Love in the Time of Serial Killers

Listened to 2 chapters and the main character annoyed me too much to continue. Since I only got 6% in, I'm rounding up to 3 stars instead of the 2 I'm really feeling.

This was cute, but just ok. It was much less fun and more emotional than I thought though 

again, don't like romance novels but i almost cried ???? but i couldn't bc i was at work but why was i going to CRY?!

The narrator chosen was a good fit for this book. The voiced matched the character. 

The story itself was ok. The elements were there, but it didn't connect for me. I expected more “is he a serial killer” for the neighbor and I would have liked the author to play more on that. I didn't get the love connect with the main character and her love interest. It read as a friendship and I felt like the author was trying to force them together. There are two sex scenes. The first is blown over and the second felt like the author was trying, but it was over quickly too. The after part was just awkward. 

Overall I did enjoy the characters. Especially her brother and his storyline. There is character growth. 

I definitely would have preferred if the guy had ended up being a serial killer to be quite honest. It would have made the book more interesting at least. I just over all feel like...nothing happened the entire time...other than Phoebe being paranoid that everyone around her is a serial killer?

I also think she acts extremely immature for a 30 year old woman? While reading this, I was 24 years old and quite frankly I make better life decisions than she does... she was also extremely rude? Like extremely rude, and she plays it off as misunderstood sarcasm but...maybe that's the problem.

Another thing- I see a lot of reviews claiming that this book is too spicy? That's a bold lie LOL. I think there are two open door scenes? And the rest are fade to black. But let's talk about how the book is 334 pages long...and they BREAK UP ON PAGE 300??? I was SO MAD! Like if you know me you know I HATE 3rd act breakups, especially stupid ones. But give me a breakup when I have LESS THAN 50 PAGES LEFT?!?! I almost quit reading it right there, but I had less than 50 pages left so I suffered.

I have to assume my low rating of this book is because rom coms aren't my style of romance book? But this is (unfortunately) the first rom com I've read. I don't know wether to be hopeful that there are better rom come or to assume this is as good as it gets lol.

1.5

Me reading the sex scenes:


Overall, this was just uneventful.

APPARENTLY IM JUST GETTING ALL MY THERAPY THROUGH BOOKS. I REALLY NEED TO START READING THE BACK BEFORE I OPEN BOOKS NOW.

Idk if this book would have hit the same if I read it 6 months ago, but oh boy is this relatable. This book is definitely for all the hyper independent late 20-somethings that have let their job consume them. 10/10 no notes

note to self: do not read books just because you like the cover

3/5 stars.

I expected “Love in the Time of Serial Killers” to be more interesting and about crime and mystery. It was more about her education, some serial killers histories, and overcoming childhood problems with her dad. I had a hard time relating to Phoebe and her distance with her brother.

There was some cute parts and it picked up at 60%.

Phoebe Walsh is obsessed with serial killers and she's (mostly) convinced the guy who lives next door to her father's house is one. She and her estranged brother are working together to get their deceased father's house in good enough shape to sell. Phoebe is facing a lot bad memories from her childhood, finishing her dissertation, and avoiding the guy next door. None of these things are going well.
I really enjoyed this. It made me laugh out loud several times, the plot moved along at a good clip and I really, truly loved how Thompson laid out the relationship with Phoebe and Sam.
What I want to read in a novel like this is growth, growth, growth and Phoebe does grow in this story. Not a spoiler, but Phoebe has relationship issues with EVERYONE, not just hotties next door. Parts of this story were messy and charming and realistic. Relationships can be repaired. It just takes work. What a nice message.

3.5 ⭐

This book has sarcastic humor which is my favorite. I found Phoebe completely relatable and I loved her journey of accepting love. This book had parts that were slower and had no real steam.

• FYI: This is not a suspense thriller, it's a rom-com with true crime/serial killer aspects in the story, just in case. I know the cover art throws people off a bit.

• READ IF YOU LIKE: 
- True Crime Stories/Podcast
- Discussions on murder mysteries
- Quirky Heroine
- Misunderstood Hot Neighbor
- Friends to Lovers
- Charming & Funny storytelling
- Slow Burn

• TRIGGER WARNING: 
- Discussion on death of a family member

Despite the retro book cover and intriguing title, Love in the Time of Serial Killers is pretty standard romance/chick lit. I appreciated the insights into the appeal of true crime stories (not a genre I've ever wanted to explore), and the dynamics between the heroine and her not-quite-estranged brother are spot on. But the romance falls completely flat. The heroine is quite awful to the handsome, shy hero, at first because she thinks he's a serial killer (for no apparent reason), and then because she's one of those tough women scarred by life who can never allow themselves to love anyone. I don't put up with this behavior from male characters, so female ones don't get a pass either.

Clever premise, but the main character was more cranky and annoying than sympathetic. I did enjoy the rest of the characters, including, of course, the best friend librarian.

thank god, i finally finished this book. i was struggling so hard.

it's a fun chill laid back book. feels very contemporary and real characters. Alicia is clearly a serial killer connoisseur :P