I just read this entire book in one sitting and omg it was soooooo good.
The banter between the characters 10 out of 10
The chemistry between the characters 10 out of 10
The spicy scenes top shelf
If you’re looking for romance with kink this is one for you.

I devoured this in a day. Shane is both filthy mouthed and the sweetest man. Claire is bold, brave and competitive. I was expecting plenty of spice (it didn’t disappoint) but I wasn’t expecting to laugh and tear up as much as I did. Plenty of heartfelt and comedic moments make Willing Prey not just a kink story, but a story of two people who saved each other when they needed saving.

- Dual POV
- Mature MCs
- He falls first
- Primal play
- Kink exploration
- CNC
- Praise/degradation
- Role reversal

I am impatiently awaiting Margot’s book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Evermore for this free arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 ⭐
5/5 🌶️

This book follows a freshly divorced Claire whos ex husband was cheating on her. She decides to go for a job that requires her to be hunted by Shane, her e husbands boss. 30 days. That is all. During this time alot of truths are realised. This book is very kink heavy and the spicy scenes are very detailed 👀
If you want a book that not only youll devour but your partner will love too, then please read this!!
It does not include pregnancy in the epilogue which i love! Both characters stayed true to who they are throughout the story and i fell in love with both of them during the process

I absolutely loved this! I flew through it, didn’t want to put it down. As soon as I saw this book advertised I’ve been eager to read it! Let’s say it did not disappoint.

Things don’t take long to get going, there is lots of spice throughout. I loved Claire she’s a great character she’s feisty and she’s confident, she also knows exactly what she wants.

Shane and Claire together though were adorable I loved them. Every part of this book was so good. Is it too soon to reread it already?

A definite 5 stars from me. If you like dark romance I recommend this one!

Thank you to Evermore for a gifted eARC via Netgalley.

Willing Prey is a thrilling read. Hunting is a completely foreign concept to me, but this book explored in such a way that I could understand the negatives and the boundaries that should be in place if considering it but also how it can be fun and freeing in the right circumstances with the right person/people.

Shane is an unexpectedly sweet character. His immediate attraction to Claire is obvious from his awkwardness at the Christmas party at which they met, and, though he acts on his attraction in a non-traditional way, it’s clear throughout that he is a genuinely caring person with a lot of heart that he doesn’t know how to show. I’d have liked to have delved into his background even more. We get snippets and it’s not hard to read between the lines but I’d love to know more about his parents, where his dad is now etc. I also can’t quite get over the fact that his and his siblings’ names are Shane, Caine and Lane (Delaney).

Claire is a bit of a mystery to me. We learn about where she is now, but all of her commentary is very much focused in the present. We are told very little about her background, even in terms of her job. She seems sweet and like she has a good head on her shoulders but we really don’t know her that well. She is pretty wise though, and one of my favourite lines of hers is “I can’t meet a need I don’t know exists.” That’s something I have to remind myself of a lot. Communication is key! And it’s a big message in this book.

I would have liked to have seen a conversation between Shane and Claire about how he came to ask her to hunt. It feels like a secret the reader shares with Shane that Claire never gets to know. We hint at it with the lipstick name, but there isn’t that ‘aha’ moment that I would think would be satisfying and full circle.

I am so completely intrigued by Margot as a character, so I’m going that this will be a series and we get to explore her relationship with Jeremy (and with Caine).

I will say, at the end of the story, I thought we were getting hints that Claire was pregnant so, when no children were mentioned in the epilogue (I know she doesn’t want them), I got a bit confused! There were at least two phrases that I felt suggested it so I was genuinely surprised when it wasn’t the case. I do, however, really like it when a character says they don’t want kids and then they just don’t have them! A woman is well within her rights to not want children and, so often, the accidental pregnancy trope is thrust upon us to show them that they’re ‘wrong’ so I’m glad to see her character didn’t experience that.

There is little conflict in Willing Prey, so I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a nice easy romance. It can be harsh in its description of some of the hunts but it isn’t dark. There is genuine care offered or available.

Shane & Claire

This is a new author to me and I'm glad I read this. I really enjoyed this book!

I loved the banter between the characters and the spice was just WOW. No third act breakup which is always a bonus!

Hoping a book 2 might be in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and Evermore UK for this ARC.

4 stars

Thank you netgalley and evermore UK for this arc.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and was pretty much obsessed with both main characters from the get go.

We dive straight into the plot of the story which pretty much had me hooked after the first couple of pages. A spicey primal romance, involving being hunted and hunting… I mean what more could you want!

I loved the inner monologue of both characters and their banter with one another throughout the book. Great chemistry throughout which was greatly executed!

Wow. I loved this book. Fast paced, great spicy scenes. The suspense you feel waiting for the hunt. Particularly liked when the roles changed. Devoured the book in a day. Hoping to see another book on the horizon 😏 maybe Caine and Margot 😁
Thanks for allowing me an advanced readers copy

Read if you like: primal play, rough spicy scenes, orgasm deprivation, miscommunication, he falls first, stalking, OM drama transactional relationship, breath play, CNC

Shane wanted Claire as soon as he saw her. He played the long game and devised a plan so that they could get together. The way that I was hooked in so deep omg I did not take my eyes off this book.

This was thrilling, steamy, dirty, had my heart pounding out of my chest because I felt like I was the one being chased. There’s OM drama, a bit of miscommunication, light stalking and lots of rough spicy scenes.

The romance isn’t really there, the book focuses on sex and kink exploration. I liked the book until it hit the end, it threw me off and I didn’t like that she started calling him the nickname (it just didn’t work the same) and the role switch had me like 🥴 it’s a personal preference to not be into submissive men but if you love the tropes and you’re wanting a spicy book, then you’re going to be so into this! (The majority of the book he is dominant).

Out /m: October 7th

Thank you to evermore via NetGalley for providing me with this proof of willing prey - when they reached out to me via email and said “ you are invited to read this book” I ofc had to pick it up - a spicy dark romance with primal play but where it’s fully consensual etc !!! + she’s being paid 1k a day for it - for 30 days all Claire has to do is participate in the primal play kink that both she and her ex husbands boss are into hehe.

This book is so me coded ( right up my alley) fun , funny , hot , and truly just something I love !!

Now am I the biggest dark romance fan ? (No) but that’s not cus of the genre itself but cus so many aren’t done in a way that I enjoy - I love books with kinks in ( books with consensual kink in) where both characters are into to stuff etc . - unfortunately after reading a lot of dark romances I’ve come to realise many do not do a good job at consensual kink . - so I don’t read it as often anymore. - but I did ofc have to pick this up almost immediately .

Honestly this book is enjoyable- is it spicy ( yeah ) does the whole plot mainly focus on Shane and Claire participating in primal play ? ( yes) but honestly it’s fun!! This is a fun consensual kinky book !! With banter and two main characters that are delightful and lovable !!! - it’s 99% erotica but does have emotional moments that make you swoon

I know for sure that unfortunately if evermore had never invited me to read this book that i probably would’ve never done so ( unless it was a booktok book) Because I had no clue this book was coming out this year - however this hidden gem truly was worth it . Im happy I got the opportunity to read this book as a proof. - truly the fact that from page 1 I knew I’d eat this book up !!

The fact this had no 3rd act breakup and the conflict was resolved quickly was amazing - oh and god how much I hate Claire’s ex shitty husband !!! - but loved this book !! Claire and Shane are perfect for each other !! Also finding out this was once a novella that’s been turned into a full length book feels like even more special . Truly this was a joy to read and i definitely will be reading whatever Allie writes next

Tropes :
- he falls first
- cinnamon roll mmc

I loved this book. For me this was the right amount of spicy mixed with plot/humour. I would say that this book is in the same range as lights out. Definitely crosses some lines for some, but isn't horrendously abusive or extreme.
That being said I would check the trigger warnings as I can see that this would be too much for some.

I was so excited when I spotted this on NetGalley, and even more excited when I got the approval less than 10 minutes later!
This story follows Claire as she's navigating a divorce and attempting to pay back her student loans. I won't go too much into the plot, but it focuses on a deal she makes to earn some quick cash.

I've read books that have had elements of primal play kink in it, but this is my first book that features it heavily.
Holy sh*t, this is hot! 🥵

This is spicy, and it's got a great plot that I got invested in 🤩 I adored the side characters (and hope there will be an opportunity to explore their stories more!).

The main characters, Shane and Claire, are so cute together - Shane needs to be protected at all costs! He is the sweetest, most awkward man ever and I adore him!
They are also 35+ which is such a delight, and I truly appreciated that! Claire was refreshingly relatable and I'm sure a lot of readers will connect with that.

Willing Prey is out October 7th. Thank you so much to Random House UK (Evermore) for the ARC via NetGalley and for giving me the opportunity to share my honest thoughts on this book.

Firstly thank you for the ability to read this early.

I’m going to start this review by saying I’m shocked and confused because this seems to be the authors first published book, but she writes like a seasoned professional???

The book was fast paced, cute, funny in the right places and very hot and it doesn’t happen all the time but I was a big fan of both of our main characters, Claire’s inner monologue was actually really refreshing and Shane was just a kinky cinnamon roll.

(Also surely there’s a book 2 about Margot & Caine?!)

If you like:
- mature adults with a side of goofiness
- hot men who know how to use their tongue (👀)
- kink exploration
- and loveable side characters then this read is for you!

*brb while I update my hinge preferences to mild stalkery moody lawyers*

This book pretty much runs, leaps and jumps right into the spice, with primal play practically being a main character on its own. I enjoyed the cosy yet exciting atmosphere of the book, with it mostly set outdoors in the woods as either Claire or Shane 'hunted' each other playing pretador and prey. Despite being at least 75% smut, this book did have plot, though I didn't really connect to the romance due to a lot of the getting to know each other/ sweet romance was done off page- aside from healing and learning about each other through kink and them doing some aftercare eventually.

The ex-husband drama personally didn't hit for me, I liked Claire's no-nonsense attitude towards the cheating SOB, but the ex just felt like an irritation more than entertaining. I did enjoy that the third act drama was dealt with maturely, there wasn't any major miscommunication or breakup, and Shane didn't hold back when it came to bucking up and finally confessing his feelings.

Claire and Shane are somewhat flawed characters, they've both got issues they're working through, and I liked seeing their development, though I'd say a lot of the plot was focused on Claire healing from her messy, still lingering divorce. I couldn't really relate to either Claire or Shane, but I did like them and understood why their bonding took time. I did especially like their few sweet moments we got to see in-between the spice, giving readers a hint of comedy and cuteness along with the steam.

The side characters were amazing, especially Margot and Caine (daresay I liked them more than the main couple?), I'm rooting for them, and will absolutely scream if they get their own book, Caine is for sure my type of man.

Overall, whilst mostly erotica, it still had some cute moments, and is definitely a perfect, steamy, summer read- just be sure to make sure nobody's peeking over your shoulder, because it can get pretty spicy!

4/5 🌟

🌶️ Book Review: Willing Prey by Allie Oleander 🌶️

This book was so much fun,I devoured it in under 24 hours! It’s sinfully spicy, wildly entertaining, and packed with characters I absolutely fell in love with. Shane? Obsessed. He’s intense, magnetic, and brilliantly written. Claire was also such a standout, strong, smart, and surprisingly easy to root for. The chemistry between them? Off. The. Charts.

I’ve been deep in the romantasy trenches lately, so Willing Prey was exactly the palate cleanser I didn’t know I needed. The plot had enough momentum to keep me hooked, and the heat level? A solid 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥—seriously, it delivers. Best part? A satisfying happily ever after that had me smiling like an idiot.

My only tiny complaint? I’m dying to know more about Shane’s mysterious brother and his intriguing assistant. Fingers crossed for a sequel because I am so ready to dive back into this world.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 spicy stars!

didn’t know what to expect going into this one but i didn’t expect it to be wholesome and sweet!!!!! i loved shane and claire so much and i’m gonna need a book 2 for the side characters asap x

Willing Prey wasted absolutely no time getting going, and it doesn't slow down! With the plot described in the blurb, I knew that there'd be a lot of spice (and there is) but I wasn't expecting for the book to make me cry in the middle of all that. I binged it in one go this evening and was very surprised that I'd reached the end already!

Claire is a great FMC - very honest and confident in what she wants, and I loved that there was no shame involved in this story. There wasn't much plot beyond the relationship (contractual and otherwise) between Claire and Shane but as well as making me laugh, it made me cry, and that always gets a 5 star from me!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Random House UK and NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.