Life shouldn't be this hard! Jaded by her life, MMA fighter Rhowyn was simply trying to be the good in the world around her. While not exactly happy, she was safe. And that was enough for her. At least until four men claiming to be fae showed up claiming she was one of the Chosen to compete in the deadly trials to become the next Queen of Avalon. Having no choice but to follow them back to their world, she's thrust into a game of intrigue and mystery. She has no doubt she can survive, like she always has before. Dragged into a world of magic and fantasy, she must navigate her new world while remaining free from entanglements, which is easier said than done. Each one of the men calls to her, sparking an attraction to each of them she has never felt before. The question is, can they survive the trials to find their happily ever after?
This is a why choose romance where the leading lady doesn't have to decide between suitors. MMFMM content. Please see list of Trigger Warnings.
I could not believe this was a debut novel for @Avah Larke. I loved every part of her story building Rhowyn learns she is not from earth but from a place called Avalon and must now be part of the trials to become the next queen. As the title of the series states she is reluctant to follow the men who have come to retrieve her.
Blurb: Life shouldn't be this hard! Jaded by her life, MMA fighter Rhowyn was simply trying to be the good in the world around her. While not exactly happy, she was safe. And that was enough for her. At least until four men claiming to be fae showed up claiming she was one of the Chosen to compete in the deadly trials to become the next Queen of Avalon. Having no choice but to follow them back to their world, she's thrust into a game of intrigue and mystery. She has no doubt she can survive, like she always has before. Dragged into a world of magic and fantasy, she must navigate her new world while remaining free from entanglements, which is easier said than done. Each one of the men calls to her, sparking an attraction to each of them she has never felt before. The question is, can they survive the trials to find their happily ever after?
This book ends on a slight cliffhanger but you don’t have to worry the author plans on releasing her next book very soon. I gave this book 5 ⭐️ so amazed that it was a debut and 1🌶️ waiting for the build up in spicy scenes.
I recommend you read this book and continue with the series. Their Chosen releases on July 26, 2024.
⋆˚✿˖° Review: LOVED SO MUCH, so so so good. world building, phenomenal. characters, phenomenal. plot, phenomenal. & i get reverse harem?? perfect. i literally flew through this. i could not stop reading. such a great RH romantasy. There is a lot of world building & setting the series up in this book, but it was done in such an engaging, enticing way. literally never wanted it to end.
♡ What I Loved: - everything - characters are so loveable, raw, & authentic - world is setup in such an interesting, unique way - fae & magic, my fav - RH, my fav
.ᐟ What I Didn't Like: - the only thing was minor grammar errors, didnt bother me enough to effect how much i loved this book
જ⁀➴ Spice Level: 2.5/5, no scenes but their thoughts had me waiting in anticipation for when the time comes ik its gonna be so good
— ୨୧₊˚ Would I Recommend It?: YES YES YES PLS go read, you wil NOT regret it i swear. if u have an itch for a sexy romantasy, this will scratch it !! i promise !!
₊˚⊹♡ Conclusion: ive been typing as fast as i can so i can hurry up & start book 2. the anticipation & waiting is killing me. Avah has me in a chokehold with this series, i love it lots. writing is great, plot & world is great, the men are yummy, if you have read this far u may as well give it a chance!! ₊˚⊹♡
Their Chosen by Avah Larke takes readers on a thrilling journey into the mystical realm of Avalon, where an ordinary MMA fighter, Rhowyn, is unexpectedly thrust into the role of a contender for the Queen’s crown. Rhowyn’s tough, no-nonsense personality shines through as she battles not only deadly trials but also her emotions as four captivating men vie for her attention. This “why choose” romance offers readers the excitement of multiple love interests without forcing Rhowyn to make a decision, adding to the tension and appeal.
Their Chosen has something for fans of both fantasy and romance. Larke’s debut is a strong start to the series, with multiple POVs enriching the narrative.
While this first installment sets the stage for even greater tension and romance in the upcoming books, the cliffhanger ending will leave readers desperate for the next trial. A must-read for fans of why choose romance with a strong, fierce heroine at the helm.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5 Spice: ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎/5
I received an eArc copy and I am reviewing honestly and voluntarily
I've been reading Avah for quite a while now, ever since I discovered her looking for ARC/Beta readers for her debut novel "Their Chosen" and now it's actually a almost time for the whole series to come out and I can't wait for everyone to be able to read the books and about Rhowyn and Avalonia and the Consorts and just everything about this series.
Avah has a way to grip you with her words and not let you go until the very end of the story and even then and now, the characters still stick with me.
If you enjoy fantasy, reversed harem, action, schemes, wonderful characters and characters you just want to... ugh ! Trials, magic and so much more, you are in the right place! If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would.
Please be aware that the book contains scenes or hinting at scenes that might be triggering to some, so please keep that in mind before diving in.
There's a lot to enjoy in this story: fated mates, a reluctant chosen in trials to be a queen for a kingdom she didn't know existed, four men who will bond their life to her (even if some struggled against it at first). Rhowyn is a classic strong, independent woman who has gone through some darkness in her life. She can't control her magic to remove a powerful glamour, because it's been locked away from her for some reason. She's determined to protect those around her. The men are easy to love, with my preferences leaning toward Arryn and Lennox. Enjoyable worldbuilding and the promise for more excitement as the trials finally kick off in book 2. This is a slow burn, told at a slow to medium pace. Push through the first few chapters to get into the meat of the story. It's worth it! 4.5/5 stars
I can hardly imagine this book is a debut; it absolutely blew me away! It’s a mix between urban and high fantasy, with a hunger games vibe and a woman who never knew she was part of the supernatural world and suddenly has the power to change the fae world. I love the vibe of this book: there’s an underlying danger and our fmc has to find a way to survive in a court where the residing queen isn’t planning on giving up her power. With four very different fae men as her consorts, she has to prepare to enter the trials to decide who will be the next queen. Not an easy task for someone who didn’t even know she had magic a few days before. This first book set the scene and raised a lot of questions; I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!
This is the first book in a 4 book series and debut novel for Avah Larke. I am already obsessed. This is a RH novel, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.
I love the FMC, Rhowyn.. she is strong and witty. She grew up in the "human" realm and doesn't know that she is Fae. I like that even after finding out, she still relies on her training and strength learned throughout her life to navigate the Fae realm.The banter between her and her consorts is so good. The tension leading up to the spicy parts is amazing! Can't wait for the next books!
This is going to be one of my new favourite books! I had such a good time reading it, it had the right amount of spice to plot ratio( and the spice that was there was🔥👌🏽🌶️) I couldn’t put it down from start to finish, I read it within a day and half! 100% recommend to read this book!
Edit to add: got to listen to the audio of this book! Makes it so much better!! The male narrator nails all the accents!!
It started off strong enough. I liked the FMC and the guys in the harem. The plot was fine - but then I just found my skipping from boredom. The FMC’s character traits seemed to change a bit. And, despite there being this whole new big world filled with drama and serious intrigue… we end up more with what amounts to stupid personal arguments and a lot of floundering around.
I suspect there may be some interesting reveals in the next book… just not sure I’m interested enough to continue.
A great start to an interesting new series! Mild heat so far, 4m1f, lost heritage, new world, fae, it’s the cacophony of delightful paranormal tropes. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
5 STARS EASY!! I got the privilege of being selected to be an ARC reader for this book and oh my goodness. I cannot give enough praise for this book. It easily became one of my top five books I’ve read. Avah has created a refreshing main female character who is strong, resourceful, and relatable. This book has incredible world building while still letting you create the image in your mind with your own spin. It’s Multi-POV and each one is done so well! You really get a feel for each character and who they are at their core as well as how they all interact with others. It’s a fun, fantastical, spicy book that will have you flipping pages well past your bedtime! I honestly can’t say how much I enjoyed and love this book and I am so pleased I was given the opportunity to read it early because I didn’t realize how much I needed it! I relate a lot to the main characters and her struggles in the beginning of the book and seeing her strong and vigilant and so very resilient has given me more inspiration and resolve than before! What a beautiful book, and an easy read! I will recommend this highly to anyone who is drawn to it!
I absolutely loved this book. What I loved was the slow build up. The slow burn of the relationship and despite only a few kisses and slight touching i didn’t feel like I missed out.
Rhowyn has her life turned upside down when she finds out she is fae and is expected to compete in the trials to become the new queen. I love the differences between the earth realm and fae realm. The world building is intricate and makes sense. That to always shows it’s an author who has thought about any and all aspects.
Rhowyn is a little annoying in the beginning but as she stops only thinking about how everything will impact her but how it might impact her consorts she grows and becomes a whole lot more likeable. There is definitely a case of fish out of water and she proves how hard it is to move from one culture to another which very little information to go on. I’d struggle as well.
I’m excited for the second book and to see how the trials will pan out. And I’m also looking forward to seeing who her competition is and how they play into the story.
I was excited to read this after seeing Avah promote in a book group I was in and I was even more excited when I got the ARC.
This book hooked me in from the get go. A badass fmc and 4 hot fae men??? Sounds like a perfect match 🥵 Chemistry is on point between all characters, lots of push and pull. Grumpy, Gold retriever, Broken and a Soldier sum up the mmc’s - all in need of something that only one person can provide and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t deliver. Mild spicy, seems like the build up on this one is going to drop an absolute bomb on us.
The details that were added into this book were phenomenal. Avah really engaged me into the storyline so much so that I wanted to be in Avalon. I felt as if I were actually there with how well the characters and details are portrayed.
The story line has me in a literal chokehold and I cannot wait for book 2!!
Absolutely killed this one, Avah. Congratulations 🥳🥳
Avah Larke has created an amazing series starting with Their Chosen. Rohwyn the female lead has to be the most amazing character ever created. She is strong and resilient no matter what is thrown at her, never backs down and there is a lot tossed her way. The four male characters that are her Consorts complement her in different ways and the dynamics between each one makes the plot interesting and addictive. You feel every emotion possible and feel totally immersed in the book. As an author Avah has a unique style of writing that just makes the reading flow so before you know it you finished the book and can’t wait for the next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Reverse Harems and Why Choose stories but there are some scenes that could be triggering for some readers so be sure to read the warnings.
Their Chosen is an epic ride. Spoiler free. Badass female main character with a harem. My favorite read so far in 2024. I was hooked before the first chapter ended. As someone who reads a lot, I was surprised how enchanted I was with this story. I finished the book in one sitting, unable to set it aside. Each character is complex and well defined, and the story is full of action and emotion. I’ve grown attached to the characters after just one book. This is the first novel by author Ava Larke but reads incredibly well, like she’s written dozens before. You will anxiously await the next book as I did.
I’m in love! This book will get you hooked. Now I can’t wait for the next one! This first book of this series, really is just the beginning of this story. There’s still so much to learn and figure out. Rhowyn is just beginning to truly learn what’s at stake with the trials ahead of her. But I absolutely love getting to start to know her and her consorts. All while learning how dangerous the court really is. I would very highly recommend this book to all epic RH fantasy lovers. Definitely gonna be one of my favorite series.
This is Avah Larke's debut? In not way is this her debut!! I'm smitten.
So, I read a lot of fantasy and romantasy, and you know when you have the feeling you're reading a reheated version of another fantasy book. Not this. Not here. Not at all. This story is new. It's literally fantastic, and it's exciting and wonderfully spicy. I can't wait to see how their story will progress further with the series. Well done, Avah Larke!
Omg I loved this book, I’ve slowly been getting into readings in this genre but I went absolutely nuts for this book. Ava is such a good writer and I need more It was the perfect amount of female badness, growing bonds, acceptance. I loved that the MFC didn’t put up with any rudeness from anyone including the men. I couldn’t put this down once I picked it up, I honestly need the second book right away so I can discover what happens next
I kept losing interest, and honestly, i wasn't sure i finished reading it, but Kindle tells me i have. The prince was annoying, and the queen felt like a bad bond villain with her see threw motives. Predictable and boring. Might be better suited to YA as they haven't ready many books? Memorable? No Good writing? Pass Likable characters? Eh Feel the spark? Nope
I won't be reading the next books. My journey with them ends here. Best of luck to them.
Wow, I mean wow!!! Not only is this a debut novel but it is a first in a series. It has everything a girl needs. Hot fae males, sexual tension, David and Goliath vibes. Yes it took me 6 days to finish but that’s only because work and life had to be done. All I wanted to do was to escape back to this world. Well done Avah and everyone else do yourself a favour and read this.
Just wow. Debut!! Seriously, you would never think so. As a massive fan of MMA the blurb had me intrigued and let me tell you she did not disappoint. Spice, hot men, 🔥 🥵 😍 then throw in the fantasy and intrigue and need to know more and it has you hooked wanting, no needing more. Do yourself a favour and read this series.
Such an amazing book!! I'm completely hooked and can't wait to see how Rhowyn and her consorts make it through the trials and whether they can save Avalonia from a tyrannical Queen!!!
I’ve read the first book, I truly love it. The characters, the world all of it just had me from the start. I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the series 🖤
If you like fantasy, romance and fae then you will enjoy this book. I loved it and found it hard to put down. The characters captivate you and draw you in. They all work so well together.
I loved this book from start to finish! I loved the relationships between the chosen and her consorts! I love the the story of as written! I highly recommend this book!
Their Chosen book 1 in The Reluctant Royals Series is the debut novel of author Avah Larke and I absolutely loved it! I’ve never really been a huge fantasy reader, but when I saw this book/series posted in one of my reader groups I knew based off of the blurb that I had to give it a try.
Our FMC Rhowyn is an MMA fighter trying to live a normal life on Earth training young girl’s self-defense by day and a professional fighter by night. I absolutely loved Rhowyn, as an FMC. She stands up for the weak and has no qualms about putting men in their place, especially her consorts. The MMC’s in this book are written extremely well. There’s always one in a Why Choose that I struggle with, and this one is no different, but I’m already seeing character growth in our FMC, so I can’t wait to see where Avah takes us in the next three books.
While there isn’t a ton of spice in this book the story is so good that it makes up for it tenfold. Plus, when you get the spice, you really get the spice. Avah does such a masterful job in creating the realm of Avalon. You’re immersed into it from the very first chapter.
As always please be sure to read the trigger warnings, but I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’m extremely excited for book 2 Their Trials and cannot wait for where the first trial takes us.
This turns into a fantastic first in a series. Don't be tempted to turn it back after the first few chapters. Those beginning scenes and dialogue really don't match the rest of the book and should be rewritten. They were so clunky and clumsy I honestly thought someone different wrote them. I pushed on, tempted to dnf, because another review urged me to continue. I am so glad I did. Spoilers follow: this is a fantasy, RH with magic, royalty, trials, evil queen, lost heritage, reluctant mates and mate bonds. Our heroine is raised a human, 25, who somehow survived an abusive childhood. She has developed significant physical fighting skills and strives to prevent other girls from being victimized. After she sprouts a painful brand on her shoulder, her absent mother reappears and tells her she is fae and has now been chosen to compete to be queen of the realm. She rebels thinking this is unbelievable until several men appear and convince her to return to fae. The story describes an incredible world run by a sadistic Queen, and each character is developed fully as they explore their new relationships. Although this is a familiar trope, it is quite different from other stories. The actual trial begin in book 2 and I hope it comes out soon!
Their Chosen by Avah Larke Book 1 of The Reluctant Royal Series 🗡️ I finished Their Chosen in just 2 days, I love with a fantasy series is easy to follow along when building the world. The FMC has had a rough life & then it gets completely turned upside down when the fae come looking for her to compete in the chosen trials. Rhowyn is such a strong FMC physically and it appears to be strong mentally but I think it’s because she chooses to block out past trauma.. She is able to lean on her 4 consorts but is still very hesitant and just wants to go home. My fav 2 are Baer and Lennox. I love Baer with his happy positive self and LOVE Lennox with his dark secretive self. The Queen is the WORST, she reminds me of the Queen of Hearts 😂 & I hope she gets taken down by Rhowyn and her consorts.. the way she treats her everyone in her kingdom, ugh. 😑 🗡️ I’m ready for book 2 and see the next steps within the trials, see how far Rhowyn gets with her magic, ready for some spicy with her consorts, & to see some of the secrets that I know are being held onto come out in the open. 🗡️ All in all it was a great, easy fantasy read, I have a lot of questions and can’t wait for them to be answered. I do hope Rhowyn grows up a tad in her personality and mentally.
How is this series not being talked about!? This is absolutely being slept on. Let’s go Princess! This is a DARK slow burn Romantasy series with a badass FMC. Rhowny finds herself in a crazy predicament when she learns that she isn’t a poor human girl living in Texas but Fae. Now, magically branded by Avalon, the Fae realm, she must set on a journey to find her four consorts and compete in the sacred trials.
Tropes like: * Enemies to lovers * Multi POV * MMF * Golden Retriever * Slow/medium burn * Lots of great tension * Dominant MMC * Found Family * Damaged Characters
Please check TW, mental health is always priority. If you are just a whacko like me then Happy Reading My Consort 😘.