Heathens is a wild, sexually charged read with a lot of elements that made it good. It is very spicy and fast-paced, with a promising storyline. Storee and Locke make a great couple, and I love the idea of an older, protective male and a strong-willed yet submissive female. I also loved the theme of the hunt, sex clubs, etc. This book could have been a solid 4 star read for me, however, there were certain parts I could not vibe with. Stormee and Locke's intimate relationship was one of them. The story would be going so well, and then as soon as Stormee and Locke are in private, it's a rapid descent downhill. And then it would pick up again, and I'd be just as invested as I was prior to their one-on-one. The ending was a complete miss for me. It took the book from a 4 to a 2.5. I really did not like it. It was cliche, it was flat, and it felt very low-effort. Overall, it is a decent read, and I would recommend, however, to its targeted audience.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media,  and Alta Hensley for this ARC.

𝟰.𝟱 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡
🔥 SCORCHING HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🔥

I read it on one sitting! My jaw was on the FLOOR during The Hunt and their first ~encounter~ if you will 😉
Not to mention the scene where Locke invites Storee to sit with him at his table at The Vault. I was WEAKKKKKKKK to say the least.

This book truly has it all:
- dad's best friend
- primal play
- age gap
- touch her and you DIE
- stalking

The audiobook was so so good and both narrators did an amazing job. His voice, in particular was very sensual and chill-inducing.

This was good, but it needed more plot. I wanted to know more about her father and his murder, I feel like there was a lot they could have done with this and her being the killer. Over all it was good but I needed more.

Heathens by Alta Hensley is a dark, seductive romance that delves into the emotional aftermath of loss while weaving an intense and passionate connection between its characters. The story explores the impact of a father and friend’s death on those left behind, highlighting grief, resilience, and unexpected love. As two so-called "heathens" find solace in each other, the question lingers—can they truly stay together despite the darkness that surrounds them?

Hensley’s writing is bold and evocative, crafting a world that is both raw and alluring. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps readers engaged. The novel balances sensuality with deep emotional themes, making it more than just a romance—it’s a journey through pain, passion, and the possibility of redemption.

Listening to the audiobook added another layer to the experience, enhancing the intensity of the story with gripping narration. The performance brought the characters to life, making it an immersive and enjoyable listen. Overall, Heathens is a compelling dark romance that captivates with its blend of desire and emotional depth. Fans of Alta Hensley and dark, edgy love stories will find this book irresistible.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. If you’re looking for a forbidden love with age gap, dubious consent and bdsm look no further! This had literally so many of my favorite tropes! The narration was done very well, and I loved the narrators. This would have gotten a higher rating from me except the reason for the third act breakup was really stupid to me and unnecessary. With that being said, I very much enjoyed this entire book and devoured it in one sitting.

While sex was definitely the focus of this story, there actually wasn’t as much of it present as I expected. There was a lot of alluding to sex, talking about sex, sexual tension, intimacy happening in the background of scenes… but between the MCs? Honestly, not as much as I was expecting. No complaint, I just wouldn’t necessarily put this in the “extra spicy” category— maybe right below it. But that’s all relative and just my opinion. There were also some sweet moments 😌 and I liked the strong FMC that advocated for herself.

The dialogue was a bit redundant, as was the story line. If you’re looking for a quick, easy read that you don’t have to focus on too much— this is a pretty enjoyable pick.

I really liked the concept of the hunt, and honestly was a bit sad that the hunt scenes felt so fleeting. I’m curious to see how the next book incorporates the hunt into the story, and I will be picking it up to find out.

Narration was nice— I especially enjoyed the female narrator, she did a wonderful job. Overall great production.

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.