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Crae Romance #1
Callum
He's waited centuries for his mate.
Callum Crae, the youngest sibling of the Crae family who has led the werewolves for millennia, has watched his siblings all fall in love with their mates. He's been patient, he's waited, knowing that, when the time came, his mate would be perfect.
She's never had anyone devoted to her.
Marielle has only ever been valuable for her pain. A rare cross between a druid and the child of a god, she's been kept prisoner for two centuries, used and abused as they cut pieces off her body for particularly powerful spell ingredients. She has no idea how her life is going to change when Callum finds her.
His devotion to his mate will give them both a second chance at life.
He's never felt anything like this before. She's never known anyone could love her. As she struggles with her past and all that's been taken from her, he's determined to prove to her that they can have a wonderful life together. And he'll do anything to make that happen for her.
A he-falls-first, mating-bond spicy paranormal romance, Callum is a guaranteed HEA that stands alone. Each book in the series is focused on a different Crae sibling.
Content warnings for the abuse Marielle went through, including sexual abuse, and scenes of violence. This is an 18+ book with multiple sexual scenes.
Callum Crae, the youngest sibling of the Crae family who has led the werewolves for millennia, has watched his siblings all fall in love with their mates. He's been patient, he's waited, knowing that, when the time came, his mate would be perfect.
She's never had anyone devoted to her.
Marielle has only ever been valuable for her pain. A rare cross between a druid and the child of a god, she's been kept prisoner for two centuries, used and abused as they cut pieces off her body for particularly powerful spell ingredients. She has no idea how her life is going to change when Callum finds her.
His devotion to his mate will give them both a second chance at life.
He's never felt anything like this before. She's never known anyone could love her. As she struggles with her past and all that's been taken from her, he's determined to prove to her that they can have a wonderful life together. And he'll do anything to make that happen for her.
A he-falls-first, mating-bond spicy paranormal romance, Callum is a guaranteed HEA that stands alone. Each book in the series is focused on a different Crae sibling.
Content warnings for the abuse Marielle went through, including sexual abuse, and scenes of violence. This is an 18+ book with multiple sexual scenes.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2023
133 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Addison James
14 books25 followersAddison James is a romance book author from New England. They are obsessed with all things mythical, mystical, and magical. A lifelong fantasy reader, that evolved to fantasy romance as they grew up. Addison always has a story to tell and is excited to introduce you to their world of fantasy romance.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 14, 2025
3.75⭐️ this was a super cute quick read
April 16, 2023
She literally cuts out her own eye to spare his life. I can't say I'd do the same, but I guess that's why I'm not a werewolf's fated mate 🤷♀️
April 28, 2025
Story naja - passiert teils viel auf einmal & schnell, dann wieder schleppend. Die Romance story und der Spice waren sehr cute.
January 5, 2026
Super cute, quick read.
Marielle has been trapped for two hundred years, and warlocks use her regenerating body parts for magical spells.
Callum has been alone for a century, searching for a mate that seems to never come around. While everyone else around him is falling in love and finding their forevers.
Callum is sent on a mission, and before he even steps into the building, he knows she's there. His mate.
Marielle, wounded and terrified, clings to him in a desperation that he is different and can help her gain her footing. It isn't until he brings her to his queen that she lets slip that they are mates, scaring her, but not enough to make her run.
Together, they move through the stages of finding herself sexually after being abused for so long. There is loads of spice in this book, and Callum takes his time, only moving at her speed.
I found this novel sweet, although some spots were a bit cheesy, it felt like it wasn't rushed between the two and I appreciated that.
Marielle has been trapped for two hundred years, and warlocks use her regenerating body parts for magical spells.
Callum has been alone for a century, searching for a mate that seems to never come around. While everyone else around him is falling in love and finding their forevers.
Callum is sent on a mission, and before he even steps into the building, he knows she's there. His mate.
Marielle, wounded and terrified, clings to him in a desperation that he is different and can help her gain her footing. It isn't until he brings her to his queen that she lets slip that they are mates, scaring her, but not enough to make her run.
Together, they move through the stages of finding herself sexually after being abused for so long. There is loads of spice in this book, and Callum takes his time, only moving at her speed.
I found this novel sweet, although some spots were a bit cheesy, it felt like it wasn't rushed between the two and I appreciated that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2025
For as dark as the themes are in this book, Callum was honestly a very fun read. The dynamic between Callum and Marielle was so sweet. It was a slowish burn for sure. There was a lot of healing that Marielle needed to go through (although we don't see much of it outside of her just existing unmolested.)
The pacing for the book was well done. It wasn't a frantic run to the end by no means. It also didn't feel like a plot was created just to make smut happen. In fact, this could have been without any sex scenes and it would have been just as good. I really like the relationships that were sprinkled in throughout the book.
Nothing about this is really deep. Marielle went through 200 years of torture but she's honestly unscathed. She healed with no physical scars (because magic) and frankly, she didn't seem to hold any mental scars. It worked but this isn't a work of deep emotional healing. It's a fun read with some dark themes and paranormal happenings. I really enjoyed it for sure.
The pacing for the book was well done. It wasn't a frantic run to the end by no means. It also didn't feel like a plot was created just to make smut happen. In fact, this could have been without any sex scenes and it would have been just as good. I really like the relationships that were sprinkled in throughout the book.
Nothing about this is really deep. Marielle went through 200 years of torture but she's honestly unscathed. She healed with no physical scars (because magic) and frankly, she didn't seem to hold any mental scars. It worked but this isn't a work of deep emotional healing. It's a fun read with some dark themes and paranormal happenings. I really enjoyed it for sure.
January 24, 2026
3.5
This probably would’ve been a 4-star read, but it just moved a little too fast for me. After everything Marielle went through for 200 years, there’s no way she would’ve trusted anyone—or gotten physical with Callum—that quickly, even if they’re fated mates. It felt rushed given the amount of trauma she endured.
I also would’ve loved more of a reunion with her brother Theo and a stronger confrontation with her aunt. Those moments felt a bit glossed over when they could’ve added so much emotional depth.
Overall, the story was good and definitely kept my interest, but it could’ve been even better with more healing, buildup, and detail. I might read the next book… or I might not—we’ll see.
🌶️🌶️
Tropes
• Fated mates
• Royal warrior werewolf MMC
• Divine/Druid FMC
• Touch-her-and-die
• Protective MMC
• Traumatized FMC
• Found family
• Kidnapping & captivity
• Healing after trauma
This probably would’ve been a 4-star read, but it just moved a little too fast for me. After everything Marielle went through for 200 years, there’s no way she would’ve trusted anyone—or gotten physical with Callum—that quickly, even if they’re fated mates. It felt rushed given the amount of trauma she endured.
I also would’ve loved more of a reunion with her brother Theo and a stronger confrontation with her aunt. Those moments felt a bit glossed over when they could’ve added so much emotional depth.
Overall, the story was good and definitely kept my interest, but it could’ve been even better with more healing, buildup, and detail. I might read the next book… or I might not—we’ll see.
🌶️🌶️
Tropes
• Fated mates
• Royal warrior werewolf MMC
• Divine/Druid FMC
• Touch-her-and-die
• Protective MMC
• Traumatized FMC
• Found family
• Kidnapping & captivity
• Healing after trauma
June 14, 2023
True Love and the depths
This is a new author for me, and she did not disappoint!! It's such a whirlwind of a romance, and you really do understand the depths of Callums feelings for Mariella. In the beginning, my heart hurt that Callum was without a mate, but to see his character develop once he found her was so heartwarming.
The spice was very well written and didn't take away from the plot. I was looking forward to their first night doing the "deed" when Matiellas passed up with her, and I could feel the panic she was feeling when she realized Callum was gone!
True love is proven in this story, and it will make your heart a flutter!!! Wonderful read and can't wait to read Bryces story next!!
This is a new author for me, and she did not disappoint!! It's such a whirlwind of a romance, and you really do understand the depths of Callums feelings for Mariella. In the beginning, my heart hurt that Callum was without a mate, but to see his character develop once he found her was so heartwarming.
The spice was very well written and didn't take away from the plot. I was looking forward to their first night doing the "deed" when Matiellas passed up with her, and I could feel the panic she was feeling when she realized Callum was gone!
True love is proven in this story, and it will make your heart a flutter!!! Wonderful read and can't wait to read Bryces story next!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2025
An interesting take
A decent story with a new variation on fated mates. In this world it's not about breeding as the mate bonds are not all same sex. It's about who suits you best, your soulmate as it were.
Marielle's time as a prisoner makes food interesting dynamic with her old fashioned ways and needing to be caught up in modern vernacular and culture.
There were a few slight discrepancies with her language (i.e the phrase Okay wouldn't have been used when she was human) but they managed it well. There were one or two working/ grammatical mistakes and in the last chapters she suddenly had claws??
Enjoyable story with a decent MMC and a realistic traumatized FMC.
A decent story with a new variation on fated mates. In this world it's not about breeding as the mate bonds are not all same sex. It's about who suits you best, your soulmate as it were.
Marielle's time as a prisoner makes food interesting dynamic with her old fashioned ways and needing to be caught up in modern vernacular and culture.
There were a few slight discrepancies with her language (i.e the phrase Okay wouldn't have been used when she was human) but they managed it well. There were one or two working/ grammatical mistakes and in the last chapters she suddenly had claws??
Enjoyable story with a decent MMC and a realistic traumatized FMC.
February 19, 2026
DNF 33% Nothing was happening, there was no reason to finish the book. There was no conflict, no what happens next.
October 1, 2025
Left in the lurch
Overall it was an okay read, found myself wanting more world building. Ultimately this book feels like a start to an interesting series full of battle and fighting for love but seems like it is just a series about standalone romances. The way this book ends would be great if the next in there series was a continuation. But nope the next is a "look back into time". Utterly disappointed and honestly dont have any desire to continue reading due to the sour taste I have.
Overall it was an okay read, found myself wanting more world building. Ultimately this book feels like a start to an interesting series full of battle and fighting for love but seems like it is just a series about standalone romances. The way this book ends would be great if the next in there series was a continuation. But nope the next is a "look back into time". Utterly disappointed and honestly dont have any desire to continue reading due to the sour taste I have.
November 1, 2025
I'm not sure where the spicy part was supposed to be but I had to DNF at the halfway point. The slowest of slow burns. Snail shifters would be faster. It was just dragging out her trauma and didn't give any insight as to if the MMC was actually working and trying to help her thru it. There is another book I've read where MMC rescues his mate in a similar type of situation. However he was very hands on and helped her overcome things. For being his mate he sure wasn't putting much effort into it.
January 26, 2024
LOVE!! LOVE!!! LOVE!!!
This is such a cozy read!! I absolutely love the dynamic between Callum and Marielle, and the other characters in this book are also amazing!! I can’t wait to read more of this series! There’s nothing not to like here, super cozy shifter romance, good world building, love able characters! I could read a 100 books based in this universe and never tire of it! Amazing!!!!
This is such a cozy read!! I absolutely love the dynamic between Callum and Marielle, and the other characters in this book are also amazing!! I can’t wait to read more of this series! There’s nothing not to like here, super cozy shifter romance, good world building, love able characters! I could read a 100 books based in this universe and never tire of it! Amazing!!!!
February 20, 2025
3.5 Stars
The grammar was correct, so this is a better read than most werewolf stories. The plot is a little weak, there is potential to strengthen it. It satisfies the desire for a dirty werewolf romance read. This book is just superficial content wise, and leaves a lot of room for creating a fantasy world.
The grammar was correct, so this is a better read than most werewolf stories. The plot is a little weak, there is potential to strengthen it. It satisfies the desire for a dirty werewolf romance read. This book is just superficial content wise, and leaves a lot of room for creating a fantasy world.
February 16, 2026
Not for me. Massively underwhelmed. I was intrigued by the synopsis - a dark love story. I found a lacklustre tale that didn’t hit hard enough. The torment was just words on a page, nothing made me feel for the characters. If anything, it felt like the plot moved too quickly for me to appreciate the journey of recovery necessary to overcome the suffering described.
January 17, 2026
The book is all over the place. Characters introduced without any depth to them. It’s like at 75% of the book, author suddenly recalled that “ohh we forgot to deal with what we started the book with!”
April 16, 2023
Soulmates for life
Great love story. Callum is every woman’s dream man. Book has great world building and a true good plot. I hope this becomes a series.
Great love story. Callum is every woman’s dream man. Book has great world building and a true good plot. I hope this becomes a series.
April 18, 2023
I devoured this book!!! I absolutely loved it!!
One of my favorites in many years!!! I have to ask or beg PLEASE TELL ME IS THERE A SIQUEL?? Is this a series??? I gotta know I need more 😍🥺🥺🥺
One of my favorites in many years!!! I have to ask or beg PLEASE TELL ME IS THERE A SIQUEL?? Is this a series??? I gotta know I need more 😍🥺🥺🥺
September 15, 2023
loved!!!!
Fast read. Loved the characters. Pulls you in from the start. Love, action, spice and family. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a wolf pack?
Fast read. Loved the characters. Pulls you in from the start. Love, action, spice and family. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a wolf pack?
October 12, 2023
Tbh I didn’t think this would be my vibe but it was so sweet?????
November 5, 2023
I liked it a lot! I think I liked "Bryce" a smidge more but theyre both really good for what they are 😊🫶🏻
January 7, 2024
I love fated mates and insta love. I know not everyone does, but I love the idea of a man falling instantly for you. And what a man...Callum is honestly too perfect.
February 19, 2025
It's just a series of events.
February 22, 2024
made me cry, the way she loves him but too scared at the same time… urgh i loved it
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews