Becoming Alpha

Written by Aileen Erin

Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

One stupid party. One stupid boy. One stupid kiss. And my life was virtually over.

Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn’t easy for a girl with psychic visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as “Freaky Tessa” behind.

But Tessa doesn’t realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe’s Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.

Even if the wrong guy did accidentally turn her into a shapeshifter and doom her to attending the weirdest high school ever, Tessa can’t help her growing attraction to the mysterious Dastien Laurent.

When vampires attack St. Ailbe’s and her visions pinpoint an enemy in their midst, Tessa realizes that boy drama and her newfound canine tendencies might just be the least of her problems.

“Paranormal YA at its best. It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult or Young Adult. You will love this one.” — Paranormal Cravings Blog

“Becoming Alpha is a great addition to the werewolf ranks – Erin’s world-building is excellent & her characters are big and bold." - Escape Into Worlds

It's time to catch up with the Alpha Girls series, which has sold more than 500,000 copies!

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW).

Her fans call her stories "jaw dropping," "electrifying,"and "a magnet that just keeps pulling until you feel as if you are falling down, down, down right into its world" (Tempest of Books). You can find her at www.aileenerin.com or on Instagram @aileenerin.

About the Narrator: Elizabeth Evans is an award-winning narrator whose voice can be heard in over 150 audiobooks. She specializes in young adult fantasy and has given voice to the internationally bestselling series Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Her curiosity and passion for storytelling has led her all over the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ink Monster, LLC
• Release date: Nov 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781943858767

Aileen Erin

USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin is half-Irish, half-Mexican, and 100% nerd—from Star Wars (prequels don’t count) to Star Trek (TNG FTW). She geeks out on Tolkien's linguistics, and has a severe fascination with the supernatural. Aileen has a BS in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Texas Hill Country, and spends her days doing her favorite things: reading books, creating worlds, and kicking ass. Aileen is the author of the Aunare Chronicles, futuristic fantasy romance series, and the wildly loved YA paranormal Alpha Girls series. She's excited to announce her upcoming YA paranormal series the Days of Iron and Clay. This new series follows Samantha Lopez, the resident demonologist from the Alpha Girls books. Samantha's first appearance can be found in Being Alpha, Book Seven of the Alpha Girls series. Aileen's fans call her stories "jaw dropping," "electrifying," "amazing," and "bloody brilliant." Bloggers say "Erin's world-building is excellent and her characters are big and bold"(Escape Into Worlds) and every book is "a magnet that just keeps pulling until you feel as if you are falling down, down, down right into its world" (Tempest of Books). Aileen Erin is the founder and CEO of Ink Monster, building worlds filled with girl power and happily ever afters. You can find her at www.aileenerin.com or on Instagram @aileenerin.

Reviews for Becoming Alpha

[Aisha saleh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At first I thought that it was just going to be just any other book and then I was stacked by their connection but at first it was a rocky start then as time went on they grew on me. I was held in place and travels Far and Beyond which felt beautiful. I recommend this book to anybody from a beginner to a lover ☺??

[Jakub Kolar · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The breathtaking beginning to the world of Alpha Girl book series. A must-read for everyone interested in shifter romance and amaizing story with world building.

[naomi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book. It wasn’t a new take on werewolves or anything but I liked the strong female lead and the incorporation of other supernatural species. The pace of the story was good and kept me hooked until the end

[qy5m2gdwhr · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It has potential but the author however can use a culture check. Some things written had hints of racism in it for sure

[Deanna Heath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read. Really liked the plot and the people it in.

[Casey Ferguson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! This book was so good. The writer has a great way with words and the narrator is spot on with all the characters. I can’t say anything bad about this (audio)book.
If you like YA Vampire/Werewolf/Fae type books then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?! I listened to this entire book in one day. I will be starting the second book as soon as I finish this review.

[Christine Littmann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, couldn't stop listening! Going to check out more from this author!

[Lee Nii · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining book and with strong character for an FL. Cant wait to jump to the 2nd book. :)

[Lily · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was amazing! Ive never really been in to mystical animal books but this book was amazing!

[Natascha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a really good book, with great characters, and not the normal romance story I expected. Highly recommend.

[anthea lincoln · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A pretty good first instalment to the series.
There is a lot of story building, so things are slow moving. I did feel that the action parts at the end where just rushed over a little bit.

[STORMIE STAGG · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A million times better than I thought it would be

[VicPar32 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a very good first book of the series.

[DianneGraves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so good and we really enjoyed listening to! I totally recommend it will definitely be listening to the next books in the series. Lots of laughs and very intriguing! Read it!

[dlynch-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved Aileen Erin’s Becoming Alpha, the first book in the Alpha Girl Series. Tessa McCaide has visions triggered by the things she touches. It gave her the reputation of being a freak. Her family moves to Texas where she meets werewolf, Dastien Laurent, and is turned. The next thing she knows she is attending St. Ailbe’s Academy, school for werewolves. Becoming Alpha is a contemporary PNR suitable for young adults.Aileen Erin does a great job with her character development. I like Tessa. She has always had to deal with being different. She is a strong heroine. She and Dastien have great chemistry. The plot was interesting and full of mystery and twists. The story was unique and exciting. I enjoyed Aileen Erin’s writing style. This is one series I will definitely continue to read.Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[chaoticbooklover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The beginning had me asking more questions than I like, but even though nothing was really explained I began to understand everything. The "twist" was one that I didn't see coming and while Tessa was a little to whiney for my taste I could understand why she was that way. Over all this was a good read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

[tldegray-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5/5 stars.

I got a kick out of this book. The basic premise is that Tessa is bitten--and changed--against her will. Suddenly werewolf. And there's an entire world of things for her to learn and she can do that learning at the local werewolf boarding school. (*ding* That was the sound of this book using one of my favorite tropes, that of the wacky boarding school. This book also has a huge found-family aspect, which I love, love, love.) Then there's this whole bit with soulbonds and mates. (To which Tessa says 'euw, don't use that word,' making me love her more.)

But the best part of this book is Tessa. She was--and still is--a witch, and now she's a were, and she's overwhelmed by her new powers but also intrigued. She wants to run away and go home, but she also realizes she has to learn to control her new wolfy abilities. Plus, it may be a wacky boarding school but it's still a high school and she has a lot to deal with as the new girl. I loved how she learned about her new powers, tested them, and then used them, sometimes to save the world and sometimes in lunchroom staredowns.

I'm so ready for the next book!

(Provided by publisher)

[dearheart_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tessa has a gift; one that to her is more of a curse. When she touches anyone or anything with her skin, she gets visions off of it. Because of it she’s considered a freak by classmates and has never had a friend. At almost eighteen, the family moves to Texas to give her a fresh start. It’s rough being a teenager, especially one with gift and no friends. But now finding out that werewolves exist by becoming one after a bite, well her world just got a whole lot rockier.I like Tessa’s gift and how she finally figures out how to use it to her advantage. I thought her character was well done for what she’s gone through and what she’s becoming. She refuses to accept anything easily. And her relationship with Dastian, the guy who bit her, was spot on with how she reacts to mixed signals. I also enjoyed the other characters, especially the close friends she makes at the werewolf school, as well as her family.An interesting tale that grabbed me from the beginning.

[livvvy75 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Becoming Alpha is totally becoming a favourite werewolf book.Perhaps my favourite thing about Becoming Alpha was the author’s writing style. I thought that it was really realistic of how a teen would speak and think. Or maybe that’s because that’s really similar to my style of both thoughts and writing. But I really enjoyed reading Aileen Erin’s writing style, I thought it was modern and it really just sucked me into the story.Speaking of what I liked, Tessa. I found her totally relatable and I don’t often say that because I just generally don’t find that many characters relatable. And she thinks like me. I quote:“I needed lots and lots of ice cream. Even if it was my breakfast. It had milk and eggs. That totally counted.” – 15%Stuff like that made me chuckle through out the book. I think it’s actually the first time I have said chuckle in a review. Yeah I didn’t laugh in this book, I chuckled.The one thing that really irked me, was a couple of grammatical errors. There were at least two full stops where there should have been question marks and anyone who even remotely knows me, knows that I am big on grammar. If it was done on purpose, I think I get why, but they really should have been question marks.Another contender for my favourite thing, has to be the take on werewolves. Honestly, I don’t read that many werewolf books but I really, really liked Aileen Erin’s take. It was super cool and very unlike any other werewolf book that I’ve read. It reminded me a little of the House of Night series by P. C. and Kristin Cast but I thought it was a world of better.Then there comes the relationship between Tessa and Dastien. I liked it and I didn’t. I thought it was a little weird and there comes a point when their dependency on eachother got a bit irritating, but it was also sweet and complimented the story. Plus there was the fact that Dastien is French. Oh la la.One of my favourite characters had to be Axel. His protectiveness over his sister was so cute and he was really funny, which never goes a miss in my books. He was just as cool as the alpha concept. I liked the way that Aileen Erin crafted the whole alpha subplot into the story, it was quite interesting.The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous. The colours, the shades of those colours, the wolf, the girl, the drama…it’s just so pretty. I hope that the other covers of books in this series are this pretty.I honestly am considering whether Becoming Alpha is the best werewolf book that I have read so far. It definitely exceeded my expectations and I hope that I not only get the chance to continue with this series and some point, but that future books in this series are just as good, if not better.The reason that I am not giving Becoming Alpha five stars/comets, is because I feel like something was missing. And I know, you have to explain yourself after a comment like that. I can’t really pick out what it was, but I have a feeling that it may be something to do with the plot, like maybe a bigger climax?Just as a little review side note, but keep reading to the end! And I mean past the end. To the acknowledgments. Aileen Erin offers some advice to writers that I really like because it’s pretty honest. Then at the very end is another beautiful picture, that could rival the cover. 4.5/5 cometsKABOOM! That only leaves one little continent. One little flaw.

[stacyatufi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm honestly not surprised that I ended up loving BECOMING ALPHA. The cover does a great job of catching your interest and the blurb draws you in even further. Once you start reading you cant help but wonder what could possibly be better than the situation the characters are in only to be proven wrong when the next chapter starts. I could not put BECOMING ALPHA down and when it was over I scrambled to find out when book 2 was going to be released. Tessa is already part of what I would consider the paranormal world before she's even introduced to St. Alibe's Academy. She has had the gift of touch from as far back as she can remember. When she becomes a werewolf her uniqueness takes on a whole new meaning. Before Tessa and Dastien even meet they have a connection. When their eyes connect for the first time you can tell that they will be a couple to reckon with. They don't disappoint. Dastien being the one to doom Tessa to her new fate doesn't help her want to jump into a relationship or put her trust in him but it definitely brings them closer together in the end. Watching them struggle through their feelings and the needs that come along with them being werewolves brought a good amount of suspense to the story. Watching them fall for each other in new ways gave you the romance you might be seeking and watching them fight for each other and their friends helps you connect with everyone that much more. I can't think of one thing I didn't like or enjoy about reading BECOMING ALPHA.I'm excited to see what will happen next between Tessa and Dastien. The cover for AVOIDING ALPHA isn't as exciting but I wont hold it against them. BECOMING ALPHA was a great start to this new series.* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[rabidreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reviewed by: Rabid ReadsI went into this book thinking it was YA only to be pleasantly surprised by its New Adult story line. It reminded me of Jennifer Estep’s Mythos Academy series in a lot of ways; both Gwen and Tessa are gifted with “touch” magic and despite being newbies in their respective universes, both girls quickly trump their peers in the power department without having to undergo years of training. There are a few major differences of course, the main one being their supernatural type, St. Alibe’s is a school for werewolves not ancient warriors. The similarities between these two fictional worlds made it easy for me to submerse myself in Becoming Alpha; everything felt familiar yet new at the same time. I loved this book and I’ll definitely be back for more in May!I like that Aileen Erin gave readers a chance to get to know Tessa before she gets bitten; I enjoyed learning what her life was like pre-werewolf. Changing schools is never easy but McCaide tries to make the most of it by seeing her move to Texas as an opportunity for a fresh start. Things seem to be going well for her when she makes a new friend and gets invited to a party. I so wanted her to have a little “normal” in her life before the inevitable but unfortunately for her, it just wasn’t in the cards. Her first kiss turns into her worst nightmare and things quickly spiral out of control from there. I thought that Tessa handled herself rather well, all things considered.One of my favourite things about starting any new series is learning about the author’s mythology and Erin’s werewolf lore is rich and fascinating. I enjoyed learning about the hierarchy within the pack and the differences between alphas and Alphas. I also found the bitten vs born angle to be quite interesting, that and the rarity of females went a long way in convincing me of Tessa’s importance within the Alpha Girl universe. Both these elements aren’t exactly new ideas in the werewolf genre but Aileen presents them in such a way that you can’t help but enjoy the ride. The pack’s gender stereotypes weren’t overly surprising given the male to female ratio but I enjoyed Tessa’s resistance to her and Dastien’s mate bond. There’s definitely no insta-love in this book; she makes him work for it!I enjoyed the secondary characters as much, if not more than the main ones. Meredith, Tessa’s new BFF, is everything that a girl could want in a friend. She’s an oddball herself which makes it easy for her to sympathize with McCaide but instead of allowing her roomie to wallow in self-pity, she helps her to embrace her new, furry reality. I loved Axle too, Tessa’s big brother, and how supportive their parents are of their newly turned daughter. It was refreshing to see good role models for once in a genre that is usually quick to throw them under the bus. I actually rather enjoyed Imogene as well, this story’s mean girl. She definitely deserved the ass kicking McCaide gives her but I think she’s a redeemable character and I was happy with how the author ended things between them.Becoming Alpha is a great introduction to Aileen Erin’s werewolves and a brilliant debut by this new author!