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Stalked Love #1
Choked in Love
What happens when a vigilante serial killer climbs in through your bedroom window?
Hazel
I never really considered what I’d be doing the first time I met a serial killer but if I had, it wouldn’t have been dancing around my bedroom in nothing but my nightshirt.
‘Move in next to a secure psychiatric prison’, they said. ‘No one will ever break out’, they said. Tell that to America’s most dangerous vigilante who’s currently standing in my lilac themed bedroom.
Except Flynn is about as far from how I imagine a serial killer to be as possible. He’s funny, protective and it’s only when he touches me that his darker side comes out to play. And maybe working as a 911 operator has messed me up because that Flynn, he doesn’t scare me, he enthralls me.
Flynn
The last thing I expected when I broke out of the insane asylum was to face off with a five-foot-nothing woman wielding a vibrator wand.
I have one last monster to hunt. I don’t have time to obsess over sweet-as-pie Hazel Halloway. But my little lilac is a fixation I can’t shake, and it turns out Hazel’s past leads right back to the monster I’m hunting.
It's not long before that man turns his sights on her, but I fell for Hazel the second I climbed through her bedroom window, and here’s the thing about morally black men, no one hurts the people we love.
Choked in Love is an M/F dark rom com set in the Of Mine universe. It features on the page spice, darker moments and one possessive, over protective MMC. It is book one in the Stalked Love series, an interconnected trilogy, but can be read as a standalone. Please read the content warnings.
Hazel
I never really considered what I’d be doing the first time I met a serial killer but if I had, it wouldn’t have been dancing around my bedroom in nothing but my nightshirt.
‘Move in next to a secure psychiatric prison’, they said. ‘No one will ever break out’, they said. Tell that to America’s most dangerous vigilante who’s currently standing in my lilac themed bedroom.
Except Flynn is about as far from how I imagine a serial killer to be as possible. He’s funny, protective and it’s only when he touches me that his darker side comes out to play. And maybe working as a 911 operator has messed me up because that Flynn, he doesn’t scare me, he enthralls me.
Flynn
The last thing I expected when I broke out of the insane asylum was to face off with a five-foot-nothing woman wielding a vibrator wand.
I have one last monster to hunt. I don’t have time to obsess over sweet-as-pie Hazel Halloway. But my little lilac is a fixation I can’t shake, and it turns out Hazel’s past leads right back to the monster I’m hunting.
It's not long before that man turns his sights on her, but I fell for Hazel the second I climbed through her bedroom window, and here’s the thing about morally black men, no one hurts the people we love.
Choked in Love is an M/F dark rom com set in the Of Mine universe. It features on the page spice, darker moments and one possessive, over protective MMC. It is book one in the Stalked Love series, an interconnected trilogy, but can be read as a standalone. Please read the content warnings.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
July 3, 2026
✨ARC Book Review✨
Imagine a story that starts with a serial killer breaking into your house… and somehow you end up making him hot cocoa. Talk about the most unhinged meet cute 😂👏🏻
Hazel and Flynn meet by chance and end up having an interesting, completely unexpected night together while he’s hiding out after escaping from prison. He leaves totally obsessed with her, and she’s left questioning her life choices!
I absolutely loved Flynn. Yes, he’s a killer with psychopathic tendencies, like a lack of traditional emotions, but you can’t help loving the way he takes care of Hazel. Even she admits I know he’s stalking me, but I just feel cared for 🥹💕 Besides his romance with Hazel, he’s also on a mission to kill everyone involved in his sister’s assault. The way their romance intertwined with his dangerous lifestyle was so entertaining.
I could totally relate to Hazel. She’s constantly torn between falling for Flynn and remembering that he’s a cold blooded killer. I understand why she fell for him… he’s funny, charming, and protective of her. I actually liked she didn’t always listen to him even thought he’s a legit serial killer 😂
I enjoyed the slow burn intimate scenes. Once they crossed the line Flynn was so hot and obviously obsessive! Their chemistry was unmatched. He’s a total dom and talks so dirty… I was not mad at it!
I thought the ending was well done with everything wrapped up nicely. It’s definitely a fun read if you like obsessive morally gray MMCs.
Imagine a story that starts with a serial killer breaking into your house… and somehow you end up making him hot cocoa. Talk about the most unhinged meet cute 😂👏🏻
Hazel and Flynn meet by chance and end up having an interesting, completely unexpected night together while he’s hiding out after escaping from prison. He leaves totally obsessed with her, and she’s left questioning her life choices!
I absolutely loved Flynn. Yes, he’s a killer with psychopathic tendencies, like a lack of traditional emotions, but you can’t help loving the way he takes care of Hazel. Even she admits I know he’s stalking me, but I just feel cared for 🥹💕 Besides his romance with Hazel, he’s also on a mission to kill everyone involved in his sister’s assault. The way their romance intertwined with his dangerous lifestyle was so entertaining.
I could totally relate to Hazel. She’s constantly torn between falling for Flynn and remembering that he’s a cold blooded killer. I understand why she fell for him… he’s funny, charming, and protective of her. I actually liked she didn’t always listen to him even thought he’s a legit serial killer 😂
I enjoyed the slow burn intimate scenes. Once they crossed the line Flynn was so hot and obviously obsessive! Their chemistry was unmatched. He’s a total dom and talks so dirty… I was not mad at it!
I thought the ending was well done with everything wrapped up nicely. It’s definitely a fun read if you like obsessive morally gray MMCs.
July 31, 2026
5🌟, 3🌶️
I never expected a story about a serial killer and a woman making him hot cocoa to become one of my favorite chaotic romances.
Hazel and Flynn’s connection was completely unexpected, but their banter, strange circumstances, and undeniable chemistry made this impossible to put down.
Flynn was everything I love about a morally gray MMC. He is dangerous and deeply complicated, but his devotion to Hazel, protective nature, and awkward humor made him surprisingly endearing. I loved that Hazel never ignored the reality of who he was, and her struggle between her morals and her feelings made their relationship even more interesting.
This was the perfect mix of dark, suspenseful, and hilarious. The slow burn, obsessive romance, and emotional depth made Hazel and Flynn’s story such a memorable ride.
I had so much fun with this book and would happily revisit this chaotic couple again.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Alexis Grace and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I never expected a story about a serial killer and a woman making him hot cocoa to become one of my favorite chaotic romances.
Hazel and Flynn’s connection was completely unexpected, but their banter, strange circumstances, and undeniable chemistry made this impossible to put down.
Flynn was everything I love about a morally gray MMC. He is dangerous and deeply complicated, but his devotion to Hazel, protective nature, and awkward humor made him surprisingly endearing. I loved that Hazel never ignored the reality of who he was, and her struggle between her morals and her feelings made their relationship even more interesting.
This was the perfect mix of dark, suspenseful, and hilarious. The slow burn, obsessive romance, and emotional depth made Hazel and Flynn’s story such a memorable ride.
I had so much fun with this book and would happily revisit this chaotic couple again.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Alexis Grace and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)
ARC REVIEW
How does Alexis Grace manage to make a serial killer breaking into someone’s house feel like the start of the most chaotic rom-com ever? Because somehow… it works. And I ate it up.
Flynn is absolutely unhinged in the best possible way. He’s a sociopath, an escaped convict, a stalker… and somehow also the sweetest, most protective guy when it comes to Hazel. The math isn’t mathing, but I wasn’t about to question it. His “future wife” energy after barely knowing her had me laughing every single time.
Hazel was such a fun main character because she never stopped questioning her own sanity. She knows Flynn is dangerous, she knows falling for him is a terrible idea, yet you completely understand why she does. Their dynamic was hilarious, full of banter, awkward situations, and internal monologues that genuinely made me laugh out loud.
What I loved most was that this wasn’t just a romance. Flynn’s mission for revenge added suspense throughout the story, and Hazel’s struggle between right and wrong gave the book more depth than I expected. Nothing ever felt black and white, which made the story even more interesting.
The romance was definitely a slow burn, but once things finally took off… the chemistry was worth the wait. Flynn’s obsessive devotion combined with Hazel’s sweetness was such a fun contrast.
The side characters were another highlight. I loved the friendships, Flynn’s relationship with his brother, and I’m already excited to see where the next book goes because some characters definitely deserve their own story.
If you’re looking for a dark rom-com that’s equal parts chaotic, funny, suspenseful, and ridiculously entertaining, this one absolutely delivers. I had so much fun with it and flew through it in no time.
ARC REVIEW
How does Alexis Grace manage to make a serial killer breaking into someone’s house feel like the start of the most chaotic rom-com ever? Because somehow… it works. And I ate it up.
Flynn is absolutely unhinged in the best possible way. He’s a sociopath, an escaped convict, a stalker… and somehow also the sweetest, most protective guy when it comes to Hazel. The math isn’t mathing, but I wasn’t about to question it. His “future wife” energy after barely knowing her had me laughing every single time.
Hazel was such a fun main character because she never stopped questioning her own sanity. She knows Flynn is dangerous, she knows falling for him is a terrible idea, yet you completely understand why she does. Their dynamic was hilarious, full of banter, awkward situations, and internal monologues that genuinely made me laugh out loud.
What I loved most was that this wasn’t just a romance. Flynn’s mission for revenge added suspense throughout the story, and Hazel’s struggle between right and wrong gave the book more depth than I expected. Nothing ever felt black and white, which made the story even more interesting.
The romance was definitely a slow burn, but once things finally took off… the chemistry was worth the wait. Flynn’s obsessive devotion combined with Hazel’s sweetness was such a fun contrast.
The side characters were another highlight. I loved the friendships, Flynn’s relationship with his brother, and I’m already excited to see where the next book goes because some characters definitely deserve their own story.
If you’re looking for a dark rom-com that’s equal parts chaotic, funny, suspenseful, and ridiculously entertaining, this one absolutely delivers. I had so much fun with it and flew through it in no time.
September 12, 2026
4,25 / 5
Seryjniak, który ma obsesje na jej punkcie ✅
Zabawny ✅
Jeździ na motorze ✅
Skrzywdź ją a ☠️ ✅
Czego chcieć więcej? 😮💨
Seryjniak, który ma obsesje na jej punkcie ✅
Zabawny ✅
Jeździ na motorze ✅
Skrzywdź ją a ☠️ ✅
Czego chcieć więcej? 😮💨
July 25, 2026
I am beaming! That was great! I always know that a stalker/serial killer romance with always pull me out of a reading slump. Alexis Grace dark romance books will always save me!
I loved this so much. Hazel is a perfect FMC for me. I always struggle when it comes to FMC’s in books with morally grey men because I’m so picky but she was perfect to me. The perfect mix of hesitant with morals and also throw all caution to the wind and fall in love with a serial killer. Alexis Grace knows how to write a female character that is strong and self assured and doesn’t need a man. All the women in this book were incredible.
I’ve always know I’m a sucker for morally grey MMC’s but my goodness, Alexis what have you done to me? I love Flynn so much. He also has the perfect balance of qualities. He may be a serious stalker but believe it or not, he’s not overbearing lol. He also has his sweet and banter side and very deep down he has a heart of gold.
I was a little cautious coming into Choked In Love because I wasn’t totally stoked about the last release and it didn’t vibe with me but I have devoured the Of Mine series multiple times and I was not disappointed.
Highly HIGHLY recommend reading Choked In Love, I had a blast, the plot was everything as well. I cannot wait until the next book and I’m also BEGGING on my knees for Carmen’s book. I am desperate.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Alexis Grace and Luna Literacy for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.
I loved this so much. Hazel is a perfect FMC for me. I always struggle when it comes to FMC’s in books with morally grey men because I’m so picky but she was perfect to me. The perfect mix of hesitant with morals and also throw all caution to the wind and fall in love with a serial killer. Alexis Grace knows how to write a female character that is strong and self assured and doesn’t need a man. All the women in this book were incredible.
I’ve always know I’m a sucker for morally grey MMC’s but my goodness, Alexis what have you done to me? I love Flynn so much. He also has the perfect balance of qualities. He may be a serious stalker but believe it or not, he’s not overbearing lol. He also has his sweet and banter side and very deep down he has a heart of gold.
I was a little cautious coming into Choked In Love because I wasn’t totally stoked about the last release and it didn’t vibe with me but I have devoured the Of Mine series multiple times and I was not disappointed.
Highly HIGHLY recommend reading Choked In Love, I had a blast, the plot was everything as well. I cannot wait until the next book and I’m also BEGGING on my knees for Carmen’s book. I am desperate.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Alexis Grace and Luna Literacy for the gifted copy — all opinions are my own.
July 13, 2026
4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Choked In Love☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
💜₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊💜
Hazel deserves all the love, and so does he! I love them BAD. From the moment he saw her dancing in her room, he was head over heels and ALL IN obsessed. I love a man that knows what he wants! 😮💨🤭 Flynn is the epitome of man obsessed. He's so endearing too. Hazel being conflicted and struggling with her morals, feeling frustrated that she wanted him but couldn't fathom loving a serial killer while also not wanting to turn him in. THIS WAS TOO GOOD.
I understood where she was coming from. Though it was a little frustrating, it made sense, especially as someone who lost her parents when she was young because they were murdered. To her, it felt like a betrayal because she couldn't love him without feeling guilty. I loved how much Wright and Livi supported her and reassured her that they had never seen her so happy before and that Flynn was good for her. It only felt hypocritical when she could rationalize her best friends committing vigilante crimes for the same reason but couldn't get behind Flynn doing it for his sister. It was the same thing!!! She went through several guilt filled monologues, and that was the main thing plaguing her. Wright and Livi were a vigilante duo, and Flynn was getting justice for his sister (so what is the issue). She needed to get with the program quicker. Still, she had a normal human reaction, and she was logical about it and what it meant for her to be involved in all of this. In the end, she chose Canada with Flynn 😁💖. AS SHE SHOULD!!! I would too.
✨ He ordered her an alarm system so she could be protected and not careless about her safety (since he got in easily).
✨ He broke in and made sure she had groceries.
✨ He watched her on the cameras and made sure she went back inside to put a coat on.
✨ He's a virgin, so he did research by reading romance books and a biology book (courtesy of Lachlan).
✨ He always has a corny joke to tell!!!
Flynn is the best!!! I have no complaints. Despite not understanding emotions well, he was very self aware and felt deeply for Hazel. He clocked what he was feeling almost immediately. He was amused when she made him terrible hot chocolate and they watched Friends together 🥹. This was Day 1!!! I need more books with these vibes. It was so fun but tragic all the same. I wish he would have found out that Hazel had a crush on Flynn Rider since she was a kid. The coincidence of them having the same name would've been so cute. Still, he absolutely carried, and I loved how he never let Hazel push him away, but when he did let her go, it was because he respected her wishes.
Flynn is naturally HILARIOUS 😭 I audibly laughed out loud plenty of times because of his corny jokes. It's totally fair that Hazel fell for him despite struggling to fathom the crimes he committed. To be clear, he was entirely valid in what he did, and he was not a bad person. He did not feel guilty for what he did, and at the end of the day, he shouldn't have. He was avenging the one person who had never thought anything was wrong with him. I wish we had gotten to see Hope alive 🥲 Her ending is too sad, but I'm glad that he got rid of those who wronged her in the worst of ways.
A REAL YEARNER. This man never knew what love was, but it clicked when he was with Hazel. Even Lachlan saw how different he was and how his life just revolved around her now. He was plenty distracted, but he worried so much about her safety and wanted to keep an eye on her at all times. He was protective and possessive, but only because he wanted her wrapped in a little bubble where no harm could get to her. He also just wanted to see her happy and never afraid of him.
💜₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊💜
I will definitely be rereading this in the near future, especially if I'm ever in a reading slump. I read this so fast and genuinely had so much fun. They are the type of couple that are entertaining because of the banter and the struggle of battling with their morals 😁😮💨. Hazel, I get you, girl. She does love morally grey men, and that's okay. He's a good person!!!! 🙂💖🩷🙂↕️ I can't wait to read about Wright and Lachlan.
I had also clocked that Derek was the true villain and was still gagged. I wish her parents' deaths had been legitimately solved. She deserved closure on that end, and I really thought it was going to be connected to this in some way.
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Choked In Love☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
💜₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ THOUGHTS ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊💜
“I know technically what he's doing is stalking, but I don't feel violated. I feel cared for.”
Hazel deserves all the love, and so does he! I love them BAD. From the moment he saw her dancing in her room, he was head over heels and ALL IN obsessed. I love a man that knows what he wants! 😮💨🤭 Flynn is the epitome of man obsessed. He's so endearing too. Hazel being conflicted and struggling with her morals, feeling frustrated that she wanted him but couldn't fathom loving a serial killer while also not wanting to turn him in. THIS WAS TOO GOOD.
I understood where she was coming from. Though it was a little frustrating, it made sense, especially as someone who lost her parents when she was young because they were murdered. To her, it felt like a betrayal because she couldn't love him without feeling guilty. I loved how much Wright and Livi supported her and reassured her that they had never seen her so happy before and that Flynn was good for her. It only felt hypocritical when she could rationalize her best friends committing vigilante crimes for the same reason but couldn't get behind Flynn doing it for his sister. It was the same thing!!! She went through several guilt filled monologues, and that was the main thing plaguing her. Wright and Livi were a vigilante duo, and Flynn was getting justice for his sister (so what is the issue). She needed to get with the program quicker. Still, she had a normal human reaction, and she was logical about it and what it meant for her to be involved in all of this. In the end, she chose Canada with Flynn 😁💖. AS SHE SHOULD!!! I would too.
✨ He ordered her an alarm system so she could be protected and not careless about her safety (since he got in easily).
✨ He broke in and made sure she had groceries.
✨ He watched her on the cameras and made sure she went back inside to put a coat on.
✨ He's a virgin, so he did research by reading romance books and a biology book (courtesy of Lachlan).
✨ He always has a corny joke to tell!!!
Flynn is the best!!! I have no complaints. Despite not understanding emotions well, he was very self aware and felt deeply for Hazel. He clocked what he was feeling almost immediately. He was amused when she made him terrible hot chocolate and they watched Friends together 🥹. This was Day 1!!! I need more books with these vibes. It was so fun but tragic all the same. I wish he would have found out that Hazel had a crush on Flynn Rider since she was a kid. The coincidence of them having the same name would've been so cute. Still, he absolutely carried, and I loved how he never let Hazel push him away, but when he did let her go, it was because he respected her wishes.
“What does a knife say when you're running late?” he murmurs. I half laugh, half sob as I open my eyes to see Flynn's beautiful face smiling at me.
“I don't know. What does a knife say when you're running late?”
Flynn grins down at me, looking tired but alive. “Chop, chop.”
Flynn is naturally HILARIOUS 😭 I audibly laughed out loud plenty of times because of his corny jokes. It's totally fair that Hazel fell for him despite struggling to fathom the crimes he committed. To be clear, he was entirely valid in what he did, and he was not a bad person. He did not feel guilty for what he did, and at the end of the day, he shouldn't have. He was avenging the one person who had never thought anything was wrong with him. I wish we had gotten to see Hope alive 🥲 Her ending is too sad, but I'm glad that he got rid of those who wronged her in the worst of ways.
“I've never met someone who makes me feel so much. You smile and I feel happy. You laugh and it's like I've won gold. You fight me and…” His voice drops low, his gaze turning hooded. “You don't want to know what goes through my mind when you fight me, Lilac.”
A REAL YEARNER. This man never knew what love was, but it clicked when he was with Hazel. Even Lachlan saw how different he was and how his life just revolved around her now. He was plenty distracted, but he worried so much about her safety and wanted to keep an eye on her at all times. He was protective and possessive, but only because he wanted her wrapped in a little bubble where no harm could get to her. He also just wanted to see her happy and never afraid of him.
💜₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊✨ ♡ OVERALL ♡ ✨₊˚ෆ💜ෆ˚₊💜
I will definitely be rereading this in the near future, especially if I'm ever in a reading slump. I read this so fast and genuinely had so much fun. They are the type of couple that are entertaining because of the banter and the struggle of battling with their morals 😁😮💨. Hazel, I get you, girl. She does love morally grey men, and that's okay. He's a good person!!!! 🙂💖🩷🙂↕️ I can't wait to read about Wright and Lachlan.
I had also clocked that Derek was the true villain and was still gagged. I wish her parents' deaths had been legitimately solved. She deserved closure on that end, and I really thought it was going to be connected to this in some way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
4.4 stars.
Honestly really loved these characters.
I do wish there was a teensy bit more growth with their relationship. Hazel just seemed like she needed a little bit more than we all got.
But I still really enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Lachlan and Wright.
Honestly really loved these characters.
I do wish there was a teensy bit more growth with their relationship. Hazel just seemed like she needed a little bit more than we all got.
But I still really enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Lachlan and Wright.
July 25, 2026
Thank you to the author Alexis Grace and also the smuthood for sharing the arc with me. I absolutely loved this! I’ve never laughed so much, I literally had to pause reading because I decided to read it at 2am….. and yeah not the time to be laughing. I give it a 4.5!
I swear Hazel has no survival skills, one minute she’s dancing and singing along to Taylor Swift and next a strange guy climbs into her window. Warranted she wasn’t ready but seriously the first thing she picks up is her lady wand o.o I literally love Flynn tho! He’s the sweetest psychopath that ever lived 🥹🥹🥹
Dying😂😭 First he pays for a full fledged security system for her home, because that’s normal. And then writes a note to the installer to not accept food or drink from the homeowner 💀 SAVAGE but he may of saved a life 😂😂 then proceeds to install cameras and shop for her, he kinda is the perfect man…
Hazel got real lucky tho, because he used his method of choking for a completely different thing 👀 which she liked too so I guess they were made for each other….
His jokes literally make me wanna cry, and I’m ashamed to say I laughed at quite a few… where do you come up with this stuff 😂😂Flynn is literally on his deathbed, well looks like it and he still takes time to tell a terrible joke💀 that’s one way of filling the awkward silence….
Omg the end was perfect! But I agree with Hazel, you can’t make that sort of comment and then leave!!!! But I’m so excited about Wright getting her own story because she’s hilarious! The scene when she first meets Flynn 💀 I cackled, she’s also a red flag and love to see her bring out the fun in Lachlan 😂😂😂
I swear Hazel has no survival skills, one minute she’s dancing and singing along to Taylor Swift and next a strange guy climbs into her window. Warranted she wasn’t ready but seriously the first thing she picks up is her lady wand o.o I literally love Flynn tho! He’s the sweetest psychopath that ever lived 🥹🥹🥹
Dying😂😭 First he pays for a full fledged security system for her home, because that’s normal. And then writes a note to the installer to not accept food or drink from the homeowner 💀 SAVAGE but he may of saved a life 😂😂 then proceeds to install cameras and shop for her, he kinda is the perfect man…
Hazel got real lucky tho, because he used his method of choking for a completely different thing 👀 which she liked too so I guess they were made for each other….
His jokes literally make me wanna cry, and I’m ashamed to say I laughed at quite a few… where do you come up with this stuff 😂😂Flynn is literally on his deathbed, well looks like it and he still takes time to tell a terrible joke💀 that’s one way of filling the awkward silence….
Omg the end was perfect! But I agree with Hazel, you can’t make that sort of comment and then leave!!!! But I’m so excited about Wright getting her own story because she’s hilarious! The scene when she first meets Flynn 💀 I cackled, she’s also a red flag and love to see her bring out the fun in Lachlan 😂😂😂
Review of advance copy
Another banger 🔥 I absolutely devoured this book and left no crumbs. It had all the dark elements I love, but the humor balanced everything perfectly. Flynn is just… 😮💨
And that plot twist?! I genuinely did not see it coming, which almost never happens. Such a fun, addictive read.
And that plot twist?! I genuinely did not see it coming, which almost never happens. Such a fun, addictive read.
July 13, 2026
I can confidently say I’ve never been so torn on a review before. 😅 Overall, I did enjoy this book. A vigilante serial killer escaping a psychiatric prison and breaking into a 911 operator’s house? Immediate hook.
But it didn’t take long for me to start cringing at the romance.
On one hand, I understand Flynn’s instant obsession. He’s a sociopath, and Hazel’s calming presence eases the constant “pressure” in his head. On the other hand, their relationship felt way too insta-love for me. I just needed more development before I could fully buy into it.
Hazel also frustrated me quite a bit. She spends the entire book wrestling with her moral compass and her feelings for Flynn, yet continuously throws herself into ridiculously dangerous situations—even after learning exactly why he’s killing people. Girl… please.
And can we talk about the hand necklaces? 😅 I know they’re supposed to be symbolic and tied into the romance, but considering strangulation is literally his preferred killing method, it was a little hard for me to get behind her being completely okay with it. Maybe let’s wait to let the serial killer choke you until you’ve known him for more than five minutes.
That said, the plot itself was genuinely intriguing and honestly the reason I kept turning the pages. The mystery and suspense elements were strong enough to keep me invested even when the romance wasn’t working for me.
Unfortunately, the spice also felt a bit forced. The first scene went from 0 to 100 so quickly that it gave me whiplash, and not in a good way. It often felt like spicy moments were inserted because they needed to be there rather than because they naturally fit the story.
I’ve read all of Alexis Grace’s previous books and loved them, which honestly makes this one a little disappointing for me. Her writing is still incredibly engaging, but the characters and romance just felt slightly off this time around.
Overall, if you enjoy morally black MMCs, vigilante serial killers, and dark rom-com vibes, this one may still work for you. Unfortunately, the romance just didn’t fully land for me.
But it didn’t take long for me to start cringing at the romance.
On one hand, I understand Flynn’s instant obsession. He’s a sociopath, and Hazel’s calming presence eases the constant “pressure” in his head. On the other hand, their relationship felt way too insta-love for me. I just needed more development before I could fully buy into it.
Hazel also frustrated me quite a bit. She spends the entire book wrestling with her moral compass and her feelings for Flynn, yet continuously throws herself into ridiculously dangerous situations—even after learning exactly why he’s killing people. Girl… please.
And can we talk about the hand necklaces? 😅 I know they’re supposed to be symbolic and tied into the romance, but considering strangulation is literally his preferred killing method, it was a little hard for me to get behind her being completely okay with it. Maybe let’s wait to let the serial killer choke you until you’ve known him for more than five minutes.
That said, the plot itself was genuinely intriguing and honestly the reason I kept turning the pages. The mystery and suspense elements were strong enough to keep me invested even when the romance wasn’t working for me.
Unfortunately, the spice also felt a bit forced. The first scene went from 0 to 100 so quickly that it gave me whiplash, and not in a good way. It often felt like spicy moments were inserted because they needed to be there rather than because they naturally fit the story.
I’ve read all of Alexis Grace’s previous books and loved them, which honestly makes this one a little disappointing for me. Her writing is still incredibly engaging, but the characters and romance just felt slightly off this time around.
Overall, if you enjoy morally black MMCs, vigilante serial killers, and dark rom-com vibes, this one may still work for you. Unfortunately, the romance just didn’t fully land for me.
July 14, 2026
4 stars.
"Choked in Love" by Alexis Grace is a quirky, interesting dark stalker romance that made me laugh frequently. Flynn (MMC), a ser1al k1ller who has just broken out of the secure institution where he was being held, and Hazel (FMC), a 911 operator, meet when he crawls through her window when the police are looking for him. There is clearly an instant connection between the two of them, much to Hazel's chagrin and especially for Flynn. Flynn quickly becomes obsessed with Hazel... and with watching her. His obsession is.... sort of sweet, though??? Like he is devoted to her and only her?? He does stuff like buying her a security camera system so she can stay safe, but then he also uses it to watch her?! He *is* an escaped convicted convict, so he's got to be a little bit crazy!?! Ahhh, the conflicted feelings! Hazel's running commentary of her life, her inner monologue, made me laugh a lot, but some of it was a teensy bit cringe. She also makes some truly baffling decisions at times, decisions that took me out of the story on occasion. There is a great deal of inside jokes and banter between Flynn and Hazel, too, and for the most part, I laughed at their silliness together. The romance here is a slow burn, but I think it's worth the wait. Their chemistry is really good! There is a lot more than meets the eye for the two of them as they have both gone through things that have shaped who they are and how they react to the situation they find themselves in. Flynn's got a lot of deep-seated trauma involving his sister. That whole storyline was quite compelling. I'd say this blends the suspense and the romance well! I was glad to see this was a dual POV; I think this particular story needed both of their points of view to be successful. If I had one complaint, I'd say it might have been a touch too long? All in all, though, this was a good one!
Thank you to Alexis Grace and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Choked in Love" by Alexis Grace is a quirky, interesting dark stalker romance that made me laugh frequently. Flynn (MMC), a ser1al k1ller who has just broken out of the secure institution where he was being held, and Hazel (FMC), a 911 operator, meet when he crawls through her window when the police are looking for him. There is clearly an instant connection between the two of them, much to Hazel's chagrin and especially for Flynn. Flynn quickly becomes obsessed with Hazel... and with watching her. His obsession is.... sort of sweet, though??? Like he is devoted to her and only her?? He does stuff like buying her a security camera system so she can stay safe, but then he also uses it to watch her?! He *is* an escaped convicted convict, so he's got to be a little bit crazy!?! Ahhh, the conflicted feelings! Hazel's running commentary of her life, her inner monologue, made me laugh a lot, but some of it was a teensy bit cringe. She also makes some truly baffling decisions at times, decisions that took me out of the story on occasion. There is a great deal of inside jokes and banter between Flynn and Hazel, too, and for the most part, I laughed at their silliness together. The romance here is a slow burn, but I think it's worth the wait. Their chemistry is really good! There is a lot more than meets the eye for the two of them as they have both gone through things that have shaped who they are and how they react to the situation they find themselves in. Flynn's got a lot of deep-seated trauma involving his sister. That whole storyline was quite compelling. I'd say this blends the suspense and the romance well! I was glad to see this was a dual POV; I think this particular story needed both of their points of view to be successful. If I had one complaint, I'd say it might have been a touch too long? All in all, though, this was a good one!
Thank you to Alexis Grace and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
August 6, 2026
4.75 Gdyby Josh z lights out był seryjnym mordercą, to byłby taki jak Flynn. Kupił jej misia o imieniu Teddy Bundy, so funny for me XD
July 13, 2026
——ARC REVIEW——
What would you do if you were dancing in your Jammies and turned around to see an escaped convict from the psych ward next door in your room? Fall in love, duh.
Hazel’s struggle with Flynn being a killer was both amusing and frustrating which I think was the intent because it was her own feelings too. Flynn’s cheesy jokes were so bad 😂 like dad joke level bad. Not at all what you’d expect from a convicted serial killer. Also what do you mean he was inexperienced?! With that mouth?! Seems questionable to me! But I guess romance books really are an excellent source of information on the topic. I loved seeing Carmen again and still want a book with her story, but I’ll settle with the cameos I guess. The fact that Hazel muted the noise in Flynn’s mind was so precious and I loved their story, especially the ending. Can’t wait to read Wright and Lachlan’s next!!
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥/5
Fave quotes:
”Hey Dexter, don’t think about m*rder in your future wife’s bedroom. Girls don’t like that.”
”I don’t need you to keep me safe. I just need you to keep me.”
”You take my breath away, Little Lilac. Seems only fair that I take away yours.”
”…maybe my love is a little different than normal, but I know without a doubt that’s it’s real.”
July 6, 2026
4.5⭐️ Rounded up to 5. I received an ARC from the author and Luna Literacy for my honest review. Thank you Alexis!!
**I absolutely loved this dark stalker rom-com! I haven’t laughed so hard from reading a book since Tourist Season. Hazel and Flynn were incredible. All the characters in this book were written so well, I loved them all…well minus the bad guys. But with that, the suspense and thriller aspect of this book made it so I didn’t want to put it down.
*Flynn was obsessed with Hazel from the very beginning and Hazel couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Flynn was hilarious with his horrible ‘dad’ jokes and his inner dialogue of his sister’s voice guiding him through life just made sense for his character. I loved the banter between Flynn and Hazel as well.
*Hazel and her inner dialogue throughout the book was also hilarious and made her personality. I loved her and her sisterhood with her two best friends as well and cannot wait for the next book.
**The side characters in this book helped make this book that much more incredible. Between Wright, Olivia and Lachlan were amazing and I can’t wait for the next book.
**I absolutely loved this dark stalker rom-com! I haven’t laughed so hard from reading a book since Tourist Season. Hazel and Flynn were incredible. All the characters in this book were written so well, I loved them all…well minus the bad guys. But with that, the suspense and thriller aspect of this book made it so I didn’t want to put it down.
*Flynn was obsessed with Hazel from the very beginning and Hazel couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Flynn was hilarious with his horrible ‘dad’ jokes and his inner dialogue of his sister’s voice guiding him through life just made sense for his character. I loved the banter between Flynn and Hazel as well.
*Hazel and her inner dialogue throughout the book was also hilarious and made her personality. I loved her and her sisterhood with her two best friends as well and cannot wait for the next book.
**The side characters in this book helped make this book that much more incredible. Between Wright, Olivia and Lachlan were amazing and I can’t wait for the next book.
July 13, 2026
*MF Romace
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*Dark Rom-Com
*Serial Unaliver MMC
*911 Operator FMC
*Hate to Love You
*Obsessive/Protective MMC
*Corruptible FMC
*Slower-Burn
*Standalone
*WiderSeries
Romance with a dark comedic twist!
Honestly this book had me giggling out loud at times and then questioning whether I should or not - as well as how I would absolutely fall for all of Flynns flags 😅😍
He’s a golden retriever stalker of an MMC who does rather questionable things but only because her knows he needs to protect his girl 🥰
Hazel is great - honestly her running commentary on her own life and decisions is hilarious and you really feel each one with her 🤣 it does make you question what you would do when a morally grey serial unaliver falls madly in love with you and starts to corrupt your sense of the world 🙈 I must say though Flynn has solid reasons for doing what he does!
It was pretty quick paced and had really good flow to it, the story was consistent and a good old revenge plot! The focus was definitely on the relationship aspect though and it was slower burn but wow when they gave in it was HAWT 🔥 overall a great read!
*Contemporary
*Dual-1st-PoV
*Dark Rom-Com
*Serial Unaliver MMC
*911 Operator FMC
*Hate to Love You
*Obsessive/Protective MMC
*Corruptible FMC
*Slower-Burn
*Standalone
*WiderSeries
Romance with a dark comedic twist!
Honestly this book had me giggling out loud at times and then questioning whether I should or not - as well as how I would absolutely fall for all of Flynns flags 😅😍
He’s a golden retriever stalker of an MMC who does rather questionable things but only because her knows he needs to protect his girl 🥰
Hazel is great - honestly her running commentary on her own life and decisions is hilarious and you really feel each one with her 🤣 it does make you question what you would do when a morally grey serial unaliver falls madly in love with you and starts to corrupt your sense of the world 🙈 I must say though Flynn has solid reasons for doing what he does!
It was pretty quick paced and had really good flow to it, the story was consistent and a good old revenge plot! The focus was definitely on the relationship aspect though and it was slower burn but wow when they gave in it was HAWT 🔥 overall a great read!
July 1, 2026
ARC Review ⭐️
Alexis Grace is my favorite found author since reading her Of Mine series last year and I knew I wanted to read her newest spin-off release in the same universe! I am beyond grateful to have been selected to receive an advanced reading copy and let me tell you it was as good as I expected!
I fell instantly for Hazel and Flynn’s comical start in the bedroom scene only gaining more momentum as the story progressed! Hazel is a dynamic character with depth and a tragic past that pushed her into becoming a 911 operator often exposed to horrific circumstances. Flynn is a very lovable golden retriever murderer/vigilante who opens Hazel’s moral dilemma to how justice is served in his life! Choked in Love is the first book in an inter-connected series featuring dark rom-com settings, possessive men (“his little lilac”), and hand necklaces! I am ecstatic and ravenous for the next installment in this beloved series!
P.S. Can we talk about this book cover!?! 💜💜💜🔥🔥🔥
Alexis Grace is my favorite found author since reading her Of Mine series last year and I knew I wanted to read her newest spin-off release in the same universe! I am beyond grateful to have been selected to receive an advanced reading copy and let me tell you it was as good as I expected!
I fell instantly for Hazel and Flynn’s comical start in the bedroom scene only gaining more momentum as the story progressed! Hazel is a dynamic character with depth and a tragic past that pushed her into becoming a 911 operator often exposed to horrific circumstances. Flynn is a very lovable golden retriever murderer/vigilante who opens Hazel’s moral dilemma to how justice is served in his life! Choked in Love is the first book in an inter-connected series featuring dark rom-com settings, possessive men (“his little lilac”), and hand necklaces! I am ecstatic and ravenous for the next installment in this beloved series!
P.S. Can we talk about this book cover!?! 💜💜💜🔥🔥🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I absolutely loved this book. This was so fun, and I love the serial killer rom-com vibe of the book. I flew through the book and couldn’t get enough. But it did feel like something was missing. I can’t put my finger on what it was, though…
I was obsessed with Flynn from the first page. How can a guy be so good while also being so bad? I was rooting for him throughout the entire book. And my god, he was so good for Hazel.
And Hazel, sweet sweet girl. I liked her so much, but I also wanted to squeeze her cheeks because she was so cute. And I loved her friends and their friendship (I already can’t wait for Wright’s book).
Alexis, you did it again. You make me more obsessed with you every single time I read one of your books.
I absolutely loved this book. This was so fun, and I love the serial killer rom-com vibe of the book. I flew through the book and couldn’t get enough. But it did feel like something was missing. I can’t put my finger on what it was, though…
I was obsessed with Flynn from the first page. How can a guy be so good while also being so bad? I was rooting for him throughout the entire book. And my god, he was so good for Hazel.
And Hazel, sweet sweet girl. I liked her so much, but I also wanted to squeeze her cheeks because she was so cute. And I loved her friends and their friendship (I already can’t wait for Wright’s book).
Alexis, you did it again. You make me more obsessed with you every single time I read one of your books.
July 29, 2026
This was a fun adventure with a non-traditional meet-cute that turned into endearing and sweet obsession in all the good, safe, caring ways haha. Flynn was a fun, charismatic MMC who was the Vigilante Choker and his vengeance was well deserved and served to be the heavy part of the story. Hazel was adorable and bratty but selfless and empathetic to a fault. Her crappy hot chocolates aside, she was so fun to watch as she doubted her every spiral into the realm of falling in love with a serial unaliver. The side characters were great and I LOVED Wright, and am super excited for the next story that covers her and Lachlan's journey. Flynn's awful jokes were a highlight and the spice was NICEEEE. I really had a good time with this and kicked my feet and giggled constantly. Such a fun ride!
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy, this review is given voluntarily.
Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy, this review is given voluntarily.
August 4, 2026
Flynn and Hazel had me in a chokehold lol. This story was so awesomely funny just straight up crazy, I couldn’t help but love it. Hazel is a 911 operator, so she’s also heard it all. And Flynn is the psycho that breaks out of the insane asylum next to her house 🤣 priceless. But even he crawls into her bedroom window, she’s wielding a vibrator. And she’s not afraid of him. This woman is enthralled and is making him cocoa ffs lol. This book had me laughing and enjoying the suspense in this. I had the best time with Flynn while he was hunting a monster that happened to circle back to Hazel. This story was wild and intriguing, and I was there for it.
August 17, 2026
i honestly don’t think i’ll ever understand authors obsession with writing dumbass heroines.
the two stars are cuz the general premise is good and i LOVE a V MMC.
her abusive ex is connected to a society of rapists and her bright idea? text him, and when he doesn’t reply, GO TO HIS HOUSE. 🤡
when she realizes who her killer bf might be going after she goes to his office, stares at him until he notices her, and thinks to herself, i know he’s corrupt and probably a horrible person, but i must warn him!!! or you can keep yourself out of it, sherlock. i despise when authors build up a characters personality only to make them act completely opposite of it. the fmc hates rapists and violent men, even condones her own besties vigilantism against them, wishes for the downfall of those men, calls them Dead Men Walking cuz in her opinion, thats what they should be, but can’t stand the idea that the H goes after these kinda of men….. the hypocrisy is insane. for her to even reach the point of trying to warn off his target is actually diabolical. at the start of book she’s aware that not everyone who commits a violent crime gets arrested and that she’s more aware of that cuz of her job, it’s part of how she rationalizes her friends vigilante act. but all of a sudden the narrative flips and she’s like oh it’s okay we can just get evidence to have the senator arrested, he doesn’t need to die 🤓 pick a side and STICK TO IT. she can’t go from being socially aware to being embarrassingly naive.
i also feel like it’s excessive how many vigilante characters there are. the H is a vigilante, so his brother, and so is the fmc’s bestie, and their other friend helps her with it. there literally isn’t one side character that isn’t involved in some kinda of crusade. it’s too much. and somehow EVERY character has been to the same college. this isn’t some small town settings where everyone knows everyone and there’s only one community college. it’s a metropolitan. it’s unrealistic that every person she interacts with went to the same college.
i hate how hot and cold the fmc is. she literally non stop complains about him but when he asks her if she wants him gone, she says no ??? make it make sense. you can’t constantly whine about him being a killer while simultaneously wanting him to stay. pick a side and shush. she actively inserts herself in the H’s business and investigates the bad guys and then has the audacity to get mad at being involved. ARE YOU SHITTING ME. the MMC repeatedly tells her to stop and stay out of it and she’s the one that ignores him and literally goes right up to the villain. YOU INVOLVED YOURSELF.
the italicized sarcasm statements are also excessive, every other page is the same thing. “i can already imagine the authorities now, so you had a serial killer do XYZ to you and you didn’t call?🤪”
idk what fantasy land they live in that some PA she spoke to for 5 minutes found her socials with nothing but her first name and a FAKE job. then she gives this stranger her address and goes out with him WITHOUT A PHONE. TSTL fmc’s will never not infuriate me.
her insistence on using other men when she’s annoyed with the H is honestly nasty. he isn’t the first one to initiate contact in some way and she gets butthurt. how about YOU message him you grown ass adult.
we never get info about the fall out with everything that happened. nothing about the video and what the reports are saying. or about danny. things that were part of the story are just left behind all of a sudden.
the two stars are cuz the general premise is good and i LOVE a V MMC.
her abusive ex is connected to a society of rapists and her bright idea? text him, and when he doesn’t reply, GO TO HIS HOUSE. 🤡
when she realizes who her killer bf might be going after she goes to his office, stares at him until he notices her, and thinks to herself, i know he’s corrupt and probably a horrible person, but i must warn him!!! or you can keep yourself out of it, sherlock. i despise when authors build up a characters personality only to make them act completely opposite of it. the fmc hates rapists and violent men, even condones her own besties vigilantism against them, wishes for the downfall of those men, calls them Dead Men Walking cuz in her opinion, thats what they should be, but can’t stand the idea that the H goes after these kinda of men….. the hypocrisy is insane. for her to even reach the point of trying to warn off his target is actually diabolical. at the start of book she’s aware that not everyone who commits a violent crime gets arrested and that she’s more aware of that cuz of her job, it’s part of how she rationalizes her friends vigilante act. but all of a sudden the narrative flips and she’s like oh it’s okay we can just get evidence to have the senator arrested, he doesn’t need to die 🤓 pick a side and STICK TO IT. she can’t go from being socially aware to being embarrassingly naive.
i also feel like it’s excessive how many vigilante characters there are. the H is a vigilante, so his brother, and so is the fmc’s bestie, and their other friend helps her with it. there literally isn’t one side character that isn’t involved in some kinda of crusade. it’s too much. and somehow EVERY character has been to the same college. this isn’t some small town settings where everyone knows everyone and there’s only one community college. it’s a metropolitan. it’s unrealistic that every person she interacts with went to the same college.
i hate how hot and cold the fmc is. she literally non stop complains about him but when he asks her if she wants him gone, she says no ??? make it make sense. you can’t constantly whine about him being a killer while simultaneously wanting him to stay. pick a side and shush. she actively inserts herself in the H’s business and investigates the bad guys and then has the audacity to get mad at being involved. ARE YOU SHITTING ME. the MMC repeatedly tells her to stop and stay out of it and she’s the one that ignores him and literally goes right up to the villain. YOU INVOLVED YOURSELF.
the italicized sarcasm statements are also excessive, every other page is the same thing. “i can already imagine the authorities now, so you had a serial killer do XYZ to you and you didn’t call?🤪”
idk what fantasy land they live in that some PA she spoke to for 5 minutes found her socials with nothing but her first name and a FAKE job. then she gives this stranger her address and goes out with him WITHOUT A PHONE. TSTL fmc’s will never not infuriate me.
her insistence on using other men when she’s annoyed with the H is honestly nasty. he isn’t the first one to initiate contact in some way and she gets butthurt. how about YOU message him you grown ass adult.
we never get info about the fall out with everything that happened. nothing about the video and what the reports are saying. or about danny. things that were part of the story are just left behind all of a sudden.
September 25, 2026
This was an interesting read. It had me hooked from the very beginning, and it had a unique storyline that kept me wanting more. I enjoyed the characters and the banter. The ending shocked me and left me with my mouth hanging open.
July 13, 2026
Dark romance with comedy yes please!
This was so much fun, I loved all the banter. Okay yes he’s an escaped convict with a lot of red flags, but he keeps her safe! That’s a good thing right?!
This was so much fun, I loved all the banter. Okay yes he’s an escaped convict with a lot of red flags, but he keeps her safe! That’s a good thing right?!
August 16, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
September 22, 2026
Honestly this was a pretty good stalker romance. I loved the banter and the corney jokes Flynn gave. Absolutely loved Wright! Kinda mad at myself for not catching the twist but you win some lose some
July 6, 2026
4⭐️||
Choked on Love was such a fun read. It found the perfect balance between dark, emotional themes and laugh out loud humor, making it easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
If you loved the Mindfck Series* for its psychological twists and Butcher & Blackbird for its chaotic humor and banter, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It has a similar vibe while still feeling like its own story.
One of my favorite things about this book was how naturally the humor blended with the heavier subject matter. It never took away from the emotional moments instead, it made them hit even harder. The witty dialogue, entertaining characters, and strong chemistry kept me turning the pages.
While it wasn’t quite a five star read for me, it was a refreshing mix of dark romance, suspense, and comedy that stood out from others in the genre.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Choked on Love to readers who enjoy dark romance with humor, emotional depth, and characters who know how to make you laugh even in the darkest moments.
Ps this didnt help my fear of mri scans iykyk
Choked on Love was such a fun read. It found the perfect balance between dark, emotional themes and laugh out loud humor, making it easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
If you loved the Mindfck Series* for its psychological twists and Butcher & Blackbird for its chaotic humor and banter, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It has a similar vibe while still feeling like its own story.
One of my favorite things about this book was how naturally the humor blended with the heavier subject matter. It never took away from the emotional moments instead, it made them hit even harder. The witty dialogue, entertaining characters, and strong chemistry kept me turning the pages.
While it wasn’t quite a five star read for me, it was a refreshing mix of dark romance, suspense, and comedy that stood out from others in the genre.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Choked on Love to readers who enjoy dark romance with humor, emotional depth, and characters who know how to make you laugh even in the darkest moments.
Ps this didnt help my fear of mri scans iykyk
July 17, 2026
Okay, so if you liked butcher and blackbird then you’ll love this book.
This books follows a 911 dispatcher named Hazel, she is just coasting through life. When one day Flynn breaks into her house and his obsession grows.
This is dark but also so funny! I love Flynn he was charming, smart, possessive, obsessive and had the worst/funniest jokes. He’s a serial unaliver.
He breaks out of jail because he has unfinished business but his obsession with Hazel grows with every moment he spends with her and stalks her.
I love the story, I love Hazel and Flynn together but I also loved the side character!
The spice was really good and delicious 🤤
Cannot wait for Wrights story 🖤
This books follows a 911 dispatcher named Hazel, she is just coasting through life. When one day Flynn breaks into her house and his obsession grows.
This is dark but also so funny! I love Flynn he was charming, smart, possessive, obsessive and had the worst/funniest jokes. He’s a serial unaliver.
He breaks out of jail because he has unfinished business but his obsession with Hazel grows with every moment he spends with her and stalks her.
I love the story, I love Hazel and Flynn together but I also loved the side character!
The spice was really good and delicious 🤤
Cannot wait for Wrights story 🖤
August 25, 2026
The book comes with some quite serious upfront content warnings and an author's note that sets up expectations for something quite dark. However, there is a light touch to the prose, even as it touches on murder and mayhem, that - alongside a thriller type plot - makes for a brisk and entertaining read which I consumed in a single day.
I've read and watched quite a few stories that tango with or tiptoe around the darker side of humanity. Mercedes M Yardley's writing springs to mind in particular with the serial killer pairing of Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu and the doomed star girl protagonist of All the Pretty Dead Girls which - curiously enough - involves a serial killer operating in and around Seattle, just like Flynn in Choked in Love.
However, where Yardley's 'Peter' is a compelling villain who one wants to fail, Grace's Flynn is - from the outset - a character that the reader wants to have reasons to like. Grace captures particularly well the nature of his sociopathy - an inability to feel emotions as normal people do, leading to a fearlessness of consequences. Let's be honest, it is fear of consequences that keeps most of us from doing the 'wrong' thing - so imagine if that brake were removed. Which is not to say that Flynn is inhuman - just differently human. For example after an altercation with his own brother
I don't regret punching him, mainly because I don't do regret. I can, however admit it may not have been entirely called for
Fortunately, Flynn's backstory explains a lot and his murders are not random but a deliberate act of revenge - a theme that many stories have celebrated since Charles Bronson first took to the New York subway in Death Wish (1974) and which has been creatively revisited in Law Abiding Citizen (2009) and more darkly in the Nicholas Cage vehicle about snuff films 8 mm (1999). However, Flynn's well crafted sociopathy adds an additional dimension to the vigilante trope.
Violence sings in my blood, it always has, but what these men did is a different kind of cruelty
The narrative alternates first person perspectives of Flynn - the escaped serial killer with one monster still to murder - and Hazel the 911 call handler with a past of family tragedy and an abusive relationship. The switches in perspective help keep the pace brisk and entertaining and the prose is speckled with the kind of dad jokes one could well imagine a serial killer cracking, as well as some lines of sharp prose.
Unlike Flynn and his long-distance relationship with emotions that leaves him divorced from other humans - Hazel is very much in touch with her emotions and other people to the point of being almost crippled by them. For example when presented with an unexpected security system installer
I bite my lip. I think people-pleasing might be the death of me because I'm not sure I can let Carl, this man I have just met and have no emotional connection to, get in trouble. "What does it do exactly."
Hazel's captivation by the charming serial killer Flynn reminds me a bit of the obsession the protagonist of True things about me had with another 'bad boy.' The relationship between the two of them has some significant inequalities - you might call them red flags
Flynn's wearing his red flags like a badge.
Flynn is controlling, possessive and stalkerish - characteristics that are part of the content warning - which makes this in many ways an unhealthy model of a relationship. But then again what was the relationship like in that runaway success Fifty Shades of Grey? I guess the point is that in fiction we can enjoy things we would not like in real life (I mean who really wants to go on a summer camp where teenagers get slaughtered by some monster in the woods - yet many people will enjoy a slasher scary movie). The mind and the imagination within it are the most powerful toys we have - more powerful even than Hazel's much featured wand vibrator. Although I did laugh at the chapter heading "I Brought a Vibrator to a Knife Fight."
Despite the darkness of the book's themes, Grace delivers a story that dances lightly around that darkness with Hazel's group of friends who look out for each over and cover for each other with increasingly outlandish tales of domestic crises to excuse any lateness at work. It feels like an odd context for a romantic comedy, but then death and comedy are not always strange bedfellows. (see also Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) and The Lady Killers (1955)).
This is, above all else, a romance and romance with on page spice, so naturally the story builds through several minor peaks to a more earth shaking climax in both the plot and the relationship. It is in the nature of Romance that there has to be a moment of doubt, a fracture in the relationship at the two thirds or so point, where one lover (usually the woman) decides this won't/cannot work. In some stories that crisis can feel a little contrived - but when the other lover is a serial killer that moment of crisis feels entirely rational and somewhat overdue.
There is a real darkness and resonance that seeps through the bones of this story. The Epstein files remain mired in legalese and obfuscation by an administration up to its necks in Epstein's crimes. A woman is on trial for murder after the police failed to protect her despite her making 50 reports of domestic violence. The overwhelming danger to women in society is men and in the UK it's white men. Against that backdrop a tale of vigilante justice not just by Flynn, but from Hazel's friend Wright, seems to be an appropriate cry against low conviction rates and horribly manipulated court cases that allow rapists to not only walk free , but even proclaim themselves the victim
For all its lightness of touch, Grace's story reflects that grim reality with rapes videoed, victims silenced, and the perpetrators not only untouched but empowered through their crimes. A conspiracy of rape and sexual exploitation is - sadly - the part of the story that least needed any 'suspension of disbelief' on my part.
The plot itself is well constructed with the pasts of the two protagonists proving as entangled as their presents. There are some points where the story skates over a few patches of thin ice - Hazel getting access to a politician's office without any press ID? - but this is not trying to be The Da Vinci Code and the story is ultimately satisfying and delivers some impressive twists as it approaches the denouement.
Being a Romance, one expects a happy ending (no pun intended), with the question always being the 'how' rather than the 'what'. In a feature that I have noticed in other romance stories, Grace has set up a potential series by highlighting Flynn's brother and Hazel's friend as the couple to star in a second book set in the same world. After all, throwing the happily settled couple of Choked in Love's conclusion into fresh turmoil could annoy rather than entice readers. I look forward t0 seeing Lachlan and Wright take some sharp objects to another band of sexual predators - I mean, why stop at a senator!
There is one final feature of the book that caught my eye and I would suggest other readers look out for. You may have heard of "Chekov's Gun" - but I guarantee Choked in Love will be the first time you have encountered "Chekov's MRI scanner"!
I've read and watched quite a few stories that tango with or tiptoe around the darker side of humanity. Mercedes M Yardley's writing springs to mind in particular with the serial killer pairing of Apocalyptic Montessa and Nuclear Lulu and the doomed star girl protagonist of All the Pretty Dead Girls which - curiously enough - involves a serial killer operating in and around Seattle, just like Flynn in Choked in Love.
However, where Yardley's 'Peter' is a compelling villain who one wants to fail, Grace's Flynn is - from the outset - a character that the reader wants to have reasons to like. Grace captures particularly well the nature of his sociopathy - an inability to feel emotions as normal people do, leading to a fearlessness of consequences. Let's be honest, it is fear of consequences that keeps most of us from doing the 'wrong' thing - so imagine if that brake were removed. Which is not to say that Flynn is inhuman - just differently human. For example after an altercation with his own brother
I don't regret punching him, mainly because I don't do regret. I can, however admit it may not have been entirely called for
Fortunately, Flynn's backstory explains a lot and his murders are not random but a deliberate act of revenge - a theme that many stories have celebrated since Charles Bronson first took to the New York subway in Death Wish (1974) and which has been creatively revisited in Law Abiding Citizen (2009) and more darkly in the Nicholas Cage vehicle about snuff films 8 mm (1999). However, Flynn's well crafted sociopathy adds an additional dimension to the vigilante trope.
Violence sings in my blood, it always has, but what these men did is a different kind of cruelty
The narrative alternates first person perspectives of Flynn - the escaped serial killer with one monster still to murder - and Hazel the 911 call handler with a past of family tragedy and an abusive relationship. The switches in perspective help keep the pace brisk and entertaining and the prose is speckled with the kind of dad jokes one could well imagine a serial killer cracking, as well as some lines of sharp prose.
Unlike Flynn and his long-distance relationship with emotions that leaves him divorced from other humans - Hazel is very much in touch with her emotions and other people to the point of being almost crippled by them. For example when presented with an unexpected security system installer
I bite my lip. I think people-pleasing might be the death of me because I'm not sure I can let Carl, this man I have just met and have no emotional connection to, get in trouble. "What does it do exactly."
Hazel's captivation by the charming serial killer Flynn reminds me a bit of the obsession the protagonist of True things about me had with another 'bad boy.' The relationship between the two of them has some significant inequalities - you might call them red flags
Flynn's wearing his red flags like a badge.
Flynn is controlling, possessive and stalkerish - characteristics that are part of the content warning - which makes this in many ways an unhealthy model of a relationship. But then again what was the relationship like in that runaway success Fifty Shades of Grey? I guess the point is that in fiction we can enjoy things we would not like in real life (I mean who really wants to go on a summer camp where teenagers get slaughtered by some monster in the woods - yet many people will enjoy a slasher scary movie). The mind and the imagination within it are the most powerful toys we have - more powerful even than Hazel's much featured wand vibrator. Although I did laugh at the chapter heading "I Brought a Vibrator to a Knife Fight."
Despite the darkness of the book's themes, Grace delivers a story that dances lightly around that darkness with Hazel's group of friends who look out for each over and cover for each other with increasingly outlandish tales of domestic crises to excuse any lateness at work. It feels like an odd context for a romantic comedy, but then death and comedy are not always strange bedfellows. (see also Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) and The Lady Killers (1955)).
This is, above all else, a romance and romance with on page spice, so naturally the story builds through several minor peaks to a more earth shaking climax in both the plot and the relationship. It is in the nature of Romance that there has to be a moment of doubt, a fracture in the relationship at the two thirds or so point, where one lover (usually the woman) decides this won't/cannot work. In some stories that crisis can feel a little contrived - but when the other lover is a serial killer that moment of crisis feels entirely rational and somewhat overdue.
There is a real darkness and resonance that seeps through the bones of this story. The Epstein files remain mired in legalese and obfuscation by an administration up to its necks in Epstein's crimes. A woman is on trial for murder after the police failed to protect her despite her making 50 reports of domestic violence. The overwhelming danger to women in society is men and in the UK it's white men. Against that backdrop a tale of vigilante justice not just by Flynn, but from Hazel's friend Wright, seems to be an appropriate cry against low conviction rates and horribly manipulated court cases that allow rapists to not only walk free , but even proclaim themselves the victim
For all its lightness of touch, Grace's story reflects that grim reality with rapes videoed, victims silenced, and the perpetrators not only untouched but empowered through their crimes. A conspiracy of rape and sexual exploitation is - sadly - the part of the story that least needed any 'suspension of disbelief' on my part.
The plot itself is well constructed with the pasts of the two protagonists proving as entangled as their presents. There are some points where the story skates over a few patches of thin ice - Hazel getting access to a politician's office without any press ID? - but this is not trying to be The Da Vinci Code and the story is ultimately satisfying and delivers some impressive twists as it approaches the denouement.
Being a Romance, one expects a happy ending (no pun intended), with the question always being the 'how' rather than the 'what'. In a feature that I have noticed in other romance stories, Grace has set up a potential series by highlighting Flynn's brother and Hazel's friend as the couple to star in a second book set in the same world. After all, throwing the happily settled couple of Choked in Love's conclusion into fresh turmoil could annoy rather than entice readers. I look forward t0 seeing Lachlan and Wright take some sharp objects to another band of sexual predators - I mean, why stop at a senator!
There is one final feature of the book that caught my eye and I would suggest other readers look out for. You may have heard of "Chekov's Gun" - but I guarantee Choked in Love will be the first time you have encountered "Chekov's MRI scanner"!
July 15, 2026
The plot line and the MMC, Flynn were top notch 👏
But honestly i wasn’t a fan of the FMC, Hazel.
*some spoilers below*
.
.
.
.
.
Hazel’s entire persona for majority of the book was that of an 8 year old trying to prove that she’s a big girl who knows what she’s doing when in reality, she doesn’t. She deliberately dives into dangerous situations without any sort of clear plan, without thinking it through, and she makes it worse every time even when she realizes her plans were idiotic to begin with. She thinks she can walk in and out of altercations with dangerous people as if they won’t harm her, even when she knows that they’re violent people (like her abusive ex).
And who the hell leaves their phone behind when they know they’re walking into a dangerous situation, that too without informing anyone so that they can get help and get you out ? And her only response when she gets stopped by the MMC is ‘you wouldn’t let me help, you’re not the boss of me’, she sounds like an 8 year old who’s angry that the experienced adult pulled her out of her stupidity. And RIGHT after that she says ‘I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want to be involved’, girl you were specifically told to stay out of it! Who told you to go see your abusive ex to ask about the secret society ? Who told you to go to the senator’s office ? Who told you to go to the senator’s gala ? you were the one who ‘wanted to help’ and made these stupid plans of going into the snake’s den in the first place, no one made you do anything! She was just too point blank stupid. In reality, she’s a goody two-shoes who wouldn’t hurt a fly, and that’s perfectly fine, but when you know that you have no survival skills, fighting skills and espionage skills, you’re supposed to be smart and not get involved (especially without backup) because you know you’re not equipped to handle the situation.
The FMC’s lack of self-preservation skills and her naive foolishness really put a damper on the experience of the story for me. But apart from that, the plot line of the crime mystery was great. I enjoyed Flynn’s character a lot. And Wright’s character was soooooo badass ! 🔥 I absolutely loved her ! I can’t wait for Wright and Lachlan’s story ! 💃
But honestly i wasn’t a fan of the FMC, Hazel.
*some spoilers below*
.
.
.
.
.
Hazel’s entire persona for majority of the book was that of an 8 year old trying to prove that she’s a big girl who knows what she’s doing when in reality, she doesn’t. She deliberately dives into dangerous situations without any sort of clear plan, without thinking it through, and she makes it worse every time even when she realizes her plans were idiotic to begin with. She thinks she can walk in and out of altercations with dangerous people as if they won’t harm her, even when she knows that they’re violent people (like her abusive ex).
And who the hell leaves their phone behind when they know they’re walking into a dangerous situation, that too without informing anyone so that they can get help and get you out ? And her only response when she gets stopped by the MMC is ‘you wouldn’t let me help, you’re not the boss of me’, she sounds like an 8 year old who’s angry that the experienced adult pulled her out of her stupidity. And RIGHT after that she says ‘I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want to be involved’, girl you were specifically told to stay out of it! Who told you to go see your abusive ex to ask about the secret society ? Who told you to go to the senator’s office ? Who told you to go to the senator’s gala ? you were the one who ‘wanted to help’ and made these stupid plans of going into the snake’s den in the first place, no one made you do anything! She was just too point blank stupid. In reality, she’s a goody two-shoes who wouldn’t hurt a fly, and that’s perfectly fine, but when you know that you have no survival skills, fighting skills and espionage skills, you’re supposed to be smart and not get involved (especially without backup) because you know you’re not equipped to handle the situation.
The FMC’s lack of self-preservation skills and her naive foolishness really put a damper on the experience of the story for me. But apart from that, the plot line of the crime mystery was great. I enjoyed Flynn’s character a lot. And Wright’s character was soooooo badass ! 🔥 I absolutely loved her ! I can’t wait for Wright and Lachlan’s story ! 💃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2026
A dark stalker romcom between a sociopathic vigilante who just escaped the psych ward and the 911 operator whose bedroom he's suddenly standing in? Say less, ma'am ☠️
First of all, a huge thank you to the author and Luna Literary for sending me an early copy of this book and trusting me with her work. If Alexis writes it, I'm reading it - it's that simple. Which is why I'm beyond happy to say that, once again, we're being fed humorous banter, burning tension 🌶️, and just the right amount of seriousness and suspense the heavier topics require.
Alexis hits the nail on the head EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. - whether it's with her characters, the plot, or her immersive writing. She never fails to deliver.
(also, bring back chapter titles)
How do we like our men? That's right - obsessed with their woman. And Flynn Fletcher is exactly that: completely smitten with Hazel Halloway from the very first time he lays eyes on her. Naturally, that made me especially obsessed with his povs. They had me grinning from ear to ear and kicking my feet more often than not.
But Flynn wouldn't be obsessed with Hazel if she weren't the absolute sweetheart that she is. She's kind, has a good heart, and is also a teeny tiny bit crazy? I mean, she falls in love with her stalker… Hazel, get it, girlie 💅🏼 Because same. Honestly, she's better than me - I would've been on board with Flynn's plan from the very beginning. He's a good man, Hazel!!
Apart from our main couple, there were also some intriguing side characters, each with their own quirks and enough depth to make the reader genuinely care for them. Getting a Carmen cameo was also such a fun surprise.
The plot is very central with dark twists and turns we've come to expect from Alexis' books. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving into Choked in Love.
Give me Lachlan and Wright's book right this second, I'm begging you 🫠
4.75 ⭐️ ARC Review
First of all, a huge thank you to the author and Luna Literary for sending me an early copy of this book and trusting me with her work. If Alexis writes it, I'm reading it - it's that simple. Which is why I'm beyond happy to say that, once again, we're being fed humorous banter, burning tension 🌶️, and just the right amount of seriousness and suspense the heavier topics require.
Alexis hits the nail on the head EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. - whether it's with her characters, the plot, or her immersive writing. She never fails to deliver.
(also, bring back chapter titles)
How do we like our men? That's right - obsessed with their woman. And Flynn Fletcher is exactly that: completely smitten with Hazel Halloway from the very first time he lays eyes on her. Naturally, that made me especially obsessed with his povs. They had me grinning from ear to ear and kicking my feet more often than not.
But Flynn wouldn't be obsessed with Hazel if she weren't the absolute sweetheart that she is. She's kind, has a good heart, and is also a teeny tiny bit crazy? I mean, she falls in love with her stalker… Hazel, get it, girlie 💅🏼 Because same. Honestly, she's better than me - I would've been on board with Flynn's plan from the very beginning. He's a good man, Hazel!!
Apart from our main couple, there were also some intriguing side characters, each with their own quirks and enough depth to make the reader genuinely care for them. Getting a Carmen cameo was also such a fun surprise.
The plot is very central with dark twists and turns we've come to expect from Alexis' books. Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving into Choked in Love.
Give me Lachlan and Wright's book right this second, I'm begging you 🫠
4.75 ⭐️ ARC Review
July 14, 2026
4,5 stars
a serial killer climbs into your bedroom window - what else to do than to make him hot chocolate?
this book was so much fun!
flynn with his bad jokes.
hazel and her inner dialogue.
vigilante wright to the rescue.
the serial killer stalker who is definitely morally grey, but also kind of a golden retriever and who is obsessed with his lilac. loved hazel and flynn together.
the plot was so interesting and kept such a great pace throughout the book with everything going on in the story.
and the spicy scenes were hawt.
the side characters were awesome and i can’t wait for the next book.
this was a great stalker rom-com and i had the best time reading it!
a serial killer climbs into your bedroom window - what else to do than to make him hot chocolate?
this book was so much fun!
flynn with his bad jokes.
hazel and her inner dialogue.
vigilante wright to the rescue.
the serial killer stalker who is definitely morally grey, but also kind of a golden retriever and who is obsessed with his lilac. loved hazel and flynn together.
the plot was so interesting and kept such a great pace throughout the book with everything going on in the story.
and the spicy scenes were hawt.
the side characters were awesome and i can’t wait for the next book.
this was a great stalker rom-com and i had the best time reading it!
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