Switching Graves

Ravenshurst University Duet #1

by Jen Stevens

When Sonny Ellery arrives at Ravenshurst University under her cousin, Poppy’s name, she’s out of options. But Ravenshurst is more than an elite school; it’s a haven for the gifted, ruled by the secretive Midnight Syndicate. Sonny wants a fresh start, but her family’s dark legacy refuses to let her go.

Uncovering journals left by her ancestors, Sonny finds hints of betrayal and a curse binding her bloodline to Ravenshurst’s secrets. Her growing attraction to her ruthless professor, Dr. Raze Whitlock, only pulls her deeper into danger. Raze is determined to break her, yet something between them ignites beyond their control. As their spark deepens into something forbidden, Sonny is drawn into a web of lies, legacy, and deadly power. To uncover the truth, she’ll have to risk everything, including her heart.

Now caught between a sinister past and a perilous present, Sonny must decide how far she’ll go to uncover the truth and protect her future. Because at Ravenshurst, loyalty is a trap, love is a weapon, and legacy is a curse.

Welcome to Ravenshurst University. Where the past is a shadow, the legacy a curse, and only the bold survive.

Genres: Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Gothic, Enemies To Lovers, Adult, Academia

412 pages, Paperback

Published December 31, 2024

Reviews

[afy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★ Okay so it was nothing world-tilting for me and has its own flaws but it sure ATE. I was hooked from start to finish. And the cliffhanger? JAIL. Gimme the second book asap.

Also I’m being petty here and removing a star for that “little nightmare” nickname. I’ve enough of little something nicknames atp. Give me a break, will ya??

If you are a fan of professor-student trope, it is worth your time.

Tropes:
✧ Dark Academia
✧ Professor x Student
✧ Forbidden Romance
✧ Hidden Identity
✧ Secret Society
✧ Intricate magic system

[Shadow Reader (semi-Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️.75

Tropes:
✨ Professor/Student
✨ Secret Society
✨ Magic System
✨ Hidden Identity
✨ Small Spooky Town
✨ University Setting
✨ Dual POV
✨ First Person POV

Let’s get one thing straight: this book is NOT dark ANYTHING, and it is not dark academia either! I went in expecting DARK.. so I’ll admit I was a little frustrated when it gave me something completely different.

That said… there were things I enjoyed, so let’s get into the nitty gritty!

Characters

Sonny (FMC) – Hmm. She’s a bit of a puzzle. Shy but not? Smart, driven, and clearly wants more out of life. I could relate to her, but I struggled to fully connect. She’s not a favourite, but I didn’t dislike her either.

Raze (MMC) – Honestly? I expected more. When I hear “serial killer love interest,” I want unhinged, I want feral, I want touch her and die energy. But Raze? He’s… vanilla. He’s misunderstood, sure, and it’s clear early on that the town’s perception of him doesn’t match the reality. He kills for the secret society, but he reads more morally grey than dark.

Poppy (Side Character) – Now this is a character I loved. Poppy is wild, free-spirited, and fiercely loyal. Her bond with Sonny feels more like sisters than cousins or best friends. She had more spark than either of the leads, if I’m honest.

Plot

We start with Sonny and Poppy… cousins, best friends, practically sisters.. whose mothers where also chilhood besties married to twin brothers. Fast forward to present day and the girls decide to switch lives. Poppy goes off on an adventure, while Sonny takes her place at the mysterious academy.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for Sonny to realise that something isn’t right… and naturally, she starts digging into the town’s secrets.

✨ Spice ✨

Yes, the spice was there, but it was more of a light breeze than a wildfire. I’m talking … “Oh that’s nice” rather than “hold my Kindle while I go take a cold shower” level. Not the intensity I was hoping for or expecting especially with the tropes at play.

✨ Final Thoughts ✨

This wasn’t a bad read… I enjoyed it enough to pick up book two (spoiler book 2 is slightly better than book 1) but would I reread it? Probably not.

Here’s the thing: with taboo romance, I expect angst, tension, and chemistry that burns. I want to be screaming at my Kindle for them to finally give in. But that spark? That slow-burn intensity? It just wasn’t there. Something was missing, and I can’t quite put my finger on it.

There was definitely room for more: more tension, more chemistry, more plot depth.

That said, this is a quick, entertaining read. If you’re looking for something light and mysterious with a hint of spice, give it a go… just don’t expect fireworks. This one’s more of a “piques your curiosity” kind of book.

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

“til the world ends”
“and even then.”

THAT CLIFFHANGER OMG 😱

thank you so much jen for taking me into your team and giving me the chance to arc read 🖤 i absolutely love your writing and you always know how to pull me in from the tropes alone !!

this is a dark academia, star-crossed lovers, professor x student, magical studies and awakening, family secrets, hidden identity, secret society, age gap, and set in an enchanting university near a small creepy town

sonny attends ravenshurst university not knowing a single thing about what this place holds and under a secret identity of her best friend poppy. she learns so much about this new world and all the magical beings that roam around. raze is the most broody and grumpy professor. he literally is set to break sonny in every way, thinking she is the daughter of the woman who ruined his family’s life. after losing his brother, raze is filled with rage and revenge. he wants nothing more than to mess with sonny. the tension between them was 😮‍💨 omg i need more of them !!

the way i’m gnawing at the iron bars of my enclosure for book two is criminal 😩 that ending took me tf out !! i am so unwell

[Mahnoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ☆

[Sybrenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I… I… Lmfao. Lemme get it together 😭 the way I was immediately SAT for this book the entire time and read this in ONE sitting is insane. I always eat up the professor x student trope, but mix that in with secret identities, swapped identities revenge plot, a dark academia setting, secrets, dark romance, magical powers, AND “little nightmare” as a nickname. Babyyyyyy, I am obsessed. BUT DONT GET ME STARTED ON THAtT CLIFFHANGER BECAUSE…. That cliffhanger had me SCREAMING. I am literally SO ready to jump into the next book.

This was actually such a good intro into Jen Steven’s work and I’m ready to dive more into her catalog because this ate down! I know I’ll be staring at a wall for atleast 15 mins until i can process that I literally have to wait for book two. This was so good yall. 😭

[Claudia |✨Cushin Violeta's Bookish Realm✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ 🌟 Unputdownable, Thrilling & suspense riddled 🔥 ride 😻

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅻🅾🅾🅺 🅵🅾🆁🆆🅰🆁🅳 🆃🅾:

💠 Dark Academia
💠 Secret Society
💠 Freaky small town with its own secrets
💠 Powerful Legacy
💠 Suspense filled turns
💠 Student-Professor
💠 Delicious slow burn
💠 Chemistry 🥵
💠 Enemies-to-Lovers

💕 🅵🅰🆅🅾🆄🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂 💕

𝑼𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔. 𝑰𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆.

“𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑰 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒂 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆. 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒊𝒄𝒌. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔.”

🅼🆈 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂:

O-FREAKING-MG JUST GO & GRAB THIS BOOK. I mean this book grabbed me right from the prologue, leaving me shocked and ready for the rollercoaster, wild ride that I knew was coming for me.

I want to scream HOW FREAKING MUCH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK - WITH THE MOST DELICIOUS ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS & SLOW BURN CHEMISTRY THAT TURNS INTO THE HOTTEST ONE & along with that the entire journey of following Sonny to Ravenhurst then slowly finding clues one by one... I was so excitingly reading every chapter and turning the pages like crazy.

The prologue definitely had provoked so many questions in me and I wanted to know more about why the horrific incidents happened.

Fast forward to the present, we meet Sonny and Poppy, two besties - whose mothers were also besties. Only now Sonny's lost hers and Poppy's mother is one wicked one.

Two besties who decide to exchange their lives; one goes on to live the other's family legacy while the other one goes on a secret trip.
Sonny does her best to survive Ravenhurst, even though she's shocked to find the secret about the students who attend Ravenhurst as they all come from powerful families but what makes them different is they have gifts or magical powers inherited as per the branch of family they belong to.

It was utterly fascinating and refreshing to see the different gifts that were prevalent and even though Sonny thinks she's an imposter, how she's completely unaware of who she is and I had so much fun going on this wild ride with her.

Dr. Raze Whitlock, The Head of the Pyschology Dept, was a mystery right from the start. Inspite of his arrogant and cold exterior, you could feel there was an underlying storm inside him that was just waiting for his time to come.

When this new student comes on his campus whose last name he'd been waiting to see in his list of new students, he's all the more excited to finally get his due.

Also, Raze was feared by the Nocture Valley people, his own people and I wanted to know more about the secrets he carried.

Even though the push-pull between Raze and Sonny was thrilling to watch, what had me wide-eyed and melting was their chemistry. I mean that scene where someone's eating out Sonny, and Raze, her professor watches... Oh my... The way she looks at him inspite of someone else trying to give her pleasure was so FREAKING HOTTT. 🥵🔥

Sonny's gang of friends were a pleasant surprise as I didn't expect her to find genuine connections in a place like Raven Hurst but Ava, Beatrice and Jonah were amazing.

THEN THERE'S THAT FREAKING SHOCKING TURN.. WHAT THE... I'm still trying to recover from that Jaw dropping b0mb€r of a shocker that was dropped onto us. I'm like 😱😱😱😲😳

I need that next book so much badly. When the heck is April arriving. 😉

Such a SMASHING book that had me thoroughly hooked till the very last page and I seriously couldn't have enough. The suspense, the past secrets, the mystery about the gifts and the freaking fiery and spicy chemistry between Raze and Sonny was P@n+y-melting hot. Absolutely loved loved this one. 5+🌟s ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book whisked me away on an exhilarating journey, one that has etched itself in my memory. The intricate mysteries interwoven throughout the narrative were utterly captivating, drawing me in with an irresistible pull and keeping me on the edge of my seat with every page I turned. The author's writing is a masterclass in immersion; her vivid descriptions paint a vibrant tapestry that brings each scene to life, while the multifaceted character development adds depth and authenticity to the story, making it utterly impossible to set down.

The vibrant worlds she crafts are nothing short of extraordinary—each realm is meticulously designed with its own unique set of rules and complexities that enrich the storytelling experience. I found myself completely enveloped in the rich atmospheres she created, where every detail seemed to resonate with purpose.

However, the heart-stopping cliffhanger at the end left me in a delicious state of suspense, igniting a fervent longing for the next installment. I find myself eagerly yearning to plunge back into her imaginative universe, desperate to unravel the next threads of intrigue and discover what fate awaits the characters I’ve come to adore.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!! This book!! I can’t even!! Y’all I had to take a few days before I could even write my review.
What an absolute journey I was taken on. The plot twists and constant tension between these characters… oh my goodness!!! I mean you have everything you could ever want.

Dark academia
Professor/ Student
Dark family secrets
Secret society

Trust me when I tell you that when you start this book you will not want to stop. And that CLIFFHANGER!!

This was my first book from Jen Stevens but it’s definitely not going to be my last.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

AHHH THAT CLIFFHANGER!!! I am so glad the second book is already out when I started this duet haha.
This story sucked me in from the beginning. The glimpse of the past that is provided at the start of the book provides just enough insight into the story while still keeping things mysterious. The main characters or complex and mysterious, and I found myself constantly wondering about their intentions and what was true. The magic system is very interesting, the spice/romance is taboo and fun, and I cannot wait to see how the FMC chooses to proceed in the next book.
~ gothic academia, magic system, magic school, secret society, professor and student, he falls first, obsession, betrayal and revenge, swapped identities ~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 💋💋💋 | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Taylor Balkema · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-3.75⭐️ This book was a great read. I loved the dark academia vibes and you can’t go wrong with a student x teacher trope. The mystery pulled me in immediately and that CLIFFHANGER has me immediately starting the 2nd book.

Not sure what it was that didn’t make it a higher rating because I really did enjoy it but it was just missing something for me.

[Morgan Spoelhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! That cliffhanger was brutal though!

[Jill Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Sonny and Raze's story. So many twists and turns that I did not see coming. I love Sonny's spirit, and Raze is that morally grey man we all love with a bit of humor, and I think even some remorse mixed in. Sonny didn't want to participate in this switch, and there were signs that things were not as they seemed with Poppy from the beginning, but Sonny couldn't figure it out until it was too late. I knew a cliffy was coming, but I didn't fully see that one coming.

[Iskra Dimitrova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Stevens once again took me in a trip of whole other proportions.

The secrets, scheming and journey Sonny takes us on, is one full of edgy turns and twists.

If you’re not familiar with Jen’s writing, be prepared for the unexpected, because you never know what’s coming next!

Raze is not to be trifled with, but the right motivation just might be enough to throw him off the well curated path ahead.

“I’m the opposite of hope. I am despair. I am
misery and anguish. I’m death incarnate.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10/10 recommend.

PS that Cliff was brutal! My jaw needed a forklift. 🤯😱🫣
NEED BOOK2 like yesterday.

[Susana Sousa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal cliffy.....so worth it!

Switching Graves is part one of the Ravenhurst University Duet, a dark academia romance with elements of fantasy and my very first book from Jen Stevens.

I'll start by saying that I run along when the genre is paranormal or in the scope and honestly can't believe it myself how invested I was in this tale, thoroughly enjoying it to the fullest!
It's a very well thought book that creates the perfect set for what the story entails, dark academia, secret society, legacies and power forged in greed, crime and destruction, an elite of the wealthy and powerful, the highest ranked with their own moral codes and ancient rules, a criminal underworld of the richest, cunniest and most influential, self servicing, merciless and cruel to those daring to defy the order or its origins.....for something new to be born, exclusive, dangerous, untouchable.......and rotten to the core in an all-consuming mysterious gothic and dank noir atmosphere.

I absolutely loved our protagonists!
Sonny, the levelhead and most fearful of the fact the plan engineered with her cousin would cost them dearly, could not fathom what she was about to get into when they decided she would go to Ravenhurst instead of Poppy, switching places, more to appease her bff than anything else. At least she was able to complete her studies and make a better life for herself after everything she lost.

Raze was a man on a mission. Had been for twenty years, cunning, dangerous, with a black soult to match, he held more power than everybody else, even being a Null, but nobody knew it. And finally the last piece of his well crafted master plan just landed in his vicinity, ready for slaughter, to maim and destroy......inside, to break its soul as his had been broken in that fateful day....
It was time for retribution to begin.
The thing with plans is that nothing goes as planned and the Ellery girl was hidding secrets he couldn't wait to unravel. Along with his thirst for vengeance came a thirst for her, one night to sate the hunger as he pleased because being Dr. Whitlock, the grumpy, moody, difficult and very observant Professor, a master of deceit specialized in delivering, came with the benefit of controling the sweet surrender and wanton abandon of Poppy (Sonny) Ellery.
Would one night be enough, though?!

The begining is a neccesary background in the foundations of Ravenhurst, where we get a spec at a remote and more recent past that sustains the present agendas, the inconsistencies of the history and the speechs and the secrets yet to uncover.

I was so enthusiastic absorving information, looking for clues and theorizing liasons, placements and roles that something came nagging at my thoughts......and if my suspicions were to be correct, that is going to be chef's kiss!
And not to mention Raze and his obsession with Sonny.......for such a cold, unfeeling, blasé bastard, Dr. Whitlock knew how to be scorching in the classroon and the bedroom! Those furtive night trysts at Ravenhurst......🔥🔥🔥

Sonny dared......may her power be with her....

[Kreela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sleeper hit. The title was clear as mud to me, and I tend to download several samples and later randomly try one. I think I downloaded it because it is a college PNR.

World-Building
It’s a secret university where the spawn of superheroes learn about their powers. I had to make a cheat sheet to keep the differences in mind because the titles were too close:
⁃ Aeternum: eternal, pre and retrocognition, time manipulation
⁃ Aetheris: Kinetic, warriors....see how both start with “Aet...”? Confusing.
⁃ Valeria: Emotional manipulation and telepathy
⁃ Viridia: (again, both start with V) healers
⁃ Luminaria: illusions, light, spirits
⁃ Primeria: elements like air, earth...
⁃ Mirrane: family line decimated, spatial folding, illusions again, luck
⁃
❤️ The Romance 💘

“Believe me, Little Nightmare, if it were my tongue buried inside of you, there wouldn’t be a single thing that could distract you. God himself could appear above your head, and you’d have no idea.”

That phrase just needed to be quoted. Besides, I bet some people have a fantasy about using the professor’s desk for a tryst...and the professor caught them in the act. I guess it was something I should have expected, but boy, did I fan my neck during that scene. It had both the unrequited lust and prohibited acts I have come to expect in fantasy.
⁃ Two open-door scenes
⁃ No protection
⁃ Obsessed Killer Professor/Student relationship

🙆‍♀️ The Characters
Raze: hello, Professor Assassin. Yeah, I know was not a new concept, but I have avoided this kind of novel before. His professorship was part of a treaty with a secret society, and he hated the emotional prison that his father created in an attempt to save his life. I think, though, that Raze would have inherited the position regardless. The society needed someone to do their dirty deeds....

Sonnie: hello, body swap. Her cousin Poppy was supposed to attend the university, but Poppy convinced Sonnie to attend in her name. I love that trope! Unlike Poppy, Sonnie’s life with her in-laws after her parents’ deaths honed her into a stronger person. She was no warrior, had normal-woman body and a Psych major to conquer, but that just made me like her more.

Of the side characters, Poppy intrigued me the most. I wanted to know what was going on with her after she escaped. I wanted to read her story. The other characters were not fleshed out enough to care about.


The Plot
I had a couple of logical questions, but I seriously enjoyed the plot. There were plot twists and a cliffhanger ending, so read this only if book 2 is out. I always forget the plot by the time I find book 2!

[iamnotcamiluch · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro, como muchas historias de fantasía, puede resultar algo confuso al inicio. Comienza con un adelanto del linaje de las familias involucradas y los orígenes del pueblo, dándonos pistas importantes desde el principio. En primer lugar empieza con la historia de como asesinaron a todos los Finley, que eran una familia originaria de las 7, y como se escapa uno de los niños y lo escribe en un diario. Luego, nos lleva a la historia de dos chicas en una universidad para personas con poderes. Una de ellas le confiesa a la otra que su familia fue asesinada, y que ha estado escondida bajo una identidad falsa, secreto que solo su prima conoce. Juntas, comienzan a planear una venganza.

Sin embargo, durante la conversacion en el bosque, dos chicos las escuchan. Al descubrirlo, una de las chicas —la más oscura o malintencionada— que se llama Davina, empuja a uno de ellos al rio, causándole la muerte. A partir de ese evento, el otro chico se ve envuelto en un acuerdo con una sociedad secreta, conformada por las familias poderosas responsables de encubrir todo. Eventualmente, este chico se convierte en el asesino de la sociedad, del cual Divina forma parte.

En su misión, asesina a una de las chicas —quien, tiempo después, descubrimos que era la madre de Sonny. Esto deja a Sonny huérfana, y termina viviendo con sus tíos (Divina) y su prima Poppy. Aunque Poppy la quiere mucho, la tía no la soporta y las maltrata a ambas. Más adelante, Poppy debe asistir a la universidad Ravenshurst, donde también estudiaron su madre y su tía (quien fue expulsada). Sonny, por su parte, no puede asistir porque al haber sido expulsada su madre, perdió su oportunidad.

No obstante, Poppy decide irse a Costa Rica con unos amigos, y como ella y Sonny se parecen, proponen cambiar de lugar. Así, Sonny asume la identidad de Poppy y entra en la universidad. Allí se hace de nuevos amigos, pero también se gana la enemistad de un profesor temido por todos: Raze, quien resulta ser el asesino de su madre.

Raze es un personaje oscuro, lleno de odio y con una sed de venganza que lo consume. Aunque al principio antagoniza con Sonny, terminan involucrándose íntimamente. Su relación evoluciona mientras ella comienza a investigar sobre su pasado, sus poderes, y los secretos de la sociedad.

La tensión crece cuando su tía Divina y dos miembros de la sociedad los descubren juntos. Le imponen a Raze una decisión fatal, lo que lleva a Sonny a sentirse traicionada profundamente ya que estaban practicamente en una relacion con Raze. En ese momento, declara que no solo va a sobrevivir, sino que se convertirá en la mayor amenaza para los Findey, la familia poderosa que exterminó su linaje… excepto por ella.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Believe me, Little Nightmare, if it were my tongue buried inside of you, there wouldn’t be a single thing that could distract you.”

AHHHHHHH DID I START MY 2025 OFF RIGHT OR WHAT?!?!

Jen you KILLED it with this book! I am now in my ~ dark academia ~ era, and only the last book to this duet can satiate it 🥰

This story focuses on Sonny Ellery, a baddie who has endured hardship at a young age after losing her parents. She resides with her cousin, Poppy Ellery, and her bitch aunt (the uncle is okay). Due to circumstances, she has no other option but to attend Ravenshurst University under her cousin Poppy’s name, and THIS is where the fun begins. Sonny quickly realizes this isn’t an ordinary university but a university for the gifted run by a cult, Midnight Syndicate. There’s a whole legacy-based magic/gifted system that Sonny not only has to pretend to be a part of (because remember, hidden identity), but also has to learn about herself. She slowly discovers that there’s something off about the entire town and uncovers a dark legacy that is tied to her family.

Aside from the mysterious plot, we are also introduced to our bad-boy professor, Dr. Raze Whitlock. Now let me tell you, this is a SLOWW BURN. The romance kicks in at 45% BUT it is so worth it! THE TENSION!?!? HELLOOOOO!!! The spice is short but HOTT!! It’s definitely forbidden romance, but come on, who doesn’t like a bad-boy professor/student romance 😈

I adored the main characters! Raze is mysterious but also hilarious at times, like listen to this quote:

“She slowly spins back around, taking careful steps toward my desk as if I’m going to grow six heads and bite her. No, Little Nightmare. I’ve only got two.”

Sonny is mature but also realistic! She’s not an idiot who puts herself at risk, but she isn’t a know-it-all either and slowly discovers things at our pace.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Just when you think you know what’s gonna happen, Mrs Stevens RIPS the rug right under you! I won’t say too much but I love how both of the main characters are tied much deeper to each other than we realize, and how they are roped into the cult!

I highly recommend it for you dark academia lovers out there who love a good magic system with a splash of corruption while keeping things romance-heavy! This was a quick read for me, I highly recommend it!

[Amanda Grier · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

*Book 1 of an incomplete series - ends on a cliffhanger*

Wow. I have never read a book by this author, but am pleasantly surprised. While I say, it sort of starts slow, but this is primarily the building up of the story. You’re automatically getting glimpses of what’s to come in the beginning, but for me, it was kind of confusing. But, as the story progressed, I was able to start piecing things together.

Our FMC Sonny is used to grief. She is used to fending for herself and not having many people in her circle. When her cousin Poppy devises a plan to switch places and Sonny attend Ravenhurst University in her place, Sonny is then thrust into a world she had only heard bits and pieces of. Learning more and more each day on the history, family legacies, their powers, and so much more.

Raze is a complex character. While also dealing with grief, he is set on revenge for his brother at the expense of “Poppy”. A professor at Ravenhurst, he has quite the reputation of broody, difficult, controlling and so much more. What he was not expecting was the connection he would share with Sonny. He is aware she is more than likely not who she says she is, but in the end, he gets back on his revenge track, and has a job to uphold. And this isn’t just with the University.

My mind is SPINNING. So many secrets, twists and turns, connections and the list goes on and on. And what about that cliffhanger?! This book hasn’t even officially released yet and I am needing book 2 like yesterday! Sonny, my poor girl. I can’t wait to see how she conjures this reckoning coming!

[Julie ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Switching Graves is definitely one to pick up if you love dark academia, swapped identity, professor x student, age gap, and some magic/magical powers!!

A little bit different to the previous duet I read by Jen, this book definitely took me for a spin and left me HANGING at the end.

Our FMC, Sonny, was orphaned at a young age and was brought up under the care of her uncle and his wife. Although technically cared for, she always felt like a burden and was practically treated as the unwanted extra, especially by her aunt. From a young age, she quickly learned that she truly only had herself and would have to fight hard to survive. Raze, our MMC, underwent a tragic/unfortunate event leaving him brotherless. Because of their town and its secrets, justice wasn’t done for his brother. Raze vowed he’d make those responsible pay, or rather, their descendants.

In an unplanned act of defiance, Sonny is given the opportunity to follow her scholarly dreams and attend the infamous Ravenshurst University under her cousins name, Penelope. Although hesitant, she agrees and embarks a journey where Raze’s world and hers will collide with the beginning of a mistaken identity.

This book completely intrigued me and kept me so hooked in, TIME FLEW whenever I was able to get the chance to read. If you’re into books of the similar tropes, you won’t regret picking this one up.

-eARC for honest thought and opinions.

[Erin Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🔮🌞🌕🍄🌕🌞🔮✨
ARC REVIEW

Switching Graves - Jen Stevens

5/5⭐️

📚📚📚
Damn Jen I don’t know what you put in this book to make it consume me the way it did but wow I’m speechless! I read this one in one sitting! And that CLIFFHANGER OMG!! I need that next book asap 😍 Sonny is such a favorite character of mine now. Where can I find me that professor cause yes please!! 🔥 This book was jam packed with so much but it was written so perfectly that it made is such a wild fun ride. I really enjoyed every aspect of this one and without giving to much away, you all just have to read it too. You need to feel what that cliffhanger will do to you!

📚📚📚
If you like to read:
- Student x Professor
- Dark Academia
- Small spooky town
- Forbidden romance
- Hidden identity
- Age gap
- Intertwined fates
- Family secrets
- Antihero MMC
- Secret society
- Enchanting University
… You should definitely check this out

📚📚📚

Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words. #giftedcopy

✨what’s the first book your reading for the year?

#books #booklover #smut #booknerd #bookfriend #bookish #booklovers #bookishcommunity #bookloversunite #instabook #bookporn #bookphotography #reviews #igbooks #ilovereading #smutty #bookaddiction #bookhoader #hotnsexy #fortheloveofbooks #bookrecs #yummy #givemeallthebooks #readingthepainaway #booktok #arc

[Britney Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book turned out to be so much more than I thought it was going to be. I loved it and the world this book took me too.

Sonny and Raze are two people you wouldn’t think would ever be together and really they are not so much. My heart went out to Sonny. This poor girl seems so lost in this world. She doesn’t have anyone who is truly in her corner. Sure she has her cousin who is her best friend but even that relationship seems one sided. Sonny doesn’t know who she truly is and the loss of her parents just adds to more confusion. So when her cousin Poppy comes up with a plan that helps both of them out for their futures, you would think she would be all for it. But she has that gut feeling that something isn’t right with it.

Raze, my goodness. I don’t know how I really feel about him. He is still such a mystery to me. I mean I did feel bad for him for what happens with his brother and how it affects his whole family. But there is just so much more to him that I need to know lol. I will say I did like how once he had a taste of Sonny, he just couldn’t help his pull to her.

Now let’s talk about this cliffhanger!! Well I am not going to get into too much detail but OMG! I was not expecting THAT cliffy. I had a feeling it was going to end with you wanting more but goodness. I need these answers NOW!
.
.
.
5️⃣🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️
🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
10/10 recommendation‼️

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark academia must read, that’s a killer mix of ethereal and hauntingly beautiful, deceitful, dark, and twisted, and more than delivers when it comes to scorching heat! With brilliant world building and an insidious vibe it sucks you right down the rabbit hole that is Ravenshurst University, the malice and terror of the Midnight Syndicate, bloodlines that are worth their weight in gold, magic, the torrid and ridiculously tasty affair that a tatted up hot as hell professor and the woman he’s manipulating for revenge can’t seem to stop, and a cliffhanger that has you salivating for the next book, and every single word is spectacular.
Ate this up! It’s just straight up great story telling that hooks you from the start and keeps you on the edge. It’s got that dark shadowy past that’s creeping up on people who think they’re untouchable thing going for it, the magic is subtle but adds so much to the overall plot and the kinda creepy vibe, the characters are that just perfect blend of totally love, slightly suspicious, and kinda hate that keeps you guessing about motive, what they know, and their next move, it crackles with chemistry and when it turns up the heat, panties melt and pages go up in smoke. Just loved it and I’m counting down the minutes for the next book.

[b ☁️ (A hardcore k morozov and j lynch stan) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

i feel like i forgot most of the details since this book has been rotting in my library since June but here we are cuz i volunteered to finish all the books i’m keeping on hold. I liked the writing style, it was fine. Good, even. It wasn’t clunky or anything and i liked it but didn’t love it.

Sonny was fine as a character too, didn’t provoke much feelings in me. In fact, neither Sonny nor Raze provoked much feelings in me—but this isn’t to say either of them were bland. They weren’t. Just not characters i haven’t read before. Raze was kinda unique and refreshing in a way how he loved being a bitch towards Sonny—i haven’t read books with professor mmcs who loves getting under the fmc’s skin instead of avoiding any sort of contact beyond professionalism.

I thought it was so obvious that Penelope’s in a cult😭.

I’m SO intrigued about the mystery in this book. At first while reading the prologue, i thought it’s a girl’s pov and that’s the fmc but nopes. It was fun trying to figure out what’s going on and who is the character in the first ch and how they’re relevant to the story. So when the strings came full circle, i did like it.

Overall a solid story with enjoyable writing but i won’t say i’d ever reread this book.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen has a done it again. She weaves an incredible story with a touch of darkness and leaves you on the cliff’s edge begging for more.

In Switching Graves we are introduced to Sonny who was raised by her Aunt (who despises her for an unknown reason) and Uncle (her father’s brother). She also has her cousin, Poppy, who is her best friend.

Poppy and Sonny decide to switch places at Ravenshurst Academy, where Poppy was offered a place to finish college. While Poppy joins a “group” to go to Costa Rica and spread love and health…

When Sonny arrives pretending to be Poppy, she is thrust into a world of magic she didn’t know existed, while stumbling on the dark history of the town and how it could potentially affect her past and future.
We are also introduced to Professor Whitlock, aka dark and broody, aka lap dog assassin, aka insta-obsessed, whose past is tied to Sonny’s in more way then either could’ve predicted.

Spice: 2.5/5

MF

Triggers: Death of family members of multiple characters, attempted drugging of MF, attempted murder are a few.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sonny finds herself in quite the predicament all because she and her cousin thought it would be a great idea to switch places. Now Sonny is attending Ravenhurst University as Poppy Ellery while the real Poppy is off enjoying her freedom, but this little charade can only last for so long before the truth starts to spill out and Sonny soon discovers her own family’s dark secrets.

If you’re looking for something with dark academia vibes this is it! I loved the mysterious feel you get when Sonny first arrives to the university cause she literally has no idea what she has gotten herself into and when she finally meets Raze. 😮‍💨 The tension between the two was intense, but in a good way. Also, I loved that even though she was impersonating her cousin she still was able to find friends to help get her through the semester because you could just tell that things were a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. I cannot wait until book 2 comes out especially with that ending!

[Brimstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely RAVING about this one 😱🖤
𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 📚
ARCReview of this captivating magic world, dark and twisty towns people, and a vengeance one couldn't let go. This book definitely left me wanting more, and I can not wait for the rest of this series! The magic systems the author brought into the world are definitely amazing and built so well. The character development made me fall in love even more every page along the way. AND of course, we have a soft spot for the serial killer 😉
Straight from the author @authorjenstevens Switching Graves has been released into the wild, and I'm so excited for everyone else to love Raze and Sonny, BUT DAMN that cliffhanger sucked 😒🙄

Are you into:
🌙 dark academia
🪦 forbidden romance
🌙 student/professor
🪦 star-crossed love story
🌙 hidden identity
🪦 secret relationship
🌙 deep-rooted family secrets
🪦 secret society
🌙 small, spooky town
🪦 enchanting university

[Sylvia Pelletier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns like no other, this book combines romance, suspense, mystery and magic into one incredible story. I loved learning about the different bloodlines and putting the pieces together about sonny and razes familial ties. Sonny lost her parents when she was 13, and ended up with her aunt Davina, uncle Grayson and cousin poppy. Raze lost his brother when he was 8 and promised revenge on the person who took him from him. Years later sonny finds herself trading places with poppy to attend Ravenshurst University. It also happens to be where raze Whitlock teaches psychology. He's made it his mission to torture her, but catching feelings takes them both by surprise. And omg that ending?! I absolutely need more answers. The story is intense and dark and so incredible. This is no ordinary love story, it's gritty and obsessive and filled with lies and secrets. I can't wait to see the reckoning I know is coming.

[Kayley Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say!? My Goodreads notes (live updates) alone should speak for this story.

First of all, professor McHotty is the ultimate grump mmc with a vendetta drawing that enemies to lovers (maybe back to enemies) trope in hot and heavy. The fact that there really isn't even that much spice in this book and I am OBSESSED with the chemistry is speaking for itself.🥵

Sonny is a babe and watching her grow and uncover things was a journey that felt both necessary and enlightening. Her cousin Poppy was a bit insufferable, but almost every other character was perfect. The social dynamics were built beautifully and they just work. (Bea is me and I refuse to let anything bad happen to her😂👏)

I am SO distraught by the cliffhanger and I don't know how I'll survive a few months without answers😭😭 I am so ready to return to Ravenshurst University and watch how this stressful ending ends up unfolding🥴

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first just say that Jen really is the queen of wild cliffhangers and has no problem leaving you dangling there, desperate to know what happens next. 🤣

I loved this story; the dark academic setting, the taboo professor/student romance, the secret society, and just a little touch of magic made this such a great read!
Raze is the perfect dark and broody MMC, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tension between him and Sonny.

Readers always talk about the relationship between the love interests, but so rarely do we talk about the pivotal relationships between friends. The bond between Sonny and Poppy was so heartwarming. I adored the love they had for each other.

"Til the world ends.”
“And even then."

To say I'm impatiently waiting for book 2 is an understatement! I absolutely need the next book, and I'll be unwell until then.

[Crystal Cleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well put together. I have always loved Jen's writing and this is no different Her world building and story development is really well paced and thought out. I love Sonny and the Gothic Secret Society setting of Ravenhurst. I love that we not only learn about our FMC and MMC but we get glimpses into the other characters and what roles they may play in the following books and this one is set up really well for the beginning of a duet. I can not wait to dive into the 2nd book as soon as possible. The relationship portion of the book was a little sudden we got glimpses of the tension but not enough to show a real reason our 2 MCs would be willing to break the rules for but the spice was spicing really well. I do still love Raze and Sonny and can not wait to return to and continue their story!