What’s better than a book boyfriend? The voice actor who narrates him.
For fans of Navessa Allen, Brynne Weaver, and Emily McIntyre, Moniker is a dark contemporary romance focusing on the sensual side of voice acting. Packed with extra spice and fan favorite tropes such as secret identity, voice attraction, and opposites attract, Moniker will have readers running to que up their favorite audiobook or spicy audio app. A twist ending and suspense lurking in the background of the romance are the finishing touches on a swoon worthy read.
Raven Lovelace lives for success – her financial firm at the forefront leaves no room for distractions. Especially not the kind that comes with a voice that could melt steel and awakens desires people didn’t know they had. When everything is going as planned, a new client catches Raven’s attention. He’s everything she isn’t supposed to want – younger, laid back, and sounds exactly like the audiobook narrator she can’t get out of her head.
Ryan Mitchell never expected his online voice content as “Zander Kane” would become his career. One viral romance audiobook later, he’s the hottest in the industry – but he realizes his popularity might not last forever. A search result and a phone call later, he finds himself transfixed on his financial advisor, the one woman who can’t let herself fall apart at the sound of his voice.
What starts as a virtual flirtation spirals into an obsessive passion neither of them expected. Ghosts from Raven’s past lurk in the shadows, threatening to destroy everything she’s built – including her relationship with Ryan. But Ryan isn’t the only one veiled behind a mask, and the truth could cost them everything.
Moniker is a dark voice attraction romance, the first in the Dark Voices series. While it is a standalone, it's recommended to read Moniker first. This novel is intended for readers 18 and older. Some content may be disturbing to readers. Please check the beginning of the book or the author's website for warnings.
Voice Kink / Virtual to IRL / Forbidden Romance / Secret Identity / Reverse Age Gap / Opposites Attract
The cover of this book is what drew me in and I was intrigued by the blurb unfortunately I'm not getting drawn into the story. The book is good but definitely could be better. Everything felt very rushed a few examples instalove ( just no), obsessed with each other by chapter 3, and FMC knew who MMC was right away. Some things felt very over explained which worked in some areas but not others. It was a very nice change from this author to get a voice kink and the MC weren't the usual run of the mill characters that seem to be in every book lately. Both of the main characters are healing from past trauma so they are slightly relatable. The spice in here was absolutely delicious too read. I think for a debut book she did really great. I would read another book by her even though I didn't love this one.
Hrm, this was an interesting read and I'd give this book 3.75 stars.
What I enjoyed: *The spice was different but a lot of fun - I bet the audiobook would be a lot of fun *The building suspense of Raven's background *Domme, get it girl *I liked the lack of physical contact initially *Ryan/Zander - I enjoyed his character, great balance of sweetness and stalker tendencies *Loved the exploration of a voice kink, especially since audiobooks are so popular now
What I didn't enjoy: *This book felt too insta-lovey at times *I wished it took Raven a little bit longer to figure out that Ryan and Zander may be the same person *Parts of the suspense was predictable *The book felt choppy at times
They were obsessed with each other ... Since chapter three. By chapter eight, he already wanted to fuck her "until I was branded into her mind and soul" because, ofc, she’s "different from any other woman". First things first: I originally didn’t want to rate this book. I even messaged the author’s PA with a few questions, but after more than 24 hours without a reply, I can safely say that I tried. I knew what I was signing up for when I applied for the ARC. I might not listen to many audiobooks since my English listening skills aren’t great, but I do listen to ASMR almost every night before bed. Sometimes even the spicy ones. So I’m not exactly new to the voice acting world. My problem is ... I didn’t expect the instalove to hit this aggressively. Reading about how insanely horny these two had me physically cringing. Someone pls pls send help. 😭 What’s worse than instalove? Well ... Instalove before the characters have even met 👁️👄👁️ No, it’s not a penpal situation. That would at least be forgivable. The FMC, Raven, who describes herself as Morticia Addams coded, is a financial advisor. I appreciate that the author wanted to portray an independent career woman, but I have to be honest: Raven’s introduction was painfully dull. She didn’t hook me at all. She’s so devoted to her job she’d probably be Mr. Krabs’ dream employee replacing Squidward. Her only personality trait outside of work seems to be listening to audiobooks narrated by a voice actor named Zander Kane. And surprise (!!!), her client, Ryan Mitchell, is actually the man behind the Zander Kane pseudonym :)) She recognizes him from their very first conversation, which made me wonder if Raven’s hobby might be a little ... Ughh, unhealthy 😬 But wait!!! It's okay because Ryan also becomes instantly obsessed with her because of her voice. He even admits he got turned on during their first phone call, and I was like, WHAT???? I can somewhat understand Raven (okay, not really 🙂), but Ryan’s obsession felt completely forced. When you break it down, their relationship foundation is basically this: she melts because of his voice, and he loses his mind because of her looks. That’s it. That’s the ✨ romance ✨ And before they even meet, before Raven even knows what he looks like, they’re already fantasizing about each other. And yuup, they’re masturbating about it 😰 I'm scared you guys. I’m can't imagine what they’d do if they ever met their favorite celebrities 💀 Even Ryan admits it: — "I knew little about her and had only seen one photo, and yet I was obsessed with the dark-haired woman." Yes. Exactly. That’s the problem. Did the author genuinely expect readers to root for a couple whose chemistry is built entirely on vibes, hormones, and phone calls??? I’m seriously curious why everything was rushed like this. This isn’t a novella, it’s a 400 page book. So why does Ryan start calling Raven "my sneaky girl" in chapter six? Why is the FMC, a supposedly successful businesswoman, acting like a teenager who uses work as an excuse to call her crush? Attraction can be shown in SO many better ways 😔 Honestly, I got nervous about what would happen once they actually met, which is why I quit around 23%. Also, the writing started feeling bloated. Everything was over explained. The characters’ tragic backstories and family dynamics were mostly told, clearly aiming to make readers feel sympathy. It didn’t work for me. You know what? I have a favorite ASMR artist whose content I really enjoy. She’s gorgeous and has a voice that could probably rival Orpheus himself. Even her weird alien examination videos make me giggle. But not once have I ever thought about her in a sexual way. And trust me, I love women. But maybe that’s just me?? Maybe some people, like Raven and Ryan, who are written to be 32/25, simply have such catastrophic hormone levels that hearing a voice immediately short circuits their brains. Who knows 🤔 Perhaps a nice medical professional could help with that. I wish them both a speedy recovery 👍
ARC review! I thought this was a great first book and had an overall fun time with it + would recommend. Especially if you’re a vibes reader! The plot was interesting, the scenes fun and spicy, and the twist pretty poignant. Weirdly, the first 50% pacing was both too slow and too fast. We have two characters with trauma who fall into an instant obsession with each other, but don’t know the other’s true identity.
It’s insta-obsession/attraction not insta-love (which is fine, we’ve all had moments we see someone and go holy shit i want them) BUT the eventual love was still too fast to be believable.
It would’ve been great if there was more tension prior to them guessing each others identities and the mmc face revealing to her - all which took place within days.
There was not enough tension between them with just his voice driving their mutual obsession, which was the whole attraction and plot. If we spent nearly as much time reading about them facelessly interacting and “playing” together over time as much as we spent with setting the scene and reading about her listening to his videos alone, it would be a much better balance.
Their first phone call turns into a sexy scene & she reveals she knows his identity. It’s way too fast let them enjoy the mystery together a liiiiittle more. Then, we get one masked scene and then he’s at her office face revealing. The scenes themselves were great ideas and well executed, but they happened in extremely quick succession and didn’t give enough anticipation or content for building chemistry.
The characters themselves are great! Interesting, human, and funny; I wanted them to be together and I can see why they started liking each other - they’re a good match. She’s witty, confident, driven, and smart and he’s kind, caring, supportive, and lets her be whoever she wants with him, but I didn’t quite buy into their falling in love so quickly. Just exchanging life stories and sexual compatibility does not love make. She keeps saying he makes her feel safe, but neither she nor I can tell why.
The second half of this had much better pacing and was a welcome positive change; I FLEW through it.
Too many chapters in the first half showed the same event or time frame from switched POVs when it did not add to the story - just stagnated the pacing and reader interest with repetition. We dont always need to know what both parties do in the same moment if it’s properly presented in the first pov. This was sorta fixed in the second half and chapters mostly chronologically started where the other left off. Showing both povs from the same time period was actually done where it mattered in this half.
Additionally, there was more plot and time progression in the last 50%, the characters came to terms with their feelings, and they took some steps in facing their traumas and realizing what they want for the future. Plus the big stalker conflict happened. It was a good twist, but damn that’s a heavy thing for them both to carry into a relationship. It didn’t seem they were affected too much, which is odd in retrospect.
With this said, it’s still a good read and I do recommend it! Happy to keep an eye out for future works by Wrenna!
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary Management for the ARC!
Moniker: A Dark Voices Novel by Wrenna King was such a unique and addictive read. The whole voice actor concept immediately stood out to me, and it delivered in a way that felt both fresh and surprisingly emotional. The mix of virtual connection and real-life tension made it really easy to get pulled into Raven and Ryan’s story.
Raven is such an interesting main character. She’s driven, controlled, and very focused on maintaining the life she’s built, but underneath that there’s a lot she’s holding in. Watching those walls slowly crack, especially when she’s faced with something she can’t fully control, made her feel very real. Ryan is a great contrast to her. He’s more relaxed on the surface, but still has his own pressures and insecurities, especially around his career and identity as a voice actor. Their dynamic really leans into that opposites-attract energy, and it works well.
The voice kink element was definitely a standout. The tension built through voice alone added something different and honestly really compelling. The spice is there and I’d put it at a moderate level, but what makes it work is how tied it is to the emotional connection and power dynamics between them. It’s not just there for the sake of it, it actually adds to the story and their relationship.
I also really liked the secret identity aspect and how it played into both the romance and the tension. There’s a slightly darker edge running through the story, especially with Raven’s past and the sense that not everything is as controlled as she wants it to be. It adds stakes without completely overshadowing the romance.
The pacing did slow down a bit in places, but it mostly felt intentional to build up the emotional side of things. Some plot points felt a little familiar, but the concept and character dynamics kept it engaging.
Trigger warnings may include themes of obsession, emotional trauma, power imbalance in relationships, and darker past experiences that impact the present. There are also strong emotional and romantic tensions that may not be for every reader.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read for me. It’s a great pick if you like character-driven romance with a unique hook, a bit of darkness, and strong emotional tension alongside the spice.
"There are worse monsters in the world, Ryan. I know a monster when I see one."
I am so grateful to Luna Literary Management and Bookfunnel for the ARC of this book. Thank you to the author for all the time and effort you spent writing and editing this work.
*All reviews are my own opinions*
3.5 stars
Gosh, where to begin. This book was really... good. It can definitely be better. There were a multitude of scenes where I found myself blushing or covering my mouth in excitement. I resonated well with the characters but felt as if their development was very vague and could be touched on a little more. The author does very well at telling a story... but I wanted her to show me.
There is one quote I will never recover from and I thank the author for writing it. It has lived rent free in my mind since.
"F*** baby, you're exquisite."
There were a few times the author said something alluding to the fact that Ryan let on who he was to Raven early in the story- before they met- and I wasn't sure if she was just playing dumb or it was intentional.
I understand the excitement that comes with writing a book and getting ahead of yourself, especially when dealing with character movements. That is one part this author fell short on- on more than one occasion. I found myself rereading multiple emotionally charged, moving scenes and felt quite confused about positions and what was going on.
ALSO- I follow the author on social media and she made a point to post about the correlation between the release date and the book- but the only pattern I am finding is that her office is on the 13th floor- am I right? Please tell me I am right.
Thank you again, I did enjoy it a little bit and I am sure with another round of editing before release- and maybe an audio of this book since it is about VA- that it will be a 5 star read, for sure. I hope you find your readers. <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Firstly, thank you to the author for letting me get an ARC copy.
Overview: We follow along with Ryan a young man in his 20s who had a bit of a rough past. Leaving his home and estranged from his parents he set himself up for success when he realized that he had a voice that made people crazy. After some decisions he did a little research and decided to call to make some investments. With one simple phone call he was hooked by the sound of HER voice, Raven a financial businesswoman who is all work and no play. But liked to indulge in spicy audio books. When she learned that her new client was one of her favorite voice actors, she was not able to stop the connection they were soon about to share.
Thoughts: What first interested me in this book was the fact that it was different. I personally had never read a book that involved a voice actor as a MM and I didn't mind it. It wasn't for me. It still had a good story line really good spice and equally obsessed main character. The last few pages of the book felt a little rushed, but I did enjoy the little plot twist. I do however think that if this was turned into an audio book it would be more fitting. Overall: 3.5⭐ 3.75🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I like the ending, the twist I was not expecting at all and overall the voice actor, low key, spice stalker vibes. I also loved that the FMC owned her business but think more of a strong badass vibes would have elevated this read.
I wish it took longer for her to recognise Ryan/Zander. I felt like after a couple of chapters, I was just there for a ride (enjoyable) but kinda lost the overall attraction. I was kind of hoping for a pull and despite me not loving a slow burn trope, think this would have been perfect! I wanted to really fall for Zander and for them.
Oh man!!!! Wrenna King!!! This book was HAWT!!! Ryan and Raven’s chemistry is phenomenal!!! Give me a dark voice any day. Tropes include:
1. Voice Kink 2. Forbidden romance 3. Reverse age gap 4. Secret Identity
That’s just a few of the tropes in this book that will have you BEGGING for more. Online flirting to real life interactions!!!! I LOVED this book and the characters that Wrenna built for us.
It is a book made for 18 years and up and please check the triggers just in case you might not enjoy the darker side of reading. If you do then prepare for a crazy good ride !!!!
I really loved this book. I was not expecting that plot twist at the end at all. The way the author takes us through the story is so engaging that I didn’t even notice time passing while reading it. I had never seen characters who narrate their own audiobooks before, and I have to say it worked really well. I truly loved the book — in my opinion, it was very well written. The characters were really well developed. I absolutely loved Ryan, and Raven… I can’t even put her into words — that woman is fire 😂😂 Final score:
wow this was my first ever hearing of voice kink but I totally get it and I loved this story. Raven is a successful financial advisor who has her own business but is all work and no play. Ryan is a voice actor who has too much money and feels unwanted by everyone is his life. Raven had a thing for Zander her fave narrator and then has a thing for Ryan's voice as well....hmmm In this story we get spice tht is super hot, love, trust, obessession, dark themes, etc very good book.
~ ARC REVIEW ~ was looking forward to this because i have been looking for more reverse age gap dark romance but ultimately, this one didnt do it for me. Dnf at around the 48% mark. the fmc felt really shallow in that it didn't feel like she really had much of a personality. the sub plut felt unnecessary and kinda left me confused? i think the author has potential, and since this is their debut novel, i think theres room for improving. i would be willing to read another book by this author in the future to see how their writing may mature.
Thank you to Wrenna King and Tales & Teacups for an advanced copy of this book.
Raven Lovelace lives for success – her financial firm at the forefront leaves no room for distractions. Especially not the kind that comes with a voice that could melt steel and awakens desires people didn’t know they had. When everything is going as planned, a new client catches Raven’s attention. He’s everything she isn’t supposed to want – younger, laid back, and sounds exactly like the audiobook narrator she can’t get out of her head. Ryan Mitchell never expected his online voice content as “Zander Kane” would become his career. One viral romance audiobook later, he’s the hottest in the industry – but he realizes his popularity might not last forever. A search result and a phone call later, he finds himself transfixed on his financial advisor, the one woman who can’t let herself fall apart at the sound of his voice. What starts as a virtual flirtation spirals into an obsessive passion neither of them expected. Ghosts from Raven’s past lurk in the shadows, threatening to destroy everything she’s built – including her relationship with Ryan. But Ryan isn’t the only one veiled behind a mask, and the truth could cost them everything.
Raven is such a delightfully sassy woman. I had a lot of fun reading from her perspective and seeing what a boss she was. Running your own company is hard and exhausting but she handles it with such grace. I loved the way she interacted with the two ladies who worked with her, creating meaningful work relationships but also great friendships. Seeing their dynamic was a lot of fun. I really admired how she handled everything that was thrown her way, but I couldn’t resist grinning whenever she was flustered. It helped endear her to me - proving she is just as human as the rest of us! Ryan was quite the surprise. I expected someone cocky considering his job and the following he has amassed but he was the complete opposite. Sure, he knows his voice is a turn on and uses it to his advantage but he is an incredibly down to earth guy which I loved. Of course, I also thoroughly enjoyed his darker moments and behaviours but he backed everything up with his genuine nature - he deeply cares about Raven and he made that known. What a great character!
I found myself quickly intrigued by the premise of this book. I’m not a big audiobook girlie but there is just something that hits right about a man’s voice reading some of my favourite bookish quotes… This was a delight from start to finish. I loved the emphasis on the lesser spoken about voice kink. I’m sure most of us have it when we find the right voice and I loved how this book took it to new levels. Things felt relatively fast paced, sweeping the reader up in the story. I enjoyed having both of their perspectives as it heightened the mystery shrouding both of them, keeping me guessing about what they were hiding! Character wise, we don’t have many people we’re introduced to beyond the main duo. I was a little cautious about this but it actually works really well. The focus of the story remains on their interactions and how they impact each other instead of others jumping in and stealing the reader’s attention. The romance is fantastic, full of sass and angst and yearning which is just chef’s kiss in my mind. And the spice? Omg, that was HOT from both of them. I was not expecting that! The ending felt so perfect for this story. A big twist after all the build up that answered any questions I had pop up throughout the story. What a brilliant book this is!
Overall, Moniker is definitely a book I’d recommend to any audiobook lover!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Wrenna King and Tales & Teacups for an advanced copy of this book.
A brand new author and their debut novel coming out of the gate HOT!!! This book had me fanning myself more than once and I am not least bit ashamed about it!!
If you have voice shmink...this book is 100000% right up your alley and will absolutely understand the connection these two characters have and how deep feelings can run based on just someones voice. I saw some reviews saying they didn't understand how someone could feel things based just on someones voice...and to that I say...huh?!?!? hahah Listen...voice shminks aren't everyones thing...but you are lying to yourself if you say you haven't fantasized about certain characters based on the voice actors voice...it's not weird or creepy...it is just the nature of the beast...it's harmless fun...and lets remember...not everything needs to make logical sense when it comes to how romance works in books because...its all FICTION 😉
That being said...let's get into it. Raven is our boss babe FMC...all business and no play except for her spicy audio books and favorite voice actor that makes her toes curl. She is a financial planner and really is fully focused on her business...those of you saying its weird that she has no other hobbies outside of work and her books...hi...welcome to being an adult...sometimes even getting a nap in feels like a win in life...lets not judge , ok ?? ok 🥰
Ryan is our hotter than the sun MMC...learning as a young adult that he had a voice that could make him money, he hones in on that and makes a name for himself as a spicy book narrator...especially in the dark romance realm. He is keen to invest his earnings and decides to get the help of a financial planner...one phone call to Ravens firm and both of their lives are changed forever.
The minute Ryan calls Raven, he is obsessed. Her voice stirs something in him that he can't explain...all he knows is that he wants more. Raven on the other hand is left with her mouth hanging open, because she IMMEDIATELY realises that her new client is non other than the voice of her fantasies...the one that keeps her up at night touching herself and thinking things she can only imagine.
Their identities, really their physical appearances, are kept secret for a bit...until they finally meet face to face...and once that happens they are off and running with no end in sight.
Both characters have a difficult past...trauma definitely bonds them together and they both find a sense of comfort and safety in the other. If you have experience trauma in your past, you know how sometimes dark romance can help you process things from your past...and I believe that this is what happened with both of them...and together they felt seen and not judged which definitely propelled their romance at a much faster speed.
We do have some issues with Ravens past coming up in the form of stalker....but its weaved in well and honestly isn't a huge part of the plot. I did find it funny when Raven thought maybe it was Ryan doing it as a way of making her fantasies come true 😂 I was like...girl...you're in danger!!! 😩😩
The chemistry between these two was HOT...the shmexual chemistry between them??? EVEN HOTTER...seriously...imagine your ultimate book boyfriend being your ACTUAL book boyfriend and making all of your fantasies come true?? THE DREAM!!! 😍😍😍
All in all I thought this was an amazing first book...I am excited to see what else this author comes up with and what they have in store for us in the future! 🖤
Thank you so much to Wrenna King for the opportunity to ARC read this amazing book! 🖤
🎙️Voice Shmink 🖤Finance Babe FMC 🎙️Spicy VA MMC 🖤Secret Identities 🎙️Forbidden Romance 🖤Reverse Age Gap (32/25) 🎙️Light Stalking 🖤Dark Romance 🎙️Insta Lust 🖤Traumatic Past 🎙️Opposites Attract 🖤CNC 🎙️Mask Play 🖤BD$M 🎙️Exhibitionism 🖤Glove Play 🎙️Shmurder 🖤Virtual to IRL 🎙️Dual POV
Her favorite spicy narrator just became her newest client—and he’s even more obsessed with her voice than she is with his. 🎧🔥
📖 Moniker by Wrenna King ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Dark Romance
Tropes 🎙️ Voice Kink 📱 Virtual to IRL 🚫 Forbidden Relationship ☯️ Opposites Attract 🎭 Secret Identity 🎂 Reverse Age Gap 🕵️♂️ Light Stalking
Raven is a powerhouse focused entirely on her financial firm. Her only escape is the spicy audiobooks she listens to every morning and night. When a new client calls to invest, she recognizes the voice immediately—it belongs to the narrator she's obsessed with. Ryan is equally transfixed by Raven’s voice, and their virtual flirtation quickly spirals into an obsessive passion. But as ghosts from Raven’s past emerge, they realize that both are hiding behind masks, and the truth might destroy everything they’ve built.
I so freaking love this book! The only thing that would make it better is an immersive reading experience with the actual audiobook. That would be so damn sweet!
Raven is a total "boss ass bitch" and I love it. She’s determined, smart, and can absolutely hold her own. However, seeing her melt specifically for Ryan/Zander’s voice was everything, and honestly, girl, SAME. Ryan clearly loves his voice acting work, and his talent shines through. His dirty talk is so sexy I could practically hear it in my ears even while just eyeball-reading the pages.
Their chemistry is off the charts. Whatever Ryan puts down, Raven matches it, and sometimes she even wins. Their banter is funny, flirty, and borderline illegal. I loved the way the plot thickened toward the end; the sense of foreboding was set perfectly from the start, so the payoff made complete sense.
I love, love, love this book. If an audio version exists or comes out, I am definitely rereading it!
Thank you Luna Literary and Wrenna King for this ARC!
Thanks to Luna Literary for providing the eARC. This is my honest opinion.
Whispered Control, Spoken Need
There is something instantly gripping about 'Moniker' by Wrenna King, because it does not rely on the usual sparks to pull the story forward. It leans into an original concept where connection is built through sound, timing, restraint, and the kind of closeness that feels almost private to the reader. From the first chapters, the voice focused tension creates a pulse under every scene, like the story is breathing right against the page.
The pacing is one of the strongest parts. The relationship is not rushed, and that slow burn gives every interaction space to deepen. Conversations carry weight, pauses feel loaded, and the power dynamics shift in small, deliberate ways that make the chemistry feel earned. The voice kink is woven in with intention, not as a gimmick, but as a language between two people who are learning where desire meets trust. It heightens the intimacy while also revealing character, especially in the moments where vulnerability slips through the cracks.
What lingers most is the emotional layer beneath the heat. This story understands that intensity is not just about what happens, but about what it costs to let someone in. The characters feel driven by needs that are not always easy to name, and that psychological edge keeps the tension sharp even when the story turns quiet.
By the end, 'Moniker' leaves behind that delicious feeling of having been completely pulled into a dynamic that is equal parts control and comfort. The kind of romance where one voice can change the air in a room, and the echo stays long after the final page.
Voice Kink | Virtual to IRL | Forbidden Romance | Secret Identity | Reverse Age Gap | Opposites Attract
As a voice enjoyer, I genuinely thought this book would be right up my alley. I was excited going in and very ready to fall for a voice kink dark romance.
I don’t typically read reverse age gap, but that element didn’t bother me. What ultimately made me DNF at 40% were a few consistency and characterization issues.
Raven unfortunately felt underdeveloped and one dimensional. Her entire identity seems to revolve around work. She works A LOT, just listens to said Xander's audiobooks, and that’s about it. I understand she grew up with financial instability, though the book also notes her parents weren’t necessarily destitute. Still, she has no hobbies, no distinct quirks, and felt like a workaholic. I struggled to connect with her except that she's a goth queen.
The insta-lust during the very first phone call also lost me. Truly. But the level of immediate intensity felt exaggerated. It went from professional call to overwhelming desire in seconds, and it didn’t feel earned.
The stalker subplot added more confusion. Raven suspects her ex from ten years ago and is clearly in fight-or-flight mode, even carrying a knife. Completely understandable. But then she briefly suspects Ryan and becomes instantly aroused at the thought. I couldn’t tell if the story wanted me to feel tension, fear, attraction, or all three. The emotional throughline felt muddled and predictable.
There were also some phrasing choices that pulled me out, such as referring to anatomy as “lady bits.” That one nearly made me launch my Kindle across the room.
Additionally, there’s a contradiction where Raven states she hasn’t been with anyone or touched herself in ten years, but later says she “takes care of herself if needed.” Small detail, but my brain is unable to overlook inconsistencies in books.
For a debut novel, there’s potential here. I really did try to push through because the premise appealed to me. But at 40%, it started to feel like I was forcing myself to read rather than enjoying it, and that’s usually my sign to put it down. Wishing the author the best in future projects.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a secret identity, reverse age gap, dark romance with an Audiobook Voice Actor for an MMC & A goth queen, business owner FMC. It’s also much more than that. There’s stalking, suspense, shock factor, a great twist ending, satisfying epilogue and a lot of spice throughout!
Raven was a bada*s to say the least. For a majority of the book you are trying to unravel her past and who has been stalking her since she was eighteen. You know she went through something tramatic and get to see the life she fought for and built for herself despite whatever she had gone through. She’s tough because she had to be, hardening herself and throwing everything into her work. Her only true respite is audiobooks with the alluring narrator, Zander Kane.
Ryan, aka Zander, has always been short on love. His parents disowned him and although he had his fair share of women, none of them lasted. His moniker & alter ego was created to remedy just that. “Zander” gave him what he craved, an outlet, a place to feel desired. And it worked just fine, until he met Raven. The woman who consumed his entire being. He is a man obsessed 😍
The spice in this was Dom/Sub, kink filled, very spicy and their chemistry was 🔥 Their dynamic was entrancing and made me want to both finish AND savor the story.
There was a nice balance in the storyline between the plot and the main dark romance theme. Making this a great debut for sure! I’m excited to see what Wrenna writes next!🖤
Picture this- you’re a 32 year old bad a$$ B who owns their own financial investment firm. In your free time you listen to spicy audiobooks (I for one can relate to this leisure activity) and one day a new perspective client calls in to set up an investment account and he sounds oddly familiar 👀
To add fuel to the spicy spicy fire, you are not the only one with a voice kink and you turn into your new clients obsession.
Spicy book dreams are a reality.
And a dark past threatens to destroy everything.
Tropes you can expect:
🎙️ Voice Kink 💻 Virtual to IRL 🚫 Forbidden Relationship ⚡ Opposites Attract 🎭 Secret Identity ⏳ Reverse Age Gap 🖤 Dark Romance
I read this book in one day. As an avid audiobook lover- I was instantly hooked. There is tons of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and lots of plot, let’s not forget the little twists Wrenna throws in there for us just when we think we have everything all figured out.
Wrenna- we need to talk- listennnnn I read your email- and all I have to say is I NEED an audiobook for this asap. I would read this again, I would listen to this an audiobook, and I would read and listen to this book at the same time.
This book was nothing like what I expected and in a good way. The story kept me on my toes the entire time.
Raven Lovelace, one of the most bada$$ FMCs I’ve read in a LONG time, I bow to you! Seriously, she’s a workaholic, go getter with a tragic past and she rose from that incident and made herself as indestructible as she could and I have major admiration for her!
Now Ryan on the other hand? Stubborn with a golden retriever soul and the voice of a god. Yeah that’s right, voice of a god. He is THE ultimate spicy narrator for Raven! Ryan, also has his own issues with the past that he still grapples with but, with his fixation on Raven, it’s easily forgotten…until the past comes calling.
This was honestly the wildest ride from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a DARK romance with an obsessive/possessive book narrator MMC with a super bada$$, take no sh!t FMC, this book is for you!
Moniker is a deliciously dark romance. I ate it up! This book was so good I read it in one sitting! Absolutely amazing!
Raven is a strong, independent, woman and she doesn't apologize for it. After going through something in her past she decided to never be weak and she meant it.
Ryan is a voice actor that narrates romance books. His favorite to narrate is dark romance.
What happens when the woman that is addicted to listening to his audiobooks takes him on as a client? I'm sure you can guess!
This book is dark in the best way and has twists you won't see coming!
I definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves dark romance, st@lk£r romance, dom vs. domme and so much dirty talk it will make you melt!
Thank you to Wrenna King and Luna Literary for the privilege to read this ARC!
Thank you so much Wrenna King and Luna Literary for the ARC opportunity!
Rating: ★★★★/5 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️/5 Tropes: Secret Identity, Voice Kink, Opposites Attract, Reverse Age Gap
Honestly, I ate this one up. I loved the quick chemistry between Raven and Ryan (Zander), I can only imagine what this would be like in audiobook form.
Raven has such a sassy attitude and I love it. Running her own company is bad*ass and I’m here for every second of it. I expected Ryan to be a more arrogant character at first because of the amount of attention he gets for just his voice, but he proved again, where assuming gets you.
When the spice hit? It hit. I was left gobsmacked by some parts and I’m not complaining. The ending was perfect, I love when a book keeps me on my toes and I was until the very end with this one.
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This was a great debut novel. To me it felt a little rushed but it was all in all a great read! Both FMC & MMC came from a trouble past and were dealing with trauma. The spice was spicing!! I would definitely love to read another book by this author!!
“Moniker is a dark voice kink romance, the first in the Dark Voices series. While it is a standalone, it's recommended to read Moniker first. This novel is intended for readers 18 and older. Some content may be disturbing to readers. Please check the beginning of the book or the author's website for warnings.
Tropes: Voice Kink / Virtual to IRL / Forbidden Romance / Secret Identity / Reverse Age Gap / Opposites Attract”
Male voice narrator ☑️ Switch vibes ☑️ Chain play ☑️ Spicy Spice Spice ☑️
I absolutely devoured this book, it was phenomenally beautiful in every single way! It had the perfect amount of Spice, Banter, and Emotional aspects to really make for one perfect story.
Raven is one of those bad a$$ FMCS that we all love! because even in her weakest moments, she finds strength and power! she is that woman! and she's a elder goth queen?! absolutely yes yes yes!!
do me a favor and go and grab this book like now! you won't regret it.
Ever wanted to meet the narrator of your spicy audiobooks? Well, meet Raven. An avid listener who realizes her new client might be the voice actor of her fantasies. This was an interesting premise. It took awhile to get into the plot and was mostly them digitally stalking/ obsessing over each other until we got to the secret past. Over all it was entertaining.
Read if you like spicy insta lust with an HEA.
*THANK YOU Wrenna King and Luna Literary for this advance copy.
This was such a great read!! An obsessed stalker and a business woman running from her past. When their paths cross they not only discover their love for each other, but learn they are more connected to their pasts than they ever knew. This book was dark, but not overly so. I loved the characters and learning about what made them tick. I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR! What a fantastic read!
The FMC, Raven, went through something traumatic and you are working to figure out what happened in her past. Ryan, the MMC, or his moniker/alter-ego Zander which gave him an outlet. He is obsessed with Raven. I enjoyed the storyline, the plot, and the dark romance theme. I loved the cover of this book.
Such a fun read! I absolutely loved the FMC, Raven. She’s so strong and resilient and is a corporate BADDIE in her 30s!! Our MMC was so hot with some daddy issues and a filthy mouth but his emotional range was DEEP.
This story includes lots of *voice kink* and *sub/dom* dialogue which I thought was fun! I think this was my first voice kink read and I absolutely loved the dynamic it created between the mc’s.
This was a very emotion/character driven story which are my favorites. The plot was absolutely present with some mystery and character lore but the stakes were low (mostly because the mains are bad asses)
I devoured this book in one sitting! I absoluetly loved this! The tension was great, the spicy was *chef's kiss* spicin' and the plot was fun and original. The reverse age gap was a nice change for me and I loved the MMC. I am OBSESSED with Zander. He has quickly made it on my list of top book boyfriends! slightly obsesed, bit of a kink, forbidden relationship... count me in!!!