I was excited for this book because it was nice to have a mystery within my MM romance but this just fell flat for me.

This book was a fun story following a detective and his somewhat forbidden romance with a leading man in a band who happens to be the primary suspect in his newest murder case. I liked the set up and the characters of this book. However, I think the book was spread a little too thin in terms of trying to be different genres and so both aspects, the mystery and the romance, fell a little flat and were not fully developed. I think this book could have benefitted from choosing one genre to really focus on and then having the other as more of a background element. It would constantly jump back and forth between mystery and romance and it was a little disjointed. I did like our main character and his growth throughout the course of the book. I would like to read another book from this author in the future!

Book 33 of 2025 - ✅! Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Erin Dunn for an ALC of He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn, narrated by Sid Sagar, in exchange for my honest review.

When I came across Erin Dunn’s He’s to Die For, admittedly, I was intrigued. I’d never seen Brooklyn Nine-Nine referenced as a comp for a book, so that piqued my interest. Add in the fact that I’m working on filling up some more spaces on my Bingo card for The Ripped Bodice’s Summer Romance Bingo, and I knew I had to read this one.

In this fun, opposites-attract (I’d even say forbidden), mystery-romance, Detective Rav Trivedi is the youngest person on NYPD’s homicide squad, and is assigned to a case about a record executive’s murder. He then meets a prime suspect: Jack - band frontman. The two fall for each other as Trivedi works hard to solve the high-profile case.

Dunn’s book a smart rom-com with a good bit of mystery, which isn’t solved until near the very end of the book. Rav and Jack’s chemistry is sweet, with the occasional moments of spice. For those looking for a good balance of mystery and romance, I’d venture to say that this is that book. Bonus points for diversity in the MCs. Regarding the narration, Sid Sagar is enjoyable to listen to, and he kept me engaged the entire time. For those who enjoyed Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, this book is quite similar, with open door moments.

3.5/5 ⭐️ overall, and 2/5 🌶️ rating. #NetGalley #HesToDieFor

Detective Rav Trivedi is the youngest member of the NYPD's homicide squad. Rav is a bit of an outsider with his designer clothes and his British accent, but his work ethic and solve rate have made him a rising star in the department. When he becomes the lead detective for a high-profile murder of a record executive, Rav knows that this is his one chance to make an impression on his CO. But when Rav questions members of the band the executive was representing, Rav meets the lead singer, Jack. There is an instant connection between the two. Can Rav solve the case without falling for a suspect?

He’s to Die For is a great combination of romance and murder mystery. I loved the different dynamics between Ravi and Jack. I found myself rooting for them but also questioning if Jack could be the murderer. There were enough twists and turns in the murder investigation that I was left guessing on who was behind the murder and whether Ravi and Jack could survive this case. If you are a fan of both romances and murder mysteries, I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review He’s to Die For. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

First and foremost, the happiest of pub days to both #hestodiefor and #theothersideofnow !!

The Other Side of Now by @pharbeaux was fantastic!! I loved the cozy setting, the focus being equally on friendship, self reflection and romance. I loved the hilarious people of the village and honestly it didn’t end how I expected and I loved it! Highly recommend!!

He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn was less fun for me. I may be the outlier on this one but it fell flat as I didn’t feel a bit connection to the characters. It was said to be for fans of the Charm Offensive which I LOVED so it might when just set it up too high in my expectations. It’s a not for me but maybe others will love it!

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the audio of both books. Cillian and his accent with live on in my mind rent free!

Thank you @stmartinspress for my physical copy of The Other Side of Now! I loved curling up on the couch with it!

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

★★★★☆

He’s to Die For is a clever, fast-paced romantic mystery that blends the charm of a rom-com with the intrigue of a whodunit. Erin Dunn delivers a sparkling debut that’s equal parts swoony and suspenseful, with a cast of characters that feel fresh and fun.

The audiobook narration by Sid Sagar is a standout. He brings Detective Rav Trivedi to life with charisma and nuance, capturing both the sharp wit and emotional vulnerability of a character caught between duty and desire. Sagar’s performance adds depth to the story, especially as Rav navigates the tension of falling for his prime suspect in a high-profile murder case.

The chemistry between Rav and the ridiculously attractive rock star suspect is undeniable, and the banter is top-tier. The mystery itself is engaging, with just enough twists to keep you guessing without overshadowing the romance.

If you’re a fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or The Charm Offensive, this audiobook is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and homicide. Sid Sagar’s narration makes it even more enjoyable—definitely worth a listen!

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillanaudio #macaudio2025 #hestodiefor #erindunn #sidsagar

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a free advanced reader’s copy. I received this copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely a book I enjoyed, and the mystery was fun and engaging if not a bit easy to see through at times, but I definitely stayed for the romance. Erin Dunn did a wonderful job building the characters of Rav and Jack and their chemistry was obvious from page one. I appreciated the less weighty tension they created in the chaos of the mystery happening in the background though that’s a bit of a double-edged sword for this story. While at some points I found their relationship struggles to be a breath of fresh air, I also found it a bit difficult to really immerse myself in the romantic scenes around the climax of the mystery. The stakes felt like they loomed over a relationship that was going fairly well towards the end and that was kind of the height of craziness regarding the murder investigation.

I definitely think Sid Sagar did an outstanding job with his narration, the voices for each character were distinct and easy to follow through dialogue and he brought such life and character to Rav as our main character. I fully bought Rav’s natural charm and confidence as performed by Sid.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book as a whole despite its small hiccups with balancing tone between the mystery and romance elements. I’d love to see this become a detective series in the future especially because being in Rav’s head was so much fun!

Thanks @macmillan.audio for an ALC!
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Detective Rav Trivedi is smart, sharp, and utterly irresistible in this fast-paced murder mystery with a splash of romance. With razor-sharp banter, high-stakes twists, and one suspiciously sexy rock star, this book kept me hooked from page one. Come for the crime, stay for the chemistry. Sid Sager brought the story alive with humor and mystery in the best possible way.

Absolutely 5 stars. I was not ready for this book. I was thinking: silly, cozy romance with a splash of murder. NOPE. Buckle up, Buttercup. Spoilers ahead.

**The romance**
Cute, sweet, and believable. The characters, of course, were the detective (son of an English Lord and a super model) and a rockstar. So, obviously, the unnaturally hot aspect was sort of fantastical. Otherwise, I really liked these characters. Jack was sweet and deep and artistic. Rav was very focused on how he was viewed, but being inside his head helped me as the reader see how much he just wanted to feel love and security. They were a great LAFS match.

**The murder - spoilers**
Uh, not a sprinkle as I initially thought. The murder was the primary focus of the story...which I LOVED. It was somewhat predictable, but you don't receive a very key piece of information until right at the end. This would normally piss me off, but, since it wasn't a straight-up mystery, I minded it less. I enjoyed the ride getting to the climax of the story, and I felt pretty good that I got most of the details correct not knowing some important information. Also, I just wanted this asshole to go down for attacking my new gay boyfriend, Jack.

Can I just say, too *~*~*~*~*~*SPOILER*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Jack pulled the trigger I literally cheered! I didn't think he would do it, and I so loved seeing him come into his power at the end like that to protect his people. YES!

**Conclusion**
If you're okay with a bit of predictability and the mix of genres, I'd say definitely give this book a go. It was so much fun!

Erin Dunn's He's to Die For is an enjoyable, cozy romance with a unique blend of mystery and charm. I especially appreciated Detective Rav Trivedi’s character as his perspective within the NYPD added depth, and his thoughtful, grounded personality made him easy to root for. When a high-profile music executive is found murdered, Rav quickly finds himself more entangled in the case than he anticipated.

While the book references Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I wouldn’t describe it as particularly similar aside from the shared detective element and a nod to the show. One element that felt slightly off to me was the inconsistency in Rav’s familiarity with pop culture. Despite numerous references throughout the story, Rav himself didn't recognize the famous band at the heart of his case. It’s a small detail, but it pulled me out of the story at times and made some scenes feel less authentic.

That said, the mystery itself was engaging, and the slow-burn romance between Rav and Jack added a heartfelt layer to the plot. Their chemistry was compelling, and watching Rav navigate both his growing feelings and a complex case made for a compelling read.

Sid Sagar was the perfect narrator for this book. His voice brought Rav alive for me and really added to the story.

Overall, He's to Die For is a charming and enjoyable story that balances romance and intrigue well.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery romance. The dynamic between the two MC's was really well developed. I liked the mystery and did not see the ending twists. The romance was light and the spice level was perfect. I am so glad I got the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. The narrator did a good job and the overall production was well done.

I definitely recommend this and will make sure to pick up more books by Erin Dunn in the future.

First of all, the narrator Sid Sagar, makes this book so enjoyable to listen to. The British Indian writer, actor, and comedian, delivers each character with their own personalities, but my favorite of course is the main character, Detective Rav Trevedi. The book has been compared to Brooklyn 99 meets The Charm Offensive, but with his style and manner, he definitely gives a Will Trent vibe. One of the youngest Detectives in the NYPD, he finds himself investigating a murder and a possible romance with a famous rock star. Funny and captivating, I could not "put down" this book! Hoping there will be more books in the future because Rav Trevedi has easily become one of my new favorite detectives!

Special thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to listen to this ARC!

⚠️CAUTION: You will love this book!⚠️

The description says this is Brooklyn 99 meets The Charm Offensive and if that isn’t the most accurate book description I’ve seen in years then I don’t know what it is.

Brooklyn 99 and The Charm Offensive are two of my love languages and I think this will join those ranks.

I just finished this a few days ago but I already want to read it again to pick up anything I might have missed.

I need this to become a series or at least for Erin Dunn to give Rav’s friends HEAs. Like Will Shepherd and his VW Golf 😉😘

The narration was sublime and just made the book even better.

I enjoyed this book. The Brooklyn 99 vibes were perfect and I enjoyed the characters falling into a relationship amidst the mystery. Enjoyable!

Fun boo, perfect for a day by the pool or at the beach

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a great change of pace from most of the romance books I read! It was so funny, mysterious, and had a great plot with some spice sprinkled in! The audiobook’s narration was great! I had to go back and check several times to make sure that it was only one person because the depth and way he brought several characters to life was fantastic.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for the advanced copy!

He’s To Die For is the perfect book to kick off the month. It is the story of an NYPD detective investigating the murder of a music executive when he falls for the hot rock star involved in the case. This book totally gave me Brooklyn 99 vibes. It was such a fun mystery to solve in the middle of a romcom with the cutest couple ever sweet and hilarious side characters. Such a feel good book that made me smile and laugh out loud.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for the advance reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

It all starts with a musician who wants to buy back his masters. Wow, this was even more timely than the author, Erin Dunn, knew. The set up for this book is that Rav is a homicide detective, and his newest case brings him in contact with famous musician Jack.

I found this story a great blend of mystery, humor, and of course, romance. There's a strong tension around forbidden romance, and Jack is and is not a suspect. And there's so much to wonder about in terms of who did what and who is trustworthy. It's a mix of rom com and mystery that hit all the right notes (sorry - I had to).

And despite the overall light tone, I also felt it balanced in heavier themes well. In particular, I appreciated the conversation about policing; I needed that to enjoy a book with a police hero.

Sid Sagar did an amazing job narrating the many accents and voices. He was slightly less amazing with singing, but that's fair.

4.5 stars rounded up

The mystery was good, the romance was good, the narrator was excellent. I enjoyed this book on all fronts. I give it 4.5/5 stars.