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Verona Falls University #7

The Preachers' Pet

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When the Preachers first lay eyes on their innocent little Pet, past and present collide in a spark of dangerous desire...

He’s the ruthless leader of the mysterious, masked Preachers, a feared order at Verona Falls University. She’s the girl he never thought he’d see again—until now.

She’s reappeared in his life, a ghost of her former self, haunted and broken by her years in a cult.

The Preachers don’t mix with outsiders. Their world is closed, their rules absolute. But one look at Ophelia, the fragile girl with eyes full of secrets, and everything changes.

Alluring yet innocent, she tempts them in ways they never expected. Walls crumble. Control slips. Primal desire turns to obsession.

But Ophelia isn’t as helpless as she seems. And the secrets she carries? They’re the kind that destroy lives.

Even the Preachers might not be able to save their little Pet from the darkness closing in.

Please note, each of the trilogies within the Verona Falls University world can be read independently of each other. You can read The Preachers' Pet without needing to read any of the previous books. Each of the trilogies of the Devils, the Vipers, and the Preachers has their own HEA by the end of their three books.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

729 people are currently reading
885 people want to read

About the author

Marissa Farrar

158 books1,089 followers
Marissa Farrar is a multi-published romance and fantasy author. She was born in Devon, England, loves to travel and has lived in both Australia and Spain. She now resides in the countryside with her husband, three children, a crazy Spanish dog, two rescue cats and six hens. She has a degree in Zoology, but her true love has always been writing.

Marissa is the author of sixteen novels, including the dark vampire ‘Serenity’ series. Her short stories have been accepted for a number of anthologies including, Their Dark Masters, Red Skies Press, Masters of Horror: Damned If You Don’t, Triskaideka Books; and 2013: The Aftermath, Pill Hill Press.

If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at www.marissa-farrar.blogspot.com. You can also find her at her facebook page, www.facebook.com/marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at marissafarrar@hotmail.co.uk.

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5 stars
239 (48%)
4 stars
138 (27%)
3 stars
89 (18%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
171 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2025
Ophelia is running from her past and I like that about her character which made me like her even more and trying to keep her feelings to herself instead of letting anyone in.

Ronan was favourite character from this book because he was obsessed with Ophelia from the start even with his best friends behind him trying to make sure to keep secrets from her to protect her and keep her safe.

Malachi left me wanting more of his character because I want to read more about his past and secrets hiding underneath the mask her wars for the guys and Ophelia he was very much my best character I have read so far within the book.

The story left me hanging on to read the next one and I couldn’t stop reading I can’t wait for the next one because that’s when the real obsession will start within the characters dynamics and how to make the relationship between each other work and I think this was better than the other series of characters and stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
848 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2025
Her Salvation

Stolen as a child, Ophelia spent 6 years being conditioned by the Prophet. Now even though she escaped and is at college his voice still condemns her, vilifies her. Can Cain, her childhood friend, and his friends Mal and Roman, save her? Stop the voice that plagues her? They have to try, they will save her!
14 reviews
June 25, 2025
The preachers pet is the first installation of 3 book series intertwined with two other trilogies. It follows a brand new storyline within the Verona Falls universe and it introduces a new main female named Ophelia that has a very intriguing background. You find out small bits and pieces of her history through the book but the spark notes is that she was best friends with one of the main male characters (Cain) and went missing one day. As the story develops you find that she had been kidnapped but Cain was left blind to all that and the story picks up when she goes back to school after escaping the cult that kidnapped her.

The first scene in the book starts off in an amazing chase scene that sets the tone for the whole book and has left me impatiently waiting for the next book. The other two guys are Cain’s new friends that he found after she had been kidnapped and their names are Roman and Malachi. Their backgrounds are still unraveling but the bits and pieces that we get in this story has you falling in love with them and eager to find out the rest.

As always, these authors do not disappoint and know just how to hook the reader into an intense and passionate story. I definitely suggest you read the trigger warnings but if you have gotten this far in the VF universe I highly doubt you will have any problems with this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Victoria Golby.
1,716 reviews13 followers
June 27, 2025
Brilliantly dark start to another Verona Falls series

When Ophelia arrives at Verona Falls it's to get used to being round people again. She'd been kidnapped as a child and spent six years in a commune unable to escape, being conditioned by a man she now can't get out of her head. When she saw Cain, her best friend before she disappeared, and his friends in masks she'd run as she didn't know how to tell him what had happened to her.

But as she gets close to Cain again, along with his friends Malachi and Roman (known round the campus as the Preachers). She realises he's changed, a lot, but so has she and they might be the key to helping her reclaim her life. She's had six years of trauma but the men have all grown up with their own traumas, will they be willing to let her into their lives?

"Yes, the Preachers are a little freaky, but then so am I."

Verona Falls university is full of mafia families with secrets, dark steamy why choose romance (RH), obsessive MMCs, kidnapping, trauma and plenty of twists, though please do read the triggers. Cain is caring and protective, Malachi is a sweet heart who loves to sing, and Roman is more cautious than the others. I couldn't put this book down (you do see the Devils and Vipers and can't help but be drawn to the Preachers) and with that cliff hanger I can't wait for the next book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for SJ.
713 reviews12 followers
June 27, 2025
All the stars for this book!

Wow, this dark why choose bully romance was so delicious. I ate this book up so fast, I just couldn't get enough. This world created by the author sucked me in and I never wanted to leave.
This is book 7 in the series of separate trilogies. And I can't believe I haven't run across this series before now. I'm absolutely going back to devour the other books in The Verona Falls University series.
This story is so unique and has many elements that make it extra exciting.

Ophelia is our FMC poor girl who has gone through some horrible things in her past. Despite that, she is not helpless.

The MMCs are Cain, Malachi, and Roman aka The Preachers. They are all the yummy dark and morally grey things we want in the main men.

Cain remembers Ophelia from their childhood. They used to be close friends before she up and disappeared.

Malachi is instantly attracted to Ophelia.

Roman doesn't like the feelings Ophelia awakens in him when they meet.

I loved the tension and the chemistry they had, it was scorching hot. I really liked how the relationships unfolded.

I can't wait to read more of this series. The cliffhanger in the end got me good. I'm still clutching my heart.
Profile Image for Michele Inestroza.
208 reviews13 followers
June 22, 2025
I enjoyed the story, but it didn’t feel like a complete book at all, even one that ended on a cliff hanger. It felt like the very beginnings of a story.

What I liked:
-The characters, though they could use some more development and I suspect we will see that in the future books.
-The past relationship between Ophelia and Cain and their connection
-Ophelia’s cult connection, while tragic it makes things interesting
-The primal being chased in the woods scene is hot

What I didn’t like:
-I’m not a fan of the dark magic, witchy, Viking voodoo stuff
-the creepy masks, but if you are a mask girly this may be for you
-the incompleteness of the story. It was just getting started and now it’s over.
-Virginity trope

The story lacked meat in my opinion. Especially after the second magical healing and the ending.

It’s still good enough I want to read the other books and find out what happens. I love Verona Falls and this world, I just wish there was more.

Thank you to Marissa Farrar and Booksprout for the e-arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Veronica.
205 reviews
January 9, 2026
Holy crazy

Four people come together through mutual brokenness. What happens when a woman's first day at college turns into a run for her life?

Ophelia arrives on campus at Verona Falls, has Camille show her around, then ends up at a party hosted by the Vipers. Three masked men arrive to get back a personal item when Cain recognizes her.

Ophelia, shocked and scared, runs. Through the woods, branches scratching, uneven ground making her stumble, breath coming hard, she makes it back to the dorm without being caught.

Thus begins the strange relationship between the Preachers and Ophelia. Cain, Malachi, and Roman have a reputation for being weird. Freaks into strange rituals and scaring others.

However, hearing about these things, seeing their altar, she seeks them out to help her break the connection she feels from her former captor. Rituals to sever his hold over her.
Profile Image for addictedtodarkromance.
392 reviews132 followers
December 18, 2025


Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Spice/Heat: 4 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Main Characters: Roman, Malachi, Cain & Ophelia
Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MMMF, Multiple 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Books need to be read in order - Book 7-9
Title: Verona Falls University Series- The Preachers' Pet: Book 7
Ending Type: Cliffhanger


*Possessive, obsessive, dominant MMCs
*Secret Society/Cult
*⚔️
*Primal Play
*Trauma
*No cheating or sharing outside the relationship


⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
Profile Image for GKP2460 .
4,304 reviews72 followers
June 14, 2025
Verona Falls University book 7 is The Preacher's Pet. I love getting swept up in this world! This is a fantastic, why choose, bully romance that keeps your emotions high and your eyes glued to the pages. My heart completely broke for Ophelia and Roman but Cain and Malachi pulled a little too. These characters are absolutely consuming and so is their journey. I seriously wanted to snatch Ophelia's parents at the end. As always, these authors have brought us another phenomenal story and yes, they've left us one huge cliffhanger. I can't wait for more of
Ophelia, Cain, Malachi and Roman! It'll be interesting to see how The Preacher's react to the latest development!
Profile Image for Rachel Stephens.
2,336 reviews41 followers
June 22, 2025
What a way to start!!! Right away, I was pulled into the story! The plot was captivating, and I loved the main characters.
This book had suspense, some secrets, emotional times, tension, and spice.

Ophelia made a great FMC. She is resilient and still has a spark of fire inside her that's waiting to get out.
Cain, Roman, and Malachi were the preachers. They were each unique and helped Ophelia in their own ways. I also think Ophelia will be the help they need. Or maybe I'm just be hopeful. 🤞

I think this was an excellent way to begin Ophelia and the Preacher's story!
I wasn't a fan of that ending, but it only left me excited for more!!!
Profile Image for Katie (Katie's Corner Blog).
1,955 reviews67 followers
June 19, 2025
Another great co-write from my favourite duo! I fell in love with Ophelia from page 1 (maybe even from previous book when we got to meet her) and i loved her men as well! They may be a bit less unhinged (i was promised their full unhinginess will come out in next books) but i loved them. They were not mindless brutes and actually thought before acting (which i loved so much!)

I loved their dynamics, and some may say Ophelia fell for them too fast, but hey she had trauma, and i think her dealing with it how she did was pretty okay (healthy? Maybe not, but that did help her, so i’m here for it!

The cliffhanger was a tamer one this time but i’m so pumped for next books because something’s going to blow up and it’s going to wild!
Profile Image for Leighton.
56 reviews2 followers
June 17, 2025
—-Booksprout ARC—-

I loved how this story mixes a bit of suspense, cult trauma, forbidden romance, dark academia, and why choose all into one. It was just the right blend of dark and addictive. I didn’t want to stop reading, definitely off to read more from this author!

If you’re like me and love morally gray men, secret societies, and emotionally complicated girls trying to reclaim their power read this. I’m already obsessed with this arc of the series and cannot wait for the next book.
71 reviews
June 21, 2025
I simply can’t get enough of the Verona Falls gang! I loved this book, couldn’t put it down. After Ophelia went through hell and then went to Verona Falls only to find her childhood friend and run away because she was scared, Cain and the Preachers chased her and didn’t stop until she was theirs no matter how much they wanted to fight the attraction. Of course in true fashion there’s a cliffhanger and I’m dying for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Stacey L Sawyer.
237 reviews7 followers
June 19, 2025
Mayhem

We meet Ophelia in this book. She is the new girl but has been through so much that she keeps secrets. We also get to really meet the Preachers. Cain, Malachi, and Roman and their story behind why they became the Preacher's. This book is full of trauma and secrets. But some secrets can't stay secrets for long. The Preachers try to help Ophelia with her trauma. The cliffhanger in this book broke my heart. But can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.6k reviews28 followers
July 6, 2025
After everything Ophelia went through, she finds love and protection with Cain, Roman, and Malachi, the Preachers. This is a page turning, dark romance with intriguing characters and a story that held me captive until the final page. The story is filled with drama, danger, suspense, secrets, revenge, steam, and an ending that left me ready for the next book in this series. The Preacher's Pet is book seven in the Verona Falls University series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Nightwalker.
96 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2025
What an incredible start to a new series. Ophelia's story is so gripping and grabs you right from the start. You feel her pain and desperation. All she wants is to regain her life. When she finds three others who are also broken in their own ways maybe they can heal each other. This story has all the spice and intrigue we've come to expect from a Verona Falls story. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Paula .
26 reviews
June 18, 2025
I fell in love with the characters in this book. I really enjoy the stories about cults and how they affect the characters. Ophelia was so innocent and sweet, the perfect FMC for the boys. Malachi was my favorite but I’d take any of them or all of them. I can’t wait to see where their story takes them.
Profile Image for Brandy Hollis-Zeigler.
307 reviews
June 23, 2025
Woodland Nymph

Ophelia was once a carefree girl until taken. Roman, Cain & Mal are all come from abusive people who should have protected them. Ophelia finally asks the preachers for help only for her to end up helping them. Great book & you really get into the story line after you know what happened to Ophelia & the others. Can't wait for the continuation.
205 reviews
January 10, 2026
Great beginning

I absolutely love Verona Falls series. This started a little slow, but picked up halfway through and just got better towards the end. The spice level for the first book was perfect. The MFC is my favorite so far. The MMC’s are so likable and difficult to pick a favorite. That cliffhanger! I wonder how this will play out in the next book.
8,813 reviews63 followers
June 14, 2025
Running from her past Ophilia finds it catching up to her in the form of Cain and the preachers Malachi and Roman, and once they set their sites on her nothing can stop them. Well written engaging steamy desires dark themes and a cliffy that has you craving more
Profile Image for Ashley King.
22 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2025
Oh. My. God. Idk where to start. After running from her past for so long, I love how Ophelia discovers who she really is with The Preachers. I cannot wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3 reviews
June 27, 2025
really bad editing

Spoiler but she couldn’t give Daisy her address. Her parents moved during the 6yrs she’d been taken. Cain didn’t even know where they moved to. Probably the worst of the series.
Profile Image for Natalie Waterson.
260 reviews
August 10, 2025
Wow this book hit me hard, it kept me in its grip and I could wait to find out more, I am so on edge for the next book and hate that I have to wait, I have read all the books and they are amazing. I love this series all of it. Highly recommended
Profile Image for Saundra Wright.
2,898 reviews13 followers
September 30, 2025
Lives up to my expectations

I've been waiting for this story. These are the most enigmatic residents of Verona Falls University and probably the most broken souls. The plot as always revolves mostly around the building relationships with an undercurrent of danger.
Profile Image for Debra.
800 reviews17 followers
December 30, 2025
Just completed The Preacher’s Pet, and it was one dark college— why choose romance. All four have had a f3cked up childhood. We got a peek into their twisted childhood and how they worked to overcome it. Check the author’s trigger warnings before reading.
51 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2026
I had to dnf and it wasnt cause the book didnt have good writing or anything like that. I actually loved her last series in this one ,but my mood wasnt matching, but I will.come back for an updated review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
54 reviews
June 19, 2025
not for me - DNF

Personally don’t enjoy the cult / faith aspect of the story
Highly rate the authors other work in this series
Profile Image for Angela.
970 reviews39 followers
July 2, 2025
Yes yes yes. Everything about this book was a yes. This hits so many of my favorites!

RH
College
Masks
V hero
V heroine
Primal
Profile Image for Kayla Pitts.
108 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2025
another amazing harem

Everytime I have read a duo or trio from this series i have fallen more in love with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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