Knot What You Expected

by Holly Monroe

He's known her for ten years.

She's about to find out she doesn't know him at all.


For the last ten years, Ariana Cooley has been in love with a man on a screen. Sax is everything she could ever want in a partner. He's gorgeous, funny, sensitive, flirty, and supportive. Most importantly, he's a Beta.


From the moment Ariana lost her brother to Foresaken Omega Syndrome, a degenerative disease that affects Omegas who have lost their packs, she swore off Alphas and the world outside her home for good. She can’t scent match and find a pack if she never meets any Alphas.


When she's accepted onto the reality television show Knot What You Expected, she decides that it's time to take the leap and finally meet Sax. The show promises to facilitate the two coming together, but there's a catch. After they meet, they have to live together, on camera, for a week.


It all seems like a dream, but Ariana is in for a rude awakening the moment she walks through the doors of the Expected house and finds out that Sax truly is not what she expected.


He's an Alpha.

And he's not alone.


------------------------------------------
Knot What You Expected is a MMMF contemporary Omegaverse set within the Cirque de Mordu universe.

Genres: Omegaverse, Romance, Forced Proximity, M M Romance, Polyamory, Why Choose, Friends To Lovers

390 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2026

About the author

Holly Monroe reluctantly lives in Florida with her husband, two kids, and two rescue pups. She's never met a character she couldn't traumatize, but she always gives them their happily ever afters.

They just have to work for it.

Reviews

[Conni J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. This is so wrong.

DNF. I feel so betrayed in the FMC’s behalf that I am sick to my stomach. There is no forgiveness for their betrayal. There is nothing they can do to make up for how they lied and then how they sprung the truth on her. There is no justification for monetizing her anxiety and extreme distress.

This poor woman. The people in her life are absolutely reprehensible. And the truly sad thing is that she will accept their treatment and there will never be consequences for how they’ve ripped her apart.

[B P · Rating 1 out of 5]

DFN.. Mental health is a serious thing and the betrayal is so wrong on so many levels

[Amy Garringer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting example of abuse

Main characters trap a woman into a lifetime with them by forcing her to recognize them as a scent match. She gets mad for exactly 3 paragraphs.

[Hiba · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated it…

[Lolo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf at 30%

I could not get past that humongous betrayal. It made me feel sick to my stomach

[Jenny From The Bog · Rating 1 out of 5]

An angsty tearjerker that had promise, but I found i was too disgusted with the ongoing betrayal and dishonesty from the guys. And, once again, we have an untouched virgin omega, while the men who are supposedly in love with her have had their happy little sex lives.
They're selfish, morally abhorrent and I hate the whole dynamic.

[Confuzedxneko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story! I loved the characters in this one. Ariana is a chronically at home omega ignoring her designation in fear. Sax is hiding his own secrets. Our MCs end up on a reality TV show where they meet for the first time and secrets are revealed causing all kinds of trouble and also breaking all of the trust between Ariana and Sax. There is plenty of pining in this one as well as a healthy dose of hurt/comfort. The grovel from our MMC was worth every tissue and tear (it may have also been the cause for some of those tissues). So much raw emotions was packed into this book and while there are light moments with banter and laughs, it does have a very heavy overall tone. I love Holly's books and can't wait to see what happens next in the Cirque De Mordu world!

[Crystal Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about reality TV more than watching it in real life! Holly, your version of this show did not disappoint! Each "episode" was dripping with emotion and tension. Ariana had so much happen to her at an early age and she was so brave to come on the show..

I loved the drama of it all. Definitely will read this again!

[inmyreadingera2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I am not one who enjoys reality tv themed books but this was one I could not put down. I loved reading about Arianas story she was such a different character. Grief hits people differently and it was opening to read how she handled hers. I loved how even though she was tricked and not in a mean way the guys were all supportive of her. This book held so many different emotions and so much love.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 3/5


➕
- The Origin Story was so good it made me nearly cry my eyes out and I like to think it’s hard for that to happen.🥲 Although the rest of the book didn’t get me teary eyed as much. Definitely read it before reading the full book. Calvin’s passing was absolutely devastating but it gives the angst to the story.❤️‍🩹
- Derrick’s love for Ariana is so beautifully described. Her decision for him was like a punch to the gut, though.
- The whole “catfish” reveal made me gasp. I knew it was going to be something along those lines but not to that exact route. Chef’s kiss idea, Holly!👩🏻‍🍳🤌🏼💋
- As someone with agoraphobia, I loved how Holly represented it in this book. It’s not the same as my story but the fear of leaving home is similar. Thank you for giving others insight on what it’s like to have agoraphobia. I believe the more that people know about it, the more that others will be understanding.
- Ivan and the ornaments. SWOON.😭😍
- What Derrick did on his alone time. My heart 😍 And how all three men got her things throughout the years. Soooorrr cute.🥰
- I, of course, loved all MMC’s. I think my favorite will be Derrick even though he got the least amount of time.
- The overall plot and idea of this book was well written and thought out. I LOVE when authors bring us something different in books instead of the same story told a billion different ways. It’s something I love about Holly’s books, you can always expect a unique storyline.🖤👏🏼
- Really really looking forward to With the Band “episodes” 👀🖤
- The ending wrapped up well imo! Loved every moment 🥰
➖
- The only negative is I don’t understand why Grant and Ivan are considered platonic, as scent matches, but their interactions throughout the book had shown otherwise. I know it’s mentioned that on occasion they’re fuck buddies, but it’s beyond that. They’re basically a couple - which I’m 1000% okay with. I just don’t think the way they were with each other represented platonic fuck buddies.

🌶️Spice🔥
When it does happen, it’s hot of course. Definitely a slow burn especially when it comes to actual action with Ariana (end of book). Do I wish there were more scenes? Absolutely. Does it make sense why it wasn’t brought in earlier? Yes. The only reason why I rate it 3/5 is because it was pretty spicy after 80%, otherwise it would be a 2.5 just because it all happened so late into the book.

Favorite Quotes:
”I love her the way the moon loves the sun as she chases her through the sky.”

“I’m not meant to be away from you. I need you like sunshine. Like the air in my lungs. But I’d give it to you if you needed it. Every breath I take, everything that makes me me, is yours for the taking.”>


Tropes:
Omegaverse
MMMF
High Angst/Grief
Groveling
Slow Burn
Liars to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Agoraphobic FMC
Catfish x Big Brother Reality TV
Hurt/Comfort
Mental Health Rep
Inexperienced FMC

[SnowyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knot What You Expected by Holly Monroe
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
⤷ This was not my first roller coaster with Holly Monroe! I was expecting the angst and emotionally gripping story that could make me cry, and she delivered that, then comforted us with a well-deserved HEA. Ariana’s journey with grief/healing, and love was beautifully written, touching my heart and making me empathize with her.
⤷ I highly recommend preordering the book to get the prequel for FREE, which adds more depth and understanding of Ariana's struggles. I will definitely remember “Grief doesn’t have a timeline” mentioned in there for a long time.

⤷Knot What You Expected was a fun and touching reality TV omegaverse romance with angst, drama, love, spice & healing. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series featuring Marlie, the foreshadowing made me chuckle!

✨📺 Premieres February 26. 📺✨

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
✦ Contemporary Omegaverse
✦ MMMF - AABO⚔️
✦ Catfish x Big Brother Reality TV
✦ Groveling
✦ Forced Proximity
✦ Grief & Healing
✦ Friends to Lover
✦ Agoraphobic FMC
✦ Preorder Bonus Origin Story!
✦ Cirque de Mordu World
✦ Scent Matches

𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬: High Angst, All the feels, grief/healing, spicy & kinky
𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬: “honey”(D), “sweetie” (I), “baby” (G),
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
📌Ariana(O): The agoraphobic & grieving omega, who doesn’t want alphas

“This can’t be happening. Sax is my scent match. My scent match. I know that as surely as I know my own name. And that isn’t the scent of a Beta. It’s too intense, the reaction it produces in me too primal. He’s an Alpha.”

📌Derick (A): The Physical Therapist, who is the face of Dax, gotta grovel & has passionate fights with Ariana.

“You were never idle gossip, Onion. You were our obsession. Our greatest desire. You were what drove us to do better, to be better. It got out of hand. I never should have let it go on so long."

📌Ivan (A): The Pencil Pusher Cook, who can make her laugh & is a golden retriever
📌Grant (B): The Model/Pharma Sale Rep, who is in a relationship with Derick, has exhibitionist tendencies & gives Ariana comfort

“I can tell myself it’s because he’s a Beta and that means he’s safe all I want, but it’s more than that. He’s mine. He was always meant to be mine. He will always be mine.”

"I’m in love with a woman who didn’t know I existed."

📌Marlie (O): Ariana’s Best Friend
𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
✦ Sizzling Phone Call with Derick
✦ Beta MMC
✦ The Brother’s letter

𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚: Beautiful Character Art!
────────────────
🚨𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐖🚨:
Please read all the author warnings, as some themes/events in this book may be triggering.

[Sophia Cristello · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌶🌶

The idea behind the story was good, but it wasn't executed as well as it could be.

For starters, the book dragged on for so long for literally no reason. I felt like the same thing kept coming back up again and again. The theme and conversations just became too repetitive. This book definitely didn't need to be almost 400pgs, and could have easily been cut down by at least 150 of those.

Ariana was honestly annoying as hell. I understand going through grief and trauma, but the whole argument she had about it was obscure... I know the author was trying to make it seem like an irrational anxiety thing, but being afraid of dying typically doesn't just relate to dying one way. Also, the whole insistence of having a family history/susceptibility for the illness was crazy because it was only her brother that had it... that's like me saying that I have a family history of liver disease because my sibling has it... when only 1 person in you family has it, it's not a history, and just because your sibling has an illness does not mean you will or even can get that illness. I also hated how much Ariana acted like a victim to an illness she never had, while also acting like a martyr for not having contact with alphas... annoying as fuck.

I wasn't a fan of this author's style of omegaverse. I don't like the whole "male and female omegas both have uteruses" thing but that's because mpreg is not my thing. But additionally, I don't like the bond bites situation when only the omega can bite and the Alphas or betas have to emotionally accept the bond when bitten... it just felt impersonal.

The steam was okay. Though on several occasions I was very confused as to the positions. Like at one point, Ariana presents for Derrick (which means she's ass up and face down, with him behind her), and at one point it said that he lifted his leg up and put his foot between her shoulders... HUH???? What in the slenderman hyperflexible legs is that??? Besides that, I wish there was more actual connection involved in the steam. The hottest scene was the masturbation scene because there was that connection involved between the characters, and meanwhile everything else just felt like going through the motions.

My final point is: does the author know what paragraphs are??? The only time there was any separate was between chapters, or when the scene switched to completely different day or thought so a page break was added. At some points it was awkward to read because the character would say they were going to do something, and then the next sentence (that should've been the next paragraph) was them in the midst of doing it. Paragraph separation is not the enemy, it's your literary friend.

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I only need to take one step"

Wow...this book was so emotional so you may need some tissues. Now if you didn't read the origin story jump to the end and grab that download first because it really gives you what happened to Ariana when she presented and how FOS took her brother and changed her entire outlook on life and being an Omega.

I absolutely adore Marlie and love that she did something so crazy because it was exactly what Ariana needed. She was never going to take those steps to do anything more because she was so terrified of ending up like her brother. She would never have found out who Sax was without this push though neither of them could have predicted who Sax actually was.

Sax had his own secrets he was too scared to admit so when he got the invitation to the show he was ready to put everything on the table. He knew it would be bad but he hoped it would have a happy ending. That first meeting was absolutely brutal to read. I can't even imagine having all my worst fears realized in the span of just a few seconds and it be on national TV.

These men all have such different personalities that are exactly what Ariana needed in her life. They just needed her to get to know them first.  Her call saying goodbye to Sax was so beautiful while ripping your heart out too but I think it was the perfect way to move forward. I was absolutely unprepared for the letter from her brother after that call. It had me crying for everyone involved.

 I loved the show concept and how we got the audience reactions after each episode. I enjoyed the little challenges and rewards. Each of the challenges was tailored to their specific situation and allowed them to get to know each other now. Watching Ariana discover the details that belonged to each of them men was interesting. 

I absolutely love that Derrick did not allow her decision on him change what he wanted and what he was willing to do for her. This man would give his own life for her if it meant she could be happy and it was beautiful watching them and all the guys find their footing. 

This was such a unique idea foe a story and I really enjoyed it (even though it made me cry multiple times).  I am looking forward to seeing the next reality show for Marlie. 

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little wary about the reality TV setting of this book, but I absolutely could not put it down!

After losing her brother to Forsaken Omega Syndrome, Ariana slowly removed herself from society to limit her exposure to Alphas and try to prevent the same thing from happening to her. Ten years ago, she met Sax on a paranormal investigation show's message board and they became friends. Sax has been one of her only ties to the world outside of her house and she tells him everything. He is also the perfect partner for her - handsome, charming, and a Beta. When she is accepted to be on Knot What You Expected, she decides to embrace the opportunity to meet Sax in real life. However, she gets the surprise of her life when Sax walks in and is not only an Alpha, but also has two pack members in tow.

Ariana was a fantastic character. I loved how realistic her reaction to her brother's death felt and how she retreated to try to protect herself. Then, when she had the chance to meet Sax on the show, she took the steps to work through her anxiety and leave her house to go to the show location. I felt like I was experiencing the devastation with her when Sax appeared and was almost nothing like she expected. At first, I was completely ready to be angry at Derrick, Ivan, and Grant for how they all worked together and lied to her, but when looking at it from their perspective, I could kind of see why their fears led them to make the decisions they made. I really enjoyed how each of the guys was so unique and how their relationships with Ariana evolved and grew differently. The twists and turns that this pack went through on the show and afterwards were so crazy, but it was so nice to see them growing together and helping each other to deal with their anxieties, insecurities, and fears. I also really liked the scene with the Cirque de Mordu crew. It was fun to get to see them pop up again. I can't wait to get Marlie's story later this year!

I received a free advanced copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Monroe gives readers a behind the scenes look at a reality television show. I don’t know how she did it, but readers will feel like they are watching the show. Of course, readers will get all the details. Knot What You Expected allows people who have previously only communicated online to meet and live together for a week. Ariana Cooley has agoraphobia. After her brother died, Ariana decided it was better to not meet any alphas so that she will never be in risk of getting Forsaken Omega Syndrome. If she can’t meet any alphas, maybe she won’t ever meet her alpha. Ariana did talk to someone online. She had been talking to a guy that she only knew as Sax for over 10 years. He knew her and she thought she knew him. They had video called so she knew the person on the other side of the phone. They had never met. It was obvious to Ariana’s best friend, Marlie, that Sax and Ariana loved each other. It was time for them to meet. Ariana wanted to meet Sax and was willing to leave her house for him.

Sax has been keeping a lot of secrets. I don’t want to give any more away than the author did in the summary. I think the fun of this book is discovering everything organically and similar to the audience looking at the show. I really enjoyed that readers get audience reactions. They pretty much mirrored everything I was thinking at the time. Each day of the week brought new surprises and new challenges. Yes, the people on the show meet for the first time and have to do challenges to get rewards. I am not going to lie. This is definitely a show I would watch. Ariana and Sax have to get to know the real person behind the screen. They also have to navigate all the lies. How will Ariana handle the revelations on top of her crippling anxiety?

There is a lot of evolution of the characters. All of them grow and learn. Can they make this work? Can Ariana get over being deceived? Readers will love this fast-paced story. The surprises keep coming. Readers will be able to understand what Ariana is feeling. These revelations will get readers involved and invested. Ms. Monroe will always be a must read for me.

[Collyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,25

So i didn't like a lot in this, but i dont think the book was bad, i just feel like some of it was not handling good. So my problem with it, is the betray Ariana had from the SAXS was a lot, first they lied about being alpha, then they lied about being a pack, and hide their number and cat fished her complete. The other thing was, Ariana was the only one uncomfortable through it all, she had a lot anxiety because of her fear to catch FOS like her brother, and was scared of being with alpha, on the set and every where. Her fear was real, but it was an extreme way she had that fear. So she goes out of her way to pushed through her fear, to meet sax, to find out a lot of it was a lied. While she has being complete honesty about her fear of leaving the house, and being with an alpha, they have all being quited, and lying to her. And then there is a reality show, that keep pushing them to be together, and when she is on the show and find out, she wants to leave, but they stop her, because think about the contract, you gonna get in huge debt and so on, so through it all, it felt like a lack of understanding for ariana situation and keep pushing her out of comfort zone for the viewers. There were a lot closeness they experience in the those 7 day they were in the house together, but it was all to fast for my still. I would have like them spending more time asking for forgiveness, but also taking their time to go at her pace, and not the shows paces. Because that is what it felt like. It was all for the show. At some point I also didn't like the character, not because of their action, but we didn't get to know them as mush as we got to know ariana, we the reader knew about her grief, and heartbreaking, and her struggling with coming to turn with her omega, and her fear and anxiety. But Grant, dont know a lot about him, expected he want to be a model, he didn't get that much dept as Ariana, and the same with Ivan and Derrick, it was very little we were let into their world.

[Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Holly Monroe and her team for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve never really been a fan of the reality TV show trope. It’s not because authors execute it poorly or because the stories are badly written—quite the opposite, actually. It’s simply never been a trope that works for me. That said, this book may have finally convinced me to start changing my mind.

Our FMC, Ariana, lives with severe anxiety and agoraphobia, and when her best friend signs her up for a reality TV show to meet the man she’s been flirting with online for nearly ten years, her worst fears come to life. I truly want to praise the author for the way mental health representation is handled here. As someone who has struggled—and continues to struggle—with both anxiety and agoraphobia, I found this portrayal incredibly thoughtful, respectful, and authentic. It never felt exaggerated or minimized, and I genuinely appreciate the care taken in writing Ariana’s experience.

I’m going to keep this review spoiler-free, which means I can’t say much about the MMC. What I can say is that he is definitely not what you expect (yes, pun absolutely intended, sorry), and the twist surrounding him adds a fresh and engaging layer to the story that really sets it apart from other books in this trope.

As for the story itself, I really enjoyed the pacing. The narrative flows smoothly, giving us multiple POVs that allow us to see how each character is affected by the situation in different ways. One of the standout elements for me was the inclusion of the reality show commentary—snippets from hosts, producers, and viewers reacting in real time. These chapters were such a unique addition and added depth, tension, and even moments of humor to the story, making the experience feel immersive and dynamic.

Overall, this book surprised me in the best way. It took a trope I typically avoid and used strong character work, meaningful representation, and clever structural choices to create something compelling and heartfelt. If you’re hesitant about reality TV–style romances like I am, this might just be the book that changes your mind.

[ᴊᴇꜱꜱᴛʜᴇʙᴏᴏᴋᴅᴇᴍᴏɴ ☾ ✧˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐲, 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬.”

hey so i loved this. basically anything Holly Monroe wants to write, i’ll read. and i do NOT recommend starting this before you need to go to work bc you’ll be a crying mess 😭 there is so much care that went into this book when talking about grief.

“𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭. 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭, 𝐈’𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈’𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝, 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡���𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐨.”

this book is a roller coaster of emotions, but there is also much humor and life that is shared throughout the book as well.

i do not want to give away too much with my review, but what i will say is that each member of Arianna’s pack is absolutely perfect for her and each other. and if you’re wondering if they groveled enough? i absolutely think so.

once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down bc just like any reality show, you just want to know what is going to happen next and if they’ll get their HEA (which they do).

“𝐈’𝐦 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬. 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐡. 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐞.”

also, we have 2 dirty talking alphas and a beta who gets pegged 🥵

𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 releases February 26th 🖤

thank you Holly Monroe for an e-ARC of 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 🎥





✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
MMMF, AABO, 1st person multi-POV
26 fmc / 28 mmc / late 20s mmc / late 20s mmc
reality show, forced promote, scent matches, established pack, bonding/bite marked, groveling, knotting, heat scene, free use, pegging, HEA, epilogue, standalone
safety: no manwhores, no cheating, no OW drama, no OM drama

[Whitney Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly said “what if I didn’t emotionally ruin you this time?” and honestly… she showed restraint. I braced myself. I stocked tissues. I prepared for devastation. And somehow, I didn’t ugly cry. Growth? Mercy? Who knows. But don’t get it twisted… the emotional punches were still swinging.

Watching our girl Onion navigate this absolute rollercoaster was TOUGH. The twists? Brutal. The reveals? Jaw-dropping. That moment when everything she thought she knew about Sax shattered? I felt that in my soul. The tension of him being an Alpha? The “and he’s not alone” reveal?? Ma’am. MA’AM.

But here’s the magic: watching Onion go through it and come out stronger was everything. Her grief, her fear of Alphas, the trauma from losing her brother to FOS it all felt raw and real. Her hesitance made sense. Her walls made sense. And watching those walls crack? Watching her confront the scent-match fears, the pack dynamics, the vulnerability of living on camera in that house for a WEEK? Absolutely captivating.

And Sax. Ten years of buildup. TEN. The layered deception, the reasons, the tension simmering under every interaction once the truth comes out chef’s kiss. The emotional complexity of it all had me glued to the page.

This story delivered angst, tension, chemistry, twists, and, most importantly, growth. It hurt, but in that satisfying, cathartic way. And somehow Holly managed to let me keep my hydration levels intact this time. Barely.

If you love:
Reality show drama
Beta vs. Alpha tension
Secret identities
Pack dynamics
Emotional healing arcs
And that delicious “you don’t know me at all” trope
This one is absolutely for you.

Five stars. No emotional devastation lawsuit filed this time… but I’m watching you, Holly.

[FloofyMooseReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knot What You Expected is the first book of the Reality TV Omegas series and centers around a reality TV show where characters who only know each other online meet in person. Sort of like a cross between Catfish and Big Brother This book takes place in the authors Cirque de Mordu universe but you do not need to have previously read any books from that world. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author for my eArc.

Tropes and themes include:
✨Omegaverse (aabo)
✨Reality TV inspired: Catfish x Big Brother
✨Why choose (mmmf)
✨Forced proximity
✨Groveling
✨Angst & healing & grief
✨Prior trauma
✨Agoraphobic FMC
✨Scent matches
✨Slowburn-ish
✨Betrayal /secret keeping
✨Multi, first person POV

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Flames
Nicknames: Sweetie, Baby, Honey

The Lovely: Was I teary eyed by the 100 page mark? Yes. Did I message the author to thank her for the tears? Also yes. The FMC has been through a lot before the story even starts and then everything she thought she knew is turned upside down. The balance of angst and tension is stunningly perfect in this story and had me needing to see them get their HEA.

Recommendation: Fun fact - I don't watch reality TV. So, I wasn't sure how much I would understand some of this book. But I saw "grief & healing " + omegaverse + Holly Monroe so here l am. Side note, you don't need to have prior knowledge of reality TV. I thought there was a nice setup for the next book in the series, too. If you're in the mood for a reality TV themed omegaverse heavy on the emotional feels and an ultimate betrayal early in the story, think you would like this book.

[M Janee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes, it’s easier to spill your guts out onto a keyboard than it is to hold someone’s hand and flay yourself open.”

❧Overall Thoughts☙
Overall, this was a fun read. As one can expect when a box is set in a reality TV show it's filled with drama (queue the secrets), angst and betrayal (how did you think she would react to discovering your lie??) and spice (get your fans ladies & gents, she gets hot).

I think I would have preferred if Ariana, Grant and Ivan had decided against bonding at the show's request - not because they weren't ready, but rather I would have preferred them say not without their pack lead. To make such a huge decision that would impact the lives of these four individuals and change their pack forever without a pack member (pack lead at that) present or aware was so wrong. As Ariana and Derrick said, they are lucky that for them everything worked out in the end but it really was exploitation and manipulation.

❧Tropes/Vibes☙
➳ Forced Proximity
➳ Hidden Identities
➳ Online Pen Pals to Lovers
➳ Severe Anxiety + Agoraphobia Rep
➳ Set on Reality TV
➳ Secret Pack

❧Fav Quotes☙
❥ “You were never idle gossip, Onion. You were our obsession. Our greatest desire. You were what drove us to do better, to be better. It got out of hand. I never should have let it go on so long."
❥ "...I love her the way the moon loves the sun as she chases her through the sky. I love her like the world begins and ends with her smile. And I’m going to show her that."
❥ "I love her the way the moon loves the sun as she chases her through the sky. I love her like the world begins and ends with her smile. And I’m going to show her that. THIS!
❥ "I was so scared when I presented as an Alpha. I didn’t want to lose you. I couldn’t lose you. So I lied, knowing it might mean I would never be able to meet you in person. But that was okay, as long as you were in my life. I’ll take any part of you you’re willing to give me, Ariana. You’re my Omega, and you always have been.”
❥ Unfortunately for her, she let me in, and I’m not going anywhere. Going to claim squatter’s rights. I’m a puppy who followed her home.

[Callan Shive · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ 5 stars ☆

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧this was read as an ARC read. i'm just deeply behind on my reviews. i apologize ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Calvin, we don't make jokes as we’re dying. Some would say that “it's in poor taste”.

I did a full count of how many times Calvin was haunting the narrative. Calvin tops off at 71 mentions, Foresaken Omega Syndrome at 10 and FOS at 34 matches (yes im delulu and i am 110% trusting my highlights and when i used the search function).

Once again delicious, scrumptious, no crumbs left. Holly’s books are always a 5-star meal to me and she ATE with this one. There was heartache, processing trauma, internet catfishing, pegging jokes, questionable reality show ethics and scent matches.

I love how each of the guys had a distinct part of Sax that made Sax seem like a well rounded person to Ariana. It kinda made the whole “catfishing” part of the Knot What You Expected more interesting since they were just adding parts of themselves to build this one character around Derrick’s face and voice. (psst if you read the prequel story, it’s so interesting reading it after this and picking out who is who before the reveal)

Derrick had his heart in the right place and just needs to work on his communication. He definitely keeps Ariana on her toes. Ivan is just such a lovable person who just wants everyone and himself to be the very best that they can be. Grant – keep being you, boo. You are just perfection and I see where that pegging joke went 👀

Ariana worked so hard on her trauma and you’ve done amazing in all the small and big steps you’ve done.

[Vanessa Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lights, Camera, OV Action!!!!!

There were so many things that I didn’t expect when I started this! Plot twists and a game show to help one omega face her fears and get her HEA. Onion aka Ariana, was so relatable when it came to her trauma and panic that came with her brother getting FOS (Forsaken Omega Syndrome). This syndrome can be lethal to omegas and it’ll explain more in the story. I don’t want to give spoilers in my review but this had me in literal tears! Don’t forget your tissues when starting this book!!!

All while in front of the public eye Ariana and pack Sax have many tribulations and lies to work through. Will those cost them in the end or can Ariana forgive them enough to start over and learn to live again?

One of my favorite quotes from “Knot What You Expected” - Derrick - “I need you like sunshine. Like the air in my lungs. But I’d give it to you if you needed it. Every breath I take, everything that makes me me, is yours for the taking.”

I absolutely loved how much Derrick, Ivan and Grant had to grovel for their omega. Add in the element of reality TV and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it!

If you’re looking for an OV book with all the angst, groveling, spice, emotional drama and devastation then I absolutely recommend “Knot What You Expected”. I can’t wait for more in this world and to see Ariana get her best friend Marlie back….for what you may ask? All will be revealed in the book!!

[Ayled Trinidad Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly is one of my favorite Omegaverse authors, and at this point I don’t even read the synopsis anymore... I just read. If Holly Monroe writes it, I’m there. No questions asked.

But this one? This one hit differently.

Everybody carries grief in their own way. Some people bury it. Some people let it define them. Some people pretend they’ve outrun it. What gutted me about this story is how honest it felt about that weight. The grief wasn’t just mentioned, it lived in every decision, every hesitation, every moment Ariana wanted to run instead of risk feeling that kind of pain again. And that’s what touched me so deeply. It captured that quiet, suffocating fear of “I survived it once… I don’t know if I could survive it again.” That yearning to love fully while simultaneously praying you never have to feel that kind of loss another time. It’s that constant push and pull between wanting connection and wanting protection. There were moments I felt it in my chest. Moments where I had to pause because the emotions were too familiar. That ache of loving someone so much it terrifies you. That instinct to shut down just to avoid the possibility of another goodbye.

This book doesn’t just show grief, it makes you sit with it. And somehow, through all of that heaviness, it still gives you hope. It reminds you that healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing to step forward anyway. And honestly? That’s why I’ll keep reading anything Holly puts out.

[Alayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Omegaverse book, set loosely around a Reality TV show. The main character experienced a trauma at the very beginning of the book (trigger warning: grief, loss of a loved one) and the response to that trauma dictated her life for 10 years. She has a best friend that pushes her to live her life but also respects her boundaries. The FMC enters the reality show, completely out of her comfort zone, to try for the thing that she wants most. This book contains betrayal, a huge secret, groveling, and a MMC shows that actions speak louder than words. Through their time on the reality show and then after, the characters are really able to bond and the FMC slowly learns how to truly live again. The author did a great job showing how much loss can impact someone and how deeply the trauma can run from grief. Throughout the book, the FMC continues to struggle with her problems related to the loss of a loved one. I loved that the author didn't magically make all of her problems disappear as soon as she took the first step. They really did a good job in showing how hard someone has to work to overcome their greatest fears and learn to re-build their life after 10 years of near solitude.
This book had many emotional twists and turns. And the Omegaverse concepts focus heavily on the Omega building a pack rather than the pack finding an Omega. Loved this book and would definitely re-read this love story of Onion & Sax!

[Christy deSade · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars to be fair

I didn't finish this book, I stopped at 36% because I couldn't stomach how toxic the plot was. To be fair, the storytelling was fine, the character development was ok and the world building was adequate. The premise was just so utterly toxic that I couldn't finish.

Kudos for having the ones committing fraud acknowledging their actions, but the author loses all of the points for advocating that someone should stay with people who lied and manipulated her because she doesn't know what's best for herself and shouldn't be allowed to make her own decisions. The TV show/people sacrificing Ariana's agency for money and rating spikes is actually on brand, they make money off of peoples' pain all the time, but the "best friend" also not respecting Ariana is trash. Every single person has knowingly and willingly chosen to lie and manipulate Ariana because they "know better" and "it'll work out in the end" and that's not a narrative that needs to be pushed on anyone, let alone the main audience for these kinds of books (young women).

In the end, Holly Monroe has contributed to the idea that women should let men lie to them, because the men know better and it's love. Informed consent isn't necessary and someone saying that they love you excuses the fact that they don't respect you- that's the core of what Holly Monroe is peddling. No thank you and I'm disappointed that it's a woman selling this to other women.

[Annalee Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review: Knot What You Expected by Holly Monroe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️
MMFM | Omegaverse | Forced Proximity | Reality TV Romance

Okayyyy so overall? I really enjoyed this one.

As someone who is deeply, spiritually, emotionally invested in reality TV, this premise had me immediately. A dating show setup in an omegaverse? Say less.

Our sweet FMC hasn’t left her house in over 10 years…but she has been talking to “Sax” on an online forum for eight of those. Enter: catfish vibes. Her best friend (iconic behavior) decides it’s time to rejoin society and secretly signs her up for a dating show so she can finally meet Sax in person.

Except.

Sax isn’t Sax.
Sax is actually Derrick… and Grant… and Ivan.

Cue chaos. Cue forced proximity. Cue tension.

What unfolds is honestly such a tender story about grief, anxiety, and learning how to live again. Yes, it’s spicy (solid 🌶️🌶️🌶️), but the emotional core really carried this for me. Watching her navigate leaving her safe space, confronting betrayal, and still choosing connection felt really grounded despite the larger-than-life premise.

The dynamic between all four characters worked for me, and the growth felt earned. The reality TV element added fun drama without tipping into ridiculous territory.

A great read overall, and it premieres February 26. 📺✨

[Caithlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My number one piece of advice for readers before we started a Holly Monroe book: don't ever wear makeup while reading the amount of tears you'll be shedding is more than the cost of how much will be ruined!
This is such a great story to represent and shine light on more ways grief and anxiety can affect someone. The author does also make a point to show that just because you've spoken to someone online for years, know their face, and feel like you know everything about them, you need to be careful because you never know what they might be hiding from you.

Ariana had something so heartbreaking happen to someone she loved and cared about, and it shaped how she lived her life. When Ariana meets Sax, she goes by the name Onion, and he becomes a huge part of her life, even though they have never met. That changes when she agrees to go on the TV show Knot What You Expected. She thinks she's just meeting her internet best friend Sax, but secrets come out, and you get to see how she handles them.

Oh man, I will say I was getting mad at how the events of the reality TV show were happening. It felt like I was watching a TV show and yelling at the TV, but just like any good show, you need to wait to the end to see how it all plays out.

[Lilibet Bombshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Monroe is out here writing some of the most varied and interesting omegaverse romances in the industry and I’ve been a huge fan ever since she published Knot All is Perfect and I cried and cried and cried while reading it.

Knot What You Expected is the first book in her new Reality TV Omegas series, which is set inside the same universe as her Cirque de Mordu books. I was interested in reading this book as soon as she announced it even though I’m not a huge reality TV fan because it’s not a setting we see explored much in omegaverse romance and I think it’s an interesting field to mine for drama.

I enjoyed every bit of this story. Holly has a great way of milking drama and angst out of the story and her characters without tipping the story into melodrama, which is always a positive in my books. Ariana, the main protagonist and omega in this book, has plot-appropriate trauma and her behaviors in response to that trauma are proportional–not exploitative or demeaning. The relationships in this book are touching and developed well. I don’t think I could’ve asked for more. It’s another fantastic Holly Monroe book. 4⭐️

I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

[Jordan Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Onion (Ariana), the FMC of Knot What You Expected. She’s so deeply, tragically heartbroken, and for the last ten years she’s let fear completely control her life. After losing her brother, her grief and anxiety have kept her trapped inside her home, terrified of alphas, scent matches, and the possibility of loving someone only to lose them again.
This story is truly about Ariana’s healing journey and it hurt in the best way. Watching her be pushed (with love) by her friend to finally meet her beta best friend / love of her life, Sax, on a reality TV show had me feeling EVERYTHING.
And Sax… he is not what she expected — and that lie? HUGE.
I wanted to spill all the spoilers so many times, but I’ll behave
Holly Monroe delivered another emotional, beautifully written story that had me tearing up more than once. This book tackles big feelings and heavy topics, so definitely check your triggers before diving in.
I also adored seeing familiar faces from One for the Money and Two for the Show. I read those recently and still think about those characters all the time
If you love:
reality TV chaos
omegaverse
MM romance
emotional healing journeys
this one is 100% for you.