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Rogue X Ara #0.5
The First Loss
Get your affairs in order, tissues ready, and plans cleared for the beautifully tragic prequel to the Rogue x Ara series.
“Write me a letter for every apple you’ve taken.”
For centuries, Vaelor Wrynwood has kept his circle small and his love life smaller. While he once dreamed of being an artist, alive and free, that was a lifetime ago. Now, his heart belongs to his people, and there isn’t room for anything—or anyone—else.
He may not have been thriving, but his kingdom was and that was all that mattered.
Until he returns to his orchard to find a human woman strolling through it, barefoot and humming to herself.
Their story begins here, with apples, a friendship, and hundreds of letters across worlds.
Two hearts who could not be more different. Two souls never meant to cross.
Or were they?
Welcome back to the world of Ravaryn and Auryna nearly thirty years before Rogue and Ara’s story begins. While it does contain love, healing, and so many tender moments, it is not your typical fantasy r omance—rather, a romantic tragedy set in a fantasy realm. Please read content warnings before beginning.
“Write me a letter for every apple you’ve taken.”
For centuries, Vaelor Wrynwood has kept his circle small and his love life smaller. While he once dreamed of being an artist, alive and free, that was a lifetime ago. Now, his heart belongs to his people, and there isn’t room for anything—or anyone—else.
He may not have been thriving, but his kingdom was and that was all that mattered.
Until he returns to his orchard to find a human woman strolling through it, barefoot and humming to herself.
Their story begins here, with apples, a friendship, and hundreds of letters across worlds.
Two hearts who could not be more different. Two souls never meant to cross.
Or were they?
Welcome back to the world of Ravaryn and Auryna nearly thirty years before Rogue and Ara’s story begins. While it does contain love, healing, and so many tender moments, it is not your typical fantasy r omance—rather, a romantic tragedy set in a fantasy realm. Please read content warnings before beginning.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
262 people are currently reading
4686 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Linton
7 books607 followersJD Linton is the debut author of The Last Storm, book 1 in the Rogue x Ara series.
She's married to her high school sweetheart and a mother of one. She enjoys reading and writing spicy fantasy romance, and as with most writing mamas, she’s also a midnight writer—up all day with her real baby and up all night with her fictional babies.
When not writing, you can find her reading, making a million tiktoks, or at the park with her son.
Writing has truly changed her life, and she’s even more thankful for the incredible community it brought with it.
She's married to her high school sweetheart and a mother of one. She enjoys reading and writing spicy fantasy romance, and as with most writing mamas, she’s also a midnight writer—up all day with her real baby and up all night with her fictional babies.
When not writing, you can find her reading, making a million tiktoks, or at the park with her son.
Writing has truly changed her life, and she’s even more thankful for the incredible community it brought with it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
May 31, 2024
This book ripped my heart out & stomped on it — in the best way possible. I truly didn’t believe I could like their relationship as much as Rogue & Ara but I was so very wrong. I was completely enamored by their love story and couldn’t get enough of it. Even knowing what was to come didn’t stop me from being crushed by that ending, my heart hurts! Vaelor & Elora forever <3
JD’s writing style has gotten better with each book she has completed. The writing in this one was truly captivating and I can’t wait to see where the next one takes us. I was so honored to be chosen as an ARC reader for this beautifully tragic story. Be sure to buy it or read it on KU on May 31st!
JD’s writing style has gotten better with each book she has completed. The writing in this one was truly captivating and I can’t wait to see where the next one takes us. I was so honored to be chosen as an ARC reader for this beautifully tragic story. Be sure to buy it or read it on KU on May 31st!
Want to read
April 19, 2024⚠️Release date TBC - 2024
Want to read
November 12, 2024I need this Miss J D. Come on now 😅
July 8, 2024
A heartbreakingly beautiful love story. Vaelor and Elora’s story was so beautiful, I loved getting to see how they met and fell in love. Vaelor was everything I could have hoped for after reading books 1&2. Their love story was so so beautiful with a tragic ending, and even though I knew it still wrecked me, I was a sobbing mess. Another amazing story from JD and I can’t wait for what’s next.
May 4, 2024
First and foremost, thank you for the opportunity to ARC read this book.
Elora and Vaelor deserved their own story. It is a truly heartbreaking of love found and lost.
Elora is the pure embodiment of the sun. Warm, loving, wild, and infectious to everyone around her.
Vaelor is a king with love for his people, family, and friends. After losing his mother, he is reluctant to let anyone near his heart. That is until the Goddess sent him Elora in the apple orchard.
This story is absolutely heartbreaking in every way. Their love was pure and fierce, as sad as it was, it needed to be told. The banter between the characters is perfect, and I love the letters they send to each other. I loved reading more about Iaso, Ewan, and Alden. The spicy is perfect, and the tension is mouth watering.
I love the authors writing style and can't wait to read the rest of the Ara x Rouge series.
Elora and Vaelor deserved their own story. It is a truly heartbreaking of love found and lost.
Elora is the pure embodiment of the sun. Warm, loving, wild, and infectious to everyone around her.
Vaelor is a king with love for his people, family, and friends. After losing his mother, he is reluctant to let anyone near his heart. That is until the Goddess sent him Elora in the apple orchard.
This story is absolutely heartbreaking in every way. Their love was pure and fierce, as sad as it was, it needed to be told. The banter between the characters is perfect, and I love the letters they send to each other. I loved reading more about Iaso, Ewan, and Alden. The spicy is perfect, and the tension is mouth watering.
I love the authors writing style and can't wait to read the rest of the Ara x Rouge series.
May 1, 2024
I DEVOURED this book in a matter of hours! It’s beautiful and heartbreaking. A perfect example of a romantic-tragedy. I will definitely be re-reading this again and again.
June 3, 2024
An absolutely heartbreaking prologue, even knowing how this story would pan out due to Storm and Draig. You would think it would hurt less but even the last few pages had my soul hurting and my fingers wishing I didn't need to turn to the next page, knowing only despair lingered. JD has a way with words that pulls me across the page. Being able to finally meet and get to know Elora and Vaelor was truly wonderful as they were instrumental in the series but their story wasn't able to be told, truly, without taking away from Ara and Rogue. Thank you, JD, for this little sad hug of a prologue. I cannot wait for the next installment!
May 30, 2024
So, I went into reading The First Loss, knowing my heart would be shattered into a million pieces. I knew it, and I still went for it willingly. Am I sorry for it? Of course not.
The Rogue x Ara series holds a special place in my heart, and I'm sure many of you feel the same. When I discovered that J. D. Linton was penning a story about Ara's parents, I was overjoyed. As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of immersing myself in Vaelor and Elora's world, and it was a journey I'll cherish forever.
Let me start by saying that even if this is technically a prequel, happening before Rogue and Ara's story, the suggested order is to leave The First Loss to be the last book in the series to read. While we get some part of what happened to Ara's parents, we are gifted the entire story in The First Loss. But, it is more than a tragic love story, more than a story about loss and pain; it is a profound tale about love that transcends all boundaries, bravery to allow yourself to feel and love even though you are scared of losing those around you, about second chances, healing, friends and family.
My heart was heavy with empathy for Vaelor and Elora, their inner traumas and demons echoing within me. Elora's healing wasn't just for Vaelor; it was a mutual process, a testament to the power of love. As I turned the pages, I found myself yearning for a twist in their fate, a plea to the literary gods, even though I knew it was futile.
And that epilogue—oh my god. My heart was torn apart, and I was sobbing through it. J. D. Linton's unique storytelling style did a beautiful job, and yes, I am thanking her for breaking my heart, but it was worth it. It was worth witnessing Vaelor and Elora's love for each other and seeing how and why everything turned out the way it did after tragedy struck.
I love that we got to see the story of Ara's parents; they truly deserved it, both of them. They deserve to be remembered as kind, thoughtful, loving, and always willing to help everyone in need.
I am going to go now and cry a bit more while I recover from this, but I urge you to read The First Loss and The Rogue x Ara stories. They will touch your heart in ways you can't imagine!
The Rogue x Ara series holds a special place in my heart, and I'm sure many of you feel the same. When I discovered that J. D. Linton was penning a story about Ara's parents, I was overjoyed. As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of immersing myself in Vaelor and Elora's world, and it was a journey I'll cherish forever.
Let me start by saying that even if this is technically a prequel, happening before Rogue and Ara's story, the suggested order is to leave The First Loss to be the last book in the series to read. While we get some part of what happened to Ara's parents, we are gifted the entire story in The First Loss. But, it is more than a tragic love story, more than a story about loss and pain; it is a profound tale about love that transcends all boundaries, bravery to allow yourself to feel and love even though you are scared of losing those around you, about second chances, healing, friends and family.
My heart was heavy with empathy for Vaelor and Elora, their inner traumas and demons echoing within me. Elora's healing wasn't just for Vaelor; it was a mutual process, a testament to the power of love. As I turned the pages, I found myself yearning for a twist in their fate, a plea to the literary gods, even though I knew it was futile.
And that epilogue—oh my god. My heart was torn apart, and I was sobbing through it. J. D. Linton's unique storytelling style did a beautiful job, and yes, I am thanking her for breaking my heart, but it was worth it. It was worth witnessing Vaelor and Elora's love for each other and seeing how and why everything turned out the way it did after tragedy struck.
I love that we got to see the story of Ara's parents; they truly deserved it, both of them. They deserve to be remembered as kind, thoughtful, loving, and always willing to help everyone in need.
I am going to go now and cry a bit more while I recover from this, but I urge you to read The First Loss and The Rogue x Ara stories. They will touch your heart in ways you can't imagine!
June 6, 2024
I finished my ARC of this a couple days late at 12:30am and in shambles. The Rogue x Ara series were two of my favorite books from last year, so I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to read and review this ARC of The First Loss, the prequel to that series. Thank you JD and team for ripping my heart out!
The anxiety I had throughout this entire book, knowing what was coming, gripped my chest in a vice. Being the prequel to the Rogue x Ara series, I had expectations around how JD would connect some of the dots and fill in back stories and she nailed it. Her writing has grown and changed so much since The Last Storm, and this book felt like a love letter to the characters and the world she has created with this series.
I loved experiencing Elora and Vaelor’s story from the beginning all the way to the heartbreaking epilogue. My poor sweet tragic babies. *sigh* JD has a way of immediately immersing you in a love story and getting you there emotionally with characters, and this book was no different with Elora and Vaelor. I felt like I KNEW them. I wanted them so badly to have their happy ending.
My only complaint was that the ending felt rushed - when I was at the 85% mark and the big bad thing I was waiting on hadn’t been eluded to yet, I started to get worried. I would have loved more time and detail spent on it so I could really feel all those feelings. However, the prose and the love story and the epilogue still really sealed everything together and I think this is a fantastic addition to this series. It made me even more excited for the final book to come out, and it made me fall even more love with specifically Ara, but also Rogue. Just knowing what Vaelor and Elora were trying to do for him…. Ugh! It’s all so sad.
4/5 stars for this prequel. I can’t wait to have it on my shelf along with TLS and TLD.
Also: fuck you Adonis. Iykyk.
The anxiety I had throughout this entire book, knowing what was coming, gripped my chest in a vice. Being the prequel to the Rogue x Ara series, I had expectations around how JD would connect some of the dots and fill in back stories and she nailed it. Her writing has grown and changed so much since The Last Storm, and this book felt like a love letter to the characters and the world she has created with this series.
I loved experiencing Elora and Vaelor’s story from the beginning all the way to the heartbreaking epilogue. My poor sweet tragic babies. *sigh* JD has a way of immediately immersing you in a love story and getting you there emotionally with characters, and this book was no different with Elora and Vaelor. I felt like I KNEW them. I wanted them so badly to have their happy ending.
My only complaint was that the ending felt rushed - when I was at the 85% mark and the big bad thing I was waiting on hadn’t been eluded to yet, I started to get worried. I would have loved more time and detail spent on it so I could really feel all those feelings. However, the prose and the love story and the epilogue still really sealed everything together and I think this is a fantastic addition to this series. It made me even more excited for the final book to come out, and it made me fall even more love with specifically Ara, but also Rogue. Just knowing what Vaelor and Elora were trying to do for him…. Ugh! It’s all so sad.
4/5 stars for this prequel. I can’t wait to have it on my shelf along with TLS and TLD.
Also: fuck you Adonis. Iykyk.
September 11, 2024
The First Loss 🤍
Honestly, it took me a while to write this review because I was thinking about how to write it without giving too much away. The First Loss is part of the Rogue & Ara series. This book is about Aras parents and their love story. Let's begin 🥺
Well, JD was right. Read this story when you're ready. Honestly, I was ready, but I wasn't. After reading The Last Storm and The Last Draig, you somewhat know what will happen in The First Loss.
As I read this story, I felt for Elora because she had such a rough childhood losing her parents in an accident. She was taken in by a loving family but felt like something was missing. Then, we meet Vaelor, who lost his mother and missed her terribly. At first, Elora couldn't stand to be bothered by Vaelor because of something that happened, but soon, she saw him as her friend and as her lover.
The love and passion between Elora and Vaelor was beautiful and captivating 🥹 I loved reading their story and watching them fall deeply in love with each other. As the story went on, I braced myself because I knew what was coming. I knew how this was going to end. That ending broke my heart. Even while writing this review, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I was devastated and crying because my heart had broken into a million pieces 😭 after reading this book, I had to take two days to just recover.
I buddy read this with @brits.kindle and I'm happy we did this together because we had each other to talk to and to get through that ending together 🥺
Thank you, JD, for writing such a beautiful and impacting story. I love Rogue & Ara, but Elora and Vaelor have my whole heart 🥹
⚠️ Please read the trigger warnings ⚠️
Honestly, it took me a while to write this review because I was thinking about how to write it without giving too much away. The First Loss is part of the Rogue & Ara series. This book is about Aras parents and their love story. Let's begin 🥺
Well, JD was right. Read this story when you're ready. Honestly, I was ready, but I wasn't. After reading The Last Storm and The Last Draig, you somewhat know what will happen in The First Loss.
As I read this story, I felt for Elora because she had such a rough childhood losing her parents in an accident. She was taken in by a loving family but felt like something was missing. Then, we meet Vaelor, who lost his mother and missed her terribly. At first, Elora couldn't stand to be bothered by Vaelor because of something that happened, but soon, she saw him as her friend and as her lover.
The love and passion between Elora and Vaelor was beautiful and captivating 🥹 I loved reading their story and watching them fall deeply in love with each other. As the story went on, I braced myself because I knew what was coming. I knew how this was going to end. That ending broke my heart. Even while writing this review, I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I was devastated and crying because my heart had broken into a million pieces 😭 after reading this book, I had to take two days to just recover.
I buddy read this with @brits.kindle and I'm happy we did this together because we had each other to talk to and to get through that ending together 🥺
Thank you, JD, for writing such a beautiful and impacting story. I love Rogue & Ara, but Elora and Vaelor have my whole heart 🥹
⚠️ Please read the trigger warnings ⚠️
April 25, 2025
If you’ve read the first two books in this series, you know going in that heartbreak is practically a promise. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the emotional wreckage this book left me in. J.D. Linton didn’t just break my heart—she took it, stomped on it, shredded it into confetti, and scattered the pieces across every chapter.
This book dives deep into the tangled, raw, and often painful story that help us understand the dynamics between Elora, Ara, and Rogue in book one and two. It’s not just a story—it’s a gut punch wrapped in beautiful prose and laced with trauma, longing, and love so intense it almost hurts to read. Every interaction felt like a slow unraveling of truths we weren’t ready for, but desperately needed. And the way Linton weaves their backstories together? Devastating. Brilliant. Completely unforgettable.
There were moments I had to put the book down just to breathe. Others where I physically ached for the characters. And let’s be honest—this author has a talent for making you root for everyone even when you know not everyone is going to get a happy ending. The emotional tension is masterfully done, and the character development? Flawless. You don’t just read this book—you live in it, hurt in it, and maybe even find healing in it, too.
So J.D. Linton… who hurt you? And more importantly, where can I send my therapy bills? Because this book wrecked me in the best way possible—and I’ll be first in line for whatever emotional destruction you’re planning next.
This book dives deep into the tangled, raw, and often painful story that help us understand the dynamics between Elora, Ara, and Rogue in book one and two. It’s not just a story—it’s a gut punch wrapped in beautiful prose and laced with trauma, longing, and love so intense it almost hurts to read. Every interaction felt like a slow unraveling of truths we weren’t ready for, but desperately needed. And the way Linton weaves their backstories together? Devastating. Brilliant. Completely unforgettable.
There were moments I had to put the book down just to breathe. Others where I physically ached for the characters. And let’s be honest—this author has a talent for making you root for everyone even when you know not everyone is going to get a happy ending. The emotional tension is masterfully done, and the character development? Flawless. You don’t just read this book—you live in it, hurt in it, and maybe even find healing in it, too.
So J.D. Linton… who hurt you? And more importantly, where can I send my therapy bills? Because this book wrecked me in the best way possible—and I’ll be first in line for whatever emotional destruction you’re planning next.
May 16, 2024
I wish I had loved this book more since I really enjoyed the first two books in the series. I shall stay positive in my review since I liked it but just didn’t love it. It was nice to read about the characters we’ve already met in the first books, Iaso and Ewan have been favorites of mine. Getting more backstory about all the different connections between the characters has also been wonderful as well as some “ah ha” moments at the end. I wish the ending had has much attention to detail as the beginning and middle of the book. Before I knew it, it was just over. Done. If you’ve read the other two books, you know what happens but it was just so abrupt. Maybe that was the point? It just felt too rushed at the end when I wanted to feel all the feelings but didn’t. I’m still looking forward to the next sequel book because the ending of book 2 was jaw dropping!
August 19, 2024
ARC Review
J.D. Linton really knows how to tug at a heart string, every one of her books have brought me to tears, but this one? She must really get a kick out of seeing others suffer cause omg my heart.
I love how much this story adds on to the rest of the series, how it gives more depth and background to our beloved characters and it makes me hate Adrastus that much more!
Elora and Vaelor's tragic love story, albeit heart wrenching, was definitely necessary to compel the story and leave us wanting more, I can't WAIT for the final book, I just know it will be amazing!!
J.D. Linton really knows how to tug at a heart string, every one of her books have brought me to tears, but this one? She must really get a kick out of seeing others suffer cause omg my heart.
I love how much this story adds on to the rest of the series, how it gives more depth and background to our beloved characters and it makes me hate Adrastus that much more!
Elora and Vaelor's tragic love story, albeit heart wrenching, was definitely necessary to compel the story and leave us wanting more, I can't WAIT for the final book, I just know it will be amazing!!
September 27, 2024
This book series will rip your heart out, throw it on the floor, break it into a million pieces, and somehow make it whole again. This book hasn't dropped yet, but from everything I've read from J.D. Linton, this book is going to be amazing and can imagine will shatter my heart in the best way.
If you want a series that'll make you feel alive, this is it.
If you want a series that'll make you feel alive, this is it.
May 9, 2024
oh my word…
My heart…is in shambles.
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
The First Loss is book 3 in the Rogue x Ara series, but it’s a prequel, so this is the story of Ara’s mother and father.
I knew this was going to hurt, I knew going into it that it was going to be hard (and JD Linton warned us many times that this was NOT going to be a happy ending, via Instagram, for obvious reasons) but it still hurt so damn bad.
This story was captivating, heart wrenching, and even though it was fantasy it was still relatable on so many levels — particularly the complex emotions surrounding grief and loss and how each person handles it differently.
I LOVED getting to read about Elora and Vaelor’s love. Oh my gosh 😭 they loved each other so freaking much. They were obsessed with each other. Their love was epic.
And for those of you who have been wanting to read a book with an “only one horse” trope, this one has that 🤭 in fact, this book had all my favorite sub tropes in it🥵
I also stand by my statement i made after reading The Last Draig that JD Linton’s writing is magical and mesmerizing. I truly think someday her work will blow up and she will be as big as authors like Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros. Yes ya’ll, it’s THAT GOOD. I’m telling you this series is a must read and I’m obsessed😭🙌🏻
I’m bursting at the seams and anxiously awaiting the final book in the Rogue x Ara series!
My heart…is in shambles.
5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
The First Loss is book 3 in the Rogue x Ara series, but it’s a prequel, so this is the story of Ara’s mother and father.
I knew this was going to hurt, I knew going into it that it was going to be hard (and JD Linton warned us many times that this was NOT going to be a happy ending, via Instagram, for obvious reasons) but it still hurt so damn bad.
This story was captivating, heart wrenching, and even though it was fantasy it was still relatable on so many levels — particularly the complex emotions surrounding grief and loss and how each person handles it differently.
I LOVED getting to read about Elora and Vaelor’s love. Oh my gosh 😭 they loved each other so freaking much. They were obsessed with each other. Their love was epic.
And for those of you who have been wanting to read a book with an “only one horse” trope, this one has that 🤭 in fact, this book had all my favorite sub tropes in it🥵
I also stand by my statement i made after reading The Last Draig that JD Linton’s writing is magical and mesmerizing. I truly think someday her work will blow up and she will be as big as authors like Sarah J Maas and Rebecca Yarros. Yes ya’ll, it’s THAT GOOD. I’m telling you this series is a must read and I’m obsessed😭🙌🏻
I’m bursting at the seams and anxiously awaiting the final book in the Rogue x Ara series!
June 7, 2024
JD…..this prequel.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book to be released. Even though I knew it would leave me hanging with Rogue and Ara. My anticipation was not in vain. I’ve read many books, very emotional books. I haven’t really cried over many books. And when I tell you I am currently sobbing at the unfairness of this life for Elora and Vaelor- I am not exaggerating. Reading the previous 2 book- you know what is coming but it doesn’t stop it from hitting you like a train. I am wrecked.
I will absolutely be thinking of this story in weeks and months to come. And now I need to re-read books one and two.
I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book to be released. Even though I knew it would leave me hanging with Rogue and Ara. My anticipation was not in vain. I’ve read many books, very emotional books. I haven’t really cried over many books. And when I tell you I am currently sobbing at the unfairness of this life for Elora and Vaelor- I am not exaggerating. Reading the previous 2 book- you know what is coming but it doesn’t stop it from hitting you like a train. I am wrecked.
I will absolutely be thinking of this story in weeks and months to come. And now I need to re-read books one and two.
November 14, 2024
This book was amazing. I knew that it was going to be devastating but was unaware of how devastating. Starting this book with the mindset that it has a sad ending helped, but I wasn't expecting the parental grief that the characters each endured and felt throughout the book. It was so poignant for me having experienced my own grief with the death of a parent (specifically my mother). The author conveyed that emotion so so SO fucking well that I was sobbing through my own grief and emotions while reading and experiencing theirs.
Looking forward to the continuation of this series!
Looking forward to the continuation of this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2024
This prequel is an absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching tragedy that will sit with me for a long time. So many connections were revealed in this back story that I completely understand why this was needed before the finale to the series. I gained a deeper understanding of Elora and also Alden in learning what all they have endured. Book 3 is going to be a complete whirlwind knowing all that we do from this tragedy and I can’t wait to see what JD has in store for us!
February 4, 2025
I knew the ending was coming, but it still gutted me... I will need to go back and reread the first 2 books again with this book in mind. Elora and Vaelor’s story is so tragic, but their love and journey to each other was wonderful to read. I can’t wait for the final book!
May 3, 2024
I can’t even begin to explain how much I love this series!! Such an amazing prequel! You get to learn more about characters from all sides of the story. Even the night creature!! I love this. So much! I’m so thankful to have been on the arc team for this amazing book! 💛
October 4, 2024
That hurt in the best way.
April 7, 2025
Ugh...this book broke me.
May 13, 2024
“In layman’s terms, I ran away from her. I, the six-foot-four Fae king, ran from her, the five-foot-nothing human woman.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I’m currently eating comfort cake, because even though I’ve read The Last Storm, and The Last Draig and went into this story fully knowing how things would inevitably end… I was not prepared to be sobbing in the early morning hours, while simultaneously praying to the book gods to change these characters fates! I didn’t think a couple could match up with Ara and Rogue, and while I was interested to see more about Vaelor and Elora, I thought this might just fill us in on some of the romance and details that didn’t quite fit in the main story. Instead I got a beautifully tragic romance that’s as I stated earlier has me in tears! All of that’s to say the heartbreak was so worth it and I adored this book! So if you’re looking for a grumpy/sunshine romance, between friends who become enemies who eventually become lovers, with a touch of fated mates then don’t pass this up! Not to mention the found family, sweet animals, and the heartbreak you’ll walk away with! This book is truly amazing and should be on everyone TBR!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
I’m currently eating comfort cake, because even though I’ve read The Last Storm, and The Last Draig and went into this story fully knowing how things would inevitably end… I was not prepared to be sobbing in the early morning hours, while simultaneously praying to the book gods to change these characters fates! I didn’t think a couple could match up with Ara and Rogue, and while I was interested to see more about Vaelor and Elora, I thought this might just fill us in on some of the romance and details that didn’t quite fit in the main story. Instead I got a beautifully tragic romance that’s as I stated earlier has me in tears! All of that’s to say the heartbreak was so worth it and I adored this book! So if you’re looking for a grumpy/sunshine romance, between friends who become enemies who eventually become lovers, with a touch of fated mates then don’t pass this up! Not to mention the found family, sweet animals, and the heartbreak you’ll walk away with! This book is truly amazing and should be on everyone TBR!
May 2, 2024
I have absolutely no words. If you’ve read The Last Storm and The Last Driag, you know exactly what this is and all I can say is it love up to ALL of my expectations and then some!!! There’s some absolutely CRAZY connections and I can’t wait for everyone else to read this amazing piece of art. 😭😭❤️❤️
June 22, 2024
Did I want to read this book?
No. Yes. But no but also yes?
I wasn’t ready for the tragedy and was hoping it would miraculously end as an HEA.
Otherwise I’m glad I read it. It was so beautiful 🥺 but so painful 😭 the only other book that has made me cry this much is manacled
Time to reread the last storm and the last draig
No. Yes. But no but also yes?
I wasn’t ready for the tragedy and was hoping it would miraculously end as an HEA.
Otherwise I’m glad I read it. It was so beautiful 🥺 but so painful 😭 the only other book that has made me cry this much is manacled
Time to reread the last storm and the last draig
June 1, 2024
I received an arc of this story to review but that in no way affects my opinion!
You should go into this story knowing you are going to get your heart ripped out at the end. But, not all love stories can have happy endings. It will give you a bittersweet feeling. There are equal amounts of fantasy and romance that keep the story moving forward which I love. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. It will always have a special place in my heart.
You should go into this story knowing you are going to get your heart ripped out at the end. But, not all love stories can have happy endings. It will give you a bittersweet feeling. There are equal amounts of fantasy and romance that keep the story moving forward which I love. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. It will always have a special place in my heart.
June 4, 2024
The First Loss by JD Linton. A tragic love story that is ethereal and everlasting but only through memories and time.
This story will both heal your soul and tear it to shreds. Elora and Vaelor’s love is a love for the centuries that should have had more time.
They love, laugh, fight, cry, and help heal eachother in ways they didn’t know how. Coming together through an apple orchard, letters sent over years, two separate kingdom’s, and a masquerade ball they find and lose the love they captured. They were destined for almost.
I have to thank JD for allowing me to be a part of the ARC readers. I have been shouting from the rooftops about JD’s writing and her books to anyone who will listen, even those who don’t. She writes such immense emotions and stories that get you absolutely enthralled so you cannot stop reading. And the plot twists??? I cannot. You may think you know what will happen but don’t count on it.
This story is a heartbreaking story of love and loss, and be prepared to go into it knowing it is a tragedy but that you will come out of it knowing that while their story may have an end, their love is eternal.
Please make sure you read the first two of the series, the Last Storm, and the Last Draig, to avoid any spoilers, despite it being a prequel, this book should be read 3rd!
⚡️10/10 story line
🌶️7/10 spice
💫8/10 plot twists
🙌🏼9/10character development (one point off due to one character who enrages me… you’ll see 👀)
🪺9/10Easter eggs (small things you can notice here and there with no major plot changes or points but interesting things nonetheless)
This story will both heal your soul and tear it to shreds. Elora and Vaelor’s love is a love for the centuries that should have had more time.
They love, laugh, fight, cry, and help heal eachother in ways they didn’t know how. Coming together through an apple orchard, letters sent over years, two separate kingdom’s, and a masquerade ball they find and lose the love they captured. They were destined for almost.
I have to thank JD for allowing me to be a part of the ARC readers. I have been shouting from the rooftops about JD’s writing and her books to anyone who will listen, even those who don’t. She writes such immense emotions and stories that get you absolutely enthralled so you cannot stop reading. And the plot twists??? I cannot. You may think you know what will happen but don’t count on it.
This story is a heartbreaking story of love and loss, and be prepared to go into it knowing it is a tragedy but that you will come out of it knowing that while their story may have an end, their love is eternal.
Please make sure you read the first two of the series, the Last Storm, and the Last Draig, to avoid any spoilers, despite it being a prequel, this book should be read 3rd!
⚡️10/10 story line
🌶️7/10 spice
💫8/10 plot twists
🙌🏼9/10character development (one point off due to one character who enrages me… you’ll see 👀)
🪺9/10Easter eggs (small things you can notice here and there with no major plot changes or points but interesting things nonetheless)
June 3, 2024
I'm struggling to find the words. I was ready, but I also wasn't. We all knew how this was going to end, but to be there from the beginning was an even more devastating pain. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story. I loved getting to know Vaelor. I adored getting to know Elora more; she's everything I wish I could be. The ending had twists,reveals, & I was completely shocked! When this is released, take your time with them & devour it slowly. Cherish every slow burn moment, every misunderstanding, every secret & all of the beautiful moments that fill up the rest of their story because they deserved so.much.more.time. I wasn't prepared for how truly little time they got with each other. The whole series is my favorite, but the First Loss now & forever will hold such a special place in my soul. I'm so glad the last book doesn't come out for a while because I'm going to be grieving this story for a good minute & I don't think I'll ever truly get over it. J.D., you really outdid yourself with this one🖤
June 18, 2024
Miserable maudly book
September 3, 2025
IM NOT READY FOR THIS STORY TO BE OVER 😭😭😭
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