Deceptive Inheritance: Remnants of the Lost, Book 1

by Jennifer Anne Davis

Laney Lake transfers to Stonemore University with a plan: two years of freedom before real life drags her back home. After a lifetime of overprotective parents and careful rules, she’s determined to finally live by making friends, saying yes more often, and experiencing the things she’s always been told to avoid.

Then Rowan Ward notices her.

To the rest of campus, he’s the rugby captain. He’s charming, confident, and impossible to miss. To himself, he’s a werewolf barely maintaining control. Rowan is the next alpha, bound to a future already chosen for him. His girlfriend is perfect on paper. She’s from a powerful bloodline, unquestioned loyalty, and the one his father expects him to marry. It should be enough.

It isn’t.

Laney pulls at him in a way nothing ever has, stripping control down to instinct and want. He knows he should stay away. Instead, he watches her. Circles her. Fights urges that feel older than reason.

Laney doesn’t know what he’s hiding. She only knows that when he’s near, her body wakes up and she’s warm, restless, and painfully aware of how badly she wants him to touch her. As Laney leans into her stolen freedom and Rowan teeters on the edge of breaking every rule he’s sworn to follow, old laws begin to strain. Because Laney isn’t ordinary. And if Rowan’s world discovers why she matters, choosing her could cost him everything.

She wanted two years of fun.

He was never supposed to want her.

But some instincts don’t care about rules.

And some sparks are born to burn.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Werewolves, Forbidden Romance

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Anne Davis is the bestselling, award-winning author of YA fantasy and NA paranormal romance. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She lives in the San Diego area with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their rambunctious, spoiled GSP.

Her three adult children are in college and graduate school. When she’s not writing, Jennifer can be found reading, crocheting, or baking sourdough bread.

Jennifer has always loved writing stories where the stakes are high and the tension is even higher.

Awards:
Cage of Deceit: Winner 2018 Kindle Book Awards
The Key: Finalist 2014 USA Book Awards
The Voice: Finalist 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
The Voice: Winner 2013 San Diego Book Awards

Visit Jennifer at:
www.JenniferAnneDavis.com

Reviews

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A paranormal, alpha x hybrid werewolf shifter romance

My Review: Deceptive Inheritance by Jennifer Anne Davis is book #1 in the Remnants of the Lost series. It is categorized as "New Adult | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." It just released yesterday (6/9/26.)

About the Book: "Stonemore University...

Laney Lake... a lifetime of overprotective parents and careful rules...

She wanted two years of fun.

Rowan Ward...the next alpha, bound to a future already chosen for him.

He was never supposed to want her.

Laney pulls at him in a way nothing ever has, stripping control down to instinct and want. He knows he should stay away. Instead, he watches her. Circles her. Fights urges that feel older than reason.

But some instincts don’t care about rules.

And some sparks are born to burn."

In My Own Words: A magnetic pull that cannot be contained. Forbidden desires that spill over and give way to intense feelings of longing. A possessiveness that leads to misunderstood and inevitable heartbreak. But is there more?

What I Liked/Loved:

🗺️ - Great world building
🐺 - Supernatural/paranormal focus
🏫 - Academic setting
👤 - Textured characters/Characters of Interest
🔺🔻 - New Adult Complexity (Immature x Mature Behaviors)
🖤 - SECRETS
🔥 - Page-turner
🌀 -Twisted
✨ - Entertaining
🔮 - Unpredictable
💖💔 - MINE! (That element is explosive all on its own.)

My Final Say: Yass!!! This book is giving a diamond in the rough type of energy, people. Don't miss it!

From the opening of the story, I was shook. Let me tell you why. The draw. The attraction. The character vibes. The out-of-place, finding-my-way tone. The year of yes until it's a no. The unsaid urgency that lurked beneath the surface. The sweet spot. The tension. The dun, dun, DUN!

The writing was what it needed to be. As the series goes on, I anticipate that it will continue to warm up and develop. I am okay with that. Further, considering the season of life, the setting, and the circumstances that were presented, I expect the language and story movement to evolve. I am quite happy to go right along with it. This was a good start to what promises to be an exciting series.

I am sensing a storm coming, and I am totally here for it! The return surprise, the cliffhanger gathering, and the taste of dangerous allegiance were the clinchers. Yum & yow!!! (Of course, I cannot give spoilers, so the aforementioned is coded.)

Other: Readers who enjoy alpha drama, dark betrayals, fated mate scenarios, family secrets, and supernatural unpredictability will like this. This is the one.

📣 BONUS COMMENT: This book has the same kind of angsty charm and incalculable tautness that J. L. Brannick's Black Moon Rising and Cold Moon Burning has. It is character-rich, unpredictable, and creeps up with its unexpected twists and turns. What I appreciate about this story and Brannick's books is that they both offer up the exact same blend of dark looming shadows, edgy academia, and an explosive, tension-laden intensity between the leads & gives off major will they/won't they vibes.

While the plots in these books are entirely different, I believe Deceptive Inheritance shares that exact same atmospheric wavelength. I want to listen to ALL the things and find out what comes next, to be sure!

***A Special Note: This will be 🔥 as an audiobook listening experience. (Hint. Hint.) ***

I did some research and this is what the release schedule for this series looks like:

Book 1: Deceptive Inheritance – Released June 9, 2026.
Book 2: Dangerous Allegiance – Scheduled release September 2026
Book 3: Untitled Final Book – Scheduled release December 2026


Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Level: 🧲⛓️‍💥💥💎
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Book Club Worthy: Yes (This will appeal to the following types of book clubs: NA (eclectic interests), Werewolf Lovers, Twisted Academia Lovers, & Paranormal Romance Lovers.)

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Xpresso Book Tours | Reign Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you so much for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to continuing with this series.

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun YA fantasy! I loved following Laney as she unveiled secrets that altered everything she thought she knew. The university setting and the paranormal elements woven into the story had me completely immersed from start to finish.

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy of the book.

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceptive Inheritance was such an easy book to breeze through—fast paced, addictive, and with a fun paranormal twist woven into a modern college setting.

What really hooked me was Laney’s mysterious past. Watching her uncover secrets about her origin after meeting Rowan and his crew—and realizing werewolves live among humans in secret—kept me turning the pages.

There’s definitely an instant spark between Laney and Rowan (I’m guessing fated mates 👀). Normally I’m wary of insta attraction, but I liked how Rowan genuinely tries to learn what makes Laney happy, even when his wolf instincts push him toward possessiveness. That balance made their dynamic more interesting.

That said, a few parts felt repetitive, and I think trimming them down would’ve made the story tighter and more impactful.
Still, I couldn’t put it down—it’s one of those binge worthy reads where even the predictability doesn’t take away from the fun.

And that final twist? 👏 It left me so intrigued—I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel because I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to Starlight Book Tour and the author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: sexual content

[Alessandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC review
This started strong, but went downhill really quickly. There isn’t much of a plot, and what there is doesn’t make a lot of sense. There’s a bunch of info-dumping, followed by the MMC (who changes personality several times on a page) saying “we need to talk” and then saying “I’ll tell you later” over and over again until eventually other people tell you the information in another info dump.

I pushed through to be polite, more than anything.

I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[ReadingInPyjamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Deceptive Inheritance is exactly the kind of paranormal romantasy I can't resist. The mix of werewolves, college life, and family secrets made this such an addictive read. I especially loved following Laney as she uncovered the truth about her past and discovered that the world around her wasn't what it seemed. The chemistry between her and Rowan was intense from the start, and while the fated mates vibes were obvious, I really enjoyed seeing Rowan struggle between his wolf instincts and wanting to do right by Laney. While a few moments felt repetitive, I flew through the story in no time, and that cliffhanger ending has me eager to continue the series.

[Jo Fouracre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow and I mean wow. Jennifer is one of my all time favourite authors and this book so didn’t disappoint. It’s very different to her normal fantasy genre. An it certainly packed a punch. It was fast paced Full of angst and heartbreak. And what an absolutely blooming cliffhanger ending. How could you drop that in the last chapter Nooooo

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolfy fun

I loved reading this book. I finished in less than 2 days. I love strong female characters with great best friends. This is definitely an interesting twist to the supernatural world by incorporating science. I enjoyed reading it and the end made me wanting to read the next one. I’ve read most of Jennifer’s books and I love them, this one didn’t disappoint.

[Adele Heathcote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

Deceptive Inheritance follows Laney as she begins university life while unknowingly standing on the edge of secrets that will change everything she thought she knew. Set in a world where werewolves exist hidden from human society the story follows her as she starts uncovering long buried lies and discovers that not everything in her life has been as it seemed.

I went into this book completely blind and I think that was probably the best way to experience it. The story slowly reveals its mysteries and there were several moments that kept me curious about what would happen next. There is also a significant twist towards the end that definitely took the story in an interesting direction and left me interested to see where the series will go from here.

One thing worth noting is that this felt very much like a YA novel. As someone who does not typically read a lot of YA anymore this is more of a personal preference than a criticism. Readers who regularly enjoy YA fantasy and paranormal stories may connect with it more than I did.

For me the strongest aspect of the book was the mystery surrounding Laney’s past and the secrets that slowly come to light throughout the story. I found myself wanting answers alongside her and that kept me engaged even when other elements did not fully land for me.

I did struggle at times with the character development. Laney’s personality occasionally felt inconsistent and I found it difficult to get a solid understanding of who she was. There were moments where she came across as confident and self assured and others where that confidence seemed to disappear quite suddenly. Because of this I never felt fully connected to her character.

The romance was another area where I wanted a little more depth. The connection between the main characters felt quite fast paced and I would have liked to see more development before some of the romantic moments. While I could understand the direction the relationship was taking I personally needed more emotional build up to become fully invested in it.

That said this was still an enjoyable read overall. The premise is interesting and there is enough mystery and intrigue woven throughout the story to keep the pages turning. Jennifer Annie Davis has created a foundation that leaves plenty of room for growth and expansion in future books.

While this was not a perfect fit for me personally I can see the appeal it will have for readers who enjoy YA paranormal fantasy with hidden secrets family mysteries and romance. I finished the book feeling curious about what comes next and I will most likely be picking up the second book when it releases to see how the story continues.

Overall Deceptive Inheritance was an entertaining introduction to a series that has potential and I look forward to seeing where Laney’s journey goes next.

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves, dark academia, campus tension, forbidden attraction, family expectations, and a man trying very hard not to emotionally combust every time the heroine enters the room?

Yes. Obviously, yes.

Deceptive Inheritance was such a fun, angsty first installment. Jennifer Anne Davis gives us Stonemore University, a setting that has exactly the right kind of shadowy, atmospheric, old-building energy for a paranormal romance where everyone is keeping secrets and no one is being normal about eye contact. Which, frankly, is how I prefer my supernatural campus drama.

Laney is an easy heroine to root for. After a lifetime of being sheltered and overprotected, she arrives at Stonemore determined to finally experience life on her own terms. There is something really satisfying about watching her step into freedom, make choices for herself, and slowly realize there is much more going on around her — and within her — than she understands.

And then there is Rowan. Rugby captain. Future alpha. Currently held together by duty, repression, and what I can only describe as deeply aggressive yearning. His whole situation is a delicious mess: family pressure, a girlfriend who fits the expected role, a future already mapped out for him, and then Laney shows up and basically turns his self-control into a decorative concept.

The tension between Laney and Rowan is easily one of the strongest parts of the book. It is angsty, intense, and full of that paranormal “I should stay away from you but unfortunately my entire nervous system has voted against me” energy. The push-pull worked really well for me, especially alongside the supernatural politics and looming consequences of Rowan’s world.

I also really enjoyed the worldbuilding. The werewolf dynamics, inherited power structures, old laws, bloodlines, and secrets all gave the story a strong foundation without overwhelming the romance. It feels like there is a much bigger world opening up, and this book does a great job setting the stage for what is clearly going to become a larger, more complicated story.

This was a strong first installment: moody, tense, paranormal, romantic, and full of promise. I am definitely looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Olivia Host · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book kinda disappointed me TBH. At first I was vibing with it, but then I slowly started to realize the entire book just felt like a play by play. We were constantly being told what people were doing, why they were doing it (I did ______ because ______), what they were feeling, etc. and never leaving anything up to the reader to interpret. We were constantly being told, not shown. I never felt a single emotion despite all the talk talk talking. It got really annoying pretty quickly.

The pacing also suffered from the writing. A lot of the reason was the constant baiting "I'll tell you later", "I'll explain later", and then they hang out later, and explanations never come. It was at least four or five times where Rowan would be like "I'll explain" and then they both proceed to just magically forget that they were going to have a discussion. That leads me to my next thing - intelligence.

Laney is a super bland character. They kinda all are, but Laney is the FMC so, eyes on her. She's also really dumb for someone so book smart. The clues dropped/given to this girl were horrible. Honestly reading this felt like reading a terrible murder mystery or something. The logic never lined up or made sense, and would often contradict itself. Never caught on to a single thing which was staggering. So much glaring her in the face, and by the end it was sort of like "what else could it be??? Get it together girl". It was just really grating to read over and over again and get nowhere. Then the big reveal happens, more drama, and -end- ? I didn't feel any payoff or momentum into book 2.

By the end of the book, this was just very meh to me. I was glad for it to be over, which is sad because it has the makeup to be something I would really enjoy. It's basically an opposite Twilight in a way. The vibes were all there, but the execution was very high school. Idk, I was just disappointed. I don't really have a desire to read book 2 at the moment so this is likely where my journey ends with this series.

[Lilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, I’d like to thank Xpresso Book Tours, the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Deceptive Inheritance is a paranormal romance book set in a university. Laney Lake and Rowan Ward’s love story is fraught with challenges and uncertainty, and the story is told from their alternating perspectives. For readers like me who are wholly unfamiliar with werewolf fiction beyond the Twilight series, this is a solid entry point into the genre.

This novel is delightfully readable. Short and simple, it allows the reader to breeze through the story, thereby encouraging more engagement with the characters and plot. The characters are all very much distinct; each is afforded a clear voice and nuanced personality that makes them a tangible presence in every scene. Without offering any spoilers, the plot twist in the end was shocking while also managing to remain believable.

The story also benefits immensely from its female characters; Emily is a breath of fresh air and remained my favourite character from start to finish. Laney, while somewhat odd, was also ultimately quite likeable. She shows emotional intelligence and immense strength in pursuing her goals. Even Sarah, who is presented as the social butterfly, is an excellent friend and a model roommate.

My qualms around this book are mostly around its language and structure. The dialogue seems to jump from being believably casual to sounding stilted; contractions are coupled with uncontracted phrasing like “I am” instead of “I’m,” which felt jarring to me and at times broke my immersion. Rowan’s diligent dedication to the word “however” was also a little odd, and the dialogue sometimes veered into too-formal tones in an (understandable but perhaps not fully achieved) attempt to evoke seriousness.

Structure-wise, I felt as though the book could have been significantly shorter. We spend an awfully long time repeating and rehashing conversations, especially between Rowan and Caleb. I also felt that some conversations were perhaps redundant and could have either been removed or repurposed to communicate more aspects of their participants’ character.

I leave this point to the end because it’s hardly relevant to the book’s quality: On a personal level, I can’t stand Rowan. He’s an emotionally immature idiot on the best of days and—as a hardcore Emily fan—I found I couldn’t consider his behaviour towards her throughout the book conscionable. This, however, is more a matter of taste and reflects nothing on the book’s quality.

Overall, this is an excellent book for anyone looking for a fun, emotional romance read. It flips many tropes and themes of traditional romance writing (many of them misogynistic) on their heads and does it well, yielding beautifully written female characters who realistically embody the power, wisdom, and intelligence that befits their roles. I look forward to reading the sequel—Dangerous Allegiance—and forming my thoughts there as well.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Title: Deceptive Inheritance- The Remnants of the Lost #1

✍🏾 Author: Jennifer Anne Davis-new to me author

📅 Publication date: 6/9/26 | Read: 6/12/26

📃 Format: e-Book 468 pgs.

Genre:
* Paranormal Romance
* Romantasy
* New Adult

Tropes:
*werewolves/shifters
*secret identity
*hidden truths
*forbidden romance

👆🏾POV: 1st person-dual

⚠️TW: overprotective parent, h-illness(diabetes), h attacked, virgin h, forced bonding

🌎 Setting: Stonemore University-New York

Summary: Laney starts a new school for junior year in college ready to be free and turn herself into a "yes" girl. Instead of just going to classes she vows to say yes to every offered new college experience-parties, guys-just for fun, and rugby games. She crushes on the rugby captain Rowan Ward. He and his friends stalk then ignore Laney, but Rowan can't fight his instinct to claim her as his. Pack politics and hierarchy play a role in their forbidden romance as hidden truths and secret identities are exposed.

👩🏾 Heroine: Laney Lake-20, from CT, went to Westwood Junior College for 2 yrs to be close to home, transferred to SU as a biology major

👨🏾 Hero: Rowan Ward- captain of the ruby team, the next alpha werewolf.

🎭 Other Characters
* Sarah-Laney's roommate from CA
*Raven-Laney's mother- works in genetic lab in Hartford. Laney's father-Noah, a pediatric surgeon
*Emily-Rowan's girlfriend
*Adan, Danny, and Jacob- all play rugby w/ Rowan, his packmates
*Rowan's father-Caleb Ward, the alpha

🤔 My Thoughts/Likes:
-OTT possessive alpha
-Sarah/Laney friendship
-the yearning/Rowan being forced to stay away from Laney
-Enforcers- who are they? did they attack Laney?
-the secondary love story w/ Emily
-Ends on a cliffhanger

Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level: 4/5🌶️

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours| Reign Publishing, and Jennifer Anne Davis for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

[inkedbyashreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Xpresso Book Tours, and Jennifer Anne Davis for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Deceptive Inheritance was exactly the kind of paranormal romance I love getting lost in.

From the moment Laney arrived at Stonemore University, I was hooked. The combination of college life, hidden supernatural secrets, werewolves, forbidden romance, and mystery created a story that was impossible to put down. Every chapter left me wanting to know more about Laney, Rowan, and the world that existed just beneath the surface.

Rowan completely stole the show for me. Watching him battle duty, instinct, and his growing feelings for Laney created so much tension throughout the story. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and I loved every moment of the push-and-pull dynamic as they tried to resist what was drawing them together.

The atmosphere of Stonemore University was another highlight. It had the perfect blend of academia, mystery, and supernatural intrigue that kept me immersed from beginning to end. As more secrets were revealed, I found myself racing through the pages desperate for answers.

I also loved the emotional depth woven throughout the story. Beneath the romance and paranormal elements is a story about identity, freedom, family expectations, and discovering who you truly are. Laney’s journey was compelling, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

The romance, the yearning, the tension, and the mystery all came together beautifully, and that ending left me immediately wanting the next book.

If you love paranormal romance, werewolves, forbidden love, college settings, hidden supernatural worlds, protective heroes, and stories packed with tension and heart, I highly recommend Deceptive Inheritance.

I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series. 🐺✨📚💙

[Daniela Chisiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceptive Inheritance ****

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC.

"Deceptive Inheritance" is an exciting start to the "Remnants of the Lost" series.
Blurb:
"Laney Lake transfers to Stonemore University with a plan: two years of freedom before real life drags her back home. After a lifetime of overprotective parents and careful rules, she's determined to finally live by making friends, saying yes more often, and experiencing the things she's always been told to avoid. Then Rowan Ward notices her. To the rest of campus, he's the rugby captain. He's charming, confident, and impossible to miss. To himself, he's a werewolf barely maintaining control. Rowan is the next alpha, bound to a future already chosen for him. His girlfriend is perfect on paper. She's from a powerful bloodline, unquestioned loyalty, and the one his father expects him to marry. It should be enough. It isn't. Laney pulls at him in a way nothing ever has, stripping control down to instinct and want. He knows he should stay away. Instead, he watches her. Circles her. Fights urges that feel older than reason. Laney doesn't know what he's hiding. She only knows that when he's near, her body wakes up and she's warm, restless, and painfully aware of how badly she wants him to touch her. As Laney leans into her stolen freedom and Rowan teeters on the edge of breaking every rule he's sworn to follow, old laws begin to strain. Because Laney isn't ordinary. And if Rowan's world discovers why she matters, choosing her could cost him everything. She wanted two years of fun. He was never supposed to want her. But some instincts don't care about rules. And some sparks are born to burn."

For me one of the book's highlights ist chemistry between Laney and Rowan Ward.
Highly recommended for the readers who enjoy romance, mystery and supernatural adventures!

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads YA/ NA and will probably not satisfy heavy intellectual readers BUT BUT BUT. I had a brilliant time with it, inhaled it and still think it makes for a fab holiday/ beach read if you are a fan of the genre.

The worldbuilding was good, the writing was straightforward, the premise SUPER catchy and interesting, the academia vibes came through and the pace was just right. I didn't massively like Laney or Rowan, I did find a lot of their decisions immature and find it hard to believe the time it took to have some of the very necessary conversations they had. I fully respect that it matters in terms of revelations and plot twists, but I think the storyline fell a bit short ultimately as I was pulled out of it, thinking this feels unrealistic. Also, I had a hard time believing the mother-daughter relationship, it just didn't feel plausible that there were so many burning questions and Laney was so chilled about when she will speak to he mother next? Not sure about that, although Laney gives us a lot of this actually, with Rowan as well.

The thing I enjoyed with most was the yearning and the forbidden love, the angst and torture of having to stay away from each other and resist their feelings, that was 10/10 for me! I ATE it up, so so good! I LOVED Emily and Sarah, I thought they were brilliant characters, with presence and development (Emily).

Funnily enough, the final plot twist was exactly what I needed and I am definitely picking up the next book! Thank you to Jennifer Anne Davies, ARC provided by Xpresso Book Tours | Reign Publishing and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

PS; If you're looking for similar vibes, you will probably enjoy Blood & Betrayals (Avalon University Book 1) by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose.

[Catherine Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Deceptive Inheritance” by Jennifer Anne Davis totally fed my obsession with possessive werewolves, forbidden attraction, and campus drama. Rowan Ward being the charming rugby captain on the outside while internally spiraling because his wolf is obsessed with Laney? Honestly iconic.

I loved the tension between them right from the beginning. Every interaction felt packed with chemistry, secrets, and that constant feeling that something was about to go very wrong in the best way. Laney’s sheltered background made watching her get pulled into this dangerous new world even more entertaining, especially once she realized Rowan wasn’t just some hot college guy.

The pacing was seriously addictive too. Between the pack politics, the Alpha expectations, the fated-mate energy, and all the emotional messiness, I kept flying through chapters telling myself “just one more.” And Rowan trying so hard to fight his instincts while completely failing to stay away from Laney was exactly the kind of love-drama I wanted.

If you love paranormal romance with tension, secrets, protective alpha vibes, and forbidden fated-mate energy then I highly recommend you read this. I finished it in almost one day and was an emotional mess by the end. I will say that this does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared. I’m looking forward so much to the next book to continue this story!

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceptive Inheritance was a great romance story filled with obligations and deceit. I enjoyed the main and the side characters in this story but there were times when Laney's character had my heart a little more. Where Laney was surrounded by deceit, betrayal, mystery, and secrets; Rowan, Emily and Danny's life was surrounded by expectations and obligations. I have to say that I was shocked and on Rowan's side when he decided to get his lick back with Danny. I know it's crazy, but if he has to sacrifice and follow the rules, so should everyone else if it's best for the pack. I really don't want to give anything away because I think this is a romance story that paranormal romance readers will enjoy but I will say that the cliffhanger ending with Laney's dad definitely left me wanting the next book as soon as possible. The person hunted and threatened becomes the untouchable and I can't wait to see what doors will open with Laney's new position. The only thing that stopped me from rating this book 5 stars was that I found some parts of the story a bit repetitive but other than that I enjoyed this story a lot and will be recommending it to my paranormal romance book loving friends.

[Bene_reads_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has two of my fav tropes : werewolves and academia, so, even if the author was new-to-me, I was excited to read it.
And I'm very happy.
First, the characters :
The author did a very good job with Laney, she was smart, driven, her feelings were well written all along the book.
I was a bit more reserved with Rowan. I did not like him as much as his friend Adan who is a fantastic character and stole my heart.
I really liked how the parents were involved (even if it's in a bad way) it felt more realistic for me considering the story is set in a college.
Then, the story : the plot, the mystery, the forbidden romance elements just made me turn the pages because I needed to know why, how and when things happened.
So, of course, the story ended with a cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read what happens next.

[Jo Wyld · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a paranormal romance and you can expect:
Werewolves
Love Triangle
Fated mates
Forbidden love

Laney Lake is heading off to college to finally get some space from her suffocating parents, she has decided she is going to say yes to a social life and make friends!

The only problem is this leads her to Rowan a beautiful rugby player... oh and he's a werewolf too.

He knows instantly that Laney is part Wolf too, but she doesn't appear to know!? And why is she injecting herself with Wolfsbane?

Together they discover the truth about Laney and her family. But will what they learn allow them to be together?

[Katie Geraghty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have known from past experience I am very much into the possesive were-mate thing, and Deceptive Inheritance fed that niche so deliciously.  This book reminded me a lot of The Deal  (and its new TV adaptation Off Campus), with Laney hanging out at the team's house and getting to know Rowan's teammates.  However, I feel like a better job could have been done to showcase Rowan's friendships with the team more.  If anything, we mostly saw Rowan being more of an alpha to them than a friend, and I think a better found family dynamic with the team/pack  would have made me root for the characters more.   Maybe in a potential sequel?

[shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an easy and short read, however, the writing style and overall pacing of the book fell short for me. The writing style felt more YA than NA and while the concept of the storyline was interesting, the plot and characters did not feel fully fleshed out. Some plot points throughout the book felt rushed and lacked depth such as the relationship between Laney and Rowan. Regardless, I’m glad I gave this book a go and will consider reading the second one since it ended with a cliffhanger.

[Lolli · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌶️🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Dual POV
Cliffhanger; Book 1 of the Remnants of the Lost series

Tropes/TW:
Dark paranormal academia romantasy
Sheltered hybrid werewolf FMC x alpha werewolf rugby captain MMC
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
"MINE!"
Fated mates
Hidden identities & secrets
Shapeshifters
Stalking / Violence

Thank you Jennifer Anne Davis and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.

*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

easily one of my favorite paranormal romances i’ve read this year! laney & rowan’s story is heartbreaking & the cliffhanger…….. i am SO sad i have to wait until September for the second book 😭 only reason i hesitated for 5 stars is because i felt like some of the conversations were just going in circles. im super interested to see what happens in Dangerous Allegiance.

thank u NetGalley & Jennifer Anne Davis for the eARC!!

[Sophie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deceptive Inheritance is a dual POV, paranormal college romance with shifters and forbidden love. I really wanted to like this one based on the premise, but the writing continuously pulled me out of the story. Between the somewhat stilted dialogue (too many banalities) and excessively detailed internal monologuing, I found it difficult to become immersed. Ultimately it was too much “telling” and not enough “showing” for my liking.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC :)

[Rebecka Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25🌟 *NETGALLEY ARC*

I enjoyed this one so much. It was completely my cup of tea. The mystery elements had me flying through the pages because I just needed to know! I’m also such a sucker for a good forbidden romance, so that definitely worked for me. Nothing necessarily stood out as groundbreaking, but I had such a fun time reading it, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a book.

Looking forward to book 2 coming soon!

[Diana Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Reign Publishing for the chance to read an ARC of Deceptive Inheritance by Jennifer Anne Davis. This was a quick read for me, and I loved it! YA werewolf stories are like catnip to me, adding in an Academy setting and forbidden romance and I couldn't put it down. The plot isn't too difficult and I figured out the plot twist quickly. While I was expecting some sort of cliffhanger, I am happy to see the next book is out in a couple of months.

[VixenLovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

This was a angst filled forbidden romance story, i enjoyed the story and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Based in college with lots of teen angst and controlling parents. So much miscommunication in this story basically by everyone but I did like the main characters deciding to take control of their own destinies and hope to see them continue with that in the second book.

[Lauren Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always a fan of this author and was excited to read an adult fantasy from her. Honestly I think the beginning didn't flow as well as I would have expected but it was only the first few chapters.
What I love about this author is that she doesn't waste time. This could have easily been drawn out another 100 pages but this author writes with purpose and I very much appreciate that.
Of course it ends in a cliffhanger! But I'm very excited to read the next book and see how things play out.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This was a short, fun read. The writing was definitely YA- but there were a few spicy scenes. This book was easy to read and easy to follow. Laney does seem quite naive through out the book- but who isn’t when there is young love? Will definitely continue this series.

[Ashley McNeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This werewolf romance caught me by surprise, it was full of desire, tension and rugby! I loved seeing the fmc find someone even though she wasn’t looking for anything. She was just a college girl with diabetes who was experiencing leaving the protective nest for the first time. She made friends, secrets were revealed, and she found love this was one of my favorite paranormal/fantasy reads!