Denied

The Bonding Trials, Book 1

Sienna Michaels has been waiting for her invitation to the Bonding Trials forever.

It's her opportunity to match with an alpha pack and show off her training as an omega. When she's matched with the Cohen pack, Sienna gets a lot more than she bargained for at their Bonding ceremony.

Tristan, Jax, Logan, and Gray Cohen are Sienna's Soul Bonded fated mates. Destiny. Made for each other. Except… they don't seem that bothered. In fact, they don't want her at all. They want someone else.

Sienna has no choice but to work through the Bonding Trials and try to get to know her reluctant alphas. She needs to pass her Trials to be able to stay with the Cohen pack, and if she doesn't…

Well, she might be Denied.

©2023 Evelyn Flood (P)2023 Podium Audio

So good but so hard to read/listen

Let me make this clear first, I love this book. It is so hard to read and listen too though because the story is so heartbreaking. The narrators are amazing and you can feel the pain in the characters. I think this speaks positively for both the author, who wrote the story, and the narrators bringing it to life. Sienna goes through it in this book. And it is heck of a cliffhanger ending. Luckily book 2 is out.

The plot at the end fell apart. Little to no character development…though I do like the writing

It didn’t make sense that they’re upset over him using an alpha bark on her to make her comply. She couldn’t consent high on pheromones, just as those strung out on drugs can’t consent. He respected her wishes and didn’t take advantage of her lack of lucidity. He had to do something to make her stop struggling against him.

The torture that they mentally put her through.

Ugh I hate that I am left hanging. It is an amazing book. I love all the correctors even the bad ones. Great book though.

Could have been a standalone

I really loved the premise and the emotional depth, but there was just so much non-communication that it made me want to scream. The story had me hooked, the world-building was interesting, and the narration was great — but honestly, this could have been wrapped up in one book if the author hadn’t stretched it out.

I also didn’t care for how much political commentary was woven in; it distracted from Sienna’s story. The author’s note even mentions writing it after the 2024 election, and you can definitely feel that tone sneaking through. Still, the characters pulled me in enough to finish, and the ending left me eager for answers.

The truth

You will hate Sienna and her pack. You will hate everything that they do to her and that she allows them to do. Don’t be fooled by the reviews saying their hearts hurt for her. I’m WARNING you now that every single thing this author wrote isn’t omegaverse per se, but neither does it qualify as a dark omegaverse/ romance. I’d say the alleged “good intentions” of her pack is what keeps this story from being all dark. With that said, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Is the writing good? Sure, especially if you’re a fan of pulling your own hair out. Was the narration good? Yes. So much so that I want to uppercut a few characters that were voiced too well- iykyk; but I digress. Keep your Kleenex, boxing gloves and Tylenol handy.