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Wolfpack University #1
Initiation
Clementine Townes is running from a nightmare no one should ever have to endure, a horror of glowing eyes, unspeakable violation…and death.
Her father only ever asked one thing of her—that she attend his alma mater, Appalachia University, fondly known as Wolfpack U. With nothing left to lose, she decides to honor her father the only way she knows how.
The sleepy college town of Jacob's Fork, West Virginia is far from California. But is it far enough away to escape the terrifying darkness that plagues her dreams and memories?
Then she meets Cole Walker.
The quarterback of the football team and all-around campus alpha, he represents everything that terrifies her. But despite her fear and reluctance, she finds she's drawn to Cole in ways she can’t explain.
As if all that weren’t enough, she discovers the people in this small town have a secret, and they seem to know more about her history than she does. What she finds is a past her father hid from her—a past she's not sure she wants to embrace.
But before she can even begin to think about any of that, her nightmare comes rushing back to torment her, threatening the new life she’s trying to build. Can she trust Cole to protect her, or is her only hope to keep running?
Her father only ever asked one thing of her—that she attend his alma mater, Appalachia University, fondly known as Wolfpack U. With nothing left to lose, she decides to honor her father the only way she knows how.
The sleepy college town of Jacob's Fork, West Virginia is far from California. But is it far enough away to escape the terrifying darkness that plagues her dreams and memories?
Then she meets Cole Walker.
The quarterback of the football team and all-around campus alpha, he represents everything that terrifies her. But despite her fear and reluctance, she finds she's drawn to Cole in ways she can’t explain.
As if all that weren’t enough, she discovers the people in this small town have a secret, and they seem to know more about her history than she does. What she finds is a past her father hid from her—a past she's not sure she wants to embrace.
But before she can even begin to think about any of that, her nightmare comes rushing back to torment her, threatening the new life she’s trying to build. Can she trust Cole to protect her, or is her only hope to keep running?
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2020
209 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Apryl Baker
79 books1,827 followersSo who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
February 25, 2020
This is the first book in a new series. Clementine has recently transferred to Wolfpack university, West Virginia from UCLA. She leaves behind terrible memories hoping to start afresh in a whole new state and a whole new university.
Clem is unaware of her heritage and the secrets surrounding her new town of Jacobs Fork. She immediately meets Cole, to whom she is drawn to but does not understand what or why it’s happening. As events unfold, Clem begins to put her trust in Cole. Can Cole protect Clem from the past that has come back to haunt her?
I really enjoyed this new series, the storyline has a lot of opportunities and potential path ways to go on from this first book. I look forward to seeing this series unfold.
Clem is unaware of her heritage and the secrets surrounding her new town of Jacobs Fork. She immediately meets Cole, to whom she is drawn to but does not understand what or why it’s happening. As events unfold, Clem begins to put her trust in Cole. Can Cole protect Clem from the past that has come back to haunt her?
I really enjoyed this new series, the storyline has a lot of opportunities and potential path ways to go on from this first book. I look forward to seeing this series unfold.
March 16, 2020
"The family you chose could sometimes be more important than the one you were born into."
I really enjoyed this! I loved the characters, the back and forth banter between them but also the bonds and loyalty.
This does touch on one very sensitive subject that could be a trigger for some but Apryl presents it very gently and she handles it well.
I am looking forward to the next installment
I really enjoyed this! I loved the characters, the back and forth banter between them but also the bonds and loyalty.
This does touch on one very sensitive subject that could be a trigger for some but Apryl presents it very gently and she handles it well.
I am looking forward to the next installment
May 4, 2022
Dear author, please release the next book asap 🙏
Apryl Baker's Initiation kept me hooked. Enough that I couldn't put the book down until I read it through and through. This is the type of pnr-shifter romance I'm always in search for, more so because they're really hard to come by amidst all those "academy" themed ones.
This was published at the beginning of 2020, & now we're reaching the end of 2021. All this is making me overthink that author must've put this series on hold and I don't want that.
Here I am at 2 AM, mentally snapping at myself for just pouncing upon this book without checking the ending ( yes, I'm the type who assures my heart that the end is definately a happy one).
To top it off, the book ended on a 'to-be-continued' note.. *sobs in frustration
(edit) : Five months into 2022 & still no news.
Apryl Baker's Initiation kept me hooked. Enough that I couldn't put the book down until I read it through and through. This is the type of pnr-shifter romance I'm always in search for, more so because they're really hard to come by amidst all those "academy" themed ones.
This was published at the beginning of 2020, & now we're reaching the end of 2021. All this is making me overthink that author must've put this series on hold and I don't want that.
Here I am at 2 AM, mentally snapping at myself for just pouncing upon this book without checking the ending ( yes, I'm the type who assures my heart that the end is definately a happy one).
To top it off, the book ended on a 'to-be-continued' note.. *sobs in frustration
(edit) : Five months into 2022 & still no news.
February 29, 2020
I love sports romance but paired with PNR, it has now become one of my fave genres. The world build by Apryl Baker within the Wolfpack University is phenomenal. I couldn’t get enough of Initiation and can’t wait for the rest of the series. This book will have your emotions running and keep you entranced from beginning to end. And once you’ve finished you’re def going to be looking for book two, just as I am. This is def my top read for 2019, even if it was shorter than I would have liked lol that’s because I could read about Clem and Cole all day. I really loved their characters, especially Cole and Jackson, but more Cole. He’s def the book boyfriend of every girls dreams.
July 5, 2021
3.5. Good short read.
February 28, 2020
Two things I can’t get enough of, shifters and NA college romance. Obviously it was a no brainer for me when I saw this book. I had to read it. That said, while I overall enjoyed Cole and Clementine this book did leave me feeling a bit unfulfilled. It’s pretty clear this is the start to a new series, but the blurb definitely doesn’t prepare you for how much of Cole and Clementine’s story you’re going to get out of this book.
For almost the entirety of the book these two aren’t even remotely a couple. If I’m being fully honest because of their lack of any real interaction for the majority of their book I barely felt a spark between them until the end. That said, once they did finally begin to connect and actually speak to each other that chemistry came to life. I really wish we had gotten more of them actually together out of this first book because that last bit is what really made this book come together for me.
I’m hopeful that the next book will really make me fall in love with them and looking forward to reading it.
For almost the entirety of the book these two aren’t even remotely a couple. If I’m being fully honest because of their lack of any real interaction for the majority of their book I barely felt a spark between them until the end. That said, once they did finally begin to connect and actually speak to each other that chemistry came to life. I really wish we had gotten more of them actually together out of this first book because that last bit is what really made this book come together for me.
I’m hopeful that the next book will really make me fall in love with them and looking forward to reading it.
March 1, 2020
Apryl Baker continues to expand her PNR world by taking us to West Virginia where at Appalachia University the shifters have ruled for many many years.
We briefly heard about Cole Walker and his wolfpack family in the Bloodlines series. Along with Cole we also learn about Clementine Townes who has just transferred to the university but is unaware of her heritage of being from a wolf shifter father and a fae mother. The past year of her life has been painful after losing both her father and half sister in the same night along with a horrific thing that happened on the UCLA campus while she was attending. She is hoping for a fresh start but she gets way more than she ever bargained for with leaning she is Cole's mate, the origins of her bloodline and that that past she was running from is closer than she thinks.
Good start to the series and soo much more story that needs to be told. Looking forward the next book.
We briefly heard about Cole Walker and his wolfpack family in the Bloodlines series. Along with Cole we also learn about Clementine Townes who has just transferred to the university but is unaware of her heritage of being from a wolf shifter father and a fae mother. The past year of her life has been painful after losing both her father and half sister in the same night along with a horrific thing that happened on the UCLA campus while she was attending. She is hoping for a fresh start but she gets way more than she ever bargained for with leaning she is Cole's mate, the origins of her bloodline and that that past she was running from is closer than she thinks.
Good start to the series and soo much more story that needs to be told. Looking forward the next book.
July 7, 2021
OK
I think this one would have been higher rated if there was more. It felt like the story just scratched the surface and left more questions than answers. Additionally, the revelation at the end was expected.
****** Spoilers ******
I wondered how the protagonist hadn't even considered how odd it was that three tragic but separate events had all happened on one night. I could understand how trauma and her lack of knowledge regarding what she was could have made it so she wasn't thinking clearly about it but to not think anything regarding the timing of the incidences seemed strange to me.
I think this one would have been higher rated if there was more. It felt like the story just scratched the surface and left more questions than answers. Additionally, the revelation at the end was expected.
****** Spoilers ******
I wondered how the protagonist hadn't even considered how odd it was that three tragic but separate events had all happened on one night. I could understand how trauma and her lack of knowledge regarding what she was could have made it so she wasn't thinking clearly about it but to not think anything regarding the timing of the incidences seemed strange to me.
December 20, 2023
love these books
You can’t stop reading ive read all the ghost files and craine diaries the blackburn legacy now wolfpack university love them all!
You can’t stop reading ive read all the ghost files and craine diaries the blackburn legacy now wolfpack university love them all!
February 29, 2020
I love it!!!
I love Cole already!!! I can relate to this book so much apart from being a wolf or supernatural. The way they stand up for her and protect her without even knowing her all too well, that’s true friendship and those are the kind of people who become family. I can’t wait for the next book. Apryl has me hooked again.
I love Cole already!!! I can relate to this book so much apart from being a wolf or supernatural. The way they stand up for her and protect her without even knowing her all too well, that’s true friendship and those are the kind of people who become family. I can’t wait for the next book. Apryl has me hooked again.
October 11, 2020
Great start to a new series. I just realized I should have read the Bloodlines series first.....but I don’t think I am missing too much. I mean that you can easily follow along with this storyline without the back story on a few side characters. All of the characters are so great! I adored Clementine (even as broken as she is). Her trauma is so horrific, it takes your breath away. Cole and his Betas, Jackson and Leo, are totally delicious. Cole knows instantly what Clem is even though he fights it for a while. It’s fun to see his struggle to keep his Wolf from breaking free and claiming what is theirs. Hahaha. And I cannot wait to see who Jackson is to meet!!! Oh, how could I forget....I need to know more about JJ too. She is one cool chic!! Therefore, I cannot wait to see where Ms Apryl will lead us next. I am so looking forward to the next installment. I hope she doesn’t keep us waiting tooo long!
If so, I’ll just have to enjoy re-reading this book. ;)
If so, I’ll just have to enjoy re-reading this book. ;)
February 13, 2025
Warning: I'm not related to or friends with April Baker
Apryl Baker impressed me so much I have to toot her horn for her! Not only did she not allow for Insta love, she went off script and and Clementine all but snubbed Cole...
We stepped into the elevator, and I leaned against the back wall, arms wrapped tightly around myself. It was easier to hide the shaking that way.... etc...
Then Baker made what seem to as close to a real human response she could...
Baker allows for time to pass. Time for Clementine to acclimate to him always being around. However, one night of fun months later brings everything to the forefront and Cole has to come clean, he has no choice...
Cole's pov: "She let out a scream,... She shrank away from me.... She was terrified. More terrified than I’d ever seen her.....
Clementine's pov:.. "I screamed.... kept screaming....My flight instinct took over, and I started to fight, really fight so I could run...I...jumped up, and ran toward the door, intent on escaping."
Let's just agree that Clementine didn't take it all to sell that Cole is a Shifter. Come on now.... as much as we love.our Alpha Shifters and put our stamp of book boyfriend or bookhusband... in real li!e we would poop our pants, scream like Clementine and have a sroke or heart attack to boot.
Author Apryl Baker again does the impossible... No Insta love. I almost dropped my kindle. And I love my baby Kindle. I was in shock, I was ecstatic, I was all over the place in my feelings. She allows.the connection to grow naturally... I know, SHOCKER; right? And the connection comes just in the nick of time too. However, Cole and Clementine have more than her past to deal with. There life together will be rough to say the least.
Now my most pressing question is... Cole spoke of True mates and Soul mates,; about the.differences between the two. However, in the book Cole only refers to Clementine as his his "Mate" and tells her "Your my Mate". Early in the book his beta Jackson asks him if she is his true mate and he concurs... I think? So back to question.. Are Clementine and Cole True Mates or Soul Mates??
I can't wait to read the second book in the series as blown away as I was with the first. I just beg Author Apryl Baker.... Please don't disappoint me in book two, I beg of you!!!!!!
Apryl Baker:
Congratulations!! I wish.you continued success.with this series and all that you do.
~Lisa Smith Reads
Apryl Baker impressed me so much I have to toot her horn for her! Not only did she not allow for Insta love, she went off script and and Clementine all but snubbed Cole...
We stepped into the elevator, and I leaned against the back wall, arms wrapped tightly around myself. It was easier to hide the shaking that way.... etc...
Then Baker made what seem to as close to a real human response she could...
Baker allows for time to pass. Time for Clementine to acclimate to him always being around. However, one night of fun months later brings everything to the forefront and Cole has to come clean, he has no choice...
Cole's pov: "She let out a scream,... She shrank away from me.... She was terrified. More terrified than I’d ever seen her.....
Clementine's pov:.. "I screamed.... kept screaming....My flight instinct took over, and I started to fight, really fight so I could run...I...jumped up, and ran toward the door, intent on escaping."
Let's just agree that Clementine didn't take it all to sell that Cole is a Shifter. Come on now.... as much as we love.our Alpha Shifters and put our stamp of book boyfriend or bookhusband... in real li!e we would poop our pants, scream like Clementine and have a sroke or heart attack to boot.
Author Apryl Baker again does the impossible... No Insta love. I almost dropped my kindle. And I love my baby Kindle. I was in shock, I was ecstatic, I was all over the place in my feelings. She allows.the connection to grow naturally... I know, SHOCKER; right? And the connection comes just in the nick of time too. However, Cole and Clementine have more than her past to deal with. There life together will be rough to say the least.
Now my most pressing question is... Cole spoke of True mates and Soul mates,; about the.differences between the two. However, in the book Cole only refers to Clementine as his his "Mate" and tells her "Your my Mate". Early in the book his beta Jackson asks him if she is his true mate and he concurs... I think? So back to question.. Are Clementine and Cole True Mates or Soul Mates??
I can't wait to read the second book in the series as blown away as I was with the first. I just beg Author Apryl Baker.... Please don't disappoint me in book two, I beg of you!!!!!!
Apryl Baker:
Congratulations!! I wish.you continued success.with this series and all that you do.
~Lisa Smith Reads
March 3, 2020
4 Cranky Stars
I’ve binged Apryl Bakers The Ghost Files series and The Crane Diaries and really enjoyed them so I was excited to read this new series. I will say it will trigger some people with the experience that Clementine goes through. I can’t really say what because that will be giving away a major part of the plot in my opinion. I just hope as the books grow so does Clementine. She was just ok to me sadly I understand why she was angry and didn’t trust anyone. I could understand why she felt like she was going crazy because who really wants to believe shifters exist? I mean she was a girl from Texas who was raised in California and hated the word y’all and didn’t know what a twang was. Seriously though? She has suffered a lot of loss so to say Clem went through a lot in her limited years on this earth is an understatement. She makes discoveries about herself that she would have never seen coming. She also didn’t expect Cole. The burly football player who one minute is short with her and doesn’t want her around to suddenly accepting she is here to stay. He concedes to his wolf when it comes to her. He isn’t sure if he is ready to give up his pack for this girl and as the book goes on, he realizes the instincts can’t be stopped. He is liked by many of this campus and has his two best friends by his side. When Clementine’s past shows up on his campus, he is forced to make a decision that will affect everyone’s lives.
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it because toward the end I did. It just took me a little while to get rolling with it. I know you can’t like every character in every book. I didn’t dislike her I sympathized with her but she was just ok to me. I did like Cole even when he was surly. I’m hopeful that the series will grow with Clem and Cole as they grow.
I’ve binged Apryl Bakers The Ghost Files series and The Crane Diaries and really enjoyed them so I was excited to read this new series. I will say it will trigger some people with the experience that Clementine goes through. I can’t really say what because that will be giving away a major part of the plot in my opinion. I just hope as the books grow so does Clementine. She was just ok to me sadly I understand why she was angry and didn’t trust anyone. I could understand why she felt like she was going crazy because who really wants to believe shifters exist? I mean she was a girl from Texas who was raised in California and hated the word y’all and didn’t know what a twang was. Seriously though? She has suffered a lot of loss so to say Clem went through a lot in her limited years on this earth is an understatement. She makes discoveries about herself that she would have never seen coming. She also didn’t expect Cole. The burly football player who one minute is short with her and doesn’t want her around to suddenly accepting she is here to stay. He concedes to his wolf when it comes to her. He isn’t sure if he is ready to give up his pack for this girl and as the book goes on, he realizes the instincts can’t be stopped. He is liked by many of this campus and has his two best friends by his side. When Clementine’s past shows up on his campus, he is forced to make a decision that will affect everyone’s lives.
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it because toward the end I did. It just took me a little while to get rolling with it. I know you can’t like every character in every book. I didn’t dislike her I sympathized with her but she was just ok to me. I did like Cole even when he was surly. I’m hopeful that the series will grow with Clem and Cole as they grow.
Read
March 2, 2020Initiation is the first installment in a new young adult series that takes place at a university for the supernaturals. Clementine, or Clem, has been through an unimaginable personal experience and suffered incredibly hard losses. She is looking to pick up the pieces of her life and enrolls at said university. Upon arrival, she cross paths with Cole, the quarterback of the football team who, unbeknownst to her, happens to be a werewolf. From that moment on, there is this very strong, inexplicable draw between the two of them. Cole knows exactly what's going on, but is in denial. Clem doesn't know what's going on and is terrified because Cole reminds her of the past she's been running from. Furthermore, the residents of this college and town reveal secrets of Clem's life, bringing her in a situation where the life she has known is turned upside down. What happens when Clem's past collides with hers and Cole's present?
This was a good start to a new series that fans of young adult paranormal will devour. The romance between Clem and Cole wasn't too over the top that it distracted a reader from the other plot lines. Clem is the type of character who can show young women that they can overcome difficult times and move forward. Readers should be advised that it does include elements on the subject of rape. Ms. Baker laid out some good world building and even brought in some characters from her other book series. I hadn't read the other book series and I didn't find myself lost when these other characters were pulled in which was nice for me as a reader. I'm definitely interested to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
This was a good start to a new series that fans of young adult paranormal will devour. The romance between Clem and Cole wasn't too over the top that it distracted a reader from the other plot lines. Clem is the type of character who can show young women that they can overcome difficult times and move forward. Readers should be advised that it does include elements on the subject of rape. Ms. Baker laid out some good world building and even brought in some characters from her other book series. I hadn't read the other book series and I didn't find myself lost when these other characters were pulled in which was nice for me as a reader. I'm definitely interested to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
May 13, 2021
Stuck in a trigger and it doesn't move forward
This book is one giant trigger warning. The main heroine has been though some dark stuff and it is not just mentioned and worked though, it is the ENTIRE book. The main hero has some issues with consent and understanding. While he tries his best, it still made me rage on our main character's behalf. I don't know who this book is meant for. It certainly isn't healing for someone who has been though sexual trauma in my opinion. Who in their right mind thinks it is ok to physically restrain a rape victim while she is in the midst of a PTSD attack? You want to be there for her big guy? Back the F off!!! She is scared of you after you did that? DO NOT keep her feeling trapped by staying outside her door.
The author has a good understanding of trauma and gives us a good look into the mind of our main character. However, her handing of the healing process falls short. The magic of a mate bond is not enough to take this girl from being further psychologically traumatized by this guy one night to the next day having her crawling in his lap. There is some serious character building lacking from this point of the book moving forward.
Anyway, some of it is good, some of it is BS, but all of it is depressing.
This book is one giant trigger warning. The main heroine has been though some dark stuff and it is not just mentioned and worked though, it is the ENTIRE book. The main hero has some issues with consent and understanding. While he tries his best, it still made me rage on our main character's behalf. I don't know who this book is meant for. It certainly isn't healing for someone who has been though sexual trauma in my opinion. Who in their right mind thinks it is ok to physically restrain a rape victim while she is in the midst of a PTSD attack? You want to be there for her big guy? Back the F off!!! She is scared of you after you did that? DO NOT keep her feeling trapped by staying outside her door.
The author has a good understanding of trauma and gives us a good look into the mind of our main character. However, her handing of the healing process falls short. The magic of a mate bond is not enough to take this girl from being further psychologically traumatized by this guy one night to the next day having her crawling in his lap. There is some serious character building lacking from this point of the book moving forward.
Anyway, some of it is good, some of it is BS, but all of it is depressing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2022
DNF 70 after 3 days of trying
Completely lost patience with the book. The girl went through some trauma. The whole book is about her begin skittish and pathetic. Don't get me wrong I get the whole point behind it. But the book is so boring. 70% and she's still scared of everyone and everything. That's a boring book. Nothing has happened yet, she hasn't even shifted nor do we know if she ever will. Everyone is walking on eggshells around her. She needs therapy and bad, then maybe start the book. No trigger warning. Doesn't bother me much but it might others, since it the main topic of the book and it's all she ever talks about. It felt stuck, and it went nowhere. Cole came off a bit creepy and obsessed, which is the normal alpha theme but the bok didn't pull it off, so super creepy it is. Also at this point there's zero chemistry because she's still super scared of Cole, so no kiss no angst no anything.
Completely lost patience with the book. The girl went through some trauma. The whole book is about her begin skittish and pathetic. Don't get me wrong I get the whole point behind it. But the book is so boring. 70% and she's still scared of everyone and everything. That's a boring book. Nothing has happened yet, she hasn't even shifted nor do we know if she ever will. Everyone is walking on eggshells around her. She needs therapy and bad, then maybe start the book. No trigger warning. Doesn't bother me much but it might others, since it the main topic of the book and it's all she ever talks about. It felt stuck, and it went nowhere. Cole came off a bit creepy and obsessed, which is the normal alpha theme but the bok didn't pull it off, so super creepy it is. Also at this point there's zero chemistry because she's still super scared of Cole, so no kiss no angst no anything.
November 6, 2020
Loved it! Read it in only one sitting. Absolute loved the characters and how the relationship between the H and h progressed. I liked the pacing and loved that although they were mates they weren’t driven by lust. I often have trouble when the h has had a difficult past but when she meets the H she forgets all about it. The way she handled the relationship felt real and believable. Even though she may have been attracted to the H that didn’t stop her from feeling other emotions such as fear. Her actions weren’t controlled by attractions, which in my opinion happens too much in romance books.
I really liked it. It was a sweet small town college shifter romance with a Alpha jock hero. Which contains several of my favorite tropes. Really disappointed that there’s only one book out and that the story is left open, to be continued.
*** The story was told in dual perspective.
I really liked it. It was a sweet small town college shifter romance with a Alpha jock hero. Which contains several of my favorite tropes. Really disappointed that there’s only one book out and that the story is left open, to be continued.
*** The story was told in dual perspective.
February 28, 2020
Apryl Baker is a genius! I am always in love with her characters and story-telling. This is the first book in a new series but it still reads like visiting old friends because we get to se characters from other series. I love the paranormal world and how easily it blends with the human world. The story has a natural progression and there is great character development. By the time you finish reading this story, the characters have become your friends and you care about them and want to see what's new and how things will get better for them. The ending is a cliffhanger but a gentle one, like you can hang on until the next book without screaming. LOL Great story, I can't wait to see what's next!
February 27, 2021
Good start
Initiation is quite the captivating story about, Clementine, a girl suffering from PTSD, running from CA to WV to separate herself from grief and trauma, only to run into the same dorm suite as Cole, her true mate. The story is a simple one, complicated by the particulars surrounding the characters lives. I was totally invested from start to finish. Unfortunately, 150 some odd pages wasn’t enough, but it definitely leaves a lot to be desired in terms of plot resolution. While the cliff hanger is there, it doesn’t feel like one because the climax reads more like rising action. To make the matter worse, it was written a year ago as Wolfpack book 1, and there is no book two. For that fact alone, a quick four star read becomes a three star regret.
Initiation is quite the captivating story about, Clementine, a girl suffering from PTSD, running from CA to WV to separate herself from grief and trauma, only to run into the same dorm suite as Cole, her true mate. The story is a simple one, complicated by the particulars surrounding the characters lives. I was totally invested from start to finish. Unfortunately, 150 some odd pages wasn’t enough, but it definitely leaves a lot to be desired in terms of plot resolution. While the cliff hanger is there, it doesn’t feel like one because the climax reads more like rising action. To make the matter worse, it was written a year ago as Wolfpack book 1, and there is no book two. For that fact alone, a quick four star read becomes a three star regret.
March 2, 2020
This book is like a completely must read. Such a interesting story, keeps you on the edge the entire time.
Definitely one of the best shifters stories I have read.
Cole and Clem are like two sides of a coin they really can’t deny the pull they feel for each other. It is tragic to see her go through so much pain but it’s beautiful to see how she finally finds comfort in her mate.
And of course the mate bond is just as fascinating as always, wish something like this existed in real like.
Can’t wait for the second book (I have my fingers crossed and really hoping there is a second book).
Don’t forget to grab your copy today. Enjoy reading. Honest arc review.
Definitely one of the best shifters stories I have read.
Cole and Clem are like two sides of a coin they really can’t deny the pull they feel for each other. It is tragic to see her go through so much pain but it’s beautiful to see how she finally finds comfort in her mate.
And of course the mate bond is just as fascinating as always, wish something like this existed in real like.
Can’t wait for the second book (I have my fingers crossed and really hoping there is a second book).
Don’t forget to grab your copy today. Enjoy reading. Honest arc review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2020
This is a truly amazing book!
It definitely deals with a triggering issue but Apryl's writing deals with it in such a way as to truly represent a survivors story. There will, no doubt, be some that feel that the main character moves to quickly, but in the scope of literature there is only so much time that can pass throughout the span of one book. This portrays a story that needs to be told and shows a young woman struggling to move on and mould a new life for herself. There need to be more books out there like this!
Apryl is an amazingly talented writer and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
It definitely deals with a triggering issue but Apryl's writing deals with it in such a way as to truly represent a survivors story. There will, no doubt, be some that feel that the main character moves to quickly, but in the scope of literature there is only so much time that can pass throughout the span of one book. This portrays a story that needs to be told and shows a young woman struggling to move on and mould a new life for herself. There need to be more books out there like this!
Apryl is an amazingly talented writer and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.
February 28, 2020
Coming from the Ghost Files and Crane Diaries I must admit I was a little skeptical about another series being as good. This book was awesome I read it straight through in about an hour and a half I just did not want to put it down. The only thing that I'm miffed about is that it ended. Now im going to have to wait desperately for the next book in the series. Cole and Clementine are the perfect match. I cannot wait to see where this story goes and if Clem will accept who and what she is, and I am excited to find out exactly what she is. Thank you Apryl for another hit.
March 5, 2020
This was a sad book to read but I thought it was very well written. I don't really expect such a horrific and potentially triggering topic in a paranormal book but at the same time, I will admit that I felt for Clem quite strongly and it was apt that her journey to trust Cole was slow rather than fast.... A fast recovery from her ordeal wouldn't have been realistic....
I am looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds from here and also how Clem become more open and trusting and able to move on with her life.
Well done Apryl Baker.... Well done!
I am looking forward to seeing how this series unfolds from here and also how Clem become more open and trusting and able to move on with her life.
Well done Apryl Baker.... Well done!
October 24, 2020
Unlike typical girl goes to college meets wolfie football guy, this one has a side story of a history of family. When Clem goes to Wolfpack U. ( a slight play on N.C. State, where the author lives) she goes because her father was an alum and requested she attend. He had been a football star and his family had been from West Virginia.
She moves into a co-ed dorm with the quarterback of the football team and there is instant chemistry.
Can't wait for the next book to see how this story line develops.
She moves into a co-ed dorm with the quarterback of the football team and there is instant chemistry.
Can't wait for the next book to see how this story line develops.
August 11, 2022
I think this is such a great idea! I loved this book and hope this series continues. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Clementine and Cole make a great couple, but they don't get off on a great foot when they meet. This book also touched on a sensitive subject but I like the way the subject was used in the book. Welcome to Pack life; in this book we learn what the pack is and who is in charge for the pack. We also learn who is pack Alpha! What a great book that takes some twist and turns. I would love to see what else Apryl has in store of this series.
February 29, 2020
Wow... I definitely have a fondness for shifter books, and this book did not disappoint!
Clem is moving from the UCLA campus to Wolfpack University for her dad.
This university is not like the others .... ;)
Cole is the QB for the wolves, with Jackson and Leo his teammates and brothers.
I was drawn in from the first paragraph and hooked until the end... cannot wait for the second part of this, so I’ll be author stalking (mwahhh) definitely recommend!
Clem is moving from the UCLA campus to Wolfpack University for her dad.
This university is not like the others .... ;)
Cole is the QB for the wolves, with Jackson and Leo his teammates and brothers.
I was drawn in from the first paragraph and hooked until the end... cannot wait for the second part of this, so I’ll be author stalking (mwahhh) definitely recommend!
March 8, 2020
Another New Shifter University gang - with a familiar wolf pack mentioned in the bloodlines series . Cole is hostile towards Clem to start with not wanting her to be any part of his life - but things change and he has to face the truth as Clem is more than just another student . The Story was a bit short - but i'm sure there is more to be told and looking forward to it . Well Written like all of book of Apryls books .
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June 22, 2020
Couldn’t put it down!!
This book is gonna leave me with a hangover. Too many feelings to process quickly, that’s for sure. Clem has been through the roughest time and things are going to get more complicated before they get much better. Cole is fantastic with her and his Betas are wonderful! This was an excellent shifter romance and the first book I have read by this author. Looking forward to book 2 and will have to look at her other series as well.
This book is gonna leave me with a hangover. Too many feelings to process quickly, that’s for sure. Clem has been through the roughest time and things are going to get more complicated before they get much better. Cole is fantastic with her and his Betas are wonderful! This was an excellent shifter romance and the first book I have read by this author. Looking forward to book 2 and will have to look at her other series as well.
July 18, 2020
Great read!
The story flowed really well and while I’ve read plenty of shifter books, this one was really different in that being a shifter was only part of the story but I believe the bigger focus was on what the main characters were going through. This book ended in a cliffhanger, but I didn’t feel as bothered by it as I have in other stories that end that way. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
The story flowed really well and while I’ve read plenty of shifter books, this one was really different in that being a shifter was only part of the story but I believe the bigger focus was on what the main characters were going through. This book ended in a cliffhanger, but I didn’t feel as bothered by it as I have in other stories that end that way. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
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