It’s steamy, smart, and refreshingly sex-positive, the kind of erotic romance that reminds you why the genre can be both filthy and empowering. ~ Under the Covers

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

If you miss the unapologetically steamy erotic romances of the 2010s, Willing Prey by Allie Oleander will scratch that itch, and maybe a few others. It’s primal play done right: raw, sensual, and deeply consensual, with a heroine who knows what she wants and a hero who’s finally learning what it means to want her beyond the chase.

What Is Willing Prey by Allie Oleander About?

Claire Collins is a divorced PE teacher drowning in student loan debt. When corporate lawyer Shane Underwood offers her $30,000 to be his prey for thirty days, she says yes…because she’s practical, attracted, and no stranger to a little chase. Their arrangement is simple: he hunts, she runs, they both get what they want. But what starts as a primal play strictly sexual contract turns into something neither of them expected. In the woods, Shane sheds his corporate armor, Claire rediscovers her power, and somewhere between the catching and the surrendering, real feelings start to hunt them both.

Willing Prey by Allie Oleander Book Review

Here’s the thing…this is one of the most literal takes on primal play I’ve read, and it absolutely works because of how clear, consensual, and self-aware it is. There’s no blurred line between fantasy and coercion; the contract sets boundaries, the safewords are respected, and the dynamic is built on trust.

The chase scenes are sweaty, dangerous-looking but never actually unsafe. And what’s refreshing is that Claire’s the one in control. She’s confident, sexually experienced, and completely at home with her desires and how much she enjoys being hunted. This isn’t a story about a woman being overpowered or coerced into this contract and all of a sudden finding that she likes it. It’s about her owning the power that turns both of them on.

Even better? The power dynamics flip. Shane doesn’t just hunt; sometimes, he’s the prey. That reversal adds an unexpected vulnerability to his alpha intensity, softening him in a way that feels earned. It’s hot, but it’s also human.

How Does Willing Prey by Allie Oleander Work as an Erotic Romance?

This book gave me major throwback energy in the best way. It’s got that 2010s peak erotic romance vibe: high heat, tight pacing, a believable emotional payoff after all the sweat. The sex and kink come first, but the feelings catch up beautifully.

Claire knows she’s catching feelings but refuses to lose herself to them. Shane, meanwhile, has the emotional range of a rock at first, typical alpha hero behavior, but watching him realize that what he likes about primal play might actually be that he’s kinky for her only was so satisfying to watch.

Their chemistry is off the charts, but what really sold me were the quieter moments. I also really enjoyed his conversations with his brother (who absolutely needs his own book). So while Willing Prey is erotic, yes, but also intimate in ways that go beyond the physical. Exactly what you want and expect in a good erotic romance.

Final Thoughts on Willing Prey by Allie Oleander

If primal play isn’t your thing, maybe skip this one. It’s unapologetically physical and leans all the way into the kink. But if you’re curious, open to it or you’ve been wanting to dip a toe into the wilder side of erotic romance, then Willing Prey by Allie Oleander is a fantastic entry point.

It’s intense without ever feeling unsafe, and there’s no CNC here, just two consenting adults exploring something primal, mutual, and surprisingly tender. It’s steamy, smart, and refreshingly sex-positive, the kind of erotic romance that reminds you why the genre can be both filthy and empowering.

Read More

• The romance genre evolution with Berkley’s Erin Galloway
• A beginners guide to erotic romance

Pin this for later