As a reader who typically gravitates towards fast-paced horror stories and thrillers, Tessa Bailey’s My Killer Vacation was a step outside my usual comfort zone. However, as an aspiring writer myself who recently added a touch of "spice" to my own work, I was curious to see how a bestselling author in the genre handles intimate content. After seeing Tessa Bailey recommended in a Facebook group, I chose this particular book, hoping the murder mystery subplot would appeal to my thriller-loving side.

What I found was a true slow burn. The story drops you straight into the action when teacher Taylor finds a dead body in her holiday rental, forcing her into an unlikely partnership with the broody bounty hunter next door, Myles. The heart of the book is undeniably the grumpy/sunshine romance that blossoms between them. This was my first time reading a book with alternating first-person POVs, and I found it to be an incredibly effective way to get inside both characters' heads. Seeing the events unfold from both Taylor's and Myles's perspectives added a welcome depth to their developing connection and made their chemistry feel genuine and earned.

The narrative juggles this slow-burn romance with the active murder investigation. For a thriller enthusiast like myself, the middle of the book felt like it shifted gears, with the investigation taking a noticeable back seat to the developing connection between Taylor and Myles. The focus is very heavily on their relationship, which is built through a series of almost-moments and comical interruptions that certainly ramp up the tension. Thankfully, the book's final act delivers on the suspense, as the pace accelerates, twists are revealed, and the mystery comes to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, My Killer Vacation is a character-driven read that successfully blends genres, even if it prioritizes the romance over the mystery. For readers like me who are coming from a thriller background, it's an excellent introduction to the world of spicy romance. It's a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys the grumpy/sunshine trope, a well-developed slow-burn relationship, and a compelling dash of suspense.

My Rating: 4 / 5 ⭐

Spice Level: 3.5 / 5 🌶️