ARC Review – ★★★★☆

Chemical Souls felt like a twisted Black Mirror episode collided with a haunting fairytale—in the best way possible. The atmosphere is dark, obsessive, and undeniably addictive.

The two main characters are absolutely vile (and that’s part of the charm); I couldn’t look away from their toxic dynamic. There’s a major twist that completely caught me off guard, and I loved it for that. I devoured this book in just three days, and it still hasn’t left my mind.

If you’re a fan of shows like You (on Netflix), this book will be right up your alley. It’s not overly gory, but it deals heavily with themes of death and intense stalking. Definitely one for readers who enjoy darker characters and psychological tension.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!
#ChemicalSouls #ARCReview #Thriller #PsychologicalThriller #DarkFiction #MorallyGray #IntenseReads #QuickReads #NetGalley #2025Books #HighlyAddictive

Chemical Souls is a short but gripping read that takes the stalker trope in a fresh and unexpected direction. I have been wanting a story that explored the question, “What happens if the stalker gets bored?” and this book absolutely delivered.

The story follows Patrick Carline, a man who signs up for a soulmate matching service that claims to find perfect partners through a chemical DNA process. During his intake interview, he meets Margaret Warren, the woman evaluating him, and there is an immediate spark between them. What begins as a seemingly ordinary matchmaking process quickly becomes something much darker and far more tangled.

The connection between Patrick and Margaret is intense, magnetic and unsettling. As the layers of their personalities and pasts start to peel back, the line between passion and danger becomes almost impossible to separate. The book thrives on its psychological tension, keeping you on edge while also exploring the thrill of connection and the fragility of excitement in a relationship built on extremes.

Roxana M. Rotaru delivers a fast paced, darkly fascinating romance that is both twisted and thought provoking. It is the kind of story that keeps you reading just to see how far the characters will go for love and what happens when the thrill begins to fade.

Based on the blurb I knew it would be entirely my sort of thing but I wasn’t fully sure what to expect.

The use of description was excellent and at times extremely vivid and immersive. There are periods that Margaret and Patrick are talking that I felt like I was in the room.

I didn’t care all that much about Patrick solely because the author made Margaret so perfect. She was magnetic and I wish I could have seen more of the story through her eyes.

My only issue with this book is I will have to read it again as I completely misunderstood the first couple of chapters.

For fans of YOU, toxic obsessive love, character-driven plots, and ambiguous endings.

A very different approach to the soulmates trope, with lots of philosophical and psychological discussions.
I found the writing style a little dialogue-heavy, and while this is not my favorite style, I still enjoyed the idea behind this and found it well-written and unique.

The cover is spectacular.

It wasn't easy for me to get into the story and I found it hard to stick with it at first. But the premise is interesting and my curiosity was certainly sparked after the first few chapters.

The writing style itself is very beautiful and made reading much easier. The sentences seem well thought out, the concepts and different points of focus are interesting and often very aptly embedded. Sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph, there is a lot to think about. Nevertheless, it is difficult to recognise a continuous narrative flow, as the plot often seems bumpy and somewhat scattered.

Character development is definitely part of the story and also takes up a lot of space. However, the characters weren't really tangible or comprehensible for me. A lot of things seemed to be hinted at rather than clearly worked out, so I found it difficult to sympathise with the characters.

I found it easier to read after the first few chapters, mainly because of the small stories within the story and the writing style. The themes revolve around human experiences, the discrepancy between expectations and reality, and how one shapes and deals with one's own perceptions.

Some twists I saw coming, others surprised me, which gave the story some good moments. The ending picks up on a lot of interesting thoughts and discussion points, but ultimately doesn't offer a satisfying conclusion for me personally, but again has a few loose threads that are thought-provoking.

Overall, a book with lots of exciting ideas and some good moments, but I was more captivated by the sentences than the overall story.

ARC review
Publication date 1 November 2025.

"Chemical Souls" by Roxana M. Rotaru is a dark, psychological romance.

I received an e-ARC from the author (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:
- morally gray characters
- obsession
- unreliable narrator
- multiple perspectives and timelines (nonlinear storytelling)
- tension

The cover and description got my attention and convinced me to read this book.
Even if it is a short read, the characters and story are well developed.
I liked the writing from the start. There is a dark atmosphere and a phycological tension that kept me intrigued.

If Patrick's obsession was hinted from the description, the twist about Margaret was unexpected.
They have an unhealthy connection and the story turns darker as you keep reading.

This is a story different to what I usually read and it is not a romance.
Still, I read it in one sitting and I would read more books form the author.

I loved this book! This is a mixed media psychological thriller that follows the romance between Patrick and Margaret. I am not going to give more details about this book because I think you should go into this blind like I did. The reason why is because after I went back to read the synopsis, I was glad I went into it blind. The way this book is written, it is better to go into it blind so you can be more drawn into the story. I highly recommend you checking out this book. It will release on 11/1/2025. I am thankful to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advanced copy of this book.

First of all: this cover?? Made me immediately request a copy and drop everything I was doing to read this. The characters wearing gas masks as a metaphor for the two of them being some of the most toxic people?? Especially in romantic relationships?? Iconic.

The first couple chapters had me HOOKED. What a way to set up the story. And it had me binging this book to see how things played out.

One of my biggest challenges though with this book was the frequent switching of POVs with no indication that the POV switched, so I had to go back and reread sections multiple times to figure out whose perspective it was.

But! With that said! There were so many times that I was like “oh this is how it ends - I know exactly what’s going to happen” and this book HUMBLED me with all the twists and for that I say thank you. Cause that’s the core of a great book - I don’t want to predict the ending. Loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced e-arc copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.❤️

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover and the description. By the time I read to 60% I felt like no progress had been made. The MMC needed a therapy sesh, not to find a soulmate.

Chemical Souls grabbed me straight away. The whole “your soulmate knows your darkest secret before you even meet” thing? So clever. It’s dark, a bit messy, and totally addictive. Patrick and Margaret are absolute disasters, but I couldn’t stop reading about them.

It does get a bit chaotic and hard to follow at times, but I feel like that’s on purpose—it makes you feel just as on edge as the story. The mix of tech, obsession, and mystery kept me hooked, and that twist? Yeah… didn’t see that coming at all.

It gave me Black Mirror meets You vibes. No gore, but lots of stalking, death, and psychological games. I smashed it in three days and I’m still thinking about the ending.

If you like your love stories dark, toxic, and a bit unhinged—this one’s for you.

*♡Thank you to Chemical Souls Roxana M. Rotaru and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion♡*
Chemical Souls was such a clever mix of science, mystery, and emotion that kept me turning pages. The concept felt fresh, and I loved how the author wove in thought-provoking themes without making it feel heavy. The writing style is engaging and easy to slip into, with just enough suspense to keep me curious about what was coming next. The characters felt real and their choices had me questioning what I’d do in their place. Definitely a story that lingers in your head after you’ve finished it. Highly recommend if you’re in the mood for something smart and a little different. A thought-provoking read that proves chemistry isn’t just for the lab. 🧪✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

“Is love a choice or a force beyond our control?”

Starting this book, I was not expecting a less than 200 page poem about the philosophies of soulmates and is there a line to what you would do for your soulmate, good or evil.

Patrick is looking for a soulmate and finds himself at Chemical Souls, a company that helps you find your soulmate. There he meets, Margaret, and instead of feeling hopeful of finding a soulmate, he already feels like he has in Margaret.

The way that these two test the theories of different philosophers and what they thought of soulmate and just the way they talk to each other, its a deeper level of understanding the person you want to spend your life with. There is also obsession mixed into this. Patrick and Margaret are so obsessed with one another in this book. When I say it felt like I was reading a poem the whole, it’s bc of the way these two talked to each other, like they were trying to find the meaning of being with one another.

Patrick is intense and very matter of fact on what he wants: love, real true love. His feeling, you can feel them bc of the way they are described in this book. It felt like the whole book was hopeful was melancholic in the undertones. It made me feel both. I wanted Patrick to find his soulmate bc it felt unbearable to him to not have someone understand him on that level, to truly want him in all his facets. And Margaret was the same but it more acceptance instead of understanding. She wanted someone to accept her the way that she was.

Tropes:
🧪Dark romance
🔪Psychological suspense
🧪Obsession
🔪Trauma
🧪Dangerous love
🔪Twisted characters with secrets

Thank you again!!!

Chemical Souls is a dark, twisty story that blends mystery, psychology, and suspense in a way that kept me turning the pages. Roxana M. Rotaru creates an atmosphere that’s both unsettling and captivating, with complex characters and a plot that slowly tightens like a vice.

I loved the tension and the layered writing style—it made the story feel immersive and thought-provoking. A few moments felt slightly drawn out, but overall, this was an engaging and impactful read that I would definitely recommend to fans of dark psychological thrillers.

If you love:
⭐️Cat and Mouse dynamic
⭐️Toxic Love
⭐️Love obsession
⭐️Touch him/touch her and die
⭐️Soulmate match but with a twist
This is the book for you.


Patrick and Margaret are both crazy… and I loved it!!

I found myself questioning how much I liked this book. The questions and very drawn out explanations had me struggling... until about the half way point. Then, I started to REALLY feel the black mirror vibes. The sick relation between the character... and the ending. It was unique and well done.

CHEMICAL SOULS BY ROXANA M. ROTARU: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This ARC, once published, will be classed as one of those "weird girl" books. This 117 page novel consists of Patrick, who visits a company who will find his soul mate based on chemical and genetic factors. Margaret, his interviewer, turns out to have created the business as a farce, obsessed with Patrick and convinced she's his soul mate. Full of murder, mystery, and odd intimacy, this is a short and entertaining read, wonderfully written.

Toxic obsession meets dark science… Chemical Souls by Roxana M. Rotaru is like a twisted Black Mirror love story. Patrick’s search for a soulmate leads him into Margaret’s web—one built on deeper secrets and stranger questions about connection.
The narrative’s haunting tone, addictive tension, and that jaw-dropping twist had me hooked. Not for the faint-hearted, but if you crave psychological intensity and morally grey romance, this is it.
Thanks to the publisher and @NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my first read on NetGalley, so honest thank you for the ARC !

I enjoyed to read Cemical Souls. The novel has an unique and dark atmosphere. The main characters are not normal people. The psichological complexity in their mental state are both beautiful and scary. Its poetry in madness and delusion, obsesdion.
This is a kind of story what is not driven by intense actions and scenes but the thoughts of the main characters and their inner words.
Sometimes i wanted to know more ... More about Patrick's and Margaret's past and what made them so messed up.
I liked the most the parts what were written in Patric's perspective in first person. He is an interesting, somehow beautiful but very dark and sick man...
I felt some things a little bit too sudden and without enough detail and reason.
But in all : i like the novel ! It deserves the four stars!

strange, weird, romantic, odd, fascinating. Perfect for fans of You. thank you Roxana Rotaru and Netgalley

I wish the book I read was actually about the people on the cover. Because this was not it. I was really excited about the concept of a dating site that genetically matches soulmates. I was a big fan of John Mars The One so I was excited to see how this book explored the same idea but made it its own. Unfortunately I was left extremely disappointed. Described as for fans of You and Black Mirror but if you’re hoping it leans more sci-fi than obsessive stalker this book is not for you.

3.5 stars

This made me feel like I was watching a Black Mirror episode of it had a cross over with the show You. Without going into depth spoiler wise, I will say the twists had be shocked, I didn’t see them coming at all initially. Towards the end I felt like I knew where it was going but then I was shocked once more.

Definitely an interesting read that’s not normally something I would pick up, but I’m not mad that I did!

Thank you for the ARC copy!

This is a copy of a review that I have posted to Fable, I will also post this review on Instagram and Goodreads.

Chemical Souls hooked me from the first chapter. The idea of a soulmate service that already knows your darkest secrets is creepy, intimate, and oddly addictive. Patrick and Margaret’s dynamic kept me on edge the whole time there’s this tension that feels part attraction, part manipulation, and it’s fascinating to watch unfold.

That said, the book isn’t a traditional romance at all. Most of it takes place inside Patrick’s head, and I found the frequent philosophical musings and long stretches of dialogue a bit exhausting. I kept wishing we could see more of Margaret’s perspective or get a little more context beyond their intense conversations. The pacing can feel slow, but the slow burn adds to the unsettling intimacy between the characters.

Overall, this isn’t a light, feel-good read, but it’s compelling and unlike anything else I’ve read lately. If you like morally grey characters, psychological tension, and a story that keeps you questioning who’s really in control, Chemical Souls will stick with you long after the last page.

3 stars.
At first glance- by the cover and all I thought this book might be set in a dystopian setting, a different age or planets, BUT when i read it-
My entire reading experience was :
1-oh. ooh. ohhhhhh
2-damn! These two talk wayy to much
3-A thought lesson too- In a good way, I got to know a lot. Both characters are super opinionated, with views very different from the mainstream. They kind of saw others as “less” for just following trends instead of digging deeper, and also disdain people for this. Extreme in their opinions, they click together perfectly.
And, I loved reading about their thoughts, views and takes on different things like - is immortality a curse or blessing, how everyone is capable of killing, our moral compasses and also the idea of soulmates -different opinions of Carl Jung , the red string theory etc, it was fun to know.
4-and also what the hell was happening?
Altogether- it was something new,definitely interesting and I kinda liked it.
Its an interesting read and please do note that its a multi pov book with interesting take on soulmatism.
And I don't understand the ending and Margaret's actions- but ain't I a mere mortal, a sheep following the herd mindlessly, how can this lowly person understand the thoughts of beings such as Margaret and Patrick.
I am being dramatic but this book was a fun ride, you can definitely try this for something different.
I don't think I was the right reader for this book since I haven't delved in this genre much, BUT I enjoyed this!!

I love, love, loved this book! The plot locked me in from page one, and spit me out a new person on the last page. The characters became real to me and will live in my brain forever. The setting was tangible and perfect. The pacing was riveting, but not rushed. All coming together to be a book I can't wait to recommend to my friends.