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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Berkley and PRH for the ARC through Edelweiss. This doesnβt affect my thoughts about the book in any way. Out on April 29th!
Definitely one of the most unique contemporary thrillers I have ever read in my life! I was so confused for 90% of the book like I truly did not understand a thing π Kate Poseyβs Serial Killer Games is a hilarious, adult dark romantic comedy about two sociopaths falling in love. I must say, I blindly went into this thinking itβs going to be a murder mystery standalone with a romance subplot. I WAS FOOLED. This book is unlike anything Iβve ever read before. It leaves the reader in a state of confusion throughout the book but wonβt let you put it down.
This was the first contemporary romance Iβve read that actually made me laugh because the chapters look like YouTube clickbait titles (interested in serial killers? Check this book out!). The characters talk about murder and MOs like itβs the weather and I found it so funny. Told in two alternating perspectives, it was entertaining watching both Dolores and Jake navigate back and forth between disposing bodies, romantic feelings, infatuation, and ways to kill someone. Each chapter will have you audibly say, βWhat the fuck?β (IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE). I wonβt say anything more because Serial Killer Games is just one of those books where you have to see it for yourself. But I highly recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder
I was so excited to read this book from reading the description. But I was very disappointed to find out that this book did not match up to the description. The first few chapters were promising and it kept me engaged. I enjoyed the banter between the main characters. Then the shift happened and it was slow, boring and confusing and kind of all over the place?? I had to force myself to finish this book. Sadly this one wasnβt for me.
Oh how I loved this book. It was not the story I thought it was going to be in such a much better way. Taking place in an office setting, Jake Ripper is the newest office temp and Dolores (Dodi) dela Cruz is an employee who tries to stay undetected on a floor where everyone has been laid off. Perhaps an oversight, she lays low to keep those checks coming with no real work to be done. Sheβs described as an alt girl with tattoos, black clothing, and the love for crime podcasts. Jake, who is a loner in real life with no real family but a roommate who basically pays him to get rid of his βgirlfriendsβ with a place to stay. Jake spots Dodi and sets up his office on the same floor, as he is also trying to go undetected all while wearing black gloves and being mysterious. Dodi is bothered that she has caught his eye when sheβs trying to lay low. They have little interactions and one day after overhearing one of Dodiβs podcast about a serial chopping body pieces, he decides to gift her a piece of a Barbie wrapped in a box (Oh did I forget to mention itβs Christmas time?!). This doesnβt scare her, but in fact starts a game of cat and mouse between them. Convinced he is a serial himself, she asks for his help in getting rid of something (sorry Iβm trying to not get shadow banned with certain words).
The title is clever because itβs a play on their relationship. This is a book for thriller readers who also enjoy their main characters finding family and love. There is an understanding between them and respect. Itβs really a story of two people who are alone, with complicated or sad pasts, and end up finding family within some of the people they meet along the way. There are so many surprises throughout, and this is why this book ended up being something different than I thought it would be.
Thank you Berkeley Publishing, Kate Posey, and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy.
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Murder
Minor: Death, Suicide, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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πππππ πͺπ π¦ π«Άπ» @berkleyromance for free book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.
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Let me start by saying that I was as equally entertained as I was confused by this book. Iβm honestly not sure how to sum up either the story or my thoughts so in an effort to make some amount of sense, here it goesβ¦
The best parts: I loved the chemistry and banter between Dodi and Jake. I also loved all of the fun and mysterious vibes especially at the beginning of the story. The audio captured and held my attention throughout and I am so glad to have been able to listen along as I read. The writing was a bit morbid at times but also exceptionally witty and well done. I was drawn to the quirkiness of both characters and enjoyed their love story very much. Never has a couple been more tailor-made for one another!
The parts I was less sure of: The description and the story are worlds apart from one another and not once while I was reading did I feel like I knew where the story was going. I will also say that the book got a little dark for me about half way through and I worried that it was heading down a sadder path which I would not have enjoyed. Thankfully that turned around and the story actually had a very sweet conclusion.
All in all, I will leave you with this: If you like unusual stories with dark humor and witty banter then I think you should definitely give this one a try! I canβt wait to hear what you think!
βπππ ππ πͺπ π¦ ππππ π
β© Found family
β© Enemies to Lovers
β© Morbid Humor
β© Marriage of Convenience
ππ’ πΊπππ πΏππππ’
πππππ πͺπ π¦ π«Άπ» @berkleyromance for free book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.
ππͺ πππ π¦πππ₯π€ π
Let me start by saying that I was as equally entertained as I was confused by this book. Iβm honestly not sure how to sum up either the story or my thoughts so in an effort to make some amount of sense, here it goesβ¦
The best parts: I loved the chemistry and banter between Dodi and Jake. I also loved all of the fun and mysterious vibes especially at the beginning of the story. The audio captured and held my attention throughout and I am so glad to have been able to listen along as I read. The writing was a bit morbid at times but also exceptionally witty and well done. I was drawn to the quirkiness of both characters and enjoyed their love story very much. Never has a couple been more tailor-made for one another!
The parts I was less sure of: The description and the story are worlds apart from one another and not once while I was reading did I feel like I knew where the story was going. I will also say that the book got a little dark for me about half way through and I worried that it was heading down a sadder path which I would not have enjoyed. Thankfully that turned around and the story actually had a very sweet conclusion.
All in all, I will leave you with this: If you like unusual stories with dark humor and witty banter then I think you should definitely give this one a try! I canβt wait to hear what you think!
βπππ ππ πͺπ π¦ ππππ π
β© Found family
β© Enemies to Lovers
β© Morbid Humor
β© Marriage of Convenience
Reading the synopsis, I was very intrigued by the book, however, I ended up skimming through a lot of it as I was confused a lot of the time reading it, trying to figure out the motivations of the MCs, what the aim of the plot was, etc. It was a pretty slow-paced book and it felt like significant beats to really move the plot forward were few and far between.
I really couldn't not build empathy for the MCs, each of whom came across as selfish and purely motivated by self-interest (which very well could have been the point), consequently, I just couldn't get into the book as I had wanted to.
I think this is a book that will be polarizing; people will love it or not get it. I'm in the latter but I sincerely hope that this book finds its readers.
Thanks to Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I really couldn't not build empathy for the MCs, each of whom came across as selfish and purely motivated by self-interest (which very well could have been the point), consequently, I just couldn't get into the book as I had wanted to.
I think this is a book that will be polarizing; people will love it or not get it. I'm in the latter but I sincerely hope that this book finds its readers.
Thanks to Berkley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC!
This book grabbed me by the neck and didn't let me go until I finished it. The Prologue is a crazy way to start the book and instantly hooked me and I loved how the story progressed and the twists and turns along the way.
It definitely was not what I was expecting when I read the summary, which is the intention, no doubt, but I was not mad about the way the story shook out.
Jake and Dodi are so interesting, they felt like full, well fleshed out human beings with immensely complicated internal and external lives and every decision that they made felt correct, even when it frustrated me because they were written so well, nothing felt out of character.
This was also one of the rare times a character didn't communicate (Jake talking to Laurie), which would have changed so much about the last third of the book, and I didn't get pissed off, because it was fully in character.
Great book for those who like morbidity in your reading, true crime, found family, complex family dynamics, strong female characters, and some dark banter.
This book grabbed me by the neck and didn't let me go until I finished it. The Prologue is a crazy way to start the book and instantly hooked me and I loved how the story progressed and the twists and turns along the way.
It definitely was not what I was expecting when I read the summary, which is the intention, no doubt, but I was not mad about the way the story shook out.
Jake and Dodi are so interesting, they felt like full, well fleshed out human beings with immensely complicated internal and external lives and every decision that they made felt correct, even when it frustrated me because they were written so well, nothing felt out of character.
This was also one of the rare times a character didn't communicate (Jake talking to Laurie), which would have changed so much about the last third of the book, and I didn't get pissed off, because it was fully in character.
Great book for those who like morbidity in your reading, true crime, found family, complex family dynamics, strong female characters, and some dark banter.
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ARC