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Beta's Bane

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When Wolf Shifters pass from this plane to the next, their souls make the journey along the Pathway to reunite with their ancestors and hunt the eternal forests.

Without the Pathway, their souls can know no peace.

The Pathway must be protected; at all costs.

When the Alpha of the Ridgeway and Pathway Packs installed his new law, he had no idea of the repercussions it would bring for his twin brother and Beta, Brodie.

Brodie and Iris are destined by the Moon Goddess to be together. Torn apart by their Alpha, they find themselves fighting a sexual chemistry that threatens to consume them... until one fateful night changes everything.

The safety of the world rests on the brothers' shoulders, but once Brodie finally tastes his fated mate... Can he be parted from her again? Or will he risk everything and challenge his brother?

Trigger: This is a work of fiction and contains adult content. Due to the nature of the series, you should expect to come across various subject matter that some readers may find disturbing. Please contact the author if you require further information.

Beta’s Bane is intended for readers aged 18 years plus.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2021

2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

Liv James

1 book5 followers

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5 stars
13 (61%)
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6 (28%)
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1 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Audrey Rush.
Author 46 books1,178 followers
June 10, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

Beta’s Bane was many firsts for me: my first ARC review, my first shifter romance, my first fated mates romance, and my first group/sharing/mmmf. And yes, it is as hot as it sounds. :D

Beta’s Bane follows Iris, a squad leader, and Brodie, the Beta of the Ridgeway Pack. Due to a law, fated mates cannot be together unless they are within the same ranking. Since Brodie is ranked and Iris is not, this creates a drool-worthy and angsty forbidden romance situation. Iris and Brodie are very J/P of each other, which is absolutely delicious. Their “we really shouldn’t be doing this, but damn it, I want you so bad” steamy tension was off the charts! There is also an amazing and surprising villain (I love my villains!), as well as seriously hot scenes with secondary characters that do not interfere with the main romance (meaning: no sharing or cheating when it comes to Brodie/Iris). Liv James has an incredible voice that had me giggling and squirming, and the ending was crazy, action-packed, and fantastic.

There is one aspect of the book that is both a strength and a weakness. Liv James has the ability to create a truly unique world, full of beautiful imagery and a deep, rich history, with interesting characters that I look forward to getting to know in future books. Sometimes, this slowed the pacing of the story, but it is also an intriguing part of the author’s voice and style. And since it is the first book in a fantasy/paranormal series, this kind of extensive set-up should be expected.

This is Liv James’s debut novel. If rich, unique, steamy paranormal romances are your thing, you won’t go wrong with Beta’s Bane.
838 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2021
This was so completely different to shifter books I've read before (and I am a huge fan of all things shifter). Beta's Bane was more complex than a mating bite and raw attraction. This was fated mates kept apart by shifter law, dark forces threatening all of mankind and shifter alike, a prophecy and just all round brilliantly detailed and descriptive writing.

The Ridgeway Pack are tasked with guarding the pathway for souls to their eternal rest. They train and work with representatives of packs across the world to maintain peace for those crossing over. I loved this concept of the pathway and I did have a few tears escape at the beautiful descriptions of the souls making the journey.

The main focus of the story is the developing relationship between Beta Brodie and Iris, a pathway guard. Their simmering chemistry and attraction burns through the pages of the book. I was so invested in them and the forbidden nature of their connection. Both were suffering without the other but the law forbids their mating. When these two give in to their attraction they are 🔥.

Around the main romance are a series of engaging and equally important characters such as Brodie's twin, Alpha Cam, and the team of guards led by Iris. These characters function as an extended family and their relationship are deeply felt within the story.

This book sets up an overarching story around the pathway and dark forces threatening it. There are so many questions about these characters and their role in the darkness to come. I am 💯% hooked and in love with the Pathway series and cannot wait to find out what comes next.
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
5,011 reviews64 followers
June 11, 2021
4.5 Stars

I love finding new authors especially ones that I get to review on their debut book. Her characters were well developed and the storyline is intriguing and suspenseful. This story is really complex and it took me a while to peel back all the layers and really get into the story but once I get into it I flew through the pages. Considering it is so different from every other shift your book I’ve read that may have been why I had the problem getting into it at first. This story centers around Beta Brodie and Iris, a pathway guardian. Their romance is forbidden by shifter law. Will these fated mates be able to be together?
Profile Image for Sams_Fireside.
480 reviews55 followers
June 10, 2021
When the opportunity came my way to read and review an ARC of the first in a paranormal series, I jumped at the chance. Give Me Books Promotions sent me a copy of Beta's Bane by Liv James and it is absolutely outstanding, as the author's debut novel I am only hoping she continues to write more!

Cam and Brodie are brothers, born to Cecily, who was the Alpha of the Ridgeway pack. Cam steps into his mother's shoes and becomes the new pack Alpha, with Brodie as his Beta. The Pathway is the route that Wolf Shifters take when their souls pass from one world into the next and must be protected. Liv James's story follows Brodie as he attempts to claim his fated mate, Iris, but will his brother's new law prevent them from being together?

Different squads form the Ridegway pack, with Squad Leaders in charge of their own team. They work together, training with other warriors from around the world, to protect the Pathway. Once I became familiar with the characters I couldn't get enough of this new series. The majority of them were so likeable and entertaining, it was a joy to read.

The author draws the reader into the story with her descriptions and tales from the past as we learn the story behind the prophecy and how the Ridgeway pack, is what it is.

As there is erotic content in the book, it is definitely for those over 18, however, don't be fooled into thinking it's just a lot of sex with a bit of a story - it is so much more than that. Liv James writes beautifully and there are some very poignant moments included throughout the book.
Profile Image for Heather  Chaotic Creatives.
1,139 reviews52 followers
June 6, 2021
Ok I will start off by saying this is not your typical shifter romance book. I will say out took me a little bit to get into this book for that reason (Hey what can I say I am a creature of habit), but once I got past all of that I loved this book.
It is definitely not what I expected and there is way more to this story than meets the eye. We get a complex story that not only revolves around our two main characters, but very intricate plot line that involves a prophecy!
Like I stated earlier this isn't your typical boy wolf meets girl wolf then BAM they live happily ever after. No we get a lot of outside forces that play an huge part of the reasons why these two can not be together.
Brodie and Iris are meant to be together. When they do come together their chemistry is explosive, and trust me when I say kindles and panties will be melting everywhere.
I get this review may be a little vague on my part, but I am afraid that if I continue to go on about this book I may let something major slip and ai do not want to do that. Just know that has everything in it to keep you engaged. We get the "forbidden" romance between our two main characters. We also get a glimpse into the lives of some major players in this book.
493 reviews9 followers
June 10, 2021

Welcome to a world of gods, prophesy, fated mates, heartbreak, death and darkness. The world of the Ridgway and Pathway Packs is so much more than just your normal shifter romance.


The over arching storyline of God's and prophesy will seamlessly link all the books in this series.

I was blown away by the world Liv created for the Rideway and Pathway Packs. The depth and detail she has put into world building makes reading this book a fully emersive experience.

It is multi pov which I love!! Liv has created such realistic characters that they become you family and you feel everything they do. You feel their love, on so many different levels and OMG some of it is so hot you might just get burned!!! However you also feel their pain, the excruciating, heart wrenching pain that multiple characters experiance will steal your breath and break your heart.

You will experience every emotion in this world and beyond reading this book!!

This maybe Liv's first book but it astounding! I'm now left with a hangover waiting for Cams story!!
32 reviews
July 4, 2021
This is my second attempt to write this review. My first review was, apparently, too over the top... but that's how this book makes me feel!!
Only 3 books have ver made me cry... this is book number three!!
The story starts slow, the author di es straight into the world of the pathway and the shifters who have been tasked to guard it. But trust me when I say, you will turn the corner on one chapter and BAM! She slams you with action and sexiness, and intrigue and sexiness!! And oh oh my, the sexiness! I have never had such a hard time picking a book boyfriend before! The characters are fun, vibrant, real people. I legit cried at the end... twice! Just be prepared!

The story is so very interesting! It's a story I have never read before, and I've read alot. It's unique and it's so open. She can take this series so many places and I have no idea where we will end up, but I am here for the ride! But seriously, be prepared! This story will break your heart! In all the good ways!
Profile Image for Mandy Barnes.
334 reviews29 followers
June 13, 2021
Prophesy, lifemates, the pathway, all of these have something in common each must be protected at all costs, but when a wolf shows up at the compound for the training that is expected of all packs, what are the chances that these three things will be put into jeopardy and possibly be lost for all time?

It's up to Iris James and Brodi Archer to figure out what is going down and prove it's not just them that see what an evil vile person is behind it all but to also figure out where they belong in each other's lives. Can Iris protect the pathway and her heart, will Brodi give in to what he has known but kept hidden. Can the rest of the Pathway Pack finally fight the evil that is surrounding them?

This book is filled with Mystery, passion, and lots of Heat, I am hoping to find out more in the future. Liv James is a new author to me and I need more.
Profile Image for thenerdybookworm_.
1,652 reviews66 followers
June 12, 2021
A great paranormal read by Liv James. Beta’s Bane is the first book in the Pathway series.

Brodie and Iris are fated mates and should be living happily ever after. Unfortunately it’s not as easy as it seems. Due to a law put into place by the Alpha, Brodie and Iris can’t be together. Can they find a way to be together or will the law keep them apart forever?

You can feel the love Brodie and Iris have for one another. You can also feel their pain at being denied their fated mate. I loved the characters and the storyline. If you love the paranormal, fated mates, and steamy scenes then read Beta’s Bane.
505 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2021
Loved this story, a great start to a series. It's cleverly written as you get many POVs to the story and get a much rounded view of the going on.

The Ridgeway pack recruits wolves from other packs to protect the pathway, a road where the souls of the dead walk to get to their afterlife as there a demons that would steal these souls.

This is the first book I've read from this author. Will look out for others and looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Grace Kemp.
1 review
May 15, 2021
I absolutely loved reading this book. The plot, the characters and the world created are so unique. This new reality is like no other, due to the way James has used her words to construct a beautiful place. The sex scene are also so beautifully written, so much so that I felt like I was there. The subtle nuances that are used throughout are the cherry on top of this novel and I cannot wait to see what James comes up with next.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,593 reviews13 followers
June 11, 2021
New author means hello first book.. this is not your typical shifter book and I'm not gonna lie it took me awhile to get into it. Once I finally got into the flow of the book I'm not gonna lie I started really liking Brodie and Iris and there wolves. This story has so many layers and so many of them make the story. I will say that once you start breaking away at the Behind the scenes it all makes sense and the story took over for me. Getting glimpses into other charcters lives makes you wonder what's next.
Profile Image for Andrea.
223 reviews
June 11, 2021
This is unlike any shifter romance I have read before (if there are more like it, please let me know). Mates are kept apart due to law if they don't have the same sort of ranking. How angsty is that? Brodie and Iris managed to circumnavigate that in serval deliciously naughty ways. The bit part characters had their own side lines too. which pushed the plot along.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
June 19, 2021
Another great read, with lots of chemistry and hotness. This is a beautifully written story and hooked me from the start. This is a quick hot read, with an interesting plot and fantastic characters, great emotion and Loads of steam!
Profile Image for Claire Walker.
359 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2021
Liv James is a new author but man does she know how to bring it!!
You don’t want to miss this steamy/ hot as hell shifter romance. It will leave you needing a cold shower 😉😏
It’s unlike any other shifter romance I’ve read and I love it.
Can’t wait for more from this amazing new author.
Profile Image for Ann-Marie Davis.
Author 12 books314 followers
June 21, 2021
The smut... Oh my

I've never been one for this type of read, but Liv made it steamy for sure. The action and smut are just on fire. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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