Thank you to Random House for the digital copy to review.

This was a fun and entertaining read, albeit a bit predictable. Somehow I have read three of these tropes lately (serial killers trying to go straight) and so while they are fun, they are a bit repetitive as there is really only one way for them to go. This one had a slightly different ending than I expected, in a good way. The audio for this was great, the narrators did a good job with this one, and I recommend listening if you can.

You know how pizza is such a good food conceptually that it feels like someone has to go out of their way to make it bad? Well that’s how I felt about this book. Two serial killers navigating the balance between their love of killing and their love for their daughter is the makings of a great thriller. Yet somehow despite a fun premise and a good writing style this story fell painfully flat.

I found myself wanting to DNF multiple times. The first 75% of the book was genuinely hard to read. Then from 75%-85% it was the great fast paced thriller I expected. But then it went straight back to being boring and we got far too much of the “after”.

At the end of the day I would try another book by this author but I wouldn’t recommend this one.

The title and cover art drew me to Asia Mackay's 'A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage' and the last few chapters were well worth the wait! From both perspectives, Haze and Fox palpably portray a struggling marriage throughout the story. The side characters and plot lines are woven throughout the plot in a way that left me theorizing but didn't give anything away. I highly recommend this quick, fun spin on a domestic mystery-thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to this ARC.
#ASerialKillersGuidetoMarriage #NetGalley

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me. I thought it was going to be filled with drama and suspense, and it was just boring. Nothing really happens until the last 20% and by that point I was just skimming to get it over with.

2.5 rounded to 3

I took a chance on this, hoping it would be more like Mr & Mrs Smith--the glam spy life juggled with domestic drama, but it was more heavy on the domestric drama, only with a lot of put-upon whining instead of humor. Then suddenly over-the-top thrillerdom. I need more humor and less whine, but it was an intriguing idea.

I hate to say books are dull but this one started that way and I thought that was the point – show how mundane the serial killers’ lives were now that they had started a family – but it kept going and nothing really happened. And when something finally did, at about 90%, it was so outrageously unbelievable that it just didn’t work for me. I really was hoping for more about their lives as serial killers but it was more about playdates and family relationships, most of which could have been cleared up with a conversation or two.

This was a fun read. What i enjoyed in addition to the "omg, i just killed a guy when I gave that up" was the releationship between Hazel and Fox. No matter how perfect a couple is for each other (or thinks they are), marriage is hard and children do add another layer of complication.
I did like the twists with what Fox was doing and how Hazel befriend the "cop" - I was so focused on Hazel's side of the story and how she was trying to fix her mistake as well as through her new bestie cop friend off their trail, I did not see Fox's getaway weekend twist coming... loved that he was the "new guy"
I wouldn't mind this being a series! I want to know if Fox's brother is successful with the business and if they really can have someone cover their tracks!

I have read several books with a version of a serial killer who only kills ‘bad men.’ When I see that in a synopsis, I immediately want to pick up the book, so I was immediately drawn to this.

While I would classify this as a thriller, it’s also a good portion domestic drama. We spent a lot of time hearing about the main characters’ marital issues and difficulties adjusting to regular family life, which felt like it slowed down the action quite a bit. This might be a more unique take, but it would’ve been more exciting to read about their romance and vigilante justice days.

My other main issue was the characters themselves. I enjoy a good unlikeable character, but these two both felt kind of hypocritical and whiny.

3.5/5 ⭐️
A serial killer couple has given up their ways once they had a child. Hazel and Fox used to kill people together, but since they had their baby, they have stopped. However, Haze is struggling to do her art and cope in the two years since she last killed. This leads to her keeping secrets from her husband. However, she is concerned that he too might be keeping secrets and perhaps plotting to kill her.

I thought this one was overall pretty good. I think it started out really interesting, but it became repetitive, especially Fox's chapters. I kept thinking ok I get it! whenever I read his sections. And then at the end, he was extra disappointing. *Spoilers ahead* I know that he and Hazel work it out, but to me it felt like he was a disappointment! Like he did all this stuff to protect his wife but he was kind of gaslighting her?? And that he was Gerald??? He just treated her like she was incompetent and it was so annoying in his chapters when he was like what does she have to do all day when I have all this stuff to do.

If you are looking for a mystery, I would not pick this one up. There is some intrigue, but overall it is more of family humor book? Idk a genre except I would definitely not say mystery/thriller.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

NetGalley Review — my rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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“A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage” by Asia Mackay follows the story of Haze and Fox’s marriage and…extra curriculars. When they become parents and are forced to give up what they love, watch as they fall apart at the seems.
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This one has a lot of potential. It just didn’t keep my attention and took me forever to get through. But I’m not sure. I didn’t hate it. It was unique. I just didn’t love that the characters were essentially unloveable.
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Big thanks to the Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the ARC! This was released on January 14 so grab it now!
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@netgalley #aserialkillersguidetomarriage #randomhousepublishingballantine #arc

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a unique premise. I loved the idea of serial killers who fall in love when they both realize they both have the same mission in life- to kill bad men who do bad things. It was sort of an examination of marriage when things become more routine and comfortable after having a child and becoming more "suburban" parents. By the end of the book it almost felt like a romance, as our main characters end up in a situation that can either make or break their marriage. At times it did feel like there was some repetitive parts in the book, but there were plenty of twists and turns that made it a fairly quick read. It was fun, it was unique, and I had a fun time reading it. Overall, I give it 3.75/5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

This book gave me Mr. And Mrs. Smith vibes, just a murderous couple trying to live a normal suburban life. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes psychological thrillers.

Thank you Netgalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is everything I needed right now. A little dark with a lot of snarky dialogue, it’s a fun and entertaining read. Hazel and Fox are killers, but they only kill people who deserve it, which just worked for me. I’m not sure what that says about me, but…anyway, they’ve given it all up for their daughter, and it’s harder than they both thought it would be. Enter Jenny, who is not only Hazel’s new friends, but also a police officer looking to crack a big case to get her back into the swing of things following her maternity leave. The ending was perfect, and this is a must-read for all my thriller loving friends.

Really fun and intriguing! It was super entertaining and I loved the short chapters. I was definitely able to read it super fast and enjoy the story more without all the excess prose thrillers usually have.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the arc.
I did not love this as much as I wanted to. There were some parts that really drew me in and got me excited, but then l'd be brought back down again. It just felt like the pacing was off.
I will say that this gave off major Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibes. So if you like that type of story then you should definitely give this book a read.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Asia Mackay for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok this was a fun break from my normal romance marathon. This is a little dark, a little bloody and a lot stabby (but in all seriousness it wasn’t very gory in my opinion).

Haze and Fox find each other in the most unexpected ways - over a dead body - and it’s love. Both are killing bad guys for good reasons and loving the rush of it so together they are practically unstoppable.

Hot, rich, killing off bad guys and living the good life until they find out they are pregnant. Fox realizes they need to protect their family and that means no more killing and turning to a suburban lifestyle.

Haze had a rough childhood so while she never considered having a child now that she is, she wants to provide for it. Two years into motherhood she is struggling. She doesn’t recognize herself, her marriage isn’t thriving, her inspiration for her art is nowhere to be found and she has to deal with annoying people all the time without stabbing them.

Haze finds herself keeping a secret from Fox. And then another. And then she realizes he’s keeping something from her. Before you know it they’re facing off each with a knife in hand.

This book was funny and relatable in a WTF is motherhood and adulting way (cannot relate to the knifing people all the time part).

Well this was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed this book. I absolutely devoured it. Hazsel & Fox were a fun couple and their stories were both equally intriguing.

Def recommend.

Twisted. Interesting. The short chapter lengths made this easy to read. The writing was smooth and flowed well. I felt like one main character developed more than the other even though both had points of view in this book. I adored their names, Haze and Fox. I generally enjoyed the plot but I do feel kind of middle of the road on the whole thing - it being kind of fun and different yet also a little predictable along the way. I recommend giving this a try but I wouldn’t necessarily say to run out and buy it as a must have now.

I had a lot of fun with this! Hazel and Fox are entertaining and unique characters! This is fast paced and well written. The humor is well done. If you enjoy thrillers I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Asia Mackay, Random House Publishing Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just not for me. I could not stand "Haze", and honestly didn't care what happened to her or her husband. I got sick of hearing the kid's name constantly, and the internal monologue, while attempting to seem edgy and cutting, was annoying and over the top.