Sucker Punch

Riot Crew #1

by Alta Hensley

Caught in the middle of three men who demand what they want, I soon discover that I am the one they’ll fight dirty to keep.

With my legacy on the brink of destruction, I enter the fight of my life, determined to do whatever it takes to hold on to what’s mine.

Sin, debauchery, body sweat all around me. Dangerous men want what I have inherited, and corruption suffocates the air I breathe. With no other option, I’m cast in a world of underground cage fighting full of violence for money.

But I’m an innocent girl completely out of my league.

Except, I’m not alone.

I have them.

This is their world.

Will they be my saviors? Or the masters of my ruin? The power of three to take me down, but they also have the power to build me back up… if they choose.

There’s Frankie, also known as Freakshow when he’s ready to fight. Unpredictable, dominating, and a brooding storm that intensifies with me in the room.

Bones is the one who truly sees me for the woman I am. He can break down my walls with little effort, and the man makes me weak in a world where I need to be strong.

Then there’s Lotto. He’s the protector, the leader. His eyes never leave me, and they never will. He’s watching. Always watching. But he awakes hidden demons I can’t resist.

To these men, I bring chaos, but in me they unleash something more…

Survival. Redemption. Dark desires.

Each one of them is different, but they each have something in common.

They all have an obsession…

Me.

Genres: Why Choose, Dark Romance, Sports, M M Romance, Dark, Romance, Sports Romance

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

About the author

Alta Hensley is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of dark romance where the villain always gets the happily ever after.

Twisted, clever, and occasionally unhinged, her books deliver morally gray anti-heroes, sharp-tongued heroines, and happily ever afters that taste even sweeter after a little ruin. With a signature blend of grit, wit, and heat, Alta’s stories prove one thing: Villains deserve love too.

Alta lives on the foggy coast of Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and a pair of dogs who think they’re in charge. When she’s not writing redemption for the irredeemable, she’s walking the coastline or sipping craft beer in eccentric little bars that feel like they belong in her books.

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Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the owner of Smiley’s, a boxing gym that was her father’s legacy, Ari Dexter is looking for ways to breathe new life into the club.

Despite her partner and lover’s protestations, she signs besmirched cage fighter, Bones Vega.

Apt. The title is apt! I felt sucker punched every time Ari connected with one of her guys. From the beginning, her fçuk buddy situationship with Frankie was explosive and uber angsty. There was an immediate and intense spark when seeing Bones the first time. And Lotto? He sees the emotions and baggage they all try to hide and isn’t afraid to give them what they need, even when they don’t understand what they’re missing.

In a standalone why choose, there isn’t a ton of time for buildup or relationship development. Honestly, I’m good with that in story like this. There’s enough plot line that it doesn’t fall into the p•rn-on-a-page category, but it’s not laden with unnecessary details. I’m also a big fan of insta-love and-lust. So, once again, Alta checks all my boxes. It’s why she’s solidified herself as one of my one-click authors.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤭🥵🥺😊😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 🧍🏻‍♂️👫🏻🧍🏼‍♂️ {Multiple}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Sports

✨ Tropes: Found Family, Why Choose, Workplace
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Casual-to-Lovers, Insta-Obsession

💋 Kinks: 🍑, 🐓 Warming, Domination, Double Penetration, Impact Play, Spanking, ⚔️

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

🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Sucker Punch is a standalone.

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

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was way hotter 🔥🔥🔥🔥 than I thought it was going to be,,,

[vania ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This standalone novel surprised me. I went in with no expectations, but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. The title “Sucker Punch” is spot-on, because that's how the book made me feel until the very end.

I'll be honest, there's little plot, but it's kinda worth a read. The dynamics were interestin' and incredibly hot. I had some issues with Frankie, but he wasn't a major concern. I really liked the bond between Ari, Bones, and Lotto, but the connection between Bones and Lotto stood out the most. Their chemistry was off the charts, and I’d be lying if I said their chapters didn’t turn me on.

[Alta Hensley]

Available now!

Grab your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3un7pBT
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/SuckerPunchAH

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49sdwU4

[Paige Willerick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character development: Ari was meant for Bones, Lotto, and Frankie. ❤ There’s no other way to explain it. I’ve been excited for this book for a long time and it did not disappoint. If want/like boxing stories, this one’s for you. It made me smile, laugh, cry, and gave me all the feels.

Smut: ON FREAKING POINT! Absolutely fantastic. The dirty talk is always a favorite of mine and I wasn’t disappointed. And the M/M scenes hade drooling a little bit. 😅

Disclaimer: this is RH with M/M scenes. If that’s not your thing, I’d suggest reading a different Alta Hensley book. ❤️

[Laura (lady_h_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2
I wanted the man with the dark edges. I wanted the devil inside of him to emerge. I craved his black and wanted him to soil my white.

This was a quick and entertaining read—easy to pick up and finish in one sitting. It’s fast-paced and has quick relationship progressions. I really enjoyed the MMA aspect, a sports trope that I have not read much of.

While there are dark elements, I would not say this is a particularly dark romance. Sure, the characters are morally grey, but they love hard and fast. The exception to this would be the hate-to-love dynamic between Frankie and Bones (some NC/SA hate sex is involved).

I would have liked a bit more character and relationship development. The characters felt a bit flat and could have been fleshed out more. I enjoyed the read, but I didn’t feel the connection that I craved.

This is a fast-burn and spicy poly romance with an established MM pairing and MF situationship. It has a high smut-to-plot ratio and contains explicit MM, MF, and group scenes.

Sucker Punch is a complete standalone with a HEA.

⚠️ No TW/CW listed. Of note – on page NC/SA between two MMCS ⚠️

Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Tropes/Features: Dark elements, poly, MMA, found family, alphaholes, rivals to lovers (w/hate to love), obsessed MMC, established MM, hate sex
POV: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Poly – MMFM, fast burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Standalone with HEA
TW/CW: None listed, of particular note – NC/SA between two characters, hate sex

[ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆

thank you atla hensley and valentine pr for the arc!

i requested this book solely based on the blurb and cover. i thought it was going to be RH / why choose which i enjoy reading but i didn’t know this book was going to have MM ( maybe it was stated somewhere but i didn’t see it ) MM + MMF aren’t my cup of tea but it didn’t affect my rating. i think that those who are into it will really enjoy this because the smut was definitely doing its thinggg

i gave this one 3 stars because it kind if felt like a novella with how there was so much smut and little plot/character development. i am all for the smut but i would’ve liked to be able to connect with the characters more. i also feel like their connections were more told than shown if that makes sense. there was potential with the plotlines but the ending and the resolutions to the problems were rushed in my opinion. i think with a little more depth, i would’ve given it 4 ☆

anyways i know this is a dark romance but some of the things that occurred had me like side eyeing and questioning things. i think trigger warnings are actually necessary for this. there was one scene in particular that didn’t sit right with me at all cuz it felt a little too much like SA (i have read scenes like that before in other books but this one just felt weirder to read idk). other than that, i would probably read more of atla’s books based solely on the smut (it was really hot)

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Why Choose
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*MMA focus
*MMC in trouble
*Rivals to lovers
*includes MM
*fast burn
*standalone
Easy Read
For me this was an easy read to pick up between other books, it didn’t blow me away as I didn’t feel there was a lot of depth (no thinking/intrigue required to read) but it was a solid storyline with some intrigue and a sprinkling of spicy scenes 👍
The story follows Ari who is managing her fathers gym and in a male centred world is facing those who want it and they they could run it better 🙄 with her long term fbuddy and friend Freakshow by her side she’s doing the best she can and he certainly will do anything he can for her 😍 yet they need a star which introduces Bones and his manager Lotto! Bones has a tricky past that could put his future in jeopardy but Lotto will stand by his side no matter what 😃 and when they meet Ari it’s definitely instant attraction for this couple who easily add her to their dynamic 🥰 there’s a bit of drama and angst in terms of the past and what Bones is facing. The spice scenes are heavy on the 👋🍑 but there some variety there.
Biggest thing for me is that this needs a trigger warning for a certain scene, it’s straight up non-con and yes although character acquiesces partway through relations the start would certainly still be a trigger for some!

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfectly named story, Sucker Punched indeed! This story started with so much angst between Frankie and Ari but when Bones and Lotto entered the picture it was a total knockout!
There was so many ups and downs and misunderstandings and this group of characters rose up and met each challenge.
And Heathen Hollow and the Godwins was a very unexpected surprise and trip down memory lane.
Alta has written another beautiful and captivating story 🩵

[Kimberly Rahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. If you like why choose and dark romance this one is for you.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, it happened. My first DNF of the year. I hate, hate, hate giving negative reviews, but I have to remind myself that reviews are for readers. So here goes:

The blurb of this book had me super excited. It sounded dark and gritty, which was exactly what I was in the mood for. Sadly, I DNFed at 54%.

I struggled from the beginning. There was so much potential with the plot and the backstories of the characters, but it just fell flat. There was no depth to the characters, and I never felt connected to them or invested in their story. There was plenty of spice, which is always a plus in my book (pun intended), but it seriously overshadowed the plot. The storyline and the potential for more development kept me going for a while, but it couldn’t save this book for me.

⚠️Warning: Triggers and Graphic Scene Description ahead⚠️

What really sealed this book’s fate was a scene where one of the MMCs SAs another MMC. He forces himself on the other MMC, who eventually acquiesces and enjoys it. However, the first MMC literally holds down the other while he says no and tries to fight the MMC off. The thoughts of the MMC prior to this are that he wants to “violate” the other. Sucker Punch is a dark romance, so I expect and am ok with triggers and dark scenes (including DC and/or CNC), but what happened in this scene was straight up 🍇. Whether he later gets into it is irrelevant and doesn’t take away from the fact that this was a SA.

I really only have 1 hard no when it comes to books, and that is SA by a MC. This absolutely should have been a trigger warning. Had it been, I would not have read this book. After that, I just could not bring myself to finish the book no matter how hard I tried.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know me and know what I read then continue. If you don’t and you don’t like talking about smut then do not read this review.
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Listen I think this book had real potential. But then a sex scene happened between two of the characters, to be honest I can’t remember if it was it the mf or mm, and there was no prep for anal! Yes there was lube involved. But I mean all they did was slather lube on their dicks and just slammed it in. Then the author excused this action by saying they like it rough and they want it hard. Are we not going to think about the repercussions of this action. They gonna tear! Nobody gets prepped this entire book. We just slamming our dicks into holes and hoping for the best. Every single sec scene was like this. I just think we could’ve taken the time and really explored this. Also, the dub con was real. Consent is always sexy, and this author said what if nobody really consents and it plays into the I like it rough fantasy. Anyways those are my big problems with the story. It could’ve been fun. And I think a lot of parts were but I was just cringing at the no prep. It reminded me of the tiktok audio where it says “no lube. No protection. All night. All day.” Iykyk

[Jennifer Healey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Why Choose romance leans more heavily towards MM than I have read before. While they all want the girl, the guys want each other just as much. The spice to plot ratio definitely leans towards more spice but the plot isn't NON existent just not entirely engaging.

The spice starts early and never stops. There is a small plot hole/unfinished story line regarding Bones' father that kind of itches at my brain but otherwise this was an easy, spicey and entertaining read!

Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for the ARC.

[Ashley Cestra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally adore this author… normally. I snagged a copy of this one blindly just seeing the authors name. I gotta say, I need my books to have a little more plot. The intimate scenes were steamy but there were sooo many. I wasn’t bothered by the unconventional relationships just bothered by the lack of plot and character development. I could have left this one unread. Sorry Alta- I love you, I do. This one just wasn’t for me.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucker Punch is a dark, steamy, why choose romance with an alpha hero, morally grey characters, cage fighting, m/m, dub-con, and themes that include obsession, redemption, and found family.

This book follows Ari, the owner and operator of her late father’s gym. Frankie, Ari’s long time friend and trainer at her gym. Bones, a disgraced cage fighter with a rocky past. And Lotto, Bone’s lover and manager.

I really loved this fast paced story and its characters. It is very entertaining and the pace and flow are terrific. Once I started, it was impossible to stop. I especially enjoyed the cage fighting scenes, the emotional aspect of the story, and the theme of found family.

I would absolutely recommend this book and look forward to reading more stories from this fabulous author.

[JL Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smiley’s boxing gym was Ari's father’s gym. Now that he's gone it's hers and along with her partner and lover Frankie, also known as Freakshow they are trying to bring it back to glory like it was when her dad was alive. To do that they are willing to step out of traditional boxing and go underground cage fighting. And even if it is against Frankies wishes, Ari wants Bones Vega. A once great fighter now scraping by because of gambling and rumors of throwing a fight. Along with Bones comes his manger/lover, Lotto. It's an uphill battle for all four both in and out of the ring.
This is a RH where Ari gets her happy ending and her three men. Loved the added bonus of the main fight being on Heathens Hollow!

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and Gritty, With Incredible Intimacy!!

Welcome to the MMA and cage fighting. We have Ari who inherited her father’s boxing gym, and Frankie, her partner in running it with a new focus. We have Bones who was at the top, but made a mistake. A man of addictions. A man who comes as a package deal with Lotto.

We learn their strengths and weaknesses. We see how they may make a future together. Odds are against them. The past is hard to overcome.

Family, chosen family, survival, bone deep caring and scintillating interactions. If I read this in paperback, I believe the pages would have become singed!!

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****

[Kamila Mykhailiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not ready for this book! I had felt a volcano of emotions. I even cried a little bit. It was soo good!

Ari is a brave, strong woman who is not afraid of going after what or who she wants. She is the owner of the boxing gym that she inherited from her late father. Frankie aka Freakshow helps her run it. He is a former cage fighter. The relationship between Frankie and Ari is complicated, to say the least.

To save her slowly dying business, Ari is forced to change things up. To enter the dangerous and unforgiving world of cage fighting. Enter, Bones and Lotto. Bones is a cage fighter. Ruthless in the cage and out of it. Right now he is a hot mess. Lotto is his best friend and manager to everyone else. But he is so much more to Bones. When they meet Ari, they instantly become fascinated with her.

The dynamic between all characters is powerful and intense. Frankie is obsessed with Ari. Bones and Lotto quickly become obsessed with Ari too. Frankie is alpha of the pack. Dominating and controlling. Lotto is very determined. When he wants something, he goes after it with everything he has. He is also very dominating man. He manages everything, takes control and protects. Bones is determined to break down Ari’s walls. There is connection between all of them, that went beyond mere attraction. How can Ari resist all of them?

This book is very steamy, and contains M/M scenes, so be aware.

I loved this novel so much. If you’re a fan of fighting, why choose stories then you’re in for one hell of a ride.

[Book_O_Holic · Rating 4 out of 5]

5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ( spice )
2/5 🖤🖤 ( darkness )

What would make a why choose book even better? Throw in some cage fighters as the MMCs. Holy hotness! This was such a sexy and fun read. It had some dark elements and some obvious situations that the MCs had to work through together but nothing too dark. This was just a hot read about 4 people entering a polyamorous relationship and learning about eachother emotionally and sexually along the way. I enjoyed this. It was light for a lot of it and just an easy read. This is a good book to read for heavy spice.

[Sami Rudd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a knockout! (See what I did there 😂).
Ari is my favorite kind of FMC. She started and ended the story able to hold her own! The guys just added to what she already could do herself. They tried to take control, but she was not having it! But she did know when she needed help.

And don’t get me started on the guys 🥵 I loved every single one of them! Bones, Lotto and Frankie were something else! And what a team they all made together.

I wish we had more of Cisco and what happened there. Andrew the ending all happened so fast. But regardless, I love this book!

[Candace P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely like MMA and boxing now... these boys were on fire throughout this book!

The characters all came together for me and while there was a little struggle for everyone to get along at the beginning, I loved watching the characters develop and come together.

I absolutely loved that this takes place in the same world as the God's Among Men series and seeing some of the same places and people. I hope there are more stories set in the same world.

[becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

[Rebecca Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was a wild one! The FMC is awesome and I love her! Her guys are hot and hardcore. I got burned up by them. Lots of spice and action and drama. Absolutely love it!

[Sidney Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75

One, two, three. That's all it takes for them to sucker punch me.

* Found Family
* Why Choose
* Insta Love/Lust
* MM/MMFM

I absolutely loved Ari and her men.

Frankie- the “best friend”/ business partner
Bones- the fighter given the second chance
Lotto- the manager of the group

Ari doesn’t have to choose and the guys are there to figure out the ways of this new relationship.

My heart went out for Bones and Lotto though. But Ari being there for them was the sweetest and thoughtful thing ever..

Frankie and Ari realizing they wanted each other truly and not just in the heats of the moments.

This was just the book I needed to get me out of my slump and back to normal reading.

The spice in this book was chefs kiss 😍

[MsJodiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Alta!

Such a good book, why choose, found family and I loved the main characters. Frankie was grumpy, Bones was sometimes grumpy but other times he “soft” and Lotto was my absolute favorite. They protected Arie even if she didn’t need it because she was tough and loved that about her!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

i loved the chemistry between everyone! i don’t know what i was expecting, but everyone stole a piece of my heart. especially a side character, cisco! i wish we saw more of him at the end.

ari was made for frankie, bones, and lotto. 🥹 i love how close lotto was to cisco, bones’s dad. his bonus son! 🥹

🥊 why choose / MMMF
🥊 fighter MMCs
🥊 terminal illness
🥊 fast paced story

[Thea™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating: 4.5 stars.
I've read some amazing books by Alta Hensley, but ~for me~ her latest releases were all a bit disappointing (even DNF-disappointing!). However, the cover and the blurb of Sucker Punch piqued my interest, so why not try again? 😊
And I am happy I did! 😀 I really enjoyed Sucker Punch! 😍
I liked the cage fight setting and the connection Ari had with Frankie, and Bones & Lotto! It's a short-ish book, so not much character development, but that was fine. I always like it when in #whychoose at least a few of the guys are interested in each other. ⚔️ And the guys in this story definitely were into each other. 🔥😆

Love the 'simplicity' of the cover!! 🩷

In Sucker Punch, we briefly meet the Godwin family. Didn't realize it when I read it (shitty memory), but they have their own series. Read the first book, but then I didn't think it was interesting enough to continue with the series. Now, I might reconsider. 😀

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucker Punch
Alta Hensley
Stars:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Burn level:🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Time to read: 5 hours
HEA
My review may contain spoilers
Read trigger warnings!!!!!

Tropes/tags:
Boxing
Rh
MM
Found family
Touch her and ☠️
Redemption

Ari Dexter, owner of Smiley’s boxing gym
Frankie “Freakshow”, cage fighter and l0ver to Ari
Bones Vega, cage fighter
Lotto, manager and l0ver to Bones

Told in multi POV, this story starts off with Bones during a cage fight. He spots Ari and instantly likes her (but I mean she’s bad@ss so who wouldn’t?). It then goes to Ari while she looks for a new cage fighter for to join her gym. Frankie, knowing Bone’s past, warns Ari to stay away from Bones, but Ari refuses and offers Bones a chance to try out.

This book is super spicy 🥵. It also has tons of MM scenes (all the guys end up together in the end too.) Lots of trials and tribulations. I really enjoyed this book and will be continuing any books in this series.

[Bella and the Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Why Choose
•Found Family
•Anti-Hero

Sucker Punch is a dark why choose romance that I couldn’t put down! I really enjoyed the boxing element of this story! It was a really interesting plot line that had me rooting for Bones to win.

The chemistry between everyone was so strong. Each person brought something different to the relationship.

I also really loved Cisco. Even though he was a side character, he was definitely one of my favorites. I wish there was more of him in the book.

I really enjoyed this one. It was a bit dark at times, so definitely check the trigger warnings before reading.


Thank you to the author and Valentine PR for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A why choose mma fighter romance? Yes please. This book was fast paced, extra spicy & filled with hate between certain main characters…. Which made this even spicer 😉

If you’re wanting a super spicy quick read i definitely suggest this one!