As a general rule I prefer melodramatic AVNs in most cases, because creating tension and emotion in a plot that has no meaningful drama is really difficult to pull off.
If you can't offer drama you basically need to outperform in two other categories: Humour and art.
Happy to say that Hooked does just that. I rate the novel as five stars because I wasn't bored during any point of my playthrough (version 0.3.5). As the bio says, everything is pretty lighthearted and the stakes are rather low. But the protagonist and the three LIs are all such lovable individuals. Even when they get naughty they are endearing, situations that would make other plots depraved and corrupted turn out alright and just erotic in this one.
The art is unique and the accuracy of facial expressions and body animations makes everything flow. Nothing feels wooden or artificial. The dialogue is chill and sprinkled with subtle comedy. And each love interest has a unique personality and low stakes boundaries that you may or may not cross, but it never feels out of context or degenerate. It's just lived sexuality you could say.
The MC is a man I find very appealing. He has the right level of human decency, shyness and kinkiness to be someone you want to spend time with. His portrayal also gives the vibe that he is someone you can rely on if you are in trouble. His goofiness only adds to his wholesome character. And you can feel that the LIs see exactly the same in him. The way they enable his sexual advances clearly shows that he is not threatening at all. He is a big, naughty teddy bear with a Big Rodney.
I'm not sure if there is any low stakes drama planned for this novel and there are some minor hints that something may or may not happen that the protagonists have to overcome. I would love it, to be quite honest, even if the stakes are low, some tension would enhance the experience.
But even if the developer decided that's just not the point here, I fully appreciate my time with Hooked and I'm glad I tried this out. You may think a plot situated in the porn industry had to be cliche - and you would be right to some extent - but you cannot help but root for Helen, Max and Hannah to succeed. And to lift each other up.