How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates (Shailee Thompson, Atria Australia)

Shailee Thompson’s debut, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates, is a genre-blending good time that captures the zeitgeist with its mélange of romantic comedy and horror, movie quotes and Taylor Swift references. The story follows Jamie, a horror-film expert, who attends a local speed-dating event with her best friend, Laurie. When a sudden blackout turns the downstairs bar area into a bloodbath, Jamie is left with only a few makeshift weapons and her wits to survive. As the event descends into chaos, Jamie realises one of the daters is a killer and she must use her horror-film savvy to make it out alive. Thompson’s clever plotting highlights how romantic tropes can quickly become terrifying when used in a different context. The setting and story unfold with plenty of twists and turns, keeping readers engaged and surprised. With more than one jump-scare and several potential love interests, the novel’s breathless pace ensured that this reviewer read it in one sitting. While that speed means some of the finer details may blur in retrospect, the pure enjoyment of the reading experience remains crystal clear. How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys horror films or wants something a little edgier in their romcoms.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Kate Cuthbert is a reader and a book industry professional. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews