This was so fun! Very short chapters, which I love. I actually really love Haze as a character. The premise of this is super fun, I’ve been reading a lot of serial killer romance books this year but this one was really unique!

** Spoilers Ahead **

I found the ending to be satisfying but I would have liked to see a bit of reconciliation and romance between Haze and Fox after, rather than just them saying that things were better. I think a couple of things could have been more nearly wrapped up at the end, but Jenny is the best and I’m very happy with the outcome of the main plot line!

This book focuses on a couple of vigilante serial killers, Haze and Fox. Asia Mackay makes it clear that they only kill really bad men, so she doesn’t lose her audience with a couple who delight in slaughtering innocent young girls.

Although this book was compared frequently to Mr. And Mrs. Smith, I didn’t get that vibe at all.

Haze was so whiny and unlikable. Due to her past (both her bad childhood and her marriage up to that point, both of which she ruminates over ad nauseam), Haze is bitter, mean, and entitled. Even if it’s understandable given her childhood, it is a tedious POV to read. And I feel no loyalty to that character.

Fox’s POV is slightly better, but more than half of the book focused on Haze. Fox was basically the fix-it guy who cleaned up after Haze and kept her happy.

I just couldn’t get into this book, and found it a slog to complete.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A fast paced, fun thriller that gave off total Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes. I was hooked from the first chapter and really appreciated the author’s approach to motherhood while also juggling marital issues.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: January 14, 2025
Pages: 352

“A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” is a first time read by author, Asia Mackay and was just over the top wonderful. I loved the humor mixed with satire and the twists mingled up into the story. It was fund read with all its quirks and crazies, but I totally enjoyed it. The title captured my attention but who would have thought of two serial killers marrying and having a child…not this reader. Definitely a page turner that blends suspense with an uncharacterized sense of humor…this might be the read for you. Recommend the read.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is absolutely phenomenal! It’s a gripping blend of intensity, humor, and dark intrigue, following a married couple as they try to salvage their relationship and protect their child by putting an end to their serial killer ways. From the very first pages, I was hooked—I couldn’t put it down, yet at the same time, I didn’t want it to end. Who would have thought I’d find myself somewhat rooting for serial killers? LOL! This book expertly combines romance, thriller, mystery, and dark comedy into one unforgettable read. I highly recommend it to everyone!

A bit of Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes featuring two serial killers married to each other. Lots of twists that are delightful especially in the end. I really enjoyed this different take on a murder mystery. Thanks to #netgalley #aserialkillersguidetomarriage for the opportunity to read and review this book. 3.5 rounded to 4.

This was a fun read, but I had a bit of a hard time believing the ending.

The detective was just okay with having been kidnapped? She decided to work with a man she had been trying to get arrested?

I think some more tension, suspense, and story could have been squeezed out of that.

Oh my God this was soooooooo good! And quirky and fun and crazy and I loved it! It gives vibes from both movies Mr. And Mrs. Smith and Mr. Right and it was just perfect! It honestly reads like a stand alone, and it's perfect as that, but I wouldn't hate another book in the same world!! This is expected to come out on January 14 and I can't wait to pick up a physical copy! Make sure you do too, it's so worth it!! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!

This was unexpectedly witty and fun, and such an adventure to go on. When two serial killers are married and end up having a child, they they realize that their lifestyle isn't as easy to give up as they thought.

The couple that slays together, stays together. But what happens when the murders stop?
Hazel and Fox share an unconditional vocation. They kill bad men. They traipse across Europe partying, living the high life, and taking out the worst of the worst. But when Haze and Fox start a family, Fox decrees that they need to retire from their serial killing ways and start acting like a "normal", upper class London family.
Haze like many women really starts to grapple with losing herself in motherhood and questioning her identity and her marriage. She goes to Mommy and Me classes and dotes on her toddler but something is missing.
She and Fox are both keeping secrets and don't know who to trust.
This was an excellent read, much of it felt very timely and was delightfully snarky, feminist, and intriguing.
Highly recommend! Thank you to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this before publication.

The Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is a wickedly sharp, darkly funny ride that had me equal parts amused and unnerved. Hazel and Fox are not your average married couple—beneath their suburban façade, they share a blood-soaked past, and Mackay brings their struggle to "go straight" to life with such wit and tension that I couldn’t look away. Hazel’s voice, in particular, is both relatable and chilling; her tug-of-war between being a parent and suppressing her lethal instincts made me laugh and gasp in equal measure.

This book felt like the perfect mix of domestic drama and pitch-black humor, with a splash of thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. If you’re into unconventional protagonists and stories that blend suspense with a twisted sense of humor, this one is for you. Hazel is unforgettable, and trust me—you’ll never look at your neighbors the same way again. ★★★★☆

I have to say this was a fun read! The dual POV worked well. Though don’t trust everything they tell you, a lot is left out but it makes the twist in the ending worth it!

This book was FUN! Two serial killers get married and settle into domestic bliss until their past finds them and hiking ensue. Four stars. Very entertaining.

I expected a darkly entertaining read from A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage, and it absolutely delivered. This book is a wild, unpredictable ride from start to finish, and I genuinely had a hard time putting it down.

The author has done something remarkable with Hazel and Fox: they are ex-serial killers living in suburban domesticity, yet they remain oddly relatable. Despite their atrocious (and often downright insane) actions, I found myself rooting for them. Their relationship struggles while raising their first child felt completely authentic, even when Hazel’s itch to return to her old ways arose. The fallout that follows makes for a compulsive and darkly funny exploration of what it means to settle down when your past is anything but normal.

What really set this book apart for me was its sheer unpredictability. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, it veered into completely unexpected territory. This continued from start to finish of this book! I will definitely recommend A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage to fellow thriller readers.

Boy and girl meet. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl get married. A classic timeline with a killer twist.

Hazel and Fox live a quiet suburban life with their baby. It is safe and predictable albeit boring, especially after leaving the exciting world of being serial killers.

Hazel longs for the excitement her life used to have, while Fox seems content with his new, boring "dad" life. One day, Hazel takes it too far and accidentally kills someone unleashing excitement once again. Turns out, Fox has secrets of his own and suddenly their "perfect" suburbia life starts to unravel. Hazel brings so much humor and sass to the story as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for gifting me this ARC. It was a fun read and I can't wait to see everyone get excited about it when it releases.

Who knew you could enjoy a book about two serial killers so much?

I greatly enjoyed the book. Wasn't quite sure what to expect, but immediately got immersed in their world. Had a few suspicions of where things would end up, but am happy to say I didn't see all the twists and turns coming.

Loved how it showed how good marriages need good communication - and having internal conversations with yourself about your relationship don't count, and are sometimes completely off base!

I'm already suggesting this book to other friends!

This was a fun, quick read that I literally could not put down. Great characters, well paced plot and a huge sense of humor made this one of my favorite books this year. Told from two perspectives over a couple of timelines, there was enough ongoing suspense to keep me turning the pages late into the night. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and for an advanced reader copy.

Frankly I read most of this book - it frightened me some but there are readers who might enjoy the humor within. I won´t give my usual discussion of the A Serial Killer´s Guide to Marriage plot line. Itś an English novel that delves with family, friends and marriage. It was not what I expected from reading the descriptions. Read them, If it sounds good to you - read it. A Serial Killerś Guide to Marriage will be published on January 14, 2025 by Bantam of Random House. I was able to read the Arc via NetGalley. Should you select to read this one - enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for sending me this e-arc!

The premise of two serial killers finding each other, becoming partners in crime and then having a baby is an intriguing premise, but I could just not get invested into this story. I found that the main characters were a bit dry. I really wanted to love this story but unfortunately I did not.

I would like to start off by thanking netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this book!

Once I saw the title I knew I had to have this book. It is a romance, with mystery and the best kind of cops and robbers. What happens when you kill someone and someone saw you? Well you marry them and have their baby of course. Haze and Fox couldn't have grown up more differently but they shared one thing that outweighed everything else. They both believed that bad men should be rid of this world. Who better to do it then them?
Once they have their daughter all of that changes, they believe that they should stop their killing ways and instead be the best mother and father they could be. Sometimes not all best laid plans work out, just as when the police show up at their door will they be able to keep their family together?
I demolished this book and I wish I could have a sequel to discover more about this crazy but lovable family.