Mine To Hunt

Behind The Mask Duet #1

by C.O. Wheel, Tanya Das

"He chose her as his next victim. He never planned to fall."

A dangerously obsessive dark romance where protection and possession blur — and the man meant to help her might be the one she should fear the most.

She thought surviving her past was the hardest part.

An abusive ex. A stalker who stole her privacy. A system that failed her when she begged for help. With no one left to trust and her world closing in, she turns to the last place she has left — therapy.

Her psychiatrist is calm. Controlled. Understanding in ways no one has ever been.
He sees her fear.
He studies her pain.
He listens to every secret she whispers behind closed doors.

And somewhere between healing her trauma and feeding his own darkness, fascination turns into something far more dangerous.

Because some men don’t fall in love.
They fixate.
They claim.
They keep.

And when her nightmares start disappearing along with the people who caused them, she begins to wonder…

Did she finally find someone willing to protect her?
Or did she walk straight into the hands of something far worse?

Psychiatrist x Patient / Morally Black MMC / Stalker x Intended Victim / Age Gap / Obsessive Possession / Trauma Survivor FMC / Dark Protector / Touch Her and Die / Psychological Manipulation / He Was Watching First / Revenge on Abusers / Unethical Attraction / Forced Emotional Dependency / Fear to Desire / Villain Gets the Girl / Dangerous Therapy / Toxic Love / Predator Protector / Mentally Unhinged Hero / Thriller Romance

18+ Dark Psychological Romance.
This book contains explicit scenes like stalking, manipulation, abuse/assault, trauma, graphic sexual content, and violence. The relationship portrayed is toxic, obsessive, and morally corrupt. This is a deeply unsettling story intended for mature readers only. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Smut, Serial Killer, Contemporary, Thriller

484 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Monisha Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine to Hunt is one of those books that completely takes over your thoughts while you’re reading it. And even after you’ve finished. I finished it in one day. It’s dark, intense, and written in a way that makes every moment feel deliberate and impactful.

The relationship between Iris and the masked man is what truly drives the story. It’s not simple, not easy, and definitely not conventional but it’s powerful. There’s a constant sense of tension between them, a push and pull that keeps you completely invested. You’re always wondering what will happen next, how far things will go, and where the line is between fear and something deeper.

The masked man stands out as a character because of how little you actually know about him. That mystery becomes his strength. He feels unpredictable, controlled, and completely consuming without needing to explain himself. It’s a bold choice, and it works incredibly well.

Iris brings balance to the story with her emotional depth and strength. Her reactions feel genuine, and her growth throughout the story is subtle but meaningful. She doesn’t lose herself, even when everything around her feels overwhelming and that makes her such a strong and memorable character.

The pacing is another highlight. It’s steady, building tension gradually instead of rushing, which makes the emotional moments hit even harder. But it's also not too stretched and boring. The writing keeps you engaged without feeling repetitive or forced.

This book isn’t meant to be light. It’s meant to be felt. And it delivers on that completely. It’s gripping, emotionally charged, and impossible to ignore.

A well-deserved 5 stars.

[Ratna Dhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dynamic between Iris and the masked man makes this story unforgettable. There’s something deeply unsettling yet fascinating about a character whose identity is hidden, because it shifts the focus entirely onto his presence, his control, his silence, his intensity. He doesn’t need a name to dominate the story… and that somehow makes him even more powerful.

What I loved most was the tension. It’s constant. Every scene feels charged, like something could snap at any moment. The push and pull between hunter and hunted is done so well that you can’t help but feel it in your chest while reading.

This is not a story that tries to be safe or comfortable. It leans fully into its darkness and delivers something bold, gripping, and unforgettable. If you’re someone who enjoys stories that challenge you emotionally and keep you on edge, this one is absolutely worth it.

Although I'm curious to know what happens next. Waiting for Mine to Protect.

A solid 5-star read that lingers long after you finish.

[Crystal Sellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wtf.
The cliffhanger on this bad boy.
The writing style of the characters inner thoughts was unlike any book I’ve ever read.
I read this with my eyeballs in less than 24 hours because I had to know. And then that happened!
This is pretty dark with gory scenes. But if you like stalker, serial killer, Dexter/You tv shows, then this is a must read!

[Shannon Fillingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, obsessive, and completely unhinged in the best way—Mine to Hunt had me on edge from the very first chapter and did not let up.

This isn’t your typical dark romance. It’s intense, psychological, and deeply unsettling in a way that keeps you completely locked in. From the moment the story begins, I felt like I was stepping into the ring—constantly bracing myself for what was coming next. And every time I thought I had it figured out? BAM. Another twist. Another turn. Another moment that had me genuinely shocked.

The dynamic between the characters is dark, toxic, and absolutely gripping. The blurred lines between protection and possession, fear and desire, are what really make this story stand out. It keeps you questioning everything—who’s in control, what’s real, and whether anything about this connection is safe.

What I loved most was how unpredictable it was. This book had me reacting out loud more times than I can count—it’s one of those reads that completely pulls you in and refuses to let you think too far ahead.

If you love:
• Dark psychological romance
• Morally black, obsessive MMCs
• Twists that keep you guessing
• “Touch her and die” energy
• Intense, boundary-pushing stories

This is definitely one to check out—but please check the trigger warnings, because this book does not hold back

[Shadowz Greymoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings for sure. I couldn't stop reading this book once I started, The back and forth between the main characters and the plot twists kept me on the edge. While some may not like books like these I do. I don't know why I enjoy these taboo kinds of things but I do. Just sad that now I have to wait until November to get into part 2 of this series. And being written by a guy. He's now become one of my new founded favorite Indie Authors. Read his books, you won't be disappointed. I only found out about this author in my reels page on Facebook, the ad for this book kept showing up and it got my interest peaked, so glad I added it into my Kindle library.

Update: My review on my website :Book Review: Mine to Hunt

[Evelyn Mootispaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow

This was a book that captured me from page one to the very end. I seriously did not venture away from this book once I started. Real life was on pause. I mean the teasers for this book were 🤤. But once I started reading this. Umm this is one I would love to have in print. To go back to and reread. As I am still picking my tongue up off the floor.
The story and characters were so well written and described. The attention to detail in the writing. Chef's kiss. Everything I want in a dark romance read. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Killiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very dark, and kept me on the edge on every 'Him' chapter, like who's he going to kill this time? That kinda vibe, but I'm really frustrated with the ending. Like what do you mean you didn't mention the masked man's name at the end? I'm cracking my brain to think in every possible way who it could be, is it Al or Dr Nathaniel? No, she could've found out by his height and voice, but no. So I'd be VERY happy if the second book comes soon as possible 🙏

[Elizabeth Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ride it to the end!

This one had me on the edge all the way to the end and I'm here for it. It's been a while since a book has grabbed me and sucked me in so deeply.
I'm not going to leave any spoilers, but if you're intrigued by darkness, being on edge, and the ride of your life, this book is The One.😉
I'm definitely going to need the next book!📚

[missbemba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and I’m still not okay. Someone hold me. 😭

This is exactly the type of book I live for — the kind that grabs you by the throat from page one and refuses to let go until the very last word. And then leaves you completely devastated that it’s over. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I’m still processing.

Fair warning: you will cry. Prepare yourself. 🥺
What hit me hardest about this story is how it depicts the damage rumours can do. I genuinely hate injustice, and watching characters suffer because of things people heard from someone who heard from someone else — it made my blood boil. We live in a world where reputations get destroyed on hearsay, where people don’t stop to question or listen, and this book holds that mirror up unflinchingly. It’s infuriating because it’s so painfully true. 🤬

The psychological manipulation woven throughout is also deeply unsettling — and brilliantly done. This book will make you question your own perceptions, your own certainties, and honestly your own sanity a little bit. Which is exactly what the best dark reads do.

Please, please read the trigger warnings before diving in. This one is heavy and it earns every single one of them.

Now I just have to survive waiting for book two. 😭

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be prepared to be blown away

This is the second dark romance book by C.O. Wheels. Mine to hunt does not disappoint. Twist and turns on every page. What's going to happen next. Bodies disappearing, obsession, protecting what is his. And how far is he willing to go. If you are looking for a excellent dark romance. Give this a read. Been telling my friends about this.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts strong. Gives us the mind of a serial killer in the making, which I personally love. About 49% in, it starts to go flat, and I almost DNF’d. I kept going because I needed to know what would happen.

Here is what I liked. I enjoyed the Him chapters and storyline. I’m always down for stalking, and no one will hurt her. Iris POV is okay. She had moments of being a strong, independent heroine.

My concern is that I didn't enjoy Iris Chaoters as much as I thought I would. At times, she seemed too whiny. The will-they, won't they, and when-will-he-take-the-next-step seemed to drag on. There is also the peputation which took away from the book.

Over all it was an okay book. I suggest a good editor or alpha reader. The book has great potential

[Karen Denise Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was ridiculously excited to read Mine to Hunt by C.O. Wheel. With all the 4- and 5-star reviews floating around, I was fully prepared to become obsessed. And honestly? For the first 5 or 6 chapters, I thought I was headed straight for a 5-star rating myself.

Those opening chapters are intense. Dark, graphic, disturbing, and incredibly immersive. The author throws you directly into the mind of a serial killer, and some scenes are so detailed they're genuinely difficult to read. Iris ("Ree") is established well, the stalker is terrifying, and I was completely invested in the dynamic between them. If you're into stalkers, serial killers, and shows like Dexter or Criminal Minds, there's a good chance you'll eat this up. The murder scenes are long, detailed, and absolutely not for the squeamish. My ultimate dark romance would be putting Dexter, Criminal Minds, 50 Shades and 365 Days into a bag, shake them up, pour out some pieces, and then use them to come up with a story. This had that potential.

The relationship between Iris and the masked man is easily the strongest part of the book. It's messy, unhealthy, complicated, and impossible to ignore. There's a constant tension between them that keeps you wondering what happens next and how much worse things are about to get.

The masked man himself works because of how little we know about him. His mystery is his entire appeal. He's controlling, unsettling, unpredictable, and somehow manages to dominate every scene without even having a face. It's one of those rare cases where withholding information actually makes a character more interesting instead of making me want to throw the book across the room.

Unfortunately, after that fantastic start, the cracks started showing.

The pacing is a major problem. Yes, it builds tension slowly, but eventually "slow burn" crosses over into "why are we still doing this?" There are so many repetitive conversations that I started feeling trapped in my own personal Groundhog Day.

One example: Iris tells her friends she's exhausted. They proceed to drag her through a laser-tag maze where she has to run around anyway. The next day, one of those same friends sees her and says, "Wow, you look exhausted."

No kidding.

Then we get the obligatory "I missed you so much!" despite them literally hanging out the day before.

Did you miss her? Or did you just forget what happened in the previous chapter?

My biggest issue, though, was the timeline structure.

The book constantly jumps between Iris's POV and the masked man's POV, but instead of giving us fresh perspectives on events, it often feels like we're rewinding and watching the same thing again. We'd move forward in Iris's story, then slam on the brakes so the masked man could spend a chapter catching up to where we already were.

And then there are moments where the timeline just seems confused about what it's doing.

One scene ends with Iris escaping onto a bus and using breathing exercises to calm down. The next chapter appears to jump back to her psychiatrist teaching her those breathing exercises, except it also references details from the bus scene that hadn't happened yet. I reread it thinking I'd missed something.

I hadn't.

There were several moments like that where the chronology felt more accidental than intentional.

Between the repetitive dialogue, the timeline issues, and the endless emotional circles Iris runs around in, I found myself skimming. A lot.

And for me, once I'm skimming, the battle is already lost.

Then we get to the ending.

Or, more accurately, the complete lack of one.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and in my excitement I completely failed to notice that book two doesn't come out until November. Normally I'd blame myself for not checking, but after nearly 500 pages I'd at least hoped for something resembling a conclusion.

Instead, I got a giant "To Be Continued..." and an existential crisis.

At 483 pages, this book desperately needed an editor willing to wield a machete. If it had been trimmed down by 100-150 pages and maintained the intensity of those opening chapters, I genuinely think this could have been a phenomenal 5-star read.

Instead, it feels like a book with an incredible premise, a fascinating central relationship, and some genuinely chilling moments that got buried under repetition, timeline confusion, and way too much filler.

Would I read book two?

Ask me again in November. As it stands, the book has a fantastic premise, a compelling central relationship, and a genuinely chilling atmosphere, but its pacing, repetition, and structural issues kept it from reaching its full potential. So it will be a toss up and dependant on where my patience level falls when the next installment is published.

3 stars

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Some notes. This was GOOD. Had potential as fuck. BUT! It felt rushed, like a lot of details was missing. I don't know If I'll continue this duet, but I'll definitly agree it had me fucking hooked!

[Jamey [Longhollow.Lore] · Rating 3 out of 5]

dark, gory, hot in some places, mystery. I will read book 2. And I’ll just say it better not be Al.

[Bouchra Lgamawi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book very impulsively after seeing it on Instagram once and immediately ordering it on Amazon like 3 minutes later. I went into this pretty blindly and was mostly curious because it was written by a man, so I wanted to see what it would be like.

First of all, there was kind of an unintentional spoiler before even reading the book. On the author’s Instagram page it literally says “psychiatrist x patient,” which already kind of gives away who the masked man is. So by the end, when his identity is treated like this big reveal/cliffhanger for the next book, it didn’t really feel like one to me because I already kind of knew.

My main issue with this book was the writing style. It just wasn’t for me, and a lot of it felt really repetitive.

The masked man’s chapters especially started feeling like the same thing over and over again. His victims beg, he ignores them, says some variation of how they crossed a line, and then kills them anyway. This happened multiple times in such a similar way that it started feeling repetitive instead of intense.

I also felt this way with Iris’s chapters. It was a lot of her being scared, isolating herself, calling in sick, being too afraid to leave, etc. After a while it just felt like we were revisiting the same emotional beats repeatedly like i get it, shes traumatised, but it just didn’t feel engaging.

Another thing I didn’t love was how hard the writing tried to make the masked man seem super composed, mysterious, and in control. We get told constantly how precise and calculated he is, how nobody can fool him, how he always gets what he wants, etc🤪🤪😏😈😈 I feel like a character like this works better when those traits are implied through actions rather than repeatedly stated outright. At some point it started feeling less mysterious and more a just cringe.

One random suspicion I had while reading (not a spoiler, just my own theory) is that Al might actually be shady or somehow involved in what’s happening to Iris. I can’t fully explain why, but I just got that feeling while reading and couldn’t shake it. Hes not as innocent as the book is portraying him to be🧐

That being said, I didn’t hate this book. It’s 477 pages but it’s a pretty easy read, and I got through it relatively quickly. Some books are so boring that they’re painful to finish, but this one at least kept me reading. The story itself isn’t bad at all but my issue was mostly with the writing and repetition.

Overall, I’d give this 2.5 stars, but rounded up to 3 since half stars don’t exist on here ;o

[Holly Cheeseborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah! So good! Can't wait for the next book.
I have theories.
The worst part is... they haven't been resolved!
The twist!
I'm worried for our masked man...

[Destiny Catalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpectedly fun book to unravel. The mystery had me guessing - wrong - for the majority of the book and the cliffhanger was truly a chef's kiss. I appreciate the careful presentation of the players in the game and delightful misdirections to keep you guessing around. Genuinely excited for the next book in this series and looking forward to reading others by this author.

[ImSuddenlySue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will f**k you up.

It's dark, but not Pitch Black.
She has a stalker.
Then she has a Masked man.
She thinks they're the same but we know they aren't.
Mask protects. Stalker scares.
The real problem? How she reacts to them, and what she feels.

Be scared, be cautious, then be outraged.
There's a twist that will leave you PISSED, awed, and obsessed, but waiting for book 2.

It really is worth the read!

[Angelica Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

O. M. G.

Talk about a rollercoaster! I have theories on Iris’s masked protector, when I say I devoureddddd this book. It was one of those “just one more chapter” moments and once I started I didn’t stop. One more chapter turned into the entire book. Cannot wait for the second one later this year!

[Erika Jurgel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God... I wasn't expecting this book to be sooo good.. I think I can definitely say that this is the second greatest book I have read so far after Hauting Adeline. And the ending - definitely leaving me wanting for more. Great book, thanks to author for creating this masterpiece to us Booktok community. <3

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

Amazing details. I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Unexpected ending. I felt the writer created the serial killer impeccably.

[Shannon smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down !! But the cliff hanger !! I need the next book ASAP

[Sunshine Kerkenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

O M G

I loved this book and hope there's another. Kept guessing and trying to find clues. Great book. Will definitely be buying it and recommending it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine to hunt is for the girls, who claimed to stay by the hero's side while secretly wishing to be loved, worshiped and desired by the villain. This book is for the girls who doesn't believe in soft love anymore, so do I. This is such a great example, when I say, "I like it Dark." I hope everyone who is going to read this book, be mentally prepared for the adrenaline rush it will come with the reading, and I am sure you wouldn't regret one bit of it. Iris is for all the girlies who are often the overlooked one or the one taken for granted, but secretly craving the darkness. And there is more to come. Which I am more excited about! And the question, I ended up asking myself after the last line, "Why Men like this can't be real?!"

[Ritika Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, intense, and addictive. A twisted love story that keeps you hooked. Not for the faint-hearted...Most recommended for the dark romance lovers..

[Melanie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Great Read

So enjoyed the story line. Page turner to find out what happens next. The ending- Cliffhanger. I am hooked! I can’t wait too see what’s next!

[Kyndle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cliffhanger has me in a choke hold. I can't wait for the 2nd book. This was so good

[Breanna Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

lock in bestie it’s a RIDE

I started this book and could not put it down from the very first chapter — I was LOCKED in, seatbelt fastened and everything. This book gives you absolute whiplash in the best way possible trying to figure out who the stalker(s) are. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist had me questioning everything all over again.

I already have a few theories and I am SO excited to see how this story unfolds. Now I’m counting down the days until book two to see if I’m right… or if the author is about to completely blindside me.

If you’ve been looking for a dark stalker romance that keeps you hooked, constantly guessing, and unable to stop reading “just one more chapter,” this is absolutely the book for you bestie.

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mine to Hunt by C.O. Wheel and Tanya was such an intense read. I finished it in a day! Definitely read the trigger warnings because the gore and graphic details are VERY detailed. I really loved the way the book was written, when a scene involved both the MMC and FMC, we got to see the same encounter from both POVs once it switched characters, and I thought that was such a cool touch.

This book did such a good job of making you feel exactly what the FMC was feeling too, especially the eerie “someone is watching you” moments. And the plot twists? I genuinely did not see them coming at all. Now I already have my own theories about what could happen next, and I can’t wait to find out.

[Kim Mattice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story!

I loved it! The twists and turns. The ending. Can't wait for the 2nd book. I'm still trying to peice together who the masked stalker is and who is behind the actual stalking. Amazing read.