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My Roommate Is Trying To Kill Me
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Some things are harder to survive than murder.
Hakeem Morales wants to be the kind of horror actor people build midnight screenings around. At the moment, he’s mostly working nights at a Los Angeles horror bar, The Last Cue; trying not to spiral about his stalled life; and wondering whether his new roommate is trying to kill him.
Antonio Sanchez is older, private, unfairly attractive, and suspicious in ways Hakeem feels should be illegal. He writes cryptic things in notebooks. He jokes too much about Hakeem’s upcoming twenty-seventh birthday. Every time Hakeem almost convinces himself he’s being dramatic, Antonio does something else deeply alarming.
Unfortunately, Hakeem’s growing list of evidence is matched only by his growing attraction—because nothing improves a possible murder situation like developing a crush on the man you’re pretty sure is planning it.
OFFICIAL BOOK COVER DROPS LATE-MAY 2026
Hakeem Morales wants to be the kind of horror actor people build midnight screenings around. At the moment, he’s mostly working nights at a Los Angeles horror bar, The Last Cue; trying not to spiral about his stalled life; and wondering whether his new roommate is trying to kill him.
Antonio Sanchez is older, private, unfairly attractive, and suspicious in ways Hakeem feels should be illegal. He writes cryptic things in notebooks. He jokes too much about Hakeem’s upcoming twenty-seventh birthday. Every time Hakeem almost convinces himself he’s being dramatic, Antonio does something else deeply alarming.
Unfortunately, Hakeem’s growing list of evidence is matched only by his growing attraction—because nothing improves a possible murder situation like developing a crush on the man you’re pretty sure is planning it.
OFFICIAL BOOK COVER DROPS LATE-MAY 2026
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was amazing. Hakeem is a funny, creative and sassy actor that currently works in a horror theatre bar in L.A. as he tries to land a big role and adjust to his new house and housemate. Antonio is an observant, direct, and secretive young man whose comments and behavior makes Hakeem suspicious about the former’s intentions that hopefully won’t land him in a horror movie in real life. Tabby and Layla are sassy icons that genuinely want Hakeem to pursue his acting dreams and give him tough love while they are at work. The interactions between Hakeem, Layla and Tabby were hilarious and empowering, while Hakeem’s encounters with Antonio had moments of vulnerability, humor, suspense and charm that flowed effortlessly. The prose was lovely and I appreciated how well the author increased the tension of the story using the environment that Hakeem was in (similar to one of Hakeem’s favorite horror novels). There were a few twists that were expertly done and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Overall, if you like found family, Afro-Latino and Mexican representation, secret identity, suspense, horror themed theatre bars, a suspicious narrator, and forced proximity / they were roommates queer romance with some spice, then I would highly recommend this book. I got a copy and these opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC and once I started, I couldn’t stop! The tension between Hakeem and Antonio was palpable. The anxiety Hakeem feels as he tries to decide if Antonio is plotting to kill him, along with the anxiety of trying to find his place in his career really struck me. It kept me on the edge of my seat! The writing really sucks you into the world and you can really see the different environments in your minds’ eye. It’s like you’re there inside the book, living alongside the two characters. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a little horror and mystery!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this book in two sittings. Maya has an amazing grasp on world and character building.
Her lyrical prose transports you right there with the characters and you feel their story.
I loved loved loved the setting, the vibes, the mystery and intrigue. The tension is peak.
I really don’t think there’s anything I didn’t like about this book, except maybe that it wasn’t longer. Hakeem and Antonio are perfect partners, dancing around each other and their attraction. Hakeem is the embodiment of ‘scared is the best kind of horny’ and Antonio’s stoic facade is a joy to watch crack.
Her lyrical prose transports you right there with the characters and you feel their story.
I loved loved loved the setting, the vibes, the mystery and intrigue. The tension is peak.
I really don’t think there’s anything I didn’t like about this book, except maybe that it wasn’t longer. Hakeem and Antonio are perfect partners, dancing around each other and their attraction. Hakeem is the embodiment of ‘scared is the best kind of horny’ and Antonio’s stoic facade is a joy to watch crack.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!!
I absolutely ADORED this!! I would say I wish this was so much longer only because I completely fell in love with the characters and want to see more of them. I blew through this book so quickly because I couldn't get enough. But truthfully, I think the book was the exact length it needed to be; it hit every mark I wanted it to hit. Yes, the storyline might have been a little predictable and it was more comedy than it was horror, but I'm not mad at all. This was so romantic.
I absolutely ADORED this!! I would say I wish this was so much longer only because I completely fell in love with the characters and want to see more of them. I blew through this book so quickly because I couldn't get enough. But truthfully, I think the book was the exact length it needed to be; it hit every mark I wanted it to hit. Yes, the storyline might have been a little predictable and it was more comedy than it was horror, but I'm not mad at all. This was so romantic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Maya Gawonii Shabazz Saleh owes me sleep because WHY was I awake at 3AM whispering “just one more chapter” to myself?
My Roommate is Trying to Kill Me is tense, addictive, messy, unpredictable, and ridiculously entertaining. Hakeem's paranoia builds so well and the pacing never lets up as Antonio fuels his already horror filled life. I flew through it.
If you love thrillers, like to make lists and just refuse to go to bed at a reasonable hour, read this immediately.
My Roommate is Trying to Kill Me is tense, addictive, messy, unpredictable, and ridiculously entertaining. Hakeem's paranoia builds so well and the pacing never lets up as Antonio fuels his already horror filled life. I flew through it.
If you love thrillers, like to make lists and just refuse to go to bed at a reasonable hour, read this immediately.
May 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Part psychological horror, part enemies-to-lovers, this book is good at describing the details of everything - the food, the drinks, the house, the bar, the manager's sarcasm, the roommates' note-taking...so that you feel like you are *there*.
The subplot is half the fun of the book, but unlike a lot of subplots it is inextricably intertwined with the main plotline.
Part psychological horror, part enemies-to-lovers, this book is good at describing the details of everything - the food, the drinks, the house, the bar, the manager's sarcasm, the roommates' note-taking...so that you feel like you are *there*.
The subplot is half the fun of the book, but unlike a lot of subplots it is inextricably intertwined with the main plotline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews