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Avalon University #2
Sorrow & Strangers
Not yet published
Expected 8 Sep 26Fear. Fury. And Fire.
To Know is Never Enough.
Summer Tuatha De Daanan reluctantly returns to Avalon University for her second year after spending the summer with her vampire best friend in Draculea. She’s a shell of her former self, and the peace promised to her has never felt further from her reach. All Summer wants is to keep her head down and get through the year cloaked in her depression, but looming threats linger, and she quickly finds herself thrust into a dangerous position once again; entangled with a friend turned enemy, the protector of her beloved family, and the target of two very powerful kings.
Unwilling to suffer any further loss, Summer must push through her emotions to prepare herself for the enemies who threaten everything she holds dear. Through runic training with the revered and brooding Headmaster Emrys, combat with the aloof and strong-willed Max, and improving her mental walls with the dark and mysterious stranger, each step pulls her further from the edge of despair. Yet, nothing will be simple for Summer, and the more she trains, the more she discovers who she truly is, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. The beast within that purrs for her enigmatic stalker.
A darkness that is waiting to be explored. A darkness that will not be denied.
To Know is Never Enough.
Summer Tuatha De Daanan reluctantly returns to Avalon University for her second year after spending the summer with her vampire best friend in Draculea. She’s a shell of her former self, and the peace promised to her has never felt further from her reach. All Summer wants is to keep her head down and get through the year cloaked in her depression, but looming threats linger, and she quickly finds herself thrust into a dangerous position once again; entangled with a friend turned enemy, the protector of her beloved family, and the target of two very powerful kings.
Unwilling to suffer any further loss, Summer must push through her emotions to prepare herself for the enemies who threaten everything she holds dear. Through runic training with the revered and brooding Headmaster Emrys, combat with the aloof and strong-willed Max, and improving her mental walls with the dark and mysterious stranger, each step pulls her further from the edge of despair. Yet, nothing will be simple for Summer, and the more she trains, the more she discovers who she truly is, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. The beast within that purrs for her enigmatic stalker.
A darkness that is waiting to be explored. A darkness that will not be denied.
754 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 8, 2026
About the author
Jeanette Rose
21 books583 followersLong time lover of Paranormal Romance, decided when I couldn't find a book that I was interested online to write my own! It spiraled from there. Degree in Classical Civilizations from Tulane University, missing New Orleans with a vengeance
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
June 7, 2026
WHAT A RIDE!!! This series is without a doubt an addiction!! Guys this entire book I was moving like Sherlock Holmes annotating and theorising, I don’t think I’ve ever been this invested in figuring out a mystery! Another diabolical ending that has left me desperate for the next instalment 😭😭😭
Want to Read
May 21, 2025Having to wait till 2026 should be illegal with that cliffhanger 😭😭😭
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴄʀᴇᴀᴍᴇᴅ ᴜɴᴛɪʟ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏ ʟᴏɴɢᴇʀ. ᴡʜᴏ ᴄʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛɪʟʟ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɴᴏ ᴛᴇᴀʀꜱ.
ᴡʜᴏ ᴋᴇᴘᴛ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅ, ᴄʜᴏᴋɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴇʀ ʟɪꜰᴇ.”
There are some stories where the battle is the hardest part. And then there are stories that ask you to survive the aftermath.
After the way Blood & Betrayals ended, I knew returning to this world was going to hurttttt.
I just didn’t realize how deeply.
This book is heavy.
Not because it’s filled with endless action or shocking twists from the first page, but because it chooses to sit with what comes after. After the fall. After the loss.
The grief. The silence. The impossible task of waking up and choosing to keep going after your world has been shattered.
And honestly?
I loved that.
Because grief is not linear.
It lingers. It changes you. It finds you in the quiet moments when you least expect it.
And Summer…
She is a soul character for me.
The kind of character who doesn’t just exist on the page. She settles somewhere inside of you.
Her battles became my battles. Her grief became something I carried alongside her. There were moments where I wanted to cry with her, scream into the void with her, and yes, throw my Kindle across the room because watching her struggle through everything she does felt almost too real.
Jeanette and Alexis deserve all the flowers for creating such a beautifully honest portrayal of grief, healing, and mental health. They don’t rush Summer’s healing or ask her to become “okay” for the sake of the story. They allow her to be angry, broken, hopeful, afraid, and everything in between.
What struck me most is that despite this being a fantasy filled with magic, supernatural beings, and ancient mysteries, the emotions never felt larger than life.
They felt real.
Raw.
Beautifully human.
The magic builds the world.
The emotions make you believe in it.
And because of that, I couldn’t rush this book.
I found myself putting my Kindle down just to breathe, replaying conversations in my head, and simply sitting with everything these characters were carrying before I was ready to continue.
Some books entertain you.
This one asks you to feel everything.
And somehow, even surrounded by heartbreak, the found family remains the heartbeat of this series.
Alice and the Morningstars continue to be everything.
Chaotic. Protective. A little unhinged.
But beneath all of that is soooo much love.
They become Summer’s family in every way that matters. They see her pain, stand beside her through it, and remind her she never has to carry it alone.
And then there’s The Stranger.
This… man? Being? Apparition? Whatever you want to call him, he completely stole my attention in this book.
His patience.
His perseverance.
His unwavering devotion to Summer.
Everything.
He doesn’t try to fix her.
He doesn’t expect her to heal on his timeline.
He simply stays.
And somehow, that quiet devotion says more than grand declarations ever could.
If you thought Blood & Betrayals had you questioning everything…
Just wait.
Because when the twists finally hit?
You’re right back to connecting threads, questioning every conversation, and wondering how you missed what was right in front of you.
Book two didn’t just leave me on a cliffhanger.
It threw me off the cliff and asked me to hang on. And yes, I am STILL spiraling 24 hours later and cannot wait for what the chaos duo does next.
Thank you to Simon Maverick for providing me with an early review copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review 🖤
ᴡʜᴏ ᴋᴇᴘᴛ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅ, ᴄʜᴏᴋɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀꜱʜᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴇʀ ʟɪꜰᴇ.”
There are some stories where the battle is the hardest part. And then there are stories that ask you to survive the aftermath.
After the way Blood & Betrayals ended, I knew returning to this world was going to hurttttt.
I just didn’t realize how deeply.
This book is heavy.
Not because it’s filled with endless action or shocking twists from the first page, but because it chooses to sit with what comes after. After the fall. After the loss.
The grief. The silence. The impossible task of waking up and choosing to keep going after your world has been shattered.
And honestly?
I loved that.
Because grief is not linear.
It lingers. It changes you. It finds you in the quiet moments when you least expect it.
And Summer…
She is a soul character for me.
The kind of character who doesn’t just exist on the page. She settles somewhere inside of you.
Her battles became my battles. Her grief became something I carried alongside her. There were moments where I wanted to cry with her, scream into the void with her, and yes, throw my Kindle across the room because watching her struggle through everything she does felt almost too real.
Jeanette and Alexis deserve all the flowers for creating such a beautifully honest portrayal of grief, healing, and mental health. They don’t rush Summer’s healing or ask her to become “okay” for the sake of the story. They allow her to be angry, broken, hopeful, afraid, and everything in between.
What struck me most is that despite this being a fantasy filled with magic, supernatural beings, and ancient mysteries, the emotions never felt larger than life.
They felt real.
Raw.
Beautifully human.
The magic builds the world.
The emotions make you believe in it.
And because of that, I couldn’t rush this book.
I found myself putting my Kindle down just to breathe, replaying conversations in my head, and simply sitting with everything these characters were carrying before I was ready to continue.
Some books entertain you.
This one asks you to feel everything.
And somehow, even surrounded by heartbreak, the found family remains the heartbeat of this series.
Alice and the Morningstars continue to be everything.
Chaotic. Protective. A little unhinged.
But beneath all of that is soooo much love.
They become Summer’s family in every way that matters. They see her pain, stand beside her through it, and remind her she never has to carry it alone.
And then there’s The Stranger.
This… man? Being? Apparition? Whatever you want to call him, he completely stole my attention in this book.
His patience.
His perseverance.
His unwavering devotion to Summer.
Everything.
He doesn’t try to fix her.
He doesn’t expect her to heal on his timeline.
He simply stays.
And somehow, that quiet devotion says more than grand declarations ever could.
If you thought Blood & Betrayals had you questioning everything…
Just wait.
Because when the twists finally hit?
You’re right back to connecting threads, questioning every conversation, and wondering how you missed what was right in front of you.
Book two didn’t just leave me on a cliffhanger.
It threw me off the cliff and asked me to hang on. And yes, I am STILL spiraling 24 hours later and cannot wait for what the chaos duo does next.
Thank you to Simon Maverick for providing me with an early review copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review 🖤
2026-releases
April 5, 2026Update: I could not be happier that this is being traditionally published AND still releasing this fall😭🙌🏼
2026, are you kidding me!? I needed this book yesterday😭😭😭
2026, are you kidding me!? I needed this book yesterday😭😭😭
Want to Read
July 7, 2026Wake me up when September ends! UGHHHHHHHHHHH
I will wait very patiently.. Anything to learn more about our Stranger and Headmaster! That ending of Blood and Betrayals should be illegal! ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I will wait very patiently.. Anything to learn more about our Stranger and Headmaster! That ending of Blood and Betrayals should be illegal! ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Want to Read
July 11, 2025people leaving ratings already and the book isn't even close to being out is sooo weird.....
July 10, 2026
I. FUCKING. KNEW. IT. 😮💨❤️🔥😮💨❤️🔥
and i'm so glad i was right about who the stalker wasssss, he is the main reason why i love this series so much and i'm not in the least disappointed 😝
summer annoyed the fuck out of me in this book, i know she was healing and everything, but sometimes i just wanted to get in the book and slap her in the face 💀
alice is the best and the greatest of the friends that ever existed, i would give anything for her ❤️🩹
rafe and mira????? i want fucking moreeeeeeee
overall: can't wait for the next one ✊🏻❤️🔥
and i'm so glad i was right about who the stalker wasssss, he is the main reason why i love this series so much and i'm not in the least disappointed 😝
summer annoyed the fuck out of me in this book, i know she was healing and everything, but sometimes i just wanted to get in the book and slap her in the face 💀
alice is the best and the greatest of the friends that ever existed, i would give anything for her ❤️🩹
rafe and mira????? i want fucking moreeeeeeee
overall: can't wait for the next one ✊🏻❤️🔥
May 11, 2026
After the way Blood & Betrayals ended this has been my most highly anticipated read! To say I was obsessed with that book would be an understatement…
Biased review - if you’ve ever read a book and gotten so invested with characters that they feel like friends, that would be these characters for me. Summer, Alice, the Morningstars, and shoot even the stranger are my comfort characters. So the first 20% of Summer grieving and Alice being the amazing friend she is broke my heart and there was tears, especially at 19% not only due to a goodbye, but a great sacrifice that was made. Summer’s healing journey, found family (seriously the Morningstars are the absolute best), Alice being the queen we know she is, and a new main character that we loved from book 1 healing and finding love. The stranger..well being the stranger, I will say I did call who he was during book 1…that’s if the information from the end of this book is factual anyway…this book felt like you were living life with these characters and I just love them!
Non-biased review and why reading is so subjective, I’ll start by saying this book is over 700 pages, 0-20% was just Summer grieving, and Alice forcing her will to even live and get out of bed, not much else was happening. We got a visit to our favorite family in Eden, and a very sad goodbye. The found family in this series is simply everything however.
20-50% Rafe became the most interesting character in the book during this time and that’s saying a lot considering he was in bed for a good portion of it. Summer & Alice went to a party that ended badly. Majority of this portion of the book was just Summer w/ a certain booty call to piss off the Stanger and her making sure he knew that she hated him…or so she kept saying…while simultaneously fighting wanting him around. We did get to see a fun new location in this portion however, and I’m hoping we get more of it in book 3. We lost the academy aspect in this portion of the book however..like how are they not failing, it felt like they never went to class…
50-70% the trio was invited to the party of all parties on a very exclusive island. New love interests were formed, who knows what Alice was up to, and Summer & her stranger were in island bliss sort of…until she decides to friend zone him, again…sporadic training, more booty calls, more insight on Max, and Rafe, who again was the most interesting POV in this portion of the book.
70% to the end - we’re picking up a little here with Alice’s story, Rafe makes a really bad deal, and yes we think we finally discover who the Stranger may possibly be. Summer is still being Summer however and her personality was flat as a potato chip in this book. She’s supposed to be extremely powerful but we don’t see any of that from her this entire book. I wish the plot had progressed just a tad faster in this book for being over 700 pages honestly not much was going on, and the situation with her and the stranger with their back & forth really took over the whole book. It started to become extremely repetitive. Every time they made 1 step forward they took 3 steps back the entire book. The amount of times he told her she was his and her life begins and ends with him was a little overkill. We had about 4 main events in 700 pages but this book felt like we made zero plot progression.
That being said I adore these characters, so yes while I felt like not much happened I still enjoyed every second of my time with these characters while reading this book. I feel like readers who are invested in these characters, and like a book that reads like a CW show you will love this book, but if you’re a reader that likes world building, magic, and an in depth plot this is not going to be for you.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon Maverick, Alexis Rune & Jeanette Rose for the opportunity to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
Biased review - if you’ve ever read a book and gotten so invested with characters that they feel like friends, that would be these characters for me. Summer, Alice, the Morningstars, and shoot even the stranger are my comfort characters. So the first 20% of Summer grieving and Alice being the amazing friend she is broke my heart and there was tears, especially at 19% not only due to a goodbye, but a great sacrifice that was made. Summer’s healing journey, found family (seriously the Morningstars are the absolute best), Alice being the queen we know she is, and a new main character that we loved from book 1 healing and finding love. The stranger..well being the stranger, I will say I did call who he was during book 1…that’s if the information from the end of this book is factual anyway…this book felt like you were living life with these characters and I just love them!
Non-biased review and why reading is so subjective, I’ll start by saying this book is over 700 pages, 0-20% was just Summer grieving, and Alice forcing her will to even live and get out of bed, not much else was happening. We got a visit to our favorite family in Eden, and a very sad goodbye. The found family in this series is simply everything however.
20-50% Rafe became the most interesting character in the book during this time and that’s saying a lot considering he was in bed for a good portion of it. Summer & Alice went to a party that ended badly. Majority of this portion of the book was just Summer w/ a certain booty call to piss off the Stanger and her making sure he knew that she hated him…or so she kept saying…while simultaneously fighting wanting him around. We did get to see a fun new location in this portion however, and I’m hoping we get more of it in book 3. We lost the academy aspect in this portion of the book however..like how are they not failing, it felt like they never went to class…
50-70% the trio was invited to the party of all parties on a very exclusive island. New love interests were formed, who knows what Alice was up to, and Summer & her stranger were in island bliss sort of…until she decides to friend zone him, again…sporadic training, more booty calls, more insight on Max, and Rafe, who again was the most interesting POV in this portion of the book.
70% to the end - we’re picking up a little here with Alice’s story, Rafe makes a really bad deal, and yes we think we finally discover who the Stranger may possibly be. Summer is still being Summer however and her personality was flat as a potato chip in this book. She’s supposed to be extremely powerful but we don’t see any of that from her this entire book. I wish the plot had progressed just a tad faster in this book for being over 700 pages honestly not much was going on, and the situation with her and the stranger with their back & forth really took over the whole book. It started to become extremely repetitive. Every time they made 1 step forward they took 3 steps back the entire book. The amount of times he told her she was his and her life begins and ends with him was a little overkill. We had about 4 main events in 700 pages but this book felt like we made zero plot progression.
That being said I adore these characters, so yes while I felt like not much happened I still enjoyed every second of my time with these characters while reading this book. I feel like readers who are invested in these characters, and like a book that reads like a CW show you will love this book, but if you’re a reader that likes world building, magic, and an in depth plot this is not going to be for you.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Simon Maverick, Alexis Rune & Jeanette Rose for the opportunity to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2026
“you poison me. my thoughts. my dreams. my soul. poisoned with you.”
—
this book was an amazing second installment that kept me hooked the entire time. after the ending of blood & betrayals, it was clear these characters were going to have a lot to work through, and we definitely get to see the darker side of their struggles.
it touches a lot on major depression, guilt, trauma, suicidal ideation, and much more. it felt so raw and real, and while it was hard to read at times because i genuinely wanted to cry, i also felt like it was important to see how these characters navigated everything. the found family is absolutely one of my favorite parts of this series, and i loved seeing them all lean on each other.
let’s talk characters. alice is such an amazing friend. truly, my heart breaks for her and the way she took care of summer after everything. while summer doesn’t always make the best choices, she’s trying her best to figure things out and come into who she’s meant to be after repressing so much. she might not handle things in the best way, but she’s trying, and that’s super important for her character.
my sweet baby angel rafe. i think he might be my favorite character, i’m ngl. i’m so insanely obsessed with him. he’s been through so much, and seeing even part of his past trauma made me sob. i’m so glad he’s finally being appreciated, and his insecurities genuinely make me want to punch everyone who has ever hurt him because i cannot stand seeing the way he thinks of himself :( i can’t say too much, but a certain character he meets… is everything to me.
stranger. this man. his povs in this book??! his mouth??? they match each other’s freak so well, especially when it comes to their darker sides. SOO good. and the forehead kisses had me on the floor. he’s definitely a complex and morally gray character, and he still has a lot of room to grow. the ending of this book took me out and i need the next book immediately.
sorrow & strangers will have you laughing, crying, throwing your book, and needing to touch grass (cuz it’s SUPER spicy) all at the same time.
my only complaint, similar to the first book, is that it could’ve been significantly shorter. at times it felt a bit repetitive, and we probably could’ve cut down on some of the spice (even though it was hot). but regardless, it’s such a fast and fun read that i absolutely ate it up.
thank you soooo much simon maverick & netgalley for this e-arc!!! ♥︎
“𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒊 𝒂𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒅. 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚.”
—
this book was an amazing second installment that kept me hooked the entire time. after the ending of blood & betrayals, it was clear these characters were going to have a lot to work through, and we definitely get to see the darker side of their struggles.
it touches a lot on major depression, guilt, trauma, suicidal ideation, and much more. it felt so raw and real, and while it was hard to read at times because i genuinely wanted to cry, i also felt like it was important to see how these characters navigated everything. the found family is absolutely one of my favorite parts of this series, and i loved seeing them all lean on each other.
let’s talk characters. alice is such an amazing friend. truly, my heart breaks for her and the way she took care of summer after everything. while summer doesn’t always make the best choices, she’s trying her best to figure things out and come into who she’s meant to be after repressing so much. she might not handle things in the best way, but she’s trying, and that’s super important for her character.
my sweet baby angel rafe. i think he might be my favorite character, i’m ngl. i’m so insanely obsessed with him. he’s been through so much, and seeing even part of his past trauma made me sob. i’m so glad he’s finally being appreciated, and his insecurities genuinely make me want to punch everyone who has ever hurt him because i cannot stand seeing the way he thinks of himself :( i can’t say too much, but a certain character he meets… is everything to me.
stranger. this man. his povs in this book??! his mouth??? they match each other’s freak so well, especially when it comes to their darker sides. SOO good. and the forehead kisses had me on the floor. he’s definitely a complex and morally gray character, and he still has a lot of room to grow. the ending of this book took me out and i need the next book immediately.
sorrow & strangers will have you laughing, crying, throwing your book, and needing to touch grass (cuz it’s SUPER spicy) all at the same time.
my only complaint, similar to the first book, is that it could’ve been significantly shorter. at times it felt a bit repetitive, and we probably could’ve cut down on some of the spice (even though it was hot). but regardless, it’s such a fast and fun read that i absolutely ate it up.
thank you soooo much simon maverick & netgalley for this e-arc!!! ♥︎
“𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝒊 𝒂𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒅. 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒚.”
June 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️Where book one is more plot driven, book two is more character driven. It focuses heavily on Summer and her going through her grief and trying to figure out what she wants moving forward. The beginning broke me, it was so emotional to read. We get more from other characters in this book too. I loved that we got so much more Rafe in particular, he was a favorite for me in the first book.
There was not a lot of action but you get more build up in the romance.I ate up the tension in this book. It was some of the most intense I have ever read. I am feral for the stranger at this point. The found family with this group will always stand out to me. The friendships are deep and meaningful but also super fun to read.
My main critique is that the romance and spicy scenes were very repetitive and could’ve been cut down a lot. I just wanted more from the plot.
I did really enjoy the reveal at the end, it was aligned with what I thought was happening and I’m happy about it. Interested to see how things develop in the next book.
There was not a lot of action but you get more build up in the romance.I ate up the tension in this book. It was some of the most intense I have ever read. I am feral for the stranger at this point. The found family with this group will always stand out to me. The friendships are deep and meaningful but also super fun to read.
My main critique is that the romance and spicy scenes were very repetitive and could’ve been cut down a lot. I just wanted more from the plot.
I did really enjoy the reveal at the end, it was aligned with what I thought was happening and I’m happy about it. Interested to see how things develop in the next book.
Want to Read
July 9, 2026THE WAY I HAVE THE WIDGET!!1! literally no one talk to me pls and thank you. i'm genuinely SO TEMPTED to chuck my current read out and read this rn asdfghjj-
anyways my life is completed now :)
anyways my life is completed now :)
July 4, 2026
okay wow.. wtf?!
rtc
rtc
May 17, 2026
Book 1 was good, but book 2 absolutely blew me away. I genuinely have never cried this hard reading a book before the first 12% alone deserves partial ownership of Kleenex stock. The authors wrote grief in such a painfully real and raw way that it honestly felt triggering at times, and I mean that as a compliment. The emotional weight of this story hits hard.
Beyond the emotion, the mystery was so well done. Every reveal had me spinning new theories, second guessing myself, and trying to piece everything together. And that ending? Total jaw dropper. It answers just enough while still leaving you DESPERATE for book 3.
I also loved the character development. The new POVs and found family were perfect!! 🔥 😈 🍼The world building continues to expand in such an epic way, and yes the spice is absolutely there too. 🥵
4.5 ⭐️
Beyond the emotion, the mystery was so well done. Every reveal had me spinning new theories, second guessing myself, and trying to piece everything together. And that ending? Total jaw dropper. It answers just enough while still leaving you DESPERATE for book 3.
I also loved the character development. The new POVs and found family were perfect!! 🔥 😈 🍼The world building continues to expand in such an epic way, and yes the spice is absolutely there too. 🥵
4.5 ⭐️
Want to Read
December 12, 2025STRANGERSTRANGERSTRANGER
May 13, 2026
⭐️ 4.75/5
🌶️ 4/5
📚 dark romantasy
💚 academia setting
📚 healing and trauma (so much trauma)
💚 stalker
📚 found family
💚 only one bed
📚 antagonist turned ally
💚 enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies
📚 hidden identity
💚 multi POV
📚 fated mates
💚 supernatural powers
The way I sobbed uncontrollably and almost nonstop for the first 20% of this book. If there’s one thing this author duet knows how to write, it’s grief. It also hits so close to home—I always saw my boyfriend / now-fiancé in Connor, so the devastation that resulted from his untimely end just hurts. I cried a LOT and hard for a while. It felt hopeless.
Despite the devastation, that, in no way, meant I didn’t enjoy this book. I did. It’s probably been one of the most highly anticipated reads of 2026. Blood & Betrayals was one of my top 3 favorite books in 2025, so it’s only natural for this one to follow up on that. That being said, I found myself unable to give this book a full 5⭐️s. It felt like there was a lot that didn’t happen and the plot wasn’t as engaging as it was in Blood & Betrayals. The suspense from book 1 didn’t pull into book 2, and I know this was more about healing and processing all that happened in the last book, but I just felt mildly bored at times.
I will admit, things did seem to get a littttle slow around 50%, but then picked up again decently right after. Nothing bad, just had to note. This book, much like its predecessor, it likely a tiny bit longer than it needed to be. But I’m not an author, who am I to say?
The “grand reveal” at the end is DEFINITELY something I saw coming early on in book 1, but it was nice to have it all be confirmed. I’m excited for our girl Summer’s villain arc. 😈
[ thank you Simon Maverick and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I’m truly beyond honored. ]
🌶️ 4/5
📚 dark romantasy
💚 academia setting
📚 healing and trauma (so much trauma)
💚 stalker
📚 found family
💚 only one bed
📚 antagonist turned ally
💚 enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies
📚 hidden identity
💚 multi POV
📚 fated mates
💚 supernatural powers
The way I sobbed uncontrollably and almost nonstop for the first 20% of this book. If there’s one thing this author duet knows how to write, it’s grief. It also hits so close to home—I always saw my boyfriend / now-fiancé in Connor, so the devastation that resulted from his untimely end just hurts. I cried a LOT and hard for a while. It felt hopeless.
Despite the devastation, that, in no way, meant I didn’t enjoy this book. I did. It’s probably been one of the most highly anticipated reads of 2026. Blood & Betrayals was one of my top 3 favorite books in 2025, so it’s only natural for this one to follow up on that. That being said, I found myself unable to give this book a full 5⭐️s. It felt like there was a lot that didn’t happen and the plot wasn’t as engaging as it was in Blood & Betrayals. The suspense from book 1 didn’t pull into book 2, and I know this was more about healing and processing all that happened in the last book, but I just felt mildly bored at times.
I will admit, things did seem to get a littttle slow around 50%, but then picked up again decently right after. Nothing bad, just had to note. This book, much like its predecessor, it likely a tiny bit longer than it needed to be. But I’m not an author, who am I to say?
The “grand reveal” at the end is DEFINITELY something I saw coming early on in book 1, but it was nice to have it all be confirmed. I’m excited for our girl Summer’s villain arc. 😈
[ thank you Simon Maverick and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I’m truly beyond honored. ]
June 2, 2026
I’m gonna say a 3.5-4⭐️. Thank you to Simon Maverick and Netgalley for allowing me to read this! All thoughts are my own.
We return to Avalon University and Summer is a shell of her former self. She wants to shut the world away, but she is the target of two powerful kings, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. She must train to survive, with three characters. Max, the Headmaster, and the stranger.
I do enjoy this series! And I enjoy this world and characters, but this book frustrated me a little bit.
Now I will say, I do think Summer is growing, at least when it comes to being a friend. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting a lot of growth at the beginning, all things considered, but she also does continue to make some very questionable and frustrating decisions. Like I said in my review for Blood and Betrayals, I alwayssss support the FMC and I still do, I just don’t understand her motivations half the time.
Alice continues to remain the MVP, just such a supportive friend, I love her.
I was surprised that we had so many sex scenes in this one, because I thought there would be a break. And this isn’t a spoiler because we have new POV’s in this one. (I didn’t really see the need in this one, but I do see it being important in the next book).
We do get a bit more world-building in this one, which I enjoyed!
But this book is soooo long and it was a lotttt of filler. I feel like with the amount of book we got, we should have gotten more answers and growth.
I did still enjoy the book, I read it in one sitting! I just wanted a bit more. But the ending is insaneee so I cannot wait for book 3!
We return to Avalon University and Summer is a shell of her former self. She wants to shut the world away, but she is the target of two powerful kings, forcing her to confront her inner darkness. She must train to survive, with three characters. Max, the Headmaster, and the stranger.
I do enjoy this series! And I enjoy this world and characters, but this book frustrated me a little bit.
Now I will say, I do think Summer is growing, at least when it comes to being a friend. Obviously, I wasn’t expecting a lot of growth at the beginning, all things considered, but she also does continue to make some very questionable and frustrating decisions. Like I said in my review for Blood and Betrayals, I alwayssss support the FMC and I still do, I just don’t understand her motivations half the time.
Alice continues to remain the MVP, just such a supportive friend, I love her.
I was surprised that we had so many sex scenes in this one, because I thought there would be a break. And this isn’t a spoiler because we have new POV’s in this one. (I didn’t really see the need in this one, but I do see it being important in the next book).
We do get a bit more world-building in this one, which I enjoyed!
But this book is soooo long and it was a lotttt of filler. I feel like with the amount of book we got, we should have gotten more answers and growth.
I did still enjoy the book, I read it in one sitting! I just wanted a bit more. But the ending is insaneee so I cannot wait for book 3!
May 8, 2026
Thank you to the Rose & Star team for my arc copy of Sorrow & Strangers, all opinions are my own.
Final rating:
Overall: ♾️/5🌟
Spice: 4.5/5🌶️
First off let me start by saying I have only ever ONE OTHER TIME in all my years of reading have rated a book anything other than a 5 star and this will be THE SECOND BOOK I GIVE AN INFINITY RATING TOO!!!!!! This book is over 700 pages and I DEVOURED IT IN TWO DAYS!!!! Do you know that feeling you get when you have something in your hands that is just too good to put down?!?! WELL THIS IS THAT BOOK!!!! Your girl has been struggling with finding that feeling again since I read Wrath last year and I genuinely couldn’t put this book down…..Seriously I put off grocery shopping….still haven’t cooked my food or anything. I did NOT WANT TO PUT THIS DOWN!!!
Next let’s talk about the representation of grief in this book. We all know why Summer is grieving if you are reading S&S. I can genuinely say that reading her journey through grief and healing spoke to a part of my soul that has been hurting for 10 years. I lost one of the most important people in my life from them unaliving themselves and I did not handle my grief well at all I did a lot of things I shouldn’t have. All that’s to say is that everyone grieves differently and handles everything differently and I really appreciate the care and the understanding of grief it took to write Summer in this book. I truly can’t imagine what someone had to go through in order to be able to write this so throughly. Reading Summer in this book genuinely made me feel less alone in what I experienced and that is a very hard thing to accomplish.
I truly love the friendships and the familial bond that we get to see throughout this book. I am so very happy with how it was written because going through grief and trauma can be very isolating and Summer has the most amazing support system!! The found family is really found familing in this one!!!
The spice was VERY nice!!!!!! There were a lot of things I was not expecting to see but was FERALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR when I read them!!!! Some of my favorite tropes in this one and you don’t want to miss it besties!!!! I would say on the spicy scale rating this book would get a 4.5/5🌶️!!!!!! Primal play and the one bed trope will get me EVERY SINGLE TIME AND I EAT IT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!! I will say this one is much spicer than book 1 due to the types of spice we get to see and experience and it literally had me in a chokehold this book!!!
I am just so genuinely excited for this book to be out with everyone so you can experience it with me!!!! This has surpassed every book I have read this year and has easily landed among the top reads of 2026 and maybe ever alongside Wrath!!
Final rating:
Overall: ♾️/5🌟
Spice: 4.5/5🌶️
First off let me start by saying I have only ever ONE OTHER TIME in all my years of reading have rated a book anything other than a 5 star and this will be THE SECOND BOOK I GIVE AN INFINITY RATING TOO!!!!!! This book is over 700 pages and I DEVOURED IT IN TWO DAYS!!!! Do you know that feeling you get when you have something in your hands that is just too good to put down?!?! WELL THIS IS THAT BOOK!!!! Your girl has been struggling with finding that feeling again since I read Wrath last year and I genuinely couldn’t put this book down…..Seriously I put off grocery shopping….still haven’t cooked my food or anything. I did NOT WANT TO PUT THIS DOWN!!!
Next let’s talk about the representation of grief in this book. We all know why Summer is grieving if you are reading S&S. I can genuinely say that reading her journey through grief and healing spoke to a part of my soul that has been hurting for 10 years. I lost one of the most important people in my life from them unaliving themselves and I did not handle my grief well at all I did a lot of things I shouldn’t have. All that’s to say is that everyone grieves differently and handles everything differently and I really appreciate the care and the understanding of grief it took to write Summer in this book. I truly can’t imagine what someone had to go through in order to be able to write this so throughly. Reading Summer in this book genuinely made me feel less alone in what I experienced and that is a very hard thing to accomplish.
I truly love the friendships and the familial bond that we get to see throughout this book. I am so very happy with how it was written because going through grief and trauma can be very isolating and Summer has the most amazing support system!! The found family is really found familing in this one!!!
The spice was VERY nice!!!!!! There were a lot of things I was not expecting to see but was FERALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL FOR when I read them!!!! Some of my favorite tropes in this one and you don’t want to miss it besties!!!! I would say on the spicy scale rating this book would get a 4.5/5🌶️!!!!!! Primal play and the one bed trope will get me EVERY SINGLE TIME AND I EAT IT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!! I will say this one is much spicer than book 1 due to the types of spice we get to see and experience and it literally had me in a chokehold this book!!!
I am just so genuinely excited for this book to be out with everyone so you can experience it with me!!!! This has surpassed every book I have read this year and has easily landed among the top reads of 2026 and maybe ever alongside Wrath!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2026
This series is straight crack. I’m an absolute wreck. I finished this book 2 hours ago, and I’m still coming to terms with the ending. What a wild ride. With how Blood & Betrayals ended, we KNEW Sorrow & Strangers was going to hurt, but dang….
Summer’s character is very complex. We see her struggle with grief and dark emotions. And we see her build herself back up. This was an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every second of it. There are some new POV’s that I LOVED. We get more from Alice (easily one of the best side characters I’ve ever read about) and even Rafe. UGHHHHH SWEET BOIIIIIIIIII.
You’re going to cry, laugh, feel frustration, and….feel hot. Have mercy.
Unreal. Book 3 is going to annihilate us, and I cannot wait.
Summer’s character is very complex. We see her struggle with grief and dark emotions. And we see her build herself back up. This was an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every second of it. There are some new POV’s that I LOVED. We get more from Alice (easily one of the best side characters I’ve ever read about) and even Rafe. UGHHHHH SWEET BOIIIIIIIIII.
You’re going to cry, laugh, feel frustration, and….feel hot. Have mercy.
Unreal. Book 3 is going to annihilate us, and I cannot wait.
July 11, 2026
I’ll need 5-200 business days to process…
Full review coming soon
Full review coming soon
June 28, 2026
This book consumed every single one of my thoughts, and it’s absolutely killing me that I can’t go straight to the next book 😩
I was lucky enough to go straight from Blood & Betrayals into Sorrow & Strangers and because I’ve been so immersed in this world, I’m not really sure what to do with myself.
Sorrow & Strangers picks up where the previous book left off, and apart from Alchemised, I have never cried as much at a book. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I cried, and actually sobbed, probably for the first 30 chapters of this book. The way the grief was written was exceptional, and my heart broke multiple times. It’s not easy to evoke emotion in books at this level, and I was genuinely bereft!
I found I liked Summer much more in this book, and the different dynamics between her and other characters were great. She really does come into her own, and although I still think she is VERY naive for her age, she is fierce.
I can also confirm I am still besotted with the stranger, even more so now. I’m not actually sure if we are supposed to be rooting for him but idc, he’s top bae.
Oh and the spice in this book? GOOD LORD! I was sweating, it’s absolutely delicious. My Kindle highlights are a treat now 😏
I loved Sorrow & Strangers so much, and I cannot wait to get back to Avalon University, although I fear I’ve got a bit of a wait! And after that ending? Even though I knew it was coming, I still screeched. 🤯
Thank you so much to Simon Maverick, Jeanette Rose, and Alexis Rune for this eARC, and for giving me a whole new obsession 😈
I was lucky enough to go straight from Blood & Betrayals into Sorrow & Strangers and because I’ve been so immersed in this world, I’m not really sure what to do with myself.
Sorrow & Strangers picks up where the previous book left off, and apart from Alchemised, I have never cried as much at a book. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I cried, and actually sobbed, probably for the first 30 chapters of this book. The way the grief was written was exceptional, and my heart broke multiple times. It’s not easy to evoke emotion in books at this level, and I was genuinely bereft!
I found I liked Summer much more in this book, and the different dynamics between her and other characters were great. She really does come into her own, and although I still think she is VERY naive for her age, she is fierce.
I can also confirm I am still besotted with the stranger, even more so now. I’m not actually sure if we are supposed to be rooting for him but idc, he’s top bae.
Oh and the spice in this book? GOOD LORD! I was sweating, it’s absolutely delicious. My Kindle highlights are a treat now 😏
I loved Sorrow & Strangers so much, and I cannot wait to get back to Avalon University, although I fear I’ve got a bit of a wait! And after that ending? Even though I knew it was coming, I still screeched. 🤯
Thank you so much to Simon Maverick, Jeanette Rose, and Alexis Rune for this eARC, and for giving me a whole new obsession 😈
May 22, 2026
When the first book came out my bestie told me to read it. I put it off while I wish I hadn't I am glad I did. I binged the first book and then this one back to back. I will tell you Sorrow & Strangers is worth the wait and more. Avalon University has easily become a top tier series for me even with only two installments in the series so far being read. we have this book picking up where the first one left off. I will say please read the authors notes before going into this series and this book. I am now calling Jeanette and Alexis the tear collectors because I promise you the have a jar somewhere and it is overflowing. It could be a river, lake, or ocean at this point. They will get all the emotions they want out of you one way or another and you will be all the better for it. I love Summer. I love Alice. I love their friendship/sisterhood because that is what it is. I love everything about the Morningstars. This book is really about grief, family bonds, coming back and growing from the depths of despair. Sorrow is literally in the title!
Now in this second book we do get added pov. I really loved this. I loved getting more from the stranger. I loved the added pov from characters you are just meeting and will get to know... I'm going to leave this vague because you need to experience for yourself. All I can say is I can't wait to get my hands on the audio. I can't wait to experience it again. And I will be constantly rereading this series until the next installment is released because I am now feral for Avalon University!
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now in this second book we do get added pov. I really loved this. I loved getting more from the stranger. I loved the added pov from characters you are just meeting and will get to know... I'm going to leave this vague because you need to experience for yourself. All I can say is I can't wait to get my hands on the audio. I can't wait to experience it again. And I will be constantly rereading this series until the next installment is released because I am now feral for Avalon University!
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 22, 2026
FULL ARC REVIEW - Thank you to the Rose & Star team for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Blood and Betrayals was one of my favourite books of 2025. And following the gut wrenching conclusion of book one when I heard the name of book 2 I was terrified for my life in the best way. Sorrows and Strangers really delivered on every element that I was hoping it would.
Without going to spoilers – I feel that the grief that our characters experience following the events of book one was dealt with so beautifully and tactfully and in a way that really helped us feel the depth of love and emotion and the trauma. In some moments it was hard to sit with that grief but it made the journey of book 2 really feel more well-rounded because the emotional devastation of the loss that we experienced as the reader and that the characters felt really hit home in a way that I don’t think it would have if we didn’t take the time to grieve like we did.
It feels impossible to talk about Summer or Connor without delving into any types of spoilers but just know that every time Connor is on page I have the most like heart eye emoji expression on my face.
AGAIN It does feel impossible to even vaguely mention stranger and the entire art that we get from stranger without saying I fucking told you so. But the way that stranger is revealed (?) In this book still leave so many questions on answered and I cannot wait to see where this goes.
Alice is literally the definition of ride or die and she is pictured in the dictionary if you looked it up. The Rafe point of view and character ARC in this book was next level was exactly what I needed. I actually want more of it and I cannot wait to see where his storyline goes in the next book. At the end of the day, I am just a girl and I would gladly GLADLY berserker bounce for all time.
THIS SERIES CONTINUES TO BE THE DARK ACADEMIA ROMANTIC GOSSIP GIRL THAT I COULD ONLY DREAM OF.
Blood and Betrayals was one of my favourite books of 2025. And following the gut wrenching conclusion of book one when I heard the name of book 2 I was terrified for my life in the best way. Sorrows and Strangers really delivered on every element that I was hoping it would.
Without going to spoilers – I feel that the grief that our characters experience following the events of book one was dealt with so beautifully and tactfully and in a way that really helped us feel the depth of love and emotion and the trauma. In some moments it was hard to sit with that grief but it made the journey of book 2 really feel more well-rounded because the emotional devastation of the loss that we experienced as the reader and that the characters felt really hit home in a way that I don’t think it would have if we didn’t take the time to grieve like we did.
It feels impossible to talk about Summer or Connor without delving into any types of spoilers but just know that every time Connor is on page I have the most like heart eye emoji expression on my face.
AGAIN It does feel impossible to even vaguely mention stranger and the entire art that we get from stranger without saying I fucking told you so. But the way that stranger is revealed (?) In this book still leave so many questions on answered and I cannot wait to see where this goes.
Alice is literally the definition of ride or die and she is pictured in the dictionary if you looked it up. The Rafe point of view and character ARC in this book was next level was exactly what I needed. I actually want more of it and I cannot wait to see where his storyline goes in the next book. At the end of the day, I am just a girl and I would gladly GLADLY berserker bounce for all time.
THIS SERIES CONTINUES TO BE THE DARK ACADEMIA ROMANTIC GOSSIP GIRL THAT I COULD ONLY DREAM OF.
May 15, 2026
This book is an infinity-star read! Alexis & Jeanette are MASTER storytellers and my brain can’t comprehend how they sneak in lore, clues, and so many details. A B&B reread is now necessary knowing what I know after the ending of this book.
While this story tackles some dark and heavy subjects, the mental health representation is some of the best I’ve ever read. The authors have a powerful way of developing flawed but lovable characters many of us can relate to.
This book has also been referred to as “Sobbing & Slutting” and that’s a very accurate depiction of my reading experience. I love these characters so much and will be staring at my wall until I can continue on in book three!
Thank you to the Rose & Star team for providing me with a copy of this book. Forever grateful to be on the ARC team! This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
While this story tackles some dark and heavy subjects, the mental health representation is some of the best I’ve ever read. The authors have a powerful way of developing flawed but lovable characters many of us can relate to.
This book has also been referred to as “Sobbing & Slutting” and that’s a very accurate depiction of my reading experience. I love these characters so much and will be staring at my wall until I can continue on in book three!
Thank you to the Rose & Star team for providing me with a copy of this book. Forever grateful to be on the ARC team! This review is voluntary, and all opinions expressed are my own.
May 11, 2026
What an absolutely perfect emotional roller coaster. I don’t know what was pick in this book but it ripped me to shreds and put me back together in the same breath. My love for these characters are unmatched. This was the perfect balance of spice, humor, heartache, longing, and love. I can’t wait to see where book three takes us.
Read
July 8, 2026RTC
BRO WTF WAS THAT?! That ending obliterated me, I got whiplash, BYE!! But also I KNEWWW ITTT. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Ughhh I need to stare at the wall brb. 🥲
BRO WTF WAS THAT?! That ending obliterated me, I got whiplash, BYE!! But also I KNEWWW ITTT. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Ughhh I need to stare at the wall brb. 🥲
May 7, 2026
Goodness. Gonna need a few days to process but RTC!! So many theories ahhhhhhh.
May 14, 2026
[♾️⭐️]
first of all i want to thank simon & maverick audio for accepting my request and allowing me to read this book early!! you truly made my whole year <33
and now i want to thank both jeanette and alexis for creating and writing this masterpiece of both a book and series. it’s quite hard to fully put into words just how much this series means to me. the way they’re able to bring so many emotions out of you, and have you caring for the characters like you’ve known them your whole life. they feel like family. they make you feel seen. you want to protect them with everything you have.
going into this book after the ending of b&b i was already expecting heartache….and then i read the prologue, i repeat the prologue, and instantly i was in tears. the first 20-30 chapters all i wanted to do was rush and give summer the biggest hug.
she is so incredibly strong and i couldn’t be more proud of her in this book. i see so much of myself in her. the way she struggles but she’ll never once not be there for her friends and family. they are her entire life and she’ll protect them with everything she has.
her journey through grief and figuring out how to love again was an emotional one for sure, but was such an important message that both jeanette and alexis did an amazing job at portraying. her relationship with both farah and uriel is so important and i’m so glad she has them in her life. you could almost feel the breathe she was holding when she realised that they didn’t blame her and they loved her like she was one of their own. because she is and i’ll hear nothing about it!!
now i want to talk about alice because she is that light in your life when you didn’t know you needed it. she’s a ride or die, and i love her sm!! her chaotic fun energy is a much needed part of this book, and it wouldn’t be the same without her. if you have a friend like alice in real life, make sure you keep them close and treasure them forever and ever!!
now rafe, my baby rafe omg i love him. i felt for him so much in this book, and his inner monologues in his chapters literally had me tearing up so many times. i appreciated his bond with summer in b&b, but i appreciate it even more in this book. they’re always there for each other when they need it most. the little trio of him, summer and alice was so good and i enjoyed every minute of it.
the headmaster still intrigues the hell out of me, and i just want to know all there is about him, especially after that ending…..
max!!! sorry but i’m obsessed with him. i think he definitely has a hard time expressing himself, but he’ll always be there for summer and he’ll make sure she knows that. also my face when they first got together, ahhhh you should’ve seen it. all i can say is, hot!! and it continued to be that every time after that.
another moment that absolutely shocked me in the best way, chapter 25!!!! that will be engraved in my brain for as long as i live. speaking of engraved…. oooh my god i needed a minute after that was revealed. i could genuinely go on and on about how obsessed i am with the stranger. just the words that come out of his mouth have me giggling and kicking my feet. the interactions between him and summer have me on the edge of my seat every time. i can’t and won’t ever get over them.
i’ve had my inclinations on who i think the stranger is since i first started b&b a year ago now, but that slowly started to switch to a different person the further i got into this book.
back to the ending, that literally had me on the edge of my damn seat. it’s was such a perfect reveal which will now be the perfect lead up to book 3 which i am so unbelievably desperate for like you wouldn’t believe.
ok this review is without a doubt the longest i’ve ever written…which should say all there needs to be said about how much i loved this book. so if you haven’t read blood & betrayals then please i urge you to add it to your tbr and read it, so you can then also read this book!!
first of all i want to thank simon & maverick audio for accepting my request and allowing me to read this book early!! you truly made my whole year <33
and now i want to thank both jeanette and alexis for creating and writing this masterpiece of both a book and series. it’s quite hard to fully put into words just how much this series means to me. the way they’re able to bring so many emotions out of you, and have you caring for the characters like you’ve known them your whole life. they feel like family. they make you feel seen. you want to protect them with everything you have.
going into this book after the ending of b&b i was already expecting heartache….and then i read the prologue, i repeat the prologue, and instantly i was in tears. the first 20-30 chapters all i wanted to do was rush and give summer the biggest hug.
she is so incredibly strong and i couldn’t be more proud of her in this book. i see so much of myself in her. the way she struggles but she’ll never once not be there for her friends and family. they are her entire life and she’ll protect them with everything she has.
her journey through grief and figuring out how to love again was an emotional one for sure, but was such an important message that both jeanette and alexis did an amazing job at portraying. her relationship with both farah and uriel is so important and i’m so glad she has them in her life. you could almost feel the breathe she was holding when she realised that they didn’t blame her and they loved her like she was one of their own. because she is and i’ll hear nothing about it!!
now i want to talk about alice because she is that light in your life when you didn’t know you needed it. she’s a ride or die, and i love her sm!! her chaotic fun energy is a much needed part of this book, and it wouldn’t be the same without her. if you have a friend like alice in real life, make sure you keep them close and treasure them forever and ever!!
now rafe, my baby rafe omg i love him. i felt for him so much in this book, and his inner monologues in his chapters literally had me tearing up so many times. i appreciated his bond with summer in b&b, but i appreciate it even more in this book. they’re always there for each other when they need it most. the little trio of him, summer and alice was so good and i enjoyed every minute of it.
the headmaster still intrigues the hell out of me, and i just want to know all there is about him, especially after that ending…..
max!!! sorry but i’m obsessed with him. i think he definitely has a hard time expressing himself, but he’ll always be there for summer and he’ll make sure she knows that. also my face when they first got together, ahhhh you should’ve seen it. all i can say is, hot!! and it continued to be that every time after that.
another moment that absolutely shocked me in the best way, chapter 25!!!! that will be engraved in my brain for as long as i live. speaking of engraved…. oooh my god i needed a minute after that was revealed. i could genuinely go on and on about how obsessed i am with the stranger. just the words that come out of his mouth have me giggling and kicking my feet. the interactions between him and summer have me on the edge of my seat every time. i can’t and won’t ever get over them.
i’ve had my inclinations on who i think the stranger is since i first started b&b a year ago now, but that slowly started to switch to a different person the further i got into this book.
back to the ending, that literally had me on the edge of my damn seat. it’s was such a perfect reveal which will now be the perfect lead up to book 3 which i am so unbelievably desperate for like you wouldn’t believe.
ok this review is without a doubt the longest i’ve ever written…which should say all there needs to be said about how much i loved this book. so if you haven’t read blood & betrayals then please i urge you to add it to your tbr and read it, so you can then also read this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
captivated, possessed by…How many words can I use to describe truly how much I absolutely loved S&S, the characters, the story, the found family, the world and the Stranger . . . 😮💨😮💨
Sorrow & Strangers gave not just everything I wanted but also what I needed and then some. The emotional journey I went on with our girl Summer - the grief was raw, the growth was real and the mental health rep chefs kiss, a best friend who raises the bar on friendship. The found family is top tier. The tears I shed, literal sobs tbh, all the giggles and the yearning, my gods the YEEEEEEARNING this has me feeling for a fictional character is next level. The entire range of emotions in this one
@fatedloves & @authalexisrune this was an absolute masterpiece. Truly, from the depths of my soul, thank you. As someone who often feels disconnected, out of place, and unworthy this world means so much to me, and even saying that doesn’t feel like enough to show my gratitude. The limit does not exist.
S&S has firmly cemented itself as my top book of the year, and The Avalon series in my top 3 series. Do I even need to mention The Stranger is now at the top of the book boyfriend list 🤤🤤 I immediately need book 3, inject this series right into my bloodstream.
If you want a dark academia fantasy romance, with mental health rep, a bad ass FMC who goes through it, vampires, angels & demons, stalkers, and a found family that can’t be beat, mystery and magic, romance and lots of spice that’s important to the growth of the characters, the Avalon Series is for you. Please check your triggers and account for your mental health while reading
Blood & Betrayals out June 23rd
Sorrow & Strangers out September 8th
Thank you to the authors and @simonmaverickaudio for the eARC 🖤🖤
Sorrow & Strangers gave not just everything I wanted but also what I needed and then some. The emotional journey I went on with our girl Summer - the grief was raw, the growth was real and the mental health rep chefs kiss, a best friend who raises the bar on friendship. The found family is top tier. The tears I shed, literal sobs tbh, all the giggles and the yearning, my gods the YEEEEEEARNING this has me feeling for a fictional character is next level. The entire range of emotions in this one
@fatedloves & @authalexisrune this was an absolute masterpiece. Truly, from the depths of my soul, thank you. As someone who often feels disconnected, out of place, and unworthy this world means so much to me, and even saying that doesn’t feel like enough to show my gratitude. The limit does not exist.
S&S has firmly cemented itself as my top book of the year, and The Avalon series in my top 3 series. Do I even need to mention The Stranger is now at the top of the book boyfriend list 🤤🤤 I immediately need book 3, inject this series right into my bloodstream.
If you want a dark academia fantasy romance, with mental health rep, a bad ass FMC who goes through it, vampires, angels & demons, stalkers, and a found family that can’t be beat, mystery and magic, romance and lots of spice that’s important to the growth of the characters, the Avalon Series is for you. Please check your triggers and account for your mental health while reading
Blood & Betrayals out June 23rd
Sorrow & Strangers out September 8th
Thank you to the authors and @simonmaverickaudio for the eARC 🖤🖤
May 12, 2026
4.75 stars
The beginning of this book had me in tears. The found family is everything. The Morningstars deserve the entire world. Rafe is my baby. Summer and Alice forever.
The Stranger and his POV had me in an absolute chokehold. I was giggling, blushing, kicking my feet, clutching my pearls, etc. A man TRULY unhinged and obsessed. I’m down so bad.
This is the kind of story that just consumes you and makes you forget you’re reading a 700+ page book. I’ve actually thought about nothing else for days (mostly about the Stranger let’s be real).
UGH the ending. So frustrating but in a good way. The fact that we have to wait three more books to find out how this all ends…Alexis and Jeanette, you try my patience.
I need to get something off my chest though. Maximillian Romulus is my least favorite. Don’t come for me.
Thank you to Simon Maverick and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The beginning of this book had me in tears. The found family is everything. The Morningstars deserve the entire world. Rafe is my baby. Summer and Alice forever.
The Stranger and his POV had me in an absolute chokehold. I was giggling, blushing, kicking my feet, clutching my pearls, etc. A man TRULY unhinged and obsessed. I’m down so bad.
This is the kind of story that just consumes you and makes you forget you’re reading a 700+ page book. I’ve actually thought about nothing else for days (mostly about the Stranger let’s be real).
UGH the ending. So frustrating but in a good way. The fact that we have to wait three more books to find out how this all ends…Alexis and Jeanette, you try my patience.
I need to get something off my chest though. Maximillian Romulus is my least favorite. Don’t come for me.
Thank you to Simon Maverick and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For those that love the journey, love the emotional devastation, and love complex, layered, and genuine characters this one is for you.
Book one is the build up; the get-to-know-you.
Book two is the raw, gritty, messy, and unbelievably beautiful authenticity of the characters and story.
The journey the characters are on in this book is FELT. It’s an entire experience. It’s not quick, it’s not light, and it’s not easy. But it’s so worth it. The love, friendships, and found family in this story is truly remarkable.
I cannot praise Jeanette and Alexis enough for their character development and creating such an intense, relatable, and utterly consuming story. The way they can elicit such raw emotion and true relatability is awe-inspiring.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon Maverick Books, and the Authors for the ARC Copy.
For those that love the journey, love the emotional devastation, and love complex, layered, and genuine characters this one is for you.
Book one is the build up; the get-to-know-you.
Book two is the raw, gritty, messy, and unbelievably beautiful authenticity of the characters and story.
The journey the characters are on in this book is FELT. It’s an entire experience. It’s not quick, it’s not light, and it’s not easy. But it’s so worth it. The love, friendships, and found family in this story is truly remarkable.
I cannot praise Jeanette and Alexis enough for their character development and creating such an intense, relatable, and utterly consuming story. The way they can elicit such raw emotion and true relatability is awe-inspiring.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon Maverick Books, and the Authors for the ARC Copy.
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