The Bookish Ashley

⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ (3/5 Stars)

Jesse Sutanto, best known for her quirky and wildly entertaining Dial A for Aunties, takes a darker turn in The Obsession, a fast-paced teen thriller that plays with the themes of stalking, revenge, and the blurred lines between villain and victim. While the novel offers a gripping premise and a suspenseful cat-and-mouse narrative, it ultimately leaves some potential unexplored.

The Premise

On paper, The Obsession has all the makings of a compelling YA thriller: Logan, a seemingly normal high schooler, is secretly watching Delilah’s every move through hidden cameras. He believes they’re meant to be. She doesn’t even know he exists. What he doesn’t know is that Delilah harbors deadly secrets of her own—and she’s more dangerous than he could ever imagine.

What Works

The book starts off strong, wasting no time diving into Logan’s obsessive mind. Sutanto writes his point of view with just the right amount of discomfort, making the reader squirm in all the right ways. It’s disturbing, yet morbidly fascinating to watch his version of “romance” unravel.

Delilah, on the other hand, is a refreshing twist on the typical YA female protagonist. She’s not just the damsel in distress—she’s calculating, sharp, and refuses to be victimized. Her backstory adds a layer of emotional weight, making her actions more understandable, if not always justifiable.

The pacing is swift, with short chapters and alternating perspectives that make it easy to fly through. The tension builds steadily, and while there are few genuine “shock” moments, the psychological tension keeps you turning pages.

Where It Falls Short

Despite the juicy setup, the book doesn’t quite dig as deep as it could. Some of the character development feels surface-level, especially when it comes to Logan, whose obsession lacks a fully fleshed-out origin. Delilah’s trauma is touched on, but not deeply explored—making some of her moral decisions feel abrupt rather than earned.

The thriller elements lean more toward sensational than truly suspenseful. Readers looking for a nuanced, psychological dive might find it a bit shallow. Also, the ending—while cathartic—feels a little too neat for such a dark, twisted story.

Final Thoughts

The Obsession is a popcorn thriller that delivers exactly what it promises: a fast-paced, revenge-fueled teen drama with just enough creep factor to keep things interesting. It’s not subtle, and it’s not trying to be. For fans of quick, dark YA reads with morally gray characters and a dash of melodrama, this book will hit the spot. Just don’t go in expecting Gone Girl levels of depth.

Recommended for:

Fans of You by Caroline Kepnes (but younger and less intense) Readers who enjoy morally complex female leads Anyone in the mood for a quick, unsettling page-turner

Not recommended for:

Readers seeking a deep psychological exploration Those uncomfortable with voyeurism or stalking themes Fans of realistic, grounded thrillers

Have you read The Obsession? What did you think—Team Delilah, or did Logan get under your skin too? Let’s discuss in the comments.