“Heathens” by Alta Hensley – Book Review

This is the first of many dark romances I’ll be reviewing on this blog!!! Dark Romance is a genre that I feel has been becoming more mainstream these days and I’m not mad about it. While dark romance confuses some and feel uncomfortable reading it, I find it interesting to test the limits of attraction and sexuality within the genre. Many people believe that Dark Romance is about romanticizing relationships that we would otherwise consider toxic, but in my opinion, I feel like Dark Romance allows us to explore the very darkest parts of love and human relationships safely. “Read With Kaya” is a no-judgment zone so if Dark Romance isn’t your thing, then skip this post. Today, I will be discussing Heathens by Alta Hensley – thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy!

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Title: Heathens
Author: Alta Hensley
Genre: Dark Romance
Tropes: Dad’s Best Friend, Age Gap, Billionaire, Stalker Good Girl, Mask Kink, “I’m a strong independent woman – you can’t tell me what to do”
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

After her father tragically passes away, a young woman decides to take life into her own hands and participate in The Hunt – a town ritual where young women are chased down by men in stag masks in exchange for money and a box full of gifts. But her dad’s best friend is trying everything in his power to protect her, even if it means he’s the one chasing her.

My Thoughts

Writing Style: Heathens is written in first person with a dual POV. I felt that the writing was simple but still very descriptive and engaging. I love when romances stick to the basics and keep the writing relatable rather than filling the story with prose. For me, dialogue carries a romance.

Characters: My reasoning for the 4-star review is that I didn’t feel a strong connection to the characters. The characters seemed like a variation of other characters you may find in other dark romances.

Romance: The chemistry was strong but not enough to give me butterflies. The relationship was based on control and possession and for me, it lacked the dark romance I was hoping for.

Plot & Pacing: I was very interested in the story because I was curious about the ritual and how it connected to the town’s history. The pacing of the story was very quick and it enabled me to finish it within a day or so.

Vibes: This story is dark, filled with lust, and a bit taboo. If you like mask k*nks, daddy k*nks, or being chased by men in the woods (no judgment here) – this book is for you!

Who Would Love This Book?

I think if you are looking for a dark romance with a strong story and world-building, then this isn’t the book to read. Heathens is a fun read and it is the first in a series. I am not sure if I’m going to finish the series as I feel like the main characters got their HEA. However, I love being proven wrong and will never turn down the chance to get hooked on a series.

For those who love forbidden or taboo romances, I do recommend this. Also, if you are looking for a fun spicy book, give it a try.

⚠️ Content Warnings: Dubious Consent, Sexual Assault, Age Gap, Death of a Family Member, Explicit Sexual Content, Death off-page, Violence