This was my first book by Jesse Q Sutanto, and I definitely will read her next novel. I really enjoyed this fast-paced YA thriller because who doesn't like a thriller that takes place at a boarding school!?! The novel is told from both Delilah and Logan's perspectives, which I really enjoyed because each character had a very distinct voice. Upon first meeting Logan, I was definitely getting the creeper vibes as I read about him lamenting his last "girlfriend"s death. He then sees Dees and transfers his creep vibes to her, and begins to obsess over her. On one of his stalking sessions, he sees something that gives him leverage over Dee, and this really transforms their relationship. Dee is a strong female character who does not realize her own intelligence and creativity when the novel first begins, but that changes as we continue reading. When Dee decides that she will end "her relationship" with Logan, she will go to great lengths to make sure it is over. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes Holly Jackson or Karen M McManus.


The Obsession (The Obsession, #1)
by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Goodreads Author)

Hey, Hey Jesse Q. Sutanto! I will give you 4 out of 5 birds for The Obsession! I received this book as an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. I was stoked to read this book, I'm super into stalkers right now, I mean I wouldn't be too mad if I had one, just kidding. That would be creepy as hell. This book sucked me right in. It's so easy to find yourself asking the question, WHY DON'T THEY JUST GET OUT. But that's the whole point, people who are being abused in any way don't think there is a way out. I got some major Netflix YOU vibes. I've been watching it at the same time as reading The Obsession so I did see some overlap. I had bittersweet feelings towards the book moving too fast and not moving fast enough? I don't know if that makes sense, but read it and let me know. I definitely recommend this one!

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Thank you Sourcebooks for sending me an arc of The Obsession by Jesse Q Sutanto. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Firstly, let's start by saying that this book was everything I wanted it to be and everything I had no idea it could be. As someone who has seen every episode of You (based on the books by Caroline Kepnes), I was so ensconced by the premise and read this book in one sitting. The Obsession follows Logan, the school star with a delusional and grief fuelled obsession with Delilah, a quiet girl dealing with the loss of her father and hopes of escaping her mother's abusive boyfriend, Brandon. When Logan sees Delilah kill Brandon, he becomes more determined to protect her from the world, even if it means hurting her to do it. As Delilah grasps onto her morals she learns that maybe to escape the twisted fantasy role she was cast in, she has to be just as twisted to match.

Know, if you know me you know that Sourcebooks is one of my favourite publishers and their authors are genuinely so talented at pulling you in and making you never want to let go. I really did enjoy this book, the fact that it was told in dual perspectives made it so much better in my opinion because you really could see every subconscious and conscious things that were done and the justifications that characters made for the actions in such a realistic way.

The only issue I had with it was that I feel like there were a few plot points that could've been so much more in-depth and deepened but were glazed over or just added in to complete the book as a standalone. The characters and plot have a serious trilogy or duology potential and there were a few parts I just thought "I need answers!! I need backstory!! I need more!!" I guess that just might be my forever curse as a bookish nerd that I just wanted to read more and have the details and relationships of the plots and characters explained and pushed more.

The writing was captivating and at some points, I genuinely was worried at how well Sutanto got into the mind of so many different mentalities (many very difficult, obsessive, and emotionally scarred) so well... some would say... too well? Any secrets you're hiding within the book hmmm? Kidding, of course, overall a great book, definitely setting a good tone to starting off 2021, and can't wait to hype it up when it officially releases!

Be prepared for confusion.

If you are going into this read for scares and stalking, you may be disappointed. If you are going into expecting a really ironic take on the overused trope of the obsessed lover, you are going to really appreciate this book.

There are way too many books that glamorize the completely infatuated guy who is just absolutely possessed with some girl. Women read these titles thinking it would be a dream relationship. It would be impossible to count the books where some girl is forced to date or marry some guy against her will. But he's good and kind and will "wait" until she is ready.

He loves her. He must protect. No one can love her like he can. He needs her. She needs him. And people read these books like that is romance. Like that is healthy. It is not. The actual term for this type of relationship is "coercive control". It is a insidious form of abuse.

This book turns the idea of the abused, vulnerable girl on its head. Definitely worth a read.

This is something I really like about Sourcefire Books. They keep putting out works that will leave you thinking and often a bit shocked. Keep it coming.

I was given an early release copy of this book from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was your typical stalker story that I was expecting. I didn't get that much excitement out of this book and felt like it was just like any other sort of "Stalker" book. Boy meets a girl, he becomes obsessed with her and stalks her, learns every single thing about her, you name it and of course the girl finds out she has a stalker. She freaks out, tries to get him to leave. He tries to blackmail her on what she did. in order to try keeping her She tries to get revenge on him. The ending was terrible. Wishing this book could have been better.

The story kept me reading because I really wanted to see the main character succeed. I will say, that as someone who has suffered abuse in a relationship, it was triggering to read this book. The main character surprised me with her strength and some of her risky decisions but I was happy with the ending.

"The Obsession" by Jesse Q Sutanto is a Young Adult Thriller that will definitely keep any reader at the edge of their seat.

Despite being a teenager, Delilah has already experienced her fair share of trauma in her life, and when she finds Logan, one of the hottest guys at her new school, is interested in HER, she is immediately swooned. But when she finds out that his interest may be more of an obsession, she has to get out of his net of lies and manipulation.

What I really liked about this book is that Delilah is a strong, mindful main character, meaning that she knows what she wants and how to get it - even if she has to do things that are not completely legal.
Also the twists and turns in this book were phenomenal, sometimes a bit predictable, but still very suspenseful.

What I didn't really like is that the book could send the message that you can only escape abusive relationships by killing others, which is not true. I would have loved for Delilah to seek help from other sources and make the abusers pay for their actions in a more realistic way, but from a crime reader's point of view the story made for a great YA suspense novel.

This book was an exciting thriller. I enjoyed that it was similar to the show and book You, but Delilah was badass. I think this change in the story was really refreshing. Delilah is her own person, and, after a long time of abuse from Brandon- she isn’t going to take it from Logan. She’s determined to get out of both situations and go to college without a mark on her record. There is this underlying plot of a drug ring occurring in the school they go to, but, other than its role in the ending I found this to be a little distracting. I understand the role it played in the overall plot, but I don’t think it was necessary to get this done.

There were just small pieces of information fed to us throughout this story that piqued my interest, but, nothing came of them. This alone is why this book was not a 5-star read. I wanted more information about these tidbits and wasn’t given them. It felt unnecessary in the end.

What even?!

To be honest, I am not sure how to put my emotions into words. I thought I knew what this book would entail before reading but I was completely wrong and surprised by everything! It is just mind boggling.

I went into the book thinking I would read a bit here and there, finishing it in a couple of days. I finished it in one sitting. It was so easy to get pulled into this plot and the characters, especially because there are dual point-of-views. Yes, the stalker himself gets his own. I haven’t read a book like this before but I know of a couple that are out there. I did like it though!

Delilah has had a rough year. Life at home isn’t the easiest and then one day her luck finally changes, at least she thinks it did. She tries her best to get through it all but sometimes, enough is enough. It was interesting to see how the author developed her and where she went with it, I wasn’t expecting. I never disliked her and it was easy to connect with her character but on some level I was questioning her actions. Although, when people are backed against a wall they must find a way to survive.

Before we are introduced to Delilah, Logan enters he scene. He also hasn’t had a great last year but for different reasons. We learn about what makes him tick and what his mother has caught him doing before Delilah enters his life. It’s weird to read about a guy like him and at times it can definitely be too much for my soul but even then, I just couldn’t help but feel bad at times for him. I know that seems crazy but I don’t know! I guess he got into my brain too.

There were quite a few plot twists and I just weren’t expecting them. They seem to come out of nowhere but make the plot that much more intriguing. The ending really takes the cake though! It is was of the most intense endings I have ever read and although it seemed rushed and open-ended, I’m happy to see on Goodreads that there will be a second book. *fingers crossed* I would seriously take it now!

Overall, this was some book and I know it’s one that I won’t easily forget!

The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a suspense novel about a twisted high school romance. The story is told in alternating chapters, by Logan and Delilah, almost like the book is laughing at the YA romance style.

Logan gets a little too obsessed with the girls he's interested in, starting with social media stalking and ending with... well, it makes a detailed Instagram investigation seem innocent. Logan is completely convinced that all the stalking and manipulation is romance, but he keeps hinting at a deeply disturbing relationship with his former crush. This is the good kind of unreliable narrator in a thriller, because he recounts completely messed-up activities, while certain that he's the one in the right and Delilah will come around, not the annoying kind of unreliable narrator where the big reveal is "oh, that guy was just lying the whole time. TWIST!" 

Logan's creepy stalking, I mean, his pure undying love for Delilah gets him evidence of her doing something very, very illegal.  It's our first sign that sweet Delilah might have her own secrets and motivations, and sets the rest of the suspense and revenge in motion. I loved how this story used some of the familiar YA moments (Logan coming to meet Delilah after her part-time library job, for example, or driving her to school) to make a twisted, manipulative relationship, and develop the page-turning cat-and-mouse suspense.

Oh, and Delilah's dad was from Singapore, so in the middle of all the obsession, stalking, murder and vengeance, there's still time to talk about delicious Singaporean foods.

Prepare for The Obsession to be your, well, 2021 obsession. I was certainly obsessed and on the edge of my seat throughout the entirety of my reading experience. This was one twisty, cleverly plotted YA thriller. A dash of You mixed with a dose of One of Us is Lying and maybe just a hint of Pretty Little Liars and viola. An excellently crafted novel that will both creep you out and have you flipping the pages at a frantic pace because it’s just that compelling. The writing was vivid and fast paced, and there was never a lag or a dull moment to be found.

The story is told in dual narrative, from the POVs of two characters named Logan and Delilah.

Logan is the YA version of Joe Goldberg, and upon first glance and before really diving into the story, it seems that he is the one with the dark, psychotic side due to his intense obsession with Delilah. But. Delilah has a dark side of her own, and so we are given a deliciously dark story from the POV of not one but two morally gray, messed up characters, with secrets and definite issues.

This is a cat and mouse story of addiction, obsession, secrets, and so much more. It’s dark, dirty, twisty, and a thrilling ride from start to finish.

I don’t want to say too much more because I don’t want to give anything away, and I feel this book is so much more fun to dive into a bit blindly. So prepare to jump and enjoy the fantastically dark but fun ride!

I was so glad to get to read an ARC of The Obsession and it did not disappoint.
In fact, I loved everything about this book:
- The “You” and “One of Us is Lying” vibes
- The fast pace
- The vivid writing
- All the twists, which I didn’t see coming
- The badass female main character

All perfect elements of a thrilling page-turner.

It looks like there will be a sequel and I’m very curious to see where the story goes. In any case, I can’t wait to read more by Jesse Q Sutanto.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks and the author for the ARC.

4.5 stars

This book is compared to the TV show "You" and I agree completely as it gave me those vibes so many times. If you're looking to read YA version of You (with differences, of course) then pick this up. I wasn't disappointed as I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked immediately and I couldn't stop reading until I knew how it would end.

The Obsession is about a boy named Logan meeting a girl named Delilah. He is immediately in love with this new girl who looks like a copy of his ex-girlfriend Sophie. However, we learn that Sophie died a while ago. It was said to be a suicide but as a reader, you kind of have to suspect Logan because of his stalkerish ways. Delilah is a pretty shy girl who changed after her father died in an accident and soon after that, her mother found a new boyfriend who isn't as nice as he seemed to be (to say the least!) He's an abusive asshole and I couldn't wait to see how he would die because there was no way a character like that would survive. I was very happy to see him gone... (this is not a spoiler as it's written in the synopsis of the book but it's all I'm going to say about the plot of this book).

Overall, this was an addictive and compelling read. I read it in one-go and I have no idea what the author is planning for book two because this could have been a standalone with that ending. I'm hoping the sequel is going to be just as good and won't disappoint... (view spoiler)

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

I thoroughly enjoyed the dual POV narration of this novel. I do like unreliable narrators, and found it refreshing to have 2 in one book! Logan is clearly very unstable, and quite frankly needs professional help, but is highly intelligent (sociopathic?) and manages to convince the school counsellor that he is in fact A-OK... not. Delilah is also dealing with her own issues, namely the death of her father and the abuse inflicted upon herself and her mother by her mother's boyfriend.
I did feel, however, that the ending in particular was a bit rushed - I would have liked to have seen how Delilah coped with her actions later on - is this possibly the laying of the foundation for a sequel?

This was a wild ride of a book! It is super fast-paced and really grips you from the start. It did get a little uneven in pacing in the middle, but brings it back in the end! I loved that there were so many layers and unknowns to each character. When Delilah showed her true self, she was unstoppable.

I think this will be a great read for anyone who likes thrillers, psychological dramas, and morally grey characters!

Okay seriously I can't even.

I can't even.

OMG what did I just read? A whole bunch of awesome that's what.

Our boy Logan here, can get any girl he wants. Or so everyone thinks. No one realizes that Logan is a little, well...

Our girl Delilah though, she knows. She knows because Logan has his gaze fixed on her. And he's not going to get her go.

Not unless she makes him.

I really can't give anything away because I don't want to ruin the book but let me just say that it is so much friggin fun. Logan is IN LOVE. No, YOU don't understand. It's the most amazing love ever. What girl couldn't possibly want to be loved like this? Oh, she just doesn't udnerstand. Well, good thing Logan is SO undertanding. And patient. And wonderful. (all of this in sarcastic voice.)

And Delilah, she is no damsel in distress. She is taking matters into her own hands and even when good girls are backed up against the wall, they bite and scratch their way out. Maybe even kill?

It's a game of cat and mouse but which is which? I love how Delilah and Logan both have POV. You can really hear the intensity of each voice, really feel their frustrations and helplessness as the plot reaches a high pitched climax that no one expected.

I ate this book up in two days. I could not put it down. Even now, I'm thinking of it. I want to gift it to people because it is so much fun and exciting. It's You for YA. And that is not a bad thing. Honestly, this book was so unique and refreshing. I love how different it was. Creepy and uneasy and fantastically dark and dirty.

Bravo.

I didn’t love this one but I also didn’t hate it. It gave me you vibes but I didn’t love it. I wish I had. I found myself a little disappointed. I finally understand that thrillers just aren’t for me.

“You” meets “Pretty Little Liars” with a hint of “Killing Eve”. Fun & fast paced, with a good payoff at the end!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not going to lie: this book wasn't for me. I thought it would be a YA YOU but it was anything but. The premise itself sounded interesting but the execution wasn't well-done nor did I feel enough motivation for the female lead's action. There is also backstory missing from the male counterpart - there is mention of Sophie but not enough to give the reader a satisfying reading. Furthermore, the ending itself felt a little too neat and the stakes didn't feel high enough.

On a character level: I didn't feel the characters were fully fledged out not did we see much interference from their friends which is something you would expect. Furthermore, the male counterparts parents are non-existent which is odd considering the fact that he was constantly under supervision from his friends. I also thought there would have been more supervision from the school.

Jesse Sutanto has solidified me as a faithful reader of her thrilling, character- driven novels, and I eagerly await THE OBSESSION #2.
I read this YOU meets GOSSIP GIRL hit in one day, and I can see it becoming a fan-favorite- dare I say obsession.

Thank you for the ARC!