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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My ride-or-die bestie recommended this series during our last in-person catch up when we were discussing recent favourite audiobooks. They hit play on a random section of the second novel in this series and within five minutes I was HOOKED!
This first novel, The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love, is an adventurous and action-packed mystery that got all up in my feels with humour and a super sweet romance. MMCs Jackson and Leland each have their own challenges to face—past and present—and their heartfelt romance brought me so much joy. I was regularly giggling and kicking my feet through scenes, enjoying their banter and the chemistry sparking between them.
Michael Ferraiuolo does an incredible job breathing life into the MMCs and the broader cast to life. I loved the warmth he brought to Jackson’s voice and the way he balanced the PI’s protective instincts with the playful, oft-exasperated edge Leland inspires, yet he also embodied Leland’s infectious enthusiasm and unhinged golden retriever energy. I cannot wait to see what adventure Winters will take me on next through this series and with these wonderful characters!
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Ratings:
4.5⭐ ~ 2🌶️ ~ 1💔
Tropes:
🧡 Serious x sunshine
💛 Hurt/comfort
💚 Age gap
💙 Forced proximity
💜 Found family
What I loved:
🧡 ALL the banter
💛 Great mystery plot
💚 Adorable romance
💙 The fence 🤣
💜 Start of a series (7 books)
Charismatic and charming MCs!
A bit childish? Maybe. Funny? Absolutely.
It was hilarious—but that might just be because I’m immature and laugh easily. Either way, I really loved Leland. His humor and personality suit him perfectly, and I completely fell for his character. I even teared up when he came back and told Jackson about his past.
When Jackson finally let go of his control, it was abrupt—but so sweet. The things he said to Leland had me crying; I am not built for that. He is just so damn sweet. And oh my god, when Jackson let his walls down, he really went for it. His words might be a little cheesy at times, but he’s such a good partner—caring, kind, patient, attentive, and incredibly understanding.
Leland, on the other hand, is absolutely hilarious. His wild personality and complete lack of a filter make him so much fun to read, but beneath all that, he carries a lot on his shoulders. He struggles with facing serious emotions or situations when he probably should, but honestly, that just makes him even more charming. Nobody’s perfect, after all.
The ending was pretty satisfying, though I do wish we had gotten more of Leland’s backstory—especially how he became a hitman. But aside from that, it was a really solid and fulfilling conclusion.
A bit childish? Maybe. Funny? Absolutely.
It was hilarious—but that might just be because I’m immature and laugh easily. Either way, I really loved Leland. His humor and personality suit him perfectly, and I completely fell for his character. I even teared up when he came back and told Jackson about his past.
When Jackson finally let go of his control, it was abrupt—but so sweet. The things he said to Leland had me crying; I am not built for that. He is just so damn sweet. And oh my god, when Jackson let his walls down, he really went for it. His words might be a little cheesy at times, but he’s such a good partner—caring, kind, patient, attentive, and incredibly understanding.
Leland, on the other hand, is absolutely hilarious. His wild personality and complete lack of a filter make him so much fun to read, but beneath all that, he carries a lot on his shoulders. He struggles with facing serious emotions or situations when he probably should, but honestly, that just makes him even more charming. Nobody’s perfect, after all.
The ending was pretty satisfying, though I do wish we had gotten more of Leland’s backstory—especially how he became a hitman. But aside from that, it was a really solid and fulfilling conclusion.
4.25 ⭐️
Lots of fun snarky banter. Landon is definitely ott. The audiobook narrator is perfect. But the story went on and on and on. At fifty percent, I was like omg I'm only halfway through!?
Lots of fun snarky banter. Landon is definitely ott. The audiobook narrator is perfect. But the story went on and on and on. At fifty percent, I was like omg I'm only halfway through!?
Leland is so dreadfully obnoxious that he is endearing. This entire story is as quirky as his character.
If you need an adorably ridiculous romance about a hitman and a private investigator this is an excellent choice.
I really wonder what sort of plot bunnies Alice Winters has hopping around in her head to get ideas like this. Wherever she gets them, they create entertaining stories that Michael Ferraiuolo narrates masterfully.
If you need an adorably ridiculous romance about a hitman and a private investigator this is an excellent choice.
I really wonder what sort of plot bunnies Alice Winters has hopping around in her head to get ideas like this. Wherever she gets them, they create entertaining stories that Michael Ferraiuolo narrates masterfully.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This felt like a Deadpool x Spiderman fanfic with the only difference being different names and the absence of the boxes.
Leeland feels so whimsical and strange that he doesn't feel like a real person at all. I was hoping for a more realistic betrayal but that was not what I got. The first meeting was fun but it was soo disappointing to see Leeland give up his job as a hitman almost immediately. I get that it was supposed to be his story arch to get on the good side by the end of the book but damn. And Henry immediately forgiving him after having been kidnapped by Leeland?
Jackson also felt very unplausible and just so boring. He's also such a pushover.
Leeland feels so whimsical and strange that he doesn't feel like a real person at all. I was hoping for a more realistic betrayal but that was not what I got. The first meeting was fun but it was soo disappointing to see Leeland give up his job as a hitman almost immediately. I get that it was supposed to be his story arch to get on the good side by the end of the book but damn. And Henry immediately forgiving him after having been kidnapped by Leeland?
Jackson also felt very unplausible and just so boring. He's also such a pushover.
This book was just ridiculous. I normally enjoy most kinds of humour, but this was all there was up to the 50% mark. Other than one sentence in the book, leland was nothing but a 5 yo. Just too much. There was no clear growth from this guy is annoying to sleeping together. Like what. I also could not care how the plot would develop after this point because really the book is too long for what it is
This was so fun! Alice books aren't for everyone, you need to have a special kind of humor, and if you do, you are in for a great time!