They Know If You've Been Bad or Good

Naughty or Nice #3

by Alta Hensley

Featuring multicast narration from Jillian Macie, Troy Duran, and Rock Engle!

There’s no escaping the holiday spirit in this dark, forced-proximity, why choose, Christmas stalker romance, the sequel to Alta Hensley’s New York Times bestselling He Knows When You’re Awake!

Stalkin’ around the Christmas tree…

Hailey Parker thought she had outrun her past. As the assistant to a successful jewelry designer, she’s started a new life in New York City, and may even have a new boyfriend to cozy up with this holiday. Her boss’s security guard, Knox, is a man of few words, but his obvious obsession calls to the darkest parts of Hailey’s imagination.

Then, her ex-boyfriend—and ex-partner-in-crime—shows up outside Hailey’s Brooklyn apartment. Liam explains that their past has caught up with the mobster they robbed five years ago has tracked them down. If they hope to escape with their lives, they must return to the remote Canadian wilderness where Hailey hid the priceless stolen diamond.

But a very different fate is awaiting them in the frigid landscape. Someone else entirely is pulling the strings, an unhinged billionaire who has a dark fascination with Hailey and Liam—and with the protective, ex-military boyfriend who has tracked Hailey all the way to the Northwest Territories.

Imprisoned together in a luxurious cabin and with a lethal ticking time bomb, Hailey, Liam, and Knox have no choice but to work together to outwit their captor. As a winter storm approaches—and simmering tensions between them reach a breaking point—escape starts to seem impossible…but what if everything they need is right there in the cabin?



Christmas romanceWhy chooseMilitary romanceStalkingOne last jobForced proximityM/M/FSecond chance romanceOnly one bed

Genres: Dark Romance, Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Why Choose, Second Chance, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Alta Hensley is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of dark romance where the villain always gets the happily ever after.

Twisted, clever, and occasionally unhinged, her books deliver morally gray anti-heroes, sharp-tongued heroines, and happily ever afters that taste even sweeter after a little ruin. With a signature blend of grit, wit, and heat, Alta’s stories prove one thing: Villains deserve love too.

Alta lives on the foggy coast of Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and a pair of dogs who think they’re in charge. When she’s not writing redemption for the irredeemable, she’s walking the coastline or sipping craft beer in eccentric little bars that feel like they belong in her books.

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Reviews

[Sarah]

Rating~ 3.5 rounded up

I absolutely loved how this book started with Hailey being fully aware of her stalker. It was addictive watching them both know what was happening while refusing to confront his behavior. Knox started watching Hailey for her safety, but he’s way past that now. What I will say is that this book was obviously a stalker romance, but OMG, it developed into so much more!

This is set during Christmas time, but I didn’t think Christmas was heavily discussed outside of perhaps two scenes. I had so many thoughts while reading this book. At first, I really liked Hailey, but around the 40–50% mark, I wasn’t as in love with her. Well, by 60%, I was back on board! Honestly, I would have made different choices at certain points, but overall, she was just trying to do the best she could with the circumstances she found herself in.

I always loved Knox’s character. So, he did a little light stalking, but he also gave her the space to choose him once all his cards were on the table. I was never disappointed in his choices. I felt like he would be the perfect partner if he would just take the leap.

I was not ready for the why choose! It was perfectly done! I loved the tension between the three characters and how they navigated that dynamic.

The plot outside of the romance was also very interesting. At times, I thought it was a little outlandish, but at other times, I was completely invested. Overall, it was very entertaining!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads)]

4.5⭐️
3.5🌶️
🎄Dark Christmas Romance
❄️Stalker (Group Activity Now)
🎄Why Choose MMF
❄️Forced Proximity
🎄Only One Bed
❄️Second Chance
🎄"Pretty Girl"
❄️Dual First Person POV

This dark holiday romance has the perfect amount of Christmas cheer and the snowy weather that helped me forget it was 90 degrees outside. Knox has spent the last year learning everything he could about Hailey, but for the last three months, he’s been following her around the city. Knox was giving major golden retriever vibes with stalking tendencies. What he didn’t know was that Hailey spotted him and has been toying with him. I loved how he admitted to his stalking and she surprised by being ok with it because she already knew. When Hailey’s past comes back, everything starts to fall apart. Liam showing up could only only one thing…their last job wasn’t as clean as they thought. Five years ago they stole the Snowflake Diamond from a Russian Oligarch. Knox starts to suspect Hailey is keeping things from him. She wants to tell Knox what is going on but is afraid he’ll judge her for her past. She travels with Liam across the country to remote area in Canada where she buried the diamond. Everything goes sideways when they’re kidnapped and wake up in a cabin. They’re kidnapped by a woman who has been looking for them and the diamond. Knox goes after her and ends up getting kidnapped himself. Their kidnapper tells them they have 10 days to tell her where the diamond is or she’ll unalive one of them. Now that all three of them are in the same room the tension so thick you can cut it with a knife. Knox and Liam have a history, filled with complicated feelings. Not being able to escape the cabin or each other, things get interesting. The three of them together is explosive and the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife. The slow burn is very much worth the wait for the hot spice. These characters have messy pasts, but together they go from lonely individuals to finding love and acceptance with each other. Between the slow burn and hilarious banter there are secrets, mystery, and suspense. This story is about more than their relationship, it was plot and suspense driven.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5

Thank you Alta Hensley and Netgalley for the gifted advanced copy.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“I’ve never been good at halfway, Hailey. When I want something, I want all of it. Every piece, every corner, every shadow. That can be a lot for some people.”

“Two men watching me. Two different versions of obsession. One represents everything I want to become. The other represents everything I’m trying to leave behind.”

“I like a woman who knows what she wants,”
“But I also like a good girl who knows how to beg.”

“We’ve crossed a line we can’t uncross. And somehow, impossibly, I think all three of us know it was never going to stay uncrossed forever.”

“She really went all out with the holiday hostage aesthetic.”

[Mel]

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Alta Hensley for the opportunity to read and review They Know If You’ve Been Bad or Good. My thoughts are entirely my own.

Stalking and kidnapping. What else could you want!? But really, this book is stalking, kidnapping and spice! In other words, a lot of fun! Alta created a fast paced and light read. I always enjoy holiday themes with cutesy markets and moments, which this book is full of! Throw in some morally grey characters and multiple plot twists and I’m hooked.

I will be honest, I didn’t know this was the third book in a series and you absolutely do not need to read the previous books to understand what is happening. This book can be read as a standalone.

I give this book 3.5 stars.

[Leticia🌻]

They know if you've been bad or good is the third book in the Naughty or Nice interconnected series; which follows Hailey, Sloan's assistant; Knox, Cole's bodyguard; and Liam, someone who is connected to Hailey's and Knox's past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of these characters and loved that characters from the previous books also made appearances in this book. If you are looking for a holiday read with action, suspense, funny moments and lots of spice, this is the book for you. I can confidently say that this is my favorite book in the series.

Similarly to the book, the audiobook did not disappoint; the narrators did a wonderful job.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager & Avon for providing this book and audiobook for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[WhatsIrilisReading]

Thank you @NetGalley and HarperCollins for the arc of, They Know If You've Been Bad Or Good by Alta Hensley. Alta always delivers with her books!! Wow wow wow! This was another 6 ⭐️ read for me by her.
This book is the third in an interconnected series. But it can be read alone. Its why choose mfm and swords do cross.
Taking place in New York for part of the book and the wilds of Canada for the other part of the book the fmc Hailey is a reformed former jewelry thief who has gone straight and gotten her life together after leaving those days behind her and her ex 5 years ago. Shes developing a romance with her employers security named Knox. Serious, hot, former marine.
Knox has been stalking her for months, following her around, thinking she doesn't know. Not only does she know but she loves it.
Just as things heat up between them her ex appears in the picture saying their past has caught up to them and they take a sudden flight to the wilds of Canada. Without giving too much away dangerous situations happen. The three of them end up stuck in a cabin together where secrets come to light and of course there are a lot of delicious spicy scenes as well as some very touching Christmas scenes.
A lot of action in the book. At one point they have a lady Michelle who helps them and Michelle is bada$$. I truly hope to see her in a future book.
Towards the end I turned the page expecting to start another chapter and I had reached the end and what a cliff hanger!! No fair Alta!! Lol
This comes out tomorrow 9/22. I recommend this book to those who love a stalker romance with dark elements and Christmas vibes who also love why choose!!!! This book was amazing!!

[Chad Alan Honestly]

This audiobook is so good! First off, this group of narrators is fantastic. Each voice works with the others to bring this book to life. This was my first time with this series, and now I am debating if I want to read the books or listen to other audiobooks. This story flows so well with Hailey thinking she has run away from her past and is starting new, when her past catches up. Things heat up when Hailey, her new boyfriend/stalker, and her old crime partner/ex-boyfriend get captured in this fancy cabin. When I say things heat up, they get HOT! This audiobook was a great listen and so much fun to experience. This book has everything you could ask for: spicy. Christmas, lovers reunited, thrills, mystery, and more spice. Definitely needed for a cold winter day

[Nada]

I want to thank the author, booksprout and HarperCollins publishers for this free copy.

messy characters & messy relationships and why choose trope was smartly written and it was really funny but I don’t know if this will be like a normal reaction to the majority of the readers. It started with flat rhythm and then after their past came to the surface all hell broke loose and the rollercoaster didn’t stop. I enjoyed it till the last page

[Angelic]

I had so much fun reading this book!! It was absolutely hilarious and I loved the cameos we had of the past couples!!

I was super curious how the why choose would come into play and when it did???? I was not disappointed! 🫢 I loveeee when the boyfriends are boyfriends and that’s all I’ll say about that. 😏

Them being snowed in??? Top tier way to introduce this trope imo lol. Honestly the tension and angst in this book? Once I was finally able to sit and read it???? I could not put the book down! Seriously, it kept me up until i finished lol. Especially with the twists that were introduced!

This book also reminded me that I love Alta’s writing and can never turn down reading one of her books! If you want a dark romcom? This one is for you! 😉 Please read your triggers!

[Read.and.Blossom]

4.5 ⭐️

I really enjoyed the first two Christmas stalking books from this series and was super excited when there was going to be a third and it’s why choose!!!

We don’t follow the three main characters POV from the start. We follow our FMC and her first stalker 😆 then as their relationship grows from a stalker and being stalked to dates together.

We then find out our FMCs history isn’t squeaky clean as we once thought and a man from the past is back and stalking her as well.

This sets off an adventure, a kidnap and three people stuck in a cabin that is shut off from letting them leave in unsurvivable weather so they can’t leave and a lot of tension.

This was so good and I did not want to put it down! Have been loving Alta Hensley books!!

Thank you for the opportunity to arc read this book :)

[Amanda]

I really enjoyed getting an ARC from NetGalley. This book was great! I loved the first two and was not disappointed with this one!! Who doesn’t want two hot Marines stalking them and wanting them??

[Lauren Bussiere]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley :

This book has had me in a chokehold since day 1. I can’t ever resist a little stalker romance and this was *chefs kiss*.
Perfect amount of swoony, heart wrenching moments, combined with page-turning suspense on what was going to happen next. I loved every minute.
Thank you Alta Hensley for this little Christmas in July delight and putting it up on Net Galley for us to find! I hope you aren’t finished with this series because it is absolutely fantastic.

[Monica (switching platforms)]

Somehow, I ended up devouring this Christmas action-romance that not only kept me up at night, but also left me wanting to read another book like this. That said, I still stand by the fact that stalking is not usually my thing. Somehow, though, I actually enjoyed it here. What really won me over was the balance between plot and smut. This is exactly how I like my spicy books to be: give me a good build-up of tension, let it explode when the time is right, but surround it with an actual plot that makes sense. And this book definitely delivered on the entertainment front.

The writing is very easy to get into, and you can feel the Christmas atmosphere from the very beginning. I read this in the September heat, but somehow the snowy Canadian wilderness, the luxurious cabin and all the Christmas vibes still managed to make it feel festive.

Even though this is part of a trilogy, it can easily be read as a standalone. I never felt lost or like I was missing important details about the other couples, since we get enough information about their stories throughout the book.

I also have to give credit to all the spy, thief and military terminology. Did I understand half of it? Absolutely not. But it gave the story that action element in the background, and I thought it worked really well without taking over the romance.

Hailey was definitely my favourite of the three. I loved her whole journey of leaving her old life behind and choosing to start over, while still carrying pieces of her past with her. And apparently one of those pieces is being surprisingly accepting of a stalker. But she is so much more than a former jewellery thief. I loved how capable she is throughout the story and how she makes it very clear that she doesn't need to be rescued. She can absolutely handle herself, and I especially enjoyed watching her put her men in their place.

And then there’s Knox. Give me one, please. I know I’d probably have to report him for stalking, but I adored pretty much everything else about him. His obsession with Hailey, the way he is constantly trying to find a way into her world and the fact that he is completely hopeless when it comes to actually making a move. I also loved seeing him slowly come out of his cold, guarded shell and become less tense as the story progresses.

Liam, unfortunately, was the one I connected with the least. It wasn't even because of what he does towards the end, but more because I felt like he stayed somewhat in the background. I think there was room for him to have a little more depth and to make his presence felt more, although that could also just be me not connecting with his character as much.

Now, onto the spicy side of things.
The whole kidnapping and the ten days trapped together in a luxury prison might be one of the most unhinged parts of the plot because... what exactly do you expect to happen when you lock three people with this much sexual tension in the same room for ten days? Somehow, though, it was incredibly entertaining watching them race against the clock while finally dealing with all the unresolved tension between them. Of the different dynamics, Knox and Hailey were definitely my favourite. Their relationship gets the most room to develop, and I really enjoyed watching them finally let themselves get closer. I also thought the tension between Knox and Liam was seriously underrated. It was palpable, and honestly, I would have loved to see more from them. Liam and Hailey, on the other hand, felt a little too quick for me. Their dynamic felt more like something that needed to happen in the moment rather than something that couldn't have waited a little longer. But the three of them together? Wow. Magnificent. As an MMF, I think they work incredibly well together in bed. As a relationship outside of that, I have a more limited opinion because of the way their dynamic develops, but as a combination? I have absolutely no complaints.

Overall, this was such a fun and entertaining read. If you like Christmas romances but want something with a little more action underneath all the festive vibes, this is definitely worth checking out. I loved the balance between the plot and the spice, and the tension kept me turning the pages.

Just keep in mind that the stalking and MMF elements won't necessarily work for everyone. I don't usually read books with stalking, and it's not a trope whose appeal I particularly understand or look for in either romance or fiction in general. Surprisingly, though, it worked for me here. Why-choose is a dynamic I enjoy seeing in books, and I’m always curious to see how different relationship setups are handled, so this one definitely kept me entertained.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Michele Dam]

This was good! I didn’t love it, but I definitely didn’t hate it either. It landed pretty solidly in the middle for me.

This is the third book in the series, but I really liked that it can be read as a standalone. There are recurring characters from the previous books, but I never felt like I was missing something or needed to go back and read those first to understand what was happening.

We have romantic suspense, forced proximity, an isolated cabin, kidnapping, second-chance romance, one bed AND a why choose MMF situation. There was certainly a lot happening. The spice was GOOD.

I also listened to the ALC, and the multicast narration was such a nice touch. With multiple characters and relationships at the center of the story, having different voices helped bring everyone to life and made the audio experience more fun.

Also, can we talk about those trigger warnings?! 😂 I genuinely loved them. I was already dying laughing before I’d even started the book.

My biggest issue was that everything felt a little rushed. There’s a lot packed into this story between the suspense plot, the existing relationships, the romance and everything happening at the cabin, and I would’ve liked more time for both the plot and the relationships to develop. Some of the emotional beats would’ve hit harder for me if we’d gotten a little more buildup.

But this was still an entertaining read. The spice delivered, I enjoyed the romantic suspense elements, and the multicast narration was probably one of my favorite parts of the experience.

Good, fun and entertaining.

Thank you netgalley, Avon and Harper voyager and Harper audio adult for the ARC and ALC.

[Sarimarys]

Okay, this is definitely NOT your typical Christmas romance 😂🎄🖤

We have a stalker, a stolen diamond, the mob, an unhinged billionaire, a remote cabin, and three people stuck together with nowhere to go… so obviously things get messy FAST. 😂

I really liked the tension between Hailey, Liam, and Knox, and the why choose/M/M/F dynamic worked so well with all the forced proximity. And yes, we get the only one bed situation because apparently these three needed even MORE reasons to make things complicated. 👀

It’s fast paced, spicy, and completely unhinged in the best way. Definitely not your traditional Christmas romance, but if you like dark romance with stalking, forced proximity, only one bed, and a little holiday chaos, this one is worth checking out. 🎄🖤

I was also able to do an immersive read and the audio with the multicast narration was SO good! 🎧❤️ Thank you, Harper Audio and Avon, for the early copies before release day!

[ThatsSomeGoodSmut]

Thank you to Avon, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of this book.

4.5 rounded up to 5

This was a fantastic spicy action why choose stalker romance with a twist. Whew! Haley doesn't acquire just one stalker, she has 2! Fortunately, she knows (and is excited) about one, her boss's head of security Knox. But she doesn't realize Liam (her ex-boyfriend and ex-partner-in-crime) is back, 5 years after they pulled their last job together. This was very enjoyable, fast paced and full of action, with some satisfying sword crossing and MMF scenes.

[booksvanereads]

they def know that I have been bad or good...loved being back in this world by Alta. The whole story between Knox, Hailey, and Liam had me on the edge of my seat for a bit, felt like it got really intense really fast and def way more intense right off the beginning. BUT BOY WAS IT A FUN AND HOT RIDE. Loved getting snippets of Chloe and Sloane (book 1 and 2). Def felt like a little Christmas spirit in July.

ty @avon for the earc.

[Kristen Patterson]

AOkayyyy, first of all, when I originally saw this book I was definitely expecting a lot more Christmas vibes based on the title and cover... and let me just say, that was absolutely NOT what this book was about. 😂 It may have had a holiday setting, but this story was way darker, messier, and significantly spicier than I was expecting.

And speaking of spicy... this one was EXTREMELY spicy. 🔥 The dynamic between Hailey, Knox, and Liam was easily one of the biggest highlights for me. The chemistry between all three characters was intense, complicated, and completely addictive at times. I also really enjoyed the forced-proximity aspect because putting these three together with nowhere to escape was basically asking for chaos.

Hailey was such an interesting FMC because she had this guarded side to her while still having plenty of personality and strength. Knox and Liam each brought something completely different to the relationship, which helped keep the dynamic interesting. Knox’s obsession and long-standing feelings for Hailey added that darker edge, while Liam brought another layer of history, tension, and complicated emotions. I really liked seeing the connection between all three develop instead of it feeling like one person was simply added into an already established relationship.

That being said, there were definitely moments where the story felt a little slow for me. I kept waiting for certain plot points to develop further, and by the end I still felt like there was a lot missing. There were characters, relationships, and pieces of the overall story that I wanted more answers from, and I honestly couldn’t decide whether that bothered me or made me want another book even more.

Part of me feels like some of those unanswered pieces may have been intentional. There was enough left unexplored that I could absolutely see the author stretching those storylines out and turning what felt “missing” into a second book rather than cramming everything into this one. If that’s the case... I’m totally here for it, because there are definitely a few things I still NEED answers about. 👀

The pacing dragged for me in a few places, but the chemistry, darker elements, suspense, and absolute chaos kept me entertained. And again... THE SPICE. 🥵 This book definitely knew what it was doing in that department.

Overall, 4 Stars for me! It wasn’t quite the Christmas romance I thought I was getting when I first saw it 😂, but I still had a really good time with Hailey, Knox, and Liam. I wanted more from certain parts of the plot, but I’m also hoping those missing pieces are setting us up for another book because I am definitely not done with this world yet.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Vanessa]

Thank you Harper Audio and Avon for this ALC!

I listened to this in less than 24 hours. What a RIDE!

It was a fast paced plot line and being able to listen while I did other things made the story fly by. I was hooked!

I loved the opening with the trigger warnings. I audibly giggled when I heard them.

The narrator for Knox was perfect and by far my favorite of the three. The other two, not so much. They worked for the story, but a few things felt a little flat at times.

Christmas romance but make it Die Hard (times two lol)

Overall, this was such a fun, fast listen that completely pulled me in!

[Scarlet]

This book is the third book in the naughty or nice series. I have throughly enjoyed this series from the very beginning and this book didnt change that. In this book you follow Hailey who is solans assistant and Knox and Cole's body guard, Liam who is someone connected to Hailey's and Knox's Past. I love how interconnected this series has been with characters from past books making a return in this one. The world building is so in depth that its hard not to immerse yourself into this read. From the giggling and kicking my feet to the more messy moments this is definitely a book you don't wanna miss. Highly Recommend!!

[Kaija]

This might just be my favorite out of all three of them!
I love how connected the characters end up being with Liam being tied to their past
It’s a dark Christmas romance obviously but I love it so much (even in September) Knox and Liam are very hot and walking red flags but its okay because we love that!
There’s an interesting story line that i don’t necessarily want to get into because spoilers and its something you need to read yourself but I love the way its written i love the connection between the three of them and as always I love the spice!

🎄Dark Christmas Romance
🖤Stalker (mutual)
🎄Why Choose MMF
🖤Forced Proximity
🎄Only One Bed
🖤Second Chance
🎄Dual POV

I got an ARC through NetGalley and I’m super thankful!

[The Book Ssirren]

Yay! Stalking marines during Christmas. What more could a girl want? This was hot and spicy, chaotic and fun. I loved everything that was packed into this holiday story. I seriously could not put this one down once I started. And the story was balanced perfectly with smut and plot. This will be a favorite book to break out during the Christmas holiday every year 🤣

[Jenna Miller]

5⭐️Fantastic spicy romance/thriller with why choose! It was suspenseful, hot and full of adventure. I didn’t want to stop reading, it kept my attention for the whole book. The three main characters were all great and each brought so much to the book! And when they came to work together in many ways, it was explosive!

[Nicole Schlak]

Holy twists and turns. Christmas chaos at its best. Thieves and marines and everything in between. When the ghost of Christmas past and present collide to make every Christmas after a happily ever after

[Brady Browning]

Alta Hensley has done it again y’all! Absolute 5 stars. What a way to wrap up this series!

The spice is on point, the banter is hilarious, and there is a delightful amount of suspense.

I loved how suspense and plot driven this story was. It was the perfect mix of romance and suspense, keeping you on your toes and guessing how it would end.

Can’t wait to read even more books- Alta keep them coming please!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the opportunity to read this title in advance of its release.

[Amber 🖤📚]

ARC REVIEW


If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, and now I’m saying it for a THIRD time… the trigger warnings in this series are amazing. They’re dark, slightly unhinged and somehow manage to make me laugh before I’ve even started the book.

And apparently with every book we’re just turning the stalking dial up another notch because this one definitely amps it up, and I am HERE FOR IT.

Hailey was probably one of my favorite parts of this one. She’s headstrong, reclusive, stubborn and very aware of what’s happening around her. She isn’t some completely oblivious FMC wandering around while weird stuff happens. You can tell almost immediately that there’s more to her story. She’s running from something, hiding from something or maybe a little bit of both, and figuring out exactly what that is kept me hooked without the book just dumping everything on you at once.

Then we have Knox. Organized? Absolutely. Stealthy? Ehhh… he certainly thinks so. The man has his stalking down to a science, except for the tiny problem that Hailey is a lot more observant than he gives her credit for. Their whole dynamic had me entertained because there’s this constant feeling of I know that you know, but do you know that I know?

What I really liked, though, is that there’s actually a story underneath all the stalking, spice and questionable behavior. There’s mystery surrounding Hailey, plenty of tension, some darker moments and enough going on that I genuinely wanted to keep reading to figure everything out. It still has that completely over-the-top, dark holiday romance vibe, but it doesn’t feel like the Christmas theme was just slapped on there for decoration.

It’s creepy, spicy, funny in places it probably shouldn’t be and full of characters making choices that would have me calling the police in real life but apparently have me kicking my feet when I’m reading.

If you like your Christmas romance with WAY less Hallmark and WAY more “girl… you should probably lock your doors,” I highly recommend reading this one.

[Kathrine Sylvain]

This book is the third book in Alta Hensley’s Naughty or Nice Trilogy.

Blurb:

There’s no escaping the holiday spirit in this dark, forced-proximity, why choose, Christmas stalker romance.

Stalkin’ around the Christmas tree…

Hailey Parker thought she had outrun her past. As the assistant to a successful jewelry designer, she’s started a new life in New York City, and may even have a new boyfriend to cozy up with this holiday. Her boss’s security guard, Knox, is a man of few words, but his obvious obsession calls to the darkest parts of Hailey’s imagination.

Then, her ex-boyfriend—and ex-partner-in-crime—shows up outside Hailey’s Brooklyn apartment. Liam explains that their past has caught up with them: the mobster they robbed five years ago has tracked them down. If they hope to escape with their lives, they must return to the remote Canadian wilderness where Hailey hid the priceless stolen diamond.

But a very different fate is awaiting them in the frigid landscape. Someone else entirely is pulling the strings, an unhinged billionaire who has a dark fascination with Hailey and Liam—and with the protective, ex-military boyfriend who has tracked Hailey all the way to the Northwest Territories.

Imprisoned together in a luxurious cabin and with a lethal ticking time bomb, Hailey, Liam, and Knox have no choice but to work together to outwit their captor. As a winter storm approaches—and simmering tensions between them reach a breaking point—escape starts to seem impossible…but what if everything they need is right there in the cabin?

Tropes:

Christmas romance
Why choose
Military romance
Stalking
One last job
Forced proximity
M/M/F love triangle
Second chance romance
Only one bed

My favorite book out of the three. Keep it spicy but all bring on the adventure of a lifetime.

[Brittany Lambert]

Thank you Alta Hensley and NetGalley!!

Back into the Naughty or Nice universe with some old characters and some new!! Hailey loves her job making jewelry with her boss and friend, Sloane. It’s just lately she’s been being followed by the CEOs bodyguard/security head, Knox. She’s had some fun teasing him but finally calls him out on his “observations.” He takes it in stride and asks her out. The first couple dates are great, until Knox notices he’s not the only one keeping Hailey under observation. At first Hailey thinks he’s paranoid but quickly realizes he’s not and her past has come back to haunt her. It’s her ex, Liam, and he comes bearing bad news. The truth is Hailey and Liam used to work together as master thieves. Now a billionaire that they stole from is after them to get back what they took. Hailey, Liam, and Knox quickly find themselves kidnapped and being held in an isolated cabin. Now they need to work together in order to survive but stress isn’t the only tension building between these three.

The narrator’s for this audiobook were fantastic and I loved this relationship. This is a forced proximity Christmas romance between a woman who has reinvented her life, her commitment avoidant ex, and an overprotective idiot. There’s so much tension between these three and I’m here for it. The isolated setting is perfect for this throuple! Between the angry spicy tension between Liam and Knox and the unresolved tension between everyone, they definitely needed some alone time in a cabin…….with only one bed. 😂😂 I’m pretty sure all three should make the naughty list.

[Geri Stoikova]

You could say that getting Christmas-ish in September is way too early but when it's the last novel in Alta Hensley's Naughty or Nice series than it's not. They Know If You've Been Bad or Good is the perfect blend of holiday cheer, dark romance with some stalking and it's why choose so you're in for a treat if that's your heart desires. Anyway you know perfectly well what you're getting yourself into with an Alta Hensley novel so you don't need warning. And it's Hailey's story so it's even better. Hailey is Sloane's jewelry assistant and I loved all Sloane and Chloe pop ups here and there. And their Christmas tradition with cocktails and ugly sweaters continues with even more embarrassing Christmas outfits. Finally Hailey opens up and starts making friends. And Christmas is the right time to admit you have a stalker even though he's your security chief. Knox following her with persistent precision only shows his dedication to her safety and his slight obsession. Them going on a date night was like an early Christmas present. And then Knox noticed that someone else is stalking Hailey too. And he knows him from somewhere and he couldn't remember. When everything started unraveling Hailey turned into such a plot twist. But her dangerous past only gave her personality the edge she was hiding. And Liam being connected to both Hailey and Knox and having a past history with them was the cherry on top. And he's the reason for their current situation. That close proximity heated up faster when all admitted and shared their feelings. And underneath it all is the danger for their lives. So they made the best of their situation but plotted for the time when they needed to act. Liam is hiding something that messes with their dynamics but he managed to redeem himself. That suspense line was the perfect outlet for all the pent up emotions and gave clarity to what's important. I loved the outcome of their situation and the full circle of past and present events. Their happy ending was well deserved and not just given. And way steamer. If you like your holiday reads spicy you need They Know If You've Been Bad or Good on your list. It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie with all the sweet and swoon but make it darker, with a suspense edge and a lot more steamier. Alta Hensley steamier.

Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Publishers and Booksprout for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

[Charlene (pageandplace)]

Thank you to the author, Alta Hensley, Publisher HarperAudio Adult, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I received a gifted copy and am leaving my review voluntarily.

🎧 Jillian Macie, Troy Duran and Rock Engle narrate this MMF Why Choose dark Christmas romance. They did a perfect job with their characters and made it seemless knowing whose chapter it was with each distinct voice.

Hailey thought she could outrun her past. Five years ago, she stole a priceless diamond from a mobster and hid it in the remote Canadian wilderness.

Now she’s on the run to dig up the diamond with her ex boyfriend and ex partner in crime. The trio find themselves imprisoned in a luxury cabin and things are about to heat up this holiday season!

These three are going to melt the snow but book 1, He Sees You When You’re Sleeping, still has my full heart! I really hope this isnt the 3rd and final because I am so ready for more Naughty or Nice books! Even with past characters popping up, this book can be read standalone but I suggest reading the other two just because!

I had the holiday giggles with this line -
“She really went all out with the holiday hostage aesthetic.” This book will get you in the (holiday) mood!

[Courtney]

4.5 Stars

This is third book in Alta's Naughty or Nice, interconnected series.

I would highly recommend reading the other two books before reading this one, to get full enjoyment out of it because the characters in this one are connected to previous books. And while it's not necessary to know anything to enjoy this story, I personally feel that it's more enjoyable reading them in order.

Alta really knows how to draw her readers in (this one is a bit slow, but it's worth it) and finally throw that, "ohhhhhh, it's about to go down" scene. And away we absolutely go.

But what I loved most was the characters themselves. Hailey is very aware of her surroundings, even if she's a bit of recluse. Knox is obsessed with Hailey and does more than his job of bodyguarding entails. Liam rolls back into Hailey's life because a part of their past is back to collect. And things do not go as they would expect and they all find themselves in a very precarious situation.

This book flowed really well, even if it felt a bit slow in the beginning for me. And I know to trust Alta's writing because she has never let me down before with any of her books, but especially this series.

This is a perfect spooky holiday romance!