This book was such a fun, fluffy, but also feminist read!
Sometimes you just want to read about bad men getting killed by a good bitch and this was that, only with a good dude too.

If you liked My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing you'll love A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage!

Thank you netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was very Mr. and Mrs. Smith coded. Overall I really enjoyed this I just really struggled getting into it in the beginning. The pace felt really off but by around the start of part to it started to pick up pace and I got more into it.

Dark humor and suspense at its best with A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage. Hazel and Fox have retired from killing after the birth of their daughter and are trying to live normal suburban lives. Unfortunately that only works for so long and both start to fall back into familiar patterns and the threat of being caught continues to close in on them. I really enjoyed this one thought it was super creative and a great premise to start with. I flew through this one and an will definitely be looking for more from Asia Mackay in the future. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I wish I could give this one infinite stars. A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay is a darkly humorous, edge-of-your-seat thriller that blends quirky domesticity with high-stakes suspense. The protagonist, Hazel, is a retired serial killer juggling the typical challenges of married life with the not-so-typical problem of being a murderer. Mackay does a fantastic job developing Hazel as a character—her wit, sharp intelligence, and frustrations with domestic life make her both relatable and endlessly fascinating. As she navigates the increasingly complicated dynamics of her secrets, the tension ramps up, keeping the reader hooked with every page. The balance of everyday struggles and the looming threat of her dangerous, secret life being discovered creates a palpable sense of urgency that propels the plot forward.

The pacing in A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage is brilliantly addictive. Mackay has a knack for weaving moments of humor and domestic life with nail-biting suspense, making it impossible to put the book down. The tension builds not only from the threat of exposure but also from Hazel's internal battle—she’s not just fighting for her freedom but also for her marriage and sense of identity. I loved reading chapters in Fox's POV and better understanding his character and motivations. I thought I figured out the ending of this one, but Mackay threw twist after twist at me until the very end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Haze and Fox spent over a decade being the married couple that everyone was jealous of. Unfortunately, one adorable daughter and a significant lifestyle change later, their marriage was now on a verge of a total disaster. As it turned out, stop killing perveted rich white men is a very difficult lifestyle change to make and Haze and Fox found themselves no longer in-sync or happy like before. Can our dysfunctional married couples get out of the funk or will their marriage meet a deadly end?

The book is hilarious. Haze is one of the funniest characters i've read about in a while. I love how flawed Haze is and how unapologetic insane the narrative treats her. However, I wish the same was done towards Fox who was treated almost like a Saint compared to his wife.
The opening chapter of this story immediately hooks me in and gets me invested in the premise. However, the next chunk of the book was way too slow that the original momentum fizzled out already by the time we get there. By the time the book picks up again towards the end, it is almost too late.
And while I do enjoy the final twist, as a reader, I felt cheated since the twist truly came out of nowhere since there was no hint of it at all throughout the povs in the book. I'm all for a good twist but I would rather have no view point of the character at all rather than being blindsided because the narrative actively left out information.

This book is unique and highly entertaining. The opening reminded me of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The alternating POVs between Hazel and Fox flowed seamlessly and kept the pace moving along well. I read this book in one day! It's the perfect mix of humor, mystery, twists, and dark romance. The author did a great job with the characters and delving into their personalities. I will be on the lookout for more from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this novel, but I absolutely loved it! Fox and Hazel had spent years killing horrible men all over Europe. Rapists, pedophiles, abusive men. Then Hazel got pregnant, and he convinced her to keep the baby, and they settled down. Now, even though Haze loves her daughter, Bibi, she is very bitter and wants to start murdering people again.

The author did an excellent job bringing the characters to life, and especially Hazel's journey through the book in coming to terms with a friend's suicide. The grief and guilt. That it took her over ten years to grieve as she still felt it was her fault for not knowing her best friend was depressed.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

Please seek help if you are suffering with depression. Call the suicide prevention helpline. Talk to friends or family, or talk to a therapist. You are important.

Oh my god. This book was amazing i couldn’t put it down. I loved it so much. Sometimes when i read a book i start skimming when i get bored. But i never skimmed once. I loved this so much 10/10.

I liked it despite the awful and completely unbelievable ending.

I was definitely drawn in and interested in every chapter even though any book about motherhood is boring so maybe I appreciated that Haze also found it empty and meaningless. Haze cursed so much she became unbelievable as a crafty and smart serial killer. She came off as uneducated and stupid. If you want us to root for the serial killer, make them clever + don't give them a brash nonsensical potty. She just curses for no reason. Like all the time. And I'm only so annoyed at this b/c I otherwise liked her character and backstory.

SPOLIERS
Why I hated the ending: No one goes from being catfished to becoming besties with people.
And then covert operations together as a threesome sharing a nanny while they kill people [AS IF] - Jenny was supposed to be a pillar of good and have some sort of moral compass.
Having Jenny take out revenge or turn them in would've give her more substance. Instead, she just instantly joins team serial killer?

5 STARS for this book without the ending though
I did like - I just happen to be an excellent book complainer - kinda like Haze. lol

What a fun read!

I enjoyed the twist of a marriage guide being used as the foundation of Hazel and Fox’s current marital status. The additional marriage advice from Hazel had me chuckling. I wasn't sure where this author was going to take me and the unknown certainly had me a bit anxious as Hazel is struggling with this new way of living. I didn't know if I was headed into complete laugh out loud territory or a dark thriller. This was nothing I expected and a whole lot of I'm glad I read it.

United States Publication: January 14, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Thirteen years ago, Hazel and Fox met in a dark Paris alleyway under strange circumstances. She had just stabbed a man, and he happened to witness it. Instead of turning her into the authorities or being turned off by what he had just seen, Fox knew he had found his soulmate. Hazel was amazed that someone else existed who got her and understood the mission she was on. That mission? To take out as many evil men as she could before inevitably getting caught someday. For 10 wonderful years, Haze and Fox traveled the world, literally, and killed evil men. But one day, it all changed. Hazel became pregnant, and Fox made them quit their serial killer lifestyle. It's been 1,169 days since Haze and Fox scratched the itch, and they are trying to cope in very different ways. Haze is having a hard time embracing the mom life. She loves Bibi, their daughter, but the mom gig? Not so much. And who is she married to? The guy named Fox lying in the bed beside her is not the guy she's been married to for 12 years. She barely recognizes this guy. Just trying to be a typical suburban family is stressful enough for both Fox and Haze, but when his disapproving parents show up, and Hazel accidentally kills a man who attacks her in the park, the stress increases. Instead of talking to each other, they both try to fix the messes they have landed their family in, and it culminates in a showdown between serial killers. Can they survive this together?

This was okay. I liked some parts of it and thought they were clever. Other parts felt undeveloped or oddly placed within the story. The part of the storyline that included Fox's parents was "meh" and, for me, detracted from the overall story. The part of the storyline that provided a reason, I guess, for Hazel's mission to kill evil men didn't make a whole lot of sense. Those two backstories could have been cut from the book, and I don't think they would have been missed. The vigilante theme seems to be a popular one in crime books these days - namely, women (and some men) killing or disposing of men who are drains on humanity. I think it's a commentary through fiction about how absolutely furious women worldwide are. And make no mistake, we are furious.

I received this book as a preview from NetGalley to hear my honest review. Thank you!
I really enjoyed the idea of this book, as I am a huge "Dexter" fan!! The husband and wife both have the desire to kill, but only those who deserve it that hurt women and children mainly. They met while Haze (the wife) was in the middle of a kill. They had a whirlwind romance and married and began killing together. Fox (the husband) did the planning and covering up to make sure they didn't get caught. He had been pushed out of the US by his rich parents who knew a part of what he had done. His parents did not want a blemish on their family. So as long as Fox behaved, he had unlimited funds.
But as the romance and killing was at a high, Haze becomes pregnant and things change. Fox believes it is time to stop killing so their child would be safe and have parents that were not in prison! Haze was not as excited about stopping because the killing was what completed her and gave her inspiration for her painting. This is when their marriage started having problems and secrets. Haze makes a new mommy friend through Fox's encouragement, but as Haze and her new friend begin to connect, secrets come to a head and Fox's family begin to interfere.
Do they end up staying together? Does the killing continue??

I enjoyed this, but it seemed to move very slowly at first. Haze spent A LOT of time complaining about her husband and her lack of killing. It just seemed like a lot of complaining over and over. Also, I am not opposed to cursing in books when it is necessary or is part of the character, but I felt the F- word was very much overused. Not a huge problem, but definitely noticeable. All in all it was a good book with a surprise ending. If you like shows like Dexter, you will probably like it.

Married partners Hazel and Fox are both serial killers that enjoy killing bad men and other dangerous criminals. When Hazel gives birth to her daughter, Fox no longer murders people as a way to protect their young child. He implores Hazel to do the same and she does so grudgingly.

Narrated in dual perspectives, A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage also contains art reviews interspersed in its chapters. Each piece breaks son the rage that the female protagonist feels as a result of her killings.

Told with a feisty, tongue in cheek style, this satire was a a fun read, though I did find about 25% of it bit of a slog. I much preferred Hazel’s parts of the story to her husband’s. I rate it 3.75 stars.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

When I say I loved this book, I mean I absolutely loved it. The main characters were so complex and layered that I found myself cheering them on, while simultaneously excusing their violent tendencies. The author did such a great job of making them feel real, flaws and all. What really stood out to me was how the story wasn’t just about their killing sprees; it delved into their personal struggles, especially within their marriage. That made it more than just a thriller—it made me genuinely invested in their lives. I found myself connecting with them in ways I didn’t initially expect to.

The pacing was also spot on, with short chapters that kept things moving quickly. I’m a huge fan of that writing style, as it never allows for a dull moment. Honestly, there’s nothing I would change about the book, except that I just wanted more. The story left me wondering what happens next (in the best way).

Overall I would highly recommend this book to someone wanting a fun fast paced thriller. And here’s hoping for a sequel!

What a wacky premise and a basis for marriage. A lot of fun to read and I loved the nanny just taking care of business. The ending seemed really quick though.

Thank you NetGalley for a fun read!

Man what a book, I loved it !! was beautifully written. I like how the author wrote about the good and ugly things about marriage. I liked the dual povs between fox and Haze. It gave us readers a glimpse into how each other felt about certain issues in their marriage. My favorite part over all was the suspense and the ending was phenomenal I definitely didn’t see it coming!!!



Thank you NetGalley and Bantam publishers for a e-arc in exchange for my honest review!!!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the chapters about the past and the ending, but I found most of the marriage stuff boring. Like all relationships that collapse, all they needed to do was be honest with each other. I wanted more serial killers and less marriage. I wish the whole book had been like the last chapters.

I liked Haze and Jenny, but I found Fox kind of boring. I think because we didn’t get many chapters from his pov so I didn’t really get to know him. His pov also seemed less detailed then Haze’s.

I wouldn’t recommend this book for people who are more focused on the serial killer aspect rather than a story about marriage.

I really liked this one! It was more black dramedy than I am used to in thrillers, but I thought the tone was done so well. It was fun and kept me from putting it down. Plus, the chapters are so short which is always a plus, and makes you feel like you can always squeeze in one more. I never got bored and i read it super quickly. My one critique is that I did care a lot more about the mfc than the mmc. Whenever his chapters came up, I was less excited. But, I think it's more about how much I enjoyed the female lead. She was so interesting, and I loved her complexities.

Hazel and Fox fell in love over a shared passion for killing people. Think Dexter though and being more of a vigilante killer. Fox made sure to keep track of everything so that no one could discover what they did. And all was going well until Hazel ended up pregnant and they had to stop. Could Hazel and Fox adjust to normal suburban life?

Hazel is an artist and is looking to rediscover her art. She's also trying to make a fellow mom friend as a way to not think about her past. And Fox spends his time working or attending AA meetings. While not a drunk, he thinks the meetings will help to control his addiction to killing. Together they try to navigate their new normal with their daughter, while meanwhile still playing a bit of a cat and mouse game between the two of them. Yet, they keep getting pulled back into their old life.

I enjoyed the premise of this book and the characters of Hazel and Fox. The focus on them, as well as their relationship, kept me turning the pages. There were a few moments where the story slowed down, or a twist was introduced that didn't seem to make as much sense to the overall story.

Thank you to Bantam for the opportunity to read and review.

3.5 Stars
Haze and Fox are living in a London suburb with their young daughter, Bibi. Fox is in finance and Haze is an artist. They appear to have everything- money, style, looks, social life, but Haze is miserable. When she got pregnant, Fox insisted they give up the hobby that had brought them together, killing people. Specifically, killing men that deserved it. Fox didn't want to risk the what the fallout could mean to their daughter if they were ever caught. But without this, Haze doesn't seem to be able to paint, Fox has lost his Midas touch in picking investments, and things are falling apart for them.

This book started a bit slow, but once the action started, it moved along quickly. I really liked how unlikeable Haze was, and her sarcastic inner monologue. The author does such a great job of showing us how Haze is feeling and why, that you can almost forget she is not really a good person. I am definitely going to check out the authors other work!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.