Where to Start w/ Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti: Every Series Starter Rated
New year, new challenge. And as of January 29, challenge completed!
Our self-imposed January reading challenge is:
Read the first book in every series co-written by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti. (We also threw in one or two standalones for the hell of it).
UPDATE JAN 29: WE FINISHED and with two days to spare. See how we rated and reviewed each series starter below. And we added a book we found later. A dystopian saga called Rebel Rising.
I’m thinking of a word: Daunting. A daunting amount of series to read. A daunting amount of books in each series. A daunting amount of pages to read. AND WE COULDN’T BE MORE EXCITED!
Lovingly referred to as The Twisted Sisters (they are, in fact, sisters), Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti write some EPIC fantasy series. The series are lengthy, the books are beefy, and the characters are all over the board.
We’ve already read “Dark Fae”, “The Awakening”, and “Never Keep” in our natural course of romance consumption. You’ll see those reviews below, too.
Now let’s get into it.
Each Book Rated, Reviewed, and Cataloged
We’ll be updating the details as we complete each one this month so come back every few days to see where we’ve landed.
Hollow—☆ 4.5 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Dark
Goodreads Rating: 4.1
Solid ratings across goodreads, but not high enough in my opinion.
Release Date: November 2025
Ongoing Series: Crown of Hearts and Chaos
Spice: 🔥 Mild
Tropes: Royalty, Hidden Identity, Murder Mystery, Loss of Sibling (Death), Fae/Fairies, Immortal/Mortal, Slow Burn, Age Gap Romance, Competition Romance, Survival, Enemies to Lovers, MMC/FMC have to stop the end of the world, Power Struggle, Possessive MMC, Touch Her and Die Vibes, Secrets, Breakup Due to Misunderstanding, No Use of Contraception, MC is a Bully (at the start), Kidnapping, Shunned MMC, Secret Identity, Tortured MMC, Captive Falls for Captor (Not Stockholm Syndrom), Villain Becomes MMC, MC Loves to Read, Silver/White Hair FMC, "Smart, Strong, Independent FMC", Reclusive MC, Forbidden Love Interest, Forced Proximity, Hate to Love You, Magic, Loss of Parent (Death), MMC/FMC is/are on the Run, Grumpy/Sunshine, Morally Grey MMC
Pages: 512 pages
Review: (UPDATE Jan 23) First impression: This book is so wildly different from the other series starters. Humans and fae band (tenuously) together to break a curse that’s killing their populations and destroying their land. (UPDATE Jan 25) WOW. A cursed forest that’s aching to be healed. Magic and spirits, hidden identities, a tenuous alliance built on half truths, and chemistry for days. You’ll like Hendrix despite yourself. You’ll love Ferris, though she’s not the crack shot with a slingshot she claims to be. This is Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti’s best book.
Never Keep—☆ 3.75 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Academy
Goodreads Rating: 4.03
The Velvet Pages (that’s us) rated the book lower than goodreads for a couple of reasons: 1. It’s information overload and the details can get veeeery tedious. I’m sure they’re important, but we were drowning in them. 2. The action and adventure really pick up, but not until the last 10% of the book. Slow pace and an infinite amount of characters made this interesting but, again, tedious.
Release Date: September 2024
Ongoing Series: Sins of the Zodiac
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: Dystopian, War Torn, Enemies to Lovers, MMC/FMC Involved in a Rebellion/Resistance, Competition Romance, MC is Trapped, Power Struggle, Loss of Parent (Death), Survival, Down on Her Luck FMC, MC has Bullying Siblings, Abusive Parent(s), Childhood Trauma
Pages: 704 pages
Review: There are two sets of FMC/MMC pairings in this one. One is childhood best friends on one side of a war, the other pair is enemies to lovers on the other side. They’re all sent to a single training ground to learn how to fight…each other. The book is long, but it’s basically telling two different stories with two different origins so it needs to be long. There’s suspense, magic, depression, a murder mystery, clandestine plans, and lots of intrigue. Will definitely read the next.
Eternal Reign—☆ 4.25 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Dystopian
Goodreads rating: 4.04
We do NOT get these mixed reviews on goodreads about the first half being 1-star. Crazy pills - this book is good from the jump.
Release Date: September 2023
Completed Series: Age of Vampires (7 books)
Spice: 🔥 Mild
Tropes: Dystopian, Vampire, Kidnapping, Hidden Identity, Loss of Parent (Death), Down on Her Luck FMC, Human Trafficking, Age Gap Romance, MC is a Twin, FMC & MMC Enter Into A Contract, MC has a Missing Parent, MC has a Missing Sibling, MC is trapped, Power Struggle, MMC/FMC Involved in a Rebellion/Resistance, MMC/FMC is/are on the Run, Past Lives, Survival, Arranged Marriage, Cliffhanger Ending, Strong Sister Bond
Pages: 400 pages
Review: What an unexpected delight! Two sisters, two stories, two survivors. The world after humans destroy civilizations is ruled by vampires. Humans are kept in iron-fisted encampments. We meet the FMCs: twins who live in just such an encampment. One is kidnapped by vampires, the other is pushed on a quest to find their long forgotten, vampire slayer roots. They're both just trying to find the other and make it out with their heads. And it's only about 400 pages which is heaven for these authors.
A Game of Malice and Greed—☆ 3.75 Complete
Genre: Fantasy
Goodreads Rating: 3.9
More DNFs in these ratings than I’ve seen in their other books. It does take some time to ramp up, but there’s action, adventure, and intrigue everywhere.
Release Date: March 2023
Incomplete Series: A Game of Malice and Greed (1 book, ends on cliffhanger)
Spice: 🔥 Mild
Tropes: Found Family, Dragons, Fae/Fairies, Cursed MMC, MMC/FMC has been to Prison, FMC & MMC Enter Into A Contract, MC is trapped, MMC/FMC Involved in a Rebellion/Resistance, MMC/FMC is back from the dead, MMC/FMC is/are on the Run, Healing from Injury, Rescue, Survival, Immortal/Mortal, Tattoos, Emotional Abuse, FMC previous abused (not by MMC), MC has Strained Relationship with Parent, Royalty, Hidden Identity, Class Differences, Socially Awkward FMC, Fairytale Retelling, FMC has colorful hair, Cliffhanger Ending, Morally Grey MMC, Forbidden Love Interest
Pages: 612 pages
Review: (UPDATE Jan 20) This is less of a romance and more of a buddy comedy. I’m about halfway through and enjoying the story, but I’m ready for the main characters to all meet. They’re all leading separate lives and building to their crescendos. (UPDATE Jan 23) The last 75 pages are 5/5. The book is primarily a buddy comedy with strong Aladdin vibes: Tricked with magic to find an object that houses a genie. Genie learns to trust the wish master and they all form a bond. This story took a left turn at the end and what a fantastic cliffhanger. This also had the most descriptive way I've ever heard "women's intuition" described: “a feeling in your lady waters.” Low romance so just know it’s predominantly background and action.
Kings of Quarantine—☆ 3.5 Complete
Genre: College/Academy, Dark
Goodreads Rating: 4.15
Goodreads had a higher tolerance for the MMCs’ nonsense than I could stand.
Release Date: July 2022
Complete Series: Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep (4 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: Academic Setting, Student/Teacher, Reverse Harem, Bully Romance, Spanking, MC is Popular/Rules the School, Loss of Sibling (Death), Loss of Parent (Death), FMC Gives Herself as Payment, Survival, MC is trapped, Power Struggle, Slavery, Stalker/Stalking, Down on Her Luck FMC, Shunned FMC, Rich/Wealthy MMC, MC in High School, Emotional Abuse, Initiation/Ritual, Friendship Group, Cinderella Vibes, Tortured MMC, Playboy, Alpha MMC, Fake Relationship, Hate to Love You, Hidden Relationship, Revenge, Forced Proximity, Forced Roommates
Pages: 658 pages
Review: (UPDATE Jan 25) First impression: Ooo it doesn’t start with bullying, there’s an event that unleashes it. That’s new. The Night Keepers is just a club for dickheads. 100% membership participation, bravo there. (UPDATE Jan 27) Two things can be true: 1. I didn't like this book. 2. I'm desperate to read the next one. The MMCs are cruel, debased psychopaths who have no redeeming value to the world. The FMC is shunned and demeaned for things outside her control. I need her to rise up and punch these twats in the throat.
Forget-Me-Not Bombshell—☆ 3.75 Complete
Genre: Mafia, Dark
Goodreads Rating: 4.2
The ‘why choose’ facet felt so unbelievable.
Release Date: March 2022
Complete Series: Mafia Wars (Anthology)
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 Hot
Tropes: MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Arranged Marriage, Gang Wars, Why Choose, Reverse Harem, "Smart, Strong, Independent FMC", MC is trapped, FMC previous abused (not by MMC), MC is a Twin, Power Struggle, Kidnapping, FMC Gives Herself as Payment, Enemies to Lovers, MMC/FMC is back from the dead, Healing from Injury, Rescue, Loss of Parent (Death), Revenge, Hidden Identity
Pages: 696 pages
Review: (UPDATE Jan 14) First impression: What a strange combo that somehow works. It’s The Sopranos meets Parent Trap. I’m about 25% through and genuinely curious how they pull off this mad scientist scheme. (UPDATE Jan 16) I was right about the Sopranos meets Parent Trap. I’d say the ‘why choose’ aspect made sense 70% of the time. It certainly made for a HOT read. I genuinely enjoyed this story. Lots of action, violence, and interpersonal dynamics. There are two things that kept me from a 4-star review: 1. No way in hell a mafia boss is okay with his wife banging two other guys in front of him. AND letting them live after they impregnate her before he does. 2. The punishment to his twin was not believable. It was equivalent to a toddler time out. "Stand in that corner and think about what you've done."
The Death Club—☆ 4.0 Complete
Genre: Dark
Goodreads Rating: 4.3
The thing we all agree on: Brooklyn is a badass bitch.
Release Date: March 2021
Complete Series: Dead Men Walking (2 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: Age Gap Romance, Assassin, FMC previous abused (not by MMC), MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Kidnapping, Auction, Virgin FMC, Irish MMC, Latino/Hispanic MMC, Tortured MMC, Arranged Marriage, MC is a Runaway, MC has Interfering Family, Rescue, Survival, Revenge, Shunned FMC, Reverse Harem, Slow Burn
Pages: 549 pages
Review: (UPDATE Jan 5) First impression: It’s gritty. Like 16-grit, the stuff you’d use to scrape rust off a car. The characters are disturbingly funny and selfish. They’re just so enthralled with their own minds and desires that it’s a “fuck everyone else” mentality that’s genuinely enjoyable. (UPDATE Jan 6) That first impression was a bullseye. I didn't expect to be giving this a ☆ 4.0. In fact, the first two chapters, I was convinced I was going to DNF. The book is dank and dark and dirty. As Brooklyn's mental state deteriorates toward the end, the inner monologue, which has been hilarious, starts to unravel, too. Really entertaining. Despite their loathsome personalities and downright malfunctioning moral compasses, you'll like all three of the main characters.
Sinners’ Playground—☆ 2.75 Complete
Genre: Dark
Goodreads Rating: 4.19
The reviews here are more mixed than the overall rating indicates. You either loved it or you hated it. We fall into the latter camp.
Release Date: November 2020
Complete Series: The Harlequin Crew (5 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 Hot (Lots of second and third base, some graphic sex)
Tropes: Friends to Enemies to Lovers, MCs were Childhood Friends, Revenge, Kidnapping, Survival, MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Second Chance, Reverse Harem, FMC has a Cute Dog, FMC is back from the dead, MMC/FMC is/are on the Run, Gang Wars, Down on Her Luck FMC, "Smart, Strong, Independent FMC", Touch Her and Die Vibes, Possessive MMC, Obsessive MMC, First Love, Unrequited Love, Protective MMC, Sex Worker/Escort, Sex First/Feelings Later, MMC/FMC has been to Prison, Return to Hometown, Story Told in Past and Present, Forced Proximity, Dirty Talker, FMC Performs a Striptease for MMC, Sassy Heroine, Outcast from Society, Voyeurism
Pages: 656 pages
Review: I'm having trouble writing this review. Honestly, I'm disappointed. Rogue's backstory is so raw and gritty. I mean, she woke up buried in a shallow grave in chapter 1. But so much of the book was rehashing the past. And she stuck around when she kept saying she didn't want to. "I hate you, I want to leave." "I'm not going anywhere, you can't make me leave." It was a constant self-imposed tug of war. They are all cruel to one another at every turn, it became monotonous and frustrating. The only redeeming character was JJ and I saw Rogue taking advantage of him. For someone who cried about being disposed of, she did the exact same thing to each of the boys. IDK, none of these characters ever matured. Also, foam parties. Gross. You're just asking for foot-and-mouth disease.
Rebel Rising—☆ 3.0 Complete
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy
Goodreads Rating: 4.29
Hmmm, we’re pretty far off from the goodreads rating. Most are 5 stars which is generous.
Release Date: April 2020
Incomplete Series: Cage of Lies (1 book, ends on cliffhanger)
Spice: ⛔ None
Tropes: Loss of Parent (Death), Shunned FMC, Survival, MC is trapped, MMC/FMC has a Cute Dog, MMC/FMC Involved in a Rebellion/Resistance, MMC/FMC is/are on the Run, Rescue, MC is an Orphan, Found Family, Cultural Differences, To-Be Continued (TBC), Young Adult, "Young, Innocent, Naive FMC", MMC/FMC has been to Prison, Saved as a Child, Learning a New World, "Mysterious, Brooding (MMC)", "Deep, Husky-Voiced MMC", City Girl/Country Boy, MMC Falls First, Forced Proximity, Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, "Haunted, Isolated, Mysterious Land", MMC Raised his Siblings, Quarantine Romance, Outcast from Society, Different Worlds
Pages: 327 pages
Review: Lacks the passion and conviction of so many other Peckham + Valenti books. The FMC is a spoiled city dweller who naively believes her world is ruled by others for her benefit. She is so easily swayed that when she changes her mind and joins the rebellion, it feels flimsy. The MMC is a rugged rebel set on protecting her at all costs for no reason at all. The book just doesn't draw you in like so many others do. And the tension was supposed to be around a love triangle, but one third of the triangle was comatose the entire time.
Caged Wolf—☆ 3.5 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Shifter
Goodreads Rating: 4.3
We agree with goodreads that it’s dark and cruel. But we aren’t quite bought in on the characters.
Release Date: March 2020
Completed Series: Darkmore Penitentiary (4 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: Wolf/Shifter, Shifters, Fated Mates, Longtime Crush, MMC/FMC has been to Prison, Vampire, Alpha FMC, Alpha MMC, FMC with Sexual Confidence, MC is trapped, MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Gang Wars, Captive Falls for Captor (Not Stockholm Syndrome), Murder Mystery, MCs were Childhood Friends, Romeo & Juliet Vibes, Villain Becomes MMC, FMC previous abused (not by MMC), Reverse Harem
Pages: 519 pages
Review: The book version of a 'bottle episode' where the entire plot unfolds in one place: Magical Prison. I'm torn. I liked this plot and I'm interested in the next book, but I'm not fully bought in on the characters. Love the mystery of the psych ward - I want to see where that goes. It’s dark, cruel, and enticing and the more I read, the more I liked. It grabbed me in the last big event so I’ll read the next book.
Beautiful Carnage—☆ 3.75
Genre: Mafia
Goodreads Rating: 4.1
Release Date: January 2020
Completed Series: Sins of the Zodiac (2 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: MC is involved in Mafia/Organized Crime, Arranged Marriage, Kidnapping, Rescue, MC is trapped, Enemies to Lovers, MMC/FMC Makes a Bet, Murder Mystery, Loss of Parent (Death), Loss of Sibling (Death), Band of Brothers, MC has Interfering Family, Forbidden Love Interest, Accidental/Surprise Pregnancy, Secrets, Gang Wars, Revenge, MC has a Missing Sibling, MMC/FMC Enter Relationship Under False Pretenses, No Use of Contraception, Family Rivalry, MMC/FMC has a Cute Dog, MC is an Only Child, FMC is a Lonely Rich Girl, MC has Strained Relationship with Parent, Captive Falls for Captor (Not Stockholm Syndrom), Saved as a Child, Second Chance, Soulmates, Romeo & Juliet Vibes, Bad Boy/Good Girl, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed, Touch Her and Die Vibes
Pages: 472 pages
Review: One of their rare self-contained stories, this one delivers an HEA and Epilogue. You don’t see that often with The Twisted Sisters. This book was less ‘dark’ mafia, more ‘slapstick’ mafia. Rocco kidnaps Sloan on a whim; they soon realize the feud between their families isn't bigger than their undeniable feelings for one another. A couple of twists shake things up. This is a lively, fun mafia story that diverts from the typical dark and brooding tone.
Dark Fae—☆ 4.0 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Academy
Goodreads Rating: 4.05
Ooo samesies! We liked the characters, the world building, and the mystery. It’s all laid out in book 1 which stoked our excitement. This is the only series of theirs that we’ve completed.
Release Date: October 2019
Completed Series: Ruthless Boys (5 books)
Spice: 🔥🔥 Medium
Tropes: College/Academy Students, Fated Mates, Reverse Harem, Why Choose, Academic Rivals, MC is involved in Organized Crime, Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Murder Mystery, Forced Proximity, Shifters, Hidden Identity
Pages: 536 pages
Review: We read this right after pausing our progress in Zodiac Academy. Same universe, but this is the “underprivileged” school. The story and characters are much more palatable in book 1 than Zodiac Academy - less bullying and a tangible mystery that’s being solved. The guys are in rival gangs or have rival gang affiliations, but the one thing they all agree on is Elise. It takes some time for her to win them all over, but honestly it does work. Weirdly.
Notes: Directly tied to “Caged Wolf”
The Awakening—☆ 3.75 Complete
Genre: Fantasy, Academy
Goodreads Rating: 3.82
The FMCs are insufferable and the MMCs are just plain mean. I guess you should get points for making it so hard to finish.
Release Date: August 2019
Completed Series: Zodiac Academy (9 books)
Spice: 🔥 Mild
Tropes: College/Academy Students, Enemies to Lovers, Bully Romance, Reverse Harem, Why Choose, Academic Setting, Vampire, Shifters, Hidden Powers, Hidden Royalty, Twins, Morally Grey MMC, Forced Proximity
Pages: 411 pages
Review: The twin FMCs are absolutely insufferable in this first book. And I think they went to two classes the entire year. The educational value of this “esteemed academy” is lost on them. It’s really no wonder they get distracted because they step into a pile of shit, unprepared, that’s been festering for 18 years. My advice: Push through this book. It’s going to be confusing and tough to read (the MMCs are major assholes, the FMC twins are possibly illiterate) because the drama, spice, and intrigue ratchet up quickly in the next book. We haven’t completed the series yet, but we’ve enjoyed the books we have read.
Kingdom of Thieves—💀 Not available
Goodreads Rating: 4.14
Release Date: May 2019
Series: Forbidden Fairytales