Freshmeet

by Stephanie Kazowz

Summer lovin’ that ends in a stab.

Sarah Tilney had a rough spring semester. Her parents cut her off, she didn’t get to study abroad, and one of her sorority sisters fell off the roof—and died. But things start to look up when she sees a blue-collar hunk across the beer pong tables. Romance is in the air—too bad bodies are dropping all around her.

Connor McCormick is finally ready to live for himself. When he has a once-in-a-lifetime meet cute at a frat party, he thinks he may have found the one. Too bad in the haze of summer heat and booze, Sarah gets the idea he isn’t interested. While proving he’s the guy for her, can he keep both of them alive?

Jealous sorority sisters, creepy frat guys, and trust issues are nothing compared to a serial killer putting their relationship to the test. But who is the psychopath hellbent on gutting everyone in their path? And why did the killing spree start the night Sarah and Connor met?

Genres: Amazon

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2025

About the author

After becoming something of a romance fiend, Stephanie Kazowz decided to try her hand at writing some good old-fashioned love stories. Never one to narrow her focus, she plans to write the banging multiverse, weaving as many tropes and subgenres together as her smut-loving heart can handle—and it can handle a lot.

Stephanie lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, three bonkers babies, two codependent dogs, and two cats who are perpetually staring at her like she betrayed them by bringing the motley group home.

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite book!

[Mars Rads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I have to say is that I am no spring chicken. I am “fall asleep on the couch while watching SVU reruns on a Saturday night” years old. So, when I see a book that is advertised as a cross between Scream and Greek, a top movie from my teen years and a top TV show from my young adult years, I was immediately in. This book was so different from what I’m used to, and I wish I could read more like it. This book is a a cute, fun college romance that involves members of sororities, fraternities, and some townies. There are parties and hookups, summer jobs in bars and summer camp, two brothers that are starting out, both as freshmen, even though one is older, and a sexy, curvy FMC that is trying to enjoy her remaining time in college. Oh, and there is also a serial unaliver that is targeting young people in the town. I thought the way the book was laid out was perfect. We had dual chapters with the MMC and FMC, but there was also a chapter in the point of view of each person attacked by the unaliver, getting to see the POV of each victim. I was so into this book and while some may think things are obvious, it wasn’t for me. It kept me guessing who did what and what was going to happen next.

I loved all of these characters. You definitely got the college town vibes from each and every one of them. It wasn’t just the main characters, although they definitely were top notch. Sarah is a sexy, plus-sized sorority girl that is trying to enjoy the summer before her senior year. Her parents are not happy with some of her choices, so they have cut her off. Because of that, she has to work multiple jobs to pay for her final year. But she is also having a good time with her sorority sisters. Connor is a local, but also an incoming freshman with his brother. He’s older because he worked so that his mother could go to school. He is sweet but can and will do anything to protect the people he loves.

I thought this book was so unique in its format and loved every minute reading it. It had suspense and and humor. It also had some top-notch spice. It was enjoyable read and I thought that all the characters were ones that I wanted to know more about. It ended with the possibility of more to come and I am so excited by that. My absolute favorite chapter was chapter 32. 😜

[Amilia Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was such a fun, wild ride! I really enjoyed the slasher vibes, perfect for spooky season! I loved getting to Sarah fighting against the stereotypes that people put on her, and work to be herself and work for what she wants in her life! She was such a great FMC to watch, as they all navigated life in this small town with a killer on the loose! And Connor was amazing, and the absolute perfect portrayal of a townie in a college town fighting for what and who he wanted! He was so sweet, swoony, and the perfect amount of possessive! And all the side characters we got were so fun to see interact together! I loved the varying POV chapters throughout, and how the story evolved! I loved this one, and it was just so fun to read! 4.25 stars; 3.5 chili peppers

Tropes:
- Opposites Attract
- Forced Proximity
- Meddling Friends
- Serial Unaliver on the Loose
- College Romance

[Katherine Gisleson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️s
🌶️🌶️ - medium spice, multiple explicit scenes

LOVES:
- The beginning most definitely got my attention and all of the chapters with a new POV made me perk up in anticipation 👀
- Connor and Sarah’s miscommunication at the beginning definitely irritated me, but it gave their journey some color and they worked through it in a satisfying way. They were super cute together and I shipped them real hard the entire book.
- Speaking of, the way Connor appreciated finally being cared for by someone rather than being the sturdy rock for everyone else was so sweet 🥰
- Chapter 32. Perfect. No notes. 🙃

Reading this felt like watching a classic scary movie: a few cliches, but that’s part of the fun 😄 And I was genuinely surprised by the culmination of the mystery. I will absolutely be seeking out the next in the series!

Thanks to the author for the advance copy 💝 Releases October 31st!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Slasher type romance will bring you on a ride. As always Stephanie gives us a great girl group with complex characters. we are sent in the greek world where sisterhood exists but jealousy and cattiness also exists. in the small university town of Kirksville, a murderer starts attacking students and townies alike. Not that this will stop students from hooking up in the woods of in treehouses. This murderer is quite a 🐓block though, since our main characters can't seem to catch a break. whether its the killer himself, horny cooeds after Conners "heart", misunderstandings or Conners brother needed to be rescuded these too go through a lot, but damn are they cute. a great read for my little whorror babes, and not to intense so very enjoyable for everyone else.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, loved it! My first by Stephanie Kazowz, and I don't think it will be my last! I was pulled in straight away and didn't put it down.
It has a '90s scary movie slasher vibe, and I really enjoyed it. Sarah and Connor were so sweet together; I enjoyed seeing how their relationship grew despite the annoying miscommunication issue at the beginning.
This was a fun read, kept me engaged and entertained, and has a bit of spice too. Would recommend 👌

[Lauren Milam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for this one and I loved it! Quick read with some horror, romance, and twists! It was right up my alley, you should definitely pick it up.

[Megan Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this was actually my first thriller & slasher book! I am so excited that it was Stephanie who got to be the first author I read for this type of genre. To say this was a good read is likely a shock to no one (considering who wrote it)! Here the reader is set in a college town and in sorority living. Be aware that the book starts off shoving (haha) readers right into the action. Sarah is a former rich girl who has been cut off and just trying to get through life at this point. Then comes Connor at a frat party and it is like their chemistry explodes! After a mishap in their initial meeting, Connor must prove himself to be the man she needs... all while there are countless bodies being discovered. Together they must work through their feelings, navigate some external factors causing trouble, and of course, try and stay alive!

One thing I will note is that Stephanie always does a great job in making mid-size & plus-size FMC’s that are confident but also have realitsic thoughts around their bodies and self-esteem in general. While she is a curvy main character, and that is embraced, it is not the entire plot to the story... which is great!

If you are looking for a classic slasher college-town book, where the mmc is adorably obsessed and kinda clueless and the fmc is strong, badass, and knows what she wants... this one is for you!

[Sandra Blasco · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

⭐4.5 🌶️2/5

A lot of college drama with an intense romance mixed with the terror of a lurking serial killer, keeping the whole story in suspense.

The victims' POVs had my heart racing; it's quite gory, and that's always cool in a slasher. Besides having a big plot twist at the end that I didn't see coming.

Connor is a possessive cinnamon roll, no ounce of fragile masculinity. Sarah is an amazing MC, even though she was a rich white girl she was wonderful, without prejudices and with a huge heart.

There are some details that I felt were left unexplained or undeveloped, but they are insignificant.