Killing Kam

by Gabrielle Jones

College junior, Brielle Johnston, thinks she finally has her life all set in stone, in the way she has always wanted. She returns home to reminisce about her childhood days of what could have been. That's when things take a turn for the worst in an unexpected twist, that nobody saw coming.

At a small town football game, Brielle runs into her long lost love, Lipton Devonshire, whom she desperately never really got over. She left him behind without any closure that she wished she could've had from their high school days she can't escape the thought of.

Once she thinks she has everything she has ever wanted, a perfect college career and the chance to reconnect with the love of her life, Kam Larson appears in a matter of a second to take it all away and jeopardize her entire future.

Now, Brielle must do everything in her power to do whatever it takes to get revenge to have what she longs for. Even if it means killing Kam along the way, in order to have the life she has always dreamed to have.

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Ollie Persefoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read about romance and jealousy. Once you fall in love, it's hard to let go. These characters truly bring you into their world of sports and drama. Definitely would recommend to any type of reader as it has a bit of something for everyone. Can't wait to see what the next book brings!

[Henri Camargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4.25–this one was SO FUN! i read it in one sitting and i cant wait for book 2. The plot was fast paced and fun and i cant wait see book 2 being a five star! the author seems so sweet. As a 3-time published author im so happy more books are being added.

[Gabrielle Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of times I have read this book, and the things I have to say regarding it. I think it’s fair enough to count it toward my reading goal of 2025. The plot of this book spans over a course of a couple years, breaking it down into two different parts. In part one, the past, we visit back to Brielle’s earlier days of high school in where she shortly got to learn and get to know our main male character, Lipton (or also known as Lip) in two different ways. One she could lose her heart to. Another she could want nothing to do with, in regard to getting mixed up with a not so nice side of his alter ego, playing two roles around her and his best friends to not be the same person. The tension and banter goes on between both Brielle and Lipton for quite some time, not realizing the villain of their downfall is there watching this whole time, without a suspicion it’s Lip’s best friend, Kam, who wants to tear them apart as much as he wants to pull them together. As the books goes on, we take a time jump to two years later, reflecting back on the bittersweet moments Lip and Brielle has shared, as she is unable to move past them, lapsing back to her question of who tore them apart, when they could’ve gotten so close. There is a lot of twist and turns. Questions of who done it, and who’s going to do it, all leading back to the big question. Who’s killing Kam? The emotion is strong, grasping you into the world of these characters to feel a connection to the sense of empathy they feel for one another. A relatable story to teenage heartbreak of losing a long lost love, never truly getting over the feeling of what could’ve been if you changed one single action. A confession that pulls them closer than ever before with one move made. One single voice. One risky move. It all comes down to this, a letter of confession, even if it means Killing Kam.

Out of all of these characters, Otis has to be my favorite. He is such a personable side character, giving off that honest and caring personality you need from any type of friend. He is a cinnamon roll—very sweet guy who I believe will become the reader’s favorite once they get to know him more. Out of all of the chapters in this book, my favorites would have to be; chapter 15, chapter 25, chapter 29, chapter 32, chapter 36, epilogue. These chapters just had either so many turns in them that would have your jaw on the floor or they are chapters many might be able to connect to while reading them.

[Hanna Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never been much of one for romance books, but this one genuinely surprised me. I thought, based on the title, I knew what would happen in the end, but still, I couldn’t have imagined it’d happen the way it did.

The story was hard for me to get into initially (mostly because of the writing style which I’ll get into next), but about half-way through it started picking up and I didn’t want to put it down.

I found that most of the characters were well written. The pacing was good as well. My only real struggle was the wording. There seemed to be a lot of incomplete sentences. Some of them I had to read multiple times before I understood what the author was trying to say. So if there’s anything I believe she can work on in the future, it would be that.

Regardless, I did enjoy this book and I’m excited to read the next in the series when it releases this summer. I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m ready for it when it does!

[Steven King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond shocked! I took the time to read this on my kindle to give this young adult novel a chance, and I'm left without words of truly what to say. It was a well told story and a plot that I haven't seen in any other book quite yet. Gabrielle really draws you into this world, almost taking you into the shoes of the characters to live in their perspective, as it's told in three different points of view. This world she has written understands the younger generation of what true love and heartbreak can feel like for someone, being able to capture that raw emotional tension. I couldn't put the book down, as it felt the story was a page turner from beginning to end, and I will definitely be continuing the series once the second book releases later this year.

[Stephanie Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit, as an older reader, I wasn’t sure how much I’d relate to a Young Adult book—but once this story got its hooks in me, I couldn’t put it down! The plot keeps you completely locked in, and that ending? A total curveball, I did not see it coming! If you love a book that keeps you guessing until the very last page, absolutely pick this one up. Can’t wait to read book #2!

[Sue Golab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabrielle Jones has written a story with some unique characters and some twists and turns. It’s an easy read snd would make a good read for the beach, a flight or a cozy day at home.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of 2025. I can’t stop reading it it’s truly so amazing and by far my favorite book of all times. Would highly recommend to someone who likes reading books of this genre.

[Julie Mcmurray-knope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but the writing style was not for me.

[Kimberly Gibson Batchelor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was filled with romance and jealousy. It really brought me into their world. I felt like I was there watching it. I cant wait to see what book 2 brings.

[Lindsay M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book!! And now there’s a second one called Breaking Brielle!! I could not stop thinking about this as soon as I picked it up!

[Judy A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good suspense, it kept me wondering what was coming next. Well written for an authors first published work, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes with the major cliffhanger left at the end. I enjoyed each character and being able to grow and get to know them throughout the book.

[Heather Recchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one!! Amazing writing by this new young star writer!! Kept my attention from beginning to end! So many twists! Can't wait to see what she does next!!