okay this was CRAZY GOOD

I impulsively picked it up after reading the unhinged synopsis & I just read the entire thing in one sitting.

This man is somehow both FILTHY & really really endearing? Reminded me of Josh from Lights Out in a way

Dark romance readers will go crazy for this

Things to know:
- Smutty
- Dual POV
- He falls first & harder

Check tw <3

A really great, diverting romance that deals in some heavier subjects without ever becoming too dark. There were a handful of plot threads that I wanted to see picked up (like Claire learning more about Shane keeping an eye on her in the lead up to their contract), but this was a nice dark-lite romance that dabbled in the fun of its premise without falling too far into extreme territory.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I devoured this book. I was sad that work got in the way, otherwise I would have read this entire thing in one sitting. I haven't read anything like it, and that's what I loved: it was fresh and unique and fun and suspenseful. The characters and plot were believable and I loved their chemistry. Thank you so much for sending this book to me!

I love an unhinged book and the whole premise of this book scratched an itch that I didn’t even know I had.

$30,000 is a lot of money and to make it in 30 days is almost unheard of - and that is why Claire takes the offer to be Shane’s sexual prey. As the two start this deal, they both are pleasantly surprised at how much they like it and how much they might also like each other.

I knew I was going to love this book after reading the blurb and seeing the cover but WOW, I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. I loved how the characters were able to explore their kinks and interests in a safe setting. Consent is sexy, and I think that’s what made this novel so great! I highly recommend this to fans of spicy novels that explore kink and also feature amazing character development!

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the eARC!

Okay I absolutely loved this! It was fast paced, kinky and fun! I love that kink is getting introduced more and more in trad publishing! Everything about this was hot!! Highly recommend!

Fun concept but the romance fell flat

I had this ARC sent to me from the publisher and I thought it sounded fun. I was in the mood for a dark romance. I just felt like the actual romance in this book was lacking. I also just hate the lack of/miscommunication trope and that was basically the whole romantic subplot. Also, the whole ex-husband luring her to a room was very anti-climactic and didn’t fit with the vibe of the rest of the book.

I loved the indie novella, but the extra girthy version was perfection. If you loved the original version, this one only gets better, and if you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend to anyone looking for some extra spicy goodness.

This book was fun to read. I don’t usually go for this kind of thing, but it was too intriguing to pass up. I’m glad I took a chance because it was much more entertaining than I thought it would be. I wished at time this would have been longer, and that certain parts or relationships were explained better, but I still enjoyed it all. Overall, I just wish things were a little more in-depth & personal. Despite this, I would recommend a read! Shane & Claire were an odd-ish pairing, but fit very well together.

5 ⭐️

This book taught me I need to pick up running... 😮‍💨
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Claire Collins is a recently divorced teacher that is beyond drowning in debt. Until she gets the offer - $30000 for 30 days of being hunted to fulfill someone's primal desires. Zero strings. The hunter just so happens to be her ex-husband's boss, Shane Underwood. At the start, this contract is held to the letter, but things get emotionally messy when Shane gets protective and they both start to catch feelings for each other.

Shane is the epitome of "if he wanted to he would". This man met Claire at a holiday party and has been wanting her ever since (ok he's a touch obsessed, but not in a total creepy way). I practically inhaled this book. This felt on the same level of "dark erotica/romance" as Lights Out and Butcher and Blackbird (but with less murder).

The spice was perfect - definitely a huge aspect of the book, but I loved the emotions between the characters and how they start to get into a full routine with their lives. The banter between Shane and Claire was what sold it for me. They are strong characters on their own, but the competition between them truly makes me love them even more.

Caine is a hoot and I better see a book for him soon.... (with Margot?! Please???)

The evil ex trope is wonderful and it's always so fucking fun to see them get what's coming to them.

🔥 Primal Kink
🔥 Funny, hot & STEAMY
🔥 Dark Romance/Erotica
🔥 Recently divorced FMC
🔥 He falls first HARD
🔥 Childfree HEA

<b>🖤 Willing Prey is out October 7th and is available for preorder. 🖤</b>

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Romance for sending this book (eARC) for honest review.

Wow, this book has it all. Mature main characters, kink explorations, very spicy hunt scenes, healing from a betrayal that almost destroyed her self-esteem and an emotionally abusive childhood (lightly mentioned) that stunted him. Shane is obsessed with Claire after meeting her at his firms Christmas party. He dislikes her husband and is happy when Claire divorces him after catching him cheating. He is so sure she won't agree to date him that he offers her a contract; $1,000/day for 30 days if she allows him to hunt her. She needs the money and loves to be prey so readily agrees. Feelings start to form in between the intense hunts, she forms friendships with his other staff, and the ex gets his. Ridiculously hot but also tender moments.

A dark, steamy romance that blends emotional tension with unconventional desire. Centered on a high-stakes arrangement between two adults with hidden depths, the story explores boundaries, trust, and power in surprising ways. With sharp writing and a compelling dynamic between the leads, this novel is both provocative and unexpectedly tender. Perfect for readers looking for something bold and emotionally charged.

Consider me WOWED! Allie brings the heat with her hunts and now I’m constantly dreaming about Shane whispering “little deer” in my ear. This is a must-read!

As soon as I heard that this was a book about primal play I was all in. Not that I knew much about it or had read about this kink before but man did Allie hook me right in and I finished it in one sitting!
Right from the start Allie kicked off a great story that has fantastic writing, intriguing characters, and interesting kink to explore that she moved along expertly.

Claire is a recent divorcee who is stuck with loan debt. Rather than waitress the summer between teaching gigs, she accepts Shane’s offer to pay her $30,000 for the summer to move in and become his willing prey at his beck and call.

This was such an interesting set up but what I loved most about this story and the characters is that Allie did not make Claire this weak, innocent heroine who reluctantly had to accept Shane’s offer. Nor was she this doe-eyed (pun-intended) virgin who was new to this form of kink because I feel like that version of Claire would have diminished my enjoyment of this story.

Instead, Allie made Claire this mature, strong heroine who is the one who came into this arrangement knowing, experiencing and loving this kink. She was ALL IN, especially on that first hunt which was AMAZING and that made me love her and this story even more.

Of course the hunts themselves where hot, steamy and so much fun to read and after the first one I was left thinking… “oh this is going to be so good.” This could have easily been just a book of hunt after hunt, but there was so much more to the story.

Shane was such a surprise. He is a total alpha on the hunts and I loved that about him, and yet underneath the alpha exterior is a man who I’d almost describe as a cinnamon roll in the way that he was such a newbie to kink and his obsession with Claire.

There isn’t a ton of backstory to either main character but just enough to understand who they are.
While this story is filled with edging, mild choking, Dom/sub interaction and switching to make it a really hot read, I just loved how Shane and Claire came to find their better half.

If you’re looking for a fun (and steamy!) book about primal play, then this is the book for you!

*Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was intense from the start. Claire just wants to pay off her loans and if I had an offer from a man like Shane? Well, let's just say I dont blame her for running straight into the opportunity. I loved Shane.

Very sexy premise. Would recommend to people who like dark romance and dubious consent. This is a romance with kink, so take the content notes seriously, and enjoy.

Coming into Willing Prey, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this was more. And in a good way. I enjoy when my spice has a plot, and Oleander delivered with a good amount of depth to her characters. As always, their inability to communicate with each other is frustrating, maybe more so since the characters are in their thirties. However, I love that I was reading something written for an audience my age.

5 ⭐ 5 🌶️

Willing Prey is the perfect blend of keenk and comedy. I laughed so hard, so many times, and yet this story is like 90% absolutely filthy spice. Shane and Claire were adorable, so much fun and incredibly hot, and I could not get enough. I just one more chaptered my way well past my bedtime; as I hit the three quarters mark, I needed to see how it ended and I regret nothing.

Can you have a slow burn where they're spicing it up from the beginning? Because while these two are doing the dirty in the woods from the get go, their actual relationship is the sweetest build up. Watching Shane navigate his feelings and attempt to subtly woo Claire was my favorite part of this book. He was a little awkward and had no clue what he was doing half the time, but it was so endearing and perfect. I loved him, and her, so dang much.

The third act was amazing, I love watching a villain fall flat on their face. That's all I gotta say about that.

I fell hard and fast for Caine and Margot. I'm crossing my fingers and toes we get their book soon. Allie writes incredibly strong women and I know Margot is going to be a fantastic addition to that list. I really loved watching her and Claire's relationship bloom and I'm looking forward to more of their shenanigans. Maybe we can even get a bonus scene of them doing self defense class *wink wink nudge nudge* whatever's next, I'm absolutely here for it.

I am so thrilled to have gotten approved for this title, the premise really caught my attention and WOAH did it deliver!!

This one is definitely spicy as promised and so much fun. I love a good chase with a great payoff when caught. The story jumped right into the action and there was a lot of it but it was nice to see that it didn't feel like it got repetitive at all. I raced through this book and enjoyed every second of it.

Firstly, thank you Berkley Pub + NetGalley for the arc, I AM OBSESSED.

Willing Prey is for all the girly pops (gender neutral, btw) who dream of being chased through the woods and ravaged by the big bad wolf, this one’s for you.

Holy cannoli Batman! This was hot af🥵

What to expect:
- recently divorced teacher + lawyer
- he’s her ex-husband’s boss
- kink awakening
- MCs in their 30s/40s
- primal play, duh
- he falls first
- CNC
- light breath play and choking
- praise + degradation + begging
- light stalking
- transactional sex
- childfree HEA

This was a tough read for me. I loved the premise, but the execution just didn't hit the mark for me - maybe my expectations were out of alignment with what this book was. I wanted more from the woods/creepy angle, and less from the graphic sexual situations angle. I fully acknowledge - dark romance is probably just not my thing, but this one just did not live up to the blurb for me. That being said, I know some patrons who do like dark romance, and I'll happily recommend it to them.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

Claire is recently divorced. During the course of her marriage, she helped her husband pay off his school debt with the understanding he would then help pay off hers. Of course, things don't work out that way. Claire is contacted by Shane, her exe's boss, to stay one month and play "little deer" in exchange for $30,000. She's a P.E. teacher and would love the challenge of a hunt that results in a summer of kinky sex rather than her usual summer job as a server.

I loved this book. Claire is being given the opportunity to take the summer and really heal from her past relationship. Shane fell for her the first time he saw her at the company Christmas party in a holiday sweater. I love how he bided his time for the opportunity to be with her. It was so interesting that she was the one who was experienced with the primal kink and he was the novice who was learning it specifically for her. I really hope that Shane's brother, Caine, and Margot end up getting their own book. I loved their teasing and snarky dynamic.

Read this if you love: primal, he falls first, exe's boss, mature characters, CNC, praise, kink awakening, primal role reversal, transactional relationship, begging, child free

Thank you to NetGalley, Allie Oleander, and Berkley for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
#netgalley #allieoleander #berkleypublishing #willingprey