Blindsided

The Queen #1

by Em J Bakker

A world of danger, desire, and heart wrenching secrets. Turning 18 is a milestone for members of the pack, marking the age when they meet both their inner wolf and their fated mate. But when Nyx comes of age, she is thrust into a chaotic world of romantic and physical trials, forced to navigate the uncertainty and heartache of being fated-mates with five powerful alphas while training to become the perfect Luna.
Driven down a path of heartbreak and rejection that threatens to tear her apart, Nyx is haunted by her mates’ secrets and the hidden truths behind the prophecies that bind her to an unknown and ever-watching intruder. In a tale woven with passion, intrigue, and mysticism, Nyx’s destiny unfolds in ways she never imagined.
Will she unite her mates and fight to fulfil her destiny, or will the rejection and shadows consume her?

Genres: Romance

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2025

Reviews

[Bound by Stories · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fated wolf mates, a fierce FMC, and some seriously delicious spice? heck yes 🙌

We follow Nyx, our strong FMC, as she undergoes a coming-of-age ceremony where she meets her inner wolf, Freya, and potentially her fated mate. But plot twist… she’s not fated to just one Alpha. She’s fated to five. Yep, five Alphas from different packs!

What follows is an edge-of-your-seat journey full of character development, hidden truths, and a delicious "who will she choose?" dynamic. Add in a mysterious intruder who connects with Nyx via a mind link, someone she isn’t sure she can trust.

Let’s talk spice. 🔥 It’s there, it’s good, and it complements the storyline without overpowering it. It adds intensity in all the right ways.

I was also seriously impressed by the writing. The world-building is clear and immersive, with terminology and lore that are easy to follow, something many fantasy/paranormal reads struggle to execute well. At no point did I feel lost or confused in the plot.

I’m so ready for book two. Bring it on! 🐾

[Karen Bowness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished Blind Sided by Em J. Bakker and I’m hooked! 😍 This is a slow-burn, shifter romance that pulls you in with its emotion, mystery, and steamy tension.

We meet Nyx on her 18th birthday, and everything changes. Her wolf awakens, and she’s suddenly bound to five alphas instead of just one (cue the chaos 😅). Each guy is powerful and totally different, and Nyx has to figure out how to navigate their world, her new role as Luna, and the complicated feelings that come with having multiple fated mates.

There’s drama, heat, secrets, and some really heartfelt moments as Nyx finds her place and builds trust, not just with her mates, but in herself too. If you love strong heroines, broody alphas, and slow-burn supernatural romance with all the feels, definitely add this one to your list! 🐺🔥💫

[Rose Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god—I’m at a loss for words. This book is amazing! I’m so upset I don’t have the second one yet. There were moments that shocked me so much I had to put the book down out of pure disbelief (and sometimes anger). And that cliffhanger? Brutal. I have so many questions!

That said, there were times the story felt a little slow, and I wish certain plot points or character dynamics were explored more deeply—but I’m hopeful the next book will dive into those. I finished Blindsided in just two nights and can’t wait to see how my questions and theories play out.

Also, I absolutely love Nyx and Freya. They’re amazing characters, and I can’t wait to see more of them.

[Steffani Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blindsided
Author @author_emj_bakker
Spice 4 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


I had the pleasure of reading this book and loved it so much and can't wait for the second book in the series it has everything I love intrigue and mystery and a bunch of hot 🔥 guys and wolves
Couldn't recommend anymore it had me kicking my legs
If your looking for a new author I would check out @author_emj_bakker
And add this book to your tbr best book I have read year so far

[Jacqui Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down.
This is an emotional, beautifully written story that pulled me in from the very first page. I absolutely loved Nyx—she’s a strong, complex, and well-developed character who stays with you long after the book ends. The emotional journey feels raw and real, and the spicy scenes are perfectly done—intense, tasteful, and seamlessly woven into the story. A must-read for anyone who loves heartfelt romance with a fierce, unforgettable heroine.

[Kirstie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not want to put this book down and can't wait for the next one to come out. Had me from chapter one! It follows Nyx as she connects with her she wolf. There is multiple POVs between her, her mates and a mystery man. There are a lot of twists and turns through her emotional journey figuring our her wolf and their destiny.... and a whole lot of spice!!

[🖤 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 1 in The Queen series: Characters: Nyx (Freya), Cody (Ilio), Zane (Bear), Landon (Hercules), and Malachi (Mando), H (Lucifer)
This is a fated mates, strong FMC, mystery element, multiple POV, shifter romance.
Imma just start with this: she has five fated mates. Five. Fated. Mates. Who are all alphas.
Everyone is confused and unsettled at this turn of events. Nyx and Freya need to choose which mate and which pack to stay with while also trying to understand who this mystery wolf is that is somehow able to tap into her mind and eyes. Both Nyx and Freya are dominant and strong willed that continually push and pull of power between themselves and with the other alphas. The
"relationship" dynamics were very interesting too, nothing was black and white, my opinion of different alphas continually changed which I liked and kept things progressing and very interesting.
treally enjoyed this take of fated mate shifter romance. It wasn't a why choose or reverse harem and she had to weigh which would be the best for her and her wolf. I definitely enjoyed this read and would recommend it.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC.

Blindsided follows Nyx, a female werewolf, as she turns 18 and discovers that she's mated to five alpha werewolves. While the book description leads us to believe there is mystery and intrigue (and passion) driving the plot, it is bogged down by writing consistent with an AP English Paper and pages of info dumps about werewolves and their history. Many of the scenes appear rather irrelevant to the story with play-by-play descriptions of how Nyx goes about taking a shower. To further add on to that, there are NUMEROUS shower and bathing scenes, not even revolving around the passion and intimacy between the characters. If Nyx is stressed, she's gonna take a shower. If she's unhappy about how the conversation went, she's headed to the bath.

There were so many unnecessary and excessive descriptive pages: "...the expresso machine resting on the polished granite countertop, its chrome finish gleaming invitingly." Also, while Nyx is just 18, EVERYONE in this book GIGGLES like a school girl - the mother, the mid-20 something alphas, etc. There are so many better ways to described the emotion, such as laughed, chuckled, smirked, etc, but no, both "Gerard and Mum fall into a fit of giggles." It's used so many times, I canceled my word search as it was bogging down my kindle.

Ultimately, the writing is grammatically correct, but comes off very juvenile. Every noun needed its own adjective, "it's an overwhelming pressure" and every action was in the extreme, "It took all my strength . . . I settle the matter to the best of my ability".

Despite all the descriptions, the events (if any) is primarily told to us and not shown. Frankly, not much at all happens in this book. Nyx meets her alphas, spends time with them, and then the book ENDS. I can't even call it a proper cliffhanger because it's so abrupt in the approach, it's like I'm missing a final page.

After further consideration, I am modifying my rating as there are other books, I’ve liked more (yet didn’t really like either) and rated lower.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting & captivating

I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever wolf shifter storyline. I was introduced to a whole new world and seeing the world through new wolves eyes was a joy I didn’t expect to feel. I also didn’t expect to be pulled into the storyline with a mystery unraveling and keeping me hooked at every turn. The constant anticipation of what might happen and then the ending! Phew!

I commend Em, I loved her men and her world building. It was a unique and an easy and delightful read with a juicy amount of spice, keeping me yearning for more. I can’t imagine what is going to happen next, but that’s the beauty of this series, the surprises and mystery surrounding it. It takes a lot to reel me in. But consider me reeled in.

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Moon Goddess Says: Why Choose?

Okay, Book Besties, Blindsided by Em J Bakker seriously had me howling—in the best way! Nyx is that girl: fierce, vulnerable, and thrown into the wildest fated mates chaos ever. FIVE Alphas? Yes, FIVE. The chemistry? Explosive. We're talking intense emotional tension, possessive alpha energy, and a slow burn that ignites. Expect fated mates, found family, grumpy x sunshine vibes (hello, Cody), and a whole lot of dominance play. The dual POV and wolf-human mind-link banter made it feel so immersive. And spice? Babe—it’s electric and emotionally charged. Nyx’s inner wolf Freya adds a rich, layered depth that makes the whole journey unforgettable. What made it stand out? That chaotic Luna Ceremony scene had me SCREAMING.

If you love your romance with claws, chaos, and commanding Alphas, this one’s a must-read!

My Ratings:
⭐ 4/5
🥵 3.5/5

[Jane Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection from Start to Finish!

Em Bakker's Blindsided is an absorbing series opener that plunges readers into the life of Nyx headfirst. It should be a joyous day when she turns eighteen, but for Nyx, it amounts to being thrust into a nightmare maze: she is the fated mate to five dominant alphas and, simultaneously, must decide where she would be the perfect Luna. She has to choose who to be with. The book exquisitely captures her emotional turmoil as she moves through this high-energy environment of alpha lust, heartache, and uncertainty, all while trying to retain her sense of self and establish her own path. The book is driven by a high level of emotional tension, with Nyx having not just to deal with the lust of her five mates but with unknown contenders, and whispers of a prophecy.

This book thrives on its world-building, combining deep back-story, relatable characters, and intrigue as to what happens next. The presence of an unseen, omniscient observer only adds to the tension throughout, propelling the story above the level of simple romance. Blindsided is an exploration of resilience, will, and inner strength of a young female whose self-discovery journey is instantly engaging. It splendidly sets the scene for an amazing paranormal series and has left me totally absorbed in Nyx's difficult destiny and aching to learn what occurs next. A must-read for anyone who enjoys complex dynamics and werewolf lore.

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blindsided by Em J Baker is the start of a series that blends fated-mate romance with pack politics, secrets, and prophecy. The story follows Nyx as she comes of age and finds herself bound not to one, but to five powerful alphas. With that comes tension, heartbreak, and the weight of destiny.

The first half of the book takes its time, with plenty of background on pack structure, inter-pack conflicts, and the rules that shape Nyx’s world. It felt a little slow at times, but the second half really picks up speed and draws you deeper into the twists of the plot. I especially enjoyed the mystery of the unknown mate and the way Nyx’s choices carried real consequences.

The multi-POV style was engaging, though I did notice Nyx felt a little different depending on which alpha’s perspective was in focus. Still, it added layers to the story and gave more insight into the dynamics at play.

The book closes on a cliffhanger, and while some parts of the prophecy have been hinted at, there are still plenty of questions left hanging. I’m definitely curious to see what the next installment has in store for Nyx and her alphas.

[Kaitlynn Esquibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank Voracious Readers Only for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review. I really did enjoy reading this story and mostly want to give it 4.5 stars but it wasn't a full 5 stars for me. Oftentimes the story read like a fan fiction/wattpad story iykyk. I did like the multiple perspectives but I did not like how in the first few chapters it would repeat the what just happened verbatim in another character's perspective and I found that annoying. Also I feel that the character's Alpha Cody and Alpha Zane didn't feel fully developed. They both were very controlling but some of their interactions with Nyx or even when they were not with her just came across as one note and didn't add anything to the story. Also I get that the author wanted to leave room for another story to continue when this one finished but the end just felt incomplete especially with all the lead up to this mysterious H character. I don't mind a cliffhanger ending but this ending wasn't even close to that it just ended without any sort of resolve for any of the before problems.

[TheLiterary Mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is totally fitting. A book lovers delight!

Nyx the FMC is the perfect heroine: fierce, unguarded, and totally stuck in fated mates madness. Freya, Nyx's inner wolf, is the ultimate scene-stealer, with her shenanigans making every moment of their relationship ridiculously entertaining.

The world building plot was immersive.
I was totally hooked by the dual POV and the witty wolf-human mind-link banter.
Five fated mates,...talk about mind blown, in the best way with palpable chemistry off the charts. Highlighted by possessive alpha energy, and a slow burn that simmers like a sitcom.

The plot is thick with hidden secrets, prophecy and politics, building up into a crescendo of mystery and laying the foundation for the prophecy yet to reveal itself.. leading to a compelling cliffhanger.

For readers who enjoy a multilayered fantasy, mystery, embedding romance with a fierce FMCs untamed spirit.

[Sharlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review Blindsided - Em J. Bakker

⭐⭐⭐/🌶️🌶️🌶️

.

First of all, Thank you for this ARC. I really enjoyed this read.

I love me a shifter story with a good amount of spice. This is a slow burn with not one, but 5 mates. Nyx is completely surprised, as are the 5 Alpha's.  We follow Nyx as she navigates the 5 dominant Alpha's and their packs and is figuring out who to choose while being connected to some mysterious other dominant presence. 

Each Alpha is different and as to be expected dominant in their own way. But Nyx and Freya's fierceness and strong will rival them all. I really liked Malachai and Landon and I feel I was robbed of a moment that could have been really good. But I was satiated at other moments, so I will let bygones be bygones. 

We've learned a lot in this first book, but there is also a lot unknown. I'm looking forward to the next book and am excited to find how this all will play out. 

[Abhijeet Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blindsided by Em J Bakker is a steamy, paranormal romance around inner wolves and fated mates. Received the ARC from Naughty Nook PR, and here goes my review.

Nyx turns 18 and discovers she’s fated to not one, but five powerful Alpha leaders - each from different packs. And the chaos begins.

I really wanted to love Blindsided, but it didn’t quite land for me. The setup was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The story dragged without much real progression.

The book felt overly long, with pages and pages of internal, emotional drama. It felt like our primetime daily soaps, where one scene stretches for a weeeeeek.

The world building was solid tough, and I was curious what happens next. But there were often 10+ pages of repetitive incidents. So I gave up after some 40% of reading.

It's definitely a good read for romance and spice lovers who like paranormal elements. But it's too slow paced, which made it a tough read.

[FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s talk about that plot—kept me guessing the whole time! Is this a why-choose romance? A slow-burn fated connection? Or something else entirely? Very intriguing, you just have to keep flipping the pages. I adored the strong female lead; she commands attention when she needs to, yet knows when to yield, creating a balanced and believable dynamic. The power play between the male leads - urgh...that keeps me on my toes, the author surely knows how to toy with our emotions 😂. I feel like the character growth and dynamics between the main characters keep switching gears, perhaps making rooms and contacts for the next book. I’m definitely sticking around for the ride!

Thank you for the ARC opportunity 🙌.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blindside is book 1 of this series, and it was exciting and sad and ended on one hell of a cliffhanger.

Nyx just turned 18, and the thing you look forward to the most is connecting with your wolf and meeting your fated mate. She connected with her wolf (Freya), but she also finds herself in a sticky situation with 5 mates who are all alpha!!!!

Everyone is confused, so it's decided that she will spend time with each alpha separately and make a decision. At least, that is how I interperate it. I thought it was interesting because each alpha was so different. Some decisions were taken out of Nyx's hand, and some alphas betrayed her. Now we have a new player entering the game, so I am excited to see what happens next.

[Shannon Clagg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the chance to read an ARC of Blindsided by Em J. Bakker, and it pulled me in with its mix of shifter romance and mystery. While the beginning felt a little slow, some awesome scenes kept me hooked until the story really found its stride. Once it did, I was all in—and now I need to know what happens in Book 2.

✨ Tropes & Vibes:

Fated mates

Strong FMC

Mystery element

Multiple POVs

Shifter romance

Found family

Grumpy x Sunshine

Dominance play

If you’re into paranormal romance with layered relationships and a dash of intrigue, this one might be worth checking out. I’ll definitely be following along to see where the series goes next.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

📚✨ Blindsided by Em J Bakker
⭐️2/5 | 🌶️2/5

Okay but FIVE fated mates?! FIVE. Fated. Mates. And they’re all alphas??? I went in so ready for the chaos, the tension, the drama

This one’s got all the tropes: fated mates, strong FMC, shifters, mystery, multiple POVs, basically a full buffet of paranormal romance goodness. But sadly… it just didn’t hit for me. I kept waiting for that click, that “oh THIS is why everyone loves it” moment, but it never came.

Still, if you love complicated bonds, alpha energy, and a touch of danger, this one might be your next obsession

✨Reading mood: craving chaos

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's what's up very good first book. Imagine being the fated mate to 5 different alphas. You read right ... five! No, that doesn't peak your interest, I don't know what will.

Nyx is an amazing FMC. She definitely goes on an emotional journey. This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride but you will love every minute of it. When they say "why choose" .... well, that takes on a whole new meaning in this book.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars

[Kassidy Heffernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given the book by vicarious readers only as an prereader before it was released. I’ll admit the first 100 or so pages are a slog and read like they are written by a wattpad writer but once you hit page 200… well. I couldn’t put it down. I finished it quite quickly, after it sat for 2 months on my tbr, even in one of the worst reading slumps of my life.

[Ann Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable story of Nyx, a wolf shifter, who finds herself mated to five Alphas. The world building was intriguing with Nyx's connection to her wolf, Freya, enthralling. There's plenty of spice to add to the drama involving her mates. Looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

[Barbara Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story so far... like that it explores dynamics not usually seen in shifter books that I have read. Can't wait to see hoo it continues as it felt like it would go a specific way but hasn't.