Lethal Kiss - by Taylor Grothe (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A blood-soaked love story of rage, revenge, and belonging, Taylor Grothe's adult debut is a sapphic horror/romance that's as grotesque as it is beautiful.

DELUXE EDITION--a drop-dead stunning paperback featuring vivid sprayed edges!

Something ravenous lurks below the marble floors of Preston University...

Marcella might be a monster, but she's careful. After getting hired at Preston University, she intends to lay low and keep her meals discreet.

Trapped in the rat race of academia, all Lacie wants is to make tenure. This will be her year, and nothing is going to stand in her way.

That is, until bodies start dropping.

Marcella swears it isn't her doing--as if she'd be that sloppy. Whatever's killing their coworkers is older, and far less restrained. Lacie doesn't know who to trust, but better the monster you know...

The deeper they dig, the more they're drawn to each other... and the more something else is drawn to them.

After all, desire has teeth of its own.

Review Quotes

"Riveting queer horror-romance... A deliciously dastardly take on dark academia [that] crackles with wit even at its goriest."--Publishers Weekly

"Hauntingly seductive... The campy gore complements the romance in this suspenseful sapphic read; it will leave readers wondering if they want to be the main character or be with her."--Booklist

"A hot sapphic campus romance steeped in blood, Norse folklore, and academic rivalry. I ate it up." --S.T. Gibson, #1 Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Dowry of Blood

"Blood-soaked and sexy and brilliant, Lethal Kiss tore out my heart and left it on the floor. I'm starved for more from Taylor Grothe." --Bel Banta, author of The Court of Venus

"Wrathful and triumphant, this gore horror novel is a love story first and foremost. It is about loving others, loving yourself, and the ruinous and satisfying ordeal of being seen for the monster you are and loved anyway. Taylor Grothe cements themself as a master of the genre with yet another propulsive and unforgettable tale you don't want to miss." --Kamilah Cole, USA Today & National Indie Bestselling Author of An Arcane Inheritance

"Academia's game of tenure track turns deadly in Grothe's masterful horromance where blood and rot oil the gears of elite universities, and the monstrous hunt with impunity. Seething with rage and deeply, achingly romantic, Lethal Kiss spits out its bones with fervor, seizes its readers by the throat and doesn't let go. A consummation devoutly to be wished. This is an always kind of thing." --Shalini Abeysekara, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of This Monster of Mine

"A collision of monstrous love, feminine rage, and terrible beauty, Lethal Kiss deftly blends genres in a way that feels both exciting and refreshing. Lyrical prose and heady atmosphere entwine with a plot that keeps you guessing at every turn, yet never doubting in Grothe's skillful execution. This book is not only a captivating read, but a cathartic experience." --MK Lobb, author of the The Dark In Her Veins

"A deliciously pulpy horror-romance, Lethal Kiss breathes new life into the Nordic undead. Weaving a tense murder mystery with the unrelenting nightmares of academia, Grothe invites us to delight in the camp joy of finding your strength by embracing your inner monster." --K. M. Enright, Sunday Times bestselling author of Mistress of Lies

"The competition for academic tenure just became deadly. Lethal Kiss is a hungry, wickedly dark tale which will leave you begging for more. Grothe's rich, lyrical prose weaves a tale of revenge, obsession and love which you'll struggle to put down. With a murder mystery that kept me guessing at every turn and a seductive sapphic romance, Lethal Kiss is bound to be the next dark academia sensation. Easily one of my top reads of 2026." --Emily Cooper, author of Season of Fear

"Campy and bloodthirsty with plenty of heart-racing horror, Lethal Kiss is a darkly delicious book readers will love sinking their teeth into. A propulsive, seductive read from first bite to last." --De Elizabeth, author of She Haunts Me Still and This Raging Sea

"I simply could not put it down... Whether you're crushing on a character, or rejoicing in a character's end, this book hooks you into the lives of those at Preston University." --Erica Rose Eberhart, author of Tarnished

"Sexy and spooky, Lethal Kiss is an utterly engrossing ride through dark academia and Nordic folklore. I had a blast navigating the halls of Preston University and will remember these characters forever." --Tatiana Schlote-Bonne, author of The Mean Ones and What Feeds Below

About the Author

Taylor Grothe is a writer of adult and young adult horror, horror romance, and dark fantasy. They hold a nonfiction MFA from Fairfield University, acted as the graduate Assistant Managing Editor of Brevity, and their short works can be found in esteemed publications such as Titan Book's These Dreaming Spires, Brevity's craft blog, Haven Speculative, and Shortwave Magazine. They are a scholar of medieval literature and Nordic Saga. Taylor lives with three cats, two kids, and their spouse, in New England, and are the author of Lethal Kiss and Hollow.