Heart of a Stalker

Ashenheart #2

by Shalana Battles

"I've put men in the ground to protect you. I've cut throats in alleys behind hotels in cities you don't even know exist."

Sava is a contract killer known only as the Monster. No face. No name. For three years she's lived in the seams of Adrian Ashenheart's life—scrubbing herself out of every camera feed, quietly burying his enemies, standing close enough in the dark to count his breaths.

Adrian doesn't need to see her to know she's there. He knows her by scent—smoke, cloves, honey. He's logged every trace of her and played the same unfinished song for three years, waiting for her to come close enough to touch.

But then a bounty lands on the Ashenheart family and killers come for Adrian at home. Sava breaks cover to scream his name. Now every enemy she has knows exactly what Adrian is to her.

Sava has spent years certain the only way to keep Adrian alive is to stay in the shadows. But she's out in the open now and some debts can only be paid in blood...

A gritty, spicy, unputdownable dark romance. Perfect for readers who

A reverse-stalker romanceFound family and brotherhoodForced proximity, mutual obsession and vicious possessivenessSpice with brutal emotional stakesWhat readers are saying about this

'Doesn't just pull you in — it grips you by the throat and dares you to look away... and you won't. Not once.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book had me in a CHOKEHOLD!!... the romance, adventure, everything is absolute perfection!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

' Fire, ice and truly spectacular ... Shalana Battles has crafted a masterpiece that I hope becomes a bestseller. An all-consuming romance... Highly recommended.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I'm completely and totally obsessed with this book and these characters. Full of fear, protectiveness, obsession, and intensity... this book will grab you and have you panting for more.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book absolutely STOLE me. Literally! For the last 28 hours, I could not put my iPad down... This book had everything — dark romance, crime, hackers, city histories — to just ahhhh amazing.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely my favorite read so far this year! From the very first page through to the end the characters and their stories pulled me in and there was no turning back.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Dark, gritty, spicy, suspenseful, and completely bingeable... it gave me everything I want when I pick up a dark danger, obsession, suspense, found family, a possessive MMC, and that delicious "touch her and you're dead" energy.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I devoured this book... he's a bad man but oh so good... he would burn the world down for her. This is a sexy dark romance and I ate it up.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Dark, intense, and completely addictive... I loved the morally gray characters and the obsessive relationship at the center of the story. If you like your romance with danger, suspense, questionable decisions, and a little bit of crazy, this one delivers.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The perfect blend of dark romance, mafia, he falls first, wrong number, and found family. I could barely put this book down.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Dark, gritty, and emotionally charged in all the right ways.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Hooked from the first chapter... exactly the kind of morally gray hero I want in a dark ruthless, dangerous, possessive, and absolutely feral when it comes to protecting her.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Dark Romance

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 9, 2026

Reviews

[Sheareads_jk3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So after you fall in love with Cassius, Melinda, and the found family in the first book (Heart of a Killer), we get to continue the story with one of my favorites! Sava who is the “Monster” Cassius’ partner in crime (literally).

We get to follow Sava and learn how she became the Monster. Her story is what made her who she is today but also the reason she longs for love and a softer life. Her live interest is Cassius’ brother Adrian.

Adrian is the oldest of the Ashenheart family, the boss, and can hack any system. We learn about the accident that caused him to lose his sight but also everything that he is fighting for.

Adrian and Sava are fighting for each other and waging a war of good and evil. They have a strong presence on their side that will put fear in the hearts of their enemies and make sure they all get what they deserve.

Just go get the Ashenheart series already! Shalana did the damn thing with these!

[Tairn's hoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes
⚔︎ Reverse Stalking
⚔︎ Mutual Obsession
⚔︎ Reverse Stalking

My Thoughts
This book blew my mind. I laughed, I cried and giggled and devoured it so fast. This was my first book ever from Shalana Battles and I absolutely enjoyed it. Definitely going to keep coming for more.
I had no idea this is the second book in the series, but these are interconnected standalones, each story focusing on a different couple so you will be fine reading it as is. I do have a tiny complain, that is that I found this story under sci fi and fantasy genre, but this was pure contemporary. Dark romance, reverse stalking type contemporary.
This book is my favorite kind of dark romance where both FMC and MMC hold power and are equally menacing and destructive.
That being said everything in this book was perfectly balanced. The spice was delicious; the stalking was top notch, the obsession from them both was swoon worthy

[Leanne · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Heart of a Stalker is one of those dark romances that doesn’t just flirt with danger — it inhales it, lives in it, and asks you to sit with the unsettling tenderness that grows in the shadows. Sava is a contract killer known only as the Monster, a woman who has spent three years living in the seams of Adrian Ashenheart’s life. No face. No name. Just smoke, cloves, honey… and the bodies she quietly removes to keep him breathing.

I loved how the book frames her devotion: not soft, not sweet, but feral. She’s the kind of protector who doesn’t ask permission, who scrubs herself out of every camera feed, who stands close enough in the dark to count his breaths. It’s obsessive, yes, but also strangely intimate — a love language written in violence and vigilance.

Adrian feels her long before he ever sees her. He knows her by scent, by the unfinished song he’s played for three years, waiting for the moment she steps out of the shadows. Their connection is mutual obsession at its finest: two people circling each other with a hunger that feels inevitable.

And then the bounty drops.

Killers come for Adrian at home, and Sava breaks cover to scream his name — a moment that snaps the story wide open. Every enemy she has now knows exactly what Adrian is to her. The danger shifts from distant to immediate, and the book leans into that escalation with brutal elegance. Sava has always believed the only way to keep him alive is to stay hidden. Now she’s exposed, and some debts can only be paid in blood.

Killers come for Adrian at home, and Sava breaks cover to scream his name — a moment that snaps the story wide open. Every enemy she has now knows exactly what Adrian is to her. The danger shifts from distant to immediate, and the book leans into that escalation with brutal elegance. Sava has always believed the only way to keep him alive is to stay hidden. Now she’s exposed, and some debts can only be paid in blood.

What works beautifully is the emotional grit beneath the violence. Sava isn’t heartless; she’s carved herself into a weapon because she thought that was the only way to survive. Adrian isn’t fragile; he’s a man who has spent years longing for the ghost who protects him. Their chemistry is sharp, possessive, and impossible to soften — the kind of attraction that feels like a collision rather than a courtship.

The found family and brotherhood threads add warmth in unexpected places, grounding the story so it isn’t just blood and obsession. Forced proximity, vicious protectiveness, and the constant hum of danger keep the tension taut. And the spice? It’s open‑door, intense, and threaded with emotional stakes that make every moment feel earned rather than gratuitous.

What lingered for me is the central truth: Sava has spent years believing she can only love Adrian from the shadows. But stepping into the light — choosing him openly, fiercely, dangerously — becomes the hardest blessing she’s ever faced.

A gritty, spicy, unputdownable dark romance about mutual obsession, brutal devotion, and the kind of love that doesn’t ask for permission. Fierce, addictive, and beautifully unhinged.

With thanks to Shalana Battles and the publisher for the ARC

[Ménade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me present you your upcoming obsession! I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and I can thank them and the author enough 🫶🏼

This dark romance was more than what I was expecting! That tension between the main characters of this twisted love story?! Oh my god. I was consumed. The mutual stalking and how both of them have been obsessed with each other for the past three years!! She was protecting him in the shadows and he was looking for her everywhere, sensing her, smelling her scent. The fact that this man remembered her scent is enough reason to convince you to read it!

Sava is known as "the Monster", she is a heartless killer whose personal goal is to protect Adrian. He is the oldest of the Ashenheart's brothers and he's become a target. However he is just as dangerous.

It's brilliant! It's very detailed and the plot is addicting. This spicy dark romance is one of the darkest I've read in a while so bear that in mind. Don't say I didn't warn you 🤭. And the good thing is that it's part of a series! So we can get more of this world Shalana built.

[Katie · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A fast-paced, suspenseful dark romance that will twist your brain and leave you questioning EVERYTHING! You’ll find yourself torn over how to feel, constantly guessing what’s coming next. I loved the found family aspect, the tension, and the way the suspense kept me on my toes. This book had me all kinds of conflicted, and I ate up every minute of it!

[Suzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

🫟Contemporary
🫟Romantic suspense
🫟Dark romance
🫟Gritty Mafia
🫟Morally Gray Main Characters
🫟Secret Identity
🫟Vigilante Justice
🫟Reverse-Stalker Romance
🫟Stalker x Stalker / Mutual Obsession
🫟Deadly Female Assassin
🫟Touch Her / Him and Die
🫟Forced Proximity
🫟Hurt / Comfort
🫟Who Hurt You?
🫟Second Chance
🫟They BOTH Fall First
🫟Found Family & Brotherhood
🫟The Ashenheart Family Network
🫟Cat and Mouse Game
🫟Hidden secrets and mystery
🫟Spice with brutal emotional stakes
🫟The All-Consuming "Burn the World" Romance
🫟Engaging / riveting / gripping / gritty / addictive storyline
🫟Page turner / suspenseful / fast paced
🫟Fun cast of supporting characters

He logs her scent—smoke, cloves, and honey. She scrubs herself from his security feeds. This isn't just a dark romance; it’s an absolute masterpiece in mutual obsession. If you thought Cassius and Elena were intense in Heart of a Killer, Adrian and Sava will completely wreck you. Shalana Battles took the dark mafia romance subgenre and elevated it to a whole new level by giving us the ultimate reverse-stalker dynamic. The psychological tension in this book is consuming from the very first page, delivering a gritty underworld atmosphere that feels completely unhinged yet deeply romantic. It pushes the boundaries of the Ashenheart world into a much darker, more primal territory where love is a dangerous, all-consuming weapon.

Sava—known to the criminal underworld simply as "the Monster"—is easily one of my favorite dark romance heroines of all time. She is a lethal, faceless contract killer who has spent three years living in the seams of Adrian’s life, quietly erasing his enemies from the shadows. But Adrian isn't a passive victim. He’s an Ashenheart, and he’s been fully aware of his ghost and little protector. Watching him play an unfinished song for three years just to lure his stalker out of the dark? The tension is top-tier. Their connection is a breathless, high-stakes cat-and-mouse game where the line between predator and prey completely dissolves into raw, all-consuming devotion. It is a brilliant, blood-soaked testament to how beautiful a fractured, dangerous love can be when two "monsters" finally find their match.

What makes this book stand out from book one is that both characters are deeply entrenched in the gritty, violent mafia world. There is no innocent bystander here. We get two lethal, morally gray forces going toe-to-toe. Their explosive dynamic is pushed to the limit when an active bounty targets the Ashenhearts, trapping them in a high-tension, forced-proximity survival match where they must fight side-by-side.

The tropes in this book are top-tier:
🫟 Reverse-Stalker x Stalker (Mutual Obsession)
🫟 Deadly Female Assassin
🫟 Touch him/her and die
🫟 Heavy Hurt/Comfort with deep emotional trauma

The physical connection is fiercely primal, raw, and sensual, but it never overshadows the plot. The brotherhood and loyalty of the Accord alliance add such a rich layer to the story, and seeing the broader Ashenheart family dynamics play out kept me turning the pages late into the night.

If you love your romance deeply obsessive, intensely protective, and covered in blood and shadows, you need to read this immediately. Shalana Battles has officially cemented the Ashenheart series as a must-read dark romance.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart of a Stalker by Shalana Battles

Savannah/Sava & Adrian

This book had one of my favorite kinds of dark-romance dynamics: two people who are both deeply damaged, both completely obsessed, and somehow exactly right for each other.

Sava is an assassin who has spent most of her life being used as a weapon. Adrian is dangerous in his own right, and from the moment their paths cross, neither one really lets go.

Their obsession is very much mutual.

One of the things I liked most was that Adrian never treats Sava like she is too damaged to make her own choices. He wants to protect her, absolutely, but the story keeps coming back to the difference between protecting someone and taking away their autonomy.

That really comes through in lines like:

*“Fear isn’t the same thing as doubt.”*

And:

*“I didn’t ask what you deserve. I asked what you want.”*

Sava has spent so much of her life thinking in terms of usefulness, survival, and what other people need from her that simply asking what she wants becomes incredibly meaningful.

Adrian sees that.

He also understands that loving her does not mean locking her away from every possible danger. He may hate the risks she takes, but he still respects that they are hers to choose.

At the same time, Sava’s devotion to Adrian is just as intense.

*“I’ll die a thousand times if every one of them keeps him breathing.”*

That line sums her up perfectly.

Neither of these characters loves halfway.

For all the violence, danger, and obsession, the emotional center of the story is surprisingly tender. Sava slowly starts to understand that maybe she is allowed to have something beyond survival. She can have a home. She can be loved without being useful first. She can choose happiness.

And Adrian makes his feelings very clear:

*“There’s only you, Savannah.”*

No uncertainty. No games. No wondering where she stands.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It had the darkness and obsession I wanted, but also a strong emotional core built around trust, choice, and two people learning that love does not have to mean control.

Violent, obsessive, surprisingly tender, and very satisfying.

[Bev · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Another ARC, another author who is now firmly on my radar! And let me tell you, I bloody LOVED this book!

Sava is a contract killer known as The Monster. Nobody knows her real name, what she looks like, or who she really is. All they know is to fear her.

Then there's Adrian. One glimpse of him and Sava becomes obsessed. She's been slipping into his life, watching him from the shadows and protecting him without him ever knowing she's there.

Until one day, everything changes.

After an attack leaves Adrian badly injured and blind, Sava stays on the outskirts of his life for the next three years. Taking out his enemies, watching over him in his own home, and making sure nobody gets close enough to hurt him.

But Adrian is far from clueless. He knows his home inside out, notices every little sound, and recognises the scents of honey, smoke and cloves. He knows she's there. And whilst Sava thinks she's the one doing all the watching, Adrian has been keeping tabs on her too.

When a bounty is placed on the Ashenheart family and danger comes knocking at Adrian's door, Sava finally breaks her silence to save him. And just like that, her biggest weakness is exposed.

Now their enemies know exactly how to get to The Monster.

And Sava's solution? Disappear again. Because obviously, that's going to work out brilliantly.
I WAS HOOKED. The tension, the obsession, the violence, the twists, I couldn't get enough!

It's gritty, gory, dark, spicy and absolutely unhinged in the best possible way. Sava is one hell of a character, and the dynamic between her and Adrian had me in a chokehold.

This was my first book featuring the Ashenheart family, and now i need them all. Every single one.

Another ARC ticked off, a new-to-me author discovered, and a back catalogue added to my ever-growing TBR. My bank account is going to hate me.

If you love dark romance, morally grey characters, obsessive devotion and a whole lot of violence with your spice, get this on your TBR.

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review
I came into this series on this book, which I believe is book 3. The open page hooked me—who doesn’t want an unhinged assassin with a sense of humor as one of their narrators? Unfortunately, that was kind of the highlight of the book. Perhaps if I started at the beginning, back at book one, I wouldn’t feel so disjointed. I absolutely love Sava and Adrian, feel sympathy for both of them as characters and live the Ashencroft family. I enjoyed the basis of this book, I enjoyed their interactions, the hacking ability, the constant connection, the murderous rampage.
What I didn’t like was the absolute massive amount of characters. By the end of the book there were so many people I stopped caring to keep it straight. I felt drowned in people. It’s one thing to have a back story, it’s another completely to bring in so many people that it no longer makes sense in the story, but almost like the author trying to flex “what they can do” with different characters. I know this series continues, so perhaps save some names for the next book? I mean—do we need 12 supporting people in one scene? I was hard to digest.
Also, absolutely couldn’t stand the inconsistencies with Adrian. He’s blind, so why turn the lights on in the house? Then two more chapters the author makes a point of saying he has “no need for lights”. Then what the previous passage about?? The author makes constant mistakes of “seeing” through Adrian’s eyes or backtracks after realizing a blind person wouldn’t do something. It was very frustrating.
Very light spice in the book, though it was hyped as being “very spicy”. It definitely was not.
Fully believe this story could have been 4-5 stars if we simplified the characters down. Stick with the Ashencrofts and one backstory at a time. You suffocate the reader with so many people.

[Stacie · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

ARC review for Netfalley, all thoughts, opinions and feelings are my own. They aren’t swayed by being a review of an ARC

So I didn’t like this book as much as the first one, and I really enjoyed Heart of a Killer. I think the biggest problem for me is unfortunately, I like the characters more when they were side characters in the first book. I’m as shocked as anyone because Adrian and Sava were my favourite of the extras and when I found out the next book was about them I was really excited.

Now one aspect I bloody loved was the story was a continuation of the first book, but set from the POV of different characters. I think that gave it a really interesting feel and I was already invested in what was going to happen before I started reading.

I also loved the aspect of everything being described in detail when it was Adrian’s POV because of being blind. I like how strong he was while still doubting himself and I liked how Sava was still a deadly individual while having a softer side that only he saw.

I have my theories on what’s going to happen in the next book when more information is revealed revolving around certain key ‘villains’ so I’m looking forward to next year when I can continue to read the series. I love Caleb and though personally it’s not the person I would have most loved it see as a main character of the next book, I am looking forward to it all the same.

All in all this was a good book with a good steady pace, I think more could have been said surrounding a certain character we have met to meet, because I think in the last two books we’ve only slightly brushed over it. Either way this book was exactly what it said it would be, a dark romance with touch him and die and so much more.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware of lurking in the shadows to protect the man you love, especially when he's been waiting for you to get close enough to touch! This is an electrifying, high-stakes dark romance packed with reverse-stalker dynamics, lethal secrets, and explosive mutual yearning and obsession.

For years, Sava has lived as a faceless, nameless contract killer operating in the shadows. Embedded in the life of Adrian Ashenheart, she scrubs camera feeds, silently eliminates threats, and stays close enough to count his every breath. But Adrian isn't as blind to her presence as she thinks; he knows her by scent alone and has been patiently waiting for her to step into the light. When a massive bounty is placed on the Ashenheart family and assassins target Adrian in his own home, Sava is forced to break cover and expose her deepest secret to enemies who now realize exactly how much he means to her.

I absolutely loved the delicious reverse-stalker dynamic and the unhinged "touch him and you're dead" energy in this book! The sheer intensity of their mutual obsession creates unmatched romantic tension, seamlessly blending high-spiced dark romance with gritty crime and suspense.

Beyond the thrilling romantic chemistry, the story shines with its strong sense of found family, loyalty and high-stakes conflict. The danger feels real, the emotions are sky-high, and the fast-paced plot keeps you completely glued to the page from start to finish.

This is a pulse-pounding blend of dark romance, reverse-stalker tropes, forced proximity, lethal assassins, and fierce found family. Highly recommended for fans of dark romance, reverse-stalker dynamics, "touch him and you're dead" tension, mutual obsession, lethal assassin heroines, and high-stakes crime suspense!

[Holli Mattox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Ashenheart series comes in SWINGING. If the first line of the prologue doesn’t make your mouth drop wide open then I don’t know what could. Heart of a Stalker made me feel so many feelings. In book 1 we are introduced to all of the brothers and we know that Adrian is blind, but I love that this book dives right into what caused him to go blind and how much of an absolute BOSS he is for the way he handles everything from that moment on. Putting yourself in Adrian’s shoes-imagine seeing a woman you are so intrigued by moments before a major catastrophe, being injured, she somehow knows your name, and her face is the last woman you ever see? You remember her face. You remember her first name. You remember her voice and her coffee order, and even her smell. In this new life you now live of total darkness you catch traces of her scent and you swear she is all around you, only everyone around you thinks your head made her up during your injury. NOW, at this point we’ve only scratched the surface of book 2! 😂

In this book we meet Sava AND Savannah. Learning about Savannah’s upbringing will make you want to vomit and cry and throw something all at the same time, and it is so easy to understand how Sava came to be. The character building in this series is 10/10 and I can’t wait for Caleb’s story in book 3. Of course, would it even be a series if we didn’t end on a cliffhanger??? Nope! 😂 Per usual, Shalana Battles knocked this one out of the park.

[Rebecca Ramm · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I was initially hooked on the premise of this book—the FMC as the stalker? SOLD. Not only that, but Sava was a bad-A assassin who could take anyone out. The yearning in the first part of the book was absolutely heart-wrenching. Three years of yearning on both sides!!

Both Sava and Adrian carried so much emotional trauma, which made their dynamic really compelling. I loved that Sava was best friends with Adrian’s brother without him realizing she was actually the "girl from the cafe." There was a great found family aspect too—not just with Adrian's family, but with the Accord.

A couple of things held it back slightly for me: keeping track of all the side characters got super confusing (a "who’s who" guide for Accord members would have been a super helpful). Also, some of the internal monologue felt a bit too long and overthought to the point where I found myself skimming, and a few plot points near the end (like Tommy and Gustavo) needed a bit more information.

Overall, I really enjoyed Heart of a Stalker!

*******I NEED an Evie and Kostya book please!!!!

[Zonia H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the advance readers copy

Obsessed doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about this series. Sava, the FMC, is such a bad ass and type of character that makes me want to give her a high five. She is so protective of Adrian, the MMC. Adrian is tough in his own right, but became blind during an attack which now Sava wants to protect him. I like that Adrian has trained his other senses to make up for his lack of vision. He knows by smell when Sava is near. The action was still high in book 2 and it kept a me wanting to know what would happen next. I couldn’t put it down. Although we are now on Adrian and Sava’s story, we still see plenty of Cassius and Melinda.
Now, what really made fall in love with this book is how much Adrian will do to protect Sava. Sava who has gone through hell and back, Sava who has ensures he is safe, Sava who did not have a childhood. There’s so much passion and devotion with these two that it leaves you yearning. My favorite Sava signature is how she offs those evil men.

[Jodie · Rating 0.5 out of 5]

Had to DNF at 30% as I found I was forcing myself to keep going when really this book was sadly just not for me; and it was largely due to how it was written.

I found it very stilted, the dialogue not coming across as natural or flowing, and we're thrown straight into the story with little background about our two leads (it's marketed as a standalone but reading other reviews I see that if you read the first book, then a lot of context makes more sense). The plot was happening at such neck breaking speed that I kept re-reading to see if I glossed over something as I kept losing the thread of what was going on. There was also so many characters who would just apprear before vanishing off the page again, I stopped keeping track. The was little inconsistencies with Adrian's character POV which made me think that the author kept forgetting he was, y'know, blind?

I'm sure other readers will enjoy Heart of a Stalker - but yeah, just not my cup of tea this time.

[This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.]

[Stacey Cremers · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

There are honestly not enough words for how much I LOVED this book!!! Savannah and Adrien’s story completely broke my heart and had me so incredibly invested in both of them and everything they were going through. I was completely entwined in their story, but also in the bigger storyline that continues to unfold throughout this series.

This entire web of characters, secrets, connections, and storylines is SO GOOD, and I am completely hooked! I cannot believe I have to wait until March for the next book. 😭 The wait is going to be brutal!

I’m also really hoping we get more books featuring other members of the Accord because I am nowhere near ready to leave this world or these characters. Give me ALL of their stories! I need to know everything! ❤️

Absolutely loved this one and cannot wait to see where this whole story goes next!

[Nikki Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Shalana Battles for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

We welcome back the incredibly broken Ashenheart brothers in book 2, focusing on Adrian. Sava is also part of the Ashenheart crowd, but as a killer working with Cassius. Both had complicated childhoods that shaped them into the people they are now. Check triggers, as some topics are heavy.

Sava watches him day in and day out. Learns his patterns. Teaches herself how he uses his senses after he lost his eyesight during an attack at the cafe she was at. Adrian knows there was a woman at the cafe but every trace of her has been erased, except her scent.

The found family and yearning in Heart of a Stalker was sweet. The mafia aspect allowed for some thrill that keeps you on your toes. Awaiting book 3 to see what happens next, since this ends on a cliffhanger.

[Spookie Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this with its high-concept premise of a female stalker and assassin, but sadly, I had to DNF at 25% after completely losing any sense of investment. The execution suffers from jarring writing inconsistencies—like an MMC playing the piano on one page only to be described as walking over to it on the next—alongside an overwhelming, bloated cast of characters that left me feeling completely lost and detached. Marketed as a standalone, the story dives straight into complex dynamics and plotlines that heavily rely on the previous installment, making it impossible to get your bearings without having read book one first. It's a frustrating misstep for a book that had so much potential, but if you want to give it a fair shot, I'd strongly recommend picking up the first book in the series beforehand.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this book just as much as the first! I love the extension of the same set of characters and that we continue to see characters we loved in book one! Adrian's POV was written beautifully. The details of his everyday life were never mundane and were so interesting. It made you feel everything more and realize how strong of a person he is - even with his blindness. He never allowed himself to be a weak link for the Accord. Sava's POV is heartbreaking and real. I cannot believe that Adrian never put the pieces together! I can't wait to dig into the next book!

[Brittaney Soto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved this as an arc. Thank you to the author and netgalley. This was a solid 3 stars (I dont do 6 I do 1-5). It was a solid story and I enjoyed the ride. Some of it was a bit bumpy and confusing. Some of the transitions were as smooth as I would have liked but it was still good. I didnt read book 1 and I dont think you absolutely have to but it would have filled in a few gaps where I had some questions that probably were answered in the first book. I would definitely give it a go. It was a nice palette cleanser for me 🤣 it was on the spicier side but just there. Nothing crazy, a nice balance of spice and plot. Happy reading all.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.

Thanks to Storm Publishing for approving my request to read this book.

Author Shalana Battles delivers up a heart stealing sequel with Heart of a Stalker... the deeper story behind Adrian beautifully instills into those that'll read this book the complex web of disability: the vulnerability it can render a person while for others - a sense for them to survive and thrive. And for Adrian... he's made himself a man of dangerous mystery that no one can ignore.

Highly recommended.

[c f · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be very honest, I was disappointed reading this.

I felt there was way to many characters with not much given as to why they were there. As well as it felt like I was missing way too much information as I hadn't read the 1st book, even though they seem to be marketed as standalones.

It felt like there was way too many 'enemies' for a shorter standalone. As well as the fact that the MMC who is BLIND is somehow the best hacker around????

I did enjoy what the plot was trying to do, and most of the characters you do meet. But I just couldn't fully immerse myself.

[Kyra Provost]

First of all, thank you so much Shalana Battles, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, I can’t give much of a review for this book because the writing style isn’t for me and I couldn’t move past it. It’s way too much description, the sentences aren’t structurally sound, and there’s no ease when reading them. I’m someone who loves stalker romances and the cover really spoke to me but this book just didn’t work for me.

I’m sure it’ll be someone else’s cup of tea but it’s not mine. Again, I am so thankful to have received the ARC.

[Nat’s Bookshelf · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Okay Mr. Ashenheart! I did not think I would love Adrian as much as I did Cassius, but here we are. There are so many layers to Adrian and I loved being able to see all of them. Sava is very intriguing and it was great to get to know more about her. ☺️

I absolutely love the way this story is going and can’t wait to see what happens in the next book! This was such a good read and I have more questions that must get answered. 😍

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author letting me be part of this arc. Please note all reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had the same issue as the first book. The idea and writing is great but it's a little long winded. I got a little 82% done and felt like it could've been wrapped up then. I breezed through most of the book and then was starting to get a little long winded for me. 


You love the characters and their stories but there are so many people to keep track of and their stories and then it seems at the end it's just bouncing back and forth between all of the ideas.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC

[Sip & Spines · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 21%

I was really excited to start this book, especially with its dark, high stakes premise. But the first 20% felt like the same conversation on repeat: “I want you, but it’s too dangerous” and “I want you, but you keep running from me.”

I lost interest before the story had a chance to pull me in. The premise still sounds intriguing, but the early romantic push and pull wasn’t working for me, so this one wasn’t a match.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, Shalana and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Heart of a Stalker. As always, my opinions are my own.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is much darker than the first and builds at a phenomenal pace on the first book.
Mutual attraction,stalker intent and obsession bouncing off the page.
Throw in a women who has never experienced belonging,of being loved and respected and a man who has his own hang ups that are truly masked but neither are weak.
Their back stories are teased,emerge and explain who they are and why they are so fierce.
This book is intense, fast paced and truly dark.
Brilliant

[stargazer.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a fun take on this genre! The suspense and the bits of romance had me on the edge of my metaphorical seat. The side characters were all very compelling and make me want to read the rest of the series as it comes out!

Seeing the classic “stalker” from dark romances be a women in this was so funny and her character was my favorite!

Truly an entertaining read! Couldn’t put it down!

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is ruthless. There is so much killing and in very gory detail. The characters in the books are not gentle beings. They are at war and take no prisoners. Some scenes are very intense. I was glued to the pages. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It’s a dark book that I couldn’t put down.

[Erin Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, if you haven’t read Heart of a Killer, go read that…then come back to this one. We finally learned how Adrian lost his sight. Sava and Adrian are goals. He never gives up on her, always being there for her. This is a slow burn, dark romance. Looking forward to Caleb’s story next!