Arc reader with netgalley!!

Love a short spicy novella! Just what I needed

The ART!! completely fitting!!

Characters were great, loved the scenery description also!

A Second Circle Entry. Captured Prey by Reno R. Mist is everything I expect from an erotic novella. It delivers on genre promises while still feeling thoughtful and deliberate, offering more than just heat and instead providing a carefully constructed reading experience that lingers after the final page.
The novella merges Gothic literature, various myths, and academic themes with an incredibly spicy read. This blend gives the story a rich, almost scholarly atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with its sensual elements. The main character, Celia, is a 35 yo academic who travels in pursuit of her research to find a special place. The special place in question turns out to be Asmodeus’s club, in which one can experience all of their darkest fantasies and desires. Celia’s maturity and academic background add depth to her journey, and the setting of Asmodeus’s club functions not only as a space of temptation but also as a catalyst for self-discovery and confrontation with suppressed desires.
Regardless of the short form, this novella contains an engaging plot, interesting worldbuilding, and complex characters. The writing style is light yet suspenseful. The author makes excellent use of the novella format, maintaining tight pacing while still allowing the world and characters to feel fully realized and emotionally resonant.
I loved it and finished it in one sitting. Readers who enjoy mythological retellings with a strong erotic charge and a confident, intelligent heroine will find this novella especially satisfying.

I’ve received this book for free through the 'Read Now' section on NetGalley.

Okay, THAT?! Was perfect. It was bite-sized and had high heat but it didn’t lack complex characters or a vibrant setting. I loved the Slavic folklore so much. I love the exploration of kink, pleasure, and consent. I love flipping religious views/practices on their head to better examine the “why” of them. I adore both Lahs and Celia so much and can’t wait to read further novellas in their world. I really could read so many more of these and can’t wait to check out what else Reno has written.

Thank you to NetGalley, Reno R. Mist, and Posh Pangolin Publishers and Victory Editing for the advanced reader copy. Opinions expressed are purely mine. :)

Reno R. Mist's writing in Captured Prey captivates from the first sentence, but it’s the promise of an exciting, meticulously crafted story that keeps your attention. Mist’s prose borders on masterful; you don’t just visualize her words, you feel them deeply. Though short, the story is richly packed with detail that left me as satisfied as a sweeping epic fantasy. Thankfully, Mist has promised more novellas and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.

Thank you so much to the Reno R. Mist, Posh Pangolin Publishers, and NetGalley for the eARC.