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Lucky #14
- GenresDark RomanceRomanceDark
505 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Alina May
8 books1,489 followersInternational bestselling author of books like Better Run and Wanna Play a Game? Please check content warnings!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
April 13, 2026
well that was not what I expected… but I still enjoyed it! while there was a fk ton of trauma so it’s understandable, I did find myself left (especially at the end) wanting more romance & conclusion between them😭
April 2, 2026
Another great book by Alina!! If it had an alternate title it would be "Riley Got Bored and Accidentally Played Match Maker" (cuz we all know if she KNEW that's how it would end, she probably wouldn't have done it lol)
You know it's a great story when there is low spice and you don't even notice until you get to the end! I loved seeing these four traumatized characters come together to try to heal and the way everything fell into place was so satisfying. I also loved seeing all the characters from the last two books (Wanna Play A Game and Ready or Not) come back so we can see a little bit of life after their story.
We are introduced to Oakley, his girlfriend just broke up with him at her therapist's advice. He's determined to make someone love him and stay forever and believes Poppy is that girl but her therapist, Holland "Holli" is standing in their way. Cue Riley wanting to just stir some shit up and we're quickly on the island with all the players. If you've ever seen that movie The Condemned with Stone Cold - this whole book gave me those vibes for sure.
Holli is being hunted but has no idea why or by who but quickly does what she needs to to survive, bringing out her "Fourteen" persona. Seeing how quickly she was able to adapt and survive had me screaming in my reading chair like YAASSS FINALLY an FMC that doesn't drive me insane!!
We find out that typical Riley didn't explain ANYTHING to poor Oakley and he is just as in the dark as Holli is as to why everyone is there. While trying to get his bearings, we're introduced to Kyan. He's the lighter of the group and we see he hasn't been sober in YEARS. His first meeting with Oakley he's high as a kite and we get some lovely MM action - YES PLEASE!! Any story where the boyfriends are boyfriends, I'm SOLD. I think that's why I loved WPAG so much (3 dominant dangerous men but two of them are switch submissive for each other? SAY LESS)
We're also eventually introduced to Wyatt - game master behind everything happening on the island. He trusts NO ONE and always has to be in control. This game is quickly unraveling at the seams and he's trying to pull everything back together. While trying to do just that, he comes across Holli and Oakley at different points; the three of them and Kyan quickly forming an unwilling and tenuous alliance against those trying to destroy his game. Alina did a great job with the shifting alliances between the characters
Every character brought something different to the story and made a complete picture, Alina did such a great job with this! Oakley is our sweet golden retriever with too many emotions he doesn't know what to do with, Kyan is the lighthearted "jokester" of the group bringing humor and lightness to situations where they are needed, Wyatt brought a controlling, demanding, aggressive demeanor and Holli was the personality to bring them all together; calculating and observant so she knows how to act toward each man, giving them all what they need. Seeing them all come together and complete each other when they didn't even realize something was missing was the best part of seeing them finally come together in the end.
You know it's a great story when there is low spice and you don't even notice until you get to the end! I loved seeing these four traumatized characters come together to try to heal and the way everything fell into place was so satisfying. I also loved seeing all the characters from the last two books (Wanna Play A Game and Ready or Not) come back so we can see a little bit of life after their story.
We are introduced to Oakley, his girlfriend just broke up with him at her therapist's advice. He's determined to make someone love him and stay forever and believes Poppy is that girl but her therapist, Holland "Holli" is standing in their way. Cue Riley wanting to just stir some shit up and we're quickly on the island with all the players. If you've ever seen that movie The Condemned with Stone Cold - this whole book gave me those vibes for sure.
Holli is being hunted but has no idea why or by who but quickly does what she needs to to survive, bringing out her "Fourteen" persona. Seeing how quickly she was able to adapt and survive had me screaming in my reading chair like YAASSS FINALLY an FMC that doesn't drive me insane!!
We find out that typical Riley didn't explain ANYTHING to poor Oakley and he is just as in the dark as Holli is as to why everyone is there. While trying to get his bearings, we're introduced to Kyan. He's the lighter of the group and we see he hasn't been sober in YEARS. His first meeting with Oakley he's high as a kite and we get some lovely MM action - YES PLEASE!! Any story where the boyfriends are boyfriends, I'm SOLD. I think that's why I loved WPAG so much (3 dominant dangerous men but two of them are switch submissive for each other? SAY LESS)
We're also eventually introduced to Wyatt - game master behind everything happening on the island. He trusts NO ONE and always has to be in control. This game is quickly unraveling at the seams and he's trying to pull everything back together. While trying to do just that, he comes across Holli and Oakley at different points; the three of them and Kyan quickly forming an unwilling and tenuous alliance against those trying to destroy his game. Alina did a great job with the shifting alliances between the characters
Every character brought something different to the story and made a complete picture, Alina did such a great job with this! Oakley is our sweet golden retriever with too many emotions he doesn't know what to do with, Kyan is the lighthearted "jokester" of the group bringing humor and lightness to situations where they are needed, Wyatt brought a controlling, demanding, aggressive demeanor and Holli was the personality to bring them all together; calculating and observant so she knows how to act toward each man, giving them all what they need. Seeing them all come together and complete each other when they didn't even realize something was missing was the best part of seeing them finally come together in the end.
April 5, 2026
Getting to see all my favorites from previous books was seriously the highlight of this book for me! While this is a standalone, I truly believe for the best reading experience you should read the first 2 books first! It’ll better help you understand the dynamics with the other couples especially since Riley plays a larger role in this book as well. I also loved that this was a very plot focused book for Alina, the spice was actually very minimal so when it did happen it had purpose that just added to the plot.
That plot twist got me, and I loved it! I loved the multiple POVs that we got, when 1 specific POV showed up out of the blue I was genuinely confused for a bit…I immediately thought who would bring a
That plot twist got me, and I loved it! I loved the multiple POVs that we got, when 1 specific POV showed up out of the blue I was genuinely confused for a bit…I immediately thought who would bring a
March 26, 2026
Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Good. The cat has the mouse. Now I’m gonna get the fox too.” -Kyan
If there’s one thing I love about Alina Mays books it’s the why choose 🤭, this was my first ever read with a mental health condition of this sort and it was written so amazingly that it gave the complexity of these characters.
Wyatt is our bad ass killer who is the dangerous game master, he surrenders to no one… that is until Holli appears.
Kyan is the flirt who “helps” Oakley the first time they are alone together if you know what I mean😏.
Holli she is our resident therapist who gets caught up in this game by mistake, she’s poppy’s therapist and the one standing in the way of Oakley love or so he thinks. Shes marked as #14 in the game and fights for her life. Shes lost everyone she cared for and doesn’t like to get close to anyone for fear of them all dying.
Oakley our man he is left heartbroken by Poppy, after she says her therapist says she needs to work on herself. He grew up not having friends and the one oh friend he had as a child left after he let go of a helpless animal. Oakley doesn’t like to hurt people or animals, he’s very caring so imagine his surprise when he realizes he signed up to hurt a specific person that got in his way of love…. He tries to do right but with Wyatt interfering it’s not as easy as he thinks, that is until Kyan decides to help them both by saying he can get them off the island by plane. Also we get some special featured characters from Wanna Play A Game and Ready Or Not so definitely recommend reading those to find out about those characters 🥵. I loved the little snippet of Nellie and Oakleys conversation towards the end of the book and the note she left 🥹.
At a deeper level, I had to mourn the idea that life isn’t stable. It can literally change at any moment and rip things away that you love and care about. You can’t avoid loss by running from love. Running from love is a loss itself.
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Good. The cat has the mouse. Now I’m gonna get the fox too.” -Kyan
If there’s one thing I love about Alina Mays books it’s the why choose 🤭, this was my first ever read with a mental health condition of this sort and it was written so amazingly that it gave the complexity of these characters.
Wyatt is our bad ass killer who is the dangerous game master, he surrenders to no one… that is until Holli appears.
Kyan is the flirt who “helps” Oakley the first time they are alone together if you know what I mean😏.
Holli she is our resident therapist who gets caught up in this game by mistake, she’s poppy’s therapist and the one standing in the way of Oakley love or so he thinks. Shes marked as #14 in the game and fights for her life. Shes lost everyone she cared for and doesn’t like to get close to anyone for fear of them all dying.
Oakley our man he is left heartbroken by Poppy, after she says her therapist says she needs to work on herself. He grew up not having friends and the one oh friend he had as a child left after he let go of a helpless animal. Oakley doesn’t like to hurt people or animals, he’s very caring so imagine his surprise when he realizes he signed up to hurt a specific person that got in his way of love…. He tries to do right but with Wyatt interfering it’s not as easy as he thinks, that is until Kyan decides to help them both by saying he can get them off the island by plane. Also we get some special featured characters from Wanna Play A Game and Ready Or Not so definitely recommend reading those to find out about those characters 🥵. I loved the little snippet of Nellie and Oakleys conversation towards the end of the book and the note she left 🥹.
At a deeper level, I had to mourn the idea that life isn’t stable. It can literally change at any moment and rip things away that you love and care about. You can’t avoid loss by running from love. Running from love is a loss itself.
March 20, 2026
Oakley thinks it’s his ex-girlfriend’s therapist’s fault if she doesn’t want to be with him anymore. Pissed off, he unknowingly signs off Holli (the said therapist) and himself… to a murderous island. They have to survive, him a (poor) hunter and her a prey, all the while trying to either get help from the flirtatious Kyan and/or staying out of Wyatt’s reach, the master mind behind the island’s game. Not to mention all of the other hunters in the game too, gathered on that island for fun.
Grossly resumed, Holli was invisible until she took her place.
Kyan was using to escape until he realized it did more harm than good.
Oakley was obsessive and hurting himself in the process until he realized he was worth loving.
Wyatt was trying so hard to outrun everything until everything came crashing down on him.
As usual, Alina never disappoints. I can count on her to deliver traumatized characters that end up being even more so in messed up situations. And there’s always an additional element that is more than welcome. For example, the DID rep in this one. Alina’s books are dark romances packed with trauma, and above all, healing and acceptance and it’s definitely one of the reasons why she’s so high on my favorite authors list.
Lucky #14 was messed up, engaging, I’ve read it fast and now I’m experiencing withdrawals. It always happens with Alina’s books. The cure? Reread.
Thank you so much to Alina for the arc!
★ ★ ★ ★
Spicy
Keywords: Island, prey, hunter, DID, trauma, why choose, healing, Stockholm, hunt, forest.
Grossly resumed, Holli was invisible until she took her place.
Kyan was using to escape until he realized it did more harm than good.
Oakley was obsessive and hurting himself in the process until he realized he was worth loving.
Wyatt was trying so hard to outrun everything until everything came crashing down on him.
As usual, Alina never disappoints. I can count on her to deliver traumatized characters that end up being even more so in messed up situations. And there’s always an additional element that is more than welcome. For example, the DID rep in this one. Alina’s books are dark romances packed with trauma, and above all, healing and acceptance and it’s definitely one of the reasons why she’s so high on my favorite authors list.
Lucky #14 was messed up, engaging, I’ve read it fast and now I’m experiencing withdrawals. It always happens with Alina’s books. The cure? Reread.
Thank you so much to Alina for the arc!
★ ★ ★ ★
Spicy
Keywords: Island, prey, hunter, DID, trauma, why choose, healing, Stockholm, hunt, forest.
March 28, 2026
Why does everyone leave me?”
Coked… Cooked is the main word I’d use to describe this read. Was I tempted to get out a notepad and pen to try and keep up, yes.. was everything revealed at some point, also yes and let me tell you, I was NOT expecting it!
Alina has this way of making you want to throw the book and hold it close to your heart at the same time!
Picture this, you’re kidnapped, put on an island, marked Ike cattle and told to survive for 14 days. Oh did I mention there’s also a group of hunters and one specifically allocated to unalive you. However the game master also decides he wants you, but is it alive or dead?
Coked… Cooked is the main word I’d use to describe this read. Was I tempted to get out a notepad and pen to try and keep up, yes.. was everything revealed at some point, also yes and let me tell you, I was NOT expecting it!
Alina has this way of making you want to throw the book and hold it close to your heart at the same time!
Picture this, you’re kidnapped, put on an island, marked Ike cattle and told to survive for 14 days. Oh did I mention there’s also a group of hunters and one specifically allocated to unalive you. However the game master also decides he wants you, but is it alive or dead?
April 1, 2026
Lucky # 14 …. Is it?
30 Players. One Game. Zero Winners…
Alina May does it again. This one definitely put the reader through it. It’s written in a slightly different style with a lot on inner dialogue and thoughts for our main characters. Trust the process… look for the Easter eggs. Because this one was wild, primal, and a total mind f^ck! In the best possible way, of course.
Things to know… there is MM love, we see our friends from - Ready or Not and Wanna Play A Game… the villain might not be the villain. I won’t elaborate. There is primal play, captive/lady napping, dark themes, questionable consent, and a remote island setting.
Check the triggers. The list is LONG. I think I counted 30!
30 Players. One Game. Zero Winners…
Alina May does it again. This one definitely put the reader through it. It’s written in a slightly different style with a lot on inner dialogue and thoughts for our main characters. Trust the process… look for the Easter eggs. Because this one was wild, primal, and a total mind f^ck! In the best possible way, of course.
Things to know… there is MM love, we see our friends from - Ready or Not and Wanna Play A Game… the villain might not be the villain. I won’t elaborate. There is primal play, captive/lady napping, dark themes, questionable consent, and a remote island setting.
Check the triggers. The list is LONG. I think I counted 30!
March 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Took a little time to get invested in the story. A lot of different characters. But after a while you get the dynamics between them. Then I got invested. Brutal things happen, so if you love a good dark romance this one will make you happy. The smut part is fine, but not the main reason I would read this book. But I really really liked the psychological aspect of the story.
Thanks for the ARC 🤩
Took a little time to get invested in the story. A lot of different characters. But after a while you get the dynamics between them. Then I got invested. Brutal things happen, so if you love a good dark romance this one will make you happy. The smut part is fine, but not the main reason I would read this book. But I really really liked the psychological aspect of the story.
Thanks for the ARC 🤩
April 4, 2026
I do not know what to say about this book because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read it yet. All the main characters have gone through some kind of trauma and have pretty unhealthy coping skills. Everyone feels at least morally grey by the end, and they may or may not feel redeemable. As always, with Alina's dark romance characters (even the ones who feel unreedemable), I can't help but love them by the end.
Oakley annoyed me at first. He tried so hard to be a "good guy," and everything his partner wanted that he felt manipulative and fake. Wyatt was the typical grumpy dark romance MMC while Kyan was the charismatic dark romance MMC. Holli is a therapist who experienced trauma in her past and made it her life's work to help others. She gets dragged into the Hunter's Club Game because Oakley made a drunken mistake, not paying attention to what he was getting himself, and Holli, into. Once he discovers what he has done, he is desperate to fix it. But it's too little too late. Holli will be forever changed by her experiences on the island, and Wyatt and Kyan have to make sure their secrets stay hidden.
Oakley annoyed me at first. He tried so hard to be a "good guy," and everything his partner wanted that he felt manipulative and fake. Wyatt was the typical grumpy dark romance MMC while Kyan was the charismatic dark romance MMC. Holli is a therapist who experienced trauma in her past and made it her life's work to help others. She gets dragged into the Hunter's Club Game because Oakley made a drunken mistake, not paying attention to what he was getting himself, and Holli, into. Once he discovers what he has done, he is desperate to fix it. But it's too little too late. Holli will be forever changed by her experiences on the island, and Wyatt and Kyan have to make sure their secrets stay hidden.
April 12, 2026
Island life is all well and good unless you are prey!
Holland/Holli wakes up in a warehouse with a pain coming from her ear and tied up…let the game commence! She soon realises that she is the only woman there, the rest are strong men. She has no idea, why, where or what she’s supposed to do. Then the doors open, a back pack is thrown to her and she sets off running. Her nemesis Oakley, realises he has signed up as some sort of hunter whilst in a drunken haze, he also remembers signing Holli up for a game she will never return from…
ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ. ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇʏ’ʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀꜱᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴇxɪꜱᴛ.
Once again Alina drags you kicking and screaming into the Hunters Club, an island of no escape. The story leads us through a series of past lives, trauma, PTSD, into the present game of survival, treachery, violence, m^*der, obsession and spicy times. Once you enter the pages you are held there until the finale. Loved it, there are interconnected characters from the first two books. We do get to meet a few new characters in this one 🤭 I can’t possibly give you more, it’s a book you will have to read yourself 🫶🏻
Holland/Holli wakes up in a warehouse with a pain coming from her ear and tied up…let the game commence! She soon realises that she is the only woman there, the rest are strong men. She has no idea, why, where or what she’s supposed to do. Then the doors open, a back pack is thrown to her and she sets off running. Her nemesis Oakley, realises he has signed up as some sort of hunter whilst in a drunken haze, he also remembers signing Holli up for a game she will never return from…
ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀꜱ. ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇᴍ. ᴛʜᴇʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ. ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ. ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇʏ’ʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀꜱᴛ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ᴘᴏꜱꜱɪʙʟʏ ᴛᴏ ᴇxɪꜱᴛ.
Once again Alina drags you kicking and screaming into the Hunters Club, an island of no escape. The story leads us through a series of past lives, trauma, PTSD, into the present game of survival, treachery, violence, m^*der, obsession and spicy times. Once you enter the pages you are held there until the finale. Loved it, there are interconnected characters from the first two books. We do get to meet a few new characters in this one 🤭 I can’t possibly give you more, it’s a book you will have to read yourself 🫶🏻
April 1, 2026
Welcome to the Forteenth Game 🦊
First off there's not a lot I can say about this one without spoilers so I'll keep it brief.
I spent a large portion of this book confused but in the best way. I had no idea where the story was going, but I was just happy to be included kinda thing...🙃
Then, the gradual descent into EMOTIONAL DAMAGE commenced...like what the actual fork! It was one of those where the more it sank in the more my jaw unhinged and the more I got all up in my feels. 🤯😭
Confusion and trauma aside, I tore through this book so fast, the story is so well-written, and the characters are truly unique. Kyan is my favourite for...reasons 😆 and I may have squealed when previous lunatics, I mean hunters, rocked up.
I have feelings about the ending and I can only hope there's another book to soothe my soul and continue the shenanigans.
As always, check TWs before reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶.5
First off there's not a lot I can say about this one without spoilers so I'll keep it brief.
I spent a large portion of this book confused but in the best way. I had no idea where the story was going, but I was just happy to be included kinda thing...🙃
Then, the gradual descent into EMOTIONAL DAMAGE commenced...like what the actual fork! It was one of those where the more it sank in the more my jaw unhinged and the more I got all up in my feels. 🤯😭
Confusion and trauma aside, I tore through this book so fast, the story is so well-written, and the characters are truly unique. Kyan is my favourite for...reasons 😆 and I may have squealed when previous lunatics, I mean hunters, rocked up.
I have feelings about the ending and I can only hope there's another book to soothe my soul and continue the shenanigans.
As always, check TWs before reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶.5
April 10, 2026
What a wild ride!! In true Alina May fashion, this book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The twist had me absolutely reeling, and it was utterly captivating from there on out. I loved seeing a few of our old favorites, and meeting the many new characters this story gave us.
April 10, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ The basis of this story was great! It had me on edge the whole time, constantly wondering what—or who—was coming next. The mix of the present storyline and the main character’s past was honestly so gripping, I was hooked. And the spice? Very well written. Not exactly my personal preference, but it was intriguing enough that I didn’t skip a single scene.
March 31, 2026
There’s something about Alina May’s writing that does just eat me from the inside out in all the good ways.
I want to write this with no spoilers because the plot twist the pain the emotion it all needs to be experienced on a blank slate!
It was a great read I felt on edge at every page turn there was 0 points where I felt comfortable which is what you should want from this kind of read!
In very grateful to have had this as an ARC and it’s now out on Amazon and KU so go go read it enjoy it be traumatised with me….. I think it literally beat the flu out of me!
I want to write this with no spoilers because the plot twist the pain the emotion it all needs to be experienced on a blank slate!
It was a great read I felt on edge at every page turn there was 0 points where I felt comfortable which is what you should want from this kind of read!
In very grateful to have had this as an ARC and it’s now out on Amazon and KU so go go read it enjoy it be traumatised with me….. I think it literally beat the flu out of me!
April 15, 2026
4.5 ⭐
“Lucky #14” delivers on all the murder, mayhem and spice you’d expect after reading the blurb, but the fantastically dark, messed up and emotional characters completely surpassed my expectations. This is a dark romance so definitely, check the trigger warnings before you decide if you want to read it, but if you like spick high books with a bit of blood and murder then definitely give this book a try.
However, this story was not as bloody or murdery as the blurb lead me to believe. There is plenty of violence and dramatic life and death scenes but overall, the the main focus was on the characters development independently and together as they developed their relationships. But the murder game was still very much a constant threat pushing the characters towards each other. I did like how there weren't any gratuitous deaths or torture scenes. Every hardship these characters faced (while heartbreaking) was important to the plot and character development. Like the violence, the spicy scenes did not dominate and overwhelm the plot, but instead contributed to it.
There is some heavy introspection done by each of the characters, but because of the mix of shifting perspectives, and flash backs, juxtaposed with the life and death events of the game the plot moved very quickly. Plus, May’s writing was so easy to get absorbed into that it doesn’t feel like a 500 page book.
Holli, Wyatt, Oakley and Kyan were so interesting individually, but my favorite scenes were when they were all together. Even though they have the most tragic backstories and they experience even more trauma during the events of the book (especially Holli) it was fun to read their story. While I liked all of the characters I loved seeing Holli fully realize and accept her badassery!
There is a very important twist that happens about halfway through the story, and while I predicted it, the build up and reveal were brilliantly written. Knowing the twist did not reduce my enjoyment of the story. I also loved that the twist was not a commonly used romance trope, which was I very much appreciated.
While Lucky #14 is the third in a series they are all about different characters set in the same world, so you don’t have to read them in order. But, speaking as someone who read this book first, I think you would get more enjoyment out of this one if you read the other two first, as certain characters from the previous books make significant appearances. Or read this book and then go back and read the first two like I plan on doing.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, is because I wanted to see more interactions between all the characters once they got together and resolved their very big differences. I was also left with a lot of questions that I think could have been answered with a bit more exploration into the characters pasts, but considering how big this book is already I understand why May didn’t explore further. But I still want more Holli, Oakley, Wyatt and Kyan!!!
“Lucky #14” delivers on all the murder, mayhem and spice you’d expect after reading the blurb, but the fantastically dark, messed up and emotional characters completely surpassed my expectations. This is a dark romance so definitely, check the trigger warnings before you decide if you want to read it, but if you like spick high books with a bit of blood and murder then definitely give this book a try.
However, this story was not as bloody or murdery as the blurb lead me to believe. There is plenty of violence and dramatic life and death scenes but overall, the the main focus was on the characters development independently and together as they developed their relationships. But the murder game was still very much a constant threat pushing the characters towards each other. I did like how there weren't any gratuitous deaths or torture scenes. Every hardship these characters faced (while heartbreaking) was important to the plot and character development. Like the violence, the spicy scenes did not dominate and overwhelm the plot, but instead contributed to it.
There is some heavy introspection done by each of the characters, but because of the mix of shifting perspectives, and flash backs, juxtaposed with the life and death events of the game the plot moved very quickly. Plus, May’s writing was so easy to get absorbed into that it doesn’t feel like a 500 page book.
Holli, Wyatt, Oakley and Kyan were so interesting individually, but my favorite scenes were when they were all together. Even though they have the most tragic backstories and they experience even more trauma during the events of the book (especially Holli) it was fun to read their story. While I liked all of the characters I loved seeing Holli fully realize and accept her badassery!
There is a very important twist that happens about halfway through the story, and while I predicted it, the build up and reveal were brilliantly written. Knowing the twist did not reduce my enjoyment of the story. I also loved that the twist was not a commonly used romance trope, which was I very much appreciated.
While Lucky #14 is the third in a series they are all about different characters set in the same world, so you don’t have to read them in order. But, speaking as someone who read this book first, I think you would get more enjoyment out of this one if you read the other two first, as certain characters from the previous books make significant appearances. Or read this book and then go back and read the first two like I plan on doing.
The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars, is because I wanted to see more interactions between all the characters once they got together and resolved their very big differences. I was also left with a lot of questions that I think could have been answered with a bit more exploration into the characters pasts, but considering how big this book is already I understand why May didn’t explore further. But I still want more Holli, Oakley, Wyatt and Kyan!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Okay but HOW does Alina May keep doing this to us?! Like ma’am… are you okay??? Because I am NOT after reading Lucky #14 😭
This book is CHONKY… and yet I absolutely inhaled it like it was a 200-page novella and I had no responsibilities. Sleep? Never heard of her.
The plot? Oh it was PLOTTING plotting. Every single time I thought I had it all figured out, Alina popped out like “surprise babe, you know nothing” and yanked the rug so hard I’m still emotionally concussed. The plot twist?? I’m sorry… WHAT. It came out of absolutely nowhere and hit me like a truck doing 120km/h. I just sat there staring into space re-evaluating my entire existence.
Character development though?? Chef’s KISS. Actually no chef’s full five-course meal. These characters have DEPTH. LAYERS. TRAUMA. I wanted to wrap all four of them in a blanket burrito and protect them forever because they have been THROUGH IT. Special shoutout to my boys Ky and Wyatt because WOW… the emotional damage?? I was not okay. The way their inner worlds are written is so powerful without being overdone I was fully invested and emotionally attached against my will.
And Kyan?? Sir??? That laid-back attitude, the smirk, the way he looks at Oakley??? I am UNWELL. I fear I have fallen and I will not be getting back up.
Holli is THAT girl. Strong, resilient, sharp as hell, but with this quiet strength that just pulls you in. You can’t help but root for her from the very start.
The vibes of this book?? Imagine if The Hunger Games, Lost, and Survivor had a chaotic, slightly unhinged baby and then threw it straight into hell. That’s the energy. It’s gritty, tense, and constantly feels like something is about to go horribly wrong… and spoiler alert: it usually does. I was holding my breath every five seconds like PLEASE can someone just survive for a minute???
Also low spice?? And you know what… it WORKED. This book didn’t need it. But when it DID show up?? Yeah… okay Alina, I see you 👀
And I have to say, the inclusion of DID rep was such a strong and meaningful layer to the story. Like all of Alina’s books, it’s dark, messy, emotional, and filled with trauma but also healing, growth, and acceptance, which is exactly why she stays on my auto-buy author list.
I laughed, I cried, I got emotional whiplash, I questioned everything, and I am now a shell of a human being.
Would 100% let Alina emotionally ruin me again.
This book is CHONKY… and yet I absolutely inhaled it like it was a 200-page novella and I had no responsibilities. Sleep? Never heard of her.
The plot? Oh it was PLOTTING plotting. Every single time I thought I had it all figured out, Alina popped out like “surprise babe, you know nothing” and yanked the rug so hard I’m still emotionally concussed. The plot twist?? I’m sorry… WHAT. It came out of absolutely nowhere and hit me like a truck doing 120km/h. I just sat there staring into space re-evaluating my entire existence.
Character development though?? Chef’s KISS. Actually no chef’s full five-course meal. These characters have DEPTH. LAYERS. TRAUMA. I wanted to wrap all four of them in a blanket burrito and protect them forever because they have been THROUGH IT. Special shoutout to my boys Ky and Wyatt because WOW… the emotional damage?? I was not okay. The way their inner worlds are written is so powerful without being overdone I was fully invested and emotionally attached against my will.
And Kyan?? Sir??? That laid-back attitude, the smirk, the way he looks at Oakley??? I am UNWELL. I fear I have fallen and I will not be getting back up.
Holli is THAT girl. Strong, resilient, sharp as hell, but with this quiet strength that just pulls you in. You can’t help but root for her from the very start.
The vibes of this book?? Imagine if The Hunger Games, Lost, and Survivor had a chaotic, slightly unhinged baby and then threw it straight into hell. That’s the energy. It’s gritty, tense, and constantly feels like something is about to go horribly wrong… and spoiler alert: it usually does. I was holding my breath every five seconds like PLEASE can someone just survive for a minute???
Also low spice?? And you know what… it WORKED. This book didn’t need it. But when it DID show up?? Yeah… okay Alina, I see you 👀
And I have to say, the inclusion of DID rep was such a strong and meaningful layer to the story. Like all of Alina’s books, it’s dark, messy, emotional, and filled with trauma but also healing, growth, and acceptance, which is exactly why she stays on my auto-buy author list.
I laughed, I cried, I got emotional whiplash, I questioned everything, and I am now a shell of a human being.
Would 100% let Alina emotionally ruin me again.
April 1, 2026
I liked it. But I also have questions. Let me unpack it for you.
The concept was great, with the hunting game and eventually understanding why it was created. The psychological aspects throughout the book were entertaining and interesting. The plot twist somewhere in the middle was fun to read. It had me guessing for a bit, trying to understand what was really happening.
The book had five POVs. That was a nice change, but at times a bit confusing, because all of them have different backgrounds and trauma, and I had to make sure not to mix them up.
Then there are two characters who had small roles, but at the same time were very significant. Enough happened in the book to keep me entertained. Each main character representing an animal was interesting, but at times a bit too on the nose.
It’s an interconnected standalone, but I can’t help feeling like I’m missing too much information by not having read the first two books.
Now the spoiler alert.
Please stop reading if you don’t want any spoilers.
I mean it.
So anyway, the whole purpose of the island was to kill bad people, also known as monsters. In what universe was Elijah a monster? I did not want him to die ☹️ I get it, people die, especially on a murder island, and I know it added emotional impact alongside Connor’s death. And it was done so well. That does not mean I have to like it, though.
The backstory of Wyatt, Kyan, and Huxley was too vague for me. Their father was a sadistic prick, but that is all we really know. Why was he that way? Is that explained in a previous book? Why did Huxley need to prove himself to his father with a knife? Prove himself for what? How did Wyatt get the island or the funds to set up this game? Why is his brother Weston so sadistic as well? Is Nellie their actual sister or just an alter?
Then Riley, Manson, and Rachel. The latter two are mostly just tag-alongs. Throughout the whole book, they seem like the bad guys. Then at the end, they are suddenly part of the team to kill Weston and his hunters, without any explanation. I got whiplash.
I have to say it, I will never understand golden showers. That said, I saw it in the tropes and was really, foolishly, hoping for a Friends situation between Monica, Joey, and Chandler. Of course, I should have known better. But I did get a little insight from Wyatt’s thought process. So… another lesson learned, I guess? I am still going to say hell no, though. But no, I did not let this affect my rating.
The concept was great, with the hunting game and eventually understanding why it was created. The psychological aspects throughout the book were entertaining and interesting. The plot twist somewhere in the middle was fun to read. It had me guessing for a bit, trying to understand what was really happening.
The book had five POVs. That was a nice change, but at times a bit confusing, because all of them have different backgrounds and trauma, and I had to make sure not to mix them up.
Then there are two characters who had small roles, but at the same time were very significant. Enough happened in the book to keep me entertained. Each main character representing an animal was interesting, but at times a bit too on the nose.
It’s an interconnected standalone, but I can’t help feeling like I’m missing too much information by not having read the first two books.
Now the spoiler alert.
Please stop reading if you don’t want any spoilers.
I mean it.
So anyway, the whole purpose of the island was to kill bad people, also known as monsters. In what universe was Elijah a monster? I did not want him to die ☹️ I get it, people die, especially on a murder island, and I know it added emotional impact alongside Connor’s death. And it was done so well. That does not mean I have to like it, though.
The backstory of Wyatt, Kyan, and Huxley was too vague for me. Their father was a sadistic prick, but that is all we really know. Why was he that way? Is that explained in a previous book? Why did Huxley need to prove himself to his father with a knife? Prove himself for what? How did Wyatt get the island or the funds to set up this game? Why is his brother Weston so sadistic as well? Is Nellie their actual sister or just an alter?
Then Riley, Manson, and Rachel. The latter two are mostly just tag-alongs. Throughout the whole book, they seem like the bad guys. Then at the end, they are suddenly part of the team to kill Weston and his hunters, without any explanation. I got whiplash.
I have to say it, I will never understand golden showers. That said, I saw it in the tropes and was really, foolishly, hoping for a Friends situation between Monica, Joey, and Chandler. Of course, I should have known better. But I did get a little insight from Wyatt’s thought process. So… another lesson learned, I guess? I am still going to say hell no, though. But no, I did not let this affect my rating.
March 22, 2026
Alina has done it YET AGAIN and I genuinely don’t know how she keeps topping herself but Lucky #14 is hands down my favourite in The Hunter’s Club series so far. Like… holy shit. The plot was PLOTTING. Every time I thought I had things figured out, Alina said absolutely not and pulled the rug out from under me. First of all, a massive thank you to Alina for trusting me with an early copy I’m so incredibly grateful to have been able to read this before release. Truly such an honour and everyone needs to prepare themselves because this book releases March 31 and you are NOT ready.
This book had me emotionally confused in the best way possible. I cried, I laughed and I was blushing one minute later wondering what emotional rollercoaster I’d just boarded. The balance between dark themes, tension, humour and spice is honestly unmatched. Alina writes trauma in such a respectful thoughtful way while still absolutely wrecking you emotionally. You feel everything so deeply. The character development? Always chef’s kiss with her books but this one felt extra special. I just wanted to give all four main characters the biggest cuddle (seriously, they’ve BEEN THROUGH IT) special mention to my guys Ky and Wyatt… wow. There is so much depth to them, so many layers quietly unfolding and my heart honestly ached for them the entire time. The way their inner world is written is powerful without ever being overdone and I was completely invested in every moment.
And can we talk about the character crossovers?? Because seeing familiar faces from the previous books genuinely felt like a family reunion. I didn’t realise how much I missed them until they appeared on page and suddenly I was smiling like an idiot. The interconnectedness of this series is one of my favourite things it makes the world feel so alive and real.
Alina’s writing is just… addictive. Atmospheric, emotional, intense and impossible to put down. The tension of the island, the shifting alliances, the constant feeling that something bigger is happening beneath the surface I was hooked from page one and did not recover. AND THAT LAST LINE IN THE EPILOGUE??? Ma’am???? You cannot just do that and walk away. I need to know, will there be another book?? Please say yes because I am not ready to leave these characters behind 😭 This book is going to stick with me for a long time.
This book had me emotionally confused in the best way possible. I cried, I laughed and I was blushing one minute later wondering what emotional rollercoaster I’d just boarded. The balance between dark themes, tension, humour and spice is honestly unmatched. Alina writes trauma in such a respectful thoughtful way while still absolutely wrecking you emotionally. You feel everything so deeply. The character development? Always chef’s kiss with her books but this one felt extra special. I just wanted to give all four main characters the biggest cuddle (seriously, they’ve BEEN THROUGH IT) special mention to my guys Ky and Wyatt… wow. There is so much depth to them, so many layers quietly unfolding and my heart honestly ached for them the entire time. The way their inner world is written is powerful without ever being overdone and I was completely invested in every moment.
And can we talk about the character crossovers?? Because seeing familiar faces from the previous books genuinely felt like a family reunion. I didn’t realise how much I missed them until they appeared on page and suddenly I was smiling like an idiot. The interconnectedness of this series is one of my favourite things it makes the world feel so alive and real.
Alina’s writing is just… addictive. Atmospheric, emotional, intense and impossible to put down. The tension of the island, the shifting alliances, the constant feeling that something bigger is happening beneath the surface I was hooked from page one and did not recover. AND THAT LAST LINE IN THE EPILOGUE??? Ma’am???? You cannot just do that and walk away. I need to know, will there be another book?? Please say yes because I am not ready to leave these characters behind 😭 This book is going to stick with me for a long time.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lucky #14 is a dark survival romance set on an island where thirty targets are thrown into a brutal game and given fourteen days to survive. At the centre of it are Holli, Oakley, Kyan, and Wyatt.
What I liked most about this book was seeing how the game changed Holli. She is definitely portrayed as weaker and less confident at the start of the book, but being forced into something so brutal is what gives her a backbone. Watching her stop folding under everything and start pushing back made me love her even more, and it felt believable because it unfolded organically throughout the book.
Oakley, Kyan, and Wyatt all brought something different to the story, and that’s what made the dynamic work so well. Oakley had an emotional and vulnerable side, Kyan brought a darker edge, and Wyatt had an aggressive and demanding demeanour which added even more tension to the group.
I loved all the characters and they all brought very important dynamics to the story, but I will say that
Kyan and Oakley were the stand out for me.
Their whole dynamic was written so incredibly well. The way they both genuinely needed each other without even knowing it at the start. They way they were drawn to each other immediately, the way they started to love each other *heartfelt sigh*🥹
The real world is such a bad place at times, and while I know this story is not real, its just nice to read about broken people finding their people and being able to be who they are, without fear of repercussion and judgment. After all, is that not why we read books? To seek solace, acceptance and love for who we are that maybe sometimes we can’t share with the rest of the world?👏🏼
That was probably one of my favourite things about this book in general, none of the relationships felt simple. Everything felt up in the air, the trust was fragile, and the emotions were all over the place in a way that worked well within the story. Between the game itself and the way Holli, Oakley, Kyan, and Wyatt kept clashing but ultimately came together(literally and figuratively haha), there was always something happening that kept things interesting and the plot moving in the right direction.
If you like dark romance with survival game vibes, morally grey characters, and messy relationship dynamics, Lucky #14 is going to be right up your alley.
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
What I liked most about this book was seeing how the game changed Holli. She is definitely portrayed as weaker and less confident at the start of the book, but being forced into something so brutal is what gives her a backbone. Watching her stop folding under everything and start pushing back made me love her even more, and it felt believable because it unfolded organically throughout the book.
Oakley, Kyan, and Wyatt all brought something different to the story, and that’s what made the dynamic work so well. Oakley had an emotional and vulnerable side, Kyan brought a darker edge, and Wyatt had an aggressive and demanding demeanour which added even more tension to the group.
I loved all the characters and they all brought very important dynamics to the story, but I will say that
Kyan and Oakley were the stand out for me.
Their whole dynamic was written so incredibly well. The way they both genuinely needed each other without even knowing it at the start. They way they were drawn to each other immediately, the way they started to love each other *heartfelt sigh*🥹
The real world is such a bad place at times, and while I know this story is not real, its just nice to read about broken people finding their people and being able to be who they are, without fear of repercussion and judgment. After all, is that not why we read books? To seek solace, acceptance and love for who we are that maybe sometimes we can’t share with the rest of the world?👏🏼
That was probably one of my favourite things about this book in general, none of the relationships felt simple. Everything felt up in the air, the trust was fragile, and the emotions were all over the place in a way that worked well within the story. Between the game itself and the way Holli, Oakley, Kyan, and Wyatt kept clashing but ultimately came together(literally and figuratively haha), there was always something happening that kept things interesting and the plot moving in the right direction.
If you like dark romance with survival game vibes, morally grey characters, and messy relationship dynamics, Lucky #14 is going to be right up your alley.
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well... It's over... What do I do now!
I fricken love Alina's books and this one didn't disappoint either. With character development that actually feels real, a plot that pulls you in, twists that keep you hooked and an ending that brings you comfort. I love the mental health representation Alina brings to her books/characters, It really makes them feel real.
I'm trying to figure out how to write this review without giving anything away.
Holli 🦊- the prey. fricken love this girl! Holli is a therapist who gets taken to this island as prey and needs to stay alive. Holli morphs into this strong resilient version of herself, she can step in me with heals any day iykyk 😉
Oakley🐭- the hunter. oh sweet baby Oakley who just wants to be loved and not left. Not surprisingly pretty much 90% of my highlights were from him.. I felt him in my soul. Oakley is a hunter but he doesn't want to be.
Wyatt🐺- the game master. Wyatt is dark and guarded he's been through he-ll and back, it's no wonder he keeps people at arm's length..I wanted to hate him..I really did.. But the further into the story you get.. It becomes impossible.
Kyan🐈⬛- the 'protector'/flirt. Ky works for Wyatt doing things Wyatt doesn't want to do, Though he's never met him. Ky likes to joke and flirt like he's being paid. Kyan was 🤌💋🫦
These characters have been though the ringer in their life and I just wanna bubble wrap them all and put them in my pocket to keep them safe and loved. They had growth, layers, trauma.. Alina has a way with bringing her charters alive. We have FM, MM, MMF, MFM and I was here for it ALL... There is D/s, degredation, pain play and so much more. CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!!
I loved the plot twist I didn't see coming, I loved getting to see charterers from the other books more specifically Riley cause she's my favorite. I loved being so immersed in this book that it felt half the length. This book was just so flipping good!
Highly recommend but CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!! this is book 3 in the hunters club series, they ARE stand alone so you don't need to read them in order but I suggest it as their are cross overs.
🌶️-3 but didn't miss it
⭐- 4.5 but rounding up
😭-3
Did I say CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!
I fricken love Alina's books and this one didn't disappoint either. With character development that actually feels real, a plot that pulls you in, twists that keep you hooked and an ending that brings you comfort. I love the mental health representation Alina brings to her books/characters, It really makes them feel real.
I'm trying to figure out how to write this review without giving anything away.
Holli 🦊- the prey. fricken love this girl! Holli is a therapist who gets taken to this island as prey and needs to stay alive. Holli morphs into this strong resilient version of herself, she can step in me with heals any day iykyk 😉
Oakley🐭- the hunter. oh sweet baby Oakley who just wants to be loved and not left. Not surprisingly pretty much 90% of my highlights were from him.. I felt him in my soul. Oakley is a hunter but he doesn't want to be.
Wyatt🐺- the game master. Wyatt is dark and guarded he's been through he-ll and back, it's no wonder he keeps people at arm's length..I wanted to hate him..I really did.. But the further into the story you get.. It becomes impossible.
Kyan🐈⬛- the 'protector'/flirt. Ky works for Wyatt doing things Wyatt doesn't want to do, Though he's never met him. Ky likes to joke and flirt like he's being paid. Kyan was 🤌💋🫦
These characters have been though the ringer in their life and I just wanna bubble wrap them all and put them in my pocket to keep them safe and loved. They had growth, layers, trauma.. Alina has a way with bringing her charters alive. We have FM, MM, MMF, MFM and I was here for it ALL... There is D/s, degredation, pain play and so much more. CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!!
I loved the plot twist I didn't see coming, I loved getting to see charterers from the other books more specifically Riley cause she's my favorite. I loved being so immersed in this book that it felt half the length. This book was just so flipping good!
Highly recommend but CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!! this is book 3 in the hunters club series, they ARE stand alone so you don't need to read them in order but I suggest it as their are cross overs.
🌶️-3 but didn't miss it
⭐- 4.5 but rounding up
😭-3
Did I say CHECK YOUR TRIGGERS!
April 7, 2026
Wow. I’m not even sure I have the words to fully describe how I feel about this book.
It was dark.
It was hard to read.
But yet I was giddy and beside myself at times rooting for the characters. I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
The twist in this oh my God. I seen Alina mention a twist and 🤯🤯🤯.
I honestly love these characters so much. They are all so broken and have so much healing to do but I loved each of them for who they are, trauma and all.
Oakley. I want to wrap him up and give him a hug reminding him that he isn’t alone. This poor broken boy, I just want to take care of him.
Holli. I want to tell her that she is a crazy fucking bad ass. I am so incredibly in awe of her strength and determination when things are hard. She will always be Lucky #14.
Kyan. I want to hug him and say thank you for bringing lightness and a good time to the story. He provided the much needed humor and lightness with his flirty self. I would always be down for a good time with Kyan.
And Wyatt. This man left me so confused. I was intrigued by him, terrified of him, hated him, but also was fascinated by him. He was definitely the strong, silent, take no prisoners and who you do not fuck with type and I appreciate that in an MMC.
I will say this book will definitely not be for everybody. This book has many characters with severe trauma which can be triggering for readers. These characters are not good people. They are all morally gray/pitch black and I personally couldn’t get enough of them.
Do I ever want to play the game, no.
But I will be watching to see if Alina will be blessing us with more games 👀.
Honestly, this book just had my heart rate pumping. I’m honestly blown away by what I read.
Thank you so much Alina May for the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will also note that this book builds off of a previous series written by Alina. I have not read that series, but that in no way impacted my ability to enjoy this book or to understand the dynamic of this book. I simply didn’t have the background on some of the secondary characters who appear within the story.
It was dark.
It was hard to read.
But yet I was giddy and beside myself at times rooting for the characters. I was constantly on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.
The twist in this oh my God. I seen Alina mention a twist and 🤯🤯🤯.
I honestly love these characters so much. They are all so broken and have so much healing to do but I loved each of them for who they are, trauma and all.
Oakley. I want to wrap him up and give him a hug reminding him that he isn’t alone. This poor broken boy, I just want to take care of him.
Holli. I want to tell her that she is a crazy fucking bad ass. I am so incredibly in awe of her strength and determination when things are hard. She will always be Lucky #14.
Kyan. I want to hug him and say thank you for bringing lightness and a good time to the story. He provided the much needed humor and lightness with his flirty self. I would always be down for a good time with Kyan.
And Wyatt. This man left me so confused. I was intrigued by him, terrified of him, hated him, but also was fascinated by him. He was definitely the strong, silent, take no prisoners and who you do not fuck with type and I appreciate that in an MMC.
I will say this book will definitely not be for everybody. This book has many characters with severe trauma which can be triggering for readers. These characters are not good people. They are all morally gray/pitch black and I personally couldn’t get enough of them.
Do I ever want to play the game, no.
But I will be watching to see if Alina will be blessing us with more games 👀.
Honestly, this book just had my heart rate pumping. I’m honestly blown away by what I read.
Thank you so much Alina May for the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will also note that this book builds off of a previous series written by Alina. I have not read that series, but that in no way impacted my ability to enjoy this book or to understand the dynamic of this book. I simply didn’t have the background on some of the secondary characters who appear within the story.
April 7, 2026
Alina really has done it again! When I read the description before I signed up for an ARC copy, it was giving me Hunger Games/Squid Game vibes and I was all over it. I went into Lucky #14 after reading books 1 and 2 thinking I knew what to expect. Well jokes were on me. Although I was correct in some aspects, Alina really had me not only on the edge of my seat with this one but also in tears.
Alina's writing for Holli, Oakley, Kyan and Wyatt's back stories was remarkable and had me feeling all the feels. A certain MC's background had me crying so much I had to stop and walk away for a bit. If anyone can make you fall in love with morally black characters, it's Alina with the beautiful heart breaking backgrounds she gives them for readers to help understand them.
This book is absolute chaos in the best way—part psychological puzzle, part survival thriller, and entirely addictive. Even without reading the earlier installments, it’s easy to get pulled into this story. Although you see characters from the previous books the side characters may carry history you’re not fully in on, but the core cast stands strong on their own.
A drunken, emotionally wrecked Oakley accidentally signs both himself and his ex’s therapist, Holli, up for a deadly game on a remote island where you’re either the hunter or the hunted. Throw in Kyan, a chaotic charmer masking deeper struggles, and Wyatt, the controlling mastermind desperately trying to keep his twisted game from falling apart, and you’ve got a cast that feels as volatile as the island itself. These characters are messy, damaged, and constantly at odds with themselves, but that’s what makes their growth so satisfying. Holli, in particular, stands out as a heroine who adapts fast and refuses to crumble, while Oakley’s emotional spiral into something more self-aware adds surprising depth. The dynamic between all four evolves in a way that feels earned—tense, complicated, and, at times, unexpectedly tender.
And that twist!!! It just pulled the story together more and I loved every second of it.
Alina's writing for Holli, Oakley, Kyan and Wyatt's back stories was remarkable and had me feeling all the feels. A certain MC's background had me crying so much I had to stop and walk away for a bit. If anyone can make you fall in love with morally black characters, it's Alina with the beautiful heart breaking backgrounds she gives them for readers to help understand them.
This book is absolute chaos in the best way—part psychological puzzle, part survival thriller, and entirely addictive. Even without reading the earlier installments, it’s easy to get pulled into this story. Although you see characters from the previous books the side characters may carry history you’re not fully in on, but the core cast stands strong on their own.
A drunken, emotionally wrecked Oakley accidentally signs both himself and his ex’s therapist, Holli, up for a deadly game on a remote island where you’re either the hunter or the hunted. Throw in Kyan, a chaotic charmer masking deeper struggles, and Wyatt, the controlling mastermind desperately trying to keep his twisted game from falling apart, and you’ve got a cast that feels as volatile as the island itself. These characters are messy, damaged, and constantly at odds with themselves, but that’s what makes their growth so satisfying. Holli, in particular, stands out as a heroine who adapts fast and refuses to crumble, while Oakley’s emotional spiral into something more self-aware adds surprising depth. The dynamic between all four evolves in a way that feels earned—tense, complicated, and, at times, unexpectedly tender.
And that twist!!! It just pulled the story together more and I loved every second of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t my favorite. Definitely a good read, but maybe not a re-read for me
The concept was intriguing from the start. I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions: I was laughing, crying, and saying wtf. I actually had to put it down a few times to process what I had read
——
The complexity of the characters and the character development, especially towards the end is really good. You get a good sense for who everyone is and why they do what they do.
There’s a big focus on mental health representation, trauma, and growth.
Early on you’d assume there’s a clear line between who’s right and who’s wrong, but that’s starts to blur as you learn more.
——
I did find the book a bit confusing at times, but I believe that was intentional for major points in the story that I won’t spoil. I think some of that confusion also helps to keep you engaged. You feel as disoriented and confused as the characters themselves.
This style of story isn’t usually my favorite, but that’s personal preference, not a reflection of the quality of the story
——
One complaint I do have is with the length and pacing. There is so much happening with the story itself and all the different characters that everything seemed to happen so fast. It would have benefited from more time dedicated to all the different aspects of the story: experiencing the game, the trauma / background of the characters, the group dynamic, etc.
I think these things were done well, just could have been better if they weren’t done so quickly. It was good, but I wanted more
I do appreciate all Alina was able to accomplish in this book.
——
I would recommend the book. Especially if you like dark and morally confusing stories.
I do suggest reading the other two books in the series first. They can be read independently, but I could tell I was missing some background when there was crossover with other characters.
I really enjoyed the book, but it wasn’t my favorite. Definitely a good read, but maybe not a re-read for me
The concept was intriguing from the start. I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions: I was laughing, crying, and saying wtf. I actually had to put it down a few times to process what I had read
——
The complexity of the characters and the character development, especially towards the end is really good. You get a good sense for who everyone is and why they do what they do.
There’s a big focus on mental health representation, trauma, and growth.
Early on you’d assume there’s a clear line between who’s right and who’s wrong, but that’s starts to blur as you learn more.
——
I did find the book a bit confusing at times, but I believe that was intentional for major points in the story that I won’t spoil. I think some of that confusion also helps to keep you engaged. You feel as disoriented and confused as the characters themselves.
This style of story isn’t usually my favorite, but that’s personal preference, not a reflection of the quality of the story
——
One complaint I do have is with the length and pacing. There is so much happening with the story itself and all the different characters that everything seemed to happen so fast. It would have benefited from more time dedicated to all the different aspects of the story: experiencing the game, the trauma / background of the characters, the group dynamic, etc.
I think these things were done well, just could have been better if they weren’t done so quickly. It was good, but I wanted more
I do appreciate all Alina was able to accomplish in this book.
——
I would recommend the book. Especially if you like dark and morally confusing stories.
I do suggest reading the other two books in the series first. They can be read independently, but I could tell I was missing some background when there was crossover with other characters.
March 21, 2026
𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
I’m desperately trying not to give anything away BUT at the same time I just want to word vomit ALL the crazy things from this book!!! The twists, turns, shocks and WTF moments are just….. (nope won’t do it!!)
Whew…. This is one hell of a read!!! It definitely gets ♾️ stars from me!!! I’m pretty sure that I have Stockholm syndrome from being on that island….. but that’s ok…. It was totally worth all of the anxiety and second guessing what was happening!!! Lucky #14 grabs you and pulls you in, never giving anything away!!! I never even saw the MASSIVE plot twist coming, It. Came. Out. Of. NOWHERE!!! I’d say this book is an extreme version of The Hunger Games, Lost, and Survivor all rolled into its own version of Hell!!!
The character development in this book was absolutely incredible, the build up to the plot twist keeps you second guessing what the hell is going on and where in the world things are going!!! I found myself holding my breathe every single time it looked like it was the end for someone!!! Talk about a serious case of WHIPLASH!!! I actually loved the fact that there wasn’t much spice to this book, it definitely didn’t need it, but when it did happen….wow!!
Every character was truly amazing and I loved their dynamic!! Even with their past traumas and the current traumas from the island, they still manage to overcome their insecurities, their fears and fight to survive!! But I will say that I absolutely fell for Kyan, his laid back personality and his attitude towards everything, I could totally picture his little smirk 😏 when he looked at Oakley!! He was such a great character!!!
Thank you Alina for allowing me the opportunity to ARC this insanely, intense and anxiety filled story!!! I absolutely LOVED it and can’t wait for it to be out in the wild!!! I cannot recommend this book enough!!!! Such a phenomenal MUST read!!!
I’m desperately trying not to give anything away BUT at the same time I just want to word vomit ALL the crazy things from this book!!! The twists, turns, shocks and WTF moments are just….. (nope won’t do it!!)
Whew…. This is one hell of a read!!! It definitely gets ♾️ stars from me!!! I’m pretty sure that I have Stockholm syndrome from being on that island….. but that’s ok…. It was totally worth all of the anxiety and second guessing what was happening!!! Lucky #14 grabs you and pulls you in, never giving anything away!!! I never even saw the MASSIVE plot twist coming, It. Came. Out. Of. NOWHERE!!! I’d say this book is an extreme version of The Hunger Games, Lost, and Survivor all rolled into its own version of Hell!!!
The character development in this book was absolutely incredible, the build up to the plot twist keeps you second guessing what the hell is going on and where in the world things are going!!! I found myself holding my breathe every single time it looked like it was the end for someone!!! Talk about a serious case of WHIPLASH!!! I actually loved the fact that there wasn’t much spice to this book, it definitely didn’t need it, but when it did happen….wow!!
Every character was truly amazing and I loved their dynamic!! Even with their past traumas and the current traumas from the island, they still manage to overcome their insecurities, their fears and fight to survive!! But I will say that I absolutely fell for Kyan, his laid back personality and his attitude towards everything, I could totally picture his little smirk 😏 when he looked at Oakley!! He was such a great character!!!
Thank you Alina for allowing me the opportunity to ARC this insanely, intense and anxiety filled story!!! I absolutely LOVED it and can’t wait for it to be out in the wild!!! I cannot recommend this book enough!!!! Such a phenomenal MUST read!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was absolutely incredible. Not at all what I was expecting and I couldn’t be more excited about that!
What I truly love about Alina is all the different aspects she explores of mental health. I love seeing how all the different characters interact and how they think.
If you’ve read any of Hunters Club you’ve probably been waiting for Wyatt’s book as long as I have and it did not disappoint.
While this is Wyatt’s story it’s also Oakley, Holli and Kyan’s.
You have Oakley who just wants to be loved and seen. Someone who will stay even when things are hard. He loves to the point of obsession and posession and that would be exaxtly how he got involved in this game. With a little push from our favorite resident psycho Riley.
Kyan… ugh he’s such golden retriever energy but also with some major attachment issues. Like he can’t let people too close. But one look at Oakley and he’s drawn to those sad broken eyes. It’s what keeps him coming back for more.
Holli never should have been involved but unfortunately she’s pulled into a game she didn’t even know existed. Her character development is my absolute favorite. Watching her struggle to becoming and absolute BADDIE. Holli is a survivor, she’s strong minded, resourceful and willing to protect the people she cares about the few that they are.
Wyatt is as unhinged and ruthless as I had hoped but there were definitely things that took me by surprise (no I am not telling you).
Thats all I can tell you because this is best if you go in blind in my honest opinion.
What you can expect:
🌲 A deadly game of hunter and prey
🦊 MM/MMF/MFM/MF scenes
🌲Mental Health Rep
🦊 Traumatic Pasts
🌲 Attachment issues
🦊 FEMDOM
🌲💛🚿
🦊 Obsessive MMC
🌲 Unreliable narratives
🦊 Twists you don’t expect
And of course cameos from previous Hunters Club characters
What I truly love about Alina is all the different aspects she explores of mental health. I love seeing how all the different characters interact and how they think.
If you’ve read any of Hunters Club you’ve probably been waiting for Wyatt’s book as long as I have and it did not disappoint.
While this is Wyatt’s story it’s also Oakley, Holli and Kyan’s.
You have Oakley who just wants to be loved and seen. Someone who will stay even when things are hard. He loves to the point of obsession and posession and that would be exaxtly how he got involved in this game. With a little push from our favorite resident psycho Riley.
Kyan… ugh he’s such golden retriever energy but also with some major attachment issues. Like he can’t let people too close. But one look at Oakley and he’s drawn to those sad broken eyes. It’s what keeps him coming back for more.
Holli never should have been involved but unfortunately she’s pulled into a game she didn’t even know existed. Her character development is my absolute favorite. Watching her struggle to becoming and absolute BADDIE. Holli is a survivor, she’s strong minded, resourceful and willing to protect the people she cares about the few that they are.
Wyatt is as unhinged and ruthless as I had hoped but there were definitely things that took me by surprise (no I am not telling you).
Thats all I can tell you because this is best if you go in blind in my honest opinion.
What you can expect:
🌲 A deadly game of hunter and prey
🦊 MM/MMF/MFM/MF scenes
🌲Mental Health Rep
🦊 Traumatic Pasts
🌲 Attachment issues
🦊 FEMDOM
🌲💛🚿
🦊 Obsessive MMC
🌲 Unreliable narratives
🦊 Twists you don’t expect
And of course cameos from previous Hunters Club characters
March 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Advanced Copy Read Review
Lucky #14 by Alina May had me invested!!! The second I started, I knew I would be reading this every free moment.
This story grips you with a perfect mix of tension, emotion, and unpredictability that keeps you on edge. From the very first chapter, there’s this pull—like something big is coming, and you need to know what it is. Every page adds another layer of intrigue, making it impossible to stop.
The female lead is incredibly captivating. She’s resilient, sharp, and carries a quiet strength that makes you root for her instantly. But what really got me was the vulnerability beneath it all—the way her past and present collide, forcing her to confront things she’d rather keep buried. Watching her evolve, struggle, and push forward made her feel so real and relatable.
And then there’s the males… awkward, complicated, strong, protective, and completely adorable. They walk a line of devotion, leaving you questioning everything about them. Their presence alone shifts the energy of every scene. The tension between them is undeniable—charged, emotional, and at times completely consuming.
The atmosphere of the story is just as powerful. It has this gritty, haunting edge and a constant sense of unease mixed with anticipation, like something could unravel at any moment—and sometimes it does.
The cameo appearances of characters from the first two books was appreciated.
Thank you Alina for allowing me the opportunity ARC read this!! Needless to say, I am completely invested, emotionally wrecked, and already desperate for more!!
#lucky14 #alinamay #darkromancereads #bookobsessed #mustread #bookboyfriend
Lucky #14 by Alina May had me invested!!! The second I started, I knew I would be reading this every free moment.
This story grips you with a perfect mix of tension, emotion, and unpredictability that keeps you on edge. From the very first chapter, there’s this pull—like something big is coming, and you need to know what it is. Every page adds another layer of intrigue, making it impossible to stop.
The female lead is incredibly captivating. She’s resilient, sharp, and carries a quiet strength that makes you root for her instantly. But what really got me was the vulnerability beneath it all—the way her past and present collide, forcing her to confront things she’d rather keep buried. Watching her evolve, struggle, and push forward made her feel so real and relatable.
And then there’s the males… awkward, complicated, strong, protective, and completely adorable. They walk a line of devotion, leaving you questioning everything about them. Their presence alone shifts the energy of every scene. The tension between them is undeniable—charged, emotional, and at times completely consuming.
The atmosphere of the story is just as powerful. It has this gritty, haunting edge and a constant sense of unease mixed with anticipation, like something could unravel at any moment—and sometimes it does.
The cameo appearances of characters from the first two books was appreciated.
Thank you Alina for allowing me the opportunity ARC read this!! Needless to say, I am completely invested, emotionally wrecked, and already desperate for more!!
#lucky14 #alinamay #darkromancereads #bookobsessed #mustread #bookboyfriend
April 11, 2026
Four solid stars This is MFMM ❤️🔥
I have to admit, this book was a little hard for me to get into at first because I could not stand Oakley in those opening chapters. I was struggling. But trust me, DO NOT stop, because this is absolutely a book worth reading and somehow you really do end up falling in love with him.
This was such an insane ride. The setup alone??? A brutal survival game on an island, people being hunted, shifting alliances, trauma everywhere, and characters who are all deeply, painfully broken walking into something already terrifying. There is this constant feeling that nobody fully knows what is real, who you can trust, or what is actually going on, and it keeps you on edge the entire time.
Also, you can 100% read this as a standalone. I did not read the previous books and I still enjoyed this so much.
And Ky… Ky is hands down one of my favorite characters EVER. I am completely in love with him. I don’t even care, that’s it, that’s the statement.
This is a very plot heavy book, and the smut is pretty minimal, which honestly was UNEXPECTED for me. But the plot was so good that I did not even care. I was completely hooked. This book was heartbreaking, intense, action packed, chaotic, sad, and at times just straight up overwhelming in the best way.
There were moments where I felt so heartbroken and so emotionally drained that I had to stop and just sit there like… what the hell did I just read. It hit.
The only reason this is not a five star read for me is because I needed MORE of the relationships. I wanted more Wyatt and Holli, more Kyan and Oakley. By the time we really got them, it felt a little rushed and I was not ready to let them go yet.
Still, this was dark, emotional, unhinged, and so, so good.
I have to admit, this book was a little hard for me to get into at first because I could not stand Oakley in those opening chapters. I was struggling. But trust me, DO NOT stop, because this is absolutely a book worth reading and somehow you really do end up falling in love with him.
This was such an insane ride. The setup alone??? A brutal survival game on an island, people being hunted, shifting alliances, trauma everywhere, and characters who are all deeply, painfully broken walking into something already terrifying. There is this constant feeling that nobody fully knows what is real, who you can trust, or what is actually going on, and it keeps you on edge the entire time.
Also, you can 100% read this as a standalone. I did not read the previous books and I still enjoyed this so much.
And Ky… Ky is hands down one of my favorite characters EVER. I am completely in love with him. I don’t even care, that’s it, that’s the statement.
This is a very plot heavy book, and the smut is pretty minimal, which honestly was UNEXPECTED for me. But the plot was so good that I did not even care. I was completely hooked. This book was heartbreaking, intense, action packed, chaotic, sad, and at times just straight up overwhelming in the best way.
There were moments where I felt so heartbroken and so emotionally drained that I had to stop and just sit there like… what the hell did I just read. It hit.
The only reason this is not a five star read for me is because I needed MORE of the relationships. I wanted more Wyatt and Holli, more Kyan and Oakley. By the time we really got them, it felt a little rushed and I was not ready to let them go yet.
Still, this was dark, emotional, unhinged, and so, so good.
April 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book completely scrambled my brain in the best way! I was constantly trying to piece everything together while just holding on for the ride, and it made the whole experience so much fun. Having already read the first two books in the series, it was such a treat to catch glimpses of familiar characters again, I really missed them. And they are still unhinged as ever 😂😂
The new characters hooked me straight away. They’ve all got messy traumatic pasts, and learning about them bit by bit made them really interesting. It’s a why choose, so there’s a mix of dynamics (MF/MM/MMF) and plenty of spice for everyone. Plus, the dark romance and thriller vibe keeps things intense it kind of feels like Hunger Games meets The Hunt with nonstop tension. Oh and the plot twists?!? Omg i didn’t see those coming. 🫣🫠
Holli wakes up on a random island with no idea how she got there, and quickly figures out you’re either the one hunting or the one being hunted.
Oakley thought he was just making a dumb, drunk decision to deal with heartbreak, but now he’s stuck dealing with the mess he started. On top of that, there’s Kyan…charming, mysterious, and definitely making Oakley question a few things.
But I freaking loved Kyan…something about him had me giggling and kicking my feet. 😏🫣
And then there’s Wyatt, the guy running it all, trying to figure out how extra players showed up and messed with the game he planned so carefully.
I don’t want to spoil anymore because this is beat gone into blind, but omg please go read this!! Another banger from Alina!! I swear she never misses 👏🏼👏🏼
Thankyou for the opportunity to Arc read this 🖤
This book completely scrambled my brain in the best way! I was constantly trying to piece everything together while just holding on for the ride, and it made the whole experience so much fun. Having already read the first two books in the series, it was such a treat to catch glimpses of familiar characters again, I really missed them. And they are still unhinged as ever 😂😂
The new characters hooked me straight away. They’ve all got messy traumatic pasts, and learning about them bit by bit made them really interesting. It’s a why choose, so there’s a mix of dynamics (MF/MM/MMF) and plenty of spice for everyone. Plus, the dark romance and thriller vibe keeps things intense it kind of feels like Hunger Games meets The Hunt with nonstop tension. Oh and the plot twists?!? Omg i didn’t see those coming. 🫣🫠
Holli wakes up on a random island with no idea how she got there, and quickly figures out you’re either the one hunting or the one being hunted.
Oakley thought he was just making a dumb, drunk decision to deal with heartbreak, but now he’s stuck dealing with the mess he started. On top of that, there’s Kyan…charming, mysterious, and definitely making Oakley question a few things.
But I freaking loved Kyan…something about him had me giggling and kicking my feet. 😏🫣
And then there’s Wyatt, the guy running it all, trying to figure out how extra players showed up and messed with the game he planned so carefully.
I don’t want to spoil anymore because this is beat gone into blind, but omg please go read this!! Another banger from Alina!! I swear she never misses 👏🏼👏🏼
Thankyou for the opportunity to Arc read this 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into Lucky #14 by Alina May as a complete newbie thinking “okay… survival game, I’ve got this.”
I did not have this.
I lost this immediately.
Fourteen days. Thirty targets. Zero survivors.
Sounds simple? Absolutely not. This book is pure, unhinged chaos—the kind where every time you think you understand what’s happening, the plot turns around and humbles you. The twists don’t just twist… they attack. I was left staring into space like I’d just been personally betrayed.
The tension never lets up. Something is always off, always wrong, and it just keeps escalating. The island? Suspicious. The game? Questionable. My sanity? Gone.
And the characters?? I got attached way too fast for people actively trying not to die.
Holli is that quiet, deadly strength—you root for her instantly.
Oakley is stressed, spiralling, but still trying (relatable).
Kyan… yeah I’m not even going to unpack that—just know I folded fast.
And Wyatt?? Emotional damage I was not prepared for.
The dynamics are messy, layered, and addictive—I was INVESTED.
Also… low spice?? And I didn’t even care?? That’s how strong the plot is. But when it does show up… oh, I noticed.
Honestly, the real star here is the absolute chaos. Nothing is what it seems, every answer raises more questions, and I trusted no one by the end.
First Alina May book and she really said “welcome, prepare to suffer.”
I laughed, I stressed, I gasped out loud, and now I’m just… here.
Emotionally compromised.
Will I read her again? Unfortunately, yes.
Thank you Alina for the ARC these are my honest voluntary thoughts
I did not have this.
I lost this immediately.
Fourteen days. Thirty targets. Zero survivors.
Sounds simple? Absolutely not. This book is pure, unhinged chaos—the kind where every time you think you understand what’s happening, the plot turns around and humbles you. The twists don’t just twist… they attack. I was left staring into space like I’d just been personally betrayed.
The tension never lets up. Something is always off, always wrong, and it just keeps escalating. The island? Suspicious. The game? Questionable. My sanity? Gone.
And the characters?? I got attached way too fast for people actively trying not to die.
Holli is that quiet, deadly strength—you root for her instantly.
Oakley is stressed, spiralling, but still trying (relatable).
Kyan… yeah I’m not even going to unpack that—just know I folded fast.
And Wyatt?? Emotional damage I was not prepared for.
The dynamics are messy, layered, and addictive—I was INVESTED.
Also… low spice?? And I didn’t even care?? That’s how strong the plot is. But when it does show up… oh, I noticed.
Honestly, the real star here is the absolute chaos. Nothing is what it seems, every answer raises more questions, and I trusted no one by the end.
First Alina May book and she really said “welcome, prepare to suffer.”
I laughed, I stressed, I gasped out loud, and now I’m just… here.
Emotionally compromised.
Will I read her again? Unfortunately, yes.
Thank you Alina for the ARC these are my honest voluntary thoughts
April 1, 2026
Lucky #14 is a dark, chaotic ride that pulls you in fast and doesn’t let go. The premise alone is gripping an island, a deadly game, and a group of strangers forced into survival mode and it absolutely delivers on tension, unpredictability, and high stakes drama.
Holli’s perspective is a standout. Her raw determination and refusal to be “erased” make her incredibly compelling, and it’s easy to root for her even when her choices get brutal. Oakley adds a completely different energy his panic and disbelief bring a layer of realism and even some dark humor to an otherwise intense situation. Kyan and Wyatt round out the story with intrigue and complexity, especially as the mystery behind the island starts to unravel.
The multiple POVs work well to build suspense and keep the story moving, though at times it can feel a little overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone’s motives. The relationships are messy, intense, and often unpredictable, which fits perfectly with the tone of the book but they may not be for everyone.
What really stands out is the atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that something bigger is happening beneath the surface, and the slow reveal of the island’s secrets keeps you hooked. That said, some parts felt slightly rushed or could’ve used a bit more clarity, especially toward the end.
Overall, this is a gripping, dark read with strong characters and a unique concept. If you enjoy survival games, morally gray characters, and a touch of mystery, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Holli’s perspective is a standout. Her raw determination and refusal to be “erased” make her incredibly compelling, and it’s easy to root for her even when her choices get brutal. Oakley adds a completely different energy his panic and disbelief bring a layer of realism and even some dark humor to an otherwise intense situation. Kyan and Wyatt round out the story with intrigue and complexity, especially as the mystery behind the island starts to unravel.
The multiple POVs work well to build suspense and keep the story moving, though at times it can feel a little overwhelming trying to keep track of everyone’s motives. The relationships are messy, intense, and often unpredictable, which fits perfectly with the tone of the book but they may not be for everyone.
What really stands out is the atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that something bigger is happening beneath the surface, and the slow reveal of the island’s secrets keeps you hooked. That said, some parts felt slightly rushed or could’ve used a bit more clarity, especially toward the end.
Overall, this is a gripping, dark read with strong characters and a unique concept. If you enjoy survival games, morally gray characters, and a touch of mystery, this one is definitely worth picking up.
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