This synopsis is EXTREMELY misleading; it seems like it's all about the message M hotline and getting revenge for people who call the hotline, but it's a very minor plot point. The book is actually about a terrible, judgmental, and unlikable character named Millie and her mission to find the man who raped her sister.
I'm all for a badass female taking matters into her own hands, but this wasn't it. Millie was AWFUL. The rude and judmental things that came out of her mouth made me cringe in second hand embarrassment and hate her more and more with every comment. The comments about tattoos and body modifications were so out of left field and disgusting, just as an example.
The way she treated her boss, Rick, was also absolutely terrible. He was never anything but nice and respectful to her, and she took it and spit on it. This is his business, his entire life, and she had no remorse for being a terrible employee "It's not my fault I had a late night and couldn't get up in the morning!" Um... yes, it literally is.

The events of the book are because Millie's sister was attacked, but all she really does is go visit her sometimes? If she had put even a small percentage of the energy she used trying to find her attacker on truly trying to find Katie help, she could have started making improvements shortly after the attack happened. I know everyone is different, but why didn't anyone try harder to get Katie to therapy or something? It seemed like they just let her retreat to her room and fall deeper into depression.
The "twist" was so predictable that I had it figured out from the beginning. I don't know how anyone, especially Millie, couldn't have seen it coming.
With all of this said, I was going to give the book two or maybe even three stars anyway, but then the ending happened. I'm so disgusted by the ending that I wish I had never even picked the book up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC,

Millie has a hotline for women who feel unsafe, and does her best to get them out of bad situations. But she couldn't save her sister, who was raped several months ago and has only spiralled since. Frustrated and feeling powerless, an accident leads to a series of events that Millie could never have anticipated... Or could she?

Wow. This book grips and builds and thrills and excites, and I couldn't put it down. Such a winner!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

After one too many terrifying encounters, Millie Masters sets up a hotline for women who feel unsafe walking home alone at night: Message M.

This was a lot of fun. The very definition of "good for her." Loved it!

The cover got me in this book. Giant pink letters will do that. The title got me too, and then the book got me. It was hook, line, and sinker for this one. We read so much about male killers, I know that killing is bad, but I'm sorry this was a refreshing read LOL.

Plus, she's more of a vigilante? First few chapters were a little difficult to get into, but ultimately, I ended really liking this book.

Millie starts a hotline to save women from bad dates or from nights out with men. She's a woman who takes care of other women, even if that means killing a guy.

I can't say I have ever rooted for the 'bad guy' in the book more lol.

Like a really messy female Dexter. This was a really quick easy read. Reading about a female serial killer was an interesting change. It was stressful to watch the FMC spiral making mistake after mistake. Who doesn't love a killer with a moral compass?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"A drunk, a mother and a serial killer walk into a bar, and the barman says, 'What can I get you ladies?' And they all sit down to discuss the fourth member of the group, the grieving lawyer."

A sharply dark story about one women’s journey of revenge after her sisters assault and an imagination of what would happen if we gave into the feminine rage we all feel at times.

Millie was a complicated character — not exactly likeable, definitely unhinged and violent, but there was something about her morbid humour and casual cynicism I liked and I found her intense awareness of her continuing a cycle of violence completely intriguing. But despite moments I did feel for her I just found the narration very jarring and jumping, her voice switching between a readable, friendly casual tone and overly formal which was a little baffling to read.

I really wanted the hotline to feature more, but it was a good plot point and way to make the point that, and honestly I was really hoping for something based on the homage it’s named after - so don’t expect any fun references to How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days. I loved the concept but the things I thought would made this stand out weren’t there so it felt remarkably similar to the other women killer stories out there, especially with the potential police love interest.

Although there were some things that didn’t do it for me, I still thought this was a gripping and bloody revenge tale with a fair bit of excitement and it had a painfully authentic portrayal of the havoc caused by rapists and abusers, highlighting not only the loss but the anger and the fear in a very insightful and honest way.

If you were obsessed with Bad Men or How To Kill Your Family and you’re looking for your next fix of feminine rage and murder - give this a try.

A fabulous, fast-paced addition to the feminist crime thriller genre! The balance between funny, dark and (unfortunately) relatable situations that the characters find themselves in made it an addictive read and I loved M's no nonsense narrative throughout. I flew through it and I'm sure others will too!

There is a lot books with this sort of theme out presently. I'd say this is one of the stronger ones while there is a lot humour and a sense of removal from reality the underlaying more serious message doesn't get lost. I did find the plot lost its self towards the end but other than that I found this book a good read it's dark and not very nice in places but it's handle with care. Millie is a good character full of wit and sass. The author makes some great true observations and it does make you think about how society hasn't really changed that much post the #me2 movement. I particularly liked how she showed it was all too easy to be found online( running app) and the difference in perspectives on this from men and woman.

Really loved this book. 5 stars! I thought it was funny, sharp, witty and to the point exactly like Millie who doesn't trust men or their intentions and with good reason, after all the book begins with her talking about how the first man she ever killed was her father! Although it feels like you shouldn't I really liked Millie and how nonchalant she is about a bit of serial killing.... When her sister is hurt she feels she the law doesn't protect the people that need protecting and decides to do it herself. Enjoyed the characters, plot and most of all the writing. I will be recommending and looking out for more from Eve

4.5 stars rounded up.

I support women's rights, and more importantly women's wrongs (she did nothing wrong).

I really enjoyed the jovial writing style, and each reveal of information was well done. Whilst some things were predictable and some silly actions, it was relatively realistic and didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I enjoyed the relationships in the book, especially the "I'd do anything for you" type of love outside of a romantic relationship. Every character had a purpose, even if very minor, and the ending tied everything up well. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would love to read more like it. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Ok it’s giving the housemaid with a side of the secret apothecary I loved this. Like an avenger for women who accidentally get with jerks. I love books that end up having you cheer for the morally grey villain. This was such a fun concept

Thank you to @Netgalley and the publisher for the #AdvanceReviewCopy

Summary: Millie is a fierce, female vigilante who runs a hotline called Message M to help women who are in difficult situations with men. Sometimes, it’s a date gone bad, a woman who’s being followed, or a girl locked in the club’s bathroom hiding from someone creeping her out. Millie’s intentions start off innocent enough until she gets a taste for murder and then she can’t stop.

This is a difficult review to write. I struggled with this book because on one hand, I found it interesting and it kept me reading and fast, but I disliked everyone! Millie is just straight up unlikeable, rude, kills and feels no remorse. Her decisions made no sense, and even the scenes at times felt like they were just put there for convenience. It’s supposed to have humour but I found no humour in this. It was just a bit too over the top and unbelievable. I did not like the ending, justice was not served! I was even mad when I finished.

But, I finished it and read it fast because it was engaging, and because I felt such strong emotions, albeit negative ones, it made me FEEL so for that I’m rounding up to 3 stars.

Trigger warnings: rape, depression, child abuse, murder and everything in between!

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways is a wickedly fun book about a vigilante serial killer. Millie is around thirty, living alone, working a dead end job, and she cherishes her younger sister more than anyone else. Millie has never thought she had an anger problem until her sister experiences trauma and starts withdrawing from the world.

Suddenly, Millie is on a quest for revenge. And her unofficial phone line for saving women and girls in distress is a perfect in.

This book is eventful from the start. Literally, things start hitting the fan at 10%. I had so much fun with this book. I saw a lot of the big events coming, but the end truly surprised me! I can't wait to read more from Eve Kellman.

Millie is a serial killer. This seems to be a theme in lots of current fiction and I'm not sure how this one compares with others.
She is a vigilante who saves women from creepy guys in bars and is seeking revenge for her sister.
There were lots of good points. It's quite a page turner, especially toward the end. It explains how she came to be that way and there are a few twists.
On the negative side its a strange mixture of serious issues and almost throwaway murders. I also think some of the twists were a bit obvious.
Overall I'm not sure about the book but I would read something else by this author as I think it showed promise.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review

While this book certainly had it's pros and cons, overall I was a big fan of an unapologetic revenge story, especially where the women get away with it. Maybe I would've enjoyed it slightly more if the focus had have been on the female victims and their development instead of purely on all the terrible men. I feel the book would've had a more emotional impact if the relationship between Mille and her younger sister was explored more. The plot twist was a bit predictable, but still packed a punch, and the big climax was full of tension and I was on the edge of my seat. There was some pacing issues and the middle portion of the novel felt a tad repetitive of Mille just being paranoid and drinking a lot of wine, but it was still a fun read. I would recommend to anyone who loves a fun and fast thriller as well as a good revenge story.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.4

This rating is more accurately a 2.5 or 2.75 stars**
I went back and forth a lot with this book. I feel my general criticism can be summed up in the word "almost". I was almost surprised by the plot twist, the characters almost felt fully developed and fleshed out, and this book was almost un-put-down-able. I feel there was some identity crisis issues within this story. Was it supposed to be about Message M, or Millie's own trauma, or the bonds of older and younger sisters, or bonds of female friendship? It felt like it was torn in so many directions it didn't quite do justice to each of the plotlines. I felt confused at just how little the Message M plot line happens considering the entire book is marketed around it. What I did like about this book is the unapologetic-ness of the main character, even if some narration bits felt a tad clunky and disjointed. It was a fast paced read, and may be a bit more tense to others who didn't guess the plot twist as early in as I did. But overall I would recommend it as a fun revenge thriller for women to enjoy.

One sentence... badass female serial killer with witty dark humor

This book was such a ride and was such an addicting read. You get to watch Millie, our main character, descend into a murderous madness and seek revenge on all those who wrong women. The idea of this book caught my attention, and the minute I started it I knew that it would keep my attention. It's just such a witty, dark, fast-paced book, that also has such depth to it underneath all of that.

Millie is a strong main character who runs a messaging app where she rescues girls from bad situations, but things take a turn for worse when she ends up killing a guy on a rescue mission. But it ends up that she is entirely okay with that because she thinks he deserves it. In fact, she thinks a lot of guys deserve that kind of ending, and if no one else is going to do it... then she will take it into her own hands.

This book was utter chaos and insanity, and really kept me focused on it. The badassery. The dark humor. The comments on our society and how women are treated. It was all a perfect addicting mix. I cannot express how much fun I had with this novel, and that it's a must-read if you want a book with these qualities.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

How to kill a guy in ten ways is a dark humorous tale of Millie - a vigilante serial killer!
If you watched Dexter and his internal monologue irritated you a bit, then perhaps give this one a miss.
The plot revolves around Millie, who runs a helpline called M, where she helps individuals in threatening situations. However, ultimately she embarks on a path of vigilante justice and murder, using the helpline as a cover for her darker intentions.
A fun read however, I anticipate that this will be a marmite read

Think Janet Evanavich, but deliciously darker and way more twisted. Millie is one of my favorite characters, possibly EVER. I willnot soon forget her. I will be recommending this one for years to come. Can't wait to read whatever else Eve Kellman writes! Thank you to the Avon books and Netgalley for an early ARC

“Things are not going to plan, but I’m only a quitter when it comes to work, hobbies, relationships, diets, and most friendships. Not murder.”

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC!

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways initially attracted me as a reader because of its quirky title and intriguing synopsis. Who doesn’t want to read a story about a helpline driver turned vigilante turned murder? However, the synopsis is a little misleading. This is not a story about the Message M helpline. It doesn’t even really start off that way. What I was hoping would be a fast-paced book filled with twists and turns was predictable and narrated by a rude and annoying FMC.

Millie herself was what I disliked most about this story. Her inner dialogue was strange and at times off-putting, specifically when describing people’s physical qualities (girl what do you have against people with gauges and girls who wear short dresses). She also admits almost immediately that she killed her father and then pretends like the reader doesn’t know until the very end (more on this later). She is rude to almost everyone else and doesn’t even really have sympathy for her sister, the most important person in her life (who she only visits like every other week). Her whole justification for starting Message M was to seek justice for what had happened to her sister and stop other situations like that from happening. However, it never really felt like that was the reason she started killing, and her reasons for murder were not compelling enough to justify what she was doing.

When I read about a female serial killer, I want to be rooting for her to outsmart everyone and get away with it. I just kept hoping Millie would get caught.

I didn’t love the writing which is not a dealbreaker for me, but I was confused who the narrator was talking to. Was it the confession tape or just in her head? This was especially true in the revelation with her father. Each time I started a new chapter the voice/way the story was written kinda restarted and then divulged into so many different subplots and unimportant details. The sentences were chunky and the humor fell flat.

The plot had potential and the book is readable, but not the female serial killer book I was looking for. Two Stars ⭐⭐