Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer
SERIES: Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees
AUTHOR: Jennifer Cody
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGHT: 215 pages
RELEASE DATE: February 9, 2022
BLURB:
Romily:
Third time’s the charm, right? At least that’s what I tell myself when I witness the same hot guy commit mass murder three times in a few days. I’m either the luckiest mute boy ever or possibly the unluckiest. Who knows, maybe him kidnapping me will turn into the greatest love story ever told? Hey, it could happen! You never know how these things will turn out. I happen to believe in love and soulmates, and if nothing else, Arlington Fox doesn’t treat my disability like a nuisance. It’s not everyday you find someone who just gets you, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth even if the horse in question is a man so good at killing people that I should probably introspect a bit about why that skews my moral compass and possibly my kinks. But c’mon, competence is sexy, amiright?
The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer is an MM Paranormal Romance with lots of sass, humor, a ridiculous 3000 year age-gap, and an inordinate number of tables.
REVIEW:
Romily Butcher is having a bad day. His first hour on the job as a busboy at a diner is interrupted by a murder spree done by some guy named Fox who orders his breakfast and then guns down/mows down the patrons of the diner. Subsequently he takes his breakfast and leaves a $100 tip for Romily and his blood splattered clothes. Well that’s the end of that job. Also this is not Romily’s first mass murder experience 
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Romily is mute due to a horrendous early life. He also never learned to write very well, so he tends to use text. He needs to look for a new job and so he goes to the library to use the computer He’s mute and doesn’t have a lot of skills, so the job pickings are slim. Who should show up at the library again, but Fox. Once again, Romily can’t believe his luck (still not sure if it’s bad or good) and his clothes (of which he has few) are ruined with blood. AGAIN. WTH?
The third time this happens at the store, Romily drags Fox back to the apartment he is squatting in since it’s student who is away for the summer. Romily is washing his clothes and conversing with Fox via text. They end up going to eat and Fox offers him a job. That of Harbinger. Basically he precedes Fox to his appointment. Who knew this was a job? Also it pays a lot better than busboy. Also it comes with a permanent place to live – that is with Fox.
Things get very very busy after Romily agrees to the job. He’s been super attracted to Fox since first sight. He has no idea what it is he’s gotten himself into, but as long as it’s with Fox, he’s OK with it. Romily begins his new job and he’s quite surprised by what he sees. Turns out things aren’t at all what they seem and when he learns about wards, and gargoyles and demons and fae, he understands that he’s not in Kansas anymore 😉
Things go on well for a while, although Romily has a lot to learn. He’s determined to get with Fox, but it’s also clear that somebody is after him – most likely in order to get to Fox. They rescue some cherubs, have a bit of a fight with an evil incubus and “adopt” an assassin. When the balance of good and evil is threatened, Fox and company have to call in some big guns. There is obviously a plot afoot and they need to stop it.
Despite some setbacks, Fox, Romily and company accomplish their immediate mission. But there are many unknowns and there is much work to be done. Whoever is behind the plot to upset the balance is still a mystery. Despite a lull in the action, nobody believes that they are safe. Hopefully whenever the next crisis comes, the team will be able to meet it and beat it.
This was my first book from this author. I think fans of Alice Winters and particularly of her Hitman’s Guide series will appreciate this new series. Both that series and this book I think seem to provoke one of two reactions: love or loathe. I absolutely love them, so I had a similar reaction here, although I was a little confused at the beginning since I didn’t have any idea who or what Fox was 🙂 The protagonists, Romily Butcher and Arlington Fox are serendipitously brought together when Romily observes Fox killing lots of people at three different times in three different places in three days. Romily is funny, snarky, sarcastic and punny. Fox is a bit stoic but it’s obvious he’s quite enamored of Romily. He admires his ability to face and conquer adversity and he’s willing to put up with his sarcastic snark because in reality, he does really fine Romily attractive AND amusing. As they get closer while on these missions, they obviously grow to care more about each other. Romily is determined to have Fox and Fox isn’t exactly demuring 😉 When they claim Bellamy, a human assassin from the other side, things get really interesting. Bellamy isn’t thrilled to be “adopted” by Romily and Fox and he and Romily butt heads a few times, but they come to an understanding. Their relationship provides a lot of humor in this story as well.
There are many many fantasy and paranormal elements in this story. Cherubs, demons, harpies, incubus, fae, shifters, etc. are just some of the fascinating creatures and entities in this world. Some were easily accessible and some were sort of vague surprises. This is a fascinating world and I hope we get more clarity in the next book. I hope we get some wedding planning hijinks in the next story too. Meeting the parents was sooo good in this one and I can’t wait to see what happens with them also going forward. Really there is so much to work with here that the sky’s the limit. Romily and Fox are the heart of the story though, so the progression of their relationship and the obstacles they face are front and center. This one ends on a HFN with quite a few threads hanging, so I’ll be interested to see what comes next.
Recommended for anyone who likes a fast-paced, sometimes OTT fantasy ride with a lot of humor and heart 😀
RATING: 
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