Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi is a psychological thriller that delves into the depths of obsession and the haunting shadows of the past. As a debut novel, Kazumi showcases a talent for crafting a narrative that is suspenseful and emotionally charged.

The story follows Claire, who, after being ghosted by her fiancé Noah, discovers that he has been living a double life. This revelation sends her spiraling into a desperate quest for answers, leading her down a path of obsession and self-discovery. The plot is intricately woven, with each twist and turn revealing more about Claire’s troubled past and her manipulative mother, who has left deep scars on her psyche.

Kazumi’s writing is evocative and immersive, drawing readers into Claire’s turbulent world. The pacing is well-executed, maintaining a steady build-up of tension that keeps readers captivated. The psychological depth of the characters, particularly Claire, is a standout feature. Her journey from a state of confusion and desperation to one of self-realization and empowerment is compelling.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the narrative can feel a bit predictable, with certain plot points being telegraphed early on. Additionally, some secondary characters lack the same depth and development as Claire, which can make their actions and motivations seem less believable. Also, I found Claire's lack of worth and identity (other than her constant self degradation) to be frustrating and personally depressing.

Despite these minor shortcomings, Claire, Darling is a strong debut that promises great things from Callie Kazumi. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths one will go to for love and the haunting power of the past.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4
Publication date March 11, 2025

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending this eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The day after their one year anniversary, Claire decides to surprise her boyfriend Noah, by bringing him lunch at work. When she arrives, she is told he no longer works there. Her calls go to voicemail, her texts are unanswered. Her only friend Sukhi is witness to this, and decides to help her track him down. What they discover is lies, but who is actually the one lying?

This was a twisty, fast read. Somewhat predicatble, but unpredictable enough to keep you interested.

This book kept me up at night since I had such a hard time putting it down! I really enjoyed this book. The plot, the characters and the twists were great. I did see the big twist coming, but it didn’t bother me that I figured it out.

The story bounces between the past and the present life of the MC Claire’s life. I think it was done very well and it was very easy to follow.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This is described as a thriller, but it’s not, although it has some twists that initially were head-scratch inducing. My main issue with this novel is that I didn’t like Claire, even with her mentally ill mother and her fiancé that ghosts her entirely after their one-year anniversary. I just never had empathy for her.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this book, which RELEASES MARCH 11, 2025.

Claire, Darling by Callie Kizumi is an intensely bingeable book. In fact, I stayed up late last night to finish it but I’m not regretting it at all. While I felt there were parts that were predictable, I really enjoyed the flow of the story and how we got to experience Claire’s past. This actually reminded me a lot of Strange Sally Diamond. Claire is a multilayered, complex character, one who will stick with me for a while.

This was a fast moving book but a hard book for me to read. Half of the book was told in present time as a woman finds out her fiance has a whole separate life. In between were chapters of her relationship with her abusive, shaming, manipulative mother and some about her being bullied. that was hard to read and gave me some more empathy for what she was going through, but for me that could be done in a chapter or two not as much time that was devoted to it. I had some theories about how the author would resolve the issues and the death of his other lover.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.

I requested this ARC thinking it just sounded like an interesting plot. What I got was a wild journey.

It twists between present and past, but in a seamless way. Each past moment gives context to the present. Having experienced the same past as our protagonist, this book really was visceral.

This is one of those rare times where I had figured out what was happening early, but it didn't detract from the story AT ALL. The twist was so much deeper and convoluted than I could've ever seen coming.

Overall, I highly, highly recommend this book. It doesn't come out until March 2025, so thank you for the opportunity to read it early!

I liked the way this one started, but at the point where things took their first turn (which is pretty early on) it started to feel like several books and/or movies I've seen before. That's not necessarily a problem for me, but it did affect my interest level.

The ongoing incorporation of flashbacks to Claire and her mother, which worked well to establish the dysfunctional nature of their relationship, as well as the diary entries, started feeling really repetitive after a while though, and this combined with the feeling that I've been here before, became a problem for me at about the 50% mark. I'll be honest, from there I skimmed because I wanted to see how it was all going to be tied together, as I had seen several other reviews talking about the shocks at the end.

It wound up working basically the way I expected it to, and while I liked the very end, again this was a twist that has been done before also... If you don't read or watch a lot of this type of story, you would probably enjoy it more than I did. There's nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing innovative or new either.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this e-arc. As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it. And, it did not disappoint. A twisty fast paced read, I wanted to devour the story as quickly as possible to get to the reveal. Great book. I will definitely be recommending it!

4.5 stars, rounded up. Loved the short, quick chapters, it really kept the plot fast and kept me wanting to read more and more. At several points I felt like I knew the story, but at no point did I feel like I knew enough to stop reading. Great ending!

Claire visits her fiance's work to bring him lunch one day with a coworker, only to discover he doesn't work there anymore and hasn't for months. Claire tries calling him repeatedly and texting him with no response. To make matters worse, he stops coming home as well. Claire becomes desparate and is able to track her fiance (Noah) down. She discovers he has a second life with a beautiful girlfriend. Desperate and hearbroken, she tries to uncover how her life fell apart in the blink of an eye.

I was really struggling with what to rate this book. I really loved (loved is a strong word) the way the relationship interacts with Claire's mother from the past, giving me insight as to why she's the way she is now. I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. I would have probably enjoyed it more as a "weird girl book" that focused a little more on Claire's mind and traumatic past than a thriller book. It did keep me guessing, but ultimately, what I predicted from the beginning is what the "twist" ended up being. Too predictable for a thriller but fun for an unhinged woman main character book. 

But I digress; this was a fun read, and I enjoyed the writing style. 

Thank you Callie Kazumi, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Extreme Mommy issues AND she’s been ghosted by her fiancé?! Yeah, Claire is going through it 😩

This quick read is told in the POV of our FMC, Claire. The story begins innocently enough then descends into an obsession. With a layered timeline that includes diary entries and flashbacks to her childhood you’re in for ride.

This was done so incredibly well and I really wasn’t ready for the reveal because how?!?

I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what else Callie comes out with next!

In one moment, Claire's life has been turned upside down. She took lunch to her fiancé only to be told that he doesn't work for the company. He's not returning her calls or texts, he doesn't return to their shared apartment, and she's reeling from the shock of the whole thing. What happened? Why did he leave her? It's the structure of this thriller that made it work so well for me. We only know what Claire knows, when she knows it. There are a few brief scenes from her childhood and diary entries from the early days of her relationship with Noah, but the plot goes in a straight line from beginning to end and I kept trying to make sense of it. The pieces just weren't fitting together no matter how badly I wanted them to. I genuinely liked Claire as a character and wanted her to be okay, but I couldn't see how that was going to be possible. I love this one from beginning to end.

This book was phenomenal! I was so invested as soon as I started reading that I actually called into work "sick" just to be able to finish it. I would highly recommend!

Wow! I am not usually at a loss for words, but I am after finishing my first Callie Kazumi book. I definitely felt so many emotions while reading Claire's story.

I can’t wait to see what Callie Kazumi comes up with its next!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

This was a fun read! It was fast-paced and I appreciated that it was true to the psychological thriller genre. The epilogue was the perfect way to drive the plot home. I will say it was a bit predictable for someone like me who almost exclusively reads thrillers. But I think it would be really fun for someone who is new to the genre. 3.5 ⭐️s rounded up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an ARC of this novel.

I have to admit this had everything I’m looking for in a mystery/thriller and I’m not saying what that entails because it would be giving too much away. Highly recommended.

i was hooked from the first page. i did not expect it to go in the direction it did but whoooo it was a wild ride! i loved this! it was such a quick read!

Breakups can be messy…
Claire found the man of her dreams in Noah. She’s anxious to get married and start the family she always dreamed of.
But while dropping off lunch for Noah at work she’s stunned when the receptionist informs her he no longer works there. Huh? He never mentioned changing jobs.

Now to add to the confusion, Noah doesn’t answer Claire’s calls…or reply to any of her texts. In essence, she has been ghosted!
But Claire isn’t going quietly into the night! She wants answers. No, she demands an explanation!

Careful what you ask for Claire, are you prepared for the answer? I didn’t think so!

Absolutely loved the premise. I wanted an explanation for Noah’s actions as much as Claire did! I recommend going into this book as blind as possible. The blurb gives away far too much detail.

Congrats Callie Kazumi on a great debut!
I’ll be watching to see what this author has in store for us next.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley

A captivating psychological thriller. Kept me wanting more every page. Loved the concept of this book. Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam and NetGalley!