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Perhaps the most horrifying thing about Into the Darkest Corner is how much it reminds me of what people are calling "intense" and "dark" New Adult romances. No exaggeration.

This book is a dark, psychological thriller that chronicles the tale of a relationship between the young Catherine Bailey and a handsome, charismatic man called Lee who slowly, gradually, turns into a monster. It's a disturbing story that doesn't skimp on violent details, which might make it something you'd want to avoid if you are particularly sensitive to scenes of domestic abuse and rape.

Haynes offers up one of the most effective uses of alternating past/present narratives that I've ever read. It's so... unsettling to see the character of Catherine as she was before and as she is now - it at first seems like you're reading the POVs of two different characters. But not only that, it's the development of Lee himself that is even worse.

Lee is presented as everything a young woman could want: good-looking, sexy, sweet, romantic and great in bed. The readers themselves might find they are falling slightly in love with him... and yet, bit by bit, he starts to change. His sweet protectiveness becomes controlling and possessive. His attentiveness turns to stalking. Soon Catherine doesn't know how to escape and she's too afraid to try.

I think it's the contrast between the now and then of the story that makes Into the Darkest Corner so powerful. I've read other books about domestic violence and abusive boyfriends, but none seem to have captured the complete shift in personality of the abuser quite like this one does. It's refreshing - though I cringe that I can say that - to see a controlling relationship and stalkery portrayed as something negative, not as symbolic of the deep, never-ending love the stalker feels.

And it is really creepy at times. The present part of the story is set after Catherine has escaped and Lee has been charged - but he has also just been released from prison. Afraid of her own shadow and caught up in her OCD, Catherine must try to continue with her life whilst knowing that Lee is out there somewhere. She wakes up every single day and wonders if he's found her... and so did I. It's an edge-of-your-seat kind of book and Haynes builds some fantastic tension.

Highly recommended.

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