The book follows Storee trying to make ends meet working jobs she hates, and Locke, her late fathers best friend who attempts to watch over her from a distance. Locke harbours feelings of guilt for not doing enough to prevent the death of his best friend but he feelings on Gabriels death a far from why he involves himself in Storee’s life.

With the hunt about to begin, Locke is less than heppy to learn Storee has signed herself up to be hunted and intends to make his feelings known!

The book is a standalone in the Gods Amoung Men series, its a duel POV with plenty of triggers so make sure to read the trigger warnings!

Its a perfect addition to an already exciting series taking you straight into the action once intros are out the way and keeping the heat level turned all the way up throughout!

There are plenty of kinks for lovers of primal, masks, domination, the list goes on…


The main tropes include age gap, possessive, alphahole, small town, stalker….youll have to read to find out the others!

A must have for any dark romance reader!

Rating 3.25⭐
Spice ☠️☠️☠️.5

ARC REVIEW

Surprisingly, the lore behind the town was quite interesting. I wish we got more of it since there wasn't a lot of world building of itself. I didn't mind it, just would have liked more because of the "ritual" they do.

I personally just didn't like the characters towards the end. They were annoying and I honestly couldn't stand it. Look, I don't mind miscommunication tropes, ONLY if it's done properly. This just felt rushed. Like the author needed this to overlook something else.

Will I read book 2? Most likely. Again, I liked the story, just not the characters as much.

Audiobook review. The story was average for me. There wasn’t anything that stood out from many I’ve read except for the type of masks they use. The page space didn’t lead to much character development outside of the baseline mutual want. The intimacy was well done by the narrators Marie Hawkins and Robin Blake. Overall not bad.

This book is perfectly suited for readers who are captivated by dark, primal romances that delve into the complexities of power dynamics and morality. It explores the thrilling and often taboo nature of desire and forbidden attraction, pushing the boundaries of conventional relationships. If you're intrigued by stories that challenge societal norms and delve into the darker aspects of human emotion and connection, this book will undoubtedly resonate with you. The characters within these pages are morally complex and their relationships are fraught with tension, making for a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience.

Thank you net galley for this audiobook!

This is a dark, stalker, dad’s best friend, age gap, and tons of smut.

I do wish there was more plot and more depth within the plot that exists. I do like that the FMC is more independent and isn’t always so blindly obedient. She’s so stubborn and it’s very relatable. It’s definitely more smut based.

3.5⭐️

Thank you NetGallery & Dreamscape Media for an ALC of Heathens!!

The production and narrators for this read were Fantastic!!!

The story itself fell a little short for me; the general plot was wonderful but I felt we lacked more depth in the characters, the surroundings and the Hunt. I really wanted so much more detail revolving the small town, the tradition of the Hunt etc!

Still a great quick read/listen in the end though

Book Review: Heathens by Alta Hensley – 5/5 Stars

Heathens by Alta Hensley is a masterclass in dark romance, expertly walking the line between seductive danger and deep emotional pull. This novel had me hooked from the first chapter, delivering a gripping plot with just the right amount of spice to keep things deliciously intense without ever overshadowing the story.

What sets Heathens apart is how well the plot and romance intertwine. The storyline is rich with suspense, secrets, and power dynamics that add weight to every interaction. The pacing is tight, keeping you on edge while slowly unraveling the layers of the characters. You’re not just pulled into the steamy tension—you’re fully invested in why it matters.

The narration is another standout feature. Alta Hensley has a gift for creating atmosphere with her words. Whether it's a gritty underworld scene or a quiet, emotionally charged moment, her writing brings everything to life in vivid, cinematic detail. The characters are complex and magnetic—especially the male lead, who perfectly balances menace and vulnerability. You believe in his dominance, but you're also drawn to his depth.

For fans of dark romance, Heathens hits every note: thrilling, sexy, emotional, and even thought-provoking. It's a book that lingers with you, not just for its heat, but for its heart. Hensley proves yet again why she’s a queen of the genre.

When I saw the cover of this book, I knew I wanted to read it. You know you can just look at a book sometimes and know that it's going to be what you want, that's what happened here.

Now I personally don't always love primal play in romance but the book description alluded to "The Hunt" and I was intrigued. I am so glad I listened to this book because I DEVOURED it!

After his best friend passes away, Locke, feels responsible to make sure his best friend's daughter has someone looking after her. Even if his idea of looking after her is more like stalking.

Storee, refuses to accept help from Locke or anything that has ties to her father as she didn't approve of his lifestyle. As she struggles to get by, her friend convinces her to take part in The Hunt since the day after The Hunt the women that take part are left generous gift baskets to thank them for their participation.

What is The Hunt you ask? The elite rich dress up in stag masks and chase their assigned prey. Once you turn on your porch light signaling you want to take part, you have to follow through and when the hunter catches his prey, he can claim his prize.

Do you see what I mean! I loved that there was a reason for the primal play that made sense in the context of the book. And oh boy, is it spicy!!

The audiobook was released on 03/05/2025 and is narrated by Marie Hawkins and Robin Blake. Both are experienced narrators who you've likely heard before if you're an avid listener. Needless to say, they did an amazing job with the audiobook and I would definitely recommend opting for the audiobook.

I couldn't get enough of this story. So much so that as soon as I finished the audiobook, I downloaded Primal which is the next book in the series. I read about 90% of it that night before having to call it a night because it was 2 a.m.

If you enjoy dark romance, then you definitely need to give this one a read or a listen.

I can't stop thinking about this book. Loved the vibes of this, perfect for spooky season (or anytime really). The primal play was so good, it had me panting!!

Storee Brooks has recently lost her father and she speculates the secret society was in on it?? Fiercely independent, she works several jobs, some of them are a bit controversial. For instance, she works as a waitress at one of the secret societies clubs - which is the club her father’s best friend owns.

Locke Hartwell does not want Storee anywhere near his club because he knows what lurks in the dark. However, as stubborn as every Storee does. What grips him even more is when she enters her name in The Hunt - a time in which you solicit your body to whoever catches you in the woods.

Locke is supposed to be watching over her and ensuring she remains safe, but he is also so drawn to her. Desperate for no one else to have her, he decides to hunt her.

Storee originally didn’t want to participate in The Hunt, but her bestie eagerly suggests she does so because the pay is so good. And when the night of The Hunt comes, Sotree’s mind is blown at how much fun she had. Little does she know the man behind the mask is her father’s best friend.

Oop

LOVED THIS. Actually. Such a good/fun time!!

I was hoping to get more of the games because that was fun and hot. It was a quick and enjoyable book!

4.5⭐️

This is a review of the audiobook.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I normally don’t go for books that are more smut than plot but I was surprised at how much I liked this one.

This is book 1 of a series but seems like it could be read as a standalone. If you like age gap, dad’s best friend, primal play, stalker vibes with a dash of touch her and die, this is definitely the book for you!

Heathens by Alta Hensley
3 stars.

Thank you netgalley for this #ALC.

Heathens by Alta Hensley plunges readers into the shadowed world of Heathens Hollow, where Storee Brooks finds herself entangled in a forbidden attraction with Locke Hartwell, her deceased father's best friend. Their simmering desires ignite amidst the clandestine "Hunt," a primal game of chase and submission, where Locke's possessive nature emerges as he watches Storee participate. As their connection deepens, Locke's obsession manifests in stalker-like tendencies, fueling a dark and kinky romance that explores themes of dominance, submission, and primal desires, pushing boundaries and unleashing the raw intensity of their forbidden passion.

Hensley can definitely write intense, atmospheric scenes. The tension between the characters was palpable, and there were moments where I genuinely felt that delicious, dark thrill. But those moments were fleeting. I was left wanting so much more in terms of actual plot development. It felt like we were building up to something huge, only to have the momentum fizzle out.

The characters themselves were intriguing, but also frustratingly underdeveloped. I wanted to dig deeper into their motivations, their backstories, their inner conflicts. But we were mostly given surface-level glimpses, leaving me feeling disconnected. I think the potential for complex, morally gray characters was there, but it wasn't fully realized.

Ultimately, Heathens felt like a missed opportunity. It had all the ingredients for a dark, captivating read, but it lacked the substance to truly deliver. It was a lot of atmosphere and tension, but not enough plot or character depth to make it truly satisfying. If you're looking for a quick read with a focus on spice you likely will enjoy it.

Troupes: age gap, primal play, some hints of BDSM dynamics
Spice 3.5/5
Plot 3.5/5
Pace 3.5/5
Character Personality 3.5/5
Character Growth 4/5
Writing Style 4/5
World Building 5/5

4 Stars, 4 Spice
Tropes: Age gap, father's best friend, primal, man obsessed, stalking

This was great! Short, spicy, and fun. Love the dual narration for the dual POV writing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book, and the spice was hot! Was it great writing with profound character development? No. But I absolutely enjoyed it regardless. Sometimes you just want a dark, dirty, gritty, smutty, spicy audiobook, and this book absolutely hits the spot. I'm not normally one for age gaps and father's best friend tropes, but this one worked for me. And that little twist towards the end? I didn't see that coming at all. I don't know what else to say. If you want a good, easy to listen to, smutty, kinky, primal audiobook then check this one out!

This is a dark stalker romance with plenty of spice. If age gap romance and dad's best friend are tropes you like, I would recommend. It's a fast-paced read and book 1 of a trilogy. If you like this one, there's more from Heathen's Hallow! Thank you NetGalley for and advanced reader copy.

It felt like this book was pure smut without much of a plot. Which is not my type of book. So if you like a book with lots of smut and lots of different tropes this might be something for you.

I did really like the writing. It was very fast paced.

This is a spicy romance novel that falls squarely within the genre's typical tropes, featuring an age gap and a sub/dom relationship with a little bit of power dynamics at play. One of the things I appreciated about Heathens is that it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. It's the first book in a series, but it works well as a standalone read, which is a pleasant surprise in a genre where series often leave you hanging. Overall, this is an average read for fans of romance with a darker edge. The narration was good.

Marie Hawkins and Robin Blake did phenomenal work narrating these dark characters. Heathens is full of forbidden sexual tension and giving into temptations. If you enjoy age gap and tabboo romance then this is for you. For me, the tabboo aspect felt a bit too much for me (grooming a teenage girl). But the writing itself was well written.

Thank you @NetGalley and @Dreamscape_Media for the ARC. The audio was really good. This as an age gap, mafia, spicy book. Heathens was filled with longing for what they thought they should not want, but when the cross line, it's game on.

Sadly age gap relationships are the opposite of yum for me. I had to stop listening to this spicy audiobook because of my own issues. I hope my issues don't detract from anyone else's enjoyment.

Not the darkest I've ever read but might suit the beginners. Its taboo certainly and explores kinks to a minor degree. I had my issues with this. (Mainly that Storrey 🙄 had no backbone yet screamed independent woman) But it was a quick read and I might read book 2.