Colin

by C.K. Noel

Leaving Walden to escape the sight of his beloved imp in his rival’s arms changes Colin’s life forever.

Visiting his cousin was an excuse to get away from the strain of seeing his beloved with someone else. Colin never dreamed that he’d wind up saving a plump human’s life… or that the human would also be his beloved.

He saves the human, Reggie, but knows their lives will never be complete without his imp, Zander.

When he learns Zander’s been attacked and nearly died, he brings Reggie back to Walden.

When Reggie learns Colin’s a vampire, he runs away right into Zander’s room.

The two discover they share a connection. Reggie and Colin are beloveds. Zander and Colin are beloveds… But after being hurt by a vampire, can Zander ever trust Colin—or any other vampire—ever again? Perhaps the three are fated beloveds… or maybe fate’s playing a cruel game.

**Can be read as a standalone, but is better if read after reading The High Garden Dragon Series
*** See triggers inside the book

Genres: M M Romance, Vampires

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2023

About the author

You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but C.K. has a love for soul mates, true love, and happily ever after. Of course, he can’t let his characters get their happy ending too easily; they have to suffer first. He’s inspired by day-to-day life and loves transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary in his stories.

Life away from the computer is just as vibrant for C.K. He calls a quaint Florida town home, a stone's throw from the place he grew up. When not weaving tales or reading his favorite authors, you can find him by the pool, not the beach (because, let's face it, sharks are scarier than any paranormal creature he writes about).

He shares his life with a large, lively family and two cats who switch from cuddling to clawing in the blink of an eye. In C.K.'s world, the ordinary meets the extraordinary - both on and off the pages.

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love C.K. Noel's writing, and in most of my reviews, I talk about how impressed I am by C.K.'s ability to build such complex worlds into shorter books. So, it pains me to say that I struggled with this book. I feel that "Colin" lacked a lot of character development and fell short in plot. I received a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

I don't have an issue with instalove--and quite frankly, it's a staple in C.K.'s novels, as most of his couples immediately feel amorous toward each other after identifying that they are fated mates. However, in the case of Colin and Reggie, there was zero build-up to their relationship; in fact, Reggie barely appears in the book before the couple gets to their spicy time. Also, I just didn't feel like there was much of a connection between these two characters. That said, I did really like the connection/relationship between Colin and Zander, and the connection/relationship between Reggie and Zander. Furthermore, I also thought Colin's traumatic backstory and Zander's on-page trauma added depth to their connection and the overall plot.

Random: I would like to highlight the scene in which Reggie first stands up for himself and tells off "Sparkles" (if you know, you know). This scene was absolute gold, and I laughed my head off!

Overall, this first book in the Walden Coven Series was okay and I'm glad Colin, Zander, and Reggie got their HEA. However, this story did feel rushed and underdeveloped, and I really wanted/needed more depth from this book. Does this mean that I won't be reading the next one? Nope, I will absolutely be reading Book 2 in the Walden Coven Series-- or whichever story/series C.K Noel decides to write next! And I honestly can't wait.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Walden Coven series. I was able to enjoy it without having read the earlier series first. I was a bit confused about who was who in the secondary characters but it didn't diminish my enjoyment reading this book. This is the story of Colin, Zander and Reggie. Colin is a vampire, Zander is an imp and Reggie is a human. All three men in this story have hurt and abuse to overcome. Colin sees his beloved but since they are with his sworn enemy he leave to visit his brother. Zander is with an evil vampire without realizing the true depth of depravity. When he does finally realize, it may be too late. Reggie is in a job that he hates with an abusive boss. He has no choice but to put up with the abuse because he needs the money to survive. Colin sees Reggie in trouble and comes to his rescue. Reggie has no idea about the supernatural being real. Colin knows that he is a part of his triad of soulmates. When he finally is aware of supernaturals, he is thrown in the deep end of emotions. When Colin, Reggie and Zander all get together they recognize that they are each others soulmates. This is their story. It is well written and easy to read. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second chances fated romance

Colin, Zander and Reggie were such a fun throuple. I loved the theme of second chances and that whilst there were moments of instantaneous reactions due to feelings of hurt, they took the time to try to make it right when they had the chance to go back, slow down and talk it through. They certainly didn’t have the easiest mating but they were willing to try. There was one thing that slightly bothered me (what took it from a 4.5 to a 4 star for me) and that was what felt a little like gratuitous fat shaming. I’m not at all saying I think it was deliberately gratuitous, it just felt like a bit too much especially when some past favourites didn’t exactly act as I’d expect. That being said, it’s a small niggle and by no means the worst I’ve seen. Beyond that I liked that MCs stood up for each other steadfastly and with a vehemence and protectiveness that was both sweet and sexy. I’m very much looking forward to Basil’s book!

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this paranormal world the author has created through these interconnecting series. This spinoff with the vampires grabbed me instantly. I can remember Colin's reaction in the previous book when he saw Zander and it carried on in this book. He was devastated then and you learn why when delve deeper in. I will admit that I didn't read the blurb before reading (because I just loved this world and didn't care what it was about...LOL) and didn't know this was gonna be a MMM. I'm not hugely a fan of those but this one was real nice. Definitely had some disturbing parts...name calling(body shaming), mental and physical abuse and attempted murder but the love outshined all that nasty parts and the sexy HOTNESS between Colin and his beloveds were wonderful. This was a real nice start to a brand new series and I'm down for it all... bring me MORE!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have not read The High Garden Dragon Series, and this book did work as a standalone. I had a little bit of trouble keeping all the secondary characters straight, and it seems that would have been easier if I had read the previous series. I liked the premise of this book, but I thought it needed expanding. All 3 of the MCs have been through some trauma and it shows when they first meet. Then all the sudden everything is fine and it makes no sense to me. I really enjoyed these characters and the world building, not to mention the steam!, but I wanted a bit more from the story.

I received an ARC of this book from the author, and this is my honest opinion

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being slightly obsessed with CK Noel’s world of shifters, fae, vampires and dragons. I am so excited because now the other members of the Walden coven will be meeting their fated mates! Colin broke my heart. I knew there had to be more to it than just seeing his beloved with another…it was the particular other he was with. Death would be too good for that scumbag. But anyway, Fate knew what she was doing with Colin, Reggie, and Zander. This was very good and I can’t wait to see what happens with Basil. I know these will all work out isn’t the end!

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin is a vampire in the Walden Coven, and meets his beloved, an imp, kissing an old enemy. Then he goes away and meet his another beloved, a human and realizes he has to go back and confront old hurts in order to be happy.
This book has some dark themes, violence, discrimination, lack of selfesteem... and I didn`t like how they were approached, almost as if meeting your significant others were enough to get over past trauma, maybe because I lived through some hellish situation, so I`d liked to see more selfcare in Colin and Reggie.
Zander is a blast and owns this book as a bright star.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin, a vampire meets his Beloved Zander but he is already with another man, so he leaves Walden. Zander is a blue skinned Imp with green hair who realizes Colin is his "spark" when he runs into him but pushes him away. Colin saves a human, Reggie, from assault and recognizes he also is his Beloved. Zander is also attacked and the three meet up and try to figure out how they will work. Everyone says mean things about gentle Reggie and his mates defend him. This is a shorter story with a lot of angst in a few pages. I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for Colin's story. This was a very sweet hurt/comfort and totally surprised me. The little bits I had seen of Colin made me want to know more and see him with his HEA but there was no way I could gave expected the turns his story would take. The sweetness in which he and Zander and Reggie came together with what they had to overcome was so satisfying.
I am looking forward to more from the Coven.

[Emma Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chemistry in this book is off the charts. I adored Colin, Reggie and Zander. The hurts they’ve all been through and the easy acceptance between them is delightful to read. Loved seeing some of my other favorite characters mentioned too. This coven truly is a family and they will do everything to protect their friends and family.

[K-Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me a threesome and a supernatural one at that! This is actually a bit of a complex love story, but it is told in novella size length, so it never drags out the angst or drama. Reggie was an adorable human, but it takes a few twists, turns and surprises for these three to find their way together. Not giving anymore away! Just sweet and spicy with a good dark supernatural world building!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this new series! If you're not already familiar with the Universe (High Garden/Belle Fort) you'll love it and we've met Colin before so I've been dying for him to get his mate. Fast read fill with emotions, fun times, shocking moments and more crazy things to come. Great chemistry and side characters I want to know more of. Can't wait for the next.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had drama, magic and romance. What else can you ask for? I thought that Zander, Reggie and Colin made a fun, wonderful throuple. Each one of them had baggage, but they worked together and got through it. The funniest part of this book is when Reggie got made at King Gavin and called him "Sparkles." Recommend reading.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant start to a new series, I loved how Colin found out that he had two beloves. There is a bit of heartbreak with how Colin was treated in the past and the bullying against Reggie. I also thought it was great how Reggie protected himself and his mates.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into it, maybe my aged brain but too many names and types of creatures thrown out right off the bat. I was attracted to it because of the vampire, all the others was a muddle for me. Not the authors fault, just my tastes and feeble brain.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Start

This story made for an interesting start to this new series. I'm anxious to see what more is to come.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[James Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the story was entertaining, a character used the therm “clean” to describe his status as diseased free. I don’t like this at all. For me it colored the whole story.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic start to the series! My heart broke for Colin for what he went through. Reggie was a sweetheart but the weight shaming he was subjected to made my heart ache. The horrible comments hurt him to the point, it made him question his self worth. The ending shocked me though - it’s like he was taking the power back instead of giving it to others.

Fantastic book!

*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colin is the first book in the Walden Coven series. It can be read as a standalone, but is better if read after reading The High Garden Dragon Series. This is about Colin a vampire, Reggie a human, and Zander an imp. I love the way C. K. Noel writes his characters. I feel so bad for Colin and his mates. I loved this book. C. K. Noel is an amazing author and I look forward to the next book in the series.