Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Moretti Academy #2

Poisonous Beasts

Rate this book
They destroyed me.

The fae lied, the dragon played games, and the two-faced wolf stabbed me in the back.

They all chipped at my sanity by betraying my trust. They were no better than the dirt beneath my shoes—or so I tried to convince myself. The hurt seeped to my bones, but I couldn’t stop the game of cat and mouse. They’d pull me in, then pushed me away in the same breath. It was driving me crazy.

If only they were the sole problem.

Something mysterious was happening at Moretti Academy. Unnaturals were falling ill, which was impossible considering they're impervious to sickness.

I wanted to stay out of the secretive behavior revolving the poisonous beasts, yet they continued to entangle me, and I was on the verge of breaking.

POISONOUS BEASTS is a 90,000 word paranormal romance with enemy-to-lovers/love-hate themes. This is a REVERSE HAREM novel, meaning the main character will end up with more than one love interest by the end of the series. This is book TWO in the series. Triggers: Contains foul language, sexual scenes, bullying, cliffhanger, dub-con and jealous/possessive themes.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2021

247 people are currently reading
110 people want to read

About the author

Allie Santos

25 books209 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
368 (42%)
4 stars
298 (34%)
3 stars
157 (18%)
2 stars
34 (3%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for rosa.
543 reviews13 followers
November 24, 2024
What in the male gaze is going on here? We spent two books of this series waiting for Maya to shift into a dragon, and when she finally does go through her "maturing", she just gets bigger boobs?! Is this a joke?

I'm so confused by her too. She’s strong-willed and generally sticks up for people, except herself. Almost everyone in these books treats Maya awfully—her friends, family, and love interests—and she accepts it all. She just allows people to treat her so poorly without explanation or apology.

I was holding out for some growth in this book, but it hasn't come (except her boobs obvs), so now I don't know if I have it in me to pick up the next book in the series.
291 reviews55 followers
April 4, 2022
I think I will keep reading this series but Book 2 didn't hold my interest as well as Book 1. I did like the alternate POVs added. I wish there was more of a growth arc for the guys - they can't just decide to start acting JP.

There's no groveling or apologies in this book, but you do learn a bit about the motivations for the guys. The delivery just feels choppy and does little for their redemption path.

More of the mysteries of the Academy are unraveled... Nothing particularly surprising.
Profile Image for Kyra.
70 reviews21 followers
September 19, 2024
I saw a lot of people saying they felt let down by this book, but as per usual screw the other reviews, I’m gonna read it anyways. I think the biggest thing I saw people complaining about was the “only” changes she had from her Maturing. Yeah so what she got bigger boobs and an ass. This isn’t the first series to do so.🤣 The entire second book is based on the fact that she HOPES she’s a dragon like her family because why wouldn’t she be, but her Maturing is not a normal one for any Unnatural they’ve seen. She could very easily be a hybrid or something else entirely. I loved the plot twists and playing guess who with our revolving kidnapper. My rage for Purity and Andrea definitely stayed but I’ve definitely thawed a bit to the assholes of her forming harem. I can’t wait to hop into book 3!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
873 reviews17 followers
July 3, 2024
Spoilers


I was disappointed at this as the follow up to book one. All three of these men were horrible, physically abusive and manipulative and she just keeps letting them do whatever they want without any apology or explanation? Sorry but that just doesn't sit well with her character. She is strong willed and sticks up for people though she just lets them keep doing whatever they want to her? If this is mates (we don't know yet) then is it really worth it.?


The plot twist at the end isnt surprising and I've been calling that since the beginning of the last book but at least it's in the open now that this super secret group has leverage over all the guys. But I repeat, that is not enough to excuse their actions or forgive them. We need the grovel.
Profile Image for Imee Benzon.
488 reviews21 followers
February 12, 2023
***WOW***

It feels like this book was written by someone else compare to book 1? It is amazing, no more stupid girl acting desperate, nope, Maya is kicked ass and doesn't take shits from anyone. Louis🥺🥺
604 reviews120 followers
July 31, 2024
~ BBS
~ weak heroine
~ TSTL annoying

☑️ excessive secondary character deaths

I remember why I skimmed this series, the FMC is nosy and tstl, she has massive BBS and while it’s supposed to be RH, Enzo is the clear favorite and gets most book time with the others acting in supporting roles. The FMC for some reason just can’t resist him even though he’s the biggest manho and has done the worst things to her, but has no problem resisting the other three? It’s very unbalanced. Elliot has had 2 scenes, was at the school and then just disappeared from the book. I know he’ll pop back up but it’s so choppy. Eventually the bbs is explained by them being fated mates, but it’s still uneven.

A prominent young character dies after he developed feelings for MFC. Not sure why they couldn’t just stayed in a BFF relationship. This starts a theme where many secondary characters die after serving their plot purpose.

I didn’t mind most of the guys, it was the heroine I couldn’t stand. The best part of the book is the half shifted smexy times and the JP guys. I thought I’d never like Beckett but eventually we come to understand what happened to him. Enzo is my favorite and smexy times with him are hot (shifted dragon sex anyone?)

Unfortunately throughout the series we are supposed to guess the characters emotions given the amount of “unnamed emotions” prevalent in the story, which is hard to do because they flop back and forth so much. There’s way too much teeth clicking going on. Who clicks their teeth? Someone needs to straight up point this out, so I volunteer.

Teeth clicking aside, I give kudos for really writing some good shifted monster smut.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chelsea Eckersley.
284 reviews
dnf
July 8, 2025
Maya’s lack of a back bone even though she was plenty sassy has become enough for me… girl???? After all they did and you’re still chasing them and allowing the things they do. I wanted this to be more but I can’t do it anymore. I really wanted to see this mate bond become apparent though
198 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2024
I am sucked in, but there was lots of eye rolling on my part. Just lots of silly little things.

My main annoyance was I am fine with non con but I hate when the fmc gaslights herself in to believing it was ok. Like if you say no, and they proceed, it doesn’t matter if you “give in” or end up enjoying it. There was no consent and it should be on the list of reasons you are mad at the person about.

Profile Image for Teagan.
15 reviews3 followers
October 8, 2025
DNFd at 27%.

You’re meaning to tell me, homeboys humiliated, hurt, hit and WATERBOARDED YOU WITH ALCOHOL AND THEN UPLOADED REVENGE PORN ON THE INTERNET TO HUMILIATE YOU, and then you nearly die from circumstances that arose BECAUSE OF THEM, and the first thing you do after seeing the ringleader again is let him fuck you in an elevator? Be so for real.

I’d rather die than continue this series. I’m marking this book as read on my good reads because I’ll be damned if I don’t meet my reading goal because this wasted my time.

OH AND ONE OF EM WAS FUCKING HER SISTER!? And y’all wanna go on about loyalty???? Am I having an aneurism?
645 reviews10 followers
August 23, 2025
Dnf at 72%.
I only read that far because I was hoping for someone, anyone to have a come-to-Jesus moment but no, everyone continued to be idiots.

Good
/crickets

Bad
1) Writing desperately needed both a professional editor and a professional proofreader.
2) The first quarter of the book was filler and boring filler at that
3) Non-female lead chapters were also filler as they answered no questions and so added nothing to the story; oh, and having them titled by species instead of names was obnoxious
4) Events would be setup aaaaand come to nothing
5) Everything entertaining and/or likable about the female lead in the first book was stripped from her leaving behind a too-stupid-to-live doormat
6) Female lead cut off male friend who spied on her while allowing the male leads who did much, much worse to her treat her like their personal play thing
7) First female lead/male lead scene isn't until 25% into the book
8) The first female lead/male lead scene has the
9) The second female lead/male lead scene has the
10) The third female lead/male lead scene has the
11) Oh, you little idiot. Enzo has lied to you over and over and over again and numerous people have warned you about him including his two male partners-in-crime but when he claims Because, of course, Enzo couldn't possibly be lying again; no, that would be too farfetched. GMAFB already!
12) But I was keeping emotions and feelings guarded Really? Because you just threw a jealous hissy fit over someone he fucked a year before he even met you. Can you get any stupider? Oh, wait, yep you can.
13) He's arranged circumstance for your death TWICE and you are still into being fucked by him? You are pathetic, they are grade A assholes, all of you deserve what you get no matter your dopey reasoning so I. AM. OUT.

Do not recommend.
59 reviews
March 9, 2025
I was hoping for more groveling out of this book to be honest. Especially after Maya nearly died. It becomes clear at the end of the book why they’ve kept her at arms length, but there are a few things that don’t add up yet. Enzo claims he was trying to protect her, which was why he was so cruel to her, but why would he randomly bully her so much at the beginning? At that point, she was just a new girl with weird quirks. I could understand Beckett doing it, but the others? It doesn’t make much sense since they didn’t even know her. I didn’t like how Elliot was treated or how Maya allowed him to be treated. He was there for her when no one else was. I also didn’t like how easily Maya kept falling back into Enzo’s trap after everything he’d done to her. I do like this series. Maya has began to show some character development and she is turning into quite the baddie. Hopefully these questions will be answered later on. I’m soooo upset about what happened to Louis :( he was one of my fave characters.
Profile Image for T D. .
233 reviews12 followers
June 22, 2024
I liked this one a hell of a lot more than the first one, although I still didn't love it, but I grew to love Tanner and Beckett more and more with each chapter, but Enzo almost to the end I could understand, anyway, he was still the one who hurt Maya the most and it wasn't until she finally matured that he started to get into my good graces again.

The only thing I didn't like is that the author introduced us to Elliot like that and then he only appeared in a few chapters only when he had potential for more. Honestly that I thought he was going to be part of the harem and he wasn't, I grew attached to him and he wasn't mentioned again until the third book and only in 3 chapters.

From the rest, this saga showed me again why I started reading reverse harem books. It had me hooked for all 3 books, I loved how possessive everyone was of her, I loved that they slowly gave the harem a good build up and it wasn't rushed.
Profile Image for Diana_thebooknerd.
386 reviews140 followers
November 13, 2025
Complicated

The plot is plotting so hard that I couldn't take my eyes out of this book. And practically finished the entire thing in less than 2 hours. Is it amazing? No, but I'm so freaking I intrigued.

I have thoughts, though. First, this is a why choose, so why is the entire story so concentrated on Enzo. I want to see more of Tanner. And more of Elliot ( people like a vampire with a French accent). Oui, moi. I'm people. Second, the protagonist is annoying the crap out of me, she need to make the beg. Lol, she deserves so much better. Third, what up with the Bella Swan trope, everyone is into this girl. 😂 because of reasons.... At least she has a personality 🤔 but like for real, give the girl a real guy friend. Fourth, was the boob and butt growing magic a necessity? .. fifth, why does the scene with Enzo half shape-shifting into a dragon, and F-ing the lightout of her was the hottest thing ever... 😳
Profile Image for Natalie.
135 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2024
Still has my attention

I’ve been struggling with book series for a while and I will say this one has kept my attention which is a bonus. I still get distracted because adhd + TikTok but here we are…

I gave this 4 stars because there’s a story somewhere here and I’m slugging through trying to find it. There’s plenty of spice and everything nice but there’s also plot it’s just buried under all of this mystery, bullying, and violent spice because hate smex is the only way to have it in this book. I’m intrigued, want answers and hoping more comes to light in the next book. Also Enzo has all the backbone and I’m here for it, the others are spineless and lowkey make me wish this wasn’t RH which is unusual for me because the more the merrier.
54 reviews
October 27, 2024
Felt like a Smut Filler

Although I loved the first book, this one felt more like a filler book. It’s packed with spice scene after spice scene to the point where I felt as if the plot for the relationships was getting drowned out. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good spice but to have it in every other chapter especially after what the FMC went through in the first book, I felt was little much. Also felt bad for Elliot.


*Spoiler below*






I wish there could have been more to Maya transition too. The build up of it just for her to transition over small news like that missed bigger opportunities where her life was truly in danger.
4 reviews
November 3, 2024
DNF 53%
Honestly bad. You get zero growth from any of the MMCs, they let her get brutalized, Enzo even stood by when Andrea pushed her from a window??? Like wtf, Beckett is non existent, we never see him interact with Maya and when he does it’s always to degrade her. Tanner could’ve had some growth after she helped his sister but
Enzo is clearly the MMC out of the three of them and gets all of the screen time and the two books are mainly focused on his relationship with Maya,(even though it’s supposed to be RH), overall very disappointing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for G Romance.
51 reviews12 followers
September 15, 2021
Even better than the first!

I thought I was in love with only Enzo but now I can’t resist Tanner. Beckett still needs work in my eyes but I have every faith in the author to make me fall in love with him too. Lol
I loved the mystery and twists and turns in this book. It had all the feels! It was an emotional roller coaster. I can’t wait to find out more about Maya and her harem!
Profile Image for Amy Henderson.
244 reviews
July 4, 2024
I already have book 3 downloaded

If you're like me, you will get frustrated with Maya for continuing to give Tanner and Enzo attention even though they treat her like garbage, and you may even consider stop reading because of how frustrated she makes you. But don't stop reading because the story is far from over, and secrets and lies will start to unravel, exposing far greater dangers than Beckett, Enzo, and Tanner pose.
Profile Image for Danielle.
880 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2024
That ending shattered my heart, incredibly unnecessary. It seems Maya can't catch a break from the pain, but she keeps persevering. I loved certain characters in this book but was disappointed in the almost body betrayal that Maya has when it comes to the guys. I needed more anger and revenge. Hopefully, there will be redemption in the next books. This book was written very well, overall, and I enjoyed it!
Profile Image for Ravendarcluv.
91 reviews
February 13, 2025
I will likely stop at this book. The first book was so much better than this book. Yes this book ends on a cliffhanger but it just falls flat.

The love hate relationship between FMC and the bullies is getting old and annoying. Then adding in the side story of her friend (that supposedly died in the first book), the story becomes more forced.

I am sure the story will tie up into a neat package as the series progresses, but I have completely lost interest and will end it here.
Profile Image for Moon.
92 reviews
July 22, 2025
I want to cry so badly..😶
Do authors don't have any morals when it comes to how they write their characters????

In my first review I said I'll give other books a chance but now? I don't think it's possible , seeing as how this moron his still hungry for the d*cks of her tormentors, yeah, nope. Not for me, for the sake of my mental health I'm not gonna read this piece of shit... here's me signing off✌️
Profile Image for Bookish Serendipity Shannon williamson.
1,116 reviews10 followers
September 10, 2021
What a ride!

Oh my goodness. This book was insane. It was so intense, filled with all the tension and emotions. I could not put it down. I had to keep reading.

There were so many things in this book I did not see coming. My mind is blown. What a rollercoaster. I cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Deborah.
856 reviews15 followers
June 12, 2022
Another fantastic read!

This was another fantastic read from Allie Santos. So many twists and turns. By the end there is almost a harem forming and at least the guys have realised how they feel about Maya. More answers to come in the next book I hope, will Beckett knot? What is Maya? How will they overcome the baddies? And I can't wait!!!!!
Profile Image for Book Addiction.
120 reviews7 followers
December 25, 2024
Imma try to read the third book and hope there’s salvation for the MMCs but I have zero hope atp

I hate when fic men can’t even get the grovel right like u had one job why you tryna take notes from reality

FMC also pushes me off
Srsly could have skipped the three books if she just minded her business
Profile Image for Michelle Reuss.
451 reviews8 followers
March 25, 2025
Yes!!

This book was so good. I love the story and the fmc. There is one guy that I like that I hope is gonna be in the harem, the others, not so much. The ending made me think I will start to change my mind about the other 3 in the next book. But we will see. They better grovel big time.
Profile Image for Kimberly Garner.
1,338 reviews29 followers
December 2, 2025
Great book

What a great second book in this series. I have highly enjoyed it and I suspect that all the beans spilled in this book were not all the secrets that there are, so I’m pumped to read more. Maya is still an impulsive spaz, and I love it. This book starts interjecting other pov, and it’s been a great new dimension added to the story.
Profile Image for Tarah Jane.
60 reviews
December 27, 2025
… i dont like enzo…

Im sorry but shes being wayyy too forgiving and understanding to this bitch ass men… like imma need her to actually fight back and stop letting horniness win… these guys deserve the beat down of the century… i do t care that its to “keep her safe” like actually boo… i like tanner tho
111 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2025
"Love makes us do wicked things."

Ahh man Elliott is a breath of fresh air after SOME little bootyheads fucked with Maya. I wish we got to see more of him in this book.

Honestly I can't blame Maya for being spiteful and wary towards others cause I would be too if I were her. I have no idea what's gonna happen in the next book but I'm excited to see what will happen!!
20 reviews
September 12, 2021
So Good!!!

I have been dying to get my hands on this second book since I devoured the first and it did not disappoint! The story completely sucked me back in to Maya's life and the mysteries of Moretti Academy! I can not wait for the next book. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for literaryobsessed_.
539 reviews5 followers
October 7, 2021
Getting there

This book was significantly better than the first although it's got some major flaws. More a 4.5 out 5 but because of its improvements from the last book I wanted to give it a higher rating
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.