If Books Could Kill

by Kate Eberle

Ganz BookTok liebt den Genremix aus Thriller und Romance - Thromance! 

Roxie Mitchell liebt die Liebesromane von Anna Matthews. Als sie sich im Scherz wünscht, die Hauptfigur von Annas neuem Roman zu werden, ahnt sie nicht, dass ihr Wunsch in Erfüllung geht – und die Autorin diesmal einen Thriller schreibt. Plötzlich findet sich Roxie in einer Geschichte wieder, in der ihr sexy Date Jack sie nicht küssen, sondern töten will. Auf der Flucht vor Jack entführt sie aus Versehen den schüchternen Literaturprofessor Grant, mit dem sie schnell ein Ziel überleben. Die beiden machen sich auf die Suche nach der Autorin, in deren Geschichte sie feststecken. Doch je näher ihre Verfolger zu ihnen aufrücken, desto mehr steigt die Anziehung zwischen Roxie und Grant. Und Roxie fragt sich plötzlich, ob dieser Thriller vielleicht doch ein Liebesroman sein könnte ...

Das spannendste Buch für den Emily Henry meets Emily Rudolf. Für alle, die garantiert Herzklopfen wollen! 

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Books About Books, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 18, 2026

About the author

Kate Eberle studied journalism at Boston University before rediscovering her love of fiction. She lives and writes in Connecticut, where she spends the rest of her time being the ultimate menace to society: a grown-up Theater Kid. If Books Could Kill is her first novel.

Reviews

[ahmeeka]

I heard the best way to store a proof of this is to send it directly to my home address btw

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t laughed this hard and as much while reading for a good while.

[Elianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so so goooood!!

If Books Could Kill follows Roxie who makes a wish to be the protagonist of her favorite romance author’s next book. Her wish ends up coming true, but unknown to her, that author ends up writing a crime thriller, thrusting Roxie right into the middle of it. With the help of a stranger Roxie meets after a chance encounter, the two will find themselves trying to survive until the end of the book.

This was such a unique story, and I loved every second of it. Roxie was such a funny character who was genuinely making me laugh out loud like every page. She was tough, ready to throw herself into danger, and had the best banter. I mean this was seriously the most fun I have had reading in a while. The story was action-packed; the romance was so cute and made me giggle (I love the two main characters so much) and the plot itself had me so engaged I could not stop reading. This was the perfect mix of suspense and romance, balanced and written so well that it straight up felt like a movie coming to life in my head.

If you are looking for a unique romance book full of action and the most fun/cute scenes, then definitely pick this book up. You will have an amazing time reading it! Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC.

[Kourtney Wisniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has it all comedy, romance, suspense, thrills. It will keep you wondering what is going to happen next. I found it easy to read and I was always wondering what is going to happen next with Roxie and Grant.

This book comes out July 21, 2026, mark your calendars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin and Kate Eberle for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for an honest review.

[felicia]

Should i start this one?

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin and Kate Eberle for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

If Books Could Kill is everything amazing. When I say everything I mean...It's cozy/comfy, suspense/mystery, humor, charm, romance and spice. Grant and Roxy's chemistry is absolutely perfect. I just love everything about this book.

I highly recommend that y'all read this book.

[Tomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars! This was a really cute read! One of those where I could automatically see this being adapted into a Netflix movie. And there were a lot of moments I laughed out loud. However the ability to create a solid romance, comedy, and thriller is a *very* difficult thing to balance. Unfortunately the romance suffered for me where I was almost convinced the male hero was someone else until 50% into the book. Regardless, I’d recommend this for fans of Ally Carter or magical realism!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC. If books could kill is out June 18, 2026!


Favorite quote:

“Absolutely,” I say. “If we ever meet a serial killer who will chop off our heads unless we can answer his riddles three, you are the only one I’d want there with me.” 🤣 I can’t give context until you read it!

[Erica * IG: DIVACANREAD * · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't love this book more! *ARC Review*

Roxie, like so many of us, loves romance novels. Her favorite author is Anna Matthews and Roxie is not so patiently waiting for her next book. Roxie's love life is NOT like a romance book, and she wishes that she could be Anna's next FMC. She happens to make that wish in front of a "magic" Grifter on a street. Suddenly, she meets a handsome man who takes her on a date to a LIBRARY! It's like her wish is coming true. But there is a catch.....and maybe this isn't Anna's next romance novel after all. Maybe it's her first thriller!

A wild ride and a fabulous mash up of thriller & romance, with Roxie as one of the funniest main characters I have read in a long time. This is a great book, and it's going to be the perfect summer read!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Kate Eberle for trusting me to be an ARC for this debut novel. I struggled with this at first but the further I got into it, the more fun I had reading it. I throughly enjoyed the ride that this novel offers. I was intrigued based on the synopsis how this would turn into a romance mystery book and it did not disappoint. The mystery build up, the expected but also unexpected romance, the two twists at the end.. The twist at the very end was placed so beautifully and I audibly gasped out loud. Be sure to check this out when it hits the market!!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 rounded up
Roxie makes a wish with a busker to be the main character in her favourite romance authors next novel. What she doesn’t know is that the next novel is a thriller not a romance.
This book is whimsical, funny and completely lighthearted. There were so many silly jokes throughout. It was fast paced and addictive. I read the whole thing in a day. There were so many of your typical romance tropes, it did fall into a bit of parody territory for me in some parts.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious 🤣 I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time while reading a book. This book also has so much heart, the chemistry between Roxie & Grant is beautiful.

Roxie makes a wish, to be in a romance novel of one of her favorite authors. This is a wish made while talking to her best friend, on the phone, in the middle of a sidewalk. Who hadn’t said “I wish for …” while in a casual conversation?

What happens next is a series of unfortunate events, filled with chaos, confusion, and murder?

In order to escape a homicidal date, Roxi must commit some felonies. All manner of chaos ensues.

This book has twists and turns, a romantic interest that might not be real. It’s a book within a book within reality??? I enjoyed it so much and I think it might be the most popular book of 2026.

This book comes out on July 21, 2026!! Mark your calendars!!

I read this advanced copy from @netgalley. Thank you so much.

#book #books #booksbooksbooks #booklover #bookreader #booknerd #bookworm #bookreviews #bookstagram #read #readersgonnaread #readmorebooks #ifbookscouldkill

[Molly Donlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! The humor was so funny to me, and I loved how self aware the book was— there were several times where my internal monologue made a comment and then the characters made the same comment. I loved the twist at the end! Very funny thriller romance, would love to read more by this author!

[Armaan Siddiquee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an entertaining book, every other sentence will make you laugh out loud. It is a fusion of a thriller and a rom com with a little dash of mystery/suspense. A story of two characters(Roxie & Grant) trapped inside a story(a murderous one) is something new and different. The author really managed to blend in all the elements of mystery, romance and comedy in this single book. There were so many moments where I had to stop reading and just laugh/giggle. Grant’s secret hobby was a delightful surprise and I loved how the story transitioned from a bizarre wish to chaotic thriller comedy, then to a chaotic romantic comedy and finally to a heartfelt romance. Both FMC and MMC went through a character development in the very small window of events in the story and it was refreshing. Minor characters were outrageously unique and stood out adding their own humor/essence into the story. The plot twist in the end was is a killer(pun intended).

Thank you Viking Penguin and NetGalley for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hayley Marrinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you net-galley and Katie Eberle for this ARC! I was so blown away by how much I enjoyed this book. There’s a little bit of everything in here, and who doesn’t wish to be a main character of some of our favorite books! Roxie is fierce and incredible and I love her relationship with her leading man!

[Karen Casale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this unique book within a book rom-com thriller! What a great debut! I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a long time.
Thank you Edelweiss.

[Rachel Van de Graaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book!

I thought this concept was really fun and interesting! The main characters had good banter and the situations they were put in were thrilling and funny. A fun read and good pallet cleanser book!

[Amanda Romano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ARC of If Books Could Kill.

This story follows Roxie, a romance loving FMC who makes a wish to experience the kind of love she reads about in her books. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans, and instead of stepping into a swoony romance, she finds herself caught in a chaotic blend of thriller, comedy, and romance.
The premise was fun and unique, and I appreciated the genre mashup, it kept the story feeling unpredictable. Roxie was easy to relate to, especially for anyone who’s ever gotten lost in the idea of storybook love. While the characters were approachable, they did feel a bit surface level at times, and I found myself wanting a little more depth and development to fully connect.
As a debut, Kate Eberle delivers a solid introduction to the comedy/romance space. It’s a light, entertaining read with a playful concept. That said, if you’re going in expecting spice, you won’t find it here, this is very much a closed-door romance.

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 🌟

I can't say how much I loved this book. The reveal and the ending. Omg... definitely need to reread this.

[Maria Bru · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first got this ARC I thought it would be a silly romcom; but it is a mix of crime and romance that just wasn’t for me
It was predictable and I cringed at certain parts. Quick and easy read, but I didnt feel connected to anyone and I think making it such a mix of genres; with romance, crime and adding some magic realism (which I am never too fond of), the author tried to do too much and neither of the genres was developed to completion.

[Baillie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique and fun book! Especially for a debut, this was fantastic. I was engaged the entire time, the pacing was great, and the characters were loveable.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well done this book was. Any time there's a story-within-a-story type of plot, there is a larger chance that details and characters will become confusing. That didn't happen here though!

If I had to pick something that didn't necessarily work for me, it would be Roxie's best friend. She was mentioned quite a bit at the beginning of the book, but then never really was brought back into the story past the 50% mark. I would have loved to have her included more, at least in the epilogue.

What a great way to start my reading this year, though! Highly recommend this one.

[Carly Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Kate Eberle, Viking Penguin, & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this story. This book really was so fun! I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going into it, and ended up pleasantly surprised. The entire storyline was so creative and I really enjoyed the dynamic of the FMC and MMC. Their relationship progression unfolded so well, and I loved the ending!

I love the author’s writing style and can’t wait to read more of her books in the future!

[Shelby Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books publishing and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SOO much fun omg. I cannot believe this is the authors debut book. The premise itself is very intriguing: girl wishes she was in her favorite romance authors next book…wish is granted but surprise it’s actually a murder mystery NOT a romance and the girl is fighting for her life now 😭🤣

This book is funny. I lost track of how many times I snorted or actually laughed out loud while reading. The FMC and MMC have terrific banter and chemistry. I highly enjoyed them getting to know each other and be partners in crime.

There is a small part at the halfway mark where I was a bit confused as to where it was going but once the action picked back up again I stayed hooked.

I love how the author played into romance tropes and let the FMC be aware of them as she loves the romance tropes as well.

As a thriller and mystery it kept me on my toes! I was never able to guess the killer and the author pleasantly surprised me more than once with where she took things.

Love the epilogue too! I’ve told all my friends about this book and really hope it does well when it comes out next June!

#netgalley #ifbookscouldkill #kateeberle #netgalleybooks

[Jenn Thoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was shocked when I learned that this is a debut. It doesn't have any of the usual first book pacing problems, and I was invested in the characters from the jump. It's a quick and satisfying read. The twists are great- nothing was too predictable, and in some cases, I was legit surprised.

There's a moment in the first half where the main character says, "I have to be honest: if I were reading this book I'm trapped in, I imagine I'd be skimming this part." In that moment, I knew I was in good hands. Eberle treats romance and thrillers with the respect they deserve. This is so obviously a book by someone who loves books, who gets tropes and conventions and isn't too cool to use them, and who really loves her characters. I'm excited about whatever comes next.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this ARC. Review is my own.)

[Grayson Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25

I wanted to like \this so badly because the synopsis genuinely hooked me, and even though I am not usually a first person POV fan, I tried to overlook that since the concept sounded fun. Unfortunately, the execution just did not fully land for me. Roxie realizing that her wish came true and that she was inside her favorite author’s new book felt oddly underwhelming, especially for something that should have been a huge, mind blowing moment. The romance also did not work for me. Grant and Roxie’s relationship never felt believable because for most of the book Roxie shows little to no attraction to him, they barely communicate, and then suddenly she finds him attractive with no real buildup. Possible spoiler warning, but my biggest pet peeve was how easily everyone believed Roxie. She shows Grant the Giftster and he immediately accepts that she is living inside a book, and then when she finds Anna Matthews, Anna instantly believes her too. That lack of skepticism made the stakes feel low and took me out of the story. It was not a terrible book, and there were moments I enjoyed, but overall it felt like it dragged more than it needed to, and I finished it wishing the idea had been pushed further.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Netgalley and Viking Penguin. All opinions are my own.
Buckle up, I've got a lot to say.

GIRL (or whoever...)! This was one of the most fun books I've read in a long time and have not been able to shut up about it already even though I only finished it two days ago. I am shocked that this is a debut for the author because there is literally nothing about this book that I did not like. It had banter, sarcasm/dry humor, an absurdly lovable plot, great characters, an existential crisis about reality, and even had all the "feels" at the end. I have not laughed this much while reading a book in so long I can't even remember. One thing about me is that when a book is deliciously absurd, I will eat it up. I love picturing the most outrageous scenes especially when grade A++ banter/sarcasm is involved.

I have already ordered a physical copy AND the audiobook. I am not familiar with Alex Finke (narrator), but I hope she does this book justice because it has the potential to become one of my go-to "re-runs" when I need a comfort book. I'm also ready to beg the author to let me be part of her permanent ARC team for all future releases.

Roxie Mitchell is an adventure-seeking girl who loves romances books and has a book club with her bestie. While on a "book club" call, she mentions out loud that she wishes she could be Anna Matthews' (fave author) next protagonist - get the guy, the nice place to live, the great job, all wrapped up in a HEA. A stranger nearby showers her with purple glitter and the next day she wakes up to find that the author has finally posted that she's writing a new book... and the main character is none other than Roxie Mitchell.
Of course in pure rom-com fashion, she has the cutest meet cute and ends up on a first date at the Boston Public Library after hours for a picnic and some hide and seek games (Swoon, right?!). There's one small glitch though. Anna is not writing a tried and true romance this time. She's dipping her toes into a thriller, which means Roxie's super cute new date is trying to unalive her.
What's a girl to do in these circumstances? Duh... hijack an Uber while trying to escape and inadvertently kidnap a passenger who is convinced he is about to be murdered by an unhinged woman.

From here the whole plot just becomes outrageously absurd as she's trying to get out of this nightmare of a wish she made without getting killed first. There's a nerdy yet lovable sidekick, some eccentric add-on partners, and amateur sleuthing with a side of attempted (and successful) murder.


Some of my fave quotes/excerpts from the ARC (not a final copy, these may be changed removed before publication). And yes, this is a condensed version because I have so many highlights.

'Three seasons a year, I love living in Boston. This is the fourth, when I tend to step outside and immediately wish a car would swerve on the ice and knock me into a three-month coma.'
---
'I'm doing it. I'm escaping a murderer. It's a thrill like no other, and I can't help but let out a celebratory shout. I almost wish Jack would catch up to me so I could run him over.'
---
'I'm wearing a very expensive activewear set that makes me look like a Fendi-sponsored Hunger Games tribute, as one does when one shops at Harrods. Grant's wearing track pants and a hoodie, as one does when one is Grant.'
---
'Looking at Grant, all I can think is that I have never seen anyone roast a marshmallow so blatantly against their will.
So we're not camping, exactly. But when life gives you a countdown to attempted murder and a back-alley trash can fire, you might as well make s'mores.'
---
"Maybe it's more of an honor to be chosen by someone who doesn't need you, but wants you anyway."
---
'I'm at war with myself as I get ready for the Hartley Gardens Gala, and not just because I keep drawing my eyeliner wrong. One side says Come hither and gaze into my eyes and the other says My mom didn't let me wear makeup until today'.



I'm laughing just re-reading these quotes. If you are still not convinced to read this, I can't help you and it will be your loss.

[Lily Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, Viking Penguin, and Kate Eberle for providing an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Level: 1/2🌶️

"fiction and reality are night and day—not opposites, but the same world in different colors."

Overall Thoughts:
What a charming read! I was enamored from start to finish. The pacing felt natural, and I really appreciated the balance between slower, heartfelt moments and fast-paced action. Going into this book, I really didn't know what to expect. I was intrigued by the blurb, although it's pretty different than my usual cozy romance. I'm so glad that I gave it a chance, it exceeded my expectations in every way!

Brief Summary:
Roxie's world turns upside-down when she makes a wish to become the next heroine of her favorite author's book, only to discover that Anna Matthews, the renown romance author, has started her first crime-thriller venture.

Best Qualities:
One of the best things about this book in my opinion is the voice. Eberle describes herself as an avid audio-book listener, and it shows. This book is like a love letter to reading itself. Humorous, witty, romantic— If Books Could Kill has it all. I was giggling one moment and clutching the edge of my seat the next. As someone who can typically predict plot twists pretty far in advance, at the end of the book, I truly did not see them coming. The final chapters in this book were some of my favorites.

As far as the romance goes, I figured it was going to happen eventually, but when it did, it felt so natural. If you've watched The Good Place, Roxie and Grant give major Eleanor and Chidi vibes. The banter was top-tier, and I loved watching their dynamic progress throughout the story. I could see myself in both characters— Roxie with her love of romance books and fear of pursuing her dreams, Grant with his anxious personality and realistic outlook on life. They are both loveable characters, and they felt genuine. But the romance didn't distract from the plot at all, if anything it pushed everything forward. I think that it was balanced perfectly with the comedy and suspense. This was truly a multi-genre masterpiece.

Personal Gripes:
My only gripe with this book is that sometimes the humor was laid on too thick. While not a glaring issue, I found it distracting at times. I feel there could be more balance between when to shift focus to let the jokes shine and when to keep flowing with the story. However, this issue was minor, and it only tripped me up a few times.

Tropes:
I truly don't believe that I can list any of the typical tropes here— there are some present for sure, but they're also used as plot devices in a way that ties in with the synopsis of the book. If you're curious, give it a read!

Who Should Read This Book?
I would highly recommend this book to avid romance readers looking for a change of pace. I hope it will surprise you like it did for me! For thriller fans, this book has some dark moments for sure, but none of them are dwelled on for too long. Overall the thrill aspect seems more toned down to make this palatable for romance readers, so I wouldn't recommend if you're looking for something gritty and ultra-suspenseful. However, the plot will keep you immersed, so give this book a try if you're wanting to laugh, swoon, and fall head-first into the story.

[CrazyCatLadyReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie’s favourite author is renown for her lovely romances, so when Roxie makes a playful wish to live out the plot of Anna’s next book, she expects a cute, romantic time. When her wish IS actually granted, she has the perfect first date with a handsome stranger. But her date is breath taking...in that he tries to actually kill her! What Roxie didn’t know, is that Anna has decided to branch out into a new genre of book: a crime thriller. Whilst trying to survive in this plot line, she bumps into nervous English professor, Grant Hoffman and luckily for Roxie, he is a huge lover of crime novels. So she kidnaps him (lol) to survive. Will Roxie and Grant make it to the end of the story or will they be written out in squeamish style?...

The Pros:
1) The cover of the book and the title - I love a good/bad pun!
2) There are so many genres and tropes in the story and they are blended together so well. I loved it.
3) The main characters were great. Roxie is a strong and feisty FMC and Grant is an anxious, nerdy but sweet potential book boyfriend.
4) The romance 💖, the suspense 😱 the action 🏃‍♀️ and the humour 🤣
5) I couldn’t help smiling throughout

The Cons:
1) There are dark themes and sadder parts (but I really felt the emotion - so it’s a good thing for me!)
2) I couldn’t help thinking of the Eastenders character of the same name: Roxie Mitchell 🤣

The Quotes:

1) My romantic history reads like a list of Friends episodes - The One Who Taught Scuba Diving, The One with the Mid-Zip Line Make-Out, The one at the Mall of America - and I like it that way. There is simply no room on that list for The One Who Lives in My City and Might Want Something More than a Fling.

2) I hear him slow to a plod before stopping, and he lets out a roar of frustration that shakes the empty lobby before stalking off in the wrong direction. My hands tremble as I fumble my phone out of my pocket. I can’t call anyone and risk him hearing me. What do I do, google how to escape a murderer? Can you text 911?

3) What part of the book would you call this?” I ask Grant in a low voice.
“The part where we’re f*cked,” he says.

The Summary:
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this before, with multiple genres and numerous tropes but I LOVED IT! The mix of romance, thriller, crime, action and humour just really worked for me in the setting of the story. I adored both the main characters and the more emotional sides of the plot too. I was smiling whilst reading (when I wasn't anxiously seeing if the characters would survive, that is). I am a bit stunned this is the author’s debut novel, it’s written so well and draws you into the story, making you care about the characters. This is the type of book I didn’t know I needed, but as soon as I read the description I had to read it. I throughly recommend you read this book ASAP.

Summed up in a sentence?:
Roxie wishes to be in her favourite authors next book... but she expected a romance, not a crime thriller!

I rated the book 5 stars!

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an open and honest review!

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but… I need to have a serious conversation with every reader who has ever said, “I wish I could live inside my favorite book.” Because this story took that innocent little fantasy, smiled sweetly… and then chose violence. Literally.

We follow Roxie, a romance-obsessed dreamer who just wants her soft, swoony, guaranteed happily-ever-after moment. You know the type: charming stranger, sparkling chemistry, maybe a bookstore date, definitely no risk of death. Instead, she gets dropped into a story where her meet-cute comes with a knife and a body count. I’m sorry, but going from butterflies to “am I about to be murdered in a library?” is the kind of emotional whiplash I did not know I needed—yet fully enjoyed.

What makes this book ridiculously fun is how self-aware it is. It doesn’t just play with tropes—it grabs them by the shoulders, shakes them, and then laughs about it with you. It’s part rom-com, part thriller, part “what even is happening right now,” and somehow all those pieces click together. I was giggling one second, clutching my metaphorical pearls the next, and then immediately flipping pages like my life depended on it.

Roxie is chaotic in a way that feels very real. She’s dramatic, stubborn, occasionally questionable in her decision-making (kidnapping a man for survival? bold), but also deeply relatable. She knows she’s out of her depth and still keeps going, powered by panic, instinct, and a surprising amount of heart. And then there’s Grant—our reluctant, anxious, bookish professor who absolutely did not wake up expecting to be part of a murder plot. Watching him go from “please let me go home” to “fine, I guess we’re solving this together” was genuinely one of my favorite parts. Their dynamic? A beautiful disaster. The banter? Sharp, chaotic, and honestly half the reason I couldn’t put the book down.

But beneath all the humor and madness, there’s something sneakily clever happening. This story pokes at our obsession with narratives—how we expect certain arcs, certain outcomes, especially in romance. Roxie wants control, safety, predictability… and instead, she’s thrown into a genre where nothing is guaranteed. That tension between expectation and reality gives the story an extra layer I wasn’t fully prepared for, and I loved it.

Now, is it flawless? Not entirely. There are moments where the pacing stumbles a bit in the middle, and you might raise an eyebrow at how easily some things are accepted. But honestly? This book isn’t here to be perfectly polished—it’s here to entertain you, surprise you, and drag you through a wildly unpredictable ride. And it absolutely succeeds at that.

By the end, I was smiling, slightly emotionally attacked, and reconsidering every “I wish I lived in a book” thought I’ve ever had. Because apparently, you don’t get to pick the genre. And that is a risk I am no longer willing to take.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin / Penguin Books for sharing this brilliantly smart, chaotic, and ridiculously entertaining fantasy romance’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Kirstie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the synopsis for this genre-bending romantic/thriller adventure, I was immediately intrigued. Blending two fairly formulaic and comfortably predictable genres is an interesting experiment, and not something that I think just anyone could pull off. Kate Eberle, however, executes it perfectly.

We begin by meeting our protagonist, Roxie, a feisty self-defence buff, and long-time lover of romance novels by her favourite author, Anna Matthews. When Roxie unwittingly wishes to become the main character in Anna’s next novel, she never expects for the wish to come true, let alone for the novel to be a complete break from tradition and take the form of a gutsy crime thriller, and not the cosy romance that Roxie was betting on. She falls into an unlikely alliance with a reluctant professor, Grant, with whom she manages to evade the life-threatening thriller tropes and characters in increasing unconventional and entertaining ways.

The plot, blending elements of crime and romance writing seamlessly, is a whirlwind of entertaining events, and (despite following the genre-determined plot structure) never becomes predictable or obvious. The wider cast of characters are a riot, with some of them being so bold and larger-than-life that they took on an almost caricature-esque quality in a way that I truly enjoyed. (I’m looking at you Lesley Burns!) There is something about these loveable, wacky weirdos that’s reminiscent of ‘Only Murders in the Building’ in the absolute best way, and I was genuinely rooting for their success at every turn.

The book is so brilliantly meta and self-aware, making it really refreshing and a joy to read. I lost count of how many times it made me actually laugh out loud, usually thanks to the witty dialogue and banter between Roxie and Grant. At around the 80% mark, our protagonist comes to the realisation that their story is coming to an end - and quickly - at which point I became very sad that I was running out of pages and dashed off to GoodReads to find out if the author had a lengthy back catalogue for me to enjoy afterwards. I was both disheartened and stunned to find that this is her debut novel - but what an absolute triumph it is!

This was a definite 10/10 book for me. I’m so grateful to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and, in turn, Kate Eberle for having me as an ARC reader.

[Katie ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like an absolute 𝙛𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 in the best way like 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 collided with 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕, and 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆. I had the time of my life reading it! 💕🙃

This story is 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤, and 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚 of its own 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴. It plays with romcom and thriller tropes in such a clever way, constantly keeping you on your toes. There is 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 something happening on the page, and it made me spiral right alongside Roxie, which felt extremely intentional and fun. 😵‍💫🎢

This book is not here to be deep or serious, it is here for the 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲-𝘂𝗽-𝗮𝗻𝗱-𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, and it absolutely nails that 🔨. The structure alone was a blast, with fun nods to both romance and suspense storytelling that made the whole thing feel fresh and playful. 🤪☺️

And 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗺𝗮𝗻?? 𝘐𝘤𝘰𝘯. His introduction was top-tier and hands down my favorite part of the book 🤭. The anxious English professor energy paired with his crime-novel brain and dry one-liners? 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Some of his lines genuinely made me laugh out loud, and his dynamic with Roxie was 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥, and surprisingly 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵. 😍❤️

There were a few twists and turns that I genuinely enjoyed, and I loved how the characters helped each other step into 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴, and choosing to act even when terrified. Beneath all the madness, there’s a sweet thread about 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 and connection that totally works. ✨

Also… I cannot believe this is a 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡. The writing is 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵, and 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. Toss in the subtle millennial references, and I felt very seen. 💅🏼🦋

Bottom line: this book is a 𝙧𝙤𝙢-𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡-𝙘𝙤𝙢 (𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵) that doesn’t take itself too seriously and knows exactly what it’s doing. The tropes alone will have you either 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, or 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝙊𝙍 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲! 😂💕

𝑻𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 ✨
📖 Meta fiction / story-within-a-story
🔪 Meet-cute but make it attempted murder
🚗 Accidental kidnapping (oops?)
🛏️ Only one bed
💍 Fake dating / fake marriage
🎭 Fiction vs. reality blur
🤝🏻 Forced partnership / reluctant allies
💞 Slow-burn romance under pressure
🪤 Cat-and-mouse thriller energy

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗣����𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗲-𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.💕✨