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Prey Upon Me
ANNA
I don’t attract bad boys.
No, I attract bad men.
My relationship with the last one left me with no choice but to abandon everything I knew to escape his abuse, only for me to collide into someone just as dangerous, if not more so.
I'm in a new city where no one knows my name. All I’m looking for is a job, but when I go to an interview with the hopes of becoming a sales associate, I find myself in the midst of a jewelry heist that turns deadly.
I’m taken hostage by the masked robber, and though I manage to escape, my kidnapper evades the police. I try to move on, but I can’t shake off the feeling that I’m suddenly being watched everywhere I go. Even inside my own apartment.
And I can’t stop thinking about a certain pair of blue eyes behind the mask that now plagues my dreams. The police assure me that the man responsible for my abduction won’t be coming after me…
But what if he already is?
KNOX
Revenge has been my only driving force these past four years. My plan is perfect…until one woman threatens to ruin it all. She knows more than she realizes, proving to be the only person who could identify me in the jewelry heist. I begin watching her every move out of necessity, but the more I see, the more it turns into obsession. She becomes all I can think about, and before long, I can’t settle for keeping a safe distance. She’s mine now, whether she knows it or not.
Prey Upon Me is a 100k-word standalone that contains dual POVs, explicit sexual content, masked men, stalking, and a morally gray MMC who will do anything for his woman. This book has no cliffhanger and ends with a HEA. The complete list of trigger warnings is on the author’s website that can be found in the book’s front matter.
I don’t attract bad boys.
No, I attract bad men.
My relationship with the last one left me with no choice but to abandon everything I knew to escape his abuse, only for me to collide into someone just as dangerous, if not more so.
I'm in a new city where no one knows my name. All I’m looking for is a job, but when I go to an interview with the hopes of becoming a sales associate, I find myself in the midst of a jewelry heist that turns deadly.
I’m taken hostage by the masked robber, and though I manage to escape, my kidnapper evades the police. I try to move on, but I can’t shake off the feeling that I’m suddenly being watched everywhere I go. Even inside my own apartment.
And I can’t stop thinking about a certain pair of blue eyes behind the mask that now plagues my dreams. The police assure me that the man responsible for my abduction won’t be coming after me…
But what if he already is?
KNOX
Revenge has been my only driving force these past four years. My plan is perfect…until one woman threatens to ruin it all. She knows more than she realizes, proving to be the only person who could identify me in the jewelry heist. I begin watching her every move out of necessity, but the more I see, the more it turns into obsession. She becomes all I can think about, and before long, I can’t settle for keeping a safe distance. She’s mine now, whether she knows it or not.
Prey Upon Me is a 100k-word standalone that contains dual POVs, explicit sexual content, masked men, stalking, and a morally gray MMC who will do anything for his woman. This book has no cliffhanger and ends with a HEA. The complete list of trigger warnings is on the author’s website that can be found in the book’s front matter.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
September 10, 2025
✅️ Dark romance
✅️ Possessive MMC
✅️ Stalker
✅️ Masked Men
✅️ Kidnapping
✅️ He falls first
✅️ Who did this to you
Prey Upon Me was a fun stalker dark romance where the MMC first meets the FMC while he is robbing a jewelry store. When the police show up, Damon and his accomplices are forced to run from the heist, and they take Anna, our FMC, hostage.
Days later, concerned that she may have heard or seen too much and may be able to identify him, he starts stalking and observing Anna to keep an eye on her.
This wasn't really anything new as far as a stalker romance is concerned, but the book is well written, and the characters and world are well developed. I would consider this to be on the more gray side of dark romance; no super dark themes or scenes, and nothing too triggering.
Was it fun to read? Yes
Are there men in masks? Yes
Is our MMC a hot, tattooed stalker? Yes
Did I absolutely devour this in just over a day? YES!
This was a strong debut novel for Nina Carpenter, and I will likely read more books that she publishes in the future.
Thank you to Nina Carpenter for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
✅️ Possessive MMC
✅️ Stalker
✅️ Masked Men
✅️ Kidnapping
✅️ He falls first
✅️ Who did this to you
Prey Upon Me was a fun stalker dark romance where the MMC first meets the FMC while he is robbing a jewelry store. When the police show up, Damon and his accomplices are forced to run from the heist, and they take Anna, our FMC, hostage.
Days later, concerned that she may have heard or seen too much and may be able to identify him, he starts stalking and observing Anna to keep an eye on her.
This wasn't really anything new as far as a stalker romance is concerned, but the book is well written, and the characters and world are well developed. I would consider this to be on the more gray side of dark romance; no super dark themes or scenes, and nothing too triggering.
Was it fun to read? Yes
Are there men in masks? Yes
Is our MMC a hot, tattooed stalker? Yes
Did I absolutely devour this in just over a day? YES!
This was a strong debut novel for Nina Carpenter, and I will likely read more books that she publishes in the future.
Thank you to Nina Carpenter for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
December 5, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★ satisfied! this is my 5 star for regular random finds ꨄ
I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint!! The plot of a robbery gone wrong with her being taken as a hostage was something that peaked my interest! + If you love a great revenge plot.
╭┄┄┄┄┄-·-·-·-｡ﾟ･｡ﾟ･
We start off with our fmc Annaleigh who's currently on the run from her abusive rich ex bf , she's a hermit and completely cut herself off the internet for good. She lives off selling his expensive gifts but it's not enough. So she finds a job at a local jewlery store, crazy enough her first day results in a robbery... and her being taken as a hostage by these three bulky men. A struggle ends up in the death of the driver; to the car tumbling down a hill. Anna gets away, but at what cost? Not only does she fear her ex but now these men who are desperate to take out the last thread.
Our mmc Damon is framed and sentenced to prison for four years ; someone is out to get him. Once he's released he decides revenge is the best option. But where do you start? The jewlery store . But what happens when a witness knows too much? Will he hunt her down and take out the last loose thread that's threatening to spill? What do they do when they realize they've both been been wronged by the rich? What happens when he realizes he's not the only one out to get her?
Despite our fmc having trauma from her past she's incredibly strong and observant and our mmc is such a badass. This book will piss you off with how much injustice and gross things our mc's go through!! ALSO the spice YUM, if you love a good Halloween horror nights blood scene!! I read about 75% of this book in one night! I totally recommend if you love a stalking, who did this, and you can't run book! Please check triggers! DOES end in hea!
╰┄┄┄┄┄┄┄꒰꒱₊˚・｡ﾟ･
╭┄┄┄┄┄-·-·-·-｡ﾟ･｡ﾟ･
Favorite highlights:
"He just about scared the crap out of me when he walked out of the bathroom." THIS SCENE made my blood run cold...
"Excuse me, douche nozzle, but there’s only room for one deranged stalker and I was here first."
"If anyone gets in the way between me and you, his survival rate will be non-fucking-existent.”
"Don’t make me fucking ask you again, love,” he snarls. “What did he do to you?”
(my hightlights may include spoilers, proceed with caution.)
╰┄┄┄┄┄┄┄꒰꒱₊˚・｡ﾟ･
Songs that matched this book ; Lonely Star - The Weeknd & Closer Nine Inch Nails
Thank you so much for reading my review!! <3
I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint!! The plot of a robbery gone wrong with her being taken as a hostage was something that peaked my interest! + If you love a great revenge plot.
╭┄┄┄┄┄-·-·-·-｡ﾟ･｡ﾟ･
We start off with our fmc Annaleigh who's currently on the run from her abusive rich ex bf , she's a hermit and completely cut herself off the internet for good. She lives off selling his expensive gifts but it's not enough. So she finds a job at a local jewlery store, crazy enough her first day results in a robbery... and her being taken as a hostage by these three bulky men. A struggle ends up in the death of the driver; to the car tumbling down a hill. Anna gets away, but at what cost? Not only does she fear her ex but now these men who are desperate to take out the last thread.
Our mmc Damon is framed and sentenced to prison for four years ; someone is out to get him. Once he's released he decides revenge is the best option. But where do you start? The jewlery store . But what happens when a witness knows too much? Will he hunt her down and take out the last loose thread that's threatening to spill? What do they do when they realize they've both been been wronged by the rich? What happens when he realizes he's not the only one out to get her?
Despite our fmc having trauma from her past she's incredibly strong and observant and our mmc is such a badass. This book will piss you off with how much injustice and gross things our mc's go through!! ALSO the spice YUM, if you love a good Halloween horror nights blood scene!! I read about 75% of this book in one night! I totally recommend if you love a stalking, who did this, and you can't run book! Please check triggers! DOES end in hea!
╰┄┄┄┄┄┄┄꒰꒱₊˚・｡ﾟ･
╭┄┄┄┄┄-·-·-·-｡ﾟ･｡ﾟ･
Favorite highlights:
"He just about scared the crap out of me when he walked out of the bathroom." THIS SCENE made my blood run cold...
"Excuse me, douche nozzle, but there’s only room for one deranged stalker and I was here first."
"If anyone gets in the way between me and you, his survival rate will be non-fucking-existent.”
"Don’t make me fucking ask you again, love,” he snarls. “What did he do to you?”
(my hightlights may include spoilers, proceed with caution.)
╰┄┄┄┄┄┄┄꒰꒱₊˚・｡ﾟ･
Songs that matched this book ; Lonely Star - The Weeknd & Closer Nine Inch Nails
Thank you so much for reading my review!! <3
September 21, 2025
First let me say thank you to Nina Carpenter for this ARC. I really enjoyed reading this book. I would consider it more on the grey side of a dark romance but good for someone who’s just dipping into dark romance. Anna has gotten out of a shitty relationship where her ex made her out to be a psycho, moved somewhere nobody knows her and changed her name. Then there’s Damon, our morally grey MMC. These two meet after Damon and his friends rob a jewelry store and take Anna hostage. Fearing she heard too much Damon starts stalking her. From there the sexual attraction begins and only deepens. I won’t say much more so as not to give it all away, but will say in the end everyone gets what they deserve. I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🖤 BESTIE, GIVE ME A STALKER + REVENGE TROPE AND I’M SAT 🖤
Bestie, you know me. Give me a good stalker dark romance, throw in a revenge trope, and I’m already seated. Prey Upon Me was a solid debut from Nina Carpenter, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
Was this anything wildly new for the stalker romance genre? No. But honestly, it didn’t need to be. The story was fast-paced, well written, and had well-developed characters and a world that kept me invested. I’d put this on the gray side of dark romance because while there are darker elements, it doesn’t go extremely dark and I didn’t find the content particularly triggering. I actually think this would be a great starting point for someone dipping their toes into dark romance.
Anna has been through some serious trauma, but she’s strong, observant, and incredibly resilient. Damon Knox? BADASS. Morally gray, mysterious, protective, and exactly the kind of man who makes you go, “Well, this is probably a terrible idea... but I support it.” His inner dialogue had me laughing out loud more than once. The man was absolutely not helping me take anything seriously. 😂😂 I may have developed a tiny crush on him, although I’m willing to blame Joe Arden for at least 60% of that. I also kept picturing Damon from The Vampire Diaries during my immersive reading, so clearly my brain had its own casting department working overtime.
The injustice these two had to deal with had me MAD. Like, excuse me?! Can we let these people have ONE peaceful moment?! 😂 Their individual trauma, the revenge plot, and everything they were forced to endure made me root for both of them from beginning to end. Their chemistry was great, the suspense kept me hooked, and watching the revenge unfold was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Prey Upon Me was an entertaining, fast-paced stalker romance with revenge, suspense, morally gray characters, and enough chaos to keep me turning the pages. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivered exactly the kind of dark romance I came for.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: DANI SOLIEL & JOE ARDEN
Audiobook rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The minute I saw Dani Soliel and Joe Arden were narrating this, I needed this audiobook in my ears IMMEDIATELY.
Listen. Joe Arden will always get my money. At this point, this man could narrate the dictionary and I’d be like, “Absolutely. Add to cart.” No questions asked. 🫠
Dani Soliel and Joe Arden were outstanding as Anna and Damon. Their performances added so much emotion, personality, chemistry, and depth to the characters that I felt completely pulled into the story. They made the tension and emotional moments hit harder, and their voices fit Anna and Damon so well. And Joe Arden as Damon? Yeah... I understand the Damon crush now. I may or may not have a crush on Joe Arden. Ok, let me get it together... ANYWAYS! 😂
The audiobook made an already entertaining story even more immersive, and both narrators kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you’re an audiobook reader, I absolutely recommend experiencing this one with Dani and Joe.
🌪️ FINAL C.H.A.O.S. REPORT
✨ C | Chaos: 9/10
Stalking, revenge, trauma, injustice, morally gray behavior, and two people who have apparently decided peace was never an option. I was STRESSED and entertained.
❤️ H | Heart: 8/10
Underneath all the darkness, these two have been through so much. Watching Anna and Damon find each other and finally have someone in their corner got me right in the feelings.
🧠 A | Angst: 8/10
The amount of injustice these characters endured had me sitting there like, “CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LET THEM LIVE?!” The emotional baggage was heavy, but it made their connection hit harder.
📖 O | Obsession: 9/10
Stalker romance + revenge? Bestie, you already know I was locked in. The suspense kept me reading, and I needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
💀 S | Spiral: 9/10
I finished this wanting revenge, justice, Damon, and probably a therapist for everyone involved. 😂
😈 BONUS CHAOS
🖤 Stalker Energy: 9/10
The vibes were appropriately DARK without pushing into the darkest end of the genre.
🔥 Revenge Satisfaction: 10/10
Watching the revenge aspect unfold was DELICIOUS. I support fictional vengeance from a safe distance.
😏 Morally Gray Men: 9/10
Damon said morality is more of a suggestion, actually.
😂 Questionable Decisions: 8/10
Because apparently trauma, revenge, and common sense do not always coexist peacefully.
🧛 Damon Salvatore Brain Casting: 10/10
My brain said Damon from The Vampire Diaries. My brain was not taking suggestions.
🎧 Joe Arden Effect: 11/10
Was I attracted to Damon? Yes. Was Joe Arden partially responsible? Also yes. I rest my case.
🌈 FINAL V.I.B.E.S. REPORT
✨ V | Value: 9/10
A really entertaining debut with strong characters, a fast pace, suspense, revenge, and plenty of morally gray chaos.
🔥 I | Intensity: 9/10
The trauma, injustice, suspense, and emotional tension kept things moving. These characters could NOT catch a break.
💞 B | Bonds: 9/10
Anna and Damon’s connection worked for me. After everything they individually experienced, I loved seeing them find someone who understood them and gave them something worth fighting for.
💭 E | Echo: 8/10
The story stuck with me because of Anna’s resilience, Damon’s morally gray personality, and just how much these two had to overcome.
😈 S | Spiral: 9/10
Finished this thinking about revenge, injustice, morally gray men, and why Joe Arden continues to make fictional men approximately 67% more attractive.
🖤 BONUS VIBES
🕵️ Suspense: 9/10
Kept me hooked and constantly wondering what was coming next.
💋 Chemistry: 9/10
Anna and Damon had chemistry, and their dynamic kept me invested.
🩸 Dark Romance Level: 6/10
More gray than pitch-black. Dark romance elements without going into extremely dark territory.
👀 Stalker Factor: 9/10
Exactly the kind of unsettling obsession I came for.
💪 Anna’s Resilience: 10/10
She went through SO much and still managed to remain strong, observant, and determined.
😈 Damon’s Morally Gray Energy: 10/10
Bad decisions? Questionable morality? Protective tendencies? Unfortunately, I understand the appeal.
⚖️ Injustice Rage: 11/10
There were moments where I wanted to personally file complaints on behalf of these characters.
🎧 Audiobook Performance: 10/10
Dani Soliel and Joe Arden brought so much emotion and chemistry to Anna and Damon. They made the story even more immersive.
💸 Joe Arden Tax: 100/10
Do I need the audiobook because I love the story? Yes.
Do I also need it because Joe Arden is narrating? Absolutely and mind your business.
📚 Debut Author Potential: 9/10
Nina Carpenter has officially made my “I’ll be watching what you write next” list.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT
4 ⭐️
Prey Upon Me didn't reinvent stalker romance, but it didn't need to. It gave me suspense, revenge, trauma, morally gray chaos, strong chemistry, and characters I genuinely rooted for. Add Dani Soliel and Joe Arden to the audiobook and suddenly my decision to spend hours listening to fictional people make questionable choices feels extremely justified.
Would I read Nina Carpenter again? Absolutely.
Would I listen to Joe Arden narrate literally anything? Yes, yes—absolutely YES! 😂
Thank you to Nina Carpenter, Dani Soliel and Joe Arden, Blue Nose Audio for the advanced audiobook copy. All chaotic thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 🖤
Bestie, you know me. Give me a good stalker dark romance, throw in a revenge trope, and I’m already seated. Prey Upon Me was a solid debut from Nina Carpenter, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what she writes next.
Was this anything wildly new for the stalker romance genre? No. But honestly, it didn’t need to be. The story was fast-paced, well written, and had well-developed characters and a world that kept me invested. I’d put this on the gray side of dark romance because while there are darker elements, it doesn’t go extremely dark and I didn’t find the content particularly triggering. I actually think this would be a great starting point for someone dipping their toes into dark romance.
Anna has been through some serious trauma, but she’s strong, observant, and incredibly resilient. Damon Knox? BADASS. Morally gray, mysterious, protective, and exactly the kind of man who makes you go, “Well, this is probably a terrible idea... but I support it.” His inner dialogue had me laughing out loud more than once. The man was absolutely not helping me take anything seriously. 😂😂 I may have developed a tiny crush on him, although I’m willing to blame Joe Arden for at least 60% of that. I also kept picturing Damon from The Vampire Diaries during my immersive reading, so clearly my brain had its own casting department working overtime.
The injustice these two had to deal with had me MAD. Like, excuse me?! Can we let these people have ONE peaceful moment?! 😂 Their individual trauma, the revenge plot, and everything they were forced to endure made me root for both of them from beginning to end. Their chemistry was great, the suspense kept me hooked, and watching the revenge unfold was incredibly satisfying.
Overall, Prey Upon Me was an entertaining, fast-paced stalker romance with revenge, suspense, morally gray characters, and enough chaos to keep me turning the pages. It may not reinvent the genre, but it delivered exactly the kind of dark romance I came for.
🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: DANI SOLIEL & JOE ARDEN
Audiobook rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The minute I saw Dani Soliel and Joe Arden were narrating this, I needed this audiobook in my ears IMMEDIATELY.
Listen. Joe Arden will always get my money. At this point, this man could narrate the dictionary and I’d be like, “Absolutely. Add to cart.” No questions asked. 🫠
Dani Soliel and Joe Arden were outstanding as Anna and Damon. Their performances added so much emotion, personality, chemistry, and depth to the characters that I felt completely pulled into the story. They made the tension and emotional moments hit harder, and their voices fit Anna and Damon so well. And Joe Arden as Damon? Yeah... I understand the Damon crush now. I may or may not have a crush on Joe Arden. Ok, let me get it together... ANYWAYS! 😂
The audiobook made an already entertaining story even more immersive, and both narrators kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you’re an audiobook reader, I absolutely recommend experiencing this one with Dani and Joe.
🌪️ FINAL C.H.A.O.S. REPORT
✨ C | Chaos: 9/10
Stalking, revenge, trauma, injustice, morally gray behavior, and two people who have apparently decided peace was never an option. I was STRESSED and entertained.
❤️ H | Heart: 8/10
Underneath all the darkness, these two have been through so much. Watching Anna and Damon find each other and finally have someone in their corner got me right in the feelings.
🧠 A | Angst: 8/10
The amount of injustice these characters endured had me sitting there like, “CAN SOMEONE PLEASE LET THEM LIVE?!” The emotional baggage was heavy, but it made their connection hit harder.
📖 O | Obsession: 9/10
Stalker romance + revenge? Bestie, you already know I was locked in. The suspense kept me reading, and I needed to know how everything was going to unfold.
💀 S | Spiral: 9/10
I finished this wanting revenge, justice, Damon, and probably a therapist for everyone involved. 😂
😈 BONUS CHAOS
🖤 Stalker Energy: 9/10
The vibes were appropriately DARK without pushing into the darkest end of the genre.
🔥 Revenge Satisfaction: 10/10
Watching the revenge aspect unfold was DELICIOUS. I support fictional vengeance from a safe distance.
😏 Morally Gray Men: 9/10
Damon said morality is more of a suggestion, actually.
😂 Questionable Decisions: 8/10
Because apparently trauma, revenge, and common sense do not always coexist peacefully.
🧛 Damon Salvatore Brain Casting: 10/10
My brain said Damon from The Vampire Diaries. My brain was not taking suggestions.
🎧 Joe Arden Effect: 11/10
Was I attracted to Damon? Yes. Was Joe Arden partially responsible? Also yes. I rest my case.
🌈 FINAL V.I.B.E.S. REPORT
✨ V | Value: 9/10
A really entertaining debut with strong characters, a fast pace, suspense, revenge, and plenty of morally gray chaos.
🔥 I | Intensity: 9/10
The trauma, injustice, suspense, and emotional tension kept things moving. These characters could NOT catch a break.
💞 B | Bonds: 9/10
Anna and Damon’s connection worked for me. After everything they individually experienced, I loved seeing them find someone who understood them and gave them something worth fighting for.
💭 E | Echo: 8/10
The story stuck with me because of Anna’s resilience, Damon’s morally gray personality, and just how much these two had to overcome.
😈 S | Spiral: 9/10
Finished this thinking about revenge, injustice, morally gray men, and why Joe Arden continues to make fictional men approximately 67% more attractive.
🖤 BONUS VIBES
🕵️ Suspense: 9/10
Kept me hooked and constantly wondering what was coming next.
💋 Chemistry: 9/10
Anna and Damon had chemistry, and their dynamic kept me invested.
🩸 Dark Romance Level: 6/10
More gray than pitch-black. Dark romance elements without going into extremely dark territory.
👀 Stalker Factor: 9/10
Exactly the kind of unsettling obsession I came for.
💪 Anna’s Resilience: 10/10
She went through SO much and still managed to remain strong, observant, and determined.
😈 Damon’s Morally Gray Energy: 10/10
Bad decisions? Questionable morality? Protective tendencies? Unfortunately, I understand the appeal.
⚖️ Injustice Rage: 11/10
There were moments where I wanted to personally file complaints on behalf of these characters.
🎧 Audiobook Performance: 10/10
Dani Soliel and Joe Arden brought so much emotion and chemistry to Anna and Damon. They made the story even more immersive.
💸 Joe Arden Tax: 100/10
Do I need the audiobook because I love the story? Yes.
Do I also need it because Joe Arden is narrating? Absolutely and mind your business.
📚 Debut Author Potential: 9/10
Nina Carpenter has officially made my “I’ll be watching what you write next” list.
⭐ FINAL VERDICT
4 ⭐️
Prey Upon Me didn't reinvent stalker romance, but it didn't need to. It gave me suspense, revenge, trauma, morally gray chaos, strong chemistry, and characters I genuinely rooted for. Add Dani Soliel and Joe Arden to the audiobook and suddenly my decision to spend hours listening to fictional people make questionable choices feels extremely justified.
Would I read Nina Carpenter again? Absolutely.
Would I listen to Joe Arden narrate literally anything? Yes, yes—absolutely YES! 😂
Thank you to Nina Carpenter, Dani Soliel and Joe Arden, Blue Nose Audio for the advanced audiobook copy. All chaotic thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. 🖤
September 27, 2025
So really loved this one. It was so funny. The inner dialogues from Knox the MMC made me laugh out loud so many times. They both went through so much and I am so glad they found eachother. The story was fast paced and the plot was good.
So about the story📚
Anna is trying ro run from her past. Knox is trying to get revenge. Anna is at the wrong place, at the wrong time, when she has her first day at a jewelry. The place gets robbed by Knox and his friends. She manages to escape the robbers but now she is not only haunted by her past but also by Knox.
📚 Stalker
📚 Spice
📚 Past trauma| PTSD
📚 Found family
📚 Revenge
Favorite quotes📖✍
"If another man so much as touches you, I’ll break every bone in his fucking hands."
"I really must be a masochist, because having a beautifull blonde straddling me would normally be a major turn-on, but having her brandishing a knife down at me? It may very well be the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
So about the story📚
Anna is trying ro run from her past. Knox is trying to get revenge. Anna is at the wrong place, at the wrong time, when she has her first day at a jewelry. The place gets robbed by Knox and his friends. She manages to escape the robbers but now she is not only haunted by her past but also by Knox.
📚 Stalker
📚 Spice
📚 Past trauma| PTSD
📚 Found family
📚 Revenge
Favorite quotes📖✍
"If another man so much as touches you, I’ll break every bone in his fucking hands."
"I really must be a masochist, because having a beautifull blonde straddling me would normally be a major turn-on, but having her brandishing a knife down at me? It may very well be the sexiest thing I've ever seen."
September 6, 2025
I am very grateful to have received a ARC for this novel. This story was a lot of fun, and would be a great choice for someone dipping their toes into dark romance. Not too dark with a likable and trustworthy MMC. It illustrates the ugliness and corruption of the elite in an interesting way. That being said, there was a lot going on, and at times it felt a little like an Ocean’s Eleven-esque montage of a crime drama. I would have loved to burrow deeper into Anna and Knox’s relationship, and see their darkness and pain more clearly explored. Overall, I would recommend this book to someone interested in the lighter side of dark romance.
September 14, 2025
I love Anna and Knox. 💜
This book is really good and that ending!! 🥰
Reading Anna's side tho in the beginning made me paranoid and my anxiety go up. 😂
& Knox! Awww! 🖤
Oh and the spice was spiiicy. 🔥
Thank you Nina for the ARC. This was an excellent standalone.
This book is really good and that ending!! 🥰
Reading Anna's side tho in the beginning made me paranoid and my anxiety go up. 😂
& Knox! Awww! 🖤
Oh and the spice was spiiicy. 🔥
Thank you Nina for the ARC. This was an excellent standalone.
September 13, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 stars for me!
I really loved the story.
I was a little lost in the first few pages, but as the story went on, it became more and more interesting. Plus, it’s dual POV, which made it even better!
The ending was especially satisfying. I’m so proud of Anna and the way she handled things in the end. And big shoutout to Damon, he had me smiling every time he and Anna interacted. Such a possessive, obsessed, and cute stalker!
I love how everything turned out, and I honestly couldn’t ask for more.
I really loved the story.
I was a little lost in the first few pages, but as the story went on, it became more and more interesting. Plus, it’s dual POV, which made it even better!
The ending was especially satisfying. I’m so proud of Anna and the way she handled things in the end. And big shoutout to Damon, he had me smiling every time he and Anna interacted. Such a possessive, obsessed, and cute stalker!
I love how everything turned out, and I honestly couldn’t ask for more.
September 14, 2025
ARC reader! Prey Upon Me is dark, twisted, and completely addictive. Nina Carpenter doesn’t hold back in this stalker romance — it’s a story full of obsession, blurred lines, and unsettling tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night.
The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere claustrophobic, and the chemistry between the characters is both terrifying and magnetic. It’s one of those reads that makes you squirm but also dares you to keep going.
This isn’t a light or safe romance. Expect morally gray characters, questionable choices, and a constant push-and-pull between danger and desire. If you’re looking for fluff or comfort, this won’t be for you. But if you crave intensity, darkness, and an addictive dose of obsession, Prey Upon Me delivers exactly that.
The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere claustrophobic, and the chemistry between the characters is both terrifying and magnetic. It’s one of those reads that makes you squirm but also dares you to keep going.
This isn’t a light or safe romance. Expect morally gray characters, questionable choices, and a constant push-and-pull between danger and desire. If you’re looking for fluff or comfort, this won’t be for you. But if you crave intensity, darkness, and an addictive dose of obsession, Prey Upon Me delivers exactly that.
September 22, 2025
Thank you so much for the ARC!
I'm so grateful to have received an ARC copy from Nina!
The MMC is a tattooed, masked stalker who is the definition of a possessive, morally gray anti-hero. I loved how his character balanced a dark, lethal edge with a surprisingly realistic sense of humor. The "us against the world" tension after a high stakes kidnapping isshefs kissc, making this a deliciously gritty and addictive read!
I'm so grateful to have received an ARC copy from Nina!
The MMC is a tattooed, masked stalker who is the definition of a possessive, morally gray anti-hero. I loved how his character balanced a dark, lethal edge with a surprisingly realistic sense of humor. The "us against the world" tension after a high stakes kidnapping isshefs kissc, making this a deliciously gritty and addictive read!
August 23, 2026
It really pains me to give this 2 stars because for the first 30%, I was fully invested and ready to give this a solid 4 stars. It had so much potential with an intriguing setup and a grounded, hypervigilant heroine hiding from her past. Her trauma was realistic and her actions were consistent with her character profile. It even gave us a masked hero that actually made sense. Instead of the usual mercurial, morally grey stalker dude in a mask trope, the mask actually served as a pragmatic plot piece.
When the armed robbery turns into an unplanned, chaotic, high-speed getaway, and everything spirals out of control, the hostage situation escalates and the MMC and his crew are forced to shoot and kill the security guard. The next day, they're a bit dazed. Unlike so many other dark romance books where 20 year olds are calloused killers, showing them grapple with the weight of taking a life grounded the story. It was easily some of the best writing in the book because the stakes felt real. The MMC's reasoning for tracking her down afterward follows the narrative logic completely. Even sneaking into her apartment, setting up cameras, spying on her and becoming obsessed as he's watching her felt interesting and plausible.
Then the 40% mark hit, the character logic started to collapse, and the MCs' dynamic skyrocketed into unearned progress that ignored the realistic stakes of the setup.
I feel like the catalyst for the collapse was after the FMC ignored his first warning and kept prying into his identity. To keep the story on track at that point, he really needed to a more permanent solution for containment. The narrative already laid the groundwork for his reluctance to kill, so kidnapping her and bringing her back to their safehouse until they enacted their revenge or figured out some way to deal with her would have been a great way to move the story along. It could have created a forced proximity setup that led to a far more natural arc, moving from enemies to cautious allies as they recognized their shared injustice, and eventually to passionate lovers.
Instead, it was like the author just started running down a BookTok fantasy fulfillment checklist. He immediately turns things sexual, and she is of course instantly into it, with the flimsy justification that she reads dark romance 🙄. Before she knows his name, sees his face, or has any reason to believe he won't kill her, they're sexmatized and trauma-dumping, instantly stripping away every ounce of their character complexity. Suddenly, he completely abandons his self-preservation, forgetting about his crew, the necessity of not getting caught, and the four years of single-minded revenge he nursed in prison. On her end, all her deep-seated trust issues from past abuse and system betrayal just magically vanish for the guy who literally held her hostage and is now sneaking into her bedroom and hiding cameras. One conversation erases all their survival instincts and established baggage, flattening them into one-dimensional dark romance insert characters. It felt like a lazy shortcut to force a bunch of sex. And OMG was there a lot of sex.
From there, the plot devolved into a disjointed mess of cheap dark romance clichés. Instead of crafting a narrative that explained the detailed intricacies and grittiness of getting revenge on the wealthy, corrupt figures manipulating the system, the MMC suddenly pulled out a 'deus ex mafia' to fix all their problems overnight. The FMC underwent a complete personality replacement, going from a cautious survivor to a gleeful "badass" cutting off her ex's fingers without a shred of psychological friction or remorse. I'm sorry, but turning abuse trauma into cartoonish splatter-gore isn't character development, it's just played out.
Speaking of the ex, after all that hackneyed revenge porn, they just drop him off at a hospital and threaten him with "all the little people." Bro, what? Where was this entire network of low-level sleeper agents this entire story? 😂 Also, we're supposed to believe a guy with massive affluenza, extreme entitlement, and endless resources would just sit back like a whipped dog, go to therapy, and quietly deal with his PTSD instead of seeking immediate, ruthless revenge with every asset he has? That isn't a resolution! That's a villain origin story. Maybe that will be the sequel, "Revenge of Se'Bashman!
Every other complication and difficulty that we spent 300 pages learning about were somehow tidied and wrapped up in a neat little bow in the last chapter and by the end, I was forcing myself through the pages and skimming just to cross the finish line.
Once again, tonal whiplash, writing for the vibes and the Booktok checklist killed my enjoyment of a potentially great story. This author showed they have real talent for setting realistic stakes and building earned tension. LEAN into that! Don't write for the tropes, write for the story and find a way to weave the tropes you want into the narrative like you did in the beginning.
I do appreciate the opportunity to weave "Deus ex Mafia" into my review...I'm quite proud of that and I will be giving MYSELF a gold star. ⭐
Edit: Something else I want to clarify, often times people say things like, 'It's fiction! It's not supposed to be realistic!' And that's true! I'm not asking for external realism, I'm asking for internal narrative consistency. If you start a book with a realistic tone, you can't switch halfway through to dark fantasy fulfillment without building a bridge to get us there. To use my least favorite phrase from math class to my advantage: Show your work! You can give everyone three eyes and have them speak in iambic pentameter, as long as you stay consistent and explain any shifts in logic, I'm on board...or at the very least, I'll accept it as narratively consistent.😂
When the armed robbery turns into an unplanned, chaotic, high-speed getaway, and everything spirals out of control, the hostage situation escalates and the MMC and his crew are forced to shoot and kill the security guard. The next day, they're a bit dazed. Unlike so many other dark romance books where 20 year olds are calloused killers, showing them grapple with the weight of taking a life grounded the story. It was easily some of the best writing in the book because the stakes felt real. The MMC's reasoning for tracking her down afterward follows the narrative logic completely. Even sneaking into her apartment, setting up cameras, spying on her and becoming obsessed as he's watching her felt interesting and plausible.
Then the 40% mark hit, the character logic started to collapse, and the MCs' dynamic skyrocketed into unearned progress that ignored the realistic stakes of the setup.
I feel like the catalyst for the collapse was after the FMC ignored his first warning and kept prying into his identity. To keep the story on track at that point, he really needed to a more permanent solution for containment. The narrative already laid the groundwork for his reluctance to kill, so kidnapping her and bringing her back to their safehouse until they enacted their revenge or figured out some way to deal with her would have been a great way to move the story along. It could have created a forced proximity setup that led to a far more natural arc, moving from enemies to cautious allies as they recognized their shared injustice, and eventually to passionate lovers.
Instead, it was like the author just started running down a BookTok fantasy fulfillment checklist. He immediately turns things sexual, and she is of course instantly into it, with the flimsy justification that she reads dark romance 🙄. Before she knows his name, sees his face, or has any reason to believe he won't kill her, they're sexmatized and trauma-dumping, instantly stripping away every ounce of their character complexity. Suddenly, he completely abandons his self-preservation, forgetting about his crew, the necessity of not getting caught, and the four years of single-minded revenge he nursed in prison. On her end, all her deep-seated trust issues from past abuse and system betrayal just magically vanish for the guy who literally held her hostage and is now sneaking into her bedroom and hiding cameras. One conversation erases all their survival instincts and established baggage, flattening them into one-dimensional dark romance insert characters. It felt like a lazy shortcut to force a bunch of sex. And OMG was there a lot of sex.
From there, the plot devolved into a disjointed mess of cheap dark romance clichés. Instead of crafting a narrative that explained the detailed intricacies and grittiness of getting revenge on the wealthy, corrupt figures manipulating the system, the MMC suddenly pulled out a 'deus ex mafia' to fix all their problems overnight. The FMC underwent a complete personality replacement, going from a cautious survivor to a gleeful "badass" cutting off her ex's fingers without a shred of psychological friction or remorse. I'm sorry, but turning abuse trauma into cartoonish splatter-gore isn't character development, it's just played out.
Speaking of the ex, after all that hackneyed revenge porn, they just drop him off at a hospital and threaten him with "all the little people." Bro, what? Where was this entire network of low-level sleeper agents this entire story? 😂 Also, we're supposed to believe a guy with massive affluenza, extreme entitlement, and endless resources would just sit back like a whipped dog, go to therapy, and quietly deal with his PTSD instead of seeking immediate, ruthless revenge with every asset he has? That isn't a resolution! That's a villain origin story. Maybe that will be the sequel, "Revenge of Se'Bashman!
Every other complication and difficulty that we spent 300 pages learning about were somehow tidied and wrapped up in a neat little bow in the last chapter and by the end, I was forcing myself through the pages and skimming just to cross the finish line.
Once again, tonal whiplash, writing for the vibes and the Booktok checklist killed my enjoyment of a potentially great story. This author showed they have real talent for setting realistic stakes and building earned tension. LEAN into that! Don't write for the tropes, write for the story and find a way to weave the tropes you want into the narrative like you did in the beginning.
I do appreciate the opportunity to weave "Deus ex Mafia" into my review...I'm quite proud of that and I will be giving MYSELF a gold star. ⭐
Edit: Something else I want to clarify, often times people say things like, 'It's fiction! It's not supposed to be realistic!' And that's true! I'm not asking for external realism, I'm asking for internal narrative consistency. If you start a book with a realistic tone, you can't switch halfway through to dark fantasy fulfillment without building a bridge to get us there. To use my least favorite phrase from math class to my advantage: Show your work! You can give everyone three eyes and have them speak in iambic pentameter, as long as you stay consistent and explain any shifts in logic, I'm on board...or at the very least, I'll accept it as narratively consistent.😂
September 4, 2026
Yanno those random finds that pull you in with a well worded, slightly different feel. I requested the ALC and boy, am I glad. I found myself gleefully engrossed in this tightly woven story. It's well crafted, characters endearing and funny. Narration by Joe Arden Dani Soleil made the awesomeness double
Amid masked shenanigans we find love and Humour between two unlikeliest of broken people
Annaleigh is hiding in plain sight, yet her abusive ex -Sebastian forces her to be a hermit. She has anxiety and PTSD from the times with him and in psychiatric rehab. Sebastian loves to play with his prey, tormenting her endlessly
“Excuse me, douche nozzle, but there’s only room for one deranged stalker and I was here first.”
And then she lands herself smack dab in the middle of a jewel store robbery gone wrong. She works there and her manager pushes her in front 8f the thieves to be taken as a hostage.
Therein starts a racy cat & Mouse game..
Anna is running, close on her heels is officer holt, Sebastian, a masked, blue eyed thief and a shadowy figure who watches her every move.
The actual Puppeteer is pulling all of their strings tho
I fell in love with Anna, and Damon as an ex convict was fantastic. His growth arc was the most satisfying. Loved his sidekicks, Nina has created unique situations in the story. No cheesy dialogues, no third act breakups or silly twists. I had a ball listening to this book gifted by Blue Nose Audio
Joe is still king of narrators
“5 stars for M&Ms and rare watches”
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻 TikTok 🌻 StoryGraph 🌻 YouTube 🌻
Amid masked shenanigans we find love and Humour between two unlikeliest of broken people
Annaleigh is hiding in plain sight, yet her abusive ex -Sebastian forces her to be a hermit. She has anxiety and PTSD from the times with him and in psychiatric rehab. Sebastian loves to play with his prey, tormenting her endlessly
“Excuse me, douche nozzle, but there’s only room for one deranged stalker and I was here first.”
And then she lands herself smack dab in the middle of a jewel store robbery gone wrong. She works there and her manager pushes her in front 8f the thieves to be taken as a hostage.
Therein starts a racy cat & Mouse game..
Anna is running, close on her heels is officer holt, Sebastian, a masked, blue eyed thief and a shadowy figure who watches her every move.
The actual Puppeteer is pulling all of their strings tho
I fell in love with Anna, and Damon as an ex convict was fantastic. His growth arc was the most satisfying. Loved his sidekicks, Nina has created unique situations in the story. No cheesy dialogues, no third act breakups or silly twists. I had a ball listening to this book gifted by Blue Nose Audio
Joe is still king of narrators
“5 stars for M&Ms and rare watches”
Follow me on:
Email🌻 Bookbub 🌻 Twitter🌻 Instagram🌻 Blog🌻 Facebook🌻 Amazon 🌻 TikTok 🌻 StoryGraph 🌻 YouTube 🌻
September 4, 2026
A jewelry store robbery gone wrong, a hostage situation, and a revenge plot made this such a fun read. Anna is hiding from her abusive ex when she's taken hostage during a robbery led by Damon, who has just been released from prison after being framed. When he realizes she may know too much, he starts stalking her, but as they grow closer, they discover they're both victims of the same corrupt people. I really enjoyed Anna's resilience and Damon's morally gray personality. Their chemistry was great, the suspense kept me hooked, and the revenge aspect was so satisfying. I listened to this as an audiobook, and it made the experience even better. Dani Soliel and Joe Arden were outstanding as Anna and Damon. Their performances brought so much emotion, chemistry, and depth to the characters that it felt like I was experiencing the story alongside them. While the stalker romance isn't anything completely new, it was well written, fast paced, and had plenty of spice. If you enjoy dark romance with mystery, revenge, and a guaranteed HEA, this is definitely worth checking out. Don't forget to check the trigger warnings first.
September 14, 2025
Prey Upon Me…. This debut for Nina Carpenter was fantastic and I am looking forward to more dark romances from you! Thank you for the ARC and the opportunity to read your first novel.
This was a quick read and it checked ALL of the boxes! Trigger warnings are a spoiler list that I always forget to read 😎 However, if you are triggered by the spoiler list… take care of your mental health but also you have been warned so no need to leave bad reviews because it was “too much”
So, let’s get into this… The banter between Anna and Damon was hilarious! Prey Upon Me definitely gave me romantic comedy vibes more than dark romance… yes, it had stalker energy, a masked man 😎, touch her and I’m gonna break your hands, and it did have some spice (🌶️🌶️)
The book… all in all a 3.5 ⭐️ but has so much room in the following book because of the character development and story.
Congratulations, Nina, off to a great start 🥀📚🥀
This was a quick read and it checked ALL of the boxes! Trigger warnings are a spoiler list that I always forget to read 😎 However, if you are triggered by the spoiler list… take care of your mental health but also you have been warned so no need to leave bad reviews because it was “too much”
So, let’s get into this… The banter between Anna and Damon was hilarious! Prey Upon Me definitely gave me romantic comedy vibes more than dark romance… yes, it had stalker energy, a masked man 😎, touch her and I’m gonna break your hands, and it did have some spice (🌶️🌶️)
The book… all in all a 3.5 ⭐️ but has so much room in the following book because of the character development and story.
Congratulations, Nina, off to a great start 🥀📚🥀
September 8, 2025
✨🖤 ARC Review🖤✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔪🔪🔪🔪
Thank you Nina Carpenter for allowing me to read this early. This review is voluntary and all opinions are honest and my own.
This book was a wild and fun ride. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I gave this a 4.5⭐️ but rounding to 5⭐️ based on review platforms.
It started out pleasantly gruesome to lead you into the survival mindset of our MMC and by the ending, my dark lil heart is so happy (plus there’s a lovely homage to a very popular dark romance book). This did touch topics of domestic violence, so if you’ve ever been in a DV situation, this may trigger you. The FMC’s past with her ex did hit a little too close to home, but loved watching her heal and work through her past with him. The banter between all characters, especially our FMC and MMC is wonderful. I really hope for spinoffs from a few of the other characters.
Damon Knox is set on revenge. Everything is going perfectly until one woman, Anna, threatens to ruin all his plans. Knox decides to watch her because she is the one witness to a jewelry hiest that could identify him. While watching Anna, Knox realizes that she has secrets that he needs and soon realizes she’s his.
Anna Evans is running from an abusive ex. In a city where no one knows her, she is just looking for a job. While in the middle of a job interview at a jewelry store, she finds herself in the middle of a jewelry heist where she is held hostage and the hole situation turns deadly. Now, not only does she feel like her ex is watching her, Anna has another set of eyes she thinks is watching her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔪🔪🔪🔪
Thank you Nina Carpenter for allowing me to read this early. This review is voluntary and all opinions are honest and my own.
This book was a wild and fun ride. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I gave this a 4.5⭐️ but rounding to 5⭐️ based on review platforms.
It started out pleasantly gruesome to lead you into the survival mindset of our MMC and by the ending, my dark lil heart is so happy (plus there’s a lovely homage to a very popular dark romance book). This did touch topics of domestic violence, so if you’ve ever been in a DV situation, this may trigger you. The FMC’s past with her ex did hit a little too close to home, but loved watching her heal and work through her past with him. The banter between all characters, especially our FMC and MMC is wonderful. I really hope for spinoffs from a few of the other characters.
Damon Knox is set on revenge. Everything is going perfectly until one woman, Anna, threatens to ruin all his plans. Knox decides to watch her because she is the one witness to a jewelry hiest that could identify him. While watching Anna, Knox realizes that she has secrets that he needs and soon realizes she’s his.
Anna Evans is running from an abusive ex. In a city where no one knows her, she is just looking for a job. While in the middle of a job interview at a jewelry store, she finds herself in the middle of a jewelry heist where she is held hostage and the hole situation turns deadly. Now, not only does she feel like her ex is watching her, Anna has another set of eyes she thinks is watching her.
September 12, 2025
ARC Review: This book.
Anna's POV makes me think I should be paranoid, and I'm just reading. When we switched to Knox's POV, I couldn't put the book down. He is hilarious and "beg my goddamn pardon" is a phrase I will now use daily. Plus referencing the stalker romance that started me down this rabbit hole is an automatic star and ending with yet another reference to it seals the book’s fate as a 5 star recommendation. (Not to mention I learned a new word, obfuscation).
Once the two characters meet, their struggles become entangled. The spice skyrockets and I was completely absorbed, reading the book in one sitting. This is such a good read. Everything is super descriptive and well developed. Super thankful to have had the opportunity to read this prior to release and now recommend it to everyone I know. Amazing!
Anna's POV makes me think I should be paranoid, and I'm just reading. When we switched to Knox's POV, I couldn't put the book down. He is hilarious and "beg my goddamn pardon" is a phrase I will now use daily. Plus referencing the stalker romance that started me down this rabbit hole is an automatic star and ending with yet another reference to it seals the book’s fate as a 5 star recommendation. (Not to mention I learned a new word, obfuscation).
Once the two characters meet, their struggles become entangled. The spice skyrockets and I was completely absorbed, reading the book in one sitting. This is such a good read. Everything is super descriptive and well developed. Super thankful to have had the opportunity to read this prior to release and now recommend it to everyone I know. Amazing!
September 12, 2025
Omg you guys… this book had me hooked from the very first page 😍 I couldn’t stop reading! The storyline kept me pulled in the whole way, and don’t even get me started on Anna and Knox… their chemistry is pure FIRE 🔥 I was rooting for them so hard the entire time. The MMC is what us dark romance girlies all want!! I also love the fact the Anna isn't a weak character. I also love the subtle shout outs to some of our favorite dark romance books!!!
Honestly, I’m not ready to let their story go—I’d love nothing more than to see where things go for them next. If you’re looking for a book that’s addictive with a great plot this is the one!!
Honestly, I’m not ready to let their story go—I’d love nothing more than to see where things go for them next. If you’re looking for a book that’s addictive with a great plot this is the one!!
September 6, 2026
Thank you to the author and Blue Nose Audio for the opportunity to listen and review before release day!
Add to your TBR if you love:
- dark stalker romance
- masked man
- possessive MMC
- kidnapping
- "Who did this to you?"
- revenge
Who knew a robbery turned kidnapping would make for such an interesting meet-cute? I had a great time listening to this book! I liked that there was more to the plot and the characters as the book progressed! Not to mention the spice!! The limo and motorcycle scene had me sweating!
Add to your TBR if you love:
- dark stalker romance
- masked man
- possessive MMC
- kidnapping
- "Who did this to you?"
- revenge
Who knew a robbery turned kidnapping would make for such an interesting meet-cute? I had a great time listening to this book! I liked that there was more to the plot and the characters as the book progressed! Not to mention the spice!! The limo and motorcycle scene had me sweating!
September 12, 2025
Thank you Nina Carpenter for sharing this ARC with me!! Congratulations on your debut novel! I really enjoyed reading Prey Upon Me. It is a dark romance with some mafia vibes. I liked the MMC and FMC relationship. The MMC was rough and tumble while being so sweet and protective with the FMC. I loved the ending!! If you enjoy dark romance, definitely give Prey Upon Me a read!!
September 17, 2026
I did enjoy this book I just wasn’t super attached to it. I wanted to sit down and read it, it was a good time, I just didn’t love it. I connected with the characters to a point but I’m still glad I read it.
November 26, 2025
I made it halfway. Idk the pace was all over the place. I like the overall idea of it but it just wasn’t for me I think.
September 9, 2026
I enjoyed the beginning of this book more - spoilers - because I liked the stalker/hunt/icy feeling up the spine when the two weren't together. Then it was just a lot of spicy scenes one after another, and I got too involved wondering about lubrication with a condom and how there was no mention of that - dumb brain that won't turn off. Then - there was the torture scene and it was more than I bargained for. I don't know why it was too much in this book, it just was. So 3 stars, was good, but I couldn't give it more than that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2026DNF @ 37%
I've just starting dipping my toes into dark romance and PREY UPON ME was just too outside my comfort zone. However, if this is your jam then I highly recommend it because the writing was super engaging.
Content Warning: past abusive relationship; stalking and threats (from MMC); dubious consent; violence and mild gore
I've just starting dipping my toes into dark romance and PREY UPON ME was just too outside my comfort zone. However, if this is your jam then I highly recommend it because the writing was super engaging.
Content Warning: past abusive relationship; stalking and threats (from MMC); dubious consent; violence and mild gore
September 20, 2025
I am truly honored to have received an ARC of Prey Upon Me. A heartfelt thank you to Nina Carpenter for this opportunity.
From the very first page, this dark romance had me completely captivated. I wasn’t sure where the story would lead, but once it unfolded, I devoured every word. For me, it’s a strong 4.5 stars!
Without giving away spoilers, I can say this novel delivers everything you want in a dark, suspenseful romance: spice, intensity, possessiveness, a stalker element, mystery, and hidden identities. I highly recommend picking it up—you won’t want to put it down.
From the very first page, this dark romance had me completely captivated. I wasn’t sure where the story would lead, but once it unfolded, I devoured every word. For me, it’s a strong 4.5 stars!
Without giving away spoilers, I can say this novel delivers everything you want in a dark, suspenseful romance: spice, intensity, possessiveness, a stalker element, mystery, and hidden identities. I highly recommend picking it up—you won’t want to put it down.
November 11, 2025
“I want to do to you what you do to me.
I want to drive you crazy just thinking about me, craving me.
I want you to want me so f*cking bad that it hurts.”
I beg your finest pardon!
Excuse me, SIR!
The inner monologues of these two are what sitcoms are made of.
And their back and forth banter is absolutely FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC!
I want to drive you crazy just thinking about me, craving me.
I want you to want me so f*cking bad that it hurts.”
I beg your finest pardon!
Excuse me, SIR!
The inner monologues of these two are what sitcoms are made of.
And their back and forth banter is absolutely FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC!
November 10, 2025
A good dark romance. Reminded me of haunting Adeline but less grotesque in my opinion. This one actually has a plot and not just endless smut, which was nice. -1 star because the premise wasn’t super unique, but overall I enjoyed this read! Thank you to the author for an ARC read in trade for an honest review.
September 16, 2025
6 Stars! ★★★★★★
This book is everything I love about dark stalker romances! It walked the fine line perfectly between funny, sexy, horrific, heartbreaking, scary, & sweet. there are few books with such great banter and plot twists that keep you guessing.
“Fuck Barbie. She’s more like Marilyn Monroe.”
Anna and Knox are the most perfect unlikely couple I know. Two opposites with similar upbringings that just work. And Knox taking control in the bedroom… Holy f#%k! I mean, for their first sexual experience he eats her out.
This was one twisted story! I was hooked from page one. Anna’s past left her scarred but still fighting. Sebastian was the devil in a suit. I don’t know if I ever hated a man, sorry, character so much.
Knox had no easy upbringing either. But together, they brought each other up, and got the happy ending they both deserved.
This book is everything I love about dark stalker romances! It walked the fine line perfectly between funny, sexy, horrific, heartbreaking, scary, & sweet. there are few books with such great banter and plot twists that keep you guessing.
“Fuck Barbie. She’s more like Marilyn Monroe.”
Anna and Knox are the most perfect unlikely couple I know. Two opposites with similar upbringings that just work. And Knox taking control in the bedroom… Holy f#%k! I mean, for their first sexual experience he eats her out.
This was one twisted story! I was hooked from page one. Anna’s past left her scarred but still fighting. Sebastian was the devil in a suit. I don’t know if I ever hated a man, sorry, character so much.
Knox had no easy upbringing either. But together, they brought each other up, and got the happy ending they both deserved.
June 26, 2026
Anna left her life behind. Moving and changing her name to get away from her abusive ex, Sebastian. She is attempting to heal and become less anxious and paranoid when she is taken hostage from a jewelry store robbery while interviewing for a job. Anna is able to escape, but so do the robbers. To make matters worse, her recent move, new name, her escape, and her distrust of the police after the issues with her ex make her look like an accomplice to the robbery.
Damon had a plan to get revenge on his stepmother, Lillian. Lillian is the reason his entire life fell apart. Part of that revenge plan is robbing a jewelry store. The robbery at the jewelry should have been easy, but the plan fell apart. He starts watching Anna after the robbery because they can't find any information on her. The more he watches her, the more curious and obsessed he becomes. The fact that she seems to enjoy his attention on some level makes him even more hooked.
They become closer and end up confiding in each other. Both screwed over by someone with money and power and screwed over by the system meant to protect them. Together, they might be able to help each other get revenge.
Damon had a plan to get revenge on his stepmother, Lillian. Lillian is the reason his entire life fell apart. Part of that revenge plan is robbing a jewelry store. The robbery at the jewelry should have been easy, but the plan fell apart. He starts watching Anna after the robbery because they can't find any information on her. The more he watches her, the more curious and obsessed he becomes. The fact that she seems to enjoy his attention on some level makes him even more hooked.
They become closer and end up confiding in each other. Both screwed over by someone with money and power and screwed over by the system meant to protect them. Together, they might be able to help each other get revenge.
September 8, 2025
Possessive/Stalker MMC 🖤
He Falls First ✔️
Who Did This To You 💀
Trauma Healing ❤️🩹
Kidnapping ✔️
Masked Men 💀🖤
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Prey Upon Me as an ARC and this quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. From the first page I was immediately obsessed and couldn’t put it down. The writing is well done and you find yourself drawn to the characters as well as the plot of the story.
Both of the main characters have had the justice system fail them and they are just trying to pick up the pieces.
Knox is the MMC who is our morally grey/cinnamon roll masked stalker. He is just trying to pick up the pieces after 4 years behind bars and ends up obsessed with our FMC Anna who appears to have come out of no where. Anna is starting over, struggling with her own demons.
You immediately pick up on how Anna is running from some past trauma and trying to lay low. She wasn’t expecting Knox to be the one to help her heal but he had other plans…. She ends up healing right along her stalker!
The craving and possession between these two was so addictive! The ending… I couldn’t imagine a better wrap up! Yes, this has plenty of dark scenes 🔪 and plenty of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️, but this also leaves you swooning over the romance as well and kicking your feet!
The warehouse scene…. the bike scene 🤤🖤🩶
If you love dark romance that will also give you butterflies, stop looking!
I can’t wait for another book!
He Falls First ✔️
Who Did This To You 💀
Trauma Healing ❤️🩹
Kidnapping ✔️
Masked Men 💀🖤
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Prey Upon Me as an ARC and this quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. From the first page I was immediately obsessed and couldn’t put it down. The writing is well done and you find yourself drawn to the characters as well as the plot of the story.
Both of the main characters have had the justice system fail them and they are just trying to pick up the pieces.
Knox is the MMC who is our morally grey/cinnamon roll masked stalker. He is just trying to pick up the pieces after 4 years behind bars and ends up obsessed with our FMC Anna who appears to have come out of no where. Anna is starting over, struggling with her own demons.
You immediately pick up on how Anna is running from some past trauma and trying to lay low. She wasn’t expecting Knox to be the one to help her heal but he had other plans…. She ends up healing right along her stalker!
The craving and possession between these two was so addictive! The ending… I couldn’t imagine a better wrap up! Yes, this has plenty of dark scenes 🔪 and plenty of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️, but this also leaves you swooning over the romance as well and kicking your feet!
The warehouse scene…. the bike scene 🤤🖤🩶
If you love dark romance that will also give you butterflies, stop looking!
I can’t wait for another book!
September 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! It gives a fun twist to stalking and falling for a supposed criminal haha. He helps her find her backbone without her even knowing it. The way he handles her is freaking hilarious. She doesn’t know what hit her by the time he wiggles his way in to her heart. And she quickly becomes his obsession when she wasn’t meant to be. I love how he gets payback on everyone in his past lol.
The audio for this book is what makes this book even better than it already is. In duet narration, Joe Arden and Dani Soleil did absolutely amazing work. The timing and speed that blue nose audio did with the production was chefs kiss.
The audio for this book is what makes this book even better than it already is. In duet narration, Joe Arden and Dani Soleil did absolutely amazing work. The timing and speed that blue nose audio did with the production was chefs kiss.
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