A Domestic Thriller/Mystery w/ Mental Illness Rep.
Harper Lane’s troubled childhood, haunted by abandonment and assault, leaves her with an undiagnosed mental illness. Forced into therapy at age sixteen, Harper feels emotionally invalidated when her psychologist, Doctor Jett Shaw, dismisses her complaints of dissociative fugue and abuse as an attempt to seek attention.
After seven agonizing years of therapy, the contemptuous doctor retires, and Harper’s life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with his son. Doctor Brody Shaw is a renowned research psychologist who recognizes the definitive symptoms of Harper’s mental illness and offers his help. As they work together, Harper develops a crush on the slightly older doctor and Brody becomes increasingly infatuated with her. When Brody finally confirms Harper’s diagnosis, he realizes it is more beneficial for him if the details of her illness remain undisclosed.
Everything seems to go according to Brody’s plan until Harper meets the charming private investigator, Alo Billengana. As Alo and Harper grow closer, he becomes suspicious of Harper’s unusual relationship with Brody and her bizarre behavior. Unsure of what to do, Alo taps into his investigation skills to look into Brody's past and, he simultaneously uncovers the mysteries surrounding Harper’s childhood and her illness. Only after Alo solves the puzzle does he realize the importance of saving Harper from the manipulative and dangerous doctor.
Triggers:
Teenage Pregnancy/Child Abuse/Child Neglect/Child Abandonment/Prostitution/Miscarriage/Adoption/Abortion: Mentioned conversationally.
Natural/Unnatural Death: Mentioned conversationally and implied.
Physical Abuse/Mental Abuse/Manipulative Control/Blackmail/Stalking/Kidnapping/Misogyny: Mentioned conversationally and depicted.
Sexual Assault/Sexual Control: Depicted but not overly graphic.
Dissociation/Compartmentalization/PTSD/Depression/Anxiety: Mentioned and depicted.
Explicit/Non-Explicit Sexual Content
Strong Language lightly scattered throughout.
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Found Family
Dark Secrets
Diverse Romance
Mental Illness Rep
Multiple POV
Morally Gray
Insurmountable Odds
Workplace Romance
