This book was a big nope for me. First, I was actually intrigued and even glad to see a book in which dating violence/domestic violence are highlighted as a serious issue within the gay community, just as it is in the cis hetero community.

However, this book is problematic on sooooo many levels. Our hero falls in love with his neighbor, the victim of a physically, emotionally, and financially abusive relationship. By trying to bring Shane out of this dangerous, destructive nightmare, Jeremy is simply taking what he wants rather than helping someone in need. You just don't do that, and victims of years' long violence are NOT ready to become your love interest just because you helped them escape.

Moreover, I was not fond of the "ho-hum" depiction of multiple personality disorder. A) It's really rare, and B) it just isn't a plot point here. To claim that the abuser is an entirely different persona (complete with different style of dress and a different name) really minimizes the harm of both domestic violence and mental illness.

Finally, one of John/Coles/Vera's personality is a drag queen. Again, it really felt like that was minimizing a really interesting facet of the drag culture to have John slip into this persona and not even remember it later.

I might be reading way too much into this, and maybe it was supposed to be just a quick romance read. But it was too cringeworthy for me, and the writing was really flat. Not a fan.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

"WARNING: graphic violence, mentions of past sexual abuse - - TAGS: LGBTQIA+, MM romance, author, multiple personality disorder, brothers, murder"- The publisher's note.

Two men move in next door to Jeremy and the first meeting is where Shane is pushed down the stairs by John. The next day John doesn't remember ever meeting Jeremy which starts to show that John has the multiple personality disorder that is mentioned in the tags. Jeremy is instantly interested in Shane but Shane is in a relationship with John.

There are a lot of secrets and mysteries that would be interesting but it doesn't grab my interest at all. I don't have Multiple Personality Disorder and I don't know people who have it so I am really not sure about how well this was executed.

Rating
1⭐

Would I read it again:
Nope

Would I recommend it:
I am not sure really. Make sure you read the warnings and maybe an excerpt.

This had an enjoyable central couple but not enough development in that regard. The main mystery was engaging with several predictable plot twists and a solid resolution but overall the mystery wasnt strong enough and the romance part wasnt developed enough.

I'm not quite sure how I would classify this book. Is it a romance? A thriller? Romantic suspense? It's possibly actually all three, but it's also very different from anything I've read before. Right up until the very end I wasn't really sure how it was going to all pan out.
When Jeremy meets his new neighbours Shane and John, it's clear that there are plenty of secrets and problems surrounding them. As he discovers more about them he finds himself drawn further and further into their world. Can he really trust what he is told and learns about them?
Although there is romance here and it is that which drives Jeremy's connection to the two other men. The real heart of the story though is the life that John and Shane have been living for years. There are lots of twists and turns here. Although there are some elements that at least seem obvious from the beginning, there's still plenty to keep you guessing. I really don't want to say anything that might give away anything, so I'll leave this review here. I only really want to finish off by saying this is a gripping read that has you guessing right up until the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story had me on the edge of my seat. A love story but one with twist after twist and disguised as a thriller.
Highly recommended!!