She’s the woman of his dreams. He’s the monster from her nightmares.
When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger on a Boston street, she expects nothing in return. But then she meets Peggy's son, Lucas—devastatingly handsome and utterly captivating. Unlike her distant husband Grant, Lucas sees her. Wants her.
Daniella can’t resist and they spend one reckless night together which she immediately regrets.
Too late, because Lucas doesn't just want Daniella. He needs her. And he's willing to destroy everything—and everyone—standing in his way.
Lucas plays the long game, worming his way into Daniella's life—befriending Grant, charming her twin daughters, inveigling his way into her family. Every time she turns around, he seems to be there.
As the depths of his obsession become clear, Daniella realizes she’s in a fight for her life. Because the family she tried to help is hiding something dark. Something deadly.
Miranda Rijks is the bestselling author of 29 psychological thrillers, with over one MILLION copies sold. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador.
Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.
Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!
Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books.
When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy after she's attacked by a mugger on a Boston street, she expects nothing in return. But then she meets Peggy's son, Lucas, devastatingly handsome and utterly captivating. Unlike her distant husband Grant, Lucas sees her. Wants her. . A story of obsession which once again proves that you can't judge a book by its cover ... as it applies to people that is. This book is a quick read although I found the chapters longer than I was expecting. Lucas is very creepy as we watch him insert himself into Daniella's life and things become very tense. Peggy, his mother, understands him and tries to make him see reason, not always successfully. In the end maybe I shouldn't have felt such compassion for Peggy. Although this is a story that's been told before there are some unique twists and it's a smooth read with some intriguing characters.
Thank you to Inkubator Books, via Netgalley, for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. Publication Date: March 8, 2026
Miranda Rijks books are always fast moving and intense. I would have read this in one sitting if I hadn’t been so tired, it had me hooked. Full of twists and a psychopath who is terrifying, this book really is tough to put down.
Looks can be deceiving, and Daniella finds this out quickly. After rescuing an elderly neighbour from being mugged on the streets of Boston, she meets the son who is devastatingly handsome. This begins the nightmare that is Lucas and his obsession with her and breaking up her family. He will stop at nothing to get her, with deadly consequences.
I was on edge for so much of this book, wondering just what Lucas would do next. I felt sorry for Daniella, she tried so hard to rebuff him without much luck. An awful situation to be in, with a man who won’t take no for an answer.
Thanks so much to Miranda for my early copy of this book to read. It comes out on March 8th.
This story gripped me from the prologue and never let go! Right from the start the tension with thick and I knew I was in for a wild ride. It also immediately jumped through what appears to be a different timeline so there’s that lingering feeling of what and who that prologue was about!
The story follows Daniella as her life begins to unravel after saving her elderly neighbor Peggy from a mugger, which led her son Lucas to show up and stop at nothing to convince Daniella how grateful he is. Some of the characters that I did not like in the beginning grew on me and some that I thought were very charming ended up being my most unliked characters.
I really enjoyed the dual POVs between Daniella, Lucas, and Peggy. Seeing the story unfold from multiple perspectives added depth and kept the suspense going up as the different threads slowly started to connect.
Overall, this was a great read and Miranda Rijks does a fantastic job of creating characters that keep you guessing. This was my 5th read by her and I have enjoyed them all!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
➡️ WHY? My eyes were rolling so frequently that it was painful.
➡️ The book's "Fatal Attraction" premise was intriguing: A married woman spends one reckless night with a handsome younger man. After that, her life implodes.
➡️ Each chapter required a huge suspension of disbelief and had my eyes rolling at rapid speed: * Younger, strikingly attractive man with a pregnant fiancée, infatuated with a married older woman (Huh?) * The younger man’s bizarre, completely over-the-top family backstory * The younger man’s forced, wildly convoluted integration into the woman’s family life. * And the list goes on.
That setup had so much potential, and I am usually a fan of books with unhinged protagonists. I am also a devoted Miranda fan, so perhaps my expectations were set too high.
The book's final twist delivered, giving the story a much-needed saving grace.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Hannah Curtis and Luke Persiani.
I always enjoy full cast narrations, and both narrators gave outstanding performances.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐Dull, Lifeless, and Utterly Predictable (Thank Goodness for Bippie the Dog)
I received an ARC of Don't Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks from NetGalley. Released in March of this year, the book featured an appealing cover that promised a tense, gripping psychological thriller. Unfortunately, the actual reading experience was completely dreadful, dull, and lifeless. The narrative is entirely flat, and every single plot element and twist can be seen coming from a mile away. There is zero fear, no tension, and nothing remotely scary about the story. It is completely forgettable, wrapping up with a neat, happy ending that the book absolutely did not earn. Furthermore, the book suffers from a completely wasted premise, starting with a title that makes zero sense. Outside of a few standard, ordinary phone calls, the title has absolutely nothing to do with the actual plot, making it a ridiculous choice for a story already struggling for an identity. The only positive thing I can say about this entire experience is that I managed to cross the finish line and finish the book today.
The human characters do nothing to save the flat plot, as the entire cast is an absolute trainwreck. Lucas is a textbook psychopath who clearly just needs professional psychiatric help, while "Ole Peggy" and the rest of the characters are genuinely awful, unredeemable people. Not a single human in this book stands out or possesses any redeeming qualities to make the story engaging. The undisputed star and savior of the entire book is Bippie the dog. He is the only good character in the script, and he single-handedly carried whatever shred of enjoyment this book had left.
The author completely failed to do the localized research required for a book set in Boston, resulting in highly unbelievable cultural and geographic blunders. Rijks forces British terminology and concepts onto her American characters that make absolutely no sense. High-achieving, competitive daughters focused on elite American universities would not casually take a British-style "gap year." The laughable geographic errors are even worse, such as characters planning a summer trip to learn how to snowboard on the snowy mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire. New England ski slopes are famously green in July, and these glaring errors completely shatter any sense of realism. This book is a horrific, poorly researched, and completely predictable disappointment that I could never recommend to anyone.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Miranda Rijks, and rb Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #DontAnswerThePhone #NetGalley
Shocked by all the good reviews. Did we read the same book? This wasn’t a mystery or a thriller or anything…it is obvious who the villain is early on. It was also very repetitive.
Can you say psychopath with a capital P? This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. Miranda Rijks is a fave author of mine and I don’t even have to read what it’s about, I know it will be a great thriller. This was fast paced and addicting! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
PS Can we talk about how cute this pink telephone is on the cover???? I have a pink phone very similar to this that belonged to my 95 year old mother-in-law and I want to send a picture to Miranda!! 📞
I needed something light to read so I turned to the latest title from Miranda Rijks. Usually I quite like her books but sadly this one left me a bit disappointed. My main problem is that the characters, especially Daniella and Lucas, read more like caricatures than real characters. And I found all other characters lacking in depth. I also still don't understand what the phone calls had to do with the story.
Well, not a big problem because the story had its moments, and next time better!
If you’re a fan of this author, then get ready for the ride of your life!
Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger and meets her son, Lucas, who is strikingly handsome and charming. After a reckless night together, Daniella regrets her decision, but Lucas becomes obsessively determined to win her over, infiltrating her life and family. As his obsession intensifies, Daniella discovers that Peggy's family harbors dark secrets. Realizing she’s in a dangerous situation, she fights to escape Lucas's increasing control over her life.
The story unfolds through several points of view, including Daniella, Lucas, and Peggy, allowing you to connect with each character in real time. You’ll likely find yourself drawn to your favorites. Daniella is a relatable character who faces everyday struggles; Peggy is the beloved grandma we all know, with her quirks; and Lucas is probably that person in your life who seems to be lurking, watching you live your day-to-day. I found myself completely engrossed in this story—it was darker than I had anticipated. Let’s not overlook Bippie! I have a soft spot for dog characters who show up in the stories I read, and I really hope no one harms them. At least it’s great to see a happy ending for one character!
The events and behaviors were so vividly depicted that I could easily picture the challenges poor Daniella faced and the twisted mind of a stalker. And Peggy? She raised a real piece of work, but trust me, no spoilers here! It was hard to put this book down, especially as everything unraveled towards the end—let me tell you, it got extremely unhinged! The twists and final reveals were all surprises I never saw coming. Miranda is improving with each book she writes. The layers of lies and deception kept me hooked, like a book junkie craving their next fix. Kudos to her for that!
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a gripping, dark read filled with complex characters—some you'll find yourself liking, while others you might want to steer clear of. If obsession, violence, and deep-rooted family trauma don’t scare you away, this story will grab your attention. There’s a saying in my country: “Pro dobrotu na zebrotu,” which loosely translates to “No good deed goes unpunished.” So, the next time you help someone, keep your guard up and weigh your options carefully, as that seemingly simple moment could change your life forever. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll block a random old lady’s number that I helped—just to be safe! Ha!
Thank you, Inkubator Books and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE BY MIRANDA RIIJKS. 5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s. I literally read this book within the day. I was absolutely hooked from the first page until the last. Bravo 👏 The cover is 🔥 Absolutely gorgeous
I really enjoyed this. It was obsessive and unhinged but somehow still had a wholesome vibe. Moral of the story? Don't let sex ruin your marriage. Sex isn't the be all, end all.
This story opens with a very quick but shocking prologue, and I was instantly glued and wanted to solve the crime right away.
When Daniella rescues elderly Peggy from a mugger, she expects nothing in return from the incident. Until she meets Peggy's drop-dead gorgeous son Lucas, and immediately, there is an instant 'love-at-first-sight attraction' between the two. Only problem is, not only is Daniella married, but she realises after it's too late, that Lucas is obsessed, relentless, and needs her at any cost.
Overall, I thought it was a fast-paced and addicting read that I wasn't able to put down once I started. Following the main characters felt like foreseeing a train wreck, and I genuinely found some moments with Lucas, to be creepy and unsettling. I thought the author did well to show the consequences of making reckless decisions and how quickly things can escalate.
It became clear for me quite early on where the plot was heading, so I wasn't entirely shocked by some of the twists, and unfortunately, the plot left me with some unanswered questions.
This was nowhere near being a banger, but if you like fatal attraction, dark family secret type thrillers, this might be a hit for you.
Chilling, Claustrophobic and Captivating! Miranda Rijks has crafted a brilliant illustration of obsession and betrayal. When Danielle performs a simple act of kindness for an elderly neighbour, she has no idea she’s inviting a predator into her life. The neighbour’s handsome son doesn't just offer friendship; he orchestrates a devastating mistake that threatens to ruin Danielle’s entire world. The tension is claustrophobic, building with every chapter as his fixation turns into a relentless campaign of terror. As Danielle’s business and family life fracture under the pressure, I was gripped by her desperate struggle to escape. With an ending tied up as neatly as a bunch of silk sunflowers, this is a dark, expertly woven must-read for thriller fans. My thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for the ARC. This is my own opinion.
First, the name of the book has very little to do with anything, as names of books usually should.
Second, why are we glorifying cheating in marriages? It never works out, especially now the way that they were hoping it would in this book. Even if you regret the act afterwards, it still is NOT GOOD!!!!!
‘You can never know what goes on behind closed doors,’
she’s a married, middle aged woman who is going through marriage troubles when, out of the blue, she meets Lucas. Lucas is a very attractive younger man. An event brings them together, and all is fine and dandy until someone starts acting very strange and unexplained events start happening… murders. 😳🙃🤭
this book was pretty predictable, but it did hook me. i wanted to know what was going to happen even though i already guessed it. if you’re looking for a psychological thriller that is an easy read, this one’s for you. 😚🔪💉🕵️❤️🩹
bippie the dog was my favourite character. 🥹
‘We all make mistakes, Daniella. We’re only human.’
‘I want Daniella. No, I need Daniella.’
‘If I had to have a pet, I’d choose a cat. I respect their independence, the way they can see in the dark and prowl through the night, how they move stealthily, hopping up onto surfaces with a mind of their own. Dogs, on the other hand, are a pain. They need feeding and walking and crave affection.’ -he’s so real for that 😭😂
Super easy to get through even though it filled me with rage the entire time. After rescuing an elderly woman named Peggy from a random street mugging, Daniella expects nothing in return. However, the woman and her charming son, Lucas, insist on keeping in touch. What starts as a wholesome relationship, soon turns sinister. She suddenly finds herself bumping into Lucas wherever she goes. Is he following her or is this just a coincidence?
With her own marriage in shambles, lacking the intimacy she so desperately craves, she quickly finds herself captivated by Lucas who seems to have everything her husband doesn’t. After one night of reckless behaviour, wracked with guilt she decides she can never see him again.. but Lucas won’t accept that. He believes Daniella is his soulmate and won’t let anything or anyone stand in his way when it comes to pursuing her.
Honestly this book made me feel so nauseous at times. I didn’t find myself particularly caring much about any of the characters but I was just so stunned by the series of events. When you think it can’t get worse, it somehow does. I managed to read this in just a couple of house and found it to be an addictive read. 3.5 stars
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞 When a random act of kindness introduces Daniella to the very handsome Lucas, she finds herself pulled into a situation far more complicated than she imagined.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 Hannah Curtis narrates in an English accent, which fits Daniella perfectly, and her American accents are convincing too. Luke Persiani handles the male chapters well, and together they keep the story moving at a fast pace.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 This has a strong Fatal Attraction vibe. It’s bingeable, easy to get through, and full of drama. I love a multiple POV and they kept the pace fast and frantic.
It’s very plot-driven. This isn’t really about deep character work, it’s more about the suspense and everything escalating around them.
The ending was fairly predictable for me, but there was one twist I didn’t see coming. Overall this was a cozy, satisfying popcorn thriller that felt super satisfying.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗? This popcorn thriller is fast, highly readable not particularly deep or emotional but it’s entertaining and perfect for summer.
Thank you @Dreamscape_Media and NetGalley for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Hannah Curtis; Luke Persiani 📖 Release 06•16•26 | 290 pages | 8h
Fatal Attraction vibes are bleeding out of Miranda Rijks latest release, Don’t Answer the Phone! With unhinged behavior during a relentless pursuit of a married woman, Lucas systematically infiltrates the lives of Daniella and her husband, Grant, and their twin daughters. Lives will be destroyed as the body count rises- guaranteed!
The fractured mind of Lucas’s obsession was so unbelievably off the rails—and wildly entertaining—I could NOT put this down! Definitely my favorite book by Miranda Rijks, thus far.
Easy 5 stars!
***I received an advance reader copy from Inkubator Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.***
Dont Answer The Phone is like your favorite dessert, easy to devour. This one hookedme at the start.
Daniella's marriage needs some work so she finds herself drawn to Lucas, an incredibly handsome man.
Let's just say this grass is not always greener. What does one do when a psychopath becomes obsessed with you? You'll just have to read it to find out!
A good portion of this book revolved around infidelity and that just rubbed me the wrong way. If infidelity is triggering for you, this book isn't for you. (I seem to be the unpopular opinion) My review does not reflect against this author or their writing style. It just wasn't for me.
Don’t Answer the Phone by Miranda Rijks is a fast-paced psychological thriller that kept me turning the pages. The premise is unsettling and immediately pulls you in, and has an underlying sense of dread that builds steadily throughout the story. Rijks does a great job creating an atmosphere where you constantly feel on edge, questioning motives and wondering who can be trusted. The story moves quickly and is full of twists that kept things interesting, even when I thought I had it figured out. Some moments felt a bit predictable, and there were a few parts where I wanted a little more depth from the characters, but overall the suspense more than made up for it. If you’re looking for a gripping, easy-to-read thriller with plenty of tension and surprises, this one delivers. It’s not perfect, but it’s an entertaining and solid read that earns a strong 4 stars.
This is only the second book ever that I did not finish. I can usually push through bad books but this one was just terrible. I can not believe people rated this 5 stars. Infidelity is a pet peeve of mine but when you have cheating wife that is so pitiful as well it makes for a terrible story. I didn’t make it pass half way. Once the main character agrees to go away from the creepy person pushing his way into her marriage I just couldn’t read about her any more.
Daniella rescues Peggy from a mugging in the street. She didn’t think much of it, and expected nothing in return. She meets Lucas, Peggy’s son, who is very handsome and he wants her. At first, Daniella has some of the same thoughts. She’s been in a 20 year marriage and there is no intimacy. Then Daniella and Lucas have one indiscretion and Daniella regrets it. Lucas now believes that Daniella is his one and only, and will stop at nothing to make her his.
I enjoy Rijks’ books, and this is another one that I enjoyed! Told in multiple viewpoints, we really get to be inside the head of the characters and see the events through their eyes. Along with that, the book is fast paced and full of twists.
I didn’t mind Daniella as a character, but I felt bad for her husband Grant, and I really despised Lucas. Even at first, the fact that he was so disrespectful to her just sat with me the wrong way. Peggy is quite an interesting character and I love the way that Rijks revealed who Peggy is throughout the book. Quite clever!
Wow, the main male character was unhinged, and the voice actor really did an amazing job playing the part to a tee. However, the ending didn't deliver the punch I was expecting, especially given how wacky these characters were. Also, the cheating trope is the main premise of this book, so if that is a trope you stay away from, then this book is not for you.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ALC in return for my honest review