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New Protectorate #2.6
Vital: The New Protectorate Stories: Volume Four
There's power in connection.
Josephine Wyeth has only ever known the shadow of war. Sheltered by her father’s secretive work, she exists as both prisoner and caretaker as the violence creeps ever-closer. Once powerless, now she is something a new being crafted by her father’s cruel hands, proof of his genius and threat to all who meet her. She’s desperate to escape, but with no friends and the horrors of war lurching toward them all, her future is bleak.
There’s no hope — until the day she’s thrown in a cell with her father’s latest experiment.
Otto Beornson, a fierce shifter from the wilds of the Northern Territories, is the latest in a long line of victims captured from the front and shipped to her father’s laboratory. He shouldn’t be any different, but when they meet, their fates intertwine in a way no one could have expected. Standing on the brink of an abyss, their blazing connection is a lifeline.
He’ll do anything to save her, even if that means giving up his soul. She’ll do anything to free him, even if it means becoming the monster her father always hoped she’d be.
Vital is a standalone novella in the wider New Protectorate series and can be read without the context of the other books. Content warnings can be found in the backmatter of the book and on the author's website.
Josephine Wyeth has only ever known the shadow of war. Sheltered by her father’s secretive work, she exists as both prisoner and caretaker as the violence creeps ever-closer. Once powerless, now she is something a new being crafted by her father’s cruel hands, proof of his genius and threat to all who meet her. She’s desperate to escape, but with no friends and the horrors of war lurching toward them all, her future is bleak.
There’s no hope — until the day she’s thrown in a cell with her father’s latest experiment.
Otto Beornson, a fierce shifter from the wilds of the Northern Territories, is the latest in a long line of victims captured from the front and shipped to her father’s laboratory. He shouldn’t be any different, but when they meet, their fates intertwine in a way no one could have expected. Standing on the brink of an abyss, their blazing connection is a lifeline.
He’ll do anything to save her, even if that means giving up his soul. She’ll do anything to free him, even if it means becoming the monster her father always hoped she’d be.
Vital is a standalone novella in the wider New Protectorate series and can be read without the context of the other books. Content warnings can be found in the backmatter of the book and on the author's website.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2023
24 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Kelly
11 books243 followersAbigail Kelly is a writer of alternate histories, love stories, and women with drive. Her work is heavily influenced by both her modest family roots and her passion for history. A former illustrator, she is now a bookseller at an independent bookshop where she gets to badly influence impressionable young minds and put her favorite books in eager hands. She is also the host of the Kingdom of Thirst podcast, a show all about romance novels and why they matter.
Her favorite authors are Shirley Jackson, V. E. Schwab, Ursula K. Le Guin, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and just about anyone who writes about the weird and wonderful. She lives in San Francisco with her dog, Babs, who remains stubbornly illiterate.
Her favorite authors are Shirley Jackson, V. E. Schwab, Ursula K. Le Guin, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and just about anyone who writes about the weird and wonderful. She lives in San Francisco with her dog, Babs, who remains stubbornly illiterate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 30, 2023
I initially thought Vital's themes would be too dark for me and I'm so glad I gave it a chance after reading more reviews. Josephine (h) and Otto (H) go through trauma, but their romance is incredibly sweet and lovely. This was a very different read from the other books in the series since Josephine and Otto's story takes place hundreds of years before the other books and what happens between them rippled down to the present day of the series. This book absolutely stands alone, though it also has a cameo from the very first book Ms. Kelly released that was great.
Josephine has been treated abysmally by her family and is a prisoner being experimented with by her father (no sexual experimentation, though there is talk of potentially moving to breeding her later in the book). She's also used to harm others against her will and my heart broke for her many times. But Otto's different from the moment she's brought into his proximity. He reachers her on an emotional level and helps her to feel safe, despite their circumstances. This book does have a HEA and you're aware of that early on because parts of the book are the future. Written in third person, multi-POV from H and h and POV from a journalist through excerpts from an article written about the h in the future. No ow drama, some om drama from h's father's assistant who shows an uncomfortable interest in her. H not a virgin (but hadn't been with someone recently as he was fighting in a war) and h was a virgin.
Otto's a shifter and Josephine's been infected with a virus. Most of the story takes place at the homestead where Josephine's family lives and her father does his experiments with his assistant. I really liked how the author incorporated the hierarchical aspect of Josephine's nature and how the strength of those like her was stressed, especially since Josephine was always told she was weak and useless. With Otto, she finds her strength in more than one way. The dangers surrounding these two were so intense and they ramp up even more before our main characters are able to get to safety. There is a bit of steaminess while still in captivity, but Otto won't go all the way til they're in safety and a den of their own and I loved that choice.
Almost all the side characters are awful people and while most do get what they deserve, it was depressing to be in Josephine's head at times. Otto was wonderful though and Josephine is exposed to others who treat her well. Plus, you see early on in the article POVs that they have children who adore their parents. In terms of the articles and some diary entries of Josephine's, I loved the placement of these in relation to the chapters focused on Josephine and Otto.
I'm not sure if it was just my copy or if it happens with other copies, but at about 75%, right after a crucial moment, I got the pop up that the book was completed and to rate it. Except I had several chapters still to go (which I'm so thankful for or I might have thrown my kindle). So if this happens to anyone else, it's ok, there's more to come! Time is spent on Otto and Josephine post-escape and then the final scenes with them are adorable and moving. If none of this has convinced you to give this book a try, his nickname for her in Dutch caused my heart to burst. After all that she survived, her ending was a hard-fought and well-deserved true love with a beautiful life and family.
Trigger warnings: medical experimentation mentions, captivity, mentions of past violence, current violence and death on page, threats of possible forced marriage and breeding
Josephine has been treated abysmally by her family and is a prisoner being experimented with by her father (no sexual experimentation, though there is talk of potentially moving to breeding her later in the book). She's also used to harm others against her will and my heart broke for her many times. But Otto's different from the moment she's brought into his proximity. He reachers her on an emotional level and helps her to feel safe, despite their circumstances. This book does have a HEA and you're aware of that early on because parts of the book are the future. Written in third person, multi-POV from H and h and POV from a journalist through excerpts from an article written about the h in the future. No ow drama, some om drama from h's father's assistant who shows an uncomfortable interest in her. H not a virgin (but hadn't been with someone recently as he was fighting in a war) and h was a virgin.
Otto's a shifter and Josephine's been infected with a virus. Most of the story takes place at the homestead where Josephine's family lives and her father does his experiments with his assistant. I really liked how the author incorporated the hierarchical aspect of Josephine's nature and how the strength of those like her was stressed, especially since Josephine was always told she was weak and useless. With Otto, she finds her strength in more than one way. The dangers surrounding these two were so intense and they ramp up even more before our main characters are able to get to safety. There is a bit of steaminess while still in captivity, but Otto won't go all the way til they're in safety and a den of their own and I loved that choice.
Almost all the side characters are awful people and while most do get what they deserve, it was depressing to be in Josephine's head at times. Otto was wonderful though and Josephine is exposed to others who treat her well. Plus, you see early on in the article POVs that they have children who adore their parents. In terms of the articles and some diary entries of Josephine's, I loved the placement of these in relation to the chapters focused on Josephine and Otto.
I'm not sure if it was just my copy or if it happens with other copies, but at about 75%, right after a crucial moment, I got the pop up that the book was completed and to rate it. Except I had several chapters still to go (which I'm so thankful for or I might have thrown my kindle). So if this happens to anyone else, it's ok, there's more to come! Time is spent on Otto and Josephine post-escape and then the final scenes with them are adorable and moving. If none of this has convinced you to give this book a try, his nickname for her in Dutch caused my heart to burst. After all that she survived, her ending was a hard-fought and well-deserved true love with a beautiful life and family.
Trigger warnings: medical experimentation mentions, captivity, mentions of past violence, current violence and death on page, threats of possible forced marriage and breeding
September 12, 2023
“To know that you trust me even when nothing in the world has taught you to do so— I am overcome by you, my Josephine. Every day. I fear that I will never be what you deserve, but I cannot release you. I will not.”
… “Were you able to, I would not allow it.”
i absolutely loved this story 😭🥰🥹 josephine and otto's romance really hit me right in the feels.
August 31, 2023
I am once again blown away by how amazing Abigail Kelly is with her characters and stories. Vital is such a beautiful story 🥹 It made my heart ache in every way. Excerpts of Josephine's diary and the article honestly tied the entire story together (I love the peeks we got from the article so much :')) It really wouldn't be the same without them. Josephine and Otto's story is honestly one of my favourites from Abigail.
Now excuse me while I sob at the ending :')
Now excuse me while I sob at the ending :')
August 12, 2023
You know when a book leaves you so well spent, like it took you apart and put you back together again? Like it saw straight through to your core? That’s what this book was for me. Amazing, wonderful catharsis. Otto and Josephine were absolutely perfect together. I loved how it was a story set in the 1800’s but also switched to present (both MCs are paranormal and live long lives).
This story is definitely darker and a bit heavier than Abigail’s other works, so please check CW. I felt like it saw right through to my soul. Josephine is being abused (non sexually), experimented on (nothing super graphic on page, more talked about from the past, at least in my opinion), and held captive by her doctor father. If you’ve been following me a while, you know I’ve been pretty vocal about my history as a survivor of child abuse- my mother was also a therapist, and though I didn’t experience nearly the level of depravity and torture that Josephine has gone through in the past, my mother was quite manipulative with her knowledge of the brain.
I resonated so hard with Josephine’s experience, I cried many times just from pure understanding and “seen-ness”. To see Josephine go through so much and triumph, to find her power again? There is no story more beautiful to me than that. I loved seeing her get the revenge she absolutely deserved. I loved the nods to neurodivergence as well in the FMC’s unique qualities as a paranormal being. Without spoiling anything, the uniqueness of this FMCs ability and the power she had in something our world would possibly see has weak, how it was described as a gift and not a negative? Thank you Abigail, thank you so much for that. I think anyone who has ever been called “too sensitive” will feel so respected and cherished by this story.
The MMC Otto comes in and omg, he is everything I hoped he be- a savior, a believer, and a fierce protector. He saw, respected, and valued her completely. He was all “who hurt you” and “touch her and die”, and was so gentle with her as she learned to trust someone for the first time. One scene in particular stuck with me- she finally gets brave enough to touch him for the first time, just innocent exploration, she leans into him enjoying his warmth, and falls asleep, which he takes as a huge measure of trust (as it is). It was such an accurate, relatable and beautiful moment, I know I’ve experienced this feeling before.After everything these MCs go through together, seeing them come out the other side and heal together? One of the most beautiful and accurate portrayals of overcoming trauma I’ve ever read.
And the SPICE 🥵. Abigail always blows me away, but the extra tenderness between these two MCs, the innocence of experiencing pleasurable touch, when both have either never experienced that or it had been a very long time in a very harsh world? That shit hit different is all I’m saying. I was swept away. I felt completely consumed by this book in so many ways, it’s another that I will cherish so deeply. One I will carry with me in my heart everywhere I go.
This story is definitely darker and a bit heavier than Abigail’s other works, so please check CW. I felt like it saw right through to my soul. Josephine is being abused (non sexually), experimented on (nothing super graphic on page, more talked about from the past, at least in my opinion), and held captive by her doctor father. If you’ve been following me a while, you know I’ve been pretty vocal about my history as a survivor of child abuse- my mother was also a therapist, and though I didn’t experience nearly the level of depravity and torture that Josephine has gone through in the past, my mother was quite manipulative with her knowledge of the brain.
I resonated so hard with Josephine’s experience, I cried many times just from pure understanding and “seen-ness”. To see Josephine go through so much and triumph, to find her power again? There is no story more beautiful to me than that. I loved seeing her get the revenge she absolutely deserved. I loved the nods to neurodivergence as well in the FMC’s unique qualities as a paranormal being. Without spoiling anything, the uniqueness of this FMCs ability and the power she had in something our world would possibly see has weak, how it was described as a gift and not a negative? Thank you Abigail, thank you so much for that. I think anyone who has ever been called “too sensitive” will feel so respected and cherished by this story.
The MMC Otto comes in and omg, he is everything I hoped he be- a savior, a believer, and a fierce protector. He saw, respected, and valued her completely. He was all “who hurt you” and “touch her and die”, and was so gentle with her as she learned to trust someone for the first time. One scene in particular stuck with me- she finally gets brave enough to touch him for the first time, just innocent exploration, she leans into him enjoying his warmth, and falls asleep, which he takes as a huge measure of trust (as it is). It was such an accurate, relatable and beautiful moment, I know I’ve experienced this feeling before.After everything these MCs go through together, seeing them come out the other side and heal together? One of the most beautiful and accurate portrayals of overcoming trauma I’ve ever read.
And the SPICE 🥵. Abigail always blows me away, but the extra tenderness between these two MCs, the innocence of experiencing pleasurable touch, when both have either never experienced that or it had been a very long time in a very harsh world? That shit hit different is all I’m saying. I was swept away. I felt completely consumed by this book in so many ways, it’s another that I will cherish so deeply. One I will carry with me in my heart everywhere I go.
December 7, 2025
I don’t understand how she does novellas so well. I normally am not a fan of them, and usually don’t read them, but damn girl.
She’s building on an already interesting world, exploring fascinating characters, and making every page count.
This one I was actually apprehensive to start as I didn’t recognize the characters, but goodness I loved it. The structure is truly icing on the cake. To go between the interview piece, the diary, and the story timeline itself was expertly done. And the added lore?? So good.
My sweet Rasmus, I hope we learn more about you - another manifestation for future novellas.
She’s building on an already interesting world, exploring fascinating characters, and making every page count.
This one I was actually apprehensive to start as I didn’t recognize the characters, but goodness I loved it. The structure is truly icing on the cake. To go between the interview piece, the diary, and the story timeline itself was expertly done. And the added lore?? So good.
My sweet Rasmus, I hope we learn more about you - another manifestation for future novellas.
August 30, 2023
There’s nothing like a book that completely breaks your heart and then puts it back together again.
Read
December 5, 2023DNF
Sadly, I wasn’t into the story line. Maybe will try again at a later time.
Sadly, I wasn’t into the story line. Maybe will try again at a later time.
November 24, 2024
This book destroyed and shattered me and pieced me back together again. I just cried in the kitchen at the ending photo description.
December 23, 2025
Loved this one! She packs so much into these novellas! The way this story was laid out was unique. May this world never end, I want books for every side character even mentioned haha
September 10, 2023
Trigger warnings/content warnings?
Yes! Available at the back of the book.
Safety?
FMC is a virgin. MMC is not a virgin.
OM drama is unrequited- the FMC has known him since she was small and he is an assistant of her Father’s. The OM offers to marry the FMC.
My thoughts?
ABIGAIL KELLY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!!! WOOHOO!!
Okay so now that is out of my system.
I devoured this within a day, and I still get a strong feeling in my chest when I think about it. I have FORTY YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS!! Yellow highlights are “omg I love this/this made me happy/this made me laugh”. For such a dark story (which it is, please check the trigger warnings) Otto was like a ray of pure sunlight. He entered Josephine’s life like a reckoning sent straight from a deity, and helped her discover a strength inside of her.
He knew about her submissive nature. He tried his best to remember what to do around submissives so that she would be the most comfortable around him.
There’s even a moment when Josephine is brutally honest with him, telling him that she does not like the pet name he has given her. So he changes it. He sees that he is wrong. Later on in the story she asks what the pet name means….it means wife. They had known each other for all of a couple days and the beast and the man were in agreement that she was to be his wife. *cue my dramatic tears of heart felt melting*
I audibly gasped when Otto turned out to be a MOTHERFLUFFING POLAR BEAR SHIFTER?! DAMN. Just damn.
This was yet another review that turned into a gushing session, and I’m not sorry to say, I have no regrets.
Yes! Available at the back of the book.
Safety?
FMC is a virgin. MMC is not a virgin.
OM drama is unrequited- the FMC has known him since she was small and he is an assistant of her Father’s. The OM offers to marry the FMC.
My thoughts?
ABIGAIL KELLY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!!! WOOHOO!!
Okay so now that is out of my system.
I devoured this within a day, and I still get a strong feeling in my chest when I think about it. I have FORTY YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS!! Yellow highlights are “omg I love this/this made me happy/this made me laugh”. For such a dark story (which it is, please check the trigger warnings) Otto was like a ray of pure sunlight. He entered Josephine’s life like a reckoning sent straight from a deity, and helped her discover a strength inside of her.
He knew about her submissive nature. He tried his best to remember what to do around submissives so that she would be the most comfortable around him.
There’s even a moment when Josephine is brutally honest with him, telling him that she does not like the pet name he has given her. So he changes it. He sees that he is wrong. Later on in the story she asks what the pet name means….it means wife. They had known each other for all of a couple days and the beast and the man were in agreement that she was to be his wife. *cue my dramatic tears of heart felt melting*
I audibly gasped when Otto turned out to be a MOTHERFLUFFING POLAR BEAR SHIFTER?! DAMN. Just damn.
This was yet another review that turned into a gushing session, and I’m not sorry to say, I have no regrets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and its unique take on the werewolf lore/creation story. The structure of the story was also interesting as it jumps around in time between the present, the past, and her journal entries. We get a bit of overall world building for the series and a few cameos from prior book characters as well.
August 28, 2023
Where do I start with how much I love the NPU and the world in these books??
This one is an amazing edition to get us some history of the world and what some of it was like during the war. This is dual timelines between the war and now, meshed together into 1 beautiful cohesive emotional adventure. We follow Josephine who is trying to survive under the oppressive thumb of her scientist father, who cares for her not as a daughter but as an experiment to tinker with. She is forced to carry out his research, and that most recent research subject land's her in a place she never thought she could be-a place where she matters. Otto is a soldier and a shifter, captured and caged by Josephine's father another in a long string of lives he has toyed with. Otto does not know what is going on but he does know he needs to protect Josphine no matter what.
The emotions between these two, the way the past and the present fluidly go together and the overall story is depicts is amazing! This book is a little darker themed than some of the other books, but nothing too intense (for me) but please check CW especially if you are sensitive to science experimentation references and parental abuse (emotionally on page, physically off page references)
I can't wait to read what Abigail puts out next!
I received an advanced copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
This one is an amazing edition to get us some history of the world and what some of it was like during the war. This is dual timelines between the war and now, meshed together into 1 beautiful cohesive emotional adventure. We follow Josephine who is trying to survive under the oppressive thumb of her scientist father, who cares for her not as a daughter but as an experiment to tinker with. She is forced to carry out his research, and that most recent research subject land's her in a place she never thought she could be-a place where she matters. Otto is a soldier and a shifter, captured and caged by Josephine's father another in a long string of lives he has toyed with. Otto does not know what is going on but he does know he needs to protect Josphine no matter what.
The emotions between these two, the way the past and the present fluidly go together and the overall story is depicts is amazing! This book is a little darker themed than some of the other books, but nothing too intense (for me) but please check CW especially if you are sensitive to science experimentation references and parental abuse (emotionally on page, physically off page references)
I can't wait to read what Abigail puts out next!
I received an advanced copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
August 29, 2023
Vital by Abigail Kelly brings us back to the alternate US, but this time it takes place in 1870 in a world with fey, demons, elves, witches, and more. It’s a standalone,so you don’t need to read any of the books before this, but it features a character from Fragile Beings.
Josephine Wyeth was born to witches, but didn’t have magic herself. Josephine’s father experimented on her to make her magic come out and accidentally made her the first werewolf. Otto Beornson is a shifter who was fighting in the war and was captured by Josephine’s father to be tested on. Otto was thrown into a cell and forcibly exposed to Josephine in order to make him contract Josephine’s condition. Instead they forge a connection and plan a way to get out.
This was such a touching book! It has a very different tone than Kelly’s other books, but it was still an enjoyable book. It is darker than Kelly’s other books, so I suggest reading the content warnings before reading. I loved reading about Josephine and Otto! Their connection was so sweet and pure. Otto could sense there was something different about Josephine, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to get to know her better. It was such a sweet read and I wish it was longer 😭
If you love paranormal or fantasy romances, shifters, and shy heroines, then this book is for you!
Huge thanks to Abigail Kelly for sending me an ARC to review!
Josephine Wyeth was born to witches, but didn’t have magic herself. Josephine’s father experimented on her to make her magic come out and accidentally made her the first werewolf. Otto Beornson is a shifter who was fighting in the war and was captured by Josephine’s father to be tested on. Otto was thrown into a cell and forcibly exposed to Josephine in order to make him contract Josephine’s condition. Instead they forge a connection and plan a way to get out.
This was such a touching book! It has a very different tone than Kelly’s other books, but it was still an enjoyable book. It is darker than Kelly’s other books, so I suggest reading the content warnings before reading. I loved reading about Josephine and Otto! Their connection was so sweet and pure. Otto could sense there was something different about Josephine, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to get to know her better. It was such a sweet read and I wish it was longer 😭
If you love paranormal or fantasy romances, shifters, and shy heroines, then this book is for you!
Huge thanks to Abigail Kelly for sending me an ARC to review!
August 31, 2023
Abigail has done it again. This book tore me apart and put me back together, chapter by chapter. Going between historical diary entries, an interview, and the actual story as it unfolded was such a unique way to tell the story, and now I just wish I could go visit the exhibit and walk through it ever so slowly. Abigail brought the story to life in my mind and worked all these intricate pieces together to craft something both poignant and lovely.
Bring your tissue box for this one. Josephine's story is so powerful, so heartbreaking, so wonderful. The HEA is most definitely earned!
Bring your tissue box for this one. Josephine's story is so powerful, so heartbreaking, so wonderful. The HEA is most definitely earned!
August 31, 2023
TEAM OTTO AND JOSEPHINE FOR LIFE.
Every time I read another story from Abigail Kelly, it's better than the last--and they STARTED great to begin with--but this book!!!!! MY HEART. I literally opened it to read just a little bit and then could not put it down until I finished the whole thing.
From the brilliantly woven structure which connects this more historical installment to the "present" of the main series, to the character work and incredible dynamics between Otto and Josephine and the world building of the history of the Weres as a "species" so to speak, Abigail Kelly knocked this one out of the park entirely.
Josephine is just so well done, and Otto is just IMPOSSIBLE not to love--the two of them are so perfect together and for one another, and though the story has terrible dark elements, by the finish it's like being hugged and basking in the warm glow of the love and life these two characters find with one another, and I know already this is going to be a comfort read I return to OFTEN in the years to come!!!
Every time I read another story from Abigail Kelly, it's better than the last--and they STARTED great to begin with--but this book!!!!! MY HEART. I literally opened it to read just a little bit and then could not put it down until I finished the whole thing.
From the brilliantly woven structure which connects this more historical installment to the "present" of the main series, to the character work and incredible dynamics between Otto and Josephine and the world building of the history of the Weres as a "species" so to speak, Abigail Kelly knocked this one out of the park entirely.
Josephine is just so well done, and Otto is just IMPOSSIBLE not to love--the two of them are so perfect together and for one another, and though the story has terrible dark elements, by the finish it's like being hugged and basking in the warm glow of the love and life these two characters find with one another, and I know already this is going to be a comfort read I return to OFTEN in the years to come!!!
August 29, 2023
Just call her Abigail Kelly, Queen of Written Easter Eggs. The NPU takes a darker shift in this one, tackling a dual time line in the present day NPU while also telling the story of a couple forged in the heart of The Great War. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, and wholly beautiful.
Have you ever read a passage in a book, but your brain doesn't process it as words written on a page, but as a movie in your brain? Abigail delivers that on multiple occasions in Vital, just absolutely blowing my mind with vivid imagery, poignant storytelling, and such care for detail that I can't NOT find myself falling into the world of the NPU. True to Abigail's "No Break Ups, Only Peril" motto, Josephine and Otto's story will break AND mend your heart, culminating in one of the best fictional art exhibitions I'm so sad I'll never get to see in real life.
Have you ever read a passage in a book, but your brain doesn't process it as words written on a page, but as a movie in your brain? Abigail delivers that on multiple occasions in Vital, just absolutely blowing my mind with vivid imagery, poignant storytelling, and such care for detail that I can't NOT find myself falling into the world of the NPU. True to Abigail's "No Break Ups, Only Peril" motto, Josephine and Otto's story will break AND mend your heart, culminating in one of the best fictional art exhibitions I'm so sad I'll never get to see in real life.
August 29, 2023
i have no comprehensible thoughts about this book. no ridges or bumps, no valleys or lumps. all ideas slide right off.. like a water slide
i- ugh abigail you’ve quite literally blown my mind away with this book. otto and josephine are so imperfectly perfect i just can’t put into words how much i loved this. the trauma josephine endured by her father no less.. was soul wrenching. i went through so many emotions reading this. the further world building was just phenomenal, i loved learning more about the shifters lore. the writing was -ofc course- beautiful as well. especially when reading about josephine’s abuse.
otto is the literal defition of a cinnamon roll, with the touch her / hurt her and die personality. i wouldn’t be mad about it if i was josephine honestly 🤭
i- ugh abigail you’ve quite literally blown my mind away with this book. otto and josephine are so imperfectly perfect i just can’t put into words how much i loved this. the trauma josephine endured by her father no less.. was soul wrenching. i went through so many emotions reading this. the further world building was just phenomenal, i loved learning more about the shifters lore. the writing was -ofc course- beautiful as well. especially when reading about josephine’s abuse.
otto is the literal defition of a cinnamon roll, with the touch her / hurt her and die personality. i wouldn’t be mad about it if i was josephine honestly 🤭
September 21, 2024
I love what Abigail did with this one!! Having the narrative alternate between Elise’s interview/article in modern day, an external perspective on the Wyeth-Beornson family and overarching view of how far they and lyssians have come, the intensely personal and raw diary entries from the 1860-70s, and regular third-person— following Josephine and Otto, was a fantastic choice, and these multiple perspectives come together to form something incredibly moving. A story that acknowledges and accepts the wounds of the past while choosing to look towards the future: that believes in healing, love, and hope after darkness, because those things are worth fighting for. JOY.
I cried more than three times, AND THIS IS A NOVELLA.
I cried more than three times, AND THIS IS A NOVELLA.
March 8, 2025
3.5 stars. not my favourite, but still very good! i don’t know how abigail kelly is doing this, but every single time she manages to create such unique, interesting characters and a romance that makes my heart warm. this particular story was a little heavier - the amount of trauma josephine and otto went through was heart-breaking, but i could not be happier that these two managed to find their way to each other.
August 30, 2023
My obsession continues
Listen, I really hope you have already read an Abigail Kelly book. If you have I am so happy to tell you that this has all of the amazing rich world building, swoony-hero, strong lady vibes you know and love. If you haven’t then this might actually be a great introduction to the New Protectorate!Seriously, this book is amazing!
Listen, I really hope you have already read an Abigail Kelly book. If you have I am so happy to tell you that this has all of the amazing rich world building, swoony-hero, strong lady vibes you know and love. If you haven’t then this might actually be a great introduction to the New Protectorate!Seriously, this book is amazing!
August 31, 2023
This was amazing— as all of Abigail Kelly’s books are. She has quickly become one of my favorite indie authors. Every story she writes is SO romantic and compelling. This one had me swoooooooning. And I loved both the FMC and the MMC.
This series is a MUST READ for urban fantasy/paranormal romance lovers!!!
This series is a MUST READ for urban fantasy/paranormal romance lovers!!!
August 31, 2023
This book was difficult to read because the heroine's father constantly tortured her and used her to infect people with her disease. I liked the love story.
I wanted more closure on what happened to the rest of her father's victims. She said she tracked down as many as she could to try to help them.
I wanted more closure on what happened to the rest of her father's victims. She said she tracked down as many as she could to try to help them.
September 2, 2023
Only Abigail Kelly can write a book that is as equal parts harrowing as it is completely beautiful. Writing and accomplishing this complex of a story in 220 pages?? I will never not be amazed and completely in love with this world and this series. If you want a book that shows the light at the end of the tunnel, this is it
August 13, 2023
I can’t believe it, but Abigail Kelly continues to outdo herself with every book. Full review to come, but this is probably my favorite of her’s— it’s a perfect blend of her lore, research, and lyrical writing that can only be described as a gorgeous word picture.
October 27, 2024
Excellent paranormal romance
But the worldbuilding in this story, while imaginative, is dark, laced with torture and war. Josephine and Otto are a great couple. There is graphic sex, violence, and a happily ever after.
But the worldbuilding in this story, while imaginative, is dark, laced with torture and war. Josephine and Otto are a great couple. There is graphic sex, violence, and a happily ever after.
March 22, 2025
I enjoyed this. It has a lot of tropes I like.
Forced proximity and hurt comfort.
The "current day" chapters weren't my fav cuz I really wanted more of the regular story but whatever it was fine.
The use of the word submissive got a bit annoying but again, whatever. I liked the story.
Forced proximity and hurt comfort.
The "current day" chapters weren't my fav cuz I really wanted more of the regular story but whatever it was fine.
The use of the word submissive got a bit annoying but again, whatever. I liked the story.
March 27, 2025
I’m consistently blown away by Abigail’s books — I can’t believe more people aren’t shouting about them! I thought the themes of this one wouldn’t be for me (maybe too dark) but I should have known she would craft the story in such a delicate way. I can’t get enough of this series
June 13, 2025
DNF page 92. I just don’t like this kind of romance. It feels aggressive and dangerous, but not in a hot way. Just a massive turn off for me.
Edit to add: these books are good. I’ve tried a few. It’s like fashion, this doesn’t look good on me. But I would recommend it for others.
Edit to add: these books are good. I’ve tried a few. It’s like fashion, this doesn’t look good on me. But I would recommend it for others.
September 6, 2023
I look forward to each new protectorate book, but there is something very special about the short stories and novellas.
November 9, 2023
omg. different reading format, but so in love with Otto and Josephine's story 😭
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