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Ares-Valentine Academy
Magical Academy/New Adult - Rejected Mates - Dual POV
Harper wants anything but to attend the Realm's most elite magical university, the Ares-Valentine Academy. A tragic event in her history has her feeling like she has to go. She's barely fitting in when her professor makes her feel more unwelcome than anyone else.
The academy's newest professor has had a nearly life-long goal fueling his every step. He's well aware of the dangers of his path of vengeance. No one will stop him, or get in his way.
*This book does end on a cliffhanger. The story will conclude with book 2 of the duology.
Harper wants anything but to attend the Realm's most elite magical university, the Ares-Valentine Academy. A tragic event in her history has her feeling like she has to go. She's barely fitting in when her professor makes her feel more unwelcome than anyone else.
The academy's newest professor has had a nearly life-long goal fueling his every step. He's well aware of the dangers of his path of vengeance. No one will stop him, or get in his way.
*This book does end on a cliffhanger. The story will conclude with book 2 of the duology.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2025
46 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
January 25, 2025
~ARC Review of Ares-Valentine Academy-by S.P. Woods
First of all, thanks to S.P. Woods for the copy! Now that I’m finally writing the pending reviews (I know, I’m super late—I got stuck with exams back then when the book dropped), and now I’m finally finishing it. But trust me, this book was worth the wait!
Anyway ,Magical Academy by S.P. Woods completely swept me off my feet. It's a thrilling mix of forbidden romance, magic, and so much emotional baggage. The Professor x Student dynamic had me hooked from the very first page, and the fated mates twist added layers of tension and drama. The slow-burn romance? Chef’s kiss. It hits just the right balance of intensity without rushing anything.
What really stood out for me was the revenge plot, which had me constantly on edge. It’s smart, calculated, and brings a ton of suspense. The addition of amnesia kept me guessing and added even more mystery to the characters’ backstories.
Professor x student? Check. Fated mates who want to tear each other apart? Check. A magical academy that’s just begging for trouble? Check, check, check. This book doesn't just play with tropes—it revels in them. The stakes are high, the secrets are everywhere, and the characters? They’re basically walking contradictions, each struggling with their own hidden desires and pain. One moment, they’re all about the magic; the next, they're tangled up in emotions that neither of them quite understands.
And that cliffhanger? Ugh, not too brutal, but just enough to make me desperate for book two. I need answers now. If you're into magic, slow-burn romance, and a bit of chaos, this book is an absolute must-read. I’m so ready for what comes next!
---------------------------------------------
Preview:
"Thanks to SP Woods and the publishing team for the ARC of Ares-Valentine Academy! 🖤 I’m beyond excited to dive into this gripping story, Looking forward to sharing my thoughts soon! 📚✨"
First of all, thanks to S.P. Woods for the copy! Now that I’m finally writing the pending reviews (I know, I’m super late—I got stuck with exams back then when the book dropped), and now I’m finally finishing it. But trust me, this book was worth the wait!
Anyway ,Magical Academy by S.P. Woods completely swept me off my feet. It's a thrilling mix of forbidden romance, magic, and so much emotional baggage. The Professor x Student dynamic had me hooked from the very first page, and the fated mates twist added layers of tension and drama. The slow-burn romance? Chef’s kiss. It hits just the right balance of intensity without rushing anything.
What really stood out for me was the revenge plot, which had me constantly on edge. It’s smart, calculated, and brings a ton of suspense. The addition of amnesia kept me guessing and added even more mystery to the characters’ backstories.
Professor x student? Check. Fated mates who want to tear each other apart? Check. A magical academy that’s just begging for trouble? Check, check, check. This book doesn't just play with tropes—it revels in them. The stakes are high, the secrets are everywhere, and the characters? They’re basically walking contradictions, each struggling with their own hidden desires and pain. One moment, they’re all about the magic; the next, they're tangled up in emotions that neither of them quite understands.
And that cliffhanger? Ugh, not too brutal, but just enough to make me desperate for book two. I need answers now. If you're into magic, slow-burn romance, and a bit of chaos, this book is an absolute must-read. I’m so ready for what comes next!
---------------------------------------------
Preview:
"Thanks to SP Woods and the publishing team for the ARC of Ares-Valentine Academy! 🖤 I’m beyond excited to dive into this gripping story, Looking forward to sharing my thoughts soon! 📚✨"
January 12, 2025
I'd like to thank S.P. Woods for sending me an ARC of Ares-Valentine Academy in exchange for my honest review.
3.5/4 stars
Spice: 1.5/5
We follow Harper, who is enrolled at the Ares-Valentine Academy. Her parents died in a fire when she was younger, and her uncle raised her in a realm where magic is forbidden. Her parents wanted her to attend the academy to learn to control her magic, but she’s initially not thrilled about it. However, things eventually work out.
At the academy, she meets Nick, one of her professors, and feels an undeniable pull toward him. The story revolves around self-growth and discovery, with themes of found family and a quest to unravel the secrets of her past.
If you’re looking for a professor/student romance with fated mates and the tension of resisting the bond/attraction, this might be the book for you. It was an easy read, and I was entertained. The characters had great development, and the attraction and pining were well done. Thankfully, we didn’t get the typical "He’s so hot I become weak and a doormat around him" trope.
I liked that Harper was unaware of the mate bond since she couldn’t feel it. I LOVED that Nick was struggling on his own, fighting his attraction toward her and jealousy. I honestly think we should’ve had more chapters from his perspective, especially more insight into why he’s fighting it so hard at first. Yes, it’s explained, but it didn’t resonate with me because it was told instead of shown.
I think Harper was well-written. She’s strong but not overpowered. Her lack of control makes sense, but it’s not exaggerated to the point where she becomes weak. I appreciated that she didn’t let her mysterious attraction to her professor stop her from focusing on her goals and building relationships during her time at the academy.
I like the little friend group, and I’m curious about Levi and Trevor. They were pushed a bit too far into the background (yes, I know they’re secondary characters, lol), so the revelation at the end didn’t have the emotional impact it could have had. I didn’t connect with Trevor, and I’m not sure if he’ll have a larger role later. If he does, I’ll need more than just a paragraph or two to explain how he feels, what he’s been plotting, and why. I want more romance from their side, lol.
3.5/4 stars
Spice: 1.5/5
We follow Harper, who is enrolled at the Ares-Valentine Academy. Her parents died in a fire when she was younger, and her uncle raised her in a realm where magic is forbidden. Her parents wanted her to attend the academy to learn to control her magic, but she’s initially not thrilled about it. However, things eventually work out.
At the academy, she meets Nick, one of her professors, and feels an undeniable pull toward him. The story revolves around self-growth and discovery, with themes of found family and a quest to unravel the secrets of her past.
If you’re looking for a professor/student romance with fated mates and the tension of resisting the bond/attraction, this might be the book for you. It was an easy read, and I was entertained. The characters had great development, and the attraction and pining were well done. Thankfully, we didn’t get the typical "He’s so hot I become weak and a doormat around him" trope.
I liked that Harper was unaware of the mate bond since she couldn’t feel it. I LOVED that Nick was struggling on his own, fighting his attraction toward her and jealousy. I honestly think we should’ve had more chapters from his perspective, especially more insight into why he’s fighting it so hard at first. Yes, it’s explained, but it didn’t resonate with me because it was told instead of shown.
I think Harper was well-written. She’s strong but not overpowered. Her lack of control makes sense, but it’s not exaggerated to the point where she becomes weak. I appreciated that she didn’t let her mysterious attraction to her professor stop her from focusing on her goals and building relationships during her time at the academy.
I like the little friend group, and I’m curious about Levi and Trevor. They were pushed a bit too far into the background (yes, I know they’re secondary characters, lol), so the revelation at the end didn’t have the emotional impact it could have had. I didn’t connect with Trevor, and I’m not sure if he’ll have a larger role later. If he does, I’ll need more than just a paragraph or two to explain how he feels, what he’s been plotting, and why. I want more romance from their side, lol.
January 7, 2025
2.80 ⭐
If you like light novel about magic academy, fated mates, shadow daddy (and mommy), you might enjoy this book!
I guess the main plot is alright. I do love witches academies and secret societies. It was an easy read, and maybe I'll read the next book since it's a duology.
My main issue with this book, though, is that the world-building is way too light, I wanted to know more about the magic system, the academy, the Realm, the Mates thing. I needed more character development, and I was unable to connect with any of them. But I guess I was just expecting too much for a simple duology.
The other issue that I had was the writing. At first, it was hard to get into the story, then I noticed some repetitions that annoyed me a little (I mean, at one point, we all get that she has long black hair and he has green eyes, for example).
I'm curious about the next book but also, a little scared I'll be disappointed with the plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and S.P. Woods for the ARC.
If you like light novel about magic academy, fated mates, shadow daddy (and mommy), you might enjoy this book!
I guess the main plot is alright. I do love witches academies and secret societies. It was an easy read, and maybe I'll read the next book since it's a duology.
My main issue with this book, though, is that the world-building is way too light, I wanted to know more about the magic system, the academy, the Realm, the Mates thing. I needed more character development, and I was unable to connect with any of them. But I guess I was just expecting too much for a simple duology.
The other issue that I had was the writing. At first, it was hard to get into the story, then I noticed some repetitions that annoyed me a little (I mean, at one point, we all get that she has long black hair and he has green eyes, for example).
I'm curious about the next book but also, a little scared I'll be disappointed with the plot.
Thanks to NetGalley and S.P. Woods for the ARC.
December 15, 2024
Okay wait, 4.25⭐️ I ATE THIS UP and once i started reading i simply didn’t want to put it down. Like, hellooooo? We have Professor x Student, MAGIC, fated mates, set in an academic setting, with a REVENGE PLOT, sprinkle in a little bit of the amnesia trope, with spice and slow burn romance?! Mhmmm, this ate down and i was absolutely sat while reading this book. There were parts that had me literally on the edge of my seat and I also love how the cliffhanger wasn’t super drastic but also still has me foaming at the mouth for book two! Like I need answers ASAP
January 6, 2025
I read this book in two days, finding spare moments between being a mom and wife and working 10-hour shifts. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it felt like a mature version of Harry Potter, mixed with the magical elements and character interactions found in Fourth Wing.
The characters are incredibly relatable, from Blythe, the sweet and caring best friend, to Levi and Trevor, who are among the best side characters I’ve encountered in recent literature. Sage P. Woods took the time to develop them perfectly for this story, and I would hate for their journey to end in the next book.
Harper's character is strong, beautiful, and entirely relatable. I love how the author portrays her as perfectly imperfect. Her relationship with Nick is constantly hot and cold, and he is intent on blocking their fated mate connection..... So, I hope that in the next book, we give Caleb more attention! I might get some backlash for this, but no one seems to mention him, and I feel bad that he was overlooked. I believe he may be developing real feelings for Harper, but she never really had the chance to notice or explore them because of the mating bond between her and Nick.
Be prepared for the ending—it arrives suddenly and leaves you in shock, wrapping up the story in a flash. You’ll be left with your jaw on the floor and a mix of emotions until the release of book two, which we eagerly anticipate sooner rather than later!
Hey S.P. Woods! I wanted to share a thought with you. Although I know this is intended to be a duology, I noticed that the book mentions there are supposed to be four years at Ares-Valentine Academy. I thought that was an interesting detail and wanted to point it out in case you needed a reason to expand this into a longer series. 😊
Thank you, S.P. Woods, for the complimentary Advanced Readers Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*This book checks off so many items on my list!
-Dual POV (My Fav)
-Shadow Daddy
-Jealous Boyfriend/Love Triangle
-Fated Mates
-Secret Societies/Cults
-Elemental Magic
-Hot Professor
-Dark Academy Setting
-Age Gap (6 years)
-Spice!!! w/an AMAZING PLOT
The characters are incredibly relatable, from Blythe, the sweet and caring best friend, to Levi and Trevor, who are among the best side characters I’ve encountered in recent literature. Sage P. Woods took the time to develop them perfectly for this story, and I would hate for their journey to end in the next book.
Harper's character is strong, beautiful, and entirely relatable. I love how the author portrays her as perfectly imperfect. Her relationship with Nick is constantly hot and cold, and he is intent on blocking their fated mate connection..... So, I hope that in the next book, we give Caleb more attention! I might get some backlash for this, but no one seems to mention him, and I feel bad that he was overlooked. I believe he may be developing real feelings for Harper, but she never really had the chance to notice or explore them because of the mating bond between her and Nick.
Be prepared for the ending—it arrives suddenly and leaves you in shock, wrapping up the story in a flash. You’ll be left with your jaw on the floor and a mix of emotions until the release of book two, which we eagerly anticipate sooner rather than later!
Hey S.P. Woods! I wanted to share a thought with you. Although I know this is intended to be a duology, I noticed that the book mentions there are supposed to be four years at Ares-Valentine Academy. I thought that was an interesting detail and wanted to point it out in case you needed a reason to expand this into a longer series. 😊
Thank you, S.P. Woods, for the complimentary Advanced Readers Copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*This book checks off so many items on my list!
-Dual POV (My Fav)
-Shadow Daddy
-Jealous Boyfriend/Love Triangle
-Fated Mates
-Secret Societies/Cults
-Elemental Magic
-Hot Professor
-Dark Academy Setting
-Age Gap (6 years)
-Spice!!! w/an AMAZING PLOT
December 6, 2024
Ahhh I absolutely LOVED this book and devoured it in a day.
Harper starts school at Ares-Valentine Academy, a school her parents went to and wished for her to attend one day before they died tragically in a fire when she was a child.
On her first day in her basic magic class her new professor is none other than Nickolas Ares (yes as in part owner of Ares-Valentine) he seemingly hates her from the very beginning but she can’t help but be drawn to him.
Her best friend ends up being Blythe Valentine (the other half of Ares-Valentine). As Harper works to gain control of her magic, overcome her fears and figure out her mysterious professor she becomes entangled in a VERY dangerous situation.
This book kept me absolutely hooked and entertained, and while it ends on a massive cliffhanger, it wasn’t one that totally hurt my heart.
I cannot wait for book two and to see how the story ends, I’m equally excited and scared.
Harper starts school at Ares-Valentine Academy, a school her parents went to and wished for her to attend one day before they died tragically in a fire when she was a child.
On her first day in her basic magic class her new professor is none other than Nickolas Ares (yes as in part owner of Ares-Valentine) he seemingly hates her from the very beginning but she can’t help but be drawn to him.
Her best friend ends up being Blythe Valentine (the other half of Ares-Valentine). As Harper works to gain control of her magic, overcome her fears and figure out her mysterious professor she becomes entangled in a VERY dangerous situation.
This book kept me absolutely hooked and entertained, and while it ends on a massive cliffhanger, it wasn’t one that totally hurt my heart.
I cannot wait for book two and to see how the story ends, I’m equally excited and scared.
February 28, 2025
★ ★ ★ ★
4,5/5
[ARC reader]
Thank you very much for the opportunity to get advanced reader copy!
✧ Adult
✧ Fated mates
✧ Rejected mates
✧ Professor/student
✧ Magic academy
✧ Revenge
✧ LGBT side characters
It was an enjoyable book! Honestly, I felt a bit nostalgic while reading it, and it was a light and easy read. It reminded me of many stories with a magic academy plot that were quite popular at the time.
The magic system wasn't too unique, which was actually a good thing since it didn’t take much time to figure out how everything worked.
I also like the cliché of the main character struggling with certain types of magic, and we actually find out why. One of my favorite aspects was that Harper wasn’t insecure about her scars; she still saw herself as beautiful. I think that's a wonderful representation!
Harper and Nicholas made an interesting couple, but I would have liked to see more chemistry and interaction between them in the second book. I understand that as a "fated" couple they would naturally feel attracted to each other, but it would have been great to build independent emotional connection between them.
Speaking of the plot, I really enjoyed Nicholas's perspective and the contrast between Harper's struggles with learning and using magic, his focus was on solving a mystery from their past.
Instagram blog
4,5/5
[ARC reader]
Thank you very much for the opportunity to get advanced reader copy!
✧ Adult
✧ Fated mates
✧ Rejected mates
✧ Professor/student
✧ Magic academy
✧ Revenge
✧ LGBT side characters
It was an enjoyable book! Honestly, I felt a bit nostalgic while reading it, and it was a light and easy read. It reminded me of many stories with a magic academy plot that were quite popular at the time.
The magic system wasn't too unique, which was actually a good thing since it didn’t take much time to figure out how everything worked.
I also like the cliché of the main character struggling with certain types of magic, and we actually find out why. One of my favorite aspects was that Harper wasn’t insecure about her scars; she still saw herself as beautiful. I think that's a wonderful representation!
Harper and Nicholas made an interesting couple, but I would have liked to see more chemistry and interaction between them in the second book. I understand that as a "fated" couple they would naturally feel attracted to each other, but it would have been great to build independent emotional connection between them.
Speaking of the plot, I really enjoyed Nicholas's perspective and the contrast between Harper's struggles with learning and using magic, his focus was on solving a mystery from their past.
Instagram blog
January 14, 2025
SP Woods has taken rejected mates, put them in an academy setting with a student-teacher dynamic, and added a bunch of mystery, mashing it together to create Ares Valentine Academy.
I have never come across a rejection like this. It's one-sided, and no one knows about it, including the other half. It makes for some pretty interesting reading. Nicolas Ares is a tragic, morally grey MMC. He's a jerk, but what can I say... I'm frustrated at his single-minded focus, but he's determined to discover what really happened to his parents. So he gets a little leeway. Harper is a cool MFC. She seems kind but a little damaged but has a stubborn determination. Her world was turned upside down when she was thrown from the human world to the supernatural one. Still, she was determined to honor her parent's wishes, that she attend the academy. She's a little out of her depth, I can understand her unease, but I love that she's standing her ground.
The plot was so good! There's a shady AF council, impressive magic, secrets, a fair amount of murder, and a secret society running about. This is all the makings for a really interesting read. And it's set in the Realm's version of the Scottish Isle with occasional moody weather, hello, dark academia. Not to mention the will they or won't they between the two main characters. OMG, the tension. The final chapter blew my mind. It was so crazy, I'm not even sure what happened. The only thing I do know is that the story ended on a heck of a cliffhanger. Ugh! I need to know what happens. I can't wait to see how Woods wraps up the story.
I have never come across a rejection like this. It's one-sided, and no one knows about it, including the other half. It makes for some pretty interesting reading. Nicolas Ares is a tragic, morally grey MMC. He's a jerk, but what can I say... I'm frustrated at his single-minded focus, but he's determined to discover what really happened to his parents. So he gets a little leeway. Harper is a cool MFC. She seems kind but a little damaged but has a stubborn determination. Her world was turned upside down when she was thrown from the human world to the supernatural one. Still, she was determined to honor her parent's wishes, that she attend the academy. She's a little out of her depth, I can understand her unease, but I love that she's standing her ground.
The plot was so good! There's a shady AF council, impressive magic, secrets, a fair amount of murder, and a secret society running about. This is all the makings for a really interesting read. And it's set in the Realm's version of the Scottish Isle with occasional moody weather, hello, dark academia. Not to mention the will they or won't they between the two main characters. OMG, the tension. The final chapter blew my mind. It was so crazy, I'm not even sure what happened. The only thing I do know is that the story ended on a heck of a cliffhanger. Ugh! I need to know what happens. I can't wait to see how Woods wraps up the story.
February 15, 2025
Ares-Valentine Academy is perfect for fans of dark academia, mystery, and a good amount of romantic tension.
Harper has been living in the Unenchanted with her Uncle. That is until she gets an acceptance letter to Ares-Valentine Academy in the magical realm.
At the core of this story is the mystery surrounding the tragic event that claimed the lives of our main character parents.
Harper knows attending the academy is what her parents wanted for her, and she truly needs to get control of her magic. What she doesn’t expect is to get mixed up with her broody professor who looks at her with an unusual intensity.
Nick is determined not to let his fate interfere with his hunger for vengeance, but Harper quickly becomes a bit of a road block.
I also LOVED the friendships in this book. Blythe and Levi would be instant friends of mine. So fun watching them connect and lean on each other.
Such an enjoyable story with a cliffhanger to keep you pumped up for the second and final book in the duology.
Harper has been living in the Unenchanted with her Uncle. That is until she gets an acceptance letter to Ares-Valentine Academy in the magical realm.
At the core of this story is the mystery surrounding the tragic event that claimed the lives of our main character parents.
Harper knows attending the academy is what her parents wanted for her, and she truly needs to get control of her magic. What she doesn’t expect is to get mixed up with her broody professor who looks at her with an unusual intensity.
Nick is determined not to let his fate interfere with his hunger for vengeance, but Harper quickly becomes a bit of a road block.
I also LOVED the friendships in this book. Blythe and Levi would be instant friends of mine. So fun watching them connect and lean on each other.
Such an enjoyable story with a cliffhanger to keep you pumped up for the second and final book in the duology.
December 18, 2024
ARC Review 🌟
Secret Societies!
Corrupt Officials!
A Magical Academy!
Harper, our main female character, has been living with her uncle prior to enrolling in the Ares-Valentine Magic Academy. It’s there she meets Nick Ares, an academy stakeholder and professor. Both Harper and Nick share a tragic past, having lost their parents in an event that also claimed the lives of several influential members of a powerful magical council. At the academy, Harper works to master her magic and adjust to her new life, all while uncovering troubling secrets about the council’s activities. As Harper digs deeper, she realizes she’s not the only one suspicious, and hidden agendas begin to surface.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! The plot was very intriguing and has a lot of potential as a series. I do feel that more context, particularly details relating to the environment or bodily reactions of the characters would’ve truly elevated this book for me. Though, I did appreciate the amount of insight into the characters thoughts and feelings that were portrayed. Overall, the book left off on an interesting cliffhanger and I’m excited to see where book number 2 goes!
Secret Societies!
Corrupt Officials!
A Magical Academy!
Harper, our main female character, has been living with her uncle prior to enrolling in the Ares-Valentine Magic Academy. It’s there she meets Nick Ares, an academy stakeholder and professor. Both Harper and Nick share a tragic past, having lost their parents in an event that also claimed the lives of several influential members of a powerful magical council. At the academy, Harper works to master her magic and adjust to her new life, all while uncovering troubling secrets about the council’s activities. As Harper digs deeper, she realizes she’s not the only one suspicious, and hidden agendas begin to surface.
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! The plot was very intriguing and has a lot of potential as a series. I do feel that more context, particularly details relating to the environment or bodily reactions of the characters would’ve truly elevated this book for me. Though, I did appreciate the amount of insight into the characters thoughts and feelings that were portrayed. Overall, the book left off on an interesting cliffhanger and I’m excited to see where book number 2 goes!
January 1, 2025
4.5 stars
Professor and student - SAY NO MORE!!!
Love forbidden romances and this one is definitely up there for me.
The way the amazing Miss Woods writes is fantastic and so captivating and I loved every minute of reading this.
I was drawn in from the very beginning and could not put this one down until I finished it but that cliffhanger, while I'm not dying but I am dying for the next book, you know? 😂
I definitely can't wait to see where we go on this amazing adventure next!
I received this as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Professor and student - SAY NO MORE!!!
Love forbidden romances and this one is definitely up there for me.
The way the amazing Miss Woods writes is fantastic and so captivating and I loved every minute of reading this.
I was drawn in from the very beginning and could not put this one down until I finished it but that cliffhanger, while I'm not dying but I am dying for the next book, you know? 😂
I definitely can't wait to see where we go on this amazing adventure next!
I received this as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
December 19, 2024
I literally ate this book up as I was so hooked to the story as I didn't want to put it down .... We have professor x student but with magic , fated magic that is set in an academic setting with a revenge plot touch with little bit of amnesia..... I love how it was spice and slow burn romance but it was soo good ! That cliffhanger got me soo good and left me on the edge of my sit... I need book 2 soon...
January 14, 2025
This book captivated me from the first page. I DEVOURED this! The dual POV was beautifully written and kept me screaming at the characters JUST KISS ALREADY!!! The magic system was great and easy to understand. The bullying throughout was obnoxious in a great way! I loved this aged up dark academia. I was all up in my emotions the entire time! This ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book!
March 4, 2025
Ummmm WHAT!!!
Excuse the fuck out of me! I did not expect this book! I read it in only a few hours. I couldn’t put it down.
I’m trying to figure out what to say and keep deleting my whole review because I can’t say anything without giving spoilers 😂
Excuse the fuck out of me! I did not expect this book! I read it in only a few hours. I couldn’t put it down.
I’m trying to figure out what to say and keep deleting my whole review because I can’t say anything without giving spoilers 😂
July 24, 2025
I won this book in a giveaway and really enjoyed it! I would give it a 3.5! I will definitely pick up the next book.
January 23, 2025
Wow. If you're looking for ZA - Orion/Darcy vibe. You can find it here. The back and forth. The action. The magic system. It's a great read.
The elements of magic strewn throughout. The fated mates angst. The rejection. There's so much feels that you go through. It makes you sad when it's over.
Don't fret. The cliffhanger lets us know there will be another installment of Ares Valentine Academy. I can't wait.
The elements of magic strewn throughout. The fated mates angst. The rejection. There's so much feels that you go through. It makes you sad when it's over.
Don't fret. The cliffhanger lets us know there will be another installment of Ares Valentine Academy. I can't wait.
December 19, 2024
“It was like the stars above were held within her eyes. At this moment, I wasn’t sure they ever belonged to the sky.”
Ares-Valentine Academy is a gothic, dark academia student/professor romance that completely captivated me and stole my heart. I was lucky enough to receive this as an e-ARC for my unbiased, honest review, and this book blew me away.
The only other dark academia book I’ve read that seemed similar to this in the beginning is Gothikana by RuNyx, which was one of my top books of 2024. However, I think this paranormal romance definitely paved its own way to be different from any other dark academia by its magic system and overall plot.
The tension in this book, the spicy scenes, it all just came together to become my favorite book of the past few months. I love dark, morally grey, fantasy themes and this hit all of them out of the park. I feel like the story moved at a perfect pace, and when I finished the book (which took me like 6 hours to read in total), I was DYING for more. So I will be IMPATIENTLY waiting for the next book to see what happens because I’m completely invested 😭 like how dare you get me so hooked and now I have to wait, but I know it’s worth the wait 🥹
This book comes out January 14th, 2025 and I would love if you guys read it so we can talk about how stunning these characters are and THAT SMUT?? Actually obsessed 🖤
Ares-Valentine Academy is a gothic, dark academia student/professor romance that completely captivated me and stole my heart. I was lucky enough to receive this as an e-ARC for my unbiased, honest review, and this book blew me away.
The only other dark academia book I’ve read that seemed similar to this in the beginning is Gothikana by RuNyx, which was one of my top books of 2024. However, I think this paranormal romance definitely paved its own way to be different from any other dark academia by its magic system and overall plot.
The tension in this book, the spicy scenes, it all just came together to become my favorite book of the past few months. I love dark, morally grey, fantasy themes and this hit all of them out of the park. I feel like the story moved at a perfect pace, and when I finished the book (which took me like 6 hours to read in total), I was DYING for more. So I will be IMPATIENTLY waiting for the next book to see what happens because I’m completely invested 😭 like how dare you get me so hooked and now I have to wait, but I know it’s worth the wait 🥹
This book comes out January 14th, 2025 and I would love if you guys read it so we can talk about how stunning these characters are and THAT SMUT?? Actually obsessed 🖤
December 11, 2024
Holy Hell this was an excellent read, and that cliffhanger!!!!
Full review to come after sleep, cause I stayed up too late to finish this
------------------------------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
Ok, now that I have had some sleep, I am ready to break this down for you all. To start, it did take me a day to get into, but I think that was just a me thing because once I dedicated time to actually reading this, I flew through the book and wound up staying up until 3am to finish it. I really could not put it down. The story line was great, and I love that it was magic based rejected mates.
Do I think Nick was an idiot to push Harper away, absolutely, and I hope his ass grovels to an extreme level in the next book to make up for him being so short sighted on how much better his life could be with Harper in it.
I really liked Harper as a FMC, she wasnt weak but her trauma had her holding back from her true potential. Now that her trauma has been socialized, I am looking forward to seeing Nick and her friends support her in this new kick ass her.
Levi, Blythe, Trevor & Caleb are all great side characters and I am looking forward to getting to know them even more in the next book. I feel like there might be some strife, and im here for it!
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW 😭
Full review to come after sleep, cause I stayed up too late to finish this
------------------------------------------------
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5
Ok, now that I have had some sleep, I am ready to break this down for you all. To start, it did take me a day to get into, but I think that was just a me thing because once I dedicated time to actually reading this, I flew through the book and wound up staying up until 3am to finish it. I really could not put it down. The story line was great, and I love that it was magic based rejected mates.
Do I think Nick was an idiot to push Harper away, absolutely, and I hope his ass grovels to an extreme level in the next book to make up for him being so short sighted on how much better his life could be with Harper in it.
I really liked Harper as a FMC, she wasnt weak but her trauma had her holding back from her true potential. Now that her trauma has been socialized, I am looking forward to seeing Nick and her friends support her in this new kick ass her.
Levi, Blythe, Trevor & Caleb are all great side characters and I am looking forward to getting to know them even more in the next book. I feel like there might be some strife, and im here for it!
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW 😭
January 14, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, and I can't wait for the next one!!
There is some spice, but not too much, which was enjoyable.
I've read some books with fated mares but never one with a rejected bond, so I was intrigued by the description.
This while book kept me on my toes, and I found myself audibly reacting to some scenes.
I can't wait to see what comes next for Nick and Harper.
There is some spice, but not too much, which was enjoyable.
I've read some books with fated mares but never one with a rejected bond, so I was intrigued by the description.
This while book kept me on my toes, and I found myself audibly reacting to some scenes.
I can't wait to see what comes next for Nick and Harper.
January 13, 2025
ARC Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️
I devoured Ares-Valentine Academy in two days! This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I couldn’t put it down.
The story follows Harper, who’s been through so much after losing her parents in a tragic incident. She’s been raised by her uncle in a realm where magic is forbidden, so her life has been pretty uneventful. That is, until she gets accepted into Ares-Valentine Academy. This isn’t just any magic academy; it’s the one her parents wanted her to attend, and it’s where everything in her world starts to unravel.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the found family and the friendships Harper builds. The relationships felt so real and added so much heart to the story. I also loved how we got to experience the day-to-day life at the academy while unraveling the mysteries surrounding both Harper and a certain broody professor. Speaking of the professor, there’s this undeniable pull between them that Harper doesn’t understand, thanks to her lack of knowledge about how magic works in this world. The professor, however, knows exactly what’s going on, and he’s determined to keep his distance to stop her from figuring it out. The tension between them had me on edge kept me flipping pages.
Harper was such a well-written FMC (main female character), her struggles and reactions felt exactly how you’d expect someone who didn’t grow up using magic to behave. And let’s not forget the broody, shadow daddy MMC (main male character) with his quest for uncovering the truth and seeking revenge. His backstory was so intriguing, and I loved diving into his past alongside Harper’s.
The magic system was super intriguing, and I appreciated that instead of just elemental magic, we also had light and shadow magic, which added a cool dynamic to the story. I will say I could’ve done with a little more world-building, I really wanted to know more about the realm and its rules. The pacing felt a tad bit rushed at times. However, the balance of magic, mystery, and danger kept me engaged the whole time.
The book ends on a cliffhanger (ugh, but in a good way!), and I’m so excited to see where the series goes next. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more. If you’re into magic academies, forbidden connections, found family, and unraveling mysteries, Ares-Valentine Academy is definitely worth picking up!
I devoured Ares-Valentine Academy in two days! This book had me hooked from start to finish, and I couldn’t put it down.
The story follows Harper, who’s been through so much after losing her parents in a tragic incident. She’s been raised by her uncle in a realm where magic is forbidden, so her life has been pretty uneventful. That is, until she gets accepted into Ares-Valentine Academy. This isn’t just any magic academy; it’s the one her parents wanted her to attend, and it’s where everything in her world starts to unravel.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the found family and the friendships Harper builds. The relationships felt so real and added so much heart to the story. I also loved how we got to experience the day-to-day life at the academy while unraveling the mysteries surrounding both Harper and a certain broody professor. Speaking of the professor, there’s this undeniable pull between them that Harper doesn’t understand, thanks to her lack of knowledge about how magic works in this world. The professor, however, knows exactly what’s going on, and he’s determined to keep his distance to stop her from figuring it out. The tension between them had me on edge kept me flipping pages.
Harper was such a well-written FMC (main female character), her struggles and reactions felt exactly how you’d expect someone who didn’t grow up using magic to behave. And let’s not forget the broody, shadow daddy MMC (main male character) with his quest for uncovering the truth and seeking revenge. His backstory was so intriguing, and I loved diving into his past alongside Harper’s.
The magic system was super intriguing, and I appreciated that instead of just elemental magic, we also had light and shadow magic, which added a cool dynamic to the story. I will say I could’ve done with a little more world-building, I really wanted to know more about the realm and its rules. The pacing felt a tad bit rushed at times. However, the balance of magic, mystery, and danger kept me engaged the whole time.
The book ends on a cliffhanger (ugh, but in a good way!), and I’m so excited to see where the series goes next. Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more. If you’re into magic academies, forbidden connections, found family, and unraveling mysteries, Ares-Valentine Academy is definitely worth picking up!
February 4, 2025
𝘼𝙧𝙚𝙨-𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙮 ( 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 1 ) 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
Ares-Valentine ( AVA ) started with a scene with Harper Solace, the female main character and her uncle Nolan. Our FMC received the news that she needs to enrol already to Ares-Valentine Academy, a school for enchanted or those who have magical powers.
Harper's story unfolds during her first year at AVA, a prestigious school her parents once attended and where they were active members of the alumni council. Tragically, her parents were among the casualties of a devastating fire that broke out in one of the academy's buildings.
At AVA, she crosses paths with Caleb, a charismatic and charming student who takes an immediate interest in her. As their connection deepens, Harper also forms bonds with a new group of friends and begins to discover the intricacies of her school life.
The story also introduces Nick Valentine, a teacher at the academy whose enigmatic presence seems to hold more significance than Harper initially realizes. As Harper grapples with her past, her future, and the secrets surrounding the fire, she will find herself drawn into a web of intrigue and emotional complexity.
The mix of magic and fated / mates is not new for me. Amongst the books I started this January, I think this one is the book that got me hooked and I have read in 2 days time only. The revelations along the 60% part of the book about how Harper got her scars, her childhood memory that will play a great impact to the people in the council, her parents and Nick's parents death, the council - these built more depth to the story.
I think this book has a great potential! I am looking forward for the next installments. I also hope more people read this book.
🌈 LGBTQ relationship
🌶 Spicy scenes
🪄 rejected mate
🗶💁♀️ major cliffhanger
༘⋆ ꙳ ꕀ ꒰ 𖧧 ··♡ ꒱ ღ
🌠 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let’s be moots. *´ސު｀*
📷Instagram: instagram.com/kawaiimemos
📚Fable:
https://fable.co/kawaiimemos-16631669...
📓Check out my profile on Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
#AresValentineAcademy #fantasybooksrecommendation #kawaiimemosreads #kawaiimemos #bookreview
Ares-Valentine ( AVA ) started with a scene with Harper Solace, the female main character and her uncle Nolan. Our FMC received the news that she needs to enrol already to Ares-Valentine Academy, a school for enchanted or those who have magical powers.
Harper's story unfolds during her first year at AVA, a prestigious school her parents once attended and where they were active members of the alumni council. Tragically, her parents were among the casualties of a devastating fire that broke out in one of the academy's buildings.
At AVA, she crosses paths with Caleb, a charismatic and charming student who takes an immediate interest in her. As their connection deepens, Harper also forms bonds with a new group of friends and begins to discover the intricacies of her school life.
The story also introduces Nick Valentine, a teacher at the academy whose enigmatic presence seems to hold more significance than Harper initially realizes. As Harper grapples with her past, her future, and the secrets surrounding the fire, she will find herself drawn into a web of intrigue and emotional complexity.
The mix of magic and fated / mates is not new for me. Amongst the books I started this January, I think this one is the book that got me hooked and I have read in 2 days time only. The revelations along the 60% part of the book about how Harper got her scars, her childhood memory that will play a great impact to the people in the council, her parents and Nick's parents death, the council - these built more depth to the story.
I think this book has a great potential! I am looking forward for the next installments. I also hope more people read this book.
🌈 LGBTQ relationship
🌶 Spicy scenes
🪄 rejected mate
🗶💁♀️ major cliffhanger
༘⋆ ꙳ ꕀ ꒰ 𖧧 ··♡ ꒱ ღ
🌠 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let’s be moots. *´ސު｀*
📷Instagram: instagram.com/kawaiimemos
📚Fable:
https://fable.co/kawaiimemos-16631669...
📓Check out my profile on Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
#AresValentineAcademy #fantasybooksrecommendation #kawaiimemosreads #kawaiimemos #bookreview
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2024
✨✨ ARC Review ✨✨
Title: Ares-Valentine Academy
Author: S. P Woods
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
✨ Magical University
✨ Student x Professor
✨ Forced Proximity
✨Rejected Faded Mates
✨Dual POV
✨ Dark Academia
Fav quote: It was like the stars above were held within her eyes at this moment I wasn’t sure if they ever belonged to the sky.
We have Harper who lives in the unenchanted world with her uncle after her parents died in a horrific accident due to a fire. They were very powerful well known, unlike Harper who doesn’t know much about her magic. Her uncle does his best but his magic was taken from him and he was left very little. He pushes her to go to the academy as that’s what her parents would have wanted for her and it was already fully paid for so she agreed to give it a try. Back to the enchanted she goes! She gets there and so embarrassed and frustrated she doesn’t have control let alone show for her magic.
Nick is the professor at the academy, he lost his parents in the tragic fire as well. He’s questioned since he was a boy if it were even an accident because his parents would not gotten out. He wants answers. He sees Harper first day in his class and he knows that she’s his mate but he doesn’t want her. He wants to focus on discovering what really happened and his revenge. But is that really the case cause they are pulled closer and closer. Can he resist?
I read this over the weekend and really really enjoyed this book! I loved the magic, the grumpy MMC. The determination. It was an easy read to follow along with and I would HIGHLY recommend!
I can’t wait for book two and need it in my hands like now!!!
Thank you Sage P Woods for giving me the opportunity to read!!
Title: Ares-Valentine Academy
Author: S. P Woods
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
✨ Magical University
✨ Student x Professor
✨ Forced Proximity
✨Rejected Faded Mates
✨Dual POV
✨ Dark Academia
Fav quote: It was like the stars above were held within her eyes at this moment I wasn’t sure if they ever belonged to the sky.
We have Harper who lives in the unenchanted world with her uncle after her parents died in a horrific accident due to a fire. They were very powerful well known, unlike Harper who doesn’t know much about her magic. Her uncle does his best but his magic was taken from him and he was left very little. He pushes her to go to the academy as that’s what her parents would have wanted for her and it was already fully paid for so she agreed to give it a try. Back to the enchanted she goes! She gets there and so embarrassed and frustrated she doesn’t have control let alone show for her magic.
Nick is the professor at the academy, he lost his parents in the tragic fire as well. He’s questioned since he was a boy if it were even an accident because his parents would not gotten out. He wants answers. He sees Harper first day in his class and he knows that she’s his mate but he doesn’t want her. He wants to focus on discovering what really happened and his revenge. But is that really the case cause they are pulled closer and closer. Can he resist?
I read this over the weekend and really really enjoyed this book! I loved the magic, the grumpy MMC. The determination. It was an easy read to follow along with and I would HIGHLY recommend!
I can’t wait for book two and need it in my hands like now!!!
Thank you Sage P Woods for giving me the opportunity to read!!
December 17, 2024
Ares-Valentine Academy
By S.P. Woods
Ares-Valentines Academy is giving me The Magicians (The TV show) & Harry Potter Vibes.. and in my honest opinion it’s making me want to savor every chapter while I’m devouring this book!
Let’s just start off by saying “Thank You for having my anxiety go from 0-50 real quick before starting this book when I saw ENDS IN CLIFFHANGER!” Lol
I’m officially hooked!
I have been in a reading slump and this book has magically pulled me out!!
S.P Woods has a way of making you apart of the book with her writing. Automatically I feel this soft spoken energy flowing through the words. Her writing is addictive. It’s informative and fast paced. Suddenly I became Harper, I felt as though I was trying on my school uniform for the first time. (Get me?)
Harper.
Magic born living in the unenchanted with her uncle. Her parents died in an unknown fire along with other council members.
Nickolas.
Teacher and owner of the academy.
Good at teaching but doesn’t like the students who are entitled brats & waste his time.
From the moment you meet Professor Nick, you love his attitude. His life has been consumed with finding the truth about the night his parents died in the fire along with the other council members.
Everyone has their one true mate.
Harper and Nick both have the same attitudes towards being mated, it’s not their top priority. BUT Fate had her own plans.
Another plus about this read is the friends that Harper makes. Blythe and Levi came together and helped Harper with her magic while others in the academy didn’t believe in her. You grow to love each and every character in this book. Talk about growth 🤍
By S.P. Woods
Ares-Valentines Academy is giving me The Magicians (The TV show) & Harry Potter Vibes.. and in my honest opinion it’s making me want to savor every chapter while I’m devouring this book!
Let’s just start off by saying “Thank You for having my anxiety go from 0-50 real quick before starting this book when I saw ENDS IN CLIFFHANGER!” Lol
I’m officially hooked!
I have been in a reading slump and this book has magically pulled me out!!
S.P Woods has a way of making you apart of the book with her writing. Automatically I feel this soft spoken energy flowing through the words. Her writing is addictive. It’s informative and fast paced. Suddenly I became Harper, I felt as though I was trying on my school uniform for the first time. (Get me?)
Harper.
Magic born living in the unenchanted with her uncle. Her parents died in an unknown fire along with other council members.
Nickolas.
Teacher and owner of the academy.
Good at teaching but doesn’t like the students who are entitled brats & waste his time.
From the moment you meet Professor Nick, you love his attitude. His life has been consumed with finding the truth about the night his parents died in the fire along with the other council members.
Everyone has their one true mate.
Harper and Nick both have the same attitudes towards being mated, it’s not their top priority. BUT Fate had her own plans.
Another plus about this read is the friends that Harper makes. Blythe and Levi came together and helped Harper with her magic while others in the academy didn’t believe in her. You grow to love each and every character in this book. Talk about growth 🤍
January 23, 2025
This book was amazing. I loved every second of it and was hooked right from the start. I always tend to gravitate towards books that are academy based, especially when the characters are all adults and anything can happen. Plus, when there is all types of magic and secret societies, you know it is going to be a roller-coaster of twist and turns, and secrets revealed, which makes you go back and forth with who can be trusted. I need book two right now because I need to know what is going to happen after that cliffhanger.
Harper doesn't know much about her past, mostly due to memory blockage caused by some trauma, but she also doesn't have control of her magic. When she gets accepted to Ares-Valentine Academy, she is very hesitant to go at first, but after finding out it is what her parents wanted and her tuition has all been covered, she decides to go so she can learn to control her magic. With being behind du to living in the unenchanted, she is assigned a teacher tutor, who happens to be the new, good-looking teacher, Nick Ares.
Who wouldn't be attracted to the hot new teacher, especially when he happens to be your mate. Harper doesn't know that Nick is her mate, but she feels something. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, and I'm hoping we get more story lines of Blythe and Levi because they seem like great friends, and I also want to know what Trevor has to say or has planned after what happened, and the truths he uncovered about what his family does.
Harper doesn't know much about her past, mostly due to memory blockage caused by some trauma, but she also doesn't have control of her magic. When she gets accepted to Ares-Valentine Academy, she is very hesitant to go at first, but after finding out it is what her parents wanted and her tuition has all been covered, she decides to go so she can learn to control her magic. With being behind du to living in the unenchanted, she is assigned a teacher tutor, who happens to be the new, good-looking teacher, Nick Ares.
Who wouldn't be attracted to the hot new teacher, especially when he happens to be your mate. Harper doesn't know that Nick is her mate, but she feels something. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, and I'm hoping we get more story lines of Blythe and Levi because they seem like great friends, and I also want to know what Trevor has to say or has planned after what happened, and the truths he uncovered about what his family does.
January 15, 2025
Quick Review: A fantastical dark academia romance
My Review: Ares-Valentine Academy by S.P. Woods is book 1 in the Ares-Valentine Duology. It is scheduled for release in January 2025.
About the Book: "Harper wants anything but to attend the Realm's most elite magical university, the Ares-Valentine Academy. A tragic event in her history has her feeling like she has to go. She's barely fitting in when her professor makes her feel more unwelcome than anyone else.
The academy's newest professor has had a nearly life-long goal fueling his every step. He's well aware of the dangers of his path of vengeance. No one will stop him, or get in his way."
In My Own Words: A young woman raised in a non magical world crosses over into a magical realm, only to find more than she expected. A legacy from a prominent family is on a quest to find out hidden truths; he finds something special, even as he tries to deny it. Around them, an enemy is at play.
My Final Say: This!!! Yes and then yes, please. I loved it! Can we get book 2 now? Make my day and tell me that an audiobook is in the works.
Other: Magical Academy/New Adult - Rejected Mates - Dual POV
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (BooksGoSocial), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review this sensational novel. It was a pleasure.
My Review: Ares-Valentine Academy by S.P. Woods is book 1 in the Ares-Valentine Duology. It is scheduled for release in January 2025.
About the Book: "Harper wants anything but to attend the Realm's most elite magical university, the Ares-Valentine Academy. A tragic event in her history has her feeling like she has to go. She's barely fitting in when her professor makes her feel more unwelcome than anyone else.
The academy's newest professor has had a nearly life-long goal fueling his every step. He's well aware of the dangers of his path of vengeance. No one will stop him, or get in his way."
In My Own Words: A young woman raised in a non magical world crosses over into a magical realm, only to find more than she expected. A legacy from a prominent family is on a quest to find out hidden truths; he finds something special, even as he tries to deny it. Around them, an enemy is at play.
My Final Say: This!!! Yes and then yes, please. I loved it! Can we get book 2 now? Make my day and tell me that an audiobook is in the works.
Other: Magical Academy/New Adult - Rejected Mates - Dual POV
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (BooksGoSocial), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review this sensational novel. It was a pleasure.
December 30, 2024
Received an ARC for this book and am so excited I got to read this!
The Ares-Valentine Academy is a New Adult magical fantasy book, set in an academic setting. Our FMC Harper had a tragic past that led her to grow up outside of the magical realm, but she ventures back to the magical world to attend the Ares-Valentine Academy that her parents wanted her to. However, not all is as it seems.
The MMC Nick (Mr. Ares professor man) is closed off and mysteriously brooding at all times. He realizes immediately that Harper is his mate, but refuses to acknowledge the bond because nothing can interfere with his ultimate goal of revenge. Harper tries to hate him, but feels a pull towards him without knowing they’re fated mates. Things start to ramp up between them when he has to tutor her and she keeps seeing things she shouldn’t.
Thank goodness this is dual-POV, because we get to see backstories and follow along with what they get up to individually before it all connects. There are also a lot of side characters that you love to hate and also just love to have as friends.
World building is awesome and also provides angst for what Harper missed out on with how much she didn’t get to experience and what she doesn’t remember. The magic is elemental, so it’s fun to visualize and learn along with Harper as well.
THE ENDING COMES AT YOU FROM NOWHERE AND THEN IT’S DONE. You have to wait for the next book to get answers! 5 stars S.P Woods! I’m waiting patiently for the next book now.
The Ares-Valentine Academy is a New Adult magical fantasy book, set in an academic setting. Our FMC Harper had a tragic past that led her to grow up outside of the magical realm, but she ventures back to the magical world to attend the Ares-Valentine Academy that her parents wanted her to. However, not all is as it seems.
The MMC Nick (Mr. Ares professor man) is closed off and mysteriously brooding at all times. He realizes immediately that Harper is his mate, but refuses to acknowledge the bond because nothing can interfere with his ultimate goal of revenge. Harper tries to hate him, but feels a pull towards him without knowing they’re fated mates. Things start to ramp up between them when he has to tutor her and she keeps seeing things she shouldn’t.
Thank goodness this is dual-POV, because we get to see backstories and follow along with what they get up to individually before it all connects. There are also a lot of side characters that you love to hate and also just love to have as friends.
World building is awesome and also provides angst for what Harper missed out on with how much she didn’t get to experience and what she doesn’t remember. The magic is elemental, so it’s fun to visualize and learn along with Harper as well.
THE ENDING COMES AT YOU FROM NOWHERE AND THEN IT’S DONE. You have to wait for the next book to get answers! 5 stars S.P Woods! I’m waiting patiently for the next book now.
December 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐️s!!
I received this book as an ARC from the author. Very grateful for the experience. I loved this book!!
I would give it 5 stars, but the book is on the shorter side so the pacing is quick in most of it. Which works well for a lot of it. The only small fault of that I found was that I wished there was a bit more character development and relationships were explored in a little more detail. It seemed to mesh fine within the story but just left me wanting a little more sometimes. Other than that this is a great book!
Magical academy ✅️
Secret society ✅️
Revenge ✅️
Fated mate's ✅️
Captivating story ✅️
A little bit of spice ✅️
Cliffhanger ✅️
This book kept me invested in the characters and story. Please read this if you love fantasy/romantasy! The magical world was so fun and interesting to learn about. The friendships between the characters were so charming. You really root for the good guys and want the bad guys to go down. It was hard to guess who was involved in what exactly and what was going to happen. And you just had to know what was going to happen next! Kept you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait until the next book. I'm going to die waiting for it.
Thank you for this opportunity of reading and reviewing an advanced copy. I'm truly grateful. And I'm so looking forward to reading the next one! I hope it comes out soon 😅
I received this book as an ARC from the author. Very grateful for the experience. I loved this book!!
I would give it 5 stars, but the book is on the shorter side so the pacing is quick in most of it. Which works well for a lot of it. The only small fault of that I found was that I wished there was a bit more character development and relationships were explored in a little more detail. It seemed to mesh fine within the story but just left me wanting a little more sometimes. Other than that this is a great book!
Magical academy ✅️
Secret society ✅️
Revenge ✅️
Fated mate's ✅️
Captivating story ✅️
A little bit of spice ✅️
Cliffhanger ✅️
This book kept me invested in the characters and story. Please read this if you love fantasy/romantasy! The magical world was so fun and interesting to learn about. The friendships between the characters were so charming. You really root for the good guys and want the bad guys to go down. It was hard to guess who was involved in what exactly and what was going to happen. And you just had to know what was going to happen next! Kept you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait until the next book. I'm going to die waiting for it.
Thank you for this opportunity of reading and reviewing an advanced copy. I'm truly grateful. And I'm so looking forward to reading the next one! I hope it comes out soon 😅
January 14, 2025
Arc Review
Ares Valentine Academy 🏫
Rating :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Dual pov
Professor and student
Fated Mates ❤️
Magic Academy 🪄
Harper attends Ares-Valentine academy to learn more about her magical abilities and how to control them. During her stay she starts to unravel truths about her past. She discovers everything may not be what they say. If discovering new truths, trying to prove herself , and explore her magical abilities wasn’t enough, she also has to endure the unexplained attraction she has to her professor Nick. Nick, the one who does everything in his power to keep Harper at a distance.
This wasn’t your typical fated mates, magical academy story line, which had me intrigued from the beginning. The world building, characters, and magic system were all easy to visualize and relate to. I love how Harper was blind to how strong and powerful she seems to be. Nick had me frustrated for a majority of the book. He was wound so tight, and I wanted to see him let go! While his armor slipped occasionally, he had a lot of restraint for a fated mate. This story ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens! I hope to see Harper and Nick’s relationship flourish, but something tells me Caleb will be right there in the background 🤔
Thank you S.P. Woods for this ARC copy ❤️
Ares Valentine Academy 🏫
Rating :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Dual pov
Professor and student
Fated Mates ❤️
Magic Academy 🪄
Harper attends Ares-Valentine academy to learn more about her magical abilities and how to control them. During her stay she starts to unravel truths about her past. She discovers everything may not be what they say. If discovering new truths, trying to prove herself , and explore her magical abilities wasn’t enough, she also has to endure the unexplained attraction she has to her professor Nick. Nick, the one who does everything in his power to keep Harper at a distance.
This wasn’t your typical fated mates, magical academy story line, which had me intrigued from the beginning. The world building, characters, and magic system were all easy to visualize and relate to. I love how Harper was blind to how strong and powerful she seems to be. Nick had me frustrated for a majority of the book. He was wound so tight, and I wanted to see him let go! While his armor slipped occasionally, he had a lot of restraint for a fated mate. This story ended on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens! I hope to see Harper and Nick’s relationship flourish, but something tells me Caleb will be right there in the background 🤔
Thank you S.P. Woods for this ARC copy ❤️
January 24, 2025
This book is bout witches and magic. If u don't like that stuff, don't read. If u do this book, is for u.
Harper has magic and only practices with her uncle Nolan in the greenhouse since they live around no magic people, so they gotta keep it quiet. But she got a letter to go to the Ares Valentine Academy, a magic university that her parents wanted her to go to when they were alive. This academy will give her the magic training she needs at 19 years old. Harper hasn't been around lots of magic since she moved away from the Realm when she was 6. Usually, the students at the academy find their mates, and Harper's mate is her Basic Magic professor 25 year old Nick Ares, but she doesn't know it yet but she feels some kind of pull towards him. But Nick lost his parents too at 12 years old, the same fire Harper did, and he is teachin at the academy so he can find out what really happened to his parents. While Nick is on a mission to find who started that fire that night, he is also tryin to block his mating bond but doesn't wanna reject it at the same time. Omgoodness, what a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I absolutely love Nick and love seein Harper's journey on learning her magic. This is an amazing book.
Harper has magic and only practices with her uncle Nolan in the greenhouse since they live around no magic people, so they gotta keep it quiet. But she got a letter to go to the Ares Valentine Academy, a magic university that her parents wanted her to go to when they were alive. This academy will give her the magic training she needs at 19 years old. Harper hasn't been around lots of magic since she moved away from the Realm when she was 6. Usually, the students at the academy find their mates, and Harper's mate is her Basic Magic professor 25 year old Nick Ares, but she doesn't know it yet but she feels some kind of pull towards him. But Nick lost his parents too at 12 years old, the same fire Harper did, and he is teachin at the academy so he can find out what really happened to his parents. While Nick is on a mission to find who started that fire that night, he is also tryin to block his mating bond but doesn't wanna reject it at the same time. Omgoodness, what a cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I absolutely love Nick and love seein Harper's journey on learning her magic. This is an amazing book.
January 3, 2025
Okay, this book? Absolutely unputdownable. SP Woods completely nailed it with *Ares-Valentine Academy*. The characters are so easy to connect with. Nick and Harper are just *chef’s kiss*—layered, messy and so easy to get attached to. The dynamics between them? Tension-packed in all the best ways.
And can we talk about the romance? Holy wow. It’s intense, angsty and full of those moments that make you want to scream into a pillow.
The world-building is so rich and immersive—you’ll feel like you’re walking the halls of the academy yourself. The story is dark, mysterious and full of secrets waiting to blow up in everyone's faces. Also, the twists? I didn’t see half of them coming and they kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
If you’re into dark academia vibes, high-stakes drama and complicated relationships, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Honestly, it’s the kind of book that hooks you from the start and doesn’t let go. Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy with heart! Cannot wait to read Book 2—to complete this duology!
Thank you so much to SP Woods for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!!
And can we talk about the romance? Holy wow. It’s intense, angsty and full of those moments that make you want to scream into a pillow.
The world-building is so rich and immersive—you’ll feel like you’re walking the halls of the academy yourself. The story is dark, mysterious and full of secrets waiting to blow up in everyone's faces. Also, the twists? I didn’t see half of them coming and they kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
If you’re into dark academia vibes, high-stakes drama and complicated relationships, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Honestly, it’s the kind of book that hooks you from the start and doesn’t let go. Highly recommend if you’re into fantasy with heart! Cannot wait to read Book 2—to complete this duology!
Thank you so much to SP Woods for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!!
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