I enjoyed the basic concept of this book but the execution left me wanting. The first half of the book set the scene in a deliberate manner and was a slow read until a critical event halfway through the book. The second half has a much quicker pace and a couple of twists, however I think it could have been more exciting. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advance cop in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine for the book #ClaireDarling by #CallieKazumi. This book is about desperation and lies and I read it in one sitting. Claire and Noah have been dating a year and are celebrating together. The next day she takes him lunch and he isn’t there. He won’t answer her and he doesn’t work where he said he was working. Claire is devastated and goes looking for answers. She is desperate not to be like her mother. Can she figure out what is going on and fix it?

This was a solid debut novel from Callie Kazumi (3.5, rounded up to 4). Claire, Darling was a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. I thought I had everything figured out, but I was happy when I realized that I did not. I'd enjoy a story about Claire's childhood or one from mother's POV.

Claire is finally happy. She has a job she loves, a fiancé she adores, and plans for a house an area she’s always dreamed of. But when one day she goes to deliver lunch to her fiancé and finds out he no longer works there Claire’s live starts to unravel. Nothing is how it seems and when she gets mixed up in a crime suddenly she is fighting for her freedom too.

This was a very enjoyable book to read with the story of how awful Claire’s mother was interwoven into the story of Claire’s adult life really gave a good idea to how Claire ended up the way she was.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Claire, Darling is so fast-paced you can practically feel the wind blow past you. You don’t know who to believe, what to believe, who is sincere, who is not as perfect as they seem on the surface. Yes, Claire is definitely weird, but who wouldn’t be with the childhood she had, the mother she had, the father she didn’t have, the treatment she received. She’s needy, insecure, can’t help the horrible memories of times with her mom from flooding back when she least expects them. But now she has new memories, good ones, and a new life with Noah. She can’t believe her luck. He’s perfect. If she had ever dared to dream and pray, he would be the answer to those dreams and prayers. But is he?

Noah is handsome, successful, dotes on Claire. Sure, he keeps parts of his life and himself secret, but he’s a busy young man on the way up. Claire knows nothing of that life and believes him when he says he has to attend late night meetings, go on frequent business trips. Why wouldn’t she? He treats her so well, gives her such thoughtful gifts – and now they’re engaged! Could life get any better?

Well, it could certainly get worse. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Noah ghosts her. Says he doesn’t know who she is, tells her to leave him alone. With the help of a friend from work she does some snooping and finds evidence of another relationship Noah is in, one that predates her time with him. How can this be, how can he betray her like this? Theirs is true love. They belong together. Claire’s determination leads to tragedy and the slow, painful, suspenseful unraveling of that great big ball of truth or lies.

Thrilling, gripping, stunning. You won’t be able to put it down and you’ll be confused and amazed and surprised and completely satisfied. Thanks to the Ballantine Bantam Dell | Penguin Random House Group for providing an advance copy of Claire, Darling via NetGalley. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.

This book was a weird ride. You were not sure who to fully trust, you did not know who was in the wrong, and you were not sure who to root for. Ultimately, I saw the majority of the plot twists coming, but was still fun.

Why is Claire's fiance Noah ghosting her? Claire is on a mission to find out why, all of a sudden, Noah seems to be avoiding her. This was a fantastic debut by Callie Kazumi! I was riveted throughout the book with the short chapters and diary entries. The twists were exceptional and I loved the wild ride the author took us on. I am excited to read what the author writes next.

This was a quick-paced psychological thriller about a girl whose fiancée ghosts her and she decides to take action to find out. As we dive deeper into the story, many details come to light. I was not surprised by the ending, but I still enjoyed learning about the character. This was a quick and easy read and would recommend if you enjoy an unreliable narrator.

I had mixed feelings about this book, but I’m glad I stuck it out! It was my first-ever ARC (thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for that), which made it exciting from the get-go. I really love a book with flashbacks or multiple perspectives, and Claire, Darling provided that in spades. The second half of the book was largely told through trial testimony, so while Claire was the only narrative voice, we got to see the perspectives of others through her eyes. Claire was a great unreliable narrator.

The main part of the book I didn’t like was the writing in the diary entries (and the sheer number of diary entries). The writing felt a little cheesy and left me thinking “does anyone REALLY write like that in their diary??” Ultimately, though, by the end of the book I started to appreciate the diary entries, because it becomes clear both why they are important and perhaps that what I initially assumed was poor writing was really done on purpose as a plot device.

The last thing I’ll add is that while I appreciated the final plot twist, I think it could have been made twistier and scarier. I didn’t feel as freaked out by it as expected, perhaps because I very much saw it coming

* ⭐️⭐️.75 🚫🌶️
* Received this as an eARC. Published on 3/11.
* Psychological thriller. Claire innocently goes to bring her fiancé lunch at work to find out he hasn’t worked there in months. And now he’s just gone.
* Goes in between Claire’s diary entries starting from when she first ment Noah and present day over a year later when she’s trying to figure out what happened and where Noah went.
* Claire’s mother was emotionally and physically abusive, she was horrible. Claire was the weird/odd kid in school and that bullying never left her
* The audacity that Noah has.
* The moral of this story is- guys aren’t sleuths or stealthy. Woman will find out where your fourteenth grandmother twice removed was born and what her favorite coat was. It still amazes me how men don’t understand that woman, especially if empowered by other women - will find anything they want out. We have FBI CIA and homeland security skills in our double X chromosomes.
* Love the UK words: trainers, loo, trackies (track outfit), the till
* Good twists

Bantam eARC
I should’ve listened to my gut when I wanted to DNF at 40%. I thought the first part was a bit slow, but I also wanted to know what happened. I was hoping for something fresh and new, and that’s not what I got here. I did like the second part and how the courtroom scene was set up. I was kept intrigued and engaged, and I was excited that I stuck with it because I was looking forward to a solid ending. But the ending was where I wanted to throw it across the room. Cannot stand the way the author chose to go with this. 😬

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
This is a wild ride through the darker corners of the heart!

Callie Kazumi makes a dazzling entrance into the literary world with her debut psychological thriller, "Claire, Darling," a gripping exploration of obsession, identity, and the aftermath of betrayal.

Meet Claire, a woman whose world comes crashing down when she discovers that her fiancé, Noah, is living a secret life. Seriously, what is wrong with these guys? 😒

At first glance, this story seems like a familiar tale of deceit, but don’t be fooled! It rapidly evolves into a psychological saga that dives deep into the complexities of human relationships. The clever back-and-forth between past and present reveals how our childhood experiences shape adult relationships. Kazumi balances pulse-pounding tension with psychological depth, captivating the reader.

Although the pacing was a bit slow at the start, I was absolutely hooked once it gained momentum! As a die-hard fan of thrillers, I did find some twists a tad predictable, yet I was completely invested in Claire’s journey of emotional turmoil. The ruthless ending was so brilliant that I couldn't resist bumping up my rating!

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that prioritize character development or revel in the complexities of past traumas intermingling with present-day dilemmas, you won't want to miss this book. Prepare yourself for a dark and twisted ride through love, obsession, and the lengths we’ll go to unveil the truth!

Thanks to the author and Ballantine/Random House for the ARC provided VIA NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

Claire is still on an emotional high after a perfect anniversary dinner with her too-good-to-be-true fiance ,Noah, when she decides to surprise him with a takeout lunch at work. To her dismay, the receptionist tells Claire that Noah doesn't work there anymore, and in fact, has not worked there in months. When Claire texts Noah to ask what's going on, he doesn't answer her texts and ignores her calls.

With Sukhi, her best friend from work, Claire takes a closer look at Noah, discovering he hasn't been as forthright as she believed. He has another girlfriend, the incredibly gorgeous Lilah with a seemingly perfect life in a wealthy neighborhood. As Claire mourns the life she thought she had, she realizes she is beginning to drink too much, like her emotionally and physically abusive mother did.

The dual timeline and unreliable narrator will keep the reader turning pages, eager to find out what happens with Claire and Noah. While other reviewers claim to have guessed the ending, I'm not as clever and was riveted by this psychological suspense novel. #ClaireDarling #NetGalley

SPOILERS AHEAD!

It was entertaining to live vicariously through the MC, when her fiancé mysteriously ghosts her and her actions afterward. I wish there was more buildup to her relationship with Noah because I had to draw on my experiences with exes to justify feelings and relating to her when their relationship seemed surface level… but in hindsight, that also makes sense. One moment that nagged at me was when the MC went to confront the girlfriend at her home and she invited her in, saying the situation was hard to explain, etc. If she knew that the MC was a stalker, why invite her in to begin with and have a civil conversation if this person clearly posed a threat? Some plot holes that left me wondering, but an entertaining, quick read.

This was an intense read with some relatable context that snowballed into a nightmarish obsession, it was very fast paced and intense.

2.5 Stars

I think the bones of this book are great; however, some of the execution needed work. Claire, Darling reminds me a lot of the French movie [ He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (hide spoiler)]. I could guess the main twist pretty early on but it was still enjoyable to read.

Claire is engaged to Noah, a seemingly perfect fiancé, until one day he stops answering her calls and is with a new girlfriend. Confused and enraged, Claire is determined to figure out what happened, but things begin to go off the rails the more she tries to find the truth.

We get a lot of flashbacks to Claire’s childhood, which I felt unnecessary as they didn’t really further the plot and could have been summed up in less than a chapter. I also wished the trial would have been more accurate to a real trial, as it felt informal and like a TV scene with the lawyers just yelling objections with no law as to why and shocking revelations which the defense would have known ahead of time. (Also, at one point the prosecutes rolled his eyes?!)

Overall, I enjoyed the much of the story as it was a quick and entertaining read.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was very good in that it kept my interest and I did breeze through it, but I was disappointed to have called the ending very early on in the story.

Claire, Darling by Callie Kazumi is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of family dynamics. With its vivid writing and intriguing premise, Kazumi crafts a story that balances mystery with introspection, keeping readers engaged while also offering moments of deep emotional reflection.

The novel centers around Claire, a woman at a crossroads in her life, who begins to unravel the mysteries of her past as she confronts both her own memories and those of her family. Set against the backdrop of her family’s estate, the novel delves into themes of inheritance, loss, and the complexities of familial relationships. As Claire’s story unfolds, Kazumi reveals layers of emotional depth, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to home, memory, and identity.

One of the novel's strengths is Kazumi’s ability to create rich, nuanced characters. Claire, in particular, is a protagonist who feels deeply real and relatable—her struggles with reconciling her past with her present are compelling, and her journey of self-discovery is handled with emotional authenticity. The supporting characters, too, are well-drawn and add complexity to the story.

The pacing of Claire, Darling is steady, though at times the narrative can feel a bit slow as the story takes its time to build toward its revelations. Some readers may find the plot's meandering nature occasionally distracting, but for others, this will only add to the contemplative tone of the book. Kazumi’s prose is beautiful and descriptive, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the setting, but it can sometimes lean toward the poetic, making the story feel a bit introspective at times.

The mystery element of the novel is also intriguing, and while some plot twists may be predictable, the way Kazumi reveals them feels satisfying. The culmination of the story’s emotional and narrative threads offers a resolution that feels earned and meaningful, even if it leaves a few lingering questions about the nature of memory and family.

In conclusion, Claire, Darling is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that captures the complexity of family relationships, the passage of time, and the ways in which we confront our past. Callie Kazumi’s thoughtful exploration of these themes, combined with her engaging writing, makes this a novel worth reading for fans of literary fiction that explores memory, identity, and emotional depth.

&& that ladies & gentlemen is how you do a debut novel ! 👏👏👏👏👏

This book completely hooked me & even though I kinda knew where this was going I still couldn't put it down . 🤯
This is why I don't talk to people. One small seemingly innocent interaction turns into a nightmare... 😐

I'm gonna leave my review at that cause I don't want to spoil this great read for anyone
I will add I love the layout of this book .. makes it very easy & quick to get through & also completely keeps you invested.

Thank you #NetGalley for another amazing arc . #ClaireDarling 🖤

Claire goes to drop off lunch at her fiancé Noah's work as a surprise for their anniversary. The surprise turns out to be for her, however, because when she gets there she is told he hasn't worked there in months. She tries calling & texting him, but he is ghosting her. She spirals, not knowing why he is doing this. Claire's best friend from work discovers a Facebook profile of his that shows him with another woman, living an entirely different life. He always told Claire he hated social media and had no social media accounts. She searches for his profile, but can't find it, because he has blocked her. Sukhi comes over and they go to the club that he was tagged as being at. She throws her engagement ring at him and storms out. Later, though, she has regrets.. Desperate to speak to Noah and convince him to return to their dream life, Claire plunges into a nightmarish journey of obsession that submerges her deeper into the murky waters of her own past—a past dominated by a manipulative mother who shattered her sense of self.

This book was really good. It is told in different parts: her life growing up with a domineering & abusive mother, the court proceedings, and then present day, as well as journal entries scattered all throughout that detail the story of her life with Noah among other things. I had no idea if Claire was an unreliable narrator or if Noah was a liar & a cheat, or if there was a middle ground somewhere between the two. All I knew for certain was that it was a fast paced, riveting train wreck that I could not put down. It was soap opera worthy. There was one final twist at the end that wrapped the book up perfectly. This is perfect for fans of Cross My Heart by Megan Collins and Single White Female by John Lutz. I highly recommend it!