Ready or Not: A Dark Stalker Romance (Deluxe Limited Edition)

Hide and Seek #2

by Sheridan Anne

Coming Soon ....


Ready or Not is book 2 in The Hide and Seek Series. It is a pitch black stalker romance and is recommended for mature readers.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Stalker, Audiobook, Romance, Smut, Spicy

392 pages, Paperback

Published July 21, 2026

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR

After falling down that cliffy with the previous book the countdown started waiting eagerly for this to land on my iPad, because that brutal cliffy came out of nowhere spiking those anticipation levels of what was to come in the next book.

This picked up right where that cliffy left off. Harper left bleeding out in the hospitals underground car park, and we were the first ones to read how it all went go down..The reality tht she just might not survive that attack was an emotional ride.

A deadly masked unhinged man..

The problem with that…who would believe her…

She’s on her own..No one will believe her or take her serious..

So begins a deadly game of cat and mouse.

More twists and turns, deadly consequences, mayhem and chaos walk hand in hand, blood will be spilled, deaths will occur, and the ones that walk away won’t be unscathed..

This book, like the previous had me sitting on the edge of my seat, whipped lashed into submission by the utter madness that came Harper’s way, but with Knight by her side throughout it all had me racing through those pages.

So many times I giggled, more times I swooned. Definitely a series not to be missed.

Even though I'd guessed who was targeting her, those twists still left me reeling because some were not s predictable. I'm so excited to see what this author has install for us in the future.

[Smutty Little Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book absolutely screwed with my emotions and I loved every second of it. 4.5 ⭐️

I adored this duet. Harper and Knight are perfect for each other, and the storyline is killer. Literally.

If you love an FMC who is witty, hilarious, and just a little unhinged, Harper will steal your heart. She’s the constant life of the party, while Knight is the steady protector who puts up with her chaos and loves her unconditionally. Their dynamic is everything.

There were moments where I was smirking and laughing at Harper’s antics, only to turn the page and find myself on the verge of tears after a sudden shift in the storyline. The emotional whiplash hit hard in the best way.

Please check the trigger warnings. While this book isn’t dark per se, it does contain darker elements that could be triggering for some readers.

Overall, I absolutely loved this duet and hope it wrecks you just as beautifully as it did me.

[mia:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘She’s my whole fucking world. Every breath I take belongs to her. I just hope that after a long life together, she outlives me, because I can’t fathom the idea of ever having to live without her.’

the first book ended in a cliffhanger and i really thought i had it all figured out…i was wrong. this book was dark, had lots of gruesome scenes, but i liked it! it was twisty, and i braced myself for every chapter, waiting for the next twist. loved knight! mr SWAT really shows his love in this one 🥹. this book wasn’t predictable, it wasn’t cheesy, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. 😌🤭🖤🔪🩸

‘There’s no line I wouldn’t cross, no mountain I wouldn’t climb. I’ve told her more times than I can count that if she burns, I’m stepping right into the fire and burning along with her. Harper-Rayn is my fucking world, and no bastard is going to take that away from me.’

‘Fuck, I’m so in love with him.’

[Maxi’s Reads ✎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

✎𓂃♥︎ 100% will deny in public that I’ve read this duet. The FMC makes reckless choices and puts everyone she loves in danger all because she can’t bear without working in the morgue. She almost died TWICE and someone close to her, did in fact die, however, that’s no reason to not work! 🫩

Let’s not get started on her mother as a character…
Between the fact we find out who the obvious killer/stalker is not even 50% in and the constant going to talk to her toxic mother, I couldn’t wait to finish this book and forget it.

The spicy scenes are good…that’s the ONLY hook I had. I really wish the author developed this story more and gave us a true plot-twist and character development.

[Taryn Langley · Rating 2 out of 5]

way too much filler

2.75- we know who the stalker is basically right off the bat (I knew at end of book one) and definitely know 46% in, but the book just keeps going.
FMC is supposed to be a doctor, but has no common sense. Her mom is extremely abusive, but she keeps coming to these dinners as a 28 year old bc mommy said so, and everyone keeps letting Elias go instead of putting a bullet between his eyes!!! Very frustrating read. Had to force my way through it.

[Shay Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready or not?
Absolutely the 𝗳𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁

What in the 5 twisted, unhinged, morally-corrupt chaos stars?! I’ll be honest, the first 30% had me side-eyeing the direction... but once it hit I was locked in, seatbelt on, unable to look away. Totally messed up. Completely addictive.
The one liners had me cackling, the spice was spicing and yet I still spent most of this book with my jaw on the floor wondering how things could keep escalating (they did)

And this FAMILY. Dear god. The dysfunction. The manipulation. Every interaction felt like emotional warfare and I spent most of the book thinking surely this can’t get worse… ughh it absolutely does!

It’s fucked up. It’s addictive. It’s the kind of dark romance that makes you uncomfortable and exhilarated at the same time! Is this a thing??🫣

AND THE BREADCRUMBS???
Izzy. Diesel. Ace.
That RH energy was LOUD and I will not be ignoring it 👀

Wild, toxic, unhinged perfection. A brutal, feral conclusion to DARK romance duet that had me questioning my taste and immediately wanting more!

Thank you @sheridan.anne.author for the advanced reader copy! Forever grateful for the opportunity to read and review early🖤🥰

𝘈𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 27𝘵𝘩

For real though, check the trigger warnings 🖤🚩

[Alli Long. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just did not vibe the same way as I did with the first book.

I really really struggle when people are incapable of communicating and then she puts herself repeatedly in danger with zero protection and zero training.. it is the most frustrating thing to read something like that and then the repeated lying, god i just wanted to slap her.

Then the whole jumping off her medication to talk to her hallucination was the most ridiculous thing I could have imagined??

Also, why the hell would you want to BABYSIT your Nieces for the first time EVER during all of this, again the dumbest thing i can think to do right there as well.

Literally such a disappointing flop for me.

[Maryjane Elizabeth Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woeeeee. Plot twist

This book was wow so beautifully done so many twits and turns absolutely love love this book and hide and seek such a amazing book and story line

[KayBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready Or Not picks up where Hide and Seek left off with Harper-Rayn laying the parking lot after being harmed by her “stalker”. At this point our girl should just live in the hospital. Harper is just trying to live and move past everything but this stalker is just popping up. I have thoughts on if the stalker is someone in her life or a rando. This maybe a stalker romance but chapter 12 will have you giggling the entire time! What Harper is going through is breaking my heart. I believe her. Knight is very much my woman, my woman. He don’t play about our girl, he stands ten toes down for her( he if he may or may not believe her). These two work( step-uncle and all)! Friends things are happening and happening fast. I’m sitting here like I know you’re lying. Harper’s mother is a piece of work. Random question: are we getting an Izzy/Diesel/Ace book? We need something because the tension and banter are too good. I know if I went through half the stuff Harper has I would lock myself into a room immediately! The twist and turns that are happening are giving me whiplash I can’t keep up! At one point I was screaming at Harper I love your fire but sit your ass down. We are the meat and potatoes now and it is very well seasoned. I’m salivating!! The last twenty percent the foot was on the gas and we were flooring it! Before I forgot, despite the craziness we had spic and boy was it delicious . There was some hate f*****g and it was muy caliente!!! This book was chefs kiss! I am so in awe of the stories authors write and this one was no exception. I will say my theories were right, but how they played out was perfection. Ready Or Not will keep you on your toes. It was devoured in a day, it was that good!!

[alisha jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was frothing at the mouth to get my hands on this one. And i was lucky enough to recieve and ARC

Harper is the ultimate FMC she is witty, snarky and a whole lot badass and even unhinged. She works in the morgue but at this point our girl should just live in the hospital.
An we have Mr Knight, Our Swat team leader, the taboo uncle but damn boy you were in my bad books- you are lucky you redeemed yourself because damn you made me so mad.

Considering this was a dark romance Ch 11/12 had me with the second hand embarrassment and the uncontrollable giggling- i was so not prepared for this.

It’s the kind of story that keeps the book glued to your hands with you on the edge of your seat and your heart racing and your emotions at an all time high. Thanks for messing with my mind and emotions once agian. To me this was way more than just a dark stalker romance, this is a story about strength, survival, being trusted and not being doubted while choosing to fight for your life and your people.

[XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hide and seek is the second book and conclusion to the Hide and seek duet.

🖤Pitch Black Dark Romance
🖤Taboo- Step Uncle/Step Niece
🖤Masked Stalker
🖤Twists and turns
🖤Morgue Doctor & SWAT
🖤Spice
🖤 Morgue fun
🖤Dom / brat dynamic
🖤Age gap
🖤 “Yes, Daddy” energy
🖤Weapon play
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤 Mind games
🖤 Bondage
🖤 Dub-con

I've been waiting on this for MONTHS and I was sooo NOT disappointed. This had me giggling, swooning, had me on a Rollercoaster of emotions annnd literally at the edge of my seat. This has to be Sheridan Anne's best series to date. I cannot rec this enough. This CANNOT be read as a standalone and you MUST read Hide and Seek first. If you haven't done so, DO IT NOW!

[Sarah is Lostinthepages.17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a theory about the answers to the questions left for us at the end of Hide and Seek and I was right! However, I was not ready for the twisted lengths that this book would go to. Wow, just wow. At every turn I was shocked by the depravity of her stalker and the surprises that came to light as more was revealed.
There is not much that can be said without giving away any of the spoilers, so I won’t. Part of the experience of the book was not knowing what was coming around the corner.
Knight and Harper-Rayn, hit some bumps in the beginning, but that was a given considering the events happening, but it didn’t stop the connection or the spice that they had in the first book and they just stepped it up in this one.
The side characters developed more in this story and makes me want to see what happens with them.
Ready or Not had me hooked from page one, the anticipation and suspense throughout had me squirming in my seat.
Sheridan knows how to go dark and drag us all along for the ride. I love it. Ready for what’s next.

[Grace (you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love) 🎀🖤 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/⭐️ well that took a downfall for the worse.. I’ve never cringed so fucking hard like bro the things that this girl was saying had my skin itching and for that it gets 1 measly fucking stars. Get this out of my sight

Knight slayter was the only good thing in this book and for that he gets an extra star ❤️‍🩹

[Toria Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, so many emotional were brought out between, crying, anxiety, anger. I loved how Knight moved the world for harper to protect her. I was definitely not expecting it to be knights brother elias. But looking back, he showed the signs. Harper mom, we'll, I'm glad she's rotting in prison. No one cared about her anyway

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfect ending

I needed this book. The cliffhanger from book 1 was brutal.
Glad the story was wrapped up with a perfect ending.
Now, I NEED Izzy’s story
Please Sheridan 🤞🤞🤞

[Beth Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent duology, the plot was wild, the MMC was perfect and his devotion was next level.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still and total fan of Knight 🫦

Well my suspensions were spot on...

Favorite lines and quotes
She’s my whole fucking world. Every breath I take belongs to her. I just hope that after a long life together, she outlives me, because I can’t fathom the idea of ever having to live without her.

“I’m more than happy for you to push me away and tell me that I’m not what you need, but you and I both know that’s bullshit. I’m not going anywhere. I fucking love you, doll. When you’re burning, I’m burning too, and right now, your whole fucking world is up in flames, and you’re not letting me step into them with you. That’s not how we work, doll. That’s not how I love you.”

Knight’s hand slips up the back of my neck, and he pulls me in, stealing the kiss I’d robbed him of. His lips dance across mine as though he owns every inch of me, and fuck it, he absolutely does. Every single piece of me belongs to him, despite how tirelessly I’ve tried to pull away from him these past few days. There’s no amount of time or distance that could keep me from coming back to him, from coming back home.

“This isn’t just a question of picking the woman I love over my own flesh and blood. It’s choosing right over wrong, good over bad, an angel over the fucking devil. There is no choice, doll. It will always be you.”

[Kendra_spicyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader and I feel so lucky to have read this early. I love this story of Knight and Harper. I love how much of a firecracker and smartass she can be which makes her a perfect match for Knight. Also she’s freaking hilarious!!
Harper is a forensic pathologist who just went through a lot of mental health healing only to find out her stalker has returned.
Knight her (step uncle) who has decided to go forward with their relationship, is the most supportive but Harper is scared he wouldn’t understand.
Her stalker looks just like the one she had before but this one is real…
I don’t like spoilers for others so I’ll leave it with. Read it! Read the duet back to back if you get to experience this for the first time.
Now I’m just hoping we get a Izzy sandwich 🤭

[Lilly Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect mix of dark romance and thriller. I am obsessed with Harper and Knight’s story, and Sheridan has written it so well!

Side note: Sheridan, if you’re seeing this, I need a why choose of Izzy, Ace and Diesel. Yesterday.

[nikitatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so pissed that I got motivated enough to finish this duet. Are you telling me THATS HOW THE AUTHOR DECIDED TO REVEAL THE STALKER?! And like 30-40% in, too??? Like no dramatic reveal, no anticipation, no plot twist leading up to it just THAT?? and out of all the male characters in the book to choose that one? The janitor would have been a better one considering he’s got the keys. And don’t even get me started on Knight, his only personality is “I‘d die for Morticia” and Harper’s is “Constantly in hospital”.

Let’s also talk about plot holes:
1. Are you telling me that Knight, being who he is, does NOT have cameras set up INSIDE his house? Let’s be so freaking for real

2. They find the dungeon where the stalker keeps the girls and then after the shoot out he’s not arrested or even brought in regarding it??

3. How do we go from the stalker to the mother being involved as well? Like that was just a horrible addition to the plot I didn’t need and it was like worse than a plot hole.

I’ve never been more upset at an ending to a series.

[welcometosmuttsville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 1 was amazing but there wasn’t enough plot to sustain the second book. It dragged and was repetitive/predictable. So disappointing because these characters were so much fun and I was really looking forward to book 2.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kinda predictable, the FMC stayed making ridiculously stupid choices, it felt like it was full of plot holes

[Cayla Pitts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a no from me, dawg. ❌

And honestly? That’s on me.

Hide & Seek was my book club pick last month, and I almost DNF’d in chapter one after being assaulted by phrases like “big long slong” and other equally questionable word choices. But it was my book club book, so I powered through. Then things got twisty, and while I had correctly guessed the ending, it still managed to surprise me enough that I needed answers.

Unfortunately, Ready or Not did not deliver them in a way I enjoyed.

Harper-Rayn (and yes her full name was repeated about 47,000 times) was one of the most insufferable FMCs I’ve read in recent memory. I love flawed characters. In fact, give me all the messy, morally gray, making-bad-decisions heroines. But I need growth. If there was a bad decision to make, Hazel made it. Usually multiple times. If there was a red flag, she sprinted toward it.

I actually told my book club that if the stalker ended up being who we thought it was, I was DNF’ing. Well… it was exactly who we thought it was. They convinced me to keep reading because “the betrayal is insane.”

By that point, I was fully committed to hate-finishing.

Knight was the one bright spot for me, but unfortunately their relationship felt incredibly surface-level. Most of their connection revolved around sex, which left both the romance and the characters feeling underdeveloped and immature.

Some real-time thoughts while reading:

• “This stupid fucking bitch.”
• “Literally the worst decision you could have made.”
• “Oh my God, not this again.”
• “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
• “I don’t think you could get any dumber—oh, never mind.”
• “Skip. Skip. Skip. They’re STILL going? Skip.”

If you’re looking for an FMC with zero survival instincts, an actual stalker, a mystery that somehow still doesn’t answer the question of why her, and a whole lot of spice, this might be your book.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t mine.

[Kaelea Babner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready or not?? What a perfect title for this absolutely chaotic mess of a book. My emotions were all over the dang place. The book started off right where book 1 ended and she just hit the ground running!!

There was never a dull moment in the entirety of this book. We got more of the sass that is Harper and Izzy. I swear the crap that comes out of their mouths when they’re together is GOLD I laughed so much!!

Knight and Harper have a lot of hurdles to jump over in this book. Their relationship is tested. Their lives are tested. It was insane. The plot twists in this book made my head spin. I see you Sheridan Anne. There’s a reason I gravitate to your crazy books!

Now, I’m going to need a Diesel book in the near future because that broody man is a whole snack that I need to devour 🫠 and I’m not against a why choose situation 😮‍💨

The characters in this duet are unforgettable. One story line was crazy yet genius. I never blew through a book so fast in my life!! If you love a stalker romance with SWAT men galore, add this crazy ride your tbr! Just make sure to buckle up and enjoy the ride!!

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

Ready or Not kept me on my toes from start to finish, with sharp twists and the perfect blend of psychological suspense, looming danger, and action-packed tension. The found family vibes add a refreshing sense of warmth and belonging, grounding the story while the FMC navigates increasingly uncertain and dangerous waters (and of course, dragging the protective alpha male along for the ride while he tries to protect her 😆).

Picking up straight from the cliffhanger of book one, this story hits the ground running. Despite the dark premise of a stalker determined to get his hands on the FMC, the banter and well-timed dark humour balance the tension perfectly. The chemistry between the MCs is off the charts, making the story even more gripping and addictive.

Thank you to Sheridan Anne and team for the ARC! 🙌

Dark stalker romance | SWAT officer MMC | FMC with a stalker | Age gap | Spicy | Thrilling | Emotionally charged

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Title: Ready or Not
Author: Sheridan Anne
Genre: Dark Stalker Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Harper + Knight
Book Type: Duet | Book 2

Holy cow was this duet tense, full of mystery, twist and turns and just when you think you know, you quickly figure out that you don’t!

I had 3 theories on who this stalker was, and one of them was right but man was I struggling to put the pieces together to figure out the clues.

Absolutely loved the characters, the banter and of course the spice was HOT. Although, Knight pissed me off a few times but he finally redeemed himself.

Highly recommend you picking this up if you’re looking for a twist of turns that keep you longing for the answers until the end.

[Courtney Allmon-bady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ready or Not delivered exactly what I wanted from the conclusion to the Hide and Seek duet—a darker, more suspenseful story filled with shocking twists, dangerous obsession, and nonstop tension. Picking up right where the first book left off, the stakes felt even higher as Harper and Knight fought to uncover the truth before it was too late.

Sheridan Anne does an incredible job of keeping the reader questioning everything. Just when I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist completely changed the direction of the story. The suspense never let up, and the balance between psychological thriller elements and dark romance kept me turning pages late into the night.

[Kellie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a banger of a series! Harper and Knight are top freaking tier! The tension slams it out the park, the spice is freaking spicing, plot is addictive as heck, with so many twist and turns your mouth will drop to the floor. This was such a fun, chaotic, but different read. I ate this up like it was my last meal, then referred it to everyone I could think of. Harper is a bada$$ with no fear and Knight is the man that will burn the city down for her to protect her. This was a vibe, it was delicious and takes you through such a rollercoaster of a ride. Don’t sleep on these books!

[Jaz 🌻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheridan!!! I asked and you gave yet another 5/5 ⭐️🌶️

Talk about the perfect continuation of Knight & Harper’s storyline into Book #2: it was suspenseful, spicy AF, dark and twisteddddd. You know when an author has created a masterpiece of a psychological thriller when I devour a story in less than 24 hours!!

Side note - I loved that little bonus scene of “Here I Come” at the end with Izzy + Ace + Diesel - the perfect ending!

[CharmeineC]

I'm a fan of Sheridan Anne and loved Bradford Bastard books. But the writing in this one feels forced and over the top for me. I'm fine with swearing if it has a place in the dialogue but it felt like every other paragraph was repeating things like "I cleared a tight lump in my throat" or "I shifted uncomfortably." I lost count of how many times "fu*k" appeared in the first couple of chapters.

I'm still going to push through it because I enjoy the stories. Harper is just.... man, she gets herself into the dumbest situations. And that's infuriating.