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The Least Favorite: An Arcaverse Story
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 23, 2026
like if sherlock holmes was an abused & tortured omega woman that lusted after her new dystopian military handlers (first in my bloodline to say this sentence btw)
May 23, 2026
★★★ stars
A massive upgrade from Caging Fire, Crimson Camo #1, that’s for sure. Between the insufferable Alphas and the non-consensual happenings, the bar for this universe was so low it was practically a tripping hazard in hell.
So, imagine my surprise when The Least Favorite actually cleared it.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't reinventing the wheel. But I am genuinely relieved to report that Hazel Paige seemingly learned from the abysmal reception of her previous Alphas.
The Least Favorite is an improvement over the dumpster fire that was Caging Fire. The pacing is better, the Alphas are actually tolerable (in a murderous, unhinged sort of way), and the consent makes the smut significantly more digestible. It’s not a masterpiece, and the writing is still plagued by standard Omegaverse clichés, but if you want a dark, revenge-fueled Arcaverse story, this one is surprisingly stomachable.
A massive upgrade from Caging Fire, Crimson Camo #1, that’s for sure. Between the insufferable Alphas and the non-consensual happenings, the bar for this universe was so low it was practically a tripping hazard in hell.
So, imagine my surprise when The Least Favorite actually cleared it.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't reinventing the wheel. But I am genuinely relieved to report that Hazel Paige seemingly learned from the abysmal reception of her previous Alphas.
The Least Favorite is an improvement over the dumpster fire that was Caging Fire. The pacing is better, the Alphas are actually tolerable (in a murderous, unhinged sort of way), and the consent makes the smut significantly more digestible. It’s not a masterpiece, and the writing is still plagued by standard Omegaverse clichés, but if you want a dark, revenge-fueled Arcaverse story, this one is surprisingly stomachable.
May 30, 2026
Could've been so good, but whole thing was written with AI.
June 3, 2026
It wasn't THAT bad but I'm pretty sure it was written by AI
The fact that it has so many good reviews makes me depressed
The fact that it has so many good reviews makes me depressed
August 23, 2026
𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ 4.25 🌟
Am onto something ..
My algorithm is feeding me rn , and so far all of the reccs are slaying 🤭🤭
Why choose ? 2 brothers who were suppsoed to torture her but end taking care of her ? A selective mute touch averse tortured omega ? Never thought I'd be into that but here I am 😃
---
⤿Pre-Read:
Insta be popping book rec after book red thet makes me forget that I already have god knows how many books on my tbr (enjoying binge reading while I still can 😃)
Am onto something ..
My algorithm is feeding me rn , and so far all of the reccs are slaying 🤭🤭
Why choose ? 2 brothers who were suppsoed to torture her but end taking care of her ? A selective mute touch averse tortured omega ? Never thought I'd be into that but here I am 😃
---
⤿Pre-Read:
Insta be popping book rec after book red thet makes me forget that I already have god knows how many books on my tbr (enjoying binge reading while I still can 😃)
June 7, 2026
Can’t talk about this anyone I respect
August 9, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this 💕 A traumatised omega who just escaped years of abuse is now under the care of alpha twins.
Knox was kind and gentle from the getgo. 💚 Silas was a bit iffy but ultimately chose to be soft and sweet. 🙏🏻 I liked how Lena's recovery was depicted and appreciated how she took small steps to becoming better instead of recovering overnight. 🫶🏻 The romance was very well done and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. ✨️
Overall, a very good execution by the author. I liked that she acknowledged in her note that the therapy portrayed in the book is not accurate for real world treatment. 👏🏻 It was clearly tweaked to fit the omegaverse world. But I didn't find the author's portrayal of the therapy to be harmful or dangerous, as someone who regularly goes to therapy too. It was actually pretty well done. 😊 Bravo.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this 💕 A traumatised omega who just escaped years of abuse is now under the care of alpha twins.
Knox was kind and gentle from the getgo. 💚 Silas was a bit iffy but ultimately chose to be soft and sweet. 🙏🏻 I liked how Lena's recovery was depicted and appreciated how she took small steps to becoming better instead of recovering overnight. 🫶🏻 The romance was very well done and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. ✨️
Overall, a very good execution by the author. I liked that she acknowledged in her note that the therapy portrayed in the book is not accurate for real world treatment. 👏🏻 It was clearly tweaked to fit the omegaverse world. But I didn't find the author's portrayal of the therapy to be harmful or dangerous, as someone who regularly goes to therapy too. It was actually pretty well done. 😊 Bravo.
July 20, 2026
From being abused, afraid of touch and losing her voice, Lena had finally escaped the hands of her captor to finding herself in the hands of her two new handlers.
Silas and Knox are two alpha twin brothers who specialize in getting intel from people. They only know how to inflict pain, not how to rebuild someone. That is, until they meet Lena.
It takes a lot of time and hard work on both ends but soon enough, Lena begins to find herself voice again and begins to rebuild herself. Silas and Knox learn how to heal instead of harm and the three of them end up thriving together.
Silas and Knox are two alpha twin brothers who specialize in getting intel from people. They only know how to inflict pain, not how to rebuild someone. That is, until they meet Lena.
It takes a lot of time and hard work on both ends but soon enough, Lena begins to find herself voice again and begins to rebuild herself. Silas and Knox learn how to heal instead of harm and the three of them end up thriving together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2026
Unfortunately, I didn't connect with this book at all. I found a lot of it to be confusing and/or off-putting. There were so many plot holes and things that didn't feel well researched. On deep topics it felt vague and shallow. I should have dnf'd it.
May 26, 2026
-Multi pov
-ages, idk??
-omegaverse why choose, MFM, the guys are twins
-severely traumatised fmc, the guys are interrogators who were going to torture her for information in the beginning but they quickly realised she was already broken so then they build her back together and they eventually bond.
-it’s unlike any omegaverse I’ve ever read, it’s dystopian, there doesn’t seem to be fated mates, everyone is in the military and omegas are assigned to units. But even the bonding felt like low key and not a big deal like it usually does in OV.
-no OWD at all, no mentions of the guys pasts at all either.
-OMD is the alpha who fmc escaped from, he had her captive for 5 years and he wants her back.
-HEA
-Epilogue is months later and fmc is now an interrogator too
-ages, idk??
-omegaverse why choose, MFM, the guys are twins
-severely traumatised fmc, the guys are interrogators who were going to torture her for information in the beginning but they quickly realised she was already broken so then they build her back together and they eventually bond.
-it’s unlike any omegaverse I’ve ever read, it’s dystopian, there doesn’t seem to be fated mates, everyone is in the military and omegas are assigned to units. But even the bonding felt like low key and not a big deal like it usually does in OV.
-no OWD at all, no mentions of the guys pasts at all either.
-OMD is the alpha who fmc escaped from, he had her captive for 5 years and he wants her back.
-HEA
-Epilogue is months later and fmc is now an interrogator too
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2026
Honestly, this was so much better than the Crimson Camo series in my opinion.
I genuinely ended up really enjoying this one.
The MMCs were actually one of my favourite parts of the story. They felt much more likable, and I found myself getting invested in their relationships with the FMC.
Speaking of our FMC, I loved her character development throughout the book. Watching her slowly heal, gain confidence, and step into her own power under their protection was incredibly satisfying. It felt earned, and I loved seeing her come out of her shell and start taking charge of her own life.
The plot was interesting enough to keep me engaged, but for me, the characters and their growth were definitely the highlight.
Overall, I genuinely had a great time with this one and found myself enjoying it far more than I expected 😌
I genuinely ended up really enjoying this one.
The MMCs were actually one of my favourite parts of the story. They felt much more likable, and I found myself getting invested in their relationships with the FMC.
Speaking of our FMC, I loved her character development throughout the book. Watching her slowly heal, gain confidence, and step into her own power under their protection was incredibly satisfying. It felt earned, and I loved seeing her come out of her shell and start taking charge of her own life.
The plot was interesting enough to keep me engaged, but for me, the characters and their growth were definitely the highlight.
Overall, I genuinely had a great time with this one and found myself enjoying it far more than I expected 😌
Read
June 23, 2026MFM - twins.
Well this book is about the MMCs helping the FMC overcome trauma so she can help them with her investigation.
Im not about the trope where MMCs cure trauma with their seemingly magical dicks so I definitely wasn’t the target reader. On the other hand, as a serial DNFer, I didn’t quit it and instead skimmed at least 25% because I wanted to see how it turned out.
At the end, the twins discussed sharing the same *ahem* hole next time and that was not expected. Sword crossing siblings was weird for me
Well this book is about the MMCs helping the FMC overcome trauma so she can help them with her investigation.
Im not about the trope where MMCs cure trauma with their seemingly magical dicks so I definitely wasn’t the target reader. On the other hand, as a serial DNFer, I didn’t quit it and instead skimmed at least 25% because I wanted to see how it turned out.
At the end, the twins discussed sharing the same *ahem* hole next time and that was not expected. Sword crossing siblings was weird for me
May 22, 2026
Es una lástima que sea un libro autoconclusivo, tiene potencial para alargarse al menos un libro más. Todo se sintió un poco apresurado y superficial debido a eso.
Me gustó, la protagonista es agradable, los masculinos son tan parecidos que me costó diferenciar quien era quien, y no hay diferencia en su trato con la protagonista, aunque sí sentí que la autora tuvo preferencia por Silas y por eso le dio la mayoría de las escenas importantes.
Está bien para pasar el rato, nada demasiado wow, aunque pudo haberlo sido.
Me gustó, la protagonista es agradable, los masculinos son tan parecidos que me costó diferenciar quien era quien, y no hay diferencia en su trato con la protagonista, aunque sí sentí que la autora tuvo preferencia por Silas y por eso le dio la mayoría de las escenas importantes.
Está bien para pasar el rato, nada demasiado wow, aunque pudo haberlo sido.
June 15, 2026
Not bad!
4.5 ⭐
This was my first Omegaverse and I think I need to research more. I was under the impression they were werewolves and, though shifters were mentioned, I was disabused of this notion lol. The story itself was good though! I liked Lena's reclaiming herself and the twins determination to rebuild her. All in all, not bad!
4.5 ⭐
This was my first Omegaverse and I think I need to research more. I was under the impression they were werewolves and, though shifters were mentioned, I was disabused of this notion lol. The story itself was good though! I liked Lena's reclaiming herself and the twins determination to rebuild her. All in all, not bad!
May 26, 2026
Consumed this insanely fast. 🫡
(Some editing mistakes but otherwise good. Better than the other in this series as far as writing goes.)
(Some editing mistakes but otherwise good. Better than the other in this series as far as writing goes.)
September 17, 2026
was interested. read it to the 60% then forgot about it. to later skip all the way to the end. had no hold over me womp womp
May 24, 2026
I love this universe.
It’s peak Omegaverse. It’s perfect.
First off, I really appreciate the care that is put into the trigger warnings, and introduction. It really shows how much this author cares about her readers. 🖤
Lena is… broken. She had her spirit intentionally shattered. She doesn’t speak. She trusts no one. And is extremely touch adverse. Then, she starts healing, it’s beautiful.
The twins are something else!
Knox and Silas are brutal Alphas. Violent men who don’t ask forgiveness. Yet, they are soft for her. Remembering the foods she likes. Reminding her of her strength. Realizing how hard they have fallen. They are balanced, and help her heal.
And the spice?! The heat?! The knots?! Yes. Yes please. 🔥
Overall, this was such a good read. Fast paced. The ending was soooo satisfying. I really hope we get to see more of this trio as this universe unfolds! 🖤
It’s peak Omegaverse. It’s perfect.
First off, I really appreciate the care that is put into the trigger warnings, and introduction. It really shows how much this author cares about her readers. 🖤
Lena is… broken. She had her spirit intentionally shattered. She doesn’t speak. She trusts no one. And is extremely touch adverse. Then, she starts healing, it’s beautiful.
The twins are something else!
Knox and Silas are brutal Alphas. Violent men who don’t ask forgiveness. Yet, they are soft for her. Remembering the foods she likes. Reminding her of her strength. Realizing how hard they have fallen. They are balanced, and help her heal.
And the spice?! The heat?! The knots?! Yes. Yes please. 🔥
Overall, this was such a good read. Fast paced. The ending was soooo satisfying. I really hope we get to see more of this trio as this universe unfolds! 🖤
July 23, 2026
Don't read this book.
The main antagonist, Marco, could have been killed by the MMC's but by their own admission they selfishly chose to wait to make Marco suffer more before he dies. So these two "love interests" let countless people suffer, including the FMC, because they wanted a more pleasing revenge.
Hazel writes these men like literal animals: they can only be calmed by the touch of a very special, instinctively submissive woman.
It's giving a misogynistic man's power fantasy but written by a woman.
Stop putting the word alpha in front of every word— alpha rage, alpha purr, alpha bark, alpha arousal, alpha warmth, alpha urges, alpha control, alpha instinct, alpha seed, and alpha scent.
" The twins were always holding each other back, dragging one another away from the edge whenever tempers snapped too far. Earlier, Silas had intervened when Knox lost control.
Now Knox had done the same for him.
Both of them were getting dangerously close to running out of patience with me. "
And this is supposed to be romance? Two men who want to tend to a traumatized woman until she's inconvenient, then they want to harm her.
How are these motherfuckers handlers if they have very little patience and restraint? Saying they have patience and restraint doesn't mean they have it. Their violent actions contradict their "kind" words.
They act like not raping a woman means they deserve a cookie and some praise.
Ah, yes, them deciding that she belongs to them. Not that she was asked about their decision about her.
They encourage her to become a torturer as a coping mechanism.
Two men deciding a woman's trauma is an excuse to get violent to get revenge for her.
Technically better than her other two books because there is less rape but the writing overall is worse. Important scenes are skipped and written in a paragraph instead of the reader experiencing them.
The main antagonist, Marco, could have been killed by the MMC's but by their own admission they selfishly chose to wait to make Marco suffer more before he dies. So these two "love interests" let countless people suffer, including the FMC, because they wanted a more pleasing revenge.
Hazel writes these men like literal animals: they can only be calmed by the touch of a very special, instinctively submissive woman.
It's giving a misogynistic man's power fantasy but written by a woman.
Stop putting the word alpha in front of every word— alpha rage, alpha purr, alpha bark, alpha arousal, alpha warmth, alpha urges, alpha control, alpha instinct, alpha seed, and alpha scent.
" The twins were always holding each other back, dragging one another away from the edge whenever tempers snapped too far. Earlier, Silas had intervened when Knox lost control.
Now Knox had done the same for him.
Both of them were getting dangerously close to running out of patience with me. "
And this is supposed to be romance? Two men who want to tend to a traumatized woman until she's inconvenient, then they want to harm her.
How are these motherfuckers handlers if they have very little patience and restraint? Saying they have patience and restraint doesn't mean they have it. Their violent actions contradict their "kind" words.
They act like not raping a woman means they deserve a cookie and some praise.
Ah, yes, them deciding that she belongs to them. Not that she was asked about their decision about her.
They encourage her to become a torturer as a coping mechanism.
Two men deciding a woman's trauma is an excuse to get violent to get revenge for her.
Technically better than her other two books because there is less rape but the writing overall is worse. Important scenes are skipped and written in a paragraph instead of the reader experiencing them.
July 24, 2026
Not much actually happens in this book besides a bunch, a bunch, a bunch, a bunch a bunch of internal monologue
Zero romance or development of a relationship
The FMC becoming whole (or almost -she can talk) within two weeks I believe— but all because of the power of penis.
Naturally
Very unsatisfying ending that felt extremely rushed
A lot of secondary characters that are not flushed out at all so you don’t even know who any of them are
MMC’s that I could not tell a part to save my life
Them giving her horrible, horrible nicknames, and using it like endearment for the whole entire book.
This was just not done well at all
Zero romance or development of a relationship
The FMC becoming whole (or almost -she can talk) within two weeks I believe— but all because of the power of penis.
Naturally
Very unsatisfying ending that felt extremely rushed
A lot of secondary characters that are not flushed out at all so you don’t even know who any of them are
MMC’s that I could not tell a part to save my life
Them giving her horrible, horrible nicknames, and using it like endearment for the whole entire book.
This was just not done well at all
May 18, 2026
Really good book that you can read in one setting. Writing was smooth and keeps you engaged. Has descriptive sex scenes. There are many triggers so be warned if you cannot handle abuse, mention of rape, branding, and many other things.
August 3, 2026
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Going into it, I appreciated that the author gave readers a heads-up that this is a dystopian Alpha/Omega world where the morals and social norms are very different from our own. I think if you keep that in mind and don’t judge the story by real-world standards, it’s much easier to appreciate what the author was trying to do.
It’s not my favorite Alpha/Omega book I’ve ever read, but it’s definitely one I’d recommend. The emotional depth kept me invested, and I never found myself bored. There were definitely moments that made me question the world’s morality—especially involving the doctor—but within the context of the setting, those choices made sense. Honestly, considering the circumstances and the main character’s trauma, things could have been handled much worse.
One of my favorite parts was the ending. We all love a supportive male lead, and I really enjoyed watching the heroine work through her trauma and embrace who she truly is. She’s definitely a unique character, and I loved that Silas accepted every part of her without trying to change her. Their relationship felt genuine, and seeing them find happiness together made the ending incredibly satisfying.
I’ve seen a lot of people criticize this book, but personally, I don’t really understand the hate. I read the entire thing without losing interest, became emotionally invested in the characters, and thought it was well written overall. I’ve read plenty of books that were far worse, and for a story with a unique concept, I thought this one did a great job. If you’re looking for something a little different and you’re open to dystopian Alpha/Omega worlds, I’d definitely recommend giving it a chance.
It’s not my favorite Alpha/Omega book I’ve ever read, but it’s definitely one I’d recommend. The emotional depth kept me invested, and I never found myself bored. There were definitely moments that made me question the world’s morality—especially involving the doctor—but within the context of the setting, those choices made sense. Honestly, considering the circumstances and the main character’s trauma, things could have been handled much worse.
One of my favorite parts was the ending. We all love a supportive male lead, and I really enjoyed watching the heroine work through her trauma and embrace who she truly is. She’s definitely a unique character, and I loved that Silas accepted every part of her without trying to change her. Their relationship felt genuine, and seeing them find happiness together made the ending incredibly satisfying.
I’ve seen a lot of people criticize this book, but personally, I don’t really understand the hate. I read the entire thing without losing interest, became emotionally invested in the characters, and thought it was well written overall. I’ve read plenty of books that were far worse, and for a story with a unique concept, I thought this one did a great job. If you’re looking for something a little different and you’re open to dystopian Alpha/Omega worlds, I’d definitely recommend giving it a chance.
June 3, 2026
I would actually kill for a teaspoon of world building. There was so much information that was heaped on us throughout this and none of it actually felt like it was connected. Why was this government agency condoning so much criminal behavior and it really only became a problem when the head criminal had gotten just a little too greedy with the omega women that he was trafficking? What is the war about? It kept getting mentioned but I cannot even begin to guess who is fighting and for what. Why are some people shifters and some people aren't but everyone is still under A/B/O societal rules? I spent so much of this confused and not following along.
I get it. Omegaverse really starts to be popularized outside of fan fiction and it seems like the new standard is more smut, more trauma, less plot. The characters were well... decently. The MMCs were literally interchangeable. Nothing about them was really unique to each other but I guess that's fine enough because they're also identical twins, why wouldn't their personalities also match. Okay, I'll give grace and say that Silas really enjoyed torture and Knox was slightly more patient. There you go, the difference.
The FMC was written like Sherlock. You know, the version that can picture everything in his head and figure out the mystery in a few minutes, that Sherlock. It was cool. At least she had a use beyond the smut and trauma. The relationship building went along with the trauma healing. I like that therapy was important and emphasized. You don't see that every day. Overall, it's a fine enough read. I just found myself not caring as much around the 75% mark and just trucking along to say I finished it.
I get it. Omegaverse really starts to be popularized outside of fan fiction and it seems like the new standard is more smut, more trauma, less plot. The characters were well... decently. The MMCs were literally interchangeable. Nothing about them was really unique to each other but I guess that's fine enough because they're also identical twins, why wouldn't their personalities also match. Okay, I'll give grace and say that Silas really enjoyed torture and Knox was slightly more patient. There you go, the difference.
The FMC was written like Sherlock. You know, the version that can picture everything in his head and figure out the mystery in a few minutes, that Sherlock. It was cool. At least she had a use beyond the smut and trauma. The relationship building went along with the trauma healing. I like that therapy was important and emphasized. You don't see that every day. Overall, it's a fine enough read. I just found myself not caring as much around the 75% mark and just trucking along to say I finished it.
June 11, 2026
Plot: 4/5 • Spice: 3/5 ➡️➡️➡️ Lena, an omega, has been held captive for five years. In the basement she’s been tied up with her hands behind her back during her heats. She’s refused the alpha leader of the Bellini’s. With her refusal he’s tortured her. One day the door to the basement is left unlocked. Her only chance. Even in the middle of her heat, she cuts the rope and makes a run for it.
Naked, she’s captured while on escape by Knox and Silas. Twin brothers who work for the a military-esq protection. Lena hasn’t spoke a word in years. She’s terrified. She has touch aversion. They threaten her. Make her feel unsafe, because they know nothing about her. They don’t know if they can trust her.
It takes a while, but the cards flip. They want to help her
instead of trying to force her to help them. They seek a psychiatrist, and start working at helping her regain herself. Still not speaking, but she does learn to trust them. She wants them. They break down her walls. They take care of her. They protect her.
She eventually chooses them. They give her the world. Aka with her help, she’ll be the one who gets to destroy Marco Bellini. She’ll be able to take back what was taken from her.
This is almost like a dystopian omegaverse, but not. You get parts that, but it’s more like mafia family with an over inflated ego VS military rules. This was sad in some parts,
hopeful in others. It’s a standalone. You do get a HEA. Omegaverse, touch her and die. Twin Alphas. Revenge. Assault. Torture. Mental Health Awareness.
Naked, she’s captured while on escape by Knox and Silas. Twin brothers who work for the a military-esq protection. Lena hasn’t spoke a word in years. She’s terrified. She has touch aversion. They threaten her. Make her feel unsafe, because they know nothing about her. They don’t know if they can trust her.
It takes a while, but the cards flip. They want to help her
instead of trying to force her to help them. They seek a psychiatrist, and start working at helping her regain herself. Still not speaking, but she does learn to trust them. She wants them. They break down her walls. They take care of her. They protect her.
She eventually chooses them. They give her the world. Aka with her help, she’ll be the one who gets to destroy Marco Bellini. She’ll be able to take back what was taken from her.
This is almost like a dystopian omegaverse, but not. You get parts that, but it’s more like mafia family with an over inflated ego VS military rules. This was sad in some parts,
hopeful in others. It’s a standalone. You do get a HEA. Omegaverse, touch her and die. Twin Alphas. Revenge. Assault. Torture. Mental Health Awareness.
June 20, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars
The Least Favorite by Hazel Paige was an easy 5-star read for me. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end.
One of my favorite aspects was how Lena’s trauma and healing journey was portrayed. The author handled her past with so much care. Rather than overwhelming the reader with every traumatic event at once, the details were gradually revealed throughout the story. It felt realistic, impactful, and allowed Lena’s healing process to take center stage.
I also loved the character development of Silas and Knox. Watching them realize that they weren’t going to get the answers they wanted about Marco’s operation until they helped Lena heal was such a powerful turning point. That revelation added so much emotional depth to the story and made their growth feel earned rather than rushed.
Another detail I thought was brilliantly written was Lena’s habit of cataloging information while she was captive. That kind of observation and information gathering is a very real trauma response seen in kidnapping victims, and Hazel Paige incorporated it into the story in such an intelligent and believable way. It added another layer to Lena’s character and highlighted her resilience and survival instincts.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The emotional journey, character growth, and thoughtful portrayal of trauma and recovery made this a standout read for me. If you enjoy stories that balance suspense, healing, and character development, I highly recommend The Least Favorite.
The Least Favorite by Hazel Paige was an easy 5-star read for me. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end.
One of my favorite aspects was how Lena’s trauma and healing journey was portrayed. The author handled her past with so much care. Rather than overwhelming the reader with every traumatic event at once, the details were gradually revealed throughout the story. It felt realistic, impactful, and allowed Lena’s healing process to take center stage.
I also loved the character development of Silas and Knox. Watching them realize that they weren’t going to get the answers they wanted about Marco’s operation until they helped Lena heal was such a powerful turning point. That revelation added so much emotional depth to the story and made their growth feel earned rather than rushed.
Another detail I thought was brilliantly written was Lena’s habit of cataloging information while she was captive. That kind of observation and information gathering is a very real trauma response seen in kidnapping victims, and Hazel Paige incorporated it into the story in such an intelligent and believable way. It added another layer to Lena’s character and highlighted her resilience and survival instincts.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The emotional journey, character growth, and thoughtful portrayal of trauma and recovery made this a standout read for me. If you enjoy stories that balance suspense, healing, and character development, I highly recommend The Least Favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ , 3.5
🎧 Song Association: Darkest Hour by Andrea Russett
This was my first book in this genre, and after hearing how lovely the author was, I figured this was the perfect place to start.
It definitely took me a little while to settle into the story and get used to the dynamic, but once I did, I found myself genuinely enjoying it. One of the biggest reasons I picked this up was the selective mutism representation, as that’s always been a trope I’ve been particularly drawn to, and I really enjoyed seeing that explored here.
My favourite part of the book was watching the relationship development between Lena and the twins. Seeing their feelings evolve and watching them become so protective and caring towards her was what kept me turning the pages. The character growth throughout the story was easily the strongest aspect for me.
That said, there were a few moments where the writing and some of the nicknames made me cringe a little. That’s very much a personal preference thing rather than an issue with the book itself, but it did pull me out of the story occasionally.
Overall, I had a good time with this one. It was enjoyable, kept me interested, and most importantly, it helped pull me out of a reading slump. It has definitely made me curious to explore more books in this genre, so if you have any recommendations, send them my way! 🖤📚
🎧 Song Association: Darkest Hour by Andrea Russett
This was my first book in this genre, and after hearing how lovely the author was, I figured this was the perfect place to start.
It definitely took me a little while to settle into the story and get used to the dynamic, but once I did, I found myself genuinely enjoying it. One of the biggest reasons I picked this up was the selective mutism representation, as that’s always been a trope I’ve been particularly drawn to, and I really enjoyed seeing that explored here.
My favourite part of the book was watching the relationship development between Lena and the twins. Seeing their feelings evolve and watching them become so protective and caring towards her was what kept me turning the pages. The character growth throughout the story was easily the strongest aspect for me.
That said, there were a few moments where the writing and some of the nicknames made me cringe a little. That’s very much a personal preference thing rather than an issue with the book itself, but it did pull me out of the story occasionally.
Overall, I had a good time with this one. It was enjoyable, kept me interested, and most importantly, it helped pull me out of a reading slump. It has definitely made me curious to explore more books in this genre, so if you have any recommendations, send them my way! 🖤📚
May 21, 2026
This was from the same universe as her other books so alpha omega situation in a dystopian world. It was ok sadly the two brothers were pretty much the same person so that was a bit of a shame.
Lena is an omega who has been sold by her mother to Marco a mafia style Alpha who has multiple omegas who he uses as currency. Lena has been silent for several years now due to the torture she was enduring. Marco wanted Lena to willingly surrender to him but she wouldn’t so every heat he would tie her up and listen to her beg giving her no relief.
Silas and Knox are twin brothers and Marcus killed their mother when they were children. They now work as interrogators who torture information out of people and their ultimate goal is to kill Marcus.
Lena manages to escape Marcus and is instantly captured and Silas and Knox think they can torture information from her until they realise they can’t break what is broken. So they change tactics and try to be gentle with her.
Lena’s brain works differently to most people’s she is great at puzzles and has collected information from Marcus for 5 years. Eventually Knox and Silas see Lena as a victim and she starts to trust them so spills all the information.
Lena is an omega who has been sold by her mother to Marco a mafia style Alpha who has multiple omegas who he uses as currency. Lena has been silent for several years now due to the torture she was enduring. Marco wanted Lena to willingly surrender to him but she wouldn’t so every heat he would tie her up and listen to her beg giving her no relief.
Silas and Knox are twin brothers and Marcus killed their mother when they were children. They now work as interrogators who torture information out of people and their ultimate goal is to kill Marcus.
Lena manages to escape Marcus and is instantly captured and Silas and Knox think they can torture information from her until they realise they can’t break what is broken. So they change tactics and try to be gentle with her.
Lena’s brain works differently to most people’s she is great at puzzles and has collected information from Marcus for 5 years. Eventually Knox and Silas see Lena as a victim and she starts to trust them so spills all the information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
🌟3.5 Stars🌟 I really liked this book! I was using it as a way to get out of a reading slump and it worked wonders! I liked the plot, a pretty classic ABO dynamic with the classic kidnapping trope and the ‘small but fierce omega’. (Also, love the art for the book, 10/10)
Into the nitty gritty:
🔅This is a personal grievance, but I wish Knox got more love from Lena in the book. I preferred his character and it felt like he did more mentally for her and I wish that was more acknowledged in the book. (Still love Silas tho).
🔅As someone who is a real life therapist, I honestly didn’t hate the adaptation of trauma therapy. Obviously it’s unrealistic and should not be taken literally (loved the note at the beginning before starting) but I think for a fictional romance world it pulled some decent tools that made me like it more. (I was nervous at the start).
🔅There were some sentence structure/spelling errors that made the writing feel a little disconnected, but nothing too crazy.
🔅I wish there was more detail regarding them bonding together both during the time they first got Lena and after getting her back from Marco at the end.
🔅Overall, it was a great quick and fun read and I will probably read it again in the future! If someone asked me for an ABO book, I would recommend this!🤍
Into the nitty gritty:
🔅This is a personal grievance, but I wish Knox got more love from Lena in the book. I preferred his character and it felt like he did more mentally for her and I wish that was more acknowledged in the book. (Still love Silas tho).
🔅As someone who is a real life therapist, I honestly didn’t hate the adaptation of trauma therapy. Obviously it’s unrealistic and should not be taken literally (loved the note at the beginning before starting) but I think for a fictional romance world it pulled some decent tools that made me like it more. (I was nervous at the start).
🔅There were some sentence structure/spelling errors that made the writing feel a little disconnected, but nothing too crazy.
🔅I wish there was more detail regarding them bonding together both during the time they first got Lena and after getting her back from Marco at the end.
🔅Overall, it was a great quick and fun read and I will probably read it again in the future! If someone asked me for an ABO book, I would recommend this!🤍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
The Least Favorite by Hazel Paige is a dark omegaverse romance that blends mafia intrigue, emotional healing, and a beautifully developed found family. The FMC and both brutal twin MMCs have endured unimaginable trauma, and watching three broken souls slowly find trust, safety, and love in one another was the heart of this story.
The brutal twins completely stole the show. They’re ruthless when they need to be, fiercely protective of those they love, and their bond added so much depth to the story. The mafia backdrop brought plenty of tension and danger, while the emotional journey kept me completely invested. I loved that the romance wasn’t rushed, every relationship had to be earned, making each breakthrough feel that much more rewarding.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is that I wanted just a bit more development in a few areas and a slightly longer ending. Even so, this was an emotional, addictive read that balanced darkness with hope in such a satisfying way.
If you’re a fan of dark omegaverse romances with brutal twin MMCs, mafia ties, found family, protective heroes, and characters who slowly heal together, The Least Favorite is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.
The brutal twins completely stole the show. They’re ruthless when they need to be, fiercely protective of those they love, and their bond added so much depth to the story. The mafia backdrop brought plenty of tension and danger, while the emotional journey kept me completely invested. I loved that the romance wasn’t rushed, every relationship had to be earned, making each breakthrough feel that much more rewarding.
The only reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is that I wanted just a bit more development in a few areas and a slightly longer ending. Even so, this was an emotional, addictive read that balanced darkness with hope in such a satisfying way.
If you’re a fan of dark omegaverse romances with brutal twin MMCs, mafia ties, found family, protective heroes, and characters who slowly heal together, The Least Favorite is absolutely worth adding to your TBR.
June 8, 2026
Dark, Brutal, and Somehow Full of Heart
Please check the content warnings on this one — they're serious and worth knowing about going in. Still with me? Good. Because this book is worth it. Five years of captivity. An escape that lands her straight into the hands of the other side, who want what she knows about her former captor. The premise is bleak, and Hazel Paige doesn't soften it — but she also builds something genuinely moving inside all that darkness.
The trauma arc here is one of the best I've read in the genre. It's not just backdrop; the story is actually about recognizing what's been done to you and finding a path through it. The found family that forms along the way feels real and hard-won. And the murder twins who are ruthless to everyone except the person they love? Chef's kiss. That trope lives and dies by its execution, and this is one of the good ones.
Marco, the mafia boss antagonist and world-class spoiled brat, gets a satisfying resolved arc — no loose ends there. The ending opens up what feels like a bigger conflict ahead, and I'm very ready for book two.
Please check the content warnings on this one — they're serious and worth knowing about going in. Still with me? Good. Because this book is worth it. Five years of captivity. An escape that lands her straight into the hands of the other side, who want what she knows about her former captor. The premise is bleak, and Hazel Paige doesn't soften it — but she also builds something genuinely moving inside all that darkness.
The trauma arc here is one of the best I've read in the genre. It's not just backdrop; the story is actually about recognizing what's been done to you and finding a path through it. The found family that forms along the way feels real and hard-won. And the murder twins who are ruthless to everyone except the person they love? Chef's kiss. That trope lives and dies by its execution, and this is one of the good ones.
Marco, the mafia boss antagonist and world-class spoiled brat, gets a satisfying resolved arc — no loose ends there. The ending opens up what feels like a bigger conflict ahead, and I'm very ready for book two.
May 22, 2026
3.5 stars, rounded to 4
I’ll start with the positives. I really liked the idea. An abused omega, tortured to the point of being unable to speak and having touch aversion, rescued and paired with two super hot twin alphas who are interrogators themselves? That setup had so much potential and to be honest I finished this in one sitting.
So why the rating? Everything happened way too fast. For this type of story, the book needed to be longer. We’re talking about someone who was severely tortured for five years straight, and based on how everything was described, she got comfortable with them way too quickly. Then suddenly boom, sex. I just didn’t have enough time to really feel the connection developing between them. And before I knew it, she was gone and then rescued almost immediately after. I really needed the author to slow down and let the emotional development breathe a bit more.
That’s basically it. Oh, and I also wasn’t a fan of them calling her “little runt” and “little mute” all the way to the end. Just a personal preference, but that really didn’t work for me.
I’ll start with the positives. I really liked the idea. An abused omega, tortured to the point of being unable to speak and having touch aversion, rescued and paired with two super hot twin alphas who are interrogators themselves? That setup had so much potential and to be honest I finished this in one sitting.
So why the rating? Everything happened way too fast. For this type of story, the book needed to be longer. We’re talking about someone who was severely tortured for five years straight, and based on how everything was described, she got comfortable with them way too quickly. Then suddenly boom, sex. I just didn’t have enough time to really feel the connection developing between them. And before I knew it, she was gone and then rescued almost immediately after. I really needed the author to slow down and let the emotional development breathe a bit more.
That’s basically it. Oh, and I also wasn’t a fan of them calling her “little runt” and “little mute” all the way to the end. Just a personal preference, but that really didn’t work for me.
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