Choosing Fate: Book 3 of The Stone Sister Series

Stone Sister #3

by J.N. Stein

"You're disgusting. Get out of my room," I demand as I press up to my feet. He doesn't protest and stands up, slicking his bright pink hair back.
"Whatever you say, Bunny. Get some sleep. You have an early day tomorrow," he winks at me and makes his way out the door.
-------
Sapphire Stone is the third daughter of the late Alpha Bronson Stone. Despite losing both her parents to the Fated Plague when she was just a child, and being separated from her sisters for twelve years, Saph maintained an optimistic attitude. She was always the sister who could look on the bright side. That is until she lost someone unexpectedly and tragically. Once bright-eyed and caring, Saph is now using any means to numb herself from the pain of her broken heart. Her reckless behavior has ultimately landed her in serious trouble with Alpha Asher of Red Mountain Pack.

Alpha Asher Sorren is the light-hearted, alternative leader of the Red Mountain Pack. After uprooting his pack from Australia, Asher has vowed always to keep his pack members safe and free from worry. The full moon reveals a bond that Asher cannot fight, but also cannot act on. A former friend-turned-enemy lurks in the shadows, threatening to decimate Asher's pack.

432 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTABULOUS! There will not be anything Jenna writes that I will not read. This is a continuation of the stone sisters story and this one follows sapphire!
She’s been through a lot and she has to go through some trials before she can find herself again. Thankfully we have an Australian, punk, pink hair tatty daddy to help push her in the right direction.
I feel like Ash and Sapphires story is what opposites attract look like and when they finally figure out they are fated mates sparks fly!

🔥slow burn
🌶️spice be spicin’
☀️grumpy/sunshine
🐺 shifter
🧙witches and magic

[Naty's Naughty Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd installment in the Stone Sister Series. Saph's story is the one I was really waiting for. Let me tell you, Jenna did not disappoint. I felt every emotion Saph felt after she lost her chosen mate. I wasn't a huge fan of Alpha Asher or Archie in book 2, but wow, they really come to life in this tale.

Saph Stone is drowning in guilt, remorse, blame, and a bottle after her chosen mate dies on rescue mission to save her sister Emmy, who was taken by the ruthless Underground group. Nate sacrificed himself to save Alpha Asher. Saph is furious when she has to accompany her sisters to Asher's pack for a full moon run to see if they find their mates. Saph finds something she wasn't looking for there.

Asher is a young Alpha who relocated his pack from Australia to the US after he lost his parents and many other pack members to the plague. Asher, with his pink mohawk, is different than the other alphas we've met so far. His pack is thriving despite what some may consider harsh rules, like no alcohol or drugs in his pack territory. There's a lot more than meets the eye with him, and his desire to help Saph even though she hates him is admirable and tragic at the same time. As we learn more of Ash's story, the way he sees things makes more sense.

This wonderful fated mates tale has amazing chemistry, a lot of spice, and a hell of a storyline. I highly recommend this novel. 4.5 out of 5 stars. I couldn't put it down and finished in a day. I can't wait for Pearl's story next.

[Maira Torres ☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The character building in this series has been phenomenal. We’ve been following a giant family (because essentially they all are becoming family) for 3 stories now and it’s just been so great to see how the characters grow around each other. This installment was definitely the greatness I was expecting diving in. Ash and Saph’s lives have been incredibly emotional and traumatic (Please keep tissues nearby). This story follows their journey on finding their way back to the happy life they deserve. Because nothing is better than a second chance at love.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Book 3 of the Stone Sisters series.

This. Book. Is. Amazing. J.N. Stein really dug deep with Saph’s story! I’m feeling all the feelings!

I love that Saph is the grump in this grump/sunshine story and Tat Daddy Ash is the pink haired sunshine we all want!

It’s an emotional rollercoaster that will have you laughing and crying. It’s full of heart, second chances at love and of course rage and revenge.

I don’t want to give away the plot or surprises in this spicy shifter story, so you will just have to take my word on it. 🤐

❤️ slow burn
❤️ grump/sunshine
❤️ fated mates
❤️ daddy kink
❤️ strong FMC
❤️ second chance love

[VeroReadBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Third Book, Saph and Alpha Arsher get their hea after the plague diminished the werewolf race and a new threat started spreading across the surviving packs in the States. Very well written paranormal shifters novel with multiple point of views that’s it entertaining to read. Is a slow burn, action-packed, steamy romance. There is a lot of banter and smut, the kink here is very spicy and the Bunny and Clown reference is hilarious. Beware of trigger warnings and then some more, this book touched sensitive themes having experienced loss in many levels of my life so it was a roller coaster of emotions while reading. You’ll find recurring characters like the Stone sisters and their mates, Tobias in his quest for Sage, Grizz with new bad guys and new side characters that will melt your heart. I recommend to read the books in order of publication, each Stone sisters gets her story.

[Kaitlin D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenna had me in the most intense roller coaster: screaming, crying, throwing up emotionally. I’m not exaggerating.. I literally was yelling and sobbing and ugly crying at moments.

TROPES/THEMES:
Grumpy/Sunshine ☀️
Daddy 🫦
Slow burn 🔥
He falls first/magnetic attraction🧲
Fated Mates 🐺
Frenemies to Lovers ❌⭕️
Second Chances ⚔️
Opposites Attract 🔥

Likes: Ruby, the unseriousness of the Sorren brothers, Ash’s commitment level, the pacing, the friendships, Syl

Synopsis: After loosing so much from The Underground, Saph is an absolute mess of grief, guilt, and loss of self/love after her chosen mate Nathan sacrifices himself to save Alpha Asher. Saph looks to substances to fill the voids and is a shadow of the cheery girl she once was.

The packs have been taking turns hosting full moon runs to help find more fated mates. Saph is sent by Daya and Darius to Alpha Asher’s pack to help chaperone Amy and Pearl during the full moon. This is the last place Saph wants to be, but unknown to her, it is the best possible place for her to be.

Ash aka “Tatty Daddy” is an Australian punk with pink hair and the most contagious light hearted personality. Who knew that a pink haired Clown would be the Sunshine that grumpy Bunny needs to heal. This book sheds more light on what ends to means the Underground will take and what is truly happening to packs all throughout the area. The book is full of unexpected love, second chances and healing from past traumas to allow oneself to be open to the love one serves.

[Acy B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of this book starts with a lot of heartbreak.
Saphire suffers the loss of her chosen mate. Drown in alcohol she drags every day. In a weird twist of fate, Asher discovers that Saph is his mate. But how will he manage to win her over when he is the one responsible for her former mate's death? Not to mention that Asher carries his own luggage as well and the more Saph's getting to know him the more she's attracted to him.
Join their journey in acceptance, forgiveness, and love.
Things I liked in this book:
-The plot. The fact that both souls were broken and both suffered a loss but finally had their HEA.
-The father-to-daughter relationship. I loved the way Ash doted on Ruby. And the fact that Ash didn't want Saph to take the role of Ruby's mother, because as he said she had only one mom. But still, she had a special role in Ruby's life.
-The way Ash helped Saph heal herself and stop drinking.
-The spicy moments were top! Especially the last one with the speaker I didn't even know it was possible !! OMG
-The way the Stone sisters unite to help each other.
-The little hints J.N. leaves for other stories and the next books that have you hooked to read more.
-There were moments I laughed and moments that made me emotional and things I'd remember and keep in mind and when that happens I know that I really liked the book I read.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
Keep it up J.N. Can't wait for Pearl's story!

[AndreasBookFinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Stone Sister series, choosing Fate, is a very slow burn yet steamy wolf shifter romance written by J.N. Stein. Right from the first page, I found myself pulled right into Saphire’s story.

Saph’s chosen mate Nathan is killed in the last book, Rejecting Fate, while heroically saving the life of Alpha Asher of Red Mountain pack and she struggles to move on. She drowns herself in alcohol to try and forget what she’s lost and her whole pack is worried about her. When her sisters Amy and Pearl want to visit Red Mountain packs Full Moon Run to see if they can find their fated mates, Saph is tasked to attend and keep an eye on them. Hating Alpha Asher because he’s the reason she lost Nate, she dreads going.

I won’t tell you the whole story, only to say that each and every page had me wanting more. Just when I thought I knew what was happening next, I was thrown a curveball. My emotions were all over the place hoping that Saph could get her happy ending but not quite knowing for sure. I hated the villains but learned to love one “villain turned good guy” although I’m still not 100% convinced. Easy to read on its own, I highly recommend this and any books from this new and upcoming author J.N. Stein.

I’m very much looking forward to the next installment in the Stone Sisters story!

[Aprils _ Bookheaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Stone is the third daughter of Alpha Bronson Stone. They lost their parents to fated mate plague and get separated but all United again at Running River Pack. Saph was caring, optimistic & always saw the bright side. But she got devastated & lost interest in life after she lost her chosen mate when he sacrificed his life for someone. She got numb & drown herself in her misery & pushed everyone away.

Alpha Asher is a Kind & light- hearted Australian leader of Red Mountain Pack. He had also lost his parents, many pack members & his chosen mate. He vowed to always keep his pack members safe.

Saph went to Alpha Asher's Pack with her 2 sisters for Full Moon Run & Alpha Asher found out that they were fated mates but he had to keep it secret from Saph as he wanted to help her & wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to choose him. The traitors looming in the shadows was trying to destroy him & his pack.

Asher had gone through the same grief & loss as Saph so he understood her & helped her to heal & made her realise that she can allow herself to be happy. Ash helped her to crawl out of Darkness & Saph re-egnited his ability to open his heart to another.

In this Slow Burn werewolf Romance Book Pink haired Tattooed Alpha Daddy Ash is Sunshine & Saph is the grumpy one. He showed her how to LIVE again & she showed him how to LOVE again. They chose each other & brightened their world.

It was rollercoaster of emotions & I felt all the emotions the character felt .. I laughed & cried with them.

I liked their nicknames for each other ' Clown ' & ' Bunny '.

[Doll · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️

First of all, I love that Saph is the grump in this grumpy/sunshine story, and Tat Daddy Ash is the pink haired sunshine we all want!

Sapphire Stone has always been patient and a kind sister who always had a positive view of life. These are some of the reasons why she is a great healer and works at the pack hospital.

Saph has her own demons to face in this book, and it took me on an emotional rollercoaster that will have you laughing, crying, and crying some more. This book is full of heart, second chances, and of course rage and revenge.

Asher is the Alpha of Red Mountain pack, and this pink haired Aussie is not what he appears. He and his mullet haired brother have their own pack drama and some witches to deal with.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in two days. This one will have you rooting for love. J.N. Stein has created a world that I am absolutely invested in. This story emotionally shattered me at parts and had me in tears (I'm not a cryer). Her own emotions really translate onto the pages and into the characters. She has built a shifter world that is intriguing, adventurous, and full of surprises. She'll have you rooting for the main FMC, MMC and all the side characters. I love how the book is first POV but with the POV of multiple characters when necessary. It really gives the reader a deeper perspective of the characters and story itself. Her FMCs are all strong and have distinct personalities! Her MMCs are sexy, spicy, and really balance out their mates! If you love a good shifter book with great world building, loveable side characters, and writing that will consume your life, read the Stone Sister series. The first three books are all available on Amazon.

🔥 slow burn
🌤grumpy/sunshine
🐺 fated mates
🫦 daddy kink
💪🏼strong FMC
❤️‍🔥 second chance love

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Fate by J.N. Stein is the third book in the Stone Sister Series and is probably my favorite. I totally own up to the fact I said that about the first and second book too!

Each book gets better and better. The characters’ growth is amazing. The relationships and characters are diverse and growing in depth.

The villains of the story are always lurking in the shadows leaving the reader feeling lots of trepidation wondering what will happen next. Which hooks me in.

This couples’ story is amazing though. They both are recovering from immense loss with snags along the way and I was here for it the entire time. Loved this book. This author is one to be on the lookout for!

Bibliophilebookstackswithdi on IG

[Kanjou37 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Fate is Book Three of the Stone Sister Series and possibly my favourite so far - though honestly I love them all for different reasons.

We start off after a serious loss in Book Two and our FMC in this book is suffering horrific grief. This is a change up from what we’ve been given so far to the start of our books - which are normally light and humorous to begin with - and it’s a good change as it keeps things fresh. The themes only get darker still and we’re starting to see how Stein seems to be gearing this series. As someone who enjoys dark literature, this is very exciting for me and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Back to Choosing Fate - Stein once more grounds her characters in realism and relatability, despite the fact they’re werewolves. As a reader you can’t help but get emotionally attached thanks to how unique and fully developed each character is. In this book we follow Saph and Asher - both have gone through severe loss and trauma, both have had similar ways of dealing with their emotions and as we learn more about them, we see how they are connected in more ways than just fate. Saph’s journey is an arduous one and Stein doesn’t let her (or us) off easily. But this is the beauty of Stein’s writing: she doesn’t pander to her audience, she only writes authentically and what’s genuine for the characters. And that is one of her main strengths as a writer - everything is done by design and with authenticity.

The plot itself builds on the previous books - we have a new antagonist who worked with our previous lead villain but his agenda is of a darker nature, one that ties in to some of the worst crimes that we see in real life. Again, despite its supernatural backdrop, Stein keeps the threats and themes close to home and it’s more chilling as a result. This book also isn’t afraid to hit us where it hurts on a personal level - there’s child peril, heartbreaking sacrifice and lives (sometimes literally) being shredded. So, as usual with these things, take note of the TW.

But throughout the hardships, this book maintains a certain amount of levity. It’s definitely the darkest of the series so far but it’s important that we are allowed moments of humour, of touch and humanity - and spice. There’s not anywhere near as much as in previous books but that’s important: it’s intentional and, to use this word again, authentic to the situation and characters. But when it hits, it *hits*.

But if you want a book filled to the brim with smut, this is not for you. What you’ll get is a book filled with human experience, forgiveness and hope, grief and loss and a taste of darkness that is surely going to magnify as we delve further into the lives of the Stone Sisters.

Easy 5 stars. Available on Amazon and KU.

For an author interview and review, as well as other indie book reviews, check out my podcast and YouTube channel, Kate Anjou’s Book Reviews.

[Shari2011 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book buy her I have read yes I know I skipped 2 books but that’s me !!! Sapphire and Asher were wow she always such spitfire and him was down earth but with punk rock he rocked the pink hair and tattoos and piercings he was different then any alpha I have ever met this book made me cry , happy and at some point upset but this books was great I can’t wait to read the next but I’ll go back and read book 1&2

[Jennylynn Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you this book had me cheering. Crying. Yelling. All at the same time I mean it. It’s a slow burn. The third in the stone sisters series. Paranormal romance and J out did herself with saphs story. It was emotional but spicy and it was just an amazing read. I found myself feeling some of the same emotions as saph in this book. I highly recommend

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say!!!! What an amazing book I am never disappointed when I read any of these books in this series. I am so addicted to them they live rent free in my head all the time.

[berrgiebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time we are following Sapphire and Asher. In book 2, Saph lost her chosen mate , Nathan, during the battle at the end. This caused Saph to be in a spiral for the first bit of the story. Asher is the alpha of his pack who they came to the aid of in book 2. While Saph is drowning her sorrows in alcohol and other drugs, her sister Daya has the smart idea to send her with her two other sisters, Amy and Pearl to go to the full moon run that is happening at Asher's packs home.

The event that happened after that set us up for the storyline of Saph and Asher. I don't know what it is about. Strong fmcs going through something so devastating that they're making horrible decisions for themselves in an attempt to drown their sorrows instead of trying to grow from it initially, that just sucks me into the story. Acosf is my favorite sjm book so far because I feel for Nesta. It was a very similar vibe this time around for Saph.

Ruby is the cutest and no I won't explain. You'll see.

Jay and Stein does a beautiful job of touching on several topics in this book that are typically hard to cover in a book without really derailing the story. I was roped in from the beginning and admittedly pushed off everything I planned to do to make sure that I finished the book in one day. I cannot wait to continue this storyline.

Please keep in mind that this book involves spousal loss, death during childbirth, torture off page, manipulation, revenge, killing spree, attacking, self-deprecation, depression, attempted suicide, lying, and severe illness through chemical attack. Keep these in mind when putting this book on your TBR.

[Saumya Vasdev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sapphire Stone, the third sister, always stayed positive despite losing her parents and being apart from her sisters. But after losing someone she loved, she’s now trying to numb her pain.

Then there’s Alpha Asher of Red Mountain. We met him briefly in Book 2, but he really shines in this one. His character development is awesome!

The chemistry between Saph and Asher is off the charts. It’s the perfect grumpy x sunshine trope. Plus, the father-daughter bond between Asher and Ruby, with Saph becoming important to Ruby, is so touching.

The author writing is amazing, and I can’t wait for more stories about the other sisters. This book was such an emotional roller coaster with little hints about future plots. Loved it!

[Jenna (Bookstagramer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
❤️❤️❤️.5/5
🌶🌶🌶.5/5

Oh, this book is so good! I love how Steph journey goes. I am mad that Nathan died and that we really didn't see much of their love story. I did really like Ash and how he loved S. I can't wait to read book 4

[Kelly - Kelly's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This werewolf romance took me for an emotional ride and I loved every second.

(Full review coming soon)

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Choosing Fate is book three of the Stone Sisters Series. Reader beware...I don't say this lightly but you will need a ton of tissues for this one. I've only sobbed in a few books and this is one of them.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I knew going into it, this one would play on the heartstrings. We were getting set up for the storyline in the previous book in the series so I knew roughly we were going to have to deal with Sapphire in the aftermath of a major death in her life.

To begin, a lot of characters annoyed me at the start of the book with how they were dealing with Sapphire. I get none of the characters had lost a mate like Saph did, but it was kind of like they just wanted her to get over it and go back to her bubbly self. She was dealing with a tragedy in her life and she turned to alcohol to help her cope. While not the best method for this, it is what she chose. Instead of trying to help her with her alcoholism, they kind of just kept calling her a brat or saying she had changed. It felt to me they just wanted her to forget her tragedy and move on quickly. While I don't think this is truly what they were wanting, this is slightly how I felt when I read it. Saph was angry at a lot of people because without certain actions by certain people, her mate would never have died. I get her feeling the way she was. She blamed others for the pain she was feeling. She wasn't fully wrong though. The actions of others did lead to the death of Nathan. Saph did have a right to be angry and to yell at those who deserved to be yelled at. She needed to get all of her pain off her chest. But once she did it, people just called her a brat. I did not like that part of the storyline. That's just my opinion and how I took the actions and words of others towards Saph.

I see a lot of emotional development from Saph through the book. She was able to heal from her heartache and while not fully moving on from the pain, she was able to healthily cope with it. I was proud of her for all she had achieved and her growth and healing. Some of this healing came from Asher. He was able to help her through her pain as he had felt something similar and knew how to heal from this. Asher was a good person to be in someone's corner, helping them, as he was a very compassionate and caring person.

Now for the hard part...about more than half way through the book we get a major sacrifice. I will not spoil anything, but I was a sobbing mess. I had my fingers crossed that a different solution would come up or that something else would happen. This was a heart breaking moment for me to read, but I know that this was a sacrifice which had to occur for others to continue on the journey through the books.

After all the trauma from reading this book, I do have to say it was amazing! It's not everyday you get a story which can make you feel so fully. This was one of them. I highly recommend reading all the books in order if you haven't already.

[neatenslovebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖Choosing Fate by JN Stein📖

✨Book Review✨

This story follows Sapphire Stone, the sunshine daughter of the late Alpha Bronson Stone. She has optimistic attitude despite the tragedy happened to her parents. But it all changed when her chosen mate, Nathan, died to save another alpha. She became depressed and anger consumed her. Until she met the Alpha Wolf whom her chosen mate sacrificed himself. She hated him with her whole body but there’s some zap whenever she meets him. The Alpha of the Red Mountain Pack, Asher Sorren, will surely make her world turn upside down!

It was such a good story! The character building was phenomenal. The story was something expected but it made me smile especially those fluffy moments they had together. There were some spicy scenes that I love. And most importantly, the family ties. From her sisters to her new found friends and family. It made me cry and laugh at the same time. It was so good!

Thank you JN Stein for letting me have the privilege to read this book! It was heartwarming.

[J. N. Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional Rollercoaster!

Saph’s story takes us through every emotion and then some. Asher is the perfect punk rock Alpha. This story flips the grumpy meets sunshine trope and shows the power of the mate bond, along with friendship and family.

The perfect continuation to the Stone Sister Series! I cannot wait for Book 4!!!

[Micki-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of the stone sister’s story Saph’s story. Saph felt after she lost her chosen mate, drowning her feels in the bottom of a bottle. The story line was great, when the man you hate becomes your fated mate what will you do? Saph and Ash had great chemistry when opposites attract and enimes become lovers