The Pack Next Door

The Wolfverse #4

by Sam Hall

She’s an omega that built a life without alphas. But fate’s not done with her yet.
Briar has everything she a thriving homewares business, a peaceful city apartment, and a quiet life untouched by the chaos of pack politics. Raised to believe she’d one day be claimed by her fated mates, Briar spent years waiting… until she realized she didn’t need anyone to make her whole.
Then Briar is dragged back to the small hometown she swore she’d left behind for good.
She expected stress, nostalgia, and awkward run-ins.
She did not expect the neighbours.
Three alphas—dangerously hot, frustratingly confident, and unmistakably hers. Their scents hit like a punch to the chest. Their eyes track her every move. And their wolves? Desperate to claim.
But Briar has a secret she feels will stop them
But fate doesn’t care about her plans. And these alphas?
They’re not asking.
They’re here to tempt, to touch, to tear down every wall she’s built—and Briar isn’t sure she has the strength to stop them.

Genres: Omegaverse, Shapeshifters, Why Choose, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Werewolves

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2025

About the author

Australian author of paranormal RH novels

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Reviews

[Athanasia ♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Sam's angstier books, "The Pack Next Door" was definitely worth the read!

The premise of the book was not different than the rest of the books in the series, but the narrators' distinct voices made the story much deeper and poignant. From the unique FMCs Sam creates to the intricate people she uses to construct her novels, this book gave a master class on how to make a story come to life. Each character had their own insecurities, strengths, opinions, and feel, and they stole my heart single-handedly.

The only issue I have is something I often have with this author, and it concerns the romantic relationship between the characters. More specifically, the relationship dynamics seem a little uneven, and the FMC appears to have a favorite *coughs* JACE *coughs* and a least favorite *coughs* GIDEON *coughs* . I mean, a certain someone did not have a single romantic scene one-on-one with Briar.... Regardless, I do appreciate the polyphony of different relationships between this polycule; these uneven dynamics, however, left me with a bitter taste at the end.

Also, some issues were swept under the carpet, such as Briar's infertility and medical condition thus making the end of the story a little rushed and sloppy. To put it in a nutshell, the journey was amazing; the end, though, a little bittersweet.

Tags:
Paranormal MMCs/FMC 👻👹😈
Reverse Harem/ MFMM💯 💢💦(including fraternal polyandry!)
Poly Relationship 👁👅👁
Omegaverse/Alpha,beta,omega dynamics 🅰️🅱️🅾️
Matehood❤️‍🔥 ❤️
Heats/Ruts🥵 🥴👋
Unprotected $e)(😵‍💫😈
Learning intimacy💁👌😍
Miscommunication😵‍💫⚠️
Angst😐😑
Infertility 🏴 🏴 🏴
HEA🌠 🎇 🎆

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★

TLDR; packless girl boss omega finds pack when she least expects it, makes them work for it hella hard, rejects them a bunch because she's miserable lol, and then changes her mind and they live happily ever after.

Briar hasn't been back to home town since being publicly rejected by the local pack as a teenager. She may have been raised to believe that finding her fated mates was the most important thing an omega can do, but Briar rejects that ideology and forges own path as a packless omega.

Now a successful businesswoman and thriving in the city, Briar gets unexpectedly called back to Moon River after her elderly mother takes a tumble. Unfortunately for her, her arrival is right smack dab in the middle of the town choosing a new pack of alphas to lead.

Even more unfortunate is meeting the Whitlock pack, a trio of hot younger alphas that have moved next door to her mother's home, who claim she's their fated mate. Briar isn't looking to settle down or give up the life she has created for herself, nor can she provide them with pups thanks to her infertility issues.

Briar does her damnedest to avoid the pull she and her wolf feel towards the Whitlock Pack, but everything goes to hell in a handbasket when being around them throws her into an early heat. With her hormones and time spent getting to know the Whitlocks clouding her judgement, Briar must stick to her guns to save herself from heartbreak. Or is she keeping herself from the pack of her dreams instead?

Honestly, I felt for Briar. Rejection is bad enough as it is, but to have it happen in front of the whole freaking town? Yikes on bikes. Then to try and find your mates elsewhere, only to be rejected again and again, AND on top of an already shitty situation finding out you can't have kids when that's what your designations job is basically to do? Harsh. So so harsh.

I loved that she said fuck it I don't need any men to be happy and whole, and carved out her own path in the city AND started a multimillion dollar business. Like yassss!!!! So, I completely understood her not wanting to upend her life after meeting the Whitlocks because she already proved she could be happy without a pack, especially when what the boys thought they wanted didn't align with what she wanted.

However, once the men finally all got on the same page and realized that they would do anything for Briar, even if it meant pissing off their family (who fucking sucked btw) who so desperately wanted them to be the next pack leaders of Moon River, they were willing to be with her in any compacity AND willing to move to the city for her. Was that good enough for Briar? Not really, because she kept finding reasons why they couldn't be happy together, and it was hella frustrating.

Like damn girl, they don't care about the infertility, they gave up being pack leaders, AND are willing to follow you to the city... What more do you want from them? You're literally getting your cake and can eat it too!

Obviously it all works out, but good lord it took forever. Seriously though, if Briar hadn't waffled so much the book would have been at least 150-200 pages shorter lol. Overall though, I liked it but wanted to smack Briar around a bit.

[Jordan Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

not the best Sam Hall, not the worst Sam Hall

“Alright, alright, if you can’t see what’s right in front of you, it's not for me to point that out.” He winked. “You’ll work it out when you’re ready. So, how do we move forward?”

Honestly, I’ve never been more annoyed. I’m not sure what Whitlock Pack has to do??? They’ve offered to follow Briar to the city, and still she fights it.

If Riley said no mates for Briar and no children… but then she ends up with mates, why not question the no kids thing? She has been given so many options to tell the pack about her fertility and she is CONTINUING to brush it off… if you truly don’t want your mates and you think they’ll care that much about the heirs, tell them and put me out of my misery!!

Gideon, Maddox and Jace proved to be good mates separately and together and Briar was truly insufferable. After the half way point, you’re just being contrary for the sake of being contrary… so it made the whole book worse.

The Whitlock Pack parents sure are TERRIBLE!! I still have some questions… but whatever. So they’re all abusive?? So odd. Why be so awful?? Making April a creepy boy mom, ok.

The best part is the turning point, when they’re finally out of Moon River and back in the city … I’m not sure why the before had to last SOOOOO LONGGGGGGGGGG… it didn’t add anything but annoyance.

Not getting together until 90% and that’s only one of the Alphas… keep it.


“Sometimes the most beautiful creations come from the broken pieces of other things.” Ok.

Seems unfair Gideon didn’t get a 1:1 bonding like Maddox and Jace did, but perhaps he needed to feel a part of the pack? But I still don’t like it. “Welcome to the pack, brother,” Jace said. “It might’ve taken you a while to get here, but it's good to have you with us.” *insert eye roll*

I get moving to the city and finding yourself, then the hometown storyline shouldn’t have gone on for so long … why keep harping that she couldn’t have kids and thus didn’t have mates to then give her mates but not address the fertility - it feels open ended. The bad parents seem open ended. It’s fine. It’s not the worst but it wasn’t great either.

[Ashkenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but to long

H: Jace, Maddox & Gideon aka The Whitlock Pack (Alphas)
h: Briar Reynolds (Omega)
Briar was rejected when she turned 18yrs old, then she found out she is sterile and that's the reason she cant/wont/dont have her "alphas/pack" of her own. So she decided to move to the city to make her life w/out her alphas. The Whitlock Pack decides to join the tournament on becoming the next Ruling Pack (they come from Glen Hallow)
Briar decided to go back to Moon Ridge to take care of her mum, after hearing she fell and got hurt.
Instantly the guys & her wolf knew she was their mate but Briar's human didn't want to believe it and one she did she still didn't want to form a pack because she felt it wouldn't be fair to tie them to her when she can bear any babies. At first she didn't tell them the main reason, it just pretty much went back and forth with all 3 of them trying to change her mind on staying in Moon River. Once she told them the main reason they can't be together she ran back to the city to continue with her life.
This story is long and has a lot of little stories on the side, like the story of the alpha's mom and her 4 alphas. Overall the story was not that bad, it was just too long for me, it kind of dragged on and on.
In the end I just lost interest in the story and just wanted to be done  with it.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so very excited to see Sam return to the Wolfverse, my favorite is Billion Dollar Pack! This FMC, Briar, who shares a name with my very own pup at home is not afraid to stand on her own and refuses to allow her designation to define her. Seeing our MMCs realize the manipulation they have been subjected to and stand up for their omega was refreshing. And let us not forget our familiar faces for Riley and Candy.

A quick read, and happy return to a familiar world. Worth the read!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pack Next Door

Sam Hall's Wolfverse is lovely to visit. And this pack had me all up in my feels. Briar's resilience and courage in meeting the challenges fate handed her. While Gideon, Maddox and Jace come to terms with their own family issues on the way to creating a pack they can thrive and become a family.

[Bent Letters · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Sarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still dislike omegaverse...

But this series is one of the more bearable ones - they do actually shift into wolves rather than weirdly behaving like them for no reason. And, the FMC doesn't end up acting completely out of character, or 'being betrayed by her body', which are tropes that I really can't stand. This has a pretty strong FMC, and alphas who actually learn to bend.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back in the Wolfverse with another kick-ass book!

When Briar's mother falls and hurts herself, Briar rushes back to her hometown, a place she swore never to return to. The town holds too many bad memories, too much pain. Her plan is straightforward: check on her mom, explore nearby housing options in the city, get her to agree, and then leave. If only her mother wasn't so stubborn, and she didn't have three new neighbours that turned out to be her fated mates.
But that can't be real, can it? (yeah, town and its packs caused some severe trauma regarding fated mates)

Briar, an omega and a well-established businesswoman, has her life completely sorted (you don't need romance when you have so much work, apparently). On the cusp of another product launch, she puts everything in the capable hands of her staff to care for her mom and convince her to live somewhere close. She carries a secret/burden she fears will make the Whitlock pack reject her.

Then we have our alphas: Gideon, the golden child; Maddox (or Mads), the black sheep; and Jace, the sunshine brother. The three just moved in next door to Briar's mother and are in town, vying for the right to become the next ruling pack. Finding Briar was very unexpected, but it works perfectly with their plans, if only she would get on the same page.

The journey these four people went on was incredible. The book has everything: humor, drama, romance, and a good amount of spice. It's all balanced perfectly. And yes, I may or may not have snarled at the men's parents, and it was completely justified, you'll see why!
This story is so much more than a typical omega-meets-alphas story. No, Briar knows what she wants, and it's up to the brothers to get their act together and decide what's more important: their pack's (and parents') ambition or Briar.

Oh! And let's not forget about Candy! Yep, Riley's Candy :D (Riley pops up a few times as well, btw, love seeing old friends again!!). Candy is a close friend of Briar's and isn't shy about giving advice. Since we know who she is, that advice pretty much centers around one thing! She brings an entertaining and (sometimes much-needed) lighthearted touch to the story. But seriously, Sam, please never give Candy her own book; I don't think the world would survive.

The pacing and flow were excellent. The story evolves naturally with no sense of rush. A lot happens, but it never feels too much. I read it in one sitting because I had to know if Briar would cave to Gideon's demands or if the brothers would finally get their heads straight and decide she was more important.

The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. It's 404 pages (though my Kindle says 453) spread over 63 chapters with multiple points of view.

All in all, this one was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every moment! Highly recommended!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to the Wolfverse. The Pack Next Door feels a little different from Sam's other books, but in a good way. Briar has been rejected by pack after pack, but she didn't let that define her. I loved that she picked herself up, dusted herself off, and moved forward. She put herself and her needs first. She owns her own business and is wildly successful. What I liked most about Briar is that she was happy with her life. Well, that and her alpha attitude. Being an omega business owner, she doesn't take crap from anybody. Talk about big boss lady energy.


Brothers Gideon, Maddox, and Jace make up the Whitlock Pack. For the first time that I can remember, I felt so-so about one of Sam's packs. I know, right? I couldn't believe it. There was just something off about them. Then I figured out what it was. They didn't feel like a pack. Sure, they were brothers, but they weren't a cohesive unit. There are some reasons behind that, and it was jaw-dropping. And when I say jaw-dropping, I mean it. When you read it... just be prepared. It took until almost the end for me to start to see them in a positive light. I'm glad they pulled through.


A hometown that can't see past her destination
A road trip with her fated mates
An ill mother
Annoying in-laws!!!
Running a successful business
Alpha games


All make for a good read. The stage is set: a small town where everyone is in everyone's business. It's time to pick new leaders when fated mates meet. It sounds like a Hallmark movie, only with omegaverse stuff like scents, heats, bites, and bonds. I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I consider it a Sam-lite book, meaning the plot wasn't too heavy. However, the twist was so good. It was completely unexpected because Sam did a big misdirect. It was a little sad because of what it meant for the MCs, but the drama was life.


The Pack Next Door was an excellent read. I couldn't be happier that Sam decided to dive back into this world. You don't want to miss out on this one.

[Virginia Wade · Rating 1 out of 5]

(If I could give it less, I would.)

Let me start by saying I really wanted to love this book. I’ve been following the Wolf Verse universe, waiting for this next installment like a kid waiting for Christmas morning only to open the box and find socks. Beige socks.

The main female lead, Briar, was supposed to be a badass, independent Omega businesswoman. What we got instead was a walking complaint department with a side of self-pity. Every chapter felt like déjà vu... rinse, repeat, whine, sigh dramatically, and pretend there’s character growth somewhere in there. Spoiler...there isn’t.

Now, onto the three mates, Jace, Gideon, and Maddox. Or as I like to call them, “The Bland, The Broody, and The Buzzkill.” These guys had about as much chemistry together as three houseplants in separate rooms. Each one was a cardboard cutout of a personality, funny one, serious one, analytical one...check, check, check. None of them managed to spark even a flicker of heat or emotion. The supposed “slow burn” romance was so slow it froze solid somewhere around chapter ten and never thawed.

By page 320, chapter 52 (81% in, yes, I checked because I couldn’t believe I’d made it that far), I waved the white flag. I wasn’t reading anymore; I was skimming, skipping, praying for something to happen. But no, just more repetitive dribble. At some point, it stopped feeling like a romance and started feeling like a punishment.

It’s truly disappointing because Sam Hall’s previous books had energy, bite, and tension. The Pack Next Door had none of that. It’s like the series’ spark got lost somewhere in the editing process, maybe buried under all the unnecessary angst.

If you’re thinking of picking this one up, don’t. Save yourself the headache and the boredom. Go reread one of the earlier Wolf Verse books and pretend this one never happened. Trust me, your sanity will thank you.

[Shannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pack Next Door is the next installment in The Wolfverse and I have to say that I love the female main characters in all these books. They are, to an obvious degree, relatable and then there is Candy. She is an absolute nutcase but I adore her!!! This time round we have Briar, who is an omega completely convinced she doesn't have mates. After a traumatic experience when younger, and a later medical diagnosis, that I would have liked to hear more about, all of which she has owned like the queen she is, Briar has spent the last 10 or so years building a fantastic career and a thriving, in demand business.

When on a trip back home visiting her mum she meets the Whitlock pack and low and behold her wolf is simply panting for these men. She, on the otherhand, is incredibly wary and tries to keep her distance which basically fails spectacularly. As we knew it would!!! Jace the lovable goof, Mads the hothead and Gideon the aloof slightly awkward alpha who has serious mummy issues. Now normally I gush, pun intended, for The Wolfverse men, Riley's men especially, swoon, but these 3...... I found them to be rather average. They come to town, they do odd jobs here and there, which is lovely but other than the intention of hoping to take over as ruling pack of Moon River, they don't really seem to have anything going for them. Which I kind of found odd seen as how most, if not all of SH's packs in all her books are generally established either in jobs or have businesses they have built. I don't know maybe it was just me and I missed part of their story along the way.

That said, I did enjoy the overall storyline and the fact that Briar doesn't push aside her dreams and just become their omega. I did however enjoy that they became her alphas. Looking forward to see if there is going to be more come out of The Wolfverse.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Hall delivers another powerful and emotional story in "The Pack Next Door," taking her wolfverse in a compelling new direction with a strong omega lead. This is a must-read for fans of the series!

Briar, a strong and independent omega and successful business owner, thought she had it all figured out after leaving behind the small-town drama and disappointment of her past. But her mother's accident pulls her back, and she's immediately thrust into an impossible situation.
Enter her new neighbors: a powerful pack of alphas, who also happen to be her fated mates. As if that wasn't complicated enough, these alphas—Maddox, Gideon, and Jace—are competing to take over the town, all under the intense pressure of their crazy parents and the scrutiny of the gossiping locals.

What follows is an exhilarating journey full of undeniable chemistry, small-town shenanigans, and high-stakes trials. Just when you think things can’t get more intense, a heat hits, and a shipment of broken pottery—meant to launch Briar’s new business line—adds a perfect metaphor to the chaos of their relationship. Briar’s decision to leave and return to her life in the city only leads to a heart-melting chase as the alphas prove they will do anything to win her back.

One of the highlights is the much-anticipated appearance of fan favorites, Riley and the hilarious Candy. Their cameos add a layer of warmth and humor, and their advice helps Briar become her best self. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch these powerful alphas, who thought they had life mastered, be brought to their knees by a force they can't control: love.

"The Pack Next Door" is a captivating story about finding your path, embracing change, and learning that even when things seem broken, they can be repaired. It’s an emotional and amazing read that will have you rooting for Briar and her alphas until the very last page.

[DarcieReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pack Next Door made me want to find myself some wolf-shifting neighbors! While the Whitlock pack is smoking hot and ready to win their omega, there are a few sinister vibes from their parents' pack that reveal themselves in time. And they ultimately are why Gideon, Maddox, and Jace made the decisions they did. So much drama could've been avoided if they just sat down and had a conversation with Briar or even just the three of them as brothers! Every time they would start to say something, they were either interrupted or someone would get overwhelmed and run away. While this isn't a miscommunication trope, it certainly felt like a general lack of communication and emotional connection caused most of the problems. This dynamic kept the tension and conflict going and if I hadn't known better, I would've seriously questioned whether we were going to get a HEA with this one!

Briar's independent, resilient, and childfree lifestyle really resonated with me. She invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into her life and success and I applaud that she wasn't just willing to give it all up to satisfy societal gender norms. Even at the risk of rejecting her fated mates, she wasn't willing to compromise on the point of her happiness, and I really loved that about her. I probably could've done with some more angst outside of willful FMCs denying hunky alphas and I wouldn't have said no to more confrontation with the parentals and putting them in their place, but the moments we did get were so good - and at one point, a little creepy! Another Wolfverse from Sam that is well worth the read!

[Toni Hopley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pack Next Door had me dreaming about finding some wolf-shifting neighbours of my own—preferably three as smoking hot as Gideon, Jace, and Maddox. 🔥 The Whitlock pack is all alpha energy, desperate to claim their omega, but lurking in the background? Some downright sinister vibes from the parent pack that definitely turn up the drama. Honestly, half of the chaos could’ve been avoided if these men just sat down with Briar—or at least had a brother-to-brother chat. Instead there is constant interruptions, flare-ups, and walk-outs. Not quite the miscommunication trope, but definitely a “please use your words, boys” situation.
Briar, though? Absolute queen. Independent, resilient, childfree, and unapologetically herself—she knows what she wants and isn’t about to roll over just because society (or fate) says she should. I loved how she stood her ground, even when rejecting her mates was on the table. The tension of her holding her own while three gorgeous alphas tried to figure out how to deserve her made their eventual HEA feel so much more hard-earned and satisfying.

Did I want more angsty showdowns, especially with the parentals? Oh yes. Did the creepy little moments keep me hooked? Definitely. And when Briar finally claimed both her freedom and her men, I was cheering like I’d just watched my bestie win the fight of her life. And we all need a friend like Candy in our lives.

If you love omegaverse with sizzling pack dynamics, strong-willed heroines, and alphas who have to work for their omega, Sam Hall delivers yet again. Another Wolfverse installment that’s as dramatic as it is delicious. 🐺❤️‍🔥

[mspotts · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was a frustrating read. It started out so well but became a bit of a slog in the middle and picked up towards the end.

The lack of communication between Briar and the Whitlocks was painful. So much hurt could have been avoided if each party had made their thoughts a bit clearer earlier on.

Briar was a strange omega. On one hand, I loved that she was a successful business woman and she didn't conform to the ABO gender norms.

On the other hand, I never felt that she was ever truly into the idea of having a pack/alphas in her life.

Clearly, she liked her life as it was because even after discovering her fated mates, she doesn't try to get to know them - instead she keeps avoiding them and finds reasons for why it won't work.

It would have made more sense if she was scared to engage due to her infertility or her past rejections, but instead, it's implied that her lifestyle is incompatible with having alphas.

Which makes no sense considering she's friends/acquaintances with Riley, whose alphas also work in the city.

The grovel at the end was enjoyable but I did find the reason for it somewhat hypocritical.

Briar accused them of not putting her first (true) but failed to acknowledge the fact that not once did she ever consider mating them or compromising on her dreams to try and keep them in her life.

It was very one sided and I genuinely felt the boys' motivations (due to their parents emotional manipulation) made more sense than hers did.

Ultimately, I didn't find this very romantic or satisfying.

[ChocoholicReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating- 3.75
Heat- 3
Need to know- This is a series of interconnected standalones. You don’t need to read the others first but characters do overlap.

I love all of Sam Hall’s shifter books. In her world, fated mates are everything. No one doubts if they will meet their mates. They consider it just a matter of when. They are so devoted to their futures mate that they remain untouched until finding them. In The Pack Next Door, Briar is an omega who believes she is biologically incapable of having mates because she is incapable of having children. Instead of losing herself in grief over this, Briar becomes stronger and builds a life she loves. When she unexpectedly finds her mates, she isn’t willing to sacrifice the life she now has just to be with them. The guys have to prove that they fit into her life, not the other way around. It takes some time for them to do this due to the trauma they have been living with.

My only complaint is wanting more. As usual with Hall’s books, we have some family members that are villains. While the conflict is resolved, we don’t see what happens to them. I’m always left wishing I had gotten to witness their comeuppance. Similarly, there are times the guys screw up and we don’t actually witness them realizing their mistakes. The book returns to their POV after they have come to terms with it. I like to witness their inner turmoil.

[Barnes & · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this addictive omegaverse romance, we meet Briar—an independent omega who’s long since stopped waiting for fate to deliver her alphas. With a thriving business and a quiet city life, she’s built a world on her own terms, far from the pull of pack dynamics and the expectations placed on her.

But when she’s unexpectedly called back to her small hometown, everything changes.

What begins as an uncomfortable trip down memory lane quickly turns into something far more primal when she encounters them—three alphas who are every bit as intense, magnetic, and undeniable as the bond that ties them together. Their presence is overpowering, their desire unrelenting, and their connection to her? Fated.

Torn between her hard-won independence and the irresistible pull of instinct, Briar must confront not only the alphas destined to claim her, but also the secret she’s carried—a secret she believes will drive them away.

This story simmers with slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and the kind of raw chemistry that keeps you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of emotionally complex heroines, possessive alphas, and fated mates who refuse to take “no” for an answer.

A must-read for omegaverse lovers craving passion, power dynamics, and a heroine strong enough to face them all.

[Aliza Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three scorching, fiercely irresistible alpha mates—each more tempting than the last—and some absolutely horrid in-laws trying to tear them apart. Amidst all this chaos stands one brave omega—a true survivor with a soul unbreakable and a independence that burns brighter than the sun. I swear, Sam must sprinkle a little magic into her books because I couldn’t tear myself away, even for sleep! My heart was racing with every page, every twist, every turn. Blair—oh, Blair—she is a force of nature. That unshakable strength, that unwavering confidence, and her fearless refusal to be confined by society’s shallow expectations—she’s exactly the kind of heroine who ignites something deep inside you.

This story—oh, it tore me apart and stitched me back together—all the highs, the lows, the heartbreaks, and the triumphs—mirroring the raw, messy, beautiful chaos of real love. It left me hanging on the edge of my seat, desperate to know if their bond could survive the storms. The relentless mishaps, the tumultuous ups and downs—they're so achingly real, so painfully relatable, and I was completely consumed by every emotion. This story is a wild, passionate ride that hits you right in the soul and refuses to let go.

[TheheartofBrigid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pack Next Door is the fourth book in the Wolfverse series written by Sam Hall.

💜 independent FMC
💜 alphas and omegas
💜 fated mates
💜 painful childhoods
💜 problems to solve
💜 🌶🌶🌶🌶 spice

Briar can’t believe this is what she is doing right now with everything else going on in her life. But, it’s what is needed as her mother needs her there for help after her fall. Briar just never saw herself going back to Moon River where she grew up. Things didn’t end so well for her before she left for the city. Hopefully things will go smoothly and no one will pry into her love life. Is she just wishful thinking? Will she have smooth sailing and no bumps with others prying? Will her mother recover from her fall?

This was a fun addition to this series. You can read each book as stand alone if you want. But, I truly think reading them all in order will allow for you to appreciate the depth of world building and character building of this series. I love how independent and successful Briar is and how she still tries to look at things from multiple angles. The guys dynamics were different than others I have read I and it was nice to see that push/pull between them and the growth that came with it. I enjoyed this story and am glad that I read it.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟 4.2

There’s something about the wolfverse series that just slaps. I eat this up!

It’s the touch of reality while still a break from reality.

It’s the layered emotional complexity while still a standalone omegaverse and reverse harem.

It’s the characters who deviate from the usual structure found in most ov books.

It’s the true power exchange, from the men towards their woman.

It’s the empowerment she feels, the support she receives, the actions behind sentiments pulling characters together.

It feels like Sam Hall speaks to the heart of every woman who has competently done it by herself for years.

These men always had her best interest at heart BUT actually weren’t good at listening. Their trial to prove their worth was to think about her first, to lighten her load, to slip into her life instead of make her fit theirs. The lesson was to LISTEN, and I loved it. I also adored seeing the adage “actions over words” being applied. They saw their wrongs, and they worked hard and consistently to right it. We need more men like this everywhere.

I can’t get enough of them. I don’t want this series to end. The slang, the humour, all of it, all works for me.
As a kiwi, I get it.

*sigh* Sam Hall got this one right. 🥰

[Jess Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome return to the Wolfverse!!!!

Briar is a 30-ish year old omega entrepreneur, who built a life for herself in a city far from her small home town. A very successful life, that she wants to get back to ASAP!

The Whitlock Pack comes to her home town to compete in the trials to become the next town Alphas. Only, they’re met with a mate that doesn’t really need or want them.

While the whole pack was enjoyable, Gideon just tugged at my heartstrings. Older sibling syndrome for sure. Madds and Jace balanced him out though, although it takes a lot for them to work together.

There’s some heavy topics discussed including infertility, domestic violence, and emotional abuse. There’s physical abuse alluded to, but not described on page.

The drama is… wow. Multifaceted and coming from all directions, they need an epilogue where they go on vacation!

Our favorite “free spirit” Candy is back letting her freak flag fly! She had me cracking up! Still loving Candy and Riley’s friendship, even from the sidelines. (Mr.Knotty 🤣)

Happy Ending and this one leans a bit more spicy in my opinion… 3.5/5 🌶️ I enjoyed reading Briar and the Whitlock packs book. Can’t wait for more!

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return to the wolfverse with are lovely Alphas, Omegas, and Betas. We see some return characters that I am absolutely thrilled to see. The addition of them to the story just adds that extra element to the story. We meet Briar who at times I had mixed feelings about. I loved her character but at times I was frustrated with her thought process. Don’t get me wrong she definitely has reasons to think the way she does at times but what frustrates me is everyone else has to give up their dreams for hers and it doesn’t seem to be any compromise because no one was talking to each other, at least in the beginning of the story. But we see so much happening between Briar, Jace, Maddox, and Gideon. I just felt bad for the guys. But, we also see their dreams changing too. That makes it all come together beautifully. I absolutely love Sam Hall’s writing and stories. The way she comes up with these worlds and brings them to life just has you pulled in and able to let go. I loved how it ends. It a beautiful story that will pull at your heartstrings.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briar and her pack brought me back to all the things I love about the Wolfverse books. When Briar’s mom gets hurt, she returns to the small town where she was rejected to check on her, only to find her scent matches in a pack moving in next door and competing to take over as the ruling town alphas. Briar is an independent omega, who doesn’t intend to bond anyone after finding medical issues on top of the rejection she has already dealt with. Gideon, Mads, and Jace are all very distinct personality types. They’ve all had the burden of being their parents’ children and reacted differently. Their parents are the worst sort of bullies—manipulative and abusive. This is about family dynamics and overcoming trauma as much as it is about finding a mate. They need to prove themselves to the town to win the people over, but Briar is a much harder heart to win with way more on the line. I was glad to have Candy’s cameos to add some levity to balance the serious moments as the pack fought (and floundered at times) to get their HEA.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a long time reader of Sam Hall’s books and the wolf verse is one of my favorites. I’ve read almost everything she’s written so keep that in mind as I say Briar is probably my favorite of her FMC’s. I always find the characters and issue relatable to the real world even with the supernatural aspects. Briar is the fmc I relate to the most. Some of her thoughts are ones I’ve had. There’s a scene towards the beginning where her childhood doctor asks to speak with her and Briar knows where it’s going and has her responses ready. If you’ve read the trigger warnings you know it’s about pregnancy/kids and not being able to have them. The fact that Briar doesn’t grieve this fact and was instead relieved when she found out? I felt that so hard. Everything running through her mind in that scene is something I’ve thought or has been said to me, with the exception of I’ve never had my fertility tested.

I really enjoyed everything else as well. All the guys are great, Gideon has his issues but I also loved him. Him thinking he’s lonely and maybe he doesn’t have to be anymore? 🥲

[CM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🌟
Briar, Jace, Mads, Gideon

This is an OK story. I didn’t find it great but I didn’t find it bad. The thing that bothered me the most about the story is that there’s not really much relationship building or conversations between the characters until closer to the end of the book. And then a lot of things aren’t really addressed between the group. They never once except for her, announcing it in front of their horrible mother, discuss children or her ability or inability to have them. They don’t discuss at the beginning of the relationship anything to get to know each other and what their lives are like or what their goals are. Gideon never fully discusses what their parents did to him and how they manipulated him. He never told her or his brothers about that. And then that slight twist at the end with his mother that just brought the ick factor. It should’ve been revealed how she wanted to be part of the Hart pack and the things that she did to try to manipulate them. They were just a few things in the story that made it just not flow well or connect well.

[Nichole White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wolfverse is probably one of my favorite worlds/series that this author writes. I absolutely love the omega/alpha/beta aspect that coincides with them also shifting.

I want to start by saying I think Briar may be my favorite FMC that has been written in this series. I love her journey arc from how she grows from her trauma and finds her self-worth. I also love how she chooses herself and her peace (I wont say anymore so I don’t give spoilers) I always love the neurodivergent characteristics that are written into the characters. They are so relatable and  help you connect with the story and journey.

I have to say that the side characters absolutely make this story.  I love that we get to see more of Candy (she is hilarious) and the antics she pulls. I also love the older characters in the story and the fun they bring.

As always the story is a journey of growth and self-enlightenment as well as romance and is one you should definitely pick up and read.

[Thornback · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. I LOVE a single queen living her best life. I wish we'd gotten to see more of her before she went to Moon River or just being in the city. I love that she had a great, thriving business and did not want to leave it. Such an extremely rare ending where a woman doesn't sacrifice something large in order to be with her man.

The characters showed solid growth, especially Gideon and I loved to see them recognize and reject unhealthy family dynamics. You can see Gideon struggle throughout the book and as an eldest sibling it resonated with me.

The story meandered a bit in the first half. I was really waiting for the action to begin and it was quite slow. My major gripe with this she cannot get pregnant. I feel like this is a cop out instead of just having an extremely rare woman who isn't interested in having kids, the author kind of negated the impact by taking away the option

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

After years of being away, Briar returns to her hometown to check on her mother. Her visit just happens to coincide with current ruling pack holding a competition to see who should take over the town after they retire. Jace, Gideon and Maddox have moved in next door and are very interested in their new neighbors. Too bad for them that Briar is used to doing things on her own and isn't interested in adding any alphas into her life.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it was really well-written. It kept up a good pace and I don't feel like the story slowed down at any point. I loved seeing Briar learn that accepting help doesn't make her less capable. The boys also had quite a few things to work on and it's hard to learn that your parents don't always have your best interests at heart. The guys really came through for Briar and showed her that they are here for the long haul.

Thank you to the author for the advanced readers copy.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Feminist Omegaverse (YAY) but at the cost of an entertaining plot (boo)

What I liked:
- Wolf shifters
- Briar never compromised her job and lifestyle for the alphas and she was never a pushover on anything.
- Jace and Maddox were really funny and I enjoyed any scene they were in
- The small town vibes were also great while we were there

What I didn't like:
- Gideon (sorry not sorry). I get that one brother needed to be the hold out, but it taking until the 85% mark for him to get his priorities straight was annoying.
- The alpha trials.
- The last third of the book just being about Briar's work issues made the book drag.

Other notes:
- The brothers are triplets but totally act like they're different ages
- None of the men have jobs, but they have no financial constraints
- The male POVs all had the same character voice, so I could never tell whose POV I was reading
- There were some big conversations it felt like the characters should've had but didn't. This made the story feel surface level.