Carnival Obsession

Carnival #2

by Selena Winters

The carnival rolled into town, bringing an obsession so powerful that it threatened to unravel my entire existence.

Seeking an escape from my monotonous life in Willow Creek, I eagerly stepped into the carnival's vibrant chaos, unaware that everything was about to change. I was simply chasing a thrill, never expecting to stumble into the arms of Lars—a captivating mechanic shrouded in mystery.

But a dark underworld of secrets and shadows lurks beneath the carnival's dazzling facade. The deeper I fall into Lars's enigmatic world, the more I realize that love can be as intoxicating as it is dangerous. Lars teeters on the edge between passion and obsession, and our connection threatens to overwhelm us.

With each reckless adventure, I'm torn between the exhilarating allure of his world and the terrifying fear of losing my own. As our relationship intensifies, I'm forced to confront a haunting can love survive amidst the chaos, or will I be lost forever in his darkness?

Step right up, if you dare, because this thrilling ride is about to begin.

Carnival Obsession is a dark romance novella with heavy subjects that some readers may find triggering. There will be a link to a full list of the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. This story has no cliffhanger and ends with a HEA.

Genres: Dark Romance, Halloween, Dark, Romance, Audiobook, Novella, Smut

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2024

Reviews

[Анастасія ꒰⁠⑅⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠꒱⁠˖⁠♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Якщо чесно, то я очікувала тут більше адекватності? ніж в першій, бо Еліс тоді багато що засуджувала, але тут дуже схожі стосунки у неї з Ларсом, дякую що тут нічого в піхву не пхали зайве, зате була поїздка на мотоциклі з членом (і це я не людину так називаю😀) тут про якусь безпеку не чули, але адреналін то наше все.

Тут був скажімо сюжет, коли оцей карнавал ще і наркотиками торгував, але там все швидко дуже закінчилось, що не встигла і познайомитися з усіма.

Шкода було сестру Ларса, але я очікувала, що він вб'є батька, а тут він ще живий, неочікувано якщо чесно.

Але всеодно мене дратують особи з членом, які вважають, що дівчина повинна бути тільки з ним і не мати друзів, а тим паче якщо у них є якісь проблеми то на це треба не зважати якщо ти пообіцяла прийти. І тут про бажання дівчини взагалі не йдеться.

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carny Anti-hero!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 🖤💙💜💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😘
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

The heroine: Alice - she works in an attorney’s office, for a man who is condescending and entitled. She needs the job but hates it and her boss. One evening when a carnival comes to town, she goes with her friend Lily. After riding on the Tilt-a-Whirl, she sees a handsome, muscular, tattooed god. He asks her out the next night and she agrees to meet him. Though she ends up standing him up when Lily has a stalker that broke into her apartment.

The Hero: Lars - he is a worker at a traveling carnival. He is good friends with Cade from Carnival Nightmare. Lars works on the rides, fixing and maintaining them. He also works closely with Ty, the owner with their illegal side hustle and he loves the rush. There are hidden compartments in many of the trailers, and they make pickups and deliveries all over the country, doing it right under the noses of the local authorities and nobody suspects a thing.

The story: Lars isn’t happy when Alice stands him up. He finds out where she lives and sees that she is just watching a movie with her friend. He is determined to make her pay for playing him. The following day, he “accidentally” bumps into her and they make another date for that evening. Alice likes the mystery and danger that surround him, so she plans on finding out. Later while at work, she gets an envelope from an anonymous man which holds a photograph of her and Lily last night, taken through the window. She thinks it might have been from Lars and is a bit worried, but she doesn’t plan on getting scared off.

This book gets steamy pretty quickly and like the first book in the series, Lars doesn’t care too much about following social norms. He inserts himself into her life and they spend time together and their chemistry is sizzling hot. There are a few triggers, so beware, but I like dark romance, and I liked these characters.

The audiobook was told in multiple points of view and narrated via duet narration by Troy Duran and Heather Johns. Heather has a nice, clear voice and she sounds the right age for Alice. Troy Duran is one of my favorite male narrators. He has a deep, sexy voice which is perfect for Lars. Overall, the narration was extremely good.

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[｡.•*¨*•♬✧maeve ✧♬•*¨*•.｡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3/5 ugh these books have sooo much potential but lack a lot of depth, character development, and connection:(( other than that, the plot is pretty good and it’s definitely entertaining enough to enjoy/finish-it’s basically ALL smut! i loved lars….even more than cade!

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

🌶️5/5 pretty much the entire book ngl- please review the trigger warnings!

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

dark romance
psycho carnie x “ordinary” girl
biker mmc
cnc
primal play
mirror play
masked man
exhibitionist themes (not direct, but similar)
morally gray
pierced mmc
etc.

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

i would recommend this to dark romance lovers who need a super spicy, quick read!!🖤🎡

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5⭐️

I get that the author really wanted us to remember that motorcycle scene but the over explaining in the next scenes referring to that moment, was super cringy 😭 especially since the characters would over explain in the dialogues… and the whole riding while he — well, iykyk — was too weird. I understand that people are sexualizing bikers and stuff but that was too much. Also, I think I’m officially disgusted by the word “beautifully” when describing something sexual lol. AND, I really didn’t like how he would impose himself in her workplace and in general when it came to the fmc. It sounded way too forced and, again, cringy.

[Carolina]

―𝑯𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒂í𝒅𝒐 𝒍𝒖𝒛 𝒂 𝒎𝒊 𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒂, 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒂― 𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒆. ―𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒊, 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒐 𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒐 𝒚 𝒗𝒂𝒄í𝒐. 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒐 𝒂𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒂, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒐 𝒂 𝒎𝒊 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒐, 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒐, 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒆.

[Hailee Thayer · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was an under developed, poorly written wannabe haunting adeline (complete with a carnival, a haunted house, and even a mirror scene!)

the writing felt choppy and rushed. like literally one page she’s making a pro/con list then the next the characters are fucking. like how did we get here???

somehow there is a forest everywhere they go???

the big climax of the subplot was boring as hell. nothing happened. like i’m not kidding. nothing happened. it was like maybe 1 full page of conflict before it was over.

i’ve read wattpad fanfics that are better than whatever this is

this is the last time i trust a tiktok recommendation

[kay reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 🌟

▪️Carnival in a small town
▪️Some criminal activities on the side ( drug trafficking)
▪️Obsessive H with a pierced 🍆
▪️Chasing
▪️Mask wearing
▪️Haunted house
▪️Fmc was okay but it followed the same pattern as book 1 so it was boring
▪️Mid writing, needs editing but overall okay

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lied I didn't read the rest.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carnival Obsession

Lars has an obsession and it's Alice. She is apprehensive about leaving life as she knew it behind. Can he convince her to stay with him?

[Teigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adding motorbike sex to my bucket list... 👀

Stalker, possessive carnival man who drives a motorbike? Just what i need.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Just bleh. There are much better possessive MMC books out there. Very repetitive and boring read.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lars 🫦 and Alice had an electrifying connection the moment they met.

DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to all the girls who dream of a hot, tattooed carnie biker bending you over his motorcycle and calling you a good girl as he thrusts his pierced cock deep inside you…

Favorite lines and quotes

But God, the mere thought of those hands on my body, those lips against my skin... I can’t remember when a guy made me feel this way, all tingly and breathless, with just a look.

“Just flirting, huh? He looked like he wanted to devour you whole.”

“What, you thought making you come like a freight train against my face was the grand finale? Sweetheart, I’m just getting started.”

Wherever this wild ride takes us, one thing is certain: it will be one hell of a night.

Alice lets her fingers trail along my forearm. “You clean up pretty nice for a carnie.” I raise an eyebrow at her brazen touch. “Careful, princess. I can get a lot dirtier than you might expect.” My voice drops an octave, a hint of roughness slipping out.

“I am sure of myself for good reason. And I’m going to show that reason over and over again until you’re screaming my name.”

“You’ll see things differently soon enough. I have a way of getting what I want. And what I want is you.”

“Did you really think you could run from me, princess?” I purr, closing the distance between us. “You can’t run or hide from me. Not now, not ever.”

“Let. Me. Go,” she grits out between clenched teeth. “Never,” I murmur, my voice a low, dangerous promise. “You’re mine. You can’t deny it. Not after last night. And I won’t let anyone get in the way of what we have.”

“You can’t resist the thrill, can you? The way I make your pretty little body sing...”

“You should know better by now, Alice. I always catch what’s mine.”

“You’re not like them. You’re wild and free, like me. Don’t cage yourself in a life that’ll suffocate your spirit.”

As I get closer, a tall, hulking figure emerges from the shadows wearing a mask. My knees nearly buckle at the sight of Lars’s muscular frame, the colorful lights playing over his bare, tattooed torso. His eyes glitter dangerously through the mask’s eye holes as they rake over me in a possessive caress. “There you are,” he rumbles in that rich, dark tone that sends shivers down my spine. “Knew you’d come for me like a good little girl.”

I can’t deny the truth—seeing him like this, all power and danger radiating from his hulking frame, makes me insanely wet. The dark promise in his stance, the way the colored lights play over those rippling muscles and vivid ink, and that mask… it’s like he emerged from my deepest, most taboo fantasies.

I know she’s mine, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep her by my side forever.

“I love you, Alice,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. “I know it’s crazy, but I love you.”

“It’s okay if you’re not ready to say it back.” His thumb gently traces my jawline. “I’ll wait forever if I have to.”

It’s only been six weeks since we met, but already I can’t imagine my life without her in it. She’s become my everything.

“I love you,” I murmur, nuzzling her hair. “So damn much.” She meets my eyes, her expression soft. “I love you too, Lars. More than anything in this world.”

"You've brought light into my life, princess," he says. Before you, everything was dark and empty. But now, with you by my side, I feel alive—free."

"I feel the same way," I confess. Before I met you, my life was so boring and predictable. But you've shown me a world of excitement and adventure. With you, I'm living life to the fullest."

[♥ I’d Rather Be Reading ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

- FMC: Alice
- MMC: Lars
- POVs Included: Dual POVs (Lars, Alice)
- Book Playlist (Carnival Book Series Playlist)

-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
SUMMARY: (SPOILER WARNING)

Alice meets Lars at the local carnival and she's immediately drawn to his dangerous bad boy vibes. But she doesn't realize at first just how obsessed Lars is about to become with her.

Lars can't stop thinking about Alice. After she stands him up for a date, he's even more determined to claim her for himself. And once he does, he doesn't plan to let her go. Whether she wants to or not, she's coming with him when the carnival leaves town.

In the meantime we learn about an illegal side business going on at the carnival. And it's getting dangerous.

-----------------------------------
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REVIEW:

This wasn't terrible, but it also had a lot of the same problems I had with Cade and Lily's book, which tells me it's a writing issue and I'm not sure if that will change or not as the series progresses.

First, the good.

I absolutely LOVE the whole setup for this series. It's very unique to follow these (surprisingly hot) carnies as they find love (or lust at least lol). So I love that.

I also love the cast of characters we meet at the carnival and I'm hoping we get books for all of them: Ty (Tyson), Colt, Nash, Remy, Gage, and Phoenix. They are all dark and broody and sexy and I love it.

Now, the bad.

The dialog (especially the dirty talk during sex) is very repetitive and gets really boring after a while. There really needs to be some more variety. I love dirty talk, but I don't want to hear the same things over and over again.

Part of the problem above stems from my next issue, though. There is way too much sex for the length of book. If these are going to be mostly smut, then they need to be under 150 pages. There is hardly any plot, not enough to garner 250 pages. So if it's going to be a smutfest, then I'm all for it if it's a shorter book. As it is, the back-to-back sex scenes lose their appeal and get boring after while.

As far as the plot goes, I do like that we learned there's more to the carnival than meets the eye. But the plot is secondary to the smut and so it needs to be less pages to keep it from getting boring.

Overall these aren't the best, mainly because there's too much sex, not enough plot, and the dialog is repetitive. But I love the setup and the carnies so much that I want to continue. I'm especially looking forward to Colt and Nash's MMF ménage book! Hot!

[Heather Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this well enough. Very spicy with a splash of darkness and a totally delicious MMC. I really liked both Lars and Alice. Lars was almost too aggressive for me a couple times, but yeah, it was hot. 🥵
I did notice quite a few errors with spelling or punctuation or where it just felt like there may have been a word missing, BUT to my pleasant surprise the word 'c u m' was used correctly most of the time.
I'm aware this is the 2nd book in the series, but this is the first for me and I'm definitely left intrigued by the other characters so I can fully say I will be continuing this series.

[Robin is it summer yet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really have no words to express these books. I'm not even sure why I like them but I do. Can't wait to read about masked Gage

[Miss Zeets · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, you all know I love a good obsessive hero, right? And I love all the "dark" kinks, so that wasn't the issue I had with this book.

The issue I had was with continuity and sense. Sometimes, things just didn't make any sense, reactions were disproportionate, people were in the wrong places within seconds. The subplot of dealing was ... meh? It had virtually no effect on the story. Their relationship was really only about possession without any reason. Like, he already considered her his before they even kissed? At least find one quality to like before you "know that she's the one"? It just felt slapped together for a shock effect, sadly.

[Miyawakiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐

Just like the first book, if you're looking for plot, this isn't for you. If you want delicious smut, this is 100% your book. Pick this up if these are your fav spicy kinks:
🌶️ Stalker
🌶️ Being chased
🌶️ Exhibitionism
🌶️ Motorcycle acts
🌶️ Pierced (down below)

There was a scene where the carnival guys were talking about how unhinged Cade is but tbh I find Lars way more unhinged? Like Cade is a psychopath, don't get me wrong but Lars feels more unhinged because it seems like his head is screwed on right but he CHOOSES to be a psychopath in comparison to Cade who's just a psychopath by nature. I feel like that choice alone makes him more terrifying.

And while Cade was bat-shit nuts, the smut with his girl was almost 100% consensual. Whereas Lars' smut with Alice was only about maybe 60% consensual. So please check your trigger warnings.

That aside, this one actually has a bit more plot than the first book. Just a bit. Tbh I wasn't really interested in the plot because it was pretty obvious the carnival owners/workers were operating shady shit in the background. And the conflict was settled in a very anticlimactic manner. So yea, still bare bones plot but we're here for the smut and Ms Winters delivered!

I rated this lower than the first book because I found the speed at which Lars and Alice went from unhinged toxic relationship to "mushy lovey dovey together forever" comically contrived.

Otherwise, still a fun fast spicy read.

[Daki Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carnival Obsession takes us deeper into the twisted, intoxicating world of Willow Creek, but this time we’re getting Alice’s side of the story, and honestly, I couldn’t look away. I was already hooked after Carnival Nightmare, and this one grabbed me even more by its darker, more intense vibe. Alice is the perfect blend of innocent curiosity and fierce determination, and her descent into Lars’s world is both thrilling and terrifying.

Lars, the mechanic who is as enigmatic as he is magnetic, is such a compelling character. He’s dangerous, brooding, and his obsession with Alice is consuming, making for a deliciously intense dynamic between the two. The way their connection builds is almost electric—he’s a master of control, and Alice finds herself both drawn to and terrified by him. The chemistry between them is sizzling hot, but it’s not just about the physical attraction. Their relationship is a messy, complex web of domination, desire, and intense emotion that’s impossible to turn away from. And don’t even get me started on the dark side of their relationship—it’s raw, gritty, and pushed some boundaries I didn’t see coming.

The story’s exploration of obsession and control is thrilling, though it definitely goes to some very dark places. We get dubcon (dubious consent), primal play, breath play, and rough sexual encounters that aren’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re looking for a book that delves into the darker sides of desire, this one is all in. It’s not just about the physical aspects of their connection, though—there’s a real emotional tug-of-war as Alice grapples with the pull between her safe, quiet life and Lars’s dangerous world. It’s intense, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply fascinating.

As the relationship escalates, Alice is faced with the question of whether love can really survive in such chaos. Will she give in completely to Lars, or will the cost of that love prove too high? The story is a whirlwind of passion, obsession, and emotional highs and lows, leaving you wondering just how far Alice is willing to go for the love and protection she feels in Lars’s arms.

Carnival Obsession is definitely a step up in intensity from the first book, with even more focus on the psychological dynamics of their connection. The blend of suspense, passion, and dark romance is just the right mix for readers who crave something raw and gripping. If you're into stories that explore obsession, control, and the blurred lines of love, this book will not disappoint. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and while it’s not for everyone (especially if you’re not comfortable with darker themes), it’s one wild ride if you’re ready for it.

Definitely recommended for fans of steamy, dark romance with a twist of danger, control, and heart-stopping intensity. Just make sure you’re prepared for a thrilling, emotionally charged ride that will leave you questioning the boundaries of love and obsession.

[athanasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

To say I hated this book would not be accurate enough. Between the repetitive and poor quality writing, incorrect TWs, the visceral rage Lars elicits from me, and the character inconsistencies of Alice, there's certainly plenty to loathe.
The worst part of all? The restaurant scene.

"You seem pretty confident ordering for me," Alice remarks, sipping her cocktail. "What if I'm a vegetarian?"
I chuckle darkly. "Oh, I feel you can handle some meat, princess."
She nearly chokes on her drink at the innuendo. Recovering, she leans forward, offering me a tantalising view down her dress. "Mmmm, I do have quite the appetite."
My pants tighten at her tone. This woman is playing with fire. Reaching across the table, I stroke a finger along her collarbone and down into her cleavage. Her breath hitches.
"Princess, you've got no idea how thoroughly I plan to satisfy your cravings tonight," I growl. "Every. Last. One."
Alice shivers, her eyes darkening with desire, but then a smirk plays at her lips. "I don't know, I can be pretty insatiable. You sure you're up for the challenge, carnie boy?" She pointedly glances down at my lap.

Sometimes, I wish I was illiterate.
Also, I don't know why labelling literal rape and sexual assault between the MCs of a book "dub-con" (as in dubious consent) or "CNC" (consensual non-consent) has become so prevalent from authors in romance- especially dark romance. On the author's website, there's a nice little comprehensive list of their books along with trigger warnings for each one. Great, love that shit. Except "dub-con" is one of the listed warnings for this book. Lemme fuckin' tell you, their first sexual encounter? A literal crime. Trying to physically stop someone from touching? Not consent. Telling them to stop? Not consent either. Before the "Oh it's CNC" crowd tries to come for me, it ain't CNC WITHOUT THE FIRST C. WHICH IS CONSENT.
Either label that shit correctly or just don't provide warnings at all.
Anyways, his name is fucking Lars and I couldn't help picturing 80s Lars Ulrich of Metallica but covered in shitty tattoos throughout this entire book.

But covered in a bunch of temporary tattoos he stole from a child's birthday party. Yeah. That's the Lars I pictured. Girlboss, I guess.

[Xanny Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review: Carnival Obsession by Selena Winters

❝ Try as you might, my binds you’ll never break, princess. ❞

Okay, I take it back — I actually like Alice. I couldn’t stand her in Lily’s book, but that was definitely the narrator’s fault because this audiobook version? Whole different energy. Alice feels alive, reckless, hungry for something real, and I’m honestly obsessed with how fast she spirals once Lars steps onto the page.

She’s the girl who never says no to chaos, and he’s the man who makes chaos look like a religion. Their first meeting at the carnival sparks that instant, dangerous pull, the kind that makes you grin because you already know you’re in trouble. The tunnel-of-love scene sealed it for me. The chemistry, the intensity, the way he looks at her like she’s both temptation and punishment pure dark-romance gold.

Lars is that possessive, morally-gray type who makes you question your sanity for liking him. He’s quiet, commanding, and entirely unbothered by boundaries. Every time he appeared, I could feel the air shift. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t ask, he simply decides.

And the carnival setting? It’s not just background. It breathes. The lights, the noise, the shadows hiding everything you’re not supposed to see, it all feeds into the sense of danger and obsession. Add a little biker-club drama, whispered threats, and forbidden deals, and suddenly the love story feels like it’s running on adrenaline and gunpowder.

Alice tries to walk away, but when Lars says she’s his, you believe him. That intensity runs through every chapter, from their stolen moments to the way she keeps choosing him even when she knows better.

The audiobook narrators nailed it, the emotion, the edge, the tension. Hearing Lars’s voice alone should come with a warning label.

Carnival Obsession is messy, addictive, and utterly unapologetic. It’s about surrendering to the wrong person for all the right reasons about danger disguised as devotion and love that burns too hot to be healthy but still feels impossible to resist.

I loved every chaotic, sinful second.

[❤ArtfullySinful❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'll always be here for you," he promises. "No matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Once again the Carnival is capturing the hearts of young woman and drawing them into the men who run the show. This time Alice Jensen is the one left staring after Lars Taylor and all the mysteries that surround him. A no nonsense girl who isn't afraid to speak of her to the, is suddenly tongue tied when she comes face to face with a man her body can't deny. Immediately attracted to one another, their romance is hot and heavy as their flame burns to a scorching temperature. Trying to convince herself this is merely a two week fling with an attractive out of Towner, she can't deny the longing she feels at the prospect of never seeing him again. As the two keep going at each other's throats, they'll quickly learn just how perfectly they were made for each other. When Lars asks her to abandon her entire life in Willow Creek to join him on the road, her immediately response is a no as she desperately clings into a normalcy and stability. Unable to draw herself away from him, the two quickly begin obsessing over the other and before too long an unbreakable bond would be formed. When she finally dropped the stubbornness and goes willingly, she'll find herself beside her best friend Lily and enjoying her life for the first real time. Free and able to love, she knows Lars is her perfect match.

I know I’m walking a dangerous path, that Lars is a man who could consume me entirely. But now, with the memory of his touch still lingering on my skin, I can’t find it in myself to care.

[biblioteca_olvidada · Rating 3 out of 5]

🚩 Acoso, sexo explícito, exhibicionismo, asesinato, violencia gráfica, tráfico de drogas 🚩

💗 🅞🅟🅘🅝🅘🅞🅝 💗
"Carnival Obsession" nos sumerge en el vibrante y caótico mundo de una feria, pero no esperes algodón de azúcar y sonrisas…

La protagonista, cansada de su vida monótona en Willow Creek, busca una simple aventura y termina encontrando mucho más de lo que esperaba: a Lars, un misterioso y fascinante mecánico que la atrae irremediablemente a su mundo de sombras y secretos.

La trama, sinceramente, es muy escueta, así que si buscas una historia llena de giros inesperados o una narrativa compleja, aqui no la vas a encontrar. Pero, lo que sí encontrarás es una ambientación absolutamente absorbente, oscura y perturbadora, llena de esa tensión que te hace sentir que algo malo va a pasar. Todo está salpicado de 🚩 por todos lados, y, si eres como yo, no podrás evitar sentirte atraída por la toxicidad y la pasión que se desbordan en cada página. De hecho, mientras lees, te cuestionarás constantemente a dónde apunta tu brújula moral.

Está narrado a 2 POVs, lo que te permite adentrarte en la mente de ambos protagonistas, aunque confieso que el personaje de Lars me pareció mucho más interesante que Cade, el protagonista del primer libro. Aunque la historia sucede al mismo tiempo que la del libro 1, el cambio de personajes le da un aire fresco.

Así que si te gusta el spicy y disfrutas de una ambientación que te hace sentir incómoda y atraída al mismo tiempo, "Carnival Obsession" es para ti.

[Megan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

just call me princess #2

Alright, I require less therapy with book number 2 of this series, thank you Selena for going a bit easier on us with this one.

Lars sits down next to a good looking woman and immediately decides he’d like a taste of her, but one taste was never going to be enough and before he knows it, his attraction has turned into an obsession. Lars will set the earth on fire for Alice, and he’ll burn himself in the process to, if it’ll make her happy.
Ever had a man who genuinely could not get enough of you? Believe me when I say every woman on the planet wants to be in Alice’s shoes when Lars growls her name and the word: ‘mine’.

Alice has no idea she’s been marked as the tall dark and handsomes’ favourite new possession! What was supposed to be a cheeky hook up with a hot stranger has morphed into a toxic roller coaster! He defends her, protects her and loves her like he’s known her all his life… when it’s only been two weeks.. and Alice doesn’t know whether she should run towards him, or have herself committed for contemplating having the relationship in the first place!

But regardless of what her head is telling her, one thing still remains true and that is: no matter how much she has of Lars, her need for him is insatiable, it will never be enough!

Dangerous games are being played, and difficult times lay ahead.. can what Lars and Alice have survive? Or will it all be too much for Alice in the end?

[Bookish_Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carnival Obsession is a dark, intoxicating stalker romance that pulls you into its twisted world from the very first encounter. Alice and Lars meet at the traveling carnival, and from that moment on, the story spirals into obsession, danger, and undeniable attraction. Lars doesn’t just notice Alice, he fixates on her. His interest quickly becomes all consuming, and that intensity is both thrilling and terrifying.

Alice feels the pull toward him immediately, drawn in by his presence and the chemistry simmering between them. But she’s not blind to the warning signs. As red flags begin to surface, she does what she can to keep her distance, even as the attraction refuses to fade. That push and pull between desire and self-preservation is one of the strongest parts of this story, keeping the tension high and the pages turning.
Lars is the definition of dark obsession. He is utterly convinced that Alice belongs with him and that she will leave her life behind to follow the carnival and him wherever it goes. His possessiveness, fixation, and single-minded determination create a constant sense of unease, making every interaction feel charged and unpredictable. You never quite know how far he’ll go, which only adds to the thrill. I loved watching how Alice and Lars react to each other with the way fear, attraction, control, and defiance collide in every scene. This book is deliciously spicy and thrilling.

[Page Turner Sisterhood Bookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selena Winters pulls us right back into her wickedly addictive carnival world with Carnival Obsession—and oh my, it’s a ride you don’t want to miss! 🎪✨

This story is the perfect mix of danger, obsession, and seduction. From the very first page, you can feel the tension thrumming through the air like a drumbeat under the big top. Our heroine is lured into a world of twisted games, flashing lights, and dark temptations, where nothing is safe and everything comes at a cost. And then there’s him—the man who shouldn’t want her, yet can’t seem to stay away. The chemistry between them is electric, equal parts terrifying and delicious. ⚡🔥

What I loved most? The atmosphere. Winters has this way of making the carnival itself feel like a living, breathing character—claustrophobic, glittering, and dangerous all at once. The stakes are high, the passion is raw, and the obsession? Utterly consuming. If you love dark romance with carnival chaos, broken heroes, and heroines who refuse to bow down, this one will grip you until the very last page.

🖤 Tropes you’ll find: forbidden attraction, obsession, twisted carnival setting, morally gray hero, and a heroine who finds her strength in the shadows.

This book isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. Dark, thrilling, and sinful enough to keep you up all night

[MMSTFUATTDLAGG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: Masked man, stalking, primal play, degradation, CNC, improper operation of a motorcycle
Series: Carnival Obsession - Carnival Series #2

Synopsis
MMC Lars is a ride mechanic at a traveling carnival and he also works in shady dealings.

FMC Alice is a small town girl who attends the carnival with her best friend where she encounters Lars who shares a ride with her. When she stands him up on a date, he decides to teach her a lesson about how respect…

Review
Lars and Alice’s story was an improvement from the first book. This is the second in their series and takes place on the same timeline as the first. Although the stories are interconnected, they don’t show much interaction and most of what is shown is not consistent with the first story, which was a let down.

But, this story has more plot about the carnival and a bit more action outside of the dark romance. The scenes are more palatable than in the first book, Lars is more of the typical morally grey character, and things are more realistic (for fiction).

[Terriann Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the carnival dark, stalker romance series and I loved this book! This book centres around Lars and Alice, Alice goes to the carnival with her friend when she locks eyes with a tall, dark, mysterious man. Lars works and travels with the carnival, but when he locks eyes with Alice, he knows she is his and he will stop at nothing to claim her. Alice is wary at first, but the way her body reacts to his presence intrigues her and she decides to take a risk. But, when Lars starts to turn up at unexpected places and causes trouble in her everyday life, she starts to worry that maybe he is more dangerous than she realised. Amazing book! that I just couldn't put down! I can't wait for the next book in this series! They can be read as standalones, but characters do occasionally cross over from the other books and the other books are all fantastic!!! Dark, steamy, obsessive, thrilling and sexy as sin!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A. King · Rating 5 out of 5]

UGH I don't know how I did not recognize this series of books for what they are:

Immediate dark masked men satisfaction.

You shouldn't want them. You shouldn't want their darkness. You *should* fear them. And maybe to a certain extent, you do. But then they get under your skin and take hold, drawing you right into the darkness right along with them and you're a goner after that. Claiming one of them, or having them claim you, means the rest of your life? Is no longer in your hands.

In book 2 of this series, you meet Lars and Alice. Alice is your average girl, works behind a desk by day and yearns for *something* at night but it's never really been had a voice before. It's Lars' obsession with her that suddenly makes her see just what she's longing for, even if she questions it every step of the way.

Every kiss, every ride on the back of his back with the hum of it thrumming between her thighs, every moment of chase; it all leads up to a fantastic, and orgasmic, ending to yet another of Selena Winters' books. Ugh, 10 out of 10. Yes and yes, read it!

[Amanda Berrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

much better

Ok so the last book was rough I’m not going to lie but I actually really enjoyed Lars and Alice. I think the “motorcycle lessons” (IYKYK) were really gimmicky and that definitely led to me rating this book lower but I still enjoyed the book.

**spoilers below**

I am a little thrown off by how quickly Alice accepts him being a drug dealer given her severe reaction but I guess I can look past the whiplash. It was just odd seeing her be so anti drugs and then like three sentences later she attacks him with kisses without even asking him if he can or would stop dealing. That part felt a little unauthentic because of that but also because she heard a super short snippet of a phone call and immediately was aware of his profession. Also when Carlo’s gang approached them in the forest I feel like a huge opportunity was fumbled. Like someone obviously should’ve taken her so he had to save her but I guess that’s personal preference lol

[Grace Machuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Finally, Lars and Alice story. I said before and will say over and over, Selena Winters can write. I love how the secrets et of the carnival was revealed. Lars is, of course, unhinged and obsessed, but I feel he is the more tame character so far. He meets Alice one night at the carnival where he works and falls for her fast. He not only works at the carnival but also has a "side job." If you want to know, you must get the book. No spoilers here. Selena never disappoints in the spice department and writes her male characters with an attraction that makes you question your own insanity. I fell in love with Lars and Alice story. I love the way she made him chase her and how he protects her. Alice is definitely his Princess. Can't wait for the next book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+++ and 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🫠 Selena knows the definition of spice!!!