Rise of the Alpha

I read the book in one sitting, but it took me a week to gather my thoughts and manage to write this review. During that time I didn't even start a new book, and that happens extremely rarely! Normally I can't wait to dive into the next new world and story, but Magnolia's adventures really impressed me.

I have to admit, I didn't have high expectations. This is my first harem, in which, in addition to men, women also participate. Well, I wasn't sure if I would even like it. But from the very first page I was completely engrossed in the story.

The writers have done a wonderful job building the character of Magnolia. Right from the start I could sense the poisonous environment she lives in - the Exodus Pack and the difference between her and her mother. I could feel the hatred, the resentment and the pain she was feeling. Her desire to escape and live for herself. To be able to determine her own destiny, not to be told by the Alpha or her father that women are incompetent and have no right to make their own decisions about their future.

I was also impressed by her determination to go to the university of her choice and immerse herself in real life. It is right next to this that the story, the world-building, the plot, and all the new characters that appear after that, run wild.

For the first time, it's so hard for me to choose a favorite. I'll try to say what struck me WITHOUT giving spoilers. Trust me - you'll want to find out what's going on for yourself!

Wylla – who wouldn't want to have a badass roommate who, in addition to looking stunning with all her tattoos, is also a necromancer-witch. I loved how from their first meeting, the relationship between her and Magz developed in an extremely natural and casual way. She is the first to show the she-wolf that there are thousands of different points of view and that not what you have been hammered into your head all your life is the most correct.

Jude – sexy, mysterious and incubus. The perfect combination if you ask me. He's probably my favorite of the men, because while Blaine kept yelling "mine" and Z tried to avoid the subject, he was the first to suggest that maybe everyone was attracted to Magnolia for a reason.

Zeke - a ferret shifter who, in addition to style, is also an incredible fighter, from whom everyone is afraid and runs away at the mention of his name. Well, I didn't expect that, but gosh, it's GREAT. It's adorable that he's worried, even ashamed of the animal he's becoming. So insecure but caring about his friends and the woman he likes.

Blaine - the story wouldn't be nearly as cool if we didn't have at least one more Alpha wolf that Magz wants to claim as his. But here, unlike the competition/her pack idiot/, Blaine gets bonus points.

I loved that with Jude, Zeke and Blaine, their attraction and relationships with the girls developed super logically and naturally. It was fascinating to read how Magz rediscovers new and new things about the world she lives in and uncovers all the lies her pack has tried to instill in her.

Jeremiah's intervention was unexpected, even more WOW was the table twist and the FINAL.

Hopefully the second book comes out soon because I don't know how I'm going to sleep with this FINAL.

AllieTurnsPages_

111 reviews24 followers

February 3, 2023

“The following has been instilled in me from the day I was born 1.) our pack is the best 2.)everyone else is inferior an beneath us 3.)women are purely for producing powerful male pups an sexual gratification” this is what has been ingrained into Magnolia since the day she was born, after debating an pleading an finally coming to agreements, she is given permission to leave pack land an go to college (school for supes) under strict guidelines. No one has ever been granted permission to do so, atleast not females. But once she gets there, she slowly finds out everything she has been told, is a lie, and so far from the truth!
She first meets Wylla, a witch and a Necromancer! They quickly become acquainted and become fast friends, and it’s not long until they are exploring and pushing the lines past friends 🔥🥵
Then comes our 3 guys, Jude, a sex demon/incubus, Zeke “Z” A ferret shifter , and Blaine, a wolf
They all feel a strong pull towards Magz, as she does to them. Blaine’s wolf see’s her the first time an immediately calls out “mate” which scares Magz off, because that can’t be true, it’s so far from what she thought she knew about herself an pack. She was to go back home, and be mated to her alphas heir, an his pack. She feels it, with all of them, but she’s afraid to go against pack laws, afraid of what will happen.
Wylla an the guys are determined to get her away from the wolf cult, and will do whatever they have to to assure she is safe, that’s where Wylla comes into play, with help from her grandmother , she learns a few spells to get to the bottom of it.
Throughout the story the relationships grow, but Magz can’t fully commit. It’s a struggle. But Ahhhh, the relationships that start to form, are wonderful, so hott, an awe inspiring! The guys know there is something between Magz and Wylla, afraid to push her out, they start to accept Wylla as well. It’s truly everything plus more that I could have ever expected or wanted when going into this! I was hooked from beginning to end!
Bre an Cassie are truly rockstars when they work together snd make magic happen! I can NOT wait until book 2. The end of the book it says April, so I’m crossing my fingers for that 🤞🏼 I can’t wait to get back an see if Magz gets broke free for good! I’m totally obsessing over the name
Of this book an the next one now though 😭
Have a bottle of water close, because it gets hotttt 🥵🔥🔥 expect some jaw dropping moments too😩
Listen, my review totally can’t do this Justice, there just isn’t any way possible I could. I have waited a day to do my review, an words to truly describe this just evade me.
Soooo if you like
Ff in your RH that’s worthy of a panty change or too 😝
Twists and turns
All kinds of mixed supes (I’m in love with the ferret shifter, you will be too)
Badass FMC and hot girls, alpha male guys
Medium- too mm slightly fast burn
Then I promise you, you will be captivated an in love! Read it NOW!!!!

Beba Andric

1,578 reviews107 followers

January 29, 2023

This was a magnificent co-write, so fluid, I couldn't tell which author wrote what. Multiple POV's present a very compelling story, a very compelling POV, their thoughts, feelings and emotions are laid bare for us to see and feel. And boy did I feel! I felt the anguish in Magnolia, trapped into a pack where women are insignificant, where their sole purpose is to be subservient to the males. They have no say in, well, in anything. They are abused and belittled at the whims of the males. No fated mates, they're forced to mate. This was to be Magnolia's life until she managed to "escape" to college. Well then things start to hit the fan! She's still bound by her father and the pack but dreams of a way to sever ties with them. I loved how real she is, one can totally empathise with what she has to endure. She discovers so much about herself with the help of Wylla, her roommate, who incidentally is a witch. I loved how it unravels, how everything Magnolia had been indoctrinated with, is basically a lie.

I love the easy friendship Magnolia and Wylla have. Wylla offers Magnolia a whole new outlook on life as do Blaine, Jude and Zeke. When you have 3 hot as hell guys, a gorgeous roommate all showing you affection and respect, what's a girl supposed to do? Get with the program is what! And what a program is laid out for us! Excellent pacing that builds up the storyline to perfection, so many truths surface and unexpected help from one considered "the enemy".

Wylla and Zeke are definitely my favourite characters, although they're all awesome, these 2 stand out to me. Wylla is so badassed, cocky and full of life, it's difficult not to instantly love her. The way she addresses the guys is hilarious! I loved the nicknames she comes up with for them. And Zeke, poor Zeke has such a complex about what his shifter is, that he can't see past that. But he's fierce, he's loyal, he's hot and just amazing.

With them all finally getting the opportunity to unlock Magnolia, a whole lot of new dangers present themselves and boy oh boy, that cliffhanger had my stomach fall to the ground! I can't wait to read book 2!!!

Stabby

272 reviews

January 31, 2023

I read this book in one sitting I could not put it down. From the time Magnolia got to Arcayne University until the end this book just flowed so smoothly. She meets Wylla her roommate and mate on her first day and has an instant attraction. She was groomed that her pack is the best and that everyone outside their pack is inferior. She begins to open herself up to other opinions and how she wants to live her own life. She meets her other three mates Blaine, Jude and Z. She tries to fight it but she has a pull to all of them. She has been promised to the pack Alpha and his sons so this is not something she is taking lightly. Wylla helps her by removing the spells placed upon her. Wylla learns she is an Alpha and that is when she decides to take her own destiny into her own hands.

BrittReadsALot

342 reviews8 followers

This was an amazing cowrite. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. The plot was well thought out and creative enough that I didn't really feel like I was rereading the same old type of shifter book

Ashley Flaherty

225 reviews5 followers

This book is absolutely a must read. I wasn't sure how I felt about 2 leading lady’s and their male group of Harem but I will admit I ended up loving it. Wylla is such a strong, bold, I am who I am charter and she was just what Magnolia needs. Because truth be told the way Magnolia grew up so sheltered, secluded, in a male dominated pack, where women are insignificant and abused it is almost like a cult. She has no real clue how the real-world works, or anything about other supernaturals, except she knows that she must escape to college to see what it is all about. Her pack has not sent anyone male or female to the supernatural college in 75 years. So it is such a shock that they even let her go. But it also comes with an extreme set of rules.

When Magnolia arrives to the college she meets Wylla, a witch, and her new roommate. Magnolia and Wylla are instantly attracted to one another but Magnolia feels so much guilt because of her father and the pack Alpha leader have instilled lies in her head, and given her strict rules she must follow or be sent back to the pack never to leave again. Despite the attraction they get to know one another and are fastly becoming besties.

Later they meet a group of 3 guy's that have grown up together and are best friends, Blaine, an Alpha wolf who will become his packs leader, Jude an incubus, and Zeke a ferret shifter (yes a ferret). When they are not in college, they all live with their families with in Blaines pack that is very rare wolf pack that have let other super naturals join.

These characters all start to realize they all have an instant attraction and pull to Magnolia. Blaine is convinced she is his mate. The others think they maybe her mate as well but are not 100% sure. It is not odd in the super natural world to have multiple mates. Magnolia is also very attracted to the guy's as well as Wylla. All of these relationships are starting to build one on one as well as, forming a group of new best friends . The guy's also feel they have an attraction and pull to Wylla but not as strong as Magnolia. The odd thing is as much as Magnolia likes and has feelings for the guy's and Wylla she is only getting the mate vibe for Blaine, and she is trying to deny it to her wolf because she knows she isn't supposed to be dating. She is suppose to remain a virgin until she is mated at 21 to 3 wolfs in her pack, the Alpha leaders son and his betas, who her father made a deal with. In her pack the Exodus Pack she is only to be with males from her pack even if they are not her actual mate. Once her mates are chosen in a very odd fight to the death kind of game, then she is only to be a homemaker and bear children, and serve her mates, never to leave the pack lands again. So with all the crazy rules she has been given and the way she was raised in this "cult" pack she knows she can't act on any of her attractions and even try’s to deny to "her wolf" and to everyone especially Blaine that he is not her mate. She is so fearful of breaking the rules and being sent back to her pack.

As Wylla and Magnolia start to get to know one another, Wylla discovers that Magnolia wants to defy her father and her packs Alpha. But she also is in fear of actually doing it. But in the end Magnolia wants to do what she wants so she slowly starts to break the rules. So they do things like get Magnolia a tattoo and some piercings and such. Wylla also finds out that Magnolia at the age of 18 doesn't know if she is an Alpha, Betta, Delta, Omega, or subordinate wolf. In their pack their is a ranking ceremony to find out what you are when you are 19. But this is so odd to everyone else because as a supernatural wolf you find out what you are when you go through puberty. But in the Exodus Pack they suppress what you are with a blocking spell. So Wylla comes up with a plan to cast a spell and unblock Magnolia so she knows what she is. Magnolia is convinced if she is not a valuable Beta she can defy her father and the pack and leave so much easier. Wylla is also confident she can unblock the spell that was cast to block Magnolia of knowing who her true mates are. But these spells are complex, at first the only thing Wylla was able to find out is that their are multiple blocks as well as Magnolia has adleast 5 or 6 mates. Wylla is working very hard to try and break the multiple spells but it will take time, and help from her grandmother.

Once all this info comes out as well as Magnolia learns more about supernaturals, and what life could be outside her pack she doesn't want to go back with her pack ever. But she is also fearful she will not have a pack, and a wolf without a pack that goes rogue will eventually loose it, go feral and turn 100% into a wolf, never to return to human form. So she is so conflicted. Read this book to see how it all goes with these handsome men and one colorful witch. Will Magnolia choose to take a chance, defy her pack and her father, or will she go back to her pack and live by their rules. There are so many other twists and turns and information that comes out about her pack, more possible mates, and so so so much more I don't want to spoil....

This is an extremely steamy book. I also have to say that Wylla will have you dieing laughing so much throughout the book.
It does end in quite the cliffhanger and I will tell you I can't wait till April for book 2.

Torri Valderrama

208 reviews11 followers

Paula Sabol (Never Choose Fantasy)

The authors did a fantastic job co-writing this book. It is very cohesive and is impossible to tell the difference in their writing.

Magnolia comes from the Exodus wolf pack where women are only meant to breed more male pups and for s3xual gratification. They are not meant to lead, be heard, or have their own opinions. Thankfully she knows this is not how she wants to live so he she convinces her father and older pack leader to let her go away for college.

Once Magz gets to school, she meets her roommate Wylla. Wylla is a rainbow-colored hair bass$$ witch. They are instantly attracted to each other but do not tell each other as they talk and quickly become best friends. Magnolia has always known she was attracted to women as well as men, but because of the ways of her pack, feels guilt for it.

As they settle in, they soon meet 3 hot guys who are best friends and live on the dorm floor above. Blaine is an alpha wolf shifter and is the son of the leader of the Stoneridge Pack. Jude is an incubus and is the first to meet Wylla and then Magnolia. Zeke is a ferret shifter and is extremely self conscious about it. Jude and Zeke’s families live with the Stoneridge Pack.

All her life, Magnolia has been told that she will most likely be a beta wolf at her ranking ceremony when she turns 19 and will mate with her pack leaders son and his betas. She was told that true mate binds no longer exists, so when Blaine first meets her and claims to be her mate, and Wylla mentions that she should’ve already known her ranking when she went through puberty, she is confused and scared. With Wylla’s help, Magnolia finds out her pack has put several blocking spells on them to keep them from knowing their ranking and finding their true mates and she will have 5 or 6 different mates.

Together, the 5 of them work to unblock the spells while they build their relationships. Magnolia is conflicted and fearful from everything she knew and is now learning. She will encounter enemies and surprising Allie’s all while learning who she is outside of the pack.

This story has great humor and is steamy (and will most likely get steamier as the series unravels). It has FF, MF, FMF, and MFM scenes. The cliffhanger is quite a twist and I am excited to see where it goes and who all of Magnolia’s mates are.

517 reviews9 followers

Rise Of The Alpha by Casie Lien and Bre Rose is an exciting paranormal romance novel. Magnolia belongs to Exodus Pack. Exodus Pack believes women should not be heard and are there to breed; they also don't mix outside their pack. Magnolia isn't the first female to leave pack lands to go to college, but she is given very strict rules. When she is caught breaking those rules by getting a piercing and kissing a ferret shifter in public, her pack decides she needs to be taught a lesson. They don't know that she plans to leave after her BFF lifts some magical bonds placed on her that block her from her wolf's designation and feeling her mates. Her BFF and the men she's become friends with feel a strong pull, and one claims to be her mate. Will she discover her mates and leave her pack? Will the Exodus Pack allow it?

I instantly fell in love with Magnolia; despite her upbringing she was open-minded, kind, and caring. The story was fun to read, providing excitement and humor. It was interesting seeing how she came to terms with her sexuality as she fought all the messages her pack tried to instill in her. As Magnolia discovers the world around her, she realizes her pack hasn't been honest with her. Her anger increases as she discovers more lies, until she reaches a breaking point. As with many victims of abuse, she struggles with doing what she knows is right and the fear of all that could happen.

I rate Rise Of The Alpha with 5 out of 5 stars. It has incredible characters with likable personalities. There are a variety of supernatural beings in this story; including shifters, demons, witches, and gargoyles. With a college setting, they are all trying to discover themselves, often with comedic outcomes. It's a slow burn with tons of build-up and anticipation. If you enjoy paranormal romance with fated mates and stories of self-discovery where they come into their own with a bang, this spicy story will have you begging for more!

Lourene

635 reviews13 followers

Rise of a new way of thinking

This book was an amazing read. The struggle that FMC Magnolia is up against seems like a lot in the beginning. However, once she's allowed to attend college away from her pack she begins to gain strength.
The first person she meets is Wylla, this character is completely outgoing and very much outspoken. The perfect companion for Magnolia. I love how quickly these two hit it off and the way that Wylla encourages Magz to rebel against her father and pack.
Then we meet the three men living above the girls in the dorm. Zeke, Blaine, and Jude. These three hunky supernaturals are all helping to distance our Maggie from her pack, especially since Blaine believes he's her mate from the moment he meets her.
There are some funny moments in the story as well as heartbreaking ones as well. I still love the moment she finds out about other shifters other than wolves. Especially about Ferrets, which was priceless due to an early scene at the school.
Wylla works to find a way to break the binding spells that Maggie has on her to find out who she is and who her mates are.
This ends on a cliffhanger, but I'm looking forward to the next book

DeeDeeWReads

1,160 reviews16 followers

February 1, 2023

I would give this more than 5 stars if I could!!! It's hard sometimes to not go all this happened and when this happened..... So I will say this, if you have certain triggers, PLEASE read the warnings. I personally don't have any, but for someone that might, you need to be made aware.

THAT said, this book has it all going on. It will make you laugh... alot, it will make you grumble and wanna smack characters, and at the end, that cliffhanger will make you say, WHAT THE HECK Cassie and Bre!?!??! WHY?????????????? Upside, it's just a duet, so we'll see our HEA sooner than later.

The characters and story are well thought out, watching their interactions ebb and flow makes you feel like you're there and one of them. Plus it has what everyone loves, a hot professor.

Run, don't walk and get reading!

2023 arc january

TheheartofBrigid

753 reviews18 followers

Ride Of The Alpha is the first book in the Beyond The Pack Series by Cassie Lein and Bre Rose. It was such a great start to this new series that I couldn’t put it down and when I had to, I was thinking about it until I could pick it back up.

💜 FMC who wants better
💜 dark paranormal romance
💜 why choose
💜 mixed supernaturals
💜 🌶🌶 spice

Magnolia is our FMC in this book. She has always lived in her pack, the Exodus pack. Taught that they are the best and the women are there only to be submissive to their mates doing whatever they are told with no questions asked. By some miracle, her father actually lets her go to the university for shifters only under several conditions. The Alpha of her pack also agrees to let her go under even more conditions. Once she leaves, her world gets flipped on its head in many ways.

This was a great book and I loved watching Magnolia’s growth in her knowledge and her self confidence. The book does end on a cliff hanger. I really am excited for the next book to come out so I can see what happens.

jacquetta pettigrew

48 reviews

January 31, 2023

Well, I didn't see that coming or going for that matter!

Whew, this one was a wild and dark ride and the cliff hanger...ooooo! I love a good RH and dark fantasy wrapped into one. Magnolia is one heck of an FMC. This does truly show you how messed up people can truly be along with so called family. Blood may be thicker than water, but it doesn't go farther than science. This wild ride will have you smiling and cringing, happy and angry! The writing is on point and the story is fluid. You will want to find some of the characters and beat them yourselves, but a pillow will do in the interim. Trust me, I am not kidding. However, moving along with the story will promise satisfaction as you truly get to know Magnolia and her true self!

**TW WARNING**
Bre Rose Cassie Lein

Melanie

718 reviews2 followers

February 2, 2023

This is a great book to start a co-written series by Cassie Lein and Bre Rose.
This is the first book I have read by Cassie Lein, but you can tell from the book that these two athours work well together, and this series could be epic.
The Female Lead Character Magnolia comes across as very nieve, and through this book, you can see she grows with the book. I hope this continues through the series and comes into her own with the help from her harem, of course. I liked reading the different dynamics each person brings to the relationship and how it all comes together with each other. Overall, a great start to a new series.

Kyrie Mangus

492 reviews7 followers

Hot new series!!

Rise of the Alpha is book one of a new series, and it was amazing. I loved this book, the story line was great, it moved along with no interruptions or hole, the characters build the strengths and depth, and you feel the emotional connection to them. I could not put this book down, I craved more. Magz is a wolf from a very strict pack who finally gets out and goes to school after making some deals with her dad and the alpha. When she gets to the college, she finds an amazing new best friend and three hot guys that she can't keep away from or her thoughts off. Throw in a professor, and Magz is a ball of confusion. After some revealing spells and a block removal, secrets that her pack were hiding from her come to light. Lots of twists and turns now enfold for Magz and her friend. This book does end on a cliffhanger to lead you to book two.

StormEnchantra

137 reviews5 followers

Complex Lives & Loves
Exodus Pack thinks they're superior to all. Women wolves are rare and they are forced to stay within the "Wolf Cult" Magnolia appears sweet and innocent after a sheltered life but has her own dreams. She'll do what it takes to achieve them and is extremely smart. Magnolia is the 1st they've let attend Arcayne Academy in 75 years so buckle up. I absolutely love how different Magnolia & Wylla are but yet they compliment each other.
Blaine & Wylla lives are entertwined through Stoneridge Pack. There's several overlaps between Maggie and her new friends. When she rebels and goes against Exodus pack rules what will that do to her? What will happen when her father and Alpha find out? Her planned mates? Whose is danger? You'll love Wylla, Blaine, Jude, & Zeke. Strap in for a fun dangerous twisted ride. You'll be left begging for more!

Donna

696 reviews7 followers

This is an amazing co- write by Bre and Cassie. Not sure how they do it , but this story is a fast paced page turner that reads so smoothly it's hard to know who wrote what. Great world building and character development draws the reader into the story and doesn't want to let you go. When I wasn't reading , I was thinking about snippets and that is the way I love it.
So we meet Magnolia who is reluctantly allowed to go to college by her pack and she meets Wylla. And the she meets Blaine, Jude and Zeke. She's supposed to return to her pack and basically become a commodity of her father. He made a deal with the pack leader and she has no choice. Women in this pack have no choice.
This story is gripping, full of angst, discovery, lies, spell blocking,
humor, sadness, and good and bad characters. Please read the trigger warnings.

Amber

1,373 reviews9 followers

What a great start to a new series! I really enjoyed this co-write and I’m excited to see what happens in the next book. That cliffhanger was awful so I need to know how everything plays out.

Magnolia has been sheltered her entire life and made to feel less than, just because she’s a woman. I loved seeing Magnolia develop into a stronger woman as the story progressed. Wylla, Jude, Zeke, and Blaine are all different types of supernaturals but all have a connection. I enjoyed seeing their characters developand can’t wait to learn more about them. I’m really interested in seeing more of Wylla’s or Jude’s powers. I love Zeke! He’s so sweet but protective.

The steamy scenes really pick up more towards the end of the book so I can’t wait to read more in the next book. I’m sure they will get really spicy. I’m also excited to see who else becomes Magnolia’s mates. I have my guesses!

Laci Steimel

700 reviews6 followers

THAT ENDING!!!!! I CANNOT wait until book 2!! So, I fell in love with Zeke hard-core, but all of the characters are AMAZING and they all have amazing chemistry with each other, and course especially with Magnolia. Their relationships with each other are written and expressed so well, that I completely even forgot I was reading, it felt like I was immersed in the story itself. Cassie and Bre made the story come alive for me, and I was so engrossed in the book, I forgot the world and just sat and devoured the book in one sitting. Such an amazing read, and soooo HOT! Ends on a cliffhanger that left me absolutely DYING for more ASAP! 5 star read!

Steph Reader

99 reviews7 followers

This is the first co-written book I have read. Lein and Rose have done a wonderful job at acomplishing this co-writing. I couldn't tell that it was written by more than one author.

Not only does it have more than one author, but it also has multiple main characters and multiple POVs. However, just like the writing flows smoothly from these two authors, the multiple POVs also help the story to flow smoothly and keep it moving along.

This book flows quickly. It felt like so much happened in a matter of weeks! There is always new info and excitement to read.

I enjoyed how each character was unique and had their own individual characteristics and part to play. The dynamic that is created between these characters suits them. I liked seeing them become their own group.

I am left with some questions. And there is a huge cliffhanger ending... So hopefully book 2 will bring some answers.

Phyllis Farmer

605 reviews8 followers

Secrets Revealed

Bre Rose and Cassie Lein’s first book in their Beyond The Pack series is another fabulous story as usual. This journey starts with the main female character, Magnolia, as young and naïve until she meets her roommate Wylla. Wylla is a fiery fun loving person I would love to have as a friend. As Magz eventually meets more friends, especially her mates, she starts learning the truth about her pack. This book is full of exciting adventure, mystery, suspense, steamy situations that are so riveting I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Bre Rose is an awesome author and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST!

Michelle

60 reviews

Rise of the Alpha is a amazing first book. I was sucked in from the beginning. I think what I loved about this book is it so different than other books out now. The main character Magnolia is absolutely precious and I loved to see her character grow and come into herself and who is wants to be. Magnolia’s mates bring the story into a well rounded book. I can’t wait to see what other mates she’s collects. The story had suspense that sucks you in, amazing characters, a plot that’s you keep asking more for. I know I will be anxiously awaiting the next book.

Anita

655 reviews28 followers

January 30, 2023

Magnolia is from the cult like Exodus pack. A pack that believe men are superior to women and all other shifters and supes, and that women need to be disciplined and kept in their place. Magnolia is able to convince her father and the pack Alpha, to allow her to go to a supe college. It is there she meets her mates, and her world is opened up to her. She realizes that her packs way is not the normal or right way. She also learns that her designation and mating bonds have been suppressed. With the help of her mates, her world is opened up and she realizes the danger she is in.
Loved it and can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.

Victoria Wyatt

4,238 reviews52 followers

Magnolia has lived a sheltered life under a strict father and alpha. She is allowed to go off to supernatural college under stipulations. She slowly finds out how archaic her pack practices are the lengths they went to keep her pliant. She meets new people and different types of shifters and creatures. Who also happen to be her mates. There is sick twisted thinking in her pack that put Magnolia in danger. Fantastic start and that cliffy. I received this copy and my spoiler free review is voluntary

Miranda May

Author 47 books531 followers

college demons fated-mates

Goodness, this story took me by surprise. I didn’t doubt that it would be good, but I was never one hundred percent sure what was going to come next—which is a great thing. The FMC, Magnolia, is so relatable even if you don’t have the traumatic upbringing that she did. I love the way that the four mates who are introduced in this book are immediately gaga for her, while she’s much more cautious—until she isn’t. I loved the FF in the harem, where both women are involved with the men. The cliffy is very worrisome, but I’m looking forward to seeing where book two takes us.

Kathryn

6,481 reviews22 followers

This is a great co-write by Cassie Lein and Bre Rose. It is the first book in the Beyond the Pack series featuring Magnolia. The world building was interesting and how the Exodus pack was described. Magnolia and her mate have a story that is only beginning and is already filled with danger, violence, heat, and suspense. I really enjoyed the variety of shifters and the some were even uncommon. It did take me some time to really get into this read but it did grab my attention and hold onto it.

Cathy Jackson

734 reviews6 followers

This is the first book I have read by Cassie Lein but not Bre Rose. I thought this was an exceptional read!! With that in mind, if you have triggers be sure to read the warnings so that you are not taken off guard. This does leave you guessing as what the end will ultimately be but it is an amazing read!

Pinky Berg

126 reviews3 followers

February 7, 2023

Co-written by 2 authors I have already read and like,Cassie Lein and Bre Rose,so this was a very nice pairing. I am so immersed in the FMC's life and story and hope she finds escape from her overbearing pack and happiness. I'm looking forward to the second book and reading more of the story that begins so well in this book.

Deborah

855 reviews15 followers

February 7, 2023

Mates, alphas and darkness

Great story, but this has some seriously dark parts to it and the treatment of the females in the Exodus pack is vile, wicked and unconscionable. I loved the ferret shifter and the sexy gargoyle and though I struggle a bit with ff, this was really hot!
Plus the ending! Omg!

Michael Olsson

131 reviews5 followers

February 7, 2023

There is only one word for this WOW this years best book so far.
A lot of trigger warnings for this book but if you don't have any it is a real page turner.
Its a thrilling supernatural story with suspense, spice, violence, love and a lot of shifters of all the kinds plus gargoyles and demons. Its totally a most read and worth way more than 5 stars.
Cant recommend this book enough. There is only one thing wrong and that is that I have to wait to read the next one. It ends with a cliffy that almost made me throw my Kindle away but luckily I didn't. I cant afford getting a new one every time I feel like doing that.

Danielle Jensen

179 reviews4 followers