Killer Potential

I'm heartbroken. I was loving this book and then it broke my heart. That might not be a bad thing, I just can't decide. This may deserve more stars, it may deserve less. All I know is - I couldn't put this book down. When I had to, I couldn't wait to pick it back up. I was so excited and curious and scared the entire time. Then it destroyed me.

The story was up and running right away, no waiting around, which I'm grateful for. I see some people found the lead's actions a bit unbelievable, but I didn't. You have no idea how erratic, maybe stupid, you would be in a situation like this. Scared, shocked, disturbed. I bought it, and I was all in. I loved the writing, for the most part. I found it witty, relatable, and it was an easy read, show more while still smart and thoughtful. The main character isn't likeable or unlikeable; she just feels real, and I wanted her to be okay. I liked that she wasn't your typical, lonely lead, but instead knew she had parents who loved her and was desperate to see them again. I couldn't wait for the answers to all the mysteries. I appreciated a lot of the insights; particularly the one about how not having money means you exist in a different world than other people, see things in a different way ("anything can be a place to rest"). I loved the way this story made me think about the difference between bad people and people who do bad things. How things can quickly, easily get out of control, and how people do what they have to do to survive and protect themselves. They become desperate, and things happen that they can't take back. Despite everything that was said and done, you can't hate the main characters.

My main problem comes from the main relationship in the story. I began to love them and I couldn't wait for them to get together. I loved the parts about the rhythms they developed, the little ways in which they took care of each other, and the patience they had with each other. I was really looking forward to the moment when they finally got together, and anything that would follow. Unfortunately, those moments just didn't feel big enough for me. I needed more build up; for the moments not to start so quickly. I needed for them not to end just as fast. I didn't like how the pleasure appeared so one sided. I also thought it might have been more interesting if the intimacy had started before "the woman" started talking. In the end, I still really wanted them together, and there is really satisfying stuff in regards to their feelings for one another... but I ultimately just felt a little cheated. I love them, but I needed more. I miss them already.

A more minor complaint is simply that I felt it a little overwritten. We spend quite a bit of time in detailed memories and backstories. I usually hate that sort of thing - I don't need to know everything about what your old home looked like, or the way things smelled - but even though I could have done without it, I wasn't totally mad at it here. It did add a little something for the story, I just think there should have been less of it.

By the end of this story, I was devastated. I felt betrayed. I still feel that way. I know it was intentional, but that doesn't make it any easier. I don't consider myself naive, but I got so invested, and didn't see certain things coming, so now I'm all in my feelings. I think, after all is said and done, the story does go in the best direction it could have gone. I think it's technically good and continued to be well written, it's just hard to know because of how much it hurts. I'm not sure the ending is even a question, but I feel like I need answers. I may just be too weak to handle an ending that isn't perfectly tidied. So, I can't say I'm completely satisfied, but I don't think I regret reading it either. It's only hard for me to handle because of how much I cared! If there's one thing I am certain about, it's that this was an incredible debut. I'll be following this author no question. I just hope she doesn't completely wreck me again. show less

This is a debut novel, and I’m all about finding new authors! It didn’t kick off with a bang, but I was totally hooked once Evie stumbled upon the dead bodies. And let me tell you, Evie's dark humor and sarcasm? It's absolutely one of my favorite parts of the book! I can’t get enough of characters like her!

Evie is an intelligent young woman who’s had some chances in life, even though she didn’t come from money. Unfortunately, she takes those chances for granted and finds herself as an SAT tutor drowning in student debt. Her clients? Spoiled rich kids in fancy neighborhoods. That’s how she ends up at the Victor's house at the worst possible moment—only to discover their dead bodies. Things get even wilder when she runs off show more with a girl she finds tied up and hidden in the house. This kicks off a series of bad decisions that send them down a crazy “Thelma-and-Louise” adventure!

"Killer Potential" is dark and fast-paced, showcasing two intricate female characters with wit and street smarts—so entertaining!

This debut author nails the adrenaline of the chase and the heart-pounding fear of the unknown. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thanks to Willam Morrow, Harper Audio, NetGalley, and Libro.fm for providing this ARC's digital book and audiobook. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

The audiobook features fantastic narration, which enhanced my reading experience, allowing me to listen to the audio while reading the ebook!

And let’s not forget all the themes packed into this novel:
Media sensationalism
Morally gray characters
Class divisions
Strong and complex female protagonists
Murder investigations
LGBTQIA representation
Dark humor
It's a wild ride!

#KillerPotential #HannahDeitch #DebutThriller LibroFM #WilliamMorrow #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish show less

This is a debut novel, and I’m all about finding new authors! It didn’t kick off with a bang, but I was totally hooked once Evie stumbled upon the dead bodies. And let me tell you, Evie's dark humor and sarcasm? It's absolutely one of my favorite parts of the book! I can’t get enough of characters like her!

Evie is an intelligent young woman who’s had some chances in life, even though she didn’t come from money. Unfortunately, she takes those chances for granted and finds herself as an SAT tutor drowning in student debt. Her clients? Spoiled rich kids in fancy neighborhoods. That’s how she ends up at the Victor's house at the worst possible moment—only to discover their dead bodies. Things get even wilder when she runs off show more with a girl she finds tied up and hidden in the house. This kicks off a series of bad decisions that send them down a crazy “Thelma-and-Louise” adventure!

"Killer Potential" is dark and fast-paced, showcasing two intricate female characters with wit and street smarts—so entertaining!

This debut author nails the adrenaline of the chase and the heart-pounding fear of the unknown. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Thanks to Willam Morrow, Harper Audio, NetGalley, and Libro.fm for providing this ARC's digital book and audiobook. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

The audiobook features fantastic narration, which enhanced my reading experience, allowing me to listen to the audio while reading the ebook!

And let’s not forget all the themes packed into this novel:
Media sensationalism
Morally gray characters
Class divisions
Strong and complex female protagonists
Murder investigations
LGBTQIA representation
Dark humor
It's a wild ride!

#KillerPotential #HannahDeitch #DebutThriller LibroFM #WilliamMorrow #ARC #capcut #lefttoread #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #bookish show less

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch is a so-so female fugitives on the run story.

Evie Gordon is a 29-year-old SAT tutor who arrives for her weekly lesson with Serena Victor at the family's Beverly Hills estate and finds her parents murdered. She also frees a woman tied up in a secret closet. Then Serena returns home, mistakes the two for the killers and while she is swinging a lamp at Evie, Evie hits her with a vase, possibly killing her. Then Serena's boyfriend comes in and spots the two so they flee. Evie drives to a distant Walmart, buys supplies for their life on the run, and then empties her bank accounts. For all of this the woman she rescues refuses to speak. What follows is a tale of their life on the run across the country.

Often show more I can set disbelief aside for a good story but not in this case. It was simply too unbelievable right from the start. Evie is 29-years old. If you arrive for your scheduled weekly lesson, find the door open and two people murdered you exit the house and call 911. Period. You can't go on ad nauseam about how smart you are while making one bad decision after another. The only thing that kept me reading was to see what manner of bad choices would follow but I could have easily set it aside at any point.

This is for those who enjoy a life on the lam novel full of bad choices. Thanks to HarperCollins for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion. show less

I found this book to be very strange. A young woman, Evvie, is a SAT tutor. Upon arriving at the Victor home, she doesn't see anyone. She wanders around, and then sees the owners dead. She hears a voice and finds a woman tied up in a closet. Her student appears and accuses them of killing her parents. The two women go on the run, believing they will be found guilty of murder. If this first few chapters of mayhem isn't bizarre enough, the story gets crazier from there!
A bit of obsession, lies, and gore are present in this debut.