Sweet Venom

A Dark College Hockey Romance (Vipers, Book 2)

By: Rina Kent

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Mackenzie Cartwright

From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Rina Kent comes a dangerously dark stalker hockey romance.

Can I outrun his merciless obsession?

I accidentally witnessed a brutal murder. I froze, pretended I saw nothing, hoping I could leave it behind. But my plan backfired, and my life spiraled downward. Now, I’m the target of cold-blooded revenge.

Jude Callahan isn’t just a hockey god—he’s a devil no one dares to cross. My existence disrupts his stardom, prestige, and possible serial killer career choice. And he’s set out to make me pay for that moment of silence.

No matter how much I run or hide, he finds me, watching from the shadows. Like a predator. I thought he’d stop at the stalking. Or even better, he’d kill me and finally end my misery. But Jude has other plans.

He says I can’t die. I have to pay for my sins. And just like that, he drags me into his depraved world, kicking and screaming.

This book is a dark romance. Please check the author's website for content warnings before listening.

This book can be listened to on its own, but for a better understanding of the world, it's recommended to listen to Beautiful Venom first.

©2025 Rina Kent (P)2025 Rina Kent

Sweet Venom time, besties.

Sweet Venom time, besties. 🖤 This one can be read as a standalone, but if you wanna fully unlock the chaos of this world, reading Beautiful Venom first is the move. If you’ve been here since Book 1, you already know Violet spent three months in a coma — but THIS book actually shows us the before, the during, and the messy aftermath.

After she accidentally witnesses a murder, her whole life goes off the rails and she becomes the target of Jude Callahan — hockey legend, nightmare fuel, professional menace. He’s determined to make her pay for what she saw… and no matter how hard she bolts, Jude stays right on her heels, dragging her into his dark little universe.

Violet? My girl deserved a hug and a vacation. And seeing what really led to the coma?? Emotional damage.
Jude + Violet together though? Yeah… I’m feral. No notes.

AND PRESTON??? Hello??? The way he’s instantly my emotional support king?? His friendship with Violet was so precious my heart did a lil backflip. And the Marcus + Preston crumbs?? I’m inhaling them like a gremlin.

Also, let’s talk audio because WOW. Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright didn’t just show up—they dropped an entire masterclass. The heat? The angst? The vibes?? Audio girlies, grab your headphones and hydrate. 🎧🔥

A wild, sexy & exhilarating ride. JUDE CALLAHAN 🙌

Well, I'm totally obsessed with this audio you guys & I'm still thinking about how flippin HOT, cool & awesome Jude Mother Freakin Callahan is!!! I honestly devoured this audio in basically a day, replayed multiple scenes because I was squealing! Listen, this is dark romance, but this is THE KIND I love! It's addictive storytelling with characters you KNOW darn well you probably shouldn't love but you do anyway but you can't help it. They do some insane stuff but also some absolutely endearing stuff too. I know!!! It's crazy town but ya' girl here, loves her some JC 🙌

I'm gonna be totally honest, I don't think I would have liked this book as much if I had eyeballed this baby. THIS AUDIO is an experience, it's fun, fast paced, funny, romantic & absolutely bonkers but Mackenzie & Teddy MF Hamilton MADE THIS for me & I think will for many other audio listeners as well.

The twists? I gasped. The romance? I melted for. The darker moments? I was here for it🙌 It made this story gripping & all consuming for me. This won't deliver for everybody but if you like some darkish grey romance😂 you absolutely need to give this audio a try.

This follows the explosive & dark romance between two people who are bound by obsession, danger & a tangled past. When Violet accidentally witnesses a brutal murder & pretends to see nothing, she becomes the target of the broody & explosive hockey player, Jude Callahan. He's dangerous but his obsession with her spirals quickly & the more she tries to escape his dangerous obsession, the more she's drawn right back into his arms. There's plot twists, secrets & emotional storytelling by Rina Kent. I couldn't put this thing down.

🎤Let's talk audio: Mackenzie & Teddy absolutely NAILED this performance. Teddy is INTENSE as all heck! There is tension & chemistry almost from the very beginning that you are absolutely squealing over. I swear, Teddy's voice is two octaves lower when he's voicing Jude and you're literally dying guys! DYING!! Mackenzie was fantastic performing Violet. She's a bit of a complicated gal but you love her from the get-go and these two in DUET just couldn't be more entertaining & perfect!

This was a thrilling roller coaster ride that was seductive & addicting. I LITERALLY can't wait for Preston's story 🙌 This guy cracks me up & his shenanigans are gonna be so much fun!

Outstanding

What a roller coaster of emotions! Loved it cant wait for the next book! I loved that Preston finally had someone who loved him other than Kane and Jude. Him and Violets friendship made me giggle so much!

A sweet time with Jude

Audio Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: ⭐️⭐️
Pov: 1st person
Style: Dual
Tropes: Dark Romance, Secret Society, Traumatic Childhood, Found Family, Enemies to Lovers, Possessive MC, FMC Sexual Awakening.

Sweet Venom is Book 2 in this interconnected series, and this time we’re following Jude Callahan and Violet Winters.

Listen… I fully did not expect to like Jude. After Beautiful Venom, I was borderline offended that the book with my favorite cover color (teal FTW) belonged to him.
But let me tell you....Jude won me over in record time. The man delivers a top tier sexual awakening, isn’t shy about a little Good Girl praise, and had me kicking my feet like a teenager.

And that plot twist toward the end? Yeah… Rina had my emotions in a chokehold. I was stressed out and shooketh.

The enemies to lovers vibe though 🔥🔥

For all the haters of her books, don’t waste your time on me. I take no criticism for this book! Rina Kent continues to feed my dark side with these morally black men. Jude was SO fun with his broody, k!lling self.

The time line for this book corresponds with book 1 so I highly recommend reading them in order! I did love that we got more conversation between Jude, Preston and Kane in this book!! Too many times where I just cracked up at the random crap coming out of Preston’s mouth!!

I love the enemies to lovers vibe we got in this book!! Violet was the opposite of Jude in every way but their chemistry 🔥🔥😍

There are so many emotional moments in this book. I was all over the place. When an author can make me crack up, get mad, and then cry during their books? It’s an automatic 5 stars for me. Don’t even care.

I am SO ready for Preston and Marcus!! Their hate towards each other 🔥🔥🔥cannot wait!

Teddy Hamilton was nothing short of amazing in the audio. (Who’s surprised!?) he definitely did Jude justice!! Hamilton just makes the BEST grumpy voice 🤣 Mackenzie Cartwright also did SO good for Violet. They were amazing choices by the author for sure! If you love audiobooks, I also recommend Rina’s books on audio. Gives it a little added spice