I am unsure how Vanessa managed to get through this book. Her inability to walk, talk, or breathe without tripping and falling should be studied. This book will contain lots of heavy topics manages to balance them with humor well. Elizabeth Stephens loves writing complex female characters in complex environments. My absolute favorite parts of this book was anytime the brothers were on page. I enjoyed that family component more than the actual romance. I look forward to the next book in the series to see how some of the elements playout.

5/5 stars – 2 chili peppers – 48 supers



‘You either talk to her with the respect she deserves, or I will kill you. I may be a hero, but I’m only a hero for her. For you, I can be a villain just fine.”



TROPES TRIGGERS

-poc rep -child abuse in flashbacks/memories

-lgbtqia+ rep -extreme social anxiety

-fake dating -kidnapping

-grumpy x shy

-touch her and die

-burn down the world for her

-social anxiety fmc

-found/adopted family

-superman x lois lane

-superheros and supervillains



When I tell you that I ate this up in one sitting! This has been one of the best books I have read in months and it will definitely be going in my top books of the year! From the very first chapter, I was hooked. How are you not immediately invested in a PR firm doing a rebrand for a supervillain?! Its such a cool and fun concept!



We start off with Vanessa, our fmc, basically having a full blown panic attack about pitching a new persona for Pyro, the supervillain turning superhero. We quickly find out that while she has a lot of ideas, she struggles with public speaking and having any attention on her. Turns out that her anxiety was well deserved, since Pyro has an immediate hatred towards her. After going out to commiserate with her staff after a disastrous marketing pitch, she gets a little tipsy and has a run in with a man at the bar who gets a little handsy. Needless to say, Pyro ends up interfering and gets Vanessa back to her parents house. Pyro decides that he is willing to go along with her original PR campaign as long as Vanessa is the one who pretends to be his “Lois Lane” and becomes his fake girlfriend. Pyro becomes Wyvern (aka Roland) and is immediately put into PR bootcamp.



The chemistry between Roland and Vanessa is so good! There is such great banter between the two of them and things get very intense. I loved watching the growth of both Nessa and Roland. Nessa coming into her own, learning to stand up for herself and gaining self confidence was so great to see. And I loved seeing Roland constantly trying to be the hero that he knows Nessa needs him to be instead of the villain that he has always been. I really hope that Elizabeth ends up making this into a series. There is so much potential for this to be such a fun universe! I really hope we end up seeing something happen between her brother Charlie and Margerie. They are so cute together.



I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who is wanting a fun, quick read with a really unique plot!



Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review!

Fake dating
He falls first
Absolutely Feral MMC
GOOD GIRL
MONSTER PEEN

I was absolutely unprepared for the monster peen /knotting so I wanna be upfront about that for you 🤭🤭

Overall, this delivered way more than I thought it would?? I was expecting spicy rom com with a superhero twist, and it's absolutely that but also- the action!! the sci-fi!! the subplot!! a badass FMC who overcomes negative self talk!!

The ending felt a little rushed to me, and it's NOT insta- love, but I still wanted a little more tension and GROVELLING before the forgiveness and ilys
The FMC'S inner monologue (her mother's past beratement) was triggering for me so ultimately stopped this from being a 5 star reread, but I might just be a sensitive bean 💞
Thanks to Elizabeth Stephens and Montlake for this ARC just for signing up for her newsletter!! like what?! Running to KU to read her other books now

4.5
Touch her and die
Who did this to you?!
Grumpy growling superhero
Workplace
Spicy
"good girl"
Alien hormones

Have you watched "the boys"?! I totally got those bad ass vibes from this! Alien superheroes+ a bad ass relatable FMC. Rolo aka the wyvern 🫠 had me in a puddle multiple times. I was laughing out loud on multiple occasions.

And the side characters!! Loved them all so much I hope this turns into a series. There was loads of representation in this book as well. Definitely a favorite of the month!

Thank you to Brilliance for the arc

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an e-Arc copy in exchange for an honest review

Phenomenal Premise - Morally Grey superhuman/alien 'Pyro' approaches a PR company to be potentially rebranded as a Hero "Wyvern", complete with Fake Dating and shenanigans.

2.5 ⭐

NGL I feel kind of catfished by the cover—it's adorable! I thought I was getting a cute, romantic maybe even Clark Kent / Lois Lane-style rom-com, instead of alien knot sex / good girl talk
The whole book felt like a comic book pitch that never quite made the jump to a satisfying novel. It has its fun moments, sure, but often leans into the awkward moments. The deeper you go, the more it loses track of its genre identity, like it forgot what kind of setting it was in halfway through.

I really disliked how the FMC loses any sense of agency or growth thanks to a super controlling MMC. It reeks of “fated mates” energy without ever explicitly saying it. The story calls her a badass, but I didn't feel it. The scene where she doesn't speak up about a stranger touching her boob. I couldn't.

The initial plot moves to quickly that it was difficult to tell what was happening. He backs her into a table and than says he hates her? And that wine-vomit scene? I had second-hand embarrassment. Some of the dialogue was so awkward it made me cringe out of my skin.

That said, the representation was solid, and I appreciated the effort to diversify the cast. I just wish it had been in a better, more cohesive story.

Maybe I'm too much of a independent angry woman to enjoy this - I may be the wrong demographic, as I don't read a whole lot of contemporary romance.

3.5/4

The story follows a shy CEO of PR company who has to represent and change the image of an alien with superpowers as a new superhero on earth. This was a very unique storyline and was a fun read. Loved the banter and the tension between the two characters at the beginning of the story.

I wish we got to see more of this story behind the Forty Eight (the aliens). We hear about Teranis and a few of the villains but there is a lot still going to that we don’t get to know about. I am sure this is a series and we will learn more as we get to meet more of the hero/villains in other books. But It’s hard to set up a a story with supernatural component in one book with so many questions and world building left at the end. The conflict at the end also all happened and was diffused very quickly.

I still really enjoyed the world that was set up and diverse cast of characters! I will definitely look out for other books in the series and learn more about their world.

Thanks to Netgalley & publisher for the ARC.

🌟 Book Review: All Superheroes Need PR by Cat Sebastian
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fun, spicy, and completely different kind of read! This book totally surprised me in the best way. It’s a quirky, heartfelt mix of fantasy and reality that somehow just works. Think superheroes, real-world emotions, and sizzling chemistry; all in one!

Pyro is the ultimate male hero: broody and caring at the same time. Honestly, I couldn’t get enough of him. His dynamic with Nessa was so engaging and full of tension, but also filled with softness and genuine connection.

What really stood out to me was the way this story handled mental health and healing from childhood trauma. It was done so thoughtfully, especially through Nessa’s character. I really felt for her, her struggles were so real and relatable, and her growth throughout the book made me emotional more than once. 🥺

Beautiful writing. It pulled me in right from the start and kept me completely hooked. And the audiobook was a fantastic experience too, the narration brought even more depth and spark to the characters.

If you’re in the mood for something fun, spicy, emotional, and unlike anything else you've read, All Superheroes Need PR is a must. 🔥🦸‍♂️

*2.75 stars*

The book is not terrible, but it didn't really do anything for me either. The premise was very interesting to me but the plot was weirdly developed and paced. First of all, I'm sorry, but there's too many irrelevant brothers here. I hated the family dynamic the FMC had - yes, lots of love and everything, but they're overprotective and infantilising and just very annoying to read (a curse jar? for people over 30? my Spanish brain cannot comprehend the concept of a swear jar).

Speaking of infantilising, the FMC got on my LAST nerve not even 30 pages in. I can't stand a character that is supposed to be an amazing girlboss queen strong independent woman, then is COMPLETELY dependant on the romantic interest for every single thing that happens in the book, and don't even get me started on the CEO of a company ACCEPTING a contract where she's reduced to a fake girlfriend. Plus, I'm tired of being fed a male romantic interest that is overprotective and lowkey DOESN'T RESPECT THE WOMAN'S WISHES but gets a free pass because he's doing it "for her".

Overall the book was pretty mediocre... the ending was kind of interesting but also very rushed, and the PR aspect that was supposed to spice up the story was virtually nonexistant. I'm giving an extra quarter star because the ending transformation was surprising for me, but that's it tbh. This book didn't need a fantasy element.

This book reminded me of the era of superhero movies of my childhood. Not Marvel or DC, but movies like Zoom, Sky High, with just a dash of The Boys. You've got fated mates, found family, and spandex. Who could ask for more?

Here's the thing, was I surprised with the way this ended? Yes. but I should've known since I have read other Elizabeth Stephens books. Like Jaw on the floor amazing. Love. I adored every little things about this.

4.5 stars

This was such fun! An interesting concept, and though it went in a slightly different direction than I thought it would, I really enjoyed the story.

The characters were interesting. Nessa was great. She's anxious and shy, but hilarious. Roland was moody but quickly became obsessed with Nessa.

Fake dating with superheroes? A totally enjoyable read!

I found the author on threads and was so excited for this book I let it jump my entire TBR the second I found out about it. The premise was cool! There’s lots of representation! but ultimately I didn’t like any of the characters and the main story fell super flat. The sex scenes did not make up for it either.

Its definitely a unique storyline. The narrators did a fanstatic job making the characters come to life along with the humor, chemistry and spice. The main female character is a little annoying to me as the author seems to give her every single awkward incident and encounter possible. The cast of characters is many and varies across all races and genders. The only problem I really had with the book is that the author seems to throw in every single possible trope and it overwhelms the underlying love story.

I loved All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens. From the moment I dove in, it had me hooked. The mix of humour, heart, and just the right amount of chaos made it impossible to put down. The characters are vibrant and relatable—especially the lead, who’s juggling everything with a perfect blend of wit and vulnerability. It’s that kind of story that makes you smile, laugh out loud, and genuinely root for everyone involved. I appreciate how it balances the superhero action with real-life PR madness, making it fresh and super fun. Honestly, it’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
And the audiobook version, narrated by Dara Brown and Sean Bassett, takes it to another level. Dara brings this lively energy to the female lead that fits so well, capturing all those quirky and heartfelt moments perfectly. Sean Bassett’s narration adds a great dynamic, giving the male characters a distinct voice that balances the story beautifully. Together, they make the characters feel even more real, and the back-and-forth between them adds extra sparkle to the whole experience. Listening to it felt like hanging out with friends who were just as invested in the wild, fun superhero world as I was.

*~* Most Creative Alien Concept *~*

I alternating reading and listening to this book and when Chapter 7 started on audio, I audibly squealed realizing 1. this book was a dual POV. & 2. The male narrator's voice was like velvet. Oh my goshhhhh. I felt like Elizabeth Stephens built this world in such a good way that never made me feel lost, but still had surprises at every turn. I loved Nessa and Rollo and their chemistry. Nessa was strong and Rollo was a protector and they truly brought out the very best in one another.

Thank you Net Galley, Montlake, and Elizabeth Stephens for an eARC of this story.

I loved what a unique and quirky premise this book had and the storyline did not disappoint! It gave me a bit of My Funny Demon Valentine vibes with the kick of supernatural and insta-love going on. Roland is the epitome of touch her and die vibes in an equally unhinged but almost endearing way? Vanessa is a fairly meek FMC with major anxiety and PTSD triggers but somehow manages to talk to/fight with/fall in love with our wild and unpredictable crazy alien superhero/villain/gray area MMC in Roland. There is a lot of them bringing out the best in each other and coming out stronger for it, with the support of the quirky side characters (my kingdom for a Margerie/Charlie storyline, even though I know that Monika is next). Roland’s POV chapters were my favorite, they really highlighted his hella gray morals but also how 100% gone for Nessa he was which makes their romance easy to root for. I felt almost protective of her throughout the initial story setup since we initially only got her POV for a bit, and seeing how purely Roland felt was exactly the right way to showcase their dynamic.

Additional notes:
Solid representation in here including but not limited to: LGBTQ+, ethnic and racial, family types, anxiety, etc. A little bit of everything in a real manner.

Spicy scenes were excellent!

Love the dynamic between Vanessa and her family, especially her brothers. Them defending her against a literal supervillain and beating up her childhood bullies is exactly what our anxious little cinnamon roll deserves.

Thank you Montlake for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Instalove? Check!
Morally-grey MMC? Check!
A surprise transformation? Check!
I’m down to read most of what Elizabeth Stephens has written. Vanessa’s social anxiety inspired such bad second-hand embarrassment I thought I was going to have to DNF. However, I’m so glad I continued because it turned out to be such a sweet and spicy romp. Vanessa and Roland were such a fun couple and *those* scenes were so freaking good. Not only was the romance romancing, Vanessa’s friends and family provided some great comedic relief! I’m excited to read any continuation of this series!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

This was a DELIGHT from start to finish! We need more superheroes in romance!

Vanessa Theriot is the Founder and CEO of a growing PR firm. Her company is in the running for a massive contract to manage PR for the Pyro, one of the 48 superheroes who fell to Earth when they were children. Now, most of the 48 have declared themselves in one of two camps: heroes and villains, part of the Champions of Earth (COE) and Villains Network of America (VNA), respectfully. Vanessa and her firm want to make the Pyro a hero, despite his bad guy reputation.

Vanessa is confident in her work, but less so in her personal life. Her first meeting with the Pyr0 (AKA Roland Casteel) is disastrous. Roland seems to hate her on sight, and it's clear her firm will not be the ones representing him. Little does she know, Roland is immediately OBSESSED and doesn't know what to do with himself. He agrees to work with Vanessa and her firm under one condition: Vanessa has to be his fake girlfriend.

Things I can't stop thinking about:
1. Roland's first POV chapter. This man is DOWN BAD and has no idea what to do about it. His internal monologue about kidnapping Vanessa had me on the floor,
2. The immediate "MY WIFE."
3. Their nicknames for each other - Nessa and Rollo. It's SO SWEET.
4. The cast of characters! Vanessa's colleagues and family were a riot. I feel like there are SO MANY stories to tell in this universe!
5. The TURN this story took. One word: PINK. WHY IS THIS SO HOT?!

I love Elizabeth's brain, and I can't wait for the next book in this series!!

I sadly did not enjoy this book. While the premise of the book was very exciting, I felt it wasn't executed well. I felt that the main story or the superhero elements were overshadowed by the romance. I also didn't feel that the superhero world was explained well, and I was left confused a lot. I'm not sure if this book is meant to be part of a series, but if not, a main conflict didn't really show up until 75% through.
The romance in this book felt very weird to me. The female main character was written well, but the man was simply just odd. I felt that some of his comments were weird, and honestly uncomforting.

I DNF'd this book at 75%.

I really enjoyed this book at first, but about halfway through, it went a totally different direction that took away my interest. I think the plot and characters are all very interesting, but it also felt like a "The Boys" fanfiction a little bit, and I wanted more.