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My wolf runs the clock on people’s death.

Everyone, even her, has an expiration date.

Ansel

My job is to take in fractured wolves and fix them. At least I try. I get them stable and they move on, or I bring them to a dignified end.

Morrigan Hart won’t be any different. I have every intention of setting her up for a better life. Far, far away from here.

She’s young, head strong, and reminds me of her father — my best friend.

Morrigan

Ansel Abbot is the last person I wanted to see, but he’s the key to my freedom. I’ve traded a human prison for a chance his wolf doesn’t murder me.

He’s infuriating. His positivity borderlines toxic and he has more patience than I have love for peanut butter. But I can’t stop flirting with him.

A countdown has started. Can I make it through the year or will I end up his next victim?

___Scorch is the fourth book in The Ardelean Bloodline series. An ongoing plot connects each book in the series, and this story does end on a cliffhanger of sorts. Each book in The Ardelean Bloodline will need to be read in order. There are open-door, explicit scenes as well as colorful language not intended for young readers. Don’t let the fluffy puppy on the cover deceive you… he bites.

780 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2024

21 people are currently reading
124 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Jaeger

7 books67 followers
Sarah Jaeger is a human being from the Upper Midwest, even though she is certain she was born to be a shifter. A dreamer since birth, the idea for the Ardelean Bloodlines popped into Sarah’s teenage brain and refused to leave. Finally, that idea is taking shape in the form of a fully-fledged paranormal romance series. When she’s not writing, Sarah likes to recharge with solid TV show binges, playing cards and games with her family, and caring for her fur babies. Stay in touch with Sarah on her website or social media.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Teddi Coleman.
326 reviews9 followers
July 26, 2024
I'm just saying, Ansel can get it.
- Slowburn (which typically is not my favorite, but when it hits, it hits and doesn't let up)
- Troubled pasts and trauma rep ( done right )
- Age Gap
- Best Friend's daughter
- Testing the waters, pushing all the buttons
- Edging (but worth it)

Ansel is a godsend with a difficult gift and his own trauma. Morrigan is troubled woman who has never had the support that she needed to flourish. When Ansel takes her in when trouble arises and all he wants to do is fulfill a hidden promise to her father. What fate has in store for them will test everything they know about each other and what they know of the world around them and they'll face it whether they want to or not.

We've seen the character development of Ansel from the beginning but here you see that the man wants wolves to find themselves again and have a second chance at life. He's patient (95% of the time when Harry isn't in charge). Ansel knows when to wait and let the person realize when they feel safe and ready to be heard.

Morrigan has tried to protect herself from the people who try to control her. She finds herself between running away or running towards her wolf that is believed to be gone after so long.

The Ardeleans just keep going and this is not something you want to miss.
Profile Image for Kelsey | kjacksbookshelf.
176 reviews8 followers
February 21, 2024
Scorch is book 4 in the Ardelean Bloodline series by Sarah Jeager. It’s our third couple. This book follows Ansel who is the last stop for feral wolves, unless they can change. On a routine pick up from a jail Ansel is shocked to see that his new charge is the daughter of his late best friend, now just grown up.

Morrigan has been running for the past few years, she’s now hit a dead end and is stuck with a figure from her past, who failed the person who used to be in her corner. She’d rather just stay angry and running, besides, she doesn’t have a wolf anyways. What can go wrong.

It’s no secret I love shifter books. They’re my favorites, and every book in the Ardelean Bloodline I’ve eaten UP. I got the amazing lucky opportunity to read an early copy of this book, and when I tell y’all I DEVOURED it in TWO DAYS. And I was nervous of how the dad’s best friend situation would play out here, but I should of trusted Sarah and her ability to handle these things well. Ansel and Morrigan are such complex characters and their trauma would take YEARS to fully unpack, but once they let the other in they’re unstoppable. You have two people who the universe has delt bad hands who just want to bake cookies and sew, and it was a joy reading about them finding each other.

Ansel and Morrigan may have surpassed Cade and Thalia as top couple for me.
Profile Image for Jenn O'Leary.
1,021 reviews22 followers
February 20, 2024
Sarah Jaeger writes such amazing books, that leave you wanting more!
Scorch is about the mysterious Ansel Abbot.
Ansel has a gift that is quite difficult, he takes in fractured wolves and tries to fix them.
When is he called to a human prison to take in a young wolf, he doesn't expect to find Morrigan, his best friends daughter.
Morrigan ran away from her toxic home, and has found herself in trouble.
She does not want to go with Ansel, she hates him. But it is her only option.
This book has your heart breaking for both Ansel and Morrigan, and when things get spicy, watch out!
I absolutely love this series. I cannot wait to read more.
Profile Image for Amber.
354 reviews15 followers
March 11, 2024
Scorch by Sarah Jaeger is the fourth installment in the Ardelean Bloodline series and it does not disappoint!

I have been intrigued with Ansel since book one and have been eagerly awaiting for his story. And as usual, Sarah freaking
del 👏 liv 👏 ered 👏

Sarah executes an exciting, albeit exhausting roller-coaster ride of emotions. If you love tortured souls, slow burn, shifters and spice, Ansel & Morrigan's story is the one for you!

Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this book.
Profile Image for Angela Stephens.
178 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
This book had me in tears in parts and laughing at others. Sarah’s characters are so complex and amazing. You’ll see yourself in parts of them and their redemption means you too can be saved. Ansel is so sure he’s not worthy of love and Morrigan thinks she’s too broken to find happiness. I’d already fallen in love with this world and Ansel had a special place in my heart after being there for Lena and Finn but now I love him so much more. This book is a rollercoaster ride but it’s more than worth it! The spice takes a bit to get to but when you get there, get ready to read with one hand. 😉 This book, like the others in the series, is definitely worth the ride!
Profile Image for CeCe.
17 reviews
Read
August 11, 2025
The way this book assaulted my emotions !!

I went from bawling like a baby with a box of tissues to rolling on the floor laughing my a** off.

In the previous books I was always sooo intrigued by Ansel Abbot and to finally read his story; all I can say is I was NOT disappointed.

Ansel has an important job in the shifter community. He helps wolves who are fractured or feral. Whether that means they are able to be rehabilitated or he has to end them himself. With the help of his own wolf the harbinger, he can see when others die.

When he goes to pick up a new feral wolf, he quickly learns it is Morrigan. His best friend’s daughter, who also happens to be a fractured wolf he had to end. She blames Ansel for her father’s death, and everything wrong that has transpired in her life since then.

Through this story we get taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The trauma both these characters have gone through. The feelings of being unloveable, and alone in the world. In one way shape or form it is undeniable how relatable these two characters are. It’s a beautifully torturous slow burn between these characters. You can feel the sexual tension leaking off the pages.

⚠️ Check trigger warnings ⚠️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
Profile Image for Naty's  Naughty Reads.
75 reviews2 followers
March 9, 2024
This is the tale of Ansel and his wolf Harbinger. Ansel's calling is to protect everyone by putting down fellow wolves who are a danger to themselves and others. Ansel was a "found" wolf (think of it like an orphan) who experienced tremendous trauma and abuse before he was found.

Morrigan is a 19 year old runaway. Her father fractured and died when she was younger. Her mother moved to California after she met her fated mate. Morrigan's stepfather was cruel and abusive towards her, and her mother turned a blind eye. Morrigan decided to escape and run away with some people she had just met.

Fast forward 6 months. Morrigan is living in a can with friends when she's arrested for possession of drugs. Being a wolf, the government calls The Sovereign (wolf government), and they send a representative to get Morrigan out and try to save her. She's shocked when she finds out he's none other than her dad's best friend and executioner, Ansel.

This is a slow burn pnr with lots of trauma to sort through. Both main characters come with a lot of baggage and rough edges. Jaeger does an incredible job portraying their struggles and mental health issues eloquently. She weaves a tale so well that this is now my favorite Ardelean couple. Highly recommend this novel. 5 stars. Enjoy.
Profile Image for Rieka.
392 reviews8 followers
March 14, 2024
Major slow burn with a crazy good amount of tug and pull between characters. This book had my emotions all over the place. It was a bumpy ride from angry, to happy, to worried, and so much more. It's a wild ride for sure. The series just keeps getting better and better. I love how all these alpha's are connected but each character's story is so drastically different from the previous one. It keeps me on my toes and constantly wanting more. I was so anxious to see what route Ansel's story was gonna take but I think this is one of my favorites. Hello age gap romantasy!!

Ansel had so much self acceptance and demons to overcome on his journey. I loved watching as he grew to accept why and how Henry was the way he was. Ansel is the protector and it's easy to see that right off the bat and he always puts others before himself. This magnificent man finds his own self growth as he makes it his life duty to put fractured wolves back together the best he can. Que in the bombshell of Morrigan. That poor girl has had it rough growing up. I knew right off the bat that I didn't like her mother or her stepfather after reading all the 'tests' they put her through. I love this duo and how everything about each of them balances out the other!
Profile Image for Jacklyn B.
1,273 reviews56 followers
March 14, 2024
My wolf runs the clock on people's death. Everyone, even her, has an expiration date.

One year and she is free…if she survives.

I have been so excited for Ansel’s story - I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how this would end!! It was everything I hoped for and so much more! This book is one part epic love story/healing journey, one part found family, and one part baking lesson/pack shenanigans.

Ansel and Morrigan had this amazing tension from the start. Morrigan was feisty and sassy and had put up walls that were tough to break. Ansel was so patient and caring I loved how they slowly started to trust each other - she did not make it easy on him and he wasn’t messing around!!

You are going to feel all the emotions with this book. This is one of those stories that slowly peel back the layers of these characters and - No Spoilers - but the layers go much deeper than you expect. Both of them have experienced trauma and carry guilt and together they start to heal.

I loved the quirky personalities (well…Most of them) of the guys in his pack and Sherman was by far my favorite.

I love the entire Ardelean family and was excited for them to be a part of the story (even a certain Irishman makes an appearance!) My favorite coup cookies make an appearance too!

I highly recommend this entire series!
Profile Image for S.
52 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2024
“Scorch” by Sarah Jaeger is a riveting journey through love, danger, and transformation that stands out in the Ardelean Bloodline series. Jaeger masterfully blends suspense and romance, delivering a story that’s as heart-wrenching as it is humorously entertaining. The tale of Ansel, a guardian of fractured wolves, and Morrigan, a headstrong woman linked to his past, is beautifully complex. Their evolving relationship, marked by witty banter and emotional depth, is the core of this narrative.

Sarah Jaeger’s writing is immersive, balancing supernatural elements with relatable human emotions and challenges. The chemistry between Ansel and Morrigan captivates, making their journey a compelling exploration of vulnerability and courage.

In summary, “Scorch” showcases Jaeger’s talent for storytelling that touches the heart and stirs the imagination. It’s a blend of laughter, tears, and suspense that proves to be an unforgettable addition to the series. A must-read that confirms Sarah Jaeger’s place as a master of the genre.
Profile Image for Apple Perez.
10 reviews
March 26, 2024
Morrigan Hart is the worst at running away.
Well, let me back up. Mor succeeded the very first time running from her life in California in her stepfather's pack. She hitched a ride with a pack of delinquent shifters for about six months until she got into the safe clutches of Ansel and the Harbinger.

The Harbinger has an exceptional job of detecting when wolves are broken—fractured, if you will. His job is to take "care of" the ones who are too far gone to be rehabilitated back to healthy wolves. The paradoxical human, sweet Ansel Ardelean, is attached to this wolf. He lives his life to give every fractured wolf a fighting chance to live. He has his hands full with his best friend's daughter joining his rank of misfit and broken wolves.

Ansel and Morrigan are such a special story. Sarah is amazing at character and relationship development in this series. I love how familial the Ardeleans are, and Scorch had many moments that had my heart bursting and my eyeballs leaking.
I am so excited for this growing family and will be here for the next installment.
Profile Image for Alexa Jaye.
398 reviews15 followers
March 12, 2024
🧡🔥I love Ansel and Morrigan best! 🔥🧡

From the first book, I have been eagerly awaiting Ansel's HEA and OMGosh. This is such an amazing story.

It's over 600 pages long, and I would have been quite happy if the story had never ended.

Jaeger has excelled herself with this captivating tale of two struggling souls. Their journey to be together is going to take you on the wildest roller coaster ride ever ridden. You are going to need to take breaks to drink your water and eat your snacks (dont get caught with a mouth full - you will know why shortly), and find the biggest box of tissues available. I'm not sure whether I spent more time laughing or crying, but in many scenes, I laughed till I was crying. In other scenes, I was a total mess and used half the tissue box.

Ansel was my favourite from the very first book. He's deep, dark, and finds himself unworthy.

Morrigan is deep, dark, and mysterious in other ways.

I have already read the book twice and desperately need more days in a week so I can read it again.

Are you as curious as I was to discover if this wonderful couple makes it to the finish line?

🧡 Happy Reading! 🧡
Profile Image for Danielle Smith.
337 reviews7 followers
March 11, 2024
This book is a journey. The author has an amazing gift of storytelling, and I was hooked in the first few pages.

I have enjoyed all of Ansel's appearances in the first 3 books, and I was so happy it was finally Ansel's turn. He had been through so much hurt and pain. It is so good to see his happy ending. I can relate to Ansel in so many ways. He carries a huge burden and feels like a burden to others at the same time. He gets in his own way.

Morrigan is Ansel's twin flame. She just wants to be free from all the control and pain her life has caused her.
This is a big age gap book, and Morrigan is far from innocent, but she is also so naive in so many ways. Hee character growth was so well done.

Then we have the rest of the family. I loved seeing the other members of the pack come into the story and get updates on where they are in their lives.

There are plenty of traumas and triggers in this book, so check those first, but it is done well and was an amazing read.
Profile Image for Ashanti Crowningshield.
13 reviews
April 5, 2024
“He’s a handsome monster”
And that handsome monster has a heart of gold. But you are gonna have to get to know Ansel like Morrigan does. This story is a roll coaster of grief and love. Struggling with who you are on the inside is something everyone can relate to. Ansel has struggled with himself more than others. That struggle is what makes this slow burn so worth it. When the spice hits it is *chefs kiss* and Ansel can have my panties anytime he wants. Of course he’s in a book so my hubby will do. But Morrigan is a bada**. She is who I wanna be when I grow up. Of course she grew up herself making this an age gap with a. Little taboo element. Ansel was her dads best friend. They fought so hard I felt like yelling at them so many times. Well at least Ansel. The story of these two is one written in the stars.

**be sure to read the trigger warnings**
** book four of the Ardelean Bloodlines **
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Queen  Reviews.
375 reviews14 followers
February 29, 2024
I have really enjoyed reading this story! I couldn't wait to get to Ansel! I really feel like, despite him not knowing when his birthday is he's definitely a fellow Scorpio! He just wants to sit back relax and have a good day! I can totally relate! Reading about his story in this book was so sad because he is so chill and such a great person! So finally learning his back story was so touching. Him getting a chance to have a HEA with Morrigan was so deserved. Not only for him but also for her. This is an age-gap romance so at first things are very slow on the spice side but it does pick up later. We get to spend a lot of time with more of the Ardeleans we've met in the previous books in this one. I definitely would recommend this book to others and I can't wait for more from the Ardeleans!!
Profile Image for Marlou Klijn.
696 reviews23 followers
March 11, 2024
The story of Ansel and Morrigan starts off as an infuriating one. Morrigan is a 19 year old spitfire and Ansel doesn't know what to do. It frustrated me in the best way. I felt exactly what Ansel felt when it came to Morrigan. Damn, that girl was blind in the beginning.

There's so many little pieces throughout the book that come together in the end and it's absolutely beautiful to see.

And seeing all the Ardelean cousins together? Priceless. I love a supportive family.

My heart was absolutely pounding for the last 200? 100 pages? I don't even know because I was flying through this book with no regard of page numbers. Sarah Jaeger is a writer whose writing I connect with so well. And Ansel, oh my, my baby is so precious.

What a beautiful journey of love.

This book was provided to me by the author and Flying Pig PR.
Profile Image for Kïrsten.
67 reviews
April 8, 2024
Another amazing story in the series! Sarah never disappoints.

After reading books 1-3 you think you kind of know Ansel, but this story fills in all of the blanks. It’s both satisfying and heartbreaking learning about his past and why he is the way he is. Why he does things the way that he does. I love his character so much, with how much people are scared of Harry, yet one of the biggest threats you could make to Ansel is to rearrange his cupboards. 🤣

Morrigan is so relatable in her stubbornness and love of sewing. Despite all that was done to her, she never lost her kind heart.

I love love love all of the family coming together and the pack dynamics of the book. Everything fits together and flows so well, I absolutely recommend this book. And not just to paranormal romance readers, but to everyone.
Profile Image for Haley.
1,227 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2024
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🔥🔥

Ansel freaking Abbot. Oh, how I love him. He has past trauma and struggles with the gift he's been dealt - but he also uses his gift to the best of his ability and is always trying to help those around him.

Morrigan is so lost, nobody has been there for her, and she's cowered in on herself to the point she forgot one of the most important parts of herself.

These two were not likely friends, in fact, Morrigan can't stand him in the beginning, she blames him for everything that is wrong in her world. But fate has other plans for them.

I am thoroughly in love with the Ardelean's and can't wait to dive back into their world.

"Belief is kind of like hope. I guess, it's time to hang on to it."
Profile Image for Deanie.
827 reviews22 followers
March 11, 2024
“I love you doesn’t cover it, sunshine.” He shakes his head. “It isn’t contained in a four-letter word.”

Holy hell, she’s done it again. This was absolutely brilliant and I was hooked from the moment I started reading. I loved Ansel in the previous books and I’m so happy he got his own fleshed out story 🥹

I loved him and Morrigan together, even when I wanted to throttle them both haha. She was made to soften his edges and he was there to always have her back and stand for her when she couldn’t.

Morrigan was such a dichotomy, so incredibly strong to have survived all she had and yet so vulnerable. Her need for love and affection showed through that stubborn, bratty persona.

Ansel is my sweet bb boy even though he could probably just kill me with a look. Such a soft, sweet sunshine to Morrigan’s grumpy soul. I will definitely fight anyone for him 😂

I loved the side characters in this book. Sarah’s side characters are always fun (looking at you, Deacon) but his pack were some of the best. Especially Sherman. That big goofball and his chickens must be protected at all costs!

The last 20%-30% damn near killed me. It was written so well that I could feel the despair through the pages and I wanted to just wrap everyone up in a burrito and cuddle their troubles away. The way the biggest conflict was resolved though gave me all the feels.

Watching Ansel suffer through his emotions once released was hard though. As someone whose anxiety attacks manifest in not being able to sit still, I felt this in my soul. It was written so incredibly well.

Overall this was another Ardelean knockout for me. It had spice, humour, suspense, and a huge heaping of found family with new and old family members. The end epilogues were both incredibly sweet and made me love these two characters even more. I can’t wait to read the next book!!
Profile Image for Becc_Bec.
124 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2024

I absolutely adore Ansel!! I have loved him in every single book before this one! I went into this one with my own ideas of what I thought would happen and it completely wasn’t what I was expecting!

It was an emotional rollercoaster! So much happens! And some things get brushed passed and I needed a bit more from it!

But I love this book and this whole series!

This one was intense guys! Read the trigger warnings (I did not and maybe that did affect my rating). Nothing super bad but it could trigger some.
Profile Image for Yolo_lets_read.
291 reviews
March 14, 2024
Loved everything about Ansel!!! He is sweet and caring. He such a great support for his pack and Harry’s been protecting him so much!

Love love love him!!! Cade and Finn are great but Ansel is my #1.

Loved that Morrigan “Luna’d up” and got it together for the pack!

Also, the love and support that comes from the Ardelean family is was so good to see! No hesitation, they all just rolled up and came out for Ansel.

Soooo Revecca can fix all wolves??
Profile Image for Nikki McComas-Jimenez.
Author 5 books12 followers
April 26, 2024
🖤 This series has my wholeeeeee heart. Book four did not disappoint! I’ve been so excited to dive back into this world and see how the characters are doing!

Of course Sarah has to break our hearts and then put us back together.

Ansel is 🫠🫠 broken, hot, and father’s best friend! 🥵

I love that Morrigan pushed his buttons ALOT and brought the Harbinger out to play 🐺

So so much character growth in this book. I always love the way that Sarah weaves in humor, trauma, and love.
Profile Image for lived_athousandlives.
199 reviews13 followers
March 13, 2024
Who saw sunshiny Ansel being sooooo dirrrrty?!

Loved this book and seeing a whole different side of Ansel so much cause…YUM.

Father’s best friend 😮‍💨

Morrigan pushing his buttons *chef’s kiss*

His wolf being the Harbinger and a white wolf 🤌

The character growth for both was so wonderful to see play out 🧡
Profile Image for Kristy Finto.
926 reviews7 followers
February 24, 2024
This has been my favorite of the series by far! I've loved Ansel from book one and am so happy to finally have his book. I cried so much in here. Such a quick, fast read for me even being a chunky book.
53 reviews
March 12, 2024
Um. Obsessed. I literally read this book today. My step count is so low 🙈 and my house is a wreck, but it was totally worth it. Absolutely in love with Ansel and Morrigan. An emotional rollercoaster for sure. I wanted to punch Ansel in his face, shake this 💩 out of him, hug him, and weep for him.
Profile Image for She Dreams In Books.
573 reviews8 followers
March 18, 2024
Well, my emotions are done. Let those tears drop. Sad and happy tears. Ansel and Morrigan's story was everything and more than I expected. I absolutely loved seeing Ansel finally get the life he deserves. He has a place etched in my heart.
Sarah Jaeger is a damn brilliant author and I'm so glad I found her books. An awesome story teller that has me wrapped up in her words.
1,659 reviews27 followers
March 19, 2024
Ansel and Morrigan where absolutely everything and more. Their story was handled with such care and love and I honestly could have kept reading about them and Ansel's band of misfits forever.

5/5 stars
Profile Image for Adri Hill.
161 reviews8 followers
April 7, 2024
I freaking loved this book! This whole series has been amazing so far but this book forreal took me on an emotional roller coaster ride for sure! It was such an amazing slow burn for me and I could not put it down! Sarahs work truly is top tier for me! ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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