I don't read a lot of dark romance now, but I enjoy one occasionally. I enjoy a stalker romance, but this was less of that and more of dad's best friends, with a splash of gothic romance.
It was an ok story, I didn't dislike it or like it. Locke and Storee are really interesting characters. Storees had feelings for Locke for a while but being her dad's best friend she's tried to stay away from him. Locke knows he needs to stay away from her because of how old he is compared to her.
The hunt that's mentioned in the blurb was a small part of the actual story. I would have liked more of that.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for my ALC!!

ALC Review
Heathens by Alta Hensley
Heathens Hallow - Book 1
Narrated by: Marie Hawkins & Robin Blake

This was a wickedly dirty and intense listen focusing on a woman who is enticed into The Hunt that is run by a group of billionaires on the island she lives on. One of those billionaires is someone that she has had a crush on, who also happens to be her dead father's best friend.
The story follows the up and down of her figuring herself out - and of Locke trying his best to stay away from Storee. The storyline was compelling and the spice was hot.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Age gap
* Father's best friend
* Forbidden romance - prior guardian
* Primal play games

Heathens is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar, growls in your ear, and then proceeds to drag you through a forest of WHAT DID I JUST READ?! It’s dark, it’s primal, it’s A LOT, and I had to keep checking over my shoulder to make sure no one else in my house could hear what was happening in my headphones.

DNF

Heathens by Alta Hensley is a dark romance filled with primal play, age gap, and forbidden love, with a strong emphasis on smut. The story follows Storee Brooks, a young woman who, struggling with life, is persuaded by her best friend to join a yearly hunt where participants consent to become prey. Her love interest is an older, dominant man. The book has an intriguing start with its unique premise, especially with hints at Greek mythology and a Medusa Curse. However, the story does not fully explore these elements, leaving them underdeveloped. The pacing is good for a short book, though the inner dialogue can feel repetitive. The audiobook narration is engaging and well-done, helping maintain interest throughout.

If primal play is your thinggg this is for youuu!

Description
She invited the darkness in, so she had no one else to blame…when I came for her. It was a sinister game of submission. The Hunt. She’d run. I’d chase. And when I caught her… Primal. Untamed. Merciless. I’ve been watching her. Stalking her. I will become the beast from her darkest fantasies. Hunting her from behind a stag’s mask made of bone. Preying on her secret need for primal play. I should be protecting her, but I’m not. Instead… I am a Heathen. And she is an innocent who chose this. And if she made a mistake? If she wants to try and escape me? Escape The Hunt? It’s far too late. She’s mine now. Run.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this ALC!

Heathens
by Alta Hensley
Narrated by Marie Hawkins; Robin Blake
Dreamscape Media

Audiobook Review: Heathens by Alta Hensley

Let’s talk dark romance. Heathens follows Storee, who joins The Hunt—a town ritual where men chase women for money and prizes. The catch? Her dad’s best friend, Locke, is determined to keep her safe… by being the one to catch her. The writing is smooth and fast-paced, making this an easy one-day read. It’s dual POV, which works well, especially with Locke’s possessive, morally gray energy. The chemistry is strong, but it didn’t give me intrigue me. Their relationship leans heavily on control and possession. The Hunt itself— while interesting...I wanted more of its backstory. If you’re into mask kinks, daddy kinks, or the thrill of being chased through the woods (no judgment), this one delivers.

If you want deep world-building or layered dark romance, this isn’t it. But if you’re after a fast, spicy, and taboo read, give it a shot. I’m not dying to continue the series, but never say never.

🔹 Title: Heathens
🔹 Author: Alta Hensley
🔹 Genre: Dark Romance
🔹 Tropes: Dad’s Best Friend, Age Gap, Good Girl, Mask Kink, “I’m a strong independent woman - you can’t tell me what to do”
🔹 My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨ Synopsis:
After her father tragically passes away, a young woman decides to take life into her own hands and participate in The Hunt - a town ritual where young women are chased down by men in stag masks in exchange for money and a box full of gifts. But her dad’s best friend is trying everything in his power to protect her, even if it means he’s the one chasing her.
💭 My Thoughts:
🔸 Writing Style: The writing was very easy to read. I think most spicy/dark romances tend to be on the lighter side when it comes to writing and focus more on the dark themes within the story. It is a dual POV which I love in a dark romance, especially when your MMC is morally grey.
🔸 Characters: My reasoning for the 4-star review is that I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters. The FMC and MMC seemed to fit the template of every other FMC and MMC in dark romance, so I wasn’t surprised by their interactions.
🔸 Romance: The chemistry was strong but not enough to give me butterflies. The relationship was based on control and possession and for me, it lacked the dark romance I was hoping for.
🔸 Plot & Pacing: I was very interested in the story because I was curious about the ritual and how it connected to the town’s history. The pacing of the story was very quick and it enabled me to finish it within a day or so.
🔸 Vibes: This story is dark, filled with lust, and a bit taboo. If you like mask k*nks, daddy k*nks, or being chased by men in the woods (no judgment here) - this book is for you!
💕 Who Would Love This Book?
I think if you are looking for a dark romance with a strong story and world-building, then this isn’t the book to read. This was a fun read and it is the first in a series. I am not super stoked to finish the series as I feel like the main characters have gotten their HEA. But I love being proven wrong and will never turn down the chance to get hooked on a series.
For those who love forbidden or taboo romances, I do recommend this. Also, if you are looking for a fun spicy book, give it a try.
📚 Read This If You Like:
🔹 Haunting Adeline by H.D Carlton
🔹 Priest by Sierra Simone
🔹 The Ritual by Shantel Tessier
⚠️ Content Warnings: Dubious Consent, Sexual Assault, Age Gap, Death of a Family Member, Explicit Sexual Content.

SUPER SPICY but I didnt love it for some reason. Not sure if the vibes were just off or what, Sorry!

I had already read this previously so I was excited to listen to the audio. The narrators did a really great job bringing the story to life and show the excitement of the hunt!

Heathens is a wild, sexually charged read with a lot of elements that made it good. It is very spicy and fast-paced, with a promising storyline. Storee and Locke make a great couple, and I love the idea of an older, protective male and a strong-willed yet submissive female. I also loved the theme of the hunt, sex clubs, etc. This book could have been a solid 4 star read for me, however, there were certain parts I could not vibe with. Stormee and Locke's intimate relationship was one of them. The story would be going so well, and then as soon as Stormee and Locke are in private, it's a rapid descent downhill. And then it would pick up again, and I'd be just as invested as I was prior to their one-on-one. The ending was a complete miss for me. It took the book from a 4 to a 2.5. I really did not like it. It was cliche, it was flat, and it felt very low-effort. Overall, it is a decent read, and I would recommend, however, to its targeted audience.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media,  and Alta Hensley for this ARC.

𝟰.𝟱 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡
🔥 SCORCHING HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT 🔥

I read it on one sitting! My jaw was on the FLOOR during The Hunt and their first ~encounter~ if you will 😉
Not to mention the scene where Locke invites Storee to sit with him at his table at The Vault. I was WEAKKKKKKKK to say the least.

This book truly has it all:
- dad's best friend
- primal play
- age gap
- touch her and you DIE
- stalking

The audiobook was so so good and both narrators did an amazing job. His voice, in particular was very sensual and chill-inducing.

This was good, but it needed more plot. I wanted to know more about her father and his murder, I feel like there was a lot they could have done with this and her being the killer. Over all it was good but I needed more.

Heathens by Alta Hensley is a dark, seductive romance that delves into the emotional aftermath of loss while weaving an intense and passionate connection between its characters. The story explores the impact of a father and friend’s death on those left behind, highlighting grief, resilience, and unexpected love. As two so-called "heathens" find solace in each other, the question lingers—can they truly stay together despite the darkness that surrounds them?

Hensley’s writing is bold and evocative, crafting a world that is both raw and alluring. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps readers engaged. The novel balances sensuality with deep emotional themes, making it more than just a romance—it’s a journey through pain, passion, and the possibility of redemption.

Listening to the audiobook added another layer to the experience, enhancing the intensity of the story with gripping narration. The performance brought the characters to life, making it an immersive and enjoyable listen. Overall, Heathens is a compelling dark romance that captivates with its blend of desire and emotional depth. Fans of Alta Hensley and dark, edgy love stories will find this book irresistible.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. If you’re looking for a forbidden love with age gap, dubious consent and bdsm look no further! This had literally so many of my favorite tropes! The narration was done very well, and I loved the narrators. This would have gotten a higher rating from me except the reason for the third act breakup was really stupid to me and unnecessary. With that being said, I very much enjoyed this entire book and devoured it in one sitting.

While sex was definitely the focus of this story, there actually wasn’t as much of it present as I expected. There was a lot of alluding to sex, talking about sex, sexual tension, intimacy happening in the background of scenes… but between the MCs? Honestly, not as much as I was expecting. No complaint, I just wouldn’t necessarily put this in the “extra spicy” category— maybe right below it. But that’s all relative and just my opinion. There were also some sweet moments 😌 and I liked the strong FMC that advocated for herself.

The dialogue was a bit redundant, as was the story line. If you’re looking for a quick, easy read that you don’t have to focus on too much— this is a pretty enjoyable pick.

I really liked the concept of the hunt, and honestly was a bit sad that the hunt scenes felt so fleeting. I’m curious to see how the next book incorporates the hunt into the story, and I will be picking it up to find out.

Narration was nice— I especially enjoyed the female narrator, she did a wonderful job. Overall great production.

I am just now getting into the dark romance category and, let me tell you, Heathens did not disappoint!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I didn’t know how I’d feel about this whole age gap, dad’s best friend trope - but honestly, I dig it! I thought the plot was very original and entertaining. This book even had a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming - like at all. This was the first book I’ve read that was written by Alta Hensley and it won’t be my last. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrators as well. I would like to thank Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review). 🔥

Following Locke and Storee was fun!

The narrators have done a great job, giving the right voice to the character and emerging us into the story, even when they have to change their voice to speak as the opposite character.

I enjoyed the descriptions, the characters, the action, the smut. There isn't much plot to talk about. A young woman is trying to get on her feet after her father's murder, while his best friend is looking for his killer and tries to keep her safe. And a lot happens!

The focus is mostly on the couple, their mutual pining, and the attempt to hide their feelings about the other.
Good characters, but there isn't much character development happening.
A decent-sized book, with small chapters, I got it in audiobook form and it flies away fast!

Check the trigger warnings and the tropes before diving into this book.

"We're Heathens, baby. Nothing can change that,"

I will be reading the next book!

I received this book as an audio arc.
The audio was amazing the narrators did awesome!

This book was good in the beginning but I felt it went down towards the middle/end.

I really enjoyed this book and audio. The story has a good plot and great spice. My only complaint is I wish there was more of the hunt. I wish the relationship between the MC’s was drawn out a little more before they gave into each other. The fact that the FMC saved herself was a huge bonus. I loved that she didn’t need a man to save her in the end! The audio was good but I wish that it wa duel narration. The male voicing all male lines and the female voicing all female lines, no matter which characters chapter it was. I think that would add so much more to the audio. But all in all it was a great listen

This was my first read by Alta Hensley and I liked it. This story was kinda dark and twisted but no judgement from this reader. I’m not a huge daddy/daughter fan but this was good. The spice was hot and dark. I liked the characters and the plot. I will read more by this author.