He Knows When You’re Awake: A Naughty or Nice Novel

Naughty or Nice #2

by Alta Hensley

This Christmas, it’s all about getting what you really want in this dark billionaire stalker romance sequel to He Sees You When You’re Sleeping.

Stalking in a winter wonderland...

Jewelry designer Sloane dreams of launching her own custom line—but she needs a Christmas miracle to pull it off. With traditional banks turning her down left and right, she can’t resist when a mysterious stranger offers her a lifeline.

I see what she creates in those stolen moments when she thinks no one’s watching. I see everything. There's a darkness at her core and I will unravel her until I find it.

Reclusive billionaire Cole Asher offers to fly Sloane out to an ultra-luxurious Swiss resort for a meeting. Reluctantly, she agrees—only to realize she’s met him once before in a New York bar.

She is crucial to my plans, and I need her close. She insists that we keep things professional, and I comply. But soon she will realize that every line is blurred when it comes to her and me. 

Cole offers to back her company—but there’s a cost. To secure his investment, Sloane must move into his Manhattan penthouse, where she’ll complete her first round of designs for him to review before Christmas.

Sloane throws herself into her work, yet soon the attraction between her and Cole becomes undeniable. As the city sparkles with Christmas splendor from her penthouse view, Sloane wonders if she has stepped into a fairy tale—until Cole's powerful enemies close in. They will stop at nothing to destroy him, including going after the woman he loves. 

I will burn down the world to get her back...and it will be in time for Christmas. 

TROPES

Billionaire Romance
Stalker romance
Christmas romance
Morally grey MMC
Forced proximity
Opposites attract
Kink friendly

He Knows When You're Awake is a dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warnings at the beginning of the book.

Genres: Christmas, Dark Romance, Romance, Holiday, Audiobook, Dark, Contemporary

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2025

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

[Kealyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

He Knows When You're Awake (Naughty or Nice, #2) by Alta Hensley

Between 3 and 3.5 stars overall. 

HKWYA is another fun, delicious and engaging story by Alta Hensley. In this novel we follow Sloane and Cole. Sloane is a gifted jewelry designer, who works at a company while also trying to launch her own jewelry line. She gets one rejection after the other and no one wants to give her a chance.

Meanwhile Cole has a few stalker tendencies and has his eyes on Sloane.
Sloane quits her job and decides to go for it. She gets an unexpected job interview in Switzerland and goes there. Cole meets her and offers her a job where she gets full creative freedom but she has to move in with him in his penthouse. She will get her own wing, and must finish her new line before new years eve.

She agrees and that is what kickstarts this story. Cole and Sloane are instantly connected and drawn to each other. When she explains to him her jewelry has a bdsm side fire erupts between them and soon they can't stop their intense feelings for each other. 
But things aren't as they seem and Sloane's best friend Chloe points out that Cole might have a few secrets. 

While I overall enjoyed this story a lot, it didn't capture my heart and soul. It's classified as a dark romance. But it felt way more bubbly, fun and sweet. He supports her every step of the way. Helps her get out of creative blocks and takes care of her every need. Yes the love scenes are hot, but they weren't all consuming. So I think the dark romance classification is not the right one. It's more of a contemporary billionaire romance.

I also missed true depth and connection between the two main characters. The mystery of the story didn't really push the characters forwards and that was a bit of a shame. 

But overall it was still a fun, hot and enjoyable read. I am glad I read it and I will recommend it. But as a contemporary romance with a male main character who has an edge. 

Between 3 and 3.5 stars overall from me for He Knows When You're Awake. 

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole Asher is an eccentric billionaire with two obsessions: avenging his friend’s murder and giving promising jewelry designers an opportunity. Sloane Whitmore just happens to be where the two obsessions intersect.

Feeling her creativity stifled every time she designs a new piece of jewelry for Moth to the Flame, Sloane finally takes a leap of faith. Enter Cole.

Alta is one of my favorite authors for good reason. She masterfully weaves suspense with kink and heart with edge.

Now I’m just a girl, sitting here hoping Knox and Chloe are up next!! 🤞🏻

“I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into with Cole Asher, and in this moment, I don’t care. All I know is that I’m completely, irrevocably his. And I’ve never wanted anything more.”

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🫣🫠🥵😳😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}

POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Holiday, New Adult

✨ Tropes: Billionaire, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Heroine in Danger, Stalker, Workplace
 
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Caretaker, Manipulation, Tracking/Spying

💋 Kinks: Bondage/Restraints, Collared, Domination, Edging, Electro-Stimulation, Power Exchange, Spreader Bar, Wartenberg Wheel

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

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

📣 Type: He Knows When You're Awake is part of the Naughty or Nice series, but can be read as a standalone.

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

[Alylally⛰️⛺️⛈️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preread.... Anyone who recognizes my reviews knows this is not something I typically read... Don't judge.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ALC!!
This is an interconnected standalone series, this is book two!

..... Yeah so he got her a dog for christmas.



Yes you saw that right, this got 4 stars. Maybe slightly under 4 stars, but I rounded up.
Um I should not have liked this as much as I did. But I will say that I did not take this seriously. I don't read books like this anymore, my taste has expanded but I did used to read these types of books! I also have not read book one.

I think I have been reading a lot of high fantasy and more tougher books that reading something this mindless kinda was something I was needing and didn't know it? This was a wonderful break from life lol. It made me laugh (even when it was "serious" at times), it made me cringe (a lot), I shook my head at the absurdity of some scenes.. and the... weird... parts. I also normally skip past the ✨spicy✨ scenes in my books (mostly because spice has no reason to be in a fantasy/thriller/horror novel) but I didn't skip these, they were short and yes still cringe but I guess it was over fast enough to not bother me?

BUT just because I find some of this cringy and weird does not mean you won't!! If you are into dark romance and these tropes (billionaire stalker, forced proximity, touch her you die, possession(?), BDSM) you have a possibility of enjoying this.

The actual story was binge worthy and entertaining. There was tension and the relationship building was decent, a little fast, but it's a short book. And there isn't just ✨spice✨ as the plot, there was an actual story.

I will say, I wish there was more christmas elements.. we decorated and bought gifts but I wanted more christmas activities?

All in all, this could have just been right time right place or I don't hate these types of books as much as I thought I did?

[Hannah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think the Alliance series, but darker and stalkery-er and spicier!

We met the FMC, Sloane, in the first book, but this is 100% a standalone. She’s a jewellery designer who wants to create dark, edgy jewellery, but is forced to design cute, mainstream stuff for the company she’s working for. She’s finally had enough and decides to quit in order to work on her own designs.

The MMC, Cole, is looking for a jewellery designer with exactly Sloane’s style. He decides he NEEDS to have her and starts plotting, planning, and stalking to get her to agree to work for him. And one of the requirements to work with him? Living in his apartment with him 👀.

I felt like the holiday/Christmas aspect was pushed a little too hard in the first book. Here, it was integrated much more organically. The holiday scenes were worked into the story so well and it didn't feel forced at all.

Tropes/Safety:
- Stalking
- Forced proximity
- No third-act breakup
- No cheating or OWD/OMD

Holiday read #5 for 2025!❤️💚

—Thank you to NetGalley, Alta Hensley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the digital ARC copy of He Knows When You're Awake—

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this all I could think about were the other books I wanted to be reading instead… that’s all the review you need.

[Allie MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like the author was trying to copy the last book, but make it worse. The concept had potential, and there were moments where I could see what the story wanted to be, but the execution just didn’t land. A lot of it felt repetitive.

The pacing was uneven. Some scenes dragged on too long while others that needed more development were rushed. The tension never fully built, which made the darker elements feel flatter than they should have. Instead of unsettling, it often came off as predictable.

It’s not a bad book, but it’s not a strong one either. If you liked the previous book, this might still be worth a read out of curiosity, but it didn’t live up to its own premise. Solidly okay, but I’ll forget it once I finish this review

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fell for this Christmas marketing ploy 🎄👏 you got me good, (smutty) capitalism!

I’ve been seeing this book EVERYWHERE so assumed it’s super popular because it’s good or edgy dark romance but…it was giving 50 Shades of Grey in that lol-ing cringey way.

GENRE : what your mom thinks it’s hot-dark-bdsm world

The premise of the book was a great with an newbie jewelry designer & a rich investor with an ulterior motivate. However, the dialogue was cringy AND don’t get me started on the Christian-Grey-Edward-Cullen mmc crossover 👁️🛑 White, rich guy trying to convince you he is “so bad” and that you should “run away while you can” meanwhile NOT A SINGLE morally grey thought has crossed his mind!! The way he would ask permission to enter her work studio every single time LIKE A GODAMN VAMPIRE had me reeling 🙃

I feel bad saying this but their dynamic was just…unattractive. Yes, on paper it should work but their chemistry was all wrapped up in him being rich & her having “dark thoughts”. Besides the “stalking” and cameras, which she was AWARE OF in advance…nothing was actually dark.

I did enjoy the smutty ingenuity as it did introduce some new….implements? You better believe I was googling “Wartenberg wheel” because what the hellie?

⭐️ 3.5

[Krickette❤️]

DNF at 30%

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher Avon and Harper Voyager (Avon a) for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

Unfortunately as the story began to unfold, I realized I wasn’t the ideal audience for this one. Although I do see the appeal this dark romantic thriller will have for other readers, I had a difficult time connecting with the theme, the plot and the characters. This novel just didn’t click for me personally. The Author’s writing was clear and fluid, but not enough for me to become fully engaged with the plot or the characters.

I am choosing not to leave a rating because I didn’t not finish this novel.

[BookishKB · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

🎄 Bookish Thoughts
After reading He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, I was so excited to jump into the second book of the series. Unfortunately, He Knows When You’re Awake didn’t quite measure up. It wasn’t as funny, and I didn’t connect with the couple as much as I hoped. The story also focused heavily on the jewelry design process, so much that it started to feel repetitive. I understand it’s central to Sloane’s character and passion, but it became a bit off putting by the end.

That said, readers who enjoy billionaire romances will likely still find this one entertaining.

🖤 What to Expect
• Billionaire romance
• Stalker romance
• Christmas setting
• Morally grey MMC
• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract
• Kink friendly
_ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: September 16, 2025
📝 Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[LeiaTreasuresBooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was super disappointing. I wanted to DNF at 60% but was hoping that something was going to happen. For 170 pages nothing was going on but making jewelry. The FMC and her sidekick seemed like a group of highly immature 12 year olds. The romance was terrible, the Christmas cliche that were sprinkled in was terrible, spicy scenes were terrible, and the end was just terrible.

[LaceyBanana Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25. Sloane is a jewelry designer struggling to get the funds she needs to launch her business. When a complete stranger offers her something she can’t refuse, she gets more than she initially hoped for.

I had fun with book one in this series even though I don’t normally gravitate towards dark romance. These would be good for someone who is just starting to read this genre I believe since they’re not too dark! I just needed a little break from the Christmas cheer I love so much. While this was fun, it felt a lot longer than it was. I did enjoy book one a lot more and I think it was based on the MMC if I remember correctly. Still a fun time though!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Alta Hensley, and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this free E-ARC. Happy pub day, this is my honest review!

[Rachel Helle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly so disappointed by this one. The first one was dumb, but still cute!
There has got to be lead in the paint, asbestos in the walls, maybe inhaling all that silver dust went straight into her lungs and it stopped her brain from getting oxygen. These are the only things that make this plot make sense, its like everyone has brain damage in this story. They have the same conversation every single time they have sex about control. Yes we get it, it doesn't have to be restated every like 30 pages. ALSO he admits to stalking her at their first business meeting, and then 200 pages later she says "You were fucking stalking me!", like yeah girl he told you that weeks ago?
At least with the first one Josh had a personality. Cole has no charisma, zero uniqueness, a lot of fuckin nerve, and no talent from what I could tell. Sloane is so insta-love with him but he truly has no personality.
My most petty beef i have after already being so annoyed by this book is why the hell are they always eating dinner at 8pm? And then up at the crack of dawn the next day because they have that alpha grindset. The indigestion girl oh my god.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, He Knows When You're Awake, by Alta Hensley, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in the Naughty or Nice series. Sloane designs jewelry, Cole Asher, wants her to move in to his penthouse, to design jewelry for him, and he will back her financially. I did not care for Cole at all.he was so manipulative and domineering, way to many red flags with him.

[This Kooky Wildflower Loves a Little Tea and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes. I love a touch of darkness to accompany my Christmas cheer. Sue me, or rather, wrap me up and put me on the naughty list because this book gave me a gift that kept on giving.

[liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

He Knows When You’re Awake is a fun holiday read if you’re into men who are mafia-adjacent with stalker tendencies and who also are into BDSM. (Spoiler alert: I am!)

I’d say this is a solid 3.5 book! FYI it’s the second in a “series” but you do not have to read the first book whatsoever to pick this up!

I decided to read this because the content warning page had me laughing outloud I thought it was HILARIOUS! I knew right off the bat the author’s humor was going to be right up my alley. I posted it on socials and so many people messaged me asking for the book title. Such a great way to pull us all in and it worked like a charm.

“Stalking
Forced ice skating
Dominance & submission
Forced proximity
Painfully cute Christmas puppies
Voyeurism
Exhibitionism
Hidden cameras
Possessive love
Graphic sex with BDSM elements
Wearing of light-up Christmas sweaters”

UNFORTUNATELY for me, there is no “forced” ice skating in this book. The main couple does go ice skating, but it’s a date.
FORTUNATELY for everyone, the other themes are accurate!


Cole Asher is a billionaire control freak who runs NYC. Desperate to remain in control and get revenge for a way he was wronged in the past, Cole seeks out (stalks out*) Sloane Whitmore who is a free-spirit jewelry designer being put in a box by her current employer. He organizes an elaborate plan to have her quit her job and move into his penthouse to create a jewelry line that will take over the fashion world in a month’s time. He Knows When You’re Awake explores the dynamic on what it means to give up and take control.

One thing I really loved about HKWYA was that it wasn’t centered around the holidays as the main plot line of the book, but the holiday aspects of the story still remain extremely prevalent all throughout. It’s a fun way to get a festive themed read in without being forced to read the same type of story over and over. I would definitely recommend this to dark romance readers who want something lighter and festive, but still full of those darker elements.

The thing that didn’t work for me personally is the fact it’s centered around this life changing jewelry line with a very insane and stressful deadline. While this is unique, reading about the intensity of the jewelry design process made me feel very “Kim there are people who are dying” a lot of the time. Despite this, the author was able to include us in every moment of the process without it feeling repetitive or dragging.

The relationship aspect of the main characters and the other major plotline of the story (I won’t say so I don’t spoil for people) kept me engaged and excited to continue reading. The way Alta Hensley writes is fun and the story doesn’t necessarily take itself seriously. I did have a lot of fun reading this!

I think if you’re a fan of the “dark romance lite” books like Lights Out, for example, you would also enjoy this.


Quick facts:
- Dual POV
- Short chapters
- BDSM
- Multiple open door spice with explicit consent
- Mafia adjacent storyline
- Stalking
- Forced Proximity
- Billionaire romance
- Humorous
- Festive


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC

[Alta Hensley]

Available now!

Download your copy today!
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Pre-order the Deluxe paperback edition: http://bit.ly/4gmq98c
Features special sprayed edges with digital artwork and glow-in-the-dark cover effects!

Audible Pre-order: http://bit.ly/3V4Ny49
Releasing in audio on November 4th

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/4fDcXeK

[Lauren Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second one in the series! Christmas themed billionaire stalker romance! Forced proximity, mafia dealings & kidnapping. I loved this one! It was so fun. Super bingable! It was a fun read! Free on KU!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Billionaire romances isnt really my thing but I read the first one and loved it so wanted to read this one as well. Really enjoyed the artistic spin to the story as she was a jewelery designer. But the first one is definitely my favorite.

[Kate V · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Sloane is a jewelry designer with heart and vision. Starting her own line has always been out of reach. Until Cole. A billionaire with a plan. Cole lures Sloane in and before they know it they’re in deep with each other. Professional and personal lines blur and the eroticism in here was everything.

“You’re mine,” he says again, his words threading through the haze of overstimulation. “Mine to claim. Mine to punish. And if you ever try to run out on me again, it won’t be just my finger in your ass.”

Alta does an amazing job at writing romance that not only has delicious kinky smut but a suspenseful plot and action to keep you glued to its pages. I loved this story. Sloane was a heroine with grit and lovely femininity. Cole was a bit eccentric in the best ways and an alpha male where it counted. Great story and great HEA.

ARC provided for an honest review.

[✨Poppy✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Harper Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC!

This one just didn’t work for me. From the very beginning, it felt completely unbelievable. The stalking, the anonymous invitation to another country (which the fmc just accepts without question), and then agreeing to move to this person's home? Absolutely not.
I can usually suspend disbelief for a good story, but this one stretched it way too far. I just couldn’t get on board, unfortunately.

Listening Speed: 2X
Narrators: Rock Engle; Jillian Macie
Feedback: While the narration was well done, I think I would’ve connected more if the MMC had a slightly deeper tone, it just suits this kind of romance better for me.

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3.5🌶️
🎄Christmas Romance
🔥Dark Billionaire Stalker
🎄Forced Proximity
🔥Opposites Attract
🎄Kink Friendly
🔥Dual First Person POV

This dark romance is cozy and spicy. How can a dark romance be cozy you ask? Well, when the actions of the main male character makes you swoon and the story has warm fuzzy Christmas vibes, then its cozy. Stalking isn’t a huge part of the story since it all happens before the story begins, however, our handsome billionaire is obsessed with our heroine and watches her on many security cameras. Sloane has dreams of starting her own jewelry line. After yet another loan rejection letter from a bank she gets a mysterious email from someone who wants to invest in her. What appears to be a smart career opportunity sets her on a path with obsession, control, and love she didn’t see coming. Cole originally sought out Sloane to use as a tool to exact his revenge against his old business partner. But Cole became obsessed and he wants her for more than revenge. What is Sloane to do when a handsome billinaore promises to make your dream come true? You agree to move into his penthouse. Cole has been planning this for a while, he has a work room with everything she could possibly want and her bedroom is made up with all her things just as she had them in her apartment. Cole is obsessed with security, from the amount of cameras to visitors needing badges. Cole lives by schedules and is very possessive of Sloane. He plans for everything like he’s playing chess, thinking several moves ahead. Sloane, is driven, passionate about design, and quick witted. The combination of the witty banter and heat between them creates sizzling spice that explores power dynamics of control and submission. This is an engaging page turner full of wit, suspense, and of course spice that will have you fanning yourself.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading

Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5

A Few Favorite Quotes:

“In minutes, Sloane Whitmore will walk into this room, and this Christmas story of ours will begin.”

“If I were a serial unaliver, I’d have much better pickup lines than ‘Come live in my tower and make pretty things.’”

“You’re really leaning into this whole st@lker thing, aren’t you?” “I prefer ‘detailed observer.’”

“This necklace makes me want to do dirty things. Raw, unhinged things,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “It makes me want to see what you’d look like surrendering. I think this necklace could unleash the inner beast in anyone.”

“You’re mine,” he says again, his words threading through the haze of overstimulation. “Mine to claim. Mine to punish. And if you ever try to run out on me again, it won’t be just my finger in your a$$.”

“For once in my life, I stop analyzing, stop planning, stop thinking about what comes next. There’s just this—Sloane in my arms, snow falling outside, and Christmas jazz playing softly in a room full of lights.”

“Really? More cameras?” “What can I say? I like seeing you when you’re sleeping . . .” His arms slide around my waist. “Next to me. And I want to know when you’re awake . . . when you aren’t next to me.”

[kymagirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power. Control. Obsession. And somehow, real love too.

When rising jewelry designer Sloane takes a commission from billionaire Cole, she thinks it's just a career move. Instead, it’s a collision course with obsession, control, and something far more intimate than she’s prepared for. He tracks her progress, her movements, and her silences. He doesn’t ask what she needs. He already knows.

Her work explodes with boldness, but the lines between personal and professional don’t hold. Cole’s cold precision crashes into Sloane’s defiance, and what begins as tension builds into heat, surrender, and a steel collar she chooses on her own terms. It’s not soft. It’s not easy. But it’s real.

Behind his calculated calm is a past that refuses to stay buried. The more Sloane becomes his, the more danger circles close. When everything’s on the line, Cole doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t negotiate. He protects what’s his.

Their connection starts in power imbalance but evolves into something sharp and sacred. It’s not about control anymore. It’s about trust. About rebuilding from the ashes. About choosing each other with eyes wide open.

Sloane transforms from a guarded outsider to a designer who knows her worth. Cole strips himself down to something real, no longer just the man who sees everything, but the one who finally lets himself be seen. Together, they’re brutal and tender, chaotic and clear. They don’t just survive—they build.

A dark, steamy, dominant-submissive, stalker, Christmastime romantic suspense, exploring trust, power, identity, grief, ambition, control, redemption, and love. It's about learning to trust after betrayal, finding identity through creation, confronting grief and guilt, and choosing love even when it feels risky.

[Kelly Carpency · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! ⭐️
No mention of Santa though :/

[because_she_reads (Mira Jade) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah I knew I would be disappointed, not sure why I continued with this series. The beginning felt the same as the first book, then to make it different there was a kidnapping at the end…

To be honest I had no connection to the characters. I found them dull, the romance to be unoriginal, the spice couldn’t even keep me in the story 🥹 sadly it’s a no for me.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spicy spicy good time. Holy hell I was sweating.

There is a little stalking but nothing close to book 1. This one is much more like secrets, mafia-esque, there is an underlying mystery that kept me HOOKED and wondering what was coming next.

I love Sloane and I loved Sloane for Cole. He needed someone to make him more human again.

And once again, the narrators did an amazing job as these characters! 10/10

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

He knows when you're awake is a holiday/stalker/billionaire dark romance romance novel with some BDSM elements; set in the next holiday season after the events from He sees you when you're sleeping. This story features Sloane, Chloe's friend and jewelry designer; who decides to quit her job to pursue her dreams of designing her own line. What she doesn't know, is that she has always had a secret admirer, Cole, a billionaire with a dark past who is obsessed with Sloane and whose only dream is to make Sloane's jewelry line a reality (as long as it's ready by New Year's day). While Cole gives Sloane the opportunity of her lifetime, she must move in to his mansion and adhere to all the security protocols and guidelines he has set.

Overall, it was an ok read, some parts of the story dragged, especially when the topic of jewelry design was brought up. Hints of another couple were sprinkled in the story; would love to read their story if the author decides to continue the series.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sushmita Chowdhury · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nopeee. First book of 2026 being a 1-star read better not be an omen.

Barely any Christmas vibes and I truly don’t see what the “dark romance” was. Also the conflict/ending was so fast and far-fetched - it was finished before it even started.

[mycosybookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

It’s definitely a bit of a darker romance with a bit of stalking involved but it’s certainly very tame. A very good beginner introduction to darker romances.

Sloane and Cole’s romance really was destined from the start even if neither of them quite realised it.

It has dark themes so definitely check your triggers but it was the perfect amount of romance, banter, suspense and smut.

An all round amazing book! Perfect to read for the holidays and I’ll definitely be reading it again at some point.

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

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read an Alta Hensley book I didn’t like. He Sees You When You’re Sleeping was fabulous, five stars. Without a doubt, I knew I was going to read the second book, which is a standalone as well. But similarly to the first, it’s a dark romance, a shmalker, and a morally grey MMC.

The setting is Christmas, but it’s not in-your-face. I could read both books any time of the year. The spice is spot on. I went back and forth between listening to the audiobook and then reading. I enjoyed both equally.

Thank you to Forever Books for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Casey | caseygetsbooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spicy, dark romance with a billionaire stalker who hires you to help make your dreams come true… say MORE.

Thank you to Alta Hensley and Valentine PR for the free advanced reader copy!!

This was an interesting and fun read but not groundbreaking or life changing. I had fun. But, I wasn’t gnawing at the bars of my enclosure when I turned the pages. Definitely plan to read the other book later this year. Some of the dialogue has that dark romance cringe to it which was like eh…. very little miscom though which was top tier.

Overall, I do recommend :)