Thomas has it all... good looks, charm, a successful career as a doctor, two beautiful daughters and a dead wife he may or may not have been accused of killing. So when he charms Melissa and asks her out she has a lot to weigh. Naturally, she is going to make all of the all wrong choices every single chance she gets for both herself and her son, Bradley.

This is juicy and gritty and produced more surprises than expected. I was very pleasantly surprised!

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
After a difficult divorce, Melissa Burke moves to a new city with her young son, seeking solace and a fresh start away from her ex-husband. She’s not in the market for a new romance; her focus is on healing and finding peace. However, her plans take an unexpected turn at a dinner party hosted by a friend, where she meets Thomas Danver, a charismatic widower who expresses interest in her by asking for her phone number. As she gets to know him through her neighbors, she discovers that Thomas is not only a devoted father to two daughters but also a well-respected pediatrician with a controversial past—he was once accused of murdering his first wife, who vanished three years ago.
The case surrounding Thomas's ex-wife captivated the local media, leading to a mix of opinions about his innocence. While some still suspect him of foul play, Melissa's friends defend him, claiming he was wrongfully accused and is incapable of violence. Drawn to Thomas and intrigued by his story, Melissa agrees to go on a date, which quickly evolves into an intense romance. However, when she receives a disturbing anonymous message that raises doubts about Thomas's past, she finds herself grappling with the unsettling question of whether she truly knows the man she is falling for.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story and plot were captivating. It seemed like everyone was a suspect! The use of multiple perspectives, such as diary entries and therapy sessions, really enhanced the experience. The main character's behavior made him appear guilty from the outset, as he had this overconfident and condescending attitude. I was completely in the dark about the killer's identity throughout the book, and the reveal was a shock! I would certainly recommend this book when it hits the shelves.

Thank you @Netgalley and @Poisonedpenpress for allowing me to review this ARC.

2⭐️ I slept on this rating since I tend to feel bad when I rate a book so poorly but when I woke up, I realized there are just way too many things I didn’t love about this book and it accurately sums up my feelings.

This book has a great premise, it’s about Melissa, she’s new in town with her 5 year old son, running away from an abusive ex-husband and meets a dreamy doctor and it’s pretty much insta-love. Except this perfect doctor, Thomas, was accused to killing his wife (presumed dead, still missing) and charges were dropped. Is she in danger? Did he do it or was it someone else and she’s determined to clear his name with her own investigation. Sounded so fun to me and I was very excited to dig it.

It immediately hooked me in and starts off strong but unfortunately the wheels come off pretty fast. I did not like any of these characters, especially the fmc Melissa. Her motivations, thoughts and decisions came off so desperate, weak and idiotic for someone who has a child. I am already on the fence when I read romance books with tropes including instalove and this takes instalove to a whole new level. They are talking insane levels of relationship seriousness after meeting 24 hours prior. It was cringy and eye rolling. It just got worse and worse with the instalove as it went along.

Holy plot holes, I am left wondering if I miss read something about a couple of the characters, as I’d really like to know what happened with them and their storylines. Hopefully I am misremembering, which also isn’t good if it didn’t stay with me.

I also like my thrillers to have a good twist and this one is not my favorite, I guessed exactly what was happening about 50% through and that always makes me super sad. I just didn’t like this one and how it kinda went off the rails at the end.

For some positives, I really liked the mixed media chapters. You get some past transcripts between Thomas and his therapist best friend and you get past journal entries from Rose, Thomas’ presumed dead ex-wife. That was cool, I liked those chapters best and really upped the ante in terms of story.

Overall, I did not enjoy this read mainly because of the weird love story. If it was toned down a lot, I don’t think I would have had such big issues with it. It just wasn’t believe at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was great! Kept me guessing the whole time. Definitely did NOT see that final twist!! A very well written thriller that I will absolutely be recommending and maybe even read again!

For fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena & Freida McFadden, i would definitely recommend Stay Away from Him.

I was hooked from the very first page and just *had* to figure out who the murderer was. I honestly was not set on my suspicion until it was confirmed which is a testament to DeYoung's writing. This book kept me on the edge of my toes and wanting even more. All loose ends were tied up (one of my pet peeves!!) and the twist was perfectly executed.

I. Ate. This. Book. Up. 👏
This book is told from Melissa’s POV, a single mom who recently moved to a new area due to a scary/rough marriage. At a dinner party she instantly connects with a local hunky doctor who sweeps her off her feet and earns her son’s trust from the get. Buttttttt….. the next day she finds out his wife was murdered 3 years ago and he was at one point charged with her murder and the body has yet to be found.

Can Melissa trust Thomas or did he kill his wife and she’s in danger? While you follow along Melissa’s days you’ll be introduced to his dead wife’s journal entries and his therapy session notes throughout the book.
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Although I didn’t connect with the main character because I thought she was a naive mom, this book was filled with some many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The journal entries and therapy session notes kept me wanting more while I was trying to solve it myself.

Loved it and this was my first 5 star of the year! Recommend and would definitely read more from the author in the future!

Thank you #NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I could not put this book down. I was captivated immediately. Imagine Scott Peterson never being charged for his crimes, what would everyone think of him? What would happen when he started dating again? This book wastes no time getting right into it. We meet Melissa, newly divorced and single mom who gets wooed by Thomas, local pediatrician. Thomas’ wife disappeared 3 years ago and he was originally charged with her murder but the charges were eventually dropped. This book was expertly plotted, everything tied together perfectly. There were so many twists and turns I did not see coming! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars! This didn't grip me as much as I hoped it would. The main character meets a man who appears to be ideal but it transpires he has been accused of murdering his wife. The story is told from the perspective of Melissa, divorced with a young son living in the basement of friends of this man who also happens to be a very handsome Doctor. We also read transcripts of his interactions with his therapist who also happens to be his ex girlfriend from college before he met and married his wife. What irks me about this is how Melissa throws caution to the wind and jumps into a relationship with a man given her own back story (and his!!). Its a good read and I did enjoy the little twists towards the end but not the page turner I expected. Thanks to Poised Pen Press for the advanced readers copy in return for an honest review.

Melissa is new in town and when she accepts an invite to a dinner party with her friends, she doesn’t expect to find love, but that is exactly what happens. Thomas Danver is dashing, kind and a pediatrician too, could she have found the one to help her heal after her tumultuous divorce? All signs point to yes, but she finds out a dangerous truth, Thomas was the lead suspect in his wife’s disappearance and presumed murder. Now Melissa isn’t sure what to believe. Should she be exposing her six year old son to this man that so many believe committed a heinous crime? Or should she trust her heart?

I was initially intrigued by the plot of Stay Away From Him, with its Fugitive vibes. Unfortunately I found the writing a little repetitive and slightly cheesy. The execution on this one just wasn’t there. 2.75 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Ooooooh the twists!! I really enjoyed this and liked the writing style. Enjoyable read for sure.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc

This was a good read. I enjoyed the different ways of telling this story. We have several different POV's told from diary entries, therapy sessions and actual real-time to name a few. Melissa is a recently divorced single mom to a toddler. She meets a possible Mr. Right, Thomas at a friend's party. Thomas is a widower, pediatrician and the father of two girls. What's the problem? Well, he was acquitted in the murder of his wife. Whoopsie! Melissa begins a relationship and strange things start happening. I did think the relationship/romance aspect happened sort of fast, but that was just me. The suspense and aforementioned ways of telling the story won me over and I would read more from this author.

Melissa met Thomas at a dinner party assuming he's too good to be true and it turns out he is, we just don't how yet. Her perfect man has an ex wife who has been missing the past 3 years, presumably dead and he's the main suspect. The author does a great job of describing Melissa's desires and struggles showing how emotion and logic play into the paths we take. I was excited for the characters of the friends living upstairs and found myself wanting them pulled in more to the story. Thomas's best friend leaves you guessing until the very end on her intentions and role. This is a great thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end and cheering on Melissa and her son to safety.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book, and for the first time in a while during my reading experience, I could not guess the ending! I kept thinking I had everything figured out, but I didn't figure out the final twist until the end. It was so good! I can't reveal what I loved the most without ruining the story, but this is my absolute favorite trope in a thriller book.

Thomas's wife, Rose, vanished a few years ago, and Melissa is the new woman in Thomas's life. She knows about the rumors that Thomas killed his wife, but she can't help being pulled toward the charming man who makes her feel happy and alive again. Thomas has an unofficial therapist relationship with his ex as well as an entire cohort of true-crime internet warriors who want to see him convicted, but Melissa is unconvinced that Thomas hurt his wife, Rose, who had a history of mental illness. As Thomas and his teenage daughters grow closer to Melissa and her son, and Thomas's ex-girlfriend (and therapist) constantly inserts herself into their social circle, Melissa is forced to reconcile with the fact that not everyone is as genuine as they seem.

I loved this ending so much! I read this whole book in a single afternoon. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley publishers for sending me an e-ARC!

This was so good. I really enjoyed reading it and didn’t want to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

As someone who loves sinking my teeth into a juicy psychological thriller, I found STAY AWAY to be boring, repetitious and seemingly predictable. Melissa was an annoying character who jumped into a serious relationship way too fast for a newly divorced single mom. The last 20% of the book was the best part

Personally his book was too heavy on the unrealistic romantic relationship but others will probably enjoy more than I did.

I was absolutely glued to the book from the very first page. Even during one of the worst weeks at work, I still managed to get through a few pages every night, no matter how late it was, because I really needed to know what happened!

The pacing is fantastic, and the plot just grabs you and doesn't let go. I felt every emotion Melissa was going through—it was real and raw, which made me root for her. And then there’s Thomas. He definitely gave me the creeps! I had that "ick" feeling about him right from the start, and it just never went away. You can’t be that perfect 10, can you?

Honestly, I was just constantly questioning everyone and everything. I swear, everyone seemed suspicious at some point! The twists and turns were so well-crafted that I was completely wrong.

This is my first book by this author, but it absolutely won't be my last!

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of Stay Away From Him.
I really liked this book. The story and plot were great. It really kept you guessing of what happened and who done it to the very end. It literally pointed the finger at everyone.
The way the MMC actions had him pinned as guilty from the start. He really gave off this overconfident, condescending, and pushy vibe. I really had him pinned for the disappearance/ murder of his wife until the other people of interest came about. Even when the other characters came in it was still hard to guess. Reading many thrillers it makes you realize it’s not the big picture you need to be looking at. It’s the smaller details that will get you!
One thing I felt that was missing was the MFC’s ex. He came on to the scene and then events took place and was rushed out. I really would like to know what came about him.

I would definitely give this book 5 stars however it was mixed emotions. Any mother reading this book will understand straight away why it irked me lol. That being said and putting that irk aside the book was fantastic, I read it really quickly and it kept me guessing right up until the end. I was convinced I had it figured out but I really didn't. That wasn't the only twist either it was full of twists and turns. Brilliant book highly recommend

Thank you to: Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for this ARC ebook by Andrew W. Deyoung.
*Release date is set for: July 8, 2025

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - After a bad marriage, Melissa meets Thomas who seems perfect until she finds out that 3 years prior, Thomas was accused of murdering his first wife. Although everyone suspected him, her body was never found & he was never charged. Melissa is torn on what to believe & if this amazing man is not so amazing after all.

This book is told from multiple perspectives; current day, diary entries & therapy audio sessions which I really enjoyed. This book had a great flow, kept me engaged and had me guessing up until the very end.

This is my first book by this author & it wont be my last. If you like domestic thrillers then this one is for you.

Once again, thank you to: Poisoned Pen Press & NetGalley for this ARC ebook.

#PoisonedPenPress #NetGalley #StayAwayFromHim

Stay Away From Him exceeded my expectations! This was an interesting read because I really didn't like many of the characters but I really liked the book. The characters were well written and portrayed well but in such a way that I just found them unlikeable. Lol! To be totally honest, Thomas gave me ick vibes from the start and reminded me far too much of my ex husband. Melissa made me want to shake her with some of the decisions she made. Who moves that fast, especially when you have a child involved?? Amelia turned out to be pretty cool though, so there is that. I did start to kind of get an inkling of who the culprit was but even though I was right, it played out in a much different way than I anticipated. Give yourself time when you start this one because you won't want to put it down!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.