Item: Love in the Time of Serial Killers
Rating: 3.5
Author: Priscilla

This post is a review on ‘Love in the Time of Serial Killers’ by Alicia Thompson.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
Publication Date: August 16, 2022
Trope: Grumpy X Sunshine, He Falls First, Neighbors
Setting: Florida
Pages: 352
Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating:

Synopsis:
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.

“To Love someone was to need them, to open yourself up to pain and rejection and loss.”
– Alicia Thompson

I picked up “Love in the Time of Serial Killers” because first, just look at that cover, isn’t it so cute! and second, I am a True Crime podcast addict [Mike and Gibby over at True Crime All the Time are in my ear weekly].

I hadn’t read anything by Alicia Thompson before, so when I seen this book my first thought was “this is right up my alley”. On Goodreads it was tagged as a mystery/romance, however, it is definitely more of a rom-com, which I am completely okay with.

What is ‘Love in the Time of Serial Killers’ about?

First up, our girl Phoebe Walsh, is a true crime-obsessed heroine who heads back to her hometown in Florida. She’s there to wrap up her PhD dissertation, but life’s about to throw her some curveballs. Enter Sam, the new neighbor who sets off Phoebe’s serial killer radar.

As Phoebe’s trying to figure out Sam’s deal, she’s also reconnecting with her brother. Talk about family drama! Their relationship is a bit rocky, but watching them work through it is heartwarming.

Now, get ready for some hilarious mix-ups. Phoebe’s true crime obsession leads to some seriously funny misunderstandings. You’ll be cringing and giggling in equal measure.

But it’s not all laughs. Phoebe’s journey is about more than just romance. She’s learning to trust and open up. It’s like watching your bestie finally get out of her own way.

By the end, you’ll be cheering for Phoebe as she faces her fears and embraces love. It’s the perfect blend of personal growth and sweet romance. Trust me, you won’t want to put this book down!

“I don’t regret any of it…not the last few weeks not today… I don’t regret giving you my heart, Phoebe. I just wish you’d take more care with it.”
– Alicia Thompson

My thoughts on ‘Love in the Time of Serial Killers’

Overall, I give this book a solid 3.5 stars. It was a cute quick read that was a welcomed break from epic fantasies and a few dark romances. But don’t let the cover deceive you, this is NOT a mystery/cozy romance. I am glad that I read it and actually quite enjoyed it.

What I liked:

The banter and references to Wayne’s World, Billy Madison, and Crash Bandicoot are on point.
I got a kick out of Phoebe’s first impression of anyone was that they were a serial killer. I mean when you dive into True Crime wouldn’t someone become more hyper aware of their surroundings? “Keep your head on a swivel” [for my True Crime All The Time fans 😉]
Connor, Phoebe’s brother, was so endearing. I loved his sweet disposition and easy going personality. Their relationship was not the best, however, I like how the author showed their stressed relationship and brought them closer together.
I am a glutton for the “He falls first” trope and Sam is the perfect example of this! Although, I really do think Sam was way too good for her.
The quirky little instances where Phoebe was SURE that Sam was hiding dark secrets.

Room for Improvement:

There are some hits and misses in the book as in Phoebes personality. Like she’s not a “social butterfly” but her witty references are spot on. Maybe it’s just me but it kinda felt like a clash in her personality??
Phoebe seems to be a bit “childish” for a 30 year old attaining a PhD in English Literature.
Phoebe’s character growth is okay, but it could’ve been smoother. Sometimes her leaps in personal development feel a bit sudden. It’s like she went from “everyone’s a potential killer” to “love conquers all” in the blink of an eye.
The pacing slows down a bit in the middle, but not too bad
Oh. I can’t like leave out the awful choice of the flash mob song “Tubthumping”. I mean I personally like the song, but for a kids flash mob? yeah, no. Out of all the songs to choose from, why that one?! This was probably my biggest cringe.

Lastly, if you’re looking for more than one or two🌶️steamy scenes🌶️, you might be left wanting more. IMO, for this storyline, the amount of smexy time fits with the timeline, but if you like more spice than plot, this is not that.