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Scapegoats and Misfits #1
Scapegoat
THIS BOOK IS A STANDALONE
"Take your sister with you."
That's what my mother tells me every time I leave the house, but especially when I hang out with them.
The Campbell boys.
Tall, golden, perfect, they're likely to become the next alphas of the pack.
And my mother is determined that my sister will become their mate.
But these boys? They've been my best friends, confidantes and play mates since we were kids and now?
We're eighteen, hovering on the brink of adulthood, and I'm beginning to think they want to make that step with me.
But nothing and no one gets in the way my mother's dreams.
Not even her own daughter. Scapegoat is a second chance romance with A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing vibes, but in a whole new world! It is a standalone.
"Take your sister with you."
That's what my mother tells me every time I leave the house, but especially when I hang out with them.
The Campbell boys.
Tall, golden, perfect, they're likely to become the next alphas of the pack.
And my mother is determined that my sister will become their mate.
But these boys? They've been my best friends, confidantes and play mates since we were kids and now?
We're eighteen, hovering on the brink of adulthood, and I'm beginning to think they want to make that step with me.
But nothing and no one gets in the way my mother's dreams.
Not even her own daughter. Scapegoat is a second chance romance with A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing vibes, but in a whole new world! It is a standalone.
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2023
1626 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Sam Hall
74 books2,020 followersAustralian author of paranormal RH novels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
September 11, 2023
DNF @ 45%.
So a cuddle pile is supposed to cure 2 years of built up resentment, anger, and betrayal? One heartfelt conversation and pseudo counseling session with mentor/best friend means instant forgiveness for wounds inflicted by a narcissist using the fated mates as weapons? Maybe it gets better and actually shows a more realistic working through the emotions and more groveling later, but I got so irritated, I had to DNF. An orgasm doesn’t magically cure everything, even if we’re talking about shifters.
So a cuddle pile is supposed to cure 2 years of built up resentment, anger, and betrayal? One heartfelt conversation and pseudo counseling session with mentor/best friend means instant forgiveness for wounds inflicted by a narcissist using the fated mates as weapons? Maybe it gets better and actually shows a more realistic working through the emotions and more groveling later, but I got so irritated, I had to DNF. An orgasm doesn’t magically cure everything, even if we’re talking about shifters.
Read
September 14, 2023- second chance
- fated mates
- found family
- small town
After suffering abuse at the hands of her narcissistic mother for years, Kai plans to make her escape with the Campbell boys, knowing they'll choose her as their mate once they have had their first shift.
The hateful woman enacts a plan to ruin what happiness Kai would have had though, duping the boys into choosing another. Unable to bear the pain of seeing them with their new mate, and to get away from her spiteful mother, Kai skips town without a second glance.
Years later and miles and miles away from home, the pack has finally found her, but Kai isn't the sweet girl they remember. She holds a lot of bitterness, heartache, and pain from what happened the night of their first shift, and gives the boys hell as they try to win her back.
Kai has been through the wringer, but never fails to come back out on top despite what she's been through. Even when things were looking bleak for her happy ending with the guys, Kai did not take the hits her mom dealt her laying down, and I'm glad everything worked out in the end!
I will say I would have liked a bit more of the boy's personalities to shine through, but Jayden, Xavier, and Atlas never really stood out to me as individuals. The story was mostly about winning her back and the shit that happened with Kai’s mom once they were truly mated, which was fine... I live for the drama, but just wanted more from the boys.
- fated mates
- found family
- small town
After suffering abuse at the hands of her narcissistic mother for years, Kai plans to make her escape with the Campbell boys, knowing they'll choose her as their mate once they have had their first shift.
The hateful woman enacts a plan to ruin what happiness Kai would have had though, duping the boys into choosing another. Unable to bear the pain of seeing them with their new mate, and to get away from her spiteful mother, Kai skips town without a second glance.
Years later and miles and miles away from home, the pack has finally found her, but Kai isn't the sweet girl they remember. She holds a lot of bitterness, heartache, and pain from what happened the night of their first shift, and gives the boys hell as they try to win her back.
Kai has been through the wringer, but never fails to come back out on top despite what she's been through. Even when things were looking bleak for her happy ending with the guys, Kai did not take the hits her mom dealt her laying down, and I'm glad everything worked out in the end!
I will say I would have liked a bit more of the boy's personalities to shine through, but Jayden, Xavier, and Atlas never really stood out to me as individuals. The story was mostly about winning her back and the shit that happened with Kai’s mom once they were truly mated, which was fine... I live for the drama, but just wanted more from the boys.
Read
September 12, 2023It’s become clear that me and this author just don’t mesh well. I’ve tried a few of her books because they sound interesting and every time there are things that just turn me off of the book. In this one it was the lack of angst.
It had the perfect set up - evil mother tricks heroines mates to mate with her favorite daughter (aka NOT the heroine…). It was right there! Ripe for the picking! Sooo much could be done with this story line but…it fell sooo flat. When you resolve the angst and have the heroine and Heros reunite by 35% there’s honestly not much more to the story. Yeah, you get to read about them coming together and learning to be together again but you’ve already resolved the main conflict! In fact, there wasn’t any real angst as the Heros rejected the sister almost immediately and the mother was banished within an hour or two of the manipulation - which the heroine finds out before the 35% mark so there wasn’t really anything for her to forgive them for or to hold onto any anger.
At 35% it was all worked out….the heroine knew they were never really mated to her sister…they were all happy and sexing each other up.
At 85% there’s the third act but like the initial “angst” it was resolved by 95ish%. So very little book was actually dedicated to the antithesis of the story line which makes for a very boring book…and firmly placed this author on my no fly list.
It had the perfect set up - evil mother tricks heroines mates to mate with her favorite daughter (aka NOT the heroine…). It was right there! Ripe for the picking! Sooo much could be done with this story line but…it fell sooo flat. When you resolve the angst and have the heroine and Heros reunite by 35% there’s honestly not much more to the story. Yeah, you get to read about them coming together and learning to be together again but you’ve already resolved the main conflict! In fact, there wasn’t any real angst as the Heros rejected the sister almost immediately and the mother was banished within an hour or two of the manipulation - which the heroine finds out before the 35% mark so there wasn’t really anything for her to forgive them for or to hold onto any anger.
At 35% it was all worked out….the heroine knew they were never really mated to her sister…they were all happy and sexing each other up.
At 85% there’s the third act but like the initial “angst” it was resolved by 95ish%. So very little book was actually dedicated to the antithesis of the story line which makes for a very boring book…and firmly placed this author on my no fly list.
September 14, 2023
Dnf
Stopped reading at 40% when it became crystal clear she was going to forgive them without much grovel. Don't know or care if they actually did grovel after that.
You don't run away for 2 years only to forgive within 24 hours. Pathetic story writing.
Stopped reading at 40% when it became crystal clear she was going to forgive them without much grovel. Don't know or care if they actually did grovel after that.
You don't run away for 2 years only to forgive within 24 hours. Pathetic story writing.
dnf
June 2, 2025DNF at around 20ish% (I can't be bothered to look it up, I'm lowkey annoyed by this book)
So this wasn't for me. Books by this author are either a complete hit or a complete miss for me. This one was a miss. There's no real angst since everything gets resolved so quickly thereafter. I also love how the author describes everyone at least once in the percentage of the novel that I read (sarcasm).
Real talk for a second: People may crap all over the 2010's trope of having a character look in the mirror and describe themselves but I personally love it. I'm totally okay with filling in the blanks, but I still appreciate having some basic set-in-stone descriptions for the characters I'm reading about so I can extrapolate from there. Like describing all the guys as being different tones of golden does not clear anything up for me. I'm asking for a full sentence or two of the FMC describing the MMCs individually. In this house, we don't do self-insert (which I believe is defined by having whoever is reading the book picture themselves as the main character in the book, so every description needs to be vague or not present to not break the illusion). I need to have a clearly set-up character description. AHHH, can you tell how much this truly bothered me? 😅
So this wasn't for me. Books by this author are either a complete hit or a complete miss for me. This one was a miss. There's no real angst since everything gets resolved so quickly thereafter. I also love how the author describes everyone at least once in the percentage of the novel that I read (sarcasm).
Real talk for a second: People may crap all over the 2010's trope of having a character look in the mirror and describe themselves but I personally love it. I'm totally okay with filling in the blanks, but I still appreciate having some basic set-in-stone descriptions for the characters I'm reading about so I can extrapolate from there. Like describing all the guys as being different tones of golden does not clear anything up for me. I'm asking for a full sentence or two of the FMC describing the MMCs individually. In this house, we don't do self-insert (which I believe is defined by having whoever is reading the book picture themselves as the main character in the book, so every description needs to be vague or not present to not break the illusion). I need to have a clearly set-up character description. AHHH, can you tell how much this truly bothered me? 😅
September 14, 2023
Scapegoat
Normally, an SH book would have 4 or 5 stars from me. I guess this story, in particular, just wasn't for me. The tropes that is.
*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****
The low down.....
A narcissistic, abusive mother (Abby) who favors one daughter (Anna)over the other (Kaia). She mentally, verbally, and physically abuses Kaia while manipulating the younger daughter into believing she is special and the fated mate of her older sisters' actual fated mates. The girl is 14, just 14, a CHILD. The mother tries to get the older guys who are 18 to claim her. She succeeds by tricking them using Kaia's used sheets with her slick on them when she starts to transition. Her Omega comes out.
Atlas had already mated Kaia, which idk, once mated, you are mated prior to this. So Kaia who is hurt leaves and makes a life for herself, only for the guys to show up 2 years later. They have been looking for her the whole time. Once they bit the GIRL, bc let's face it, she is a girl. She tasted wrong to them. The mother is a nut job and doesn't have all her faculties, and she rubbed off on Anna, Kaia's younger sister. The story proceeds with Kaia lacking any self preservation, and constantly putting herself in danger. She already KNEW what her mother was going to do, I mean she TOLD Kaia, and yet she blamed the guys for it and held it against them. Shows some immaturity and lack of understanding on her part. But she is young, so understandable, i guess. Wasn't really fond of her character traits. She constantly goes against the guys and puts herself in danger. The guys were victims just as much as she was. Throw in some human men who don't get the concept that no means no, and when a woman isn't interested, adds some extra drama to the fold. A town that is just easily manipulated, some weak alphas to the mix. I'm not really sure what drove the mother to do what she did and target the boys aside from the fact she used to be best friends with their mother. Their fathers dated her in HS. She was jealous of the guys mother. Idk, she was crazy. I didn't like the fact that even after Anna showed she was treating their children like her mother treated her and Kaia, they continued to allow her to be in their lives. They did warn her if she did, she would be gone. It just leaves room for history to repeat itself. Protect your kids. They don't owe Anna anything. So, not necessarily OWD, maybe other female drama being she is just 14 in the beginning, and Kaia is around 18 like the guys.
Anna is 16 when the guys come back with Kaia. More drama... hence the towmeaisl6 manipulated. If you don't mind, other female drama and abusive narcissists abusing their children enjoy. I skimmed through some parts bc it just wasn't for me. Guess those are triggers for me. The writing however was done beautifully and it flowed nicely. So not my cup of tea but otherwise nicely written.
Normally, an SH book would have 4 or 5 stars from me. I guess this story, in particular, just wasn't for me. The tropes that is.
*****SPOILERS AHEAD*****
The low down.....
A narcissistic, abusive mother (Abby) who favors one daughter (Anna)over the other (Kaia). She mentally, verbally, and physically abuses Kaia while manipulating the younger daughter into believing she is special and the fated mate of her older sisters' actual fated mates. The girl is 14, just 14, a CHILD. The mother tries to get the older guys who are 18 to claim her. She succeeds by tricking them using Kaia's used sheets with her slick on them when she starts to transition. Her Omega comes out.
Atlas had already mated Kaia, which idk, once mated, you are mated prior to this. So Kaia who is hurt leaves and makes a life for herself, only for the guys to show up 2 years later. They have been looking for her the whole time. Once they bit the GIRL, bc let's face it, she is a girl. She tasted wrong to them. The mother is a nut job and doesn't have all her faculties, and she rubbed off on Anna, Kaia's younger sister. The story proceeds with Kaia lacking any self preservation, and constantly putting herself in danger. She already KNEW what her mother was going to do, I mean she TOLD Kaia, and yet she blamed the guys for it and held it against them. Shows some immaturity and lack of understanding on her part. But she is young, so understandable, i guess. Wasn't really fond of her character traits. She constantly goes against the guys and puts herself in danger. The guys were victims just as much as she was. Throw in some human men who don't get the concept that no means no, and when a woman isn't interested, adds some extra drama to the fold. A town that is just easily manipulated, some weak alphas to the mix. I'm not really sure what drove the mother to do what she did and target the boys aside from the fact she used to be best friends with their mother. Their fathers dated her in HS. She was jealous of the guys mother. Idk, she was crazy. I didn't like the fact that even after Anna showed she was treating their children like her mother treated her and Kaia, they continued to allow her to be in their lives. They did warn her if she did, she would be gone. It just leaves room for history to repeat itself. Protect your kids. They don't owe Anna anything. So, not necessarily OWD, maybe other female drama being she is just 14 in the beginning, and Kaia is around 18 like the guys.
Anna is 16 when the guys come back with Kaia. More drama... hence the towmeaisl6 manipulated. If you don't mind, other female drama and abusive narcissists abusing their children enjoy. I skimmed through some parts bc it just wasn't for me. Guess those are triggers for me. The writing however was done beautifully and it flowed nicely. So not my cup of tea but otherwise nicely written.
September 14, 2023
This book was disappointing. The author set us up for an amazing grovel when the three MMCs betrayed the FMC in such a terrible way. Instead, when the guys showed up again after two years, the FMC just forgave them and allowed them back in her life. That was at about 40%. After that, it was pretty much all $ex. 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
I have yet to read a Sam Hall book that doesn’t hit home in some way. All of her FMCs have such relatable backstories and I find myself in every one.
The FMC of Scapegoat, Kai, is no exception. Seeing her overcome her childhood trauma from a narcissistic mother was just so beautifully inspiring. Sam kindly put trigger warnings at the beginning, and I was perhaps a little hesitant based on my own personal experiences, but Sam wrote about Kai’s trauma in such an empathetic way and gave her so much power over her own healing that I didn’t mind at all. If anything it felt so good to read about Kai’s triumphs. Still, if you are triggered by familial abuse, please do heed the warnings.
The second chance romance aspect of this book was done so well and with so much emotion that it felt real and my heart broke for the characters at every turn. Sam has a talent for really making the heartbreak and betrayals feel so heavy and insurmountable, but then giving the reader exactly what they need to feel the burden lighten as the characters come back together. I can say that Sam writes some of the best second chance romances I’ve read. They just feel so real.
I really loved the MMCs. First and foremost, they are great for Kai. Their little pack seems very well matched and I think they support each other well. Secondly, they knew how to say sorry and mean it, and that goes a long way for characters in a second chance romance.
And the omegaverse aspect, as per usual with Sam’s books, is done in such a way that it isn’t overwhelmingly about alphas and omegas, but the parts that are, are exactly what you want in a OV book. There was plenty of alpha behaviors, protectiveness and growly goodness, as well as knotting and bites. But the thing that Sam masters above many other OV / paranormal authors is that, while her stories are HEA guaranteed, and you get the sweet feels that is typical of OV, Sam makes everything feel real. The grit in this book, the pain, the losses and wins, it’s so much more than just a paranormal romance.
I digress, but I could genuinely write sonnets about how much I love Sam Hall’s books.
(4🌶️)
The FMC of Scapegoat, Kai, is no exception. Seeing her overcome her childhood trauma from a narcissistic mother was just so beautifully inspiring. Sam kindly put trigger warnings at the beginning, and I was perhaps a little hesitant based on my own personal experiences, but Sam wrote about Kai’s trauma in such an empathetic way and gave her so much power over her own healing that I didn’t mind at all. If anything it felt so good to read about Kai’s triumphs. Still, if you are triggered by familial abuse, please do heed the warnings.
The second chance romance aspect of this book was done so well and with so much emotion that it felt real and my heart broke for the characters at every turn. Sam has a talent for really making the heartbreak and betrayals feel so heavy and insurmountable, but then giving the reader exactly what they need to feel the burden lighten as the characters come back together. I can say that Sam writes some of the best second chance romances I’ve read. They just feel so real.
I really loved the MMCs. First and foremost, they are great for Kai. Their little pack seems very well matched and I think they support each other well. Secondly, they knew how to say sorry and mean it, and that goes a long way for characters in a second chance romance.
And the omegaverse aspect, as per usual with Sam’s books, is done in such a way that it isn’t overwhelmingly about alphas and omegas, but the parts that are, are exactly what you want in a OV book. There was plenty of alpha behaviors, protectiveness and growly goodness, as well as knotting and bites. But the thing that Sam masters above many other OV / paranormal authors is that, while her stories are HEA guaranteed, and you get the sweet feels that is typical of OV, Sam makes everything feel real. The grit in this book, the pain, the losses and wins, it’s so much more than just a paranormal romance.
I digress, but I could genuinely write sonnets about how much I love Sam Hall’s books.
(4🌶️)
September 23, 2023
Standalone
Book 1 of ?
💜 RH wolfshifter MFMM
💜 First person/ Multi POV
💜 No MM, guys are brothers
💜FMC and ALL THREE guys are virgins
💜 Slight OW drama (sister wants FMCs mates, guys don’t want the sister though)
💜 No cheating
💜Weak to strong FMC
💜childhood friends to lovers
💜 Physically/mentally abusive mom
💜Fated mates, nesting and knotting
💜 Attempted sexual assault on page
💜Death/gore on page
💜Kidnapping
💜Babies at the end
FMC- Kai aka Kaia
MLs- Atlas, Jayden and Xavier
So I’m just gonna say it. I don’t think the guys really had to grovel for what happened. There’s people saying there wasn’t any or wasn’t good enough grovel…..but for what? Yes they all bit her sister but it wasn’t mating marks and they were kind of tricked into doing it. Yes they should have fought harder and realized it wasn’t actually Kai they were biting. Luckily their wolves knew it wasn’t her so Anna was never actually mate marked. They had just gotten done with the trials and were hyped up on adrenaline as well as smelling Kai’s mating scent, so that didn’t help to begin with. And the guys never wanted Anna nor have they ever touched her. They have only ever wanted Kai, hence why they were virgins cuz they knew she was always going to be theirs. Which I adore that! I hate manwhores so this was a breath of fresh air. I think for the crime, they did the time! Didn’t really need too much grovel, we got some. I’ve read books where the guys literally abuse the FMC or cheat on her and there’s absolutely NO grovel and they get away with it.
Also, Anna is 14 years old so that’s weird if they did actually do something with her. We know that at the start of the book Kai is 18 but it’s not clear on the guys ages. They grew up together so I’m assuming 18-20. Not mentioned anywhere they are triplets or if they were in the same classes so 🤷♀️ Honestly the guys weren’t really described all that well so it was hard to picture them. One was described with blonde hair so I just pictured them all the same lol
After the ‘betrayal’ she runs away and then time jumps 2 years before they find her. I liked the sheep shearing added into this, don’t really get to read that at all so it was interesting for sure.
Kai mom was a raging cunt. I felt so bad for Kai and her dad. I can’t even imagine having to go through all of that! I don’t like that Anna was invited to their daughters birthday party after all that has happened. I get she was manipulated and groomed by their mom but after the first time Anna treated one of my girls better than the other, she would have been immediately cut off. Guess Kai is a more forgiving person than I am.
Let’s not even begin to talk about their useless Alphas. Like you couldn’t have done ANYTHING to get rid of that raging cunt!? You knew exactly what she was doing and capable of….there are such things as guns if you can’t get close to her. BLAST HER AWAY. Would have saved so much heartache lol
Side note, I was kind of thinking/hoping that Jamie and Kai’s dad would hook up honestly lol
From Author-
Trigger and Content Warning
Please, PLEASE read this. This book deals with a narcissistic mother and as is often the case, her two children. One she idolises and positions as the golden child, the other is the scapegoat and to blame for everything. If this is a situation you’re not familiar with, feel free to do a little research on it, but I don’t think you need to, to understand the story. As a result there is:
-Verbal and physical abuse of the FMC by her mother. I’ve tried to pull my punches, but its there -Kidnapping
-Being drugged
-Attempted sexual assault by a side character
-Death of antagonists
-Depictions of narcissistic behaviours
Book 1 of ?
💜 RH wolfshifter MFMM
💜 First person/ Multi POV
💜 No MM, guys are brothers
💜FMC and ALL THREE guys are virgins
💜 Slight OW drama (sister wants FMCs mates, guys don’t want the sister though)
💜 No cheating
💜Weak to strong FMC
💜childhood friends to lovers
💜 Physically/mentally abusive mom
💜Fated mates, nesting and knotting
💜 Attempted sexual assault on page
💜Death/gore on page
💜Kidnapping
💜Babies at the end
FMC- Kai aka Kaia
MLs- Atlas, Jayden and Xavier
So I’m just gonna say it. I don’t think the guys really had to grovel for what happened. There’s people saying there wasn’t any or wasn’t good enough grovel…..but for what? Yes they all bit her sister but it wasn’t mating marks and they were kind of tricked into doing it. Yes they should have fought harder and realized it wasn’t actually Kai they were biting. Luckily their wolves knew it wasn’t her so Anna was never actually mate marked. They had just gotten done with the trials and were hyped up on adrenaline as well as smelling Kai’s mating scent, so that didn’t help to begin with. And the guys never wanted Anna nor have they ever touched her. They have only ever wanted Kai, hence why they were virgins cuz they knew she was always going to be theirs. Which I adore that! I hate manwhores so this was a breath of fresh air. I think for the crime, they did the time! Didn’t really need too much grovel, we got some. I’ve read books where the guys literally abuse the FMC or cheat on her and there’s absolutely NO grovel and they get away with it.
Also, Anna is 14 years old so that’s weird if they did actually do something with her. We know that at the start of the book Kai is 18 but it’s not clear on the guys ages. They grew up together so I’m assuming 18-20. Not mentioned anywhere they are triplets or if they were in the same classes so 🤷♀️ Honestly the guys weren’t really described all that well so it was hard to picture them. One was described with blonde hair so I just pictured them all the same lol
After the ‘betrayal’ she runs away and then time jumps 2 years before they find her. I liked the sheep shearing added into this, don’t really get to read that at all so it was interesting for sure.
Kai mom was a raging cunt. I felt so bad for Kai and her dad. I can’t even imagine having to go through all of that! I don’t like that Anna was invited to their daughters birthday party after all that has happened. I get she was manipulated and groomed by their mom but after the first time Anna treated one of my girls better than the other, she would have been immediately cut off. Guess Kai is a more forgiving person than I am.
Let’s not even begin to talk about their useless Alphas. Like you couldn’t have done ANYTHING to get rid of that raging cunt!? You knew exactly what she was doing and capable of….there are such things as guns if you can’t get close to her. BLAST HER AWAY. Would have saved so much heartache lol
Side note, I was kind of thinking/hoping that Jamie and Kai’s dad would hook up honestly lol
From Author-
Trigger and Content Warning
Please, PLEASE read this. This book deals with a narcissistic mother and as is often the case, her two children. One she idolises and positions as the golden child, the other is the scapegoat and to blame for everything. If this is a situation you’re not familiar with, feel free to do a little research on it, but I don’t think you need to, to understand the story. As a result there is:
-Verbal and physical abuse of the FMC by her mother. I’ve tried to pull my punches, but its there -Kidnapping
-Being drugged
-Attempted sexual assault by a side character
-Death of antagonists
-Depictions of narcissistic behaviours
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
exaggerated drama for something that could not be controlled
omegaverse
violence
omegaverse
violence
December 23, 2023
Overall Ratings:
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
3/5 🌶️🔥🌶️
This book definitely had similar vibes to Sheep’s Clothing but it has its own twist that makes it unique.
Kaia (our main FMC) and she also goes by Kai mostly.
While Kai was growing up, she mostly had a good childhood up until her little sister was born. Then her life kinda turned upside since her mom put all attention on her sister and none for Kai. Their mom treated her as a second class citizen and not as her daughter.
Kai’s mom wanted the next leaders of the pack to be with Kai’s baby sister. But Kai was definitely a better choice since she has a better personality then her sister 😤
There was so much angst, trauma, heartache about this book. But at least the romance saved that 😭💗
I loved learning about Kai & her guys which are Jayden, Atlas and Xavier. It was a rollercoaster getting to them getting all together as a pack, but it worked out!
4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
3/5 🌶️🔥🌶️
This book definitely had similar vibes to Sheep’s Clothing but it has its own twist that makes it unique.
Kaia (our main FMC) and she also goes by Kai mostly.
While Kai was growing up, she mostly had a good childhood up until her little sister was born. Then her life kinda turned upside since her mom put all attention on her sister and none for Kai. Their mom treated her as a second class citizen and not as her daughter.
Kai’s mom wanted the next leaders of the pack to be with Kai’s baby sister. But Kai was definitely a better choice since she has a better personality then her sister 😤
There was so much angst, trauma, heartache about this book. But at least the romance saved that 😭💗
I loved learning about Kai & her guys which are Jayden, Atlas and Xavier. It was a rollercoaster getting to them getting all together as a pack, but it worked out!
September 16, 2023
it’s was entertaining
Contemporary
RH
Omegaverse
Shifters (wolves)
Brothers
Familial abuse (physical and psychological)
Secrets revealed
Second chance romance
Some heartbreak.
Some groveling
Possessive MMCs
Naive FMC
Virgin FMC/MMCs
Multiple POV
HEA
Stand-alone
TWs
Spice: 2.75/5
FMC: Kaia/Kai
MMCs: Xavier, Jayden, Atlas
Did I enjoy the book? It was alright
Would I read the book again? No
Will I read from this author again? Right now, no
Well, I now know a lot about sheep and shearing wool that I did not need to know. It also makes me think there is a lot of sheep in Australia, lol.
I did a lot of skimming and it didn’t take away from the story so that tells me there is a lot of unnecessary internal monologues and unnecessary information. There is definitely a lot of unnecessary information in this book, such as sheep and shearing wool.
Kai drove me nuts. You have someone after you after already being attacked once and your mates are around to protect you and you say they are suffocating and get them to agree to let you see a friend alone in the next town over because they want to make you happy. And guess what happens? You get taken. I hate dumb FMCs. Then also the MMCs letting her go. It was all so dumb.
This book was alright, entertained me for a day but it’s not a book I would reread.
Contemporary
RH
Omegaverse
Shifters (wolves)
Brothers
Familial abuse (physical and psychological)
Secrets revealed
Second chance romance
Some heartbreak.
Some groveling
Possessive MMCs
Naive FMC
Virgin FMC/MMCs
Multiple POV
HEA
Stand-alone
TWs
Spice: 2.75/5
FMC: Kaia/Kai
MMCs: Xavier, Jayden, Atlas
Did I enjoy the book? It was alright
Would I read the book again? No
Will I read from this author again? Right now, no
Well, I now know a lot about sheep and shearing wool that I did not need to know. It also makes me think there is a lot of sheep in Australia, lol.
I did a lot of skimming and it didn’t take away from the story so that tells me there is a lot of unnecessary internal monologues and unnecessary information. There is definitely a lot of unnecessary information in this book, such as sheep and shearing wool.
Kai drove me nuts. You have someone after you after already being attacked once and your mates are around to protect you and you say they are suffocating and get them to agree to let you see a friend alone in the next town over because they want to make you happy. And guess what happens? You get taken. I hate dumb FMCs. Then also the MMCs letting her go. It was all so dumb.
This book was alright, entertained me for a day but it’s not a book I would reread.
June 27, 2024
DNF at 52%
trying too hard
trying too hard
January 22, 2024
Really struggled to get into this one. You would start to get into the plot, and then a big jump of time would happen, I wish it could’ve been a bit more seamless so that it didn’t make me feel so discombobulated. With all the time jumping happening and with characters, changing so dramatically I could never fully get into the book after the first lapse of time.
September 17, 2023
Couldn't put it down. Not the best book but still very entertaining.
September 14, 2023
Too angsty for me
I really wanted to like this one as much as I loved Hall’s other books, but there was too much angst and not enough joy for me. YMMV, but I thought this one was overwrought.
I really wanted to like this one as much as I loved Hall’s other books, but there was too much angst and not enough joy for me. YMMV, but I thought this one was overwrought.
September 16, 2023
I am very much a fan of Sam Hall’s writing. Some of her previous Omegaverse books are top favs for the trope. This book was definitely a unique story, but it’s very heavy. And it’s not just one time, one topic - the majority of the book is heavy. It’s not a happy go lucky read that will give you butterflies or make you laugh at the banter. This group struggles hard and the FMC has to handle one thing after another pretty much on her own. There is an HEA, but this book left me with a lot of heavy emotions so please make sure that you are in a good mental health space before reading this story.
September 4, 2023
Ooh, Sam Hall has done it now. Her new book, Scapegoat is said to be like Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (the first book in Sam's Wolfverse series) and it certainly reminded me of that in some ways but this book was more wolfier, with talks of hierarchies, dominance, challenges, and more, except there are humans in this world who don't know about shifters. This book was like a spicy soap opera had a baby with a prime-time drama. I ate it up. You know the stereotype, Queen Bee, the mean girl who was a bixch to everyone around her. Well, what if she grew up and had kids of her own? Well, Scapegoat would be her kid's story.
I loved the main characters. Even after she's been beaten down and broken by years of abuse when it came down to it Kaia "Kai" was able to gather herself up and start a new life growing stronger. Finding people like Jamie who turns into her best friend (and surrogate mother) to support her in the way most in her life didn't.
This book's pack consists of three brothers, the Campbell boys. Atlas, the one with the quiet energy. Jayden who runs his mouth, a lot, and Xavier, the rule follower. They all have a connection with Kai and have been friends with her since they were kids. I love how much they love her, it's apparent before "The event" and after. Things that went down weren't any fault of theirs, outside forces meddling. The guys try their best to do right by Kai but they struggle to protect her because they don't understand the full scope of things, only seeing things in rose-colored glasses, but they learn pretty quickly and work to correct their mistakes. The guys have big hearts and are willing to go to the ends of the Earth for the girl they love. Swoon.
Things were going great in the beginning of the book which had me nervous AF because I knew crap was gonna blow and it did, just not how I expected. This book threw me for a loop it was freaking epic. I thought I had everything figured out but I was so wrong. You think you know but you have no idea. Sam did a fantastic job with the characters, they are key, divulging important clues that help reveal a bigger plot. She also did a great job connecting ideas revealing the bigger picture a little at a time. I enjoyed Sam giving readers new couple experiences that she hasn't explored in her previous books, they were interesting. The plot was mind-blowing with its fair share of reveals and glorious plot twists that had me saying wtf!
Scapegoat surprised me in so many ways. I knew I was gonna love it because Sam is a favorite author of mine but the plot was so unexpected, I love being surprised. Kai and the guys barely make it to their HEA but they got one and I'm glad. Scapegoat is just the first book in the Scapegoats and Misfits series and if it's anything to go by the rest of this series is gonna be quite the read.
I loved the main characters. Even after she's been beaten down and broken by years of abuse when it came down to it Kaia "Kai" was able to gather herself up and start a new life growing stronger. Finding people like Jamie who turns into her best friend (and surrogate mother) to support her in the way most in her life didn't.
This book's pack consists of three brothers, the Campbell boys. Atlas, the one with the quiet energy. Jayden who runs his mouth, a lot, and Xavier, the rule follower. They all have a connection with Kai and have been friends with her since they were kids. I love how much they love her, it's apparent before "The event" and after. Things that went down weren't any fault of theirs, outside forces meddling. The guys try their best to do right by Kai but they struggle to protect her because they don't understand the full scope of things, only seeing things in rose-colored glasses, but they learn pretty quickly and work to correct their mistakes. The guys have big hearts and are willing to go to the ends of the Earth for the girl they love. Swoon.
Things were going great in the beginning of the book which had me nervous AF because I knew crap was gonna blow and it did, just not how I expected. This book threw me for a loop it was freaking epic. I thought I had everything figured out but I was so wrong. You think you know but you have no idea. Sam did a fantastic job with the characters, they are key, divulging important clues that help reveal a bigger plot. She also did a great job connecting ideas revealing the bigger picture a little at a time. I enjoyed Sam giving readers new couple experiences that she hasn't explored in her previous books, they were interesting. The plot was mind-blowing with its fair share of reveals and glorious plot twists that had me saying wtf!
Scapegoat surprised me in so many ways. I knew I was gonna love it because Sam is a favorite author of mine but the plot was so unexpected, I love being surprised. Kai and the guys barely make it to their HEA but they got one and I'm glad. Scapegoat is just the first book in the Scapegoats and Misfits series and if it's anything to go by the rest of this series is gonna be quite the read.
July 21, 2024
Rating: 3/5 stars
Primary Tropes/Features: Paranormal/Fantasy romance, Omegaverse, Reverse Harem, Shifter romance - Wolves, Second chance, Friends to enemies to lovers.
Secondary Tropes/Features: Small town, Good girl
Safety warning/Triggers: Triggers with some explanation are listed at the beginning of the book; they are woven throughout the entire book and cannot be avoided. Triggers include: Paranormal related triggers include:
Scapegoat was a largely likeable book for me but there were elements to it that I struggled with and would have liked less of.
Broken by her home life and the cruel treatment she faced from her family. Kaia’s only shining light in life was the three boys that were her best friends. Kaia was someone who was quiet and respectful, a biddable girl. In the present day however, years after the events which caused her to leave home she was different. Now Kai, she was stronger, she spoke her mind, refused to cower under anyone, and had no problem putting Xavier, Jayden, and Atlas in their place. There were elements of her character with an inspiring quality to them and her journey of healing and self discovery, whilst not entirely on the page, was written with empathy and gave Kai the ultimate power over her own journey. However there were also times when she was naive and seemed to forget that her men were as much victims as she was when it came to the mating manipulation plot and it lessened her likeability.
Xavier was the kind of person to see the best in people. He was a rule follower and a leader through and through. Whilst he was an equal to Jayden and Atlas there is no denying that there were moments when he led them all and took charge putting aside his emotions but in the moments when that was too much and his emotions got the best of him you could see how hard hitting the events of the book were. Jayden was the most charming hero of the book. He had a lightness to him that brought fun to those around him with his act first and think later approach to life. Whilst all the brothers refused to give up on finding Kai he was the one that never considered giving up when they finally found her. He couldn’t understand why his brothers would contemplate leaving after seeing her pain and never lost the optimism that they’d get her back. I liked how gentle he was Kai as their love had a more tender feel to it and how in the latter half of the book we got a glimpse into how emotional the plot of the book had been for him. Atlas was the quietest of all the brothers. The one who was ever present and always taking in what was going on around him but never really speaking or acting on it until it was necessary and when he did people paid attention. He was already the broodiest of the brothers but losing Kaia resulted in him becoming darker and more solemn and only in being with her did you see who he really was.
Kaia and the Campbell boys had been friends for as long as they could remember. With them she was free of the constraints of her everyday life and welcomed with open arms into the Campbell family. Everyone knew they would be mates and the only possibility when it came to their Omega. Well everyone except Kaia’s narcissistic mother who went to extreme and harrowing lengths to make Anna, Kaia’s sister, the boy's mate instead. Together the Campbell boys were supposed to protect Kai, be a wall between her and those that would do her harm, be a safe haven in a world that had done nothing but sought to destroy her. Instead they messed up in the biggest way possible and broke Kai completely and became a source of nothing but pain on sight alone.
When they were reunited and their second chance began the Campbell men stepped back into being fiercely protective and possessive over Kaia. Doing what they could to protect her and bring fun and laughter to her life but coming to realise that it was never enough. Though this time they refused to leave her and were willing to do whatever it took to make others see what had been done to them all. Their romance progression was interesting in all its stages and I did enjoy it. They were a well matched group of flawed individuals who didn’t just fall into a happy ever after when they got their second chance. However I do think as much as the Campbell men did grovel and show how they’d stepped up the grovel should have been developed further and Kai should have done some grovelling of her own.
Outside of the romance plot even the difficult themes of the book were interesting in how they evolved and unfolded as the book progressed. Though I did find the ‘us vs them’ mentality and narrative framing tedious. Jamie, the one human character who befriended Kai and became a loving mother figure was the only character to not let any of the main characters down. Every other side character in this book did as in some way they had a part in either ignoring or allowing the neglect, abuse, and manipulation to continue and in the end I was bored of it. Don’t get me wrong it was interesting and great to see the guys finally realise just how much was wrong with the pack and how it was more than individuals who had let Kai come to and continue to come to harm but there became a point where it was too much and the plot needed to move on from that.
Overall I liked Kai, Xavier, Jayden, and Atlas’ story and found it to be a largely likeable book but there were elements of characterisation and lack of plot development which lessened my enjoyment and didn’t work for me.
Favourite Quote:
Primary Tropes/Features: Paranormal/Fantasy romance, Omegaverse, Reverse Harem, Shifter romance - Wolves, Second chance, Friends to enemies to lovers.
Secondary Tropes/Features: Small town, Good girl
Safety warning/Triggers: Triggers with some explanation are listed at the beginning of the book; they are woven throughout the entire book and cannot be avoided. Triggers include: Paranormal related triggers include:
Scapegoat was a largely likeable book for me but there were elements to it that I struggled with and would have liked less of.
Broken by her home life and the cruel treatment she faced from her family. Kaia’s only shining light in life was the three boys that were her best friends. Kaia was someone who was quiet and respectful, a biddable girl. In the present day however, years after the events which caused her to leave home she was different. Now Kai, she was stronger, she spoke her mind, refused to cower under anyone, and had no problem putting Xavier, Jayden, and Atlas in their place. There were elements of her character with an inspiring quality to them and her journey of healing and self discovery, whilst not entirely on the page, was written with empathy and gave Kai the ultimate power over her own journey. However there were also times when she was naive and seemed to forget that her men were as much victims as she was when it came to the mating manipulation plot and it lessened her likeability.
Xavier was the kind of person to see the best in people. He was a rule follower and a leader through and through. Whilst he was an equal to Jayden and Atlas there is no denying that there were moments when he led them all and took charge putting aside his emotions but in the moments when that was too much and his emotions got the best of him you could see how hard hitting the events of the book were. Jayden was the most charming hero of the book. He had a lightness to him that brought fun to those around him with his act first and think later approach to life. Whilst all the brothers refused to give up on finding Kai he was the one that never considered giving up when they finally found her. He couldn’t understand why his brothers would contemplate leaving after seeing her pain and never lost the optimism that they’d get her back. I liked how gentle he was Kai as their love had a more tender feel to it and how in the latter half of the book we got a glimpse into how emotional the plot of the book had been for him. Atlas was the quietest of all the brothers. The one who was ever present and always taking in what was going on around him but never really speaking or acting on it until it was necessary and when he did people paid attention. He was already the broodiest of the brothers but losing Kaia resulted in him becoming darker and more solemn and only in being with her did you see who he really was.
Kaia and the Campbell boys had been friends for as long as they could remember. With them she was free of the constraints of her everyday life and welcomed with open arms into the Campbell family. Everyone knew they would be mates and the only possibility when it came to their Omega. Well everyone except Kaia’s narcissistic mother who went to extreme and harrowing lengths to make Anna, Kaia’s sister, the boy's mate instead. Together the Campbell boys were supposed to protect Kai, be a wall between her and those that would do her harm, be a safe haven in a world that had done nothing but sought to destroy her. Instead they messed up in the biggest way possible and broke Kai completely and became a source of nothing but pain on sight alone.
When they were reunited and their second chance began the Campbell men stepped back into being fiercely protective and possessive over Kaia. Doing what they could to protect her and bring fun and laughter to her life but coming to realise that it was never enough. Though this time they refused to leave her and were willing to do whatever it took to make others see what had been done to them all. Their romance progression was interesting in all its stages and I did enjoy it. They were a well matched group of flawed individuals who didn’t just fall into a happy ever after when they got their second chance. However I do think as much as the Campbell men did grovel and show how they’d stepped up the grovel should have been developed further and Kai should have done some grovelling of her own.
Outside of the romance plot even the difficult themes of the book were interesting in how they evolved and unfolded as the book progressed. Though I did find the ‘us vs them’ mentality and narrative framing tedious. Jamie, the one human character who befriended Kai and became a loving mother figure was the only character to not let any of the main characters down. Every other side character in this book did as in some way they had a part in either ignoring or allowing the neglect, abuse, and manipulation to continue and in the end I was bored of it. Don’t get me wrong it was interesting and great to see the guys finally realise just how much was wrong with the pack and how it was more than individuals who had let Kai come to and continue to come to harm but there became a point where it was too much and the plot needed to move on from that.
Overall I liked Kai, Xavier, Jayden, and Atlas’ story and found it to be a largely likeable book but there were elements of characterisation and lack of plot development which lessened my enjoyment and didn’t work for me.
Favourite Quote:
“So what do you think about? What do you value? Talk to me about them, because I think you’ll find I’m on board with each and every one of them.”
“Atlas-”
“Whatever you fucking dream about, I’ll help you find.”
October 4, 2023
I hate the timeline here.
We spend like 60% of the book discussing the same conflict from the first 20%. "Reconnecting" with MMCs after a half hour conversation with a friend. Then it's more of the guys building trust that she won't run again instead of actual grovel or anything.
Then they have the brilliant idea of returning home, not empathizing that her experience of "home" wad different from theirs. No one else gave a shit about her home life even when they all knew what was happening.
The alphas in that pack were straight bitches. Instead of coming up with a plan to deal with her mother (they had literally Kai's whole life), they cowered from her. Even after that bullshit in the square with Anna, they put Anna's reputation before their future Omega's because they feared her mother.
I was so done with everyone in this book. No one had Kai's back. Not really.
We spend like 60% of the book discussing the same conflict from the first 20%. "Reconnecting" with MMCs after a half hour conversation with a friend. Then it's more of the guys building trust that she won't run again instead of actual grovel or anything.
Then they have the brilliant idea of returning home, not empathizing that her experience of "home" wad different from theirs. No one else gave a shit about her home life even when they all knew what was happening.
The alphas in that pack were straight bitches. Instead of coming up with a plan to deal with her mother (they had literally Kai's whole life), they cowered from her. Even after that bullshit in the square with Anna, they put Anna's reputation before their future Omega's because they feared her mother.
I was so done with everyone in this book. No one had Kai's back. Not really.
April 13, 2024
LOVED IT!!!!
This book had everything I love in books. Fated mates, rejected mate(kind of), second chances FMC who becomes stronger and fights back against them who hurt her, bitchy sister who thinks the world and everything in it is hers(its not) and bat shit crazy mother who thinks she can have everything she wants (she cant)
There wasn't anything in this book that I could be negative about it was a fantastic read and I throughly enjoyed it. I wanted to reach into the book and slap Kai's mother and sister. I loved Kai I loved that she grew strong against her mother and sister and after all the hurt and torment she got the HEA she and the guys deserved.
This book had everything I love in books. Fated mates, rejected mate(kind of), second chances FMC who becomes stronger and fights back against them who hurt her, bitchy sister who thinks the world and everything in it is hers(its not) and bat shit crazy mother who thinks she can have everything she wants (she cant)
There wasn't anything in this book that I could be negative about it was a fantastic read and I throughly enjoyed it. I wanted to reach into the book and slap Kai's mother and sister. I loved Kai I loved that she grew strong against her mother and sister and after all the hurt and torment she got the HEA she and the guys deserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
⭐2,2
Mentiría si dijese que me ha gustado. El principio del libro me ha parecido innecesariamente largo, y siendo honesta no me termina de convencer como esta construido el mundo, además de que en ciertas partes me ha parecido muy confuso.
No suelo leer libros con reverse harem, más que nada porque no es de mi estilo, pero si que es verdad que estoy esperando en que llegue el día en que aparezca un libro con este género que me guste. El tema de los personajes, pues la verdad es que ni fu ni fa, normales.
Ahora bien, algo que me ha molestado bastante ha sido que Kai perdone a los hermanos Campbell tan rápido. Me explico, para mi ellos han sido tan víctimas como ella, aunque me molestó bastante que no pudieran reconocerla y solo por el olor de Anna (hermana de Kaia) pensaran, aunque fuera momentáneamente, que Anna era su pareja, pero entiendo su situación. Sin embargo, lo que no me termina de cuadrar es que Kai los perdone y los vuelva a aceptar tan rápido después de estar dos años resintiéndolos y sintiéndose traicionada, de hecho, cuando los hermanos Campbell marcan a Anna es alrededor del 30% del libro, y Kai los perdona y acepta alrededor del 45 %. Entonces la pregunta del millón, que pasa en el 55% restante del libro, pues básicamente nada y sexo.
La historia era demasiado larga para lo que contaba, y al menos si la historia iba a tener ese número de páginas, en lugar de escribir mayoritariamente smut, Sam Hall debería haber desarrollado ciertos conceptos, porque incluso habiendo terminado el libro, no entiendo como Greg(uno de los padres de los hermanos Campbell) pudo traicionar a Jenny (madre de los hermanos Campbell) con Abbigail (madre de Kaia y unz z***a sin escrúpulos narcisista) solo porque Abbigail tenía voz de alfa, si Jenny y Greg eran mates, para mi hace 0 sentido. Y menos sentido me hace que Abbigail fuera más fuerte que los propios alfas de su manada. Que otro tema es Greg, no solo siento que no tiene ningún sentido que concibiera a Anna solo porque Abbigail era una alfa más poderosa que él siendo Jenny su pareja y estando perdidamente enamorada de ella; sino que traicionara a sus propios hijos y ayudara a Abbigail en sus planes, una vez más, porque ella era una alfa más fuerte, que bueno...yo todavía no entiendo como es que era tan fuerte porque poco ha hecho a lo largo de la historia, pero bueno....También me ha sabido mal el final de Greg, porque si seguimos el contexto y aceptamos todo lo que a sucedido con él, al final del día él también era una víctima más, así que para mi que acabase muriendo y asesinado por Abbigail (quien supuestamente creía ciegamente que su mate era Greg y no el padre de Kai) no me termina de cuadrar ni convencer.
Algo que tampoco me ha gustado ha sido, por obvias razones, la madre de Kai, pero Anna tampoco se ha quedado atrás, era igual de narcisista que su madre. Y a mi no me vale decir que Anna era una víctima y que solo tenía 14-16 años, porque la verdad sea dicha, a esa edad, incluso antes, ya se sabe lo que está bien y lo que está mal. Así que sí, me ha sentado como una patada en el culo que la acabasen perdonando. Y cuando en el final de libro se veía que se estaba repitiendo la histoira, y estaba teniendo una actitud más favorable con una de las hijas de Kai que con otra (exactamente igual que como Abby trataba de manera favorable a Anna y no ten bien a Kai), me ha sentado aun peor que no le pusieran un punto y final a Anna y solo le dejasen una advertencia, WTF!!?? Hace 0 sentido que con lo que Kaia ha vivido no cortara de raíz la relación de Anna con una de sus hijas, si yo hubiese sido ella al primer indicio le prohíbo que se acerque a mis hijos.
No se, yo la verdad es que no es un libro que recomendaría, aunque ha habido alguna parte interesante, han habido tantas cosas que no me han gustado y en cierta manera me han decepcionado, que no creo que merezca la pena leerlo si tienes otras lecturas pendientes.
Mentiría si dijese que me ha gustado. El principio del libro me ha parecido innecesariamente largo, y siendo honesta no me termina de convencer como esta construido el mundo, además de que en ciertas partes me ha parecido muy confuso.
No suelo leer libros con reverse harem, más que nada porque no es de mi estilo, pero si que es verdad que estoy esperando en que llegue el día en que aparezca un libro con este género que me guste. El tema de los personajes, pues la verdad es que ni fu ni fa, normales.
Ahora bien, algo que me ha molestado bastante ha sido que Kai perdone a los hermanos Campbell tan rápido. Me explico, para mi ellos han sido tan víctimas como ella, aunque me molestó bastante que no pudieran reconocerla y solo por el olor de Anna (hermana de Kaia) pensaran, aunque fuera momentáneamente, que Anna era su pareja, pero entiendo su situación. Sin embargo, lo que no me termina de cuadrar es que Kai los perdone y los vuelva a aceptar tan rápido después de estar dos años resintiéndolos y sintiéndose traicionada, de hecho, cuando los hermanos Campbell marcan a Anna es alrededor del 30% del libro, y Kai los perdona y acepta alrededor del 45 %. Entonces la pregunta del millón, que pasa en el 55% restante del libro, pues básicamente nada y sexo.
La historia era demasiado larga para lo que contaba, y al menos si la historia iba a tener ese número de páginas, en lugar de escribir mayoritariamente smut, Sam Hall debería haber desarrollado ciertos conceptos, porque incluso habiendo terminado el libro, no entiendo como Greg(uno de los padres de los hermanos Campbell) pudo traicionar a Jenny (madre de los hermanos Campbell) con Abbigail (madre de Kaia y unz z***a sin escrúpulos narcisista) solo porque Abbigail tenía voz de alfa, si Jenny y Greg eran mates, para mi hace 0 sentido. Y menos sentido me hace que Abbigail fuera más fuerte que los propios alfas de su manada. Que otro tema es Greg, no solo siento que no tiene ningún sentido que concibiera a Anna solo porque Abbigail era una alfa más poderosa que él siendo Jenny su pareja y estando perdidamente enamorada de ella; sino que traicionara a sus propios hijos y ayudara a Abbigail en sus planes, una vez más, porque ella era una alfa más fuerte, que bueno...yo todavía no entiendo como es que era tan fuerte porque poco ha hecho a lo largo de la historia, pero bueno....También me ha sabido mal el final de Greg, porque si seguimos el contexto y aceptamos todo lo que a sucedido con él, al final del día él también era una víctima más, así que para mi que acabase muriendo y asesinado por Abbigail (quien supuestamente creía ciegamente que su mate era Greg y no el padre de Kai) no me termina de cuadrar ni convencer.
Algo que tampoco me ha gustado ha sido, por obvias razones, la madre de Kai, pero Anna tampoco se ha quedado atrás, era igual de narcisista que su madre. Y a mi no me vale decir que Anna era una víctima y que solo tenía 14-16 años, porque la verdad sea dicha, a esa edad, incluso antes, ya se sabe lo que está bien y lo que está mal. Así que sí, me ha sentado como una patada en el culo que la acabasen perdonando. Y cuando en el final de libro se veía que se estaba repitiendo la histoira, y estaba teniendo una actitud más favorable con una de las hijas de Kai que con otra (exactamente igual que como Abby trataba de manera favorable a Anna y no ten bien a Kai), me ha sentado aun peor que no le pusieran un punto y final a Anna y solo le dejasen una advertencia, WTF!!?? Hace 0 sentido que con lo que Kaia ha vivido no cortara de raíz la relación de Anna con una de sus hijas, si yo hubiese sido ella al primer indicio le prohíbo que se acerque a mis hijos.
No se, yo la verdad es que no es un libro que recomendaría, aunque ha habido alguna parte interesante, han habido tantas cosas que no me han gustado y en cierta manera me han decepcionado, que no creo que merezca la pena leerlo si tienes otras lecturas pendientes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2023
Ok Soooooo….bit of spoilers
This book was a wild ride. I almost didn’t read it because the hook and scenes advertised all over book tok led me to believe it had my 1 and only trigger. Somehow, Sam wrote it in a way that it wasn’t fully what I thought by that hook. Thank god. I mean it was still an awful and painful betrayal that made me actually cry and scream out loud. I was so devastated for my girl. My mother was a lot like Kai’s mom unfortunately, extremely abusive and diagnosed narcissistic personality disorder among a slew of others. So this hit home hard was her be abused so badly. Now, I will say I had a few big issues with this book. The clan alphas were worthless. Absolutely, unlike any alphas I’ve ever read let alone leaders. It didn’t make sense ever after we found out the truth about her mom’s designation. The clan alphas are never that weak. Also, our main guys were weak af too. Again, this book basically spit on everything you’ve ever read about alphas and the very essence of what an alpha is. It just showed them as weak I mean it was 1 weakness after another. They never protected her. They were always 10 steps behind everyone and everything yet they were supposed to be taking over the clan? Naw. They were good guys and all I liked them but they were weak as beta men unfortunately. And it was to the point it was frustrating and maddening reading it over and over. Even takin on the mom at the end the 3 of them couldn’t do what the little hurt omega did all while she was drugged and in heat? Give me a break. Also, I really liked the boys mom at first then ended up really not liking her. Her love for our girl was not unconditional. She was only good to her when she behaved docilely. Yuck. Also, as we’ve all learned about fated mates by any author, if Greg was their moms mate he would have been able to cheat let alone make a baby with someone else under any circumstances without his mates feeling it and knowing via the bond immediately. Also, how did nobody smell who his daughter was. Another alpha trait and rule we totally were supposed to ignore. And let’s not talk about how none of them apparently can track in the clan. And it took them 2 years to find Her? Yeah ok. Then Anna…ewww just eww. I couldn’t stand her and even at the end I just disliked her even more. And she keeps showing this abusive behavior and everyone including the alphas just keep giving warnings? Ummm no. So Nile this book was a rollercoaster from page one till the end, it was a good storyline, but the execution made me feel so much frustration. If your gonna write a wolf shifter book make sure to research the traits and ways of alphas.
This book was a wild ride. I almost didn’t read it because the hook and scenes advertised all over book tok led me to believe it had my 1 and only trigger. Somehow, Sam wrote it in a way that it wasn’t fully what I thought by that hook. Thank god. I mean it was still an awful and painful betrayal that made me actually cry and scream out loud. I was so devastated for my girl. My mother was a lot like Kai’s mom unfortunately, extremely abusive and diagnosed narcissistic personality disorder among a slew of others. So this hit home hard was her be abused so badly. Now, I will say I had a few big issues with this book. The clan alphas were worthless. Absolutely, unlike any alphas I’ve ever read let alone leaders. It didn’t make sense ever after we found out the truth about her mom’s designation. The clan alphas are never that weak. Also, our main guys were weak af too. Again, this book basically spit on everything you’ve ever read about alphas and the very essence of what an alpha is. It just showed them as weak I mean it was 1 weakness after another. They never protected her. They were always 10 steps behind everyone and everything yet they were supposed to be taking over the clan? Naw. They were good guys and all I liked them but they were weak as beta men unfortunately. And it was to the point it was frustrating and maddening reading it over and over. Even takin on the mom at the end the 3 of them couldn’t do what the little hurt omega did all while she was drugged and in heat? Give me a break. Also, I really liked the boys mom at first then ended up really not liking her. Her love for our girl was not unconditional. She was only good to her when she behaved docilely. Yuck. Also, as we’ve all learned about fated mates by any author, if Greg was their moms mate he would have been able to cheat let alone make a baby with someone else under any circumstances without his mates feeling it and knowing via the bond immediately. Also, how did nobody smell who his daughter was. Another alpha trait and rule we totally were supposed to ignore. And let’s not talk about how none of them apparently can track in the clan. And it took them 2 years to find Her? Yeah ok. Then Anna…ewww just eww. I couldn’t stand her and even at the end I just disliked her even more. And she keeps showing this abusive behavior and everyone including the alphas just keep giving warnings? Ummm no. So Nile this book was a rollercoaster from page one till the end, it was a good storyline, but the execution made me feel so much frustration. If your gonna write a wolf shifter book make sure to research the traits and ways of alphas.
September 26, 2023
A good read, definitely more on the trauma side.
Spoilers read at your own risk.
Kai grew-up with abusive mother, who favored her other slaughter Anna. She believed that Anna was more beautiful and that she would present as an omega. She was physically and mentally abusive to Kai and her father who was not dominant wolf. The mother constantly pushed Kai away from the future Alpha males by giving her more chores, and if she did go anywhere near those males she had to take her little spoiled sister. The men and Kai mate one night because they know deep in their soul that she is their mate. Also, one of the males Atlas marks her. The men come clean to their Alphas and their own ceremony for future leadership moves up so they can all claim their mate. However, the evil mother finds Kai during her own omega reveal and she rubs Kai's sluck all over Anna and pushes Anna to the men who in reutn mark her. Kai runs away.
I really thought that the story was well set-up for angst. I also thought the twist about her mother was amazing. The issues I couldn't look past is that Atlas already marked Kai. So even if he went to mark Anna in the moment of frenzy and confusion it wouldn't have worked as they get to mark someone only once. How can anyone mark a child, Anna was 14. That bond should never work.
I also disliked how Kai blamed the men for not "choosing" her, and she failed to see their POV. I do believe her running away was good for her mental health and growth. As for the men, I don't blame them either, they just came off the fight with Alpha for their future Alpha position, they were rushing back to her, they smelled her and it triggered them. In their POV they knew the minute they bit into Anna's neck that it wasn't Kai. They pushed Anna away and went on a long search to find Kai and get her back. They made a mistake but they were tricked! They never willingly "chose" Anna. Kai due to the years of abuse just thought she wasn't good enough for them and they chose her sister. What is gross is that she assumed that they mated with her right away. Anna was a child.
I really disliked the so called Alpha's, and I was glad that they didn't stay around there and left. The Alpha's were cowards.
The ending was weird. Forgiving someone doesn't mean that you have to let them in your life. Anna treating her girls differently should be a major red flag and the reason why they shouldn't have her in their life. Clearly a grown Anna is toxic and shouldn't be around her kids if she can't treat them both with love. Anna was a product of her mother but she also had years to grow-up and see how messed up it all was. She isn't special bc she is a blonde.
Spoilers read at your own risk.
Kai grew-up with abusive mother, who favored her other slaughter Anna. She believed that Anna was more beautiful and that she would present as an omega. She was physically and mentally abusive to Kai and her father who was not dominant wolf. The mother constantly pushed Kai away from the future Alpha males by giving her more chores, and if she did go anywhere near those males she had to take her little spoiled sister. The men and Kai mate one night because they know deep in their soul that she is their mate. Also, one of the males Atlas marks her. The men come clean to their Alphas and their own ceremony for future leadership moves up so they can all claim their mate. However, the evil mother finds Kai during her own omega reveal and she rubs Kai's sluck all over Anna and pushes Anna to the men who in reutn mark her. Kai runs away.
I really thought that the story was well set-up for angst. I also thought the twist about her mother was amazing. The issues I couldn't look past is that Atlas already marked Kai. So even if he went to mark Anna in the moment of frenzy and confusion it wouldn't have worked as they get to mark someone only once. How can anyone mark a child, Anna was 14. That bond should never work.
I also disliked how Kai blamed the men for not "choosing" her, and she failed to see their POV. I do believe her running away was good for her mental health and growth. As for the men, I don't blame them either, they just came off the fight with Alpha for their future Alpha position, they were rushing back to her, they smelled her and it triggered them. In their POV they knew the minute they bit into Anna's neck that it wasn't Kai. They pushed Anna away and went on a long search to find Kai and get her back. They made a mistake but they were tricked! They never willingly "chose" Anna. Kai due to the years of abuse just thought she wasn't good enough for them and they chose her sister. What is gross is that she assumed that they mated with her right away. Anna was a child.
I really disliked the so called Alpha's, and I was glad that they didn't stay around there and left. The Alpha's were cowards.
The ending was weird. Forgiving someone doesn't mean that you have to let them in your life. Anna treating her girls differently should be a major red flag and the reason why they shouldn't have her in their life. Clearly a grown Anna is toxic and shouldn't be around her kids if she can't treat them both with love. Anna was a product of her mother but she also had years to grow-up and see how messed up it all was. She isn't special bc she is a blonde.
December 10, 2023
I picked this one up, thinking it would be like a Cinderella retelling, but with wolf shifters, and for the most part, the beginning does start off that way. I loved seeing Kaia with her guys and learning about her story. Still, things went downward after the drama between the guys and her family ended because everything they all dreamed of was ruined in the blink of an eye. Instead of sticking around to find out the truth, Kaia ran away, and that’s when the book started to take a wrong turn for me. First, I wish there had been more time between when she left, and the guys found her. I think it would’ve been nice to have her finally live a carefree life for a while because by the time the guys caught up to her, she has a job, a nice place to live, and she’s finally getting to live life on her own terms, and when the guys show up it all comes crashing down. Before she escaped, she was forced to be her family’s servant. Her mother hated her and didn’t want anything to do with her other than to torture her. She had to clean her house, cook for everyone, and care for everything around the place. If she wanted to hang out with her friends, she always had to take her kid sister because her mother was adamant that her sister would become her friends’ omega. But at this point, her sister is a child, and Kaia and the guys are 18-19 years old. However, the whole small town treats Kaia like garbage, and that never changes. By the end of the book, instead of her turning into the princess like in the Cinderella story, she does get her happy-ever-after with her guys, but nothing changes in the small town; everyone still treats her like garbage, so they move away, which is fine, right? Except the sister acts just like the mom did. I love that she stands up for herself and doesn’t like the cycle to repeat, but it’s like nothing changed by the end of the book, and I just wanted more for her.
September 9, 2023
“…but that’s the thing about people who’ve seen you at your worst and then stuck around. They’re not scared off by your pain”
If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know I love Sam Hall's books, and this one did not disappoint!
The author's description tells you what this book is about, so I won't reiterate the story. Instead, here are all the reasons to read it 🤩
The author does an amazing job of sucking you in so that you feel all the emotional highs and lows the characters go through. In that respect, it's similar to Wolf in Sheep's Clothing and Problem Child - which ps are two of my fave books.
The book deals with a narcissistic and abusive parent. You'll definitely want to read the full trigger warning (go to the 'zon page and click on "sample".) NGL there were definitely scenes that broke my heart for the FMC.
One of the reasons I think this book was so good is because there aren't a lot of extraneous plotlines. The main focus is on the relationships of the characters, and how they deal with everything that happens. It's multi-pov, which I sometimes find distracting, but I didn't in this case. I think it's because the storyline is so focused, so it doesn't feel like you're jumping pov and time.
✨Not formulaic
✨ Non-tropey HEA (iykyk)
✨ 1/3 of the book happens when the MCs are 18, then there's a time jump. So it's not YA.
Themes:
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ Fated Mates
✨ Second Chance
✨ Omegaverse
✨ Found Family
Again, this book does cover different kinds of trauma, so you can *READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS* by clicking on the sample on the 'zon page.
**I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review**
If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know I love Sam Hall's books, and this one did not disappoint!
The author's description tells you what this book is about, so I won't reiterate the story. Instead, here are all the reasons to read it 🤩
The author does an amazing job of sucking you in so that you feel all the emotional highs and lows the characters go through. In that respect, it's similar to Wolf in Sheep's Clothing and Problem Child - which ps are two of my fave books.
The book deals with a narcissistic and abusive parent. You'll definitely want to read the full trigger warning (go to the 'zon page and click on "sample".) NGL there were definitely scenes that broke my heart for the FMC.
One of the reasons I think this book was so good is because there aren't a lot of extraneous plotlines. The main focus is on the relationships of the characters, and how they deal with everything that happens. It's multi-pov, which I sometimes find distracting, but I didn't in this case. I think it's because the storyline is so focused, so it doesn't feel like you're jumping pov and time.
✨Not formulaic
✨ Non-tropey HEA (iykyk)
✨ 1/3 of the book happens when the MCs are 18, then there's a time jump. So it's not YA.
Themes:
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ Fated Mates
✨ Second Chance
✨ Omegaverse
✨ Found Family
Again, this book does cover different kinds of trauma, so you can *READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS* by clicking on the sample on the 'zon page.
**I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review**
April 6, 2024
2.5 stars. I did not enjoy this the way I expected to. The premise was good but the delivery was poor.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
The first few chapters introduced the main cast and the central conflict nicely, but after the fake claiming, I struggled to understand the heroine's motivations and she became a less sympathetic character to me as a result.
She showed a dangerous lack of judgment by going off and leaving her mates twice - both incidents resulting in terrible outcomes. She didn't take responsibility for any of it either, just waited for her mates to come up with solutions to the problems she caused and then bitched when she didn't like the outcome.
The male leads were good guys, just a bit young and inexperienced. They were dealt a pretty bad hand, not as bad as the FMC, but still pretty traumatic. Realising the secret about them and Anna literally made my skin crawl.
Anna's spoilt attitude was infuriating but honestly, having the mum be this crazy, evil super-villain felt OTT for the level of drama in the book. Her plan to mate the siblings to each other made no sense and seemed to exist just because it suited the plot.
Lastly, despite the length of this story, most of the romantic conflict is settled early on and so 90% of the plot is just them going from place to place shearing sheep.
The epilogue was good because it gave me some closure, but I still had so many questions about how things worked in this world that I was still left unsatisfied.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
The first few chapters introduced the main cast and the central conflict nicely, but after the fake claiming, I struggled to understand the heroine's motivations and she became a less sympathetic character to me as a result.
She showed a dangerous lack of judgment by going off and leaving her mates twice - both incidents resulting in terrible outcomes. She didn't take responsibility for any of it either, just waited for her mates to come up with solutions to the problems she caused and then bitched when she didn't like the outcome.
The male leads were good guys, just a bit young and inexperienced. They were dealt a pretty bad hand, not as bad as the FMC, but still pretty traumatic. Realising the secret about them and Anna literally made my skin crawl.
Anna's spoilt attitude was infuriating but honestly, having the mum be this crazy, evil super-villain felt OTT for the level of drama in the book. Her plan to mate the siblings to each other made no sense and seemed to exist just because it suited the plot.
Lastly, despite the length of this story, most of the romantic conflict is settled early on and so 90% of the plot is just them going from place to place shearing sheep.
The epilogue was good because it gave me some closure, but I still had so many questions about how things worked in this world that I was still left unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
Well what can I say? This was Sam at her best again. I absolutely loved this book and went on a whole rollercoaster of emotions while reading it.
Kai is someone who has been overlooked and beaten down her whole life by people who are supposed to love and care for her, except for the Campbell brothers. Kai harbours a secret love them and doesn’t believe she could possibly be worthy of their love. The brothers know Kai to be their mate they just have to convince her.
When one night takes a turn it sets into motion a series of events that will impact not only Kai and the boys lives but everyone around them. I loved seeing Kai grow into the strong independent woman she deserves to be and loved to see the brothers fight for the woman they loved.
As expected from Sam there is a great deal of love in this book and some from unexpected places, however seeing Kai and the brothers grow into themselves and their relationship is really heartwarming. It doesn’t get any easier for them after the mating and there were moments where I cried & my heart was in my throat but ultimately I was made whole again by the end. Of course the spice is always 🥵🔥 where Sam is concerned but the story was also on fire too.
Kai is someone who has been overlooked and beaten down her whole life by people who are supposed to love and care for her, except for the Campbell brothers. Kai harbours a secret love them and doesn’t believe she could possibly be worthy of their love. The brothers know Kai to be their mate they just have to convince her.
When one night takes a turn it sets into motion a series of events that will impact not only Kai and the boys lives but everyone around them. I loved seeing Kai grow into the strong independent woman she deserves to be and loved to see the brothers fight for the woman they loved.
As expected from Sam there is a great deal of love in this book and some from unexpected places, however seeing Kai and the brothers grow into themselves and their relationship is really heartwarming. It doesn’t get any easier for them after the mating and there were moments where I cried & my heart was in my throat but ultimately I was made whole again by the end. Of course the spice is always 🥵🔥 where Sam is concerned but the story was also on fire too.
September 9, 2023
Rating: 4 ⭐️
Spice: 5 🔥
Tropes: childhood besties to lovers, fated mates, wolf shifters, found families, alpha/omega, reverse harem,
This book really shocked me. As you’ll see below I was a little hesitant but that quickly changed.
Kai pulled on every single emotional string I got. Her pain, trauma (make sure to check those trigger warnings), her love, the betrayal… BABY SHE HAD ME HOOKED!
Each of the boys played into their respective roles (leader, joker, quiet one) and there wasn’t much more background to that but I was fine with it as Kai more than makes up for it with her complexity.
LETS TALK ABOUT THE SPICE!!! Reverse harems never disappoint me when it comes to the spice levels. Add Sam Hall to that and you’ve got some top tier level spice.
Finally, the plot. I was again skeptical i cant lie… but I should’ve known better than to doubt. The plot never got stale as Kai’s mother never let up.
Progressional Reviews/Comments:
15% in and SAM HALL DOESNT MISS!
I was worried that I’d get the heebie jeebies with them being only 18, but it was too easy to let that go and enjoy. It’s got The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes with the unmistakable Sam Hall classics
Never did the words “two years later” hurt me more than when reading them in this book!!!! I’m not at 51% and I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions. I know this book is a standalone so I’m nervously excited for what’s to come next
Spice: 5 🔥
Tropes: childhood besties to lovers, fated mates, wolf shifters, found families, alpha/omega, reverse harem,
This book really shocked me. As you’ll see below I was a little hesitant but that quickly changed.
Kai pulled on every single emotional string I got. Her pain, trauma (make sure to check those trigger warnings), her love, the betrayal… BABY SHE HAD ME HOOKED!
Each of the boys played into their respective roles (leader, joker, quiet one) and there wasn’t much more background to that but I was fine with it as Kai more than makes up for it with her complexity.
LETS TALK ABOUT THE SPICE!!! Reverse harems never disappoint me when it comes to the spice levels. Add Sam Hall to that and you’ve got some top tier level spice.
Finally, the plot. I was again skeptical i cant lie… but I should’ve known better than to doubt. The plot never got stale as Kai’s mother never let up.
Progressional Reviews/Comments:
15% in and SAM HALL DOESNT MISS!
I was worried that I’d get the heebie jeebies with them being only 18, but it was too easy to let that go and enjoy. It’s got The Summer I Turned Pretty vibes with the unmistakable Sam Hall classics
Never did the words “two years later” hurt me more than when reading them in this book!!!! I’m not at 51% and I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions. I know this book is a standalone so I’m nervously excited for what’s to come next
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