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Axe and Grind
In this decadently dark romance, a virtual dating experiment spins into a deadly web of obsession, greed, love, and passion.
Josie Greene has always been a glass half-full kind of girl. But after a messy breakup, she’s broke, betrayed, and barely getting by. Even her trusted tarot cards point to chaos in her future. And they’re Axe MacKenzie needs her help.
As part of the tech CEO’s latest covert mission, Axe has been developing a simulator to create any user’s “Perfect Match,” and bubbly Josie is the ideal woman to test his product. When the gorgeous, reclusive billionaire makes her an offer—fake date him so he can launch his groundbreaking AI dating app—Josie’s in no position to refuse.
But Axe’s two worlds collide as the criminal underworld corrupts their experimental fling. What started as steamy role-play quickly spirals into a very real threat, leaving both Josie and Axe no choice but to uncover their well-buried pasts. With her life on the line, Josie will have to trust the man who has created the ultimate virtual illusion—and who might be hiding the most sinister truths of all…
Josie Greene has always been a glass half-full kind of girl. But after a messy breakup, she’s broke, betrayed, and barely getting by. Even her trusted tarot cards point to chaos in her future. And they’re Axe MacKenzie needs her help.
As part of the tech CEO’s latest covert mission, Axe has been developing a simulator to create any user’s “Perfect Match,” and bubbly Josie is the ideal woman to test his product. When the gorgeous, reclusive billionaire makes her an offer—fake date him so he can launch his groundbreaking AI dating app—Josie’s in no position to refuse.
But Axe’s two worlds collide as the criminal underworld corrupts their experimental fling. What started as steamy role-play quickly spirals into a very real threat, leaving both Josie and Axe no choice but to uncover their well-buried pasts. With her life on the line, Josie will have to trust the man who has created the ultimate virtual illusion—and who might be hiding the most sinister truths of all…
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2026
10 people are currently reading
9330 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Hutton
4 books75 followersTaylor Hutton is the pseudonym of a pair of writer friends, one of whom has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award and the other who is a New York Times bestselling author and Edgar Award finalist. Between the two of them, they have written over forty books. When they are not passing their latest sexy thriller back and forth on Google Doc, they are browsing bookstores, sending each other ridiculous memes, walking their dogs Trudy and Potato around their Los Angeles neighborhood, and making their children cringe with their TikTok videos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 3, 2025
3.5 Stars -
The story definitely stood apart from other edgy, darkish romances I’ve read. There were some strong points and a few weaker ones for me.
I liked the overall premise and concept, but the male lead felt a bit inconsistent. On one hand, he had this unsettling CIA background—casually torturing someone in the middle of a party, which was strange and surprisingly brushed off by other characters.
On the other hand, he was portrayed as a brilliant tech developer creating the perfect AI model, completely smitten with our female lead. The contrast between “dark operative” and “soft tech genius in love” didn’t always mesh smoothly.
The female lead came across as more believable in her development. Despite her medical issues, she maintained a generally positive attitude, and I really enjoyed their dynamic as a couple. Some scenes were undeniably odd—especially the virtual-reality sex scene—but they were also creative, sexy, and memorable.
Both characters had their own side plots as well: her eccentric mother and his eccentric potential investor, who ended up playing a bigger role than expected.
Overall, the writing was strong, but certain elements didn’t land as well for me. Axe and Grind hits many tropes readers love—fake dating, darker romance vibes (especially toward the end), a touch of the paranormal through tarot cards, and plenty of steamy moments alongside the slow-building connection.
The story also delivers some welcome twists, and the authors do a great job keeping you slightly off-balance until everything clicks together at the end. It’s a book where you benefit from reading between the lines and paying attention to the details.
The story definitely stood apart from other edgy, darkish romances I’ve read. There were some strong points and a few weaker ones for me.
I liked the overall premise and concept, but the male lead felt a bit inconsistent. On one hand, he had this unsettling CIA background—casually torturing someone in the middle of a party, which was strange and surprisingly brushed off by other characters.
On the other hand, he was portrayed as a brilliant tech developer creating the perfect AI model, completely smitten with our female lead. The contrast between “dark operative” and “soft tech genius in love” didn’t always mesh smoothly.
The female lead came across as more believable in her development. Despite her medical issues, she maintained a generally positive attitude, and I really enjoyed their dynamic as a couple. Some scenes were undeniably odd—especially the virtual-reality sex scene—but they were also creative, sexy, and memorable.
Both characters had their own side plots as well: her eccentric mother and his eccentric potential investor, who ended up playing a bigger role than expected.
Overall, the writing was strong, but certain elements didn’t land as well for me. Axe and Grind hits many tropes readers love—fake dating, darker romance vibes (especially toward the end), a touch of the paranormal through tarot cards, and plenty of steamy moments alongside the slow-building connection.
The story also delivers some welcome twists, and the authors do a great job keeping you slightly off-balance until everything clicks together at the end. It’s a book where you benefit from reading between the lines and paying attention to the details.
January 7, 2026
While this book is not classified as being part of a series it does take place in the same world as the book Strike and Burn.
When I first started Axe and Grind I had not read S&B, but decided I wanted a little more backstory on Josie and Axe before continuing so I went back and read Strike and Burn first and while I personally am glad I did as it does add a little context, it is not necessary.
Axe and Grind had an interesting storyline. Axe is developing an AI software to simulate the perfect companion and it had been decided that Josie is the blueprint for said perfect companion. So axe makes her an offer she can’t refuse, get paid a much needed amount to fake date him while his company monitors every interaction.
Overall I liked what the story was trying to be, but it just had so much going on and I had too many issues to say that I actually enjoyed it.
I do not feel the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book were sufficient enough.
Some warnings I feel should be added are; murder, medical malpractice; death of a loved one, drugging, kidnapping, sex trafficking.
Thank you Berkley Pub for the free physical copy for my honest review.
When I first started Axe and Grind I had not read S&B, but decided I wanted a little more backstory on Josie and Axe before continuing so I went back and read Strike and Burn first and while I personally am glad I did as it does add a little context, it is not necessary.
Axe and Grind had an interesting storyline. Axe is developing an AI software to simulate the perfect companion and it had been decided that Josie is the blueprint for said perfect companion. So axe makes her an offer she can’t refuse, get paid a much needed amount to fake date him while his company monitors every interaction.
Overall I liked what the story was trying to be, but it just had so much going on and I had too many issues to say that I actually enjoyed it.
I do not feel the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book were sufficient enough.
Some warnings I feel should be added are; murder, medical malpractice; death of a loved one, drugging, kidnapping, sex trafficking.
Thank you Berkley Pub for the free physical copy for my honest review.
did-not-finish
January 9, 2026 DNF’d at 30% - just wasn’t feeling it.
Spoilers - interesting storyline. The kid cancer angle was a little triggering (my daughter also had leukemia). The parents are awful. Josie had no boundaries at (how old?!). The complex relationship was difficult to navigate. They use her illness for their own benefit, go-fund me accounts, and huge social media following.
Axe - Scottish morally gray killer of sex traffickers who was raised by a sex trafficker (father), recruited by the CIA, turned tech mogul who is building as AI companion.
Convinces Josie to be his AI prototype girlfriend. She agrees because she needs money and to be free of her parents.
Spoilers - interesting storyline. The kid cancer angle was a little triggering (my daughter also had leukemia). The parents are awful. Josie had no boundaries at (how old?!). The complex relationship was difficult to navigate. They use her illness for their own benefit, go-fund me accounts, and huge social media following.
Axe - Scottish morally gray killer of sex traffickers who was raised by a sex trafficker (father), recruited by the CIA, turned tech mogul who is building as AI companion.
Convinces Josie to be his AI prototype girlfriend. She agrees because she needs money and to be free of her parents.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
did-not-finish
December 21, 2025Oh boy... I get what Axe and Grind was trying to put down, but I feel like it tried a bit too hard to be too many things at once.
For instance, we have Axe, a super hot Scottish tech billionaire with a tortured past, who is also an ex CIA agent that hunts down sex traffickers and kills them. On top of that he also rides motorcycles, and runs a book club, and has a really fancy yacht and is funny in a mean sort of way but only to people he likes.
I've never read a Taylor Hutton book before, so I honestly, wasn't sure what to expect, but this was just a lot.
For instance, we have Axe, a super hot Scottish tech billionaire with a tortured past, who is also an ex CIA agent that hunts down sex traffickers and kills them. On top of that he also rides motorcycles, and runs a book club, and has a really fancy yacht and is funny in a mean sort of way but only to people he likes.
I've never read a Taylor Hutton book before, so I honestly, wasn't sure what to expect, but this was just a lot.
October 4, 2025
Josie makes me put my hand to my heart and say, "oh Josie darling bless your heart."
Josie Josie Josie *shakes head back and forth* ok...
So, I like Axe. He's a rich Scotsman and he "needs help" with a new project at the company he created. In steps Josie. She has been sick her entire life and Axe has great healthcare. So she signs on to help him create this AI avatar. The app he is creating the AI person for is a type of dating app so naturally to get the data they need they need to fake date. Their chemistry is top notch. He's a grumpy and she is a tarot loving ray of sunshine. A good portion of the book i wanted to smack Josie upside the head for being an eejit!
I don't know which number it is but it has to be a rule...don't accept drinks from guys that give you the creeps.
HEA for out Josie and Axe!
Josie Josie Josie *shakes head back and forth* ok...
So, I like Axe. He's a rich Scotsman and he "needs help" with a new project at the company he created. In steps Josie. She has been sick her entire life and Axe has great healthcare. So she signs on to help him create this AI avatar. The app he is creating the AI person for is a type of dating app so naturally to get the data they need they need to fake date. Their chemistry is top notch. He's a grumpy and she is a tarot loving ray of sunshine. A good portion of the book i wanted to smack Josie upside the head for being an eejit!
I don't know which number it is but it has to be a rule...don't accept drinks from guys that give you the creeps.
HEA for out Josie and Axe!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.5 stars
Thanks for the free book Berkley!
This was sadly not for me. I was into all of the drama in the first half, but it became a bit too predictable and ridiculous. I think there were just too many elements in the book. The romance fell flat for me too. I didn't feel the connection between Axe and Josie. If you like romantic thrillers, then you may like this one.
Thanks for the free book Berkley!
This was sadly not for me. I was into all of the drama in the first half, but it became a bit too predictable and ridiculous. I think there were just too many elements in the book. The romance fell flat for me too. I didn't feel the connection between Axe and Josie. If you like romantic thrillers, then you may like this one.
January 9, 2026
3.5 Stars!
Seductive, edgy, and menacing!
Axe and Grind is a tantalizing, provocative tale that plunges readers into the lives of Josie Green, a hardworking, spiritual young woman shaped by hardship and heartbreak, and Axe MacKenzie, a tech CEO who spends his days building an AI-driven dating app and his nights moonlighting as a vigilante, exacting brutal justice on society’s most depraved.
The writing is intense and charged. The characters are troubled, impulsive, and vulnerable. And the plot weaves an alluring mix of friendship, family, drama, danger, expectation, desire, vengeance, self-discovery, and lingering childhood trauma.
Overall, Axe and Grind is a tight, erotic, sinister novel by Hutton that is dark, layered, and entertaining.
Seductive, edgy, and menacing!
Axe and Grind is a tantalizing, provocative tale that plunges readers into the lives of Josie Green, a hardworking, spiritual young woman shaped by hardship and heartbreak, and Axe MacKenzie, a tech CEO who spends his days building an AI-driven dating app and his nights moonlighting as a vigilante, exacting brutal justice on society’s most depraved.
The writing is intense and charged. The characters are troubled, impulsive, and vulnerable. And the plot weaves an alluring mix of friendship, family, drama, danger, expectation, desire, vengeance, self-discovery, and lingering childhood trauma.
Overall, Axe and Grind is a tight, erotic, sinister novel by Hutton that is dark, layered, and entertaining.
September 29, 2025
Axe and Grind by Taylor Hutton was unfortunately not a favorite for me. I love a good dark romance, but this one left me saying “heck no, that couldn’t have happened” more times than I can count. The premise of Axe and Grind, two friends who are also contract killers—had potential, but it just didn’t land. The names alone begged for some tongue-in-cheek commentary that never came, and without it, the setup felt flat and unbelievable.
The most jarring moment for me was the Halloween party scene. Torturing someone in the middle of a party and brushing it off as acceptable because of animal blood and decorations made no sense. Even more confusing, there was no mention of added security or any realistic precautions, which pulled me out of the story completely.
On top of that, the heroine, Josie, leaned heavily into the “I’m not like other girls” trope. She’s written as sweet but spicy, happy but innocent, a combination that never rang true to me. That kind of characterization feels outdated and doesn’t build the kind of depth I look for in a heroine.
The romance also didn’t work for me. I couldn’t buy into their chemistry or their relationship, and without that connection, the story lost a lot of its impact.
While I appreciated the effort to create a gritty, dark romance, the execution didn’t feel grounded or believable. This one just wasn’t for me.
I received this ARC from the Berkley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The most jarring moment for me was the Halloween party scene. Torturing someone in the middle of a party and brushing it off as acceptable because of animal blood and decorations made no sense. Even more confusing, there was no mention of added security or any realistic precautions, which pulled me out of the story completely.
On top of that, the heroine, Josie, leaned heavily into the “I’m not like other girls” trope. She’s written as sweet but spicy, happy but innocent, a combination that never rang true to me. That kind of characterization feels outdated and doesn’t build the kind of depth I look for in a heroine.
The romance also didn’t work for me. I couldn’t buy into their chemistry or their relationship, and without that connection, the story lost a lot of its impact.
While I appreciated the effort to create a gritty, dark romance, the execution didn’t feel grounded or believable. This one just wasn’t for me.
I received this ARC from the Berkley Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2026
I’m the CEO of Syntho Tech, racing to launch a revolutionary AI companion app. I need a female baseline model fast, and my best option is Josie. She’s vibrant, quirky, and absolutely gorgeous, but too bad she hates me. She’s had it rough, and even though she’s hesitant to work with me, this might be her chance to get her head above water. When she reluctantly agrees, the testing has us going on dates. We get close, and I find myself letting her in. But she has no idea who I truly am, or that being close to me comes with its own dangers, putting her squarely in the crosshairs and making her the perfect target..
Josie has been sick her entire life. Cancer, diabetes, asthma, you name it. Now she’s just trying to live. After leaving her deadbeat fiancé, she takes a job with the hot, irritating Axe to cover the cost of much-needed medications and start building a semblance of a life, all while being constantly shadowed by her domineering mother, a woman who has paraded her sick daughter around since childhood, still leaning on Josie’s illnesses for charity and attention. Watching Josie slowly come to a life-altering realization of who her mother truly was and finding the strength to confront her had me cheering. Sometimes the worst evils are the ones closest to you.
Axe is equally complex, a snarky, bantering Scot, brilliant coder, dangerous ex CIA operative, and a man carrying a deeply wounded past. The flashbacks to his childhood are heart-wrenching, but he never stops fighting. He wants to do good and rid the world of truly monstrous people, no matter the cost. I loved seeing who this man was behind his CEO playboy facade. And seeing him finally have something for himself, allowing himself to open up to Josie, and experiencing a love he has never had. Now that’s the good stuff!
As much as Josie dislikes him at first, Axe never pities her or sees her as weak. Instead, he slowly, unexpectedly wins her over. Their connection is simple, organic, and genuine, and I loved every moment of it. Throw in a cute, awkward, tongue-tied Scotsman, and I was completely sold. This story has romance, suspense, laughter, heartbreak, and just the right touch of vengeance, we get it all, and it’s beautiful.
Thank you to Taylor Hutton, and NetGalley for this gifted ecopy!
Josie has been sick her entire life. Cancer, diabetes, asthma, you name it. Now she’s just trying to live. After leaving her deadbeat fiancé, she takes a job with the hot, irritating Axe to cover the cost of much-needed medications and start building a semblance of a life, all while being constantly shadowed by her domineering mother, a woman who has paraded her sick daughter around since childhood, still leaning on Josie’s illnesses for charity and attention. Watching Josie slowly come to a life-altering realization of who her mother truly was and finding the strength to confront her had me cheering. Sometimes the worst evils are the ones closest to you.
Axe is equally complex, a snarky, bantering Scot, brilliant coder, dangerous ex CIA operative, and a man carrying a deeply wounded past. The flashbacks to his childhood are heart-wrenching, but he never stops fighting. He wants to do good and rid the world of truly monstrous people, no matter the cost. I loved seeing who this man was behind his CEO playboy facade. And seeing him finally have something for himself, allowing himself to open up to Josie, and experiencing a love he has never had. Now that’s the good stuff!
As much as Josie dislikes him at first, Axe never pities her or sees her as weak. Instead, he slowly, unexpectedly wins her over. Their connection is simple, organic, and genuine, and I loved every moment of it. Throw in a cute, awkward, tongue-tied Scotsman, and I was completely sold. This story has romance, suspense, laughter, heartbreak, and just the right touch of vengeance, we get it all, and it’s beautiful.
Thank you to Taylor Hutton, and NetGalley for this gifted ecopy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Josie Greene is broke and reeling from a messy break-up when tech CEO, Axe MacKenzie, makes her an unusual offer: fake date him to help him launch his AI dating tech. Josie seems like the ideal person to model the tech after, and she is in no position to refuse. But as the arrangement heats up, Axe’s involvement with the criminal underworld puts Josie in danger, forcing them both to confront their pasts and figure out what is real and what is part of the illusion.
This was a solid middle-of-the-road read for me, with some enjoyable elements but also some significant missed opportunities.
I enjoyed both Axe and Josie’s compelling backstories and side plots. I found them genuinely interesting. Watching how their individual stories unfolded and eventually connected kept me engaged. I also appreciated Axe’s protectiveness of Josie. Those moments felt genuine and added depth to his character. The general premise of the book had real potential, and I liked where the author was trying to go with it.
However, the execution fell short in several ways. The book was marketed as dark romance, but it felt more like “dark light”. It didn’t commit to being truly dark or gritty enough to satisfy the craving. It stayed too safe when it could have gone deeper, more intense.
My biggest issue was Axe’s portrayal. The author made him a hard tech genius and a softer, warmer, more vulnerable guy, but these aspects didn’t blend cohesively. It felt like two different characters rather than a complex, multifaceted person. The transitions between these sides of him were jarring rather than natural.
Additionally, the fake dating trope barely materialized. It was promised, but never really happened in any meaningful way. Fake dating usually involves deception, but this was more like going on “practice dates”. It felt like a missed opportunity and a misleading setup.
Overall, this had enjoyable moments and interesting characters, but it needed strong execution and clearer direction to truly shine. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
This was a solid middle-of-the-road read for me, with some enjoyable elements but also some significant missed opportunities.
I enjoyed both Axe and Josie’s compelling backstories and side plots. I found them genuinely interesting. Watching how their individual stories unfolded and eventually connected kept me engaged. I also appreciated Axe’s protectiveness of Josie. Those moments felt genuine and added depth to his character. The general premise of the book had real potential, and I liked where the author was trying to go with it.
However, the execution fell short in several ways. The book was marketed as dark romance, but it felt more like “dark light”. It didn’t commit to being truly dark or gritty enough to satisfy the craving. It stayed too safe when it could have gone deeper, more intense.
My biggest issue was Axe’s portrayal. The author made him a hard tech genius and a softer, warmer, more vulnerable guy, but these aspects didn’t blend cohesively. It felt like two different characters rather than a complex, multifaceted person. The transitions between these sides of him were jarring rather than natural.
Additionally, the fake dating trope barely materialized. It was promised, but never really happened in any meaningful way. Fake dating usually involves deception, but this was more like going on “practice dates”. It felt like a missed opportunity and a misleading setup.
Overall, this had enjoyable moments and interesting characters, but it needed strong execution and clearer direction to truly shine. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
November 25, 2025
📚Axe and Grind
✍🏻Taylor Hutton
Blurb:
In this decadently dark romance, a virtual dating experiment spins into a deadly web of obsession, greed, love, and passion.
Josie Greene has always been a glass half-full kind of girl. But after a messy breakup, she’s broke, betrayed, and barely getting by. Even her trusted tarot cards point to chaos in her future. And they’re Axe MacKenzie needs her help.
As part of the tech CEO’s latest covert mission, Axe has been developing a simulator to create any user’s “Perfect Match,” and bubbly Josie is the ideal woman to test his product. When the gorgeous, reclusive billionaire makes her an offer—fake date him so he can launch his groundbreaking AI dating app—Josie’s in no position to refuse.
But Axe’s two worlds collide as the criminal underworld corrupts their experimental fling. What started as steamy role-play quickly spirals into a very real threat, leaving both Josie and Axe no choice but to uncover their well-buried pasts. With her life on the line, Josie will have to trust the man who has created the ultimate virtual illusion—and who might be hiding the most sinister truths of all…
My Thoughts;
I really enjoyed this book; it was so easy to get through it flowed really well.This book is brilliantly twisted and it digs into the darker edges of love, power and deception.
Great pacing,, Emotional suspense, Fake dating,Tarot cards,Advanced AI technology,And secrets
Josie has been through somethings. More things than any child should have to go through.
Which also can be said for Axe, his childhood was not ideal, but he was able to make something out of him self.
Josie is on the track of doing the same for her.
The two end up working on an upcoming project together that will bring them closer than they ever thought imaginable.
Thanks NetGalley, Berkley Romance and Author Taylor Hutton for the advanced copy of "Axe and Grind" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BerkleyRomance
#TaylorHutton
#AxeandGrind
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Taylor Hutton
Blurb:
In this decadently dark romance, a virtual dating experiment spins into a deadly web of obsession, greed, love, and passion.
Josie Greene has always been a glass half-full kind of girl. But after a messy breakup, she’s broke, betrayed, and barely getting by. Even her trusted tarot cards point to chaos in her future. And they’re Axe MacKenzie needs her help.
As part of the tech CEO’s latest covert mission, Axe has been developing a simulator to create any user’s “Perfect Match,” and bubbly Josie is the ideal woman to test his product. When the gorgeous, reclusive billionaire makes her an offer—fake date him so he can launch his groundbreaking AI dating app—Josie’s in no position to refuse.
But Axe’s two worlds collide as the criminal underworld corrupts their experimental fling. What started as steamy role-play quickly spirals into a very real threat, leaving both Josie and Axe no choice but to uncover their well-buried pasts. With her life on the line, Josie will have to trust the man who has created the ultimate virtual illusion—and who might be hiding the most sinister truths of all…
My Thoughts;
I really enjoyed this book; it was so easy to get through it flowed really well.This book is brilliantly twisted and it digs into the darker edges of love, power and deception.
Great pacing,, Emotional suspense, Fake dating,Tarot cards,Advanced AI technology,And secrets
Josie has been through somethings. More things than any child should have to go through.
Which also can be said for Axe, his childhood was not ideal, but he was able to make something out of him self.
Josie is on the track of doing the same for her.
The two end up working on an upcoming project together that will bring them closer than they ever thought imaginable.
Thanks NetGalley, Berkley Romance and Author Taylor Hutton for the advanced copy of "Axe and Grind" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BerkleyRomance
#TaylorHutton
#AxeandGrind
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 11, 2026
If you like juicy sex, a slightly twisted sense of humour, and topics like AI girlfriends, cyber sex, sex toys, and some very bad people, all handled with a light touch, this book is a high-wire romp, pure mayhem, and an absolute belter of a ride.
This is my second Taylor Hutton novel, and I absolutely loved it. Axe is a compelling character. I liked his manliness, his confidence, and his sexiness, and if I am honest, parts of him reminded me a bit of myself. He is very much an idealized masculine figure, capable, guarded, physically dominant, and clearly constructed to be desired. The chemistry between the two leads works from the start, and the sexual tension carries the story effortlessly.
The backstories are a little fantastical, but they fit the tone and add momentum rather than distraction. I especially enjoyed the mother and father scammers. That dynamic was strange, funny, and unsettling in a way that felt surprisingly believable. It is easy to see how growing up in that environment shapes people, how survival, deception, and desire become learned behaviors. They add more texture to the story than you might expect from what could have been throwaway characters.
What I appreciated most, looking back, is that beneath the sexy chaos there is something quietly thoughtful going on. Axe feels like a performance of an ideal man, just as the AI girlfriend represents a technological projection of desire. Both are about fantasy, control, and what it means to want connection without friction. The push and pull between attraction and resistance is not just sexual tension, it reflects a deeper discomfort with surrendering autonomy, whether to another person or to something designed to meet your needs too perfectly.
For a funny, sexy, slightly twisted romance with a wild AI premise, this was a blast to read. It knows exactly what it is, leans into it confidently, and still manages to sneak in a few ideas about desire, performance, and modern loneliness along the way. That combination made it even more enjoyable than expected.
This is my second Taylor Hutton novel, and I absolutely loved it. Axe is a compelling character. I liked his manliness, his confidence, and his sexiness, and if I am honest, parts of him reminded me a bit of myself. He is very much an idealized masculine figure, capable, guarded, physically dominant, and clearly constructed to be desired. The chemistry between the two leads works from the start, and the sexual tension carries the story effortlessly.
The backstories are a little fantastical, but they fit the tone and add momentum rather than distraction. I especially enjoyed the mother and father scammers. That dynamic was strange, funny, and unsettling in a way that felt surprisingly believable. It is easy to see how growing up in that environment shapes people, how survival, deception, and desire become learned behaviors. They add more texture to the story than you might expect from what could have been throwaway characters.
What I appreciated most, looking back, is that beneath the sexy chaos there is something quietly thoughtful going on. Axe feels like a performance of an ideal man, just as the AI girlfriend represents a technological projection of desire. Both are about fantasy, control, and what it means to want connection without friction. The push and pull between attraction and resistance is not just sexual tension, it reflects a deeper discomfort with surrendering autonomy, whether to another person or to something designed to meet your needs too perfectly.
For a funny, sexy, slightly twisted romance with a wild AI premise, this was a blast to read. It knows exactly what it is, leans into it confidently, and still manages to sneak in a few ideas about desire, performance, and modern loneliness along the way. That combination made it even more enjoyable than expected.
January 8, 2026
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking on the link below. It is also posted on full.
https://novelsalive.com/2026/01/08/4-...
Axe and Grind by Taylor Hutton is a dark romance thriller with many layers. A fast-paced read with a lot of detail, multiple storylines, a steamy slow-burn romance, and an edginess throughout, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Axe and Josie don’t initially get along, but somehow they overcome it since Axe always seems to come to Josie’s rescue. I’m not a fan of AI, and the amount of it shown in the product being developed by Axe’s tech company didn’t sit well with me. It actually gave me the creeps.
Some of the story lacked caring and love from those who were supposed to always be there for you. Josie‘s mother had her own agenda throughout her childhood and even now that Josie’s an adult. Axe’s father was a master criminal who didn’t like that Axe was so weak and wouldn’t be part of the family’s illegal activities. Axe and Josie grew up in different worlds, where her mother could barely make ends meet, and Axe lived a more privileged life on a Scottish island, even if the reason for the wealth and riches was criminal.
The story had a lot of twists and turns, along with some with evil intent, some criminal, and others actually sweet and caring. There were a slew of surprises as well. Many of the characters were not who they seemed, and both Axe and Josie had depth to them. It was interesting getting to know them and their best friends, whose story I need to read.
The faces they showed the outside world weren’t really a reflection of who they are. There was a lot of drama throughout, and the bad guys get their comeuppance, but even that was with a twist. There was closure and a hint of a happily ever after, but I would have liked the book to go on just a little longer. The discussion questions at the back of the book made me think.
Axe and Grind has both darkness and light, along with unexpected romance.
https://novelsalive.com/2026/01/08/4-...
Axe and Grind by Taylor Hutton is a dark romance thriller with many layers. A fast-paced read with a lot of detail, multiple storylines, a steamy slow-burn romance, and an edginess throughout, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
Axe and Josie don’t initially get along, but somehow they overcome it since Axe always seems to come to Josie’s rescue. I’m not a fan of AI, and the amount of it shown in the product being developed by Axe’s tech company didn’t sit well with me. It actually gave me the creeps.
Some of the story lacked caring and love from those who were supposed to always be there for you. Josie‘s mother had her own agenda throughout her childhood and even now that Josie’s an adult. Axe’s father was a master criminal who didn’t like that Axe was so weak and wouldn’t be part of the family’s illegal activities. Axe and Josie grew up in different worlds, where her mother could barely make ends meet, and Axe lived a more privileged life on a Scottish island, even if the reason for the wealth and riches was criminal.
The story had a lot of twists and turns, along with some with evil intent, some criminal, and others actually sweet and caring. There were a slew of surprises as well. Many of the characters were not who they seemed, and both Axe and Josie had depth to them. It was interesting getting to know them and their best friends, whose story I need to read.
The faces they showed the outside world weren’t really a reflection of who they are. There was a lot of drama throughout, and the bad guys get their comeuppance, but even that was with a twist. There was closure and a hint of a happily ever after, but I would have liked the book to go on just a little longer. The discussion questions at the back of the book made me think.
Axe and Grind has both darkness and light, along with unexpected romance.
December 6, 2025
This book is billed as a dark romance and fits the bill nicely. Josie Hart has just broken up with her fiancé when the story begins and is attending a party at a former asylum turned party venue and movie set. She had a terrible childhood filled with cancer and diabetes and terrible allergies. She's mostly healthy now but needs expensive insulin from Germany and needs a job that will provide health insurance.
Axe MacKenzie has a solution. He's an AI millionaire and needs a model for his latest project - creating the perfect AI companion. He can't think of anyone better than Josie with her optimistic attitude, devotion to tarot, and quirky personality. He doesn't expect to fall in love with her. After all, he's never fallen in love before.
Axe and his partner Strike as former CIA agents have a hobby. They have set a goal of ending human trafficking by murdering traffickers one at a time. The next one in their sites is Niles von Grafenhagen. They are working their way into his computer files while Axe is trying to convince him to invest in his latest AI project.
But Niles has seen Josie and is fixated on her. When he kidnaps her, Axe needs to call on old pals to get her back. He has to return to the scene of his abused childhood.
The story is told from alternate viewpoints with one chapter from Josie's point of view and the next from Axe's. I wasn't surprised to learn that "Taylor Hutton" is two authors because each viewpoint seemed like it was written by a different person.
Much of the darkness comes from each main character's abusive past. Josie was exploited by her mother and Axe by his father. I enjoyed the way the two characters fell in love and dealt with their terrible paths. I felt that murder might have been going a bit far though.
Axe MacKenzie has a solution. He's an AI millionaire and needs a model for his latest project - creating the perfect AI companion. He can't think of anyone better than Josie with her optimistic attitude, devotion to tarot, and quirky personality. He doesn't expect to fall in love with her. After all, he's never fallen in love before.
Axe and his partner Strike as former CIA agents have a hobby. They have set a goal of ending human trafficking by murdering traffickers one at a time. The next one in their sites is Niles von Grafenhagen. They are working their way into his computer files while Axe is trying to convince him to invest in his latest AI project.
But Niles has seen Josie and is fixated on her. When he kidnaps her, Axe needs to call on old pals to get her back. He has to return to the scene of his abused childhood.
The story is told from alternate viewpoints with one chapter from Josie's point of view and the next from Axe's. I wasn't surprised to learn that "Taylor Hutton" is two authors because each viewpoint seemed like it was written by a different person.
Much of the darkness comes from each main character's abusive past. Josie was exploited by her mother and Axe by his father. I enjoyed the way the two characters fell in love and dealt with their terrible paths. I felt that murder might have been going a bit far though.
January 9, 2026
3.5 stars
Axe is a former CIA agent who now hunts down sex traffickers with his friend, Strike. He also is CEO of a large tech company and is working on a new AI project. Josie has recently called off her engagement, moved back in with her mom and stepdad, and has astronomical health care costs due to medication she requires from a lifetime of illnesses. Josie's best friend, Hope, is Strike's girlfriend so she and Axe have been around each other quite a bit. Hope had expected Axe and Josie to hit it off, but he made fun of Josie's belief in astrology and the occult the first time they met and she immediately wrote him off as an asshole. When Axe first floats the idea of Josie fake dating him (all being recorded and with sensors being worn to track body responses), she rejects him. But he's offering a good paycheck for easy work and says the magic words - excellent health insurance so she agrees after realizing how much she needs those things to get out of her overzealous mother's house.
Both Axe and Josie had hellish childhoods - Axe stuck on an island; Josie stuck in hospitals. While Axe is obviously better off financially, Josie has a much more optimistic view of life. The AI Axe's company was developing seemed pretty cool. I enjoyed how real the two were able to become with each other, despite not sharing their real feelings as they were concerned over whether the other was just looking at their fake dates in a professional light. Josie did have me shaking my head at her naivety for quite a bit of the book, but she did really grow as a character which is something I always enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Taylor Hutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Axe is a former CIA agent who now hunts down sex traffickers with his friend, Strike. He also is CEO of a large tech company and is working on a new AI project. Josie has recently called off her engagement, moved back in with her mom and stepdad, and has astronomical health care costs due to medication she requires from a lifetime of illnesses. Josie's best friend, Hope, is Strike's girlfriend so she and Axe have been around each other quite a bit. Hope had expected Axe and Josie to hit it off, but he made fun of Josie's belief in astrology and the occult the first time they met and she immediately wrote him off as an asshole. When Axe first floats the idea of Josie fake dating him (all being recorded and with sensors being worn to track body responses), she rejects him. But he's offering a good paycheck for easy work and says the magic words - excellent health insurance so she agrees after realizing how much she needs those things to get out of her overzealous mother's house.
Both Axe and Josie had hellish childhoods - Axe stuck on an island; Josie stuck in hospitals. While Axe is obviously better off financially, Josie has a much more optimistic view of life. The AI Axe's company was developing seemed pretty cool. I enjoyed how real the two were able to become with each other, despite not sharing their real feelings as they were concerned over whether the other was just looking at their fake dates in a professional light. Josie did have me shaking my head at her naivety for quite a bit of the book, but she did really grow as a character which is something I always enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Taylor Hutton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really, REALLY tried to like Axe & Grind by Taylor Hutton.
For all who know me, I love a good dark romance, but Axe & Grind was not hitting it for me.
Axe & Grind follows Axe MacKenzie and Josie Greene. Axe is a tech, AI creator. And of course, drop-dead gorgeous, has an ego bigger than his sky-rise penthouse, and is a billionaire. Josie is your typical dark romance “not like other girls” FMC— sweet, naive, vulnerable, and also gorgeous. Axe and Josie agree to go into a fake dating agreement to help with Axe’s latest AI project. Thus, the story then begins…
The plot felt underdeveloped and choppy. The pacing was odd… and the romance didn’t feel organic and insta-lusty.
And although the crime/thriller plot was 100000% unbelievable, I did enjoy it. The suspense kept the story entertaining and readable.
Overall, I liked the premise and what Taylor was trying to do, but the execution fell flat and implausible. Axe & Grind will likely be polarizing: it’s bold in premise and emotional stakes, and it offers plenty for readers who love dark, sexy, contemporary romance with thriller leanings. However, if you’re seeking deeply nuanced character work and realism, you may find the story less satisfying, but if you’re eager for a fast-paced, genre-blending romance, you might enjoy the ride despite its flaws.
Thank you, Berkley, for my gifted e-ARC 💕
For all who know me, I love a good dark romance, but Axe & Grind was not hitting it for me.
Axe & Grind follows Axe MacKenzie and Josie Greene. Axe is a tech, AI creator. And of course, drop-dead gorgeous, has an ego bigger than his sky-rise penthouse, and is a billionaire. Josie is your typical dark romance “not like other girls” FMC— sweet, naive, vulnerable, and also gorgeous. Axe and Josie agree to go into a fake dating agreement to help with Axe’s latest AI project. Thus, the story then begins…
The plot felt underdeveloped and choppy. The pacing was odd… and the romance didn’t feel organic and insta-lusty.
And although the crime/thriller plot was 100000% unbelievable, I did enjoy it. The suspense kept the story entertaining and readable.
Overall, I liked the premise and what Taylor was trying to do, but the execution fell flat and implausible. Axe & Grind will likely be polarizing: it’s bold in premise and emotional stakes, and it offers plenty for readers who love dark, sexy, contemporary romance with thriller leanings. However, if you’re seeking deeply nuanced character work and realism, you may find the story less satisfying, but if you’re eager for a fast-paced, genre-blending romance, you might enjoy the ride despite its flaws.
Thank you, Berkley, for my gifted e-ARC 💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐'s rounded up
This book confused me sadly. Axe is too many different people to count so I didn't feel that his character was authentic. I also felt as though some of the people/side characters were not awake or alert. Take for instance the Halloween party. Axe is in the middle of this party while torturing someone, and everyone else as the party just brushed it off as decorations or something. It just did not hit right.
I did enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters, but even Josie was a confusing mess of a lot of different personality traits. I did feel immense empathy for her and let some of the personality issues pass because she had a rough childhood dealing with diabetes, cancer and allergies. She had a rough life growing up dealing with all of that. The author did a great job of showing the issues with healthcare.
Axe also had a rough childhood, but he faces his demons so that he can save Josie after Niles becomes obsessed with her and ends up kidnapping her.
There are some sensitive subjects dealt with on page including murder of course, kidnapping and sex trafficking. Please check your triggers.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the early copy of this book. All of my opinions are my own.
This book confused me sadly. Axe is too many different people to count so I didn't feel that his character was authentic. I also felt as though some of the people/side characters were not awake or alert. Take for instance the Halloween party. Axe is in the middle of this party while torturing someone, and everyone else as the party just brushed it off as decorations or something. It just did not hit right.
I did enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters, but even Josie was a confusing mess of a lot of different personality traits. I did feel immense empathy for her and let some of the personality issues pass because she had a rough childhood dealing with diabetes, cancer and allergies. She had a rough life growing up dealing with all of that. The author did a great job of showing the issues with healthcare.
Axe also had a rough childhood, but he faces his demons so that he can save Josie after Niles becomes obsessed with her and ends up kidnapping her.
There are some sensitive subjects dealt with on page including murder of course, kidnapping and sex trafficking. Please check your triggers.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the early copy of this book. All of my opinions are my own.
December 27, 2025
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the gifted copies. All opinions are my own.
AXE AND GRIND is a busy book. There is so much going on it’s hard to figure out what this book is trying to be. Is it a dark romance? Psychological thriller? Family drama? Yes, yes, and yes. Does it cover themes of mental illness, sex trafficking, serial child abuse, medical malfeasance, clandestine CIA operations, AI applications? Yes to all of those. Any one of those would have made an interesting read. All of those just left my head spinning.
Josie Greene has had a rough life. A chronically ill child now an adult desperate to escape her controlling mother, she accepts a financially lucrative offer to serve as a model for an AI based dating application being developed by Axe Mackenzie, a billionaire tech mogul who moonlights as a CIA operative. That storyline caught my interest and would have been enough to hold it. The chemistry between Josie and Axe was fire and both were compelling characters.
Everything else was noise.
AXE AND GRIND is a busy book. There is so much going on it’s hard to figure out what this book is trying to be. Is it a dark romance? Psychological thriller? Family drama? Yes, yes, and yes. Does it cover themes of mental illness, sex trafficking, serial child abuse, medical malfeasance, clandestine CIA operations, AI applications? Yes to all of those. Any one of those would have made an interesting read. All of those just left my head spinning.
Josie Greene has had a rough life. A chronically ill child now an adult desperate to escape her controlling mother, she accepts a financially lucrative offer to serve as a model for an AI based dating application being developed by Axe Mackenzie, a billionaire tech mogul who moonlights as a CIA operative. That storyline caught my interest and would have been enough to hold it. The chemistry between Josie and Axe was fire and both were compelling characters.
Everything else was noise.
December 30, 2025
this was pitched to me as a rom/sus, which is my jam, so i couldn’t resist.
i liked josie and axe well enough. she’s sunny and he’s crunchy and they’re both very loyal. they have absolutely no chemistry at all, but they keep telling themselves that the other is so hot and the kisses are so electric that they begin to believe it. so, there’s that.
plot wise, it was a lot of things and still sort of nothing at the same time. the main problem that i had was the so-called relationship evolution. we’re told that they have a lot of texting conversations to get to know each other, but on the page, it’s only a handful of in person interactions. the suspense was non-existent, the romance was meh, but the entire story was so bonkers, i couldn’t look away.
overall, this wasn’t at all what i expected, but it was entertaining and kept me interested in the ending.
fyi: on the page scenes of murder, talk of sex trafficking, on the page scenes of sex trafficking
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
i liked josie and axe well enough. she’s sunny and he’s crunchy and they’re both very loyal. they have absolutely no chemistry at all, but they keep telling themselves that the other is so hot and the kisses are so electric that they begin to believe it. so, there’s that.
plot wise, it was a lot of things and still sort of nothing at the same time. the main problem that i had was the so-called relationship evolution. we’re told that they have a lot of texting conversations to get to know each other, but on the page, it’s only a handful of in person interactions. the suspense was non-existent, the romance was meh, but the entire story was so bonkers, i couldn’t look away.
overall, this wasn’t at all what i expected, but it was entertaining and kept me interested in the ending.
fyi: on the page scenes of murder, talk of sex trafficking, on the page scenes of sex trafficking
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
***ARC Provided by the Author and/or Publisher***
There's a line that I am not sure I even consciously knew existed until I read this book, but here we are. There is a line between dark romance and horror. And this one crossed it.
I love a good dark romance, but Josie and Axe never got to that point for me, it was all horror. I am fine if the hero is morally grey, if there is cheating, if one of them is a spy or a hitman, or an ex con, even if they are guilty.
This one, however, this one just didn't ever feel like a romance. Or if it was a romance, it's more of the Frankenstein kind than one where you want the characters together. And, since we have arrived at that, let's discuss that for a second. I never believed in them as a couple.
I did finish this one, although I question why. And I really don't mean to ruin the fun for anyone else, as I am sure there are plenty of people who are going to love this book, unfortunately I just wasn't one of them.
I am unable to recommend this title.
There's a line that I am not sure I even consciously knew existed until I read this book, but here we are. There is a line between dark romance and horror. And this one crossed it.
I love a good dark romance, but Josie and Axe never got to that point for me, it was all horror. I am fine if the hero is morally grey, if there is cheating, if one of them is a spy or a hitman, or an ex con, even if they are guilty.
This one, however, this one just didn't ever feel like a romance. Or if it was a romance, it's more of the Frankenstein kind than one where you want the characters together. And, since we have arrived at that, let's discuss that for a second. I never believed in them as a couple.
I did finish this one, although I question why. And I really don't mean to ruin the fun for anyone else, as I am sure there are plenty of people who are going to love this book, unfortunately I just wasn't one of them.
I am unable to recommend this title.
January 7, 2026
This book is a lot and at times that worked against it.
The story follows Axe and Josie, and I struggled to feel genuine romantic chemistry between them early on. Their connection felt forced and sometimes like it came out of left field since they knew each other beforehand and we didn’t see some of the development in the book on page.
There were definitely moments that had me fully engaged, but the story often shifted direction very quickly. At times, the character development felt inconsistent. Josie, in particular, is presented as sweet, innocent, and coy, yet some of her actions and dialogue didn’t align with that portrayal, which pulled me out of the story.
A lot happens off-page, which made the on-page events feel disjointed and sometimes hard to follow, making it difficult to find a strong through line.
That said, the book did keep my attention from start to finish.
Trigger warning: Please be mindful that there are several sensitive topics, both depicted on-page and referenced off-page, that readers may want to be aware of before diving in.
The story follows Axe and Josie, and I struggled to feel genuine romantic chemistry between them early on. Their connection felt forced and sometimes like it came out of left field since they knew each other beforehand and we didn’t see some of the development in the book on page.
There were definitely moments that had me fully engaged, but the story often shifted direction very quickly. At times, the character development felt inconsistent. Josie, in particular, is presented as sweet, innocent, and coy, yet some of her actions and dialogue didn’t align with that portrayal, which pulled me out of the story.
A lot happens off-page, which made the on-page events feel disjointed and sometimes hard to follow, making it difficult to find a strong through line.
That said, the book did keep my attention from start to finish.
Trigger warning: Please be mindful that there are several sensitive topics, both depicted on-page and referenced off-page, that readers may want to be aware of before diving in.
November 10, 2025
I was asked to read and review this book so… I read it. I got pretty far—91%. Until I read the sentence “But not because he just yeeted his own brother off a cliff”. That’s when I couldn’t take any more. It could be said that I am simply not the target audience for this book. I’m sure that’s it.
I can suspend disbelief for a great story. I’m sad to say that the world’s largest suspension bridge couldn’t hold what is needed for this story to work. None of it worked for me. The billionaire playboy/CIA agent, the naive girl, the health issues, her munchausen by proxy mother, the stupid name Axe, the AI sex suits, the Scottish accent, the sex trafficking family members… you get my point.
Nope. Not for me. Call me a traditionalist.
Despite the book not being for me, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Berkley Romance, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC for review.
I can suspend disbelief for a great story. I’m sad to say that the world’s largest suspension bridge couldn’t hold what is needed for this story to work. None of it worked for me. The billionaire playboy/CIA agent, the naive girl, the health issues, her munchausen by proxy mother, the stupid name Axe, the AI sex suits, the Scottish accent, the sex trafficking family members… you get my point.
Nope. Not for me. Call me a traditionalist.
Despite the book not being for me, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Berkley Romance, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC for review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not sure how I feel about this one now that I finally finished it. This is marketed as a dark romance and I would argue it's more dark romance lite. I was really invested in the FMC, Josie's story since she is presented as having T1 diabetes, asthma and a childhood leukemia survivor but it actually turns out her mother has munchausen's and has been gaslighting her illnesses for profit all her life!! The romance was compelling - there's a fake dating to help develop an AI dating app trope, only one bed, sexy texting and lots of steamy scenes in this slow burn dual POV story. I think I liked it more than the author duo's debut but I kind of wished the disability rep was real. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Maybe that’s what love is—giving someone the grace to be their own messy, chaotic self. And if that self is a vigilante superhero who offs bad guys, well, who am I to judge?”
Verity meets Butcher and Blackbird in this decadently dark, steamy romantic thriller…say less. SOLD! (Swipe to see just how sold 😝). Happy pub day!
So while this is a steamy dark romance, there are some underlying tragic and emotional points too. Josie had childhood cancer…or did she? There are some tricky dynamics with her mother who used her “illnesses” for Go Fund Me’s and online attention. Despicable. Ace has his own issues. He’s bad ass, dark, and simply refuses to settle down. He’s a tech genius and very wealthy but has a past of his own. The book has spice but it is not over the top.
“The real action is in the shadows, where blood and secrets flow thicker than whiskey.”
The audiobook is narrated with dual narration and it is so good. If you enjoy listening to sexy Scottish characters while they do..well…sexy things, listen to this one! Both narrators nail their character and really bring them to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the complimentary ARC.
Verity meets Butcher and Blackbird in this decadently dark, steamy romantic thriller…say less. SOLD! (Swipe to see just how sold 😝). Happy pub day!
So while this is a steamy dark romance, there are some underlying tragic and emotional points too. Josie had childhood cancer…or did she? There are some tricky dynamics with her mother who used her “illnesses” for Go Fund Me’s and online attention. Despicable. Ace has his own issues. He’s bad ass, dark, and simply refuses to settle down. He’s a tech genius and very wealthy but has a past of his own. The book has spice but it is not over the top.
“The real action is in the shadows, where blood and secrets flow thicker than whiskey.”
The audiobook is narrated with dual narration and it is so good. If you enjoy listening to sexy Scottish characters while they do..well…sexy things, listen to this one! Both narrators nail their character and really bring them to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the complimentary ARC.
Review of advance copy
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️
Ax and Grind by Taylor Hutton was a great read for me. I was actually surprised a couple of times by developments in books and I usually can predict what will happen for the most part.
Josie had a childhood filled with illness and more recently a messy break up. Now she is stuck staying with her mom and barely getting by. Now she has an offer to work for a guy who she can't stand this should be fun 😏 With medication that she needs the health insurance makes her a shoe in for the job even if she doesn't get along with the owner.
Axe is a CEO of a AI company and a vigilante in other ways. Now he need the "perfect" female to be the face of their program they are starting and Josie is the perfect candidate. He has always had a thing for her but didn't think he was good enough.
Axe uses his company as a cover sometimes to take down terrible people and now Josie is in the crossfire. As Axe and Josie's relationship gets deeper Josie is finding things out in her own personal life that is blowing her mind. Can both of them conquer their demons and be their for each other on the other side? I really enjoyed this book and I love the body suit scene....if you know you know 🥵
#AxeAndGrind #TaylorHutton #BerkleyRomance
🌶️🌶️
Ax and Grind by Taylor Hutton was a great read for me. I was actually surprised a couple of times by developments in books and I usually can predict what will happen for the most part.
Josie had a childhood filled with illness and more recently a messy break up. Now she is stuck staying with her mom and barely getting by. Now she has an offer to work for a guy who she can't stand this should be fun 😏 With medication that she needs the health insurance makes her a shoe in for the job even if she doesn't get along with the owner.
Axe is a CEO of a AI company and a vigilante in other ways. Now he need the "perfect" female to be the face of their program they are starting and Josie is the perfect candidate. He has always had a thing for her but didn't think he was good enough.
Axe uses his company as a cover sometimes to take down terrible people and now Josie is in the crossfire. As Axe and Josie's relationship gets deeper Josie is finding things out in her own personal life that is blowing her mind. Can both of them conquer their demons and be their for each other on the other side? I really enjoyed this book and I love the body suit scene....if you know you know 🥵
#AxeAndGrind #TaylorHutton #BerkleyRomance
January 11, 2026
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
I was a little torn on how I felt about this book- there was an element that almost made me put it down because I was convinced the authors just didn't know what they were talking about, but it turned out to be a major plot point that came together by the end. This is essentially a sequel to Strike and Burn, and while it can theoretically standalone, it has better context for the characters if you've read that one as well. These two books have been my first foray into "dark romance", and I'm definitely still deciding if that's for me.
I was a little torn on how I felt about this book- there was an element that almost made me put it down because I was convinced the authors just didn't know what they were talking about, but it turned out to be a major plot point that came together by the end. This is essentially a sequel to Strike and Burn, and while it can theoretically standalone, it has better context for the characters if you've read that one as well. These two books have been my first foray into "dark romance", and I'm definitely still deciding if that's for me.
December 30, 2025
2.5 stars. Axe and Grind is a fun read, but it feels like it tried to do too much. For a dark romance we really don’t go DARK. You’ve got your dark night billionaire (Scottish of course) who’s a tech genius and also ex CIA also part-time killer of sex traffickers who was raised by the worst of the worst, meets tarot-reading, childhood cancer survivor who’s life more closely (and unknowingly) mirrors Gypsy Rose, and we are gathering sparks for real life and an AI simulator. Sounds like a lot? It is.
September 28, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this book; it was so easy to get through it flowed really well.
Josie has been through somethings. More things than any child should have to go through.
Which also can be said for Axe, his childhood was not ideal, but he was able to make something out of him self.
Josie is on the track of doing the same for her.
The two end up working on an upcoming project together that will bring them closer than they ever thought imaginable.
I really enjoyed this book; it was so easy to get through it flowed really well.
Josie has been through somethings. More things than any child should have to go through.
Which also can be said for Axe, his childhood was not ideal, but he was able to make something out of him self.
Josie is on the track of doing the same for her.
The two end up working on an upcoming project together that will bring them closer than they ever thought imaginable.
did-not-finish
October 19, 2025Thank you to Berkley for the eARC.
Did Not Finish.
I had high hopes for this one; I really thought it was gonna totally be my jam. But once there was a medical error that took me out of the story, I realized some of the other red flags I had ignored. The "too many tropes" vibe: Scottish (with a ridiculously overt accent) motorcycle riding tech bro that is creating an AI girlfriend but also hunts bad guys on the side. Sorry, I wish it wasn't so, but it was too much for me.
Did Not Finish.
I had high hopes for this one; I really thought it was gonna totally be my jam. But once there was a medical error that took me out of the story, I realized some of the other red flags I had ignored. The "too many tropes" vibe: Scottish (with a ridiculously overt accent) motorcycle riding tech bro that is creating an AI girlfriend but also hunts bad guys on the side. Sorry, I wish it wasn't so, but it was too much for me.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
While this book had a lot of aspects that I normally like; fake dating, dangerous past lives that come back to threaten the main characters, and the man that had sworn off love until he met HER...it just didn't come together for me. The only thing that kept me reading was the chemistry between Josie & Axe. I am sure that others will enjoy this book, something just didn't work for me in this story.
Thanks to PRH for the ARC!
Thanks to PRH for the ARC!
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