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Lovelorn
Lovelorn : unhappy because of unrequited love.
Micah Watson is lonely. He spends his days writing books, delivering pizza, and searching for love. When he meets Mackenzie McKee at a diner, he instantly falls in love with her. He molds himself into the perfect man for her. But she rejects him—again and again . Tired of the pain and loneliness, Micah finds comfort in an online community full of misogynists...
On the internet, surrounded by anonymous provocateurs, Micah is transformed into a hateful, sadistic incel. And he plans on exacting his revenge on everyone who ever hurt him.
Jon Athan, the author behind 'Lovesick' and 'Am I Beautiful?,' dives into the disturbed mind of a lovelorn man in this extreme horror story about loneliness and rejection, entitlement and vengeance, and love and hatred.
This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
Micah Watson is lonely. He spends his days writing books, delivering pizza, and searching for love. When he meets Mackenzie McKee at a diner, he instantly falls in love with her. He molds himself into the perfect man for her. But she rejects him—again and again . Tired of the pain and loneliness, Micah finds comfort in an online community full of misogynists...
On the internet, surrounded by anonymous provocateurs, Micah is transformed into a hateful, sadistic incel. And he plans on exacting his revenge on everyone who ever hurt him.
Jon Athan, the author behind 'Lovesick' and 'Am I Beautiful?,' dives into the disturbed mind of a lovelorn man in this extreme horror story about loneliness and rejection, entitlement and vengeance, and love and hatred.
This novel contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
268 pages, ebook
First published April 27, 2020
72 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 16, 2023
So much for the old adage to watch out for the "woman scorned." Lovelorn teaches us that it's the wrath of a "man scorned" which is most insidious - and gruesome...
November 26, 2023
It's so much fun finding a KU book that comes with the Audible version included. Listening to a narrator is way better than having some generic robot voice reading stories to you. This was my listen through several showers/baths. Does that mean I can say I had these characters in the bath with me? Actually, anyone that's read Athon knows that you don't want his characters anywhere near you LOLZ> I feel like this is the third or 4th book I've read in the past few months that's about incels and their inner workings.... Not as bloody graphic as Athon's other works, and many times a gun was used, but he has a way of detailing the horrors of a bullet wound
September 10, 2023
Lovelorn : unhappy because of unrequited love.
INCEL: Short for "involuntary celibate." Someone who is celibate but doesn't want to be.
I'm going to be honest with yall, I didn't think I would enjoy this one quite as much as I did. Especially because as far as Athans books go, this was at the bottom of the totem pole. It has very few ratings and reviews.
Once again, Athan meticulously blended real-life horrors into his novel. During the opening scenes, I immediately thought about the story of E-girl Bianca Evans. She was brutally murdered by her male acquaintance, and then images of her corpse were spread online. This is not the only real-life story that inspired the story of Lovelorn. Honestly, the fact that there are real events that influence these novels is in itself more horrifying than any fictitious tale he could ever spin!
In Lovelorn opening chapters, we get a small glimpse into the lives of a few men who, after being rejected by women, turn to extreme acts of violence against the innocent. This helps to set the scene for the most vile and unhinged of them all.
For the majority of the book, we closely follow MC Micah as his mental health spirals further with each rejection. Friendly interactions by a waitress at a local diner are mistaken as flirtatious advances. Micah falls head over heels and quickly begins an unhealthy obsession. This obsession turns into a murderous rampage after she rejects him for a second and final time.
Micah turns to the internet and joins an online incel community. After receiving private messages from a radical incel named Fish, he is inspired to savagely attack women. He begins pursuing deviant and deadly outlets for his frustrations. Micah begins to see himself as a self-proclaimed champion of the Incel movement.
But the fact remains that there is literally no other author who hits me as hard as Athan does. This book is no exception. To think this is one of his less popular books still blows my mind! How?! Why?! If you haven't read this yet... please change that asap.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
INCEL: Short for "involuntary celibate." Someone who is celibate but doesn't want to be.
I'm going to be honest with yall, I didn't think I would enjoy this one quite as much as I did. Especially because as far as Athans books go, this was at the bottom of the totem pole. It has very few ratings and reviews.
Once again, Athan meticulously blended real-life horrors into his novel. During the opening scenes, I immediately thought about the story of E-girl Bianca Evans. She was brutally murdered by her male acquaintance, and then images of her corpse were spread online. This is not the only real-life story that inspired the story of Lovelorn. Honestly, the fact that there are real events that influence these novels is in itself more horrifying than any fictitious tale he could ever spin!
In Lovelorn opening chapters, we get a small glimpse into the lives of a few men who, after being rejected by women, turn to extreme acts of violence against the innocent. This helps to set the scene for the most vile and unhinged of them all.
For the majority of the book, we closely follow MC Micah as his mental health spirals further with each rejection. Friendly interactions by a waitress at a local diner are mistaken as flirtatious advances. Micah falls head over heels and quickly begins an unhealthy obsession. This obsession turns into a murderous rampage after she rejects him for a second and final time.
Micah turns to the internet and joins an online incel community. After receiving private messages from a radical incel named Fish, he is inspired to savagely attack women. He begins pursuing deviant and deadly outlets for his frustrations. Micah begins to see himself as a self-proclaimed champion of the Incel movement.
But the fact remains that there is literally no other author who hits me as hard as Athan does. This book is no exception. To think this is one of his less popular books still blows my mind! How?! Why?! If you haven't read this yet... please change that asap.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2023
Wow! I went into this read completely blind, which is rare for me. But in this case I'm really glad I did because I had no idea what was coming from chapter to chapter, especially at the beginning, and I found that exciting. Essentially, this is a story about an incel and his decision to take the "black pill" after finding an online community that promotes violence and revenge after he becomes obsessed with a waitress at a local diner. Things quickly escalate and get out of hand. Athan is the master at orchestrating scenes of intense brutality while keeping the spotlight on the characters and the storyline. Excellent read.. 5/5 skulls ☠️
February 27, 2022
Micah has been rejected one too many times, and turns to the internet to voice his frustrations against women. He makes a friend with similar beliefs, who encourages him to act on his rage.
It doesn't take him long to find he really enjoys murdering people - primarily men that are more attractive, and women he believes to be out of his league. All the while, planning a big 'finale' for the unsuspecting woman who pushed him over the edge - a waitress at the local diner, who politely turned him down. He can't possibly let it go that easily, after all, she's the love of his life. They're meant to be.
--------------------
I absolutely love Jon Athan, and his knack for writing as spurned men and women, stalkers, and misogynistic incels is simply hilarious and pure entertainment. Every single woman in the world can relate to this book, on some level.
"Although she wasn't happy, her survival instincts told her a smile would protect her. She didn't want to aggravate him. In a man's world, a woman's survival was often based on appeasement."
It doesn't take him long to find he really enjoys murdering people - primarily men that are more attractive, and women he believes to be out of his league. All the while, planning a big 'finale' for the unsuspecting woman who pushed him over the edge - a waitress at the local diner, who politely turned him down. He can't possibly let it go that easily, after all, she's the love of his life. They're meant to be.
--------------------
I absolutely love Jon Athan, and his knack for writing as spurned men and women, stalkers, and misogynistic incels is simply hilarious and pure entertainment. Every single woman in the world can relate to this book, on some level.
"Although she wasn't happy, her survival instincts told her a smile would protect her. She didn't want to aggravate him. In a man's world, a woman's survival was often based on appeasement."
October 26, 2021
Not as good as Love Sick. That doesn't mean that it isn't good though...
Love Sick is the best extreme horror book that I've ever read. It balances a fine line between extreme horror and dark, disturbing fiction, without straying into bizarro territory.
This is a hard line to follow, as too much is bizarre, and too little is just mainstream horror. It's not easy to get it right, is all I'm trying to say...
So this is book number two for me. Lovelorn.
Jon-Athan has a way of writing the most disgusting, awkward manbabies that make me squirm.
For the first few chapters, I was thinking "This can't be the same guy who wrote the macabre masterpiece that was Love Sick".
It starts with a few loosely connected stories, that seem to be nothing great, just a bit of your standard splatterpunk. But, no... I was wrong. This is Jon-Athan's style of foreplay, before he drags you into the main, overlapping story. A manbaby's quest for revenge. A book about extremely awkward and deranged beta males, and the form of revenge that they choose to take on the women that scorn them.
Not for the squeamish. 4*
Love Sick is the best extreme horror book that I've ever read. It balances a fine line between extreme horror and dark, disturbing fiction, without straying into bizarro territory.
This is a hard line to follow, as too much is bizarre, and too little is just mainstream horror. It's not easy to get it right, is all I'm trying to say...
So this is book number two for me. Lovelorn.
Jon-Athan has a way of writing the most disgusting, awkward manbabies that make me squirm.
For the first few chapters, I was thinking "This can't be the same guy who wrote the macabre masterpiece that was Love Sick".
It starts with a few loosely connected stories, that seem to be nothing great, just a bit of your standard splatterpunk. But, no... I was wrong. This is Jon-Athan's style of foreplay, before he drags you into the main, overlapping story. A manbaby's quest for revenge. A book about extremely awkward and deranged beta males, and the form of revenge that they choose to take on the women that scorn them.
Not for the squeamish. 4*
July 8, 2022
Micah is lonely, convinced all women hate him. When he finds himself going into the darker corners of the Web, he finds a group of people he feels understands him. They encourage him to spread their message, in the bloodiest of ways.
Jon Athan always manages to make his books so disturbing but so fantastic. They are graphic, and extreme, but he is incredibly talented and really makes each story so different, so unique - but always brilliant. This book will make you feel sick, it may make you feel emotional (it probably will). It's not for the faint hearted. It is an EXTREME horror, so be mindful of this.
Extreme horror lovers will definitely find this book a brilliant, hard read. It's not meant to be an easy read, this is what makes Jon Athan so unique.
Jon Athan always manages to make his books so disturbing but so fantastic. They are graphic, and extreme, but he is incredibly talented and really makes each story so different, so unique - but always brilliant. This book will make you feel sick, it may make you feel emotional (it probably will). It's not for the faint hearted. It is an EXTREME horror, so be mindful of this.
Extreme horror lovers will definitely find this book a brilliant, hard read. It's not meant to be an easy read, this is what makes Jon Athan so unique.
January 12, 2023
With so many amazing indie authors, I try to read as many of them as possible, which means it usually takes me a while to make it back around to another book from an author I enjoy. But something about Jon Athan’s books keeps dragging me back for more. They’re all extremely violent and graphic, but they often take a critical look at society’s faults and failures, forcing an uncomfortable conversation.
Lovelorn follows the story of Micah, a self proclaimed incel who, unable to get laid, falls into a pit of anger and hate, taking his frustrations out on anyone he deems young, attractive and happy. Check it out and follow Micah on his downward spiral.
Lovelorn follows the story of Micah, a self proclaimed incel who, unable to get laid, falls into a pit of anger and hate, taking his frustrations out on anyone he deems young, attractive and happy. Check it out and follow Micah on his downward spiral.
September 10, 2023
“Lovelorn: unhappy because of unrequited love.”
So that was a fairly disturbing read, all too reminiscent of real life unfortunately.
There are definitely sick people out there who blame others for their own problems and turn to violence.
This was a hard story to get through at times, as the author has you entering the mind of sadistic, misogynistic killers.
Jon Athan sure knows how to paint a bloody picture with his writing!
So that was a fairly disturbing read, all too reminiscent of real life unfortunately.
There are definitely sick people out there who blame others for their own problems and turn to violence.
This was a hard story to get through at times, as the author has you entering the mind of sadistic, misogynistic killers.
Jon Athan sure knows how to paint a bloody picture with his writing!
September 19, 2023
A story about a lonely guy who constantly deals with rejection and eventually resorts to violence to make himself feel better.
Perfect Execution!
A terrifying story of Micah’s decent into madness with scenes based on real-life events. This is one of those books that is hard to forget after you read it.
Perfect Execution!
A terrifying story of Micah’s decent into madness with scenes based on real-life events. This is one of those books that is hard to forget after you read it.
August 17, 2021
Brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always know I'm I for and good read with this author. His books are always packed full with blood, gore and violence, that isn't for the easily offended. Most of all his stories always pack that punch and highlight the world of today and the things that happen in life. The hard truths of how the world is changing and guns and violence is becoming more and more frequent in the news and in the tabloids. This story highlights all of that and more. Micah is and brilliant character that is really down on himself and his self worth, taking anything to heart. Easily influenced and introduced to the violent world of guns and hatred. He doesn't see the reality of anything anymore, it's all twisted and feels like everyone is against him. Then he changes and becomes so set on settling things to try and make things better for the future, in his eyes. That he makes a plan and the blood, gore, hatred and mass violence starts to evolve. A great read that takes you into a world of pain. Definitely recommend to any extreme horror reader.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always know I'm I for and good read with this author. His books are always packed full with blood, gore and violence, that isn't for the easily offended. Most of all his stories always pack that punch and highlight the world of today and the things that happen in life. The hard truths of how the world is changing and guns and violence is becoming more and more frequent in the news and in the tabloids. This story highlights all of that and more. Micah is and brilliant character that is really down on himself and his self worth, taking anything to heart. Easily influenced and introduced to the violent world of guns and hatred. He doesn't see the reality of anything anymore, it's all twisted and feels like everyone is against him. Then he changes and becomes so set on settling things to try and make things better for the future, in his eyes. That he makes a plan and the blood, gore, hatred and mass violence starts to evolve. A great read that takes you into a world of pain. Definitely recommend to any extreme horror reader.
May 29, 2020
This one's pretty silly. I enjoyed Jon's other work such as Cannibal Jungle and Dr. Sadist, but the problem here lies with the fact that the story is literally a checklist of everything the alphabet soup news networks believe that conservative online culture thinks. There's nothing original here. If Jon Athan wanted to explore a character that was unlucky with women and needed to 'get his murder on' in order to feel like a 'chad' he could have done it with more originality and less leftist media skewering of a more complex issue. The only thing missing was an evil cartoon frog as a profile icon if he wanted to check every leftist strawman off a fictional bucket list. Not Jon's best work, but I am looking forward to Kill Wu and Do Not Disturb.
August 27, 2023
It's fucking terrifying because it's real.
This was a great book. It was uncomfortable to see Micah "change", but it added a lot to his character. It's a carefully crafted rabbithole that keeps getting worse and worse. And I feel it's accurate.
This is not as gore as his other books. But on the other hand I didn't really feel much need for it.
I REALLY wanted an epilogue though. I want to know about his parents and Mackenzie and Bev. But I suppose it's exactly how you'd expect it to be, haha.
This was a great book. It was uncomfortable to see Micah "change", but it added a lot to his character. It's a carefully crafted rabbithole that keeps getting worse and worse. And I feel it's accurate.
This is not as gore as his other books. But on the other hand I didn't really feel much need for it.
I REALLY wanted an epilogue though. I want to know about his parents and Mackenzie and Bev. But I suppose it's exactly how you'd expect it to be, haha.
November 14, 2021
You would think by now that I would be used to Jon Athan, his books are a masterclass in brutality, twisted individuals and harsh reality.
What, then, did I think of this offering?
Sickening, disgusting, over the top, mindless violence are all ways you COULD describe this book. Hell, some of the scenes made me take a step back, and I love these books. The thing is, the most disturbing part about this particular story is the basis on actual fact.
I had never heard of Incels. I even looked it up to see if it was made up for the story - unfortunately not. During this story, we meet several men who feel shunned by society, rejected by women and mocked by the world. What they do to remedy this is what makes this book so challenging to read. Make no mistake, the warnings at the beginning are there for a reason. I'm a father and I was taken aback by one segment (even more so after the authors notes).
This is a story about hate. The thing is though, it's not as simple as that. As usual the author puts forward an issue in today's society and addresses it in his barrage of blood and guts - but with a message. The characters are well thought out, the victims are portrayed well and the main protagonist, although completely detestable, wasn't always so. Even at the end there's almost a faint glimmer of hope for some form of redemption, showing that this isn't all about mindless monsters on a killing spree but actual human beings that lose control and the feelings that they inspire in others.
One of the most brutal books so far, but a great read. If you like extreme storylines with strong characters, read Jon Athan.
What, then, did I think of this offering?
Sickening, disgusting, over the top, mindless violence are all ways you COULD describe this book. Hell, some of the scenes made me take a step back, and I love these books. The thing is, the most disturbing part about this particular story is the basis on actual fact.
I had never heard of Incels. I even looked it up to see if it was made up for the story - unfortunately not. During this story, we meet several men who feel shunned by society, rejected by women and mocked by the world. What they do to remedy this is what makes this book so challenging to read. Make no mistake, the warnings at the beginning are there for a reason. I'm a father and I was taken aback by one segment (even more so after the authors notes).
This is a story about hate. The thing is though, it's not as simple as that. As usual the author puts forward an issue in today's society and addresses it in his barrage of blood and guts - but with a message. The characters are well thought out, the victims are portrayed well and the main protagonist, although completely detestable, wasn't always so. Even at the end there's almost a faint glimmer of hope for some form of redemption, showing that this isn't all about mindless monsters on a killing spree but actual human beings that lose control and the feelings that they inspire in others.
One of the most brutal books so far, but a great read. If you like extreme storylines with strong characters, read Jon Athan.
January 28, 2021
I am a HUGE Jon Athan reader and this one was not a good read for me. I've said it before about a few other Athan books that it's bothersome that innocent people get such horrible deaths and the bad guys/gals get such easy deaths.
The other issue just being the storyline is pretty weak and just senseless.
The other issue just being the storyline is pretty weak and just senseless.
August 17, 2023
It's really hard to pick a favorite book by Jon Athan, but I think Lovelorn just became my favorite. I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked by page 1. In the first few chapters, you read about several disturbed individuals and what they do to the innocent simply because of rejection from the opposite sex and intimidation from same sex people. Then you meet Micah Watson who is the most disturbed of all. At 26, he's a part-time pizza delivery driver and a writer. After being rejected by Mackenzie, a waitress at a diner, you go on a hellish joyride as Micah's mental stability deteriorates rapidly. I've always been intrigued by mental illness and Jon Athan did an amazing job at letting us see inside the mind of a mentally disturbed person. In the authors notes, Jon Athan says this book was based off of the movie Joker, with Joaquin Phoenix.
Fantastic book, awesome storyline, and once again, Jon Athan proves that he's the GOAT in extreme horror.
Fantastic book, awesome storyline, and once again, Jon Athan proves that he's the GOAT in extreme horror.
April 18, 2024
Just finished Lovelorn by Jon Athan. Wow, this book could have been taken straight from the headlines. Every day we hear about crazy things done by people who feel entitled; hatred and violence by groups who feel superior to others; murders, and mass shootings. In Lovelorn Jonny Athan takes a hard look at men who feel so neglected and mistreated because of their own inadequacies that they turn to violence against those they hold responsible.
This story " blends true crime and splatterpunk to create convincing characters..." As the story develops we see the main character Micah change from an average, but lonely, guy into an entitled psychopath. At first you almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just wrap this up by saying you want to read this book. You NEED to read this book. It has a well thought out plot, moves along quickly and never lets up. Not the goriest book I have read but still contains some graphic scenes of child harm, s.a., torture, murder, death. A true commentary on what our society has become.
**Many thanks to Mr. Athan for this copy**
This story " blends true crime and splatterpunk to create convincing characters..." As the story develops we see the main character Micah change from an average, but lonely, guy into an entitled psychopath. At first you almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just wrap this up by saying you want to read this book. You NEED to read this book. It has a well thought out plot, moves along quickly and never lets up. Not the goriest book I have read but still contains some graphic scenes of child harm, s.a., torture, murder, death. A true commentary on what our society has become.
**Many thanks to Mr. Athan for this copy**
April 18, 2022
Another great book by this author. He totally nails the isolated and lonely adolescent male character.
What is making so many young men angry and alienated? Just as real life provides no answers, just sensationalist journalism and news specials, this book provides none either. I often think we wouldn't want to know the answer because then we would have to address the role we perhaps played. Do adults turn a blind eye to the cruelty of kids? Do they tell themselves, "He has to man up and learn to deal with it"?
I have no answers. It's difficult to have empathy for anyone who commits such unspeakable acts of violence, but as someone who works with kids each day, it hurts me tremendously to think some of them are suffering like this; feeling like outcasts until the sadness turns to rage, and then we have another Columbine.
I've been really impressed by the realistic themes this author has in the majority of his books. They unflinchingly show the absolute worst of humanity with no happy endings.
What is making so many young men angry and alienated? Just as real life provides no answers, just sensationalist journalism and news specials, this book provides none either. I often think we wouldn't want to know the answer because then we would have to address the role we perhaps played. Do adults turn a blind eye to the cruelty of kids? Do they tell themselves, "He has to man up and learn to deal with it"?
I have no answers. It's difficult to have empathy for anyone who commits such unspeakable acts of violence, but as someone who works with kids each day, it hurts me tremendously to think some of them are suffering like this; feeling like outcasts until the sadness turns to rage, and then we have another Columbine.
I've been really impressed by the realistic themes this author has in the majority of his books. They unflinchingly show the absolute worst of humanity with no happy endings.
September 2, 2023
Lonely, desperate,mental health issues. We have it all here in this book.
This one dragged me in from the 1st chapter, Jon based the 1st chapter on real life events. I actually hadn’t heard of Bianca Devins before reading this book, but when I googled her it makes the opening chapter even more horrific! We then move on to meet Micah, he’s lonely, a bit awkward and in love. We have all been there, unrequited love, most people deal with it gracefully and move on. Not Micah though, Micah feeling sorry for himself gets drawn into an online community of “incels” on the dark web. He quickly befriends “Fish” who explains there are 2 ways Micah can go, he can either take the red pill and try and fit into society and face further rejections……. Or the black pill and take matters into his own hands. Which pill do we think Micah opted?!
This one dragged me in from the 1st chapter, Jon based the 1st chapter on real life events. I actually hadn’t heard of Bianca Devins before reading this book, but when I googled her it makes the opening chapter even more horrific! We then move on to meet Micah, he’s lonely, a bit awkward and in love. We have all been there, unrequited love, most people deal with it gracefully and move on. Not Micah though, Micah feeling sorry for himself gets drawn into an online community of “incels” on the dark web. He quickly befriends “Fish” who explains there are 2 ways Micah can go, he can either take the red pill and try and fit into society and face further rejections……. Or the black pill and take matters into his own hands. Which pill do we think Micah opted?!
September 29, 2023
I was in the biggest book slump and this book brought be back. As always Jon Athan’s books never disappoint, he has a way words (in every book) to make me feel sorry for the main character even though they truly don’t deserve empathy (they all make terrible things to their victims).
Here we have the story of Micah, a young inspiring author who has a crush (he thinks it’s love) on a waitress name Mackenzie. He also has a odd obsession with violent acts or death on humans, he tends to browse the web for these images as well as incels site. I finally learned what the word incel means (which equals to men who despise women because they refuse them-that’s in short). It really well explained throughout the book.
If you want a mass sh****ing, decapitation, bus accident, torture and many more extreme violent scene, this book is for you.
Question remains: are you a Redpilled or a Blackpilled
Here we have the story of Micah, a young inspiring author who has a crush (he thinks it’s love) on a waitress name Mackenzie. He also has a odd obsession with violent acts or death on humans, he tends to browse the web for these images as well as incels site. I finally learned what the word incel means (which equals to men who despise women because they refuse them-that’s in short). It really well explained throughout the book.
If you want a mass sh****ing, decapitation, bus accident, torture and many more extreme violent scene, this book is for you.
Question remains: are you a Redpilled or a Blackpilled
March 14, 2023
When we meet Micah, he's just been tricked by a catfisher into losing some money. He's lonely and desperate. To get out of the house where he lives with his parents still (in his late 20s), he visits a diner for a late night meal.
MacKenzie, his waitress this night, is cheerful, friendly, and sits with him at one point chatting when it's slow. Micah's never had someone immediately take this kind of friendly interest in him. He believes that must be a sign.
It isn't.
If you think you know where this is going, you're probably right. This isn't a book of twists and turns, but that says more about our society than it does about the story. "Incels" - men who believe they are involuntarily celibate are a somewhat common sight these days. Assuming that they "deserve" the adoration of whatever woman they set their sights on, and that any evidence to the contrary is a sign of the woman's moral flaws just seems crazy to most people. But to Micah - and many others, regrettably, this is normal.
Put into the mind of a man who is lonely and just wants to be loved - but is also psychotically narcissistic enough to believe the world revolves around him, the reader goes through his process. Maybe this will make her love me. Maybe that will make her love me.
Until love ceases to be the end game.
This is a disturbing read because pretty much everyone has been rejected by someone when they felt they deserved a chance. It's not an irrational thought - on it's own. But the way we get back up from these bumps defines us. The book is well written enough to make it clear that he's a monster, but not everything he does is monstrous. There's a little bit of the reader in him. The real horror is is just how common the story sounds. You could have heard it dozens of times already, if you read the newspaper. It's easy in those moments to disassociate yourself from the killer in the news article, but if you walk back their twisted logic, you may just come to a crossroad where they aren't that far from where you were once.
Jon Athan made a book that's hard to put down and while you know where it's going you'll keep hoping it doesn't. But sometimes we don't get what we want - and we need to learn to accept that with grace.
MacKenzie, his waitress this night, is cheerful, friendly, and sits with him at one point chatting when it's slow. Micah's never had someone immediately take this kind of friendly interest in him. He believes that must be a sign.
It isn't.
If you think you know where this is going, you're probably right. This isn't a book of twists and turns, but that says more about our society than it does about the story. "Incels" - men who believe they are involuntarily celibate are a somewhat common sight these days. Assuming that they "deserve" the adoration of whatever woman they set their sights on, and that any evidence to the contrary is a sign of the woman's moral flaws just seems crazy to most people. But to Micah - and many others, regrettably, this is normal.
Put into the mind of a man who is lonely and just wants to be loved - but is also psychotically narcissistic enough to believe the world revolves around him, the reader goes through his process. Maybe this will make her love me. Maybe that will make her love me.
Until love ceases to be the end game.
This is a disturbing read because pretty much everyone has been rejected by someone when they felt they deserved a chance. It's not an irrational thought - on it's own. But the way we get back up from these bumps defines us. The book is well written enough to make it clear that he's a monster, but not everything he does is monstrous. There's a little bit of the reader in him. The real horror is is just how common the story sounds. You could have heard it dozens of times already, if you read the newspaper. It's easy in those moments to disassociate yourself from the killer in the news article, but if you walk back their twisted logic, you may just come to a crossroad where they aren't that far from where you were once.
Jon Athan made a book that's hard to put down and while you know where it's going you'll keep hoping it doesn't. But sometimes we don't get what we want - and we need to learn to accept that with grace.
August 24, 2023
I've just finished Lovelorn, and I'm sitting staring at my phone, wondering how I'll write a review for this. Lovelorn is a once in a generation read, and I mean that with the utmost respect and sincerity. It's one of those books that you go into thinking you know exactly what is going to happen, then you come out the other side realizing that you had absolutely no idea.
This book follows Micah, a man who falls obsessively in love with a waitress he sees at a diner. His love is entirely one-sided, and she rejects him when he begins to pursue her. This leads Micah down a dark path as he becomes an incel and sets out to punish all the "Chads" and "Staceys" he can find.
Lovelorn chilled me to the bone. It was brutal, shocking, and horrifying, but that isn't what got to me. What hit me hard was the dose of realism that undercurrents this book. How often have we seen mass shootings and other horrible acts of violence on the news? For days, we see these terrible things, but once the shock value has collapsed, it's radio silence until the next tragedy. Jon throws an absolute gut punch with Lovelorn in that it's so easy to think of something like this happening; easy, and extraordinarily heartbreaking.
Jon has delivered a story that is gritty and raw and so hard to get through. Not because of the violence, of which there is plenty, but because Micah and his actions embody so much of the terror that is swamping the world. Jon represented the dangers that women face every day, whether on dating apps or just trying to live our lives, in such a way that you have no choice but to take notice and understand.
Like I said, this is a once in a generation story. It's heartbreaking and violent, and it won't be easy to get through at all, but it's so very important. If you can see through the brutality, I promise you won't regret giving Lovelorn a read.
This book follows Micah, a man who falls obsessively in love with a waitress he sees at a diner. His love is entirely one-sided, and she rejects him when he begins to pursue her. This leads Micah down a dark path as he becomes an incel and sets out to punish all the "Chads" and "Staceys" he can find.
Lovelorn chilled me to the bone. It was brutal, shocking, and horrifying, but that isn't what got to me. What hit me hard was the dose of realism that undercurrents this book. How often have we seen mass shootings and other horrible acts of violence on the news? For days, we see these terrible things, but once the shock value has collapsed, it's radio silence until the next tragedy. Jon throws an absolute gut punch with Lovelorn in that it's so easy to think of something like this happening; easy, and extraordinarily heartbreaking.
Jon has delivered a story that is gritty and raw and so hard to get through. Not because of the violence, of which there is plenty, but because Micah and his actions embody so much of the terror that is swamping the world. Jon represented the dangers that women face every day, whether on dating apps or just trying to live our lives, in such a way that you have no choice but to take notice and understand.
Like I said, this is a once in a generation story. It's heartbreaking and violent, and it won't be easy to get through at all, but it's so very important. If you can see through the brutality, I promise you won't regret giving Lovelorn a read.
September 13, 2023
LOVELORN by Jon Athan
Incel: a person (usually a man) who regards himself or herself as being involuntarily celibate and typically expresses extreme resentment and hostility toward those who are sexually active.
Micah is an Incel. McKenzie is a waitress at a diner that he now frequents. He wants Mckenzie to be his girlfriend. Of course Mckenzie wants him, right? She's nice to him. Talks to him. Smiles at him..so why did she say no when he asks her to be his girlfriend? He changed his hair for her, his clothes for her! She's just like all the others. She's a whore. She's going to pay for this. They all will pay for this.
Jonny Athan does not disappoint us with Lovelorn! It is chock full of mental illness, Incels, innocent victims, murder, and bloody revenge from the very beginning. He shows you several Incels who have decided to fight back, taking the lives of those who have rejected them and innocent bystanders. From there, you get a closer look into Micah and how his life unfolds. Jon showed how mental illness mixed with loneliness, rejection, unwanted celibacy, and the internet can turn someone into a delusional, twisted, killer. If this book doesn't teach you anything else, it teaches you to be safe out there in the dating pool! I'm so happy that I am married! Lol
Incel: a person (usually a man) who regards himself or herself as being involuntarily celibate and typically expresses extreme resentment and hostility toward those who are sexually active.
Micah is an Incel. McKenzie is a waitress at a diner that he now frequents. He wants Mckenzie to be his girlfriend. Of course Mckenzie wants him, right? She's nice to him. Talks to him. Smiles at him..so why did she say no when he asks her to be his girlfriend? He changed his hair for her, his clothes for her! She's just like all the others. She's a whore. She's going to pay for this. They all will pay for this.
Jonny Athan does not disappoint us with Lovelorn! It is chock full of mental illness, Incels, innocent victims, murder, and bloody revenge from the very beginning. He shows you several Incels who have decided to fight back, taking the lives of those who have rejected them and innocent bystanders. From there, you get a closer look into Micah and how his life unfolds. Jon showed how mental illness mixed with loneliness, rejection, unwanted celibacy, and the internet can turn someone into a delusional, twisted, killer. If this book doesn't teach you anything else, it teaches you to be safe out there in the dating pool! I'm so happy that I am married! Lol
September 29, 2023
"Lovelorn" by Jon Athan. I was sent my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Micah is lonely, having been rejected by women time and time again. An incel by no choice of his own, he finds himself scouring the web for others like him. When he stumbles upon a community full of other incels, he becomes encouraged to act out his feelings of revenge, causing murderous decisions to be made.
"Although she wasn't happy, her survival instincts told her a smile would protect her. She didn't want to aggravate him. In a man's world, a woman's survival was often based on appeasement."
I went into this story totally blind, and while I enjoyed it very much, I didn't love it the way I've loved some of Jonny's other works. This book is gritty with some incredibly torturous scenes, though, and really made me consider how realistic this story could actually be. Micah also made me feel a wide range of emotions from empathy to sheer outrage. I also feel that many female readers will relate to this book in some manner, as so many of us women have been victims of things like this before. Another powerful and thought-provoking read to check off my list!
Micah is lonely, having been rejected by women time and time again. An incel by no choice of his own, he finds himself scouring the web for others like him. When he stumbles upon a community full of other incels, he becomes encouraged to act out his feelings of revenge, causing murderous decisions to be made.
"Although she wasn't happy, her survival instincts told her a smile would protect her. She didn't want to aggravate him. In a man's world, a woman's survival was often based on appeasement."
I went into this story totally blind, and while I enjoyed it very much, I didn't love it the way I've loved some of Jonny's other works. This book is gritty with some incredibly torturous scenes, though, and really made me consider how realistic this story could actually be. Micah also made me feel a wide range of emotions from empathy to sheer outrage. I also feel that many female readers will relate to this book in some manner, as so many of us women have been victims of things like this before. Another powerful and thought-provoking read to check off my list!
March 31, 2025
Reading Lovelorn, I couldn’t help but notice its striking similarities to Steve Gerlach’s Rage. Both books follow a VERY similar trajectory: a lonely, unstable man becomes obsessed with a waitress at a diner/cafe, misinterprets her kindness as love, festers in resentment when reality doesn’t align with his fantasy, and ultimately commits an act of violence in the place where his obsession began.
To be clear, I have no idea if the author of Lovelorn is even aware of Rage, but the parallels are undeniable. That being said, the execution of these stories differs. Rage is raw, unfiltered, and relentless in its portrayal of obsession spiraling into brutality (and MUCH more extreme). Lovelorn takes a more distanced, methodical approach, weaving in elements of online radicalization and modern alienation. While this gives it a modern edge, it also tempers the feverish intensity that made Rage such a disturbing read.
For those unfamiliar with Rage, Lovelorn stands on its own as a chilling exploration of delusion and violence. But for those who have read both, the similarities may be hard to ignore, intentional or not!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2023
Fantastic & Brutal
This book grabbed me from the very first pages. The story unfolds with characters that become unhinged at simple female rejection. Then Micah starts his obsession with Mackenzie. It’s clear he is emotionally unstable and it goes down a violent hill from there. This book made me think, from the beginning to the end, that even in our day to day lives, you never know what kind of impact you have on strangers. The mental state they are in when you say something to them. How many times have even I, a female, rejected a man in a simple way such as “sorry, I’m married..” not knowing how they may feel, or even if they will do something about that rejection, even as innocent as it may be. I was captivated throughout the book anxiously waiting to see how he was going to take things to the next level. Jon never disappoints with the graphic details! The gore and the description of the brutal details of the death scenes was on point like in all Jons’ books. This was an excellent book. Loved it!
This book grabbed me from the very first pages. The story unfolds with characters that become unhinged at simple female rejection. Then Micah starts his obsession with Mackenzie. It’s clear he is emotionally unstable and it goes down a violent hill from there. This book made me think, from the beginning to the end, that even in our day to day lives, you never know what kind of impact you have on strangers. The mental state they are in when you say something to them. How many times have even I, a female, rejected a man in a simple way such as “sorry, I’m married..” not knowing how they may feel, or even if they will do something about that rejection, even as innocent as it may be. I was captivated throughout the book anxiously waiting to see how he was going to take things to the next level. Jon never disappoints with the graphic details! The gore and the description of the brutal details of the death scenes was on point like in all Jons’ books. This was an excellent book. Loved it!
August 29, 2023
Seriously, where do you even begin with a book like this!?
Definitely doesn't have that same extreme gore factor as most of his other books, but I feel like this has to be my all-time favorite. Simply because it is a real thing. The masterpiece he has written here actually happens.
Micah was just a sweet and innocent man who wanted nothing more than to be accepted and loved, like many of us. But, society has painted
the image that people have to look a certain way to be loved. Micah made drastic changes to his lifestyle and was still turned down. This is when all hell broke loose.
Micah's character was portrayed fantastically. This book really opens the world around us, to those who suffer from mental illnesses, and believe they are doing nothing wrong.
Jon Athan has hit it out of the park with this one. Just enough death and gore. But, the storyline is captivating, keeps you wanting more. A deeper look into Micah's psyche. Highly Recommended!
Definitely doesn't have that same extreme gore factor as most of his other books, but I feel like this has to be my all-time favorite. Simply because it is a real thing. The masterpiece he has written here actually happens.
Micah was just a sweet and innocent man who wanted nothing more than to be accepted and loved, like many of us. But, society has painted
the image that people have to look a certain way to be loved. Micah made drastic changes to his lifestyle and was still turned down. This is when all hell broke loose.
Micah's character was portrayed fantastically. This book really opens the world around us, to those who suffer from mental illnesses, and believe they are doing nothing wrong.
Jon Athan has hit it out of the park with this one. Just enough death and gore. But, the storyline is captivating, keeps you wanting more. A deeper look into Micah's psyche. Highly Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2023
ARC review: Lovelorn by Jon Athan
As someone who has read many of Jon Athan's novels, I had pretty high hopes for this one...and I was not let down at all!
I won't go into detail (I don't like putting spoilers in my reviews), but I will say that it hooked me in from the start. The first chapter made a HUGE impact and set the scene for the plot of the story perfectly.
The work Jon did to show us Micah's descent from the average, lonely man, to a full blown killer was stellar.
Lovelorn was well paced and kept me on my toes the whole time! It pained me every time I had to set it down (darn real life obligations and such) because I just wanted to know what would happen next!
You can really see the work and dedication that Jon puts into his novels shine through in this one.
Lovelorn has officially replaced Stolen Tongues as my #2 read of the year!
I cannot recommend this book enough!
5/5 stars ⭐
As someone who has read many of Jon Athan's novels, I had pretty high hopes for this one...and I was not let down at all!
I won't go into detail (I don't like putting spoilers in my reviews), but I will say that it hooked me in from the start. The first chapter made a HUGE impact and set the scene for the plot of the story perfectly.
The work Jon did to show us Micah's descent from the average, lonely man, to a full blown killer was stellar.
Lovelorn was well paced and kept me on my toes the whole time! It pained me every time I had to set it down (darn real life obligations and such) because I just wanted to know what would happen next!
You can really see the work and dedication that Jon puts into his novels shine through in this one.
Lovelorn has officially replaced Stolen Tongues as my #2 read of the year!
I cannot recommend this book enough!
5/5 stars ⭐
September 11, 2023
My god this story had a body count that could rival game of thrones.
Jon knows how to write characters that you can hate with every fibre of your being and I will not be going anywhere near men for a very long time.
The description of the violence is vivid, visceral and I felt like I could see, smell and hear it. I actually had to take a breather a couple of times and I’m used to extreme horror.
Certain things that happened will rip your heart out and you will feel like it’s been stomped on.
I stampeded through this book in a couple of days and could not stop until I finished it which was way too late at night.
This is the second book I have read on the subject of incels and it was no less shocking for it. The content was so bleak, so desperate, so upsetting and yet completely compelling.
It’s a weird thing to say about a story on this subject but I absolutely loved it!
Jon knows how to write characters that you can hate with every fibre of your being and I will not be going anywhere near men for a very long time.
The description of the violence is vivid, visceral and I felt like I could see, smell and hear it. I actually had to take a breather a couple of times and I’m used to extreme horror.
Certain things that happened will rip your heart out and you will feel like it’s been stomped on.
I stampeded through this book in a couple of days and could not stop until I finished it which was way too late at night.
This is the second book I have read on the subject of incels and it was no less shocking for it. The content was so bleak, so desperate, so upsetting and yet completely compelling.
It’s a weird thing to say about a story on this subject but I absolutely loved it!
September 29, 2023
Jon Athan definitely out did himself on this one.
Definitely doesn't have that same extreme gore factor as most of his other works.
May contain spoilers.
Micah was just a sweet and innocent man who wanted nothing more than to be accepted and loved, but society has painted
the image that people should look a certain way to be loved. Micah, wanting to feel loved and accepted, made drastic changes to his lifestyle and was still turned down. At that moment was the straw that broke the camels back, and the flood gates opened, and hell broke loose.
Micah's character was portrayed fantastically to those who suffer from mental illnesses and believe they are doing nothing wrong.
Jon Athan has hit it out of the park with this one. Just enough death and gore that it does not take away from the storyline, which is truly captivating, keeps you wanting more. Highly Recommended!
Definitely doesn't have that same extreme gore factor as most of his other works.
May contain spoilers.
Micah was just a sweet and innocent man who wanted nothing more than to be accepted and loved, but society has painted
the image that people should look a certain way to be loved. Micah, wanting to feel loved and accepted, made drastic changes to his lifestyle and was still turned down. At that moment was the straw that broke the camels back, and the flood gates opened, and hell broke loose.
Micah's character was portrayed fantastically to those who suffer from mental illnesses and believe they are doing nothing wrong.
Jon Athan has hit it out of the park with this one. Just enough death and gore that it does not take away from the storyline, which is truly captivating, keeps you wanting more. Highly Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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