Alter Ego: A Paranormal Organized Crime Romance

Heroes and Villains #2

by Liza Penn, Natasha Luxe

Fans of paranormal organized crime romance rejoice for the second book in the scorching hot series that makes your most forbidden superhero fantasies a reality!

All-American Man: the AWOL Hero
Piper Carson: the Agent sent to bring him back
Winter Warrior: the Villain who's a blast from both of their pasts

I was America’s greatest Hero—but I did unspeakable things to keep that title. I let my boss control me with his power and claimed to protect humanity while I only hurt it.

There’s no way to undo the things I’ve done. I have to atone.

The people I’ve hurt most are the Villains I was sworn to fight. But when I go before their mistress, there’s only one way Persephone wants my apology: on my knees, hers to command.

Letting Villains exact their revenge on me in Persephone’s harem unlocks my desire in a way I never thought I’d feel again—until I come face to face with the Hero-turned-Villain who started my career, and the Agent who trained us both.

I’m America’s greatest Hero.

But maybe, with them, I can be just Ari again.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Dark Romance, Smut, Fiction, Marvel, Spicy

220 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2021

About the author

Liza Penn is the pseudonym of an author living with her family in the piedmont of the Carolinas. She writes the Hotel Ever After books for fun and values her privacy.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.

Okay. Spicy MCU inspired published fanfiction, sign me up. In the last book, Fallon stole the All American Man's fiance, Lillith, and showed her that Ari was being controlled by the CEO of Heroes Org, a mesmer named Malcolm and that he had tried to kill her, just as he had with Fallon a year previous. The first book ends with Ari breaking the mind control, and leaving Heroes Org while Fallon and Lilith fly into the sunset. This book opens with Piper Carson being instructed by the new head of Heroes Org, The Magician, to track down Ari and bring the All American Man back to Heroes Org. The only issue is, her and Ari have a past. Long before Lilith and the massive fame of Heroes Org and Malcolm and all the mess that came with it, Ari, Piper and their (assumed) dead co-worker, Bryce, were in love, and when Bryce "died" after their breakup things never felt right between them. Meanwhile, Ari reaches a new low and feels he needs to make amends with Persephone in order to atone for what he did to her people under Malcolm's control. When he contacts her, to his surprise, and Piper's, she sends Bryce who hasn't been dead, but instead has been working for her as a warrior in exchange for her healing him and erasing his most painful memories. Now that they're all reunited, they soon realise that the line between hero and villain isn't as black and white as they all once believed and maybe Heroes Org and the villains should actually be fighting on the same side.

I actually kind of like this series. Despite the obvious links with the MCU and the sometimes tedious moments, this book did what I thought would be impossible and makes a character inspired by Peggy Carter tolerable. Shock of the century. Am I saying this series is going to win awards and inspire minds across the globe? Most likely not, but it's fun, it's got a plot that links each book and a plot I'm actually interested in seeing develop too. Obviously Bryce was my favourite character, but come on, we all saw that coming.

[Jas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I expected to enjoy this similar to the first book but it really dragged. Especially considering it’s about 100 pages shorter than the first book but I struggled to get through it. Maybe I just didn’t care for the characters, or the pacing was off. Or maybe it all just felt really forced. But this was a let down after the first book.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book even more than the first one. The second chance romance was very sweet. I do feel like there wasn't a whole lot of conflict in this book, but it definitely feels like we're setting up for something much bigger, which is exciting. I also enjoyed all the references to the MCU in this one. And 'Doctor Rare' instead of Doctor Strange made me laugh.

[La quisquillosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

i just read this because i was promised stucky vibes and it did not dissapoint.
Its funny how im more invested in the overall plot than the smut.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

i very nearly dnf’d this why did i finish this:)

[Kristin Grijalva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for… the characters feel very two-dimensional and cliche. I love the idea of what these books want to do, but I feel that the idea is only half-hatched and that is where it has decided to settled. So much potential, but not living up to it.

[Wendy Woerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. This book was not my favorite. I will say that. After the first book, I was so excited to finally get my hands on this one. (Especially as a Bucky Barnes girl) However, I can't get over how... dragging it was.

The sex scenes were great and the writing was well done but it just felt like it was dragging to get to a kinda "meh" conclusion. Maybe it's because it's the second book in the series but it just felt like it was lacking. Which really was disappointing. Outside of that though, it was a pretty good read just not my favorite

[Soraya Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5 stars..

I did enjoy this book a lot but there was something about it that needed more in order to get to a four star for me. I do love all the Stucky moments and love how this is basically for Marvel fans but I would say that I think it's for fans of The Boys Tv show. I couldn't help but notice how much the Hero org sounds like Vought. So If you are a fan of The Boys and Marvel, I say this book is for you.

[Haylee Literary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment of the Hero’s and Villains series and so far this is my favorite!!

We have a second chance polyamorous trope!! I’m all here for it! The chemistry between them all was sizzling hot! Of course the spicy scenes were everything!
We are seeing a build up in the world and what might be expected in the future!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book……
Didn’t just pull me out of reading slump….It YEETed me out!
OMG, so hot🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I’m a HUGE Marvel fan and this was a sexy retelling of Captain America, Winter Soldier and Agent Carter! Loved it! This one had a bit more of a plot and a story line than the first book, in my opinion.
Now I want to go read the next one!

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I finished in 2022

Laughing at how the first book I finish in 2022 is a hot and spicy book that the main protagonists are pretty much based on Captain America, Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter. Really cool and different from what I usually pick up.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It’s simply preference to me. I’m not a big fan of the polyamory trope, but the exhibitionism trope is growing on me. I still found the book easy to read and didn’t find any spelling or grammar errors really. So it mostly comes down to the tropes you like.

[Linzey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is getting really interesting and I love seeing the character development and how all the books tie in together. This is definitly my least favorite book in the series and it's dissapointing because this is the one I was most looking forward to.

[Megan Windsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT HOT HOT. Once again, it moves very quickly but I’m really not mad about it. As a huge Captain America and Bucky Barnes fan, this one is likely to be my favorite in the series. 10/10 would read again.

[Lonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

the dynamic of the characters is so so much better than the first book. i like this characters so much more and their relationship. the plot is very interesting haha, honestly sometimes i just want them to stop f-ing and get going with the superhero stuf

my favorite of the bunch

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like their Marvel counterparts, Piper just felt .. in the way to me. Its the only way I can think to describe it, at least. But otherwise, I enjoyed it.

[Amber Hagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup o tea.

[Snuffkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh there’s potential but it’s just boring

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

marvel smut essentially

if you like stucky read this

[B.K. SLOAN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast and furious.

[Vania Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has potential. Unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea. 3 Stars because I'm a Marvel fan. Brb, going to check on Secret Sanctum, it was the one about Tony Stark, maybe I'm more into that :D

[Becs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure what happened 😕 The first one I enjoyed but this just didn't hit the mark. I wasn't a fan of Piper at all I don't know I was hoping for more considering their situation. The spice was 🔥🔥

[shawnica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ari and Bryce is Steve and bucky

You can't tell me these two characters are not Steve Roger's and Bucky Barnes. But hey I don't mind being in between two SUPER soldier.

[rui ♡³ · Rating 3 out of 5]

wasn't as interested in the spice (some of the kinks were not quite my taste) but i was a lot more interested in the plot and characters this time so that balances it out

[JuJu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better read than the first

Much enjoyed this part more than the first. Excited to read on as the ending leaves reader wanting to uncover more secrets.

[Emily White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow!! I read this in less than 48 hours and its spicy and romantic plus marvel

[Kaylee Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the addition of Bryce and also how Ari really struggles to believe in himself again! Just wish it was longer!! Looking forward to the next one😁

[Rieke · Rating 3 out of 5]

- would be 3.5 -

[Sheba Hector · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had fun. I’m happy Ari didn’t spend much time on his ex and her new boo.

[Tiffany Oim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well then...

This is fastest I have ever read a book that wasn't a graphic novel. Well written, very enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the next book