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The Ivy Institute #2
Bitter Brambles
I expected to die as soon as I stepped foot into the Ivy Institute, but dying would have been too easy.
Nothing at The Ivy is quite what it seems. Not the enigmatic demon whose touch kills everyone he touches, yet somehow saved my life the first day I arrived. Nor the dark deity combat instructor who vows to train me to survive the Undertaking. A deadly game held to entertain the Gods he’s forsaken.
The headmistress brought me here to be her secret weapon. She made it clear if I can’t be useful, I’ll be dead. When I’m torn from The Ivy and my mates, I’m certain she’s responsible.
Huddled in the icy cliffs of Mount Nivei lies Frostburn Institute where the cold will kill you nearly as fast as its inhabitants.
Death seems inevitable, until an unlikely ally makes himself known.
Please Bitter Brambles is a dark academia whychoose romance novel intended for mature audiences.
Nothing at The Ivy is quite what it seems. Not the enigmatic demon whose touch kills everyone he touches, yet somehow saved my life the first day I arrived. Nor the dark deity combat instructor who vows to train me to survive the Undertaking. A deadly game held to entertain the Gods he’s forsaken.
The headmistress brought me here to be her secret weapon. She made it clear if I can’t be useful, I’ll be dead. When I’m torn from The Ivy and my mates, I’m certain she’s responsible.
Huddled in the icy cliffs of Mount Nivei lies Frostburn Institute where the cold will kill you nearly as fast as its inhabitants.
Death seems inevitable, until an unlikely ally makes himself known.
Please Bitter Brambles is a dark academia whychoose romance novel intended for mature audiences.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2024
450 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
About the author
Albany Walker
33 books2,097 followersAlbany lives in Michigan where she's happily married to her high school sweetheart. She spends most of her time juggling her four children's extracurricular activities, with her nose stuck in a book. When not reading you can find her writing her very own book boyfriends. Albany's passion is writing romance with real characters that are far from perfect, but always seem to find their own happily ever afters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 14, 2024
what a way to discover a third book is coming.
I.... don't understand how ratings for this book are so high. have the standards for good writing really fallen that much? this just is not good. nothing about it. the dialogue is so unnatural, everything is so overexplained, inconsistencies, loose ends, dropped balls, hypocrisy, and, oh, surprise, a third book is coming out.
the biggest reason I decided to read this book anyway after how I reviewed the first book is to finish the damn duology. this book originally had two stars from me. the shifter romance did it for me, and I like the concept of multiple fated mates, and that's about it. I don't really have patience for the story anymore, and this one hardly fits "dark academia" even loosely. it's docked down to one now for not finding out until the last paragraph that it'll end on a cliffhanger for a third book and that reading and suffering through this whole book was an entire waste of time.
the cliffhanger itself is insulting. there you go, I removed the tension for you.
just. yeah. I'm not reading that third book.
I.... don't understand how ratings for this book are so high. have the standards for good writing really fallen that much? this just is not good. nothing about it. the dialogue is so unnatural, everything is so overexplained, inconsistencies, loose ends, dropped balls, hypocrisy, and, oh, surprise, a third book is coming out.
the biggest reason I decided to read this book anyway after how I reviewed the first book is to finish the damn duology. this book originally had two stars from me. the shifter romance did it for me, and I like the concept of multiple fated mates, and that's about it. I don't really have patience for the story anymore, and this one hardly fits "dark academia" even loosely. it's docked down to one now for not finding out until the last paragraph that it'll end on a cliffhanger for a third book and that reading and suffering through this whole book was an entire waste of time.
the cliffhanger itself is insulting. there you go, I removed the tension for you.
just. yeah. I'm not reading that third book.
November 25, 2024
After all that?! That’s what it took?
August 29, 2025
3 ⭐️
I loved the first book so much but felt let down by this one. Briar is separated from Ziv and Kage and it bothered me to no end that they did nothing to find her. Excuse after excuse was given, and yet Ziv (who professed nothing would keep him from her) sat back and didn’t even try. In the first story, a lot happens over the space of a few days that Briar is at Ivy, and in this book MONTHS pass so quickly without anything really happening.
To say I was disappointed with the overall story is an understatement. The only redeeming feature was Moros.
I don’t know if I will read the next book.
I loved the first book so much but felt let down by this one. Briar is separated from Ziv and Kage and it bothered me to no end that they did nothing to find her. Excuse after excuse was given, and yet Ziv (who professed nothing would keep him from her) sat back and didn’t even try. In the first story, a lot happens over the space of a few days that Briar is at Ivy, and in this book MONTHS pass so quickly without anything really happening.
To say I was disappointed with the overall story is an understatement. The only redeeming feature was Moros.
I don’t know if I will read the next book.
November 11, 2024
I waited for this book to come out with much excitement, but to be honest it was a bit of a let down.
This author is one who I read regardless of the write up, and for the most part I love her books. Her style usually just does it for me.
However this one was... Boring??
I hated the seperation between her and the two guys. I know they had their reasons, but they just weren't valid enough for me. They have no actual proof of anything so as a default they just do nothing when she's taken.. She's suffering, physically, mentally and emotionally and they're doing nothing. For months.
It's enough to make me really dislike them, and I was super Let down by the amount of groveling it took for her to forgive them and start apologizing for ignoring their missives.
I will read the last book, because I want to know what happens and see her and Kage get together, but I am not awaiting it with the excitement of the second book. It's now more of an obligation then anything, which is a piss off.
This author is one who I read regardless of the write up, and for the most part I love her books. Her style usually just does it for me.
However this one was... Boring??
I hated the seperation between her and the two guys. I know they had their reasons, but they just weren't valid enough for me. They have no actual proof of anything so as a default they just do nothing when she's taken.. She's suffering, physically, mentally and emotionally and they're doing nothing. For months.
It's enough to make me really dislike them, and I was super Let down by the amount of groveling it took for her to forgive them and start apologizing for ignoring their missives.
I will read the last book, because I want to know what happens and see her and Kage get together, but I am not awaiting it with the excitement of the second book. It's now more of an obligation then anything, which is a piss off.
November 10, 2024
Bitter Brambles is book two in The Ivy Institute Series. It is a why choose, paranormal, dark, academy romance with intrigue, surprises, mystery, a developing harem, and ends in a cliffhanger.
Briar has been taken. Taken from her mates, and from the Ivy. She finds herself in Frostburn Institute where everything must be earned and everyone is pitted against one another just to survive.
This is such a great book! I loved the first book and this second one is just as good. Briar is an amazing FMC. She is certainly put through the emotional wringer in this book, but she also learns a lot about herself too, and as a result grows stronger. I loved the character and relationship development.
This is a terrifically written book with awesome pace, flow, plot, storytelling, storyline, characters, character development, relationship development, and world building. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it incredibly hard to put down. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to the final book in the series.
Briar has been taken. Taken from her mates, and from the Ivy. She finds herself in Frostburn Institute where everything must be earned and everyone is pitted against one another just to survive.
This is such a great book! I loved the first book and this second one is just as good. Briar is an amazing FMC. She is certainly put through the emotional wringer in this book, but she also learns a lot about herself too, and as a result grows stronger. I loved the character and relationship development.
This is a terrifically written book with awesome pace, flow, plot, storytelling, storyline, characters, character development, relationship development, and world building. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it incredibly hard to put down. I would definitely recommend it and look forward to the final book in the series.
March 27, 2025
not a duology, cliffhangers abound
I really like the premise of the series but I am a little annoyed with the pacing of both books in the series. They both are kind of short and end on major cliffhangers but also somehow we still never get to the Undertaking.
In the second book, Briar is now at Frostborn where she learns everything has to be earned and fought for. This was a great opportunity to see Briar grow without the hand holding of her mates. Unfortunately, this was cut short very quickly when she finds she has another mate at Frostborn and the hand holding starts happening all over again.
Two books in, it feels like still nothing has happened. The book was too short and cut off a lot of opportunities to expand the story more. We had a whiff of a possible friendship for Briar but as soon as mate #3 was found that evaporated.
I would have also liked Briar become more apart of figuring out her story and why she and her mates are being manipulated rather just sitting back and rolling with whatever her boyfriends figured out. She’s supposed to be so powerful but you could never tell by most of her actions, thank god they make sure to keep mentioning it in the story tho so you don’t forget.
Again, I like the premise so I will be on the look out for the third installment. It’s just disappointing unnecessarily dragging it out again for another book.
I really like the premise of the series but I am a little annoyed with the pacing of both books in the series. They both are kind of short and end on major cliffhangers but also somehow we still never get to the Undertaking.
In the second book, Briar is now at Frostborn where she learns everything has to be earned and fought for. This was a great opportunity to see Briar grow without the hand holding of her mates. Unfortunately, this was cut short very quickly when she finds she has another mate at Frostborn and the hand holding starts happening all over again.
Two books in, it feels like still nothing has happened. The book was too short and cut off a lot of opportunities to expand the story more. We had a whiff of a possible friendship for Briar but as soon as mate #3 was found that evaporated.
I would have also liked Briar become more apart of figuring out her story and why she and her mates are being manipulated rather just sitting back and rolling with whatever her boyfriends figured out. She’s supposed to be so powerful but you could never tell by most of her actions, thank god they make sure to keep mentioning it in the story tho so you don’t forget.
Again, I like the premise so I will be on the look out for the third installment. It’s just disappointing unnecessarily dragging it out again for another book.
January 6, 2025
This book held my interest, but overall left me feeling unsatisfied.
Briar definitely came into her own in the second book of the series. Without Ziv hovering over her like a mother hen, she was able to stand on her own two feet, develop her magic and combat skills and to find a new mate.
Sadly, the same can't be said for Ziv and Kate. If the author wanted to separate them from their mate for an entire books, she should've given them separate side quests. Some kind of goals to show us they weren't just sitting on their hands waiting for her to come back. She did not give them anything. Every Kage POV was a variation of him blaming Ziv for allowing Briar to be taken away. Every Ziv POV was a variation of him blaming himself.
With Kage's invisibility, I don't understand why he couldn't have been sent to infiltrate the other school and watch over Briar while Ziv searched for a solution. It's not like he would be missed at Ivy. Nobody seems to notice his existence.
The relationship between Briar and Sunny was about the only thing that worked in this book. It was sweet and pure with zero unnecessary drama.
Briar definitely came into her own in the second book of the series. Without Ziv hovering over her like a mother hen, she was able to stand on her own two feet, develop her magic and combat skills and to find a new mate.
Sadly, the same can't be said for Ziv and Kate. If the author wanted to separate them from their mate for an entire books, she should've given them separate side quests. Some kind of goals to show us they weren't just sitting on their hands waiting for her to come back. She did not give them anything. Every Kage POV was a variation of him blaming Ziv for allowing Briar to be taken away. Every Ziv POV was a variation of him blaming himself.
With Kage's invisibility, I don't understand why he couldn't have been sent to infiltrate the other school and watch over Briar while Ziv searched for a solution. It's not like he would be missed at Ivy. Nobody seems to notice his existence.
The relationship between Briar and Sunny was about the only thing that worked in this book. It was sweet and pure with zero unnecessary drama.
November 11, 2024
Good second book - love Briar a little more. 🩷
Poor Briar. This book starts where book 1 left off. Briar is not at the Ivy anymore, she's all alone and has to protect herself. She has no ally's, the rules are harsh for earning a place, and she's been in a cell so she's weak and tired.
I have to say, Sunny may be my favorite. He's steadfast and patient, and builds her up so she can be strong on her own. His loyalty to her helps her become stronger.
What I wish there was more of - groveling by Ziv. I hope we see that in the next book because he really hurt Briar.
Poor Kage - finally a touch and then our cliffhanger...
All in all this book moves the story forward. I hope for some good wrap up in the next book including the headmasters getting what they deserve. I'm also 🤨 interested in knowing more about the gods. You learn more in this book and what Ziv would have been before he fell.
Poor Briar. This book starts where book 1 left off. Briar is not at the Ivy anymore, she's all alone and has to protect herself. She has no ally's, the rules are harsh for earning a place, and she's been in a cell so she's weak and tired.
I have to say, Sunny may be my favorite. He's steadfast and patient, and builds her up so she can be strong on her own. His loyalty to her helps her become stronger.
What I wish there was more of - groveling by Ziv. I hope we see that in the next book because he really hurt Briar.
Poor Kage - finally a touch and then our cliffhanger...
All in all this book moves the story forward. I hope for some good wrap up in the next book including the headmasters getting what they deserve. I'm also 🤨 interested in knowing more about the gods. You learn more in this book and what Ziv would have been before he fell.
November 23, 2024
A Bitter Pill To Swallow
This book picks right up from book 1 after Briar was taken. While I truly hate that Briar was taken from the guys, but watching her growth, within the walls of the Frostburn Institute, throughout this book made it worth it in my eyes. And Sunny definitely helped make up for so many things lol. Absolutely LOVED his character 😍 And whewww boy, that cliffhanger was such a frickin doozy 👀🤯🤬😂 Definitely so ready for book 3 ASAP 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
I know some people aren’t enjoying this as much as book 1, but I’m a firm believer that a character’s journey is about what the character needs. I get that we’re the reader & what we like is important too lol, but sometimes our characters have a different path than what we envisioned. All we can do is trust the process that the author is taking us through 💖
I can’t wait for book 3, and get to see everything come together that Albany has been putting into place for what I know will be a spectacular ending 🙌🏻
This book picks right up from book 1 after Briar was taken. While I truly hate that Briar was taken from the guys, but watching her growth, within the walls of the Frostburn Institute, throughout this book made it worth it in my eyes. And Sunny definitely helped make up for so many things lol. Absolutely LOVED his character 😍 And whewww boy, that cliffhanger was such a frickin doozy 👀🤯🤬😂 Definitely so ready for book 3 ASAP 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
I know some people aren’t enjoying this as much as book 1, but I’m a firm believer that a character’s journey is about what the character needs. I get that we’re the reader & what we like is important too lol, but sometimes our characters have a different path than what we envisioned. All we can do is trust the process that the author is taking us through 💖
I can’t wait for book 3, and get to see everything come together that Albany has been putting into place for what I know will be a spectacular ending 🙌🏻
November 9, 2024
Frostburn
Wonderful second installment. Well written and edited. Spoilers follow:
Traded away, left to perish in a cell, saved by fallen blood? Our heroine is the victim of unknown enemies who hate her mate, Zit and fear her undeveloped powers. Her new academy is a very different environment from the Ivy Institute. Again she is alone and struggling to survive only now she has some physical skills due to Zit's training. A new tutor with devious motivation latches onto her and she accidentally moves up the ranks. Then to her joy and surprise another powerful mate finds and protects her as she grows in strength. Her other mates are devastated but fear and politics keep them trapped at Ivy. The cliffhanger is really unbelievable though 'cause who doesn't believe she is immune to the demons curse.
I'll be waiting for the next volume.
Wonderful second installment. Well written and edited. Spoilers follow:
Traded away, left to perish in a cell, saved by fallen blood? Our heroine is the victim of unknown enemies who hate her mate, Zit and fear her undeveloped powers. Her new academy is a very different environment from the Ivy Institute. Again she is alone and struggling to survive only now she has some physical skills due to Zit's training. A new tutor with devious motivation latches onto her and she accidentally moves up the ranks. Then to her joy and surprise another powerful mate finds and protects her as she grows in strength. Her other mates are devastated but fear and politics keep them trapped at Ivy. The cliffhanger is really unbelievable though 'cause who doesn't believe she is immune to the demons curse.
I'll be waiting for the next volume.
November 13, 2024
This is the 2nd book in the series and picks up where Tender Thorns left off. I absolutely love this series. Briar has been so misused her whole life, and now she is a pawn in a power game. We don’t yet know who is actually pulling the strings, or to what end.
Sent to Frostburn, a cold cruel place, Briar can only hope to avoid attention and survive. Wondering if her mates Ziv and Kage are coming for her, she finds another fated Moros, amongst the Elites.
Briar finds out more about her abilities, but unfortunately draws more attention to herself. Ziv and Kage finally come for her. Can all 3 of her mates keep her safe? Will Kage and Briar be able to truly be mated? Who is behind all of this? So many questions I can’t wait to get the answers to.
Looking forward to the next book for the conclusion.
Sent to Frostburn, a cold cruel place, Briar can only hope to avoid attention and survive. Wondering if her mates Ziv and Kage are coming for her, she finds another fated Moros, amongst the Elites.
Briar finds out more about her abilities, but unfortunately draws more attention to herself. Ziv and Kage finally come for her. Can all 3 of her mates keep her safe? Will Kage and Briar be able to truly be mated? Who is behind all of this? So many questions I can’t wait to get the answers to.
Looking forward to the next book for the conclusion.
November 11, 2024
OK read in an OK series
Firstly I will say I usually really enjoy this author and this is my least favorite series so far - but that might be just me - the plot is good, the world building is strong, I’m hooked to find out what will happen next… however, the FMC was so annoying in the first book. I can read naive but this was next level and the men were too far on the wrong side of the protect vs take advantage of line… I was pleasantly surprised in this book that the FMC was nowhere near as annoying, there was a new MC who actually seemed to care & respect her BUT there was disappointingly little plot progression, zero to no tension and overall if it was four short chapters it could have easily covered the same territory.. o hope the next book is a bit pacier!
Firstly I will say I usually really enjoy this author and this is my least favorite series so far - but that might be just me - the plot is good, the world building is strong, I’m hooked to find out what will happen next… however, the FMC was so annoying in the first book. I can read naive but this was next level and the men were too far on the wrong side of the protect vs take advantage of line… I was pleasantly surprised in this book that the FMC was nowhere near as annoying, there was a new MC who actually seemed to care & respect her BUT there was disappointingly little plot progression, zero to no tension and overall if it was four short chapters it could have easily covered the same territory.. o hope the next book is a bit pacier!
November 24, 2024
Ok who’s shocked that I got sucked in by another Albany Walker cliffhanger? No one? Good because I shouldn’t have been surprised when I was flabbergasted at the ending! I mean do I have an idea what will happen? Yes and I think it will be funny but I guess I’ll have to wait and see. I’m not as big into fantasy as I am paranormal so I really appreciated that we also got paranormal aspects so far in the series but the build up is definitely allllll fantasy. I am still so confused 😵💫 We know who some of the bad guys are but I’m honestly not sure if we can trust anyone! And there’s certain characters that keep getting brought up and I don’t know if I should be suspicious 👀 I definitely can’t wait for the rest of the series because I am dying to know what the heck is going on!
January 10, 2026
After arriving at Ivy, Briar was starting to get a bit comfortable she's now got not 1 mate but 2 one she has fully attached to and the other just emotional. while working on her fighting next thing she knows it was black, she was bit by a snake and on the verge of dying, then she was traded to a new cold institute. both of her mates are fuming not knowing where she was and not being able to know how to get her back. Briar just wants to survive and after proving herself different, in the meantime she not only was discovering that she had some powers that she didnt know she had, she also now mated to a wolf shifter as well as her 2 back at the Ivy. this girl has her hands full while just trying to survive. the audio book was great and the story is just as good.
November 9, 2024
What in the world just happened? I mean there was so much going on between Briar being relocated against her will & then meeting Moros, another mate.
She is fighting & dealing with a hunch of feelings she isn’t ready for in this book along with trying to figure out her powers more, to understand them. I loved that she had Moros there with even if it took her a little while to open up but I completely understood why just as he did.
Seeing the tension between her & Ziv was hard but then being able to communicate even if it was so fleeting.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book & will be anxiously awaiting the next book!
Amazing job!
She is fighting & dealing with a hunch of feelings she isn’t ready for in this book along with trying to figure out her powers more, to understand them. I loved that she had Moros there with even if it took her a little while to open up but I completely understood why just as he did.
Seeing the tension between her & Ziv was hard but then being able to communicate even if it was so fleeting.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book & will be anxiously awaiting the next book!
Amazing job!
November 14, 2024
OMG. this book. THIS BOOK. I loved it, we got to view Briar in another light, in another environment that was made to crush her and all she did was grow. Reading about her honing her skills, no matter how much they might scare her, all the while mourning the loss of her old environment and her first 2 mates. This new mate might just be e my favorite! I do have a thing for shifters, but I feel he does a very good job of letting her stand in her own 2 feet, while also supporting and not coddling her. BUT THIS ENDING. I think Albany is getting and more devious with her cliff hangers because man I gasped haha I cannot wait to read the next book and learn more about these crazy trials.
September 29, 2025
Bitter Brambles by Albany Walker
I love this series so much. The trails and pain the female lead goes through is heartbreaking. The author really captured the self doubt and emotional defeat someone suffers from childhood trauma. The male leads go through their own transformation inspired by the female lead, Briar. She inspires them to realize the gifts they’ve taken for granted in life and what it means to truly care for someone other than themselves. It’s a beautiful story of love, pain, and growth. Each book has ended on a cliffhanger that only makes you hunger for more. I can’t wait to read more of Briar’s journey!
I love this series so much. The trails and pain the female lead goes through is heartbreaking. The author really captured the self doubt and emotional defeat someone suffers from childhood trauma. The male leads go through their own transformation inspired by the female lead, Briar. She inspires them to realize the gifts they’ve taken for granted in life and what it means to truly care for someone other than themselves. It’s a beautiful story of love, pain, and growth. Each book has ended on a cliffhanger that only makes you hunger for more. I can’t wait to read more of Briar’s journey!
November 14, 2024
OMG I ABSOLUTELY NEED BOOK 3!!!
So I love this story, the plot is thickening and I for one can't wait till it explodes!!! Briar is a magical mystery and the gods are playing games with her and all the supernaturals lives for horrible reasons..but is there one God on her side? I believe so, and all of her enemies have some choas coming there way bc she is mated to a fallen god, a powerful demon, and the most powerful amazing alpha wolf there is and when u hurt a mate worlds will crumble..A MUST READ
So I love this story, the plot is thickening and I for one can't wait till it explodes!!! Briar is a magical mystery and the gods are playing games with her and all the supernaturals lives for horrible reasons..but is there one God on her side? I believe so, and all of her enemies have some choas coming there way bc she is mated to a fallen god, a powerful demon, and the most powerful amazing alpha wolf there is and when u hurt a mate worlds will crumble..A MUST READ
November 14, 2024
Second installment in the trilogy!
This books starts right where the first one left off, with Briar separated from Ziv and Kage. I was nervous starting this one because I usually don’t enjoy rh installments when there is a separation, but I ended up really liking this one. Early on she meets Moros, which is why this worked for me. I do wish we had more details on certain aspects of their world, and the time passage felt a bit vague to me, but I’m very invested and can’t wait to get the final installment in the series!
This books starts right where the first one left off, with Briar separated from Ziv and Kage. I was nervous starting this one because I usually don’t enjoy rh installments when there is a separation, but I ended up really liking this one. Early on she meets Moros, which is why this worked for me. I do wish we had more details on certain aspects of their world, and the time passage felt a bit vague to me, but I’m very invested and can’t wait to get the final installment in the series!
November 20, 2024
WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!! omg! This book keeps me awake until early morning!
There were so many emotions this recent book elicited from me. I feel betrayed, loved, anger, happy, and most of all THAT scene at the end!!!!
All of her books are super special and just mentioning her name in every group-book discussion, you can be assured that all praises and recommendations will be there - meaning all her stories will be at the top of your must-read books.
If you haven't started this series yet, go and begin the wonderful journey!
There were so many emotions this recent book elicited from me. I feel betrayed, loved, anger, happy, and most of all THAT scene at the end!!!!
All of her books are super special and just mentioning her name in every group-book discussion, you can be assured that all praises and recommendations will be there - meaning all her stories will be at the top of your must-read books.
If you haven't started this series yet, go and begin the wonderful journey!
November 29, 2024
mostly relationship focused
There was a lot book 2 could have done. It was set up for so much to take place. It just focused heavily on relationships between the main characters and very little plot. The last 25% of the book had most of the plot happening. I’m not sure why she chooses to write this way. There isn’t any big twists or turns in the book. Then the ending has all the plot for book smashed into it at once.. like the first 2/3 is just fluff. I did enjoy the characters and their interactions but I wish she added and spread out the plot some more.
There was a lot book 2 could have done. It was set up for so much to take place. It just focused heavily on relationships between the main characters and very little plot. The last 25% of the book had most of the plot happening. I’m not sure why she chooses to write this way. There isn’t any big twists or turns in the book. Then the ending has all the plot for book smashed into it at once.. like the first 2/3 is just fluff. I did enjoy the characters and their interactions but I wish she added and spread out the plot some more.
December 17, 2024
Different
When I first downloaded this book, I was a little hesitant. I typically like books with a very strong female lead. I was thrown off by the meekness of Briar in the beginning. However, the plot was different in the best way. This book is less predictable than most books I read. I ended up falling for every one of the main characters. Reading how Briar has gone from shy and not knowing how to process people being nice to her to the strong female character she is now was fantastic. I absolutely can’t wait for the third book to come out.
When I first downloaded this book, I was a little hesitant. I typically like books with a very strong female lead. I was thrown off by the meekness of Briar in the beginning. However, the plot was different in the best way. This book is less predictable than most books I read. I ended up falling for every one of the main characters. Reading how Briar has gone from shy and not knowing how to process people being nice to her to the strong female character she is now was fantastic. I absolutely can’t wait for the third book to come out.
January 4, 2025
This book was much better than book #1 in the series, there was still a lot of pointless fluff and plot holes.. But Briar finally grew a backbone and there was some semblance of action and spice!
Moros was an interesting add, I just really hope there’s more character development moving forward in the series. He’s at least willing to be there for her in a way the other two mates have refused or overlooked up until now. The Ziv story line should take a serious back seat for a while in my opinion.
Moros was an interesting add, I just really hope there’s more character development moving forward in the series. He’s at least willing to be there for her in a way the other two mates have refused or overlooked up until now. The Ziv story line should take a serious back seat for a while in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2025
This is a filler
I would like to say we saw Briar grow as a character but no. The parts of her training are glossed over and told as "a few months later" bit disappointing that. What we do have is a lot of moping.
So we have mate number 3, honestly he did a better job of protecting her. I just wish their connection could have had more, well more. Sunny feels disposable to her compared to the other two. I know she dropped the L word but still didn't really feel it. Her thinking of the other two when he was with her kind of killed it.
But..... Yep waiting on book 3.
I would like to say we saw Briar grow as a character but no. The parts of her training are glossed over and told as "a few months later" bit disappointing that. What we do have is a lot of moping.
So we have mate number 3, honestly he did a better job of protecting her. I just wish their connection could have had more, well more. Sunny feels disposable to her compared to the other two. I know she dropped the L word but still didn't really feel it. Her thinking of the other two when he was with her kind of killed it.
But..... Yep waiting on book 3.
January 15, 2025
Monica - You really enjoyed this series and the cliffy is a doozy. Next book not released until 2025 - no set date but you put the 2nd book in your Amazon wish list as a reminder. Once it’s released here is your catch up: Main FMC is a void. Her mates at this point are a fallen God, an Alpha Werewolf and a Shadow Daddy that can’t touch anyone or they die. They protect her as she comes into her own & everyone and anyone is trying to kill her. She’s had a rough life and it shows. Definitely keep reading this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2025
I liked this one so much more than the first book, but that cliffhanger smh. It's clear what the end wants readers to believe isn't what happens for so many reasons. This one was a lot more descriptive when it came to the new location. I still like the characters and some of the new characters that were added to this book. Disappointed I didn't realize this was a series and not just 2 books before I read it since I now have to wait for the new book before I can finish it. I definitely hope it comes in the beginning of Spring and not at the end.
January 10, 2026
The FMC has to be the most boring person ever and the guys have about as much depth as kiddie pool.
Somehow the author managed to make a 250 page book feel too long. I hoped this book would answer all my questions book one didn’t but sadly not. There’s no world building, there’s hardly any side characters, the book has no depth which would be fine if it was a total smut fest but it’s not. None of the main characters have any emotional depth or personality or even any growth. It was just plain boring, if I had to read how delicate the FMC was one more time, we get it she’s TINY.
Somehow the author managed to make a 250 page book feel too long. I hoped this book would answer all my questions book one didn’t but sadly not. There’s no world building, there’s hardly any side characters, the book has no depth which would be fine if it was a total smut fest but it’s not. None of the main characters have any emotional depth or personality or even any growth. It was just plain boring, if I had to read how delicate the FMC was one more time, we get it she’s TINY.
December 2, 2024
cliffhanger!!!!
I NEED the next book! Sooo bad! I love the characters! I love how they are written. The mfc is weak at first and SLOWLY is getting stronger. There’s no immediate rise to badassery. Her attitude doesn’t suddenly change after years of being treated in a certain way and changing how she survived all those years/decades. She has valid feelings. Her makes have valid emotions and strengths. I NEED MORE!
I NEED the next book! Sooo bad! I love the characters! I love how they are written. The mfc is weak at first and SLOWLY is getting stronger. There’s no immediate rise to badassery. Her attitude doesn’t suddenly change after years of being treated in a certain way and changing how she survived all those years/decades. She has valid feelings. Her makes have valid emotions and strengths. I NEED MORE!
December 28, 2024
sooooooooo freaking good
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Are you kidding me! Grrrrr, that cliffs was dirty! I Need more! Ahhh. This second book was just as addictive the first. I’m loving this series. Blair is growing, this trial is almost upon us and I’m dying with anticipation. I love our new mate he was a surprise. I’m screaming I didn’t realize this series was incomplete. I hope book three is released soon.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Are you kidding me! Grrrrr, that cliffs was dirty! I Need more! Ahhh. This second book was just as addictive the first. I’m loving this series. Blair is growing, this trial is almost upon us and I’m dying with anticipation. I love our new mate he was a surprise. I’m screaming I didn’t realize this series was incomplete. I hope book three is released soon.
January 26, 2025
Better than the first book
I really struggled With The lack of depth in The first book and while this one marginally better, it's still lacking. Time passes with barely a mention, no meaningful interaction with others again. It's basically a story of how Briar and Moros met, just like the first one when she met Ziv and Kage. I want the next book to fulfil the empty parts of these first 2 books but I can't see that happening.
I really struggled With The lack of depth in The first book and while this one marginally better, it's still lacking. Time passes with barely a mention, no meaningful interaction with others again. It's basically a story of how Briar and Moros met, just like the first one when she met Ziv and Kage. I want the next book to fulfil the empty parts of these first 2 books but I can't see that happening.
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