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Mated by Fire #1
Burning Embers
The only way to survive the flames is to become one with them.
Since my parents died when I was young, I’ve been bounced from foster home to foster home. Some have been great. Others…not so much.
My social worker, Amanda, assures me that this new home will be my final one.
New house. New school. New life.
Surprisingly enough, my foster parents are wonderful and my foster siblings have quickly become the family I thought I lost. And I know I’ll always have my best friend and secret crush, Grayson, by my side.
But everything changes when I arrive at my new school and capture the attention of the most popular guys.
Ashton, Reid, Emery, and Ethan rule the school with an iron fist, and almost immediately, they take me under their wing.
But my new friends are a little…odd. For starters, they like to sniff me way more often than should be normal. Secondly, they seem to be enemies with some of the other guys at school—including the attractive but emotionally unavailable class president, Ansel. And finally, they seemed to have claimed me as “theirs” even before we’ve had a conversation.
I’m beginning to realize that not everything in this town is as it seems. And if I hope to survive past graduation, I’ll need to figure out how to navigate this new world I’ve found myself in.
Or I might just burn like embers.
Burning Embers is book one of a series that features possessive paranormals and a strong FMC who’s just beginning to learn her own strength. This is a why choose/reverse harem romance, meaning the FMC won’t have to choose between her various love interests. And while this book does take place in high school, no sexy times will begin until all the characters are over eighteen.
What can you expect in this book? A brand new supernatural worldPossessive, protective love interestsA fierce FMCFound familySupportive female friendshipsA plot that will leave you guessing until the very last page
*This book is published on Kindle Vella, episodes 1-57*
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2024
2108 people are currently reading
2573 people want to read
About the author
Katie May
99 books2,653 followersKatie May is a romance writer of numerous genres! She writes everything from horror to fantasy to contemporary. #whychoose
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
She has a gorgeous tabby cat who she adores, and she’s obsessed with coffee and horror movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
dnf
September 19, 2024DNF At 42%
Ok, so this is a weird one. I've read my fair share of frustrating books. A lot of them really paid off. This one kinda sorta lost me not even 30% into it. The thing is, this one was frustrating to the point of being boring. Your just bombarded with too many questions that have no answers in sight. It's like everyone but the heroine knows exactly what's going on and refuses to let her in on the joke.
The different POV chapters were also rather boring. If it's one thing I know about myself it's that I HATE the obscure villain POV chapters. J.R.Ward does this a lot in her BDB books and I just learned to skip them because I don't really need to know what the villain is up to because the other characters that I actually care about are much more interesting to read about if I just skip a few pages.
Another reviewer on GR (Melo) put it really well "I don't know enough to care any which way about the rest of the series". That's exactly how I feel. All this supposed intrigue made for a very boring read. I know things are going on but I don't know what they are and keeping me guessing this long just made me lose interest in ever finishing this series, let alone this book.
P.S. This series also has such an unfortunate cover.
Ok, so this is a weird one. I've read my fair share of frustrating books. A lot of them really paid off. This one kinda sorta lost me not even 30% into it. The thing is, this one was frustrating to the point of being boring. Your just bombarded with too many questions that have no answers in sight. It's like everyone but the heroine knows exactly what's going on and refuses to let her in on the joke.
The different POV chapters were also rather boring. If it's one thing I know about myself it's that I HATE the obscure villain POV chapters. J.R.Ward does this a lot in her BDB books and I just learned to skip them because I don't really need to know what the villain is up to because the other characters that I actually care about are much more interesting to read about if I just skip a few pages.
Another reviewer on GR (Melo) put it really well "I don't know enough to care any which way about the rest of the series". That's exactly how I feel. All this supposed intrigue made for a very boring read. I know things are going on but I don't know what they are and keeping me guessing this long just made me lose interest in ever finishing this series, let alone this book.
P.S. This series also has such an unfortunate cover.
October 21, 2024
Oh I really liked this. I couldn't put it down.
September 19, 2024
captivating, addictive, vaguely interesting, almost unique at times! was this a good book? truly i don't know, because i barely remember it 2 days later, but i do know that it was fun and exciting while i was reading it, and that's what matters.
there were so many random plot twists, and i cannot for the life of me tell who is in this harem, but it was an adventure for sure!! so many questions. i will def be keeping an eye out for book 2.
i also found it really interesting that one of her men had been cursed to be ugly (smell really bad, greasy hair 24/7, etc) but without the stereotypical "ugly" features from normal curses - so different to usual which was very appreciated, i want to get more content from him.
there were so many random plot twists, and i cannot for the life of me tell who is in this harem, but it was an adventure for sure!! so many questions. i will def be keeping an eye out for book 2.
i also found it really interesting that one of her men had been cursed to be ugly (smell really bad, greasy hair 24/7, etc) but without the stereotypical "ugly" features from normal curses - so different to usual which was very appreciated, i want to get more content from him.
August 31, 2024
Mated by fire
Mysteries abound. This first in a series is fairly frustrating. There are tons of dangling hints and no resolutions. This might be ok if the next books were available, but they are not. The writing style of this book is parsed and choppy. Total concentration is required to manage all the moving parts. Spoilers follow:
Our orphaned foster child has reached her last chance as she approaches her 18th birthday. She is taken in by a decent couple with 3 other foster kids who are happy. She goes to her final year in high school, meets several handsome fellows and makes friends with a group of girls. Her best friend from childhood is an older boy whom she secretly loves, but feels it is unrequited. Oh, and she's a secret underground bare knuckle fighter???? Then on the under current, it turns out the whole town is rife with wolf shifters who have various connections to Izzy. She however knows nothing about the supernatural and for some unknown reason no one clues her in. This volume ends with even more unanswered questions shoved into the plot, and is just an unsatisfying read. I can't encourage people to read this until the follow-ups are published. Disappointing as I usually love this author's work.
Mysteries abound. This first in a series is fairly frustrating. There are tons of dangling hints and no resolutions. This might be ok if the next books were available, but they are not. The writing style of this book is parsed and choppy. Total concentration is required to manage all the moving parts. Spoilers follow:
Our orphaned foster child has reached her last chance as she approaches her 18th birthday. She is taken in by a decent couple with 3 other foster kids who are happy. She goes to her final year in high school, meets several handsome fellows and makes friends with a group of girls. Her best friend from childhood is an older boy whom she secretly loves, but feels it is unrequited. Oh, and she's a secret underground bare knuckle fighter???? Then on the under current, it turns out the whole town is rife with wolf shifters who have various connections to Izzy. She however knows nothing about the supernatural and for some unknown reason no one clues her in. This volume ends with even more unanswered questions shoved into the plot, and is just an unsatisfying read. I can't encourage people to read this until the follow-ups are published. Disappointing as I usually love this author's work.
December 13, 2024
Ooooo this was really good! I really liked The mmc's and the fmc was also amazing. I only wish that the fmc wasn't so in the dark about the shifter world.
December 16, 2025
This author has a bunch of pretty good books but unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. This is a HS paranormal fated mates, insta-love story with wolf shifters, witches/warlocks, a vampire and someone with some kind of magic that has yet to be revealed.
Izzy, the FMC is just clueless about everything because no one tells her anything. There are hints and whispers and she knows something’s going on but she never pushes for answers. And this is throughout the entire book. It’s very frustrating to read a book that treats the FMC like a mushroom (you know, kept in the dark and fed sh!t).
There are also way too many men sniffing around Izzy whose roles are questionable. The crowd of guys is too huge to get any kind of decent backstory about any of them. None of them are likable. Meanwhile Izzy is pining over a longtime crush who keeps her at arms length but hangs around just to keep her guessing. And there’s a school official who flirts with HS girls like that isn’t creepy at all. And they, along with Izzy’s new foster parents, all have secrets and conspire to keep everything from her.
The story is told from multiple POVs with one of them being the unknown villain which really doesn’t add anything to the plot and feels like filler. It just lets us know someone is watching her but really, everyone in this book is watching her. It just muddies the plot. The end has more questions and no answers which just doubles my frustration level with this book. I ended up not caring about any of these characters or what happens to them and I won’t continue the series.
Izzy, the FMC is just clueless about everything because no one tells her anything. There are hints and whispers and she knows something’s going on but she never pushes for answers. And this is throughout the entire book. It’s very frustrating to read a book that treats the FMC like a mushroom (you know, kept in the dark and fed sh!t).
There are also way too many men sniffing around Izzy whose roles are questionable. The crowd of guys is too huge to get any kind of decent backstory about any of them. None of them are likable. Meanwhile Izzy is pining over a longtime crush who keeps her at arms length but hangs around just to keep her guessing. And there’s a school official who flirts with HS girls like that isn’t creepy at all. And they, along with Izzy’s new foster parents, all have secrets and conspire to keep everything from her.
The story is told from multiple POVs with one of them being the unknown villain which really doesn’t add anything to the plot and feels like filler. It just lets us know someone is watching her but really, everyone in this book is watching her. It just muddies the plot. The end has more questions and no answers which just doubles my frustration level with this book. I ended up not caring about any of these characters or what happens to them and I won’t continue the series.
September 4, 2024
Mehhh
I was trudging along with this story easily enough till about 90% then I just disconnected. That isn't much of a cliff hanger to me, more like the thread was just cut and a new plot sprouted. New names of supposedly important players in the plot are introduced at the end when we still have questions not answered.... A lot of questions...
There is obviously more to Isabelle than we know, what we do know is equivalent to crumbs. I'm sure this was all meant to be intriguing, it isn't to me. I don't know enough to care any which way about the rest of the series.
I was trudging along with this story easily enough till about 90% then I just disconnected. That isn't much of a cliff hanger to me, more like the thread was just cut and a new plot sprouted. New names of supposedly important players in the plot are introduced at the end when we still have questions not answered.... A lot of questions...
There is obviously more to Isabelle than we know, what we do know is equivalent to crumbs. I'm sure this was all meant to be intriguing, it isn't to me. I don't know enough to care any which way about the rest of the series.
May 12, 2025
I read the whole book but I still don't know what is going on. I also don't care enough about the characters to continue reading the next one.
January 5, 2025
So far Ethan and Emery are my favorite.
My only gripe with this book is that pretty much every single male in this story is in loooove with Izzy. I hope we find an answer to that in the next book because right now it’s a bit of an eye roll
My only gripe with this book is that pretty much every single male in this story is in loooove with Izzy. I hope we find an answer to that in the next book because right now it’s a bit of an eye roll
September 12, 2024
420 pages on my Kindle. And we didn't get very far in this plot. Spoilers.
I have decided there is nothing I hate more as a reader than being left completely in the dark throughout a whole book. We get bits and pieces of this plot of what the supernatural world looks like but by the end of the book it just has not moved forward. We have a ton of "mates" and no real connections yet, but we are supposed to want to move to the next book.
Of course I want to know what the main character is and see where it all goes but after this book I just hope we don't have a four book series that takes us until book 3 to see any real answers. I don't have the patience for it.
I liked the main characters but I feel we are all on the outside with all of them which is the main problem with keeping the reader in the dark the whole book. We don't get the connection with the characters to make you feel invested. Yeah we know some of the guys are wolves and now we have a vampire that is also a hunter but we don't get to know them on a real level. We don't know why the twins aren't on speaking terms, we don't know if Desiree is playing the main character or if somehow she just became nice? We don't know who the main characters mother was and how she fits into everything and to top it all off we add new characters in Hale's perspective that have never really been mentioned.
I have decided there is nothing I hate more as a reader than being left completely in the dark throughout a whole book. We get bits and pieces of this plot of what the supernatural world looks like but by the end of the book it just has not moved forward. We have a ton of "mates" and no real connections yet, but we are supposed to want to move to the next book.
Of course I want to know what the main character is and see where it all goes but after this book I just hope we don't have a four book series that takes us until book 3 to see any real answers. I don't have the patience for it.
I liked the main characters but I feel we are all on the outside with all of them which is the main problem with keeping the reader in the dark the whole book. We don't get the connection with the characters to make you feel invested. Yeah we know some of the guys are wolves and now we have a vampire that is also a hunter but we don't get to know them on a real level. We don't know why the twins aren't on speaking terms, we don't know if Desiree is playing the main character or if somehow she just became nice? We don't know who the main characters mother was and how she fits into everything and to top it all off we add new characters in Hale's perspective that have never really been mentioned.
October 11, 2025
3.5 stars.
It’s like a mix between Tessa Hale’s Spark of Fate-series and Nikita Parmenter’s Home-series.
We have a few differences though like… mhm… Mr Montgomery. And the .
There was however a lot of things that annoyed me. Things that should have been caught in editing. The fmc is surprised that she can tell the identical twins apart – seriously? One has like a thousand face piercings… and why do so many have spikey hair? The bruises from her fight on the first night are also completely forgotten about.
I also find it incredibly weird, how the guys are not more interested in this vision. A person literally sees something about your mate in the future, but they don’t try to find out what? Weird.
And lets not talk about how a certain main figure’s acne is described as a result of him not doing enough self-care. Seriously? For most it is not something you can control by washing your face regularly. Even if non of it is actually the reason, it’s just supporting an untruth. His acne is constantly mentioned – like how it's standing out on his pale skin.
Also please slow down on the internal promises of extreme violence. Why do they keep thinking of ripping out internal organs? I know that the author often has a penchant for violence in her books, but it seemed too extreme. I actually really like this author and her stories, but I found that she overused figurative language in her writing in this one. It was just too much.
I must however end this review with saying that the story itself was very interesting, and it kept me engaged throughout the whole reading experience hence the still high rating.
It’s like a mix between Tessa Hale’s Spark of Fate-series and Nikita Parmenter’s Home-series.
We have a few differences though like… mhm… Mr Montgomery. And the .
There was however a lot of things that annoyed me. Things that should have been caught in editing. The fmc is surprised that she can tell the identical twins apart – seriously? One has like a thousand face piercings… and why do so many have spikey hair? The bruises from her fight on the first night are also completely forgotten about.
I also find it incredibly weird, how the guys are not more interested in this vision. A person literally sees something about your mate in the future, but they don’t try to find out what? Weird.
And lets not talk about how a certain main figure’s acne is described as a result of him not doing enough self-care. Seriously? For most it is not something you can control by washing your face regularly. Even if non of it is actually the reason, it’s just supporting an untruth. His acne is constantly mentioned – like how it's standing out on his pale skin.
Also please slow down on the internal promises of extreme violence. Why do they keep thinking of ripping out internal organs? I know that the author often has a penchant for violence in her books, but it seemed too extreme. I actually really like this author and her stories, but I found that she overused figurative language in her writing in this one. It was just too much.
I must however end this review with saying that the story itself was very interesting, and it kept me engaged throughout the whole reading experience hence the still high rating.
May 22, 2025
Ughh, this is probably only a 4 star read, but it was one of those books that I kept checking my progress to make sure it wasn't over yet. So my enjoyment of this book was definitely 5 stars.
We have Izzy, a foster kid with no knowledge of the supernatural world, get placed within a supernatural community to ride out her last few months in the system.
Now, the reader is left wondering the whole book if Izzy is a supernatural herself or just human. (This is revealed on like the last page, so read away:))
What the reader does know is that Izzy is the fated mate to 4 or 5 wolves, is probably fated to her best friend (whose a mystery), and has an attraction to a witch. Buckle up readers, this harem might be huge!
Things I didn't like:
1. The author uses the "I'm going to make her hate us to keep her safe". (Not a fan)
*No, I would not classify this as a bully romance
Things I did like:
1. There is a mean girl presented in the beginning, but she turns out to be awesome (at least so far), no mean girl drama, just girls supporting girls.
We have Izzy, a foster kid with no knowledge of the supernatural world, get placed within a supernatural community to ride out her last few months in the system.
Now, the reader is left wondering the whole book if Izzy is a supernatural herself or just human. (This is revealed on like the last page, so read away:))
What the reader does know is that Izzy is the fated mate to 4 or 5 wolves, is probably fated to her best friend (whose a mystery), and has an attraction to a witch. Buckle up readers, this harem might be huge!
Things I didn't like:
1. The author uses the "I'm going to make her hate us to keep her safe". (Not a fan)
*No, I would not classify this as a bully romance
Things I did like:
1. There is a mean girl presented in the beginning, but she turns out to be awesome (at least so far), no mean girl drama, just girls supporting girls.
January 6, 2025
4.5-5 Stars!! Rounded up as ultimately loved it!! Some of it was predictable, but did that matter not at all lol!!!! The characters & chemistry btwn them was ON POINT!!!!! Great Y.A.-N.A. crossover read!! It has sweet silly plus edgier aspects though with mystery elements! Not a lot of spice, but definitely can fell the tension & really get a sense of this fated mate bonds!!!!! The groundwork for the RH is excellently set up for the next in the series once she graduates from HS! Nobel prize worthy no, but in my opinion all the better lol!! As the reader I felt immersed into that world right along side our characters seeing what they are feeling what they do!! This is a skilled writer!!! Probs to the author!!! It’s Twilight vibes amped up!!!! Omg can’t rave enough about how much I love this novel!!!!! Love the dialogue witty & the characters were not wooden like sometimes can come across especially secondary ones!! No grammatical errors which is always a plus! The story flowed nicely & kept me entertained! Highly recommend this novel! Definitely be reading the next one now!!!!!
October 10, 2024
Here We Go…
Generic plot and though I loved the banter between Jake and Izzy that’s where my love of the story died. I appreciate the hard work that the author put into this but I just couldn’t love the story.
Too many loose ends that weren’t explained enough that would make me want to see this through to the end and this book ended so abruptly.
That wasn’t a cliffhanger
Why does everyone know about Izzy but Izzy? She doesn’t ask questions and just goes along with everything.
Not even one question was answered and since when was Montgomery her mate???? What even was that. And with Desiree????
I need a smoke
Generic plot and though I loved the banter between Jake and Izzy that’s where my love of the story died. I appreciate the hard work that the author put into this but I just couldn’t love the story.
Too many loose ends that weren’t explained enough that would make me want to see this through to the end and this book ended so abruptly.
That wasn’t a cliffhanger
Why does everyone know about Izzy but Izzy? She doesn’t ask questions and just goes along with everything.
Not even one question was answered and since when was Montgomery her mate???? What even was that. And with Desiree????
I need a smoke
September 10, 2024
It’s like writing a story line/plot but never actually finishing it and then beings writing a whole new plot half way is insane
The lack of building of the characters, environment, conflicts, and bonds was so bad. If I’m being honest I started the book and immediately thought “Wattpad vibes” that is why I kept reading it cuz some “Wattpad vibes” are good and some aren’t….like this one
The lack of building of the characters, environment, conflicts, and bonds was so bad. If I’m being honest I started the book and immediately thought “Wattpad vibes” that is why I kept reading it cuz some “Wattpad vibes” are good and some aren’t….like this one
March 3, 2025
Izzy has gone from one foster home to another, she knows that her current placement will be her last one as she is close to aging out. She figures it will be much of the same as every house she has been in but she never expects the warmth from her new family. When she begins to attend school though she seems to attract the attention from Emery, Ethan, Ashton and Reid who are wolf shifters. She friends them, even if she finds them attractive. She has a crush on her best friend Grayson though and knows it will never go further. Throw in a new friendship with Ansel who everyone seems to barely tolerate but she looks beyond that. There is something special about Izzy, but no one seems to know why the wolf shifters have a human mate, Izzy even if she has no idea they exist.
I really enjoyed this one, so many twists and turns. Cliffhanger ending and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Very curious how everything will unfold.
I really enjoyed this one, so many twists and turns. Cliffhanger ending and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Very curious how everything will unfold.
November 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! Start to finish I was hooked and just kept trying to figure out who’s in the harem 🤣
It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
January 5, 2025
1,5/5 ⭐️ it just got messier and messier
March 1, 2025
yk what? hell yeah.
February 12, 2025
3 stars ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
･ ｡ﾟ☆:Burning Embers *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 I said, "No one has to know what we do. His hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room 🎶
Izzy’s (h) life has been one of constant upheaval since her parents died when she was young, bouncing from foster home to foster home. Some homes have been good, others not so much. But her social worker, Amanda, promises that this new placement will be her last.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
[Grayson]
Grayson has been Izzy's best friend for ages, and honestly, he’s like her silent protector. No matter where she goes, he's always there, watching out for her—even though he’s got a girlfriend. He’s the kind of guy who would do anything for Izzy, and he’s always cared about her, even if he never fully shows it. The thing is, he’s been in love with her for so long, but he’s been holding back, refusing to tell her the whole truth about the supernatural world. He does it to protect her, to keep her safe from all the dangers that come with it. Izzy's been in love with him, too. She’s always cared for him deeply, and even though Grayson’s feelings are clear to us (and probably to her, too), she genuinely believes she’s just in the "friend zone." It’s such a bittersweet dynamic because they both care about each other so much, but Grayson has denied her in the past, leaving Izzy thinking she could never have more than friendship with him.
[Ethan]
I absolutely love my awkward, nerdy boy. Ethan is just the best. He was such a nervous wreck when he first saw her, and honestly, it made him even more endearing. He could tell right away that they were mated, but the fact that she was human made everything complicated for him. Still, he wanted to keep her his secret. He knows, deep down, that she’s at the core of everything for him. She’s important in a way he can’t quite explain, but he doesn’t rush anything. Ethan is just so friendly, welcoming, and lovable—it’s impossible not to be drawn to him. He’s the kind of guy who’s there for the good vibes, and honestly, he’s more than willing to be her friend first if that’s what she needs. His support and care for her come so naturally, and I love how patient and genuine he is.
[Emery]
Emery is possessive and flirty in the absolute best ways. He can’t stand it when her foster brother gets too close to her, and honestly, it’s just his instincts kicking in. He knows she’s his mate, and that protective, possessive side comes out strong. He wants to claim her so badly, and you can feel that intensity from him. At the same time, he’s not rushing her or pushing her into anything—he knows he needs to approach things carefully and make sure she’s comfortable before anything happens. The moment with her cheek at the football game was everything. When Emery noticed she had Jake’s number on her cheek, he couldn’t just leave it like that. He replaced it with his own, marking her in the most subtle yet possessive way. It’s a small gesture, but it shows just how much he wants her—and how he’s ready to make it known without being overwhelming.
[Ansel]
He was so rude to her at first, but honestly, it made the personality switch even more amazing. When she volunteered to help him with photography, it was like a lightbulb went off for him. He realized that she wasn’t just another person trying to use him, and I thought that moment was super cute. You could see how it changed his perspective on her—and maybe even on himself a little. Ansel’s clearly treated differently by everyone, and it’s almost like people are afraid of him. I get the sense that he’s built up these walls because of how he’s been treated, but when she steps in and offers her help, he starts to let those walls down. It’s like she’s the first person to genuinely try and be his friend without any ulterior motives, and that’s a big deal for him. He genuinely thought that someone as pretty as her wouldn’t want to be his friend; he assumed she’d only be interested in using him for whatever he could offer. But once he realized she wasn’t like that, he opened up, and it was such a sweet moment. It made me really root for their friendship—and potentially something more, but I love how it started with just real kindness.
[Ashton]
Ashton is definitely dealing with some serious trust issues. The guy thinks everyone is out to get him or is a spy sent by his father to gather intel. Like, calm down. He’s so suspicious of everyone, except those within his immediate circle, and it’s really messing with his relationship with Izzy. The way he’s pushing her away over these paranoid thoughts that make no sense is really frustrating to watch. He’s already told her that he didn’t want her, and the way he made it seem like none of the guys would want her either? Oof. That was harsh, and I can’t blame her for being hurt by it. What really gets me is that Ashton made a huge decision for the group without consulting anyone else—and it’s one of those decisions that he’s definitely going to regret. It’s like he’s so caught up in his own head and mistrust that he’s not thinking things through, and now it’s going to affect the group. He needs to take a step back, trust people, and maybe, just maybe, realize that not everyone is out to get him. The way he’s handling things with Izzy and the group? Not great, and I’m really hoping he gets some perspective before things go even more sideways.
[Reid]
He used to be the school’s golden boy, the one everyone looked up to, but now he’s this unkempt, distant guy who seems to have lost his spark. The acne, the smell, the way he just doesn't seem to care about anything anymore—it’s like something really went wrong in his life, and no one quite understands what happened. Izzy, though, she still tries to get closer to him, even with all of his distance and the way he seems to push her away. She can see there’s more to him, and she’s determined to break through that cold exterior. The thing is, Reid really doesn’t seem to want anything from her. He keeps his distance, making it clear that he’s not interested in anything more, but at least he’s upfront about it. He’s not pretending, and as much as it sucks for her, Izzy respects that honesty. It’s frustrating for her, but there’s a kind of respect for someone who’s clear about their intentions—even if it's not what she wanted to hear. It’s one of those tough situations where you want to help, but you know that pushing too hard will only make things worse. So, she holds back, but that doesn't mean she’s given up entirely.
[Christian]
Christian, Ashton’s older brother, left Ashton behind when he wasn’t part of the pack because, as a lone wolf, everyone knew he’d eventually go feral. That decision is a huge one for him, and you can feel the weight of it—it’s not something he took lightly. But what really sets him apart is that he’s the first one to give Izzy the truth about the supernatural world. He doesn’t sugarcoat things, and he doesn’t try to hide the reality of it all. Izzy has always just wanted honesty, to know what’s really going on, and Christian is the first person who has granted her that. It's like he’s been this beacon of truth for her in a world full of confusion and half-truths. She gravitates toward him because he’s real with her, no pretenses, no lies. He doesn’t give her any of the usual mystery or drama; instead, he’s open, straightforward, and honest. That honesty is exactly what she’s been craving, and it makes their connection feel genuine in a way that’s different from everyone else. Christian, in a way, becomes someone she can trust and rely on when everything else around her is so uncertain.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: OVERALL*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
She’s so baby girl . She’s been through so much, but she’s still standing strong. The way she knows how to protect herself and handle business is honestly so impressive. She’s been through enough that she’s learned to trust her instincts and stand up for herself, and she does it so naturally.
･ ｡ﾟ☆:Burning Embers *.☽ .*:☆ﾟ
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 I said, "No one has to know what we do. His hands are in my hair, his clothes are in my room 🎶
Izzy’s (h) life has been one of constant upheaval since her parents died when she was young, bouncing from foster home to foster home. Some homes have been good, others not so much. But her social worker, Amanda, promises that this new placement will be her last.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: THOUGHTS*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
[Grayson]
We found love in a hopeless place. We found love in a hopeless place.
I’m hugging a man I’ve been in love with for years now.
Grayson has been Izzy's best friend for ages, and honestly, he’s like her silent protector. No matter where she goes, he's always there, watching out for her—even though he’s got a girlfriend. He’s the kind of guy who would do anything for Izzy, and he’s always cared about her, even if he never fully shows it. The thing is, he’s been in love with her for so long, but he’s been holding back, refusing to tell her the whole truth about the supernatural world. He does it to protect her, to keep her safe from all the dangers that come with it. Izzy's been in love with him, too. She’s always cared for him deeply, and even though Grayson’s feelings are clear to us (and probably to her, too), she genuinely believes she’s just in the "friend zone." It’s such a bittersweet dynamic because they both care about each other so much, but Grayson has denied her in the past, leaving Izzy thinking she could never have more than friendship with him.
[Ethan]
“She’s not our enemy,” Ethan snaps, vitriol heavy in his voice. Red rises up his neck and splashes onto his cheeks. “She’s our Heart.”
I absolutely love my awkward, nerdy boy. Ethan is just the best. He was such a nervous wreck when he first saw her, and honestly, it made him even more endearing. He could tell right away that they were mated, but the fact that she was human made everything complicated for him. Still, he wanted to keep her his secret. He knows, deep down, that she’s at the core of everything for him. She’s important in a way he can’t quite explain, but he doesn’t rush anything. Ethan is just so friendly, welcoming, and lovable—it’s impossible not to be drawn to him. He’s the kind of guy who’s there for the good vibes, and honestly, he’s more than willing to be her friend first if that’s what she needs. His support and care for her come so naturally, and I love how patient and genuine he is.
[Emery]
“It’s…you,” the new guy, Emery, breathes.
“Are you…sniffing me?”
“How long have you known?” Emery’s voice borders on a growl as he glares at his brother
Emery is possessive and flirty in the absolute best ways. He can’t stand it when her foster brother gets too close to her, and honestly, it’s just his instincts kicking in. He knows she’s his mate, and that protective, possessive side comes out strong. He wants to claim her so badly, and you can feel that intensity from him. At the same time, he’s not rushing her or pushing her into anything—he knows he needs to approach things carefully and make sure she’s comfortable before anything happens. The moment with her cheek at the football game was everything. When Emery noticed she had Jake’s number on her cheek, he couldn’t just leave it like that. He replaced it with his own, marking her in the most subtle yet possessive way. It’s a small gesture, but it shows just how much he wants her—and how he’s ready to make it known without being overwhelming.
[Ansel]
“Excuse me?” I stare at him in disbelief, unable to believe the audacity of this guy. “Did you just call me stupid?”
“Did you hear that word leave my mouth?”
“It was heavily implied,” I snap.
“Ahhh. So you’re capable of reading between the lines.”
He was so rude to her at first, but honestly, it made the personality switch even more amazing. When she volunteered to help him with photography, it was like a lightbulb went off for him. He realized that she wasn’t just another person trying to use him, and I thought that moment was super cute. You could see how it changed his perspective on her—and maybe even on himself a little. Ansel’s clearly treated differently by everyone, and it’s almost like people are afraid of him. I get the sense that he’s built up these walls because of how he’s been treated, but when she steps in and offers her help, he starts to let those walls down. It’s like she’s the first person to genuinely try and be his friend without any ulterior motives, and that’s a big deal for him. He genuinely thought that someone as pretty as her wouldn’t want to be his friend; he assumed she’d only be interested in using him for whatever he could offer. But once he realized she wasn’t like that, he opened up, and it was such a sweet moment. It made me really root for their friendship—and potentially something more, but I love how it started with just real kindness.
[Ashton]
“She’s human,” Ashton points out, his eyes glittering with cunning. “There’s never been a case of a human being a Heart.”
“What the fuck are you suggesting, Ash?”
“We keep an eye on her. Befriend her.”
Ashton is definitely dealing with some serious trust issues. The guy thinks everyone is out to get him or is a spy sent by his father to gather intel. Like, calm down. He’s so suspicious of everyone, except those within his immediate circle, and it’s really messing with his relationship with Izzy. The way he’s pushing her away over these paranoid thoughts that make no sense is really frustrating to watch. He’s already told her that he didn’t want her, and the way he made it seem like none of the guys would want her either? Oof. That was harsh, and I can’t blame her for being hurt by it. What really gets me is that Ashton made a huge decision for the group without consulting anyone else—and it’s one of those decisions that he’s definitely going to regret. It’s like he’s so caught up in his own head and mistrust that he’s not thinking things through, and now it’s going to affect the group. He needs to take a step back, trust people, and maybe, just maybe, realize that not everyone is out to get him. The way he’s handling things with Izzy and the group? Not great, and I’m really hoping he gets some perspective before things go even more sideways.
[Reid]
“Why does it sound like you’re not including yourself in this plan?”
“Because I’m not,” I grunt with a scowl.
“You can’t even be the girl’s friend, Reid? Our mate’s friend?”
He used to be the school’s golden boy, the one everyone looked up to, but now he’s this unkempt, distant guy who seems to have lost his spark. The acne, the smell, the way he just doesn't seem to care about anything anymore—it’s like something really went wrong in his life, and no one quite understands what happened. Izzy, though, she still tries to get closer to him, even with all of his distance and the way he seems to push her away. She can see there’s more to him, and she’s determined to break through that cold exterior. The thing is, Reid really doesn’t seem to want anything from her. He keeps his distance, making it clear that he’s not interested in anything more, but at least he’s upfront about it. He’s not pretending, and as much as it sucks for her, Izzy respects that honesty. It’s frustrating for her, but there’s a kind of respect for someone who’s clear about their intentions—even if it's not what she wanted to hear. It’s one of those tough situations where you want to help, but you know that pushing too hard will only make things worse. So, she holds back, but that doesn't mean she’s given up entirely.
[Christian]
“A mate mark?”
“It means you���re mine, little human.” His eyes flare red with possessiveness and heat. “It means you belong to the wolves.”
Christian, Ashton’s older brother, left Ashton behind when he wasn’t part of the pack because, as a lone wolf, everyone knew he’d eventually go feral. That decision is a huge one for him, and you can feel the weight of it—it’s not something he took lightly. But what really sets him apart is that he’s the first one to give Izzy the truth about the supernatural world. He doesn’t sugarcoat things, and he doesn’t try to hide the reality of it all. Izzy has always just wanted honesty, to know what’s really going on, and Christian is the first person who has granted her that. It's like he’s been this beacon of truth for her in a world full of confusion and half-truths. She gravitates toward him because he’s real with her, no pretenses, no lies. He doesn’t give her any of the usual mystery or drama; instead, he’s open, straightforward, and honest. That honesty is exactly what she’s been craving, and it makes their connection feel genuine in a way that’s different from everyone else. Christian, in a way, becomes someone she can trust and rely on when everything else around her is so uncertain.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: OVERALL*.☽ .*:☆ﾟ. ───
She’s so baby girl . She’s been through so much, but she’s still standing strong. The way she knows how to protect herself and handle business is honestly so impressive. She’s been through enough that she’s learned to trust her instincts and stand up for herself, and she does it so naturally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
Representation: Black main character, Gay supporting character, Lesbian side character, Gay side character, Achillean side relationship, Black side character
Overall: 4.5-stars
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
Overall: 4.5-stars
Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions
Possible Triggers: Yes
Ending:
January 24, 2025
3.75 ⭐️ / 1 🌶️ —I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The characterization was good, with a likable FMC and MMCs that weren’t carbon copies of each other. There was just enough mystery to keep you interested. One of the characters and the FMC have an enemies-to-lovers relationship that reminded me of the one between the oldest brother in the WITSEC series (distrustful but not hateful). I’ll continue with the next book in the series.
September 12, 2024
3,5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️,⭐️
The second book i have read this year, which is crazy. I did enjoy the book , the flow was great and as usuall i like Katie May’s writing style :) i am looking forward to read the next book in this series since it left me with so many questions
The second book i have read this year, which is crazy. I did enjoy the book , the flow was great and as usuall i like Katie May’s writing style :) i am looking forward to read the next book in this series since it left me with so many questions
June 21, 2025
The premise is interesting. However, I found this whole book to be frustrating and very juvenile. I strongly dislike books where they're in high school. Almost everyone around Izzy is a supernatural and doesn't tell her, she constantly sees things and hear things that doesn't make sense to her teenage brain. It's like shes a butt of a joke and everyone is having conversations around her. The characters had a complete shift in their personality. Especially Izzy, she was a closed off foster kid who was scared of people getting too close and then shes supper playful and outgoing to everyone? I just want to know what happens with Ansel, Christian, and Greyson.
October 31, 2024
This Book!!
Wow- At first the cover to me was a little boring and I didn't like it but I wanted to give the book at least a try and I AM SO GLAD that I did!! It was worth it! I could not put it down. There were things that I thought I would be hesitant about (High School Romance) but that didn't stop me. This author is SUPER Talent!
- Magic, Wolfs, Vampires and More
- High School
- No Spice in the first book but it is getting there!!
- On the Edge of my seat.
- Reverse Harem
I Can't wait for book 2!!
Wow- At first the cover to me was a little boring and I didn't like it but I wanted to give the book at least a try and I AM SO GLAD that I did!! It was worth it! I could not put it down. There were things that I thought I would be hesitant about (High School Romance) but that didn't stop me. This author is SUPER Talent!
- Magic, Wolfs, Vampires and More
- High School
- No Spice in the first book but it is getting there!!
- On the Edge of my seat.
- Reverse Harem
I Can't wait for book 2!!
October 24, 2024
This had more depth than I thought it would.
The summary of the book did not do it justice. There are things I haven’t figured out, but others I did. This book definitely keeps you on your toes, as far has hints going on. I wish the next book was out already, hurry please Katie May!
The summary of the book did not do it justice. There are things I haven’t figured out, but others I did. This book definitely keeps you on your toes, as far has hints going on. I wish the next book was out already, hurry please Katie May!
October 25, 2025
this is exactly what I love in PR. human FMC doesn't know about a world with creatures is a foster kid bumped from home to home finally ends up in a place with people who care...but they are not human....and they don't think she is either. they don't know what she is but they know they need to protect her. 💯🔥‼️❤️❤️❤️🐺🦊🐺🦊🧛♂️🧱🧙♀️🧙♂️😱
September 20, 2024
All I can say is that everyone needs to get it together.
Also... Reid could get it and that's all I'm going to say on that front. I'm not explaining myself.
Also... Reid could get it and that's all I'm going to say on that front. I'm not explaining myself.
October 2, 2024
Katie May edges readers so bad and I come back for it every time.
October 5, 2024
Lots going on and can't wait to keep reading
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