In the Beginning

by J. Wilhelm

I have the job. The house. People I love.
I can't complain. My life is perfect.
My life is boring and I hate it.

It comes when I least expect it. An invitation.
Blightridge is nameless. Faceless, even.
No information. Anywhere.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The decision to come here was ignorant and impulsive,
but it feels good. It feels right.
Every face I meet and every turn I make... they don't
answer the questions I came here for.
The rumors twist the reality I'm living in.
Despite the warnings, I laugh, I cry, and I thrive here,
but somewhere in all this chaos
there are secrets they aren't sharing.
Coincidences that are impossible to brush off.
Inmates with no convictions.
Dots that just aren't connecting.
I don't know what the truth is, and
I'm torn between two sides, two very different lives.
I'm not a prisoner. This isn't my home. These aren't my people.
I don't belong here,
but I'm not sure I can escape it either.

Welcome to Blightridge Penitentiary.
Those who come... they never really leave.

Genres: M M Romance

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2026

Reviews

[Brit ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I have SO many questions!!!! This book was such a good introduction to what I feel is going to be an amazing series. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen throughout the whole book and I loved it 😂 I cannot wait for the next book because I need to know more!!!

[Brooke (reads by b) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book blind- requested it up because I loved the cover. The book was vague, but that kept me reading. I have a lot of questions, but I’m thinking *hoping* they’ll be answered in upcoming books. I do not like insta-love, so I didn’t really connect with the love story in this one BUT I like the characters and hope we see more of them in future books.

I guess prologues in books aren’t meant to answer questions, but intrigue us- and this being a “prologue novel” did just that.

I’m having a hard time narrowing down a star rating because I still have so many questions, but I was also so intrigued during the whole book. I’m going to go 3.75 rounded to 4⭐️

This really is different than anything I’ve read and the premise is neat. I have high hopes for future books!

[Lore]

RTC

[Janet Jaramillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im defiantly intrigued and I wanna know what’s to come. I do recomend you reading this. This is a plot driven book and has some cray things going on. I want the know what’s next and will probably be hooked.

I know this is vague but idk how to review this one without spoiling it lol READ IT.

Also it’s starts very stressful so be prepared.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shocked me in the BEST way! I want to start by saying that the author has said that this book is the 'Prologue' to the series as a whole, In the Beginning is well, the beginning of the Blightridge series. As this is the prologue to the series, not all the answers we want or are looking for are answered in this book, we have to keep reading this series to figure out what secrets Blightridge is hiding.

However! Just because we don't get the answers to the secrets of Blightridge, that doesn't mean we don't learn anything about this mysterious place, because we do! We learn that this place is a..getaway of sorts for those that feel broken, or unwanted in the 'regular' outside world of society. Obviously, things aren't all sunshine and rainbows, there IS darkness lurking in the corners and the way this author wrote this book and set up the rest of the series was BRILLIANT! We didn't just get a love story between two people from different worlds, (though their romance was so sweet and beautiful), but this book also provided us with the opportunity to see not only the perks of Blightridge but also got us thinking about what might be lurking behind closed doors and where all the money from Blightridge comes from.. and where it goes..

I really enjoyed reading this book, I thought it was a very intriguing concept, I found it to be very well written, I LOVED the characters, all of them even the side characters! Or well, especially the side characters! I'm so excited for the next book because I not only want to learn more about Blightridge but I also want to see what happens with the characters living within the walls of Blightridge..

As I noted above, there is a romance story in this book! It isn't what the whole book is about, but it IS still a big part of it, and I thought that was written well too. If you're looking for something a little different than your 'usual' romance books, I highly recommend giving this a read.

[Shasta C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Wow this was such a good and unexpected book.
How it starts you definitely get the feeling that it is an awakening best friends turned lovers story but NNOOO- ITS SO MUCH BETTER!

I absolutely LOVED Jett and Everest. How this story was told and all came together.
It definitely gives found family mini troupe.
I didn't read the about for this and am so glad I didn't because it let me enjoy this so much. I didn't know what I was "walking" into here or what to expect, so finding out it's prison based was a shock, but a welcome one because this story was just that good!

Definitely add to your TBR my MM loving fans

[Kirstin ♡⚔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I had no idea what was going on, but I was just happy to be along for the ride 😂 I adored all the characters, and the writing style was so immersive... the spicy scenes are soooo hot 🤭🫠
J Wilhelm does say that everything will be answered as the series progresses, so I am very excited to continue the journey through Blightridge Penitentiary 🖤

[readwithcharlotteb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend

Absolutely loved this book! The story completely pulled me in, and I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see what would happen next. The characters, chemistry, and overall storyline worked so well together. It had everything I look for in a good read and genuinely kept me entertained from beginning to end. Definitely one I’d recommend!

[Yvonne]

DNF @ 31%

Really gave this effort but the narrative writing style and at times forced dialogue and inner monologue, it just wasn’t enjoyable enough to continue

[Thera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so intrigued by this series. I still have no idea what's really going on. But the love story was great. I cannot wait for the next parts of this series.

[Bish Reads Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 62%

Everett is really unlikable and honestly I’m just bored - insta love and sex on first meeting leaves for no tension or build up and in romance that’s the best bit!

[Abigail Villanueva · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️ I wanted to love this book based on the blurb and reviews. The setting and main plot of this book is very interesting, which drove most of my motivation to keep reading. However the couple in this book felt very insta love and then I kind of lost interest. I still think this world is going to make for fascinating reads throughout the series, but this first opener didn’t seal the deal for me to pick up every next book.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I greatly enjoyed it. The concept for not only this story but the entire series, from what I can tell, is extremely unique and like nothing I’ve ever read before. I’m honestly pretty excited for the whole thing. Don’t let the fact that this is a series prequel trick you into thinking this is a shorter novella length book, it is full length.

Jett and Everest are perfect for each other. I love how Jett takes care of Everest, no questions asked. I love that they were able to find each other even in a place you wouldn’t think to find your soul mate. Their chemistry was great.

There are still a few things I’m confused on but hope as the series progresses those questions will be answered. Most of them are pretty unimportant in the grand scheme but my brain has latched on…… who was the anonymous tip that told them about both the Coordinates house and Blightridge? Why were they paid a ton of money to come investigate Blightridge when they were the ones who asked if they could go investigate? I’m excited to see what answers might be uncovered in future books.

I received this book as an ARC from the Author and these are my honest opinions.