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The Evidence of Us
Lila Jennings thought she was done with the Mayfair murder case after using it to ace her grad school thesis. But when another murder shakes the infamous family a year later, she can’t resist diving back in.
To uncover the truth, she’ll need help from Theo Grayson—the brooding professor and former defense attorney who’d probably rather eat glass than revisit the case that ruined his legal career. Theo knows the case inside out—better than anyone—and with the eerie similarities between the two murders, there’s no one better to dig into this with Lila than him.
Lila is brilliant, determined, and unafraid to challenge Theo’s maddeningly skeptical attitude. Theo, on the other hand, would prefer to keep his head down and his past buried. But when the Mayfairs—who have a connection to Lila’s past—invite her to stay at their secluded estate, Lila hatches a plan: pose as a couple to get inside and investigate without raising suspicion.
The Mayfair family might seem eccentric and charming, but their sprawling estate hides darker secrets than Lila anticipated. What she really doesn’t expect is for the fake dating part to feel a little too real. Between late-night brainstorming, stolen glances, and close calls, Lila starts to realize there’s more at stake than just cracking the case.
Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building, The Evidence of Us is a twisty, witty romcom full of murder, mystery, and just the right amount of awkward flirting.
To uncover the truth, she’ll need help from Theo Grayson—the brooding professor and former defense attorney who’d probably rather eat glass than revisit the case that ruined his legal career. Theo knows the case inside out—better than anyone—and with the eerie similarities between the two murders, there’s no one better to dig into this with Lila than him.
Lila is brilliant, determined, and unafraid to challenge Theo’s maddeningly skeptical attitude. Theo, on the other hand, would prefer to keep his head down and his past buried. But when the Mayfairs—who have a connection to Lila’s past—invite her to stay at their secluded estate, Lila hatches a plan: pose as a couple to get inside and investigate without raising suspicion.
The Mayfair family might seem eccentric and charming, but their sprawling estate hides darker secrets than Lila anticipated. What she really doesn’t expect is for the fake dating part to feel a little too real. Between late-night brainstorming, stolen glances, and close calls, Lila starts to realize there’s more at stake than just cracking the case.
Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building, The Evidence of Us is a twisty, witty romcom full of murder, mystery, and just the right amount of awkward flirting.
Unknown Binding
First published February 24, 2026
45 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 27, 2026
5 ⭐ 2.5 🌶️
I've read this book front to back, side to side and back to front a few times now and I swear it gets better every time. I fell so hard and so fast for these characters and the way Genna speaks on grief is unfathomably beautiful. All of this intertwined within a merdur mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end while you occasionally laugh your butt off.
The way this man Y E A R N S. Holy heck. We get Theo's POV in third because the man's got secrets... But it fits so perfectly within Lila's first person POV it's practically seamless. I loved the subtle switch and getting his inner thoughts had me so dang swoony. There's tension upon tension between these two, but when that dam breaks they are so hot. Lila's got certain... Proclivaties... And Theo is happy to oblige.
We get a sneak peek of Take This To Your Grave and I'm so excited for what's in store for us next. Thank you Genna for the copy!!
Beta Review: The banter, the tension and the spice were all off the charts. But the emotional impact this story makes will linger in your soul. I can't wait for y'all to meet Theo, Lila and Co.
In full disclosure, I'm Genna's friend and personal assistant, but these opinions are very much my own.
I've read this book front to back, side to side and back to front a few times now and I swear it gets better every time. I fell so hard and so fast for these characters and the way Genna speaks on grief is unfathomably beautiful. All of this intertwined within a merdur mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end while you occasionally laugh your butt off.
The way this man Y E A R N S. Holy heck. We get Theo's POV in third because the man's got secrets... But it fits so perfectly within Lila's first person POV it's practically seamless. I loved the subtle switch and getting his inner thoughts had me so dang swoony. There's tension upon tension between these two, but when that dam breaks they are so hot. Lila's got certain... Proclivaties... And Theo is happy to oblige.
We get a sneak peek of Take This To Your Grave and I'm so excited for what's in store for us next. Thank you Genna for the copy!!
Beta Review: The banter, the tension and the spice were all off the charts. But the emotional impact this story makes will linger in your soul. I can't wait for y'all to meet Theo, Lila and Co.
In full disclosure, I'm Genna's friend and personal assistant, but these opinions are very much my own.
March 2, 2026
God this was GOOOOOOOD!! I seriously ate it up. There’s nothing more I love than murder & a love story and this book delivered that TEN FOLD!
Lila became a professor after doing her dissertation on a case that was too easily closed. Her professor & former fling, Theo, was a defense attorney on that same case but ended up losing and moved over to teaching & was present when she was doing her presentation. They also work at the same college….and she thinks he hates her. Now, there’s another death in the SAME family and her best friend (the daughter of the woman who died) invites her to stay over. So she gets herself a fake boyfriend (hello sexy professor Theo) and is set to go to find some answers!! The twists were so fun & I loved the investigating & the characters in the story. The mayfairs are something else.
The dynamic between Lila & Theo is EVERYTHING. I was laughing so hard because Lila is so fun and wild & a genius, and Theo is grumpy, dry & very much a rule follower…until he isnt heheheh they are such opposites of eachother but truly so perfect for one another. Like the yearning Theo does in the story had my fingers cramping from how much I highlighted on my kindle!!!!!!!
Highlyyyyyy recommend.
Type:ebook
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Grumpy x sunshine
Only one bed
YEARNINGGGG
Lila became a professor after doing her dissertation on a case that was too easily closed. Her professor & former fling, Theo, was a defense attorney on that same case but ended up losing and moved over to teaching & was present when she was doing her presentation. They also work at the same college….and she thinks he hates her. Now, there’s another death in the SAME family and her best friend (the daughter of the woman who died) invites her to stay over. So she gets herself a fake boyfriend (hello sexy professor Theo) and is set to go to find some answers!! The twists were so fun & I loved the investigating & the characters in the story. The mayfairs are something else.
The dynamic between Lila & Theo is EVERYTHING. I was laughing so hard because Lila is so fun and wild & a genius, and Theo is grumpy, dry & very much a rule follower…until he isnt heheheh they are such opposites of eachother but truly so perfect for one another. Like the yearning Theo does in the story had my fingers cramping from how much I highlighted on my kindle!!!!!!!
Highlyyyyyy recommend.
Type:ebook
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Grumpy x sunshine
Only one bed
YEARNINGGGG
February 16, 2026
Knives out but make the MMC Adam Driver coded ✨❤️🔥
It’s murder mystery, spicy, rom-com fun. It has a little bit of everything you could want and I want it all!!
A yearning, broody, grumpy professor who only has eyes for one fellow professor but she think he hates her? Absolute perfection. I’m not sure I’ve ever met such a yearning man, the silence was LOUD from this man. I loved how oblivious Lila was to how Theo really felt.
Not only was this a fun time but it was a beautiful time. Genna writes about grief and navigating it with such care and love.
Thank you, Genna for this arc! It’s truly a gem✨
It’s murder mystery, spicy, rom-com fun. It has a little bit of everything you could want and I want it all!!
A yearning, broody, grumpy professor who only has eyes for one fellow professor but she think he hates her? Absolute perfection. I’m not sure I’ve ever met such a yearning man, the silence was LOUD from this man. I loved how oblivious Lila was to how Theo really felt.
Not only was this a fun time but it was a beautiful time. Genna writes about grief and navigating it with such care and love.
Thank you, Genna for this arc! It’s truly a gem✨
February 24, 2026
5⭐️ 2.5🌶️
This was so freaking good! Secrets on secrets, twists I never saw coming and an ending that will have you laughing, crying, and when the pieces come together your brain will be doing mental gymnastics trying to make sense of it all. Theo and Lila have amazing banter, chemistry, yearning, push and pull and it’s so yummy!!
Thank you, Genna Black for an advanced copy of this book! I loved it so much, and I cannot wait for book two in the series to come out!
This was so freaking good! Secrets on secrets, twists I never saw coming and an ending that will have you laughing, crying, and when the pieces come together your brain will be doing mental gymnastics trying to make sense of it all. Theo and Lila have amazing banter, chemistry, yearning, push and pull and it’s so yummy!!
Thank you, Genna Black for an advanced copy of this book! I loved it so much, and I cannot wait for book two in the series to come out!
March 3, 2026
The his was totally different from my usual genres and I really enjoyed it - the forensic psychology details and references, the murder whodunnit within one big weird super rich family, all with true crime podcast vibes was oddly charming. There was certainly romance that ran foundationaly throughout, but it was secondary in many ways to the mystery plot. The romance itself was a lovely tension-filled sloooow burn that hit when it finally hit. I really hate when authors compare their characters to real
actors because I want to create my own mental image. In this case, our MMC, Theo Grayson, was beyond unfortunately compared to Adam Driver, who may be a nice person in real life, but always plays assholes and I personably find revolting in appearance. So. I spent an incredible amount of energy undoing that comparison and fighting the image throughout. It lagged a bit around the halfway mark and I found myself caring less and less about the inner monologues, theories, and every single thought Lila had and needed to share. But…Theo’s dirty talk was worth the wait and I loved that he paid such close attention to what she liked after Emily shared her tying up kinks with the dinner table (a scene that Emily did not pay a single cent for, annoyingly) and did what he could to meet those needs while simultaneously falling into the deepest little cinnamon roll love he could with every second. Also seemed anticlimactic after Theo’s (weirdly third person) chapters full of hints of some big betrayal to discover he didn’t share his hunch that we all hunched…and then no real anger or reaction at all from Lila. Not that I’m a fan of 3rd act breakups, I’m glad we skimmed right over that, but still…why was it really all for?
*******
There are things I shared with her that I could never share with anyone else in the world. Memories, fears, the thoughts you don’t dare speak out loud to anyone. She held the unedited version of me. And now she’s gone, and I’m just here, carrying it all on my own, a locked diary no one else has the key to, gathering dust, full of stories and bullshit no one else will ever hear again. We spoke a language only two people spoke, and now I’m the only one left who remembers it. p. 127
Emily stiffens. “She loved you. She loved all of us.” “I didn’t say she didn’t,” Katherine fires back. “She did. Of course she did. Love just—it doesn’t cancel out cruelty, does it? Sometimes they hold hands.” She laughs then, breathless, immediately realizing she shouldn’t have said it, but the words keep coming anyway. “I think sometimes you can miss the version of someone you remember more so than the person they actually were. That’s terrible, isn’t it?” p. 190
He doesn’t remember the exact moment he decided to pierce his cock, just the stretch of days where everything about her had started feeling too much and too little all at once. She’d joined the faculty then, trading one boundary for another—no longer a student, but still untouchable in every conceivable way—and he’d needed something to break the tortuous monotony of wanting what he couldn’t have. It was his own strange version of control. A way to feel something that wasn’t longing. He’d told himself it didn’t matter, that he wasn’t touching anyone else anyway, that the healing time was irrelevant. But underneath all that rationale sat the truth he never said out loud: some part of him wanted to be different the next time he touched someone. A new thing no one else had ever experienced with him, and in turn something he hadn’t experienced with anyone else. And maybe—if the universe ever stopped laughing at him—that someone would be her. p. 261
“I need you to draw a line in the sand for me, Lila,” he says. “I need to know your boundaries, because I have none when it comes to you. If you knew the things I’ve imagined doing to you, you’d never look at me the same.”p. 298
“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you,” he says. “And I don’t just mean like this. I mean everything. You with your morbid little lectures. You, grumbling in the morning without coffee. You in my bed. In my life. I want it fucking all.” p. 305
He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and kisses my temple. “You did so good,” he praises. “I just… I want you to always feel safe with me. Especially after. No regrets.” “I do,” I whisper. “With you, I do.” His eyes darken. “Good. Such a good girl for me. You are everything.” He says each sentence between kisses. It wrecks me a little. The praise. The heat behind it. The way it settles low in my belly and spreads like wildfire. p. 308
“How many times are you going to come for me today?” he whispers against my ear. “Theo—” It’s barely a sound. He sinks two fingers inside me and I nearly fall apart. The angle. The fullness. The way his other hand stays firmly wrapped around the tie, reminding me I’m held exactly where he wants me. “You’re going to come just like this,” he says. “On my fingers. On my desk. With your wrists tied and your thighs shaking and my name in your mouth.” p.355
actors because I want to create my own mental image. In this case, our MMC, Theo Grayson, was beyond unfortunately compared to Adam Driver, who may be a nice person in real life, but always plays assholes and I personably find revolting in appearance. So. I spent an incredible amount of energy undoing that comparison and fighting the image throughout. It lagged a bit around the halfway mark and I found myself caring less and less about the inner monologues, theories, and every single thought Lila had and needed to share. But…Theo’s dirty talk was worth the wait and I loved that he paid such close attention to what she liked after Emily shared her tying up kinks with the dinner table (a scene that Emily did not pay a single cent for, annoyingly) and did what he could to meet those needs while simultaneously falling into the deepest little cinnamon roll love he could with every second. Also seemed anticlimactic after Theo’s (weirdly third person) chapters full of hints of some big betrayal to discover he didn’t share his hunch that we all hunched…and then no real anger or reaction at all from Lila. Not that I’m a fan of 3rd act breakups, I’m glad we skimmed right over that, but still…why was it really all for?
*******
There are things I shared with her that I could never share with anyone else in the world. Memories, fears, the thoughts you don’t dare speak out loud to anyone. She held the unedited version of me. And now she’s gone, and I’m just here, carrying it all on my own, a locked diary no one else has the key to, gathering dust, full of stories and bullshit no one else will ever hear again. We spoke a language only two people spoke, and now I’m the only one left who remembers it. p. 127
Emily stiffens. “She loved you. She loved all of us.” “I didn’t say she didn’t,” Katherine fires back. “She did. Of course she did. Love just—it doesn’t cancel out cruelty, does it? Sometimes they hold hands.” She laughs then, breathless, immediately realizing she shouldn’t have said it, but the words keep coming anyway. “I think sometimes you can miss the version of someone you remember more so than the person they actually were. That’s terrible, isn’t it?” p. 190
He doesn’t remember the exact moment he decided to pierce his cock, just the stretch of days where everything about her had started feeling too much and too little all at once. She’d joined the faculty then, trading one boundary for another—no longer a student, but still untouchable in every conceivable way—and he’d needed something to break the tortuous monotony of wanting what he couldn’t have. It was his own strange version of control. A way to feel something that wasn’t longing. He’d told himself it didn’t matter, that he wasn’t touching anyone else anyway, that the healing time was irrelevant. But underneath all that rationale sat the truth he never said out loud: some part of him wanted to be different the next time he touched someone. A new thing no one else had ever experienced with him, and in turn something he hadn’t experienced with anyone else. And maybe—if the universe ever stopped laughing at him—that someone would be her. p. 261
“I need you to draw a line in the sand for me, Lila,” he says. “I need to know your boundaries, because I have none when it comes to you. If you knew the things I’ve imagined doing to you, you’d never look at me the same.”p. 298
“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you,” he says. “And I don’t just mean like this. I mean everything. You with your morbid little lectures. You, grumbling in the morning without coffee. You in my bed. In my life. I want it fucking all.” p. 305
He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and kisses my temple. “You did so good,” he praises. “I just… I want you to always feel safe with me. Especially after. No regrets.” “I do,” I whisper. “With you, I do.” His eyes darken. “Good. Such a good girl for me. You are everything.” He says each sentence between kisses. It wrecks me a little. The praise. The heat behind it. The way it settles low in my belly and spreads like wildfire. p. 308
“How many times are you going to come for me today?” he whispers against my ear. “Theo—” It’s barely a sound. He sinks two fingers inside me and I nearly fall apart. The angle. The fullness. The way his other hand stays firmly wrapped around the tie, reminding me I’m held exactly where he wants me. “You’re going to come just like this,” he says. “On my fingers. On my desk. With your wrists tied and your thighs shaking and my name in your mouth.” p.355
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2026
Genna Black delivers not only an amazing read, but quite possibly my new favorite book of all time.
5⭐️/2.5🌶️
Tropes:
•Knives-Out Style Murder Mystery
•Fake Dating
•Only One Bed (he takes the couch, but it breaks 🤭)
•Professor x Professor
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Adam Driver MMC Vibes 🥵
•SO👏🏻MUCH👏🏻PINING👏🏻
I find that books that land within the “Top Five Reads of All Time” list are incredibly difficult to review; in the sense that it feels impossible to articulate exactly every detail you loved about it without writing a novel yourself. So I’ll just say that I loved every detail — the characters that felt like real people with real histories and traumas, the banter and wit, the tension, the drama, and the (accurate!) true crime and mystery aspect weaving its way through the middle of it all. “The Evidence of Us” in a nutshell is like Letizia Lorini, Ali Hazelwood, and Knives Out had a baby — which is probably the highest compliment I can give a book.
Our MMC, Theo, is a grumpy, muscled, ex lawyer turned professor after a lost case ruined his career. And our FMC, Lila, is a witty, yet traumatized, forensic psychology professor at the same university, that wrote her PhD thesis on said career-ruining case she obsesses over instead of proper therapy. They are both are messy and complicated and have a history that neither of them wants to address, and a new murder cracking the case wide open upends them both into a chaotic mystery that not only uncovers evidence towards justice, but also their attraction.
I absolutely adored these characters, but the tropes and supporting details made me fall head over heels in love. Coming from a career in Forensics, I am incredibly particular about the true crime content I consume, dramatized or otherwise. Having fiction content be based in scientific reality is such a treat for me because it’s so few and far between. Genna went above and beyond to not only create a riveting, well-paced, fictional, romance-mystery but also to verify the accuracy of all the forensic details within it. Ali Hazelwood was one of the first I discovered to really highlight scientific accuracy in fiction books, especially romance. So having another author come to the table to do the same, in a unique way, is a dream.
If you love the romances from Ali Hazelwood or Letizia Lorini, obsess over true crime (and appreciate the accurate details!), and - what the hell - have fantasized about Adam Driver more than once, this is a must read for you. Enjoy the ride!
Favorite Quotes (yes, this is the condensed list):
“Nothing says healthy relationship like unresolved trauma and a shared obsession with homicide.”
“Every time Theo thinks he’s finally done with Lila Jennings, she turns up again—smudged eyeliner, those blue eyes that edge toward purple, a whole arsenal of strong opinions—and he realizes he never actually was.”
“But of course he remembers. He always does. The details most people miss. The ones that make it impossible not to feel seen, even when you don’t want to be.”
““..people think I’m flighty, but I’m actually very grounded.” “By goats,” I murmur. “Exactly,” she says again, utterly sincere. “And crystals. And kombucha. And sometimes tequila, but only if it’s organic.””
“He looks good. Ruin-your-life good. I’m convinced he could make anything look obscene in the best possible way.”
“He didn’t mean to fall for her, but looking at her now, he can’t remember ever having had a choice in the matter.”
“He releases a breath, seemingly steeling himself for what he’s about to say next. “The day I met you, I stopped wanting anyone else.””
“Every contact leaves a trace. It’s the foundation of everything I believe. The rule I’ve never once questioned. And I feel that same certainty now.”
Thank you to Genna Black for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
5⭐️/2.5🌶️
Tropes:
•Knives-Out Style Murder Mystery
•Fake Dating
•Only One Bed (he takes the couch, but it breaks 🤭)
•Professor x Professor
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Adam Driver MMC Vibes 🥵
•SO👏🏻MUCH👏🏻PINING👏🏻
I find that books that land within the “Top Five Reads of All Time” list are incredibly difficult to review; in the sense that it feels impossible to articulate exactly every detail you loved about it without writing a novel yourself. So I’ll just say that I loved every detail — the characters that felt like real people with real histories and traumas, the banter and wit, the tension, the drama, and the (accurate!) true crime and mystery aspect weaving its way through the middle of it all. “The Evidence of Us” in a nutshell is like Letizia Lorini, Ali Hazelwood, and Knives Out had a baby — which is probably the highest compliment I can give a book.
Our MMC, Theo, is a grumpy, muscled, ex lawyer turned professor after a lost case ruined his career. And our FMC, Lila, is a witty, yet traumatized, forensic psychology professor at the same university, that wrote her PhD thesis on said career-ruining case she obsesses over instead of proper therapy. They are both are messy and complicated and have a history that neither of them wants to address, and a new murder cracking the case wide open upends them both into a chaotic mystery that not only uncovers evidence towards justice, but also their attraction.
I absolutely adored these characters, but the tropes and supporting details made me fall head over heels in love. Coming from a career in Forensics, I am incredibly particular about the true crime content I consume, dramatized or otherwise. Having fiction content be based in scientific reality is such a treat for me because it’s so few and far between. Genna went above and beyond to not only create a riveting, well-paced, fictional, romance-mystery but also to verify the accuracy of all the forensic details within it. Ali Hazelwood was one of the first I discovered to really highlight scientific accuracy in fiction books, especially romance. So having another author come to the table to do the same, in a unique way, is a dream.
If you love the romances from Ali Hazelwood or Letizia Lorini, obsess over true crime (and appreciate the accurate details!), and - what the hell - have fantasized about Adam Driver more than once, this is a must read for you. Enjoy the ride!
Favorite Quotes (yes, this is the condensed list):
“Nothing says healthy relationship like unresolved trauma and a shared obsession with homicide.”
“Every time Theo thinks he’s finally done with Lila Jennings, she turns up again—smudged eyeliner, those blue eyes that edge toward purple, a whole arsenal of strong opinions—and he realizes he never actually was.”
“But of course he remembers. He always does. The details most people miss. The ones that make it impossible not to feel seen, even when you don’t want to be.”
““..people think I’m flighty, but I’m actually very grounded.” “By goats,” I murmur. “Exactly,” she says again, utterly sincere. “And crystals. And kombucha. And sometimes tequila, but only if it’s organic.””
“He looks good. Ruin-your-life good. I’m convinced he could make anything look obscene in the best possible way.”
“He didn’t mean to fall for her, but looking at her now, he can’t remember ever having had a choice in the matter.”
“He releases a breath, seemingly steeling himself for what he’s about to say next. “The day I met you, I stopped wanting anyone else.””
“Every contact leaves a trace. It’s the foundation of everything I believe. The rule I’ve never once questioned. And I feel that same certainty now.”
Thank you to Genna Black for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2026
Genna Black delivered me everything I wanted in a Only Murders in the Building x Knives out dark rom com mystery. Honestly, this dark rom com mystery is witty, riddled with dark humor, and just the right amount of spice. So if this your jam, join me in obsessing over this book. This book had me laughing out loud. I even voice memo-ed my favorite parts to a friend, while screaming "you gotta read this book!"
The Evidence of Us (aka Lila and Theo Solve a Murder...or two) runs on amateur detectiving, pining, and sheer determination and I cannot stress enough how much I loved every minute of it. Theo, the former defense attorney, trying to write a wrong. Lila, the forensic psychologist unable to let this case stay in the past. They are the perfect crime fighting duo to launch the Study Room Series. Their interactions (THEY FREAKING FAKE DATE TO SOLVE A CRIME...drama ensues) are filled with awkward flirting and some hot investigative moments keep these book going in the best ways. Genna keeps the plot moving by sprinkling in sleuthing, some interrogations with the wildly eccentric Mayfair family, and of course, some red herrings (because every mystery needs them).
I couldn't write a review without talking about the Calla-Serena-Lila found family dynamic. Their group messages were the perfect mix of humor, unhinged, and absolutely on par for how friends chat with each other. I looked forward to those portions of the book because I knew they were going to do have me cackling.
This series was a sheer joy to read during the stress of 2026 and I CANNOT WAIT for [redacted]'s story (you gotta wait until the end). But seriously, if you love mysteries with dark humor, awkward moments, and some romance, ignore your tbr and jump right into this book instead.
The Evidence of Us (aka Lila and Theo Solve a Murder...or two) runs on amateur detectiving, pining, and sheer determination and I cannot stress enough how much I loved every minute of it. Theo, the former defense attorney, trying to write a wrong. Lila, the forensic psychologist unable to let this case stay in the past. They are the perfect crime fighting duo to launch the Study Room Series. Their interactions (THEY FREAKING FAKE DATE TO SOLVE A CRIME...drama ensues) are filled with awkward flirting and some hot investigative moments keep these book going in the best ways. Genna keeps the plot moving by sprinkling in sleuthing, some interrogations with the wildly eccentric Mayfair family, and of course, some red herrings (because every mystery needs them).
I couldn't write a review without talking about the Calla-Serena-Lila found family dynamic. Their group messages were the perfect mix of humor, unhinged, and absolutely on par for how friends chat with each other. I looked forward to those portions of the book because I knew they were going to do have me cackling.
This series was a sheer joy to read during the stress of 2026 and I CANNOT WAIT for [redacted]'s story (you gotta wait until the end). But seriously, if you love mysteries with dark humor, awkward moments, and some romance, ignore your tbr and jump right into this book instead.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Evidence of Us
By Genna Black
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Evidence of Us by Genna Black is a sharp, atmospheric murder mystery that expertly blends "fake dating" tension with a Knives Out-style investigation. The story follows Lila Jennings, a brilliant grad student whose obsession with a cold case leads her straight into a fresh crime scene at the eccentric Mayfair estate. To get the inside scoop, she recruits Theo Grayson, a brooding former defense attorney whose career was destroyed by that same original case.
The narrative structure is fascinating—the chapters alternate between Lila’s immediate, sharp-witted first-person perspective and Theo’s more guarded third-person perspective. This choice works perfectly for a mystery because it allows you to feel Lila’s determination and humor while keeping Theo’s deeper secrets and "yearning" just slightly out of reach. Their chemistry is a slow-burn masterpiece, especially once they are forced into the "one bed" trope while posing as a couple to infiltrate the family.
I was completely hooked by how well the author balanced the dark, academic vibes with the absolute chaos of the Mayfair family. Even though the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, the final reveal and the emotional weight of Lila and Theo finally trusting one another made it a standout read for me. It’s the perfect spicy mystery to curl up with if you want a plot that makes you think as much as it makes you swoon.
10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.
By Genna Black
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Evidence of Us by Genna Black is a sharp, atmospheric murder mystery that expertly blends "fake dating" tension with a Knives Out-style investigation. The story follows Lila Jennings, a brilliant grad student whose obsession with a cold case leads her straight into a fresh crime scene at the eccentric Mayfair estate. To get the inside scoop, she recruits Theo Grayson, a brooding former defense attorney whose career was destroyed by that same original case.
The narrative structure is fascinating—the chapters alternate between Lila’s immediate, sharp-witted first-person perspective and Theo’s more guarded third-person perspective. This choice works perfectly for a mystery because it allows you to feel Lila’s determination and humor while keeping Theo’s deeper secrets and "yearning" just slightly out of reach. Their chemistry is a slow-burn masterpiece, especially once they are forced into the "one bed" trope while posing as a couple to infiltrate the family.
I was completely hooked by how well the author balanced the dark, academic vibes with the absolute chaos of the Mayfair family. Even though the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, the final reveal and the emotional weight of Lila and Theo finally trusting one another made it a standout read for me. It’s the perfect spicy mystery to curl up with if you want a plot that makes you think as much as it makes you swoon.
10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️ 3🌶️
Haverhill Burning will always have a special place in my heart…but this is hands down my favorite Genna Black book to date. Romantic mystery suspense is 100% her lane and I hope she stays there forever.
Lila and Theo are everything. From the banter to the yearning, I couldn’t get enough. I adored how they both pined for one another after all this time and was kicking my feet with glee when they finally gave in and went for it. It’s a slow burn, friends, but the tension is delicious and the spice is absolutely worth the wait.
This was witty, mysterious, and captivating—I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out whodunit the entire time and the big reveal at the end was both expected and totally not what I expected at all. 10/10. No notes.
And while there were moments that induced giggles and laughs and down right feral snorts, there were also beautiful moments that tugged straight on the strings attached to my cold black heart. Genna’s exploration of grief and loss was poignant and heartfelt and really brought a sense of balance to the overall narrative.
So….when can I preorder book 2? 👀
Haverhill Burning will always have a special place in my heart…but this is hands down my favorite Genna Black book to date. Romantic mystery suspense is 100% her lane and I hope she stays there forever.
Lila and Theo are everything. From the banter to the yearning, I couldn’t get enough. I adored how they both pined for one another after all this time and was kicking my feet with glee when they finally gave in and went for it. It’s a slow burn, friends, but the tension is delicious and the spice is absolutely worth the wait.
This was witty, mysterious, and captivating—I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out whodunit the entire time and the big reveal at the end was both expected and totally not what I expected at all. 10/10. No notes.
And while there were moments that induced giggles and laughs and down right feral snorts, there were also beautiful moments that tugged straight on the strings attached to my cold black heart. Genna’s exploration of grief and loss was poignant and heartfelt and really brought a sense of balance to the overall narrative.
So….when can I preorder book 2? 👀
March 4, 2026
The angst and longing in the slow burn are killer but also works so well with the characters and their storyline. The banter between Theo and Lila is entertaining but it also made me giddy, and I couldn't wait for their next round. That banter is what pulled me in so quickly in Chapter One.
While I was pulled in by the banter, I stayed and lived for the plot and all of the different characters. So much mystery. Look, I know that the author described this book as a Knives Out vibe... but I haven't watched that. For me, it was like reading a Dark Rom-Com version of Clue, and I was so here for it. I really did love all the nuances of the side characters; they brought so much to the plot of the book.
Beyond the banter from all the characters and the random funny moments (I am looking at you, fancy fridge), I was just in love with the relationship between Lila and Theo. The quiet moments that showed how much they were meant for each other as well as how long they both have longed for the other.
While I was pulled in by the banter, I stayed and lived for the plot and all of the different characters. So much mystery. Look, I know that the author described this book as a Knives Out vibe... but I haven't watched that. For me, it was like reading a Dark Rom-Com version of Clue, and I was so here for it. I really did love all the nuances of the side characters; they brought so much to the plot of the book.
Beyond the banter from all the characters and the random funny moments (I am looking at you, fancy fridge), I was just in love with the relationship between Lila and Theo. The quiet moments that showed how much they were meant for each other as well as how long they both have longed for the other.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Read:
This book made my brain tingle. I loved this book so much as someone who not only loves a good mystery but delicious slow burn with a blazing pay off. Between the who dunn it and the please do IT of it all this has truly been a treat.
I also really enjoy the way the POVs were done. Lila’s (FMC) was in first person while Theo’s (MMC) was in third person. Kinda of kept our focus on Lila and made it so if you weren’t paying attention or picked the book back up in the middle of the chapter there was no confusion as to who’s POV it was. The spice! It was delectable when we FINALLY hit pay dirt. I mean Theo put in work. Made up for lost time 😂😮💨.
Overall, I love how the story panned out it kinda left you in a weird nothing is black or white, kinda grey area that didn’t make you really question yourself. All the emotions and depth worked really well for me! Thank you so much to Genna Black for the ARC!
This book made my brain tingle. I loved this book so much as someone who not only loves a good mystery but delicious slow burn with a blazing pay off. Between the who dunn it and the please do IT of it all this has truly been a treat.
I also really enjoy the way the POVs were done. Lila’s (FMC) was in first person while Theo’s (MMC) was in third person. Kinda of kept our focus on Lila and made it so if you weren’t paying attention or picked the book back up in the middle of the chapter there was no confusion as to who’s POV it was. The spice! It was delectable when we FINALLY hit pay dirt. I mean Theo put in work. Made up for lost time 😂😮💨.
Overall, I love how the story panned out it kinda left you in a weird nothing is black or white, kinda grey area that didn’t make you really question yourself. All the emotions and depth worked really well for me! Thank you so much to Genna Black for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!!
firstly, we have a very Ali Hazelwood coded MMC - Theo is the tallest, grumpiest, broodiest man around campus (and he DEFINITELY hates Lila. for sure, no doubt about it)
Lila is so fun and lively, and she absolutely lives to push every single one of Theo's buttons. Their dynamic is so tense and delicious but most of all, they're both obsessed with each other's brains, which I just cannot get enough of
Theo was so tightly wound for the whole book that it was (as expected) simply glorious when he finally let himself go wild
This book is perfect for fans of true crime, Knives Out, and rich people behaving badly (and getting called out on it by some plucky investigators)
also Lila's group chat with her two friends had me laughing out loud - it's just perfect
AND THAT SNEAK PEEK it had me going a little weird
Thank you so much Genna for the eARC!!!!
firstly, we have a very Ali Hazelwood coded MMC - Theo is the tallest, grumpiest, broodiest man around campus (and he DEFINITELY hates Lila. for sure, no doubt about it)
Lila is so fun and lively, and she absolutely lives to push every single one of Theo's buttons. Their dynamic is so tense and delicious but most of all, they're both obsessed with each other's brains, which I just cannot get enough of
Theo was so tightly wound for the whole book that it was (as expected) simply glorious when he finally let himself go wild
This book is perfect for fans of true crime, Knives Out, and rich people behaving badly (and getting called out on it by some plucky investigators)
also Lila's group chat with her two friends had me laughing out loud - it's just perfect
AND THAT SNEAK PEEK it had me going a little weird
Thank you so much Genna for the eARC!!!!
February 5, 2026
ARC Review:
5/5⭐️, 2/5🌶️
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-One Bed
-First & Third Person POV: Dual
-Fake Dating
-Professor x Professor
Holy hell. Where do I even begin? This was phenomenal. It took me a second to be hooked but once the line was cast I couldn’t put this down. Genna Black just has a way with words. I will say, I don’t always love Third Person POV but the way she did it had me pretty okay with it.
I absolutely love Theo and Lila. They both have their own quirks that just make them beautiful people. And together after going through a lot they are a beautiful couple.
The way that the plot was twisty and turny had me in a choke hold. There was so many things that happened that I could not have predicted. My jaw was quite literally on the floor.
Check the TW’s prior to reading.
Otherwise I have to absolutely recommend this!
5/5⭐️, 2/5🌶️
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-One Bed
-First & Third Person POV: Dual
-Fake Dating
-Professor x Professor
Holy hell. Where do I even begin? This was phenomenal. It took me a second to be hooked but once the line was cast I couldn’t put this down. Genna Black just has a way with words. I will say, I don’t always love Third Person POV but the way she did it had me pretty okay with it.
I absolutely love Theo and Lila. They both have their own quirks that just make them beautiful people. And together after going through a lot they are a beautiful couple.
The way that the plot was twisty and turny had me in a choke hold. There was so many things that happened that I could not have predicted. My jaw was quite literally on the floor.
Check the TW’s prior to reading.
Otherwise I have to absolutely recommend this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
eARC Review:
If Nancy Drew was as kinky as she was clever and Ned Nickerson was a broody professor with a few surprises up his *clears throat* … ummm sleeves…
Genna’s humor will ALWAYS leave me cackling. One of the things I appreciated most about the story—more than the amazing banter and well planned twists—was the representation of grief.
On the outside, Lila is witty and outgoing. Only the reader has the privilege of knowing her quiet heartache and how it fueled her determination as she and Theo work to untangle lies of the past and discover the truth behind more than one crime.
“And love, when it’s that deep and that unwavering, doesn’t pause to weigh outcomes or justify itself. It just moves.“
If Nancy Drew was as kinky as she was clever and Ned Nickerson was a broody professor with a few surprises up his *clears throat* … ummm sleeves…
Genna’s humor will ALWAYS leave me cackling. One of the things I appreciated most about the story—more than the amazing banter and well planned twists—was the representation of grief.
On the outside, Lila is witty and outgoing. Only the reader has the privilege of knowing her quiet heartache and how it fueled her determination as she and Theo work to untangle lies of the past and discover the truth behind more than one crime.
“And love, when it’s that deep and that unwavering, doesn’t pause to weigh outcomes or justify itself. It just moves.“
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is an EASY binge! Lila is a forensic psychology professor with a habit of becoming obsessed with cases until a resolution is made. Ok, just one case, just in her defense, the criminal system failed at finding the real killer.
Having defended her thesis on the case that ruined Theo’s career, needless to say they are enemies of sorts.
With the opportunity to spend a week at the house not 1 but 2 killings pertaining to this case occurred, Lila recruited a reluctant Theo to tag along. He can’t let this case go either.
This rom-com murder mystery is everything you want to read. Twists and turns, an unexpected murderer, and a seemingly sentient high tech fridge. With a mansion full of secrets, these two had their work cut out for them.
Having defended her thesis on the case that ruined Theo’s career, needless to say they are enemies of sorts.
With the opportunity to spend a week at the house not 1 but 2 killings pertaining to this case occurred, Lila recruited a reluctant Theo to tag along. He can’t let this case go either.
This rom-com murder mystery is everything you want to read. Twists and turns, an unexpected murderer, and a seemingly sentient high tech fridge. With a mansion full of secrets, these two had their work cut out for them.
January 28, 2026
I will start by giving, again, a huge thanks to Genna Black for the ARC! ❤️
I had an amazing time reading this book. Think Knives Out, but with romance and spice! Lila is a great FMC: she is smart and sooo funny, I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time. Theo is also one hot MMC, and guys, the slow burn is slow, but it's totally worth it!
Something I loved about this book is how Genna packed so much emotional stuff and truths about being human, all while writing a murder mystery about an over-the-top family: she wrote a side character that is a yoga goat lady, for example. 👏
I loved everything, 5⭐ and 3🌶️!
I had an amazing time reading this book. Think Knives Out, but with romance and spice! Lila is a great FMC: she is smart and sooo funny, I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time. Theo is also one hot MMC, and guys, the slow burn is slow, but it's totally worth it!
Something I loved about this book is how Genna packed so much emotional stuff and truths about being human, all while writing a murder mystery about an over-the-top family: she wrote a side character that is a yoga goat lady, for example. 👏
I loved everything, 5⭐ and 3🌶️!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a fun romcom with murder mysteries, snark, spice and banter. The FMC Lila convinces Theo to pretend date her, so he can help her solve some murders at her friend’s family estate. Each of them have history with the first murder which led to tension between the two of them. Both of them have been fighting their feelings for a while before the book starts, so there’s lots of unsaid things between them. I loved their banter. He’s so dry and contained (but in a funny way) until he’s not and she’s hilariously outspoken and messy. I was rooting for them, even when they were being peak stubborn. There is spice in the book, which almost felt random to me because of where the spice popped up in the story and how invested I was in it. The actual mystery was good. I had a feeling about who the murderer was but not because it was super obvious, I am just a suspicious person. I also really appreciated how the book was funny but gave grief the space it deserved. I definitely will be reading the next book in this series.
February 18, 2026
This book was very different from what I normally read, but I absolutely loved the murder mystery element! Although, when I was a kid, I was addicted to my Nancy Drew books, so I guess with the spice, evidence of us is actually a spicy Nancy Drew book 🤣.
The combination of Theo, a delicious grumpy professor who is secretly lusting after Lila, Lila, who wants him too but doesn’t want admit that, the fake dating and banter was top chef! I really loved the story, the tension, the spice.
The only thing I didn’t really like were Theo’s third-person chapters. I understand why the author chose this perspective, but for me it felt a bit impersonal, and I struggled to fully connect with him in those moments.
Overall, I definitely want to read more of Gemma’s books, and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
The combination of Theo, a delicious grumpy professor who is secretly lusting after Lila, Lila, who wants him too but doesn’t want admit that, the fake dating and banter was top chef! I really loved the story, the tension, the spice.
The only thing I didn’t really like were Theo’s third-person chapters. I understand why the author chose this perspective, but for me it felt a bit impersonal, and I struggled to fully connect with him in those moments.
Overall, I definitely want to read more of Gemma’s books, and I can’t wait for the next one in this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a fun spicy murder mystery with fabulous yearning, chemistry, a grumpy sexy Professor Theo 🖤
The text messages between Lila and her friends is brilliant, laugh out loud funny
The secrets and the twists and turns you don't see coming are so good!
Genna Black is a genius at writing a spicy romantic mystery and I am here for all of them
Thank you Genna for the incredible ARC opportunity 💕 I can't wait to read Take This To Your Grave
The text messages between Lila and her friends is brilliant, laugh out loud funny
The secrets and the twists and turns you don't see coming are so good!
Genna Black is a genius at writing a spicy romantic mystery and I am here for all of them
Thank you Genna for the incredible ARC opportunity 💕 I can't wait to read Take This To Your Grave
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
The romance in the story was very well done. Lila and Theo had the right amount of angsty desire and hilarious banter. And the spice was spicing!
I knocked off one star because I was able to peg the killer very early on the book (like chapter 3) and I was *mostly* right. In the end I thought the big reveal was kind of lacking.
The romance in the story was very well done. Lila and Theo had the right amount of angsty desire and hilarious banter. And the spice was spicing!
I knocked off one star because I was able to peg the killer very early on the book (like chapter 3) and I was *mostly* right. In the end I thought the big reveal was kind of lacking.
February 25, 2026
Case Notes
This book had me hooked before the prologue ended. Genna made you feel everything so viscerally. The grief, the love, the friendships. I laughed, cried, snorted soda on my phone while laughing til tears fell. I absolutely loved this. The friendship between Lila and Emily, Lila and Calla/Serena, and the love with Theo are just truth. Genna is amazing at making you feel each sentence in ways i have not found with other authors.
This book had me hooked before the prologue ended. Genna made you feel everything so viscerally. The grief, the love, the friendships. I laughed, cried, snorted soda on my phone while laughing til tears fell. I absolutely loved this. The friendship between Lila and Emily, Lila and Calla/Serena, and the love with Theo are just truth. Genna is amazing at making you feel each sentence in ways i have not found with other authors.
February 27, 2026
A murder mystery to resolve, an invitation to spend a week at the crime scene and two professors who want to discover the truth have to pretend to be together.
What can go wrong?
Compelling, deep and emotional, this book offers a true portrait of what grief is, and beautifully.
A twisty romcom with a lot of witty banter, secrets and yearning!
What can go wrong?
Compelling, deep and emotional, this book offers a true portrait of what grief is, and beautifully.
A twisty romcom with a lot of witty banter, secrets and yearning!
February 28, 2026
This was the perfect pallet cleanser. A nice murder mystery with low stakes. If you don’t think hard enough everyone seems like a suspect.🧐
Lila’s inner dialogue made me huff a laugh a time or two, she was so relatable. Theo’s the typical hot professor book boyfriend.
“He looks good. Ruin-your-life good.”
Lila’s inner dialogue made me huff a laugh a time or two, she was so relatable. Theo’s the typical hot professor book boyfriend.
“He looks good. Ruin-your-life good.”
February 26, 2026
Book Review 4 ⭐️ 3.5🌶
Sexy, funny, and so worth the read.
Lila and Theo are the slow burn couple we all need.
Sexy, funny, and so worth the read.
Lila and Theo are the slow burn couple we all need.
February 19, 2026
Genna Black is a romcom genius, and this book is the proof.
Lila and Theo (and honestly, the rest of our cast of characters) are so genuinely funny. Even among the twists and turns of the mystery, and the deep cuts of grief, there’s plenty of humor. There’s a lightheartedness that blends well with the heaviness of the mystery.
And what a good mystery it is. The tension steadily increases through the entirety of the book, finally breaking with a satisfying conclusion…which is also how I’d describe the Theo and Lila situation, too.
There’s so much yearning! Oh, the way this man yearns for Lila. And I truly adore the way Lila hides behind her oh-so-convincing disdain for Theo. They’re both so stubborn.
I loved it.
Lila and Theo (and honestly, the rest of our cast of characters) are so genuinely funny. Even among the twists and turns of the mystery, and the deep cuts of grief, there’s plenty of humor. There’s a lightheartedness that blends well with the heaviness of the mystery.
And what a good mystery it is. The tension steadily increases through the entirety of the book, finally breaking with a satisfying conclusion…which is also how I’d describe the Theo and Lila situation, too.
There’s so much yearning! Oh, the way this man yearns for Lila. And I truly adore the way Lila hides behind her oh-so-convincing disdain for Theo. They’re both so stubborn.
I loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! It was a fantastic combination of murder-mystery and slow burn romance. Between all of the twists and turns in the mystery and wondering when Lila and Theo are finally going to give in, I couldn't put this book down!
February 15, 2026
Beta Read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - death of a best friend (past, recounted, cancer and mention of chemo), death of a spouse (past, mentioned, cancer, scs), grief (discussed), general discussions of death and murder (MC occupations, graphic), suicide (sc, past, briefly mentioned), colonisation (discussed), poisoning (scs, mentioned, hellebore), strangulation (sc, mentioned), familial death (scs, plot point), corruption (discussed), alcohol consumption, brief discussions on class and economic systems, blood, fainting (sc), insomnia and sleeping pills (mentioned), money laundering and bribery (scs, mentioned), family court (sc’s occupation, briefly mentioned), hallucinogenic use (sc, briefly mentioned, psilocybin), drug use (molly / ecstasy, sc, past, mentioned), breaking and entering, infidelity (scs, briefly mentioned)
CW - toys, light biting, light spanking, restraints
Tropes - murder mystery, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, pining, grumpy x sunshine
I am so incredibly happy that Genna has found her niche in mrder mystery romance because this was trulyyyyy amazing.
I am a certified slow burn hater so I love it even more that I loved this; it made it exciting and the anticipation of them against the backdrop of the mystery was chef’s kiss. The MCs weren’t intentionally beating around the bush for the sake of a slow burn trope, the plot is compelling and Genna weaved such an interesting story from the first page to the last.
I loved that the MCs already had a history and knew each other beforehand which I also thought helped a lot with the pacing and their interactions with each other.
This a romcom, which I always love, but Genna handled some very serious topics with a lot of care and it’s clear there was a lot of vulnerability in the writing especially with how Lila (FMC) deals with her grief.
The book is so clearly well researched and it’s obvious the care taken in writing and plot with a shift from darkish romcom to mrder mystery romcom.
I CANNOT wait for the next book
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - death of a best friend (past, recounted, cancer and mention of chemo), death of a spouse (past, mentioned, cancer, scs), grief (discussed), general discussions of death and murder (MC occupations, graphic), suicide (sc, past, briefly mentioned), colonisation (discussed), poisoning (scs, mentioned, hellebore), strangulation (sc, mentioned), familial death (scs, plot point), corruption (discussed), alcohol consumption, brief discussions on class and economic systems, blood, fainting (sc), insomnia and sleeping pills (mentioned), money laundering and bribery (scs, mentioned), family court (sc’s occupation, briefly mentioned), hallucinogenic use (sc, briefly mentioned, psilocybin), drug use (molly / ecstasy, sc, past, mentioned), breaking and entering, infidelity (scs, briefly mentioned)
CW - toys, light biting, light spanking, restraints
Tropes - murder mystery, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, pining, grumpy x sunshine
I am so incredibly happy that Genna has found her niche in mrder mystery romance because this was trulyyyyy amazing.
I am a certified slow burn hater so I love it even more that I loved this; it made it exciting and the anticipation of them against the backdrop of the mystery was chef’s kiss. The MCs weren’t intentionally beating around the bush for the sake of a slow burn trope, the plot is compelling and Genna weaved such an interesting story from the first page to the last.
I loved that the MCs already had a history and knew each other beforehand which I also thought helped a lot with the pacing and their interactions with each other.
This a romcom, which I always love, but Genna handled some very serious topics with a lot of care and it’s clear there was a lot of vulnerability in the writing especially with how Lila (FMC) deals with her grief.
The book is so clearly well researched and it’s obvious the care taken in writing and plot with a shift from darkish romcom to mrder mystery romcom.
I CANNOT wait for the next book
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List / The Naughtier List
TW/CW not to be repurposed by authors / publishers for website / book / content use without permission
February 24, 2026
Beta read.
I had the pleasure of reading during the beta process (I know Genna asked me because I’ve seen every episode of Forensic Files) and a reread after edits were done just because I loved it so much.
A murder mystery rom com with an awkward MMC who yearns for the FMC? Tell me what’s not to love.
TEoU was just so well done. I loved the vulnerability of Lila, the humor and support of her group chat, the quiet (and dorky) steadfastness of Theo, the never knowing of who the actual murderer is (y’all, she got me and all my guesses were wrong and who even am I). There’s a perfect balance of plot and mystery mixed with romance and spice—hit me up when you get to a certain Theo scene so we can talk👀.
Genna took two of my favorite things—romance and murder mysteries—and mixed it together in a book I couldn’t put down and already want to read again. I’m 100% on board for book two and honestly can’t wait.
I had the pleasure of reading during the beta process (I know Genna asked me because I’ve seen every episode of Forensic Files) and a reread after edits were done just because I loved it so much.
A murder mystery rom com with an awkward MMC who yearns for the FMC? Tell me what’s not to love.
TEoU was just so well done. I loved the vulnerability of Lila, the humor and support of her group chat, the quiet (and dorky) steadfastness of Theo, the never knowing of who the actual murderer is (y’all, she got me and all my guesses were wrong and who even am I). There’s a perfect balance of plot and mystery mixed with romance and spice—hit me up when you get to a certain Theo scene so we can talk👀.
Genna took two of my favorite things—romance and murder mysteries—and mixed it together in a book I couldn’t put down and already want to read again. I’m 100% on board for book two and honestly can’t wait.
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