I am just now getting into the dark romance category and, let me tell you, Heathens did not disappoint!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I didn’t know how I’d feel about this whole age gap, dad’s best friend trope - but honestly, I dig it! I thought the plot was very original and entertaining. This book even had a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming - like at all. This was the first book I’ve read that was written by Alta Hensley and it won’t be my last. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrators as well. I would like to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review). 🔥

Following Locke and Storee was fun!

The narrators have done a great job, giving the right voice to the character and emerging us into the story, even when they have to change their voice to speak as the opposite character.

I enjoyed the descriptions, the characters, the action, the smut. There isn't much plot to talk about. A young woman is trying to get on her feet after her father's murder, while his best friend is looking for his killer and tries to keep her safe. And a lot happens!

The focus is mostly on the couple, their mutual pining, and the attempt to hide their feelings about the other.
Good characters, but there isn't much character development happening.
A decent-sized book, with small chapters, I got it in audiobook form and it flies away fast!

Check the trigger warnings and the tropes before diving into this book.

"We're Heathens, baby. Nothing can change that,"

I will be reading the next book!

I received this book as an audio arc.
The audio was amazing the narrators did awesome!

This book was good in the beginning but I felt it went down towards the middle/end.

I really enjoyed this book and audio. The story has a good plot and great spice. My only complaint is I wish there was more of the hunt. I wish the relationship between the MC’s was drawn out a little more before they gave into each other. The fact that the FMC saved herself was a huge bonus. I loved that she didn’t need a man to save her in the end! The audio was good but I wish that it wa duel narration. The male voicing all male lines and the female voicing all female lines, no matter which characters chapter it was. I think that would add so much more to the audio. But all in all it was a great listen

This was my first read by Alta Hensley and I liked it. This story was kinda dark and twisted but no judgement from this reader. I’m not a huge daddy/daughter fan but this was good. The spice was hot and dark. I liked the characters and the plot. I will read more by this author.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
I devoured this audiobook.
It was amazing, addictive, and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

A fanatically fast-paced and spicy story. The narrators for the audiobook were on point.
If you love a good dark romance with forbidden love, primal play, age gap, revenge, and actual plot this it.
I would have rated more stars however, the MFC was a bit frustrating at times, and I would have loved more about the hunt; but overall I did quite enjoy it and the spice was spicing!

Heathens was a perfect shorter story following Storee, a young and now parentless adult trying to earn her living in Heathens Hollow. She is adrift a year after her father was murdered and taking any jobs that can help keep a roof over her head. Locke is our MMC who was Storee's fathers best friend, so she grew up with him and he still takes care of her after his best friends murder. Heathens Hollow has a yearly tradition of a hunt/prey game in which the ultra wealthy can pay to hunt the Heathens Hollow woman, and once they capture their pray, they fuck. What does the womxn get from this? A basket of expensive items that can pay for their rent for a year basically.

This book was a 3.5 read for me, I enjoyed it but I was not *in love*. The writing was good. The story flowed. The age gap was age gapping! The spice was spicing! This was an enjoyable read for me between loger novels. If you like dark romance and tropes, you'll probably enjoy this!

Oh man did this audiobook/ebook have me on the edge of my seat and binging this hardcore so that I could know what happens. The Forbidden, Age Gap thing made the tension with this book absolutely amazing and brilliantly done. I absolutely will be buying a physical copy of this book to add to my shelf. I also have the ebook of book 2 ready to go to read.

Usually, the stories of a father's best friend and daughter are awkward, but this one read really genuinely and was not creepy. Alta focused on Locke caring and loving Storee in his own way of keeping a promise to a friend. There wasn't the gross reminder of memories of her as a child, only as an adult. It was done with a lot of taste and there's so much rich underlying story and history of the town and club that I want to know more. I'm thrilled that there are more stories focused on the Hunt and the Vault. This story has a great balance of pining and guilt with spice and story-building.

Thank you so much Dreamscape Media for this ALC, because the narrators were incredible. The voices were a perfect match for the characters.

Oh look I've signed up to the hunt. Seriously I had no idea I liked primal that much. I can wait to read the next book

Dark, Intense, and Addictive

Heathens is a gripping, dark romance that pulls you into a primal game of obsession and surrender. Alta Hensley’s writing is evocative, creating an intense, atmospheric story where fear and desire blur. The chemistry is scorching, and the tension keeps you hooked.

While the chase is thrilling, I wished for more character depth beyond the heat of the hunt. Some moments felt rushed, but overall, this was a dark, seductive read that delivers exactly what it promises. If you love primal, boundary-pushing romance, this one is worth the hunt!

Thank you Alta Hensley and Netgalley for the chance to listen this ALC!

The narrators for this ALC were Marie Hawkins and Robin Blake. I don’t think I’ve listened to anything either has narrated until this ALC 🤔 but, they done amazing! Their voices fit the characters perfectly. They done a great job capturing the personalities and emotions of Locke and Storee!

This isn’t a lengthy in depth book. It’s a good, quick read, dark romance. It had a good plot for the length of the book that kept me guessing how it would all unfold. Stalker vibes, a game of submission where the hunters are wearing bone stag masks, age gap, forbidden love… just to mention some of the tropes. The charachters were great. Loved getting to know Locke and Storee and how their story played out. And the spice, it was spicing 🔥 Loved it! Can’t wait for book 2!

Yet again I find myself thankful that I was given an ARC by the publisher and able to move through this book rather quickly. This is my first book by Alta and I haven’t sat it was most definitely unlike other books I’ve read. I enjoyed it and can’t remember the last time I read a book where the synopsis/summary was so incredible accurate. Easy 4 out of 5 star read for me!

I listened to the Audio Book. Both narrators were fantastic. They definitely added to the book experience.

Heathens is a dark romance. This is a great intro into dark romance. It has a few scenes where the sex dark but not in such a way a new to dark romance would have trouble digesting it.

Tropes
*forbidden romance
*dads best friend
*age gap
*touch her and I’ll kill you

Overall this book was a fun fast read/listen to.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 Stars)

Alta Hensley delivers a dark, primal, and intoxicating read in Heathens, the first book in the Heathens Hallow series. This book dives deep into a world where submission, danger, and obsession intertwine, creating an experience that is equal parts seductive and unsettling.

The premise is intense—Storee Brooks, navigating life after her father’s passing, finds herself in the grasp of Locke Hartwell, a man who embodies primal dominance. Their dynamic is a twisted dance of fear and desire, with The Hunt serving as a haunting metaphor for power, choice, and submission.

The audiobook narration by Marie Hawkins and Robin Blake truly enhances the experience. Marie Hawkins beautifully captured Storee’s raw emotions, bringing an immersive vulnerability to her character. But Robin Blake—wow. His voice was the perfect embodiment of Locke—dark, deep, and dripping with sinful temptation. His tone was commanding, smooth, and utterly hypnotic, adding an extra layer of intensity that made the story feel even more immersive.

What made this narration even more impressive was how flawlessly both narrators handled each other’s characters. When Marie Hawkins voiced Locke, she carried the same intensity and dominance that Robin Blake brought, making the transition between perspectives seamless. Likewise, Robin Blake’s portrayal of Storee was just as convincing and emotionally resonant. Both narrators were absolute perfection, bringing this dark, erotic, and tension-filled story to life in a way that few audiobooks manage to do.

The pacing is gripping, and the tension is thick with eroticism and suspense. The Greek mythology influences add an extra layer of intrigue. However, the ending felt a little rushed—I would have loved more time to sit in the aftermath of all that intensity.

If you love dark romance with an unhinged, morally grey MMC, primal play, and power dynamics, this one delivers. Just be warned—this book is NOT for the faint of heart. If you’re ready for a wild ride, Heathens will take you there.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Alta Hensley, and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this book.

Okay! This was a good spicy book. I really enjoyed both narrators. They both added depth to the characters and made me want to continue reading this book. This book is more focused on the spicy than the overall plot but there wasn’t too much spicy percentage. If you want a good spicy darker romance (note I’d say it’s a 2 scale dark romance) I would give this a try. It has bdsm, sex club and dad’s best friend tropes in there. All in all this was a quick spicy read. 4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

Heathens Hollow is a small coastal town where dark and depraved things happen. Schmex Clubs, hunting parties (where the hunted get utterly ravished by the hunter), and sketchy business dealings are just a few of the things to be expected upon visiting the town. Storee Brooks, however has grown up here and after her father’s death, she’s doing the best she can to make ends meet. Someone’s been watching her and signing up for The Hunt might’ve signed her up for more than she bargained for. After all, her father’s best friend Locke Hartwell warned her away for a reason.

This audiobook was so good, especially for the alternating pov narrator changes. The female narrator honestly did such a great job with the male voice in Storee’s chapters, and I think she might be a new favorite narrator of mine! The story itself was intriguing, hot, and a little dark dirty, which I absolutely loved! I loved the Greek Mythology aspects here and there and I think it fit the narrative very well and was a nice touch. The smut was GOOD, but I found myself wanting even more from them. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book, and will be reading the next one in this series!

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Dark Romance/Primal Play
Author: Alta Hensley
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Vibes: Seductive, Unhinged Romance

Blurb: If you are looking for an unapologetically, unhinged good time, then this is for you. This toys the line of fear and desire, but also power and submission. It is NOT for the faint of heart but if you are a dark romance person, get ready to have some fun. The spice is top tier. The tension is tension-ing. The story was paced/timed very well except the ending felt a tiny but rushed to me (and I was kind of sad about it). Storee and Locke are ready to give you the hunt (or ride) of your life...if you're willing to face the hunt.

ARC AUDIO REVIEW 🎧

If you’re looking for a dark, seductive, and completely unhinged romance, Heathens DELIVERS. This book is a heady mix of danger, devotion, and a morally grey MMC who would burn the world down for his woman. It’s got that I-shouldn’t-like-this-but-I-absolutely-do energy that keeps you hooked. The tension? Immaculate. The spice? Top tier. The only reason I’m docking a star? The ending wrapped up a little too fast for my liking—While Heathens completely delivered on the dark, obsessive romance I was craving, the ending felt a bit rushed. After such an intense buildup, I wanted more time to breathe in the resolution—more fallout, more aftermath, more of them just existing together. Ya know?

TROPES:
💀 Dark Romance
💀 Mafia
💀 Obsessive MMC
💀 Touch her and die
💀 Mask play
💀 Dad’s best friend

📖 Genre: Dark Romance / Primal Play / Suspense

🖋 Author: Alta Hensley

⭐️ Rating: 4/5 Stars

🦌 Vibes: Sinister. Erotic. Unapologetically dark.


If you're looking for a book that's all about power, submission, and the line between fear and desire, Heathens is ready to drag you into the darkness. This isn't your typical romance, it's raw, primal, and not for the faint of heart…..

Storee steps into a world she doesn’t fully understand. A world where men don stag masks and hunt their prey through the woods. But this isn’t a game for the weak. Because when you enter The Hunt, there's only one rule: run.
And when Locke sets his sights on her? There’s no escape.


Storee isn't naive. She knows exactly what she’s signing up for. She’s been watching from the sidelines, drawn to the darkness, craving the thrill. So when she finally steps into The Hunt, she thinks she’s ready.

But she has no idea who’s waiting for her.

Locke – A shadow in the trees. A beast in human form. The predator behind the bone stag mask. He doesn’t just play the game—he owns it. And he’s been watching her. Stalking her. Waiting. He is also her dad’s best friend… which makes their love forbidden from the beginning.

When he catches her, she belongs to him. But Locke isn’t here to play fair. He’s here to claim. To push Storee past every limit, to see if she really understands what she signed up for.

And if she doesn’t? Too bad. Because once the game begins, there’s no backing out.

Characters: A Battle of Power & Submission

Storee – She thought she understood the rules of The Hunt. Thought she could handle it. But Locke is unlike anything she imagined. He’s dangerous, possessive, and completely in control. As the game continues, Storee starts questioning everything—her own desires, her limits, and whether she’s truly ready for the darkness she craved.

Locke – The predator. The monster in the woods. He doesn’t just hunt—he consumes. Storee is his, and he has no intention of letting her go. But underneath his ruthless dominance, there’s something more. A battle between instinct and protection. Is he truly the beast Storee fears, or something far more complex?

What I Loved

✔️ Primal Play & Unfiltered Darkness – If you love the chase, the surrender, and the intensity of power dynamics, this book delivers hard. The tension between Storee and Locke is electrifying, filled with dominance, resistance, and undeniable chemistry.

✔️ Atmosphere That Drags You In – The forest setting, the masks, the mystery—everything about The Hunt feels otherworldly. It’s eerie, seductive, and almost ritualistic.

✔️ Locke’s Unapologetic Possessiveness – He’s the kind of hero (if we can even call him that) who doesn’t ask for permission—he takes. If morally grey, dominant men are your thing, Locke is IT.

✔️ High-Stakes Suspense – This isn’t just about spice (though there’s plenty of that). There’s an underlying thrill, a danger, that keeps the tension at its peak. Storee might have entered The Hunt willingly, but she soon realises she may have made a mistake. And mistakes in this world? They come at a cost.


Warning: Not for Everyone – If you’re looking for soft romance, fluffy love confessions, or gentle heroes... turn back now. Heathens is dark, with no apologies for its themes. It’s about power, submission, and surrender—and not everyone will be comfortable with how far it goes.


Final Verdict: Read This If You Love…

✔️ Primal Play & Dark Romance – If you enjoy books with chasing, dominance, and high-stakes submission, this one will have you hooked.
✔️ Sinister, Ritualistic Vibes – The stag mask, the eerie setting, the primal hunt—it all makes Heathens feel intense and almost cult-like.
✔️ Possessive, Morally Gray Love Interests – Locke is not your typical hero. If you’re into predators, stalkers, and dominant men who take what they want, he’s got your name written all over him.
✔️ Books Like Haunting Adeline or The Ritual – If you enjoyed those dark, obsessive romances, Heathens will be right up your alley.