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Forbidden Mates #2
Dark & Dreadful Brutes
After ten years trapped in a cellar, I was finally rescued… by a ruthless fae king who immediately made me his mate.
He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. My attraction to him only partially makes up for that.
He needs the magic of our mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags me back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him—and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war.
We have to keep our mate bond a secret to stop the war from escalating, which sounds simple at first, but then the mental and physical bond between us gets stronger.
And stronger.
Until the itch to stay by his side grows into a need, and keeping my hands off of him becomes a battle I can no longer win.
An ancient monster is trying to kill us, and his people will too if they find out the truth about our connection… yet the longer we spend together, the more I start to wonder if I'm really going to be able to let him go.
*This is a steamy enemies to lovers Rapunzel retelling with Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone vibes. Each book in this fantasy romance trilogy follows a different couple with their own happily ever after, and the stories can be read in any order.
He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. My attraction to him only partially makes up for that.
He needs the magic of our mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags me back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him—and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war.
We have to keep our mate bond a secret to stop the war from escalating, which sounds simple at first, but then the mental and physical bond between us gets stronger.
And stronger.
Until the itch to stay by his side grows into a need, and keeping my hands off of him becomes a battle I can no longer win.
An ancient monster is trying to kill us, and his people will too if they find out the truth about our connection… yet the longer we spend together, the more I start to wonder if I'm really going to be able to let him go.
*This is a steamy enemies to lovers Rapunzel retelling with Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone vibes. Each book in this fantasy romance trilogy follows a different couple with their own happily ever after, and the stories can be read in any order.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2023
736 people are currently reading
887 people want to read
About the author
Lola Glass
122 books2,596 followersHi, I’m Lola! I’m a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession. My books are all steamy romantic fantasy or paranormal romance, and there is always a happily ever after.
Stop by my Facebook group, Lola's Book Lovers, for updates, giveaways and other fun!
For a full list of my work, check out my website https://www.authorlolaglass.com/
Thanks for reading!
All the love,
Lola Glass <3
Stop by my Facebook group, Lola's Book Lovers, for updates, giveaways and other fun!
For a full list of my work, check out my website https://www.authorlolaglass.com/
Thanks for reading!
All the love,
Lola Glass <3
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 24, 2023
4/5
TROPES:
~fantasy/fae
~fairytale retelling
~enemies to lovers
~slow burn
~fated mates
I loved the first book in this series, and this one was pretty good too! They can be read as standalones.
Laeli has been held captive for the past ten years. She's saved by a fae man named Ravv, but he technically just kidnaps her to help himself out. They slowly get closer as they travel back to his home and things get spicy! I loved Ravv's animal companion, Gleam. She was interesting. This is a slow burn but don't worry, when the spice hits, it HITS.
I love Lola Glass' books! They're all interesting and unique. While this one is a lot like the first book, it was just as fun to read and get lost in this world. I really liked it!
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: virgin heroine, not a manwhore hero
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
Triggers: kidnap/captivity, starvation
Kinks: dirty talk, rough sex, blood play
HEA? yes!
TROPES:
~fantasy/fae
~fairytale retelling
~enemies to lovers
~slow burn
~fated mates
I loved the first book in this series, and this one was pretty good too! They can be read as standalones.
Laeli has been held captive for the past ten years. She's saved by a fae man named Ravv, but he technically just kidnaps her to help himself out. They slowly get closer as they travel back to his home and things get spicy! I loved Ravv's animal companion, Gleam. She was interesting. This is a slow burn but don't worry, when the spice hits, it HITS.
I love Lola Glass' books! They're all interesting and unique. While this one is a lot like the first book, it was just as fun to read and get lost in this world. I really liked it!
SAFETY:
Virgin/celibate?: virgin heroine, not a manwhore hero
OM/OW?: no
Cheating/sharing?: no
Triggers: kidnap/captivity, starvation
Kinks: dirty talk, rough sex, blood play
HEA? yes!
July 28, 2024
So this one is soooo similar to the first book. Laeli is rescued from a dungeon (instead of a tower), she and Ravv travel across the world and he forces her to eat (because she's spent 10 years starving in a cell). We immediately get the "his erection pressed into me" stuff--which should have made her, I dunno, cringe? Considering she's got a supposed "sex-aversion" (which lasts all of 2 chapters). But alas. No.
They end up in Jirev and what follows is what we see in book 1. Which I enjoyed in book 1, but found boring and repetitive in this book.
Laeli even sounds like Nissa. The way she calls Ravv an asshole is spot on to the way Nissa chided Kierden when he did something she didn't like. There's also the internal monologue from Laeli insisting she needs to keep her feelings in check because she's absolutely 100% NOT going to be with Ravv long term. It's so frequent I ended up skipping over large portions of many of her chapters because it just kept happening and I got bored. It's very similar to what happened in book 1 with Nissa, but it didn't feel nearly as annoying in that book considering Nissa's insecurities stemmed from Kierden actively being a clueless idiot when it came to girls.
Honestly, if you take the names away, and these 2 couples could be almost completely interchangeable.
Hell the book even ends the same way--with a sex scene in public.
God this book was boring.
There's brief mentions of other species in this book--angels, dragons, gargoyles, implying that this world is WAY bigger and more complex than we ever get to see. Also, Fae and Elves I can handle...but when you start tossing in vampires and dragons and shape shifters (which I assume are this world's version of werewolves) and demons it starts feel like paranormal soup. Do we really NEED all of these creatures? Especially if the characters never once interact with any of the main crew?
It's a struggle to find something positive to say about this.
I mean.
We do learn a bit more about the cultists. We know now that they're not just some random group of creatures, but Fae--and that apparently the cult started in Loire. We also know that Ravv's twin sister is the cult's leader.
We also learn where the assassin's contracts originated. In Vayme's kingdom.
So even though we're being drip-fed information across these 3 stories I guess I'm fine with that.
But that's about it. Honestly.
Needless to say I didn't like this one as much as the first. And that was a pretty low bar already. I didn't care for Ravv and Laeli. Ravv is a carbon copy of Kierden minus the backbone, and Laeli's sort of just... unlikeable as a character. They have the same 2 or 3 conversations 12 times and don't grow at all together outside of him teaching her virgin ass what sex is all about. Although, why tf would he even need to considering she's spent YEARS in a cell with a partnered couple who were constantly fucking???? You'd think she'd have learned something by proxy, at the very least.
Laeli's all concerned about power and taking it for herself and not letting Ravv have any over her. And fundamentally that should have been okay but the way it was written rubbed me all wrong. Not only that, she bitches and moans that Ravv keeps his identity and reason for abducting her a secret and forces him to grovel for well over half the book while CONSTANTLY lying and making stuff up to hurt him and make him jealous. Sorry, I don't find being deceitful on purpose and purposefully doing stuff to hurt your partner as a "power-move" appealing. It comes across incredibly bitchy and immature. And Ravv just takes it, of course, like the doormat he is, because mate. Give me a break.
The back half of the book is just the two of them getting each other off. Until one of them finally figures out that they have to actually communicate how they feel in words. The plot outside the bedroom is so lackluster I've forgotten about it--the assassin...isn't. The cultists are defeated (??????????). Hooray.
Honestly if this book wasn't so easy to read and quick to get through I would have DNF'd it. It just feels like an insult to literature, at this point.
They end up in Jirev and what follows is what we see in book 1. Which I enjoyed in book 1, but found boring and repetitive in this book.
Laeli even sounds like Nissa. The way she calls Ravv an asshole is spot on to the way Nissa chided Kierden when he did something she didn't like. There's also the internal monologue from Laeli insisting she needs to keep her feelings in check because she's absolutely 100% NOT going to be with Ravv long term. It's so frequent I ended up skipping over large portions of many of her chapters because it just kept happening and I got bored. It's very similar to what happened in book 1 with Nissa, but it didn't feel nearly as annoying in that book considering Nissa's insecurities stemmed from Kierden actively being a clueless idiot when it came to girls.
Honestly, if you take the names away, and these 2 couples could be almost completely interchangeable.
Hell the book even ends the same way--with a sex scene in public.
God this book was boring.
There's brief mentions of other species in this book--angels, dragons, gargoyles, implying that this world is WAY bigger and more complex than we ever get to see. Also, Fae and Elves I can handle...but when you start tossing in vampires and dragons and shape shifters (which I assume are this world's version of werewolves) and demons it starts feel like paranormal soup. Do we really NEED all of these creatures? Especially if the characters never once interact with any of the main crew?
It's a struggle to find something positive to say about this.
I mean.
We do learn a bit more about the cultists. We know now that they're not just some random group of creatures, but Fae--and that apparently the cult started in Loire. We also know that Ravv's twin sister is the cult's leader.
We also learn where the assassin's contracts originated. In Vayme's kingdom.
So even though we're being drip-fed information across these 3 stories I guess I'm fine with that.
But that's about it. Honestly.
Needless to say I didn't like this one as much as the first. And that was a pretty low bar already. I didn't care for Ravv and Laeli. Ravv is a carbon copy of Kierden minus the backbone, and Laeli's sort of just... unlikeable as a character. They have the same 2 or 3 conversations 12 times and don't grow at all together outside of him teaching her virgin ass what sex is all about. Although, why tf would he even need to considering she's spent YEARS in a cell with a partnered couple who were constantly fucking???? You'd think she'd have learned something by proxy, at the very least.
Laeli's all concerned about power and taking it for herself and not letting Ravv have any over her. And fundamentally that should have been okay but the way it was written rubbed me all wrong. Not only that, she bitches and moans that Ravv keeps his identity and reason for abducting her a secret and forces him to grovel for well over half the book while CONSTANTLY lying and making stuff up to hurt him and make him jealous. Sorry, I don't find being deceitful on purpose and purposefully doing stuff to hurt your partner as a "power-move" appealing. It comes across incredibly bitchy and immature. And Ravv just takes it, of course, like the doormat he is, because mate. Give me a break.
The back half of the book is just the two of them getting each other off. Until one of them finally figures out that they have to actually communicate how they feel in words. The plot outside the bedroom is so lackluster I've forgotten about it--the assassin...isn't. The cultists are defeated (??????????). Hooray.
Honestly if this book wasn't so easy to read and quick to get through I would have DNF'd it. It just feels like an insult to literature, at this point.
February 16, 2026
Lae y Ravvi 💖
June 1, 2025
8 / 10 ⭐️
Romantasy / Parejas predestinadas / Faes / Mujeres secuestradas (que en realidad son salvadas)
A los tres reyes fae les echan una maldición y cada uno de ellos es perseguido por un asesino implacable obligado por magia a acabar con él. La única forma de escapar de sus respectivos asesinos es emparejarse con sus parejas predestinadas.
Ravii y Leali no solo deben escapar del asesino implacable sino que tienen que luchar contra los cultistas que habitan en la ciudad en las cuevas de hielo.
Este me ha gustado más que el anterior.
La pareja permanece unida y se complementan al 100%.
¿Quién no quiere un macho fae buenorro como pareja predestinada?
Romantasy / Parejas predestinadas / Faes / Mujeres secuestradas (que en realidad son salvadas)
A los tres reyes fae les echan una maldición y cada uno de ellos es perseguido por un asesino implacable obligado por magia a acabar con él. La única forma de escapar de sus respectivos asesinos es emparejarse con sus parejas predestinadas.
Ravii y Leali no solo deben escapar del asesino implacable sino que tienen que luchar contra los cultistas que habitan en la ciudad en las cuevas de hielo.
Este me ha gustado más que el anterior.
La pareja permanece unida y se complementan al 100%.
¿Quién no quiere un macho fae buenorro como pareja predestinada?
September 25, 2023
Forbidden mates has to be the best Lola Glass series yet.
Where do I even start? Laeli holds such a special place in my heart, one hundred pages in and I knew I'd absolutely love her. This book did such a nice job at taking the glimpses of Lae we got from Nissa's point of view, and expanding on it. In the first book, Lae seemed so self-assured and spunky, and though she is, finding out about her past made her so much more three-dimensional. Ravv was such a gem too. Possessive, grumpy, but incredibly grounded and willing to do whatever made Lae the happiest.
An honorable mention goes to Elwynne and Orvay just for their drunk fiasco. The bonded creatures fell a little flat for me this book, but a part of me prefers to see some differences between the dynamics in this book compared to the last. If the idorrs had been exactly like the Esus, I would've gotten a little bored. That's along the lines of my only criticism... some events felt too similar to those in Dark & Beastly fae, despite the girls and kings being apart. Another thing was the initial use of "___ was pronounced ____." In the first book it was really helpful, and it was in this one too, but the way it was added in felt lazy at times. If it'd been incorporated in more naturally, or put in a pronunciation guide at the beginning, it wouldn't have been as odd. I definitely fell in love with the characters in Dark & Dreadful Brutes, but I feel like the standard was set high with the first book. It's a bit of a shame to see the plot be stagnant with little-to-no new world building.
Looking toward the future, I'm excited for Kaelle to get her book! You're telling me she gets to walk around with an animal that looks like a giant gray wolf? Sign me up!!
Where do I even start? Laeli holds such a special place in my heart, one hundred pages in and I knew I'd absolutely love her. This book did such a nice job at taking the glimpses of Lae we got from Nissa's point of view, and expanding on it. In the first book, Lae seemed so self-assured and spunky, and though she is, finding out about her past made her so much more three-dimensional. Ravv was such a gem too. Possessive, grumpy, but incredibly grounded and willing to do whatever made Lae the happiest.
An honorable mention goes to Elwynne and Orvay just for their drunk fiasco. The bonded creatures fell a little flat for me this book, but a part of me prefers to see some differences between the dynamics in this book compared to the last. If the idorrs had been exactly like the Esus, I would've gotten a little bored. That's along the lines of my only criticism... some events felt too similar to those in Dark & Beastly fae, despite the girls and kings being apart. Another thing was the initial use of "___ was pronounced ____." In the first book it was really helpful, and it was in this one too, but the way it was added in felt lazy at times. If it'd been incorporated in more naturally, or put in a pronunciation guide at the beginning, it wouldn't have been as odd. I definitely fell in love with the characters in Dark & Dreadful Brutes, but I feel like the standard was set high with the first book. It's a bit of a shame to see the plot be stagnant with little-to-no new world building.
Looking toward the future, I'm excited for Kaelle to get her book! You're telling me she gets to walk around with an animal that looks like a giant gray wolf? Sign me up!!
September 10, 2025
3.5/5⭐
3/5♥️
3/5🔥
Siento que comparado con el primero, este libro tiene más historia
El BANTER!!!! Amé a wynnie y orr espero que tengan un libro o novela
Supongo que el dragon que salió tiene libro
Gleam y coarse son preciosos
3/5♥️
3/5🔥
Siento que comparado con el primero, este libro tiene más historia
El BANTER!!!! Amé a wynnie y orr espero que tengan un libro o novela
Supongo que el dragon que salió tiene libro
Gleam y coarse son preciosos
February 10, 2026
Completamente adorables, los amo ❤️
September 19, 2023
I need to stop immediately clicking this author’s books . They have just gotten too formulaic for me.
Heroine: trauma in the past, resistance to falling for hero
Hero: resistant to falling for heroine, probably mistreats or misunderstands so therefore mistreats heroine a bit until he falls for her
Situation: fated mates, magic of some kind, maybe a quest or purpose to fulfill and fall in love.
And lately: way more bedroom time than her original series
I liked the early books that had a lot more friendship and relationship building - and world building with other characters, not just the human girl of the next book and the hero’s second in command. Blah. I could throw the last five books in a blender and get a mishmash about the same. They’re not … memorable anymore. Not like the girl who could stop wolves from changing and the alpha unlike any she’d met and their story.
Go read her original books!
Heroine: trauma in the past, resistance to falling for hero
Hero: resistant to falling for heroine, probably mistreats or misunderstands so therefore mistreats heroine a bit until he falls for her
Situation: fated mates, magic of some kind, maybe a quest or purpose to fulfill and fall in love.
And lately: way more bedroom time than her original series
I liked the early books that had a lot more friendship and relationship building - and world building with other characters, not just the human girl of the next book and the hero’s second in command. Blah. I could throw the last five books in a blender and get a mishmash about the same. They’re not … memorable anymore. Not like the girl who could stop wolves from changing and the alpha unlike any she’d met and their story.
Go read her original books!
June 30, 2024
I loved it!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is a steamy enemies to lovers Rapunzel retelling with Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone vibes. Each book in this fantasy romance trilogy follows a different couple with their own happily ever after, and the stories can be read in any order. This is the second standalone book in the Forbidden Mates series. This story features a girl named Laeli and the Fae King named Ravv. After ten years trapped in a cellar, she was finally rescued, by a ruthless fae king who immediately made her his mate. He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. Her attraction to him only partially makes up for that. He needs the magic of their mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags her back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him, and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war. They have to keep their mate bond a secret to stop the war from escalating, which sounds simple at first, but then the mental and physical bond between them gets stronger and stronger. Eventually, the itch to stay by his side grows into a need, and keeping her hands off of him becomes a battle that she can no longer win. An ancient monster is trying to kill them, and his people will too if they find out the truth about their connection, yet the longer they spend together, the more she starts to wonder if she’s really going to be able to let him go. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series. I highly recommend to everyone.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is a steamy enemies to lovers Rapunzel retelling with Beauty and the Beast and Hades and Persephone vibes. Each book in this fantasy romance trilogy follows a different couple with their own happily ever after, and the stories can be read in any order. This is the second standalone book in the Forbidden Mates series. This story features a girl named Laeli and the Fae King named Ravv. After ten years trapped in a cellar, she was finally rescued, by a ruthless fae king who immediately made her his mate. He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. Her attraction to him only partially makes up for that. He needs the magic of their mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags her back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him, and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war. They have to keep their mate bond a secret to stop the war from escalating, which sounds simple at first, but then the mental and physical bond between them gets stronger and stronger. Eventually, the itch to stay by his side grows into a need, and keeping her hands off of him becomes a battle that she can no longer win. An ancient monster is trying to kill them, and his people will too if they find out the truth about their connection, yet the longer they spend together, the more she starts to wonder if she’s really going to be able to let him go. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. I can’t wait to read the next story in the series. I highly recommend to everyone.
October 1, 2023
This is a great continuation of the Forbidden Mates series.
Ravv is the king of ice and ocean fae and breaks Laeli and her cell mates, Gora and Jern, out of the cellar which is under the castle dungeons. She's been there for 10 years after developing fire powers. Ravv needs Laeli as he and the other two fae kings have been cursed and are being hunted by elf assassins. The only way to hide his magic, to save him, is to bond with a human with life magic until the eclipse when the curse will end and the bond will break. Though the longer he's with his fated mate the more he cares for her. But Ravv and Laeli don’t just need to learn to work together to evade the assassin sent for him; they also need to end a civil war and keep their bond a secret as in his city mated fae are killed.
This is a great story with Ravv helping Laeli to find her freedom while learning what they are to each other and how they make each other stronger. It was fun seeing the other fae kings with their humans again and I look forwards to reading their stories (the three women work so well together).
I also loved the companion idorr (Gleam, and her mate Coarse) and how they talk with their fae while also having their own mates. Gleam is lovely and kind, particularly when she speaks to Laeli and her friends at the start and making the males help Gora and Jern.
A lovely, well written story, with action, adventure, magic, dragons, humour, a slow-build spicy romance and real affection; with some brilliant twists and a fantastic ending. I can’t wait for Kaelle's story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ravv is the king of ice and ocean fae and breaks Laeli and her cell mates, Gora and Jern, out of the cellar which is under the castle dungeons. She's been there for 10 years after developing fire powers. Ravv needs Laeli as he and the other two fae kings have been cursed and are being hunted by elf assassins. The only way to hide his magic, to save him, is to bond with a human with life magic until the eclipse when the curse will end and the bond will break. Though the longer he's with his fated mate the more he cares for her. But Ravv and Laeli don’t just need to learn to work together to evade the assassin sent for him; they also need to end a civil war and keep their bond a secret as in his city mated fae are killed.
This is a great story with Ravv helping Laeli to find her freedom while learning what they are to each other and how they make each other stronger. It was fun seeing the other fae kings with their humans again and I look forwards to reading their stories (the three women work so well together).
I also loved the companion idorr (Gleam, and her mate Coarse) and how they talk with their fae while also having their own mates. Gleam is lovely and kind, particularly when she speaks to Laeli and her friends at the start and making the males help Gora and Jern.
A lovely, well written story, with action, adventure, magic, dragons, humour, a slow-build spicy romance and real affection; with some brilliant twists and a fantastic ending. I can’t wait for Kaelle's story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 10, 2025
Still enjoying this series! *NOTE: Don’t let the 4 star fool you, this is definitely a reread kind of book. I did not allow myself to quickly rate this book as I have with so many others.
The enjoyable: I absolutely loved Ravv and Laeli. Even more than Kierdan and Nissa. I wasn’t sure it was possible but their personalities and interactions I just loved it more. This book had equal but different tension and conflicts which I also loved.
The boring: Not one thing in this book was boring! My one complaint was that the beginning felt too rushed. It read more like a rough draft instead of the final work. I wanted to enjoy the rescue more and just soak in the details. *sighs this is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of five. It really should be like a 4.88 stars. (Is that a thing??) by the end I REALLY just wanted to round up and give it the 5 but I promised myself that it will hold the 4 until I’ve finished the last book (to include ALL books in this world). Only then I will allow myself to ponder and reevaluate my decision.
Sitting on the edge of my metaphorical seat and chewing my lip (for real) as I get ready to start the third book. Is this the one I’ve been wanting to read from the very beginning, yes yes it was. Did I force myself to read in order yes yes I did. Am I done with this review so I can begin the next
The enjoyable: I absolutely loved Ravv and Laeli. Even more than Kierdan and Nissa. I wasn’t sure it was possible but their personalities and interactions I just loved it more. This book had equal but different tension and conflicts which I also loved.
The boring: Not one thing in this book was boring! My one complaint was that the beginning felt too rushed. It read more like a rough draft instead of the final work. I wanted to enjoy the rescue more and just soak in the details. *sighs this is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of five. It really should be like a 4.88 stars. (Is that a thing??) by the end I REALLY just wanted to round up and give it the 5 but I promised myself that it will hold the 4 until I’ve finished the last book (to include ALL books in this world). Only then I will allow myself to ponder and reevaluate my decision.
Sitting on the edge of my metaphorical seat and chewing my lip (for real) as I get ready to start the third book. Is this the one I’ve been wanting to read from the very beginning, yes yes it was. Did I force myself to read in order yes yes I did. Am I done with this review so I can begin the next
January 1, 2025
4 Stars
Dark & Dreadful Brutes is the second book in the Forbidden Mates series by Lola Glass. This is a slow-burn romantasy with Fae, magic, paranormal elements, chemistry, steam, drama, damsel in distress, forced proximity, fated mates, high stakes, darker themes, and has a bit of a Rapunzel retelling vibe.
‘After ten years trapped in a cellar, I was finally rescued… by a ruthless fae king who immediately made me his mate.
He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. My attraction to him only partially makes up for that.
He needs the magic of our mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags me back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him—and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war.’
This is Ravv and Laeli’s story. Each book in the series follows different MCs- but all set in the same ‘world’.
The Series Contains:
-Dark & Beastly Fae – Kierdan & Nissa’s Story (Book #1)
-Dark & Dreadful Brutes – Ravv and Laeli’s Story (Book #2)
-Dark & Deadly Predators – Vayme & Kaelle’s Story (Book #3)
I enjoyed this book/series and look forward to reading more from Ms. Glass in the near future.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Lola Glass!
Dark & Dreadful Brutes is the second book in the Forbidden Mates series by Lola Glass. This is a slow-burn romantasy with Fae, magic, paranormal elements, chemistry, steam, drama, damsel in distress, forced proximity, fated mates, high stakes, darker themes, and has a bit of a Rapunzel retelling vibe.
‘After ten years trapped in a cellar, I was finally rescued… by a ruthless fae king who immediately made me his mate.
He's angry, grumpy, and altogether unpleasant to be around. My attraction to him only partially makes up for that.
He needs the magic of our mate bond to keep him alive, so he drags me back to the fae lands with him. Of course, he conveniently forgets to mention that there's a deadly dragon hunting him—and that his kingdom is in the midst of a civil war.’
This is Ravv and Laeli’s story. Each book in the series follows different MCs- but all set in the same ‘world’.
The Series Contains:
-Dark & Beastly Fae – Kierdan & Nissa’s Story (Book #1)
-Dark & Dreadful Brutes – Ravv and Laeli’s Story (Book #2)
-Dark & Deadly Predators – Vayme & Kaelle’s Story (Book #3)
I enjoyed this book/series and look forward to reading more from Ms. Glass in the near future.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Lola Glass!
September 11, 2023
I'm truly enjoying the standalone books in this series. This book gives us Laeli and Ravv's journey as he rescues her from her prison, and she helps him hide his magic from the demon trying to kill him. I love that Laeli is a strong character and speaks her mind and that Ravv is caring and protective of her. I enjoyed the playfulness between Ravv and Laeli and I also liked Ravv's idoorr Gleam, and her mate Coarse. There's more than one battle that needs to be fought and Ravv is determined to keep Laeli safe from those threats. As their coming from different directions both far and near. This story had great characters, suspense, threats, death, romance, steamy scenes and more. I also liked that that Elwynne and Orvay got their HEA. I wished that the bonus scene for Laeli and Rravv was included in the book and that we didn't have to sign up to receive it via email. I don't mind signing up because I'm already signed up, it's just that I would like it to be included in the book for when I go back to read the story because I wished that the gender was revealed in the book with an epilogue with their HEA.
September 25, 2023
Part of the Forbidden Mates series each can be read as a standalone with a fae king who rescues the one he needs to save him, his mate even if she doesn’t want to be his and the adventure begins. Laeli has been locked away below the castle for ten years now with no hope of escaping or seeing the light of day again until she is rescued by sexy as all get out Ravv arrogant, grumpy, male who makes more trouble for by not communicating (to be honest most guys have that issue shhhh) but on the other hand he is caring and protective of her and has no problem showing her. She helps him hide his magic from the demon trying to kill him. But she is no wall flower she stands up to him whenever he gets out of hand and being a man he definitely gets out of hand a few times but trying to keep their hands off of each other, trying to not let his people know they are mates on top of trying to alive is challenging but where are they headed, will they outsmart the demon, will his people accept her as his mate, and will she get the happiness after being locked away for so long will the war be won any time soon?
September 23, 2023
I have read books by this author previously and really enjoyed them. However, this is not one that I really enjoyed. It took forever for me to get through it. I kept shelving it on my kindle and putting it in the DNF shelf to remind myself that I needed to read it again. I really wanted to like Laeli and Rav but I just didn't . I didn't like the world building or the world.
I'm giving this three stars instead of two because I do enjoy Lola Glass' stories. And this one had the potential to be great, but for me it just wasn't. However, I fully believe that many will love the relationship between Laeli, Rav and Gleam and Course. Their adventures and interactions will be exactly what some readers are wanting.
I look forward to reading other things from this author - a reader can not like one book but still appreciate the author's creativity, good writing and good story building.
So - give it a try - you may really love it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I'm giving this three stars instead of two because I do enjoy Lola Glass' stories. And this one had the potential to be great, but for me it just wasn't. However, I fully believe that many will love the relationship between Laeli, Rav and Gleam and Course. Their adventures and interactions will be exactly what some readers are wanting.
I look forward to reading other things from this author - a reader can not like one book but still appreciate the author's creativity, good writing and good story building.
So - give it a try - you may really love it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2025
I love the premise of this series and I am excited to see the book for the demon. It wasn't horrible. More like fluff you aren't really invested in. I'm curious to see if the other books are more of the same or any better. I enjoy fantasy/paranormal fated mates so I will probably continue reading. And i have read some great books by her. I love how she is willing to try and write new things/ideas.
But both books so far have felt very much the same and I have not been invested in their relationship. Laeli was whiny and vengeful purposefully being deceitful to hurt him in order to get more power since she felt like there was a power imbalance with them. Also she was awfully sheltered for someone trapped with 2 people who had sex all the time. The one time she used her power in a meaningful way didn't feel meaningful - just saving people a few hours work. I was hoping for more. Their relationship didn't seem to grow and he bowed down to her so much he didn't seem to have much of a backbone.
But both books so far have felt very much the same and I have not been invested in their relationship. Laeli was whiny and vengeful purposefully being deceitful to hurt him in order to get more power since she felt like there was a power imbalance with them. Also she was awfully sheltered for someone trapped with 2 people who had sex all the time. The one time she used her power in a meaningful way didn't feel meaningful - just saving people a few hours work. I was hoping for more. Their relationship didn't seem to grow and he bowed down to her so much he didn't seem to have much of a backbone.
September 28, 2023
This book is awesome. We get to see how Laeli & Ravv met and how they got together. Laeli is a human with magic and in order for King Ravv to prevent the assassin hunting him from finding him, Ravv needs to take a human mate that has magic. Laeli is kept underground with two other humans that have magic (they are a couple) Jern & Gora. Ravv frees them and idorr Gleam’s mate, Coarse, takes them to his fae city. Laeli goes with Ravv & Gleam to Jirev which is where all three kings of the fae are meeting once they find their mates.
I found it hysterical how Gleam is almost immediately on Laeli’s side and how oblivious Ravv is about Laeli. It was just so male. Lol. They have quite the adventure on the way to Jirev and then once they get there and then after. Gargoyles, shifters, fae, humans and magic as well as mayhem ensues.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found it hysterical how Gleam is almost immediately on Laeli’s side and how oblivious Ravv is about Laeli. It was just so male. Lol. They have quite the adventure on the way to Jirev and then once they get there and then after. Gargoyles, shifters, fae, humans and magic as well as mayhem ensues.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 23, 2025
This is the reread I didn’t know I needed. I really liked this series the first time I read it but I’m LOVING it this time. Fae kings under an assassination curse are sent to find three human women with opposite magic - the kings all having ice (death) magic and the women all having some form of life magic, respectively plant life, fire and wind/aura magic. The kings bond their respective human into a temporary mate bond, to disguise their own magic from the hunters. Each book is a connected standalone about the story of each king and their human. This book is the second in the series and if the first book was good, this one is just as good if not better. Laeli, the human, is very like me, so I identified strongly with her. She is impulsive and feisty. He is grumpy and arrogant. However, they balance each other extremely well and end up (gasp) falling in love. There is spice, suspense and not too much toing and froing, and it’s great.
September 9, 2023
Although this can be read as a standalone, I am enjoying this story build. Ravv is trying to hide from an assassin, and the only way to hide his magic is to temporarily mate with Laeli. Laeli has been locked below the castle for 10 years. When Ravv showed up, she think that he's rescuing her. These books are slow burns, with both MCs fighting the attraction to one another caused by the bond. I love that Laeli makes Ravv change some of his behavior before getting into bed with her, and his willingness to try. Though the bond was forced, this couple has a mutual respect for one another, even after Laeli learns the truth. This is becoming such a great story, the overlapping timeline with each pair makes it fun to see the different reactions to each situation. And once the spice starts, it's definitely yummy.
July 4, 2024
I’m not saying it isn’t a good book. It’s just not on the same level as the first one in the series.
Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down—I just felt that since the the books in the series all started roughly at the same time we could’ve gotten more clarity on some of the scenes together with the other MCs from the other books?
Maybe the scenes got cut during editing to fix the pacing? But I would’ve enjoyed knowing how come the other FMCs thought in the book 1 that Ravv is possessive of Laeli and small details like that.
I will say this though, the spicy scenes are derivative of the first… so i’m thinking the 3rd might be the same?
PS: a pet peeve I didn’t realise until midway through is that the MMCs get around 5 chapters of their POV and the FMCs get the other 20 or so.
Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down—I just felt that since the the books in the series all started roughly at the same time we could’ve gotten more clarity on some of the scenes together with the other MCs from the other books?
Maybe the scenes got cut during editing to fix the pacing? But I would’ve enjoyed knowing how come the other FMCs thought in the book 1 that Ravv is possessive of Laeli and small details like that.
I will say this though, the spicy scenes are derivative of the first… so i’m thinking the 3rd might be the same?
PS: a pet peeve I didn’t realise until midway through is that the MMCs get around 5 chapters of their POV and the FMCs get the other 20 or so.
September 26, 2023
This is the second book of the Forbidden Mates trilogy. The stories involves Ravv the Fae King and a human Laeli. As in the first book, the Fae King needs a human with magic to hide his magic from the dark assassin. Enter Laeli, a human with fire magic. She has been locked away in a dungeon for years. A broody Fae rescues her. He appeals to her but she must refuse any closeness. He is just using her anyway.
Good story with rescues, hiding from assassin, chemistry, mates, Fae, humans, manipulation, magic, lack of communication, fear and learning to love.
Reading the first story will help enhance this second book. The two stories are simultaneously and intertwined.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good story with rescues, hiding from assassin, chemistry, mates, Fae, humans, manipulation, magic, lack of communication, fear and learning to love.
Reading the first story will help enhance this second book. The two stories are simultaneously and intertwined.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 4, 2023
3.75 stars. I did really enjoy it but I think the excitement from the first one wore off with this one a bit. Now I loved them and the story. I like how there is no breakup and that the dragon didn’t die (I hope she writes him his own story of finding a mate in the caves bc that would be perfect) but I also think it wasn’t as exciting as the first one. Idk if it’s bc we knew who was killing the mated pairs and she really never almost died died but it was still super good. I’m curious about the next one knowing that the girl was scared of her king. That relationship may just be my favorite if it’s what I hope it is. I like how the timelines overlap without repeating the story too many times.
December 17, 2024
Way too long for no reason whatsoever
H: King Ravv (Fae with freezing power)
h: Laeli (human with fire power)
We know the story-She was trapped in the cellar for 10yrs until King Ravv rescued her. He never told her that even though they are "mates" he doesn't see her or want her as a mate (in the beginning). Later on he changes his mind. I think this story is too long for no reason at all. He showed her again and again how much he cares about her and she still has stupid doubts. Very dumb. I really love his author but towards the middle of the story when the King destroyed everyone all by himself (even though he has an army- who he doesn't trust) Story just got repeated over time.
H: King Ravv (Fae with freezing power)
h: Laeli (human with fire power)
We know the story-She was trapped in the cellar for 10yrs until King Ravv rescued her. He never told her that even though they are "mates" he doesn't see her or want her as a mate (in the beginning). Later on he changes his mind. I think this story is too long for no reason at all. He showed her again and again how much he cares about her and she still has stupid doubts. Very dumb. I really love his author but towards the middle of the story when the King destroyed everyone all by himself (even though he has an army- who he doesn't trust) Story just got repeated over time.
February 23, 2024
Tenia las mismas expectativas que con el primer libro, y literal vino y me dijo de frente: "No mi ciela".
Diría que es de lo mejor que he leído por el momento en el año, pero no fue LO TOP a 5 estrellas.
Una historia romantasy super sencilla de leer y nada complica en narrativa, mi único pero en toda historia es que no sentí del todo de nuevo (porque me paso con el anterior libro de esta trilogía) que la autora nos diera unos protagonistas con los que como lector me encariñara, los sentí muy planos en cuanto a impacto emocional en las diversas situaciones que iban pasando juntos, y pues me quede con ganas de mas en ese aspecto.
Me gusto y la recomiendo.
Diría que es de lo mejor que he leído por el momento en el año, pero no fue LO TOP a 5 estrellas.
Una historia romantasy super sencilla de leer y nada complica en narrativa, mi único pero en toda historia es que no sentí del todo de nuevo (porque me paso con el anterior libro de esta trilogía) que la autora nos diera unos protagonistas con los que como lector me encariñara, los sentí muy planos en cuanto a impacto emocional en las diversas situaciones que iban pasando juntos, y pues me quede con ganas de mas en ese aspecto.
Me gusto y la recomiendo.
August 18, 2024
Dark and dreadful review
I loved the spacing and easy flow of this ready. The depiction and imagery of your writing is amazing. I enjoyed the depth of each character's personality.
I am reading this series back to back. So, I enjoyed the few Easter eggs in this book. I yearned to know more about laeli's magic and her inner battles of control. I also feel like I got a trailer to their future milestones of deciding to become parents rather than experiencing that process... I suppose just like every other reader, it ended too soon. Thank you for sharing your imagination, fae romance really is the only genera I enjoy reading.
I loved the spacing and easy flow of this ready. The depiction and imagery of your writing is amazing. I enjoyed the depth of each character's personality.
I am reading this series back to back. So, I enjoyed the few Easter eggs in this book. I yearned to know more about laeli's magic and her inner battles of control. I also feel like I got a trailer to their future milestones of deciding to become parents rather than experiencing that process... I suppose just like every other reader, it ended too soon. Thank you for sharing your imagination, fae romance really is the only genera I enjoy reading.
September 24, 2023
better than expected
I felt like the first book in this series was shallow, underdeveloped and lacking relationship building. The first 20% of this one gave me the same feeling. I honestly thought this would be my last Lola Glass book BUT after that point it all changed. There were a couple plot twists, lots of conversation and relationship building and the plot was descent. This is still a a light and quick read but it was enjoyable. Less repetitive internal monologue as well.
I felt like the first book in this series was shallow, underdeveloped and lacking relationship building. The first 20% of this one gave me the same feeling. I honestly thought this would be my last Lola Glass book BUT after that point it all changed. There were a couple plot twists, lots of conversation and relationship building and the plot was descent. This is still a a light and quick read but it was enjoyable. Less repetitive internal monologue as well.
September 24, 2023
Book two of the Forbidden Mates trilogy and although we now have a different couple, the story is still as awesome as the first book. Laeli Is our kick ass fmc and she is strong, adventurous and finds herself freed from her prison by Ravv who’s grumpy, angry and very arrogant oh and he is fae whereas Laeli is human. Their story is intense, entertaining, exciting and enthralling and once started i could not put it down. Oh and did I mention, there’s a dragon. Enemies to lovers romance that pulls you in and twists and turns to keep you guessing and I cannot wait to read book three!
September 25, 2023
Laeli has fire magic, Ravv has ice magic running thorigh his venes. And despite that - or because of it - they have a beautiful chemistry together. Fated, but risking their lives if anyone notices, it's a difficult dance. Fate is determined to bring them together, and through various challenges and dights, they have to find a way to stay happy and together.
A beautifull fairytale retelling with a very protective MMC and a strong FMC, it's a delight to read. Can't wait for the third part. And maybe, if we get lucky, we get to read the assasin's stories too?
A beautifull fairytale retelling with a very protective MMC and a strong FMC, it's a delight to read. Can't wait for the third part. And maybe, if we get lucky, we get to read the assasin's stories too?
October 1, 2023
Lola Glass is a no-brainer, immediate click to purchase author for me ... and book 2 of this series was brilliant.
Just love the deep and complex characters who learn and grow throughout; the immersive world and the out of the blue plot twists! This book follows the couple, Ravv and Laeli, in this unique world... and just adored the way these two interacted with one another. It's part of a series and even though not needed, it would be best to read in order to fully understand the world-building + plot twists.
Just love the deep and complex characters who learn and grow throughout; the immersive world and the out of the blue plot twists! This book follows the couple, Ravv and Laeli, in this unique world... and just adored the way these two interacted with one another. It's part of a series and even though not needed, it would be best to read in order to fully understand the world-building + plot twists.
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