This is book 4 in Lisa Ladew’s One True Mate series. While each book covers a couple’s romantic arc – there is a big (and several secondary) mystery/suspense storyline running through the series. In that aspect these don’t really stand alone and need to be read in order starting with Shifter’s Sacrifice. Reviews may contain spoilers to earlier books.

I’m over here pining for Mack’s book and BOOM! I’m absolutely floored by how much I love Beckett and Cerise’s story. It’s a long road for these two and unlike the previous ones it’s not obvious that they’re fated mates.

Cerise & her little sister Kaci have had a horrible home life. I think Ladew did a great job explaining how sheltered and abused they were without going too far. I loved that even though they were semi-clueless about the world at large, they were both fierce and determined. They don’t trust easy outside of each other.

Beckett’s relationship with Cerise - and Kaci - starts out with heavy bodyguard vibes (which I lurrrvveedd). He has to protect them while they are keeping HUGE secrets. On the run. Being hunted. Barely escaping a few times, plus a bigger battle. Whew the pacing on the second half of this one was perfection.

I loved the ending and their epiloguish chapter. The very end, of course, teases Mack’s book. There’s now more than one nemesis and with each added One True Mate more plans for the future.

Narration:
Long series so my thoughts on Michael Pauley will likely get repetitive. He’s fantastic with all the voices, accents, and emotions. Lots of characters and he keeps them consistent from book to book. Great listen.