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Hers To Surrender: Book II of the His & Hers Duet
Some call it
obsession.
To him, it’s devotion—and he’ll cross every line to keep her.
NATHANIEL Caldwell is still waiting for an answer. The one that could change everything…or ruin what’s left. And when it comes to Olivia, patience is its own form of purgatory—worn thin by wanting too much, too soon.
He’s learned the cost of chaos the hard way, and has since committed himself to outpacing uncertainty—convinced that if he plans enough, holds on tightly enough, he can safeguard what matters…and nothing has mattered more than her. Yet, the closer he holds her, the more terrified he becomes of losing her.
After all, this was never about control.
It’s instinct. A need carved out by grief, shaped into the only version of love he understands. Or so he tells himself.
Because he’s already gone too far, and he knows it.
***
OLIVIA Bennett never expected to fall this hard. And now that she’s seen the cracks he hides beneath all that polish, her heart aches for him in ways that she’s never ached for anyone.
But she’s starting to realize that choosing Nathaniel means submitting to something far more consuming than she ever imagined. He’s slipped past every defense she’s built, wants her in ways that defy reason, and asks for nothing less than everything.
She’s not sure she’s built to withstand a force like him.
The way he watches. The way he follows. The way he’ll never let her go.
Will she still call it love when it demands all that she is?
NATHANIEL Caldwell is still waiting for an answer. The one that could change everything…or ruin what’s left. And when it comes to Olivia, patience is its own form of purgatory—worn thin by wanting too much, too soon.
He’s learned the cost of chaos the hard way, and has since committed himself to outpacing uncertainty—convinced that if he plans enough, holds on tightly enough, he can safeguard what matters…and nothing has mattered more than her. Yet, the closer he holds her, the more terrified he becomes of losing her.
After all, this was never about control.
It’s instinct. A need carved out by grief, shaped into the only version of love he understands. Or so he tells himself.
Because he’s already gone too far, and he knows it.
***
OLIVIA Bennett never expected to fall this hard. And now that she’s seen the cracks he hides beneath all that polish, her heart aches for him in ways that she’s never ached for anyone.
But she’s starting to realize that choosing Nathaniel means submitting to something far more consuming than she ever imagined. He’s slipped past every defense she’s built, wants her in ways that defy reason, and asks for nothing less than everything.
She’s not sure she’s built to withstand a force like him.
The way he watches. The way he follows. The way he’ll never let her go.
Will she still call it love when it demands all that she is?
- GenresRomance
489 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2026
8 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Athena Hawthorne
2 books76 followersAthena Hawthorne is a contemporary romance author whose stories blend lyrical prose with emotional intensity. In her world, love is consuming, characters ache beautifully, and devotion runs deep.
She writes about obsessive heroes who fall hard—and often first—for the women who undo them. Her heroines are complex, self-possessed, and quietly strong—the kind of women who bring powerful men to their knees—and keep them there.
Athena aims to craft love stories that linger long after the last page, where sensuality meets emotional resonance and every happily ever after is hard-won.
Athena writes under a pen name and keeps her identity tucked quietly away—after all, isn’t every love story better with a little mystery?
She writes about obsessive heroes who fall hard—and often first—for the women who undo them. Her heroines are complex, self-possessed, and quietly strong—the kind of women who bring powerful men to their knees—and keep them there.
Athena aims to craft love stories that linger long after the last page, where sensuality meets emotional resonance and every happily ever after is hard-won.
Athena writes under a pen name and keeps her identity tucked quietly away—after all, isn’t every love story better with a little mystery?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
January 31, 2026
One chapter in and I was already hyperventilating 😭💔. After the emotional gut-punch of Book 1’s cliffhanger, this sequel picked up right where it left off and never once let me breathe. I had dropped everything because I had to know what Olivia’s answer was—and somehow, Athena made the wait, the fear, and the yearning feel just as agonizing as it did for Nathaniel himself 🖤🔥.
This story leaned hard into devotion versus obsession, and it worked. Nathaniel was still waiting on the one answer that could save everything—or destroy what little control he had left. His need for Olivia felt instinctual, carved out of grief and fear of loss, and the closer he held her, the more terrified he became of losing her 🫠💥. It was intense, messy, and emotionally raw in the best way. Meanwhile, Olivia had already seen beneath the polish and power to the cracks he tried to hide, and choosing him meant choosing something consuming, demanding, and terrifyingly all-encompassing 😮💨💞.
I finished this in a single day because it was impossible to put down 📖⚡. Every chapter made me clutch my chest, every interaction had me whisper-screaming at the page, and when it ended I was genuinely sad it was over. Rude. Honestly. The epilogue, though? Absolute perfection 🥹✨.
Athena’s writing felt lyrical and evocative, and she wasn’t afraid to dig into the uncomfortable, messy interiority of these characters 🖋️🫀. The emotions hit harder because they felt earned. The plot expanded beautifully—showing the consequences of power, marriage, and reputation. And that found family arc? The way they became her parents in every way that mattered wrecked me 😭🏡.
The spice was unreal 🔥🌶️. I had thought Book 1 was a 10/10, but this somehow went even further—without ever feeling gratuitous. There was heat, yes, but also tenderness, softness, and emotional intention depending on where Nathaniel and Olivia were mentally and emotionally 💕. Every scene had a purpose, and that balance made everything land so much harder.
Nathaniel was absolutely not for everyone—but he was extremely for me 😌🖤. Yes, he crossed lines. Yes, he did morally grey things. But the story actually addressed that. He owned his mistakes, they talked through them, and the book didn’t hand-wave the consequences. That nuance made him layered instead of irredeemable—and the resolution felt deeply satisfying 🙌✨.
Olivia continued to be such a joy to read 🤍. As an eldest daughter, her exhaustion, sense of responsibility, and tendency to put herself last felt painfully real. Her choices made complete sense in the context of her life—and honestly, if you’d spent your whole life sacrificing for others and suddenly met a man who worshipped you, prioritized your happiness, supported your confidence, was devastatingly attractive, and wealthy? Be serious. Give the girl a break 😭💅.
Overall, this was exactly what a sequel should have been. Book 1 set the stage, and Book 2 delivered the depth, context, and emotional payoff I was craving 💥💖. Together, they told a complete, addictive, emotionally charged story that I absolutely devoured.
Perfect for fans of:
🖤 Obsessive / devoted MMC
🔥 Morally grey romance
🫀 Emotional damage (with payoff)
🥀 Power imbalance & tension
💕 “Touch her and die” energy
🌶️ High spice with tenderness
Thank you so much to Athena Hawthorne for the ARC opportunity 💌✨. This was a fantastic debut duet, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
This story leaned hard into devotion versus obsession, and it worked. Nathaniel was still waiting on the one answer that could save everything—or destroy what little control he had left. His need for Olivia felt instinctual, carved out of grief and fear of loss, and the closer he held her, the more terrified he became of losing her 🫠💥. It was intense, messy, and emotionally raw in the best way. Meanwhile, Olivia had already seen beneath the polish and power to the cracks he tried to hide, and choosing him meant choosing something consuming, demanding, and terrifyingly all-encompassing 😮💨💞.
I finished this in a single day because it was impossible to put down 📖⚡. Every chapter made me clutch my chest, every interaction had me whisper-screaming at the page, and when it ended I was genuinely sad it was over. Rude. Honestly. The epilogue, though? Absolute perfection 🥹✨.
Athena’s writing felt lyrical and evocative, and she wasn’t afraid to dig into the uncomfortable, messy interiority of these characters 🖋️🫀. The emotions hit harder because they felt earned. The plot expanded beautifully—showing the consequences of power, marriage, and reputation. And that found family arc? The way they became her parents in every way that mattered wrecked me 😭🏡.
The spice was unreal 🔥🌶️. I had thought Book 1 was a 10/10, but this somehow went even further—without ever feeling gratuitous. There was heat, yes, but also tenderness, softness, and emotional intention depending on where Nathaniel and Olivia were mentally and emotionally 💕. Every scene had a purpose, and that balance made everything land so much harder.
Nathaniel was absolutely not for everyone—but he was extremely for me 😌🖤. Yes, he crossed lines. Yes, he did morally grey things. But the story actually addressed that. He owned his mistakes, they talked through them, and the book didn’t hand-wave the consequences. That nuance made him layered instead of irredeemable—and the resolution felt deeply satisfying 🙌✨.
Olivia continued to be such a joy to read 🤍. As an eldest daughter, her exhaustion, sense of responsibility, and tendency to put herself last felt painfully real. Her choices made complete sense in the context of her life—and honestly, if you’d spent your whole life sacrificing for others and suddenly met a man who worshipped you, prioritized your happiness, supported your confidence, was devastatingly attractive, and wealthy? Be serious. Give the girl a break 😭💅.
Overall, this was exactly what a sequel should have been. Book 1 set the stage, and Book 2 delivered the depth, context, and emotional payoff I was craving 💥💖. Together, they told a complete, addictive, emotionally charged story that I absolutely devoured.
Perfect for fans of:
🖤 Obsessive / devoted MMC
🔥 Morally grey romance
🫀 Emotional damage (with payoff)
🥀 Power imbalance & tension
💕 “Touch her and die” energy
🌶️ High spice with tenderness
Thank you so much to Athena Hawthorne for the ARC opportunity 💌✨. This was a fantastic debut duet, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
March 3, 2026
જ⁀➴ 1 star
Thank you to Vesper House Press and Athena Hawthorne for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Hers To Surrender: Book II of the His & Hers Duet is out now!
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*
You guys know that Hudson Williams meme where he's cringing? That was my exact face the entire time reading this. Yes, for all (almost) 500 pages of the book. Also, Alexa, play "Violet!" by Waterparks, because if there was any song that perfectly fits this entire duology, it would be a song about someone's lover stalking them every waking moment of their life and the other person panicking!1!1!1!1!1!1!1! I REALLY wanted to like this book. I did. I really tried. After the cliffhanger the first book left us on, I was eager to pick up where we left off. What started somewhat strong ultimately left me cringing with every page I read and begging Olivia to grow some balls and get the nerve to stand up for herself. It's been a while since a book left me so angry; I had to fight the extremely strong urge to DNF the more I read.
I want to preface this review by saying that I 100% knew what I was signing up for reading this duology in general: there would be a morally gray MMC, and I 100% kept that in mind while I was reading. I also want to make it clear that I usually don't read a ton of books with morally gray characters, which is merely a coincidence, but I'm pretty much open to reading anything save for dark romance, plus I wanted to support an indie author. Maybe this is a matter of "I need to manage my expectations more," but I genuinely don't understand how Olivia didn't have more survival instincts and common sense while reading this.
Obviously, with that being said, there are going to be some questionable things that he does that toe the line between being totally fine and whoa, that's definitely NOT okay, or at least so I thought going into this story. Having just finished ARC reading Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles, where the MMC was also morally gray, I can see that there are different variations–shades of gray, if you will (pun intended)—when it comes to morally gray characters. I felt that Nathaniel just consistently crossed the point of being morally gray to just being a walking red flag the entirety of the book. I can't go into major specifics in the main portion of my review, only because it'd be MAJOR spoilers for anyone interested in reading this still, so I'll include all of the "red flags" later on in this review in a separate spoiler section if you want to scroll a little further to read.
Now, I try to see the situations Nathaniel and Olivia are put in from all perspectives, and not to be an armchair psychologist or anything like that, but I feel like both of them need serious therapy, but ESPECIALLY Nathaniel. He needs some Lexapro and therapy. I can see the why behind why he acts the way he does, and he has a lot of childhood trauma that I feel is the root of all of that. He wants to be in control of everything so he can predict an outcome that won't fail. He ultimately came off as possessive, controlling, suffocating, and clingy (and not in a cute way, more like "he reminded me of my ex-boyfriend who won't let go" clingy) more than he came off as a gentle protector that allowed Olivia the freedoms she wanted while still being in a relationship with him.
However, that results in him going to over the top extremes to keep Olivia in arm's reach and keep her under his control, and I didn't like that. On the other hand, I can understand why Olivia wants to have a love like this, which also stems from childhood upbringing and her trauma, which we get to see a bit more of in this book compared to the first. The thing is, though, love shouldn't come with conditions, and Nathaniel and Olivia's relationship very much felt like that. Olivia was allowed to do what she wanted, if Nathaniel was okay with her doing so. Olivia was allowed to make her own decisions, if Nathaniel approved. Olivia was allowed to hang out with her friends, but not for too long and not with certain friends, even if she knew them for years. How does someone not find this suffocating?
In contrast, with a story that involves Olivia trying to find freedom from the things weighing her down in her life, I just don't see how and why she was able to forgive Nathaniel for transgression after transgression, especially when it comes to the freedom she so desperately craves. I know this might come off a little strong, but I feel like the actions and some of the choices she made set feminism back YEARS. I was rooting for her the entire time to find her voice, find her freedom, and make the choices she wanted when she wanted, and to find the person she wanted to become away from the stressors in her life.
I felt like she would make progress on this (which I loved and is the only reason why this book gets 1 star; she made CONSIDERABLE progress compared to the first book in this), only for Nathaniel to set her back with the things he does, but then she gets mad at him (justifiably so) and runs away (also understandable), but they NEVER resolve anything. That's the thing I absolutely abhorred about reading this: they never resolved any of their issues, which made it hard for me to root for them in the end. They're both adults, and instead of sitting down and having a serious conversation about everything that's bothering them (Olivia moreso than Nathaniel, since he's pretty much causing all the problems here) was NEVER a thing.
Every conflict that came up in this story never felt fully resolved to me. They'd have a giant argument, Olivia would need some space, so she'd go away for a bit, then Nathaniel shows up and drags her back home (sometimes against her will), and they just have sex. I normally don't care about having spice in books, but I feel like all the sex scenes took away from character development and conflict resolution efforts that could've been made between Nathaniel and Olivia. Like, instead of talking things out, they just hooked up, had a brief conversation, and then pretended as if nothing happened, which just results in Olivia letting Nathaniel violate her privacy and boundaries over and over again and her justifying it because she thinks that she'll never find someone who'll love her the way he "loves" her again.
Overall, while I did find the writing style to be well done, I just couldn't get past the constant red flags that Olivia would justify. Like, girl, you're smart ASF, and you can't find it in yourself to just...stand up for yourself? Go after what you want? It's 2026, why are we still catering to what men want us to do, because if we don't do what they want, there'll be consequences, because oh, turns out, their love is conditional? I can't. Every time I was rooting for her, I'd immediately be like, "NO STOP YOU'RE NOT GOING THAT WAY," every time she'd take one step forward and three steps back.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*
*spoiler section below (you've been warned)*
keep scrolling......
almost there.......
SPOILER SECTION
List of things Nathaniel Anthony Caldwell has done throughout the duology that raised red flags for me:
1. Bought Olivia a diamond necklace with a tracker that followed her movements everywhere. She finds out that it was a tracker later on.
2. Made a clone of her phone on his own phone so he can read all her messages, see all her emails, etc. Again, she doesn't 100% know at first, but she already had a hunch that he was tracking her somehow because he'd bring things up that she never told him....girl STOP GASLIGHTING YOURSELF AND THINKING "oh he's just perceptive heheheeh" NO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE
3. Put hidden cameras in her dorm room so he can spy on her when she's not with him. She finds the cameras, gets mad at him, needs space, but, as I mentioned above, I feel like they NEVER bring up any of these in a formal conversation, and they just "resolve" everything by having sex.
4. Pulled strings to have companies rescind job offers from Olivia because he didn't want to be away from her. She had opportunities to work internationally, AKA her dream job, and he took that freedom of choice away from her all because it didn't fit into his plan for their future.
5. Nathaniel was the reason why Olivia and her longtime friend, Landon, had a falling out. When she goes to meet up with him to talk things out (again, totally understandable because they're about to graduate and she doesn't want to leave things unfinished and bad between them), Nathaniel just shows up and ruins everything. Olivia tries to reach out to him separately without Nate's knowledge, and we just never find out if they reconciled or not. In retrospect, Landon had a point in the first book when he said to her that he didn't get a good vibe from him. Her friends, Carolyn and Sophie, also had a point when they said Olivia and Landon would've been good together. I didn't like how he would come onto her when he was drunk (first book things, but it never crossed the line of SA), but at least when he was sober, he had valid points that anyone with more than a single brain cell would agree with.
I honestly don't understand how Nathaniel's parents raised a child like this, considering his mom was literally my favorite character in the entire book (aside from Olivia).
Thank you to Vesper House Press and Athena Hawthorne for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Hers To Surrender: Book II of the His & Hers Duet is out now!
"Maybe freedom isn't running from what shaped me. Maybe it's realizing that those expectations don't have power over me anymore."
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*
You guys know that Hudson Williams meme where he's cringing? That was my exact face the entire time reading this. Yes, for all (almost) 500 pages of the book. Also, Alexa, play "Violet!" by Waterparks, because if there was any song that perfectly fits this entire duology, it would be a song about someone's lover stalking them every waking moment of their life and the other person panicking!1!1!1!1!1!1!1! I REALLY wanted to like this book. I did. I really tried. After the cliffhanger the first book left us on, I was eager to pick up where we left off. What started somewhat strong ultimately left me cringing with every page I read and begging Olivia to grow some balls and get the nerve to stand up for herself. It's been a while since a book left me so angry; I had to fight the extremely strong urge to DNF the more I read.
I want to preface this review by saying that I 100% knew what I was signing up for reading this duology in general: there would be a morally gray MMC, and I 100% kept that in mind while I was reading. I also want to make it clear that I usually don't read a ton of books with morally gray characters, which is merely a coincidence, but I'm pretty much open to reading anything save for dark romance, plus I wanted to support an indie author. Maybe this is a matter of "I need to manage my expectations more," but I genuinely don't understand how Olivia didn't have more survival instincts and common sense while reading this.
Obviously, with that being said, there are going to be some questionable things that he does that toe the line between being totally fine and whoa, that's definitely NOT okay, or at least so I thought going into this story. Having just finished ARC reading Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles, where the MMC was also morally gray, I can see that there are different variations–shades of gray, if you will (pun intended)—when it comes to morally gray characters. I felt that Nathaniel just consistently crossed the point of being morally gray to just being a walking red flag the entirety of the book. I can't go into major specifics in the main portion of my review, only because it'd be MAJOR spoilers for anyone interested in reading this still, so I'll include all of the "red flags" later on in this review in a separate spoiler section if you want to scroll a little further to read.
Now, I try to see the situations Nathaniel and Olivia are put in from all perspectives, and not to be an armchair psychologist or anything like that, but I feel like both of them need serious therapy, but ESPECIALLY Nathaniel. He needs some Lexapro and therapy. I can see the why behind why he acts the way he does, and he has a lot of childhood trauma that I feel is the root of all of that. He wants to be in control of everything so he can predict an outcome that won't fail. He ultimately came off as possessive, controlling, suffocating, and clingy (and not in a cute way, more like "he reminded me of my ex-boyfriend who won't let go" clingy) more than he came off as a gentle protector that allowed Olivia the freedoms she wanted while still being in a relationship with him.
However, that results in him going to over the top extremes to keep Olivia in arm's reach and keep her under his control, and I didn't like that. On the other hand, I can understand why Olivia wants to have a love like this, which also stems from childhood upbringing and her trauma, which we get to see a bit more of in this book compared to the first. The thing is, though, love shouldn't come with conditions, and Nathaniel and Olivia's relationship very much felt like that. Olivia was allowed to do what she wanted, if Nathaniel was okay with her doing so. Olivia was allowed to make her own decisions, if Nathaniel approved. Olivia was allowed to hang out with her friends, but not for too long and not with certain friends, even if she knew them for years. How does someone not find this suffocating?
In contrast, with a story that involves Olivia trying to find freedom from the things weighing her down in her life, I just don't see how and why she was able to forgive Nathaniel for transgression after transgression, especially when it comes to the freedom she so desperately craves. I know this might come off a little strong, but I feel like the actions and some of the choices she made set feminism back YEARS. I was rooting for her the entire time to find her voice, find her freedom, and make the choices she wanted when she wanted, and to find the person she wanted to become away from the stressors in her life.
I felt like she would make progress on this (which I loved and is the only reason why this book gets 1 star; she made CONSIDERABLE progress compared to the first book in this), only for Nathaniel to set her back with the things he does, but then she gets mad at him (justifiably so) and runs away (also understandable), but they NEVER resolve anything. That's the thing I absolutely abhorred about reading this: they never resolved any of their issues, which made it hard for me to root for them in the end. They're both adults, and instead of sitting down and having a serious conversation about everything that's bothering them (Olivia moreso than Nathaniel, since he's pretty much causing all the problems here) was NEVER a thing.
Every conflict that came up in this story never felt fully resolved to me. They'd have a giant argument, Olivia would need some space, so she'd go away for a bit, then Nathaniel shows up and drags her back home (sometimes against her will), and they just have sex. I normally don't care about having spice in books, but I feel like all the sex scenes took away from character development and conflict resolution efforts that could've been made between Nathaniel and Olivia. Like, instead of talking things out, they just hooked up, had a brief conversation, and then pretended as if nothing happened, which just results in Olivia letting Nathaniel violate her privacy and boundaries over and over again and her justifying it because she thinks that she'll never find someone who'll love her the way he "loves" her again.
Overall, while I did find the writing style to be well done, I just couldn't get past the constant red flags that Olivia would justify. Like, girl, you're smart ASF, and you can't find it in yourself to just...stand up for yourself? Go after what you want? It's 2026, why are we still catering to what men want us to do, because if we don't do what they want, there'll be consequences, because oh, turns out, their love is conditional? I can't. Every time I was rooting for her, I'd immediately be like, "NO STOP YOU'RE NOT GOING THAT WAY," every time she'd take one step forward and three steps back.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*
*spoiler section below (you've been warned)*
keep scrolling......
almost there.......
SPOILER SECTION
List of things Nathaniel Anthony Caldwell has done throughout the duology that raised red flags for me:
1. Bought Olivia a diamond necklace with a tracker that followed her movements everywhere. She finds out that it was a tracker later on.
2. Made a clone of her phone on his own phone so he can read all her messages, see all her emails, etc. Again, she doesn't 100% know at first, but she already had a hunch that he was tracking her somehow because he'd bring things up that she never told him....girl STOP GASLIGHTING YOURSELF AND THINKING "oh he's just perceptive heheheeh" NO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE
3. Put hidden cameras in her dorm room so he can spy on her when she's not with him. She finds the cameras, gets mad at him, needs space, but, as I mentioned above, I feel like they NEVER bring up any of these in a formal conversation, and they just "resolve" everything by having sex.
4. Pulled strings to have companies rescind job offers from Olivia because he didn't want to be away from her. She had opportunities to work internationally, AKA her dream job, and he took that freedom of choice away from her all because it didn't fit into his plan for their future.
5. Nathaniel was the reason why Olivia and her longtime friend, Landon, had a falling out. When she goes to meet up with him to talk things out (again, totally understandable because they're about to graduate and she doesn't want to leave things unfinished and bad between them), Nathaniel just shows up and ruins everything. Olivia tries to reach out to him separately without Nate's knowledge, and we just never find out if they reconciled or not. In retrospect, Landon had a point in the first book when he said to her that he didn't get a good vibe from him. Her friends, Carolyn and Sophie, also had a point when they said Olivia and Landon would've been good together. I didn't like how he would come onto her when he was drunk (first book things, but it never crossed the line of SA), but at least when he was sober, he had valid points that anyone with more than a single brain cell would agree with.
I honestly don't understand how Nathaniel's parents raised a child like this, considering his mom was literally my favorite character in the entire book (aside from Olivia).
March 8, 2026
4.2 ⭐️
February 15, 2026
** ARC REVIEW**
Story - 8.5/10
Spice - 3.5/5
One of the best story flows I have across. The ending from book 1 to 2 was stunning and had me hooked immediately.
🖤 Lots of intense emotions. That throughout the book leave you emotionally raw. From beautiful love to raw obsession. You get to read and feel it all.
❤️Marriage discussions and tension.
🖤Power dynamics
❤️Reputations
🖤 Some amazing spice. It is breathtaking and so intensely written.
❤️Tenderness to Obsessive MMC
🖤Morally grey romance
❤️Addresses the different ways to show love and how underlying emotions and fears can have it crossing the grey to black aspects of the spectrums.
🖤 A great FMC who has a lot to think about and if she is willing to give parts or all of herself during the story.
Felt like forever waiting for Olivias answer but this book was more than worth the wait.
Part of me felt bad for Nathaniel thinking of him waiting for answer even though i can see Olivias apprehension and why it is there.
Olivia can see that the love is there but like when you put icing over a cake it can make the cake look beautiful even though it can be hiding a lot of negatives underneath. Olivia is starting to see the possessiveness, the intensity etc that he is trying to cover with the veil of love.
Athena writes about his knife walk between love, obsession and devotion so well. It was **chefs kiss**.
In book one Nathaniel fell into the morally grey part of the spectrum but as you read and see him waiting for an answer how close to black he goes in book 2. He is one step away from burning the world to the ground and the match is held by Olivia and her answer. In book 2 he is willing to try and even goes as far as talking about some things you wouldn’t expect someone like him to talk about. Feelings and mistakes he has made that need addressing for Olivia. I felt like i was going through the wringer with Nathaniel and I loved every second . Nathaniel desperately tries to hold the butterfly but knowing if he holds too tight it will die and too loose and it will fly away. This patience and obsession you can see is driving him insane and it is hard for him especially as he gets what he wants and is not afraid to take it. He is on the cusp of morally grey going into black cause of the fear he will lose her.
Olivia spoke to me a lot. She is so use to taking care of everyone else to the point of exhaustion and disregarding her own sanity and safety. As someone who is and has been a carer to both parents and grandparents it spoke to me on a very deep level. The responsibilities, choices and feelings are all of everyone else’s and you can tell Olivia has been worn down. If anyone needed a break, someone to cherish and be taken care of, it is Olivia. After going through all she has to finally meet someone who worships the ground she walks, who would not love something like that? As she starts to see the cracks underneath she has to decide just how much she wants to give. Nathaniel’s obsession/love could cost her everything that she is. Is it worth it?
In the end I understand what drives Nathaniel and what he is trying to convey. Just not the way he goes about it and if Olivia hadn’t had the life she had, she wouldn’t have kept the rose tinted glasses on for so long. There is a dangerous line between love, obsession and devotion each making you pay a steeper price. I see why Olivia lets more slide than a lot of other people would. It takes time to see that it is the kind of ‘love’ that most others would not accept.
Athena is an amazing writer. The concepts in the story can apply so much to real life that it takes you not just on an emotional but a mental rollercoaster too. I found it easy to follow and jumping between topics flowed well for me. At one point or another we have had rose tinted glasses on but each of us has our different limits.
It’s a great duet from Athena and I can see myself returning to read these again.
I feel very privileged and thank Vesper House and Athena for allowing to read an advance copy.
Story - 8.5/10
Spice - 3.5/5
One of the best story flows I have across. The ending from book 1 to 2 was stunning and had me hooked immediately.
🖤 Lots of intense emotions. That throughout the book leave you emotionally raw. From beautiful love to raw obsession. You get to read and feel it all.
❤️Marriage discussions and tension.
🖤Power dynamics
❤️Reputations
🖤 Some amazing spice. It is breathtaking and so intensely written.
❤️Tenderness to Obsessive MMC
🖤Morally grey romance
❤️Addresses the different ways to show love and how underlying emotions and fears can have it crossing the grey to black aspects of the spectrums.
🖤 A great FMC who has a lot to think about and if she is willing to give parts or all of herself during the story.
Felt like forever waiting for Olivias answer but this book was more than worth the wait.
Part of me felt bad for Nathaniel thinking of him waiting for answer even though i can see Olivias apprehension and why it is there.
Olivia can see that the love is there but like when you put icing over a cake it can make the cake look beautiful even though it can be hiding a lot of negatives underneath. Olivia is starting to see the possessiveness, the intensity etc that he is trying to cover with the veil of love.
Athena writes about his knife walk between love, obsession and devotion so well. It was **chefs kiss**.
In book one Nathaniel fell into the morally grey part of the spectrum but as you read and see him waiting for an answer how close to black he goes in book 2. He is one step away from burning the world to the ground and the match is held by Olivia and her answer. In book 2 he is willing to try and even goes as far as talking about some things you wouldn’t expect someone like him to talk about. Feelings and mistakes he has made that need addressing for Olivia. I felt like i was going through the wringer with Nathaniel and I loved every second . Nathaniel desperately tries to hold the butterfly but knowing if he holds too tight it will die and too loose and it will fly away. This patience and obsession you can see is driving him insane and it is hard for him especially as he gets what he wants and is not afraid to take it. He is on the cusp of morally grey going into black cause of the fear he will lose her.
Olivia spoke to me a lot. She is so use to taking care of everyone else to the point of exhaustion and disregarding her own sanity and safety. As someone who is and has been a carer to both parents and grandparents it spoke to me on a very deep level. The responsibilities, choices and feelings are all of everyone else’s and you can tell Olivia has been worn down. If anyone needed a break, someone to cherish and be taken care of, it is Olivia. After going through all she has to finally meet someone who worships the ground she walks, who would not love something like that? As she starts to see the cracks underneath she has to decide just how much she wants to give. Nathaniel’s obsession/love could cost her everything that she is. Is it worth it?
In the end I understand what drives Nathaniel and what he is trying to convey. Just not the way he goes about it and if Olivia hadn’t had the life she had, she wouldn’t have kept the rose tinted glasses on for so long. There is a dangerous line between love, obsession and devotion each making you pay a steeper price. I see why Olivia lets more slide than a lot of other people would. It takes time to see that it is the kind of ‘love’ that most others would not accept.
Athena is an amazing writer. The concepts in the story can apply so much to real life that it takes you not just on an emotional but a mental rollercoaster too. I found it easy to follow and jumping between topics flowed well for me. At one point or another we have had rose tinted glasses on but each of us has our different limits.
It’s a great duet from Athena and I can see myself returning to read these again.
I feel very privileged and thank Vesper House and Athena for allowing to read an advance copy.
February 15, 2026
Blending seamlessly from book one, nothing is missed. The obsession is chaotic, the devotion boundless, the ache constant and consuming.
Nathaniel and Olivia step into unfamiliar territory, figuring out where their relationship is headed, how it’s defined, and whether the fragile bubble they’ve built can survive without the world crashing in.
We see an entirely new side of Nathaniel, alongside a transformed Olivia who is growing comfortable in her own skin and within Nathaniel’s elite world as it slowly bends to her. She confronts her own painful family history, different from Nathaniel’s yet deeply similar in the beliefs they’ve both carried about their worth. Watching their trauma unravel feels necessary, even healing, as they reconnect with themselves and the few people who truly remain.
Despite the paradise Nathaniel has so carefully constructed, every insecurity, every lie, every flicker of fear creates fractures in the foundation, leaving him increasingly unsteady. But Olivia is no longer the quiet, withdrawn girl from book one. She is learning to take up space, to be seen, to trust her voice. Nathaniel made her feel safe in his orbit, never giving her room to question her value to him. Together, they heal wounds they never speak aloud, understanding each other without needing to. Love without expectation. Devotion freely given.
So much unfolds, turmoil, choices, moments that leave you holding your breath. The story is woven with breathtaking beauty, the romance bleeding from the page straight into your chest. The longing, vulnerability, need, and dedication linger, leaving behind a heavy, hopeful ache and the belief that this kind of love is possible, and that everyone is worthy of it.
Nathaniel and Olivia step into unfamiliar territory, figuring out where their relationship is headed, how it’s defined, and whether the fragile bubble they’ve built can survive without the world crashing in.
We see an entirely new side of Nathaniel, alongside a transformed Olivia who is growing comfortable in her own skin and within Nathaniel’s elite world as it slowly bends to her. She confronts her own painful family history, different from Nathaniel’s yet deeply similar in the beliefs they’ve both carried about their worth. Watching their trauma unravel feels necessary, even healing, as they reconnect with themselves and the few people who truly remain.
Despite the paradise Nathaniel has so carefully constructed, every insecurity, every lie, every flicker of fear creates fractures in the foundation, leaving him increasingly unsteady. But Olivia is no longer the quiet, withdrawn girl from book one. She is learning to take up space, to be seen, to trust her voice. Nathaniel made her feel safe in his orbit, never giving her room to question her value to him. Together, they heal wounds they never speak aloud, understanding each other without needing to. Love without expectation. Devotion freely given.
So much unfolds, turmoil, choices, moments that leave you holding your breath. The story is woven with breathtaking beauty, the romance bleeding from the page straight into your chest. The longing, vulnerability, need, and dedication linger, leaving behind a heavy, hopeful ache and the belief that this kind of love is possible, and that everyone is worthy of it.
January 29, 2026
Thank you to Athena Hawthorne and Vesper House Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
NATHANIEL Caldwell is still waiting for an answer. The one that could change everything…or ruin what’s left. And when it comes to Olivia, patience is its own form of purgatory—worn thin by wanting too much, too soon. He’s learned the cost of chaos the hard way, and has since committed himself to outpacing uncertainty—convinced that if he plans enough, holds on tightly enough, he can safeguard what matters…and nothing has mattered more than her. Yet, the closer he holds her, the more terrified he becomes of losing her. After all, this was never about control. It’s instinct. A need carved out by grief, shaped into the only version of love he understands. Or so he tells himself. Because he’s already gone too far, and he knows it. OLIVIA Bennett never expected to fall this hard. And now that she’s seen the cracks he hides beneath all that polish, her heart aches for him in ways that she’s never ached for anyone. But she’s starting to realize that choosing Nathaniel means submitting to something far more consuming than she ever imagined. He’s slipped past every defense she’s built, wants her in ways that defy reason, and asks for nothing less than everything. She’s not sure she’s built to withstand a force like him. The way he watches. The way he follows. The way he’ll never let her go. Will she still call it love when it demands all that she is?
Nathaniel is a difficult character for me. He frustrates me to no end with his possessiveness and his control. In the first book, I found it incredibly difficult to like him as well. Sure, I can see some good in his actions but I can only deal with it for so long before it goes from endearing to annoying to utterly frustrating. He constantly uses his anxiety and fear as an excuse for controlling every little detail he can of Olivia’s life. With dark romances, I can excuse some red flags waving around because it works for their character and there is a limit. For Nathaniel, he loathes any limits and just does whatever his misguided brain thinks is best. I just cannot find it in myself to like him when he frustrated me so much!
Olivia in the first book was a sweetheart. She is here in this second half of the duet too. However, sometimes it felt like she slipped from being a sweetheart into being naive. She has so much promise and intelligence and drive, and yet Nate bats his eyes and she allows him to do whatever he pleases. I adored her relationships she held with her friends but even then, she lets him cut her time short with them. For a young woman so clever, love has certainly killed off a few brain cells!
I can’t deny that after the cliffhanger of the first book, I needed this sequel immediately. The moment I finished my previous read, I jumped into this so I could know what was happening. The story is written really well which is frustrating because I just cannot get past my dislike of Nathaniel. I feel that with his constant possessiveness and controlling nature, there was a problem coming up every few chapters that were unnecessary - and all down to his behaviour. That said, I did finish this in only a few sittings, perhaps out of sheer desperation that he would change! Character wise it’s incredibly focused on the main duo and on family. Beyond that, we only get incredibly brief interactions with anyone else in the main characters’ orbit. I would have liked more outside influence coming in as I think that could have enriched the plot further but it was good to look deeper into the family dynamics. Because of my struggles with Nate as a character, the romance was a struggle for me. From an outside view, if I wasn’t privy to Nate’s behaviours, I could see the romance being incredibly cute. The little affectionate moments and the unconscious gestures are always super sweet for any couple. Of course, as with the first book, the spice was also very good. I liked that the smut was on different levels - super hot but also more tender too. The ending felt very apt for this overall story and worked really well, tying up a fair amount of loose ends. Looking back on my reading experience, I’ve settled on a 4 star rating that is probably more of a 3.5. I cannot deny that the book is well written but my hatred for Nate and how his actions influenced Olivia just overshadowed everything.
Overall, Hers To Surrender is a good sequel but I can’t see myself reading it again with Nathaniel involved…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Athena Hawthorne and Vesper House Press for an advanced copy of this book.
NATHANIEL Caldwell is still waiting for an answer. The one that could change everything…or ruin what’s left. And when it comes to Olivia, patience is its own form of purgatory—worn thin by wanting too much, too soon. He’s learned the cost of chaos the hard way, and has since committed himself to outpacing uncertainty—convinced that if he plans enough, holds on tightly enough, he can safeguard what matters…and nothing has mattered more than her. Yet, the closer he holds her, the more terrified he becomes of losing her. After all, this was never about control. It’s instinct. A need carved out by grief, shaped into the only version of love he understands. Or so he tells himself. Because he’s already gone too far, and he knows it. OLIVIA Bennett never expected to fall this hard. And now that she’s seen the cracks he hides beneath all that polish, her heart aches for him in ways that she’s never ached for anyone. But she’s starting to realize that choosing Nathaniel means submitting to something far more consuming than she ever imagined. He’s slipped past every defense she’s built, wants her in ways that defy reason, and asks for nothing less than everything. She’s not sure she’s built to withstand a force like him. The way he watches. The way he follows. The way he’ll never let her go. Will she still call it love when it demands all that she is?
Nathaniel is a difficult character for me. He frustrates me to no end with his possessiveness and his control. In the first book, I found it incredibly difficult to like him as well. Sure, I can see some good in his actions but I can only deal with it for so long before it goes from endearing to annoying to utterly frustrating. He constantly uses his anxiety and fear as an excuse for controlling every little detail he can of Olivia’s life. With dark romances, I can excuse some red flags waving around because it works for their character and there is a limit. For Nathaniel, he loathes any limits and just does whatever his misguided brain thinks is best. I just cannot find it in myself to like him when he frustrated me so much!
Olivia in the first book was a sweetheart. She is here in this second half of the duet too. However, sometimes it felt like she slipped from being a sweetheart into being naive. She has so much promise and intelligence and drive, and yet Nate bats his eyes and she allows him to do whatever he pleases. I adored her relationships she held with her friends but even then, she lets him cut her time short with them. For a young woman so clever, love has certainly killed off a few brain cells!
I can’t deny that after the cliffhanger of the first book, I needed this sequel immediately. The moment I finished my previous read, I jumped into this so I could know what was happening. The story is written really well which is frustrating because I just cannot get past my dislike of Nathaniel. I feel that with his constant possessiveness and controlling nature, there was a problem coming up every few chapters that were unnecessary - and all down to his behaviour. That said, I did finish this in only a few sittings, perhaps out of sheer desperation that he would change! Character wise it’s incredibly focused on the main duo and on family. Beyond that, we only get incredibly brief interactions with anyone else in the main characters’ orbit. I would have liked more outside influence coming in as I think that could have enriched the plot further but it was good to look deeper into the family dynamics. Because of my struggles with Nate as a character, the romance was a struggle for me. From an outside view, if I wasn’t privy to Nate’s behaviours, I could see the romance being incredibly cute. The little affectionate moments and the unconscious gestures are always super sweet for any couple. Of course, as with the first book, the spice was also very good. I liked that the smut was on different levels - super hot but also more tender too. The ending felt very apt for this overall story and worked really well, tying up a fair amount of loose ends. Looking back on my reading experience, I’ve settled on a 4 star rating that is probably more of a 3.5. I cannot deny that the book is well written but my hatred for Nate and how his actions influenced Olivia just overshadowed everything.
Overall, Hers To Surrender is a good sequel but I can’t see myself reading it again with Nathaniel involved…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you again to Athena Hawthorne and Vesper House Press for an advanced copy of this book.
February 17, 2026
Athena is an incredible writer! The story, the characters, the GROWTH!!🥹🥹😍😍😍😭😭😭 I ARC read the first book in this series and it ends on a brutal cliffhanger but this book... this book wrapped everything up so nicely! Our FMC Olivia was still reeeeally struggling with the weight of her family's expectations and Nate's obsessive possessive tendencies which made her feel like she didn't have the autonomy she wanted or needed. Nate is obviously really struggling with his obsession and possessive feelings of Olivia and he is trying to learn how to trust her. This poor boy's abandonment issues are so real and evident in every decision he makes regarding Olivia and their relationship. 😭😭 There are multiple times where it really seems and feels like Nate has crossed a serious line with Olivia. Multiple times I thought we may not get an HEA for the two... but somehow Athena is able to make all of it seem and be okay when we find out all the reasoning behind everything. Olivia is offered her dream job in London but it would mean leaving Nate and their future in NYC behind... Will she choose Nate or the dream job and future she always wanted?...🥹😭 or will Nate compromise and realize her dreams are just as important as his?... 🥹😍Olivia finally sets boundaries with her family and realizes all they ever want is yo use her. The growth of these characters is truly beautiful!🥹🥹😭😭 The spicy scenes are SPICYYY!😍😍😍🥵🥵🥵🥵The love and Nate's sweet words to her are unmatched! 🥹🥹😍😍😍😭😭😭 I can't wait to read what Athena writes next! 👀👀😍😍😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
"Every part of me has been surrendered to him. And nothing has felt more right than this."
This book was everything I hoped for after that intense cliffhanger at the end of Book 1. Picking up immediately after Nathaniel pops the question, the story follows the pair trying to navigate the new status of their relationship, and how they both fit in each other's future. While Nathaniel still only sees Olivia as the centre of his world, Olivia is torn between the man she loves and the future she has been working towards her entire life.
Athena Hawthorne has a knack for creating the most romantic and tender narration, while still building tension between the two characters throughout. I don't think I've ever felt so emotionally attached to two characters, screaming at Nathaniel 'red flag' Caldwell to ease up on the possessive behaviour, and begging Olivia 'self-sufficient to a fault' Bennett to just be honest with everyone around her, including herself. Their relationship rises and falls, so every time you think they're finally on the right path and can breathe easier, one of them trips up again and the anxiety returns.
Despite the extreme characteristics (stalking, billionaire nepo-baby, elite college, overachieving eldest daughter), the behaviour of the characters never feels excessive just for the sake of drama. And despite the ups and downs of the relationship, you do start to see signs of true character growth with give and take between them.
The overall story was the perfect duology, and while I would love to read more about Nathaniel and Olivia, His to Unravel perfectly wraps up their story in a way that is satisfying while also true to the characters.
"Every part of me has been surrendered to him. And nothing has felt more right than this."
This book was everything I hoped for after that intense cliffhanger at the end of Book 1. Picking up immediately after Nathaniel pops the question, the story follows the pair trying to navigate the new status of their relationship, and how they both fit in each other's future. While Nathaniel still only sees Olivia as the centre of his world, Olivia is torn between the man she loves and the future she has been working towards her entire life.
Athena Hawthorne has a knack for creating the most romantic and tender narration, while still building tension between the two characters throughout. I don't think I've ever felt so emotionally attached to two characters, screaming at Nathaniel 'red flag' Caldwell to ease up on the possessive behaviour, and begging Olivia 'self-sufficient to a fault' Bennett to just be honest with everyone around her, including herself. Their relationship rises and falls, so every time you think they're finally on the right path and can breathe easier, one of them trips up again and the anxiety returns.
Despite the extreme characteristics (stalking, billionaire nepo-baby, elite college, overachieving eldest daughter), the behaviour of the characters never feels excessive just for the sake of drama. And despite the ups and downs of the relationship, you do start to see signs of true character growth with give and take between them.
The overall story was the perfect duology, and while I would love to read more about Nathaniel and Olivia, His to Unravel perfectly wraps up their story in a way that is satisfying while also true to the characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ATHENAAAA! AHHHH!
Blending seamlessly and beautifully from book one, you miss nothing!
Chaotically obsessive, devotion without limits and aching!
Nate and Olivia are navigating new territory, where their relationship is headed, how it's defined and how they can still manage to keep the perfect bubble without the world imploding around them. You see a completely different side to Nate and a new version of Olivia as she becomes more comfortable not only in herself, her skin but as someone in Nate's prestigious world that is becoming hers. Olivia faces her own torturous history with her family, while not the same as Nate's, it's comparative in the way they hold beliefs about themselves in their families. Its refreshing to see the unravelling of their trauma and how needed it was to reconnect with themselves and those that stick around.
Despite the heaven that Nate has carefully curated and constructed, with each insecurity, each lie, every amount of fear creates a crack in the foundation making him feel even more distressed, unhinged. But Olivia is not the same shy, reclusive girl he met in book one, she's learning to take up space, be seen, be comfortable with her voice because of Nate, she feels safe in his life's orbit because Nate never gave her room to question her value to him. You see them both blossom and heal from the things they don't talk about out loud, but never needed too. Unrequited love and devotion without expectations.
There's so much that happens, turmoil, choices, moments that have you holding your breath, it's truly divine how beautiful this story is woven and the romance bleeds from the screen to your heart! The raw ache, the need, the vulnerability, the devotion, the dedication - leaves a resounding weight in your chest at the possibility that this too can happen for you, that you are deserving of this in your own life.
Thank you to Athena and Vesper House for the opportunity to read this for you!!! I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Blending seamlessly and beautifully from book one, you miss nothing!
Chaotically obsessive, devotion without limits and aching!
Nate and Olivia are navigating new territory, where their relationship is headed, how it's defined and how they can still manage to keep the perfect bubble without the world imploding around them. You see a completely different side to Nate and a new version of Olivia as she becomes more comfortable not only in herself, her skin but as someone in Nate's prestigious world that is becoming hers. Olivia faces her own torturous history with her family, while not the same as Nate's, it's comparative in the way they hold beliefs about themselves in their families. Its refreshing to see the unravelling of their trauma and how needed it was to reconnect with themselves and those that stick around.
Despite the heaven that Nate has carefully curated and constructed, with each insecurity, each lie, every amount of fear creates a crack in the foundation making him feel even more distressed, unhinged. But Olivia is not the same shy, reclusive girl he met in book one, she's learning to take up space, be seen, be comfortable with her voice because of Nate, she feels safe in his life's orbit because Nate never gave her room to question her value to him. You see them both blossom and heal from the things they don't talk about out loud, but never needed too. Unrequited love and devotion without expectations.
There's so much that happens, turmoil, choices, moments that have you holding your breath, it's truly divine how beautiful this story is woven and the romance bleeds from the screen to your heart! The raw ache, the need, the vulnerability, the devotion, the dedication - leaves a resounding weight in your chest at the possibility that this too can happen for you, that you are deserving of this in your own life.
Thank you to Athena and Vesper House for the opportunity to read this for you!!! I cannot wait to see what comes next!
Did not finish
February 6, 2026I wasn’t in the good mindset to read it but I loved book 1 🩷
February 14, 2026
From the very first chapter, I was drawn back into the world I fell in love with in book one. This sequel picked up immediately after the cliffhanger and never let go. Nathaniel’s obsession with Olivia was intense, but it was impossible not to feel the depth of his fears, and grief. Every interaction, glance between them carried weight, and I truly felt the same tension, yearning as the characters themselves. Olivia grew into herself in such a compelling way, balancing independence while navigating a love that was overwhelming. Their relationship was messy, and addictive, full of highs and lows that kept me turning the pages. Nathaniel’s possessiveness and moral ambiguity were everything, and seeing both him and Olivia confront their flaws made their connection feel earned. The writing was immersive and emotionally powerful, exactly like the first book. The plot expanded on family dynamics, trauma, and loyalty, while the found family elements felt authentic and deeply satisfying. I finished the book in just one sitting, and that tells you a lot. The ending, and especially the epilogue, tied everything together seamlessly, delivering a satisfying conclusion I hopied for. Athena Hawthorne delivered this sequel flawlessly. Thank you so much to the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
February 15, 2026
Thank you so much to Athena for letting me ARC read both of the books in this duet. Hers to Surrender picks up immediately after the jaw dropping cliffhanger in book one, and it does not disappoint. The tension is still razor sharp, the stakes are higher, and the emotional payoff is so worth the wait.
The morally gray billionaire MMC Nathaniel is everything you want and more. He’s powerful, calculating, and unapologetically ruthless when it comes to protecting what’s his, but it’s the depth of his obsession that truly makes him unforgettable. His love isn’t casual or convenient; it runs deep, consuming and intense in a way that feels both dangerous and delicious. Watching him unravel when it comes to the FMC Olivia? Absolute perfection.
And the spice? Fully open door and unapologetically hot. The chemistry between them practically crackles off the page, and every intimate scene feels earned, emotional, and explosive.
What I loved most, though, is Olivia’s journey. She’s strong, determined, and refuses to be overshadowed, even by a billionaire with a possessive streak a mile wide. Her growth is beautiful to witness as she slowly learns to let go of her past and allow herself to be loved deeply and fully. It’s not instant, and it’s not easy but that’s what makes it so satisfying.
If you love obsessive, morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, high emotional stakes, and open door romance that brings both heat and heart, this one absolutely delivers.
The morally gray billionaire MMC Nathaniel is everything you want and more. He’s powerful, calculating, and unapologetically ruthless when it comes to protecting what’s his, but it’s the depth of his obsession that truly makes him unforgettable. His love isn’t casual or convenient; it runs deep, consuming and intense in a way that feels both dangerous and delicious. Watching him unravel when it comes to the FMC Olivia? Absolute perfection.
And the spice? Fully open door and unapologetically hot. The chemistry between them practically crackles off the page, and every intimate scene feels earned, emotional, and explosive.
What I loved most, though, is Olivia’s journey. She’s strong, determined, and refuses to be overshadowed, even by a billionaire with a possessive streak a mile wide. Her growth is beautiful to witness as she slowly learns to let go of her past and allow herself to be loved deeply and fully. It’s not instant, and it’s not easy but that’s what makes it so satisfying.
If you love obsessive, morally gray heroes, fierce heroines, high emotional stakes, and open door romance that brings both heat and heart, this one absolutely delivers.
February 11, 2026
✨Hers To Surrender ✨
Quote: “If you run, I will chase you. If you hide, I will find you. There is no one on this earth who could take you from me, and if they tried, I would destroy them.”
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Tropes: Morally Grey MMC , Obsessive/Protective MMC , Billionaire, College , Forced Proximity, He Falls First and Hard .
I have been waiting for this one since i read the first book and was left with that cliffhanger ! I just love these two so much !🥹 Nathaniel is truly a walking red flags some might say but all i saw were green flags. 🤭The interaction Nathaniel had with Olivias mother was one of my favorite moments because he could see right through her BS 👏🏼! The moment with the pancakes. 🥹 He really does know his girl. Yes he can be very intense however we have to see it from his POV that he was always the one put last and when he met Olivia that completely changed. He knew exactly what he wanted and he wasn’t going to stop until he got her. ❤️ Don’t let the number of days it took me to finish fool you because i did enjoy this book so much and if I wasn’t busy I could’ve finished it within 3 days lol.
Quote: “If you run, I will chase you. If you hide, I will find you. There is no one on this earth who could take you from me, and if they tried, I would destroy them.”
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Tropes: Morally Grey MMC , Obsessive/Protective MMC , Billionaire, College , Forced Proximity, He Falls First and Hard .
I have been waiting for this one since i read the first book and was left with that cliffhanger ! I just love these two so much !🥹 Nathaniel is truly a walking red flags some might say but all i saw were green flags. 🤭The interaction Nathaniel had with Olivias mother was one of my favorite moments because he could see right through her BS 👏🏼! The moment with the pancakes. 🥹 He really does know his girl. Yes he can be very intense however we have to see it from his POV that he was always the one put last and when he met Olivia that completely changed. He knew exactly what he wanted and he wasn’t going to stop until he got her. ❤️ Don’t let the number of days it took me to finish fool you because i did enjoy this book so much and if I wasn’t busy I could’ve finished it within 3 days lol.
February 20, 2026
Book 2 in the His & Hers duet: Nathaniel and Olivia. This is a stalker, ultra possessive and obsessed MMC, quiet but strong FMC, forced/engineered proximity, curvy FMC, billionaire morally grey MMC, elite college romance.
This being book two in the duet you would definitely need to read book 1, His To Unravel, first and it was also a 4⭐️ read for me! Book two picks right up from the cliffhanger of book one. And boy does this book deliver.
We get a deeper understanding of what Olivia’s upbringing was like and why she has such a hard time believing and accepting Nathaniel’s love. And boy does he love her. Is love a strong enough word? Probably not. No, definitely not. Nathaniel is consumed by Olivia. He needs every breath every move every thought. And. Um. Im here for it. Call it “too much” or “overly intense” if you want, but the “red flag” this man is waving is perfect for me. I couldn’t get enough of this duet, and book two was just as amazing as book one.
I have both books in this duet a 4⭐️ rating but the duet as a whole I would give it 5⭐️ I absolutely loved it. 10000% recommend this duet!
This being book two in the duet you would definitely need to read book 1, His To Unravel, first and it was also a 4⭐️ read for me! Book two picks right up from the cliffhanger of book one. And boy does this book deliver.
We get a deeper understanding of what Olivia’s upbringing was like and why she has such a hard time believing and accepting Nathaniel’s love. And boy does he love her. Is love a strong enough word? Probably not. No, definitely not. Nathaniel is consumed by Olivia. He needs every breath every move every thought. And. Um. Im here for it. Call it “too much” or “overly intense” if you want, but the “red flag” this man is waving is perfect for me. I couldn’t get enough of this duet, and book two was just as amazing as book one.
I have both books in this duet a 4⭐️ rating but the duet as a whole I would give it 5⭐️ I absolutely loved it. 10000% recommend this duet!
Review of advance copy received from Author
At times, Nate feels overbearing...borderline suffocating and selfish, yet Athena expertly keeps the reader questioning everything - is Nate and Olivia’s relationship healthy or toxic? Is it devotion, or obsession masquerading as love? That ambiguity is intoxicating. Their intelligence, chemistry, and intensity are sexy, and keep me flipping the pages. Seeing them struggle, break, and slowly rebuild when things are at their hardest is incredibly emotional and beautifully done. I absolutely love them and their story together.
Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
Im thankful to be given the opportunity to read this in advance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This duet was perfect. Book 2 followed on from book 1 seamlessly. Nathaniel and Olivia, what a complex couple they were. The relationship definitely had me invested and hooked on how it would develop. These two were complicated, and they spent a lot of time communicating, I loved how they connected and developed their own family, and Nathaniel was always there for Olivia and made sure she knew that he was there for her even if on the odd occasion he overstepped a bit and Olivia was definitely one to let him know.
This book was a perfect read.
This book was a perfect read.
March 2, 2026
*EARC Review*
3.5/5
The way the cliffhanger in the first book ended had my jaw on the floor. And I love that the author picked up the story where it ended in the first book . Nathaniel is a character who is calculative, and in the second story, we get to see his obsessive side, too. I love Olivia's character, the way she wants to hold on to her independence/ freedom about her career(that is really refreshing to see in stories ). Overall the story was interesting, but I feel I enjoyed the first book more than the second one
Thank you, Athena and Vesper House Press, for the E-ARC .All opinions are my own.
3.5/5
The way the cliffhanger in the first book ended had my jaw on the floor. And I love that the author picked up the story where it ended in the first book . Nathaniel is a character who is calculative, and in the second story, we get to see his obsessive side, too. I love Olivia's character, the way she wants to hold on to her independence/ freedom about her career(that is really refreshing to see in stories ). Overall the story was interesting, but I feel I enjoyed the first book more than the second one
Thank you, Athena and Vesper House Press, for the E-ARC .All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2026
After the cliffhanger that Athena left us on, I’m thankful for the wait. It had a perfect ending to this duet.
Olivia and Nate are both so complex. Nate is a little obsessed simp and Olivia doesn’t know her worth at all. The whole story (even book 1) has the push and pull that you can’t stop reading about. I think the way the they love each other is super toxic and I love every second. Once they finally cave into one another it’s absolutely fate for them.
Can’t wait for the release!
Olivia and Nate are both so complex. Nate is a little obsessed simp and Olivia doesn’t know her worth at all. The whole story (even book 1) has the push and pull that you can’t stop reading about. I think the way the they love each other is super toxic and I love every second. Once they finally cave into one another it’s absolutely fate for them.
Can’t wait for the release!
March 2, 2026
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY AND HAPPY RELEASE DAY! @athenahawthorne.writes ❤️🎉
This is the second and final book of this duet and what a superb way it was to have read and witnessed Athena's magic unfold on this book.
To recap, I was left hanging in agony with that ending from Book 1 and it had not been resolved straight away from Book 2's first chapter but, I was then entertained with lots of life dramas from both Nathaniel and Olivia - these two got so much baggage but I'm relieved that they were both there to support each other.
I really had to re-learn how to love both of these main characters - they're not perfect at all, a lot of flaws were shown and a lot of understanding's needed. With Nathaniel's character, he was somehow difficult to deal with even on the first novel. It frustrated me more to experience his possessiveness with Olivia whilst also rooting for him.. for Olivia. I knew he always meant well but it was quite a struggle. And with Olivia, she was still the same quiet, strong-willed sweetheart but I felt like in few points, she was going with the wrong flow and she kind of silenced herself too on this one, and I just wished it was not the case in the first place. Though, their little cute moments, their slight delulu reactions, and the crazy obsessive gestures were such an emotional roller coaster for me as a reader but I guess, it's worth it in the end.
This may not be flawless for me as I'm not really into obsessive behaviours but overall, I enjoyed the book, the vibes were vibing, and the ending truly made me smile. So, if you are into dark contemporary romance and have read all the trigger warnings, please give this duet a try, it will absolutely take your breath away! 💞 Recommended! ✨️
PS: I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE EPILOGUE 2'S CONTENT IS. WHERE CAN I READ IT?? DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO GET IT??? SEND HELP!!! 🤭😬
Huge thanks to @athenahawthorne.writes @vesperhousepress for the advanced e-copy, it's truly appreciated! 🫶
This is the second and final book of this duet and what a superb way it was to have read and witnessed Athena's magic unfold on this book.
To recap, I was left hanging in agony with that ending from Book 1 and it had not been resolved straight away from Book 2's first chapter but, I was then entertained with lots of life dramas from both Nathaniel and Olivia - these two got so much baggage but I'm relieved that they were both there to support each other.
I really had to re-learn how to love both of these main characters - they're not perfect at all, a lot of flaws were shown and a lot of understanding's needed. With Nathaniel's character, he was somehow difficult to deal with even on the first novel. It frustrated me more to experience his possessiveness with Olivia whilst also rooting for him.. for Olivia. I knew he always meant well but it was quite a struggle. And with Olivia, she was still the same quiet, strong-willed sweetheart but I felt like in few points, she was going with the wrong flow and she kind of silenced herself too on this one, and I just wished it was not the case in the first place. Though, their little cute moments, their slight delulu reactions, and the crazy obsessive gestures were such an emotional roller coaster for me as a reader but I guess, it's worth it in the end.
This may not be flawless for me as I'm not really into obsessive behaviours but overall, I enjoyed the book, the vibes were vibing, and the ending truly made me smile. So, if you are into dark contemporary romance and have read all the trigger warnings, please give this duet a try, it will absolutely take your breath away! 💞 Recommended! ✨️
PS: I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE EPILOGUE 2'S CONTENT IS. WHERE CAN I READ IT?? DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO GET IT??? SEND HELP!!! 🤭😬
Huge thanks to @athenahawthorne.writes @vesperhousepress for the advanced e-copy, it's truly appreciated! 🫶
February 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 STAR ARC REVIEW – OUT NOW
Hers to surrender by Athena Hawthorne
I devoured this book. Absolutely obsessed with it.
Hers to Surrender is intense emotional and addictive from the very first chapter. Just like book one
What I loved most:
🖤 Slow-burn tension that actually burns
🖤 Emotional depth that hits hard
🖤 Dual POV done perfectly
🖤 That push-and-pull dynamic
The character development was so amazing you don’t just read their story you live it.
And that ending?! I’m still thinking about it.
5 STAR ARC REVIEW – OUT NOW
Hers to surrender by Athena Hawthorne
I devoured this book. Absolutely obsessed with it.
Hers to Surrender is intense emotional and addictive from the very first chapter. Just like book one
What I loved most:
🖤 Slow-burn tension that actually burns
🖤 Emotional depth that hits hard
🖤 Dual POV done perfectly
🖤 That push-and-pull dynamic
The character development was so amazing you don’t just read their story you live it.
And that ending?! I’m still thinking about it.
February 3, 2026
Thank you Athena for the opportunity given to my .
I had the opportunity to read this book as an arc reviewer and it was a pleasure to read it and enjoy this beautiful story.
I loved so much the first book and honestly I was so eager to read the second.
My sensations were so satisfied and omg omg Nathalien what a man you are!
Honestly you must read it
I had the opportunity to read this book as an arc reviewer and it was a pleasure to read it and enjoy this beautiful story.
I loved so much the first book and honestly I was so eager to read the second.
My sensations were so satisfied and omg omg Nathalien what a man you are!
Honestly you must read it
March 1, 2026
ARC review. This was sooo captivating. I wanted to slap both the FMC and MMC multiple times but I still couldn’t put the book down (I finished in under 24 h). Read this duet story of you want to feel all the feels - not just the good ones.
February 9, 2026
This was so beautifully written I adored it. Very sweet, heartwarming, yet heartbreaking but had a bittersweet ending. Brilliant I adored Nathaniel and Olivia together and this duology has been such a roller coaster of emotions. So much has happened and now my heart is full. 🌹
Thank you to the author for providing me with a E-ARC of this, I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author for providing me with a E-ARC of this, I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 5, 2026
Absolutely amazing book. Nathanial and Olivia were awesome in this intriguing story. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
February 11, 2026
I received this book as an ARC, and have willing submitted this review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in it are my own.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book. Nathaniel’s behaviour initially made it feel more like a dark romance with stalker tendencies. The first book, Nathaniel’s decisions surrounding Olivia felt like a man on a mission. This book they felt like a man so consumed and controlling that he couldn’t remember which way was up. About 1/2 the way through though, there is a shift and it is SO worth the wait. The journey that Ms Hawthorne takes us on is incredible- ups and downs and sooooo spicy… I ended up adoring this story, and I can not wait for the bonus chapters that will come on release day! I hope that everyone who has a chance to read this story loves it as much as I did.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book. Nathaniel’s behaviour initially made it feel more like a dark romance with stalker tendencies. The first book, Nathaniel’s decisions surrounding Olivia felt like a man on a mission. This book they felt like a man so consumed and controlling that he couldn’t remember which way was up. About 1/2 the way through though, there is a shift and it is SO worth the wait. The journey that Ms Hawthorne takes us on is incredible- ups and downs and sooooo spicy… I ended up adoring this story, and I can not wait for the bonus chapters that will come on release day! I hope that everyone who has a chance to read this story loves it as much as I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪
📖 — 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 (𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗧𝗪𝗢)
rating — ★ ★ ★ ★/ 5 ⭐️
𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘, you WILL be receiving my therapy bill in the mail and QUICKLY.
i’m not kidding, this book had me by the NECK. full transparency, i definitely went through a bit of a rollercoaster while reading this and from what i could finally gather about my feelings towards the second book in this duet, here’s what i’ll say:
these characters are INCREDIBLY complex. i cannot stress enough how i felt both emotionally-moved by the sheer rawness and complete vulnerability of these characters and how sometimes it almost felt like watching a train-wreck happen in slow motion.
in the first book, 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 struggled to grasp her independence in light of 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s persistent need to take car of everything for her. in this second book, we finally start to see just how willing 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 has been in reference to 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s morally grey methods. not just morally grey, but i would argue a bit…… toxic! especially on 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s end of the bargain. there was definitely some things i caught myself saying, “if this happened in real life, i probably would not be so receptive to it!”
BUT GOOD THING THIS ISN’T THE CASE.
while going through the motions of understanding both 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟 and 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 feelings, they truly are a match made in heaven. i couldn’t stop obsessing over just how WELL these two took care of each other, in any setting! the back and forth defense and support they offered each other in their time of need, whether it be emotionally or physically, was unlike anything i’ve ever read!
similar to the first book, i was just IN. AWE. of the way 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 wrote these characters: every single detail felt intentional, every feeling, every noted look, dialogue, every bit of turmoil felt beautifully placed and honestly was such a thrill to read!
i mean…… the “good boy” scene?@?@
i won’t say much but HOLY HELL. i abused the fuck out of my highlighting tool during that part and it really reminded me just how visceral emotions, the good, the bad, and the ugly, can be. along with realizing how much i DESPERATELY needed someone to voice these same ugly emotions that sometimes do come with relationships. clearly, something was altered in my brain after that and it will be stuck in my mind forever and ever!!!!!!!!!
i loved getting to delve into the family dynamics this time around, although some more than others i will say (if 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔’s family has zero haters, i’m dead) i loved watching 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 take on 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s family head-on and with SO. MUCH. GRACE. like the proudest mother, i was smiling so much when she truly proved that she belonged in every space imaginable, whether they liked it or not.
the ending was just as expected: spectacular, loving, and so deserved for these two! as much as this was an emotional rollercoaster to read, i wouldn’t want it any other way! if you’re looking for a romance read that truly challenges you, carries you, and tugs at every heartstring imaginable, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.
i still can’t believe this is 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔’s debut and of course, i am so honored to have received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
thank you 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘 for putting so much thought and energy into such a poetic and engaging story and thank you 𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 for this eARC! ♡🌹💌
📖 — 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 (𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗧𝗪𝗢)
rating — ★ ★ ★ ★/ 5 ⭐️
𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘, you WILL be receiving my therapy bill in the mail and QUICKLY.
i’m not kidding, this book had me by the NECK. full transparency, i definitely went through a bit of a rollercoaster while reading this and from what i could finally gather about my feelings towards the second book in this duet, here’s what i’ll say:
these characters are INCREDIBLY complex. i cannot stress enough how i felt both emotionally-moved by the sheer rawness and complete vulnerability of these characters and how sometimes it almost felt like watching a train-wreck happen in slow motion.
in the first book, 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 struggled to grasp her independence in light of 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s persistent need to take car of everything for her. in this second book, we finally start to see just how willing 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 has been in reference to 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s morally grey methods. not just morally grey, but i would argue a bit…… toxic! especially on 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s end of the bargain. there was definitely some things i caught myself saying, “if this happened in real life, i probably would not be so receptive to it!”
BUT GOOD THING THIS ISN’T THE CASE.
while going through the motions of understanding both 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟 and 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 feelings, they truly are a match made in heaven. i couldn’t stop obsessing over just how WELL these two took care of each other, in any setting! the back and forth defense and support they offered each other in their time of need, whether it be emotionally or physically, was unlike anything i’ve ever read!
similar to the first book, i was just IN. AWE. of the way 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 wrote these characters: every single detail felt intentional, every feeling, every noted look, dialogue, every bit of turmoil felt beautifully placed and honestly was such a thrill to read!
i mean…… the “good boy” scene?@?@
i won’t say much but HOLY HELL. i abused the fuck out of my highlighting tool during that part and it really reminded me just how visceral emotions, the good, the bad, and the ugly, can be. along with realizing how much i DESPERATELY needed someone to voice these same ugly emotions that sometimes do come with relationships. clearly, something was altered in my brain after that and it will be stuck in my mind forever and ever!!!!!!!!!
i loved getting to delve into the family dynamics this time around, although some more than others i will say (if 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔’s family has zero haters, i’m dead) i loved watching 𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 take on 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗟’s family head-on and with SO. MUCH. GRACE. like the proudest mother, i was smiling so much when she truly proved that she belonged in every space imaginable, whether they liked it or not.
the ending was just as expected: spectacular, loving, and so deserved for these two! as much as this was an emotional rollercoaster to read, i wouldn’t want it any other way! if you’re looking for a romance read that truly challenges you, carries you, and tugs at every heartstring imaginable, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.
i still can’t believe this is 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔’s debut and of course, i am so honored to have received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
thank you 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗪𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘 for putting so much thought and energy into such a poetic and engaging story and thank you 𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 for this eARC! ♡🌹💌
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating - 5/5
Spice - 3/5
When I reached the end of this book I was crying happy tears. This story is amazing. I am so sad that this duet is over, I am going to miss these characters and their story so much. Hers to surrender By Athena Hawthorn is book 2, in the His and Hers duet. I firstly would like to thank Athena Hawthorn and Vespa press for giving me arc. Important note before reading this book, if follows straight after book 2, so you need to read book 1 and this is a dark contemporary romance so please check the trigger warnings before reading the series.
We pick up straight after the cliff-hanger in book 1 and the story shows these characters go through a lot in their relationship and how the past has affected them and how they act. This plot was amazing, it was very much character driven and I truly loved how these characters at their worst and their best . Nate's and Olivia's relationship was very much a push and pull relationship , there were many ups and downs in their story. It felt like a try relationship as they would hit some lows and would pull each other back in.
Nathaniel really struggled with not getting an answer to his question because of this you see him become more obsessed and in such a fearful mindset of losing her. This can be partially explained by his past and loss of his brother. The one thing I said about book 1 was I loved the way he had listened to her about what she needs and this was seen in book 2. Seeing his character growth was amazing, especially rebuilding his relationship and more (you have to read to find out)
Olivia throughout this book learned to let her walls down and at some time you could see her struggle to understand why Nathaniel wanted her, when he could get anyone else. Sometimes it led her to push him away and ask for space. One thing that had stuck with me throughout was showing how her parents' relationship had affected her. They would break her down, to the point that it would affect the relationship. This shows how people who can do horrible things to you can drag you back in, leaving everything behind for them in some cases. I did love seeing her stand up to them and breaking the cycle, especially cutting contact.
I truly loved this story and how it showed that they would have good and bad days but still would fight for each other . Overall, I love these characters so much , I am so sad it's over . I highly recommend this series. Happy reading
Spice - 3/5
When I reached the end of this book I was crying happy tears. This story is amazing. I am so sad that this duet is over, I am going to miss these characters and their story so much. Hers to surrender By Athena Hawthorn is book 2, in the His and Hers duet. I firstly would like to thank Athena Hawthorn and Vespa press for giving me arc. Important note before reading this book, if follows straight after book 2, so you need to read book 1 and this is a dark contemporary romance so please check the trigger warnings before reading the series.
My love.... I know you do
We pick up straight after the cliff-hanger in book 1 and the story shows these characters go through a lot in their relationship and how the past has affected them and how they act. This plot was amazing, it was very much character driven and I truly loved how these characters at their worst and their best . Nate's and Olivia's relationship was very much a push and pull relationship , there were many ups and downs in their story. It felt like a try relationship as they would hit some lows and would pull each other back in.
only the two of us exist. But the longer we stay this way, the more our closeness feels comforting and constricting at the same time
Nathaniel really struggled with not getting an answer to his question because of this you see him become more obsessed and in such a fearful mindset of losing her. This can be partially explained by his past and loss of his brother. The one thing I said about book 1 was I loved the way he had listened to her about what she needs and this was seen in book 2. Seeing his character growth was amazing, especially rebuilding his relationship and more (you have to read to find out)
And I have a feeling that for the first time she isn't looking at Nathaniel with worry. She is looking at him with hope
Olivia throughout this book learned to let her walls down and at some time you could see her struggle to understand why Nathaniel wanted her, when he could get anyone else. Sometimes it led her to push him away and ask for space. One thing that had stuck with me throughout was showing how her parents' relationship had affected her. They would break her down, to the point that it would affect the relationship. This shows how people who can do horrible things to you can drag you back in, leaving everything behind for them in some cases. I did love seeing her stand up to them and breaking the cycle, especially cutting contact.
I truly loved this story and how it showed that they would have good and bad days but still would fight for each other . Overall, I love these characters so much , I am so sad it's over . I highly recommend this series. Happy reading
Review of advance copy received from Author
after that cliffhanger at the end of book 1, i dropped everything to read this because i simply had to know what would happen next!
just like the first book, this sequel was SO bingeable. i kept turning pages without realizing how much time had passed, and then suddenly it was over! and i find myself missing them already...
olivia, once again, was such a delight. i too am an eldest daughter, so i can relate to many of her struggles. i know some readers might side-eye her choices, but when you consider the context she's coming from, it checks out. she’s spent her whole life putting herself last, and then she meets a man who is entirely focused on her happiness, is LITERALLY ON HIS KNEES FOR HER, is incredible in bed, wants to solve her problems, AND ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT is extremely hot and a billionaire? in this economy? I’D LIKE ONE TOO PLS.
now, about nathaniel... LISTEN, i understand he ain't gonna be everybody's cup of tea, but i am very much feral for this MMC. i like that he’s obsessed. we want a man with a PASSION, okay??? and despite the lines he may cross (this is fiction, everyone RELAX), he genuinely prioritizes olivia’s wellbeing. he supports her, wants her to shine, and helps her gain confidence and come into herself.
yes, some of his methods are definitely questionable (as the author warned) but what i appreciate is that the book actually addresses that. it’s not just “he’s morally grey, deal with it.” i also liked how olivia admits her own shortcomings as well, because a relationship does involve two parties after all, and no one is perfect. they both own their mistakes, they talk about it, and they work through it. it's actually a healthy approach to an unhealthy situation, and that shows character growth and makes it convincing that these 2 will find a way to stay together even years down the road.
i also just really LOVE athena’s writing style, it’s downright poetic. i also really appreciate how she’s not afraid to confront even the messy or uncomfortable aspects of the characters, and it only made nathaniel and olivia feel more human to me.
and the spice??? TOP TIER. if like me, you found the spice in book 1 to be elite, you're in for a treat in book 2 because athena truly took it up a notch here. what really worked for me was the balance: not just hot scenes, but tenderness AND PURE ROMANCE too, depending on where the characters were emotionally. every scene felt intentional, with an emotional through line that added to the story instead of distracting from it.
if you're a fan of duets, this one will not disappoint you. book 1 and book 2 work beautifully together and i'm walking away from this story feeling very satisfied because this sequel delivered all the closure i needed after that cliffhanger.
i still can't believe this athena's debut, 10/10. girl, i already know i'm gonna EAT UP whatever you put out next.
just like the first book, this sequel was SO bingeable. i kept turning pages without realizing how much time had passed, and then suddenly it was over! and i find myself missing them already...
olivia, once again, was such a delight. i too am an eldest daughter, so i can relate to many of her struggles. i know some readers might side-eye her choices, but when you consider the context she's coming from, it checks out. she’s spent her whole life putting herself last, and then she meets a man who is entirely focused on her happiness, is LITERALLY ON HIS KNEES FOR HER, is incredible in bed, wants to solve her problems, AND ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT is extremely hot and a billionaire? in this economy? I’D LIKE ONE TOO PLS.
now, about nathaniel... LISTEN, i understand he ain't gonna be everybody's cup of tea, but i am very much feral for this MMC. i like that he’s obsessed. we want a man with a PASSION, okay??? and despite the lines he may cross (this is fiction, everyone RELAX), he genuinely prioritizes olivia’s wellbeing. he supports her, wants her to shine, and helps her gain confidence and come into herself.
yes, some of his methods are definitely questionable (as the author warned) but what i appreciate is that the book actually addresses that. it’s not just “he’s morally grey, deal with it.” i also liked how olivia admits her own shortcomings as well, because a relationship does involve two parties after all, and no one is perfect. they both own their mistakes, they talk about it, and they work through it. it's actually a healthy approach to an unhealthy situation, and that shows character growth and makes it convincing that these 2 will find a way to stay together even years down the road.
i also just really LOVE athena’s writing style, it’s downright poetic. i also really appreciate how she’s not afraid to confront even the messy or uncomfortable aspects of the characters, and it only made nathaniel and olivia feel more human to me.
and the spice??? TOP TIER. if like me, you found the spice in book 1 to be elite, you're in for a treat in book 2 because athena truly took it up a notch here. what really worked for me was the balance: not just hot scenes, but tenderness AND PURE ROMANCE too, depending on where the characters were emotionally. every scene felt intentional, with an emotional through line that added to the story instead of distracting from it.
if you're a fan of duets, this one will not disappoint you. book 1 and book 2 work beautifully together and i'm walking away from this story feeling very satisfied because this sequel delivered all the closure i needed after that cliffhanger.
i still can't believe this athena's debut, 10/10. girl, i already know i'm gonna EAT UP whatever you put out next.
February 27, 2026
3.5⭐️
I got an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've always said that I like books with characters and the plot does not to be that amazing. If I love the characters, then I'm all in. But this book kind of proved me wrong.
But in my defense, I did not absolutely love the characters. I liked them, but I was not super attached to them. This second book had nothing, nothing but just their interactions. There were actions which had no consequences at the end. Things that were set up, which at the end made no like ripple in the story. Things just moved in a straight line. And it was very, very boring.
It took me a lot of days to read this. If I would have been engrossed, I would have finished it way sooner. The story, to be honest, had nothing to offer. There were no secondary characters that were good. And I felt even our main characters, their characteristics and the way they behaved was different from book one.
Even Nathaniel is a different character in book one and even at the start of the book, I don't know what he wants to be projected as.
I like dominating characters, but Nate did not even feel dominating to me. I did not know which line he wanted to take. At one point of time, he was trying to stray the relationship in a way he wanted, moving in a way he wanted. And then suddenly he was acting like a softy. It was so confusing. Did he want to be the dom or did he want to be the sub in this relationship?
And even Olivia, her personality, was very different from the first book.This is a girl not that outgoing, and suddenly she was acting like a dom out of nowhere. And, I get it, that you might be confident with the person you love, but it actually came out of nowhere and it was just there in one or two scenes andthen it was back to square one.
This book felt so unnecessary to me. Even the parents, like Renèe and Charles, they were set up to be not the best parents. They preferred one kid over the other, they differentiated between them, which was not great. And when the favoured one died, they behaved as if the other one should have. And suddenly in this book, they are like these loving, doting parents who love this random, poor girl, which their son has brought. It felt like they're trying to overcompensate by being the best parents or the best grandparents.
So, I was not a fan of this book. I got the arc, which I'm grateful for, but again, it was, it was not good.
I got an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've always said that I like books with characters and the plot does not to be that amazing. If I love the characters, then I'm all in. But this book kind of proved me wrong.
But in my defense, I did not absolutely love the characters. I liked them, but I was not super attached to them. This second book had nothing, nothing but just their interactions. There were actions which had no consequences at the end. Things that were set up, which at the end made no like ripple in the story. Things just moved in a straight line. And it was very, very boring.
It took me a lot of days to read this. If I would have been engrossed, I would have finished it way sooner. The story, to be honest, had nothing to offer. There were no secondary characters that were good. And I felt even our main characters, their characteristics and the way they behaved was different from book one.
Even Nathaniel is a different character in book one and even at the start of the book, I don't know what he wants to be projected as.
I like dominating characters, but Nate did not even feel dominating to me. I did not know which line he wanted to take. At one point of time, he was trying to stray the relationship in a way he wanted, moving in a way he wanted. And then suddenly he was acting like a softy. It was so confusing. Did he want to be the dom or did he want to be the sub in this relationship?
And even Olivia, her personality, was very different from the first book.This is a girl not that outgoing, and suddenly she was acting like a dom out of nowhere. And, I get it, that you might be confident with the person you love, but it actually came out of nowhere and it was just there in one or two scenes andthen it was back to square one.
This book felt so unnecessary to me. Even the parents, like Renèe and Charles, they were set up to be not the best parents. They preferred one kid over the other, they differentiated between them, which was not great. And when the favoured one died, they behaved as if the other one should have. And suddenly in this book, they are like these loving, doting parents who love this random, poor girl, which their son has brought. It felt like they're trying to overcompensate by being the best parents or the best grandparents.
So, I was not a fan of this book. I got the arc, which I'm grateful for, but again, it was, it was not good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am finally free. FREE from HTU cliffhanger and let me tell you... I devoured this book in a matter of hours like my life depended on it. Who knew I’d inhale HTS the way I did?? Because WOW. This book is not just good, it’s the full main course, dessert included. HTS is the payoff we were begging for, the kind that makes every ounce of waiting worth it. The plot is framed so well that at one point I genuinely thought I was reading a thriller. Like??? Hello??? it's measured, deliberate, and quietly unhinged in the best way, trust me.
And listen. A man on his knees? A man who would let her step on him?? Yeah. That level of devotion? That’s my kryptonite 🤭 Nathaniel is calculative, precise, obsessed with control... and the way he executes every single thing he plans? Seriously Delicious. As I said before unhinged in the best way. This is not just a man in love; this is devotion that borders on dangerous, and he knows it. And DAMN!!! his lines??? Absolute criminal. Let's all applaud athena, because the effort, the intention, the care put into every word is LOUD. You can feel the love poured into this story.
And Olivia—finally, this Olivia. Her character growth is one of the most satisfying parts of the book. She’s no longer just reacting; she’s choosing. Choosing desire, choosing risk, choosing a love that asks everything of her. And best believe he cherishes it like a precious ruby stone. There’s real depth in how she manages with what it means to be wanted so completely, and the way she comes into her own understanding feels earned, powerful, and so addictive to read. She is no longer the Olivia we met in HTU. She has her man wrapped around her finger and honestly? Teach me your ways because WOW.
And yes, let’s not pretend—the spice??? Abundant. Generous. Life-changing. Standards? Raised the bar so high!!! but it never overshadowed the heart of the story. Every scene has it's own moment and every moment clicks into place perfectly.
And the thing that stayed with me most by the end? How they choose to build their world. Their life. Something real. Something that lasts. Something where love, patience, obsession, and understanding all coexist—messy, intense, unapologetic. Two characters, one story, and somehow it carries so much love packed into every moment. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
And listen. A man on his knees? A man who would let her step on him?? Yeah. That level of devotion? That’s my kryptonite 🤭 Nathaniel is calculative, precise, obsessed with control... and the way he executes every single thing he plans? Seriously Delicious. As I said before unhinged in the best way. This is not just a man in love; this is devotion that borders on dangerous, and he knows it. And DAMN!!! his lines??? Absolute criminal. Let's all applaud athena, because the effort, the intention, the care put into every word is LOUD. You can feel the love poured into this story.
And Olivia—finally, this Olivia. Her character growth is one of the most satisfying parts of the book. She’s no longer just reacting; she’s choosing. Choosing desire, choosing risk, choosing a love that asks everything of her. And best believe he cherishes it like a precious ruby stone. There’s real depth in how she manages with what it means to be wanted so completely, and the way she comes into her own understanding feels earned, powerful, and so addictive to read. She is no longer the Olivia we met in HTU. She has her man wrapped around her finger and honestly? Teach me your ways because WOW.
And yes, let’s not pretend—the spice??? Abundant. Generous. Life-changing. Standards? Raised the bar so high!!! but it never overshadowed the heart of the story. Every scene has it's own moment and every moment clicks into place perfectly.
And the thing that stayed with me most by the end? How they choose to build their world. Their life. Something real. Something that lasts. Something where love, patience, obsession, and understanding all coexist—messy, intense, unapologetic. Two characters, one story, and somehow it carries so much love packed into every moment. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
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