As a Marvel girly who isn't afraid of fanfiction this was written for me! It was swoon worthy, funny and spciey - do I really need anything else???
A villain that wants to change his ways and she is the only way to help him - sign me up... like now please, how do I get this job? ROLAND IS THE MAN, like perfection, as in will burn down the world for her, as in touch her and die, as in chiseled ab perfection! The spice between then was spicing and the tension delicious!

This was giving "The Boys" and I didn't realize I need it. Ultimately, I need more I am SMITTEN for Elizabeth Stephens, and you should be too.

Thank you Net Galley for the e-Arc opportunity!

I freaking loved reading Vanessa and Roland’s story!

You get fake dating, PR fiascos, Grumpy aliens, and wild story telling.

Vanessa was a character that I could relate to; a woman filled with anxiety and yet still wanting to face the world head on. She was an introverted character with walls as tall as ever, but once comfortable she was a fun, kind, and quirky person you love. I love a girl boss who can make ripples in the world and maintain herself, and Vanessa does wonders as the PR company’s CEO.

Roland was an all around mean grump, but I personally loved every growl, eye roll and grunt. Especially as we reach his growing stage. Roland was a villain in every sense of the word: isolated from others, different from the rest, with a steady distain for the world. Until he crossed paths with dear Vanessa. After choosing to hang up the villainry cape, and dawns the superhero title with Vanessa’s PR expertise, his whole world changed. Then became the grinch whose heart grew three sizes larger.

The plot was easy to follow while being amazingly entertaining. As both a superhero and romance fan, I loved the playful approach to the superhero genre and the storytelling of aliens on earth. Plus a Black superhero romance? I was locked in!

This in conjunction with the ongoing storyline between the MCs was really interesting! And the twist in the end was a delightful element to their otherwise epic adventure.

It was a beautiful balance between light humorous storytelling with deeply emotional moments, filled with pain and trauma. I laughed, blushed, and teared up alongside these characters. Plus, the side characters were diverse (Black, Mexican, Trans, Queer Identities, and Sapphic characters) intriguing, and leave you wanting to see more from them all!

All-in-all, I definitely recommend for everyone to mark their calendars and give this story a try once it’s released in May

Great mashup between quirky fake dating office rom-com and superhero sci-fi/fantasy romance!

Vanessa and Roland are truly made for each other and seeing them both bring out the best in one another is a wild ride. Vanessa deals with a lot of social anxiety and the representation of that while still showing how amazing she is at her job, is inspiring. One of my favorite things to read is when the MMC is rough on the outside, but softer for the one he loves. Roland isn’t never truly what I would call soft but Vanessa gets a side of him that melts my heart all the same.

Super beings crashing down to earth and becoming super heroes is a very classic take. And I think here it’s done really well. I can’t wait to possibly see more of the forty eight. There was definitely enough left open for us to see either more of Vanessa and Roland or stem off to other characters. Either way I am super excited to see more in this universe!

A really fun, cute read! I really related to the FMC with her social anxiety and I liked watching her learn to vocalize her thoughts and needs. I loved the way the MMC was a big grump but he learned to be patient for the sake of the FMCs anxiety and became a whole ass superhero for her! I felt like the spice in the second half of the book was a bit much but it was well done

What I liked:
• it was a very fun concept! I do love superhero movies, and romance is always my favorite part of any story so this book was up my alley
• the big happy family - love how sweet Vanessa’s adoption story was, and the potential for future books starring her brothers is intriguing
• inclusion! I always appreciate diverse characters, but especially now, having a Trans character whose main story is not their gender identity was much appreciated. Hope to get her book next!!
• felt like Twilight but with superheroes (complimentary)

What I didn’t like:
• I felt like I was missing context at early points in the book before the villains/hero origins were explained


Overall a fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for the eARC!

If you’ve ever enjoyed The Boys*or imagined what superheroes and villains, would be like in the real world, you need to pick this up!

48 superpowered beings land on Earth, and eventually, society builds teams, branding, and PR around them. Enter Vanessa, a shy PR rep, assigned to rebrand “Pyro” (Roland)—a hot-tempered villain turned reluctant hero.

Roland is hot, strong, smitten—and so angry! Watching him wrestle with his feelings for Vanessa was a chaotic joy. It’s a fun enemies(ish)-to-lovers arc filled with tension, action, and scorching chemistry. Their dual POV added emotional depth, and the sex scenes? Absolute gold!!

The world-building is light but immersive, making it easy to fall into. The side characters—especially Vanessa’s coworkers and family—are charming and funny, adding layers of warmth and humor.

I didn’t expect this to veer into monster romance territory by the end, but honestly? I was *not* disappointed. It worked surprisingly well and added even more intrigue.

Elizabeth’s signature mix of action, heart, and heat shines here. I rarely wish books were longer, but I could have spent so much more time in this world. I seriously hope there’s a sequel!

The author and I are mutuals on social media. I was provided this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review—and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Pick up All Superheroes Need PR on May 27th, 2025!! You won’t regret it!

4⭐️
3🌶️ (slow burn)

Tropes :
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Shy girl
- Inexperienced FMC
- Morally Grey
- Superheroes/Villains
- Office Romance
- Fake Dating

I've found a new auto-read author! This book was everything I didn't know I wanted. I'm obsessed with the idea of a romance set in the world of superheroes and villains - think The Incredibles but sexier and a little more villainous. Roland is peak swoony MMC, his obsession with Vanessa had me DYING. The two of them together are my favorite thing. I will say I was shocked when it turned into a bit of a monster romance at the end. The author also did a really great job of creating a diverse cast of characters. I can't wait to dive into more books in this world! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Rating: ★★★★☆

All Superheroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens, published by Montlake, offers a refreshing blend of superhero action and romantic comedy.

The narrative follows Roland Casteel, formerly known as the Pyro 🔥, as he seeks redemption by rebranding himself as the Wyvern 🐉.

To aid in this transformation, he enlists Vanessa Theriot, a proficient PR director 💼, to reshape his public image.

Their professional relationship evolves into a faux romantic engagement 💘, designed to sway public opinion.

As their staged interactions deepen, genuine emotions surface, leading both characters to confront personal insecurities and past traumas.

Stephens crafts multi-dimensional protagonists whose personal growth is central to the narrative. Vanessa is portrayed as intelligent and competent, yet grappling with social anxiety and self-doubt. Her journey towards self-assurance is depicted with sensitivity and realism.

Roland embodies the complexities of a man striving to overcome a checkered past, evolving from a brooding loner to someone capable of vulnerability.

The novel delves into themes of redemption, identity, and the influence of public perception. The exploration of PR strategies within the superhero context offers a novel perspective, highlighting the intersection between personal narratives and media portrayal.

While the plot is inventive, there are moments where pacing could be more consistent, particularly in the development of the central romance.

Additionally, certain action sequences occur off-page, which may leave readers craving more immersive depictions of superhero exploits.

Overall, All Superheroes Need PR is a commendable addition to the superhero romance genre, distinguished by its unique premise and thoughtful character arcs. Elizabeth Stephens successfully intertwines action, humor, and romance, resulting in a narrative that resonates on multiple levels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the opportunity to review this engaging work.

This couple was so freaky for each other it was hilarious. Honestly it was funny, the story was interesting, and the characters were fun to see interest. Did this feel like fanfic at times? Yes but I love fanfic. Was I not expecting omegaverae and demon aliens to be involved in this book? No I was not but I the ride was fun so who cares. The beginning was a little cracky with how she was so clumsy and she got so drunk off of two glasses she vomited profoundly over the male lead? But fuck it we ball and that whole thing was over in 10 pages Plus the guy was funny I'm sorry!!! He said and did the absolute most bonkers shit it was obvious that man was not human. "Five years. I blink in shock. Two. Ten. Three. Fifteen." Mf that is not how negotiating works you don't go UP. anyway it was fun and a good three star read. Honestly a 3.5 because I'd read this again for a silly time.

I’m so grateful I got my hands on this digital arc. Elizabeth Stephens’ mind is beautiful, filthy, brilliant, sexy, I could go on and on. Roland and Vanessa may be my favorite characters of hers. Vanessa finds strength and empowerment through her relationships in ways she never has before. Roland, a pushy and loud superhero finds peace and belonging in the unexpected soft and quiet he didn’t know he was missing.
This felt like a new storytelling journey for Elizabeth Stephens. I’m so excited there is more than one book in this “series?” I can’t wait to meet the next characters.

Elizabeth Stevens introduces a fun and imaginative premise in All Superheroes Need PR, where being a hero isn’t just about saving the day—it’s also about managing your public image. The world-building is playful, with unique takes on superpowers that set the stage for an exciting new series. I’m glad the author doesn’t rely on the same old recycled hero types.

However, the execution didn’t always work for me.

The heroine is timid and harshly self-critical, with an inner dialogue that felt brutal and uncomfortable. There were vague references to a “file” and her past that seemed to hint at childhood trauma or possible SA—but it was never directly addressed. That kind of serious topic deserves more clarity and emotional weight, not just subtle nods. It was tough to connect with her emotionally (and she has a therapist!!!). While she does eventually grow, the journey felt slow and lacked context early on.

The hero, Wyvern, didn’t fully land either. His constant glaring came off awkward rather than intense, and because we didn’t get his point of view early on, it was hard to get invested in the romance. I also couldn’t get behind the name “Wyvern”—it’s obscure and likely unfamiliar to most readers. A name like Phoenix or even Pyro (his original name and honestly more fun) would’ve fit better. Wyvern just sounds like bad PR. So many better options—Flame, Scorch, Blaze, Cinder—and then… pink eyes? Come on!

The book also struggled with pacing. There were several moments when major action scenes happened off-page or were summarized after the fact, which weakened the momentum and tension. For a superhero story, I wanted to experience the danger, not just be told about it. I was also surprised more heroes didn’t show up—it felt like a world built for epic team-ups, but the cast stayed oddly small.


That said, there were bright spots. The heroine’s “band” of brothers absolutely stole the show. They were hilarious, fiercely loyal, and brought much-needed humor and heart to the book. Their protective bond with their sister was one of my favorite parts.

Also… let’s just say there’s a ton of heat with a side of monster smut. That’s all I’ll say about that.

In the end, All Superheroes Need PR is a quirky, creative series starter with real potential. It has a unique world, fun supporting characters, and moments of emotional impact—but it falls short in execution, especially around emotional depth, action delivery, and natural character integration. I’m still interested to see how the series evolves in future books. And yes—I really hope Tironis is next up for love.

I enjoyed this up until the “75% conflict”.
Loved that it wasn’t a pointless split between the couple but it made no sense in the storyline, felt rushed/forced and not at all angsty.

FMC+MMC were cute together and I enjoyed the romance progression.
Hopefully this becomes a series because I think it’s a world that I’d like to delve back into.

** I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

4 Stars – All Superheroes Need PR was such a fun read! As someone who works in PR, I absolutely loved the behind-the-scenes look at managing superhero reputations—it felt so spot-on. But beyond that, the story itself was just really entertaining, with great characters and a fast-paced plot. A super enjoyable read!

This was a fun ride! I haven’t read many superhero romances but I definitely want to read more. The ending seemed like this could continue as a series and I really hope it is! I had a fun time with this one, but the end kind of got wild for me. Overall I really liked our 2 main characters and their friends/family and would definitely read more of this turns out to be a series!

This was a fantastic new book by Elizabeth Stephens. Roland and Vanessa are a smoking combination from their first meeting. I love a "he falls first book" and this was wonderful. The back and forth banter between these two will keep you invested. An interesting premise on superheroes and why they showed up. Loved the ending and I'm really hoping for more books in this universe.

First, it's 4.5 stars from me. And you can blame Vanessa for that.

I hated the book cover—not because it’s bad, but because it gives the story the wrong feel. At first glance, I assumed this would be a rom-com, which felt totally off for an Elizabeth Stephens book. I’ve read all her Xiveri Mates series, and I know she’s not afraid to dig into the darkest corners of romance and emotion. When I saw this book offered as an ARC, I was intrigued but skeptical—was I about to read a fluffier, lighter version of her usual work? A pink cover didn’t exactly scream "deep, intense storytelling."Boy, was I wrong. And that makes me so happy!

I saw some reviews criticizing Roland’s handling of Vanessa, especially in the bedroom. The whole "good girl" dynamic felt a little weird at first, given her history of abuse and anxiety. But as the story progressed and Vanessa developed as a character, it started making more sense. The dual POV also helped ease my initial discomfort by giving better insight into his mindset.

Now, let’s talk about the characters—my biggest frustration with an otherwise fantastic book. This story gets a 10/10 for originality and creativity. I’ve read hundreds of sci-fi romances, and this one still felt fresh. But my issue? The characters.

<b>Ronald Roland: The Antihero Done Right </b>
Roland is not a good guy—something I think some readers forgot. Having read Stephens’ darker alien books, I wasn’t surprised by how their romance played out. Roland is exactly what I expect from a well-written antihero: rough around the edges, murder on his mind, and more inclined to set the world on fire than save it. Stephens knows how to write an intense, alpha male, and Roland absolutely delivered. In fact, he and the secondary characters are why I’m giving this book five stars.

<b>And Then There’s Vanessa… AKA Bella 2.0</b>
So if Roland wasn’t my issue, who was? Freaking Vanessa. There, I said it. She is Bella Swan and Anastasia Steele combined. And I cannot unsee it. She could have been a well-rounded, semi-badass heroine. I get that Stephens wanted her to be naive and angelic to contrast Roland’s darkness, but OH BOYYYYYY. All I could picture was Bella sighing and biting her lip on an endless TikTok loop.
And look—I hate saying this because Stephens can write strong heroines who hold their ground against alpha males. But Vanessa? She spent most of the book literally falling flat on her face. Don’t tell me that’s not peak Bella behavior. Out of the hundreds of books I’ve read, Bella remains my most hated character, and Vanessa had me dangerously close to putting her in the same category. Perhaps it’s me that can’t connect to this type of woman because I’m not like her in anyway. So maybe that’s more on me than her?... Not sure, but Vanessa was not it for me. Thankfully, she did improve toward the end—because, again, Stephens is a damn good writer. The last 50 pages almost redeemed her. Not enough to make me like her, but enough that I stopped mentally yeeting her off a building.

Ratings:
🔥 Spice: 4/5 (especially if you focus on Roland and ignore Vanessa’s Anastasia moments)
📖 Plot: 5/5—Incredibly unique and well-executed, especially that ending (my pink dragon 😉).
💖 Romance: 4/5—The slow build saved Vanessa from being entirely unbearable. Without it, I’d have thrown her off a ledge myself.

Overall, I finished reading this book a week ago and I still keep thinking about it. Especially towards the end. I really did enjoy a more fierce Vanessa that made me get back into the book as I started loosing more and more faith in her. And now, every time I see pink, I have to laugh, picturing a certain demon/alien/dragon. Final verdict? Despite my deep frustration with Vanessa, this book is absolutely worth the read. 4.5 stars!

**ARC provided by NetGallery and her publishers.

This book absolutely does not disappoint in the superhero/villain department and the dark themes with a dash of romance are handled quite well. Not a fluffy read but a solid romance with an interesting world.

This was a fun, spicy superhero romance! I'm always looking for more diverse reads (especially in the world of spice and romance) so this definitely hit the mark there. I enjoyed many elements in this book, including the enemies to lovers, villain turned superhero, and actual trans representation. I do love spice (just see my shelves...), however, I wish this one had a little less spice because I wanted a little bit more plot. I will definitely read any further installments in this series! This book was incredibly enjoyable, fun, and will entice anyone who is a fan of superhero shows/movies and romance!

3.5 ⭐️
The title and cover automatically had me intrigued. This sounded like such a fun and unique concept/plot that I had never read before, so I was super excited to read. And for the most part it was those things. I was expecting a bit more rom-com vibes, but it wasn’t quite there, something was missing. I was into the plot and the characters the majority of the book, but the last bit kind of lost me, as it wasn’t what I was expecting. (Semi-spoiler) It turned into a bit of a monster romance, which isn’t a bad thing just totally unexpected and therefore felt out of place. Overall it was still a fun and interesting story and as this is a series, I’m curious who the other books will be about (other superheroes? friends and family?) I’ll most likely continue the series to see.

I never knew how much I needed a superhero romance until I read this book! A new, exciting, and super swoon-worthy sci-fi romance by Elizabeth Stephens, All Superheroes Need PR is a fantastic start to the series.

The story follows Roland, one of the 48 superheroes who came to Earth two decades ago. Wanting to switch from villain to hero, he hires Vanessa to handle his PR. Part of their strategy includes the Lois Lane clause, and Roland wants the shy Vanessa to pose as his heroine. Their fake relationship quickly turns all too real, but with many obstacles in their way, their road to happiness is a challenge.

I loved Vanessa and Roland, or Nessa and Rollo as they call each other. So cute! They both go through so much in this story, especially concerning his identity and both of their pasts. Nessa is smart and caring and so much braver than she gives herself credit for. Roland doesn’t give himself enough credit for his awesomeness either. A solitary male, he faces some harsh and difficult realities as he transitions into the hero role. What’s fabulous, though, is that he has so many more people in his corner because of Vanessa, and he ends up getting the kind of support that he deserves. His life is definitely changed for the better because of Vanessa. And Vanessa changes, too. I think Roland’s support, love, and strength give her more confidence and strength, and he’s really understanding when it comes to her anxiety and trauma. It’s all just super romantic and heartwarming and lovely.

Of course, for me, the highlight of the book is Vanessa and Roland’s romance. My word, Elizabeth Stephens sure knows how to craft a swoon-worthy love story, and this one is brilliant. Romantic, steamy, intense, sweet, and so deserved for both characters. Did I say steamy? Because my glasses fogged up a few times when reading this one! lol What I love is that their feelings for each other run deep. They understand each other on a level that others don’t – their fears, needs, insecurities, successes- nothing is off limits. Roland is intense and can be intimidating to many, but not to Vanessa. He falls for her so hard, and he’s pretty clear and obvious about his feelings. Loved it! The way he loves her so deeply and unconditionally definitely wins him over with her family and friends (and me! lol).

The other characters are great too, especially Vanessa’s family. They’re all so loving and supportive, and the way they bring Roland into their fold is lovely. Vanessa also has some amazing friends, and the found family vibes are fantastic. I loved so many scenes with these characters. Each has a unique voice and story, and I’m hoping we’ll see more of them in future books.

I also enjoyed the plot and am so curious to see what happens next because there are a few surprising revelations that will change everything they know about the heroes and villains, as well as the planet they came from.

I can’t say enough about this book. It’s fun and exciting, romantic and sexy, and the plot had me hooked from the start. It’s the perfect mix of action, romance, suspense, and humor. And the banter? Perfection.