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My destiny is not to claim a female, to have a family, to be rendered helpless by love.

Despite this, I am matched. A beautiful human female is now mine. Despite my warnings, she is determined to leave her mark on me, body and soul.

Honor demands I resist. I tell her the truth. I will not place a mating collar around her neck. I cannot protect her—especially from me—my choices—the horrors I face every day.

Just one moment of weakness and she gets under my skin, makes me want things I cannot have. She is everything I am not—and the most dangerous creature I have ever faced.

Claiming her—keeping her—is not possible with my pivotal role in this never-ending war. There is no place in my duties for desire. For need. Too many innocents count on me for protection. Too many lives are at stake, including hers.

The enemy is always ready and waiting, but I never expected her to be among them.

For the first time in my hardened life, I question my sanity. My dark soul. I begin to understand exactly what my enemies have stolen from me—and realize there is no limit to what a heartless warrior will sacrifice for love.

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 3, 2023

271 people are currently reading
329 people want to read

About the author

Grace Goodwin

88 books1,935 followers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Nicole.
528 reviews19 followers
July 8, 2023
Heartless a NSFW intergalactic battle romance. It is just the thing to add spice to a reader's palate. I love the intensely passionate characters who are intent on saving female prisoners stolen by the evil Hive and also intnet on destroying the Hive base in the process. Their individual experiences, convictions, and needs make for an interesting story and tons of fireworks.

Willow Baylor is a strong heroine with a true sense of what she stands for. She has an unbreakble spirit despite her traumatic life experiences. Her wish is to find safety and protection with a mate. Love is optional.

Zarren Helion is a hardened commander who see it as his duty to save as many lives a possible by destroying Nexus Hives. He will deny himself the luxury of love and family to make sure he completes his mission. His mistkes have taught him that emotions in wartime are dangerous distractions.

Oberon Arcas has a singular purpose. He must get to the Nexus Hive to rescue his sister who has been taken. He will not stop until he sees her safely back home. He will endure torture and being a rouge agent if it helps him get his sister back.

When Willow, Zarren, and Oberon collide on board a space cruiser, a series of events is catalyzed which interwines their lives forever. The sparks that fly, the action and adventure they endure, in addition to the tough decisions they must make are what make this story unforgettable.

This book is just right for a little reading fun. The action and suspense make for page-turning hours of escape. The romance between the three principal characters, while untraditional, makes the heart melt. This story turns up the heat and reinforces the idea that there is no hiding from love when it finds you.
Profile Image for Honest Mabel.
1,252 reviews40 followers
July 12, 2023
finally a good length

Man you get a full story. But I didn’t really understand the beginning aspects where she was so high handed and everyone was okay with it.

I wished there was more darkness in Hellion’s story. He is a bastard and needed a bastards story. Grace writes good happy stories even in her darkest aspects so it wasn’t exactly what I hoped for but still very good
Profile Image for Saanvi .
238 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2023
Highlights:

⚔️Maze runner×Acotar
⚔️ A unique genre ( sci-fi romance)
⚔️ Space setting
⚔️ Intellectually stimulating but not too much to handle
⚔️ Mating system
⚔️Love at first sight trope done well
⚔️Wild, bold, untameable heroine
⚔️Alpha male heroes totally in love with their girl
⚔️Lots of space smut
Profile Image for Ashley Carr, LSoR.
4,997 reviews62 followers
July 8, 2023
I’ve been waiting for the story for what seems like forever!! Helion’s story is so worth the wait! Commander Helion is the head spy with no intentions of ever claiming a mate because he doesn’t want her to be brought into this, never ending war with the Hive. When Willow appears on his ship, claiming that she is his match he rejects her so fast. The Prillion warrior wasn’t prepared for the human females stubbornness. I can’t wait for this series to continue!!
Profile Image for The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha).
2,119 reviews361 followers
July 16, 2023

heartlessHeartless kicks off a new Interstellar Brides series and I am here for it. Commander Helion has appeared in a previous story from Goodwin, but you don't need to have read any of the previous books in any of her series to enjoy Heartless.

Leading a seemingly never ending war, Helion was never planning on a mate. He is married to the job. But, fate has matched him with Willow, a human with her own internal scars. Of course, when the match happens, Helion reject her because he is married to the job.  I had trouble liking Willow at first, but after you understand her back story, you get it. Of course, Helion can't resist her forever, and the story is HOT like all of Goodwin's books. This is especially true as they both begin to admit to feelings for Oberon. I love the whole "space war" thing as well. I'm beginning to think I need more sci-fi in my reads, because it was like Star Wars, but spicy. And without anyone kissing their brother (although, Oberon is trying to save his sister).

 

 

  POV: 1st
  Tears: no 
  Trope: fated mates
  Series/Standalone: stand alone
  Cliffhanger:
  HEA:




authors like Ruby Dixon, Evangeline Anderson, ...then you will probably like Heartless!




Heartless
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Profile Image for Kit.
163 reviews20 followers
August 6, 2023
DNF 50%
MMC is missing for a good chunk of the book while FMC is potentially getting together with another male. The blurb on Goodreads doesn't make it clear this is an MFM book.

Well written and interesting story but not my thing, and loses major stars for the MMC being out of the picture so long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
July 7, 2023
Finally!!!

Helion finally got his story and it did not
disappoint. Willow was most definitely his perfect match. Now I can’t wait for Rukzi’s.
Profile Image for Karen Nastasio.
2,661 reviews19 followers
July 18, 2023
This was a brilliant book and the main characters had to open up and believe they are worthy of love and to be loved. Willow Winifred is a human that was a police officer on Earth when she was kidnapped along with others ends up in the hands of the Hive who try and break her with torture and mind games by the nexus 5 but after 2 yrs they are found by accident and rescued. When she signs up for interstellar Brides Program she is matched to Zarren Helion who is a Prillon warrior and his second and Willow cannot wait till the take her and is about to be transported to Sector 438 where her mate is working. Zarren Helion is the Commander of the intelligence Core or IC and is interrogate a Prillon warrior Oberon Arcas who has information about where a Hive Base is but wont give it up because he must save his sister Amalia who was taken by the Hive but Helion sent out his best Hunter to track her but he found nothing and if a hunter finds nothing then they are dead already but Oberon doesn’t believe him. When they are interrupted by his guard telling him there is a message from Prillon Prime he opens the message tell him congratulations on his matched mate Willow buut this has to be a mistake his name should never had been on the list in the first place but she is transporting right now. He tells his warrior to take her to his rooms and he’ll be there soon. Willow wants to see her mate now and knows the rules and protocol and they must take her to her mate and he does so and when she enters the room there is a gorgeous naked Prillon male sitting in a chair being taking care of by a doctor and she orders that he be taken care of and Zarren allows her request and then she walks him out taking his hand as she goes and Zarren is so taken by her beauty he goes along with her but tells her he can never love her the way she wants and she is happy with the friends with benefits and wonders when his second is going to join them. There is so much more going on in this book that will have the reader staying up late to find out what happens in the end just as I had and loved every page I turned. Brilliant
Profile Image for Joyffree.
3,406 reviews61 followers
July 8, 2023
Heartless is the first book in the new Interstellar Brides: Primal Mates series. It is a science fiction romance that follows the story of Willow, a human woman, and her mate match to the warrior Helion

Helion is a powerful and dangerous warrior, but he is also deeply scarred by his past. He doesn't want to claim a mate. Doesn't want the risk of having someone he loves being used as a bargaining chip by his enemies.
He knows he took his name off the registry after past events so when he receives the announcement they are sending him his mate he decides he will kindly let her know she has been incorrectly sent to him.
However, he was nowhere prepared for the little bombshell that just walked into his interrogation room

Willow is looking forward to being cared for and to being the focus of her new mates. Hubba Hubba what gal wouldn't be?
When she finds she is not as welcome as she would like she takes drastic measures determined to win Helion's heart.
She has lived through her own darkness, repressed her spirit to survive and now she only wants to live peacefully, to feel cared for and protected. She has a plan that will slowly begin to break down his walls.

As they get to know each other better both find they can no longer deny the chemistry between them is more than just a physical convenience. They also find they both feel the draw toward Oberon
However, their relationship is threatened by Helion's inability to move beyond the past as well as those pesky enemies who are determined to keep them apart.

This was a fast-paced, fun, and exciting read. The characters are well-developed and so lovable! As with all the Interstellar books, the plot is full of twists and turns and edge-of-your-seat, lots of "OMG NO" moments, some angst and let us not forget the high heat out of this world steamy romance scenes *fanning myself*

If you're a fan of science fiction romance, then I highly recommend Heartless.
It's a great book for fans of the Interstellar Brides series, and it's also a great introduction to Grace Goodwin's work.
Profile Image for Romancing the Reader.
1,258 reviews523 followers
July 10, 2023
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: Heartless by Grace Goodwin, book one in the Interstellar Brides: Primal Mates series.

📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲:Sci-fi romance, opposites attract, MFM, love triangle.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Willow is recovering from being abducted by slave traders, and thinks her best chance for a solid future in space is joining the Intersteller Brides program. She's matched with Helion, a commander who has no wiggle room on the rules and even less room in his heart for a bride. While the pair are overcoming their initial obstacles, Willow meets Oberon, a strong and wild warrior who represents everything she wants in a partner.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: The first 30% of this book I had to use context clues to piece together the plot, but once I hit the 31% mark I was super into the storyline and couldn't put it down.

One mistake I think sci-fi writers make is assuming I have read your other work. This is the first in a series, so I assumed the storyline would be explained well enough. For someone like Grace Goodwin who has countless books on the market, I thought this was a good place to start. I am a strong reader, so I made it through, but I feel like so many would have given up in my position.

But I say all of that to say I absolutely loved the actual storyline between these three. I just needed more of an explanation into all of it. The love triangle and angst and inner monologues of the characters were wonderful. I loved watching Willow reinvent herself. I loved that these were flawed characters, but they ended up happy. I could see being super into this, if it only had some backstory built in.

🔮 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲: Medium, simply because of the above. I had no context when it came to the aliens, their race, what they looked like, the bride program, or the clear abduction storyline that must be from a series or two ago.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
Profile Image for Liz.
2,114 reviews15 followers
July 7, 2023
Sci fi isn’t a genre I’d usually read but I decided to break out of my comfort zone with Heartless. It’s set in a universe of intergalactic war where numerous planets have come together to battle the dreaded Hive and of course the warriors and their fated mates…… ok so it’s more a case of they’re matched by some dating agency super computer but when you’re talking 99% matches then fate is definitely playing a part in the selections. The hero Commander Zaren Helion is some sort of head spy with no intention of ever claiming his female while he’s part of a seemingly never ending war, not wanting to be placed in the position of ever having to choose between love or duty so when Willow Baylor appears on his ship and declares she’s his match, he rejects her but the Prillon warrior hasn’t reckoned on the stubbornness of a human female determined on a new life.

Heartless is the first book in a new series that is intertwined with previous series from Vanessa Vale so there are several characters who’ll be familiar to regular readers. The heroes are all uber alpha males giving off “me Tarzan, you defenceless Jane” vibes until they ultimately realise that humans are a lot stronger than they look. I really didn’t like the heroine here to begin with. Willow was all “grand entrances and I’m here boys, come claim me” but then as more of her history was revealed came the realisation she was playing a part to protect herself. With a strong plot involving rescue/suicide missions, attacks on enemy bases with renegade teams of warriors not to mention some seriously steamy scenes between the hero, heroine and their third, this book might just have made a convert of me when it comes to sci-fi romance.
Profile Image for Cyle.
966 reviews143 followers
July 11, 2023
This is the first in the Primal Mates series but its apart of the main series Interstellar Brides. I was excited for this one because Helion has been an important figure through out the series and side series. I was curious on how this character was going to handle being matched and having a mate.

Heartless follows Willow who was rescued from a Hive ship and went through hell, she has finally put herself together in a way and has also been chosen as a bride being mated to Commander Helion. However Helion though good looking, powerful and intelligent, he has a one track mind and its to destroy the Hive at all cost. Both have a deep drive for something Willow to create a new live and get away from what happened to her and Helion wants to stop the Hive.

Overall I liked this story, I would say this was a 3.5/3.7 stars for me. I always love the connection between matched mates and their journey into figuring things out. There is always miscommunication, however I didn't really like how Willow handled things on her end as she blamed Helion and didn't bother to ask nor did she share. But he got the blunt end of things. Since normally there are two mates the Primary and his second, Helion not having a second caused issues too. I don't think that Willow handled that well and was a little peeved with her actions. The romance side as always is on fire, its intense and I always like how to couple balance each other out. This series is always just getting started so I cant wait to see who is next in Primal Mates.

In the end there is a lot of action scenes and I loved seeing the past couples pop in to see how they are all doing. The Hive is still insanely scary and I'm looking forward to seeing how they can be stopped.

Profile Image for Spinneretta.
2,855 reviews21 followers
July 18, 2023
good

Note: Two of our main characters have appeared in previous books; Willow’s story began in Claimed by the Cyborgs, and the characters from that book make an appearance in this one. Helion, of course, has been in many- maybe even most (or all?) of the books.

Willow signed up for the brides program, in the hope that she would never have to feel weak again. Her matched mate, one Zarren Helion: his infamy within the Coalition not the kind of thing to turn Willow away.
The problem is, Helion had no intention of taking a bride, and refuses to love one, but even this hard-hearted Prillon male might just have met his match…

I know I’m not the only one who has been eagerly waiting for Helion’s story, so I was extra happy when I saw it announced.
The book proved to be quite insightful… Helion’s motivations, and those connections, make for an intriguing background story, and my only real disappointment was that it didn’t seem long enough!
Willow too is an interesting character. She annoyed the heck out of me with some of her decisions, but I understood that her drive and motivation was really provided by her own trauma and experiences. When we think about it, Willow is actually an incredibly strong woman, one who has been through a great deal.
It amused me that Willow essentially picked the third to their triad, and he is a good balance for Helion’s steadfast, ruthlessness and determination. Where Oberon is emotion, Zarren is logic, and I only wish we had more time to see the three of them together.

It’s a great deal of fun watching Zarren Helion fall, fast and far, in this sci-fi romance; and I recommend this book to Interstellar Brides Program fans, and the entire series to SFR lovers.
Profile Image for Claire Cronin.
1,244 reviews19 followers
July 17, 2023
A new series in the Intersteller Brides Program, in this we have Commander Helion, who's only concern is destroying the Hive and saving the females, he has no time or inclination for a so called mate, but his world is upended when Willow blows into his ship and sets his emotions raging!

Willow has a past which she hides under her layers, she is strong and determined, and is very much looking forward to her match with the Commander and his Second.... except there is no Second, just the Commander - they have a fabulous connection and she promises him she is everything he needs, until she hears he is unwilling to try to rescue some females from the Hive, instead just wants to obliterate it without a rescue attempt. This sets off all Willow's triggers with her past life and she decides to help the rescue instead.

Oberon only purpose is to rescue his sister from the Hive, the Commander believes she is dead and as such he will not give up the location of the Hive. He and Willow transport off ship and set up a rescue attempt - Willow rejects Helion as her mate but settles for the family protection of Oberon's family, before falling for him.

Lots of action in this, it was a fun read, wasn't too sure about Willow to start off with but loved her when her true colours came through. Helion is a wreck without her, never realising just how much she means to him in that short space of time, and when he meets back up with Oberon and finds him with Willow, then its fisticuffs time! All 3 characters have a lot to sort our before they find their happiness. Good start to a new series.
Profile Image for Sara Books & Tips.
236 reviews15 followers
July 10, 2023
#Heartless is a #scifi with #romance and it takes place around the #galaxy and in the between of an #intergalactic battle.

“𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑓 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑠𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑?”

Our FMC, Willow, is a human that has been kidnapp€d from the Hives, a group of aliens that take women in order to test and experiment on them. After this, she finds herself in the space, with a burden like that and the only thing she wants at all costs is to feel safe again, even in her own skin. Even after all of this, Willow is still a strong woman, one that knows what she wants and she has also a fierce sense of justice.

Trying to follow her wish, she’ll met Zarren Helion, an unbreakable commander whom sees duty as the only important thing in life. So, when Willow came into his life with a promise of a connection, a call of bonding, he refuses himself and to her all those things, because of his ice heart. But he cannot be more wrong of his own ideas!

But Willow will met also Oberon, another Prillon male (as Zarren). A guy that wants only to rescue her sister, even he has been told that she’s already dead.
Zarren and Oberon have the same purpose: to eliminate the threat of Nexus Hive. But they don’t get along very well: the first is strong to go on, the second is blind in his idea of her sister been still alive and he will allow people to get into a trap for it.

⚠️Guess who will make those two strong men at their own knees? And who will find a path to make them at peace? Yeah, I think you get it, and she will do it giving them love, respect, and making them face their fears.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
39 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2024
After reading this book for the third time, not counting the way I go back after reading a book to reread favorite sections or chapters, I've decided to do a review. I believe that I have read virtually every book in the Grace Goodwin canon. I may have skipped a couple of virgins in space books, because virgins.

This is the latest book, as of February, 2024. I find it is the one I love best. Commander Helion has been such a jerk, really a stronger word should be used. He was especially monstrous to the warriors who earned the right to be matched with a bride. As the head of intelligence he just seemed irredeemable.

He pops in to various stories over the course of the timeline. I, and a lot of other characters, could not wait for him to get his comeuppance when he got his own earth girl bride. It was not disappointing. Did he ever get what was coming for him. It is tempting to discuss it, but to keep the surprise element, I'll leave it there.

I did not want to, but I fell a bit in love with Helion. The story did not make him any less of the monster that he is, but there is a heart beating in there somewhere. I loved his mate, Willow, too. She had a really interesting background. The second was especially yummy. It will be interesting to see where Goodwin goes in the future with the interstellar brides. There are a couple of characters who need their own HEA. I have Goodwin on automatic purchase. I have enjoyed all of her worlds and eagerly await her next books. .25 diversity penalty, but still it rounds up to 5. I love this book that much. There are a couple of others that I should reread and review.
384 reviews6 followers
October 27, 2024
Helion was heartless....until Willow.

"Heartless" will keep your heart beating (pun intended) from first page to last. This story is jam-packed with heart-stopping action, all the while Helion fighting his soul deep attraction to Willow, his perfectly matched Interstellar Bride. At first he swore it was a mistake when he was notified of her arrival...and told her so, an action that didn't exactly go over very well with her. While his body eventually gave up to her allure, he continued to try and convince himself...and her...that he would never be a good mate. He didn't have a designated second, so Willow went about the process of finding her own. And of course she picked the one Prillon who was Helion's nemesis.

Willow had been a prisoner of the Hive, but she did not share this information with Helion, even when he tried to comfort her through her nightmares.

While Oberon Arkis, Helion's forced second, seeks to rescue his sister, who, along with several other females had been kidnapped and held by the Hive at a secret base, Helion is convinced she and the others are dead and refuses to risk more lives in a fruitless rescue mission. This is the main point of contention between the two men.

But Willow wants to help Oberon prove his sister is still alive, leading to a catastrophic mission in which Willow is recaptured by Nexus 5 of the Hive. Will Helion and Oberon be able to set their personal animosity aside in favor of rescuing Willow? Hang onto your seat as this dangerous mission puts everyone in peril. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,556 reviews54 followers
July 21, 2023
The Hive continues to make problems for our intrepid FMC and the males who love them!

Willow is determined to shut up her previous self. She is a mouthy b***h, and she's decided that the new, improved and recently rescued Willow is going to be the complete opposite of her former self. She is going to be coddled, loved, and protected dammit!!!! But her match with Zarren is NOT going to plan. He's closed off from her even though the intense attraction between them is there. He has no second for their triad. So when she finally realises that she interrupted an interrogation, not a healing as she thought - she reverts to type and breaks Oberon out of the clink and rescinds her bond with Zarren!

Zarren sees himself as a hard hearted automaton. Duty over all. But deep down this is a male who feels, deeply and when Willow runs from him, he feels the soul deep need to make her his again. NO uppity escaped prisoner is taking her from him!

Oberon owes his freedom to Willow but when obligation turns to attraction and the newly emerged bada&& Willow returns his affection, Oberon will fight to keep her.

Rescue missions, space battles and intense attraction and lust all meld together into another fab story. Zarren and Obernon are just what Willow needed. One to protect, defend and tear down worlds for her and the other to nurture her and see her for the bada&& she truly is!
Profile Image for Jan.
2,087 reviews13 followers
July 12, 2023
Willow Baylor just wants to be safe, protected. She already fought with the Nexus 5 and doesn’t want to go back there again. Zarren is going to be her mate. She can’t wait to meet him and his second to finally be free. But when she finds out that her future mate wants nothing to do with her, what’s a girl to do? CDR Zarren Helion never wanted a mate. He was not meant to have one. When the IBP sent him Willow, he planned to return her. She would find a better mate then him. But once he saw her, he wasn’t so sure. We FINALLY get to find out what has turned Helion out the way he is. This story was long overdue. First, we have Willows past. She was a strong woman but almost broken when captured. With Helion, we learn so much about his past. What the real reason he and Warden Egara’s were at odds. But we also find deep down pain for him bared deep. I have to say was shocked and thrilled. We also have another player, Oberon Arcas. He is the key to unlocking these two. THIS story, is one of the best ones. It dug in deep. I now have compassion for Helion. The Nexus 5 was creepy and un-nerving. There were moments that you felt your heart break for Oberon, Willow, and Zarren. Now that we know Helion’s name, it is weird. I loved this series. I can’t wait to find out what is in store. Grace you out did yourself with this one.
Profile Image for Kelly  DeMarco.
1,923 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2023
Not so heartless after all
Heartless (Interstellar Brides Program: Primal Mates Book 1) by Grace Goodwin is another exciting adventure in the seemingly eternal battle with the Hive. In this new branch of the Interstellar Brides series, Willow enters the Interstellar Bride program and is matched. Thrilled the the outcome, she looks forward to a new adventure of safety and protection, which is all she really desires.
The excitement builds as Willow embarks on her new journey and when she lands with Zarren, things seem to be looking up, but the threat still exists. There are all kinds of complications within these pages and all of them revolve around the past. It’s the past hurts and residual pain that convinces Zarren and Willow that hearts need not be involved, but much to their dismay, hearts are deeply involved and affected, especially for Willow and Oberon. The danger and threat is still all too real and Willow unknowingly walks right into it.
Overall, a seemingly untenable situation is soothed and ultimately resolved and the Heartless Hero Zarren works with Oberon to provide their mate, Willow, with everything her heart desires.
I read an ARC of this book via Grey’s Promotions and voluntarily share my review.
Profile Image for Rachael.
1,174 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2023
Probably my favorite IB book thus far! Before reading, I was confused why it merited starting a new series, but understand now considering how many of Ms. Goodwin's typical tropes get turned inside out: . Hence, I'm guessing IB: Primal Mates will be a bit darker than the typical IB books.

Way back when Helion was introduced as the brilliant IC a-hole, I figured his perfect match could go either way: soft & gentle or a real spitfire. Spitfire won, and Willow is one of my favorite Brides.

PS, the other IB character I feel everyone is eagerly awaiting is Warden Egara, aka Catherine. We learn more of her heartbreaking story in this book, so hopefully she gets a new HEA soon!

TW:
FMC was one of the women held captive and tortured/experimented on by a Nexis
On page torture of MMC (by the other MMC)
Mention of deaths of family members & comrades
Profile Image for Pene|ope • Temp Hyperfixation: WC & OMV.
1,468 reviews194 followers
March 5, 2024
I love me a good menage romance, but this FMC.......girl I'm still side-eying you. She very clearly said, multiple times, that one was her mate and she couldn't breathe without him, and the other she could live without...but was glad that she didn't have to. Even though it was like three whole days before she was in his bed after leaving the first (true) mate. Okay.

I think it was just the setup I didn't like. The first mate is the actual matched mate (99% perfect for each other or something like that), and then the second is literally second in everything, even name, preference, etc. They're only there in case the first mate dies. That's actually their purpose. And it's the first mate that chooses the second to take care of their mate, not the mate. That drives me crazy!

Other than that, and the unfortunate insta-love aspects, this book was humorous and fun to read. The FMC is ridiculous in the beginning, and I was very annoyed with her, but then it became clear why she was acting that way. The world is cool and I'm interested in reading more. Wish most of the book's events weren't glossed over in internal monologue though.
Profile Image for Sara.
2,359 reviews14 followers
July 8, 2023
This is a fantastic read that grabbed my attention from the beginning. Willow is a character that has been through a lot, but exactly what is slowly revealed as the story progresses. She initially comes across as a fragile and dainty women, but despite appearances she is mentally tough.

Having read several books where Commander Helion has played a significant role, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the cold and calculating man as a mate. He may give off the appearance of cold, heartless and calculating, but underneath he is one HOT and sexy guy who has suffered loss and failure.

The storyline is engrossing and fast-paced. I loved how Willow transforms from the dainty and delicate woman to a mentally tough, capable and strategic woman warrior. She takes a stand is willing to risk much to save other women from the Hive.

This was a very enjoyable read with an ending I hoped for, but wasn’t expecting to see happen!

I received a free ARC from the author and Grey’s PR; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Gwen.
578 reviews
July 9, 2023
4,5 stars! I have been reading the Interstellar Brides series since the beginning and the Prillon aliens were always my favorites. Sure, Beasts are nice and hulky if you are into that sort of thing but the duet trouple honour warrior system the Prillons have, is my kryptonite baby!

So when big bad IC commander Helion was getting his own book, I was intrigued. So far throughout the series Helion has been nothing but fairly one dimensional, representing the dogmatic stoic rational voice of reason in a war which has become way too personal.

Helion, you're time is up. Because he got matched. Totally unprepared, the match takes Helion by surprise because he has been singular minded ever since his brother and his second got killed by the Hyve. Revenge, it propels his every thought. But he falls hard for his new bride and it was hot to see that Helion has a passionate side as well.

I loved the unconventional way everybody got their HEA. Hard to get into this without any spoilers.

3,067 reviews17 followers
July 10, 2023
Exciting Interstellar Brides Story!!

Willow receives her 99% match and is ready for the next phase of her life. She had spent two years as a captive of the Hive, so tamped down her law enforcement persona from Earth, as she didn't want to ever be perceived as a threat again. A match not only meant acceptance and protection; but each warrior had a second - so there was always someone to lean on, even if the primary was away.

Except Commander Zarren Helion. He vowed never to fall in love, tamped down all feeling, and had no second. Uh oh. After a rough start, it seems they may work it out, until Willow realizes there may be additional women held captive by the hive, and she will do anything to assist in remedying that situation.

Action, adventure, emotion and romance in spades as we learn this alien landscape, learn the characters backstory, and watch the action unfold.

***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
Profile Image for Holly.
313 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2023
3.5⭐️
This book was different. I loved all of the fighting scene action since there’s a war going on. I loved Willows character too. She was funny and a bit of a bad ass. As for the guys they seemed a little similar with how they talked and acted but I still liked them.
Their romance was ok. It was lacking something, I’m not sure what. Maybe because this book was short and a lot of it wasn’t really deep into the character romance part.
I do feel somewhat lost reading this because there’s a lot of what I’m assuming is crossover characters and. Have no idea how the war started or what they were trying to achieve with it. If you are here for some smut and a little romance then you’ll like this but if you are wanting the full story on the plot I wouldn’t start with this book. I’m going to have to start at the beginning and see what all happened to lead up to this war.

Thank you Valentine Pr for the E-Arc
1,459 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2023
Helion's story was fast paced with non stop action and some very steamy scenes. You got to see a whole other side to Helion, not only because he now has a mate (named Willow) but also because, in the end, he realized he had to have a second and that second was not someone he selected. Willow was such a strong and sensual human who had been tortured by Nexus 5. After she was rescued, she had a lot of bad memories to overcome. Then she was matched to Commander Helion. Once she was on Helion's ship, she basically took over. Helion didn't want to love Willow but he couldn't resist. Then she left his ship with Oberon. They were trying to find Oberon's sister who was kidnapped by the Hive. That mission is where the real action began. The ending was unexpected and fabulous!
Profile Image for Christine.
41 reviews
July 13, 2023
I honestly didn't think I would like this book because I'm not much of a "why choose" kinda gal but was pleasantly surprised. Willows motivations and story were strongly written in. I did not like her inner dialogue. I find it personally annoying when an inner voice becomes a distinct character. The spice was good with both of our heros. I wish the book was a bit longer to establish the first relationship a bit more to help the reader sympathize more with willows inner romantic conflict. But this does come at the advantage of the book being fast paced and it keeps the reading interesting. I would recommend this for anyone who likes alien romances.
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
7,395 reviews67 followers
July 8, 2023
Heartless by G. Goodwin is the first book in the new Interstellar Brides Program : Primal Mates Series.
This is a spin-off from Interstella rBrides Program Series. All books are interconnected stand-alones.
Willow is giddy to get her mates. She just got matched with Helion. Helion who works intelligence for the Coalition. And he's just interrogating Oberon when happens what he just can't have now. His match shows up and a chain reaction happens - they drop like bowling pins.
A fast paced, complex read with scorching scenes.
2,032 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2023
I read this book, like I’ve read other stories from this author- knowing it’s nothing but escapist fantasy. Keeping that in mind, this is a very enjoyable read. There is some great characters with strong personalities although it did take me a bit to warm up to Willow- she seemed quite one dimensional at first. Although it is book 1 in the series it builds very much on previous books from the author and could be quite confusing for first time or occasional readers. Finally, I was disappointed to be left out of the change in feeling between Zarren and Oberon, I would have liked to read the who and how that happened.
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