The Hypnotist's Love Story by Lianne Moriarty

This is one of Moriarty's early novels (first published 2011). Her latest ones have noticeably more complicated plots with interweaving storylines. It's a story about serial monogamy, about moving on, about getting stuck in the past, and about the importance of timing. Ellen is a hypnotherapist who has gone through three, three to four year relationships. She is now single and meets Patrick through an internet dating site. Patrick's wife Colleen died about six years earlier and he has an 8 year old son. He has had one serious relationship since Colleen died. This was with Saskia, it ended three years ago, but she has been stalking him ever since.

Unknown to Ellen or Patrick, Saskia becomes one of Ellen's clients. The book provides interesting insights into the world of hypnotherapy. It also explores the mind of a stalker and the impact stalking can have on its victims. Moriarty brings her characters to life with the small details in their actions and thought processes. As Patrick and Ellen get to know each other they shift from that first 'treading on eggshells'  stage to their first argument.

The story has it's climax and a fairly long wrap-up. It doesn't have the plot twits of some of Moriarty's other books, but it's a classic story of finding oneself and emotional growth.