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Love at First Kill
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26A hit man conspires with an unlikely new partner who has vengeance on her mind in a riveting and emotional novel of romantic suspense by the author of We Are the Match.
Contract killer Jack O’Sullivan has corrupt billionaire Cale Jacobson in his crosshairs—until a woman in red ambushes Cale first, ruining the biggest payday of Jack’s career. To make matters worse, Ava Cavalcante, with her haunted eyes and nothing-left-to-lose fury, isn’t even a rival assassin…she’s just a vengeance-driven ex-librarian with a cute dress and limited impulse control. Jack should walk away. Instead, he recruits her to help him finish the job.
But Ava’s grief and fury run deep, and her fire pulls Jack in fast. As they’re forced to work together if they want any hope of finishing this job (or getting revenge), their bond turns from reluctant alliance to dangerous desire.
Between planning a murder, running for their lives, and hooking up in shady motels, they end up with more than either of them bargained for…and they also might be one kill kiss away from their own happily ever after. If they don’t betray each other first.
Contract killer Jack O’Sullivan has corrupt billionaire Cale Jacobson in his crosshairs—until a woman in red ambushes Cale first, ruining the biggest payday of Jack’s career. To make matters worse, Ava Cavalcante, with her haunted eyes and nothing-left-to-lose fury, isn’t even a rival assassin…she’s just a vengeance-driven ex-librarian with a cute dress and limited impulse control. Jack should walk away. Instead, he recruits her to help him finish the job.
But Ava’s grief and fury run deep, and her fire pulls Jack in fast. As they’re forced to work together if they want any hope of finishing this job (or getting revenge), their bond turns from reluctant alliance to dangerous desire.
Between planning a murder, running for their lives, and hooking up in shady motels, they end up with more than either of them bargained for…and they also might be one kill kiss away from their own happily ever after. If they don’t betray each other first.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
Unknown Binding
Expected publication March 31, 2026
7 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Mary E. Roach
4 books186 followersMary E. Roach is a former teacher who now writes across genres and age categories, most recently thrillers for the young adult audience and romances for the adult audience.
When she is not writing stories for and about powerful women, Mary enjoys running, teaching martial arts, and disappearing into the wilderness. Mary lives in St. Paul with her wife and their very disagreeable cat.
She can be found on Instagram at @maryeroachauthor, or online at maryeroach.com.
She also writes fantasy for all ages as Máire Roche.
When she is not writing stories for and about powerful women, Mary enjoys running, teaching martial arts, and disappearing into the wilderness. Mary lives in St. Paul with her wife and their very disagreeable cat.
She can be found on Instagram at @maryeroachauthor, or online at maryeroach.com.
She also writes fantasy for all ages as Máire Roche.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 15, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from Netgalley ✨
He’s a man with an assignment. She’s a woman with a mission.
Apparently, I have a bit of a thing for serial killers in fiction, because that was exactly what first caught my attention about this book. Luckily, it definitely did not disappoint.
Even though I don’t currently have a lot of time to read, I found myself genuinely enjoying this story whenever I picked it up. The plot kept me curious and engaged, and I often wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next. The pacing worked well for me and made it easy to stay invested in the story.
One of the highlights for me was Eva. I absolutely loved her character. She’s witty, sharp, and often hilarious—I found myself laughing out loud more than once because of her. Her personality really brought a lot of energy and humor to the story.
At the same time, the book also has some heavier moments. Learning about the pasts of both Ava and Jack added emotional depth to the story. There were definitely moments that made me pause for a second while reading. You don’t become someone like Ava without being pushed to the extreme, and those glimpses into their histories helped explain their motivations and choices.
Overall, this was a very entertaining read with an intriguing premise, engaging characters, and a good balance between humor, tension, and darker themes.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
• Morally grey characters
• Witty banter
• Romantic suspense
• Enemies-to-lovers dynamics
He’s a man with an assignment. She’s a woman with a mission.
Apparently, I have a bit of a thing for serial killers in fiction, because that was exactly what first caught my attention about this book. Luckily, it definitely did not disappoint.
Even though I don’t currently have a lot of time to read, I found myself genuinely enjoying this story whenever I picked it up. The plot kept me curious and engaged, and I often wanted to keep reading just to find out what would happen next. The pacing worked well for me and made it easy to stay invested in the story.
One of the highlights for me was Eva. I absolutely loved her character. She’s witty, sharp, and often hilarious—I found myself laughing out loud more than once because of her. Her personality really brought a lot of energy and humor to the story.
At the same time, the book also has some heavier moments. Learning about the pasts of both Ava and Jack added emotional depth to the story. There were definitely moments that made me pause for a second while reading. You don’t become someone like Ava without being pushed to the extreme, and those glimpses into their histories helped explain their motivations and choices.
Overall, this was a very entertaining read with an intriguing premise, engaging characters, and a good balance between humor, tension, and darker themes.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
• Morally grey characters
• Witty banter
• Romantic suspense
• Enemies-to-lovers dynamics
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 3.75 | 🌶️ 3
Love at First Kill is a fast-paced romantic suspense thriller packed with sharp banter, tension, and just enough chaos to keep you flipping pages.
Ava, a former librarian, is reeling from a devastating personal loss. Consumed by grief and anger, she sets her sights on the CEO of the health insurance company she holds responsible. Revenge is her only goal.
Unfortunately for Ava, she isn’t the only one with that target in mind.
Jack is a professional contract killer who has been hired to eliminate that very same CEO—and he’s very good at what he does. When a series of bad decisions, terrible luck, and crossed plans throw Ava and Jack together, they quickly realise neither of them can complete their mission without the other.
What follows is a tense, unpredictable partnership where sparks fly just as quickly as bullets.
As the danger ramps up, so does the chemistry between them. The dynamic here definitely leans darker and more dominant than your typical romance—this is not a hearts-and-flowers love story. It’s gritty, intense, and charged with a power exchange that adds an extra layer of heat.
And let’s be honest… they say it’s the quiet ones you have to watch.
And Ava? Well… she’s a librarian.
If you enjoy romantic suspense with morally grey characters, fast pacing, biting humour, and a darker edge to the romance, Love at First Kill delivers an entertaining ride.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Love at First Kill is a fast-paced romantic suspense thriller packed with sharp banter, tension, and just enough chaos to keep you flipping pages.
Ava, a former librarian, is reeling from a devastating personal loss. Consumed by grief and anger, she sets her sights on the CEO of the health insurance company she holds responsible. Revenge is her only goal.
Unfortunately for Ava, she isn’t the only one with that target in mind.
Jack is a professional contract killer who has been hired to eliminate that very same CEO—and he’s very good at what he does. When a series of bad decisions, terrible luck, and crossed plans throw Ava and Jack together, they quickly realise neither of them can complete their mission without the other.
What follows is a tense, unpredictable partnership where sparks fly just as quickly as bullets.
As the danger ramps up, so does the chemistry between them. The dynamic here definitely leans darker and more dominant than your typical romance—this is not a hearts-and-flowers love story. It’s gritty, intense, and charged with a power exchange that adds an extra layer of heat.
And let’s be honest… they say it’s the quiet ones you have to watch.
And Ava? Well… she’s a librarian.
If you enjoy romantic suspense with morally grey characters, fast pacing, biting humour, and a darker edge to the romance, Love at First Kill delivers an entertaining ride.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for providing a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story grabbed me from the very first page. The plot is unique and intriguing, and the characters are vibrant. Jack and Ava’s personalities are soooo different but perfect together.
Ava’s sense of humor is fantastic, and Jack’s reactions to the things she says are priceless. Even with all their differences, they fit together so well. Their banter is "chef's kiss". Ava says some of the most off the wall shit and never ceases to flabbergast Jack 😂 The pacing felt spot on, never dragging and none of the scenes felt unnecessary.
There were some unexpected twists and I loved that the story wasn't super predictable. Despite the hilarity of the dynamics between Ava and Jack, there are some deeply emotional scenes focusing on loss and grief that made my chest ache. This one makes you feel alllll of the spectrum of feels.
Overall, I loved this book, and I’m happy with how seamlessly everything came together in the end for a HEA.
Thank you NetGally for providing this ARC
Ava’s sense of humor is fantastic, and Jack’s reactions to the things she says are priceless. Even with all their differences, they fit together so well. Their banter is "chef's kiss". Ava says some of the most off the wall shit and never ceases to flabbergast Jack 😂 The pacing felt spot on, never dragging and none of the scenes felt unnecessary.
There were some unexpected twists and I loved that the story wasn't super predictable. Despite the hilarity of the dynamics between Ava and Jack, there are some deeply emotional scenes focusing on loss and grief that made my chest ache. This one makes you feel alllll of the spectrum of feels.
Overall, I loved this book, and I’m happy with how seamlessly everything came together in the end for a HEA.
Thank you NetGally for providing this ARC
March 5, 2026
Unfortunately DNF’d at 50%
I probably should have DNF’d sooner but I really wanted to give this book a chance. I loved the concept of the story but it read like a YA Suspense with Romance and nothing like how an Adult Romantic Suspense should read. The writing was not the best and the characters were hard to connect with or likeable. For a short book the pacing was a little off and the relationship between the two MCs didn’t feel realistic. This was unfortunate especially for the age range this story was targeted for.
I probably should have DNF’d sooner but I really wanted to give this book a chance. I loved the concept of the story but it read like a YA Suspense with Romance and nothing like how an Adult Romantic Suspense should read. The writing was not the best and the characters were hard to connect with or likeable. For a short book the pacing was a little off and the relationship between the two MCs didn’t feel realistic. This was unfortunate especially for the age range this story was targeted for.
January 29, 2026
Nice fast read. I think this would be perfect for fans of Bride Hard. I thought the pace was a little too quick and made things feel rushed but not in the way that the characters were racing against the clock. There are complex and emotional character backgrounds which does bring some nice depth to them. Unfortunately, I didn’t particularly love Jack and Ava. If you are looking for a quick read definitely check this one out.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love at First Kill is a funny, absurd, high-stakes romp that forces Jack, a careful, grumpy contract killer, to team up with Ava, an ex-librarian with an axe to grind, as they plot to take down the same billionaire. It’s part murder road trip, part spicy romcom, and entirely committed to the premise.
⭐ I’m gonna give this 3 stars. The premise is killer (pun intended), but the execution didn’t always hit right for me. That said, I can also easily see this being a 5-star book for the right reader, because when it works, it’s genuinely fun, wild, and addictive.
My biggest struggle was that the characters came across as a little heavy-handed at first, especially with their quirks. Jack was the easier of the two for me to connect with; he’s got that cool, competent hitman thing down, and his reactions to Ava are genuinely funny. I loved his personality throughout the book, but at times I felt certain aspects were undercut by too much info-dumping or by attempts to achieve other effects. So you’d go from super cool contract killer vibe to “oh, he’s also anal about his Airbnb rating” in a way that didn’t feel natural. A lot of this worked itself out as the story found its rhythm. At least it became much less noticeable to me.
Ava was a harder character for me to click with. She’s supposed to be bold, messy, and impulsive, and I get what the story is going for with her trauma and revenge arc. But her madcap energy was sometimes cranked up to eleven, which made it tough for me to stay fully invested. Her choices had me yelling at the page more than once. Sometimes it just seemed like the book was trying just a little too hard with her character. I believe I’m in the minority here, so take that with a grain of salt, but I wanted so badly to love her bisexual, quirky, submissive, bold vibe because she is someone who is both relatable and admirable, but I found her fairly annoying most of the time. One thing I will say is that her story is wonderful and tragic, and I did like how that was handled and thought it is a beautiful representation of this sort of wound and how it is managed (in a morally grey, fictional way).
Beyond that, most of my issues were small but worth mentioning: the pacing and scene transitions felt abrupt at times, and I occasionally had that “wait…how did we get here?” feeling. I also seemed like a few elements, especially some of the spicy narration cues, were a bit on the nose or inserted unnaturally, which broke immersion for me in spots.
Still, overall, this was a fast, entertaining read. The romance is solid, the chemistry is there, and the stakes add real tension, keeping me invested. This is a delightful, high-stakes romcom that’s chaotic, tropey, and just unhinged enough to be fun. Even with my mixed rating, I’d still recommend it, with the caveat that if you’re picky about character grounding or pacing, a few moments might pull you out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
⭐ I’m gonna give this 3 stars. The premise is killer (pun intended), but the execution didn’t always hit right for me. That said, I can also easily see this being a 5-star book for the right reader, because when it works, it’s genuinely fun, wild, and addictive.
My biggest struggle was that the characters came across as a little heavy-handed at first, especially with their quirks. Jack was the easier of the two for me to connect with; he’s got that cool, competent hitman thing down, and his reactions to Ava are genuinely funny. I loved his personality throughout the book, but at times I felt certain aspects were undercut by too much info-dumping or by attempts to achieve other effects. So you’d go from super cool contract killer vibe to “oh, he’s also anal about his Airbnb rating” in a way that didn’t feel natural. A lot of this worked itself out as the story found its rhythm. At least it became much less noticeable to me.
Ava was a harder character for me to click with. She’s supposed to be bold, messy, and impulsive, and I get what the story is going for with her trauma and revenge arc. But her madcap energy was sometimes cranked up to eleven, which made it tough for me to stay fully invested. Her choices had me yelling at the page more than once. Sometimes it just seemed like the book was trying just a little too hard with her character. I believe I’m in the minority here, so take that with a grain of salt, but I wanted so badly to love her bisexual, quirky, submissive, bold vibe because she is someone who is both relatable and admirable, but I found her fairly annoying most of the time. One thing I will say is that her story is wonderful and tragic, and I did like how that was handled and thought it is a beautiful representation of this sort of wound and how it is managed (in a morally grey, fictional way).
Beyond that, most of my issues were small but worth mentioning: the pacing and scene transitions felt abrupt at times, and I occasionally had that “wait…how did we get here?” feeling. I also seemed like a few elements, especially some of the spicy narration cues, were a bit on the nose or inserted unnaturally, which broke immersion for me in spots.
Still, overall, this was a fast, entertaining read. The romance is solid, the chemistry is there, and the stakes add real tension, keeping me invested. This is a delightful, high-stakes romcom that’s chaotic, tropey, and just unhinged enough to be fun. Even with my mixed rating, I’d still recommend it, with the caveat that if you’re picky about character grounding or pacing, a few moments might pull you out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So many thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Jack O’Sullivan is a contract killer who spends his downtime cross-stitching. He is controlled, meticulous, and about as uptight as a professional hitman with a needle and thread can be. Ava Cavalcante, on the other hand, is a chaotic librarian who has a suspiciously impressive talent for hot-wiring cars and stealing things she probably shouldn’t. Naturally, these two end up colliding when they both attempt to take out the same target: Cale Jacobson, the billionaire head of a massive health insurance company.
Things go sideways fast when Ava unknowingly steals Jack’s job mid-assassination attempt. Instead of finishing the job separately, the two are forced into an uneasy partnership to take down the real villain behind everything.
This book hooked me immediately and never once let off the throttle. I was locked in with these characters from the beginning, and the pacing was chef’s kiss. The story is action packed, the dialogue is phenomenal, and the chemistry between Jack and Ava is constantly simmering in the background while everything else is exploding around them.
I also have to give a quick shout-out to the author for writing inclusive characters. We absolutely love to see that.
As much as Jack is a fantastic character, Ava completely stole the show for me. She is chaotic in the best possible way, and I think a lot of readers are going to fall in love with her the same way I did. The only real complaint I have about this book is that I wish it had been longer, because I was having way too much fun spending time with Jack O’Sullivan and Ava Cavalcante.
The concept itself is not entirely new. The story definitely leans into familiar tropes, and if the characters, pacing, and action had not been so strong, it could have felt repetitive. Instead, Mary E. Roach manages to elevate those tropes through genuinely fun storytelling and sharp writing. The result is a book that blends dark romantic comedy, action-heavy chaos, moments of grief, and even some commentary about the influence of massive healthcare companies and billionaire CEOs.
If a friend told me they were writing a book that tried to combine all of those elements, I probably would have gently suggested they pick one or two and calm down. Somehow Mary E. Roach makes all of it work beautifully.
Readers who enjoy dark romcoms, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and opposites-attract romances will have a great time with this one. Fans of Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, Lights Out by Navessa Allen, and Sinners Retreat by Lauren Biel will likely enjoy the chaotic energy here. While the story falls into the dark romance space, it reads much more like a comedic dark romcom than something intensely grim.
Overall, this has been one of the best books I’ve read in a while, and I’m genuinely thrilled I got the chance to pick it up. Experiencing the chaos of this story was an absolute blast.
Overall rating: 5/5
Spice rating: 2.5/5
Jack O’Sullivan is a contract killer who spends his downtime cross-stitching. He is controlled, meticulous, and about as uptight as a professional hitman with a needle and thread can be. Ava Cavalcante, on the other hand, is a chaotic librarian who has a suspiciously impressive talent for hot-wiring cars and stealing things she probably shouldn’t. Naturally, these two end up colliding when they both attempt to take out the same target: Cale Jacobson, the billionaire head of a massive health insurance company.
Things go sideways fast when Ava unknowingly steals Jack’s job mid-assassination attempt. Instead of finishing the job separately, the two are forced into an uneasy partnership to take down the real villain behind everything.
This book hooked me immediately and never once let off the throttle. I was locked in with these characters from the beginning, and the pacing was chef’s kiss. The story is action packed, the dialogue is phenomenal, and the chemistry between Jack and Ava is constantly simmering in the background while everything else is exploding around them.
I also have to give a quick shout-out to the author for writing inclusive characters. We absolutely love to see that.
As much as Jack is a fantastic character, Ava completely stole the show for me. She is chaotic in the best possible way, and I think a lot of readers are going to fall in love with her the same way I did. The only real complaint I have about this book is that I wish it had been longer, because I was having way too much fun spending time with Jack O’Sullivan and Ava Cavalcante.
The concept itself is not entirely new. The story definitely leans into familiar tropes, and if the characters, pacing, and action had not been so strong, it could have felt repetitive. Instead, Mary E. Roach manages to elevate those tropes through genuinely fun storytelling and sharp writing. The result is a book that blends dark romantic comedy, action-heavy chaos, moments of grief, and even some commentary about the influence of massive healthcare companies and billionaire CEOs.
If a friend told me they were writing a book that tried to combine all of those elements, I probably would have gently suggested they pick one or two and calm down. Somehow Mary E. Roach makes all of it work beautifully.
Readers who enjoy dark romcoms, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and opposites-attract romances will have a great time with this one. Fans of Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver, Lights Out by Navessa Allen, and Sinners Retreat by Lauren Biel will likely enjoy the chaotic energy here. While the story falls into the dark romance space, it reads much more like a comedic dark romcom than something intensely grim.
Overall, this has been one of the best books I’ve read in a while, and I’m genuinely thrilled I got the chance to pick it up. Experiencing the chaos of this story was an absolute blast.
Overall rating: 5/5
Spice rating: 2.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve recently noticed a new trend of hitman-themed romantic suspense novels, several of which I really enjoyed, so reading Love at First Kill was an obvious choice and I was not disappointed. Professional contract killer Jack O’Sullivan has been hired to eliminate Cale Jacobson, CEO of a family-owned health insurance company; he has no idea who hired him or why. His well-laid plans are scuppered when Ava Cavalcante attacks Cale in broad daylight, losing him the element of surprise.
You will need to suspend disbelief where the plot is concerned, and just go along for the ride. Both Jack and Ava are grieving and traumatised as they have lost the love of their lives. Ava is out for revenge, but they both have the same target so will have to find a way to work together. Their connection develops slowly as they begin to trust each other and give in to their mutual attraction. They are complete opposites, but somehow balance out each other’s worst traits.
The story is told from both their points of view so we get a good idea of what is going on. The main characters are well developed; I had a lot of sympathy for Jack as Ava’s bratty behaviour was a bit over the top at times and caused a lot of problems. Fortunately, she mellowed a bit towards the end. One of the highlights of Love at First Kill is the excellent witty banter between Jack and Ava. The ending has a cinematic quality, and makes me think this would make a great movie. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to discovering the author’s back catalogue. Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
You will need to suspend disbelief where the plot is concerned, and just go along for the ride. Both Jack and Ava are grieving and traumatised as they have lost the love of their lives. Ava is out for revenge, but they both have the same target so will have to find a way to work together. Their connection develops slowly as they begin to trust each other and give in to their mutual attraction. They are complete opposites, but somehow balance out each other’s worst traits.
The story is told from both their points of view so we get a good idea of what is going on. The main characters are well developed; I had a lot of sympathy for Jack as Ava’s bratty behaviour was a bit over the top at times and caused a lot of problems. Fortunately, she mellowed a bit towards the end. One of the highlights of Love at First Kill is the excellent witty banter between Jack and Ava. The ending has a cinematic quality, and makes me think this would make a great movie. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to discovering the author’s back catalogue. Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
March 6, 2026
3/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
I received a free ARC from Montlake through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
I was really excited to read this because the cover is really cool and the blurb made it seem really interesting. Unfortunately, I think I liked the idea of this more than the execution of it. There is a lot that I liked about this, but the pacing seemed really off to me. It was really fast paced and then it was like the brakes were slammed to the floor…and things grew stagnant. It just got very repetitive and didn’t capture my attention.
It felt like the characters were supposed to be the biggest draw here because the plot was kind of flimsy and the mystery was really easy to suss out. I just didn’t find them to be believable. At its core, these were often supposed to be emotional and raw moments, but they were ruined for me by how much of a caricature the main characters had already been portrayed to be. Not to mention, some of the stuff that was happening just seemed incredibly unrealistic. I know we are meant to suspend our disbelief for fiction, but there’s only so much I can do before I’m side eyeing.
I think this would be a good option for someone who wants a light-dark romance with lots of spice and banter. It doesn’t take itself seriously AT ALL. The characters are basically all morally grey, but like…in a cool way. I also loved the bisexual representation AND the librarian representation. The fact that big insurance is the actual bad guy? Big yes from me.
3/5 🌶️
I received a free ARC from Montlake through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
I was really excited to read this because the cover is really cool and the blurb made it seem really interesting. Unfortunately, I think I liked the idea of this more than the execution of it. There is a lot that I liked about this, but the pacing seemed really off to me. It was really fast paced and then it was like the brakes were slammed to the floor…and things grew stagnant. It just got very repetitive and didn’t capture my attention.
It felt like the characters were supposed to be the biggest draw here because the plot was kind of flimsy and the mystery was really easy to suss out. I just didn’t find them to be believable. At its core, these were often supposed to be emotional and raw moments, but they were ruined for me by how much of a caricature the main characters had already been portrayed to be. Not to mention, some of the stuff that was happening just seemed incredibly unrealistic. I know we are meant to suspend our disbelief for fiction, but there’s only so much I can do before I’m side eyeing.
I think this would be a good option for someone who wants a light-dark romance with lots of spice and banter. It doesn’t take itself seriously AT ALL. The characters are basically all morally grey, but like…in a cool way. I also loved the bisexual representation AND the librarian representation. The fact that big insurance is the actual bad guy? Big yes from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love at First Kill by. Mary E. Roach
Quote:
"And they were ruined, weren't they? Ruined without any hope of rescue. A hit man and an ex-librarian with a grudge, both gunning for the same man."
Opposites definitely attract in the best way in this story. Jack - organized, meticulous & quiet. Ava - runs off of emotions & Dove dark chocolates. I really enjoyed this story. I laughed, I felt the anger, the sadness, the anxiety in high stress situations. I connected with both characters.
I loved Ava, her outgoing personality, her humor to get through situations. She is a very reliable character. A free-spirited spitfire, who just wants revenge for the death of the only person that mattered in her life.
Jack is a softy at heart, extremely careful to not be seen, or connected to anything while completing contract kills. Behind that rock solid appearance, and detailed murder manual bookkeeping skills, & his 007 movesets, he just wants a healthy meal & a good cuddle at the end of the day.
This book was well written, and I really enjoyed this whole story overall. This story had some fantastic character banter. I love the character relationship build up from enemies to lovers and I am glad it had a HEA.
***Thank you to Netgallery for providing the ARC
Quote:
"And they were ruined, weren't they? Ruined without any hope of rescue. A hit man and an ex-librarian with a grudge, both gunning for the same man."
Opposites definitely attract in the best way in this story. Jack - organized, meticulous & quiet. Ava - runs off of emotions & Dove dark chocolates. I really enjoyed this story. I laughed, I felt the anger, the sadness, the anxiety in high stress situations. I connected with both characters.
I loved Ava, her outgoing personality, her humor to get through situations. She is a very reliable character. A free-spirited spitfire, who just wants revenge for the death of the only person that mattered in her life.
Jack is a softy at heart, extremely careful to not be seen, or connected to anything while completing contract kills. Behind that rock solid appearance, and detailed murder manual bookkeeping skills, & his 007 movesets, he just wants a healthy meal & a good cuddle at the end of the day.
This book was well written, and I really enjoyed this whole story overall. This story had some fantastic character banter. I love the character relationship build up from enemies to lovers and I am glad it had a HEA.
***Thank you to Netgallery for providing the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A romantic thriller that just sucks you into the chaos and tension. Ava is a librarian that wants revenge on the person she believes caused all her grief and heartache. She is out to get Cale Jacobson, a CEO for a health insurance company. When Ava goes to get her revenge, she also gets in the way of Jack who is also out to get the same CEO.
Jack is a professional contract killer who was hired to take out the CEO. Jack is usually very good at what he does. Ava just throughs a wrench in his plans. Some bad decisions are made which leads them to needing to work together for Jack to get his payday and Ava to get her revenge.
The pacing is done really well throughout this book. The banter between Jack and Ava is hilarious especially the way that Jack reacts to some of the things that comes out of Ava's mouth. She definitely has some none librarian type behavior and words.
You can one minute be laughing so much at these two together. Then be crying the next as Ava is dealing with her grief. I wasn't totally sure they would make it as a couple by the end but you do get a HEA.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sharing this book with me early. All of my opinions are my own.
Jack is a professional contract killer who was hired to take out the CEO. Jack is usually very good at what he does. Ava just throughs a wrench in his plans. Some bad decisions are made which leads them to needing to work together for Jack to get his payday and Ava to get her revenge.
The pacing is done really well throughout this book. The banter between Jack and Ava is hilarious especially the way that Jack reacts to some of the things that comes out of Ava's mouth. She definitely has some none librarian type behavior and words.
You can one minute be laughing so much at these two together. Then be crying the next as Ava is dealing with her grief. I wasn't totally sure they would make it as a couple by the end but you do get a HEA.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for sharing this book with me early. All of my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story was truly engaging and enjoyable, all thanks to the striking differences between the two main characters. We are first introduced to Jack, a tight laced, meticulous, neurodivergent hitman (contract killer 😉). The guy who always gets his assignments done and then disappears into thin air, leaving the authorities completely stumped. Then we meet Ava, a fiery redhead and sheer force of chaos, who crashes into Luke's life, bumbling all his laid out plans. The more we find out about their past, the clearer it becomes that intense tragedy shaped them both. From the beginning they seemed to recognize that pain in each other without even realizing it.
Ava is emotionally exhausted and feels like she has nothing left to lose. This combination makes her highly unpredictable, dangerous and erratic. Even with this clear understanding, Jack finds himself incapable of abandoning her. He has an innate ability to recognize her needs, eating, sleeping, etc. even when she is oblivious to her most basic needs. Watching them slowly fall for each other while they stumble their way through the story is what makes this story worth the read.
Ava is emotionally exhausted and feels like she has nothing left to lose. This combination makes her highly unpredictable, dangerous and erratic. Even with this clear understanding, Jack finds himself incapable of abandoning her. He has an innate ability to recognize her needs, eating, sleeping, etc. even when she is oblivious to her most basic needs. Watching them slowly fall for each other while they stumble their way through the story is what makes this story worth the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you author and netgallery for this ARC!
I enjoy dark romance, and seeing another got me excited to read this one. When the MC's are killers, there's usually bound to be some good chemistry.
I enjoyed the hook of the story. It managed to draw me in, as a story needs! Start off with a mysterious character, maybe a little broody, some great descriptions in my opinion. We get some background information throughout the story, which helps build the characters and really flesh them out. Hot intense scenes for the romance.
However, the characters did feel rather repetitive and flat—It was a little difficult to read because of this. The chemistry didn't seem to tie them together how I had hoped but I do like character chemistry to be very "complete the other person" type. It can totally work for those who just like a very bully esque relationship for their reading needs.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy bully dark romances, since it gave those vibes throughout the story in my opinion. Especially if they like the FMC being the bully. As well as people who might not be reading for the plot, just the dark romance.
I enjoy dark romance, and seeing another got me excited to read this one. When the MC's are killers, there's usually bound to be some good chemistry.
I enjoyed the hook of the story. It managed to draw me in, as a story needs! Start off with a mysterious character, maybe a little broody, some great descriptions in my opinion. We get some background information throughout the story, which helps build the characters and really flesh them out. Hot intense scenes for the romance.
However, the characters did feel rather repetitive and flat—It was a little difficult to read because of this. The chemistry didn't seem to tie them together how I had hoped but I do like character chemistry to be very "complete the other person" type. It can totally work for those who just like a very bully esque relationship for their reading needs.
I would recommend it to those who enjoy bully dark romances, since it gave those vibes throughout the story in my opinion. Especially if they like the FMC being the bully. As well as people who might not be reading for the plot, just the dark romance.
January 24, 2026
ARC REVIEW
This book had me hooked from the start! The whole concept was intriguing and it was executed amazingly. The writing was so descriptive and I loved reading from both Jack and Ava’s pov because of how different they are, how vastly different their personalities are and how they react to things.
I absolutely love how they interact with each other, Ava is absolutely hilarious and Jacks reactions to the things she says is priceless 😂 despite all their differences they do actually work well together. I love ghost flirtatious banter and how Ava can say anything and always catch Jack off guard, I love their dynamic so much. The smut was so so good, it was perfectly paced and it didn’t drag on at all.
A few things happened that had me naw dropped that I wasn’t expecting AT ALL, it was so unpredictable which I loved! I had so many physical reactions, I literally laughed out loud, smiled and gasped so many times. I absolutely loved the ending! It was honestly perfect and everything was tied together.
This book had me hooked from the start! The whole concept was intriguing and it was executed amazingly. The writing was so descriptive and I loved reading from both Jack and Ava’s pov because of how different they are, how vastly different their personalities are and how they react to things.
I absolutely love how they interact with each other, Ava is absolutely hilarious and Jacks reactions to the things she says is priceless 😂 despite all their differences they do actually work well together. I love ghost flirtatious banter and how Ava can say anything and always catch Jack off guard, I love their dynamic so much. The smut was so so good, it was perfectly paced and it didn’t drag on at all.
A few things happened that had me naw dropped that I wasn’t expecting AT ALL, it was so unpredictable which I loved! I had so many physical reactions, I literally laughed out loud, smiled and gasped so many times. I absolutely loved the ending! It was honestly perfect and everything was tied together.
February 18, 2026
This was my first book by Mary E. Roach, and I’ll definitely be checking out more from her.
Going in, I was really excited because I love books centered around a hitman. The premise immediately hooked me. A professional contract killer forced to work alongside a vengeance-driven woman after she interferes with his job. It has strong enemies-to-lovers energy, plenty of tension, and a solid romantic suspense foundation. The action and pacing kept things moving, and the concept itself is genuinely fun and engaging.
That said, I struggled a bit with feeling fully connected to the characters. I wanted to be more emotionally invested than I was, and that slight disconnect kept this from being a higher rating for me.
Overall, I think this is a strong romantic suspense with a great setup and a trope I’ll never get tired of. It just wasn’t a perfect fit for me personally but I can absolutely see other readers loving it.
Going in, I was really excited because I love books centered around a hitman. The premise immediately hooked me. A professional contract killer forced to work alongside a vengeance-driven woman after she interferes with his job. It has strong enemies-to-lovers energy, plenty of tension, and a solid romantic suspense foundation. The action and pacing kept things moving, and the concept itself is genuinely fun and engaging.
That said, I struggled a bit with feeling fully connected to the characters. I wanted to be more emotionally invested than I was, and that slight disconnect kept this from being a higher rating for me.
Overall, I think this is a strong romantic suspense with a great setup and a trope I’ll never get tired of. It just wasn’t a perfect fit for me personally but I can absolutely see other readers loving it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | 🌶️
Love at First Kill had some really strong elements that kept me invested in the story. The characters were one of my favourite parts of the book. Ava, the ex-librarian, was chaotic and funny and had me laughing the entire time. Jack the hitman was a really fun character as well, and his reactions to Ava definitely made their dynamic entertaining to read.
While I don’t usually read third-person books, this one actually made it work for me. I was still able to connect with the characters and their emotions, which made their relationship compelling to follow.
The beginning felt a little slow and had some moments where the pacing could have been tighter, but around chapter 14 the story really picked up and I found myself much more engaged and excited to see what would happen next.
Overall, the chemistry and chaotic fun between the characters made this a really entertaining read.
Love at First Kill had some really strong elements that kept me invested in the story. The characters were one of my favourite parts of the book. Ava, the ex-librarian, was chaotic and funny and had me laughing the entire time. Jack the hitman was a really fun character as well, and his reactions to Ava definitely made their dynamic entertaining to read.
While I don’t usually read third-person books, this one actually made it work for me. I was still able to connect with the characters and their emotions, which made their relationship compelling to follow.
The beginning felt a little slow and had some moments where the pacing could have been tighter, but around chapter 14 the story really picked up and I found myself much more engaged and excited to see what would happen next.
Overall, the chemistry and chaotic fun between the characters made this a really entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5
Jack es un asesino a sueldo meticuloso que vive de la rutina y del control absoluto de cada detalle. Su siguiente objetivo es Cale Jacobson, un multimillonario con demasiados enemigos y una agenda fácil de memorizar. Todo parece ir según lo planeado hasta que en una cafetería aparece Ava, una mujer impulsiva, furiosa y claramente obsesionada con el mismo hombre al que Jack piensa matar.
Ava no es profesional ni cuidadosa, actúa desde el dolor y la rabia y cuando arruina el trabajo de Jack también cambia el rumbo de ambos. Lo que comienza como un error se convierte en una alianza forzada donde la venganza, la violencia y una atracción peligrosa se mezclan de formas inesperadas. Matar es fácil, convivir con alguien que refleja tus propias grietas no lo es tanto.
****
Fue una lectura ligera con tintes de comedia.
Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.
Jack es un asesino a sueldo meticuloso que vive de la rutina y del control absoluto de cada detalle. Su siguiente objetivo es Cale Jacobson, un multimillonario con demasiados enemigos y una agenda fácil de memorizar. Todo parece ir según lo planeado hasta que en una cafetería aparece Ava, una mujer impulsiva, furiosa y claramente obsesionada con el mismo hombre al que Jack piensa matar.
Ava no es profesional ni cuidadosa, actúa desde el dolor y la rabia y cuando arruina el trabajo de Jack también cambia el rumbo de ambos. Lo que comienza como un error se convierte en una alianza forzada donde la venganza, la violencia y una atracción peligrosa se mezclan de formas inesperadas. Matar es fácil, convivir con alguien que refleja tus propias grietas no lo es tanto.
****
Fue una lectura ligera con tintes de comedia.
Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.
March 18, 2026
This was a delight! Perfect blend of action movie and spicy romcom elements! Opposites attract between those two genres as well as our two main characters!
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book, it was go go go from the start! If you’re expecting a dark romance with this book, this is not that, even with the darker hit man aspects. It really does have more of an action movie vibe. Also, the hit is on a billionaire health insurance CEO, and I have to wonder if the author took some inspiration from Luigi!? Anyways, Ava’s motivations were deeply relatable and I loved how she maintained her sassy spark despite the horrors. Oh yes, and always bonus points for queer rep!
I recommend if you’re wanting a fun, genre blending read with lovably messy characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!
I enjoyed the fast pace of this book, it was go go go from the start! If you’re expecting a dark romance with this book, this is not that, even with the darker hit man aspects. It really does have more of an action movie vibe. Also, the hit is on a billionaire health insurance CEO, and I have to wonder if the author took some inspiration from Luigi!? Anyways, Ava’s motivations were deeply relatable and I loved how she maintained her sassy spark despite the horrors. Oh yes, and always bonus points for queer rep!
I recommend if you’re wanting a fun, genre blending read with lovably messy characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Alexa, play Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus.
This is Ava’s theme song. I swear man. She monkey jumped on CEOs back in the middle of the street for the entire city to witness. Jack’s annoyance was hitting the high heavens. Ava is a total mess but she rocked it well. She is the fun and hilarious FMC I’ve read in a while and I loved how she stayed on feral mode non stop.
The banter and sass was so satisfying. The writing was funny and held my attention. I would love another book featuring these two. I truly enjoy this authors writing style, and will read more from her in the future!
Miss Ava, I also support women’s wrongs’ and all that.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
This is Ava’s theme song. I swear man. She monkey jumped on CEOs back in the middle of the street for the entire city to witness. Jack’s annoyance was hitting the high heavens. Ava is a total mess but she rocked it well. She is the fun and hilarious FMC I’ve read in a while and I loved how she stayed on feral mode non stop.
The banter and sass was so satisfying. The writing was funny and held my attention. I would love another book featuring these two. I truly enjoy this authors writing style, and will read more from her in the future!
Miss Ava, I also support women’s wrongs’ and all that.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions are my own.
March 10, 2026
3.25⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I have such mixed feelings about Ava. Her reasoning for her rage and grief is so relatable for so many people unfortunately. However, her chaos and carelessness makes it hard to believe she was truly trying to accomplish her goal. I didn’t see a lot of character growth from her.
I actually didn’t see any character growth from Jack either, his transition from lone wolf to head over heels partner was not very believable. However, the chemistry that they had together was pretty good. The story was spicy but not in a way that took away from the plot. It was a pretty good read I just wish I saw a little more character growth.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I have such mixed feelings about Ava. Her reasoning for her rage and grief is so relatable for so many people unfortunately. However, her chaos and carelessness makes it hard to believe she was truly trying to accomplish her goal. I didn’t see a lot of character growth from her.
I actually didn’t see any character growth from Jack either, his transition from lone wolf to head over heels partner was not very believable. However, the chemistry that they had together was pretty good. The story was spicy but not in a way that took away from the plot. It was a pretty good read I just wish I saw a little more character growth.
Read
March 19, 2026Thank you Netgalley for this Read Now (I think? lol) title!
I picked this book up because I like reading about fellow librarian characters, and also because I support women’s wrongs. To have that latter statement brought up in the book was brilliant. This whole book was brilliant. It is funny, fast-paced, and made me cry twice.
The queer rep was casual and seamless and in an MF romance it is just wonderful. I shouldn’t have been (pleasantly) surprised by it as in the author’s note it does mention Roach having a wife but it is still really nice to read :)
Also - just as a side personal opinion - I think Jack is autistic. I don’t know if this is Roach’s intent but it made me happy thinking that anyway!
I picked this book up because I like reading about fellow librarian characters, and also because I support women’s wrongs. To have that latter statement brought up in the book was brilliant. This whole book was brilliant. It is funny, fast-paced, and made me cry twice.
The queer rep was casual and seamless and in an MF romance it is just wonderful. I shouldn’t have been (pleasantly) surprised by it as in the author’s note it does mention Roach having a wife but it is still really nice to read :)
Also - just as a side personal opinion - I think Jack is autistic. I don’t know if this is Roach’s intent but it made me happy thinking that anyway!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i like to give books a fair chance but i’ve had to dnf at 20%.
i’m not a fan of the dynamic between the mc’s. the banter is boring (in my opinion) and the fact that at 20% ava has been naked twice seems… a bit too random to fit the narrative.
there’s nothing to really grip me. i know jack has someone that’s relying on him (who? not sure at this point) and ava has mentioned ari, but i don’t care enough to continue with the story to find out who they are and what they mean.
i am also finding myself bored of curvy, but petite fmc’s with the perfect amount of boob and ass. there’s potential for more.
i’m not a fan of the dynamic between the mc’s. the banter is boring (in my opinion) and the fact that at 20% ava has been naked twice seems… a bit too random to fit the narrative.
there’s nothing to really grip me. i know jack has someone that’s relying on him (who? not sure at this point) and ava has mentioned ari, but i don’t care enough to continue with the story to find out who they are and what they mean.
i am also finding myself bored of curvy, but petite fmc’s with the perfect amount of boob and ass. there’s potential for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ava is kind of a disaster, but she quickly became my favorite part of the story. She is smart, funny, and very set on getting revenge, but you also see her softer side when she talks about Ari and during some of her moments with Jack. Jack is steady and controlled, which makes him the total opposite of Ava, and somehow, they just work together. Both of them have pasts and reasons that drive their actions, which adds depth to the story. The banter and constant distrust between them were really entertaining, and I loved the romantic suspense woven into the plot.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm a huge fan of dark romance so I was all in on the grumpy/sunshine but is was more like straight man to the unhinged Ava. He handled her with a quiet patience. She kind of stole the show and I loved how Jack didn't care, their chemistry was yummy. The banter was chef's kiss. I enjoyed them both separately and together. They kept me reading until way past my bed time. And it was totally worth.
I could totally see this as a movie. The description and show was excellent, it pulled me in completely. I've never heard of this author and I'm eager to read more from her.
I could totally see this as a movie. The description and show was excellent, it pulled me in completely. I've never heard of this author and I'm eager to read more from her.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25/5
This was fun, a good mix of thriller and romance.
I did find the relationship between these characters to be a bit random and sudden though. They had a slow and "normal" start, then they went from zero to a hundred.
This is pretty short, so it did read really fast. It being so fun and action-packed helped with that.
This follows a hitman, a librarian, a "job," and the chaos that all leads to (as I'm sure you were imagining).
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was fun, a good mix of thriller and romance.
I did find the relationship between these characters to be a bit random and sudden though. They had a slow and "normal" start, then they went from zero to a hundred.
This is pretty short, so it did read really fast. It being so fun and action-packed helped with that.
This follows a hitman, a librarian, a "job," and the chaos that all leads to (as I'm sure you were imagining).
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An experienced unaliver vs a first timer…
It’s immediate chaos when Ava decides to attack a man in broad daylight. And ruins Jack’s plan to unalive same said man the next day.
Since being seen together, Jack is forced to work with Ava to finish his mission. Only problem…. he starts to fall for the woman who has turned his world upside down.
I loved this book! The bickering, the tension, and romance! I couldn’t put it down!!!
It’s immediate chaos when Ava decides to attack a man in broad daylight. And ruins Jack’s plan to unalive same said man the next day.
Since being seen together, Jack is forced to work with Ava to finish his mission. Only problem…. he starts to fall for the woman who has turned his world upside down.
I loved this book! The bickering, the tension, and romance! I couldn’t put it down!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An assassin is hired to kill someone and is in the middle of tracking his victim when a woman attacks his victim and he is stuck saving his life. He then tracks down the woman and forces her to help him with his assignment.
I found the “victim” to be a nitwit. But I did enjoy the romance between the main characters
I found the “victim” to be a nitwit. But I did enjoy the romance between the main characters
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story is interesting and easy to read. The characters have good chemistry, and the romance is enjoyable. Some parts of the plot are confusing or rushed, but overall it’s a fun book for a short, entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a good story but I didn't feel the conection between maincharacters. A contract killer teams up with a woman out for revenge to kill the target. Lots of action and twists happend through the book. For the right reader this could be 4 or 5 ⭐️ read. I liked the ending ✨️
Review of advance copy
3.5
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