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The Oakley-Verse #2
Knot Ever
Hunter x Evans' book is finally coming!
Benedict ‘Evans’ Crawford II
I’m a rising star on the football team.
The heir to a real estate conglomerate.
An alpha who has omegas throwing themselves at my feet.
It doesn’t matter that my future has already been mapped out for me. Or that the last time my father called, it was because I needed to be bailed out of jail. I’m always alone in the end.
This is my role. My place in society. Until him.
One reckless weekend has my world tilting on its axis.
But I will never bow to another alpha. Not now… not ever.
Hunter Ashbourne
My housemates only know me as the artist. The lover. The carefree airhead who can only cook one dish.
They have no idea I’ve finally found something I refuse to let slip through my paint stained fingers. They’re about to see a new side of me.
Mistakes were made in Silvercrest and I became an alpha possessed. Obsessed with a himbo jock. I should never have let it go that far. Now I want what I can’t have.
He can’t be mine.
Even so, that doesn’t stop me from pushing my way in.
They might have Evans, but Benedict is all mine.
Knot Ever is book two in The Oakley-Verse series and can be read as a standalone.
Benedict ‘Evans’ Crawford II
I’m a rising star on the football team.
The heir to a real estate conglomerate.
An alpha who has omegas throwing themselves at my feet.
It doesn’t matter that my future has already been mapped out for me. Or that the last time my father called, it was because I needed to be bailed out of jail. I’m always alone in the end.
This is my role. My place in society. Until him.
One reckless weekend has my world tilting on its axis.
But I will never bow to another alpha. Not now… not ever.
Hunter Ashbourne
My housemates only know me as the artist. The lover. The carefree airhead who can only cook one dish.
They have no idea I’ve finally found something I refuse to let slip through my paint stained fingers. They’re about to see a new side of me.
Mistakes were made in Silvercrest and I became an alpha possessed. Obsessed with a himbo jock. I should never have let it go that far. Now I want what I can’t have.
He can’t be mine.
Even so, that doesn’t stop me from pushing my way in.
They might have Evans, but Benedict is all mine.
Knot Ever is book two in The Oakley-Verse series and can be read as a standalone.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2026
About the author
Alice La Roux
50 books171 followersAlice La Roux is a dirty minded, mouthy author who is still trying to find her genre while dabbling in the world of romance.
She’s a bookworm who reads anything and everything and is addicted to social media. Feel free to add her on Facebook, she doesn’t bite…much.
She’s a bookworm who reads anything and everything and is addicted to social media. Feel free to add her on Facebook, she doesn’t bite…much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
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July 9, 2026Just terrible. Save you time and money by reading anything else. Even the small print on a plastic bag would give you more joy. It's factual, well written and gets to the point.
The only redeeming feature is that I forgot how these MMC characters were portrayed in book 1. This meant I didn't have to add bitter disappointment to the litany of other objections I had for this book.
Both Hunter and Evans were lackluster MMCs rather than 'rich and powerful' college alphas fighting their attraction to each other.
The third heatwave of the summer in the UK made this happen. If I had the strength to search for another book I would have done. Damn you hot sun. You owe me big time.
The only redeeming feature is that I forgot how these MMC characters were portrayed in book 1. This meant I didn't have to add bitter disappointment to the litany of other objections I had for this book.
Both Hunter and Evans were lackluster MMCs rather than 'rich and powerful' college alphas fighting their attraction to each other.
The third heatwave of the summer in the UK made this happen. If I had the strength to search for another book I would have done. Damn you hot sun. You owe me big time.
July 7, 2026
Alice and I have a very different definition of slow burn. This book also needed a real editor and not crowdsourcing edits by sending screenshots to an outlook.com email.
July 6, 2026
2.5/5
This book would've been rated higher for me personally, if it wasn't riddled with grammatical errors and logical inconsistencies. But first, let's start with what I liked about it:
Hunter and Benny's love is a slow burn as they navigate the rapidly changing nature of their relationship from "bros" to something more. There is genuine care and affection between them and they have good chemistry throughout. Sure, Benny's clinical inability to make decisions for himself is a little frustrating to read as it's unresolved for most of the book, but he has a good heart. Hunter's extra alpha-ness was an interesting element and I wish we'd spent a little more time on how the dynamics of this world-building work. I also loved his artistic expression and sense of humor. The spicy scenes between them were hot and a good reflection of how their relationship evolved as they themselves did too. The plot and the characters worked for me.
What really brought this down for me was the editing and writing itself. Here are just a few of the ones I decided to call out for this review:
— "wine", "drowning", "financé", "child reading", and "bowers" when the author meant "whine", "droning", "fiancé", "child-rearing", and "boxers". There are so many more but, who's got the time?
—using several quotation marks (“) when the same character is speaking without interruptions. This led to me having to re-read several paragraphs several times just to figure out who was actually speaking.
— “With hush and on the cabin door handle, I feel this impulsive urge to keep him close.”. Like, huh?
There are various logical inconsistencies as well:
—In the same contextual scene, Hunter gives Benny a vest to wear but just a few sentences later, he's wearing a t-shirt.
—Hunter specifically mentions that he added Evans to the family groupchat only for one chapter later, Evans states that Hunter's mom had added him.
—Chapter 22 is from Hunter's POV but he thinks, “It was clearer than ever that Hunter was it for me.” and “but it’s Hunter who’s got my attention, Hunter’s who’s making my body react like this.”.
—A sex scene started as a BJ but somehow moved to them having standing sex against a brick wall all in the same sentence. I think the author just didn't notice.
—An entire three paragraphs are repeated word-for-word, back-to-back in the same chapter (ch. 27).
Look, this stuff only matters as much as you let it and I get that, I do. But in the age of creative writing being overtaken by AI, out-of-touch fools copyrighting hot girls reading, and an alarming (and depressing) rise in illiteracy, it absolutely should matter. It shows a marked lack of effort and care for something an author is asking me to care about. Your readers should not care more about your writing than you do. Full stop.
@Author, if you read this, please take this as constructive criticism and get yourself a *human* editor with actual experience. Perhaps consider hiring one from the writing retreats you host (Irony, thy name is Alice).
Details like this only matter if you let them, and unfortunately, I'm the kind of reader that absolutely lets it matter to her. It should matter to the author and publisher even more.
This book would've been rated higher for me personally, if it wasn't riddled with grammatical errors and logical inconsistencies. But first, let's start with what I liked about it:
Hunter and Benny's love is a slow burn as they navigate the rapidly changing nature of their relationship from "bros" to something more. There is genuine care and affection between them and they have good chemistry throughout. Sure, Benny's clinical inability to make decisions for himself is a little frustrating to read as it's unresolved for most of the book, but he has a good heart. Hunter's extra alpha-ness was an interesting element and I wish we'd spent a little more time on how the dynamics of this world-building work. I also loved his artistic expression and sense of humor. The spicy scenes between them were hot and a good reflection of how their relationship evolved as they themselves did too. The plot and the characters worked for me.
What really brought this down for me was the editing and writing itself. Here are just a few of the ones I decided to call out for this review:
— "wine", "drowning", "financé", "child reading", and "bowers" when the author meant "whine", "droning", "fiancé", "child-rearing", and "boxers". There are so many more but, who's got the time?
—using several quotation marks (“) when the same character is speaking without interruptions. This led to me having to re-read several paragraphs several times just to figure out who was actually speaking.
— “With hush and on the cabin door handle, I feel this impulsive urge to keep him close.”. Like, huh?
There are various logical inconsistencies as well:
—In the same contextual scene, Hunter gives Benny a vest to wear but just a few sentences later, he's wearing a t-shirt.
—Hunter specifically mentions that he added Evans to the family groupchat only for one chapter later, Evans states that Hunter's mom had added him.
—Chapter 22 is from Hunter's POV but he thinks, “It was clearer than ever that Hunter was it for me.” and “but it’s Hunter who’s got my attention, Hunter’s who’s making my body react like this.”.
—A sex scene started as a BJ but somehow moved to them having standing sex against a brick wall all in the same sentence. I think the author just didn't notice.
—An entire three paragraphs are repeated word-for-word, back-to-back in the same chapter (ch. 27).
Look, this stuff only matters as much as you let it and I get that, I do. But in the age of creative writing being overtaken by AI, out-of-touch fools copyrighting hot girls reading, and an alarming (and depressing) rise in illiteracy, it absolutely should matter. It shows a marked lack of effort and care for something an author is asking me to care about. Your readers should not care more about your writing than you do. Full stop.
@Author, if you read this, please take this as constructive criticism and get yourself a *human* editor with actual experience. Perhaps consider hiring one from the writing retreats you host (Irony, thy name is Alice).
Details like this only matter if you let them, and unfortunately, I'm the kind of reader that absolutely lets it matter to her. It should matter to the author and publisher even more.
July 4, 2026
3.5/5
July 3, 2026
This is probably my least favorite trope in Omegaverse stories but this author still made it work. This is alpha/alpha with Hunter being a dominant who definitely lives up to his name. In terms of the other tropes at play here, we’ve got: hurt/comfort, bffs-to-lovers, artist/football player, found family and a whole lot of praise kink happening.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and this second one did not disappoint. It did drag at times unlike the first one but that might be because this book is almost 400 pages long. Idk that any Omegaverse book needs to be that long but it is what it is, I guess.
We have a lot of waffling back and forth on the state of Hunter and Evans’ relationship and whether or not they can be what the other needs because of their alpha natures. In fact, these guys are still calling each other ‘bro’ and denying any romantic relationship at 77% of the way through this book. I think the constant denial of feelings and unwillingness to be anything other than ‘housemates who make each other come’ is what made the middle section of this story just a slog for me. It’s a lot of the same over and over again only to followed by a ‘he actually cares for me’ moment which seems to be immediately forgotten.
Evans’ is referred to as a ‘himbo’ by his friends and is portrayed as dumb as a box of rocks most of the time but his passive nature actually seemed to work well with Hunters dominant urges. So even though I don’t love the alpha/alpha pairings (omegas are my favorite part of any Omegaverse story) this one worked. I enjoyed it a lot. I also liked seeing Zale and Shiloh from Book 1 and the way their storyline was progressing. Hopefully we keep getting snapshots of past MCs as this series goes on.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and this second one did not disappoint. It did drag at times unlike the first one but that might be because this book is almost 400 pages long. Idk that any Omegaverse book needs to be that long but it is what it is, I guess.
We have a lot of waffling back and forth on the state of Hunter and Evans’ relationship and whether or not they can be what the other needs because of their alpha natures. In fact, these guys are still calling each other ‘bro’ and denying any romantic relationship at 77% of the way through this book. I think the constant denial of feelings and unwillingness to be anything other than ‘housemates who make each other come’ is what made the middle section of this story just a slog for me. It’s a lot of the same over and over again only to followed by a ‘he actually cares for me’ moment which seems to be immediately forgotten.
Evans’ is referred to as a ‘himbo’ by his friends and is portrayed as dumb as a box of rocks most of the time but his passive nature actually seemed to work well with Hunters dominant urges. So even though I don’t love the alpha/alpha pairings (omegas are my favorite part of any Omegaverse story) this one worked. I enjoyed it a lot. I also liked seeing Zale and Shiloh from Book 1 and the way their storyline was progressing. Hopefully we keep getting snapshots of past MCs as this series goes on.
July 2, 2026
I have been waiting for this to come out since I read Shiloh's book back in January! The beginning was pretty slow but soooooo worth the wait, I love non-traditional ABO dynamics and haven't read an alpha x alpha one yet. Loved my subby little Benny *drools*
My ONLY complaint is that near the end there was quite a few errors - names being mixed up, typos, and one sex scene that went from a blow job on Hunter's bed to fucking against the brick wall in his bedroom in one sentence??? Like, there was literally no break in the scene or anything so idk if it was meant to be 2 different scenes in one chapter or if the author forgot what she was writing (love ya girl) but it was very jarring.
So because of that mistake I would rate it 4.5 stars but still WELL worth the wait and if/when the errors are fixed I will definitely reread!
My ONLY complaint is that near the end there was quite a few errors - names being mixed up, typos, and one sex scene that went from a blow job on Hunter's bed to fucking against the brick wall in his bedroom in one sentence??? Like, there was literally no break in the scene or anything so idk if it was meant to be 2 different scenes in one chapter or if the author forgot what she was writing (love ya girl) but it was very jarring.
So because of that mistake I would rate it 4.5 stars but still WELL worth the wait and if/when the errors are fixed I will definitely reread!
July 6, 2026
The author does pining and sexual tension really well, there's no denying that, but as hot as the sex scenes werexm, the book is so unsatisfying
The book really needed a third act and proper character development for Evans, but we got none, instead they get together and that's it, book over. We didn't even get to enjoy them as a couple.
It was a fun read but I won't be revising it and I'm not really excited for future installments of this series
The book really needed a third act and proper character development for Evans, but we got none, instead they get together and that's it, book over. We didn't even get to enjoy them as a couple.
It was a fun read but I won't be revising it and I'm not really excited for future installments of this series
July 4, 2026
Left feeling frustrated
The book itself was slow, and very repetitive, but what bothered me was that 75% of the book kept circling back to Sadie and Evans, and by extension, his dad. It was the same song on repeat throughout the entire book. It took a lot away from Hunter and Evans. I also wish that Evans would stand up for himself at all. I'm so frustrated, I loved them in knot mine.
The book itself was slow, and very repetitive, but what bothered me was that 75% of the book kept circling back to Sadie and Evans, and by extension, his dad. It was the same song on repeat throughout the entire book. It took a lot away from Hunter and Evans. I also wish that Evans would stand up for himself at all. I'm so frustrated, I loved them in knot mine.
July 4, 2026
Unfortunately, between all the grammatical and syntax errors, along with the inconsistencies across the story, this made me extremely frustrated 💀
July 6, 2026
4.5/5. This book was so fun! I love Evans. He's kind of a dick sometimes, but it's genuinely because he's clueless and was raised that way. Deep down, he's so sensitive and sweet. He just wants someone to want him and see him. I love Hunter, too. He's chill and calm most of the time, but possessive and protective when he's worked up. I love the juxtaposition of his natural vibe and his designation.
This was the slowest burn to ever burn and I ate it up. It took forever for these two friends to get it together, but man did I savor ever second of it. I love how they were so clueless. Usually, cluelessness can irritate me a bit (it's my least favorite trope), but these two were so slightly broken and sad that it made sense why they would assume the other didn't want them. And given Evans' dad and how he grew up and what was expected of him... I totally get it.
It was so fun to see them pine after each other. The jealously was great, too. And Hunter's family is top tier. Overall, such a fun read.
Notes: 2/5 spice levels, omegaverse, rut, alpha/alpha, clueless mcs, best friends to lovers, roommates, jealousy, cheating (not on each other) (kind of), slow burn, college, bi awakening
This was the slowest burn to ever burn and I ate it up. It took forever for these two friends to get it together, but man did I savor ever second of it. I love how they were so clueless. Usually, cluelessness can irritate me a bit (it's my least favorite trope), but these two were so slightly broken and sad that it made sense why they would assume the other didn't want them. And given Evans' dad and how he grew up and what was expected of him... I totally get it.
It was so fun to see them pine after each other. The jealously was great, too. And Hunter's family is top tier. Overall, such a fun read.
Notes: 2/5 spice levels, omegaverse, rut, alpha/alpha, clueless mcs, best friends to lovers, roommates, jealousy, cheating (not on each other) (kind of), slow burn, college, bi awakening
July 5, 2026
MM
🌶️🌶️🌶️
College
Omegaverse
Bi-awakening
Housemates/best friends
The beginning of this starts off revealing what went down with Hunter and Evans during the last book. Then jumps forward 3 years.
Evans is still with the bitch Sadie. Hunter is still trying to get Evans back in bed with him. They finally get their shot together. But it was painful at times.
Also the book could use another edit. There were several places where similar sounding words were used instead of the correct one. Several paragraphs were repeated in the middle of a chapter. Just general grammatical errors.
Was looking forward to this but was a bit disappointed. Not at all interested in reading about Evans’ dad, even though he ends up with Bell.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
College
Omegaverse
Bi-awakening
Housemates/best friends
The beginning of this starts off revealing what went down with Hunter and Evans during the last book. Then jumps forward 3 years.
Evans is still with the bitch Sadie. Hunter is still trying to get Evans back in bed with him. They finally get their shot together. But it was painful at times.
Also the book could use another edit. There were several places where similar sounding words were used instead of the correct one. Several paragraphs were repeated in the middle of a chapter. Just general grammatical errors.
Was looking forward to this but was a bit disappointed. Not at all interested in reading about Evans’ dad, even though he ends up with Bell.
July 1, 2026
Good but slow
The story was definitely enjoyable and the characters had beautiful chemistry but it was very repetitive at some point. We all get that Benny is being manipulated and that Hunter isn't willing to give up but this would have been more enjoyable if Sadie had been taken care of earlier or there have been better confrontations. It was just a lot brushed under the rug and it got a little annoying
The story was definitely enjoyable and the characters had beautiful chemistry but it was very repetitive at some point. We all get that Benny is being manipulated and that Hunter isn't willing to give up but this would have been more enjoyable if Sadie had been taken care of earlier or there have been better confrontations. It was just a lot brushed under the rug and it got a little annoying
July 2, 2026
I've been waiting for Evans and Hunters book which feels like forever!!! I enjoyed this very much, especially with it being a bit of a slow burn (which isn't usually my style). I'll never get over alpha x aplha type books 😮💨🫠
I have a hard time with repetition when it comes to books and being told Hunter is an artist (33 times) just took me out everytime. Like we get it. Overall happy that Hunter and Evans got their HEA.
I have a hard time with repetition when it comes to books and being told Hunter is an artist (33 times) just took me out everytime. Like we get it. Overall happy that Hunter and Evans got their HEA.
July 1, 2026
Absolutely loved this book been waiting forever since I read Shiloh story and the female omegas in this serious always so damn selfish and manipulative I swear love the drama but hate the females lol subbu benny was adorable looooved it
◘ AlphaxAlpha
◘ Mates
◘ Bestfriends
◘ forbidden
◘ HimboxArtist
◘ AlphaxAlpha
◘ Mates
◘ Bestfriends
◘ forbidden
◘ HimboxArtist
July 6, 2026
Hot and heavy!
Good read overall. Loved that the characters from the previous book were part of this one as well. Lots of cute moments, some good humor, snark, and well written steamy moments (lots of those). Needs a quick re-edit, but not so bad that it’s unreadable.
Looking forward to the next book!
Good read overall. Loved that the characters from the previous book were part of this one as well. Lots of cute moments, some good humor, snark, and well written steamy moments (lots of those). Needs a quick re-edit, but not so bad that it’s unreadable.
Looking forward to the next book!
July 6, 2026
OBSESSED
I’m actually, utterly exhausted obsessed with Hunter and Benny (Evans). I usually get frustrated with slow burns, but this was a slow burn done RIGHT. I need more ASAP. This is such a healing story for Evans, and Hunter is so so god damn patient it kills me. Another killer book in this series. I need the next right this second.
I’m actually, utterly exhausted obsessed with Hunter and Benny (Evans). I usually get frustrated with slow burns, but this was a slow burn done RIGHT. I need more ASAP. This is such a healing story for Evans, and Hunter is so so god damn patient it kills me. Another killer book in this series. I need the next right this second.
July 6, 2026
2.5/5, rounded up to 3. I ate up the first book, and I DID enjoy this one, but I couldn't get over a few things like mistakes with the tense being used, spelling/grammar, and the one time Hunter was speaking about Benny and then called *him* Hunter.
That being said, I still finished it and I will be reading the next one when it comes out, hopefully with better proofing.
That being said, I still finished it and I will be reading the next one when it comes out, hopefully with better proofing.
July 8, 2026
5 Star - Couldn't put this book down. Its stay up late reading and be late to work good.
4 Stars - Couldn't put this book down but I still got a goodnights sleep
3 Stars - An enjoyable read that took me a few days to a week to finish
2 Stars - An okay book that I struggled to get through in places - next book is still on my TBR list
1 Stars - DNF
4 Stars - Couldn't put this book down but I still got a goodnights sleep
3 Stars - An enjoyable read that took me a few days to a week to finish
2 Stars - An okay book that I struggled to get through in places - next book is still on my TBR list
1 Stars - DNF
Did Not Finish
July 9, 2026JFC fucking I LOATHE this kind of b.s.
Why the hell do writers think I want any f/m sex scenes in my mm romance novels? If I wanted to read about that I'd bloody damned pick up a straight romance book, or mfm or something else, there's a ton of that garbage.
Stop lying to us with bloody crap like this, where the blurb only mentions two male MCs.
Why the hell do writers think I want any f/m sex scenes in my mm romance novels? If I wanted to read about that I'd bloody damned pick up a straight romance book, or mfm or something else, there's a ton of that garbage.
Stop lying to us with bloody crap like this, where the blurb only mentions two male MCs.
July 11, 2026
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars, Rounded Down.
With some editing, this could have been one of my favorites. I loved all the dynamics at play here, I just felt like there were a lot of errors, and although I loved the slow burn (10/10), I wish they hadn't circled each other for so long. I wish Benny had grown a backbone sooner.
With some editing, this could have been one of my favorites. I loved all the dynamics at play here, I just felt like there were a lot of errors, and although I loved the slow burn (10/10), I wish they hadn't circled each other for so long. I wish Benny had grown a backbone sooner.
July 2, 2026
so spicy good
This is so good. Spicy at just the right spots with an obsession and devotion. It does take these two a bit to get situated after the first romp but when they sparks fly.
This is so good. Spicy at just the right spots with an obsession and devotion. It does take these two a bit to get situated after the first romp but when they sparks fly.
July 3, 2026
Amazing
I loved the first book, so I was really excited when this one came out. I give a lot of 5 star reviews, but this one truly deserves it. Evans character truly surprised me and I fell in love with both of these men. Now I'm looking forward to the next book.
I loved the first book, so I was really excited when this one came out. I give a lot of 5 star reviews, but this one truly deserves it. Evans character truly surprised me and I fell in love with both of these men. Now I'm looking forward to the next book.
Did Not Finish
July 8, 2026I read the first 25% and the last 10% because I was curious to see what happened.
I skipped the middle because I was not enjoying the book, and the editing issues made me increasingly frustrated.
I will not be continuing with the series.
I skipped the middle because I was not enjoying the book, and the editing issues made me increasingly frustrated.
I will not be continuing with the series.
July 2, 2026
amazing!!
Even better than the first book soo good. Had all the angst, pining and feelings you would expect. Amazing read!!
Even better than the first book soo good. Had all the angst, pining and feelings you would expect. Amazing read!!
July 2, 2026
S. A bit slow for me to really see their love or why they loved each other, but after 55% I was fucking with it
July 9, 2026
Really slow but a good read.
July 9, 2026
3.5 stars
July 9, 2026
2.5 stars. Full review to come.
July 9, 2026
Beans and rice
Beans and rice and roommate survey was literally the best running joke and i love that it was unspoken of or resolved really 😭 such a good read
Beans and rice and roommate survey was literally the best running joke and i love that it was unspoken of or resolved really 😭 such a good read
July 8, 2026
I really enjoyed this. It is a slow burn, but because of the way Benny is being manipulated by Sadie throughout it makes sense. I liked seeing more of Zale and Shiloh and some of the other characters from the previous book in the series.
Non-traditional omegaverse is always fun to read, and I quite liked this take on a more dominant form of alpha.
Non-traditional omegaverse is always fun to read, and I quite liked this take on a more dominant form of alpha.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews