Brutal

Pleasure and Prey

By: AJ Merlin

Narrated by: Victoria Connolly

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing bad happens at summer camp.

That’s what my fellow camp counselors have convinced me of when the nights around the lake get a little eerie.

But when the kids all go home and the counselors throw a party on our last night at Camp Clearwater, things change. None of us could have suspected that there was a stranger watching us, or that our machete-wielding visitor doesn’t seem to like that we’re here. But when I'm attacked in the woods, he unexpectedly comes to my rescue in the most ruthless way.

Wren is terrifying, unpredictable, and possessive in a way that terrifies me. I should go to the police and stay away from him at all costs. Instead, I find myself letting him in every time he comes to play.

Can a brutal butcher ever really fall for me, or am I going to become his next victim?

Brutal is a contemporary dark romance stand-alone set in the Pleasure & Prey universe. This is an MF romance.

Please see author’s note at the front of the book for a full list of content warnings.

©2023 AJ Merlin (P)2023 Pink Flamingo Productions

Brutal

Brutal is the second book in the Pleasure and Play series. This book is about Hazel and Wren. We have seen a cameo of Wren in book one, and I loved his book just as much as the first one.

Hazel works at Camp Clearwater and is in her final days there since all the campers have gone home. There is a serial killer on the loose, but she still finds solace in looking at the stars. When something happens Wren is there to protect her and kill her. However, he finds her interesting and he starts to stalk her.

Hazel isn't afraid of Wren like she should be. What happens when she finds out who is behind the mask, and meets his other side outside of camp?

I enjoyed this crazy ride and can't wait to see what crazy hero we get to meet next!

3 star listen

Another good listen.
I do enjoy this group of serial killers 🤣
3 star listen
This time I did feel like the story was half done at the end?
I may have missed it but I don’t know what exactly is wrong with her leg/knee and her mental health and if there’s a reason for that?
Also little to know background on our mmc
But still ok. I’ll continue the series.

4 STARS

Absolutely liked this one just as much as the first. If it was longer it would have been a 5 star listen.
The book pulled me in right from the beginning. I couldn’t believe the choices the heroine made because I’d have been running away from danger. The hero if we can call him that is a serial unaliver and he does not hide who he is from the heroine. She knows what he’s capable of right from the get go. I enjoyed the dinner where she met the whole gang. If you like books where the guy stalks his prey and doesn’t let go this is for you!

Narration was amazing!!!

🎧 The Flock🎧

Contemporary Dark Romance

Brutal by AJ Merlin is a contemporary dark romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Victoria Connolly. This is the second book in the Pleasure and Prey series and can be read as a standalone.

I was pulled in from the first chapter and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed the fast-paced relationship between Wren and Hazel.

I can't wait for the next book in the series Vicious to be released on audio so I can get Gabriel's story.

Victoria did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.

I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, stalker romances, serial killer romances, or romantic suspense.


The Flock Team

Loved

Absolutely love this series and the crazy men are all so hot… I shouldn’t love them but I absolutely do and am not sorry one bit lol definitely recommend this!

Wow

A very interesting storyline. A serial killer/stalker watching his prey. Keeping Hazel safe. Anyone comes touches her, they're gone. A detective obsessed with finding evidence that Wren is the serial killer.
Hazel has insecurities and struggles with depression.. Questions herself why did she want to be with Wren? Can she trust him?
Sexy, mystery, with twists and turns.
Victoria Connelly narration is very good. I enjoyed listening to this story.
#the flock

Enjoyed just as much as book 1!

Book 2 I think is even more explosive with how possessive and kinky Wren is versus Virgil, and that is saying something haha. I re-listened to Depraved before starting this one (I highly recommend it so you get all he nuances and understand this friendship group better) and I laughed and swooned more than I thought I would. This author makes some crazy and scary serial un-alivers but they also are like giant teddy bears and would do anything for their loves.

I think I liked Sloane better than Hazel but her growth in this book was fun to watch. I loved getting the cameos from Virgil, Sloane, and the puppers, as well as getting to learn more about the other groups in this “club” haha. I thought the sex scenes were fire, I couldn’t stop myself from stopping the chore I was doing to really pay attention. The different kinks Wren has was more than Virgil in book 1, so you got so many different scenes so that was nice. The primal play was fun! I enjoyed eve more though seeing them fall for each other. Again I also laughed a ton in this book. Wren’s antics about breaking in and her cats, The scene when they see each other but Hazel doesn't know it’s him, and how the guys interact with each other. I think I would have liked some airtime with Sloane and Hazel so they could talk about the guys, since it was hinted at but never came to fruition. Overall this was a fun and exciting book, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next in terms of Wren kidnapping and roleplaying with Hazel and the big confrontation and twist that came in. I enjoyed the bunny/rabbit references and funny how these characters are good for each other, despite what the one does haha. I was hoping for some resolution with her family to be honest, and I am hoping we get some more cameos in book 4 (I don’t think there will be for book 3 since the guy I don’t think is from the main group) because I want to know how everyone is doing!

Narration was good, I liked that they changed up the female narrator. This was my first listen by this narrator and I thought she did a great job! I would 100% listen to her again. The fear she exuded was perfect and Wren’s twisted nature but ooegy gooey inside was fabulous. I wished there had been POVs from the guys in this series, so we could get a male narrator, it would have only heightened the impact I think. The characters definitely were brought to life by her portrayal of them all (I even loved Jed’s accent haha) and thought the crazed detective was done well too.

I am assuming the new character we met is the star of book 3 so I am excited for that to come out on audio because I will be devouring it as well <3

🎧 Audiobook Obsession Reviewer - Flock Team 🎧

Brutal & beautiful

Book #2 in the Pleasure & Prey series and it took my breath away. So good all the way down to my bones. Dark and wonderfully told.#FlockonTour

Run bunny run 🐇🔪🩸

AJ Merlin is one of the authors I will read no matter what genre she writes. I confess this particular series, Pleasure and Prey, is one of my favorite. This series is especially great to read close to Halloween. This book starts out with Hazel working during the summer at Camp Clearwater. I would say Hazel is socially awkward and prefers her cats who are at home. There is a serial killer, killing very close to this camp. On the last night at the camp, Hazel comes face to mask with a machete wielding killer who has a deep obsession with her. I listened to the audiobook so I particularly loved how monotone Wren's voice was in the woods. Soon, Hazel finds herself being preyed upon like the little bunny Wren says she is. Hazel finds she likes Wren's rough treatment and punishment. Hazel eventually comes face to face with Wren without him wearing the mask. Wren certainly has the proposition for Hazel. All of the characters from the other books are briefly mentioned. Wren is a very hot and tempting killer.

Brutal

okay, this was a good book. not as good as the 1st book. but very enjoyable, the female lead was so cute and a bit funny and I loved how he always knew how she would overthink things. we're kind of in sync with each other. but overall you will like this book. I got the vibe that this was a new version of Jason. shoot Sign me up for the new Jason if he's this hot 🔥 🥵 😍 lol.