OMG I can't believe I thought this would be a superhero novel looooolllll this is a monster romance novel!! Classic Elizabeth Stephens, with hot aliens, humans overcoming their emotional weaknesses, intensely readable plotlines, and amazing action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. I just with there was more of a romance arc in this one. Like, the only connection they had besides their alien instalove thing was "my boyfriend called me a bitch because he knows I'm strong enough to handle it." WHAT.... girl, anyways. But I enjoyed her backstory and personal development enough to overcome it and I enjoyed the book immensely!

Thank you to Netgalley, Montlake, and Elizabeth Stephens for giving me the chance to read this ARC!


Review:

Wow okay, as someone who really liked the theming of The Boys, I thought this was super fun! I really enjoyed the plot line (though I'd love to see the world flushed out a bit further in the next books) and I loved the main + side characters.

Vanessa? My baby. I related deeply to her as an anxious girl myself. My empathetic heart cried for her and her trauma, she really does need a hug. I really loved how deeply she loved Roland, especially when he's in his true form (monster girls, stand up). I enjoyed her POV through this book and I really hope to see her more in the next books that the author puts out in this universe.

Roland, another man that I'm obsessed with. He's obsessed, angry, and an alien? Yeah I was sold. Did I mention that I also love a man who growls? (Or maybe that's just the monster f***er in me). I really liked Roland honestly, I thought it was sweet how protective he was of Vanessa in his own kind of way. He was kind of terrible at first but after awhile? I kind of just wanted to give him a hug too.

Going through the tropes:

Fake dating? I'm sold.

Enemies to lovers?? Yepppppppp

Fated Mates? - YESSSS

"My wife" - MAN I WAS FANNING MYSELF

I love them, I love this book. I laughed, I blushed, I cried. I also thought it was a very fun read and super underrated, I think everyone should read it. Roland and Vanessa are one of my favorite couples now and I highly encourage everyone to read this book. Another highlight to convince you? The REPRESENTATION. God it made me so happy.


Blurb: He’s a villain looking for a hero rebrand. She’s the marketing genius who can make it happen in this fantastical romantic comedy by the author of the Beasts of Gatamora series.

Over two decades ago, forty-eight young, gifted superheroes fell to Earth and were eventually marketed as opposing heroes and villains. Now, one exceptionally gruff bad guy is looking to hop teams. Hello, PR director Vanessa Theriot.

His real name is Roland Casteel a.k.a. the Pyro. First, swap that with the less incinerating the Wyvern. Next, put him in spandex to highlight that near-godlike body. Finally, give that hero in training a heroine—if Vanessa will play the part in a pretend romance guaranteed to make the city swoon. She’s game. As shy as Vanessa is, it’s her job to be Roland’s very own Lois Lane. Who knew that fake dating would change their worlds?

But falling head over heels for real makes for a dangerous shift in the narrative. A monstrous supervillain is bringing out Roland’s bad side again. This time, it’s to save a woman who, against all the odds, is becoming the human love of his superhero life.

Y’all one of my most anticipated releases is HERE and it’s EVERYTHINGGG. Fake dating but make it an introverted PR director and a very rough around the edges bad guy (hoping to turn good guy) enter a PR stunt relationship to clean up his image??? Oh yeah, sign me up 😤

If you are a fan of The Boys, Marvel, or Roswell New Mexico, this is the book for you!!! Omg I just loved how unique this storyline!! Like Aliens meet Superhero meets Monster meets Rom Com. This book is full of action and twists and will keep you thoroughly invested through each page. Also the diversity and found family in this book is so incredible. THIS is what we need y’all. Representation in meaningful and intentional ways will win for me every time!

I got to listen to an advanced listener copy and y’all. THE NARRATORS👏🏽 HIT👏🏽DIFFERENT 👏🏽I’m telling you when I first heard Roland speak I had to pause and collect myself 🥵Not to mention that Roland’s character is so deliciously down bad for our girl Vanessa 🤌🏽 like talk about big simpin’ and I ate it UPPP. Elizabeth Stephens always has a way of giving us MMC’s who are completely obsessed with their girl and gives us the yearning that we need!!! Vanessa and Roland together was pure magic and I just love them so much 😍🥹

I absolutely adored Vanessa. Like please protect my girl at all cost. I loved her intelligence and seeing the way she worked through her anxiety and shyness. One of my favorite parts of the story was also Vanessa’s family dynamic and getting to learn about her past 🥹

This book is full of moments that will make you swoon, laugh, and have you on the edge of your seat

The world-building was good. I could also appreciate the commentary on how easily people/beings can be labeled as evil vs good.And oftentimes, that labeling can be dangerous. You also get a strong sense of found family through adoption and friendship. All good things, but the backend and the handling of the PTSD were a bit clunky for me.

I loved how grumpy Roland is and I enjoyed watching him try to navigate his feelings for Vanessa. Vanessa's family is also a great additional to the overall storyline. I am looking forward to the other books in the series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

I have devoured everything Elizabeth Stephens has written and this book was no different! I was hooked from the very first page. I loved the twist on the superhero theme and that Roland wasn't all "hero" or all "villain". My favorite trope is quickly becoming I'm only soft/good for or because of her and Elizabeth is the queen at giving that to us! I also appreciate that Vanessa was able to be a shy and slightly awkward FMC wasn't relegated into the role of 'strong, uber independent, Black corporate woman'. I also loved that the side characters had a feeling of being fully formed. I wanted more of them because I loved them so much! I NEEED Marjorie and Charlie to have their own novela or something because I need them to end up together. Speaking of Marjorie, there is fantastic representation in this book, of all kinds, and it doesn't feel like the author is just checking off a diversity checklist. You can tell that the representation she chose for this book was intentional, but in a way that feels like it's the way she sees the world and as a way to honor those communities. I absolutely need more in this series and we all need more books like this from authors like Elizabeth!

Elizabeth Stephen’s is one of my favorite romance authors to date. Not enough people tackle this cheesy superhero trope and it is honestly one of my favorites, Stephens’ writing style is transportive and so immersive. This title delivered in chemistry and character development between our protagonists on such a unique backdrop. It’s adventurous and romantic, a combo we need more of in romance. The genre is so diverse and Stephens always comes through with dynamic characters and stellar pacing.

I won’t lie, I LOVE superhero movies and books. This was no exception. I love a villain. To me, they aren’t villains—they’re just misunderstood… and in most cases, they’re correct (even if I disagree with their methods. LOL)

Stephens had me with the cover, title, and synopsis. I absolutely loved Roland and Vanessa. Canessa had my heart. I would have loved to get a little more of her backstory; it would have helped explain why Nessa was the way she was. It’s alluded to, at times, but not in detail. Roland’s wanting to become a hero after being deemed a villain was fun. Now, in fairness, he did ALL the things he was accused of… ALL OF THEM! However, there was good in him. He just needed the right person to bring it out of him. The way he advocated for her, sigh… just melted my heart. I also loved her family (especially her found family). I appreciated and loved Roland’s interaction with her family. This had exceptional representation.

There is a much bigger plot at hand than the romance, not to say the romance aspect is secondary; however, the larger plot is interesting, and I anticipate it becoming more developed and intriguing as the series progresses. Book two is set to release on November 25 of this year, and I’m excited. It’s going to be about a new couple, but I’m hoping to see Vanessa and Roland in this.

If you’re going through a reading rut like I was, this will absolutely get you out of it. (If you notice at least five to six days between posts, it’s because I couldn’t find something that sparked my interest. I’ll start a book, give it about 30%. If it doesn’t make me want to know more, I’ll move on). This not only got me out of my rut, but it also got me into more of Stephens’ work. This definitely has re-readability for me, and I love that.

All Superheroes Need PR is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you don’t want to use Amazon (I get it!), you can request it from your local library. If they don’t have it, you can request that they buy it. If you want to own it, support your local indie bookstore.

I read this ARC the day it became available here. Elizabeth is an auto buy author and it's another one! Loved this story!

Vanessa is a PR maven with anxiety and Roland is a gifted alien who grew up on Earth after landing here 20 years ago with 47 others. He needs a rebrand as a hero but it's complicated because the feelings sparking between them. Roland falls first and hard and is delighted to be a hero for her and a villain to everyone else, if necessary.

I loved watching Vanessa become more confident being herself, living out loud. Knowing someone has your back can really do wonders for your faith in yourself and the world. Roland is so alien and his willingness to learn what she needs is lovely. The spice is spicy and the action actions! Great story, can't wait for book 2 which comes out in November 2025.

OMG this was so fun. Read it in a day. I love that even though I didn’t necessarily relate to the characters, I could see them and know people like that so it was fun to relate. Super cute. Sassy. The banter. Also this cover?? Too much adorable.

This book is delightful and unexpected in the best way. Do you think his story is going one way and then turns and twist in a magnificently entertaining way. The chemistry between the two main characters is fantastic and the world that has been created is fun and thoroughly enjoyable.

Give me all the "touch her and ☠️", but make it Superheroes with a bit of contract confusion thrown in (wait, I signed WHAT?). This is perfection and I cannot wait to read book 2. I've been a fan of Elizabeth's writing for awhile now and love that she's breaking into new markets with a trad published, contemporary sci-fi romance. You won't be disappointed.

I first read Elizabeth Stephen's alien romance and as a Marvel fan was excited to see a superhero romance coming. It took me two tries to get into this book but when it captured me I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next one.

I love superheroes. And i love superhero novels. Which meant a superhero romance novel was right up my alley. And I was so right!

I thought this book was so FUN! I had a great time reading it. The world building was super interesting, and I loved Vanessa and rollo! I’m immediately heading to Stephens’ backlist to read more!

Another 5 star read from Elizabeth Stephens!

I’m so so happy I had the amazing opportunity to read the ARC for All Superhero’s Need PR!

Elizabeth Stephens quickly became one of my favorite authors when I first read the Xiveri Mates book Series! After reading the synopsis for this book I was so excited to read it, and I absolutely LOVED it!

The chemistry between Vanessa and Roland was so amazing. I couldn’t stop reading because between the romance, and action I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next.

Reading how both Vanessa and Roland grow throughout the book also made me smile, and I rooted for them from when they first met. And omg the twists had me shook! Elizabeth Stephens writing makes me feel like I can vividly imagine the action packed scenes, and I can understand how the characters feel. Reading how Vanessa and Roland help each other overcome things, and how their romance blossoms made me happy squeal. 🥰

I highly recommend reading All Superhero’s Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens! I also recommend reading all of Elizabeth Stephens books because her world building is awesome, her characters have so much depth, and the romance is always incredible! I’m so excited to read what’s next by Elizabeth Stephens!! ❤️

DNF at 25 percent.

I disliked everything about the book. The main female character acts like a naive child who has to be told what to do every second of every day, despite being 34 years old and somehow the CEO of her own PR company. She's scared of her own shadow, and yet she's in charge? Please.

Her backstory is murky and I don't understand any of it. So she got placed with her foster family at age 10, but somehow her bio dad is married to her foster mother? Where was he when she was placed with her? Does she even share blood with any of her siblings? They have another bio dad, but FMC's bio dad and the foster mother are married.... And her foster mother had a child a year after FMC was placed there. Who's the father? What is her father doing there in this foster/adoptive home? Where was he when she placed him there? She has a bio-grandfather who was mentioned once. But why did she have to be placed in a foster family in the first place? No idea. If this is explained later, great, but I'm not sticking around to find out.

The writing is dense, it slows down the plot, and I can barely get through it. We're in the middle of the scene, and someone asks her a question, and instead of answering or moving the scene along, she starts to describe the room they're in with every little detail. Or there's a surprise flashback that has nothing to do with the scene, and when we get back to the present, I already forget what was happening in the present. It's frustrating, and I can't get through it.

Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher, for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun book to read, I was left a bit confused at first, but that did not last long. I cannot compare this to anything else, it was so different to other stuff I have read. i really enjoyed it.

Holy F-balls this book is fantastic! So much fun, a smidge dark, and hot AF. This book is for anyone whose brain wanders off during superhero/villain movies and thinks things like “what that tongue do” during Venom movies. 😏 The world building is top notch and I can’t wait to read the next book.

I read this one with my eyeballs but am I about to start an immediate re-read in audio? All signs point to yes!

**I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This was a really hard book to rate. In the beginning I had no idea what was happening. Why is the FMC falling and being clumsy with the wrong people? How can they put a fake dating clause over the owner of the company?
Once I got the context of Vanessa's thoughts, it was easier to understand. Then we meet the 'hero' who spoke in short sentences. I get he's an alien, but he was pretty rude most of the time.
The sex scenes were hot, and I liked the world building. Both characters had quite sad pasts.
I can see the potential for more books, it just lacked a little something, but I'm unsure what that is.
3.5 stars