A Disappointment in Dark Paranormal Fiction

Honestly, this book had me scratching my head more than I’d like to admit. Hyped on booktok I was sucked in again but this ended up as a bit of a letdown—how can a book be so overhyped yet lack redeeming qualities? The beginning teased with the possibility of an MMFM scenes, but spoiler alert: it never materialized. And honestly, that’s fine because what little smut there was felt cringe-worthy and poorly crafted, almost as if the author was obsessed with just boosting their spicy rating to cater to the smut-loving crowd.

Sure, there were a few humorous moments sprinkled throughout, but they just didn’t cut it to salvage the overall experience. I thrive on sarcastic banter, and the FMC seemed trapped in a cycle of unfortunate bathroom humor—constantly described as either vomiting or on the toilet. This added an uncomfortable vibe that was hard to shake off.

I mean, who wants to read lines like, “While I sat on the toilet, my intestines screamed in agony as I suffered ballistic diarrhea”? Not exactly the captivating prose I signed up for.

When the author includes a warning label stating, “This is a dark paranormal reverse harem bully romance. Not for the faint of heart – this story is about three psycho alpha shifters and the girl who stands her ground,” I expect something with a hint of darkness. Unfortunately, this story was about as far from “dark” as one can get.

Ultimately, I struggled with the overall story development. Plot holes were rampant, world-building was nonexistent, and explanations were nowhere to be found. There were vague mentions of magic and a mysterious war, but no context. Portals appeared, leading to who-knows-where, adding to the confusion rather than clarity.

The writing itself felt repetitive, not just in terms of reiteration but in the use of the same words and phrases, pulling me right out of the narrative. It's my first read by this author and her writing style may not be for me, not sure I'll be continuing the series.

Book Review:
I just finished this audiobook and it was good! I enjoyed the story of an alpha female shifter. Her story is tragic and doesn't get easier but I enjoyed seeing her grow into her shifter form. I am so mad about the ending and the betrayal that happened. I can only hope that book 2 has some answers as to why it happened. I also think there is more to our FMC that we have yet to discover.
2.5🌶

Wow! I love a story where the MC female is bad*ss!
I enjoy reverse harem stories where the stakes are high and everyone involved cares for everyone else. We got fun build-up and twists and turns (one I didn't see coming). I adore these characters and can't wait for book 2!

I thought this was a well written book. I liked the story line too. The audiobook was fantastic. I love full casts. I wasn't 100% on the story though. I think i need to immersive read it to fully get on board with the story. Im not sure if i will continue the series or just stop at this one. i am picky with my romantasy books though.
Thank you netgally for the ALC!

This book was absolute chaos and I was fully here for it. The audiobook took that energy and cranked it up, and I will never get tired of a full cast narration when it is done this well. The narrators captured the bite in the dialogue and the raw edge of the emotions, especially from the main character, who is as mouthy as she is vulnerable. It felt like listening to a movie. The performance brought the story to life in a way that made it hard to pause.

What really worked for me was the sheer boldness. The love interests are violent and volatile but magnetic in a way that keeps you locked in. Their chemistry is messy, obsessive, and absolutely unhinged. If you are not into morally gray or aggressively territorial characters, this one will test your patience. But if you like the feeling of being hunted and protected at the same time, you’re going to love it. This is not your typical romance arc, but it delivers tension, grit, and loyalty carved from chaos. In audio, it hits even harder.

Fair warning, this story is much more graphic and spicy than I expected. It is a wild ride packed with dark heat and dangerous attraction. If you go in prepared, you’ll have a hell of a time.

This book was ah-ma-zing!!! I read a lot of romantic fantasy, but this book is sliding to the top of my favorites list! I could not stop listening to this book! I cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out in audio. There were so many great things. The character growth was fantastic. The conflict had me dying to find out what was going to happen next. The world was unique. I have so many questions about this world. The writing was top-notch. This is my first book by Jasmine Mas. You can bet I’ll be devouring her backlist.
Sadie is was a tough as nails character. This book is definitely a slow burn but it will be with the wait. Lots of good action. The narration was duet style with a different narrator for each main character. I loved this. All of the narrators did a great job bringing these characters to life. I haven’t stopped thinking about this book since I finished it. This book is perfect for any romantasy lover!! I received this book from Harlequin audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Jasmine Mas's Psycho Shifters follows Sadie, a girl who has not had a great start to life. Abused by the man who took her and her sister in as orphans, she tries to make the best of what she has in a harsh world. When she is tested and it turns out that she has powers that could rival some of the most powerful shifters in their world. Unfortunately her new and "improved" circumstances does not come with a change in her treatment. This is the dark fantasy version of a rom-com. I can imagine this is not everyone's niche, but I appreciated the humor as a way to break up the harshness of Sadie's situation and treatment. We started seeing the beginnings of the three MMCs' moving from bullying to "touch her and die." I believe this is going to grow into a fabulous harem. I am excited to see how the series grows. The narrators did an excellent job of bringing out the personalities of each character.

I had a lot of fun with this audiobook. However, I am definitely not sold on the story overall. I love the idea, but I felt like the romances were a little too insta-love for me. I'm also not a huge fan of "chosen one" stories. I might continue this series because I had fun, but I could also just be content with stopping here.

This book is so insane in a really cringe and fun way. The vibes are really good and I just wanted to keep listening. I definitely just kept thinking of the song psycho killer, and let’s be real that song is perfect for this book! There is so much going on and a crazy amount of different characters. It’s really amusing and I enjoyed it, I didn’t love the repetitiveness of some of the descriptions and the way some of the writing was, however it was fine with the narrators!

This book sees a young girl, Sadie become an Alpha and taken to a part of the world where they are warriors and fight against the Fae. She is thrown into a world of training and growing into a warrior along with 3 other alphas. The characters sass is great and her dynamic with the other alphas is so entertaining. It’s very very spicy so be prepared!

The duel narration was perfect for the book the emotion and sass was great they really made the book in my opinion and the narrators were perfect. I really didn’t know what to expect but I got invested. Is it the best book ever no am I going to keep listening to this series yes because that ending was wild!

Thank you to Harlequin audio and NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

This was an enjoyable read that promises an exciting series ahead! Thank you @netgalley for the #ALC! The narrators do a wonderful job bringing this story to life.

We are immediately plunged into the gritty life of Sadie, a 20-year-old orphan abandoned at Dick's tavern with her younger sister. Bearing the scars of a harsh upbringing, Sadie's life takes an unprecedented turn on her birthday when she discovers she's the first-ever female Alpha. This newfound status forces her into rigorous training alongside three formidable male Alphas—Jax, Ascher, and Cobra—to prepare for a looming war against the powerful Fae Queen. Between the threats of the war and the often-hateful dynamics with her new housemates, Sadie's journey to freedom is anything but easy, especially as she hides her traumatic past.

Our FMC, Sadie, starts out very self-deprecating, which I personally found a bit annoying, but it was satisfying to see her slowly begin to gain confidence as the book progresses. Among the Alphas, I particularly liked Jax and Cobra and can't wait to delve deeper into their characters in future books. And yes, the MM aspect here? Chef's kiss! Ascher, however, didn't quite stand out to me; he came across a bit like an entitled pretty boy. I also absolutely loved Sadie's friendship with Aran—it was a wonderful dynamic to witness.

Jasmine Mas delivers on the "dark paranormal reverse harem bully romance" promise, complete with a slow burn, high heat, and a fresh take on the Omegaverse. I usually avoid Omegaverse stories because they can be overly centered on smut with minimal plot, but that was definitely not the case here; this book is rich with story! While I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building, I did find myself a little lost at times trying to piece together how the humans, shifters, and fae all fit into the larger picture.

Overall, it's an entertaining start to a new series, hinting at much more to come.

Troupes: RH, shifters vs fae, enemies to lovers, MM
Spice 3/5
Plot 4/5
Pace 4/5
Character Personality 4/5
Character Growth 4/5
Writing Style 4.5/5
World Building 5/5

Well this was a lot of fun to listen to! I’ve had this series on my TBR for a while now so I was thrilled to get an ALC of this audio from NetGalley.

This story follows Sadie, as she learns she’s a shifter and begins training to hone her skills and defend her realm from the fae. She also finds herself rooming with three alpha-male shifter- Jax, Cobra, and Ascher. These characters are all written so well and the banter is great. I love the way Sadie thinks and her internal monologues had me laughing throughout the book. There is action, some twists and turns, and some spice. I was hooked right from the start and will most definitely be continuing the series.

The audio is fantastic on this, with full cast narration read in dual-style. All the narrators do a great job but I thought Mollie Stark was especially phenomenal as Sadie. I really loved the way she narrated her character and completely felt the personality of Sadie come through.

This is a completed series and available on Kindle Unlimited. The audio is being re-released so the next few books won’t be available on audio until 2026.

Wow!!! I really loved this book! I cannot tell you how many times I was shook on how well written and engaging this book was. I first tried to listen to this book but quickly switched to an immersive read and am so glad I did. I had such a good time reading about the MFC and how she overcomes so much. I loved this world and the Omegaverse that Jasmine Mas created. I will 100% be continuing this whole series.

This audiobook was done in a full cast style with narrators Mollie Stark, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Teddy Hamilton, and Jeremy York. This audiobook done soooooooo well. It kept me so entertained and grabbed my attention from the beginning. I absolute loved how this audiobook was presented and casted. I will continue to listen to this series as it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Psycho Shifters was a wild, fast-paced ride with plenty of steamy moments and action-packed chaos. The concept of an academy full of dangerously attractive shifters was intriguing, and the main character definitely had a strong, no-nonsense vibe that kept things interesting.

That said, the book felt a bit rushed at times, with more heat than plot development. The relationships developed quickly — maybe too quickly — and some of the character arcs lacked the depth I was hoping for. The worldbuilding had potential, but it felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions or details that were glossed over in favor of drama.

Overall, it’s a fun, guilty-pleasure read if you’re into reverse harem and over-the-top shifter stories, but don’t expect a super polished or emotionally deep narrative. Great for fans of fast-burning, chaotic paranormal romance — just not for readers looking for a lot of nuance or subtlety.

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧
📚Psycho Shifters by Jasmine Mas
🎤Mollie Stark, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Teddy Hamilton & Jeremy York

DUET NARRATION
3.5⭐

Sadie is the tiniest little thing but man, does she demand attention & make her presence known. She's fierce & tough and honestly her character was one of my favorite things about this audio. Her backstory is traumatic & heartbreaking and she's been left with not only physical but emotional scars to prove it. As the story unfolds, we find out what she's truly capable of. She doesn't even really know herself but it's most certainly something big.

She's the first of her kind and although she's initially not well received, she eventually earns the trust & loyalty from her roommates. Each character gives this story something special & it really provides a lot of opportunity for some great banter. It's sharp & snarky which is always fun to listen to.

There's quite a slow burn brewing amongst these characters & I do wish it would have taken off a bit sooner. The beginning of this book was a bit confusing to me but in all honesty, I think Jasmine is setting up the story for the layout of the series. There's quite a bit of backstory that needs to be told but it felt like we jumped around a bit. Despite feeling a little confused at times, I can't say I'm not intrigued by what's going to happen next.😂

🎧Let's talk audio: Mollie Stark seriously shines in this one. She was perfectly cast for the fiery role of Sadie. She really captures her snappish & petulant ways and I loved her. The rest of this cast is stellar. These men are extremely talented & each provide multiple voices throughout the book.

When it comes to audio a multi-cast is always so much fun to listen to and the narration was honestly SO good, my issues were more with the story itself, pacing and flipping back and forth. I think going into the second book will be much easier to follow along to.

Thank you Jasmine Mas, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for a copy of the #gifted ALC to review. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoyed the audiobook of Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas, so when I saw Psycho Shifters was available as an audiobook from Harlequin Audio, I jumped on it! This had a similar feel to Blood of Hercules, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all.

This was spicy, a fast read and - frustratingly - ends in a cliffhanger. (THE WORST!)

I’ve already ordered the next book in the series - Psycho Fae.

Disclaimer: I formerly worked for the publisher and have worked on Jasmine Mas's previous book but these opinions are entirely my own.

I had so much fun listening to this book. The full-cast narration was perfection. I'm so intrigued by this world and these characters and I just want more. I can't believe I have to wait until next year for the next audiobook.

5 ⭐️
I thought blood of Hercules was my favorite jasmine mas book and I was wrong. Psycho Shifters is sooo good I love all the characters (Asher is 50/50) but the ending omg I did not expect what happened at the end of the book. I need the second book ASAP I just know I will eat this series up

Perfect if you love an UNHINGED why choose romantasy (which I do!). Mulitple narrators on the audiobook were perfect! My only complaint is that I'm surprised how similar the story/premise of this book is to Blood of Hercules! Still a great read if you're looking for something dark/unhinged but addicting.

Jasmine Mas delivers a truly unhinged and thoroughly entertaining read with "Psycho Shifters." This book is not for the faint of heart, diving headfirst into dark romance with a premise that's as captivating as it is twisted. If you're looking for morally gray characters, high stakes, and a heroine who's constantly fighting for her life (and sanity), then buckle up – you're in for a wild ride.

The core concept is incredibly strong: a reverse harem featuring four genuinely dangerous and unpredictable shifter brothers. Mas doesn't shy away from their "psycho" tendencies, and that's precisely where the book shines. Each brother brings a distinct flavor of chaos and possessiveness, making for a volatile yet undeniably magnetic dynamic. Our heroine, Rory, is a fantastic counterpoint. She's resilient, resourceful, and isn't a pushover, even when faced with overwhelming odds. Her internal struggles and determination to survive are what ground the more extreme elements of the story.

The plot moves at a breakneck pace, with plenty of twists, turns, and shocking moments that kept me glued to the pages. The world-building, while not overly complex, is effective in setting the stage for the gritty, dangerous reality Rory finds herself in. And let's be honest, the spice? It's intense, well-integrated, and definitely delivers on the "dark romance" promise.

So, why not a full five stars? While the constant tension is a major draw, at times, it felt relentless, occasionally leaving little room to breathe or for deeper emotional connection outside of the high-octane drama. Some of the motivations, while fitting for the "psycho" theme, could have benefited from a bit more nuance to elevate the characters beyond their dangerous archetypes.

Despite these minor quibbles, "Psycho Shifters" is a standout in its genre. It's bold, unapologetic, and delivers exactly what it promises: a dark, thrilling, and incredibly spicy reverse harem. If you're a fan of high-stakes, morally ambiguous romance and aren't afraid to step into the dark side, then I highly recommend giving this one a read. Just be prepared for the ride!

I was really excited about this book because of the different narration and went in with no expectations, and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! This book had me hooked from the very first minute. The narration was amazing, and the voice actors did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. I loved it so much I cannot WAIT for the next one! Jasmine Mas knows what readers want and has gained a fan for life!