I love Emily. I know she loves me too, I just need to show her. One day, we will be together forever, I’ll make sure of that. She’s only with this guy she’s been hanging around with to test me, see if I’ll stand true. Emily wants me to fight for her, to see if I can win her. Of course, I will. Once she sees how I’ve been caring for her, all the plans I’ve made, and the lengths I’ve gone to in order to be with her, she will be so proud of me. If only she would stop pretending so I could stop hiding in her attic.
Reach deep into the mind of mentally ill millionaire Noah Burrell as he turns Emily’s world upside down. His deranged love just might be her undoing.
Professional Reviews
Crazy Love is a brisk, psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.
http://ellemichaelriver.com/2017/08/21/crazy-love-by-rachael-tamayo/
Following the lives of three characters – Emily, Isaiah, and Noah – Crazy Love bounces between each point-of-view to tell an intimate, chilling story of obsessive love. Tamayo executes this multi-perspective narration with finesse. Her narrator’s voices are unique, their separate perspectives of the same action fascinating to read.
A twisted love story, Emily falls in love with Isaiah, but not before Noah becomes infatuated with her. Convinced that every glance, smile, and gesture Emily makes is a sign that she loves him too, Noah begins to build a delusion. This delusion compels him to commit escalating acts of stalking, invasion, and eventual violence. Emily’s world falls into chaos as Noah manipulates his way into her life, but she finds comfort in a rekindled romance with steadfast Isaiah, a police officer, who promises to protect her no matter the cost.
None of Tamayo’s characters are healthy, but this is a good thing. Never once did I feel I was reading a caricature; these characters are genuine and real. Emily’s past is painful and complicated, but she deals with it through avoidance and distance. She’s often needy and too naïve, and there were many times I wanted to reach through the book and scream, “tell that guy to screw off!” Emily’s chapters are unsettling but engrossing as we watch her confidence drain and her fear rise.
Leading man Isaiah struggles with complicated emotions that demand his attention. He manages feelings of abandonment and inadequacy in his new relationship with Emily. Their romance is passionate, but its speed and intensity aren’t always healthy. Yet compared to Noah’s delusions you can’t help but root for Isaiah and Emily’s love. Isaiah’s chapters push the novel forward as he begins to piece together the mystery surrounding Noah’s obsession with Emily. His position as a police officer sometimes over-complicates the case as much as it helps due to well-described, legal red tape. I kept rooting for Isiah to figure out what we, the readers, knew before it was too late.
However, it’s Noah’s chapters that leave me breathless. He is one of the most fascinating villains I’ve ever read. While I fall short of feeling sympathy for him – mental illness does not excuse stalking and violence – he is a multifaceted, beguiling character. A handsome, wealthy, successful businessman, Noah might remind you of an older version of another romantic lead. But Tamayo turns that trope on its head. The driving force of the novel is Noah’s ability and power to use his wealth to manipulate his world around Emily. Some of the most unnerving scenes are during his chapters. We see how disconnected Noah’s delusions are from the way he acts and speaks to other people. On the outside, he’s reserved, detached, authoritative, and capable. Only his inner monologue betrays his insanity. I hope Tamayo continues to create compelling, dynamic villains like Noah.
Crazy Love is a slow build of tension and terror; it steals your breath and sends shivers down your spine. Tamayo’s descriptions of Noah’s calculated movements to inject himself into Emily’s life are disturbing to read. They made my blood pound, and more than once I found myself putting the book down to double-check my locks and turn on a few more lights. The assault on Emily’s privacy was the most nauseating to read. Home invaded, possessions stolen, and intimacy violated, each point-of-view chapter added to the growing dread churning in my stomach. I had to keep turning the pages.
All Tamayo’s descriptions are evocative and tangible. They paint a vivid picture of Emily’s world, and exactly how Noah penetrates it. The novel played out like a movie in my head, and I’ve already begun casting the leads. This book will have a seamless transfer to the big screen; it’s a modern-day Fatal Attraction.
I’d classify Crazy Love a romantic-thriller, but the romance part stumbles a bit. Isaiah and Emily’s love is passionate but excessive. I love tender, erotic sex scenes, but the frequency of lovemaking these two engage in damages the intensity of the thriller. At the very worst, it slows down the pacing of the book. I found my eyes glossing over a few of the late-game sex scenes eager to return to Noah’s unnerving hunt for Emily’s affection.
I also need to mention that this book tackles the darker side of mental illness including how law enforcement is often the first to respond to a suffering individual. Tamayo handles this situation and its devastating effects with tact and honesty. First responders shouldn’t be the first (and too often the last) step to getting help. Tamayo addresses this in a thoughtful note following the closing chapter. She’s also donating 15% of the proceeds of her book sales to The National Alliance on Mental Illness.
My addendum to this: 1 in 4 people will struggle with mental illness in their lifetime. Unlike Noah, individuals with a mental illness are no more likely to be violent than anyone else and are more often the victims of violent crimes. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and while we need to do better as a community to support mental health, help does exist. Please visit MentalHealth.gov for more information about services in your area. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, don’t wait. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline right now: 1-800-273-8255.
You should read this book if: you enjoy fast-paced psychological thrillers and sexy, passionate romances. Rachael Tamayo’s writing is entertaining and easy to read. She hooks you from the first sentences and doesn’t let go until the last page. I am excited to read more of her writing – she’s an author to watch!
-Elle
Masterpiece
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. This has got to be one of the most well written, gut wrenching, terrifying, psychological thrillers that I have ever read. The author takes you on a journey from the very first chapter, making you see, hear, feel right along with the characters and what they are experiencing. She has a true talent for showing her readers and drawing me in to the point that I was holding my breath when Emily was holding hers. It was like I was feeling the terror and the panic along with her. Seriously, kudos to you on this amazing masterpiece! And that ending... it left me with chills. I cannot wait for more! (Goodreads Reviewer)
Where Fae Wray meets Fatal Attraction
Where Fae Wray meets Fatal Attraction with a touch of best selling P.A. Paris book Behind Closed Doors.
Rachael Tamayo has given Crazy Love a twist, the POV of not only the hero and femme fatale but also from the point of view of the sadly mistaken antagonist. Switching back and forth between POV's are handled seamlessly, and gives you a peek behind the eyes of, off his meds and his rocker, Noah.
The object of his affections is always likable and identifiable Emily, who goes from just being polite to a stranger to having to accept his tongue in her mouth in order to save her own life. Isaiah, a heart throbbing blond cop with a heart of gold, makes a the believable hero and adds muscle to the love triangle.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story, the writing style and the feel of the book. Interesting and breathtaking it keeps you reading and breathing heavy, from page 1 waiting to see what will happen next. (Goodreads Reviewer)
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