6 STARS! No notes - utterly obsessed with this book. I need more right now! I love the friendship between Summer and Alice so much, best friendship I’ve read about in a long, long time. There is not one single character in this book that I don’t love, and I fear I need book 2 immediately just so I can recover 😭 Don’t even start me on Mr Sexy Headmaster 🤭 Please please please give us a release date for book 2 so I can mentally prepare myself for the wait!

This could be someone’s new favorite book! It will not be mine. 3 stars because I don’t want to one star something I didn’t finish.

The synopsis intrigued me. I thought I would have an enjoyable time. I wanted to like it. The writing style is the wattpad story you wrote about a crush you had in highschool that you never tell any of your friends about. It’s not very clear about character and world building. It’s trying very hard to do the mysterious bread crumb trail to slowly reveal more information but unfortunately it’s like two breadcrumbs and I’ve lost the trail entirely and I can’t even see the plot waving in the distance. It’s super repetitive. It swears wayyyy too much. Like I don’t mind swearing but when you swear so much it takes away from it. Everyone is supposed to be like 25 give or take but they all act like 16 yo. The main and her friend are actually super annoying imo. There were plenty of things that made me uncomfortable, one of which is the main character being genuinely mad that a man wanted her more sober before they slept together or went farther than making out. She even regretted making out the next morning when she was sober but she was still mad. Idk man consent is cool. Over 20% in and I can’t make myself like something that isn’t my taste. It was immediate insta love and smutty and sex is happening at 13% but genuinely no plot development to be seen which leads me to believe that this book is more written for the sex than the story. I could be wrong but I’m not going to find out

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc for an honest review .

Review of Blood & Betrayals
782 pages of pure bliss and emotional damage!

"Sometimes I look up at the stars, looking for answers. But the answers don't come from the twinkling lights. They come from the impenetrable darkness between them."

The book captivated me from first chapters, Summer and Alice’s friendship pulled at my strings, while “Big Guy” Conor melted my heard. Getting closer to middle of the book and anticipating another love interest was so very bittersweet. The little signs were these from the beginning, but the ending? Totally unexpected. I sat there staring at the wall for who knows how long.


The headmaster, the stranger, the golden retriever Boyfriend - chefs kiss. I also loved Found Family aspect of the book, Summer spending time with the Morningstar brothers and meeting Connor’s parents left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

That said, the only thing that felt off was around 70-80% of the book. Some scenes felt a little recycled—like there was this cycle of Summer getting into fights with people, making up, and then starting over again. Cutting a few of those scenes wouldn’t have hurt the story at all and might’ve tightened the pacing.

Blood and Betrayals delivered on all fronts—good spice, feet-kicking moments, and emotional damage. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to laugh, cry, and maybe scream a little along the way. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Thank you Alexis Rune, Jeanette Rose and Rose & Star Publishing for the eARC!

This book really fed my hunger for dark academia. It was fast paced with really great world building. I really enjoyed the concept of all the realms and the magical races. Although at times this book did slow down, it didn’t overall manage to pick itself back up again and keep me hooked. It is also a bit too insta-lovey, but not enough that it would make me want to DNF it. A mention also needs to be made regarding the characters. They were all so well crafted and really added to the book. Overall, I am excited to read the next book and see where the story takes us, especially after that crazy ending.

This was so so good i absolutely devoured this. There is a paranormal/dark academic setting with fae, vampires, angels, demons, shifters, sorcerers etc. This is very much black cat FMC x golden retriever MMC (he's a total golden boy) and the found family in this book was so heartwarming. The banter in this book had me giggling and kicking my feet so many times.

The level of detail and care the authors take while building this world is astounding, and to know it’s just the start?

The mental health rep was incredible. They do a fantastic job of showing just what trauma can do to people.

The blend of dark fantasy and romantic suspense was handled so well. Was there a whole lot of boinking going on? Hell yes. But take that away and this plot is just as compelling, just as nail bitingly intense.

I saw a review that said, “Did I finish this book, or did this book finish me?” and I totally get the sentiment. I picked this book up as an impulse read because the blurb sounded interesting. I was absolutely hooked from the beginning. She’s a thicc one and definitely worth the read. I will now be impatiently waiting for book 2 after that cliffy.

Blood & Betrayals follows Summer Tuatha De Daanan, a freshman fae who is starting her journey at Avalon University. A place of power, secrets, and ancient magic, her goal is to keep herself quiet, make it through the four years without worrying why someone applied on her behalf. As she navigates her first year, murders seem to arise, and somehow, she ends up at the center of it. As she, her vampire roommate Alice and angel senior Connor seem to knock her walls down, something or someone is lurking below, waiting for their moment to strike. While she has no desire to dig into her fae heritage, someone sure as hell wants her front and center. Not only is she against time, she needs to battle with her past and her own trauma, hoping to save lives before it is too late.

Honestly, I am unsure of where to start with this review. I have always loved a combination of university, different species, and secrets mixed in. I have seen a lot of this book around BookTok and was excited to have the opportunity to read through the box. In the end, I was left unsatisfied. My first tick against the book was the writing. I am not one to get too particular, but it felt like the same scenes were being recycled every other chapter. Summer would get into fights with people, make up, get spicy, sulk off, doubt herself, fight someone, and then we repeat. It felt like the world-building was missed when we launched straight into the middle of it. I was unsure at times where there would be new information or why this scene needed to happen again. Additionally, with the length of the book, the same nicknames were said over and over. I was not a big fan of "big guy". Additionally, the instalust was not for me. it felt very shallow and confusing, especially when these characters are supposed to be 26-27 years old. It felt way too high school going into college for me.

The second thing I was not a fan of was the popular culture references, using Daahan, Draco, etc. It felt too real-world for me. I do love a mix of contemporary like Crescent City and such like that, but it was way too real. I like my fantasy books not entirely to evade real life. The saving grace of the novel was the "stranger". I thought those were some of the better chapters where you can feel the character come to life. I don't want to give much away, but those helped bring it along.

After 1,000 pages on the Kindle, I felt like I walked away with little to go on. It was okay. nothing too spectacular, but also not terrible. I can tell a lot of thought and passion went into this novel from the authors. I think it had good potential, but I think the execution was rough.

Hands down one of my top reads of the year! I was immediately hooked by the first few pages! As a huge fun of the zodiac academy, this was right up my alley! I need book two immediately! I think there is a lot of potential for this book to go places and I can’t wait to read it.

Blood & Betrayals by Jeanette Rose and Alexis Rune delivers a richly built world, a diverse cast of characters, and a storyline full of intrigue and emotional depth. The authors excel at crafting a vivid, immersive setting with a well-developed magical and political structure that adds real weight to the plot.

The character variety is another strong point—each one feels distinct and brings something unique to the table. The narrative provides emotionally charged moments that keep things engaging.

However, the romance elements do wear a bit thin. The love scenes are repetitive and often unnecessary, slowing the momentum. The romantic dialogue also leans too heavily into the overly mushy, which can detract from the otherwise strong tone. Additionally, the book could benefit from a tighter edit, as its length occasionally makes it feel drawn out.

Despite these issues, Blood & Betrayals remains a gripping and emotional fantasy with a lot to offer. If you enjoy immersive worlds and character-driven stories, it’s worth the read.

And to think, I almost didn’t read this book because I was intimidated by the length of it. It just goes to show you that with great writing, an addicting story line, and well developed characters you really do forget you’re reading. I could have stayed in this fictional world for another 1,000 pages because it was that good.

The book had me on a freaking rollercoaster of emotions! I laughed, I cried, and then there were moments that left me gutted.

Every last character in this book was so well developed. I felt like I was right there in the story with them. I adored the found family dynamic. And the black cat FMC, golden retriever MMC was absolute perfection.

I need book 2 and I need it NOWWWWWW.

Amazing!! Everything about this book is spot on from the writing to the plot and last but not least the characters. The author has taken us on a journey of discovering everything there is to know about the characters so they feel like family. The banter in the plot is endearing and I love the relationship between Summer and Alice. Not many girls can say they have a friend they would die for and vise vesa. The most thrilling but is the stalker vibes and I can honestly say that the ending broke me but I am still ready to start the next book in this Romantsy series that has become my new obsession!

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I made the mistake of starting this book while I was at work and my god was it hard to put down after just the prolog. This book had everything I wanted but didn't know I needed. There's great plot. There's banter. There's an amazing girlhood/friendship that develops all throughout the book instead of being a subplot after the romance. There was even a creepy, thrilling mystery that you are taken along with because the 1st person POV and way these authors write was SO descriptive and unique. There's even really great spice that definitely did not take away from the story whatsoever. I loved that all of these characters had their own problems and weren't perfect but came together in such a fun found family that you really feel like you as the reader are part of it as well. I was NOT expecting it to end the way it did. So many different little clues that you were fed throughout the book slowly starting coming together until all of a sudden shit hits the fan and when I tell you the way I GASPED!! I couldn't believe that was the end and immediately wanted to pick up the next book. This singlehandedly revived my love for adult fantasy and I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

wow just wow 😱 I devoured this book!!! The way you truly get to know these characters is amazing 😭 they are my new family. I am blown away by the pacing and writing of this story I felt like I was there with them every step of the way 🥹 I felt every emotion possible while reading

The way I was foaming at the mouth at these men 🧎‍♀️ I’d go back to school in a heartbeat if these are the people I would get to spend it with 🤭

I have so many BLOODY (no pun intended) thoughts about this book!! Let’s review the facts that I scribbled frantically in my notes sections as I read. 😆

The first 40%:
- relationships felt like they were on hyper speed. Within the first 10%, our mistrustful & trauma laced MFC had a new BFF & almost a new boyfriend. I felt like if the book were a little more true to Summer character, it wouldn’t have happened that fast?
- I gobble up a magical university. This one was FUN.
- they say too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Well that’s how I feel about smut. When the characters have too much sex it almost loses its meaning? That’s how I feel, I’ll say no more
- the insta love felt like middle school love, not university love. But bear through it. IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE PLOT.

I give the first half of the book, 2-3 stars 🫣 now listen LINDA


The last 60%:
- I INHALED THE LAST HALF. You guys this book is not light. She THICK. 1000 pages on kindle, 700 in print. I read 800 pages in one day. IN ONE DAY.
- this book has my favorite trope. I can’t say it out loud without completely ruining this book for you.
- is the writing perfect? No. Were there times during that first half I thought about DNFing, yes. 😆 I’m personally glad I held on. If you enjoy the emotional damage of ZA, I think you’ll enjoy this series.

I do not think this book if for everyone. There are dark themes. Lots of sex scenes. Could’ve been edited down 300 pages less. Sometimes I wanted to slap the main characters.

However, I couldn’t stop thinking about this. I woke up and immediately wanted to start reading again.

If you like:
- dark academia
- stalker vibes
- magical species coming together at university
- found family
- MFC with secrets and dark past
- just here for the vibe, not perfection!!!!!!!
- finishing a book, crying, and then immediately wanting to reread


I’m landing on a 3.75-4 star rating just because some of the things I could not get past. Mainly the first 40% could’ve been cut in half. The book had some great moments, and with a bit more refinement, it could have been even stronger.

This book just wasn’t for me. The dialogue felt awkward and forced—like it was trying too hard to be dramatic, giving off bad Wattpad vibes. And almost 800 pages for the first book in a series? That alone raised red flags, but I gave it a chance. If the writing doesn’t click, though, it’s hard to push through that much content.

The tone felt all over the place—like a mix of “I’m not like other girls” college drama with random pop culture references. Merlin’s son? Alice the Vampire? Professor Draco? Vlad Dracula? It was hard to take any of it seriously.

The characters are supposed to be 27–32, but they act like freshmen at a frat party. Why mention their age if they’re going to behave like teens? And by 16% in, the main couple is already hooking up and it feels like insta-love, which isn’t my thing.

The writing was pretty flat—“Went to class. Met a hot guy. Repeat.” I couldn’t even make it to the smut because the FMC came off as super “pick me,” and I just couldn’t vibe with it.

Blood and Betrayals is going straight on my wishlist this year, from a stunning cover to a thrilling world of just that- blood and betrayal.

Thank you to NetGalley and the authors for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Uhm. The ending. I wasn't expecting that. That twist. Now I wasn't too obsessed with the romance even though I did like the love interest but something happened where I am conflicted. I wasn't expecting something to happen to a character I like. But we will see where the romance goes cause wow.

As my first dark academia book this exceeded my expectation. First of all I was so intrigued by the length of this but it was very fast paced that I didn’t feel how long it was and I loved so much how the chapters were short. I loved Summer and Connor so much and Alice she was one of my favorite side characters. And Connor’s brothers are every thing my fav was Rafe. And Connor’s parents were so cute I loved them so much loved the bond between them and how much they loved their sons. I loved the mystery aspect of this book. And the stalking THE STALKING was every thing it was my first time reading this trope and I ATE IT UP probably one of my favorites now and would like to read more books containing this trope. I liked the academic setting and how she loved studying I liked how we got to see not only fae characters but also vampires and angles and shapeshifters. I loved how gory this book was I will not say it was the goriest book I read but it was very good I enjoyed it.
I’m conflicted a little bit about what to rate it maybe it is 4 stars or 4.5 or even 5 stars I need to think about it and probably will update my review
Thank you NetGalley for the E-book <3

The way I thought to myself, there's like <5% left of this massive book, what totally bad cliffhanger thing can happen? Fucking insert clown emoji here.
Oh my god this book is like crack. It's literally over 1000 kindle pages and I read 900 of it in a day. It didn't feel long to me at all as a book.

Summer, my girl. She is very flawed but I love that she does try to work on it. She only pisses me off some of the times but that's what makes her a very real character. I definitely love supportive bestie Alice. She's my spirit animal.

I love all the characters in this world. The Headmaster can definitely get it. And the Stranger?! I'm super intrigued what the connection is there.

Also this was great that it's a Read Now on NetGalley. I did buy the ebook on Amazon and read from there though!

Did I love the book? Yes. Did I love the characters? Absolutely. Did I stay up until 3am finishing the book when I have a cruise ship to catch at 11am tomorrow? Also yes 🤣

I love a good fantasy college style book and this one did not disappoint. Summer and Alice are the besties that we all need in our life!! Alice is who I aspire to be! 🤣

And the men in this book! Conner, Max, Stranger, Emrys (only slightly ruined by people calling him Jimmy haha) I’m so intrigued by this and where it’s going to go.

I wasn’t prepared for the end I was totally expecting something different. Do we already have book 2 out? If not we need this ASAP cause ya girl needs answers!

Spicy scenes a plenty in this, they do seem very similar to each other as time goes on. But there’s always a slight variation every now and again.

Absolutely recommend this book if these kinda genres are your bag. Can’t wait for the next one!