I don’t normally opt for audiobooks, but decided I needed something to listen to while I wrapped over 200 christmas gifts for my Etsy shop. I genuinely think this experience will lead to me picking up more audiobooks in the future. The dual POV from the narrators made this such an entertaining listen, and their enthusiasm, inflection, and tone brought these characters to life in the most delectable ways.

Josh has cemented a spot for himself in my book boyfriend list. I don’t make the rules; he hacked himself right into the top spot. I rarely feel jealousy towards fictional characters, but Josh had me cheesing so hard through most of this story that I found myself mentally chastising Aly to take care of our man. 

I knew just from the bits and pieces I’d gathered about this story that it would more than likely work for me. It was a dark romance centered around a masked man, who flaunted his mysterious persona, and unbelievably good looks, online. This was a fantasy come to life – or to book? Either way I was sat as Aly and Josh’s taboo romance unfolded. 

While I’m sure many of us picked up this book solely for the smut, the plot and backstory of these two characters held its own. For me, there was a great balance of spicy scenes, backstory, and present day turmoil for the characters to work through. I loved that Aly was a nurse who was well established in her career. She was a veteran to the highs and lows of the healthcare system. Some of my favorite segments of the novel were her interactions with her coworkers and her internal musing over her profession. Truth be told, I was waiting for more scenes of her in the hospital, and was only slightly disappointed when she ended up taking a much needed, and deserved, vacation.

Josh is the man every masked-man-obsessed woman wishes she could find irl. He’s just the right amount of possessive stalker, mixed with a large dose of adorably nerdy, perfect boyfriend. His extensive hacking knowledge gives him the ability to keep tabs on Aly, which he uses mostly for good. His stalking enables him to prepare snacks, rides home, and other creature comforts Aly has always had to provide for herself. 

Of course, this wouldn’t be a dark romance without a little breaking and entering, hidden cameras, and placing knife handles in very interesting places. What makes Josh even more endearing is that despite his darker side he’s incredibly self aware. Along with his sense of humor, protective aura, being the best cat daddy, and his godlike physique he was the perfect fictional man. 

I truly had no idea where this novel was going considering I went into it mostly blind. I loved how funny these characters were, and how capable they each are of handling whatever life throws their way. I was happy to just sit back and watch them interact with one another. The timing of this book, and my personal maskedtok obsession, was phenomenal. There will probably never be another moment in time as serendipitous as the rise of maskedtok and a book bringing that exact fantasy to life. Thank you for filling that void, Navessa Allen. As a booktok girlie, I am forever in your debt.