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Alpha Girl #2
Avoiding Alpha
Seventeen-year-old Tessa McCaide has come a long way since her abrupt entrance into the world of werewolves, but she still has just as far to go before she’s comfortable with turning full wolf. In the meantime, she’s avoiding the topic of shifting to four legs any way she can. Thankfully her mate, Dastien Laurent, is quite the distraction.
When she finds her best friend, Meredith, getting sick in the bathroom, Tessa knows something’s majorly wrong. Meredith was cursed years ago, and the dark magic kept her wolf dormant—only now the wolf is awake, and that same spell is killing her.
Tessa has no intention of sitting around while Meredith wastes away. Even if it means playing with magic she doesn’t understand, she’ll do anything to save Meredith’s life. Including bargaining with the local coven of witches and its crazed leader, whose only goal is getting Tessa to join the witchy ranks.
Can Tessa save her friend without losing herself?
***A 52K Word Novella***
When she finds her best friend, Meredith, getting sick in the bathroom, Tessa knows something’s majorly wrong. Meredith was cursed years ago, and the dark magic kept her wolf dormant—only now the wolf is awake, and that same spell is killing her.
Tessa has no intention of sitting around while Meredith wastes away. Even if it means playing with magic she doesn’t understand, she’ll do anything to save Meredith’s life. Including bargaining with the local coven of witches and its crazed leader, whose only goal is getting Tessa to join the witchy ranks.
Can Tessa save her friend without losing herself?
***A 52K Word Novella***
250 pages, ebook
First published May 13, 2014
975 people are currently reading
3546 people want to read
About the author
Aileen Erin
25 books1,716 followersAileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican and 100% nerd-from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW), she reads Quenya and some Sindarin, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband, daughter, and mischievous mini bernedoodle in Texas, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 408 reviews
December 8, 2020
“Meredith is extremely sick. We cannot make it worse for her or she’ll die.”
This was a YA paranormal story featuring werewolves, and I liked it better than the first book in the series.
Tess wasn’t as annoying in this book, and she actually seemed to care about people other than herself which was nice! She did still have lapses though where she wouldn’t consider how her actions might make someone else feel.
“You stay alive. Give me a chance to fix it.”
The storyline in this was about Meredith being ill, and Tess having to find a way to save her, even if doing so seemed dangerous to all parties.
“The two parts that make up Meredith are at war after three years of being totally fine. So, we put the wolf back to sleep and she should go back to being fine.”
We did get a bit of romance in this, and it seemed to be of the ‘happily-ever-after’ variety.
6.25 out of 10
This was a YA paranormal story featuring werewolves, and I liked it better than the first book in the series.
Tess wasn’t as annoying in this book, and she actually seemed to care about people other than herself which was nice! She did still have lapses though where she wouldn’t consider how her actions might make someone else feel.
“You stay alive. Give me a chance to fix it.”
The storyline in this was about Meredith being ill, and Tess having to find a way to save her, even if doing so seemed dangerous to all parties.
“The two parts that make up Meredith are at war after three years of being totally fine. So, we put the wolf back to sleep and she should go back to being fine.”
We did get a bit of romance in this, and it seemed to be of the ‘happily-ever-after’ variety.
6.25 out of 10
January 17, 2022
I bought the set of three Alpha Girls books and read 1 and 2 back to back, which I don't normally do because I like a break between books. This had just sucked me in and I ran with it. Also I was teaching in the 5-day MFA residency at Seton Hill University, and Aileen is one of our successful graduates so it seemed the perfect time to read her books!
December 12, 2023
I love the Alpha Series books by Aileen Erin. She kept the story so interesting you couldn't help to do anything but keep turning the pages. I couldn't put it down. She has a skill for story telling and holding a reader Captive. Werewolves and Romance together. With good plots, suspense also. Wars with witches, keeping the pack strong. There's more than just romance in these books. If you haven't read any yet I suggest you do. You won't be disappointed. I highly recommend.
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November 11, 2015
Avoiding Alpha is book two in the Alpha Girl series by Aileen Erin.
Tessa is still coming to terms with being a wolf. After the initial change, she hasn’t allowed herself to change again. And, not only that, she is the true mate of the love of her life, Dastien and is only days away from the mating ceremony. But, she has found a new life at St. Alibe’s. She has friends here, others that are like her. And she has her best friend, Meredith.
But Meredith has become sick. She was cursed by the head of the witch coven, the same witch coven that Tessa was originally destined to take over, before she became a werewolf. Luciana has cursed Meredith so that she cannot shift. Her wolf is trapped within her. And the wolf wants out. If Tessa can’t find a way to help her, Meredith will die.
“I hope you know that this might not be fixable. You can’t control everything. You can’t save everyone.”
But Tessa is willing to do anything. Even try to bargain with the witches so that Luciana will release the curse. But Luciana wants Tessa, completely or none at all. And that is not something Tessa can do.
Tessa is half werewolf, and half witch. So she must find a way to help her friend.
“Confidence and light. Put my faith, my will, my heart into the work. I had love for Meredith. I’d connect with her, and free the wolf from her cage."
I enjoyed seeing how Tessa is growing into her new self, her new life and her new love. She has gained so much confidence compared to the lonely girl she once was. And the intense ending had me on the edge of my seat. There are still issues to be resolved in the next book so I can’t wait to continue on with this series. Thank you to Aileen Erin, Ink Monster and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
“I didn’t know it was possible to be so happy. So in love”
April 30, 2018
I don't know if this books is just worse then the first or if I'm only noticing it now but this was a disappointment. Tessa makes so many stupid decisions and she is just a bit too childish for me to truly like this book.
May 25, 2014
Pop by my blog The Accidental Reader because you really want to :)
I'm going to keep this short. For lack of a better term I think of calling this series a guilty pleasure of mine. Only, I don't feel guilty and it is not a pleasure of mine if life had taught me anything about pleasure.
I have never before in my life encountered a book (let alone a series of books) that frustrated me and made me laugh in equal degree.
The Alpha Girl series has the very dubious pleasure of being my first.
Becoming Alpha was a frustrating book with a borderline TSTL heroine, who was really annoying the hell out of me- only I enjoyed making fun of her. So, I kept her. As for the rest of her gang, well, I liked Meredith and I could care less for the rest of them. Really.
I hoped that this book will finally help me reach a desicion. Do I love this series or hate it? Do I want to keep in reading or should I just quit?
It is with sadness I'm admiting I'm still on the fence here.
On the one hand- Tessa is still borderline TSTL, Dastien still proves some creeper signs, Tessa is still special for no apparent reason (IMO), this book contained lots of religion (which is something that kind of annoyes me), Meredith was sleeping most of the book so I didn't get to enjoy her company, and the rest of the gang is just plain boring without much of character development. Oh, and the whole witches story line, what the hell?! [too weird, I didn't understand where did it come from]
To make things worse, I felt like half the book was beating around the bush and that it could be shorter (by half). Which coming from someone like me says something- Need I remind you? As long as a book is well written and well developed I don't care how long it is (especially if most of it is justified).
Well, here we were going in circles, it was annoying, Especially with the fact that things were resolved SO VERY EASILY in the end.
On the other hand- Dastien is really cute. Tessa is building a good relationship with Datien most of the time, which makes me really happy considerig how many books showes aweful (stalkery, too dependant) relationship between to teens in love. Yes, sometimes Dastien border on creeper, but guess what? Tessa at least tells him that he is a creeper on those times and she doesn't accept that. Also, they try to build an equal relationship where they relay on one another and respect each other (yes, sometimes they mess up but they try. I think they deserve lots of points for trying). Meredith and Donovan are really cute together and I want to see more of them [Actually, I have this great idea, how about we ditch Dastien, Tessa and the gang in favot of Meredith and Donovan???]. Last but not least, while Tessa keeps on annoying me greatly I have to admit she's evolving, she's coming to terms with herself and the wolf thingie. She is doing some development- and it gives me hope that in the next book she won't be so annoying.
So yeah, while I can't reccomand it whole heartedly. I still find it better than Twilight & Co.
A review copy was provided by Ink Monster through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I'm going to keep this short. For lack of a better term I think of calling this series a guilty pleasure of mine. Only, I don't feel guilty and it is not a pleasure of mine if life had taught me anything about pleasure.
I have never before in my life encountered a book (let alone a series of books) that frustrated me and made me laugh in equal degree.
The Alpha Girl series has the very dubious pleasure of being my first.
Becoming Alpha was a frustrating book with a borderline TSTL heroine, who was really annoying the hell out of me- only I enjoyed making fun of her. So, I kept her. As for the rest of her gang, well, I liked Meredith and I could care less for the rest of them. Really.
I hoped that this book will finally help me reach a desicion. Do I love this series or hate it? Do I want to keep in reading or should I just quit?
It is with sadness I'm admiting I'm still on the fence here.
On the one hand- Tessa is still borderline TSTL, Dastien still proves some creeper signs, Tessa is still special for no apparent reason (IMO), this book contained lots of religion (which is something that kind of annoyes me), Meredith was sleeping most of the book so I didn't get to enjoy her company, and the rest of the gang is just plain boring without much of character development. Oh, and the whole witches story line, what the hell?! [too weird, I didn't understand where did it come from]
To make things worse, I felt like half the book was beating around the bush and that it could be shorter (by half). Which coming from someone like me says something- Need I remind you? As long as a book is well written and well developed I don't care how long it is (especially if most of it is justified).
Well, here we were going in circles, it was annoying, Especially with the fact that things were resolved SO VERY EASILY in the end.
On the other hand- Dastien is really cute. Tessa is building a good relationship with Datien most of the time, which makes me really happy considerig how many books showes aweful (stalkery, too dependant) relationship between to teens in love. Yes, sometimes Dastien border on creeper, but guess what? Tessa at least tells him that he is a creeper on those times and she doesn't accept that. Also, they try to build an equal relationship where they relay on one another and respect each other (yes, sometimes they mess up but they try. I think they deserve lots of points for trying). Meredith and Donovan are really cute together and I want to see more of them [Actually, I have this great idea, how about we ditch Dastien, Tessa and the gang in favot of Meredith and Donovan???]. Last but not least, while Tessa keeps on annoying me greatly I have to admit she's evolving, she's coming to terms with herself and the wolf thingie. She is doing some development- and it gives me hope that in the next book she won't be so annoying.
So yeah, while I can't reccomand it whole heartedly. I still find it better than Twilight & Co.
A review copy was provided by Ink Monster through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 9, 2014
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
This is a cute story about what lengths Tessa is willing to go to in order to save Meredith, her BFF, but calling it book 2 in the ALPHA GIRL series is a bit of stretch in my opinion. This installment doesn’t even have half of the pages that BECOMING ALPHA did (145 vs. 406) which was a bit misleading, and many of the elements that I enjoyed the first time around were practically non-existent in AVOIDING ALPHA. The blurb suggests that McCaide’s bruja half was going to be at the forefront of this story, and I was looking forward to learning more about Aileen Erin’s witchy mythology, but unfortunately the lore fell flat. And, that’s not the only area in which this novella failed to deliver; the werewolves are barely a blip on the radar, and there’s not much going on in the romance department either.
After such a strong debut, I had high hopes for this installment that were slowly snuffed out with every new chapter I read. The world-building was one of the main strengths of book 1, so I was surprised by how sparse it was in this story. I’ve been dying to learn more about Erin’s werewolves, and the magical elements that make up her universe, but sadly this tale had very little in the way of details. It was strictly business: save Meredith. Period. The character growth was practically nil, and this novel did very little if anything to advance this series’ overall plot arc. The whole thing just kinda left me scratching my head wondering what the point of it all was.
Tessa and Dastien’s relationship got off to a rocky start, and I expected there to be some growing pains in AVOIDING ALPHA, but again there was nothing of the sort. They are supposed to “mate” during the upcoming Full Moon Ceremony, and yet they both seem totally ok with this which is weird because 1) McCaide’s only seventeen and 2) they’ve known each other for a mere two months. Their whole romance just rubbed me the wrong way; it was insta-love to the nth degree, and even though I’ve come to expect as much from werewolf books, I just wasn’t feeling their bond. It was missing something.
The secondary characters fell short as well. Axle barely makes an appearance, we learn nothing new about Tessa’s witch cousins, and Meredith is unconscious for the bulk of this tale. Heck, McCaide doesn’t even really grow in this installment either. She’s still scared of her wolf and refuses to change. I couldn’t help but wonder where the meat of this story was because I found it to be very “bare bones”. This novella could have easily been a full length book, and would have been a decent read too had some (or all) of the elements I mentioned been incorporated, but instead it felt like bonus material. It’s as though the author used only her outline to write this installment, and forgot to include all of the little details that turn an idea into a fully fleshed-out story.
I call ‘em like I see ‘em, and AVOIDING ALPHA is a novella, and a disappointing one at that. I can’t help but be concerned that Aileen Erin’s ALPHA GIRL tank is already running on empty.
This is a cute story about what lengths Tessa is willing to go to in order to save Meredith, her BFF, but calling it book 2 in the ALPHA GIRL series is a bit of stretch in my opinion. This installment doesn’t even have half of the pages that BECOMING ALPHA did (145 vs. 406) which was a bit misleading, and many of the elements that I enjoyed the first time around were practically non-existent in AVOIDING ALPHA. The blurb suggests that McCaide’s bruja half was going to be at the forefront of this story, and I was looking forward to learning more about Aileen Erin’s witchy mythology, but unfortunately the lore fell flat. And, that’s not the only area in which this novella failed to deliver; the werewolves are barely a blip on the radar, and there’s not much going on in the romance department either.
After such a strong debut, I had high hopes for this installment that were slowly snuffed out with every new chapter I read. The world-building was one of the main strengths of book 1, so I was surprised by how sparse it was in this story. I’ve been dying to learn more about Erin’s werewolves, and the magical elements that make up her universe, but sadly this tale had very little in the way of details. It was strictly business: save Meredith. Period. The character growth was practically nil, and this novel did very little if anything to advance this series’ overall plot arc. The whole thing just kinda left me scratching my head wondering what the point of it all was.
Tessa and Dastien’s relationship got off to a rocky start, and I expected there to be some growing pains in AVOIDING ALPHA, but again there was nothing of the sort. They are supposed to “mate” during the upcoming Full Moon Ceremony, and yet they both seem totally ok with this which is weird because 1) McCaide’s only seventeen and 2) they’ve known each other for a mere two months. Their whole romance just rubbed me the wrong way; it was insta-love to the nth degree, and even though I’ve come to expect as much from werewolf books, I just wasn’t feeling their bond. It was missing something.
The secondary characters fell short as well. Axle barely makes an appearance, we learn nothing new about Tessa’s witch cousins, and Meredith is unconscious for the bulk of this tale. Heck, McCaide doesn’t even really grow in this installment either. She’s still scared of her wolf and refuses to change. I couldn’t help but wonder where the meat of this story was because I found it to be very “bare bones”. This novella could have easily been a full length book, and would have been a decent read too had some (or all) of the elements I mentioned been incorporated, but instead it felt like bonus material. It’s as though the author used only her outline to write this installment, and forgot to include all of the little details that turn an idea into a fully fleshed-out story.
I call ‘em like I see ‘em, and AVOIDING ALPHA is a novella, and a disappointing one at that. I can’t help but be concerned that Aileen Erin’s ALPHA GIRL tank is already running on empty.
May 13, 2014
Originally posted at:
* An eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I started this book with my head wrapped too tightly around reading about MOSTLY Dastien & Tessa moments. I got what I was waiting for by the last 4 or 5 chapters, but since I'm selfish I still wanted more.
This was a VERY fast and short read. Then again, the plot worked with that rhythm. It was a simple yet fear inducing plot. By the middle of the book I was rooting for Meredith to meet her end already because I just COULDN'T have Tessa do what she was planning to do. BUT, you can't ever doubt the villains and their I've-already-won-so-I'll-just-go-up-to-you-and-tell-you-what-I-did-and-how-you-could-have-fixed/prevented-it-from-ever-happening speech. That goes out to you, Luciana -wink,wink-.
Dastien was just as swoon worthy in this novel as he was in the last. I love how he respects, cherishes and cares for Tessa. It also meant a lot when he would actually hear her out (with her insecurities or just plane silliness) and put her at ease. It's a breath of fresh air when you read about a guy like that. Nowadays, all I'm finding are territorial, alpha males who do what they want when they want.
Tessa is an awesome role model. She fights for what's right and would do ANYTHING to save a friend. Even if it means self sacrifice (which I don't approve of, but let's leave it at that). The moment she and Dastien had in the woods (Get your head out of the gutter! Sheesh! I'm not talking about THAT! LOL) was so sweet. It's like they're almost "complete". I mean that in the I-have-accepted-you-as-my-mate-forever thing.
The ending wasn't a cliff hanger (Thank God!). BUT, it did end in that not-so-ending vibe. I hope book #3 picks up right where this book ends, or I'm going to throw a temper tantrum. In case you were wondering, even at the ripe age of 18 I am still capable of that -insert evil laugh here-.
Favorite Quotes:
"Avoidance, deflection, and repression were my BFFs lately. And I couldn't forget about handy, dandy redirection."
"Well, you balance me. I never laughed this much before you came into my life. Sure, you get into crazy situations, but I like being there for you. It makes me happy and keeps things interesting. I like that I can do thing for you. Sharing my life with you."
"I took a bite of pot roast and moaned. This got me a double eyebrow raise from Dastien. Now, if only I could get you to make that noise when we're alone." ..... I couldn't resist LOL C;
* An eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I started this book with my head wrapped too tightly around reading about MOSTLY Dastien & Tessa moments. I got what I was waiting for by the last 4 or 5 chapters, but since I'm selfish I still wanted more.
This was a VERY fast and short read. Then again, the plot worked with that rhythm. It was a simple yet fear inducing plot. By the middle of the book I was rooting for Meredith to meet her end already because I just COULDN'T have Tessa do what she was planning to do. BUT, you can't ever doubt the villains and their I've-already-won-so-I'll-just-go-up-to-you-and-tell-you-what-I-did-and-how-you-could-have-fixed/prevented-it-from-ever-happening speech. That goes out to you, Luciana -wink,wink-.
Dastien was just as swoon worthy in this novel as he was in the last. I love how he respects, cherishes and cares for Tessa. It also meant a lot when he would actually hear her out (with her insecurities or just plane silliness) and put her at ease. It's a breath of fresh air when you read about a guy like that. Nowadays, all I'm finding are territorial, alpha males who do what they want when they want.
"But I can tell you're happy, and if I did something that made you feel that way, I'd like to know so I can make you feel that way again."
Tessa is an awesome role model. She fights for what's right and would do ANYTHING to save a friend. Even if it means self sacrifice (which I don't approve of, but let's leave it at that). The moment she and Dastien had in the woods (Get your head out of the gutter! Sheesh! I'm not talking about THAT! LOL) was so sweet. It's like they're almost "complete". I mean that in the I-have-accepted-you-as-my-mate-forever thing.
"I can't tell it that's uber creepy or kind of sweet...I'm leaning toward creepy."
The ending wasn't a cliff hanger (Thank God!). BUT, it did end in that not-so-ending vibe. I hope book #3 picks up right where this book ends, or I'm going to throw a temper tantrum. In case you were wondering, even at the ripe age of 18 I am still capable of that -insert evil laugh here-.
Favorite Quotes:
"Avoidance, deflection, and repression were my BFFs lately. And I couldn't forget about handy, dandy redirection."
"Well, you balance me. I never laughed this much before you came into my life. Sure, you get into crazy situations, but I like being there for you. It makes me happy and keeps things interesting. I like that I can do thing for you. Sharing my life with you."
"I took a bite of pot roast and moaned. This got me a double eyebrow raise from Dastien. Now, if only I could get you to make that noise when we're alone." ..... I couldn't resist LOL C;
May 7, 2014
Tessa, a witch and werewolf is not having a very good day. Her best friend Meredith was cursed years earlier and her werewolf has been trapped, now she has suddenly fallen violently ill and as her life is slipping away, it is left to Tessa to save her. But saving her might only be possible if she makes a deal with the devil, the witch who cast the spell and is leader of a powerful coven of witches.
Avoiding Alpha is such a great book. It sits somewhere between a long novella and a short novel, but despite its length (or lack of it) it packs in a whole bunch of story. Aileen Erin has managed to deliver a book which sets the scene for Alpha Divided (due out in October), she has introduced characters who will take the stage in book three, but she has also given us a book which stands on its own two feet. Never drags and is entertaining to the last page turn.
Many thanks to Ink Monster and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
Avoiding Alpha is such a great book. It sits somewhere between a long novella and a short novel, but despite its length (or lack of it) it packs in a whole bunch of story. Aileen Erin has managed to deliver a book which sets the scene for Alpha Divided (due out in October), she has introduced characters who will take the stage in book three, but she has also given us a book which stands on its own two feet. Never drags and is entertaining to the last page turn.
Many thanks to Ink Monster and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
August 26, 2015
Still on the fence.
My love/hate relationship with this series continues. While I wasn't completely won over by 'Becoming Alpha' there was enough potential there to make me want to continue on.
I hoped in this book Tessa would be less annoying, she's not and we can add verging on TSTL to her qualities. Meredith, the highlight of the previous book is unconscious for the majority of this book and I missed her. Shannon, don't get me started on her.
One of my main complaints with 'Becoming Alpha' was that it seemed overlong and almost plodding at times and unfortunately this is the same, so I had to make a decision quit or skim? I choose to skim read, at least the long boring parts and this worked surprisingly well.
So again this book didn't win me over but I am going to continue on there's something here, I'm sure of it.
August 31, 2018
The 2nd falls short of book one, still I need to know what happens next! (That's what a supernatural teen romance will get you) A quick read, a likable (sarcastic and believable) teen protagonist confronts her identity and values in not quite the usual way, as an "ex-human girl"!
April 25, 2014
YAY it's book two! Although you wouldn't know that it's the second book in the 'Alpha Girl' series by the cover, which I'm hoping the author will fix (just put on the book that it is indeed book two in the series.) Sometimes having a mate sure can be pesky:
"You haven't lost your mind," a low gravelly voice said beside me.
I squealed and opened my eyes. Dastien was crouched beside my bed, his eyes level with mine. "Oh my God. How long were you listening?"
"Right as she was advising you on take precautions."
I love how attentive Dastien was, "no. But I can tell you're happy, and if I did something that made you feel that way, I'd like to know so I can make you feel that way again." And you don't mess with his woman, "he stepped toward Shannon. "You've lashed out about my mate for the last time. Blaming her for stealing me, her own mate. For hurting Meredith. For any little thing you didn't like. I won't have it anymore." I think Tessa enjoys the benefits of being mated to someone with erm... grand attributes, "we slid to the ground. I couldn't take my eyes from him as I tried to catch my breath. I licked my lips and stared at him. God. He was way too hot. His abs. His long, muscular legs. His arms. Holy sh**, his arms." I can't wait to see where the third story goes.
"You haven't lost your mind," a low gravelly voice said beside me.
I squealed and opened my eyes. Dastien was crouched beside my bed, his eyes level with mine. "Oh my God. How long were you listening?"
"Right as she was advising you on take precautions."
I love how attentive Dastien was, "no. But I can tell you're happy, and if I did something that made you feel that way, I'd like to know so I can make you feel that way again." And you don't mess with his woman, "he stepped toward Shannon. "You've lashed out about my mate for the last time. Blaming her for stealing me, her own mate. For hurting Meredith. For any little thing you didn't like. I won't have it anymore." I think Tessa enjoys the benefits of being mated to someone with erm... grand attributes, "we slid to the ground. I couldn't take my eyes from him as I tried to catch my breath. I licked my lips and stared at him. God. He was way too hot. His abs. His long, muscular legs. His arms. Holy sh**, his arms." I can't wait to see where the third story goes.
September 29, 2023
Audiobook
Narrated by Elizabeth Evans
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was too teensy and predictable, therefore too boring for me to actually enjoy.
Narrated by Elizabeth Evans
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was too teensy and predictable, therefore too boring for me to actually enjoy.
March 27, 2024
Ik vloog door dit boek heen! Ik kon echt niet stoppen. Het was super spannend. Het boek las heerlijk weg en de schrijfstijl is super fijn. Ik had helemaal niet het idee dat ik al bij het einde was. Een mega leuke deel 2. Op naar het volgende deel!
April 16, 2014
omg
I have been patiently waiting for this, and now it is almost here and it is killing me. I love the characters and I just want to know what happens NEXT....
I have been patiently waiting for this, and now it is almost here and it is killing me. I love the characters and I just want to know what happens NEXT....
November 30, 2017
I love Tessa in this one because she finally excepted her wolf, and she was so determined to help Meredith. Their friendship is great. Also love who Meredith got a mate.
September 14, 2018
Shorter read but got to be introduced to new characters. Such an addicting series. Already slammed two books. I like all of the main characters and can't wait to get to know them more.
August 14, 2019
Tessa begins to grow & learn more about herself and to come to terms more fully with her new existence. She displays actual alpha tendencies as the story grows with her.
November 7, 2022
I'm speeding through the audiobooks of this series. <3
June 9, 2020
Okay the beginning kind of pissed me off but the end is really cute lol
BUT if your looking for something that'll make you go omg I didn't see that coming this it's the book for you.
BUT if your looking for something that'll make you go omg I didn't see that coming this it's the book for you.
September 1, 2016
I want to start off with what I love about this book, which is that Erin gets the reader through hundreds of pages that only take place in two days without making the read seem like it is taking hundreds of pages. The writing (in terms of time structure) reminds me a lot of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream and I get the sense the author was looking to this as a reference in places as she includes Shakespearian quotes (of course this could just be in my imagination and it is coincidental). I am so excited to know what else is going to happen with Tessa and Dastien in the next installment.
Plot: I did wish that this book had a little bit more in terms of plot lines going on instead of just being teased with the looming Tribunal for the 3rd book. While I liked the Shakespearian-ness of it all, I still did want more.
Trilogy-Limbo: I wanted to love this book as much as I loved the first, but just couldn't. The book suffers a bit too much of what I call "second book syndrome" where the reader is head-over-heels in love with the first and wants to know what comes next but gets stuck in limbo between the 1st and 3rd novels and the in-betweener has a lot of fill in information to get the reader to the next one. I don't think this is too much a reflection of the author as it is a reflection of YA trilogies overall in current YA publishing.
There were also so many instances throughout the book where the reader was tested to rely on the knowledge of the first book despite if it was relevant or not (i.e. how Dastien's cabin looked in relation to another character’s; I barely remembered those details from the first and would rather just let my imagination create it all again instead of trying to remember inconsequential details). I got the sense that the author was doing her best to bridge the gap between what will be the 1st book to the 3rd but that she was tentative in some areas about how much the reader would remember from the 1st book and what the reader was expected to remember. A+ for effort, B- in execution.
Characters and Relationships: The characters were so wonderfully and fully developed in the first book that I felt they seemed flat in this second book; the love had already happened, the friendships were in place. Tessa and Dastien seem to be a sure thing, despite Tribunal teasing, so where's the action going to be there? It seems the love relationship here is going to come in second (or third) to Tessa's relationships with her family and coven. I hope the third book will develop some conflict between the two that needs to be resolved otherwise where’s it going besides happily-ever-after? If I had been "warmed-up" to the romance again instead of just being dropped-off where the first book ended, I may feel differently about this but he relationship that I loved between Tessa and Dastien felt too flat now.
Tessa’s friendships felt almost non-existent in this book because of the focus on “the bond.” Even the conflict with Shannon was a blip on the radar. Even Tessa’s focus on Meredith is flat as it relies on the relationship from the 1st book and the reader is expected to remember all the good feeling that were established there.
The most interesting relationship in this book is between Meredith and Donovan! (Maybe the author will write a companion book/story about Meredith and Donovan? That would be awesome!) There’s obviously a complicated backstory for each of them that was skimmed over in both the first and second books.
Apologies for the “downer” review. I feel that my expectations for this book were so high and I was sure that despite this being a second book in a series, it would not fall into the a trilogy “second-book” limbo because of how wonderfully the first was written.
Plot: I did wish that this book had a little bit more in terms of plot lines going on instead of just being teased with the looming Tribunal for the 3rd book. While I liked the Shakespearian-ness of it all, I still did want more.
Trilogy-Limbo: I wanted to love this book as much as I loved the first, but just couldn't. The book suffers a bit too much of what I call "second book syndrome" where the reader is head-over-heels in love with the first and wants to know what comes next but gets stuck in limbo between the 1st and 3rd novels and the in-betweener has a lot of fill in information to get the reader to the next one. I don't think this is too much a reflection of the author as it is a reflection of YA trilogies overall in current YA publishing.
There were also so many instances throughout the book where the reader was tested to rely on the knowledge of the first book despite if it was relevant or not (i.e. how Dastien's cabin looked in relation to another character’s; I barely remembered those details from the first and would rather just let my imagination create it all again instead of trying to remember inconsequential details). I got the sense that the author was doing her best to bridge the gap between what will be the 1st book to the 3rd but that she was tentative in some areas about how much the reader would remember from the 1st book and what the reader was expected to remember. A+ for effort, B- in execution.
Characters and Relationships: The characters were so wonderfully and fully developed in the first book that I felt they seemed flat in this second book; the love had already happened, the friendships were in place. Tessa and Dastien seem to be a sure thing, despite Tribunal teasing, so where's the action going to be there? It seems the love relationship here is going to come in second (or third) to Tessa's relationships with her family and coven. I hope the third book will develop some conflict between the two that needs to be resolved otherwise where’s it going besides happily-ever-after? If I had been "warmed-up" to the romance again instead of just being dropped-off where the first book ended, I may feel differently about this but he relationship that I loved between Tessa and Dastien felt too flat now.
Tessa’s friendships felt almost non-existent in this book because of the focus on “the bond.” Even the conflict with Shannon was a blip on the radar. Even Tessa’s focus on Meredith is flat as it relies on the relationship from the 1st book and the reader is expected to remember all the good feeling that were established there.
The most interesting relationship in this book is between Meredith and Donovan! (Maybe the author will write a companion book/story about Meredith and Donovan? That would be awesome!) There’s obviously a complicated backstory for each of them that was skimmed over in both the first and second books.
Apologies for the “downer” review. I feel that my expectations for this book were so high and I was sure that despite this being a second book in a series, it would not fall into the a trilogy “second-book” limbo because of how wonderfully the first was written.
May 13, 2014
For more of this review and others like it, check out my blog, Rampant Readers.
I absolutely adored the first novel in this series, Becoming Alpha, so I had to see what happened next.
This novel focused on the fact that Tessa’s best friend, Meredith, has become sick because her wolf is fighting the curse that the witches placed on her. And if Tessa can’t find a way to quiet her wolf, her best friend will die. This novel takes place over merely a day, but it seemed so much longer than that. Tessa does a lot of dangerous things in this novel to find help, and with all of it going on, I found myself frequently forgetting that it all happened in one day. Erin was able to draw this day out extremely long—and she did it very well. By the end of the novel, she had me crossing my fingers in suspense of what would happen.
Tessa was the leading lady in this novel, as she was in the previous one. In this novel, she comes to learn more about her witchy heritage. She travels to the coven and learns more about magic in this novel than the last. But she is also having trouble controlling her wolf—she is hesitant to shift and it’s something that she struggles with for the duration of the novel. In this novel, we really see Tessa’s selfless side—she is willing to risk anything and everything to save her best friend. It made me love her character even more.
Dastien would be considered the main male protagonist in this novel. Dastien was the rock in this novel, always there for Tessa for support, even though he was dealing with the impending Tribunal. We didn’t see quite as much of him in this novel, seeing as the main focus was Meredith and Tessa. But he was there and as calming as ever.
There wasn’t too much romance in this novel, again because the main focus was helping Meredith. But Tessa and Dastien did have their moments, which was nice. They got along with each other just as well as they did in the previous novel, with both of them being pretty Alpha but getting along well because they love each other. I wish there would have been more romance simply because I love this couple so much, but that being said, I didn’t really even realize the lack of it until I was finished reading: the plot was that captivating.
This novel revolves around Meredith and calming her wolf. We finally get Meredith’s story about her curse in this novel, which was something that I had been wondering about after reading the previous novel. We also get a glimpse into Meredith’s love life, which was interesting to say the least. We learned a lot more about Meredith’s back-story in this novel.
Avoiding Alpha was another fantastically written and engaging novel from Aileen Erin. It hinted towards the Tribunal, which is hopefully what the next installment will be about. This novel was as great read and I couldn’t recommend this series more highly.
I absolutely adored the first novel in this series, Becoming Alpha, so I had to see what happened next.
This novel focused on the fact that Tessa’s best friend, Meredith, has become sick because her wolf is fighting the curse that the witches placed on her. And if Tessa can’t find a way to quiet her wolf, her best friend will die. This novel takes place over merely a day, but it seemed so much longer than that. Tessa does a lot of dangerous things in this novel to find help, and with all of it going on, I found myself frequently forgetting that it all happened in one day. Erin was able to draw this day out extremely long—and she did it very well. By the end of the novel, she had me crossing my fingers in suspense of what would happen.
Tessa was the leading lady in this novel, as she was in the previous one. In this novel, she comes to learn more about her witchy heritage. She travels to the coven and learns more about magic in this novel than the last. But she is also having trouble controlling her wolf—she is hesitant to shift and it’s something that she struggles with for the duration of the novel. In this novel, we really see Tessa’s selfless side—she is willing to risk anything and everything to save her best friend. It made me love her character even more.
Dastien would be considered the main male protagonist in this novel. Dastien was the rock in this novel, always there for Tessa for support, even though he was dealing with the impending Tribunal. We didn’t see quite as much of him in this novel, seeing as the main focus was Meredith and Tessa. But he was there and as calming as ever.
There wasn’t too much romance in this novel, again because the main focus was helping Meredith. But Tessa and Dastien did have their moments, which was nice. They got along with each other just as well as they did in the previous novel, with both of them being pretty Alpha but getting along well because they love each other. I wish there would have been more romance simply because I love this couple so much, but that being said, I didn’t really even realize the lack of it until I was finished reading: the plot was that captivating.
This novel revolves around Meredith and calming her wolf. We finally get Meredith’s story about her curse in this novel, which was something that I had been wondering about after reading the previous novel. We also get a glimpse into Meredith’s love life, which was interesting to say the least. We learned a lot more about Meredith’s back-story in this novel.
Avoiding Alpha was another fantastically written and engaging novel from Aileen Erin. It hinted towards the Tribunal, which is hopefully what the next installment will be about. This novel was as great read and I couldn’t recommend this series more highly.
September 7, 2015
This was more interesting that the first book. It was better because it didn't focus so much on the romance aspect since they already got together, but instead it focused on the plot and what was going on with Meredith and her curse that was trying to kill her.
Like in the first book, the interactions between the characters were my favorite. I could practically see myself there with them, dealing with the pack's problems. We get more insight into the witch coven that Tessa was supposed to have inherited to become the leader and magic is involved a lot in the book. From casting spells, to making potions, and breaking potions, this just proved how awesome it is that Tessa is a werewitch, because that helps out a lot. Not only does she manage to break a curse cast by dark magic, she also finally embraces her wolf and shifts, albeit it was a command by the alpha Donnovan as a sort of thanks for saving his mates', Meredith's, life.
At least there's no love triangle involved so kudos for that. Authors have a tendency to spring that on us when we least expect it to throw twists into the series, but with all that's going already, we don't need a love rival, and it still wouldn't have mattered anyway since she's mated to Dastien and nothing can break them apart since they're two halves of a soul. So that trope went down the drain ever since the beginning of this series.
Defintely looking forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens at the Tribunal, hopefully Dastien and Tessa don't get punished or anything bad, because Dastien bitting her was with good reason.
Like in the first book, the interactions between the characters were my favorite. I could practically see myself there with them, dealing with the pack's problems. We get more insight into the witch coven that Tessa was supposed to have inherited to become the leader and magic is involved a lot in the book. From casting spells, to making potions, and breaking potions, this just proved how awesome it is that Tessa is a werewitch, because that helps out a lot. Not only does she manage to break a curse cast by dark magic, she also finally embraces her wolf and shifts, albeit it was a command by the alpha Donnovan as a sort of thanks for saving his mates', Meredith's, life.
At least there's no love triangle involved so kudos for that. Authors have a tendency to spring that on us when we least expect it to throw twists into the series, but with all that's going already, we don't need a love rival, and it still wouldn't have mattered anyway since she's mated to Dastien and nothing can break them apart since they're two halves of a soul. So that trope went down the drain ever since the beginning of this series.
Defintely looking forward to reading the next book and seeing what happens at the Tribunal, hopefully Dastien and Tessa don't get punished or anything bad, because Dastien bitting her was with good reason.
January 6, 2016
Avoiding Alpha again like its predecessor was an enjoyable read. The only gripe that I really have with the book is Tessa. She worked my nerves quite a bit in this book. I mean it got to the point that I was screaming at my phone for her to shift already. I don’t know if this makes sense but I do wish that she and Dastien’s relationship had a little more substance than their mating bond. I mean she states the many issues she has with the mating and the fact that they barley know each other but nothing has been done to rectify this. It’s great that they have this great chemistry between the two of them but other than that there isn’t really anything else there. I mean it’s nice to read a book (series) where there wasn’t really that much fighting of the mating bond. But in other stories when there is prolonged fighting between the mated pair that is when they get to know each other and that’s what I feel is missing. And I know that being a headstrong girl is the going trend but if the heroine is so headstrong that it borders on slight stupidity than there is an issue. I wish she didn’t rush into everything without thinking it all the way through. I get it that they were on a strict time limit but a lot of time could have been cut out if she just used her noggin. In all honesty, this was a page turner and I will be moving on to the next installment.
May 26, 2014
Aileen Erin's Avoiding Alpha had a nice upbeat atmosphere and some fun dialogue. I enjoyed the cultural flavour and the relationships between the werewolves and the bruja (witches) had potential.
Perhaps because I haven't read Book 1, I found the relationship between the heroine and hero unconvincing. There was a lot of touchy-feely going on (I thought being carried into the cafeteria was a low-point in the novel), but he seemed a lot older and almost avuncular. The fact that two of the head seven male werewolves had fallen in love with seventeen year old girls was also problematic for me. Where are all the strong adult females?
Sometimes the action seemed impulsive and un-thought out and there seemed a lot of hectic to-ing and fro-ing. Perhaps this is because the heroine is resisting her wolf and also under a temporary curse to have unstable emotions. It wasn't clear to me why she was resisting her wolf, however.
At any rate, I could see that this novel would appeal to many teenage readers. And I like the cover!
Perhaps because I haven't read Book 1, I found the relationship between the heroine and hero unconvincing. There was a lot of touchy-feely going on (I thought being carried into the cafeteria was a low-point in the novel), but he seemed a lot older and almost avuncular. The fact that two of the head seven male werewolves had fallen in love with seventeen year old girls was also problematic for me. Where are all the strong adult females?
Sometimes the action seemed impulsive and un-thought out and there seemed a lot of hectic to-ing and fro-ing. Perhaps this is because the heroine is resisting her wolf and also under a temporary curse to have unstable emotions. It wasn't clear to me why she was resisting her wolf, however.
At any rate, I could see that this novel would appeal to many teenage readers. And I like the cover!
July 31, 2015
I did enjoy this a little bit more than the other one but this primarily focused on Meredith and her illness.
In this book, Tess kind of portrayed the role of wonder woman I think; fighting to safe her best friend's life between the cliché like a life and death situation!
At least, there was much more communication and romance between Dastien and Tess! But I honestly think Tess was a bit naïve thinking she could bargain with Luciana like that
Overall, a okay read
In this book, Tess kind of portrayed the role of wonder woman I think; fighting to safe her best friend's life between the cliché like a life and death situation!
At least, there was much more communication and romance between Dastien and Tess! But I honestly think Tess was a bit naïve thinking she could bargain with Luciana like that
Overall, a okay read
May 11, 2017
My casting:
The thing is, this book didn't really do it for me:/ I think i was looking too much forward for it, and i had too high expectations... It was predictable and i had seriously hoped for more. I'm not sure if i'll continue reading this series, though i want to give it another chance, so you'll never know.
Rate: 3/2 stars.
The thing is, this book didn't really do it for me:/ I think i was looking too much forward for it, and i had too high expectations... It was predictable and i had seriously hoped for more. I'm not sure if i'll continue reading this series, though i want to give it another chance, so you'll never know.
Rate: 3/2 stars.
June 23, 2014
So fun!
I'm really loving this series. It's fun, action-packed, takes a different perspective on the supernatural, funny, dramatic, romantic in a easy kind of way, and just a really great quick read!
Dastien is the sweetest guy ever. I want one. I want to go to a perfect guy store and put a Dastien in my shopping cart, check out, pack him in my trunk and take him home with me.
I love that she finally shifted! And even if her saving Meredith was a seriously cliche ending, it was still done awesomely. Can't wait for the next one!
I'm really loving this series. It's fun, action-packed, takes a different perspective on the supernatural, funny, dramatic, romantic in a easy kind of way, and just a really great quick read!
Dastien is the sweetest guy ever. I want one. I want to go to a perfect guy store and put a Dastien in my shopping cart, check out, pack him in my trunk and take him home with me.
I love that she finally shifted! And even if her saving Meredith was a seriously cliche ending, it was still done awesomely. Can't wait for the next one!
October 21, 2015
I loved the story. I'm glad I got to see more into the mind of Tessa. Also, I thought it was great to get Meredith more into this storyline. I still love Dastien. Who would want a sweet werewolf boyfriend who can speak French? I would gladly want him to be mine. I thought it was a fast and intriguing read about Werewolves and Witches. I thought it was cool that the ending was nice and sweet.
February 2, 2016
It is very rare that I find myself actually yelling at a book, but this one caught me off guard. Not only did I find myself swooning when Tessa and Dastien kissed, but there is this one part that I found myself yelling for them to hurry. It was like when I get caught up in a good movie and am all in. I read this book so fast and was only wanted more. This book is wonderful but don't read it until you read book one.
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