I spoke with AJ Merlin, author of some of my favorite dark romance and horror books. She’s the go-to author for readers like me who enjoy a little too much romance in their horror and a little too much horror in their romance. AJ's specialty is writing irredeemable heroes who somehow still manage to captivate their heroines (and her readers). Today we discuss some of my favorite AJ Merlin books, including “No, You Hang Up” (think a prank call gone wrong, a morally black MMC, and ’90s horror movie vibes) and the summer-camp horror romance, “Dead of Summer” (think Stranger Things meets a summer camp slasher from the ’80’s, with a big love story). AJ and I had a beautiful discussion about disability and mental-health representation, why “unhinged but safe” makes for a top-tier MMC, and how vintage horror cinema shapes her storytelling. We also talk about her books “Scaredy Cat” (Halloween fun, murder-mayhem) and Starve (monster romance rooted in American folklore). Stay for AJ’s tender love letter to her younger self—a reminder to keep going and trusting in who you are. If you crave horror romance, dark romance, slasher love stories, and morally black heroes with real HEAs, this is the episode for you!

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Connect with AJ Merlin

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Website: https://authorajmerlin.com/