Alaska, the FMC, is the one who is known as/calls herself Sage in the sex call centre whatever it is, she also works in a bar where Louise, her colleague, asks Alaska to serve her area because she is terrified of the men in that area. One of those men is Zuko and after he hears her talk, he immediately asks what her name is and of course she says her real name. This is about a strong independent FMC who works in a bar and has a secret identity as a phone sex worker. One of her regulars to call, unbeknownst to her is one of the Hunter brothers, a known family of very wealthy hitmen. They hunt and kill without remorse wiping out competition of their clients in exchange for very good coin. The MMC, her regular caller, arrives at the bar where she works. He is immediately intrigued by her. Yet he doesn't know her secret identity, but she knows who he is.

My job is to hunt. Dispose of problems like they never existed. And I'm incredibly good at my job. It's brutal and violent. But, then again, so I am. I crave destruction. Death is merely a consequence of my dark pursuits. And I won't lose a wink of sleep over it, either.

We met the Hunter brothers in a Villain’s Lies, although they weren’t in the story for long they made quite an impact. Zuko, the eldest Hunter brother, is the male lead in this story and he is one dark, twisted guy but I quite like him. I like his honesty and how upfront he is with everyone. Is he deadly? Too right, however, he never shies away from that and owns up to enjoying his ‘career’. She’s keeping secrets. And I know all about prying information out of people. She won’t like my methods. But I’ll keep playing her little game until I decide what to do about her. It turns out I’m not the one in control. But when he calls tonight, and he will, I’ll be ready… with a lie. If you like dark romances you will definitely like this shorter story. Think Mafia bad boy feel combined with Haunting Adeline.

The first part of the book got me hooked. I loved the dynamic, connection and banter between Alaska and Zuko. And then, I don't know exactly when it went wrong for me, but TL Smith somehow lost me. That hasn't happened in the past, which really surprised me. Alaska is a bad bitch, she is so sassy and fierce omg, I liked reading about her so much. I mean she IS SHOPPING FROM THE CARD THAT ZUKO GAVE HER AS A TIP AND NOT EVEN HESITATING BEFORE SPENDING! Blyad! What a woman. And what a man😩🫶🏼🥵🔥🫠 I expected more out of the fact that Alaska hid her second identity from Zuko and him finding out. It was inserted into the story like "oh, I almost forgot there was something to be lifted". This was sinful. I felt like I shouldnt like it because Zuko is a bad bad man, but I did... Zuko could play with his knife & me any day. Many. Please be mindful. •Murder •Violence •Blood and Gore •Torture and Amputation •Drug abuse (mentioned) •Alcohol •Explicit Sex •Extreme Kinks •Breathplay •Suffocation •Choking •Knifeplay •Guns and Knives •Stabbing •Violence to WomenNothing bothers me. No one affects me. Except the vixen with the lilac hair. When I reveal my true self to her, she laughs it off, enticed by the game we play. Alaska is a strong woman who is a sassy feisty woman that doesn't take any crap. Shes working two jobs at the minute, one as a cowgirl waitress and a phone sex worker. After one call from a guy he becomes obsessed with her voice and calls her all the time. Well that is until one night he comes into the bar where she is working If I were a smart woman, I would look away. But I live on the edge, and he seems like a man it would be fun to annoy, and despite all the warnings I have received I just can’t help myself with him.” It turns out I'm not the one in control. But when he calls tonight, and he will, I'll be ready… with a lie.

This is about a strong independent FMC who works in a bar and has a secret identity as a phone spicy worker. One of her regulars to call, unbeknownst to her is one of the Hunter brothers, a known family of very wealthy hitmen. They hunt and kill without remorse wiping out competition of their clients in exchange for very good coin. The MMC, her regular caller, arrives at the bar where she works. He is immediately intrigued by her. Yet he doesn't know her secret identity, but she knows who he is. She's keeping secrets. And I know all about prying information out of people. She won't like my methods. But I'll keep playing her little game until I decide what to do about her. I cannot wait for the next book. So glad I have discovered TL Smith because I enjoyed this book immensely and need more. If you like breath/knife play kinks, unaliving, unhinged, obsessive, possessive. Zuko is your guy. This is a fun, fast, spicy read! My job is to hunt. Dispose of problems like they never existed. And I’m incredibly good at my job. It’s brutal and violent. But, then again, so I am. I crave destruction. Death is merely a consequence of my dark pursuits. And I won’t lose a wink of sleep over it, either.

He thinks our conversations are more than just sex. He's wrong. The intimacy he feels is all a facade. Until the day an embodiment of my darkest fantasies walks into my bar, and his unmistakable voice sends a shiver down my spine. Moments of Malevolence by T. L. Smith is a dark romance standalone with themes that might be triggering for some readers so do proceed with caution. I have a hard time rating this book. Because on the one hand I enjoyed reading it and read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. On the other hand I have so many problems with it, that I can't count them all. This is a dark and spicy romance read with enemies to lovers, touch her and die vibes, forced proximity and is an HEA.

I also really love the grumpy x sunshine friendship between Alaska and Louise. The most supportive work bestie ever. of Malevolence _is an all-new standalone enemies-to-lovers romance with serial killers and hidden identities, where the villain always gets the girl even if she sets his house on fire.

About this book

He thinks our conversations are more than just sex. He’s wrong. The intimacy he feels is all a facade. Until the day an embodiment of my darkest fantasies walks into my bar, and his unmistakable voice sends a shiver down my spine.