A speculative dark romance for those readers who think « I could fix him » when you know you really can’t. For fans of Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios and Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson, a perfect escapist read for those who have daydreamt of their favourite character appearing in real life.

PROBLEMATIC FAVE
by Amber Clement
on submission
(via Mushens Entertainment)

Like so many teens, fifteen-year-old Emilia Michaels just wants to be seen and loved by someone unconditionally. Even though her longtime crush Bryan Cook seems either cruelly aloof or hopelessly oblivious, Emilia knows she can always turn to her favorite fictional fave, Hayden Frost. Sure, Hayden is technically the villain of Boyfriend Academy, the dating simulation game that Emilia and her friend Darla are obsessed with, but who can blame her? Villains are hot, passionate, and Hayden only murders people around the playercharacter because he’s so madly in love with them.

But Emilia is devastated when she overhears Bryan calling her an “annoying bitch.” To console herself, and with Darla’s encouragement, she uses a newly-gifted drawing pen to illustrate a self-inserted webcomic in which Hayden transfers to her high school and falls in love with her. Rushing around at school the next day, Emilia nearly collides with a boy, and she can’t believe who she’s looking at. The boy is none other than Hayden Frost, himself. And just as she drew in her webcomic, he falls for her at first sight, and she finally has someone who cares only for her.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for Hayden’s murderous nature to emerge, leaving Emilia to rationalize his actions as his way of “protecting her.” What begins as a beautiful, fulfilling courtship quickly spirals into a dark romance with an ever-rising body count––and if Emilia doesn’t figure out how to stop Hayden, his jealous temper could lead him to kill anyone and everyone who stands in the way of his happily ever after with her.

Amber Clement is the author of Fortune’s Kiss (Union Square & Co., 2024). She is a dreamer and a gamer. She lives in Northwest Indiana with a Pomchi who loves to sploot. When she’s not writing, she may be spotted exploring the city in search of new inspiration. Her favourite stories are full of glitter, determined girls, and captivating villains.