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Kiss, Marry, Kill
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Which would you kiss, marry, or kill?
When three best friends and founders of a health and wellness app on the verge of hitting the big time play a spin on the game of “kiss, marry, kill” at their company’s summer outing, they wake up the next morning in an alternate universe to discover they’ve each done just that.
In the “real world,” quiet, indecisive Aubrey is heartbroken over things ending with her fiancé. In the new reality ushered in by the game, Aubrey finds herself in bed, naked, next to their company’s newly hired graphic designer.
Practical, straight-laced Ilena, on the brink of a divorce following a stressful struggle with infertility, wakes up six months pregnant and married to their company’s general counsel.
Mallory’s philosophy is to ask neither forgiveness nor permission. Yet the reckless behavior of their biggest investor crosses lines even Mallory didn’t know she had. Especially since she’s been secretly sleeping with him for the past year. She’s mad enough to kill. But in this world, he’s already dead.
Told alternately from the perspectives of these three best friends, this Sliding Doors-esque story explores the nuances of ambition, the power of female friendship, and the many facets of love in our lives, ultimately Do our choices define us, or do we define our choices?
When three best friends and founders of a health and wellness app on the verge of hitting the big time play a spin on the game of “kiss, marry, kill” at their company’s summer outing, they wake up the next morning in an alternate universe to discover they’ve each done just that.
In the “real world,” quiet, indecisive Aubrey is heartbroken over things ending with her fiancé. In the new reality ushered in by the game, Aubrey finds herself in bed, naked, next to their company’s newly hired graphic designer.
Practical, straight-laced Ilena, on the brink of a divorce following a stressful struggle with infertility, wakes up six months pregnant and married to their company’s general counsel.
Mallory’s philosophy is to ask neither forgiveness nor permission. Yet the reckless behavior of their biggest investor crosses lines even Mallory didn’t know she had. Especially since she’s been secretly sleeping with him for the past year. She’s mad enough to kill. But in this world, he’s already dead.
Told alternately from the perspectives of these three best friends, this Sliding Doors-esque story explores the nuances of ambition, the power of female friendship, and the many facets of love in our lives, ultimately Do our choices define us, or do we define our choices?
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 7, 2026
26 people are currently reading
8922 people want to read
About the author
Lori Gold
2 books68 followersLori Gold is the author of the NPR Book of the Day, Zibby Media Summer Read pick and Zibby Media Most Anticipated ROMANTIC FRICTION (Harper Mira, 2025), a satire about publishing and AI with explorations of female ambition and friendship. KISS, MARRY, KILL, about three women who play a spin on the game and wake up the next day in an alternate universe having each done just that, releases April 7, 2026. Under Lori Goldstein, she published the adult historical, Love, Theodosia (Arcade, 2021) and four novels for young adults (Sources Say, Penguin Random House, 2020; Screen Queens, Penguin Random House, 2019; and the Becoming Jinn series (Macmillan, 2015, 2016). She is also a creative writing instructor and founder of Think Write, which holds creative writing classes and writing retreats.
She lives in the Boston area and can be found online at: www.lorigoldsteinbooks.com; Instagram: @lorigoldsteinbooks; Facebook: LoriGoldsteinAuthor.
She lives in the Boston area and can be found online at: www.lorigoldsteinbooks.com; Instagram: @lorigoldsteinbooks; Facebook: LoriGoldsteinAuthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 14, 2026
3.75/5 ⭐️
This book uses a light sci-fi premise—parallel universes—but it never really feels like science fiction. Instead, it reads much more like a character-driven story about friendship, ambition, and figuring out what you actually want out of life.
The story follows three best friends and business partners who jokingly play a round of “kiss, marry, kill” during a company outing… and wake up the next day in a reality where those choices have somehow come true. From there, each woman is forced to confront a life that looks very different from the one she thought she wanted.
What I loved most was the exploration of these three women and their complicated friendships. They’re founders of a fast-growing wellness startup, but beneath the ambition and success are real questions about love, identity, and what fulfillment actually looks like. Watching each of them navigate the consequences of this alternate reality was really compelling.
I’ve seen some reviews mention that the time jumps or shifting perspectives can be confusing. Personally, I didn’t find that to be the case. However, because the story alternates between the three women, the audiobook might have benefited from multiple narrators—one for each character—to help differentiate the perspectives a bit more.
That said, the narrator (who was new to me) did a great job overall. Her voice was engaging and easy to listen to, and the occasional blending of perspectives felt more like a production choice than a narration issue.
Overall, this is less about the mechanics of parallel universes and more about the question at the heart of the story: Do our choices define us, or do we define our choices? If you enjoy character-driven stories about female friendship, complicated lives, and the roads not taken, this one is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC of this novel.
This book uses a light sci-fi premise—parallel universes—but it never really feels like science fiction. Instead, it reads much more like a character-driven story about friendship, ambition, and figuring out what you actually want out of life.
The story follows three best friends and business partners who jokingly play a round of “kiss, marry, kill” during a company outing… and wake up the next day in a reality where those choices have somehow come true. From there, each woman is forced to confront a life that looks very different from the one she thought she wanted.
What I loved most was the exploration of these three women and their complicated friendships. They’re founders of a fast-growing wellness startup, but beneath the ambition and success are real questions about love, identity, and what fulfillment actually looks like. Watching each of them navigate the consequences of this alternate reality was really compelling.
I’ve seen some reviews mention that the time jumps or shifting perspectives can be confusing. Personally, I didn’t find that to be the case. However, because the story alternates between the three women, the audiobook might have benefited from multiple narrators—one for each character—to help differentiate the perspectives a bit more.
That said, the narrator (who was new to me) did a great job overall. Her voice was engaging and easy to listen to, and the occasional blending of perspectives felt more like a production choice than a narration issue.
Overall, this is less about the mechanics of parallel universes and more about the question at the heart of the story: Do our choices define us, or do we define our choices? If you enjoy character-driven stories about female friendship, complicated lives, and the roads not taken, this one is definitely worth a listen.
Thank you to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the ALC of this novel.
March 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for my review.
This book just didn’t hit like I had hoped, I skimmed a lot because there just seemed to be a lot of fluff and maybe I missed some details but it didn’t make a whole lotta sense to me. There wasn’t really a conclusion?
The story is about three women who start up a company that is making billions (congrats, girl power). They play a round of f*** marry kill and mysteriously wake up the next morning in places they sort of recognize but don’t recognize and have no recollection of how they got there. One is even heavily pregnant! As they put the pieces together they kind of figure out what is going on in this life and it seems some time travel alter universe shit is happening. The story could have been so much fun, but really they just focus on the dead investor (that they may or may not have killed) and the corruption happening in the company.
All the women are quite frustrated and displeased with their lives but when they are give the chance to make new ones they don’t really try to change and start to settle back into their old habits?? Was a bit frustrating to read.
This book just didn’t hit like I had hoped, I skimmed a lot because there just seemed to be a lot of fluff and maybe I missed some details but it didn’t make a whole lotta sense to me. There wasn’t really a conclusion?
The story is about three women who start up a company that is making billions (congrats, girl power). They play a round of f*** marry kill and mysteriously wake up the next morning in places they sort of recognize but don’t recognize and have no recollection of how they got there. One is even heavily pregnant! As they put the pieces together they kind of figure out what is going on in this life and it seems some time travel alter universe shit is happening. The story could have been so much fun, but really they just focus on the dead investor (that they may or may not have killed) and the corruption happening in the company.
All the women are quite frustrated and displeased with their lives but when they are give the chance to make new ones they don’t really try to change and start to settle back into their old habits?? Was a bit frustrating to read.
March 6, 2026
This was one of those books that had so much potential—the kind where you can clearly see what the author was trying to accomplish—but unfortunately the execution just didn’t quite come together.
There are definitely moments that are entertaining and thoughtfully constructed, but overall the story needed more development to become the kind of fluid read that keeps a reader fully engaged from start to finish.
The biggest issue for me was the missing connective tissue between scenes and ideas. It often left me feeling confused and pulled out of the story rather than immersed in it. I genuinely couldn’t tell if the problem was that it had been over-edited or perhaps not edited enough—but either way, the result was the same: transitions and narrative flow just weren’t always there.
At one point I remember thinking it was shaping up to be a solid 3.75⭐️ read and that the story had more or less accomplished what it set out to do… only to realize I was just 33% in with over seven hours left in the audiobook.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Victoria Villarreal, who did a perfectly fine job with the material. However, because of the structure of the story—with its multiple characters, shifting timelines, and dense prose—it likely would have been better served by a full cast of narrators or someone with more range in differentiating character voices.
I will say that increasing the playback speed to at least 1.5x helped tighten the pacing and made the narration feel a bit more cohesive.
Unfortunately, I found myself repeatedly disconnecting from the story—checking out and having to rewind far too many times just to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Even then, it still felt like pieces of the narrative were missing, as though certain connections simply never made it onto the page.
In the end, this is one of those reads where the foundation is clearly there—but the structure built on top of it just needed more refinement to truly stand.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio. via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
There are definitely moments that are entertaining and thoughtfully constructed, but overall the story needed more development to become the kind of fluid read that keeps a reader fully engaged from start to finish.
The biggest issue for me was the missing connective tissue between scenes and ideas. It often left me feeling confused and pulled out of the story rather than immersed in it. I genuinely couldn’t tell if the problem was that it had been over-edited or perhaps not edited enough—but either way, the result was the same: transitions and narrative flow just weren’t always there.
At one point I remember thinking it was shaping up to be a solid 3.75⭐️ read and that the story had more or less accomplished what it set out to do… only to realize I was just 33% in with over seven hours left in the audiobook.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Victoria Villarreal, who did a perfectly fine job with the material. However, because of the structure of the story—with its multiple characters, shifting timelines, and dense prose—it likely would have been better served by a full cast of narrators or someone with more range in differentiating character voices.
I will say that increasing the playback speed to at least 1.5x helped tighten the pacing and made the narration feel a bit more cohesive.
Unfortunately, I found myself repeatedly disconnecting from the story—checking out and having to rewind far too many times just to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Even then, it still felt like pieces of the narrative were missing, as though certain connections simply never made it onto the page.
In the end, this is one of those reads where the foundation is clearly there—but the structure built on top of it just needed more refinement to truly stand.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Harlequin Audio. via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
November 22, 2025
I’m so excited because this is my first review as a Hive “influencer.” Who cheered?! (I CHEERED!)
When I saw the description of this book, I just knew I had to read it. Three best friends who own a health and wellness app together are about to get their big break! While at their companies summer retreat, they decide to play “kiss, marry, kill.” When they wake up, things are not how they were the night before.
This book has potential. Unfortunately, about 80% of the time I was reading this, I was confused. Parts of it were a bit hard to follow and even now, I’m not sure I completely understand.
With all of the different POV’s this had, I feel like it should have been a little easier to follow, but I fear that played a part in the confusion.
I see the vision though, I feel like I really would have loved what this could have been. Unfortunately, this is not for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
When I saw the description of this book, I just knew I had to read it. Three best friends who own a health and wellness app together are about to get their big break! While at their companies summer retreat, they decide to play “kiss, marry, kill.” When they wake up, things are not how they were the night before.
This book has potential. Unfortunately, about 80% of the time I was reading this, I was confused. Parts of it were a bit hard to follow and even now, I’m not sure I completely understand.
With all of the different POV’s this had, I feel like it should have been a little easier to follow, but I fear that played a part in the confusion.
I see the vision though, I feel like I really would have loved what this could have been. Unfortunately, this is not for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
March 23, 2026
Thank you, Harlquin Audio, for the advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review!
The story follows three friends who are co-founders of a wellness app and are on the brink of major success. During a company retreat, they play a game of ‘kiss, marry, kill’ only to wake up the next morning in a reality they never could have imagined. Suddenly, they find themselves living in an alternative universe where everything is both familiar and completely different. Their answers to the game are now their real life!
The premise of this book immediately drew me in, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I especially loved how the story explores the idea that our choices shape not only where we end up in life, but also who we become. As the women navigate this new world, they begin to notice aspects of their life changed in the way that they answered the game on the retreat. Ilena, for example, struggled with infertility, but when she woke up, she was 6 months pregnant! Aubrey wakes up next to her ex and ends up waking up next to the graphic designer at their work, and Mallory is grappling with the fact that their biggest investor is working on shady things in the background… which makes her mad. Oh, and did I mention that she’s sleeping with him? There are so many twists and turns throughout the book that make you question which life you would choose to stay in. While Aubry had a life that she wouldn’t wanna give up, her friends didn’t feel the same. This forces them to question whether they should return to what they knew or stay.
I appreciated how the story moved between each woman’s life before the retreat, during it, and after the shift in their lives. This structure added depth and gave good insight into each character and the decisions that they’ve made along the way.
I thought that the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life. That said, I wish there had been multiple narrators, as it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between the three women. While she made a great effort to vary the voices for each character, having separate voices would have made it easier to follow.
The story follows three friends who are co-founders of a wellness app and are on the brink of major success. During a company retreat, they play a game of ‘kiss, marry, kill’ only to wake up the next morning in a reality they never could have imagined. Suddenly, they find themselves living in an alternative universe where everything is both familiar and completely different. Their answers to the game are now their real life!
The premise of this book immediately drew me in, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I especially loved how the story explores the idea that our choices shape not only where we end up in life, but also who we become. As the women navigate this new world, they begin to notice aspects of their life changed in the way that they answered the game on the retreat. Ilena, for example, struggled with infertility, but when she woke up, she was 6 months pregnant! Aubrey wakes up next to her ex and ends up waking up next to the graphic designer at their work, and Mallory is grappling with the fact that their biggest investor is working on shady things in the background… which makes her mad. Oh, and did I mention that she’s sleeping with him? There are so many twists and turns throughout the book that make you question which life you would choose to stay in. While Aubry had a life that she wouldn’t wanna give up, her friends didn’t feel the same. This forces them to question whether they should return to what they knew or stay.
I appreciated how the story moved between each woman’s life before the retreat, during it, and after the shift in their lives. This structure added depth and gave good insight into each character and the decisions that they’ve made along the way.
I thought that the narrator did a great job bringing the story to life. That said, I wish there had been multiple narrators, as it was sometimes difficult to distinguish between the three women. While she made a great effort to vary the voices for each character, having separate voices would have made it easier to follow.
March 25, 2026
The three best friends that anybody could have! Or at least, they say they are! Besties running an incredibly successful business together are bound to bump heads and keep secrets. During the night of an outing created to celebrate AIM, Audrey, Mallory, and Ilena play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill with folks who are at this gathering, even their own employees. When they wake up the next day, though, they find they may have actually done those things with the employees they said during their game. Lobbed into an alternate universe or timeline, the heads of AIM must navigate their slightly new world and lives and a dead body. Yikes! I think the pace of this book could have been upped, and I wish these girlies would just TALK TO EACH OTHER! But I did enjoy the ride and turns and twists!
March 16, 2026
Kiss Marry Kill is a fascinating piece of book club fiction, blending hints of sci-fi, thriller, and women’s fiction into an intriguing story about friendship and fate. In Kiss Marry Kill, Lori Gold introduces three best friends developing a wellness app who play a seemingly innocent round of “kiss, marry, kill” only to wake up in an alternate universe where their choices have reshaped their lives.
What unfolds is a thought provoking exploration of the decisions we make and how even the smallest ones can lead to wildly different outcomes. It’s the kind of premise that sparks great discussion. While the second half became a bit difficult to follow at times, I found the concept compelling and thoroughly enjoyed the originality of the story.
3.75 ⭐️
What unfolds is a thought provoking exploration of the decisions we make and how even the smallest ones can lead to wildly different outcomes. It’s the kind of premise that sparks great discussion. While the second half became a bit difficult to follow at times, I found the concept compelling and thoroughly enjoyed the originality of the story.
3.75 ⭐️
March 18, 2026
This story was all over the place. I wanted to love this since it’s based in Boston but other than the geography, I was confused the whole time. This is some messy writing.
November 13, 2025
I was a little confused by this book. I'm really not sure why, but this really wasn't what I was expecting from it. Not necessarily in a bad way. It was just different.
This follows three best friends who also have founded a wellness app together (red flag in my opinion, the wellness industry is a scam, but anywhoooo). One night they play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill and it goes wrong.
I think the main part that confused me was what happened next/because of that game (I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't really say what happened), but it was a bit hard to follow.
This is told in multiple POVs and I think that also added to my confusion of the situation. I don't know if that's a me thing or a writing thing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This follows three best friends who also have founded a wellness app together (red flag in my opinion, the wellness industry is a scam, but anywhoooo). One night they play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill and it goes wrong.
I think the main part that confused me was what happened next/because of that game (I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't really say what happened), but it was a bit hard to follow.
This is told in multiple POVs and I think that also added to my confusion of the situation. I don't know if that's a me thing or a writing thing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
March 18, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC to read and review!
A great title for a great idea is what drew me into this novel. Three friends gather at an office outing and each one has to choose from their coworkers who they would "Kiss" "Mary" or "Kill". What is supposed to be a harmless game actually turns into an alternate reality when each friend wakes up the next morning having done what they chose in the game.
Where this lands as a two star rating: While it had an amazing start, this novel went around and around in circles, to the point of making me dizzy reading it. We have the POV of 5 characters! To add there is constant back and forth of before vs after in time/reality from each character. There really is no explanation of how these 3 people woke up in an alternate universe living their own alternate lives. There also is not much of an explanation how they get back "home". This novel would of been way better had it stuck to the POV of one character, that being Mallory, and have her friends as supporting characters.
A great title for a great idea is what drew me into this novel. Three friends gather at an office outing and each one has to choose from their coworkers who they would "Kiss" "Mary" or "Kill". What is supposed to be a harmless game actually turns into an alternate reality when each friend wakes up the next morning having done what they chose in the game.
Where this lands as a two star rating: While it had an amazing start, this novel went around and around in circles, to the point of making me dizzy reading it. We have the POV of 5 characters! To add there is constant back and forth of before vs after in time/reality from each character. There really is no explanation of how these 3 people woke up in an alternate universe living their own alternate lives. There also is not much of an explanation how they get back "home". This novel would of been way better had it stuck to the POV of one character, that being Mallory, and have her friends as supporting characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book review: Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold.
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
This is the kind of book that lures you in with a playful premise and then quietly locks the door behind you while it asks some extremely rude questions about your life choices. Three best friends. One booming wellness app. One ill-advised round of kiss, marry, kill at a company retreat. And then they wake up in alternate realities where those choices didn’t stay theoretical. I was immediately sold, because nothing says “relaxing read” like existential dread served with friendship drama.
What really worked for me was how grounded the chaos felt. Yes, there are alternate timelines, but the emotional fallout is painfully realistic. Aubrey’s storyline hit me in that soft, uncomfortable spot reserved for people who avoid decisions until the universe makes them for you. Ilena’s arc explores control, infertility, and the horror of waking up in a life that looks perfect on paper but feels wrong in your bones. Mallory, meanwhile, is pure chaos energy, but the kind that masks fear, anger, and a lot of unresolved hurt. Together, they form a trio that feels authentic in the way real friendships are authentic: loving, judgmental, supportive, competitive, and occasionally one bad decision away from implosion.
The structure jumps between perspectives and timelines, and I won’t pretend I never had a “wait, whose reality is this again?” moment. I did. More than once. But instead of completely derailing the story for me, that confusion mirrored what the characters themselves were experiencing. These women are disoriented, emotionally rattled, and unsure which version of their lives is the truth. The narrative reflects that instability, and while it may not work for everyone, I found it oddly effective once I settled into the rhythm.
The writing itself is sharp, conversational, and often very funny in a dry, observational way. Gold has a talent for capturing the way women talk to each other when they’re being honest and when they’re very much not. The wellness industry satire was a bonus, especially as the cracks begin to show beneath the carefully curated success of their app and brand. Ambition is examined here without glamorizing it, and success doesn’t magically fix the characters’ personal messes. If anything, it amplifies them.
The audiobook, narrated by Victoria Villarreal, deserves a mention because it genuinely elevates the experience. She brings a natural, conversational tone that fits the writing style perfectly, and she handles the three perspectives with subtle but clear distinctions. What stood out most was how she conveyed the emotional undercurrents, especially in moments where the characters are questioning their choices or sitting with regret. The timeline shifts can still require some attention, but her performance adds enough clarity and nuance that it never felt overwhelming. It’s one of those narrations that quietly pulls you deeper into the story.
At its heart, this book is about choice and consequence, but also about how unfair it is that we only get to live one version of our lives at a time. One quote that really stuck with me was: “Every version of my life felt right until I had to actually live in it.” That line perfectly captures the novel’s emotional core. We romanticize the roads not taken, but we rarely consider the cost that would have come with them.
This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense, even though one plotline involves a dead body. It’s more of a speculative, emotionally driven exploration of friendship, identity, and the quiet grief of wondering who you might have been if you’d chosen differently. It asks big questions without offering tidy answers, and I appreciated that. Life is messy. So are these women. And that’s kind of the point.
If you enjoy Sliding Doors-style narratives, character-driven speculative fiction, and stories that spark long conversations about love, regret, and ambition, this is absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared to occasionally pause, flip back a page, and question your own life decisions while you’re at it.
#BookReview #KissMarryKill #LoriGold #HarlequinTrade #ParkRowBooks #NetGalleyARC #WomensFiction #SpeculativeFiction #FriendshipReads #ARCReview #UpcomingBooks #2026Reads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
This is the kind of book that lures you in with a playful premise and then quietly locks the door behind you while it asks some extremely rude questions about your life choices. Three best friends. One booming wellness app. One ill-advised round of kiss, marry, kill at a company retreat. And then they wake up in alternate realities where those choices didn’t stay theoretical. I was immediately sold, because nothing says “relaxing read” like existential dread served with friendship drama.
What really worked for me was how grounded the chaos felt. Yes, there are alternate timelines, but the emotional fallout is painfully realistic. Aubrey’s storyline hit me in that soft, uncomfortable spot reserved for people who avoid decisions until the universe makes them for you. Ilena’s arc explores control, infertility, and the horror of waking up in a life that looks perfect on paper but feels wrong in your bones. Mallory, meanwhile, is pure chaos energy, but the kind that masks fear, anger, and a lot of unresolved hurt. Together, they form a trio that feels authentic in the way real friendships are authentic: loving, judgmental, supportive, competitive, and occasionally one bad decision away from implosion.
The structure jumps between perspectives and timelines, and I won’t pretend I never had a “wait, whose reality is this again?” moment. I did. More than once. But instead of completely derailing the story for me, that confusion mirrored what the characters themselves were experiencing. These women are disoriented, emotionally rattled, and unsure which version of their lives is the truth. The narrative reflects that instability, and while it may not work for everyone, I found it oddly effective once I settled into the rhythm.
The writing itself is sharp, conversational, and often very funny in a dry, observational way. Gold has a talent for capturing the way women talk to each other when they’re being honest and when they’re very much not. The wellness industry satire was a bonus, especially as the cracks begin to show beneath the carefully curated success of their app and brand. Ambition is examined here without glamorizing it, and success doesn’t magically fix the characters’ personal messes. If anything, it amplifies them.
The audiobook, narrated by Victoria Villarreal, deserves a mention because it genuinely elevates the experience. She brings a natural, conversational tone that fits the writing style perfectly, and she handles the three perspectives with subtle but clear distinctions. What stood out most was how she conveyed the emotional undercurrents, especially in moments where the characters are questioning their choices or sitting with regret. The timeline shifts can still require some attention, but her performance adds enough clarity and nuance that it never felt overwhelming. It’s one of those narrations that quietly pulls you deeper into the story.
At its heart, this book is about choice and consequence, but also about how unfair it is that we only get to live one version of our lives at a time. One quote that really stuck with me was: “Every version of my life felt right until I had to actually live in it.” That line perfectly captures the novel’s emotional core. We romanticize the roads not taken, but we rarely consider the cost that would have come with them.
This isn’t a thriller in the traditional sense, even though one plotline involves a dead body. It’s more of a speculative, emotionally driven exploration of friendship, identity, and the quiet grief of wondering who you might have been if you’d chosen differently. It asks big questions without offering tidy answers, and I appreciated that. Life is messy. So are these women. And that’s kind of the point.
If you enjoy Sliding Doors-style narratives, character-driven speculative fiction, and stories that spark long conversations about love, regret, and ambition, this is absolutely worth your time. Just be prepared to occasionally pause, flip back a page, and question your own life decisions while you’re at it.
#BookReview #KissMarryKill #LoriGold #HarlequinTrade #ParkRowBooks #NetGalleyARC #WomensFiction #SpeculativeFiction #FriendshipReads #ARCReview #UpcomingBooks #2026Reads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️s rounded down! | Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold is a book where you can clearly see the vision—and it’s such a good one—but the execution just didn’t land the way I wanted it to.
The premise is undeniably compelling: three best friends and co-founders play a game of “kiss, marry, kill” (I knew it as F, M, K) and wake up in a reality where those choices have come true. It has intrigue mixed with a light parallel universe twist, but at its core, this is much more of a character-driven story about friendship, ambition, and the messy reality of figuring out what you actually want out of life.
What worked best for me was the dynamic between Aubrey, Ilena, and Mallory. Their relationships felt layered and real, and I appreciated how the story explored the tension between personal fulfillment and professional success—especially within the context of building something together. There are definitely moments that feel thoughtful, sharp, and emotionally grounded.
That said, the biggest issue for me was the overall structure and flow. The transitions between timelines, perspectives, and ideas often felt disjointed, like there was something missing between scenes. Instead of feeling immersed, I found myself pulled out of the story trying to piece things together. At times, it almost felt like the book had either been over-edited or not quite refined enough—either way, the pacing and cohesion suffered because of it.
There’s also a sense that the story doesn’t fully dig into its own potential. The concept sets up so many interesting possibilities, but the narrative tends to circle around certain plot points (like the investor storyline) without fully exploring the bigger emotional or philosophical stakes. By the end, it felt like it needed a bit more depth—and a stronger sense of resolution—to really hit.
Overall, this is a solid, thought-provoking premise with a solid foundation and an engaging central question: do our choices define us, or do we define our choices? If you enjoy stories centered on complex female friendships and “what if” scenarios, it’s definitely worth picking up—just be prepared for an uneven ride. Unfortunately, I needed more from this book than I actually got.
Thank you to NetGalley and HTP | Park Row for this eARC!
The premise is undeniably compelling: three best friends and co-founders play a game of “kiss, marry, kill” (I knew it as F, M, K) and wake up in a reality where those choices have come true. It has intrigue mixed with a light parallel universe twist, but at its core, this is much more of a character-driven story about friendship, ambition, and the messy reality of figuring out what you actually want out of life.
What worked best for me was the dynamic between Aubrey, Ilena, and Mallory. Their relationships felt layered and real, and I appreciated how the story explored the tension between personal fulfillment and professional success—especially within the context of building something together. There are definitely moments that feel thoughtful, sharp, and emotionally grounded.
That said, the biggest issue for me was the overall structure and flow. The transitions between timelines, perspectives, and ideas often felt disjointed, like there was something missing between scenes. Instead of feeling immersed, I found myself pulled out of the story trying to piece things together. At times, it almost felt like the book had either been over-edited or not quite refined enough—either way, the pacing and cohesion suffered because of it.
There’s also a sense that the story doesn’t fully dig into its own potential. The concept sets up so many interesting possibilities, but the narrative tends to circle around certain plot points (like the investor storyline) without fully exploring the bigger emotional or philosophical stakes. By the end, it felt like it needed a bit more depth—and a stronger sense of resolution—to really hit.
Overall, this is a solid, thought-provoking premise with a solid foundation and an engaging central question: do our choices define us, or do we define our choices? If you enjoy stories centered on complex female friendships and “what if” scenarios, it’s definitely worth picking up—just be prepared for an uneven ride. Unfortunately, I needed more from this book than I actually got.
Thank you to NetGalley and HTP | Park Row for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book really grew on me, mid book i was bit annoyed with the timeline and back and forth and all the characters and by the end i'm just annoyed by one character and start of the book.
So I feel like the story started super fast, which meant i didnt really know the 3 main characters when the action and whole premise of the book started. The amount of names and personalites was just thrown at me it felt like and it was very hard to keep track of who is who. Espescially as i was listening a audiobook, meaning i never was just listening the book but doing other things at the same time, i feel it maybe feels different if you read it, but few more chapters just setting the character introduction up would have worked well for me.
The second annoyance i have is with the final reveal of the assistant Noelle, or whatever her name was. She was such a passing character i barely registered her name and have a kinda weird monologue from her at the end made no sense. I would completely cut it from the book and it would have the exact same effect basically.
I did enjoy the narrator, but since there were so many characters having only one narrator perform all in same voice didint make it any easier on me. Maybe having multiple narrators for 3 female main characters could be beneficial, and espescially since it had more POVs popped in here and there it could have made the separation clearer.
Overall I actually enjoyed the premise and the book by the end, but it defintiely wasnt a feeling i had while listening and only at the end i feel everything clicked together. So i'm afraid that other people who might need more quick buy in into a story will not finish this book because of it
So I feel like the story started super fast, which meant i didnt really know the 3 main characters when the action and whole premise of the book started. The amount of names and personalites was just thrown at me it felt like and it was very hard to keep track of who is who. Espescially as i was listening a audiobook, meaning i never was just listening the book but doing other things at the same time, i feel it maybe feels different if you read it, but few more chapters just setting the character introduction up would have worked well for me.
The second annoyance i have is with the final reveal of the assistant Noelle, or whatever her name was. She was such a passing character i barely registered her name and have a kinda weird monologue from her at the end made no sense. I would completely cut it from the book and it would have the exact same effect basically.
I did enjoy the narrator, but since there were so many characters having only one narrator perform all in same voice didint make it any easier on me. Maybe having multiple narrators for 3 female main characters could be beneficial, and espescially since it had more POVs popped in here and there it could have made the separation clearer.
Overall I actually enjoyed the premise and the book by the end, but it defintiely wasnt a feeling i had while listening and only at the end i feel everything clicked together. So i'm afraid that other people who might need more quick buy in into a story will not finish this book because of it
March 25, 2026
No Spoilers, Just Bookish Vibes
Pacing - The pacing felt a bit uneven. Some sections moved quickly and kept me entertained, while others slowed down enough that my attention drifted. It wasn’t a deal‑breaker, but it did create a noticeable rhythm shift throughout the story.
POV - The book uses multiple first‑person perspectives, which adds personality and depth but also contributes to moments of disorientation.
Vibe Check - This one leans into sci‑fi chick‑lit with a humorous twist. Light, quirky, and a little chaotic in a fun way.
The title grabbed me immediately, and I went in with zero expectations—so the direction the story took was a genuine surprise.
🚨 Spoiler Zone — Time for the Rewind
I’m giving this a solid 3 stars.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was enjoyable, the shifting timeline made it harder to stay anchored. I suspect the physical copy might’ve made the structure easier to follow. Even so, the concept was clever, and the characters felt surprisingly relatable despite the multiverse backdrop.
I can’t say whether a multiverse exists, but I loved imagining it alongside these FMCs and watching how they navigated the idea of moving forward within it. The observational humor added a nice balance, keeping things light even when the plot grew more complex.
This story definitely made me reflect on the idea of wanting a “do‑over”—or maybe more accurately, a “do‑right.”
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, with some nuance. I’d recommend it to avid readers who enjoy unconventional timelines or sci‑fi‑lite stories with heart. For newer or more occasional readers, the structure might feel a bit challenging.
Amy, a co-host of The Bookish Rewind Podcast, available on most podcast platforms.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pacing - The pacing felt a bit uneven. Some sections moved quickly and kept me entertained, while others slowed down enough that my attention drifted. It wasn’t a deal‑breaker, but it did create a noticeable rhythm shift throughout the story.
POV - The book uses multiple first‑person perspectives, which adds personality and depth but also contributes to moments of disorientation.
Vibe Check - This one leans into sci‑fi chick‑lit with a humorous twist. Light, quirky, and a little chaotic in a fun way.
The title grabbed me immediately, and I went in with zero expectations—so the direction the story took was a genuine surprise.
🚨 Spoiler Zone — Time for the Rewind
I’m giving this a solid 3 stars.
I listened to the audiobook, and while the narration was enjoyable, the shifting timeline made it harder to stay anchored. I suspect the physical copy might’ve made the structure easier to follow. Even so, the concept was clever, and the characters felt surprisingly relatable despite the multiverse backdrop.
I can’t say whether a multiverse exists, but I loved imagining it alongside these FMCs and watching how they navigated the idea of moving forward within it. The observational humor added a nice balance, keeping things light even when the plot grew more complex.
This story definitely made me reflect on the idea of wanting a “do‑over”—or maybe more accurately, a “do‑right.”
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, with some nuance. I’d recommend it to avid readers who enjoy unconventional timelines or sci‑fi‑lite stories with heart. For newer or more occasional readers, the structure might feel a bit challenging.
Amy, a co-host of The Bookish Rewind Podcast, available on most podcast platforms.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 26, 2026
I stayed with this book even when I had moments where I genuinely wanted to put it down, and I’m glad I finished it. The concept itself is clever and ambitious, especially the way the story plays with choice, consequence, and alternate realities through the lens of female friendship, ambition, and relationships. I could clearly see what the author was trying to do, and I appreciate the risks taken with structure and perspective.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. The multiple POVs and shifting timelines were clearly intentional and I understand why they were necessary for the story being told, but they often pulled me out instead of pulling me deeper in. I found myself reorienting constantly, which broke the momentum and made parts of the book feel heavier than they needed to be. There were stretches where the confusion outweighed the tension, and that made it harder to fully connect emotionally.
Where the book shines is in its exploration of complicated friendships and the ripple effects of big life choices. When those moments hit, they really worked, and they’re what kept me turning the pages. I was invested enough to want answers and to see how everything came together in the end.
Overall, this was a mixed experience for me. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t regret reading it either. It’s a book with an interesting premise and thoughtful themes that might really resonate with readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling and don’t mind working a bit to stay grounded. For me, it was a solid three star read that I’m glad I saw through to the end.
That said, the execution didn’t always land for me. The multiple POVs and shifting timelines were clearly intentional and I understand why they were necessary for the story being told, but they often pulled me out instead of pulling me deeper in. I found myself reorienting constantly, which broke the momentum and made parts of the book feel heavier than they needed to be. There were stretches where the confusion outweighed the tension, and that made it harder to fully connect emotionally.
Where the book shines is in its exploration of complicated friendships and the ripple effects of big life choices. When those moments hit, they really worked, and they’re what kept me turning the pages. I was invested enough to want answers and to see how everything came together in the end.
Overall, this was a mixed experience for me. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t regret reading it either. It’s a book with an interesting premise and thoughtful themes that might really resonate with readers who enjoy unconventional storytelling and don’t mind working a bit to stay grounded. For me, it was a solid three star read that I’m glad I saw through to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the gifted ALC!
I thought this was such a unique read/listen. It really had me guessing and questioning things the entire time, I loved the multiverse aspects, and the characters are all so flawed and interesting. The ending was also so satisfying, I didn't anticipate it at all, which I absolutely loved. The narration was also amazing, so clear and concise and she brought the characters to life so well, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I went into this semi blind which I think made it even more interesting to me. I didn't know that it was going to have a sci-fi twist to it and I loved it so much. I kept seeing it around on social media and I just decided to dive into it and see what the hype was about. The 3 main characters, Ilena, Aubrey and Mallory are all really interesting, but so flawed. I really felt for Ilena especially, but they all had their own problems and things to potentially relate to.
This had a really cool sci-fi twist to it, but the suspense/mystery of it was my favorite part. It kept me on the edge of my seat, I was constantly guessing, and the ending just sealed the deal. I really loved how it wrapped up, even if a part of me wanted more of an "after" moment of all the events wrapping up.
If you want a cool mystery with a really unique sci-fi kind of twist, this will absolutely be great for you. I definitely recommend it! This releases April 7th!
*This ALC was given by Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.*
I thought this was such a unique read/listen. It really had me guessing and questioning things the entire time, I loved the multiverse aspects, and the characters are all so flawed and interesting. The ending was also so satisfying, I didn't anticipate it at all, which I absolutely loved. The narration was also amazing, so clear and concise and she brought the characters to life so well, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I went into this semi blind which I think made it even more interesting to me. I didn't know that it was going to have a sci-fi twist to it and I loved it so much. I kept seeing it around on social media and I just decided to dive into it and see what the hype was about. The 3 main characters, Ilena, Aubrey and Mallory are all really interesting, but so flawed. I really felt for Ilena especially, but they all had their own problems and things to potentially relate to.
This had a really cool sci-fi twist to it, but the suspense/mystery of it was my favorite part. It kept me on the edge of my seat, I was constantly guessing, and the ending just sealed the deal. I really loved how it wrapped up, even if a part of me wanted more of an "after" moment of all the events wrapping up.
If you want a cool mystery with a really unique sci-fi kind of twist, this will absolutely be great for you. I definitely recommend it! This releases April 7th!
*This ALC was given by Harlequin Trade Publishing through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kiss, Marry, Kill has a unique premise, but the book doesn’t fully accomplish the intended suspense throughout the entirety of the plot. While there are certain aspects of the story that are fast-paced and intriguing, the alternating perspectives make for a rather complicated plot.
Three friends and founders of a health and wellness app play “kiss, marry, kill” at their company’s summer outing and then wake up in an alternate universe to discover they’ve each done just that. Aubrey is heartbroken over things ending with her fiancé in the real world. In the alternate universe, Aubrey finds herself in bed next to someone else. Ilena, who is getting divorced following infertility in the real world, wakes up pregnant and married to someone else. Mallory’s been secretly sleeping with a man for the past year and his behavior crosses several lines. In the alternate universe, he’s dead.
Overall, Kiss, Marry, Kill does have an interesting premise. The story explores how different choices may lead to an entirely new life, as well as the changes it can have on one’s present day life. However, the way in which the story works out is a bit slow and ambiguous.
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kiss, Marry, Kill has a unique premise, but the book doesn’t fully accomplish the intended suspense throughout the entirety of the plot. While there are certain aspects of the story that are fast-paced and intriguing, the alternating perspectives make for a rather complicated plot.
Three friends and founders of a health and wellness app play “kiss, marry, kill” at their company’s summer outing and then wake up in an alternate universe to discover they’ve each done just that. Aubrey is heartbroken over things ending with her fiancé in the real world. In the alternate universe, Aubrey finds herself in bed next to someone else. Ilena, who is getting divorced following infertility in the real world, wakes up pregnant and married to someone else. Mallory’s been secretly sleeping with a man for the past year and his behavior crosses several lines. In the alternate universe, he’s dead.
Overall, Kiss, Marry, Kill does have an interesting premise. The story explores how different choices may lead to an entirely new life, as well as the changes it can have on one’s present day life. However, the way in which the story works out is a bit slow and ambiguous.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5/5
Kiss, Marry, Kill had such an interesting premise that had me hooked; what if that harmless game of Kiss, Marry, Kill actually came true? This book explored how different one's life could be if they made different choices, and how it changes their story today. Following the lives of three best friends on the precipice of launching a revolutionary app, they are suddenly transported into an alternate reality where their Kiss, Marry, Kill game actually happened. This story explores how different friendships, relationships, and entire lives could be if different choices were made. The concept was so interesting, and I was definitely invested in understanding what was happening, however, it was hard to follow the story at times. With time jumps between the past they knew and the altered reality they were in, some events became repetitive when being shown through slightly different points of view. The conclusion also really threw me off and left me with more questions than answers. Overall, I enjoyed the concept of this story and the underlying messaging, however, the execution left a little more to be desired for me.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!
Kiss, Marry, Kill had such an interesting premise that had me hooked; what if that harmless game of Kiss, Marry, Kill actually came true? This book explored how different one's life could be if they made different choices, and how it changes their story today. Following the lives of three best friends on the precipice of launching a revolutionary app, they are suddenly transported into an alternate reality where their Kiss, Marry, Kill game actually happened. This story explores how different friendships, relationships, and entire lives could be if different choices were made. The concept was so interesting, and I was definitely invested in understanding what was happening, however, it was hard to follow the story at times. With time jumps between the past they knew and the altered reality they were in, some events became repetitive when being shown through slightly different points of view. The conclusion also really threw me off and left me with more questions than answers. Overall, I enjoyed the concept of this story and the underlying messaging, however, the execution left a little more to be desired for me.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story explored a really interesting plot that I haven’t seen before. Mallory, Ilena, and Aubrey are the three founders of a social app that rewards mundane tasks (which I found fascinating), who play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill at a company outing, and wake up living new lives with the choices they made during the game. One of them kisses someone, one of them marries someone, and one of them wakes up to a dead body. While I found the concept of this book intriguing and clever, the execution fell flat for me. We are constantly being taken back and forth through time and universes, and perspectives between characters starts to get really muddy really fast. I started to skim a bit at around 50% through because I felt like there wasn’t much movement to the story and I felt lost. While secrets started to unfold a bit toward the last 25% of the book, it almost became more confusing. The characters were hard to follow, weren’t very likable, and didn’t feel like they were fully fleshed out as they could have been. I’m not fully sure I understand the ending at all and have a lot of mixed feelings. This book is all about choices, and while I appreciate what it was trying to do, I am not sure it hit the mark for me.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book had so much potential but for me, it fell flat.
Kiss, Marry, Kill is the story of 3 best friends and co-founders of an app that play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill one night. After playing, they all fall asleep and wake up in a new reality. In this reality, their fates are based on the choices they made in the game.
While the concept was very interesting, I did not enjoy the writing style for the story. IMO, switching between timelines and perspectives should have been easy (or at least easy-ish) to follow but not in this. It became very difficult for me to tell when timelines changed and reality perspectives switched. I should have been able to see changes between it all as the story continued but I didn't see it.
I always felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle when we switched. The blurb just didn't match what I thought this story was going to be.
Very interesting concept...
Definitely has potential...
It just didn't click for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for the ARC. My thoughts are my own, shaped by the story and given of my own accord.
Kiss, Marry, Kill is the story of 3 best friends and co-founders of an app that play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill one night. After playing, they all fall asleep and wake up in a new reality. In this reality, their fates are based on the choices they made in the game.
While the concept was very interesting, I did not enjoy the writing style for the story. IMO, switching between timelines and perspectives should have been easy (or at least easy-ish) to follow but not in this. It became very difficult for me to tell when timelines changed and reality perspectives switched. I should have been able to see changes between it all as the story continued but I didn't see it.
I always felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle when we switched. The blurb just didn't match what I thought this story was going to be.
Very interesting concept...
Definitely has potential...
It just didn't click for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for the ARC. My thoughts are my own, shaped by the story and given of my own accord.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel is so much fun to read! For anyone who loves to read contemporary fiction with a magical twist, check out KISS, MARRY, KILL. The three co-founders of a massively successful wellness app play the old “Kiss (or the other word), marry, kill” game at a company party and the next morning awaken to find that all those things have become reality.
The story is told from all three women’s perspectives, with a bit of jumping back in time to show the reader the progression of their friendship and work partnership. I was definitely invested in what was happening and wondering if the MCs would remain trapped in this alternate reality or be able to find their way back to “their” reality. But most of all, this story is intriguing as it makes you wonder about the infinite possibilities your life might have taken and still might take in the future. A lesson to live life to the fullest, wrapped up in a wild fictional ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!
The story is told from all three women’s perspectives, with a bit of jumping back in time to show the reader the progression of their friendship and work partnership. I was definitely invested in what was happening and wondering if the MCs would remain trapped in this alternate reality or be able to find their way back to “their” reality. But most of all, this story is intriguing as it makes you wonder about the infinite possibilities your life might have taken and still might take in the future. A lesson to live life to the fullest, wrapped up in a wild fictional ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book has a sliding door/=multiple timeline plot that was extremely interesting. The story was also very character-driven since each chapter had a different character's POV. I was able to really get to know each character, their motivations, and desires. These three women were extremely ambitious and go-getters which is why their company was a success but was the success authentic? The story explores what they would do to protect their success as well as helped the characters to face some truths about themselves. I also really loved that they all went into the alternate timeline together which is not something that happens in these kinds of novels. I believe that Irene and Audrey had the most growth = I am not sure if Mallory grew or learned anything. The ending was such a shock! There were two twists that I did not see coming at all - I am not sure if they were even all that necessary as the story was strong even without them but they will keep me thinking for awhile. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a thriller based on the game Kiss, Marry, Kill (which up until I read this book didn’t know was party game). The premise was intriguing but the execution was disappointing.
Aubrey Miller, Ilena Cohen and Mallory Latham are three friends who are founders of the wellness app, AIM. While the app has been successful, it has also strained the friends’s relationship. At a party, the three reconnect playing a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill. The next thing they are thrust into an alternate reality where what each said shewould do happened! Now they have to figure what happened, how to get back to “their” reality and what to do with a dead body.
The book alternates between each of the three character’s POV and even moves back and forth in time. This became confusing at times and doesn’t achieve the intended atmospheric suspense. There’s just too much going on in these changes. I also don’t feel a great relationship vibe between the three.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Aubrey Miller, Ilena Cohen and Mallory Latham are three friends who are founders of the wellness app, AIM. While the app has been successful, it has also strained the friends’s relationship. At a party, the three reconnect playing a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill. The next thing they are thrust into an alternate reality where what each said shewould do happened! Now they have to figure what happened, how to get back to “their” reality and what to do with a dead body.
The book alternates between each of the three character’s POV and even moves back and forth in time. This became confusing at times and doesn’t achieve the intended atmospheric suspense. There’s just too much going on in these changes. I also don’t feel a great relationship vibe between the three.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️
Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold
Publish date 4/6/2026
This was fun! I did both the audiobook and ebook for an immersive fun experience! What an interesting book!
Thank you to Netgalley, HTP Books, and HTP Hive for the ALC and the eARC of this book.
I am so glad I listened to the audio of this as I followed along in the ebook. I think it allowed me to really process what was happening. There was a lot of moving parts and a lot of characters to place. The narration was really good and I liked how the narrator tried to have each characters voice change slightly.
The premise of this was super interesting and I was definitely invested right away! Some stuff got a little lost in the nuances of the alternate universe/timeline thing but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I didn’t really love any of the characters but it felt so like drama filled or real housewives that it was like you had to know who did what and what secrets is who keeping.
Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold
Publish date 4/6/2026
This was fun! I did both the audiobook and ebook for an immersive fun experience! What an interesting book!
Thank you to Netgalley, HTP Books, and HTP Hive for the ALC and the eARC of this book.
I am so glad I listened to the audio of this as I followed along in the ebook. I think it allowed me to really process what was happening. There was a lot of moving parts and a lot of characters to place. The narration was really good and I liked how the narrator tried to have each characters voice change slightly.
The premise of this was super interesting and I was definitely invested right away! Some stuff got a little lost in the nuances of the alternate universe/timeline thing but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
I didn’t really love any of the characters but it felt so like drama filled or real housewives that it was like you had to know who did what and what secrets is who keeping.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, I have to say if I had physically read this instead of listening to the audiobook, I think I would have rated it higher. The single narrator for all three POVs made it super confusing. I was constantly trying to figure out who was who and who was talking, which made me feel like I was missing parts of the story. So if you can, definitely pick this one up physically!
That being said, I loved the premise. It’s giving freaky Friday meets romcom/sci-fi thriller, and I was immediately hooked. Imagine you and your best friends (or business partners) are out at a bar with your employees, and you secretly decide to play “Kiss, Marry, Kill” about the men in your lives… but then you wake up the next day and those choices have become your reality.
Chaos.
There were secrets, betrayals, and even a dead body, so it definitely kept things interesting. Overall, it was a wild ride and I really enjoyed it… minus the audiobook confusion.
That being said, I loved the premise. It’s giving freaky Friday meets romcom/sci-fi thriller, and I was immediately hooked. Imagine you and your best friends (or business partners) are out at a bar with your employees, and you secretly decide to play “Kiss, Marry, Kill” about the men in your lives… but then you wake up the next day and those choices have become your reality.
Chaos.
There were secrets, betrayals, and even a dead body, so it definitely kept things interesting. Overall, it was a wild ride and I really enjoyed it… minus the audiobook confusion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Three longtime friends and business partners are thrust into an alternate version of their lives after a game of kiss, marry, kill. A week in a parallel universe has each one discovering the consequences of their past decisions and actions. There are some twists and dark secrets revealed while trying to find a way to get home – and deciding if they even want to…
The only sci-fi aspect here is the parallel universe so it certainly can be targeted to anyone who enjoys drama and mystery.
This book had such great potential. It was an interesting premise, but I don’t think it was super well executed. The storylines were slightly confusing, disconnected and there were a ton of loose ends that were never touched on. For this reason, I also think the ending felt rushed.
It was an entertaining listen full of drama, emotion and intrigue. Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
2.5 stars
The only sci-fi aspect here is the parallel universe so it certainly can be targeted to anyone who enjoys drama and mystery.
This book had such great potential. It was an interesting premise, but I don’t think it was super well executed. The storylines were slightly confusing, disconnected and there were a ton of loose ends that were never touched on. For this reason, I also think the ending felt rushed.
It was an entertaining listen full of drama, emotion and intrigue. Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC!
2.5 stars
November 23, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Kiss, Marry, Kill by Lori Gold!
I genuinely really enjoyed this sci-fi thriller–esque story. Lori Gold delivers a twisty, surreal narrative that blends high-stakes tension with heartfelt character work. The character development was rich and complex, and I loved watching the layers peel back as the story unfolded.
The beginning did feel a bit slow and slightly repetitive, and I found myself drifting at times. But once Part Two hit, I was fully locked in—the pacing ramps up beautifully, and I was on the edge of my seat all the way through the final act.
What really won me over was the exploration of friendship. Seeing the girls navigate an alternate reality and slowly realize what they truly meant to one another added so much emotional weight to the story. Their growth felt genuine, messy, and deeply human.
Overall, this book strikes a great balance between sci-fi suspense and coming-of-age themes. The concept is unique, the execution lands, and I’d absolutely recommend it to readers who love genre-bending stories with heart.
I genuinely really enjoyed this sci-fi thriller–esque story. Lori Gold delivers a twisty, surreal narrative that blends high-stakes tension with heartfelt character work. The character development was rich and complex, and I loved watching the layers peel back as the story unfolded.
The beginning did feel a bit slow and slightly repetitive, and I found myself drifting at times. But once Part Two hit, I was fully locked in—the pacing ramps up beautifully, and I was on the edge of my seat all the way through the final act.
What really won me over was the exploration of friendship. Seeing the girls navigate an alternate reality and slowly realize what they truly meant to one another added so much emotional weight to the story. Their growth felt genuine, messy, and deeply human.
Overall, this book strikes a great balance between sci-fi suspense and coming-of-age themes. The concept is unique, the execution lands, and I’d absolutely recommend it to readers who love genre-bending stories with heart.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Aubrey, Ilena, and Mallory are the masterminds behind AIM, a wellness app that's about to go public for the first time. But when the girls meet at a bar the night before, they play a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill. The next morning, the women wake up in an alternate universe with the guys they picked to kiss, marry, and kill. One has hooked up with a guy, one is married and now pregnant with his baby, and the other man... is dead.
This book was a clever take on Kiss, Marry, Kill meets Freaky Friday, where a game takes them to an alternate universe. While in the alternate universe, the women realize what their lives are actually like at home, and it makes them view life in the actual world, based on their alternate universe. It's a book that makes friends realize what they have in each other, their families, and to not take for granted what they have in the real world.
This book was a clever take on Kiss, Marry, Kill meets Freaky Friday, where a game takes them to an alternate universe. While in the alternate universe, the women realize what their lives are actually like at home, and it makes them view life in the actual world, based on their alternate universe. It's a book that makes friends realize what they have in each other, their families, and to not take for granted what they have in the real world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After a company party the 3 creators of AIM app are drinking and ask the infamous drinking game "Kiss, Marry, Kill" but the rules are each person gets one pick and they have to be at the party. After the last and final answer which is kill, they wake up but things are off. A new timeline of sorts with new choices they made which changes their lives just so slightly.
I thought the book was good up until the end. Either I was not fully attune at the time of finishing the book and slightly distracted or something, but it felt slightly confusing. I felt I didn't get everything answered or felt something was still unresolved for me.
Everything else I felt lines up perfectly and was great for the story and how people's lives can change with different choices and how others wouldn't stay and go back to what they had and correct any issues they realized.
I thought the book was good up until the end. Either I was not fully attune at the time of finishing the book and slightly distracted or something, but it felt slightly confusing. I felt I didn't get everything answered or felt something was still unresolved for me.
Everything else I felt lines up perfectly and was great for the story and how people's lives can change with different choices and how others wouldn't stay and go back to what they had and correct any issues they realized.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I ended up enjoying this one overall, especially the premise and how everything came together by the end. It did take me a little time to fully settle into the story, though the beginning felt a bit fast-paced, and with several characters introduced quickly, it was sometimes hard to keep track, especially while listening to the audiobook.
The final reveal didn’t completely land for me, mainly because one of the characters felt a bit underdeveloped, but I still appreciated how the story wrapped up. I also liked the narrator, though having multiple voices might have made the different perspectives a bit easier to follow.
Overall, this was an engaging story with a strong concept, and with a bit more time spent on character development early on, it would have been an even smoother reading experience for me.
The final reveal didn’t completely land for me, mainly because one of the characters felt a bit underdeveloped, but I still appreciated how the story wrapped up. I also liked the narrator, though having multiple voices might have made the different perspectives a bit easier to follow.
Overall, this was an engaging story with a strong concept, and with a bit more time spent on character development early on, it would have been an even smoother reading experience for me.
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