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Falling in love with someone else’s arranged mate is a bad idea—Even worse when you’re pretending to be their mate-to-be…

Look, there’s no easy way to say this. I’ve spent my life being experimented on. I don’t remember if I was a paranormal creature before the experiments or not. All I know is that I can change at will into 52 different creatures… number 9 will shock you! Just kidding; this isn’t a clickbait article—it’s my life.

Two years ago, I escaped my prison only to wind up in a much tighter cage.

Caught by the daughter of the monster who experimented on me, I’m offered a deal: take over her life and her arranged marriage to an Alpha, or go back to her father. Not much of a choice. I wind up drugged and sent to the Alpha’s territory-the island of Guam-like a delicious platter of peace-offering sammiches.

I’m going to escape. I’m going to keep pretending to be Mira. And I’m sure as heck not going to fall in love with the Alpha. At least, that’s the plan.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2022

68 people are currently reading
86 people want to read

About the author

Alana Ash

11 books27 followers

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5 stars
62 (46%)
4 stars
41 (31%)
3 stars
19 (14%)
2 stars
6 (4%)
1 star
4 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Mikky.
989 reviews288 followers
October 8, 2022
I loved this book SO much! I don't cry often but this book managed to get me very emotionally invested in every aspect of this story! I did not go into this book expecting this level of emotional devastation. I don't know how we got here but here we are I'm not happy with the cliffhanger ending and I desperately need someone to kill Sky thank you ♡

Tazi was so DAMNED sweet and protective and understanding. If only they knew they could trust each other and be open about all the sh*t that was hitting the fan in the background. I loved Tazi. As an alpha he is fantastic. He puts his people first and fights the good fight. I need him to be happy at the end of this series!

Malaya has been through h*ll and back. The scenes where she describes what was done to her were brutal to read about. I found myself getting legitimately angry on her behalf. There were quite a few times when I had to put the book down because it was getting to the point where I needed to DNF. Malaya deserves a break and a happy life. The issue is this series just started and I'm actually scared about what the author has up her sleeves 😭

Overall, I adored this book and I'm VERY glad I pushed through the tough parts. I think now all I need is a set-in-stone future book release schedule from the author so I can plan my life around her future book releases, thanks ♡

P.S. If you didn't know this book is a part of an overarching universe the author is creating so I'll definitely be checking out all the other books that have already been published because I NEED the full story 😭

Profile Image for Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD.
612 reviews245 followers
October 13, 2022
Emotional read for me. I am cold hearted so 🥂 to Ash for making me truly feel this read.

Mayala is an extremely layered character. Left the read feeing ad if much more will be uncovered in book 2. She had such a traumatic back story and yet she has survived and kept a semblance of herself. Some aspects I wish she had pushed back on but if you take a beat and recall her past you can understand why.

Tazi is still a bit on the mysterious side. We see some of who he is but his backstory is a bit elusive. Ash makes references and leaves things for the reader to assume or predict and I love that. I’m sure there is a huge shocker coming in book 2.

I have my ideas of who Mr L is…..if anyone wants to discuss it hit me up!

Loved it!!!

Happy reading,
DD🥂
Profile Image for Susan May.
729 reviews14 followers
August 16, 2023
I don't usually read shifter books. There is usually to much hanky panky in them for me but this book was awesome. It was full of heartache, betrayel, lies and magic. Excellent characters and one peticular one that made my blood boil. Malaya had a horrible life so when the real Mira offered her an escape or at least the chance she took it hoping to end her torture. As she took on her role as Mira and went to the island in Guam, she made friends and fell in love with Tazi. But Skyler wouldn't leave her alone so she knew her torture would never end. As she learned about Tazi's mate that rejected him she knew she couldn't stay so she had a huge decision to make, stay or go. This was a great story and the cover is what caught my eye. I am so glad I read this and now can't wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,093 reviews120 followers
February 9, 2023
A victim to the end

For me, there has to be a moment where you want to stop being the victim. Where enough is enough. Where you would rather die then continuing to let ppl hurt you. I wanted this H to hold her righteous anger for the right ppl and go down in the blaze of glory so be it. Anyways, that's not in this book. And I hated how this all played out. Won't be finishing
731 reviews7 followers
October 12, 2022
hate cliffhangers

This was great story…with a pretty terrible cliffhanger. Eager to read the next one, but not a a fan of cliffhangers.

Love both the hero and the heroine.
Profile Image for Rachel Stephens.
2,411 reviews41 followers
October 4, 2022
Excellent!!!
From start to finish this had me on the edge of my seat. I didn't want to put it down! There was action, some suspense, angst and much more! I loved both main characters Malaya and Tazi. Malaya was tough despite everything she has been put through and is still going through. My heart hurt for her. She still managed to stay strong, she had a sense of humor and was also considerate of others. My heart also hurt for Tazi and after that ending I'm not sure how things are gonna go for him.
There is still so much mystery as to how things came about and what all Malaya is. I look forward to the next book to finding more answers and hopefully some more steam. I loved it and cannot wait for book 2... that ending!!!! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would!! A Must Read!!!
204 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2022
What a rollercoaster of emotions

When a book can drag you into the story and make it impossible to put down, you know its a good one. From the first chapter, I was hooked. To the point that I had to finish the book with 1 day, just to find out what happened....thanks for the epic cliffhanger Alana!! I'm craving the 2nd book like an addict. I need to know!!!

706 reviews
October 9, 2022
Wrong move

Malaya's life is a serious of wrong moves not always chosen by her. When her past catches up to her future she's shown the best option but she sacrifices her happiness for others which turns out to be another wrong move. So many little crumbs that should add up to an interesting story as it goes on.
Profile Image for Dana C..
Author 7 books17 followers
October 4, 2022
This was such a fun read!

Have to love a sassy female main character who fights to stay free. She is flawed and all the more fabulous for it!
I fell for the male main character that is brooding but sensitive, hiding deep pain. All the marks of the traditional alpha, but so much more!
Delightfully twisted antagonists, and wonderful twists to other shifter narratives. The politics and nature of shifters is interesting, making the setting come alive.
And it had a sense of humor that lightens harsh moments and gives life to the characters. The most complicated and simple human drama in a paranormal skin. Very relatable and fantastic at the same time.

This is a compelling read that left me wanting more!
44 reviews
October 4, 2022
Where do I start? This is a one sitting read for me. I could not put the book down.

It's fast paced, gripping, with a lot of suspense and, what a cliffhanger we are left with! I loved how easy it was for me to picture the main characters as they when through the different emotions. I could even relate to some of them. Throughout the book I felt that some strong themes/tropes were addressed, for example resilience, betrayal, abandonment, self-knowledge and confidence, second chance at love, from strangers to lovers.

I love the feeling of still having room to discover the characters and their stories. And I can't wait for book two to help unveil some of the mystery.

I was provided with an advanced reader copy and I am leaving a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
550 reviews9 followers
October 5, 2022
What amazed me most about this book was the accuracy of the points of interest in Guam. I lived there for two years so this made me happy to read 🇬🇺

I loved these characters, especially Tazi and his love for Malaya. He is so sweet to her it melts my heart. The world building in this I absolutely loved. It completely captivated me throughout the whole book. A definite page turner.

This book does end in a cliffhanger that broke my heart for Tazi. 🤞🏻Hoping for Tazi’s and Malaya’s HEA!
Profile Image for Fiona DeBono.
152 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2022
Incredible as usual.

Omg!! Alana Ash did amazing with this story as she does with every other story. And what?? A shifter who can shift into 52 different species?? Insane and I absolutely love it. That cliff hanger had me screaming into my pillow wishing I could telport myself into the book and strangle some people... I won't name any names, you'll have to read foe yourself!! So worth it!!!
Profile Image for Beverly.
279 reviews4 followers
October 11, 2022
This is very different mate shifter book. I didn't know if enjoying it at first, but by the end I was engrossed in the book. It has some sarcastic and funny parts to the book as well.
Profile Image for Cheyenne Skye Branscum.
64 reviews
October 4, 2022
Great read!

I hadn’t read this author before but I took a chance and am glad I did. This is a great start to what I expect will be a fantastic series. Highly recommend to anyone who likes alphas, shifters, and fated mates.
Profile Image for JackaayReadsallday .
791 reviews18 followers
December 9, 2022
Excuse 👏 Me👏 Alana 👏 Ash 👏 how dare you rip my heart out like that?!? Do you collect them? Should I send it to you in the mail! I NEED book 2 ASAP. That giant marshmallow of an alpha just melts me. I don’t cry at all and you had me crying big fat tears for him! 😭
Profile Image for Sonya.
1,355 reviews55 followers
October 5, 2022
My first time reading this author's work and she did not disappoint. I enjoyed Malaya and Tazi story. My heart kept breaking over everything that has happened and continued to happen to Malaya. I can't even imagine what her life has been like. Tortured day in and day out with no end in sight. Tazi's character pulled at the heart strings also. He hasn't fully recovered from losing his mate 2 years ago.

Although circumstances brought Malaya and Tazi together; unbeknownst to them fate always finds a way. Malaya is damaged and Tazi and his wolf are not complete but now that they have found each other Fate will allow them to heal each other in due time. So many people have hurt Malaya to the point that she doesn't feel worthy of anything. Tazi knows that she is keeping secrets, but his wolf is convinced that she is the mate they lost 2 years ago, and he is not willing to let her go.

This book ends with a heartbreaking cliffhanger but I have faith that this is just the beginning of Malaya and Tazi's fight to be together. Malaya has 52 different species/animals within her. It's time for her to FIGHT and get her revenge on any and everybody responsible for turning her into something even she doesn't recognize. It's time for Malaya to bring down the TGP Lab and show everybody who they really created.
Profile Image for Blanka H. Madow.
Author 10 books48 followers
November 3, 2022
I tried my hardest to not follow the little rivulets of rainwater running down her sides, highlighting the perfect curves of her body, but it was hard not to when she lay there like a hidden secret exposed to the world for the first time.

This book was impossible to put down. Even though it has a huge cliffhanger, I can’t be too mad. The MC Malaya is such a strong and witty woman, and Tazi hooked me with my favorite quote all the way to the end. The author managed to create an emotional story with perfectly timed sarcastic comments to help you survive. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,153 reviews
July 22, 2024
The premise was entertaining, mixing science with the paranormal. Malaya has gone through a lot with all the experiments and now the blackmail, the use of water was an interesting weakness. I liked Malaya and Tazi as a couple, but with so much baggage they aren't actually together for this book. I think my biggest issue was it felt like Malaya kept playing their game. I had hoped that the two years she was out would have grown her character so that she had ideas out of the system. But all of her choices are predictable and go exactly as the villain planned.
Profile Image for Amy.
1,518 reviews5 followers
October 14, 2022
mate switch

Poor Malaya is like a box of chocolates with her many creatures she can shift into, you never know which one she will switch into. I really enjoyed this book and learning how Malaya came to be . It sucks that she thinks because she is lacking her wolf that she can’t have tazi. The cliffhanger left me bummed for poor tazi. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for F.D. Fair.
Author 18 books63 followers
July 14, 2025
Incredible as usual.

Omg!! Alana Ash did amazing with this story as she does with every other story. And what?? A shifter who can shift into 52 different species?? Insane and I absolutely love it. That cliff hanger had me screaming into my pillow wishing I could telport myself into the book and strangle some people... I won't name any names, you'll have to read foe yourself!! So worth it!!!
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
4,960 reviews118 followers
October 3, 2022
Wow, what a read. This book will grab you and keep you reading until the last page. It has a story that will not disappoint keeping you interested throughout, characters that you want to know and you cannot help but love them and a story that moves along at a great pace making for an enjoyable read. This book needs to be read, no doubt about it.
4 reviews
February 13, 2023
enjoyable read

I have read both books in this series now and can’t wait to read the last one. I’m from Guam, and the author did a really good job of adding elements from the island to her story. I thought the book was excellent and will be looking to read more from this author in the future.
299 reviews4 followers
January 7, 2023
Amazing series

Wow what a start to a series. Loads of drama, intrigue, plots, action, romance and of course a supernatural overload!
Profile Image for Levie.
732 reviews10 followers
January 31, 2023
2.5

The emotional aspects to this book were good, but the plot was a little bit contrived.
Profile Image for Sara.
105 reviews
April 1, 2023
This book will grab your attention from the 1st chapter. Love that it's so different then other wolf mate books. Its funny, dramatic, & a rollercoaster.
1,547 reviews
dnf
July 13, 2023
Dnf 53%
I was disappointed she didn't have Tazi help her. I read her reasons but they just weren't enough for me to accept continuing with sky.
27 reviews
July 20, 2023
3,5⭐️ It was good but no more. It did captivate me but the characters were so frustrating and there would be a happy end if they just communicated and trusted each other, but otherwise its good
544 reviews7 followers
dnf
October 28, 2023
Horrific things done to the heroine
Annoying blabber from her
Stupid misunderstanding with the guy and continued torture
Not for me
Profile Image for Kasey Leigh.
312 reviews12 followers
October 27, 2022
Wow!!!!!! Tazi and Malaya are EVERYTHING!!

Alana Ash has a magical way of capturing you and making your heart race and swoon from page one until the last page!!!!!! I need Tazi to endgame this girl and show her what's up!!!!
This book was absolutely hilarious!!!! The quick Witt and snarky come backs were on point I highlighted so many parts of thus book it was unreal absolutely 1000 stars!!!
P.s. if you haven't read shifter zion books don't walk RUN!!
LOST FATE
LOST WOLF
AND
DORMANT SOUL!!!
Boonies Dog Pack is mentioned so keep your eyes open!!!!! Loved this series so much I think about the characters daily still a couple of months later ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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