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XXXVII #2
The Initiation
The Elite: James Keyingham University’s society that’s so exclusive, that not even being a legacy guarantees your place…
My brother is serving a life sentence for a murder I know he didn’t commit. The truth behind the case is somewhere on this campus, and so far, the limited clues are pointing to the Elite.
After resorting to blackmail, I’ve achieved the impossible: I’m the first non-legacy to become an Initiate.
Since the semester started, Synclair Keyingham, this year’s President of the Elite, had a target on my back, and I can’t fault him for that. His brother is the one everyone believes was killed by mine. So the last thing I should be is surprised when Syn takes this opportunity to take out all of his anger and frustration on me.
I don’t need to pass the initiation, and I know I can’t win Syn over, but if I can make his two best friends Royal and Gemini see me as a human, then maybe, I can survive long enough to find the answers the society is hiding.
But Syn’s not going to make this easy.
And I’ve signed a contract which states that they can do whatever they want to me…
My brother is serving a life sentence for a murder I know he didn’t commit. The truth behind the case is somewhere on this campus, and so far, the limited clues are pointing to the Elite.
After resorting to blackmail, I’ve achieved the impossible: I’m the first non-legacy to become an Initiate.
Since the semester started, Synclair Keyingham, this year’s President of the Elite, had a target on my back, and I can’t fault him for that. His brother is the one everyone believes was killed by mine. So the last thing I should be is surprised when Syn takes this opportunity to take out all of his anger and frustration on me.
I don’t need to pass the initiation, and I know I can’t win Syn over, but if I can make his two best friends Royal and Gemini see me as a human, then maybe, I can survive long enough to find the answers the society is hiding.
But Syn’s not going to make this easy.
And I’ve signed a contract which states that they can do whatever they want to me…
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2024
About the author
Serenity Ackles
14 books193 followersSerenity Ackles, author and reader of RH.
Books contain a lot of boys, sex, and a sprinkle of profanity.
Books contain a lot of boys, sex, and a sprinkle of profanity.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 30, 2025
After reading and inhaling the first book in this series and the cliffy it left me dangling over I couldn’t wait to grab this one and jump in. And like the previous book, once I’d started this, I couldn’t put it down.
Yet again the angst in this book was top notch, they treated her like an animal, moved her into their apartment threw a dog collar on her and made her sleep in a dog bed, all in the name of initiation.
She’s there to serve them
Syn, hates her on sight with revenge running rampant through his veins, he wants to destroy the sister of his brothers killer, it doesn’t matter that he’s behind bars for life, he’s still alive, she can visit him, Syn can never see his brother again.
It will take a lot of convincing from Tori for Syn to listen to her version of events concerning her brothers conviction.
Yet again the angst in this book was top notch, they treated her like an animal, moved her into their apartment threw a dog collar on her and made her sleep in a dog bed, all in the name of initiation.
She’s there to serve them
Syn, hates her on sight with revenge running rampant through his veins, he wants to destroy the sister of his brothers killer, it doesn’t matter that he’s behind bars for life, he’s still alive, she can visit him, Syn can never see his brother again.
It will take a lot of convincing from Tori for Syn to listen to her version of events concerning her brothers conviction.
June 14, 2025
I think I liked the first book better...this was kinda boring. Prob not gonna read the last book bc I don't like the Professor guy. I wasn't feeling him since B1, but my main issue is...why is he bald? That gave me the ick so i shall not read the third book. Honestly, I'm not even sure if he's a love interest but I think he is idk.
March 26, 2025
Another 5 star read!
Excited to see what happens in the next book after that cliffhanger!!!!!!
Excited to see what happens in the next book after that cliffhanger!!!!!!
March 7, 2024
I loved the first book in this series and have been anxiously waiting for book two in Tori's story. I was prepared for the hazing aspect to be awful and although it wasn't great, it wasn't too bad. I was concerned it would be too much for the MMC's to come back from which is always the risk in a bully romance but I thought it was really clever to include this as a plot point within the story and that the other characters noticed how differently she was being treated.
Royal is still the nicest of the bunch (relatively speaking compared to the others) and I am really enjoying watching Syn's hatred which burns like the passion of a thousand suns turning into something else. Tori is so under his skin and I cannot wait for the incoming grovel. Gemini though I am on the fence about as he still seems a bit apathetic towards Tori as a person. I don't see the connection with him and Tori as clearly as the others but I can see how he is with Virgo who I hope has a bigger role soon. Payne is the dark horse of the bunch (and on a super slow burn) but his backstory is filling in some of the questions from book one and I liked how his relationship with Tori is totally separate to the rest of the guys. Penny is still an absolute sweetheart too.
That cliffhanger though....the last few chapters were so tense and I loved that it was Syn who had the final POV. I cannot wait for his wrath to finally be aimed in the right direction!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
Royal is still the nicest of the bunch (relatively speaking compared to the others) and I am really enjoying watching Syn's hatred which burns like the passion of a thousand suns turning into something else. Tori is so under his skin and I cannot wait for the incoming grovel. Gemini though I am on the fence about as he still seems a bit apathetic towards Tori as a person. I don't see the connection with him and Tori as clearly as the others but I can see how he is with Virgo who I hope has a bigger role soon. Payne is the dark horse of the bunch (and on a super slow burn) but his backstory is filling in some of the questions from book one and I liked how his relationship with Tori is totally separate to the rest of the guys. Penny is still an absolute sweetheart too.
That cliffhanger though....the last few chapters were so tense and I loved that it was Syn who had the final POV. I cannot wait for his wrath to finally be aimed in the right direction!
My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read
March 18, 2024
Heartbreaking, fast-paced, spicy, bully deliciousness.
We’re back. Right where we left off. Tori has mad some headway into the case as she tries desperately to prove her brother’s innocence. Unfortunately, Syn, Royal, and Gemini are not making it easy for her. Now she’s an initiate, playing the dirty and despicable games her three tormentors come up with. With orders to do everything they instruct and bound by an NDA, Tori is more at their mercy than she anticipates.
The mystery of what happened years ago to Syn’s brother is tied up not only with Tori’s brother’s confession, but also with a young woman who’s missing and associated with the infuriating Professor Wright. The twists get twistier and the turns more dangerous. The truth is more elusive than ever. And those spicy times…well, let’s just say I’m glad my Kindle didn’t melt.
You really need to mind the TWs for this one. Fast paced and action packed, this story will keep you consumed.
We’re back. Right where we left off. Tori has mad some headway into the case as she tries desperately to prove her brother’s innocence. Unfortunately, Syn, Royal, and Gemini are not making it easy for her. Now she’s an initiate, playing the dirty and despicable games her three tormentors come up with. With orders to do everything they instruct and bound by an NDA, Tori is more at their mercy than she anticipates.
The mystery of what happened years ago to Syn’s brother is tied up not only with Tori’s brother’s confession, but also with a young woman who’s missing and associated with the infuriating Professor Wright. The twists get twistier and the turns more dangerous. The truth is more elusive than ever. And those spicy times…well, let’s just say I’m glad my Kindle didn’t melt.
You really need to mind the TWs for this one. Fast paced and action packed, this story will keep you consumed.
April 16, 2025
I really liked this book and this series so far. I’ve read a lot of RH and I felt like this series has really good plot progression without huge filler.
The only thing I’m bothered with is Sin. Something he said about Tori stuck with me.
Small relationship spoiler ahead:
•
He said:
“She’s not unattractive” and that he knows her measurements.
“while she would benefit from a breast enlargement, she’s slim and the tits she has are acceptable” -Serenity Ackles
This scene occurs when he watches her shower after she requests for her leather collar to be off. He wants to resist her temptation.
But the thing that bothers me is he’s not saying this to hurt her. This is his inner monologue. He truly feels this way, and that didn’t add to the hate in the romance for me- it was just slightly off putting. I get that she isn’t supposed to be someone he immediately desires, but it feels weird for him to mentally think she’s not physically all he desires.
The only thing I’m bothered with is Sin. Something he said about Tori stuck with me.
Small relationship spoiler ahead:
•
He said:
“She’s not unattractive” and that he knows her measurements.
“while she would benefit from a breast enlargement, she’s slim and the tits she has are acceptable” -Serenity Ackles
This scene occurs when he watches her shower after she requests for her leather collar to be off. He wants to resist her temptation.
But the thing that bothers me is he’s not saying this to hurt her. This is his inner monologue. He truly feels this way, and that didn’t add to the hate in the romance for me- it was just slightly off putting. I get that she isn’t supposed to be someone he immediately desires, but it feels weird for him to mentally think she’s not physically all he desires.
July 20, 2025
The Elite: James Keyingham University’s most secretive society—so exclusive, even legacies aren’t guaranteed a spot. My brother’s serving life for a murder he didn’t commit, and the truth is buried somewhere on this campus. All signs point to the Elite. With blackmail, I forced my way in as the first non-legacy Initiate. Now, Synclair Keyingham—Elite President and brother of the supposed victim—has made me his personal target. I don’t expect to pass initiation or win him over. But if I can get his closest allies, Royal and Gemini, to see me as more than a threat, I might survive long enough to expose the truth. The catch? I signed a contract that lets them do whatever they want to me.
This series has me in a chokehold. The books are just the right length and they leave you wanting more, so to dive right into the next one! would definitely call this a dark romantic suspense series. It is so good, I’m surprised I haven’t seen more people talking about it.
This series has me in a chokehold. The books are just the right length and they leave you wanting more, so to dive right into the next one! would definitely call this a dark romantic suspense series. It is so good, I’m surprised I haven’t seen more people talking about it.
October 29, 2025
This book drug out a fair bit. The first 35% is literally the same and not much new happens. After that, there is still a lot of repetition, we get it already! She serves the guys their meals, she eats rice, she sleeps on a dog bed and has to run all over the university to change outfits. Some advancement in the plot instead of constantly drilling that in would have helped with the pacing issues.
I don’t know if we are supposed to start liking the guys? It’s kind of unclear? This does not get any easier to figure out as we go in this book either.
The plot twist at the end was only moderately surprising but I guess we will see where everything goes in the next book. This entire time from the first book I have suspected that Preston is the real criminal behind the death of JP. I wonder if I am right.
3⭐️
3🌶️
I don’t know if we are supposed to start liking the guys? It’s kind of unclear? This does not get any easier to figure out as we go in this book either.
The plot twist at the end was only moderately surprising but I guess we will see where everything goes in the next book. This entire time from the first book I have suspected that Preston is the real criminal behind the death of JP. I wonder if I am right.
3⭐️
3🌶️
January 9, 2025
Left hanging and impatiently waiting after book one and now again! Another Cliff hanger!
Tori is now an official initiate for the Elite and even though she knows Syn will never actually let her pass and become and Elite at least she is closer to being able to get some answers and hopefully prove her brother's innocence and find who really killed Syn's brother JP. Unfortunately, as much as I was hoping for a little more character building maybe learn a little more about Syn, Gemini, and Royal it's mostly like 90% Tori being hazed, like 3% steam and the rest bullying. We get some clues here and there but for the most part book 2 was just hazing. We did learn Professor Wright's history though so there's that. Hopefully all is revealed in book 3.
Tori is now an official initiate for the Elite and even though she knows Syn will never actually let her pass and become and Elite at least she is closer to being able to get some answers and hopefully prove her brother's innocence and find who really killed Syn's brother JP. Unfortunately, as much as I was hoping for a little more character building maybe learn a little more about Syn, Gemini, and Royal it's mostly like 90% Tori being hazed, like 3% steam and the rest bullying. We get some clues here and there but for the most part book 2 was just hazing. We did learn Professor Wright's history though so there's that. Hopefully all is revealed in book 3.
April 17, 2025
Initiated
Tori goes through with her plan to initiate into the Elite. It's what I expected and yet not at the same time. Synclair, Royal, and Gemini are three very annoying men. I suppose I get the attraction on some level, but they're all walking red flags. Tori still has her BFF Penny (the most rational and reasonable person in the university) and she gains an alliance with professor Payne Wright. I definitely like him more than the others and secretly hope Tori tries him on for size. But, regardless, the unfolding truth of whether or not Tori's brother Cole is guilty of murder is captivating. Yes, the spice is there. Remember to check the trigger warnings.
Tori goes through with her plan to initiate into the Elite. It's what I expected and yet not at the same time. Synclair, Royal, and Gemini are three very annoying men. I suppose I get the attraction on some level, but they're all walking red flags. Tori still has her BFF Penny (the most rational and reasonable person in the university) and she gains an alliance with professor Payne Wright. I definitely like him more than the others and secretly hope Tori tries him on for size. But, regardless, the unfolding truth of whether or not Tori's brother Cole is guilty of murder is captivating. Yes, the spice is there. Remember to check the trigger warnings.
March 6, 2024
The series keeps getting better and better!
This book had me all in from the beginning and I didn't want to stop until it was over.
I continue to love Tori. She has been through a lot and I appreciated her fight and resilience.
I still have mixed feelings on the guys, but I'm crossing my fingers we see some growth or changes in them in the next book.
Overall, a great continuation.
That cliffhanger hanger though...!!!!!
This book had me all in from the beginning and I didn't want to stop until it was over.
I continue to love Tori. She has been through a lot and I appreciated her fight and resilience.
I still have mixed feelings on the guys, but I'm crossing my fingers we see some growth or changes in them in the next book.
Overall, a great continuation.
That cliffhanger hanger though...!!!!!
January 8, 2025
I cannot wait until the next book is released.
The last few chapters of this book were intense and I loved it.
What I thought was going to happen in this book did not happen, but I'm not mad about it. It is very well written and kept me wanting to keep going.
I am still not a huge fan of Syn, but he's becoming redeemable to me. Which is something I wasn't sure was possible. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The last few chapters of this book were intense and I loved it.
What I thought was going to happen in this book did not happen, but I'm not mad about it. It is very well written and kept me wanting to keep going.
I am still not a huge fan of Syn, but he's becoming redeemable to me. Which is something I wasn't sure was possible. I can't wait to see what happens next.
April 29, 2025
Plot: 4/5 • Smut: 2.5/5 ————-> This starts off right where the first one ends. Victoria is still trying to clear her brother’s name, but now she’s living in the same house with members of The Elite. This gets good near the end where things start to fall into place. The professor coming through clutch in her time of despair. It has all the workings of a peak climax for book 3.
The tension in this one was palpable, even if there wasn’t a lot of smut. The smut that was there was still good.
The tension in this one was palpable, even if there wasn’t a lot of smut. The smut that was there was still good.
March 23, 2024
This story picks up shortly after book 1. Tori is now an initiate, and the guys aren’t making anything easier for her. I loved seeing Tori’s strength and moments of vulnerability. I have a love/hate relationship with the guys, especially Sin, but I’m loving the twists and turns. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 20, 2024
Skimmed read this because I just can't take the mystery!!!! And I'm angry that I started reading this series when it was still not finished. Can't wait for the next book and I will re read this then. Please have more Payne in that one, I'm interested in how that will impact her relationship with the other 3 MCs. Looking forward to jealousy scenes!
August 3, 2025
5 Star - Couldn't put this book down. Its stay up late reading and be late to work good.
4 Stars - Couldn't put this book down but I still got a goodnights sleep
3 Stars - An enjoyable read that took me a few days to a week finish
2 Stars - An okay book that I struggled to get through in places - next book is still on my TBR list
1 Stars - DNF
4 Stars - Couldn't put this book down but I still got a goodnights sleep
3 Stars - An enjoyable read that took me a few days to a week finish
2 Stars - An okay book that I struggled to get through in places - next book is still on my TBR list
1 Stars - DNF
February 28, 2024
Well!!!! Things are certainly starting to heat up for Tori in this instalment in what's turning out to be an amazing series. The men have yet to have any redeeming qualities but strangely enough I kinda like them and I don't know why! The ending was huge! I can't wait for book three.
March 1, 2024
WHAT The duck! this was sicked i was hooked from the first page and was devouring right to the last! this is one dark and wicked good read I love how our girl handles her self to ge the answeres she hunting for and man she has a wicked ride coming still!
March 3, 2024
I don’t know why I love this series so much but I have to know who killed JP!!
Not usually a fan or RH books but this one is good. The guys are not entirely cookie cutter and Gemini (terrible name) is absolutely 5/5 in this book.
Not usually a fan or RH books but this one is good. The guys are not entirely cookie cutter and Gemini (terrible name) is absolutely 5/5 in this book.
August 20, 2024
What an ending!
If you can't take in progress stories...do not start this series yet. Holy moly it had a cliffy. Very good series so far. Lots of twists and turns. 5 stars means I would read the series again.
If you can't take in progress stories...do not start this series yet. Holy moly it had a cliffy. Very good series so far. Lots of twists and turns. 5 stars means I would read the series again.
September 19, 2024
Let the groveling commence! This book was hard to read because of how horrible the guys treat Tori. In the same breath, her strength and determination moved the story along beautifully. That ending was brutal and I can't wait for the next one.
December 2, 2025
The more I read, the more naive I realize Tori is. I get her mission but she lacks so much information about how the world, government and 1% works.
Either way, I’m glad she was able to somehow plant a seed of doubt in Sun’s mind.
Either way, I’m glad she was able to somehow plant a seed of doubt in Sun’s mind.
March 3, 2024
enjoyed overall. excited for the next book (hopefully soon lol)
not a big fan of any mmcs but we’ll see
not a big fan of any mmcs but we’ll see
March 7, 2024
Tori and the guys continue to have a captivating story. I am still loving Tori; we continue to see her strength and fight. I am so excited for the revelations, answers and more to come
March 13, 2024
Criminally under appreciated series so far, can’t wait for book three
February 4, 2025
💯4🔥4🧪3☠️2
July 1, 2025
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! I could not put it down! The slow burn in this series is so good! Now onto book 3!
July 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book as well, think the series is pretty good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews