What’s Left of You

~ H.N. DeFore Read June 2025

What’s Left of You picks up right where the chaos left off—immediately following the prison break in which Alastair Constantine is freed by none other than Porscha Surwright, Jo’s mother, long presumed dead. Porscha reemerges under the false identity of Dr. Char Rowths-Spurig, a college professor, and her sudden return throws everything into turmoil. As bodies continue to pile up, the FBI is left grappling with a pressing question: is the original CGS killer back, or is a copycat carrying on the carnage?

With Alastair and Porscha vanishing without a trace, the FBI scrambles for leads, keeping Jo and Vinny grounded in Florida for repeated interrogations. They’re desperate—hoping that something, anything, Jo or Vinny remembers might offer a clue to where the fugitives are hiding.

H.N. DeFore’s characters continue to resonate on a deep emotional level. Her storytelling is fearless—delving into dark, gritty, and emotionally raw territory with unflinching honesty. Every character, even those in supporting roles, is richly drawn, but Jo remains my anchor. She’s so vivid and relatable, I can picture sitting down with her over coffee, sharing life stories.

The addition of Sterling into the central storyline was a brilliant move—his expanded role adds depth and emotional weight to an already intense narrative. Watching the destructive duo of Porscha and Alastair unravel was jaw-dropping. I won’t spoil anything, but just know: it’s a wild, gripping ride.

What’s Left of You pulses with urgency. The hunt for Alastair and Porscha never lets up, and the pacing is relentless in the best way. Scene transitions are seamless, keeping you grounded while propelling you forward. DeFore masterfully weaves themes of trauma, manipulation, gaslighting, healing, and hope throughout the narrative. She doesn’t just tell a story—she invites readers to feel every beat of it.

There’s something uniquely powerful in how she connects with her audience. Amidst the chaos, she delivers raw emotional truth, allowing readers to witness her characters’ pain, fear, and growth in ways that feel deeply personal. Though the subject matter can be triggering, for readers who have endured physical or mental trauma, this journey can be unexpectedly cathartic.

If you are looking for a dark romance with a psychological thriller element then What’s Left of You should be moved to the top of your TBR list. You get morally grey characters who are completely relatable, they could even be your friends and family, that give you a story that is deeply emotional and full of growth. But the thrills don’t end with the final page. We are left with another massive cliffhanger that leave us with jaws gaping wide open waiting for the final book due out later this year!

Thank you to H.N. DeFore for allowing me the opportunity to be an ARC reader on What’s Left of You. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.

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