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How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26A 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.
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.
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 3, 2026
15795 people want to read
About the author
Shailee Thompson
1 book42 followersShailee 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Want to read
September 15, 2025immediately topping the list of anticipated 2026 books
September 13, 2025
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
August 26, 2025
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.
September 19, 2025
Received my free copy from Goodreads Giveaways! Post read review coming soon!
July 25, 2025
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!
“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!
September 2, 2025
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!
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!
September 10, 2025
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!
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!
September 21, 2025
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 💘🎬.
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 💘🎬.
September 21, 2025
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.
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.
September 11, 2025
How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates was such a ride, honestly a 20/10 read. I was mad at my fulltime job for stealing hours from me because all I wanted to do was keep turning pages. It’s a sharp, fresh spin on the romcom/slasher mashup, and Shailee Thompson nails the balance of charm and chaos.
The characters are fun and over-the-top in the best way, and I loved the little details, like the map at the beginning, it set the tone perfectly. The pacing kept me hooked, and the humor landed right alongside the darker beats.
It doesn’t release until February 2026, but this is one I’ll be talking about until then. If you like your romcoms messy and your slashers playful, this is exactly the book for you.
The characters are fun and over-the-top in the best way, and I loved the little details, like the map at the beginning, it set the tone perfectly. The pacing kept me hooked, and the humor landed right alongside the darker beats.
It doesn’t release until February 2026, but this is one I’ll be talking about until then. If you like your romcoms messy and your slashers playful, this is exactly the book for you.
September 18, 2025
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.
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.
September 2, 2025
This is such a perfect fall read, I'm shocked the release date isn't until February.
"How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates" is campy, funny, ironic, and gory. This book really got me into the mood to read more suspenseful murder mysteries this fall. Overall, the book was entertaining, but there were certain parts that dragged for me and I felt we were getting similar plot points over and over again. I loved the main character Jamie.
Thank your Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
"How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates" is campy, funny, ironic, and gory. This book really got me into the mood to read more suspenseful murder mysteries this fall. Overall, the book was entertaining, but there were certain parts that dragged for me and I felt we were getting similar plot points over and over again. I loved the main character Jamie.
Thank your Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
August 28, 2025
Absolutely delightful! This book is just so fun! The nods to both the slasher and rom-com genres are great. My favorite thing (once my thick noggin' finally noticed it) was all the character names being famous horror movie characters or directors. I loved the female friendship. I did guess fairly early who the murderer was, but it was still a fun ride to get there! The only reason it's not a 5 star read is that it does get a bit repetitive. Otherwise: DELIGHTFUL!
September 21, 2025
This was such a fun read! I can’t say that I’ve ever read a book quite like this one as it was a slasher thriller, but it was also a romcom. I loved the concept of the speed dating killer. If you are looking for a thrilling horror romance definitely give this one a read.
Read this if you like:
❤️🔥 Love triangle
❤️🔥 Speed dating
❤️🔥 Slasher/romance
❤️🔥 Horror film references
Thank you @gallerybooks for the gifted copy of the book.
Read this if you like:
❤️🔥 Love triangle
❤️🔥 Speed dating
❤️🔥 Slasher/romance
❤️🔥 Horror film references
Thank you @gallerybooks for the gifted copy of the book.
September 17, 2025
As a slasher AND rom-com girly, I’m convinced this book was made for me. It had me rooting for characters only to be second-guessing if they’re who they say they are and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book was perfect from start to finish and I can’t wait to see it rightfully blow up when it’s released in February!
Thank you Netgalley & Gallery Books for the ARC!
Thank you Netgalley & Gallery Books for the ARC!
June 15, 2025
EVERY SINGLE MOVIE REFERENCE LANDED LIKE A DOVE ON MY SHOULDER
September 2, 2025
This was such a fun and wild ride. I could not put it down! A fantastic debut with the perfect mix of mystery, horror, humor and romance. Thanks to Gallery books for an advanced copy! ❤️🔥
September 20, 2025
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.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews