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The Wolfverse Dark Side #1
Forbidden Fruit
I don't want an alpha.
I don't want the legendary Murphy pack as stepbrothers. I don't want to share a house with the four boys every girl in school wants. And I definitely don't want their breath on my skin, their scent in my nose, their marks on my neck.
Their father told them to look after me. But he doesn't realize just how they've decided to twist that directive. I'm a pet omega for them to play with. And they're about to give me everything they decide I need.
I don't want the legendary Murphy pack as stepbrothers. I don't want to share a house with the four boys every girl in school wants. And I definitely don't want their breath on my skin, their scent in my nose, their marks on my neck.
Their father told them to look after me. But he doesn't realize just how they've decided to twist that directive. I'm a pet omega for them to play with. And they're about to give me everything they decide I need.
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 4, 2023
1576 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Sam Hall
74 books2,048 followersAustralian author of paranormal RH novels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 314 reviews
March 30, 2023
2.5 stars. This is a dark shifter RH omegaverse book. It’s also “angsty second chance” and “stepbrother” tropes. All good ingredients! It’s not a terrible read, but several parts didn’t work.
The heroine is an omega wolf shifter in her last year of high school, and she’s got 4 new alpha wolf shifter stepbrothers. There’s a lot of dub con where they manipulate and coerce her. It turns out that she’s their fated mate, but they decide they’ll only be together for her first heat, and then they’ll part ways. (Their reasoning for this didn’t make sense. She wanted to leave their small town and work in a big city. The guys wanted to go to the army, but basically just as part of their goal to also leave their small town. So, why couldn’t the guys ditch their army plans, stay with their mate, and move with her to the city? It also didn't make sense that they knew she was their mate sooner than she knew, but they showed 0 interest in her before. There were just a lot of details that didn't quite make sense).
The guys do something that almost gets her killed. Then, they ditch her while she recovers alone. 6 years later when they’re in their mid- 20s, they meet again, ready to be proper mates with her. (Luckily she was not celibate during their separation...but annoyingly, neither were 3 of them. The 4th guy waited for her).
Even though I sometimes like this type of dub con, I’m not sure it works in an Omevagerse story, where the heroine is ruled by her hormones and instincts. Because the level of “My body is betraying me!” from the heroine is SO extreme in this. (Like, in her mind, she doesn’t want to give in to the heroes, but her body makes her into it).
This book also feels awkward because the style of dub con of, “Hero threatens and manipulates the heroine into sex” works best if the hero is an unrepentant psycho, or he’s gleefully deranged. That’s why Sam Mariano’s books like Untouchable work, it’s why Dukes of Ruin and that series works, it’s why Torment: Part One works. Or like in Stolen the guys live in a world where treating the heroine that way is the norm, so they don't think they're doing anything wrong, at first. I don’t think that trope works if – like in this book – the heroes are aware that the way they're treating her is fucked up, but they're… basically normal and nice-ish, beneath that.
What also doesn’t work is the grovel. Ironically, Dukes of Ruin is a MUCH darker read, but it does a better job than this book. 1 of the heroes in that story does something similar to the heroes in this book (in terms of “Hero almost gets the heroine killed, then ditches her.") But then book 2 of that trilogy, Dukes of Madness, is basically a book-long grovel from him. For a hero wrong that’s THIS extreme and bad, the grovel needs to be a long and multi-step process! Since this book is a standalone, there just isn’t enough room for a long enough grovel to be satisfying.
It's not all bad. There’s a lot of spice. And the heroes are actually intriguing. Aside from the issue with not enough grovel, the author just needed to commit to making this darker. It’s a weird “in between” of, “heroes do dub con stuff, but are otherwise not that dark.” And when the heroes are normal and nice-ish, that makes their behavior feel even WORSE than if this story had committed to making them deranged.
The heroine is an omega wolf shifter in her last year of high school, and she’s got 4 new alpha wolf shifter stepbrothers. There’s a lot of dub con where they manipulate and coerce her. It turns out that she’s their fated mate, but they decide they’ll only be together for her first heat, and then they’ll part ways. (Their reasoning for this didn’t make sense. She wanted to leave their small town and work in a big city. The guys wanted to go to the army, but basically just as part of their goal to also leave their small town. So, why couldn’t the guys ditch their army plans, stay with their mate, and move with her to the city? It also didn't make sense that they knew she was their mate sooner than she knew, but they showed 0 interest in her before. There were just a lot of details that didn't quite make sense).
The guys do something that almost gets her killed. Then, they ditch her while she recovers alone. 6 years later when they’re in their mid- 20s, they meet again, ready to be proper mates with her. (Luckily she was not celibate during their separation...but annoyingly, neither were 3 of them. The 4th guy waited for her).
Even though I sometimes like this type of dub con, I’m not sure it works in an Omevagerse story, where the heroine is ruled by her hormones and instincts. Because the level of “My body is betraying me!” from the heroine is SO extreme in this. (Like, in her mind, she doesn’t want to give in to the heroes, but her body makes her into it).
This book also feels awkward because the style of dub con of, “Hero threatens and manipulates the heroine into sex” works best if the hero is an unrepentant psycho, or he’s gleefully deranged. That’s why Sam Mariano’s books like Untouchable work, it’s why Dukes of Ruin and that series works, it’s why Torment: Part One works. Or like in Stolen the guys live in a world where treating the heroine that way is the norm, so they don't think they're doing anything wrong, at first. I don’t think that trope works if – like in this book – the heroes are aware that the way they're treating her is fucked up, but they're… basically normal and nice-ish, beneath that.
What also doesn’t work is the grovel. Ironically, Dukes of Ruin is a MUCH darker read, but it does a better job than this book. 1 of the heroes in that story does something similar to the heroes in this book (in terms of “Hero almost gets the heroine killed, then ditches her.") But then book 2 of that trilogy, Dukes of Madness, is basically a book-long grovel from him. For a hero wrong that’s THIS extreme and bad, the grovel needs to be a long and multi-step process! Since this book is a standalone, there just isn’t enough room for a long enough grovel to be satisfying.
It's not all bad. There’s a lot of spice. And the heroes are actually intriguing. Aside from the issue with not enough grovel, the author just needed to commit to making this darker. It’s a weird “in between” of, “heroes do dub con stuff, but are otherwise not that dark.” And when the heroes are normal and nice-ish, that makes their behavior feel even WORSE than if this story had committed to making them deranged.
March 6, 2023
DNF
This is just smut strongly leaning on coercion, it really didn't sit well with me. There is barely a plot here. Yes she's an omega but practically being bullied into sexual acts and writing it off as normal just because of what she is, is a hard pass for me.
This is just smut strongly leaning on coercion, it really didn't sit well with me. There is barely a plot here. Yes she's an omega but practically being bullied into sexual acts and writing it off as normal just because of what she is, is a hard pass for me.
October 23, 2023
Potential just wasn’t met…
This could’ve been a really great shifter romance, but the male harem members just went “too far,” and came off as complete a-holes!!
**SPOILERS**
Charlie (Charlotte) lives in Gainsborough, a small town dominated by wolf packs. There are several prevalent Alpha packs, but only a few Omega females. Charlie who was born and grew up in an awful situation (her mother was kind but beaten down, and her father was a morally corrupt Meth head) just wanted to be a “normal” beta wolf and go to school, university and leave her small town. But her mother, after leaving her abusive husband, Charlie’s dad, meets and falls in love with Adam, an Alpha with three Alpha sons that belong to a prominent wolf pack. Charlie’s hopes for a “normal” life vanish when her designation is revealed…she’s a rare Omega wolf.
Charlie is determined NOT to let her designation define her, but the closer she gets to her heat, the more nervous she becomes because she knows her beast will send Alphas into rut, and make her a mindless, begging “sex doll,” desperate for any Alpha’s knot! And if the Alphas in question can’t control themselves, they’ll end up knotting her, biting (claiming her) and she’ll be trapped as a Pack Omega forever, and her dreams of leaving will be shattered.
Everything becomes VERY complicated when the Murphy Pack (her new STEPBROTHERS - her mom married their Alpha dad, Adam) start showing a very “unhealthy” interest in her…along with a rival Pack, the Hendersons.
The Murphy Alphas are comprised of Lock, Seb, Coop, and Archer. Archer has always had a thing for Charlie, even before she presented as an Omega. But Lock, the “de facto leader” of their merry little “band of Pack brothers,” has sold his brothers on enlisting in the military the second they graduate (and the military doesn’t accept Alphas with Omegas). He’s aware, as are his brothers, that Charlie is their FATED MATE, but doesn’t tell her and treats her worse than shyte!! Seriously he is AN AWFUL AWFUL HAREM MEMBER, and one of the main reasons I gave this book only 1 stars!
I wanted to enjoy it. Some/if not most of the sex scenes are steamy…but honestly, they’re lackluster (romantically) due to the fact that only ONE of Charlie’s mates is a decent harem member. It’s really difficult to get into “the right mood” of a sex scene when the MMC is DEMEANING and DEGRADING and just downright CRUEL to the FMC. It doesn’t matter if her Omega nature “demands” to be “dominated” or if she’s so “needy” she can’t help herself…it screams of non-consent in most cases (except with Archer) because the others keep PUSHING her to do things she’s totally reluctant to do. Oh sure she gives in, but usually it’s just to get them to leave her alone. Sorry…this is not great “fated mate” behavior. I don’t care their reasoning for it! They still behave abominably toward her!
Cooper, and Seb are pushy, arrogant, and definitely not the kindest. But at least they ATTEMPT to win Charlie over by telling her that the reason they’re pushing a sexual relationship on her is because they’re the ONLY PACK that will help her through her heat WITHOUT claiming her with a bite. They explain that it will solve everything; the brothers can leave once the heat is over and enlist, and Charlie can leave Gainsborough and go to university, move to the city and make something of herself. And although Charlie isn’t crazy about the idea, since three of the four brothers are a-holes, she does like the idea of being free after her heat!!
This book could’ve been good, if not for the fact that 1) Lock was BEYOND AN A-HOLE!! He was sincerely just one of the cruelest anti-hero’s I’ve read about recently! He treated Charlie horribly, and even wasn’t all that nice to his own brothers! He was arrogant, narcissistic and just mean!! He constantly put Charlie down and honestly didn’t have any redeemable characteristics! The fact that he does a 180 at the END of the book **SPOILERS** taking a stand for Charlie, coming to “help her,” and admitting he loves her does not make up for his other abhorrent behavior!! I mean the freaking apology comes out in the last three pages of the book…it’s ridiculous!! His character needed to be thoroughly “fleshed out,” and he wasn’t. 2) Seb and Cooper, although not entirely as evil as their “older brother, aren’t “model civilians either! They go ahead with their bonehead older brothers idea of treating Charlotte like some sex toy made solely for their sexual pleasure, all the while justifying it by saying “oh we’re HELPING her because she doesn’t want to be tied down and claimed.” But their true reason is they want her because they want to use her as a bargaining chip in their vendetta against the Pack they hate!! 3) SIX YEARS GO BY…SIX!!!! The book (after the horrible accident that nearly kills Charlie, skips ahead six freaking years! In these six years Charlie has seen nothing and hears NOTHING from the Murphy brothers! She assumes they enlisted as they always wanted, and she goes ahead to university when she’s out of the hospital and rehabilitation and becomes a crisis councilor. Then literally outta the blue, they pop up with some big spiel about how they knew she was their fated mate six years ago but we’re too young and immature to “handle it,” and that they are grown up now and ready for her to be their Omega.” You’re freaking kidding me, right?! Of all the arrogant, high-handed, a-hole things to say…no, these boys haven’t (with the exception of Archer) grown up at all! They (except for Archer) left her while she was possibly dying to run off like cowards to the military where they spent YEARS screwing RANDOM WOMEN WHO WEREN’T THEIR MATE in hopes (they claim *ha whatever*) of losing themselves in sexual pleasure to help them get over Charlie, pathetic!! Charlie’s traumatized, can’t even bear the thought of sex for six years, and her supposed fated mates (especially a-hole, Lock) are sleeping with anything in a freaking skirt. It’s gross! And goes against the entire fated mate thing!! Then they have the audacity to get angry with Charlie for trying to ease her hurt with other Alphas in the six years her fated mates abandoned her!! 4) When the Murphy brothers return they are, except for Archer, still entitled jerks who believe they can waltz right back into Charlie’s life, declare that they’re ready for her now, and boom, she should roll onto her back, spread her legs, and bare her dang neck for them *YUCK*. It just shows that NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THEIR CHARACTERS! Frankly Lock is as bad as ever!! And doesn’t even seem repentant about his behavior towards Charlie six years ago, nor how he’s currently treating her!! How can you enjoy a RH when only one of the harem members is a decent enough guy/shifter?? And even then, we don’t get NEARLY ENOUGH OF ARCHER to warrant his return into Charlie’s life, and her willingness to become his mate. If there had been more scenes with Archer and Charlie, or more time to develop both their history and present, then perhaps it would’ve made sense, but as it is, the reader really doesn’t get to know Archer at all, save that he’s the quiet, stoic brother who always carried a torch for Charlie and remained true to her for six years while enlisted. 5) Charlie’s anger at the brothers is 100% warranted, but it’s over waaaay too soon! She “accepts” them, and her heat situation too quickly. And she even forgives and loves Lock at the end. I’m sorry, I don’t care if he was one of her fated mates. It would’ve made much more sense if the book had ended the way Seb had suggested…by breaking up the Pack and allowing Archer and Charlie to pair up and live HEA, the end. And if that wasn’t going to be the case, the book should’ve been a duet, because it was wrapped up too quickly and too neatly!! The six year Henderson Pack conspiracy is tied up in three pages! All the secondary characters come back to help Charlie in three pages, and then everything is over and WHAM, Charlie is willing to try and be pack Murphy’s Omega *eye roll.* Considering how the author designed the book, the ending was not only dissatisfying but extremely annoying!! I truly just disliked Charlie by the end of the book. I didn’t like her that much at the beginning when she was a teenager who accepted the Murphy brothers ridiculous “sex without strings” proposal - thinking it was really degrading to her (and gross that she accepted to act as their “sex toy” for protection and to get her freedom from her town) where was her self worth?? Where was her dignity?? But I especially didn’t like her halfway through the book, nor at the end, when she has become an adult (scarred physically and emotionally) by these a -holes but giving them empty words of refusal while allowing them to keep using her body as an outlet!! And finally, just “giving in,” saying “well, heck you helped me, you’re older, and I guess we are fated mates, so let’s give this a go.” Ugh! We already know that a fated mate can CHOOSE to reject their fated mates and choose a mate(s) of their own desire (choosing) so why did Charlie choose the Murphy’s. Archer I could accept, even if we knew little about him, but the rest of them…just, no!!
It’s impossible to root for this fated pack and their Omega. And if its impossible to do that, then it’s impossible to really enjoy the book.
Sadly, a story with much potential was dumped down the metaphorical drain by complete douchebag MMC’s and a FMC that just couldn’t hold her own, and made decisions with her lower region instead of her brain - excuse my crassness. But honestly, for a supposedly intelligent, kind, strong, and empathetic FMC…she just came off as weak, susceptible to her “hormones,” and in the end…just another stereotypical Omega character with nothing special to set her apart from dozens of other Omegas in dozens of other lackluster Omegaverse novels.
This could’ve been a really great shifter romance, but the male harem members just went “too far,” and came off as complete a-holes!!
**SPOILERS**
Charlie (Charlotte) lives in Gainsborough, a small town dominated by wolf packs. There are several prevalent Alpha packs, but only a few Omega females. Charlie who was born and grew up in an awful situation (her mother was kind but beaten down, and her father was a morally corrupt Meth head) just wanted to be a “normal” beta wolf and go to school, university and leave her small town. But her mother, after leaving her abusive husband, Charlie’s dad, meets and falls in love with Adam, an Alpha with three Alpha sons that belong to a prominent wolf pack. Charlie’s hopes for a “normal” life vanish when her designation is revealed…she’s a rare Omega wolf.
Charlie is determined NOT to let her designation define her, but the closer she gets to her heat, the more nervous she becomes because she knows her beast will send Alphas into rut, and make her a mindless, begging “sex doll,” desperate for any Alpha’s knot! And if the Alphas in question can’t control themselves, they’ll end up knotting her, biting (claiming her) and she’ll be trapped as a Pack Omega forever, and her dreams of leaving will be shattered.
Everything becomes VERY complicated when the Murphy Pack (her new STEPBROTHERS - her mom married their Alpha dad, Adam) start showing a very “unhealthy” interest in her…along with a rival Pack, the Hendersons.
The Murphy Alphas are comprised of Lock, Seb, Coop, and Archer. Archer has always had a thing for Charlie, even before she presented as an Omega. But Lock, the “de facto leader” of their merry little “band of Pack brothers,” has sold his brothers on enlisting in the military the second they graduate (and the military doesn’t accept Alphas with Omegas). He’s aware, as are his brothers, that Charlie is their FATED MATE, but doesn’t tell her and treats her worse than shyte!! Seriously he is AN AWFUL AWFUL HAREM MEMBER, and one of the main reasons I gave this book only 1 stars!
I wanted to enjoy it. Some/if not most of the sex scenes are steamy…but honestly, they’re lackluster (romantically) due to the fact that only ONE of Charlie’s mates is a decent harem member. It’s really difficult to get into “the right mood” of a sex scene when the MMC is DEMEANING and DEGRADING and just downright CRUEL to the FMC. It doesn’t matter if her Omega nature “demands” to be “dominated” or if she’s so “needy” she can’t help herself…it screams of non-consent in most cases (except with Archer) because the others keep PUSHING her to do things she’s totally reluctant to do. Oh sure she gives in, but usually it’s just to get them to leave her alone. Sorry…this is not great “fated mate” behavior. I don’t care their reasoning for it! They still behave abominably toward her!
Cooper, and Seb are pushy, arrogant, and definitely not the kindest. But at least they ATTEMPT to win Charlie over by telling her that the reason they’re pushing a sexual relationship on her is because they’re the ONLY PACK that will help her through her heat WITHOUT claiming her with a bite. They explain that it will solve everything; the brothers can leave once the heat is over and enlist, and Charlie can leave Gainsborough and go to university, move to the city and make something of herself. And although Charlie isn’t crazy about the idea, since three of the four brothers are a-holes, she does like the idea of being free after her heat!!
This book could’ve been good, if not for the fact that 1) Lock was BEYOND AN A-HOLE!! He was sincerely just one of the cruelest anti-hero’s I’ve read about recently! He treated Charlie horribly, and even wasn’t all that nice to his own brothers! He was arrogant, narcissistic and just mean!! He constantly put Charlie down and honestly didn’t have any redeemable characteristics! The fact that he does a 180 at the END of the book **SPOILERS** taking a stand for Charlie, coming to “help her,” and admitting he loves her does not make up for his other abhorrent behavior!! I mean the freaking apology comes out in the last three pages of the book…it’s ridiculous!! His character needed to be thoroughly “fleshed out,” and he wasn’t. 2) Seb and Cooper, although not entirely as evil as their “older brother, aren’t “model civilians either! They go ahead with their bonehead older brothers idea of treating Charlotte like some sex toy made solely for their sexual pleasure, all the while justifying it by saying “oh we’re HELPING her because she doesn’t want to be tied down and claimed.” But their true reason is they want her because they want to use her as a bargaining chip in their vendetta against the Pack they hate!! 3) SIX YEARS GO BY…SIX!!!! The book (after the horrible accident that nearly kills Charlie, skips ahead six freaking years! In these six years Charlie has seen nothing and hears NOTHING from the Murphy brothers! She assumes they enlisted as they always wanted, and she goes ahead to university when she’s out of the hospital and rehabilitation and becomes a crisis councilor. Then literally outta the blue, they pop up with some big spiel about how they knew she was their fated mate six years ago but we’re too young and immature to “handle it,” and that they are grown up now and ready for her to be their Omega.” You’re freaking kidding me, right?! Of all the arrogant, high-handed, a-hole things to say…no, these boys haven’t (with the exception of Archer) grown up at all! They (except for Archer) left her while she was possibly dying to run off like cowards to the military where they spent YEARS screwing RANDOM WOMEN WHO WEREN’T THEIR MATE in hopes (they claim *ha whatever*) of losing themselves in sexual pleasure to help them get over Charlie, pathetic!! Charlie’s traumatized, can’t even bear the thought of sex for six years, and her supposed fated mates (especially a-hole, Lock) are sleeping with anything in a freaking skirt. It’s gross! And goes against the entire fated mate thing!! Then they have the audacity to get angry with Charlie for trying to ease her hurt with other Alphas in the six years her fated mates abandoned her!! 4) When the Murphy brothers return they are, except for Archer, still entitled jerks who believe they can waltz right back into Charlie’s life, declare that they’re ready for her now, and boom, she should roll onto her back, spread her legs, and bare her dang neck for them *YUCK*. It just shows that NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN THEIR CHARACTERS! Frankly Lock is as bad as ever!! And doesn’t even seem repentant about his behavior towards Charlie six years ago, nor how he’s currently treating her!! How can you enjoy a RH when only one of the harem members is a decent enough guy/shifter?? And even then, we don’t get NEARLY ENOUGH OF ARCHER to warrant his return into Charlie’s life, and her willingness to become his mate. If there had been more scenes with Archer and Charlie, or more time to develop both their history and present, then perhaps it would’ve made sense, but as it is, the reader really doesn’t get to know Archer at all, save that he’s the quiet, stoic brother who always carried a torch for Charlie and remained true to her for six years while enlisted. 5) Charlie’s anger at the brothers is 100% warranted, but it’s over waaaay too soon! She “accepts” them, and her heat situation too quickly. And she even forgives and loves Lock at the end. I’m sorry, I don’t care if he was one of her fated mates. It would’ve made much more sense if the book had ended the way Seb had suggested…by breaking up the Pack and allowing Archer and Charlie to pair up and live HEA, the end. And if that wasn’t going to be the case, the book should’ve been a duet, because it was wrapped up too quickly and too neatly!! The six year Henderson Pack conspiracy is tied up in three pages! All the secondary characters come back to help Charlie in three pages, and then everything is over and WHAM, Charlie is willing to try and be pack Murphy’s Omega *eye roll.* Considering how the author designed the book, the ending was not only dissatisfying but extremely annoying!! I truly just disliked Charlie by the end of the book. I didn’t like her that much at the beginning when she was a teenager who accepted the Murphy brothers ridiculous “sex without strings” proposal - thinking it was really degrading to her (and gross that she accepted to act as their “sex toy” for protection and to get her freedom from her town) where was her self worth?? Where was her dignity?? But I especially didn’t like her halfway through the book, nor at the end, when she has become an adult (scarred physically and emotionally) by these a -holes but giving them empty words of refusal while allowing them to keep using her body as an outlet!! And finally, just “giving in,” saying “well, heck you helped me, you’re older, and I guess we are fated mates, so let’s give this a go.” Ugh! We already know that a fated mate can CHOOSE to reject their fated mates and choose a mate(s) of their own desire (choosing) so why did Charlie choose the Murphy’s. Archer I could accept, even if we knew little about him, but the rest of them…just, no!!
It’s impossible to root for this fated pack and their Omega. And if its impossible to do that, then it’s impossible to really enjoy the book.
Sadly, a story with much potential was dumped down the metaphorical drain by complete douchebag MMC’s and a FMC that just couldn’t hold her own, and made decisions with her lower region instead of her brain - excuse my crassness. But honestly, for a supposedly intelligent, kind, strong, and empathetic FMC…she just came off as weak, susceptible to her “hormones,” and in the end…just another stereotypical Omega character with nothing special to set her apart from dozens of other Omegas in dozens of other lackluster Omegaverse novels.
June 17, 2023
- fated mates
- step-siblings
- bully
- dubcon
- omegaverse
- forced proximity
I spent the first half of this book so angry at the Murphy boys for how they coerced her to do what they wanted after everything she had gone through prior to meeting them, and when it all came to head (before the time jump) I didn’t think I’d ever forgive their characters.
Despite the trauma she’s been through, Charlie is honestly amazing. She followed her dreams and got to live the life she wanted, even if something felt like it was missing, but she did the damn thing.
I loved that she gave them absolute hell after the Murphy’s popped back up in her life! Those boys needed to beg and prove themselves, and that they did. Although I feel like the Henderson drama was wrapped up a bit too quickly, but other than that loved this!
- step-siblings
- bully
- dubcon
- omegaverse
- forced proximity
I spent the first half of this book so angry at the Murphy boys for how they coerced her to do what they wanted after everything she had gone through prior to meeting them, and when it all came to head (before the time jump) I didn’t think I’d ever forgive their characters.
Despite the trauma she’s been through, Charlie is honestly amazing. She followed her dreams and got to live the life she wanted, even if something felt like it was missing, but she did the damn thing.
I loved that she gave them absolute hell after the Murphy’s popped back up in her life! Those boys needed to beg and prove themselves, and that they did. Although I feel like the Henderson drama was wrapped up a bit too quickly, but other than that loved this!
May 23, 2023
I have waffled about reading this book since it came out. The premise sounded solid but I’ve had mixed experiences reading this author and I wasn’t sure. I haven’t hated anything she’s written but I’ve DNF’d one or two that just weren’t grabbing me. I’ve been in the funkiest book slump ever and am trying to only pick books I’m pretty sure will be a good fit instead of taking chances and having a book slump setback.
Ultimately this was more of a hit for me than a miss. It wasnt perfect there are a few things I’d have changed but ultimately I mostly enjoyed this.
Definite spoilers below so now is the time to stop reading if you’ve changed your mind about wanting to read a review with spoilers.
It’s kind of strange because this has a definite dark streak in it. The first half the book h is essentially forced into a unwanted relationship with her mates. They are her mates but they want to enlist in the army and she wants to go to college. No one wants to bond but 3 of the 4 guys are very douchey about everything. They want sex and to control h, see her through her first Heat and part ways. The h is somewhat in agreement but very hesitant. It was frustrating because if they’d all been nice to her she’d have melted like butter for them. Her hesitation and resistance was solely because of poor way they treated her. I’d class nearly all the sexual encounters in the first half the book as dubcon even when she’s a little more agreeable.
Then h gets hurt badly and it’s her Hs fault. Their dad sends them on to enlist cutting off access to h. She heals and tries to move on.
Six years later the Hs come to find her. She’s NOT happy to see them unsurprisingly. They try a bit of wooing but she’s still not having it. Then Archer, the only one who’d been nice to her and remained true to her finds his way back into her good graces. It wasn’t a tough sell because he’d been good to her even when the others were being idiots and he’d suffered the most being away from her.
At this point, the other three just sort of give up. Coop and Seb are more resigned. Lock the biggest douche is more angry.
During the 6 year separation only Archer remained celibate. She was with others and so were Lock, Coop and Seb. No relationships or anything fulfilling.
During Lock’s bitter angry moments after h has made it clear she’s only interested in Archer he goes to a bar with the full intention of picking up a girl to bang. He doesn’t get that far because the villains in the story appear and he ends up leaving to inform the others and protect h.
So the others and a host of secondary characters rally around h to protect her during her impending Heat with Archer seeing her through. The villains show up and h has some TSTL moments and Lock ends up taking a bullet for her. I do so loathe it when authors use tragic near death events in place of a proper grovel but alas that is what happens here. I didn’t mind it as much as I usually do I’m honestly not sure what else Lock could have done to be remotely redeemable otherwise.
For reasons mentioned above I wouldn’t call this completely safe. We get a partial on page encounter with h and another alpha when we get the time jump. They don’t end up having sex but that had been the intention no one page sex with the Hs and OW.
I know some people expect the heroines to remain celibate but I hate that SO MUCH. It’s such a misogynistic double standard. What does that accomplish? Yuck yuck yuck. I’m glad she banged OM. I just wish it had been a more enjoyable experience. She was the wronged party. She deserved all the orgasms and awesome sex. I wish the others Hs were 100% impotent and unable to bang OW. Only sweet Archer remained true to his h.
Ultimately this was more of a hit for me than a miss. It wasnt perfect there are a few things I’d have changed but ultimately I mostly enjoyed this.
Definite spoilers below so now is the time to stop reading if you’ve changed your mind about wanting to read a review with spoilers.
It’s kind of strange because this has a definite dark streak in it. The first half the book h is essentially forced into a unwanted relationship with her mates. They are her mates but they want to enlist in the army and she wants to go to college. No one wants to bond but 3 of the 4 guys are very douchey about everything. They want sex and to control h, see her through her first Heat and part ways. The h is somewhat in agreement but very hesitant. It was frustrating because if they’d all been nice to her she’d have melted like butter for them. Her hesitation and resistance was solely because of poor way they treated her. I’d class nearly all the sexual encounters in the first half the book as dubcon even when she’s a little more agreeable.
Then h gets hurt badly and it’s her Hs fault. Their dad sends them on to enlist cutting off access to h. She heals and tries to move on.
Six years later the Hs come to find her. She’s NOT happy to see them unsurprisingly. They try a bit of wooing but she’s still not having it. Then Archer, the only one who’d been nice to her and remained true to her finds his way back into her good graces. It wasn’t a tough sell because he’d been good to her even when the others were being idiots and he’d suffered the most being away from her.
At this point, the other three just sort of give up. Coop and Seb are more resigned. Lock the biggest douche is more angry.
During the 6 year separation only Archer remained celibate. She was with others and so were Lock, Coop and Seb. No relationships or anything fulfilling.
During Lock’s bitter angry moments after h has made it clear she’s only interested in Archer he goes to a bar with the full intention of picking up a girl to bang. He doesn’t get that far because the villains in the story appear and he ends up leaving to inform the others and protect h.
So the others and a host of secondary characters rally around h to protect her during her impending Heat with Archer seeing her through. The villains show up and h has some TSTL moments and Lock ends up taking a bullet for her. I do so loathe it when authors use tragic near death events in place of a proper grovel but alas that is what happens here. I didn’t mind it as much as I usually do I’m honestly not sure what else Lock could have done to be remotely redeemable otherwise.
For reasons mentioned above I wouldn’t call this completely safe. We get a partial on page encounter with h and another alpha when we get the time jump. They don’t end up having sex but that had been the intention no one page sex with the Hs and OW.
I know some people expect the heroines to remain celibate but I hate that SO MUCH. It’s such a misogynistic double standard. What does that accomplish? Yuck yuck yuck. I’m glad she banged OM. I just wish it had been a more enjoyable experience. She was the wronged party. She deserved all the orgasms and awesome sex. I wish the others Hs were 100% impotent and unable to bang OW. Only sweet Archer remained true to his h.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2023
As usual I loved everything about this!!
Spent the first part of the book telling her to woman up and stop letting her treat them that way. She went through so much trauma growing up she deserved so much better than her mates were offering her.
So when she finally gets away from them and starts living the life she always hoped she would I was rooting for her, then they came back. And she did exactly what I hoped even though she’s an omega she didn’t fall to their feet and simp over them! She made them work to get her back, she showed them exactly what they lost and what they’ve been missing.
The growth between all of the characters was huge, and done so well. She had some serious growth but so did the guys. They needed their eyes opened to the reality of how stupid they were as teens.
I loved seeing candy and Riley in here, I love them!
Ready for the next book!
Spent the first part of the book telling her to woman up and stop letting her treat them that way. She went through so much trauma growing up she deserved so much better than her mates were offering her.
So when she finally gets away from them and starts living the life she always hoped she would I was rooting for her, then they came back. And she did exactly what I hoped even though she’s an omega she didn’t fall to their feet and simp over them! She made them work to get her back, she showed them exactly what they lost and what they’ve been missing.
The growth between all of the characters was huge, and done so well. She had some serious growth but so did the guys. They needed their eyes opened to the reality of how stupid they were as teens.
I loved seeing candy and Riley in here, I love them!
Ready for the next book!
June 22, 2024
Body effing betrayal. No grovel. HFN.
That right there could be my whole review, but I took notes while reading so I'm not wasting them.
Damn, as soon as this book put her heat in the last 1/3 of the book, and they hadn't all reconciled yet, I knew it was gonna do me dirty and have her calling for them to join her heat without any fucking grovel or change of actions on their parts.
• But before I get to that, let me start with the weirdest part of this book:
The second generation making the same mistakes they'd heard the first generation warn of. Their mother's fated mates took her for granted and treated her horribly, which was why she ended up with their fathers instead of her mates, causing decades of resentment and hate between two generations of both packs. So why did these guys think it was wise to......treat their mate horribly and try to control her into submission? Without ever having acknowledged she existed before, they took away her clothes, forced her to alternate nights in their beds, forced her to shower with them, turned her (an omega nearing her heat) on and then denied her getting off in any way that wasn't with them, took away her right to make decisions, isolated her from her only friend, made her the prize in a bet with the very people they were trying to protect her from (which landed her in the ICU in a coma), and then abandoned her for 6 years with no contact.
And that's all aside from the fact that they knew she was their fated mate but were sleeping around in her face before and after they decided to bully her into a temporary relationship "for protection." Like I get this is a bully romance, and there were other things they were doing that showed that they actually cared for her. The first half wasn't horrible until there wasn't any grovel at all. And I'm still flabbergasted at why would they treat her so horribly when their own late mother was a prime example of what happens when you treat your fated mate poorly.
There was no grovel in this book. They pretty much show up out of nowhere after 6 years and tell her they're "coming for her," all cocky like, expecting her to accept shit like flowers and coffee, and are shocked (I kid you not) when she's angry at them.
These idiots actually thought she was lalalala happy all those years, that she'd just been waiting around for them to return and wreck her life some more. This woman was left with a facial scar and 6 years of therapy to get over what happened the last time, and they really never once that time even considered what their actions might have done to her. No, their feelings of remorse came only after that initial meeting where they realized she was still hurting just from seeing them. Then they all spiraled internally, having thoughts that they should have had years ago when they abandoned her in a coma in the hospital. They didn't even make a conscious decision to come back to her, they only came back because they had a forced medical discharge from the army, and thought, hell, I guess we'll go get our omega now.
Speaking of her mates who didn't deserve her, I cannot with the fact that one MMC just constantly feels sorry for himself while being the whole problem. He treats her the worst of all of them and gloats about it to her face (both in the past and in the present when they're supposedly in their redemption era) in some attempt at enemies to lovers drama but that's not how it came off. He's also the one who continually told her they'd be leaving her after their deal was over and never let his brothers even give her the option of bonding and staying together, so why is he the one who 6 years later goes on and on about how she "doesn't want us," and "doesn't want me," blah blah blah. Boy shut up, you sound as stupid as you act.
This same guy was off trying to find someone to sleep with to get her off his mind after they returned in her life in the second half, and he would have gone through with it like he had many times in the past, if he wasn't angered by his past enemy showing up. At which point he spontaneously realized he did want the FMC (he's been against her this entire time in that annoying self deprecating way). But then he just doubles down on the self pity of her "not wanting him" instead of actually trying to treat her right in any way at all.
Speaking of which, these guys all know in at least 8th grade that she's their fated mate. The story starts in 12th grade, at which point the only things the FMC knows about them are that they fuck around and string girls along before breaking their hearts like it's a game. That's the exposure she's had to them, and she's watched it happen more than once. They also openly admit to sleeping with one of the other two omegas at the school often, and of course it's the one that's rude to her. Then during their self imposed 6 year separation (which the FMC didn't even ask for, they decided they'd "let her go" before they ever even pursued her), 3 out of 4 of them sleep around. But apparently because it wasn't ever as good as it was with her, we're supposed to find that romantic? I'm just glad she slept around too, that she didn't stop trying or fulfilling her needs just because they hurt her. Granted, she said it wasn't ever very good for her either, but I'll take these crumbs.
No grovel. The one that was the worst to her and justified it because "she didn't want him," takes a bullet for her and she forgives him. The rest are just kind of there when her conveniently postponed heat finally comes in as soon as he's out of the hospital. Yeah, you read that right. That heat that was coming in high school gets stopped by her traumatized body for years and years and conveniently starts again when her alphas finally decide they want her. And then her body stops it again for weeks while her alpha is in the hospital, so it can finally come the day he comes home and is well enough to be included in the heat-induced forgiveness fest.
88%, he's back from the hospital after jumping in front of bullet for her, they're hoping she'll finally let them in and she's close to it....and then they're joking about no more hot nurses holding his dick while he pees since he's home? These fuckers still don't deserve her.
Ends on an HFN. I kid you not. Because three of her alphas didn't even do enough to be completely forgiven, she only bonds with the one that did, and then the book ends. You're telling me I wasted all my time for this???
The only positives:
One of her alphas was wonderful. Yeah, he let his brothers force him into compliance as a teenager, but he's the only one who tried to meet her needs the entire time. As an adult, he lets nothing stop him from going to her the way he knew he should have the first time around. He's the one who knew what she meant to him from the moment he knew she was his mate, stayed a virgin for her until they were together, and never had anyone else in the years after (something the others literally made fun of him for even as they were trying to get her back). I really wanted her to pick him alone and tell the other three to fuck off.
The writing. I love the way Sam Hall writes, which is why I keep reading her books. This one was such a colossal letdown, but it was still so easy to keep reading.
That right there could be my whole review, but I took notes while reading so I'm not wasting them.
Damn, as soon as this book put her heat in the last 1/3 of the book, and they hadn't all reconciled yet, I knew it was gonna do me dirty and have her calling for them to join her heat without any fucking grovel or change of actions on their parts.
• But before I get to that, let me start with the weirdest part of this book:
The second generation making the same mistakes they'd heard the first generation warn of. Their mother's fated mates took her for granted and treated her horribly, which was why she ended up with their fathers instead of her mates, causing decades of resentment and hate between two generations of both packs. So why did these guys think it was wise to......treat their mate horribly and try to control her into submission? Without ever having acknowledged she existed before, they took away her clothes, forced her to alternate nights in their beds, forced her to shower with them, turned her (an omega nearing her heat) on and then denied her getting off in any way that wasn't with them, took away her right to make decisions, isolated her from her only friend, made her the prize in a bet with the very people they were trying to protect her from (which landed her in the ICU in a coma), and then abandoned her for 6 years with no contact.
And that's all aside from the fact that they knew she was their fated mate but were sleeping around in her face before and after they decided to bully her into a temporary relationship "for protection." Like I get this is a bully romance, and there were other things they were doing that showed that they actually cared for her. The first half wasn't horrible until there wasn't any grovel at all. And I'm still flabbergasted at why would they treat her so horribly when their own late mother was a prime example of what happens when you treat your fated mate poorly.
There was no grovel in this book. They pretty much show up out of nowhere after 6 years and tell her they're "coming for her," all cocky like, expecting her to accept shit like flowers and coffee, and are shocked (I kid you not) when she's angry at them.
These idiots actually thought she was lalalala happy all those years, that she'd just been waiting around for them to return and wreck her life some more. This woman was left with a facial scar and 6 years of therapy to get over what happened the last time, and they really never once that time even considered what their actions might have done to her. No, their feelings of remorse came only after that initial meeting where they realized she was still hurting just from seeing them. Then they all spiraled internally, having thoughts that they should have had years ago when they abandoned her in a coma in the hospital. They didn't even make a conscious decision to come back to her, they only came back because they had a forced medical discharge from the army, and thought, hell, I guess we'll go get our omega now.
Speaking of her mates who didn't deserve her, I cannot with the fact that one MMC just constantly feels sorry for himself while being the whole problem. He treats her the worst of all of them and gloats about it to her face (both in the past and in the present when they're supposedly in their redemption era) in some attempt at enemies to lovers drama but that's not how it came off. He's also the one who continually told her they'd be leaving her after their deal was over and never let his brothers even give her the option of bonding and staying together, so why is he the one who 6 years later goes on and on about how she "doesn't want us," and "doesn't want me," blah blah blah. Boy shut up, you sound as stupid as you act.
This same guy was off trying to find someone to sleep with to get her off his mind after they returned in her life in the second half, and he would have gone through with it like he had many times in the past, if he wasn't angered by his past enemy showing up. At which point he spontaneously realized he did want the FMC (he's been against her this entire time in that annoying self deprecating way). But then he just doubles down on the self pity of her "not wanting him" instead of actually trying to treat her right in any way at all.
Speaking of which, these guys all know in at least 8th grade that she's their fated mate. The story starts in 12th grade, at which point the only things the FMC knows about them are that they fuck around and string girls along before breaking their hearts like it's a game. That's the exposure she's had to them, and she's watched it happen more than once. They also openly admit to sleeping with one of the other two omegas at the school often, and of course it's the one that's rude to her. Then during their self imposed 6 year separation (which the FMC didn't even ask for, they decided they'd "let her go" before they ever even pursued her), 3 out of 4 of them sleep around. But apparently because it wasn't ever as good as it was with her, we're supposed to find that romantic? I'm just glad she slept around too, that she didn't stop trying or fulfilling her needs just because they hurt her. Granted, she said it wasn't ever very good for her either, but I'll take these crumbs.
No grovel. The one that was the worst to her and justified it because "she didn't want him," takes a bullet for her and she forgives him. The rest are just kind of there when her conveniently postponed heat finally comes in as soon as he's out of the hospital. Yeah, you read that right. That heat that was coming in high school gets stopped by her traumatized body for years and years and conveniently starts again when her alphas finally decide they want her. And then her body stops it again for weeks while her alpha is in the hospital, so it can finally come the day he comes home and is well enough to be included in the heat-induced forgiveness fest.
88%, he's back from the hospital after jumping in front of bullet for her, they're hoping she'll finally let them in and she's close to it....and then they're joking about no more hot nurses holding his dick while he pees since he's home? These fuckers still don't deserve her.
Ends on an HFN. I kid you not. Because three of her alphas didn't even do enough to be completely forgiven, she only bonds with the one that did, and then the book ends. You're telling me I wasted all my time for this???
The only positives:
One of her alphas was wonderful. Yeah, he let his brothers force him into compliance as a teenager, but he's the only one who tried to meet her needs the entire time. As an adult, he lets nothing stop him from going to her the way he knew he should have the first time around. He's the one who knew what she meant to him from the moment he knew she was his mate, stayed a virgin for her until they were together, and never had anyone else in the years after (something the others literally made fun of him for even as they were trying to get her back). I really wanted her to pick him alone and tell the other three to fuck off.
The writing. I love the way Sam Hall writes, which is why I keep reading her books. This one was such a colossal letdown, but it was still so easy to keep reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
The writing was excellent, the bullying was painful to read (in a well done way). The second half of the book completely threw me, both the mens and the fmc’s actions were completely contradictory to their words. The men who have learned their lesson and supposedly have new respect for the fmc yet their actions are more “it doesnt matter that she says to leave her alone, we want her so we’re going to do what we want” all over again. The ‘grovel’ ended up more “force proximity/constant pressure on her until she caves. Unfortunately for the fmc despite her words and internal monologues - a kiss has her immediately folding. The whiplash/false pretenses were frustrating to read
August 14, 2024
Changing my rating to a 2.5 because a.) first third of this book was just smut that didn’t rly feel consensual (minus archer - who was the only bearable love interest)
And 2.) I HATE when an accident/near death experience is used to force the wronged love interest to skip the healing and immediately declare their love for someone who treated them like shit. Especially when it was to the person that did the most questionable things out of that group!
And 2.) I HATE when an accident/near death experience is used to force the wronged love interest to skip the healing and immediately declare their love for someone who treated them like shit. Especially when it was to the person that did the most questionable things out of that group!
July 24, 2025
Okay. I don’t know. This one was reaaaallly weird. Even for me. But i hate to admit i did like some parts of it. But also hated other parts of it. Idk what to rate this lol. But my brain says 3 stars
February 25, 2023
Forbidden Fruit is a very different book from the other WolfVerse books and I am so here for it! Sam never disappoints!!
I love a good dark romance, add in some hot shifter stepbrothers with a sprinkle of trigger warnings and you have this masterpiece.
The book was paced well for a standalone and kept me engaged the whole time. Great story line and we get to see more of our favorite mouthy beta bff, Candy and of course Riley and her pack which helps lighten things up exactly when needed. We definitely get to see the character growth and I loved to hate Lock.
All the spice you can expect from Sam however be warned there are a couple of scenes I would consider dub-con, so if that’s not your thing then I would skip this one. If your like me and love a good forced proximity, broody stepbrother, heroine with a rough past, gritty book then go buy this immediately!
*As always, check your TW’s babes!
I love a good dark romance, add in some hot shifter stepbrothers with a sprinkle of trigger warnings and you have this masterpiece.
The book was paced well for a standalone and kept me engaged the whole time. Great story line and we get to see more of our favorite mouthy beta bff, Candy and of course Riley and her pack which helps lighten things up exactly when needed. We definitely get to see the character growth and I loved to hate Lock.
All the spice you can expect from Sam however be warned there are a couple of scenes I would consider dub-con, so if that’s not your thing then I would skip this one. If your like me and love a good forced proximity, broody stepbrother, heroine with a rough past, gritty book then go buy this immediately!
*As always, check your TW’s babes!
February 22, 2023
A really great Redemption love story!! Starts off pretty rough and totally could see the age being a big factor on the issues for these characters! Makes it a believable storyline for even an RH Omega/Alpha story. This is a different angle of most of Sam’s books but she really nailed this for a darker themed love story. You get to revisit some of the wonderful characters from her other omegaverse books too, which is great!! One of my favorites is a side character “Candy” she’s freakin’ hilarious!
March 15, 2023
The preaching is annoying...reading for me is escapism. I don't want to deal with real life lessons and have the authors view of good principles shoved down my throat when I am reading about wolf shifters.
March 4, 2023
Excellent! This book was a perfect addition to this world!
The boys in this book… spicy! I’ll admit lock was meant to be the one you love to hate and he was just that. I understood why he was how he was but I still hated and loved him at the same time! Seb… I’m always a sucker for the characters like Seb, big, tall and in charge it’s no wonder he exercised control in all aspects. Coop was our comedic relief but also our push over and the lost one and some how that all worked perfectly! Lastly archer our sweet sweet archer the love struck one with a heart only for Charlie. It’s no wonder he ends up getting the girl the way he does! Each of these men perfectly match each other and compliment each other beautifully!
Our main gal Charlie. This one hit home for me. Her character growth was amazing and I can tell you for a fact as someone who grew up with trauma I’ve had many of the same thoughts as she had which made it so that she had a soft spot in my heart! Beautifully written character
Overall the plot line and execution of this book, including a large time jump, was perfectly done. Sam left me on the edge of my seat anticipating what would come next! I cannot wait to see what else comes out of this world!
I’ll be honest I started this book at 6pm, knowing I’d hate myself in the am, and I didn’t put it down once until I finished it about 130am that same night!
The boys in this book… spicy! I’ll admit lock was meant to be the one you love to hate and he was just that. I understood why he was how he was but I still hated and loved him at the same time! Seb… I’m always a sucker for the characters like Seb, big, tall and in charge it’s no wonder he exercised control in all aspects. Coop was our comedic relief but also our push over and the lost one and some how that all worked perfectly! Lastly archer our sweet sweet archer the love struck one with a heart only for Charlie. It’s no wonder he ends up getting the girl the way he does! Each of these men perfectly match each other and compliment each other beautifully!
Our main gal Charlie. This one hit home for me. Her character growth was amazing and I can tell you for a fact as someone who grew up with trauma I’ve had many of the same thoughts as she had which made it so that she had a soft spot in my heart! Beautifully written character
Overall the plot line and execution of this book, including a large time jump, was perfectly done. Sam left me on the edge of my seat anticipating what would come next! I cannot wait to see what else comes out of this world!
I’ll be honest I started this book at 6pm, knowing I’d hate myself in the am, and I didn’t put it down once until I finished it about 130am that same night!
December 10, 2024
1.5⭐️
Definitely not my speed but the character development was good to read abt
Definitely not my speed but the character development was good to read abt
March 4, 2023
Such a fantastic story. I love darker romance. Love reading about Charlie and the guys. The entire plot was phenomenal. Once I started reading story it was very hard to stop. Literally drew me right in. Might have some triggers for some people but not me. Overall I loved it. I definitely recommend reading.
March 20, 2023
4.5 Dark ⭐️’s…
When Charlie’s mom remarries, her new stepfather tells his four sons to watch over their new stepsister. With Charlie being an omega and Seb, Lock, Coop and Archer being alphas you know they take that and go a little OTT.
Charlie wants out of this town and to live like a beta. She wants to go to college and to make something of herself. She doesn’t want to be the stereotypical omega that has her heat, mates and plops out kids. Her new stepbrothers are quite domineering in the beginning approaching Charlie with a deal that felt more like blackmail then a beneficial deal to her.
They also want out of their town. They want to enlist. They use Charlie’s desire to leave to coerce her into letting them use her for the time that she has left of her senior year and her first heat that is coming soon.
This is darker then some of the Omegaverse books out now. With bullying, dubcon, mentions of domestic violence and past trauma.
I loved that Charlie was a fighter and a survivor. About halfway there is a big traumatic twist I didn’t see coming and flipped this into even a more darker place. I did love seeing Riley and her alphas and of course Candy!
This does end with a HFN. Still with some growing pains but you get a glimpse at their future. Do I wish there was more of an epilogue? Yes but that’s just my preference. A lot happens in the ending and we really didn’t get to see the aftermath, the growing pains of being a new pack and a full redemption from the 3/4 of the guys.
This is not a sweet Omegaverse and I recommend reading the TW before reading this book. This will not be for everyone and that’s ok. But for me I loved it and hope to see Sam Hall emerge herself more into this dark side.
When Charlie’s mom remarries, her new stepfather tells his four sons to watch over their new stepsister. With Charlie being an omega and Seb, Lock, Coop and Archer being alphas you know they take that and go a little OTT.
Charlie wants out of this town and to live like a beta. She wants to go to college and to make something of herself. She doesn’t want to be the stereotypical omega that has her heat, mates and plops out kids. Her new stepbrothers are quite domineering in the beginning approaching Charlie with a deal that felt more like blackmail then a beneficial deal to her.
They also want out of their town. They want to enlist. They use Charlie’s desire to leave to coerce her into letting them use her for the time that she has left of her senior year and her first heat that is coming soon.
This is darker then some of the Omegaverse books out now. With bullying, dubcon, mentions of domestic violence and past trauma.
I loved that Charlie was a fighter and a survivor. About halfway there is a big traumatic twist I didn’t see coming and flipped this into even a more darker place. I did love seeing Riley and her alphas and of course Candy!
This does end with a HFN. Still with some growing pains but you get a glimpse at their future. Do I wish there was more of an epilogue? Yes but that’s just my preference. A lot happens in the ending and we really didn’t get to see the aftermath, the growing pains of being a new pack and a full redemption from the 3/4 of the guys.
This is not a sweet Omegaverse and I recommend reading the TW before reading this book. This will not be for everyone and that’s ok. But for me I loved it and hope to see Sam Hall emerge herself more into this dark side.
March 4, 2023
I loved Sam Hall’s dip into the deeper and darker end of the omegaverse romance pool with this stepbrothers/bully romance. It is not the darkest bully-type romance, but it is darker than Sam’s books typical trend though still filled with the spice and heart-rate-spiking smut we know and love from her. It is also an emotional journey that will leave you so thankful for that HEA.
The stepbrothers are not easy to love but stick with them; they may surprise you in the end. I absolutely fell for Archer, the sweetest and most accepting of the boys. Even the naughty ones wormed their way into my heart, aided by the multi-1st person POVs that gave us insight into their behaviors. The FMC, Charlie, and the boys go through some significant growth. There will be angst; feelings will be hurt. But Sam makes it hurt so good, and worth it in the end.
The steam… So hot! This is fast-burn and scorching hot. Giving in to the typical alpha/omega sexual dynamics, there are multiple scenes full of dirty talk, slick, and hints of things to come. The guys each have unique tastes, and Charlie gets to experience each in turn and learn something about her own desires in the process. Let’s not forget her heat… and knots. This is MF, MFM, and MFMM only, with no sword crossing.
I hope Sam writes more in this darker wolfverse, as I loved her take on the dark tropes blended with her established wolf-shifter universe. I cannot wait for more!
The stepbrothers are not easy to love but stick with them; they may surprise you in the end. I absolutely fell for Archer, the sweetest and most accepting of the boys. Even the naughty ones wormed their way into my heart, aided by the multi-1st person POVs that gave us insight into their behaviors. The FMC, Charlie, and the boys go through some significant growth. There will be angst; feelings will be hurt. But Sam makes it hurt so good, and worth it in the end.
The steam… So hot! This is fast-burn and scorching hot. Giving in to the typical alpha/omega sexual dynamics, there are multiple scenes full of dirty talk, slick, and hints of things to come. The guys each have unique tastes, and Charlie gets to experience each in turn and learn something about her own desires in the process. Let’s not forget her heat… and knots. This is MF, MFM, and MFMM only, with no sword crossing.
I hope Sam writes more in this darker wolfverse, as I loved her take on the dark tropes blended with her established wolf-shifter universe. I cannot wait for more!
October 31, 2023
October 2023
Kindle edition
RHR bingo 10
Ah, now I remember why I had this in my TBR. My to read list is essentially the dumping ground of books I want to read but never get around to. This one is from my omegaverse phase, put off because although it sounded like something I wanted to read, this author tends to have a lot of sex.
This one was no different. It's sort of a bully romance but for the greater good, at least according to the guys. Four brothers in a small town where omegas are limited. I'm curious as to what could've been if not for the Hendersons deciding the kids needed to suffer for the past. Killing the pack was harsh enough. Essentially this story is to stop Charlie from being raped after her first heat is sold by her shitty father.
Lock, Seb, Archer and Coop, take matters into their own hands to protect their fated mate. They go about it wrong, and their amateur's gynecologist checks made me laugh. I'm curious how they knew an omega's cycle in that much detail. Archer was sweet, Lock was a dick and the other two were in between taking what they could.
The worst came from the race bet and the aftermath. I'm not sure about Adam's decision.
Time skip and Charlie is a scarred psychologist. The way the guys walked in expecting to continue where they left off was mind boggling. The groveling wasn't enough and it felt like Lock got off easy. Seb becoming the mature one was something I didn't expect. I got bored of Archer. He was the devoted one from the start but nothing changed.
I'm curious about both Riley and her back, as well as Candy. She was full on. The sex outweighs the plot. There were some sweet moments where the guys didn't come across as dicks. But yeah, this is an along for the ride sex filled rejected fated mates omegaverse stepbrother bully romance.
Kindle edition
RHR bingo 10
Ah, now I remember why I had this in my TBR. My to read list is essentially the dumping ground of books I want to read but never get around to. This one is from my omegaverse phase, put off because although it sounded like something I wanted to read, this author tends to have a lot of sex.
This one was no different. It's sort of a bully romance but for the greater good, at least according to the guys. Four brothers in a small town where omegas are limited. I'm curious as to what could've been if not for the Hendersons deciding the kids needed to suffer for the past. Killing the pack was harsh enough. Essentially this story is to stop Charlie from being raped after her first heat is sold by her shitty father.
Lock, Seb, Archer and Coop, take matters into their own hands to protect their fated mate. They go about it wrong, and their amateur's gynecologist checks made me laugh. I'm curious how they knew an omega's cycle in that much detail. Archer was sweet, Lock was a dick and the other two were in between taking what they could.
The worst came from the race bet and the aftermath. I'm not sure about Adam's decision.
Time skip and Charlie is a scarred psychologist. The way the guys walked in expecting to continue where they left off was mind boggling. The groveling wasn't enough and it felt like Lock got off easy. Seb becoming the mature one was something I didn't expect. I got bored of Archer. He was the devoted one from the start but nothing changed.
I'm curious about both Riley and her back, as well as Candy. She was full on. The sex outweighs the plot. There were some sweet moments where the guys didn't come across as dicks. But yeah, this is an along for the ride sex filled rejected fated mates omegaverse stepbrother bully romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
If you've read Sam Hall's other wolfverse, this book is darker but it's still within the same world. We see everyone's favorite BFF Candy, and we see Riley and her mates too!
The first part of this book is focused on our FMC Charlie, who is bullied by an alpha pack of brothers, the Murphys. They're definitely the known troublemakers within their own town, and after a large tragedy hits them. Their dad marries Charlie's mom and he gives them one order, to watch out for their omega step-sister. Charlie knows all about her new stepbrothers and their reputation, which doesn't make it any easier to resist and fight them.
I really like Charlie's character, she's got so much fight in her, and she has so many goals that she wants to achieve. Despite being in a small town where everyone is up in everyone else's business, and your designation "rules" what you become in life. There's also a huge conflict between her and the Murphy brothers, she doesn't want to want them, but there's so much more beneath the surface.
After part one, which is told solely from Charlie's POV, we switch to multi POV in part two which will include Charlie and all of the Murphy guys. Part two is set a few years after their senior year of high school, the multi POV is crucial for everything that happens on the last night that they're all together.
I really loved the entire story, and it really worked. There are also a few other factors that come into play, and seeing Candy, Riley, and her mates work together with Charlie and her... possible mates lol. I can't wait to see how else Sam expands on this amazing Wolfverse world!
The first part of this book is focused on our FMC Charlie, who is bullied by an alpha pack of brothers, the Murphys. They're definitely the known troublemakers within their own town, and after a large tragedy hits them. Their dad marries Charlie's mom and he gives them one order, to watch out for their omega step-sister. Charlie knows all about her new stepbrothers and their reputation, which doesn't make it any easier to resist and fight them.
I really like Charlie's character, she's got so much fight in her, and she has so many goals that she wants to achieve. Despite being in a small town where everyone is up in everyone else's business, and your designation "rules" what you become in life. There's also a huge conflict between her and the Murphy brothers, she doesn't want to want them, but there's so much more beneath the surface.
After part one, which is told solely from Charlie's POV, we switch to multi POV in part two which will include Charlie and all of the Murphy guys. Part two is set a few years after their senior year of high school, the multi POV is crucial for everything that happens on the last night that they're all together.
I really loved the entire story, and it really worked. There are also a few other factors that come into play, and seeing Candy, Riley, and her mates work together with Charlie and her... possible mates lol. I can't wait to see how else Sam expands on this amazing Wolfverse world!
March 12, 2025
Stars: ★★★.5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
Narration: duet ordual
Darkness: Cloudy | Slate | Midnight | Obsidian
I really enjoyed this. I just need a little more.
I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that this takes place in the same universe as A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. The OV and shifter dynamics in this universe are pretty unique and it's a nice change of pace. I'm also a sucker for a second chance romance.
The narration was really well done. But I mean. who doesn't love listening to an Australian accent all day? The only downfall was that the male narrator didn't give much contrast between the characters so you had to really pay attention to tell them apart.
Cons:
• 2/4 of the men did not grovel nearly enough for me.
• The ending was incredibly rushed and most of the resolution depended on sexual chemistry and fated mates.
• In this universe the alpha packs are always biological brothers. This really isn't a big deal to me but thought I would include it.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧.5
Narration: duet or
Darkness: Cloudy |
I really enjoyed this. I just need a little more.
I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that this takes place in the same universe as A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing. The OV and shifter dynamics in this universe are pretty unique and it's a nice change of pace. I'm also a sucker for a second chance romance.
The narration was really well done. But I mean. who doesn't love listening to an Australian accent all day? The only downfall was that the male narrator didn't give much contrast between the characters so you had to really pay attention to tell them apart.
Cons:
• 2/4 of the men did not grovel nearly enough for me.
• The ending was incredibly rushed and most of the resolution depended on sexual chemistry and fated mates.
• In this universe the alpha packs are always biological brothers. This really isn't a big deal to me but thought I would include it.
March 19, 2023
Overall this was a great read and a roller coaster. I liked the premise of the plot, but I feel the author failed a bit in the execution of it. There were things I enjoyed and things I didn't enjoy.
I liked that the story wasn't insta-lust and there was some tension between the FMC and MMCs. I loved that Charlie was a fighter and a survivor. Her will to be different than her destiny contributed to my like of her.
I didn't like that the MMCs actions were all over the place and a direct contrast of how things were supposed to be. For example, they were fated-mates and knew this from a young age, but still decided to sleep with other girls... yeah I didn't really understand why that was there.
The first part of this story was confusing, but the second part after the big twist was definitely more enjoyable. I do wish there was more of an epilogue and we got more of them as a pack.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (rounded up from 3.5/5)
I liked that the story wasn't insta-lust and there was some tension between the FMC and MMCs. I loved that Charlie was a fighter and a survivor. Her will to be different than her destiny contributed to my like of her.
I didn't like that the MMCs actions were all over the place and a direct contrast of how things were supposed to be. For example, they were fated-mates and knew this from a young age, but still decided to sleep with other girls... yeah I didn't really understand why that was there.
The first part of this story was confusing, but the second part after the big twist was definitely more enjoyable. I do wish there was more of an epilogue and we got more of them as a pack.
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (rounded up from 3.5/5)
February 24, 2023
Forbidden Fruit by Sam Hall is part of The Wolfverse Dark Side series. We meet Charlie, an Omega, who grew up with a not nice father in a not nice town. All she wanted was to go to college away from the town she grew up in. Lock, Archer, Cooper, and Sebastian, Murphy Pack Alpha's who are fated mates to Charlie. This isn't a sweet, sappy love story. The Murphy boys are immature and just mean sometimes. When everything goes bad, they leave Charlie in the hospital and run away to the Army. So much sadness here. Great story. Loved watching them work their stuff out. I especially loved the epilogue and a nod to the veterans, and helping veterans at the end.
March 6, 2023
Wow
Sam Hall is an instant yes for me. Anything she announces is an instant add to my TBR, but the Wolfverse series might be my favorite.
The Dark Side was no exception to that. Loved this book and these characters. It was darker than the other books in the Wolfverse series, but not dark dark. Definitely some triggers that readers should keep in mind before diving in, but I didn’t find the book to be too much darker than the normal morally grey characters books. Triggers to keep in mind- domestic violence between parents when the FMC was a child, romance with stepbrothers (not really a trigger, but FYI), manipulative MMCs regarding some Dubcon situations.
There is a lot of groveling to make up for the MMCs crappy behavior, but overall great book!
Sam Hall is an instant yes for me. Anything she announces is an instant add to my TBR, but the Wolfverse series might be my favorite.
The Dark Side was no exception to that. Loved this book and these characters. It was darker than the other books in the Wolfverse series, but not dark dark. Definitely some triggers that readers should keep in mind before diving in, but I didn’t find the book to be too much darker than the normal morally grey characters books. Triggers to keep in mind- domestic violence between parents when the FMC was a child, romance with stepbrothers (not really a trigger, but FYI), manipulative MMCs regarding some Dubcon situations.
There is a lot of groveling to make up for the MMCs crappy behavior, but overall great book!
April 14, 2023
This book hits a ton of tropes. Bully, stepbrother forbidden romance, unrequited love, fated mates, omega/alpha, enemies to lovers, wolf hierarchy, rivalry, bdsm with dubious consent in places and more. It is definitely a dark romance that evolves into a happily ever after, but takes several twists and turns to get there. It is well plotted and the characters are well developed to be believable especially the rougher ones. Ample angst to go through, some suspense as well, but never fear if you are looking for a happily ever after, the author delivers. I'm definitely intrigued enough to read the next book in the series!
March 8, 2023
Talk about a rollercoaster!! Goes from exciting to sad to happy to heartbroken and everywhere in between! I loved the FMC and her strength she had to exude at times when she didn’t think she had it. The will to be vulnerable when the time came was beautiful. Oh man I was not rooting for Lock most the book. I wanted to choke slam him into yesteryear 😂😂😂 but I really enjoyed the relationship and personal developments between them all and where they had ended up. I would love to see more cause I don’t want to give them up.
Great job Sam you hooked me deep!
Great job Sam you hooked me deep!
March 10, 2023
The initial relationship building was pretty coercive and manipulative, but honestly, I knew I was going into this with a stepbrother romance story line and gave it a pass. I would have liked more extended groveling, but I appreciated that the omega wolf shifter FMC Charlotte/Charlie didn't go all insta-lust and let them join her again that easily. I didn't like the TSTL moments either, but I would pick up this book again for a re-read, hence the 4 stars.
Romance:
Romance:
July 2, 2023
thoughtful and dark
This is a first for me. I typically shy away from dark omega verse books.
This also had stepbrothers and they were bastards during the first half of the book. I will admit that I don't feel like they graveled nearly enough, particularly one of them.
However, I enjoyed this book, especially the second half. I just would have liked to have seen them have more time together as a fully established pack.
This is a first for me. I typically shy away from dark omega verse books.
This also had stepbrothers and they were bastards during the first half of the book. I will admit that I don't feel like they graveled nearly enough, particularly one of them.
However, I enjoyed this book, especially the second half. I just would have liked to have seen them have more time together as a fully established pack.
February 21, 2024
Hmmm, just okay. Weird cultural references kept taking me out of the book and the time jumps just made me mad. No issues were ever resolved or talked through and while the spice is sure to be there in an omegaverse book, it just seemed gratuitous.
March 5, 2023
Another stellar addition to the Wolfverse series. Dark redemption story, enemies to lovers, fated mates - it has it all. Well paced, it had me engaged from beginning to end.
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