I'm not fighting them anymore. I'm theirs — bound, kept, claimed by three men who rule the Rot.
The problem is I'm starting to want it.
Especially Sting. He's cold, precise, always in control — until he unlocks a kink I didn't know I had. A craving I can't explain. A need that scares me as much as it consumes me.
He thinks he knows what I am.
He has no idea what I'm becoming.
Sting's Catch is Book 2 of The Rothwell Hunt trilogy — dark reverse harem romance, exhibition kink, morally gray heroes, and surrender that feels like falling.
I received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
We still do not know exactly what happened or why people are living in an abandoned mall. (It's like a post apocalyptic environment.) But just like Vi I've accepted it and go with it because I'm in too deep.
I am absolutely captivated by this story. I love how the characters are developing. I can't get enough. The first book took me three days to finish. The second book took me two days. There was a lot more excitement and a lot more pieces to the mystery. It's getting heavy.
Speaking of heavy. There was an increase in the sex scenes. I like how the men are starting to be affectionate and care about her feelings. It gives more relationship vibes rather than an exchange of services.
The only thing that was disappointing was the build up of how dangerous it was for Vi to go into No Man's Land to retrieve the rest of her father's paperwork. We never found out what happened. We just know her and Mara got the paperwork, Vi got a small head injury, and they escaped. It felt rushed after the weight that was put onto entering that area. I was looking forward to a glimpse into how some of the other outlying groups lived. Especially after witnessing some of the other group during the Hunt.
The first book we were left with a cliffhanger. After the second book I feel like we're dangling by our finger tips. The sudden ending right at the peak of a discovery. Quick! Where's the third book!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book is amazing! It’s back to the Rot for the next chapter in Vi’s story and it’s quite a doozy! Her best friend Mara shows up looking for her and the guys think it is best to keep her close. Vi also gets the information from Alice regarding her father but it’s only part of the puzzle. Alice tells her there is more and where to find it, but it’s in a very dangerous part of the Rot. Sting is very adamant about her staying away from this area but she and Mara go anyway. The new papers plus the ones Mara had found paint a full picture. Up until a few weeks before Vi’s dad disappears. The search is on for the truth and someone who has been in the Rot a long time and works with Sting will prove to be a very crucial part in completing the puzzle. Her father’s papers and what they prove will cause some tension between Vi and Sting but in the end, they put the tension aside to find the truth to what really happened to Rothwell and her father. A slip by the person who knows more will give them information they never expected to get. Things are heating up and I can’t wait to read what comes next!
I read an ARC copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
I found this one easier to get into than the first book. The story picks up right away with Vi back in the Rot, still trying to figure out what happened to her dad. More clues start coming together, but it still feels like only part of a bigger mystery.
Vi is still really determined, which I liked. She doesn’t just sit back and let the guys handle things, even when they want her to. Sting’s point of view was interesting too—you really see how controlling he is and how things start slipping out of his control. Armen is calm and steady, and Rogue adds some lighter moments, which balances things out.
The relationships grow more in this book, and I liked seeing that development. There’s still tension and push and pull, but it feels more natural. The spice and emotional moments were done well and didn’t feel forced.
The story itself has more action and feels stronger overall, but the pacing can still be a bit uneven at times. And the ending… another cliffhanger. It definitely leaves you wanting more, but also a little frustrated.
Overall, a good continuation with stronger characters and more going on—but book 3 is definitely needed to wrap everything up and give a proper conclusion.
3.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a dark, dystopian, reverse harem romantic suspense between Vi, the female lead, and Sting, the male lead, and his brothers of choice, Armen and Rogue. I admit to finding the way the author uses just one male POV (and changing which one with each book) unusual. I found this story easier to engage with than the first one, feeling like I had a better understanding of what was happening. I enjoyed Vi’s ongoing persistence on her quest. I appreciated that she acknowledged her need for stress relief and approached male leads when she wanted. I enjoyed seeing Sting’s perspective and gaining understanding around his choices. I appreciated his eventual willingness to accept fault for previous errors. I enjoyed Rogue’s playful overlay contrasted against his focused capability. I enjoyed Armen’s calm stability. I enjoyed the intimate scenes Vi shared with each male separately, as well as those as a group. I enjoyed the progression of the non-romance plot and am looking forward to the resolution.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
This book is the second of three. The setting is in a Dystopian future in a now abandoned mall. The Hunt has changed from the first book because the FMC has won- but has she really won anything. Maybe a kink she didn’t know she had before…Then Mara, VI’s friend, is added and you feel like that will change her relationships, however the affection/relationship building begins to happen between each man, which was a nice addition to the sprinkled spicy scenes in this book. Very spicy. You learn more about her dad as she try’s to learn what happened. The end left me with questions again!! I was literally talking to myself at the end like “Why! Now I have to wait till September…ahhhh.” If you like affection/romance, this book is not for you. But if you liked masked men, predator/prey, morally grey men, and dark scenes this book is for you. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review. I can’t wait for the next book in Sept 2026.
I received this as an ARC for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so raw and cut to the core. Armen is the leader, he listens. Rogue is the muscle but light-hearted. Sting is the controlled one, the planner, the one who accounts for all of the variables. The only problem is the woman he claimed, Vi, fits none of those boxes. Sting cannot accept gray areas, and he certainly can't admit he was wrong, and Vi can't accept being left out of operations that revolve around her missing father. What they dig up is layers of corruption deeper and wider than they imagined. The controlled world Sting built is unraveling, and he is losing control. He is losing the Rot, his sanity, and the woman he...dare I say it? Use your imagination.
The story is woven beautifully, and the spice is scattered through perfectly. I love how the 4 of them can go from from raw and primal to intimate like lovers that have know all of the dirty secrets and stay anyway.
The inclusion and the trust is slowly building in their unit. The men share a revelation that leads to a confrontation that drops a truth bomb blowing everything they thought they knew to bits.
Bravo to Charli! I can't wait for Rogue's perspective, and to see where the story takes them next.
Although I received this book as an ARC reader, that hasn’t affected my honest opinion.
This is the second installment in the series, and like the first, it’s packed with mystery and intrigue. The storytelling grips you from the start and keeps you engaged throughout. While some sections may feel repetitive, they serve a purpose within the overall plot. The story continues seamlessly from where Book 1 ended, further exploring the mystery behind Vi’s father’s disappearance and sharing more about Mara’s journey. Without revealing spoilers, I can say this sequel lives up to the promise of the first book. Like its predecessor, it ends on a cliffhanger, leaving plenty to anticipate in Book 3—I’m totally hooked on this series.
Just a heads-up: check the trigger warnings before diving in, as these books tackle some tough subject matter.
Sting's Catch by Charli Townes is book two in the trilogy. This book is a continuance of book one. This is a dark, why choose/rh, dystopian romance. This story had me even more obsessed. I will say that cliffy has my mind working overtime as I want more, now. I can't wait to get my hands on book three this Sept. Whew this book really had me gripping my book tightly. Charli did such a great job again with giving us not only another piece of the story but switching up the story with a different POV from one of our MMCs. Whew. Loved it!
I thought book one, Armen's Prey was fast paced spice with the perfect thriller element. Book two does NOT disappoint. Dark, spicy, mysterious, but very plot driven, book two explores more of the fall of Rothwell. Be warned, it leaves it on a cliffhanger (don't they all). I'm betting book three, Rogue's Mark will be worth the wait.
If you want a dark RH series with the perfect blend of spice and thriller, Rothwell Masked Hunt is a must read. Armen, Sting, and Rogue are the perfect dark book boyfriends to get lost in.
Vi's story continues in book 2 and made for a great continuation! There were new challenges to face, dangers, suspense, and new truths and secrets. We also got spice and some emotional moments throughout. We see more relationship development between Vi and each guy, which I was really happy about. There were definitely some push and pull, but i feel like those relationships only grew for the better. Great Continuation!
These cliffhangers are going to be the death of me. What do you mean is not was?! (Yes I yelled that at my kindle) iykyk. I am enjoying how while it is a reverse harem/why choose (whatever verbiage works best for you) and Vi obviously is in every book every guy is a separate book. This is a different take to RH then I've read before. You're getting to know the guys better then your would in a traditional RH. Its unique. To me anyway. But man, Rogues story has some plot points he better answer.
Vi is still trying to find out what happened to her father. She has certain pieces of the puzzle but needs the rest. Her friend Mara knows where the papers are from her father until the last days of his life. Sting is controlled, plans for everything but he never counted on Vi. She turns his world upside down. The mystery deepens and the tension gets higher in this story. Waiting for Rogue's story.
That cliffhanger!!!! It's one thing to question it while reading and another to see that question come to the surface!!
The growth and depth of the characters was great, though Sting's stubbornness will get him into trouble!! I loved the spicy scenes, but felt like the exhibition and mask kinks are more of an afterthought than the blurb makes it seem.
I can't wait to find out where book 3 takes us and how everything will be revealed and resolved!!!
Book two of any series is always difficult for me. In book 2, we are always introduced to the tension, the problems, etc. In Sting's Catch, that tension was handled well. Vi's friend from outside the Rot, while not the tension itself, is the impetus for the issues that follow. And as with the first book, the three guys and Vi have quite a few visits to the "club", as well as some masked hallway encounters.
I received a free ARC from the author, but my honest revies is my own.
I absolutely 💯 love this series!! I thought for sure maybe Sting was gonna leave Vi and have something going with Mara. I thought that's why it was called Stings Catch. Luckily that was not the case. So many twists and turns in this book. And the spice is 🔥🔥
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Great second book of the series. Easy to fall back into their world. Still contains great spice scenes. Relationships become stronger and more developed. A new character becomes involved with the group. And a new mystery unfolds. A bit more focus on Sting and how he became the way he is now. Cannot wait to see the conclusion of this story, and rogue’s side of things.
Stings Catch was intense. Where Armen's Prey was a slow start this started off right off the bat. The story was moving elements of spice felt natural and flowed more seamlessly then the first book. Charli has done an excellent job with the 3rd act twist and leaving readers on the edge. Rouges Mark can't get here soon enough!
Another 4.5 book by Charli Townes. I loved the continued story and the spice is spicy. Vi's men are falling deeper for her and will do what needs to be done to protect her. Watching Stong work thru his feelings for her was great. Can't believe we have to wait till Sept to find out how it ends. Highly recommend
I’m deeply invested. It’s practically an obsession at this point. These guys are absolutely hot. And I loved Vi and Sting. Complete opposites but perfectly imperfect. I loved the twists and turns, the tension and suspense. And those spicy scenes are spicing 🥵. I’ve enjoyed each of these books so far.
Sting baby is one hell of a ride. Between him and the FMC it was hard to decide who I was loving more. The more Sting showed himself the more it made me want to submit to him.. cuz id let Sting willingly catch me 🧎♀️
I enjoyed the story as a whole and of course the 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but I felt like the story was drawn out more than necessary. Vi and Sting’s fight just lasted too long. It was more slow paced than I would have liked. I will definitely continue to read the next one and see what happens because of course we left on a cliffhanger and I have to know what happens to Vi’s dad!!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author