Great story! Loved the premise of the murderous triplets. I experienced all the feels with this one. You really don’t know what direction it will go in until the very end.

This was an absolutely wild ride! How I'll Kill You is truly unique and one of the most original books I've read all year. Unfortunately, it was a bit too far-fetched for me and I had trouble suspending my belief for the sake of the story. I listened to the story as an audiobook and I loved the narrator! I thought her voice was perfect for the main character and it added so much to the story.

Holy smokes this book was fun!

This was quite the twisted psychological saga of triplet boyfriend slashers!

I loved the premise - so unique and dark and original I gobbled this one up.

Usually the clean-up gal, it's Sissy's turn to pick the mark and end his life. But uh oh! Someone has feelings!

This was a twisty page-turner for sure. I loved following these three and seeing where things would take us all and how everything unfolded. So much was just delightful disturbing in theory... but for a book that literally has "kill" in the title... dare I say... it just wasn't murdery enough for me?!?!

Overall a super fast fun and original read - the back story was a bit vague and I was left with a lot of questions - but all in all it was a fun time and I'm super impressed by the clever plot!

Ren DeStefano's "How I'll Kill You" delivers a dark and macabre thriller that explores the disturbing lives of identical triplets with a shared penchant for murder. The story centers around Sissy, the cautious and responsible sister who has spent her life cleaning up after her serial killer siblings' gruesome crimes. When the trio arrives in Arizona, Sissy reluctantly takes on the role of seducing and dispatching their next victim, a young widower named Edison. However, as their relationship deepens, Sissy finds herself falling in love and facing an internal conflict between her loyalty to her family and her growing desire to protect Edison.

This book remains an unsettling and chilling read that will appeal to fans of dark and twisted thrillers. DeStefano showcases a knack for crafting disturbing family dynamics and exploring the intricacies of moral ambiguity. While the characterization and pacing could have been stronger, the novel still manages to provide an unsettling glimpse into the dark recesses of the human psyche.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for honest feedback.

A thriller about sisters who kill men together? I'm in LOL

Seriously, these girls are INSANE! I've never read a thriller with killers who enjoy killing like these girls. Well, two out of three.

The book starts with a gruesome murder and it's fast paced throughout the way! Really liked it.

This was a difficult read for me. So much so I had to drop the ebook, almost DNFd, and then heard from someone else I needed to finish it so I got the audio from the library.

The author is no doubt a talented writer and I think many will really love this book, but as many reviewers have pointed out, it’s not easy to categorize it. It’s sister-relationships, heavy romance, and part psychological thriller. It’s upsetting in how the MC thinks and yet pulls you to the end thinking you’ll finally have answers.

I think the hardest thing for me was the MCs ridiculous thoughts about murdering the man she loved. Like why would they think it’s a good idea ever? Why not give in and kill the “bad” people she wants to vs falling in love and being fleeced to kill him to what? Prove her “devotion” to her morbid and horribly un-sister like sisters.

I see what the author was doing and think she did a great job of it, but I think it was too heavy on the descriptions of the MCs fantasy’s of murder that got to me. Was she trying to prove to herself she could do it? Not really because at the end she admits that is part of who she is, so how is she really any different thank her sisters who were killers.

In all, some will totally love this and I think if it had been a straight up romance or romantic suspense OR. Psychological thriller, I might have been more sold on it (as personal preference) but it just missed the mark for me as a reader.

My rating: 2.5*

Thanks to the publisher for this gifted copy.

I honestly had no idea what to expect from this book. The premise was interesting and I'm slowly getting more into thrillers and I loved the idea of murderous sisters.

This book wasn't all that I expected it to be though. It was a lot slower start than I thought it would and didn't really scream thriller, it was more of a contemporary romance with a murder sub-plot. It was however a little terrifying to see the details that Sissy attributed in order to be there ideal girlfriend for Edison. The manipulation and lengths that these girls went through with their marks before killing them was really mind fucking, and straight up psychopathic. As the story went on though it was compelling to see the inner workings of each sister and how they actually felt about their lives and how their minds truly worked. And as Sissy got closer to her neighbor and Edison, and the sisters lives was in danger, the story took some truly horrific and dark turns. Although a lot of the book was pretty predictable, it was a really fun and exciting read. You could tell it was the authors first published novel, the pacing wasn't always ideal and like I said, at times it was predictable. But there were parts that honestly shocked me, and there was one big twist involving the sisters that I didn't see coming at all. I would however classify this book as more of a contemporary thriller though rather than a mystery/psychological thriller that it was marketed as.

Sissy, Iris, and Moody (not their real names) are triplets who were abandoned as newborns. Their discovery made them famous but it didn't keep them out of the foster system. At first, they were kept together but as they got older they often were in separate foster homes, particularly when Iris and Moody became "troubled" kids and were difficult to manage. They learned early on they had no one but each other and they would do anything for each other. That bond is tested when Iris's first boyfriend hurts her.

I thought this would be a slightly humorous story where a woman plots to kill her cheating husband. But that wasn't what I got. I like dark novels, but these characters are more psychopathic serial killers that I cared for. I had trouble connecting with the characters and for most of the novel, I just kept thinking what the heck. If I hadn't been reading it for a review I probably wouldn't have finished it - which is a big deal as I hate not finishing a novel. And this book proved why I hate not finishing a book - the ending was brilliant and pretty much made reading the book worth it.

I did find the subtle discussion on nature versus nurture. These three are completely identical and work hard not to have any visual difference - it is part of the reason they can kill and get away from it. Yet their personalities are different.

In How I'll Kill You it is Sissy's turn to kill. This is her first kill as the previous one just didn't feel right. This is the first glimpse that there are differences between the girls.

In flashbacks, we see the girls' childhood and get a glimpse into how they developed into the adults they are but it isn't until the end that everything is fully explained.

I struggled with the first half or more of this novel. I just couldn't get on board with the plot. Plus at times Sissy's thoughts on Edison border on erotic which I don't care to read. I understand that this was part of developing the girls' character - they get off on murdering men who they make fall in love with them. It's also another subtle way of differentiating Sissy from Iris and Moody. There was also the sex scene during a church service that as a Christian I found appalling.

The story is a slow-burn without a lot of action which didn't help my apathy towards the book. But I couldn't put the book down for the final fifth of the book. The action picked up and everything rapidly came to a head - I had to know how it all turned out.

My review will be published on Monday at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/06/4-romantic-stories-for-your-summer.html

I was enjoying this book at first, but quickly fell flat. The narrator was so monotone and I just could not get over the names of the sisters. I felt like there was so much repetition just in the first 30%. It lacked any spark to keep me enthralled and I ultimately had to put it down.

How I’ll Kill You by Ren DeStefano was a wild ride.

This book is about three identical triplets - Sissy, Moody and Iris. Separated in the foster care system growing up, the now adult sisters won’t let anything separate ever again.

So after Iris kills her former guidance counselor/boyfriend for not being willing to leave his wife for her, Moody and Sissy come to clean up the mess and vow to kill their lovers too to prevent any of them ever getting hurt by a man ever again.

When one sister kills her lover, another is seen in a public place to be an alibi and the other, usually Sissy cleans up the mess so they won’t get caught before they leave town and assume new identities.

This book is told from Sissy’s perspective as she finds her mark for her first kill. His name is Edison and he is reserved, but there is something about him that draws Sissy in. Going by the pseudonym, Jade, Sissy works her way into his life to make him fall for her. However, she finds herself falling in love with him too, which wasn’t supposed to happen. Will she be able follow through and kill him to stay in the good graces of her sisters? Or will she falter and let her sisters take care of it for her like they did last time?

Going into this novel, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I try to stay away from serial killer books. However, this book really surprised me. I really liked Sissy and her motivations. I also appreciated her romance with Edison and her friendship with her next door neighbor, Dara.

I really also emphasized with Sissy and the decisions she had to make between people she loved. Her sisters were kind of unhinged and out of control, but she still loved them, which must have been difficult. The sisters actions were also why this book was such a wild ride.

There were a few surprises too. I did guess one of the surprises about a secret between Sissy’s sisters, but it was still a good twist to the plot. The ending was everything I could have hoped for and everything worked out how I thought it should.

This book has it all! A trio who were just left, giving them little chance for a normal life. Iris, Moody and Sissy sporadically saw each other while in and out of foster care but when you are a triplet there is a bond nobody else can see. So I will tell you what I loved in my review rather than giving the book jacket synopsis:

The set up came in little doses of the past for the main character Sissy, who has the most dialogue. Probably about 1/3 in the author introduces Iris and Moody. The descriptions show that Sissy/Jade is different from the others who are ruthless. I loved the style of writing, especially when Sissy creates the Jade character. From the jump this book was sick! It was dark and quite graphic for some, not me, I love dark and murder. Says a lot about me I guess.

Iris and Moody are pushing hard for Jade to have her first actual kill. There is a push that she displays which brings out more and more of the childhood and Elaine, Jade's foster mother. Then the Dara character, who is a sub plot but shows Jade is SO perceptive. Jade knows what is going on here and the author weaves this sub plot into the novel in a way that shows, for me, Jade is not like the others, she is their fixer.

Jade picks Edison, who turns out to have a heartbreaking past. Edison being involved in his church we get a glimpse into his "family" who help him from a few horrors. his past is another part that she skillfully weaves in when Jade has her own inner dialogue.

Being my book was an ARC I cant show my highlights, which were really good. Overall this is a MUST Read I read it over 2 nights, so I label it a big page turner. Enjoy

Took me a little bit to get into this one. I started reading this one back in October 2022 and didn't finish it until February 2023 with the help of audio. Thank you to Berkley Pub and Penguin Random House for my copies! I really liked the audio narration and once I started this one again on audio I flew threw it. I thought the beginning was great and so was the end. The middle is where I got a little bit bored and it took me a bit to come back to this one. I am really glad I finished this one though. Definitely a unique read. It's not every day you read a book on murderous triplets. Check this one out if you are a thriller lover in need of something different and are ok w/ romance in your thrillers.

Very good thriller, gripping all the way to the very end! Bravo to this author for coming up with such a unique story line!

This was a what the hell book, but in a fun, I can't put this down kinda way. It was over thh top and dramatic and addicting to read. As a twin myself, I always have a fondness for sibling stories in books, but I can't say I've seen this particular dynamic before - it takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level. But I appreciated the deeper bond explored with their history in and out of the foster system

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I absolutely loved this book! It’s about triplets that were separated as small children and fought to find their way back together, so they are now fiercely loyal to each other. Except that they are serial killers. One of the triplets develops feelings for the next mark…. What happens?

Highly recommend!!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book from the description. It did not live up to what I expected. It moved pretty fast but I was annoyed by most of the characters and their decision. They lost me completely when the girl got fingered in church: I’m no prude, but damn. I ended up finishing it, but definitely wasn’t satisfied.
2.5

Thank you @berkleypub for the free book and @prhaudio for the audio version as well. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartner

Note: The publisher says this title has been flagged as a violation of Instagram guidelines, so I will not mention the title in my post!

DATE RELEASED: 3/21/23
352 pages
10h 16 m

Three sisters have deep-seated issues which have resulted in a killing spree across the United States. Except these killings have a unique twist: each sister must make a man fall in love with her, then she kills him, and disappears.

This story is told from the viewpoint of Sissy, the youngest sister. Up until now, she has only helped her sisters with the clean-up and burial of dead bodies. Now it is her turn to make a man fall in love with her— and then kill him. At first, she has no doubts that she can do just that, but as she becomes more emotionally involved with Edison, she realizes she might NOT be able to kill him. But what will the consequences be for her?

Though the story description sounds dark and there are some gory details revealed, Sissy’s amusing perspective of murder and death is quite entertaining, making this a fun read for thriller lovers!

The story starts after the original killings of the sisters, so those murders are occasionally referred to but they are not a major part of the story. This is a character-driven novel with questionable characters you will find yourself routing for! The storyline is original and it held my interest from the first page.

I often combine reading and listening to various parts of the same story. This effectively allows me to never have to put a book down! @KarissaVacker does an excellent job bringing the characters to life, especially Sissy. The flow of the audiobook was perfect.

Read this if you:
*enjoy dark reads
*can laugh at gory details when told in an amusing way
*enjoy suspenseful tales

HIKY 🔪 || Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted book {partner}

Genre: Thriller
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narrated by: @karissavacker
Total Pages: 352
Current @goodreads rating: 4.02☆
Pub Date: 3.21.2023

Summary:

“Make him want you.
Make him love you.
Make him dead.

Sissy has an...interesting family. Always the careful one, always the cautious one, she has handled the cleanup while her serial killer sisters have carved a path of carnage across the U.S. Now, as they arrive in the Arizona heat, Sissy must step up and embrace the family pastime of making a man fall in love and then murdering him. Her first target? A young widower named Edison--and their mutual attraction is instant. While their relationship progresses, and most couples would be thinking about picking out china patterns and moving in together, Sissy's family is reminding her to think about picking out burial sites and moving on.

But then something happens that Sissy never anticipated: She begins to feel protective of Edison, and then, before she can help it, she's fallen in love. But the clock is ticking, and her sisters are growing restless. It becomes clear that the gravesite she chooses will hide a body no matter what happens; but if she betrays her family, will it be hers?”

Sounds good, right?!? Make sure you add this one to your reading list today and if audiobooks are your thing, I highly recommend this one because Karissa Vacker is 🤩

While this book wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, I do know a lot of people will end up loving it! I definitely plan on giving it another try and hopefully this time it will work for me!

This is a hard book to talk about without giving away too much information. Ren DeStefano pulls you in with these three girls and really makes you think about what brought them to where they are. I did not expect that to end the way it did, but as things were coming to a close I needed to know what was going to happen and how the three girls would be there for each other. This book really shows you that family is not always what or who you expect them to be. Definitely an amazing read!

3.5 Nature vs Nurture Stars
If ever there was a case of Nature vs Nurture, How I'll Kill You by Ren DeStefano definitely presents the case. This takes triplets separated, finally finding each other much later in life after habits and quirks have developed, and then embarking on a serial killing spree where they make romantic connections and then off them.

It has been working perfectly until the last triplet makes the terrible error of falling in love with her mark. Will she be able to go through with what is expected by her sisters or is she in danger from them...