Trauma. Alexis and Jeanette brought the TRAUMA! I won't spoil anything. There is a lot of information in the beginning, but it's necessary. It felt like it took a while to get through all the world building, but once I did, i couldn't put it down. This world is FULL of magical species, different realms and characters. The prologue sucked me in. I loved the multi POV, the dark academia setting, the spice, the twists, and the banter. I think banter is always my favorite though. It balances the darkness. If you like all those things and getting lost in another world, then this might be the book for you. Just make sure you you have a box or two of tissue ready, because I was not entirely prepared for that cliffhanger!

I loved the vibes of this book! The gothic dark academia setting is my favorite genre.

Blood & Betrayals is a dark, supernatural mystery set in a magical university where danger hides behind enchanted walls and no one is quite what they seem. The story follows Summer, a quiet and fiercely independent witch who’s just trying to survive her time at Avalon University without drawing too much attention. But that plan goes out the window when strange things start happening—deadly things—and she finds herself at the center of a sinister mystery.

The way that this book has me in a chokehold. The plot is amazing, especially for a college base setting. I love the way that this was written for the world building and understanding the characters. It's super easy to follow along with which makes it perfect for those who are not well verse in fantasy romance. This is super spicy and romantic, but also emotional and gripping all at the same time. There is mental health representation within this as well, which I love. There is also a murder mystery, stalker element to this book, so I would definitely classify this as a dark fantasy romance. The ending???? I don't know how I will recover! I need the next one as soon as possible! I'll be keeping my eye out for it for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and publisher for the eARC.

I really struggled to finish this book for a handful of reasons. The book itself had a really interesting concept similar to other dark academia romantasy, however there was just so much spice. Like every single chapter we had summer and conner either sleeping together, making out, thinking about sleeping together or just being together. And this itself really distracted from the plot and it didn’t help that there was no chemistry between them. That was my main struggle however I did love some of the characters like Alice she just had such good scenes I wish we could have seen more of her.

Ok Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune, I see you! This book has dark academia vibes, found family, mystery, and spicy romance all in one. The lingering tension I still have after finishing this book is unreal. While reading Blood and Betrayals, I felt like a mouse being toyed with by an ornery cat. The minute I felt confident on the plot, it was pulled away, and a new theory developed. Now that I'm done, I'm left with a big spiderweb of confusion, in the best way possible. I can't wait for book 2 so that I can be saved from this cliffhanger and inevitably realize all the bread crumbs the authors left, and I surely missed.

Wow, what a ride😳 I’m not sure I’m over it yet or if I ever will be😅

We have all of my favourite kind of characters in this book:
Summer - FMC with some past trauma that she’s trying to heal🫶🏼

Alice - a protector and a best friend who tells it how it is!

Connor - a beautiful golden retriever.

The stranger - morally black, touch her and die 😏

There are also a number of other characters who I can see having development and redemption story lines.

What can you expect from this? Angst, found family, grumpy x sunshine, first love, trauma and let’s not forget that this has supernatural elements so we have a range of different species to enjoy - fae, vampires, angels, shifters and more!

I wish I could go straight into the second book because that cliffhanger😭

2.75 Stars ⭐️

I do have some thoughts about this ARC. For one, I completely made the mistake of not reading the book details clearly and for some reason thought this book was a novella. It is not- it is almost 1000 pages- so that was the first thing (again - my fault) Honestly, the length is not usually a problem in a well written book. So, the fact that it was is telling.

Secondly, this was almost a DNF after the first few chapters. This book comes across EXTREMELY juvenile. In the way it is written - the author feels really young. The characters, who are supposedly in their 20's and 30's, immediately start behaving like immature teenagers. Seriously. Crazy partying, immature behavior - there are similarities to Zodiak Academy but even that book felt more mature.

I will admit that the book did improve as it seemed to find its footing, but that took probably 200-300 pages. That is a LONG time to invest in a book without feeling like there is anything of value.
And once it improved, we still had to deal with some of the issues that plagued this entire book.

For one, the characters were so one dimensional with absolutely NO character growth during the entire book. Add to that the FMC is not a very likable FMC. Unfortunately, we are in first person so we are in Summer's head with her thoughts, and that is challenging. She says she does not get close to anyone, yet she meets her roommate and becomes best friends with her from day one. She says she won't do relationships, but she meets Connor and the two of them are basically a couple immediately. And let me just mention again, the behavior of Alice and Summer was so cringy and very unrealistic and read more like someone very young, imagining what college is supposed to be.

Then there is the world building. There was SO much potential. The idea behind it was good - I think that is why I kept going instead of DNF'ing. But it all falls apart when there are plot holes and gaps in exactly HOW the magic system is set up. And don't get me started on actual information. We spend the ENTIRE book without being told exactly WHAT is going on. Granted, that isn't unusual. But what is unusual is that information is usually parsed out as things unfold.

In this book, it ends without any better understanding of important things - even though of course, we get an awful cliffhanger. Like what is Summer's background? What happened to her before she got to Avalon? Who is this stranger? Who exactly is the Headmaster? Not to mention I was immediately uncomfortable with whatever is trying to be setup between the Stranger and Summer. Any semblance of cheating makes me uncomfortable when done in the manner that it was introduced to us.

So no, I will not be continuing with this series. And I am irritated that I spent so much time to then not learn much more than when I started the book. I felt used.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rose and Star Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on March 25, 2025.

Alexis Rune
Book: Blood & Betrayals
Series: Avalon University (#1)
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 5 ⭐ (really 6 ⭐ x ∞)

5/5 Relationships
5/5 Characters
5/5 Plot
4🌶🌶🌶🌶

*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆

✩ ⋆˙⟡ You do not get to decide your worth to someone else. Only they do. ✩ ⋆˙⟡
I am wrecked, I am lost, I am in love. I cannot begin to express how obsessed I am with this book. I have loved many books but only a few make it to my star lineup. This is one of them.

This is academy setting, fantasy romance perfection. I got this as an ARC but got lazy to start reading and boy, do I regret that. This might just be my favorite read of the year.

Starting with the plot, this has got to be one of the most captivating stories I’ve read so far. The book starts with a normal academy fantasy setting but soon adds on an eerie, mysterious, dark academia thrill that kept me enthralled and bargaining with the night for just a few more minutes. The characters are so lovable, the FMC relatable and the MMC is just chef's kiss. I love that the FMC is not perfect and struggles with mental health and PTSD, which makes her feel ten times more realistic. I also really like that we got to have a few other POVs apart from Summer’s.

The angst, the push and pull and the slow burn is just a masterpiece tied together with the perfect smut-to-plot ratio. I have to raise my glass to the romances in this book, I’m a sucker for a good romance and Jeanette Rose & Alexis Rune really delivered. This is by far my favourite romance of the year — I am 100% bewitched.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the cliffhanger left me in pieces *I say, leaving tear stains on my keyboard*. I can’t explain the heartbreak I felt at having to say goodbye to these characters until the next book comes out. At the 14% mark, I just knew this book would give me trauma and I was not wrong. It only took a few chapters before I bought a physical copy and displayed it on my “favourites” shelf, knowing full well that this series would fall into my top 5. I can't wait until March 2026 arrives and, in the meantime, I will force feed this book to everyone around me (knowing it will break them all) in hopes that it gets the recognition and fame it deserves.

I fear this one may not be for me.

It’s very reminiscent of Zodiac academy, but honestly I don’t enjoy zodiac academy at all so better suited for somebody else.

The main focus at the start is purely boys, sex and dorm parties and if you’re into that, you’ll love this but for me I just found it wasn’t moving fast enough to keep my interest. The characters are quite young, like university level, so in that respect it didn’t resonate with me as someone in my thirties. I am a bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to get to the plot, but after 20% and with no idea where the plot is even headed, I have to put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you for the ARC! The length of this book was a bit intimidating, but it was a fantastic read and I think the length was much needed to really delve into what was going on with the characters. After feeling a bit slow to start, but still enjoyable, after the first 1/3 of the book it became addicting! The mystery, hints at unknowns and secrets, all layered very well with what we uncovered throughout the book. If you like your spice to have some really good plot, this is worth the read!

1) What in the actual fuck was that ending?
2) To my Goodreads friends who influenced me to read this: I hate you guys now.
3) How soon can I get my hands on the next book? That cliffy was malevolent.

3.5 ⭐

Blood & Betrayals by Alexis Rune and Jeanette Rose took me on a crazy ride to Avalon University, a magical academy where dark academia met fantasy, romance, and bucket-loads of mystery. I went in with moderate hopes (given the sheer number of my Goodreads friends obsessed with the book), and while it didn’t blow me away, it still delivered enough—insane cliffhanger included—to earn a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. It had potential, but was not without its hiccups.

The story followed Summer Tuatha De Daanan, a first-year student at the prestigious and exclusive Avalon University, on the run from a traumatic past and who just wanted to go unnoticed. Easier said than done. With uniquely-colored eyes setting her apart from the other fae, a yawning pit of power barely under her control, and a dangerous stalker on her tail, staying low-key was mere wishful thinking.

-What Worked-
The Vibes:
Avalon University was magnificently portrayed. The place practically hummed with magic, and the authors nailed that dark, scholarly atmosphere. The forest was foggy, the halls felt ancient, the air was infused with mystery, and you could almost smell the old books and feel the spells in the air. It was a world I wanted to explore more of, and a universe I wish had been more deeply explored.

The Romance:
The romance kept me invested. Summer’s semi-slow-burn connection with Connor—eldest Morningstar brother, all-around golden boy, and angelic representative of everything mush— was adorable, and their banter and chemistry pulled me through the pages. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it had heart and a spark that worked. Plus, I'm a sucker for the reverse grumpy/sunshine trope, and this book had that in spades.

The Side Characters:
The side characters stole the show at times. Alice, Summer's chaotic-evil vampire roommate, brought humor and craziness, and her bond with Summer over their horrible childhoods and shared prickliness was sweet. Other supporting players, like Connor's younger brothers, his still-very-much-in-love parents, and even the icy, aloof, intimidating headmaster, added dimension and different energies and colors to the narrative.

The Writing Style:
The writing carried me along effortlessly. It was an easy read, and quite quick considering the staggering page count. The dialogues rang true, and plenty of scenes popped off the page. The prose stayed engaging, even when the plot thinned out and the "telling vs showing" balance skewed towards the former, and that kept me turning pages.

-What Fell Short-
The Pacing:
Here’s where things wobbled. The story kicked off with promise, but it noticeably dragged in spots, especially in the middle. I didn't really need to skim through any of it, but I did find large parts of the book repetitive.

The Plot:
The mystery started strong but lost focus for big chunks of the story in favor of Summer's self-doubting, self-sabotaging spirals: She went through a lot of growing pains when it came to building interpersonal relationships and dating someone for the first time, and often swung between very high highs and very low lows. Desperate for affection and somewhere to belong, but scared of her inner ugliness and being rejected for it, she defaulted to revealing little bits of herself to those she thought would be a kindred spirit, but ultimately ended up holding everyone at arm's length. At the same time, because so much time was devoted to Summer's personal drama, very little was achieved plot-progression wise. Mystery still shrouds pretty much everything. Including all the secretive players involved, both friend and foe. Hundreds and hundreds of pages later, we know very little else than when we first started. Why is she different? Why was she abandoned? Who is after her? Who is helping her? What are the extents of her powers? Where does her uncanny affinity with runes come from? These are some of the questions that are still unanswered. And also, the events of the prologue never actually came to pass? That was weird.

The World Building:
The magic was cool on the surface, but fuzzy around the edges. Avalon’s vibe was dark and enchanting, but the rules of the magical system weren’t clear enough. For such an extensive book, the world-building was very basic and conspicuously lacking (see previous point).

Characters as Plot Devices:
Some characters felt like tools instead of people. I really liked Alice (and I couldn't help but draw a connection to Twilight, given her vampiric nature, small stature, and short hair), but lots of the time she felt irrelevant to the story until her presence was needed for something specific. The Stranger, too, loomed around, but was never of any help. Mainly showing up to create conflict by trying to force a love triangle. Outside of Summer and Connor, there was very little fleshing out given to any of the other characters.

Immature Characters:
I think this was the one thing that rubbed me the absolute worst. Avalon was supposed to have students between their late 20s and early 30s, and yet they all behaved like teenagers with a prefrontal cortex still very much in development. Partying, drinking to excess, doing drugs, and having random hook-ups. It was all so painfully juvenile and lacking any type of maturity. No impulse control, no emotional regulation. Honestly, it was embarrassing. I'm still racking my brain trying to puzzle out the decision to age everyone up only to then have them behave like immature dummies. If it was just because of some talks about weddings and children, they could have been 22-to-25, or even normal college age. Legal drinking age in a lot of countries is 18, and Bella was infinitely more mature than any of these guys when she got hitched to Edward right out of high school, so there was no need really to force an age-up when on paper they behaved like they all were ten years younger than their supposed ages.

Final Thoughts:
Blood & Betrayals left me torn. The vibes, romance, and unrelenting mystery gave it life, but the basic world-building, weak plot, and immature characters dragged it down. But with the killer cliffhanger to keep readers hooked, I have little choice but to grab the sequel to see how the story continues. I think, if it focuses more on plot development and progression rather than Summer's shortcomings in people-ing, the potential for greatness is most certainly there. Here's to hoping.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This had such a great mix of vibes with fantasy, dark academy and paranormal! I love a university setting and this book ate!! I loved the mmc, he was such a golden retriever which is my favourite type of mmc ❤️ I really enjoyed the plot of this story and I’m so excited for book 2!!

I ABSOLUTELY devoured this book! it gave me dark academia and paranormal vibes. honestly i got sort of Zodiac academy vibes with all of the creatures in the world. 100% black cat FMC and a golden retriever MMC and slow burn. There was found family that wormed my heart reading it. the story was so ell written and fast paced with the murder mystery plot in the background. the romance was amazing to the point that i just needed more and could not stop reading. this is a fun and absolutely hilarious book to read for the summer months!

4⭐️

I saw someone say this book was a mix of Zodiac Academt and Nocticadia and I can fully agree!!

I was immediately immersed into the plot of this book and the authors do such a great job at the world building. You get a good mix of everything in here like fae, vampires, shifters and etc which I LOVEEEE. Plus I just love a good academic setting.
The found family in this was so amazing!! And I felt like all the characters were unique and well thought out. And those MMCs are *chefs kiss* BUT my favorite part what the muster plot because it’s MY FAVEEE in romances/fantasies. Overall I had such a fun time reading this and very much recommend!

I got lost in the world and mystery of Blood & Betrayals. I was already looking for book 2 before the insane ending of this book. I have so many questions and no answers. Can’t wait to see the rest of Summer’s story and if she will find the answers that she needs.

I really enjoyed this book and decided on 4 stars. It’s is a gripping blend of romance and suspense, with well-drawn characters and emotional tension. The chemistry between the MC’s is electric, and the twists keep the story moving long. Some plot points felt a bit predictable, but its well written and engaging.. Perfect for fans of dark romance with a touch of danger.

Oh my this book!!

I have been absolutely obsessed with this book it is just the perfect blend of darkness, fantasy, romance, spice and suspense!

The book follows the main character Summer as she navigates her way through her first year of school in Avalon. She is a fae and the school is host to many magical types. Summer quickly makes friends with Alice a vampire with her own trauma and story to share. But this relationship is just perfect their humour and sarcasm just spoke to me. The friendship felt completely real and authentic. Along with her studies summer and Alice are parties and it is at a party summer is offered the stories most comical and famous sandwich!

Summer and Connor’s relationship is a fantastic, hot and steamy whirl wind. Like most first loves they fall hard and fast.

When a murder happens on school grounds we discover get throw. Into a murder mystery Summer cannot let go of. A strange online stalker also gets added in there who is seeming to be just the right shade of morally grey!

Our FMC finds her strength and will not let others battle for her, she is strong and independent. This story has it all and I need book 2 NOW!!!

I will definitely be returning to this series as soon as it arrives because that cliff hanger was just unfair!

I received an ARC of Blood & Betrayals by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune through NetGalley, and wow, this dark academia romantasy had me hooked from the start! Set in the mystical halls of Avalon University, this book dives deep into a world of magic, murder, and tangled relationships. Here’s my honest take with pros and cons for this gripping debut.

Pros:
The atmosphere of Avalon University is intoxicating—think ancient stone corridors, arcane runes glowing in the dark, and a constant sense of danger. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune craft a vivid, immersive world that blends dark academia with urban fantasy vibes, perfect for fans of Zodiac Academy or Crescent City. The story follows Summer Tuatha De Daanan, a sharp-tongued fae trying to keep a low profile, only to get swept into a murder mystery and a stalker’s deadly game. Summer’s prickly, guarded nature makes her a compelling heroine, and her emotional journey, especially around trauma and healing, feels raw and authentic. The cast of characters steals the show: Alice, her unhinged vampire roommate, is a ride-or-die bestie with killer banter, and Connor, the golden retriever-energy angel, brings heart-melting warmth. The mysterious “Stranger” (hello, shadow daddy!) adds a thrilling, obsessive edge that kept me guessing. The plot is a rollercoaster of twists, with murders and secrets piling up, and the pacing keeps you glued despite the book’s hefty length. The spice is spicy, the found-family vibes are heartwarming, and the mix of thriller and romantasy is addictive.

Cons:
That said, the book isn’t flawless. At over 900 pages, it’s a beast, and while I loved the depth, some sections, particularly in the middle, felt bloated with repetitive inner monologues that could’ve been trimmed. The magic system, with its runes and multi-realm creatures, is intriguing but sometimes vague, leaving me wanting clearer rules. A few side characters, like some of the other students, didn’t get enough development to make their roles as impactful as Alice or Connor’s. The romance, while steamy, occasionally leans into over-the-top pet names that had me cringing alongside Alice. The cliffhanger ending is brutal (my heart is still recovering!), and a couple of plot threads felt unresolved in a way that left me more frustrated than excited for book two.

Overall, Blood & Betrayals is a bold, addictive start to the Avalon University series, packed with dark magic, messy emotions, and characters you’ll fall hard for. Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune have crafted a world I’m dying to return to, even if it could use a bit of tightening. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Rose & Star Publishing for the ARC, I’d recommend this to anyone craving a spicy, suspenseful romantasy with a dark academia twist.

Wow! This was very good!
The worldbuilding, the characters, the story - very intriging!
Loved the chaotic and deepfound relationship between Alice and Summer, and the Golden boy was very well written.
There's a lot of mystery and stalking-vibes, but at the same time you get a lot of romance (and spice).

It's one of those storys were you think you know, but then you know nothing!
This will keep you wondering and hit you right in the feels.

A bit long, but definitely worth a try if you like a dark urban fantasy and thriller vibes in a magical university.

A thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, and hopefully we get the next book ASAP :)

Holy hell—this is just like ZA, I’m not even kidding! I’M OBSESSED🔥The plot was honestly great, Summer (the FMC) was very likable, her friendship with Alice gave me some serious college flashbacks - the characters acted very realistic lol! Alice is honestly one of the best side characters I’ve read in a while—she just felt so real.

And Stranger?? The tension between him and Summer??? Don’t even get me started - absolute chef’s kiss. I’ve got a couple theories about who it might be, but the piercings?! OH MY GOSH😮‍💨

Also, the fact that the book was over 1k pages?? Fan service at its finest, and I loved every second of it 🖤 Only thing that I disliked a bit was some of the FMC + MMC convos—they got kinda repetitive, but whatever, the spice made up for it haha🌶️ Can't wait to read book 2!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the eARC 😊