Love Me Stalk Me by Laura Bishop
I went into Love Me Stalk Me fully expecting chaos—in the best “Lights Out” / You-adjacent way. The premise practically begs for unhinged fun: an exhausted department store manager pours her intimate thoughts into an AI boyfriend app… not knowing that her hot, quiet, tattooed coworker has hacked her phone and is answering her himself. It’s messy, morally gray, and a setup tailor-made for a dark rom-com.
And while I did enjoy the ride, this book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. There’s real potential here, especially in the emotional arc of the FMC, but some elements didn’t quite land the way I wanted them to.
✨ What Worked
Izzy’s Character Feels Real
Izzy’s struggles—low self-esteem, body image, overworking herself, clinging to a boyfriend who gives absolutely nothing back—are painfully relatable. She’s written with honesty and vulnerability. When she vents to the AI app, it makes sense. Her emotional exhaustion feels lived-in, not manufactured for plot.
Cal Is Catnip for Dark Romance Readers
Cal is what I lovingly call “morally questionable wish fulfillment.”
He’s protective, attentive, emotionally available, and deeply obsessed.
Is his behavior ethical? Absolutely not.
Is it the flavor of obsessive devotion dark-romance readers look for? Yup.
What I appreciated most is that Cal doesn’t manipulate Izzy to benefit himself. His “AI” persona pushes her toward self-worth, confidence, and leaving her dirtbag boyfriend. That nuance is what keeps him compelling instead of cartoonish.
Amanda, the Best Friend, Steals Every Scene
Amanda is the cheering section Izzy desperately needs. Her humor, loyalty, and “I will bury your ex for you” energy bring warmth and levity. She feels like the grounding force of the story.
Mixed Media & Humor Sprinkled In
The integrated chats, texts, and app messages add personality and pacing. Moments like the chaotic parallel-parking scene genuinely made me laugh.
A Premise You Can’t Look Away From
Even when the story wobbles, the hook keeps you turning the pages. I binged it in a sitting because the setup is addictive and the pacing flows quickly.
⚠️ What Didn’t Work As Well
The Stalker Vibes Are… Not Very Stalker-y
The title primes you for full stalker mode—creeping shadows, break-ins, obsession, danger.
But the book focuses almost entirely on digital obsession.
If you’re here for full-blown unhinged romance hero energy, this stays pretty tame.
Predictability & Repetition
A lot of the emotional beats (and some of the language—hello “pretty girl”) repeat often enough that I noticed the pattern. Nothing major, but enough to flatten the impact.
The Big Reveal Happens Way Too Late
Cal doesn’t admit what he’s been doing until the last 5% of the book, which makes the final emotional payoff feel rushed. Given the premise, we needed more time for fallout, conflict, and resolution.
Izzy’s Sudden “Knowing” It Was Him Didn’t Track
Her realization that “Caleb” was Cal… didn’t make sense within the logic of an AI-driven app. It felt like the book needed her to know, so she just did.
Some Prose Felt A Little Generic
It’s not that the writing was bad. It’s that at times it lacked distinctiveness, especially in emotional moments. Combine that with trope-heavy beats, and it occasionally veers toward formulaic.
Character Growth Is Present… But Shallow
The book touches emotional themes, but doesn’t dig deeply. Izzy’s journey to confidence happens, but quickly. Cal gets his moment of vulnerability, but not enough exploration given how extreme his actions are.
💬 Final Thoughts
Love Me Stalk Me is an entertaining, bingeable dark rom-com with a fun premise, a relatable heroine, and a hero who hits every obsessive-protective fantasy button dark-romance readers love.
It just doesn’t fully lean into the “dark” or the “comedy,” and some aspects felt predictable or underdeveloped. But for readers who loved Lights Out, enjoy morally gray men with tender soft spots, or want a quick, spicy-but-sweet winter read? This scratches the itch.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Vibes: Dark rom-com, cyber obsession, low-level suspense, emotional healing
