The Predator: Oakmount Elite, Book 4 by J.L. Beck

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What is a predator without his prey?
Elyse Silver was never mine to keep.

The day I saved her life, I ensured we would forever be enemies.
Hating her was easy.
Bullying her, as simple as breathing.
Stopping myself from falling for her… I had no idea how impossible that would become.
The harder I fought, the deeper I fell.

Love and happiness have never been part of my plan, but letting Elyse go isn’t an option, either.
Unfortunately, the truth always finds a way of revealing itself, and by the time she realizes who the real predator is, it’ll be too late for her to escape the trap I’ve put her in.

The Predator

Sebastian: “I’m not a good man…”
Also Sebastian: burns the world down for you 🔥 #MorallyGrayMen

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: The Predator

Series: Oakmount Elite
Genre: Dark Bully Romance
Narrators: Renee Thorne & Ryan Stone

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Sebastian

Born into a legacy of violence and manipulation, Sebastian is the reluctant heir to a mafia empire he despises. Raised by an uncle who offered fleeting stability, Sebastian’s world collapsed when that uncle died—leaving him in the clutches of Tanya, his predatory aunt-turned-stepmother. Now trapped in a mansion he co-owns with her and burdened by a criminal empire he never wanted, Sebastian is a man at war with his past, his present, and himself. His hatred for Tanya simmers beneath every interaction, and her latest scheme pushes him closer to the edge.

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Elyse

Elyse’s journey is one of trauma, resilience, and betrayal. Just as she begins to trust Sebastian and feel safe for the first time, her world implodes. Haunted by fragmented memories of abuse at the hands of Yanov—a corrupt cop who once claimed ownership over her—Elyse is thrust back into danger when her father, the police chief of Oakmount, resurfaces with violent intent. The same man who shot her and sold her to the Arturos now threatens everything she’s built with Sebastian.

📃 Plot Pulse

Picking up immediately after the previous book’s cliffhanger, this installment dives deeper into the chaos. Elyse’s trust in Sebastian is shattered, and the threats multiply—from Yanov’s looming menace to her father’s chilling return. The plot twists are sharper, the stakes higher, and the emotional fallout more intense. Sebastian’s inner circle steps up, adding depth and camaraderie to the narrative, while Elyse faces a gauntlet of fear, doubt, and survival.

💘 What Hit Home

• Sebastian’s emotional evolution is striking. No longer hiding behind cruelty, he embraces his need to protect Elyse, even when she doubts him. His vulnerability and fierce loyalty add layers to his character.
• The expanded role of Sebastian’s friends brings warmth and texture to the story, offering moments of levity and support amid the darkness.

🧐 What Fell Flat

• Elyse’s father is a walking confession—boasting about selling his daughter, issuing death threats via text—yet no one leverages this to take him down. The missed opportunity for justice is frustrating.
• Elyse’s fear often overrides logic. Her reluctance to let Sebastian handle things leads to reckless decisions that veer into TSTL territory, undermining her growth.

🎧 Narration Notes

Renee Thorne and Ryan Stone deliver a compelling dual POV experience. Thorne’s voice captures Elyse’s fragility and fire, while Stone’s gravelly tone embodies Sebastian’s brooding intensity. Though his voice skews older than expected, the emotional weight he brings to Sebastian’s torment is undeniable.

📝 Final Takeaway

This sequel deepens the emotional stakes and expands the danger, delivering a gritty, twist-laden ride through trauma, trust, and tangled loyalties. Sebastian’s transformation and Elyse’s struggle for agency anchor the story, even when logic falters. A must-listen for fans of dark romance with morally complex leads and relentless tension.

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