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Heat Haze: Fluffy MM Dark Romance
After their car breaks down on the side of a hot Texan road, L.A. born Nico Marín and his friends are offered help by an all too friendly stranger. But after the Tavera family farm is turned into a slaughterhouse, Nico finds himself hiding in an old closet just praying he isn't next. When the closet doors open and he's face to face with Toro Tavera, the alarmingly big but mute black sheep of the family, he's greeted not with words but with one sound.
Sh.
Then he's left there. With a heart beating so fast he can barely breathe, he sits for what feels like hours. But when Toro returns he isn't there to finish the job. Instead he drops down, unspeaking but not unfeeling, lifting Nico's hand up to his head in an attempt to be pet. He doesn't want to hurt him, but he does want to be loved.
Heat Haze is a single-POV standalone novel between a loveless L.A. city boy and a mute cannibal killer who craves genuine love. Two men with more in common than they realize learn to love and grow together in this HEA romance that turns a grim start into lots of fluff. This novel is lighter dark romance, with lots of affection between the leads and not as much 'dark' content. A full CW list is included inside!
Sh.
Then he's left there. With a heart beating so fast he can barely breathe, he sits for what feels like hours. But when Toro returns he isn't there to finish the job. Instead he drops down, unspeaking but not unfeeling, lifting Nico's hand up to his head in an attempt to be pet. He doesn't want to hurt him, but he does want to be loved.
Heat Haze is a single-POV standalone novel between a loveless L.A. city boy and a mute cannibal killer who craves genuine love. Two men with more in common than they realize learn to love and grow together in this HEA romance that turns a grim start into lots of fluff. This novel is lighter dark romance, with lots of affection between the leads and not as much 'dark' content. A full CW list is included inside!
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2025
5 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 22, 2025
⭐️ 4 stars ⭐️
The fluffiest dark romance to ever fluff. This was just cuddles and kisses with a side of light cannibalism.
I can never resist a big scary guard dog actually being the sweetest good boy puppy. Did he kill a bunch of innocent people and eat them with his crazy family? Yeah, but he’s so precious.
Okay, the plot was a little ridiculous and we don’t get a lot of backstory, but the romance was so unexpectedly cute and tender, I’m gonna let it slide.
I wouldn’t even call this a dark romance, because apart from the first chapter, it’s all sugary sweet lovable boys in their own little cuddle bubble falling ridiculously in love.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Murder/light gore
- Homophobia
- Power imbalance (no dubcon)
- Kidnapping?
- Cannibalism
- Mentions of past bullying
- Body insecurity
- Size difference
- Virgin MCs
- One sex scene (Intercrural)
I blink once. Twice. Then I realize. He wants me to… pet him?
The fluffiest dark romance to ever fluff. This was just cuddles and kisses with a side of light cannibalism.
Toro smells like death in the most literal sense possible. Death and something forest-y, maybe a gardening shop that’s about to go under. But his grip is oddly tender, holding me as if dropping me will make me shatter into a million pieces. At this rate? I might.
I can never resist a big scary guard dog actually being the sweetest good boy puppy. Did he kill a bunch of innocent people and eat them with his crazy family? Yeah, but he’s so precious.
It’s an oddly sweet gesture, letting me sleep in his bed while he curls up next to it like some kind of guard dog. But what the actual hell does it mean?
Okay, the plot was a little ridiculous and we don’t get a lot of backstory, but the romance was so unexpectedly cute and tender, I’m gonna let it slide.
All my life I’ve felt like a shadow. But Toro? Toro makes me feel like a star—no, the sun.
I wouldn’t even call this a dark romance, because apart from the first chapter, it’s all sugary sweet lovable boys in their own little cuddle bubble falling ridiculously in love.
I feel like a gem being hoarded by a big, scary dragon—just minus the scary part.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Murder/light gore
- Homophobia
- Power imbalance (no dubcon)
- Kidnapping?
- Cannibalism
- Mentions of past bullying
- Body insecurity
- Size difference
- Virgin MCs
- One sex scene (Intercrural)
November 29, 2025
i’m sorry but in what fucking world you end up in a secluded house, where the family hunts down, kills, and then EATS your friends and your reaction is: whatevs, they’re good people.
listen, i’m all for suspension of reality, and i’ve been known for sympathizing with cannibals, so that’s not an issue for me.
but how can anyone EAT PEOPLE ACCIDENTALLY, SEE THEIR FRIENDS BEING SLAUGHTERED, SEE THEIR FRIENDS BEING COOKED AND EATEN AT THE DINNER TABLE AND THEIR ONLY THOUGHT IS “awww the giant one who i’m not even sure if he’s legal is so cute like an animal. i love him.”
let me be clear: they should’ve eaten nico as well. he would’ve been more useful that way.
also, there are just so many things that don’t make sense. and i get that it’s supposed to be a light fluffy book, but that isn’t a justification for not bothering to polish your plot.
the family eats people because it’s their way, no reasoning whatsoever.
toro doesn’t speak, read or write. why? who the fuck knows. they never bothered to teach him, trauma, all good guesses. we’ll never know.
the town knows that they’re cannibals. the sheriff knows. why do they let them eat people??? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS. they say that they have an agreement, what kind of fucking agreement it is?????? we don’t knowwwwww.
so, yeah.
could’ve been a good book if things made some fucking sense.
listen, i’m all for suspension of reality, and i’ve been known for sympathizing with cannibals, so that’s not an issue for me.
but how can anyone EAT PEOPLE ACCIDENTALLY, SEE THEIR FRIENDS BEING SLAUGHTERED, SEE THEIR FRIENDS BEING COOKED AND EATEN AT THE DINNER TABLE AND THEIR ONLY THOUGHT IS “awww the giant one who i’m not even sure if he’s legal is so cute like an animal. i love him.”
let me be clear: they should’ve eaten nico as well. he would’ve been more useful that way.
also, there are just so many things that don’t make sense. and i get that it’s supposed to be a light fluffy book, but that isn’t a justification for not bothering to polish your plot.
the family eats people because it’s their way, no reasoning whatsoever.
toro doesn’t speak, read or write. why? who the fuck knows. they never bothered to teach him, trauma, all good guesses. we’ll never know.
the town knows that they’re cannibals. the sheriff knows. why do they let them eat people??? WHO THE FUCK KNOWS. they say that they have an agreement, what kind of fucking agreement it is?????? we don’t knowwwwww.
so, yeah.
could’ve been a good book if things made some fucking sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2025
Let's start with the good: it was an interesting premise with very likable characters. Nico is a protagonist that you root for, and want to see survive. I liked his quiet ability to work things out and his survival tactics were unmatched. I liked that it was his genuine kindness that sees him through the worst of this.
Cannibalism was also a great topic to cover. It made me wonder what on Earth I'd do if I got caught by killer cannibals with only one option for survival.
However, these cannibals just weren't... scary. We get an opening scene of fear and murder, with this family being terrifying. Then, the most terrifying thing about them later is their homophobia. They just become an average family and we don't really see anything from them that's scary.
Now, don't get me wrong, I understood this was a "fluffy" dark romance, so I knew I wasn't getting anything too dark, but I just felt like Nico was scared stiff when the family wasn't really doing much at all.
The trauma element was really lacking as well. Nico literally saw people murdered and eaten, and he's just all "well, that sucks" five minutes later and it's rarely thought about from the personal perspective again. He'd go "wow, they're bad and cannibals" but wouldn't bring up his literal friends becoming dinner.
This leads me to my pacing problem. I really had no idea how much time passed for them. One minute he's worried about Toro and if he'll survive with the cannibal family, and next minute he's all "I love you" and really means it. There's just no exploration of time, of the problems in this family, and nothing that really is a combatant to what's happening between them.
This then takes me to the commentary that Toro is "special" which is not explored properly either. When we meet Toro, he's literally introduced as 'special', by the family. He's big, doesn't talk, and doesn't seem to have huge thought processes. In fact, the family are taken aback by Nico's relationship with him and see him as taking advantage of another person. As we go, it seems like maybe it's hinted that nothing is wrong with Toro and that he was just raised wrong, but with how Toro acts (licking Nico's face, tantrums, confusion, lack of emotional regulation), it just starts to rub me the wrong way. In my head, I feel like the author was aiming for the vibe of 'The Boy' horror movie (where he lives in the walls and is mute and a bit strange but people still post thirst traps on tiktok about him), but instead it had me scratching my head and wondering if Nico was actually committing a crime - especially when he ends up having to ask Toro how old he is because he starts to get a little... worried.
I feel like the book got off to a great start and then doesn't fully know where it's going. And as a reader, I need to know where it's going. I also felt the ending was kind of rushed and I didn't feel remotely satisfied by anything that happened in the last 10% of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cannibalism was also a great topic to cover. It made me wonder what on Earth I'd do if I got caught by killer cannibals with only one option for survival.
However, these cannibals just weren't... scary. We get an opening scene of fear and murder, with this family being terrifying. Then, the most terrifying thing about them later is their homophobia. They just become an average family and we don't really see anything from them that's scary.
Now, don't get me wrong, I understood this was a "fluffy" dark romance, so I knew I wasn't getting anything too dark, but I just felt like Nico was scared stiff when the family wasn't really doing much at all.
The trauma element was really lacking as well. Nico literally saw people murdered and eaten, and he's just all "well, that sucks" five minutes later and it's rarely thought about from the personal perspective again. He'd go "wow, they're bad and cannibals" but wouldn't bring up his literal friends becoming dinner.
This leads me to my pacing problem. I really had no idea how much time passed for them. One minute he's worried about Toro and if he'll survive with the cannibal family, and next minute he's all "I love you" and really means it. There's just no exploration of time, of the problems in this family, and nothing that really is a combatant to what's happening between them.
This then takes me to the commentary that Toro is "special" which is not explored properly either. When we meet Toro, he's literally introduced as 'special', by the family. He's big, doesn't talk, and doesn't seem to have huge thought processes. In fact, the family are taken aback by Nico's relationship with him and see him as taking advantage of another person. As we go, it seems like maybe it's hinted that nothing is wrong with Toro and that he was just raised wrong, but with how Toro acts (licking Nico's face, tantrums, confusion, lack of emotional regulation), it just starts to rub me the wrong way. In my head, I feel like the author was aiming for the vibe of 'The Boy' horror movie (where he lives in the walls and is mute and a bit strange but people still post thirst traps on tiktok about him), but instead it had me scratching my head and wondering if Nico was actually committing a crime - especially when he ends up having to ask Toro how old he is because he starts to get a little... worried.
I feel like the book got off to a great start and then doesn't fully know where it's going. And as a reader, I need to know where it's going. I also felt the ending was kind of rushed and I didn't feel remotely satisfied by anything that happened in the last 10% of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2025
This was like a weied mix of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the Baker family from RE7. And honestly, i was mentally side-eyeing Nico for a good portion of the story..
Despite loving horror movies when I was younger, I'm too soft hearted for it now. I hated getting to know a little bit about Nico's friends before they were killed. 🥺 and Nico's lack of ...appropriate reaction at literally seeing his friend's arm being chopped up.... 😵💫
But the more I read the less I could fault Nico.. I am the biggest sucker when it comes to comfort-starved MCs and Toro completely won my heart😭 i love him soooo much 😭
I usually can't stand single POV reads but it worked fairly well for this story and the last chapter being in Toro's POV was a nice surprise.
I would have like a little more time spent with them in their new life but I still really enjoyed the story. You'll catch me enjoying most stories that have this level of neediness and love. 🥰 i tend to prefer my romances to be more OTT instead of realistic ☺️
Despite loving horror movies when I was younger, I'm too soft hearted for it now. I hated getting to know a little bit about Nico's friends before they were killed. 🥺 and Nico's lack of ...appropriate reaction at literally seeing his friend's arm being chopped up.... 😵💫
But the more I read the less I could fault Nico.. I am the biggest sucker when it comes to comfort-starved MCs and Toro completely won my heart😭 i love him soooo much 😭
I usually can't stand single POV reads but it worked fairly well for this story and the last chapter being in Toro's POV was a nice surprise.
I would have like a little more time spent with them in their new life but I still really enjoyed the story. You'll catch me enjoying most stories that have this level of neediness and love. 🥰 i tend to prefer my romances to be more OTT instead of realistic ☺️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
ARC review
This book was so good. I devoured it, I couldn't put it down.
Nico was the most innocent person I have ever seen. A family of strangers kills his friends and what does he do? Falls in love with the youngest son. He always saw the best in people and in situations and it was not easy, given the circunstances.
Toto was the sweetest men to ever live and you just want to wrap him in a hug and never let go.
I loved them together, they really did fit each other, it was so beautiful to watch. To get over such a horrible part of someone (them being a killer and a cannibal) and just love them, it takes a lot and a special kind of person for that
This book was so good. I devoured it, I couldn't put it down.
Nico was the most innocent person I have ever seen. A family of strangers kills his friends and what does he do? Falls in love with the youngest son. He always saw the best in people and in situations and it was not easy, given the circunstances.
Toto was the sweetest men to ever live and you just want to wrap him in a hug and never let go.
I loved them together, they really did fit each other, it was so beautiful to watch. To get over such a horrible part of someone (them being a killer and a cannibal) and just love them, it takes a lot and a special kind of person for that
November 11, 2025
Rating 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
What to Expect:
Murdering Cannibal BF ✔️
City Boy ✔️
Size Difference ✔️
Forced Proximity ✔️
Listen…. I saw someone’s review call this “cannibal cozy” & they’re 100% right! Lmfao it was fluffy but also a little horror-esque? I’m truly having a hard time describing this 😩
Pros? There were MANY!
I loved this debut novel! The concept, the plot! It was different to me and I loved it.
I loved the characters, each of them having something special about them that made me want to know more about each one.
I loved Toro AND Nico (as separate characters). As a couple… that’s a different story… & it brings me to my cons?
Cons? So not really cons more like CONFUSION 😩
& I’m left wondering SEVERAL things like….
The concept of time? How did we go from being scared of Toro to loving him? Did weeks go by? Days? 🤔
WHY was the ranch a slaughterhouse? Like did they just kill & eat them for funsies?! 💀
Although Toro was said to be “special” by his family when introduced to Nico and his friends. I thought they meant because he was mute. But as I read on, some things that Toro insinuated seemed… off? Idk - again it’s hard to explain!
Also… if Toro didn’t know much about stuff WAS Nico taking advantage of him!? 😭 idk
Again… I have more questions than answers here.
Thank you to Gay Romance Review, Alder Snow & team! As always, all thoughts & opinions are honest and my own.
What to Expect:
Murdering Cannibal BF ✔️
City Boy ✔️
Size Difference ✔️
Forced Proximity ✔️
Listen…. I saw someone’s review call this “cannibal cozy” & they’re 100% right! Lmfao it was fluffy but also a little horror-esque? I’m truly having a hard time describing this 😩
Pros? There were MANY!
I loved this debut novel! The concept, the plot! It was different to me and I loved it.
I loved the characters, each of them having something special about them that made me want to know more about each one.
I loved Toro AND Nico (as separate characters). As a couple… that’s a different story… & it brings me to my cons?
Cons? So not really cons more like CONFUSION 😩
& I’m left wondering SEVERAL things like….
The concept of time? How did we go from being scared of Toro to loving him? Did weeks go by? Days? 🤔
WHY was the ranch a slaughterhouse? Like did they just kill & eat them for funsies?! 💀
Although Toro was said to be “special” by his family when introduced to Nico and his friends. I thought they meant because he was mute. But as I read on, some things that Toro insinuated seemed… off? Idk - again it’s hard to explain!
Also… if Toro didn’t know much about stuff WAS Nico taking advantage of him!? 😭 idk
Again… I have more questions than answers here.
Thank you to Gay Romance Review, Alder Snow & team! As always, all thoughts & opinions are honest and my own.
November 26, 2025
When I saw that Heat Haze was going to be a fluffy dark romance I immediately signed up for this ARC, I never read a dark romance with fluff before so I was excited for this book.
This book is a unique twist on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A family kills his friends but he falls in love with their youngest son. The author wrote horror and fluff together really well and it was interesting to read.
I loved Nico and Toro together. Nico is the kind of person who tries to see the best in everybody and when he met Toro he saw someone who was in need of love. Toro is the most precious and sweetest man. He’s mute but he immediately latched onto Nico and saved him. It was so sweet how Toro only warms up to Nico and Nico was the only one to understand him in ways not even Toro’s family could and that was beautiful.
Overall I really did enjoy this book, I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Nico and Toro together and I also really loved Toro’s sister in the book as well, I really hope we get more from this universe. Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to read and review.
This book is a unique twist on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, A family kills his friends but he falls in love with their youngest son. The author wrote horror and fluff together really well and it was interesting to read.
I loved Nico and Toro together. Nico is the kind of person who tries to see the best in everybody and when he met Toro he saw someone who was in need of love. Toro is the most precious and sweetest man. He’s mute but he immediately latched onto Nico and saved him. It was so sweet how Toro only warms up to Nico and Nico was the only one to understand him in ways not even Toro’s family could and that was beautiful.
Overall I really did enjoy this book, I was hooked from the beginning. I loved Nico and Toro together and I also really loved Toro’s sister in the book as well, I really hope we get more from this universe. Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC to read and review.
November 2, 2025
You know, in retrospect, I don't know how I didn't gather from the blurb that this would essentially be a Leatherface dating sim, only if Leatherface were wholesome as hell while also being a murderer.
I'll admit, when I saw the ARC for this and noticed "Fluffy Dark Romance," I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I hadn't read anything like this before. Needless to say, I spent most of the book going "awww" and generally beaming at how cute Nico and Toro are.
Heat Haze follows Nico and a group of his friends who are on a road trip through Texas when their car breaks down. A passerby stops and offers them a place to stay for the night on his family's farm, telling them he’ll return to fix the car in the morning. Unbeknownst to the group, the Tavera family is harboring a dark secret, and it doesn't take long for the cracks to show. As their numbers dwindle, Nico takes refuge in a closet, only to be found by the quiet giant of the family, Toro. But he doesn't kill him, he saves him. What follows is genuinely one of the sweetest and most heartwarming love stories I've read in a long time.
My only real critique of this book, if you can even call it that, is that the intro is almost like a direct recreation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This didn’t hinder my reading experience at all, since I’m a huge fan of the movies, but I would have liked to see a slightly different take on how things began. Nevertheless, the ensuing romance more than makes up for this, because that’s where all similarities end. This was an absolutely wonderful debut novel by the author and a must-read for anyone who likes their dark romance with a heavy dose of cuteness.
Outside of the murder, this is a book about two unlikely people finding love in a situation that is anything but conventional, yet willing to look past the products of their upbringings to see the genuinely good people inside each other. I don't really want to touch on both of our main characters’ backstories, because this book is relatively short and it’s something you should experience for yourself. Nico and Toro both have their own separate struggles, but when they come together, it’s like two sides of a coin finally reconnecting into something beautiful.
The family is very interesting. There are many hints at a backstory that isn’t explored in the book, but it definitely leaves things open enough for you to ruminate on. There were a couple of family members I’d definitely like to see books about in the future too, especially Lucio.
Heat Haze is a dark yet tender love story that’s part horror homage and part heartwarming romance, Heat Haze balances sweetness and brutality in equal measure. Despite a familiar opening, it shines through its endearing characters and emotional depth, making it a standout debut.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
I'll admit, when I saw the ARC for this and noticed "Fluffy Dark Romance," I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I hadn't read anything like this before. Needless to say, I spent most of the book going "awww" and generally beaming at how cute Nico and Toro are.
Heat Haze follows Nico and a group of his friends who are on a road trip through Texas when their car breaks down. A passerby stops and offers them a place to stay for the night on his family's farm, telling them he’ll return to fix the car in the morning. Unbeknownst to the group, the Tavera family is harboring a dark secret, and it doesn't take long for the cracks to show. As their numbers dwindle, Nico takes refuge in a closet, only to be found by the quiet giant of the family, Toro. But he doesn't kill him, he saves him. What follows is genuinely one of the sweetest and most heartwarming love stories I've read in a long time.
My only real critique of this book, if you can even call it that, is that the intro is almost like a direct recreation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This didn’t hinder my reading experience at all, since I’m a huge fan of the movies, but I would have liked to see a slightly different take on how things began. Nevertheless, the ensuing romance more than makes up for this, because that’s where all similarities end. This was an absolutely wonderful debut novel by the author and a must-read for anyone who likes their dark romance with a heavy dose of cuteness.
Outside of the murder, this is a book about two unlikely people finding love in a situation that is anything but conventional, yet willing to look past the products of their upbringings to see the genuinely good people inside each other. I don't really want to touch on both of our main characters’ backstories, because this book is relatively short and it’s something you should experience for yourself. Nico and Toro both have their own separate struggles, but when they come together, it’s like two sides of a coin finally reconnecting into something beautiful.
The family is very interesting. There are many hints at a backstory that isn’t explored in the book, but it definitely leaves things open enough for you to ruminate on. There were a couple of family members I’d definitely like to see books about in the future too, especially Lucio.
Heat Haze is a dark yet tender love story that’s part horror homage and part heartwarming romance, Heat Haze balances sweetness and brutality in equal measure. Despite a familiar opening, it shines through its endearing characters and emotional depth, making it a standout debut.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
November 27, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a very cute fun, but slightly dark romance book involving two men. In the beginning, it was a little interesting because it was almost like you were in a horror movie, and the group of friends get taken out by the bad people on the farm. And that kinda is literally what happened. I’ll except one man in particular gets saved and that is Nico. Toro saves Nico and in response to that Nico develops a friendship with Toro. Their friendship grows into love. There is cannibalism, which is questionable. It was a fluffy read. I do question how you can go from what Toro was to what he is at the end of the book. And how Nico is so accepting of that. I mean, I do know there’s some Stockholm syndrome there. But I don’t think it’s like a predominant Stockholm syndrome. So that was the only part that was a little confusing to me. But I did really enjoy the book. It was cute. I would’ve liked a little more spice in it. Before a debut novel, I think this author did an amazing job. Thank you for allowing me to read this.
This is a very cute fun, but slightly dark romance book involving two men. In the beginning, it was a little interesting because it was almost like you were in a horror movie, and the group of friends get taken out by the bad people on the farm. And that kinda is literally what happened. I’ll except one man in particular gets saved and that is Nico. Toro saves Nico and in response to that Nico develops a friendship with Toro. Their friendship grows into love. There is cannibalism, which is questionable. It was a fluffy read. I do question how you can go from what Toro was to what he is at the end of the book. And how Nico is so accepting of that. I mean, I do know there’s some Stockholm syndrome there. But I don’t think it’s like a predominant Stockholm syndrome. So that was the only part that was a little confusing to me. But I did really enjoy the book. It was cute. I would’ve liked a little more spice in it. Before a debut novel, I think this author did an amazing job. Thank you for allowing me to read this.
November 8, 2025
I was really curious about this book and how it was going to have a happy ending with all that happens in the beginning. But here is me pleasantly surprised. This was a really good story and I’m not gonna lie, the family aside from the dad, kind of grew on me after a while. Toro and Nico are so damn cute, I’m really happy that They got the ending that they did. If there are more books after this, I would definitely read them.
December 6, 2025
Who woulda thought a hillbilly cannibal could be the sweetest golden retriever boyfriend ever.
loved this.
hated Toros family.
for my freaky friends.. this is sweet, not spicy. 1 quick peepee touch.
loved this.
hated Toros family.
for my freaky friends.. this is sweet, not spicy. 1 quick peepee touch.
November 30, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I let this book sit in my brain for a while before writing the review, because I honestly didn’t know what to say! It was such a different book and I appreciate that about it.
The best part about the book was all the cuddles. I live for book cuddles, absolutely. And whenever Toro carried Nico somewhere!
I love instalove, but I have to say in this case it didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t make sense to me how Nico could know Toro killed—and the family ate—his friends, but then just overlook it kinda?
When it comes down to it, the book entertained me, though. If you want to read something different than the norm and you’re not queasy, this might be the book for you. I have to say it was cute, regardless of the cannibalism?? lol
Thank you to GRR and the author for the ARC. This is my honest review of it.
I let this book sit in my brain for a while before writing the review, because I honestly didn’t know what to say! It was such a different book and I appreciate that about it.
The best part about the book was all the cuddles. I live for book cuddles, absolutely. And whenever Toro carried Nico somewhere!
I love instalove, but I have to say in this case it didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t make sense to me how Nico could know Toro killed—and the family ate—his friends, but then just overlook it kinda?
When it comes down to it, the book entertained me, though. If you want to read something different than the norm and you’re not queasy, this might be the book for you. I have to say it was cute, regardless of the cannibalism?? lol
Thank you to GRR and the author for the ARC. This is my honest review of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
A couple days ago, I asked the author for an ARC after coming across a post of theirs. If you had told me, even 24 hours prior to that, that I’d be rating a romance between a cannibal and a kidnapping victim 5 stars, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are.
Fluffy dark romance is literally the best way to describe this book. You can’t ignore the glaring cannibalism, nor the way Nico and his friends are preyed upon after their car breaks down. But Toro is just really fricking sweet! Pretty much the second he meets Nico, he falls in love. And he easily begins to stop eating human meat. You see, Toro is kind of the outcast of the family, and Nico is the first thing that is truly his. It’s unbelievably romantic and although it’s mostly inferred rather than said aloud, it’s clear Toro’s way of being is a nurture situation rather than nature (as we can see from the epilogue).
If you’re anything like me and find someone feeling alone or ‘other’ to be unbearably sad, you too will tear up several times throughout Heat Haze. It’s so worth it though. The way Nico just gives Toro everything he’s ever craved was so sincere and lovely.
The author says this may not be her last book about Toro’s family and I hope that’s true. There’s a certain brother who I think would be perfect for a second story, and I’d love the backstory to the family and why they became cannibals. There’s the strange relationship between the father and the sheriffs department too. Plus, maybe some unfinished business with Nadine? I need more!
An excellent debut. Weirdly heartwarming considering the circumstances, and unbearably romantic to the point of tears 🥲 I just loved these two.
Thank you to Alder Snow for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.
Fluffy dark romance is literally the best way to describe this book. You can’t ignore the glaring cannibalism, nor the way Nico and his friends are preyed upon after their car breaks down. But Toro is just really fricking sweet! Pretty much the second he meets Nico, he falls in love. And he easily begins to stop eating human meat. You see, Toro is kind of the outcast of the family, and Nico is the first thing that is truly his. It’s unbelievably romantic and although it’s mostly inferred rather than said aloud, it’s clear Toro’s way of being is a nurture situation rather than nature (as we can see from the epilogue).
If you’re anything like me and find someone feeling alone or ‘other’ to be unbearably sad, you too will tear up several times throughout Heat Haze. It’s so worth it though. The way Nico just gives Toro everything he’s ever craved was so sincere and lovely.
The author says this may not be her last book about Toro’s family and I hope that’s true. There’s a certain brother who I think would be perfect for a second story, and I’d love the backstory to the family and why they became cannibals. There’s the strange relationship between the father and the sheriffs department too. Plus, maybe some unfinished business with Nadine? I need more!
An excellent debut. Weirdly heartwarming considering the circumstances, and unbearably romantic to the point of tears 🥲 I just loved these two.
Thank you to Alder Snow for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2025
Tropes:
🥩 Murdering Cannibal BF / Sweet and Soft BF
📖 Forced Proximity
🥩 Possessive / Jealousy Behavior
📖 Size Difference
ARC Review: When I seen the tropes cannibal murder boyfriend and also fluffy dark romance I was definitely intrigued. How can a cannibal murderer be a fluffy romance?? Well it definitely works, Heat Haze was such a fantastic read I did not want to put it down. Nico and Toro you wouldn't think would be a good match...well because of their completely different life style and well as due to the way they meet 😅. But they totally are!! I did not see myself seeing a cannibal as such a sweet and somehow innocent soul but Toro definitely had me feeling so protective of him and finding him completely charming. And Nico wow such a brave little thing he is. To survive running into a murdering cannibal family but also falling in love with one of them and showing him he can be a better person that the way he was born doesn't define him. They deserve all the happiness and the HEA they received. Ugh I'm so sad its over I need more of these two please!!!
🥩 Murdering Cannibal BF / Sweet and Soft BF
📖 Forced Proximity
🥩 Possessive / Jealousy Behavior
📖 Size Difference
ARC Review: When I seen the tropes cannibal murder boyfriend and also fluffy dark romance I was definitely intrigued. How can a cannibal murderer be a fluffy romance?? Well it definitely works, Heat Haze was such a fantastic read I did not want to put it down. Nico and Toro you wouldn't think would be a good match...well because of their completely different life style and well as due to the way they meet 😅. But they totally are!! I did not see myself seeing a cannibal as such a sweet and somehow innocent soul but Toro definitely had me feeling so protective of him and finding him completely charming. And Nico wow such a brave little thing he is. To survive running into a murdering cannibal family but also falling in love with one of them and showing him he can be a better person that the way he was born doesn't define him. They deserve all the happiness and the HEA they received. Ugh I'm so sad its over I need more of these two please!!!
November 19, 2025
3.5 stars
A dark romance like no other.
I originally picked this up because of the surprisingly “fluffy” side and honestly, it totally delivered. The cuddles, the kisses, the hair-petting… it was everything I wanted. The characters were adorable together, and I found myself really cheering for their HEA.
That said, the beginning threw me for a loop. I had to double-check I was reading the right book because it starts very dark, very fast. The tone does soften as the story goes on, but those early chapters definitely kept me on edge, I never knew if things were going to spiral again.
I did feel like the pacing was a bit uneven, and there were a few loose ends that left me confused. It’s hard to tell how long Nico is actually stuck in Toro’s room, or how much time passes before the first “I love you.” And I really wish we’d gotten more of Nico’s emotional fallout from witnessing that awful night. I expected at least some nightmares or lingering trauma, but it felt like he bounced back almost immediately.
Overall though, the sweet moments completely won me over, and I had a great time reading it.
A dark romance like no other.
I originally picked this up because of the surprisingly “fluffy” side and honestly, it totally delivered. The cuddles, the kisses, the hair-petting… it was everything I wanted. The characters were adorable together, and I found myself really cheering for their HEA.
That said, the beginning threw me for a loop. I had to double-check I was reading the right book because it starts very dark, very fast. The tone does soften as the story goes on, but those early chapters definitely kept me on edge, I never knew if things were going to spiral again.
I did feel like the pacing was a bit uneven, and there were a few loose ends that left me confused. It’s hard to tell how long Nico is actually stuck in Toro’s room, or how much time passes before the first “I love you.” And I really wish we’d gotten more of Nico’s emotional fallout from witnessing that awful night. I expected at least some nightmares or lingering trauma, but it felt like he bounced back almost immediately.
Overall though, the sweet moments completely won me over, and I had a great time reading it.
November 30, 2025
Heat Haze by Alder Snow had such an interesting premise that I had to pick it up. I love serial killers and possessive men. This one started out very well until we got to the part when the Tavera family murdered Nico’s friends. I just had a really hard time finding Toro to be a plausible romantic lead after that. The friends weren’t killed for any reasons except they liked to kill and eat their victims. Add in the fact that the family served Nico questionable meat when they first arrived and the descriptions of them preparing Nico’s friends for dinner, I just really struggled. I will be looking for more me by this author as I think there is potential for me to love a future book. It just was not this one.
Heed the TWs on this one.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review.
Heed the TWs on this one.
I received an ARC from GRR for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
This is a very unique book. I’d probably classify it as cozy horror, as it is both gory/violent and incredibly sweet.
The writing was great, Tori was a sweetheart, and the relationship between him and Nico was adorable.
What kept it from needing a perfect story is the number of unanswered questions. It was never really explained why the family are cannibales, how/why they’d managed to do this for so long and not get caught. And it seemed a bit of a stretch how quickly Nico went from being horrified to forgiving and falling for Toro.
Overall still very enjoyable, and a strong debut. If you want a horror romance that still manages to be sweet, this may be a good one to pick up.
The writing was great, Tori was a sweetheart, and the relationship between him and Nico was adorable.
What kept it from needing a perfect story is the number of unanswered questions. It was never really explained why the family are cannibales, how/why they’d managed to do this for so long and not get caught. And it seemed a bit of a stretch how quickly Nico went from being horrified to forgiving and falling for Toro.
Overall still very enjoyable, and a strong debut. If you want a horror romance that still manages to be sweet, this may be a good one to pick up.
November 16, 2025
I never thought I'd read a book that had a cannibal with golden retriever vibes. But that's Toro. He's just so sweet with Nico, even though he basically kidnapped him and there's definite Stockholm syndrome going on. I really enjoyed this book. It started off with horror-esque vibes, with Nico's friends being murdered. Then it shows that this cannibal family is just that, a family. They're messed up, sure, but that's part of what I enjoyed about this.
My only negatives would be the pacing. Like others have mentioned, we have no concept of how much time has passed. There was a lot of repetitiveness, like with saying Toro was like a puppy. And the pacing had some issues in the middle.
But overall, I had so much fun. I finished this in two sittings and I really hope there are more books in this series. Not only would I like to see more of Nico and Toro, but I want more of the siblings too. And more backstory on how they got to be the way they are. If you like dark romance, then I definitely recommend this.
**Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing this free ebook. All opinions are my own.**
My only negatives would be the pacing. Like others have mentioned, we have no concept of how much time has passed. There was a lot of repetitiveness, like with saying Toro was like a puppy. And the pacing had some issues in the middle.
But overall, I had so much fun. I finished this in two sittings and I really hope there are more books in this series. Not only would I like to see more of Nico and Toro, but I want more of the siblings too. And more backstory on how they got to be the way they are. If you like dark romance, then I definitely recommend this.
**Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing this free ebook. All opinions are my own.**
November 22, 2025
It is not everyday that you might label a book involving a Texas Chainsaw Massacre style story line as being cute, but this is exactly what this is. This book had me from start to finish, I read it in one sitting and was happy to see Toro and Nico get an HEA. I really love the relationship between Nico and Toro, it is beyond adorable. Nico who initially needed protection against Toro’s family wound up being the one to stand up for Toro which is not what you would expect at all. This was not at all what I was expecting and I am not disappointed at all.
Thank you to Booksirens and author Alder Snow for this advanced reader copy of this cozy read.
Thank you to Booksirens and author Alder Snow for this advanced reader copy of this cozy read.
November 30, 2025
Unfortunately not a good book for me, but a great book in itself! If the trope appeals to you then defo read it!! The author writes very well, I was surprised that this was their debut novel honestly. Give it a go if the synopsis grabs, it grabbed me it was just my silly brain didn’t click with it. I read it yesterday and sat with it a while, wondering how to word this so that the author still got a good review, because they deserve that.
November 9, 2025
A fluffy dark romance that’s not very dark. Nico and Toro were really sweet together. Slow paced and surprisingly romantic given the circumstances.
The premise of Toro’s nature and the family’s cannibalism could have been further explored but doesn’t detract from being a good read for a debut novel.
Themes:
Insta-love
Cannibalism
Virgin MMCs
Arc provided for an honest review
The premise of Toro’s nature and the family’s cannibalism could have been further explored but doesn’t detract from being a good read for a debut novel.
Themes:
Insta-love
Cannibalism
Virgin MMCs
Arc provided for an honest review
November 21, 2025
Heat Gaze is an interesting combination of a dark and light romance. To me, it was an excellent combination! I liked how our MCs weren't perfect but were ultimately perfect for each other. The ending was a little rushed, and I would have liked to see them navigate the outside world and grow together a little more.
But it's definitely a book I'd recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
But it's definitely a book I'd recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 1, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.
This was so cute. Like I shouldn't love them, I know that. But I do. I was highly entertained from page one. I could not put this down.
This was so cute. Like I shouldn't love them, I know that. But I do. I was highly entertained from page one. I could not put this down.
November 2, 2025
This wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was pretty cute. Toro was like a puppy, and Nico was a bit befuddled by his feelings but clearly into the large, quiet man. Obviously requires a suspension of reality, but the overall story was enjoyable enough.
I do still have questions and plot holes that I’d like answered though.
I do still have questions and plot holes that I’d like answered though.
November 3, 2025
To enjoy this book, you really have to put reality on pause. Once you do, it’s exactly what it claims to be — a fluffy dark romance with heavy emphasis on the fluff. I was definitely entertained, though there are plenty of plot holes, insta-love, and a healthy dose of codependency.
November 21, 2025
This exceeded my expectations I wasn’t really sure going into it what it was about I just saw the title and knew I wanted to read it, & read it I did in one sitting I just couldn’t put it down! Toro is a really sweet guy he just wants to see the good in people then realises some people just are not good at all & sometimes you should listen to your friends! Toro really is treated like rubbish by his family apart from his sister Alma whom I also really liked, he is a silent sweetheart, I really loved him. My jaw literally dropped at the end of chapter 4 wasn’t expecting that lol.
HEA
• Forced proximity/kidnapping
• Cannibalistic murder bf x soft and sweet bf
• Possessive behavior
• Sweet but deadly golden retriever
• Learning to love
• Size difference
Thank you for the ARC
HEA
• Forced proximity/kidnapping
• Cannibalistic murder bf x soft and sweet bf
• Possessive behavior
• Sweet but deadly golden retriever
• Learning to love
• Size difference
Thank you for the ARC
November 20, 2025
This books starts off with a bang and just keep going. A bit bloody, but shows that love can grow in the most wild places I really enjoted it and can't wait to read more.
November 23, 2025
3.5 Stars
Heat Haze was a weird, cheesy, nasty little book. I've never read anything like it. I loved how gory it was and don't shy away from the gore and I loved how weird the romantic storyline was. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that it read like a young adult book. It was a bit too cheesy for my liking, but I still enjoyed it very much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Heat Haze was a weird, cheesy, nasty little book. I've never read anything like it. I loved how gory it was and don't shy away from the gore and I loved how weird the romantic storyline was. The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars was that it read like a young adult book. It was a bit too cheesy for my liking, but I still enjoyed it very much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
November 23, 2025
Nico is on a road trip with 3 other friends. Along the trip their car breaks down in a small town with no service & a sketchy atmosphere. They get picked up by a stranger & taken to his home & family. Nico falls in love with Toro, the younger, mute brother. Will not go into detail but cannibalism is involved. This was definitely a different type of book I've ever read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2025
I could not put this book down. It was a very interesting premise and I just had to know how the story ended. I think the book would have benefited from more length and depth into the characters. The epilogue allowed a glance into a different perspective that allowed the reader to have more context.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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