Sweet Venom by Rina Kent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a dangerously dark stalker hockey romance.

Can I outrun his merciless obsession?

I accidentally witnessed a brutal murder.
I froze, pretended I saw nothing, hoping I could leave it behind.
But my plan backfired, and my life spiraled downward.
Now, I’m the target of cold-blooded revenge.
Jude Callahan isn’t just a hockey god—he’s a devil no one dares to cross.
My existence disrupts his stardom, prestige, and possible serial killer career choice.
And he’s set out to make me pay for that moment of silence.
No matter how much I run or hide, he finds me, watching from the shadows.
Like a predator.
I thought he’d stop at the stalking.
Or even better, he’d kill me and finally end my misery.
But Jude has other plans.
He says I can’t die. I have to pay for my sins.
And just like that, he drags me into his depraved world, kicking and screaming.

A Murder, a List, and the Girl Who Froze

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😛😘

Character Information and Plot Dynamics

Violet has spent her entire life trying to survive the shadows of her past. Raised by an abusive mother, she carries vivid memories of violence, instability, and the constant fear that shaped her childhood. Foster care offered little comfort, although it did give her one lasting gift. She met the girl who would become her sister, the only person who has ever loved her without conditions. Now an adult, Violet works at a bar and attends college classes while her sister pursues medical school. She pours every ounce of energy into caring for others. She packs meals for her sister even when she forgets to eat and she stays late at work so her coworker can get home to her child.

Violet lives with anxiety and prefers to disappear into the background. Away from work she hides in oversized hoodies and loose clothing, hoping to avoid attention. Flashbacks and panic can freeze her in place when she feels threatened. One of those moments occurred the night she witnessed a woman being murdered in front of a crowd of bystanders. No one stepped in. Violet could not move. Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind, warning her to stay silent and stay small.

Now she is living with the consequences of that moment. Jude, the son of the murdered woman, is hunting down every bystander who failed to intervene. He is a man shaped by violence and raised in a world where killing was a skill taught by his father. As the enforcer for the Vipers hockey team, Jude channels his rage into brutal fights and penalties on the ice. Off the ice he stalks the people he blames for his mother’s death. He is the heir to a pharmaceutical empire and a product of a childhood steeped in manipulation, cruelty, and bloodshed.

Strengths

• Jude is a compelling morally gray character. His father used him as a weapon, sending him after rivals and perceived threats. His upbringing explains his warped sense of justice and the darkness that drives him.

• I appreciated that Jude learns early on why Violet is the way she is. He understands the trauma that shaped her and knows she has struggled with suicidal thoughts. His refusal to give her an easy escape adds complexity to his character, even if his continued pursuit of revenge is difficult to reconcile.

• One of the strongest elements of Sweet Venom is its emotional intensity. The story digs deeply into trauma, obsession, and the slow, painful process of healing. The psychological tension feels raw and authentic, which makes the romantic connection feel earned rather than forced.

• Rina Kent’s bold and unfiltered writing style remains one of my favorites. She never shies away from dark themes or morally complicated behavior. Her exploration of power, consent, and control feels intentional and layered rather than gratuitous. Readers who enjoy dark romance will find a lot to appreciate.

Limitations

• Violet is a fragile heroine. Her trauma defines much of her behavior and she often feels overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and depression. While I do not mind a heroine who is deeply scarred, many readers may struggle with how passive and vulnerable she is.

• The story can feel repetitive for readers familiar with Kent’s other books. Certain character types and relationship patterns appear again, which may make parts of the plot feel predictable.

• Although Jude has a strong backstory, his character leans heavily on aggression without enough emotional nuance to balance it. More internal conflict or vulnerability would have strengthened his arc.

• I am not fond of the dynamic between Jude, Kane, Preston, and the Vencor society. They are used as tools by their parents and the secret society and punished when they step out of line. I prefer morally gray characters who control their own choices rather than being controlled by a shadowy organization.

Narration

The dual perspectives add depth to the story and allow readers to understand both Violet and Jude on a more intimate level. The duet narration enhances this effect. I have been doing immersive reading with the audiobook, and I always appreciate that Rina Kent uses both a male and female narrator.

Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright deliver strong performances. They do sound slightly older than college students, but their emotional delivery more than makes up for it. Mackenzie captures Violet’s fear and anxiety with impressive authenticity. Teddy Hamilton remains one of my favorite male narrators and brings intensity and grit to Jude’s chapters.

Final Opinion

Sweet Venom is a dark, emotionally charged romance that thrives on psychological tension and the collision of two deeply damaged characters. Violet and Jude are shaped by trauma in very different ways, and their connection grows out of pain, vulnerability, and the desperate need to feel seen. While some plot elements feel familiar within Rina Kent’s universe and certain character choices may frustrate readers, the emotional depth and bold storytelling create a gripping experience. The audiobook narration elevates the story even further. Fans of dark romance who appreciate flawed characters, high stakes, and a raw exploration of healing will find this book worth the journey.

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest|BookBub



View all my reviews