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.

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!!

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

I enjoyed this one a lot. Very unique. Loved the characters and I couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for the arc.

I feel like I was massively misled by the blurb. After reading it I was expecting a sci-fi about dating, I was expecting some criticism on modern dating.
This wasn't it at all.
I really disliked both of the characters. They were so pretentious and for what? Because they are so quirky and different because they believe in soulmates not like the masses? Because they put this idea on a pedestal without ever questioning it? Their love story was completely unbelievable. we didn't see them together at all. I was also very confused on the order of some of the chapters, like it felt like some were flashbacks but not really.
It was a pain to get through to be honest. even though it is so short, it took me wayyyy too long to finish it.
I am just so confused and unsure of what this book was trying to do or to be or like the message it tried to convey.

Can two broken people save each other, or will they destroy one another?
What if your soulmate knew your darkest secret before your first date?
Some people fear being alone. Others fear being known. Patrick thinks he’s tried everything to find love, until he discovers Chemical Souls, a company promising perfect matches through cutting-edge technology. When he meets Margaret Warner for his intake interview, he’s instantly drawn in. She seems to see straight through him… maybe even into the parts he keeps buried. By the time the questions end, Patrick doesn’t want to leave and neither does Margaret. But when their connection exposes the darkness beneath the surface, both will have to decide: is this love, or something far more dangerous?
Roxana M. Rotaru’s Chemical Souls is a striking departure from the warmth of The Man Who Feels Like Home. Here, Rotaru trades comfort for unease, crafting a dark, hypnotic exploration of love, guilt, and obsession. Patrick’s and Margaret’s connection is equal parts magnetic and unsettling, a psychological dance that asks: how much darkness can love forgive? What if the person who understands your worst secrets is just as broken as you are?
Rotaru’s writing hums with tension. Margaret’s chilling logic and Patrick’s spiraling fixation call to mind the obsessive energy of Caroline Kepnes’ You, though Chemical Souls favors quiet menace over gore. Every choice feels inevitable, every boundary dangerously thin. Trigger warnings for stalking, obsession, and death, but nothing gratuitous. Chemical Souls is dark romantic fiction at its most intimate and haunting, a love story that stares straight into the abyss and dares you to keep looking.

I would say this is for fans of the show or book you. It's tragic and dark. Very character driven and had an obsessive love interest character. Overall it was an okay story I did enjoy the way it was written and I loved the cover it was beautiful!

Recommend if you're a fan of YOU because this is given Joe and Love in another universe. This is a fast-paced, moderately quick read that's character-driven.

Morally grey characters
Unreliable narrator
Soulmate match
Obsession disguised as love


I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily

Firstly, thank you NetGalley for the arc.

The cover is what immediately intrigued me. I just had to see what this was about.

it did surprise me where it went. These two toxic people being with each other.
The concept of “cutting the thread” was interesting and I believe a great ending to the book.

It took me a few chapters to get into it and the writing style. But after crazy stuff for revealed, I got more into the book, wanting to know what was going to happen.
I do think sometimes the writing was hard to read in the way that these huge pieces of dialogue got dumped onto you.

The dialogue would be a big paragraph or just a sentence and I think the concept would’ve been done better if the dialogue length in particular was similar the whole way through.

Or I am not seeing the literacy technique the author was trying to use for the dialogue and it just wasn’t for me. 🤷‍♀️

The writing was a bit chaotic and seemed unorganized at times. The whole part in the beginning of them asking questions wasn’t done in a way to keep me interested…

I still think it’s a very well written book but the style just wasn’t for me.

I would recommend this to people who like the shows “Black Mirror” and “You”

This is a dark "romance" descending into toxic obsession. The connection between the MCs is tinged with secrets and manipulation, and the psychological aspect to the story kept me turning pages. I would have liked a bit more depth of character outside of our MMC, but I enjoyed it overall.

ARC review
Publication date 1 November 2025.

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

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 psychological 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 from the author.

Whew! What a dark and twisted short story about two people who met in an unconventional way. One searching for the one, and one who played all the cards well since the beginning. To say that I was surprised is an understatement. The story was intriguing on so many levels and the way it was written was edgy. It had that eerie undertone that kept me flipping pages, wondering what would happen next and who was truly in control. The psychological tension between the characters was palpable, and the alternating perspectives added layers to the mystery. It’s the kind of story that makes you question motives, trust, and the very idea of love.

Liked:
❥ Dark and mysterious characters; both leads had secrets and shadows that made them compelling to follow.
❥ Fast paced; the plot moved quickly, keeping me engaged from start to finish without unnecessary filler.
❥ Alternating first person narratives; I loved getting into both characters’ heads, seeing how their thoughts clashed and aligned in unexpected ways.

What fell short:
❥ The story could have been explored deeper so I could have gotten to know the characters more. I wanted more backstory, more emotional depth, especially with how intense their connection was.
❥ Insta love is a trope I get a hard time liking as it felt rushed, and I struggled to believe the intensity without more build-up.
❥ Chemical Soul idea did not work for me; while unique, it didn’t quite land emotionally or conceptually. I wanted more clarity or grounding to make it feel real.

Ratings Breakdown:
❥ Setting - 3⭐️
❥ Character Building - 4⭐️
❥ Writing Style - 3⭐️
❥ Message - 3⭐️
❥ Overall - 3⭐️

In summary, if you are after a dark and twisted story with morally grey characters who perfectly fit each other, then this one is for you. It has the element of surprise and a plot twist that’s promising and engaging. Just be ready for a whirlwind romance and a concept that might challenge your expectations.

Thank you Netgalley and author Roxana M. Rotaru for the advance copy. My views are my own, as always.

~JaNnA~

Chemical Souls is a haunting dive into obsession, identity, and the illusion of perfect love. Roxana M. Rotaru blends psychological suspense with emotional rawness, crafting a story that feels equal parts intimate and unsettling. It’s a slow burn that twists itself around your mind — seductive, eerie, and impossible to look away from. With morally grey characters and a narrative that challenges what it means to truly know someone, this book doesn’t offer comfort — it offers truth, and it’s electric.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Roxanne Rotaru for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

How far would you go to find the love of your life? Chemical Souls will have you in your feels, wondering if you’ve ever been in love before.

Patrick has spent years searching for his soulmate, doing everything he can to find “the one”, but love always seems just out of reach. Desperate to find a real connection, Patrick turns to Chemical Souls, a cutting-edge dating company that promises to match people using their advanced technology. There, he meets Margaret, his interviewer. As her questions dig deeper into who Patrick truly is, an undeniable spark forms between them, one that neither of them can ignore. But, as their connection intensifies beyond the bounds of a professional relationship, passion begins to twist into obsession… and their pursuit of love threatens to destroy both of them.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between both Patrick and Margaret. They’re the definition of ride or die for each other. The MMC actually reminded me a lot of Joe from You, which made me like him even more. Patrick throws himself completely into his relationships just like Joe does, and once you’re inside his head, you can really see the similarities in the way they think. Margaret, on the other hand, has that same intense energy as Love from You, which makes their connection even more compelling.

The questions that Maraget asks during the interview really make you stop and think about how you’d respond in her place. I also appreciated the pacing of the story; the author keeps things moving without dragging scenes out or adding unnecessary filler. The story does jump around a bit, so you need to pay attention to whose perspective you’re reading. The story is unpredictable, vivid, and immersive, which makes you feel like you’re right there alongside the characters. The tension between Patrick and Margaret is palpable, and you can feel it in the interactions!

Overall, I really liked this book. It’s an easy, short read and one that I’d recommend! 4/5 stars!

I’m not sure what to classify this as in terms of genre. Dark romance probably? It’s a psychological suspense with aspects of romance. I think this is an excellent story for those who like the show You, enjoy darker romances, enjoy dialogue-driven books, and have a soft spot for an unreliable narrator.

This book hit a lot of deep points that I wasn’t really expecting, to be honest. A lot of conversations between our main characters made me reflect upon my own intimate relationships with a new perspective. We spend a lot of time in our MMC’s head which was quite unsettling. However, even with the sheer amount of dialogue, there was rarely a dull moment on page.

This was an intriguing modern romance with Margaret and Patrick as the main characters. The two meet when Margaret asks Patrick a lot of questions to find his soulmate through an agency. Soon it is revealed that all it not what it seems whether with the agency or with the characters.

Learning about them is like slowly peeling off the layers of an onion until the truth comes out. In the process, Margaret and Patrick turn out to be true soulmates who understand each other perfectly.

The story weaves love, toxicity and suspence in a smooth manner. Readers will be hooked from the first page and racing till the end to see how the story plays out. Marvelous storyline with multi-faceted characters make for an engrossing book.

Highly recommend 👍🏻

This was an interesting and fresh take on the soulmate trope, with a good blend of psychological thriller and twisted romance. The narrative is nonlinear and shifts point-of-view frequently, which I enjoyed but some readers might find disorienting.

I went in blind and holy shit. I don’t know what I just read, but I loved it. I did not expect a poetic, philosophical deep dive into love told through the lens of a psychotic couple. It explored what “good” and “bad” even mean in the context of love, what actually constitutes love or hope, what it means to settle, and what a soulmate is and the lengths you’ll go to find them. And then add some obsession into all of that. I don’t know what the hell that ending was, but I wish this had been like 200 pages longer.

At times it felt like a monologue straight from your own head. Like the stream of thoughts you’d have in the middle of a breakup spiral. The author described things so succinctly and sharply that it hit almost too close to home. It also made me laugh. The themes were serious, but often told in such an unhinged way or POV that you can’t help but cackle while simultaneously question your own life choices/thoughts and think wait… am I just as bad because I agree?

“You’re just happy living your life knowing you ruined mine?”

“You are not my soulmate, so why the fuck are you taking up so much space in my brain?”

“…I think what I fear most isn't loss itself, but the emptiness that follows. The space where something once lived, but now only echoes. I fear meaning slipping through my fingers. I fear becoming a spectator to my own life. Watching the things I love turn to shadows."

If you love books like Sick Fux by Tillie Cole then you’ll love this disturbing, dark, dystopian love story. This one had me crying, cussing, and clutching my pearls!

This story veered in a direction I was not expecting. I had thought it was going to be a tragic tale of two people seeking their soulmates. The book, however, turned out to be a more twisted exploration of the lengths people will go to in order to attain what they believe they are owed, and to maintain what they perceive as control over their own existence.
I thought this was an interesting take on a stalker narrative, one in which there isn’t a clear victim or perpetrator as such. It felt quite meta: the stalker themself becomes the recipient of curated surveillance and puppet-mastery.

I was disappointed to be deprived of Margaret’s backstory, she is the more compelling character of the two. While Patrick falls into the generic mould of the misogynistic psychopath who blames women for everything wrong in his life or any loss of control — Rosemary being a case in point.