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Beach Bodies
Beach Bodies ABISBOOK Penguin (Transworld).
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2025
115 people are currently reading
18187 people want to read
About the author
Sienna Sharpe
2 books80 followersSienna Sharpe is the pseudonym of author Jenna Satterthwaite:
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soft-dnf
August 10, 2025┆ ⤿ 🦩 ⌗ pre-read:
Female serial killer??? sign me up🙂↕️🙂↕️
another day, another arc read!
so excited to read this one, it sounds soo good and I’m intrigued about it too!!
Female serial killer??? sign me up🙂↕️🙂↕️
another day, another arc read!
so excited to read this one, it sounds soo good and I’m intrigued about it too!!
August 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this audiobook. I went in expecting a fun book about a female serial killer and got a story that was raw, full of vulnerability, grief, healing and dedication.. Such a captivating story and the narrator did an incredible job.
For the last five years, Lily has been spending a month at a wellness resort Riovan, working as a lifeguard. She's been taking a break from work to get back to the place that change her life and rid it of toxic people. Enter Daniel, a journalist working on a story about the resort. He starts asking a lot of questions, not only about the resort, but about the deaths too. This year might be the most dangerous one yet, and Daniel and their instant connection is causing a lot of feelings and secrets to resurface..
I loved Lily, she was such a complex character, one you can't help but root for. Her vulnerability, her pursuit to save others in a way she thinks is best, all while holding a part of herself hidden. She was trying so hard to escape from herself and seeing her finally confront those feelings and let go of the past was everything.. Her dealing with everything that happened was certainly not the healthiest, but I understood her.
I really liked Daniel too, his determination and unwavering sense of justice made him a compelling character. I respect how he handled everything..
Their connection was instant and strong and I liked them together. They were basically different sides of the same coin and I'm so glad that they got to know each other and that they didn't need to compromise themselves in the process. They were a little intense and vulnerable and I loved their game of cat and mouse.
I also really appreciated the criticism of the wellness culture, not only it being toxic, but being extremely damaging too.
The setting was killer and with some secondary characters I truly despised..
The narrator brought everything to life amazingly, I was really engaged and my attention barely waivered.
It was pretty low stakes, and I think I was expecting it to be a little more pulse raising at times, but overall I still enjoyed it.
The ending was expected and it worked. I think, considering everything, any other option would've felt dishonest and cheap, so I'm happy it played out the way it did..
*Thank you to Netgalley and to RBmedia for providing me with an ALC.*
For the last five years, Lily has been spending a month at a wellness resort Riovan, working as a lifeguard. She's been taking a break from work to get back to the place that change her life and rid it of toxic people. Enter Daniel, a journalist working on a story about the resort. He starts asking a lot of questions, not only about the resort, but about the deaths too. This year might be the most dangerous one yet, and Daniel and their instant connection is causing a lot of feelings and secrets to resurface..
I loved Lily, she was such a complex character, one you can't help but root for. Her vulnerability, her pursuit to save others in a way she thinks is best, all while holding a part of herself hidden. She was trying so hard to escape from herself and seeing her finally confront those feelings and let go of the past was everything.. Her dealing with everything that happened was certainly not the healthiest, but I understood her.
I really liked Daniel too, his determination and unwavering sense of justice made him a compelling character. I respect how he handled everything..
Their connection was instant and strong and I liked them together. They were basically different sides of the same coin and I'm so glad that they got to know each other and that they didn't need to compromise themselves in the process. They were a little intense and vulnerable and I loved their game of cat and mouse.
I also really appreciated the criticism of the wellness culture, not only it being toxic, but being extremely damaging too.
The setting was killer and with some secondary characters I truly despised..
The narrator brought everything to life amazingly, I was really engaged and my attention barely waivered.
It was pretty low stakes, and I think I was expecting it to be a little more pulse raising at times, but overall I still enjoyed it.
The ending was expected and it worked. I think, considering everything, any other option would've felt dishonest and cheap, so I'm happy it played out the way it did..
*Thank you to Netgalley and to RBmedia for providing me with an ALC.*
August 12, 2025
˙₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖
📜┆ ARC ⤿ Sourcebooks Landmark & NetGalley
✒️┆Author ⤿ Sienna Sharpe
💌┆ Pub. Date ⤿ 08/12/25 ៸៸ Out now ⭑.ᐟ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot
At Saint Lisieux, Riovan Resort is the exclusive and luxurious perfect summer place for people who are looking to not only relax but also shape their minds and bodies at the same time. But for Lily Lennox, her summer at Riovan is more than her usual lifeguard shifts. It is when she chooses the right target to make the world less toxic than it is.
But this time around stakes are higher, as a mysterious man is rightfully placed and asking the right questions about her previous summer escapades. Will this summer be another seamless part-time job for Lily or will her past finally catch up, exposing her for good?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Lily- she is a business owner in Cincinnati but during the summertime, she is a lifeguard at Riovan, an all-inclusive luxurious holistic wellness resort at Saint Lisieux.
In the beginning, we get the observant, witty, and clever Lily but as we get to know her more we are introduced to a complex person with different sides to her. She’s convinced that by cutting toxic people out of the world, she’s doing something good and necessary but deep down Lily often wonders if she’s really helping anyone or if she’s causing more harm.
I just loved and enjoyed her so much as she feels more than a character written on paper. With every page that I flip, I just get drawn to her more and more as Lily and the raw humanity she carries throughout the book. Her constant struggle between being certain and uncertain, ruthless and vulnerable, and seeking justice while questioning it just makes her motives feel so incredibly real. With Lily fixating on saving others, as if healing their wounds will somehow heal her own but grief clings to her and no matter how desperately she tries to outrun it, she’s left wrestling with the fear that she’s spent so much time saving everyone else that she’s forgotten how to save herself.
⟡ Daniel - a journalist who comes to Riovan to participate and experience the all-inclusive program to write an article for Fit Life, a wellness and fitness magazine. He is the so-called Wolverine-looking man who is undeniably attractive, well-built, and skilled in the art of flirty banter but beneath that handsome exterior, Daniel is a driven and passionate journalist willing to risk everything in his pursuit of the truth.
Although Lily’s perspective might have shaped my view of him, I found myself developing a deep appreciation for Daniel’s dedication, honesty, and relentless pursuit of justice. His unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and giving a voice to those who’ve had theirs silenced truly stood out to me.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Romance
Them being attracted to each other despite knowing that the other person is out to get them (cat-and-mouse) made the early parts of the romance thrilling and electrifying. But as the story progresses, what starts as undeniable chemistry (insta-attract) between a killer and a writer grows into a deeper and more complex connection which evolves beyond that initial thrill into something more meaningful.
Their bond was built on vulnerability, raw emotion, and a shared drive for justice is intense. Despite their different approaches, they can't turn away from the truth. Their relationship is complicated and flawed but it's real with both willing to risk everything for what they truly believe in.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
I went into this wanting a FMC vigilante killer story as my last read lacked that factor and I never would have expected that I would be reading a book that had more than what I was looking for. For starters I like a thriller mystery yet this book had a reverse murder mystery to it which made me question if it would pull me in as we are already introduced to who kills and what has happened at Riovan in the past 5 years, and oh was I wrong when I thought I knew where it was going. This was not just Lily’s yearly Riovan k*ll*ng escapade, this was a raw and emotional journey that opened us to grief, body image, moral dilemmas, and complex relationships.
The writing was beautifully crafted and deeply literary which adds a layer of authenticity to the characters making their thoughts and feelings feel more impactful. As I already mentioned how much I loved and enjoyed Lily’s character and no words can express how much I was intrigued by her as a person. Her relationship/romance with Daniel also added an element that made the story more exciting to follow as they navigated their attraction/connection despite their differences. That latter part and ending of the book pulled something deep within me that I started to tear up with how emotional it was.
In the end, this was far more than just a typical FMC k*ll*r wanting to make the world a better place. It was a slow but steady journey of justice, vulnerability, self-discovery, reflection, and confronting the harsh truths of life. So glad that I took the time to scroll Netgalley for this book and downloaded it asap! Finally happy to say that I have an ARC that delivered and gave me more than what I had expected. I hope you/everyone should give this one a try as this is in the “Read now” section for titles in Netgalley. Solid 4-star and am excited to read more of Sienna Sharpe’s works in the future.
➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & author — Sourcebooks Landmark, Sienna Sharpe & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
In need of a FMC vigilante story as Scythe & Sparrow didn’t have the action I expected it to have so when I saw this ARC on Netgalley I instantly hit read now. This also feels like the perfect read as it already is summer here in the PH so I manifest that this book delivers that fmc vigilante, a good romance & tropical summer getaway I’ve been craving!☀️⛱️
📜┆ ARC ⤿ Sourcebooks Landmark & NetGalley
✒️┆Author ⤿ Sienna Sharpe
💌┆ Pub. Date ⤿ 08/12/25 ៸៸ Out now ⭑.ᐟ
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot
At Saint Lisieux, Riovan Resort is the exclusive and luxurious perfect summer place for people who are looking to not only relax but also shape their minds and bodies at the same time. But for Lily Lennox, her summer at Riovan is more than her usual lifeguard shifts. It is when she chooses the right target to make the world less toxic than it is.
But this time around stakes are higher, as a mysterious man is rightfully placed and asking the right questions about her previous summer escapades. Will this summer be another seamless part-time job for Lily or will her past finally catch up, exposing her for good?
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters
⟡ Lily- she is a business owner in Cincinnati but during the summertime, she is a lifeguard at Riovan, an all-inclusive luxurious holistic wellness resort at Saint Lisieux.
In the beginning, we get the observant, witty, and clever Lily but as we get to know her more we are introduced to a complex person with different sides to her. She’s convinced that by cutting toxic people out of the world, she’s doing something good and necessary but deep down Lily often wonders if she’s really helping anyone or if she’s causing more harm.
❝ I’m here to do a calculated good in the world. To pay a tribute, to leave a legacy. To cut poisonous people out of the world like the tumors they are, and save the people it’s not too late for. ❞
I just loved and enjoyed her so much as she feels more than a character written on paper. With every page that I flip, I just get drawn to her more and more as Lily and the raw humanity she carries throughout the book. Her constant struggle between being certain and uncertain, ruthless and vulnerable, and seeking justice while questioning it just makes her motives feel so incredibly real. With Lily fixating on saving others, as if healing their wounds will somehow heal her own but grief clings to her and no matter how desperately she tries to outrun it, she’s left wrestling with the fear that she’s spent so much time saving everyone else that she’s forgotten how to save herself.
⟡ Daniel - a journalist who comes to Riovan to participate and experience the all-inclusive program to write an article for Fit Life, a wellness and fitness magazine. He is the so-called Wolverine-looking man who is undeniably attractive, well-built, and skilled in the art of flirty banter but beneath that handsome exterior, Daniel is a driven and passionate journalist willing to risk everything in his pursuit of the truth.
Although Lily’s perspective might have shaped my view of him, I found myself developing a deep appreciation for Daniel’s dedication, honesty, and relentless pursuit of justice. His unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and giving a voice to those who’ve had theirs silenced truly stood out to me.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Romance
Them being attracted to each other despite knowing that the other person is out to get them (cat-and-mouse) made the early parts of the romance thrilling and electrifying. But as the story progresses, what starts as undeniable chemistry (insta-attract) between a killer and a writer grows into a deeper and more complex connection which evolves beyond that initial thrill into something more meaningful.
❝ And, even though Daniel and I have lied to each other and used each other and justified the means with the ends, ultimately it’s not in either of our natures to betray our moral codes. Once we’ve seen the truth, neither Daniel nor I can turn away. If we did, we wouldn’t be… us. ❞
❝ It doesn’t escape me that a man who loves truth and justice expressing trust in a killer might not make sense to anyone else. But it makes sense to me—and I know it does to him, too. We understand each other at a profound level. We’d both risk it all, give everything up, for justice. We’re just coming at it from two different sides. To him, it means exposing the truth. To me, it means holding the world to account. He wants to tell the story; I want to make the story. ❞
Their bond was built on vulnerability, raw emotion, and a shared drive for justice is intense. Despite their different approaches, they can't turn away from the truth. Their relationship is complicated and flawed but it's real with both willing to risk everything for what they truly believe in.
⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts
I went into this wanting a FMC vigilante killer story as my last read lacked that factor and I never would have expected that I would be reading a book that had more than what I was looking for. For starters I like a thriller mystery yet this book had a reverse murder mystery to it which made me question if it would pull me in as we are already introduced to who kills and what has happened at Riovan in the past 5 years, and oh was I wrong when I thought I knew where it was going. This was not just Lily’s yearly Riovan k*ll*ng escapade, this was a raw and emotional journey that opened us to grief, body image, moral dilemmas, and complex relationships.
The writing was beautifully crafted and deeply literary which adds a layer of authenticity to the characters making their thoughts and feelings feel more impactful. As I already mentioned how much I loved and enjoyed Lily’s character and no words can express how much I was intrigued by her as a person. Her relationship/romance with Daniel also added an element that made the story more exciting to follow as they navigated their attraction/connection despite their differences. That latter part and ending of the book pulled something deep within me that I started to tear up with how emotional it was.
❝ I was lucky to get one great life. And I’m starting to think that maybe, just maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to have two. ❞
In the end, this was far more than just a typical FMC k*ll*r wanting to make the world a better place. It was a slow but steady journey of justice, vulnerability, self-discovery, reflection, and confronting the harsh truths of life. So glad that I took the time to scroll Netgalley for this book and downloaded it asap! Finally happy to say that I have an ARC that delivered and gave me more than what I had expected. I hope you/everyone should give this one a try as this is in the “Read now” section for titles in Netgalley. Solid 4-star and am excited to read more of Sienna Sharpe’s works in the future.
➳ Huge thanks to the publisher & author — Sourcebooks Landmark, Sienna Sharpe & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
˚₊ ⟢┊pre-read 🖇️┊⊹࣪⋆
In need of a FMC vigilante story as Scythe & Sparrow didn’t have the action I expected it to have so when I saw this ARC on Netgalley I instantly hit read now. This also feels like the perfect read as it already is summer here in the PH so I manifest that this book delivers that fmc vigilante, a good romance & tropical summer getaway I’ve been craving!☀️⛱️
September 2, 2025
From the morally gray characters to the addictive dark humor, A Killer Getaway was the good palate cleanser for this thriller lover. You see, despite the fact that it was supposed to be a mystery/thriller, there was a hefty dose of romance to spice it up and make it simmer away. Filled with hilarious banter as enemies became lovers, this game of cat-and-mouse was one that I flew through in one sitting. After all, alongside all of the wellness culture satire was a plot exploring the loss of a loved one way more than I was ever expecting. Heartfelt and raw but also just a little bit stabby, this mystery-lite tale will keep you glued to the pages.
The only part that didn’t quite work for me despite all of the pluses was that level of spice. You see, I’m not really much of a romance reader in general. That said, anyone looking for hot, sexy content will absolutely love this downright steamy book. Just be prepared to waft your face as you blush thanks to these somewhat down and dirty scenes.
All in all, despite what I just said, the unique premise and the female serial killer protagonist, who was also rather unhinged, had me hooked from the beginning. And while it wasn’t quite as twisty as I was expecting after reading the synopsis, the big reveal at the end mostly made up for it by the last page. Besides, who doesn’t love a book with a Mr. and Mrs. Smith-slash-The White Lotus vibe? So if you love a good anti-heroine set on revenge in the vein of Jeneva Rose, this is one novel you need to pick up ASAP. Combining love, justice, and grief into one twisted tale of romantic suspense, it was a fun summer read. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
No one in Lily Lennox's life can understand why, for each of the past five summers, she has left her successful business behind to work a lifeguarding job at the exclusive Riovan Wellness Resort on a sun-soaked Caribbean Island.
Fortunately for her, they also aren't aware of the mysterious deaths that occur on the island every time she's there. You see, Lily has a secret. She's determined to make toxic people pay for the damage they do—and she's very good at getting away with it.
But this summer, there's a problem in the form of a very attractive guest, Daniel Black, who is asking a few too many inconvenient questions. Hoping to lead him off her trail, Lily decides to keep her enemy close, but as their attraction grows into something much deeper, Lily's plans start to unravel. Because Daniel is set on finding the murderer – and Lily plans to get away with it - no matter what.
Thank you to Sienna Sharpe and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 12, 2025
Content warning: loss of a loved one, grief, sex, murder, body shaming, eating disorder, suicide, violence
The only part that didn’t quite work for me despite all of the pluses was that level of spice. You see, I’m not really much of a romance reader in general. That said, anyone looking for hot, sexy content will absolutely love this downright steamy book. Just be prepared to waft your face as you blush thanks to these somewhat down and dirty scenes.
All in all, despite what I just said, the unique premise and the female serial killer protagonist, who was also rather unhinged, had me hooked from the beginning. And while it wasn’t quite as twisty as I was expecting after reading the synopsis, the big reveal at the end mostly made up for it by the last page. Besides, who doesn’t love a book with a Mr. and Mrs. Smith-slash-The White Lotus vibe? So if you love a good anti-heroine set on revenge in the vein of Jeneva Rose, this is one novel you need to pick up ASAP. Combining love, justice, and grief into one twisted tale of romantic suspense, it was a fun summer read. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
No one in Lily Lennox's life can understand why, for each of the past five summers, she has left her successful business behind to work a lifeguarding job at the exclusive Riovan Wellness Resort on a sun-soaked Caribbean Island.
Fortunately for her, they also aren't aware of the mysterious deaths that occur on the island every time she's there. You see, Lily has a secret. She's determined to make toxic people pay for the damage they do—and she's very good at getting away with it.
But this summer, there's a problem in the form of a very attractive guest, Daniel Black, who is asking a few too many inconvenient questions. Hoping to lead him off her trail, Lily decides to keep her enemy close, but as their attraction grows into something much deeper, Lily's plans start to unravel. Because Daniel is set on finding the murderer – and Lily plans to get away with it - no matter what.
Thank you to Sienna Sharpe and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 12, 2025
Content warning: loss of a loved one, grief, sex, murder, body shaming, eating disorder, suicide, violence
December 10, 2025
i don't think i'd classify this as a romance...
interested-in
January 3, 2025I saw the Emily Henry mention and immediately added to my tbr. A female serial killer?! 👀 I support women's wrongs 👏🏻
I need to get my hands on this!
I need to get my hands on this!
May 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A serial killer FMC? Yes please!!
There are two sides to every person. Lily is just your average business woman except for the four weeks she spends every summer at Riovan Resort. She may say that she’s going there to be a lifeguard, but that’s just a cover. She’s really there to find her next victim and rid the world of a toxic person. In a place like this, it’s not hard to find someone. But then comes the complication. Enter Daniel. He’s a journalist there to write about the resort and search for the truth. Unfortunately, she’s that truth. He’s there to expose her. This wasn’t your average romcom. It was also an emotional thriller that will have you rooting for Lily the whole time. I did not expect that ending either. It was just so good. 4.5 stars rounded up!
A serial killer FMC? Yes please!!
There are two sides to every person. Lily is just your average business woman except for the four weeks she spends every summer at Riovan Resort. She may say that she’s going there to be a lifeguard, but that’s just a cover. She’s really there to find her next victim and rid the world of a toxic person. In a place like this, it’s not hard to find someone. But then comes the complication. Enter Daniel. He’s a journalist there to write about the resort and search for the truth. Unfortunately, she’s that truth. He’s there to expose her. This wasn’t your average romcom. It was also an emotional thriller that will have you rooting for Lily the whole time. I did not expect that ending either. It was just so good. 4.5 stars rounded up!
July 31, 2025
✨ Rating: 4 ⭐️
🫧 Vibes: tropical with a side of killing
🎶 Song: vigilante shit - taylor swift
📖 Favourite Quote: "To him, it means exposing the truth. To me, it means holding the world to account."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 Final thoughts: I support women's rights and wrongs!
In the package:
📦 female serial killer
📦 romantic tension
📦 wellness culture satire
Lily spends every summer as a lifeguard at the Riovan, a Caribbean wellness resort—where she secretly murders toxic guests as vigilante justice. This year, reporter Daniel Black, arrives and he's determined to find answers to these murders.
This book is Dexter but make it a female serial killer who wants justice for toxic wellness culture. As Lady Gaga once said, “I don't believe in the glorification of murder. I do believe in the empowerment of women.”🙂↕️ This book was really interesting and I don't think I've ever read anything like it. From the start, you know exactly who Lily is and what she does, but I had no idea where the story was going. There aren't really many twists, but that's totally okay and it works. The ending was definitely interesting, I loved the dynamic between Lily and Daniel, you never knew where their story was going. It was unpredictable, tense and dangerous. This book had it all: romance, mystery, thrill, spice and dark humour.
📚Read if you enjoyed: Killing Eve series
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: tropical with a side of killing
🎶 Song: vigilante shit - taylor swift
📖 Favourite Quote: "To him, it means exposing the truth. To me, it means holding the world to account."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 Final thoughts: I support women's rights and wrongs!
In the package:
📦 female serial killer
📦 romantic tension
📦 wellness culture satire
Lily spends every summer as a lifeguard at the Riovan, a Caribbean wellness resort—where she secretly murders toxic guests as vigilante justice. This year, reporter Daniel Black, arrives and he's determined to find answers to these murders.
This book is Dexter but make it a female serial killer who wants justice for toxic wellness culture. As Lady Gaga once said, “I don't believe in the glorification of murder. I do believe in the empowerment of women.”🙂↕️ This book was really interesting and I don't think I've ever read anything like it. From the start, you know exactly who Lily is and what she does, but I had no idea where the story was going. There aren't really many twists, but that's totally okay and it works. The ending was definitely interesting, I loved the dynamic between Lily and Daniel, you never knew where their story was going. It was unpredictable, tense and dangerous. This book had it all: romance, mystery, thrill, spice and dark humour.
📚Read if you enjoyed: Killing Eve series
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok ⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
June 28, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong hosted by Tandem Collective UK.
Beach Bodies is a stand-alone summer mystery-thriller set at a wellness resort for the rich. We follow the POV of Lily, who's returning to the Riovan to work as a lifeguard. This is her 5th year of returning there to work, and as the story unfolds, we learn why she's returning and what she wants to achieve. But this year she has a male guest doing an article for a magazine paying her a lot of attention and as Lily fights her feelings for him, she yo-yos between completing what she went there set out to do or delay it until the next year to avoid unwanted attention and suspicion.
I loved how this story flowed and panned out and really liked Lily as a character. I did guess part of the ending halfway through, but not the full extent of it. The setting and atmosphere are descriptive and captivating, and this is definitely an author I look forward to reading more from.
Beach Bodies is a stand-alone summer mystery-thriller set at a wellness resort for the rich. We follow the POV of Lily, who's returning to the Riovan to work as a lifeguard. This is her 5th year of returning there to work, and as the story unfolds, we learn why she's returning and what she wants to achieve. But this year she has a male guest doing an article for a magazine paying her a lot of attention and as Lily fights her feelings for him, she yo-yos between completing what she went there set out to do or delay it until the next year to avoid unwanted attention and suspicion.
I loved how this story flowed and panned out and really liked Lily as a character. I did guess part of the ending halfway through, but not the full extent of it. The setting and atmosphere are descriptive and captivating, and this is definitely an author I look forward to reading more from.
June 2, 2025
♡ thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Sienna Sharpe for an ARC of this book! ♡
3.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
if you're looking for a FMC who's out for vengeance against people who *probably* deserve it, this book is for you!
📖 plot & pace: this story follows Lily, the FMC (who's also a serial killer during the summer) as she returns to Riovan Wellness Resort for her summer job as a lifeguard. but the only reason she keeps this summer job is so she can kill one person who she deems as "toxic" enough. she's gotten away with it every year so far, with every death covered up as an accident, but this year, Daniel Black is investigating the strange coincidences.. the pace of this story was perfect! there was a nice buildup of Lilys past and her current relationships with everyone at the Riovan.
i will say there were some holes in the plot in the beginning of the story that seemed to be important to the story. this was all done so there was a "twist" at the end of the story, but the some things would've made more sense to include sooner.
👥 characters: our FMC lily and our MMC daniel are super cute together, and Daniel even alone, but lily is super hard to like. even after reading her motives, she seemed a little... unhinged. BUT, this does add to the story and to her character, so no complaints here! the staff at the riovan.. also not a big fan, some of them gave me the ick SO BAD. (@serana)
🤩 tropes: morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, cat & mouse.
the ending wasn't as satisfying as i thought it would be.. leading up to the end, this book had so much potential and i feel like it went in a somewhat different direction. still good, but could've been better!
overall, i'd recommend this book! it's definitely a bingeable book and i'd honestly love to read more about lily and daniel!
3.5/5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
if you're looking for a FMC who's out for vengeance against people who *probably* deserve it, this book is for you!
📖 plot & pace: this story follows Lily, the FMC (who's also a serial killer during the summer) as she returns to Riovan Wellness Resort for her summer job as a lifeguard. but the only reason she keeps this summer job is so she can kill one person who she deems as "toxic" enough. she's gotten away with it every year so far, with every death covered up as an accident, but this year, Daniel Black is investigating the strange coincidences.. the pace of this story was perfect! there was a nice buildup of Lilys past and her current relationships with everyone at the Riovan.
i will say there were some holes in the plot in the beginning of the story that seemed to be important to the story. this was all done so there was a "twist" at the end of the story, but the some things would've made more sense to include sooner.
👥 characters: our FMC lily and our MMC daniel are super cute together, and Daniel even alone, but lily is super hard to like. even after reading her motives, she seemed a little... unhinged. BUT, this does add to the story and to her character, so no complaints here! the staff at the riovan.. also not a big fan, some of them gave me the ick SO BAD. (@serana)
🤩 tropes: morally grey characters, enemies to lovers, cat & mouse.
the ending wasn't as satisfying as i thought it would be.. leading up to the end, this book had so much potential and i feel like it went in a somewhat different direction. still good, but could've been better!
overall, i'd recommend this book! it's definitely a bingeable book and i'd honestly love to read more about lily and daniel!
lost-interest
October 14, 2025It might be a me thing, but I got the audio and I can't listen to it. It sounds like each time the narrator speaks, there is an added sound of the mic? idk but I'm not forcing myself to push through.
August 13, 2025
ARC: 4/9/25-4/13/25
ALC: 8/12/25
5/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
3.5/5 😭
?/5 🔪
As soon as I saw female serial killer, I was in. Female serial killer should 1000% be a trope, because I want to devour every book with one. Add a touch of banter, flirtation, etc and I’m sold. This book had those, but it was so much deeper. It was not just a fluffy romcom where the FMC just happens to be a serial killer. This book was also a mystery. A thriller. A commentary on the fitness and diet industry. It was a journey for the FMC to forgive and love herself again.
Yeah, there’s an attractive mystery dude that is lovingly described as a nerdy Wolverine (🫠). He is definitely more than he seems. Why is he even there? He doesn’t fit the crowd. Of course we’re cheering for them to get together, by any means possible. But, sometimes it may not be possible, right?
Update re: audiobook (8/12/25)
Happy Pub Day!! You guys, please please PLEASE read this book. It is so good and the narrator, Justis Bolding, did a phenomenal job portraying the FMC, Lily. Her voices for the other characters were different enough to know when there was a new character speaking. Her voice for the MMC, Daniel, was pretty great too. I forgot it was a single (female) narrator for a minute
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
ALC: 8/12/25
5/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
3.5/5 😭
?/5 🔪
As soon as I saw female serial killer, I was in. Female serial killer should 1000% be a trope, because I want to devour every book with one. Add a touch of banter, flirtation, etc and I’m sold. This book had those, but it was so much deeper. It was not just a fluffy romcom where the FMC just happens to be a serial killer. This book was also a mystery. A thriller. A commentary on the fitness and diet industry. It was a journey for the FMC to forgive and love herself again.
Yeah, there’s an attractive mystery dude that is lovingly described as a nerdy Wolverine (🫠). He is definitely more than he seems. Why is he even there? He doesn’t fit the crowd. Of course we’re cheering for them to get together, by any means possible. But, sometimes it may not be possible, right?
Update re: audiobook (8/12/25)
Happy Pub Day!! You guys, please please PLEASE read this book. It is so good and the narrator, Justis Bolding, did a phenomenal job portraying the FMC, Lily. Her voices for the other characters were different enough to know when there was a new character speaking. Her voice for the MMC, Daniel, was pretty great too. I forgot it was a single (female) narrator for a minute
Thanks to the author, their publisher, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2025
I don’t know if a serial killer fmc is a trope, but if not, it should be.
What I loved about this book was that I really had no idea how it would end, which is a rarity for a romance. In fact, I’m not even sure if this book was a romance. I’d rather call it a thriller and a reverse murder mystery (is that a thing?).
We know that Lily is a killer, what we don’t know is who her next target is going to be. Another question is whether Daniel is going to figure it out and if so, how is he going to react?
This book was intriguing, unique and very well written. Lily’s story was heartbreaking and even though it didn’t justify all the killings, it explained why she was doing it. The dynamic between Lily and Daniel reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it was hot, dangerous and unpredictable. Their relationship could have had more depth though, there was potential there and I was hoping for more emotional turmoils and moral dilemmas.
In any case, I couldn’t put down this book and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
4,5
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Serial killer fmc I had to request this.👀
Thanks NetGalley and Random House UK for the arc❤️
What I loved about this book was that I really had no idea how it would end, which is a rarity for a romance. In fact, I’m not even sure if this book was a romance. I’d rather call it a thriller and a reverse murder mystery (is that a thing?).
We know that Lily is a killer, what we don’t know is who her next target is going to be. Another question is whether Daniel is going to figure it out and if so, how is he going to react?
This book was intriguing, unique and very well written. Lily’s story was heartbreaking and even though it didn’t justify all the killings, it explained why she was doing it. The dynamic between Lily and Daniel reminded me of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it was hot, dangerous and unpredictable. Their relationship could have had more depth though, there was potential there and I was hoping for more emotional turmoils and moral dilemmas.
In any case, I couldn’t put down this book and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
4,5
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Serial killer fmc I had to request this.👀
Thanks NetGalley and Random House UK for the arc❤️
did-not-finish
January 10, 2026DNF @ 20% 😢
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. 📕
Have you ever read a book where you know what’s going to happen almost a quarter of the way in and you don’t have the heart to read the rest so you skip to the last chapter and/or epilogue where you find out your right about everything and reading the rest would just be a waste of your time? That’s how I feel about this book.
I read a positive review for it and was super excited when I got the approval for my request, but now I’m so bummed it wasn’t as good as it looks. 😭 I was bored and I didn’t like the main character at all. I wouldn’t care if she got caught or not. The writing was engaging, but the plot fell flat for me. It pains me to say this, but I didn’t like it at all. Im not going to not recommend it, though, because what I found boring, you might find intriguing. I hope you do. ☺️
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. 📕
Have you ever read a book where you know what’s going to happen almost a quarter of the way in and you don’t have the heart to read the rest so you skip to the last chapter and/or epilogue where you find out your right about everything and reading the rest would just be a waste of your time? That’s how I feel about this book.
I read a positive review for it and was super excited when I got the approval for my request, but now I’m so bummed it wasn’t as good as it looks. 😭 I was bored and I didn’t like the main character at all. I wouldn’t care if she got caught or not. The writing was engaging, but the plot fell flat for me. It pains me to say this, but I didn’t like it at all. Im not going to not recommend it, though, because what I found boring, you might find intriguing. I hope you do. ☺️
June 9, 2025
When first heard about this book and saw that it was a female serial killer, my brain immediately said “YES PLEASE.”
For the past 5 summers, Lily Lennox leaves her life and business behind and goes to the exclusive Riovan Resort. Located on a beautiful Caribbean island, people come to this resort to not only relax and enjoy an island get away. But to reshape their body and mind to become to person you were meant to be! But for Lily, she doesn’t come here for her minimum pay life guard gig. She’s really there to right so many wrongs that this place has gotten away with and find her next target and rid the world of evil and toxic people who cause more harm than good. But this year is different; a handsome journalist shows up and starts asking questions to things that no one should be asking about. It doesn’t help Lily how attractive he is and how he seemingly is always there. She can’t help but wonder if he is there for the resort, or to finally end her mission.
This book was really really REALLY good. It had mystery, suspense, hilarious banter, some ✨spice✨ and had moments where you really questioned if two wrongs really can make a right. There were times where I literally could not put this book down because of how many twists and turns there were and i needed to know what was going to happen! I know you aren’t suppose to love a serial killer, but I was totally obsessed with Lily. She was so damn funny when she wasn’t even trying and at times I found myself rooting for her. It was so hard to see through her eyes and how much trauma she has been through. Daniel was also someone who I was surprised that I really liked in the end. I thought for sure I was not going to enjoy his character but he completely shocked me.
So basically if you like FMC that are a little stabby, banter that has you laughing at inappropriate times, a mysterious love interest and a sprinkle of romance and spice. Then this is definitely the book for you🔪♥️🏝️
*Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Sienna Sharpe, the author for the ARC!*☺️
For the past 5 summers, Lily Lennox leaves her life and business behind and goes to the exclusive Riovan Resort. Located on a beautiful Caribbean island, people come to this resort to not only relax and enjoy an island get away. But to reshape their body and mind to become to person you were meant to be! But for Lily, she doesn’t come here for her minimum pay life guard gig. She’s really there to right so many wrongs that this place has gotten away with and find her next target and rid the world of evil and toxic people who cause more harm than good. But this year is different; a handsome journalist shows up and starts asking questions to things that no one should be asking about. It doesn’t help Lily how attractive he is and how he seemingly is always there. She can’t help but wonder if he is there for the resort, or to finally end her mission.
This book was really really REALLY good. It had mystery, suspense, hilarious banter, some ✨spice✨ and had moments where you really questioned if two wrongs really can make a right. There were times where I literally could not put this book down because of how many twists and turns there were and i needed to know what was going to happen! I know you aren’t suppose to love a serial killer, but I was totally obsessed with Lily. She was so damn funny when she wasn’t even trying and at times I found myself rooting for her. It was so hard to see through her eyes and how much trauma she has been through. Daniel was also someone who I was surprised that I really liked in the end. I thought for sure I was not going to enjoy his character but he completely shocked me.
So basically if you like FMC that are a little stabby, banter that has you laughing at inappropriate times, a mysterious love interest and a sprinkle of romance and spice. Then this is definitely the book for you🔪♥️🏝️
*Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Sienna Sharpe, the author for the ARC!*☺️
July 31, 2025
We start out with a prologue in second person, and I immediately was on my guard with this writing style. But when chapter 1 started, I was in the flow of it because the writing changed with the POV shift, and I was intrigued by the story. However, even though the plot started to draw me in, the writing never fully did. There was something... distant about it. Even though I was in the FMC's head, I never really got a good feel for her or how she felt. It was kind of disorienting how quickly she and the MMC fell for one another because I didn't feel that happening from her end (or really from his end either because they had like... 4-6 interactions before he was "in love."
This book is a masterclass in "almost there." The characters were almost there, the plot was almost there, the writing was almost there. But it never fully got there on any count and it was extremely disappointing. The "reveals" were lackluster and predictable. There wasn't anyone to root for--even our FMC. I was bummed because the first 50% was really promising (besides the weird prologue).
Another thing I didn't like about this book is that I thought it was going to be more of a romance because it was marketed to me and labeled as such. Without my buy in to that romance, the rest of the book fell super flat. Was this a romance? Suspense? Mystery? No, no, and no from my point of view. I would classify it as Women's Fiction, I guess.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a masterclass in "almost there." The characters were almost there, the plot was almost there, the writing was almost there. But it never fully got there on any count and it was extremely disappointing. The "reveals" were lackluster and predictable. There wasn't anyone to root for--even our FMC. I was bummed because the first 50% was really promising (besides the weird prologue).
Another thing I didn't like about this book is that I thought it was going to be more of a romance because it was marketed to me and labeled as such. Without my buy in to that romance, the rest of the book fell super flat. Was this a romance? Suspense? Mystery? No, no, and no from my point of view. I would classify it as Women's Fiction, I guess.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 13, 2025
4⭐️! This one took me in for some fun twists and turns! This book gave me the vibes of the Mindf*ck series meeting The White Lotus. To start things off, the FMC, Lily, is a serial killer. Are her motives reasonable? That’s for the reader to decide. But what is very clear is that she is a victim of injustice. Her backstory and history involving the Riovan resort was convincing enough to have me rooting for Lily in some ways, and not so much for others.
Both her and Daniel, her romantic interest, are both seekers of justice… just in veryyyy different ways.😅 The way his character is revealed throughout the story had me feeling so many mixed emotions at first. The same goes for a few of the side characters. The plot twists and unveilings were tastefully done and had me second guessing myself at a couple points!
Although this got dark at times, it was a wild and fun ride that genuinely had me wondering about the conclusion of this story. Perfect for the summer, too! Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC!
Both her and Daniel, her romantic interest, are both seekers of justice… just in veryyyy different ways.😅 The way his character is revealed throughout the story had me feeling so many mixed emotions at first. The same goes for a few of the side characters. The plot twists and unveilings were tastefully done and had me second guessing myself at a couple points!
Although this got dark at times, it was a wild and fun ride that genuinely had me wondering about the conclusion of this story. Perfect for the summer, too! Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC!
August 24, 2025
I really wanted to get into this one, but I just couldn’t fully connect with it. The setup is great — Lily Lennox as a lifeguard by day and vigilante by night has such a cool, fresh premise, and I liked the sharp, witty writing style. There were definitely moments where I was pulled in, especially with Lily’s voice and the moral gray areas she lives in.
That said, parts of the story just dragged for me. Some sections of Lily’s backstory and her relationship with Jessica felt a little too drawn out, and I found myself losing focus at times. The mystery element wasn’t as tight as I hoped either — more of a slow burn with some romance vibes than a real page-turning thriller.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read at all — the writing is strong and Lily is an interesting character — but it didn’t spark for me the way I wanted it to. I’m landing at 3 stars. I think readers who enjoy more character-driven thrillers with a slower build might get more out of it than I
That said, parts of the story just dragged for me. Some sections of Lily’s backstory and her relationship with Jessica felt a little too drawn out, and I found myself losing focus at times. The mystery element wasn’t as tight as I hoped either — more of a slow burn with some romance vibes than a real page-turning thriller.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad read at all — the writing is strong and Lily is an interesting character — but it didn’t spark for me the way I wanted it to. I’m landing at 3 stars. I think readers who enjoy more character-driven thrillers with a slower build might get more out of it than I
July 6, 2025
3.5
I’m absolutely obsessed with the cover for this book, I think the colors are perfect and it’s so beautiful.
I read this book in one sitting and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The mystery element was all there. Butttttt I need a little bit more believability. I don’t recall a mention of security cameras (or security of any kind, really) at the resort we spent most of our time in, which just isn’t practical. I think adding an element there would’ve added some higher stakes to the setting. As it was, we really only had one possible outcome and that’s what happened. There wasn’t much of a thriller element here. So while I found it entertaining, I didn’t absolutely love my journey and I’m not sure calling it a mystery is technically correct. There wasn’t a mystery here.
Overall, I would recommend it as a nice beach read that you won’t have to stress over.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
I’m absolutely obsessed with the cover for this book, I think the colors are perfect and it’s so beautiful.
I read this book in one sitting and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The mystery element was all there. Butttttt I need a little bit more believability. I don’t recall a mention of security cameras (or security of any kind, really) at the resort we spent most of our time in, which just isn’t practical. I think adding an element there would’ve added some higher stakes to the setting. As it was, we really only had one possible outcome and that’s what happened. There wasn’t much of a thriller element here. So while I found it entertaining, I didn’t absolutely love my journey and I’m not sure calling it a mystery is technically correct. There wasn’t a mystery here.
Overall, I would recommend it as a nice beach read that you won’t have to stress over.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
April 8, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this thriller/romance which defies genre conventions in both regards to create a sharp, interesting and cathartic plot that'll keep you guessing up until the very end.
Lily is a complex protagonist with a moral code all her own and it was fun to work out where her lines were and what she was and was not capable of. As her past unfolded bit by bit, slowly giving the reader an insight into her motives and trauma, I grew to love her in a way I've never really cared for other 'fun female murderers'. Lily has a heart overflowing with love and pain, and that makes her stand out amongst other protagonists in the genre.
The setting of the Caribbean resort where 'health and wellness' means 'thin at any cost' felt real and alive and I could practically feel myself getting sunburned and body shamed as I read. There are some real 'love to hate' characters here, but thankfully the romantic interest - the journalist attempting to expose Lily's crimes - isn't one of them. Their interactions were sweet and genuine.
The final chapters of this book had me glued to the page, unable to predict what would happen next. My heart was broken, then repaired and that is something only a really good romance can pull off.
Lily is a complex protagonist with a moral code all her own and it was fun to work out where her lines were and what she was and was not capable of. As her past unfolded bit by bit, slowly giving the reader an insight into her motives and trauma, I grew to love her in a way I've never really cared for other 'fun female murderers'. Lily has a heart overflowing with love and pain, and that makes her stand out amongst other protagonists in the genre.
The setting of the Caribbean resort where 'health and wellness' means 'thin at any cost' felt real and alive and I could practically feel myself getting sunburned and body shamed as I read. There are some real 'love to hate' characters here, but thankfully the romantic interest - the journalist attempting to expose Lily's crimes - isn't one of them. Their interactions were sweet and genuine.
The final chapters of this book had me glued to the page, unable to predict what would happen next. My heart was broken, then repaired and that is something only a really good romance can pull off.
August 13, 2025
Nice! What can I say?
Lily returns to this secluded island every year to be a lifeguard. Funny thing though, she owns a successful bakery back home, which she closes every summer to go and be a lifeguard!
But hey, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!
And although Lily has a sweet side where she is continuously saving lives, she also has a DARK side… one where she’s constantly planning murders out in her head…. Hmmmm. 🤔🫢🤫
But then, she never expected to meet someone who just might sway her a bit…. And possibly change the course of her life….
This was charming. Romantic. Horrifying. Scary. Sweet. Nostalgic. Gruesome… and so much more!!! 😮😮😮
4 BOLD stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
#AKillerGetaway by @SiennaSharpe and narrated nicely by @JustisBolding.
This has JUST BEEN RELEASED!! Look 👀 for it on shelves now!! 8/12/25. I was so lucky to have gotten this one yesterday!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #RBMedia and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
Lily returns to this secluded island every year to be a lifeguard. Funny thing though, she owns a successful bakery back home, which she closes every summer to go and be a lifeguard!
But hey, sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!
And although Lily has a sweet side where she is continuously saving lives, she also has a DARK side… one where she’s constantly planning murders out in her head…. Hmmmm. 🤔🫢🤫
But then, she never expected to meet someone who just might sway her a bit…. And possibly change the course of her life….
This was charming. Romantic. Horrifying. Scary. Sweet. Nostalgic. Gruesome… and so much more!!! 😮😮😮
4 BOLD stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!
#AKillerGetaway by @SiennaSharpe and narrated nicely by @JustisBolding.
This has JUST BEEN RELEASED!! Look 👀 for it on shelves now!! 8/12/25. I was so lucky to have gotten this one yesterday!!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #RBMedia and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️
September 8, 2025
ARC REVIEW - A KILLER GETAWAY
by Sienna Sharpe
JUST RELEASED - Sourcebooks 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sourcebooks sent me a widget for this thriller, but the cover didn’t grab me, so I skipped it. Then I saw glowing reviews from @suspenseisthrillingme and @juliereadsalot, and of course, I had to circle back on release day. Better late than never, right?
Glad I changed my mind, because “A Killer Getaway” totally surprised me! Lily is smart, easy to root for, and just a little wild and unhinged, which makes her a blast to follow. I tore through the whole thing before I even realized it. It’s a thriller at heart, but the romance adds a little zing without getting cheesy. Picture a fancy resort full of secrets, cozy vacation vibes, secrets everywhere, and just enough murder to keep things interesting. There were a few scenes that I found hilarious! I love a bit of humor mixed in with my thrillers.
It’s light, clever, and packed with suspense that kept me flipping pages. A solid 4-star read and exactly the kind of book you want when you’re craving something twisty but still easy to escape into.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing this #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#AKillerGetaway #SiennaSharpe #NetGalley #ARCReview
Twisty Thriller ~ Unhinged MC ~ Vacation Reads ~ Bookish Escape ~ Darkly Funny ~ Female Serial Killer ~ Psychological Suspense ~ Romantic Suspense
by Sienna Sharpe
JUST RELEASED - Sourcebooks 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Sourcebooks sent me a widget for this thriller, but the cover didn’t grab me, so I skipped it. Then I saw glowing reviews from @suspenseisthrillingme and @juliereadsalot, and of course, I had to circle back on release day. Better late than never, right?
Glad I changed my mind, because “A Killer Getaway” totally surprised me! Lily is smart, easy to root for, and just a little wild and unhinged, which makes her a blast to follow. I tore through the whole thing before I even realized it. It’s a thriller at heart, but the romance adds a little zing without getting cheesy. Picture a fancy resort full of secrets, cozy vacation vibes, secrets everywhere, and just enough murder to keep things interesting. There were a few scenes that I found hilarious! I love a bit of humor mixed in with my thrillers.
It’s light, clever, and packed with suspense that kept me flipping pages. A solid 4-star read and exactly the kind of book you want when you’re craving something twisty but still easy to escape into.
Thanks to the author and Sourcebooks for providing this #giftedARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#AKillerGetaway #SiennaSharpe #NetGalley #ARCReview
Twisty Thriller ~ Unhinged MC ~ Vacation Reads ~ Bookish Escape ~ Darkly Funny ~ Female Serial Killer ~ Psychological Suspense ~ Romantic Suspense
August 27, 2025
2.5?
the thriller wasn't thrilling. 🥲 I expected more from this, but sadly it disappointed me a little... it felt repetitive and slow and I didn't connect to the characters
the thriller wasn't thrilling. 🥲 I expected more from this, but sadly it disappointed me a little... it felt repetitive and slow and I didn't connect to the characters
August 8, 2025
I find it interesting the LGBTQ+ element isn’t mentioned here in the description, on Amazon nor listed in the themes on Goodreads. It seems it’s about a woman who was in a previous relationship and now attracted to Daniel. So I’m assuming she is bisexual. But she doesn’t address her sexuality. Just ignores it just like all the summaries I have read of the book.
Aside from that, I got 20% into the book and had enough. Feels very juvenile, Seem like our main character at age 29 still doesn’t know herself. One minute she talks about killing people, next she is sobbing mess on the floor bc the hook room reminds her of her dead girlfriend. Odd. She seems so put together and sneaky and good at researching all the guests, the next seems weak and lost. I didn’t get it. I guess I want my serial killer confident in who they are and want lol!
People keep talking about how beautiful she is and she knows she has a killer body and ass and that she looks like Barbie. But the cover of the book doesn’t match that. Just a little thing.
I read a lot thrillers, and this one thrilled me when I chose to DNF it.
Aside from that, I got 20% into the book and had enough. Feels very juvenile, Seem like our main character at age 29 still doesn’t know herself. One minute she talks about killing people, next she is sobbing mess on the floor bc the hook room reminds her of her dead girlfriend. Odd. She seems so put together and sneaky and good at researching all the guests, the next seems weak and lost. I didn’t get it. I guess I want my serial killer confident in who they are and want lol!
People keep talking about how beautiful she is and she knows she has a killer body and ass and that she looks like Barbie. But the cover of the book doesn’t match that. Just a little thing.
I read a lot thrillers, and this one thrilled me when I chose to DNF it.
August 14, 2025
A Killer Getaway (audio) 4.5⭐️
Let me start by saying: Justis Bolding is an amazing narrator! She made this story come to life and pull me in.
At first glance of the cover art and title, I was expecting a pretty typical “couple on vacation that don’t really like each other” type of vibe, but A Killer Getaway was much more complex and calculated as the story follows Lily to Riovan Wellness for her annual lifeguarding gig. I don’t know what it says about me that I highly enjoy books with female serial killers, but… here I am, giving this book a high rating with how much I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Some of the “twists” towards the end were predictable to me, but I’m not sure “unexpected twist” was the goal. The focus is more so on LIly’s moral dilemmas and how her past molds her present. Very enjoyable listen!
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 12 2025
Let me start by saying: Justis Bolding is an amazing narrator! She made this story come to life and pull me in.
At first glance of the cover art and title, I was expecting a pretty typical “couple on vacation that don’t really like each other” type of vibe, but A Killer Getaway was much more complex and calculated as the story follows Lily to Riovan Wellness for her annual lifeguarding gig. I don’t know what it says about me that I highly enjoy books with female serial killers, but… here I am, giving this book a high rating with how much I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Some of the “twists” towards the end were predictable to me, but I’m not sure “unexpected twist” was the goal. The focus is more so on LIly’s moral dilemmas and how her past molds her present. Very enjoyable listen!
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Aug 12 2025
June 16, 2025
Beach Bodies was my very first thriller so I had absolutely no preconceived notions of how books in this genre tend to pan out.
I absolutely LOVED this. I think I’m a thriller girly now? How exciting to add another genre to my little line up!
Beach Bodies is told from the perspective of the murderer, a concept I was immediately intrigued by. I really enjoyed being drip fed little tidbits about our murderous FMC’s intentions, and I have to say, it was hard not to nod along in agreement
The writing of this book is beautifully metaphorical, I thoroughly enjoyed this authors voice. The pacing is great, I didn’t find myself getting bored at any point. I read the bulk of this in one day, which for me is a glowing recommendation.
Beach Bodies is full of complex characters with endless flaws and questionable motivations (I’m looking at you, Serena). What I didn’t expect was for our serial killer FMC to elicit a few tears from me. One of the very last scenes absolutely broke my heart and gave this book some really beautiful closure.
For me, there was nothing predictable about this plot. I didn’t have a single clue how it was going to end, but it was a very well rounded and fulfilling ending. I really appreciated the MMC’s tenacity and integrity. That man did not sway for a second and I love him all the more for it.
Overall, this was a lot of fun and definitely tugged on my heartstrings in a way I didn’t expect from a thriller. This was an excellent introduction into the genre.
Thank you to the wonderful publishers for sending me a proof copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely LOVED this. I think I’m a thriller girly now? How exciting to add another genre to my little line up!
Beach Bodies is told from the perspective of the murderer, a concept I was immediately intrigued by. I really enjoyed being drip fed little tidbits about our murderous FMC’s intentions, and I have to say, it was hard not to nod along in agreement
The writing of this book is beautifully metaphorical, I thoroughly enjoyed this authors voice. The pacing is great, I didn’t find myself getting bored at any point. I read the bulk of this in one day, which for me is a glowing recommendation.
Beach Bodies is full of complex characters with endless flaws and questionable motivations (I’m looking at you, Serena). What I didn’t expect was for our serial killer FMC to elicit a few tears from me. One of the very last scenes absolutely broke my heart and gave this book some really beautiful closure.
For me, there was nothing predictable about this plot. I didn’t have a single clue how it was going to end, but it was a very well rounded and fulfilling ending. I really appreciated the MMC’s tenacity and integrity. That man did not sway for a second and I love him all the more for it.
Overall, this was a lot of fun and definitely tugged on my heartstrings in a way I didn’t expect from a thriller. This was an excellent introduction into the genre.
Thank you to the wonderful publishers for sending me a proof copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 26, 2025
This was such a great read that had me gripped from start to finish - I just couldn't put this down!
I instantly really liked Lily, our main character.
She was relatable in many ways, despite her obvious outward perfection.
As the story unfolds we gradually learn that there's much more to her annual visits back to the exclusive Riovan wellness resort than we first imagined.
We follow the story purely from Lily's pov and so although we hear about the murders, it took a little time for us to fully confirm that she was indeed involved (despite the hints) - but we're able to really get to know the process and motivation behind her actions as more is revealed.
When we first meet Daniel, I just knew that he was going to cause trouble - but neither Lily or the reader is quite prepared for how this will manifest.
There are multiple threads running through this storyline throughout and it was great to follow each and imagine how they might eventually join up in the end.
There were some elements that I managed to work out or guess, but there were still some great twists that threw us off balance and the ending was both shocking and satisfying all at the same time!
I loved the setting of the exclusive resort and seeing things from a staff pov.
There were certainly some real characters amongst both the staff and the guests - each of them adding a little something extra to the story.
The writing style was just perfect and had me racing ahead and not wanting to put this down.
The mix of thriller with the spicy romance worked really well together - two of my favourite genres.
I had no clue that this was a debut novel - it just flowed so well.
With some memorable characters and a well thought out and presented storyline - I can't wait to see more from this author in the future.
I instantly really liked Lily, our main character.
She was relatable in many ways, despite her obvious outward perfection.
As the story unfolds we gradually learn that there's much more to her annual visits back to the exclusive Riovan wellness resort than we first imagined.
We follow the story purely from Lily's pov and so although we hear about the murders, it took a little time for us to fully confirm that she was indeed involved (despite the hints) - but we're able to really get to know the process and motivation behind her actions as more is revealed.
When we first meet Daniel, I just knew that he was going to cause trouble - but neither Lily or the reader is quite prepared for how this will manifest.
There are multiple threads running through this storyline throughout and it was great to follow each and imagine how they might eventually join up in the end.
There were some elements that I managed to work out or guess, but there were still some great twists that threw us off balance and the ending was both shocking and satisfying all at the same time!
I loved the setting of the exclusive resort and seeing things from a staff pov.
There were certainly some real characters amongst both the staff and the guests - each of them adding a little something extra to the story.
The writing style was just perfect and had me racing ahead and not wanting to put this down.
The mix of thriller with the spicy romance worked really well together - two of my favourite genres.
I had no clue that this was a debut novel - it just flowed so well.
With some memorable characters and a well thought out and presented storyline - I can't wait to see more from this author in the future.
July 16, 2025
Sometimes you just gotta pick up a book from a new to you author and dive in.
The cover vibes of A Killer Getaway had me thinking it was a perfect summer read. And I was right. Well, if you like "vacation romance" mixed with "cozy thriller" and Dexter tendencies, that is.
You see, Lily has been working at this exclusive resort (Riovan) for the past 5 summers. She has lost someone and everything from that loss stems from this resort and how they handle certain situations. To help her ease some of her pain and grief, Lily likes to take things into her own hands and "fix" the situation so some of those toxic people can't hurt others any more. But someone is putting the pieces together and Lily just may make the list of suspects.
A Killer Getaway was well paced and an easy read. I did skim some parts, but overall I was enjoying the story and liked the idea of Lily offing people as a way to save others. A little feminine rage if you will. Gotta love an FMC that does some vigilante shit for redemption. Since we already knew who the killer was, this was more about getting to know Lily as a person and why she was doing the things she was doing. Then we had the added surprise element of an attraction to one of the guests of the resort, Daniel Black. At first, that messed up her plans, but as she uncovers more of who Daniel is, she adds more layers to her method of madness. And Daniel added to the complex situation by having some unexpected chemistry with Lily.
While this was not a book that was on my radar, I had fun with it. It was like a dark romcom with a female Dexter with a side of romance. I liked that the setting was a character in itself and was a major plot point to Lily's actions. Add in the supporting characters and other employees of the resort and it added to the overall arc of the story. But the unexpected attraction between Lily and Daniel gave us that vulnerability and realness to Lily that we might've otherwise been missing during her k*lling times. I do wish we got more of her backstory and the "why" toward the beginning, but the taste we got was just enough to keep me on the hook. Because Sharpe circles back to put the pieces together toward the end.
Overall, this was an entertaining, quick read and kept me intrigued throughout. I had an inkling of an idea of how everything was going to come together, but was ultimately surprised at how everything wrapped up. This won't be a story that blows you away, but with the cast of characters and the way everything progressed from beginning to end, you will be pulled in and 100% entertained. 3.5-3.75 stars.
The cover vibes of A Killer Getaway had me thinking it was a perfect summer read. And I was right. Well, if you like "vacation romance" mixed with "cozy thriller" and Dexter tendencies, that is.
You see, Lily has been working at this exclusive resort (Riovan) for the past 5 summers. She has lost someone and everything from that loss stems from this resort and how they handle certain situations. To help her ease some of her pain and grief, Lily likes to take things into her own hands and "fix" the situation so some of those toxic people can't hurt others any more. But someone is putting the pieces together and Lily just may make the list of suspects.
A Killer Getaway was well paced and an easy read. I did skim some parts, but overall I was enjoying the story and liked the idea of Lily offing people as a way to save others. A little feminine rage if you will. Gotta love an FMC that does some vigilante shit for redemption. Since we already knew who the killer was, this was more about getting to know Lily as a person and why she was doing the things she was doing. Then we had the added surprise element of an attraction to one of the guests of the resort, Daniel Black. At first, that messed up her plans, but as she uncovers more of who Daniel is, she adds more layers to her method of madness. And Daniel added to the complex situation by having some unexpected chemistry with Lily.
While this was not a book that was on my radar, I had fun with it. It was like a dark romcom with a female Dexter with a side of romance. I liked that the setting was a character in itself and was a major plot point to Lily's actions. Add in the supporting characters and other employees of the resort and it added to the overall arc of the story. But the unexpected attraction between Lily and Daniel gave us that vulnerability and realness to Lily that we might've otherwise been missing during her k*lling times. I do wish we got more of her backstory and the "why" toward the beginning, but the taste we got was just enough to keep me on the hook. Because Sharpe circles back to put the pieces together toward the end.
Overall, this was an entertaining, quick read and kept me intrigued throughout. I had an inkling of an idea of how everything was going to come together, but was ultimately surprised at how everything wrapped up. This won't be a story that blows you away, but with the cast of characters and the way everything progressed from beginning to end, you will be pulled in and 100% entertained. 3.5-3.75 stars.
August 16, 2025
Review of A Killer Getaway by Sienna Sharpe
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded down)
I received an advanced copy of A Killer Getaway by Sienna Sharpe in exchange for an honest review. While this cozy mystery had plenty of charm and potential, it ultimately landed at 3.5 stars for me — which I’ve rounded down to 3.
I really enjoyed the premise, especially the focus on a woman working in a male-dominated field — something I always love to see. While I was a bit disappointed with how the ending unfolded, I did appreciate the choice of the final victim; it felt like a fitting and satisfying way to close the story.
That said, I'm unsure about the book being labeled as a romance/thriller. It didn't quite deliver on either of those fronts for me — the romance felt underdeveloped, and the thriller elements lacked the intensity I was expecting. As a general fiction read with light mystery elements, however, it was enjoyable.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded down)
I received an advanced copy of A Killer Getaway by Sienna Sharpe in exchange for an honest review. While this cozy mystery had plenty of charm and potential, it ultimately landed at 3.5 stars for me — which I’ve rounded down to 3.
I really enjoyed the premise, especially the focus on a woman working in a male-dominated field — something I always love to see. While I was a bit disappointed with how the ending unfolded, I did appreciate the choice of the final victim; it felt like a fitting and satisfying way to close the story.
That said, I'm unsure about the book being labeled as a romance/thriller. It didn't quite deliver on either of those fronts for me — the romance felt underdeveloped, and the thriller elements lacked the intensity I was expecting. As a general fiction read with light mystery elements, however, it was enjoyable.
October 11, 2025
A Killer Getaway is a compelling blend of cozy mystery and thriller, landing somewhere right in the middle of both genres—in the best possible way. The story is packed with twists and turns that keep you guessing, making it a truly engaging read from start to finish.
Sienna Sharpe does a great job crafting suspense while maintaining that small-town charm typical of cozy mysteries. The overall plot is well-constructed and enjoyable, although at times the pacing felt a bit choppy, with some scenes jumping abruptly from one to the next. Still, the intrigue and character dynamics more than made up for it.
If you're looking for a mystery that's equal parts cozy and edge-of-your-seat, A Killer Getaway is definitely worth the read.
Sienna Sharpe does a great job crafting suspense while maintaining that small-town charm typical of cozy mysteries. The overall plot is well-constructed and enjoyable, although at times the pacing felt a bit choppy, with some scenes jumping abruptly from one to the next. Still, the intrigue and character dynamics more than made up for it.
If you're looking for a mystery that's equal parts cozy and edge-of-your-seat, A Killer Getaway is definitely worth the read.
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