ObsidianSparkle's Reviews

I love fated mates romance novels and occasionally a dark read, but I'm not sure I would actually call this story romantic. The ending left me thinking about it the next morning. Some things about the story really bothered me; however, they were quite obviously supposed to be bothersome.

The book has intelligent and scientific elements mixed with fantasy themes and some very mind-bending equations. It wasn't at all what I expected and was a nice change from the standard formula romance.

This book has a lot of relationship building between Harlow and Jake. I enjoyed that Jake was all-in from the start. I'm totally a sucker for the guy trying to win over the girl, and this delivers on that front. The emotional build is there, but it was a bit heavy for me. I get that Harlow was recovering from an abusive relationship, but her expectations of the already-amazing Jake were a little over the top. She needed to take some agency in the decisions she made that got her where she was. It felt like Jake had to walk on eggshells around her expectations.

I also didn't quite understand why Jake waited so many years for Harlow. From my understanding, they didn't talk that much during high school. I'd be more on board with Jake's feelings if they'd been really good friends and had developed even a minimal relationship, but his obsession over Harlow when women would likely have been interested in him all those years didn't land for me. Why Harlow? He watched her painting and such... sure, but I needed a stronger backstory. Jake seemed amazing and it seems like another amazing woman would have entered his life and scooped him up.

The author put a lot of thought and emotion into this story, and I am glad I read it. It certainly evoked emotions in me, which is the point of reading a story. It was much more complex than the average romance these days. If you like emotion, recovery, and working together to overcome challenges, then this story might be a good fit for you.

First off, I would like to note that I didn't realize this book was a cliffhanger. The second book appears to be a continuation of this one and the full story isn't complete by reading book one. This book was different than other shifter romances I've read. I did find the book enjoyable, different, and intriguing. I didn't expect the love triangle with the alpha and beta, the alpha to have other intimate partners, or the unsettling mystery this book provided. Overall, I really enjoyed it. But there were several times, I just didn't know what to think about what I was reading and that's probably a good thing. I enjoy a variation from the standard romantic formula in books and this first book exceeded expectations.

I received a free ARC copy of this book via Pen Pinery and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book two of The Alpha's Healer series starts right where book one left off. These books pretty much have to be read in order to understand the developing drama. I recommend these stories, but it's going to take the full series to get to any kind of romantic resolution, if there will be any. A great deal of complicated plot and character dynamics are unfolding in book two. If you're looking for a romance where the main couple is together the whole ride, this one isn't it. This series has multiple love triangles, family drama, and lots of emotional intermixing between characters. I recommend these books to those who want more plot and character dynamics than the average romance. Overall, I'm immersed, intrigued, and want to read book three. This series has great world-building, character interaction, and page-turning plot twists.