Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood Book Review: When Your Sworn Enemy Becomes Your Amnesiac Roommate

Introduction

What would you do if the one person you’ve spent centuries trying to kill showed up on your doorstep with no memory of who they are, looking at you not with hatred, but with heart-eyes? This is the deliciously chaotic and utterly captivating premise of Hot for Slayer, the latest paranormal romance novella from the undisputed queen of STEMinist rom-coms, Ali Hazelwood. In a thrilling departure from her usual academic settings, Hazelwood dives headfirst into the supernatural, delivering a story that proves her signature blend of sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt emotion translates perfectly to a world of vampires and slayers. This short, spicy, and incredibly fun read is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers trope, flipping a centuries-old rivalry on its head to explore what happens when forbidden passion gets a second chance, thanks to a convenient case of amnesia. Hot for Slayer is the perfect paranormal treat, a must-read for anyone craving a story that is equal parts hilarious, steamy, and surprisingly sweet.

For those whose appetites are whetted by this paranormal delight, this is just a single tantalizing bite from the vast buffet of romantic fiction. You can explore a world of similar heart-pounding stories in our comprehensive guide to romance book recommendations.

Book Summary

Hot for Slayer introduces us to Aethelthryth—or “Ethel,” as she’s known in modern-day Manhattan—a powerful, ancient vampire who has spent a significant portion of her immortal life locked in a deadly cat-and-mouse game with her fated nemesis, Lazlo Enyedi, a formidable vampire slayer. Their rivalry is the stuff of supernatural legend. But one evening, their epic hunt takes an unexpected turn when Lazlo shows up at Ethel’s apartment, dazed, confused, and with a complete case of amnesia. He has no idea he’s a slayer, no memory of their bloody history, and certainly no clue that the woman whose apartment he’s stumbled into is the vampire he’s sworn to destroy.

Seeing a once-in-a-millennium opportunity, Ethel decides against her better judgment to take him in. Suddenly, her sworn enemy is crashing on her couch, devouring her snacks, and solving her sudoku puzzles. Stripped of his memories and his mission, Lazlo is disarmingly charming, funny, and intensely attracted to Ethel, looking at her with an adoration that is as terrifying as it is intoxicating. The forced proximity crackles with a forbidden, slow-burn tension. As Ethel navigates this bizarre new dynamic, she finds herself falling for the man behind the slayer. But as flashes of Lazlo’s memory begin to return, their fragile truce is threatened, and Ethel must confront the terrifying possibility that by saving her enemy, she might have damned her own heart.

Author's Style and Craft

Ali Hazelwood is a master of a specific and beloved brand of romantic comedy, and her distinctive voice shines brightly in Hot for Slayer. Her writing is, as always, characterized by its sharp, pop-culture-savvy humour and incredibly witty dialogue. The banter between Ethel and Lazlo is the driving force of the novella, filled with clever quips and endearing awkwardness that has become a Hazelwood trademark. Even in a paranormal setting, her characters feel grounded and relatable, a skill we also admired in our review of Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams. She expertly balances the high-stakes supernatural plot with mundane, slice-of-life moments—like a slayer struggling with a sudoku puzzle—that make the story irresistibly charming.

Given the 94-page novella format, Hazelwood’s pacing is swift and economical. She establishes the characters, the central conflict, and the romantic tension with impressive efficiency, never wasting a word. The narrative is told from Ethel’s perspective, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in her internal conflict: the clash between her centuries of ingrained caution and her growing, undeniable feelings for the amnesiac man on her couch. This tight, focused point of view ensures that even in a short format, the character development feels meaningful and the emotional arc is deeply satisfying.

Themes and Deeper Meaning

Beneath its fun and steamy surface, Hot for Slayer playfully explores the theme of identity and the roles we are assigned. The amnesia trope serves as a brilliant narrative device, stripping Lazlo of his identity as a "slayer" and allowing Ethel to see the person underneath the label. The story asks, are we defined by our history and our titles, or can we become someone new? It suggests that the animosity between the two was as much a product of their predetermined roles as it was of personal feeling. This exploration of breaking free from expectations is a subtle yet powerful undercurrent in the story.

Furthermore, the novella is a masterclass in the power of vulnerability. By losing his memory, Lazlo is rendered completely vulnerable, forcing Ethel to drop her own heavily fortified emotional walls. Their relationship can only begin when the power dynamics are completely upended and both are forced to engage with each other on a purely human (or, well, vampire-and-human-ish) level. This idea that true connection requires shedding our armour is a timeless romantic theme, and Hazelwood gives it a fresh, supernatural twist. It’s a concept that resonates in many great love stories, including those we discussed in our review of Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.

Strengths

The greatest strength of Hot for Slayer is its perfect execution of a high-concept premise. Ali Hazelwood takes the classic enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes and injects them with a shot of pure, unadulterated fun. The chemistry between Ethel and Lazlo is the heart and soul of the story, a simmering, slow-burn tension that is both incredibly sexy and genuinely sweet. For a novella, the emotional payoff is immense, and readers will find themselves fiercely rooting for this unlikely pair.

The humour is another standout element. The story is genuinely funny, deriving its comedy from the absurdity of the situation and the characters' reactions to it. The image of a legendary vampire slayer being domesticated by sudoku and couch-surfing is a comedic goldmine that Hazelwood exploits to full effect. Additionally, the decision to launch the Scared Sexy collection with this story is brilliant. It perfectly sets the tone for a series of Halloween-themed romances that are designed to be devoured in a single sitting, offering a perfect blend of chills and heat that is ideal for the season. This kind of trope-tastic fun is something we always appreciate, as mentioned in our review of The Fine Print by Lauren Asher.

Areas for Improvement

The very nature of a novella means that some readers may be left wanting more. At just 94 pages, Hot for Slayer is a whirlwind romance, and the speed of the plot development might feel too fast for those who prefer long, drawn-out slow burns. The world-building, while perfectly sufficient for a short story, is understandably lean. We get tantalizing glimpses of the wider supernatural world and the history of the slayer-vampire conflict, but the focus remains tightly on the central romance. Readers hoping for an epic, sprawling paranormal saga with intricate lore will need to adjust their expectations for this delicious, bite-sized treat.

Additionally, the resolution of the central conflict relies heavily on the amnesia trope, which, while executed brilliantly here, can be a divisive plot device for some romance readers. The ease with which centuries of animosity are overcome might feel a touch convenient. However, this is a critique of the novella format's constraints rather than a flaw in Hazelwood's storytelling. Within the space she has, she delivers a complete and satisfying arc that prioritizes romantic development over complex world-building.

Comparative Analysis

Hot for Slayer is a fantastic entry point into the world of paranormal romance (PNR) for fans of Hazelwood’s contemporary work. It blends the witty, character-driven style of her STEM romances with classic supernatural tropes. The dynamic of a powerful, ancient female vampire and a human man will delight fans of From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout, though Hazelwood’s take is significantly more lighthearted and comedic. The enemies-to-lovers tension and forced proximity setup share a similar addictive quality with Sarah J. Maas’s iconic A Court of Thorns and Roses, but condensed into a quick, steamy read.

Perhaps the most apt comparison within the comedic PNR space is Casey McQuiston’s I Kissed Shara Wheeler if it were paranormal; both authors share a knack for sharp dialogue and creating lovable, quirky characters. Hot for Slayer ultimately carves its own unique niche: a Hazelwood rom-com with fangs. It proves that the author's beloved formula—a smart, capable heroine and a devoted, slightly clueless hero—works just as well in a Manhattan apartment with a vampire as it does in a university science lab.

Target Audience

This novella is a perfect read for the massive existing fanbase of Ali Hazelwood. Anyone who adores her witty, steamy, and heartfelt writing style will be thrilled to see her apply it to the paranormal genre. It is also an ideal choice for contemporary romance readers who are "paranormal-curious" but might be intimidated by dense, high-fantasy series. Fans of popular romance tropes, including enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and amnesia, will find this to be a supremely satisfying snack.

Content Warnings: The story is a steamy romance with several open-door scenes. It contains themes of violence inherent to the vampire/slayer premise, but the tone remains largely light and comedic.

Personal Impact

Reading Hot for Slayer was like enjoying a perfect piece of Halloween candy: sweet, a little spicy, and utterly addictive. As a long-time fan of Ali Hazelwood, I was excited to see her venture into a new genre, and she did not disappoint. The story was a delightful escape, a perfect blend of the paranormal romance I grew up loving and the smart, funny contemporary voice I adore today. It left me with a huge smile on my face and an immediate desire to read the rest of the Scared Sexy collection.

Conclusion

Hot for Slayer is a roaring success and an unforgettable start to the Scared Sexy collection. Ali Hazelwood has crafted a paranormal romance that is bursting with her signature wit, charm, and heat. This novella is a testament to the power of a well-executed trope, offering a fresh, funny, and deeply romantic take on the age-old enemies-to-lovers tale. It is a must-read for fans of the author and a perfect, bite-sized treat for anyone looking for a spooky, sexy, and swoon-worthy escape.

Click here to pre-order your copy of Hot for Slayer on Amazon.

Can't get enough of love stories with a twist? Continue your reading journey by exploring our full category of romance book recommendations.

About the Author

Ali Hazelwood is the #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of contemporary romance novels, known for her smash hit The Love Hypothesis. Originally from Italy, she pursued a Ph.D. in neuroscience and worked as a professor before becoming a full-time writer. Her books are beloved for their witty humor, women in STEM heroines, and swoon-worthy romances. When not writing, she can be found crocheting, watching sci-fi movies, and being ruled by her cats. With her latest foray into paranormal romance, she continues to enchant readers across the globe.

For more, visit Ali Hazelwood's Official Website, connect with her on Goodreads, or find her on Instagram.

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FAQ Section

1. Is Hot for Slayer a full-length novel? No, Hot for Slayer is a novella, approximately 94 pages long. It's designed to be a short, quick read.

2. Is this book part of a series? Yes, it is the first installment in the Scared Sexy collection, a series of standalone Halloween-themed romance novellas by various authors. You can read it without needing to read any others.

3. What tropes are featured in Hot for Slayer? The main tropes are enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity (roommates), the amnesia trope, and paranormal romance (vampire/slayer). For more trope-filled fun, check out our review of Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey.

4. What is the spice level? The book is a steamy romance with several open-door scenes. Ali Hazelwood's novels are known for their blend of sweet romance and explicit content.

5. Is this book a Young Adult (YA) or Adult romance? Hot for Slayer is an adult paranormal romance and is intended for readers 18 and over due to its explicit content.

6. Does the story have a Happily Ever After (HEA)? Yes, the novella provides a satisfying HEA for the main characters, a staple of the romance genre.

7. How is this book different from Ali Hazelwood's other works? While it contains her signature witty voice and character dynamics, this is a paranormal romance, a departure from her usual contemporary STEM-focused settings like in The Love Hypothesis. If you enjoy her contemporary work, our review of Twisted Love by Ana Huang might also be of interest.

8. When will Hot for Slayer be released? The novella is set to be published on September 23, 2025.

9. Who are the main characters? The story centers on Ethel, an ancient vampire living in modern-day Manhattan, and Lazlo Enyedi, her sworn enemy and a vampire slayer who loses his memory.

10. What is the Scared Sexy collection? Scared Sexy is a multi-author collection of deliciously dark and steamy standalone novellas, all centered around Halloween and things that go bump in the night. Each story is designed to be a quick, spooky, and sexy treat. For another emotional rollercoaster, see our review of It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover.