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Peyton's Path #1
Finding Fate
My name is Peyton, and I have a charmed life. I live in a beautiful mansion on top of a hill and want for nothing. My father’s successful, and my mother’s devoted to seeing me and my siblings succeed… Oh, wait…that’s not my life at all. That’s my half-sister’s life.
Until recently, I had no family, aside from my mom and dad. My life consisted of secrets, escape, two best friends, and most importantly, dance. But when my mom drops a bombshell on me, that we’re moving to her hometown hours away, all the secrets come out, including the fact that the man who I’ve called dad my whole life, is really my uncle.
So now it’s a new school, new life, new town. And let me tell you, this town hates me. My life has never been a bed of roses, to begin with, but being here? It’s hell. My best friends are far away, my dance career is on hold, and the family drama is movie-worthy. The only thing that’s worth getting up for in the morning is my new friends, a group of guys who have made it their mission to put me under their wing. They bring me into their circle, determined to protect me and help me on my new path.
But sometimes, we get in our own way. Sometimes, you can’t walk alone.
Sometimes, the only way to live your life is to lean on the ones who love you.
***Peyton’s Path is a Contemporary Reverse Harem. This book contains some triggering content that may be sensitive to some readers. ***
Until recently, I had no family, aside from my mom and dad. My life consisted of secrets, escape, two best friends, and most importantly, dance. But when my mom drops a bombshell on me, that we’re moving to her hometown hours away, all the secrets come out, including the fact that the man who I’ve called dad my whole life, is really my uncle.
So now it’s a new school, new life, new town. And let me tell you, this town hates me. My life has never been a bed of roses, to begin with, but being here? It’s hell. My best friends are far away, my dance career is on hold, and the family drama is movie-worthy. The only thing that’s worth getting up for in the morning is my new friends, a group of guys who have made it their mission to put me under their wing. They bring me into their circle, determined to protect me and help me on my new path.
But sometimes, we get in our own way. Sometimes, you can’t walk alone.
Sometimes, the only way to live your life is to lean on the ones who love you.
***Peyton’s Path is a Contemporary Reverse Harem. This book contains some triggering content that may be sensitive to some readers. ***
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2019
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2582 people want to read
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May 14, 2024
I had a massive book hangover after finishing the Sanctuary series and needed some more SM Olivier. I did like it...but I think I had slightly different expectations. They were probably set a bit too high.
The plot followed Peyton, as she was essentially removed from her life and placed in this world of wealth and privilege. Most of the MMCs are middle or working class, so there wasn't a load of pompous p**cks everywhere. The FMC’s new family were one of the richest. At least the granddad was.
From reading the Sanctuary series and now this series, the author is great at writing these strong and resilient female characters, who overcome large hurdles in their lives. In this case, the FMC had a tumultuous childhood. I don't want to fully give it away, but the book had very similar triggers to the Binding 13 and Reason to Breathe.
Apparently, I'm not into happy stories at the moment. I need to feel ridiculous amounts of rage on the characters' behalf. I love having someone to root for and I was rooting for her all the way through.
The classic mean girls and the douchey boys are present in this high school, as always. The plot slightly differs to similar reads though, when you look at who they are in relation to the FMC. When this author writes a villain, she really wants you to despise them. They have no redeeming qualities, no glimmers of hope that they will change. They are straight-up savage and I respect her for not flip-flopping the characters. I think the ‘mean’ lines got slightly repetitive and this definitely made me feel more anger towards them.
At times it was pretty cringy, cheesy and the monologues... they do monologue for a while. I mostly liked them when there was a powerful message behind was being said, but they could have been clipped a bit.
For the majority of this book, the FMC was 17 and she does have an overly familiar relationship with one of her teachers. I don’t believe anything happened with them in this book, but it’s something to be aware of.
The MMCs were somewhat similar to the Male sanctuary characters, which I loved. I kind of wanted similar personalities, but a different scenario. Don’t get me wrong the characters aren't the exactly same, but she writes them in a way that you instantly like them.
There is no doubt that I'm reading the next book, after that cliffhanger how could I not? I think I just had very high expectations and overall (to me) it didn't compare to Seeking Asylum. Also, some of my pet peeves took over. I can sometimes do academy/ HS books and other times the immaturity levels are too apparent for me. It was still a solid read though.
(update: I read book 2. There will be a couple of chapters near the end of the book when one of the MMCs is acting like a d**k. Not going to lie, you won't see him the same (I don't anyway) and you may want to stop reading, but you must continue. It does get slightly better.)
The plot followed Peyton, as she was essentially removed from her life and placed in this world of wealth and privilege. Most of the MMCs are middle or working class, so there wasn't a load of pompous p**cks everywhere. The FMC’s new family were one of the richest. At least the granddad was.
From reading the Sanctuary series and now this series, the author is great at writing these strong and resilient female characters, who overcome large hurdles in their lives. In this case, the FMC had a tumultuous childhood. I don't want to fully give it away, but the book had very similar triggers to the Binding 13 and Reason to Breathe.
Apparently, I'm not into happy stories at the moment. I need to feel ridiculous amounts of rage on the characters' behalf. I love having someone to root for and I was rooting for her all the way through.
The classic mean girls and the douchey boys are present in this high school, as always. The plot slightly differs to similar reads though, when you look at who they are in relation to the FMC. When this author writes a villain, she really wants you to despise them. They have no redeeming qualities, no glimmers of hope that they will change. They are straight-up savage and I respect her for not flip-flopping the characters. I think the ‘mean’ lines got slightly repetitive and this definitely made me feel more anger towards them.
At times it was pretty cringy, cheesy and the monologues... they do monologue for a while. I mostly liked them when there was a powerful message behind was being said, but they could have been clipped a bit.
For the majority of this book, the FMC was 17 and she does have an overly familiar relationship with one of her teachers. I don’t believe anything happened with them in this book, but it’s something to be aware of.
The MMCs were somewhat similar to the Male sanctuary characters, which I loved. I kind of wanted similar personalities, but a different scenario. Don’t get me wrong the characters aren't the exactly same, but she writes them in a way that you instantly like them.
There is no doubt that I'm reading the next book, after that cliffhanger how could I not? I think I just had very high expectations and overall (to me) it didn't compare to Seeking Asylum. Also, some of my pet peeves took over. I can sometimes do academy/ HS books and other times the immaturity levels are too apparent for me. It was still a solid read though.
(update: I read book 2. There will be a couple of chapters near the end of the book when one of the MMCs is acting like a d**k. Not going to lie, you won't see him the same (I don't anyway) and you may want to stop reading, but you must continue. It does get slightly better.)
did-not-finish
August 4, 2019I stopped reading about 60% of the way through. Overall I was enjoying myself until a certain problem became too big for me to ignore anymore.
Teacher(adult) and minor romantic relationships.
Sorry my dudes. I can't. She's like 17 in this book, in a vulnerable situation, with an imbalanced power dynamic since she is literally a child. there is still a 'teen' attached to her age. and the adults that are sort of involved in this harem make me cringe and all my 's-pedo senses' scream.
I get that it's a fantasy for some to have that older romantic figure, but I wish I didn't see it so much with kids. especially with kids in situations where their vulnerability makes them easy prey for terrible people in the real world.
Teacher(adult) and minor romantic relationships.
Sorry my dudes. I can't. She's like 17 in this book, in a vulnerable situation, with an imbalanced power dynamic since she is literally a child. there is still a 'teen' attached to her age. and the adults that are sort of involved in this harem make me cringe and all my 's-pedo senses' scream.
I get that it's a fantasy for some to have that older romantic figure, but I wish I didn't see it so much with kids. especially with kids in situations where their vulnerability makes them easy prey for terrible people in the real world.
March 21, 2019
A bit unoriginal
Sadly another disappointing read. The story had just too much getting thrown in trying to do too much at the same time. The MC is supposed to be this bad-A girl that dances and rides a motorcycle, hard but desperately needs attention, abused but give love freely. Idk I wanted to like this so much with the group of guys she had it just felt a bit like everything else. There’s absolutely no plot until 2/3 of the way through when there’s someone “following” her. Sadly 2 stars because of just a bunch of nothing happened.
Sadly another disappointing read. The story had just too much getting thrown in trying to do too much at the same time. The MC is supposed to be this bad-A girl that dances and rides a motorcycle, hard but desperately needs attention, abused but give love freely. Idk I wanted to like this so much with the group of guys she had it just felt a bit like everything else. There’s absolutely no plot until 2/3 of the way through when there’s someone “following” her. Sadly 2 stars because of just a bunch of nothing happened.
October 27, 2024
I reread this series every couple of months because it's that good
February 17, 2019
Enjoyed
Overall the book was good. I finished it, mainly because of the guys. I found Peyton to be whiny at times and it became monotonous. There were some editing issues and it felt like the story skipped around at times, minor inconsistencies. I liked all of the guys and enjoyed the family aspect, it was different. The relationships formed a little fast, not truly slow burn in my opinion and I found it a little strange that the older guys were so quick to jump into a relationship with her. Not sure I'll read the second book, but I did like that it was a high school setting and a break from crazy paranormal save the world RH.
Overall the book was good. I finished it, mainly because of the guys. I found Peyton to be whiny at times and it became monotonous. There were some editing issues and it felt like the story skipped around at times, minor inconsistencies. I liked all of the guys and enjoyed the family aspect, it was different. The relationships formed a little fast, not truly slow burn in my opinion and I found it a little strange that the older guys were so quick to jump into a relationship with her. Not sure I'll read the second book, but I did like that it was a high school setting and a break from crazy paranormal save the world RH.
April 2, 2019
A must read
A very raw and one of the I’m going to make you feel all types of emotions book. I read a couple review that said the main character was whiny but Idk, I don’t see it like that. For me is more that she’s just tired and now she is speaking her mind. BUT come on give the girl a break !!!
Anyways I’m totally going to continue reading the story cause I know the rest of the books are going to be great.
I’m a big fan of this author so yeah give me all the books !!!
A very raw and one of the I’m going to make you feel all types of emotions book. I read a couple review that said the main character was whiny but Idk, I don’t see it like that. For me is more that she’s just tired and now she is speaking her mind. BUT come on give the girl a break !!!
Anyways I’m totally going to continue reading the story cause I know the rest of the books are going to be great.
I’m a big fan of this author so yeah give me all the books !!!
February 22, 2019
This book was amazing. I’ve been in a book funk for a while and this is exactly what I needed. This is by far the best book that I have read this year and I have a feeling it will stay in that position!! I loved Peyton and all of the guys. I felt like I was in the story and I was pulled in from page one. At times I laughed and at a few times I cried. This story was truly amazing and I cannot wait until I get to read more about them!! If your thinking about reading this book JUST DO IT! You will not regret it!!
February 15, 2019
i read alot of RH and half the time they are crap.
this one was great. it just came out on Valentines Day! how cute. Plus it a contemporary RH which can be hard to get right.
I loved Peyton and the guys around her.
Peyton was raised by her abusive Dad Sean( who is really her uncle) who hits her and her mom is horrible and turns a blind eye- she gets hit sometimes too. Her grandparent she never met is sick so her Dad moves her and her mom to live at his old families house where they live in a rundown cottage. her real dad is David who got her mom preggars and didnt believe her mom when she said she was preggars and had also gotten another women preggars at the same time and married her. Sean married her mom because he had been in love with her when they were young.......... flash forward 17 years later David family including his wife and 2 kids are horrible to Peyton, BUT her grandfather who never knew about Peyton is wonderful to her.------- I just finished watching a telenovela that had a plot like this that was SOOOO similar which it thought was funny.
ANywho, so i love Peyton is that she is a tough and loving character even though she gone through so much heartache she is a wonderful and loving person and all the guys see it. She is great with the little kids. The guys are wonderful too and all care for her.. She stands up to bullies.
Her half-siblings are the worst and in the town they get out of everything because of their name
The only thing i have issue with is that the whole RH idea was brought up soooo soon is book 1. Why?
1. This is a contempt RH. So the need for it needs to feel organic. usually in fantasy RH the girl needs a bunch of guys around her for xyz or in that fantasy world 1 girl with multiple guys is common
2. She is 17, and yes she lived without love and without people who cared for her, but what 17 year would be okay with starting something soo soon
3. The guys know how hard her life has been, and they pursued her. I feel we should have seen a scene where one of the guys suggested starting out slowly with her being friends for a while first.
my favorite RH is The Veil Diaries- and even though that only on book 6 they all brought up the sharing idea it came out organically and it took a while.
So part of me likes the idea in this book is a fast paced RH, but at the same time i wish it wasnt brought up to her until the second book.
Overall a great start to the series and a page turner in some ways. You got the bitchy birth family of her dads, the loving grandfather, the drama with the friends who betrayed her, and the 6 guys who adore her.
To me 5 stars means it entertained me, and didnt bore me. And i hope it is a successful series.
spoilers below so i remember info before book2. random ramblings
this one was great. it just came out on Valentines Day! how cute. Plus it a contemporary RH which can be hard to get right.
I loved Peyton and the guys around her.
Peyton was raised by her abusive Dad Sean( who is really her uncle) who hits her and her mom is horrible and turns a blind eye- she gets hit sometimes too. Her grandparent she never met is sick so her Dad moves her and her mom to live at his old families house where they live in a rundown cottage. her real dad is David who got her mom preggars and didnt believe her mom when she said she was preggars and had also gotten another women preggars at the same time and married her. Sean married her mom because he had been in love with her when they were young.......... flash forward 17 years later David family including his wife and 2 kids are horrible to Peyton, BUT her grandfather who never knew about Peyton is wonderful to her.------- I just finished watching a telenovela that had a plot like this that was SOOOO similar which it thought was funny.
ANywho, so i love Peyton is that she is a tough and loving character even though she gone through so much heartache she is a wonderful and loving person and all the guys see it. She is great with the little kids. The guys are wonderful too and all care for her.. She stands up to bullies.
Her half-siblings are the worst and in the town they get out of everything because of their name
The only thing i have issue with is that the whole RH idea was brought up soooo soon is book 1. Why?
1. This is a contempt RH. So the need for it needs to feel organic. usually in fantasy RH the girl needs a bunch of guys around her for xyz or in that fantasy world 1 girl with multiple guys is common
2. She is 17, and yes she lived without love and without people who cared for her, but what 17 year would be okay with starting something soo soon
3. The guys know how hard her life has been, and they pursued her. I feel we should have seen a scene where one of the guys suggested starting out slowly with her being friends for a while first.
my favorite RH is The Veil Diaries- and even though that only on book 6 they all brought up the sharing idea it came out organically and it took a while.
So part of me likes the idea in this book is a fast paced RH, but at the same time i wish it wasnt brought up to her until the second book.
Overall a great start to the series and a page turner in some ways. You got the bitchy birth family of her dads, the loving grandfather, the drama with the friends who betrayed her, and the 6 guys who adore her.
To me 5 stars means it entertained me, and didnt bore me. And i hope it is a successful series.
spoilers below so i remember info before book2. random ramblings
March 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! I love Peyton and how she was written, and it was in line with her trauma.
The way the relationships come together are a little over the top at times, and a bit too easy for a contemporary RH, but i still really enjoyed it.
There’s not as much OW drama in this one as there is in the Gifted Connections series, though there still is some. While I don’t typically enjoy OW drama too much, this author handles it really well. There are times I just want to smack them and the guys too though.
The ending got me emotional, though I really wish Peyton’s depression was dealt with more, especially since in book 2 it’s not brought up basically at all. She was at the edge, and I’m supposed to believe that they all just let it go without thinking she needed professional help? And one week later in book 2 and she’s fine and dealing with her day to day. That’s the only down turn of it all for me.
The way the relationships come together are a little over the top at times, and a bit too easy for a contemporary RH, but i still really enjoyed it.
There’s not as much OW drama in this one as there is in the Gifted Connections series, though there still is some. While I don’t typically enjoy OW drama too much, this author handles it really well. There are times I just want to smack them and the guys too though.
The ending got me emotional, though I really wish Peyton’s depression was dealt with more, especially since in book 2 it’s not brought up basically at all. She was at the edge, and I’m supposed to believe that they all just let it go without thinking she needed professional help? And one week later in book 2 and she’s fine and dealing with her day to day. That’s the only down turn of it all for me.
August 14, 2021
Mediocre. Some of the verbiage felt awkward. Some of the inner thoughts were repetitive and drawn-out.
The heroine forgave too easily. Her “best friends” did not really care for her but she is too stupid to figure that out.
I have read bully RHs that had more committed heroes than this book. I love OW drama, but I have a feeling that these heroes would stray. I bet when the heroine’s BFF, Megan, comes to see her, one of the heroes has some sexual interaction with her.
The writing felt amateurish.
The heroine was drawn to people who did not treat her well. Example her mom and BFFs.
The heroine forgave too easily. Her “best friends” did not really care for her but she is too stupid to figure that out.
I have read bully RHs that had more committed heroes than this book. I love OW drama, but I have a feeling that these heroes would stray. I bet when the heroine’s BFF, Megan, comes to see her, one of the heroes has some sexual interaction with her.
The writing felt amateurish.
The heroine was drawn to people who did not treat her well. Example her mom and BFFs.
March 17, 2019
Great start to the series, really well done characters, I need that next book!
October 9, 2020
Excellent RH
I love the story and the characters. Peyton is such a unique character. Each of the guys is different and brings something special to the group. Onward to book two.
I love the story and the characters. Peyton is such a unique character. Each of the guys is different and brings something special to the group. Onward to book two.
December 21, 2023
‘Pick me’ main character with slut shaming galore. Other than Peyton, there was only ONE woman who wasn’t a misogynistic caricature who acted as an antagonist. Having read further in the series, I can name the positive female characters on one hand.
Our main character, Peyton, has this to say early on: “I just couldn't keep up with the cattiness, jealousy, and the pettiness that girls generally came with. Yes, I got along with quite a few of them, but I couldn't imagine hanging out with them beyond that—their attitudes and personalities got too much for me after a while.” This is ironic because Peyton is just as catty, just as jealous, and just as petty as all the other girls.
A lot of grammar and formatting issues, a particular favourite being “Hey, their cutie”.
This book is also full of really weird takes randomly thrown in…
There’s a big emphasis on strict, traditional gender roles; it is even spoon-fed to us by a random old married couple, around 75%. It was preachy in tone and was hardly relevant to the plot.
A big red flag was that our main character is a 17-year-old in high school, and two love interests are 22 - with one being a counsellor at her school. One of the 22 year olds comes on very strongly, then asks how old she is, only to remark that it’s fine because the age of consent is 16. Idgaf what the age of consent is, a 16 year old and a 22 year old is gross.
The wife in the aforementioned old married couple mentions this: “Age is never a factor either. I was fourteen when Phil asked me to marry him the first time. He was twenty.”
🚨 That is called pedophillia, it is not the cute anecdote this author seems to think it is🚨
We also learn that the boy’s adoptive dad met his wife in preschool, then got married to her as soon as she turned 18… and he was 28
Um… why? Why was this in the book? These age gaps, where the guy met the girl when she was a child, and they get married later, keep popping up over and over again, and it’s very disconcerting.
The story itself wasn’t bad, but it felt very self-indulgent and read as a power fantasy. Peyton always got the last word, was always getting hit on by men and victimised by the evil women of the world, and it got tiring very quickly. Having read up to the 3rd book in the series, this continues throughout. There is constant slut shaming. Every other girl in this book sleeps around, is scantily clad, and aggressively pursues Peyton’s love interests. It has a very romantic look at depression and domestic violence that left a sour taste in my mouth, and then the cherry on top is the constant justification of child grooming.
Our main character, Peyton, has this to say early on: “I just couldn't keep up with the cattiness, jealousy, and the pettiness that girls generally came with. Yes, I got along with quite a few of them, but I couldn't imagine hanging out with them beyond that—their attitudes and personalities got too much for me after a while.” This is ironic because Peyton is just as catty, just as jealous, and just as petty as all the other girls.
A lot of grammar and formatting issues, a particular favourite being “Hey, their cutie”.
This book is also full of really weird takes randomly thrown in…
There’s a big emphasis on strict, traditional gender roles; it is even spoon-fed to us by a random old married couple, around 75%. It was preachy in tone and was hardly relevant to the plot.
A big red flag was that our main character is a 17-year-old in high school, and two love interests are 22 - with one being a counsellor at her school. One of the 22 year olds comes on very strongly, then asks how old she is, only to remark that it’s fine because the age of consent is 16. Idgaf what the age of consent is, a 16 year old and a 22 year old is gross.
The wife in the aforementioned old married couple mentions this: “Age is never a factor either. I was fourteen when Phil asked me to marry him the first time. He was twenty.”
🚨 That is called pedophillia, it is not the cute anecdote this author seems to think it is🚨
We also learn that the boy’s adoptive dad met his wife in preschool, then got married to her as soon as she turned 18… and he was 28
Um… why? Why was this in the book? These age gaps, where the guy met the girl when she was a child, and they get married later, keep popping up over and over again, and it’s very disconcerting.
The story itself wasn’t bad, but it felt very self-indulgent and read as a power fantasy. Peyton always got the last word, was always getting hit on by men and victimised by the evil women of the world, and it got tiring very quickly. Having read up to the 3rd book in the series, this continues throughout. There is constant slut shaming. Every other girl in this book sleeps around, is scantily clad, and aggressively pursues Peyton’s love interests. It has a very romantic look at depression and domestic violence that left a sour taste in my mouth, and then the cherry on top is the constant justification of child grooming.
March 7, 2019
First, I have to say that I honestly liked this better than Olivier's Gifted Connections series. I think perhaps keeping it simpler as a contemporary was a big advantage rather than all the entanglements and world-building that comes with developing a paranormal-based series.
However, I do have to agree with others, and my previous review of Olivier's books that there needs to be a little close editing. I honestly felt like the writing had improved from the GC series, but I was still coming across more errors in wording/spelling/punctuation than I generally find myself able to ignore. I DID still enjoy the story, hence my rating, so try not to let the warning discourage you much.
Peyton is an interesting character- she's strong-willed but totally vulnerable at the same time. She doesn't have too much social experience, and her home life has caused her to really go through life with a certain level of safe distance from many of her peers. Regardless of that, she has a blunt, fun charm to her that made me want to read more about her pretty quickly. In terms of s*xual experience, she doesn't have too much, but her chemistry still flares with the guys, and even though there are some moments that find her wordless and blushing, she meets the challenges of her romantic relationships as she's ready for them.
The guys are a mix of her classmates and some older (but not creepily older) men. If you're into the harem having brothers, well, you will get that in abundance here. We've got biological brothers, adopted brothers, and friends so close they might as well BE brothers. The boys have a very close bond, and I really liked that there's a mix of personalities and backstories here: some of them take care of younger siblings, some have no parents, some have one. There's a variety that makes me feel like they're being individualized pretty well, and that's a big plus when you're dealing with a harem of six men.
There's a bit of relationship drama, but that's not hugely where Olivier's conflicts lie. Instead, we're dealing with family issues that could overwhelm even Dr. Phil, and Peyton's own battle against the demons that have grown inside her mind from living a life that she's discovered was a lie.
Overall, Peyton's Path was better than I'd thought it would be, honestly. While I didn't think it was perfect, I found myself getting attached to the characters, empathizing with them, and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
However, I do have to agree with others, and my previous review of Olivier's books that there needs to be a little close editing. I honestly felt like the writing had improved from the GC series, but I was still coming across more errors in wording/spelling/punctuation than I generally find myself able to ignore. I DID still enjoy the story, hence my rating, so try not to let the warning discourage you much.
Peyton is an interesting character- she's strong-willed but totally vulnerable at the same time. She doesn't have too much social experience, and her home life has caused her to really go through life with a certain level of safe distance from many of her peers. Regardless of that, she has a blunt, fun charm to her that made me want to read more about her pretty quickly. In terms of s*xual experience, she doesn't have too much, but her chemistry still flares with the guys, and even though there are some moments that find her wordless and blushing, she meets the challenges of her romantic relationships as she's ready for them.
The guys are a mix of her classmates and some older (but not creepily older) men. If you're into the harem having brothers, well, you will get that in abundance here. We've got biological brothers, adopted brothers, and friends so close they might as well BE brothers. The boys have a very close bond, and I really liked that there's a mix of personalities and backstories here: some of them take care of younger siblings, some have no parents, some have one. There's a variety that makes me feel like they're being individualized pretty well, and that's a big plus when you're dealing with a harem of six men.
There's a bit of relationship drama, but that's not hugely where Olivier's conflicts lie. Instead, we're dealing with family issues that could overwhelm even Dr. Phil, and Peyton's own battle against the demons that have grown inside her mind from living a life that she's discovered was a lie.
Overall, Peyton's Path was better than I'd thought it would be, honestly. While I didn't think it was perfect, I found myself getting attached to the characters, empathizing with them, and wanting to know what was going to happen next.
April 10, 2019
This book, this damn book... I was not ready; I wasn't ready at all.
The book discusses some pretty heavy issues that most teens are going through in real life; depression, trauma, death, divorce or splitting, jail, abandonment, abuse, and neglect. Trying to find a way to deal, forget, numb, or heal from the pain can be hard; coping is never easy. All it takes is someone willing to listen or someone willing to care to make a difference in a person's life.
Peyton is an amazing character. She has been dealt with some of the hardest hands in life, but she played the game to the best of her abilities. She is still able to love and be selfless. All she wants is someone to love and want her. What I love most about her is even at her lowest she still refused to fall, she kept going.
Grandpa Delaney. I love this man. He is trying to right a wrong that his children have made. I feel he has limited time left and he is trying to make sure that the granddaughter he never knew is well taken care of before his time runs out. He knows he can't fill the hole his son left in her, but he is hoping to show her that someone does care.
The boys: Loch, Paxton, Golden, Kyle, Crew, and Zane. These six men have come in and took all of us by surprise, a pleasant surprise. They are just as vulnerable as Peyton and just as strong. When it comes to RH series I try not to have a favorite, but I always end up with one. I have two with this series, Kyle and Crew.
In each other, they have found a love so pure and a bond so strong. In each other, they have found another reason to live and another reason to fight. This book was so well done. I cannot wait for book 2.
The book discusses some pretty heavy issues that most teens are going through in real life; depression, trauma, death, divorce or splitting, jail, abandonment, abuse, and neglect. Trying to find a way to deal, forget, numb, or heal from the pain can be hard; coping is never easy. All it takes is someone willing to listen or someone willing to care to make a difference in a person's life.
Peyton is an amazing character. She has been dealt with some of the hardest hands in life, but she played the game to the best of her abilities. She is still able to love and be selfless. All she wants is someone to love and want her. What I love most about her is even at her lowest she still refused to fall, she kept going.
Grandpa Delaney. I love this man. He is trying to right a wrong that his children have made. I feel he has limited time left and he is trying to make sure that the granddaughter he never knew is well taken care of before his time runs out. He knows he can't fill the hole his son left in her, but he is hoping to show her that someone does care.
The boys: Loch, Paxton, Golden, Kyle, Crew, and Zane. These six men have come in and took all of us by surprise, a pleasant surprise. They are just as vulnerable as Peyton and just as strong. When it comes to RH series I try not to have a favorite, but I always end up with one. I have two with this series, Kyle and Crew.
In each other, they have found a love so pure and a bond so strong. In each other, they have found another reason to live and another reason to fight. This book was so well done. I cannot wait for book 2.
April 7, 2019
So many BOYS
This was a terrific book. I really loved it. Towards the end, maybe the last 30% I was a little annoyed. Seemed like Peyton was so wishy washy and whiney. She kept saying nobody wanted her but 6 GUYS WANTED HER. I love reverse harem with 3 guys or even 4 but idk how she is going to do this with 6....LOL I do love Ky & Loch the most though....probably since they're older. And FINALLY there was some action there at the end. I was getting antsy with nothing at all but some forehead kisses and two makeout sessions with Crew & Ly lol. I was getting tired of Peyton lying so much to save everyone else that hurt her also. If the last 30% didnt feel so rushed & there was more adult action (not just sex) in the book I wouldve given it 5 stars. I still loved this book alot and have recommended it to many many people. I loved that Peyton had some balls on her and I loved that the boys were amazing and perfect :-) cant wait for the second book
This was a terrific book. I really loved it. Towards the end, maybe the last 30% I was a little annoyed. Seemed like Peyton was so wishy washy and whiney. She kept saying nobody wanted her but 6 GUYS WANTED HER. I love reverse harem with 3 guys or even 4 but idk how she is going to do this with 6....LOL I do love Ky & Loch the most though....probably since they're older. And FINALLY there was some action there at the end. I was getting antsy with nothing at all but some forehead kisses and two makeout sessions with Crew & Ly lol. I was getting tired of Peyton lying so much to save everyone else that hurt her also. If the last 30% didnt feel so rushed & there was more adult action (not just sex) in the book I wouldve given it 5 stars. I still loved this book alot and have recommended it to many many people. I loved that Peyton had some balls on her and I loved that the boys were amazing and perfect :-) cant wait for the second book
March 2, 2019
S.M Oliver is a new author to me and when Peyton’s path, a reverse harem book was recommend to
Me I jumped straight in without reading the blurb!
I loved this story and how fast paced the book was, lots of actions and twists and turns. It kept me
On the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next.
I loved the characters especially the boys!! But the reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because it was quite hard I keep up with them all without getting confused because there was just so many men!! Also the relationships happened so fast and I’m not a fan of insta love, I much prefer a slow burn.
There are some really hard hitting topics in this story such as attempted suicide, physical abuse etc so please if things like that upset you don’t read or read with caution.
Defiantly worth a read if you love YA reverse harem
Me I jumped straight in without reading the blurb!
I loved this story and how fast paced the book was, lots of actions and twists and turns. It kept me
On the edge of my seat waiting to see what was coming next.
I loved the characters especially the boys!! But the reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because it was quite hard I keep up with them all without getting confused because there was just so many men!! Also the relationships happened so fast and I’m not a fan of insta love, I much prefer a slow burn.
There are some really hard hitting topics in this story such as attempted suicide, physical abuse etc so please if things like that upset you don’t read or read with caution.
Defiantly worth a read if you love YA reverse harem
February 17, 2019
Is it just me or some actions are jumped into another action? And the mention of Madison and Lucas became Miranda and Lucas. And what happened in the game when Peyton was tackled my Jose and Dylan? One moment she went down, crew fought while there were still at the field then suddenly there was a door? I find romance too easy. There wasn't much interaction with kylar and then they're discussing intense bedroom activities.
I'm not sure if this was submitted unedited or had lack of editing.
I'm confused about what kylar said to Peyton: ”What did David mean the other day about me and Crew’s parents?” aren't kylar and Crew siblings? The next paragraph did confirm they are but still?
I'm not sure if this was submitted unedited or had lack of editing.
I'm confused about what kylar said to Peyton: ”What did David mean the other day about me and Crew’s parents?” aren't kylar and Crew siblings? The next paragraph did confirm they are but still?
March 4, 2019
Slightly annoying
This book had potential but it fell through for me. I am the type that has to finish a book and somewhere in the middle I found myself skimming pages. I found it to be very repetitive and the main character always repeating stories that I already have read and it made the book too entirely long. I enjoy a long book but not with it being told over and over again. I truly wanted to like Peyton but I am on the fence. She is somewhat annoying but has a few qualities that are cool. Overall the story just fell short.
This book had potential but it fell through for me. I am the type that has to finish a book and somewhere in the middle I found myself skimming pages. I found it to be very repetitive and the main character always repeating stories that I already have read and it made the book too entirely long. I enjoy a long book but not with it being told over and over again. I truly wanted to like Peyton but I am on the fence. She is somewhat annoying but has a few qualities that are cool. Overall the story just fell short.
April 3, 2019
So good. Really. Read it.
The best RH I’ve read in ages. The story just flowed and was thoroughly enjoyable. I’d heard good things about it but I didn’t like the cover so I was a bit surprised that I loved it so much. It feels almost blasphemous to say that I think it’s as good as The Veil Diaries. Payton is such a likeable character but there are moments of being overwhelming dramatic. There were scenes where her depression took over and it was believable but there was something a bit off with the suicide scene and how it followed the chase.
The best RH I’ve read in ages. The story just flowed and was thoroughly enjoyable. I’d heard good things about it but I didn’t like the cover so I was a bit surprised that I loved it so much. It feels almost blasphemous to say that I think it’s as good as The Veil Diaries. Payton is such a likeable character but there are moments of being overwhelming dramatic. There were scenes where her depression took over and it was believable but there was something a bit off with the suicide scene and how it followed the chase.
June 28, 2021
Has potential
There’s a lot of potential to this story. The author does a good job of building angst and tension. All the incestuous secrets of small town America are here and fun to see unfold.
But the story is let down by the heroine, who is a complete Mary Sue, and the editing, which is a dumpster fire. Overall, disappointing and I don’t think I’ll read on in the series or try other books from this author.
There’s a lot of potential to this story. The author does a good job of building angst and tension. All the incestuous secrets of small town America are here and fun to see unfold.
But the story is let down by the heroine, who is a complete Mary Sue, and the editing, which is a dumpster fire. Overall, disappointing and I don’t think I’ll read on in the series or try other books from this author.
July 30, 2024
baby girl no one has the right to mistreat you because you're poor. they have every right to mistreat you for being cringe though!!! this book is like watching the scene from scream queens when the girl goes "oh i'll have a cold pumpkin spice latte" and when the barista goes silent she goes "jk i just want a regular coffee. those white girl pumpkin spice lattes annoy me" then the barista says he's in love
June 17, 2021
Holy hamburger...
I didn't think I was going to like this book because I've never read a book where one girl gets into a relationship with multiple guys but to my shock I loved it. The author wrote this book with such grace and it wasn't some nasty smut like I thought it might be. What a great job writing this book. Cannot wait to start the next one...
I didn't think I was going to like this book because I've never read a book where one girl gets into a relationship with multiple guys but to my shock I loved it. The author wrote this book with such grace and it wasn't some nasty smut like I thought it might be. What a great job writing this book. Cannot wait to start the next one...
August 17, 2019
Skip it. The continuity is awful. Characters names change and then change back again. Characters are present in a scene, then not there, then are being told about the scene they just disappeared from, not as in they ran off, as in Olivier wrote them in, then decided she wanted to have them be told about the scene and rather than removing their presence from the previous written paragraphs just pretended they were never there. Scenes are just blurted out with absolutely no thought. Like the cheer coach apparently keeps an entire shoe department in her office for her very small cheer team just in case a new girl joins and needs a pair of shoes, or with 72 hours the harem has completely formed and they are talking plans for how the rules of the relationship will work. The entirely new relationship concept that none of the guys had even fathom or even heard about 36 hours prior. This is just really, really bad. It is like a writing exercise that was published after the first draft instead of being developed into something good. I don't understand what authors have against taking the time and pages to develop the story. Yes, I know that is harsh, but Oliver know how to do better than this and has done better than this. The story concept isn't bad but the execution is horrible and far below her other efforts.
Ok hold on, let me back up. Have you read CL Stone's Ghost Bird series? If you have then you've already read this, only the guys arent in a secret spy organization that sterilizes children (yeah, if you give kids as young as the ones in either Academy series vasetomies you've violated medical standards and procedures and it's freaking creepy, but I digress) and C.L. Stone took several books for Sang to trust in her guys, including the two older but not that much older adult (guys in their Kate teens or early 20s) and fall in live with them. Not for Oliver. Peyton immediately falls for all six guys, some of whom she has met for all of five minutes. The two adult guys, at 22, have also immediately fallen for her. One of them is texting her non stop, the other is getting jealous just seeing another guy near her. WTF is wrong with these people. I realize they are all broken, but cone on. Within 48 hours they are calling her to come help them solve problems at home, she is grocery shopping for them, cleaning their house, and cooking their food, they are inviting her to move in, and no one can imagine their lives without all of them being together.
Oh, and if you read the True Blood books and thought that Cookie went from Virgin to definitely not a virgin pretty quicly, well, I have a feeling Peyton is going to be giving her a run for her money.
Oliver's other series moves along at a face once too, front the relationship building aspect, but that one is glacial compared to the rate this one moves at and that one has paranormal to fall back on for the rushed connections. This one had no excuse. It's just had writing, jumping ahead to the "jucy" stuff rather than taking the time to build the world your character are in, establish who your characters are as individuals, build their relationships with those around them, and then get into the meat of the conflict. I mean seriously. The guys how they got where they are, which is a pretty big freaking deal, is a narrative summary of a conversation that took place behind the scenes and occur within 48 hours of meeting each other despite the very sensitive nature of the topic.
Very disappointing.
Ok hold on, let me back up. Have you read CL Stone's Ghost Bird series? If you have then you've already read this, only the guys arent in a secret spy organization that sterilizes children (yeah, if you give kids as young as the ones in either Academy series vasetomies you've violated medical standards and procedures and it's freaking creepy, but I digress) and C.L. Stone took several books for Sang to trust in her guys, including the two older but not that much older adult (guys in their Kate teens or early 20s) and fall in live with them. Not for Oliver. Peyton immediately falls for all six guys, some of whom she has met for all of five minutes. The two adult guys, at 22, have also immediately fallen for her. One of them is texting her non stop, the other is getting jealous just seeing another guy near her. WTF is wrong with these people. I realize they are all broken, but cone on. Within 48 hours they are calling her to come help them solve problems at home, she is grocery shopping for them, cleaning their house, and cooking their food, they are inviting her to move in, and no one can imagine their lives without all of them being together.
Oh, and if you read the True Blood books and thought that Cookie went from Virgin to definitely not a virgin pretty quicly, well, I have a feeling Peyton is going to be giving her a run for her money.
Oliver's other series moves along at a face once too, front the relationship building aspect, but that one is glacial compared to the rate this one moves at and that one has paranormal to fall back on for the rushed connections. This one had no excuse. It's just had writing, jumping ahead to the "jucy" stuff rather than taking the time to build the world your character are in, establish who your characters are as individuals, build their relationships with those around them, and then get into the meat of the conflict. I mean seriously. The guys how they got where they are, which is a pretty big freaking deal, is a narrative summary of a conversation that took place behind the scenes and occur within 48 hours of meeting each other despite the very sensitive nature of the topic.
Very disappointing.
August 17, 2021
Sadly when I started to read this series I didn't realise it was uncompleted. So far, 3 books are out, there's nothing in the blurb of the third book to indicate it isn't the last, but the story arc wasn't completed and there were loose threads not tied up, so I believe more are coming. Oh well, I'll just have to wait, but patience isn't my strong suit.
The whole story is told from the FMC's point of view in first-person, which I'm finding I much prefer rather than jumping in and out of various people's heads.
I was pulled in from the beginning, the banter between Peyton and Pax, Peyton and Golden. Peyton is a very sympathetic character because, while she has had a difficult life, she's a survivor. A few things don't match up, though... like she's convinced her mother doesn't really love her, yet her mum racked up credit card debts to pay for her dance classes and competitions, just because Peyton wanted to dance. So that part it is a bit off and doesn't sound like her mother didn't care. I thought that her mother's actions were strange and didn't sound very in character. Cos she and her mum might not be super close and she might resent her mum for not standing up for her against Sean, but her mum did try in other ways.
Peyton's half-siblings and their family's hatred and vitriol is a bit over the top and full of drama. I didn't think I'd like a book set in high school (she's in her final year) but since all of the main characters acted very mature and didn't make stupid decisions, and there was no bullying from her harem, I didn't mind. I liked that the guys had all been friends before and grew up together, so they were already tight. However, I would have preferred just the four students in the harem with her -- Zane, Golden, Paxton, and Crew. I thought adding Kyler was odd, considering he's not only a working adult but also Crew's older brother, and adding Mr Isaacs was overkill. Perhaps the author wanted the tension caused by the ethical considerations (as Mr Isaacs is a guidance counselor at the school and thus can't be in a relationship with a student) but it's odd because Kyler and Mr Isaacs don't quite fit in the dynamic.
I thought it was commendable how the boys banded together to raise their younger siblings after their parents passed away, but it was very cliché that the baby and the six-year-old instantly take to Peyton but dislike the OW (other woman). Also very cliché that the OW sees the kids as burdens to be removed or gotten rid of. And I wondered how Peyton managed to be such a good cook when she grew up hardly having food because most of the time they didn't have enough money. But maybe I'm nit-picking.
Overall, Peyton's voice carries the day because she's an interesting person. She opens up to the guys about her past and I loved how they're all protective and helping her to heal. Some discussions also of how it would work with all of them but one of her, which I find is quite rare in RH cos it seems most in most RH things kinda just fall into place naturally without anyone thinking twice about it. I cried at the end because I could identify with how she felt. Trigger warning:
The whole story is told from the FMC's point of view in first-person, which I'm finding I much prefer rather than jumping in and out of various people's heads.
I was pulled in from the beginning, the banter between Peyton and Pax, Peyton and Golden. Peyton is a very sympathetic character because, while she has had a difficult life, she's a survivor. A few things don't match up, though... like she's convinced her mother doesn't really love her, yet her mum racked up credit card debts to pay for her dance classes and competitions, just because Peyton wanted to dance. So that part it is a bit off and doesn't sound like her mother didn't care. I thought that her mother's actions were strange and didn't sound very in character. Cos she and her mum might not be super close and she might resent her mum for not standing up for her against Sean, but her mum did try in other ways.
Peyton's half-siblings and their family's hatred and vitriol is a bit over the top and full of drama. I didn't think I'd like a book set in high school (she's in her final year) but since all of the main characters acted very mature and didn't make stupid decisions, and there was no bullying from her harem, I didn't mind. I liked that the guys had all been friends before and grew up together, so they were already tight. However, I would have preferred just the four students in the harem with her -- Zane, Golden, Paxton, and Crew. I thought adding Kyler was odd, considering he's not only a working adult but also Crew's older brother, and adding Mr Isaacs was overkill. Perhaps the author wanted the tension caused by the ethical considerations (as Mr Isaacs is a guidance counselor at the school and thus can't be in a relationship with a student) but it's odd because Kyler and Mr Isaacs don't quite fit in the dynamic.
I thought it was commendable how the boys banded together to raise their younger siblings after their parents passed away, but it was very cliché that the baby and the six-year-old instantly take to Peyton but dislike the OW (other woman). Also very cliché that the OW sees the kids as burdens to be removed or gotten rid of. And I wondered how Peyton managed to be such a good cook when she grew up hardly having food because most of the time they didn't have enough money. But maybe I'm nit-picking.
Overall, Peyton's voice carries the day because she's an interesting person. She opens up to the guys about her past and I loved how they're all protective and helping her to heal. Some discussions also of how it would work with all of them but one of her, which I find is quite rare in RH cos it seems most in most RH things kinda just fall into place naturally without anyone thinking twice about it. I cried at the end because I could identify with how she felt. Trigger warning:
February 26, 2019
CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILER!!
First, there were a lot of errors in the book. It is What it is. But the transition was non existent. You would read about her being in a fight. Next sentence it’s the next Morning. 🤦🏼♀️
The plot was very, very slow. It’s a long book. I love long books, but there bloody Well has to be a point to all those pages. There wasn’t.
And the heroine. My god does she feel Sorry for herself. It was an absolute “woo is me” through all the pages.
Lastly, I HATE when they cant figure out How to talk to each other.
She sees one of her guys at a diner, and she records the most ridiculous goodbye video of herself before she is gonna jump off a bridge.
Dramatic much?
Like. Really.... Maybe ask him Whats up before you kill yourself.
First, there were a lot of errors in the book. It is What it is. But the transition was non existent. You would read about her being in a fight. Next sentence it’s the next Morning. 🤦🏼♀️
The plot was very, very slow. It’s a long book. I love long books, but there bloody Well has to be a point to all those pages. There wasn’t.
And the heroine. My god does she feel Sorry for herself. It was an absolute “woo is me” through all the pages.
Lastly, I HATE when they cant figure out How to talk to each other.
She sees one of her guys at a diner, and she records the most ridiculous goodbye video of herself before she is gonna jump off a bridge.
Dramatic much?
Like. Really.... Maybe ask him Whats up before you kill yourself.
August 19, 2019
Pages: 369
My rating (stars): 4
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Peyton's Path is the first RH book written by Mrs. Oliver. She has a penchant for large harems. This one consists of six men.
Meanwhile I have read some RH contemporary romance stories and also all the books of the author's urban fantasy rh series. One of the stereotypes I have is that the heroines of the books are mostly broken, abused or isolated women who find men who don't have a great home but a close friendship. Here I would wish for more ingenuity for the childhood story of RH contemporary romance stories.
Nevertheless, I found the book worth reading.
My rating (stars): 4
Read other books from this author in the future: yes
Peyton's Path is the first RH book written by Mrs. Oliver. She has a penchant for large harems. This one consists of six men.
Meanwhile I have read some RH contemporary romance stories and also all the books of the author's urban fantasy rh series. One of the stereotypes I have is that the heroines of the books are mostly broken, abused or isolated women who find men who don't have a great home but a close friendship. Here I would wish for more ingenuity for the childhood story of RH contemporary romance stories.
Nevertheless, I found the book worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2019
Intriguing read
Peyton’s Path was my first novel by this author and while o didn’t love it, I was not disappointed. Reverse harem is a subject I’m getting more into and I enjoy seeing how authors write these stories. I truly loved almost all of the main characters in this book, however I felt like they’re were just too many. I wish it had just stuck to the four guys and not the older two as well. I think you lose parts of people and relationships when you have so many to try and focus on. I also wish it had moved a little slower. This all took place in the span of a week or two and as much as I enjoyed parts of the book, it just didn’t seem realistic.
Peyton’s Path was my first novel by this author and while o didn’t love it, I was not disappointed. Reverse harem is a subject I’m getting more into and I enjoy seeing how authors write these stories. I truly loved almost all of the main characters in this book, however I felt like they’re were just too many. I wish it had just stuck to the four guys and not the older two as well. I think you lose parts of people and relationships when you have so many to try and focus on. I also wish it had moved a little slower. This all took place in the span of a week or two and as much as I enjoyed parts of the book, it just didn’t seem realistic.
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