Some kids were into sports. Others were into music and dance. For me, it was always books and movies. There was something about being transported into an imaginary world that captured me from an early age. I knew that I loved fiction before I understood the concept of love. It was an obsession. I remember staying up for 24 hours straight as a kid to finish a book, only taking bathroom breaks and the occasional sip of water. It was that deep for me.

Romantic Beginnings

While the first book I ever read wasn’t exactly hearts and flowers — all the love to Goodnight Moon — I found myself drawn to love stories, both beautiful and dark, early on. The first romantic story that caught my attention was the classic Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare. My mother had a gigantic book covering Shakespeare’s entire works, and it was there that I discovered a love for intense human emotion, happy endings, and deep tragedies. I didn’t quite know or understand different tropes and sub-genres of romance then — I just knew I wanted to read more. There was something about the drama, the angst, the tension that drew me in and never let go.

Dark Endings

As I traversed my childhood as a voracious reader, I found myself intrigued by the dark and eerie nature of horror. It started with horror book series for kids — Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. It blossomed into a love of classic horror films like Jaws and Rosemary’s Baby. The moody lighting, the distinct music, and the edge-of-your-seat moments made my heart race. By age nine, I was a horror film stan, seeking out any available film that could give me the perfect trifecta of gore, suspense, and thrills.

Why Both?

Why not? Half of the heroines in the books I read don’t have to choose, so why should I? 😂 Love and horror seem like complete opposite sides of the spectrum, but to me they’re both about vulnerability, excitement, drama, and tension. They ask the question, “What happens if?”

What to Expect

If you’re here, you’re just like me. You either love a well-written love interest, an artfully shot fictional murder scene, or both. Either way, all are welcome here. Here’s what you’ll find at Makeouts & Murder:

💀 Probably a few hot takes on why the villain was the moment

📚 Romance book reviews with spice-level breakdowns

🎥 Horror movie deep dives with content warnings and scream ratings

✨ Rec lists and chaotic commentary

Share your hot takes, fictional crushes, and spooky recs with me. You can follow me over on Instagram @makeoutsandmurder for more book recs, horror faves, and general chit-chat.

With love, screams, and everything in between — see ya on the next post!

— Makeouts & Murder