This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I’m already downloading the book before it about Stacey’s brother and friend. There were so many eloquent lines in this book that touched me and my own experiences. It’s an emotional roller coaster that pulls you in and keeps you thinking. I highly recommend giving this one a chance.

Thank you NetGalley, Backlit PR and Sophia Karlson for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I could not put this book down!!! I blew through this in one day, unable to step away from Stacey and Ivo. I am such a sucker for a good forbidden romance and this one was so well done I never wanted it to end. This was my first Sophie Karlson book, but book number two in her Love Nest series. I had no problem reading this as a read alone and the characters in the first book really weren’t involved in this one so I don’t feel like the first book was ruined for me at all. Now I just get to go back to read more of her work, win-win!
Stacey is a mess, that much is obvious. She’s on her 6th year of college, and failing. And if she wants to have any hope of getting her life together, she needs to go to therapy, stat. Enter Dr. Ivo Linder. He’s hot, attentive and totally off limits. Does he feel what she feels or is he just doing his job? Through therapy, the wound of Stacey’s past is ripped wide open and she must face the assault that changed her life.
This is one of those books that could have used a Trigger Warning at the beginning. As someone with PTSD from an assault, I completely understood every choice Stacey was making. I spent years doing exactly what she did for the very same reason. Sophia Karlson very clearly did her research when it came to PTSD and the aftermath of sexual assaults. At one point I had to put the book down and cry a little because she had some really great lines in this. There was also a lot of talk about suicide that could be triggering for some and I want to give a warning to that.
I expected a cheesy romance but I was so blown away by what I got. I am so impressed with Sophia Karlson’s ability to make you swoon with steamy chemistry on one page, and have you weeping in your feels the next. She is now on my must read list!

I tried to like this book but I couldn't finish it at all. The characters didn't mesh well to me. I struggled to understand the therapist/patient love angle. Wouldn't recommend it..

The Shrink by Sophia Karlson is the second book in the Love Nests series. It presents the story of Stacy, and student, and Ivo Linder, a future psychiatrist.
I haven't read the first book of the series, but I still managed to get most of the story (except, for an obscure reason, I found out the story was set in South Africa at the end of the book). Stacy has some pretty dark demons, which keeps her from being her best self. She's almost failing her degree, but she gets a last chance. She needs to see a psychologist to help her...
That's when Ivo Linder comes into the story. He's finishing his doctorate to become a psychiatrist and decides to spend some time as a "shrink" at the university.
I really loved the fact that Ivo made sure that he wasn't stepping over the line while he was Stacy's psychologist.
There was also one time I laughed so hard. The plot twist was funny as hell!
I really liked that book, the story was great, the writing good, and the characters amazing.

I was quite anxious to read another book by this author after having read Perfect Obsession, Book #2 in the Perfect Series, so when The Shrink became available at NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. Let me say I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to do so because this was an incredibly intense and emotional read. As with the Perfect Series, I read the second book without having read the first book but again, it didn't detract or diminish my experience as this is a standalone. Stacey is a broken soul but also a multifaceted and fascinating character--I wanted to get to know her and her secrets after reading the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Ivo has his own secrets as well and together their story is heartbreaking, emotional and thought provoking. This was a captivating, gripping & compelling romance that I would highly recommend. This author is now on my one-click list. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

My first from this author and I have to say that Sophia Karlson kept me on the edge of my seat until the incredible conclusion! The story developed at a good pace for me, with our heroine in Stacey, finding her footing while an inner hell continues to gnaw at her very being. Of course with the title being The Shrink, I knew that she would eventually be seeking counsel for the past that just won't let go. And when a Dr. Ivo Linder enters her troubled life, you could feel an almost immediate bond as these two begin their bi-weekly sessions.

Although this was written in a 3rd person narrative, I could still sense all that Stacey was feeling, with Karlson very precise in her descriptions throughout. It's not an easy road for the 24 year old as the pain she can't seem to shake is drawn out by Ivo, who senses a bit of his own relief in terms of his own guilt-ridden past. They seem to somehow fit together in their mutual kind of grief and I guessed it would just be a matter of time before lines were crossed and their professional relationship became oh so much more.

These are two great characters. In particular, I loved Stacey's ability to remain selfless despite all that has happened to her and to only want to protect her beloved father and keep the secrets she swore to her mother. And with Ivo, I could tell he'd be whatever Stacey needed, no matter the consequence. He has his heart and head wrapped up in a ton of regret but I enjoyed seeing a light turn on whenever he and Stacey were in the same room. Their coincidental meet-ups showed just how devoted he was to her no matter the whys of what she might have done to ease her pain and my admiration for Ivo increased with each turn of the page.

There are countless revelations, particularly in the last 25 percent that had my jaw dropping since they were a bit mind-blowing. My head was spinning but Karlson managed to make sense of it all for us and hope for a satisfying conclusion was still a possibility even with the way everything ultimately happened. It was such a subtle kind of build, I was completely caught off guard . And that's what I loved the most.

I truly enjoyed every moment of this story, a wonderful combination of unexpected/forbidden romance and the brutal extraction of the most excruciating kinds of memories. It is crafted in an addictive way and I will be honest and say that I had to put it down several times towards the end due to all the explosive truths.

But I'm beyond happy I continued on and have found another great author to follow. This book is a crazy-good page-turner and I happily give The Shrink 5 big stars!

Stacey Sinclair has experienced a great deal of trauma in her life. This leads her to engage in self-destructive behaviors, including failing her college courses. The department chair gives Stacey one more chance to turn things around. She must keep up with her classes and agree to see a counselor at the Student Wellness Center. Stacey is assigned to Dr. Ivo Linder, a psychologist, who is working through his own traumatic past.

This was my first Sophia Karlson book and now I’m a huge fan. There is a bit of a taboo subject here—a psychiatrist having a relationship with a patient. However, Karlson handles it in a really good way. Ivo does skate along an ethical line but he works really hard to help Stacey and maintain professionalism.
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Karlson gives us two deeply flawed and inherently likeable characters. You can’t help but root for them to heal each other.

One of my favorite books so far in 2020.

If you have read The Paris Apartment, you will have been introduced to Stacey Sinclair. As this is the first work I have read by this author, I have not but this did not impact my enjoyment of this story.

This story-it is wonderful and difficult at the same time. The subject matter is heavy and the author doesn’t shy away from the destructive actions people take in order to cope. As in real life, some things don't make sense. We are privy to Dr Ivo Linder stripping away layers from Stacey Sinclair, and as each layer is revealed, we join the main characters in an “aha” of understanding.
Both characters have suffered, both needing to heal and move forward in different ways. It's a hugely emotional read, with a Dr-patient taboo element. There were things I didn’t see coming-I was fully focused on the story in front of me, and hugely satisfied by the end of it.

I received a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley. My honest opinion is voluntarily provided.

This was a really good book. It’s very emotionally heavy and taboo with the counselor/patient relationship that crosses the line. But damn it was good.

Stacey is failing her college courses and always seems to be fighting herself and her problems by causing even more problems. She’s convinced to go to counseling and meets Dr Ivo Linden. He earns Stacey’s trust and helps her unpack what she’s gone through.

There’s attraction right away, but no unethical lines are crossed until later and even though I thought it would really bother me, it was easy to move beyond it. They start as counselor/patient and quickly move to a friendship of sorts. In the story it really works and I thought the friendship and romance were really sweet.

Ivo and Stacey have both been through so much and both are still working through those issues, but the love they feel is so beautiful.

This book does have some triggers as the two work through past trauma - including suicide and rape.

The more I read of Sophia Karlson the more I want. This book was amazing and so much more than I expected. It tackled some dark subjects but it was handled with so much compassion and empathy. Evo and Stacey are both struggling to move past losses that have almost destroyed them while fighting a connection that could destroy their futures. It was hard to read but impossible to put down and the end was truly worth it.

BEFORE:
I got this book from Netgally in exchange for an honest review. I don't know what I was thinking requesting this book from Netgally! I hate uneven power dynamics in romance. This book is about a client/therapist relationship...

Some other ARC readers thought this was a lovely book, so I am trying... I'm going to read the whole thing and promise to not be too judgy.

AFTER:
I did it! I read the whollllle thing. I never got over the client/therapist thing. I could NOT like this one. But the book did put up a fight.

That being said, it was not as cringy as I expected. The author did a lot of work to try and shift the dynamics of a much older therapist having a relationship with his highly traumatized younger client. A healthy suspension of disbelief is required.

The plot was a bit messy, with things constantly popping up as crazy new surprises, but I won't give any away. They were a little tiring for me.

I want to end on a positive note, so I'll say that Ivo Jenner is a very cool name! I just wish he'd been in her counseling group or the client right after her appointment or the secretary for the therapist... Literally anyone else!


#TheShrink #NetGalley

For lovers of James Patterson and Julia Roberts, this is a wonderful book.

I think it was artfully written with bold, vivid details. It's themes of hope and healing are not to be ignored. Lives this book.

The Shrink is an absolutely riveting beautiful story dealing extremely well with some dark subjects, so many heart stopping and heart breaking moments as the story evolves.
Stacey is failing at university missing lectures and exams, she has told she must see a counsellor as it is obvious for some reason she is not coping well, otherwise there will be no option but for her to leave with no qualifications at all.
Enter Psychiatrist Ivo who volunteers as a counsellor at the university, slowly he manages to have Stacey reveal her secrets and past and what a traumatic awful past it is. Ivo too has had a great tragedy in his life and has himself needed counselling. Gradually they realise they have a great depth of feelings for each other but know any relationship is taboo.
At its heart this is a beautiful love story with two characters that you are fully invested in and only want the very best for them. The subjects are dealt with extremely well.
I can’t praise this book enough, I want to restart it and read all over again, the ending was perfect, I would of loved an epilogue just to glimpse into their future but that’s just me not wanting it to end!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Well this sure wasn't exactly what I expected . I am still, about 4 days after finishing it, trying to decide how I feel. This is a story that has many ups but OH so many downs. This is a story that I can say is not a "feel good" story. If you have triggers of abuse, suicide & parental death then tread lightly with this one. There is a great underlying love story but man you have to get through the hard stuff to see it.
Stacey and Ivo, have an interesting dynamic and I was not sure how I felt at first about the doctor, patient thing but they do honestly try to fight their feelings. He is guanine in his bit to help Stacey and get her past the trauma's that keep here living in fear. Once Ivo, finds how how Stacey copes, he begins the process of keeping her close so she is safe. But in doing so , his need and feelings for her amplify.
This story is about overcoming your past trauma's to move on with your life and find that one thing that makes you incredibly happy. I do recommend this story but make sure you can handle the triggers.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. The Shrink is a beautiful love story. Ivo and Stacey are psychiatrist/student. This dynamic could easily be wrong but the author made it beautiful

This was a very interesting premise and it was also very emotional. It was hard to like Stacey at first but once her story was revealed she became so likable and I just wanted to give her a hug. Ivo was more complex. Their relationship move a little too quickly for me and I knew it was not going to be easy, but I have to say that I was a surprised by the twist. I really enjoyed this story.