booksandmeforevermore13's reviews
311 reviews

I was initially intrigued by the vampire-cowboy combination because that was something new, and I really wanted to like this book. However, it didn't exactly work for me. I understand that it's a debut novel and there were some elements that did interest me, but there were quite a few plot holes that I couldn't ignore.

Things kept progressing too quickly and not quickly enough simultaneously. The romance didn't work for me, especially given that

Sylas was Rowan's best friend's boyfriend. I get that Lydia was dead, but Sylas moved on far too quickly with Rowan and declared his undying love for her, willing to sacrifice himself for her, which seemed really weird to me given how long he was with Lydia compared to Rowan. Had he even been Lydia's brother, I would've still made peace with the romance even if it felt too rushed.

The plot revolving around the murder mystery and revenge had inconsistencies and was left with unanswered questions. The timeline of certain events was also not adding up, which left me confused. The plotline was sort of weak in my opinion because it didn't seem believable how Rowan and the Vampire Queen faced off. I also felt like random elements kept being added to build up to that moment of showdown between them. Rowan didn't even know her own capabilities and had to be told by the vampire queen herself for her to even realize she had certain abilities. It made no sense that the enemy would educate Rowan about her own powers so she can use said powers to fight her. She literally gave her the tools and the guidance to show her what needs to be done to fight her.

The mystery behind the queen's identity wasn't even a mystery, and she basically handed Rowan the book to figure everything out. Also, I truly didn't get why the vampire queen kept letting Rowan go again and again if her goal had been to find Rowan for years. Why did she just keep telling Rowan to run and that she couldn't escape because the queen knew exactly where Rowan was at all times... while Rowan was right in front of her????

Sylas's character was a bit more interesting even if we didn't really get much into his life exactly. The bond that was built between him and Rowan wasn't too believable for me because their initial impressions of each other kept changing as the book progressed to maybe make the readers think that there was always some pull between them. That wasn't how the characters described their impression of each other at first.

I didn't get an understanding of the town or its people. Travis randomly deciding that he wanted Rowan also wasn't explained. They were vampires, which was supposedly a myth, and yet no one in town they encountered was the least bit surprised.

Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Kira Bates for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, if anyone could've changed my mind about JP King, it's Lena. Up until I read Just Between Us, I wasn't sure if JP's character would be redeemable for me. But when I got small glimpses of the real JP in Just Between Us, I realized I needed more. And his redemption arc was everything.

JP King was so not what I had thought he was up until now, and I didn't think I would fall so hopelessly in love with him either. Lena truly did his character justice with the way she turned things around for me to love and appreciate JP for the incredible man he is. Even though he was the younger sibling, he still took the brunt of their father's wrath and expectations growing up in order to protect his siblings. He was always the one who had to make the tough decisions, and somewhere along the way, he'd stopped thinking about what he wanted. After learning and following in his father's footsteps, JP truly believed that there was no good in him and he deserved to be alone. Being told for years that love and showing any emotions was a weakness, JP struggled to find his footing with his family, unable to figure out how to connect with them even though he desperately wanted to.

There were so many moments when I got really emotional reading about JP's thoughts and how lost he felt. This man deserved the world, and I'm so happy that with Hazel and Teddy by his side, he was able to slowly open up and find his way back to his family. JP's teasing, lighthearted, and fun side was such a contrast to what I'd seen from him so far, and it was so good to finally see the real JP behind all that gruff and calculating exterior.

I loved Hazel's character sooo much. She was feisty, funny, free-spirited, and very witchy. After living her life on the go—traveling and exploring the world—suddenly losing her sister and being responsible for a 7-year-old was a huge change that she hadn't seen coming. She had her own fears about feeling like she wasn't cut out for the role and that she'd let Teddy and her sister down. She came a long way, from finding her way around being the parent Teddy needed, stumbling and figuring out how to do right by him, while also trying to figure out what her life looked like going forward. Being in Outtertowner and getting to know the people in it made her feel a sense of belonging that she didn't realize she had been missing and made her seriously consider putting down her roots and forming genuine friendships with the girls.

Her banter with JP was so cute, and I laughed so much. Slowly, JP also started feeling comfortable enough to tease her back and let her see more of him. I loved how she never backed down from a fight with JP despite his initial dismissal. Their relationship grew remarkably as they tried to navigate this unexpected situation. Hazel's sunshiny presence was just what JP needed in his life to let go of his need to always be in control and start thinking more about his own wants too. JP's steady and confident presence was what Hazel needed to figure out her new role. I liked how easy they found opening up to each other even when they were at odds. 

Teddy was sooo freaking adorable, and I loved the similarities between him and JP. He was wise beyond his years, and that was also so endearing. The way he was excited to find his new family and embraced them all so readily made me so happy. His bond with JP was so innocent and pure, which made it impossible for JP to hold on to his indifferent facade. I also loved his dynamics with Hazel. This kid literally had the simplest solutions for everyone's adult problems, which showed us just how sweet and innocent he was.

The Kings and Sullivans have come a really long way and are now family; there's no question about it. The way they still continue to plan elaborate pranks on each other and try to pretend that the other side is insufferable just warmed my heart so much. All their moments together were just so hilarious, and I kept wanting more. Lena has done a brilliant job taking their journey from where it started with the King-Sullivan rivalry in One Touch to where they are now.

Just when I thought the suspense around the King family, their mother, and Russell King had come to an end, I was stunned by the twist in this book and everything that followed. I also didn't think I could hate Russell King any more than I already did, but it turns out I can, and I do.

I say this after every book, and I'll say it again: I absolutely love Outtertowner, and I wish I was a part of it. It feels like returning home in a way when I read about the people of this town, the bluebirds, the flannel festival, the ever-changing King-Sullivan dynamics, and everything else in between.

Lena always delivers when it comes to the spice, and it was no different in JP's book. I loved his dominating side and the restraint he tried so hard to hold on to. And when it snapped... holy hotness. Hazel wasn't the least bit shy, and that just made everything better and steamier. The dirty talking definitely did wonders for me.

Thank you to Lena Hendrix for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rhodes was just as perfect as I knew he'd be. I've been looking forward to his book ever since I read Mad Love. He's the fun guy who always pushes people in his group to not shy away from going after what they want, except he had no clue how to approach things when it came to his own love life. He was so far gone for Elle but had no idea how to take that next step, not knowing how she might react and unwilling to risk losing her. However, he was determined to wait for however long it takes to make her his. I honestly loved how sweet, supportive, and thoughtful he was. The way he always let his emotions show made me love him even more. He always hyped Elle up, being her biggest supporter, always proud of her and making sure she knew there was nothing she couldn't achieve.

His bond with Levi was so heartwarming. Reading about his thoughts when he first found out about becoming a father and what that meant for him and Elle to being the best dad to Levi, I just felt like the raw feelings and emotions he expressed made me connect with him more.

However, I feel like the situation with the cheer team, especially Lisa, went a bit too extreme. Both Rhodes and Elle were in their 30s, known to be best friends by the world, and Elle was Levi's godmother, and they were close to each other's family and friends, so the whole not being seen with any players rule seemed too unrealistic given their situation. I felt like it was given too much focus to maybe stir up the forbidden aspect. Moreover, Rhodes could've easily spoken to the respective people to establish their friendship to avoid this drama.

I did feel like initially Elle seemed flippant or not too mindful of Rhodes's feelings, which were hurt when she randomly pushed him away because of her job or disappeared when the lines started to blur a bit. Although they'd been best friends for 13 years, I sometimes felt like Elle was being unfair in a few situations over the years. I did like their dynamics once they got together, but at first, things were too awkward between them, which was mostly on Elle's part.

I did, however, like Elle's journey throughout this book. From her trying to be the version of herself that was acceptable for her parents to slowly learning to start owning up to the things that truly brought her joy and made her her. It took time, and she had conflicting feelings about not wanting to disappoint her parents but also wanting them to see and acknowledge the version of herself that she wanted to be. I liked the conversations she had with them and how she slowly learned to set her boundaries, communicate, and work on building a much healthier relationship with them.

Levi was literally the cutest kid, and I couldn't get enough of him. He was such a ray of sunshine whenever he was present and left me with a huge smile. The bond he had with Elle felt so pure and natural because she'd been a part of his life from the beginning and loved him with everything she had. I also loved the way everyone doted on Levi and his adorable antics.

The romance is built gradually, set in motion when Rhodes and Elle finally cross some lines that change things in their friendship and make them question the pact they made all those years ago. This was also the moment that Rhodes realizes that he no longer wants to keep waiting for things to align for them but put in the effort to make sure she knows his feelings and that he's willing to wait for her to get there. Both had spent years pining after each other, but the timing was just never right.

I did like the flashback scenes that gave more insight into Rhodes and Elle's relationship over the years. It helped me connect with them better, see how their feelings for each other kept evolving with time, and also understand the conflicts both of them faced when it came to their feelings for each other.

The spice was oh so amazing, and I don't know how these two survived this long. Once they'd crossed that line, there was no going back and no holding back from exploring each other the way they'd always dreamed of. I loved that Elle wasn't shy; part of that reason was also the emotional connection she had with Rhodes, which always adds more to the intimacy for me.

The side characters in this series are honestly so amazing, and the found family aspect is heartwarming. The guys from the single dad players group are basically family with the way they were in each other's business, teasing, supporting, and meddling. The entries in the single dad playbook have been something that I always enjoy reading. The girl gang was also such an amazing group who were always present for Elle, and that meant so much for her when she'd had to doubt being herself for so long. Also, Rhode's parents were brilliant, and I loved the bond with Elle too.

I'm so excited to read Bowie's book next because he's the quiet one, and I want to learn more about Becca too.

Thank you to Willow Aster and Valentine PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Graham Sadler has my whole damn heart. As someone who is also an introvert and struggles to start conversations with new people, I could relate to his character and struggles so much. All that overthinking or coming off as uninterested when in truth he was just trying to figure out how to keep the conversation going. The way he was treated by his ex and the way their relationship ended had left a deep impact on Graham, which made him question everything about himself. Watching him constantly feel like he wasn't good enough for someone like Quinn broke my heart.

After being in such a toxic environment for years with her abusive mom, Quinn never had anyone in her corner. She'd done her best to come out of the shitty situation she was in and work on herself and her dreams. After being on the move for close to a decade, Sutton Bay felt like the place where she could finally find a sense of belonging. But there were times when the doubts would creep in, and she didn't have anyone to lean on. Despite being belittled for her appearances for so long, Quinn had taken years to learn to love her body the way it was, which was so admirable.

I truly loved the growth in Graham and Quinn's relationship from being fake to turning very real. Graham was a man of few words, but he said the sweetest things. Also, his actions. The flowers he got her, the date he planned, the birthday party, and every thoughtful little thing he did for her made me love him even more. Graham became her constant, her home, her rock. His words, actions, steady presence, and never-ending faith in her were the push she needed to take a chance on herself to dream bigger.

I loved how patient Quinn was with Graham, never rushing him, knowing that he sometimes needed his time to collect his thoughts before expressing himself. She gave him the space to slowly start being himself again without judgment or feeling like he was weird. This helped Graham start finding his confidence and hope again. The way Quinn was quick to defend and put people in their place for being bitchy to him was so satisfying to read. Quinn just knew exactly what Graham needed, even when he wasn't able to express it sometimes.

There was great growth in both characters as individuals, which was reflected in their relationship. They supported each other through everything but were also aware that they can't fix certain issues for the other, but that's a journey they'd have to be willing to take to figure out on their own. I liked that they had the conversation and took the difficult step so they could work on themselves and their trauma so they could do right by each other.

There's something about the quiet ones taking control in bed. 'Cause boy did Graham take control. Being with each other brought out something new and feral in Graham that he hadn't even realized he was into, spurred on by how responsive Quinn was. I liked that they both encouraged each other through some insecurities even when it came to intimacy.

The side characters were amazing, and watching the family get together was truly heartwarming. The way they also brought Quinn into their fold so seamlessly was so endearing, especially knowing how much that meant to her. I'm looking forward to the other siblings' books now.

Thank you to Ronnie Mathews and Love Notes PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review💗

Nathan knows something about Haven that he promised her he would never speak of to anyone. But this eventually also turns into the reason why he keeps his distance from her so he doesn't cause her any more pain. For years they skirted around each other, wanting each other but never giving in. Until one day Nathan helps Haven out during a storm, which inevitably causes them to spend time in close quarters, and all the feelings they'd tried to hide come rushing back. Nathan is done trying to keep his distance, and now he just needs to convince Haven to give him a shot and take a chance on him.

Both Nathan and Haven tried to avoid their feelings, and there was more to the story that made Haven believe that Nate couldn't stand her because of what he witnessed; however, that wasn't the case from Nate's perspective. The two slowly get talking and address these feelings and start opening up.

First, the things I liked:
The Shaw family lunch and game day. I honestly had so much fun with the way the entire family got together and competed. I especially enjoyed the way they all accepted Haven into the fold and how easily she got into the competitive spirit of the Shaw family.

I loved the way Lily teased Nathan. That whole part was so hilarious, and I laughed so hard at how she told on Nathan and left him scrambling and the death glares that followed.

The proposal. I found that proposal so damn adorable, and it warmed my heart. The epilogue that followed was also something I thought was so sweet.

I would still want to read the other books in the series because I am intrigued by other characters.


This book didn't hit the mark for me, and that was because (SOME SPOILERS AHEAD):

Once they addressed the miscommunication and the other feelings they had over their secret from the past, things went from 0-100 instantly. The romance felt lackluster, and I wasn't truly invested because I didn't quite feel the angst, build-up, or the push and pull between these two. I wish Nash's reluctance was explored more and better communicated.

It is said that after they had a sort of fallout, they resorted to being snarky with each other whenever they crossed paths, but I didn't really see that happening in the book. Yes, they were awkward and a bit defensive with each other at the beginning, but I just couldn't connect with them or get an understanding of what their relationship was like. A lot was told and not shown. This is also book 9 in the series, and I started with this, so that's partially on me too. It felt like the couple had already been established and their story was already ongoing, so it felt like starting midway. 

The POV kept changing in certain chapters at random intervals or in random paragraphs, which felt confusing. Like just one line or paragraph from a different POV in between.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the whole "Yeah, I slept around, but I was always thinking of you while I was sticking my dick in others." Yikes, no. Also, what made Nate randomly stop pushing her away now when he'd been doing so for years? It couldn't have been just because she spent a night at his place during the storm. What Haven went through was utterly traumatizing, but we never truly get into this or get her thoughts on it. They just mention that she's seeing a therapist. I'm sure that experience would've impacted her ability to get intimate, but she showed no signs of that, and it wasn't even discussed.

She was a virgin, and after all that shit between them, their first time was so rushed and lacked any emotional connection for me.

Some things felt a bit too repetitive for me. Also, why is everyone just so eager to do charity work? The minute things got serious between Nate and Haven, it's like the entire town was tripping over themselves to give back to the community (i.e., Haven's dog park). It just felt so unbelievable when so many people kept wanting to donate their time and do everything for free, or some member of that Shaw family was funding it.

There were so many jumps every couple of chapters where more weeks passed by, and they gave an update of what their relationship was like, and it just all felt like there wasn't much to show. They got together far too quickly, confessed their feelings the same day, and then it was just not going anywhere... I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop or for there to be SOMETHING more to it.

Her so-called ex kept showing up everywhere, not taking a hint... until he didn't. He just stopped existing as soon as Nate made his move. There was no drama from his side for the way he kept coming back for Haven even after she'd said no. I really thought that plot might be explored a bit, but it just felt random and incomplete. Like he was there only to add a bit of drama before they got together, which didn't make sense with the way he disappeared, never to be even mentioned again.

The situation with Haven's dad was so anticlimactic. When that happened, I was like, okay, now we're getting somewhere. This will be the closure she needed or the step she takes to fight back or whatever. But the way that entire situation fizzled out within 2 pages was just not it. I kept waiting for something... anything to happen, and it finally did, only for it to be dealt with sooooo sooo quickly.

Thank you to Kelly Elliott and Grey's Promotions for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, MM romance with Jacob Morgan AND Teddy Hamilton as the narrators??? How could I not pick up the audiobook? And I would highly recommend it because I had the best time. I need more audiobooks with these two narrating together.

Rating: 4.5⭐️
Narration: 5⭐️
Spice: 2.5🌶

Moving into a new home was the easy part. The difficult part is to get it furnished, and Tommaso would rather have his tooth pulled than go around shopping for new furniture when he didn't know the first thing about what he wanted his place to look like or what "welting" was supposed to mean. He comes across Carter, who is an interior designer while he's out shopping, who offers to help him out of this situation.

Being raised in the kind of environment he had, Tommaso had learned to bury his deepest feelings for the longest time to be able to fit in with his family. But years of being told that it was wrong to like men had instilled a fear in him of accepting that fact about himself, which is why his attraction to Carter throws him off balance. It was a long journey for him to admit things to himself first, then Carter, and finally his family and friends, and I loved watching that growth for him.

Carter is this close to losing his battle against his doom spiral after his boyfriend dumped him when their business went sideways, leaving him with a lot of debt and on the verge of being evicted. He'd reached a point where he felt like he couldn't trust his own instincts. So when Tommaso reaches out to hire him to do the interior work for his home, he grabs at this opportunity with both hands.

The romance between Tommaso and Carter built gradually. Carter was the calm to the chaos in Tommaso's mind. He had a lot going on, but talking to Carter and being in his presence grounded him and made him breathe easier. He also understood Tom's struggles and gave him the space and safety to open up about feelings he'd never voiced out before. Tommaso's confidence in Carter helped him regain some of the optimism and love for his work again after feeling lost and almost giving up on his dreams. I also liked how Tommaso was the first to admit his feelings and also apologized when he messed up, and he was ready to wait for Carter to take his time to figure out things before moving forward.

The way these two did sweet little things for each other was adorable. All that talk about "sportsing" and getting Tom's opinions for the interior made me smile a lot. The way Carter did silly things to cheer Tom up after a rough match and how thoughtful Tom was of Carter and his friends too was so freaking sweet.

There was a lot of self-reflection for both characters, as individuals and as they navigated their relationship, and I liked that they communicated and took their time to be sure of their feelings.

The spice was good without it being overwhelming. It was kind of a slow burn with them testing the boundaries and exploring. Getting intimate with a man went against everything Tom had convinced himself of wanting for years, so being with Carter finally felt freeing, and he was able to understand the hype around sex. I liked that he was finally able to experience intimacy with a partner he actually wanted.

I also loved how Tom's teammates were supportive of him and the LGBTQIA+ community and weren't ashamed to show it.

I liked the conversation Tom had with his ex-wife, which was a closure he needed to put his past behind and embrace his sexuality without being drowned in guilt and regrets.

The -0.5 is because I wanted a confrontation between Tommaso and his uncle. After tormenting him all his life, I wanted there to be that moment between them that felt like a closure for Tommaso. And I wanted more interaction between Carter and his family. I wanted to know more about his family, to understand their dynamics, and for Carter to introduce Tom to them too.

I listened to the audiobook, with Callie Dalton and Teddy Hamilton as narrators in dual narration. So I most definitely enjoyed and recommend the audiobook since these two are some of my favorite narrators.

Growing up with addicts and then the circumstances that led to him being sent to foster care had scarred Colton deeper than he'd ever let on. His brothers knew, but he much preferred never thinking about it. Now all he wanted was to do right by his daughter and give her the best life he could. He feels like he's tainted by all that he's seen and lived through to ever be with someone who is so free and vibrant as Macy.

Macy is Colton Fury's office assistant manager. Moving to New Orleans wasn't something she'd planned on, but losing her mother and then being in a difficult situation with her last boyfriend had been the push she needed to finally start over. I loved her character and how funny, adorable, strong, sweet, loyal, and protective she was. She loved teasing Colt and had the sweetest relationship with his daughter Daisy.

The romance between Colton and Macy had been a long time coming. I loved their dynamics and how her sunshine personality balanced out his grumpy one. The origami bears she made for him made me smile. The way she was so unbothered by his gruff exterior, even though he was a bounty hunter and dangerous in general. I found that super funny. Colton tried to keep his distance from her due to his own past and insecurities, so there was some push and pull, which only added to their angst. But things fall into perspective for him when someone starts targeting Macy, and things really start building between them from that point.

The back and forth and Colt's conflicting feelings added a lot to the sexual tension between them, which made the spice that much better.

The suspense blended really well with the romance and kept me hooked till the end. I liked that the characters don't just chalk up things to being a coincidence and actually use their brains to connect the dots. Things got really intense towards the end, and Macy didn't just wait around; she took charge and did what needed to be done for Colt's sake, which I loved. 

This is one thing I'm loving in Anna Hackett's books: that the FMCs take charge and aren't just damsels in distress who wait to be saved. Yes, the men do save them and have the whole "touch her and die" thing going, but the women are just as fierce and never give in.

Again, the Fury brothers always have each other's backs, and I love the family bond between them. The way they wanted to spend time together and plan family dinners was precious. They all worked together to help Colton and Macy out, no questions asked. I also loved the way Beau and Kavner kept teasing Colt about his crush on Macy. He definitely did not last even three days before giving in, and I was cackling at that turn of events.

Book: 4.5⭐️
Narration: ♾️⭐️
Spice: 3.5🌶

Can I tell you something?
Tell me anything and everything, and don't everrr stop.

Okay, I will absolutely, 100% recommend the audiobook for this one. It enhances the entire experience, and you'll love it. Adam Gold and Evelyn Rose were both phenomenal. Also, this is a duet narration, which I always love.

Cameron was a total snack and so thoughtful, sweet, sexy, and charming. He was attracted to Hannah from the moment he met her, but it grew when he found out that she knew about his erotic audio channel and followed him. I loved the way he teased her after he found out her secret but also was mindful of not making her feel awkward. I also loved the way he bonded with Ryan's parents and felt a belonging with them. Every time Cameron said, "Can I tell you something?" in that voice… oh God, I was a puddle on the floor.

Hannah is eager to get to her family's chalet to spend Christmas with them. After the way she'd been cheated on by two of her ex-boyfriends, it had taken a toll on her mentally and emotionally and had deeply affected her confidence too. The only man she has in her life is the audio erotica star Mac'n'please. So when her brother Ryan turns up to their chalet along with his best friend Cameron, who happens to be the very man she's been obsessing over, she feels flustered and cornered.

It takes a while for Hannah to admit to Cameron that she knows him, but once she does, she feels more relaxed and herself with him. Being with him also helped her come out of her shell sexually in a way she hadn't felt comfortable with before. I loved watching her be more confident and ask for what she wanted without feeling uncertain.

The romance was so sweet and tender between them as they slowly started getting to know each other in real life. Watching them trying to sneak around to find whatever alone time they could while being in the presence of Hannah's family was cute too. Cameron felt like Hannah saw the real him and not just the voice artist that people saw and wanted to claim. She put in the effort to teach him things, take care of him, and know more about him. For Hannah, who didn't want to fall for the wrong guy again while dealing with the insecurities of being cheated on, Cameron made his feelings very clear from the start and was always honest and direct with her.

The little bits of Mac'n'please we got at the start of the chapters were an amazing addition, and I was sooooo here for it.

I adored the Richmond family and how much they loved each other and looked forward to spending time together. The traditions in their family were so endearing and heartwarming—the father-daughter shopping spree, family puzzle night, the endless feasts, the fights over candies, the book gift exchanges, the skiing, the sledging, and everything else. Hannah's parents were so open, loving, and supportive, and it was so sweet to see them welcome Cameron into their fold so easily.

The spice??? Where do I even begin?? The audiobook was top-notch, and Adam Gold as Cameron was BEYOND perfect. Oh god, this man, his voice, the narration. Adam has done such a splendid job with the narration, with his accents and variations for different characters, which were easy to distinguish. AND the spicy scenes. HOLY FUCK!!! That was something else altogether. The smut was mind-blowing, and I had to stop everything I was doing because I couldn't concentrate to save my life. I really, reallyyyyy need Adam Gold to narrate a lot more romance novels.

I do wish we'd gotten a bit more into Hannah's need to work herself to the bone and why she felt like she had to always win. The winning thing was just an instance, but there was a remark she made there that kind of felt like more and also had some connection to her workaholic nature. I also wish Hannah didn't fumble so much around Cam and had more thoughts other than being horny for him.

The audiobook was really good. I think this is the first time I've heard Aiden Snow, and he was brilliant as Dante, and his voice fit the character perfectly. Erin Mallon was amazing as always, and I loved her as Mila. Would recommend the audiobook.

Dante Fury had clawed his way up to where he was today. Going through what he had growing up, being abused by his father and abandoned by his mother, then being in foster care, was truly terrible. He still carried those scars but was still grateful because that journey led him to his brothers—Colton, Kavner, Reath, and Beau. Now he wants to focus on running his club and keeping his people safe. 

After losing her family so tragically and then being betrayed by those she trusted, Mila wanted to hold on to her secrets and control. Trusting others was not an option for her, and the only person she could count on was herself. It was painful what she had gone through, all that she'd lost and given up. I loved that she took up self-defense classes to be better prepared if the people chasing her caught up.

Mila took a while to open up to Dante due to her need to stay in control of her life while also fearing for his life if people came for him because of her. But she eventually does, and Dante helps her feel safe, cherished, and protected. For Dante, who'd been abandoned and thought of very little for all his life, he never expected someone to see him, love him, and choose him. But Mila saw him for the person he was and not his wealth and status or as someone to go to for a good time. 

The romance seemed a little too instant for me. Like things progressed too quickly from him being her boss to being her fake boyfriend to her real boyfriend. I still enjoyed it, and I liked Dante and Mila together. The book was short, and there was the plot revolving around people hunting Mila, so it made sense too, but I just wish the transition had been more gradual so it felt more believable. I did enjoy the banter between them and how bossy Dante was and how Mila teased him for it. The spice was good, and it was just the right amount for the book.

This book was fast-paced, and the romance and suspense went together well. I loved how Mila didn't back down when the time came and fought her way out of the situation. However, it was a little unrealistic in my opinion, given how she'd only been taking self-defense classes for like 3 months and managed to take down like 3-4 men who were criminals. So yeah, certain parts were unrealistic, but I still had a good time listening to it.

Loved the Fury brothers, who aren't related by blood, but their bond is something that's much deeper. Honestly, I can't pick just one because they're all so amazing, and I loved how involved they all were in this book.

This was a very enthralling read and differed from the other vampire books I've read recently, which I loved. There was so much drama, action, betrayal, plotting, and scheming, and I was hooked.

Tatyana was really smart, determined, and strong-willed. Even knowing things could go either way, she still chose to gamble when it came to striking a deal with Oleg, and it paid off. She was always careful, and she delivered on her promises. Her attraction to Oleg was gradual, and while she was wary of him from the first moment, she became even more mindful once she found out about his true nature. But I liked that she didn't cower or back down even after she found out the truth. I also loved that she didn't wait around for others to save her, but she did everything she could to save herself.

I liked getting an understanding of Tatyana's relationship with the people in her life, although there were very few, but she knew she could count on them. Her relationship with her mother was complicated and not the best given her mother's struggles, but I still loved how her mother always came through and was the rock Tatyana needed while facing any uncertainties. They were a good team despite everything.

I was captivated by Oleg from that first page, and I only grew to like him more as the book progressed. He's a puzzle, and there's still so much left to learn about him, which I can't wait to get to. His interest in Tatyana was evident from the start, even when he tried to convince himself that it was only to get to Zara. But he was there for Tatyana every step of the way, always protecting her and unable to keep away from her even when he knew he should. I also enjoyed learning about his relationships with the different people in his life—his former mate, his daughter, his <i>Druzhina</i>, his employees, and obviously Tatyana. I also liked seeing his feral side come out, and watching him annihilate people to keep Tatyana safe was amazing.

The world-building was really interesting as the author blends a fantasy world along with our real world by creating some new cities and territories, which honestly made me understand and relate to this world better. The made-up parts were intriguing, and I loved discovering the new places and how they were detailed. The way book one ended, I'm waiting to see more of this world-building that will be continuing.

The book had so much going on, and it was riveting. I loved learning all about the vampires, the treaties, the rules, how their kind operates with each other and the humans. I liked the way the elements of nature were a part of the vampires, each one taking to a different element that defined their abilities.

The romance was a slow burn with everything else that was going on, and while they did get together, book one ends on a cliffhanger, and they still have a lot of navigating to do to figure out where they go from here. There are a lot of possibilities, so I'm waiting to see what happens next. The spice was good, though, and I enjoyed their chemistry and all the tension between them.

I loved Elene's character a lot and how she ran everything so effortlessly. She knew just what needed to be done, and there was no one—human or vampire—that could deter her.

I liked the side characters, and it took a while to get a hang of them, but they all added a lot to the plot, and I liked seeing their bonds with both Oleg and Tatyana. I'm hoping to see them in the next book and have more interactions with these two. 

The book ended in such an interesting way, and I'm so eager to find out what will happen next. Again, the possibilities seem endless at this point, and I don't know what trajectory their journey will take. I get why Tatyana did what she did, and I respect and admire her strength for pulling off everything given all the chaos and heightened emotions.

Thank you to Elizabeth Hunter and Valentine PR for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.