Necessary Evil

by A.V. Shener

SMALL-TOWN SCARS NEVER HEAL.

Will Thomas is haunted by his past.

In his small Missouri town in the early 90s, there isn’t a person who hasn’t witnessed the chaos between him and his former lover, the sheriff’s son. It ended in a tragedy that is still talked about like an urban legend. As he tries to move on and care for his dying sister, forces beyond Will’s control relentlessly seek revenge.

Then Owen arrives in town. Running from his deadly mistakes, he must stay with his aunt during his probation and keep out of trouble. He’s a breath of fresh air, bringing with him the kind of energy Will hasn’t experienced in years. But to get close to Owen is to put him at risk.

When their paths inevitably collide, the resulting shockwave echoes across the peaceful town, setting off a chain of events neither man could have anticipated.

***
Necessary Evil is a dark and intense tale that deals with heavy themes. Please check the Author's Note for more information.

Genres: M M Romance, Dark Romance, Dark, Thriller, LGBT, Mental Health, Mystery

421 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2026

About the author

A.V. likes to take a ride into the dark side of writing, but always makes sure to find his way back. If he can make his readers both captivated and uncomfortable, he knows he did his job.

Find me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/av_shener_w...

And on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

And this is my website:
https://avshener.wixsite.com/avshener

Reviews

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, it feels like a long while since I've read a small town story that also gives me the creeps but at the same time two super loveable MCs stories coupled with it. This really is a romantic thriller where you can't keep your eyes off the pages!
The 90s setting and feeling was beautifully illustrated, really love the moments of nostalgia that this book definitely gave me 🖤.

The book really pulls you in and I found the writing interesting especially when revolving around the 3 POV's, the narrator offering a pov for the 3 characters and we would follow their shenanigans around. However there's not just that, this book really and heavily focuses on trauma and abuse, surviving some terrible moments, make sure to read trigger warnings before diving into this.

I really got attached to the characters Owen and Will, their relationship is so beautiful, passionate and all of that while navigating some of the most fucked up things one can experience! By the end I was in my feelings for them and their emotional wellbeing because damn, that was a hard read at times.

I wish we'd have more of their happiness at the end, but I still really liked their story and probably one of my favorite moments in the book was Owen drawing Will. That felt like a titanic moment 😂😂 it was really sweet, but also spicyyy. If I leave with anything this review, it's definitely these 2 characters that I got attached to and will probably think about for a while.

Thank you to the author for reaching out and providing me this lovely ARC! 🖤
_______
pre:read
I don't usually do ARCs but this sounds exactly like my viiiibee 🖤

[369Pages]

Hold off on rating for now

This author reached out to me to ARC read and leave a review, which I was grateful for. However, my review is not exactly positive, so I don’t want to leave a rating yet.

This story follows 3 perspectives of characters who live in a small town. This is a corrupt town, where even the mayor isn’t a good person.
First you have Will, who was blamed for his ex-lover’s su*cide and a bit of an outcast in town. He only stays in order to ensure his sick sister’s care.
Then you have Nate, the sick and twisted police officer who is obsessed with Will and was once friends with the ex-lover who passed away.
Finally you have Owen, who is finally clean and looking to start fresh in the small town with his police officer aunt.

In this book you’ll find:
-unique storytelling POV
-a more plot-focused narrative
-90s setting
-down on their luck MCs in troubling situations

Firstly, I want to start by complimenting the author with their willingness to take feedback. In the copy I received, the TWs were extremely vague, and did not fully cover the triggering content in this book. As the author mentions, it is not for the faint of heart in terms of content mentioned. When I brought this up with the author, they thanked me for bringing it up and let me know they’d update the TWs.

Just in case, I’d like to post book safety info for this book for those who need it. (Skip the following bullets if you don’t care for TWs):
-explicit SA (not between MCs) and abuse
-drug use (consensual, coerced, and forced)
-heavy mentions of su*cide
-much of this abuse is committed by a police officer on MCs
-violence (fairly graphic)
-terminal illness and death of family member
-homophobia

For me personally, I likely wouldn’t have picked this book up had I known about some of the content. Therefore, you may want to take my review with a grain of salt.

This book is very narrative heavy, and the writing style focuses on straightforward story telling. Though there are a lot of characters, I never found the writing confusing, which is good! The story takes place in the nineties, which means no cell phones, appropriate music references, and a whole lot of unaccepting townspeople. This setting did definitely add to the story.

This book also has 3 perspectives, with two being from the MCs Owen and Will’s point of view, and the final being from Nate, the antagonist’s POV. There were quite a few chapters from Nate’s POV, and this is something I’ve never encountered before in the MM romance genre. Kudos to the author for trying something different! You will truly hate Nate as you read this story!

Unfortunately for my personal taste, I didn’t quite vibe with the story. I hated Nate, but also couldn’t think of anything to like about the other MCs. My main issue is that, to me, a thriller shouldn’t be predictable or straightforward, yet I found this book to be those things. My general feelings while reading just ended up being uncomfortable and unexcited.

Again, props to the author for trying something different! I think we totally need more exciting queer books. I’m sorry I didn’t enjoy it more ^^’

[Chrissy_reads2727 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this ARC in less than 24 hours!

This is a MM psychological thriller set in a small forest town where gossip reigns and grudges never die.

Owen's luck has ran out. A recovering addict right out of rehab and on probation leaves the city to live in a small town out in the middle of nowhere with his aunt who happens to be a cop.

Will is a lumberjack counting his days til he can finally leave this town behind. The glares and taunts from the townsfolk never end, the sheriff has it out for him, all because of him... if only they knew the truth.

Nate's obsession is deadly and his tactics brutal. He see's Will as his and will stop at nothing to make that a reality.

This story will have you on the edge of your seat in suspense the entire ride. It will incite anxiety, heartache, and rage... lots of rage on the behalf of these broken boys.

It drops April 16th, make sure to have a whole day to devote to it because once you start you won't be able to put it down til it's done! And even then you'll be messaging the author asking about book 2 😂

[Kristen Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review (And thank you so much for the ARC)
I was lucky enough for the author to reach out to me about this book, and this author is new to me and I must say I really enjoyed myself with this book.
My heart absolutely bled for Will. He went through so much, physically, mentally, and just kept going and managed to keep his humanity and some love in his heart somehow. What an amazing character!
And Owen, sweet, sweet, Owen. He trusted the wrong people but always trusted his instincts when it came to people in the end. He overcame his obstacles and through his art was able to come out the other side of things and find love as well. He and will fought so hard for their HEA that I was on the edge of my seat.
Now Nate the third pov I had zero love for and wish him nothing but horrible things!
Yes this book is dark, hard at times but these two men face it together and still maintain their humanity and hold onto each other and their love which is beautiful to read about.

[gab_e_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I need to find the right words—this story is something else! It’s very, very dark, and at times, along with the characters, you’re pulled into a deep abyss from which you desperately try to climb out. But on the other hand, there are so many moments of human connection that are simply beautiful ❤️‍🔥. There are Will and Owen, two broken boys who still have so much love and warmth to give—and, importantly, never lose that glimmer of hope despite everything they’ve been through. The blend of suspense and romance is really so well done. You stay hooked on the story; you want to know how it ends! You empathize, you fear, you hate, you love—you experience every emotion. Everything takes place in a small town in the 90s, which gives the story a very special atmosphere. I love that so much, and I feel a connection because I grew up during that time myself.
It’s been years since I’ve read such a dark thriller, but I don’t regret it for a second! I really love this book, and it will stay with me for a while! I highly recommend it!

[Seraphina Reads]

Necessary Evil
A.V. Shener

Slow burn
3 POV’s
Set in the past
Psychological manipulation
Strangers to friends to lovers
Hard earned HEA


This one of those books that is hard to review without giving too much away.

I really enjoyed this though. Unique plot for sure.

This is dark and intense. Definitely check your triggers

This takes place in 1991. It felt right for the plot, and boy was the plot plotting.

Thai literally keeps you guessing through the whole book.

Ugghh also, Nate … shakes fist

So thankful for this arc

[Ayana de'Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first arc that I have read in. Wow, let me tell you I love it, but not Nate nate piss me off, but will was going through it. And so was Owen, because will had lost his mom and a tragedy with his ex, that he is blamed for I sobbed. And reading this book, in the end, I was not expecting that at all.

[Ayla Shoulders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author A.V. Shener for an ARC of Necessary Evil!!

A Lumberjack, a Librarian and a Cop walk into a bar… how does the rest of that joke go? Something about one of them being an out-of-town recovering drug addict on probation who falls in love with the towns “wicked” son who is being abused by the towns mayor, doctor and police? Oh wait, no, that’s just Owen, Nate and Will.

Guys, this book was seriously fucked up. And I loved every single fucked up second of it.
A LOT happens. There are a lot of moving pieces and I love that it never once got confusing. Having 3 POV’s can sometimes be a bit much but it totally worked for this book. The 3 boys were all so different and had their own distinct voices and personalities that it was so easy to keep track of who was in the scene.

I don’t want to say too much and give away any spoilers. So, I will just say, you will HATE, with every fiber of your being, the bad guys. (*clears throat* the Mayor and his cronies *cough cough* Nate & small-town Joe). And you will completely fall in love with Owen and Will. I was so angry for most of this book. There were a few times I wanted to throw my kindle at a wall. But, the HEA made it all worth it!!

Necessary Evil takes place in 1991 and it brought back ALL the nostalgia!! I LIVED for fucking Blockbuster when I was younger and reading all the Blockbuster and movie references gave me all the feels! Another thing I loved about this was with cell phones being pretty obsolete, and communication limited, it made the story so much more intense.

The sex scenes were good, but they had nothing on the artist x muse drawing scenes!!! Oh my god. That’s was hot.
In my best Kate Winslet voice: “Draw me like one of your French girls”

"Let me draw you."
Will smiles. "How do you want me?"
"Naked, Will. The answer is always naked. You should
know that by now."

Francie and Julie. I just adore them.

That ending *ALMOST* got me. I was crying before I even knew who it was (you’ll understand what I’m talking about when you read it).

[Ashley H · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read: my honest opinion
The emotions this book pulled from me 😩🖤 had me on the edge of my seat every time I opened it. I cried, laughed, screamed and got very upset with a certain character(s). The mystery of it all was presented so well giving bits and bits keeping you hooked. I normally wouldnt want to have the pov of the antagonist but IT DID SO MUCH for the tension and mystery of the book. Such a good read 🥹🖤 the ending was worth all the pain.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read!! The amount of anger I had for certain characters was unmatched. I was on the edge of my seat in suspense but the frustration and ache was worth it for swoon moments and the ending.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a captivating book. It’s not the easiest read, and the book deals with some difficult topics, so keep that in mind if you’re thinking about reading it.

Even though the book is 421 pages long, I read it almost in one sitting because it was just so gripping. I also liked this because it’s quite different and doesn’t follow the usual, basic format. This book kind of had a vibe of its own, somehow refreshing.

While there are some dark moments, there are also lighthearted moments, fun, and humorous banter—this book was multifaceted and had a surprising lot to offer. It also kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, and I really liked the suspenseful aspect of the book. I was so nervous about Will's fate (all the things he had to go through, poor guy 😭 it was not fun to read) and how the author plays with the reader's emotions...

It was an interesting choice to give Nate his own POV—but can’t imagine the book without it. Now there’s a guy who cannot be redeemed.

I don't even know what else to say about the book—this author was a new discovery for me, but I definitely plan to read more of their work.

[Zany.Rin.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored when A. V. Shener asked me to read his book Necessary Evil. I mean, usually it's me requesting from the author, not the author requesting me. So I am very appreciative of this opportunity. All the tropes had me very intrigued and wanting to dive into this book.

This book had me captivated and drew me in right from page one. I will be honest and say that it has been a beat since I have read a suspenseful thriller and this book made me realize how much I missed that edge of your seat sensation that thrillers just seem to pull off and Mr. Shener has done just that to perfection.

Necessary Evil is a dark psychological romance set in a small town that is saturated in the rot of corruption and chalked full of gossip mongers.

Heavy emphasis on the dark. For me there is nothing too dark and I like to go in blind so that my experience is more impactful. However, with that being said this book is not for the faint of heart. There are a lot of emotionally charged situations that may upset readers or make them feel uncomfortable . If you feel that this may be you please check the author's website for a list of the trigger warnings.

[Bethany Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I received an ARC and I was blown away by this book. The suspense…anxiety…and have you on your seat with so many emotions.

This was my first MM psychological thriller and I absolutely loved it! The book being set in the 90s was also new for me. I actually really enjoyed that aspect of it as well. The gossip and grudges that the town holds, the strong emotions towards certain characters, and all around rollercoaster of emotions made this book amazing.

Tropes:
Small town ✅
Dark romance ✅
Broken Boys ✅

[Yanadeyaert]

Maybe I will pick it up again later. Nothing against this book at all! Just not into it right now!

[ErikaWasReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

As I read Necessary Evil, I found myself wishing "romantic suspense" was still commonly used, as I think this book is a perfect example of dark romantic suspense. While the love story between Will and Owen was lovely, the story of the couple extricating themselves from the town and its tragedies was incredibly compelling. You feel the oppression and the bigotry settle over the narrative like southern humidity, weighing down the characters and keeping everyone trapped in their current positions, unwilling to fight it to move forward.

I think the choice to see Necessary Evil in the 1990s was brilliant. It is easy to forget how connected we are today and how different navigating life was before we all had computers in the palms of our hands. Additionally, Shener's decision to use 3rd-person POV and the present tense helps build and sustain the novel's tension.

"He does want to find someone someday, because loneliness–even though it can be addicting–is not how his heart is wired."

A.V. Shener describes Will and Owen's story as having a hard-won HEA, and I think this is an apt description. Both characters enter the story with their own baggage, knowing they shouldn't get involved with someone else, but their attraction and the hope of a future together drive the story.

While the novel does a good job of cutting away from the worst of things, it is clear what happens in these scenes, so I definitely recommend checking the author's note and content warning.

---

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest, voluntary review.

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one!! AV Shener is a new to me author and I absolutely adore their narrative voice (I’m a sucker for anything written in 3rd person, present tense!). I enjoyed the small town vibes mixed with the thriller elements; watching Owen and Will getting mixed up in the twisted underbelly of the town was so immersive and I loved both of the MCs.

This book is technically historical (although as a 90s baby, that stresses me out ahaha). Set in the 1990s, there’s a stigma about being queer and a lot of terrible attitudes towards the mentally ill and this gave the book a feel of authenticity. There are some extremely dark scenes (please read the trigger warnings before starting) and I appreciated the choice to have some of the chapters told from the POV of the ‘villain’, Nate.

I don’t want to say too much, as the plot is best if you go in blind, but I really enjoyed it; perfect for people who enjoy small town melodramas, dark elements and two MCs fighting against everything to be together.

✨ Set in the 1990s
✨ Small town dark romance thriller
✨ Toxic behaviour (not between MCs)
✨ Working undercover
✨ The upper echelons are rotten
✨ Two broken MCs fighting to be together
✨ Unable to run, unable to stay
✨ Nightmare past, nightmare present
✨ Immersive storytelling

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy! It’s available on 16th April 2026 💕

[Courtney ☮️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Set in rural Missouri in the 1990s, Necessary Evil is a quietly devastating story about grief, gossip, and the impossible weight of small-town memory.

At the heart of the novel is Will, a young man who has become the town’s favorite villain. His relationship with Joel — the sheriff’s son — ended in tragedy when Joel’s deteriorating mental health led him to take his own life. In the aftermath, rumors filled the silence, and Will was left to bear the town’s misplaced blame. The only thing keeping Will rooted in a place that despises him is his dying sister, whose care exacts a steep and unrelenting toll.

Into this charged environment arrives Owen, a young man shipped off to live with his cop aunt in Missouri after edging too close to trouble back home. As Owen finds himself drawn to Will, he walks headfirst into a wall of hostility — most pointedly from Nate, a local cop and Joel’s former best friend, whose warnings carry the particular menace of someone with something to protect.

The slow-burn romance between Owen and Will is tender and aching, conducted in the shadows out of necessity. But the novel’s real engine is its secrets — layered, interconnected, and volatile. Will, Owen, and Nate each carry their own, and the story builds with a creeping dread as the reader waits for the inevitable unraveling.

Necessary Evil doesn’t offer easy resolutions. It’s a book about the stories towns tell, the people those stories destroy, and what it costs to love someone the world has already decided to hate.

[Maricruz Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this one!
The author definitely kept me on my toes. Owen and Will were awkward and cute all together.
I have so much respect for Will after everything he went through and what he was willing to go through for his sister health.
Owen just blossomed after moving into this new town. It was just what he needed after his troubled life.

[Ashley -Goldstarreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely a dark romance, not dark between the two main characters but the theme and the plot. The darkness definitely isn’t romanticized in this story. Will has had a rough go in life, he’s lost his mom, the tragedy with his ex that he is blamed for and his sister is terminally sick and he must sacrifice himself for her care. He’s just trying to survive until he can leave town. Then Owen comes to town. Owen has had a rough go too but by his own making, he got hooked on drugs, partying and then ended up having to go to rehab followed by probation of face prison. After rehab his parents ship him off to his aunt’s to stay out of trouble and everyone thinks the small town is where to do that. But this small town is ravaged by darkness, corruption, drugs and so much evil. While everyone labels Will as evil, Owen isn’t convinced a their friendship blossoms. It’s really a beautiful story, it’s tragic and heartbreaking and just devastating at parts but it is a beautiful love story between Will and Owen, and the love Will has for his sister. The evil twists and dark turns just keep coming, this story is fast paced, it keeps moving and keeps you interested the entire time. It is well written and at the level I’ve come to expect from this author when reading the authors thrillers. (I have not read the sci-fi stories but I plan to). I thoroughly enjoyed reading Will and Owen’s story, and devoured it quickly.

[Vanessa V · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how all those 5-star ARC reviews can make you a little wary?
Yeah… forget that. Necessary Evil deserves every single star.

Within the first three chapters, I was already wishing bloody, gruesome deaths on at least three characters — which honestly tells you everything about how effective the writing is.

The amount of hatred I developed for Nate and the mayor was genuinely unhealthy.

I won’t give away too much of the plot, but Will is treated horribly in his small town — by the residents, by the police force, by almost everyone. And the worst part? He believes he deserves it.

Then Owen shows up like a breath of big-city air… except he comes with his own set of problems.

And chapter 25?
The start of chapter 25 had me gasping for air.

This is a book meant to be read blind. Don’t go in expecting a smutty romance. This story is about deep emotional pain, sexual and mental abuse, and suffocating small-town homophobia. It’s raw, heavy, and unapologetically brutal.

But Will and Owen — I hope you keep driving, keep singing Tracy Chapman, and never look back once you pass those town borders.

PS: Sheriff, you are a little less of a dick… but you are not forgiven 💀

All the stars. No hesitation.
Bravo to A.V. Shener.

[Aly Guz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me at the edge of my seat the entire time!!! The suspense was so heavy throughout that I couldn’t put it down. It made me giggle, angry, swoon, ache.. It was a great.

[Jess Shades · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read: REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS!!

Whew - this one was a wild, yet interesting ride! I will say that I'm glad I stuck it out, but I was close to (soft) DNF'ing at the 25% mark. I think I'm learning that I perhaps have more triggers when it comes to darker romances than I had originally thought (in this case, there was clearly some dub-con and non-con (with explicit/graphic scenes) going on, as well as abuse, infliction of pain, and forced/coerced relapse - these themes made it difficult for me to read through).

This story is unique in that it follows three different characters' POVs (all in third person). You can tell right off the bat that one of the characters is a villain to the story, and because of that, I didn't feel like I really needed his chapters. However, I do like the originality and uniqueness it brought to the plot. I also have a really hard time reading about characters making poor decisions or doing things that are potentially dangerous or will cause trouble - there is a lot of that in this book, so I had to put it down several times.

I appreciated the early 1990s setting, as well as some of the references to music and songs that were popular around that time. And, of course, was very happy to get a little cameo from Jonah (End Scene)! Francie stole the show for me, though!

This book made me feel a lot of things - frustration, anger, confusion, curiosity, a little bit of fear. But by the last like 15%, I was annoyed that things just kept going wrong for the two MCs- it felt like there was going to be no end to the drama and setbacks.

Overall, I would recommend this book if you're a fan of dark romance with a lot of mystery and plot points. It is certainly a memorable story!! However, I would also warn you that there is a lot of abuse, non-con and dub-con in this book, and as the reader, you're kept in the dark for most of the book as to why this is happening. I also would warn you that there are several scenes in this book where an innocent SOBER character is forced to do drugs (and is drugged) - that was difficult for me to read.

3.75 stars, rounded up to 4
Will not give a chili pepper rating

Tropes:
- dark mm romance
- small town
- psychological manipulation
- hard-earned HEA
- high angst
- hurt x comfort
- OMD/potential (perceived) cheating/sharing
- strangers to friends to lovers
- forbidden type of relationship
- grumpy x sunshine broken boys (perhaps?)

[Alia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nate is an asshole and I don’t like him

This is not a typical romance imo. There is a romantic element to this story but the story is not centred around the romance. This is dark, and I think if you go into this not expecting a typical romance novel it makes the story so much more enjoyable. The last 1/3 of this book had me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down. Again FUCK Nate. Like fuck him so much. I think when you feel so passionately about a character that you either love or hate so much you have a good writer on your hands. Thank you AV Shener for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to read your book. This was a great story. Thrilling, intrigue, spice and there is a HEA. Will and Owen had a lot to over come and they made it.

[Linda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from AV Shener. I really enjoyed this. It was very emotional with amazing characters. Both characters had their demons but it was lovely to see them achieve their well deserved happy ending.

[Barbara Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

MC’s: Owen & Will

This. Book.
💔😢🥺😳🫣

I loved reading this book — at the same time there were moments I couldn’t bear reading some of the darkness on the page.

I loved Will & Owen so much — Will’s strength and Owen’s heart. Every time Will and Owen connected, I wanted to cheer them on — I loved everything about their chemistry and easy banter… but there was so much in their way. (Understatement of the century.)

I felt torn (in a good way) by this book, wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next and also desperate to pause the devastation facing one MC in particular.

The choice to have chapters from the perspective of a villain was difficult but added to the tension for sure. I also normally like romance stories to be in 1st POV but so many twists and turns in the story would have been spoiled in this case. I thought it was clever how the usual small town as quaint trope was flipped into small towns can be hell.

Okay. To sum up: 5/5⭐️. The spice level is hard to rate because some of it was romantic sex and some was non-con/assault. For sure 5/5 darkeness🖤.

Tropes I would recommend for:
🖤 MM romance
🖤Dark Romance
🖤 Mystery/Thriller
🖤 Small Town (Not in a good way)
🖤 2 MC’s with Secrets
🖤 Set in 1990’s
🖤 Corruption/Crime Ring

Triggers: Violence, SA, non-con intoxication.


Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.

[MJ]

I was fortunate enough to have the author reach out to me and offer me an ARC to read. They were completely upfront about the subject matter being very dark and heavy. Normally, that’s not my go-to genre/trope, but I wanted to give it a chance.

As far as writing and storytelling go, it was good. I was hooked, but in the way you can’t look away from a wreck. The horrors in this book…

And yes, there’s technically romance in the book, but I don’t think I’d classify this as a romance. Mystery, thriller, drama? Absolutely. But I think maybe a lot of it was just too triggering for me to appreciate the romance aspect.

Anyway, I don’t think I’m going to give it a rating because I feel like it wouldn’t be a fair judgment considering my personal conflicts with the subject matter.

To those who do decide to pick up this book, please read the trigger warnings.

[Bookandmischief06 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Necessary Evil by A.V. Shener is a standalone dark romance thriller. This book dives into some very dark themes that may affect your mental health so please check your trigger warnings before proceeding.

I loved this story so much yet there were a few scenes that were tough for me to get through. I am not a reader with many triggers so it surprised me when I found myself a bit overwhelmed with a few scenes in the beginning. However, this did not take away from how much I truly enjoyed the book as a whole. A.V. Shener has a way of writing thrillers that is completely immersive and Necessary Evil was no different.

The darker parts of this book are so real to life which left me stunned. The author was able to really pull some emotions out of me I normally keep well under control. The plot and character development were strong though I would say this story is more plot centered. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I picked it up. It’s a must read. 4.75 stars.

[kilmosnaps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

This was my first incredibly dark psychological type thriller. I ate up the story… but through my fingers.

This book is everyone needs INTENSIVE THERAPY ASAP. This book dealt with heavy topics: ongoing abuse, manipulation, coercion, police brutality. There’s A LOT happening and it probably could’ve used a more detailed trigger warning list. I don’t need it, but I was flabbergasted at what Will was dealing with.

Like ok - I can see how Will gets wrapped up in one terrible situation after another. I honestly just wanted to hug him, like the debilitating nature of guilt and grief extended to all parts of his life which everyone exploited.

Despite the DARK THEMES happening around them, I fully bought the relationship between Will and Owen. Their happy ending was HARD FOUGHT, but I bought the progression of the relationship. How they related to each other worked and was believable. There was (MANY) secrets revealed but there was actual communication that was great to read.

I really enjoyed the 1991 time period, but it gave root to the small town vibe and gave credence to the town’s attitude and the main characters naivete to certain situations. The Van Buren felt like a fully lived in place with their various characters: Francine the librarian is a QUEEN!

Honestly - the only thing I kinda didn’t like was this had 3 POV’s. The third was Nate, the sheriff deputy with a psychotic OBSESSION with Will that will do ANYTHING to get him. Actually reading his view was kinda interesting, like his rationalizing his behaviour was unnerving, it was his snippets of sob story, like you’re not gonna get me to feel bad for this dude.

I’m not sure this dark of a story is my jam, but I couldn’t put this down. I fully engrossed in the story and how they were gonna get out of their various situations.

‘But he has been through too much to die out here at the hands of this man.’

‘In a dark and cold place in Will’s soul, he does appreciate it. This type of evil is necessary.’

‘There’s no pleasure in any of this, but he’s not meant to feel pleasure—just like with the mayor’s guests. Being used is not like making love, though it’s been so many years since he experienced lovemaking that he no longer remembers how it feels.’

‘He wonders if Owen sees him as a sad person. He wouldn’t define himself as happy in any way, but he doesn’t like the thought of being viewed as sad. He will be sad once Julie passes, but that also means he could finally leave Van Buren for good, and the thought warms his heart.’

‘Gossip in this town is like polluted water—it flows quickly and poisons everyone who takes a sip.They can gossip about him as much as they want—there’s nothing he hasn’t heard before—but it’s not just about him anymore.’

“The way I see it, I haven’t been happy here in years, and now I am, and it has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. I have a feeling you’ve got the message.

Spoilers:
1. Will life is awful - below happens in first 4 chapters
- he’s being trafficked by step-uncle (THE MAYOR) to his cronies and he does sexual favours to like 5(?) men/1woman at these parties so he’ll pay for his sister’s cancer treatments; been going on 3 years?
- He was dating the sheriff’s son who died and he blamed him so he routinely POLICE BRUTALITY’s him and Will just doesn’t mention it to anyone cause small town
- Sheriff thinks he’s involved in drug epidemic in town so gets Deputy Nate to follow him to prove it(?). It’s the Mayor - Nate who gets his own POV is OBBSESED with Will since they were teens, drugs him and then sexually assaults him. Will thinks he was just drunk so thinks he’s a bad person and deserves the treatment.

Owen
- on his last night in town, older dealer tries to get him to pay back owed money 3K Turned into 10k
- Ends up killing him in self defense
- the murder doesn’t come back haunt him, but Nate uses his past drug use to blackmail him

Nate:
- is EVIL and needs to die
- He’s working as informer to THE MAYOR
- keep getting sob story snippets, but I don’t care: dad left w younger woman, mom died of overdose hence why he doesn’t care about junkies in town
- Did not enjoy Will/Owen’s first time being in Nate’s POV from him SPYING ON them and him jacking off outside

Nobody ends up IN THE GROUND! Mayor/cronies go to jail. Nate gets let go from force and works at gas station. Then Owen/Will leave town for New Orleans to start over.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Good night, Will. You’re safe here.” He wants to say that it is his job to keep Owen safe, but maybe it should work both ways. He likes that thought.

Necessary Evil is an absolutely wild ride.

This is not the darkest book of A.V. Shener's that I've read, but it's almost certainly the grittiest. As a good psychological thriller should, it has a very foreboding feel to it right from the get-go. And the story is intense. The author warned me before-hand that it was dark and I read all the content/trigger warnings, and I'm glad I did because I was well prepared when we went balls-to-the-wall in the first chapter.

This is very much a plot focused story, which I found interesting considering it had three main characters instead of the usual two. Where Shener's previous work is character and/or romance driven, Necessary Evil advances predominantly through the plot, sometimes at the detriment of character development. And normally that would bother me, but it almost felt purposeful - like the characters are at a stand-still in their lives while shit hits the fan around them purely because in such a small town there's nowhere else from the to go. How to you evolve as a person if no one allows you to? And honestly, the sheer amount of emotional turmoil these characters go through would be enough to stunt anyones personal growth, so it made sense that while their circumstances changed (for both better and worse), the characters themselves didn't change drastically.

Owen and Will are the main main characters of the story, I guess you could say, while Nate is the antagonist who's POV advances the story instrumentally.
I loved Will - I got so attached to the quiet lumberjack almost instantly and it was incredibly hard to read his POV when he was suffering so much at the hands of people who should have protected him. He's grieving the breakdown of a relationship, the partner he lost, and the sister he's slowly losing, all while weighed down with hopelessness and helplessness while the whole town treats him like garbage. I hated everyone in that small town for how small they made him feel.
Owen is... sweet, but completely guileless. He's a recovering drug addict who consistently places his trust in the wrong people. I can see how he managed to get himself into so many shit situations, because he is absolutely terrible at reading people and a truly awful judge of character. In fact, the only good choice he seems to make throughout the whole book is befriending Will. That's probably the only time he listens to his gut and makes a decision based on what he wants, not on the pretty words of others. In saying that though, I really did like him. He was trying so, so hard to make something out of his life and get better and I hated the way Nate and the sheriff tried to take that away from him.
And Nate? Nate can eat glass. Hoooooo boy did I hate that man. He is possibly, aside from the Mayor, one of the cruelest characters I think Shener has ever written. There's something rotten in him, a sickness almost, that he's allowed to fester for so long that every sick thing he does breeds more darkness. I truly hated him. The lies, the manipulation, the violence - he was such a well written villain and, had I not been rooting for Owen and Will, I'd have wanted more of him.

The budding romance between Owen and Will was so sweet - a single ray of light in an otherwise pitch-black world. I loved how they didn't bother dancing around each other, they both just went for what they wanted. Sure, Will was holding a lot back because the things that were happening in his life were hardly date conversation topics, but the way Owen pursued him so gently meant that he had time to decide how he wanted to share his burdens, rather than being forced to immediately. That probably isn't something that stands out to everyone, but it really made a difference to how I saw Owen - it made me like him that much more for how careful, yet persistent he was with Will. He never believed the worst of him like everyone else did and that made me so happy.

I loved that the whole story was set in 1991. The lack of tech and social media was both a breath of fresh air and also a very clever way of noting how much more a devious mind could have gotten away with 30+ years ago. Looking back on the 90's now, its very clear how much certain celebrities and influential people in power actually did get away with, so it's not at all a stretch of the imagination to consider how many of the themes and scenarios in this book could so easily have happened. In fact, I think the most intense part of the story to me was how realistic so many of the scenes felt. I could so easily see a cop or a politician brazenly abusing their power, and it really lent a scary amount of realism to the story.
The abuse Will suffers at the hands of the sheriff and the police department, the mayor and his rich friends, and Nate, is truly horrific. If on page SA and torture is a hard no for you, then I'm begging you to check the triggers and content warnings before reading because Necessary Evil does not hold back. At all.

Without the romance between the main characters, Necessary Evil could almost be mistaken for an ode to corruption and evil. And I think that is the mark of a good storyteller. When the lines between right and wrong blur so seamlessly that you're left questioning if you might have done something different in that scenario, or if you would have made the same decisions as the characters, faced with the same life-altering choices.

Honourable mention to the little Jonah cameo. I was so happy to see him, then immediately devastated because I knew exactly what was coming for him. The 90's really were a rough time for these sweet men.

I really enjoyed Necessary Evil and I'm so thankful to the author for providing me with an early review copy. I know this book will find it's audience very easily in the dark romance community.

[inbookishdreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author. I rarely request ARCs, but this one immediately caught my attention.

This is truly a dark romance, not because of the relationship between the two MMCs, but because of the situation surrounding them. The story never once glorified the darkness. Will has endured more than most: losing his mother, being blamed for the past, and caring for his terminally ill sister. Everything he does is about survival and sacrifice, just trying to hold on long enough to eventually leave town.

Then Owen arrives.

Owen also carries his own mistakes. His parents sent him to stay with his aunt in a quiet town, hoping distance will keep him out of trouble. But the town he lands in isn’t peaceful at all. It's Van Buren. It's where Will is.

Most people in town see Will as the villain. However, as Will and Owen spend time together, their connection slowly grows into something real and deeply moving.

This story is heartbreaking, tense, and painful, but at its core it’s a powerful love story between Will and Owen, and also the fierce love Will has for his sister (For me, it is one of the driving force of the story). The plot moves quickly, with twists, truly emotional, and incredibly well written.

I also have to say that the anger I felt toward the antagonist/s was almost overwhelming. There were moments I had to pause just to breathe. The emotional hate I felt towards them is too suffocating at times.

This is the kind of book best experienced without knowing too much beforehand. Just know that it isn’t a smut-driven romance. Once again, the darkness here comes from heavy themes: ab*se, deep tr*uma, and suffocating small-town h*moph*bia. It’s raw, painful, and brutally honest.

I won’t say much more because I don't want to spoil anything for future readers, but I guess I just have to say this....

I’ve always believed that sometimes fiction can say more than nonfiction. Sadly, yhis story reflects realities that still exist in many places around the world. I can only hope that one day there will be fewer Wills forced to endure that kind of pain, fewer Owens struggling to escape it — and far fewer people like Nate and Ray.

Will and Owen... I hope they never turned around.

Just the road, Tracy Chapman on the radio, and the quiet relief of finally leaving that town behind.

---------------

A.V. Shener, you are truly and incredible writer. Thank you for giving me a chance to read this book. Sending love and wishing the best for the upcoming release date.