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Wildlings #1

Casual Felonies

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At what point does casually stalking your hot barber become a felony?
Look, I swear I’m harmless. Just a mildly obsessed, extremely hot influencer trying to figure out why my barber-slash-hookup-slash-possible-soulmate kicked me out after the best [redacted] of my life.
As he was shoving me out the door, he muttered something about my dads and a meat hook, and I have no clue what the heck he’s talking about. Sure, they’re overbearing and disgustingly in love, but it’s not like they’d actually kill a man for defiling their son.
Probably.
Anyway, I’m off to slap a super illegal tracker on the hot barber’s car and see what that gets me.
CASUAL FELONIES is book one in The Wildlings, a next-gen gay romance series set in the Kelly-verse, following the grown-up children of the vigilante dads from the Guardians series. cousin shenanigans, surprise cameos, a surprising flair for morally flexible solutions, and the entirely unsanctioned defiling of a barber chair.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2025

168 people are currently reading
190 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Fox

56 books789 followers

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5 stars
366 (56%)
4 stars
196 (30%)
3 stars
62 (9%)
2 stars
15 (2%)
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
462 reviews91 followers
August 6, 2025
I book him when my other stylists are gone. I want the privacy to watch his chest rise and fall whenever I add a hint of bass to my voice. I don't even have to get that bossy to make his eyes wide with want, and I feel like a king when he shivers at my touch. No one gets to see this pretty flush on his cheeks except me.

This is a fun version of ‘touch him and die’ combined with ‘if I touch him and his fathers might kill me” which is a combo I don’t think I’ve ever read before. Unfortunately I also feel like reading this book as a standalone (my first Kelly Fox book) was like attending someone else's holiday celebrations. You don't know who anyone is, or who is supposed to be important, and there's this dizzying array of people you have to keep track of. The writing was good, but there were so many side characters and several of them stole the show from our MCs. The romance between Rami and Tru felt like a complete afterthought amongst everything else going on. Even if I had read the previous series (and/or cared about any of these people) I think I would've struggled to say this was anything other than indulgent revisiting of past characters.

As I said, the writing was good, and I am somewhat curious about Silas's story, but I don't think I would seek out any additional books by this author based on this one. Fluffy, murderous men and meh spice aren't a winning combo for me. I can see others really enjoying the chance to revisit characters they know and love though, and I hope it hits the mark better for them.

Rating: 3
Angst: 2/5
Steam: 2/5

I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review
Profile Image for BookSafety Reviews.
692 reviews1,064 followers
August 31, 2025
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.

This was very disappointing.

Rami and Truett were good characters and I especially liked Rami. They had really good chemistry, and although their relationship evolved, the actual romance didn't. The way it went from hooking up once and rejection to suddenly declaring each other boyfriends was not believable in the least. None of the issues that were present during the initial rejection were worked through. I liked the MCs together, but at least acknowledge that things have changed in order to make it remotely believable.

Considering it's a second generation book and all of the Kelly Fox books and series are interconnected, you can expect a lot of cameos. While you technically can read this as a standalone, I would not recommend it. Not having any prior knowledge of these characters/the universe would probably make for an unpleasant reading experience.

I feel like maybe it's an unpopular opinion but I actually really enjoy POVs from side characters, so the fact that we got several chapters from Rami's dads, Anders and Omar, had me really excited. But, and a huge but at that, who the f@%# thought writing only those chapters in 3rd person and the rest of the book in 1st person was a good idea?? Not only that, but the dad chapters are from both dads' POV, which means I had no damn clue which of them were talking/thinking 90% of the time. If it wasn't for the fact that I love Kelly Fox and know she's a damn good writer, I would've DNFd in the first chapter because it was a confusing mess with the POVs.

Anyway. Lots of stuff that wasn't great and that annoyed me, yet I still finished it quickly. As I mentioned I liked the MCs in theory, but they ended up being bland and the 'relationship' went absolutely nowhere. Of course the spice was spicy, it's a Kelly Fox book after all, but there was way too much of it. Maybe it wouldn't have felt like that if I cared about the characters as a couple, but it didn't even feel like *their* book. I also could've gone without the comparison to a child's noises while suckling on something during a blowjob, especially that being one of the things the MCs really got off on. I've read countless age play books that creeped me out less than this cursed quote:

While lightly twisting his piercing, I swallow around his cock and make a suckling sound. Like a baby sucking its thumb. “Fucking hell.” His hips stutter, then push forward in earnest as I continue to suckle. With our gazes locked, I let my head loll to the side, so each noisy, wet thrust jerks my head. Helpless.

Sadly, with it being second generation and trying to include so many of the past characters while also introducing so many new ones, aaand setting up the plot for the series, it was just way too much, and the romance suffered for it.

Thank you to GRR for the ARC.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Genius MC
Friendly stalking
Shared universe -- second gen
Found family
Hookup to lovers
Tattooed MC
Rami is a terrible stalker
Big family
Murder family
Half-Iraqi MC

⚠️ Spice menu ⚠️
Piercings in hidden places
Workplace hookup
No gag reflex
6'3 subby bottom
Good boy/sweet boy/baby boy
Suckling
Somnophilia
Hands-free arrivals
High heat
Oily fun

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of MC being cheated on by ex (past)
Mention of drug use (side character, intoxicated on page)
Minor side character with drug addiction
Alcohol consumption
Face-fucking
Explicit sexual content
Details of a possible mass shooting event (gunman stopped beforehand)
Details of MC having been stalked with malicious intent (mostly off page)
Graphic violence
Brief and vague reference to loss of unborn child (SC's)
Brief mentions of child prostitution (no details)
Mentions of MC's parent being a child soldier (past)
Gun violence
MC killing bad guys on page (graphic)
Consensual non-consent (mild, somnophilia)
Injured MC
Vomiting
MC kidnapped
Severe invasions of privacy (surveillance, hidden cameras, tracking and microphones -- parents spying on adult children)
Death of MC's friend (off page)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st and 3rd person, multi
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 23 and not specified
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 294
Happy ending: Yes

You know, for someone who gets called smart a lot—especially after double majoring in Applied Neuroethics and Immersive Communication Design at fifteen—I can be stunningly dense sometimes. It’s kind of mortifying, really. I come across as either psychic or like I shouldn’t be left unsupervised.

Unlike the guns I’ve handled all my life, this weapon has no kickback. With a dim flash and that low robotic pulse, the man’s entire torso disappears. He falls to the ground in two pieces, his mouth wide open in shock. Honestly, same.

Maya makes a vomit gesture. “Ugh. Allosexuals are so gross.”




You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,299 reviews697 followers
August 13, 2025
4.25**** stars


Bahaha, I had a blast with this. Not only with seeing my favorite Kelly Fox guys as dads but also with Rami (Anders’ and Omar’s son) being obsessed with his hot barber with a secret. And ofc, getting to meet all the Wildlings was a blast too. God, I’m already feral for the next book.

You get all the banter, all the sexy tension and the thrill their dads were already known for. Great start to this new series, which is very likely a fan service and written by Kelly solely for her own amusement. I LOVE IT.


(the romance didn’t quite hit right in the second half so this one couldn’t quite reach the five stars I initially intended for it.)

*********
Wildlings Series

Book 1 - Casual Felonies - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Criminal Charm - tbd

⇢ Find Rami’s dads here: Guardians: Full Contact
Profile Image for NitaBee.
223 reviews21 followers
August 23, 2025
CASUAL FELONIES is book one in The Wildlings, a next-gen gay romance series set in the Kelly-verse, following the grown-up children of the vigilante dads from the Guardians series.

I’m a sucker for a stalker romance done well and next gen series soo I’m hopeful .

This is the love story of Rami and Truett.

Rami’s dads, Anders and Omar, I’m not sure what their book is called.

‘Omar says he can’t murder their son’s shitty boyfriends, but he intends to see if an exception can be made.’

So Rami is super smart and mature at 19.

4 years later

Rami has a stalker.

Rami is co-hosting a charity Gala, his first event, when his co-host Brantley is arrested for embezzlement and fraud.

Truett is attracted to Rami but Rami’s father’s are unhinged. They are well-funded vigilantes who don’t mind getting bloodied.

‘I’ve picked up on it in our previous appointments, but this guy has zero clue about his dads, which blows my mind every time I think about it. Reason seven hundred and eighty-two why I won’t be fucking Rami Bash.‘

Rami is also attracted to Truett and propositions him with no strings attached. They will go back to client and Barber. Easy right.

Truett, for all his stance on not going there with Rami … goes there with Rami.

“God,” I answer, breathing in the smell of sex and bodies and hair products, “what I could do with that Excalibur swinging between your legs. Give me a weekend, a box of condoms, and a bucket of lube, and I’ll turn your world upside down.” He huffs out a laugh, pulling up his jeans. “Yeah, right,” he says under his breath. “I’d be hanging from a meat hook by Monday.”

Rami is basically kicked out after giving a stellar blow job. Ouch.

Truett does feel bad for how he acted but he also wants to live.

Truett is also a vigilante/white hat/ hacker type.

Rami is hurt and embarrassed over his encounter with Truett.

Rami’s parents take care of his stalker problem permanently.

For all of Rami’s book smarts , he’s not that great at spying and stalking 🤣

‘Rami Bash is tracking me and…wow. He is nothing like his fathers. Jesus.
Does he think the glasses render him unrecognizable? Invisible? Clark Kent, he is not. I mean, it’s kinda hot that he’s been basically stalking me, and I wouldn’t throw him out of bed for wearing those sexy glasses, but that’s not the point.’

Rami’s parents (and Uncle ) question Truett on why their son is stalking him. Then they want him to monitor and sort of help Rami to see if he has any potential for their line of work.

Operation Hot Barber Stakeout. 🤣

Rami’s parents and uncles/friends try to recruit Truett into their vigilante operations.

‘Anders and Omar aren’t just thrill-seeking weirdos with a hero complex. They were once part of the Guardians: a covert, gay-as-hell justice squad made up of basically the entire Bash family plus a few retired special-ops types who got tired of watching the powerful hurt the innocent and then walk away scot-free.’

Truett fills in Rami about his family secrets.

Truett and Rami have the sexy times.

Lots of action and family at Brantley’s mansion where the bad guys have taken him out . Rami’s eyes are opened to his family’s secrets .

I think Rami and Truett are boyfriends now?

Truett gets kidnapped. Rami saves him and is out for blood

They exchange I love you’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
330 reviews4 followers
August 11, 2025
I’m sorry to say I am not a big fan of this one. I had a hard time connecting with the mc’s and it seemed like the book was kind of taken over by Rami’s dads. They lost me when it was mentioned several times that Anders and Omar liked to add a third to their marriage (a huge ick for me). I did find myself interested in Silas and Oakley. So, if they get their own books I might check them out. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.
Profile Image for Heather.
881 reviews12 followers
August 27, 2025
I used to love Kelly Fox's books for their emotional and tender storytelling, but they are no longer for me. This book didn't have any emotional quality whatsoever, and the relationship was a joke. There was literally a paragraph that said the two MCs talked about everything from A to Z. The rest was either sexual attraction, sex, or side quests with the Wimberly group. The characterization was also incredibly scant, and I didn't have an opportunity to forge a connection with either MC. If you like smut with a bare bones plot and no romance, this is for you. As for me, I won't be continuing on with this series or likely any of the author's further releases.
Profile Image for The Secret Librarian.
703 reviews102 followers
August 20, 2025
Rating: 3
Steam: 3
PoV: multiple, 1st & 3rd person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: banter, hookups to lovers, found family

Casual Felonies was a wildly entertaining introduction to the Wildlings!

I just loved Rami and Truett, and their story started off strong with undeniable chemistry and a little bit of friendly stalking. Rami, bless his cotton socks, was a true golden retriever character and his slight obsession with Truett was both endearing and hilarious. At first it was impossible to tell that he was the son of Anders and Omar, as he didn't seem to have any murdery inclinations, and his attempt at stalking was, well... he tried his best, ok?

Truett had a bit of an edge to him, and he was well aware of who Rami's fathers were, making him hesitant to start something with Rami. I really liked the two of them together, and their chemistry was fire! I couldn't help but wish that there was a deeper connection shown though. I wanted to see more of their romance and relationship development, and it felt like I mainly got to see the spice portion of their relationship.

Sadly the story lost me a little about half way in, and even before that there were a few things that took me out of the story. There was just a lot going on that stole focus away from the romance plot, and I was quite busy with trying to keep track of all the characters being introduced and who they were related to. I still feel like I don't know who half of them were, but it has also been a couple of years since I read The Guardian series.

I still enjoyed Casual Felonies - and it was a highly entertaining story at times - but overall it was a confusing read with just too much going on.

-
I received an advanced copy of this book, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Dee.
732 reviews22 followers
September 1, 2025
It’s a Family Reunion

Dee’s Grade: A+

It was a big family reunion and I loved every second of it. I laughed out loud so many times. Rami and True kicked off the second generation stories perfectly. I can’t wait for more and to see who else pops up.
Profile Image for Romance Recs.
1,064 reviews191 followers
August 28, 2025
I'm glad I didn't have any expectations going into this because I was thrilled that my babies Omar and Anders were back and this time there son, Rami, was the MC.

What I didn't like right off the bat was how Truett TREATS Rami. Like, are we okay ? Is this supposed to be romantic?

This book is not a romance at all. It's basically a huge introduction to the next gen of children based off of the parents from prior books. I would definitely read at least Anders and Omar's book prior to this because idk how anyone who didn't read their book wouldn't get confused.

Why did Truett have to be so mean? Why was he so cocky and why is it played off as if it's perfectly okay?

Ughh and the Wimberly futuristic stuff UGHHHHH!!!! I was losing my mind reading this!!

The author has this way of story telling where people are always out to help others regardless of differences and those who aren't are obviously the bad ones.

The thing is. I love Kelly Fox, and of course I wish this eutopian society existed where everyone as able to love each other freely and grossly with as many partners as they want. Still, just because KELLY FOX thinks it's okay to be thrown away by an overly arrogant and conceited man (Truett of course), doesn't mean the rest of us still living here with standards won't find that type of behavior offensive!

How dare this author create a scenario in which an incident 24 year old man, was made fun of by his love instead in every which way, he was what... supposed to take it
On the chin and bear it because of course we "shouldn't be offended at our love constantly
Mocking us? ...



Kelly... WHY???? Why?? Why?? Couldn't Truett have at least been somewhat of a decent human being even in the modicum of hm idk.. not constantly naming Remi
Beg and not in the fun way.

Remi has to endure disgusting, cocky, not hot at all behavior by some stock guy shorter than him ... yeah "totally believable!!! Why would you made us feel this bad for a MC and not have this other significant other at least APOLOGIZE FOR THE TORTURE HE MADE HIM ENDURE ...
All with a cold self satisfied dumb smile on his face beside of course , the author has to make the other guy a huge!!!!!!! Jerk. Mean.


Cruel. Not fair. I feel like the author went out of her way tk prove that real love doesn't exist in the future.

As an avid reader of every book in this series I
Honestly feel like I've been betrayed. It was such a let
Down in the "I don't want the main character I love to be constantly bullied way"

Even when the HEA eventually came said cocky POS
Ruined the moment for all
Of us.
Profile Image for caffeinated.crystal .
542 reviews11 followers
August 19, 2025
Rami & Truett were hot. CASUAL FELONIES was a smorgasbord of easter eggs & callbacks from Fox's entire Texas Universe while somehow simultaneously being inviting to new readers. Kind of like Taylor Swift - you can just listen to her music, but if you wanna go full swiftie down the rabbit hole, you can do that too! Choose your own adventure!

Rami is the son of Anders and Omar. The man is also absolutely down bad for his barber Truett.

*love that name*

Things I loved in this story:
● being bad at stalking
● somno!
● the k!nk in general
● the cousins
● the og characters
● OBT in the cabin 😂😂😂
● Truett's bedroom
● Rami, the sweetheart

Truly, this story was absolutely over the top, in the best way. The author calls this genre murderswoon, and I agree.

So outside of introducing the characters (there are a lot!) and reintroducing old characters, and setting up the Wildlings series, there was Rami & Truett falling for each other, and there was a bad guy! AND a plot that I think will continue to pop up.

We love bad things happening to the bad guys at the hands of our mcs, and the Wimberly group definitely provides that.

While Truett was a hot toppy dreamboat, Rami was the star of the show for me. I feel like we got to watch him figure himself out and grow up. I loved him.

Needless to say, I can’t wait for book two. As I always say, if Kelly is writing it, I'm reading it.
Profile Image for Books and Gems.
252 reviews50 followers
August 25, 2025
2.5 🌟

Rami and Truett

— trust fund baby x barber
— stalking (poorly)
— found family
— opposites
— pierced MMC
— “sweetheart”
— “baby” / “baby boy” / “sweet boy”
— topping from the bottom
— edging

This was my first read by this author, and even though it says it’s a standalone there was A LOT of existing characters, new characters, plot set up etc, and I just felt like I was late to the party. There were SO. DAMN. MANY. side characters, but it never really felt like Truett and Rami were the main characters. . .

It was an enjoyable enough read, but it just felt like the romance was secondary to setting up the plot for this series so that was a bit disappointing. There was quite a bit of humor that I really enjoyed though. I just wish I would have felt more of True and Rami’s connection.

Like they only interact two times I think on page prior to 50% sooo it just missed the mark for me on the romance side. I also wanted more from the epilogue.

There was some interesting side characters, and lots of humor, but overall this missed the mark for me. I might consider reading Mav and the detective’s story though. I’m intrigued to find out more of their history.

.

.

.

.

‼️⚠️ Potential spoilers ⚠️‼️

Dynamic: MM — vers

Sharing? No

Cheating? No

Breakup? No

Sex scene with OM or OW No





I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Heaterr11.
35 reviews
August 31, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This new series has been highly anticipated for me I have I loved every one of Kelly's books. But Anders and Omar do just hold a special place in my heart, so Rami being the first book was so great. Rami and True's story is a great continuation of the Guardians series, I really appreciated the Wildings family tree at the beginning as I still muttered "who are you?" a handful of times.

Rami has been in very like with his barber Truett for a while now but can't ever bring himself to bring it up when he is there for his haircut, after a pretty eventful gala, Rami has the bright idea to ask him to help him forget. Which is all good until the second they are done and True demands he finds a new barber and never come around again. Which lead Rami into spiral of epic proportions. With the help of a cousin he decides to try his hand at stalking. Now sweet baby Rami is not exactly either of his fathers in this aspect, honestly he is terrible and I love it. The best part is True knows this is happening and pretty much allows it which I guess makes his love language quality time.

Truett also secretly likes Rami especially after their run in at the shop however Anders and Omar Bash are the last people you want to mess with especially if the mess with is their son. Once True decides he has had enough of his stalker, mainly to keep attention of his side hustle, Anders and Omar make an appearance and ask him to keep letting it happen so Rami can get better at it.

Rami eventfully figures out that is dads are not what they seem at face value which causes some issues but not enough to make him see them in a completely different light. While Rami is stalking True one night a firefight breaks out and we learn two things, Rami is a stone-cold killer with great aim and True defiantly is for computers and hair.

Rami and True are so good together, their chemistry was great both in and out of the bedroom. Kelly always just sucks me in, and I can't get enough of any series, and the Wildings will not disappoint.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mandy.
1,013 reviews
August 17, 2025
4.5 stars
While I haven’t read all of this author’s previous series’s I’ve read enough of them to have met Anders and Omar and reading a story about their son Rami sounded fascinating, and I’m glad I did. Rami is lovely although very naive about his family, and his crush on Truett, who is his barber and very much intimidated by Rami’s fathers, is reciprocated more than he realises. When Rami starts stalking Truett, the fun and intrigue begin. Their story is at times hilarious but there are also moments of emotion, suspense and intrigue which can be a little dark but I’ve read a lot darker. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,481 reviews31 followers
August 20, 2025
Fun!

No lies I went into this without having read Foxs Guardians series to see if I was able yo follow without previous reading and am happy to report was able to and it was fun meeting all these unique men.
Rami comes with a pedigree of family on the gray side of the law and yet doesn't quite fit. When his crush on his barber, Truett becomes an intro to stalking Rami soon sees how much his family has been keeping from him. The Wildings are a unique collection of men who like to cause choas in their wake. Truett knowing of Ramis' families' unique pedigree is weary to get involved with Rami. When things go as planned, they learn to rely and protect each other in this world. It is a fun introduction to this world, and I am looking forward to more in the future.
Profile Image for Demian Grimm.
271 reviews3 followers
January 12, 2026
Casual Felonies by Kelly Fox is a chaotic and fun start to her second-generation series, continuing the world of Wrecked: Guardians series, which is a joy in itself. That said, I feel the multiple POVs and many returning faces can be confusing if you haven’t read the earlier books. I wouldn’t recommend this as a standalone, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Rami is a smart but naïve young man from a wealthy (and, unbeknownst to him, vigilante) family. Truett, his barber and part-time vigilante, is attracted to Rami but in fear of Rami’s formidable dads. Their romance starts off slowly. There are misunderstandings and, let’s not forget, Rami’s really bad attempts at “stalking”. Luckily for our MCs, that eventually leads into a steamy and passionate relationship, but while they have great chemistry, the romance itself feels rushed and underexplored.

Everyone familiar with the original series will enjoy the cameos and POV chapters from Rami’s dads, Anders and Omar. But although these chapters add insight to the family dynamics, they also add to the messy feel of the book since the narrative switches from the MCs’ first-person POV to the dads’ third-person POV.
The world-building is still strong, but it does veer lightly into sci-fi in the second half...this is not bad in my book, but worth mentioning.
I would also say that the large cast of cousins, friends, and both new and old characters brings plenty of variety and humour, but all of this sometimes overshadows Rami and Truett, and it feels like the side characters steal the spotlight.

As always with Kelly’s books, the story mixes dark elements with humour, lighthearted chaos, and strong family bonds. The Wildlings are chaotic, protective, and full of love for each other. There’s action, violence (with purpose), intrigue, and moral greyness, but also loyalty, and hope…and a surprisingly warm undercurrent beneath all that chaos.

What I really struggled with came up in just a couple of sentences, a detail about Anders and Omar. They’ve always been my favourite of Kelly’s characters, and I reread their story regularly.
In their original story, Anders jokes about being sandwiched between Omar and some other good-looking person, but it’s made clear Omar isn’t interested in sharing. There’s even a (bonus?, I can't remember where the scene is from) scene where Omar dances between a couple, and Anders realizes he isn’t okay with sharing Omar either.
So reading here that they occasionally have a play partner felt inconsistent and jarring. It unsettled me enough that I had to pause the book for a few days…a first for me.
While the book overall had its messy moments and other issues, it is a really entertaining book, but this change is the main reason I know I won’t be rereading it.

That said, Casual Felonies is a fun, and sometimes chaotic, start to a new series. The romance itself could have used more development, and the plot feels a bit overcrowded at times, but long time readers of Kelly’s worlds, like myself, will find plenty to enjoy. New readers may want to start with the original series to get the full picture, but anyone who loves quirky characters, murder swoon, humour, and vigilante action will likely have a good time.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my unbiased review.
Profile Image for Catarina Águas.
2,360 reviews209 followers
December 28, 2025
ARC review

I was very curious about this book and it did not disapoint. I haven't read the first gen books so there are a lot of names but it's fine.
Truett was trying to resist Rami so hard because of his dads but there was no use.
They both wanted each other and there was no use fighting it
Profile Image for Kitty.
775 reviews16 followers
August 2, 2025
This was a weird experience. I was surprised that there were more POVs than expected, and a bit worried that the first person/third person thing would mess with my head. It did a bit, but I got used to it.

To start off with, I was super into this. Well-written, great chemistry, what more could you ask for, right? And funny to boot. Count me in. I was loving meeting all the Wildlings and getting invested in them. And I could see how the Anders/ Omar chapters added to it, as they were at least partly stuff Rami didn't know.

Towards the middle I started having doubts. I was still enjoying it on some level, but I was concerned that it didn't really feel like a romance, and it was focusing on everything else to the detriment of the main characters. Well, I call them the main characters, but that was kind of the problem: they weren't. Anders and Omar felt more like the MCs than the actual MCs, and I had a ton of interest in Rami's cousins, particularly Oakley and Silas, but despite being POV characters there seemed to be very little going on with Rami and Truett. I felt like I knew way more about Anders and Omar and their relationship than I did about the supposed MCs. Add to that that their chemistry seemed to have disappeared, (idk how, they were having sex but I kinda wished they weren't?) and there was basically no romance between them, or character development, come to that, and they ended up feeling more than a trifle bland. It's such a shame, I was so excited at the beginning, but they just ended up going nowhere. Even now, I feel like I know nothing about Rami except that he's gorgeous, bad at stalking and doesn't mind killing people, whereas Truett has tattoos, a very big dick and doesn't like killing people. This may have ostensibly been their book, but they weren't protagonists. Virtually everything was steered by Rami's parents or suggested by the other Wildlings, Rami especially couldn't seem to have an idea to save his life. We were constantly told how clever he is, but nope. I couldn't see it.

There were a lot of laughs and snort moments, but most of them were courtesy of the side characters. To give credit where it's due, a lot of them leapt off the page, but it's not supposed to be their book. I am honestly not sure what the plot was, inasmuch as there even was one-- there was a fair bit of stuff going on, but it lacked cohesion, and events were brought up just to be summarily dismissed. It seems both of them were sort of auditioning to join the ranks of the older adults who were killing bad people, except they didn't know they were auditioning. Admittedly this led to some great moments, with Anders sincerely worried his son hadn't inherited any killer instincts, but again, it felt like it was a super extended epilogue for Anders and Omar rather than a new book with new characters. Felt like the author is just that in love with the previous MCs that they wanted to give them a new book.

Unfortunately, what seemed to be the main part of the plot eventually culminated in a massive anticlimax and it seems it's been shelved for future books. I don't read for plot anyway, but this still bothered me. The last twenty percent or so seemed to be utterly pointless, it wasn't even funny any more, the whole thing seemed to have completely run out of steam. It's such a shame. I know this author can write fantastic books, but this one really didn't land for me. Happily, at least part of the reason why this was so pants was because it was setting up this futuristic world and making some vague attempts at an overarching plot, as well as introducing large numbers of side characters who will be future MCs and squeezing in cameos of previous MCs, so hopefully now things have been set up the future books will be better. Probably not worth reading this one unless you're a massive fan of the previous series though.
Profile Image for Xanthe.
2,536 reviews46 followers
August 13, 2025
**4.5**
I forgot how much I love this world!! Now, this can totally be read without reading the Guardians series but it may enhance your enjoyment if you do, especially Anders' and Omar's book (#2) as they have their own POV chapters dotted throughout this book.
Rami has an extreme family, in the heat of ways. They are fun, loving, supportive and would do anything for anyone. Though, there's definitely some secrets that he isn't aware of. His crush, Truett, who is Rami's barber, is fully aware of who Anders and Omar Bash are and is the reason he will not do anything about his attraction to him.
However, things never pan out that way, as Rami determines to do some 'light' stalking to find out more about his crush. His cousin, Silas, suggested it and so maybe not the best advice to follow but he's so truly, and hilariously bad at it that it doesn't matter in the end as it brings the two men closer.
What fully brings True into the family fold is his work with an online group working to stop those who take advantage of or plan to hurt others. He's known to the Guardians for this, and purely because they know Rami is interested. He helps Tami to understand his own family and stands by his side, even with all of the hazing!
I really enjoyed how Rami grew into a more confident character as the book progressed. From True's encouragement but also working alongside his family. It should be scary how easily he takes to it but when your father's are Anders and Omar, you can't really question it.
True has the perfect temperament to fit in with all of the crazy that this family holds and I can't wait to see what else is coming, especially from Silas.
Highly recommended read from Kelly Fox! Side note, some of the hottest freaking amex scenes I've read in forever! Love the little additions from the elder Bash's, feels a little nostalgic and also, just plain funny with how an man of around sixty years can still sound like a teenager!
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
**There are several content warnings to be aware of - murder/on page death of bad guys, off page death of MC friend (off page), somnophilia, stalking.**
Profile Image for sixteenpawssevenears.
61 reviews17 followers
August 2, 2025
✨️📚 Arc - Review 📚✨️

Rami & Truett

Rating: 5 ⭐️


- Trustfund Baby x Barber
- Charityworker x White- Hat Activist
- High heat
- Found Family
- (Unsuccessful) Stalking
- Opposites Attract
- Morally Gray Heroes
- Low-Angst Murderswoon ✨️



First, while this is an arc-read review, I'm so happy I've stumbled upon this book.

When I started this book, I didn't know this was just the last one in a rather large universe of stories.

But.

Didn't matter.

I really enjoyed reading it.

I knew shit about the background/ previous books & can honestly say, it didn't matter.
So if you hesitate to read this just because it's the latest of a whole universe - don't.

Truetts & Ramis stroy was so sweet & funny. I couldn't help kinda grinning the entire time.
There's not much drama, very low angst & a family you want to keep reading about.
The Wildlings are a loud, loving & tight-knit bunch whom you will fall for immediately.

And the dads.
Just - swoon. ❤️
Ramis dads Anders & Omar are so funny, crazy & sweet that their story will definitely be my next read.

Kelly Fox just has a thing for making you fall in love with actual psychopaths & laugh about their antics.

I know.

This is Ramis & Truetts book, but I fell the most for Sy & was a bit disappointed to read at the end of the book that not his, but Mavericks & Hutchs book will be the next 😿

Anyway.

I highly recommend this book (maybe this whole universe, but I'm just getting started, sooo...)

If you are looking for an easy, lighthearted read - this is it!

And if not - still - read this!!!

It got me out of my summer- reading- slump & definitely deserves my 5⭐️ rating & will go into my comfort-read list.




Content Warnings:

- Acts of violence committed by MC's & their inner circle (not against each other)
- Passing mentions of fraud, abuse of power, trafficking etc. (not graphic/ not on page)
- Stalking
- Mention of substance use/ abuse (not by MC's)



Vers: Yes
HEA: Yes
POV: Duo/ 1st Person (+ Anders & Omar third person Pov)
Breakup: No
Cheat: No
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
1,985 reviews25 followers
August 8, 2025
Murderswoon for the win

I really enjoyed this funny and spicy romance with a side of vigilante justice. The story had a good balance of humor, love, real life issues, deep emotions, danger, irreverence, family bonds, and spice. The characters are portrayed as real, relatable three dimensional people who have scars and flaws, but are really just trying to do their best as messy humans with a strong sense of justice paired with flexible morality. Truett is a barber and has strong opinions about people who are doing bad things to good people. Rami is a wealthy genius who is trying to start his charity requirement for his trust fund. Truett is Rami’s barber. There is mutual attraction but Truett has been unwilling to act on it because of who Rami’s dads are. So, after a steamy encounter is followed by a brush off, Rami decides casual stalking is a good course of action to get his man. I loved Rami’s naïveté paired with his intelligence. It was a good contrast to Truett’s groundedness and snark. I thought both of their internal dialogues were perfection. Despite ending in a HEA, this is not a flowery love story full of sunshine and rainbows. It is a dark romance with morally gray MCs who embrace violence for a purpose. But there is also light here, goodness, hope, humor, and love which makes this a complex story - as most love stories are. There was a lot going on in this story, all the characters, and the obvious set ups for the series as a whole because of all that, it felt a bit like the relationship between Rami and Truett outside of the spice did not get as much attention as it should have. I would have liked to see it develop more. This is the first book I have read from this author and I did so with the understanding this was the first book in a next gen series with a large cast. Despite this, I did not feel lost or overwhelmed with the number of characters or feel like I was dropped into the middle of a story. Overall, this was a good start to a new series. 3.75 stars.
Profile Image for Ann S M.
14 reviews
August 26, 2025
This was a disappointment...

I was really looking forward to this book because I enjoy Anders a lot—he’s my favorite character from the Guardians series.

But this time, the spotlight was taken away from Rami and True. Learning that they share a bed, after having said in the first book that they didn’t like it, felt like such a letdown. I know that’s more of a personal preference, but for me it was just disappointing.

And the way they treated True? That’s a big no. It feels like this book was rushed, written mainly to bring back a family the author clearly loves, with all the focus on making Rami the main character alongside the fathers. There’s no balance or fairness. We don’t really learn about True until almost the end of the book, like an afterthought—“oh, I forgot to give one of the main characters a background”—and even then, it was very short.

While I’ll gladly wait for Silas’s book (still the best character so far), I’m not expecting much from this series anymore. It feels stuck in nostalgia, unable to move beyond the past.

Also, what about the confrontation Rami should have had with his dads and sister for leaving him aside and hiding such a huge part of their lives? If he confronted them for the cameras, he should’ve confronted them about those secrets too. Instead, we only got a glimpse of his hurt before the story quickly shifted back to the sex...

And Ronan—he used to be my second favorite, but after what he said about Silas at this point in the story? That was such a crappy thing to say, especially about someone who is clearly already suffering, with that kind of background, knowing he’s different and already feared. That he is protective of his kids, valid, but they aren’t kids anymore. If they trust Silas, then the parents shouldn’t have a say in it. Even Edison reassured him that Silas was no danger to the family. I get that it was meant to add context, but it could’ve been handled in a much better way.

In conclusion, I still enjoyed the snark, the cute couple they could've been, and the cameos—to an extent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Eli M.S..
77 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2025
This was such a fun, low-angst, and addictive read. Getting to read about the kids of my favorite maybe-psycho (the tests weren’t conclusive) vigilantes was just what I needed to get me out of a slump. I read it in one sitting because Rami & Truett were just too adorable. While you don’t need to have read her previous books, you will definitely appreciate some of the characters more if you do. At least the Full Contact from the Guardian Series.

Rami, as mentioned a few times in the book, is book smart but not very street smart. Bless his heart. The fact that he is so intelligent and successful, but still pretty naive, delivers a unique MC that made me want to lovingly knock some sense into him. No wonder he breaks down Truett’s walls and True wants to protect him so badly.

Truett’s internal monologues cracked me up. He wants Rami but is terrified of his dads, and is usually just a one-and-done kind of guy. Watching him fight his attraction at first and dealing with Rami’s ridiculous attempts at stalking was so entertaining I almost didn’t want it to end. (Which is unusual, because usually I get annoyed when characters fight their feelings, but his fear of Anders F***ing Bash is SO REAL.)

The spicy scenes in this book were top-notch. They were spicy but real, with dashes of humor and awkwardness sprinkled amongst heat. Truett and Rami have amazing chemistry, and their dynamic evolves throughout the book, both in and out of bed.

As usual, the side characters are also fully developed and interesting. I can’t wait for the rest of the 2nd Gen books. (Silas must be protected at all costs.) One other thing I really loved was getting to see the relationships from the 1st Gen books still going strong. Reading about queer couples raising their kids well and living their best lives added a level of joy to this already surprisingly joyful book about vigilante unalivers.
Profile Image for read•me•romance.
316 reviews
August 20, 2025
🖤💈 Casual Felonies by Kelly Fox 💈🖤
Wildlings Book One

🖤 MM Action Romance
💈Really Bad at Stalking
🔥 Pinning, Obsession
🖤 Vigilante Found Family
💈Action, V!•|3nce
🔥 D/s Vibes

I love the humor, action, and found family that is quintessential to a Kelly Fox book and this series debut has it all!

Now don’t get me wrong, the romance and spice still have their time to shine! True and Rami are absolutely fire together and I love how gaurded True finds his place with sweet Remi! Check the Comments for Shmink Tags!

Rami, son of Anders and Omar Bash, starts off the series of the next-gen vigilantes, the Wildlings and this vigilante found family is humorous, endearing, and down right WILD! Lots of time is spent on the family dynamics and business and it makes for a fun and lively story.

P. S. I can’t wait for Silas’s book and I hope you make it BONKERS 🙏😈

Check the Comments for Shmink Tags!


✅ book has listed trigger warning: yes

Official Description:
At what point does casually stalking your hot barber become a felony?
Look, I swear I’m harmless. Just a mildly obsessed, extremely hot influencer trying to figure out why my barber-slash-hookup-slash-possible-soulmate kicked me out after the best [redacted] of my life.
As he was shoving me out the door, he muttered something about my dads and a meat hook. I have no idea what he’s talking about. Sure, my dads are... intense. But it’s not like they’d actuallykill a man for defiling their son.
Probably.
Anyway, I’m off to slap a super illegal tracker on the hot barber’s car and see what that gets me.
CASUAL FELONIES is book one of The Wildlings, a queer romantic vigilante saga set in the semi-near future, featuring the grown-up kids of the morally gray Guardians. Expect: cousin shenanigans, ethically questionable tech, surprise cameos, vigilante family drama, and the completely unsanctioned defiling of a barber chair.

Link: https://a.co/d/iNj80BR

💋 @read.me.romance
Profile Image for Melissa Polk.
Author 11 books70 followers
August 1, 2025
As the author states, this book works without having read the related series--which I have not. That said, it was clear I was missing a lot of backstory. Further, had I read the previous series, perhaps I would have known what I was getting into. In hindsight, I can see the goofiness in the back cover copy that I missed at first.

So yeah, this book covers a lot of tough subjects. Despite that, it somehow still manages to be a little silly and not take itself too seriously. A lot of folks love that and this book hit all those romcom (but also just comedy?) marks. Not really my thing, but not all strokes, right?

Oh. Also note, this apparently takes place is a quasi-near-future setting so there's a weird scifi element to it that I definitely wasn't counting on (eg. advanced medical and weapons tech). I did enjoy the side-eye commentary about the current state of the world irl.

Alrighty. So. I enjoyed this book (yes, even though I basically just gave a mess of disclaimers). The Wildlings are a fun bunch and I definitely want to know more about them all. Silas, of course, gets most of my interest, but I'm equally curious about the others.

The world building was probably what got me the most. I want to know about this black ops organization and True's whitehat friends. I want to know what, exactly, the charity thing is regarding Rami's trust fund. I'm kind of guessing I might need to read the previous series to discover that. In a way, this was a brilliant gateway to get folks to read backlist books.

If you're into morally grey characters who snark and sass but are ultimately the good guys doing what they believe the world needs, definitely check this one out.
1,087 reviews8 followers
August 25, 2025
This is book one in the author’s new Wildlings series, a spinoff (and the children of) the Guardians, a queer group of psychotic vigilantes, doing what they do best to work for good, never failing to leave disaster in their wake.

OK, yeah, the author was right; she said if readers were beginning with the Wildlings, with no knowledge of the Guardians, they would be totally lost… and I kinda was, BUT I was able to understand it well enough that I was able to piece together who everybody was and their place in the family and the organization. Would I prefer to have had the understanding I would’ve had if I’d read the Guardians first? Yep, and I plan to remedy that—hopefully before the next Wildling book comes out. But, even being new to this world, I absolutely loved it! I laughed my butt off so many times from the characters dry wit and their completely unconcerned attitude regarding anything opposing them or their plans.

Rami, the Wildling in this story, and Truett, our two MCs, had a rough time in the beginning because of True’s fear of Rami’s dads and, I admit, I wasn’t his biggest fan but he did redeem himself and I ended up loving him as much as Rami. All the Wildlings in fact. (I can’t wait to see what happens between Oakley and Silas!)

Bottom line, while it would be best understood if you were to read the Guardians series first, you’re still gonna love this book. It’s sweet (yeah, I was a little surprised too) and funny and really, just plain FUN yet still with tons of steam. Do I recommend it? Oh yeah! 5 stars!

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Bethany Chastain.
160 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2025
I don't even know how to write this without spoiling things and that's the last thing I wanna do.
.
If you're new to @authorkellyfox , this is not the place to start. Start with Wrecked and thank me later.

If you're a huge Kelly Fox fan such as myself, then you know how BIG this is.

This is book one of the Wildlings, which is a self-given nickname for the cousins, AKA now grown children, of our beloved Guardians, Mobsters, and other assorted Kelly characters. And who better to kick off the series than Rami Bash, son of Omar and Anders Fucking Bash?

What to expect...

📱 A sweet yet clueless social media influencer/philanthropist with a heart of gold

✂️ A suspicious, hardened barber who can't stop thinking about him

🚓 Horrible stalking attempts

♂️ Two hot yet embarrassing fathers who can't keep their hands off each other

🔫 The best advanced weapons ever

🥵 Some really sexy (and filthy) spice

💙 Crazy uncles who make idle threats

💕 A group of cousins that always have each other's backs

If you're a Guardians fan, you're going to die from all the cameos and mentions and new characters and how they tie in. I giggled and kicked my feet and almost cried from all the references. And if you're afraid you won't love the new crew as much as the originals, don't be. I'm already in love with them all and can't wait to see how their lives shake out.

This is one of those books you have to read to believe.

I'll leave you with my favorite quote: "'Not all bisexuals are vengeful,' Anders responds sagely. 'But all vengeful people are bisexual.'"

As a vengeful bisexual, I can confirm. 😂
Profile Image for Crystal Maynard.
108 reviews12 followers
August 4, 2025
Ok, I went into this book knowing that this Penny Fox series is of children from previous series that are called the Wildings. I will say that I really enjoyed this book - the main characters themselves as well as the family. I think there was some stuff I was missing, and I kept referring back to the family chart at the beginning of the book which I found very handy to keep track of who was what to whom. Having said that, I will be going back to read her previous series because I really did like this family.

The romance between the two main characters was sweet. Truett has been Rami's barber for a couple of years before they finally give in to themselves to hook up. Truett was nervous about Rami's dads though so he had been keeping distance from him, but there came a point that there was no going back.

I took off a star because even with knowing that I am missing, I still felt that there could have been more character development. I would have loved to learn a bit more about Truett's history other than the couple of throw away lines we were given. I would love to know more about the charity that was tied to Rami's trust fund, and to "see" some of this work building his own non-profit.

Maybe we will learn more in the next book, and I am really looking forward to it! It will be Boone and Mav's story. Apparently those two had a history all the way back to summer camp.



Profile Image for Colleen (boo_boos_books) Hewitt.
307 reviews7 followers
August 26, 2025
Firstly… if you don't like a little unaliving/stalking with your swoon this wont be the book for you.

Secondly …. ANDERS FREAKING BASH …. If you haven't read the guardian’s series i’d recommend doing so. While this can 100% be read as a standalone I feel reading about the dad’s first will A) help answer and questions and B) It’s one of my favorite series, of course I'm going to recommend it.

Gahhh where do I even start? Kelly’s men had babies and now they all grew up and well so far it seems they like to cause a little chaos and I'm soooo here for that. Rami may have stolen my heart from Anders because…. That boy!!! I loved that when this started that he didn't have a clue what his dad’s do, I loved that he sucked at stalking (in the cutest freaking way). I loved that he just didn't want to give up till he’d mastered said stalking.
I loved that Truett knew what Rami’s dad’s do. I loved that he at least tried to stick to what he was asked to do by said dad’s (ok and uncle hopper). I really loved how he loves Rami and supports his new ermm “hobby”.
If I'm honest I just loved everything about this book. The cameo’s, the banter and the bits of spice. It's everything I've come to love about Kelly’s murderswoon. I can't wait to see where this series goes. One side wilding I’m rather curious about and a little in love with is Silas *prays to the book god’s that Kelly wont keep me waiting too long*.
Profile Image for Amanda Winter.
838 reviews22 followers
August 29, 2025
I was super curious about Casual Felonies and honestly, it did not disappoint. Even though I haven’t read the first-gen Guardians series, I was still able to follow along just fine and it was fun being introduced to this wild crew of characters.

Truett tries so hard to resist Rami (thanks to their messy family histories), but there’s no denying the pull between them. Rami comes from a family with ties to the shadier side of the law, while Truett has his own reservations about getting involved. But once sparks fly, resisting each other is impossible.

What really hooked me was the worldbuilding. The Wildlings are chaotic, snarky, and morally grey in the best way possible, and I already want more of their stories. There’s also this quasi-near-future vibe with advanced tech and medicine that gave the story an unexpected twist and I actually loved the subtle commentary on the real world tucked into those details.

The tone is such a unique mix: dark subjects, but with plenty of sass, humor, and ridiculous moments that kept it from getting too heavy. It’s romcom-ish, but also action-packed and a little unhinged in the best way.

If you’re into:
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Chaotic found family
✨ Snark, banter, and sass
✨ Mafia-adjacent shenanigans
✨ Romance that blends heart with chaos

…then this is definitely worth picking up. It’s the perfect gateway if you’re new to Kelly Fox’s world (like me), but also ties beautifully into her bigger universe.
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,139 reviews25 followers
July 30, 2025
4.5 stars. Great start to the Wildlings series.

The aptly named Wildlings are the offspring of the now mature aged Guardians. This is the first in the series and we get to see Anders and Omars son Rami find his person, the hunky barber Truett. Unfortunately Truett is well aware of Anders and his reputation so he doesn’t exactly jump at the chance of a relationship with Rami. Rami is one of those people that is extremely intelligent but sometimes adorably oblivious, especially when it comes to his stalking techniques! The road to their HEA is not without some drama and naturally Anders and Omar are quick to assist when required as are the Wildling cousins. Of course as is usual for this very dependable author the drama is perfectly balanced with a steamy and sweet romance between two strongly developed complex main characters and a cast of side characters that keep things interesting.
I loved how some favourites from the Guardians pop in every now and then - still the same just a bit older and still providing some comic relief. So I giggled, laughed and caught some feels as Rami and Truett overcame the obstacles and got their well deserved HEA. There’s also the added bonus of who in this extended found family gets their story told next and I can’t wait to see how that pans out.
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