Easiest five stars I've given in a hot minute. This one was SO fun. The cross-country escapades, the romance between two ridiculous individuals, the former gifted kid vibes of wanting to be known? Loved it. Devoured it. It was fast-paced, which was just what I needed. Sorry to all the people out there who didn't like this and didn't find an emotionally stunted 30 year old to be realistic, because I had a great time.

It's a little bit Thelma and Louise, a little bit Parasite, a little bit Promising Young Woman, and a whole lot of fun. Excited to see what comes next from this debut author!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was beautiful in a way I didn’t expect. The writing is sharp and reflective, and the two main characters are heartbreaking. It gabe me Thelma and Louise vibes.

Thank you so much to the publishers for this copy.

I really am on the fence about this one, rating it between a 2.5/3 star. on one hand, the story ended up getting better and easier to follow through with; on the other hand, I thought parts of the story - mostly the sex scenes - were just very random and out of storyline. I did end up finishing it in a few days & didn’t hate it all together.

This amazing debut novel has it all--lesbians, crime sprees, blood, car chases, and a deeply relatable look into the psychological effects of gifted child syndrome.

I devoured this book in a single day. I could not put it down! From the moment Evie Gordon stumbles upon a gruesome crime scene and ends up on the run with a mysterious woman, I was hooked. Dietch's writing is so smart and quick-witted, with a surprising amount of emotional depth packed into her words. I was deeply invested in Evie's story. She is such a compelling character—smart, driven, and yet totally stuck in the limbo of unfulfilled potential (unfortunately relatable). Her journey from being a bright, hardworking scholarship student to a fugitive running across the country is captivating. I loved the way the novel explores her inner turmoil and disillusionment with the American Dream, while also pushing her into a world of danger and intrigue that she’s completely unprepared for.

And then there’s her companion—the woman she frees from the mansion—whose silence adds an air of mystery and tension. I never quite got into her head, but despite that, Dietch made me care about her deeply. The dynamic between the two main characters is fascinating.

What sets Killer Potential apart is its perfect balance of intensity and biting social critique. The way it skewers the myths of upward mobility, success, and class warfare is brilliant. It’s thought-provoking without being preachy, and it's wrapped in a rollercoaster of twists and turns that I never saw coming. I could not have predicted a single plot point, and that's truly remarkable for someone who reads so much and studies fiction writing.

If you’re a fan of books that combine sharp wit, deep character exploration, and a pulse-pounding plot, Killer Potential is a must. Highly recommend!

It has been a long time since I read a book like nothing I've ever experienced before — but hot dang, Killer Potential is a brand new thing! I'm frankly shocked this book got published. Shocked and thrilled. Fantastic. Brilliant. Compelling. Sexy. Queer. Hilarious. Infuriating. Absolutely biting social commentary in the best possible way. I was hooked from the first page and wasn't let down by even a single chapter. I'm going to push this book onto everyone I know for the rest of the year!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.

Thank you to @libro and @harper audio for my audio copy. I so wanted to give this one a 5, I was so close, but the ending just kind of fizzled for me. I adored this book on audio, I been struggling some with audiobooks lately and enjoying them, but this one was just perfect. I loved the 2 narrators, they brought so much life and emotion to the story. This is one of those stores that translates so well to audio. You feel like the narrator is just sharing her story with you, so good. The audio version definitely enhanced my overall opinion of this book.

The story was great too. Modern day Thelma and Louise. Super impressed that this was a debut, I will absolutely jump at the chance to read this authors next book, and hope another one will be on the way quickly!

What an interesting look at a piece of life that we’re all enthralled and terrified of: making one bad decision that then takes our lives in a completely different direction. It showcased how having that one moment can change your viewpoint too.

One thing that was really cool was how this book was invariably completed before Luigi Mangione made the news, yet it talked about having a Robin Hood killer. Very timely subject matter!

I appreciated the growing relationship between the two MCs. It felt complex and real, and was full of false starts. I also appreciated all the moral ambiguities.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read with good character development and enough suspense to keep the reader interested. This is a book which I would recommend to all who enjoy a good mystery.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the author did an excellent job with the story and characters. I will admit that I was hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down. There was so much in this book from spice to humor, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I can't wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this book to other readers.

Thank you Net Galley, William Morrow, and Hannah Deitch

This is a wild ride and a strong debut!

Evie Gordon arrives at the Victors wealthy estate where she tutors their son. But instead of facing a reluctant teen, she finds both parents murdered in their backyard. As she is fleeing the scene, she discovers a woman tied up and trapped in the house. Evie frees the woman and they escape together. They instantly become fugitives and America’s Most Wanted in this murder investigation. What follows is a cat and mouse chase across the country as these women avoid the law.

This was a fast paced thriller with strong ‘Thelma and Louise’ vibes. It was a lot of fun to read if you can suspend disbelief and just enjoy the adventure!

Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on March 18, 2025

This. Is. So. Good.
I zoomed through this book, licking up every delicious morsel! Evie and Jae are both deeply unreliable narrators which makes it all so much more fun. This was sexy and funny and such a good thrill ride! I certainly recommend and can’t wait to read more by this author.

This book was one wild ride.
While I really enjoyed some parts, I didn’t love others.
Evie is just a tutor trying to make it in the world.
When she comes to the home of her student, and finds her student’s parents brutally murdered, she runs. But not before making some big mistakes. On her way out the door she hears someone call for help, and discovers a woman tied up in a closet. The two embark on a journey as wrongly accused, wanted women. It’s insane and crazy and really good. Loved most of it.
Thank you netgalley for this arc and libro.fm for this listen!

"Killer Potential" is a fast-paced adventure that I found to resonate with fans of Emma Cline's "The Girls" and the film "Thelma and Louise." I also believe that readers who enjoyed Maggie Thrash's "Rainbow Black" would appreciate this suspenseful, Be Gay, Do Crimes-themed novel.

The story follows Evie, a 29-year-old former "gifted" child who struggles to live up to her potential. To make ends meet, she ends up tutoring the privileged children of the wealthy elite on the SAT. Her life takes a sudden turn when she stumbles upon a crime scene. In a twist of fate, she rescues a mysterious woman, but they must flee to avoid being suspected by the police. What follows is a chaotic journey filled with friendship and adventure.

I read this book in one sitting. It was filled with anticipation, and I didn’t feel that it glamorized violence. Instead, it illustrates how quickly situations can spiral out of control and how easy it is to rush to judgments, particularly in an era dominated by a 24-hour news cycle and the desire for viral moments. A big thank-you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing this witty, gripping read.

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch is a sharp, fast-paced debut that combines the suspense of a thriller with biting social commentary. The story follows Evie Gordon, a bright, ambitious scholarship student who graduates from an elite university only to find herself stuck in a dead-end job as an SAT tutor for the ultra-wealthy. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon the bloody aftermath of a double murder at the Victors’ Beverly Hills estate. What begins as a horrific accident quickly spirals into a manhunt, with Evie and a mysterious woman at the center of it all.

Evie’s life turns upside down as she becomes the prime suspect in the murder and finds herself fleeing across the country. What starts as a desperate attempt to clear her name soon morphs into a deeper journey of self-discovery. As she unravels the complex layers of the case, Evie must confront her own perceptions of success, class, and identity.

Deitch weaves together a compelling narrative that is both a thrilling chase and a critique of the societal pressures surrounding ambition and success. Killer Potential stands out for its insightful commentary on social mobility, the American Dream, and how people are often defined by the stories they are told about their potential. The novel’s dark humor and introspective moments elevate it beyond a typical thriller, making it a thought-provoking read that challenges the reader to question the price of greatness.

Hannah Deitch delivers a fast-paced, engaging mystery in Killer Potential. From the very first chapter, she pulls you into a web of suspense, leaving you questioning who can be trusted. The character development is rich, with complex motivations that make each twist feel earned and thrilling. Fans of crime thrillers will appreciate the sharp prose and unexpected turns, all leading to a heart-stopping conclusion. It's a page-turner that's hard to put down!

A grisly murder scene and lots of twists….sounds like the perfect thriller. Many people will love this one, but something about this book just wasn’t for me. I struggled to get through it. I do think it’s a good debut!

Wasn't wild about this one.

The premise was intriguing, and I even enjoyed the twist, but it felt like there was a lot of wasted potential here. Even though there were long stretches where nothing happened, I still didn't feel like the "love" between the two characters was earned at all, and the end of the book was all telling no showing.

I liked this book a lot! It wasn't too much romance, though it got bogged down a bit in the middle. Ultimately, a really good read, especially if you're feeling lost in your 20s.

This thriller was just too dark for me, unfortunately, but I do think it will work for many other readers! I think trying to read this in January was a massive mistake on my part so I’m tempted to try again on spring break. The plot set up was very clever and the writing was excellent.

4 stars

this was incredible, especially for a debut. if you're a fan of donna tartt's writing, or murder mysteries with an unreliable narrator, this novel is perfect for you. i absolutely DEVOURED this story.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc!

i really wish deitch had more books, because i'd 100% read them all. her style of writing had me hooked - i couldn't put my e-arc copy down for less than an hour. and even then, my brain was still wandering, thinking about the story.

the premise itself hooked me; i thought it was incredibly unique and interesting. i didn't want to wait until its release date to read it, and i'm so glad it was available to read on netgalley. it was just what i needed to get me out of my reading slump.

evie and jae are both very layered characters. the story itself is complex, and the intrigue kept me glued to the page. i liked the descriptions of everything - from the people to the places... especially the backstories of each of the characters.

i am usually good at predicting plot twists, but even i was surprised at the plot twist that unfolded. the last half of the book was surprising, and i was excited to see how the story would resolve.

as a whole, i definitely would recommend this book! i really, really liked it.