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Alpha's Stone Heart
Darkstone Castle holds secrets...and seductions.
Gabriel Rousseau is more than just a man - he's a gargoyle shifter, ancient and powerful.
His scorching amethyst eyes burn with a fierce intensity I can't resist.
His touch ignites a passion I've never known.
But as danger closes in around us, I must learn to trust him.
Together, we'll face the shadows that lurk both within and outside the castle's walls.
I'm drawn to him, body and soul, but can I trust the darkness that lies within him?
Alpha's Stone Heart is a heart-pounding paranormal romance featuring a girl who finally finds her place in the world and the alpha gargoyle who wins her heart.
Gabriel Rousseau is more than just a man - he's a gargoyle shifter, ancient and powerful.
His scorching amethyst eyes burn with a fierce intensity I can't resist.
His touch ignites a passion I've never known.
But as danger closes in around us, I must learn to trust him.
Together, we'll face the shadows that lurk both within and outside the castle's walls.
I'm drawn to him, body and soul, but can I trust the darkness that lies within him?
Alpha's Stone Heart is a heart-pounding paranormal romance featuring a girl who finally finds her place in the world and the alpha gargoyle who wins her heart.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
27 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
September 26, 2024
I feel like this plot had potential but fell flat. A lot of fluff and not much depth, which made the writing feel immature. I found the relentless repetition annoying most of the time - we get it, there’s a undeniable connection between the FMC/MMC from the get go, she want to flight and protect too, and he wants to claim her. I almost DNF’d because of it, but pushed through. I enjoyed the spicy scenes, but with how rushed the relationship felt the whole “mine/yours” thing didn’t do it for me and took me out of the moment. I think with more details to help the reader connect to the characters (like about gargoyl history or about syphons), and less information about irrelevant things would help improve the story (like why a whole chapter in the beginning about the loss of her parents? Could have really been a few sentences).
September 26, 2024
I was a part of the ARC team, and received a copy of this book. This is the first time seeing the cover, and I love it.
Rating: 3 stars
I never read a forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance before. I must say, I am here for it! It had a classic plot to it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. There were some good parts to the book, and then there were some bad parts. However, I am giving this read a low rating for a few reasons.
-I wasn't able to visualize the main characters at all. There weren't enough details and specifics that allowed me to understand what they looked like. As I mentioned, this is the first time I have seen the cover, and that is not what I expected anyone to look like. It wasn't evident even whenever Gabriel transformed back and forth. I didn't know whether he was in his human form versus his gargoyle form.
-The introduction to the castle seemed to go by too fast. It wasn't dragged out, but I felt in one paragraph she was introduced to the castle, and in the next paragraph she was there putting herself in a dangerous situation. I feel like there should've been more information leading up to her finally visiting the castle.
-On the contrary, most of the book seemed to be fluff and not much plot. It was very repetitive, especially towards the beginning.
Examples:
"He's hiding something"
"I know you're supposed to protect me, but I feel like there's more to this. To you."
"Why do I feel this connection? Like somehow we are tied together?"
"..denying the pull between us"
"I know I should be cautious"
In just the first 10 chapters alone, I feel like I read the same variation of these sentences more than I could keep track of.
-Following the last comment regarding the lack of plot, some pieces seem to be missing to get the full picture. For example, whenever Gabriel gave her a dress for the ball, with a handwritten letter. Aria states "Gabriel's handwriting is unmistakable." How does she know what his handwriting looks like? As a reader, it made me feel like I missed something. She just met him and had never seen his handwriting up until this point. I don't know. Just very confusing to me
-Aria made me so upset at times with how naive she was acting. She is different compared to some other books I have read, which had strong-willed, independent, and intelligent FMC. Aria doesn't have such qualities, at least not as much. She was throwing herself into danger, without even getting to know what she was up against. It was frustrating for me, and a transition.
This book has a lot of potential. Thank you Autumn for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. I hope my review helps you in the future!
Rating: 3 stars
I never read a forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance before. I must say, I am here for it! It had a classic plot to it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. There were some good parts to the book, and then there were some bad parts. However, I am giving this read a low rating for a few reasons.
-I wasn't able to visualize the main characters at all. There weren't enough details and specifics that allowed me to understand what they looked like. As I mentioned, this is the first time I have seen the cover, and that is not what I expected anyone to look like. It wasn't evident even whenever Gabriel transformed back and forth. I didn't know whether he was in his human form versus his gargoyle form.
-The introduction to the castle seemed to go by too fast. It wasn't dragged out, but I felt in one paragraph she was introduced to the castle, and in the next paragraph she was there putting herself in a dangerous situation. I feel like there should've been more information leading up to her finally visiting the castle.
-On the contrary, most of the book seemed to be fluff and not much plot. It was very repetitive, especially towards the beginning.
Examples:
"He's hiding something"
"I know you're supposed to protect me, but I feel like there's more to this. To you."
"Why do I feel this connection? Like somehow we are tied together?"
"..denying the pull between us"
"I know I should be cautious"
In just the first 10 chapters alone, I feel like I read the same variation of these sentences more than I could keep track of.
-Following the last comment regarding the lack of plot, some pieces seem to be missing to get the full picture. For example, whenever Gabriel gave her a dress for the ball, with a handwritten letter. Aria states "Gabriel's handwriting is unmistakable." How does she know what his handwriting looks like? As a reader, it made me feel like I missed something. She just met him and had never seen his handwriting up until this point. I don't know. Just very confusing to me
-Aria made me so upset at times with how naive she was acting. She is different compared to some other books I have read, which had strong-willed, independent, and intelligent FMC. Aria doesn't have such qualities, at least not as much. She was throwing herself into danger, without even getting to know what she was up against. It was frustrating for me, and a transition.
This book has a lot of potential. Thank you Autumn for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. I hope my review helps you in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2024
This was my first ARC read and I don’t typically read shifter/romance/paranormal things because I don’t like the mix of it together, BUT this book hooked me! I don’t read very quickly. I like to take breaks when reading and I normally will take my time reading a book and won’t finish them quickly. Typically takes me a week to a month to finish a book depending on the length of the book and what type of book I’m reading. I read this book in two days. I was addicted to it. My husband couldn’t even get me to set it down for dinner. (I played nice and put it down.) There were a few points in the book where I was slightly confused because it jumped around a bit. There was some repetition that could have probably been left out because it was already stated multiple times beforehand, but it didn’t bother me too much. I only found two mistakes in spelling. Had a few gaps that I feel I had to fill in but also could be there because she is going to hopefully be writing a second book to add and make a series? (I dont know if she is just hoping that’s the case because I’d love to read a series for this book.) Had a strong FMC and MMC. Both FMC and MMC were strongly written. Had forbidden love and so much more. Great storyline. I absolutely loved this book. I have already recommended this book to multiple people.
September 26, 2024
This book had me spellbound in it's world of forbidden romance between a Gargoyle Shifter and the woman who has been thrust into his world that he is bound by unseen magics to protect. Once I started reading this book I simply couldn't put it down. The chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts, and the spicy scenes were swoon worthy.
The author spent a lot of time explaining the world around them, but at times I got confused about the time line - was she there days? Weeks? Months? It felt a bit rushed after spending so much time explaining everything else and could have been expanded without losing interest in the story and made it feel more well rounded. That said, I loved that the main characters had rich background stories that brought credence to their hesitation and they didn't simply give in to temptation, it made them more believable, even in a fantasy world.
I didn't like how the main issue to their safety was brushed under the rug and later on we're to accept it was "fixed" without any explanation as to how or why, it really bothered me. But all in all it was a great book and I can't wait to see if the author has more books in this series coming.
This review was given freely by an ARC reader.
The author spent a lot of time explaining the world around them, but at times I got confused about the time line - was she there days? Weeks? Months? It felt a bit rushed after spending so much time explaining everything else and could have been expanded without losing interest in the story and made it feel more well rounded. That said, I loved that the main characters had rich background stories that brought credence to their hesitation and they didn't simply give in to temptation, it made them more believable, even in a fantasy world.
I didn't like how the main issue to their safety was brushed under the rug and later on we're to accept it was "fixed" without any explanation as to how or why, it really bothered me. But all in all it was a great book and I can't wait to see if the author has more books in this series coming.
This review was given freely by an ARC reader.
December 15, 2024
DNF
I tried. I tried so hard. This was an ARC and I wanted to get into it, but I just couldn't. I'll write a better dnf review soon, but for now, this was a struggle that I lost.
I tried. I tried so hard. This was an ARC and I wanted to get into it, but I just couldn't. I'll write a better dnf review soon, but for now, this was a struggle that I lost.
November 9, 2024
I came into this book excited about a forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance, which is definitely a unique take on fantasy romance! The plot had so much potential but fell a bit flat for me due to some pacing issues and missed opportunities for character development.
The idea of a forbidden romance between a gargoyle shifter and a human was intriguing. There’s something undeniably appealing about a classic story of two beings from different worlds coming together despite the odds. Gabriel, the guardian gargoyle, and Aria, the heiress of a magical castle, have a compelling dynamic, and the threats they face add a layer of excitement to their story. This could be a lovely choice for someone who enjoys a sweet, quick romance perfect for a cozy autumn evening.
The repetitiveness in the book became distracting. There’s an undeniable connection between Gabriel and Aria that’s established from the beginning, but the constant reminders of their magnetic pull and the same recycled phrases made the story feel redundant rather than passionate. I would have loved for the narrative to lean more into world-building, like offering details about gargoyle histor, rather than focusing on irrelevant backstory points, like the lengthy description of Aria's parents' death.
Character development was also a weak spot. Aria, the heroine, came across as naive, and her rushed emotional connection with Gabriel made the “mine/yours” trope feel unearned. There was a lack of descriptive imagery, which made it challenging to visualize the characters and their transformations, especially for a visually rich fantasy setup. The main couple’s relationship felt hurried, and without enough depth to ground their connection, the “fated mate” theme didn’t fully resonate.
In summary, this book had the framework for a strong story, but it needed more depth in its characters, pacing, and world-building to make it truly captivating. If you don’t mind a straightforward plot with a bit of fluff, you might still enjoy this. But for those looking for an immersive, character-driven fantasy romance, this one might not fully satisfy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
The idea of a forbidden romance between a gargoyle shifter and a human was intriguing. There’s something undeniably appealing about a classic story of two beings from different worlds coming together despite the odds. Gabriel, the guardian gargoyle, and Aria, the heiress of a magical castle, have a compelling dynamic, and the threats they face add a layer of excitement to their story. This could be a lovely choice for someone who enjoys a sweet, quick romance perfect for a cozy autumn evening.
The repetitiveness in the book became distracting. There’s an undeniable connection between Gabriel and Aria that’s established from the beginning, but the constant reminders of their magnetic pull and the same recycled phrases made the story feel redundant rather than passionate. I would have loved for the narrative to lean more into world-building, like offering details about gargoyle histor, rather than focusing on irrelevant backstory points, like the lengthy description of Aria's parents' death.
Character development was also a weak spot. Aria, the heroine, came across as naive, and her rushed emotional connection with Gabriel made the “mine/yours” trope feel unearned. There was a lack of descriptive imagery, which made it challenging to visualize the characters and their transformations, especially for a visually rich fantasy setup. The main couple’s relationship felt hurried, and without enough depth to ground their connection, the “fated mate” theme didn’t fully resonate.
In summary, this book had the framework for a strong story, but it needed more depth in its characters, pacing, and world-building to make it truly captivating. If you don’t mind a straightforward plot with a bit of fluff, you might still enjoy this. But for those looking for an immersive, character-driven fantasy romance, this one might not fully satisfy.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
September 30, 2024
(PL below)
I think this book meets all the needs of a romantasy and was very pleasant to read while curled up under a blanket with a cup of cocoa in hand. It was my first time coming across a gargoyle shifter romance, and I feel very encouraged to pick up more books with this theme.
What I liked:
- The MMC who is a gargoyle shifter and the castle's defender
- A quick introduction (I’m not a fan of lengthy world-building that delays the action by 50 pages)
- Magical creatures like witches, werewolves, and vampires
- The gothic castle vibe (maybe because I live in Europe myself, and it feels close to me <3)
- Fresh start after overcoming trauma – one of my favorite themes in books like this
What I disliked:
-I'm not a fan of the main heroine; she seemed bland and childish, though there is plenty of room for character development
- The relationship between the main couple developed a bit too quickly
Overall it's a really sweet story, perfect for a long autumn evening!
PL:
Myślę, że ta książka spełnia wszystkie potrzeby romantasy i bardzo przyjemnie się ją czytało pod kocykiem, z kubkiem kakao w ręce. Pierwszy raz natknęłam się na gargoyle shifter romance i czuję się bardzo zachęcona do chwycenia po kolejne książki z tym motywem.
Co mi się podobało:
- MMC, który jest gargoyle shifter, obrońca zamku
- szybie wprowadzenie (nie przepadam za przydługim worlbuildingiem, który opóźnia akcję o 50 stron)
- magiczne istoty jak wiedźmy, wilkołaki i wampiry
- vibe gotyckiego zamku (może dlatego, że sama mieszkam w Europie i jest mi to bliskie <3)
- fresh start after overcoming trauma - jeden z moich ulubionych motywów w książkach tego typu
Co mi się nie podobało?
- nie jestem fanką głównej bohaterki, wydawała się mdła i dziecinna, cóż miejsca do rozwinięcia jej charakteru jest aż nadto
- trochę za szybkie zawiązanie relacji między główną parą
I think this book meets all the needs of a romantasy and was very pleasant to read while curled up under a blanket with a cup of cocoa in hand. It was my first time coming across a gargoyle shifter romance, and I feel very encouraged to pick up more books with this theme.
What I liked:
- The MMC who is a gargoyle shifter and the castle's defender
- A quick introduction (I’m not a fan of lengthy world-building that delays the action by 50 pages)
- Magical creatures like witches, werewolves, and vampires
- The gothic castle vibe (maybe because I live in Europe myself, and it feels close to me <3)
- Fresh start after overcoming trauma – one of my favorite themes in books like this
What I disliked:
-I'm not a fan of the main heroine; she seemed bland and childish, though there is plenty of room for character development
- The relationship between the main couple developed a bit too quickly
Overall it's a really sweet story, perfect for a long autumn evening!
PL:
Myślę, że ta książka spełnia wszystkie potrzeby romantasy i bardzo przyjemnie się ją czytało pod kocykiem, z kubkiem kakao w ręce. Pierwszy raz natknęłam się na gargoyle shifter romance i czuję się bardzo zachęcona do chwycenia po kolejne książki z tym motywem.
Co mi się podobało:
- MMC, który jest gargoyle shifter, obrońca zamku
- szybie wprowadzenie (nie przepadam za przydługim worlbuildingiem, który opóźnia akcję o 50 stron)
- magiczne istoty jak wiedźmy, wilkołaki i wampiry
- vibe gotyckiego zamku (może dlatego, że sama mieszkam w Europie i jest mi to bliskie <3)
- fresh start after overcoming trauma - jeden z moich ulubionych motywów w książkach tego typu
Co mi się nie podobało?
- nie jestem fanką głównej bohaterki, wydawała się mdła i dziecinna, cóż miejsca do rozwinięcia jej charakteru jest aż nadto
- trochę za szybkie zawiązanie relacji między główną parą
September 28, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a quick, charming magical romance read that can have you in its grip if you don't mind a fairly straightforward plot to your books. It's about two very different beings - a guardian gargoyle and a human heiress of a magical castle - who are thrust upon one another because of circumstances beyond their control, but who eventually establish a rapid emotional connection with one another. Gabriel, the gargoyle, resists the pull to Aria, the castle's new mistress, at first because of a sense of duty to his primary role as castle guardian. But eventually, the threats forced upon them by their enemies make him realize that he is stronger together with Aria than if he were to deny his growing connection to her. The rest of the story thus takes us on a journey of how they overcome their troubles, both in the form of their enemies and the fears they harbor when it comes to their union.
The book's plot is promising, and for me it would have benefited further if a bit more focus was given on how the main characters' backstories are impacting their current outlooks; if there was greater emphasis on world-building; and if the battle and fight scenes were more explicit in their description. There were overly repetitive declarations made, too, such as Aria's gratitude for Gabriel's protection, and Gabriel's struggle in choosing between his pull to Aria and his dedicaton to sacred duty.
Overall, though, I still like this read and found the conclusion gratifying enough.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and I am thus leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This was a quick, charming magical romance read that can have you in its grip if you don't mind a fairly straightforward plot to your books. It's about two very different beings - a guardian gargoyle and a human heiress of a magical castle - who are thrust upon one another because of circumstances beyond their control, but who eventually establish a rapid emotional connection with one another. Gabriel, the gargoyle, resists the pull to Aria, the castle's new mistress, at first because of a sense of duty to his primary role as castle guardian. But eventually, the threats forced upon them by their enemies make him realize that he is stronger together with Aria than if he were to deny his growing connection to her. The rest of the story thus takes us on a journey of how they overcome their troubles, both in the form of their enemies and the fears they harbor when it comes to their union.
The book's plot is promising, and for me it would have benefited further if a bit more focus was given on how the main characters' backstories are impacting their current outlooks; if there was greater emphasis on world-building; and if the battle and fight scenes were more explicit in their description. There were overly repetitive declarations made, too, such as Aria's gratitude for Gabriel's protection, and Gabriel's struggle in choosing between his pull to Aria and his dedicaton to sacred duty.
Overall, though, I still like this read and found the conclusion gratifying enough.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and I am thus leaving this honest review voluntarily.
September 29, 2024
Finding the softness under his stone hard exterior
A shifter romance with drama, action, magic, secrets, tension, gargoyles, vampires, witches, wolves and slow-build romance with brilliant chemistry.
Aria loses her family when she was 8 and years later her fiancé to a car accident. She's struggling so when she's told she's inherited a castle in France she's happy to move to a new life. But when she's shown round her new home she senses there's something different about this place, and the gargoyles seem to keep moving.
Gabriel has been leading his clan in protecting the castle for centuries, mainly from the vampires of the Crimson Court who want the power at the centre of the castle. He's worried for the new mistress of the castle as she's human and weaker, but as he gets to know her he realises she's stronger than she looks and starts to show her more of the secrets the castle hides.
Gabriel and Aria are drawn to each other, no matter how much he tries to keep his guard up as his duty is just to protect her and the castle. The more she asks about the castle, and him, the more he wants to open up and share the secrets with her. But with the vampires planning to attack again he can't let his guard down, no matter how protective he's feeling; can alliances be formed with others to stop them?
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A shifter romance with drama, action, magic, secrets, tension, gargoyles, vampires, witches, wolves and slow-build romance with brilliant chemistry.
Aria loses her family when she was 8 and years later her fiancé to a car accident. She's struggling so when she's told she's inherited a castle in France she's happy to move to a new life. But when she's shown round her new home she senses there's something different about this place, and the gargoyles seem to keep moving.
Gabriel has been leading his clan in protecting the castle for centuries, mainly from the vampires of the Crimson Court who want the power at the centre of the castle. He's worried for the new mistress of the castle as she's human and weaker, but as he gets to know her he realises she's stronger than she looks and starts to show her more of the secrets the castle hides.
Gabriel and Aria are drawn to each other, no matter how much he tries to keep his guard up as his duty is just to protect her and the castle. The more she asks about the castle, and him, the more he wants to open up and share the secrets with her. But with the vampires planning to attack again he can't let his guard down, no matter how protective he's feeling; can alliances be formed with others to stop them?
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this gargoyle shifter romance that explores an ancient protector who is duty-bound to safeguard a sprawling castle and its latest owner, a young woman looking for a fresh start in an unknown place. The story beautifully balances fantasy with romantic tension, centering on their evolving connection.
The heroine is initially wary of the stone creature that watches over her but quickly realizes there is more to him. He’s a being filled with hidden depths, scars, and a yearning for something more than his duty.
The slow burn is deliciously drawn out, with moments of stolen glances, hesitant touches, and tension-filled interactions that sizzle with intensity. Their relationship grows not just from their physical proximity but from the trust and vulnerability they both learn to share. The hero’s loyalty to the castle and its heir makes him conflicted between his duty and his growing feelings for her, creating a powerful dynamic.
The setting of the castle is atmospheric, with gothic vibes that enhance the mood of the story, making it a perfect backdrop for both the romance and the dangers that surround them. This mixture of magic, mystery, and romance creates a deeply engaging and unforgettable story. Fans of slow-burn, paranormal romance will find themselves immersed in a world where love and duty collide in tantalizing ways.
I highly recommend reading this book. Yes it is a slow burn but the spice is spicing!
The heroine is initially wary of the stone creature that watches over her but quickly realizes there is more to him. He’s a being filled with hidden depths, scars, and a yearning for something more than his duty.
The slow burn is deliciously drawn out, with moments of stolen glances, hesitant touches, and tension-filled interactions that sizzle with intensity. Their relationship grows not just from their physical proximity but from the trust and vulnerability they both learn to share. The hero’s loyalty to the castle and its heir makes him conflicted between his duty and his growing feelings for her, creating a powerful dynamic.
The setting of the castle is atmospheric, with gothic vibes that enhance the mood of the story, making it a perfect backdrop for both the romance and the dangers that surround them. This mixture of magic, mystery, and romance creates a deeply engaging and unforgettable story. Fans of slow-burn, paranormal romance will find themselves immersed in a world where love and duty collide in tantalizing ways.
I highly recommend reading this book. Yes it is a slow burn but the spice is spicing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
This paranormal gargoyle and vampire romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building at Darkstone Castle and characters that are vampires/gargoyles-a shifter, ancient and powerful, exuding power, alpha, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with Darkstone Castle holding secrets...and seductions in this heart-pounding paranormal romance featuring a girl who finally finds her place lint he world and the alpha gargoyle who wins her heart, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice in this forbidden love romance that will leave readers breathless and begging for more, shadows that lurk within and outside the castle's walls, amidst a looming war between gargoyles and vampires, forbidden love might be the key to saving their world, or destroying ti, action, adventure, heartfelt emotions, suspense, drama, danger, and more in this thrill journey that explores the mystical land of Darkstone Castle. To find out what happens, I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her reader's hearts and attention with the alpha stone heart and an explicit forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous and unforgettable.
I received this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
I was part of the ARC team.
PLOT: I enjoyed the plot, but I would have liked to read more about the lore of the gargoyles and the family history of the FMC. I feel like there was a lot to be desired with backstory.
WRITING STYLE: I enjoyed that the writing style was easy to read. There’s nothing worse than jumping into a fantasy book and not being able to get more than a few pages in. With all that being said, it was a bit repetitive at times and felt a little immature compared to similar stories. Not awful though.
CHARACTERS: The FMC and love interest had good banter, and I think that’s huge for romance books, so bonus points from me. He gives off “touch her and die” vibes, and who doesn’t like that in their romance book? Only negative is I felt the FMC transitioned into this new world with almost no issues and it felt a little too unlikely (but also it’s a gargoyle shifter romance book, so I guess asking for realness isn’t fair of me, haha).
SETTING: Similar to the plot, I enjoyed the setting. I wish there was a little more detail but definitely not a deal breaker for me.
OVERALL: I give this a 3.5-4.0 stars. I usually give books too high of a rating, so I’m trying hard to adjust for how others rate. I would recommend this to others. I might buy a physical copy. But I don’t think I would buy this as a gift for others.
PLOT: I enjoyed the plot, but I would have liked to read more about the lore of the gargoyles and the family history of the FMC. I feel like there was a lot to be desired with backstory.
WRITING STYLE: I enjoyed that the writing style was easy to read. There’s nothing worse than jumping into a fantasy book and not being able to get more than a few pages in. With all that being said, it was a bit repetitive at times and felt a little immature compared to similar stories. Not awful though.
CHARACTERS: The FMC and love interest had good banter, and I think that’s huge for romance books, so bonus points from me. He gives off “touch her and die” vibes, and who doesn’t like that in their romance book? Only negative is I felt the FMC transitioned into this new world with almost no issues and it felt a little too unlikely (but also it’s a gargoyle shifter romance book, so I guess asking for realness isn’t fair of me, haha).
SETTING: Similar to the plot, I enjoyed the setting. I wish there was a little more detail but definitely not a deal breaker for me.
OVERALL: I give this a 3.5-4.0 stars. I usually give books too high of a rating, so I’m trying hard to adjust for how others rate. I would recommend this to others. I might buy a physical copy. But I don’t think I would buy this as a gift for others.
October 4, 2024
I received this book as a member of the ARC team. This is the first time seeing the new cover, and I love it!
I have never read a forbidden-love gargoyle-shifter romance before, but I’m all about romantasy, so I was looking forward to reading something new. It had a classic plot to it with some good qualities and some parts that could use a few tweaks.
1. There weren't enough details to allow me to understand what the main characters looked like or really visualize the setting. For instance, sometimes it wasn't evident when Gabriel transformed back and forth — there were times I didn't know whether he was in his human form vs his gargoyle form.
2. The beginning of the book and introduction to the castle seemed to go by too fast. I needed a happy middle between it being dragged out and rushed through. I feel like there could have been at least a little more information leading up to Aria finally visiting the castle.
3. Most of the book seemed to be fluff. Now don’t get me wrong — I love fluff. That’s one of the things I genuinely really enjoyed. It was just a tad bit repetitive, especially towards the beginning.
This book has a lot of potential! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. I hope my review helps!
I have never read a forbidden-love gargoyle-shifter romance before, but I’m all about romantasy, so I was looking forward to reading something new. It had a classic plot to it with some good qualities and some parts that could use a few tweaks.
1. There weren't enough details to allow me to understand what the main characters looked like or really visualize the setting. For instance, sometimes it wasn't evident when Gabriel transformed back and forth — there were times I didn't know whether he was in his human form vs his gargoyle form.
2. The beginning of the book and introduction to the castle seemed to go by too fast. I needed a happy middle between it being dragged out and rushed through. I feel like there could have been at least a little more information leading up to Aria finally visiting the castle.
3. Most of the book seemed to be fluff. Now don’t get me wrong — I love fluff. That’s one of the things I genuinely really enjoyed. It was just a tad bit repetitive, especially towards the beginning.
This book has a lot of potential! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your ARC team. I hope my review helps!
September 27, 2024
Aria is the FMC and to say she has trust issues is putting it mildly, add to that she knows nothing of the supernatural world. Gabriel is a gargoyle shifter, tied to the castle by magic as a way to protect the castle and its inhabitants. Aria doesn’t make sense to me most of the time. She blithely accepts strange decrees from a man/gargoyle she’s just met, after the Author sets up the first part of the book by saying she trusts no one, add in that she’s willing to jump in and defend the castle against Vampires (when she’s not even trained ), then has hot sex with Gabriel within days of arriving. Then we have Gabriel whose sole stated purpose is to protect the Castle and the Amethyst stone from the Vampires and anyone else trying to overtake it. The storyline was a great premise, it’s just not executed clearly or in such a way that it’s believable urban fiction. I really wanted to like this book, it just didn’t have all “the feels”, I like to have in my reads. I’ve read and enjoyed many books from the Author and wished she had taken more care with this one. 3✨’s . I received a copy of the book as an ARC and am choosing to leave this review.
September 29, 2024
I really liked the story. It had a lot of potential. The main characters are relatable and endearing. The plot is pretty fast, a little repetitive, and it felt pretty slow burn.
However… I have questions.
I was extremely confused when the epilogue was located in between chapter 16 and 17. One moment they are meeting with the witches and heading to meet the wolves, I flip the page and there is the epilogue and “2 years later” as the time. Then the next chapter they are meeting the wolves. Not gonna lie, since I already knew how it ended I was hoping for some amazing twist that would explain the randomly placed epilogue. But nope.
I thought it was funny when Aria said to Gabriel “Our future isn’t set in stone.” OMG what an odd thing to say to a gargoyle who is actually set in stone. Ha!
Another thing that I’m not sure if it bothered me or made me laugh.. after the battle Gabriel said “Back then everything seemed so certain.” But he was referring to the night before… I’ve never heard anyone refer to the previous day as “back then”.
Even with all of these issues, I still enjoyed the light read.
However… I have questions.
I was extremely confused when the epilogue was located in between chapter 16 and 17. One moment they are meeting with the witches and heading to meet the wolves, I flip the page and there is the epilogue and “2 years later” as the time. Then the next chapter they are meeting the wolves. Not gonna lie, since I already knew how it ended I was hoping for some amazing twist that would explain the randomly placed epilogue. But nope.
I thought it was funny when Aria said to Gabriel “Our future isn’t set in stone.” OMG what an odd thing to say to a gargoyle who is actually set in stone. Ha!
Another thing that I’m not sure if it bothered me or made me laugh.. after the battle Gabriel said “Back then everything seemed so certain.” But he was referring to the night before… I’ve never heard anyone refer to the previous day as “back then”.
Even with all of these issues, I still enjoyed the light read.
October 1, 2024
Alphas Stone heart
I had high hopes for this book, as I love fantasy/romantasy books however I feel like the characters and the story lines are soo rushed, there isn’t much character building before the gargoyle Gabriel is like falling for Aria. I feel like this book had so much more potential for it to really make you fall in love with the characters and have a deep connection with them, but with it being so rushed that was not the case.
Gabriel as a gargoyle I would assume would be much stronger however he seems weak and cringy at times. Just my opinion.
Character building with the vampires and more info into their feud and more in depth about the history would of make this book more interesting, I feel like a lot of information to grab the attention of the reader is left out.
I did love the spicy 🌶️ scenes. They were really good. I enjoyed the love between Aria and Gabriel as the book went on, and I always love a happy ending for sure. It’s a book with no cliff hangers so that’s nice!
I gave it three starts bc I wish there was more depth ! But the author may not be a writer like that, and that’s totally okay! It was entertaining and I enjoyed it!
I had high hopes for this book, as I love fantasy/romantasy books however I feel like the characters and the story lines are soo rushed, there isn’t much character building before the gargoyle Gabriel is like falling for Aria. I feel like this book had so much more potential for it to really make you fall in love with the characters and have a deep connection with them, but with it being so rushed that was not the case.
Gabriel as a gargoyle I would assume would be much stronger however he seems weak and cringy at times. Just my opinion.
Character building with the vampires and more info into their feud and more in depth about the history would of make this book more interesting, I feel like a lot of information to grab the attention of the reader is left out.
I did love the spicy 🌶️ scenes. They were really good. I enjoyed the love between Aria and Gabriel as the book went on, and I always love a happy ending for sure. It’s a book with no cliff hangers so that’s nice!
I gave it three starts bc I wish there was more depth ! But the author may not be a writer like that, and that’s totally okay! It was entertaining and I enjoyed it!
September 27, 2024
So this was my first Gargoyle Shifter book. LORD HAVE MERCY the spice was spicy! 🌶️ This was a slow burn, forbidden love romance but once it happened whooooo 😵
I do wish there was a little more backstory on FMC on why her uncle left her this castle and how her family came across the powers but other than that. Amazing story.
I like the action, banter, love story balance. This was one book once I was in it I was in it for the long haul and finished quickly.
This was a touch her and die type book but I do wish he acted on it more. I like how she wasn’t a damsel in distress the entire book. She was strong willed and held her ground.
I am a dark romance girlie and this was definitely on the lighter side of that but I do like the theme of the book and this definitely turned me on to a new genre.
I hope there is a part 2 to this book. I want to find out if they can break what is holding them bound to the castle. I love the dual POV. I love that the main characters had to learn to trust and love each other, but there was a definitely a spark with them from the beginning. 🖤
I do wish there was a little more backstory on FMC on why her uncle left her this castle and how her family came across the powers but other than that. Amazing story.
I like the action, banter, love story balance. This was one book once I was in it I was in it for the long haul and finished quickly.
This was a touch her and die type book but I do wish he acted on it more. I like how she wasn’t a damsel in distress the entire book. She was strong willed and held her ground.
I am a dark romance girlie and this was definitely on the lighter side of that but I do like the theme of the book and this definitely turned me on to a new genre.
I hope there is a part 2 to this book. I want to find out if they can break what is holding them bound to the castle. I love the dual POV. I love that the main characters had to learn to trust and love each other, but there was a definitely a spark with them from the beginning. 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2024
I had a really hard time with the pacing of this book. I loved the idea of overcoming trauma and a fresh start but I could not get past how fast everything was happening. I feel like there were details left out and things left unresolved. I couldn’t get a feel for the timeline and felt like this should have been longer to add in those details. I ended up DNFing because I just couldn’t get into the story with so much being left out and rushed. There was more detail about the loss of her parents and boyfriend in the beginning than about the point of the gargoyles and vampires. The MMC and FMC’s first interaction is where I lost interest because their conversation was between two people speaking for the first time, but the characters were talking like they’ve ran into each other before. The storyline had potential (that I was really excited about), but fell flat with the lack of important details and world building.
September 27, 2024
This is my first book by Autumn Daniels. I received an ARC for an honest review.
If you're looking for a quick read about a Gargoyle shifter, then this may be the book for you. It's a fast paced story that makes it a swift read.
That said, the pacing was at a fast clip which left me filling in gaps through assumption of the characters rather than it being told from the get go. While I appreciate the aspect of a shorter book from time to time, there's a lot to cover. I felt this story could have benefited with a more leisurely approach to establish the plot. There is a wonderful storyline here, but needed to be explored in greater depth.
The characters are intriguing, and their backstories are well-crafted. I really wished the narrative had slowed down to focus on their journeys—how they confront their traumas, form relationships, and tackle obstacles. There’s so much potential that deserves more attention!
If you're looking for a quick read about a Gargoyle shifter, then this may be the book for you. It's a fast paced story that makes it a swift read.
That said, the pacing was at a fast clip which left me filling in gaps through assumption of the characters rather than it being told from the get go. While I appreciate the aspect of a shorter book from time to time, there's a lot to cover. I felt this story could have benefited with a more leisurely approach to establish the plot. There is a wonderful storyline here, but needed to be explored in greater depth.
The characters are intriguing, and their backstories are well-crafted. I really wished the narrative had slowed down to focus on their journeys—how they confront their traumas, form relationships, and tackle obstacles. There’s so much potential that deserves more attention!
September 27, 2024
This was my first ARC read as well as my first gargoyle shifter romance. After constant loss, Aria has nothing holding her back from moving to a foreign castle. She soon learns the gargoyles guarding her inherited castle are supernatural beings who come to life. One particular gargoyle captures her attention and he can't stay away either.
It's very fluffy and sweet. Insta love but also forbidden and slow burn. Lots of danger to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, romance to make their heart swell, as well as twists and spice. The premise was great. I didn't want to put the book down once I started. Would love to read more if she continues with a series.
I had few complaints but overall really enjoyed the book. Some parts in the beginning felt repetitive. And some parts weren't explained enough, like the gargoyles' history.
I would like to thank Autumn Daniels and her team for giving me the opportunity to read and review Alpha's Stone Heart
It's very fluffy and sweet. Insta love but also forbidden and slow burn. Lots of danger to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, romance to make their heart swell, as well as twists and spice. The premise was great. I didn't want to put the book down once I started. Would love to read more if she continues with a series.
I had few complaints but overall really enjoyed the book. Some parts in the beginning felt repetitive. And some parts weren't explained enough, like the gargoyles' history.
I would like to thank Autumn Daniels and her team for giving me the opportunity to read and review Alpha's Stone Heart
September 27, 2024
I read this as part of the ARC team.
My overall rating is three stars. The overall story has a ton of potential, the execution just wasn’t quite there.
I’ve read a lot of romantacy stories, and this was my first gargoyle shifter romance. I will definitely read more - loved that aspect.
Things just felt repetitive and confusing a bit. There wasn’t a lot of depth or explaining of how things came to be. The FMC wasn’t my favorite, but that isn’t why I didn’t love this. There were just several aspects that felt unfinished like how the FMC and MMC’s connection was just like there, or the introduction to the castle, and I’m confused about when this takes place. The FMC takes a plane to the castle but she describes the lighting there as candlelight. It took me out of the story a bit.
Again, I think there’s a lot of potential here and I was really rooting for the story. I’d read more from this author and really appreciate being part of the ARC team.
My overall rating is three stars. The overall story has a ton of potential, the execution just wasn’t quite there.
I’ve read a lot of romantacy stories, and this was my first gargoyle shifter romance. I will definitely read more - loved that aspect.
Things just felt repetitive and confusing a bit. There wasn’t a lot of depth or explaining of how things came to be. The FMC wasn’t my favorite, but that isn’t why I didn’t love this. There were just several aspects that felt unfinished like how the FMC and MMC’s connection was just like there, or the introduction to the castle, and I’m confused about when this takes place. The FMC takes a plane to the castle but she describes the lighting there as candlelight. It took me out of the story a bit.
Again, I think there’s a lot of potential here and I was really rooting for the story. I’d read more from this author and really appreciate being part of the ARC team.
October 1, 2024
The book was an easy and light novel- I received it as a part of the ARC team and was thrilled to read it! It was pretty fast and enjoyable story.
The main characters have good chemistry between them - I enjoyed both Aria and Gabriel’s POV. I think that the whole book had great potential, but I do wish there were more details and the timeline was clearer. Things felt to me a little bit rushed and at times repetitive, especially in the first few chapters. More description about their surroundings, history and their back stories would build the novel much more and made it a little bit more complex. If the timeline was a little ‘longer’ it wouldn’t feel so sudden when things took place.
I really liked the romance and plot. I have never read a gargoyle shifter romance and I thought the author was rather creative. The spicy level was great too- just enough without overwhelming the whole story.
The main characters have good chemistry between them - I enjoyed both Aria and Gabriel’s POV. I think that the whole book had great potential, but I do wish there were more details and the timeline was clearer. Things felt to me a little bit rushed and at times repetitive, especially in the first few chapters. More description about their surroundings, history and their back stories would build the novel much more and made it a little bit more complex. If the timeline was a little ‘longer’ it wouldn’t feel so sudden when things took place.
I really liked the romance and plot. I have never read a gargoyle shifter romance and I thought the author was rather creative. The spicy level was great too- just enough without overwhelming the whole story.
September 26, 2024
This story was a great balance of adventure and romance, with a fantastic pairing at the centre of it all. Gabriel and Aria have incredible chemistry set amongst a magical setting and an impending war. Seeing them navigate their duties and their growing feelings for one another makes for a good read.
The main criticism I have for the story is that the pacing felt a bit off. Parts of it seemed a bit rushed. I would have loved to see the plot get fleshed out a bit more to fully take advantage of the compelling setting.
Here's some of my favourite quotes:
- "I swear, she will pay for this. You - this castle - I won't let anyone threaten what's mine."
- "She's power and passion, wrapped in flesh and blood, and I am utterly hers."
- "There's a possessiveness in her touch that speaks of forbidden love, of a bond that defies the rules set by gods and men."
The main criticism I have for the story is that the pacing felt a bit off. Parts of it seemed a bit rushed. I would have loved to see the plot get fleshed out a bit more to fully take advantage of the compelling setting.
Here's some of my favourite quotes:
- "I swear, she will pay for this. You - this castle - I won't let anyone threaten what's mine."
- "She's power and passion, wrapped in flesh and blood, and I am utterly hers."
- "There's a possessiveness in her touch that speaks of forbidden love, of a bond that defies the rules set by gods and men."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2024
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alpha's stone heart was a fast-paced, insta love novel. I enjoyed the main characters, Gabriel and Aria, but prefer a slow burn story.
This book was well written with good world building and a fast-paced plot. It did feel a little repetitive at some points, but overall, well done! The book starts out with us meeting Aria, a sassy, strongwilled girl who has been through more than enough in her lifetime inheriting darkstone Castle, where we meet Gabriel a gargoyle set to protect darkstone castle and it's secrets at all costs. I enjoyed watching the connection between Aria and Gabriel grow as well as the family ties between Aria and Gabriel's found family.
Spice: I would give a 2.5/5 minimal smut, but it's there!
Tropes:
Touch her and die
Alpha male
Found family
1 bed
Alpha's stone heart was a fast-paced, insta love novel. I enjoyed the main characters, Gabriel and Aria, but prefer a slow burn story.
This book was well written with good world building and a fast-paced plot. It did feel a little repetitive at some points, but overall, well done! The book starts out with us meeting Aria, a sassy, strongwilled girl who has been through more than enough in her lifetime inheriting darkstone Castle, where we meet Gabriel a gargoyle set to protect darkstone castle and it's secrets at all costs. I enjoyed watching the connection between Aria and Gabriel grow as well as the family ties between Aria and Gabriel's found family.
Spice: I would give a 2.5/5 minimal smut, but it's there!
Tropes:
Touch her and die
Alpha male
Found family
1 bed
September 29, 2024
I received an Arc copy of Alpha’s Stone Heart by Autumn Daniels.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Stars
🌶️🌶️-Spice
This book is a forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance. I wouldn’t mind inheriting Darkstone Castle myself. It is a nice quick read that is very light and sweet with a guaranteed HEA. The FMC Aria is a human who inherits a magical castle in Europe that is protected by gargoyles. She decides to move there to get a new start in life. The MMC, a gargoyle named Gabriel, is an enigmatic guardian who is bound to the castle by magic. He instantly feels a connection to Aria but tries to resist it because of his position and duties. Aria and Gabriel are pulled together having to protect the secrets of the castle from vampires. The plot was fast paced and the world building good. Some parts were a little repetitive but all in all a good read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Stars
🌶️🌶️-Spice
This book is a forbidden love gargoyle shifter romance. I wouldn’t mind inheriting Darkstone Castle myself. It is a nice quick read that is very light and sweet with a guaranteed HEA. The FMC Aria is a human who inherits a magical castle in Europe that is protected by gargoyles. She decides to move there to get a new start in life. The MMC, a gargoyle named Gabriel, is an enigmatic guardian who is bound to the castle by magic. He instantly feels a connection to Aria but tries to resist it because of his position and duties. Aria and Gabriel are pulled together having to protect the secrets of the castle from vampires. The plot was fast paced and the world building good. Some parts were a little repetitive but all in all a good read.
October 7, 2024
My first book by this author
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I did enjoy it for the most part…I can’t even pinpoint exactly what made me not completely love it either as I can definitely see myself reading more by this author but, for some reason, I just didn’t feel completely satisfied reading this. There are some possible explanations for the way I feel but I can’t really point them out without going into spoiler territory so I’ll just say that I felt like things were discovered too conveniently and other things weren’t explained to my satisfaction and maybe that’s what made me not love this more than I did. I did enjoy reading it but felt like I could have enjoyed it more if some key elements weren’t so glossed over/seemingly too easily resolved. It was otherwise well written aside from a few typos
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I did enjoy it for the most part…I can’t even pinpoint exactly what made me not completely love it either as I can definitely see myself reading more by this author but, for some reason, I just didn’t feel completely satisfied reading this. There are some possible explanations for the way I feel but I can’t really point them out without going into spoiler territory so I’ll just say that I felt like things were discovered too conveniently and other things weren’t explained to my satisfaction and maybe that’s what made me not love this more than I did. I did enjoy reading it but felt like I could have enjoyed it more if some key elements weren’t so glossed over/seemingly too easily resolved. It was otherwise well written aside from a few typos
October 7, 2024
I was given the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book! I must say this was an amazing story with a lot of potential. I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of the two main characters we follow through the plot. The only critique I could give, is that I was slightly off put by the time frames and wished there was a little more emphasis on where we were at. Another thing is the main conflict to their safety seemed brushed under the rug though maybe it was intended that way to build suspense for another book? Otherwise an amazing story and world building I could almost paint a picture in my mind of the different places described. The intimacy scenes were off the charts and it was a very enjoyable read. It gave me a very nostalgic vibe to books that I read while in school and would love to read further into this mystical world that has been created!!
September 26, 2024
This is the first Gargoyle shifter book I have read and it sure was enjoyable!!
Autumn certainly delivered with an outstanding, heart pounding, spicy, edge of your seat story. I was kept so intrigued by what was going to happen and the secrets the castle held.
The FMC Aria is head strong, adventurous, stubborn but loyal to those that earn her trust. The MMC Gabriel is very protective of the castle he has been guarding for centuries and all who dwell in it, but more so towards Aria than any other. Together with the Gargoyle clan they attempt to protect Darkstone
Castle from the Vampires of the Crimson Court. Problems occur, awkward alliances are made and battles are fought.
What more can I say? Fantastic read with a great ending!
Autumn certainly delivered with an outstanding, heart pounding, spicy, edge of your seat story. I was kept so intrigued by what was going to happen and the secrets the castle held.
The FMC Aria is head strong, adventurous, stubborn but loyal to those that earn her trust. The MMC Gabriel is very protective of the castle he has been guarding for centuries and all who dwell in it, but more so towards Aria than any other. Together with the Gargoyle clan they attempt to protect Darkstone
Castle from the Vampires of the Crimson Court. Problems occur, awkward alliances are made and battles are fought.
What more can I say? Fantastic read with a great ending!
September 26, 2024
This is a great book to read. It is a book that I found hard to put down. You have a war that has been raging for centuries between Gargoyle shifters and Vampires. The vampires are trying to steal a crystal that has powerful magic to make them immortal for good, but that is the gargoyles power to be able to shift and not stay as stone. The new master of the castle comes and finally finds a home that she actually wants to be at and she is willing to do whatever it takes to defend it with the gargoyles. It takes a while for trust to be built between them, but once they trust each other they are able to defend the castle easily. If you love paranormal romance then you should give this book a try.
September 26, 2024
I think if you are looking for something short and sweet to read, then you might really enjoy this book. It's a quick read and very fast paced.
My biggest critique is with the pacing. After just a few short chapters, I felt like I lost any grasp on time. Things were progressing very, very quickly (in my own opinion, much too quickly). It is a short book, after all, but still. I guess I just feel like there's a really good story line here, and I would've loved to see it developed a bit further with all the extra little details. The potential is there.
The characters and their background stories are amazing, I just really wanted to slow it down and see more of the process behind them overcoming trauma, building relationships, and defeating obstacles.
My biggest critique is with the pacing. After just a few short chapters, I felt like I lost any grasp on time. Things were progressing very, very quickly (in my own opinion, much too quickly). It is a short book, after all, but still. I guess I just feel like there's a really good story line here, and I would've loved to see it developed a bit further with all the extra little details. The potential is there.
The characters and their background stories are amazing, I just really wanted to slow it down and see more of the process behind them overcoming trauma, building relationships, and defeating obstacles.
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