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Prey
I escaped his collection. Now I'm hunting them all.I learned the difference between a cage and freedom the hard way—locked in Nikolai Vex's carefully curated prison, I was just another possession. Just another prize. But I got out. I learned to fight. I learned to survive in the underground circuits where blood and sweat wash away the memory of captivity.
I thought I was free.
Then he found me.
The Hunter never forgets what's his, and Nikolai Vex has been searching for me in every shadow. But I'm not the terrified woman I was. I've spent months systematically dismantling the collectors—the predators who build their empires on stolen lives. I've become something far more dangerous than prey.
When he recaptures me, something fractures between us. Violent. Obsessive. Raw.
His mask becomes a barrier between what he wants to hide and what I'm determined to expose. Every brutal confrontation blurs the line between my escape and my surrender, between hunter and hunted. With each clash, each touch, each question about the face hidden beneath that bone-white mask, I realize the most dangerous cage isn't made of steel.
It's built from want. His. Mine. The space between us that grows smaller and more lethal with every breath.
In the dark, some hunts end in blood. Others end in something far more intoxicating.
Prey is the first book in The Architect Series, a very dark series of romance books with heavy subjects that some readers may find triggering. A link to the full list of the warnings will be found at the beginning of the book.
I thought I was free.
Then he found me.
The Hunter never forgets what's his, and Nikolai Vex has been searching for me in every shadow. But I'm not the terrified woman I was. I've spent months systematically dismantling the collectors—the predators who build their empires on stolen lives. I've become something far more dangerous than prey.
When he recaptures me, something fractures between us. Violent. Obsessive. Raw.
His mask becomes a barrier between what he wants to hide and what I'm determined to expose. Every brutal confrontation blurs the line between my escape and my surrender, between hunter and hunted. With each clash, each touch, each question about the face hidden beneath that bone-white mask, I realize the most dangerous cage isn't made of steel.
It's built from want. His. Mine. The space between us that grows smaller and more lethal with every breath.
In the dark, some hunts end in blood. Others end in something far more intoxicating.
Prey is the first book in The Architect Series, a very dark series of romance books with heavy subjects that some readers may find triggering. A link to the full list of the warnings will be found at the beginning of the book.
- GenresDark RomanceSpicyDark
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 28, 2026
3 stars. This book is mostly safe’ish, but you’ll definitely want to check out the TW. There’s no OM/OW drama and there is no sharing between MCs. BUT….some of the guys in the bro’s club are manwh*res and they do like sharing. There is also some MM and threesome action. Not with the MCs of THIS book.
(Possible spoilers ahead with recap)
Theon, Dominic, Darius, Damon, Ezra, Lucien, Marcus, Raphael, and Nik are The Architects. They are 9 men who were trapped/imprisoned as young children and experimented on. It was a bunch of mind control and doping experiments. They survived, and now it’s their mission to put a stop to this happening to other kids. Each character has their own set of special skills.
Random info- The Architects was the name of the organization that did the experiments on the kids. Now the men call their club The Architects.
They have a converted warehouse that’s now like the Batcave. 🤷♀️ They all are VERY sexually active. Some share smex partners, some boink each other, and some boink multiple women. They pretty much do this all out in the open. So they all have a voyeurism kink. Nik never does any of that in this book. He’s definitely no virgin, but the book is vague about his smex life. We just see the other guy’s smex life.
Jenna has had a rough life. Her stepfather SA’d her daily while she was growing up. One day she 🔪 him with a fire poker and ran. She lives life very paranoid. She is also a cage fighter. She doesn’t know if her stepdad is ☠️
Nik is the leader of the bro club. He gets “acquisitions” for customers. (More about this later) but basically, smex trafficking women. I did almost DNF because ewww. It’s hard to root for any hero that does that but I’m glad I kept going. It explains this later on.
Nik becomes obsessed with Jenna and starts to stalk her. When the book starts, he’s been following her for 11 days.
He eventually takes her as his “acquisition” and puts her in a concrete cell. So….they have a few smexual moments, but Jenna eventually escapes. Nik keeps looking for her.
Jenna discovers a smex trafficking ring and she starts to kill them off. She gets rid of 5. Nik traps her again then brings her out to a bunker.
For about a month, they grow to KNOW each other. Let’s just say Nik has a major breeding kink. I was laughing at some of the OTT stuff he was saying during smex. 😂 Both MCs are very into primal play. By the time they leave the bunker, they are a couple and they love each other. 🙃
They go back to the bro club and the bros want to know if Nik is going to “share” her since they’ve always shared. Nik is like “NO, She is mine” but he does dixk her up right there in front of them. It was a little strange to get commentary from the bros while they were smexing. Some of the bros had smex with each other or jacked off during this.
Anyway, now Jenna is an official member of the bro’s club.
They all go on a mission to rescue some kids. Jenna gets to experience it first-hand. After the mission, Jenna finds out she’s pregnant. Now….she confronts Nik about his side job of “acquisitions” and how she has a BIG problem with it. That’s when he explains the women he actually gets were part of the group that was selling off the children. Jenna is still like idc, I don’t like it. I guess it’s one thing to just ☠️ them, but it’s another to actually sell them off into the smex trade.
The guys go on another rescue mission and discover there are way more trafficked kids being experimented on. They vow to stop them all.
Jenna then has her moment with her stepdad. Nik captured him. Jenna tortured him a bunch, then Nik ☠️ him. Then they have smex. 🤪
The book ends with Nik and Jenna going on vacation to Bora Bora. He proposes, she said yes. More smex.
Theon’s book is next. He’s the drug chemist in the bro club.
I loved the bro’s club (even though some sound like a walking STD)
I liked the found family, loved Nik and Jenna, and I’m very interested in reading the next book. I would’ve loved more info about the smex trafficking and mind control, but I assume that’s info we will slowly get over the next 8 books.
I will proceed with caution with the rest of the series because I do feel some books are not going to be my vibe. There is BIG potential for sharing, threesomes, etc…. With some of these characters. We will see 🤷♀️🤷♀️
(Possible spoilers ahead with recap)
Theon, Dominic, Darius, Damon, Ezra, Lucien, Marcus, Raphael, and Nik are The Architects. They are 9 men who were trapped/imprisoned as young children and experimented on. It was a bunch of mind control and doping experiments. They survived, and now it’s their mission to put a stop to this happening to other kids. Each character has their own set of special skills.
Random info- The Architects was the name of the organization that did the experiments on the kids. Now the men call their club The Architects.
They have a converted warehouse that’s now like the Batcave. 🤷♀️ They all are VERY sexually active. Some share smex partners, some boink each other, and some boink multiple women. They pretty much do this all out in the open. So they all have a voyeurism kink. Nik never does any of that in this book. He’s definitely no virgin, but the book is vague about his smex life. We just see the other guy’s smex life.
Jenna has had a rough life. Her stepfather SA’d her daily while she was growing up. One day she 🔪 him with a fire poker and ran. She lives life very paranoid. She is also a cage fighter. She doesn’t know if her stepdad is ☠️
Nik is the leader of the bro club. He gets “acquisitions” for customers. (More about this later) but basically, smex trafficking women. I did almost DNF because ewww. It’s hard to root for any hero that does that but I’m glad I kept going. It explains this later on.
Nik becomes obsessed with Jenna and starts to stalk her. When the book starts, he’s been following her for 11 days.
He eventually takes her as his “acquisition” and puts her in a concrete cell. So….they have a few smexual moments, but Jenna eventually escapes. Nik keeps looking for her.
Jenna discovers a smex trafficking ring and she starts to kill them off. She gets rid of 5. Nik traps her again then brings her out to a bunker.
For about a month, they grow to KNOW each other. Let’s just say Nik has a major breeding kink. I was laughing at some of the OTT stuff he was saying during smex. 😂 Both MCs are very into primal play. By the time they leave the bunker, they are a couple and they love each other. 🙃
They go back to the bro club and the bros want to know if Nik is going to “share” her since they’ve always shared. Nik is like “NO, She is mine” but he does dixk her up right there in front of them. It was a little strange to get commentary from the bros while they were smexing. Some of the bros had smex with each other or jacked off during this.
Anyway, now Jenna is an official member of the bro’s club.
They all go on a mission to rescue some kids. Jenna gets to experience it first-hand. After the mission, Jenna finds out she’s pregnant. Now….she confronts Nik about his side job of “acquisitions” and how she has a BIG problem with it. That’s when he explains the women he actually gets were part of the group that was selling off the children. Jenna is still like idc, I don’t like it. I guess it’s one thing to just ☠️ them, but it’s another to actually sell them off into the smex trade.
The guys go on another rescue mission and discover there are way more trafficked kids being experimented on. They vow to stop them all.
Jenna then has her moment with her stepdad. Nik captured him. Jenna tortured him a bunch, then Nik ☠️ him. Then they have smex. 🤪
The book ends with Nik and Jenna going on vacation to Bora Bora. He proposes, she said yes. More smex.
Theon’s book is next. He’s the drug chemist in the bro club.
I loved the bro’s club (even though some sound like a walking STD)
I liked the found family, loved Nik and Jenna, and I’m very interested in reading the next book. I would’ve loved more info about the smex trafficking and mind control, but I assume that’s info we will slowly get over the next 8 books.
I will proceed with caution with the rest of the series because I do feel some books are not going to be my vibe. There is BIG potential for sharing, threesomes, etc…. With some of these characters. We will see 🤷♀️🤷♀️
July 5, 2026
I have loved all of Selena's books that I've read, and this one didn't disappoint either. If you love masked antiheroes, morally black MMCs, trauma-healing arcs, dangerous obsession, and dark romance that earns every emotional beat, Prey deserves a place on your TBR.
June 26, 2026
Can you break something that’s already broken? Can you condition something that’s already adapted?
Jenna knows how life can throw you away, she learned how to survive, how to protect herself when no-one else could then she’s thrown a curve ball when Nikolai sets his sights on on her. He tracks her every move, learns her routines then when the time is right he pounces, ladynaps her, keeps her captive feeding her not only food 😉 Still Jenna’s survival instinct comes to the fore…will she be able to elude him? Worst, does she want to?
𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓼𝔂𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝔂, 𝓘’𝓶 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓝𝓲𝓴𝓸𝓵𝓪𝓲 𝓥𝓮𝔁.
If you’ve read Selena’s books before you will know they just keep you glued to the pages, parts may be a little rough to swallow (pun intended) but you know you will come out the other side. She has a penchant for building her characters to a point of love to hate then you melt for them. This one was no different, she made Jenna show the readers that strength can come from within even if your submissive side wants to disintegrate to commands. The plot line builds to ensure we want the next book to find out more about The Architects and what made them who they are. I loved how Jenna re-invented herself, but still held onto her emotions, Nikolai well that’s part of the story, I ain’t spoiling it. The spice was hot, primal play 🤌, revenge 🍬, family bonds 🔒, violence 🩸and so much more.
Jenna knows how life can throw you away, she learned how to survive, how to protect herself when no-one else could then she’s thrown a curve ball when Nikolai sets his sights on on her. He tracks her every move, learns her routines then when the time is right he pounces, ladynaps her, keeps her captive feeding her not only food 😉 Still Jenna’s survival instinct comes to the fore…will she be able to elude him? Worst, does she want to?
𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝔂 𝓹𝓼𝔂𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝔂, 𝓘’𝓶 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓻𝓾𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓝𝓲𝓴𝓸𝓵𝓪𝓲 𝓥𝓮𝔁.
If you’ve read Selena’s books before you will know they just keep you glued to the pages, parts may be a little rough to swallow (pun intended) but you know you will come out the other side. She has a penchant for building her characters to a point of love to hate then you melt for them. This one was no different, she made Jenna show the readers that strength can come from within even if your submissive side wants to disintegrate to commands. The plot line builds to ensure we want the next book to find out more about The Architects and what made them who they are. I loved how Jenna re-invented herself, but still held onto her emotions, Nikolai well that’s part of the story, I ain’t spoiling it. The spice was hot, primal play 🤌, revenge 🍬, family bonds 🔒, violence 🩸and so much more.
June 26, 2026
I love Jenna and Nik!!
The first views we get of Jenna you can tell something has happened to her, she is constantly checking locks and pieces of tape, changing the way she walks to and from work. The level of paranoid that isn't normal.
Then enters Nikolai, our hunter, kidnapper, the one obsessed with Jenna.
Once Jenna gets away she won't be prey again, becoming a fighter, a hunter in her own right.
When Nik and Jenna come back together, Nik recognizes that Jenna isn't the same woman from before, that she is more of a predator than prey. There connection changes.
I start to enjoy their relationship more at this point. Even more so after the bunker that Nik takes her to and he opens up to her more. Once we know more about Nik and what made him and his "brothers" they are.
Project Architect becomes a bigger part of the story at this point and we learn so much more about the guys and I love this and learning more about the brothers.
I can't wait for more of this series and knowing the brothers better, and seeing how they handle Project Architect.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The first views we get of Jenna you can tell something has happened to her, she is constantly checking locks and pieces of tape, changing the way she walks to and from work. The level of paranoid that isn't normal.
Then enters Nikolai, our hunter, kidnapper, the one obsessed with Jenna.
Once Jenna gets away she won't be prey again, becoming a fighter, a hunter in her own right.
When Nik and Jenna come back together, Nik recognizes that Jenna isn't the same woman from before, that she is more of a predator than prey. There connection changes.
I start to enjoy their relationship more at this point. Even more so after the bunker that Nik takes her to and he opens up to her more. Once we know more about Nik and what made him and his "brothers" they are.
Project Architect becomes a bigger part of the story at this point and we learn so much more about the guys and I love this and learning more about the brothers.
I can't wait for more of this series and knowing the brothers better, and seeing how they handle Project Architect.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Did Not Finish
June 29, 2026Why this book has such good reviews is beyond me. The writing is not bad, but the plot is almost nonexistent. If you’re reading for spicy scenes, this is for you (especially if you have a breeding kink which is all MMC can talk about). If you want some substance, choose sth else.
June 27, 2026
Two broken people.. can they fix what’s broken or can they love all the broken pieces. I love this book Selena Winters is always writing books that keep me glued to my kindle. Always the right amount of spice and plot.
July 6, 2026
This book had scenes unlike anything I'd read before, and the chemistry between Jenna and Nikolai was incredible. The spice was perfectly written, with just the right hint of dominance from both characters.
Overall, this was a fun, unique read that kept me hooked. ALWAYS check your triggers...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, this was a fun, unique read that kept me hooked. ALWAYS check your triggers...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2026
Prey by Selena Winters is the first title I have read by this author and I wasn't disappointed, and with that in mind, as its also the first story in the new The Architects series, I am already looking forward to the next book!
This is a dark romance with explicit content so check the trigger warnings and be aware, but ultimately, definitely dive in and enjoy.
The themes of dominance, obsessiveness, possessiveness, psychological conditioning and other forms of behaviour modification along with plenty of high heat scenes, have been combined in a plot and storyline that had me hooked right from the start.
Both Nikolai and Jenna are emotionally and psychologically scarred, having suffered violence and trauma growing up but as the story progresses I don't think they fundamentally changed or healed but rather more, with each others presence and help, they were able to function better together and direct their need for vengeance in such a way as to hunt and prevent the same damage they experienced from happening to others.
Their relationship starts with Nikolai being captivated by Jenna without her knowledge and it quickly developing into obsession and a need for possession as he kidnaps and holds her captive. He starts using conditioning, which he experienced in his own past, which Jenna cleverly is able to utilise against him and escape.
Captured again, Jenna has since evolved both physically and emotionally whilst she evaded Nik and he realises that what he initially wanted with Jenna before has also evolved, and although he still wants to possess her, Nik now needs Jenna to want to chose him regardless of the captivity and behaviour modification methods he has and is using.
The psychological back and forth between Jenna and Nik is entertaining as it is also used to peel away the layers of the characters and they get to understand the trauma each has survived.
The pace of the story works well as the author combines character development, action, emotional connection and sizzling chemistry as each characters minds catches up with their physical desire and compatibility for each other.
The steam and spice is high heat and there is plenty of it, but it has been used in such a way as to drive the story because of the psychological element up to the point where emotions also come into play and the dark romance is evident and the vulnerability Nik and Jenna share with each other kept me turning the pages eagerly.
Nik and Jenna are morally grey characters, and heroes to a certain degree, but overall it made this a highly addictive story. The foundation of this story on which Nik and the Architects operate will have you impatiently waiting for the next antihero but in the meantime, I'll be checking out some other titles by Selena Winters!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a dark romance with explicit content so check the trigger warnings and be aware, but ultimately, definitely dive in and enjoy.
The themes of dominance, obsessiveness, possessiveness, psychological conditioning and other forms of behaviour modification along with plenty of high heat scenes, have been combined in a plot and storyline that had me hooked right from the start.
Both Nikolai and Jenna are emotionally and psychologically scarred, having suffered violence and trauma growing up but as the story progresses I don't think they fundamentally changed or healed but rather more, with each others presence and help, they were able to function better together and direct their need for vengeance in such a way as to hunt and prevent the same damage they experienced from happening to others.
Their relationship starts with Nikolai being captivated by Jenna without her knowledge and it quickly developing into obsession and a need for possession as he kidnaps and holds her captive. He starts using conditioning, which he experienced in his own past, which Jenna cleverly is able to utilise against him and escape.
Captured again, Jenna has since evolved both physically and emotionally whilst she evaded Nik and he realises that what he initially wanted with Jenna before has also evolved, and although he still wants to possess her, Nik now needs Jenna to want to chose him regardless of the captivity and behaviour modification methods he has and is using.
The psychological back and forth between Jenna and Nik is entertaining as it is also used to peel away the layers of the characters and they get to understand the trauma each has survived.
The pace of the story works well as the author combines character development, action, emotional connection and sizzling chemistry as each characters minds catches up with their physical desire and compatibility for each other.
The steam and spice is high heat and there is plenty of it, but it has been used in such a way as to drive the story because of the psychological element up to the point where emotions also come into play and the dark romance is evident and the vulnerability Nik and Jenna share with each other kept me turning the pages eagerly.
Nik and Jenna are morally grey characters, and heroes to a certain degree, but overall it made this a highly addictive story. The foundation of this story on which Nik and the Architects operate will have you impatiently waiting for the next antihero but in the meantime, I'll be checking out some other titles by Selena Winters!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2026
Do you ever look at a MMC and think he ruined his entire normalcy over an obsession
I tell you that Nikolai is not only obsessed he is a man who will defy all of his routine And He will go off script just to have her now she's a spitfire she's willing to use his weaknesses against him in this book and it's so sly but yet she has trained herself to be this way because of her past now he waits till the variant of the book to tell her exactly why he took her And I think that was kind of a little crazy just because of the simple fact of this whole time she thought she was going to be sold off like the rest but she didn't really know why they were being sold off once she realizes why these group of men do what they do and why it's kind of like a secret society and why they're like fighting back and like doing all these things then she finally understands like more of him but that mask that he wears is part of him and I think it in a way is a crutch for him and I feel like awesome There are reports of times where it was sexy as all get out but then it was kind of a little unhinged if that makes sense but I absolutely love the chase I love that she was obsessed with the way he made her feel but yet she was willing to make him chase her and that was even better than I expected
I tell you that Nikolai is not only obsessed he is a man who will defy all of his routine And He will go off script just to have her now she's a spitfire she's willing to use his weaknesses against him in this book and it's so sly but yet she has trained herself to be this way because of her past now he waits till the variant of the book to tell her exactly why he took her And I think that was kind of a little crazy just because of the simple fact of this whole time she thought she was going to be sold off like the rest but she didn't really know why they were being sold off once she realizes why these group of men do what they do and why it's kind of like a secret society and why they're like fighting back and like doing all these things then she finally understands like more of him but that mask that he wears is part of him and I think it in a way is a crutch for him and I feel like awesome There are reports of times where it was sexy as all get out but then it was kind of a little unhinged if that makes sense but I absolutely love the chase I love that she was obsessed with the way he made her feel but yet she was willing to make him chase her and that was even better than I expected
July 4, 2026
Selena Winters delivers exceptional character work. Jenna isn’t a helpless heroine waiting to be rescued. She’s intelligent, resourceful, and constantly calculating her next move. Nikolai is equally compelling. Beneath his chilling exterior lies a man driven by vengeance against an organization responsible for unimaginable horrors. He’s ruthless, morally bankrupt in many ways, yet impossible to look away from. Their psychological tug-of-war is every bit as addictive as the romance.
The pacing is relentless, balancing brutal action, emotional vulnerability, and explosive chemistry without losing momentum. The alternating POVs allow readers to understand both sides of this dangerous relationship, making even the darkest moments emotionally gripping.
The spice is intense, explicit, and deeply intertwined with the psychological tension. This is not soft romance. It’s possessive, obsessive, morally complicated, and absolutely unapologetic about what it is.
If you love masked antiheroes, morally black MMCs, trauma-healing arcs, dangerous obsession, and dark romance that earns every emotional beat, Prey deserves a place on your TBR.
Final Verdict: Selena Winters delivers a brutal, addictive, emotionally charged dark romance that’s impossible to binge responsibly. Sleep becomes optional. Your emotional stability may file a formal complaint.
The pacing is relentless, balancing brutal action, emotional vulnerability, and explosive chemistry without losing momentum. The alternating POVs allow readers to understand both sides of this dangerous relationship, making even the darkest moments emotionally gripping.
The spice is intense, explicit, and deeply intertwined with the psychological tension. This is not soft romance. It’s possessive, obsessive, morally complicated, and absolutely unapologetic about what it is.
If you love masked antiheroes, morally black MMCs, trauma-healing arcs, dangerous obsession, and dark romance that earns every emotional beat, Prey deserves a place on your TBR.
Final Verdict: Selena Winters delivers a brutal, addictive, emotionally charged dark romance that’s impossible to binge responsibly. Sleep becomes optional. Your emotional stability may file a formal complaint.
July 4, 2026
If you love your dark romance SPICY, HOT and INTENSE, then Prey is a must-read! This book is packed with all the deliciously dark tropes I love—masked men, primal play, a touch of captive romance and a breeding kink that definitely turns up the heat.
Nikolai and Jenna were absolutely perfect together. The chemistry between them was off the charts, but what really kept me turning the pages was the connection they built beneath all the intensity. Selena Winters has a way of creating characters who are beautifully broken yet somehow perfectly suited for one another and I couldn't get enough of these two.
While this book delivers plenty of scorching-hot moments, it also has emotional depth that balances the story beautifully. There are some darker themes that could be triggering for some readers, so definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
Selena Winters continues to be one of my favorite dark romance authors. Every book pulls me in from the very first page and Prey was no exception. If you're a fan of dark romance with unforgettable characters, addictive chemistry and all the spice, I highly recommend this one!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nikolai and Jenna were absolutely perfect together. The chemistry between them was off the charts, but what really kept me turning the pages was the connection they built beneath all the intensity. Selena Winters has a way of creating characters who are beautifully broken yet somehow perfectly suited for one another and I couldn't get enough of these two.
While this book delivers plenty of scorching-hot moments, it also has emotional depth that balances the story beautifully. There are some darker themes that could be triggering for some readers, so definitely check the content warnings before diving in.
Selena Winters continues to be one of my favorite dark romance authors. Every book pulls me in from the very first page and Prey was no exception. If you're a fan of dark romance with unforgettable characters, addictive chemistry and all the spice, I highly recommend this one!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2026
Selena Winters proves once again why she sits at the top of my dark‑romance shelf. Prey is the first book in The Architect Series, and it wastes no time dragging you into its world of collectors, cages, and the nine men shaped by childhood imprisonment and experimentation. The Architects are survivors forged into weapons, each with their own terrifying skill set. The world‑building around them is sharp, unsettling, and immediately addictive.
The dual POV adds depth to the chaos, balancing violence, vulnerability, and explosive chemistry where every moment of fear turns to want. This isn’t a soft romance. It’s possessive, obsessive, morally complicated, and unapologetically dark. Selena does not let the spice stay tame; it’s intense, explicit, and woven perfectly into the psychological warfare between Nikolai and Jenna. Their dynamic is pure combustion. Every confrontation is brutal, intimate, and emotionally charged, making each chapter feel like a collision.
An intoxicating start to a series I already know I’ll be devouring. With Theon’s book up next, the setup here guarantees The Architects are going to ruin me in the best way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The dual POV adds depth to the chaos, balancing violence, vulnerability, and explosive chemistry where every moment of fear turns to want. This isn’t a soft romance. It’s possessive, obsessive, morally complicated, and unapologetically dark. Selena does not let the spice stay tame; it’s intense, explicit, and woven perfectly into the psychological warfare between Nikolai and Jenna. Their dynamic is pure combustion. Every confrontation is brutal, intimate, and emotionally charged, making each chapter feel like a collision.
An intoxicating start to a series I already know I’ll be devouring. With Theon’s book up next, the setup here guarantees The Architects are going to ruin me in the best way.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
PREY is one of those books that I feel the need to tell how much I liked it—which is a LOT—and then tell y’all that PREY will be the book for you, if you like: Selena Winters’ increasingly dark, deliciously twisted mind; graphic on-page sex between main characters, brief on-page graphic sex between several of the side characters—mm, mmm, & mfm; a masked main male character that drugs, kidnaps, and cages the female lead; Primal chase in the woods; seeing bad guys get what’s coming to them; and can handle the experience of the ‘after’ of trafficked children as you ‘walk’ beside Nikolai and Jenna through the ebb and flow of their journey to HEA.
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Nikolai
FMC:
✨Jenna
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 1: The Architects
Tropes:
👉dark primal romance
👉revenge romance
👉masked mmc
👉forced proximity
👉enemies to lovers
👉healing
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex, not mains: mm, mmm, mfm
💥profanity
💥violence
💥kidnapping
💥captivity
💥breed kink, pregnancy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Nikolai
FMC:
✨Jenna
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 1: The Architects
Tropes:
👉dark primal romance
👉revenge romance
👉masked mmc
👉forced proximity
👉enemies to lovers
👉healing
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex, not mains: mm, mmm, mfm
💥profanity
💥violence
💥kidnapping
💥captivity
💥breed kink, pregnancy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2026
Selena has such a great way of grabbing you on page 1 and intriguing you with all her characters. You just keep turning the page to find out what happened to them in their past that made them the way they are! This book held me captive until I finished!!
Nikolai had such a feral and primal attraction to Jenna from the moment he saw her! Jenna is running from her past and just trying to stay alive; but becomes Nikolai's prey. Jenna wasn't even supposed to be a target for him, but he saw her and his unhinged possessive side just had to claim her!
Every series I read from Selena entices me to read every book. They way she describes and introduces the other characters just has me needing the next book. The interactions and dialogue with Nikolai's eight brothers has me wanting to know their past and story like RIGHT NOW!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nikolai had such a feral and primal attraction to Jenna from the moment he saw her! Jenna is running from her past and just trying to stay alive; but becomes Nikolai's prey. Jenna wasn't even supposed to be a target for him, but he saw her and his unhinged possessive side just had to claim her!
Every series I read from Selena entices me to read every book. They way she describes and introduces the other characters just has me needing the next book. The interactions and dialogue with Nikolai's eight brothers has me wanting to know their past and story like RIGHT NOW!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2026
Book review:
First things first: this is a dark romance, so do yourself a favour and check those trigger warnings before diving in.
Our MMC clocks Jenna and immediately decides, “Yep, that’s my person,” then proceeds to make obsession his entire personality. If you’re into possessive men with absolutely zero chill and a massive breeding kink, congratulations—you’ve found your next read.
That said… I kept getting pulled out of the story because I genuinely thought I’d accidentally reread entire paragraphs. Nope. Just a lot of repeated thoughts and scenes that felt redundant. I found myself scrolling back more than once to make sure I wasn’t losing it, which unfortunately broke the immersion.
The bones of this story are there. The premise is intriguing, the chemistry has potential, and there were moments that had me hooked. With a bit more polishing and tighter editing to trim the repetition, I honestly think this could’ve been a five-star read.
So while this one didn’t completely win me over, I can absolutely see the appeal if dark, obsessive romance with plenty of possessiveness is your thing.
⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
First things first: this is a dark romance, so do yourself a favour and check those trigger warnings before diving in.
Our MMC clocks Jenna and immediately decides, “Yep, that’s my person,” then proceeds to make obsession his entire personality. If you’re into possessive men with absolutely zero chill and a massive breeding kink, congratulations—you’ve found your next read.
That said… I kept getting pulled out of the story because I genuinely thought I’d accidentally reread entire paragraphs. Nope. Just a lot of repeated thoughts and scenes that felt redundant. I found myself scrolling back more than once to make sure I wasn’t losing it, which unfortunately broke the immersion.
The bones of this story are there. The premise is intriguing, the chemistry has potential, and there were moments that had me hooked. With a bit more polishing and tighter editing to trim the repetition, I honestly think this could’ve been a five-star read.
So while this one didn’t completely win me over, I can absolutely see the appeal if dark, obsessive romance with plenty of possessiveness is your thing.
⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 6, 2026
I do like these deliciously dark, morally grey storylines. Where the hunter becomes captivated by his prey, and in the end, their obsession, their possession, has become the one that leads them from the dark into the light. The power dynamics shift, offering the hunter a chance of a true, deep connection with his prey.
The hunter soon realises that his prey has qualities that could benefit both of them with training. Could the prey become the hunter instead? Could she help him and his brothers hunt down their common enemy, the ones who use children in their experiments, as they did with him and his brothers? Ones they have vowed to exterminate and save the children they have in captivity.
The series has started well. I am looking forward to reading about each of his brothers when their character becomes the primary instead of the secondary in the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The hunter soon realises that his prey has qualities that could benefit both of them with training. Could the prey become the hunter instead? Could she help him and his brothers hunt down their common enemy, the ones who use children in their experiments, as they did with him and his brothers? Ones they have vowed to exterminate and save the children they have in captivity.
The series has started well. I am looking forward to reading about each of his brothers when their character becomes the primary instead of the secondary in the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2026
Jenna is on the run from her violent, abusive stepfather. She doesn’t know if she killed him or just injured him; she’s too afraid to Google him. But she catches the attention of a hunter, Nikolai.
Nikolai is a Hunter; he was broken as a child by a program that makes hunters. He lives with his 8 brothers, others who escaped that life. They work to dismantle the program and save other children from the hell they went through.
Nikolai takes Jenna; he calls her his acquisition, but really doesn’t want to sell her off; he wants to keep her. He’s conflicted. During this conflicted period, Jenna is able to escape, and she decides to hunt other collectors who traffic women.
If you’ve read other Selena Winters books, you know her books are heavy on spice, but this book is a good mix of plot and spice. I look forward to more of this world and the development of other characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nikolai is a Hunter; he was broken as a child by a program that makes hunters. He lives with his 8 brothers, others who escaped that life. They work to dismantle the program and save other children from the hell they went through.
Nikolai takes Jenna; he calls her his acquisition, but really doesn’t want to sell her off; he wants to keep her. He’s conflicted. During this conflicted period, Jenna is able to escape, and she decides to hunt other collectors who traffic women.
If you’ve read other Selena Winters books, you know her books are heavy on spice, but this book is a good mix of plot and spice. I look forward to more of this world and the development of other characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2026
Prey pulled me into a dark, psychologically unhinged world defined by Nikolai's obsessive, dangerous, and all-consuming fixation on Jenna. It’s dark depravity at its absolute finest, delivering a primal, gritty edge and a lethal dynamic that holds you completely captive. Before you step into this beautiful nightmare, ensure you heed the author's warnings, as the triggers run deep. If you crave a romance that is deviantly twisted, hauntingly emotional, devastatingly beautiful, and serving a happily ever after with a body count—make this your next obsession.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2026
Story 4 ⭐
Spice 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Prey is a VERY spicy dark captivity and revenge romance novel. This one is a little darker than most novels by Selena Winters I'm terms of topics, so check the potential triggers if needed. It is also spicier than normal as this book is over 50% spice.
Nikolai and Jenna both come from a background of trauma and violence. The relationship starts via kidnapping and captivity, but eventually they become a team and get revenge on people from their pasts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spice 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Prey is a VERY spicy dark captivity and revenge romance novel. This one is a little darker than most novels by Selena Winters I'm terms of topics, so check the potential triggers if needed. It is also spicier than normal as this book is over 50% spice.
Nikolai and Jenna both come from a background of trauma and violence. The relationship starts via kidnapping and captivity, but eventually they become a team and get revenge on people from their pasts.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 5, 2026
Jenna and Nik both have rough pasts. So when Nik spots Jenna while on another job, he can't help but try to figure her out. Jenna, ever vigilant due to her past, knows someone is watching her, but she can't figure out who. As they fall for each other in the least conventional way and after many trials/tribulations, can they heal the parts of themselves and each other that were broken long before? Watching Jenna and Nik navigate their pasts and their future was such a wild ride. The emotions, the passion, the way they challenged each other and themselves was incredible.
July 7, 2026
Book 1 of the architects. And a FANtastic start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'In the dark, some hunts end in blood. Others end in something far more intoxicating.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'In the dark, some hunts end in blood. Others end in something far more intoxicating.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2026
Cat and Mouse with a Twist
Jenna has been at the mercy of those who are bigger and stronger her whole life. Her father and then Nikolai. Her father was a mean and abusive man. Nikolai is a hunter who has taken Jenna as an acquisition. He wants to keep her but she has other plans.
Jenna escapes and a dark cat mouse game ensues. This story has spice, thrill, angst and suspense. Overall, the plot is good and the story is entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jenna has been at the mercy of those who are bigger and stronger her whole life. Her father and then Nikolai. Her father was a mean and abusive man. Nikolai is a hunter who has taken Jenna as an acquisition. He wants to keep her but she has other plans.
Jenna escapes and a dark cat mouse game ensues. This story has spice, thrill, angst and suspense. Overall, the plot is good and the story is entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2026
Nikolai is one of the 9 architects who were experimented on, they escaped and vowed to protect others from that fate, when Nik spots Jenna, he becomes obssesed and aquires her for himself, shes in the run from her abusive step dad who shes attacked and doesnt know if he lived or not, when Nik takes her and she meets the other architects her life will never be the same again. Well written engaging steamy desires drama action and more, dark themes.
July 4, 2026
Definitely a dark story. Check the trigger warnings before reading. Jenna became Nikolai's obsession by chance while she was in the run from her past. Then it became an intense cat and mouse game between the two of them. There's a lot of kinks going on in the story too. So if you enjoy a dark story, morally gray MMC with some kinky vibes, and high tolerance for possible trigger warnings, this is a good story for you.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2026
I love reading anything by Selena and this new series will quickly become one of my favorites as I am still working through her older stuff. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Please make sure to read your trigger warnings however I cannot recommend this book enough. The characters were amazing and the chemistry was great.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2026
The Architects book 1 is great and I Already Cant Get Enough Of It and I Love Red Flag Men. Nikolai is definitely Red Flag but as you get to know him you find out what he went through and why he is the way he is and Jenna falls in love with him as time goes on and you also find out Jenna's Story Too and i look forward to getting to know the other men. This Book is Worth The Read!
June 27, 2026
Honestly...
I honestly entered this book leery on if I'd like it, I love all of Selena's books I try to pre order or own any book she puts out. This was better than I expected it to be but it still took me way longer to get into and the triggers are there for a reason, it's why I gave it 4⭐ instead of my usual 5 but I will still recommend this book!
I honestly entered this book leery on if I'd like it, I love all of Selena's books I try to pre order or own any book she puts out. This was better than I expected it to be but it still took me way longer to get into and the triggers are there for a reason, it's why I gave it 4⭐ instead of my usual 5 but I will still recommend this book!
July 6, 2026
Oh my darkness…this was so good. Jen was a fierce woman after Nik had taken her and she’d escaped. But this second time around it was totally different. And I loved it. This was so dark and twisted, I was on board for all of it. So hot and spicy too. I was left wanting.
July 9, 2026
Prey: A Dark Primal Captive Romance (The Architects Book 1) By: Selena Winters. Nikolai Vex finds his prey Jenna and this story won’t disappoint. Jenna is a strong person that will give Nikolai everything he craved. Love Love this story.
June 29, 2026
this one was a good one but I like most of this author's books
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