Hexed: A Dark Contemporary Romance (Never After) by Venesa Andersen - Fiction - Paperback

Hexed: A Dark Contemporary Romance (Never After) is a BRAND NEW paperback edition of the sixth installment in Emily McIntire’s fiercely popular Never After series—a dark, sexy, and morally complex romance that fans describe as addictive from the first page. This standalone within the Never After universe continues McIntire’s trademark blend of fractured fairy tale vibes, modern grit, and unapologetic desire. A rapid-fire blend of danger and devotion, Hexed invites readers into a coastal southern town where power, loyalty, and forbidden love collide. It’s a sultry, high-stakes story crafted for readers who crave steam, slow-burn tension, and morally gray heroes. The book has earned attention as an Instant Sunday Times Bestseller, underscoring McIntire’s reach among contemporary romance readers.

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781728297408

Overview:
Venesa Andersen has never been “good enough”—not for her parents, not for the mob-connected uncle who raised her after their deaths. But Venesa is cunning, stunning, and loyal to a fault, bent on surviving a life she’s learned to navigate with razor-sharp precision. When her runaway cousin returns to their coastal town with a man in tow, Venesa glimpses the one person who has ever seen her—not as a collection of assets or a weapon, but as a woman with a stubborn, aching heart. Enzo “Loverboy” Marino appears to be wealthy and polished by day, yet he rules the underworld by night as underboss to a formidable mafia—answerable to no one but his father, the northeast’s strongest don. When Enzo is ordered into marriage, the choice is never really his to make. What begins as a dangerous business arrangement spirals into a dangerous, undeniable pull that could ruin them both—or finally prop them up to claim what they truly deserve. Hexed offers a dark, modern twist on a classic tale, delivering McIntire’s signature blend of danger, desire, and slow-burn bliss for mature readers who crave a morally complex romance with real stakes.

What Makes This Book Special:
Hexed stands out in the crowd of contemporary romances because it pairs a ruthless power dynamic with an emotionally intimate slow burn. Venesa isn’t simply a pawn; she’s a strategist who sees through pretenses and fights for control even as she falls—hard and fast—for a man who embodies both danger and tenderness. Enzo, the ruthless heir to a criminal empire, isn’t your stereotypical villain; he’s a nuanced character whose guarded exterior hides a fiercely protective core. McIntire’s Never After series is known for reimagining familiar tales with a grown-up edge—laced with sharp wit, lush suspense, and morally gray decision points that keep you turning pages. Hexed invites readers to explore trust, duty, and desire in a world where power can corrupt and love can redeem—if you’re brave enough to take the risk. This book is a standout for fans of mafia romance and fractured fairy tales, and its Sunday Times Bestseller status speaks to its broad appeal.

Hexed in Focus:
By design, Hexed is part of the Never After collection, a modern-romance take on beloved fairy tales told through mature, high-stakes plots. McIntire’s voice—steamy, emotionally charged, and morally daring—guides Venesa and Enzo through a dangerous dance where every promise hides a price. Expect crackling dialogue, exquisitely drawn setting along the coast, and a slow-arc romance that deepens as danger closes in. This is not a quick ride; it’s a carefully paced fall into a world where love demands sacrifice and every choice reshapes the characters’ futures. The storytelling is crafted to reward readers who savor atmospheric tension, suspenseful plotting, and a heroine who refuses to be defined by others’ expectations.

Who This Book Is For:
Hexed is tailor-made for adult readers who enjoy dark contemporary romance with a crime-drenched underworld backdrop, heat that builds slowly, and morally complex characters who aren’t easily categorized as “good” or “bad.” It’s ideal for fans of BookTok-driven romantic suspense, readers who love reimagined fairy tales with a grown-up twist, and anyone who appreciates a heroine who outsmarts expectations while navigating dangerous loyalties. If you’re seeking a standalone, edge-of-your-seat romance within a beloved series universe, Hexed delivers a complete, immersive experience designed to be read in one breath and linger long after the final page.

Key Benefits:

• Indulgent, high-stakes romance with a morally complex hero and a cunning heroine.
• Dark, modern twist on a classic tale—perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales.
• Standalone within a beloved series, so no cliffhanger commitment required beyond one book.
• Viral, widely talked-about title with recognition as a Sunday Times Bestseller.
• Rich coastal setting, atmospheric tension, and a carefully paced slow-burn that intensifies emotion.
• Strong, witty narration and dialogue that adds depth beyond steamy scenes.
• Great gift for romance readers seeking power, passion, and peril in equal measure.

About the Author:
Emily McIntire is a #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author whose romance novels blend steam, slow burns, and morally nuanced narratives. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, spanning several sub-genres while retaining a distinctive voice that fans trust for intense emotion, suspense, and a fearless approach to love’s boundaries. In Hexed, McIntire continues to push boundaries with a sophisticated, character-driven story that rewards readers who crave complexity and intimacy in equal measure. Her work is widely celebrated for crafting memorable heroines and formidable anti-heroes who challenge conventional romance tropes.

Why You’ll Love This Book:
Hexed delivers a compelling blend of danger, desire, and devotion that makes it a standout in contemporary romance. You’ll be drawn into Venesa’s resilience and Enzo’s guarded tenderness as their worlds collide, testing loyalties, family duties, and the boundaries of love. The storytelling rewards repeat readers with subtle foreshadowing, richly drawn supporting characters, and a sense of place that makes the town feel almost like a character itself. If you’ve enjoyed the Never After series’ darker, morally ambiguous romances, Hexed will feel like a natural, satisfying next chapter—and a perfect addition to your bookshelf or gifting catalog for readers who want depth with their heat.

Please Note: The individual book included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.