Bake the Town Red

by Eva Marks, Carolyn Eve (Narrator), Marc Worden (Narrator)

When I bake, I'm meticulous and creative. Passionate. The same goes for when I murder people…

I wasn't born a serial killer. The horror of my past made me what I am today. But I couldn't stop even if I wanted to. Because only one thing gives me respite from my panic attacks.

Murder.

I used to have a broody protector that kept my demons at bay. His darkness rivaled my own, and he was my everything. Tragedy tore us apart when we were eighteen. And since then, he's stayed away.

Not too far, though.

Even though he thinks the universe is conspiring against us, even though he won't talk to me, he obsesses over me from afar. Stalks me. Visits me while I sleep.

But I'm done with the distance between us. The universe is no match for me. Because Tyler Price is mine. And this Halloween, I'm coming for him. Whether he's ready or not…

Bake the Town Red is a standalone, super spicy, dark horror romance with a guaranteed happily ever after. Listen today, and get ready for the sexy serial killers you never knew you needed in your life.

Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

Genres: Dark Romance, Halloween, Dark, Romance, Serial Killer, Holiday, Second Chance

Audible Audio

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Writing spicy books about dirty talkers and the women who love them.


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Website: https://www.evamarkswrites.com/

Reviews

[itsjessamess · Rating 1 out of 5]

the idea? spectacular
the performance? sadly a no for me

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Eva Marks what are you doing to me?!?!?!!?

TROPES:
~serial killers
~dark romance
~ex guardian x ward (H was h's guardian as a minor, he had no sexual thoughts about her until she was 18. No contact until she's 22)
~jealous, possessive, obsessive
~age gap (34H, 22h)
~stalking

Ode to the author: Eva Marks... you're killing me with all these AMAZING books you've released recently! Each book you release is even better than the last, which almost seems impossible! Obsession by you was my absolute favorite, but now BTTR has taken that special place in my heart. This book was phenomenal. It's dark, gritty, halloween-ish, and AMAZING. You have a way of writing that makes it impossible to look away. This book... this book, it's an amazing piece of work and you should be SO proud of yourself for writing it. Congrats, Eva, you've completely taken my breath away.

I'm not going to do one of my usual reviews because I don't want to spoil too much for potential readers. Do you like serial killers? Do you like death and gore to the extreme? What about an extremely J/P hero... as well as a J/P heroine? What about kinks, you like reading the kinky stuff?

PICK THIS DAMN BOOK UP RIGHT NOW. You will be a changed person!! I absolutely LOVED this book from front to back. I'm beyond ready to do a reread because it was so good. So many things took me by surprise. So many things took my breath away. And SO MANY THINGS MADE MY HEART STOP BECAUSE I WASN'T EXPECTING IT!

Miss Eva Marks, you've got a lifetime fan. I cannot wait to see what you write next!!!! <3

SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate: virgin heroine, celibate hero
OM/OW drama: slight but not really a big deal
Cheating/sharing: none!
Triggers: lots of gore, CSA attempt by family member, Child physical abuse by family member (toward h, not by H), panic attacks, no contraception measures, people used as dog food, drugging heroine by hero, dubcon, sex next to dead bodies, sex while skinning a person
Kinks: somnophilia, praise, degradation, mask kink, blood play, knife play, spitting, "just the tip" ;), breeding, ass play, chastity belt, forced marking, voyeurism, shaving, dubcon, fisting
HEA?: after a whole lot of gore, YES there's a HEA!! <3

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted and need more female serial killers hehe. and I got one!!! I love Dahlia!! She had a tough life when her parents died, and it was just her and her brother living with her uncle who isn't a nice man. The abuse they went through. And when both finally had enough, well it went SNAP!
Her first kill and her brother don't want anything to happen to her, so he takes the fall. And leaves. She does have help, and that's Tyler, her neighbor she's crushing on. He promised to protect her and help her. But he does break his promise when she turns 18 and pushes himself away from her. But he keeps an eye on her like a stalker he is.

We are in the present time and I'll be honest with you a few times I did wanna smack Tyler for how he treated Dahlia he was a cocktease giving her the attention and then taking it away. Even if he had his own reasons I wanted to kick him. But Dahlia had her game face on she knew her man would come back to her in time. She had time and with that time she had fun killing bad people in her eyes. Feeding her alley dogs leftovers ☺️ and stalking Tyler and using his body like he stalked her using her body. 🥰💦

I enjoyed them tag teaming and killing together made my night. And they got there Hea


No ow/om drama, No cheating, Drama, sexy times, virgin gal and no manwhore

Recommend-yes
Cover-
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5

Prologue
22h/34H
Age gap (12 years apart)
Seperation 4 years (watching from afar)
Push/pull away from H
Violence
Anal play/sex
Murder
Pyshcial abuse/mental abuse
Almost SA
Masturbation
Somnophilia
Praise kink
Tiny Degradation
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[⟡⋆visa⋆⟡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐️ and 3/5🌶️. The premise of this book had me really interested in the beginning. It starts with our FMC being a serial unaliver after an abusive past which then leads to her stalking after her dream man who was her knight in shining armour. Dahlia would do anything for Tyler and lucky for her, Tyler reciprocates with that same type of energy. Both of them have a lot of history to unpack and but it felt like a push and pull game especially with Tyler.

I had high hopes at the start but by the time i reached 70% into the book, I wanted to dnf it. Took a while to finish this up but managed to. This is definitely not for the faint hearted or those squeamish about gory descriptions. I wish was able to appreciate this read more but it was just not really it for me.✨

[destiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything Eva writes I already know I'm going to EAT IT UP !!!

Thank you much Eva for giving me the opportunity to arc read this book 🖤 i loved it so much i literally can't stop thinking about it!

This is a dark rom com twist, Halloween themed, age gap, fmc and mmc stalk each other, serial killer couple, graphic unaliving scenes, somno, and yummy kinks 🤭 YOU NEED THIS ON YOUR TBR !!! please check the trigger warnings before reading !

This book follows dahlia where she and her brother were forced to live with their abusive uncle after losing their parents. This uncle is sick and twisted and got exactly what was coming for him. After dahlia unalived her uncle, her brother took the blame trying to protect her and ran away. this is where the mmc tyler steps up. he takes dahlia in to live with him and his grandma until she turns 18.

tyler felt like he was cursed with bad luck because nothing good happens when he’s around. so when dahlia moved out, he distanced himself from her for four years. but man’s is never far 😏 he was sneaking into her room and playing with his obsession and little toy. dahlia of course always knew. she was in love with him the moment she met him. but they never did anything until well after she moved out. miss girl stalked him right back and what a great way to start off a perfectly healthy relationship 🤪

dahlia owns a few,plus bakery and every october she uses that same bakery to lure bad people in after hours to unalive. let’s just say miss girl can get quite creative with cupcakes and frosting. tyler has a blog where he writes about serial killers on the loose and he always wrote about dahlia, but never exposing her identity. he watches her from afar and admires her. if he can’t have her no one can 🥰 they’re possessive and obsessed with each other no matter how hard tyler pushes and pulls. dahlia never gives up on the invisible string pulling them together. and what better way to complete her killing spree during october than with her mans 🧎🏻‍♀️

🌶️🌶️🌶️ (the way they go into each others houses to get themselves off is so yummy. tyler is so hot. praise and degradation. FISTING 🥵!)

[❁ Ashton ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! A halloween themed book that delivered ! A plot about unalivers and stalking? - I'm already hooked! 🎃🖤

Tropes

🧁 Serial Unalivers
💀 Age Gap (34 & 22)
🧁 Ex Guardian / Ward (nothing happens when she's a minor)
💀 Mask Kink
🧁 Predator / Prey
💀 Dark Romance (lots of triggers!!)
🧁 Dub con
💀 Somno (Both Ways)
🧁 No 3rd Act Breakup
💀 HEA

Dahlia and Tyler had the tension, chemistry, heat and banter! I enjoyed this duo! They had the most crazy and unhinged relationship.. I'm here for it! Dahlia was a woman of strength and determination. She lost both parents and had the most traumatic and painful childhoods and found a way to cope.. I guess unaliving people in a gruesome way counts as therapy , right?

They both are locked in a battle of emotions, where love is pushed to the side by anger, guilt, pain, grief and loss.. This book made me FEEL.!! The author's writing was intense. The passion they had for eachother 🥵. The dual POV and flashbacks were perfect. The way one moment the book would have a comedy aspect and the next had my heart ripped apart with tears brimming my eyes..

If you enjoyed Butcher & Blackbird / Leather & Lark (Brynne Weaver) and Set of White Wings ( Avery Conner) then you HAVE to read this!! It's gory, detailed and has a large dose of crazy.. I am slightly traumatised by the ice cream scoop, sightly.

✨ 5/5 ✨

[Allia Reads (semi hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I really enjoyed this! I loved Tyler’s possessiveness and his utter devotion to Dahlia, but the only thing that annoyed me about him was his fear of the future, especially after all Dahlia had been through.😶

However, Dahlia was strong and never lost faith in her man.🤭 She was obsessed and possessive of Tyler, and she didn’t care if someone was in her way.🤣😂 I also loved that both of them stalked each other and broke into each other’s apartments during their separation.🤣🤭


Safety info:

-No OMD, but no real OWD: Tyler’s neighbor flirted with him a couple of times, but he never paid her any attention. However, Dahlia was aware of this and took care of the OW with Tyler.🔪

-Tyler has been celibate for a long time, and there is no information about his past other than that he only has eyes for Dahlia and has never entertained the thought of being with anyone else.

-They were separated for four years, both remained celibate, and they stalked each other during that time.

-There is no cheating, and it ends with a HEA.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read something that from the first page you was instantly hooked? Well this is how this book was for me immediately. I love the dynamic of Tyler and Dahlia together. Their craziness and unhinged murderous ways was so entertaining but also very real. Learning about their past and how the each try to protect one another was so beautiful🥹. I am so happy they got their happy ending and can I say the smut was fun and I enjoyed very much🤭🙂‍↕️. Anyways I love my duo killers very much😌.

[Eni ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 25%

How the fuck do you fuck each other's mouth without waking up ???

I've read other books from this author, which I also dnfd. I dont think imma be giving her another chance.

[Onyx Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a good dark age gap serial unaliver romance, this is the book for you. Dahlia has been through hell, her parents dying when she was young, leaving her and her older brother to grow up with a shitty uncle. Until one Halloween when they've finally had enough. And their neighbor Tyler, who cane to check on them, ends up helping Dahlia, and many years later, falling in love with her. Its such an amazing book, as always, Eva did an amazing job developing this relationship between Tyler and Dahlia.

[Nicole Zarut · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’m the motherfûcking devil. I fear no one. Eyes open. Heart in my throat.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Well…… this was something else LOL. If you want/like unhinged, deprived and crazy books, please go ahead and pick this up Immediately. I mean this was out of this world C R A Z Y! Eva never and i mean NEVER disappoints me. This is my 4th book of her that I read and I can’t never find anything wrong with them, i just love them. This book will make you question yourself to the point where you going to cringe and you don’t know if it is cuz you liked it or you found it crazy enough to 🤮😅.

Taylor & Dahl have a very unusual kind of love and when I say UNUSUAL believe it lol they are all kind of crazy, and man I used to love cupcakes, now, I don’t know lol. Thank You Eva for that 😞🤪. But this book regardless of the nasty, unhinged and crazy it was beautiful at the end, their loves is definitely unique and honestly I cannot blame them for the way they are, the trauma they went through specially Dahlia, at the end of the day he saved her from all the bad she was surrounded.

Eva always surprises me with her book, but this one was more than a surprise 😅 this was like nothing I have ever read before and I loved it, again I’ll be going to therapy after this but so so worth it!





“You’re an infection that’s killing me slowly. Every day I die a little more because of you. You’re a disease that never—fûcking ever—leaves.”

[Toni Amey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. You have some unhinged MCs that are perfect for each other in every way. The stuff they do to each other because of their obsession is so cute yet so toxic and I’m here for every bit of it!!
This is the perfect story for the spooky season, as it has all kinds of Halloween themes throughout. Honestly I wish we had a bakery that had these Halloween cupcakes that keep getting talked about throughout the story, even tho I’m not sure I could look at them the same after reading a certain scene in this book. 🤣 That scene might stick with me for a while against my will.
The spicy scenes in this story were everything I could have wanted. It’s rough, hot, and exactly what I would have expected from these MCs. I’ve read numerous books from this author and each book she writes have some amazing scenes in them along with a solid plot that keeps me interested throughout the entire story.
This story was a very good read and I loved the HEA this couple got 😍 Please check your TW before going in because it can get pretty dark in some parts, however it was all worth it in my opinion!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bake the Town Red was a great read. I really enjoyed the plot. I liked how badass Dahlia was and how obsessive Tyler was. This book pulled me right in, and I couldn't put it down once I started. Eva Marks is an amazing writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Eva.

[cloudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was as deliciously unhinged as it was disgustingly gory, and i enjoyed every second (could’ve gone without some cupcakes up some holes, but it is what it is)

[DarkRapture · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 51%

I tried so hard, but there was no way in hell I could complete this God-awful book. I always finish any book that I start reading, but this book was the exception. It should have worked for me because it had everything I love in a dark romance, but at 463 pages, it was just too lengthly and repetitious. I couldn't connect with either of the main characters and honestly despised both of them.

[Lia Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book. Just wow. DEFINITELY READ TRIGGER WARNINGS. For me certain parts were a bit much, but it’s not like I wasn’t warned. This book is a whole lot of murder and sex, if that’s not something you like definitely don’t read it. But if you love dark romance definitely go for it.

[Eva Marks]

🎧 Bake the Town Red is now live on audio 😱
Performed by Carolyn Eve & Marc Worden
Produced by Podium

👉 Grab your copy here ➡ https://adbl.co/4nRJiC6
🎧 Listen to a sample ➡ https://bit.ly/3Ix591u



Buckle up, buttercup, for all the:
🖤 Both MMC & FMC are serial unalivers
🔪 Both stalk each other
🖤 Somno both ways
🔪 Halloween vibes
🖤 When baking meets g0re
🔪 Dubc0n
🖤 Ex guardian-ward
🔪 Masks

[Danni Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake The Town Red
By Eva Marks

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶


🖤 Dark Romance
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Bad Ass FMC
🖤 Serial unaliver MCs
🖤 MCs both stalk 😍🤤 eahcother and their prey
🖤 Somno (MCs on each other 😉)
🖤 OTT Possessive and obsessive MMC
🖤 Halloween theme
🖤 HEA

🎶 Has A Playlist 🎶

Excuse me? Like what!?
This book had me giggling and kicking my feet right from the Authors note at the start 😉 IYKYK 😘
I mean seriously! Halloween, cupcakes, unaliving people AND a hell of a F***fest! What more could you possibly want?

This damn right sinful story about Dahlia ,the badass FMC, follows her journey right from the start where she was abused by her uncle after losing her parents, some stuff happens and she ends up as Tyler's ward until she turns 18,
Now Tyler is the MMC but don't come @ anyone for it, he didn't touch her until well after the fact. They have just been stalking each other since he cut contact after she turned 18, what's the harm in that 😉
Anyways Dahlia now has this amazing cupcake business of her own making the BEST cupcakes in the state! Her speciality are her Halloween ones the entire month of October 😍 and what pairs well with cupcakes might we add? Well I'm glad you asked! Unaliving bad people of course silly! Every. Single. Night. Of. October. 😉 and who better to help than her tourchered ex ward once she finally stakes her claim on him all these years later? 😍🤤 because after all he is hers and she is his 🖤

This book is a must read for all my dark romance/horror romance lovers out there!

Eva you did it again 😍😘🖤

BAKE THE TOWN RED releases on Amazon and KU on October 1st 😘🥀🧁

[Dahlia’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still processing this one! Soon I’ll post the review

Update 26/09/2024

TROPES:

♡ Both MMC & FMC are serial unalivers
♡ Both stlk each other
♡ Somno both ways
♡ Halloween themed
♡ When baking meets g0re
♡ Dub c0n
♡ Ex guardian-ward
♡ Masks


I want to start by thanking Ashley for recommending this wonderful author, and of course Eva for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this masterpiece. And yes, I said masterpiece because for me it is. If you don't believe me please go to Amazon and order it, because it's worth it I assure you.

Dahlia and Taylor are the epitome of love, passion and pure obsession they have for each other. I really liked that she also stalked him and “played” with him while he slept peacefully.

Dahlia's inner monologues are incredibly funny. This woman's sense of humor is exceptionally dark and sarcastic and I love it, I am proud that she is my namesake.

The spicy scenes are deliciously hot. Please check the TW, there is dub con, blood and knife play, chastity belt and other BDSM related things. Do not continue if that's something you are not comfortable with. Also keep in mind that both characters are serial killers and there are scenes describing the ways in which they kill their victims.

I really enjoyed the way they stalk each other, the fact that they accept each other as they are, dark, ruthless, broken, and that they don’t try or expect the other to change, they accept one another without judging or criticizing, and they support each other unconditionally.

This book has definitely become one of my favorites of the year, to say that it is in the top 5 is an understatement.

[andrea.el · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was okay, i don’t really rate based of the writing but i felt like something was off and it wasn’t connected, this could’ve been 150 pages shorter bc we were constantly repeating the same things over and over throughout the book, what i did find creative was the way she would torture her kills (lmao) and the concept of owning a spooky bakery, oh and some of the quotes were memorable but other than that it was all the same to me, i don’t like rating books like this but this one took a toll on me in frustrating way. I gave it three stars because I did enjoy some parts of the book like the fmc was headstrong and i understood her is some ways but i just wished this would’ve been shorter and had a little more plot…

[Ellie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I ate that up in a space of 2 hours 😭😭 I just love it

I will never look at cupcakes the same ever again, & this was some SPICY STUFF WOAH

🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

[Vee]

Dnf @22%

Tropes : psycho MCs, serial killer h, dark romance, J/P H h, touch her/him & 💀, unhinged MCs
Ending : HEA (married with twins)
Triggers : Violence, gore, torture (explicit), attempted SA, child abuse, 💀, lost of loved ones
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst :🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : no
Celibate while separated: yes
Intimacy details: virgin h, somnophilia, oral, rough sex
Standalone/Series : Standalone

Hero : Tyler Price (27/34)
Heroine: Dahlia Valentine (15/22)

This is too much for me. Not a fan of psycho h

[Codi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good erotic horror. This one surpassed my expectations, as Eva normally does! However.. not sure I can look at cupcakes the same. But I wish I could see her work because these cupcakes sound delish but also stunning to look at!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC! Eva kills it every time no matter what. She writes on taboo topics and she just excels at it. Be sure to check those trigger and content warnings 😘

[Jenn (myspookybookishlife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy freaking spooky crap!!! This book was absolutely batshit crazy in the best way!!! I loved Dahlia and Tyler’s story!!! Dahlia was absolutely freaking badass and I loved how she refused to let Tyler continue ignoring their love for each other. And Tyler’s fear of losing her made the first part of this book such an intense and entertaining experience. And when Tyler finally said screw it and takes what he wants was spicy and hot as freaking hell. This story was so much fun and amazing to read and I’m so glad they got their happy ending. Another amazing book by Eva!!! And all the damn spooky vibes I mean I really want to try some of Dahlia’s cupcakes they all sounded so dang delicious.

[princess ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

dahlia my sweet dahliaaaaaa <333 i just admire her sm ughhhh to have gone thru so much in her life but still not letting life push her down waaah my queen. i love love LOOOOVE a good age gap serial unaliver love story DOWNNNN and dahlia and tyler did not disappoint 🥵

[Cali Mafiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oohhhh my wow I loved this book!!! I will never look at a cupcake the same again lol 😅🤣 Wow… I don’t wanna say anything else cuz if I do imma give it away lol so I’m not saying anything except you gotta read this book lol!!! It’s sooo freak’n good!!!

Eva does it agin aahhh she’s such an amazing writer!!! I really love her books!!!

This book isn’t for the fainted heart so make sure you read the trigger warnings!!! 🩵🖤

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC so here is my review, ENJOY!!

This book was everything, it felt like a cozy fall read but with an unhinged morbid twist. I love a book with a female serial killer on a quest to satisfying her feminine rage. Dahlia not allowing Tyler to disappear out of her life and taking control was everything I want in a love story. And their undeniable chemistry is 🥵🥵 Definitely check your trigger warnings (and there's plenty of them) cause Dahlia is creative with her kills. I absolutely loved the obsessiveness both characters have over each other, it gives a comical banter you don't get from dark romance usually. Overall one of the best reads of the year!! Eva Marks definitely did a stellar job with this one! A great addition to your October TBR lists!!!

[Spicy BookNook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. I'm not even sure where to begin with this one....

Eva is one of my absolute favorite authors, and there hasn't been a book of hers that I haven't devoured and loved... and this one is NO different...buuuut it is different, lol.

This baby is UNLIKE anything I've ever read before, let alone unlike anything Eva has put out before, but the way I ate this up, on top of always being hungry for those darn cupcakes 🤣 I just can't even process everything right now.

My brain is mush because this book is so incredibly amazing. I was hooked from the start because it was just so unique and WILD! Dahlia and Tyler are both unhinged, insane, cray cray, and every single thing in between. Like imagine the craziest thing you've ever thought of and multiply it by 100, and that's what you get between these two. Lol!!

One thing about Eva's books is that you'll always find HEA, and it's always always always the sweetest thing ever!!! And my gosh, the way this story wraps up just had my heart melting throughout my body!

[Blake · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it 75% into this book and had to DNF. I was enthralled in the beginning. A female serial killer who kills with baked goods?! An age gap, plenty of spice, and a "forbidden" love obsession, Sign me up! On top of that, her love interest is just as psychotic and obsessive as she is. What could go wrong right?!

This gets sooooo repetitive like.... im glad yall are fucked up together but how many times do we have to re visit the past??? After the same thing for like....3 chapters, I realized I still had 120 whole pages left and I just couldn't.... This probably would've been great if it was 200 pgs....

[Tas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was all over the place! No clear plot lots of repetition!!
It might have worked as a novella because sooo much of it was just redundant!!