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. Though the story is “CUTE” I was expecting something “CAMPY” with LOTS of suspicious activity happening next door to make Sam seem “dangerous” before Phoebe realizes just how wrong she was. The whole serial killer thing is definitely contained to her writing about them in her dissertation and making references to them. When I initially spotted this ADORABLE book cover and INTRIGUING title, I just knew I had to read it! This is ultimately an entertaining book for those who enjoy romances with an academic bent and a side of true crime.

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Phoebe temporarily moves back home into her father’s house to clear it out and put it up for sale after his death. The only people I liked were Connor and his girlfriend (who's name I forgot) because they were normal, happy people who didn't judge everyone everywhere they went. Maybe it’s just me, maybe it’s the release of Dahmer on Netflix, but the whole obsession with the true crime genre thing is not the cute and quirky personality trait that people think it is. The first time I stopped around 30%, deciding I just wasn't in the mood and I would wait for an audiobook copy to come through from my library.

They were not on the same page about that relationship and he was just blatantly ignoring her wishes and feelings, that's not taking things slow at all. Also her come to Jesus at the end nearly made me cry and reminded me of Natalie Portman’s character in No Stings Attached. It would’ve been fine if I’d known ALL of the movies, shows, literary references, true crimes, acronyms, etc.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers By Alicia Thompson |The Works

Between fixing up her father's home and helping her brother plan a proposal, the pair spend a lot of time together, forcing them to confront their feelings.

Either way, I still really enjoyed it but I do think this is about more than just romantic love (in the time of serial killers). A part of me wishes that her neighbor, Sam, was actually a serial killer and she would go all Nancy Drew on his ass and have this “enemies to lovers rom com” I felt like that would be a more interesting read, but no.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Target Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Target

For a book that focuses a lot on trauma- (but got overcasted by labeling it as a rom com) Phoebe needs therapy. It's a joy to watch her realize that the only thing scarier than a grisly murder is falling in love.

As the book progresses, the witty banter between Phoebe and Sam verges on mean on Phoebe’s side, but it becomes more humorous and less cringey. His hand slid under the fabric to cup my goosefleshed skin, his fingers rolling my nipple in a sensation so exquisite it almost hurt. I loved the family dynamics she has with her brother Conner, and Sam’s shyness made their romance even more enjoyable. She’s sensitive and insecure but also an abrasive asshole, all because she has impenetrable walls around her heart and doesn’t know how to be vulnerable. I'm sure many will find this charming and funny, but for me, Love in the Time of Serial Killers was nothing but an eye roll.