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Love in the Time of Serial Killers
Love in the Time of Serial Killers | Alicia Thompson
58 posts | 47 read | 37 to read
Turns out that reading nothing but true crime isn't exactly conducive to modern dating--and one woman is going to have to learn how to give love a chance when she's used to suspecting the worst. PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh has always been obsessed with true crime. She's even analyzing the genre in her dissertation--if she can manage to finish writing it. It's hard to find the time while she spends the summer in Florida, cleaning out her childhood home, dealing with her obnoxiously good-natured younger brother, and grappling with the complicated feelings of mourning a father she hadn't had a relationship with for years. It doesn't help that she's low-key convinced that her new neighbor, Sam Dennings, is a serial killer (he may dress business casual by day, but at night he's clearly up to something). But it's not long before Phoebe realizes that Sam might be something much scarier--a genuinely nice guy who can pierce her armor to reach her vulnerable heart.
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charl08

“I tried out for fifth grade chorus...I‘d always heard that anyone could be in chorus in elementary school. If you didn‘t have a great voice, they‘d just stick you in the back.... But you‘ll never guess what happened.” He smiled, his eyes crinkling in the nicest way.
“You didn‘t make it.”
“Is your school‘s chorus that cutthroat?”
“Not really,” he said. “All the competition is in going out for hall patrol. It‘s a campus of narcs.”

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OriginalCyn620
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Mehso-so

This is was just okay for me. And this just wasn‘t what I expected. There were some funny moments, but I never really connected with either MC. The FMC was abrasive and standoff-ish, while the MMC was kinda boring with little personality. The secondary characters were pretty awesome though!

#bookspinbingo
#24in2024
#readaway2024

OriginalCyn620 My biggest disappointment was that there was no serial killer! If the MMC (love interest) had turned out to be an actual serial killer, it could‘ve been much more interesting. Or maybe even if another neighbor had been one? I know the title comes from the FMC‘s love of true crime, but I was really expecting a serial killer! 1mo
DieAReader 👋🏻Onto the next one😏📚 1mo
5feet.of.fury I agree I had high hopes and then she‘s was just insecure and he was just sweet but mid 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Great review!!! 1mo
44 likes4 comments
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I got Ali Hazelwood vibes from this, probably the PhD candidate main character. She‘s writing about true crime instead of being a women in STEM but it follows a similar formula. It‘s a light ( despite all the crime references) and funny ( I laughed out loud more than once) rom com read

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy Valentine‘s Day 💞 1mo
mcctrish @Alwaybeenaloverofbooks taking the day off to read and chill made it the happiest of valentines days 1mo
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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mcctrish
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I‘m staying home today and reading all my love books. Happy Valentine‘s Day Littens

Tamra Ohhhhh, now that‘s a gift for the heart! 1mo
Ruthiella Sweet! Happy Valentines Day 💘 1mo
RobES This looks dreamy ❤️ 1mo
See All 8 Comments
mcctrish @Tamra spoiling myself rotten 🤣🤣 1mo
mcctrish @Ruthiella got to read The Bros too ✔️ get all my Buddy reads in 1mo
mcctrish @RobES I‘m so happy valentines is a Wednesday, it‘s breaking up the work week nicely 👏🏻👏🏻 1mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Happy Valentine‘s Day! 💞 1mo
55 likes8 comments
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mcctrish
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What are you reading this weekend ? #weekendreads

26 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheLudicReader
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Bailedbailed

My February #bookspin is going to have to be a bail from me. I read 125 pages and while I did like the references to true crime, I just couldn‘t with the romance aspects. I am not really a reader of romance unless the book is going to wring my heart out. It‘s not the book, it‘s me.

dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 2mo
38 likes1 comment
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K.Wielechowski
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Panpan

I really wanted to like this book but I just didn‘t.

The main character‘s primary personality trait is self-sabotage and the love interest has the personality of a mop.
The brother and his girlfriend were fun but didn‘t make up for the rest.
Also, no serial killers.

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ShyBookOwl
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FYI to the romance junkies! I don't read much romance, but this sounds cool, so I'll probably peruse some titles!

https://mashable.com/article/stuff-your-kindle-day-deal

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Ddzmini
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Pickpick

What a great read. It is funny and emotional love how the characters interact and discuss college processes. Loved it

41 likes1 stack add
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Ddzmini
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My next read 🤪

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AkashaVampie
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Curling up for the night with an actual book. I haven't read a physical book in a long long time. 🤞 Hoping that I actually remember how to read. Haha!

#BookishMonopoly
Physical Book

40 likes1 stack add
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MatchlessMarie
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Had an Alicia Thompson dinner with potato soup mentioned in With Love, from Cold World and this awesome Nutella Pie from the tagged book. I‘m surprised I never thought to try this combo in a pie before. 🤤 #Foodspiration

Bookzombie Both look good! 7mo
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RebL
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This is a Litsy-made-me-read-it. No regrets. Although…

RebL I did expect a reveal that the MC or Love Interest would be an actual serial killer. 😆 9mo
20 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Tea_and_Starstuff
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Pickpick

This book was recced as a Fun Read, and I was…dubious. True crime obsession getting in the way of love? Didn't sound like my thing.

It was far better than I expected! The FMC is writing her PhD dissertation on true crime in American Media, and yes, there are a series of humorous suspicious mishaps with her love interest. But the book is far more about building healthy relationships after loss and isolation. Surprisingly smart, fun read!

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CoffeeK8
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Pickpick

If you love #truecrime and #romantsy then this is the book for you. The true crime obsessed heroine meets her cute new neighbor and can‘t decide if he‘s a serial killer or just a cute and slightly odd neighbor.

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Rissa1
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Pickpick

I loved this. I related to Phoebe in many ways. It's definitely worth the look I got when I threw another book in the cart at Target.

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Rissa1
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Spring break is over. Kids are at school, dishes done, laundry going, 63°F at 9:29 AM, READING ON THE DECK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2023.

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ReadingOver50
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Pickpick

Based on the title, I was hoping for more serial killers and less love. This is your basic meet cute romance. I really liked that Phoebe is working on her PhD dissertation on true crime. That seems like a pretty interesting field of study. This was a fun and fluffy read.

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StayCurious
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@merelybookish thank you for the spring-timey warm and colourful #muglove23 box! I love every bit of it! These specialty hot chocolate packages are my faves and I can‘t wait to read this book! Thank you! Thanks for hosting @TheKidUpstairs @Cinfhen !

Cinfhen Those hot cocoa flavors DO look delightful ☕️💜😁 13mo
LeahBergen What a pretty pottery mug! 13mo
Chelsea.Poole Love your mug! 13mo
See All 6 Comments
merelybookish Glad you are happy with it! It was fun to put together. 13mo
TheKidUpstairs Land O Lakes makes such yummy flavours! And that mug is delightful :) 13mo
MatchlessMarie Land o lakes hot cocoa is the best! 13mo
63 likes6 comments
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swishandflick
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Pickpick

I loved the premise of this! And, as a certified single true crime junkie myself, I saw a lot of me in Phoebe. But I do think that, if I hadn't been obsessed with the title and cover, it would have been more of a "borrow" instead of a "buy" since I've been in the mood for more steam with my romance lately ?

?? Tortola, B.V.I

Jemgirl2014 I loved that one too! 14mo
5feet.of.fury What a viewwwww 14mo
swishandflick @5feet.of.fury Right?! 😍 14mo
104 likes1 stack add3 comments
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BookNAround
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Mehso-so

A woman writing her thesis about true crime books and cleaning out out her late dad‘s house suspects his cute neighbor of being up to no good. Sounds cute, right? I wish I‘d liked it as much as I wanted to. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2023/02/review-love-in-time-of-serial-killers.ht...

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Branwen
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"I was on a roll, my fingers flying over my laptop keys, when Lenore jumped up and walked right across my keyboard, putting her asshole in my face." ?

I really love it when you can absolutely tell that the author has experienced the joy of cat ownership! ???

ShyBookOwl 😹 that tracks. I really liked this book. Enjoy! 14mo
jenniferw88 😂😂😂😻 14mo
Branwen @jenniferw88 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😹 @ShyBookOwl I just finished it and really liked it too! I wasn't expecting it to be so funny! 💕📚 14mo
54 likes3 comments
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swishandflick
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After an extremely stressful week, I actually feel pretty relaxed today! Whew! So I'm trying to lean into that and get back into my reading groove on this peaceful, rainy, day. I couldn't decide between romance and murder, so this romance about a true crime obsessed woman seemed to fit the bill. Added in my new "you're overthinking again" sweatshirt for good measure in case my brain starts to slip ahead to whatever tomorrow has in store ?

Julsmarshall Love that sweatshirt! 14mo
JenReadsAlot I love that shirt!! 14mo
Tamra Today is today! ☺️ 14mo
See All 7 Comments
MicheleinPhilly Oh my gosh, I should probably get that tattooed on my wrist. 14mo
Karisa 😂 Love that sleeve! @MicheleinPhilly 💯% 14mo
squirrelbrain Love your sleeve! ❤️ 14mo
swishandflick Thank you!! It's a little scary how well the Instagram ads know how to get me but I saw it and couldn't help but buy it 😂 @Julsmarshall @JenReadsAlot @MicheleinPhilly @Karisa @squirrelbrain 14mo
95 likes7 comments
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BookNAround
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Tonight‘s book on the couch with Gatsby. At her recheck today, her X-rays are unchanged, which is a disappointment but her liver and kidney values are good so she can stay on the meds that are most effective at fighting this. If I had to guess, I think she feels marginally better despite the unchanged X-rays.

Librarybelle ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
dabbe Keep getting better, Gatsby! 💕 1y
xicanti Good luck to Gatsby! 1y
Ruthiella Get well soon Gatsby! ❤️🐶 1y
81 likes1 stack add5 comments
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StellaDz
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Pickpick

I don‘t think I‘ve ever been so happy or connected reading a romance novel. I laughed, I cried, I shook the book. Most importantly, I‘ve never seen a character portrayed that is truly me: relationship exhausted, true crime obsessed. When online dating first started, I told my friend across the country to tell me where she was going, and she responded with ‘not everyone is a serial killer, Ash‘ I responded with ‘yes, but… one could be!‘
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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swishandflick
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Pickpick

Unexpected #bookhaul today! In my defense, I went to see a new doctor who's office happened to be RIGHT NEXT DOOR to a bookstore, so really this isn't even my fault. I basically snagged the books with the longest library waitlist - plus a physical copy of Harry so that he can be on my shelf.

Also - the tagged book just speaks to me. I can't tell you how many 1st dates have become awkward when I mention my obsession with murder docs 😬

swishandflick Side note on the "serial killer" obsession: I may have also freaked a guy or two out by letting them know that at least three of my friends know exactly where I am and they have copies of your dating profile and contact info in case I go missing and they need to go to the cops ? 1y
Bookzombie 😂 I also used to provide info to my friends and always remind them to tell the cops to check my fingernails for DNA and take a dental mold because I was not going down with out a fight. 1y
Bookzombie Also, guys must just not being paying attention, because a great deal of women read/watch/listen to true crime and fictional crime. I often want a serial killer or murder book when I want to escape. Lol 1y
See All 9 Comments
Breanne1 Hahaha, here‘s to you finding a guy who can appreciate your passion. My husband‘s mom shares my murder doc passion and watches them with me. I also have the tagged book on my TBR and can‘t wait to read it. 1y
AmyG My dentist is next to a bookstore. That is a sign from the universe that if you have to go to the Dr, you get a book.👊🏻 1y
Leftcoastzen Love this discussion!😂 1y
MartinaLove The first two are cute reads. The other two are on my TBR. 1y
Zuhkeeyah Lol I have also made dates uncomfortable when I mentioned my love true crime podcasts and docs. Happy to know I‘m not alone! 1y
MyNamesParadise That‘s a great haul!! 1y
114 likes2 stack adds9 comments
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Ravenpuff
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Mehso-so

Phoebe moves back into her childhood home to renovate it after her father dies. She loves true crime culture, which is why she suspects her neighbor to be a serial killer. When he‘s quite the opposite, she grows feelings for him. Will she be able to have a relationship w/ him?

This one was slow through most of it, but it had good writing & plot. Phoebe & Sam as characters were very funny & charming; not really any character arcs for them.

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StellaDz
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This was a random find but I did a Chris Evans laugh when I read the synopsis. This is so me. I hope it matches the hype that I‘ve already built up in my head. 🤣❤️

14 likes2 stack adds
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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A romance starring a true crime obsessed leading lady? I mean, this is just accurate. Have you met women? Why do we want to learn about this fucked up stuff? Anyway, suspicious of her late father‘s hot teacher guy neighbor, Phoebe almost blows her chance, but with time comes connection. Good banter, some open-door steam, plus a little Capote and Helter Skelter - what‘s not to enjoy?!

74 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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britt_brooke
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Walking with the best boy. 🤍🐾🎧

#audiowalk #dogsoflitsy

DivineDiana Beautiful eyes! ❤️ 1y
Cathythoughts Best boy ♥️ 1y
See All 10 Comments
AlaMich Love the action shot of the tongue! 😂 1y
kspenmoll Agree- such beautiful blue eyes! 1y
britt_brooke @kspenmoll 🤍🐾 Thank you! 1y
batsy Mlerm! 😆😍 1y
britt_brooke @batsy 😂😋 1y
80 likes10 comments
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samantharoberts
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Pickpick

Really cute and fun story! - I even laughed out loud during some parts! Great start to the New Year 🎉

29 likes1 stack add
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MatchlessMarie
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Congrats to @wanderinglynn on achieving this litfluence milestone! Thank you for letting us celebrate with you with this generous giveaway. Have a happy birthday month! 💕🧁📖 I have heard great things about the tagged book. #300KBirthdayGiveaway

wanderinglynn Thank you! 😘 And thanks for entering! 1y
38 likes1 comment
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StellaDz
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Never take me out on Boxing Day sales to a bookstore, no matter how small. If ever there were two books that were basically, me, it‘s these two.

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MartinaLove
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Pickpick

4/5 ⭐

I laughed a few times reading this book. I had a good time!

19 likes1 stack add
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5feet.of.fury
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Mehso-so

I knew that this was a romance with True Crime references & not involving crime or thriller aspects. Romance is not my favorite genre, but I figured this would break up some of the darker reads of the season

Ugh. There are def similarities between mine and MC Phoebe‘s upbringing & prickly disposition & I spent most of the book hoping I‘m not this annoying 😂 so much cringy self sabotaging.
#20in4 #spookoween #31by31 #Scarathlon2022 #TeamSlaughter

TheSpineView Fabulous 1y
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼👻🧡 1y
MatchlessMarie Perfect way to put it 😂 just finished and I was thinking the same thing 🫣 7mo
5feet.of.fury @MatchlessMarie the title is the best title 😂 but I still remember some of the cringey parts 10 months later 7mo
24 likes4 comments
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katiekat311
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Pickpick

This book made me laugh out loud, brought me back to my childhood with Crash Bandicoot references and was just a good time. Quick read. Has a underlying, revolving theme of how one persons past traumas and experiences really do help shape how they handle some situations as adults. +15 for reading 10/3‘s #ScarathonDailyPrompt. #TeamSlaughter

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TLuvs
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Super excited to read this, I hear it's amazing! To me, it's the perfect blend of RomCom meets True Crime fan nerd 🤓

TLuvs I really really liked this! AT's protagonist was perfect for this type of book; all prickly edges, quick whit, dark humor, and an academic nerd who marched to her own drum. Not everyone has a childhood of flowers and cotton balls and this was a great character who showed what some people look like from a hard past. But with a HEA, this moved into one of my favorite reads of 2022! 1y
8 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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NikkiKey94
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. As a true crime fan I really liked all of the true crime references throughout and how the main character was a true crime buff. I really enjoyed the story and of course the romance!

MyNamesParadise I have this coming in for me at the library! This looks like such a fun book! 1y
9 likes1 comment
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IndoorDame
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I‘ve been seeing this around lately and am totally in love with the title and pulp style cover art even though I‘ve read the description a few times and haven‘t been moved to add it to my TBR yet. #Scarathlon2022 #ScarathlonDailyPrompt #killer #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious @Clwojick

MatchlessMarie Is this a thing? I have a bunch of screenshots of books I‘ve seen floating around but haven‘t quite added to my TBR. Like soon, my pretty. Soon 😆 1y
IndoorDame @MatchlessMarie I do that all the time! So maybe it is a thing? 😆 1y
ShyBookOwl Haha I do love this cover and the book itself was pretty good! I'm not a huge romance reader but I'm glad I did this one 1y
Clwojick I love this cover! 🖤 1y
StayCurious it looks fun! 1y
45 likes1 stack add5 comments
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abookishbutterfly
Pickpick

I will say that I think the pacing could have been better. It started off faster than it ended. Somewhere in the middle the tension was lost and I felt like it was a slow crawl to the conclusion.

A good story, nevertheless, and probably a perfect fit for someone who struggles with most romcoms (like me!).

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NikkiCureton
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“To the extent I‘d ever dreamed of my own wedding— which was approximately never — it had always been a courthouse affair for health insurance purposes where we told no one and continued to live in separate houses.”
Love this quote and thoroughly enjoyed this book!

7 likes1 stack add
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julesG
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Bailedbailed

The MC is so neurotic. She's so deep into true crime that she sees serial killers in nearly every one around herself.

I did not want to spend my time with her.

#SuperSeptember @Andrew65

Andrew65 Oh no 😔 2y
Kangaj1 I also bailed on this one. 2y
65 likes2 comments
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tracy.anne8
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Family trip to B&N for these two books and then decided to read a different book when I got home.🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ #romance #romansty #gothic #spooky

monalyisha 😅 Yes! This is the way! 2y
tracy.anne8 @monalyisha Especially when you are a mood reader.😄 2y
23 likes2 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

I wasn‘t sure this book could manage romance and true crime in a way that felt sensitive to real true crime subjects and also entertaining as a romance and generally worth reading, but I loved it so much and really recommend. The MC is obsessed with true crime in a way that felt really truthful and realistic to me (as a big true crime and horror reader). I liked the cute love story and the growth of the main character.

Emilymdxn Strongly recommend if you‘re looking for something this Halloween that interacts with crime-relevant themes without being scary or disturbing (there‘s no violence described at all and tw‘s are supplied at the start of the book). Could be a good Scarathlon pick 2y
Mustlovebooks1088 I was so curious about this book! Glad to read these reviews! 2y
bthegood thx for the review- stacked for the #Scarathlon2022 🙂 2y
64 likes6 stack adds3 comments
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ElizaMarie
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Pickpick

This was a cute book, it wasn't the type of book I would have picked up (if not for my husband). I am not a romance book person. But I like the twist of having a murder//serial obsessed person fall in love. Because that would be me when I first met my husband. Sizing him up on scales of the ability of him being a murderer. (Talk about trust - ha)

Also, so true about the Dish Soap!

+ 3.34 #PennyPerPage, #ReadMyRoom

Bookworm54 Haha sounds like you enjoyed it even if it wasn‘t your usual thing :) 2y
ElizaMarie @Bookworm54 Yeah, I did. It was really cute 2y
21 likes2 comments
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TLuvs
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My pile to choose from for the up-coming #scaryathon 🧟‍♀️

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ElizaMarie
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We need to lift each other up!

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Nessavamusic
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Bailedbailed

I bailed on this one fairly early. I was not liking the protagonist, she was reading very young. I am just done with immature protagonists. Just not for me!

LitStephanie Me too! Done with immature protagonists, I mean. I keep reading stories where women are at least mid-twenties and acting like young teens. It is weird and cringey. 2y
Nessavamusic @LitStephanie I think a lot of these are YA author‘s first foray into adult. That is true of this book, I checked! 2y
5feet.of.fury Oh no! That cover is calling to me, but that‘s a pet peeve of mine too 2y
54 likes1 stack add3 comments
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abookishbutterfly

“But deep down, I think I was mad at myself more. I knew I wasn‘t actually planning to do anything, that it was just a cry for attention. And I hated myself for it.”

Alison‘s brows drew together. “But what‘s so bad about needing attention? Especially if you‘re in pain, or struggling.”

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ElizaMarie
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Hubby bought me this book saying “I thought this would be perfect for you”. Took it with me for lunch today (on my errand day).