Serial Killer Neighbor Suspicions

Toby, a socially awkward, potato-chip-loving writer of dark paranormal romance, becomes obsessed with his mysterious, hot neighbor, Dexter. Toby's overactive imagination and penchant for researching gruesome details for his books lead him to believe Dexter might be a serial killer. Dexter, meanwhile, is amused and intrigued by Toby's antics and questions, especially when Toby asks about bleeding out and dismemberment. Their interactions are laced with awkwardness, humor, and a growing, mutual curiosity. Toby's friends, Josh and Sebbie, provide comic relief and support, but Toby's fixation on Dexter only intensifies, especially as odd events and Dexter's strange knowledge fuel his suspicions.

Hellhound's Deadly Night Job

Dexter's true nature is revealed to the reader: he is a hellhound, a supernatural being tasked with hunting and destroying truly evil, hellbound humans. His nights are spent torturing and incinerating abusers, traffickers, and murderers, all while keeping his monstrous side hidden from the mortal world. Dexter's sense of justice is absolute, and his methods are brutal but reserved for those beyond redemption. Despite his darkness, Dexter feels a growing protectiveness toward Toby, whom he begins to see as "pack." His supernatural instincts and abilities—strength, fire, and healing—are hinted at, as is his struggle to interact with humans in a normal way.

Awkward Flirting and First Contact

Toby and Dexter's relationship deepens through a series of awkward, darkly humorous exchanges about murder methods and blood loss, which Toby frames as "book research." Dexter, both amused and charmed, provides disturbingly accurate answers, further fueling Toby's suspicions and attraction. Their banter is laced with sexual tension, and Dexter's protectiveness grows as he senses Toby's vulnerability. When Toby's stalker begins to escalate, Dexter's instincts kick in, and he starts to insert himself more directly into Toby's life, under the guise of neighborly concern and helpfulness.

Stalker Emails and Rising Fear

Toby's life takes a dark turn as he receives increasingly disturbing emails and messages from a stalker who is obsessed with his books and personal life. The stalker's fixation escalates from online harassment to veiled threats and physical mail, making Toby feel unsafe in his own home. Despite his attempts to rationalize and downplay the danger, Toby's anxiety spirals. He confides in his PA, Amy, and his friends, but the police offer little help. The sense of isolation and fear grows, and Dexter's role as protector becomes more pronounced.

Protective Instincts Awaken

Dexter's supernatural instincts to protect Toby intensify as he senses the real threat posed by the stalker. He installs security measures, consults his hellhound "pack" (his found family of other hellhounds), and begins to surveil Toby more closely. Dexter's awkward attempts at human courtship—returning hammers, bringing coffee, fixing house numbers—are both endearing and slightly stalkerish themselves. The hellhound pack, including Jude (the social one) and Corbin (the witchy one), begin to converge on Paradise Falls, drawn by Dexter's attachment and the town's supernatural energy.

Kisses, Blood, and Inspiration

The tension between Toby and Dexter finally erupts into passionate kisses and sexual encounters, often inspired by their macabre conversations. Dexter's supernatural nature seeps through—his heat, strength, and odd habits—though Toby rationalizes or ignores the signs. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Dexter's answers to Toby's grisly questions provide both inspiration for Toby's writing and a unique form of flirting. As their relationship deepens, so does the threat from the stalker, and Dexter's need to protect Toby becomes all-consuming.

Pack Dynamics and New Home

Dexter's pack arrives in Paradise Falls, each bringing their own quirks and supernatural abilities. Jude is friendly and human-savvy; Corbin is mysterious and connected to crows; Liam is a tech genius; Atlas is feral and dangerous. The pack decides to make Paradise Falls their new home, buying up property and establishing a base. Their presence provides both comic relief and a formidable line of defense for Toby. The pack's dynamic is loving but chaotic, and their attempts to blend in with humans are often hilariously awkward.

Stalker Escalates, Security Tightens

The stalker's obsession escalates to physical surveillance, sending bugged flowers and attempting to breach Toby's home. Dexter and his pack intercept the threats, using both supernatural and technological means to track the stalker's movements. The hellhounds' protective measures—cameras, motion sensors, and literal hellhound patrols—turn Toby's home into a fortress. Despite the danger, Toby finds comfort and safety in Dexter's presence, and their relationship becomes more intimate and trusting.

Hellhound Research and Human Connection

After a series of supernatural slip-ups—glowing eyes, fire, and inhuman strength—Toby finally confronts Dexter about his true nature. With the help of the pack, Dexter reveals that he and his "brothers" are hellhounds, supernatural beings who hunt evil souls. Toby, a lifelong fan of paranormal fiction, takes the revelation in stride, more fascinated than frightened. The two bond over their shared weirdness, and Toby's acceptance cements their connection. The pack welcomes Toby as family, and the lines between human and supernatural blur.

The Stalker's Trap

The stalker, now desperate and unhinged, breaks into Toby's home with a gun. Dexter, sensing the danger, confronts the stalker and takes a bullet to the head to protect Toby. Believing Dexter dead, Toby flees into the woods, pursued by the stalker. The hellhound pack mobilizes, and Atlas, the most feral of the group, intercepts the stalker. Dexter, having survived the gunshot thanks to his supernatural healing, recovers and reunites with Toby, who is traumatized but safe. The stalker is captured and delivered to hellhound justice.

Hellhound Showdown in the Woods

The stalker is subjected to hellhound interrogation and punishment, revealing the fate of a previous victim. The pack rescues the other captive, Aiden, and ensures he receives care and a new home. The hellhounds' brand of justice is brutal but reserved for the truly irredeemable. Toby witnesses the aftermath and is both horrified and grateful, recognizing the necessity of supernatural intervention in a world where human systems fail. The experience bonds Toby and Dexter even more deeply.

Aftermath, Healing, and Love

In the aftermath, Toby and Dexter focus on healing—physically, emotionally, and relationally. Toby confesses his love, and Dexter reciprocates, revealing the supernatural "marking" that binds their souls together. The pack supports their recovery, and the rescued human, Aiden, is placed with other survivors. The threat is gone, but the trauma lingers, and the couple navigates the complexities of a human-hellhound relationship. The promise of forever is made literal by their supernatural bond.

Hellhound Family and Forever Bond

With the stalker gone and the pack settled in Paradise Falls, Toby and Dexter embrace their new life together. The hellhound family expands, and Toby is fully integrated into their world. The supernatural and mundane blend seamlessly—writing, love, pack dinners, and the occasional hellhound hunt. The story ends with a sense of hope, humor, and enduring love, as Toby and Dexter look forward to their forever together, surrounded by their found family and the promise of more adventures to come.

Characters

Toby

Toby is a socially awkward, darkly humorous author of paranormal romance who copes with anxiety through humor, snacks, and wild imagination. His tendency to catastrophize and create elaborate backstories for everyone around him is both his greatest strength and source of trouble. Toby's relationships—with friends, his PA, and eventually Dexter—are marked by loyalty, vulnerability, and a need for reassurance. His psychological journey is one from isolation and fear to trust, love, and belonging. Toby's acceptance of the supernatural is rooted in his lifelong love of fantasy, and his ability to see the good in Dexter's darkness is what ultimately saves them both.

Dexter

Dexter is a hellhound—a supernatural being tasked with hunting and destroying evil souls. Outwardly intimidating, with glowing eyes, tattoos, and a brooding presence, Dexter is internally awkward, earnest, and deeply protective. His sense of justice is absolute, and his violence is reserved for the irredeemably wicked. Dexter's struggle to connect with humans is offset by his fierce loyalty to his "pack" and his growing love for Toby. Psychologically, Dexter is torn between his monstrous instincts and his desire for normalcy and connection. His development is marked by vulnerability, learning to love, and embracing his own humanity through Toby.

Jude

Jude is the most socially adept of the hellhound pack, having grown up among humans. He serves as a bridge between the supernatural and mortal worlds, offering advice, comic relief, and emotional support. Jude's easygoing nature masks a deep loyalty and a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect his family. He is the "golden retriever" of the group, always ready with a joke or a Beatles reference, and he helps both Dexter and Toby navigate the complexities of their relationship.

Corbin

Corbin is a hellhound with witch blood, giving him unique abilities and a deep connection to nature—especially crows and ravens. He is quiet, mysterious, and often lost in his own world, but his insights are invaluable. Corbin's presence brings a sense of magic and otherworldliness to the pack, and his oddities are both endearing and unsettling. He is fiercely protective and serves as a spiritual anchor for the group.

Liam

Liam is the pack's hacker and information specialist, using technology to track threats, protect the pack, and monitor the world for evil. He is methodical, slightly aloof, and deeply committed to his family's safety. Liam's psychological profile is that of a watcher—always alert, always planning, and sometimes struggling to connect emotionally. His role is crucial in unraveling the stalker's identity and ensuring the safety of both humans and hellhounds.

Atlas

Atlas is the most feral and dangerous of the hellhounds, preferring his monstrous form and rarely speaking. He is a force of nature—brutal, efficient, and unflinching in his pursuit of justice. Despite his wildness, Atlas is loyal to the pack and plays a key role in saving Toby from the stalker. His psychological makeup is shaped by trauma and isolation, but his actions reveal a deep, if wordless, care for his family.

Josh

Josh is Toby's best friend, providing comic relief, reality checks, and emotional support. He is practical, skeptical, and sometimes exasperated by Toby's imagination, but his loyalty is unwavering. Josh's own struggles with a toxic relationship add depth to his character, and his friendship with Toby is a source of strength for both.

Sebbie

Sebbie is another of Toby's close friends, known for his bad luck and cheerful disposition. He is supportive, quick to laugh, and always ready to help, even as he deals with his own romantic misfortunes. Sebbie's presence adds warmth and levity to the story, and his friendship with Toby and Josh is a model of chosen family.

Amy

Amy is Toby's personal assistant, managing his professional life and acting as a buffer between him and the darker side of fandom. She is practical, no-nonsense, and fiercely protective, handling stalker threats and police reports with calm efficiency. Amy's role is crucial in keeping Toby safe and grounded.

The Stalker (Bradley)

Bradley is the embodiment of toxic fandom and obsession, escalating from online harassment to physical violence. His psychological profile is one of entitlement, delusion, and escalating violence. He serves as both a real-world and supernatural threat, forcing Toby and Dexter to confront the limits of human and hellhound justice.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Alternating Narration

The novel alternates between Toby's and Dexter's points of view, allowing readers to experience both the mundane anxieties of a human and the supernatural instincts of a hellhound. This structure creates dramatic irony, humor, and emotional depth, as each character's misunderstandings and vulnerabilities are laid bare. The dual POV also allows for a nuanced exploration of fear, desire, and the intersection of human and monster.

Humor and Macabre Flirtation

The story uses humor—especially in the form of awkward flirting about murder, dismemberment, and torture—to balance the darker themes of violence and trauma. This device makes the romance both unique and endearing, allowing readers to laugh even as the stakes rise. The macabre becomes a love language, and the absurdity of discussing blood loss as foreplay is both a running joke and a symbol of the couple's compatibility.

Found Family and Pack Structure

The hellhound pack serves as a found family for both Dexter and, eventually, Toby. Their dynamic—loving, chaotic, and fiercely loyal—contrasts with Toby's isolation and the threat of the stalker. The pack's arrival marks a turning point in the story, providing both physical protection and emotional support. The found family theme is reinforced through repeated acts of care, rescue, and acceptance.

Foreshadowing and Supernatural Clues

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing—glowing eyes, unexplained strength, fire, and odd behavior—that gradually reveal Dexter's supernatural identity. Toby's writerly imagination and research provide a plausible cover for these clues, delaying the revelation and heightening suspense. The eventual reveal is both satisfying and organic, as the pieces fall into place for both characters and readers.

Marking and Supernatural Bond

The concept of "marking" and supernatural mating is used to literalize the romance's stakes. When Dexter marks Toby, their souls are bound, granting them a form of immortality together. This device transforms the romance from a fleeting human affair to an eternal, supernatural bond, raising questions about mortality, belonging, and the nature of love.

Analysis

How to Flirt with a Hellhound is a darkly comedic, queer paranormal romance that subverts both the serial killer thriller and the monster romance genres. At its heart, the novel is about the transformative power of love and found family in the face of trauma, isolation, and real-world danger. By blending humor, horror, and heartfelt romance, Shannon Mae explores the ways in which our darkest fears and fantasies can become sources of connection and healing. The story's use of supernatural justice—hellhounds hunting evil—serves as both wish fulfillment and a commentary on the failures of human systems to protect the vulnerable. Toby and Dexter's relationship, built on mutual weirdness, vulnerability, and acceptance, offers a model of queer love that is both fantastical and deeply relatable. The novel's ultimate message is that true safety and belonging are found not in perfection or normalcy, but in the willingness to embrace each other's darkness and light, to laugh in the face of fear, and to choose each other—forever.

Last updated: July 29, 2025