Hans (Alliance #4 ) by S.J. Tilly

“Are you obsessed with me?”

• Title: Hans
• Author: S. J. Tilly
• Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Publication Date: 12/28/2023
• 432 Pages
• Standalone (Book 4)

• Plot: ★★★★
• Spice: ★★★★★
• Tropes: Obsessed Hero, Hurt/Comfort, Dark Past, Protector, Vigilante, Brat Tamer,  Mafia/Organized Crime, Opposites Attract, Emotional Scars, Age Gap

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Trigger Warning: On-page Graphic Violence and Death, Stalking, Dubious Consent, Breaking and Entering, Surveillance, Kidnapping. Discussion surrounding Human Trafficking, Death of Parents, Death of a Sibling, Grief and Loss Depiction. 

Kinks: DD/lg, mild Anal Training, mild Bondage, Dirty Talk, DP, Breeding, Hybristophilia, 

Woah baby, what a conclusion to the series. Truly, I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Cassie and Hans' story starts as two neighbors experiencing loneliness and attraction. Then it unfolds into this epic love story leading toward salvation and redemption. S. J. Tilly provided an unexpected spin on traditional Hurt/Healing tropes that was refreshing and passionate. 

This book is very spicy. Considering the characters went a year without actually interacting with each other and it was mostly off-page, I am still considering this book a slow burn. However, once they started interacting with each other, the spice was off the charts, often. With that in mind, review the kinks and triggers before starting the book. 

Ultimately, I loved this book, It was my favorite of the series. These characters had the most chemistry and desire compared to the couples of the previous books. Also, The character development and overall direction throughout the book made sense to me. I understood the "whys" and "hows" behind character actions and motivations which was lacking in the other books. I immensely enjoyed this book and I'm really sad it's over.  Wonderful job writing S.J. Tilly. I look forward to reading more of your works and hopefully, that means I will get more Hans and Cassie too, fingers crossed!

“Because I’m a gentleman,” Hans repeats. “Yep.” I start walking, pulling him along with me. “Until we get to the room, of course. Then you’re going to fuck me like the brat I am.”

If it is not clear yet, I loved this whole book. Personally, I love dark romances so the kinks did not deter me. My favorite thing about this book was Cassie. Followed closely by Hans' devotion to Cassie. I appreciated that this book had such a different feeling than the previous three books. Meaning, that in the previous books, the Alliance was the center of focus. However, this book felt like a side quest to that. Despite the topics discussed, this book felt surprisingly light. Like the quirky girl next door trope with a dark romance twist. The perfect combination. 

In this book, we meet Cassandra, a free-spirited type character who embodies the sunshine FMC trope perfectly. Despite the Sunshine persona, Cassie is a Brat through and through. She met her match with Hans and I loved how open and assertive she was with her desires. In most romance books we get the submissive/ meek characters, and that's not Cassie. She was the most relatable FMC of the series. She was brave, witty, imperfect, and honest. At this point, Cassie is my favorite character from the Alliance series and of the other S.J. Tilly books I have read, in their universe. 

Meanwhile, Hans was a mess but he was our mess so we love him for it. My heart broke with his story and it was a bit rough to get through fully. We can see he's hurting and traumatized. Therefore, like Cassie, we, the readers, are more understanding of Hans' tendencies and needs in his relationships. With that in mind, Hans loves Cassie so intensely, it is crazy but also very sweet. From refusing to throw away fruit in Cassie's house to avoid making her pout. Also, forcing himself to eat inedible things simply because Cassie made them. While yes, it's crazy, at its roots they were very sweet gestures that I enjoyed reading. It is very clear he loves her deeply but Hans is simply hurt. However, through understanding and support, Cassie is there to help him heal. 

“She sighs, having no patience for my self-pity. “It means you can think about, I dunno, maybe not being such a fucking loser. Retire. Get a life. Try talking to the girl you’re stalking. Ask her out.” 

I honestly have no notes. I just wish it was longer. I wish we got to see them more together having the regular family moments and traditions. I really hope they make an appearance in other future series in this universe. S.J. please, the fans need this. 

But seriously, all my negatives are superficial such as wanting more time to see their relationship bloom. Everything around them was happening so fast, I wish we had seen them build their bond more. Plus the pace made all of Hans' tendencies appear more intense. Considering the timeline of the book, Hans was definitely a red flag and concerning. However, their obsessions and intensity worked so well that I didn't mind the frequency of events. Therefore, I believe all my negatives from the previous books were met and exceeded in this book. 

“His don’t was because I let go of his hand. God, he really is crazy. I squeeze his thigh. Maybe I’m a little bit crazy too.”

What more can I say, this was the best and worst way to end the series. It was the best because it was such a great book, I loved it. However, it was the worst ending for the series because it was too good. All I wanted was more, of everything and everyone. I was not ready for it to be over which broke my heart a tiny bit. I one thousand percent recommend this book to everyone. Friend, it's kinky so please read the warning and be mindful. As a reminder, we do not kink shame here (see rules).

Overall, this was a sweet and insane love story. Hans and Cassie were made for each other, true soulmates. Their story feels like a retelling of how Bonnie and Clyde met and I loved it. Their chemistry and tension were palpable, and though things happened quickly their love read authentically. This book is chaotic and raw but also so healing and warm. Definitely check out this book and series if you haven't already. And if you have, reread it then!