Raven

The Irish Wolves Trilogy #1

by Anne Gregor

Raven is the first book in The Irish Wolves Trilogy, an Adult Contemporary Romance. Situations include burnt cookies, panty wedgies, pond parties, Oklahoma oil, good craic in Dublin, castle ruin exhibitionism… and a deranged dark web stalker lurking in the shadows waiting to smother – Every. Happy. Moment.Raven Byrne was half Irish, half Native American, and wholly devoted to her two sisters. Together, they started an interior design firm in Oklahoma, Triskelion Territory Designs. Getting hired to decorate Wolves Irish Pub & Eatery by Tulsa oil billionaire legends was just the opportunity the new business needed to boost its reputation. The three O’Faolain men were gorgeous and powerful… Norse Vikings in the 21st Century… Wolves. And one of them couldn’t take his amber eyes off Raven.Bran was the oldest son of Hugh, the O’Faolain patriarch. He hired the Byrne sisters to oversee the Irish pub venture, a special project to commemorate Hugh’s late father’s life and legacy. What should have been a strictly professional relationship veered off course from the first disastrous meeting. Raven was the woman he had to have, not for one night or year, but forever.It was all romantic getaways, passion, and commitment for Raven and Bran – until it wasn’t.Driven by vengeance for crimes laid upon his father, Samuel Delton was a darkly disturbed man whose sole goal was to ruin all chances of happiness for the men he hated most – starting with their women.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

341 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

Anne Gregor has a Master of Arts in History with an emphasis on the Civil War. For her thesis, she focused on Irish immigrants working the transcontinental railroad across America, specifically those who settled in Oklahoma amongst Native Americans. A love for research turned into a love for fictional writing, and soon, every old document Anne ever studied became the premise for a novel. Anne Gregor has been writing book reviews for several years and is a freelance proofreader. Oklahoma is near and dear to her heart as she lives on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees. Anne is the author of three contemporary romance series: The Irish Wolves Trilogy, The Scottish Lions, and Irish Wolves Legacy.

Reviews

[Nut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, loved this book! I'm so happy to have received an ARC for my honest review. Let's dig in:


Starting things off, I need to commend the author for her impeccable character building. Not only did Gregor have a well rounded h and H, she managed to squeeze in over 20 other complex and intriguing people. (It sounds overwhelming for the mere 341 pages, but it reads smooth like room temp butter.)


Expanding on the character building brings me to ✨character interactions.✨ Good banter will always have my heart, and these three sisters never miss a beat. When I'm reading, they're talking faster than I can think (In a completely fun and ‘let me reread that' way). I found myself holding in a good laugh when the men of the book threw jabs and chucked each other under the bus at every opportunity. Seriously, this book needs to be tagged as a comedy.


Now for what everyone wants to know – the romance. This book is, after all, a Contemporary Romance. Raven and Bran’s relationship starts off on unsure footing with  a whirlwind of new career developments and familial duty all under watchful eyes of their loved ones. Some incoming Gen Z slang: The chemistry is chemistry-ing. With Raven and Bran I'm counting every breath and waiting for every touch. I won't spoil too much, but the imaginary shower gets steamy.


The whole book wasn't a funny love fest, though. Our bad guy had me questioning how dark of a turn this book would take. Every snippet of Sam heightened my uneasiness and propelled me deeper into his deranged mind.


Conclusion:

This book has a little something for everyone. Deep connections, relatable moments, wise grannys, unending revenge, and good old-fashioned romance.

[Brittany Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven is a fun, adult contemporary romance and the start to The Irish Wolves trilogy. There is also a suspense undercurrent in this book. It is set primarily in Oklahoma but with several scenes in Ireland. You can feel the author's passion for history and knowledge of the local cultures throughout the book.

Raven, aptly named after the main character, focused on the eldest of three sisters. The Byrne sisters are of Irish and Native American descent, working to build a name for themselves in the interior design industry. The sisters are extremely close and devote themselves to family. The story follows Raven through a fast-paced and unexpected romance. Unbeknownst to the couple, a secret from the past will return to challenge their love and their faith in each other. Raven will have to rely heavily on her family to pick herself up and decide if she can trust again.

I enjoyed reading this book and being immersed in the cultural components. The author did a fantastic job building the world for the readers, with excellent architectural and artistic descriptions. The pacing was good with more speed towards the climax. The storyline was sweet but the author did throw in a suspense subplot to keep the story from becoming dull. It was engaging and had me wanting to read more. The characters were likeable though I would have preferred them to have more flaws, more depth. Aside from the occasional scene, most main characters seemed too perfect. This is especially true with the three sisters, who come across as almost angelic. There were a few sexual scenes but most of their encounters were fade to black situations. I would not recommend for a minor. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what happens next with the Byrne sisters!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed about this book was the gorgeous watercolour cover art of Dublin, absolutely stunning, and the book followed suit

Anne Gregor is a master of her craft. The character development in "Raven" was brilliant and although a side character, I fell in love with "Nan", the grandmother f the sisters and an absolute bean (there's no messing with her though, she'll rip you a new one and no mistake!)

The story is based around three sisters and their interior design firm. They land a lucrative contract with Billionaire brothers, the oldest of which is very much taken with Raven, the oldest of the three sisters

I usually get turned off a book as soon as I see "Billionaire romance" but this book is oh so very different from the usual tropes and this means it will probably appeal to those who do enjoy Billionaire romances as much as those who don't

Gregors writing style is beautifully paced, it cpatures the whole array of the human experience with a graceful humour, yet also, great strength

Raven and Brans conection is a slow burn and had me humphfing at him at certain points, but also at Raven aswell, this storyline is delightful! But, for all the ups and downs and hearts and flowers, there is a dark underbelly to the story, that the two sets of siblings need to overcome

An absolute belter of a read and I am really looking forward to the next in the series

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for this brillant ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all views are my own

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed about this book was the gorgeous watercolour cover art of Dublin, absolutely stunning, and the book followed suit

Anne Gregor is a master of her craft. The character development in "Raven" was brilliant and although a side character, I fell in love with "Nan", the grandmother f the sisters and an absolute bean (there's no messing with her though, she'll rip you a new one and no mistake!)

The story is based around three sisters and their interior design firm. They land a lucrative contract with Billionaire brothers, the oldest of which is very much taken with Raven, the oldest of the three sisters

I usually get turned off a book as soon as I see "Billionaire romance" but this book is oh so very different from the usual tropes and this means it will probably appeal to those who do enjoy Billionaire romances as much as those who don't

Gregors writing style is beautifully paced, it cpatures the whole array of the human experience with a graceful humour, yet also, great strength

Raven and Brans conection is a slow burn and had me humphfing at him at certain points, but also at Raven aswell, this storyline is delightful! But, for all the ups and downs and hearts and flowers, there is a dark underbelly to the story, that the two sets of siblings need to overcome

An absolute belter of a read and I am really looking forward to the next in the series

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for this brillant ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all views are my own

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Raven (The Irish Wolves Series) By Anne Gregor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.


Raven is the first book in The Irish Wolves Trilogy.

A world of intrigue, cultural diversity, and passionate romance.

This book combines romance and suspense beautifully, set in the rich tapestry of Irish and Native American cultures.

Offering an exciting journey with its fast-paced romance, captivating plot, and exploration of themes such as new beginnings and family dynamics, guaranteeing readers will be captivated from start to finish.

Get ready for an enthralling adventure with this romantic suspense novel that promises to captivate readers from start to finish. Boasting well-developed characters, vivid settings, and an engaging storyline.

Raven Byrne, a spunky mix of Irish and Native American roots, runs a design company with her sisters in Oklahoma. Their big break? Sprucing up Wolves Irish Pub & Eatery for the legendary O’Faolain brothers, modern-day Norse warriors in the world of Tulsa oil. When Bran, the eldest brother, locks eyes with Raven, sparks fly faster than a comet. But hold onto your hats! Their love story takes a wild turn when a vengeful Samuel Delton sets his sights on disrupting their bliss, starting with the women by their side.


If you're in the mood for an intriguing mystery or a touching romance, this book combines both genres seamlessly. It's the ideal selection for your next thrilling literary adventure!

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Raven (The Irish Wolves Series) By Anne Gregor

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.


Raven is the first book in The Irish Wolves Trilogy.

A world of intrigue, cultural diversity, and passionate romance.

This book combines romance and suspense beautifully, set in the rich tapestry of Irish and Native American cultures.

Offering an exciting journey with its fast-paced romance, captivating plot, and exploration of themes such as new beginnings and family dynamics, guaranteeing readers will be captivated from start to finish.

Get ready for an enthralling adventure with this romantic suspense novel that promises to captivate readers from start to finish. Boasting well-developed characters, vivid settings, and an engaging storyline.

Raven Byrne, a spunky mix of Irish and Native American roots, runs a design company with her sisters in Oklahoma. Their big break? Sprucing up Wolves Irish Pub & Eatery for the legendary O’Faolain brothers, modern-day Norse warriors in the world of Tulsa oil. When Bran, the eldest brother, locks eyes with Raven, sparks fly faster than a comet. But hold onto your hats! Their love story takes a wild turn when a vengeful Samuel Delton sets his sights on disrupting their bliss, starting with the women by their side.


If you're in the mood for an intriguing mystery or a touching romance, this book combines both genres seamlessly. It's the ideal selection for your next thrilling literary adventure!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven is the 1st book in The Irish Wolves Trilogy by Anne Gregor and it appears to me to be her debut book. I would consider this a contemporary romance more than romantic suspense. That being said, it follows the three Byrne sisters who run an interior decorating firm and the three O’Faolain billionaire men who hire them. Without giving too much away, this first book is Raven & Bran’s book. At first, I found it a bit slow to start but that’s just me – I think that comes with the territory of laying the groundwork for a 3-book series and introducing so many characters. I found the book interesting even though it was slow to start and a worthy debut from this author. Now that we know all the characters and their personalities, the next 2 books will flow a little easier. This was a solid 3.5 star debut read and I would recommend it if you’re looking for something a little different in this genre. I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable beginning to this new series as three sisters, Raven, River and Rowan Byrne, have established their interior design firm after the tragic deaths of their parents. Their firm, Triskelion Territory Designs, has been offered a chance to design Wolf’s Irish Pubs for the wealthy O’Faolain Clan. This would cement their reputation in the industry. Their first meeting with Hugh and his sons Bran and Patrick isn’t as smooth as they had hoped, but the men soon find them charming, especially Bran’s immediate attraction to Raven. Although the story seemed a little slow in the beginning, it quickly picked up as the Byrne sisters are soon enjoying the hospitality of the O’Faolain family and friends. The family dynamics, of both families, was charming and often quite humorous and aided to the smooth flow of the story. Of course, everything in a story can’t proceed smoothly as someone from their past is after revenge on the O’Faolain family and all they hold dear. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Leah Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book of a trilogy is fantastic. It introduces a great cast of characters. There is humor, suspense, and romance. The romance is steamy and sweet with just the right amount of angst. I was completely invested from the beginning. I enjoyed the settings. The villain parts are perfectly creepy. I can't wait for more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Filitsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential but there were plenty of issues. The main characters were extremely boring and preppy their dialogues were cringy and the romance evolved extremely fast and flat. The other characters were much more interesting for me and that’s why I am debating whether I will read another book from the trilogy. Furthermore the editors job was very poor.. there were many dialogues where you didn’t know who is talking to whom.. I really wanted to like it.. but not for me…

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started as a business relationship and became much more. The novel was interesting and kept my attention. I read it quickly and enjoyed the family interactions as well as the friendships.

Good contemporary romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michell Slife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a decent book, not really a question of how it was going to end, sadly. I know there’s one more book, when I would have expected 3 more books. One for each female character. If you’re a fan of Irish and Irish heritage families, big families, strong female characters, you’ll like this book. One of the main themes I found hard to believe, but otherwise it was believable.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Irish Wolves trilogy. The series will be about three sister who own an interior design business. This one is Raven’s and Bran’s story. It’s a slow burn romance with a bit of mystery. It’s a delightful debut for this author. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not able to get into this one. Maybe I will try and pick up at a later time when I can try and get into it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy Rippentrop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illusion

Who is the illusionist in this tale of love and mystery. The rollercoaster of emotions that weave throughout the story and draws the reader further into the story and lives of each character. This story is not completed in this story.

[Courtney Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really great, I enjoyed the characters, and just about when I thought it would be all about the love story and romance…it was not, and I enjoyed a plot twist!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - couldn't put it down, Looking forward to the next in the series.

[sandra silliman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed this book and the characters in this book and the closeness of the two families how they moved forward

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent premise! Loved meeting this family of sisters and the companion men that partner with them for business and more.

Raven is the first to take the leap. The story has all the elements of a great romance. Flirting, steam, crossed wires and making up. Our hero is wonderful but also has his faults.

Looking forward to the rest of the books.

Review copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.