This book is an INSTANT hook!! It jumps in and omg it is off and running… literally. This book explores a specific kink in exactly the way I would want and is perfect as dual pov. I couldn’t put it down from page 1.

On top of being totally hooked from the get go, this book was also a total surprise. With a slightly cold intro, I was totally surprised at the level of warm fuzzies I got while reading this book.

I’m so so happy I got the chance to arc read this book. Huge thank you to Allie Oleander and Berkley for this eARC!! I absolutely devoured it!

“Don’t fight it. Show me how much you like being hunted. How much you like being my prey.” 🖤

Claire Collins is drowning in debt, navigating what her life looks like post divorce, and can’t manage to get her head above water. That’s until she gets the offer of a lifetime.. $30,000 for 30 days of her being Shane Underwood’s prey. Nothing more than a little playtoy to chase through the woods, and fulfill his primal desires. Zero strings, zero attachment, and all for $30k.. don’t mind if I do. The only problem? Claire finds herself falling for him and doesn’t know how she’s supposed to just move on at the end of their contractual agreement. How does one get over Shane Underwood when he’s possessive, protective, and primal unlike any other? 🤍😮‍💨

🤍 MCs in their 30s/40s
🖤 “good little deer” 🦌
🤍 childfree HEA
🖤 he falls first & hard
🤍 $30k for 30 days
🖤 primal play

Thank you so so much Allie Oleander, Berkeley Romance, and Netgalley for allowing me to read Willing Prey in advance! I already have my physical copy on preorder because I couldn’t get enough of Claire & Shane. This scratched the itch I’ve had lingering since finishing The Ruinous Love Trilogy and Lights Out & Caught Up. If you also love primal play, the idea of being chased through the woods and being called “little deer”, and a childfree happily ever after, look no further. Willing Prey couldn’t be more up my alley if I tried. My username isn’t filthyfawn for nothing.. 😮‍💨🫠 Allie Allie Allie.. you are something else. I fell prey to Willing Prey. I fear I’ll be talking about this one for a while, because I can’t get them out of my mind.

Willing Prey by Allie Oleander releases October 7, 2025 and is now available for preorder. 🖤

The plot had potential, but it just did not reach it. The characters are not fleshed out and the plot is shaky at best. The smut is repetitive and not even that good to begin with.

This was such a fun read. I expected dark and dirty, but I didn't expect it to be as funny as it was. On purpose! I love Claire, she could've been hit or miss but she takes no shit and it's exactly what is needed to make this story work. Shane was great, a bumbling disaster of a man unprepared to woo a woman but perfectly who she needed. I loved that the kink isn't erased by their falling in love. Too many times it seems to fade away as "feelings" and "romance" enter the picture but they never lost this shared desire. I loved the way the scenes were written. I never felt uneasy or uncomfortable by what Claire was experiencing. She completely owned her desire to be hunted and made no apologies for it. She gave as good as she got. The inherent violence of the encounters never felt gratuitous or for shock. Everything worked. And again, it's so FUNNY.

Not my typical type of book, but something about the description appealed to me.

To start out with, this one is spicy! Or at least a lot more than what I typically read. That being said, it not just erotic fiction. The story was good, the character development was great. I need stories for the side characters now.

If ever "I DO have feelings oh no" was a book, it's this one.

The original novella was a fun spicy read. The extra girthy version is all the fun of the novella with an added layer of emotion that makes the whole story really shine. Shane is somehow both filthy and terribly romantic as he stumbles his way toward understanding his feelings. I adored seeing more of his backstory, particularly getting to hear more about his family and seeing him interact with his brother. There are so many layers to his character, and when it's time for good chase (I ADORE a good chase ;) ) he's a consent king that gives his prey exactly what she wants and needs.

Watching Claire find her confidence again through her relationship with Shane was so cathartic. With her backstory and emotional arc also beefed up from the novella, the two of them dancing around each other emotionally while holding nothing back physically was such an interesting dynamic. Plus the on page female friends really came through strong with the space of a longer novel.

And on top of all that? There were so many laugh-out-loud funny lines I highlighted (must to the dismay of the feline napping on me while I read). They're all spoilers and unfortunately can't be shared here, but really, the TLDR on Willing Prey is 10/10, no notes.

I inhaled this book in one night because I just. Couldn't. Put. It. Down. Willing Prey was sexy AF—but it was also tender and had no right being as funny as it was. The author's consistent use of puns was truly *chef's kiss.* Also, I went in expecting to love Shane and Claire, but did not expect to fall in love with the side characters as much as I did (Margot/Caine book WHEN).

I also loved the clear emphasis on nature—it felt obvious to me that the author really likes being outside and spends a lot of time touching grass, because the settings and some of the details of the hunts really popped (and Ms. Oleander, if you are NOT in fact someone who likes to hike/camp, then give yourself a pat on the back because you had this outdoorsy reader fooled!). I have never read the novella that WILLING PREY came from but after I read the book I kept finding myself wondering what it was like because the novel flowed so well as a cohesive narrative that I can't imagine it ever being less than what it is now.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and Allie Oleander for this ARC!

HOTTT
So I’m a big stan of the Willing Prey novella, and was both excited and trepidatious going into the Extra Girthy version. But it’s so good, guys. Claire and Shane are chef’s kiss!

This version has more tender moments, character expansions, more of that delicious buildup of feelings, and … a nice little bit of comeuppance for someone we love to hate.

Oh, and there’s also more sex ;) delicious kinky primal stuff.

Mature MCs, child-free, forest shenanigans, it’s all in there.

Cozy yet exhilarating, Willing Prey is a fun, spicy, and at times hilarious romance with a unique premise. This book is first person, dual POV, low (but not zero) angst, high spice, with a bit of ex-husband drama.

Claire, still reeling from finalizing a divorce from her cheating ex-husband, is approached with an offer too good to refuse. Shane, a partner at the law firm where her ex works, wants to hunt her. For one month she'll live with him and be his willing prey for primal play, and she'll make $1,000 for each day. No strings, no attachments, no feelings - at least, that's what the contract says. Not all goes according to plan, as Claire finds herself falling for her hunter and wondering how she could possibly give him up when their contract runs out.

This book has a pretty cozy feel, because it mostly takes place at Shane's property. This aspect is juxtaposed with truly exhilarating chase scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters become different versions of themselves while in the woods, and they learn about themselves, each other, and their relationship through their kink.

I loved both Claire and Shane. I loved Claire's resilience and refusal to feel sorry for herself. I really liked the way her story wasn't focused on getting over her ex, because she was already done with him. Instead the focus was on healing the wound his betrayal left and working on her insecurity. Shane is broody, possessive, a little nerdy, and slightly unhinged in an adorable way. I loved having his POV during some of the pivotal scenes in their story. It takes him a while to open up to Claire, but his thoughts on how he feels about her are swoon worthy.

I really appreciated the maturity of the two main characters in this book. Claire is insecure after being cheated on and Shane has communication issues, but they both work on those issues in a mature way. The way they support and reassure each other is really sweet.

I loved the side characters in this one. I'm definitely hoping we see more of Shane's brother Caine in a future book. Perhaps with a certain friend of Claire's that he can't seem to stay away from?

My only criticism is that a decent amount of romantic tension seemed to happen off page and was referenced later. As the nature of Claire and Shane's relationship is so sexual, I would have loved to see how the more romantic moments played out. I can see how including each one may have made the book run too long, though.

I would definitely recommend this book for readers who like spicy romance, kink, older heroines, and mature characters.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC for an honest review.

Such a fun read! I’m not usually a reviewer of “spicy” romance but this seemed like a fun book. Just a heads up, this is a full-length book that has been fleshed out from the previously published novella. It’s well-written, the plot develops nicely, and had everything I would want out of a romance. Claire is fresh out of a divorce and saddled with debt. When an offer comes from her ex-husband’s coworker, she can’t help but agree to it: move into his house for 30 days, be “hunted,” and make 30k at the end. What she doesn’t know is that this handsome, stacked, independently wealthy man is actually attracted to her for more than just the contracted game. There’s spicy scenes abound, and a comprehensive trigger warning at the beginning that covers all scenarios. I love when spicy romances are actually well-written, there’s a reasonable plot, and reasonably developed characters. We still get the classic cliches of the genre, but there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a method that works.

This dark romance novel is a gripping, emotional journey that dives deep into the complexities of love, pain, and redemption. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into a world that feels incredibly vivid—one that’s not just read, but experienced. The writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing you into a setting that feels as real as the emotions coursing through its characters.

What truly sets this book apart is its character work. Each person on the page feels fully formed and deeply human, with raw emotions, layered pasts, and choices that make sense even when they hurt. Their flaws are not just acknowledged—they're central to who they are. The relationships are messy, intense, and beautifully complicated, capturing the darker side of romance without losing sight of emotional truth.

This is not a light or easy read, but it’s the kind of story that stays with you. If you’re drawn to romance that explores the shadows while still offering moments of tenderness and connection, this novel delivers. It’s powerful, haunting, and achingly real.

Super spicy! Takes all of the best elements of the morally gray/black books of late and combines them into a not-so-illegal and/or creepy title. I enjoyed the development of the characters, the setting/house, and the progression of the book. A very spicy read!

Willing Prey, a kinky romance featuring primal play by Allie Oleander, focuses on the relationship that Shane, a lawyer who works with her ex-husband, starts with the protagonist, Claire when he invites her to thirty days of her on his property where he can “hunt” her at will.

The kink in the story is hot, but the emotions could be felt more. Readers can infer how Shane feels based on the flashbacks in the book and his actions (which actually works for his character, emotionally stunted as he is portrayed), but the story doesn’t explore his referenced childhood or any active acknowledgement of his emotions. Likewise, Claire’s feelings don’t seem fully processed within the story.

Overall, Willing Prey is a fun book, but it could have been developed more.

Willing Prey is feral in the best possible way. What starts as a no-strings kink arrangement in the woods quickly unfurls into something primal, emotional, and unexpectedly soft around the edges. Claire is the kind of heroine who doesn’t just agree to play prey—she claims every moment of the game as her own. Her confidence, humor, and physicality make her a perfect match for Shane, who sheds his polished exterior the second they step into the trees. What’s left is raw instinct, vulnerability, and a staggering amount of tension.

This isn’t just a spicy wilderness fantasy (though trust me, the spice delivers). It’s about freedom, control, and the surprising places where intimacy can bloom. Claire and Shane burn up the page, but it’s the way they begin to understand and see each other that really sticks. It’s smart, sharp, and blazingly hot—with just enough heart to leave you breathless. Allie Oleander knows how to write heat with depth, and this book proves it tenfold.

Willing Prey by Allie Oleander is raw, tender, and utterly electric. It healed parts of me I didn’t know were still hurting, while awakening desires and truths I hadn’t dared to name. I felt seen, understood, and wildly alive reading this book. I loved every moment—and I’ve never been so happy to fall "prey" to an unforgettable story.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Allie Oleander. This was hot hot hot. When’s the next book come out? Not soon enough

This is hot, hot, hot. Love the concept, definitely intense. 10/10, thank you for making this exist.

Oh. My. God. Allie I already loved the novella to bits, but I loved Extra Girthy Willing Prey dare I say more?

Divorced and drowning in student loan debt Claire finds herself signing a spicy contract with her ex-husband’s boss. He gets her as his prey for 30 days, and in return she gets $30,000.

Shane is a lawyer who has tried “hunting” with other women ever since he heard about it from Claire’s ex-husband at a Christmas party, but something was missing.

I love Shane and Clair so much, and didn’t want their story to end. Shane struggles with showing his emotions, but he’s different in the woods. Both developing feelings, but neither talk about what happens when the 30 days are up.

If you enjoy spicy books with a child free HEA this is a great read! I can not wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

Tropes:
Primal play
Child free HEA
K!nk awakening
CNC
Main characters 30+
He falls first
Light stalking

I was excited to read this book when I saw what tropes were listed and even then, I was blown away by how delightful it was to read. Our two MC's not being in their twenties was an automatic bonus for me. I loved seeing how their life experience informed their relationship with kink and each other. It also made their growth more relatable. It was also nice to de-stigmatize getting into kink later in life and learning about yourself beyond your 20's. I loved how the spice was throughout the book and yet Allie still kept the emotional tension so strong. I am preordering it and will be harassing all the girlies who like spicey romance to do the same.

(I have never been so heartbroken an author doesn't have a backlist. I will be waiting, oh so impatiently, for her next book.)

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This is a good book! I liked the characters, it’s fast paced. The scenes are detailed. A must read!