So My Ex-Boyfriend is a Serial Killer

by Kylie Scott

Love can be murder, especially when your ex is a serial killer. Don’t miss this spicy new romantic suspense by New York Times, USA Today and Audible bestselling author Kylie Scott!

Nothing prepared Sidney Walsh for the awkwardness of having unknowingly dated an infamous killer. She’s doing her best to move on after her ex got dragged off to jail. If only online amateur investigators, his creepy fans and a particularly belligerent cop would leave her alone. Her social life might be quiet, what with having few friends and the neighbors wanting nothing to do with her. But at least it’s safe. That is until tattooed chef and all-round thirst trap, Noah, moves in next door.

Now Sidney is being asked on dates for the first time in forever, and feeling a dangerous mix of soul-deep connection and red-hot desire. But the darkest moments of her life come crashing back when her ex decides he has unfinished business…her. Will she and Noah make it out alive, and can their love withstand the nightmare of her past?

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller, Contemporary

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2025

About the author

Kylie is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling, Audie Award winning Romance author.

Reviews

[Alessandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what the focus of this story was. Was it a romcom? No. Thriller? No. Crime drama? No. Cosy mystery? No.

Things happened. The end.

[LexiLikesLiterature · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring with a side of dull 😑

You may be thinking, "Could a book about a serial killer really be boring?"

The answer is YES!!!

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Surprisingly good. There are def some parts that felt over dramatized and unrealistic in terms of how people were treating the heroine. However, I thought there was an eerie feeling of reality when it came to the podcasters and the true crime amateur detectives. I was a little skeptical of the whole thing in the beginning but the audiobook drew me in and I couldn’t stop listening until the end. This is an audible original so it’s free for anyone that is subscribed to Audible.

Safe

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 3.75 stars rounded to 4. Narration 5 stars.
I didn’t know this book existed until a couple of days ago. I found it on Audible for free and started listening the same day. And yes, I’m a fan of the author and have been for years. Unfortunately, I found I couldn’t give it a full 4 stars as there were a few things that didn’t sit right with me.

You never really think about the people in a serial killer’s life being left to receive all the hate after the killer has been caught or killed. This is the story of a woman(Sidney)who dated a guy when she was 19. He’s in jail for manslaughter and gets his kicks harassing her and causing the public to think she was the real killer. It’s been 10 years. She and her two friends have taken it upon themselves to try and find the bodies of other woman he killed-ones that the police have never thought he did. He used to take her on long hikes and that’s where they are searching. But now a major podcast show has come to town to try and blame it on her. Her new next door neighbor is Noah and he’s a good guy. I liked the main characters and her friends. I especially liked the little dog that adopts her during the story. Although, what kind a dog that adores his owner sleeps downstairs instead of up with his owner? I didn’t buy that part for a minute. The story was good but not as deep as I feel it should have been while dealing with a serial killer. It wasn’t funny or anything like that. People get killed as well. Sidney is scared and upset but not as upset as most would be during some of the worse scenes. She’s more into falling in love with her neighbor. I mean, it is a romantic suspense story, I just thought it should be more real. If that makes sense. I’d be running for the hills but she stays. I guess we wouldn’t have a story if she didn’t. It was pretty underwhelming and maybe a twist or something would have helped. Having said all that, I did enjoy the listen and don’t feel like I wasted my time at all. And after all was said and done, I really enjoyed the romance. Recommended to adult romance readers.

[Shannon Ferguson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ughhhhhhhhhh. This book was infuriating. Interesting premise. Slow start. Clunky delivery. It was essentially a woman obsessing over her trauma for a decade, making really poor decisions, and interfering in police investigations for the whole book — and she brings her new boyfriend along. What a train wreck.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

Enjoyed this true crime style thriller with a side of romance.

[Lauren Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing in spite of traumatic experiences & relationships. I loved the therapy & psychology speak! Insider true crime vibes. This was a fun read! I really enjoyed it! Very light on the darker elements.

[Delicate Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything was fine but Noah’s investment didn’t seem realistic. I like my romance more central and neither the crime nor the romance seemed good enough to outshine the other. But the point of view from the survivor and survivors guilt was the most interesting part of the story so I gave it three stars.

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I was listening to a different Kylie Scott audiobook, but this one came out on audio before it will be available as a paperback or e-book, so I jumped on the chance. It was also a free listen on Audible too. You probably know I don’t read a ton of romantic suspense books, but Kylie Scott’s books usually have the humor and characters that I enjoy just about any type of story she writes. And this one was no exception to that trend for me.

While my brain kept thinking of all the twists that could be coming, the new guy wasn’t who he said he was, her true crime loving friends “helping” her figure out where her ex might have buried other bodies maybe were in it for more. I did kind of see one twist coming when something about the phone being face down during a conversation was mentioned. But other than that, no twists for the people that were friends and new love were to be found. Sorry to spoil that for you!

However, the ex was definitely a creep and he played into pretty much all the drama we got. Between threatening her with letters and phone calls, his latest girlfriend coming and stalking Sidney, and even those people out there who believed he was innocent and that Sidney was actually the killer. There was a lot of tense moments and suspense for sure with all of that. There was a cute dog that showed up and became her pet. Her new guy, Noah, was a winner for sure, even if he did have a totally understandable moment at first of stepping back when he found out about her history.

This was a quick listen at only about 6 hours, and I definitely recommend it!

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.

[Xandriaaa 🌙🦇 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. I kept thinking there was gonna be some big twist and she was gonna be actually guilty of something but no. Would have been more interesting. Liked the love story though.

[Jada Reads Horror · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somehow….nothing….really….happened……….

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So My Ex-Boyfriend Is a Serial Killer has all the fun, tension, and fast pacing you'd expect from a Kylie Scott book. It’s a mix of suspense and romance that’s super easy to get into and hard to put down.

I really appreciated the use of gender-neutral language here and there. It wasn’t overdone, just a nice touch that made the story feel modern and inclusive.

Noah was a bit of a surprise. If you’ve read Kylie Scott before, you’ll know she mostly writes rock stars, tattooists, and actors. The bold, larger-than-life types. But Noah’s different. He’s not flashy or sarcastic or full of ego. He’s calm, kind, emotionally mature, and knows how to communicate. It was a nice change of pace.

Sidney also isn’t the typical snarky, fast-talking heroine you might expect. She’s been through a lot, and even though she’s more reserved, she still feels strong and capable. Her trauma doesn’t define her, and she comes across as a fully fleshed-out character with depth.

I love how the book leans into the current trend of serial killer romances, but with a smart twist. Lately, a lot of these stories make the killer the love interest and tend to be on the darker side. This one flips the idea completely. The killer’s part of the backstory, but the real focus is on what happens after. The trauma, the fear, the rebuilding, all while being a pariah. You still get the suspense and edge of the genre, but with a lighthearted touch. It feels fresh and a bit more grounded.

I think it reads better than it listens. The audiobook was okay, but the narrator’s tone didn’t always match the mood of the scene, which threw me off a little.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. It’s different from Kylie Scott’s usual vibe, but in a good way. If you like romantic suspense with a twist and characters who feel real, definitely check this one out.

[Kourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kylie Scott is my favorite author! Whether it's rockstar romance, found families in a gritty dive bar, or even post-apocalyptic love stories, she never fails to deliver. No matter the setting or genre, her stories are always grounded in rich, relatable characters that stay with you long after the last page. A quick little must-read, So My Ex-Boyfriend is a Serial Killer has strong characters with a dark past and a unique story with a slow-burn romance. Definitely this is one to add to your queue! To add, after a second read, I liked it even more now that I am less apprehensive of the characters. When you read a book about someone who survived a serial killer, you find yourself not trusting the characters and anticipate a twist. This book was refreshing.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah was the GREENEST FLAG AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I honestly loved this so much it was so fun

[Jenna Elizabeth ×͜× · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is technically 3.5 ⭐️ but GR doesn’t have a half star option so. This one has an interesting concept. I really like that there is a happy ending at the end. However I don’t know if this is me reading too much into it but the main character’s first name being Sidney (same spelling and name as the main character from the Scream franchise) seems a little cliche to me. Overall I enjoyed this book but wish the character had a name that didn’t already directly correlate to a slasher film final girl already.

[Naomi Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually listened to this and while the narrator did an amazing job. This was more of a just waiting for it to happen book ? like you expected it all and there was just information in between . The main character had great humor and was really good at holding her own throughout all the crap she had to deal with .

[Lorena U. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars.

[book of august · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise, but didn't deliver much in terms of thrills.

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to say I didn't enjoy this one at all. I don't know what this book is supposed to be about. Is it a romance? Because if it is, it was so underdeveloped. Is it a mystery? If so, that was lacklustre. I know Kylie Scott can write a better story than this. This one felt like a book written in a rush, with no care for its storytelling or its intention. I am very disappointed.

But maybe that's my problem? I dunno.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a single twist! I really thought something other than what we already knew would be revealed at the end

[Kathleen Lanman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the way Kylie Scott’s characters have open communication and don’t break up for stupid reasons, and this book has those elements. Unfortunately, the plot was the weak spot here. I love the premise, but the FMC makes the worst possible decision at every point.

She puts up with being the town pariah and literally accused of multiple murders for TEN YEARS for what? She didn’t want to tell her side of the story but got butthurt when people listened to her ex’s bs side of the story. At one point she thinks it would be nice to talk to other people who survived trauma but then is all like, “ooh, I suck at making friends!” WHAT? Support groups aren’t casual social events! And she has multiple close friends!

I found it odd and unbelievable that there was enough evidence to convict him of killing one of his victims, but somehow it was considered manslaughter and seemingly most of the world believes he was somehow influenced into killing by a 19-year-old girl? And what about being caught in the act of attempted murder of that girl makes them think she had power over him? It just doesn’t make sense.

Overall not bad but the plot holes were distracting.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dating a guy who killed a few people WHILE you were dating is a tough gig. Despite the fact that she knew nothing about what her now-ex was doing, there are plenty of people who think she was involved in one way or another. Thanks to this, in the ten years since he was caught, Sidney's life has stagnated. She has few friends (because none of the ones from before stuck around when the arrest went down), doesn't go out in public much (since, you know, she gets noticed and not in a good way), and she's wary about trusting anyone outside her small circle of friends (understandable since her first boyfriend is now a convicted killer).

Then her next door neighbor moves in and he's tempting. Too tempting. Sidney doesn't hold out much hope that he'll be able to see past her past, but Noah surprises her. Sure, sure, he had to get used to the idea of what happened first, but he got there. Eventually.

As Sidney and Noah get to know one another (and then some), Sidney works on trying to figure out where her ex might have hid other bodies (he was only convicted for one murder, but she's pretty sure he committed far more than that). Throw in some complicated family dynamics, a podcast that is 100% sure her ex is innocent (and Sidney is somehow the mastermind behind anything that happened), and an ex who might not like that she's possibly moving on.

Yeah, Sidney's got a lot going on, but she's determined to find out the truth. And if she happens to fall for her sexy next door neighbor and he's willing to weather the storm with her, well, SO BE IT.

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Nivia Suresh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into So My Ex-Boyfriend Is a Serial Killer with high hopes because the premise sounded intriguing and promised suspense and twists. Unfortunately, the story ended up feeling fairly boring and didn’t live up to its potential.

While the concept of dealing with the aftermath of dating a serial killer is interesting, the execution fell flat for me. I kept expecting a big reveal or a surprising twist involving one of the characters, but it never came. The plot was predictable, and the tension I hoped for just wasn’t there. By the end, it felt like the story wrapped up too neatly without delivering the suspense or shock the premise suggested.

Overall, this audiobook was easy enough to listen to, but it didn’t hold my attention the way I expected. What could have been a gripping, twisty story ended up being underwhelming and forgettable.

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sidney Walsh couldn’t wait for life to quiet down after her now serial Unaliver ex went to jail 10 years ago but some people just can’t forget. When her new neighbor Noah takes interest she is cautious but also thinks that a normal guy finally is interested and maybe she can move on…but her ex isn’t ready to let her go just yet. This is a slow telling story of a woman trying to move on from her past. I didn’t know what to expect going in but I was hoping for more suspense maybe with this title however it does pick up close to the end. Noah is sweet and tries to help Sidney find the evidence to keep her ex behind bars. Will
It be enough? Told in first person and Sidney’s POV.

[Lanie J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. The story follows a girl who has a serial killer ex boyfriend…are you surprised? It wasn’t a long book, but it was still easy to get invested in the characters and plot. This author is new to me but the characters were fantastic and the story had a great pace. Obviously there were some parts that felt a little dramatic, but most books are. I think the podcasters and canceling of people was pretty accurate. There was definitely room for her to do more with this, but I still enjoyed it. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Vivien Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for love!

I have to say this book is more than a five star read for me! Kylie Scott knows how to write a book you can't put down, keeping you entertained from start to finish! Sydney hides herself away from the world, after her ex turned out to be a serial killer! She works at a job that allows her to stay home and in her spare time, she tried to remember where he took her when they went hiking so that she can find the bodies of his victims. When Noah moves in next door, her hermit life starts to change and she allows herself to start to live again. Can she have a normal life or will her ex continue to ruin it? The chemistry between Sydney and Noah is hot and the way he treats her is beautiful. Add in the suspense of a stalker plus her ex and you've a read that ticks all boxes, including the weird ones!

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine.. I wish it was a little more focused on either the true crime or the romance because the mix of them lost something for me. I really wanted to love it and it just fell a little flat, but it was a really quick read.

[Sharon ∞❥ is an emotional book junkie ❥∞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️'s

So, this was an interesting spin on having a boyfriend as a serial killer. In my mind, I had a different scenario but this is pretty much exactly what the title says.

I felt bad for Sidney. She went through a lot but thankfully Noah (and Auggie) shows up. I loved how protective Noah was and I loved everything Sidney finally experienced. And Auggie...well, he was perfect!

That ending was pretty intense but the wrap up was sweet (thank goodness).

[Wyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

I feel bad giving this such a low rating but I genuinely hated it. It was boring and I feel like nothing happened. The FMC was so insufferable and the plot was all over the place. Sadly just not for me.

[Elin Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I the title So My Ex-Boyfriend is a serial killer was a quirky title. this book was more of a thriller romance than a rom com but I enjoyed every second. Sidney's story felt realistic for someone who survived something terrible.