lassarina's review against another edition
4.0
Scorching hot, clever, and packs a lot into a very small space. I really liked both Justine and Campbell as characters and together. I did feel like there were one or two plot threads left unresolved (specifically the Schafer bit) but I do see it's #1 in a series so perhaps it will come up later.
nmcannon's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a long time fan of Gray's game writing, it's an utter treat and exquisite delight to have their words in highlight-able book form. And A LOT of this book is highlighted, as Gray's wordcraft is stunning. I dragged my heels reading this book because romantic thrillers aren't my cup of tea, and the premise sounded very thriller-y. Imagine my surprised pleasure when, despite the high-octane premise, the characters shine above all. And what characters! Justine and Campbell are fantastic, and this book proves that murder can be a love language. Even the husband Richard was given depth, which made him understandable (though not sympathetic: eat maggots, dillweed). The sex scenes are worth more fire emojis than I can type. This story is so captivating I finished it in 2 sittings, and I'm onto the sequel. 100% recommend to all who want their romance with the delicious agony of danger.
bookishdamzel's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Read for MM Summer Pride 2023
For the 18+ crowd!
This was a supet quick and fun read. A bit insta lovey, but in the context of it only being 120 pages or so it'd probably be considered medium burn. I had fun with it tho!!
Obviously, check content warnings before hand!
For the 18+ crowd!
This was a supet quick and fun read. A bit insta lovey, but in the context of it only being 120 pages or so it'd probably be considered medium burn. I had fun with it tho!!
Obviously, check content warnings before hand!
raincorbyn's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
irisestacansado's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I devoured this book, partially because I had a book club meeting 2.5 hours after I started it (with Rien Gray joining in, so exciting!), but mainly because Gray's writing is fantastic. They have amazing prose with compelling and impactful lines and dialogue. Every word had me wanting more — every part of Gray's writing in this book feels intentional, like they knew precisely what each word means for the plot and the characters (which, to be fair, they probably did and do). Love Kills Twice is filled with memorable lines and moments, from the hardened killer genuinely apologizing to Justine to the language used regarding Campbell during a sex scene.
Going through Gray's website, you can see that they say their books will always have a happy ending, which is something I adore. I'm sure there are plenty of good books without one, but I have a hard time enjoying books without happy endings. I can take angst up until the very end, though! This book's romance starts with the idea of working on a set deadline: until Justine's husband dies. You go through the book knowing this, until ... well, I don't know if I want to spoil too much of the book. Gray crafts an emotional arc expertly, allowing you to have emotions and tensions rise as turn each page (or swipe, as this is currently only an ebook).
Read my full review on my blog!
Spoiler
when they grab her and prevent her from making noise when Richard, the husband, walks into the cafe Justine and Campbell are in with his new, young conquestGoing through Gray's website, you can see that they say their books will always have a happy ending, which is something I adore. I'm sure there are plenty of good books without one, but I have a hard time enjoying books without happy endings. I can take angst up until the very end, though! This book's romance starts with the idea of working on a set deadline: until Justine's husband dies. You go through the book knowing this, until ... well, I don't know if I want to spoil too much of the book. Gray crafts an emotional arc expertly, allowing you to have emotions and tensions rise as turn each page (or swipe, as this is currently only an ebook).
Read my full review on my blog!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse
youshouldreadthisif's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
disconightwing's review against another edition
5.0
Justine is a woman who has thoroughly had it with her abusive, domineering husband, so she makes the decision to save up fifty thousand dollars and hire an assassin. Campbell, the assassin, is mysterious and alluring and the more that Justine gets to know them, the more she’s interested. What she doesn’t know, however, is that her husband Richard is looking for an out and has happened to hire the exact same assassin. With the growing attraction between Justine and Campbell, how in the world is this situation going to play out?
I have a confession to make: I actually read this one twice before sitting down to write my review. It’s a short read—just under two hundred pages—so it didn’t take much extra time (or effort, because I thoroughly enjoyed this story). I wanted to make sure my feelings hadn’t changed before I put pen to paper about this one.
I very much enjoyed this. It’s steamy, but follows a fairly solid plotline, too—not just smut. It’s a contemporary romance plotline that I’d call somewhat predictable or at least easy to guess where it’s going—but it’s also unique, and sucks you in from the first couple of pages. It walks every line between enjoyable, familiar and intriguing, different. The relationship between Justine and Campbell progresses quickly but it follows a logical course of action. No insta-love here, but insta-lust, for sure. Which is totally different and much more realistic.
Did I mention that Campbell is non-binary? This is handled in such a flawless and smooth way and I loved it with every fiber of my being. Both Campbell and Justine navigated the romance between them in the most mature and respectful way and at the end of the day, this was just an enjoyable romance with a fun plotline, exactly what you’d look for when you‘re looking for a steamy contemporary that’s also a quick read. It happens to also include a nonbinary main character.
I was worried that the plot would unravel as the book went on. The assassin for hire by both parties in a marriage was interesting to me but I worried that the contract killer parts would get less and less realistic as the book went on and shifted from plot driven to relationship driven, but it didn’t. It stayed consistent through to the very end, as did the personalities of the characters and their reactions to all situations.
Overall, I enjoyed this story very much and can’t wait to continue reading the series. There’s a sneak preview of the next one at the end of this one and I have to admit that I read that too!
I have a confession to make: I actually read this one twice before sitting down to write my review. It’s a short read—just under two hundred pages—so it didn’t take much extra time (or effort, because I thoroughly enjoyed this story). I wanted to make sure my feelings hadn’t changed before I put pen to paper about this one.
I very much enjoyed this. It’s steamy, but follows a fairly solid plotline, too—not just smut. It’s a contemporary romance plotline that I’d call somewhat predictable or at least easy to guess where it’s going—but it’s also unique, and sucks you in from the first couple of pages. It walks every line between enjoyable, familiar and intriguing, different. The relationship between Justine and Campbell progresses quickly but it follows a logical course of action. No insta-love here, but insta-lust, for sure. Which is totally different and much more realistic.
Did I mention that Campbell is non-binary? This is handled in such a flawless and smooth way and I loved it with every fiber of my being. Both Campbell and Justine navigated the romance between them in the most mature and respectful way and at the end of the day, this was just an enjoyable romance with a fun plotline, exactly what you’d look for when you‘re looking for a steamy contemporary that’s also a quick read. It happens to also include a nonbinary main character.
I was worried that the plot would unravel as the book went on. The assassin for hire by both parties in a marriage was interesting to me but I worried that the contract killer parts would get less and less realistic as the book went on and shifted from plot driven to relationship driven, but it didn’t. It stayed consistent through to the very end, as did the personalities of the characters and their reactions to all situations.
Overall, I enjoyed this story very much and can’t wait to continue reading the series. There’s a sneak preview of the next one at the end of this one and I have to admit that I read that too!
unicornsbookshelf's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Campbell, hand over your gender right now.
jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. A husband and wife both hire the same assassin to kill the other. Wife ends up falling for said assassin. This book wins just for that bad ass plot. This was seriously so good.
I loved that Justine didn’t know that Campbell was hired to kill her. The dynamics between them was really hot. The relationship moves fast but it’s written so well that I found that I didn’t mind at all. Campbell is such a mysterious character and I’m glad that there is a sequel because I cannot wait to know more about them and their past. Justine is fierce in her desires and I loved that she wants to take back control of her life.
I will say that the reason that Justine and Richard (the husband) wants to kill the other makes no sense when they could just divorce and save each other the headaches but whatever. It’s still a really cool plot and it definitely delivers. It’s paced well, the writing is good, and there are some seriously steamy moments. I’m excited to see what happens next.
I loved that Justine didn’t know that Campbell was hired to kill her. The dynamics between them was really hot. The relationship moves fast but it’s written so well that I found that I didn’t mind at all. Campbell is such a mysterious character and I’m glad that there is a sequel because I cannot wait to know more about them and their past. Justine is fierce in her desires and I loved that she wants to take back control of her life.
I will say that the reason that Justine and Richard (the husband) wants to kill the other makes no sense when they could just divorce and save each other the headaches but whatever. It’s still a really cool plot and it definitely delivers. It’s paced well, the writing is good, and there are some seriously steamy moments. I’m excited to see what happens next.
kburns2004's review against another edition
4.0
Love the nonbinary representation. It was a fun ride that went by quickly. Was a bit predictable, but I am not mad at it.