What do you think?
Kiss Marry Kill
It's Ife's dream wedding - until her new husband Ade is arrested for murder.
His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast.
Case it's always the ex, right?
But did Ade kiss, marry - and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out.
'Fast-paced, wickedly witty, and brimming with Nollywood-level drama. An unforgettable story that pulls you in and refuses to let go.' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN
'Rich in character, smart and pacy. Yemi Dipeolu brings a brilliant new voice to the thriller genre.' L. V. MATTHEWS
'A deliciously twisty debut thriller that adeptly explores the lethal margins of love, with compelling characters and a fiendish ending.' ISABELLE GREY
A pulse-racing, bingeable thriller about love, marriage and obsessions that fans of Adele Parks and The List will LOVE
His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast.
Case it's always the ex, right?
But did Ade kiss, marry - and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out.
'Fast-paced, wickedly witty, and brimming with Nollywood-level drama. An unforgettable story that pulls you in and refuses to let go.' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN
'Rich in character, smart and pacy. Yemi Dipeolu brings a brilliant new voice to the thriller genre.' L. V. MATTHEWS
'A deliciously twisty debut thriller that adeptly explores the lethal margins of love, with compelling characters and a fiendish ending.' ISABELLE GREY
A pulse-racing, bingeable thriller about love, marriage and obsessions that fans of Adele Parks and The List will LOVE
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 26, 2025
This book pulled me out of a nearly two-month reading slump. The fast-paced plot captured my attention immediately, and I finished it within 24 hours. I enjoyed how it constantly kept me guessing about the culprit, and the drama unfolds from the very first pages. The author’s writing style is exceptional, and I will certainly be seeking out more of their work.
However, the final chapter just weren't it I didnt like how the book ended this is the reason for 3 stars.
very grateful to arc read this book
thank you netgaley and the publishers
However, the final chapter just weren't it I didnt like how the book ended this is the reason for 3 stars.
very grateful to arc read this book
thank you netgaley and the publishers
May 9, 2026
This book was fast paced and tense. It definitely had a thriller vibe to it and I did race to get to the end but the ending fell significantly short for me. I also felt there were a lot of details connected to the characters and their relationships that did not receive closure I would have liked and the plot therefore ended (for me) in a disappointing way.
May 13, 2026
ngl, ending has completely pissed me off, i need to let my annoyance simmer before i can review🙄
April 29, 2026
Ife and Ade’s wedding day is the day she’s always dreamed of. Until her groom is arrested on suspicion of murder at the reception. Ade’s ex, Cynthia, has been missing for months and now her body has turned up on the Dorset coast. Ade is their prime suspect. But did Ade really kiss, marry and kill?
What a wild ride! I did not expect the crazy, messy and heart-stopping rollercoaster that this story took me on when I opened the book. Well written, cleverly plotted, witty and fast-paced, Yemi Dipeolu has crafted a debut that had me hooked from start to finish. It sizzles with tension and I suspected them all, though there were times my suspicions about certain characters was stronger and I did have a strong primary suspect at the end. But I was never sure who did it and Yemi Dipelou kept me guessing until that final page. And when the truth was revealed my jaw dropped! It was the kind of ending you don’t see coming and I am still reeling!
The characters are dynamic, relatable, chaotic and deeply flawed. The story is narrated by Ife and Cynthia, the two women in suspect Ade’s life. His new wife, Ife, narrates the current timeline while his deceased ex, Cynthia, tells her story leading up to her disappearance. Moving between these narrators and timelines kept the tension high and helped create suspicion on many of the characters. I loved how I could never be sure who had killed her or what really happened between her and Ade at the end of their relationship. From the start Ife reveals she has a secret, making her an unreliable narrator who we second-guess the whole time. I loved this as it increased the suspense and made her as much of a suspect as everyone else. The character I really couldn’t stand though was Mama, She is the mother-in-law from hell and a vile woman. I was raging every time she was on the page and she made their family one that is toxic, dysfunctional and full of drama.
Unpredictable, mysterious and totally bingeable, this is a debut you don’t want to miss.
What a wild ride! I did not expect the crazy, messy and heart-stopping rollercoaster that this story took me on when I opened the book. Well written, cleverly plotted, witty and fast-paced, Yemi Dipeolu has crafted a debut that had me hooked from start to finish. It sizzles with tension and I suspected them all, though there were times my suspicions about certain characters was stronger and I did have a strong primary suspect at the end. But I was never sure who did it and Yemi Dipelou kept me guessing until that final page. And when the truth was revealed my jaw dropped! It was the kind of ending you don’t see coming and I am still reeling!
The characters are dynamic, relatable, chaotic and deeply flawed. The story is narrated by Ife and Cynthia, the two women in suspect Ade’s life. His new wife, Ife, narrates the current timeline while his deceased ex, Cynthia, tells her story leading up to her disappearance. Moving between these narrators and timelines kept the tension high and helped create suspicion on many of the characters. I loved how I could never be sure who had killed her or what really happened between her and Ade at the end of their relationship. From the start Ife reveals she has a secret, making her an unreliable narrator who we second-guess the whole time. I loved this as it increased the suspense and made her as much of a suspect as everyone else. The character I really couldn’t stand though was Mama, She is the mother-in-law from hell and a vile woman. I was raging every time she was on the page and she made their family one that is toxic, dysfunctional and full of drama.
Unpredictable, mysterious and totally bingeable, this is a debut you don’t want to miss.
January 24, 2026
3.75 stars
ou are having your dream wedding day, until your husband is arrested, right there at the wedding reception, for unaliving his ex!! What do you do?
This is the type of book that you can binge read in one weekend. From the moment Ife’s dream wedding shatters, the story spirals into a tense, addictive unraveling of secrets, lies, and the dangerous illusions we build around the people we love.
I honestly do not know why Ife - the bride - was at this wedding. I don’t know why she married Ade who was so unlikeable. Ladies, run away from men like Ade! Men who cannot stand up to their families or place their families as a priority before you.
Perfect for readers who love:
✨ light hearted, fast‑paced domestic thrillers
✨ twisty relationship drama
✨ books about obsession
✨ stories that keep you guessing until the final page - I have so many questions about that ending!
If you liked The List, you will enjoy this bingeable book.
ou are having your dream wedding day, until your husband is arrested, right there at the wedding reception, for unaliving his ex!! What do you do?
This is the type of book that you can binge read in one weekend. From the moment Ife’s dream wedding shatters, the story spirals into a tense, addictive unraveling of secrets, lies, and the dangerous illusions we build around the people we love.
I honestly do not know why Ife - the bride - was at this wedding. I don’t know why she married Ade who was so unlikeable. Ladies, run away from men like Ade! Men who cannot stand up to their families or place their families as a priority before you.
Perfect for readers who love:
✨ light hearted, fast‑paced domestic thrillers
✨ twisty relationship drama
✨ books about obsession
✨ stories that keep you guessing until the final page - I have so many questions about that ending!
If you liked The List, you will enjoy this bingeable book.
May 31, 2026
A gripping psychological thriller filled with secrets, lies, and shocking twists. What begins as a dream wedding quickly spirals into a murder investigation, keeping the suspense high until the very end. The characters are complex, the family drama is intense, and the plot is packed with surprises
-Murder mystery
-Wedding gone wrong
-Love triangle
-Family secrets
-Toxic relationships
-Unreliable appearances
-Obsession and jealousy
-Domestic suspense..
Nollywood-style family drama woven into the mystery!
-Murder mystery
-Wedding gone wrong
-Love triangle
-Family secrets
-Toxic relationships
-Unreliable appearances
-Obsession and jealousy
-Domestic suspense..
Nollywood-style family drama woven into the mystery!
November 24, 2025
This book is what happens when his mother hates you and never comes around.
April 28, 2026
Ife and Ade’s wedding reception is interrupted by the arrival of the police to arrest Ade on suspicion of murder.
It’s quite hard to believe that Kiss Marry Kill is Yemi Dipeolu’s debut as it is a captivating and assured thriller that I thought was excellent. There’s a smoothness to the writing that means the narrative flows brilliantly, with a hint of independent narrator behind it. The effect is to create a kind of intimacy with the reader so that they feel part of the events.
The plot is perfectly crafted, with Ife’s present day life interspersed between the events in the 12 weeks leading up to Cynthia’s disappearance, giving a taut and manipulative story that has the reader guessing who might be responsible for that disappearance and making them vacillate in their suspicions with every nuance, conversation and detail. Yemi Dipeolu is so skilled in drawing in her reader.
I loved the claustrophobic use of limited characters in Kiss Marry Kill too because it creates an intensity. As the personalities of Cynthia, Ade, Mark and Ife are gradually uncovered there are moments that truly take the reader by surprise. Indeed, it’s character that is the lynchpin for this book. I don’t want to spoil the read for others, but nature and nurture, coercive control, love, obsession, family, friendship, self-delusion, and jealousy are just a few of the themes that manifest themselves through the people here. Each person, even the victim Cynthis, is flawed but is understandable and real. They all have the ability to fool others and themselves. I loathed Mama and felt I couldn’t trust anyone in the story. This added to the suspense and drama, making for a gripping read.
I am aware I have been a little vague in my review of Kiss Marry Kill, but it’s so tautly written that I am terrified of giving too much away. I thought Kiss Marry Kill was a fabulous debut thriller and I thoroughly recommend it. Equally, I have a feeling that Yemi Dipeolu is going to be a name to watch.
It’s quite hard to believe that Kiss Marry Kill is Yemi Dipeolu’s debut as it is a captivating and assured thriller that I thought was excellent. There’s a smoothness to the writing that means the narrative flows brilliantly, with a hint of independent narrator behind it. The effect is to create a kind of intimacy with the reader so that they feel part of the events.
The plot is perfectly crafted, with Ife’s present day life interspersed between the events in the 12 weeks leading up to Cynthia’s disappearance, giving a taut and manipulative story that has the reader guessing who might be responsible for that disappearance and making them vacillate in their suspicions with every nuance, conversation and detail. Yemi Dipeolu is so skilled in drawing in her reader.
I loved the claustrophobic use of limited characters in Kiss Marry Kill too because it creates an intensity. As the personalities of Cynthia, Ade, Mark and Ife are gradually uncovered there are moments that truly take the reader by surprise. Indeed, it’s character that is the lynchpin for this book. I don’t want to spoil the read for others, but nature and nurture, coercive control, love, obsession, family, friendship, self-delusion, and jealousy are just a few of the themes that manifest themselves through the people here. Each person, even the victim Cynthis, is flawed but is understandable and real. They all have the ability to fool others and themselves. I loathed Mama and felt I couldn’t trust anyone in the story. This added to the suspense and drama, making for a gripping read.
I am aware I have been a little vague in my review of Kiss Marry Kill, but it’s so tautly written that I am terrified of giving too much away. I thought Kiss Marry Kill was a fabulous debut thriller and I thoroughly recommend it. Equally, I have a feeling that Yemi Dipeolu is going to be a name to watch.
April 11, 2026
A fast-paced thriller with some very messed-up characters. The ending comes on rather abruptly, and really doesn’t make a lot of sense in light of events we’ve had placed in front of us.
When her new husband is arrested on their wedding day Ife isn’t sure what to think. The police think Ade may have something to do with the disappearance of his ex, Cynthia.
Our timeline switches between the present, with Ife trying to make sense of her husband’s behaviour, and the weeks before Cynthia disappeared where we see the tensions growing between key characters. There’s a lot of secrets, and yet everything seems to be revealed just in time…though it doesn’t actually help us to make sense of what we’ve just read.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
When her new husband is arrested on their wedding day Ife isn’t sure what to think. The police think Ade may have something to do with the disappearance of his ex, Cynthia.
Our timeline switches between the present, with Ife trying to make sense of her husband’s behaviour, and the weeks before Cynthia disappeared where we see the tensions growing between key characters. There’s a lot of secrets, and yet everything seems to be revealed just in time…though it doesn’t actually help us to make sense of what we’ve just read.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this.
April 15, 2026
3.5⭐️💫 It’s Ife’s dream wedding – until her new husband Ade is arrested for murder. His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast. Case closed: it’s always the ex, right? But did Ade kiss, marry – and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out...
This is an easy to read book, the story told from dual POV’s throughout, alternating between the past and the present day.
The short chapters in this thriller definitely keep the pace flowing, and although none of the characters were likeable (seriously the mother in law is abhorrent!) I was still very invested to find out what happened next.
Without giving any spoilers, all of the secrets are exposed throughout, one of the final twists being one that I really didn’t expect at all.
I did feel that the pace did lack a little at times as the timeline was a bit sporadic at times and I was also a little taken back by the abruptness of the ending. I had to question if I had missed something!
This is an easy to read book, the story told from dual POV’s throughout, alternating between the past and the present day.
The short chapters in this thriller definitely keep the pace flowing, and although none of the characters were likeable (seriously the mother in law is abhorrent!) I was still very invested to find out what happened next.
Without giving any spoilers, all of the secrets are exposed throughout, one of the final twists being one that I really didn’t expect at all.
I did feel that the pace did lack a little at times as the timeline was a bit sporadic at times and I was also a little taken back by the abruptness of the ending. I had to question if I had missed something!
April 22, 2026
This was such a fast paced, drama infused thriller that had me hooked from page one. I hated almost every single one of these characters yet couldn’t help turning the page after every chapter to try and get some answers.
The story started to feel little repetitive around 3 quarters in and felt like it picked back up by the end but I didn’t vibe with how the story ended and wrapped up at all.
Not only was the ending confusing, it felt very quick and anticlimactic despite its strong slow burn during the rest of the book. Would have been a strong 4 starts for me but the ending really let the book down.
Thank you Faber for the proof copy.
The story started to feel little repetitive around 3 quarters in and felt like it picked back up by the end but I didn’t vibe with how the story ended and wrapped up at all.
Not only was the ending confusing, it felt very quick and anticlimactic despite its strong slow burn during the rest of the book. Would have been a strong 4 starts for me but the ending really let the book down.
Thank you Faber for the proof copy.
August 16, 2026
Read this in a day. It’s a pacey, suspense-packed thriller about a love triangle between Cynthia, Ade and Ife. Cynthia goes missing and is declared dead, and her most recent partner Ade, is arrested at his wedding to Cynthia mere months later. The plot thickens indeed.
What transpired is a mystery which we rattle through the weeks before her disappearance to solve. Each time ruling out a key character in the plot; from Ade to his mother, his new wife Ife to her business partner. It’s an exhilarating ride right until the very end when…splat! This falls flat unfortunately.
What transpired is a mystery which we rattle through the weeks before her disappearance to solve. Each time ruling out a key character in the plot; from Ade to his mother, his new wife Ife to her business partner. It’s an exhilarating ride right until the very end when…splat! This falls flat unfortunately.
December 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book, long chapters!!
It's Ife's dream wedding - until her new husband Ade is arrested for murder.
His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast.
Case closed: it's always the ex, right?
But did Ade kiss, marry - and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out.
A pulse-racing, bingeable thriller about love, marriage and obsessions that fans of Adele Parks and The List will LOVE
It's Ife's dream wedding - until her new husband Ade is arrested for murder.
His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast.
Case closed: it's always the ex, right?
But did Ade kiss, marry - and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out.
A pulse-racing, bingeable thriller about love, marriage and obsessions that fans of Adele Parks and The List will LOVE
April 6, 2026
Rating: 3.75⭐️
Honestly, this was super fast-paced and gripping. I loved it and it would be a really good slump breaker. However, I thought my book was missing a chapter because the end was so abrupt, I didn’t hate it but it felt cut short. I would still recommend the book because the story and the characters were well written and entertaining.
Honestly, this was super fast-paced and gripping. I loved it and it would be a really good slump breaker. However, I thought my book was missing a chapter because the end was so abrupt, I didn’t hate it but it felt cut short. I would still recommend the book because the story and the characters were well written and entertaining.
May 14, 2026
lol sorry that ending ? I beg your finest pardon ??
I cannot stand cowardly men and Ade was a coward from the start. Gained more empathy towards the end but he was so irritating. Ife was trifling and Mark … hm. A big plus is that this is such an easy read. Genuinely FLEW threw it and you want to know what happened
I cannot stand cowardly men and Ade was a coward from the start. Gained more empathy towards the end but he was so irritating. Ife was trifling and Mark … hm. A big plus is that this is such an easy read. Genuinely FLEW threw it and you want to know what happened
May 9, 2026
This was an addictively fast paced thriller,
I adored it!
I HATED ADE AND HIS MOTHER WITH A BURNING PASSION!
I loved how we flashed back between two different timelines, and while there was an element of the ending I did not like— overall I enjoy it :)
I adored it!
I HATED ADE AND HIS MOTHER WITH A BURNING PASSION!
I loved how we flashed back between two different timelines, and while there was an element of the ending I did not like— overall I enjoy it :)
December 29, 2025
DNF @ 34%.
I didn’t like this book at all. I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot, and nothing really held my attention. I found Ade really shallow and such a mama’s boy, he wouldn’t even say what he wanted and just went along with whatever his mother said. And omg his mother was so annoying the whole time. I didn’t care for the love drama either. Actually, I didn't care about anything. I ended up reading the last page, spoiled the entire book for myself, and completely gave up.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t like this book at all. I couldn’t connect with the characters or the plot, and nothing really held my attention. I found Ade really shallow and such a mama’s boy, he wouldn’t even say what he wanted and just went along with whatever his mother said. And omg his mother was so annoying the whole time. I didn’t care for the love drama either. Actually, I didn't care about anything. I ended up reading the last page, spoiled the entire book for myself, and completely gave up.
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2026
(4⭐️) Kiss Marry Kill is undeniably a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page. Our main character, Ife, has just married her childhood friend, Ade, but their wedding day is overshadowed by news of Cynthia’s murder - Ade’s ex-girlfriend who went missing weeks ago. As the mystery of Cynthia’s death unravels, secrets are unveiled and relationships are put to the test.
What I loved:
- The story falls into a dual POV rhythm, back and forth between Cynthia and Ife. This not only serves to bring the mystery to life, but it creates this atmosphere of uncertainty - never fully knowing who to trust as the two women’s lives become dangerously intertwined.
- Hats off to any writer who can surprise me with an unexpected twist! Dipeolu brilliantly laid the groundwork for a jaw-dropping reveal right at the very end that had me questioning everything.
What lacked for me:
- A small thing, but I would have liked a clearer timeline of events. Actual dates in the chapter headings, alongside the countdown to the murder, would have helped me get a better picture of Ife and Ade’s relationship timeline in addition to the timeline for Cynthia’s death.
Overall, this debut pleasantly surprised me. I love to read a quick thriller in between other longer reads and the short chapters and fast pace of this story was perfect for picking up and binge-reading. Would recommend for anyone wanting a quick, twisty murder mystery to binge in a day.
Thank you to Yemi Dipeolu, Faber & Faber and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and look forward to this book’s release on the 23rd April 2026.
What I loved:
- The story falls into a dual POV rhythm, back and forth between Cynthia and Ife. This not only serves to bring the mystery to life, but it creates this atmosphere of uncertainty - never fully knowing who to trust as the two women’s lives become dangerously intertwined.
- Hats off to any writer who can surprise me with an unexpected twist! Dipeolu brilliantly laid the groundwork for a jaw-dropping reveal right at the very end that had me questioning everything.
What lacked for me:
- A small thing, but I would have liked a clearer timeline of events. Actual dates in the chapter headings, alongside the countdown to the murder, would have helped me get a better picture of Ife and Ade’s relationship timeline in addition to the timeline for Cynthia’s death.
Overall, this debut pleasantly surprised me. I love to read a quick thriller in between other longer reads and the short chapters and fast pace of this story was perfect for picking up and binge-reading. Would recommend for anyone wanting a quick, twisty murder mystery to binge in a day.
Thank you to Yemi Dipeolu, Faber & Faber and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts and look forward to this book’s release on the 23rd April 2026.
May 19, 2026
I don’t know; depends on what smart things my reading club is going to say about this so maybe I’ll understand things a bit better. I’m not satisfied at all and don’t understand the ending. Why. And how. And WHY.
So. Yeah. That’s a shame.
I listened to the Audiobook and loved that it had 2 different voices. However; the names were a bit to similar for me which caused me to not really understand until the first few chapters who was who (easily solvable if I’d had read the book in text I think).
All in all the ending bothered me the most. It feels like I dedicated 6 hours of listening without any credit at the end. Such a shame!
Read as part of the Ladies Who Lit Bookclub
So. Yeah. That’s a shame.
I listened to the Audiobook and loved that it had 2 different voices. However; the names were a bit to similar for me which caused me to not really understand until the first few chapters who was who (easily solvable if I’d had read the book in text I think).
All in all the ending bothered me the most. It feels like I dedicated 6 hours of listening without any credit at the end. Such a shame!
Read as part of the Ladies Who Lit Bookclub
March 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
First, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Kiss Marry Kill by Yemi Dipeolu. This is in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun, twisty read that had me constantly changing my mind about everyone. One minute I trusted a character, the next minute I was side-eyeing them like… “You’re definitely hiding something, aren’t you?” Honestly, I felt like I was playing the actual game of kiss, marry, kill in my head the whole time — and my answers kept changing every few chapters.
Yemi Dipeolu did a great job creating characters that felt believable and flawed, which made the story even more engaging. I was fully invested in the drama and the unfolding tension.
And can we talk about Ade for a second? Because… absolutely not. 🚩
From early on, he gave me major red flag vibes. The kind of character that makes you think, “This is exactly the type of man your friends warn you about.” The charm, the questionable behavior, the things that don’t quite add up — it all screamed “do not date this man in real life.” I kept wanting to step into the book and tell the characters to run the other way. Ade definitely felt like a realistic example of someone who seems appealing on the surface but has layers that make you increasingly uncomfortable.
That said, while I really enjoyed the journey, the ending didn’t completely work for me. It felt a bit rushed compared to how well the rest of the story was developed. After all that buildup, I wanted a little more time to sit with the reveals and see everything unfold properly. Instead, it wrapped up quickly and left me thinking, “Wait… that’s it?”
Still, overall, I had a great time reading this. It’s entertaining, twisty, and definitely keeps you guessing. If you enjoy suspense with messy characters, secrets, and plenty of drama, this one is worth picking up.
And now I’m off to recover from all the trust issues this book gave me.
First, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Kiss Marry Kill by Yemi Dipeolu. This is in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a fun, twisty read that had me constantly changing my mind about everyone. One minute I trusted a character, the next minute I was side-eyeing them like… “You’re definitely hiding something, aren’t you?” Honestly, I felt like I was playing the actual game of kiss, marry, kill in my head the whole time — and my answers kept changing every few chapters.
Yemi Dipeolu did a great job creating characters that felt believable and flawed, which made the story even more engaging. I was fully invested in the drama and the unfolding tension.
And can we talk about Ade for a second? Because… absolutely not. 🚩
From early on, he gave me major red flag vibes. The kind of character that makes you think, “This is exactly the type of man your friends warn you about.” The charm, the questionable behavior, the things that don’t quite add up — it all screamed “do not date this man in real life.” I kept wanting to step into the book and tell the characters to run the other way. Ade definitely felt like a realistic example of someone who seems appealing on the surface but has layers that make you increasingly uncomfortable.
That said, while I really enjoyed the journey, the ending didn’t completely work for me. It felt a bit rushed compared to how well the rest of the story was developed. After all that buildup, I wanted a little more time to sit with the reveals and see everything unfold properly. Instead, it wrapped up quickly and left me thinking, “Wait… that’s it?”
Still, overall, I had a great time reading this. It’s entertaining, twisty, and definitely keeps you guessing. If you enjoy suspense with messy characters, secrets, and plenty of drama, this one is worth picking up.
And now I’m off to recover from all the trust issues this book gave me.
February 22, 2026
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I’d give this a 3 - 3.5 stars I think, as I had moments where I thought it was really good but at other times it was frustrating and the closing chapters especially the ending felt very rushed and a slight anti-climax.
I hadn’t realised it was a debut novel; if you’re into thrillers especially domestic ones, give it a go. I was really pleased it was the length it was as so many books these days tend to be longer than they need to be. I did find the dual point of view of the storyline told from Cynthia and Ife’s perspectives a tad confusing at times and felt the timelines and their descriptions, could’ve been clearer.
The book focuses on the romantic relationships between Cynthia and Ade, and then that of Ife and Ade. The former are together but face many issues mainly because Ade is a mama’s boy and too weak to stand up to his mum and she’s awful towards Cynthia and never felt her good enough for her beloved older son (personally, I found her to be a truly horrible character!) She’s also always made it clear she wanted Ade and old family friend, Ife, to get together and schemes for this to happen. I think the only characters I found likeable were Cynthia and Tayo (Ade’s younger brother), and I warmed to Ife as the story developed.
We begin with Ade being arrested for Cynthia’s murder following his wedding to Ife. I found it really odd that they got married only a few months after Cynthia’s disappearance and subsequent murder, and no wonder the police suspected him!
I won’t say anything further about characters and storyline for fear of giving anything away but I did find it full of suspense and was gripped by it.
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I’d give this a 3 - 3.5 stars I think, as I had moments where I thought it was really good but at other times it was frustrating and the closing chapters especially the ending felt very rushed and a slight anti-climax.
I hadn’t realised it was a debut novel; if you’re into thrillers especially domestic ones, give it a go. I was really pleased it was the length it was as so many books these days tend to be longer than they need to be. I did find the dual point of view of the storyline told from Cynthia and Ife’s perspectives a tad confusing at times and felt the timelines and their descriptions, could’ve been clearer.
The book focuses on the romantic relationships between Cynthia and Ade, and then that of Ife and Ade. The former are together but face many issues mainly because Ade is a mama’s boy and too weak to stand up to his mum and she’s awful towards Cynthia and never felt her good enough for her beloved older son (personally, I found her to be a truly horrible character!) She’s also always made it clear she wanted Ade and old family friend, Ife, to get together and schemes for this to happen. I think the only characters I found likeable were Cynthia and Tayo (Ade’s younger brother), and I warmed to Ife as the story developed.
We begin with Ade being arrested for Cynthia’s murder following his wedding to Ife. I found it really odd that they got married only a few months after Cynthia’s disappearance and subsequent murder, and no wonder the police suspected him!
I won’t say anything further about characters and storyline for fear of giving anything away but I did find it full of suspense and was gripped by it.
Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
April 23, 2026
Ife is excited when she has finally bagged her man, Ade. However, her dream wedding turns into a nightmare when her new husband is arrested for murder.
The body of Ade's missing ex, Cynthia, has been found on the Dorset coast, near the picture-perfect cottage when she and Ade will begin their married life. Ife is forced to travel to their new home on her own - a cottage that is still filled with traces of Cynthia.
As she sits waiting for Ade to join her, she begins to wonder whether he really is guilty. Is he keeping secrets that reveal he did kiss, marry - and kill? But then she has secrets of her own too...
This propulsive thriller unfurls through the perspectives of Ife and Cynthia, moving back and forth in time between before and after Cynthia went missing. The cast of characters is small, intimate, and intensely dysfunctional, especially when it comes to Ade's relationship with his controlling mother (and his two love interests Cynthis and Ife), and Dipeolu soon has you tied up in deliciously dark-themed knots as it becomes clear not everyone here is above board about their motives and actions.
Dipeolu excels in weaving themes of obsession, unhealthy relationships, and trauma throughout this story of the most unreliable of narrators. The drama pulls you in as the messy lives of the characters fall apart, revealing their closely guarded secrets, and there is a full quota of human frailty on display which makes it addictive reading. The mix of Nigerian and Jamaican cultural attitudes in Dipeolu's characters is insightfully explored too.
I really did not know where this story was going to take me, and I am so impressed with the way Dipeolu keeps the momentum going all the way to her jaw-dropping conclusion! What a debut! Yemi Diepolu is a new voice in fiction that is set to go far!
The body of Ade's missing ex, Cynthia, has been found on the Dorset coast, near the picture-perfect cottage when she and Ade will begin their married life. Ife is forced to travel to their new home on her own - a cottage that is still filled with traces of Cynthia.
As she sits waiting for Ade to join her, she begins to wonder whether he really is guilty. Is he keeping secrets that reveal he did kiss, marry - and kill? But then she has secrets of her own too...
This propulsive thriller unfurls through the perspectives of Ife and Cynthia, moving back and forth in time between before and after Cynthia went missing. The cast of characters is small, intimate, and intensely dysfunctional, especially when it comes to Ade's relationship with his controlling mother (and his two love interests Cynthis and Ife), and Dipeolu soon has you tied up in deliciously dark-themed knots as it becomes clear not everyone here is above board about their motives and actions.
Dipeolu excels in weaving themes of obsession, unhealthy relationships, and trauma throughout this story of the most unreliable of narrators. The drama pulls you in as the messy lives of the characters fall apart, revealing their closely guarded secrets, and there is a full quota of human frailty on display which makes it addictive reading. The mix of Nigerian and Jamaican cultural attitudes in Dipeolu's characters is insightfully explored too.
I really did not know where this story was going to take me, and I am so impressed with the way Dipeolu keeps the momentum going all the way to her jaw-dropping conclusion! What a debut! Yemi Diepolu is a new voice in fiction that is set to go far!
February 18, 2026
Ife has always loved Ade, but he only thinks of her as his best friend, and has proposed to Cynthia. Then three months ago Cynthia disappeared. Ade’s mother hates dancer Cynthia, partly because she considers her beneath her son, but mainly because she wants him to marry Ife. Mama’s actions have caused friction between the couple, not least by insinuating Ife into their life at every opportunity. Following Cynthia’s disappearance, however, Mama has won her battle and Ife has got her man. Ade has surrendered, and, even though he does not love Ife, has been rushed into marriage. But the post wedding celebration is interrupted by the police arresting Ade, following the discovery of Cynthia’s body washed up on a beach.
This is obviously a domestic murder mystery, with the main question being who killed Cynthia. The subsidiary question, though, is also pertinent: why the rushed marriage? The story is told mainly from the perspectives of Cynthia, in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, and Ife in the weeks after the wedding. The two lines are interwoven very successfully and the reader is kept guessing to the end. Although Ade’s family are Nigerian and Cynthia is Jamaican, this don’t really have any specific effect on the story, which could have been set anywhere with any nationalities. The writing is quite smooth, the plot is well managed and the final twist took me by surprise. I’d been thinking of giving it 3.5 stars, but the twist is probably worth 0.5 extra.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
This is obviously a domestic murder mystery, with the main question being who killed Cynthia. The subsidiary question, though, is also pertinent: why the rushed marriage? The story is told mainly from the perspectives of Cynthia, in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, and Ife in the weeks after the wedding. The two lines are interwoven very successfully and the reader is kept guessing to the end. Although Ade’s family are Nigerian and Cynthia is Jamaican, this don’t really have any specific effect on the story, which could have been set anywhere with any nationalities. The writing is quite smooth, the plot is well managed and the final twist took me by surprise. I’d been thinking of giving it 3.5 stars, but the twist is probably worth 0.5 extra.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
April 11, 2026
firstly, I’d like to say thank you to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
this book was pacy and intriguing. it had a lot of plot points to think about and try to piece together which made for a mostly gripping read. I flew through this in a few hours and was very interested to see how the plot was going to conclude.
it was a fun plot and I liked the direction we were going in. the reveals were mostly satisfying too, although some parts were very predictable. I also thought at times Cynthia was a little naive and I thought her reasoning was a bit off at times but this did sometimes add a bit of tension as it gave a sense of foreboding to the reader.
this probably would’ve been more of a 3.5/nearly 4 star read if it wasn’t for the ending. this book was quite short as it was, which wasn’t a problem, until the end as I think it could’ve benefited from being a bit longer. I felt it was very rushed and left me with a lot of questions or thoughts that I wanted to be wrapped up a bit nicer or with a bit more explanation. I mean the overall sense of what happened is mostly clear but it just fell a bit flat due to its abrupt cut off point. I felt more confused than shocked with the final twist and think it would’ve been nicer to have a bit more extra context or just content in general.
overall, I had a good time, it just didn’t completely blow me away and the ending letting me down is mainly the reason for that. but if you don’t mind an abrupt ending, it might be an even better read for you!
this book was pacy and intriguing. it had a lot of plot points to think about and try to piece together which made for a mostly gripping read. I flew through this in a few hours and was very interested to see how the plot was going to conclude.
it was a fun plot and I liked the direction we were going in. the reveals were mostly satisfying too, although some parts were very predictable. I also thought at times Cynthia was a little naive and I thought her reasoning was a bit off at times but this did sometimes add a bit of tension as it gave a sense of foreboding to the reader.
this probably would’ve been more of a 3.5/nearly 4 star read if it wasn’t for the ending. this book was quite short as it was, which wasn’t a problem, until the end as I think it could’ve benefited from being a bit longer. I felt it was very rushed and left me with a lot of questions or thoughts that I wanted to be wrapped up a bit nicer or with a bit more explanation. I mean the overall sense of what happened is mostly clear but it just fell a bit flat due to its abrupt cut off point. I felt more confused than shocked with the final twist and think it would’ve been nicer to have a bit more extra context or just content in general.
overall, I had a good time, it just didn’t completely blow me away and the ending letting me down is mainly the reason for that. but if you don’t mind an abrupt ending, it might be an even better read for you!
April 17, 2026
Arc review
Initial thoughts: if you enjoyed the three of us by Ore Agbaje-Williams and Till Death by Busayo , then this book is for you.
It’s a nice size book and easy to follow with no spicy scene.
I thought, I knew who the killer/person was responsible for her disappearance was, but I was left confused at the end. The book would hold your attention, if you’re into the classic stalker story. I enjoyed the dual timelines , present and time leading up to Cynthia’s disappearance from 6 weeks to present.
Book overview:
We follow the story of Cynthia’s disappearance. Cynthia is a professional dancer and owes a dance studio in a small town outside London. she makes a new friend Mark , in town who live above her dance studio. He becomes her sound board and support system when her relationship with Ade becomes unstable. He is an entrepreneur and in the music industry.
Her long-time boyfriend Ade is a mummy pleaser, who can’t make decisions for himself. His mother has a hold of him because of a hidden family secret. She is a relationship meddler who is doing everything in her power to get Ade to marry their longtime family friend ife (fay), who has recently relocated from the middle east to the UK
Ade and Ife have a strained relationship because Ife has always made it know to Ade, that she is in love with him and he has always treated her as the second option. When Ade’s mother ropes her into destroying Cythia’s and Ade’s relationship , she is more the a participate.
4 Suspects ,1 disappeared /murder, who is responsible? Read the story to find out or not 😊
Initial thoughts: if you enjoyed the three of us by Ore Agbaje-Williams and Till Death by Busayo , then this book is for you.
It’s a nice size book and easy to follow with no spicy scene.
I thought, I knew who the killer/person was responsible for her disappearance was, but I was left confused at the end. The book would hold your attention, if you’re into the classic stalker story. I enjoyed the dual timelines , present and time leading up to Cynthia’s disappearance from 6 weeks to present.
Book overview:
We follow the story of Cynthia’s disappearance. Cynthia is a professional dancer and owes a dance studio in a small town outside London. she makes a new friend Mark , in town who live above her dance studio. He becomes her sound board and support system when her relationship with Ade becomes unstable. He is an entrepreneur and in the music industry.
Her long-time boyfriend Ade is a mummy pleaser, who can’t make decisions for himself. His mother has a hold of him because of a hidden family secret. She is a relationship meddler who is doing everything in her power to get Ade to marry their longtime family friend ife (fay), who has recently relocated from the middle east to the UK
Ade and Ife have a strained relationship because Ife has always made it know to Ade, that she is in love with him and he has always treated her as the second option. When Ade’s mother ropes her into destroying Cythia’s and Ade’s relationship , she is more the a participate.
4 Suspects ,1 disappeared /murder, who is responsible? Read the story to find out or not 😊
September 6, 2026
On his wedding day to his childhood best friend, Ife, Ade is arrested by the police right after the exchange of vows. Through a series of flashbacks, we see the unraveling of Ade's relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Cynthia, who has gone missing—hence his sudden arrest. We also see the deep-seated prejudice of Ade's mother, who feels Cynthia isn't a good match for her son simply because she isn't Nigerian and is a dance artist, a career her overbearing nature strongly disapproves of.
In short, fast-paced chapters, the author paints a vivid portrait of each character, perfectly setting up the mystery behind Cynthia’s disappearance. Every single character carries a huge question mark on their forehead: Ade is a controlling boyfriend with serious trust issues, Mark appears out of nowhere with an inexplicable interest in Cynthia, and Ade’s mother is constantly at loggerheads with her.
When Cynthia’s body finally turns up, the story becomes downright riveting. It kept me thoroughly hooked, desperate to know the how and the why, and the payoff at the end was entirely worth it. The unexpected twist proves that things are rarely black and white, and traditional thriller tropes don't always have to be followed. In the end, the author leaves us to assemble the final pieces of the crime scene ourselves and I actually had to flip back to a specific page just to confirm my suspicions. It brilliantly drives home what humans are capable of in the face of desperation.
The ending is truly laudable, and I highly recommend this as a quick, compelling read.
In short, fast-paced chapters, the author paints a vivid portrait of each character, perfectly setting up the mystery behind Cynthia’s disappearance. Every single character carries a huge question mark on their forehead: Ade is a controlling boyfriend with serious trust issues, Mark appears out of nowhere with an inexplicable interest in Cynthia, and Ade’s mother is constantly at loggerheads with her.
When Cynthia’s body finally turns up, the story becomes downright riveting. It kept me thoroughly hooked, desperate to know the how and the why, and the payoff at the end was entirely worth it. The unexpected twist proves that things are rarely black and white, and traditional thriller tropes don't always have to be followed. In the end, the author leaves us to assemble the final pieces of the crime scene ourselves and I actually had to flip back to a specific page just to confirm my suspicions. It brilliantly drives home what humans are capable of in the face of desperation.
The ending is truly laudable, and I highly recommend this as a quick, compelling read.
July 25, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book, it was fast paced and kept me guessing the whole way through!
Ade was unlikable the whole way through and of course his mother. That made it a bit harder to read, because there were so many people I didn't trust for so long in the book and it felt like the whole thing was screaming red flags for everyone from the very beginning. I think it would have been better to possibly have less red flags?
I do understand why the author would plant so many red flags to direct our attention to different characters we thought might be responsible for the mystery, but I think it might have been a bit overdone.
I really loved Tayo though, great character addition there. I also liked the character development of Cynthia and Ife.
The plot was good but it did feel a little bit random at times, even though each event makes sense when you finish the book.
The ending really shocked me and it took me a while to grapple with what actually happened! I quite like this feeling.
My biggest pet peeve with the book was all the brands, it really anchored it into a certain period of time, quite modern, but I think it takes away from what otherwise is a really well written book. I imagine that describing the types of things and places the characters went to without brand dropping would have really improved this book.
Ade was unlikable the whole way through and of course his mother. That made it a bit harder to read, because there were so many people I didn't trust for so long in the book and it felt like the whole thing was screaming red flags for everyone from the very beginning. I think it would have been better to possibly have less red flags?
I do understand why the author would plant so many red flags to direct our attention to different characters we thought might be responsible for the mystery, but I think it might have been a bit overdone.
I really loved Tayo though, great character addition there. I also liked the character development of Cynthia and Ife.
The plot was good but it did feel a little bit random at times, even though each event makes sense when you finish the book.
The ending really shocked me and it took me a while to grapple with what actually happened! I quite like this feeling.
My biggest pet peeve with the book was all the brands, it really anchored it into a certain period of time, quite modern, but I think it takes away from what otherwise is a really well written book. I imagine that describing the types of things and places the characters went to without brand dropping would have really improved this book.
November 28, 2025
Addictive. Assured. Charming.
Honestly, it’s almost rude for a debut to come out this polished.
“Kiss Marry Kill” grabbed me straight away with Ade’s narration — not because it’s a pleasant place to be (it absolutely is not; nobody should volunteer to live in that man’s head), but because it’s fearless, raw, and impossible to look away from. The dual narrative from Ife and Cynthia adds even more layers, keeping the whole story tight and propulsive without a single wasted beat.
The characters are spot-on and sharply observed. And Ade’s mother? She is written with such icy precision that every time she appeared, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. No softness. No warmth. Not even for her sons — which, frankly, makes her even more compelling on the page.
And hanging over everything is the big question: who killed Cynthia?
As a prolific reader, I pride myself on spotting twists early, but this one still caught me off guard. Properly blindsided. The final pages hit like a well-aimed punch.
Will I read more by Yemi Dipeolu?
Absolutely. It’s a debut with the confidence of someone already well into their career.
My thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the ARC of “Kiss Marry Kill” by Yemi Dipeolu.
Honestly, it’s almost rude for a debut to come out this polished.
“Kiss Marry Kill” grabbed me straight away with Ade’s narration — not because it’s a pleasant place to be (it absolutely is not; nobody should volunteer to live in that man’s head), but because it’s fearless, raw, and impossible to look away from. The dual narrative from Ife and Cynthia adds even more layers, keeping the whole story tight and propulsive without a single wasted beat.
The characters are spot-on and sharply observed. And Ade’s mother? She is written with such icy precision that every time she appeared, the temperature in the room seemed to drop. No softness. No warmth. Not even for her sons — which, frankly, makes her even more compelling on the page.
And hanging over everything is the big question: who killed Cynthia?
As a prolific reader, I pride myself on spotting twists early, but this one still caught me off guard. Properly blindsided. The final pages hit like a well-aimed punch.
Will I read more by Yemi Dipeolu?
Absolutely. It’s a debut with the confidence of someone already well into their career.
My thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the ARC of “Kiss Marry Kill” by Yemi Dipeolu.
March 6, 2026
It’s Ife’s dream wedding. She’s finally marrying Ade the man she’s always loved, and she’s finally pregnant. Except during the reception, the police arrest Ade - on suspicion of můrdering his ex, Cynthia. Is it true? Did he really kiss, marry, kïll?
The book flicks back and forth from Cynthia’s perspective in the past, to Ife’s in the present day. Everyone has something to hide - but who knows what really happened to Cynthia? Is it Ade, the jealous ex? Was it Mark, the helpful new friend? Could it have been Mama, who never liked Cynthia and wanted ‘better’ for her son? Or was it Ife, tired of pining for a man she couldn’t have? After the wedding, inexplicable things start happening. Someone is getting into Ade and Ife’s home. They’re planting messages and leaving clues - is it Cynthia? Or does someone know what really happened?
I really enjoyed this book! It’s fast-paced and absorbing, and I kept thinking of different theories. I felt so sorry for Cynthia, who never stood a chance with Ade’s mum, and I instantly disliked Ade! I had my suspicions early on, but I kept changing my mind. The finale was explosive and exciting, and I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of thrillers and mysteries.
Thank you to Faber books for the proof!
The book flicks back and forth from Cynthia’s perspective in the past, to Ife’s in the present day. Everyone has something to hide - but who knows what really happened to Cynthia? Is it Ade, the jealous ex? Was it Mark, the helpful new friend? Could it have been Mama, who never liked Cynthia and wanted ‘better’ for her son? Or was it Ife, tired of pining for a man she couldn’t have? After the wedding, inexplicable things start happening. Someone is getting into Ade and Ife’s home. They’re planting messages and leaving clues - is it Cynthia? Or does someone know what really happened?
I really enjoyed this book! It’s fast-paced and absorbing, and I kept thinking of different theories. I felt so sorry for Cynthia, who never stood a chance with Ade’s mum, and I instantly disliked Ade! I had my suspicions early on, but I kept changing my mind. The finale was explosive and exciting, and I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of thrillers and mysteries.
Thank you to Faber books for the proof!
November 18, 2025
Kiss Marry Kill is a pulse-tingling debut that unwraps love, obsession, and betrayal with the precision of a scalpel and the glamour of a wedding veil. Yemi Dipeolu invites us into Ife’s dream ceremony—only to shatter it with the arrest of her new husband, Ade, for the murder of his missing ex.
From the first chapter, the tension hums like a string quartet playing slightly off-key. The Dorset coast setting adds a windswept eeriness, while the central question—did Ade kiss, marry, and kill?—echoes through every page like a haunting refrain.
Dipeolu’s writing is crisp and cinematic, with emotional undercurrents that ripple beneath the surface. The narrative is bingeable yet thoughtful, balancing domestic suspense with psychological depth. Ife is a compelling protagonist: vulnerable but sharp, caught between the fairy tale she hoped for and the nightmare she may be living.
Perfect for fans of Adele Parks and The List, this is a thriller that doesn’t just ask whodunnit—it asks who’s telling the truth, and who’s rewriting the story to survive.
With thanks to Yemi Dipeolu, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
From the first chapter, the tension hums like a string quartet playing slightly off-key. The Dorset coast setting adds a windswept eeriness, while the central question—did Ade kiss, marry, and kill?—echoes through every page like a haunting refrain.
Dipeolu’s writing is crisp and cinematic, with emotional undercurrents that ripple beneath the surface. The narrative is bingeable yet thoughtful, balancing domestic suspense with psychological depth. Ife is a compelling protagonist: vulnerable but sharp, caught between the fairy tale she hoped for and the nightmare she may be living.
Perfect for fans of Adele Parks and The List, this is a thriller that doesn’t just ask whodunnit—it asks who’s telling the truth, and who’s rewriting the story to survive.
With thanks to Yemi Dipeolu, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
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