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Soraya Honei
Not yet published
Expected 10 Feb 26 This story contains multiple, sexually explicit scenes. If explicit content isn’t your thing, consider this your warning. Seasoned spicy readers should feel right at home.
In downtown Los Angeles, Soraya Honei encountered fate… and it was hunting her.
Something was wrong with Soraya.
Her skin was stretched too thin, her body was burning up, and sex was all she could think about. A couple of nights of some casual fun in downtown Los Angeles seemed like the only cure.
She wasn't looking to fall in love, but something far more permanent found her.
Now, the strange dreams she’s been having are making a terrifying kind of sense. Soraya just got her life in order, and the inevitable was coming for her. Will she be strong enough to face it?
Soraya Honei is a Why Choose, Dark, Fantasy, Mystery. Tropes include Fated Mates, Spice, Elemental Powers, and Suspense. It's the first book in the series and my debut book.
In downtown Los Angeles, Soraya Honei encountered fate… and it was hunting her.
Something was wrong with Soraya.
Her skin was stretched too thin, her body was burning up, and sex was all she could think about. A couple of nights of some casual fun in downtown Los Angeles seemed like the only cure.
She wasn't looking to fall in love, but something far more permanent found her.
Now, the strange dreams she’s been having are making a terrifying kind of sense. Soraya just got her life in order, and the inevitable was coming for her. Will she be strong enough to face it?
Soraya Honei is a Why Choose, Dark, Fantasy, Mystery. Tropes include Fated Mates, Spice, Elemental Powers, and Suspense. It's the first book in the series and my debut book.
449 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 10, 2026
145 people want to read
About the author
V.A. Berry
1 book9 followersV.A. Berry is a romance author serving high spice, emotional chaos, and multiple love interests. Expect heat, tension, and stories that don’t apologize for being intense. Debut novel: Soraya Honei, the first in the Ephemeral series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.25
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and author for the ARC copy in return for an honest review!
*This book was spicy with different partners on different nights. Read triggers if necessary*
This is one of the best why-choose books I've read. Often these types of books are all spice with little story line, but I am really enjoying the plot of this book. I can tell there will be a lot more to learn in future books and I cant wait to get the next installment!
I enjoyed the strong personality of the main character. She focused on herself through college and now wanted to have some fun before buckling down again. I respect that.
My main negative of the book was that the main character felt like she was drugged at times and the males were still having sex with her. Its explained later and you kindof figure it out as you go anyways, but it still felt a little off due to my personal triggers at the time.
Overall, good storyline/ world, strong FMC with lots of choices for a fav male, and add in some fae and fated mates and I'm in!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and author for the ARC copy in return for an honest review!
*This book was spicy with different partners on different nights. Read triggers if necessary*
This is one of the best why-choose books I've read. Often these types of books are all spice with little story line, but I am really enjoying the plot of this book. I can tell there will be a lot more to learn in future books and I cant wait to get the next installment!
I enjoyed the strong personality of the main character. She focused on herself through college and now wanted to have some fun before buckling down again. I respect that.
My main negative of the book was that the main character felt like she was drugged at times and the males were still having sex with her. Its explained later and you kindof figure it out as you go anyways, but it still felt a little off due to my personal triggers at the time.
Overall, good storyline/ world, strong FMC with lots of choices for a fav male, and add in some fae and fated mates and I'm in!
October 24, 2025
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry
Listen up, if you signed up for a cozy romance, you’ve picked up the wrong book. Soraya Honei is a fast-paced, unapologetically spicy, why-choose fantasy that starts with a relatable heroine having an emotional breakdown and ends somewhere firmly in a supernatural, memory-loss, harem chaos zone. It's giving "graduate student has a meltdown and accidentally unleashes her inner deity."
The Plot is a Vibe, Not a Timeline
The story centers on Soraya Honei, a graduate student (I love that she’s a grad student—because who needs more chaos than that?) who is basically a walking hormonal time bomb. Her skin is too hot, her body is burning, and her sexual appetite is permanently set to high. She decides to step outside her comfort zone to appease the beast, and that’s when downtown Los Angeles turns into a fever dream of fated mates and otherworldly intensity.
The plot is designed to be disorienting, and honestly, that’s its strength. You are never sure what is real, what is a dream, or what Soraya is even doing because she can’t seem to remember half her life. I appreciate that the author makes the narrative confusion intentional, mirroring Soraya's spiraling mental state. That said, I'll be real: there are stretches where the pacing drags a bit. Around the 70% mark, I found myself yelling, "Girl, clock the chaos!" There’s a plot reason for her fog, but that doesn't mean my reading patience didn't thin a little while waiting for her to catch up to the otherworldly shenanigans happening around her.
Spice with a Purpose (and Six Hot Guys)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the spice is front and center. This isn't just gratuitous filler; the intimate moments are deeply tied to the plot progression and Soraya’s character awakening. This felt purposeful and powerful, which elevates it way past standard smut. And yes, it’s a why-choose (read: reverse harem) book, and the men Soraya encounters are varied, hot, and thankfully, the focus is firmly on her needs, desires, and power—which is a huge win for the genre. You’ve got a delicious cast of love interests (six men, to be exact!) providing all the shadow daddy, elemental power fantasy you could ask for.
Go In for the Heat, Stay for the Mystery
This is a hypnotic, character-driven fantasy with high emotional stakes and an atmosphere thick with intrigue. If you love a rich fantasy world layered with a slow-burn mystery, and you require maximum heat in your reading material, add this to your list. It sets the stage brilliantly for the rest of the series, even if it feels a little like a world-builder at times. I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey of power and identity by the end, even if I was a little frustrated by her memory issues. It's a fun, intense ride that definitely needs a sequel ASAP. Don't read this one in front of your grandma.
#SorayaHonei #NetGalley
Listen up, if you signed up for a cozy romance, you’ve picked up the wrong book. Soraya Honei is a fast-paced, unapologetically spicy, why-choose fantasy that starts with a relatable heroine having an emotional breakdown and ends somewhere firmly in a supernatural, memory-loss, harem chaos zone. It's giving "graduate student has a meltdown and accidentally unleashes her inner deity."
The Plot is a Vibe, Not a Timeline
The story centers on Soraya Honei, a graduate student (I love that she’s a grad student—because who needs more chaos than that?) who is basically a walking hormonal time bomb. Her skin is too hot, her body is burning, and her sexual appetite is permanently set to high. She decides to step outside her comfort zone to appease the beast, and that’s when downtown Los Angeles turns into a fever dream of fated mates and otherworldly intensity.
The plot is designed to be disorienting, and honestly, that’s its strength. You are never sure what is real, what is a dream, or what Soraya is even doing because she can’t seem to remember half her life. I appreciate that the author makes the narrative confusion intentional, mirroring Soraya's spiraling mental state. That said, I'll be real: there are stretches where the pacing drags a bit. Around the 70% mark, I found myself yelling, "Girl, clock the chaos!" There’s a plot reason for her fog, but that doesn't mean my reading patience didn't thin a little while waiting for her to catch up to the otherworldly shenanigans happening around her.
Spice with a Purpose (and Six Hot Guys)
Let's address the elephant in the room: the spice is front and center. This isn't just gratuitous filler; the intimate moments are deeply tied to the plot progression and Soraya’s character awakening. This felt purposeful and powerful, which elevates it way past standard smut. And yes, it’s a why-choose (read: reverse harem) book, and the men Soraya encounters are varied, hot, and thankfully, the focus is firmly on her needs, desires, and power—which is a huge win for the genre. You’ve got a delicious cast of love interests (six men, to be exact!) providing all the shadow daddy, elemental power fantasy you could ask for.
Go In for the Heat, Stay for the Mystery
This is a hypnotic, character-driven fantasy with high emotional stakes and an atmosphere thick with intrigue. If you love a rich fantasy world layered with a slow-burn mystery, and you require maximum heat in your reading material, add this to your list. It sets the stage brilliantly for the rest of the series, even if it feels a little like a world-builder at times. I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey of power and identity by the end, even if I was a little frustrated by her memory issues. It's a fun, intense ride that definitely needs a sequel ASAP. Don't read this one in front of your grandma.
#SorayaHonei #NetGalley
October 22, 2025
This was a great read. The author made this a page turner. It was almost like the characters came to life. Soraya & Jesmine are just looking to live it up a bit but get more than they asked for when they hook up with some club guys. Oh boy do they. I can't wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
I love a good reverse haren/why choose book and I did enjoy Soraya Honei which I was given as an ARC by the Nerd Fam.
The story is good and I liked the different men that she met and found as one of her fated mates. The bones of the story and the premise are solid, but I found myself skimming after a while because it became very repetative.
I would have liked to see more variation in how she was meeting her mates. Most of them she met in the same basic way and after the first couple I pretty well knew how each of the rest would play out.
Now, I did still enjoy this book overall and I will probably read the next book when it releases. I like Soraya as a character and the overall plot and storyline is decent. I liked that all of the men weren't already friends and how there seems to be divide between them that they will have work out.
Thank you to VA Berry and The Nerd Fam for thus eARC.
The story is good and I liked the different men that she met and found as one of her fated mates. The bones of the story and the premise are solid, but I found myself skimming after a while because it became very repetative.
I would have liked to see more variation in how she was meeting her mates. Most of them she met in the same basic way and after the first couple I pretty well knew how each of the rest would play out.
Now, I did still enjoy this book overall and I will probably read the next book when it releases. I like Soraya as a character and the overall plot and storyline is decent. I liked that all of the men weren't already friends and how there seems to be divide between them that they will have work out.
Thank you to VA Berry and The Nerd Fam for thus eARC.
Review of advance copy
ARC Read - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry completely pulled me in with its rich character and world building. I felt just as confused as Soraya the entire time, in a good way, it felt like I was learning the truth alongside her. The smutty scenes were perfectly woven into the story, adding to the tension without overpowering it. I’m usually not a fan of memory-swiping trope, but here it worked, giving the whole book a fever-dream feel. I only wish we’d gotten more time with the six delicious magical men. I can’t wait for book two.
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry completely pulled me in with its rich character and world building. I felt just as confused as Soraya the entire time, in a good way, it felt like I was learning the truth alongside her. The smutty scenes were perfectly woven into the story, adding to the tension without overpowering it. I’m usually not a fan of memory-swiping trope, but here it worked, giving the whole book a fever-dream feel. I only wish we’d gotten more time with the six delicious magical men. I can’t wait for book two.
Review of advance copy
i love a good fantasy book and this book did not disappoint. everything about this story had me hooked to where I could not put it down.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eArc. I really enjoyed this book! It sucked me right in and kept me there the whole time. The only problem I have is that it ended right when it was getting to the good stuff. Hopefully the next one doesn't take too long to come out.
Review of advance copy
This book sucked me right in! Soraya is a 26-year-old woman who just wants to go out with her friends, have some drinks, and maybe have a one-night stand. She has too much going for her to want a serious relationship to get in the way. Then she has the wildest week of her life! She meets 6 different men and has the craziest experiences after each individual meeting. The problem is that she can't remember much of what happens in each experience aside from the spicy parts. 😏 Something is messing with her memory, and her body is experiencing all these wild changes. Then her friend is kidnapped and she has to depend on the 6 men she met to help her rescue her. The cliffhanger at the end had me screaming. I need book 2 right now! Be sure to check out Soraya Honei when it's released on February 10th!
Thank You @thenerdfam for this ARC!
Thank You @thenerdfam for this ARC!
January 9, 2026
Reading Soraya Honei had me hooked from the first page….the intrigue had me want to know more, I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m sad it’s finished lol.
Thank you to BookSirens & V.A. Berry for allowing me the pleasure of reading this as an arc….I need to know more about Soraya, and her mates. This book is 100% not what I expected it to be, I went in totally blind, and I’ve I’m being honest I requested the book because the front cover is stunning 🤩 very happy I was allowed the privilege of reading it now.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy etc. Cannot wait to see what comes next
Thank you to BookSirens & V.A. Berry for allowing me the pleasure of reading this as an arc….I need to know more about Soraya, and her mates. This book is 100% not what I expected it to be, I went in totally blind, and I’ve I’m being honest I requested the book because the front cover is stunning 🤩 very happy I was allowed the privilege of reading it now.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy etc. Cannot wait to see what comes next
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2025
Soraya Honei is a relatable and complex heroine. A graduate student on the brink of major life changes, she decides to step outside her comfort zone and take control of her desires. What begins as a simple night out quickly unravels into something far more intense and otherworldly. From the very beginning, the story pulls you into Soraya’s disorienting reality and never lets go.
The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality. As a reader, you are never quite sure what is real or imagined, which mirrors Soraya’s experience in a way that feels incredibly intentional. The writing captures that fever dream quality perfectly, making the story feel both magical and disorienting in the best way.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered. There is a strong sense that much more lies beneath the surface, and every reveal adds to the intrigue. The pacing is fast without being overwhelming, and the emotional stakes stay high throughout.
The spice in this book is front and center, and it is deeply tied to character development and plot progression. It feels purposeful and powerful rather than gratuitous. Each intimate moment carries weight and meaning.
By the end, I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey and desperate to know what happens next. This is a story of awakening, power, mystery, and identity. If you love fantasy with high heat and high stakes, this book belongs on your list.
The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that blurs the line between dream and reality. As a reader, you are never quite sure what is real or imagined, which mirrors Soraya’s experience in a way that feels incredibly intentional. The writing captures that fever dream quality perfectly, making the story feel both magical and disorienting in the best way.
The worldbuilding is rich and layered. There is a strong sense that much more lies beneath the surface, and every reveal adds to the intrigue. The pacing is fast without being overwhelming, and the emotional stakes stay high throughout.
The spice in this book is front and center, and it is deeply tied to character development and plot progression. It feels purposeful and powerful rather than gratuitous. Each intimate moment carries weight and meaning.
By the end, I was fully invested in Soraya’s journey and desperate to know what happens next. This is a story of awakening, power, mystery, and identity. If you love fantasy with high heat and high stakes, this book belongs on your list.
June 13, 2025
Wow this is one saucy book set in a real and fantasy world but I loved it. The men she met as she explored her sex life were very different but very hot and unlike many erotic books this didn’t feel like a man wrote it and the sex was all about the man but for once the woman’s needs were front and forward which I loved. This is a sexy story can’t wait to see what happens next.
June 13, 2025
I received this book as an ARC on NetGalley. I loved this why choose style book. It had a lot of unexpected twists and turns.I can’t wait to read the next book and more by this author!
October 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️ — Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry
This was my first ever ARC, and I want to thank the author for choosing me to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying how much I admire indie authors. The courage, effort, and time it takes to self publish is no small thing.
About the story:
Soraya Honei follows a woman who becomes entangled in a world of fantasy, temptation, danger, and self discovery as she explores her desires and navigates a web of passion, other worlds, and the lost memories that accompany it. It’s a why choose story with the fated mates trope.
My thoughts:
I can see the author’s vision for this book, and I think the concept itself is strong. The worldbuilding was interesting, the premise had potential, and I can appreciate a story centered around a woman owning her sexuality.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing style felt more like fan fiction than a polished novel. Even though the subject matter was explicit and clearly aimed at adults, the writing and dialogue itself felt juvenile and a bit repetitive. There was a lot of telling rather than showing…lines structured like “first she did this, then she did that,” which made it hard for the story to flow naturally.
I also found the pacing difficult. It was far into the book before Soraya even started to realize that something was off with her, which made it hard to stay engaged. I understood there was a reason behind her confusion, but I think the memory loss mystery could’ve been refined…either by showing her losing whole chunks of time or revealing clues sooner to keep the tension high.
Overall, I can see what this story wanted to be. It has heart and vision, but the writing and pacing fell flat for me. Still, I hope the author continues to write, there’s a spark here worth developing.
This was my first ever ARC, and I want to thank the author for choosing me to receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start by saying how much I admire indie authors. The courage, effort, and time it takes to self publish is no small thing.
About the story:
Soraya Honei follows a woman who becomes entangled in a world of fantasy, temptation, danger, and self discovery as she explores her desires and navigates a web of passion, other worlds, and the lost memories that accompany it. It’s a why choose story with the fated mates trope.
My thoughts:
I can see the author’s vision for this book, and I think the concept itself is strong. The worldbuilding was interesting, the premise had potential, and I can appreciate a story centered around a woman owning her sexuality.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing style felt more like fan fiction than a polished novel. Even though the subject matter was explicit and clearly aimed at adults, the writing and dialogue itself felt juvenile and a bit repetitive. There was a lot of telling rather than showing…lines structured like “first she did this, then she did that,” which made it hard for the story to flow naturally.
I also found the pacing difficult. It was far into the book before Soraya even started to realize that something was off with her, which made it hard to stay engaged. I understood there was a reason behind her confusion, but I think the memory loss mystery could’ve been refined…either by showing her losing whole chunks of time or revealing clues sooner to keep the tension high.
Overall, I can see what this story wanted to be. It has heart and vision, but the writing and pacing fell flat for me. Still, I hope the author continues to write, there’s a spark here worth developing.
Review of advance copy
Whew!
Gotta wipe my brow off after that!
We've got banter, we've got fated mates, we've got yearning that goes straight to full 5 alarm flames.
Fated mates in a modern setting without shifters was an interesting twist. I always love why choose/reverse harem because GET IT GIRL.
Our female main character is a 26 year old grad student who thinks she's dying. She can feel something is wrong in her body; her skin feels wrong, her whole body is constantly on fire and there's only one thing on her mind; sex. Boy, sorry, MAN does she find several (count 6!) ways to be satisfied. I did have some moments where I was a little confused but it's actually part of the allure of the story, gotta keep you guessing so you keep going!
Now, there are some seriously heavy and dark scenes and conversations. I have next to no triggers so while my eyes bugled and I kicked my feet at some of these, make sure you check the full warnings if you have any icks.
I cannot wait for the rest of the series if this was just the beginning!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for allowing me to read this early.
Gotta wipe my brow off after that!
We've got banter, we've got fated mates, we've got yearning that goes straight to full 5 alarm flames.
Fated mates in a modern setting without shifters was an interesting twist. I always love why choose/reverse harem because GET IT GIRL.
Our female main character is a 26 year old grad student who thinks she's dying. She can feel something is wrong in her body; her skin feels wrong, her whole body is constantly on fire and there's only one thing on her mind; sex. Boy, sorry, MAN does she find several (count 6!) ways to be satisfied. I did have some moments where I was a little confused but it's actually part of the allure of the story, gotta keep you guessing so you keep going!
Now, there are some seriously heavy and dark scenes and conversations. I have next to no triggers so while my eyes bugled and I kicked my feet at some of these, make sure you check the full warnings if you have any icks.
I cannot wait for the rest of the series if this was just the beginning!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for allowing me to read this early.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC!
Unfortunately, while I saw glimmers of an interesting world and hints of an engaging back story, this book felt like the first 1/4 or 1/2 of a book. It became clear pretty early what was happening to the main character, then took her five million years to figure it out herself. That being said, I have the tendency to call even subtly hinted plot twists early in books. I tend to like authors who manage to spring things on me, and upon rereading, I finally spot all the foreshadowing I missed.
I also tend to like more plot than romance/spice. I think the first couple of random meetings were interesting, but the same thing essentially kept happening almost until the end of the book. The sparse world building and hints of mystery didn't feel like enough in between sex scenes (which seemed pretty repetitive, too), and ultimately I'm left with a bunch of jumbled facts about the world and no real relationships for the FMC aside from one night stands. I know very little about the world or what is wrong with it, just that our FMC is in over her head and about to realize how much.
I wish I had more lovely things to say, but this book wasn't my cup of tea.
Unfortunately, while I saw glimmers of an interesting world and hints of an engaging back story, this book felt like the first 1/4 or 1/2 of a book. It became clear pretty early what was happening to the main character, then took her five million years to figure it out herself. That being said, I have the tendency to call even subtly hinted plot twists early in books. I tend to like authors who manage to spring things on me, and upon rereading, I finally spot all the foreshadowing I missed.
I also tend to like more plot than romance/spice. I think the first couple of random meetings were interesting, but the same thing essentially kept happening almost until the end of the book. The sparse world building and hints of mystery didn't feel like enough in between sex scenes (which seemed pretty repetitive, too), and ultimately I'm left with a bunch of jumbled facts about the world and no real relationships for the FMC aside from one night stands. I know very little about the world or what is wrong with it, just that our FMC is in over her head and about to realize how much.
I wish I had more lovely things to say, but this book wasn't my cup of tea.
January 13, 2026
If you enjoy fantasy with a why choose romance with some spicy scenes, six hunky men, and a touch of mystery, this is the book for you. I was captivated from the very start. I’ll admit it got a little dizzy at times (lol), but I was still able to keep up with what was happening—and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I can’t wait to read the next book! I’m really hoping to get more details and deeper insight into the characters, especially more backstories, because I’d love to connect with them even more.
June 21, 2025
This was definitely an interesting…and confusing…read.
It seems to have served as a world builder, setting the stage for the next titles, to come, in the series. I am a fan of the world and I am excited to learn what comes next.
However, the primary character was confused for much of the book which meant I was confused for much of the book. It left me struggling to push through to what was next. I typically like to have a stronger grasp on the various elements of a fantasy world and romance by the end of book one, but I am certain book two will also bring more questions than answers
Nevertheless, I’m happy I gave this book a try and I appreciate the ARC!
my one afterthought is that “choose your own adventure” is a bit misleading; I think I saw that somewhere, but there isn’t really a interactive element to the story.
It seems to have served as a world builder, setting the stage for the next titles, to come, in the series. I am a fan of the world and I am excited to learn what comes next.
However, the primary character was confused for much of the book which meant I was confused for much of the book. It left me struggling to push through to what was next. I typically like to have a stronger grasp on the various elements of a fantasy world and romance by the end of book one, but I am certain book two will also bring more questions than answers
Nevertheless, I’m happy I gave this book a try and I appreciate the ARC!
my one afterthought is that “choose your own adventure” is a bit misleading; I think I saw that somewhere, but there isn’t really a interactive element to the story.
January 26, 2026
Thank you Nerd Fam and V.A. Berry for the ARC!
If you're someone that catches yourself going, Oh my GOD, when are they going to F*** already??? You are the target audience of this book! It's fast to heat (I'm talking within the first 5 chapters!) and stays pretty spicy throughout.
I may be in the minority here, but I also LOVE a book where reality is questioned the entire time--and let me tell you, reality is basically meaningless here. In fact, the first half of the book is almost a "Groundhog's Day" situation where everything feels familiar but in a different font.
I really liked the general plot of this one and it was a fast read! It wasn't what I was expecting going in AT ALL, but was really enjoyable despite my expectations being a bit different!
I only have 2 gripes with it, and unfortunately for me, they were big ones. Potential spoilers ahead!
1.) The first 40%ish of the book is essentially the same story on repeat. It DOES Make sense why, I just wish there had been a little variation in how she met each of the men. The Club to hotel to portal story was a good one for the first meet and greet, but I wish it had been a little different for the other two--it felt so repetitive by the time we got to hook up number 3 that I was bored.
2.) I really liked Soraya, don't get me wrong! I would have made a lot of the same choices she did. But my girl. Please. She loses hours of time on MULTIPLE occasions and doesn't seem phased by it AT ALL. Doesn't even acknowledge it for the most part, just makes up excuses. Sure, blame it on drinking too much the first time--totally made sense. But by the 10th time, we need to start thinking that something is wrong and feel some sort of urgency, you know?
Overall I'm interested in the story once it picked back up and will give the next book in the series a go!
If you're someone that catches yourself going, Oh my GOD, when are they going to F*** already??? You are the target audience of this book! It's fast to heat (I'm talking within the first 5 chapters!) and stays pretty spicy throughout.
I may be in the minority here, but I also LOVE a book where reality is questioned the entire time--and let me tell you, reality is basically meaningless here. In fact, the first half of the book is almost a "Groundhog's Day" situation where everything feels familiar but in a different font.
I really liked the general plot of this one and it was a fast read! It wasn't what I was expecting going in AT ALL, but was really enjoyable despite my expectations being a bit different!
I only have 2 gripes with it, and unfortunately for me, they were big ones. Potential spoilers ahead!
1.) The first 40%ish of the book is essentially the same story on repeat. It DOES Make sense why, I just wish there had been a little variation in how she met each of the men. The Club to hotel to portal story was a good one for the first meet and greet, but I wish it had been a little different for the other two--it felt so repetitive by the time we got to hook up number 3 that I was bored.
2.) I really liked Soraya, don't get me wrong! I would have made a lot of the same choices she did. But my girl. Please. She loses hours of time on MULTIPLE occasions and doesn't seem phased by it AT ALL. Doesn't even acknowledge it for the most part, just makes up excuses. Sure, blame it on drinking too much the first time--totally made sense. But by the 10th time, we need to start thinking that something is wrong and feel some sort of urgency, you know?
Overall I'm interested in the story once it picked back up and will give the next book in the series a go!
January 11, 2026
This felt like a fever dream and I don’t know if I mean that in a good way.
This was marketed as a reverse harem, dark mystery fantasy romance. However, the only mystery was trying to figure out the plot. There was no world building, I have no clue who the characters are, or what was happening. This is also meant to be a slow burn, but she’s dropping her panties the moment she meets each of the men. I don’t have a true thought other than, what the hell did I just read?
I received this book as a gifted review copy through the author and The Nerd Fam.
This was marketed as a reverse harem, dark mystery fantasy romance. However, the only mystery was trying to figure out the plot. There was no world building, I have no clue who the characters are, or what was happening. This is also meant to be a slow burn, but she’s dropping her panties the moment she meets each of the men. I don’t have a true thought other than, what the hell did I just read?
I received this book as a gifted review copy through the author and The Nerd Fam.
October 9, 2025
This was a fantastic read! The mystery, the love interest(s), and the world-building kept me flipping the pages for more, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
One FMC, six fated mates with beef, and a creepy man in a hat who is absolutely not here for fun 💀
The spice is SPICING🌶️ We are already deep in it by chapter four, and if open-door, plot-relevant spice isn’t your thing… respectfully, back away now.
Soraya Honei follows Soraya, a grad student who decides—on the brink of major life changes—to finally stop being conservative, stop playing it safe, and start saying yes to her own desires. One night out turns into something far darker, stranger, and more supernatural than expected… and then the memory loss kicks in.
The story jumps around a lot, but that’s intentional. Soraya is losing her memory, and as a reader, you feel just as unsteady as she does. Is it confusing at times? Yes. Did it add to the experience? Also yes. The disorientation feeds directly into the mystery and the thriller elements, making the whole book feel like a fever dream you can’t wake up from.
This is a why choose / reverse harem fantasy with six fated mates, and the spice is not just there for vibes — it actively drives the plot and Soraya’s awakening. Every intimate moment feels purposeful rather than gratuitous, which is something the genre doesn’t always nail.
As the story progresses, the mystery and thriller elements really come into their own, and once they do, I absolutely tore through the final chapters. I’m extremely interested to see where The Draugur fits into the story and why he’s so aggressively invested in Soraya, because that man radiates bad intentions and unresolved chaos. I’m also deeply curious about the six MMCs, who very clearly cannot stand each other and aren’t subtle about it. There’s tension, rivalry, and a whole lot of unspoken history simmering beneath the surface, and I am very ready to watch that implode before they (hopefully) pull themselves together into one dysfunctional, found-family situation in book two.
I do wish we’d had more fantasy world-building earlier on. We get far more glimpses in the second half, which makes me confident book two will expand this world beautifully — but I wanted more sooner. Overall, I was fully hooked by the end and absolutely cannot wait to see where this series goes next 💖
The spice is SPICING🌶️ We are already deep in it by chapter four, and if open-door, plot-relevant spice isn’t your thing… respectfully, back away now.
Soraya Honei follows Soraya, a grad student who decides—on the brink of major life changes—to finally stop being conservative, stop playing it safe, and start saying yes to her own desires. One night out turns into something far darker, stranger, and more supernatural than expected… and then the memory loss kicks in.
The story jumps around a lot, but that’s intentional. Soraya is losing her memory, and as a reader, you feel just as unsteady as she does. Is it confusing at times? Yes. Did it add to the experience? Also yes. The disorientation feeds directly into the mystery and the thriller elements, making the whole book feel like a fever dream you can’t wake up from.
This is a why choose / reverse harem fantasy with six fated mates, and the spice is not just there for vibes — it actively drives the plot and Soraya’s awakening. Every intimate moment feels purposeful rather than gratuitous, which is something the genre doesn’t always nail.
As the story progresses, the mystery and thriller elements really come into their own, and once they do, I absolutely tore through the final chapters. I’m extremely interested to see where The Draugur fits into the story and why he’s so aggressively invested in Soraya, because that man radiates bad intentions and unresolved chaos. I’m also deeply curious about the six MMCs, who very clearly cannot stand each other and aren’t subtle about it. There’s tension, rivalry, and a whole lot of unspoken history simmering beneath the surface, and I am very ready to watch that implode before they (hopefully) pull themselves together into one dysfunctional, found-family situation in book two.
I do wish we’d had more fantasy world-building earlier on. We get far more glimpses in the second half, which makes me confident book two will expand this world beautifully — but I wanted more sooner. Overall, I was fully hooked by the end and absolutely cannot wait to see where this series goes next 💖
October 3, 2025
Lush, Mysterious, and Intimate — A Fever Dream of a Fantasy
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry is a hypnotic and richly layered fantasy that blurs the line between dream and reality in the most captivating way. The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that mirrors Soraya’s own confusion — as a reader, you’re never quite sure what’s real, imagined, remembered, or rewritten. That sense of disorientation is intentional, and it’s executed with a lyrical, fever-dream quality that makes the book feel magical, unsettling, and wholly immersive.
One of the book’s standout features is how seamlessly it integrates intimacy into the narrative. The spice is front and center — but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, each intimate moment is emotionally grounded and deeply tied to both character development and plot progression. These scenes feel purposeful and powerful, adding emotional depth and urgency rather than existing just for shock or sizzle.
That said, the pacing does lag at times. By around the 70% mark, Soraya still hadn’t fully registered just how strange her behavior and surroundings had become. While there is a narrative reason for her mental fog (which becomes clear later), I found myself growing a little frustrated with her lack of awareness. I think the mystery could have been tightened just slightly — perhaps through time gaps or more overt signs of memory loss — to keep the suspense sharp without losing reader patience.
Still, this is a bold and ambitious book that offers a unique reading experience. The writing is evocative and immersive, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue, and the central character’s journey — both internal and external — is compelling. Soraya Honei is for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong emotional undercurrents, a slow-building mystery, and spice that actually means something.
A strong four-star read — I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what V.A. Berry does next.
Soraya Honei by V.A. Berry is a hypnotic and richly layered fantasy that blurs the line between dream and reality in the most captivating way. The author masterfully builds a sense of mystery that mirrors Soraya’s own confusion — as a reader, you’re never quite sure what’s real, imagined, remembered, or rewritten. That sense of disorientation is intentional, and it’s executed with a lyrical, fever-dream quality that makes the book feel magical, unsettling, and wholly immersive.
One of the book’s standout features is how seamlessly it integrates intimacy into the narrative. The spice is front and center — but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, each intimate moment is emotionally grounded and deeply tied to both character development and plot progression. These scenes feel purposeful and powerful, adding emotional depth and urgency rather than existing just for shock or sizzle.
That said, the pacing does lag at times. By around the 70% mark, Soraya still hadn’t fully registered just how strange her behavior and surroundings had become. While there is a narrative reason for her mental fog (which becomes clear later), I found myself growing a little frustrated with her lack of awareness. I think the mystery could have been tightened just slightly — perhaps through time gaps or more overt signs of memory loss — to keep the suspense sharp without losing reader patience.
Still, this is a bold and ambitious book that offers a unique reading experience. The writing is evocative and immersive, the atmosphere is thick with intrigue, and the central character’s journey — both internal and external — is compelling. Soraya Honei is for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with strong emotional undercurrents, a slow-building mystery, and spice that actually means something.
A strong four-star read — I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what V.A. Berry does next.
January 5, 2026
This was very much a wrong book, wrong time read for me, and I want to lead with that. I’m currently in a bit of a reading slump, and I don’t think this book ever got the full mental bandwidth it deserved because of that. Honestly, I think it’s probably better than how it landed for me in this moment.
While it didn’t pull me out of my slump (tragic), I can very easily see this being a 5-star read for the right reader and a solid 4-star for most. So please take my rating with a grain of salt…. overall, this is an enjoyable read with a strong premise and a very clear target audience.
The story leans heavily into fate and awakening power, with recurring dreams, elemental magic, and the sense that nothing happening to Soraya is coincidence. There’s a dreamlike quality to the narrative that slowly unravels into something bigger and more dangerous. That said, the writing style and verbiage occasionally pulled me out of the story instead of fully immersing me. It feels like an intentional, voice-forward choice that will likely resonate strongly with a new-adult or college-aged audience; it just didn’t fully click for me personally.
Where this book really shines is in the relationships and spice. The why-choose dynamics are clear, the fated-mates energy is strong, and once the story starts heating up… it really commits. I think had I been in a different reading headspace, I would’ve been far more emotionally locked in.
If you’re into:
🔥 Why Choose / Reverse Harem dynamics
🔮 Fated mates and destiny meddling
🌪 Elemental magic and power awakenings
🌙 Prophetic dreams and mystery-driven plots
😈 Heavy spice in a dark fantasy romance
…this could very easily be a 4–5⭐️ read for you.
All things considered, this is a solid debut with strong tropes and clear direction. I fully plan to give it another read once I’m out of my slump, because I genuinely think this book deserves a fair reread when my brain is cooperating.
While it didn’t pull me out of my slump (tragic), I can very easily see this being a 5-star read for the right reader and a solid 4-star for most. So please take my rating with a grain of salt…. overall, this is an enjoyable read with a strong premise and a very clear target audience.
The story leans heavily into fate and awakening power, with recurring dreams, elemental magic, and the sense that nothing happening to Soraya is coincidence. There’s a dreamlike quality to the narrative that slowly unravels into something bigger and more dangerous. That said, the writing style and verbiage occasionally pulled me out of the story instead of fully immersing me. It feels like an intentional, voice-forward choice that will likely resonate strongly with a new-adult or college-aged audience; it just didn’t fully click for me personally.
Where this book really shines is in the relationships and spice. The why-choose dynamics are clear, the fated-mates energy is strong, and once the story starts heating up… it really commits. I think had I been in a different reading headspace, I would’ve been far more emotionally locked in.
If you’re into:
🔥 Why Choose / Reverse Harem dynamics
🔮 Fated mates and destiny meddling
🌪 Elemental magic and power awakenings
🌙 Prophetic dreams and mystery-driven plots
😈 Heavy spice in a dark fantasy romance
…this could very easily be a 4–5⭐️ read for you.
All things considered, this is a solid debut with strong tropes and clear direction. I fully plan to give it another read once I’m out of my slump, because I genuinely think this book deserves a fair reread when my brain is cooperating.
December 24, 2025
I went into Soraya Honei expecting spice, but I wasn’t prepared for how disorienting it felt 😵💫🔥. From the start, Soraya slipped into a daze whenever she met the MMCs, with sex overtaking everything else. This pattern repeated so often that I kept waiting for answers that never came.
Set in downtown Los Angeles 🌆, Soraya thought she finally had her life together—until fate intervened hard. Her body burned, desire consumed her, and casual nights quickly turned into something permanent. Six men suddenly claimed to be her mates 😳, and strange dreams hinted that something was deeply wrong… but those hints stayed frustratingly vague.
This book was extremely smut-forward 💋🔥. It wasn’t a slow burn—it started hot and never slowed down. Nearly every chapter focused on explicit scenes, leaving the plot feeling thin. The instant bond between the six MMCs lacked buildup, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The pacing also didn’t work for me ⏳. Soraya didn’t question her reality until far too late, which drained the tension. The memory-loss mystery had potential, but it needed earlier clues or clearer consequences to keep me invested.
That said, I did see the author’s vision 🌒✨. The premise was strong, the worldbuilding ideas were interesting, and I appreciated a sex-positive FMC owning her desires 💖. Unfortunately, the writing felt repetitive and juvenile at times, with too much telling and not enough showing.
✨ Tropes & vibes — this may work for you if you love:
🔮 Why Choose / Reverse Harem
🧲 Fated mates
🌑 Dark fantasy romance
🔥 Very high spice (quick to heat)
💭 Memory loss mystery
🌪️ Elemental powers
💋 Sex-positive FMC
Overall, this wasn’t a hit for me 💔, but it wasn’t without heart. There’s a spark here, and I hope the author continues to grow and refine this world.
Thank you to V.A. Berry and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌📖
Set in downtown Los Angeles 🌆, Soraya thought she finally had her life together—until fate intervened hard. Her body burned, desire consumed her, and casual nights quickly turned into something permanent. Six men suddenly claimed to be her mates 😳, and strange dreams hinted that something was deeply wrong… but those hints stayed frustratingly vague.
This book was extremely smut-forward 💋🔥. It wasn’t a slow burn—it started hot and never slowed down. Nearly every chapter focused on explicit scenes, leaving the plot feeling thin. The instant bond between the six MMCs lacked buildup, which made it hard for me to connect emotionally.
The pacing also didn’t work for me ⏳. Soraya didn’t question her reality until far too late, which drained the tension. The memory-loss mystery had potential, but it needed earlier clues or clearer consequences to keep me invested.
That said, I did see the author’s vision 🌒✨. The premise was strong, the worldbuilding ideas were interesting, and I appreciated a sex-positive FMC owning her desires 💖. Unfortunately, the writing felt repetitive and juvenile at times, with too much telling and not enough showing.
✨ Tropes & vibes — this may work for you if you love:
🔮 Why Choose / Reverse Harem
🧲 Fated mates
🌑 Dark fantasy romance
🔥 Very high spice (quick to heat)
💭 Memory loss mystery
🌪️ Elemental powers
💋 Sex-positive FMC
Overall, this wasn’t a hit for me 💔, but it wasn’t without heart. There’s a spark here, and I hope the author continues to grow and refine this world.
Thank you to V.A. Berry and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity 💌📖
October 29, 2025
ARC Review
🌶️Soraya Honei is one very lucky woman!
I really enjoyed this one, the story was intriguing, the characters were likeable, and the spice was perfect!
Overall, the storyline did have me hooked; I needed to know what was happening to Soraya! It does rely heavily on "memory loss" which made sense and is important plot wise, but it did start to drag about two thirds of the way through. I started wanting to shake Soraya or scream at her to stop bloody forgetting everything! I am happy to say that the memory loss is mostly resolved by the end of the book so I'm hopeful that book 2 won't rely so heavily on it. It's set in the real world with jumps to a magical world that is both beautiful and scary, this kept things interesting and made Soraya's experiences really vivid.
Soraya, when not afflicted by memory loss, is a strong character. She is tough, independent, and stands up for herself and her friends. For the most part she does not have any magical support against a magical threat, and she is not afraid to grab her gun and defend herself. I loved this about her, she felt human and almost realistic.
Now, the most important part! The spice was perfect for the plot. There was a decent amount, but it never felt like too much or like it was overpowering the rest of the story. This is a "Why Choose" and I loved it. The interactions between Soraya and her men are hilarious and steamy. My biggest gripe, which probably says more about me than the book, is that there were only moments between Soraya and one man at a time - where was the group fun?! Maybe book 2 will deliver....
Soraya Honei was a great read, can't wait for book 2!
🌶️Soraya Honei is one very lucky woman!
I really enjoyed this one, the story was intriguing, the characters were likeable, and the spice was perfect!
Overall, the storyline did have me hooked; I needed to know what was happening to Soraya! It does rely heavily on "memory loss" which made sense and is important plot wise, but it did start to drag about two thirds of the way through. I started wanting to shake Soraya or scream at her to stop bloody forgetting everything! I am happy to say that the memory loss is mostly resolved by the end of the book so I'm hopeful that book 2 won't rely so heavily on it. It's set in the real world with jumps to a magical world that is both beautiful and scary, this kept things interesting and made Soraya's experiences really vivid.
Soraya, when not afflicted by memory loss, is a strong character. She is tough, independent, and stands up for herself and her friends. For the most part she does not have any magical support against a magical threat, and she is not afraid to grab her gun and defend herself. I loved this about her, she felt human and almost realistic.
Now, the most important part! The spice was perfect for the plot. There was a decent amount, but it never felt like too much or like it was overpowering the rest of the story. This is a "Why Choose" and I loved it. The interactions between Soraya and her men are hilarious and steamy. My biggest gripe, which probably says more about me than the book, is that there were only moments between Soraya and one man at a time - where was the group fun?! Maybe book 2 will deliver....
Soraya Honei was a great read, can't wait for book 2!
Review of advance copy
Soraya Honei is a university student who just wants to live her best life, including the liberties her uni time offers. Then she starts meeting strange, kind of otherwordly men and having strange experiences. Memory loss, insatiable hunger and headaches are just a few of the symptoms. Then she discovers that there are six beautiful and strange men she has a special connection with, and her life is about to turn upside down.
This book mostly covers adult themes and I strongly advise that only adults read it.
At many points in the story, I was so confused what was going on, as was the protagonist. In that regard, the story-telling was very well done! I felt very immersed with Soraya and her desperate state of mind. I have to say it was very annoying, though. 😂 I prefer to know what's happening, but I understand that wasn't the author's intention. In the first 3/4 of the book, I feel it's all just about the spicy scenes, but then they aren't that detailed and ending rather abruptly. I very much enjoyed the last 1/4, when the plot thickened and Soraya met her aquaintances for a second time. I wish the rest of the book was more story-driven like this section.
I have some points I didn't like about the writing, though, which were the jumps in tense (past and present jumped quite frequently) and that there were some inconsistencies (mostly about Soraya's outfits). A big thumps-up for mentioned wilderness therapy, which I heard is a horrible thing!
In general, this book wasn't bad, but I think not what I'm looking for, so I'm giving 2/5 stars.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
This book mostly covers adult themes and I strongly advise that only adults read it.
At many points in the story, I was so confused what was going on, as was the protagonist. In that regard, the story-telling was very well done! I felt very immersed with Soraya and her desperate state of mind. I have to say it was very annoying, though. 😂 I prefer to know what's happening, but I understand that wasn't the author's intention. In the first 3/4 of the book, I feel it's all just about the spicy scenes, but then they aren't that detailed and ending rather abruptly. I very much enjoyed the last 1/4, when the plot thickened and Soraya met her aquaintances for a second time. I wish the rest of the book was more story-driven like this section.
I have some points I didn't like about the writing, though, which were the jumps in tense (past and present jumped quite frequently) and that there were some inconsistencies (mostly about Soraya's outfits). A big thumps-up for mentioned wilderness therapy, which I heard is a horrible thing!
In general, this book wasn't bad, but I think not what I'm looking for, so I'm giving 2/5 stars.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #sorayahonei #thenerdfam
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
Soraya is a strong, relatable FMC who’s at that point in life where she’s finally choosing herself. She’s just finished college, she wants freedom, and she’s not looking for anything permanent… which makes fate stepping in feel extra cruel (and extra delicious).
What starts as a few nights of fun quickly turns into something much deeper and much stranger. The dreams. The pull. The sense that her body and instincts know things her mind doesn’t yet understand. I really loved how the story blurred the line between dream and reality — it puts you right inside Soraya’s disorientation and makes the mystery feel intentional instead of confusing.
The multiple love interests each bring something different to the table, and I appreciated that they aren’t all instantly aligned. There’s tension, division, and clearly more history and conflict waiting to unfold in future books.
Let’s talk spice 🌶️
This book does not play around. The spice is heavy and explicit, but it’s also tied directly to Soraya’s awakening and the plot itself. It didn’t feel random it felt like part of her transformation, which worked really well for me.
My only real critique is that some patterns start to feel familiar as the story goes on, and I would’ve loved a bit more variation in certain moments. That said, it never fully pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this felt like a strong, addictive foundation for a series with a lot of potential. I’m invested in Soraya, I want answers, and I absolutely plan on continuing because book two already feels necessary.
I was provided this arc for my honest feedback by the Nerd Fam ❤️❤️
What starts as a few nights of fun quickly turns into something much deeper and much stranger. The dreams. The pull. The sense that her body and instincts know things her mind doesn’t yet understand. I really loved how the story blurred the line between dream and reality — it puts you right inside Soraya’s disorientation and makes the mystery feel intentional instead of confusing.
The multiple love interests each bring something different to the table, and I appreciated that they aren’t all instantly aligned. There’s tension, division, and clearly more history and conflict waiting to unfold in future books.
Let’s talk spice 🌶️
This book does not play around. The spice is heavy and explicit, but it’s also tied directly to Soraya’s awakening and the plot itself. It didn’t feel random it felt like part of her transformation, which worked really well for me.
My only real critique is that some patterns start to feel familiar as the story goes on, and I would’ve loved a bit more variation in certain moments. That said, it never fully pulled me out of the story.
Overall, this felt like a strong, addictive foundation for a series with a lot of potential. I’m invested in Soraya, I want answers, and I absolutely plan on continuing because book two already feels necessary.
I was provided this arc for my honest feedback by the Nerd Fam ❤️❤️
Review of advance copy
When I read the synopsis of the book, I was expecting it to come with some spice. Once I read the first few pages it was clear, that I could expect a lot of it. It started out by Soraya and her friends going out for a night of fun and enjoying themselves (including the casual something if it would happen :) )
And a lot of fun she had. But something felt weird about it. When the next day came around, she felt an urge, went out and met another attractive man. And it got weirder. That cycle repeated a few times and initially I felt a bit *overwhelmed* but it surprisingly got interesting, and I wanted to find out what was happening to her. It did not just feel like a woman scratching an itch - something weird was going on.
If you are looking for a book that lets you know what is going on quickly, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for one that keeps you guessing (basically) until the final pages, you will be rewarded with an entertaining story, that comes with quite a lot of physical interactions but never gets boring. I can tolerate quite a lot but didn't expect that much. Interestingly, I did not mind here. Once I understood that this is not something normal, I was hooked.
Looking forward to how this one will continue, now that we set up the stage for things to be focused more on finding out what is actually going on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
And a lot of fun she had. But something felt weird about it. When the next day came around, she felt an urge, went out and met another attractive man. And it got weirder. That cycle repeated a few times and initially I felt a bit *overwhelmed* but it surprisingly got interesting, and I wanted to find out what was happening to her. It did not just feel like a woman scratching an itch - something weird was going on.
If you are looking for a book that lets you know what is going on quickly, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for one that keeps you guessing (basically) until the final pages, you will be rewarded with an entertaining story, that comes with quite a lot of physical interactions but never gets boring. I can tolerate quite a lot but didn't expect that much. Interestingly, I did not mind here. Once I understood that this is not something normal, I was hooked.
Looking forward to how this one will continue, now that we set up the stage for things to be focused more on finding out what is actually going on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 18, 2025
I want to start by saying I absolutely see the vision of this book and I think the vision is good. I'm a huge sucker for a why-choose, fated mate type reverse harem story, especially when there's supernatural hijinks afoot, and I thought the sex scenes were excellent! I appreciated the attention to detail in the descriptions, especially descriptions of setting, and all in all I think this series has a lot of potential to be a fascinating and fast-paced supernatural romance/thriller.
My chief hang-up here is that I felt like the book should have been maybe 2/3 the length it actually was. I got to 70% completion and Soraya hadn't even started to clock that she was behaving weirdly, let alone started to confront the reality of her situation. I wish that part of the mystery had been tightened up a little, as I started to find myself frustrated with Soraya by that point. Without spoiling anything, there is a reason for why she's not able to completely remember everything going on around her, but I still felt that either she needed to lose entire days (which would be freaky in itself) or the mechanic needed to be refined a little.
But that said, I still enjoyed the read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of novel! And of course, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which I got in exchange for my honest opinion!
My chief hang-up here is that I felt like the book should have been maybe 2/3 the length it actually was. I got to 70% completion and Soraya hadn't even started to clock that she was behaving weirdly, let alone started to confront the reality of her situation. I wish that part of the mystery had been tightened up a little, as I started to find myself frustrated with Soraya by that point. Without spoiling anything, there is a reason for why she's not able to completely remember everything going on around her, but I still felt that either she needed to lose entire days (which would be freaky in itself) or the mechanic needed to be refined a little.
But that said, I still enjoyed the read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this genre of novel! And of course, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which I got in exchange for my honest opinion!
November 9, 2025
Whew—this book is salacious, very much so. Definitely sitting at a 4-chili-pepper rating on the spice scale 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Soraya, our FMC, is a college student just looking for a good time in downtown L.A.—and oh, she finds it. Not with one, not two, not three, but six gorgeous and mysterious men. And here’s the kicker—they all seem to call her “mate.” 👀 wags eyebrows
It’s a quick, addictive read—I devoured it in under a day and was absolutely hooked. Fair warning: read this one in the privacy of your own home because the on-page spice is constant… and I’m not complaining.
Out of all her many suitors, Sorenth has my heart. 🖤
This one’s clearly a fae reverse harem / why-choose romance, with hints of hidden identity and maybe even alpha/omega dynamics, especially with how Soraya’s sniffing her mates and being transported from the human realm to the fae world. The book ends right as that transition happens—and now I’m desperate for book two.
I’m new to V.A. Berry, but I’m already obsessed with her writing style. I also love that Soraya isn’t given a super-specific physical description—it makes it so easy for readers to see themselves in her place.
A definite top-tier why-choose read for me. I’m hooked. 💋
Soraya, our FMC, is a college student just looking for a good time in downtown L.A.—and oh, she finds it. Not with one, not two, not three, but six gorgeous and mysterious men. And here’s the kicker—they all seem to call her “mate.” 👀 wags eyebrows
It’s a quick, addictive read—I devoured it in under a day and was absolutely hooked. Fair warning: read this one in the privacy of your own home because the on-page spice is constant… and I’m not complaining.
Out of all her many suitors, Sorenth has my heart. 🖤
This one’s clearly a fae reverse harem / why-choose romance, with hints of hidden identity and maybe even alpha/omega dynamics, especially with how Soraya’s sniffing her mates and being transported from the human realm to the fae world. The book ends right as that transition happens—and now I’m desperate for book two.
I’m new to V.A. Berry, but I’m already obsessed with her writing style. I also love that Soraya isn’t given a super-specific physical description—it makes it so easy for readers to see themselves in her place.
A definite top-tier why-choose read for me. I’m hooked. 💋
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