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Lions, tigers and jaguars are just the beginning of Ella’s problems…

As an unremarkable stray left out on the streets, Ella thought she’d finally found a family in the Hill pride. Instead, she found herself living as a glorified maid, serving the future King of the colony himself.

Axel is rude and careless at best. At worst? He’s downright cruel, and he seems to take personal delight in reminding Ella that she’ll never belong. Too bad her heart never got the memo.

Axel and his perfect girlfriend are all but destined to rule the colony, but when the Unveiling comes around, it’s Ella who’s chosen as the next Empress by the moon itself.

And the claws are out.

Now every tom in the colony is vying for Ella’s attention, including bad boy Axel, the current Empress’ gorgeous son Bishop, and a mysterious Academy professor named Sterling whose ice blue eyes are every bit as dangerous as his caustic wit.

Choosing between the three of them is hard enough, but an inconvenient heat has other ideas. Ella’s sure she’s living her own Cinderella story. She’s just not sure if she’s the princess or the mouse.

Stray is a ~40,000 word Cinderella retelling with a smart and snarky shifter twist. It includes an enemies-to-lovers pairing, a university-age student having a relationship with her professor, and in true RH fashion, she’ll have all her guys by the end of the series.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2020

682 people are currently reading
420 people want to read

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River Ramsey

25 books28 followers

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5 stars
454 (40%)
4 stars
305 (27%)
3 stars
251 (22%)
2 stars
73 (6%)
1 star
30 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
Profile Image for Miriama Matthews.
23 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2020
No

I cannot stand spineless heroines. And Ella is your typical damsel in distress. In love with the guy that treats her like trash. Has no self worth and even less self respect. Eww. It’s a no from me.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews52 followers
January 7, 2020
Stray: A Shifter Academy Romance (Cats of Felidae Academy Book 1) by River Ramsey is a wonderful story to read. This book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series and I can not wait to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend this story to all.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Profile Image for Alli.
397 reviews15 followers
May 5, 2020
3 stars
Ughh I am so sad that this book wasn’t better. I had such high hopes for it and I’ve been waiting months for the second book to come out so I could read them together. That being said it wasn’t all bad.

The FMC was interesting but 100% was a special snowflake. She goes from being just average to being the empress with multiple guys wanting her attention. Then, Bam, she gets a heat cycle and everyone is falling all over her.

Also there was no backstory whatsoever. No world building at all, so I was left completely confused and had no idea what certain things meant. How did the world get this way? What kind of magic do they have? Are there other shifters out there that aren’t cats? Those are just some of the questions I have.

All that being said the plot is extremely interesting and I really enjoyed that part. I may or may not read the second book.
402 reviews29 followers
January 17, 2020
Postive points:

a) I have always loved retellings of fairy tales. I love varying versions of them; reading them through varying viewpoints and as well as discovering subconcepts and subthemes. Thus, retelling + reverse harem elements = always welcome in my to-read list.

b) edited rather very well. I have read a reviewer's copy (yet to go through the last proofreading) but the writing was on point.

c) as someone who indulges in watching numerous videos of house cats before sleeping, I can verify that house cats are the bravest, smartest, diva-est cats there are on earth.

d) Sterling. Come on, who wouldn't?



Unfortunately, though I've mentioned a lot of things I liked from this read, the overall theme is probably not something I can appreciate at my current frame on mind. I'm pretty sure I'm done with the whole black or white area...as in the common concept that there's either only good or only evil. As if everything and everyone belongs to a certain...stereotype. And that's the kind of vibe I'm getting from here.

Let's take the heroes for example. Axel is the bad guy. Bishop is the good one. (Sterling falls in both or neither which is mostly why he's my fav at the moment.)

Ella, the heroine, is the painfully shy good girl. While her nemesis (I forgot her name bleh) is the bad girl.

Not going to lie, these stuffs make me cringe so bad I get ulcer (I dont know how point A arrives to point B but here we are). The reason why I refrain myself from reading these situations is because characters tend to fall flat quicker than I can say flat.



BUT, I still am interested where this series is going. It might surprise me, might improve later on as this is just the beginning...which will be awesome if it indeed comes through its potential.
Profile Image for Dallass.
2,311 reviews
February 19, 2020
So angsty

These feline shifters are so moody and emotional. While I can understand why the author went in that direction, it was just a rollercoaster of the more negative emotions. I think the main character is only happy two or three times in this first story. She has a lot to deal with and being pulled in numerous different directions isn’t helping - especially now that she’s been targeted by Marissa and Axel.

2.5 stars ⭐️
43 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2020
nope nope nope

if i could give 0 i would it started off pretty decent and then it just made me angry it’s not worth it i have read other bully romance better than this
Profile Image for Samantha Shaffer.
576 reviews
January 8, 2020
Stray River Ramsey

Not your typical cat shifter book. There is so much drama you'll need book two immediately afterward. The underdog comes out or in this case undercat the question is will she lose a life or will the claws come out?
12.7k reviews189 followers
February 4, 2020
An amazing first time story from this author, but definitely not the last. An intriguing book about cat shifters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Nat Smithy.
556 reviews4 followers
April 2, 2020
I enjoyed this But it ended just as it was getting to the good bit. Also I hope the h stands up for herself. She's a bit of a doormat.
Profile Image for Kreela.
661 reviews24 followers
July 24, 2021
I didn’t know what to think. Ella is obviously a refreshed Cinderella: a stray housecat-shifter adopted by a rich lady (excuse me: “Queen”) called Emily. We never get a reason for the adoption, but Emily treats her as one of the help. [Emily; Ella…sometimes I read to fast and confused the two….]

Enter the cool cat shifter version of the ball: a ceremony to determine the next Empress, who I figured out is the next “Queen Elisabeth.” When Ella is picked, she is the most unlikely Empress in the history of leadership. No one respects her. She meekly watches as everyone picks on or fights around her. She cannot even defend herself. It is sad.

Three guys start to revolve around her: both golden boys, the privileged elite, and a teacher. To be honest, I was disappointed because aside from the teacher, the other boys are expected to be crowned. Their redeaming qualities are their personalities. Each guy appeals to me. They are not all friends, brothers, or clones. Wahoo!

Axel, her arrogant step-brother, seems just like his mother, who is a social climber. He is determined to be king, no matter who is picked by the moon goddess. I have no sympathy for him, even if I like how aggressive he is. Even though we see he is conflicted, I still feel that Ella will never know if he is just a status-seeker.

For a Reverse Harem/Why Choose, I am glad I read it. It’s emotionally powerful. I can imagine Ella and Axel growing in the second novel. The plot is not too complex, and the characters are engaging.
Profile Image for Samantha Anderson.
17 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2020
It’s going to be a no from me. I don’t like that the female lead seems so weak a fragile all the time , she just doesn’t have strong character and I can’t relate with someone who’s a damsel in distress 24/7 and the poor me , poor me attitude she has when she says “ I’m just a stray “ all the time . Like okay? Moving forward , the male character development is kind of bland , i couldn’t get into them. They weren’t appealing to me in any way but that could also be from lack of detail or time getting to know them but if I’m going to read the second book I needed more to pull me in and leave me on edge for more. Also , the background story on how she was found was kind of lackluster and didn’t really inspire emotion nor provide detail on her life . NOT only was she a damsel in distress you made her a weak shifter ? Like dang a simple house cat ? Couldn’t we make at least one part of her stand out or something . She just seemed like a sad character to me in general. Don’t get me wrong the story wasn’t horrible but it didn’t have me begging for more nor wanting to read the second one either, sadly .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mary Brannian.
1,068 reviews19 followers
January 12, 2020
Stray

“I can’t be the Empress,” she said, her words slow and slurred like a record player winding down as her body gave her no choice but to give in to sleep. “I’m just a stray.” -Ella Doe

Rescued by an indifferent Queen of the Hill pride, Ella never knew who she was, or where she came from. She was a stray, a common house cat shifter. Her entire life had been spent being the unpaid help, surviving on the largresse of her benefactress. When the Unveiling ceremony arrived, Ella was shocked to learn she was to attend...

“I know it’s overwhelming,” Natalia said sympathetically. “It’s alright if you have questions.” - Natalia

Ella Doe was about to discover that everything she thought she knew, that she understood... Was going to be turned upside down and inside out.. When she becomes Moon-Marked and the next Empress... And is expected to attend the Academy...

Wow oh wow oh wow!!! Twists and turns, switchback after switchback! This book will leave your mind spinning!
41 reviews
February 24, 2020
Ummm

I came away feeling dirty and helpless from this book. There is no closure, her head is shoved down a toilet, she sucks up the water, is nearly drowned by a bully, who then walks away and that's the end. There's no build up between her and one of the lead male characters. He acts like a two year old always having tantrums by action and voice and she's still attracted to him? I call BS!!!

The story has no actual story except to say that a wild child was taken into service and dramatically claimed by the moon when she came of age. No back story, no hints to explore. Oh and she got her period so now she must decide who she wants to screw her.

Im disappointed by this first forage as in the end the author doesnt seem to have a plan except to play it by ear. Cant see how this was worth the price I paid.
Profile Image for °˖✧˚lindsay˚✧˖°.
578 reviews21 followers
December 15, 2025
The cover is extremely misleading.
I knew it wouldn’t be that bad, but it was surprisingly great.
It should really be pinned with doilies of cats or something.
Something that actually matches the aesthetic.
It’s extremely eloquently written for a cat-shifter-why-choose.

I saw reviews complaining that she was weak, but that’s far from the truth.
Naive? Yes.
But that’s not something she can help, and has honestly lent to her quality of character.

She could’ve easily become a villain in response to realizing the awful hand she was dealt.
I would’ve.

And she doesn’t shrink from confrontation either.
All while treating insults as just words, and social rejection as occurrences in her periphery.
It’s admirable, really.

And refreshing, when so many similar stories have overly emotional wrecks mishandling the situation entirely.
Profile Image for Meghan.
199 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2020
Meowwwwww

Awe. I adore Ella. She's so sweet that she even worries about her bully's feelings. You honestly cant get much nicer than that. But even nice people have a breaking point. How much can Ella take before she reaches hers? I can't wait to find out what happens in Ella's world. And those guys? I'm not too fond of Axel but understand his role. I like Bishop so far but it remains to be seen how he really is. I reallllllyyyyyyy like Sterling. He's my favorite so far. I also like Tessa.

Ok, so clearly I like the characters. But the world and how it works is intriguing as well. I definitely would recommend this one
103 reviews
January 10, 2020
What an amazing read

I absolutely devoured this book in one day and I don’t regret a thing. I loved hearing about Ella's life and the prejudices she has to face for being a strays. She’s a like able character who has to go through hardships because of something she was unlucky enough to be born as. I think she handled everything in great strides and always kept her head high. I can’t wait to see how her love interests develop and I’m excited to see her becomes the emperor to her empress. Can’t wait for more from this series and these characters!
Profile Image for Karah.
196 reviews
January 12, 2020
Interesting.....

*I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is the beginning of an exciting new series by River Ramsey. I found the plot to be intriguing and interesting. The cast of characters introduced has me wanting to learn more about them. I’m a big no spoilers fan so I don’t want to give anything away, but if your a fan of shifters and RH then you should definitely check it out. I really hope we get to see some good character growth from Ella in the coming books. Bring on the next one ❤️
Profile Image for Aleia L.
683 reviews5 followers
January 12, 2020
💭

This was a good start to the series. I just wish a little more would’ve happened before the cliffhanger. Ella is a stray who isn’t treated very well and she’s chosen to be the next Empress to the shock of most people. Ella is a sweetheart who’s just trying to make it through academy but jealous and scared folks are being kind of ridiculous. Ella is the next chosen Empress and everyone is going to treat her like a pariah...Axel is a selfish jerk but I liked Bishop and Sterling and wanted her to choose them but maybe next book.
Profile Image for T..
Author 13 books572 followers
May 6, 2020
Stray, the first book of the Cats of Felidae Academy series, is a book I picked up through Kindle Unlimited. I'll admit, at $4 for 150 pages, this is a novella I'd have skipped due to cost, but my KU subscription is letting me try out stories and authors I would have otherwise missed out on. Ella was a good protagonist, and I enjoyed her relationship with Bishop and Sterling, but I don't know what the attraction was with Alex--he seemed to have no redeeming qualities. Ella's fixation on him made no sense to me at all. That said, I liked the plot, and the nice little twists in the storyline.
Profile Image for Erotic.
20 reviews
February 14, 2020
Eh

The story line is great, the whole shifter Cinderella is gold but the main character is weak and timid and I honestly don’t think I like her. Idk maybe I just like strong female leads. But even so she needs more backbone. And a better animal shift into, like a panther or something because a fucking house cat is not going to cut it. And Axel is a piece of shit who doesn’t deserve her.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,071 reviews
February 21, 2020
Must read

This book was so good. I really hope Ella dose get that backbone and tells the Hill clan to take a long walk off a short bridge. Marissa and her gang of jealous THOTS need to go down in a huge Embarrassing way. Axle needs to grow the hell up and show her how he truly feels. I love bishop that is it. And starling I like him too. I can’t wait for book two.


I hate / love cliffhangers but 🙄
129 reviews
March 3, 2020
A quick read but I couldn’t put it down!

This was a Cinderella type retelling but based in the shifter world. Ella was a stray that was taken in by a prominent shifter family. She ends ups being picked as the next empress, despite all the odds, but then has to work on finding her “princes” aka mates.

The story ends a little abruptly and right when the story was really picking up, but nonetheless it was a great read!
Profile Image for Shevelle.
91 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2020
Not sure about this one

I was super excited about the concept. However, it fell short for me. I could never get behind Ella, the MC. I had more questions than answers as the story progressed. Which isn't uncommon for the 1st book in a series, but in this case it didn't work for me. The book is well written and I could really see the places the author described. Not sure if I want to read the next book or not.
Profile Image for Galina Sulaiman.
2,377 reviews6 followers
July 27, 2020
Stray

A stray kitten whose a shifter is taken in by the Hill Queen who treats her as a servant. On the day of the moons choosing the next Empress it chooses Ella. She goes to the Academy, behind in so much because the female who raised her was so neglectful. Then she goes into her first heat totally ignorant. That's when more people realize how neglectful that queen was. Good start to a series
Profile Image for Megan.
3,630 reviews46 followers
September 21, 2020
This was alright, I quite enjoy these sort of books the underdog or in this case cat coming out on top but unless the author makes Ella stronger and less damsel in distress I won't be finishing this series.

That is my massive bug with this book, Ella just seems very down trodden and very much woe is me and I get it her life has sucked so far but she doesn't fight. She lets herself be rescued and I just didn't like that.
114 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2020
Stray drags you in

It is a fun and fast read. Ella is a sweet character that you can't help but feel for. I look forward to seeing how she develops in further books. The writing is great. There were a couple of minor mistakes they don't interrupt the flow. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Krystle Schwer.
96 reviews
January 29, 2020
It was ok.......

This book was ok. It was not my cup of tea. The main female was really weak and depressing to me. Even when thing were right in front of her to be happy, she took the depressing road. The guy were ok. Like I said not my cup of tea. I will not be reading the next book.
22 reviews
February 21, 2021
I already read the 4 books and if I was revewing just the first I would only give it 2-3 stars but the next books are much better and worth the time! The main character is completly spineless in book 1 but if you stick with her, she will surprise everyone... and if reverse harem is your thing, this book won't let you down at all! ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews

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