Amelia

A steamy start to a new shifter series!

Revisado: 09-08-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm really excited to be diving back into another one of Kiki Clark's shifter series! While this book can technically be read as a standalone since it features a new pack, the main storyline picks up after events from the Kincaid Pack series and The Mobster's Mate and features multiple appearances from both groups. That being said, the majority of the main characters were brand new to me and the big mystery surrounding who is experimenting on shifters is still very much an unknown to everyone I've met in this universe. I thought Cash was the perfect person to introduce the rest of Silver Oak pack since he had such a strong connection to everyone, and Ore's unexpected appearance kickstarted the action of the story and kept me engaged from start to finish. It was obvious from the start that Cash and Ore had a special bond, but because of Silver Oak's isolationist laws and Ore's memory loss, they were hesitant about acting on their attraction. I enjoyed the slower start because it gave me time to get the lay of the land and build up an idea of each character's personality, and it was pretty dang sweet to see how safe Cash and Ore felt around each other. As the two of them settled into a comfortable routine, it was Ore who couldn't hold back his desires. I absolutely love how bold he was about asking Cash for what he wanted, and once they pounced on each other, there was no going back! I devoured every single steamy moment of bliss they shared, and despite how new their relationship was it felt wonderfully wholesome and lasting. The thread of tension surrounding Ore's missing memories never fully went away, and as he regained bits and pieces of what he'd lost it sent the pack in an entirely different direction to protect their loved ones. I loved the way the Amatos and Kincaids teamed up to save the day, and it set the stage for a much needed upheaval to the Silver Oak pack's laws about who was allowed to join the pack. Cash and Ore absolutely got their happily ever after, and I'm so thrilled to see the life they're building together, but I still have so many questions about who's responsible for experimenting on shifters and what their end goal is. I guess I'll have to be patient while I wait for the next book to be ready, and I'm already very excited to see Saint take center stage!

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Best friends fall in love!

Revisado: 08-29-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I'm a sucker for best friends to lovers stories, and Will and Samuel's was such a treat to listen to. Their journey was pretty short with a straightforward fake boyfriends-turned-real plotline, but I felt as invested in the characters as I do during a full-length read. Poor Samuel had completely convinced himself that he had no shot with Will, and even when their practice dates turned into something more he kept waiting for him to change his mind. Will was remarkably sure about his newfound sexuality for someone who'd never been attracted to a man before, and I was here for his surety in contrast to Samuel's anxious stressing. The two of them had amazing chemistry when they finally allowed themselves to explore it, and with a foundation of friendship to build their romantic relationship upon there was minimal angst once they decided to take the leap. I especially adored the extended epilogue five years down the line--getting to see these two build up their unconventional family was everything I didn't know I needed to send them off on their happily ever after.

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A sweet and steamy delight!

Revisado: 08-21-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Holy heck did I fall head over heels for Simon and Jackson, and their story was the perfect bite-sized treat! At first I was dying of second-hand embarrassment for Simon when Jackson overheard his phone call, but he handled it in such a calm and collected way that put me right back at ease. Simon made no secret of his immediate attraction to Jackson, but I was not expecting the spark of interest that Jackson reciprocated, especially since he'd believed he wasn't attracted to men. That spark only grew after Jackson and Simon spent the night playing board games with friends, and when all that tension released in the form of steamy, steamy kisses, I was 1000% on board. I was eager to see these two get down and dirty, but Jackson was determined to woo Simon with date nights and romance first to prove he was interested in more than a quick fling. It made my heart soar to see how well Jackson treated Simon, and when Simon finally couldn't stand waiting any longer to get physical, Jackson more than made up for lost time. That freaking mini golf game was a test of patience unlike any other, and once they got back home they practically devoured each other right at the door. From that point on their romance took a delightfully steamy turn, and oh my actual god were these two on fire between the sheets. Spanking, dirty talk, and edging were just a few of my favorite ways these two took each other apart, and what made it even better was knowing that they had a genuine emotional connection on top of their physical one. Aside from a couple of minor blips in the road, nothing seemed to stop Jackson and Simon from planning the rest of their lives together, and I absolutely adored the way their story ended!

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Adorable

Revisado: 08-13-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Despite Declan and Jeremy getting off to an awkward start, I really enjoyed their story. I loved the concept of Declan being so shy and unsure around Jeremy, and every failed conversation attempt just made me root for him harder. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Jeremy at the beginning, but he won me over as the two of them spent more time together. While I was a big fan of their romance and the deliciously steamy moments they had together, where this story lost me was at the very end. It's not that I wasn't thrilled to see Declan and Jeremy take the next steps in their relationship, but the whole family dynamic came from out of nowhere and I felt like I was scrambling to catch up. I would have been just as happy had this story left off after Jeremy and Declan confessed their feelings for each other, but I can't say I was complaining about the bonus content.

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A mobster meets his fated mate

Revisado: 04-24-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Kiki Clark's books are always such a treat, and Quinten and Caden's story was no exception! A misunderstood "mob boss" and a jaguar shifter who instantly felt safe around him, a brand new cast of characters with a few Kincaid Pack cameos, and a storyline that felt as fast-paced and urgent as it did sweet and satisfying--what's not to love!

This book got off to a strong start, with the mystery of who Caden was and why he'd been dropped on Quinten's doorstep transitioning into a no-time-to-waste rescue mission to keep him from suffering a horrible fate. As Caden's backstory was revealed through terrifying nightmares and quiet confessions, my heart absolutely broke for him, but the main thing that gave me comfort was knowing how protected and safe he felt in Quinten's presence. I thought it was so sweet how the most instinctive parts of Caden kept seeking Quinten's scent out, and though Quinten tried to keep himself at a distance he was a total softie when it came to making Caden feel safe and happy. I am a total sucker for badass guys who turn into teddy bears for their loved ones, so you'd better believe I was eating up every minute Quinten and Caden spent building their connection. Caden was so sure of Quinten's inherent goodness even when they were complete strangers, and I love that he saw all the darkest parts of him and still stood his ground when the Kincaids tried to convince him that Quinten was a bad guy. Quinten would have denied it left and right, but he wanted to be a strong, protective figure to the people closest to him, someone his loved ones could count on to keep them safe. He'd convinced himself that because he wasn't a parahuman he couldn't be good enough, fast enough, strong enough, and I was thrilled to see Caden challenge those misconceptions and show Quinten that the only thing holding him back was himself. In between the hunt for the person responsible for harming Caden, Caden and Quinten's romance took off, a satisfying burn that left me wanting more and more and more. The two of them did have their ups and downs, mostly from Quinten's misguided attempts to do what was best for Caden without actually talking to Caden about it, but Quinten did eventually let go of his insecurities and open his heart up fully. Both the romance and the hunt for Caden and Quinten's enemy came to a satisfying resolution, and I couldn't be more excited about all the potential follow-ups that could come from the ending.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Completely addictive and wonderfully romantic

Revisado: 09-17-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I love, love, loved this book when it first came out, and the audio made these characters feel even more lifelike. Kevin and Hank were just two regular guys, but their chemistry was completely addictive to me. Hank didn't even bother trying to hide his attraction to Kevin, and Kevin's grumpy protests were way too overdone to be believable. Add to that their shared friend group that forced them to constantly see each other and an almost disastrous late night hookup and these two had all the makings of an enemies to lovers done right. The more I learned about Kevin and Hank separately--Kevin's crushing debt and family issues, and Hank's quiet desire to find a meaningful relationship where he could take care of someone--the more I realized how perfect they would be for each other if they just let go of their preconceived ideas. There was something so playful and fun about watching their cat and mouse game, where Hank would flirt and tease and Kevin would pretend to hate it, but once Kevin stopped trying to resist I really fell head over heels for the two of them. Hank was such a caretaker, and it made me all mushy inside to see all the little ways he showered Kevin with affection and care. He was so thoughtful and sweet when planning cute dates for the two of them or making sure Kevin had a safe place to land, but also totally filthy in bed when Kevin wanted him to take control. I'm pretty sure I melted my last brain cells seeing all the nasty things they got up to, but I don't even care because ugh it was so so good. There wasn't ever a moment when I got scared that Kevin and Hank wouldn't make it as a couple after they initially got together--if anything, each passing day only made me more and more convinced that they were gonna ride off into the sunset like that sickeningly sweet couple everyone else is jealous of. Sign me up for that kind of love, that's all I'm saying.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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An amazing finale

Revisado: 08-28-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I've been excitedly following this series since I first discovered it, and once again I was blown away by the storytelling, action, and emotional romance journey. This book picked up right where the last one left off, and the sense of urgency only grew as the Kincaid pack approached their final battle. I don't think I breathed at all as I sped-listened through Gabriel's frantic rescue of Rick and return to the manor, and Kiki Clark seriously had me waiting on the edge of my seat to see if he would make it out okay. The introduction of Carter and Damien's connection provided welcome relief from the tension, but so much of their mate bond was shrouded in uncertainty over how the pack was going to handle Damien's spying that even that wasn't a guarantee. I got pulled into the narrative effortlessly and got my heart all tangled up in the truth Damien couldn't speak out loud. He was much different than the person I expected him to be going into this, and I'm really glad I got to experience the entirety of his story, even when the reality broke my heart. Carter's steadfast loyalty and care was a welcome balm when so much of the pack mistrusted Damien, and I dearly loved how sweetly their romance sparked to life. Another unexpected treat was getting to intimately catch up with Rick and Kai again, and listening them heal their emotional rift brought tears to my eyes. As the impending threat of the O'Hares pushed the storyline forward, Damien and Carter still carved out time to connect and explore their mate bond, and that was one of the only purely sweet things I could cling to when so much chaos threatened to drag them under. Damien in particular went through the emotional wringer during this story--pain and grief and rage all so potent I could almost taste it--but he never stopped fighting for the future he wanted. I am in awe of how much mental strength he and Carter exuded in the most difficult scenarios, and watching them and the rest of the Kincaid pack take out their enemies in a heart-pounding and unpredictable final clash was the perfect climax after all the buildup. I'm still recovering from the sheer relief and happiness of knowing that the Kincaids can finally let their guards down a little and celebrate, and I absolutely loved the sendoff Damien and Carter had, first with their mating and then with one last emotional release. Major kudos to Kiki Clark for ending this incredible series on such a high note, and I can't wait to see what's next!

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Emotional, angsty, and romantic

Revisado: 01-01-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Tomasz and Nik's story sucked me in, ripped up my heart, and lovingly taped it back together again.

Tomasz and Nik's journey was emotional, incredibly angsty at times, and very much worth the pain. Their romance was the quintessential grumpy-meets-sunshine story, and boy did the two of them carry my heart on the ups and downs of their relationship. I won't lie--the weight of Nik's unhappiness sometimes threatened to suffocate me, but for every ounce of sadness he carried, Tomasz had equal amounts of hope and positivity. It would have been easy to write off Tomasz's attraction to Nik as a simple teenage crush, but what he was actually feeling was so much more than that. It made the excruciatingly long wait to turn eighteen bearable, because when Tomasz and Nik finally came together there was no way it was going to end with a quick fling.

I didn't expect Nik and Tomasz to settle into a relationship easily, and they didn't, but even during their most awkward times I felt the strength of their connection. The two of them had a lot to learn about themselves and each other before they could be what they needed, and it was both beautiful and painful to watch them stumble along the path to get there. Nik had so much pain buried in his past, and he held so much of himself back for fear of getting abandoned. The more I learned about what happened to him, the more convinced I became that Tomasz was exactly the right kind of man to love him the way he needed. I don't think there's anything Tomasz wouldn't have done for Nik's happiness, and I don't mean that in a weird codependent way, just as an expression of pure and unconditional love. Tomasz may have needed outside help for some aspects of their relationship, but I never had any doubts that he would guard Nik's heart with his life.

If the first part of this book was all about the chase, the second half was about testing the limits of Nik and Tomasz's love. After going through so much just to get their romance off the ground, it gutted me that Tomasz and Nik would have to go through the pain and heartache of a long distance relationship while Tomasz was in college. I think those months apart were probably the darkest of the entire book, because I could see how much Nik was hurting and he refused to reach out for the help he needed. I was incredibly relieved when Tomasz came home to snap some sense into him, because much longer and I'm not sure what he would have been coming home to. I don't want to say much about the solution Nik and Tomasz found to keep their relationship intact, because spoilers, but I thought it was a satisfying compromise that offered a path for both men to pursue their careers and personal happiness.

There's a lot more I could say about the elements of this book--like the way kink played a much larger role in Nik and Tomasz's relationship than I expected, or how excited I was to see more of Malek and Ryan--but in general I just really loved the emotional storytelling. Everything Nik and Tomasz experienced resonated with me, and it made their happily ever after even more fulfilling.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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Sassy and full of Christmas spirit!

Revisado: 11-28-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I absolutely adored this fluffy, Christmas-themed novella, and Adam Gold's narration made it even better! I felt like Krew and Max were in the room with me while I was listening along, and Adam seriously knocked it out of the park with his depiction of all the characters in this story. After experiencing some of the most difficult points in these characters' lives in their main stories, it was wonderful to get a small taste of lighthearted happiness in this audio. Though the whole story was told from Krew's POV, I got to reconect with every couple from the rest of the series and see how their journies continued on after the happy ending. There were bonding moments, silly banter, party games, and lots of Krew sassiness to make me giggle. The whole novella was packed with warm, Christmas-y vibes, and even a few sentimental, touching moments to steal my heart. The community these men have built together is truly incredible, and it made me so happy to listen to them all relaxing and having a good time together. I think Nicky James captured the magic of Christmas perfectly with this story, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Trials of Fear main series!

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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A captivating romance

Revisado: 10-25-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Keegan and Nico's romance may have started out full of longing and missed connections, but by the end these lovers were as sweet and affectionate as any newly mated couple. Keegan was one giant question mark to me at the beginning of this audio, so getting to unlock his secrets and connect with him as a character was equal parts captivating and delightful. Kirt Graves continues to do a fantastic job narrating this series, and once again his compelling delivery made this story and these characters realer than ever to me. After so many threats and attacks on the Kincaid pack I was expecting this story to continue on in the same vein, but that's not at all what Nico and Keegan had in store for me. Instead their journey was a refreshing step back from the chaos that allowed me to understand a different coven's problems and finally get some answers about who may have been pulling the strings the whole time and why. Don't get me wrong--this book had the same sense of urgency as the others in this series, the same connected plotlines, mysterious prophecies, and pack bonds, but less of the frantic frenzy that the pack experienced when they didn't know anything about who was targeting them. This time, Nico and Keegan knew exactly who and what they were up against, and it gave their actions new purpose to protect their loved ones no matter what the cost. I understand why they felt they were being pulled in opposite directions at the start of this book, but it still broke my heart to see how much they struggled to trust in their mate connection. Both Nico and Keegan had some growing to do before they were ready to be together for real, and I'm glad I got to experience it because it made their slow burn all the more satisfying. As much as I love the idea of fated mates, I loved knowing that Nico and Keegan consciously chose to be together even more. The two of them built a wonderful emotional connection before going beyond a few steamy kisses, and there was no doubt in my mind that every part of Keegan and Nico were committed and in love before exchanging mating bites. Just when I thought this book might come to a peaceful ending all on its own, Rick and Gabriel set my heart pounding with the uncertain aftermath of a very risky meetup and now I'm absolutely desperate to know what happens next!

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

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