My Thoughts: One Killer Night (To Die For #1) by Trilina Pucci

*I received a copy of this book from Firefly Books Ltd in exchange for an honest review.

One Killer Night

(To Die For #1)

by Trilina Pucci 

October 14, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

USA Today bestselling author Trilina Pucci cranks up the heat in this sexy slasher filled with dark family secrets, classic horror tropes, and banter as sharp as a deranged killer’s knife.

Love is patient.

Love is kind.

Love will stab you from behind.

It’s Halloween night, and out-of-work writer Goldie Monroe’s trip to the drugstore scares up more than the fake blood she’s looking for. It leads to the man of her naughtiest dreams. And in spite of her costume, sparks fly from the moment they meet.

Noah Adler, aspiring sneaker designer, is impossibly gorgeous—like a tatted-up version of Goldie’s favorite blue-eyed vampire. He’s there for candy, but it’s Goldie he can’t resist. When she invites him to her sister’s F/X company bash, he’s all in without a second thought.

The pair’s flirty connection heats up fast, carrying them to electrifying new heights. But after Goldie discovers Noah is hiding a dark secret, it all starts to crumble. Looking for answers about her own past awakens new dangers, and when Goldie and Noah land at a slasher camp for adults, a deadly tragedy threatens to repeat itself. If they can survive this one killer night, they can definitely slay a happily ever after.

Review

One Killer Night was not at all what I imagined. I thought the book would be half thriller and half romance, but it was a love story through and through. I was really looking forward to some horror vibes. Too bad.

One Killer Night started off with a meet-cute between Goldie and Noah. They had chemistry and their flirting made me laugh a lot. But call me a cynic because I’m just not a believer in love at first sight which was exactly what Goldie and Noah had. They had a lot of big feelings from the very beginning. But given the secret Noah was hiding, it was no wonder their happiness didn’t last. Goldie sure got a giant wake-up call. “Movies are fun because they’re fiction. Real life is full of consequences that hurt people.” (p. 271)

With the way the synopsis was worded, I thought we’d spend at least half the book being chased by a killer but that was not the case. The slasher part of One Killer Night came really late in the story. Though one reveal managed to surprise me, I was disappointed by how quickly the climax blew over. At least Evie and Chase broke up the monotony in One Killer Night. Her general dislike of him and his lovesickness for her was hilarious. I can see why there’d be a sequel about them ;)

Not to burst anyone’s bubble but don’t go into One Killer Night expecting some good frights because it’s really a romance with a small serving of mystery. We spent the majority of the story in a love bubble which sadly wasn't very engaging.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.