Of course, she is a PhD candidate analyzing the “true crime” genre for her dissertation. She is fascinated by an author’s relationship to the subject and our fascination with serial killers as a Culture. PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh has always been obsessed with true crime. She's even analysing 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. Speaking of chemistry, the love scenes are very, VERY open-door and graphic. I wouldn’t say the book is pornmance, but it comes close. Just a heads up. The only thing that would make me not call this a romance is that Sam (our hero) is simply not flawed. He doesn’t really have an arc besides fixing up a guitar. He doesn’t have family issues or personal woes and barely even has a bad romantic past. He’s a straight up good guy. Having a romance hero (and main character) be pretty one-dimensional makes the book feel more like a personal arc and self-growth contemporary fiction than a true romance.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Penguin Books UK

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. When the audiobook hold came through, Spooky Season was officially over, so I figured I would give it another shot. I'm glad I finished it, but it definitely wasn't a memorable experience for me.The whole serial killer thing is definitely contained to her writing about them in her dissertation and making references to them. It’s not a mystery or a thriller. It’s funny without being a comedy and a bit morbid without being morose. It has first person narration and only one POV from Phoebe. There’s an HEA and I can see arguments for this being either contemporary fiction or contemporary romance. It is definitely character driven and focused on Phoebe reconciling her past with the future that she ultimately wants (which she surprisingly hasn’t figured out at the start of the book). MANY years ago, I dated a man whose five year old was OBSESSED with the CRASH BANDICOOT video game and I guess these characters are those kids, now grown and in their twenties-still playing that game in this story!

Love in the Time of Serial Killers on Apple Books ‎Love in the Time of Serial Killers on Apple Books

The fast-paced plot is alternately hilarious and touching, and readers won’t be able to put it down. True crime is an incredibly popular genre, and this book is a must-read for crossover romance fans.”— Library Journal (starred review)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. First of all: Phoebe's obsession with serial killers is not as funny as the author thinks it is. It's not quirky, it's not nerdy, it's just obsessive. And a bit concerning. When I initially spotted this ADORABLE book cover and INTRIGUING title, I just knew I had to read it!!

Love in the Time of Serial Killers - Penguin Random House

OMG! Phoebe and Sam might be one of the most adorable quirkiest, unconventional and extremely lovable couple! If you are in your twenties, I BET you will relate to this story more than I did-especially if you enjoy steamy “open door” bedroom scenes in your ROMANCE novels (another NO for me!) It could be a perfect book for you.Pat did appear to like animals way more than people. I had no doubt that she’d dangle a small toddler in front of an alligator if one came up the street. 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. The last half of the book definitely felt more like a romance to me and it is ultimately why I gave the book the extra half star. Her groveling was heartfelt and earned and the relationship was super cute. I loved how Sam didn’t place Phoebe on a towering pedestal where she could do no wrong. He had some lines in there—reading her to filth—that made me clutch my pearls and reach for a fan. That’s hot. I don’t mind the third act breakup when it’s needed to help a character shape up or grow and it definitely worked here. Phoebe just wasn’t able to understand that she could love Sam until she figured some shit out on her own. Sam wouldn’t accept less than he deserved. That’s hot.

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

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. 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. (Phoebe obviously judged them and felt superior the whole time.) There's a lot of exploration of Phoebe as a character and why she views the world the way she does. I actually really enjoyed Phoebe. I liked her dry sense of humor and sort of cynical way of viewing life and love.

No serial killers were harmed, nabbed, or met during this story, although the main character of Phoebe had a somewhat disturbing lifelong fascination with them, to the extent of making them the focus of her doctoral dissertation on True Crime. Can you say, twisted sister? This is ultimately an entertaining book for those who enjoy romances with an academic bent and a side of true crime. You deserve to be taken care of," he said, and then his hand was on my hip, directing me. "Here. Let me do this properly."