Her Crew: A Dark MFM Romance

by Lauren Biel

Genres: Dark Romance, Why Choose, Spicy, Romance, Dark

220 pages, Paperback

Published June 22, 2026

About the author

Lauren’s stories are often emotionally raw, with lots of twists and turns. She describes her writing as “where light meets dark”, which represents how her witty humor compliments the darkness in every story. Instead of trying to mold her writing to fit in a box, she chooses to be unapologetically herself. While her focus is on Romance with dark elements, subgenre is no constraint for her. The common theme in every book is finding love when you least expect it. She enjoys putting her characters through tribulations, allowing their triumphs to be that much more poignant. Make sure you have your seatbelts secured. It’s always a bumpy ride.

When she’s not working, she’s writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her husband, her friends, or her pets. You might also find her on a horseback trail ride or sitting beside a waterfall in Upstate New York. She has a pretty normal life, yet her stories are anything but.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Tegan, Alex and Tye oh my!

This was a wild story.

When you go from rock bottom to somewhat sketchy success, that's like a party trick. Even if that party is a little weird.

Tegan's home life is a total mess. Her mom is the worst, and she's all about the food coma as a defense mechanism. Trauma is no joke!

Then she meets Alex and things get real spicy, real fast. I won't spoil it, but let's just say it's a real page-turner.

Know your triggers!

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the ebook for review on booksirens.

Ive read a fewb books by Lauren Biel befor and was instantly intruiged by her new book. Its a story that deals with trauma and healing as well as suspence, romance and spice. Had me hooked from the first page. I loved how Tegan and Ace had struggles I dont see much of in romance. Very much enjoyed the book.

[C * Not Another Reader * C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ✨

as always, Lauren Biel surprises with the topics she chooses and incorporates in her books; this one is quite unique, I've never read anything like this

the book is full of trauma, all these characters have flaws, are sad, have a traumatic past and they just do everything and anything to survive

I knew it was a novella, hence I wanted more by the end.. I needed Tye's POV. I really wanted to understand him better, it just felt like he went with the flow. Whatever Ace proposed, he was game. It would have been nice to understand why the set-up worked for him.

Anyways, I'd read almost anything by this author and since I went in completely blind (have not read even the sinopsis), I can say I like this one.

ps: in my mind the fmc was older... the fact that she was only 18 didn't sit right with me .. but that's just my problem


-- small spoilers --


plus... I do not need to know about his past experiences, okay? it just tainted the fact that he chose her, because it was not the first time he has done this; it's the last time, of course, but it would have been more interesting if ace would have discovered how to overcome his issues only with her and eventually his best friend

the ow drama was meh, I'd love to read more books where the drama would come from somewhere else, not other people

also I cannot see how their plan could work long term, but whatever, let's consider they have their forever happy ending

also, the bear scene? that was random... what a lucky fmc 😂

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I tried to summarize this story into just a few words I would say trauma romance. This is a story about three damaged individuals who find healing and love through each other.


The story focuses around Tegan, who is a bit of an outcast that comes from a rough family. She has a compulsive eating disorder which leads her to be a bit overweight. She doesn't embrace or love her curves but instead is using the weight as a defense mechanism and reading that honestly broke my heart. She joins up with Alec and his group of traveling hustlers who are scamming the upper class just to get by.


This story does a great job at balancing some very heavy topics with some sweet moments. I loved watching these characters grow and heal.

As far as spice goes, even with it being MFM I found it to be relatively tame. Because of the sexual content and dark themes please make sure to view all trigger warnings before reading.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy emotional healing 🖤

Lauren Biel does it again.
5/5 stars.
3.5/5 spice.

Her Crew is so much more than a dark MFM romance. Beneath the darkness, spice, and kink is a powerful story about healing, self-acceptance, and finding your voice after trauma. I loved watching the FMC grow into her confidence, slowly embrace her body, and learn that she deserved to take up space and be loved exactly as she was.

The found-family dynamic between the three of them was one of my favorite parts, and seeing them support each other through their struggles made every emotional moment hit even harder. As with any Lauren Biel book, read your trigger warnings first. But I couldn’t put it down & I devoured this book in just a few hours.

[Rodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful menage lifestyle book!
So full of realism.
Wonderful main characters.
Beautiful plot.
Terrific erotic descriptive prose.

[Maria Merced · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I inhaled this book!! It touched on very hard subjects (CSA not described, body image issues, food binging etc), the way Lauren wrote them, it was so well done. Kudos Lauren.

[Daniela Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Choose
MFM
Trauma
He Likes To Watch
Touch Her & Die

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you follow my reviews you will know I’m a fan of Lauren’s books, so I jumped right into this one.

Our FMC Teagan wants to better herself because well, her mother is the pits and uses her for her own benefit.
Alec comes across her at her worst but he sees her, sees what she’s going through and takes her under his wing. That wing is criminal, it’s safety, it’s protection, it’s a light at the end of the tunnel BUT past lives may intersperse with the present. Can they overcome that? Will introducing another aid or abet their relationship? Will past traumas cease the way forward?

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓎𝑒𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓌 𝓂𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝒽𝒾𝒻𝓉 𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒,
𝒶𝓈 𝒾𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝒹𝒾𝒹.

Truthfully, the first few chapters of this I had déjà vu of reading this story before and given how much I read I can’t recall which book it was, no detriment to Lauren because it could be something from r/l in the USA that she’s used to bring a realism into the narrative 🤷🏻‍♀️. As I continued the story went into their budding relationship, their past stories of abuse & SA and its effects upon them in the present, I liked how Lauren worked this in. With this one there is spice, m^*der, humiliation, degradation, age-gap and betrayal, so quite a lot packed into this read 🤭

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Her Crew – Lauren Biel ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)

🖤🚐🥀❤️‍🩹🔥

If you love:
• why choose romance
• found family
• plus-size FMC
• trauma healing
• alternative/tattooed MMC
• emotionally damaged characters

This book completely surprised me with how emotional it was. Beneath the dark themes is a beautiful story about healing, acceptance, and finding the family you never thought you’d have. ❤️‍🩹

Tegan has spent her entire life trying to survive, convinced that if she made herself invisible, no one could hurt her. My heart broke for her from the very beginning. Watching her slowly learn that she deserved love, safety, and happiness was incredibly rewarding.

Then there’s Alec…

His reckless charm, unwavering loyalty, and fierce protectiveness made him impossible not to love. He brings so much light to Tegan’s darkness while carrying his own scars.

And his best friend was the perfect balance to Alec’s energy. Quiet, steady, and deeply caring, he proved that sometimes love isn’t loud—it simply shows up every single day. Together, they created a relationship built on trust, respect, and unconditional support.

The found family aspect was one of my favorite parts of the book. The traveling crew of hustlers and outcasts truly felt like a family, and every character added something meaningful to the story. Their loyalty to one another made this world feel authentic and comforting despite the darker themes.

Lauren Biel also handled trauma and emotional healing with so much care. The healing never felt rushed, and Tegan’s growth felt earned every step of the way.

The reason this is a 4.5-star read instead of a full five is that there were a few moments where the pacing slowed, and I found myself wanting just a little more time spent developing some of the emotional relationships within the group. Even so, it didn’t take away from how invested I became in these characters.

Overall, Her Crew is an emotional, character-driven dark romance about surviving the past, finding your people, and learning that sometimes the family you choose is the one that saves you. If you love why choose romance, found family, protective heroes, and deeply emotional healing journeys, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. 🖤🚐❤️‍🩹✨

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Crew is a raw, emotional story that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of trauma, survival, and finding hope in the darkest places.

From the very beginning, my heart broke for Tegan. You quickly get a glimpse into the life she’s endured, and it’s impossible not to root for her. Watching her struggle just to survive while desperately wanting something better was both heartbreaking and incredibly moving. Her story is a reminder that everyone is fighting battles we know nothing about, and it really puts things into perspective.

Ace intrigued me from the start. Unlike Tegan, his past isn’t laid bare immediately. Instead, you receive small pieces of his story as he slowly lets his walls down. Every revelation made me want to know more. You can tell there’s something huge lurking beneath the surface, and it kept me completely invested in his journey.

As for ‘The Crew’… something never quite sat right. The deeper I got into the story, the more obvious it became that things weren’t as ‘perfect’ as they were portrayed. That underlying feeling of decay and corruption created a constant sense of unease that worked really well throughout the book.

I absolutely loved the dynamic between Tegan, Ace, and Tye. Their relationship brought moments of warmth and humour that balanced the heavier themes perfectly. Tye was an absolute sweetheart, while Delia… let’s just say she never won me over. And Sticks? Completely unforgivable. Every scene with him gave off cold vibes. I didn’t trust him one bit and that big scene with him? only strengthened my feelings.

What stood out most to me was the emotional depth. This isn’t a lighthearted romance. It’s a story filled with pain, healing, resilience, and people learning that they deserve more than the lives they’ve been forced to live.

By the end, seeing Tegan, Ace, and Tye get the happily-ever-after they fought so hard for felt incredibly rewarding. After everything they’d endured, they truly deserved every ounce of happiness.

If you’re looking for a book that’s emotionally raw, packed with trauma, healing, hope, and characters you’ll genuinely root for, Her Crew is well worth picking up.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Her Crew. It's a short, sweet emotional roller coaster.

I've not read many why choose books but it has most definitely convinced me to read more. Her Crew is full of spice and unlocks new kinks you didnt know you had, although I still dont know if I love or hate the nickname Ace gives Tegan!

I loved the protective nature of Ace and felt protective of Tegan myself throughout the book. Their stories pulled at my heart strings and I fell in love with the people they became.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anna Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again she has written another amazing story. Her books check all of the boxes for me as to what I look for in a good book.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Arc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.3

~Her Crew~Lauren Biel~

"That’s the weird part about broken people. Sometimes we don’t heal the way we’re expected to. Or the way we should."

♡As Always Lauren found hard topics that many struggle with & incorporated them into a story that truly makes the reader feel seen, understood, & not so alone. This story was raw, emotional, & showed that even in your darkest moment you can still heal & find the light you deserve while doing so. Not everyday will be easy, you will have set backs but when you have the right people in your corner those set backs are just minor bumps on your road to happiness.♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ 🌶️🌶️

Thanks for the ARC Lauren!

*as always check your triggers.

This book has a lot of mental health things going on in it for both MMCs and the FMC. I liked the mindset that Lauren has written for them and how they trauma bond. It’s something that does happen especially to kids who are broken and homeless.

It is a journey to self discover and acceptance and, while still spicy, is a story that people will find relatable.

[A. Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Biel is no stranger to writing dark, and often times, controversial books. I have probably read more than 10 of Lauren Biel's books. This novella is a little different though. Normally, Lauren's books can be controversial because the characters are on the dark side and don't really care to change that. Think of Hitched and Captured . Sometimrs the MMC pulls the FMC to the dark side with them. This time, however, the way the characters think or are thought about could be triggering to many. Keep the trigger warnings in mind.

The 3 main characters have all survived abuse and or trauma. There is a lot of trauma related to sexual abuse. The characters use their appearanes to push people away. In their minds, that lessens the possibility of suffering abuse again. Tegan is overweight, suffered abuse/exploitation, has a neglectful mother, eats her feelings, and a few other behaviors. Alec meets Tegan and immediately wants to take Tegan under his wing. Alec convinces Tegan to go on the road with him and his crew, selling fake magazines to survive. The crew pockets the money while living in cheap motels and drifting all over the US. Alec's motives are not all that innocent. Alec's past causes him some specific acts when it comes to sex. That's where Tye, Alec's best friend, comes in. Alec, Tegan, and Tye form their own family and take care of each other.

This novella , sadly, was my least favorite story written by Lauren Biel. I didn't really feel the characters connected. Yes, I have read some of Lauren Biel's more romantic comedies. This book isn't a rom com and not as dark as other books. Something was just missing this time around, for me. Also, because the novella is only 200 pages there was not a lot of development in the characters or storyline. It was odd to me, that Alec worked so hard for what he wanted then just flipped at the end. Overall, there were things that detracted from the story. I did like that some level of revenge was achieved. If only the characters got revenge for their sources of pain and abuse. The best thing about this novella was the spice. Lauren Biel can write some hot and spicy scenes!

I received an ARC and voluntarily left this review.

[Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Biel is one of my favorite author. I love nearly everything she writes and while this book was entertaining and I loved how inclusive it was, it just didn't hit for me. I didn't feel a connection with the characters and I really tried. This story is an MFM but only told through 2 POVs which I oddly loved.

Tegan lives in a trailer with her addict mom and is extremely poor. She steals food constantly which resulted in a binge eating disorder in an attempt to protect herself and temper her anxiety. She spots some fries unattended in a van that she promptly steals and is caught by Alec. He offers to buy her lunch and she accepts. He sees something in her and helps her get a job with his crew. He becomes her mentor in a way and they begin to form a bond.

Tegan is a bit naive which did irritate me a bit. But I loved how the author wrote Tegan as a binge eater because I haven't read that in a book before and it was highly refreshing.

Alec who also goes by Ace wasn't bad and his body's reaction to trauma was also great to see because I feel like ED isn't always portrayed either. His voyueristic tendencies were interesting to read as a result of his disorder.

While the book is only told through Alec and Tegan's POV, Tye was also a pretty decent part of the story. He becomes the other M in the MFM relationship. He is pretty sweet and seems like the least traumatized of the group which gave him a pretty easy going personality. I like that instead of inserting himself into Tegan and Alec's relationship, he deferred to Alec in regards to where he stands.

This book was enjoyable for many different aspects, but I did have some issues with it. Since this book is a novella, I know there wasn't a lot of time to go in depth with these characters and that might be the reason I couldn't get invested in them like I usually do. They felt a bit flat for me. Separately, they were great. But together, I felt nothing. I couldn't feel the obsession or love between the characters. It felt a bit forced in my opinion.

The ending was cute, but that also fell flat for me. So, while it was a fun read, I don't think it will be a book that sticks with me like her other books do.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DanniOnThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t come across a book with a focus on drifters. I appreciate Lauren’s ability to be able to write outside of the box, while still incorporating those classic elements of a dark romance.

We have a curvy FMC, who used food for not only survival, but as a way to protect herself. Over eating gave Teagan the ability to become appealing to those her mother offered her to, as a way to pay for her drugs. In the right place at the right time, Teagan puts herself in the path of Ace. A top performing member of a drifting crew who use their trauma to earn some cash.

Ace, our MMC becomes intrigued by Teagan and looks past her weight to see who she truly is. A broken girl who is more than her trauma. Ace takes her under his wing and begins to develop feelings; however, he has trauma of his own that doesn’t allow him to perform others. With a little help from his best friend Tye. The three begin a relationship that is either going to lead them down the path of ruin, or to a road of salvation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Lauren gives you just enough of a look through into the characters’ trauma, and promptly leaves it at the door and focuses on how the characters break free from it. From the beginning you can already see Ace’s protective nature, and how far he is willing to go to help Teagan stay present and outside of her mind. Tye, who was an awesome side character and I wish we could’ve seen more from him, amplifies this and we start to see Teagan’s focus shift to wanting to help her men as well.

And what a dark romance without some trauma. We have crazy exes and a questionable boss who put our MCs on the edge and call to some morally grey behaviors. As this all comes together, the title of the book is even more fitting.

This is not one of Lauren’s darker books; however, it is a Lauren Biel book. Check your boundaries and triggers before reading.

🖤 Pierced MMC/Curvy FMC
🖤 Broken MCs/Trauma Bonding
🖤 Workplace Romance
🖤 Detailed Off Page CSA
🖤 Atrempted SA
🖤 Touch Her and 💀
🖤 Binge eating
🖤 Graphic Murders
🖤 Erectile Dysfunction
🖤 Explicit Sexual Content/MFM/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤 Self - Harm
🖤 Manipulation

[Jersey B Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster! Her Crew is a change from the norm. This is one that hit deeper than I expected with the tropes. Found family is always one of my favorites, but with this story, I felt like I could relate on a deeper level with Teagan. Having battled with depression myself, I understand that self care can be hard and you can't figure out why. It's simple. Every person does this action every day, but why do I struggle with it? But Alec and Tye were there. Sometimes just having someone be patient with you while you go through the motions can be enough. Other times just not feeling alone is enough.

This story is heartwarming and devastatingly sad all at the same time. There are some triggers in this story that I would recommend looking into if you have any BEFORE reading. It's a story about sometimes meeting people you don't expect. That everything happens for a reason. A story about taking risks and taking your future into your own hands. Making scary choices and owning them. Learning to trust after you've never felt safe.

Lauren Biel always has a way with words. She lays it all out there for the world to see and to take what they need from her stories. Her characters are always complex and human (well maybe not all of them... there was a snowman once... but he became human so he still counts lol). Lauren shows that even in the darkest of times not everyone reacts the same. Some throw in humor while others cry. Each with their own personalities and kinks. Not a lot of authors are able to accomplish that.

With all that being said, I highly recommend Her Crew. It is darker than fluffy romance, but lighter than really dark romance. I would say this falls somewhere in the middle. As a dark romance reader myself, I would even recommend Her Crew to someone just dipping their toes into the dark romance genre and the same time its satisfying for those who are into the pitch black stuff as well. (like myself) This one is 5 stars across the board for me!

[Barbie Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

A heartfelt story of healing, found family, and second chances that left me wanting just a little more.
Her Crew has a compelling storyline that's easy to follow while tackling some incredibly heavy topics. Childhood exploitation, trauma, and the lasting scars they leave are woven throughout the story, making this much more than just a romance.
What stood out most to me was the development of Tegan, Alec, and Tye. Watching each of them confront their pasts while slowly learning to trust, love, and heal felt authentic and rewarding. Their bond grew naturally, and I loved that their shared goal wasn't just finding happiness for themselves, but building something meaningful, creating a safe place and future for troubled teens who deserved the same chance they never had.
The found family aspect was easily one of my favorite parts. It added warmth to an otherwise emotionally heavy story, and seeing these broken people become each other's support system was genuinely heartwarming.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was room for more. The emotional moments were there, and the heartbreak was undeniable, but I wanted the story to sit with those emotions a little longer. Some scenes felt like they moved on just as I was fully connecting with them, and I found myself wishing for more depth in both the character development and the overall plot. The foundation was incredibly strong; I just wanted it to be explored a little further.

Overall, this was a good read with lovable characters, meaningful and dark themes, and created a satisfying emotional journey. While it didn't completely hit the emotional depth I was hoping for, it still delivered a touching story about healing, love, and finding family in the people who choose you.

I received this book for free and am leaving this review of my honest opinion and of my own free will.

[Becky Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I just love a dark why choose romance. This was a pretty quick read. You can honestly sit and read this in one sitting.

This book is about Tegan, our plus-sized FMC, her life is honestly terrible.. she lives in a trailer park with her mother, she spends her time casing the mall food court for people's left overs. And honestly reason she eats so much honestly just broke my heart.

Her life changes when she catches the eye of Alec. He spends his days in a crew full of drifters that roam from city to city, essentially conning rich folk into buying fake magazine subscriptions. At one of their stops for food, he sees her, and i dont know what it is, but he just seems to want to take care of her.

I honestly don't know what it is about this book but I just didnt really connect to it. To me the relationship between these characters just seemed weird, and maybe it was just the trauma bonding, but I just didnt really understand their connection.

The storyline was good, and its why choose so of course i liked that, and as always Lauren is great a writing spice. But, for me personally, i just felt like things were unresolved. And things just happened really quickly.. and that whole thing with the bear.. yeah I felt that was a bit unnecessary and unrealistic, but that is just my opinion.

PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING BECAUSE THIS MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE WITH THE DISCUSSIONS ON PAGE ETC... SO KNOW YOUR LIMITS AND HAPPY READING!!

[Moonburst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tegan has survived as long as she can, but she knows she needs to escape life with her mom. When she meets Alec she impulsively takes his invitation to join a group of scrappy drifters working a magazine scam. For the first time, Tegan feels safe, particularly with Alec and his best friend Tye. But their budding relationship comes with some significant dangers. Can the three find a way to thrive?

My favorite thing about this book is the different representation present amongst the characters. Tegan has learned that being larger is safer, as it keeps her from having to pay for her mother's drugs with her body. Unfortunately, this has developed into a compulsive eating disorder. She has a complicated relationship with food and her weight, and while it is addressed, it is not magically fixed either. Alec's traumatic past has resulted in him having erectile dysfunction, which has made him get fairly creative in how he interacts with people sexually. Tae has physical scars left behind from him processing his own trauma. All of these different reactions are addressed and handled in a thoughtful way as the characters work through their own pasts together.

Overall, this is a thought provoking romance that looks unblinkingly at the effects of long term trauma and survival. While this is a fairly light book for Biel, sensitive readers should still be cautious due to the dark subject matter.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Biel does it again! As one of my absolute favorite authors, I always look forward to her new releases, and Her Crew absolutely delivered. Her books are always delightfully dark, twisty, and packed with unique premises. This time, she takes the gritty world of traveling salespeople hustling to get by and mixes it with heavy trauma, possessive protective MMCs, some highly satisfying unaliving, and a beautifully messy found family. Definitely check your triggers before diving in, as it handles some heavy topics.

The story centers on Tegan and the horrific reality of her home life, driven by her own mother's abuse. When a chance encounter leads her to Alec (Ace), he sees something in her and takes her under his wing. Though cautious of him and the chaotic lifestyle he introduces her to, the attraction is instant—especially since no one has ever shown her kindness before. Toss Ace’s best friend, Tye, into the mix, and the three of them soon form a sweet, chaotic throuple.

While I love everything Lauren writes, I did have two minor wishes. First, we only get POVs from Tegan and Alec; I would have loved to get inside Tye’s head to see his perspective on Tegan and his feelings about the sharing dynamic. Second, I just wanted more! I know it’s a novella, but it felt a bit too short because I was so invested. Still, if you’re looking for a quick, dark, why-choose romance, I highly recommend checking this one out!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Biel honestly has a way of making every book feel different, and that’s one of the reasons I keep coming back for more.

Her Crew is a quick, emotional read with a little bit of everything. Found family, healing, angst, a plus-size FMC, an alternative/pierced MMC, and an MFM romance that felt more relationship driven than shock value.

One thing I really appreciated was that the relationships developed naturally. The chemistry was there, but it wasn’t wall-to-wall spice. I’d put the spice around a 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5. It’s definitely spicy, but the story and the characters take center stage.

I also loved the found family aspect. Everyone in this crew is carrying their own baggage, and watching them slowly become a family was one of my favorite parts of the book. Lauren Biel always seems to find a way to write broken characters that you can’t help but root for.

This definitely isn’t your typical dark romance, and that’s exactly why I enjoyed it. It stands out from so many books in the genre.

As always, please check the trigger warnings before jumping in there are some heavy topics throughout the story.

⭐️ 4/5 stars
🌶️ 3/5 spice

If you enjoy:
🖤 MFM romance
🖤 Plus-size FMC
🖤 Found family
🖤 Alternative/pierced MMC
🖤 Angst & emotional healing
🖤 Dark romance that’s more character-driven than nonstop spice

…I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Biel is known for writing dark romances, but this one leans more into the emotional side than the darkness. It's a heartfelt story about healing, acceptance, found family, and discovering where you truly belong.

Tegan has spent her life surviving an abusive home, constantly sacrificing pieces of herself just to get by. So when Alec offers her the chance at a fresh start, she doesn't hesitate to take it. Alec has his own scars and struggles, but the compassion, patience, and comfort he gives Tegan made my heart ache. Their relationship isn't just about romance—it's about finding safety, trust, and healing together.

The chemistry between Tegan and Alec is undeniable from the start, but what I appreciated most was how their emotional connection developed alongside the attraction. Watching Tegan slowly learn to trust and realize she had finally found a place where she was loved and accepted was incredibly rewarding. And when Tye enters the picture, the dynamic shifts in the best way, adding even more chemistry and turning up the heat.

If you're looking for an emotional romance filled with healing, personal growth, found family, and plenty of spice, this is a journey that's sure to pull at your heartstrings while leaving you rooting for these characters every step of the way.

[Athena, the goddess of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Saving Jesse's Girl, I absolutely ran to read Lauren's new book. It took me a while to come back and review it because my little bichon girl, Minnie, was ill, but now I'm finally here. Although MFM stories aren't usually at the top of my list, I really loved this one.

Found family, survival, and healing through connection are some of my favorite tropes, and they are the key ingredients that make this story work so well.

We follow Tegan's journey as she transforms from a frightened girl scavenging leftovers in a mall food court into a confident leader who takes control of her own future. I especially loved the way Lauren reminds us that every woman deserves to be loved, supported, and given the chance to find her place in the world.

The romance was emotional, the found family dynamics were beautifully written, and Tegan's growth was by far my favorite part of the book. Watching her slowly learn to trust, heal, and finally believe in her own worth made this story so special. Alec and Tye completely won me over because they weren't perfect heroes, but the way they stood by her, encouraged her to believe in herself, and gave her the love and support she had never experienced made their relationship feel genuine.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently started reading Lauren's books when I discovered her on booksirens.

I quickly learned that she writes stories that have dark elements to them, but they range from light grey to very dark. But the characters are very real and raw, which just makes her stories all that more relatable.

Her Crew is about a girl who sees no way out of her trailer park life, somehow finds herself teaming up with a group of misfits that travel around hustling people to make money. She's got her own traumas and issues, as does everyone else. But it's Alec (Ace) and Tye who are able to make her feel seen and safe for once her life. And in turn, they find reasons for wanting more out of life.

Part of what I like most about Lauren's stories, she doesn't get too caught up in mundane details on things but is still able to create a story that is entertaining to the reader. And that is something that is very hard to do - create a storyline that's not too detailed, but enough to grip readers and keep them engaged. Lauren does this very well.

Lauren's writing is different from what I usually read, and I find that I enjoy her style as it breaks up what I am used to. Her Crew is a perfect example of what I enjoy her stories and is a nice dip into her dark themes without going super dark.

[LucyFaeBae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Winner For Lauren Biel!

Her Crew really pulled at the heartstrings for sure. Check your TWs with this traumance. This one is HEAVY. But it's perfectly balanced with the spice, and he's pierced so… As you can imagine the spice was spicing. 🥵

Their chemistry throughout the book is beautiful.

I loved how MMC Alec treated FMC Tegan when it came to her anxiety and eating disorder. Not to mention all the ways and reasons she had for giving up on herself before meeting Alec due to trauma. These are all such difficult topics and as always Biel doesn't shy away from all the emotions and tells this part of the story with such brutal honesty.

But Alec has his own demons to bear, and they way he entrusted not only Tegan but with his best friend Tye as well. There were many times I was an emotional wreck reading this story, but his vulnerability really made me have all the feelings.

The only thing that I was disappointed with was the book only had two POVs but I felt Tye should have had his own chapters as well. Maybe not as many but I found myself wishing I knew what was going on in his head. Especially once they grew closer. But that was only a minor disappointment to such an amazing book. Can't wait for what Biel comes up with next!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

“I want you to feel this piercing on your clt.”

This story follows Tegan, a woman hardened by a life of poverty, neglect and emotional abuse. She has been surviving by scavenging, lying and using her body as a shield against the world. When she stumbles upon a traveling magazine sales crew she finds herself drawn into their chaotic and nomadic lifestyle. She meets Alec as part of the crew. Tegan is a bit hesitant of the crew in the beginning, but her desperate wish for escape from her toxic home leaves her without much of a choice. Alec is however not the only one that takes a liking to Tegan, Tye, Alec his best friend also sees her. As Tegan navigates her feelings for them she starts accepting her new life.
I enjoyed reading Tegan her journey from survival mode to learning to love and be loved. It is captivating and emotional. Alex has struggles of his own. I love how he learned to be vulnerable with it. Tye is a quiet presence in the story. This makes him not less powerful. He is loyal, kind and protective. He is a fantastic counterpart of Alec his personality.
The whole setting for this story, the traveling magazine sales, is brought to life in a vivid way. The high and lows are clear. It felt realistic and genuine.
This book did not shy away from a couple of darker aspects. The way this was handled is with care.
This was a MFM romance novella that was delivered with heat and emotional depth. I enjoyed reading this.

[Laci · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️ rounding it up to 5.

If you have followed my reading journey you know I’m a hugeeeeeeeeee fan of Lauren Biel and I love EVERYTHING she writes.

She really got me with this one.

I went in expecting a dark, spicy romance, but I ended up falling in love with Tegan, Alec, and Tye. Their relationship wasn’t perfect or easy, but that’s exactly what made it feel so real.

Tegan was easy to root for. She’d spent so much of her life just trying to survive, so watching her slowly find people who truly saw her and accepted her was my favorite part of the book.

Alec and Tye were complete opposites in the best way, and I loved what each of them brought to the relationship. They weren’t just there for the romance. They challenged Tegan, protected her, and gave her a place where she finally felt like she belonged and find her home. Watching the three of them become a family hit me a lot harder than I expected.

Of course, Lauren Biel delivered on the spice, but what stuck with me most was the emotional side of the story. Underneath all the chaos was a raw book about healing, trauma, trust, and finding your people when you’ve never really had a place to call home.