THE ASSASSIN'S GUIDE TO DATING

What’s a girl gotta do to make a date work?

Jumping in right after the events of The Assassin’s Guide to Babysitting (2025), this sequel is told from the point of view of Lila Morgan, a bombshell, or someone who contains “explosive power.” She has a new-ish relationship with Tru Stallard, who, as a bastion, can survive things most people can’t. The girls live in an alternate Kansas City, where certain people have powers known as talents, and they use their abilities to catch bounties for Underhill, a surveillance organization that maintains order. Whenever Tru and Lila attempt to go on a real date, something inevitably interrupts them—from catching bounty Shin Splints, a bullseye who shoots marbles, to being apprehended by Anderson Flynn, the shadowy Kingpin of the West who believes that the duo know something about his young daughter’s death. Will Lila and Tru ever get to finish a date? Will they be able to thwart the abhorrent Anderson? Parker’s satisfying sequel is a delight, with strong worldbuilding (that’s accessible for newcomers), pulse-pounding cat-and-mouse action, and swoony will-they, won’t-they tension that will keep the pages flying and anticipation high for the next adventure. Tackling issues like economic disadvantage, found family, and the realization of one’s authentic self, this fast-paced romp offers a refreshing amount of depth. Lila, Tru, and Anderson read white, and there’s diversity among the well-wrought secondary cast members.

Offering something for everyone, these assassins slay!