Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Gods Among Men #2

Monsters Are Hidden

Rate this book
The problem with secrets is they create powerful monsters.
And even more dangerous enemies.

He’s the keeper of all his family’s secrets, the watcher of all.
He knows what I’ve done, what I’ve risked… the deadly choice I made.

The tangled vines of his mighty family tree are strangling me.
There is no escape.
I am locked away, captive to his twisted obsession and demands.
If I run, my hell will never end.
If I stay, he will devour me.

My only choice is to dare the monster to come out into the light,
before his darkness destroys us both.

Yes… he is the monster in hiding.
And he is the end of my beginning.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2023

283 people are currently reading
922 people want to read

About the author

Alta Hensley

122 books2,471 followers
Alta Hensley is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of dark romance where the villain always gets the happily ever after.

Twisted, clever, and occasionally unhinged, her books deliver morally gray anti-heroes, sharp-tongued heroines, and happily ever afters that taste even sweeter after a little ruin. With a signature blend of grit, wit, and heat, Alta’s stories prove one thing: Villains deserve love too.

Alta lives on the foggy coast of Oregon with her husband, two daughters, and a pair of dogs who think they’re in charge. When she’s not writing redemption for the irredeemable, she’s walking the coastline or sipping craft beer in eccentric little bars that feel like they belong in her books.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltaHensleyA...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alta-Hensley/e...
Website: www.altahensley.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/altahensley
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alta-...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@altahensley
Join her mailing list: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
305 (40%)
4 stars
217 (28%)
3 stars
149 (19%)
2 stars
52 (6%)
1 star
30 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
Profile Image for Kursed Reads.
816 reviews9,462 followers
May 26, 2023
Hidden in the fog of the Puget Sound, Olympus Manor, on the island of Heathens Hollow, sits the Godwin family home.

Phoenix, the recluse of the Godwin family has made it his life’s work to keep the family safe by watching the surveillance for, not just Medusa Enterprises, but the manor as well.

When Daphne brings her sister, Ani Parker, to Olympus Manor to recover from a beating at the hands of her husband, Phoenix feels responsible for her safety as well.

Their meeting and subsequent relationship are unconventional and it works for them. Despite some elements that I usually avoid, I loved these two hard!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🫣😳🥵😭😍
Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗂 Genre: Dark Romance

✨ Tropes: Alphahole, Family Saga, Forced Proximity, Kidnap/Captive, Manipulation, Reclusive, Rich AF, Tracking/Spying

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Degradation, Directed Sharing, Discipline/Punishment, Domination, Double Penetration, Impact Play (BeIt), 🔪 Play, Orgäsm Denial, Rimming, Spanking, Voyeurism

⚠️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.

🚩 Safety Squad: There are potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Monsters Are Hidden is part of the Gods Among Men series, but can be read as a standalone. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books will enhance the experience.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Profile Image for Kealyn.
576 reviews151 followers
September 26, 2024
Monsters Are Hidden by Alta Hensley

4.5/5 stars

Monsters Are Hidden picks up right after Villains Are Made. And in this novel we follow Ani and Phoenix and see them fall in love. 
This book is sort of divided up into three parts. In the first part we see a different Phoenix. He is more caring and more kind. But I also love how fierce he is. And now hell bent on vengeance he is for the person that hurt Ani. I loved the scene in the trailer. 

And then things change drastically when Ani hides something from him. It triggers something in Phoenix and he turns into a feral beast. I just love that part so much. I love how they both transformed together. It was raw, open and allconsuming. 

I loved the push and pull. How they both try to lay down the law. How big of an impact their words have on each other. I absolutely loved their love story. And even though their kinks weren't my kinks, I still enjoyed the journey they went on.

I also love the bond between Athena and Phoenix. How they at first bond over their hatred for Daphne. And how that slowly changes and evolves throughout the book. 

Freya's diaries were a huge and important part of this still. My heart broke for the four siblings several times when I read the journal entries. It added so much depth to the first and second book. And probably for the third as well.

I really liked how this book ends similarly to the first one. Athena's book is set up perfectly and I'll dive straight into her book and her story.

4.5 huge stars from me for this addictive series! 
Profile Image for Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth).
2,283 reviews1,534 followers
April 4, 2023
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(3.5)
Trope: captive, revenge
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

I really enjoyed book one, so I was super excited for Phoenix and Ani's story, but it ended up being a miss for me. The storyline was great and it was well written, but there were a couple of things I just had a difficult time with:

1) Ani's penchant for guys who hit her. I understand the different between abuse and a kink, but she just came out of a physically abusive relationship and dives into one with a guy who isn't the most mentally stable AND who enjoys impact play a LOT. If I had a friend who did this, I would totally be cringing and hoping she gets help.

2) The "lie" that Ani told that flipped Phoenix from a self-proclaimed Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. It wasn't a lie. It was a lie of omission at best and not her story to tell. It had me scratching my head at his reaction and I had a difficult time working past it for a bit.

3) I'm not a fan of sharing scenes that include FF. That's just me, but there it is 🤷🏻‍♀️. This is only the second book of hers that I've read, so I don't know if that's the usual, but I wasn't expecting it.

Overall, I'd recommend this book and this series. It's darker with tons of suspense and intrigue and a great overarching story arc that has me on the edge of my seat for book three. Yes, I didn't care for this one as much as the first, but Alta Hensley is a fantastic writer and definitely knows how to keep you hooked!

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers
Profile Image for Alta Hensley.
Author 122 books2,471 followers
Read
January 16, 2024
Now Available

Grab your copy: https://bit.ly/3IJ3La6

The problem with secrets is they create powerful monsters.
And even more dangerous enemies.
He’s the keeper of all his family’s secrets, the watcher of all.
He knows what I’ve done, what I’ve risked… the deadly choice I made.
The tangled vines of his mighty family tree are strangling me.
There is no escape.
I am locked away, captive to his twisted obsession and demands.
If I run, my hell will never end.
If I stay, he will devour me.
My only choice is to dare the monster to come out into the light,
before his darkness destroys us both.
Yes… he is the monster in hiding.
And he is the end of my beginning.

Profile Image for arpit.
390 reviews58 followers
July 20, 2023
1.75⭐️

The only reason i picked up this book was because the previous book ended on a cliffhanger and i wanted to know who the person in the attic was.

I’m going to sound mean but the writing was very amateur. This book felt like the author tried to pass off over her collection of smut scenes as a novel and it felt so forced. As if a collection of erotic short stories was given a rough outline as an afterthought to present it as a book.

There is no connection between the characters they are just straight up obsessed with each other from the get go without any reason. There is no rational development to their relationship. They just go from 0 to 100 instantly.

The characters’ reactions are so unnatural and unnerving. Phoenix loves and wants to protect Ani but then instantly hates her because she kept a secret that protected the Godwin family which is ultimately what he wants but he’s still mad? His character is so contradictory half the time it doesn’t make sense why he’s doing the things he does.

Ani the fmc is an abuse victim but there is no mention of her abuse after the first couple of chapters let alone any attention on her moving on from that trauma. There are plot holes like something happened to Phoenix in his childhood that made him become the way he is, but it’s never revealed.

The only reason I’m even giving this book even these many stars is because the book despite every thing is fast paced and I read it in one sitting. Also the author knows how to end her story on a cliffhanger that will keep the readers curious for the next book.
Profile Image for Mirjam.
1,896 reviews113 followers
January 5, 2024



He is the monster in hiding. And he is the end of my beginning.





Book 2 in the series is filthy and dirty, but hot AF!!
This is about Phoenix Godwin, Apollo's brother and Ani Parker, Daphne's sister. After the events in Villains Are Made, Daphne takes Ani to Olympus Manor, home of the Godwin's, to heal and recuperate. But unbeknownst to the sisters, a monster is lurking in the attic, watching it all.









While Phoenix is keeping Ani prisoner in the Manor, doling out punishment both harsh and erotic, they are both battling their own demons, fighting to keep the darkness away and are struggling to find their place in the world.
While being under Phoenix's strict commands. Ani finds journals written by Freya Godwin, their mother, and the twists in this book are both epic and unexpected.
I'm very much looking forward to Athena's story.



ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
by Alta Hensley Alta Hensley




Although each book in the Gods Among Men Series can be read as a standalone, it is best enjoyed when read in order, to truly learn about the Godwin family and their depraved world.
Villains Are Made (Gods Among Men, #1) by Alta Hensley Monsters Are Hidden (Gods Among Men, #2) by Alta Hensley Vipers Are Forbidden (Gods Among Men, #3) by Alta Hensley
Profile Image for candyreadsdark.
97 reviews16 followers
April 6, 2023
I received and Arc in exchange of an honest review!
I don’t know how to start this review, I have mixed feelings about this book. I really liked the first one, but this one while being super similar, just wasn’t for me. Phoenix is a stalker at first, obsessed with Ani since she sees her from the cameras in Olympus Manor. She is recovering from the trauma caused by her abusive husband. She discovers old diaries under the floor of her room, and this part of the plot I really liked. It was meaningful and heartbreaking to read and know about the Godwin’s family. Phoenix past and upbringing was horrible, and I was able to understand Ares, Apollo, Athena and Phoenix way better. I really want to know what happens in Athena’s book and know where the plot twist in this end up going! This said, I found some things unforgivable in the story. I couldn’t really find the tension and chemistry between the main characters and found Phoenix to be incredibly hypocrite and cruel**.

Some of the tropes in this are: crime syndicate family, alphahole, stalker, sadism, master/slave, breeding, captive, back door fixation, dom/sub, dp 🍆, direct sharing (mfm, ff), voyeurism, impact play, orgsm denial, knife play…
This book is really really explicit and graphic, definitely not for everyone, some of the triggers may be: stalking, spanking, imprisonment, domestic violence, miscarriage, dubcon, sexual torture, psychological abuse, child abuse, degradation and humiliation, punishing…

‘He is the monster in hiding. And he is the end of my beginning’.

-Maybe Spoilers ahead-
** He went from crazy about Ani to abusive in a matter of minutes, because of a lie that was made to protect his own brother. (YOU NEED TO READ THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES FIRST TO UNDERSTAND THINGS BETTER). I liked Apollo being a sadist in book 1, but I found Phoenix to be a copy of him, with the difference being I didn’t really see the positive building in the relationship with their significant others. Ani having just gotten out of domestic violence and a miscarriage, the punishing she endured from Phoenix was unnecessary and didn’t really sit right with me.
Profile Image for Nadine Bookaholic.
3,732 reviews525 followers
April 4, 2023
I love this series!

Phoenix Godwin is a watcher, a seer, an observer; his eyes and ears watching over everything that has to do with Medusa Enterprises and Olympus Manor. Only bad things happen when he isn't watching so it's his mission to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Ani Parker was used and abused by her ex, he inflicted horrific pain on her, and she has been brought to the manor by her sister Daphne, who is married to Phoenix's brother Apollo, to recover. Little did she know she was being watched while she lay in bed, healing.

Continue Reading my review here ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewMaH

monsters are hidden by alta hensley

Nadine's Obsessed with Books **I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
You can find me here:  https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,359 reviews73 followers
March 29, 2023
You can’t see the monsters if you don’t open your eyes."

Phoenix and Ani's story is book 2 in the God's Among Men series and is absolutely fantastic! We first meet them in Apollo and Daphne's book, Villians Are Made. ( If you haven't read, you need to.  It's absolutely delicious). Phoenix is Apollos brother and Ani is Daphnes sister. These two are perfect together. After everything Ani has been through she comes to Olympus Manor to recover.

"He is the monster in hiding. And he is the end of my beginning."

She has no idea she's being watched. She has no idea he will make certain that she's avenged. Phoenix takes the word "Alpha" to a whole different level when it comes to Ani.

"The problem with secrets is they create powerful monsters."

And there are plenty of secrets in this one! My heart absolutely breaks for Phoenix and Ani both. They each battle their own demons and are struggling with finding their place. Monsters Are Hidden is a very well written story with characters that will sweep you up and bring you along for their journey. And what a journey it is. Another fantastic story to the God's Among Men series!

"I thought I was dead. Just a ghost. Phoenix Godwin, forever haunting Olympus Manor. Then she came......she’s the one thing in this world that makes me feel alive."
Profile Image for Lisbeth .
5,760 reviews
May 10, 2025
Toda la historia fue predecible y no pasó mucho hasta los últimos capítulos. La escritura y los personajes fueron, en el mejor de los casos, mediocres.
Profile Image for Keza Campbell.
788 reviews12 followers
March 31, 2023
WHOA! HOLY HOTNESS.

Phoenix is a reclusive Godwin, to say the least, and he prefers the attic of the manor rather than being outside.

Ani was supposed to be recovering on her own after surviving at the abuse of her ex. She didn't know she wasn't alone.

She would soon meet the monster in the attic who has been watching her every move.

This book was freaking intensely HOT. LIKE, OMG HOT!
I swear I have been glued to my screen today.
Phoenix is one kinky monster I absolutely insanely LOVED IT!

The cliffhanger right at the end was a mic drop moment for sure. I cannot for Athena's story next. That is going to be such an exciting story.

Monsters Are Hidden is a must read.


ARC Review.
Profile Image for Shelly H.
191 reviews15 followers
April 3, 2023
4-star review!!!

Wow what a great continuation to the series. I loved Ani and Phoenix and how they completed each other. It was hot and spicy in all the right ways. Phoenix has two completely different sides to him and I loved how this story portrayed both. I also liked how we learned more about Phoenix’s past. Definitely a book I recommend!
Profile Image for Ann.
1,942 reviews32 followers
April 4, 2023
This very dark and twisted romance has lots of twists and turns. The ending blew me away. Ani did not know how to respond to Phoenix. His sadistic and depravity should have terrified her but they fulfilled desires she never knew she needed sated. It was well written with character depth and development. This book is gripping and suspenseful.
Profile Image for Mary Allison.
596 reviews20 followers
April 8, 2023
Ya know that Kate Hudson sound where it talks about the martini?

“Can I have a dirty martini?
Can I have a filthy, dirty little martini?
Can I have a little, like, slut muffin dirty, sleazy martini?
Can I have a little whore cookie, skanky martini?”

Yeah, this book is the last one.

After going through a bad “divorce,” Ani is stuck living in her sister’s husband’s family’s manor. She quite honestly feels trapped and just wants to do her own thing again. She’s been thinking she’s the only one living in the manor, but is quite surprised when she stumbles upon Phoenix, one of the Godwin siblings. He’s dark, mysterious, and interests her immediately.

The two are drawn to each other from the start, but when Phoenix finds out what actually happened to Ani’s ex-husband, he’s enraged. Deeming Ani a liar, he takes her as his own and the punishments begin.

However, what happens when the lines begin to blur, feelings get involved, and the punishments aren’t seen the same way as they once were?

🌃

SO, Monsters Are Hidden was easily the *spiciest* book I’ve read thus far, and I honestly wasn’t expecting it. Like, I knew it would have some, but nowhere near what I was expecting. If you can think it, this book probably has it. It was out of my comfort zone, but that’s okay 😃

I’ll be honest, I was thrown off at first. Just because it was so 🫣. BUT, it also sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down either. I wanted to know more about Phoenix, his past, and what was going to happen!

This is the second book in the Gods Among Men series. They are interconnected standalones, and this was the first one I’ve read. I do think reading book one, Villains Are Made, would have clarified some details, but I was able to pick up most just by continuing to read this one.

Book three, Vipers Are Forbidden, Athena Godwins’s story, is next!

Thank you Valentine PR and Alta Hensley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review <3
Profile Image for Amy .
3,138 reviews
April 4, 2023
There is something completely addictive about this book and this series. This book is dark and boundary-pushing. And while I might not 100% love it, I find myself unable to put it down…

Monsters Are Hidden is the second book in the Gods Among Men series and follows the story of Ani and Phoenix. Right off the bat, I will warn you that Phoenix is not a character you are going to like right away. In fact, for most of this book, you are going to HATE him with a fiery passion. He’s dominant, cruel, and just awful. His actions and the way he treated Ani didn’t sit right with me. He refused to listen to reason and I honestly had a hard time understanding how Ani could fall in love with him. Yes, Ani was tough and had endured a lot with her previous relationship. And yes, Phoenix did open her eyes to a different kind of sex that she had never experienced before. But, I had a really hard time buying the romance. Phoenix was obsessed and possessive of Ani and there were some moments where he would be human and show a softer side, but for the most part, he was a cruel monster. Honestly, I felt like their “romance” was more of a case of Stockholm Syndrome than anything else.

In the end, this is a book you’re either going to love or hate. The plot is intriguing and as I previously stated, there is something wholly addictive about this story and despite my reservations, I couldn’t stop reading.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kassie.
397 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2023
3.5⭐️

i loved the first book of the series so i was so excited to get phoenix’s book because i found him extremely interesting but this book just didn’t do it for me 😕

⛔️possible spoiler ahead⛔️

honestly the main thing that i didn’t vibe with was his reaction to her “lie” (which honestly in my opinion wasn’t a lie but an omission of the exact truth). i think one of the main reasons i felt this way was because they barely had anything to stand on in terms of their “relationship” (or whatever they were at the beginning) so i didn’t really think she owed him anything at that point (but that’s just my opinion 😅)

aside from that the spice was good and their draw to each other was very prominent from the beginning. i still had a fun time reading this! also that cliffhanger??!! can’t wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Karin.
2,178 reviews
April 9, 2023
Ani and Phoenixs story was dark and delicious and every book I read from Alta just continues to keep me obsessed
Profile Image for Srish.
494 reviews9 followers
March 31, 2023
I received an ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review of Monsters Are Hidden.

Monsters Are Hidden is the second book in Gods Among Men series. I had read and reviewed Villains Are Made which is the first book, and I had loved Apollo alot. This book is dark and dirty which might trigger enter at your own risk.

The way the author writes the very first chapter is amazing and mind-blowing, it gets you in the feel, there is the tone of despair and I love how it had been combined with the distant sound of ticking of clock.

This is Daphne's sister, Ani's story, which means that Ani, the FMC, had been trapped and Daphne & Apollo wanted to help her but she is adamant on not taking her help. Then we get to meet Phoenix, the MMC, aka Athena's brother, d@mn his thoughts are dangerous and dark.

Well, when I started this book I didn't realise that it would get so so amazing, I am in awe of this book. I loved the twist at the end of this book! Cannot wait to read Athena's story.
Profile Image for phys_reads.
152 reviews14 followers
April 10, 2023
I've been waiting for this book ever since reading Daphne and Apollo's story. You'll meet Pheonix and Ani in the first book, which I also highly recommend.
After Ani finally escapes from her ex's abuse, she recovers in Olympus Manor. Little does she know there she isn't the only one residing there.
Pheonix keeps himself hidden away in the attic, watching over Ani. He wants to find the person who wronged her. He wants to protect her. When Pheonix and Ani finally meet, you see a side of Pheonix that is sweet and caring. That is until he finds out Ani has been lying to him and he hates liars.
He wants retribution and will make Ani pay for deceiving him.
Both Ani and Pheonix have their own demons they are both trying to work through. Pheonix won't let himself be fooled again, and due to his family, he will protect them at any cost. Ani and her sister are loose ends, and his family never allows loose ends.
This book was dark, and I loved it. Make sure to check trigger warnings just in case. This is another great story from the God among men series.
Profile Image for Britney Chavez.
619 reviews20 followers
March 29, 2023
Boy oh boy…where do I begin!

This book definitely will take you for a ride, a dark, dangerous ride. But boyyyy will it be good.

If you are a dark romance reader who loves darker the better, than look no further. Phoenix will be the man for you.
This definitely took a twist I was NOT expecting.

Ani and Phoenix have a kind of beauty and beast story. Ani is left at the Godwin manor to recover from the abuse of her ex. But what she doesn’t know is she isn’t alone like she was told she was.

Phoenix doesn’t like people, even more he despises liars. So to his shock he has one under his watch. But he doesn’t know til her secrets are revealed to him. Which then is when the twist takes place and things change for the both of them.

This beauty and the beast story is such a dark and wild story. I can’t say anymore than that without giving away too much.
.
.
.
4️⃣.5️⃣⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤🖤
9/10 recommendation‼️
Profile Image for Gladys.
14k reviews163 followers
March 28, 2023
This enticingly lush and seductively dark series is truly becoming my new obsession. Phoenix and Ani take you on a very tension filled and emotionally raw journey that easily steals your breath and causes your heart to race as you feel the heat. This is my independent, impartial review.
Profile Image for pageswithparis.
531 reviews20 followers
May 4, 2023
*thank you valentinepr & alta hensley for this arc in exchange for an honest review*

this is the second book in the Gods Among Men series, and it’s best to start with book 1. trust me when I say that you will want to understand the Godwin family.

in this book we meet Ani and Phoenix, who were mentioned in book 1. Ani and Phoenix are weirdly a perfect match and this story was pretty wild!

Phoenix is the recluse of the Godwin’s. he takes care of the security for his family & their businesses and likes to be by himself in his attic. he NEVER let’s anyone get close to him or break down his walls and struggles with agoraphobia. phoenix is probably the darkest brother & has very particular tastes.

Ani is Daphne’s sister (seriously read book 1) is still at the Godwin Manor recovering from her past & injuries.

we see phoenix battle his demons, ani struggle with her confusing feelings and needs because of her past and present, and a huge family secret uncovered .

this does end on a cliff hanger and i’m so excited for the next book!!

WHAT THIS BOOK CONTAINS
•agoraphobia
•degradation & humiliation
•talks of abuse
•mental health issues
•obsessive mmc

i’m sure i’m missing some more, so please check tw’s!!
Profile Image for Joy Avery Lovesbooks.
1,312 reviews108 followers
April 9, 2023
Rating: ☆☆☆☆     Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

Angst: 💔💔💔💔

Cliffhanger? ✅️

Do I recommend it? ✅️ 

Trigger Warnings: previous domestic abuse, previous miscarriage, stalker, punishments using sex, FF, Spanking 

Tropes: dark family saga, contemporary, erotic, gothic romance, BDSM, billionaire, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, tortured lead, protector, tragic past 

The problem with secrets are they create powerful monsters and even more dangerous enemies. He's the keeper of the Godwin family's secrets and the watcher of all. The Godwin estate, otherwise known as Olympus Manor, is on an island called Heathens Hollow near Seattle. People who visited in the past always spoke of strange noises and a feeling of being watched. Phoenix Godwin lived in the attic of the estate, where he knows all that goes on within the family. This story begins after Daphne Godwin brings her sister to the manor to heal after experiencing years of abuse from her husband. Ani Parker has no idea she's not alone in the estate. He knows the choices she was forced to make. Soon, she fears that the tangled vines of the Godwin family tree may end of strangling her to death. But there is no escape. She's locked away, held captive to Phoenix's twisted obsessions and demands. If she runs, her hell will never end. If she stays, he'll devour her. The only choice left is to dare the monster to come into the light before his darkness destroys them both. He is the monster in hiding and the end of Ani's beginning.

After reading "Villains Are Made," I couldn't wait to see who this book would be about. I wondered about the strange manor and if there was a real person haunting it. Alta Hensley didn't disappoint me. I will say some aspects left me feeling a bit uncomfortable, but other than that, I was addicted to the suspense she laid within. I can't wait for more from this series, especially getting the ball buster's story next. There are significant trigger warnings, so please educate yourself if triggers are a concern for you. This is my honest opinion, freely given.
Profile Image for Brooke (darkcoffeedarkerreads).
286 reviews28 followers
April 4, 2023
4⭐️ 4🌶️

“For all the people who wanted to invite the monster under your bed to join you as you slept.”

Alta Hensley does it again–Phoenix Godwin is an EPIC morally charcoal, slightly (or maybe a little more) unhinged MMC and I am absolutely here for it. Gods Among Men is becoming a favorite series for me and I really enjoyed this installment. I was intrigued by Phoenix in the last book, as he’s the dark and mysterious sibling, and when I realized he’d be pairing up with Ani, Daphne’s sister who has been to hell and back, I was anxiously awaiting this book’s release. Alta did not disappoint. These two were complete perfection together and I couldn’t get enough.

The main plot line seems to revolve around Phoenix’s obsession with Ani and the lengths he will go to in order to punish her (and WOW, were the punishments absolutely insane–which I’m totally HERE for) after she betrays his trust with her half-truths and lies of omission. Ani is stronger than she appears, though, and meets him move for move throughout this oddly quirky, deep black romance. I loved Ani’s spirit throughout and watching the banter and back and forth between her and Phoenix was so fun. Phoenix also really surprised me with the little hints of sweetness he showed, while ultimately dominating the entire situation with an iron fist. Mix this in with his absolutely WILD and unpredictable actions and I was a huge melted puddle for this crazy man.

The subtle underlying plot that we got with the journals Ani found was also really fascinating and I loved learning about why Phoenix was who he is, as well as a ton about the Godwin family in general, through Ani’s readings. The cliffhanger was INTENSE and left me reeling and now I cannot wait to get my hands on Athena’s story to get some answers and dive back into this ever-growing favorite world.
1,352 reviews6 followers
April 20, 2023
I struggled with this one. Contrary to how this review will read, I don’t normally have any issues with some of the kinks found in this book. Having said that, I read the first book in this series and liked Ani’s sister Daphne and her story. I liked Ani and felt for her with everything she went through. I initially liked Phoenix and was intrigued by what could have happened to him to make him how he was. I did not like the way the story turned once he felt she lied to him. It just felt like too much after what she went through with her ex. The degradation and how Phoenix treated her, I just didn’t find exciting to read. The scene at The Vault felt dirty, not erotic as I think was intended.
I finished but genuinely felt he didn’t really care for her. Don’t care what was written that he said, he still felt cold and unemotional and like it was planned still. The underlying plot is good, the family dynamic is interesting to read and I’ll probably continue with Athena’s story just to see if we get some answers to what was revealed in this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
547 reviews13 followers
April 7, 2023
Release Date: 04/04/23
Kindle Unlimited: [X]YES [ ]NO
Stand-alone: []YES [X ]NO
Author: Alta Hensley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spiciness rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
POV:Dual
Main Couple: Phoenix & Ani
Genre: Dark Romance
Tropes: kidnapping; forced proximity

Review:
The second book in Gods Among Men was a dark intriguing read. Phoenix is a hermit that doesn't like to leave the attic at Olympus Manor. He has been watching Ani since her sister Daphne rescued her from an abusive relationship. She makes him feel something for the first time in his life.

After she lies to him, he takes all her comforts away and makes her earn them back through penance.

Definitely excited for Athena's book after that ending!!!!

❤️Kinky
💚Dom/Sub
💜Forced pregnancy
🩷Godwin sibling
🚫Trigger warnings
🩵HEA

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Profile Image for Jo Bennesch.
383 reviews35 followers
July 20, 2023
2/5 ⭐️
5/5 🌶

No me gustó. No logré conectar con la pareja protagonista.
Sentí la relación forzada, no encontré sentido a la atracción ni al enamoramiento., menos aún al cambio de Phoenix en su trato a Ani.
Más allá de tener escenas fuertes al punto de ser desagradables, la relación la sentí meramente una descripción de sucesos.
Ani se supone que acaba de pasar por un hecho traumatico y yo hubiese esperado que lo que Phoenix le hace trajera esos eventos de su pasado. Pero no.
Phoenix está obsesionado, pero no de forma sexy, sino del tipo problemas en su salud mental.
La gracia del Dark Romance es que pese a todo lo oscuro, en realidad nunca se trata de quebrar al otro totalmente, y en este libro es todo dudoso. Buena idea pero mal llevada.
Profile Image for Maria11.
2,003 reviews45 followers
April 1, 2023
I really wanted to like this, I really did. I loved the last book it was so good. This one just wasn’t there for me. I felt no pull between the main characters. Phoenix contradicted himself continually. It started out he was so in enamored with her then went to hating her in a blink of an eye. Just did ring true to me

His reason to “punish” her really didn’t hold up to me. She was protecting his brother like she was suppose to do, but he doesn’t see it that way? Sorry big plot hole. We never found out why he is the way he is, it was never fully explained.

I hate that I couldn’t like it. Received a copy from BookSprout for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amy Mccann.
933 reviews9 followers
Read
April 7, 2023
Monsters Are Hidden is a great thought provoking storyline, I love the GAM and book to brings with it Ani who is Daphne's sister and she's trying to escape a very abusive relationship that's left her broken.

Phoenix likes yo be in control and having a new person within his kingdom is weighing heavily on him he's struck by Ani and everything she is but is also curious as to what she brings with her he doesn't have the power to lose control of everything he holds dearly so where will Ani fit within his domain.

A very thought provoking and intense storyline, I'm really enjoying this series from Alta Hensley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.