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Beasts
When my sorority turned on me, I knew it wasn’t just betrayal.
It was a warning.
With nowhere else to go, I ran straight into the worst possible a fraternity house that breathes secrets and pulses with something not quite human. Thirteen demons live there. Monsters with power etched into their bones.
And somehow… none of it works on me.
They don’t know what to do with a girl they can’t break. I don’t know what to do with a house full of creatures who should terrify me. Especially not the vampire hidden away in the attic. The one thing I’ve feared my entire life, thanks to a childhood memory that still claws at my spine.
Except he isn’t what I expect.
He’s quiet. Watchful. Dangerous in a way that makes my pulse stutter instead of scream. When we’re cast as co-stars in the college play, escape becomes impossible. Rehearsals trap us together. Late nights. Shared breaths. Lingering touches that feel like promises we shouldn’t keep.
Every look is a dare.
Every moment, a risk.
What starts as fear turns into temptation. What should be forbidden begins to feel inevitable.
As I carve out a place among demons and misfits, I find something I never thought I’d have a family. And buried beneath their chaos, I begin to suspect the truth. There’s something different about me too.
But secrets never stay buried.
When the head vampire learns a human has been living among them, the house becomes a battleground. A single, merciless ultimatum echoes through the halls.
Sacrifice one of their own…
or sacrifice me.
And the boy in the attic?
He may have to decide which damnation he’s willing to live with.
It was a warning.
With nowhere else to go, I ran straight into the worst possible a fraternity house that breathes secrets and pulses with something not quite human. Thirteen demons live there. Monsters with power etched into their bones.
And somehow… none of it works on me.
They don’t know what to do with a girl they can’t break. I don’t know what to do with a house full of creatures who should terrify me. Especially not the vampire hidden away in the attic. The one thing I’ve feared my entire life, thanks to a childhood memory that still claws at my spine.
Except he isn’t what I expect.
He’s quiet. Watchful. Dangerous in a way that makes my pulse stutter instead of scream. When we’re cast as co-stars in the college play, escape becomes impossible. Rehearsals trap us together. Late nights. Shared breaths. Lingering touches that feel like promises we shouldn’t keep.
Every look is a dare.
Every moment, a risk.
What starts as fear turns into temptation. What should be forbidden begins to feel inevitable.
As I carve out a place among demons and misfits, I find something I never thought I’d have a family. And buried beneath their chaos, I begin to suspect the truth. There’s something different about me too.
But secrets never stay buried.
When the head vampire learns a human has been living among them, the house becomes a battleground. A single, merciless ultimatum echoes through the halls.
Sacrifice one of their own…
or sacrifice me.
And the boy in the attic?
He may have to decide which damnation he’s willing to live with.
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went in blind without expectations and 2 days later im stalking the author like im fbi to see when the next book arrives. To say I got HOOKED is an understatement. 🐠🐠🐠
Usually I just happen to love (one of) the MCs but I am genuinely obsessed with the entire family and im not opposed to moving there ASAP!
I think this was one of the easiest 5 stars in a while.
BUT I do have a small remark: In almost every chapter "the house feels" some type of way or the fmc feels/notices something "for the first time". I really should check how often those occur but trust me, it's a lot.
Usually I just happen to love (one of) the MCs but I am genuinely obsessed with the entire family and im not opposed to moving there ASAP!
I think this was one of the easiest 5 stars in a while.
BUT I do have a small remark: In almost every chapter "the house feels" some type of way or the fmc feels/notices something "for the first time". I really should check how often those occur but trust me, it's a lot.
January 28, 2026
10/10 would definitely recommend!
This book had great world building, character descriptions, and an amazing variety of characters ;). Serena laid a solid foundation to build the other books off of. This book had everything; a slow burn but once ignited had astounding passion, character growth in not only the main character but the essential side characters, action, foreshadowing and a ton of humor. It always kept me on my toes and I didn’t want to put it down or for it to end lol. I can’t wait for the next book and to see how this story grows!
This book had great world building, character descriptions, and an amazing variety of characters ;). Serena laid a solid foundation to build the other books off of. This book had everything; a slow burn but once ignited had astounding passion, character growth in not only the main character but the essential side characters, action, foreshadowing and a ton of humor. It always kept me on my toes and I didn’t want to put it down or for it to end lol. I can’t wait for the next book and to see how this story grows!
January 27, 2026
This book had me hooked right from the start. Serena’s writing makes you feel like you are a part of the story right there with the characters. I laughed and cried along with them. I loved every single character in this book so much. I love how Serena made you feel as if you actually knew these characters and were there right along with them. Such a great read and I can’t wait for the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book. The characters and the plot pulled me in from the very beginning and never let go. I genuinely could not put it down.
⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️
⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beast is a captivating, highly detailed story that pulls you in fast and keeps you invested from start to finish. The world-building is vivid and immersive—you can clearly picture the settings, the atmosphere, and the tension woven throughout the story.
One of the biggest strengths of this book is its characters. Each one has a distinct personality, and they’re written in a way that makes you genuinely care about them. These are the kinds of characters you don’t just read about—you grow attached to them. Their natural instinct to protect and care feels authentic and earned, which adds real emotional depth to the story.
The FMC is especially well written. She’s strong without being unrealistically perfect and is driven by real questions and curiosity rather than blind acceptance. Watching her navigate what’s happening around her makes her relatable, compelling, and easy to root for.
Overall, Beast is engaging, emotionally charged, and leaves you eager to know what comes next. If you enjoy detailed storytelling, strong character development, and a plot that keeps you hooked, this book is absolutely worth the read.
One of the biggest strengths of this book is its characters. Each one has a distinct personality, and they’re written in a way that makes you genuinely care about them. These are the kinds of characters you don’t just read about—you grow attached to them. Their natural instinct to protect and care feels authentic and earned, which adds real emotional depth to the story.
The FMC is especially well written. She’s strong without being unrealistically perfect and is driven by real questions and curiosity rather than blind acceptance. Watching her navigate what’s happening around her makes her relatable, compelling, and easy to root for.
Overall, Beast is engaging, emotionally charged, and leaves you eager to know what comes next. If you enjoy detailed storytelling, strong character development, and a plot that keeps you hooked, this book is absolutely worth the read.
January 24, 2026
ARC review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beasts is dark academia with fangs—feral, emotional, and threaded with found family in the most unexpected place. What starts as a desperate escape from betrayal quickly turns into something far more dangerous and strangely tender.
Amelia's arrival at the fraternity house feels like stepping into a living, breathing secret. Thirteen demons, each monstrous in their own way, yet unable to affect her, sets up a delicious imbalance of power. She isn’t prey. She isn’t easily broken. And watching a group of creatures built on dominance struggle with a girl who simply won’t bend is endlessly compelling.
Then there’s the vampire in the attic. Quiet, restrained, and carrying a danger that simmers instead of explodes, he’s the emotional core of the story. The slow-burn tension between him and the heroine—amplified by forced proximity, late-night rehearsals, and stolen moments on a stage meant for pretending—feels intimate and electric. Fear doesn’t vanish; it transforms into temptation, making every touch feel earned and risky.
What elevates this book beyond a standard paranormal romance is its heart. Beneath the chaos, the claws, and the power plays is a genuine found-family story. The demons aren’t just monsters—they’re misfits, protectors, and a fractured home learning how to keep one of their own.
When the ultimatum arrives, the stakes turn brutal and personal, forcing impossible choices and revealing just how deep loyalty runs. Beasts asks what you’re willing to sacrifice for belonging—and who you’re willing to damn yourself to save.
If you love monster romance, dark academia vibes, slow-burn tension, and found family forged in fire, Beasts is a gripping, emotionally rich read that bites hard and doesn’t let go. 🖤🩸
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beasts is dark academia with fangs—feral, emotional, and threaded with found family in the most unexpected place. What starts as a desperate escape from betrayal quickly turns into something far more dangerous and strangely tender.
Amelia's arrival at the fraternity house feels like stepping into a living, breathing secret. Thirteen demons, each monstrous in their own way, yet unable to affect her, sets up a delicious imbalance of power. She isn’t prey. She isn’t easily broken. And watching a group of creatures built on dominance struggle with a girl who simply won’t bend is endlessly compelling.
Then there’s the vampire in the attic. Quiet, restrained, and carrying a danger that simmers instead of explodes, he’s the emotional core of the story. The slow-burn tension between him and the heroine—amplified by forced proximity, late-night rehearsals, and stolen moments on a stage meant for pretending—feels intimate and electric. Fear doesn’t vanish; it transforms into temptation, making every touch feel earned and risky.
What elevates this book beyond a standard paranormal romance is its heart. Beneath the chaos, the claws, and the power plays is a genuine found-family story. The demons aren’t just monsters—they’re misfits, protectors, and a fractured home learning how to keep one of their own.
When the ultimatum arrives, the stakes turn brutal and personal, forcing impossible choices and revealing just how deep loyalty runs. Beasts asks what you’re willing to sacrifice for belonging—and who you’re willing to damn yourself to save.
If you love monster romance, dark academia vibes, slow-burn tension, and found family forged in fire, Beasts is a gripping, emotionally rich read that bites hard and doesn’t let go. 🖤🩸
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're looking for an easy, cute, and comfortable read with some bulk to it (500 pages), then this is it. You have all sorts of mythical "monsters." From vampires and werewolves to gargoyles, fairies, and even cat shifters.
Amelia is a human girl who ends up in a frat house full of secrets. Everyone is nice to her right away except for the mysterious and broody, Oliver. Things start to go bump in the night and her world turns on its side a bit.
I will say there were some inconsistencies and some repeat situations that I don't think were intentional. The book is long...and in my opinion, could have been shorter. Also, the humor just didn't hit the mark for me and, in some cases, didn't make sense.
That being said, it is cute. The romance was sweet and the spice was 🌶🌶 -ish.
Overall, it was a cute and decent read.
Amelia is a human girl who ends up in a frat house full of secrets. Everyone is nice to her right away except for the mysterious and broody, Oliver. Things start to go bump in the night and her world turns on its side a bit.
I will say there were some inconsistencies and some repeat situations that I don't think were intentional. The book is long...and in my opinion, could have been shorter. Also, the humor just didn't hit the mark for me and, in some cases, didn't make sense.
That being said, it is cute. The romance was sweet and the spice was 🌶🌶 -ish.
Overall, it was a cute and decent read.
January 26, 2026
A huge thank you to Serena Knights for allowing me to be a part of her ARC community in exchange for an unbiased review of her upcoming novel!
I genuinely loved this book; It felt so reminiscent of my teen years when I would gobble down modern paranormal romances, but so often, the relationships and the men were SO toxic. Every single one of these guys are genuinely good males despite their demonic label. I loved how this story unfolds, and even more than the romance, I loved that Amelia’s relationship with each of these guys is as unique as their species.
There were a few twists & turns that could not have been guessed, and I have read a lot within the genre, so it’s hard to stump me 😆
Overall, this was such a fun read with a spunky voice, and I love that the end was beautifully tied up while also leaving an opening for future books in the series.
I genuinely loved this book; It felt so reminiscent of my teen years when I would gobble down modern paranormal romances, but so often, the relationships and the men were SO toxic. Every single one of these guys are genuinely good males despite their demonic label. I loved how this story unfolds, and even more than the romance, I loved that Amelia’s relationship with each of these guys is as unique as their species.
There were a few twists & turns that could not have been guessed, and I have read a lot within the genre, so it’s hard to stump me 😆
Overall, this was such a fun read with a spunky voice, and I love that the end was beautifully tied up while also leaving an opening for future books in the series.
February 15, 2026
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to room with a bunch of guys in a frat house?! I mean… I can’t be the only one…😅 look no further! This book contains some really nasty mean girls, some very handsome beast boys and themes that will give you all the feels. Serena has such a beautiful way with words and draws you right in. You feel like your right there in the fray. This story held so many unexpected surprises. It’s a journey like no other. Good luck putting this book down! I cannot wait for the next book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely adored this book! It was so fun, full of so many personalities and so much tension. I love absolutely every character (except for maybe Amanda and Mr Pierce) but all the guys are so sweet!!
There were times I wanted to cry, plenty of moments that made me laugh and some twists that I definitely didn't expect!
Absolutely would recommend this book.
There were times I wanted to cry, plenty of moments that made me laugh and some twists that I definitely didn't expect!
Absolutely would recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imagine Morganville Vampires, Darkest Powers, and Vampire Academy, but all grown up! It gives the same vibes of drama and chaos from those, but with more maturity and sharpness, which took me all the way back! I ended up loving this book far more than I expected. It was fun, light hearted, with scenes that truly tugged at your heartstrings. It was also beautifully written, and I loved the writing style. It has been a while since a book has gotten me this much in a chokehold to continue reading it, even doing so during my breaks at work. It was a great read, truly!
There are just a few things making it a four-star read for me, instead of a five-star one (although I'm really excited to see where the next book takes things!)
Pros:
❤️ The main character is flawed, reactive and makes mistakes. She feels real and raw with growth throughout the book. Amelia is the kind of main character you want to root for. She's compassionate, warm, reckless at times, sharp and grateful for the love in her life.
✏️ The writing was amazing to me. I loved the way it flowed, the drama, the love of it. It captivated beautifully the atmosphere in the house and the different personalities of the characters.
🏠 Speaking of the characters, I enjoyed them quite a lot. The banter made the house feel real and diffusion of tensions with jokes felt awkward in the best possible way. It felt easy to envision what the house would be like, was it cast as a movie.
Cons:
✏️ It's a minor thing, but the amounts of 'deliberate, intentional, or calculated' in this book, almost did me in 😂 If every person is intentional with every move they make, it takes the meaning out of it.
💓 This is a personal preference and I will mark it with a spoiler but;
✨ The world building... Ah, how conflicted I feel about this one. I like that it's not information dumping. You get it bit by bit, which is a nice change of pace. But I also feel like a lot of it just isn't explained yet? I could imagine having far more questions about gargoyles and the likes than Amelia apparently does. It also feels a bit inconsistent at time, with new abilities suddenly popping up that feels out of left field , which are then never really mentioned again.
🧠 On a similar note, I HATE when characters are oblivious to obvious oddities. Like come on, guys! Also, the whole
⁉️ It feels like there are some things, that are just tossed in there for the sake of drama, but never really explained or noted on again? It might come in the later books, but specifically
🦹♂️ I love myself a good bad guy. The villain of the story can truly make it shine in a magnetic way, that makes me ache to come back for more. This one fell a little flat for me, but there were glints of something more at the end.
Overall, though, I still think this is a great book! I would warmly recommend this to my friends in a heartbeat, and I'll do the same to all of you out there!
There are just a few things making it a four-star read for me, instead of a five-star one (although I'm really excited to see where the next book takes things!)
Pros:
❤️ The main character is flawed, reactive and makes mistakes. She feels real and raw with growth throughout the book. Amelia is the kind of main character you want to root for. She's compassionate, warm, reckless at times, sharp and grateful for the love in her life.
✏️ The writing was amazing to me. I loved the way it flowed, the drama, the love of it. It captivated beautifully the atmosphere in the house and the different personalities of the characters.
🏠 Speaking of the characters, I enjoyed them quite a lot. The banter made the house feel real and diffusion of tensions with jokes felt awkward in the best possible way. It felt easy to envision what the house would be like, was it cast as a movie.
Cons:
✏️ It's a minor thing, but the amounts of 'deliberate, intentional, or calculated' in this book, almost did me in 😂 If every person is intentional with every move they make, it takes the meaning out of it.
💓 This is a personal preference and I will mark it with a spoiler but;
✨ The world building... Ah, how conflicted I feel about this one. I like that it's not information dumping. You get it bit by bit, which is a nice change of pace. But I also feel like a lot of it just isn't explained yet? I could imagine having far more questions about gargoyles and the likes than Amelia apparently does. It also feels a bit inconsistent at time, with new abilities suddenly popping up that feels out of left field , which are then never really mentioned again.
🧠 On a similar note, I HATE when characters are oblivious to obvious oddities. Like come on, guys! Also, the whole
⁉️ It feels like there are some things, that are just tossed in there for the sake of drama, but never really explained or noted on again? It might come in the later books, but specifically
🦹♂️ I love myself a good bad guy. The villain of the story can truly make it shine in a magnetic way, that makes me ache to come back for more. This one fell a little flat for me, but there were glints of something more at the end.
Overall, though, I still think this is a great book! I would warmly recommend this to my friends in a heartbeat, and I'll do the same to all of you out there!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Riveting and entertaining all in one sweep!
📚Book = Trilogy??
🔥Burn = Slow,
🎭OW/OM Drama = Some, Scorned Sorrority
🐺Alpha Men = Absolutely,
🌶️Heat/spice = 2/10,
😬Angst = High,
💔Third Act Breakup = No,
🤥Cheating = No,
🌈MM/FF = Yes,
🥰RH/ Poly = RH,
👥Writing = 1st Person, Single POV,
🔸Genre = Paranormal Fantasy,
🔹Tropes = MF✨Young Adults at Uni✨FMC lives with 13 males✨Vampire, Werewolf, Cat Shifters, Gargoyles, Merman, Incubus, Medium, Psychic, Warlock, Fae….oh and human✨Vampire Elder has rules about Humans knowing about them✨Touch her and die✨Would give his life to see her unharmed✨Found Family✨
‼️Triggers = Low rate - This is my personal view, please check before reading
Well, this book absolutely caught my interest from the first page and did not let up. These characters have dug deep, and I can't wait for more! The story had so many questions and secrets, some maddeningly so, and I can hear Serena laughing when she writes "the character is too tired for answers”……. I mean AAAHHH!
I often feel deprived when reading a single pov book, I love to know how and what everyone is feeling or from others' perspective. However, saying that, with the amount of secrets and mysteries that are held within these pages, I feel it may have lost some of that sparkle if it was a multiple POV, so I don’t feel robbed by that!
I loved the way Amelia fit so perfectly with her boys, the way they slowly claimed her as part of their family was beautiful. She became their rock and confidant, they became her anchor. The banter and the hilariously chaotic household was just wonderful and really added to the whole superb family dynamics.
There is part of the story where Amelia and Oliver play Snow White and The Prince for drama class. During the end scene, they perform a duet, and let me tell you, I sobbed my heart out. You get so invested in these two as a couple and, on top of that, the brilliant Serena Knight goes and offers you a song via Spotify, so you can read and listen to the lyrics at the same time…..utterly brilliant idea, and as I said I actually cried! (My husband thought I way insane when I tried to explain why 🤣) Well done Serena 👏
Some characters you got to know better than others, which was a travesty. Hopefully, we will get to engage with them more substantively in the future?
Amelia = She is such a brave character. Although some situations do terrify her, she is too eager for knowledge and to understand, to stay away for long. I loved that about her, how much she wanted to understand each one of her housemates, not just the good but the bad as well, just so she could help them or understand their life and ways better.
How when push comes to shove towards the end, she will do ANYTHING to protect the 13 men whom she loves so much. I can't wait to see how her binding them to herself works out and unfolds going forward. Her and Oliver's connection was gorgeous, and I loved how she kept pushing him for more and slowly pulling him out of his shell.
Oliver = He’s the broken sole, the one who sits in the background, but would be the first to defend or protect you, putting you before himself. His and Amelias blossoming love was beautifully written. He seriously needed her in his life, in more ways than one! He says he’s cold and unfeeling, but I feel it’s a consequence of an awful father and struggling with what he is, but to his friends he definitely isn’t.
Nolan = The dad friend of the group, who’s very protective of them all. I truly felt for him sometimes as he tried to contain the chaos & the trouble their house often descended into!
Hedrick = He’s such a wonderful softy, the best of friends and his story really broke my heart
Kane = He has it tough, I felt, and the one they generally have to be watchful around the most, even though they joke about it.
Seth = He’s the cheeky friend that knows way too much. Don’t play chess with him 🤣
Valentine = he’s just the ultimate cheeky lovable rogue.
Hugh = the protective big brother, who helps Nolan ‘try’ to contain the chaos.
Reyes, Hunter, Echo, Hugh, Niles, Richard, Byron = We haven’t got to know them quite as deeply….yet? 😢
Please don’t be put off by the 518page count, it’s totally worth every page. This book certainly grabs your attention and holds on, with great twists, heartfelt emotional romance, unique creatures, diverse character dynamics and intricate plot, with angst moments thrown into the mix.
What more could you possibly need?
📚Book = Trilogy??
🔥Burn = Slow,
🎭OW/OM Drama = Some, Scorned Sorrority
🐺Alpha Men = Absolutely,
🌶️Heat/spice = 2/10,
😬Angst = High,
💔Third Act Breakup = No,
🤥Cheating = No,
🌈MM/FF = Yes,
🥰RH/ Poly = RH,
👥Writing = 1st Person, Single POV,
🔸Genre = Paranormal Fantasy,
🔹Tropes = MF✨Young Adults at Uni✨FMC lives with 13 males✨Vampire, Werewolf, Cat Shifters, Gargoyles, Merman, Incubus, Medium, Psychic, Warlock, Fae….oh and human✨Vampire Elder has rules about Humans knowing about them✨Touch her and die✨Would give his life to see her unharmed✨Found Family✨
‼️Triggers = Low rate - This is my personal view, please check before reading
Well, this book absolutely caught my interest from the first page and did not let up. These characters have dug deep, and I can't wait for more! The story had so many questions and secrets, some maddeningly so, and I can hear Serena laughing when she writes "the character is too tired for answers”……. I mean AAAHHH!
I often feel deprived when reading a single pov book, I love to know how and what everyone is feeling or from others' perspective. However, saying that, with the amount of secrets and mysteries that are held within these pages, I feel it may have lost some of that sparkle if it was a multiple POV, so I don’t feel robbed by that!
I loved the way Amelia fit so perfectly with her boys, the way they slowly claimed her as part of their family was beautiful. She became their rock and confidant, they became her anchor. The banter and the hilariously chaotic household was just wonderful and really added to the whole superb family dynamics.
There is part of the story where Amelia and Oliver play Snow White and The Prince for drama class. During the end scene, they perform a duet, and let me tell you, I sobbed my heart out. You get so invested in these two as a couple and, on top of that, the brilliant Serena Knight goes and offers you a song via Spotify, so you can read and listen to the lyrics at the same time…..utterly brilliant idea, and as I said I actually cried! (My husband thought I way insane when I tried to explain why 🤣) Well done Serena 👏
Some characters you got to know better than others, which was a travesty. Hopefully, we will get to engage with them more substantively in the future?
Amelia = She is such a brave character. Although some situations do terrify her, she is too eager for knowledge and to understand, to stay away for long. I loved that about her, how much she wanted to understand each one of her housemates, not just the good but the bad as well, just so she could help them or understand their life and ways better.
How when push comes to shove towards the end, she will do ANYTHING to protect the 13 men whom she loves so much. I can't wait to see how her binding them to herself works out and unfolds going forward. Her and Oliver's connection was gorgeous, and I loved how she kept pushing him for more and slowly pulling him out of his shell.
Oliver = He’s the broken sole, the one who sits in the background, but would be the first to defend or protect you, putting you before himself. His and Amelias blossoming love was beautifully written. He seriously needed her in his life, in more ways than one! He says he’s cold and unfeeling, but I feel it’s a consequence of an awful father and struggling with what he is, but to his friends he definitely isn’t.
Nolan = The dad friend of the group, who’s very protective of them all. I truly felt for him sometimes as he tried to contain the chaos & the trouble their house often descended into!
Hedrick = He’s such a wonderful softy, the best of friends and his story really broke my heart
Kane = He has it tough, I felt, and the one they generally have to be watchful around the most, even though they joke about it.
Seth = He’s the cheeky friend that knows way too much. Don’t play chess with him 🤣
Valentine = he’s just the ultimate cheeky lovable rogue.
Hugh = the protective big brother, who helps Nolan ‘try’ to contain the chaos.
Reyes, Hunter, Echo, Hugh, Niles, Richard, Byron = We haven’t got to know them quite as deeply….yet? 😢
Please don’t be put off by the 518page count, it’s totally worth every page. This book certainly grabs your attention and holds on, with great twists, heartfelt emotional romance, unique creatures, diverse character dynamics and intricate plot, with angst moments thrown into the mix.
What more could you possibly need?
January 25, 2026
This is my first time writing a review I was asked to write, I read this book as part of the ARC group. I don’t want to give out spoilers because I believe in reading it for yourself and finding out as you go along like I did.
First off this is a slow burn. If you expected/want a lot of action right away then this isn’t for you. A lot of information is given that builds up for a whole new world. At first I thought this was a werewolf love story (based on the title and the synopsis) but it is not that at all. It is so much more. There are so many moving parts and characters.
This story is about Amelia who finds herself living in a house with multiple types (‘types’ is a loose term) of people looking for somewhere to fit in. She finds herself befriending more loyal and kind people that she didn’t know existed (literally) and the problems that come with knowing these people. There is some hazing, some bad guys and she follows the guidelines she is told to handle these problems. It does involve a love story but not the frilly kind.
The first chapter was hard to get through, it didn’t really peak my interest and I found myself struggling to follow but once I got to the second chapter and beyond it all comes together and the story isn’t really about that first chapter at all but is needed to Segway into the better story. The first chapter focuses on the sorority that Amelia is apart of and without giving spoilers that situation is handled remarkably and I couldn’t have thought of a better way.
Although I will admit these chapters are long and could be broken up, there are so many details that truly paint a precise picture in your mind. The descriptions to get a little repetitive but does not take away from the story.
Amelia is human but there is a part of the story that foreshadows that she could be more. Maybe by her parentage or maybe by change. I really like how she just says “Not yet..”
When you get to the “smut” part of the book the author does a fantastic job of relaying how normal mundane things just simply don’t matter if the mood is right and how realistic things really are. Which occurs for the first time in Chapter 19.
This quote is one of my favorites when talking about how men put on a facade that isn’t always truthful “That’s just years of restraint and overthinking. Not experience”. Which is a quote from Oliver when talking about his sexual history.
There is a very good twist in Chapter 26 that had me in a very ‘Aha’ moment and that twist leads into the rest of how everyone comes together and foreshadows the sequel.
There is a song that is noted but as of 01/25/2026 I was not able to find it anywhere on the music formats but I hope to soon because the lyrics are *chef’s kiss*.
This was very long winded but I hope it helps in deciding to read this book. There are parts that are like oh my god can we get to the good part yet and then you turn the page and it’s there. Keep trucking on, it does get good just a slow burn with a lot of description and story building for more to come. I did enjoy this book but only rated 3 stars because of how long the chapters were. I feel like there almost could’ve been a prequel or a story of origin to this one but it is still very nicely written and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
First off this is a slow burn. If you expected/want a lot of action right away then this isn’t for you. A lot of information is given that builds up for a whole new world. At first I thought this was a werewolf love story (based on the title and the synopsis) but it is not that at all. It is so much more. There are so many moving parts and characters.
This story is about Amelia who finds herself living in a house with multiple types (‘types’ is a loose term) of people looking for somewhere to fit in. She finds herself befriending more loyal and kind people that she didn’t know existed (literally) and the problems that come with knowing these people. There is some hazing, some bad guys and she follows the guidelines she is told to handle these problems. It does involve a love story but not the frilly kind.
The first chapter was hard to get through, it didn’t really peak my interest and I found myself struggling to follow but once I got to the second chapter and beyond it all comes together and the story isn’t really about that first chapter at all but is needed to Segway into the better story. The first chapter focuses on the sorority that Amelia is apart of and without giving spoilers that situation is handled remarkably and I couldn’t have thought of a better way.
Although I will admit these chapters are long and could be broken up, there are so many details that truly paint a precise picture in your mind. The descriptions to get a little repetitive but does not take away from the story.
Amelia is human but there is a part of the story that foreshadows that she could be more. Maybe by her parentage or maybe by change. I really like how she just says “Not yet..”
When you get to the “smut” part of the book the author does a fantastic job of relaying how normal mundane things just simply don’t matter if the mood is right and how realistic things really are. Which occurs for the first time in Chapter 19.
This quote is one of my favorites when talking about how men put on a facade that isn’t always truthful “That’s just years of restraint and overthinking. Not experience”. Which is a quote from Oliver when talking about his sexual history.
There is a very good twist in Chapter 26 that had me in a very ‘Aha’ moment and that twist leads into the rest of how everyone comes together and foreshadows the sequel.
There is a song that is noted but as of 01/25/2026 I was not able to find it anywhere on the music formats but I hope to soon because the lyrics are *chef’s kiss*.
This was very long winded but I hope it helps in deciding to read this book. There are parts that are like oh my god can we get to the good part yet and then you turn the page and it’s there. Keep trucking on, it does get good just a slow burn with a lot of description and story building for more to come. I did enjoy this book but only rated 3 stars because of how long the chapters were. I feel like there almost could’ve been a prequel or a story of origin to this one but it is still very nicely written and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I believe this is my first book from Serena Knights. When I read the synopsis, I was looking forward to reading the story and, by luck, was able to obtain an ARC.
I realized after starting it that Beasts has actually been pre iously published. I haven't read the first edition of it, so I'm not sure if it's been altered or updated.
It is college age, but I will admit it felt very young to me. Not to say that's a bad thing. To give you an idea, I'd say this story is giving Teenwolf/Twilight/legacy (vampire diaries spin off) meets the Morganville Vampire series with just a dash of high-school musical. I know that's a lot, but that's what it was giving...
The copy I read was pretty well written, with no obvious typos or errors that distract you or confuse you.
I enjoyed the story. It definitely gives long-term energy, like I just watched the first season of a series, and now I'm wondering when I should schedule time to binge the next season.
A couple of things that stood out to me were the unrushed feel of it. It wasn't super drawn out or overly complicated. On the contrary, it was very simple writing, not overly dramatized or lavishly written, so to speak. A quick and easy read with about two chili peppers 🌶 🌶 I'd say. Also, there are several side characters. I do feel like for the simplicity and quick pace of the story, it was a lot of side characters, and we really only interacted with a select few. Not sure if we see more of the other in the following books, but I was already trying to figure out if the shop owners might be bigger players in the story, or if certain other characters will get their own book, or if it's going to be one ongoing story, like a supernatural soap opera. Another thing, I feel like there was a miss with the frickin sorority girls. I was so sure they were gonna be like Barbie Demons or something, but I guess they were a good foil to the story. Kind of highlighted how humans can be the most wicked and cruel of all monsters, especially some with meangirl energy... I also want to mention how the author collaborated with music artists to actually give us a song to go with the story! That was pretty fun, listening to it on Spotify as I read the story. I really liked that extra touch!!!! You can tell she really wanted the readers to have an experience with her story. And I appreciated it!
All things considered, I'll definitely read the next one, and I've already recommended this to readers I know will enjoy it. I know the first books in series have a reputation for being slower or a bit shaky as the author build the world and finds the direction they want to take it. I'd say for what it was written to be, a solid 4 stars.
I realized after starting it that Beasts has actually been pre iously published. I haven't read the first edition of it, so I'm not sure if it's been altered or updated.
It is college age, but I will admit it felt very young to me. Not to say that's a bad thing. To give you an idea, I'd say this story is giving Teenwolf/Twilight/legacy (vampire diaries spin off) meets the Morganville Vampire series with just a dash of high-school musical. I know that's a lot, but that's what it was giving...
The copy I read was pretty well written, with no obvious typos or errors that distract you or confuse you.
I enjoyed the story. It definitely gives long-term energy, like I just watched the first season of a series, and now I'm wondering when I should schedule time to binge the next season.
A couple of things that stood out to me were the unrushed feel of it. It wasn't super drawn out or overly complicated. On the contrary, it was very simple writing, not overly dramatized or lavishly written, so to speak. A quick and easy read with about two chili peppers 🌶 🌶 I'd say. Also, there are several side characters. I do feel like for the simplicity and quick pace of the story, it was a lot of side characters, and we really only interacted with a select few. Not sure if we see more of the other in the following books, but I was already trying to figure out if the shop owners might be bigger players in the story, or if certain other characters will get their own book, or if it's going to be one ongoing story, like a supernatural soap opera. Another thing, I feel like there was a miss with the frickin sorority girls. I was so sure they were gonna be like Barbie Demons or something, but I guess they were a good foil to the story. Kind of highlighted how humans can be the most wicked and cruel of all monsters, especially some with meangirl energy... I also want to mention how the author collaborated with music artists to actually give us a song to go with the story! That was pretty fun, listening to it on Spotify as I read the story. I really liked that extra touch!!!! You can tell she really wanted the readers to have an experience with her story. And I appreciated it!
All things considered, I'll definitely read the next one, and I've already recommended this to readers I know will enjoy it. I know the first books in series have a reputation for being slower or a bit shaky as the author build the world and finds the direction they want to take it. I'd say for what it was written to be, a solid 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Paranormal College Romance I Couldn’t Put Down
Beasts by Serena Knight completely surprised me in the best way. What starts as a college fresh-start story quickly spirals into a paranormal found-family romance filled with demons, secrets, danger, and heart.
Amelia moves from LA to San Francisco for college hoping for a normal experience, but after a horrifying first night with a sorority that blackmails her, she ends up finding refuge in the last place you’d expect — a fraternity house full of supernatural beasts/demons. There are thirteen to be exact including werecats, a merman, a psychic, warlocks, a medium, a werewolf, an incubui… and at the center of it all is Oliver, the reclusive vampire who is grumpy, gruff and avoids physical touch.
One of the things that really resonated with me was the found-family dynamic in the house. The fraternity brothers protective “little sister” energy toward Amelia (even while battling their own darker halves) was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Seth calling her his cousin for appearances — only for that to turn out to be true — was such a satisfying twist. The revelation about Amelia’s Fallen mother and her immunity to certain supernatural compulsions added a great layer to the larger world-building.
I also loved the evolution of Amelia and Oliver’s relationship. Begining with Amelia’s fear of vampires stemming from her childhood attack — and how that fear slowly transforms as she gets to know Oliver. Their relationship felt tender and intentional, especially the scenes where they practice being close to one another for their roles as Snow White and Prince Charming. The tension in those rehearsal moments? So good. You can feel Oliver’s restraint and internal battle, and it makes their connection even more meaningful.
My favorite scenes were:
• The Snow White rehearsals and opening night chaos
• The small moments when some of the guys open up to Amelia about themselves and their secrets.
• The reveal of her true heritage
• How truly kind, thoughtful and caring Amelia and all the guys are to each other.
Overall, Beasts blends paranormal romance, college drama, and supernatural politics in a way that keeps you hooked. The ending leaves you realizing Amelia is now part of something much bigger — and I’m genuinely excited to see where the war between supernaturals goes next.
If you love protective vampire heroes, found family, slow-burn tension, and strong female leads discovering hidden secrets, this one’s for you.
Beasts by Serena Knight completely surprised me in the best way. What starts as a college fresh-start story quickly spirals into a paranormal found-family romance filled with demons, secrets, danger, and heart.
Amelia moves from LA to San Francisco for college hoping for a normal experience, but after a horrifying first night with a sorority that blackmails her, she ends up finding refuge in the last place you’d expect — a fraternity house full of supernatural beasts/demons. There are thirteen to be exact including werecats, a merman, a psychic, warlocks, a medium, a werewolf, an incubui… and at the center of it all is Oliver, the reclusive vampire who is grumpy, gruff and avoids physical touch.
One of the things that really resonated with me was the found-family dynamic in the house. The fraternity brothers protective “little sister” energy toward Amelia (even while battling their own darker halves) was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Seth calling her his cousin for appearances — only for that to turn out to be true — was such a satisfying twist. The revelation about Amelia’s Fallen mother and her immunity to certain supernatural compulsions added a great layer to the larger world-building.
I also loved the evolution of Amelia and Oliver’s relationship. Begining with Amelia’s fear of vampires stemming from her childhood attack — and how that fear slowly transforms as she gets to know Oliver. Their relationship felt tender and intentional, especially the scenes where they practice being close to one another for their roles as Snow White and Prince Charming. The tension in those rehearsal moments? So good. You can feel Oliver’s restraint and internal battle, and it makes their connection even more meaningful.
My favorite scenes were:
• The Snow White rehearsals and opening night chaos
• The small moments when some of the guys open up to Amelia about themselves and their secrets.
• The reveal of her true heritage
• How truly kind, thoughtful and caring Amelia and all the guys are to each other.
Overall, Beasts blends paranormal romance, college drama, and supernatural politics in a way that keeps you hooked. The ending leaves you realizing Amelia is now part of something much bigger — and I’m genuinely excited to see where the war between supernaturals goes next.
If you love protective vampire heroes, found family, slow-burn tension, and strong female leads discovering hidden secrets, this one’s for you.
March 9, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
3,5⭐️
In this book we follow Amelia as she runs away from sorority and ends up living in a frat house with guys who turn out to be demons.
This book was a slow burn. It had lot of descriptions of different places and characters. I would say it was more character driven story. I think at some points there were tiny bit too much description to my personal liking. That being said I think this was an easy, effortless read.
I liked most of the characters. I liked that the demons weren't toxic fraternity guys you so often see. It was great to see so many magical creatures featured in one book. It definitely reminded me of how I used to enjoy reading books with vampires etc. in my teen years. I had bit trouble at some points remembering all the characters and what paranormal creature they were. Some of them were easier to remember and had more scenes in the book, while others were little more forgettable.
Romance was pretty cute. I also think that the spicy scenes were handled well. I still would've hoped little more conflict or more tension between Amelia and Oliver.
Some things felt somewhat convenient. And some conficts were solved pretty quickly. I would've liked to see more suspense. I also would've maybe hoped for the cliffhanger to be bit more thrilling. The villain and dangerous situations fell little flat but there's potential. despite these I still wanted to know how things would play out and this book kept my interest.
But all in all I was entertained. I like most of the characters and reading this book was effortless. I might read the next part too.
3,5⭐️
In this book we follow Amelia as she runs away from sorority and ends up living in a frat house with guys who turn out to be demons.
This book was a slow burn. It had lot of descriptions of different places and characters. I would say it was more character driven story. I think at some points there were tiny bit too much description to my personal liking. That being said I think this was an easy, effortless read.
I liked most of the characters. I liked that the demons weren't toxic fraternity guys you so often see. It was great to see so many magical creatures featured in one book. It definitely reminded me of how I used to enjoy reading books with vampires etc. in my teen years. I had bit trouble at some points remembering all the characters and what paranormal creature they were. Some of them were easier to remember and had more scenes in the book, while others were little more forgettable.
Romance was pretty cute. I also think that the spicy scenes were handled well. I still would've hoped little more conflict or more tension between Amelia and Oliver.
Some things felt somewhat convenient. And some conficts were solved pretty quickly. I would've liked to see more suspense. I also would've maybe hoped for the cliffhanger to be bit more thrilling. The villain and dangerous situations fell little flat but there's potential. despite these I still wanted to know how things would play out and this book kept my interest.
But all in all I was entertained. I like most of the characters and reading this book was effortless. I might read the next part too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
Beasts by Serena Knights is a dark academia paranormal romance. The story follows Amelia, a new college student who quickly discovers that sorority life isn’t for her, and in her time of need she crosses paths with a couple guys that are part of a nearby fraternity house who take her in for the night. She is quickly adopted by the rest of the frat brothers who also happen to all be demons, monsters, and other paranormal beings. Despite being as human as they come, the powers that each of the demons have, don’t seem to work on her. And as the story goes on, a spicy romance blooms between Amelia and the broody vampire that lives in the attic, as it should. Choices need to be made and I anticipate consequences are coming in the next book.
I flew through this book. The characters were fantastic! I was weirdly invested to Amelia and the frat brothers way faster than I expected. It was smutty in the best way… spicy, but not so much that it took over the story. The pacing never dragged, which I really appreciated. And it was a great story of found family.
There is a lot of emphasis on many of the characters in the story being virgins. And while I don’t necessarily mind those details, especially when it has to do with the FMC and MMC, or in a scene where characters have a bonding moment in conversation, having those details with other characters really did not progress the story and I’m not sure why those details were relevant. This is totally just my opinion, and it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
Beasts was a really fun story with unique characters and storyline. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance.
Thank you to Serena Knights for the eARC.
I flew through this book. The characters were fantastic! I was weirdly invested to Amelia and the frat brothers way faster than I expected. It was smutty in the best way… spicy, but not so much that it took over the story. The pacing never dragged, which I really appreciated. And it was a great story of found family.
There is a lot of emphasis on many of the characters in the story being virgins. And while I don’t necessarily mind those details, especially when it has to do with the FMC and MMC, or in a scene where characters have a bonding moment in conversation, having those details with other characters really did not progress the story and I’m not sure why those details were relevant. This is totally just my opinion, and it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
Beasts was a really fun story with unique characters and storyline. I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance.
Thank you to Serena Knights for the eARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review 📚
Okay so, first of all.. I don't even know what to say, I don't know where to begin! It's a pretty long book, so you get so much out of it and I can't even begin to explain how many twists and turns you will go trough😅
The characters, the mystery, the everyday problems AND the supernatural..
Amelia fitting in so perfectly with the boys..
I don't think I could simply pick one favorite amongst them, I have too many😍
(But if someone had me under kn*fe-threat🤣 I would choose Oliver because I just knew I would love him the second he entered the book✨️).
Yes, I always love the dark and moody ones!😉
This was a pure joy to read, I absolutely LOVED it! ❤️
I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to be an ARC-reader for this one.
Since I mostly read Dark romance, this was something totally different.
I'm usually very picky about my fantasy/romantasy books, if it's too much wierd names and made up places my brain simply cannot keep up, not like in a movie, (I love fantasy movies).
But this one.. It caught my attention immediately and it's just PERFECT!
It was a long time ago that one book could bring out so many emotions from me at the same time. I felt everything, every single feeling that the different characters had on page, it was so well detailed.
But god dammit, the CLIFFHANGER😭 How am I supposed to sit around and wait for that!? Pure torture.. I need more, NOW!❤️❤️
Spice: 🌶
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay so, first of all.. I don't even know what to say, I don't know where to begin! It's a pretty long book, so you get so much out of it and I can't even begin to explain how many twists and turns you will go trough😅
The characters, the mystery, the everyday problems AND the supernatural..
Amelia fitting in so perfectly with the boys..
I don't think I could simply pick one favorite amongst them, I have too many😍
(But if someone had me under kn*fe-threat🤣 I would choose Oliver because I just knew I would love him the second he entered the book✨️).
Yes, I always love the dark and moody ones!😉
This was a pure joy to read, I absolutely LOVED it! ❤️
I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to be an ARC-reader for this one.
Since I mostly read Dark romance, this was something totally different.
I'm usually very picky about my fantasy/romantasy books, if it's too much wierd names and made up places my brain simply cannot keep up, not like in a movie, (I love fantasy movies).
But this one.. It caught my attention immediately and it's just PERFECT!
It was a long time ago that one book could bring out so many emotions from me at the same time. I felt everything, every single feeling that the different characters had on page, it was so well detailed.
But god dammit, the CLIFFHANGER😭 How am I supposed to sit around and wait for that!? Pure torture.. I need more, NOW!❤️❤️
Spice: 🌶
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read
February 14, 2026I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.
This is a fun book for those who are in-between longer novels or want to try romantacy. Not heavy on the spicy, which, when you always read heavy spice books, it a welcome change sometimes.
Amelia is determined to do things her way, but when she is bullied within hours of moving into her sorority house, she finds herself in a new city with nowhere to live. She finds herself living in a frat house, but not just any frat house. She is living in one rolled by all kinds of supernatural creatures. But the sorority she shunned is not done with her yet. Scattered through the story are scenes of the girls getting back at her for moving out, but like all supernatural creatures who have claimed the human in that life, they protect her and defend her.
And let’s not forget her slow burn romance with the resident vampire, Oliver. There romance sparks, but it is a slow burn. I hope to see their relationship grow in the next book.
I will say there were plot points that I felt were thrown in there, almost like forgotten parts. They could have been built up more or incorporated better. That’s why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. The room descriptions I feel should have been earlier in the book or some kind of room description. The end of this book in the house would be a great opening for the second book. But, I can’t wait to see how the plot unfolds in book two.
This is a fun book for those who are in-between longer novels or want to try romantacy. Not heavy on the spicy, which, when you always read heavy spice books, it a welcome change sometimes.
Amelia is determined to do things her way, but when she is bullied within hours of moving into her sorority house, she finds herself in a new city with nowhere to live. She finds herself living in a frat house, but not just any frat house. She is living in one rolled by all kinds of supernatural creatures. But the sorority she shunned is not done with her yet. Scattered through the story are scenes of the girls getting back at her for moving out, but like all supernatural creatures who have claimed the human in that life, they protect her and defend her.
And let’s not forget her slow burn romance with the resident vampire, Oliver. There romance sparks, but it is a slow burn. I hope to see their relationship grow in the next book.
I will say there were plot points that I felt were thrown in there, almost like forgotten parts. They could have been built up more or incorporated better. That’s why I gave it a 4 instead of a 5. The room descriptions I feel should have been earlier in the book or some kind of room description. The end of this book in the house would be a great opening for the second book. But, I can’t wait to see how the plot unfolds in book two.
February 22, 2026
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think this book had an interesting plot, but fell short on the carry-through.
After an incident, the FMC ends up living in a frat house of demons. However, only 7-8 of them have a regular presence in the story, while the other ones really didn't need to be there, and throwing in their names every once in a while could be confusing.
There is supposed to be a musical going on, which seemed to be the focal point for the main romantic relationship, yet there seemed to never be any real practice going on for this part of the story to be a focal setting for the romance. Most of the practice was done by themselves, which made this part a little unbelievable.
The was the sorority seemed to want to continue their bullying of our FMC simply on the basis that she didn't stay was a little far-reaching. Had she stayed there and been bullied or caused some other commotion that crossed them, it would be believable. However, they seemed to target her after only knowing her for maybe an hour at most. It didn't make sense.
I felt like there was much more that could have been explored. The information to solve the mystery of the FMC was given at the end instead of learning bits here and there.
All in all, the storyline was basic. However, some of the men in the house were memorable in their presonalities and I really enjoyed their scenes. I don't know if I will continue the series or not.
I think this book had an interesting plot, but fell short on the carry-through.
After an incident, the FMC ends up living in a frat house of demons. However, only 7-8 of them have a regular presence in the story, while the other ones really didn't need to be there, and throwing in their names every once in a while could be confusing.
There is supposed to be a musical going on, which seemed to be the focal point for the main romantic relationship, yet there seemed to never be any real practice going on for this part of the story to be a focal setting for the romance. Most of the practice was done by themselves, which made this part a little unbelievable.
The was the sorority seemed to want to continue their bullying of our FMC simply on the basis that she didn't stay was a little far-reaching. Had she stayed there and been bullied or caused some other commotion that crossed them, it would be believable. However, they seemed to target her after only knowing her for maybe an hour at most. It didn't make sense.
I felt like there was much more that could have been explored. The information to solve the mystery of the FMC was given at the end instead of learning bits here and there.
All in all, the storyline was basic. However, some of the men in the house were memorable in their presonalities and I really enjoyed their scenes. I don't know if I will continue the series or not.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC received by Author - Thank you Serena!
Wow where do I start!
The book is a slow starter, and for the first few chapters, I didn't know if it was for me. Once I got though the first few chapters with the characters and world-building, I ate this book up.
honestly I did get slightly confused and had to read sections. But that is purely due to the number of charters in this book, and at one stage it wasn't adding up in my head.
This is book 1 of The Crescent Chronicles series, so it needed the detailed world-building, which was easy to understand, and each character has their own individual personalities woven into the storyline.
There where a few little irks that got me, with how Ameila would think/talk to herself it almost felt repetitive.
Its a slow burn, however when it gets to the spicy sections, they are well written and worth the long wait.
About the book:
Beasts is based in a college setting with Sorority and fraternity houses, and centres around Ameila who ran out of her sorority shortly after arriving when her house turns on her. with nowhere to go wonders the streets, when Nolan and Seth find her sitting on a curb, and invite her to stay with them at their faternity house.. I mean what could go wrong in a household of demons?
Wow where do I start!
The book is a slow starter, and for the first few chapters, I didn't know if it was for me. Once I got though the first few chapters with the characters and world-building, I ate this book up.
honestly I did get slightly confused and had to read sections. But that is purely due to the number of charters in this book, and at one stage it wasn't adding up in my head.
This is book 1 of The Crescent Chronicles series, so it needed the detailed world-building, which was easy to understand, and each character has their own individual personalities woven into the storyline.
There where a few little irks that got me, with how Ameila would think/talk to herself it almost felt repetitive.
Its a slow burn, however when it gets to the spicy sections, they are well written and worth the long wait.
About the book:
Beasts is based in a college setting with Sorority and fraternity houses, and centres around Ameila who ran out of her sorority shortly after arriving when her house turns on her. with nowhere to go wonders the streets, when Nolan and Seth find her sitting on a curb, and invite her to stay with them at their faternity house.. I mean what could go wrong in a household of demons?
February 14, 2026
Wonderful book!! Different and original story!! I was a first time ARC reader for this book and author. Extremely grateful for the chance to read in advance of release and I was not disappointed! Engaging story, fun and creative characters, exciting storytelling. The story gave Snow White vibes and then it actually uses Snow White as a play within the story, which was brilliant. I’ve read and seen hundreds of ‘beauty and the beast’ retellings, but this is the first ‘Snow’ I’ve read and it’s in the most subtle but beautiful and funny way. I loved the banter between all the boys. It made me LOL a lot! I kept thinking this might be a why choose, but I’m glad it wasn’t. It made the Oliver/Ameila relationship extra special. It’s so different that they’re both virgins and I loved that sweet, special shared experience. Honestly, I thought there would be more spicy scenes, but it actually made the few spicy ones extra special. I love that we get a happy ending but with a TBC feel. The setup for the second book is unnerving and I can’t wait to read it!!! Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance, spice, originality and humor in their books! Great job by this author and I can’t wait to read more!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2026
I absolutely love this book! I love how the story is built... It's paranormal romance that has academia, finding family, spice, and finding yourself. The author did outstanding job with she builds each character within frat and the relationship that they develop with main character Amelia.
Amelia who comes to college to become part of soronity only to find family in frat house. she finds herself in this journey and finds a family within each of the 13 guys of the frat house and finds love with one of the guys...she also finds herself and how to stand up for herself and the ones who she loves, she loves all the guys especially one more than most (Oliver.)
Each guy of the frat has different personalities and some of them even have their own awakening of themselves or others within the house. The support that everyone has for each other no matter what happens good or bad is truly special!!
With events that happened around the university and frat house, Amelia and the guys work through it as founding family. Amelia works through stuff about herself and her past with help of Oliver and other guys.
I truly can't wait to see what the future holds for all of the characters of this book!
Amelia who comes to college to become part of soronity only to find family in frat house. she finds herself in this journey and finds a family within each of the 13 guys of the frat house and finds love with one of the guys...she also finds herself and how to stand up for herself and the ones who she loves, she loves all the guys especially one more than most (Oliver.)
Each guy of the frat has different personalities and some of them even have their own awakening of themselves or others within the house. The support that everyone has for each other no matter what happens good or bad is truly special!!
With events that happened around the university and frat house, Amelia and the guys work through it as founding family. Amelia works through stuff about herself and her past with help of Oliver and other guys.
I truly can't wait to see what the future holds for all of the characters of this book!
February 19, 2026
If a book ends in a cliffhanger, there should be a warning upfront. While this one felt like more of a “soft” cliffhanger—and I’m choosing to treat book one as the ending since I don’t plan to read book two—it still left things hanging in a way I didn’t love.
This was my first time reading this author, and my main takeaway is that she is extremely wordy. It often felt like she took four paragraphs to say what could have been said in four sentences. By the last quarter of the book, I found myself skimming just to get through it.
There were also far too many conversations that added nothing to the plot. They felt repetitive and unnecessary, slowing the pacing significantly.
Another big issue was character overload. Introducing 12+ characters within the first couple of chapters is overwhelming. I often didn’t know who was speaking, what their role was, or why they mattered. If I feel like I need a cheat sheet just to keep track of who’s who, that’s a sign the introductions were rushed.
That said, the author clearly has talent. The premise was strong, and there were moments that really worked. With a tighter edit and stronger pacing, this could have been a much more compelling read.
This was my first time reading this author, and my main takeaway is that she is extremely wordy. It often felt like she took four paragraphs to say what could have been said in four sentences. By the last quarter of the book, I found myself skimming just to get through it.
There were also far too many conversations that added nothing to the plot. They felt repetitive and unnecessary, slowing the pacing significantly.
Another big issue was character overload. Introducing 12+ characters within the first couple of chapters is overwhelming. I often didn’t know who was speaking, what their role was, or why they mattered. If I feel like I need a cheat sheet just to keep track of who’s who, that’s a sign the introductions were rushed.
That said, the author clearly has talent. The premise was strong, and there were moments that really worked. With a tighter edit and stronger pacing, this could have been a much more compelling read.
February 19, 2026
Received an Advance reader copy from the author for an honest review.
I went in without any expectations. I hadn’t read the authors previous work. After reading and thoroughly enjoying it, I am going to be adding the rest of Serena Knights work to my TBR pile.
To say I inhaled this is an understatement.
I loved all of the characters introduced and loved the found family vibe the FMC had with the Fraternity. I couldn’t keep the smile of my face at times.
I loved the slow burn and the MMC.
There’s a musical element to the book, and there’s a nice touch that the song featured is actually on Spotify.
I enjoyed the writing style. I did notice that the FMC would have a revelation about how she felt about something quite frequently but I think I’m used to reading about characters who are more emotionally stunted. The FMC in this is quite open minded so I put it down to that more than anything.
There were a couple of times I got a bit confused as it felt a character contradicted themselves in a short time window but it didn’t take away the enjoyment.
I can definitely recommend.
Really looking forward to the next one. I need more of Oliver and the rest of the fraternity because they were fantastic characters.
I went in without any expectations. I hadn’t read the authors previous work. After reading and thoroughly enjoying it, I am going to be adding the rest of Serena Knights work to my TBR pile.
To say I inhaled this is an understatement.
I loved all of the characters introduced and loved the found family vibe the FMC had with the Fraternity. I couldn’t keep the smile of my face at times.
I loved the slow burn and the MMC.
There’s a musical element to the book, and there’s a nice touch that the song featured is actually on Spotify.
I enjoyed the writing style. I did notice that the FMC would have a revelation about how she felt about something quite frequently but I think I’m used to reading about characters who are more emotionally stunted. The FMC in this is quite open minded so I put it down to that more than anything.
There were a couple of times I got a bit confused as it felt a character contradicted themselves in a short time window but it didn’t take away the enjoyment.
I can definitely recommend.
Really looking forward to the next one. I need more of Oliver and the rest of the fraternity because they were fantastic characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for an easy, cute, and comforting read — and you’re not intimidated by a roughly 500-page slow burn — then this book is definitely for you.
The story features all kinds of mythical beings: vampire, werewolf, merman, gargoyle, shifter, fae, warlock…
I’ll try to keep my thoughts spoiler-free: the writing was phenomenal, and I really loved the characters. I adored the way they treated Amelia — their dynamic was incredible.
The Amelia–Oliver pairing was fantastic.
As for the rest of the cast… Hendrik completely stole my heart. He’s the ultimate best friend — the kind of person you’d want by your side for life. I absolutely loved him.
With Kane, I felt like his character didn’t get enough focus. I would have loved to know him better.
Nolan and Hugh’s protective attitude toward Amelia was amazing — so brotherly and heartwarming, I loved it 🥹
The story itself was great. My only real issue is that I would have liked a bit more magical drama, and slightly less college or sorority drama.
That said, it’s still an easy, entertaining, and absolutely wonderful read.
The story features all kinds of mythical beings: vampire, werewolf, merman, gargoyle, shifter, fae, warlock…
I’ll try to keep my thoughts spoiler-free: the writing was phenomenal, and I really loved the characters. I adored the way they treated Amelia — their dynamic was incredible.
The Amelia–Oliver pairing was fantastic.
As for the rest of the cast… Hendrik completely stole my heart. He’s the ultimate best friend — the kind of person you’d want by your side for life. I absolutely loved him.
With Kane, I felt like his character didn’t get enough focus. I would have loved to know him better.
Nolan and Hugh’s protective attitude toward Amelia was amazing — so brotherly and heartwarming, I loved it 🥹
The story itself was great. My only real issue is that I would have liked a bit more magical drama, and slightly less college or sorority drama.
That said, it’s still an easy, entertaining, and absolutely wonderful read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I came to enjoy Amelia’s overall character development, in her own way she made a choice to leave the Serority House for her own peace of mind and safety- so they didn’t have control
Amelia’s relationship is shown quite well with the Fraternity House boys. Especially being drawn to Oliver. Oliver wanting to keep her at arms length but not being able to resist her.
Small wires and communication I felt got crossed but they weren’t a major to the plot of the story
I enjoyed the spice! It didn’t overwhelm the plot of the book, plot was the main goal and it was tied together perfectly.
Overall, it’s a great book for people wanting to start in Paranormal fantasy but not sure where to start
It has world building, character development. Found family!!
Love Amelia’s and Seth’s relationship
The friendships and family bonds were a love for this story
It had an easy plot to follow without getting lost!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a ARC reader for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I can’t wait for the next book!
Amelia’s relationship is shown quite well with the Fraternity House boys. Especially being drawn to Oliver. Oliver wanting to keep her at arms length but not being able to resist her.
Small wires and communication I felt got crossed but they weren’t a major to the plot of the story
I enjoyed the spice! It didn’t overwhelm the plot of the book, plot was the main goal and it was tied together perfectly.
Overall, it’s a great book for people wanting to start in Paranormal fantasy but not sure where to start
It has world building, character development. Found family!!
Love Amelia’s and Seth’s relationship
The friendships and family bonds were a love for this story
It had an easy plot to follow without getting lost!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a ARC reader for this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I can’t wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5⭐️
Thank you so much Serena for providing me with this ARC!
This was purely a vibes read, and I am here for it. Was this phenomenal writing? No. Did I have the best time? Absolutely.
I immediately loved all the characters from the beginning. Their found family was so wholesome, and the way each character was written with their own unique personality made this such a fun read.
I liked how Amelia took time to come around and accept everyone being supernatural and get over her fear of vampires- it made it feel a bit more realistic.
I think Oliver and Amelia's relationship could have been explored more deeply, as it felt a bit rushed and superficial- however, they were still very cute (and the spice was so goooood).
A lot of phrases and words tended to be repeated, which made some parts hard to read. The over use of the word “fair” got annoying real quick.
The plot was super interesting, with twists and turns I did not see coming!
Overall, this was super fun, and I'm excited for the series to continue.
Thank you so much Serena for providing me with this ARC!
This was purely a vibes read, and I am here for it. Was this phenomenal writing? No. Did I have the best time? Absolutely.
I immediately loved all the characters from the beginning. Their found family was so wholesome, and the way each character was written with their own unique personality made this such a fun read.
I liked how Amelia took time to come around and accept everyone being supernatural and get over her fear of vampires- it made it feel a bit more realistic.
I think Oliver and Amelia's relationship could have been explored more deeply, as it felt a bit rushed and superficial- however, they were still very cute (and the spice was so goooood).
A lot of phrases and words tended to be repeated, which made some parts hard to read. The over use of the word “fair” got annoying real quick.
The plot was super interesting, with twists and turns I did not see coming!
Overall, this was super fun, and I'm excited for the series to continue.
February 14, 2026
I enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and I came to really like several of the MC's. This would be an amazing Reverse Harem... Just Saying!! There is betrayal, secrets, love, empathy, humor and found family.
Anyone who remembers that first time away from home, the cruelness of those that think they're better than others, this will resonate with you.
I like how her fear brought her back to the one she now loves and how all the guys in the house care for her and protect her even though they try to use their abilities on her without her knowing. She becomes someone important in their lives, and she takes on a burden that will hopefully save them in the future (we hope).
Everyone in the house seems to have their own dark pasts, secrets, and fears of the future but they also care, love and have each other's back. I think my favorite times of all of them together are at the dining room table. It reminds me of the crazy and fun family dinners we'd have growing up.
I'm excited for the next book to see what more it brings.
Anyone who remembers that first time away from home, the cruelness of those that think they're better than others, this will resonate with you.
I like how her fear brought her back to the one she now loves and how all the guys in the house care for her and protect her even though they try to use their abilities on her without her knowing. She becomes someone important in their lives, and she takes on a burden that will hopefully save them in the future (we hope).
Everyone in the house seems to have their own dark pasts, secrets, and fears of the future but they also care, love and have each other's back. I think my favorite times of all of them together are at the dining room table. It reminds me of the crazy and fun family dinners we'd have growing up.
I'm excited for the next book to see what more it brings.
February 17, 2026
This captivating book immediately ensnared me from the opening page with its mesmerizing intrigue and cleverly woven plot. I found myself completely immersed in the intricate and fascinating dynamics and interactions between Amelia and the other enigmatic characters inhabiting the house; their relationships were truly outstanding and skillfully drew me deeper into the narrative's compelling world. The author has demonstrated exceptional skill in crafting a suspenseful and atmospheric story that expertly kept me guessing and on the very edge of my seat, maintaining an unrelenting sense of anticipation right up until the final, unforgettable page. Moreover, I was profoundly impressed by the author's ability to create characters that felt remarkably real, relatable, and human, which contributed to making the entire reading experience incredibly immersive, emotionally resonant, and exceptionally enjoyable from beginning to end.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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