I really liked the concept of introducing the presumed murderer right from the start and letting the rest of the book unravel whether he was wrongly accused—or wrongly acquitted. The added layer of mystery around whether Thomas’ wife, Rose, was even dead kept things intriguing. That said, I found the main character, Melissa, pretty frustrating and hard to connect with. Still, DeYoung did a great job building a solid lineup of believable alternative suspects, which kept me guessing. By the end, I had a good sense of who the killer was, but the exact sequence of events still surprised me.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! Everytime I thought I had things figured out, another twist threw me in a different direction! The characters were easy to relate to, which helped you stay engaged. By the end you cared about what was happening to the main characters. This brought on a whirlwind of emotions for me throughout the book.

As a single mom myself, the synopsis drew me in, and this was an overall solid thriller. However, the beginning moved a little slow for me, and I was able to guess the big twist (which typically is not the case for me). I definitely suspected multiple characters for a while, but the ending was a little too easy to figure out. I liked the pieces of court transcripts we get to see throughout, which dealt with Thomas's first wife's murder, and thought that added a little true crime aspect to the story. I truly appreciated that we got different forms of media throughout, like the audio from therapy and old diary entries.

I am really still trying to figure out how I feel about this one....While the plot line is super intriguing, the beginning moved terribly slow as their relationship budded super quickly (and oddly). I definitely figured out the twist in the story VERY early on! I'm really torn for my star rating because I didn't want to put this book down, however, I'm not completely obsessed?!

Stay Away From Him by Andrew DeYoung is about Melissa, a new in town single mom that’s escaped an abusive relationship that meets Thomas, a beloved pediatrician, at a dinner party. Thomas also happens to be a widow…..that’s been charged with his wife’s murder. Melissa isn’t apprised of this information initially. Without giving any spoilers away, just know that this story will keep you guessing until the end!

I felt immediately drawn to Melissa’s story as she navigated the challenges of starting over in a new city with her young son. I admired her strength in facing the emotional scars left by her divorce, and I could relate to her cautious approach to forming new relationships. I found myself equally intrigued and unsettled by Thomas’s character. I appreciated how the author portrayed him as both charming and mysterious, which kept me questioning his motives throughout the story. I couldn’t stop wondering whether Thomas was truly innocent or if Melissa was unknowingly falling into something dangerous. I loved how the story balanced emotional depth with suspenseful twists. I felt invested in Melissa’s struggle to protect her son while grappling with her own feelings. This gripping tale kept me guessing until the very end and left me questioning how well we can truly know someone.

I love a good thriller and this did not disappoint. I couldn't wait to find out if he was really "that guy" or not. You'll have to read to find out, and it's so worth it.

Overall, I thought this was a good read! I was hooked from the beginning. When I wasn’t reading, I was still thinking of the book.

There were a few “oh snap!” moments when something happened I did not expect. Every time a new character was introduced I immediately suspected they were guilty LOL!

The mixed in transcripts were fun, I really like those included. Felt like we were getting other point of view other than Melissa. The diary inserts from Rose were a nice touch too. At first, I didn’t see how they were tying in with the story. I was wrong, they really helped build the plot!

There were a few plot holes, where I was left what happened to some of the characters. What happened to Melissa’s ex? Derek, where did you go? What about Kelli’s family??

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

Thank you for the opportunity to advance read this incredible book, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press 🩷

I absolutely devoured this book!! The writing really pulled me in and the characters were likable and well developed. This was a story that kept me on my toes with the view points from Melissa (our FMC) and the snippets from Thomas (our MMC). I kept guessing plot lines and had my suspicions along the way- because who wouldn’t trust a pediatrician and doting father!?- but found that I had it all wrong…which I loved!! I enjoy books that aren’t predictable and keep you engaged and wanting more. This story did just that for me and has left me wanting to read more from this author!!

Stay away from him by Andrew DeYoung is a heart pounding thriller.

No one bothered telling Melissa that Thomas Danver was an accused murderer until she spend the whole night flirting with him. Thomas had been accused of killing his wife Rose Danver.

After a bad divorce Melissa Burke isntly looking for a new relationship. She meets someone at a dinner party, a charming widower named Thomas. Thomas's first wife went missing 3 years ago and is presumed dead.

This book is very twisty, just when you think you have figured out who did it, your problem wrong . It also has inserts of court transcripts of Ramsey county vs Thomas Danver from when he was accused of murdering his wife.

Thank you Andrew for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

You can find this thriller in stores July 8th 2025!

🔪 Multiple POVs
🔪 Diary Excerpts Throughout
🔪 Slow Burn
🔪 Unexpected Twist
🔪 Narcissistic Behaviors

This one was not one for me. Wildly slow, the diary excerpts were not at all compelling for me, and I was not satisfied with the major twist. Some of the pacing seemed a bit off kilter as well.

With that said, I felt there were no loose ends. Some of the earlier moments in the book, while at the time were minor, made a lot of sense at the end. I nearly DNF this one, but ultimately I gave this two stars because it had a good premise and it made me want to finish it.

Stay Away From Him by Andrew DeYoung is an upcoming new release that I received an Advanced Readers Copy ebook through NetGalley approved by Poisoned Pen Press 
*Release date is set for: July 8, 2025

After an abusive marriage, FMC Melissa moves to a new area to start over and escape her ex when she meets Thomas. On the surface, he is a perfect match, completely opposite of her ex-husband and everything she wants in a partner. When she discovers that 3 years ago, he was married and accused of causing his first wife's death after she was reported missing. A body was never found, with no trace of where she may have gone, and presumed dead, but he was never charged without evidence showing he was the cause of her disappearance. Melissa is torn on what to believe regarding a seemingly perfect man, or does she believe all the rumors and is he hiding a past that would paint him as the monster everyone believes him to be?

This story is told from multiple perspectives, using mixed media, current events, old diary entries, and therapy audio sessions. I enjoy having information derived from different sources as it makes for a more realistic experience. It's a short, quick read that kept my interest throughout. The instant love aspect was less believable, but who am I to judge love at first sight? It happens sometimes. I believe thriller fans will enjoy this book, especially between longer novels.  

Domestic thriller
Suspense
Multiple POV
Mixed Media
Red Herrings
Plot Twists

Thank you to: Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for this ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked right out the gate. Melissa’s just gone through a divorce and moves to a new town, ready for a reset. Things take a turn when she meets Thomas — a seemingly perfect pediatrician… whose wife mysteriously disappeared three years ago. Oh, and he was once a murder suspect. Casual, right?

As Melissa tries to figure out if she should trust him, someone starts warning her — literally — to stay away from him. But who’s behind the threats? And could Thomas actually be dangerous?

There were so many moments I wanted to jump into the book and stop her like, “Melissa, nooo!”

I flew through this — it’s fast-paced, addictive, and that ending twist? I’m still thinking about it.

Huge thanks to @poisonedpenpress and @netgalley for the e-ARC!

I really enjoyed the beginning of this story and I also enjoyed everything that happened at the end. I’m just not sure if I love them together. It felt a little disjointed for me somehow and I can’t pinpoint why. I loved how we got to learn more about Rose via the diary entries. That definitely added more depth to the surrounding cast of characters. The pacing was pretty solid. There were no real lulls in the action.

I enjoyed this book 4/5 stars.. Each chapter always ended where I had to read the next. I couldn’t wait to get to the transcripts or the journal entries to try and figure out who done it. I had it figured out by about half way through. Still a good read though.

Domestic thrillers are my absolute favorite guilty pleasure. I am able to stop trying to figure it out and just go along for the ride. This new to me author is one I need more books by stat. This book not only has an amazing cover, but the story was quite twisted and will keep readers up late into the night wanting to read one more chapter. Thank you so much for my early copy!

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to read this book before its release date. My first ARC read. I enjoyed the way the story was told from therapy sessions and journal entries. This all tied the story together perfectly.

Each character had something about them and my judgement of them changed throughout the story.

I don’t want to spoil it for anyone still to read but the story follows Melissa, recently divorced who’s moved to a new city with her son. She meets Thomas a charming man, but his past soon comes to light.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t know if I wanted to hug Melissa or shake some sense into her. The author wrote the characters to be likable and unlikable at the same time and that is my favorite type of psychological thriller. This is one to add to your TBR!

Explosive and riddled with suspense, the psychological thriller Stay Away from Him is a masterpiece in written form. When Melissa meets the handsome Dr. Thomas Danver, he’s everything she could hope for. Recovering from a rather messy divorce, Melissa is immediately charmed by how different Thomas is from Caleb. Thomas is charming and confident and, most importantly, good to Bradley, her eight-year-old son, whereas Caleb is abusive and cruel to both Bradley and her. Soon, however, terrible rumors about Thomas and his connection to his wife’s death reach Melissa. But Melissa sees Thomas for who he is– a wonderful father and devoted husband. Besides, Rose is only presumed dead. Happy that she can finally move on with her life she decides to make their relationship official. But some things niggle at her. Why did he take so long to report Rose missing? And his alibi… even the townspeople are divided on that. Also, his obsessive behavior towards her is a little disconcerting. But then again, he’s been without a partner for close to three years and the other things could easily be explained away, hence why he is still a free man. Melissa is determined to make this work, for her and for Bradley; he deserves a good male role model after everything he’d been through. But when Melissa receives a warning concerning Thomas, she’s not so sure anymore. And even she has to admit that his alibi does sound a bit shaky...

Intense and disturbing, Stay Away from Him is a book that was impossible to put down. Andrew De Young is an expert in his field; I was hooked from start to finish. Each cliffhanger was insane and I awaited each inevitable explosion eagerly. The plot was perfectly executed, and the red herrings were well-placed; I was kept on my toes throughout the story. Andrew is adept at creating a solid connection between the reader and his characters; Melissa’s struggles and doubts became mine; her fears, her concerns, they were all mine. The storyline was suspenseful and fantastic, with a cleverly written plot that was riddled with twists that tied together perfectly. I stared open-mouthed every time a new revelation was made. The characters were normal people on the surface but with inner anguish that spilled over, which at times proved fatal. If unchecked, psychological issues could wreak serious havoc, and Stay Away From Him expresses this fact. I enjoyed the dark and somber Stay Away From Him immensely. Andrew offers his readers a mind-whirring experience, and I can’t wait to start on my next Andrew De Young read.

When Melissa crosses paths with Thomas, a charming pediatrician, at a dinner party, she can't help but feel intrigued by him. As their connection deepens, she learns that Thomas' wife vanished three years ago under mysterious circumstances and was presumed dead. Though Thomas was once the prime suspect, he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. Caught up in a whirlwind romance, Melissa begins to receive anonymous threats that leave her questioning whether Thomas is truly as innocent as he appears.- Get ready for this wild ride!

Get ready for a wild ride—Stay Away From Him will have you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning. You won’t be able to predict where this story is going, and just when you think you've figured it out, the twists keep coming. Andrew Deyoung truly knows how to weave a story that will have you second-guessing everything. And for those who, like me, love multiple POV’s, this book delivers in spades. The way it shifts between past and present is masterfully done, keeping you hooked. I especially enjoyed the diary entries and therapist transcripts—they added such a powerful layer to the unfolding drama and built the suspense leading to that jaw-dropping ending. Trust me, you won't see it coming. This is one gripping mystery/thriller you won’t want to miss this July. It’s a total page-turner that will leave you breathless.

This is one gripping mystery/thriller you won’t want to miss this July. It’s a total page-turner that will leave you breathless. Highly recommended!

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for this eARC!