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The Claiming Games #1
Bonds of Hate
I used to be the perfect little Omega, but not anymore.
Trained from childhood to serve powerful Alphas, it should have been my dream come true when I was offered me a royal bonding contract. But I refused and I ran, with no intention of ever coming back.
Of course, I had my
Prince Logan is a spoiled sociopath who hides his darkness behind a gorgeous face and a charming smile.
Poe, the dead-eyed assassin incapable of mercy or remorse, has a habit of skinning their enemies alive.
The pack enforcer, Ares, might act like a golden retriever but I know he is little more than a rabid dog off its leash.
And Cillian, the pack’s beta and Logan’s personal guard, simply watches their mayhem unfold without any interest at all, unless I catch him watching me.
But a year later, I’ve learned just how dangerous this world can be for a girl raised to serve, rather than survive. When the king announces that any unmated prince must choose an Omega, I know who won't turn me away.
Not when they can finally force me to submit in all the ways I once refused.
Not when they have the chance to humiliate me like I did them by running away.
Not when they will own me, body and soul.
These men are the devils I know, but someone even worse is after me. With my past about to catch up, I’ll let them do whatever they want in exchange for their protection.
Pack Logan might break their toys, but no one else gets a chance to play.
Trained from childhood to serve powerful Alphas, it should have been my dream come true when I was offered me a royal bonding contract. But I refused and I ran, with no intention of ever coming back.
Of course, I had my
Prince Logan is a spoiled sociopath who hides his darkness behind a gorgeous face and a charming smile.
Poe, the dead-eyed assassin incapable of mercy or remorse, has a habit of skinning their enemies alive.
The pack enforcer, Ares, might act like a golden retriever but I know he is little more than a rabid dog off its leash.
And Cillian, the pack’s beta and Logan’s personal guard, simply watches their mayhem unfold without any interest at all, unless I catch him watching me.
But a year later, I’ve learned just how dangerous this world can be for a girl raised to serve, rather than survive. When the king announces that any unmated prince must choose an Omega, I know who won't turn me away.
Not when they can finally force me to submit in all the ways I once refused.
Not when they have the chance to humiliate me like I did them by running away.
Not when they will own me, body and soul.
These men are the devils I know, but someone even worse is after me. With my past about to catch up, I’ll let them do whatever they want in exchange for their protection.
Pack Logan might break their toys, but no one else gets a chance to play.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2025
128 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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December 28, 2025
I received a copy of this book via BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
✅ Pace
✅ Interesting mix of royalty and contemporary
✅ Multiple POVs
✅🆗 Smut
🆗 Plot
🆗 Characters
🆗 Lack of background on characters
❗️❗️Kind of cliffhanger
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: dubious consent, exhibitionism/voyeurism, past abuse mentioned and briefly described, violence and torture, some slut-shaming
2.5 stars; it was entertaining, but I was expecting so much more.
Maya met with the Logan pack a year ago, and she ran away from them after seeing how depraved and horrible they were. Now in need of protection, she had no other choice but to go back to them and hope they would take her in as their omega. They have not forgotten her, nor the fact that she humiliated them, and the only reason they accept to take her in is because the King forced Logan to take an omage if he ever hoped to be named heir. Maya now has a place with them at the palace, where she feels safe from her past, but she is far from being safe from Pack Logan, their anger, and their devious ways.
I will be honest, I was expecting something much darker, with much worse characters. The men are described as evil demons with no redeeming qualities. They are supposed to be violent psychopaths, yet while they were horrible, they were not as bad as I was expecting. I was expecting something dark, gritty, and angsty, and it was dark, but it was not the angstiest or darkest Omegaverse I’ve read.
I am not saying that this is a light book. It has dark themes, and the consent aspect is very dubious from the first chapter up to the last. Maya gets humiliated and sexually used by the guys, but while what they do is horrible and would never, ever be okay, they never take it too far either. I am happy for Maya that they are not a completely lost cause, but it did not fit with all the warnings I read about this book.
The characters were okay, but we lacked background information on them. Because of that, I could not connect with Maya, and I couldn’t understand the guys’ motivation. They kept saying things like: “I don’t hate you, but I don’t want you here” but gave no explanation at all, and we had no insight on their reasoning either. They were assholes just because, we had no idea why they became this way, and the little bit of history we got on them was not enough to justify their cold demeanor or hatred toward Maya.
As I said previously, I couldn’t connect with Maya. I liked the fact that she ran away from the pack at first, and her reason for going back to them also makes sense, but her mysterious dark past that she is running from is only mentioned once and without much detail. I can imagine how horrible it was and why she needs protection, but I did not feel her fear through the book. She is strong, but it isn’t shown throughout the book. I did not feel her desperation to be protected; I was just told that she needed protection, and that was it. When it comes to the alphas, she hates them, but at the same time, she can’t resist their sex appeal. She hates the way they treat her but is aroused by it. It was realistic that she was ashamed of what she saw as her body’s betrayal at first, but the author could have used this aspect to make her experience feel worse and to show us how she hated them for making her body react this way, but sadly, she seemed to quickly get over it and accept the way they treated her. Sure, she got angry and sad about it, but I read about her emotions. I did not feel them, and it always seemed to last a few pages only, and then she would go back to normal, or there would be more smut to distract her.
Ares is said to be “acting like a golden retriever, but is a rabid dog off his leash”. Well, I definitely saw the golden retriever, but I didn’t see a lot of the rabid dog. Sure, he was violent with his enemies, but with Maya, he was kinda sweet and caring. He made no secret that he wanted her mostly for her body at first, but it became clear that he started to care for her, and I didn’t see this unhinged side of him at all when he was with her.
Cillian is the Beta of the pack, and while he is cold and detached, he is not particularly mean to Maya. He just ignores her or lets her know that he does not want her around but does nothing to humiliate her or hurt her (physically or mentally). Cillian also seemed to be absent for most of the book, only appearing here and there when he was needed, and leaving again after.
Poe is a jerk; at least that part was true. He is supposed to be the “dead-eyed assassin incapable of mercy or remorse”, but while he was cold and cruel in the first half of the book, he never treated Maya that poorly. He insulted her and let her know he would not mind getting rid of her, but he did not beat her or torture her, which is almost what I expected from him with the description given in the blurb and the first chapters.
The worst of them was Logan, but even he could have been much worse. He wanted to get his revenge over Maya for running away from them a year ago, and he revelled in humiliating her and degrading her, but even that part got old pretty fast. He humiliated her a few times and then just decided to mostly ignore her while also being jealous of Ares whenever he would spend time with her and made sure to remind everyone that she was not and would never be pack. On a side note, there seems to be a little plot-hole here, or maybe I did not understand… Logan’s father made it clear that his heir would need to have an Omega and produce offspring because he is all about legacy, yet Logan plans on getting rid of Maya as soon as he is named heir, knowing that his father could change his choice if he decides to. What was his long-term plan here? Did he think that his father would not notice him getting rid of his omega? I understand that he does not want Maya to be a part of his pack, but he realistically can’t get rid of her that easily either if he wants to remain in a position of power.
There was smut, but it was not always used in the best way to make the plot and relationship progress, in my opinion. There were moments of humiliation, when Logan would almost force Maya to please him or do something sexual, to humiliate her, which fits with his cruel persona. But there were other moments where it felt like the authors wanted to force smut on us, like Ares “punishing” Maya by eating her out or Poe “torturing information out of her” by engaging in foreplay with her. Especially for Poe, it feels out of character since he is described as this violent psychopath. If he wanted information that badly, I imagine he would have tortured or drugged her, not edge her and make her come.
On a more positive note, I enjoyed the setting. It is a mix of royalty and contemporary, where there is a King and princes, but they also have cars and tablets, with all the usual technology. It was a little different from the usual dystopian omegaverse books I read, and I liked that change.
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✅ Pace
✅ Interesting mix of royalty and contemporary
✅ Multiple POVs
✅🆗 Smut
🆗 Plot
🆗 Characters
🆗 Lack of background on characters
❗️❗️Kind of cliffhanger
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: dubious consent, exhibitionism/voyeurism, past abuse mentioned and briefly described, violence and torture, some slut-shaming
2.5 stars; it was entertaining, but I was expecting so much more.
Maya met with the Logan pack a year ago, and she ran away from them after seeing how depraved and horrible they were. Now in need of protection, she had no other choice but to go back to them and hope they would take her in as their omega. They have not forgotten her, nor the fact that she humiliated them, and the only reason they accept to take her in is because the King forced Logan to take an omage if he ever hoped to be named heir. Maya now has a place with them at the palace, where she feels safe from her past, but she is far from being safe from Pack Logan, their anger, and their devious ways.
I will be honest, I was expecting something much darker, with much worse characters. The men are described as evil demons with no redeeming qualities. They are supposed to be violent psychopaths, yet while they were horrible, they were not as bad as I was expecting. I was expecting something dark, gritty, and angsty, and it was dark, but it was not the angstiest or darkest Omegaverse I’ve read.
I am not saying that this is a light book. It has dark themes, and the consent aspect is very dubious from the first chapter up to the last. Maya gets humiliated and sexually used by the guys, but while what they do is horrible and would never, ever be okay, they never take it too far either. I am happy for Maya that they are not a completely lost cause, but it did not fit with all the warnings I read about this book.
The characters were okay, but we lacked background information on them. Because of that, I could not connect with Maya, and I couldn’t understand the guys’ motivation. They kept saying things like: “I don’t hate you, but I don’t want you here” but gave no explanation at all, and we had no insight on their reasoning either. They were assholes just because, we had no idea why they became this way, and the little bit of history we got on them was not enough to justify their cold demeanor or hatred toward Maya.
As I said previously, I couldn’t connect with Maya. I liked the fact that she ran away from the pack at first, and her reason for going back to them also makes sense, but her mysterious dark past that she is running from is only mentioned once and without much detail. I can imagine how horrible it was and why she needs protection, but I did not feel her fear through the book. She is strong, but it isn’t shown throughout the book. I did not feel her desperation to be protected; I was just told that she needed protection, and that was it. When it comes to the alphas, she hates them, but at the same time, she can’t resist their sex appeal. She hates the way they treat her but is aroused by it. It was realistic that she was ashamed of what she saw as her body’s betrayal at first, but the author could have used this aspect to make her experience feel worse and to show us how she hated them for making her body react this way, but sadly, she seemed to quickly get over it and accept the way they treated her. Sure, she got angry and sad about it, but I read about her emotions. I did not feel them, and it always seemed to last a few pages only, and then she would go back to normal, or there would be more smut to distract her.
Ares is said to be “acting like a golden retriever, but is a rabid dog off his leash”. Well, I definitely saw the golden retriever, but I didn’t see a lot of the rabid dog. Sure, he was violent with his enemies, but with Maya, he was kinda sweet and caring. He made no secret that he wanted her mostly for her body at first, but it became clear that he started to care for her, and I didn’t see this unhinged side of him at all when he was with her.
Cillian is the Beta of the pack, and while he is cold and detached, he is not particularly mean to Maya. He just ignores her or lets her know that he does not want her around but does nothing to humiliate her or hurt her (physically or mentally). Cillian also seemed to be absent for most of the book, only appearing here and there when he was needed, and leaving again after.
Poe is a jerk; at least that part was true. He is supposed to be the “dead-eyed assassin incapable of mercy or remorse”, but while he was cold and cruel in the first half of the book, he never treated Maya that poorly. He insulted her and let her know he would not mind getting rid of her, but he did not beat her or torture her, which is almost what I expected from him with the description given in the blurb and the first chapters.
The worst of them was Logan, but even he could have been much worse. He wanted to get his revenge over Maya for running away from them a year ago, and he revelled in humiliating her and degrading her, but even that part got old pretty fast. He humiliated her a few times and then just decided to mostly ignore her while also being jealous of Ares whenever he would spend time with her and made sure to remind everyone that she was not and would never be pack. On a side note, there seems to be a little plot-hole here, or maybe I did not understand… Logan’s father made it clear that his heir would need to have an Omega and produce offspring because he is all about legacy, yet Logan plans on getting rid of Maya as soon as he is named heir, knowing that his father could change his choice if he decides to. What was his long-term plan here? Did he think that his father would not notice him getting rid of his omega? I understand that he does not want Maya to be a part of his pack, but he realistically can’t get rid of her that easily either if he wants to remain in a position of power.
There was smut, but it was not always used in the best way to make the plot and relationship progress, in my opinion. There were moments of humiliation, when Logan would almost force Maya to please him or do something sexual, to humiliate her, which fits with his cruel persona. But there were other moments where it felt like the authors wanted to force smut on us, like Ares “punishing” Maya by eating her out or Poe “torturing information out of her” by engaging in foreplay with her. Especially for Poe, it feels out of character since he is described as this violent psychopath. If he wanted information that badly, I imagine he would have tortured or drugged her, not edge her and make her come.
On a more positive note, I enjoyed the setting. It is a mix of royalty and contemporary, where there is a King and princes, but they also have cars and tablets, with all the usual technology. It was a little different from the usual dystopian omegaverse books I read, and I liked that change.
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March 28, 2025
I was a little nervous going into this because the author warned it was dark and I have my limits. However, I was intrigued by the sample I read and decided to chance it. I’m glad I did! While there were definitely some things that were a little darker, it was still tolerable for me. I especially appreciate that the guys didn’t do anything to Maya that they can’t come back from (which would have been a dealbreaker for me).
As mentioned, I found the story interesting and I felt that Maya’s reasoning for needing protection was solid and not some flimsy plot point to drive the pack together. I’m actually really anxious to learn more about what happened to her. I generally liked Maya, though I found her thoughts a bit rambling at times. I also liked Saffron and hope to see more of her in the remaining books of the trilogy. The guys were promising, for the most part, but I found Logan’s tantrums a bit off putting. We got a little of Poe’s and Cillian’s backgrounds (I guessed about Cillian pretty early on but didn’t see Poe’s coming) and I hope we get more from all of them later!
This was a strong addition to the omegaverse genre and I can’t wait to see where this story goes!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As mentioned, I found the story interesting and I felt that Maya’s reasoning for needing protection was solid and not some flimsy plot point to drive the pack together. I’m actually really anxious to learn more about what happened to her. I generally liked Maya, though I found her thoughts a bit rambling at times. I also liked Saffron and hope to see more of her in the remaining books of the trilogy. The guys were promising, for the most part, but I found Logan’s tantrums a bit off putting. We got a little of Poe’s and Cillian’s backgrounds (I guessed about Cillian pretty early on but didn’t see Poe’s coming) and I hope we get more from all of them later!
This was a strong addition to the omegaverse genre and I can’t wait to see where this story goes!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2025
Maya used to be the perfect little Omega, just like she was raised to be. But, not anymore.
Maya was trained from childhood knowing that she was going to have to serve one powerful Alpha or another, so it should have been her dream come true when she was offered a royal bonding contract. Instead, Maya refused and she ran, and she had no intention of ever returning.
Of course, she had her
Prince Logan: is nothing more than a spoiled rotten sociopath, he hides his darkness behind his gorgeous face and his all to charming smiles.
Poe: is a dead-eyed assassin who is incapable of mercy or remorse. He has this habit of skinning his enemies while they are still alive.
Ares: who tries to be the pack enforcer. He likes to act like he's this gentle golden retriever, but Maya knows that he's really a rabid dog who's off his leash.
Cillian: the beta of the pack and also Logan's personal guard. He likes to watch all the mayhem around him unfold uninterested in any of it unless Maya happens to catch him watching her.
Maya is able to survive for a year, but in that year she's learned a lot and she's come to realize just how hard it is for a girl who was raised to serve to survive on her own. It's when the King announces publicly that any prince who is unmated has to choose an Omega, Maya knows with certainty who would never turn her away.
Not when it means they can finally force her to submit to them in every way she had once refused to.
Not when they can now humiliate her like she did to them when she ran away.
Not when they can own her, body and soul.
Logan, Poe, Ares, and Cillian are the devils that Maya knows, but someone even worse than them is after her now. And with her past about to catch up to her, Maya's willing to let these men do whatever they want to her as long as she gets what she wants in return, their protection.
Pack Logan may enjoy breaking their toys, but their number one rule is, no one else gets to play.
Bonds of Hate is the first book in a planned trilogy. Please see the author's website for details on content and themes.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!!! Please read the trigger warnings before jumping into this book. Some of the TW are: dubious consent, exhibitionism/voyeurism, past abuse mentioned and briefly described violence and torture, and some slut-shaming.
Bonds of Hate is the first book in the Claiming Games by Nola Heart and it is A Dark Reverse Harem Omegaverse Romance. I have ever read a Nola Heart book before and I wasn't sure what to think as I had never heard of Nola Heart before so I wasn't sure of her writing style or her storytelling style.
The book starts with us meeting Maya. She is an Omega who has been courting Prince Logan's pack. Prince Logan himself is the prince of Corellian. His pack is made up of Prince Logan himself, Ares, Poe, and Cillian. We quickly learn that Maya has been in the palace for a few weeks with her mother Charlotte there as an escort, and they both acknowledge that Logan is Maya's scent match.
Logan, being the peen that he is, decides that he wants to test Maya just to see her body and test her bedroom skills. This utter humiliation causes Maya to run from Logan, run from her mother, run from the palace, run from it all. She can't handle the humiliation that Logan has forced on her.
A year later, after the decree that any unmated prince must mate with an Omega, Maya suddenly turns back up on the Palace doorstep, not sure if she will once again be presented with a mating contract for Logan and his cruel pack or if that contract will pass to one of his many brothers.
Sadly, Logan and his unruly pack, haven't forgotten what Maya did to them and Logan can't deny that she is still his scent match. And once again he offers her a contract with way too many terms knowing that Maya will not turn it down. He knows that for reasons that right now are Maya's alone, the palace is the only place where she feels safe and the only place that is big enough she can safely hide the secrets she is keeping hidden closest to her.
Maya knows that sooner or later her secrets are going to catch up to her and they finally do just when Maya thought she might have a chance at a traditional Alpha/Omega relationship. Suddenly all that's gone, shattered into a million pieces, and the pieces are scattered to the wind.
I liked Maya. I loved her purple hair. (biased because it's one of my favorite colors). I love the sassy, stubborn, intelligent, and even desperate streak she has in her. She is fierce and I think that if she is given the chance to love and be loved she could grow to be stronger than ever.
Prince Logan, the Alpha of the pack himself. I found him to be immature, domineering, overly moody, and he had an unpredictable streak about him that left you guessing about what he was going to do next.
Ares is another Alpha, although he bows to Logan and Maya feels safer with Ares than she does with anyone else in the pack. She doesn't understand it, but for some reason, his scent calms her down and when she's in distress she just automatically gravitates to Ares without even thinking about it. And out of all the other men in the pack, he seems to be the one who is falling for Maya first.
Cillian appears to be the beta of the pack(?) Personally I found him to be brash and I really didn't like him all that much, closer to the end of the book he finally started to grow on me, but I still don't like him all that much. Hopefully, that opinion will completely change in the next book.
Poe is yet another Alpha in the pack and yet another Alpha who bows to Logan. He's the assassin of the pack, although that is not written in the pack as he doesn't want everyone to know what he is. But, being an assassin, he is also a protector of those he loves and cares about. He has this passive side to him that is inquisitive and he wants to know more about the people who surround him and his pack and he revels in uncovering the secrets that others want to keep buried deep down and hidden in the deepest darkest corners of their hearts.
Everything in this story is triggered when Maya suddenly returns to the palace, she has absolutely nothing to her name and she's never been claimed by an Alpha as she should have been. The other part of the story surrounds the murder investigation of Logan's brother Ander's.
I enjoyed The Bonds of Hate and it is shaping up to be a really interesting Omegaverse series that has some new and interesting angles to it. There is some spice added to it to help move the story along but this is a tension and angst-filled slow burn that is delicious.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Omegaverse read with a bit of spice and is filled with tension and is a slow burn. It has a fierce FMC, devious and dangerous MMCs, mystery and angst, and everything that you could want in an Omegaverse, and has new twists and turns with angles that are new and interesting. Nola Heart has delivered a great book and a delicious read.
Maya was trained from childhood knowing that she was going to have to serve one powerful Alpha or another, so it should have been her dream come true when she was offered a royal bonding contract. Instead, Maya refused and she ran, and she had no intention of ever returning.
Of course, she had her
Prince Logan: is nothing more than a spoiled rotten sociopath, he hides his darkness behind his gorgeous face and his all to charming smiles.
Poe: is a dead-eyed assassin who is incapable of mercy or remorse. He has this habit of skinning his enemies while they are still alive.
Ares: who tries to be the pack enforcer. He likes to act like he's this gentle golden retriever, but Maya knows that he's really a rabid dog who's off his leash.
Cillian: the beta of the pack and also Logan's personal guard. He likes to watch all the mayhem around him unfold uninterested in any of it unless Maya happens to catch him watching her.
Maya is able to survive for a year, but in that year she's learned a lot and she's come to realize just how hard it is for a girl who was raised to serve to survive on her own. It's when the King announces publicly that any prince who is unmated has to choose an Omega, Maya knows with certainty who would never turn her away.
Not when it means they can finally force her to submit to them in every way she had once refused to.
Not when they can now humiliate her like she did to them when she ran away.
Not when they can own her, body and soul.
Logan, Poe, Ares, and Cillian are the devils that Maya knows, but someone even worse than them is after her now. And with her past about to catch up to her, Maya's willing to let these men do whatever they want to her as long as she gets what she wants in return, their protection.
Pack Logan may enjoy breaking their toys, but their number one rule is, no one else gets to play.
Bonds of Hate is the first book in a planned trilogy. Please see the author's website for details on content and themes.
YOU'RE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!!!! Please read the trigger warnings before jumping into this book. Some of the TW are: dubious consent, exhibitionism/voyeurism, past abuse mentioned and briefly described violence and torture, and some slut-shaming.
Bonds of Hate is the first book in the Claiming Games by Nola Heart and it is A Dark Reverse Harem Omegaverse Romance. I have ever read a Nola Heart book before and I wasn't sure what to think as I had never heard of Nola Heart before so I wasn't sure of her writing style or her storytelling style.
The book starts with us meeting Maya. She is an Omega who has been courting Prince Logan's pack. Prince Logan himself is the prince of Corellian. His pack is made up of Prince Logan himself, Ares, Poe, and Cillian. We quickly learn that Maya has been in the palace for a few weeks with her mother Charlotte there as an escort, and they both acknowledge that Logan is Maya's scent match.
Logan, being the peen that he is, decides that he wants to test Maya just to see her body and test her bedroom skills. This utter humiliation causes Maya to run from Logan, run from her mother, run from the palace, run from it all. She can't handle the humiliation that Logan has forced on her.
A year later, after the decree that any unmated prince must mate with an Omega, Maya suddenly turns back up on the Palace doorstep, not sure if she will once again be presented with a mating contract for Logan and his cruel pack or if that contract will pass to one of his many brothers.
Sadly, Logan and his unruly pack, haven't forgotten what Maya did to them and Logan can't deny that she is still his scent match. And once again he offers her a contract with way too many terms knowing that Maya will not turn it down. He knows that for reasons that right now are Maya's alone, the palace is the only place where she feels safe and the only place that is big enough she can safely hide the secrets she is keeping hidden closest to her.
Maya knows that sooner or later her secrets are going to catch up to her and they finally do just when Maya thought she might have a chance at a traditional Alpha/Omega relationship. Suddenly all that's gone, shattered into a million pieces, and the pieces are scattered to the wind.
I liked Maya. I loved her purple hair. (biased because it's one of my favorite colors). I love the sassy, stubborn, intelligent, and even desperate streak she has in her. She is fierce and I think that if she is given the chance to love and be loved she could grow to be stronger than ever.
Prince Logan, the Alpha of the pack himself. I found him to be immature, domineering, overly moody, and he had an unpredictable streak about him that left you guessing about what he was going to do next.
Ares is another Alpha, although he bows to Logan and Maya feels safer with Ares than she does with anyone else in the pack. She doesn't understand it, but for some reason, his scent calms her down and when she's in distress she just automatically gravitates to Ares without even thinking about it. And out of all the other men in the pack, he seems to be the one who is falling for Maya first.
Cillian appears to be the beta of the pack(?) Personally I found him to be brash and I really didn't like him all that much, closer to the end of the book he finally started to grow on me, but I still don't like him all that much. Hopefully, that opinion will completely change in the next book.
Poe is yet another Alpha in the pack and yet another Alpha who bows to Logan. He's the assassin of the pack, although that is not written in the pack as he doesn't want everyone to know what he is. But, being an assassin, he is also a protector of those he loves and cares about. He has this passive side to him that is inquisitive and he wants to know more about the people who surround him and his pack and he revels in uncovering the secrets that others want to keep buried deep down and hidden in the deepest darkest corners of their hearts.
Everything in this story is triggered when Maya suddenly returns to the palace, she has absolutely nothing to her name and she's never been claimed by an Alpha as she should have been. The other part of the story surrounds the murder investigation of Logan's brother Ander's.
I enjoyed The Bonds of Hate and it is shaping up to be a really interesting Omegaverse series that has some new and interesting angles to it. There is some spice added to it to help move the story along but this is a tension and angst-filled slow burn that is delicious.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good Omegaverse read with a bit of spice and is filled with tension and is a slow burn. It has a fierce FMC, devious and dangerous MMCs, mystery and angst, and everything that you could want in an Omegaverse, and has new twists and turns with angles that are new and interesting. Nola Heart has delivered a great book and a delicious read.
May 15, 2025
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing me with an advanced review copy, so that I can provide an honest review of my experience.
First off.. Nola. This book LITERALLY made me get out of bed to review it. Quite literally. You've got a great story here.
Maya, our FMC, is an omega who went to an exclusive omega training centre. Just before she graduates, she is "courted" by our Alpha MMC's; Prince Logan, Ares, Poe and their beta Cillian. They, being their asshole selves, opt to humiliate her, prompting her to humiliate them by running.
A year later, she makes her way back to them when Logan's father insists that his sons get matched with omega's and produce an heir; the first "wins" the coveted role of heir to the throne.. enough so that he puts out a kingdom wide call to insist that all available omegas present themselves. This, is the beginning of the dance of enemies to lovers. Emotions are going to run high. Our alphaholes will be themselves. And Maya is going to have to make the decision of her life.
This story was rather well written. Enough so, that I read it in one sitting.. and if there are errors.. I didn't even notice them. The lore of the world is very well fleshed out with appropriate amounts of lore drip-fed throughout the story. I would have liked to have seen more story about what happened to Maya in the year that they were gone.. but I'm assuming that is coming in book 2.
Like other readers, I do feel that these men were set up to be irredeemable.. Maybe I've read too much dark romance? Cause.. these guys aren't irredeemable.. they're just alphaholes who kinda need to get over their b&**@#$. And they do seem to make a little headway there during the story. They have a long way to go.
Maya, on the other hand, does do some growing. We see her go from a scared omega who doesn't really want an alpha, to an omega who both wants the protection that an alpha can bring but is also not willing to sacrifice herself or her morals to get them.
Emotionally, its a bit of a rollercoaster. There is a lot of humiliation, especially sexual based humiliation. It does stray into the dubcon territory, but I don't see that as a detriment to the story.. Most of the dubcon has a purpose and is not there just to be there. There is a lot of conflict between Maya and the pack.. and within the pack itself, and that drives a lot of the storyline. Its something that they (and we) need to resolve.
The twist at the end of this book, is not one that I see particularly often.. and I'd love to see where it goes.
Nola, I'm mad :P This book doesn't come out soon enough… and the second book isn't here for me to ARC read for you *grumbles*
First off.. Nola. This book LITERALLY made me get out of bed to review it. Quite literally. You've got a great story here.
Maya, our FMC, is an omega who went to an exclusive omega training centre. Just before she graduates, she is "courted" by our Alpha MMC's; Prince Logan, Ares, Poe and their beta Cillian. They, being their asshole selves, opt to humiliate her, prompting her to humiliate them by running.
A year later, she makes her way back to them when Logan's father insists that his sons get matched with omega's and produce an heir; the first "wins" the coveted role of heir to the throne.. enough so that he puts out a kingdom wide call to insist that all available omegas present themselves. This, is the beginning of the dance of enemies to lovers. Emotions are going to run high. Our alphaholes will be themselves. And Maya is going to have to make the decision of her life.
This story was rather well written. Enough so, that I read it in one sitting.. and if there are errors.. I didn't even notice them. The lore of the world is very well fleshed out with appropriate amounts of lore drip-fed throughout the story. I would have liked to have seen more story about what happened to Maya in the year that they were gone.. but I'm assuming that is coming in book 2.
Like other readers, I do feel that these men were set up to be irredeemable.. Maybe I've read too much dark romance? Cause.. these guys aren't irredeemable.. they're just alphaholes who kinda need to get over their b&**@#$. And they do seem to make a little headway there during the story. They have a long way to go.
Maya, on the other hand, does do some growing. We see her go from a scared omega who doesn't really want an alpha, to an omega who both wants the protection that an alpha can bring but is also not willing to sacrifice herself or her morals to get them.
Emotionally, its a bit of a rollercoaster. There is a lot of humiliation, especially sexual based humiliation. It does stray into the dubcon territory, but I don't see that as a detriment to the story.. Most of the dubcon has a purpose and is not there just to be there. There is a lot of conflict between Maya and the pack.. and within the pack itself, and that drives a lot of the storyline. Its something that they (and we) need to resolve.
The twist at the end of this book, is not one that I see particularly often.. and I'd love to see where it goes.
Nola, I'm mad :P This book doesn't come out soon enough… and the second book isn't here for me to ARC read for you *grumbles*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2025
As someone who reads more than my fair share of omegaverses, I like to see a wide variety of these stories. I sometimes want to read something easy and sweet, sometimes I want to read something dark and suspenseful, and sometimes I want something in the middle. This book was definitely more on the dark side of things. I love a darker omegaverse because it forces our FMC to be strong, to be a fighter. But because it is darker, it is imperative to read the trigger warnings. What I liked about this book is that its different from what we usually see in that the alphas weren’t the perfect men that would do anything and everything for their omega. This story also was unique in the fact that there are princes and royals, yet we are set in modern times. This was definitely an entertaining story and one that I am excited to see what we are in store for next.
I love an omega who bucks the system that is set up against them. Maya was trained to be the perfect omega, serving her alphas as an omega should. But she is not the sweet little subservient omega that she is “supposed to be”. She is smart and a survivor. She is forced to return to a pack that she left a year before. The MMCs are not the sweet, perfect males that we see so often in omegaverses. They are jerks and honestly Maya deserves better than what she got. But she knew that she needed to protect herself and that meant returning to the pack. I definitely had some mixed feelings about the males in the pack and am interested to see if and how they develop from here.
This book was unique for an omegaverse and one I enjoyed reading. This is just book one, so it does not come to a complete end. I am interested to see where we go from here. There was spice in this book and it was written very well. It caught my attention without boring me. I enjoyed the concept of this story and thought it was a very interesting read. If you want your omegaverse on the darker side, this would be a great one to pick up.
I love an omega who bucks the system that is set up against them. Maya was trained to be the perfect omega, serving her alphas as an omega should. But she is not the sweet little subservient omega that she is “supposed to be”. She is smart and a survivor. She is forced to return to a pack that she left a year before. The MMCs are not the sweet, perfect males that we see so often in omegaverses. They are jerks and honestly Maya deserves better than what she got. But she knew that she needed to protect herself and that meant returning to the pack. I definitely had some mixed feelings about the males in the pack and am interested to see if and how they develop from here.
This book was unique for an omegaverse and one I enjoyed reading. This is just book one, so it does not come to a complete end. I am interested to see where we go from here. There was spice in this book and it was written very well. It caught my attention without boring me. I enjoyed the concept of this story and thought it was a very interesting read. If you want your omegaverse on the darker side, this would be a great one to pick up.
June 22, 2025
Thank you to Booksirens for providing me with an advance reader copy of *Bonds of Hate* by Nola Heart. All thoughts and opinions are my own.** This dark omegaverse reverse-harem romance is as brutal as it is addictive. With rich palace intrigue, shifting loyalties, and high-stakes power plays, the book reads like a twisted fairy tale crossed with the politics of *Game of Thrones*—and I tore through it in two days.
At the center of the chaos is Maya, a heroine defined by her resilience. Stripped of agency, freedom, and safety, she still manages to hold her head high and carve power from powerlessness. Her strength is emotional, physical, and deeply personal. Watching her stand toe-to-toe with manipulative royals and carve space for herself in a hostile court was incredibly compelling.
The MMCs Logan, Poe, Ares, and Cilian each play a role in her journey—some supportive, some antagonistic. Logan, in particular, is simply despicable: domineering, manipulative, and self‑serving to the extreme. He stands out as truly horrible, the kind of character you love to hate. Poe and Ares, however, offer glimpses of compassion and complexity, while Cilian’s quiet loyalty to Logan grows more meaningful as the narrative unfolds.
Rated at 3.5 stars, *Bonds of Hate* is raw, dark, and emotionally volatile. It leans into the brutality of omegaverse tropes while adding a satisfying dose of political scheming and royal ambition. While some scenes are hard to stomach, and Logan’s cruelty will not be for everyone, Maya’s strength and the Game-of-Thrones-esque plotline make this a worthy read for fans of dark, twisty romance.
At the center of the chaos is Maya, a heroine defined by her resilience. Stripped of agency, freedom, and safety, she still manages to hold her head high and carve power from powerlessness. Her strength is emotional, physical, and deeply personal. Watching her stand toe-to-toe with manipulative royals and carve space for herself in a hostile court was incredibly compelling.
The MMCs Logan, Poe, Ares, and Cilian each play a role in her journey—some supportive, some antagonistic. Logan, in particular, is simply despicable: domineering, manipulative, and self‑serving to the extreme. He stands out as truly horrible, the kind of character you love to hate. Poe and Ares, however, offer glimpses of compassion and complexity, while Cilian’s quiet loyalty to Logan grows more meaningful as the narrative unfolds.
Rated at 3.5 stars, *Bonds of Hate* is raw, dark, and emotionally volatile. It leans into the brutality of omegaverse tropes while adding a satisfying dose of political scheming and royal ambition. While some scenes are hard to stomach, and Logan’s cruelty will not be for everyone, Maya’s strength and the Game-of-Thrones-esque plotline make this a worthy read for fans of dark, twisty romance.
March 28, 2025
From childhood Maya knew that as a rare omega she would serve a powerful alpha, but when she refuses a bonding contract to the Prince of Melilla, Logan Corellian, and did her best to disappear. But nothing turned out as she hoped. A year later she is back at the palace and determined to get that bonding contract, but Prince Logan is still the spoiled and vicious royal he was the first time they met, maybe even worse than before. But for Maya, Logan and his pack is better than the devil she has escaped and is running from, she can only hope that Logan, Ares, Poe and Cillian can keep her safe in the palace.
Wow, this is a fantastic book. There are unexpected and surprising twists in the plot that kept me so engrossed in this book it was easy to lose track of time. I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next! In this world omegas are something of a commodity and every alpha wants one, the only problem is that there aren’t nearly enough omegas to go around. Maya, a beautiful young omega is very smart, and while most omegas only want to please her alpha, Maya want so much more than that. There is action and violence but no happily ever after and there is one heck of a cliffhanger which has me chomping at the bit for more, more, more of this series. Keep in mind that this is a dark romance with possible triggers for some readers. I recommend paying attention to the author’s trigger warnings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC I received from Book Sprout.
Wow, this is a fantastic book. There are unexpected and surprising twists in the plot that kept me so engrossed in this book it was easy to lose track of time. I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next! In this world omegas are something of a commodity and every alpha wants one, the only problem is that there aren’t nearly enough omegas to go around. Maya, a beautiful young omega is very smart, and while most omegas only want to please her alpha, Maya want so much more than that. There is action and violence but no happily ever after and there is one heck of a cliffhanger which has me chomping at the bit for more, more, more of this series. Keep in mind that this is a dark romance with possible triggers for some readers. I recommend paying attention to the author’s trigger warnings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC I received from Book Sprout.
March 26, 2025
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this but I really enjoyed it! The secrets and plot twists throughout kept me engaged and intrigued to know what happens next!
Definitely consider trigger warnings just to be on the safe side, I don't have many so I did enjoy the more darker tone to this omegaverse book. I enjoyed the world building, the pacing of the story and how well each character is developed. The constant struggle between instincts and the character's actual feelings is felt throughout the book and helps shape their relationships during this first book. I'm excited to see how they further develop in the next book!
Maya, our fmc, for the most part is looking for a way to survive the danger she has found herself in. She determines that the troublesome Prince Logan's pack: Logan, Ares, Poe and the beta Cillian, is the only answer despite how she left him before. Her struggle between omega instincts and her hatred for the prince brings her to life for me and I enjoyed reading her journey so far. Ares and Poe are definitely my favourite out of the love interests so far but they are still violent and bloodthirsty, just not towards Maya directly. Logan and Cillian have some more development needed before I can say I like them as much as the other two.
Definitely give this a go if you like dark omegaverse reads! Do read the trigger warnings just in case beforehand!
Definitely consider trigger warnings just to be on the safe side, I don't have many so I did enjoy the more darker tone to this omegaverse book. I enjoyed the world building, the pacing of the story and how well each character is developed. The constant struggle between instincts and the character's actual feelings is felt throughout the book and helps shape their relationships during this first book. I'm excited to see how they further develop in the next book!
Maya, our fmc, for the most part is looking for a way to survive the danger she has found herself in. She determines that the troublesome Prince Logan's pack: Logan, Ares, Poe and the beta Cillian, is the only answer despite how she left him before. Her struggle between omega instincts and her hatred for the prince brings her to life for me and I enjoyed reading her journey so far. Ares and Poe are definitely my favourite out of the love interests so far but they are still violent and bloodthirsty, just not towards Maya directly. Logan and Cillian have some more development needed before I can say I like them as much as the other two.
Definitely give this a go if you like dark omegaverse reads! Do read the trigger warnings just in case beforehand!
April 2, 2025
Not your typical omega verse dark romance. There is little to no !ight in this book. Also set in a kingdom but in a modern world (think kings, princes, royal harems, cars, phones etc). Please make sure to check your trigger warnings.
The MMC are messed up assholes and most are not redeemable in my eyes. Not sure what most of their damage is either bc that's not explored in book 1.
The FMC is awesome - despite having gone thru the omega training to make her a subservient brainless she still has steel and is doing her best to protect herself with no help. Literally everyone is out to get her.
The world building is Good but not overdone. Editing is top notch. I finished this book in A day and I definitely got sucked into the world and the characters. I'm excited for book #2.
If the first words in book 2 is not "bleep you, you coward, don't you bleeping touch me", and " you will never be my alpha", then I don't want in. She better come out of her nap firing. I mean absolutely rage at those twats. This book ends on a cliffhanger and you will want to take a bat To the main male characters.
I could have done with some more backstory on All of the characters but I'm sure some of it will get addressed In book #2.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The MMC are messed up assholes and most are not redeemable in my eyes. Not sure what most of their damage is either bc that's not explored in book 1.
The FMC is awesome - despite having gone thru the omega training to make her a subservient brainless she still has steel and is doing her best to protect herself with no help. Literally everyone is out to get her.
The world building is Good but not overdone. Editing is top notch. I finished this book in A day and I definitely got sucked into the world and the characters. I'm excited for book #2.
If the first words in book 2 is not "bleep you, you coward, don't you bleeping touch me", and " you will never be my alpha", then I don't want in. She better come out of her nap firing. I mean absolutely rage at those twats. This book ends on a cliffhanger and you will want to take a bat To the main male characters.
I could have done with some more backstory on All of the characters but I'm sure some of it will get addressed In book #2.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
April 16, 2025This is another take on the Omegaverse Genra and it didn't disappoint the ending was just wow I hope our girl Maya has some major payback coming cause if she doesn't it would be such a waist for such a strong female character that has all this stuff happen to her she goes threw allot because of her mother and some rotten Alpha holes two of them maybe redeemable Poe and Ares the other two guys left me wanting someone to just take them down a peg or two. So this is somewhat fantasy world but somewhat modern like today it's a mix there are some dark themes some intense sexual scenes and some faded out scenes or moments in the book that left me wondering what happened but the plot the characters that make you hate them at times but maybe start to like them. The author dose give you some background on two of the guys Poe and Cillian and but Ares is still dosen't have allot of background and Logan well it may be wrong of me but I wouldn't cry if a boulder fell on him but that's just my personal opion so I like were this book is going and now I have to wait till September for the second book crazy cliffhanger. I was allowed to read advance copy of this book via BookSirens and this is my honest review.
June 7, 2025
Ok, this book was unexpected… From the first chapter it grabbed my attention. While I'm used to books in this genre, the royalty element was a welcomed surprise. Maya was very fierce, and I loved that she doesn't just bow down to anyone. She made these guys work to respect her and while it may have taken the whole book for some to get there, it's definitely progress. I like that the heat was kind of subtle. Hot but not an inferno, it was more believable considering the trust issues with Maya and this pack. I can't wait to see where this build up leads. Logan, Cillian, Poe and Ares are trying their hardest to keep those emotional walls up, but they've really met their match in Maya and one by one she's tearing their walls down. The story really could've ended there but there were several twists that were really enjoyable and kept the story fresh. Even when I thought that I figured somethings out, there was still even more to be discovered. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was very original; I loved the world that was imagined! It was dark in some areas, but I loved that. Very HOT🔥and yet tender in some moments. I can't wait to see where this story continues as the ended was definitely a beginning! So many stars! 😍❤️
March 30, 2025
I had to cry a little… I want more!
If you like an omegaverse and you like it dark, this is one you want to read! It's about trusting the devil you know, attraction despite not wanting to, and a power play in politics and dynamics.
An omega returns to the Alphapack she rejected, creating a lot of tension not only from her past decision, but also from other factors at play. They have to navigate these dangerous waters while keeping a united front, with a nice surprise towards the end!
The spicy scenes are well done—not overly long, which is refreshing. It strikes the right balance, and I never felt the urge to skip over them (and let’s be honest, four pages of detailed descriptions can sometimes be too much, even if you enjoy it).
Set in a modern society, my only criticism is that it isn't really explained. It’s a kingdom with cars, lifts, and electric appliances, but there’s mention of holovids, hinting at a more futuristic setting.
All in all, I want to know how it continues and would love to get my hands on the second part.
I received this ARC for free a honest review, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you like an omegaverse and you like it dark, this is one you want to read! It's about trusting the devil you know, attraction despite not wanting to, and a power play in politics and dynamics.
An omega returns to the Alphapack she rejected, creating a lot of tension not only from her past decision, but also from other factors at play. They have to navigate these dangerous waters while keeping a united front, with a nice surprise towards the end!
The spicy scenes are well done—not overly long, which is refreshing. It strikes the right balance, and I never felt the urge to skip over them (and let’s be honest, four pages of detailed descriptions can sometimes be too much, even if you enjoy it).
Set in a modern society, my only criticism is that it isn't really explained. It’s a kingdom with cars, lifts, and electric appliances, but there’s mention of holovids, hinting at a more futuristic setting.
All in all, I want to know how it continues and would love to get my hands on the second part.
I received this ARC for free a honest review, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention the entire time. I loved how strong Maya was and even with everyone and things around her trying to make her subservient, she still thinks for herself and stands up for herself. I loved watching the relationships develop between our Maya and the "hero's"/pack and the ways that they all differ and are unique. Logan pack is definitely darker and are definitely antihero/villain mc's. This story is darker due to that and I thought it was very well done. There are plenty of twists and turns with a pretty good one towards the end. This does end on a cliffhanger and I desperately need the next one to see how things are going to play out. I'm hoping that we get to delve into more of the backstory of our characters and certain situations that happened in the past, which I do anticipate happening. This story was really well done and I enjoyed the take on the omegaverse with the strength of Maya, even being an omega, and am very excited to see what happens next for them.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
September 30, 2025
I enjoyed the story that was given in the throughout. I will say that before starting this keep in mind of triggers. Some that could be trigger for others.... Non-con, dub-con, somno, and forced bonding.
I enjoy the FMC and her bold self. She makes her choices and stands by her points. But she also finds herself bending a little bit to her Omega needs. She's determined and determined not to be another Omega that just submits. The guys? They are characters you can totally hate, but you find yourself liking them more as their walls crack open and you see more and more of their true selves, not just the alpha's and beta the world has crafted. Well besides Logan. Logan is a very dislikable character for me in this one. This isn't a happy Omega and Alpha, pack bonded story. This is politics, genetics/designation reigning, no choices left kind of story. I did knock a star off due to the typos, missing words, wrong words, an extra word in a sentence that didn't fit kind of thing as book 1 is a published and available kindle unlimited book and can use editing. Before that I would have given it a 4.
I enjoy the FMC and her bold self. She makes her choices and stands by her points. But she also finds herself bending a little bit to her Omega needs. She's determined and determined not to be another Omega that just submits. The guys? They are characters you can totally hate, but you find yourself liking them more as their walls crack open and you see more and more of their true selves, not just the alpha's and beta the world has crafted. Well besides Logan. Logan is a very dislikable character for me in this one. This isn't a happy Omega and Alpha, pack bonded story. This is politics, genetics/designation reigning, no choices left kind of story. I did knock a star off due to the typos, missing words, wrong words, an extra word in a sentence that didn't fit kind of thing as book 1 is a published and available kindle unlimited book and can use editing. Before that I would have given it a 4.
April 15, 2025
So many emotions
Bonds of Hate is the first book in this RH omegaverse. This book is filled with royal intrigue and games. Where the king's heir has not been declared and there are many in line for it. Now add in the game that Logan and his pack are playing with Maya, when the king declared that his sons must have an omega to secure their place, and it becomes a game in a game.
Maya ran from Logan and his pack. She disappeared for a year, but desperation brings her back. She knows that Logan doesn't want an omega, but she has to make this work. She doesn't trust the pack and they don't trust her.
And they shouldn't!
Everyone has secrets in this book. And Maya learns that she can't run from hers. Despite thinking she might be safe, she finds out that even with all the security around her, that she is still vulnerable.
I don't want to ruin anything for other readers so I'll just let you know that the ending is a surprise and heartbreaking too. Secrets are revealed and Maya's whole world will be upended.
Bonds of Hate is the first book in this RH omegaverse. This book is filled with royal intrigue and games. Where the king's heir has not been declared and there are many in line for it. Now add in the game that Logan and his pack are playing with Maya, when the king declared that his sons must have an omega to secure their place, and it becomes a game in a game.
Maya ran from Logan and his pack. She disappeared for a year, but desperation brings her back. She knows that Logan doesn't want an omega, but she has to make this work. She doesn't trust the pack and they don't trust her.
And they shouldn't!
Everyone has secrets in this book. And Maya learns that she can't run from hers. Despite thinking she might be safe, she finds out that even with all the security around her, that she is still vulnerable.
I don't want to ruin anything for other readers so I'll just let you know that the ending is a surprise and heartbreaking too. Secrets are revealed and Maya's whole world will be upended.
April 22, 2025
Wow, this is an absolutely breathtaking read.
Set against the backdrop of a dark and twisted omegaverse infused with an old-time English atmosphere, the story plunges us into the depths of a truly traumatized Omega. She flees from one terrifying monster, only to find herself ensnared by an even more sinister predator. Prince Logan, the self-serving and arrogantly narcissistic Alpha, embodies the very essence of cruelty, with not a single redeeming quality in sight. My hope is fervent that Maya rises up to challenge Logan and his broken, weak pack. However, there are glimmers of possibility in Poe and Ares, who hint at a complexity that might lead to redemption.
There are secrets on top of secrets, horrors expierenced, political intrigue forced heats, forced bonds all the good things a dark and twisted omegaverse should have. I'm truly blown away and would give this more than 5 stars if I could.
This gripping tale is not just a story; it’s an obsession that will linger in my mind long after the final page has turned.
Set against the backdrop of a dark and twisted omegaverse infused with an old-time English atmosphere, the story plunges us into the depths of a truly traumatized Omega. She flees from one terrifying monster, only to find herself ensnared by an even more sinister predator. Prince Logan, the self-serving and arrogantly narcissistic Alpha, embodies the very essence of cruelty, with not a single redeeming quality in sight. My hope is fervent that Maya rises up to challenge Logan and his broken, weak pack. However, there are glimmers of possibility in Poe and Ares, who hint at a complexity that might lead to redemption.
There are secrets on top of secrets, horrors expierenced, political intrigue forced heats, forced bonds all the good things a dark and twisted omegaverse should have. I'm truly blown away and would give this more than 5 stars if I could.
This gripping tale is not just a story; it’s an obsession that will linger in my mind long after the final page has turned.
April 28, 2025
@TrishSparklerReads Bookstagram:
“Bonds of Hate” by Nola Heart
Series: Claiming Games Book 1
Genre: Dark Romance Reverse Harem Omegaverse
POV: Multiple
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 5🌶️
Darkness: 5🩶
Highlights:
🖤Why Choose- Polyamory MMFMM
🖤Morally Black MCs
🖤Prince, Assassin, Enforcer and Guard MCs
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Bullying and Hate s@x
🖤Virgin Omega FMC
🖤BD$M
Thoughts:
This was an awesome super dark contemporary Omegaverse story. Each of the men were so Alpha and compelling, and as a group they really packed a punch. They all did a great job of being mean and bullying her. The author did a great job with slowly unfolding details as the story continued. I totally did not expect the twist that happened, it was quite surprising. This ended on a shocking cliffhanger during her heat, but don’t worry, the book is as spicy as you would expect in a reverse harem read.
🛑Please read all the author warnings as themes and events depicted in this book could be triggering. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Bonds of Hate” by Nola Heart
Series: Claiming Games Book 1
Genre: Dark Romance Reverse Harem Omegaverse
POV: Multiple
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 5🌶️
Darkness: 5🩶
Highlights:
🖤Why Choose- Polyamory MMFMM
🖤Morally Black MCs
🖤Prince, Assassin, Enforcer and Guard MCs
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Bullying and Hate s@x
🖤Virgin Omega FMC
🖤BD$M
Thoughts:
This was an awesome super dark contemporary Omegaverse story. Each of the men were so Alpha and compelling, and as a group they really packed a punch. They all did a great job of being mean and bullying her. The author did a great job with slowly unfolding details as the story continued. I totally did not expect the twist that happened, it was quite surprising. This ended on a shocking cliffhanger during her heat, but don’t worry, the book is as spicy as you would expect in a reverse harem read.
🛑Please read all the author warnings as themes and events depicted in this book could be triggering. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2025
God, what a book!!!!
I was completely interested from the start, especially when Logan, one of our alpha protagonists, showed up. I really couldn't tell if I loved or hated him throughout the entire book, but he completely captured my attention. The other two alphas in the harem, Ares and Poe, also left me with mixed feelings, although Ares exudes golden retriever energy while also being super dangerous. And then we have Cillian... my poor baby Cillian is the typical character with a lot of baggage and who ends up being a jerk because of it. I believe he must have been the most hated among the four, as he was really ridiculous towards the FMC throughout the entire book (except for the last 3%).
And speaking of FMC, we finally get to her: Maya. An omega protagonist who balances the omega need for affection and touch very well while also being a badass. I loved the girl and I'm happy about that.
Bonds of Hate It was a great book, and I'm so glad I found it. I loved the mix of royal and contemporary settings, and I can't wait for the sequel.
I was completely interested from the start, especially when Logan, one of our alpha protagonists, showed up. I really couldn't tell if I loved or hated him throughout the entire book, but he completely captured my attention. The other two alphas in the harem, Ares and Poe, also left me with mixed feelings, although Ares exudes golden retriever energy while also being super dangerous. And then we have Cillian... my poor baby Cillian is the typical character with a lot of baggage and who ends up being a jerk because of it. I believe he must have been the most hated among the four, as he was really ridiculous towards the FMC throughout the entire book (except for the last 3%).
And speaking of FMC, we finally get to her: Maya. An omega protagonist who balances the omega need for affection and touch very well while also being a badass. I loved the girl and I'm happy about that.
Bonds of Hate It was a great book, and I'm so glad I found it. I loved the mix of royal and contemporary settings, and I can't wait for the sequel.
August 30, 2025
Okay… this book completely wrecked me (in the best way). Bonds of Hate sucked me in right from the first chapter and I could NOT put it down. Maya is such a strong, relatable heroine—you really feel every ounce of her fear and determination. She’s thrown into this brutal royal world, but she never stops fighting for herself, and I loved rooting for her.
And the guys? Whew. Logan is absolutely awful (and I kind of love to hate him), Poe and Ares are just as intense but in totally different ways, and Cillian adds this quiet strength that balances everything out. The tension between them is insane—I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The writing is fast-paced, dark, and emotional. There were parts that made me yell at my Kindle, parts that broke my heart, and moments where I just sat there, completely hooked. That cliffhanger? EVIL. I’m already dying for the next book.
If you like dark romance, omegaverse vibes, and characters that stay with you, this is a must read.
And the guys? Whew. Logan is absolutely awful (and I kind of love to hate him), Poe and Ares are just as intense but in totally different ways, and Cillian adds this quiet strength that balances everything out. The tension between them is insane—I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The writing is fast-paced, dark, and emotional. There were parts that made me yell at my Kindle, parts that broke my heart, and moments where I just sat there, completely hooked. That cliffhanger? EVIL. I’m already dying for the next book.
If you like dark romance, omegaverse vibes, and characters that stay with you, this is a must read.
April 1, 2025
This was my first trip into an omegaverse, and what a trip! I could hardly set the book down and I'm so excited for the next book to continue the rollercoaster of emotions.
The spice, secrets, politics, and mystery all create a fantastic read. I was grateful for a RH where the FMC isn't a bubbly ray of sunshine or some badass heroine, she seems pretty average but still enough fiery spirit to keep up with the Alphas.
I also liked the writing style of this author, everything was well written and the storyline flowed really well. Enough details are given to paint a picture but not an overwhelming amount that your eyes glaze over. The characters interact well and their relationships build/flow appropriately.
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
The spice, secrets, politics, and mystery all create a fantastic read. I was grateful for a RH where the FMC isn't a bubbly ray of sunshine or some badass heroine, she seems pretty average but still enough fiery spirit to keep up with the Alphas.
I also liked the writing style of this author, everything was well written and the storyline flowed really well. Enough details are given to paint a picture but not an overwhelming amount that your eyes glaze over. The characters interact well and their relationships build/flow appropriately.
[I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
April 7, 2025
Just finished and my emotions are all over the place.
I devoured this book like, could not put it down. I love a good dark RH, but it’s gotta hit a few must-haves for me, and this one nailed it.
All the male love interests? Yeah, they’re kind of awful to the heroine but Maya is no pushover omega. Nope. She’s smart, proud, knows when to fight back, and does not let anyone walk over her. She gives it right back, and I LOVED that. Girl’s got a backbone and then some.
I’m seriously dying for the sequel. We better get some major groveling. Logan? I wanna see you beg.
The writing was so good too. Everything the characters did actually made sense, like the author really took time to make their choices feel real. If this is their first book? Just… WOW. I need book two. Right now!!!!!
I devoured this book like, could not put it down. I love a good dark RH, but it’s gotta hit a few must-haves for me, and this one nailed it.
All the male love interests? Yeah, they’re kind of awful to the heroine but Maya is no pushover omega. Nope. She’s smart, proud, knows when to fight back, and does not let anyone walk over her. She gives it right back, and I LOVED that. Girl’s got a backbone and then some.
I’m seriously dying for the sequel. We better get some major groveling. Logan? I wanna see you beg.
The writing was so good too. Everything the characters did actually made sense, like the author really took time to make their choices feel real. If this is their first book? Just… WOW. I need book two. Right now!!!!!
May 6, 2025
4 Stars — My Heart Is Not Okay!
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Bonds of Hate by Nola Heart, and I am SHOOK. I devoured this book in just two days because I had to know what would happen next. My emotions? Absolutely wrecked. My mind? Spinning. This book had me questioning everything—was it love? Was it hate? Was it both at the same time?? The tension, the angst, the raw intensity between the characters… I was living for it.
Nola Heart knows how to pull readers into a whirlwind of emotion, and she did not hold back. I was screaming at the book one minute and hugging it the next. And now I’m just sitting here, desperately waiting for the next installment because I NEED ANSWERS. I need closure. I need more of them.
If you’re into dark romance with emotional whiplash (in the best way), complicated feelings, and characters that feel real and raw, this one’s for you.
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Bonds of Hate by Nola Heart, and I am SHOOK. I devoured this book in just two days because I had to know what would happen next. My emotions? Absolutely wrecked. My mind? Spinning. This book had me questioning everything—was it love? Was it hate? Was it both at the same time?? The tension, the angst, the raw intensity between the characters… I was living for it.
Nola Heart knows how to pull readers into a whirlwind of emotion, and she did not hold back. I was screaming at the book one minute and hugging it the next. And now I’m just sitting here, desperately waiting for the next installment because I NEED ANSWERS. I need closure. I need more of them.
If you’re into dark romance with emotional whiplash (in the best way), complicated feelings, and characters that feel real and raw, this one’s for you.
June 10, 2025
This one sits squarely in the darker corner of the omegaverse world, and honestly? It works. The worldbuilding is modern yet laced with royal tension, and Maya is the kind of omega I root for – clever, conditioned to obey, but absolutely not here to roll over and submit. Her return to Pack Logan isn’t romantic; it’s survival. And that survival instinct gives this story its grit.
Now, the MMCs? Not your usual doting, fated-mates types. These boys are mean. Spoiled, violent, emotionally stunted – take your pick. But the book doesn’t pretend otherwise, which I respect. Maya’s position is complicated and tense, and the bonds that form are more about strategy and survival than love. It's harsh, it’s bold, and while I side-eyed the men more than once, I’m curious to see how (or if) they redeem themselves next.
Now, the MMCs? Not your usual doting, fated-mates types. These boys are mean. Spoiled, violent, emotionally stunted – take your pick. But the book doesn’t pretend otherwise, which I respect. Maya’s position is complicated and tense, and the bonds that form are more about strategy and survival than love. It's harsh, it’s bold, and while I side-eyed the men more than once, I’m curious to see how (or if) they redeem themselves next.
September 18, 2025
Frequency of grammatical errors aside, this was a really good bully omegaverse romance. The mmc's are truly the worst and treat the fmc disgustingly. The fmc is strong on the outside and secretly just yearns to be loved on the inside. Their relationship journey feels a bit unnecessarily drawn out, the whole book feels like it could've been trimmed by at least 50 pages. And then when a few the mmc's start behaving better, it's a sudden, mostly unprovoked change. So there should've been more in the story around the mmc's change of heart and less with how long it took to get there. Still, overall the story hooks you, wanting to uncover all the secrets. The cliffhanger is a doozy! Looking forward to book 2, but not yet convinced this needed to be a trilogy. I hope book 2 isn't another long drawn out thing just for the sake of making a trilogy.
March 31, 2025
This was a great omegaverse read and sucked me right in. This book is intense and there is a lot going on so please read the trigger warnings. For me this book did everything right!
There are so many secrets, plot changes and this book gets dark. Great character building for our FMC Maya and survival is all she wants. Her entire life she was raised or more like conditioned to serve an alpha. The prince Logan pack may be Mayas only choice to survive and swallowing her pride she goes to them. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us and all the trouble Maya and her pack get into.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are so many secrets, plot changes and this book gets dark. Great character building for our FMC Maya and survival is all she wants. Her entire life she was raised or more like conditioned to serve an alpha. The prince Logan pack may be Mayas only choice to survive and swallowing her pride she goes to them. I can’t wait to see what the next book has in store for us and all the trouble Maya and her pack get into.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2025
This story offered an original take on the omegaverse! I truly haven't read any other books like it. The FMC was fiercely independent, and I loved her spirit. Her relationships with each member of the pack were distinctly unique, and each developed at its own pace. I loved her resistance to immediately jumping into the arms of alphas - it's something missing from many Omegaverse books! The only drawback is having to wait for the next book after that cliffhanger! Overall, this was a great story with amazing characters and plot twists.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2025
What the heck???
You can’t just leave me hanging like that! And now I have to wait until September for the next one??
If my dramatic meltdown over the cliffhanger didn’t give it away — this book totally had me hooked. It was a bit of a struggle at first, mostly because I expected something a little less dark, but by the halfway mark I was devouring it. Finished it in a few hours, and now I’m refreshing the sequel’s page every five minutes, hoping the release date is a cruel joke.
Highly recommended if, like me, you’re still in withdrawal after Pack Darling and desperate for a worthy replacement!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You can’t just leave me hanging like that! And now I have to wait until September for the next one??
If my dramatic meltdown over the cliffhanger didn’t give it away — this book totally had me hooked. It was a bit of a struggle at first, mostly because I expected something a little less dark, but by the halfway mark I was devouring it. Finished it in a few hours, and now I’m refreshing the sequel’s page every five minutes, hoping the release date is a cruel joke.
Highly recommended if, like me, you’re still in withdrawal after Pack Darling and desperate for a worthy replacement!.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2025
Is it the only safe place for her.
Nola has made a smart omega that you will cheer for. Maya once upon a time met the Prince Logan and his pack. They offered her a mating contract. She thought they would keep her into a bare footed and pregnant if they had their way, so she runs. Maya ends up being picked up and tortured by a fanatical doctor who takes pleasure in her pain. She escapes with nowhere to go. Can she find a safe place where the doctor can’t reach her? She makes an awful decision; one she ran from before? This a book set in a dystopian world but it’s not so different from ours.
Nola has made a smart omega that you will cheer for. Maya once upon a time met the Prince Logan and his pack. They offered her a mating contract. She thought they would keep her into a bare footed and pregnant if they had their way, so she runs. Maya ends up being picked up and tortured by a fanatical doctor who takes pleasure in her pain. She escapes with nowhere to go. Can she find a safe place where the doctor can’t reach her? She makes an awful decision; one she ran from before? This a book set in a dystopian world but it’s not so different from ours.
May 7, 2025
Where to start about this book? The Alphas/The Pack - Prince Logan, Poe, Ares including Cillian are pretty much anti-hereos. For the first couple of chapters I struggled to find any redeeming qualities from these guys. Ares kind of grew on me as the book progressed and Poe had his moments. I'm still on the fence about Logan and Cillian. More so with that cliff-hanger ending which had me wanting to drop kick my kindle.
On the upside I really liked that Omega Maya wasn't like any of other Omegas in this book. I loved that she gave as good as she got with pack too. Great plot twists and a few dark parts mixed in together to make for a brilliant start to this trilogy.
On the upside I really liked that Omega Maya wasn't like any of other Omegas in this book. I loved that she gave as good as she got with pack too. Great plot twists and a few dark parts mixed in together to make for a brilliant start to this trilogy.
April 18, 2025
As somebody that loves all things Omegaverse I tend to be critical in my reviews. That is why I can fullheartedly say this is an amazing book. But please check the trigger warnings and respect your mental health. Also keep in mind that it leaves off on a cliffhanger. It will definitely put you through an emotional roller coaster. I don't know if I would call the guys morally gray I would call them more morally black.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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