Robbie McNeil's Hit List

by Brianna Heath

For this hitwoman, curiosity may be killer.

Contract killer Robbie McNeil never asks questions. Her mission is simple. Do the job. Get paid. Get back to running the karaoke bar she co-owns with her queerplatonic partner and fellow contract killer, Dee. And it works... Until their ambitious new theatrical venture breaks the bank.

When a mysterious new client hires Robbie for a hit, she takes the job, even though it's sketchy as hell he won't tell her anything but the target's name. But hey, she didn't build her reputation by being curious, and she desperately needs the cash.

Except something about this new target doesn't add up. When he disappears with no record he ever existed, she chucks her no-questions-asked policy out the window, determined to figure out who this target really is. But the price for asking questions is high and might just cost Robbie everything she holds dear.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller, Queer, Adult, LGBT

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 24, 2026

About the author

Brianna Heath is queer, neurodivergent author who writes books that can be broadly described as “Be Gay, Do Crime.” She aims to put stories out in the world that reflect the lives and experiences of people who often do not see themselves represented in media.

Brianna lives in Northern California with Beau, her rescued border collie/gremlin, who, like her, has absolutely no chill. She can be found on IG as @briannahwrites.

Reviews

[✧*⁠.⁠✧ Jiya ✧*.⁠✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for giving me this ARC!!

Be gay and do crime is the best genre of books, and add in some singing and musicals, amazing read.

This book wasn't quite what I expected in the best way possible! The differences in the way Robbie and Dee go about their hits and their own specific reason to do it that way was so nice. I just wished that we got to know a bit more about Dee and his backstory. Also Robbie's was only really mentioned in passing which meant we got to know about some reasons but a lot of it is definitely unknown.

I loved the dynamic between Robbie and Dee because it's just such a perfect description of friendship. And they both complement each other however are not perfect characters, making them so easy to relate to. The best part is definitely both of them singing together and just that cozyness of them sharing a house together.
Can we also please talk about all the aro rep in this??!!! LOVE LOVE LOVEEE!!

Overall, an amazing book which perfectly blended comedy and just the hit person genre.

[Sam]

Let’s start with the things I liked. I like the characters, they are diverse and have some interesting jobs. I like the queer platonic relationship, great representation. I like how dyslexia is discussed.

Now what I didn’t like so much.
The story is flat and takes too long to get going. For something to say mystery on the cover, I need to feel that more. I was just waiting and waiting for things to happen in this story. The resolution was rather anticlimactic if you’d ask me.

While I see the potential it all just fell a bit too flat for me. It’s a nice change from the fairly standard love stories in the LGBTQ+ books, so I’ll give it extra points on that. (For those looking for a traditional love story, this isn’t your book)

[Maddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC of this book!

Unfortunately, this was really just not for me. The pacing was all over the place, and the story felt like it was just doing… way too much, with every plot and every character. Unnecessary details were expanded on to the point of tedium and… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it felt like… too much representation? In the way that the book felt sort of straight out of 2015 Tumblr posts - a spiritual successor to the mythic “All or Nothing” TV sit-com.

And also to the point where the characters sort of seemed to be built upon their sexuality and gender, rather than being whole unique individuals where their identities are only part of who they are.

And, I dunno, some parts of it just felt sort of tone-deaf in the current climate. Where the multi-millionaire politician who got his start with insider trading and turned to politics later in life is actually a kind gentle ally who loves the arts! No, no, he’s one of the GOOD absurdly rich men! He likes gay people and theatre!!!!!!

I dunno. This one took me a long time to push my way through. I don’t believe this was advertised as being a YA novel; but in a lot of ways I think it’s better suited to being that. I think some adjustments and editing would need to be made to suit that, but it might help make a more suited novel.

[alex]

DNF @ 22%

This book was not for me for a variety of reasons, namely that the side ventures the characters had going on were things I really don’t like personally (karaoke and especially musical theatre) so it felt tedious to read about them managing those aspects, but that’s obviously just my preference.
Another main issue I had was that the way their jobs as contact killers were handled (or moreso, not addressed in any depth at all, just declaring that Robbie was so good at her job because she “doesn’t ask questions”) was disappointing to me. I expected more moral examination and dialogue around the idea of killing someone simply because a person with enough money has requested it, regardless of if the target did anything to warrant it. Instead, what I got was somehow this book trying to just look past this or ignore it completely, if not play it down, and that was not what I personally wanted from the story.

[Jessica Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book it was hard to get my attention and captivate me. But by chapter 7 I was fully committed. The biggest downside of this book was I had the story figured out by chapter 13. I kinda knew where it was headed before that but I had it totally figured out and was dead set on my prediction. I ended up right which I didn’t love. There’s 29 chapters 30 of you count CODA at the end. So that was a bit of a let down to know the ending before I actually made it there. It was a good story though with a good happy ending. A good pro LGBTQ mystery. I just wish the cliffhangers were a bit more exciting with some deeper twists and turns.

[Pattyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Robbie Mcneils Hit List. Two women who are partners in several ventures including being Hit “women”. They also run a bar and are close friends.
Taking on hits is no big deal. It’s a job. But things go south when a hit does t go as planned and to get to the bottom of this they get more than they bargained for and more!
There is a mix of humor but not much suspense. Good novel but not one I expected to read. 3 stars.

[Vish · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Robbie McNeil’s Hitlist* by Brianna Heath was a ride that definitely had me hooked at points. As the mystery unraveled, I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to see where it was all headed. The tension and reveals were strong enough to keep me invested, and as a thriller/mystery fan, I appreciated the dark tone and the twists scattered throughout.

That said, the pacing didn’t always land for me. Certain sections dragged on longer than needed, while other moments that could’ve used more detail felt rushed past too quickly. Because of this, some of the suspense lost its punch, and I wasn’t as gripped in the middle as I hoped to be.

Still, despite those flaws, I did enjoy my time with the book. It’s not a perfect thriller, but it delivered enough intrigue to keep me reading through to the end. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy fast, twisty mysteries and don’t mind some uneven pacing along the way.

overall a fun read to pass time.

[Florence Chien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: Brianna is good friend of mine and I'm in the acknowledgement of this book. That's reason enough for you to think I'm inflating my review because, after all, who wants to piss off a friend? But no, truly, Robbie McNeil's Hit List is among my top 3 reads this year and I really want this book to reach its target audience, so here are my honest thoughts and candid breakdown of what you should expect and why I loved it.

Characters: 10/10. The characters are the highlight. More specifically, the relationships between the characters. The main duo, Robbie and Dee, are queerplatonic partners. Translated into normie speak: They're best buds and literal roommates. They care deeply for each other as good friends should, there's nothing dysfunctional between them, and their relationship doesn't break down over the course of the story as a plot device.

Robbie and Dee's rapport for each other is genuinely heartwarming, especially in this day and age when we're all drowning in toxic positivity and social acceptance anxieties. The duo is an exemplary showcase of what a wholesome friendship should be, one that's built upon trust, respect, mutual care, and a truly unbreakable bond. And the best part? A resounding reminder that, yes, we are capable of finding joy in genuine human relationships that doesn't end in sex. Truly, if you don't come out of this book feeling that Robbie and Dee's friendship is a role model which we should all strive for, then idk, I guess maybe you should consider not having friends. 🤷

Prose: 10/10. Super accessibly written. The prose never gets in the way of the storytelling and the narrator's voice, which makes the book super easy to immerse in.

Style: 10/10. Halfway through the book, I said to Brianna somewhat jokingly that if I were to blurb this book, it would say: "Robbie's zero fucks given attitude is perfect for people who has zero fucks left to give." I still stand by it, though I suppose that joke is somewhat inaccurate. Robbie has, in fact, a lot of fucks to give (and that's kinda the cause of all her problems, actually), but those fucks are given very bluntly. This book is intentionally light-hearted and humorous, but the style is very specific. Robbie is sarcastic and deadpan, and all her quips are pointblank and dry-wit. Basically, she's an American character in an American setting delivering some very British humour. If you're like me and that sort of comedy is your cup of tea (pun intended), then you'll have a great time here.

Plot: 9/10. Yes, it's a mystery. Yes, it's a thriller. But no, do not expect Agatha Christie type of piecing clues together, and do not expect Mission Impossible style of seat-edge suspense. Expect a medium-pace, slice-of-life story of a contract killer juggling the ordinary logistical problems of her unique profession, rather than a "bigger than life" hit person plunged into a Hollywood plotline.

I can't stress this enough. This is a lighthearted story about how ordinary a contract killer's life can be. Yes, Robbie is hired to take out a hit. Yes, she runs into high-stake problems. Yes, fucking up will put in jeopardy everything she's ever cared about, but Robbie isn't meant to be John Wick. Contract killing is her profession the same way as your 9-to-5, and she approaches her problems in the manner of an ordinary person--with logic, learned experience, wishful thinking, spiraling, emotional support, and a good amount of trial-and-error. If you came here looking for a hardcore noir, you ain't gonna get it. But if you're into a down-to-earth story of contract killing being approached as a profession like any other and a set of characters who could all be someone you know, who face relatable problems and solve them in ways you can easily resonate with, then you'll be in for a fun and happy ride.

I think the realism and intersectionality is the book's strong suit, but, having read some of the other reviews, it's clearly not up everyone's alley. There is nothing inherently wrong with the plotlines, it's in fact very well executed and concluded, but you need to decide first whether you are the target audience, and whether your expectations align with what the book really is.

There are two plotlines: Robbie's contracted hit going wrong, and the musical Robbie's trying to stage being thrown into limbo. Robbie is just a person like you and I with multiple roles and obligations, other hobbies, and several social circles. None of us are defined solely by our day jobs, and neither is Robbie. So, yes, the contract killing parts are inseparably intertwined with the musical theatre and karaoke bar owner parts of Robbie's life. The plotlines converge toward the climax and are resolved in a satisfying manner that leaves nothing wanting, but whether you'll enjoy the overall structure will depend heavily on this: Are you looking for a borderline inhuman character who has literally nothing in their life outside of contract killing? Or are you interested in a story about a relatable woman with a normal person's life and problems similar to yours and mine, who just happen to also be a contract killer instead of working a deskbound 9-to-5?

(But why did I deduct a point for the plot? Because I like my books to go at 9000mph, but that's an entirely personal preference and not an objective issue with the book.)

In conclusion, should you read this?
Yes, if you value genuine friendships that don't need to end in coitus.
Yes, if you're into sarcastic, deadpan humour.
Yes, if you find enjoyment in unique characters who are also ordinary enough to be just like you and I.
Yes, if you're into nerdy technical details, punk/rock bands, and/or musical theatre.
Yes, if you're looking for a light-hearted, cozy, joyful read.

A kind thank you to Brianna, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sanchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌟3🌟 For a debut novel, I thought this was quite good…for a Mystery/Thriller, however, this fell a bit short for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!

Generally, I thought the representation in this book was a great inclusion. From various gender identities/expressions to sexualities to disabilities, I thought the author did a nice job at including various people that I feel aren’t seen very often in contemporary literature.

A main gripe of mine is the pacing of the book. The narrative, for me, was generally quite slow paced which was at odds with the content of the book - being a literal book about murder and the high stakes that inherently come with being a hitperson (whether that be a hit being successfully carried out on the hitperson themselves or their life being at least gravely endangered). Given what takes place in the book, it felt like the book would have read better if it was slightly faster paced, though it could be that the slow pace of the book is intended to reflect the fact that the events of the book take place over the course of a month (which can be a long time for some). With that being said, some portions of the narrative felt like they got glossed over very quickly while others annoyingly dragged due to information being over-explained unnecessarily.

Additionally, I felt as though tension was dropped in jarring places. There were a few instances where Robbie (and Dee) would concoct a plan as to what to do next to find out more about Xavier or to find the connection between Xavier/Cassie to “Mr. Clark”, and in the subsequent chapter we’d be reading about Robbie’s musical rehearsals or financial trouble she was in due to the musical…which certainly broke the tension and anticipation for further developments in the Xavier/Cassie-Mr. Clark case at hand. It’s possible that the placement of the musical rehearsal chapters was intended to build up more anticipation for what was to come, but unfortunately this just didn’t work for me.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read and I am interested in reading whatever Brianna Heath writes next!

(P.S. I would have loved to know how Alexandria/Cassie/Xavier/X personally identifies in terms of gender. If that’s something they’re still figuring out then that’s perfectly fine, but knowing definitively how they identify (if they themselves even know) would have been nice to have a better understanding of them - I pray this overall sentiment doesn’t at all sound entitled of me.)

TW: Murder, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of Parent (?), Stalking, (Minor Mentions of:) Deadnaming; Injury/Injury Detail; Medical Content

[L. Spierings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil did not kill a single person for the first eighteen years of her life. After that, available records weren’t quite as clear, but all in all, she appeared to have lived a relatively murder-free life.

Robbie and Dee live in a small apartment above the queer karaoke bar they co-own…and are both professional contract killers. Oh, and they’re also producing a musical. What a killer concept! Reading the synopsis alone, I knew I’d follow this book to its final page, which I did…though I do have some notes.

Business owners. Creatives. Killers. They really did look picture-perfect—if you ignored that last part.

First and foremost, I loved Robbie’s character and adored her and Dee’s friendship. Though Robbie reads and writes poorly and counts on her fingers, she’s frighteningly intelligent. Her speciality as a killer is staging accidents—studying a target and setting them up for an unfortunate ending—and it is a craft she has mastered thoroughly.
Dee is an excellent sniper, a wonderful singer, and Robbie’s better half. Though platonically, he is her soulmate, and I’ll go great lengths to read such a heart-warming friendship.

He could make a damn good soufflé, and he could hit a target at one thousand yards. Easy.

Heath had an amazing premise and great characters, the pacing, however, was lacking. Though well-crafted plot twists were sprinkled throughout, the tension often dropped, allowing my attention to waver. For a book on contract killers, there was little action, and I would have enjoyed more focus on crime and mystery and less on the process of their musical.

In a shocking turn of events, Monday was followed by Tuesday, which was followed by Wednesday.

On the other hand, Robbie is sarcastic to the core, setting the tone with cynical humour that made me chuckle. I loved Heath’s writing voice and Robbie’s remarks throughout the narrative.

Robbie opened her mouth to say at least someone cared about Cassie enough to kill her, which was better than no one caring at all, but somehow, she didn’t think Cassie would be cheered by that.

Though it could use some polishing, this book is a humorous mystery with killer characters. I’d love to read more from Heath in the future.
A quick thanks to Netgally, the publisher, and the author for the ARC. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie McNeil has pretty much retired from the professional assassin business. Or at least cut back a lot. She really doesn't have a lot of time for it anymore since she's busy running a lesbian karaoke bar with her bestie and queerplatonic friend Dee. She's also stressed because just as her play is nearly ready for production, the venue becomes unavailable. Needing money for these two ventures, she reluctantly takes on another hit from a shady man who provides her with little information about the intended target. Still, Robbie is a professional, so she soon has the victim in sight. She begins following him in order to decide the best way to stage an "accidental" death. Just as she's ready to strike, the victim disappears. This is bad news because Robbie has already accepted (and spent) half of the fee. How will she locate the target while avoiding becoming a target herself from the angry client? And how can the play go on with no stage? Luckily, Robbie is resourceful and with Dee as a backup, nothing is impossible.

I enjoyed reading about Robbie's adventures. While she's extremely pragmatic about the whole killing thing (mostly due to never asking unnecessary questions or becoming acquainted with the victims), the backstory of how she came to be in this line of work is quite interesting. I enjoyed all of the characters and in-fighting that happened while trying to put together a play!

I received a copy of this book from a GoodReads giveaway.

[Kay Hertz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this just couldn't hold my interest for long reading sessions.

There seemed to be a lot of "OBTWs" thrown in. Character traits that check current trend boxes but don't actually make sense to the character or even contradict earlier statements describing said character. Random toss in information that wasn't needed and didn't add to the story or plot.

The mystery; I kept losing interest... Maybe it was the large gaps in the plot line; we jump back and forth between her 'newest'/first in the book hit, to a side project, to a second hit on the list, to the next shiny side quest thing. Yes, I get in real life folks have ADD (*raises hand*) but that's not how I want to read a book. My mind is usually chaos enough already ( Where did I leave my keys this time? Oh right, the fridge.) I don't want to have to reread a page or a chapter more than once to keep up with the plot of what is marketed as a straight forward fun, romp.

Overall, I had to really push through this one to finish. I really wanted to like this one. I loved the premise, the concept of the plot, but I just couldn't connect with it.

I still want to give my heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heath, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I genuinely hope it connects better with you than it did me.
All opinions are my own.

[Chloe MacDonald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished this book about 2 weeks ago now and to be honest I’ve been putting off writing my review because I don’t want to be mean about the book, but I just did not enjoy it at all.

The premise was promising to me- LGBTQ+, mystery, karaoke and a theatre production? Sign me up. I sadly think the execution fell short. Too many “storylines” which just didn’t fit together. This easily could been three different books depending on which chapter you are reading. The main “murder for hire” plot became totally lost in the rabble of everything else going on round about it. We are also set up to believe that we’re following a top-notch professional hitperson with a military background, only to quickly realise there’s nothing top-notch or professional about how they operate. The military background is just a tidbit and not explored in any way, shape or form.

I agree with another reviewer who states there’s almost an “over-representation” here. Representation in literature is SO important and I love any novel which strives to set itself apart by doing just that. Unfortunately for me, this felt like the author had a checklist of sexual orientations, genders, neurodivergence and disabilities to tick off once it had been covered. Once they had run out of characters to apply these identifies to, it’s as if they started from the top again and began stacking them. This totally took me out of the story as I felt like it genuinely was a tickbox exercise as opposed to true, organic representation. It then takes all these wonderfully diverse and inclusive characters and then puts them at the mercy of a straight, white and privileged male whilst failing to acknowledge the oxymoron there.

I’m sure there’s a target audience for this book out there, and I’m sad it wasn’t me as it did really sound like something I should’ve enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Brianna Heath for granting access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Joy Pitcairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, jazz-hands-worthy read!

Robbie McNeil's Hit List is a really sharp, entertaining mystery, and the blend of murder and music really worked for me.
Robbie and Dee are the loveliest contract killers I've ever met, and I enjoyed the chemistry the characters brought to the page. I loved Brianna Heath's wry, insightful voice, and I actually underlined several standout lines that made me laugh (which isn't something I typically do!). The reveals were fun and well earned, and I walked away from this story smiling. I can't wait to put this on my shelf!

One small thing that surprised me: there was less murder in the story than I expected, and the story had a lighter tone overall than many mysteries/thrillers I read. That said, I liked the change of pace, and I was truly impressed with how well Heath orchestrated the "let's-put-on-a-musical" and "contract-killers-r-us" plot mashup.

I'll definitely be picking up Heath's next project when it comes around!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Kim Tozzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC read!

At first, Robbie McNeil’s Hit List started out as a bit of a slow burn for me. I wasn’t immediately hooked in the opening chapters. But once I got a few chapters in, I realized Brianna Heath was simply laying the groundwork for something much bigger. And once it took off, it really took off.

The pacing picked up quickly, and I found myself turning pages just to see what the next twist would bring. Every time I thought I had it all figured out every time I was sure I had nailed the ending or uncovered the truth. I was wrong. And honestly, that’s one of the best feelings as a reader: when an author can outsmart you and keep you second-guessing right up until the last page.

What stood out most to me was how cleverly the tension was built, layer by layer. The story never felt predictable once it hit its stride, and I appreciated the way Heath kept shifting the narrative just enough to keep me engaged and on edge.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

To start with, I adore this book. Assassins, queer people, show tunes, mysteries, and even a play list. Perfection!

Robbie McNeil and her queer platonic partner are killers for higher. If you're looking for an in depth look at the morality of murder for hire, you won't find it here. Murder is mostly incidental. They also co-own a lesbian karaoke bar and are putting on a musical.

If there's such a thing as cozy assassins, this is it. The protagonist and her partner are downright hilarious and adorable in equal measure.

This murder for hire book comes with a side of a mystery to be solved, with clues sprinkled all around.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy queer protagonists, cozy crime, musical theater, and mystery novels.

This is the author's debut novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her in the near future.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Robbie McNeil’s Hit List just didn’t land for me. It took me a lot longer to get through than my usual reads, and I struggled to stay invested. The pacing dragged in places, and while there were moments of intrigue early on, the suspense never really built in a satisfying way.

The initial mystery had potential, but the outcome became obvious far too soon, which left the later twists feeling flat. The characters also never felt fully developed, so I didn’t feel much connection to them, and the humour often felt crowbarred in rather than natural. For something billed as a thriller, it didn’t deliver the level of tension or surprise I was hoping for.

Overall, this wasn’t a terrible read, but it wasn’t gripping either. I wanted more depth in the characters, a tighter pace, and twists that weren’t so easy to see coming.

Overall 2.5 stars rounded up.

[Lisa Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robbie, along with her queer-platonic partner Dee, are contract killers. It's really simple; do the job, don't ask questions, and don't get messy.
Robbie and Dee were originally hired by James as contract killers who decided to go solo. They are now co-owners of a queer karaoke bar and working on their first musical.
Robbie is hired to kill Xavier, and for the first time, she gets curious about the subject.
For contract killers, Robbie and Dee keep that separate from their everyday lives. They are both clever. Throw some twists and keep you guessing what's coming next.
This book is great for anyone who likes cozy crime and mystery novels.
Thank you, NetGalley Poisoned Pen Press and Breanna Heath, for providing this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this in a goodreads giveaway and this is an honest review


I really really wanted to love this one. The premise is right up my alley, but it just wasn’t for me. The main storyline was interesting but I was so uninterested in the musical storyline, which took up a large portion of the book. It felt like a totally separate story and made the pacing awkward and slow. I’d rather the book have focused on Robbie’s job as a hit woman, which it felt like it glossed over. I also felt like Robbie and Dee made some pretty unprofessional moves when they were described to be these highly skilled hit people. The ending was also anticlimactic. Hopefully it lands better for others!

[Gretal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up because I found the concept super fun and interesting, but unfortunately it was very disappointing. From the very first chapter, I knew the writing was very much not for me, but I persisted. Alas, I have to say, for a book about an aromantic lesbian contract killer and her transmasc lesbian queerplatonic partner (also a contract killer), it felt very establishment. People, including the author, have pitched this as Be Gay Do Crime, and while that is technically correct, unfortunately the crime also just felt rather establishment. Just disappointing all around.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read where the Main Character is a contract killer. I loved Robbie and Dee's queer-platonic friendship. They are so supportive of one another and clearly do get each other.

⟢ LGBTQIA+ Representation
⟢ Supportive Friendship
⟢ Mystery
⟢ Contract Killer MC
⟢ Music
⟢ A Theater Play

I would definitely be open to reading more from this author as I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun read that had twists and turns. While I did see some of the twists coming, it was still enjoyable to read it play out in the story.

[Skye]

thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for the arc!

unfortunately I dnf this novel at 32%. karaoke/musicals etc are not my vibe and I really struggled to connect with any characters in the book. from what I read so far I felt there was a lot of filler and stretched out stories that didnt feel valuable to the plot. the thriller/mystery was almost completely lacking for me. due to dnfing the book I cannot in good conscience leave a star rating.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected before reading, but I Ioved Robbie McNeill’s Hit List. If you want a lighthearted, mysteryish, friendship based novel it’s a great choice.

Robbie- contract killer, bar owner, great friend, musician - sees all parts of her life come together when she fails to deliver a hit she had a month to get done.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenna Satterthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, twisty, but also somehow soft? with characters you fall in love with and would kill for, even as they're up to various shenanigans?? an utterly satisfying, super original book that I read in 24 hours because I legit could not put it down. I never knew that contract killers could be so darn lovable and have my entire heart but here we are.

[Brittany Boudreau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I appreciate the different inclusions that were added in this book I just feel like too much was going on at once. While this is categorized as a mystery or thriller it fell flat for me. The pacing was also slow in some areas that was really hard for me to continue on.

[Jennifer Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clever, entertaining book. A quarter or the way thru I thought I had it all figured out & I was so wrong. A wild roller coaster ride following the two main characters who you almost cannot help but fall in love with. Lots of action & a little fun all at the same time.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Literal embodiment of ‘be gay do crimes.’ The casual representation is what should be incorporated in novels looking for diversity. This debut definitely could be the next hit LGBTQ novel!

[Eldoradoeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters captured my imagination, and I couldn't put this pre-read down until I had completed it. The storyline kept me smiling and enjoying their capers.

[Trisha]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Mae B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up to 4