Member Reviews

Swiped is a fairly fast-paced book and it could be a fun read for many. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't like the main character at all, too whiny in my opinion, and the plot was relatively predictable. The writing style flows and I'm sure many will enjoy this book, it just didn't cut it out for me.

Thank you to L.M Chilton, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

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As someone who used dating apps in the past before meeting my now husband, you always wonder am i talking to a psychopath and i'm going to get murdered on my tinder date? These are not things that Gwen thought about until her dating app dates start turning up dead! This book was a fun, quirky, slasher is the best way to describe it in my opinion an easy read with some blood, love, and single life.

I enjoyed reading Swiped by L. M Chilton.   Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

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This was a fun book. I really enjoyed it. Gwen quits her job to open up a coffee shop, and breaks up with her boyfriend. To distract herself she sign up to a dating app and is thrown off after a few murders start taking place and each of her dates is somehow intertwined in these murders.

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I was not expecting a story that features a serial killer to be such a fun read, but that’s exactly what I got with Swiped by L.M. Chilton. The story follows Gwen Turner, who is going through some things when we meet her. She has recently broken up with a man she really loved and she she has also quit an excellent paying job to open up a coffee shop on wheels. Her best friend is also getting married, which leaves Gwen as the odd single person out. To fill the hole in her social life, Gwen turns to a dating app. Pickings are slim, but Gwen still manages to go out on quite a few dates, even if most of them end up being disasters.

When she hears about a string of recent murders in her town, Gwen is shocked to learn that she has a connection to each of the victims. How? They are all men she has dated through the app. The police of course pick up on this connection and Gwen becomes a person of interest. Gwen is determined to clear her name so she sets out to catch a killer, playing amateur detective and continuously putting herself in the path of the actual detectives investigating the murders.

This story is fast-paced, with lots of twist and turns, and even though I guessed who the killer was a little sooner than Gwen figured it out, I still loved following along to see how she came to the same conclusion I did.

There is also quite a bit of dark humor infused in the story, which had me laughing out loud several times, in spite of this being a crime thriller. In that sense, it reminded me of the Finlay Donovan books so if you liked the vibes in those books, I think you’ll enjoy this one as well.

Swiped is a binge-able thriller that you can easily finish in a sitting or two, so it’s the perfect read to pack in your beach bag this summer!

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Wow, I REALLY enjoyed this book! The main character was so funny, but there was still a good balance between seriousness and humor. I give this a solid 4.5 and recommend it to anyone looking for a funny thriller that takes on modern dating apps. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because there were some major eye roll moments towards the end, but overall I really liked it. I flew through it in two days, so if you're looking for something you can't put down that won't bring you down, pick this up.

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📱Book Review📱
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Summary- Gwen Turner has made a bloody mess of her life. She recently broke up with the best man she’s ever known for reasons even she can’t admit to herself and quit a lucrative job to open her own coffee shop. To top it all off, her best friend is getting married and leaving her behind in singlehood.

Along with too much cheap wine and bad reality TV, Gwen turns to a dating app to help fill the void in her life. Swiping through the few eligible bachelors left in town, she spends her evenings out on one disastrous date after another. But when a string of murders suddenly occurs in her small coastal English city, she’s shocked by the connection between each of the victims—they’ve all been on a date with her.

Before she knows what’s happening, Gwen finds herself the main suspect in a serial killer’s murderous spree, and the only way she can clear her name is to track down her former dates (even those that have ghosted her) and unmask a killer before it’s too late.
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Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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My thoughts: this one had so much potential but the ending really blew it for me 😭. This was such a fun Finlay Donovan esque series with a quirky FMC trying to solve a mystery where she is the suspect. Overall this was a fun little romp, I enjoyed the mystery. Gwen was a lovely main character and so enjoyable to follow. I thought this was unique and a super quick read but again the ending was just so cheesy it killed it for me.
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QOTD- did you ever use dating apps ?! Any funny stories about them. I used them a little back in the day but haven’t used them in almost a decade 😂
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#swiped

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Genuinely such a fun read!! Kept me guessing throughout and I was highly entertained. I've never read a book with a similar plot point so the story felt really fresh for me and the ending surprised me!! Looking forward to more from Chilton!

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This was a fun little mystery!

Was it groundbreaking and a total shocker of a twist? No. But it was a very fun read and I would recommend it to someone looking for a thriller that isn’t as dark or intense as some others tend to be.

The only thing I didn’t really like was the ending. It felt way too ambiguous, which is not something I prefer in a mystery novel. I like all the loose ends tied up!

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This book is an exhilarating fusion of love, mystery, and high-speed dating escapades that captivated me from the start. It's evident from the first page that the story isn't holding back; it's a whirlwind of emotions and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The plot is intricately woven with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing at every turn. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another curveball was thrown my way, leaving me eager to unravel the mystery.

The romantic elements in the story are portrayed with authenticity, capturing the complexities of love in a relatable and compelling way. Despite the fast-paced nature of the narrative, which can feel overwhelming at times, it only adds to the excitement and anticipation, making it difficult to put the book down.

Overall, this is a thrilling ride of emotions and suspense that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a captivating read.

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Swiped:⁣

Thank you @gallerybooks @simon.audio for the gifted copies!⁣
 ⁣
“It’s the nice guys you have to watch out for. In my experience, there’s no such thing.”⁣

Bridget Jones x Scream? Absolutely, let’s go. Say less fam. This book was absolutely a wild ride with the ultimate unlikable MC. The audio was a quick listen, and I enjoyed it.⁣

I would bet you $10 Gwen has a punchable face. She’s big into her dating app, Connector, but recently, all her Connector matches have end up Connect..dead. (I’ll see myself out on that one) is someone targeting her? Or, is her trash dating life just out of bad luck? I was very invested on who was the culprit, but I wouldn’t have minded a frame job. She just gave me the ick for zero accountability BUT I still liked it and was able to not make it a deal breaker.⁣

Audio was good. Georgia Maguire gave all of Gwen’s snark and then some. I felt that it definitely helped me like the book more and made me laugh harder than I should have. Definitely a banger on audio and if you’re wanting a fun thriller with snark, this is your book. ⁣

It did get kind of dark and. I said, “oh, that just killed the vibe” but I mean, duh, it’s a mystery/thriller. I didn’t guess tells culprit, but when it was revealed I did one of those, “oooooh, that tracks” ⁣

Overall, a decent read, audio is there it’s at. Definitely a beachy thriller to enjoy in the sun while yelling at your kids to walk to the water. Out now!⁣

QOTD: If your dating app profile had a theme song (think MySpace days) what would it be? Even if it’s just a friendship app for all the married folks in the world.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Gallery/Scout Press and the author for an early reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts expressed below are my own.

Online dating has always been messy but for Gwen Turner, it’s reached new heights of chaos. After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend and going on a string of horrendously bad dates, she finds herself at the center of a frame job by a serial killer, who is seemingly targeting all of her exes. Can she clear her name and identify the true murderer?

This was a fun, fast-paced cozy mystery. The protagonist was more of a hot-mess antihero; she was not always easy to root for but she could be hysterical at times. The plot did seem to become more far-fetched and silly as it approached its conclusion but it was still an easy, bingeable read. While I had my eye on a few suspects throughout the book, I wasn’t able to concretely guess the perpetrator so it kept me on my toes.

I would recommend this for whodunnit lovers who want a lighter mystery vibe. Perfect summer beach or poolside read.

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Fairly fun and very fast-paced, this is a great summer read for a true crime fan. Strikes an odd tone at times, maybe slightly too lighthearted considering how grisly the subject matter can be, but nothing too egregious. Stays surface level at all times, but isn’t trying to do anything else really.

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I really can’t say enough about this THRILLING and MURDERY read! The perfect summer thriller! It was another UNPUTDOWNABLE book for me that I devoured!

After breaking up with her ex, Gwen downloads a dating app that turns her life upside down. Her dates keep being found dead, not just dead but MURDERED.

As Gwen discovers that SHE is the connection in all of these deaths, she tries to sleuth out who may be killing all of her ex-dates with her childhood crush turned police detective.

As Gwen and the detective get closer the culprit, a buried secret of Gwen’s emerges and helps tie all of the deaths together.

Fans of Riley Sager and B.A. Paris will love this speedy read!

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A fun fast read, perfect for the beach or to,leave reality behind. Thank,you Netgalley and publisher.

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PUB WEEK REVIEW // SWIPED

3/5

While I related to the premise of navigating the soul crushing experience of online dating, this book fell flat for me…

it was fun and highly entertaining read - our main character Gwen was so unapologetically herself and just a very all over the place person BUT there were lots of times were I rolled my eyes at how far fetched the plot was stretched.

It felt like a cozy mystery at times too - and those aren’t particularly my jam…this is definitely a light and fluffy read despite the fact that a serial killer is on the loose (does that even make sense?!)

the quirkiness of the plot (and our main character) definitely gave me Finlay Donovan vibes!

and too: the cover was misleading: I was under the impression that the main character would be male just based on the female profiles…so it definitely threw me for a loop.

This by no means a bad book - it just won’t be a memorable read for me - the premise was TOO silly for my taste!

thank you to @gallerybooks for an early copy!

have you ever used a dating app?
(i wish I could say I haven’t lol)

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Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley. As someone that met my husband online, I really enjoyed this book.

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If you enjoyed the movie Murder Mystery on Netflix, this book is for you. It is the perfect balance between comedy, romance, and thriller. The stakes are a bit high, making you laugh, swoon, and lean forward. It's the perfect book to take on vacation and read by the pool.

While originally not what I thought the book would be like, Swiped by L.M. Chilton was a unique take on a thriller story that I immensely enjoyed. Our protagonist, Gwen, is spunky and has done some sketchy things. She's honest with the reader about that, and you can read through the lines and wiggle your eyebrows at it. After a recent breakup with her longtime boyfriend, she gets on Connector, a popular dating app, to meet some new guys and get back out there.

After five dates, suddenly her (not) exs start to turn up murdered. Not only is Gwen freaked out by each pretty awful liar showing up murdered, but now, a recent connection she made on the dating app is sending her mysterious threats. As the police start to close in on Gwen, she doesn't know who to trust, and taking after a true crime podcast she loves, she decides to take the investigation into her own hands.

Gwen is a unique character and perspective to have throughout the story because she isn't the most likable. She's rough and bold, desperately trying to find a date for her best friend/roommate's wedding (just a few days away). The interesting thing about this book is that while I haven't read any other books by Chilton to compare this to, none of the characters are likable. They are all varying shades of gray between good and bad. This interpretation of the characters is a true reflection of real life because that's everyone. The protagonist isn't always 100% perfect, making beautiful decisions.

All of the guys Gwen kept meeting were sketchy, and through all of their dates, the perfect amount of clues tossed out kept my attention glued to this book and theories swirling in my head. They were all liars on their profiles, leaving Gwen to feel like a joke when she showed up to their dates. This book also (to me) serves as a precautionary tale with dating apps because guys with a couple hundred bucks could easily manipulate the system to get what they wanted (noticed by a pretty girl).

The plot line is perfectly twisty. We jump back and forth between the present day (when the case is under investigation) and two weeks prior, starting with Gwen's first date with someone she met on the app. It was addicting to read and kept me glued to my Kindle for the entirety of the book.

While the pacing was fast and certain parts of the story were confusing (like why Gwen would quit her nice job to start a coffee truck with her now ex-boyfriend when she didn't like coffee), by the end, everything was fleshed out and made perfect sense. The characters don't necessarily have a lot of growth; their motivations throughout the story are justified by who they are.

Thank you to Gallery Books and L.M. Chilton for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions and views expressed in this review are my own. Swiped by L.M. Chilton is scheduled to be released on May 21, 2024.

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Gwen has endured bad date after bad date, which should be punishment enough, right? But after bodies are found, she becomes the leading suspect in a string of murders — the only connection? They were her bad dates.

I could not get enough of this! I had my kindle propped up on the sink while brushing my teeth or on my desk while working; I devoured it in a day. So many twists, and I certainly did not see the ending coming! A funny, fast-paced read for fans of true crime podcasts and contemporary fiction.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the e-arc!

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📚 PUBLICATION DAY BOOK REVIEW 📚

Swiped By L.M. Chilton
Publication Date: *TODAY* May 21, 2024
Publisher: Gallery Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

📚MY REVIEW:

Ahhh! Happy Publication Day to Swiped! I saw so many great reviews for this book, so I was thrilled to get approved for a copy from NetGalley just in time to read it and provide my review on publication day!

Swiped was SUCH a fun, twisty, and entertaining read! This was a bit reminiscent of Bridget Jones and all her self-deprecating and sarcastic British humor, mixed in with modern-day online dating and a series of suspenseful whodunnit mysteries. It was a fast read, with fairly short chapters and a fast-paced storyline.

As I read, I felt like I was having a harried and frenetic phone conversation with my best girlfriend about all the recent dating adventures and dramas she's experienced since we last talked. The writing was realistic and came across as a plausible account of the worst luck ever in online dating. I laughed a lot and was truly entertained throughout this entire book.

This thriller kept me riveted, waiting to see what crazy thing was coming next. I loved the characters, I loved the story, and I didn't expect the ending. Not at all. As usual, I thought I had it figured out. And as usual, nope. I didn't know what was coming. Even when our unreliable female main character narrator told us she had it figured out, I was still in the dark. Which only made the conclusion of the story that much more enjoyable!

Swiped is the perfect summer read to throw in your bag for a day at the beach, a weekend away, or an afternoon at the pool. My only trigger warning is for anyone who is currently actively involved in the online dating scene: reading this book might just lead you to decide you want to pause your account for a little while. 😂😂 I highly recommend this fun book to anyone! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for gifting me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

#Swiped #LMChilton #NetGalley #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookcommunity #thrillerreads

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I thought this was a great fast paced read with good dark humor and a wild ride! I love that we had a very well written storyline that kept your attention and interest and left you trying to figure things out along the way.

I felt as though the characters were well developed…all like able—no, did I like a lot of the characters yes 🤣. Dual timelines are my favorite and this had just that as well. Overall a really good who-did-it serial killer vibe thriller vibe read that gives you laughs and plenty of side eye 😂. Put this fun read on your TBR today!

Thank you @netgalley and @gallerybooks for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

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