Romance Is Dead is a delightfully sharp blend of murder mystery and romantic comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still delivering a plot full of twists and heart. With clever pacing and two standout leads, this is a love story set against the backdrop of blood, betrayal, and bad acting.

Quinn, a jaded scream queen looking to escape the limelight, is a protagonist you can root for. She’s had enough of horror films and Hollywood drama, but agrees to star in one final film before bowing out. The catch? Her leading man is Teddy James, a reality TV star known more for his abs than his acting chops.

What follows is a brilliant enemies-to-lovers romp laced with murder and mischief. The sudden discovery of a body on set takes the book in a whodunnit direction, and Quinn and Teddy’s uneasy alliance begins. Their chemistry is electric, their banter genuinely funny, and their emotional growth surprisingly touching.

Katie Bohn masterfully balances tension and tenderness. The murder plot keeps the pace snappy, while the evolving romance adds warmth and depth. Teddy is a standout, developing from a vapid celebrity into someone truly worth falling for, and Quinn’s journey towards trust and vulnerability is beautifully drawn.

Romance Is Dead is cheeky, addictive, and genuinely fun, perfect for fans of romcoms with a deadly twist. It’s a reminder that love, like murder, can strike when you least expect it. A wickedly entertaining read.

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Romance and slasher? count me in! Really loved this, it was so fun but even as a die hard horror pop culture girly I did find the references a little much at points. It didn't take away from how much I enjoyed this but I did roll my eyes a few times!

Rating: 3.5/5

This advanced reader copy was provided to me via netgalley. This contemporary romance is incredibly reminiscent of campy horror films in a great way. 

The setting of a movie set was niche and very enjoyable. The reflections on social influencer culture and how women with fame are targeted by media and fans, was an interesting subplot throughout. The murder mystery story was fun and engaging. However, at times certain plot points felt forced and unnecessary for the overall story. There were a few points in the story where these events could have been executed in a more realistic way. One example of this was Teddy's fear od baseball? That whole scene actually detracted from the chemistry and plot of the book for me due to how outlandish it felt.

I found the chemistry between the two love interests believable and cute. Besides the sometimes forced narrative I found the writing style easy to read and binge. The atmosphere of the book leaves you with enough questions of who committed the murder to keep you turning back for more. 

Overall, this is a very fun read especially for those that like shows like Pretty Little Liars and Scream Queens.

The premise for this book is great, and I enjoyed all the horror movie behind-the-scenes style references throughout- it felt like a love letter to horror in Hollywood.

I had a good time reading this book, and thought it was a really solid debut novel. I liked Quinn as a main character and seeing her develop through the story, her characterisation was well done and I was rooting for her and Teddy.

However, the deal to have the acting lessons to help solve the crime just didn't work for me. I didn't feel like enough time was spent on either aspect in the plot to make it believable enough, I don't need it to be super plausible because I want to be invested but there just wasn't enough elements of Teddy's acting "improving" or Quinn follow credible leads in the search for the killer.

I would've also liked some more development between Quinn and her friends as well, she kept forgetting plans they were making and mostly came across as a bad friend for this.

Overall I'd give this book 3.5 stars, it was a fun time and would recommend to anyone looking for a cosy crime feel with the horror movie backdrop.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus for an arc of this book.

4.5⭐️

This is a very fun read. I always enjoy when there’s a good plot behind a romance novel and this has a good one.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of the unfolding murder mystery and loved the chemistry between the main characters. I also haven’t read a book based on a movie set before so that was very fun as well.

A lively, well-written genre mashup - a murder mystery on the set of a horror film, all wrapped up in a sexually-charged RomCom.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Upon publication, I will post this review on my blog and on GoodReads.