Love, Sex, and the Narcissist surprised me. I’ll admit, the cover and title weren’t my usual vibe, but the description drew me in. It’s an honest look at toxic relationships—the kind where you’re pulled in by charisma, only to find yourself questioning your worth and reality. The push-and-pull, the gaslighting, the heartbreak—it all felt painfully real. I started thinking it might be about open relationships, but it turned into something much deeper. It’s reflective, relatable, and uncomfortably true for anyone who’s ever loved the wrong person. I’ll definitely return to it. Highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC!

Where do I start?
I felt so uncomfortable reading this. The way that it explores an emotional abusive relationship was so real and raw. The book also feels like it is written in that way, it draws you in and pushes you away all the same time.

It shows how quickly these types of relationships progress and how easy it is to fall for someone like Adrian. As someone who has dealt with similar relationships previously I really appreciated how tastefully this was written without leaving anything out. It would be so easy to write a story like this as a caricature or to have it be so obvious that the mc knows straight away but that isn’t reality, the reality is you fall fast and quick they say and do the right things and you slowly turn in on yourself and question your own thoughts and feelings and this captures that perfectly.

The writing and prose was exquisite, I had to keep stopping when I was reading this because it made me think and question and reflect and only a top tier book with top tier writing is able to do that. This is a debut novel and I am astounded, I could feel the amount on emotion and time that went into writing this, I didn’t just feel connected to the story but I felt intertwined unit, even I was questioning the actual intent of the relationship.

If you are looking for a cosy hallmark romance book this is not it and it won’t give you want you want however if you want a romance book, that makes you reflect and causes you to think and evaluate the words you are reading this is it. It is more sensual and erotic than most romance books and that’s because the heart and emotion is stripped back to nothing it’s all on display and it goes to show that romance isn’t about sex it’s about the rawness of love and what we expect from relationships and communication and how easy it is to question yourself why all is laid bare.

A.V. Pierce's Love, Sex & The Narcissist is a compelling, enlightening book that puts into words experiences that many people find difficult to comprehend, particularly when intimacy and feelings are entangled with manipulation. Without patronizing the reader, Pierce provides a straightforward, sympathetic, and highly affirming explanation of narcissistic dynamics. I was most struck by how well the book depicted the inner turmoil, self-doubt, and gradual eroding of boundaries that accompany loving a narcissist. It was more like being gently guided through difficult realities by someone who genuinely understands them instead of reading a clinical manual. This book empowers instead of only educating. It made me think, make connections, and feel less isolated in situations that are frequently downplayed or misinterpreted. Anyone looking for healing, clarity, or just comfort in being seen should read this.

Couldn't Put This Down!
Wow, this book grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. Sophie is such a refreshing character—— a woman who decides she's done playing it safe and goes after what she really wants.
Her relationship with Adrian is intense and steamy, but what I loved most is how the story goes deeper than just romance.
It's honest about how easy it is to lose yourself in someone, especially when the passion feels that good.
The writing is sharp and real, and I found myself staying up way too late because I had to know what happened next.
This isn't your typical romance novel, and that's exactly why I loved it.
A.V. Pierce doesn't sugarcoat anything…. the book explores desire, obsession, and self-discovery in a way that felt both thrilling and thought-provoking.
If you want a story with actual depth, real chemistry, and a protagonist you'll root for even when she's making questionable choices, definitely pick this up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐