sheena

Interesting start, don't judge the cover

Reviewed: 06-10-25

This one’s a slower burn and ends on a pause, clearly setting the stage for book two. While it hasn’t fully taken off yet, I can already see the direction it’s heading—and I have a feeling it’s going to pick up significantly in the next installment.

There’s a strong focus on world-building, with detailed journeys through various lands and plenty of character development. The main female character has a balanced, grounded personality that I found refreshing. I can already tell she’s going to evolve in a meaningful way.

The main male character carries a lot of weight on his shoulders—his heart is in the right place, but the pressure of protecting his people has left him blind to certain truths. Still, his strength and willingness to sacrifice for survival make him a compelling presence.

The underground characters seem like a unique blend of gargoyles and avatars, with the fascinating ability to turn back to stone. Meanwhile, the human kingdom faces its own challenges and must learn to rely on unlikely alliances—though deception and obstacles are plentiful along the way.

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A Decent Escape From a Listening Slump

Reviewed: 06-05-25

If you enjoy academy-style fantasy set in a high school environment, this one might be right up your alley. The story is rooted in a vampire world, with a light introduction to dragons that hints at more to come in future books. It leans into the “bully-to-lovers” trope, which some readers may enjoy.

The main female character, a royal princess, often felt too passive for someone with her background. She allows others to walk all over her and shows excessive sympathy—even toward those who wish her harm—which can get frustrating. That said, she’s still likable and has potential for growth.

The male lead is complex: while he’s clearly trying to protect her, he’s also guilty of bullying and keeping important secrets. She doesn’t always show appreciation for his help, which creates some tension between them, though it keeps things interesting.

While this book didn’t fully pull me out of my listening slump, it was still an enjoyable experience. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the characters and story to life, and their performances worked very well together. I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold in Book 2.

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It was ok

Reviewed: 06-02-25

Didn't keep me captivated enough within the story but it was an ok storyline. I love the author and might give it another try later.

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Unexpectedly enjoyable

Reviewed: 06-02-25

More science fiction than romance—with a dash of apocalypse—this book leans heavily into its sci-fi roots, especially in book one. This is based in the future of America. While a love interest begins to unfold, romance isn’t the central focus and doesn’t dominate the storyline.
The twist at the end genuinely caught me off guard—in the best way! The female main character starts off a bit uncertain, but her strength builds as the story progresses. At times, she appears stronger than her actions suggest, but it’s not distracting from the overall plot. The male lead ended up being my favorite—strong, calculating, and consistently intriguing. Even the side characters were compelling and left me wanting to know more about them.
The narration truly brought the story to life with a fantastic performance. It’s a quick, engaging listen—I finished it in just a day and a half. Highly recommend it if you're in the mood for a fast-paced sci-fi adventure with hints of romance.

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I would give it a 4.5⭐️

Reviewed: 06-01-25

Definitely a "check your trigger warnings" kind of read. While I didn’t personally find the content to be overly graphic or aggressive, I can see how it could be situationally triggering for some, especially based on what others have shared in Goodreads reviews.

The story is set in a time when women were expected to be reserved and restrained, which contrasts with the FMC’s clear desire for the MMC’s attention and affection. Though she enjoyed herself, the societal expectations of the era create a tension that could be uncomfortable for some readers.

The MMC is a blend of reptile and vampire, which gives him a distinctly animalistic, primal edge. His demeanor may be off-putting or triggering for some, depending on personal comfort levels with darker or more dominant characters.

That said, I found the storyline unique and compelling. By the end of Book One, I felt satisfied—it doesn’t end on a heavy cliffhanger, but it still leaves you with enough intrigue to look forward to Book Two.

While it may not land in my personal top 10, it was still a memorable and engaging read. What truly brought it to life was the narration—the performance was excellent and added depth to the entire experience.

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1 person found this helpful

If only they weren't in high school

Reviewed: 05-28-25

This one felt odd to listen to as an adult, mostly due to the setting. The story takes place in a prep school during quarantine lockdowns, and the bullying was taken to an extreme. The MMCs act like kings of the school—18-year-olds riding on their parents’ wealth and influence, even intimidating teachers who fear losing their jobs. It was a lot to take in.

What kept me listening was the FMC’s emotional journey, from breaking down to seeking revenge. That evolution, combined with the fun spicy moments, helped carry the story forward.

That said, it still felt off having so much open sexual content in a high school setting. The intensity of the romance and the explicit themes would have been far more believable and comfortable in a college setting. Because of that disconnect, I just couldn’t fully get into the story, despite some intriguing elements.

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Looking forward to book two

Reviewed: 05-28-25

I’m definitely looking forward to Book Two—this one ends on a cliffhanger, and while I can already see where things are headed, I’m absolutely here for it!

If you’re into stories with one strong FMC and five super-sexy wolf shifters all vying for her attention, this is your kind of book. It’s clear things are about to get extra spicy in the next installment.

Each MMC has his own dark side and layered backstory, which adds depth to the romance dynamics. The plot itself is smaller in scale, focusing more on how the relationships unfold—and honestly, I don’t mind that one bit. Sometimes, a romance-forward shifter story is just what you need.

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Don't let the book cover turn you away

Reviewed: 05-27-25

For a shifter werewolf story, this one stood out as refreshingly unique. Leia Stone really knows how to write engaging and entertaining characters. The FMC brought great humor to every situation, which made her easy to root for.

Be prepared to commit to both books—the first is focused on character development and world-building, while the second book delivers all the action. The romance is a very slow burn with minimal spice and a bit of uncertainty around who the love interest will ultimately be, which adds some intrigue.

If you’re looking for a fun, light shifter story with strong character dynamics and a solid plot, I definitely recommend giving this one a try!

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Trust No One

Reviewed: 05-22-25

Trust No One – A Tale of Betrayal, Class, and Quiet Strength

This story dives into the harsh divide of class and power, following a resourceful young woman who grows up in a loving but impoverished home. Her survival instincts and street smarts guide her journey, and while she maintains strength throughout, I found myself wishing for more standout moments that truly showcased her power. I’m hopeful the next installment will bring more growth and confidence to her character.

The two male leads—brothers with opposing views—add tension and intrigue, though much of the plot was fairly predictable. Still, it was an enjoyable listen with enough twists to keep me interested. There’s no spice or smut, which makes it a solid pick for a young adult audience. I'm heading into book two with hope for deeper development and more emotional payoff.

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It was an ok start

Reviewed: 05-21-25

Promising potential, but hard to fully connect with. I can see where this storyline is headed, and it could turn into something incredible. It’s a long series, but each installment is fairly short and takes its time developing character interactions. That said, I struggled to stay engaged—mostly due to the narration.

The female main character is supposed to be 17 in this book and will age to 28 by the end of the series. Unfortunately, the narrator’s voice sounds far too young—more suited for a child between 5 and 12. This made it difficult to take the character seriously, especially given the heavy emotional themes surrounding her trauma and growth. While I can see the potential for strong character development down the line, it didn’t click with me right away.

The two male characters provided a nice balance and were more compelling. I even looked into the fandom to get a deeper understanding of the characters, which helped a bit.

Overall, this didn’t hook me enough to keep going, but I might revisit the series if I have time and nothing else queued up. If you're looking for something to fill a gap and enjoy long-form emotional arcs, it could be worth a try.

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