Fun, great diverse characters, and with a twist to the superheroes that was refreshing and entertaining.

Overall: 5/5
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: workplace, slow burn

I tried out this new to me author and was blown away! The pacing varies based on if the scene is involving the romance plot or the superhero plot.

The chemistry between Roland and Vanessa is explosive but ends up being a slow burn because of both of their histories. But when things finally happen, 🥵🥵.

I was completely hooked through this story, and some aspects of it were new to me, but not enjoyable.

There was so much amazing character development and diversity. Such a freaking fantastic story, and i can't wait to read more in the series!

This book has it all—adventure, emotion, comedy, heat, and heart. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to put it down.

The grumpy/sunshine dynamic, fake relationship trope, and found family elements were all so well done, and the truly diverse cast made the story even richer.

A fun, heartfelt read that’s impossible to resist!

#AllSuperheroesNeedPR #NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Let me preface with, I adore Elizabeth Stephens. She's an extraordinary wordsmith and she crafts extraordinary worlds. I've read nearly all her books and I recommend the Population series all the time.

I was hesitant going into this book. Mostly because superheroes aren't my thing and I didn't think I'd like it simply based on that. I almost passed on the ARC opportunity, but, since I throughly enjoy Ms. Stephens writing, I figured I'd step out on a limb and give this book a shot.

All Superheroes Need PR has the mashup vibes of The Boys (a series on Amazon Prime Video) and Anger from Inside Out and monster/alien romance.

The first 6 chapters are Vanessa's POV. And frankly, they're difficult to get through. If you're looking for the weakest damsel-in-distress FMC to ever be written, you found her. Vanessa is a bumbling, stuttering, anxiety ridden, fainting, accident-prone klutz. It's a bit over the top, really.

In chapter seven we finnaly get the POV of the Pyro/the Wyvern/Roland/Mr. Casteel/Rollo. He's a run-of-the-mill alpha, but he's figging hilarious! He's a villan at heart (who wears sweatpants -love that!), but wants to be a hero for Vanessa. This is where Ms. Stephens' writing shines!

If you find yourself struggling to get into this book, try getting to chapter 7. I promise it gets better.

Superheros is the mildest book Ms. Stephens has written. Her previous indy books have STRONG buttkicking FMC. Superheroes has a shamefully weak FMC. If you're expecting the nitty gritty extraordinaire of her indy works, you'll be disappointed with this book.

If her indy books were described as cake, they are luscious chocolate cakes. So dark, decadence and delicious, you can't stop and feel slightly guilty for how much you're enjoying it. ASNPR, is like a diet friendly cake. It's alright, but not satisfying.

Troupes include:
Single bed
Touch-her-and die
Damsel-in-distress
One bed
Fake dating

Written as first person, dual POV. Spicy.

All Superheroes Need PR is fantastic. This story is full of all of your favorite superhero and romance tropes, mixed with a heavy dose of comedy, and enough emotional conflict to keep the reader turning the page. Elizabeth Stephens does a masterful job of bringing black romance into the superhero realm with flawless execution. The varied representation within this story will encourage more readers to explore this fusion of genres, in which many readers will be able to connect with characters and see themselves in challenging roles. The romantic tension of the main characters will keep romance readers engaged and eager to see how these characters respond in a world full of heroes and villains. Readers will be rabid for the next installment of this series.

If a ROM COM inspired by Twilight - but without vampires or the teenage angst - had a baby with The Boys, it would be this book. I don't know what I expected a superhero romance to be, but this knocked it out of the park by blending alien/monster romance in there as well. These characters are truly loveable as they work though complimenting flaws and trauma in organic ways. And the many facets of being strong but vulnerable was explored so well. If someone finds a real life Roland, send him my way!

This book was not my cup of tea. I really was not expecting the direction it went (monster smut basically that suddenly happened around 70%), and it was just not what was described/advertised with the synopsis. So, read at your own risk I guess.

The relationship between Vanessa and Roland was definitely concerning, especially at the beginning when he just had constant urges to kidnap her??!? Like what, that is not normal or healthy. It was also instalove, which sometimes is a good trope, but there were just so many skipped steps for this it was zero to a thousand. Overall, it just made me uncomfortable for most of the book.

However, there were a couple things I liked about this book (although most of them dropped off once the smut started). I thought the concept of superheroes just having these organizations that they belong to, and are framed as either villains or heroes is so interesting, and how they just choose which one to join like Roland did. However, other than the first 10-15%, not much was said about this whole system. Another thing about this book that I liked were the side characters, especially those that work with Vanessa, and I feel like this was the one area that there was some continuity, because they just kept showing up.

Overall, I think if this book was blurbed more accurately, it would be able to find its niche, but stumbling into this kind of book is not too fun. If that’s your cup of tea, then great, but it’s not for me.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely amazing. Definitely favorite book of the year. Sucks you and and won't let you go. This is Stephens' first trad press release but it is just as smart, thoughtful, engrossing, sexy, and exciting as her earlier sci-fi work. The world building is top notch, but better still is that it feels exactly right as a contemporary read. All the characters are clever, flawed, and trying so hard to make it work, to find joy, to be present. It is THE book for this moment. Run and get this book. Cannot wait for the next one. Fav book from a stunningly talented writer.

I am very excited to see more Supers in the City books. The storyline is very unique and the characters extremely loveable. Despite the book being under 300 pages, I felt the main characters were well-rounded and complex, which made loving them that much easier. The dialogue felt natural, and (while the love between Vanny and Rollo quick) I didn’t feel like it was uncomfortably rushed or out of place.

I do wish there was more character development for the side characters, but I’m assuming that may happen in later books. Additionally, I did feel like the ending—from Rollo’s and Doc Emily’s abduction on—felt a bit rushed. I would have like more time with Vanny and him before the epilogue! It was a joy watching both Vanessa and Roland grow separately and together.

Elizabeth Stephens is a true talent — able to create complex and unique characters and worlds that make the reader almost instantly fall in love. I love her Beasts of Gatamora and can’t wait for this series to come to the masses!

Gotta love a great battle and with this book it's so detailed, which I've come to love from Elizabeth. I love reading a good wholesome family who loves the MCs down. Nessa didn't stand a chance with all brothers lol. This book kept me laughing, definitely much lighter than o am used to. I loved it. Can't wait for book 2. 😍

I wish superhero romance books were more popular because I love them so much! The story was so fun to read and I loved the main couples chemistry!

This started off really good, the first 100 pages had me so hooked and kicking my feet. From there the plot kinda went sideways into some alien aspect and they were having sex every other chapter, which is fine but I was actually really liking the superhero/PR plot line and wanted more of that to advance their new relationship!

I have so many conflicted feelings about this book. First, let me say that I adore Elizabeth Stephens' writing. I've inhaled every book of hers I could find, so I was ready for a wild ride. Unfortunately, if it were not for my implicit faith in this author, I probably would not have finished this book. I actually considered abandoning before I even got to the 90-page mark.

On the positive side, I liked Roland. He was rough around the edges, yes, but still charming enough that I enjoyed reading about him. I was even okay with the insta-love given that Roland is an alien, and I was expecting some aspect of the usual fated mates dynamic here. Was his journey believable? No? Was it enjoyable? Yes. I also thought the book's premise was strong. I like the idea of the superheroes, the villains and the agencies needed to represent them.

Sadly, I cannot say the same for Vanessa the FMC whom I found insufferable. Even understanding her genuinely traumatic past, it simply did not feel believable to me that a thirty-four-year-old woman who heads her own PR Agency would be literally incapable of stringing a sentence together or would be tripping over random objects at every moment like a circus clown. I'm okay with tripping as a device if it's once or twice, but this was ridiculous. All of Vanessa's friends and family, who were amazing, kept telling us she was badass, but she never lived up to the hype. I didn't understand why Margerie was even reporting to Vanessa when she was the one running the show, making the pitches, managing crises--doing the things an executive does while Vanessa stammered, fainted, tripped overherself, and blushed her way into irrelevance. Great that she came up with the Wyvern as a name, but that's hardly proof of sustained creative genius or capable leadership--even from a person battling extreme anxiety. Vanessa's behavior felt like that of a 15-year-old and not a woman in her prime, and this was only reinforced by the overprotective dynamic with her family. There is a point where being a damsel in distress becomes so extreme it just creates an unsympathetic character.

For me, the biggest disadvantage of having a FMC who couldn't string together a coherent sentence was the missed opportunity for conversation with Roland and by extension the development of their relationship. With more fluid conversation between Vanessa and Roland, the feeling of the relationship being rushed would have been greatly mitigated. I understood what Vanessa saw in Roland. I'm sorry to say I could not fathom what he saw in her. A very strange outcome given that this author is known for such dynamic FMCs. Overall I felt confused and peeved for most of this book. 3 stars only because the objective quality of the writing isn't bad and because of my soft spot for this author. Hoping book 2 will focus on the photojournalist and will be much stronger.

Several decades ago 48 alien children appeared on earth. As they grew, they became marketed as a hero or a villain. Now the biggest baddie, The Pyro, is looking to switch sides and needs a brand overhaul. Enter Vanessa's PR team. Along with a new look, they'll give him a new name -- and his very own Lois Lane. Vanessa just didn't expect it to be herself.

The superhero romance plot I enjoyed. Really fun and had me turning the pages. What I found myself slogging through was Vanessa's backstory: she had an abusive childhood and was eventually adopted by her foster family, but those memories never left. When getting my alien smut fix, deep-seated trauma isn't what I'm going for.

Vanessa Theriot is a PR director of of a small marketing firm. Roland Casteel Aka Pyro is in need of an image rebrand so he hires her to help him. During the rebranding, they end up fake dating.
This story is simply adorable. I love an MMC that is absolute gone for a woman and that is Roland. He is feral for her in the most unhinged hilarious ways. Vanessa is shy and anxiety ridden but being with Roland makes her learn how to stand up for her self. There are some elements especially towards the end that I felt were unnecessary (pink horned devil?) And made the story line confusing. But overall this book was precious and I love Vanessa and Roland.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. All Superheroes Need PR by Elise Broach is a fun and lighthearted story that offers a unique take on the superhero genre. The book follows a group of superheroes navigating their everyday lives while also trying to manage their public image. It’s a clever exploration of fame, identity, and the pressures that come with being in the spotlight. With a charming writing style and relatable characters, this book is an entertaining read for those looking for a humorous and insightful look at the world of superheroes. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories with a mix of adventure and satire

This was my first book by Elizabeth Stephens and I enjoyed it so much!
The plot is very unique - alliens, superheroes, PR manager! Hilarious and so, so good!
Vanessa and Roland are fantastic and they are great together, I loved their dynamics.

This book is dual POV and it really is so fitting! Very good plot pacing and it was very entertaining. How he saves her!
Also great spice! Absolutely!


Tropes
human x alien
dual POV
morally grey MC
Grumpy MC
good girl

5/5 stars

I quite liked this book, even though it was very fast paced and some times there was too many information too fast. I wish we could have seen more of the villains and of their plans but overall it was an okay book.

All Superheroes Needs PR is my favorite book of 2025 so far. Elizabeth Stephens is one of my god tier authors and I have cherished Xiveri Mates, Population and the Beasts of Gatamora series’ so I knew I was going to love this story. What I was not prepared for was how this cute rom-com looking cover was going to house a completely feral and unhinged enemies to lovers monster romance.

I’m in love. Rollo and Nessa are absolute goals. He is a broody possessive asshole and she is a reserved boss babe with a hard past and a heart of gold. Their dynamic is electric. What starts as a fake dating scenario quickly evolves as he falls and FAST. We just love an “I hate everyone but you” moment. Bonus points for “MY WIFE” energy. Swoon.

The spice absolutely spices throughout and the first intimate scene can only be described as the wettest dry hump I’ve ever read. I will forget the names and faces of my loved ones before I forget that scene. Holy guacamole.

I cannot scream loudly enough about how much I love Elizabeth’s writing. She is able to take some pretty dark themes and make them integral to the storyline without it being daunting to the reader. She peppers in hysterical dialogue that pairs well with an action packed plot that had me grinning like an idiot and kicking my feet for the whole ass ride.

You are going to be SICK OF ME screaming about this book. Strap in monster lovers, this books is fucking amazing.

I devoured this book!

Rolland and Vanessa are fascinating characters surrounded by interesting people in a whole new world. Sure it might be a PR agent meets a superhero and situationship occurs but there are so many little twists along the way.

There are serious themes tackled as well as plenty of comic relief in the form of Vanessa's siblings. And the steamy parts really steam.

Highly recommend.