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Hollow Forest: An Autumn Dark Novella
They say don’t go into the forest after dark.
I should have listened.
I came to this strange little town for revenge, settling into an abandoned cottage nestled in the woods while I hunted my prey. It seemed like the perfect place to hide and avoid unwanted questions.
Then I saw him.
A masked face staring through the window.
At first, I convinced myself I was imagining things. Gifts started to appear around the house. Noises sounded that I couldn’t explain away. Shadows flickered under the trees.
There were stories about the legacy of this town, but no one dared tell the truth. The more I learned about my new home, the more I wondered if I didn’t belong here.
They said the forest was haunted.
I think the real danger had been watching me from the beginning.
And when I finally found myself running through the trees with the masked man behind me, I realize some part of me had always been waiting for him to catch me.
Welcome to the woods. You never know when the hunter might become the prey.
Hollow Forest features an obsessive stalker, a quiet new girl, a sizzling attraction, and a love story with a cozy darkness. This is a standalone dark romance novella with morally grey choices. HEA guaranteed. Check TWs!
I should have listened.
I came to this strange little town for revenge, settling into an abandoned cottage nestled in the woods while I hunted my prey. It seemed like the perfect place to hide and avoid unwanted questions.
Then I saw him.
A masked face staring through the window.
At first, I convinced myself I was imagining things. Gifts started to appear around the house. Noises sounded that I couldn’t explain away. Shadows flickered under the trees.
There were stories about the legacy of this town, but no one dared tell the truth. The more I learned about my new home, the more I wondered if I didn’t belong here.
They said the forest was haunted.
I think the real danger had been watching me from the beginning.
And when I finally found myself running through the trees with the masked man behind me, I realize some part of me had always been waiting for him to catch me.
Welcome to the woods. You never know when the hunter might become the prey.
Hollow Forest features an obsessive stalker, a quiet new girl, a sizzling attraction, and a love story with a cozy darkness. This is a standalone dark romance novella with morally grey choices. HEA guaranteed. Check TWs!
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 3, 2026
A good quick read for those who love mafia, masked man with stalker tendencies. Sam comes to a small town looking for revenge for her sister. Then she meets 'him' and things get more tense from there. Thank you, Alexa Michaels, for the chance to read this for my honest review.
October 7, 2026
She came for revenge… and she found the love of her life.
Samantha came to this strange little town to avenge her sister and finish what she started three years ago. She was living like a ghost, and she’s now on her final target. She came to San Pietro Cove, settled into an abandoned cottage in the woods, and then there was this masked man watching her… leaving her things, helping her, and somehow always knowing where she was.
Giuseppe was her match. He immediately recognized a kindred soul in her. She was intoxicating. The monster to his monster! He was just as unhinged as she was. Then he was there for her, providing her with the necessities of life and helping her get her revenge… He became obsessed... he couldn't imagine living without her.
I liked this one! It was short, spicy, dark, and straight to the point. No unnecessary details or drama, just these two completely unhinged people finding each other.
A quick and nice spicy autumn dark romance with a masked stalker, revenge, and two monsters who were definitely made for each other. (Primal chase, knife play, graphic violence, but also very sweet and romantic scenes…)
Samantha came to this strange little town to avenge her sister and finish what she started three years ago. She was living like a ghost, and she’s now on her final target. She came to San Pietro Cove, settled into an abandoned cottage in the woods, and then there was this masked man watching her… leaving her things, helping her, and somehow always knowing where she was.
Giuseppe was her match. He immediately recognized a kindred soul in her. She was intoxicating. The monster to his monster! He was just as unhinged as she was. Then he was there for her, providing her with the necessities of life and helping her get her revenge… He became obsessed... he couldn't imagine living without her.
I liked this one! It was short, spicy, dark, and straight to the point. No unnecessary details or drama, just these two completely unhinged people finding each other.
A quick and nice spicy autumn dark romance with a masked stalker, revenge, and two monsters who were definitely made for each other. (Primal chase, knife play, graphic violence, but also very sweet and romantic scenes…)
October 8, 2026
She came for revenge. The masked man in the woods came for her.
Samantha arrives in a strange little town with a false name and one purpose left in her life. She’s spent three years hunting the men responsible for destroying her sister, and the final name on her list is here. An isolated cottage in the forest should give her privacy and somewhere to disappear when the job is done.
Then someone starts watching her. Groceries appear inside her locked house. A shadow waits beyond the windows. A masked man slips into her life with a mix of control, patience, and care, somehow recognizing the violence Samantha hides beneath her guard. She knows she should fear him. Instead, his attention makes her feel alive.
Their obsession becomes a dangerous game of pursuit, resistance, and surrender. Samantha refuses to give up control, while her stalker keeps testing how much she’ll willingly hand over. Their attraction deepens because he doesn’t want to rescue her from what she’s become. He sees it, understands it, and answers with darkness of his own.
But revenge is still waiting. Samantha believes finishing what she started means leaving everything else behind, including the man who makes her want more than vengeance. As desire, trust, and obsession tighten around them, she has to face the possibility that surviving her mission may be more frightening than dying for it.
Samantha slowly admits she still wants pleasure, safety, trust, and a future. He shifts from controlling the game from the shadows to exposing his obsession and devotion, while showing he can surrender power when she needs it. Together, pursuit becomes trust, dominance becomes exchange, and being fully seen becomes its own dangerous form of intimacy.
Darkly playful and deeply obsessive, this is a masked stalker romance built around chase play, revenge, shifting control, morally grey devotion, grief, healing, and two dangerous people discovering that acceptance can feel unexpectedly like home.
The Elevator Pitch: A grief-hardened woman hides in a strange autumn town to finish a private mission, only to attract the attention of a masked man who watches from the forest. His obsession should terrify her, but their dangerous games awaken something in her that revenge has kept buried for years. As pursuit turns intimate, control becomes a language of trust, and the darkness between them starts to feel less like a threat than a place to belong.
Heat Level: 🖤🔥 Erotica / Kink-Forward
Samantha arrives in a strange little town with a false name and one purpose left in her life. She’s spent three years hunting the men responsible for destroying her sister, and the final name on her list is here. An isolated cottage in the forest should give her privacy and somewhere to disappear when the job is done.
Then someone starts watching her. Groceries appear inside her locked house. A shadow waits beyond the windows. A masked man slips into her life with a mix of control, patience, and care, somehow recognizing the violence Samantha hides beneath her guard. She knows she should fear him. Instead, his attention makes her feel alive.
Their obsession becomes a dangerous game of pursuit, resistance, and surrender. Samantha refuses to give up control, while her stalker keeps testing how much she’ll willingly hand over. Their attraction deepens because he doesn’t want to rescue her from what she’s become. He sees it, understands it, and answers with darkness of his own.
But revenge is still waiting. Samantha believes finishing what she started means leaving everything else behind, including the man who makes her want more than vengeance. As desire, trust, and obsession tighten around them, she has to face the possibility that surviving her mission may be more frightening than dying for it.
Samantha slowly admits she still wants pleasure, safety, trust, and a future. He shifts from controlling the game from the shadows to exposing his obsession and devotion, while showing he can surrender power when she needs it. Together, pursuit becomes trust, dominance becomes exchange, and being fully seen becomes its own dangerous form of intimacy.
Darkly playful and deeply obsessive, this is a masked stalker romance built around chase play, revenge, shifting control, morally grey devotion, grief, healing, and two dangerous people discovering that acceptance can feel unexpectedly like home.
The Elevator Pitch: A grief-hardened woman hides in a strange autumn town to finish a private mission, only to attract the attention of a masked man who watches from the forest. His obsession should terrify her, but their dangerous games awaken something in her that revenge has kept buried for years. As pursuit turns intimate, control becomes a language of trust, and the darkness between them starts to feel less like a threat than a place to belong.
Heat Level: 🖤🔥 Erotica / Kink-Forward
October 3, 2026
This book is probably my favourite of the autumn novellas that Alexa has released.👏🏼
This book follows Samantha in which she relocates to a new town but unknowingly to her she has caught the eye of a monster and this monster well he would burn the world for his woman. Our MMC knows there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Samantha and this is one of the reasons he falls head over heels for her.
If you like a short novella about a masked MMC that is completely devoted, obsessed and likes to chase his woman then this is definitely the book for you👏🏼.
This book follows Samantha in which she relocates to a new town but unknowingly to her she has caught the eye of a monster and this monster well he would burn the world for his woman. Our MMC knows there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Samantha and this is one of the reasons he falls head over heels for her.
If you like a short novella about a masked MMC that is completely devoted, obsessed and likes to chase his woman then this is definitely the book for you👏🏼.
October 3, 2026
Sam is emotionally dead inside after her sister’s horrible death and now she only lives for revenge.
She has murdered all the men responsible except for one and she tracks him to a small town.
The town is ruled by the Ravello mafia.
She gets a job as a barista but at night she is stalked by a masked man.
There is dark erotica with multiple sexy encounters and his obsession.
Dangerous emotions and she has guilt for enjoying these sessions.
A compelling novella for a fall day.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.
She has murdered all the men responsible except for one and she tracks him to a small town.
The town is ruled by the Ravello mafia.
She gets a job as a barista but at night she is stalked by a masked man.
There is dark erotica with multiple sexy encounters and his obsession.
Dangerous emotions and she has guilt for enjoying these sessions.
A compelling novella for a fall day.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.
October 12, 2026
If you love mafia, masked stalkers, a short read then this is for you. Sam comes to town looking for revenge for her sister. She has one final target and just wants to disappear after. That's where we meet the stalker. I loved the stalker, I loved what he did for her. It was a great book.
October 18, 2026
**ARC REVIEW**
★★★★★ overall rating
♥︎ Maya's Reads ♥︎
First and foremost, thank you, Alexa Michaels, for entrusting me with another ARC !! I was lucky enough to have received my first ever ARC from the Boston Underworld novella, and since then, I have been grateful enough to have gotten every single ARC within that series, and they have been amazing. So, I'm so happy to be diving into a new series.
As I said in my last novella review, I’m not such a huge fan of novellas and have not read any since the last one, but once I started reading i actually really enjoyed it. The fast-paced romance these two had was so good, even though it felt rushed at times, it was actually every full filled in the storytelling. So, if you want some lore for the upcoming series, I have seen that reading the novella is since to read to get a hang of the family dynamics and business.
**SPOLIERS AHEAD**
For this book, Samantha and Joey have to be my absolutely favorite couple of this holiday series so far. Like, even though every single book has the same story of a stalker, I just think this one was so much more spicy just based on the fact that both of the characters are on the same level of hotheadedness. I think another thing that made him so much better was that Samantha wasn't the nice angel character that we were used to in the past. She has killed people, and she's doing it because she wants revenge on the people who raped her sister, and I think that just speaks way more to her character. I think the fact that she lived this double life is what attracted during the first place, saying that she wasn't so innocent that she had her demons just like him, and that their taste and desire for danger was the same. In terms of the spiciness, the sexual chemistry between these characters was absolutely top-tier, like I ate all of the sex scenes. In the past, I have read and these type of sex that involves knife play and gun play, etc. And it is really hard to do this type of scene and make them good and enjoyable, but when I tell you, Alexa Michaels does a great job in doing these scenes and having them not be so much spicy, but also be beneficial for the plot and the involvement in the characters' relationship. I cannot wait to finally get Don Lucian's book and finally see him get his game and realize that it's a single mother who is so much more interesting, and I'm so excited to read it.
★★★★★ overall rating
♥︎ Maya's Reads ♥︎
First and foremost, thank you, Alexa Michaels, for entrusting me with another ARC !! I was lucky enough to have received my first ever ARC from the Boston Underworld novella, and since then, I have been grateful enough to have gotten every single ARC within that series, and they have been amazing. So, I'm so happy to be diving into a new series.
As I said in my last novella review, I’m not such a huge fan of novellas and have not read any since the last one, but once I started reading i actually really enjoyed it. The fast-paced romance these two had was so good, even though it felt rushed at times, it was actually every full filled in the storytelling. So, if you want some lore for the upcoming series, I have seen that reading the novella is since to read to get a hang of the family dynamics and business.
**SPOLIERS AHEAD**
For this book, Samantha and Joey have to be my absolutely favorite couple of this holiday series so far. Like, even though every single book has the same story of a stalker, I just think this one was so much more spicy just based on the fact that both of the characters are on the same level of hotheadedness. I think another thing that made him so much better was that Samantha wasn't the nice angel character that we were used to in the past. She has killed people, and she's doing it because she wants revenge on the people who raped her sister, and I think that just speaks way more to her character. I think the fact that she lived this double life is what attracted during the first place, saying that she wasn't so innocent that she had her demons just like him, and that their taste and desire for danger was the same. In terms of the spiciness, the sexual chemistry between these characters was absolutely top-tier, like I ate all of the sex scenes. In the past, I have read and these type of sex that involves knife play and gun play, etc. And it is really hard to do this type of scene and make them good and enjoyable, but when I tell you, Alexa Michaels does a great job in doing these scenes and having them not be so much spicy, but also be beneficial for the plot and the involvement in the characters' relationship. I cannot wait to finally get Don Lucian's book and finally see him get his game and realize that it's a single mother who is so much more interesting, and I'm so excited to read it.
October 10, 2026
Hollow Forest by Alexa Michaels
Samantha & The Monster
Samantha comes to San Pierto Cove with one purpose: revenge.
After her sister was raped and killed, Samantha changed her name, changed her appearance, and built her entire life around finding the people responsible. Cape Cove holds the final name on her list, and once her mission is finished, she doesn’t really imagine there being much of a life waiting for her afterward.
Then the Monster sees her get off the bus.
He follows Samantha to the cottage she rented and recognizes something in her almost immediately. He sees the darkness she is trying so hard to contain, and instead of being frightened by it, he wants to give it somewhere to belong.
As he puts it:
“San Pietro Cove was a town run by an organization of psychopaths. We would never turn away a beautiful little killer like Samantha.”
And honestly, that tells you quite a bit about both the Monster and this town.
He quietly begins taking care of Samantha in his own very questionable way. He fixes up her cottage, makes sure she eats, watches over her, and, naturally, chases her through the woods.
You know. All the things that make a girl’s dreams come true.
What I liked most was that the Monster never looks at Samantha and decides she needs to be rescued from the darker parts of herself. He sees exactly what she is capable of and wants to give her the safety and freedom to embrace it.
Samantha slowly begins to realize that maybe the future she had already written for herself isn’t the only one available.
One of my favorite moments captures that shift:
“For the life of me, I couldn’t remember right now why that was such a bad idea.”
There is something wonderfully fitting about Samantha finding comfort cuddled against the very monster she probably should be running from.
This is dark, strange, violent, and unexpectedly sweet in its own twisted way. Underneath the revenge and stalking is a story about belonging, finding people who see the parts of you everyone else would fear, and discovering that finishing one chapter of your life doesn’t necessarily mean the whole story has to end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Samantha gets her revenge story, the Monster is exactly the kind of devoted psychopath I enjoy, and San Pietro Cove seems like the sort of place where being a little unhinged may actually be a requirement for residency.
Samantha & The Monster
Samantha comes to San Pierto Cove with one purpose: revenge.
After her sister was raped and killed, Samantha changed her name, changed her appearance, and built her entire life around finding the people responsible. Cape Cove holds the final name on her list, and once her mission is finished, she doesn’t really imagine there being much of a life waiting for her afterward.
Then the Monster sees her get off the bus.
He follows Samantha to the cottage she rented and recognizes something in her almost immediately. He sees the darkness she is trying so hard to contain, and instead of being frightened by it, he wants to give it somewhere to belong.
As he puts it:
“San Pietro Cove was a town run by an organization of psychopaths. We would never turn away a beautiful little killer like Samantha.”
And honestly, that tells you quite a bit about both the Monster and this town.
He quietly begins taking care of Samantha in his own very questionable way. He fixes up her cottage, makes sure she eats, watches over her, and, naturally, chases her through the woods.
You know. All the things that make a girl’s dreams come true.
What I liked most was that the Monster never looks at Samantha and decides she needs to be rescued from the darker parts of herself. He sees exactly what she is capable of and wants to give her the safety and freedom to embrace it.
Samantha slowly begins to realize that maybe the future she had already written for herself isn’t the only one available.
One of my favorite moments captures that shift:
“For the life of me, I couldn’t remember right now why that was such a bad idea.”
There is something wonderfully fitting about Samantha finding comfort cuddled against the very monster she probably should be running from.
This is dark, strange, violent, and unexpectedly sweet in its own twisted way. Underneath the revenge and stalking is a story about belonging, finding people who see the parts of you everyone else would fear, and discovering that finishing one chapter of your life doesn’t necessarily mean the whole story has to end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Samantha gets her revenge story, the Monster is exactly the kind of devoted psychopath I enjoy, and San Pietro Cove seems like the sort of place where being a little unhinged may actually be a requirement for residency.
October 9, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCE READER COPY FROM AUTHOR
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Hollow Forest by Alexa Michaels was such a wild, unhinged ride. 🖤 I picked this up looking for a short, spooky autumn dark romance, but Samantha and Seph’s story was way more chaotic than I anticipated!
Samantha instantly stole the show for me because she’s not your typical damsel running from danger. She’s on a ruthless revenge mission, carrying a revolver, and literally burying her problems deep in the woods. When she moves into a rundown cottage in San Pietro Cove to lay low, she has no idea she’s moved right into a masked stalker’s territory.
And Seph’s… this man is completely unhinged in the best way possible. 🙈 He’s a massive mafia figure hiding behind a skeletal mask and a handyman disguise, but his level of obsession is off the charts. Instead of just creeping around, he decides to renovate her entire house, fix her plumbing, and break in at 3:45 AM just to cook her a full breakfast. The sheer contrast between his terrifying possessiveness and his weirdly domestic caretaking made their dynamic so addictive to read.
Their chemistry is high-spicy, feral, and totally insane. The whole “chase me through the forest with a knife and I’ll stab you” sequence had me gasping, they are both equally monstrous, which made their connection feel weirdly perfect.
My only real issue was how fast everything moves. Because it’s a novella, the pacing is super fast, and you definitely have to suspend your disbelief when Samantha goes from being terrified to completely on board with her stalker’s twisted games in a split second. Some of the mafia family background also felt a bit crammed in toward the end to set up future books.
Still, despite the chaotic pacing, I was totally hooked. If you love dark romance with obsessive MMCs, primal play, spooky fall vibes, and a heroine who is just as deadly as the hero, this one is definitely worth checking out! 🖤
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5
Hollow Forest by Alexa Michaels was such a wild, unhinged ride. 🖤 I picked this up looking for a short, spooky autumn dark romance, but Samantha and Seph’s story was way more chaotic than I anticipated!
Samantha instantly stole the show for me because she’s not your typical damsel running from danger. She’s on a ruthless revenge mission, carrying a revolver, and literally burying her problems deep in the woods. When she moves into a rundown cottage in San Pietro Cove to lay low, she has no idea she’s moved right into a masked stalker’s territory.
And Seph’s… this man is completely unhinged in the best way possible. 🙈 He’s a massive mafia figure hiding behind a skeletal mask and a handyman disguise, but his level of obsession is off the charts. Instead of just creeping around, he decides to renovate her entire house, fix her plumbing, and break in at 3:45 AM just to cook her a full breakfast. The sheer contrast between his terrifying possessiveness and his weirdly domestic caretaking made their dynamic so addictive to read.
Their chemistry is high-spicy, feral, and totally insane. The whole “chase me through the forest with a knife and I’ll stab you” sequence had me gasping, they are both equally monstrous, which made their connection feel weirdly perfect.
My only real issue was how fast everything moves. Because it’s a novella, the pacing is super fast, and you definitely have to suspend your disbelief when Samantha goes from being terrified to completely on board with her stalker’s twisted games in a split second. Some of the mafia family background also felt a bit crammed in toward the end to set up future books.
Still, despite the chaotic pacing, I was totally hooked. If you love dark romance with obsessive MMCs, primal play, spooky fall vibes, and a heroine who is just as deadly as the hero, this one is definitely worth checking out! 🖤
October 10, 2026
Hollow Forest is the kind of dark autumn novella that wraps around you like cold mist — quiet, eerie, and beautifully unsettling. Alexa Michaels has crafted a story that feels both intimate and expansive, blending emotional depth with supernatural tension in a way that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to stop.
The atmosphere is incredible. From the first chapter, the forest feels alive — not just a backdrop, but a presence. Michaels writes with a cinematic eye: the crunch of leaves, the shifting shadows, the sense that something ancient is watching from between the trees. It’s immersive without ever becoming overwrought, and it sets the perfect tone for a story about fear, grief, and the thin veil between the living and the unseen.
The characters are compelling, especially the protagonist, whose emotional journey anchors the supernatural elements. There’s a rawness to her fear and determination that makes every choice feel meaningful. The novella explores how darkness can creep into a person’s life quietly — through loss, through secrets, through the things we try to outrun — and how confronting that darkness can be both terrifying and transformative.
The pacing is tight, with tension that builds steadily rather than relying on cheap shocks. When the horror elements strike, they hit hard, but they’re grounded in character and emotion. The forest itself becomes a metaphor for the unknown parts of ourselves, and Michaels uses that symbolism beautifully.
By the end, Hollow Forest leaves you with that perfect blend of satisfaction and lingering unease — the kind of story that stays with you, especially if you’re a fan of autumnal horror with emotional weight. It’s atmospheric, haunting, and wonderfully crafted. A standout novella for the season.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The atmosphere is incredible. From the first chapter, the forest feels alive — not just a backdrop, but a presence. Michaels writes with a cinematic eye: the crunch of leaves, the shifting shadows, the sense that something ancient is watching from between the trees. It’s immersive without ever becoming overwrought, and it sets the perfect tone for a story about fear, grief, and the thin veil between the living and the unseen.
The characters are compelling, especially the protagonist, whose emotional journey anchors the supernatural elements. There’s a rawness to her fear and determination that makes every choice feel meaningful. The novella explores how darkness can creep into a person’s life quietly — through loss, through secrets, through the things we try to outrun — and how confronting that darkness can be both terrifying and transformative.
The pacing is tight, with tension that builds steadily rather than relying on cheap shocks. When the horror elements strike, they hit hard, but they’re grounded in character and emotion. The forest itself becomes a metaphor for the unknown parts of ourselves, and Michaels uses that symbolism beautifully.
By the end, Hollow Forest leaves you with that perfect blend of satisfaction and lingering unease — the kind of story that stays with you, especially if you’re a fan of autumnal horror with emotional weight. It’s atmospheric, haunting, and wonderfully crafted. A standout novella for the season.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2026
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
4🌟
4🌶
If you loved Haunting Adeline, but wanted it with more small town and fall vibes, give this book a try.
My Thoughts in 3 words: Page-turner, Fun, Easy-read.
I had a lot of fun with this one. These two had such chemistry and that masked MMC was swoon worthy. I loved that Sam didn’t take any prisoners when it came to her monster. I am a sucker for a man who pushes past little miss “I can do it myself” to take care of her. However, Sam made him WORK for it. The way he countered every argument she had for why she needed to stay on her own was absolutely chef’s kiss! I mean, who doesn’t love a man who cooks, and hands you your revenge on a silver platter? If you’re looking for a fun, quick read to add to your fall TBR, look no further!
Tropes:
Revenge Plot
Seasonal novella
Small Town
Stalker
He Falls First
Hidden Identities
Masked Man
Favorite Quotes:
"Samantha would learn that by coming to the Cove, she’d entwined her existence with mine. I would build a life for her here. One where she became the center of my world. Only then would I break her. Reshape her life until it was one where I could exist with her.”
“No, beautiful. Something this sweet needs to be savored.”
"As if anything but the gates of heaven could keep her away from me. Even those, I would tear open to join her. St. Pete was going to have to recheck his book, because when this angel ascended on high, I was going to be right there, stalking her into the afterlife.”
Thank you to Alexa Michaels for the opportunity to read this intriguing story. I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
4🌟
4🌶
If you loved Haunting Adeline, but wanted it with more small town and fall vibes, give this book a try.
My Thoughts in 3 words: Page-turner, Fun, Easy-read.
I had a lot of fun with this one. These two had such chemistry and that masked MMC was swoon worthy. I loved that Sam didn’t take any prisoners when it came to her monster. I am a sucker for a man who pushes past little miss “I can do it myself” to take care of her. However, Sam made him WORK for it. The way he countered every argument she had for why she needed to stay on her own was absolutely chef’s kiss! I mean, who doesn’t love a man who cooks, and hands you your revenge on a silver platter? If you’re looking for a fun, quick read to add to your fall TBR, look no further!
Tropes:
Revenge Plot
Seasonal novella
Small Town
Stalker
He Falls First
Hidden Identities
Masked Man
Favorite Quotes:
"Samantha would learn that by coming to the Cove, she’d entwined her existence with mine. I would build a life for her here. One where she became the center of my world. Only then would I break her. Reshape her life until it was one where I could exist with her.”
“No, beautiful. Something this sweet needs to be savored.”
"As if anything but the gates of heaven could keep her away from me. Even those, I would tear open to join her. St. Pete was going to have to recheck his book, because when this angel ascended on high, I was going to be right there, stalking her into the afterlife.”
Thank you to Alexa Michaels for the opportunity to read this intriguing story. I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
October 12, 2026
Alexa Michael’s is starting to be known as my “Hallmark Dark Romance” writer. Her stories some how flawlessly combine dark elements (stalking, murder) with cute RomCom touches (small town festivals, coffee shops in fall, cute cottages) and the result is a feel good murdery romance? Even as I type that it seems weird/wrong/impossible… but she manages it.
Meet Sam, our FMC. She’s out for blood. Her sister died a few years ago; drugged, raped, and then killed in a fiery car crash. Six men were involved. Sam swore an oath to avenge her sister by murdering them all. Our story picks up in New Jersey, where Sam is hunting Antonio Ferretti, the last of the 6 men who hurt Dezzy, Sam’s sister. Sam shows up in San Pietro Cove with the clothes on her back and a few dollars in her pocket. She unknowingly rents a dilapidated little cottage from the local crime family. Giuseppe “Joseph” Ravello. He sends a crew lead by Joey to renovate the cottage. Sam starts to find herself attracted to Joey, but problematically, she has another suitor who she has become the obsession of. The Monster is her masked stalker who she should be terrified of, but it can be hard to be terrified of someone who fills your fridge with groceries, and cooks you meals; even if he only shows up uninvited and masked. Sam and the monster are kindred spirits and she finds herself attracted to him immediately. Will Sam fall for the wrong man? Will she give up her vendetta for love? Or will her love help her finish her vendetta?
Meet Sam, our FMC. She’s out for blood. Her sister died a few years ago; drugged, raped, and then killed in a fiery car crash. Six men were involved. Sam swore an oath to avenge her sister by murdering them all. Our story picks up in New Jersey, where Sam is hunting Antonio Ferretti, the last of the 6 men who hurt Dezzy, Sam’s sister. Sam shows up in San Pietro Cove with the clothes on her back and a few dollars in her pocket. She unknowingly rents a dilapidated little cottage from the local crime family. Giuseppe “Joseph” Ravello. He sends a crew lead by Joey to renovate the cottage. Sam starts to find herself attracted to Joey, but problematically, she has another suitor who she has become the obsession of. The Monster is her masked stalker who she should be terrified of, but it can be hard to be terrified of someone who fills your fridge with groceries, and cooks you meals; even if he only shows up uninvited and masked. Sam and the monster are kindred spirits and she finds herself attracted to him immediately. Will Sam fall for the wrong man? Will she give up her vendetta for love? Or will her love help her finish her vendetta?
October 5, 2026
Title: Hollow Forest
Author: Alexa Michaels
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This gets five stars and I’ll tell you why… he sticks the fridge full of food and gets her a job! But MOST of ALL he helps her get her revenge in the most sweetest way possible and he chases her to the spot where her revenge is hung up like a scarecrow. And then they did the special thing and then she put a bullet in his head to make sure he was dead and then continued to do the special thing. In my book that’s 12. Like he’d been stalking her since she arrived. He renovated the house she was staying in to make it more homey for her. The stalker and the man are one in the same person. But she’s trying to figure out her stalker is and the same time the contractor is trying to get closer to her. But she realizes they are one and the same and when she finds out she finally realizes she safe and she could stay. She no longer needs to run. She no longer needs to hide. She finally found her person.
Author: Alexa Michaels
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This gets five stars and I’ll tell you why… he sticks the fridge full of food and gets her a job! But MOST of ALL he helps her get her revenge in the most sweetest way possible and he chases her to the spot where her revenge is hung up like a scarecrow. And then they did the special thing and then she put a bullet in his head to make sure he was dead and then continued to do the special thing. In my book that’s 12. Like he’d been stalking her since she arrived. He renovated the house she was staying in to make it more homey for her. The stalker and the man are one in the same person. But she’s trying to figure out her stalker is and the same time the contractor is trying to get closer to her. But she realizes they are one and the same and when she finds out she finally realizes she safe and she could stay. She no longer needs to run. She no longer needs to hide. She finally found her person.
October 8, 2026
Hollow Forest pulled me in with its dark, eerie atmosphere and the feeling that there was always something lurking just out of sight. The setting really stood out to me—the forest felt mysterious, unsettling, and almost like a character of its own.
I loved the tension and sense of danger throughout the story. There were plenty of moments where I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, and that kept me turning the pages. The characters also had enough depth to make me care about what they were going through, especially as secrets started coming to light.
What I enjoyed most was the creepy, suspenseful vibe. It had that perfect feeling of being somewhere beautiful but knowing something is seriously wrong underneath the surface. The story kept me curious, and I liked how the mystery slowly unfolded.
Overall, Hollow Forest was an atmospheric and addictive read with plenty of suspense, secrets, and dark moments.
I loved the tension and sense of danger throughout the story. There were plenty of moments where I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next, and that kept me turning the pages. The characters also had enough depth to make me care about what they were going through, especially as secrets started coming to light.
What I enjoyed most was the creepy, suspenseful vibe. It had that perfect feeling of being somewhere beautiful but knowing something is seriously wrong underneath the surface. The story kept me curious, and I liked how the mystery slowly unfolded.
Overall, Hollow Forest was an atmospheric and addictive read with plenty of suspense, secrets, and dark moments.
October 8, 2026
Hollow Forest by Alexa Michaels is a wonderfully atmospheric dark novella that pulls you into its mysterious world from the very beginning. The autumn setting added an especially creepy quality to the story, with the forest feeling like a character of its own: beautiful, unsettling, and full of secrets. I enjoyed the sense of tension throughout the book. The story had a dark, haunting mood without feeling unnecessarily drawn out, which made it an easy read when you want something suspenseful and atmospheric. There’s a nice balance of mystery and darker elements that kept me curious about what would happen next. Overall, Hollow Forest was a great choice for a chilly fall evening when you’re in the mood for something dark and unsettling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2026
Oh, this was so deliciously unhinged! 🥰
I picked this up expecting a moody, atmospheric dark romance, and it completely delivered. The setting in that eerie, isolated town gave me major chills right from the start, and the tension between Samantha and the masked man is just off the charts. I loved how the power dynamics kept shifting they are both absolute menaces to each other in the best way possible.
The pacing is addictive, and the chemistry is pitch-black and scorching. The only tiny reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that I wanted just a little more depth to the town’s lore, but honestly, once the romance and suspense took over, I didn't care anymore.
If you love morally grey characters, forced proximity, and heroines who bite back, you need to read this.
I picked this up expecting a moody, atmospheric dark romance, and it completely delivered. The setting in that eerie, isolated town gave me major chills right from the start, and the tension between Samantha and the masked man is just off the charts. I loved how the power dynamics kept shifting they are both absolute menaces to each other in the best way possible.
The pacing is addictive, and the chemistry is pitch-black and scorching. The only tiny reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that I wanted just a little more depth to the town’s lore, but honestly, once the romance and suspense took over, I didn't care anymore.
If you love morally grey characters, forced proximity, and heroines who bite back, you need to read this.
October 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥🔥
Samantha, on a path of vengeance, finds herself in a small town preparing for her next target when she becomes the obsession of a man who sees her for exactly who she is.
This is a fast-paced, short novella at under 170 pages. Samantha and the monster are quite entertaining together. I love when both characters are completely unhinged instead of it being one-sided, and the author did them so well. The spice is moderate to high depending on your tolerance. This was a quick and enjoyable read from start to finish.
Read If You Enjoy
* Unhinged Main Characters
* Cat and Mouse
* Secret Identities
* Revenge Vendettas
* Primal Play
* Dual POV.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🔥🔥🔥
Samantha, on a path of vengeance, finds herself in a small town preparing for her next target when she becomes the obsession of a man who sees her for exactly who she is.
This is a fast-paced, short novella at under 170 pages. Samantha and the monster are quite entertaining together. I love when both characters are completely unhinged instead of it being one-sided, and the author did them so well. The spice is moderate to high depending on your tolerance. This was a quick and enjoyable read from start to finish.
Read If You Enjoy
* Unhinged Main Characters
* Cat and Mouse
* Secret Identities
* Revenge Vendettas
* Primal Play
* Dual POV.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2026
- Quick read
- Dark romance
- St@lker vibe
- Woman on a mission
- Secret identity
- M@sked Man
This is a quick read, but it is not short on action or sass! This author is known for writing strong female characters, and Samantha is no exception.
We quickly find out that Sam is on the hunt. She has rented an absolute shack to lay low while planning her next excursion.
Sam doesn't realize she has gotten the attention of an unknown admirer...who leaves her presents like food. She isn't sure what to make of the masked man, but she isn't mad about his presence... :)
This short read is sp1cy, of course, and completely unh1ng3d in the very best way...
- Dark romance
- St@lker vibe
- Woman on a mission
- Secret identity
- M@sked Man
This is a quick read, but it is not short on action or sass! This author is known for writing strong female characters, and Samantha is no exception.
We quickly find out that Sam is on the hunt. She has rented an absolute shack to lay low while planning her next excursion.
Sam doesn't realize she has gotten the attention of an unknown admirer...who leaves her presents like food. She isn't sure what to make of the masked man, but she isn't mad about his presence... :)
This short read is sp1cy, of course, and completely unh1ng3d in the very best way...
October 3, 2026
Samantha came to be in an abandoned cottage in the woods to be a ghost, and complete her revenge, she found the town people friendly a bit too friendly and secretive. Then there was the masked man whose making her breakfast, and knows to much about her. Seph is drawn to Samantha and that means he finds out all there is to know about her, except what shes hiding from, but wil he help in her revege? Will he let he leave? Or will he tell her to run only so he can chase! Well written engaging steamy desires drama dark themes, masked stalker and more!
October 3, 2026
Arc received from author
This is a very quick but good stalker romance read.
Sam comes to a small town to seek revenge for her sister and finds out she had a stalker. While at a job at the cafe for surveillance, she had suspicions on who her stalker is. After finding her masked stalker cooking her breakfast at 3am, she begins to see the desire bloom for him but conflicted with fulfilling revenge.
The stalker is a touch her and die type which is portrayed well.
You think you work out who the stalker is, but are you sure!?
This is a very quick but good stalker romance read.
Sam comes to a small town to seek revenge for her sister and finds out she had a stalker. While at a job at the cafe for surveillance, she had suspicions on who her stalker is. After finding her masked stalker cooking her breakfast at 3am, she begins to see the desire bloom for him but conflicted with fulfilling revenge.
The stalker is a touch her and die type which is portrayed well.
You think you work out who the stalker is, but are you sure!?
October 8, 2026
Can a stalker/murderer be sweet? Cause he is. She’s the new girl in town out to complete revenge for her sister’s death when she catches the eye of a very dangerous person. She rented a rundown cottage at the edge of town until her plan is complete. What she doesn’t know is there are things that go bump in the night on the outskirts of town. Her and her stalker keep things entertaining and downright dirty as she tries to find herself again and take down the one man that ruined everything she had left.
October 13, 2026
Samantha has arrived in town on a path of revenge for her sister that died. She rents a cabin in the woods and her mysterious landlord sends a contractor over to fix it up. A monster begins stalking her, showing up at night and leaving her gifts. As tension builds between her and the monster, the contractor begins watching her and showing up at her work causing her to be torn between the two. This is a dark, revenge book at has some steamy bits, some action and lots of intrigue.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2026
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m hooked! I loved how Giuseppe didn’t want to stop Samantha from continuing to explore her dark side, but instead helped her accomplish her revenge. I also loved the idea of the town being essentially a sleepy village, but with morally gray characters at every corner. I hope Michael’s writes more books involving this world.
✨No cheating ✨No cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
✨No cheating ✨No cliffhanger.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2026
Sam is on a mission of revenge. She doesn't count on a masked man stalking her or what that does to her. He knows just how to woo a woman like her. He anticipates her needs before she does and starts sending gifts and stocking the fridge. What woman wouldn't swoon. But she has one purpose and cannot afford to be distracted as nice as that would be.
The stalker is playing a game he plans to win.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The stalker is playing a game he plans to win.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2026
Please check all CW and TW before reading this one! I absolutely loved Samantha. She was a woman with a goal in mind, to get revenge for her sister. I will forever love me a FMC like this. Then we get Joey. This man is obsessed with Sam and I was here for all of it. I loved their dynamic and honestly they have become one of my favorite couples.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2026
Hollow Forest by Alexa Michaels
*PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK AS THIS BOOK MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE*
If you like mafia romance books you are going to want to read this book because it is so good. I was hooked on this book from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading it because I loved the characters and the plot twists & turns.
*PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK AS THIS BOOK MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE*
If you like mafia romance books you are going to want to read this book because it is so good. I was hooked on this book from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading it because I loved the characters and the plot twists & turns.
October 3, 2026
Whooha, what a pageturner.
I felt our FMC's grief, hatred, loneliness, obsession... and her wanting to belong, feel safe and loved. Enter our masked monster who watches her, fills her fridge at night and worships her... always masked.
Great story, great characters, a great series.
Cannot wait for Lucians story❤️.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt our FMC's grief, hatred, loneliness, obsession... and her wanting to belong, feel safe and loved. Enter our masked monster who watches her, fills her fridge at night and worships her... always masked.
Great story, great characters, a great series.
Cannot wait for Lucians story❤️.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 3, 2026
These two have been my absolute favorite in the series so far.
You've got Sam set out for revenge - and she's a bad B. And the Monster who is doing everything in his power to make sure she's *finally* taken care of (and also aid in the revenge).
I'm almost sad to have finished their story. If there's a side quest specifically involving them, I'd devour it in one sitting, no questions asked.
You've got Sam set out for revenge - and she's a bad B. And the Monster who is doing everything in his power to make sure she's *finally* taken care of (and also aid in the revenge).
I'm almost sad to have finished their story. If there's a side quest specifically involving them, I'd devour it in one sitting, no questions asked.
October 3, 2026
Run!!
This was a good quick read. Sam and the monster are so complexed and funny with a creepy side. I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the series and the introduction to the characters are quick and leave you wanting more from the other characters. Looking forward to reading what's next
This was a good quick read. Sam and the monster are so complexed and funny with a creepy side. I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the series and the introduction to the characters are quick and leave you wanting more from the other characters. Looking forward to reading what's next
October 7, 2026
Great book. I loved the idea of a chase and catch. Makes it exciting. Just not sure who was after who in the end.
Samantha had a cabin in the forest but felt she was being watched and was on edge, not knowing who or what was watching her.
Great suspense and an exciting edge that kept me reading. Great work!
Samantha had a cabin in the forest but felt she was being watched and was on edge, not knowing who or what was watching her.
Great suspense and an exciting edge that kept me reading. Great work!
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