Rabbit Hunt

Dark Trails #3

by Em Jae Black

Sometimes, the most twisted trails are the ones that lead to home

Adair
I fell in love with a bossy a-hole and we lived happily ever after. Except that’s not how it happens in real life. Although Jack and I have made our unconventional relationship work, it’s a lot easier learning what gets him wound up than figuring out what makes him tick.

I’ve got supportive friends and a budding career doing what I love. I’ve even made peace with my dark cravings to be used and broken. And as our intimacy grows, I discover the warmth buried beneath Jack’s frosty outer shell.

But sometimes my own husband still feels like a stranger to me. Will he ever trust me enough to expose the vulnerability I've only glimpsed behind all his sharp edges?

Jack
I will never be a nice guy. So I was shocked when the persistent little bunny who wanted to be chased stuck around.

Inflicting the pain he craves is the easy part. Our intense, primal chemistry burns hot, and the passage of time only inflames my desire to posses this flighty, feisty little rabbit. But can I prove to us both that I can fulfill all his needs after the humbling realization that the biggest threat to our happiness might be my own fault?

And to top it off, I can’t shake the unsettling sense that although I’m the one who’s always been the predator, I'm starting to feel the most tireless pursuer of all — age — nipping at my heels.


About Rabbit Hunt
Rabbit Hunt is not intended to be read as a standalone. It is the third book in the Dark Trails series and follows the events of Jack Rabbit and Rabbit Hole. This 31k-word, dual POV, high-heat MM romance novella features an established couple with a D/s dynamic. It is appropriate for ages 18+ and contains material some readers might find upsetting or objectionable. Detailed content information is available on the author’s social media accounts.

Genres: M M Romance

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Jessie (thatchickwithabook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will literally never understand how I somehow managed to finagle my way into beta and ARC reading for Em Jae, but I’m here to tell you she only gets better! All I wanted when Jack and Adair’s story came to an end was one more book about married life and my wishes were answered.

The one thing I really love about this series is that love doesn’t change who these characters are, it just adds to them. Jack is a massive grump before Bunny, Jack is still a massive grump married to Bunny. It just makes those small moments of vulnerability or romance mean so much more.

But, of course, what we love most about this series is how freaking smutty it is. Am I right?! If there’s one thing you can guarantee when it comes to Jack and Bunny, it’s how insanely erotic the smut scenes are. Every time I think I’ve read it all, Em Jae says ‘hold my beer’. And we’ve read a lot from this couple, but Rabbit Hunt takes it to new heights. I was both blushing til I was deep purple and kicking my feet. It’s crazy hot.

This is the 3rd book and it NEEDS to be read in order! Can’t stress that enough. So get your hands on the first two books now, because you’re gonna need this the second is releases. One of my all time favourite series. I’ve reread it 3 times now!!

Thank you Em Jae Black for the ARC. This review is honest and voluntary.

[Rae_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbit Hunt by Em Jae Black is a dark, deliciously twisted novella and the third instalment in the Dark Trails series, dropping us back into Jack and Adair’s world one year into their marriage.

Jack is still the gruff, emotionally constipated dom we met in Jack Rabbit, all sharp edges and control, while Adair remains his sunshine-soft counterpart, sweet, devoted, and harbouring cravings just as dark as the man he married. What makes this novella hit is how it digs beneath the kink to explore what intimacy looks like after the happily-ever-after.

Short, sharp, and feral in the best way, Rabbit Hunt delivers intense primal energy and off-the-charts chemistry. The spice is unapologetically high, the dynamic deeply kinky, and the emotional undercurrent gives this quick read more weight than you’d expect from its length. A perfect return to a couple that thrives in darkness.

If you love dark MM romance that’s heavy on kink, obsession, and complicated devotion, this one absolutely delivers.

Vibes:
-Age gap
-Dom/sub
-Primal play
-Impact play
-Restraints
-BDSM
-Fisting
-Watersports
-High heat

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 4 🌶

[angie_bookrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack & Bunny are back, and hotter than ever (if that's even possible) 🥵

I'm literally so obsessed with these two, so I'm happy we got to have a a bit more of these men.

Seeing the soft little moments sprinkled in between all the hot as fuck spicy scenes was everything I didn’t know I needed.

Now the only question remains, where can I find myself a Jack that can give husbands lessons on how to be the perfect primal dom???

[The Naughty Booknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check the triggers. This won't be for everyone.
That being said. I was so surprised when I saw we were getting another book with Adair and Jack, and well, it may be a novella it is still packed with the same steamy scenes we would be hoping for. I know it says this is the ladt installment, but im definitely keeping fingers on a book/novella 4 😊

[Any Length · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of "Rabbit Hunt" and was very impressed with this book. Definitely a 5 star rating from me.
I have previously read Jack Rabbit and Rabbit Hole which are the first two books in the Dark Trails series and loved those as well.
Rabbit Hunt picks up after Rabbit Hole and follows Jack and Adair in their lives about a year after they got married. Their amazing chemistry in the bedroom and in their joined kinks is amazing and super hot. Their dynamic fits so well and they are very happy together. Nevertheless Adair needs to learn that he can ask Jack for support even if he is afraid at first that Jack might not help him. Jack, not the most social of animals, realizes that he needs to support Adair more in his career. Adair shows Jack that his anti-social streak is more a sign of Jack rejecting others before they can reject him out of deep seated fear of being found wanting. They story follows their emotional and mental growth as partners, lovers, husbands, and kinksters. The love, care, support and understanding they show each other and for their little failings was superbly demonstrated in wonderful writing without it being one of those novels where the MCs are obsessed with the same thoughts on every other page. Their growth just happened naturally while they were in the process of learning about each other.
Rabbit Hunt is an amazing, super hot and very explicit MM novel with a TW list those faint of heart need to consider before reading.
Their scenes are very enjoyable and Adair's willingness to give so much and take and thrive on the pain and the degredation/humiliation Jack gives him is beautiful to behold. Their primal play is unrivaled and their display scene at the club is super hot.
Em Jae Black has surpassed themselves in this book and I will seek out and read everything they will write in the future.
I highly recommend this book - but it needs to be read in order as the third one in the series to get the full enjoyment.

[Helene Lægteskov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review of Rabbit Hunt by Em Jae Black

I’ve read the two previous books in this series, and I didn’t just love them—I became obsessed. The writing pulled me in so completely that I felt like I was Adair, running, being hunted, surrendering to the thrill of it. And honestly… who wouldn’t want to be chased by a big, powerful, dangerously attractive park ranger with a sadistic streak and a mind made for deliciously dark games?

Going into Rabbit Hunt, my expectations were sky-high. And somehow, this book still managed to surpass them. This is dark romance done right—raw, intense, and absolutely saturated with spice. The MM dynamic between Adair and Jack is intoxicating, charged with power, tension, and obsession. You can feel Jack losing control, falling harder and deeper for Adair, even as he clings desperately to his gruff, emotionally closed-off persona.

What surprised me most was the emotional depth woven into the darkness. Jack doesn’t just want Adair—he supports him. His dreams. His future. His becoming. Beneath the possessiveness, the sadism, and the grumpy exterior, there’s a fierce devotion that makes every interaction hit harder and cut deeper.

Rabbit Hunt is a perfect blend of dark desire, sadistic tension, sharp humor, genuine emotion, and unapologetic grumpy energy. It’s intense, addictive, and unapologetically MM—exactly what dark romance lovers crave.

Final verdict:
🔥 10/10 for spice
🖤 10/10 for dark MM tension
📖 10/10 for story and emotional impact

I would give anything to erase my memory of this series—just so I could experience all three books again for the first time.

[Emma Albinsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's decadent, like dark chocolate and sin.

This is just like a long epilogue that showcases that they both still are true to themselves, even after marriage. Jack and Adair are still the grumpy/sunshine couple with dark desires and a lot of fun playtime. The dynamic, both in their everyday life and K!nk life is still the same if not even more settled and heightened. You meet two people that trust each other fully but still find things to learn about the other.

You can't help but be pulled into their story. And I am just glad that we got more from Jack and Bunny.

This is a novella that needs to be read after Jack Rabbit and Rabbit Hole. You will not understand the relationship and dynamic otherwise. Also, if you haven't read the previous books, please visit the authors social media accounts to get the full content information. Because this is a high heat read with a lot of k!nk and D/s dynamics and that may not be for everyone.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Addy’s relationship has come a long way, and this novella beautifully highlights just how much they’ve grown together. Watching Jack slowly thaw, thanks in no small part to Addy and his persistence, was both satisfying and heartfelt. Who would have thought that the “stupid bunny” would be the one to break through his icy exterior?

This novella was an enjoyable read, offering deeper insight into the pair’s emotional connection and how their relationship has evolved into one rooted in mutual care and deep desires to ensure each other’s happiness.

While Jack has softened, there’s still a lingering frostiness that makes his character compelling. The story reveals a small but meaningful glimpse into his insecurities, helping explain why he keeps his walls so firmly in place.

The dark spice is very much present, and Addy isn’t afraid to push himself to the edge. The tension is intense, and the question of whether Addy will finally use his safe word keeps the stakes high.

[Joanie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading Jack and Bunny's story from the very beginning and found myself eagerly awaiting each new installment. My excitement over the release of Rabbit Hunt was high, because MJ has not let me down with these two yet. You get every bit of the absolute filth you'd expect from this series, but surprisingly, there's a hefty dose of utter sweetness blended beautifully into the kink they both love. Seeing Jack open up more, take on the emotional responsibility of a husband, a brother, an uncle, and a friend, was incredibly gratifying. It also made their intimacy even more impactful, seeing it shine through all the pain and degradation that is its own love language within their dynamic.

To wrap up... it was kinky, it was beyond filthy, it was beautiful, and I loved every single minute of it.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!

1st person POV Dual
Plot 3.5/5
Spice 4/5 🔥🥵
Degradation
humiliation
watersports
"Chase me through the woods"
Dom/ sub dynamic

I can't get enough of Jack and Addy! I hope these books never stop coming! Jack is still the gruff jerk we have known in the first two books but this one showed a bit more of him! Addy has softened him a little bit and he is dare I say becoming sweeter?! He is supportive of Addy in all he does ( grumpily but still supportive!) and crazy protective ( even as he's throwing him down in the mud, bound and nude, after chasing him through the woods ,🥵)

Addy is still the scatter brained bunny we know and love!! I loved the continuation of their story! I need more!

[romance_reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another HIGHLY spicy instalment in Jack and Addy/Bunny’s romance. Check those CWs and TWs, and then dive in and enjoy!
I’m a romantic at heart so I loved the insights into their relationship outside of the k!nk elements. I’d have loved to have seen a bit more development on Jack’s personal journey but overall this was a very satisfying and enjoyable read.
I’m always delighted to get an ARC from Em Jae - thank you!

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had missed those two, I'm so glad the author decided to write this little novella set after their HEA.

In this book, their already solid relationship becomes even stronger. Adair starts feeling more comfortable asking Jack to do things for him, and Jack begins to realize that he can open up to others, thanks to Adair.

Of course, this novella was very hot, but their sweet connection makes it even better.

[what_emmareadnext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn 🔥🔥🔥 Jack and Adair have still got the most insane chemistry in this third book and I couldn’t put it down once I started. The kink was exquisite again in this book with heavy focus on humiliation and degradation. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What you’re getting:
•Bondage
•Breath play
•Impact play
•Primal play
•Breeding
•Fisting
•watersports and so much more!

Check your TWs before reading!

[Sam Vautier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack and Bunny are back! Was so excited to get this story, love these two and all their delicious knky shenanigans 🥵

And boy do we get all sorts of steamy hot times! But also a few tender moments dotted in as well, Jack trying to let Bunny know how much he means to him in his own ways!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!! I've enjoyed going on this journey with Jack and Bunny. I do wish we could have seen Bunny use his safe word once just to see how Jack would react (especially in the woods) but besides that, fantastic job!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbit Hunt is the third book in the series and absolutely needs to be read after the first two. This is very much an extra that is set after Jack and Bunny are married and I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I read it.

Getting to see Jack and Bunny settled, still them, but with more emotional depth was incredibly satisfying. Their chemistry hasn’t changed at all, but this book really highlights Jack’s feelings in general and for Bunny in a way we hadn’t fully seen before. That emotional insight made me like Jack even more.

And if you’re into dom/sub dynamics, primal play, and degradation and humiliation done right, this author truly does it better than anyone. This was such a satisfying addition to the series, and while it may be the final installment, I’d read more of Jack and Bunny in a heartbeat!

[read•me•romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE JACK AND BUNNY!!! They are so hot and shminky in this third and installment. But even more the hurt comfort and feelings are EVERYTHING!
Obsessed

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this conclusion to Adair & Jack's story (or is it 🤔) Married, loving, supportive in life & kink. Like the rest of the series definitely spicy 🔥

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was fun.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an amazing end, but it CAN’T be over!

[Taylar Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read the rest of this series, n0w is the time t0 hustle and GET IT DONE.

Em Jae truly took my favorite bookish kinks and put them all into this story.
She somehow created the perfect balance between the filthiest, kinky scenes I've ever read, and these sweet romantic moments between Jack and Bunny. I truly adore every single book in this trilogy!

- 3rd in Series
- Established Couple
- Humiliation + Degradation
- Primal and Impact Play
- D/s + BDSM
- Watersports
+ SO MUCH MORE

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to read really truly excellent smut Em Jae has been one of my top recommendations for a while. I was so happy we got another instalment of Jack and Bunny and all the filthy things they get up to. Now married, Rabbit Hunt shows the realistic side of getting your happily ever after. You still face challenges and you still have to learn to grow by yourself and with your partner. Next to the story (which is on the lighter side since this is a novella) we get a whole lot of kinks, both new (🌹/ 🤜🏼) and what we came to love from these two (primal/ water sports). I just absolutely love Jack and Bunny’s dynamic and how they continue to explore and push each others boundaries. In this book we can really see how far their trust in each other has grown and deepened and it’s so beautiful to witness. This is an absolute smut fast, so if you’re looking for a fun time and to turn up the heat this is exactly what you want.