Stranger Session

by Lauren Biel

Stranger Session is a LIGHT/MEDIUMgray dark romance novella.


Del

In the heat of a blind-date photo shoot, my obsession for her ignites. After we part ways, her image carves a path through my thoughts, leading me to dark places.

Disguised by a mask, I cater to her every desire as I play the part of a stranger, but the secrets I harbor threaten to shatter the illicit passion we've found.

Then she catches the eye of someone else, casting a sinister veil over our connection. I morph into her protector, even though it means she might end up hating me in the end.

Are we destined to remain strangers, or can we turn into something picture-perfect?

This dark romance novella is recommended for adult readers only. Please refer to the author's website for content warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Novella, Dark, Romance, Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Erotica

132 pages, Paperback

Published January 26, 2024

About the author

Lauren’s stories are often emotionally raw, with lots of twists and turns. She describes her writing as “where light meets dark”, which represents how her witty humor compliments the darkness in every story. Instead of trying to mold her writing to fit in a box, she chooses to be unapologetically herself. While her focus is on Romance with dark elements, subgenre is no constraint for her. The common theme in every book is finding love when you least expect it. She enjoys putting her characters through tribulations, allowing their triumphs to be that much more poignant. Make sure you have your seatbelts secured. It’s always a bumpy ride.

When she’s not working, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, her friends, or her pets. You might also find her on a horseback trail ride or sitting beside a waterfall in Upstate New York. She has a pretty normal life, yet her stories are anything but.

Reviews

[aleksandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5

I guess the insta-obsessed stalker hero doesn't work for me when the guy is a normal, regular civilian. Bro stalked her and then came home to watch Netflix and play video games.

Also, can authors stop writing heroes who come in questionable objects?

"I want to come in her lotion so she has to put me on her skin.
Wear me."

What's attractive about it? What's attractive about getting a rash??

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reeling from a bad breakup, Del is coaxed into a Stranger Session by his roommate. Never expecting a connection, Mariah schedules a session too. After just one look, they both know that signing the “no contact” agreement was a mistake.

Far lighter than a typical LB book, this was a steamy surprise that still has her trademark steam and flair. I’d definitely recommend this one for readers who want to try Lauren without diving into the deep end. Likewise, current fans will enjoy this one as a perfect palate cleanser.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😩
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Dark, Suspense

✨ Tropes: Insta-Obsession, Stalker
💫 Microtropes: Pierced 🐓, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying

💋 Kinks: Anonymous, Breath Play, Hidden Jizz, 🔪 Play, Masked MMC, Pierced 🐓, Primal, Somnophilia, Squirting

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties wet and reaching for BOB.

🚩 Safety Squad: Attempted Așșault, Kìdnappíng, and Stalkìng (Not by MMC), Vìolençė and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Stranger Session is a standalone.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Kate V · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

Stranger Session was a departure from what I am used to reading from Lauren Biel but I was NOT disappointed. Both down on their luck in the romance department, Mariah and Del are thrust together for a blind date photo session and find that they have an intense and explosive connection. However, the rules at the end of the session are they must part ways after the photo shoot.

Del isn't so willing to let Mariah go and Mariah has two stalkers...one of them being someone she doesn't actually want. Del has every intention on making Mariah his and showing her just how good they can be.

"I'm clinically obsessed with thoughts beyond this moment. Thoughts of her beneath me as I make sure she knows she's mine. Absolutely no one else's. Mine."

Danger surrounds Mariah and it will be up to her good stalker to help rid her of what she doesn't want in her life. Stranger Session had a fresh plot that I've never read before and I enjoyed that this was darker but not pitch black. The steam was kinky and delicious and just what I have come to expect from Lauren. While short, it still felt like a longer novel and I didn't feel as if the characters needed more development.

I really liked Del. At first I thought he was going to be more of a golden retriever type and considered jumping ship but I am SO glad he wasn't. His character surprised me in the best ways and I loved his possessive and head over heels attitude. Mariah felt a little naive...or maybe a little air headed at times but she grew on me quickly. Overall, a really well written novella that boasts a good plot and plenty of smut!

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nyxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranger Session is everything you want & have come to expect from a Lauren masterpiece!!
This book isn't as dark or traumatic as some, but it has plenty going on and a ton of spice!
Del, the MC, is a delicious shade of grey
Mariah is his perfect counterpart!

[dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

the mask + the somno + the primal play + their nicknames did it for me 🧏🏻‍♀️

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOT THE MOISTURIZER

[The Book Villain · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥 Spice Rating: 4/5
📈 Plot: 3.5/5
🖋️ Writing: 5/5
👤 Characters: 4/5

Themes:
🖤 Dark Erotic Romance
🖤 Blind date-ish
🖤 Stalking
🖤 DubCon
🖤 Primal Play
🖤 Instant attraction (NOT insta-love)

Fantastic book! It is what you can expect from Lauren.

Please read TW’s before starting this book. Your mental health matters.

[CriSsStina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite had higher expectations from this novella. Whatever Lauren Biel writes it's either hit or complete miss with me. This one was in between.

I liked the plot idea. But, I just couldn't feel their connection. Maybe because it was rushed (I knew this might happen since it's a short read), and because I didn't quite liked the FMC. She was quite, excuse my french, stupid when it came in taking decisions. Self preservation was under the bare minimum level, for even considering staying alive.

Either way it was an ok first read for 2026.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I catch you, I f*ck you until you can’t stand, even if you beg me to stop.”

I got to read this first book of 2024 from Lauren Biel as a member of her street team!
This novella has the MMC and MFC meeting in a super unique way- a blind date photo shoot!
Their connection is immediate, but they aren’t allowed to have contact afterwards. Here I was, thinking this isn’t dark at all, then that first, very memorable, twist had me giggling out loud “what the hell?!” In true Lauren fashion, she writes stuff that makes you question where the heck that idea came from, and why the heck you’re really not that bothered by it. It’s very light as far as dark scales go, but check out her TW page if you have any concerns.
This book is out January 31st and you need to go read it so we can discuss.

MF
Possessive, obsessive MMC
Masked
Stalker
Primal

🖤🖤
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Céloise]

40% DNF Damnit. Neat premise, but the ick has been given.

I liked Lauren Biel's Hitched, so I was expecting some dark and crazy. Unfortunately this one sprang a (personal) turn off into Icklandia. This story has a unique premise that's new to me, and I really enjoyed the surprisingly sweet and sensual “Stranger Session” photo shoot and meet-cute. But then the obviously obsessed H lost me when he broke into the h's house while she was asleep and um…tampered…with her facial moisturizer. OH. HELL. NO. 😡 A woman's skincare is sacred, sir! Get some kinky consent on that shit first. 💅 Anyway it's fiction and a personal preference thing, so ✌️ But the Stranger Session itself was cool.

[Darkdirtysmut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest meet cute stalker x2 love story that's spicy, edgy, but swoon worthy.

Del is six months out of a bad breakup and Mariah works a thankless job and has had awful experiences with men.

Del's roommate suggests this Stranger Session and of course he blows the idea off, A blind date photo shoot...who does that.

Mariah accidentally hit an advertisement while scrolling through social media and decides why not, what are the chances she'll get picked?

Their chemistry is off the charts hot and it burns off the page. Lauren does it again and makes another novella book boyfriend that is the picture perfect man. Smart, good-looking, tattoos, piercings, and has stalker tendencies that leads him to fulfil some dark desires....yes please.

Del's OTT need to have her wear his scent is done in true Lauren fashion and the story wouldn't have been complete without this addition.

But the story isn't all happy and sweet, there's a third party that intersects through the story and adds that extra bit of drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and reading it until the end.

Check trigger and content warnings. This is definitely on the lighter side of morally grey on Lauren's writing scale but just as entertaining.

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Del and Mariah are doing a stranger photoshoot they won't know anything about each other. They both are dealing with their own problems in the love department, so this is new and nerve-racking for them.

And it didn't disappoint the first moment was intense. The photoshoot was hot they did have some problems with an assassin who didn't know when to back off. But after the shoot Del left, he didn't think he could have a real shot with her and thought the contract they signed wouldn't let them date. So he stalked from afar.

And Mariah poor girl didn't know what happened was a little upset and angry. She "moved on" she caught the eye of the Assistant who creeps her out and is one of her Stalkers, she also has her online stalker she plays with 😈

More truths come out and drama plus murder. 🥵🥵🥵 I love that these two got there, HEA


Om drama (another stalker), no cheating, drama, sexy times, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶🌶.5


Slowinsta
Pinning
25H/20s H
Cnc
Primal kink
Dub-con/tiny non-con
Mask Kink
Somnophilia
Jizzing in things
Masturbation
Stalker he forced her to Masturbate (not the MMC)
Murder
No condom
Assault
Hea
Epilogue

[Amber Lawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Are you scared yet? Afraid of what I’ll do to your pussy once I catch you?”


5 goddamn fucking stars

ARC review.

Light Grey? Really? Maybe light compared to Don’t Stop. But don’t be fooled! Just because there are no Franken cocks and hidden acorns doesn’t mean this is frilly romance. It still screams true Queen Biel. I absolutely devoured this. Just sweating and stressed. I ALMOST rage quit. The premise of the book was completely original and I enjoyed every fucking minute of it. Blind date photo sessions? Never hear of it. I was hooked. Insta lust/obsession. Primal chase. Masked men. CNC. Somnophelia.
Checks all my boxes.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start this book started off fast. It was actually a nice change of pace from the slow burn or slow starts that can happen in many other books. The plot twist had me surprised. I just received this and finished within a few hours. I couldn’t put it down.

I really connected with the FMC feeling so bored with everyday life. Then, she takes an opportunity and it changes her life. The MMC begins to learn some things about himself and wow; it’s intense. There was a part in the book that made me go “oh my god, he did not just do that!” The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was on fire from the get go and the scene where they first meet just had me smiling and happy for them. Also, what a creative way to meet!

I would give this book 5 stars if there was a little more added to the story. Scenes felt very rushed, but maybe because it’s a novella, the author meant to have them be that way. With that being said, I didn’t feel lost reading this.

Overall, this book is a quick read that is full of chemistry, did that really just happen moments, and dynamic characters that can be their authentic selves with each other and that, is what love is all about. Please be sure to check CWs on the author’s website. Mental health matters.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[High Lady of Delulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

I loved the idea and the plot!
Unfortunately, one thing was a bit amiss for me and it’s very unusual for Lauren Biel books…but the characters and their dynamic felt a little flat for me personally.
I know it’s a novella and I’m sure there’s a reason for it, it’s just that there were many times when I found myself wishing this book was much longer and more detailed. Especially with the plot twist towards the end and because I felt like Del deserved much more insight into his development.
It’s still very well written and the smut is amazing as always 🫶🏻 just not what I was hoping for.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a very *light* dark romance novel. They meet when they both do a stranger photo session. They have insane chemistry, but the hero signed a contract that they can't see each other, so he acts like he doesn't like her and immediately leaves when it's over. She's hurt and he's obsessed, so he kind of stalks her. I was not expecting a second stalked situation to happen, but that was a fun extra element. I wasn't super feeling the romance, but it was still a fun and only slightly unhinged read.

I could have done without the lotion scene though 😂

[Bobbi bobbijoreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told through dual POVs, Del and Mariah sign up for a 'Stranger Session' photoshoot and have an instant connection. Del can't let her go & she can't stop thinking about him when they part ways.

Of course in Lauren Biel fashion this novella is still hefty with TWs and some questionable moisturizer (iykyk), but I found it to be kinda wholesome overall. I was in a reading slump and this snapped me out it, absolutely unputdownable once you start.

Favorites: Del protecting Mariah without her knowing, the tattoo, emphasis on safewords

4⭐
3.5🌶
🚩Check the TWs on Biel's website


[I read an advanced copy through BookSirens and am leaving an honest review voluntarily.]

[AshhLeeLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stranger photo shoot trend will never be looked at the same again. They were so so hot! You felt their chemistry through the pages and I was rooting for them the whole book! I liked the little twist/spin and I liked that Del was a special kind of OTT. Mariah and Del, smile for the camera 💜

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Hannah]

Dnf - it’s not her best work. I’m more into the darker stuff so this was not for me.

[kase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that these were normal people into some mask play, and “light” stalking together rather than a big bad evil guy and a woman who is scared but also horny lol. It is different from the mold of a lot of dark romance being released.

The fact that the FMC gives consent to the MMC prior to the CNC made me VERY happy. And despite her having another stalker, she only likes the one who she has a safe word with and discussed things. Feels like this should be a given for dark romance but it’s not! Speaking of that, while it is a bit insta lovey, you do get some romance and not just spice. Granted, it’s a novella so not a lot, but enough to make me happy.

I wasn’t a fan of his nickname for her… venti… lol but I’ll survive.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paperbackstoriess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rating this book 3.5 stars. I like the book but I expected more. Maybe, it's because of that I'm rating it 3.5 stars.

*Please read trigger warnings!!!

Book Review:
What happens when you are scrolling through your social media account and you come across an ad about a blind date photo-shoot? You check out the ad and gets to know that you'll be set for a photoshoot where you know nothing about the person with whom you'll be having an intimate photoshoot. What happens if you sign up for it? Let's say you sign up but will you be fine having an intimate photoshoot with a stranger? What if that stranger is some kind of a psycho stalker? What if you don't like the person or your vibes don't match and you won't be comfortable? But what if that stranger is some handsome guy with whom you find a kind of attraction that's hard to explain?

Tropes & T/Ws:
>> Pierced P**n
>> Stacker romance
>> M@sked play
>> CNC
>> Safe-word
>> Squirting
>> Knife Play
>> Touch her & die
>> Chasing fetish
>> Somnophilia
>> Kidn@pping
>> Assault/ Murder
>> Partial Blindness
>> Strangers to lovers
>> Blind meet
>> C*m filled moisturizer

Read this amazing blind date photoshoot strangers to lovers dark romance book.

P.S. - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tea&Biscuits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranger Session by Lauren Biel is a deliciously spicy, morally grey novella. Tamer than her usual works but still has a taste of the unhinged that she is known and loved for. Yes, this little gem may leave you questioning your moisturizing routine. Don’t let that put you off though, it is part of the Biel experience.

I love the stranger session premise of this novella. A blind date photo shoot leaves the MFC and MMC with an instantly hot and heavy connection. Don’t let this initial trope of Instalust fool you though, there is so much more packed into this kinky novella. Stalking, masked play, pierced 🍆, CNC, somnophilia, knife play and more. Did I mention this is a morally grey romance?! Check those content warnings.

If you enjoy morally grey men and the women who gladly let those red flags fly while waving their own, then this is the novella for you.


I’d like to thank Lauren Biel for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Stranger Session. 🫶

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings include:
cheating (not between MCs) stalking, cnc, degradation, praise, primal kink, somnophilia, attempted rape (not between MCs), kidnapping involving violence

Nothing sweeter than a man willing to wave a red flag to be the perfect boyfriend! And Lauren always writes that PERFECTLY! (Also, she writes the best red flag boyfriends, but Del is a little more adorable than those devilish cuties!) After giving in to do the “blind date photography” session that Del had no intention of doing, he realized he made the right decision the moment he laid eyes on Mariah. They had both decided on the “why not”, and were rewarded! Sweet, gentle Del turned very possessive, very quickly. And I was a FAN! They “weren’t” supposed to see each other after the shoot, which is where his green flags start to look a little red. Del Monroe is definitely a pleaser (there’s that green flag again!). I really want to tell you how precious he is and how he made me swoon, but I want you to find that out for yourself! I mean…lotion isn’t supposed to make ya swoon, but ya know! However, I should note that this isn’t just about Del’s obsession with Mariah. She’s caught the eyes of someone else…And I'm not just talking about me! This is a journey I wouldn't mind traveling again!

venti: 11
little whore: 5

My Favorite Quotes:
• “Run! Because when I catch you, I’m going to f!ck you!”
• “I’m going to rip you limb from limb with my c!ck. Tear your legs apart and take you!”
• “Let your nightmare f!ck you.”
• “Cry for me. I love your tears.”
• “You’re mine to do with as I please. Mine to use. Mine to fill.”
• “Maybe you need to feel it at the back of your throat to jog your memory?”
• “What you want has always been my command.”

9/10 Dirty Birdy
6/10 Dark Romance

[Marley Ghostfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Run, little wh0re! Run! Because when I catch you, I'm going to f*ck you.”

This novella was hot and I wish it was a longer book. The FMC (Mariah) and MMC (Del) aren't very lucky in their love lifes. They both sign up for a unique blind date photo session, a "stranger session", where they will meet someone unknown, do an intimate photoshoot with them and aren't allowed to have contact afterwards.

The photoshoot did do not go as they expected at all and things get intense when Del turns possessive over Mariah during the photoshoot. Something neither of them expected. After that, no contact is allowed, things take a turn and well..I won't give anymore spoilers, except: whew!! 🥵
There's excitement, thrill, plot twists and: go read this novella for yourself.

Some things you'll find in this novella:
🖤MF
🖤Dark-ish (light-medium gray) romance
🖤Blind date photoshoot
🖤Possessive/obsessive MMC
🖤 Touch her and byebye
🖤Stalking
🖤Mask
🖤Primal
🖤CNC
🖤Somnophilia
🖤 A pierced 🍆
🖤Violence

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.🫑/5

As always, check the triggers before diving in.

[Kodi B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a breath of fresh air!! I loved this novella, very quick read, couldn't put it down. A nice break from Lauren's usual dark books, still an amazing stalker romance with a dark twist or two, with loads of spicy that satisfied my mask loving heart!!
You follow Del and Mariah, who both are either just done with the dating scene or just got out of a relationship and looking to move on. They both come across an ad for a stranger session photo shoot, which is like a blind date with a twist!! You get all the intimacy without the strings, but there's a catch. You're not to have any contact after the shoot. Well, with the crazy passion that blossoms between the two during the session, this doesn't set well with either of them. You also meet the photographer and her her slimy assistant, Sam, who ends up having a fascination with Mariah as well. That's right, two stalkers, one she wants and doesn't know it, and one she can't stand. All boiling bown to who will have her?? If you're into a bdsm chat room that leads to a masked man chasing you threw the woods or breaking into your job after hours, or into your home while your sleeping, you might wanna read this!! You won't look at lotion the same way again!! Throw in some blood, danger, betrayal, revenge, suspense, and a knife fight. You've got this cute novella!
What to expect...
Forbidden love, damsel in distress, hidden identity, obsession, primal, tracking, mine, good girl, somno, squirting, stalker, pierced peen, kidnapping, knife play, murder, protect her, masked mmc, chase me, CNC, and more!!

[Auj · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.9 stars

The book had me flipping the pages, especially for most of the novella. However, I didn't feel the story worked with a regular contemporary romance setup (blind photography sessions) and a crazy OTT hero. The objectionable scene with lotion was more amusing to me than something to take seriously or find sexy. I told two guys about it, and they similarly thought it was hilariously weird.

Also, I get that this was a novella, but I felt no emotional connection between the two characters. There was just insta-love on the part of the hero. (Grammarly, leave me alone, please. It wants to autocorrect that to "instant-love".)

Then the conflict (another crazy stalker) seemed so over-the-top that the whole thing became a little cheesy. Lastly, I found the epilogue a little predictable.

I think Lauren Biel is a talented author and writer. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. Thank you to the author & BookSirens for the ARC. This hasn't affected my honest review.

[s a r a h ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please check trigger warnings!
🖤 CNC
🩶obsession
🖤primal
🩶stalking
🖤jealousy
🩶tracking
🖤mask kink
🩶squirting
🖤 somnophilia
🩶m*rder/asssult
🖤 pierced 🍆

In the heat of a blind-date photo shoot, my obsession for her ignites. After we part ways, her image carves a path through my thoughts, leading me to dark places.

Disguised by a mask, I cater to her every desire as I play the part of a stranger, but the secrets I harbor threaten to shatter the illicit passion we’ve found.

Then she catches the eye of someone else, casting a sinister veil over our connection. I morph into her protector, even though it means she might end up hating me in the end.

Are we destined to remain strangers, or can we turn into something picture-perfect?

My review:
Thank you BookSirens for my advanced copy of this book.

Yet another brilliant book by lauren Biel, she can do no wrong. It was a nice quick pace novella with dark themes. This isn’t as dark as her other books but still has dark themes. Mariah was a girl wanting to explore more when it comes to her fantasies and Del was recovering from a horrible break up. I did not see the direction these characters were heading. Also two words: the lotion. Enough said.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you want a quick but dark novella this is your book.

[Kirsten | Bookish.kir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this was meant to just be a short little novella, but I really enjoyed the storyline and wish it would have been longer as I was left craving more of Del and Mariah.

What to expect:
- Novella
- Blind photography session
- Morally Grey MC
- Stalker
- CNC (Consensual non-consent)
- Primal Play
- Masks

As with anything written by Lauren Biel, please check your trigger warnings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥

[patricia 𖦹 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - i stayed up til 4:30am to finish this, i went it blind and i totally didn’t expect the direction it went in BUT i hated that del called mariah ‘venti’ 🤢 and the fact that he got her art tattooed on him as a surprise before they even spoke again made me cringe hard. i wish it didn’t end with them getting fucking married. still had a fun time though.