What a delight.

This was such a great read, and I did have quite the lead up to get to this book. I did read into the series to get context clues, though I do agree that you don't need to in order to read this book.

It was really well done, and I appreciate that Menance's condition was taken care of well. It was nice to read about a MMC with OCD since it was rare to see it. The romance was so real and he was not to be played with and it was so great.

All in all it was one of Jaquel J's strongest romances yet and I really loved it.

Thank you to Dreamscape media and Netgalley for an audiocopy.

This character is unhinged in the best way. I’m ready for the next iteration of this series. The entire universe this character is a part of keeps me on the edge of my seat and I love it.

This book had great narration and even times I did not like the story as much, I was still captivated by the way it was being told from the narrators.

I have conflicting thoughts about 10,000 with a Rich Menace. On one hand, I liked it—Menace is a strong, complex character. He’s intense, structured, and dealing with ADHD, OCD, and other challenges, which makes him a bit hard to be around. But he was surprisingly kind and considerate toward Stevie, welcoming her into his carefully managed life and even adjusting some of his quirks to accommodate her. That flexibility, especially in contrast with his family’s surprise, showed growth.

Menace is definitely your over-the-top alpha, but he’s about his business and fiercely protective of his family and Stevie, which I appreciated.

Now Stevie... She’s a walking doormat. People warned her about this girl she was involved with, and yet she never questioned a single suspicious thing. She let people talk wild to her without standing up for herself but then got offended when Menace wanted peace and quiet. I’ll give her credit for finally pushing back at the end, but most of her character arc felt frustrating and naive. Also, the constant cutesy nicknames between her and Menace got old real fast.

What saved the experience for me was the audiobook narration. Simone Rothschild made Stevie sound exactly like I imagined—sweet but childlike, which fit how she came across. Myles Washington’s deep baritone as Menace was perfect. I had to slow the audio down at times to catch everything, but his voice captured the character’s essence: sultry, dominant, and commanding.

All in all, it had potential and definitely some entertaining moments, but character choices—especially Stevie’s—kept me from fully loving it. But I definitely want to read about the other siblings.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop listening. I was hooked from the first minute! The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

This one grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go. The narration brought so much personality to the characters, and I loved how the relationships felt layered and messy in a realistic way. The tension builds steadily, and there are moments that feel both raw and vulnerable. A few pacing dips here and there, but overall I found myself completely invested and eager to see where it would go next.

I enjoyed this story. It has suspence and romance. Great main characters and other characters. Look forward to reading more from this author.

I adore this book, especially the parts about them being on the spectrum. Since many of us are either diagnosed or not yet, I could definitely identify with the characters in this book. It received a five-star rating.

This was a re-read for me, as I read the E-Book version of it.

I love Mitchell and Wanda, they were so different from eachother, and yet complemented each other. beautifully.
This read had mystery, suspense, loving characters and represented people on the spectrum beautifully!

5 ⭐️ read! Thank you to Net Galley for providing this audiobook ARC to me!

This book didn’t grab my attention at the very beginning, I had to adjust to the male narrator but once I did, I was locked in! His voice had the perfect edge to be Menace.

Now into this book. Wanda & Mitchell (IYKYK) were so cute together. The jokes, the nicknames, the quirks, the love, the balance they provided to each other was so good. They were to “weird” people who found comfort, love & acceptance in each other. I loved the way Mavie didn’t play about Stevie & him just popping up everywhere she was kept me chucking. I loved that this book had a MMC that didn’t play about his woman but also the FMC knew her worth & didn’t have problem with standing in her truth and boundaries.

The book had the right amount of back story, drama, tension between characters, banter & romance. Loved it!

This book is truly everything and more. It’s definitely different compared to all the other books I’ve read. Due to her friend messing up the MFC was able to find love.

Loved loved loved this book. The story was different and being a special education teacher I love to read stories with characters that are different yet unique and special. My only complaint is that he was big diagnosed properly and they kept saying he had one disorder and not the proper one but overall it was a great read.

I wanted so badly to like this book. There was so much potential. I just couldn’t get past how childish all the sex scenes were and how naive the FMC was. I listened to the audio version and I thought the narrators did a good job but this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. And I like dark romance books, this just missed the mark for me.

10,000 Hours with a Rich Menace is bold, thought-provoking, and layered with tension and insight. The title alone grabs your attention, but the content truly delivers. The concept of blending the “10,000 hours” mastery principle with a complex, possibly toxic relationship dynamic is powerful—and the narrative explores that contrast with grit and honesty.

The writing is engaging, with a tone that feels equal parts confessional and cautionary. There’s a lot to unpack in terms of ambition, power dynamics, manipulation, and emotional endurance. The “menace” character is both captivating and frustrating—making the emotional rollercoaster feel very real.

One of the strongest aspects is how it highlights personal growth and awareness—how proximity to power and wealth can either shape or shatter you, depending on how grounded you are. That said, there are moments where I wanted a deeper dive into the narrator’s internal transformation over time—especially in the emotional aftermath.

Overall, it’s a compelling read that forces readers to reflect on their own aspirations and entanglements. It’s not just about the hours spent, but what you become while spending them—and that message lingers long after the last page.

4.25⭐️ oh a time was had! menace knows he plays entirely too much, but the one and ONLY thing that he doesn’t play about is Stevie

this book was pure foolishness, in the best way possible, so funny and entertaining, there wasn’t a single dull moment with these two

This book was hilarious!!! The back and forth between Stevie and Menace kept me cracking up the entire time!!! Listening to this book made it that much better to me!
This definitely kept me fully invested!!! I hope there’s a part two!

Dark romance
Opposites
OTT MMC
Mafia/crime family
Autistism/OCD Rep
Humor
Found family

Audio review
Narrated by Simone Rothschild; Myles Washington

Main characters
Menace - Maverick
Stevie

My first book by this author has me going to her backlist for more!
This story was the perfect blend of multiple tropes. While being the head of his crime family is violent work, Menace is up for the job. He protects and cares for his family. Family is more than blood. He doesn’t show a lot of emotion unless his OCD gets the best of him.
Stevie is a bit naive. She thinks the best of people and it lands her in hot water more often than not.

On paper these two don’t mesh. However, they are both exactly what the other needs. Together they make each other whole. They provide a different experience of love and care missing from their lives.
Menace was all in for Stevie. He was there to slay all her dragons whether past or present. By slay, I mean it literally. His first thought was always to remove her enemies from this life.


The humor was perfect for this one. The name game was top tier. The toothpaste issue is real, I felt that one. LOL. Menace had no filter, so that made for awkward and funny moments. Stevie’s thoughts would take her down a rabbit hole.
The characters were likable. The supporting characters were just as good as the main characters. I am definitely going to continue the series.

Everything about this book appealed to me as a reader/listener. The narrators nailed the characters. The voices were perfect.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with either Stevie (fmc) or Menace (mmc). I listened to this via audiobook narrated by Myles Washington and Simone Rothschild. Both did very well and Simone speaks so clearly I could increase speed to 3x and understand her perfectly. The volume for Myles was a bit lower so I had to slow his parts down to understand them. The audiobook is the ONLY reason I finished this, as I just didn't enjoy the characters.

This book had me hollering with laughter. It was actually a refreshing cleanser between heavier books. I found myself loving Menace and Stevie as a couple. Their quirky and oddball personalities somehow meshed perfectly together. The way the families intertwined in the story made the worlds feel naturally connected. Overall excellent read and I was thoroughly entertained.

A Menace to society

10,000 Hours with a Rich Menace by Jahquel J is a gripping, high-stakes romance filled with unexpected twists and deep emotional connections. From the moment Stevie is betrayed by her best friend and thrown into Menace Caselli’s world, the story takes off with intense energy and never lets up.

Stevie and Menace’s relationship is the heart of the book, and their dynamic is both intriguing and refreshing. While others see Menace as strange or intimidating, Stevie takes the time to understand him, creating a bond that feels genuine and unbreakable. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate their forced yet passionate relationship is both thrilling and heartfelt.

The supporting characters add depth and drama to the story. Zoya and Don’s bratty tendencies are frustrating yet realistic, showing the struggles of younger siblings who don’t always grasp the sacrifices made for them. Zoya, in particular, stands out as a complex character—flawed but still compelling. The hint of future conflicts, especially with Big Gerald, promises even more drama and character growth in the series.

Overall, this was a well-paced and engaging read, blending romance, suspense, and family dynamics seamlessly. The Caselli family series has great potential, and I’m especially looking forward to Goon and Zoya’s story. It was a great story but I overall couldn’t get into the audiobook. So based on that I give the audiobook 4 stars but overall the book is a five If you love dark romance with powerful characters and deep emotional layers, this is definitely a book to check out!