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Hunter’s Hidden Camera
A high school track athlete with a perverse hobby. A college heartthrob with a secret life. A dark gay m/m thriller that will stop at nothing until everyone gets exposed.
“Unsettling and surprisingly poignant. It explores sexuality, jealousy, shame, and moral compromise in a way that feels raw and unfiltered…. Hunter’s voice is sharp, self-aware, and darkly humorous…. A provocative and emotionally layered exploration of a young man spiraling under the weight of his own secrets.”
—San Francisco Book Review
Hunter seems to have it all: brains, biceps, and a bright future beyond the halls of his oppressive high school. He also has a private obsession that he knows is wrong: secretly recording his older brother, Nash, with a spy cam. It starts as a thrill and morphs into a power trip. But one day, the video footage reveals something so disturbing that it cracks Hunter’s life straight down the middle.
Now he’s trapped in a nightmare where desire leaves fingerprints, loyalty pulls triggers, and the brother he thought he knew might be the most dangerous person in the room. To survive what he’s uncovered, Hunter turns to his best friend, Oscar, who may also be the man Hunter never knew he needed.
When the family you’re born into puts you at risk, the family you choose may be the only thing that keeps you alive.
Hunter’s Hidden Camera is an emotionally charged LGBT coming-of-age psychological thriller about hunger, shame, and the brutal cost of exposure.
Perfect for fans of:
– campus thrillers tangled with forbidden gay desire
– taboo obsession and morally messy characters
– slow-burn m/m tension mixed with psychological intensity
– literary queer fiction for adults
– vintage pulp paperbacks
– genre storytelling blended with personal experience
– stories about gay men told from a gay male perspective
Smile for the camera.
“Unsettling and surprisingly poignant. It explores sexuality, jealousy, shame, and moral compromise in a way that feels raw and unfiltered…. Hunter’s voice is sharp, self-aware, and darkly humorous…. A provocative and emotionally layered exploration of a young man spiraling under the weight of his own secrets.”
—San Francisco Book Review
Hunter seems to have it all: brains, biceps, and a bright future beyond the halls of his oppressive high school. He also has a private obsession that he knows is wrong: secretly recording his older brother, Nash, with a spy cam. It starts as a thrill and morphs into a power trip. But one day, the video footage reveals something so disturbing that it cracks Hunter’s life straight down the middle.
Now he’s trapped in a nightmare where desire leaves fingerprints, loyalty pulls triggers, and the brother he thought he knew might be the most dangerous person in the room. To survive what he’s uncovered, Hunter turns to his best friend, Oscar, who may also be the man Hunter never knew he needed.
When the family you’re born into puts you at risk, the family you choose may be the only thing that keeps you alive.
Hunter’s Hidden Camera is an emotionally charged LGBT coming-of-age psychological thriller about hunger, shame, and the brutal cost of exposure.
Perfect for fans of:
– campus thrillers tangled with forbidden gay desire
– taboo obsession and morally messy characters
– slow-burn m/m tension mixed with psychological intensity
– literary queer fiction for adults
– vintage pulp paperbacks
– genre storytelling blended with personal experience
– stories about gay men told from a gay male perspective
Smile for the camera.
- GenresContemporary
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
5 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Auswat
2 books25 followersAnthony Auswat is the author of dark, demented, and deeply gay thrillers, including “The Teacher Inside Me” and “Hunter’s Hidden Camera,” which were viral sensations online before they were officially published. He draws from personal experience and transforms it into genre storytelling. He lives in California, where he keeps a low profile and a high body count.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 4, 2026
⭐️ 1 star ⭐️
This book was ridiculously bad. I don’t think I can really explain it without spoilers, so spoiler warning.
Let’s start with the weirdass plot. It’s all over the place.
It starts with a closeted main character and his unhealthy obsession with his brother, caused by him repressing his sexuality and other insecurities. Weird, but okay.
It then turns into a murder thriller, where Hunter witnesses his brother killing his girlfriend. It all goes downhill after that.
There’s lot of teenage drama that has nothing to do with the plot, a sex party??, the murder turns out to be a prank, Hunter gets run over and gets in a car crash (survives both), his brother turns out not only to be queer (I think?), but also a drug dealer involved with the Russian mafia. THE RUSSIAN MAFIA. What the fuck.
Cherry on top, there’s an out of the blue gay-for-you confession from Hunter’s best friend, and the book ends with an unsatisfying conclusion to the thriller side and a surprise friends-to-lovers romance.
You really have to read it to experience the full mess that is this plot, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Not worth it.
Now, all of that could’ve been kind of funny and amusing, the convoluted plot twists and the messiness, if it weren’t for the atrocious writing.
How does one live 18 years without knowing what HUNTER means? It’s a very common word.
The spirit of teamwork honestly killed me.
The writing was so stilted and wonky, the dialogues were written like message chats — me: … Nash: … Emma: …. — there was one dude that was talking like a British nobleman for no apparent reason, there were random monologues about side characters only for the topic to never be brought up again.
I honestly was hoping for a it was all a dream moment, even if it’s my most hated trope, because all of this actually happening was way too absurd to be believable.
But, like I said, it could’ve been one of those ‘it’s so bad it’s good’ books, where the outlandish-ness of it is the charm, if the writing wasn’t so painful to read.
The self-promo for the teacher book was hilarious, ‘some drama happened with my teacher, maybe someday someone will write a book about it’ *wink wink* . Jfc, there are better ways to insert a different book into your story.
All of this to say, I did not enjoy this book whatsoever. It was incredibly stupid, but not in a fun way where I could laugh along with it. I lost so many brain cells reading this.
The cover’s cool, though. That might be the only positive I can think of.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Violence
- Anxiety attacks
- Suicidal ideation
- Self-harm (off page)
- Incestuous thoughts
- Homophobia (internalized and non)
- F slur
- Non-consensual videos
- Sexual situations but no spice
I can’t predict the future, but for some reason I know from this point forward in my life, my relatively short life, things will never be the same again.
This book was ridiculously bad. I don’t think I can really explain it without spoilers, so spoiler warning.
Let’s start with the weirdass plot. It’s all over the place.
It starts with a closeted main character and his unhealthy obsession with his brother, caused by him repressing his sexuality and other insecurities. Weird, but okay.
It then turns into a murder thriller, where Hunter witnesses his brother killing his girlfriend. It all goes downhill after that.
There’s lot of teenage drama that has nothing to do with the plot, a sex party??, the murder turns out to be a prank, Hunter gets run over and gets in a car crash (survives both), his brother turns out not only to be queer (I think?), but also a drug dealer involved with the Russian mafia. THE RUSSIAN MAFIA. What the fuck.
Cherry on top, there’s an out of the blue gay-for-you confession from Hunter’s best friend, and the book ends with an unsatisfying conclusion to the thriller side and a surprise friends-to-lovers romance.
You really have to read it to experience the full mess that is this plot, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Not worth it.
He’s not sleepwalking—he’s sleep-masturbating.
Now, all of that could’ve been kind of funny and amusing, the convoluted plot twists and the messiness, if it weren’t for the atrocious writing.
I think about my name. Hunter. I think about its meaning. By instinct, I move to my laptop, navigate to a dictionary, and type in my name. The first definition reads: “a person or animal that hunts.”
How does one live 18 years without knowing what HUNTER means? It’s a very common word.
I reach towards the knife, and the spirit of teamwork tells Oscar to hand it to me, which he does.
The spirit of teamwork honestly killed me.
The writing was so stilted and wonky, the dialogues were written like message chats — me: … Nash: … Emma: …. — there was one dude that was talking like a British nobleman for no apparent reason, there were random monologues about side characters only for the topic to never be brought up again.
I honestly was hoping for a it was all a dream moment, even if it’s my most hated trope, because all of this actually happening was way too absurd to be believable.
But, like I said, it could’ve been one of those ‘it’s so bad it’s good’ books, where the outlandish-ness of it is the charm, if the writing wasn’t so painful to read.
The self-promo for the teacher book was hilarious, ‘some drama happened with my teacher, maybe someday someone will write a book about it’ *wink wink* . Jfc, there are better ways to insert a different book into your story.
All of this to say, I did not enjoy this book whatsoever. It was incredibly stupid, but not in a fun way where I could laugh along with it. I lost so many brain cells reading this.
The cover’s cool, though. That might be the only positive I can think of.
It’s beginning to look like Nash, the brother I thought I knew and envied, is not really who he seems to be.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Violence
- Anxiety attacks
- Suicidal ideation
- Self-harm (off page)
- Incestuous thoughts
- Homophobia (internalized and non)
- F slur
- Non-consensual videos
- Sexual situations but no spice
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I have two things to say about this book before I head into the review: One, there is no incest in this book. Hunter is repressed, alone, and like many young men, he is exploring his sexuality. Nash is older and held up as a perfect specimen by Hunter’s parents; it’s titillation and taboo in a world where Hunter’s very sexuality is a taboo. Two, the focus of this book isn’t the plot and the zany hi-jinx so much as it is Hunter’s life falling apart around him, forcing him to be honest with himself about what he wants, what he needs, and who he is.
I enjoyed this book. It’s a lot, and there will be people who decline to read it due to Hunter’s fixation on his brother, and that’s fine. But I think, if you don’t take the plot too seriously, you should have a fun time with this one.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
I have two things to say about this book before I head into the review: One, there is no incest in this book. Hunter is repressed, alone, and like many young men, he is exploring his sexuality. Nash is older and held up as a perfect specimen by Hunter’s parents; it’s titillation and taboo in a world where Hunter’s very sexuality is a taboo. Two, the focus of this book isn’t the plot and the zany hi-jinx so much as it is Hunter’s life falling apart around him, forcing him to be honest with himself about what he wants, what he needs, and who he is.
I enjoyed this book. It’s a lot, and there will be people who decline to read it due to Hunter’s fixation on his brother, and that’s fine. But I think, if you don’t take the plot too seriously, you should have a fun time with this one.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
March 17, 2026
This book was amazing, fast paced. Page turner! A sexy thriller delivered with great dialogue and many twist and turns. Thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for this copy!
April 5, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.8 / 5 stars)
A chaotic, dark queer thriller that is messy, gripping, disturbing—and weirdly intimate
📖 Overall Impression
Hunter’s Hidden Camera is not a clean, polished thriller—and that’s exactly why it works (and also why it doesn’t).
It reads like a hybrid between Wattpad-style confessional writing and psychological crime drama, packed with:
raw sexuality
mental health struggles
toxic masculinity
crime, deception, and identity collapse
At its core, this is less about a “hidden camera” and more about hidden selves—and the damage that secrecy causes.
🧠 Plot Breakdown (FULL SPOILERS)
The story follows Hunter, a deeply troubled teenager obsessed with his older brother Nash. What begins as voyeuristic curiosity (installing a spy camera in his brother’s room) spirals into something much darker.
That early intrusive thought is chilling:
> “Or worse, did he find my spy cam in his room? Or even worse, did he find his shower videos online?”
This line alone tells you:
Hunter is morally compromised
There is sexual obsession
Boundaries are already broken
🔥 Major twists and arcs:
1. The Brother’s Double Life
Nash transforms from “perfect son” into:
drug user
criminal associate
connected to a crime boss (Nikolai)
Hunter himself reflects:
> “How did my brother go from being the most popular kid in high school… to… a life full of drugs and sex parties… and a criminal organization?”
This descent feels dramatic but slightly rushed (more on that later).
2. The Murder / Fake Narrative Layer
Hunter believes Nash murdered Alessandra—but then she reappears:
> “I thought you were dead.”
This creates a meta-layer twist where:
events feel scripted
reality becomes unreliable
“paper/script pages” literally appear
This is one of the most interesting narrative ideas—but it’s not fully realized.
3. The Queer Identity & Internal Conflict
The emotional backbone of the novel is Hunter’s sexuality.
The most brutal moment:
> “Do your friends know you’re a fag? Does Oscar know you’re sexually obsessed with me?”
This line reframes EVERYTHING:
Hunter’s obsession with Nash becomes psychologically disturbing
The “camera” becomes symbolic of desire + surveillance
Shame fuels his breakdown
4. Oscar – The Emotional Anchor
Oscar is arguably the best-written character.
His support feels raw and real:
> “I know you weren’t drowning on accident.”
This subplot introduces:
suicide ideation
male vulnerability
friendship as survival
And the quiet intimacy later:
> “Oscar falls asleep in my arms… I am so… completely, wide awake.”
This is one of the few moments where the book slows down—and it works beautifully.
🎯 What the Book Does REALLY Well
1. Raw Psychological Honesty
This book doesn’t sanitize anything:
intrusive thoughts
sexual confusion
self-harm
jealousy
It feels uncomfortable—but intentionally so.
2. Voice & Readability
The prose is simple, fast, and bingeable.
You fly through chapters.
Even chaotic scenes feel immediate and cinematic.
3. Queer Representation (Unfiltered)
Unlike polished LGBTQ+ fiction, this shows:
internalized homophobia
confusion
toxic environments
It’s messy—but real.
4. Emotional Peaks
Scenes with Oscar are genuinely strong:
vulnerability
humor
intimacy
They ground an otherwise chaotic narrative.
❌ Where the Book Falls Short
1. Editing & Technical Errors (Major Issue)
This is the biggest flaw.
Throughout the text:
words are corrupted (“—ictor”, “Vuickly”, “moEe”)
formatting breaks immersion
OCR-like distortions appear frequently
This seriously reduces readability and professionalism.
2. Tone Inconsistency
The book jumps between:
teen comedy
erotic awkwardness
crime thriller
psychological drama
Example:
A comedic sexual mishap:
> “You shoved your dick in my ass.”
…exists in the same narrative space as:
attempted murder
criminal networks
The tonal shifts can feel jarring rather than intentional.
3. Overloaded Plot
There’s too much happening:
spy cam voyeurism
incest-adjacent obsession
murder mystery
crime syndicate
hacking subplot
mental health arc
Each idea is strong—but together they dilute impact.
4. Underdeveloped Twists
The “script pages” and meta-reality angle:
“Written… like it’s some kind of play or film script”
This is fascinating—but:
not fully explained
not structurally integrated
It feels like a brilliant idea that wasn’t fully executed.
5. Character Depth Imbalance
Hunter → complex but chaotic
Oscar → strong and consistent
Nash → intriguing but underdeveloped
Nash’s transformation feels more told than experienced.
🧩 Themes (What the Book is REALLY About)
This isn’t just a thriller. It explores:
🔍 Surveillance & Desire
The “camera” = control, obsession, and forbidden gaze
🧠 Mental Health
suicidal ideation
emotional suppression
self-destructive behavior
🧬 Identity & Shame
queer identity conflict
internalized stigma
masculinity pressure
🎭 Performance vs Reality
The script pages suggest:
life as performance
identity as constructed
💬 Writing Style Analysis
The style is:
conversational
blunt
sometimes repetitive
Example repetition for emotional emphasis:
“I don’t fall asleep… I don’t want to… I am… wide awake.”
This works emotionally—but overuse weakens impact.
🧨 Final Verdict
This book is:
✔ Addictive
✔ Emotionally raw
✔ Conceptually bold
But also:
✖ Messy
✖ Poorly edited
✖ Overstuffed
⭐ Final Rating Breakdown
Category Rating
Story Concept ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Writing Quality ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Editing ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Emotional Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🏁 Final Score: 3.8 / 5 stars
📌 Who Should Read This?
You’ll like this if you enjoy:
dark queer fiction
messy psychological narratives
Wattpad-style intensity with thriller elements
Avoid if you want:
polished literary fiction
clean structure
consistent tone
( It was an ARC that u received)
A chaotic, dark queer thriller that is messy, gripping, disturbing—and weirdly intimate
📖 Overall Impression
Hunter’s Hidden Camera is not a clean, polished thriller—and that’s exactly why it works (and also why it doesn’t).
It reads like a hybrid between Wattpad-style confessional writing and psychological crime drama, packed with:
raw sexuality
mental health struggles
toxic masculinity
crime, deception, and identity collapse
At its core, this is less about a “hidden camera” and more about hidden selves—and the damage that secrecy causes.
🧠 Plot Breakdown (FULL SPOILERS)
The story follows Hunter, a deeply troubled teenager obsessed with his older brother Nash. What begins as voyeuristic curiosity (installing a spy camera in his brother’s room) spirals into something much darker.
That early intrusive thought is chilling:
> “Or worse, did he find my spy cam in his room? Or even worse, did he find his shower videos online?”
This line alone tells you:
Hunter is morally compromised
There is sexual obsession
Boundaries are already broken
🔥 Major twists and arcs:
1. The Brother’s Double Life
Nash transforms from “perfect son” into:
drug user
criminal associate
connected to a crime boss (Nikolai)
Hunter himself reflects:
> “How did my brother go from being the most popular kid in high school… to… a life full of drugs and sex parties… and a criminal organization?”
This descent feels dramatic but slightly rushed (more on that later).
2. The Murder / Fake Narrative Layer
Hunter believes Nash murdered Alessandra—but then she reappears:
> “I thought you were dead.”
This creates a meta-layer twist where:
events feel scripted
reality becomes unreliable
“paper/script pages” literally appear
This is one of the most interesting narrative ideas—but it’s not fully realized.
3. The Queer Identity & Internal Conflict
The emotional backbone of the novel is Hunter’s sexuality.
The most brutal moment:
> “Do your friends know you’re a fag? Does Oscar know you’re sexually obsessed with me?”
This line reframes EVERYTHING:
Hunter’s obsession with Nash becomes psychologically disturbing
The “camera” becomes symbolic of desire + surveillance
Shame fuels his breakdown
4. Oscar – The Emotional Anchor
Oscar is arguably the best-written character.
His support feels raw and real:
> “I know you weren’t drowning on accident.”
This subplot introduces:
suicide ideation
male vulnerability
friendship as survival
And the quiet intimacy later:
> “Oscar falls asleep in my arms… I am so… completely, wide awake.”
This is one of the few moments where the book slows down—and it works beautifully.
🎯 What the Book Does REALLY Well
1. Raw Psychological Honesty
This book doesn’t sanitize anything:
intrusive thoughts
sexual confusion
self-harm
jealousy
It feels uncomfortable—but intentionally so.
2. Voice & Readability
The prose is simple, fast, and bingeable.
You fly through chapters.
Even chaotic scenes feel immediate and cinematic.
3. Queer Representation (Unfiltered)
Unlike polished LGBTQ+ fiction, this shows:
internalized homophobia
confusion
toxic environments
It’s messy—but real.
4. Emotional Peaks
Scenes with Oscar are genuinely strong:
vulnerability
humor
intimacy
They ground an otherwise chaotic narrative.
❌ Where the Book Falls Short
1. Editing & Technical Errors (Major Issue)
This is the biggest flaw.
Throughout the text:
words are corrupted (“—ictor”, “Vuickly”, “moEe”)
formatting breaks immersion
OCR-like distortions appear frequently
This seriously reduces readability and professionalism.
2. Tone Inconsistency
The book jumps between:
teen comedy
erotic awkwardness
crime thriller
psychological drama
Example:
A comedic sexual mishap:
> “You shoved your dick in my ass.”
…exists in the same narrative space as:
attempted murder
criminal networks
The tonal shifts can feel jarring rather than intentional.
3. Overloaded Plot
There’s too much happening:
spy cam voyeurism
incest-adjacent obsession
murder mystery
crime syndicate
hacking subplot
mental health arc
Each idea is strong—but together they dilute impact.
4. Underdeveloped Twists
The “script pages” and meta-reality angle:
“Written… like it’s some kind of play or film script”
This is fascinating—but:
not fully explained
not structurally integrated
It feels like a brilliant idea that wasn’t fully executed.
5. Character Depth Imbalance
Hunter → complex but chaotic
Oscar → strong and consistent
Nash → intriguing but underdeveloped
Nash’s transformation feels more told than experienced.
🧩 Themes (What the Book is REALLY About)
This isn’t just a thriller. It explores:
🔍 Surveillance & Desire
The “camera” = control, obsession, and forbidden gaze
🧠 Mental Health
suicidal ideation
emotional suppression
self-destructive behavior
🧬 Identity & Shame
queer identity conflict
internalized stigma
masculinity pressure
🎭 Performance vs Reality
The script pages suggest:
life as performance
identity as constructed
💬 Writing Style Analysis
The style is:
conversational
blunt
sometimes repetitive
Example repetition for emotional emphasis:
“I don’t fall asleep… I don’t want to… I am… wide awake.”
This works emotionally—but overuse weakens impact.
🧨 Final Verdict
This book is:
✔ Addictive
✔ Emotionally raw
✔ Conceptually bold
But also:
✖ Messy
✖ Poorly edited
✖ Overstuffed
⭐ Final Rating Breakdown
Category Rating
Story Concept ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Writing Quality ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Editing ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Emotional Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🏁 Final Score: 3.8 / 5 stars
📌 Who Should Read This?
You’ll like this if you enjoy:
dark queer fiction
messy psychological narratives
Wattpad-style intensity with thriller elements
Avoid if you want:
polished literary fiction
clean structure
consistent tone
( It was an ARC that u received)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
This was a whirlwind of emotions - the things Hunter got himself into were crazy.
I'm still processing it all so this review is short and to the point.
It was wild, drove my anxiety up at times, but ended on a happy note that I am thankful for.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
I'm still processing it all so this review is short and to the point.
It was wild, drove my anxiety up at times, but ended on a happy note that I am thankful for.
I received an ARC from Book Sirens for my honest review.
April 6, 2026
I Don’t know What to Think
Dee’s Grade: B-
This book was all over the place. According to the author’s not that was intentional. The author tried to insert a lot of diversity into the book. Often it was borderline offensive and stereotypical.
It felt like these were the views of the characters and they were immature and crude. The book could have benefited from a sensitivity reader.
Dee’s Grade: B-
This book was all over the place. According to the author’s not that was intentional. The author tried to insert a lot of diversity into the book. Often it was borderline offensive and stereotypical.
It felt like these were the views of the characters and they were immature and crude. The book could have benefited from a sensitivity reader.
April 4, 2026
This dark MM thriller is not for the faint of heart. It is harsh and messy, and it easily will make a sensitive reader really uncomfortable, so please check your triggers.
This book is insane! I was on the craziest roller-coaster ride. Its thriller vibes kept me on the edge-of-my-seat eagerly turning pages, trying to figure out what would happen next. It was definitely unexpected and kept me completely surprised and shocked. It's a fast read with a lot of moving parts, and I definitely recommend this unique thrilling ride.
This is the second book I've read by Anthony Auswat, and this author never fails to write thought-provoking chilling stories with characters that are morally complex, raw, and messy.
Tropes:
Taboo
Gay awakening
Slow-burn
Friends to lovers
Mental health rep
Check TW
Thank you, GRR and Anthony Auswat, for the opportunity to read this book.
This book is insane! I was on the craziest roller-coaster ride. Its thriller vibes kept me on the edge-of-my-seat eagerly turning pages, trying to figure out what would happen next. It was definitely unexpected and kept me completely surprised and shocked. It's a fast read with a lot of moving parts, and I definitely recommend this unique thrilling ride.
This is the second book I've read by Anthony Auswat, and this author never fails to write thought-provoking chilling stories with characters that are morally complex, raw, and messy.
Tropes:
Taboo
Gay awakening
Slow-burn
Friends to lovers
Mental health rep
Check TW
Thank you, GRR and Anthony Auswat, for the opportunity to read this book.
April 21, 2026
Wow, this was such a departure from what I usually read and I really enjoyed it!
April 5, 2026
Insane twist!
4.5☆
This was definitely an interesting book. Hunter is the typical teenage boy who is trying to hide the fact that he is gay. He is also a sneaky little freak, hiding a spy cam in his brother's room & in the bathroom. And this is the kick starter to the chaos that this book becomes. I absolutely mean that in a good way!
Received a copy of this through LiteraryInspired and the, author, Anthony Auswat.
4.5☆
This was definitely an interesting book. Hunter is the typical teenage boy who is trying to hide the fact that he is gay. He is also a sneaky little freak, hiding a spy cam in his brother's room & in the bathroom. And this is the kick starter to the chaos that this book becomes. I absolutely mean that in a good way!
Received a copy of this through LiteraryInspired and the, author, Anthony Auswat.
April 4, 2026
WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?!?
This book starts out somewhat normally. Teen boy is gay, neglected by his family, obsessed with his brother who is popular and handsome, ok. Hides a camera and sells the videos online to make money, ok dark but still pretty “normal” for lack of a better word.
When he sees something he shouldn’t (no spoilers!), what follows is the craziest path to two boys kissing I have ever read.
This book starts out somewhat normally. Teen boy is gay, neglected by his family, obsessed with his brother who is popular and handsome, ok. Hides a camera and sells the videos online to make money, ok dark but still pretty “normal” for lack of a better word.
When he sees something he shouldn’t (no spoilers!), what follows is the craziest path to two boys kissing I have ever read.
March 16, 2026
4/5
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is my second book from the author that I’m reading and I think this one had a better promise but they both did the same thing, selling the utmost fantasy of what goes on in a gay guy's head and not obtainable in real life. Just a bunch of messy narratives that keep you screaming, “What the hell is happening here?”
I prefer the pacing in this one and the story development but it went downhill as it progressed. It felt like the writer wanted to end it and then started introducing numerous plot twists, but if you love some messy drama and an out-of-this-world gay universe, then this is your best world to dive into.
It’s a fast read and also sweet to read. Great language and smooth writing. I will recommend it if you are open-minded.
I received an advance review copy at no cost, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is my second book from the author that I’m reading and I think this one had a better promise but they both did the same thing, selling the utmost fantasy of what goes on in a gay guy's head and not obtainable in real life. Just a bunch of messy narratives that keep you screaming, “What the hell is happening here?”
I prefer the pacing in this one and the story development but it went downhill as it progressed. It felt like the writer wanted to end it and then started introducing numerous plot twists, but if you love some messy drama and an out-of-this-world gay universe, then this is your best world to dive into.
It’s a fast read and also sweet to read. Great language and smooth writing. I will recommend it if you are open-minded.
April 13, 2026
Wow! I don’t want to give anything away so just take it from me that this a roller coaster of a coming of age story, full of intrigue, lies, deceit, true friendship, murder and romance.
I sure hope that we get to read more about Hunter and Oscar!
This would be a great movie!
I sure hope that we get to read more about Hunter and Oscar!
This would be a great movie!
Review of advance copy
This book is definitely not for everyone, it has some almost taboo themes and is pretty dark and intense. It did keep me on the edge of my seat for the most part. The romantic relationship was not the most important aspect of this book, but it was present nonetheless, even if the ending was not as happy as one might have expected. Overall great book for thrill seekers and someone looking to read action based book.
March 10, 2026
What a ride! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Honestly, I did not want to put this down. Many times, I should have been sleeping but I kept saying to myself that I could read one more chapter. There were many twists that kept me at the edge of my seat. I appreciate how the author is able to develop the characters and move the storyline along.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Review of advance copy
Thanks Reedsy and Anthony for trusting me again with your sophomore work. Anthony is proving himself to be a prolific writer in the gay erotic thriller space and this second outing is evident that his voice and craft are just improving with time. I certainly enjoyed every page of this exhilarating, incredible novel.
To start, Hunter’s Hidden Camera proves to be an even better follow-up to an already strong debut with The Teacher Inside Me. Both feature a closeted young protagonist in his exploration of his sexuality who unwittingly falls into circumstances beyond his control. What Anthony explored in The Teacher Inside Me, he builds on it here with the thrilling aspects increased up multiple antes - so much so that it makes the suspenseful elements in the story so tantalising to read. Though it may seem like I took a longer time to read this, in truth, every time I pick up this novel, I just cannot put it down! The difference this time as compared to the last is that I’m reading this while juggling my work while I read his previous work while on holiday.
Even though the novel contains unexpected turns with elements like drug kingpins and porn empires, I was never taken out of it because of how tightly and brilliantly Anthony plots these in his story. And every time we are introduced to these wild elements, Anthony walks the reader through from point A to point B, which is why it is such an easy read. With a title like Hunter’s Hidden Camera, you are going into the story with some suspension of disbelief, so the expectation is that when the story goes wild (and it does in the most delightful of ways), you are not taken aback and instead encouraged to enjoy the ride with no judgment. With this novel, you get exactly what you’re promised in the blurb - a great story that is both fun and thrilling!
I don’t know if I have any criticisms of this novel. I think the reveals are predictable yet delightful. I figured that a certain character was not dead the entire time but the fact that he could keep me guessing and question myself is an incredible feat. I also anticipated that the bad guy was not going to actually kill one of our characters, but it is exciting to be kept on my toes about his fate.
The greatest strength in Anthony’s writing is how he crafts his characters, like they are all delightfully grey in their morality and intentions. Just like in real life, it makes their motivations believable and helps to make characters like Hunter empathetic through his flaws. I guess the only small criticism is the twist at the end when our two characters got together, especially when the character has been portrayed as a hyper masculine, heterosexual type the entire story, but again, some suspension of disbelief is expected, and in the context of the story, it is not all that wild considering we have all met the hyper straight man who would kiss a boy after three drinks.
I cannot recommend this enough. I hope we get more stories from Anthony in the future. Whatever that is in whatever form, I know that it will be a wild ride and I will be reserving my next read from him at the beach, drink in hand, ready to take it all in one sitting.
To start, Hunter’s Hidden Camera proves to be an even better follow-up to an already strong debut with The Teacher Inside Me. Both feature a closeted young protagonist in his exploration of his sexuality who unwittingly falls into circumstances beyond his control. What Anthony explored in The Teacher Inside Me, he builds on it here with the thrilling aspects increased up multiple antes - so much so that it makes the suspenseful elements in the story so tantalising to read. Though it may seem like I took a longer time to read this, in truth, every time I pick up this novel, I just cannot put it down! The difference this time as compared to the last is that I’m reading this while juggling my work while I read his previous work while on holiday.
Even though the novel contains unexpected turns with elements like drug kingpins and porn empires, I was never taken out of it because of how tightly and brilliantly Anthony plots these in his story. And every time we are introduced to these wild elements, Anthony walks the reader through from point A to point B, which is why it is such an easy read. With a title like Hunter’s Hidden Camera, you are going into the story with some suspension of disbelief, so the expectation is that when the story goes wild (and it does in the most delightful of ways), you are not taken aback and instead encouraged to enjoy the ride with no judgment. With this novel, you get exactly what you’re promised in the blurb - a great story that is both fun and thrilling!
I don’t know if I have any criticisms of this novel. I think the reveals are predictable yet delightful. I figured that a certain character was not dead the entire time but the fact that he could keep me guessing and question myself is an incredible feat. I also anticipated that the bad guy was not going to actually kill one of our characters, but it is exciting to be kept on my toes about his fate.
The greatest strength in Anthony’s writing is how he crafts his characters, like they are all delightfully grey in their morality and intentions. Just like in real life, it makes their motivations believable and helps to make characters like Hunter empathetic through his flaws. I guess the only small criticism is the twist at the end when our two characters got together, especially when the character has been portrayed as a hyper masculine, heterosexual type the entire story, but again, some suspension of disbelief is expected, and in the context of the story, it is not all that wild considering we have all met the hyper straight man who would kiss a boy after three drinks.
I cannot recommend this enough. I hope we get more stories from Anthony in the future. Whatever that is in whatever form, I know that it will be a wild ride and I will be reserving my next read from him at the beach, drink in hand, ready to take it all in one sitting.
April 1, 2026
Anthony Auswat! Remember this name if you are craving a gritty, thought provoking thriller with characters that defy the labels. I wouldn't call it a Gay thriller because the focus of the story isn't sorely on the coming out aspect even though it's a significant element that colors the reading experience.
There is a quote from the book that has captured the essence so accurately with heart stabbing precision.
"I told you. I'm not gay. I'm not bi. And I'm not saying all this 'cause I'm in the closet or some shit. I'm not.
"But with you, somehow, it's different, I don't know, it's crazy. I'm kinda that way for you." I say ..."/Oscar/
"Society wants to label people, wants to shove people in a box, force them into a category. But it doesn't have to be like that. You don't have to be anything other than Oscar."
This is a thriller but the author has implemented masterfully very pressing mental health topics like self harm and the currently expanding social problem of people pushed into one and the same boxes, having to adjust to a certain social code expectations and be the citizens of a human society that has very twisted "ideals", "norms" and fading morals.
In such kind of society where every single person has to fit and conform, Hunter doesn't feel comfortable in his societal "box". Being unwanted by his family and cast aside to face life head on without emotional and family support has shaped his personality, thinking and even the choices he makes. The complex living situation is even harder to endure because he has an older brother, the one his family actually wanted. The author has brilliantly developed the story from one seemingly "innocent" and "harmless" thread - the Golden child against the Fallout of one unwanted pregnancy. Two brothers set on different paths from birth. And this Thread spins uncontrollably in a web of lies, fear, anxiety,self harm, doubt, pain and so much more. Once again I wasn't disappointed opening a book from this author. Mind the trigger warnings because this is the kind of story that worms its way deep into the heart and settles comfortably there while your mind tries to make sense of all the events unfolding on page like small Domino tiles hitting each other and falling down.
Hunter doesn't even duel too much on the camera he installs in his brother bathroom. He is just set on pursing his goals and finding the money to achieve them. One simple act of defiance, anger and frustration that he is once again left on his own leads to a world of destruction and the reveal of what life truly is, exposing secrets, hidden in plain sight and showing the true faces of people he thought he knew. But nothing is ever what it truly is on surface level. There is depth and deception, far bigger than what Hunter thought.
Once again the author has delivered a top notch story that hits a reader with intensity, thoughtfulness and raw emotional impact.
There is a quote from the book that has captured the essence so accurately with heart stabbing precision.
"I told you. I'm not gay. I'm not bi. And I'm not saying all this 'cause I'm in the closet or some shit. I'm not.
"But with you, somehow, it's different, I don't know, it's crazy. I'm kinda that way for you." I say ..."/Oscar/
"Society wants to label people, wants to shove people in a box, force them into a category. But it doesn't have to be like that. You don't have to be anything other than Oscar."
This is a thriller but the author has implemented masterfully very pressing mental health topics like self harm and the currently expanding social problem of people pushed into one and the same boxes, having to adjust to a certain social code expectations and be the citizens of a human society that has very twisted "ideals", "norms" and fading morals.
In such kind of society where every single person has to fit and conform, Hunter doesn't feel comfortable in his societal "box". Being unwanted by his family and cast aside to face life head on without emotional and family support has shaped his personality, thinking and even the choices he makes. The complex living situation is even harder to endure because he has an older brother, the one his family actually wanted. The author has brilliantly developed the story from one seemingly "innocent" and "harmless" thread - the Golden child against the Fallout of one unwanted pregnancy. Two brothers set on different paths from birth. And this Thread spins uncontrollably in a web of lies, fear, anxiety,self harm, doubt, pain and so much more. Once again I wasn't disappointed opening a book from this author. Mind the trigger warnings because this is the kind of story that worms its way deep into the heart and settles comfortably there while your mind tries to make sense of all the events unfolding on page like small Domino tiles hitting each other and falling down.
Hunter doesn't even duel too much on the camera he installs in his brother bathroom. He is just set on pursing his goals and finding the money to achieve them. One simple act of defiance, anger and frustration that he is once again left on his own leads to a world of destruction and the reveal of what life truly is, exposing secrets, hidden in plain sight and showing the true faces of people he thought he knew. But nothing is ever what it truly is on surface level. There is depth and deception, far bigger than what Hunter thought.
Once again the author has delivered a top notch story that hits a reader with intensity, thoughtfulness and raw emotional impact.
April 11, 2026
Hunter’s Hidden Camera really grabs your attention from the start and keeps you hooked. Anthony Auswat has written a story that feels raw and brave, but also surprisingly gentle. It follows a queer teen coming into his own, wrapped inside a thriller that isn’t afraid to take risks.
The story belongs to Hunter: eighteen, in conservative Point Liberty, living in his brother Nash’s shadow and hiding that he’s gay from his Irish Catholic family, his girlfriend Emma, and almost everyone else. When he starts secretly filming Nash and monetizing the footage online, what begins as a twisted way to pay for college spirals once Nash’s real life—drugs, a Russian crime boss—crashes in. Best friend Oscar gets pulled into the chaos, and the book becomes as much about saving each other as it is about Hunter finally facing who he is. I won’t spoil the end, but the last stretch hit me harder than I expected—the kind of ending that sticks with you for a bit. Messy, morally complicated, and human.
Hunter’s voice is the book’s strongest asset: funny, self-aware, painfully honest about desire, shame, and performing straightness. Oscar, Emma, cousin Patricia, and the chosen family around Jo feel real, not props. The prose is direct; the content warnings (sex, violence, suicidal ideation) are earned. The thriller plot sometimes stretches credulity, and the mix of high school drama and organized crime won’t be for everyone—but the emotional core holds. The way Auswat handles identity without forcing labels, and the “take it slow” ending between Hunter and Oscar, landed for me with genuine warmth after so much darkness.
It’s a sharp, personal novel about the cost of hiding and the relief of being seen. If you’re okay with dark material and want a queer story that goes to uncomfortable places and still finds hope, I’d say this one’s worth your time.
The story belongs to Hunter: eighteen, in conservative Point Liberty, living in his brother Nash’s shadow and hiding that he’s gay from his Irish Catholic family, his girlfriend Emma, and almost everyone else. When he starts secretly filming Nash and monetizing the footage online, what begins as a twisted way to pay for college spirals once Nash’s real life—drugs, a Russian crime boss—crashes in. Best friend Oscar gets pulled into the chaos, and the book becomes as much about saving each other as it is about Hunter finally facing who he is. I won’t spoil the end, but the last stretch hit me harder than I expected—the kind of ending that sticks with you for a bit. Messy, morally complicated, and human.
Hunter’s voice is the book’s strongest asset: funny, self-aware, painfully honest about desire, shame, and performing straightness. Oscar, Emma, cousin Patricia, and the chosen family around Jo feel real, not props. The prose is direct; the content warnings (sex, violence, suicidal ideation) are earned. The thriller plot sometimes stretches credulity, and the mix of high school drama and organized crime won’t be for everyone—but the emotional core holds. The way Auswat handles identity without forcing labels, and the “take it slow” ending between Hunter and Oscar, landed for me with genuine warmth after so much darkness.
It’s a sharp, personal novel about the cost of hiding and the relief of being seen. If you’re okay with dark material and want a queer story that goes to uncomfortable places and still finds hope, I’d say this one’s worth your time.
April 3, 2026
This story was a RIDE, I hadn't closely read the synopsis and warnings (I don't really care about trigger warnings so I never pay close attention) so how we started off the story with Hunter was a surprise. The description of morally messy characters is so very accurate for several people in several ways, even Hunter's absent through the story time-frame parents, I have thoughts and we didn't even meet them. The taboo things were there, but we didn't get too far into it or push those boundaries too much, and things definitely could have easily gone farther and darker.
This isn't a long book but we meet a lot of people and a lot happens, it's relatively fast paced entire time, and managed to actually throw me a twist I wasn't expecting which doesn't happen a lot for me. There were a lot of side characters and activity that were kind of thrown in but not actually important to the story, I didn't love that there were quite so many people. I have seen there was another book set in this universe and that might be why one of them was present in current story, I'll have to go read that one now though because I expected more from this person and we didn't get it, I want to know more of their story.
This did end up coming together into a relatively happy ending, things were wrapped up for us, which I really appreciate in a book. There were some bits of the middle that the writing off for me and I checked out a little bit from the story. This one was probably more of a 2.5 for me, but I'm rounding up to a 3.
This isn't a long book but we meet a lot of people and a lot happens, it's relatively fast paced entire time, and managed to actually throw me a twist I wasn't expecting which doesn't happen a lot for me. There were a lot of side characters and activity that were kind of thrown in but not actually important to the story, I didn't love that there were quite so many people. I have seen there was another book set in this universe and that might be why one of them was present in current story, I'll have to go read that one now though because I expected more from this person and we didn't get it, I want to know more of their story.
This did end up coming together into a relatively happy ending, things were wrapped up for us, which I really appreciate in a book. There were some bits of the middle that the writing off for me and I checked out a little bit from the story. This one was probably more of a 2.5 for me, but I'm rounding up to a 3.
April 3, 2026
Hunter seems to have it all – brains, brawn, and a potentially good life after high school. He does have a few problems. He is gay but living the life of a straight man, complete with a girlfriend. He has an obsession with his brother, Nash, his parents’ shining star. He buys a spy cam and start recording his brother and using those recordings to make a lot of money. When he captures something unexpected on the spy cam, Hunter finds his life completely extirpated. He needs help and he turns to his best friend, Oscar. The two learn that Nash is so much more than they thought. Nash could very well be the most dangerous person in his life.
So much is going on in this story. Hunter is definitely not the favored child while Nash certainly is. Hunter has so much growing to do and only one weekend to accomplish it. While Hunter is plagued by guilt, and jealousy, at the same time, he is determined to do the right thing, no matter the cost. What started as something that should have resolved itself easily morphed into danger, surprises, and more than a few misinterpretations. Intensity and danger increase as the story unfolds as well as more revealing more than a few surprises. This is one story that will stay with you long after the last word has been read. An excellent coming of age thriller, this book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a thriller with lots of surprises to uncover.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
So much is going on in this story. Hunter is definitely not the favored child while Nash certainly is. Hunter has so much growing to do and only one weekend to accomplish it. While Hunter is plagued by guilt, and jealousy, at the same time, he is determined to do the right thing, no matter the cost. What started as something that should have resolved itself easily morphed into danger, surprises, and more than a few misinterpretations. Intensity and danger increase as the story unfolds as well as more revealing more than a few surprises. This is one story that will stay with you long after the last word has been read. An excellent coming of age thriller, this book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a thriller with lots of surprises to uncover.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 14, 2026
HUNTER'S HIDDEN CAMERA is a standalone story that deals with sensitive subjects, like mental health, taboo obsession, drugs, anxiety, self-harm, and homophobia.
This is the first book by this author I have read, so I had no idea about the writing style. I can say that it didn't really work for me. It is first person, present tense, which I usually don't mind, but this was very messy. I don't know if it is actually supposed to be a reflection of Hunter's mind - in which case, it worked very well!
The writing style changed occasionally from being a 'story' to being more like a play. Instead of reading it as paragraphs, it became 'Me:..., Emma:..., Blanca:..., Oscar:...' There was no explanation for the change; it just happened, sometimes with 'normal' sentences in the middle.
There are a lot of characters in here, from Hunter and his girlfriend, to his best friend and his girlfriend, to other friends, his brother, cousins, and forever missing parents. The number of characters helped with the messy feel of the book, too.
While I appreciate the hard work that has gone into writing this book, it isn't one that I particularly enjoyed. It is a fairly short book, though, and the chapters fly by at a fast pace. 2.5 rounded up.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 10, 2026
This is the first book by this author I have read, so I had no idea about the writing style. I can say that it didn't really work for me. It is first person, present tense, which I usually don't mind, but this was very messy. I don't know if it is actually supposed to be a reflection of Hunter's mind - in which case, it worked very well!
The writing style changed occasionally from being a 'story' to being more like a play. Instead of reading it as paragraphs, it became 'Me:..., Emma:..., Blanca:..., Oscar:...' There was no explanation for the change; it just happened, sometimes with 'normal' sentences in the middle.
There are a lot of characters in here, from Hunter and his girlfriend, to his best friend and his girlfriend, to other friends, his brother, cousins, and forever missing parents. The number of characters helped with the messy feel of the book, too.
While I appreciate the hard work that has gone into writing this book, it isn't one that I particularly enjoyed. It is a fairly short book, though, and the chapters fly by at a fast pace. 2.5 rounded up.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 10, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Hunter’s Hidden Cameras, and I liked it just as much—if not a bit more—than The Teacher Inside Me.
This is a dark, sexy, fast-paced gay thriller that completely pulled me in. It’s the kind of book you fly through in one sitting—and then immediately wish it was longer because you’re not ready to leave it behind.
What really made this one stand out for me was Hunter. He’s definitely not a perfect character—he made some very questionable choices to get into this mess, but being inside his head made it impossible not to feel for him anyway. I found myself rooting for him through it all.
The story builds tension really well, and once things start unfolding in the back half, it gets especially gripping. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but the mystery kept me hooked and paid off in a really satisfying way.
If I had one complaint, it’s honestly just that I wanted more. More story, more time with these characters, and yes…maybe just a little more spice too. I would absolutely read a sequel in a heartbeat.
If you liked The Teacher Inside Me, this is a must-read. I’d also recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark, slightly taboo-leaning LGBTQ+ thrillers with a sexy edge.
This is a dark, sexy, fast-paced gay thriller that completely pulled me in. It’s the kind of book you fly through in one sitting—and then immediately wish it was longer because you’re not ready to leave it behind.
What really made this one stand out for me was Hunter. He’s definitely not a perfect character—he made some very questionable choices to get into this mess, but being inside his head made it impossible not to feel for him anyway. I found myself rooting for him through it all.
The story builds tension really well, and once things start unfolding in the back half, it gets especially gripping. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but the mystery kept me hooked and paid off in a really satisfying way.
If I had one complaint, it’s honestly just that I wanted more. More story, more time with these characters, and yes…maybe just a little more spice too. I would absolutely read a sequel in a heartbeat.
If you liked The Teacher Inside Me, this is a must-read. I’d also recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark, slightly taboo-leaning LGBTQ+ thrillers with a sexy edge.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Review Copy, and I am very grateful for the free offer as I read the author’s first book and loved it — The Teacher Inside Me. The second book was excellent as well, but in a different way.
Both books offer a mixed genre format, which I liked for the novelty of the approach. I read the first book and expected a sweet gay romance; it was everything but that. Horror, suspense, teenage anxiety were parts of the author’s approach. One thing other reviewers haven’t mentioned is the messiness of the teenage brain. Auswat portrays kids realistically as logical one minute and anything but logical in the next. As a former high school teacher, I was really impressed with how interesting the characters were because of their flaws. The depth of characterization is one of this author’s greatest strengths.
The other part I enjoyed was how the plot was insane at times but everything made sense by the end. Several twists and turns because of misinterpretations versus an unrealistic plot. Both books are great reads, and I want to read more from this author. I eagerly await more from Anthony Auswat.
Both books offer a mixed genre format, which I liked for the novelty of the approach. I read the first book and expected a sweet gay romance; it was everything but that. Horror, suspense, teenage anxiety were parts of the author’s approach. One thing other reviewers haven’t mentioned is the messiness of the teenage brain. Auswat portrays kids realistically as logical one minute and anything but logical in the next. As a former high school teacher, I was really impressed with how interesting the characters were because of their flaws. The depth of characterization is one of this author’s greatest strengths.
The other part I enjoyed was how the plot was insane at times but everything made sense by the end. Several twists and turns because of misinterpretations versus an unrealistic plot. Both books are great reads, and I want to read more from this author. I eagerly await more from Anthony Auswat.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As soon as I saw Hunter’s Hidden Camera available for ARC, I immediately requested it. I read The Teacher Inside Me last year and really enjoyed it, so returning to the same world and timeline was a major draw for me. I love when stories overlap and expand on events happening simultaneously. It adds depth and makes the universe feel cohesive.
This book leans into psychological suspense with a provocative premise. Hunter installing a hidden camera in his brother’s room is immediately attention-grabbing and sets up strong tension from the start. As a reader who enjoys queer psychological thrillers, I was excited to see where the story would go.
While it did not quite push the taboo or psychological boundaries as far as I personally expected, it was still an engaging and entertaining read. The suspense elements were solid, and I appreciated the character connections and the continuation of the larger narrative world.
I also appreciated that, despite the darker undertones, the story delivered a happy ending. For readers who enjoy morally complicated characters, interconnected storylines, and queer psychological suspense, this is a worthwhile addition to the series.
This book leans into psychological suspense with a provocative premise. Hunter installing a hidden camera in his brother’s room is immediately attention-grabbing and sets up strong tension from the start. As a reader who enjoys queer psychological thrillers, I was excited to see where the story would go.
While it did not quite push the taboo or psychological boundaries as far as I personally expected, it was still an engaging and entertaining read. The suspense elements were solid, and I appreciated the character connections and the continuation of the larger narrative world.
I also appreciated that, despite the darker undertones, the story delivered a happy ending. For readers who enjoy morally complicated characters, interconnected storylines, and queer psychological suspense, this is a worthwhile addition to the series.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I'm going to be honest, this book didn't blow me away. Unfortunately, I don't think I was the target audience for this book. When I read the blurb I was intrigued as it sounded interesting and I was curious about how the author was going to write everything in a cohesive way.
For me, this story didn't have a flow to it and the writing style was very different than what I'm used to. The plot was kind of confusing too, there was A LOT going on and there also was a lot of different side characters that didn't really add anything to the story. To be honest, I'm not on our MC's side, what he did to his brother was seriously messed up. Granted, what Nash did back to him was even worse but still, this book was just more twisted than I was expecting.
I did like how Oscar had Hunter's back no matter what, and how they came to care for each other in a different way. While there was a lot of explicit things mentioned throughout the story, I wouldn't classify this as a romance book. Its more of a dark twisted thriller, with a very minor MM subplot at the end.
~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~
For me, this story didn't have a flow to it and the writing style was very different than what I'm used to. The plot was kind of confusing too, there was A LOT going on and there also was a lot of different side characters that didn't really add anything to the story. To be honest, I'm not on our MC's side, what he did to his brother was seriously messed up. Granted, what Nash did back to him was even worse but still, this book was just more twisted than I was expecting.
I did like how Oscar had Hunter's back no matter what, and how they came to care for each other in a different way. While there was a lot of explicit things mentioned throughout the story, I wouldn't classify this as a romance book. Its more of a dark twisted thriller, with a very minor MM subplot at the end.
~~I received an early copy of this book and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.~~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So I'm always completely honest with my books reviews. I didnt have high hopes for this book. Just when it mentioned two brothers, I thought the worst. And I'm okay with reading books about adoptive siblings but actual siblings, it just isn't my thing.
HOWEVER, this book is not like that.
Hunter is a teenage boy who is gay. He is also the disappointment child. His parents even said he was an accident. His brother Nash however, is the best son in the world and could do no wrong.
So Hunter had to come up with ways to make money and basically get him the things he needed and wanted. So he started posting sexual videos online, but of his brother. His face is blurred so you can't see who it is, but still.
One day, he sees something on the hidden cameras and his whole world turns upside down.
He has his best friend Oscar help him find his brother and than one thing after another happens.
He doesnt realize the kind of mess he stepped into and his whole world is falling apart.
In the end, he does get his happy ending though.
This book was actually really good! And it felt like a thriller and romance all wrapped into one. I am definitely recommending this to everyone I know!💙
HOWEVER, this book is not like that.
Hunter is a teenage boy who is gay. He is also the disappointment child. His parents even said he was an accident. His brother Nash however, is the best son in the world and could do no wrong.
So Hunter had to come up with ways to make money and basically get him the things he needed and wanted. So he started posting sexual videos online, but of his brother. His face is blurred so you can't see who it is, but still.
One day, he sees something on the hidden cameras and his whole world turns upside down.
He has his best friend Oscar help him find his brother and than one thing after another happens.
He doesnt realize the kind of mess he stepped into and his whole world is falling apart.
In the end, he does get his happy ending though.
This book was actually really good! And it felt like a thriller and romance all wrapped into one. I am definitely recommending this to everyone I know!💙
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2026
Hunter's Hidden Camera by Anthony Auswat presents itself as a psychological thriller, but in reality, it’s a much lighter read than that label might suggest.
While there are definitely thriller elements, the story often leans into absurdity in ways that make it feel surprisingly comedic. Some moments were admittedly a bit hard to believe, but rather than detracting from the experience, that exaggerated chaos actually added to the book’s charm.
I genuinely laughed quite a lot watching Hunter’s increasingly chaotic spiral unfold. There’s an entertaining unpredictability to how everything unravels, and that balance between tension and humor gave the story a unique flavor.
As someone who usually prefers darker themes and more grounded, immersive worldbuilding, this wasn’t entirely my usual style. Still, I found it refreshing to read something that sat somewhere between psychological thriller and comedy.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, quirky read—light, chaotic, and fun in its own unconventional way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While there are definitely thriller elements, the story often leans into absurdity in ways that make it feel surprisingly comedic. Some moments were admittedly a bit hard to believe, but rather than detracting from the experience, that exaggerated chaos actually added to the book’s charm.
I genuinely laughed quite a lot watching Hunter’s increasingly chaotic spiral unfold. There’s an entertaining unpredictability to how everything unravels, and that balance between tension and humor gave the story a unique flavor.
As someone who usually prefers darker themes and more grounded, immersive worldbuilding, this wasn’t entirely my usual style. Still, I found it refreshing to read something that sat somewhere between psychological thriller and comedy.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, quirky read—light, chaotic, and fun in its own unconventional way.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow, just wow this book is a roller coaster honestly. It starts out pretty tame, but as the chapters go on it builds up tension and has you on the edge of your seat, and then in the last few chapters it just climaxes and the climaxes and just when you think it’s over, it just reaches a new climax and it’s just built up so much tension and leaves you guessing. The plot twist in the end was magnificent and then the ending of the book really tied up everything so wonderfully it really had me sitting back after finishing that story and just saying “wow, wow wow wow”. I thought that The Teacher Inside Me was a great novel wonderful even, but this? This was beautifully written and made, and I cannot give it enough praise honestly, this genre is not a genre I normally read, but Anthony just has me coming back again and again to his stories.. 1000% recommend to anyone who needs a good book to read. Read this. I’m telling you it is 100% worth it!!!
Thank you Anthony for making such a thrilling and wonderful story.
Thank you Anthony for making such a thrilling and wonderful story.
Review of advance copy
I was provided an ARC of this book by BookSirens in exchange for my honest feedback.
Ok this went from awkward, uncomfortable obsession to WTF in about 10 pages! Hunter got himself into some nasty business. There's "sexy" times but they aren't overly descriptive, and they are interspersed with some pretty high stakes thriller stuff. The pages kept turning easily for me. The end of each chapter teases you to start the next, making it possible to finish the book in one sitting if you are a quick reader.
This is Anthony Auswat's second novel and you can really see growth in the writing style. This book felt more serious than the previous work (i.e. The Teacher Inside Me), which I also enjoyed. Auswat's characters are pretty flawed individuals who do some pretty unacceptable things, and yet they are still likable. I appreciated the cameos of characters from the first novel, including some scenes mentioned in the other book but not shown and others where you get a different perspective. I'm really looking forward to reading more about this group.
Ok this went from awkward, uncomfortable obsession to WTF in about 10 pages! Hunter got himself into some nasty business. There's "sexy" times but they aren't overly descriptive, and they are interspersed with some pretty high stakes thriller stuff. The pages kept turning easily for me. The end of each chapter teases you to start the next, making it possible to finish the book in one sitting if you are a quick reader.
This is Anthony Auswat's second novel and you can really see growth in the writing style. This book felt more serious than the previous work (i.e. The Teacher Inside Me), which I also enjoyed. Auswat's characters are pretty flawed individuals who do some pretty unacceptable things, and yet they are still likable. I appreciated the cameos of characters from the first novel, including some scenes mentioned in the other book but not shown and others where you get a different perspective. I'm really looking forward to reading more about this group.
April 14, 2026
This was absolutely wild.
This book is a full-on rollercoaster. Fast-paced, intense, and packed with twists that kept me constantly guessing. I flew through it because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Hunter really goes through it in this one… the situations he ends up in are messy, chaotic, and honestly had my anxiety spiking at times. It’s one of those stories that keeps you on edge the whole way through.
The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is quick, and the thriller vibes are strong. There’s a lot going on, but it all works to keep you hooked and slightly stressed in the best way.
That said, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s dark, raw, and uncomfortable at times, so absolutely check your trigger warnings before diving in.
Overall, this was a gripping, unpredictable read with morally complex characters and a storyline that doesn’t hold back. If you like your romance on the darker, thriller side with plenty of chaos, this is definitely worth picking up.
This book is a full-on rollercoaster. Fast-paced, intense, and packed with twists that kept me constantly guessing. I flew through it because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Hunter really goes through it in this one… the situations he ends up in are messy, chaotic, and honestly had my anxiety spiking at times. It’s one of those stories that keeps you on edge the whole way through.
The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is quick, and the thriller vibes are strong. There’s a lot going on, but it all works to keep you hooked and slightly stressed in the best way.
That said, this is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s dark, raw, and uncomfortable at times, so absolutely check your trigger warnings before diving in.
Overall, this was a gripping, unpredictable read with morally complex characters and a storyline that doesn’t hold back. If you like your romance on the darker, thriller side with plenty of chaos, this is definitely worth picking up.
April 10, 2026
Imagine Ferris Bueler's Day Off, but with Hunter, a closeted gay high school student, his best friend Oliver -- who just got dumped -- wandering into a sex club, a college dorm, and a comic book store only to get caught by a Russian drug dealer who likes Christmas all while trying to stop Hunter's brother from framing Hunter for the murder of his girlfriend, which he caught on camera because he's been using a spy cam to watch his brother masturbate (which he then uploads onto porn sites).
It's a chaotic mess that almost works, though the plot gets let down by the all too convenient ending. What I liked was Hunter himself, a decent enough kid who knows his parents won't support him being gay. He's nice to people, he's smart, he's clever ... and he makes a good narrator. But I didn't buy the ending, either the ending with the drug dealer or the ending with Oliver.
They just felt too quick, too facile, and too easy. Still, it's an interesting book.
It's a chaotic mess that almost works, though the plot gets let down by the all too convenient ending. What I liked was Hunter himself, a decent enough kid who knows his parents won't support him being gay. He's nice to people, he's smart, he's clever ... and he makes a good narrator. But I didn't buy the ending, either the ending with the drug dealer or the ending with Oliver.
They just felt too quick, too facile, and too easy. Still, it's an interesting book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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