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Shadowed Heirs #1

Ruthless Alpha

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Sloane Masters was my first everything.
My first friend, my first kiss, my first love.
My first heartbreak.
My only one, because Sloane didn't just break my heart, she tore it from my chest, threw it on the ground, and crushed it beneath her heel.
There's nothing in my chest now but a gaping hole where it used to be; the echo of a memory of what it was like to actually feel something.
Who's the real villain, the one without a heart or the one who rips out someone else's?
Food for f*cking thought, right there.
Sloane walked out of my life eight years ago, and in the wake of her departure, people say I turned cold. Callous. Ruthless. But now she's suddenly back, crashing into my life like a hurricane and upending everything I've built since she's been gone. Worst of all, she acts as though things can go back to the way they were before and we can just pick up where we left off.
She's wrong.
She'll learn soon enough that I'm not the lovesick boy she once left behind, and I'll never forgive her for the way she left.
Whoever said time heals all wounds was a liar.

* * * * *
Ruthless Alpha is book one in the Shadowed Heirs series, a collection of paranormal romance novels centered around six aligned packs of wolf shifters. These books contain mature content (steamy scenes!), frequent use of profanity, and darker themes. While each book in the series concludes with a HEA and no major cliffhangers, there are some loose ends concerning the overarching storyline that runs throughout the entire five-book series. Each individual book is a standalone, but the series is best read in order.

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About the author

C.J. Primer

27 books577 followers
C.J. Primer is an award-winning, bestselling author of steamy romance novels. She specializes in angsty, spicy love stories full of twists and turns and hard-fought happy endings. She writes in multiple genres, including paranormal romance, dark romance, contemporary romance, and fantasy romance. Her most popular books are the bestselling six-pack series, a collection of werewolf shifter romance novels that have captivated millions of readers worldwide across multiple reading platforms.

Follow CJ on Instagram to keep up with all of her latest releases: @c.j.primer

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5 stars
261 (43%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
Profile Image for Tiffany.
133 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2024
The book was fine, super average. If your Alpha character is suppose to be “ruthless” make the character ruthless. It’s in the title Ruthless Alpha, more like aggravated Beta. IDK, 2.5 just fun enough to read.
Profile Image for Beautifulchaoxx .
4 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2024
No way homeboy was actually mad at her for eight years bcos she moved town...mind you she was only seventeen and didn't hav much of a choice in it.

One star for Roxy everyone else sucks
Profile Image for Ari Loves All The Books.
385 reviews78 followers
September 21, 2023
Dutch & Dutchess -- the Mayhem team, was such a good story between them. There was enough plot, steam 🔥 && all around character development to keep me interested. Read this book within hours.
208 reviews19 followers
June 19, 2024
2.5 stars. Writing is good. But with shifter romances I find it difficult to believe in the mate bond if one or both sleeps around. We have here two teenagers who are madly in love deep down they both feel like they are mates. They are torn apart for 8 years before reconnecting. The guy has a girl the girl dies not have a guy. So I was already struggling but it had seemed like she had also slept with others. Wait for it. She did not. No sex for 8 years while he fucked OW. So she felt deep down they were mates and loved him the whole time he what decided to pretend or try to use another girl to forget. It really made me not believe in his love and devotion. If she had sex with another guy then it would have made it more believable that they were not sure if they were mates. I really hate how authors have the female not having sex while the guy does. Either have both refrain or have both having sex. Last time I checked it’s 2024 and shocker women like sex too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brittney Thigpen.
137 reviews
October 9, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author and I am completely hooked. This second chance romance between shifters was written very well and the characters were well-developed and unique in their own way. The connection that Sloane and Madd share and their chemistry was off the charts! The banter between them was filled with all the emotion and the sexual tension had me flipping the pages at all hours of the day. Overall, the storyline is thrilling and intense from beginning to end and I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Wren.
518 reviews48 followers
September 27, 2023
4.25 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Madd doesn’t believe in love. Maybe he used to, but that was before she left and crushed his heart. Now, 8 years later she’s back and she is everywhere. All of the memories are crashing into him of what they used to be and he hates it. She left and never looked back, but now she wants to try to be friends again? Absolutely not. Everyone always thought they’d end up together, that they’d be fated, but that’s the furthest thing from what he wants now. With the threat of hunters in the area, he has to do whatever it takes to keep his pack safe. And right now that means staying far away from the distraction that is Sloan Masters.

Fated Mates/wolf shifter books are my guilty pleasure and I LOVE CJ Primer books!!

This is the first book in the series, and she is setting us up for another amazing series. You can’t help but try to figure out who she is going to couple up next!!

The angst between Madd and Sloane the first half of the book was painful to read. The feelings they had and still have for each other were so strong, but difficult for them to sift through. Even though their time apart was difficult, it helped shape them into the people they were when they returned to each other.


Ruthless Alpha is coming to KU next week!! CJ is such a fun writer to follow, and is an auto buy author for me for forever!!!!
Profile Image for Sian .
221 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2024
I enjoyed this! It was interesting, kept me engaged and wanting more. This story revolves around Sloane and Maddox, who are from alpha families. Living in the shadows trying to keep their packs safe. Maddox is said to be cold and ruthless which I freaking love.

I loved Maddox he was possessive, cruel and aggressive, which I thoroughly enjoyed 😏
I loved Maddox and Sloane together with their chemistry, attraction, angst and constant jabs at each other🖤🖤

I can't wait to read about the other characters and the continuing storyline.
Profile Image for Ash.
24 reviews
January 10, 2026
maybe I'm not the target audience for this book. dnf 20%
everyone is immature.
everyone is making ✨choices✨.
also based in another universe apparently and I would have loved to know that beforehand.
1,011 reviews65 followers
October 9, 2023
Maddox and Sloane’s story was so good. Doing some research I noticed this is a second generation so I want to go back and read the first generation. This is a good second chance. The chemistry was great and it was well written
Profile Image for Joni (livebythemoon7).
549 reviews10 followers
July 30, 2024
"He's the embodiment of what parents warn their little girls to stay away from-
Yet here I am. Running toward the sea of glaring red flags over and over again like a masochist."

I really enjoyed this steamy paranormal shifter romance by C.J. Primer. I bought the audiobook and listened while reading the physical copy I was gifted. It contains some of my favorite tropes. Second Chance, Enemies-to-lovers, and Werewolf Shifters. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the book to life. I would listen to them again.

I received a gifted copy. This review is honest and voluntary.
Profile Image for ꧁ Brutally Honest ꧂.
916 reviews33 followers
June 20, 2024
Cringe and a book written for the male gaze opposed to the female one.

I’m sorry but I just don’t jive with this type of writing/story. 🤪 It was so OTT cringy that I caught myself laughing at the more serious parts. Not to mention while the dude slept around because he hates women - I mean hates that one girl he kissed at 16 - the FC remained faithful and not once slept or dated another guy. That’s hella imbalanced and wrong and furthers the incel/male gaze agenda that’s so prevalent in so many books these days.

On top of that, this dude was so obsessed with something he thought he had the right to possess (ie the FC) when he was like 16, that he made that one event his lifelong mission to destroy any future relations, his obsession, and his ruination. That’s the most cringy part of it all and something I don’t find in the least bit sexy or even cute. It’s gross and if I were the FC would run away, far away, from that red flag. 🚩

Again, that’s just sad and… cringy.🥴

I’m guessing this is more of an upper YA type series intended for high school seniors trying to NLOG-ing their way into some frat boy dudes heart (who just wants to get his 🍆 💦).

Also why is the audible description SO DIFFERENT from the Gr one? I mean it’s not even close. The description on GR sounds a bit more interesting but gives NOTHING away about what the book is about.

Here’s the description on Audible:

Sloane Masters was my first everything.

My first friend, my first kiss, my first love.

My first heartbreak.

My only one, because Sloane didn't just break my heart, she tore it from my chest, threw it on the ground, and crushed it beneath her heel.

There's nothing in my chest now but a gaping hole where it used to be; the echo of a memory of what it was like to actually feel something.

Who's the real villain, the one without a heart or the one who rips out someone else's?

Food for f--king thought, right there.

Sloane walked out of my life eight years ago, and in the wake of her departure, people say I turned cold. Callous. Ruthless. But now she's suddenly back, crashing into my life like a hurricane and upending everything I've built since she's been gone. Worst of all, she acts as though things can go back to the way they were before and we can just pick up where we left off. She's wrong. She'll learn soon enough that I'm not the lovesick boy she once left behind, and I'll never forgive her for the way she left.

Whoever said time heals all wounds was a liar.


Yah. Cringe.
Profile Image for Doll.
202 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

I read Ruthless Alpha back in October, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I still can't stop thinking about Madds and Sloane. I do not know how @c.j.primer does it, but as you read her books, you feel all of the characters' emotions: the angst, heartbreak, anger, confusion, and love. To be a part of Madds and Sloane’s love story was everything. To be a part of their world, meeting their friends with all their different personalities left me wanting more of the series and characters. I already devoured Savage Alpha and can not wait to dive deeper into the Shadow Heirs series with Reckless Beta next.

Maddox Kesler and Sloane Masters were childhood friends who then became childhood sweethearts.  Due to an unforeseen incident, Sloane walked out of Madds’ life, which in turn ripped out and crushed his heart. Eight years later, Sloane walks back into Madds life and learns he is not the same lovesick boy she left. Madds turned cold and callous. Ruthless. Fall headfirst into the Duke and Duchesses love story.

Mayhem, baby 🖤

🖤 fated mates
🐺 wolf shifters
👩🏽‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏻 childhood sweethearts
✌🏻 second chance
💀 dark/broody alpha male
🔮 fmc with psychic abilities
🖤 dark themes/bully vibes
🔥 OTT possessive
🌶️ lots of spice
Profile Image for Naomi.
241 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2024
Lo he dicho varias veces y lo seguiré diciendo: estos libros son mi debilidad y la mayoría de veces no tienen una historia que valga la pena o que no se sienta salida de wattpad, pero este libro, este libro si valió la pena.

Ruthless Alpha es un romance +18 paranormal, donde tenemos hombre lobos, pero algo que me pareció interesante de este libro es que aunque la parte sobrenatural no es tan presente, aún así el libro siente diferente a un romance normal, y creo que eso lo ayuda la forma que tiene la autora de introducir y trabajar el mundo, aunque no termina siendo perfecto y sí se crean preguntas a cerca de como funcionan ciertas cosas, si se logra crear este sentido de estar en un mundo que no es enteramente de humanos, pero que al mismo tiempo no se siente completamente diferente.

Ahora bien, como mencioné este es un romance. Sí, el libro empieza con un suceso que lleva a los personajes a juntarse de nuevo y aunque ese suceso se toma como algo importante realmente no tiene un desarrollo en el resto del libro, sino que queda allí, para supongo, ser desarrollado después, por lo que la historia se enfoca completamente en la relación de los personajes.
Con esta relación entre los personajes hay varias cosas que me gustaron:
1. La autora decide no utilizar el típico personaje de interés amoroso para el personaje masculino al cual él solo la usa para coger y eventualmente medio darle una trama vengativa cuando él la deja.
2. Trabaja una trama sin giros innecesarios y bastante simple para todo lo que pasó entre los personajes, haciendo que la misma sea entretenida de leer y para nada aburrida.
3. Me parece que hay buena química entre los personajes desde el principio, y aunque en los primeros capítulos quieres golpear al personaje masculino, la verdad es que a partir de ahí la historia se desenvuelve bien y termina funcionando.
Ok, dicho esto me gustaría agregar que creo que en el libro se pudo haber agregado una trama secundaria fuerte que se volviera principal en la segunda mitad de la historia haciendo que el libro no se centrará completamente en el romance y nos diera un poco más de este mundo en el que la autora trabaja los personajes. Además de esto, me hubiera gustado tener menos escenas de sexo, el libro contiene varias y aunque no son demasiado explicitas siento que en varias ocasiones se pudieron hacer más secundarias o simplemente pudieron ser menos.

En general, Ruthless Alpha me pareció un libro agradable, especialmente tratándose de un libro sobre cambiaformas, ya que de verdad es agradable leer un libro con estas tramas que no sea simplemente porno o que este construido en una trama que no tiene sentido, así que agradezco que este funcione, sea entretenido y con buenos personajes.
Creo que es un buen libro si te gustan esta clase de romances.
Profile Image for Brittany Exel.
169 reviews3 followers
August 6, 2025
I put off reading this series and idk why…my favorite author strikes again!! I loved the original six pack series and extra books, and this being the children I should have known she would kill it again! Book 1/5. Second chance love, besties/lovers to enemies to lovers. Betrayal by family and misunderstandings.

Recap:
Maddox is the oldest and son of Gray and Fallon and he has a twin sister Avery. Their best friend since birth is Sloane, the oldest child and daughter of Brock and Astrid. After an accident that results either Sloane’s huge scar on her head from a lift fall she is sent away to her uncle in Denver for 8 years, her dad flipped out because the Duke and Duchess of Mayhem as Maddox and Sloane were known always got into trouble and Brock always blamed Maddox. The accident shot a wave of issue though all packs leadership bc they were all family and things were left unsaid or done wrong. After 8 years and the Denver pack is attacked by hunters, Brock orders his daughter home, to the six pack territory. She tries to act like nothing has changed but Maddox makes it clear he hates her and treats her like shit. When she starts crying after rude comment of his at a party, he can’t take seeing her sad and swoops her up and carry’s her into “their room” and they have a moment, but of course it’s ruined by his anger. All these years Maddox thinks she ghosted him and just chose to leave and run instead of fighting for them, and Sloane thinks he ghosted her when she didn’t want to leave and tried to argue with the her dad but had to chance. All their communication went unread and unheard from that we learn later is bc her brother, Tristan, over heard her parents convo of her moms vision of her getting shot and he thinks if he keeps them apart the vision won’t come true….it does. Of course it was an accident by a trainee Luke Jenkins and she is okay thankfully. That helps them discover the blocked contacts and everything gets flipped. Tristan knows he made a mistake but he was a kid and scared, eventually they forgive him and all is right. We learn throughout the book that Sloane has the same powers as her mom, and can see the future and past and has intuitive powers about people. She is learning and her mom Astrid helps guide her through questions as she continues to have visions as her and Maddox grow closer and repair their relationship. Sloane has a vision of a man meeting them on a road before the full moon and they think it’s a hunter but actually it’s a alpha, Javi Cruz, who has been trying to find the six pack for refuge against the hunters for his people, but everyone is on edge and they must vet the group first, which Lo is finding hard due to his last name being common and his nomadic background. But Sloane gets a feelings about him like he is supposed to be one of them or something…she isn’t sure and her mom tried to help but ultimately follow your gut is her advice. Finally it’s confirmed Maddox and Sloane are mates on the full moon, they mark and finalize their bond. Sloane then is taken to her initiation of the pack leadership squad and must survive everyone individual deepest fears: stuck in a small space, being chased, drowning, failure, a dark cave of snakes, heights and her own of the falling from the lift. She is successful and even though the fear of the hunters remain, they hope to keep getting strong and fighting them if they come to threaten their families or pack.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for VirgoLoverofAllBooks.
103 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2023
Second Gen is coming in Hot🌶️🔥
Shadow Heirs Book 1
5⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
👑The Duke and The Duchess
🔥Tattooed Alpha
🔥PNR Shifter Romance
🔥Second Chance
🔥S3xual Angst/T3nsion
🔥Fated Mates
🔥OTT Broody Grump MMC
🔥Touch her and 💀

✨“She sure as h3ll could’ve fought harder to stay.
She could’ve fought for US.
She was my entire fv/cking world and she just disappeared like a ghost, throwing me away like I never even mattered to her”

Maddox and Sloane aka “The Duke and Duchess of Mayhem” are childhood besties to lovers until an accident separated them. No contact, no phone calls, no hello, how’s it going, 8 years later Sloane returns home after a Hunter/Wolf attack at her Uncle Cole’s Denver pack.

Sloane is determined to pick up from where they left off, but
Maddox isn’t having any of it. His heart is an ice cold prison box, and Sloane is in for a rude awakening, as she tries to settle back into pack life, with their friends, there’s tension at home, which has her moving into the Squad Complex.

Madd is determined to ignore Sloane in every way possible, he’s OTT at times, the harder he resists, more s3xually tension and angst builds for every interaction they have.

✨”Sloane and I are like magnets, destined to collide.
The harder we fight it, the harder we come crashing together”

After Sloane has another close call accident, things shift between. Secrets are revealed, bringing the The Duke and Duchess closer than ever. All this, while leading up to a very anticipated pack run where everyone will finally find out, are they fated for not? … add a threat of hunters looming in the background, a traditional initiation into the squad leadership (suspenseful) and tensions are at an all time high.

If you’re into shifter books, I highly recommend CJ Primer books:
The parent’s books are: The Six Pack Series where you’ll get more background on characters and much more.

Profile Image for Celeste Fleetwood.
134 reviews14 followers
October 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶.5

✨ Shifter romance
✨ Fated mates
✨ Second chance
✨ OTT jealous possessive Alpha MMC

🖤 As kids Sloane and Maddox were the Duke and Duchess of Mayhem. They were forced apart at 17 after an accident, before they could learn if they are fated mates. After Sloane left the pack for Denver Madd didn’t see or hear from her again.
🖤 Now 8 years later Madd is Alpha, the pack is in trouble, and Sloane is back and wants to act like they can be friends but Madd is determined to go on hating her.

Madd spends weeks trying to go on hating Sloane and avoiding her, but they just can’t seem to escape each other and he can’t stand to see her around anyone else. Once they find their way back to each other and learn just how many people forced them apart I think it would have taken me a lot longer to forgive but I can understand considering the circumstances. It’s just that 8 years is a LONG time to lose and I hate the, I thought I was doing what was best for you bit.

I loved the chapters with Sloane’s initiation into pack leadership. It is quite the trial and reveals quite a bit all our characters!

This is the first book in the Shadowed Heirs series. I’m a fan of shifter romance but I loved this one so much I’ll have to go back and read the Six-Pack series about the parents!

✨ Quotes:
🖤 I need her close to me right now more than I need oxygen in my lungs—she’s the only thing keeping me together. ~ Madd.
🖤 With Madd by my side, even my deepest fears seem to wither away to dust, because I’m reminded of what’s truly important. Us. ~ Sloane.

✨ Thank you C.J.Primer for allowing me to ARC read this book! If you’re into shifter or paranormal romance go check it out, it’s 10/10.
Profile Image for Erin.
3,533 reviews80 followers
October 9, 2023
OMG! This was a phenomenal start to this new series. It had everything I love in fated mates/wolf shifter stories. There was action, suspense, violence, anger, drama, emotional turmoil, passion and an all-consuming love that could not and would not be denied. I was hooked right from the incredible start and could not put this one down. The story consumed me and I never wanted to let it go.

Sloane and Maddox have this incredible friendship that slowly turned into something so much more until tragedy struck and Sloane gets sent away. After 8 years Sloane is back and all of the feelings that Maddox had tried to bury deep down are now starting to resurface just from one look at Sloane. The hurt and anger that both Sloane and Maddox bottled up is now front and centre and they need to either hash it out or go their separate ways. But with a love like theirs, there was no way they could turn their backs on it.

”I need her close to me right now more than I need oxygen in my lungs—she’s the only thing keeping me together.”~ Maddox

”With Madd by my side, even my deepest fears seem to wither away to dust, because I’m reminded of what’s truly important. Us.”~ Sloane

The connection they share and the chemistry between them was utterly palpable. Their back and forth banter was filled with incredible emotions and insane sexual tension that was slowly pulling them back together and I could not wait for one of them to give into it. So HOT!

I absolutely loved this story. The writing was fantastic, the characters were amazing and the storyline was thrilling, intense and extremely entertaining from start to finish.

This is the first book I have read by this amazing author, and I am now hooked. I need more and can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Eszti Balog.
45 reviews8 followers
October 2, 2023
This is my second book by C. J. Primer in a short time, but man, she did not disappoint!

And the Shadowed Heirs series began with a bang!

I got the honor to be an ARC reader for this book. I loved everything about it! The inner monologues, the portrayal of characters, and the story.

Maddox Kessler loved only one woman in his life, Sloane Masters. But when she broke his heart, he slowly became cold, distant, and angry. From the naughty but warm-hearted boy, he became the Ruthless Alpha.
Sloane Masters was always a people-pleaser, so after a certain event, her father sent her to another pack and she obliged. After 8 years, she's forced to come back. But no matter how nice her friends welcome her back, there is one person who doesn't want anything to do with her.
Their back-and-forth fights, their anger, and their still-existing attraction will either bless or ruin them.
The main characters aren't black and white, they both have their own agenda, and as the story unfolds we also see that not everything is as it seems to be.

I loved the thrill that story brought, the constant threat that loomed above their heads. But most importantly, no matter how harsh they were, they always had a friend or a family member who helped them straighten their thoughts and actions.

I would say more, but I recommend reading it because C. J.'s words, as she created this story, speak for themselves.
Profile Image for Nora Ellen (Nbbookery).
690 reviews19 followers
October 5, 2023
After an accident, Sloane was sent to her relatives' pack. Eight years later, a rising threat brings her home. Her family and pack are happy to see her, but Maddox, the love of her life whom she left behind, couldn't be less thrilled she's home. After years of feeling like his heart was ripped out, Madd's moved on. But seeing Sloane again brings back those buried feelings. With a growing threat to their pack looming on the horizon, will Sloane and Madd forgive each other enough to work together and protect the pack? Or will they let the distance between them split up the Duke and Dutchess of Mayhem?

I thought this was a good take on a second chance romance between shifters. The underlying danger of hunters kept tensions high, but the real tension between Madd and Sloane kept me flipping the pages late into the night. I'm a sucker for a good second chance when it's done right, and this one was. Sloane and Madd let the world drive a wedge between them years ago, and now it's a challenge to get past the distance and rekindle what they had. I also enjoyed the pack dynamics and I thought the other characters were well-developed and unique. I look forward to Javi and Lo's story next!

I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!
Profile Image for Jaime.
366 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2023
TROPES
🖤 Werewolf
💛 Fated Mates
🖤 Second chance
💛 Possessive Alpha MMC

This is book 1 of the Shadow Heirs
Series which is following the children from the Six Pack Series.

I devoured all the six pack series books and this book was no exception. I took a little break from reading werewolf romance books and within 5 minutes of starting this book its made me want to go down a rabbit hole of shifter romance.

C.J. Primer really does an amazing job with her writing depicting the story so I can envision it in my head.

This book follows Maddox (Alpha Gray and Fallons sons) and Sloane (Alpha Brock and Astrid). These two looked like they were fated mates from the beginning. However six months prior to Sloanes 18th birthday there is an accident and she is sent away before she can find out if Maddox is her fated mate.

Fast forward ten years and she returns secondary to unforseen complications and Maddox is not happy. Despite the anger he has towards her he can't resist her. The back and forth remarks keep it spicy and the way he feels the need to comfort her is endearing.

The Duke and Duchess of Mayhem were a great start to the series and I can't wait to find out who all the other kids are fated to. Definitely give this series a try.
Profile Image for Paige.
262 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2023
2.5/5

So... Another reviewer said that they had a hard time with this one because the last time we met Maddox and Sloane, they were literal children. Aaaaand, I agree. It was really tough for me to appreciate their "adult" scenes because I kept thinking of them as babies--this is what I get for reading a 2nd Gen shifter romance! I (somewhat) enjoyed their tumultuous reunion, but, again, couldn't get into the smut. Also, kinda chaste, tbh.

Plus, there are way too many children. Jeez! It was really difficult to keep track of which siblings belong to which adults. One thing I appreciated with the previous generation was only having to remember 6 alphas. Now having to remember 6 alphas and their many, many offspring? It's tough.

To its credit, this book felt like just the beginning of a new series. Lots of new faces and friendship dynamics but, to its detriment, much lighter on actual plot. I'm especially intrigued to see what happens with Ares, Avery, and eventually River, though kill me with those names. I suspect I'll enjoy the other kids' stories more than this one as it'll be easier not to see them as, again, literal children.

As always, I miss Theo and Brooke and might go read that one again to cleanse the palate!
Profile Image for Brittany Gonzalez.
52 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2023
"What do you see in that guy, anyways?"
I glance up at Tristan, confidently replying, "Forever."

My Heart!!!!!! This book absolutely put me in a reading slump, the story of what happened to these two and how everything unfolds will capture you and not let you go. I was on the verge of tears on more than one occasion and the HEA will warm your heart. I also LOVE when books have one major plot going on in a series, but each book is a different couples POV that concludes their own personal story line. A MUST READ FOR SURE!

🖤Dual POV🖤Shifter Romance🖤HEA🖤Friends to lovers🖤Standalone in broader series🖤

Sloane was Maddox's everything. His first friend, first kiss, first love, and first heartbreak. This heartbreak didn't just break Maddox, it DESTROYED him. From teenage love to walking out for eight years, Sloane is back. But Madd wants nothing to do with her, unable to forgive her for how she hurt him. She is expecting things to go back to the way they were before, but he refuses. He has become a cold shell of who he once was because of her, RUTHLESS even. But did she really walk out on him? Or are there other facts at play that will leave them both confused. As secrets unfold...so does Madd, the Ruthless Alpha.
Profile Image for Jorgiagood.
58 reviews9 followers
September 26, 2023
Ahhh this book was everything I could have hopped and dreamed for a wolf shifter romance! The tension between the MMC and the FMC after she returns home is so good! They have so much history but so much lost time and hurt in between. The FMC wants things to go back the way they were but the MMC Alpha Maddox is the biggest grudge holder. It’s a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers romance it’s got lies and deception fated mates and so much more. I honestly really enjoyed this read. I mean when someone accidentally hurt her he took touch her and die almost quite literally making a member of his pack piss his pants scared he was going to die when Maddox put on his Alpha voice he had no choice but to obey. Luckily for the guy it was just a blank. But damn you do not want to get on alpha Maddox bad side that’s for sure! It’s also got discovering abilities too as we see the FMC slowly start to understand her abilities she didn’t think she inherited from her mother. Honestly this book was so good and the spice ahhh I can’t wait to read Lo’s story next as we go through the six pack! And to see what happens with this new pack! 10/10 recommend!
Profile Image for MorallyGreyMuse.
288 reviews
October 3, 2023
⭐ARC Review⭐
Once again C. J. had me hooked from the beginning. Ruthless Alpha is a wild ride of a paranormal romance novel. It's got everything I love in a good PNR. A strong female lead, a broody alpha male, forbidden love, and steamy romance scenes.

Slone is the kind of heroine I can get behind. She's fierce, independent, and unapologetically herself. She's also got a heart of gold, and she's not afraid to fight for what she wants. And Madd is the aphla-ist of alpha males. He's strong, possessive, and protective. He's also got a dark side, which makes him all the more intriguing.

Slone and Madd's relationship is complicated and deliciously antsy, but it's also incredibly passionate. They're drawn to each other like magnets, and their chemistry is off the charts.

The book is full of suspense and drama. There's a rival pack that's up to no good, and Slone and Madd have to work together to protect their pack. Overall, Ruthless Alpha is a great read for fans of paranormal romance. It's well-written, with well-developed characters and an exciting plot. I highly recommend it!

Thank you so much to C.J. for allowing me to ARC read for a second time. 🖤
Profile Image for readingwithtaram.
139 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2024
4.5⭐️
3🌶️

I have been a CJ Primer fan for a while (found her on Wattpad). I loved her six pack series and when I found out she was doing a spin off with their kids I was super excited!

Ruthless Alpha is the start of the new series. Maddox is the son of Gray and Fallon from Alpha Gray and Sloane is the daughter of Brock and Astrid from Alpha Brock.

I really enjoyed this book. I was happy to see the old gang and now the new. Sloane was shipped off to Denver pack after an accident as a teenager and now she is back. Her and Maddox have a history together already from growing up together and when she returns Madd is angry. It has been 8 years and they haven’t spoke a word to each other. I was shocked to find out why that is. Needless to say we go through a lot with them.

If you love wolf shifter books, you will love this one! And their parent’s stories are just as amazing. Alpha Gray is the first one in that series.

What to expect:
🐺PNR (wolf shifters)
🖤fated mates
🐺childhood sweethearts
🖤second chance
🐺OTT/JP
🖤grumpy/sunshine
🐺Alpha male
🖤dual POV
🐺high angst
🖤steamy scenes
🐺darker themes
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,939 reviews74 followers
May 19, 2024
MEHH. I'M NOT GOING TO WRITE A LONG ESSAY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S YOUR TYPICAL RUN OF THE MILL SECOND CHANCE SHIFTER ROMANCE.

What I liked? The romance between the MCs was so sweet your teeth will rot. No complains about the passion and smexy times, it's just the plot could have used a little more depth. #childhoodsweethearts #fatedmates

What I wasn't crazy about?
The angst (and reason) why they were broken apart quite ridiculous, and had me eye rolling. If the author had gone for a different conflict approach instead of the typical "family kept us apart" reason, I would have totally dug this more.

I was also VERY UNIMPRESSED with MADDOX's childishness towards Sloane. It's the typical angst generator/mistreatment where the guy still loves the girl, but he's filled with pain and resentment, so he takes it out on her verbally, or uses another girl kinda conflict, ya know? I don't mind it, except it's so unoriginal and predictable, it just made me feel MEHHH. Maddox deserved to GROVEL MORE.

OVERALL Maddox and Sloane were the sweetest and #relationshipgoals couple if you take out the whole mess of their separation.
37 reviews
September 26, 2023
Review: Ruthless Alpha 🐺 cjprimer

Book one of the Shadowed Heirs series and I loved it ! This book continues the legacy of the six pack series and maintains its high standards even though it had big boots to fill.

Sloane & Maddox had me straight away, first loves, first everything- dreamy 💕 An almost too perfect start that leads you into the angst and turmoil their relationship goes through. I almost didn’t want to read any further because I didn’t want it spoiled ha! Glad I did though.

This journey of lost time, betrayal and love was everything I needed it to be (as a massive six-pack fan) and everything I hoped it would be and more. That’s not even mentioning the spice and chemistry the pair share 🌶️🥵 - yikes!

Without giving anything away, I’d definitely recommend this book!! A MASSIVE thank you to c. For the ARC, I’m such a huge fan! I cannot wait for Book 2: Savage Alpha!

#acertainkindofbookreader #romancereads #shadowedheirs #cjprimerauthor #shifterromance #fatedmates #readingswhereitsat #bookstagram
Profile Image for trashley.talks.
9 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2023
The Six-Pack Series is my favorite M/F shifter series. I will never stop recommending it to everyone I talk to. I haven’t read a next generation series and was worried that I may not enjoy it since I am such a fan of the original characters. I was so wrong. This book felt like coming home and reconnecting with family that you haven’t seen in a while. It was like catching up with old friends and making a few new friends in the process. Absolute perfection!

This book had the perfect balance of angst and love. You could feel Madd and Sloane’s emotions in the writing and you were rooting for them to make it through every obstacle they faced. This book also gave us a great introduction to all of the next gen characters that we’ll be getting to know even better throughout the rest of this series. Madd and Sloane’s story was an excellent start for the next gen series and I’m looking forward to see where it takes us.
Profile Image for Acy B..
105 reviews6 followers
October 3, 2023
How would you feel if your teenage love is ripped away from you?
How would you feel if the one you love is far away and just ghosting you?
And when the time comes after a lot of years to set eyes on each other again, how would you react?
Be ruthless like Maddox or give it a try to talk it out like Sloane?
When love is in the picture everything finds its way on each own.
You wanna find out how?
Take a chance in reading The Ruthless Alpha by C.J. Primer.
Follow the Duke and Duchess of mayhem through their journey to love, betrayal and HEA.
When they come across new threats and challenges they unite to face them together and not only those but their absolute fears, too.

This book is a MUST for you library!

PS. I cried so hard at some point 😭! But it worth it!
It definitely worth it 😀
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