away as humanly possible.

While the main character is a massive pile of dog poop, his backstory was intricate and unique. I wish we received more backstory, but Lovik gave just enough to keep a reader hooked and curious (and not to provide any potential excuse for his inexcusable behavior). There were tons of comedic relief moments to break up the tense pace, and even the "About the Author" section was amusing.

Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick summer thriller!

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

"All the love in the world couldn't fill your empty spaces."

This is a book that I can’t spoil in any way - all I can talk about is the synopsis, and say I finished it with a “wow”!

Chris and Serena meet at the grocery store in what would normally be a cute story to tell later down the road. They both reached for the last jar of crunchy peanut butter, Chris was a gentleman and let her have it, then they went on their ways. Chris was in love at first sight though, and luckily, she left her grocery list behind. With it written on the back of a packing slip, he now has her name and address.

When he finds out she’s a real estate agent, he pretends to be an interested client, and eventually he asks her out to dinner. To his surprise, she said yes, and the two start dating. You’d think that would make Chris happy, but it’s making him more controlling, quick-tempered and possessive. His stalking actually increases once they are involved, and things became so unraveled as the book goes on.

This isn’t your typical stalker book; this is a book about psychological abuse, obsession and how our past traumas affect us. It is still a stalker book though, and a thoroughly creepy one. The story is written from Chris’s perspective, and let’s just say, it’s pretty unhinged. This was a definite page-turner that I didn’t put down until it was finished - I had to know how it ended, and it was quite a suspenseful experience. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut!

(Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Lissa Lovik and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 29, 2025)

DNF @ 10% - No rating on Goodreads and Storygraph.

I gave this novel a try, but unfortunately, it’s just not clicking with me. The writing style and character development aren’t working for me, and I’m finding the plot hard to engage with. I knew early on it might not be a good fit - for example, the opening lines felt inconsistent and didn’t inspire much confidence. At this point, I don’t think it’s worth continuing, and I’d rather DNF than end up rating it low, and dragging down the average rating.

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Lissa Lovik for the e-ARC.

To start...this book is NOT a dark romance, and it is not a romantic thriller either. Trigger warnings should include stalking, domestic abuse, and birth control tampering (and I may have missed some other ones).

The writing in this book is fine. I have a lot of feelings on this story, and while I don't know that I'd say I enjoyed it, it did get me thinking, and good books are supposed to get in your head and make you feel things, so kudos to the author. I think my big issue with this book is that it's marketed as a psychological thriller, but it's...not. I wouldn't say any parts are really thrilling or even scary. I also feel like the blurb is a little misleading, because this makes it seem somewhat more on the romance side (hence the above disclaimer). I do read dark romance on occasion, so this is what felt a little confusing to me, as stalking/obsession is a popular trope on the dark romance side of the book world.

That said...this story is really about Chris and his devolution as his obsession with Serena and their relationship starts to show more and more of his dark side. This is the part of the story that actually shines. I almost felt like this was a masterclass in someone growing fully into their delusions. It was also interesting that the entire story is told from Chris's perspective, and you're only ever seeing his side of the story. That said, because we never see Serena's perspective, it does make her character (and others) feel a bit underdeveloped.

If you enjoy true crime thrillers, you'd likely find this book interesting. As a reader, you get to "evolve" with Chris, and I enjoyed that approach to his character and the choices he makes. As a woman, I also feel like this book serves as a somewhat thinly veiled cautionary tale of when red (pink, orange, hues of red) flags are starting to peek through, believe them.

⭐️5/5
POV: first person (stalker!!)
Timeline: linear
Genre: psychological thriller
Vibe: obsessive, twisted, disturbingly quiet tension

Okay wow… this book absolutely got under my skin!!! This book is told from Chris’s point of view—a guy who becomes obsessed with a woman named Serena after a completely unremarkable encounter in a grocery store. And let me tell you… his inner dialogue is chilling and disturbing.

Chris is disturbingly calm, methodical, and confident in the most delusional ways. Watching him rationalize every manipulative thing he does made me SOOO uncomfortable, but I couldn’t look away. I flew through the second half of the book in one sitting, fully stressed.

Serena was such a realistic character; strong, yet trusting in that way that makes you want to scream “NOOOO” at the page. You see the red flags early, and it’s like watching a slow-motion car crash. My heart was in my throat the entire time.

This is a debut?! Because it did not read like one. It’s polished, haunting, and paced to perfection. This book reminds me of the Netflix series “You.”

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for providing me a copy of this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own!

This book was a crazy ride. It was so creepy and made me so uncomfortable, but I couldn’t stop reading it. I struggled with how to rate it because I can’t quite say that reading it was fun…but again, I was totally engrossed from the moment I began. It also covers some important topics that I feel people should keep in mind (more on that below) and the author’s note at the end does a good job reinforcing those lessons.

This book has been compared a lot to the book You by Caroline Kepnes. I read that one over 10 years ago before it was made into a TV show. I definitely see similarities. However, I remember guiltily liking (kind of) the main character of that book. He was uncomfortably endearing and there was some dark humor throughout his telling of events even though he was seriously messed up. This book differs in tone. I did not like Chris. At all. You pick up pretty quickly into the story that you have a first-row seat to a deranged mind, which, again, was fascinating.

The FMC, Serena, kept making some terrible decisions and overlooking red flags. However, her story is an important one and while I did find her character frustrating at times, the author did do a good job of showing how someone goes through the mental gymnastics of justifying certain behaviors and not trusting instincts. It’s an important message.

Overall, I recommend this one but just know it is NOT a stalker love story. It is NOT humorous in any way. You may need to check trigger warnings before you begin.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review. This one release on 29 July 2025.

ALL BECAUSE OF YOU is a gripping story filled with nonstop suspense. Chris is a person you would never want to meet. Serena was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Without giving anything away, I can say that I couldn't put this down. It's an outstanding debut I won't soon forget!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for my gifted ARC .This review will be shared to my Instagr account @coffee.break.book.review

It's been a while since I read a good stalker story and this one hits the nail on the head! 

When Chris first sees Serena, he knows she's the one for him. As he slowly researches her life, he gathers data so he knows what angle to play when he decides to finally ask her out. When they do get together, things are amazing. Until they're not. And then Chris will stop at nothing to get things back to the way they used to be.

For a debut, this was such a fantastic read. I really enjoyed the author's fast paced writing style, feeling the creepiness throughout the story. I was addicted from page one and devoured this book so quickly. The audiobook was also narrated exceptionally well and I am excited to see what Lissa Lovik writes next.

📚 ARC REVIEW 📚

Pub Date July 29th

“She gives me another smile, and I want to peel it off her face and carry it around in my pocket.“

“I always felt a little jealous of her tampons. Their constant carnal contact, how close they got to be to her.“

“I wish it were administering a lobotomy so I’d forget you. I’d rather be a fucking vegetable than lose you; I’d rather we were both dead than apart.“

Ok. This started off SOOO STRONG. I was actually obsessed. Unfortunately I felt it did become pretty repetitive and I just kept waiting for something thrilling to happen. STRONG ending though. The MMC is definitely an unhinged Joe Goldberg type, so if you’re a fan of “YOU”, this will likely be a hit 🖤

Thank you @netgalley @thomasmerceruk

All Because of You is an impressive and chilling debut that delivers major You by Caroline Kepnes vibes in all the best (and worst) ways. From the very first chapter, I was sucked into the obsessive, twisted mind of Chris, whose fixation on Serena grows more intense and unsettling with every page. Told from his perspective, the story feels claustrophobic and disorienting in the most deliberate way, giving readers a deeply uncomfortable front row seat to his spiraling thoughts and manipulative behavior. It’s character driven and psychological, with the kind of slow burn suspense that creeps up on you until you’re completely immersed.

Chris is one of those deeply disturbing narrators who believes every decision he makes is completely justified. That’s what makes this story so fascinating and unnerving, his delusions are fully rationalized in his own mind, which adds a layer of tension that never lets up. Serena, the object of his obsession, is somewhat enigmatic on the page, which only reinforces how warped and one sided Chris’s perspective truly is. The toxicity is the point, and Lovick doesn’t shy away from making readers sit with that discomfort.

The pacing is steady throughout, not a breakneck thriller, but a methodically crafted descent into obsession. I truly wasn’t sure how things would end, which kept me turning pages late into the night. If you’re into dark psychological suspense, flawed characters, and stories that get under your skin, All Because of You is one to check out. I can’t wait to see what Lissa Lovick writes next.

If you like stalker/obsession books, BECAUSE OF YOU will blow your mind.

Chris is one of the most unhinged characters I have ever come across. The story is written in first person, so the reader is able to get inside his head as his obsession with Serene spirals out of control. Chris’ character is both fascinating and terrifying and you might even feel sorry for him. ALL BECAUSE OF YOU will make you squirm but won’t be able to look away. Do yourself a favor and read this!

I cannot believe this is the author’s debut thriller and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this early read.

Chris Fox is just your average guy picking up peanut butter and eggs at the grocery store… until he meets Serena Archer. The second she drops her receipt, it is over for her. He has her name, and that is all it takes for him to decide she will be his.

Serena is a single mom, a successful real estate agent, absolutely stunning, and living in a secluded house. Basically, the perfect target for a man like Chris. What starts as him installing a hidden microphone in the siding of her house turns into full-blown obsession. He listens to every conversation, every detail of her life, and then uses that information to orchestrate the perfect first meeting. From there, he plays the role of her dream man, but of course, nothing Serena does could ever be enough for a man like Chris.

This book had me hooked from the very first page. I could not put it down. I binge read this book in twelve hours, and I have two kids, so trust me, if I had the luxury of six uninterrupted hours, I would’ve devoured it even faster.

The emotions this book put me through were unreal. I was terrified, disgusted, completely on edge, and yet I could not stop reading. The tension, the pacing, the character work… Lissa nailed every single detail.

Absolutely five stars. No notes. Go read this immediately.

Thank you NetGalley, T&M, and Lissa for the ARC. All opinions are my own!

Chris falls for Serena the second he sees her at the grocery store. He gets to know her by watching before he asks her out. Once they start dating though so many things get in his way.

I just love a good stalker story and this one is fully entertaining. We are viewing from the stalker’s perspective, so get to hear his inner thoughts and demented thought process. It gets more and more exciting and drastic as time goes on.

“I always felt a little jealous of her tampons. Their constant carnal contact, how close they got to be to her.”

All Because of You comes out 7/29.

I couldn’t believe this was a debut author’s book. I really enjoyed it. Sometimes, you don’t know the person you’ve fallen for—a true psychopath. Chris tracks Serena down from a list she drops at the grocery store, containing her name and address. He becomes obsessed with her and wants her to become his whole world.

I felt like I was reading another version of You! This book will have you reading until you finish it. You just can’t put it down. It really grips you to the page, wanting to hear what comes next. If you’re looking for a good psychological mind game of a book, this is definitely for you.

All Because of You by Lissa Lovik is a chilling and addictive psychological thriller that hooks readers from the first page and refuses to let go. With a dark and unnerving tone, this story is driven by the disturbingly compelling character of Chris—an unforgettable presence whose obsessive nature is both fascinating and deeply unsettling.

Lovik crafts a narrative that’s layered with tension and expertly timed twists, each revelation deepening the unease while pulling readers further into the psychological spiral. The pacing is tight, and the suspense never falters, making it nearly impossible to stop reading once the story begins.

With strong echoes of the intensity and obsession found in You, this novel delivers its own unique brand of psychological manipulation, capturing the terrifying charm and danger of a character you both want to escape and can’t look away from. Lovik’s writing is sharp and evocative, heightening the creep factor while keeping the story grounded and disturbingly realistic.

All Because of You is a masterfully written, twist-filled thriller that grips you from start to finish—a must-read for fans of dark psychological suspense.

I have no words. The main character in this novel is wild... and not in a good way. It sure was fun to follow along as Chris become more and more obsessed with Serena. Disturbing, but fun. I also fully support the fact that the "crazy" person in the novel was a man- I feel like too often women get painted as the crazy ones. This was a great debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. 4.5 stars rounded up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel.

This is a thriller that will have your heart pounding and have you on the edge of your seat! I couldn't believe this was a debut by this author! I recommend this page turner!

📖(𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥):
𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 • 𝙪𝙣𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 • 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 • 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙨 • 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 • 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 • 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙧 • 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙨 • 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙭 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 • 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘 • 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 • 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙮 •

💭:
This book gives us a look at how horror can lurk in the background in human form.

ABoY starts with the FMC, Serena, grocery shopping. While doing so, she finds herself in a “not-so-meet-cute” with a man named Chris.

Serena has no idea she has come into contact with a cunning, manipulative, and very insecure person. She is completely unaware that she has just become the next target of his obsession.

😮‍💨:
I really enjoyed this book and was pleasantly surprised that it was a debut. 👏 I can’t wait to see what the author brings us next!

This book’s contents, while fictional, deal with a danger that is all too real. I’ve watched many true crime documentaries that are eerily similar to this story.

🗒️:
To avoid any spoilers, I won’t say much more except that you’ll want to add this to your tbr.

What I enjoyed:
-𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 ✍️
-𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘦
-𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦
-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦
-𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮/𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘔𝘊