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Dear Owen

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Dear Owen,

I know you won’t read this letter because I’m destroying it later. But I couldn’t help but write it as I stared at the back of your head while you flirted with her. Every breathy giggle feels like a dagger to my chest. We were never together, but it fucking breaks my heart to know you don’t love me back.

I don’t understand why you despise me or why you singled me out.

Fuck, I can’t handle this. I’m in so much pain that maybe it’s time. You know, I’ve been planning it for a while now, but I was never strong enough to do it. Now, I finally think I am.

I want to let you know it’s not your fault—it’s mine. I should have ended this sooner, and I’m sorry I didn’t. When I’m gone, I hope it brings you peace, like I know it will me.

Sincerely,

Kira

I didn’t mean for the letter to fall as I left class. I never intended for anyone else to see it. But it doesn’t matter now. Even if it gets out, I’ll be dead by sunrise anyway.

Unknown Binding

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Mae Celeste

14 books96 followers

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5 stars
76 (30%)
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106 (42%)
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31 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
Profile Image for Neapolitan670 📚🖤.
785 reviews47 followers
January 3, 2025
Where to begin and end with this one, it pulls you in and you don’t want to put it down. It’s only a short story but powerful, in that it’s difficult for your brain to determine all the aspects Mae leads us through with the intense obsession that Owen has for Kira, is it Stockholm syndrome on her part? Is it a sense of belonging? Does the darkness Velcro to each other? Is it love or hate?

I read it one sitting as I couldn’t put it down and needed to see where it led us. The twist during the ending chapters, I’m still processing 🤣🖤

Thank you Mae for the opportunity 🫶

READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS ⛔️
Profile Image for Toni Amey.
271 reviews34 followers
January 5, 2025
This book was an emotional roller coaster that I wasn’t prepared to go on. Owen was so cruel and yet at the end he gave Kira the power that she needed all along… and let me tell you the scene with her getting that power back, omg it was amazing!! This book kept me engaged through every bit of it and then ending couldn’t have been any more perfect!
Profile Image for kym.etherington.
88 reviews12 followers
January 2, 2025
what a way to start 2025... i got this baby this morning and finished it in one sitting,it finished me i should say🥹😭

never have a i ever felt such a strong emotional reaction before,when i tell you when i got to THAT PART where we hear our beautiful kiras story & how owen was the villian in her heart in that moment,let me tell you i sobbed like i have never r sobbed before,my heart broke... not only did i relate on a level i didn't think possible to kira.. there was something so healing to reading this part in the most fucked up way! as i read it,i teared up,then i cried & cried and i felt like a part of me died with kira in that moment,but i also feel like myself as a little girl cried with me and then she disappeared,it was the strangest feeling and im going to tell you this... i have NEVER felt that feeling in a book before... this story is so fucked up & it's truly fucked my head up (not even in a bad way!) when i say it's fucked up,this is what i signed up for.. i signed up to have my world spin on its axis and mae delivered that and then some with this book,im going to tell you this and i didn't think it was possible... this book is my number 1 read,ever!! NUMBER 1!!

a dark hockey romance is never something i thought i would enjoy but i was so wrong,mae delivered me something so beautifully i was giggling,i was crying,i was yearning,i was oh so angry,i felt everything... i couldn't put this book down,from the minute i started this book i knew my day was consumed with this book without a doubt,it isn't super smutty,the smut is next level & the DOMINATION fuck it felt so good to read such a STRONG female character and i fell in love with kira for taking her power back,when i tell you if i ever met a kira,she would get the biggest hug from me and be told what an incredible person she is... maybe it was my younger self that needed that?? maybe im a kira and i don't know it? i have never truly felt like a related to a character in the most fucked up way as i did too kira,it isn't an accurate rep for a bdsm but i found little nuggets in the story that reminded me of myself & my life and i truly think that's why i enjoyed this so much! the parts that got me,they GOT ME in the biggest chokehold and i literally feel like ive been changed after reading this.. im at a loss for words to be honest which is rare for me,hence this is so rambled,i took notes,i took a moment to cry,i wrote my thoughts down but after finishing it,im left speechless,truly.

you've listened to my very long ramble,i would usually summarise,like im sorry that ain't gunna happen this time,this review is from the heart,from somebody feeling truly changed beyond measure by a story,a character,by kira,by owen... simply at a loss and near impossible to find a story ive ever enjoyed more than this,owen tops the mmc's ive read.. he is crazy,his avenge is insanity,in the best way... he is the most delightful & also fucked up mmc i have ever read to this day & i love him for it😭

let's get to rating shall we?🤣

favourite quote?? if i can even pick one??🫣
"it was the hope of a drowning man who reaches for the very thing that is dragging him under,the hope of a moth that flies too close to the flame,knowing full well it will be consumed"

plot?? ♾️⭐️ so much plot,so much goodness to the story,no angst just pure great incredible writing! mae truly has created a work of art with this😭

smut?? 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ super spicy in parts! don't get it twisted this isn't an all smut no plot,the plot delivers on every level,as does the smut,the power dynamics,THE CHANGE IN POWER DYNAMICS is everything (no spoilers at all none here... you have to read it,sorry hehe)

characters?? ♾️⭐️ i LOVE kira,i see a lot of my self in her & i have a huge love for her! never once did i hate owen or see him as the villian,even in his worst parts,he caught a part of my heart i didnt know possible,hes so fucked up in so many ways but equally,he is an OTTP teddy bear and he'll forever be a number 1 for me.. he is the perfect mix of batshit crazy & loveable!!!

overall?? ♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ literally top read of all time,i didn't even take that lightly and i do read a lot of crazy stuff but this is top spot for me,and so much better than any popular 'booktok books' & is literally will be in my re-reads & forever in my TOP RECS! literally changed my brain chemistry🥹🫶🏼🫣😈😭

i can't thank mae enough for allowing me to read her beautiful story,i went in blind & i can easily say mae has me SWOON & im so in love with her writing & her incredible stories😭 best book ever,literally.
Profile Image for Athena of Velaris.
742 reviews199 followers
Read
January 3, 2025
Dear Owen is a hard book for me to review because a lot of my issues with it come from a distaste for the subject material. I’ll preface this review by saying that I am a dark romance reader who is certainly not new to the genre. I’m not upset that this book explored (and even glamorized) dark themes because that is what this genre is for. Instead, I’m going to critique the darker elements of the story from a purely plot/character development angle, not for their general inclusion in the novel.

My first issue with Dear Owen is that it claims to be a bully romance. All of the bullying and initial development of relationship dynamics happens before the story starts. Readers never get to see Owen and Kira interact initially; it’s just assumed that the reader accepts that there was once bullying. Part of dark romance relies on watching a twisted dynamic form. To me, I didn’t buy any of Owen’s obsession because I didn’t watch it develop. Simply put, the audience is given no reason to have any stake in the romance. In fact, I was so confused that I had to keep going back and checking to make sure I hadn’t skipped crucial chapters.

My second with the story was character development (or the lack thereof). Kira went from having crippling mental illness to being totally fine after suffering through psychological torture for weeks. Mental illness is real and serious. This portrayal made it a character trait that could be erased by the love interest, and for me, that kind of depiction accidentally minimizes the true dangers of mental illness.

My third issue derived from the scenes. I understand that CNC is dark, but usually for it to include the first C (or the “con” part of dubcon), some of the scenes are told from the woman’s perspective so it’s clear she’s getting at least a little pleasure from the situation. Most of the really dark sex scenes in this book were told entirely from Owen’s perspective, and Kira never really got a chance to reflect on them or come to terms with them. It was much harder to buy into their relationship when Owen was the only one who seemed to enjoy what he did to her. One scene in particular was extremely dark in a way that was rape in every sense of the word, so that scene really needed to be told by Kira or addressed by her. It was the main reason she should hate Owen, and yet, her perspective never mentioned it. I get that trauma looks different for everyone, but I would’ve liked to see a more complex depiction.

My fourth issue (albeit a smaller one) with the novel was believability. Granted, dark romances are certainly fantasies, but they usually involve characters with wealth, power, resources, and/or magic. Owen had none of those things. He was a broke college student kidnapping another college student and keeping her at that college. Even after his (numerous) crimes were discovered, he faced no consequences.

All my issues aside, Dear Owen was well-written. The language was easy to read, and the dialogue felt fast and natural. I probably read the novel in less than two hours, so it’s definitely accessible to readers wanting to start the year ahead on their GoodReads goals.

An e-ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Profile Image for Marie Cox.
82 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2025
Love and hate have always been a very fine line.. so much so that are mmc takes everything to an unhealthy extreme when his obsession decides she’s done in life… he does unimaginable things until friends step in to help our mfc and she has to soul search and decided is forgiveness ok and do you love to hate????
Profile Image for ꣑ৎ sue (hatter-pendragon version) ꣑ৎ.
194 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2025
this book couldn’t be anything more than a one-star because it was so unbelievably bad! i don’t even know what i just read. there was no rhyme and rhythm to anything, and i felt like i was given an incomplete book.

first of all, we don’t know why owen was so obsessed with kira—it literally made no sense. the first few chapters were basically of owen reiterating over and over again how kira belonged to him. it was all, “you’re mine, you’ve always been mine” like a broken record. like okay, sure. but why? why do you like this girl so much? except for some generic explanations, i just didn’t see it. it would be great if the authors did a better job at setting up some foundation for these two, but i guess they didn’t care enough to write anything more in depth.

second of all, owen raped kira. and just in case it wasn’t bad enough, he had other men gang rape her too! it was appalling. i couldn’t help but laugh at how owen decided to avenge kira and redeem himself. he did that by hurting all the men who raped her—the same group of men he told to rape her. like? okay.

he also made kira rape him too! if that could even be called that since he consented to it. overall, what a horrible book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sam Goodin.
130 reviews7 followers
January 9, 2025
This book started off so strong. I loved how unhinged Owen was. I loved how dark this book was. I loved how depraved Owen was in order to get what he wanted. Also, that ending....WOW there are no words. It's definitely not how I saw that going. That being said, what Owen did that put all these things in motion was fxcked up. No, I'm not saying what cause that's a spoiler, and I'm trying not to ruin this for you. Besties, this book had an ABC's shopping list of warnings. It was deserved. There are dark things and twisted things in this book. Check that list, take it to heart, and then if you go ahead and read this, then you were told. This isn't the darkest thing I read, but Owen is definitely not a top book boyfriend, and what happened at the end was well earned. That is all. Rant over.
Profile Image for Little monster.
704 reviews19 followers
January 14, 2025
This is dark.......be warned!!! I didn't know what to expect going into this book at all! Please check triggers as this is a dark bully romance.......but this is the let down and why I gave this 4 stars......there isn't much bullying! We know about it and we know it's happening/happened but we don't see the build up and why Owen started to bully Kia why he hated her so much he did the things he did to her. When he holds Kia captive those scenes I really felt for Kia she really wants to get away but why does she still feel the pull towards Owen even after everything he's done to her? The last few chapters I never saw coming and that twist 😂 I actually love that Kia found her strength in the end and stood up to Owen and let all her feelings out to him and the fact that she made it clear how she felt.

This is a short read I read this in one day while also being at work most of the day too. I just wish there was more to the story like I said at the beginning we needed more of a back story of these two like where do they come from? What's their families like? Why does Owen start to bully her? I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for thebeespot72.
1,758 reviews186 followers
January 10, 2025
Author Mae Celeste wrecked me in the first few pages of “Dear Owen.” A long, extensive list of CWs in alphabetical order in the beginning somewhat sets the tone of what’s to come. I felt fully immersed in the story through the character, Kira, as I experienced her challenges along with her. Owen is not a nice guy, but he does develop in a way that ends up empowering Kira. Though actions are extreme, that sense of helplessness and feeling of vulnerability helps Owen understand Kira more. The story is done in a 160-page novella that fully captured my attention, and I didn’t put it down. I enjoyed every page.
Profile Image for Becca.
454 reviews80 followers
January 8, 2025
⚠️⚠️⚠️read your trigger warnings!⚠️⚠️⚠️

This story was up and down and my heart is screaming at me! It was a hardcore battle and in the most purely dark amazing way.

I don't read very many hockey romances but this is 2025 and welp I wanted to jump back into it and see. So glad I did because it dominated me. Big time. Kira and Owen were smashing together. Hot. Steamy. Powerful. I can't praise this story anymore than I have without ruining the experience for you.

I am so grateful to have received this an ARC and scream my honest review out loud!
Profile Image for Rishika .
55 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2025
I will only say one thing
Owen deserved to get pegged (😭🫶🏻💗)
Okay, Keeping the jokes aside, This book is DARK, It shows how dark ones Obsession can get. I cant believe this is a 160+ pages novella, the way it served the story and plot it felt like a whole damn full length novel. Just loved how great this story was executed.
The Toxic romance dynamic between Kira and Owen was to die for.
The smut all though felt rushed and fast, I wish it lasted for a while but who cares when the plot itself was so good.
Totally a great read!
Profile Image for Chayna.
310 reviews
February 24, 2025
Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

Wow is all I can say about this book. Owen definitely made me mad about half the book but once he realized he wasn’t getting away with anything he did, he was starting to realize all the horrible things he did to Kira. As for Kira, my heart ached with everything Owen put her thru. Once she was able to start healing herself, I was so glad to see the power shift between them both and watch Kira show him what it felt like to be powerless. Highly recommend this book!
Profile Image for g33kgirlr3ads.
185 reviews8 followers
January 16, 2025
Dark, twisted, and completely toxic in the best way possible! That’s a sentence I never thought I would write but it’s so true! Owen is UNHINGED. He’s one of those you hate until you just can’t anymore. Welp, guess I’m adding another completely unhinged book boyfriend!
Profile Image for S.A.
250 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2025
Honestly, I was disgusted, not a ‘bully’ romance, this was just sick. Would not recommend at all and no xoxo.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for El Johnson.
91 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2025
2.5⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

I've been putting off writing this review because I needed to sit with it. I feel super conflicted with this book.
On the one hand, I was able to finish it. I didn't feel the need to DNF. The overall structure of the writing was good and evoked difficult and dark emotions.
However, there were 2 things that made me struggle to rate this. Firstly, I didn't enjoy the redemption arc. I understand that this was supposed to be a dark bully romance but when the details come out about what the MMC did to the FMC in the past that led to the events of this book, all I wanted was a revenge story. It was so horrific that I did not see any sense in redemption. All I saw was straight emotional and sexual abuse, and therefore, I couldn't fall into the same obsession that I do typically with dark romance. Secondly, I felt like I was only getting half the story. This was labeled as a bully romance, but we never get to actually see that dynamic. We instead get a brief understanding of the FMCs heads pace followed by an obsessive and abusive MMC who immediately kidnaps and continues to break down our FMC until she doesn't know right from wrong anymore.
I'm just not sure. I wanted to like this book, and I really wanted to get into the story more than I did. But I felt like lots of crucial build-up was missing with how abruptly we entered the story of these 2 characters, and the romance aspect was severely tainted by the horrific experience of the FMC.
I rated this 2.5 stars because I was able to get through the book. The book definitely pulled emotions from me and engaged me, but overall, the story felt off and left me feeling a sense of dissatisfaction.
7 reviews
March 28, 2025
This only decent thing this book could’ve added, is that if both the main characters killed themselves.
Profile Image for A. King.
360 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2025
I've been warring with myself about the story I just read, because it's... a LOT less realistic than what I was thinking it would be when I went into it. And I can see the arguments coming to that. "Well it's not meant to be realistic" right? But it's clearly written in a sense that makes it seem so, including the idea of facing trauma (with the benefit of a therapist and other slightly dastardly means).

So that leaves me feeling somewhat "eh" about the story. Because while it is a passable viewing of the things that can happen, there are SO many things that feel off about it. I'd like to classify this as a totally fictional viewing of realism, because I feel that things are too opposite each other for it to have worked the way it was written.

I don't want to go into specifics in case of spoilers, but I am going to say that if someone is saved from trauma, the savior (or saviors) aren't just going to abandon the victim to their own devices, let alone not report the behavior of the one making the offence. The evidence all being there. The clear abuse of the victim. I can absolutely understand the victim not going forward, because not only does it take an IMMENSE amount of strength to voice what happened to you, but it also takes an immense amount of strength to know that anyone would *believe* something happened to you. But a possible group of people who literally walked in to find that victim in such a state? Clearly puts reason right there and instead of doing what any rational human being would do, they walk away from it.

That's just one of the huge marks against it. The book is filled with opposing thoughts, though I can understand the majority of them as the fictional work it is. But it moves too quickly through all of it and instead of addressing it the way it would naturally, it spans such a time frame that it no longer feels right.

3 stars, because I feel that this could be SO much more than what it is, though the base panel has the right footwork. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it turns into something even better.
Profile Image for Michelle Frater.
1,747 reviews20 followers
February 13, 2025
Can you utterly destroy someone—body, mind, and soul—and still call it love? That’s the chilling question at the heart of this book, where Owen’s obsession with Kira is as unsettling as it is unfathomable. When we meet them, Kira is already at rock bottom, teetering on the edge of an irreversible decision. No spoilers here—that much is in the book’s description, so don’t come for me. What drew Owen to Kira in the first place remains a mystery, but the truth of what he did to break her? That revelation hit like a sledgehammer. What’s worse, hints of even more torment lurk beneath the surface, left disturbingly unexplored, although what’s laid bare was more than enough to paint a troubling picture. The twisted irony is that it’s only when Kira decides she’s done with life that Owen decides she belongs to him. What follows is a harrowing spiral of captivity, manipulation, and psychological warfare. Mind games that clearly began playing out long before we arrived. And yet, in his warped reality, Owen believes he’s saving her. Is there a touch of Stockholm Syndrome in the way Kira feels about Owen? Personally, I couldn’t fathom feeling anything but hatred for the man who had stripped her down to a mere shadow of the person she had been. And yet, despite everything, there’s a spark of something deep inside Kira that refuses to be snuffed out. A resilience that makes her keep fighting on. Ironically, the very suffering meant to shatter her only tempers that inner strength. I had to admire the courage it took for her to seek help in dealing with her trauma and the way she confronted Owen was a pure hallelujah moment. Interestingly, even Owen embarks on his own twisted version of soul-searching. Can a person like him truly change? That’s the lingering question and only time will tell. But maybe we all need a little darkness to fully appreciate the light.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Violet Winters.
16 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2025
🖤 Where do I even begin? Dear Owen by Mae Celeste isn’t just a book—it’s an emotional experience that completely wrecked me in the most profound way.

This dark, gripping hockey romance is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s raw, intense, and utterly unforgettable. From the first page, Mae Celeste pulls you into Owen and Kira’s twisted, chaotic, and painfully beautiful story. You won’t want to stop reading until you’ve unraveled every single thread.

💔 What to Expect:

A powerful tale of obsession, love, and redemption.
Power dynamics that shift in the most thrilling ways.
A strong, resilient FMC who reclaims her power in ways that will leave you cheering.
A dark and morally complex MMC who is equal parts unhinged and heartbreaking.
Smut that is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 but never overshadows the depth of the plot.
A twisty, emotional rollercoaster that will leave you sobbing, screaming, and questioning everything.
Mae’s writing is hauntingly beautiful, and the way she explores themes of darkness, healing, and self-discovery is nothing short of masterful. I’ve never related to a character as much as I did with Kira, and Owen…oh, Owen. He’s chaotic, obsessive, and downright terrifying in moments, but there’s a vulnerability to him that makes him unforgettable.

💙 My Takeaway:
This book broke me. I cried. I laughed. I yearned. I felt. The ending? I’m still processing it. Mae Celeste has crafted something so darkly beautiful that it changed my brain chemistry. It’s not just a story—it’s a journey that will stay with you long after you close the book.

⭐️ Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Honestly, infinity stars wouldn’t be enough.)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (The spice + power dynamics = PERFECTION.)

📚 If you’re looking for a dark, emotionally raw romance that will wreck you (in the best way), pick up Dear Owen. Mae Celeste is officially on my auto-buy list, and this is my NUMBER ONE READ EVER.
Profile Image for Tara.
315 reviews22 followers
January 16, 2025
Mae Celeste's "Dear Owen" is a captivating dark romance that delves into the complexities of obsession and redemption. The story follows Owen, whose intense feelings for Kira border on unhealthy, as he navigates a relationship fraught with tension and control. Celeste masterfully crafts a narrative that is both disturbing and alluring, pulling readers into a world of morally gray characters and intense emotions.
Owen's character is a fascinating study in contradictions. He is possessive and controlling, yet also vulnerable and capable of deep affection. Kira, in contrast, is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman who gradually finds her voice throughout the narrative. Their dynamic is constantly evolving, creating a palpable tension that keeps you engaged.
The supporting cast adds depth and realism to the story. Their reactions to Owen and Kira's relationship provide an external perspective and highlight the complexities of their situation. Celeste skillfully balances the focus on the central couple with the influence of their social circle, creating a multi-faceted narrative.
While the story is captivating, there are some missed opportunities that could have deepened the emotional impact. The "Dear Owen" letter, a pivotal element in the story, is only mentioned in passing. A more detailed exploration of this letter could have provided valuable insight into Kira's thoughts and feelings during her captivity.
Despite this minor flaw, "Dear Owen" is a compelling read that will resonate with fans of dark romance. Celeste's exploration of complex themes, combined with her well-developed characters and captivating plot, make this novella a worthwhile addition to the genre.
Profile Image for kaylaschapterchats.
531 reviews32 followers
January 9, 2025
Wow, this kind of messed me up emotionally but in the best way possible. It was dark, gritty, but also really empowering, too.

Let me start off by saying, please read the triggers because this beauty is dark, and your mental health matters 💚

So we have our main characters, Kira and, of course, Owen. Kira is so beautiful yet so broken. She is broken because of Owen, let's be honest. Kira, once upon a time, had friends and a life that she enjoyed until a certain someone destroyed her life in every way possible. Owen, I'm not sure how I feel about him. He has grown so obsessed with Kira that I'm not sure if the Obsession is healthy (it definitely isn't).

Kira and Owen's story was extremely dark. Kira is so lost that she decides to do the unthinkable. But Owen won't let Kira go that easily, and he does something that I didn't see coming. It was actually really shocking. My jaw hit the floor. What Kira went through was devastating, but it's truly amazing to see her come out the other side as an even more beautiful and powerful soul for it. The strength and resilience she shows is remarkable. Owen, I don't want to give away too much because I want you to read it for yourself but I will say that i think his love for Kira was such a visceral part of him and he had such big emotions towards Kira that he didn't know how to express it and it turned into something a little (alot) obsessive and toxic when it didn't need to be that way at all.

I also have questions too, but those questions are along the lines of what's next for Kira and Owen???

I highly recommend this story. It's dark but so beautiful in its own way.

Thank you so much to Mae/ Quinn for the opportunity to read this story. I am forever grateful 🙏

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

💚 dual pov
💚 dark
💚 bullying
💚 mental health rep
💚 power exchange
Profile Image for Sandra Christenson.
75 reviews2 followers
February 5, 2025
PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS. THERE ARE EVENTS IN THIS BOOK THAT WILL BE TRIGGERING FOR SOME PEOPLE

Owen was your typical golden boy hockey player. Everyone wanted him and everyone wanted to be him. When he set his eyes on Kira who was a quiet, shy girl who thought she was invisible. He thought his friends and him can play these games on her and make her life not so easy anymore.

One night at a party, Owen saw her a party, they kept stealing glances at each other and that’s when the things took a turn for the worst. When the games he thought he was playing turned into something a lot more darker. He thought, if he did the things he did to her, that he could get her out of his head and get over her just like every other girl. WRONG.

That’s where the obsession comes in, things start to a lot more darker. Until some people found her and took her away and Owen started to unravel and everything went downhill even more from there. To the point where hockey and school didn’t even matter.

Kira learned how to survive and learned how
To forgive and take back the control that was taken from stolen from her.

There is also a playlist that is linked to Spotify that Owen made for Kira. You should definitely should listen to it to understand what songs he chose for her.

PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNERS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK. THERE ARE EVENTS THAT WILL BE TRIGGERING TO SOME
Profile Image for Good Booking Girl.
439 reviews16 followers
January 6, 2025
I am giving this book 4 stars because:
- it's well written, great pace and slow but juicy character development
- the right amount of intrigue and suspense for a shorter novel, without it feeling rushed
- the FMC might start off as "weak" and "broken" but boy, oh boy does she ever find her strength, resiliency and bad-assery! (yes, i'm making that a word)!
-the sexual tension was THICK

However, i really struggled with their story and the horrific hurt and trauma the MMC inflicted on the FMC. So, if i were to give it a rating based on if i "liked" the story, i'd give it a 3. I just could not wrap my head or heart around what he did not her. When you get to the part where we learn how they got to where they are, you'll be so upset that you thought that there was a chance he might be redeemable, but nope! I hated him even more. I appreciate the author's attempt to help the FMC rise like a Phoenix, but ...... I do not want to take away from how well the story came together though.
I enjoyed this author's style of writing and her use of duo POV. i will likely read other work by them, however her way of delivering stories of NCN/Dub-Con with MC's, was not my jam.
please review the trigger/content warnings prior to starting.

I received a free ARC of this book, and this review is only my opinion
Profile Image for kymagirl.
6,359 reviews89 followers
January 13, 2025
Kira (h) thought her feelings for Owen (H) were nothing more than a crush, an unspoken truth she tried to bury in a letter she never meant for anyone to read. But when Owen finds it, her private confession becomes the foundation of his dangerous obsession. What begins as an attempt to express her emotions spirals into a nightmare as Owen's fixation pulls her into a world of control, manipulation, and isolation. Owen's behavior quickly escalates from obsessive to abusive. He isolates Kira, both physically and emotionally, keeping her confined and dependent on him. Despite her attempts to escape, both physically and emotionally, his grip tightens, driven by a warped sense of love that intertwines with his need for dominance. Trapped in Owen’s grasp, Kira fights to reclaim her identity, navigating the conflicting emotions of fear, anger, and a bond she can’t fully explain. As she pieces together the strength to confront her captor, Kira learns that freedom isn’t just about breaking physical chains, it’s about finding the strength to claim her voice, her life, and him on her own terms. Hot and steamy dark tale of love twisted by obsession and control, and the resilience it takes to survive, heal, and redefine your relationship. A veritable alphabet of trigger warnings.
Profile Image for Janice  M .
Author 5 books359 followers
February 13, 2025
Dear Owen was a story of obsession and redemption. It was a quick read, but definitely check the trigger warnings. I wish we’d seen more of the “before” with this story. It was a bully romance but you don’t see a ton of that happening in the story. It’s just his twisted obsession.

On one hand I was happy he saved her from herself and the mental health spiral but on the other hand I kind of hated him for treating her the way he did. To be totally honest, I’m not even sure he redeemed himself enough by the end of the book.

I have mixed emotions on the whole story. It was written well and I think there was a good message in there somewhere but I just didn’t connect with it. I like dark romance, and I feel like this book with morally gray characters and intense emotions will draw readers in. The plot is definitely intriguing and I read it all in one sitting because I needed to know what happened.

The supporting cast lends a touch of reality to the story. I think at the end of the day I just wanted more to the story. I will be checking out other books by this author for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Danielle Muy.
220 reviews6 followers
January 16, 2025
Okay I’ll admit, this was almost a 4 star until the end, that twist on how it all came together at the end. WAS. NOT. EXPECTING! And I’m here for it!
The beginning is a bit of a hill to climb to understand what is going on and why but once you get there, your jaw drops! Owen is UNHINGED and the fact that no amount of popularity, money or anything other than just being purely unhinged, possessive and infatuated plays a roll on it all. He is just your “average” guy with a weird way of showing his affection. Kira endures so much and puts him in his place! This book surprisingly moves really fast, I read it in 1 setting-about 3 hours total!

5 stars …
for the writing style, wording, characters development and twists and turns baby!
3/5 spicy…
It’s there but I felt like the descriptions were missing, like some clothing was just gone, or she would be naked without saying it. And while my brain gets it…it’s weird not to have read it. If that makes sense.
The really good 5/5 spice isn’t until the very end!
Totally worth it in my opinion :)
Profile Image for Sarah Carvell.
82 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2025


This book was a good steady pace through its entirety. Mae’s writing is always beautiful. She really tugs you in and makes you feel what the characters are going through. Once you pick the story up, you just can’t put it down!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rowena.
115 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2025
I dont even know where to start with my review. I got this today and finished it in one sitting but have been figuring out how to write this and my feelings around it.. and i didnt want to leave a long review so i'll try and do it just briefly.
This was heart breaking, yet also healing. You see what Kira is going through and can relate. Owen thinks he can control and possess her so that she doesnt do what she wanted. The spice is there if you want spice, if you want f**ked up. This delivers. It gives unhinged mmc. Theres the fmc who is fighting to stay and is given no choice but to stay and the overcoming trauma and an unexpected power exchange! There is a plot in this and not all spice so stay for both! It is well worth the read. Check cw's before reading as there is quite a few subjects that pop up. I also loved the warnings through out so it gives people notice of what is going to happen before it does.

This is an arc copy and leaving an honest review
Profile Image for Synthia Valcourt.
78 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2025
Dear Owen by Mae Celeste is an emotional roller coaster that had me hooked from the very first page. The story delves into dark and twisted themes, unraveling secrets and raw emotions that keep you on edge throughout. Mae’s writing is gripping and beautifully evocative, pulling you into the characters' minds and making you feel every moment of their pain, longing, and hope.

What I particularly appreciated was the author’s thoughtful inclusion of an extensive list of trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, as well as a mid-chapter warning before a particularly intense scene. This level of care for the reader shows a deep understanding of the story’s impact and makes it accessible for those who need it.

While some moments were almost unbearably heavy, it’s a testament to how well-written and immersive this book is. If you’re ready for a story that challenges your emotions and lingers with you long after the final page, this is one to pick up.
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