Secrets at Dawn

Forbidden Entanglements #3

by April Kelley

A nerdy college student who just wants to pass all his class has a secret that just might land all over town. And the ex-jock turned handyman warlock gets caught in the crossfire when it turns out they’re fated mate.
Matthias Spencer has a secret. His perfect grades and spending every waking moment studying hides a past he’d rather forget. When a prison break ends up on the six o’clock evening news and his father’s face ends up a national news story, he has no choice but to tell the authorities.

Griffin isn’t ready for a mate. He wants to live a bachelor’s lifestyle a bit longer. When he meets his brother’s best friend, he has to make a decision. Does he accept Matthias as his fated mate or reject him? Having Matthias for a mate means the decision might be a deadly one.

Griffin is the only one who can protect Matthias. But who will protect him?

Secrets at Dawn is the third book in the MM Paranormal Romance Forbidden Entanglements series. It features a nerdy astrophysics student who doesn’t know a wrench from a hammer and an ex-jock mechanic who likes to use his hands for more than just fixing cars. If you like fated mates with a size-difference, forbidden love, knotting, small towns then you’ll love this sensual romance. This is a Fortune Falls Novel.

Buy Secrets at Dawn and find out what secrets come to Fortune Falls this time.

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2025

About the author

Living in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories. If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.

If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.

Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com

Reviews

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets at Dawn by April Kelley is the 3rd book in her Forbidden Entanglements series. It is the story of a wolf shifter with a magical secret to hide and his fated mate warlock as they protect each other from outside forces and share their love. Toby Spencer is a very unique wolf shifter. He has magical abilities that most don’t have and many don’t want him around because of them. He spent his early life away from civilization with his father who taught him to fight and to hide his abilities but the outside world finally caught up with them and when he used them to protect his father, the hunters discovered what he could do and they ended up killing his him as he tried to protect Toby. He laid low and grew up, finding himself at Dinsmore College in Fortune Falls where he was a scientist studying cryptology and genetics with some business classes because he hoped to open his own shop someday. His best friend is Riley and they spend a lot of time together. Riley’s father is the sheriff of the town and his brother, Griffin, and mate, Cass, are deputies. There has been some major pack trouble after the old alpha died and they fought the Timeston pack and won, so they are needed more now than ever to keep the peace. Toby lives across from the town park and likes to run every morning. One day he sees one of the runners he waves to being assaulted by two “dickwads” and goes to save her and to do so has to use his magical powers. When the head dickwad realizes what he has done, he tries to blackmail him into doing illegal things for him and his family, which Toby refuses to do, because if he does his powers will be revealed and also because he could get in trouble. In addition to being a deputy, which he doesn’t like, Griffin is also runs Palmer’s Handyjobs and is currently working on remodeling a bakery for Riley. When they talk and he says he could use some more help, Riley suggests Toby as he worked with his father on their cabin when they were together. When they meet, sparks fly because the immediately know they are mates. But Toby won’t tell Griffin about his magic, even though Griffin is a warlock and can sense it, but he doesn’t press him. Toby knows that he is being watched and is scared for Griffin and doesn’t want him to get involved in what is happening to him so he keeps him at arm’s length. But Griffin is hopeful that when Toby trusts him, he will tell him what is going on. Many things happen during this time, including Griffin being watched and finding a letter on the street addressed to Toby that tells what his powers are, involving the sheriff who is Griffin’s father, and more threats and blackmail for Toby because he won’t do what the dickwads want. Then something horrible happens to Toby where he winds up in the hospital. Griffin and Toby have felt the need to bond because they are mates and finally do it there with a hot love scene because they know they belong together. Then something happens that almost kills all of them and Toby finally comes clean about his magic and also about what has been happening to him. They pledge to be protective of each other and do what needs to be done to bring the people involved to justice, especially since they realize the leadership of the pack is involved. They form a plan where Toby uses his magic for good and are able to get the leader behind the blackmailing to confess and get taken into custody. It is then that Toby and Griffin are able to openly show their love and go on with their lives. I really enjoyed this book. It was quite suspenseful at times because Toby couldn’t disclose his magic abilities but others knew and were out to exploit them. Toby was smart and resourceful and very protective with not wanting to involve Griffin in what was happening to him. We also learn that he is an alpha which will come into play at the end of the story. Griffin was patient and kind and also had a protective streak but he was willing to wait until Toby was ready to disclose his abilities and what was going on with him. Once he found out he was willing to do whatever needed to be done to help him. The sheriff, Riley, Cass, and other people in the town were also an important part of the story as they helped to find out what was behind everything that was happening to Toby and others and having them get what they deserve. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like stories involving werewolves, warlocks, magical powers that people think are wrong, blackmail from some nasty men and finding a way to bring them to justice all while being mates and falling in love.

[Kurohagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I love April Kelley's world of magic and werewolves, romance and adventure.
The characters are endearing, mysterious, and loyal.
I loved Toby and Griffin, I love how protective they are of each other. Griffin comes from an atypical family. Toby has no family left. Griffin is the sheriff's son. Toby is in serious trouble with some thugs. Toby has a heavy secret that he can't reveal to just anyone.
I love the dynamic between Toby and Griffin. I love how Toby doesn't fit the Alpha cliché and how he knows how to show his vulnerability to Griffin, demanding his attention.
In conclusion, this book is too short! It's only the beginning of Toby and Griffin's story! Toby has so much potential. But shhh... I don't want to spoil it.

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J'ai absolument adoré ce livre. J'adore l'univers d'April KELLEY entre magie et loup-garou, entre romance et aventure.
Les personnages sont attachants, mystérieux et loyaux.
J'ai adoré Toby et Griffin, j'aime comme ils sont protecteurs l'un envers l'autre. Griffin vient d'une famille atypique. Toby n'a plus de famille. Griffin est le fils du Sheriff. Toby a de graves ennuis avec des malfrats. Toby a un lourd secret, qu'il ne peut dévoiler à n'importe qui.
J'aime la dynamique entre Toby et Griffin. J'aime comme Toby n'entre pas dans les clichés de l'Alpha et comme il sait se montrer vulnérable face à Griffin, à réclamer son attention.
En conclusion, ce livre est trop court ! ce n'est que le début de l'histoire de Toby et Griffin ! Toby a tellement de potentiel. Mais chut... Je ne veux pas spoiler.

[Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby is a wolf shifter student at the local college and a runner. And his best friend at school was Riley, the sheriff’s son. When he sees a female runner attacked in the parking lot just off his apartment balcony he calls the police. Sherrif Iver and Riley’s mate Deputy Cass take the men away but not before one of them threatens Toby because he smells magic on him. If it isn’t bad enough that a group of wolf shifters who think its an abomination for any of them to be strong magic users, Toby realizes he has landed himself in the middle of a pack war just as he meets his fated mate. Griff is also a deputy and Riley’s older brother, and he can tell Toby is keeping big secrets.
Secrets is the third book in April’s Forbidden Entanglements series. Interesting world building where shifters and Humans live openly together. Iver’s family carries over through the series and there is an undercurrent of vicious pack politics running throughout. I’m a huge fan of April’s 13 book Saint Lakes series so this was a one click for me. I am definitely looking forward to book four.

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets at Dawn by April Kelley is book three in her Forbidden Entanglements series. A warlock handyman finds his mate in a wolf shifter with an unusual magic. Neither Griffin Palmer, town handyman, and cryptology and genetics student, Toby Spencer were looking for a mate.Which is what they told themselves. It was a meet cute, Toby needed a job and Griffin needed help, juggling his regular duties with brother, Riley's bakery redfab.
Lots of suspense in this story. Toby is being blackmailed by a wolf who wants revenge. He tries to keep Griffin safe by pushing the other man away, but that never works. Their relationship is very tender with the townsfolk and the Palmer family supporting and pushing them together. Nice story pacing and good world building. We get a bit of spicy sizzle, which happens as trust is learned. And wolf shifters with magicphobia.
It looks like Ms. Kelly is moving on from Fortune Falls. I'm not too worried. She did leave and comeback to Wingspan and Saint Lakes. Maybe we'll see more Fortune Falls sooner or later.
I received an advanced copy of this ebook and this is my review.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable instalment in the Forbidden Entanglements series.

I really liked Griffin in the previous books, so I was happy to see him finally find a mate of his own. Toby has spent most of his life hiding because of his differences, but when he meets Griffin, things have to change, or they don't stand a chance as a mated couple or against the bad guys.

Things are still in limbo in the pack world, and the need for power turns the worst people into even worse people. And poor Toby and, by default, Griffin and his family are in the crosshairs of those out to take power for themselves. I enjoyed following these two as they navigate everything going on around them and Toby's secret. I also enjoyed catching up with the characters from the previous books and seeing how they are doing.

I look forward to seeing what happens next. This series should be read in order for a full understanding of what is going on.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets at Dawn, Forbidden Entanglements Book Three, by April Kelley is the third installment following the small town of Fortune Falls, where various members of the supernatural community co-exist. I enjoyed this book because of the flow of the story and development of each of the main characters. We get to see prior characters, of course, and the story arc continues smoothly because of the continuity of plot and individuals. Toby has a serious secret and the exposure of that secret, plus other aspects of his person, make him interesting. Griffin returns from the previous books, and finds the missing part of himself he never thought to find. I hope this series continues and expands. DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Rhonda Boone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series based in a paranormal magical world with werewolves, warlocks, witches throw in fated mates element and of course add mystery, suspense, murder, and evil wolves wanting to take over...the story drew me into this world and kept me captivated and turning those pages to see WHAT will happen next 🫣 Loved the mysteries and intriguing story plot as well as Toby and Griffin's slow budding relationship..really enjoyed the characters banter and can't wait to see how the series continues to unfold....

I received as an ARC and leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets at Dawn is book three in the Forbidden Entanglement series by April Kelley.
This is a yummy fated mates romance. I felt for Toby, so much had happened to him after the death of his father. The secret he carried was such a heavy burden, yet he had so much to offer. I loved the way Griffin was with him. They were perfect for each other. I was happy to see them catch the bad guys and get their HEA. Loved it.

[Charline Saint-Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby is a witch and alpha who has a secret he feels he needs to protect and a mate I was screaming for him to trust (mind you Griffin is my favorite) him with his secret and lean on him.

This book is fast pace and picks up where the last book left off. I would highly recommend this series and book

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I absolutely loved this story. This is the third book in the series and definitely needs to be read in order for maximum enjoyment. The world building is amazing and the characters are fascinating and intriguing. It was so nice to see the other characters again and I really enjoyed the dynamic between these two.

[Mary G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read. I liked Tony and Griffin and their fated mate love story. I love a found family story. The family ties in this book are great. I do wish it was a little longer and developed the relationship a little more.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby helps to save a woman out for a morning jog and he is approached by 2 men who want to pay him to get rid of someone.
He is best friends with Riley and eventually meets Griffin who turns out to be his mate.

[Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pleasant read and I can’t wait for the next installment.

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit to short.