She hunts killers. He is one. Opposites attract has never been so literal.Crime journalist Oakley Novak has built her career exposing Boston’s darkest secrets, but she never expected a serial killer to turn the tables and stalk her.
Xander Rhodes spent weeks watching her through hidden cameras, captivated by her sharp mind and relentless drive, until she catches him red-handed and, instead of running, challenges him with a glare that could melt steel. Xander’s either found his soulmate or lost his damn mind. Probably both.
When Oakley recruits him for her revenge plan against the man who murdered her parents, their partnership shatters every rule of Xander's secret murder society. Now they're being hunted by both sides—the law and the shadows—while racing against time to take down the untouchable enemy who took everything from her.
If you’re obsessed with dark romance laced with wicked humor, serial killers with a knack for banter, and heroines who wield wit as sharply as weapons, this sinful story will carve its way into your soul.
This was a fun little read. I loved quirky Xander and candy obsessed Oakley. There is banter, wit, and a whole lot of Oakley sass in this book. Definitely enjoyed and will be adding to my shelf.
Reading the content warning of this book felt like reading the ingredients of a fine wine while I “umm” and “ahh” deciding if it was for me. 😆 Honestly, I just love a well-done warning page—it really warms my heart (which might say something about me, but let’s not look too closely at that 🤭).
From the very first page, I was completely hooked—pulled into the story at breakneck speed, ready to inhale the book like my life depended on it. What got me first? Xander. His hilarious banter and inner thoughts had me laughing so hard I cried. He was so damn funny, witty, and just an absolute riot.
If this book is a parade of red flags, then call me color blind because all I saw were green ones. 💚 How do you take a walking, talking killer and give me cinnamon bun vibes?! It's unfair. I probably need medical help for how hard I fell for him.
What genuinely shocked me was how rich the story was. This wasn’t just “spice, spice, baby.” Nope—this book had structure, depth, and detail. It didn’t feel bloated or confusing, either. The female lead had layers, her actions made sense, and everything tied together beautifully. Major A+ for that. 👏
The supporting characters were also well developed, likable (or hateable), and vivid. Though the book wasn’t long, it felt so full—like it was bigger than it really was. It packed in action, darkness, humor, and heat, blending everything I love into one story. The humor really balanced out the dark themes and made the whole ride even more enjoyable.
And THE ENDING. My heart was in my mouth. I was freaking out. It was absolutely spectacular! 🖤
As for the spice... oh my gods. The scenes were open-door, descriptive, and definitely not for vanilla readers. But the spice never overshadowed the story. And that’s something I really appreciated. I love spice, but I need a full meal—not just sugary snacks. This book delivered both. 🔥
Would you recommend this book? OH YES. If you enjoyed The Ruinous Love Trilogy or Lights Out, this book is 100% your vibe.
Would you reread this book? Also yes. Without a doubt.
How would you sum it up? Dark, sexy, and laugh-out-loud funny—with a rich story and spice that doesn’t quit.
Okay, this one gave major Josh vibes from Lights out and I was here for it! This book was beyond perfect. I loved every. Single. Character. All the side characters were also perfect so I hope they all get their own stories. They were all the perfect mix of funny, dramatic, and a little deranged.
I don’t have a single negative thing to say. I was in love from the first sentence and then Xander dragged me along for the ride, kicking and screaming. But in the best way! 🤭
Also I am obsessed with her candy obsession. It makes me feel seen and I love that is coded base on what’s happening or the crisis level. It’s fantastic. Made me want to have my own stash 😂.
This book just made me think if Butcher and Blackbird and Lights Out had a baby, this would be it. I will recommending this book to every person I come across. Also give yourself a little treat and get the audio as well. For me please. 🙏🏻
This was either written by an author who never bothered to read or remember what they had already written and had no editor to tell them just how inconsistent and full of holes their work was, or it's AI. Made it to 44%. Interesting premise, terrible execution.
Definitely recommend the audiobook on this one.. big fan of Anthony Palmini. Grab something to munch on if you have a sweet tooth, because the candy obsession is real 🍭
I absolutely 5 star loved this book at first. I really enjoyed the narration, the banter was top notch, and the side characters were very entertaining. I was laughing out loud and excited to keep going. This kind of gave me Tourist Season and Ruinous Love Trilogy vibes.
Then… it just dragged on a bit too long for me. I lost interest, and by 80% it started to feel like a chore to finish (I might have considered dnfing) 😬
All of this being said, it was still a fun read overall, and the author made the side characters interesting enough that I am sure I will check out the audio for book two.
The balance between plot and smut felt a little off for me (too much smut compared to the intrigue, in my opinion). That being said, I really enjoyed the characters, and the storyline itself was interesting and well put together. And honestly… I’d let Xander stalk me anytime. 😉
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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X Marks the Stalker – K.N. Wilder ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)
La balance entre l’intrigue et le smut m’a semblé un peu déséquilibrée (trop de smut par rapport à l’histoire, à mon goût). Cela dit, j’ai beaucoup aimé les personnages, et l’intrigue en elle-même était intéressante et bien ficelée. Et franchement… je laisserais Xander me stalker n’importe quand. 😉
⭐️ Tropes Serial Killer Romance Secret Society Dark Humour & Sharp Banter 💖 What I Loved It had you from the very first paragraph — instant engagement, no slow build, just straight into the good stuff. The banter and dark humour hit perfectly — that balance of tension and wit you love. The vibes — a perfect blend of Butcher & Blackbird, Scythe & Sparrow, and Lights Out had a baby. The secret society of serial killers — intriguing, chaotic, and begging for more books. 🙃 What I Didn’t Love Nothing - it worked for me!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was an absolute riot. It struck a really good balance between smut and comedy. Yes, it was a little cliché, but it was written well enough that it never tipped into being completely vomit-inducing. I think the humour really helped here. The story never took itself too seriously and that made the whole thing far more enjoyable.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the characters. Usually I end up having serious issues with one, if not both, of the MCs, but I actually enjoyed them both. The whole sweet-eating thing did grate on me a bit, but not enough to spoil the experience.
I also found myself feeling oddly connected to the serial killers, very Dexter-esque. You know you shouldn’t be rooting for them… and yet here we are. Overall, this was a great read and I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.
This book is a masterclass in how to balance blood, banter, and a serious candy addiction.
Oakley Novak isn’t just a crime journalist—she’s a hurricane in red lipstick with a sweet tooth and a death wish. Her obsession with candy is only rivaled by her obsession with justice… and a darkly magnetic serial killer she catches spying on her. Xander Rhodes is dangerous, deadly, and inconveniently hot. What starts as a hunt becomes a twisted alliance that had me gasping, laughing, and occasionally craving sour gummy worms.
The chemistry between Oakley and Xander crackles off the page in a firestorm of enemies-to-lovers, murder-fueled tension. Their dialogue is razor-sharp, the banter wickedly clever, and the slow-burn, chaotic romance is everything fans of morally gray characters could want. Think Dexter meets Dead to Me with a sprinkle of Mr. and Mrs. Smith—and an arsenal of candy for any crime related crisis you could imagine, even some special chocolates (wink)!
This isn’t just a love story. It’s a revenge thriller dipped in dark comedy and wrapped in emotional carnage. The pacing is tight, the plot twists are brutal in the best way, and the morally messy choices had my heart racing —right up until the final, jaw-dropping page.
If you like your romance bloody, your heroines savage, and your killers swoony all with a side of spice, this book will absolutely ruin you—in the best possible way.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A massive thank you to this amazing author for providing me an early addition eARC in exchange for an honest review . HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE Okay, stop it! This book had me reeeeeeling. And this was every single thing I needed without knowing I needed it. The characters, the heat and every other word in between all those delicious individual pages. This is my FIRST 5 star book this year, I didn’t know I needed dark romantic comedy till I read this.
Oakley is a complete girl after my own heart, I resonated so much with her, her consistent panic snacking reminded me so much of myself. Xander 😅 I mean, ladies you will get it… Honestly chefs kiss 💋
I reckon I have told every person who will listen about this book. I can’t wait for book two, I want to know so much more about Calloway and what has happened to transform him into the artistic heartthrob he is today.
A massive well done to the author, I couldn’t rave about it more if I tried! Side note*** you won’t look at lollipops or think of them the same 🫣
This book had great potential. I liked the sound of the story and absolutely love a good stalker romance. But unfortunately this book needed an editor badly. There were too many inconsistencies. So many important scenes were totally glossed over and then we were barely told about it after. Eg. The scene where he broke in and filled her fridge with cooked food, bought clothes for her ect... I wanted her reactions. I needed to read it from her POV when she returns and sees what has happened. Instead we get nothing. A little titbit saying that he cooked for her. That's all. Unfortunately this author is more about telling then showing but even then she doesn't really know how to tell.
I am so intrigued by the Hemlock Society and would have love to know more about them but besides the men having meetings we were not told anything. Who are they? What exactly do they do besides killing? Why do they kill?
This book desperately needed another pass through an editor. There were many instances of repetitiveness. The premise is fun, the execution is not.
This just didn't hit for me. I couldn't suspend disbelief enough to think this insanely powerful and rich man would go on the run because some random thugs were found dead. It just gets more ridiculous from there.
Not my cup of tea but could be someone else's. I only read up to page 226 and did not want to continue. I liked the club but the romance felt too insta.
There are funny parts, but a lot of the book felt like scenes stuck together, lacking transition. I liked the main characters, but the side characters felt like caricatures so overdone. Love how smart the main characters are (although that did seem selective?) and their banter, but I skipped pretty much every sex scene. Is she a flexible gymnast??
This definitely gave me if Lights Out and Butcher and Blackbird had a baby. The story was great and kept me hooked, and the banter between the two MCs was great, and I loved every bit of it. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who liked either book!
The banter, spice, and darkness are a perfect blend! I was cringing at some of the acts while kicking my feet & giggling at the same time. I read this is less than a day because I couldn't put it down. I need more of Oakley & Xander 😍😍.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved it! It brings up the question that several other books have brought up for me lately. If a serial killer only kills those who do bad things in society is the serial killer still a bad person?
This is book 1 in the "The Hemlock Society" series. This book follows MMC Xander Rhodes, a security expert, serial killer, and member of the Hemlock Society, and the FMC, Oakley Novak, a crime journalist who is hell bent on taking down the man responsible for killing her parents.
This was a cute, light, dark romantic comedy. I found the characters enjoyable and relatable. Xander and Oakley are considered opposites, but still have more in common than they realize. The tension between them was written really well, and I liked how they were different yet compatible. They had similar thinking styles, which is why their chemistry worked so well throughout the story. Xander was more controlled and organized than Oakley, and I loved seeing them work together and combine their skills.
The side characters were a fun time. I liked how unhinged they all were and had different "killing" styles that made them each have their own role in murder society.
The reason for it being 3.5 stars is that I think there were too many "little things" that didn't need to be added, and not enough background on our main characters. I wanted to know more about how Xander came to be. We got a little bit of his background, but not enough for me personally. I felt like there were too many fillers that didn't add anything to the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed this because it was a good time, I love a good serial killer, obsessed man, and the ending has me super excited for the next book in the series.
The perfect mix of thrill, smexy scenes, and emergency snacks. I’m always a sucker for serial unalivers and an FMC who hunts them. If that includes a stalking, masked, serial unaliver with a quirky personality and awkward situations?—I’m putty. Such an easy read, good flow, and an actual plot. These characters each brought something unique to the story and I can’t wait to see what’s next for The Hemlock Society
I received an ARC of this book. I saw it and thought it would be something I would love, and I was right, naturally.
Oakley is a journalist who is desperate to clear her parent’s names. She crosses paths with Xander and her life changes when he becomes her stalker. She unwittingly becomes involved with his secret society and lands in a world she didn’t expect. The other characters are so much fun too, and I would LOVE a book/books about Calloway and Lazlo! I loved those two 😂
This book has a great balance or humour, stalking, spice, murder, and the type of unhinged romance that tickles my pickle. When I tell you I needed to gallop around my lounge room because I was so excited about a couple of chapters, I mean actually get up off the couch and run like an idiot. I voice noted and messaged friends because I was unable to control myself, (side note: do you know how much it sucks to not be able to talk about a book with ANYONE!?) I was so caught up in their business that I forgot I was not actually involved 😂 This book gave me sarcasm (which is my #1 love in life) anxiety, joy, aww moments, and had me questioning my life choices, sanity and moral compass several times.
I am so tight with my stars because I need a range of feelings in my books, and this delivered everything for me! One look at my unhinged reading activity is testament to that, if only I could figure out how to add those rambling thoughts to my review!
Definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a dark rom com!
So, I know you arnt supposed to judge a book by its cover but I mean come on....This cover is just so pretty! I am a sucker for a hot pink and black cover, its really the only time that I love the color pink 🖤🎀
At this point I kinda associate a black cover, hot pink art, and a stalker vibe with some of my favorites: Butcher & Blackbird, Rook & Rebel, and now X Marks The Stalker and I am here for it!
Xander is a perfect compliment to Oakley and I also adore the absolute unhinged aspect of the other members of the Hemlock Society as sub characters. Also Oakley's sweet treat obsession is next level, and I am here for it! This book has good banter, chemistry, and the level of unhinged that I need in a stalker book. Keeps things interesting and kinda light, well as light as serial killer books can be. Im really looking forward to the next book in this series and where these unhinged characters take us.
You can tell the author put a lot of thought and effort into this book. All the details were well thought out. The banter was great and I did like the emotional support snacks.
I also really enjoyed how Oakley remained true to herself and how she was willing to step out of her comfort zone in order to get justice for her parents. She and Xander made a fantastic team. I like books that have a solid storyline with spice added in and this fit that very well. Looking forward to book two!
I've never been a fan of insta lust/love and so that is what lost a star for me. I also thought that this dragged slightly.
I loved the characters and the FMC's addiction to sugar. The crisis snacks did make me laugh.
Xander - The security guy/stalker was also hilariously awkward. I loved how confident he acted but in reality he was a nervous wreck.
This book was funny, spicy, dark and gory. I loved the Hemlock Society and the plot kept me hooked. Like I said, I felt like it did drag a bit but I still enjoyed it.
X Marks the Stalker by K.N. Wilder absolutely consumed me. If you're a fan of Butcher and Blackbird, this book will have you slipping into that same delicious chaos! The slow burn chemistry between Oakley and Zander is off the charts.
The banter is addictive, the pacing flawless, and the emotional depth will surprise you. I devoured this book and didn’t want to put it down (but adult life gets in the way, haha) This book is the perfect stalker romance!