How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates

by Shailee Thompson

A humorous, swoony, and downright terrifying horror romance in which a young woman gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the horror genre to make it as a real-life Final Girl.

When Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie attend a speed-dating event, Jamie expects to meet a roster of mediocre men and indulge in some street food afterwards. She doesn’t expect one of her dates to have his throat slit at their table during a blackout. When the lights come back on and there are more bodies on the floor, it becomes clear that speed dating can be a very dangerous pastime.

Armed with makeshift weapons and Jamie’s extensive knowledge of what NOT to do in a horror movie, the remaining speed daters try to find an exit while the killer adds to their body count. As the night progresses and Jamie comes face-to-mask with the murderer, she begins to suspect he is committing the slayings to woo one of the daters and turn her into his real-life Final Girl. But Jamie has a different love story in mind, and as she fights for her life, she can’t help but find herself ensconced in a love triangle with two of the other speed-daters. Will she survive the bloodshed to find her happily ever after? Or does this machete-wielding psychopath have another Final Girl in mind?

For fans of Love in the Time of Serial Killers and Butcher & Blackbird, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is one killer love story.

Genres: Horror, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Shailee Thompson is an author who writes women with smart mouths, soft hearts and strong wills... then she puts them in the deepest of sh*t. Her debut novel, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates (Out February 2026!), is a Slasher Rom-Com that proves all is fair in love and gore.

When not writing or talking about her characters like they’re real people, you can find her kidnapping her friends' dogs or competing with the person next to her at the gym (...yes, Pilates can be competitive).

Reviews

[Lala BooksandLala]

immediately topping the list of anticipated 2026 books

[ClaudiaTalksFilm · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a slasher romcom YES a SLASHER is taking place while two people fall in LOVE amidst a KILLER HUNTING THEM DOWN and it’s fucking hot and addictive and I thoroughly enjoyed it this shit HITTTTT

[Dallas Strawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How To Kill A Guy in Ten Dates is set to blast onto the scene and firmly establish Shailee Thompson as a writer to watch. This debut novel, a slasher rom-com (yes, you read that right) is one of the most unique and refreshingly told stories I’ve read in quite some time. Thompson’s voice is sharp, clever, and utterly original; I’ve truly never read anything quite like it.

The story follows certified movie lover Jamie and her best friend Laurie as they reluctantly sign up for a speed-dating experiment. Jamie, a devoted fan of both romantic comedies and horror films, expects an awkward night of small talk — not a blood-soaked mystery. But when the lights suddenly go out and the man across from her ends up with his throat slashed, Jamie finds herself living out a twisted mash-up of her favorite genres.

As the surviving daters realize they’re trapped inside with a killer, alliances form, tensions rise, and even a spark of romance flickers amid the chaos. Jamie might just find her perfect match… if she can make it out alive!

How To Kill A Guy in Ten Dates is a bloody good time; a smart, fast-paced, and wickedly fun read that will delight movie lovers and anyone looking for a Valentine’s story with a killer twist. Don’t miss this one when it hits shelves from Gallery Books in February!

Thanks to Gallery Books for an ARC!

[Kassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
So I was extremely lucky to be sent a copy of this book. This is not something I would typically read but I thought …what the heck, let’s give it a go.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! I have been in a book slump for months and nothing has been interesting or held my attention for long enough to actually enjoy it. I literally could not put this book down. If you have been in a book slump this book will surely pull you out of the trenches! It did me.

If you are looking for something with a Rom-Com feel this book is for you.
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller/slasher this book is also for you.

It’s the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The MFC is someone you find yourself really liking/relating to and hoping that everything turns out well for. This book has a friendship you wish you had, romance and of course the plot that just keeps twisting and keeping you unable to put it down. This is one I will definitely be recommending to friends.

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received my free copy from Goodreads Giveaways! Post read review coming soon!

[lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! It was a rom-com/thriller in the best possible way. The book opens with the main character Jamie and her best friend Laurie discussing Jamie's dissertation which is all about rom-com movies and thrillers. She is an expert and that really in handy for her when she found herself literally trapped in a rom-com gone terribly wrong. The premise of a speed date killer was unique and fresh, although I did figure out who was the killer very early on in the book, I still enjoyed the ride. It was very campy and honestly so funny. I loved Jamie and Laurie's relationship. I also thought it was so fun how all the characters were named after famous thriller characters/directors. There were lots of Easter eggs and nods to movies that were very enjoyable. This was one of my favorite books of the year and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a fun thriller! Thank you, Netgalley for the arc.

[Sreya VT · Rating 4 out of 5]

slasher mystery 🤝🏽 rom com

“how to kill a guy in ten dates” was SUCH a fun read and i literally couldn’t put it down! it blends the most entertaining parts of a classic slasher film with a sprinkle of romcom 💌

i have to confess that i did guess everything by 50% (it does, after all, utilise our favourite slasher archetypes) but i was still not disappointed in the slightest & very much remained on the edge of my seat.

if you’re a thriller lover or a romcom fan, make sure to add this to your (february) 2026 tbr & thank you atria for the copy!

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 🔪🥀
Thank you partner @gallerybooks for the gifted copy!

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
by Shailee Thompson

About the book 👇🏽

When Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie attend a speed-dating event, Jamie expects to meet a roster of mediocre men and indulge in some street food afterwards. She doesn’t expect one of her dates to have his throat slit at their table during a blackout. After the lights come back on and there are more bodies on the floor, it becomes clear that dating can be a very dangerous pastime.

Armed with makeshift weapons and Jamie’s extensive knowledge of what NOT to do in a slasher, the remaining speed daters try to find an exit while the killer adds to their body count. As the night progresses and Jamie comes face-to-mask with the murderer, she begins to suspect they are committing the slayings to woo one of the daters and turn them into a real-life Final Girl. But Jamie has other plans, and as she fights for her life, she can’t help but find herself ensconced in a love triangle with two of the other survivors. Will she make it through the bloodshed to find her Happily Ever After? Or does this machete-wielding psychopath have another ending in mind?

🥀 My thoughts:

Be still my heart. Another book I fell in love with that has the romance and slasher mashup!! Infinite stars from me, friends. I have picked up this book a few times over the last couple of months and I swear every time I did, my kids would mess with it… (it’s the cover they like) but FINALLY I got to sit and read it! With only a few breaks (because responsibilities) I was able to binge this and completely devour it in less than 24 hours. I loved every single thing about it. It’s fun, bloody, AND swoony. I loved the romcom movie quotes turned sinister at the start of every chapter and that this story had me on my toes. I was second guessing myself at the same time Jamie was questioning herself. And as swoony as the romance was… it was the friendship between Jamie and Laurie that stole the show for me! It’s almost like if the Scream franchise, the movie how to be single, and love actually had a baby… THIS BOOK is that baby. This is one book you need to have on your radar come 2026 because it is KILLER. How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is out 2/3/26!!

Happy reading 📖🔪🥀

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC - out 02/03/26 via Gallery) This was so fun. God, I loved this. I went in with low expectations which I’m sure helped, but this was just a pure delight. It’s a horror/romance (heavier on the horror), with our final girl, Jamie, attending a speed dating event at which a serial killer begins killing other attendees. Jamie is forced to put her encyclopedic knowledge of horror movies to the test in order to figure out who the murderer is. And oh yeah, she also finds romance in this incredibly tense situation. The writing is witty and so pleasurable, the pop culture references are frequent but not jarring, and this fulfills my romance requirement that the novel needs to have another plot going on in addition to the romance. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the romance was my least favorite part of the story, but I did still like it. I also loved the timeline of this - it’s like a bottle episode of a tv show, but it’s a full-length novel. I feel like that has to be hard to write! Kudos to Shailee Thompson, what an absolute treat this was. And what a debut!

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Much like Jamie, I'm someone who adores horror movies and rom coms equally. And there were so many great references, easter eggs and nods to the biggest movies from both genres for fellow fans.
This is a slasher movie come to life, with some hints of romance, and it has such a cinematic feel to it.
The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and you're not sure who to trust, even if I was rather suspicious of who turned out to be the male killer. But maybe that's just because I usually have an inkling when it comes to similar reveals in some of my favourite franchises.
While it was rather creative having essentially every single character name be inspired by a famous movie character, from Wes and the Cravin' nightclub to John Carpenter, Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott all being utilised, sometimes they felt a bit shoe horned in.
But speaking of the characters, I liked how well the ensemble cast was handled and that they all felt distinct, even at the beginning.
There are some brilliantly tense sequences, with the club feeling claustrophobic and like you're trapped in it with them. I also liked that we got some romantic moments too in amongst all the blood and literal guts. I would have been swooning for Wes too.
It maybe dragged a little bit, but overall the pacing was pretty good.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Shailee Thompson does next.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Keisha Frantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-seven-year-old Jamie and her roommate, Laurie, attend a speed-dating event in a familiar Brooklyn venue. Upon arriving at the location, they realize it's the club where they used to party during their college years. The event brings together ten men and ten women who rotate through ten minute dates. After only a few rounds, the lights suddenly go out. When they flicker back on, the man sitting across from Jamie has had his throat slashed. The lights go out again, and more people are killed. The panic-stricken survivors quickly realize they are locked inside without access to their cell phones. Not knowing whom to trust, Jamie must rely on the established rules of horror movies and her intimate knowledge of the building's layout to help herself and the other daters find a way to escape. The book, which blends mystery, slasher, and romantic comedy, features famous quotes from rom-coms cleverly adapted into horror movie maxims. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

kicking my feet, giggling, disgusted and terrified with every page. i’ve never read a book like this and couldn’t put it down!!!!!! slasher-romances for the win!!

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates by @shaileewrites and published by @simonschusterau @atriabooksaus
Release date: 28 January 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I ate this book up! This book spoke to my romcom and slasher loving soul! Yes, those two genres should not work together but I’m here to tell you, they do!
This book follows Jamie Prescott who along with her best friend Laurie, attends a speed dating night. Yet after the ninth date of the night, a killer strikes and all hell breaks loose! Jamie then needs to use everything she knows about how to survive a slasher to get herself and Laurie through the night.
This was a fantastic debut by an Aussie author and I cannot wait to see what Shailee writes next!

[M Soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is a mix of horror and romance which seems like it be harder to make work in what’s also a comedic story, but it really works here. With the main female character, Jamie, being a big fan of horror and romance films we the readers get to enjoy some education and a wink to tropes in each in this story which brings a lightness amongst the gore.

Jamie and Laurie are roomies who go on a speed dating night where murder joins the mix and the daters get picked off. Throughout Jamie balances her interest in two of her dates as the group tries to survive (and figure out who is after them). The ending was a fun surprise and somewhat appropriate given Jamie’s interests. If you’re a fan of horror or romance and want a little change up in either genre, very few books will deliver that (well) with giggles to boot like this one.

[tkmatkock · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Wow. Just wow.✨
This book was unlike anything I’ve read before and I LOVED it 😍 I was lucky enough to win it in a Goodreads giveaway (the only one I’ve ever won 🙌) so you know I was beyond excited to dive in. And let me tell you… it did NOT disappoint. I devoured every single page and it’s an easy 10/10 for me 📚💯

#BookReview #Bookstagram #GoodreadsGiveaway #BookLover #10of10 #DevouredIt

[KatieGwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Super fun take on some well known genres. Loved that the mystery actually keeps me in the mystery. Usually I figure it out wayyyy too early.

[Red Wolf Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

English:

I’m not someone who constantly reads thrillers or slashers, but every now and then I find one that catches my eye — and honestly, I still haven’t found a single disappointment.

I requested this book on NetGalley, which makes it an ARC. The official release date is February 3rd, 2026, and today I’m here to tell you why you need to read this book — because I truly have nothing bad to say about it.

Let’s start with the characters. They’re well written and perfectly fit what you’d expect from both a rom-com and a slasher like Scream or Halloween. They’re not the typical teenage stereotypes — they’re adults who fall into the tropes of both genres in such a clever way.

And since they’re so well developed, we can move on to the plot — because this is where the book truly shines. It’s a slasher, yes, but if you took away all the slasher elements, it could easily be a rom-com. It has the best of both worlds and makes you question whether the protagonist’s theory is actually true: rom-coms and slashers share the same formula, which makes them basically the same thing.

I’m not going to go too deep into her theory, because to know if she’s right, you’ll have to read the book. The atmosphere, the tension — everything is guided by excellent writing. The slightly gory descriptions (not for everyone!) feel straight out of a classic slasher film, yet the romance is also there — that urge to scream and kick your feet like in a rom-com. That balance only happens with good writing, and this book has it.

I loved it so much — I got to that point where I wanted to finish it to know what would happen, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end because I was having such a good time. It’s definitely one of my top reads of the year, and I can’t wait to own a physical copy once it’s out, because I need to highlight everything I marked on my Kindle.

One last thing: “You Belong With Me” and “Love Story” will sound completely different after reading this book — but trust me, it’s worth it.

Español:

Yo no soy una persona que lea thrillers constantemente o slashers, pero cada tanto encuentro alguno que me llama la atención y la verdad que todavía no encontré ninguna decepción.

Solicite este libro en NetGalley, lo cual lo transforma en un ARC, la fecha de publicación del libro va a ser el 3 de Febrero de 2026 y hoy te voy a contar porque es que tenés que leer este libro, por qué no tengo nada malo que decir de el.

Comencemos con los personajes. Son personajes bien hechos, cumplen con lo que uno espera de personajes en una rom-com y lo que uno espera en personajes en una película slasher como Scream o Halloween. Sin ser adolescentes típicas, son personas adultas que caen en los estereotipos de los dos tipos de géneros.

Al estar tan bien construidos de esta forma, podemos ir al plot, porque acá está lo que creo yo es lo fundamental. Es un libro que es Slasher, pero si se le saca toda la parte Slasher podría ser una Rom Com perfectamente, tiene lo mejor de ambos mundos y lleva a preguntarse si la hipótesis de la protagonista es verdad: Las romcoms y los slashers comparten las misma formula, lo que los convierte en practicamente lo mismo.

No me voy a detener en su hipótesis, porque para saber si es real o no, van a tener que leer el libro, porque la atmósfera, la intriga, todo está muy bien guiado por una escritura que me resultó excelente. Las descripciones un tanto Gore, que no son para cualquiera, pero que serían perfectas en una película del género slasher, son increíbles, uno puede sentir que lo está viendo todo al igual que los personajes, pero también se pudo sentir el romance y esas ganas de gritar y patalear como con una rom-com. Este tipo de cosas solo se pueden conseguir con una buena escritura y este libro la tiene.

Lo disfruté demasiado, llegue al punto de que quería terminarlo para saber que es lo que pasaba, pero a la vez la estaba pasando tan bien que no quería que se terminara. Va en camino a competir por ser el favorito del año y espero poder tenerlo en físico en cuanto salga a la venta, porque necesito marcar todo lo que marque en el Kindle.

Una sola cosa, You Belong With Me y Love Story, van a sonar completamente diferente después de leer este libro, pero vale la pena.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

To me, you are (almost) perfect.

Y'all, I have been a slasher girlie since I saw I Know What You Did Last Summer on WB at ten years old. I love the genre so much, but I also am a sucker for a good romance, so this? This right here? The horror rom-com I've been waiting and wishing for! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy so I can re-read it and flag every single movie reference, because this book is abloom with them. Even the daters names are horror references (Laurie being Laurie Strode, Wes being Wes Craven, Jamie and Lee and Curtis all being Jamie Lee Curtis - the only one I still haven't figured out is Collette, but I think she may be in reference to Toni Collette).

Jamie and Laurie were fantastic characters that I desperately want to hang out, even though a lot of the book I wished they were the endgame couple instead. The killer's costume was a good mashup of iconic villains, though this book is going to get a lot of comparisons to the film Heart Eyes, not only because of the name Jamie gives the killer but because of the mask design. I hope the author is ready for that because it's going to be fast and furious.

The only things keeping this from being a solid and unabashed five stars are the main couple and the ending. No lie, the further into the book I got, I was fully expecting a Game-style ending. And I would've eaten that up! It would've been a fantastic twist! But no, the killer ended up being revealed as my immediate guess at the 14% marker, so that is a little bit of a bummer.

And then you have the relationship. I think I kept that subplot at a distance because I was expecting a Scream reveal and I therefore didn't trust the love interest (and I wanted the love interest to be Laurie). I needed something to turn me around on him. Who knows, maybe if it had started as them generally disliking each other at first and then growing to appreciate and care for one another it would've been a different story, but that's not what happened. That whole relationship was too insta-love for me.

But those are tiny quibbles I will happily overlook.

[kindleandkettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Dates was absolutely captivating! A Slasher/Rom-Com blend was an interesting addition to my TBR but Shailee Thompson absolutely pulled this story off.

This story is thrilling, a bit gory, mysterious and also romantic. Jamie, our FMC, is a cinephile and the story seamlessly blended movies from pop culture into a unique new story. Jamie uses her knowledge of “what not to do” in a slasher situation to escape one that is playing out in real life, after a speed dating session gone horribly wrong.

This story kept me guessing. Honestly there were many points that I could justify characters as the person committing the unalivings and the final reveal was incredible. This is a story I breezed through in a day. It was fast paced, witty and impossible to put down. I loved the chemistry and bonding that formed between the characters during such a harrowing experience.

This is a must add to your TBR.

Thank you to Atria Books Australia for gifting me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Tori Boudreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

A horror romance featuring a killer at a speed dating event? Yes, please! I was thrilled to win an ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway and dive right in. Jamie, our leading lady, is getting her PhD on romcoms and thriller movies, so naturally she’s the one most likely to survive 🧠🎥. The speed dating setting was fun, and I loved that Jamie brought her best friend along for extra laughs and friendship 💕.

There are several other characters, which adds to the chaos, though at times it was a little tricky to keep everyone straight 😅. Some sections dragged more than others, but the pacing mostly kept me engaged. The romance felt a bit rushed at times, though given the body count around them, it’s understandable 😬. I did figure out who the killer was early on, but the small twist toward the end was satisfying.

Overall, I really enjoyed the campy, fun vibe of this book 😎🔪. It’s different from anything I’ve read before, and Jamie’s PhD in slasher movies made her a perfect, witty heroine for this horror-romance mashup 💘🎬.

[Sequoia Cron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gallery Books for gifting me a copy of How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A glimpse inside:
murderrrr
speed dating
a spicy janitor closet
being afraid yet horny
so much humor
horror film references
rom-com quotes with murderous vibes

When I received the promo rose and the bloody card, I knew I was going to love this book. I loved pointing out and finding all the horror references, especially all the character names. The chapter quotes from "not"-rom-coms is a great touch. I loved the Juno and Pretty Woman ones. This book is truly a love letter to horror and romantic comedy.

I absolutely D E V O U R E D How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates!! I don't read books as fast as I used to, so when one captures my attention like this one did it is a really special thing. The pacing is perfect, and the murders are imaginative. The story is an entertaining and adrenaline-filled wild ride. I had so much fun speculating who the killer would be, and reading from Jamie's point of view is so good.

I love everything about this book! The horror, the romance, the attraction and tension, the friendship between Jamie and Laurie, and all the secondary characters. Shailee Thompson did a great job with developing the characters and the story. How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is definitely a favorite of mine. I can't wait for more readers to enjoy this book as much as I did.

The only negative I have is not being able to find more books in this style. I love the horror and romance genres by themselves, and seeing them be mashed together is chef's kiss.

If you're having a bit of a book hangover like me, I recommend checking out How I'll Kill You by Ren DeStefano and This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells.

5 stars!

[Mel C · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

I went into this book completely blind, drawn in by the cover... and just like our leading lady, I was horrifyingly surprised by what unfolded.

Slasher rom-com?! The premise of this book is so unique and was so well done.

This was an absolute page turner. I didn’t want to put it down and every single twist caught me off guard. I’ll admit it, the author got me every time.

The quotes at the beginning of each chapter added a clever touch, layering humor into the darker moments and making the story that much more fun to read.

If you’re looking for something different, this is a must-read.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5

AAAAAhhhhhh! I loved this. I had so much fun with this. I have been looking for a new spooky story to be an amazing 5/5 star read, and I finally found it!

If you like those classic slasher films (think Scream), then you will love this book. It also has that self-awareness that the movie Final Girls has.

This has an ensemble cast (and I love an ensemble cast) that is trapped after a single speed-dating type of event, but then people start getting killed. And the killer is after one person...romantically. The killer is a classic slasher killer, but with a romantic edge. He's doing this for "love," setting up a sort of rom-com logic slasher situation. And with the classic "who could it possibly be and why and is it you?"

This was so much fun, I was so engaged with this and sped through it (especially the end).

If you are a movie-lover, specifically rom-coms and slashers, you should really check this out. You'll have so much fun.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)

How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates by Shailee Thompson is a fun, campy mash-up of horror and romcom that makes for a perfect seasonal read. Think of it as if your favorite slasher flick collided with a swoony rom-com.

The main character is someone who knows every trope and rule of both genres…. until suddenly she’s trapped inside her own twisted version of them. It was entertaining to see her knowledge tested when things got real, and the meta commentary on movies added a playful edge.

That said, this book leans into gore and graphic themes. If that’s not your thing, this one might not be for you. But if you love the idea of a quirky, slightly over-the-top, spooky-romantic read to set the mood for Halloween, it’s a great pick.

Overall, a fun, fast read that balances creepy tension with humor and romance.

[Ohhheyimmandy📚🌿 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swipe right for murder, stay for the meet-cute in the massacre. 🔪

How To Kill a Guy in Ten Dates- by Shailee Thompson

🖤Blurb🖤

When Jamie Prescott and her best friend Laurie attend a speed-dating event, Jamie expects to meet a roster of mediocre men and indulge in some street food afterwards. She doesn't expect one of her dates to have his throat slit at their table during a blackout. When the lights come back on and there are more bodies on the floor, it becomes clear that speed dating can be a very dangerous pastime. Armed with makeshift weapons and Jamie's extensive knowledge of what NOT to do in a horror movie, the remaining speed daters try to find an exit while the killer adds to their body count. As the night progresses and Jamie comes face-to-mask with the murderer, she begins to suspect he is committing the slayings to woo one of the daters and turn her into his real-life Final Girl. But Jamie has a different love story in mind, and as she fights for her life, she can't help but find herself ensconced in a love triangle with two of the other speed-daters. Will she survive the bloodshed to find her happily ever after? Or does this machete-wielding psychopath have another Final Girl in mind?
🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸🔪🩸

Love is a battlefield…and apparently, so is speed dating.

Jamie Prescott is a Horror movie fanatic. So when she attends a speed dating event with her best friend Laurie, she never expected to have to use her Horror Movie knowledge in a real-life slasher scenario.

Jamie came for the roster of barely impressive men, with hopes of grabbing some street food afterwards. But when her date is killed in true horror movie fashion during a blackout while at the event, it’s up to her and Laurie to use her horror movie expertise to survive the night and become a classic Final Girl.

Romance is dead. Literally.

This novel was so fun. From the ingenious naming of the characters after actual Final Girls, and Horror Movie characters, to the atmosphere, and chilling imagery depicted.

If you thought speed dating was scary before, try dodging a machete while navigating a love triangle. Hilarious, bloody, and surprisingly heart-throbbing. Jamie proves that surviving a killer is just another form of romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery Books, and the Author for allowing me to read this spectacular Thriller Rom-com.

[Katie ᥫ᭡. · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 ➡️ 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐬 & 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐲𝐬, 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭? 👀 Well… not when the lights go out and a killer starts 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 people off 😱🔪

Enter Jamie, our 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳-𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦-𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 heroine who suddenly has to channel her inner 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡 while dodging murderers and maybe… falling in love?? 𝑻𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 ✨

This book was 𝗦𝗢 much fun. It’s Scream meets all our 𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 leading ladies from romcoms - equal parts 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑜𝑠, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑦, and 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆. I laughed, gasped, and literally yelled “𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐄, 𝐍𝐎” more times than I can count. 😂 She’s supposed to be the romcom 𝒂𝒏𝒅 slasher expert, yet somehow makes all the mistakes we scream about in horror movies. The irony? 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔.

The nostalgia had me in a chokehold. 💿 From 90s/2000s movie references to Swiftie songs woven through the story, it’s like a 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 to everything I grew up loving & continue to LOVE 😉. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬?? Reimagined romcom quotes with a slasher twist, 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚. It felt like a little treat after every chapter, and I was obsessed. 💕🍬

It’s 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙮, it’s ‘𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘’, and the author knows 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 what she’s doing - blending 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙤𝙧, and 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧 in the most self-aware way. 🫶🏼

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 💖
🎬 The perfect mash-up of romcom and slasher chaos
🩷 All the nostalgia: early 2000s pop culture, movie quotes, Swiftie songs
😱 Fast-paced and cinematic, like watching a slasher flick unfold
💞 The buddy-read energy! Perfect for besties who are opposites in taste
💋 A love triangle that snuck up on me in the best way

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 ✨
💕 Final Girl vibes
🕵🏻‍♀️ Amateur sleuthing
💌 Speed-dating chaos
😂 Dark humor + banter
🔪 Forced proximity survival
💖 A love triangle you didn’t see coming

This book takes every rule of romcoms 𝙖𝙣𝙙 slashers, 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢, and laughs while doing it. It’s 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘺, 𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘺, and 𝙤𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜. Whether you’re reading this during spooky season 🎃 or Valentine’s Day 💌, it’s the perfect mix of scream + swoon. 🔪💕

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.😍

[Stephanie McMunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't you hate it when you and your BFF go to a silly fun speed dating event and one of your dates ends up getting his throat slit right in front of you? Oh, that's never happened to you...

Jamie and her bestie Laurie are just looking for a night of fun (and maybe some street food on the way home) when they sign up for a speed dating event. What they didn't sign up for was to become potential victims in their own slasher movie. Using Jamie's encyclopedic knowledge of horror AND rom-com movies, they (along with the other speed daters who are still alive) battle their way through the nightclub trying to escape the heart-eye masked killer. And it doesn't hurt that the hunky Wes is along for the ride...

Personally, I feel like the whole meta "we're in a horror movie and we have to follow the RULES in order to survive!" schtick is a bit overdone. What this book does differently, however, is include rom-com tropes as well as the horror/slasher tropes. I did get a little tired of Jamie reminding everyone of the "rules" every five minutes and worrying about who was going to be the "final girl". But the introduction of the romance elements definitely made this story unique from other slashers. Although, she really needed to be focusing more on SURVIVAL rather than making goo-goo eyes at Wes.

Some of the other elements of the book were fun including the classic rom-com quotes altered to fit the slasher theme that opened each chapter. I also enjoyed picking out all the name references to classic horror directors, actors, and movie characters. For a film buff like myself, this book was a goldmine of trivia and references. The ending was fairly predictable if you are a well-versed horror fan, but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

This book was a unique mash-up of classic tropes, and if you are a horror and/or romance fan, I think you'll really enjoy this one. I was very impressed with the writing from this debut author, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her in the future.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so if you're into a wild mix of suspense, dark humor, and romance, then how to kill a guy in ten dates is your book!! I honestly didn't know what to expect going in but the premise was genius. just imagine a speed dating event where you definitely can’t trust anyone and each date gets crazier than the last. and then BAM the lights go off and something sinister happens! I was totally hooked! What I loved about this book is how it really plays with your expectations. You think you're in for just another romance but no. I really loved that every chapter starts with a famous romance movie quote but with a more sinister twist to the wording. It became a little game for me trying to figure out what the original quote is which I had a blast with that. It’s just one of those small details that makes the book so much more fun. The pacing was good and I thought the author balanced the tension with humor so well. It was hard to guess what happens next at times. Every time I thought I had it figured out something unexpected happened and I love that about a book. Anyways, this book was such a fun and unpredictable read and I seriously couldn’t put it down!

[Aamira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I saw that this was a slasher/rom com mashup, I was like yes, sign me up please. As a fan of both genres, I cannot convey how much I enjoyed this novel. The many references to famous slasher films and rom coms, the strong, intelligent, witty heroine and the hero who lets her take the lead. This novel hit all of the right notes for me. It was so much fun, and I honestly couldn’t put it down. I loved the relationship between Jamie and her best friend Laurie. It was ride or die and loving. It was a really grounded portrayal of female friendships. Wes a good man, who took Jamie seriously and didn’t stick her in the helpless damsel role. He fought alongside her, and I enjoyed the moments of levity and connection between them. The killer is pretty easy to figure out, especially if you’re a fan of the genre, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of it. Overall, this was a great read!

[Lauren McMullan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you had told me back in January that a slasher romcom would end up being one of my favourite reads of the year, I wouldn’t have believed you, but here we are.

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates is a wickedly fun debut from Shailee Thompson, sharp, sexy, twisted, and so cleverly written. Thompson’s voice leaps off the page with razor-edged wit and confidence. The story is twisted, tense and oh so sexy.

It is a fantastic tribute to the slasher genre and the final girls we love to root for, with nods that horror fans will devour. Thompson does a phenomenal job at packing the story full of horror references while remaining accessible enough to be enjoyable for romance readers dipping a toe into something darker.

A bold, bloody, and brilliantly entertaining surprise. I couldn’t put it down. 5/5.


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.