I am not a fan of romance novels and with a title like Serial Killer Games, I hadn’t paid attention to the main genre for this book. Luckily, I am a big fan of snarky humor and Serial Killer Games has it in spades. It’s dark and twisted. But it is also heartwarming. I adored it.
Jake Ripper is a temp at a corporate office when he encounters Dolores Dela Cruz. They are drawn to each other, each seeking out the truth about the other and using what they learn to attempt to up the level of the cat and mouse games they’re playing. But the attraction outweighs their normal instincts. The book alternates between their two POVs. Smartly, Posey doesn’t make them into caricatures. She has imbibed them with real issues, feelings and concerns. But as much as I loved them, it was Cat that stole the show.
Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going, I was surprised. Not surprised. Shocked. This one really threw me for a loop. Time after time. I lost count of the number of twists.
There are some hysterical scenes. Laugh out loud funny. I almost lost it during the scene with HR. This is perfect when you need something light but can’t handle saccharine.
This doesn’t read like a debut. I can’t wait to see what Posey does next.
My thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.

Thought this was an interesting read. Jake is a temp at an office and one day he sees Dolores who likes to fly under the radar. They both have an obsession with serial killers and begin to play games with each other. A good read!

I LOVED this book!! I was a little confused for the first several chapters, but it all came together. I found it to be fun and surprisingly emotional. I definitely recommend reading this book. What a great first novel for Kate Posey. I can’t wait to read more from her!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an odd one to read (and possibly even odder to review). A romcom/murder-mystery between two people who may or may not be serial killers sprinkled with the sad realities of office life. By all accounts, I should love it. However, the first half of the book and the second half are dramatically different.

The first half is incredibly slow-paced. By 30%, I was tempted to shelve the book. The second half is definitely the core of the novel and I was impressed Posey was able to reconnect all the strings. Readers will need to stick through the "will-they, won't they" before getting to the real story. If you’re looking for a thriller with twists, family drama, and cop drama, this is for you. Romance takes a back seat to the dark jokes and bleak realities of temp work, dysfunctional families, and the semi-unethical true-crime podcast industry.

There was not a content warning included in this book (I know we all love a good murder mystery) but readers should be advised there are allusions to spousal abuse, child abuse, and sexual assault.

🌟🌟 Serial Killer Games 🌟🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️. 3/5
🫑 0.5/5
Author: Kate Posey
Releasing 4/29/2025

This was such an odd book but at the same time it was good. Delores goes to work, goes home, and repeat. She's also absolutely obsessed with true crime. She especially loves a podcast and listens often.

Jake is the new office temp. He's worn that title several times now and this job was no different than the rest. What was different was Delores. He intrigued her and the air of mystery made her even more interesting.

Delores believes Jake is a serial killer and Jake thinks Delores is a serial killer. What Jake doesn't expect is that Delores asks for his help disposing of a body.

Just when you think you know what's going on...PLOT TWIST! Then twist, twist, and an extra twisty twist! If you like a good mystery, banter, and a very slow burn give this one a read.

Thank you @netgalley for my copy to read and review!

I love a good murder mystery rom-com!! I was expecting more suspense, and I didn’t find myself at the edge of my seat. Which is fine, but if you are hoping for that, you will be disappointed.

I did find myself laughing throughout the book. The two main characters are quirky and loveable, but they have a pretty twisted, dark humor, and I love that.

I do think there were some pacing issues. I got kind of bored halfway through, but overall, I was happy I stuck with it because there were some unexpected twists and turns.

I would definitely pick up another one of Kate Posey’s books because she is a little unhinged, and I’m here for it.

Rating: 3.5/5

This was such an interesting and original story! I really liked the writing style and overall plot. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Oh this was fun!!!! I started it and wasn't sure the direction it was going in but then was having a blast! Fun and quirky with dark humor (my favorite). Loved the ending and plot twist. There were a few times where I felt like it was going in one direction only to be confused by what was happening...this could be more because of my brain than anything though. I think this will be a fun book to read when you want a mystery/thriller but with a little more humor.

"I never knew what I wanted from her. I just wanted. Maybe it is hunger. From the moment she stepped into that elevator, it was like not realizing you were starving until you were offered something to eat.

4/5 stars

This book, was so uniquely different than normal rom coms. The premise of the book is wholly twisted to be something we don't see right away. The mystery and dry humor kept me going throughout this whole story laughing out loud.

Thank you for Netgalley for the ARC! I'm really excited to convince all my friends to read this one. Genuinely there were aspects that had me thinking things would go a specific way for the twists and turns to always catch me by surprise.

I felt like the writing was witty and filled with dry humor. The characters were surprising and had parts of each of them clearly thought out and intentional. I was very much interested in the blurb of this book when I applied for it and I am so happy with what I ended up getting.

Dolly is a cunning mystery. As we learn about her and her past becomes more clear there is a lot that is said in this book between the lines. She is smart as hell and if not a little chaotic, relatable. The more you learn the bigger heart she has, even if being let into her world takes a little bit of time.

I could buy him a pair. Dress him up like he's my doll. I thought girls were given dolls to play with to prepare them for motherhood, but when I grew up, I realized it had prepared me for babying a series of man-child boyfriends.

She NEVER minimized herself. Told it how it is and had no f*cks in sight. I loved her.

Jake was truly the perfect match, his type A maniacal personality was softened by everything he did for the people around him. From taking care of a roommate that..... is probably the most unique character in the book? To family dinners he absolutely did not need to attend. Jake is the bookish man that has "nothing to lose" but in their adventures of the Los Vegas strip and Christmas shenanigans this debut book is one that I'll remember.

I recommend going into this one with an open mind and willingness to just go for the ride. I had a wonderful time with it, theres a deeper story behind it all and it has plenty of lessons that I loved so much.

I loved this book as it is filled with dark humor, witty banter and a found family and romance. Dolores dela Cruz is intrigued by the new temp at the office and thinks he might actually see and understand her. Slowly they both let their guards down and develop a relationship. The fact that the temp was named Jack Ripper was perfect. They both are secretly watching the other and doing pranks back and forth.

The characters were complex and each have their own hang ups and walls up to protect themselves. They slowly develop a found family which is beautiful to watch it all unfold.

A fun quick, quirky rom com to keep you laughing .

Thank you Berkley Publishing Net Galley for this advance read copy.

This book was so much fun! I loved the mix of mystery and romance and it kept me thoroughly entertained. It was an excellent escape from the stress of real life!

Serial Killer Games was a quick read. I wasn’t if it was going to lean more towards satire or take a more serious tone and I feel like it found a really great balance between both. Halfway through, I found myself really caring about these characters and wanting them to get what they needed. Dodi brings forth so many emotions, and her aura positively seethes off the page.

“Serial Killer Games” is author Kate Posey’s debut novel and she knocked it out of the park!

The book is a dual character perspective with our two main characters, Dolores “Dodi” and Jake, who meet at work. Jake is a temp, determined to fly under the radar and observe his coworkers when Dolores catches his eye. Dolores, is a full time employee that has managed to go unnoticed by many after a round of layoffs left her with no work and no boss. The two quickly realize that they share similar interests and engage in a cat and mouse like behavior with each other which they call “Serial Killer Games”.

The book transforms into a morbid, dark humor ridden novel that touches on many themes of life, happiness, illness and love. Posey does an excellent job keeping the reader engaged through the quirky cast of characters, fast moving plot and intrigue as to how this story will pan out for our two main characters.

When I started this book, I wasn’t too sure I would finish it. I found it difficult to figure out what was going on: was Dolly a serial killer or was Jack? Or were both serial killers, or neither? I was getting exasperated by the length of time it was taking for the story to develop.

Fortunately, I persevered. And, since I don’t want to give too much away, I will say I wasn’t enthusiastic about the beginning of the book, I was engaged by the middle of the book, and I loved the ending. So go ahead and add Serial Killer Games to your reading list. Be patient with it and you will be rewarded.

Thank you for the free book, Berkley Romance!

In this genre-bending debut, two co-workers find one another equally suspicious, as well as attractive. Jack is a temp working at Dodi’s company, and he fits the mold of a serial killer to a T. However, Jack isn’t the only one behaving strangely.

Although I could go on about this book all day, I want to be sure to make my review purposefully vague. Do not let anyone spoil this book for you, my fellow readers! There are so many unexpected surprises inside and it’s best to go in blind. I am not sure what I’d classify this book as- it’s not really a rom com, a romance, a mystery, or a thriller, but there are some elements of these within the book. It’s poignant, emotional, macabre at times, and has a lovely message too. I loved the flawed characters (except for one- you know who you are, you weren’t nice at all) and the completely unique storyline. I can guarantee you haven’t read a book like this one. If you enjoy a book that crosses genres, marriage of convenience, one bed, found family, family secrets, true crime, pranks, and dark humor, you will love this book!

This book is not what you expected. It has dark humor, mystery, and banter that will definitely hook you. I won't let you go because you need to know the end and want to learn more about these characters. This is a book that I recommend for anyone wanting to read something completely unusual and weird, but with smart dialogue that makes you care about people who are different and looking for acceptance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Serial Killer Games for my open and honest review.

This was an okay ready. Dark and slow to get started, I found I had a hard time getting into it, but I pushed on. I was really hoping for a romance with serial killing but it wasn’t like that. Overall, the writing was nicely done and character development was strong

Serial Killer Games is a rivals to lovers rom com about two coworkers who share a sense of dark humor. Originally going into this book, I had thought that this would be a romance with actual serial killers, which it wasn’t, but I still enjoyed it. Their dark humor and banter was entertaining, and I just wanted to keep reading. I did have a couple issues with this book, though. The whole vibe and plot of this book reminded me very much of Sally Thorne’s “The Hating Game,” which is both good and bad. I was also very confused at times, and had a hard time keeping up with the plot. I think I would’ve preferred a bit more of a backstory for the characters, because the beginning feels a bit rushed and thrusts you straight into the book.

Features:
- Dual POV
- Dark humor
- Rivals to lovers
- Terminal illness
- Family issues
- Mentions of abuse
- No spice

The way this story was told, you’d think I wouldn’t have liked it.
But I did.
-
Yes, this story may seem darker at first glance, but at its roots…it’s 2 people that are trying to figure out life and maybe find happiness along the way.
-
Meeting someone that *gets* you, really understands you…that’s everything.
-
-
-
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I had a hard time getting into this book because I really did not know where it was going. I guess I expected more serial killers and less games. Nonetheless I kept with it and discovered a charming, romantic story about two weird people who find each other and an equally weird family.