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Brutal Crush
I tutor the hockey captain I hate.
Zane Ivarsson is a monster on the ice and a nightmare in the library.
He’s everything I’m privileged, powerful, and cruel. But there’s a darkness in his eyes I recognize, a possessive fire that ignites a terrifying pull deep inside me.
But he isn't the only monster in my life.
Someone else is watching. Someone who leaves obsessive gifts at my door. Someone who calls me his “little bee.”
Someone whose threatening notes seem fixated on my interactions with Zane, praising me with a dark craving that makes my skin crawl.
My stalker’s final Stay away from the Sigma Halloween Party.
So, of course, I go.
But on a night where every predator wears a mask, I walk straight into a trap. The party is a hunt, and I’m the prize.
Suddenly, the only one intent on protecting me is the man I should fear the most.
He says he’ll keep me safe in the dark. But what happens when the monster wants to keep you all for himself?
Brutal Crush is an MM college hockey bully romance novella with a morally grey masked jock, a stubborn nerd who likes being chased, and a Halloween party that’s literally to die for. HEA guaranteed... if he survives the night.
Zane Ivarsson is a monster on the ice and a nightmare in the library.
He’s everything I’m privileged, powerful, and cruel. But there’s a darkness in his eyes I recognize, a possessive fire that ignites a terrifying pull deep inside me.
But he isn't the only monster in my life.
Someone else is watching. Someone who leaves obsessive gifts at my door. Someone who calls me his “little bee.”
Someone whose threatening notes seem fixated on my interactions with Zane, praising me with a dark craving that makes my skin crawl.
My stalker’s final Stay away from the Sigma Halloween Party.
So, of course, I go.
But on a night where every predator wears a mask, I walk straight into a trap. The party is a hunt, and I’m the prize.
Suddenly, the only one intent on protecting me is the man I should fear the most.
He says he’ll keep me safe in the dark. But what happens when the monster wants to keep you all for himself?
Brutal Crush is an MM college hockey bully romance novella with a morally grey masked jock, a stubborn nerd who likes being chased, and a Halloween party that’s literally to die for. HEA guaranteed... if he survives the night.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 8, 2026
“So hard,” he says, his voice a low vibration against my neck. “All for me, little bee?”
A quick 100-ish page read bully/stalker romance. It was a pretty decent read but it had a more complicated setup than was required for such a compact novella. Easton is tutoring the hockey captain and all around rich/powerful dude Zane, who casually bullies him and for some reason doesn't want him to attend a certain campus party. Easton is also dealing with a stalker who randomly drops off increasingly creepy and intrusive gifts. 'Surprisingly', the stalker also doesn't want Easton to go to the party. Easton therefore absolutely goes to the party 🤣. The party turns out to be some weird kind of violent hunt thing that makes zero sense. Where is the campus police? Who knows. Unhinged hijinks ensue. Enjoy the smut and don't ask questions.... I guess???
The author captured the creepy stalker thing quite well, but I would've liked more of the tutoring sessions between Easton and Zane. The 'twist' is so blatantly obvious it isn't even worthy of being called a twist. Once things get smutty, the plot goes completely out the window. It had possibility but the end went completely off the rails. On the plus side, it's still kinda fun to read if you shut your brain off and just enjoy.
December 15, 2025
This is a perfect little dark All Hallows eve story that I wanted soooo much more of.
This is the first book by Evan Barnes that I've read and I must say it ticked all the right boxes and had all the delicious ingredients. I would have loved to go in for seconds, so I'm off to look at more of their books😉🖤🔥
This is the first book by Evan Barnes that I've read and I must say it ticked all the right boxes and had all the delicious ingredients. I would have loved to go in for seconds, so I'm off to look at more of their books😉🖤🔥
December 22, 2025
I enjoyed this dark romance, although I do feel it could have been a little longer and felt a little rushed at the end. The romance between them was great to read and the possessiveness was on point. not a huge fan of the cover.
March 18, 2026
I’ll probably forget all about it tomorrow but it was a fun time
February 15, 2026
Pretty nonsensical. Nothing is ever explained and you're just supposed to overlook loose ends I guess.
December 24, 2025
Yall idk. You know sometimes I go on a roll/rampage and read whatever. Bro the beginning tutor stuff was hot but after with the shading stalker shit is a spike bruh because it was so terribly done like could Zane be more obvious that he is the stalker HA GN!
January 1, 2026
horrible and stupid. made no sense
December 3, 2025
good but needed trigger warnings
honestly, for someone who’s supposed to be really smart, easton made a lot of questionable choices, but i get where most of them came from. i really liked zane, though. he’s intense, rough around the edges, a little controlling, and definitely an ass at first, but it’s for a real reason.
this book should have been an easy 5 stars.
my biggest issue, and i won’t spoil the major plot twist (maybe), was the complete lack of trigger warnings. for me, that felt careless and a bit predatory. i’ve read plenty of dark romances (mf, mfm, mmf, mm), and the “bullying” here was actually really mild. it never crossed into real physical harm or verbal cruelty, and there’s a reason for that, which i can’t say without spoiling. let’s just say the “enemies” part was pretty one-sided on easton’s end.
spoilers below.
3…2…1…
halfway through the book, there’s a halloween party thrown by the hockey team, and certain people receive special invites. once everyone arrives, they’re led into a gated area and locked in with a signal blocker. that’s when you realize this isn’t a real party, it’s something much darker. the book doesn’t go into graphic detail, but it’s very clear what’s happening, and it’s disturbing. the fact that there were no trigger warnings for this setup? not okay. dark romance authors owe readers that heads-up.
another issue for me: there’s no real follow-through afterward. easton and the “stalker” escape, but everyone else? no closure, no epilogue, nothing. easton goes from panicking and wanting to call for help to… just moving on. i really wish we’d gotten a wrap-up and a future glimpse of easton and the “stalker”.
other than that, it’s been a minute since i’ve read a dark mm romance i liked, and this one was good. it just needed more depth with easton and the “stalker” and a proper conclusion to what went down that night. still, 4 stars overall, but honestly a 4.75 for the shower scene and for zane (because it’s obviously him) kissing the corner of easton’s eye.
honestly, for someone who’s supposed to be really smart, easton made a lot of questionable choices, but i get where most of them came from. i really liked zane, though. he’s intense, rough around the edges, a little controlling, and definitely an ass at first, but it’s for a real reason.
this book should have been an easy 5 stars.
my biggest issue, and i won’t spoil the major plot twist (maybe), was the complete lack of trigger warnings. for me, that felt careless and a bit predatory. i’ve read plenty of dark romances (mf, mfm, mmf, mm), and the “bullying” here was actually really mild. it never crossed into real physical harm or verbal cruelty, and there’s a reason for that, which i can’t say without spoiling. let’s just say the “enemies” part was pretty one-sided on easton’s end.
spoilers below.
3…2…1…
halfway through the book, there’s a halloween party thrown by the hockey team, and certain people receive special invites. once everyone arrives, they’re led into a gated area and locked in with a signal blocker. that’s when you realize this isn’t a real party, it’s something much darker. the book doesn’t go into graphic detail, but it’s very clear what’s happening, and it’s disturbing. the fact that there were no trigger warnings for this setup? not okay. dark romance authors owe readers that heads-up.
another issue for me: there’s no real follow-through afterward. easton and the “stalker” escape, but everyone else? no closure, no epilogue, nothing. easton goes from panicking and wanting to call for help to… just moving on. i really wish we’d gotten a wrap-up and a future glimpse of easton and the “stalker”.
other than that, it’s been a minute since i’ve read a dark mm romance i liked, and this one was good. it just needed more depth with easton and the “stalker” and a proper conclusion to what went down that night. still, 4 stars overall, but honestly a 4.75 for the shower scene and for zane (because it’s obviously him) kissing the corner of easton’s eye.
December 6, 2025
Brutal Crush is a short, sharp punch of dark romance that hooks you fast and refuses to let go. This MM college hockey bully romance packs obsession, danger, and unexpected tenderness into a tightly written novella that’s both unsettling and addictive.
Zane Ivarsson is the kind of morally grey nightmare you love to fear—cruel on the ice, intimidating in the library, and impossible to ignore. Paired with a stubborn nerd who secretly enjoys the chase, the tension crackles from their very first interaction. Add a masked stalker, obsessive notes, and a Halloween party that turns into a hunt, and the story slides effortlessly into thriller territory without losing its romantic core.
What really makes this novella shine is the atmosphere: dark, claustrophobic, and deliciously unhinged. The “little bee” notes are genuinely creepy, the power dynamics are intense, and the line between protector and predator stays unsettlingly thin. Yet beneath all the danger, there’s a surprising softness that makes the emotional payoff land.
If you’re in the mood for something short, twisted, and irresistible—with a guaranteed HEA that you’ll absolutely earn—Brutal Crush is the perfect late-night read. Cute, dark, and dangerously fun.
Zane Ivarsson is the kind of morally grey nightmare you love to fear—cruel on the ice, intimidating in the library, and impossible to ignore. Paired with a stubborn nerd who secretly enjoys the chase, the tension crackles from their very first interaction. Add a masked stalker, obsessive notes, and a Halloween party that turns into a hunt, and the story slides effortlessly into thriller territory without losing its romantic core.
What really makes this novella shine is the atmosphere: dark, claustrophobic, and deliciously unhinged. The “little bee” notes are genuinely creepy, the power dynamics are intense, and the line between protector and predator stays unsettlingly thin. Yet beneath all the danger, there’s a surprising softness that makes the emotional payoff land.
If you’re in the mood for something short, twisted, and irresistible—with a guaranteed HEA that you’ll absolutely earn—Brutal Crush is the perfect late-night read. Cute, dark, and dangerously fun.
December 27, 2025
I really liked this. I have a weakness for MM bully romances, especially when there is a little bit of groveling or one of the MCs’ is in a situation where they accidentally admit their feelings, feelings they were hiding even from themselves. It’s so good!
Easton is such a cutie, so shy, and I really love the detail about him having a special interest in butterflies. And the detail about him loving and learning about butterflies since he was s child, makes me feel that he’s on the ASD spectrum, which, I love a subtle autism coded character. There are several small details that lead me to this conclusion about Easton Beeler, but this is just my headcannon for him as a character, and might not be true.
Zane is very intense, he’s overbearing and doesn’t really know how to approach his feelings towards Easton, which causes a bit of tension between them. Well, a lot of tension, all kinds of tension. He’s so possessive and obesssive of Easton to the point that he actually starts to stalk him rather than just confess his feelings.
I do like the fact that Zane willingly burnt bridges and caused strife with his teammates after saving Easton from the Halloween Party. It showed Easton that Zane was being truthful with his feelings, and would do anything for him, do anything to keep him.
Easton is such a cutie, so shy, and I really love the detail about him having a special interest in butterflies. And the detail about him loving and learning about butterflies since he was s child, makes me feel that he’s on the ASD spectrum, which, I love a subtle autism coded character. There are several small details that lead me to this conclusion about Easton Beeler, but this is just my headcannon for him as a character, and might not be true.
Zane is very intense, he’s overbearing and doesn’t really know how to approach his feelings towards Easton, which causes a bit of tension between them. Well, a lot of tension, all kinds of tension. He’s so possessive and obesssive of Easton to the point that he actually starts to stalk him rather than just confess his feelings.
I do like the fact that Zane willingly burnt bridges and caused strife with his teammates after saving Easton from the Halloween Party. It showed Easton that Zane was being truthful with his feelings, and would do anything for him, do anything to keep him.
December 19, 2025
1st person POV Single
Plot 3.5/5
Spice 2/5
Stalker
Semi bully romance ( wasn't too heavy on the bully part)
Have you ever read a novella and wish it was a full length novel? Well that's where I am at with this one! I need more!! I have so many questions! What plans did Nero have? What caused Nero to be such a jerk, it had to be more than just Zane having a crush. and if it was just that why did he care? did he have a crush on Zane?! Was he just homophobic? Now that Zane and Easton are together, what does that mean for the hockey team that's split? what is Zane gonna do with that?!
See I'm dying here! I got so many questions!
Anyways! I enjoyed this book as much as I am upset. about it being so short! the stalker angle is my jam!
Plot 3.5/5
Spice 2/5
Stalker
Semi bully romance ( wasn't too heavy on the bully part)
Have you ever read a novella and wish it was a full length novel? Well that's where I am at with this one! I need more!! I have so many questions! What plans did Nero have? What caused Nero to be such a jerk, it had to be more than just Zane having a crush. and if it was just that why did he care? did he have a crush on Zane?! Was he just homophobic? Now that Zane and Easton are together, what does that mean for the hockey team that's split? what is Zane gonna do with that?!
See I'm dying here! I got so many questions!
Anyways! I enjoyed this book as much as I am upset. about it being so short! the stalker angle is my jam!
October 29, 2025
This was a quick-ish, single POV, read. Zach has had it bad for the shy Easton for over a year and instead of just saying so he goes about it in a totally different way that works out for them both. I feel like I have questions that might not be answered if these guys aren’t in future books. 🖤🔥🐝🔥🖤
My favorite quotes:
• He’s not angry that I left him. He’s angry that I put myself in danger.
The realization hits me like a physical blow.
• He kisses my jaw, the frantic pulse in my neck, the corner of my eye. “You’re safe here, with me,” he whispers against my skin, and the insane thing is, I believe him.
My favorite quotes:
• He’s not angry that I left him. He’s angry that I put myself in danger.
The realization hits me like a physical blow.
• He kisses my jaw, the frantic pulse in my neck, the corner of my eye. “You’re safe here, with me,” he whispers against my skin, and the insane thing is, I believe him.
December 14, 2025
When I got more into the story, I got the sense that Zane was the stalker, but the author did a great job of making me doubt it. Anyway, this book was really good and got me hooked and intrigued from the start, even though I got mixed feelings about Zane's bullying and his stalking of Easton, though. Zane was a possessive boyfriend and protective too; I love it.
Honestly, I need more of Easton and Zane's lovey-dovey acts after the party. Craving that their story someday be a full-length novel, I need to know more about the split on the hockey team and Zane's family and why the Halloween frat party sounds like cops needed to be involved.
Honestly, I need more of Easton and Zane's lovey-dovey acts after the party. Craving that their story someday be a full-length novel, I need to know more about the split on the hockey team and Zane's family and why the Halloween frat party sounds like cops needed to be involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
MM
🌶️🌶️
College
Hockey player and tutor
Stalker
Gay awakening
Easton is tutoring Zane. Easton has a stalker. Easton is invited to the hockey team’s Halloween party. When he arrives, it turns out the hockey team is hunting people in the park. He is captured by one who he finds out is his stalker but he thinks it is Zane. But it can’t be, right?
Quick read. Not much suspense. It’s pretty obvious where the story is going. Not much spice. But it wasn’t horrible.
🌶️🌶️
College
Hockey player and tutor
Stalker
Gay awakening
Easton is tutoring Zane. Easton has a stalker. Easton is invited to the hockey team’s Halloween party. When he arrives, it turns out the hockey team is hunting people in the park. He is captured by one who he finds out is his stalker but he thinks it is Zane. But it can’t be, right?
Quick read. Not much suspense. It’s pretty obvious where the story is going. Not much spice. But it wasn’t horrible.
December 24, 2025
Easton has a stalker, to make matter's worse he has to tutor Zane, the captain of the hockey team.
I do enjoy a good stalker book and throughout you could feel Easton's panic. Zane had the brooding down to a tee.
The night of the Halloween party intensified and you feel the tension coming of the page. I just wanted it a bit longer so I could have found out what happened after.
Overall this was a good read and as a new to me author I am going to look out for more to read
I do enjoy a good stalker book and throughout you could feel Easton's panic. Zane had the brooding down to a tee.
The night of the Halloween party intensified and you feel the tension coming of the page. I just wanted it a bit longer so I could have found out what happened after.
Overall this was a good read and as a new to me author I am going to look out for more to read
January 26, 2026
A short and fun read ^^
5/5⭐️
2.5/5🍋
This was a good Halloween light erotica novella.
I'm a sucker for bully jock x nerd mm romance and this did not disappoint though I do wish the editing was done better as it felt like there were moments missing like how did the characters jump from point a to point c without telling us about point b other than that I love the story love the vibe and love the energy the love interst had can't wait to read the next book love this ^^
5/5⭐️
2.5/5🍋
This was a good Halloween light erotica novella.
I'm a sucker for bully jock x nerd mm romance and this did not disappoint though I do wish the editing was done better as it felt like there were moments missing like how did the characters jump from point a to point c without telling us about point b other than that I love the story love the vibe and love the energy the love interst had can't wait to read the next book love this ^^
March 24, 2026
Not the best writing, I know its a Novella and supposed to be short but it felt very undeveloped. I wasn't connected to like any of the characters and I didn't really feel much connection or tension between Zane and Easton, at least not like it was supposed to be. I thought the premise was fun and I did read it all pretty quick. There were a lot of unanswered questions to about the ending and a few other parts.
March 14, 2026
Short Read
This is a short quick read but it turned into a great story. I like the mystery and fear moments but also the way the two MC’s came together. I love how the story turned out. Nothing will get in the way of what he wants.
Such a good story. I wish there was a tad more to this but it was still a good read.
This is a short quick read but it turned into a great story. I like the mystery and fear moments but also the way the two MC’s came together. I love how the story turned out. Nothing will get in the way of what he wants.
Such a good story. I wish there was a tad more to this but it was still a good read.
October 17, 2025
Felt rushed
There are parts of the story that were pretty good but overall it felt rushed. There's errors in the writing and parts that just dont make sense. Some of the story felt forced, especially when the MC ignores really obvious details.
There are parts of the story that were pretty good but overall it felt rushed. There's errors in the writing and parts that just dont make sense. Some of the story felt forced, especially when the MC ignores really obvious details.
November 1, 2025
Not great but not good either it was just eh….
I know it’s a novella but for a novella it felt rushed and some parts didn’t make sense and the MC was so oblivious at times I couldn’t take this seriously. But it kept me entertained enough.
I know it’s a novella but for a novella it felt rushed and some parts didn’t make sense and the MC was so oblivious at times I couldn’t take this seriously. But it kept me entertained enough.
December 12, 2025
Really good plot and I loved Zane’s obsession and possessiveness but I felt it ended to abruptly like it need at least another 50 pages but it could’ve been great if it hit that 200 mark and had the time to really explore their relationship and chemistry
January 2, 2026
Small, but mighty read.
I don't even know how I came across this book, but it was just the perfect quick read to pick up.
Zane may have been slightly unhinged, but I totally was hooked on him from the start.
I don't even know how I came across this book, but it was just the perfect quick read to pick up.
Zane may have been slightly unhinged, but I totally was hooked on him from the start.
January 7, 2026
3.5/⭐️
This book was nice and very quick to read. It wasn’t a favorite, and honestly, I’m not even sure if I truly liked it or not 😂. It was just… okay.
I finished it really fast, so overall it was an easy, light read nothing bad, just not something that really stuck with me 📚
This book was nice and very quick to read. It wasn’t a favorite, and honestly, I’m not even sure if I truly liked it or not 😂. It was just… okay.
I finished it really fast, so overall it was an easy, light read nothing bad, just not something that really stuck with me 📚
January 11, 2026
I enjoyed this short read, but I do wish it had been a little longer. I also wish we had learned more about what the Hunt actually is. There were definitely a few questions left unanswered, which left me wanting more.
March 12, 2026
A college setting in this weird tale that includes a young student who's trying to tutor the cocky jock while also being stalked, getting weird messages and photos. Then there's the late night party that turns truly scary.It's weird and creepy and not usually my thing but somehow it pulled me in.
October 17, 2025
Great story
This was a great story. A mix of drama, fear, eroticism and so much more. I couldn’t wait to finish it, yet I wanted it to continue..
Def reading more from Evan!
This was a great story. A mix of drama, fear, eroticism and so much more. I couldn’t wait to finish it, yet I wanted it to continue..
Def reading more from Evan!
October 22, 2025
More of a 2.5-2.75⭐️
It had a good concept but didn’t really meet expectations
It had a good concept but didn’t really meet expectations
October 28, 2025
What the hell did I just read 😂
December 4, 2025
This was fun!
There were loose ends, and it feels like this story would have been a lot better as a full novel, but it was entertaining.
Perfect for a nice, quick read before bed.
There were loose ends, and it feels like this story would have been a lot better as a full novel, but it was entertaining.
Perfect for a nice, quick read before bed.
December 6, 2025
I loved this! Was it a little f*cked up and MCs a little immature? Oh for sure but I really did love it. Thank you so much Santa’s Naughty Elf for this wonderful gift 🥰🥰
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews