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Soraya Honei
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Expected 10 Feb 26In downtown Los Angeles, Soraya Honei encountered fate… and it was hunting her.
Something was wrong with Soraya.
Her skin was stretched too thin, her body was burning up, and sex was all she could think about. A couple of nights of some casual fun in downtown Los Angeles seemed like the only cure.
She wasn't looking to fall in love, but something far more permanent found her.
Now, the strange dreams she’s been having are making a terrifying kind of sense. Soraya just got her life in order, and the inevitable was coming for her. Will she be strong enough to face it?
The story contains heavy, sexually explicit scenes. If you are not comfortable with explicit content, this is your warning to turn back! This will probably not faze you if you're a seasoned spicy reader.
Soraya Honei is a Why Choose, Dark, Fantasy, Mystery. Tropes include Fated Mates, Slow Burn (but quick to heat), Elemental Powers, and Suspense. It's the first book in the series and my debut book.
Something was wrong with Soraya.
Her skin was stretched too thin, her body was burning up, and sex was all she could think about. A couple of nights of some casual fun in downtown Los Angeles seemed like the only cure.
She wasn't looking to fall in love, but something far more permanent found her.
Now, the strange dreams she’s been having are making a terrifying kind of sense. Soraya just got her life in order, and the inevitable was coming for her. Will she be strong enough to face it?
The story contains heavy, sexually explicit scenes. If you are not comfortable with explicit content, this is your warning to turn back! This will probably not faze you if you're a seasoned spicy reader.
Soraya Honei is a Why Choose, Dark, Fantasy, Mystery. Tropes include Fated Mates, Slow Burn (but quick to heat), Elemental Powers, and Suspense. It's the first book in the series and my debut book.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 10, 2026
37 people want to read
About the author
V.A. Berry
1 book3 followersV.A. Berry is a maladaptive daydreamer who has one foot in our world and the other wandering between pages of a book. Debut novel: Soraya Honei, the first in a series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 24, 2025
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry
Listen up, if you signed up for a cozy romance, you’ve picked up the wrong book. Soraya Honei is a fast-paced, unapologetically spicy, why-choose fantasy that starts with a relatable heroine having an emotional breakdown and ends somewhere firmly in a supernatural, memory-loss, harem chaos zone. It's giving "graduate student has a meltdown and accidentally unleashes her inner deity."
The Plot is a Vibe, Not a Timeline
The story centers on Soraya Honei, a graduate student (I love that she’s a grad student—because who needs more chaos than that?) who is basically a walking hormonal time bomb. Her skin is too hot, her body is burning, and her sexual appetite is permanently set to high. She decides to step outside her comfort zone to appease the beast, and that’s when downtown Los Angeles turns into a fever dream of fated mates and otherworldly intensity.
The plot is designed to be disorienting, and honestly, that’s its strength. You are never sure what is real, what is a dream, or what Soraya is even doing because she can’t seem to remember half her life. I appreciate that the author makes the narrative confusion intentional, mirroring Soraya's spiraling mental state. That said, I'll be real: there are stretches where the pacing drags a bit. Around the 70% mark, I found myself yelling, "Girl, clock the chaos!" There’s a plot reason for her fog, but that doesn't mean my reading patience didn't thin a little while waiting for her to catch up to the otherworldly shenanigans happening around her.
Spice with a Purpose (and Six Hot Guys)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the spice is front and center. This isn't just gratuitous filler; the intimate moments are deeply tied to the plot progression and Soraya’s character awakening. This felt purposeful and powerful, which elevates it way past standard smut. And yes, it’s a why-choose (read: reverse harem) book, and the men Soraya encounters are varied, hot, and thankfully, the focus is firmly on her needs, desires, and power—which is a huge win for the genre. You’ve got a delicious cast of love interests (six men, to be exact!) providing all the shadow daddy, elemental power fantasy you could ask for.
Go In for the Heat, Stay for the Mystery
This is a hypnotic, character-driven fantasy with high emotional stakes and an atmosphere thick with intrigue. If you love a rich fantasy world layered with a slow-burn mystery, and you require maximum heat in your reading material, add this to your list. It sets the stage brilliantly for the rest of the series, even if it feels a little like a world-builder at times. I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey of power and identity by the end, even if I was a little frustrated by her memory issues. It's a fun, intense ride that definitely needs a sequel ASAP. Don't read this one in front of your grandma.
#SorayaHonei #NetGalley
Listen up, if you signed up for a cozy romance, you’ve picked up the wrong book. Soraya Honei is a fast-paced, unapologetically spicy, why-choose fantasy that starts with a relatable heroine having an emotional breakdown and ends somewhere firmly in a supernatural, memory-loss, harem chaos zone. It's giving "graduate student has a meltdown and accidentally unleashes her inner deity."
The Plot is a Vibe, Not a Timeline
The story centers on Soraya Honei, a graduate student (I love that she’s a grad student—because who needs more chaos than that?) who is basically a walking hormonal time bomb. Her skin is too hot, her body is burning, and her sexual appetite is permanently set to high. She decides to step outside her comfort zone to appease the beast, and that’s when downtown Los Angeles turns into a fever dream of fated mates and otherworldly intensity.
The plot is designed to be disorienting, and honestly, that’s its strength. You are never sure what is real, what is a dream, or what Soraya is even doing because she can’t seem to remember half her life. I appreciate that the author makes the narrative confusion intentional, mirroring Soraya's spiraling mental state. That said, I'll be real: there are stretches where the pacing drags a bit. Around the 70% mark, I found myself yelling, "Girl, clock the chaos!" There’s a plot reason for her fog, but that doesn't mean my reading patience didn't thin a little while waiting for her to catch up to the otherworldly shenanigans happening around her.
Spice with a Purpose (and Six Hot Guys)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the spice is front and center. This isn't just gratuitous filler; the intimate moments are deeply tied to the plot progression and Soraya’s character awakening. This felt purposeful and powerful, which elevates it way past standard smut. And yes, it’s a why-choose (read: reverse harem) book, and the men Soraya encounters are varied, hot, and thankfully, the focus is firmly on her needs, desires, and power—which is a huge win for the genre. You’ve got a delicious cast of love interests (six men, to be exact!) providing all the shadow daddy, elemental power fantasy you could ask for.
Go In for the Heat, Stay for the Mystery
This is a hypnotic, character-driven fantasy with high emotional stakes and an atmosphere thick with intrigue. If you love a rich fantasy world layered with a slow-burn mystery, and you require maximum heat in your reading material, add this to your list. It sets the stage brilliantly for the rest of the series, even if it feels a little like a world-builder at times. I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey of power and identity by the end, even if I was a little frustrated by her memory issues. It's a fun, intense ride that definitely needs a sequel ASAP. Don't read this one in front of your grandma.
#SorayaHonei #NetGalley
October 22, 2025
This was a great read. The author made this a page turner. It was almost like the characters came to life. Soraya & Jesmine are just looking to live it up a bit but get more than they asked for when they hook up with some club guys. Oh boy do they. I can't wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️ — Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry
This was my first ever ARC, and I want to thank the author for choosing me to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying how much I admire indie authors. The courage, effort, and time it takes to self publish is no small thing.
About the story:
Soraya Honei follows a woman who becomes entangled in a world of fantasy, temptation, danger, and self discovery as she explores her desires and navigates a web of passion, other worlds, and the lost memories that accompany it. It’s a why choose story with the fated mates trope.
My thoughts:
I can see the author’s vision for this book, and I think the concept itself is strong. The worldbuilding was interesting, the premise had potential, and I can appreciate a story centered around a woman owning her sexuality.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing style felt more like fan fiction than a polished novel. Even though the subject matter was explicit and clearly aimed at adults, the writing and dialogue itself felt juvenile and a bit repetitive. There was a lot of telling rather than showing…lines structured like “first she did this, then she did that,” which made it hard for the story to flow naturally.
I also found the pacing difficult. It was far into the book before Soraya even started to realize that something was off with her, which made it hard to stay engaged. I understood there was a reason behind her confusion, but I think the memory loss mystery could’ve been refined…either by showing her losing whole chunks of time or revealing clues sooner to keep the tension high.
Overall, I can see what this story wanted to be. It has heart and vision, but the writing and pacing fell flat for me. Still, I hope the author continues to write, there’s a spark here worth developing.
This was my first ever ARC, and I want to thank the author for choosing me to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying how much I admire indie authors. The courage, effort, and time it takes to self publish is no small thing.
About the story:
Soraya Honei follows a woman who becomes entangled in a world of fantasy, temptation, danger, and self discovery as she explores her desires and navigates a web of passion, other worlds, and the lost memories that accompany it. It’s a why choose story with the fated mates trope.
My thoughts:
I can see the author’s vision for this book, and I think the concept itself is strong. The worldbuilding was interesting, the premise had potential, and I can appreciate a story centered around a woman owning her sexuality.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing style felt more like fan fiction than a polished novel. Even though the subject matter was explicit and clearly aimed at adults, the writing and dialogue itself felt juvenile and a bit repetitive. There was a lot of telling rather than showing…lines structured like “first she did this, then she did that,” which made it hard for the story to flow naturally.
I also found the pacing difficult. It was far into the book before Soraya even started to realize that something was off with her, which made it hard to stay engaged. I understood there was a reason behind her confusion, but I think the memory loss mystery could’ve been refined…either by showing her losing whole chunks of time or revealing clues sooner to keep the tension high.
Overall, I can see what this story wanted to be. It has heart and vision, but the writing and pacing fell flat for me. Still, I hope the author continues to write, there’s a spark here worth developing.
Review of advance copy
ARC Read - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry completely pulled me in with its rich character and world building. I felt just as confused as Soraya the entire time, in a good way, it felt like I was learning the truth alongside her. The smutty scenes were perfectly woven into the story, adding to the tension without overpowering it. I’m usually not a fan of memory-swiping trope, but here it worked, giving the whole book a fever-dream feel. I only wish we’d gotten more time with the six delicious magical men. I can’t wait for book two.
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry completely pulled me in with its rich character and world building. I felt just as confused as Soraya the entire time, in a good way, it felt like I was learning the truth alongside her. The smutty scenes were perfectly woven into the story, adding to the tension without overpowering it. I’m usually not a fan of memory-swiping trope, but here it worked, giving the whole book a fever-dream feel. I only wish we’d gotten more time with the six delicious magical men. I can’t wait for book two.
Review of advance copy
i love a good fantasy book and this book did not disappoint. everything about this story had me hooked to where I could not put it down.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eArc. I really enjoyed this book! It sucked me right in and kept me there the whole time. The only problem I have is that it ended right when it was getting to the good stuff. Hopefully the next one doesn't take too long to come out.
June 13, 2025
Wow this is one saucy book set in a real and fantasy world but I loved it. The men she met as she explored her sex life were very different but very hot and unlike many erotic books this didn’t feel like a man wrote it and the sex was all about the man but for once the woman’s needs were front and forward which I loved. This is a sexy story can’t wait to see what happens next.
June 13, 2025
I received this book as an ARC on NetGalley. I loved this why choose style book. It had a lot of unexpected twists and turns.I can’t wait to read the next book and more by this author!
Review of advance copy
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
Unfortunately, while I saw glimmers of an interesting world and hints of an engaging back story, this book felt like the first 1/4 or 1/2 of a book. It became clear pretty early what was happening to the main character, then took her five million years to figure it out herself. That being said, I have the tendency to call even subtly hinted plot twists early in books. I tend to like authors who manage to spring things on me, and upon rereading, I finally spot all the foreshadowing I missed.
I also tend to like more plot than romance/spice. I think the first couple of random meetings were interesting, but the same thing essentially kept happening almost until the end of the book. The sparse world building and hints of mystery didn't feel like enough in between sex scenes (which seemed pretty repetitive, too), and ultimately I'm left with a bunch of jumbled facts about the world and no real relationships for the FMC aside from one night stands. I know very little about the world or what is wrong with it, just that our FMC is in over her head and about to realize how much.
I wish I had more lovely things to say, but this book wasn't my cup of tea.
Unfortunately, while I saw glimmers of an interesting world and hints of an engaging back story, this book felt like the first 1/4 or 1/2 of a book. It became clear pretty early what was happening to the main character, then took her five million years to figure it out herself. That being said, I have the tendency to call even subtly hinted plot twists early in books. I tend to like authors who manage to spring things on me, and upon rereading, I finally spot all the foreshadowing I missed.
I also tend to like more plot than romance/spice. I think the first couple of random meetings were interesting, but the same thing essentially kept happening almost until the end of the book. The sparse world building and hints of mystery didn't feel like enough in between sex scenes (which seemed pretty repetitive, too), and ultimately I'm left with a bunch of jumbled facts about the world and no real relationships for the FMC aside from one night stands. I know very little about the world or what is wrong with it, just that our FMC is in over her head and about to realize how much.
I wish I had more lovely things to say, but this book wasn't my cup of tea.
Review of advance copy
I love a good reverse haren/why choose book and I did enjoy Soraya Honei which I was given as an ARC by the Nerd Fam.
The story is good and I liked the different men that she met and found as one of her fated mates. The bones of the story and the premise are solid, but I found myself skimming after a while because it became very repetative.
I would have liked to see more variation in how she was meeting her mates. Most of them she met in the same basic way and after the first couple I pretty well knew how each of the rest would play out.
Now, I did still enjoy this book overall and I will probably read the next book when it releases. I like Soraya as a character and the overall plot and storyline is decent. I liked that all of the men weren't already friends and how there seems to be divide between them that they will have work out.
Thank you to VA Berry and The Nerd Fam for thus eARC.
The story is good and I liked the different men that she met and found as one of her fated mates. The bones of the story and the premise are solid, but I found myself skimming after a while because it became very repetative.
I would have liked to see more variation in how she was meeting her mates. Most of them she met in the same basic way and after the first couple I pretty well knew how each of the rest would play out.
Now, I did still enjoy this book overall and I will probably read the next book when it releases. I like Soraya as a character and the overall plot and storyline is decent. I liked that all of the men weren't already friends and how there seems to be divide between them that they will have work out.
Thank you to VA Berry and The Nerd Fam for thus eARC.
June 4, 2025
Soraya Honei is a relatable and complex heroine. A graduate student on the brink of major life changes, she decides to step outside her comfort zone and take control of her desires. What begins as a simple night out quickly unravels into something far more intense and otherworldly. From the very beginning, the story pulls you into Soraya’s disorienting reality and never lets go.
The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality. As a reader, you are never quite sure what is real or imagined, which mirrors Soraya’s experience in a way that feels incredibly intentional. The writing captures that fever dream quality perfectly, making the story feel both magical and disorienting in the best way.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered. There is a strong sense that much more lies beneath the surface, and every reveal adds to the intrigue. The pacing is fast without being overwhelming, and the emotional stakes stay high throughout.
The spice in this book is front and center, and it is deeply tied to character development and plot progression. It feels purposeful and powerful rather than gratuitous. Each intimate moment carries weight and meaning.
By the end, I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey and desperate to know what happens next. This is a story of awakening, power, mystery, and identity. If you love fantasy with high heat and high stakes, this book belongs on your list.
The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality. As a reader, you are never quite sure what is real or imagined, which mirrors Soraya’s experience in a way that feels incredibly intentional. The writing captures that fever dream quality perfectly, making the story feel both magical and disorienting in the best way.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered. There is a strong sense that much more lies beneath the surface, and every reveal adds to the intrigue. The pacing is fast without being overwhelming, and the emotional stakes stay high throughout.
The spice in this book is front and center, and it is deeply tied to character development and plot progression. It feels purposeful and powerful rather than gratuitous. Each intimate moment carries weight and meaning.
By the end, I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey and desperate to know what happens next. This is a story of awakening, power, mystery, and identity. If you love fantasy with high heat and high stakes, this book belongs on your list.
June 21, 2025
This was definitely an interesting…and confusing…read.
It seems to have served as a world builder, setting the stage for the next titles, to come, in the series. I am a fan of the world and I am excited to learn what comes next.
However, the primary character was confused for much of the book which meant I was confused for much of the book. It left me struggling to push through to what was next. I typically like to have a stronger grasp on the various elements of a fantasy world and romance by the end of book one, but I am certain book two will also bring more questions than answers
Nevertheless, I’m happy I gave this book a try and I appreciate the ARC!
my one afterthought is that “choose your own adventure” is a bit misleading; I think I saw that somewhere, but there isn’t really a interactive element to the story.
It seems to have served as a world builder, setting the stage for the next titles, to come, in the series. I am a fan of the world and I am excited to learn what comes next.
However, the primary character was confused for much of the book which meant I was confused for much of the book. It left me struggling to push through to what was next. I typically like to have a stronger grasp on the various elements of a fantasy world and romance by the end of book one, but I am certain book two will also bring more questions than answers
Nevertheless, I’m happy I gave this book a try and I appreciate the ARC!
my one afterthought is that “choose your own adventure” is a bit misleading; I think I saw that somewhere, but there isn’t really a interactive element to the story.
October 3, 2025
Lush, Mysterious, and Intimate — A Fever Dream of a Fantasy
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry is a hypnotic and richly layered fantasy that blurs the line between dream and reality in the most captivating way. The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that mirrors Soraya’s own confusion — as a reader, you’re never quite sure what’s real, imagined, remembered, or rewritten. That sense of disorientation is intentional, and it’s executed with a lyrical, fever-dream quality that makes the book feel magical, unsettling, and wholly immersive.
One of the book’s standout features is how seamlessly it integrates intimacy into the narrative. The spice is front and center — but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, each intimate moment is emotionally grounded and deeply tied to both character development and plot progression. These scenes feel purposeful and powerful, adding emotional depth and urgency rather than existing just for shock or sizzle.
That said, the pacing does lag at times. By around the 70% mark, Soraya still hadn’t fully registered just how strange her behavior and surroundings had become. While there is a narrative reason for her mental fog (which becomes clear later), I found myself growing a little frustrated with her lack of awareness. I think the mystery could have been tightened just slightly — perhaps through time gaps or more overt signs of memory loss — to keep the suspense sharp without losing reader patience.
Still, this is a bold and ambitious book that offers a unique reading experience. The writing is evocative and immersive, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue, and the central character’s journey — both internal and external — is compelling. Soraya Honei is for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong emotional undercurrents, a slow-building mystery, and spice that actually means something.
A strong four-star read — I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what V.A. Berry does next.
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry is a hypnotic and richly layered fantasy that blurs the line between dream and reality in the most captivating way. The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that mirrors Soraya’s own confusion — as a reader, you’re never quite sure what’s real, imagined, remembered, or rewritten. That sense of disorientation is intentional, and it’s executed with a lyrical, fever-dream quality that makes the book feel magical, unsettling, and wholly immersive.
One of the book’s standout features is how seamlessly it integrates intimacy into the narrative. The spice is front and center — but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, each intimate moment is emotionally grounded and deeply tied to both character development and plot progression. These scenes feel purposeful and powerful, adding emotional depth and urgency rather than existing just for shock or sizzle.
That said, the pacing does lag at times. By around the 70% mark, Soraya still hadn’t fully registered just how strange her behavior and surroundings had become. While there is a narrative reason for her mental fog (which becomes clear later), I found myself growing a little frustrated with her lack of awareness. I think the mystery could have been tightened just slightly — perhaps through time gaps or more overt signs of memory loss — to keep the suspense sharp without losing reader patience.
Still, this is a bold and ambitious book that offers a unique reading experience. The writing is evocative and immersive, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue, and the central character’s journey — both internal and external — is compelling. Soraya Honei is for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong emotional undercurrents, a slow-building mystery, and spice that actually means something.
A strong four-star read — I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what V.A. Berry does next.
December 24, 2025
I went into Soraya Honei expecting spice, but I wasn’t prepared for how disorienting it felt 😵💫🔥. From the start, Soraya slipped into a daze whenever she met the MMCs, with sex overtaking everything else. This pattern repeated so often that I kept waiting for answers that never came.
Set in downtown Los Angeles 🌆, Soraya thought she finally had her life together—until fate intervened hard. Her body burned, desire consumed her, and casual nights quickly turned into something permanent. Six men suddenly claimed to be her mates 😳, and strange dreams hinted that something was deeply wrong… but those hints stayed frustratingly vague.
This book was extremely smut-forward 💋🔥. It wasn’t a slow burn—it started hot and never slowed down. Nearly every chapter focused on explicit scenes, leaving the plot feeling thin. The instant bond between the six MMCs lacked buildup, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The pacing also didn’t work for me ⏳. Soraya didn’t question her reality until far too late, which drained the tension. The memory-loss mystery had potential, but it needed earlier clues or clearer consequences to keep me invested.
That said, I did see the author’s vision 🌒✨. The premise was strong, the worldbuilding ideas were interesting, and I appreciated a sex-positive FMC owning her desires 💖. Unfortunately, the writing felt repetitive and juvenile at times, with too much telling and not enough showing.
✨ Tropes & vibes — this may work for you if you love:
🔮 Why Choose / Reverse Harem
🧲 Fated mates
🌑 Dark fantasy romance
🔥 Very high spice (quick to heat)
💭 Memory loss mystery
🌪️ Elemental powers
💋 Sex-positive FMC
Overall, this wasn’t a hit for me 💔, but it wasn’t without heart. There’s a spark here, and I hope the author continues to grow and refine this world.
Thank you to V.A. Berry and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌📖
Set in downtown Los Angeles 🌆, Soraya thought she finally had her life together—until fate intervened hard. Her body burned, desire consumed her, and casual nights quickly turned into something permanent. Six men suddenly claimed to be her mates 😳, and strange dreams hinted that something was deeply wrong… but those hints stayed frustratingly vague.
This book was extremely smut-forward 💋🔥. It wasn’t a slow burn—it started hot and never slowed down. Nearly every chapter focused on explicit scenes, leaving the plot feeling thin. The instant bond between the six MMCs lacked buildup, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The pacing also didn’t work for me ⏳. Soraya didn’t question her reality until far too late, which drained the tension. The memory-loss mystery had potential, but it needed earlier clues or clearer consequences to keep me invested.
That said, I did see the author’s vision 🌒✨. The premise was strong, the worldbuilding ideas were interesting, and I appreciated a sex-positive FMC owning her desires 💖. Unfortunately, the writing felt repetitive and juvenile at times, with too much telling and not enough showing.
✨ Tropes & vibes — this may work for you if you love:
🔮 Why Choose / Reverse Harem
🧲 Fated mates
🌑 Dark fantasy romance
🔥 Very high spice (quick to heat)
💭 Memory loss mystery
🌪️ Elemental powers
💋 Sex-positive FMC
Overall, this wasn’t a hit for me 💔, but it wasn’t without heart. There’s a spark here, and I hope the author continues to grow and refine this world.
Thank you to V.A. Berry and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌📖
October 29, 2025
ARC Review
🌶️Soraya Honei is one very lucky woman!
I really enjoyed this one, the story was intriguing, the characters were likeable, and the spice was perfect!
Overall, the storyline did have me hooked; I needed to know what was happening to Soraya! It does rely heavily on "memory loss" which made sense and is important plot wise, but it did start to drag about two thirds of the way through. I started wanting to shake Soraya or scream at her to stop bloody forgetting everything! I am happy to say that the memory loss is mostly resolved by the end of the book so I'm hopeful that book 2 won't rely so heavily on it. It's set in the real world with jumps to a magical world that is both beautiful and scary, this kept things interesting and made Soraya's experiences really vivid.
Soraya, when not afflicted by memory loss, is a strong character. She is tough, independent, and stands up for herself and her friends. For the most part she does not have any magical support against a magical threat, and she is not afraid to grab her gun and defend herself. I loved this about her, she felt human and almost realistic.
Now, the most important part! The spice was perfect for the plot. There was a decent amount, but it never felt like too much or like it was overpowering the rest of the story. This is a "Why Choose" and I loved it. The interactions between Soraya and her men are hilarious and steamy. My biggest gripe, which probably says more about me than the book, is that there were only moments between Soraya and one man at a time - where was the group fun?! Maybe book 2 will deliver....
Soraya Honei was a great read, can't wait for book 2!
🌶️Soraya Honei is one very lucky woman!
I really enjoyed this one, the story was intriguing, the characters were likeable, and the spice was perfect!
Overall, the storyline did have me hooked; I needed to know what was happening to Soraya! It does rely heavily on "memory loss" which made sense and is important plot wise, but it did start to drag about two thirds of the way through. I started wanting to shake Soraya or scream at her to stop bloody forgetting everything! I am happy to say that the memory loss is mostly resolved by the end of the book so I'm hopeful that book 2 won't rely so heavily on it. It's set in the real world with jumps to a magical world that is both beautiful and scary, this kept things interesting and made Soraya's experiences really vivid.
Soraya, when not afflicted by memory loss, is a strong character. She is tough, independent, and stands up for herself and her friends. For the most part she does not have any magical support against a magical threat, and she is not afraid to grab her gun and defend herself. I loved this about her, she felt human and almost realistic.
Now, the most important part! The spice was perfect for the plot. There was a decent amount, but it never felt like too much or like it was overpowering the rest of the story. This is a "Why Choose" and I loved it. The interactions between Soraya and her men are hilarious and steamy. My biggest gripe, which probably says more about me than the book, is that there were only moments between Soraya and one man at a time - where was the group fun?! Maybe book 2 will deliver....
Soraya Honei was a great read, can't wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy
Soraya Honei is a university student who just wants to live her best life, including the liberties her uni time offers. Then she starts meeting strange, kind of otherwordly men and having strange experiences. Memory loss, insatiable hunger and headaches are just a few of the symptoms. Then she discovers that there are six beautiful and strange men she has a special connection with, and her life is about to turn upside down.
This book mostly covers adult themes and I strongly advise that only adults read it.
At many points in the story, I was so confused what was going on, as was the protagonist. In that regard, the story-telling was very well done! I felt very immersed with Soraya and her desperate state of mind. I have to say it was very annoying, though. 😂 I prefer to know what's happening, but I understand that wasn't the author's intention. In the first 3/4 of the book, I feel it's all just about the spicy scenes, but then they aren't that detailed and ending rather abruptly. I very much enjoyed the last 1/4, when the plot thickened and Soraya met her aquaintances for a second time. I wish the rest of the book was more story-driven like this section.
I have some points I didn't like about the writing, though, which were the jumps in tense (past and present jumped quite frequently) and that there were some inconsistencies (mostly about Soraya's outfits). A big thumps-up for mentioned wilderness therapy, which I heard is a horrible thing!
In general, this book wasn't bad, but I think not what I'm looking for, so I'm giving 2/5 stars.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
This book mostly covers adult themes and I strongly advise that only adults read it.
At many points in the story, I was so confused what was going on, as was the protagonist. In that regard, the story-telling was very well done! I felt very immersed with Soraya and her desperate state of mind. I have to say it was very annoying, though. 😂 I prefer to know what's happening, but I understand that wasn't the author's intention. In the first 3/4 of the book, I feel it's all just about the spicy scenes, but then they aren't that detailed and ending rather abruptly. I very much enjoyed the last 1/4, when the plot thickened and Soraya met her aquaintances for a second time. I wish the rest of the book was more story-driven like this section.
I have some points I didn't like about the writing, though, which were the jumps in tense (past and present jumped quite frequently) and that there were some inconsistencies (mostly about Soraya's outfits). A big thumps-up for mentioned wilderness therapy, which I heard is a horrible thing!
In general, this book wasn't bad, but I think not what I'm looking for, so I'm giving 2/5 stars.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2025
I want to start by saying I absolutely see the vision of this book and I think the vision is good. I'm a huge sucker for a why-choose, fated mate type reverse harem story, especially when there's supernatural hijinks afoot, and I thought the sex scenes were excellent! I appreciated the attention to detail in the descriptions, especially descriptions of setting, and all in all I think this series has a lot of potential to be a fascinating and fast-paced supernatural romance/thriller.
My chief hang-up here is that I felt like the book should have been maybe 2/3 the length it actually was. I got to 70% completion and Soraya hadn't even started to clock that she was behaving weirdly, let alone started to confront the reality of her situation. I wish that part of the mystery had been tightened up a little, as I started to find myself frustrated with Soraya by that point. Without spoiling anything, there is a reason for why she's not able to completely remember everything going on around her, but I still felt that either she needed to lose entire days (which would be freaky in itself) or the mechanic needed to be refined a little.
But that said, I still enjoyed the read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of novel! And of course, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which I got in exchange for my honest opinion!
My chief hang-up here is that I felt like the book should have been maybe 2/3 the length it actually was. I got to 70% completion and Soraya hadn't even started to clock that she was behaving weirdly, let alone started to confront the reality of her situation. I wish that part of the mystery had been tightened up a little, as I started to find myself frustrated with Soraya by that point. Without spoiling anything, there is a reason for why she's not able to completely remember everything going on around her, but I still felt that either she needed to lose entire days (which would be freaky in itself) or the mechanic needed to be refined a little.
But that said, I still enjoyed the read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of novel! And of course, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which I got in exchange for my honest opinion!
November 9, 2025
Whew—this book is salacious, very much so. Definitely sitting at a 4-chili-pepper rating on the spice scale 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Soraya, our FMC, is a college student just looking for a good time in downtown L.A.—and oh, she finds it. Not with one, not two, not three, but six gorgeous and mysterious men. And here’s the kicker—they all seem to call her “mate.” 👀 wags eyebrows
It’s a quick, addictive read—I devoured it in under a day and was absolutely hooked. Fair warning: read this one in the privacy of your own home because the on-page spice is constant… and I’m not complaining.
Out of all her many suitors, Sorenth has my heart. 🖤
This one’s clearly a fae reverse harem / why-choose romance, with hints of hidden identity and maybe even alpha/omega dynamics, especially with how Soraya’s sniffing her mates and being transported from the human realm to the fae world. The book ends right as that transition happens—and now I’m desperate for book two.
I’m new to V.A. Berry, but I’m already obsessed with her writing style. I also love that Soraya isn’t given a super-specific physical description—it makes it so easy for readers to see themselves in her place.
A definite top-tier why-choose read for me. I’m hooked. 💋
Soraya, our FMC, is a college student just looking for a good time in downtown L.A.—and oh, she finds it. Not with one, not two, not three, but six gorgeous and mysterious men. And here’s the kicker—they all seem to call her “mate.” 👀 wags eyebrows
It’s a quick, addictive read—I devoured it in under a day and was absolutely hooked. Fair warning: read this one in the privacy of your own home because the on-page spice is constant… and I’m not complaining.
Out of all her many suitors, Sorenth has my heart. 🖤
This one’s clearly a fae reverse harem / why-choose romance, with hints of hidden identity and maybe even alpha/omega dynamics, especially with how Soraya’s sniffing her mates and being transported from the human realm to the fae world. The book ends right as that transition happens—and now I’m desperate for book two.
I’m new to V.A. Berry, but I’m already obsessed with her writing style. I also love that Soraya isn’t given a super-specific physical description—it makes it so easy for readers to see themselves in her place.
A definite top-tier why-choose read for me. I’m hooked. 💋
December 28, 2025
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC
This spicy read follows a graduate student Soraya Honei who is trying to relax after an arduous semester. Soraya and her roommates go out for a girls night where she meets a guy ❤️🔥🌶️ FUN. YASS QUEEN!!
BUT this is when things start to change, she starts to experience hallucinations loss of memory and new intense desires. As a result Soraya finds herself going out in search of more physical satisfaction and in each outing she meets a new guys that she connects with while also failing miserably at staying in contact with them.
All this time she is continuously experiences hallucinations or what we will know later a new world that she’s never seen before. As she going through all of this, danger surges from this new world she has involved herself in and she soon learns that the world and people aren’t what they seem to be.
I have to say that as Soraya loses parts of her memory throughout this book and experiences hallucinations it is all very disorienting. I really did enjoy reading it as it felt like I was as lost as her. While it did take me a while to commit to the story I did find myself turning every page just to find out how would end.
Will be keeping an eye out for the second book.
Overall had a good time.
Please be aware the book is sexual in nature and its found from the beginning of the book.
This spicy read follows a graduate student Soraya Honei who is trying to relax after an arduous semester. Soraya and her roommates go out for a girls night where she meets a guy ❤️🔥🌶️ FUN. YASS QUEEN!!
BUT this is when things start to change, she starts to experience hallucinations loss of memory and new intense desires. As a result Soraya finds herself going out in search of more physical satisfaction and in each outing she meets a new guys that she connects with while also failing miserably at staying in contact with them.
All this time she is continuously experiences hallucinations or what we will know later a new world that she’s never seen before. As she going through all of this, danger surges from this new world she has involved herself in and she soon learns that the world and people aren’t what they seem to be.
I have to say that as Soraya loses parts of her memory throughout this book and experiences hallucinations it is all very disorienting. I really did enjoy reading it as it felt like I was as lost as her. While it did take me a while to commit to the story I did find myself turning every page just to find out how would end.
Will be keeping an eye out for the second book.
Overall had a good time.
Please be aware the book is sexual in nature and its found from the beginning of the book.
Review of advance copy
A 3.5 star for me
If you are looking for an urban fantasy/paranormal with gorgeous faes and lots of smut? Then look no further! An MFC becomes entangled in a world full of danger and passions, self-exploration and fantasy.
I can appreciate the authors vision for the book, the worldbuilding was interesting, but I just felt I needed more. I got a glimpse of the fantasy world and wanted/needed more of it.
The writing itself felt a little “young” at some points and the pacing a smudge difficult. It took the MFC for ever to figure out that something was amiss and I started to get a bit frustrated by her. Still the story was good enough to keep me engaged. And let’s be honest, the spice was spicing!
I normally like to have a better grasp of the fantasy world than I go in this first book. But the promise of a new world in the second book was front and centre! So, while I struggled at some points with this book, I would love to reed the next one and see where this is going!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
@thenerdfam
If you are looking for an urban fantasy/paranormal with gorgeous faes and lots of smut? Then look no further! An MFC becomes entangled in a world full of danger and passions, self-exploration and fantasy.
I can appreciate the authors vision for the book, the worldbuilding was interesting, but I just felt I needed more. I got a glimpse of the fantasy world and wanted/needed more of it.
The writing itself felt a little “young” at some points and the pacing a smudge difficult. It took the MFC for ever to figure out that something was amiss and I started to get a bit frustrated by her. Still the story was good enough to keep me engaged. And let’s be honest, the spice was spicing!
I normally like to have a better grasp of the fantasy world than I go in this first book. But the promise of a new world in the second book was front and centre! So, while I struggled at some points with this book, I would love to reed the next one and see where this is going!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
@thenerdfam
Review of advance copy
Soraya is a 26 yo who is a little … conservative in her ways. Her BFF encourages her to get out there, shake what the good lord gave her and live a little.
Soraya may have taken this a bit too far, some may say. Not me! But some.
Her first night out finds her at a night club where she’s quickly enraptured by Tariq and quickly ends up in his arms & bed. But when she goes back to the nightclub after he ghosts her, everything becomes different.
In fact, everything IS constantly different - people and places and past experiences. What started as a dark romance novel is morphing into a thriller mystery -
With a lot of spice.
I mean a lot.
I blushed thru most of this but it’s an incredible, heady, drugged feeling effervescent but deeply dark and somehow rose scented, nearly gothic but utterly urban romp the likes of which I have never read before!
So grateful I got the chance to thru nerd fam and I will be stalking the author from now on.
Soraya may have taken this a bit too far, some may say. Not me! But some.
Her first night out finds her at a night club where she’s quickly enraptured by Tariq and quickly ends up in his arms & bed. But when she goes back to the nightclub after he ghosts her, everything becomes different.
In fact, everything IS constantly different - people and places and past experiences. What started as a dark romance novel is morphing into a thriller mystery -
With a lot of spice.
I mean a lot.
I blushed thru most of this but it’s an incredible, heady, drugged feeling effervescent but deeply dark and somehow rose scented, nearly gothic but utterly urban romp the likes of which I have never read before!
So grateful I got the chance to thru nerd fam and I will be stalking the author from now on.
October 20, 2025
Something was definitely wrong with Soraya, and I couldn’t look away.
Her skin burns, her desire never fades, and every page drips with tension as she gives in to cravings that feel almost supernatural. What starts as a search for pleasure quickly unravels into a dark, intoxicating mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality.
The writing is lush and feverish, like being trapped inside someone else’s wild, beautiful hallucination. Every steamy scene means something, pushing Soraya deeper into her awakening instead of just adding spice.
I loved how layered the story felt, sexy, eerie, and emotional all at once. By the end, I was obsessed, desperate for answers, and completely hooked on Soraya’s journey.
If you love fantasy that burns hot and keeps you guessing, this book will absolutely consume you.
Her skin burns, her desire never fades, and every page drips with tension as she gives in to cravings that feel almost supernatural. What starts as a search for pleasure quickly unravels into a dark, intoxicating mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality.
The writing is lush and feverish, like being trapped inside someone else’s wild, beautiful hallucination. Every steamy scene means something, pushing Soraya deeper into her awakening instead of just adding spice.
I loved how layered the story felt, sexy, eerie, and emotional all at once. By the end, I was obsessed, desperate for answers, and completely hooked on Soraya’s journey.
If you love fantasy that burns hot and keeps you guessing, this book will absolutely consume you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC!
I was really interested in this book from the blurb - it sounds very engaging, and plot driven.
However, maybe it was my misunderstanding, but this book was very much driven by romance/smut. This is not a slow burn, and it literally starts off with a bang. Literally every chapter was just smut. I was lost with the storyline, and we don’t get answers for anything by the end of the book. Soraya found herself six men claiming to be her mate, and she just wakes up and they’re all friends now?? There is no build up or anything.
It read like fanfiction, but I have no connection to or understanding of Soraya. I don’t think I would read another book in this series.
If you’re into just smut, then maybe this could be good for you, but I just didn’t see much of a storyline here - as the blurb described.
I was really interested in this book from the blurb - it sounds very engaging, and plot driven.
However, maybe it was my misunderstanding, but this book was very much driven by romance/smut. This is not a slow burn, and it literally starts off with a bang. Literally every chapter was just smut. I was lost with the storyline, and we don’t get answers for anything by the end of the book. Soraya found herself six men claiming to be her mate, and she just wakes up and they’re all friends now?? There is no build up or anything.
It read like fanfiction, but I have no connection to or understanding of Soraya. I don’t think I would read another book in this series.
If you’re into just smut, then maybe this could be good for you, but I just didn’t see much of a storyline here - as the blurb described.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh Soraya Honei what did you get yourself involved in?
Do you like mystery with sexy hot men? Yes MEN not man… MEN plural. This is a why choose romance, by V.A. Berry. Soraya is a 28 year old adult just trying to finish her masters. Ready to take on the world when her friends decide that Soraya needs to lay off her vibrator and to find a man to use. This book was a bit different than most paranormal book I have read. Generally the author will spend the entire first book building the world and characters. This book however hides the world, and only builds the main character. You will wonder what is going on? You will be second guessing each and every moment of this book until the end. Then you will be asking l the second book was not released with the first. I will differently be picking up the second book when released.
Do you like mystery with sexy hot men? Yes MEN not man… MEN plural. This is a why choose romance, by V.A. Berry. Soraya is a 28 year old adult just trying to finish her masters. Ready to take on the world when her friends decide that Soraya needs to lay off her vibrator and to find a man to use. This book was a bit different than most paranormal book I have read. Generally the author will spend the entire first book building the world and characters. This book however hides the world, and only builds the main character. You will wonder what is going on? You will be second guessing each and every moment of this book until the end. Then you will be asking l the second book was not released with the first. I will differently be picking up the second book when released.
December 28, 2025
I received an arc copy of this book. It was not good in my opinion at all. The writing felt very immature. There was no world building, the characters had no depth to them and the plot was just overall confusing. The MFC was boring, her character had no personality and as a reader I don’t even know who I was reading about. I don’t understand the world system or anything that was happening. The FMC basically went around having sec with random strangers, not remembering anything and acting like a teenager who was supposedly in school for her masters? Idk I appreciate some of the authors ideas but this was just very badly executed. The FMC turned out to be a changeling fae in the human world and mated to a bunch of random fae kings. I don’t think I will be reading the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
Okay, I want to first start off by saying that cover is gorgeous and totally fits the vibes of the book for me!
I really enjoyed what I read. At times, it was confusing which usually the case for me when reading about FMCs with memory loss. I thought the writing style was really great, though the pacing got a bit fast sometimes. The characters were all super distinct and interesting, which I loved.
Besides my confusion and the pace, overall it was fantastic and a bit of a unique concept!
Overall a 4.6 Star read for me! (Based on my own personal rating, this won’t be rounded up)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed what I read. At times, it was confusing which usually the case for me when reading about FMCs with memory loss. I thought the writing style was really great, though the pacing got a bit fast sometimes. The characters were all super distinct and interesting, which I loved.
Besides my confusion and the pace, overall it was fantastic and a bit of a unique concept!
Overall a 4.6 Star read for me! (Based on my own personal rating, this won’t be rounded up)
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This was an entertaining read overall. As someone who usually gravitates toward fantasy over smut, I was genuinely surprised that I enjoyed the spicy scenes more than the rest of the book—the spice was spicing. 🔥
That said, the fantasy elements felt a bit underdeveloped, and I found myself getting frustrated with the FMC repeatedly making the same mistakes. Like… girl, please learn something 😅.
Still, despite my nitpicks, this was a fun, fast read—and I’d absolutely pick it up again. So maybe I’m no better than our girl!
Thank you Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this eARC.
That said, the fantasy elements felt a bit underdeveloped, and I found myself getting frustrated with the FMC repeatedly making the same mistakes. Like… girl, please learn something 😅.
Still, despite my nitpicks, this was a fun, fast read—and I’d absolutely pick it up again. So maybe I’m no better than our girl!
Thank you Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this eARC.
October 19, 2025
If I could give this book 3.5 stars, I most definitely would. Was it the best writing ever? No. Was it entertaining? Absolutely! I struggled with the writing sometimes, it kind of read like a fanfiction, but it was good enough to keep me engaged the whole time. There were different tropes in this book that I loved, and I'll be honest, all the spicy parts had me hooked. If you don't like spice, just keep it pushin. It was a fun read though; I liked it for what it was.
October 23, 2025
This book was a fun read and a good set-up for where the series is going next. I enjoyed the characters and Soraya's bewilderment throughout the whole book. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next in the series. I wish there were more questions answered in this story but just as well it makes me all the more interested to read the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berry Ink for the e-arc!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berry Ink for the e-arc!
November 1, 2025
This book had such an intriguing premise, and I was excited to dive in. However, I found it hard to connect with the FMC and had some trouble following the story as it unfolded. That said, the spicy scenes were great, and I can appreciate the direction the author was going for. It just didn’t quite click for me personally.
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