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Hearts & Heathens #1
Kill to Love
Kill to Love
is a dystopian dark rom-com featuring fated mates with a strong leaning toward enemies-to-lovers - and it is also UNHINGED and hilarious and incredibly spicy.
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR KILL TO LOVE
- Detailed sex scenes which include incorrect ways of wearing sunglasses.
- Offence to the Flat Earth Community.
- Stalking and unsuccessful kidnapping.
- Villainous side characters who may commit cannibalism.
- Torture.
- Offence to those of the Gemini astrological sign.
- This book is not meant to be taken seriously.
And here is the storyline . . .
Delphine De Astor has never cried - and worse, she's never felt her heart pull toward a Soulmate. In a society where that emotional absence brands her as 'Soulless', Delphine is deemed evil, unlovable and disposable. Her sentence? A televised ten-day Execution Battle where the Soulless must fight to the death for public entertainment - complete with commercial breaks for stain remover.
Dropped into the chaos pantless and armed with nothing but sunscreen, Delphine faces cannibals, incestuous lovers, men who may just be psychopaths - or Geminis - and a madman in a pink sequinned crop top. But the most dangerous contender of all is Dig a notorious serial killer with dark hair, a relentless fixation on Delphine, and a habit of hiding his eyes behind heart-shaped sunglasses.
Dig once tried to kidnap her. Now he's hunting her through the Battle.
And when they finally meet, Delphine's heart does something it's never done before . . .
If you love Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird, you will absolutely adore Kill to Love, a subversive, laugh-out-loud exploration of love, morality and identity, asking what it really means to be a monster.
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR KILL TO LOVE
- Detailed sex scenes which include incorrect ways of wearing sunglasses.
- Offence to the Flat Earth Community.
- Stalking and unsuccessful kidnapping.
- Villainous side characters who may commit cannibalism.
- Torture.
- Offence to those of the Gemini astrological sign.
- This book is not meant to be taken seriously.
And here is the storyline . . .
Delphine De Astor has never cried - and worse, she's never felt her heart pull toward a Soulmate. In a society where that emotional absence brands her as 'Soulless', Delphine is deemed evil, unlovable and disposable. Her sentence? A televised ten-day Execution Battle where the Soulless must fight to the death for public entertainment - complete with commercial breaks for stain remover.
Dropped into the chaos pantless and armed with nothing but sunscreen, Delphine faces cannibals, incestuous lovers, men who may just be psychopaths - or Geminis - and a madman in a pink sequinned crop top. But the most dangerous contender of all is Dig a notorious serial killer with dark hair, a relentless fixation on Delphine, and a habit of hiding his eyes behind heart-shaped sunglasses.
Dig once tried to kidnap her. Now he's hunting her through the Battle.
And when they finally meet, Delphine's heart does something it's never done before . . .
If you love Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird, you will absolutely adore Kill to Love, a subversive, laugh-out-loud exploration of love, morality and identity, asking what it really means to be a monster.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2026
About the author
Penny Sunday
4 books175 followersPenny Sunday is an Australian author who is obsessed with writing fun romance stories. When reading she loves dog-earing pages (and loves her actual dog), is seriously into peanut sauce, tiramisu, folding laundry and regularly stocks her go-bag for any possible impending apocalypse. She keeps all her dark-haired men in books, locked up in the cupboard right where they belong.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,384 reviews
January 29, 2026
This was absurd and chaotic, with a fun and unique concept. I was expecting to love it a lot more than I actually did..
There's nothing I love more than an unhinged book, but I didn't connect with Delphine, which lessened my enjoyment..
Everyone has a soulmate, but if you don't, you're Soulless, evil and unloved. They are imprisoned and once a year they battle to the death for ten days, cameras are filming and everything is allowed.. Delphine didn't found her soulmate, so she enters the game, but Dig Graves has been waiting seven years for her and he's not letting her escape this time.. She tries to run, he always finds her. There's a connection there and just maybe there's more to him than she though..
I really liked Dig, he was a great character, unhinged, with scars and struggles. I loved how obsessed he was and how he did everything to protect her. He might be a notorious killer, but he was so sweet.
Delphine was always different, she was unhinged and a little strange and she did have her moments, but I just couldn't connect to her.. I'm someone whose mood of the book heavily relies on the characters, so me not connecting with her impacted my enjoyment.. I really tried, but I kept being annoyed by her, instead of entertained..
I did enjoy the battles and we encountered some really strange characters, which was fun. Such a colourful bunch..
The spicy scenes were okay, a little underwhelming or maybe I was expecting more, I don't know. I did enjoy the sunglasses, though..
They were a good match, all things considered.
I think I generally expected more, more craziness, more fun, more emotional depth.. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't enough. I needed more.
The pace was a little inconsistent and dialogue a little clipped at times, which I personally didn't like. Also, while some scenes were funny, there were also some that simply didn't land for me.
I did love the final scene in the battle, that was a winner!!
That scene after the battle, I wasn't expecting it to take that specific turn, but I'm not surprised.. He got exactly what he deserved.
Overall, I think this was a great debut! I'll absolutely read more of her books.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
There's nothing I love more than an unhinged book, but I didn't connect with Delphine, which lessened my enjoyment..
Everyone has a soulmate, but if you don't, you're Soulless, evil and unloved. They are imprisoned and once a year they battle to the death for ten days, cameras are filming and everything is allowed.. Delphine didn't found her soulmate, so she enters the game, but Dig Graves has been waiting seven years for her and he's not letting her escape this time.. She tries to run, he always finds her. There's a connection there and just maybe there's more to him than she though..
I really liked Dig, he was a great character, unhinged, with scars and struggles. I loved how obsessed he was and how he did everything to protect her. He might be a notorious killer, but he was so sweet.
Delphine was always different, she was unhinged and a little strange and she did have her moments, but I just couldn't connect to her.. I'm someone whose mood of the book heavily relies on the characters, so me not connecting with her impacted my enjoyment.. I really tried, but I kept being annoyed by her, instead of entertained..
I did enjoy the battles and we encountered some really strange characters, which was fun. Such a colourful bunch..
The spicy scenes were okay, a little underwhelming or maybe I was expecting more, I don't know. I did enjoy the sunglasses, though..
They were a good match, all things considered.
I think I generally expected more, more craziness, more fun, more emotional depth.. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't enough. I needed more.
The pace was a little inconsistent and dialogue a little clipped at times, which I personally didn't like. Also, while some scenes were funny, there were also some that simply didn't land for me.
I did love the final scene in the battle, that was a winner!!
That scene after the battle, I wasn't expecting it to take that specific turn, but I'm not surprised.. He got exactly what he deserved.
Overall, I think this was a great debut! I'll absolutely read more of her books.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Victory Editing for providing me with an ARC.*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kill to Love by Penny Sunday
★★★
Deemed Soulless, Delphine is thrown into a brutal, televised Execution Battle where she finally feels her heart beat upon meeting Dig Graves, the serial killer who once hunted her. Their encounter upends everything she’s been condemned to die for.
Hunger Games meets The Never King. I was so intrigued by the concept of this book. I will always say hell yeah to reading an unhinged book. But I felt like the writing style was letting down the reading experience. Especially during dialogue. Often it was one worded back and forth responses between Delphine and Dig Graves.
I did enjoy the second half the book more than the first half. The spicy scenes were elite. We finally saw some character development behind Dig which peaked m interest again.
I appreciate the risks taken to write a book that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines of romance. I felt a little disconnected from the character development while reading.
I’m sure the unhinged girls would love this, but it was a little too derailed for me.
◦: key tropes :◦
✧ Dark romantic satire
✧ Enemies to lovers
✧ Soulmates / Fated Mates
💭 Do you love Morally grey MMC’s?
Thank you @theberryagency for the opportunity to review this book.
✨BOOK1 OF 2026✨
Follow my reading journey here on:
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★★★
Deemed Soulless, Delphine is thrown into a brutal, televised Execution Battle where she finally feels her heart beat upon meeting Dig Graves, the serial killer who once hunted her. Their encounter upends everything she’s been condemned to die for.
Hunger Games meets The Never King. I was so intrigued by the concept of this book. I will always say hell yeah to reading an unhinged book. But I felt like the writing style was letting down the reading experience. Especially during dialogue. Often it was one worded back and forth responses between Delphine and Dig Graves.
I did enjoy the second half the book more than the first half. The spicy scenes were elite. We finally saw some character development behind Dig which peaked m interest again.
I appreciate the risks taken to write a book that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines of romance. I felt a little disconnected from the character development while reading.
I’m sure the unhinged girls would love this, but it was a little too derailed for me.
◦: key tropes :◦
✧ Dark romantic satire
✧ Enemies to lovers
✧ Soulmates / Fated Mates
💭 Do you love Morally grey MMC’s?
Thank you @theberryagency for the opportunity to review this book.
✨BOOK1 OF 2026✨
Follow my reading journey here on:
TikTok
October 23, 2026
Lmao this was so fun idc idc. This is 1000% for Lights Out fans. What a blast! 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
PLOT
If you don’t find your soulmate before your 25th birthday you’re considered Soulless — a danger to society — & sent to prison which hosts a deadly multi-day tournament. She’s spent her whole life feeling nothing, until a man breaks into her bedroom. When she’s still without her soulmate, she finds herself in the games… with said intruder.
- dark rom com dystopian
- very silly goofy but also dark (check your triggers)
- banter banter banter
- he falls first & HARD
- duet audiobook!
- high spice
PROS
- This is so fun & silly & campy. I laughed out loud multiple times. The camp was off the charts & this was just so much fun.
- The banter in this was a fucking blast. An absolute hoot & a half.
- I literally loved our FMC so much. She’s an actual semi-unfeeling psychopath golden sunshine rainbow & I am literally obsessed with her. She made me cackle with her approach to things.
- Also Dig was such a delight. He also made me cackle & what a stud. AND A CONSENT KING.
- The “games” in this were actually really fun & refreshing. They didn’t feel like games & trials they just felt like trying to survive (which is what it was) & felt almost video game-ish in a cool (but not at all litRPG) way.
- audio-specific - Jacob Morgan is perfect at the golden retriever psycho MMC
MIDS
- Audiobook-specific, the FMC at first, for the first few chapters, felt almost *too* robotic where I thought this was an inexperienced narrator. I know the point is that this FMC feels nothing, but it started out in a way that felt like a mistake. This improved over time & became a non-issue but at first I was like uh oh is this gonna be not freer.
CONS
- Despite loving the FMC sometimes she made insane decisions that felt a bit untethered from her actual lack-of-emotional state. She got really attached to someone & put herself in constant danger for them instead of problem solving & that just felt a little odd?
LOVED. What a blasty blast.
PLOT
If you don’t find your soulmate before your 25th birthday you’re considered Soulless — a danger to society — & sent to prison which hosts a deadly multi-day tournament. She’s spent her whole life feeling nothing, until a man breaks into her bedroom. When she’s still without her soulmate, she finds herself in the games… with said intruder.
- dark rom com dystopian
- very silly goofy but also dark (check your triggers)
- banter banter banter
- he falls first & HARD
- duet audiobook!
- high spice
PROS
- This is so fun & silly & campy. I laughed out loud multiple times. The camp was off the charts & this was just so much fun.
- The banter in this was a fucking blast. An absolute hoot & a half.
- I literally loved our FMC so much. She’s an actual semi-unfeeling psychopath golden sunshine rainbow & I am literally obsessed with her. She made me cackle with her approach to things.
- Also Dig was such a delight. He also made me cackle & what a stud. AND A CONSENT KING.
- The “games” in this were actually really fun & refreshing. They didn’t feel like games & trials they just felt like trying to survive (which is what it was) & felt almost video game-ish in a cool (but not at all litRPG) way.
- audio-specific - Jacob Morgan is perfect at the golden retriever psycho MMC
MIDS
- Audiobook-specific, the FMC at first, for the first few chapters, felt almost *too* robotic where I thought this was an inexperienced narrator. I know the point is that this FMC feels nothing, but it started out in a way that felt like a mistake. This improved over time & became a non-issue but at first I was like uh oh is this gonna be not freer.
CONS
- Despite loving the FMC sometimes she made insane decisions that felt a bit untethered from her actual lack-of-emotional state. She got really attached to someone & put herself in constant danger for them instead of problem solving & that just felt a little odd?
LOVED. What a blasty blast.
September 19, 2026
people out here publishing first drafts
October 3, 2026
★★★.25
A masked man broke in through my bedroom window at 2am.
the first 20% was so good! Loved the world building and the story building as well, and the soulmate part was such an interesting base for the story
After that, it got cluttered. I can’t decide if all of this was too much for 300 pages, maybe if there were less things to tell, it would have been better. Like taking the incest out, or the Cannibalism stuff. All of this didn’t add anything to the story in my opinion
70% - 100%
“How beautiful do you think I am?”
“I’d-spoon-out-everyone’s-eyes-in-the-world-and-keep-them-pointed-on-you beautiful.”
These parts were so worth it. We saw how obsessed Dig was with Daph and what lengths he would go to for her.
“You’re a Jane Austen fan?”
“You are.”
“What?”
“It was on your bookshelf.”
He was so sweet in his own twisted way, which I loved. He read her favorite books, got her the things she loved (she has a weird obsession with sunscreen and vitamin C), and stocked all of these things in his killing abode 🧎🏻♀️
I was on the walls, every angle of my face, every twist of my body, etched and painted and sketched, capturing my likeness as if they were all photographs. There were papers too. Stacks of paper with more pictures of me, curated by careful, artistic hands.
He stalks her like A LOT because he knows she’s his soulmate, but he doesn’t know why she doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Which is actually weird in the system they live in, until we get to the plot twist.
I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT AT ALL (not gonna spoil because it was so good and disgusting 🤣😭)
“You are the wreath of flowers around the rot in my soul, and from the decay in my heart I offer you the type of devotion Gods covet from a disbeliever.”
It was an enjoyable read (if you ignore the formatting mistakes and some repeated words). Would recommend if you like dark romcoms with a disturbing environment.
A masked man broke in through my bedroom window at 2am.
the first 20% was so good! Loved the world building and the story building as well, and the soulmate part was such an interesting base for the story
After that, it got cluttered. I can’t decide if all of this was too much for 300 pages, maybe if there were less things to tell, it would have been better. Like taking the incest out, or the Cannibalism stuff. All of this didn’t add anything to the story in my opinion
70% - 100%
“How beautiful do you think I am?”
“I’d-spoon-out-everyone’s-eyes-in-the-world-and-keep-them-pointed-on-you beautiful.”
These parts were so worth it. We saw how obsessed Dig was with Daph and what lengths he would go to for her.
“You’re a Jane Austen fan?”
“You are.”
“What?”
“It was on your bookshelf.”
He was so sweet in his own twisted way, which I loved. He read her favorite books, got her the things she loved (she has a weird obsession with sunscreen and vitamin C), and stocked all of these things in his killing abode 🧎🏻♀️
I was on the walls, every angle of my face, every twist of my body, etched and painted and sketched, capturing my likeness as if they were all photographs. There were papers too. Stacks of paper with more pictures of me, curated by careful, artistic hands.
He stalks her like A LOT because he knows she’s his soulmate, but he doesn’t know why she doesn’t seem to feel the same way. Which is actually weird in the system they live in, until we get to the plot twist.
I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT AT ALL (not gonna spoil because it was so good and disgusting 🤣😭)
“You are the wreath of flowers around the rot in my soul, and from the decay in my heart I offer you the type of devotion Gods covet from a disbeliever.”
It was an enjoyable read (if you ignore the formatting mistakes and some repeated words). Would recommend if you like dark romcoms with a disturbing environment.
September 22, 2026
5***** stars
I’ve seen this one going around on Instagram a few times now and on a whim I just decided I want in on the fun, without even reading the blurb. finishing the prologue I made Anita join me. by chapter ten I had ordered the paperback to join my shelf trophies.
THIS WAS FREAKING HILARIOUS!
Dig Graves (don’t laugh, his brother’s name is Slash Arteries, his sister’s Glorious Pain) the golden retriever killer and Delphine, the emotionless good person.
I can’t believe this was a debut and i’m already dying for the next one!!
I only wished there would’ve been more chapters from the MMC’s POV (not that there was any need, but) because Jacob Morgan was narrating. simple as that. other than that tho, no complaints at all. also: THE AUDIO WAS AMAZING!
**********
Hearts & Heathens Series
Book 1 - Kill to Love - 5.0 stars
Book 2 - Die to Love - release 01/27
I’ve seen this one going around on Instagram a few times now and on a whim I just decided I want in on the fun, without even reading the blurb. finishing the prologue I made Anita join me. by chapter ten I had ordered the paperback to join my shelf trophies.
THIS WAS FREAKING HILARIOUS!
Dig Graves (don’t laugh, his brother’s name is Slash Arteries, his sister’s Glorious Pain) the golden retriever killer and Delphine, the emotionless good person.
“I’d burn people alive for you, record their screams and make it my ringtone. For you, Delphine De Astor, I’d do anything.” […] “I want to create statues of you and elevate them into the ocean of stars, showing the world their new goddess, and whoever does not bow down to you, they will suffer under the torture of my hand.” I touched his cheek.
“Maybe tomorrow.”
I can’t believe this was a debut and i’m already dying for the next one!!
I only wished there would’ve been more chapters from the MMC’s POV (not that there was any need, but) because Jacob Morgan was narrating. simple as that. other than that tho, no complaints at all. also: THE AUDIO WAS AMAZING!
**********
Hearts & Heathens Series
Book 1 - Kill to Love - 5.0 stars
Book 2 - Die to Love - release 01/27
September 22, 2026
• dark romcom • m/f •
Omg this book was hilarious in a total over the top, ridiculous way. And the author was being so blatantly slap-stick ridiculous that it just made this book even more funny. I laughed so much!
In a world where everyone finds their soulmates by the time they are 25yo, if you haven’t, then you are without question Soulless and will inevitably turn into a vile criminal one day. All Soulless are thrown in prison on their 25th birthday even if no crimes have yet been committed. Then once a year there is a Hunger Games style Execution Battle where all the Soulless are set loose in a walled-in deserted city to battle to their deaths.
Our FMC Delphine De Astor is two days shy of her 25th birthday and looking like she is going to be Soulless. She hasn’t felt any connection to anyone, unless you count that weird stalker guy that broke into her bedroom 7 years earlier. She can’t stop fantasising about his red heart shaped sunglasses.
Hint - the stalker, Dig Graves, is our MMC love interest.
These two end up in the Execution Battle together. He is all piney bad-boy and she is derpy and oblivious.
And their banter is just fucking hilarious!
A cast of entertaining side characters, Delphine’s overprotective brother Magnus, Dig’s siblings Slash Artery and Glorious Pain, sweet Tommy, and that nice incest couple. 🤣
This audiobook slaps 🎧 👊 (Jacob Morgan as MMC is always a winning touch) 😏
An impromptu buddy read with Kati, a fun, hilarious time was had 🤪
4.5 stupid-funny ⭐️
2.5🌶️
Omg this book was hilarious in a total over the top, ridiculous way. And the author was being so blatantly slap-stick ridiculous that it just made this book even more funny. I laughed so much!
In a world where everyone finds their soulmates by the time they are 25yo, if you haven’t, then you are without question Soulless and will inevitably turn into a vile criminal one day. All Soulless are thrown in prison on their 25th birthday even if no crimes have yet been committed. Then once a year there is a Hunger Games style Execution Battle where all the Soulless are set loose in a walled-in deserted city to battle to their deaths.
Our FMC Delphine De Astor is two days shy of her 25th birthday and looking like she is going to be Soulless. She hasn’t felt any connection to anyone, unless you count that weird stalker guy that broke into her bedroom 7 years earlier. She can’t stop fantasising about his red heart shaped sunglasses.
Hint - the stalker, Dig Graves, is our MMC love interest.
These two end up in the Execution Battle together. He is all piney bad-boy and she is derpy and oblivious.
And their banter is just fucking hilarious!
“Hey!” I pointed to her. “Come down here and say that to his face and he’ll beat you up!”
Dig grabbed my ankle. “Don’t say that. I think I broke my arm.”
“I don’t think it’s broken.”
“It could be.”
“What makes you think it’s broken?”
“It’s bending the other way.”
“I can bend my arm that way easily. Look. Watch.”
“That’s fucking cool.”
“Yoga.”
A cast of entertaining side characters, Delphine’s overprotective brother Magnus, Dig’s siblings Slash Artery and Glorious Pain, sweet Tommy, and that nice incest couple. 🤣
This audiobook slaps 🎧 👊 (Jacob Morgan as MMC is always a winning touch) 😏
An impromptu buddy read with Kati, a fun, hilarious time was had 🤪
4.5 stupid-funny ⭐️
2.5🌶️
March 16, 2026
Well, never mind. I made it to the 13th chapter (about 31%) and had to call it quits. I don’t even know wtf I just read.
I was so excited for this book and have been waiting months to read it, so this review pains me deeply. I also hate throwing around AI accusations left and right, but there’s no way an actual person wrote this, right?
I was getting whiplash from the main characters constantly changing personalities. Everything felt disjointed and the pacing was weird. The FMC had way too many moments that felt cringey and juvenile. And the dialogue??? Nobody talks like that! 🙄
Of what I read, this feels like it had no clue what type of book it wanted to be. I thought the premise was super interesting, but unfortunately the execution fell flat. I disappointing 1 star from me.
I was so excited for this book and have been waiting months to read it, so this review pains me deeply. I also hate throwing around AI accusations left and right, but there’s no way an actual person wrote this, right?
I was getting whiplash from the main characters constantly changing personalities. Everything felt disjointed and the pacing was weird. The FMC had way too many moments that felt cringey and juvenile. And the dialogue??? Nobody talks like that! 🙄
Of what I read, this feels like it had no clue what type of book it wanted to be. I thought the premise was super interesting, but unfortunately the execution fell flat. I disappointing 1 star from me.
June 20, 2026
3.5⭐️
Man, this book reminds me of the hunger games
I love it, i love the story it was so fun, love the characters and their chemistry
Was is best book i have ever read? No, but it was much needed book for fun read especially i was having a book slump
So yeah, i love it
Man, this book reminds me of the hunger games
I love it, i love the story it was so fun, love the characters and their chemistry
Was is best book i have ever read? No, but it was much needed book for fun read especially i was having a book slump
So yeah, i love it
March 15, 2026
What a ride! I was cackling reading this book, stayed up till midnight to finish it because I could not put it down.
If you love rom-com-dark unaliver romances. If you loved Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird kind of vibes, then I feel like you will enjoy this book.
He falls first and HARD! Literally unalives everyone for her. She says jump, he says how high, kind of vibes.
Also, the lore of this world was SO unique!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you love rom-com-dark unaliver romances. If you loved Lights Out and Butcher & Blackbird kind of vibes, then I feel like you will enjoy this book.
He falls first and HARD! Literally unalives everyone for her. She says jump, he says how high, kind of vibes.
Also, the lore of this world was SO unique!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
August 27, 2026
This book was just so dang funny. I've never read a Dark Rom Com before that was also a Dystopian Romance!
In this world everyone has a soulmate that they find before they are 25. If they haven't found one by then they are considered soul-less and sent to jail. In jail they are entered into Hunger Games-style televised fights to the death.
Delphine is probably the most unhinged FMC I've ever read. Her inner- and out-monologue are so funny and I can never guess what she's going to come up with next.
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. The narrators did such a great job it felt like I was really there - and Annabelle Tudor's comedic timing was just *chef's kiss*
The title says this is book one - I need to know if the story of these characters will continue or if it will be a series of interconnected standalones. I will definitely be keeping a lookout for more information!
In this world everyone has a soulmate that they find before they are 25. If they haven't found one by then they are considered soul-less and sent to jail. In jail they are entered into Hunger Games-style televised fights to the death.
Delphine is probably the most unhinged FMC I've ever read. Her inner- and out-monologue are so funny and I can never guess what she's going to come up with next.
I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend it. The narrators did such a great job it felt like I was really there - and Annabelle Tudor's comedic timing was just *chef's kiss*
The title says this is book one - I need to know if the story of these characters will continue or if it will be a series of interconnected standalones. I will definitely be keeping a lookout for more information!
July 8, 2026
Sorry this just really wasn’t it for me. It felt like they literally threw everything at the wall and just hoped it stuck. And even if it didn’t stick they kept it in. The problem is this book did have a lot of potential for me. I think the plot is there. It just needed way more editing and needed to not feel like they were trying to make it sound scandalous by throwing in literally every shocking theme they could for basically no reason.
September 21, 2026
So I enjoyed it but i couldn't connect with Delp I tried to so hard but the way she was made me eh.. i didnt know if it was because she was "soulless" or something was truly wrong with her. So yeah that was my top i tried. Dig was a better character I felt he had more to bring to the table. And he truly believed he was soul mates with Delp no matter how much she didn't believe him. Like girl stabbed him did so many things to him. I felt sorry for the man.
But yeah glad its over with.
No ow/tinyish om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Push away from fmc
25fmc/idk his age
Murder
Violence
Mentions of rape
Mentions of paedophile
Incestuous relationship
Villainous side characters who commit necrophilia and cannibalism
Hea
But yeah glad its over with.
No ow/tinyish om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Slowburnish
Push away from fmc
25fmc/idk his age
Murder
Violence
Mentions of rape
Mentions of paedophile
Incestuous relationship
Villainous side characters who commit necrophilia and cannibalism
Hea
October 19, 2026
This was so fun and silly
Review of advance copy
This was honestly so unhinged and I loved it. I cackled at Delphine's seemingly clueless/heartless encounters and sighed at Dig's obsessive deranged yet sweet gestures.
-1 star for Del constantly trying to get away from Dig while she 100% would have been safer with him. Stay with your psycho, girlllllllll
"I'm not everyone's cup of tea."
"Don't be tea." His lips pressed against my ear. "Be petrol. Set the world on fire."
-1 star for Del constantly trying to get away from Dig while she 100% would have been safer with him. Stay with your psycho, girlllllllll
"I'm not everyone's cup of tea."
"Don't be tea." His lips pressed against my ear. "Be petrol. Set the world on fire."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ARC REVIEW✨
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN. Now listen, this is not going to be everyone's liking - it's trashy, bat shit insane, reads like a wattpad fan fic and has stupid humour!! But luckily for me that's my exact taste in books.
RIP Aunty Beatrice 😂
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN. Now listen, this is not going to be everyone's liking - it's trashy, bat shit insane, reads like a wattpad fan fic and has stupid humour!! But luckily for me that's my exact taste in books.
RIP Aunty Beatrice 😂
September 29, 2026
3.5 stars
The audio for this was stellar! I started off really loving this one because of the quirky AF premise and the h and H both being kind of psychos. Sadly the quirkiness kind of wore a bit thin towards the end and I didn't feel like their romance really progressed much and the h started to grate on me with the same schtick over and over. The ending also felt super rushed and I felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions/plots which I guess will be answered when Dig Graves' (you have to always say his full name apparently) siblings get their stories. Not sure if I'll listen to those or not.
A fun listen for sure but missing some world building and character development
The audio for this was stellar! I started off really loving this one because of the quirky AF premise and the h and H both being kind of psychos. Sadly the quirkiness kind of wore a bit thin towards the end and I didn't feel like their romance really progressed much and the h started to grate on me with the same schtick over and over. The ending also felt super rushed and I felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions/plots which I guess will be answered when Dig Graves' (you have to always say his full name apparently) siblings get their stories. Not sure if I'll listen to those or not.
A fun listen for sure but missing some world building and character development
September 17, 2026
I haven’t laughed this hard listening to an audiobook in a long time. It’s non-stop entertainment and quirkiness. The banter and antics were chef’s kiss. It’s a DARK romcom so keep that in mind, but it’s hard to take any of it seriously when you’re laughing so hard. This was exactly what I needed.
Performed in duet by, Jacob Morgan, Annabelle Tudor, and Dominic Gruenewald. Let’s just say, they understood the assignment
Performed in duet by, Jacob Morgan, Annabelle Tudor, and Dominic Gruenewald. Let’s just say, they understood the assignment
September 12, 2026
2 ⭐️ This one hurts because I was so ready for a dark romcom, but alas… this one was just not it. Honestly, this read more like a parody of a dark romcom and not in a good way. This “dark romcom” was very much lacking the com in romcom (and truly, the rom wasn’t very romantic either). The book was short, which was both good and bad. At one point, I saw how much I had left and ended up finishing the book just so I could mark it as “read.”
Did Not Finish
October 29, 2026soft dnf for now!
the book seems fun and a little (a lot) chaotic, but i’m not connecting with the characters
the book seems fun and a little (a lot) chaotic, but i’m not connecting with the characters
September 22, 2026
Look normally, if I don't like something I'll just assume it wasn't for me and leave it reviewless. But I felt duped by the high rating here and figured other readers in the future might want to know. I couldn't finish this for a lot of reasons, the dialogue? No one talks like that. The plot concept was interesting, but poorly executed. The characters had zero depth and seemed like a poor mock imitation of other dark romance characters. The CONSTANT repetition?! Infuriating. The weird product placement? An odd choice. But what really rubbed me up the wrong way, was the authors choice to depict the 'soulless' as all being covered in tattoos and piercings. As if that denoted their criminality and evilness. An obvious author prejudice, which was fucking unneccesary. If I could give it a zero I would.
January 4, 2026
Holy sh*t balls I freaking loved this book.
I genuinely messaged all my group chats talking about the unhinged masterpiece I was reading and absolutely BRAGGING about the fact it was an arc and they were missing out.
Was it a perfect literary masterpiece? No. WAS IT A GREAT TIME?! Absolutely. I snort laughed, out loud! A lot!
My absolute favourite thing about this book was the dialogue. The prim, proper vernacular paired with the most despicable acts and depraved humans was chefs kiss.
Also, CONSENT IS SO HOT!!! The way consent was approached throughout the story was both hilarious and comforting.
I genuinely fear I will never read another dark rom-com that satisfied me in the way this did. I will be chasing this high for the rest of my life.
Thank you to the Berry Agency for the arc of this book and to Penny Sunday for whatever exists in her brain that created this.
I genuinely messaged all my group chats talking about the unhinged masterpiece I was reading and absolutely BRAGGING about the fact it was an arc and they were missing out.
Was it a perfect literary masterpiece? No. WAS IT A GREAT TIME?! Absolutely. I snort laughed, out loud! A lot!
My absolute favourite thing about this book was the dialogue. The prim, proper vernacular paired with the most despicable acts and depraved humans was chefs kiss.
Also, CONSENT IS SO HOT!!! The way consent was approached throughout the story was both hilarious and comforting.
I genuinely fear I will never read another dark rom-com that satisfied me in the way this did. I will be chasing this high for the rest of my life.
Thank you to the Berry Agency for the arc of this book and to Penny Sunday for whatever exists in her brain that created this.
October 29, 2026
Don’t get me wrong. I’m completely going off vibes and it’s been a long time since I’ve had a book. where I’ve laughed so freaking much. This was absolutely hilarious and unique. Where everybody should have a soulmate and if you don’t find your soulmate by the age of 25 you’re considered soulless and then thrown in prison. Then, if it doesn’t continue to go your way you end up having to fight to the death. We have our FMC and Delphine is a few days out from her 25th birthday and she has never even cried, and it doesn’t look like she’s gonna find her soulmate. When she’s found making a deal to get a mate mark and end up getting thrown in prison. Who’s in prison? Well, the guy who tried to kidnap her years ago Dig. He’s also the guy she can’t stop thinking about and his heart shaped sunglasses. His family is also freaking crazy and doesn’t have a great reputation.
If you’re going to experience this book, you need to absolutely experience it as an audiobook or an immersion read because the narrators for this are absolutely freaking fantastic. It’s in duet narration, and it’s probably one of the best audiobooks that I have listened to this year if not for a long time, don’t get me wrong. I’ve listened to a lot of good ones. This one just kept me on my toes when he sneezes because of a cat he actually sneezes they just do so many fun things with this audio that the characters are 100% brought to life. I know I’m gonna be listening to this over and over again. And I absolutely can’t wait for the second book in this series to get another one of his brothers. I absolutely need to know more about this world. I freaking love it.
If you’re going to experience this book, you need to absolutely experience it as an audiobook or an immersion read because the narrators for this are absolutely freaking fantastic. It’s in duet narration, and it’s probably one of the best audiobooks that I have listened to this year if not for a long time, don’t get me wrong. I’ve listened to a lot of good ones. This one just kept me on my toes when he sneezes because of a cat he actually sneezes they just do so many fun things with this audio that the characters are 100% brought to life. I know I’m gonna be listening to this over and over again. And I absolutely can’t wait for the second book in this series to get another one of his brothers. I absolutely need to know more about this world. I freaking love it.
August 28, 2026
🎧Audiobook🎧
Herkes işini gücünü bıraksın ve bu kitabı okusun, daha doğrusu dinlesin çünkü sesli kitabı da
HA-Rİ-KAY-DI!!! 💯🤩
En son ne zaman bi kitabı dinlerken bu kadar güldüm ve eğlendim hatırlamıyorum, daha kitap bitmeden yazarın başka kitaplarına bakmaya başladım ama bu ilk kitabıymış birde 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Şimdi kitabımız bir AU-Soulmates yani herkesin bir ruh eşi var bu dünyada ve en geç 25 yaşına kadar bulmak zorundasın ruh eşini yoksa devlet seni yok ediyor 😅 Yani onlar öldürmüyorda hapse atıyorlar ve düzenlenen 'ruhsuzlar' turnuvasında birbirlerini öldürüyor bu ruh eşini bulamayanlar.
Esas kızımız aslında bu sistemin tepesindeki çok zengin bir ailenin kızı, bir gece odasına kalp şeklindeki kırmızı güneş gözlükleriyle bi adam giriyor gizlice ve ona diyorki senin ruh eşin benim, ama kızın kalbinde belirmesi gereken işaret belirmediği için adama diyorki sen yalan söylüyorsun ve adamı hapse attırıyor (ölüme yolluyor kısacası çünkü o turnuvalardan sağ çıkmak nerdeyse imkansız)
Aradan yıllar geçiyor, kızımız 3 güne 25 olucak ama ne yaptıysa, nerelere gittiyse ruh eşini bulamıyor ve abisinden yardım istiyor (abisi de güçlü bir politikacı). Abisi tabiki yardım ederim diyor ama daha edemeden kız kendini önce hapiste sonrada turnuvada buluyor...
Yıllar önce hapse yolladığı adam da orda tabi, her yıl turnuvadan sağ çıkmayı başarmış.
Ve olaylar başlıyor... Buraya kadar kitabın sadece başlangıç kısmıydı 😅
Ben bu kitapta en çok kadına bayıldım, kadın sosyopat, tam olarak bir harley quinn hayal edebilirsiniz. İyi biri olmaya çalışıyor ama içinden geldiği için değil, empatisi yok. Sadece ne iyi ne kötü bildiği için bir moral code a göre hareket ediyor yani. Adam ise lights out daki josh un nerdeyse aynısı şeklinde yazılmış o yüzden orda pek bi orjinallik yoktu. Komikti yani adamda 🤭
Overall bu kitap bu yıl okuduğum en güzel 5 kitap arasında rahat girer, bayıldımm 🫶🏻
Herkes işini gücünü bıraksın ve bu kitabı okusun, daha doğrusu dinlesin çünkü sesli kitabı da
HA-Rİ-KAY-DI!!! 💯🤩
En son ne zaman bi kitabı dinlerken bu kadar güldüm ve eğlendim hatırlamıyorum, daha kitap bitmeden yazarın başka kitaplarına bakmaya başladım ama bu ilk kitabıymış birde 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Şimdi kitabımız bir AU-Soulmates yani herkesin bir ruh eşi var bu dünyada ve en geç 25 yaşına kadar bulmak zorundasın ruh eşini yoksa devlet seni yok ediyor 😅 Yani onlar öldürmüyorda hapse atıyorlar ve düzenlenen 'ruhsuzlar' turnuvasında birbirlerini öldürüyor bu ruh eşini bulamayanlar.
Esas kızımız aslında bu sistemin tepesindeki çok zengin bir ailenin kızı, bir gece odasına kalp şeklindeki kırmızı güneş gözlükleriyle bi adam giriyor gizlice ve ona diyorki senin ruh eşin benim, ama kızın kalbinde belirmesi gereken işaret belirmediği için adama diyorki sen yalan söylüyorsun ve adamı hapse attırıyor (ölüme yolluyor kısacası çünkü o turnuvalardan sağ çıkmak nerdeyse imkansız)
Aradan yıllar geçiyor, kızımız 3 güne 25 olucak ama ne yaptıysa, nerelere gittiyse ruh eşini bulamıyor ve abisinden yardım istiyor (abisi de güçlü bir politikacı). Abisi tabiki yardım ederim diyor ama daha edemeden kız kendini önce hapiste sonrada turnuvada buluyor...
Yıllar önce hapse yolladığı adam da orda tabi, her yıl turnuvadan sağ çıkmayı başarmış.
Ve olaylar başlıyor... Buraya kadar kitabın sadece başlangıç kısmıydı 😅
Ben bu kitapta en çok kadına bayıldım, kadın sosyopat, tam olarak bir harley quinn hayal edebilirsiniz. İyi biri olmaya çalışıyor ama içinden geldiği için değil, empatisi yok. Sadece ne iyi ne kötü bildiği için bir moral code a göre hareket ediyor yani. Adam ise lights out daki josh un nerdeyse aynısı şeklinde yazılmış o yüzden orda pek bi orjinallik yoktu. Komikti yani adamda 🤭
Overall bu kitap bu yıl okuduğum en güzel 5 kitap arasında rahat girer, bayıldımm 🫶🏻
September 24, 2026
This book is for readers who read “Lights Out” and “Butcher and Blackbird” and wished that the FMC had no ability to feel and the MMC was more funny and murderous.
The whole premise was kind of mad, but like, good mad? I think a big part of why the story works is because it’s set in a dystopian alternate reality where you have to find your soul mate by 25 or you’re declared soulless and a danger to society.
Our FMC is caught trying to fake a soulmate and is thrown in the jail that her family helped build. And in that jail is the MMC who is obsessed with her, and she’s responsible for him being there in the first place. Oh yeah and then they have a hunger games for all the prisons to have a 10 day killing spree to lower the annual prison population. And yes, her family also helped create that too.
The 10 day murder-fest is full of gross surprises and yet our FMC just keeps on living. Picture “Dungeon crawler Carl” as a spicy rom-com. Also- I doubt I’ll ever look at heart-shaped sunglasses the same way. Read at your own risk. Check trigger warnings.
The whole premise was kind of mad, but like, good mad? I think a big part of why the story works is because it’s set in a dystopian alternate reality where you have to find your soul mate by 25 or you’re declared soulless and a danger to society.
Our FMC is caught trying to fake a soulmate and is thrown in the jail that her family helped build. And in that jail is the MMC who is obsessed with her, and she’s responsible for him being there in the first place. Oh yeah and then they have a hunger games for all the prisons to have a 10 day killing spree to lower the annual prison population. And yes, her family also helped create that too.
The 10 day murder-fest is full of gross surprises and yet our FMC just keeps on living. Picture “Dungeon crawler Carl” as a spicy rom-com. Also- I doubt I’ll ever look at heart-shaped sunglasses the same way. Read at your own risk. Check trigger warnings.
October 11, 2026
This book was unserious, chaotic, and unhinged. I didn’t even know what the hell I was reading half the time. I did like this though. It was funny. That twist at the end was predictable. I know something was up.
Dystopian Dark Romance
Soulmates
Insta Love
He Falls First and Harder
Obsessed MMC
No OWD/OMD
Mostly Single POV (1st Person)
HEA
No Condoms
Notes
Both MCs are experienced
Mentions of MCs past sexual escapades
Dystopian Dark Romance
Soulmates
Insta Love
He Falls First and Harder
Obsessed MMC
No OWD/OMD
Mostly Single POV (1st Person)
HEA
No Condoms
Notes
Both MCs are experienced
Mentions of MCs past sexual escapades
October 26, 2026
This was absolutely ridiculous 😎 and I bloody loved it.
Surprisingly romantic despite the ridiculous yet also unique plot concept.
Do the audio. This has to be listened to for the full effect.
“Dark” romcom - fans of lights out & butcher and blackbird will eat this up. Delphine and her clearly raging autism had me cackling the whole time, and there were so many things she did and said that I identified with. My poor husband 😂 he’s a real life Dig.
“I’m so delicate, like a flower.”
“You’re not delicate like a flower, you’re delicate like a bomb.”
Ps. Won’t be looking at sunglasses the same again 👀
PPS. RIP to aunt Beatrice who died about 12 times
4.5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ 3.5 🖤
Surprisingly romantic despite the ridiculous yet also unique plot concept.
Do the audio. This has to be listened to for the full effect.
“Dark” romcom - fans of lights out & butcher and blackbird will eat this up. Delphine and her clearly raging autism had me cackling the whole time, and there were so many things she did and said that I identified with. My poor husband 😂 he’s a real life Dig.
“I’m so delicate, like a flower.”
“You’re not delicate like a flower, you’re delicate like a bomb.”
Ps. Won’t be looking at sunglasses the same again 👀
PPS. RIP to aunt Beatrice who died about 12 times
4.5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️ 3.5 🖤
October 11, 2026
2.5⭐️.
Well, this was like a fever dream.
Well, this was like a fever dream.
October 5, 2026
this book is absurd in the best way and so funny!!
October 15, 2026
Heck yeah that book was phenomenal. Effortlessly hilarious
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