Taming the Beasts

by Ivy Smoak

Some might say that there are monsters lurking around Crooked Point. But my boyfriends aren’t monsters. They’re cursed. And I’ve found a way to reverse it.

Finding a cure should have made things easier. But it’s only left me with more questions.

What if they take it and it changes how they feel about me? What if they no longer want to share me if they don’t have to? What if I lose them for good?

And do we even know if it’s truly a cure? Something feels off to me. I know when lies have been whispered in my ear.

After all, I’ve been warned. When one supernatural creature comes to town...more usually follow. And I think an actual monster may have just shown up.

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2025

About the author

Ivy Smoak is the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of The Hunted Series. Her books have sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

When she's not writing, you can find Ivy binge watching too many TV shows, taking long walks, playing outside, and generally refusing to act like an adult. She lives with her husband in Delaware.

Learn more about Ivy on:
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Empire High


The Hunted & Light to My Darkness



Made of Steel

Reviews

[Tessa Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Emma and Zoey locate a cure for their men before it’s too late? What will happen if they take it? Will their wants and needs change? Zoey and Emma deliver in the finale. A whirlwind of epic events that they Can’t seem to escape. Callum wants all of Emma but he’s old fashioned and doesn’t want to take the cure without one thing first. Will they make it down the aisle or will it be destroyed before they can say I do? The pack is all in on Zoey and can’t imagine their lives without her. All except Titan. Will he finally come around and give Zoey what she wants? Grudge is a fantastic addition to this team of outcasts. He brings the comic relief when needed and truly believes in Zoey. Who is Kebe and why does she keep glitching? Is she really evil or is there more to her story? Will everyone finally take the cure and live out a normal life? All of the adventures in this series are so fun, steamy and make you long for more. This was the perfect wrap up for this series. I hope we get to meet these characters again some day.

[Elke Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Beasts is the 3rd book in the Crooked Point series, and man, was it fun! There were strange and supernatural creatures, gentlemen who were debonaire and sexy, there was lots of spice, and cute and quirky MCs. I love how Ivy was able to use literary devices that could have come off as a mistake, but because she is Ivy, it instead came off as adorable. For example, there was a lot of repetition when one of the MCs kept saying, "my boyfriend/s." For a less skilled writer, this could have just been too much. Instead, this repetition made the MC extra quirky, adorable, and so proud of her relationship. The whole book was like that - so enjoyable. There were some exciting, roller coaster-like plot points and satisfying conclusions. All in all, this book, and this whole series for that matter, is a great time. Vampires and werecats, and gods/goddesses were never so sexy. I highly recommend this whole series! Read it now!

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is book 3 in the series, you definitely need to read the other books first for this one to make sense
this book has everything you need for, Halloween, vampires, wearcats, and other supernatural beings
there is plenty of spice as you get to know zoey and her boyfriends a little more, you also find out more about who Kebe is and what she wants, there is a complete roller coaster of emotions
i do have a soft spot for Grudge and its great to have him around,
there are some great characters,

[Nic_key_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

All amazing things must come to a end! And this finale was spicy and full of angst! Taming The Beasts is book three in a series so you need to read the other two in order to be able to follow this story. What’s better than some monsters and beasts to get you ready for one of the best seasons of the year? Spooky season! And this book is just the thing to get you ready for Halloween. I say it after every book but I absolutely love love love Ivy’s writing. It’s always full of laughter and fun. She knows how to pull emotions out in her writing.

Taming The Beasts overall was amazing. This book brought the series to an end and it did it with justice.

[Lacy Crouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic ending to this series!!! It made me feel about every emotion at some point and kept me on the edge of my seat. I just couldn’t put it down! I was right about some of my theories I had but also completely shocked by other things. I love that Ivy can make you think you’ll know exactly what is going to happen, and then totally throw you for a loop! This book is full of humor, mystery, love and PLENTY of spice!! A great ratio of everything I like to see in a book.
Can’t recommend any book from Ivy enough!!

[Kerryanne Woodhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so gutted this trilogy is finished, I absolutely loved Crooked Point! Emma & Zoey were totally up to their usual antics in this book while they desperately searched for a cure for their boyfriends.
There were so many hilarious moments, I loved all the crazy ideas and plans that never went right! Even though there was plenty of spice there was still so many lovely moments and I was actually in tears at one point breaking my heart. But in true Ivy style she wrapped the trilogy up in a beautiful bow x

[Kaitlyn Calicott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in the Crooked Point series. A brand new steamy book that was not on Yonder. All Emma and Zoey want are happily ever afters with their men whether they stay how they are or get to change. A new girl in town seems very suspicious - flirting with their men, disappearing, making things up while going along with others. Should they trust her or get rid of her? Emma and Zoey take us on an adventure of camera distractions, dirty lies, runaway cat, trash bread, disappearing act, awkward cams, bank fight, chicken body pie fight, missing in action, pounding rooftop confessions, conflicting auras, banana dance, portrait perfect, smoking vows, healing or un-healing music, American cheese, ancient sparkling Thanksgiving.
It’s the finale full of mystery, intrigue, and chaos. You won’t want to put it down until everything is wrapped up with a shiny bow or is this only the beginning?

[Shaunette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hot, steamy finale filled with angst, drama, mystery and supernatural happenings. Emma and Zoey took us on adventures and with these adventures, Crooked Point coughed up some surprises and suspicious strangers lurking in the shadows, Emma, Zoey and the men had a lovely dynamic with their never ending banter and snarky humor. Certainly an irresistible page turner! Well done Ivy! 🩷🩷

[Jehanne Edwards-Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

As always you have done it again well done ivy smoak I loved this series and really loved the RH story you always make the characters come alive and capture the hearts of everyone in them it’s as if I’m living the life as well. Can’t wait for news of goblin arrival for you both get as much rest as you can enjoy your baby and look forward to meeting him or her soon keep writing x

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in the Crooked Point series, is beyond amazing.
Intense, drama, twists and spice, oh and the angst, and its all written in a way only Ivy Smoak can!
You'll be hooked. Every character is fantastic, memorable. And of course be prepared to laugh out loud.

Ill definitely be revisiting this series often.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding Planning

This exciting conclusion to the Crooked Point series was epic. As Emma and Callum start planning their wedding, Zoey and the pack try to find a cure. Revelations and surprises kept me shocked and captivated. It was entertaining and full of banter, danger, and secrets bigger than expected. I could not put this book down.

I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Tamiee Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

the 3rd and final book in the Crooked Point series. this book was so good I loved all the male characters and Zoey, and Emma.
Zoey is dating 5 werecats 🥵
Emma is dating a vampire called Callum/ Theo.
I love the storyline, and the plot twists along the way.
the ending was perfect. Everyone got their happy ever after ❤️

another masterpiece written by Ivy ❤️

[Peggy Jacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming the Beast was the best ending of the 3 book vampire and werecats series. You won't want to put it down. it's so intense you have to read it till the end to see how everything and everyone turns out. Can't wait to see what ivy does next.

[Jess Boschock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Ivy never disappoints. This is the 3rd and final book of the series I love the ride that Zoey and Emma take us on with the new chick in town. All they want is their happily ever after with their men. This book has all the vibes you need for Halloween. Mystery, spice, banter. I can’t wait to see what Ivy comes out with next.

[Emily Bonazzoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not my first reverse harem. And I was very nervous going into this series when Ivy did not write anything like this before. It definitely was worth the wait when it first dropped on an app only book app. I was so glad when it came to kindle. Definitely recommend this series.

[Lori Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking good!! This was the perfect way to end the series. I fell in love with all of the characters. Emma, Callum, Zoey, Otto, Bennett, Ace, Huxley, and Titan. I can’t forget about Grudge and even Kebe. This book was filled with banter, snarkiness, love, supernatural beings, an ongoing search for a cure, and tons of spice.

[Rachel Garippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tiller coaster way to end a series!!!! And it Loved it!! All the spice in the right places at the right time with a little mystery and a villain Ivy style.... Yes ! YES AND YES! Such a great series and they got better and better.

[danireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

I have read all her books and loved them all but this series was a mixture of everything and Zoey is so funny!

[Lyndsay Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in this series takes you on a wild ride. So many things I did not expect. Definitely kept me guessing. Such a great way to end the series!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect way too end this series. This book gave me all the feels. You had me at sad tears, happy tears.. and gave some drama with a hint of spice! I can’t wait to read what you come up with next Ivy!

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m relieved this trilogy is finally over. If I had to read more of Emma and Zoey’s shenanigans I don’t know what I would have done, probably still read it. One of the good things that came out of this story, aside from all the questions that seem to get answered is that Zoey and Titan start exploring each other sexually in this book. Titan drops his disdain and questioning about her because she keeps proving she is also worthy of his affection and she makes more of an effort to include him even though he still had his doubts about her. You do pick up why he seemed to hate her all this time but you did get an idea about what it was in the last book. He reminded me so much of heroes I’ve read about in the past where he doesn’t give in due to his own concerns and beliefs until something snaps and pushes him over the edge and he can no longer hold back or deny how he feels. You don’t get real fuzzy feelings from him completely but this book was a great push for him to let go and finally admit he cares for her and you get glimpses of his softer core. The only reason I’m giving this a 4 is because of that and mysteries get solved and essentially all the questions get answered and there was some suspense that kept me flipping the pages dying to find out. I still felt like there was something off. It felt random but made sense at the same time. I appreciated the book making light of a very serious situation but I wish this could have been written more seriously and less off the cusp. It would have made this story so much better and more compelling. There was more folklore instead of it feeling natural and everyday in this book when involving supernatural things. The book made it feel like a parody and I had a hard time getting into it because of that. With being a fan of these kind of things purely for the fascination and mythology of it all, I wanted this to have more of a somber, possibly dangerous but sensual and addicting feel. This didn’t have that, instead it wasn’t taken seriously and Emma and Zoey were too reckless for me. Callum and Zoey’s boyfriends took it more seriously than they did. We still don’t fully know about Kebe even though you finally find out what she actually is in this book. My suspicions about her and King did come to light and I found out I was right about how they are related so that was a nice conclusion. I did also feel like things were still being assumed and not thought out hence why what actually ends up happening, happens. For a minute there, and without giving anything away I felt like the book came all this way only for it to not work and all for nothing. It was an interesting touch, but unless you read that kind of book, in romance there very rarely is a sad ending so you know there will be an ex machina and things will work out as always. Characters that got mentioned previously do make a come back which I wasn’t surprised about, but even more so that Grudge ends up being right. It was interesting and exciting to see all these conclusions made by him and some of Zoey’s get confirmed because while I had my doubts, I still thought they would be right to some degree but not most of them. How the book finishes does seem a bit unbelievable but then again, most of this book was. In conclusion if you’re looking for a supernatural theme with romance you’ll get it with this one, but be prepared to go through frustrations, annoyance and no really clear answers but an interesting theme that plays into Halloween but also Egyptian mythology. If you can handle Zoey and Emma’s personalities, the trilogy isn’t all that bad, it did get toned down a lot since the first book.

[Lisa Icard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reader needs to have a bucket of ice cold water, because this book is hot the whole way through.

Taming the Beasts picks up from where the last book left off. Zoey and Emma continue their search for a cure for Callum and Zoey’s pack with some help from the town’s newest visitor, Kebe. But, will this cure change their dynamic? Will they still feel the same? This is part of the allure of this story.

I loved Emma and Zoey and the shenanigans they got up to. I loved their friendship and how they supported each other. This book mostly focuses on Zoey and her relationship with her guys… Bennet, Otto, Ace, Huxley and let’s not forget… the grumpy Titan. Zoey settles into her new role in their lives and the commitment they’ve made to each other… except for Titan. He’s harder to crack, you don’t know what he’s thinking. I loved their banter between these two. It added so much to their dynamic that when these two finally close that gap, there is one epic explosion! Once Titan is in the fold, what transpires is a relationship that works for Zoey and her guys.

As they finally find the answer to the cure they’ve been waiting for, it turns out things and people are not always as they appear. I enjoyed this story. It took me on a journey that was a bit different than your normal vampire, were at story… but that’s what made it memorable!!

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callum, Emma, Zoey, and the Bank Men

Crooked Point Series is coming to an end. Taming the Beasts is book 3 of the trilogy and reading book 1 and 2 are a must, as the story continues with each book.

To quickly recap, Emma visits Zoey in Crooked Point, and strange things start happening around the small town. Then they learn that Vampires, Werecats, and who knows what else, live amongst them.

If you haven’t read the first two books, there may be spoilers so look away.
Emma and Zoey learn that the five Bank men, are cursed and want to find a cure. And if the cure works for Werecats, maybe it will work for Vampires too.

Kebe is introduced in book 2 and is a bit of an odd girl. No one really knows what to think of her. She flirts with some of the guys, and seems to want to help the group, yet at the same time, things around her can’t be explained and she has secrets of her own. Friend or foe, they don’t know.

And that’s all you get…you have to read it. Grab Taming the Beasts to see what happens with Callum and Emma, and Zoey and the Bank men. All three books are a lot of fun to read. Never a dull moment, oh so steamy, and so entertaining.

[litljen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 crazy stars *

Book three in the Crooked Point trilogy is absolutely crazy pants! Taming the Beasts is NOT a standalone so be sure that you have read the first two stories IN ORDER before diving into this book! Taming the Beasts picks up where the last book left off and it's probably the craziest of all of the stories in this series. It's funny, shocking, super steamy, full of secrets and danger, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Danger is afoot in Crooked Point and as the story hits its peak, you'll be racing through the pages to find out what is going to happen. It's everything you've come to expect from Ivy Smoak and then some. With the perfect happily ever, you'll be smiling and left feeling completely satisfied. This is one story you will not want to miss! 5 stars

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crooked Point trilogy comes to a rollicking finale in Taming the Beasts as Emma and Zoey pull on their Nancy Drew hats as they desperately seek the cure that will turn their boyfriends human again but not everyone in their camp can be trusted and have their own agendas.

With vampires, were cats, ancient Egyptian goddesses, this series has been a supernatural smorgasbord of paranormal deliciousness from the start as well as a whole lotta spiciness, Zoey I’m looking at you and your me, yes men plural, you lucky girl. The snarky banter has been fabulous throughout and the storylines fun while not holding back on the action making this a page turner of a read building the suspense and tension, while keeping readers hanging until the last possible moment. Now that Crooked Point is on the paranormal map, I’m hoping that this isn’t the last visit we pay to the quirky town.

[Shanele R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love your Halloween reads with bite, heart, and heat — Taming of the Beasts (Book 3 of the Crooked Point series) is your next obsession.

The curses? Finally curable.
The girls? Ready to heal their men.
The twist? Outsiders roll into town with secrets that could ruin everything.
This finale is packed with truth bombs, emotional punches, and laugh-out-loud moments.

Think:
✨ Shifter & vampire romance
✨ Reverse harem & second chances
✨ Small town + spooky season vibes
✨ That chaotic, nostalgic energy of Society & Single Girl Rules

If you’ve been craving a paranormal romance that’s sexy, funny, and surprisingly tender — this series delivers. Start from Book 1 and thank me later 🐺🩸💋

[Fionne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 5+/5★ | Spice: 2.5/5

THE ENDING!!!! I absolutely loved it so much! Best ending to an amazing series. The suspense, action, chaos, plot twist, and revelation.. it was all so beautifully written. I absolutely devoured this whole series within such a short period of time. Took me out of my reading slump.

And I just have to add that the side character Grudge, he made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!!! He’s so silly, I love him so much!

If you’re looking for a fall, spooky comfort read, this is the series for you. I can not recommend this series enough.

**two stories in one: emma & her best friend’s zoey
• second chance vampire romance
• reverse harem shifter romance
• spooky halloween vibes
• small town

[Holly_Mac_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in Ivy Smoak’s romantasy trilogy was epic! This finale had everything—twists, tears, laughter, and heart-stopping moments that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in less than 24 hours.

Ivy’s writing pulls you right into the story; it truly feels like you’re living every scene alongside the characters. The balance of intense emotion, steamy spice, and pure, sweet love made this a perfect ending to an unforgettable series.

If you love spicy paranormal romance that takes your emotions on a rollercoaster, Taming the Beasts (and the entire trilogy) is an absolute must-read! 💕🩸✨

#BookReview #IvySmoak #TamingTheBeasts #RomantasyReads #SpicyBooks #ParanormalRomance #BookTok #Bookstagram

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

taming the beasts

We finally got all our answers!!! If you thought you knew how book three was going to go, we were all wrong LOL. In no way whatsoever could I have predicted any of it. This literally had everything we could ask for, cute small town, spooky season, lots of laughs, definitely can’t forget the spice, vampires, shifters, maybe a few more unexpected guests, and everyone showing their jealousy LOL. I’m so sad it’s come to an end although I totally feel like we need a spin off for Grudge.

[Vivien Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fabulous conclusion to the Crooked Point trilogy. Zoey has been hard at work hoping to find a cure for her multiple boyfriends' curse. And she thinks she's found the answer. Seriously no one writes why choose romcom like Ivy Smoak! The spicy scenes are so good and over the top steamy! My favorite parts of course. This book has vampires, shifters and so much spooky vibes. It's a perfect series for the Halloween season. I couldn't wait to find out the ending to this story and it is so good! Another favorite series to add to my collection.