Road to the Hollow

Misfit Protection Program #0

by Cassandra Featherstone

“I suggest you focus your considerable talents and effort on finding another career path.”

From the moment those words left Agent Grant’s lips, I realized my dream of being a profiler for the F.B.I. was dead. All because I happened to come from a small town in the Midwest.

Seriously, that’s the only reason he would give me.

So I did what any sane woman with a heart full of rage and an Ivy League education would do.

Pack up what was left of my failed life and move back...

I don’t know what triggered the flags on my file, but you can sure as hell bet I will find out—even if it kills me.

Genres: Paranormal, Why Choose, Shapeshifters, M M Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Audiobook

206 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2021

About the author

Cassandra Featherstone has channeled her lifelong passion for writing into a flourishing career, a journey that started when she first grasped a pencil as a gifted child with ADHD.

Her debut novel, born during the solitude of COVID lockdown in March 2020, draws on a tapestry of personal encounters and insights that resonate deeply with her readers.

An international bestseller, Cassandra has topped Amazon charts in categories such as LGBT Anthologies, LGBTQ+ Mystery, and Bisexual Romance, among others. Her works navigate the complexities of bullying, PTSD, body dysmorphia, mental health struggles, personal reinvention, and the empowerment of claiming one's own space. Importantly, Cassandra offers a thoughtful and respectful portrayal of LGBTQIA+ relationships, subtly reflecting her own connection with the community through her narratives.

Her literary repertoire spans sci-fi fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, and comedic genres in academy whychoose settings, with a strong commitment to portraying consensual, safe, and accurately depicted BDSM and kink lifestyles. Her books are an invitation to explore transformative stories that are both inclusive and engaging.

Often affectionately called ‘The Muppet’ for her wacky theater kid personality, she resides in the Midwest with her tech-savvy husband, their creatively inclined college student, a literary-minded dog, and four scheming cats.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

i received this as an advanced reader audiobook copy.

Informed, enthusiastic, and ongoing consent is important to me. And I HATE body betrayal. I had to stop reading at 42% when a male character grabs the female main character by the hair and forcefully kisses and touches her. And even tho she tries to say something and push him away, the author also has her getting so turned on.

Ugh. Gross. I hate when authors try to make sexual assault something "hot". Not for me.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book

A very interesting book, I wouldn't say I dislike it, but I am 100% so confused. This book is a complete mystery, and I have zero idea what is going on. It's pretty much our fmc Jolene going back home and her going through the days of unpacking and trying to toe the southern belle personality and manners or else?. We get nothing anywhere, and then it ends on a weird cliffhanger that has you scratching ur head in a " what did i.just read". I don't mind a little mystery, but this book had it spades! And then some. I just needed a little more information in a lot of unexplained areas.

[Nadine Bernier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell in a hand basket i laughed so freaking hard reading this!! Jolene is so sassy and funny !! The guys in the harem are ALL oh so haaawwwt… though i wanna slap one of them. I adored the town people and the special vibe in the Hollow!! Pick this up you won’t regret it!!

[TipseyBookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jolene is rejected from the FBI for reasons they won’t tell her, but seem to be related to her past. I kind of felt annoyed with Jolene at times, she can’t figure out why the FBI rejects her, but she has blackouts and can’t remember what happened in her past - that alone would seem to be a reason to me. Not to mention some of the stories she has of her and her friends while she was out roaming the world. Then she just kind of jumps into relationships with guys. I didn’t really feel the connections with the guys. I really wanted to like this story, but I ended up skimming to see what would happen.

[Rebecca Penrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! You NEED to read this book NOW!!!

Road to the Hollow is a wonderfully quick, spicy, and entertaining intro to the M.P.P. series!

Jolene’s lifelong dream of working within the behavioral unit of the FBI comes to a screeching halt, all because of where she came from…..a small town in the Midwest U.S.A. Completely normal, right?? Not so much. She heads home to Whistler’s Hollow to try and figure it all out and quickly starts getting hit with more questions than answers. Birth rates are oddly high, no one she went to school with has any kind of online presence, townsfolk are making extremely weird comments to her, and the men are hotter than Hades (with some tantalizingly yummy placed tattoos)!! Oh, and let’s not forget the feisty servals that come out of nowhere and decide Jolene is their person.

The sex is on FIRE (think breaking bed on fire), the town mysteries keep getting deeper and weirder, and by the end of the book, I was left with soooo many questions that I’m dying to know the answers to!!! There are other things I would LOVE to add in to this review but I refuse to let the cat out of the bag and want you all to be a surprised as I was!!!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading and when I went to turn the page that was the end. Why did it end? I feel like we were starting to get somewhere, I was liking all the characters and then the author just ended it. This was too short, I need more.

I really liked the female main character, she was absolutely hilarious. She moves back to her hometown after being away for many years and it’s just weird. She has so many questions, I have so many questions. What on earth is going on? Is it a normal town? Is something weird going on? Are we all a little bit crazy? I want to know. Little things just keep happening and I wanted to know more but the author just gave us enough to tease and then took it away

I’m just here waiting for the next book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The FMC returned to her hometown after being denied her career choice she's been working for for over a decade. she has to find out why and is pretty sure it has to do with some things from the town. she remembers some things from her past in the town but a lot of it seems to be in a haze or a fog like it's blocked. She has secrets about her past away from town but nothing compares to the secrets that the town has. Not to mention the town is full of gorgeous hunky guys that seem to make her sex drive go into overdrive lol. Exotic wild animals or companions in the town she learns after getting her first to her third one Has to be the most amazing so far. Cass out did herself in this book and I can't wait to read what happens next. Thank you for letting me be part of the ARC read.

[Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a quick read and the world was greatly put in place. We have our Fmc Jolene who came back in her old town after years. And her town doesn't seem normal, to people with really weird names to some of them being ghost on internet, questions are raised. And as I know the series will be paranormal, one questions I have for sure is how will it factor into it? How will Jolene grow up into the mysterious world?

One thing I have to add is for a short story the steam was here and not disappointing. I am really impatient to read this world and this journey.

[⭐Toonasa⭐ *Romance Book Lovers' Haven* (For long and deep.... reviews!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shit, it's been around a year since I read this. Now that I've gotten the boxset, I'll read this from there. It's so fun, like damn that female MC is badass. From the start. In next month maybe, so dnf for a few weeks!

[Galina Sulaiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been enjoying what I have read if Cassandra Featherstone so decided to try reading some of her previous books. I'm very glad that I did! This has a bit of mystery, animals, and spice, add that splash of humor and you have a 4.5 stars read!

[Sarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusingly fast burn.

[Shelby E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this was fantastic!! I freaking loved reading this book! The character Jolene was a badass, intelligent, quirky, hilarious FMC!!! Loved her!

Loved her inner dialogue, her remarks, and the nicknames she gave to people!🤣🤣

This book is like an introduction before the real events happen. You meet some males that could be potential harems (so far it’s Edgar, Wolfie, and Presley, but I’m highly suspicious their will be more delicious and sexy males to be added!) but you don’t know for sure. You read through the POV of Jolene and her going back to her old small town, you see the mystery and the weirdness. As a reader you know it has to magical or supernatural, but Jolene has NO clue. She sees everything but she kept in the dark.

Her familiars/companions the serval kitties/cats Hyde and Jekyll, and the harpy eagle..!?? Ugh so cute and hilarious.

Umm that cliffhanger! WTF!! So pissed but I still love this book. It literally stopped after we get more suspicious hints!! Ugh!!

I need the next book ASAP !!!

But I will say that FF is not my kink and I don’t particularly like the idea of FF in a reverse harem…so I am kind of hoping there won't be any in this series. The FMC mentions she has been with both males and females, I just hope she finds her males and realizes they will treat her right and better than her ex-boyfriend that hurt her.

This review is of my own opinion.

[Tanya Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this one took me a minute to get into, it wasn't really until Jekyll and Hyde appeared that I suddenly settled in and then devoured it.

This book is a total mystery, lots of intrigue and plot bits laid down but boy does it leave you hanging, you run out of pages just as it's found its feet leaving you wanting and frustrated.

For a short prequel this book brings plenty of heat an FMC I want to get to know and mysterious hotties but my fave are the companions. Yeah I'm an animal lover so of course those bits were my fave.

I am definitely intrigued as to what the mystery is surrounding Jolene and the Hollow, sign me up for book 1. I'm invested!

[Shawna Jimenez more.books.forever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jolene, she is fierce, sexy and take no crap from anyone. I love how she gives that sweet southern charm while still handing you your ass in the nicest way possible. Everything about the start of this series is great and I am super intrigued to see where it takes us. Please I need more CATS!!! Lets not forget about these sexy AF men that are off the charts. The sex the steam the spice will have your panties melting and have you begging for more. There is so much going on in this small town you already know there are secrets and I have so many questions that I need answers to so until I get them I am going to strap in for the ride and enjoy it!

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic prequel! Jolene the FMC is amazing. She’s been preparing her whole life to join the FBI only to be told that she will never be hired because of the small town she came from. A place she left in the dust years ago. Makes sense, right? Not. She is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery of why. After being told her dreams will never come true, she decides she might as well go back to the place she once called home to undercover what it is about her hometown that caused all this trouble. Jolene is sassy, and hilarious; she’s a fantastic FMC. The guys around town are all gorgeous, and she quickly finds herself entangled (literally) with them. Road to the Hollow is spicy, steamy, and HOT! The humor is hilarious- which I’ve come to expect from Cassandra, and I LOVE it. She’s quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I love the writing, the worldbuilding, the mystery and so much more. The Hollow is full of mystery, so many questions arise! I’m in need of answers! If you are looking for a great RH PNR with fantastic humor, and a mysterious town full of Southern charm, gossip, wild animals, and more this is a must read! 🖤

[Shedevilreads Bookstagram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Road to the Hollow by Cassandra Featherstone is a why choose paranormal romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Maggie Indara. This is the first book in the Misfit Protection Program.

This is the third book of Cassandra's that I have read, and it won't be my last. This prequel is a great set up to the series. I can't wait for the next book in the series Return To The Hollow to be released on audio so I can get more of Jolene's story.

Maggie did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.


The Flock Team

[Angela Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Jolene is forced to move back home when her career goals are crushed. Determined to find out what caused it all she heads to the one place she never wished to return to. Things are not as they seem and she keeps running into bad decisions head first. Great start to this series.

[Inga O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 4 1/2 ⭐️ rating here!
There is some really great kind of strange kookiness and mystery once you get into the town of hollow, quite honestly I’m so up for this ride! It took me a little while to fully engage with this little treasure but once I did I speeded through it so quickly that I was gutted when it ended! Especially as it’s such a quick read that you just want more and then if that’s not enough like dang that hotness of an ending just leads to sooo many questions. The characters are quirky, interesting and fun. The plot keeps you guessing and the Servals well I’m a crazy cat lady at heart soooo I just love that, book 2 bring it!

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spice in this book is what drew me in because the plot broke my mind. I have so many unanswered questions and am completely confused on where this story is heading but I LOVE the characters! I’m excited to pick up the second one when it releases.

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great prequel

So I really did enjoy this book and I can’t wait to see where the story goes. I gave it four stars just because there was a lot of unnecessary detail about her doing something as simple as unpacking or driving to get there.

[GingerSpice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is for the audiobook

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t ready

I wasn’t ready for it to end. I look forward to reading the next book. I’m sad it’s so far away

[Toubob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was lightning fast with little depth or information. Things happen extremely fast and very little is presented.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to new series by Cassandra. It is dark, the mystery is there. People from her hometown are acting weirdly, why is that? She intends to find out. The folks say weird stuff but the guys are making up for it. Steam levels are high and Jolene has a job cut out for herself. There's weird stuff happening and it keeps you on your toes.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate this one as it’s a prequel which does introduce you to the characters but that’s about it. A lot of wtf in this book relative to plot. Undecided about continuing largely due to the fact that Jolene who has degrees in psychology and thought she could be a FBI profiler isn’t questioning all of the weirdness in her hometown?

[Teresa Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

Really enjoyed this book. Was sad it was over. Can’t wait till the next one comes out. Highly recommend I also want my own Jekyll and Hyde

[Heather Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable prequel, which feels more like set up for the first book that I wouldn’t want to miss. Jolene has been denied into the FBI profiling program and hasn’t been home since before her parents died. The town is odd as hell. Southern manners and gossip meet exotic animals, hot as balls dude, and a number of catty women. I love that she’s an intricate mesh of odd ball genius and artistic soul. I’m excited to read the next and maybe get some answers to the mysteries piling up

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Color me intrigued.

This is a delightful start to a new series. I can't wait to uncover all of the mysteries of the hollow.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

The world building and character development is amazing. It's probably the most three dimensional world and characters I've run across in quite some time. Applause to Cassandra I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Cheryl G]

I have absolutely no idea how to rate this book. I spent half the book thinking I missed (many) some things and the other half really enjoying it.

I can't remember the last time I was so lost. I have no idea who Jolene is. She's a world traveling, fixer for Royalty, Govermnents and Billionaires PLUS an artist good enough to have a gallery and teach PLUS work with horses... with an eidetic memory (which was also kinda just thrown in there). Did I miss the part she said she was a "fixer" or did it really take to 70% through before her travels in Europe made sense? Sheiks and MI6 and dinner with Pope with absolutely no frame of reference until way later (unless I missed it). I had no idea she was around 33 until she said she left home 15 years ago (again, more than halfway through the book). Don't get me wrong... an older FMC is awesome, it was just a surprise. Did I also miss that Whistler's Hollow is in Kentucky or was the throwing in of the Derby and Keeneland at 63% just something to make her "equestrian" skills make sense? I live in KY although I'm not a Southern woman. I get a kick out of their portrayal and totally appreciate their incredible talent for insulting someone with a sweet as pie manner. Bless your heart.

I'm going onto the next book because what I liked about this prequel, I really freaking liked. I hope to be much less confused.