Haunted by Selena Winters

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I signed away my freedom for seventy-two hours, agreeing to be hunted through a maze by fifteen masked men.The Hollow’s Hunt—the Blackwood brothers’ most closely guarded secret. As an investigative journalist, I thought this was my chance to expose their criminal empire. I never expected Xavier Blackwood to know exactly who I was from the start.

“You’ll be the prey,” he promised, fingers tracing my collarbone. “And I will hunt you through every inch of my domain until you’re mine.”
Now I’m running through corridors designed for surrender, my body betraying me with every heated memory of Xavier’stouch. Each dead end brings me closer to capture, submission, and becoming the prize of whoever finds me first. Worse, I’ve dragged my best friend into this nightmare with me.

The most terrifying realization? Part of me longs to be caught—to discover what happens when Xavier Blackwood finally has me exactly where he wants me.

The Hunt begins at midnight. And Xavier Blackwood always gets what he wants.

Into the Hollows: A Dark and Twisted Romance

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🩷💙
Spice/Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: 😋😀😉🥰😎
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

Main Characters & Plot Overview

Haunted: A Dark Primal Romance centers on Xavier Blackwood, one of four powerful brothers who control both the legitimate and underground pulse of their city. Together, the Blackwoods own Purgatory, a nightclub that serves as a front for their far more dangerous operations, including a hidden labyrinth that houses an exclusive and deeply disturbing underground club. Their empire extends into drug distribution, and as the story opens, they are preparing to expand aggressively, negotiating new alliances that will solidify their dominance.

Xavier is ruthless, calculating, and unapologetically dark. He thrives on control, both in business and in his personal desires, which lean far beyond conventional boundaries. Enter Mira Sullivan, an investigative journalist determined to expose the Blackwood empire. She goes undercover at Purgatory, fully aware of the danger but driven by ambition and a need for the truth. What she does not anticipate is that Xavier already knows exactly who she is and why she is there.

Instead of eliminating the threat, Xavier pulls Mira deeper into his world by inviting her to the Hollows Hunt, an annual and highly secretive event where power, control, and survival collide. The Hunt becomes both a trap and a twisted game, binding Mira in ways she never intended. As the lines between hunter and prey blur, so do the boundaries between manipulation, obsession, and something more complicated.

Highlights & Limitations

One of the strongest elements of this audiobook is its atmosphere. The world-building leans heavily into dark, gothic tones, creating a setting that feels oppressive, dangerous, and immersive. The labyrinth beneath Purgatory is particularly effective as a symbolic and literal descent into the darker aspects of the story. The tension between Xavier and Mira is another highlight. Their dynamic is charged, layered with power imbalance, psychological games, and reluctant fascination.

The concept itself is bold and unapologetically dark, which will appeal to listeners who enjoy boundary-pushing romance with anti-hero leads. The stakes feel high throughout, especially as Mira navigates a world where she is constantly at risk of losing control over her own situation.

That said, the story may not work for everyone. The labyrinth where the hunt takes place is a bit beyond believable, with hydraulics and moving walls, including elaborate traps. Then the fact that the women act like they don’t want what happens to them even though they signed an iron-clad NDA, so what did they expect would happen?

The darker themes, particularly surrounding control and consent within the framework of the Hunt, can feel extreme and at times overshadow character development. Some listeners may find it difficult to connect emotionally with Xavier due to his intensity and lack of traditional redeeming qualities. Additionally, while the premise is gripping, certain plot elements lean more into shock value than depth, leaving some aspects of the world and supporting characters under-explored.

Narration & Performances

Marie Hawkins and Von Necros bring a strong dual narration to the audiobook. Marie Hawkins captures Mira’s determination and vulnerability effectively, balancing her strength with the fear and uncertainty of her situation. Her performance helps ground the story emotionally, making Mira feel more relatable even in extreme circumstances.

Von Necros delivers a commanding performance as Xavier. His voice suits the character’s dominance and controlled menace, adding weight to Xavier’s presence. He leans into the darker tone of the story, enhancing the intensity of key moments without overplaying them.

Together, the narrators create a compelling listening experience, particularly in scenes where the tension between the characters is at its peak. Their performances elevate the material, helping maintain engagement even when the story veers into heavier or more controversial territory.

Final Thoughts

Haunted: A Dark Primal Romance is a story that fully embraces its dark themes, offering a mix of suspense, power dynamics, and intense chemistry. It is not a light or traditional romance, and it does not try to be. The balance between story and spice leans heavily toward the darker, more primal elements, though there is still a narrative thread that keeps the plot moving forward. I wanted a bit more story than smut and there wasn’t enough of a storyline other than the hunt. The hunters would capture the girls and let them go and capture them again and so on.

For listeners who enjoy morally gray characters, high-stakes tension, and a romance that pushes boundaries, this audiobook delivers a gripping, if sometimes unsettling, experience. For others, the intensity of the themes and the dominance of the darker elements may feel overwhelming.

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