I went in wondering what on earth “Love Island meets Jurassic Park” would even look like on paper… and yep, that description is weirdly perfect. It also gave me the same chaotic energy as playing a Dark Pictures Anthology game where you know someone is absolutely not making it to the credits.

The story kicks off with our cast of contestants one week before the finale, and the opening chapters feel exactly like watching a Love Island episode. The chats, the flirting, the dramatic one-liners… painfully accurate and honestly hilarious to read. I also loved the sneaky behind-the-scenes producer moments, which made the whole thing feel extra real.

Then the book starts dropping little “something is VERY wrong here” crumbs, and by about the 40% mark the plot hits the gas and refuses to brake until the last page.
The writing was fun, the multiple POVs kept the chaos flowing, and the concept felt fresh. I devoured it in two days because I desperately needed to know what was happening and who, if anyone, was escaping this disaster island alive.

✨ARC Book Review✨

Okay, yes! I’ve watched the shows the story parodies, so I fully get the horror twist 😂 Imagining those same kinds of shows but with a horror perspective is hilarious.

Honestly, what makes it so good is that the first solid 40% of the book really builds the relationships and sets the tone. Then you add in the monster hybrids, and you get pure horror comedy. Even the characters’ dialect felt on brand 😂👏🏻 When they were processing their situation, I honestly felt a kind of wicked joy 😈

It feels like an honest, chef’s kiss blend of macabre humor with a modern twist.

And the ending? Totally nailed it 👏🏻

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a BLAST! As someone who adores trash reality TV like Love Island and the like, and also adores horror (especially body horror) this was so fun for me! I loved the dedication to the island text group too because I certainly have one with like-minded friends and they heard all about this book as I went. Great story, loved the twists, highly recommend.

I went into Love Shots by Travis M. Riddle not entirely sure what to expect—but what I got was a wildly entertaining blend of thriller and horror that completely pulled me in.

At first, everything feels almost deceptively normal. We’re introduced to a glossy, addictive reality dating show set on a stunning island, full of influencers, drama, flirting, and competition. It has that familiar, slightly chaotic “love show” energy—egos clashing, alliances forming, romances sparking. You settle into it thinking you know exactly what kind of story this is going to be.

And then… it shifts.

The horror creeps in slowly at first—just enough to make you uneasy—before everything spirals into something far darker and far more intense. The transition from light, almost satirical reality TV to full-blown survival horror is one of the highlights of the book. It’s done so well that you barely notice the line being crossed until it’s too late, and suddenly the glamorous setting feels claustrophobic and dangerous.

What really makes this book stand out is how sharp and clever it is. Beneath the tension and brutality, there’s a clear commentary on influencer culture, fame, and the idea of constantly being watched. The fact that everything is happening under the eye of the camera adds such an unsettling layer—these characters aren’t just fighting to survive, they’re doing it while being observed, judged, and consumed.

And when the horror fully arrives, it does not hold back. The brutality of the killings is intense and, at times, genuinely shocking—but it never feels pointless. There’s a raw, chaotic edge to the violence that matches the unraveling of the show itself. The creature at the center of it all is especially effective—unpredictable, relentless, and deeply unsettling. What I loved most is how it’s not just a physical threat; it carries this constant sense of dread, like it could appear at any moment, turning even the quietest scenes into something tense. The encounters are written with such urgency and clarity that you can almost feel the panic, the confusion, and the sheer desperation of the characters trying to survive.

The characters themselves are another highlight. At the start, they seem like familiar reality TV archetypes—but as the story unfolds, more depth comes through. Watching them react as the situation unravels is gripping. Some rise to the occasion, some completely fall apart, and others surprise you in ways you don’t expect. I found myself genuinely invested in who would make it through.

And the tension—this book does tension incredibly well. Once it fully leans into horror, it doesn’t hold back. It’s fast-paced, unsettling, and at times brutal, but always engaging. I couldn’t stop turning the pages because it constantly felt like anything could happen.

Overall, this was such a fantastic read. It’s bold, intense, and incredibly entertaining, blending genres in a way that feels fresh and exciting. Travis M. Riddle has created something that’s not only thrilling but also smart and memorable. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and author Travis M Riddle for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publishing date: May 29th 2026