Well I honestly couldn’t decide if this book was too brilliant for me or if it was just trying too hard. Or perhaps the packaging didn’t match the actual story.
Perhaps it was just a combination of all 3. I definitely felt that the story had a unique voice and saw where it could take that but it seemed to just stay the same. The characters didn’t grow or evolve really. And maybe they weren’t meant to in the trauma bonding style situation.
Either way, this book is not propulsive. It is slow after the initial opening sequence and a few spaced out adventures. Prepare for a lot of internal monologue. And angsty Stockholm ish style romance…….?????
Overall a 3/5 star read for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Thank you William Morrow for my gifted copies!

“How long does it take to become the thing you’re branded?”

I feel like I’ve said this before, I know I have. But Killer Potential surprised me. It wasn’t on my radar before William Morrow sent it to me. And I literally waited until the last minute to read it. But once I started, I simply

Could
Not
Stop.

This is Hannah Deitch’s debut novel. Debut. This fact alone astonishes me, because her writing is top tier. Her writing is so perfectly crafted. I kept marveling at how brilliant her mind works. Where did she pull these details from? How did she imagine this up? How did she make these two perfectly flawed female main characters? Because Evie and Jae truly came off these pages. I felt like I knew them as well as you can know anyone. Their thoughts, voices, actions were all so real to me. I’m emotional thinking of them, of ending my time with them. And this alone floors me. Debut! This is the type of writing you experience from an author who has had years and dozens of books to grow from. I am enamored.

And the plot! My god. I saw this book compared to Bonnie and Clyde, and Thelma & Louise. Spot on and accurate, but realistic and for modern times. It was a blast. I had so much fun with the chaos of this plot. It never let up. Never. This is a THICC book, at 310 pages, but I read the first 65% in one sitting, kids be damned. And I read the rest hiding on the bedroom floor to escape from said kids. I promise you, I barely took a full breath the entire time. And my freshly painted purple to match the cover nails are gnawed off.

I’m telling you - this book is something massive. And you need to read it. Immediately.

An insightful novel about the lengths we'll go to in order to survive & protect ourselves. I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning but as the story progressed it hooked me & I didn't see the plot twist coming. At times heartbreaking & sad and at times a bit humorous it's a thriller / semi murder mystery told through a Gen Z character.

Evie shows up one day to her tutoring job, but instead of her student she finds the bodies of his parents and a woman in the closet. Convinced she will be collared for the crime, the two women the flee the scene and take off on a cross-country roadtrip.

This book was unlike the traditional heart-pounding thriller style I am used to! While some of the twists were a bit predictable it did not take away from the overall story. I did find Evie to be a pretty grating character and kept forgetting she was 29, not 19. The book had a lot of insights and a fun romance factor, but some of the pacing and character traits put this at a solid 3-star read.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Killer Potential.

Great title and premise! I was excited my request was granted.

There are a few sex scenes and discussions of same sex relationships if some readers are sensitive to these topics.

Evie Gordon is a smart cookie but having brains isn't everything. One day she walks into a crime scene and her meager existence explodes into a Lifetime movie.

From the premise, I was envisioning a Hitchcockian-esque thriller; falsely accused and on the run, hoping to figure out a way to clear your name.

I only got one part right; running from the law, and everything else required a high suspension of disbelief I couldn't fake.

It's hard to believe two women could evade the police for so long considering how many security cameras and facial recognitions scanners there are in our country now.

The book gives off Thelma and Louise vibes but Evie and Jae are nothing like those likable, engaging, and memorable characters.

It's pretty convenient that Jae is as skilled at pickpocketing and nicking like the Artful Dodger because it was just Evie on the run alone, she would have been picked up in 20 minutes.

Evie talks constantly about how smart she is; yes, she's book smart but obviously not street smart.

We're in Evie's head a lot as she monologues constantly about how smart she is, how much her loving family supported her academic dreams.

But, she's still a nobody from a small town she doesn't want to return to with her tail between her legs.

Evie is annoying, bratty, and entitled; she's surprised her big brains didn't give her everything she dreamed of; success, money, a big house.

I'm not sure how I feel about Jae; I didn't like her but I didn't dislike her.

She reads like a cliche stereotype of a rebel, of a good girl turned survivors because of her difficult childhood and hardships.

There are moments of blood and violence as Evie and Jae hide and evade capture, resorting to acts of violence to protect one another.

But the narrative eventually devolves into them romancing each other.

There's a 'twist' I saw coming, especially when you realize Evie is doing nothing to find the real killer and clear their names.

And here's my biggest gripe; I've said it in so many reviews and I'll keep saying it again until I'm blue in the face, apparently.

Every novel doesn't need to have a romance.

The main characters don't need to hook up or get involved or married, etc.

The sudden romance between Evie and Jae was forced, contrived, and unnecessary.

The tone of the narrative soon shifted from suspenseful to a YA novel, romanticizing their plight and imagining a future together.

The ending is realistic; neither happy nor sad, but again, unnecessarily corny and romance-y.

The writing was good, but heavy on metaphors especially when discussing the feelings the characters have for each other. 🙄

Evie Gordon walks in on the worst scene of her life. The rich people she works for have been murdered. Thus starts a fairly predictable but entertaining run that, of course, turns into Evie as a fugitive. It was fun to read on a Saturday afternoon.

You ever just speed through a book because you want to know the ending after it's gripped you? Prepare yourself for a wild ride with this one!
Featuring:

🔪 A queer FMC
🔪 An SAT tutor struggling to survive
🔪 A woman locked in a closet
🔪 Dead bosses
🔪 A stolen yacht
🔪 Car jacking

Annnnd that's not even the half of it!

Evie Gordon is a let down. After success in college, she is forced to work as an SAT tutor for the wealthy upon graduation. One unfortunate day, she finds the parents of her tutee dead outside, and a woman trapped in the closet. Fleeing for their lives, Evie and the woman who refuses to talk are forced to reconcile with expectations vs. reality, and how their mindset informs their circumstances as they journey across the US in search of the real serial killer. Unexpectedly emotional, raw, and funny, this is a fun, fast-paced thriller that can't be put down once you start it! Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

i had so much fun with this one!! read it very quickly and enjoyed deitch's writing and our narrator evie's snarky voice. sapphic thelma and louise and what else could you want?

it wasn't perfect though: a few bits strained credulity, the romantic relationship needed a bit more development, and and the road tripping got a bit repetitive after a while (just for a section until we got to the next big event)

looking forward to more from deitch for sure

Killer Potential is an extremely unique, edge-of-your-seat thriller that follows a young SAT tutor as she flees a murder scene and begins life as a fugitive. Upon discovering her employers gruesomely murdered in their mansion, Evie is completely shocked and in the midst of calling local law enforcement when she makes another terrible discovery. Under the stairs of the posh luxury home is a woman who has clearly been trapped there for some time. In a split-second decision, Evie flees with the unknown woman. Now, they're both on the run, and the entire country is looking for them. How can Evie prove her innocence? Who is this stranger? How are they going to survive!?

Killer Potential is definitely a gripping, can't-put-down, survival thriller. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of time and details spent on how Evie and her accomplice(?) survive from city to village to beach town to country to woods. While there is definitely an overarching thriller/mystery to the whole book, the story of their developing relationship and their survival is just as important and exciting. I also really appreciated the brief flashbacks to Evie's past. I liked getting to know her as the straight A student who had her whole future already planned. It shows how life can always throw you a curveball. There were at least one or two twists that I absolutely did not see coming, which was a great surprise! Finally, I liked how the ending wasn't some happily-ever-after. It made the characters and what they went through so much more believable. I'll for sure be recommending Killer Potential. It is unique, exciting, and something to talk about!

Before I begin my review, I would like to thank Hannah Deitch, NetGalley, and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an ARC of "Killer Potential."

Killer Potential starts with Evie Gordon thinking it's just another monotonous Sunday tutoring rich-kid Serena Victor. However, upon her arrival to the Victor House, her Sunday becomes anything but. This book had so many layers and twists & turns that it was hard to put down. Every time I thought I knew something, more questions would arise. I was able to predict the ending fairly early on, but the way it played out was so beautifully crafted, I wasn't even upset. Great book and I'm very excited to see more from Hannah Deitch.

Overall: 4/5 stars

I expected this to be a thriller but it was much more of a mystery who-dunnit kind of book. It started off strong in the middle of a super chaotic course of events. I was intrigued to find out the details that our main characters were also trying to find out. Te grand reveal was shocking to me but I was honestly surprised to see how much of the book was left at that point. There were so many plot points that popped up at the very end of the book and just never got a conclusion. I’m not sure if this was intentional so that it could set up for a second book or not. But all the unanswered questions made me dislike the book more than I liked the first half.

This thriller, Killer Potential, takes a detour from the women are victims trope and turns it on its head as Evie, and the terrified young woman she's rescued go on the lam after a triple homicide that Evie finds herself in the middle of. Skillful misdirection and subtle nods to class differentials and what truths lie unsaid render this book a deeper take than normal. Well done!

In *Killer Potential*, the author delivers a razor-sharp debut that combines dark humor, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and a poignant exploration of class and ambition. The story follows Evie Gordon, a gifted SAT tutor whose life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a gruesome crime scene at the estate of her wealthy clients. Instead of a typical tutoring session, she finds herself thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse, paired with an enigmatic woman she rescues from a closet.

Evie’s character is both relatable and compelling; her aspirations juxtaposed against the harsh realities of her financial burdens create a dynamic portrait of a young woman searching for her identity in a world obsessed with status. The author's keen observations about social mobility and the American Dream provide thoughtful commentary throughout the narrative. One memorable quote encapsulates this theme: “We all believe we’re destined for greatness, but what happens when the world decides otherwise?”

The tension escalates as Evie and her silent companion become fugitives, navigating a landscape filled with danger and media frenzy. The author deftly balances moments of humor with high-stakes action, making for a thrilling reading experience. Evie’s transformation from a struggling tutor to a headline-making suspect is both exhilarating and darkly ironic, as she grapples with her newfound notoriety. A standout line that captures this transformation is: “Suddenly, I wasn’t just a footnote in someone else’s story; I was the headline.”

The chemistry between Evie and her companion adds an intriguing layer to the plot, with their dynamic evolving as they journey across the U.S. in search of the real killer. The tension of unlocking the mysteries surrounding her companion’s silence creates additional suspense, driving the narrative forward with momentum and intrigue.

While the pacing is generally captivating, there are moments where the narrative could have benefitted from tighter editing, particularly during transitions between action scenes. A bit more depth in exploring the backstory of Evie’s companion could have further enriched the emotional stakes of their journey together.

Overall, *Killer Potential* is a bold and disarming debut that masterfully blends humor with thriller elements, inviting readers to consider deeper questions about identity, ambition, and societal expectations. I highly recommend it to fans of literary thrillers that deliver both suspense and sharp social commentary. It’s a captivating reminder that the search for greatness can lead us down the most unexpected—and dangerous—paths.

This is a debut novel, and I’m all about finding new authors! It didn’t kick off with a bang, but I was totally hooked once Evie stumbled upon the dead bodies. And let me tell you, Evie's dark humor and sarcasm? It's absolutely one of my favorite parts of the book! I can’t get enough of characters like her!

Evie is an intelligent young woman who’s had some chances in life, even though she didn’t come from money. Unfortunately, she takes those chances for granted and finds herself as an SAT tutor drowning in student debt. Her clients? Spoiled rich kids in fancy neighborhoods. That’s how she ends up at the Victor's house at the worst possible moment—only to discover their dead bodies. Things get even wilder when she runs off with a girl she finds tied up and hidden in the house. This kicks off a series of bad decisions that send them down a crazy “Thelma-and-Louise” adventure!

"Killer Potential" is dark and fast-paced, showcasing two intricate female characters with wit and street smarts—so entertaining!

This debut author nails the adrenaline of the chase and the heart-pounding fear of the unknown. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thanks to Willam Morrow, Harper Audio, NetGalley, and Libro.fm for providing this ARC's digital book and audiobook. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

The audiobook features fantastic narration, which enhanced my reading experience, allowing me to listen to the audio while reading the ebook!

And let’s not forget all the themes packed into this novel:
Media sensationalism
Morally gray characters
Class divisions
Strong and complex female protagonists
Murder investigations
LGBTQIA representation
Dark humor
It's a wild ride!

#KillerPotential #HannahDeitch #DebutThriller LibroFM #WilliamMorrow #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish

So. Much. Fun.

Deitch masterfully crafts a fast-paced, suspenseful plot, enriched by Evie's introspective and often darkly humorous inner monologue, which delves into themes of social mobility and the constructs of potential. The evolving relationship between Evie and Jae adds depth to the story, culminating in unexpected twists that challenge perceptions and keep readers engaged until the final page.

I was going back and forth about this book. At first, I had only given it three stars, but as it sat with me, I felt that it was deserving of 4. The story was written in a way that the ending came as a surprise to me, and I felt like I had been played for a fool. I felt the writing was done in a way that allowed me to feel what Evie might have felt there towards the end.

This was such a wild ride of a book! I loved it! Thelma and Louise meets burnt out SAT tutor -- sign me up. I was absolutely hooked from page one and could not have predicted all of the incredible turns this book took.

The premise of this one sounded too good to pass up, and although it wasn’t my favorite read of the year, it still had a lot to offer and I enjoyed the ride. This reads like a queer Thelma & Louise with two women on the run from the law after both end up in circumstances beyond their control at a murder scene. I will say that this book requires the reader to really suspend belief for the amount of time these women evade capture, particularly with some of the decisions they make. But it is overall a really fun ride!

This reads like a more literary thriller where for much of the novel you are really in the head of our protagonist, Evie. She is a really relatable character in her early 20s having graduated college and now trying to figure out her next step. I really related to her in how she describes school being easy and something she could understand but real life being this enigma that she can’t quite figure out. The real world can be a harsh slap in the face after being told how smart and special you are in your school years, and this leads her like many to taking a temporary job. But this job of SAT tutor ends up disrupting her entire life.

Our other main lead, Jae, is very mysterious and kind of an enigma for both the reader and Evie when the journey first starts. With her street savviness and silence, it is hard to figure out her motivations and feelings at first. But as we get to know her, we realize there is so much trauma and hurt in her past that all of her questionable moves begin to make sense. I really loved the chemistry between these two and loved the romance that begins to blossom when they are on the road.

I think the twist in this one is pretty predictable, but that didn’t ruin the story for me because I don’t think the twist was really the point. I think this was almost more of a love story about two women who could have really had a great relationship had they met under different circumstances. So it is kind of a tragic love story. I know this definitely won’t be for everyone, but I had a really good time reading about these two characters and the many close calls they encounter on the run.

I couldn't put this down, it was like watching a car accident. I was just along for the ride on this one, and went in pretty blind. I loved that I wasn't trying to guess the ending or trying to figure out what happened. The author did a great job at pulling your attention to other things, which made the ending so shocking for me. There was definitely some filler subject matter in the middle of the book that I more skimmed than read, it just didn't feel relevant to the story and felt a little too deep.into the backstories of the characters. I usually hate an open ended ending, but with this book, I didn't mind it. It left a lot up to your imagination, which was fun.

Such a twisted novel about lose of innocence and trust.
Evie was an SAT tutor that got caught up in the wrong place, wrong time and believing she was rescuing a person in trouble. A lot of assumptions and beliefs that turn on her at any given time.