I loved this mash up of romance, family healing and loss, and US serial killers.
Phoebe returns to home to help her brother pack up their dad's house, do some touchups and put on the market. Her relationship with her dad was lacking - he gravitated towards verbal abuse and yelling. As she packs up his belongings - he was borderline hoarder but not tv show bad lol, Phoebe begins to make peace with the man he had been.
While slightly obsessively watching her attractive neighbor, Sam. He's suspiciously nice. Some sort of activity going on in the garage.
And gorgeous.
They strike up a friendship - Phoebe is a hot mess, struggling to finish her PhD and cope with life.
Very enjoyable slow build relationship. Loved the inclusion of anxiety, real life circumstances and talking about issues.

3.5. This is sweeter than I was expecting; parts of Phoebe's arms-length approach to life got old quickly, but the romance is cute (albeit with less serial-killer incorporation than I thought there would be), and I enjoyed getting to know her brother, his girlfriend, and Alyssa. (Notably, Alicia Thompson does a decent job describing the duties of a public librarian, even if we all aren't incredibly organized with a penchant for cats and cardigans.)

3.75 stars

I felt like overall, it was an enjoyable book. I read it quickly and it was a good romance. I'm OBSESSED with true crime so I think I was more invested in Phoebe and I connected with her more. I like the relationships in the story Sam and Phoebe seem to mesh well together. It was a more realistic pairing than in typical romance books which was interesting. Phoebe's brother and his girlfriend are such cute couple goals. . I think her studies made her extra paranoid and it was funny to read about her suspicions of Sam's nighttime activities. lol. I kind of wish there was some hidden letter from her dad apologizing though. The only criticism I would give is that I felt the body positive (plus size) bits of the story could have taken or left. It didn't detract but it felt almost like an afterthought sometimes. I liked it, but I wasn't shouting out in joy or crying big tears (which usually gives a book a bump in rating).

Romance or Crime Thriller? Go in blind and you decide!

This book was so much fun to read! I read the blurb a couple months ago, but long ago forgot what it was going to be about. I just loved the title and the cover, and did remember that I enjoyed what the blurb said about it. So in I went. I love both romance and true crime, so I knew I couldn't go wrong, and I was right!

There was a bit of a slow start, but it didn't take long for things to pick up and for the story to catch my interest. I even cried and laughed a little. Any author that can pull those emotions out of me gets my attention on future books. Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the review copy.

Love in the Time of Serial Killers was a book after my own heart. Like Phoebe, I am a huge true crime fan, and I look at everyone as a potential suspect. When she returns to the home she grew up in after the death of her father, various emotions come roaring back. Including thinking the next-door neighbor is a serial killer. Sam, the neighbor, is nice and polite, but that just adds to the suspicion.

Phoebe is a great character, and I adored Sam. They both made me laugh throughout the book, and even laugh at myself for recognizing my own quirks.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Penguin Random House for the advance listener copy and to Berkley for the ARC of this novel.

One topic that sends me down the rabbit hole on the internet are serial killers. I imagine Phoebe and I would be fast friends with lively discussions on our obsession.

Phoebe has returned home to manage her fathers estate after his death. There she meets Sam, her father’s next door neighbor, who has the looks and kindness just as other famous serial killers. In her mind, every action he takes has her suspecting he’s up to something nefarious.

This novel is a quirky, slow-burn romance. These two love interests are just the tiniest bit nerdy making them perfect for each other. The level of true crime facts littered throughout the story are fascinating. Super sweet story!

I had such a great time with this book! I was first drawn to this book by the catchy title and decided to give it a try. It didn’t take long before I realized that I had made a very good choice. The characters in this book were amazing and I kind of fell in love with each of them. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end of this wonderful romance.

I loved Phoebe and Sam and really wanted to see things work out for both of them. Phoebe had a lot of things that she was dealing with during this story and I thought it was great seeing her face those issues. Phoebe is slightly obsessed with true crime novels and knows what to watch out for when it comes to serial killers. Once she figures out that the next-door neighbor isn’t dangerous, they become close. Sam was such a nice guy and I really liked the way he was always there for Phoebe. These two were perfect together and I loved the chemistry they shared. Phoebe’s brother and girlfriend also added a lot to the story and I loved the way their relationship grew as they learned to depend on each other.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others. This was one of those books that was very hard to put down once I started reading. The book was a wonderful combination of great characters, a swoony romance, serial killer trivia, and a touch of humor. I will be looking out to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group.

When Phoebe Walsh moves to Florida for the summer to prepare her late father’s house for sale, she also plans to finish her dissertation. She’s turned her lifelong obsession with true crime into a research topic, analyzing the genre for her thesis. With murders, cons, and others crimes always on her mind, she can be forgiven for being less than trusting or thinking Sam, her next door neighbor who keeps strange hours and has a soundproof garage might just be a serial killer.

Actually doing any writing may be a challenge as Phoebe stays busy wrangling her always positive but not always responsible little brother, Connor, reconnecting with her childhood best friend, dealing with her complicated feelings about her father with whom she hadn’t spoken in years, and evaluating Sam’s threat level. Returning to her hometown, though, gives Phoebe a new perspective on her future, her relationships, and the things that truly scare her.

I found this book delightful and laughed out loud several times. Phoebe was very relatable to me with her preference for messy buns and leggings. Because I have a PhD, I also empathized with Phoebe’s issues with her advisor and struggling to convey her thoughts on paper. As much as I liked Phoebe, I got so frustrated with her, but I appreciated her character arc. Sam, Connor, and Allison were all great characters, too!

Though I love true crime, I don’t love it as much as Phoebe! She does see the world through a suspecting lens and often discusses cases, many familiar to me. Readers should no that no murders are committed during the book. Alicia Thompson provides content warnings at the beginning of the book, and I’d encourage readers to preview those.

I enjoyed this so much, I can even imagine rereading it soon. I’d definitely recommend to romance fans.

Phoebe has come back to Florida to put her deceased father's house in order. Her younger brother Conner, who she was very close to when they were children also lives nearby. It is a chance for these adult siblings to reconnect. Phoebe though is also on a deadline to finish her dissertation on true crime, something that was an unusual obsession when she was younger is now her career path. Oh, and by the way, Phoebe sees serial killer traits in well just about everyone. Even her father’s seemingly nice and helpful neighbor Sam is not above suspicion.
Phoebe manages to insert some very important facts about killers into every single conversation. When she finds herself attracted to Sam, I'll be honest I didn't quite see why he liked her back. She has spent most of her life pushing people away and the glimpses of her sarcasm really made her unlikable at times. As the story progressed, I found out what made her this way, and she grew on me. Even as Sam and Phoebe get to know each other it was hard sometimes to see the attraction. I don't know. Maybe I haven't read enough instalove books, but things just seem to happen too fast.
Anyhow, I did appreciate how this couple just seemed like normal people. They weren't drop-dead gorgeous or insanely lucky or wealthy just two people each with their own issues (though mostly Phoebe’s) who maybe find a way to connect and grow.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS by Alicia Thompson. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to provide an honest review.

LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS follows Phoebe Walsh, a PhD candidate studying true crime. She’s obsessed with the subject and can work it into most conversations. When she shows up in Florida to clean out her father’s house after his death, she’s instantly suspicious of the neighbor Sam. She finds herself watching him from a distance, suspecting him of being a serial killer even as she’s also strangely attracted.

This was an interesting twist on the typical romance. I don’t think people following me would be too surprised to learn that I tend to prefer darker reads to happy sunshine reads and this book provided a good blend of a bit of both. I loved how paranoid Phoebe was about Sam’s activities which definitely made sense if your mind is centered on crime day in and day out!

I loved the side characters in this one also. Phoebe’s relationship with her brother was excellent. They have a good relationship, but their family has a complicated past. Phoebe’s relationship with her father was strained and she and her brother lived with different parents. This adds some complication to Phoebe’s openness to Sam and to relationships in general.

DNF @ 22%

Thank you so much to Berkley, PRH audio, and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

In a sad turn of events, I will not be completing this highly anticipated romance. I was immediately sucked in by this STUNNING cover and synopsis (the mix of romance and true crime? Yes please.)

Unfortunately, this didn't live up to either in execution. I found the heroine to be unnecessarily negative and judgmental. Her brother and future sister in law, are attempting to help her pack up her father's estate and all she does is complain and judge them.

Then when her neighbor tries to help, she complains about it. She literally yells at him and accuses him of being sexist for mowing her father's lawn....

And the true crime part, in general, left a lot to be desired. I'm by no means a "true crime junkie". I don't listen to the podcasts or watch the documentaries, so half of the references went over my head. Which would be fine, if not for the fact that they are made constantly. And in between true crime references there were other nonstop pop culture references. Which is a personal red flag of mine.

I also could not grasp why she was so insistent that the neighbor was a serial killer. She hears him in the garage and 10pm one night and thinks it's odd that he wears khakis every day... and therefore a serial killer? When she wasn't accusing him of that, she was just commenting on his attractiveness.

By this point in the book I wanted to feel somewhat connected to the story and I just didn't. I didn't care for the characters, utter lack of plot, or get on board with their impending romance. I'm really sad this one was a bust.

Listen, I was always going to love this book. From the moment I saw the title, I felt like someone had gone into my brain and pulled out the exact book I wanted to read, and I think that a lot of people are going to have the same immediate attraction. Fortunately, for me, the premise paid off and I really enjoyed the story. There are, of course, an absolute ton of nods to the true crime genre- from things the most novice of readers/consumers of the genre will recognize to more obscure references- but I also loved the main romance of the story, and how Phoebe was opening herself up to people (and cats) after years of pushing them away. I also loved the academia aspect of the story. This is absolutely one of my top romance reads of the year.

First of all I love this cover so much! Second of all this was a fun story. Phoebe is obsessed with true crime. So much so that she is writing her PhD dissertation on the topic.
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She returns to her Florida hometown after her father’s death and meets Sam. Her next door neighbor is handsome but so are serial killers. Phoebe eventually steps out of her comfort zone and finds a new relationship and reconnects with her old best friend and brother. It’s actually a super sweet story and I loved call out to some great true crime books, like #InColdBlood and anything by #AnnRule I’m not gonna lie I thought for sure someone was going to end up a serial killer. Spoiler alert there is no murder just romance!
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Huge thank you @prhaudio @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Phoebe is obsessed with true crime, so much so that she is analyzing true crime as a genre for her dissertation. She’s trying to complete her paper while cleaning out her childhood home with her brother. While in Florida, she meets Sam, who at first she is convinced is a serial killer, but really is just a nice guy who she may find herself falling for.

This was such a fun story and a unique premise. Phoebe's true crime obsession made for a lot of fun - I too have wrongly been convinced a man was a serial killer once or twice so that was very relatable. I loved seeing Phoebe’s development and how she slowly opened herself up to love despite being prickly and closed off in the beginning. She had a lot of childhood trauma, and it was great seeing her learn to work through that so she could learn to trust. I thought Same was the perfect balance to her closed-off exterior. He was warm and sweet and really the perfect guy to help get her out of her shell. Another shout out has to go to the side characters- between the grumpy cat and Pheobe’s brother (the flash mob scene was everything), the side characters really added so much fun to this story. Overall, this was a great read and I will definitely be reading whatever Alicia Thompson writes next.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the advance copy!

After the death of her father, Phoebe decides she will clean out his house this summer while also writing her disertation about serial killers. So not only does she have to deal with her dads slight hoarding problem, her younger brother, but now she also has Sam. Sam who seems like he could very well be a serial killer…

3.5 stars. This one was such a fun idea. Who doesn’t love a good true crime podcast, tv show, or book? I know I do! It was just such a different kind of rom com that I really appreciated! I loved how Phoebe went off on tangents about the serial killers she was researching, but I also really enjoyed Sam. This wasn’t my favorite rom com, but it was enjoyable and a quick read!

If they say to not judge a book by the cover, I 100% picked this book because of the cover ☠️ it’s lovely. True crime fans: this romance is for you! This book reminded me of how I felt growing up watching Sabrina and the Teenage Witch (literally nothing like the plot of the show) but for the dynamics of banter, family dynamics, and the characters involved.

If you grew up having an obsession with serial killers (slightly many of us nowadays), so did the main character Phoebe and the author did an amazing job of connecting true crime in relation to the story! Phoebe temporarily moves in next door to Sam and immediately thinks he’s a serial killer but behold — he’s a love interest?!

I thought Sam and Phoebe’s relationship was quirky, sweet, and fun. The steam was definitely there (clap) and the story hilarious. I loved being in Phoebe’s mind. And I just adored Sam. Thank you Berkley Romance for the early copy!

Phoebe is back home in Florida after her dad dies, packing up his house and handling his estate. She’s obsessed with true crime and so naturally her first instinct is that the young, single guy living alone across the street is up to no good. Over the course of a summer, they get to know each other and Sam starts to chip away at the walls Phoebe has put up around her.

I don’t listen to any true crime so the vast majority of the references in this book went completely over my head. Nevertheless, I enjoyed watching Phoebe and Sam fall in love. Phoebe’s character develops a lot over the course of the book - from abrasive and not super likeable in the beginning to opening herself up. Sam was such a cinnamon roll - an elementary music teacher who is great with kids and endlessly patient with Phoebe. I also appreciated the fat representation in the book. Phoebe mentions she’s a size 16 but it’s barely a plot point which was refreshing to not feel bit over the head with it as a central point of her identity or their relationship.

Content warnings: Phoebe’s dad dies of heart attack (in the last).

Thanks to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

If you like true crime and romance novels (and really, who doesn’t?) this one is a must! Do you think every man you ever met is a potential serial killer? If so, you’re gonna love Phoebe. She’s neurotic (again, who isn’t in 2022) and smart and her brand of wit is right up my alley. Sam was the sweetest most awkwardly adorable hero and together they made such a cute pair. Their relationship was gentle, tender and felt so genuine. They took care with each other in a way that felt so pure. Since Phoebe’s father recently passed away there’s a grief element throughout the story and she’s also trying to rekindle a friendship with someone she lost touch with years ago. Then there’s her brother and his girlfriend who were such fantastic secondary characters I kinda want to read a whole ass book about those two. These extra elements added additional depth to this cute romance, I adored it and can’t wait to see what the author has in store next.

When Phoebe Walsh's estranged father dies, she ends up somewhere she never thought she'd go again: in Florida, at the house she grew up in before her parents divorced. She and her younger brother have been tasked with clearing out their father's house to put it on the market. With a true crime dissertation deadline looming, Phoebe doesn't have time for cleaning the house, helping her brother with his proposal plans, and reconnecting with her former best friend — and she definitely doesn't have time for her annoyingly alluring neighbor who might be up to something suspicious in his garage. Is his kindness designed to lure her into a false sense of security? Or is he maybe (even worse) flirting with her?

Phoebe Walsh is a great romance heroine: prickly and emotionally unavailable, with a string of failed relationships behind her and no interest in trying again. That's not sarcasm — I love a main character who has no interest in being one. It's clear that Phoebe wants to keep her head down and finish her dissertation. She "doesn't need anyone," and her suspicion of everyone that stems from her complicated childhood and obsession with true crime stories gives her character an interesting edge. I was rooting for her, not only romantically, but in life — I loved seeing her develop a better relationship with her brother and her ex-best friend, and I especially appreciated seeing her come to terms with some of her past and open up more. I was impressed with the emotional vulnerability that cropped up throughout this book, with Phoebe facing her reservations head on and deciding to take steps to change things.

Sam is the rom-com guy of everyone's dreams, sweet and witty and unafraid of the walls that Phoebe puts up. Their chemistry is quiet and genuine, making it clear that the only possible conclusion is that they end up together.

The true crime angle is fresh and fun, giving Phoebe some depth but also giving the reader a new look at true crime and its popularity through the lens of Phoebe's dissertation. Overall, I thought the story and the characters were well-rounded, thoughtful, and entertaining.

I will say I struggled a bit with this book, and it may have been impacted by the idea I had in my mind that this was going to be a thriller/romance similar to the vein of Finlay Donovan or the Four Aunties series. When I had gotten quite a bit into the story and the book didn't HAVE a serial killer, I had to kind of back myself up a little bit and give up that idea, and quit waiting for the true crime -- a missed opportunity if I ever did hear of one LOL

While I appreciated the pop culture references, the ADORABLE flash mob, and some of the individual scenes, this slow burn was not the easiest read for me. I thought it had such a strong beginning with Phoebe having to move back to her father's home after his death, to clear out the house and deal with her past but near the middle of the story, I kept waiting for something more to develop, an additional sub plot to give the story a bit more action.

For me, the best parts of the book were the look into Phoebe's love for true crime, and how that played into her upbringing, her current relationships, and her focus at work. If you're someone who loves a slow burn, and true crime, you will definitely enjoy this one!

We read this one as a club over at @loveARCtually & we were honored to get to Zoom with Alicia Thompson before her pub day! Thank you Berkley Romance for collaborating with us, and for the chance to read and review, I gave this title 3.75 stars.