This was a fun book to read because it was a combination of comedy and suspense. The narrative struck the ideal balance between the two, in my opinion. Although I would not go so far as to say that I felt a connection with the main character, I believe that she was someone that a great number of other readers would find extremely endearing.

This thriller, like many others that have been released in recent years, suffers from the fact that it is not realistic in any way. There are instances where over-the-top situations in the plot are evident, but fortunately, they do not affect the fun gained out of it if you are not too critical about them. Overall, it was a good and entertaining read.

This was a fun murder mystery based on dating apps. I loved learning about the algorithm and how these dating apps work while also wondering who the heck was killing all the guys that Gwen matched and went on dates with, There were some funny moments tied in with the mystery and I enjoyed the lead up to finding out who was behind it all. In all honesty, I didn't anticipate who the killer was so I was shocked and loved that about the book!

Pretty solid mystery but I do not love the mechanics of who the killer ended up being and how there was an intentional bombshell that was information that the main character knew but was not shared with the reader until the third act. This mechanically felt intentional to wait until the last minute to shock the reader and less like an organic storytelling decision. That being said I enjoyed the concept of the mystery and this was overall a fun read. The killer was slightly predictable but the characters were enjoyable and only minorly irksome in their decision making capabilities.

Although I wasn't totally in love with Swiped, I did find myself enjoying it quite a bit as a junk food read and chuckled a bit more than I would have expected. I think the writing needs a bit of work, but the premise was there regardless. I will be purchasing for the branch as I have a few readers in mind already.

I probably chuckled more through this book than I was supposed to. It is a murder book, after all. Gwen tries a dating app to revive her love life, but when everyone she dates turns up dead, she becomes murder suspect number one. This should be a cautionary tale about online dating, but really, it's just good fun.

DNF at 52%

This book feels like a 2000s rom-com in the worst way - flat humor, obvious but insane plot twists, and flat characters. I was so frustrated by the novel that I skipped ahead to see if the plot twist I predicted from page 10 was going to happen.

Really fun characters, but the story did not meet expectations. What I did like was that the pacing was quicker so it was a fairly fast read. Would read more from this author in the future.

Swiped by L.M. Chilton is such a clever mystery and I found the plot to be very creative. Basically a serial killer seems to be killing off Gwen Turner's previous dates, all of whom she meets by "swiping right" on the popular online dating app, Connector. While she didn't exactly enjoy an of these recent dates, Gwen knows these men do not deserve to die. While she doesn't fully trust the police, who seem to keep her as their number one suspect, Gwen must take matters into her own reckless hands in order to find this killer. This will lead to some real laugh out loud moments.

Chilton puts a humorous spin on the concept of online dating and the matching of random strangers. I enjoyed this novel from start to finish and honestly did not see killer coming at the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Scout Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Is murder funny? This thriller by L. M. Chilton, Swiped, is peppered with funny moments that lighten the story without going too far. The main character tries to solve murders that she has a connection to, she dated them all at some point. While I enjoyed the banter and the mystery, some moments were a stretch for me in the believability department.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

L.M. Chilton's "Swiped" ventures into the dystopian realm of a future where digital footprints dictate every facet of life. Set in a world where personal data is currency and privacy is a relic of the past, the novel follows protagonist Lexi Walker as she navigates the consequences of living in a society governed by a ubiquitous social credit system.

One of the novel's standout qualities is its chillingly plausible portrayal of a surveillance state driven by technology. Chilton adeptly crafts a world where individuals' every action and interaction are scrutinized, offering a stark commentary on the potential dangers of unchecked digital surveillance. The premise of the social credit system, which assigns numerical values to individuals based on their behavior, prompts readers to reflect on contemporary issues surrounding privacy, social media influence, and the ethics of data collection.

Furthermore, Chilton excels in developing the character of Lexi Walker. As a reluctant protagonist thrust into a struggle against a manipulative system, Lexi's journey from compliance to resistance is both compelling and relatable. Her internal conflict, torn between conformity for safety and rebellion for freedom, drives the narrative forward with emotional depth and authenticity.

However, despite these strengths, "Swiped" occasionally falters in its execution of plot and pacing. The novel's exploration of the dystopian society sometimes feels overly didactic, with exposition occasionally overshadowing character development and organic storytelling. Certain plot twists and turns may come across as predictable, diminishing the impact of the narrative's more suspenseful moments.

Moreover, while Chilton's world-building is meticulous, some aspects of the dystopian society remain underexplored. The implications of the social credit system on interpersonal relationships and societal structures are hinted at but not fully fleshed out, leaving readers craving more depth and complexity in the novel's exploration of its central themes.

In conclusion, "Swiped" by L.M. Chilton is a thought-provoking exploration of a future where technology and surveillance converge to shape human behavior and societal norms. The novel succeeds in its portrayal of a chillingly plausible dystopia and features a compelling protagonist grappling with profound moral dilemmas. Despite occasional pacing issues and underdeveloped world-building elements, Chilton's narrative raises pertinent questions about the intersection of technology, privacy, and individual freedom. "Swiped" stands as a cautionary tale that prompts readers to contemplate the ethical implications of our increasingly digitalized world, making it a worthwhile read for fans of dystopian fiction and speculative social commentary alike.

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TWs: assault, betrayal, blackmail, mentions of cancer, cheating, divorce, murder, stalking, vomit
standalone: yes
final thoughts: overall, this was a fun whodunnit with plenty of twists and turns that i would recommend to mystery readers.
this book has interesting characters, lots of intrigue, drops of romance, plenty of suspense, and a whole lot of second-guessing on who the murderer is.

i felt like the pacing was good through most of the book but seemed very rushed toward the end. i would've loved more leading up to the reveal as well as "what's next" after the murderer's identity is finally given.

Such a fun read and the perfect escape this summer. I was hooked from the first chapter, loved the characters and the drama. I really enjoyed being able to go along on the murder "investigation". I did not see the TWISTS at the end coming but man did they have me gripping my kindle for dear life.

3.5⭐️
For fans of Finlay Donovan.
Quirky MC who goes on many bad dates from a dating app.
I thought I had it all figured out but was pleasantly surprised with the ending, making me round up on GR and knock it up .5 stars.
I liked how the author dabbled in some second person POV.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This thriller romance novel is a fun, quick read. Gwen recently broke up with her boyfriend after quitting her job to open a coffee shop food truck. She deals with the new stress in her life by turning to dating apps and cheap wine. When the men she’s dated start showing up murdered, Gwen finds herself as a person of interest. If you’re like me and love rom coms and tame thrillers, this may be a good book for you!

This book was laugh out loud funny. I loved reading this one, and was actually gifted a physical copy along with a digital copy from NetGalley. I took the hard copy on a flight and had three people tell me they wanted to read Swiped after watching my expressions!

This one is filled with humor, and if you’ve ever had the immense displeasure of online dating, this one’s for you- it’ll remind you that there’s humor in every situation. I gave this one four stars- and ended up gifting my hard copy to a flight attendant on a United Air flight- so it’s still circulating!

I had my share of horrible dates when I was trying to meet Mr. Right on the dating apps. But I did meet my husband on Match, so they worked for me! Gwen Turner, heroine of L.M. Chilton’s debut novel Swiped, can’t say the same. Her dates have been disastrous, featuring men who lie about their age, their wives, and only seem interested in nudes. But do they all deserve to die?

Gwen’s made some pretty big mistakes in her life—quitting a great job to run a coffee truck, breaking up with a man who truly loved her—and now her roommate/best friend is moving out and getting married. Gwen wants to bring a date to the wedding, but the pickings are slim in her small coastal English town. At her friend’s hen do, she’s desperate for an excuse to leave, and messages one of her matches on the dating app. But he responds with a newspaper clipping about a man who was murdered. Shaken, Gwen realizes she had gone out on a date with him. And then her other dates start dying, their bodies found in the same location where Gwen had met them. Is the killer after Gwen? Or trying to frame her?

While the plot of Swiped is a bit like the classic 1989 Al Pacino thriller Sea of Love, the tone is closer to Bridget Jones's Diary. It’s a terrific send-up of the dating app culture, where sometimes it’s hard not to wish death on certain daters. But Gwen herself isn’t faultless either, which she reveals as the novel progresses. Although at times the book got too silly for the danger to feel serious, overall, it’s a fun ride.

Women on the apps might want to stock up on a few copies of the book. Sending one over to an obnoxious guy who asks for nudes is a great way to make a statement.

I had a hard time finishing this book. It was cute at times, but I found most/all of the characters to be unlikeable and unrealistic. In particular, the main character’s bad decisions made me frustrated with much of the storyline. I saw the first twist coming, but not the second. I would’ve been happier going in knowing this was a romance book, instead of expecting a mystery novel.

Good read, but nothing that really felt impactful/lasting. A tasty treat, if you will. Appreciate the opportunity for the advanced read!

I really had no idea where this was going to go! Well done! I liked the dating app murder aspect; this was a fresh addition to the cozy mystery genre!

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Well. Le sigh.

It was definitely giving Bridget Jones vibes for the majority of it. The MC (I might have forgotten her name already...) was sassy and fun. It was just a normal thriller for me that had an interesting mystery that had me intrigued.

STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY SPOILERS.

Then came the cheating. I kinda wanted Jez (I think that was his name...) hurt not dead for cheating on his PREGNANT WIFE. Then there was the FMC... I remember thinking 'oh God, please don't have any cheating' as I read this book. Then WHAM. It's part of the plot twist.

ugh.