Declan

by Dria Andersen

Amber Bennett carried her family on her back. Every dime she made went to care for the household her father’s death had left behind. Even with all her sacrifices her mother was asking one more of her. Another arranged marriage, another piece of her soul given to keep their family afloat. Amber wants something just for herself…a mate, not a marriage. But the cost of going against her family could cost her everything.

Losing was not an option for Declan Edwards. Hustling and grinding had been his default mode while his big brother was in prison, getting to the money, his life’s purpose. But now that his brother was home, and Declan had risen to the highest position in shifter society…he was ready to settle down. Except, the mate his wolf has chosen was promised to someone else. He could be risking the council position to have her, but the beast within him has always gone after what it wanted…no matter the cost.

Genres: Paranormal, African American Romance, Shapeshifters, Black Author

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

Dria Andersen is a full-time photographer, mother of two, and lifelong storyteller. After the birth of her first child, she made a promise to pursue her dreams boldly-starting with writing the kinds of stories she always wanted to see in the world. That leap of faith became her debut novel, and she's been writing ever since.

Dria crafts love stories that center brown girls with heart, strength, and agency. Blending romance with elements of fantasy and wonder, her books invite readers into richly imagined worlds where anything is possible and everyone deserves a happy ending.

Reviews

[Crimson]

Can I get a man to love me this hard? The way he loved his mate! I smiled the entire time while reading this book. Y'all just read the damn book.

[perfectlyamberb]

Big Declan!

Been waiting on Declan's story and was not disappointed. Baby boy showed up and showed out from page one, and the minute he saw Amber, he played no games about her or her baby. This is a bit of a slow burn as Amber is hesitant to trust Declan and their mating bond because of past trauma, but Dec was all gas, and he showed her he was different. Loved it.

[Morgan]

Nice, action-packed closeout to the Edwards chronicles.

Also, a continuation of “Them Edwards brothers don’t play"...I don't what it is about black men named Declan, but they are coming through with some serious BDE. Declan cared nothing about her "complicated" situation and was only interested in stepping behind Amber & Lei. He definitely belongs on the “you and that baby are MINE” list of book boyfriends.

[Shalana]

4⭐

No one does shifter romances like Dria Andersen.

We start Declan & Amber's story with Declan whopping ass and taking names to assume the position as the head of the wolf council. He meets Amber during the neighborhood party celebrating his victory and immediately knows she's his mate. And it's on from there.

Amber his navigating a tough family situation where she's the breadwinner but also taken advantage mid by her toxic ass momma. Declan stops at nothing to ensure Amber and her daughter and safe and secure. Love a man that steps up.

It was fun to get caught up with the circle of friends that we've grown to love, see how their relationships have bloomed and their families expanded.

[hea booktubes]

Another winner. I love this world that she’s created. The close knit families and support systems are everything. I absolutely love Alpha’s who are protective and loving for everyone in their life, on top of providing for every little thing. Just beautiful. CW abusive parent.

[Weekend Reader_]

🐺

Declan said I don't care if you're spoken for or Motsi rules. You are my mate, and that's that. When are you moving in because I'm already looking at houses?

Format: e-book KU
Romance tag: open door
CN: murder, DV, gun violence, grief, blackmail

[bree]

declan edwards could quite literally have anything he wanted from me. and this is coming from a queer woman who doesn't even prefer men. men written by women tho? the exception & declan! YEAHHHH. STAMPED. MARKED. MATED. just call me amber from now on.

[Tangi Trussell]

Amber is my sister wife because Declan is for sure my man!!! <3
Dria never disappoints!!

[Latifah]

Dnf

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin]

Come Thru Declan

Honey, Devon was an angel compared to little brother Declan. Declan came swinging out the gate, taking his place in the Motsi. Let me say this, I understand why he took the position and he needed to, but these people need to loosen up…they too high minded for the likes of Declan. Amber walked into his life right on time and I’m glad she missed the challenge because he would have been distracted if he smelled her then. Declan showed patience with Amber I didn’t think he would be capable of because of her fears, but showed her consistently that when he said, “I got you.” That man really meant it. The way he, his family, and everyone around them showed up for Amber, Lei, and her brother. This was an amazing time in the wolf/shifter world and I will be reading more Dria Andersen this week. Happy Reading Y’all!💋

[Mybookscafe]

Dria ate with this one!!!

I just knew I was gonna love me some Declan after reading Devon’s book but BABBBBBYYYY I wasn’t prepared for much I loved him “ you ready to be a First Lady?” Yesssss lawwwddddd 😂😂😂😂😂

The book starts off with a bang, no slow builded up, it just got right to it and I enjoyed that a lot. We didn’t have to wait forever for Declan and Amber to meet. Bonus for that. Entertainment, funny and a great story, highly recommend !!!!

Once these two met, my boy Declan stood on business, his wolf was “ there goes by baby” and Dec was like say less and applied PRESSURE 😍😍

Amber was a lil too scared for me, I was like girl if you don’t get ya act together and mate this man 😂😂😂😂

[KierstenReads]

The Knights and the Edwards are a different breed 🥵

Declan and Amber had me gobbling this story up. Declan is the guy. This starts out at the fight (iykyk) and it did not disappoint.

Amber has been through the wringer honey and she NEEDED someone to come and help her. Declan loves her down…if only she can believe it. These two together are so intense.

Although I enjoyed it, the 3 stars are because there was just something missing. The couple’s problems aren’t really addressed and after everything is handled, we’re back to our regularly scheduled lovey doved life? Idk. It’s fiction, I get it, but Amber…stand up!

Read this. Read this twice. I surely am about to start back from the beginning. Black love is the best

[Courtnee Howell]

this was for me

Declan Edwards does not intend to find his mate immediately after winning his council seat, he doesn’t run away from it. Amber Bennett has already had one terrible marriage an her mother wants to arrange another, but she’s not interested in anyone but Declan. Can the two fill the holes in each other’s lives?

The Edwards Brothers books have been that careful medium between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fiction that I’ve really been enjoying from the Eastfield stories. Andersen always feels like she’s writing to me because she caters to this small niche genres that I really love.

If you like paranormal romance, urban fiction, and wolf shifters, this is for you.

[Ivy Deluca]

Quickish Review

I binged Ms. Andersen’s backlist last year and have eagerly read each book she’s released since then. I just like her voice, the relationships she builds between her characters and the romances have good chemistry. My only quibble is I would have liked more worldbuilding of the Motsi, to show Amber’s strength and also put into context why she ran so hard from this romance. Cause it wasn’t until you get more of her backstory that I found it easier to empathize with her. She still made some boneheaded moves, but having her history earlier would have really kicked this up a notch for me. Still liked it and looking forward to Ms Andersen’s next one.

[Myisha Braddock]

Speeches, this was so good!!!! 😊

I’m speechless. This book was so good that I am out of words!!! As they say, another one!! Ms. Andersen, this was everything and then some! I loved Declan’s character 💕💕💕, he stood on big business when it came to Amber and Lei. He made his intentions clear immediately and did not waver. The love and care he had for Lei, the way he immediately started trying to correct Ambers family issues and protect them. I loved it. The supporting cast was hilarious, Devon and friends…. Hilarious 😆. Julissa and Keisha, friends that every woman should have. And come on sexy scenes!! Great job Dria Andersen, great job!!!

[SincerlyMe]

I didn’t like Amber for Declan.. if anything she should have been taking shooting classes instead of crying and questioning whether she could deal with his lifestyle. She didn’t have not a backbone. Also didn’t really get fully into her story. I know Declan story but not really hers. I also felt like her problems wasn’t that huge for her to not see Declan was taking care of everything while she kept on with the “ima figure this out”. Na Keisha , love her down. And another thing Amber was questioning Declan lifestyle but it’s her and her ppl who brought all the problems to him. She had all the baggage and still looked up to her parents as if they wasn’t horrible.

[LaTosha Webber]

Big D

I love me a dominate man. Like when submission and care is truly his thing and this delivered that in a way that was so so satisfying. This almost gave me omegaverse vibes, had Amber leaned a little more into her need for comfort this might have been chef’s kiss. But omg the family/friends dynamic was sensational. Men that truly want families and connection and not just a providers and protectors but as partners. Yes please!!! I do wish Amber would have talked to Declan more about her issues and with the evil momma trope we didn’t get a good enough dressing her down for me. But otherwise I enjoyed this even more than Devon and that’s surprising.

[Louis Edwards]

GREAT STORY

I am not new to this author, who is absolutely fabulous with these writing skills. I love this Shifter community Dria Andersen has created. Declan and Amber’s love is really beautiful. Amber has had a really bad experience as a young adult be forced to marry a narcissist. She really should have gotten help, because clearly it affects her ability to trust and love, even though she says, she wants to meet her mate. When he finally shows up, she runs! Declan has her number and ain’t giving her no where to run, but to him.

[Anita]

Finding Her Mate

Declan is no joke in this book! He isn't some stuffy money maker, he's truly dangerous, he plays chess not checkers! He's constantly taking notes in his mind! His mates learns that not every man is an abusive man. Sometimes when a mother shows you she doesn't care or love you, it's time to just leave her in her mess! This woman learns that there is more in life then the high society she grew up in. There is love, peace, happiness and great friends that become your family!

[Lauren]

another great addition to the series

I think this was one of my faves from this universe of characters. Great storyline that kept the book engaging. There were some conversations that I wished we got to witness as a reader - like Amber telling Declan what led to her finally leaving her moms house or what happened in her first marriage. I assumed they happened, just not on page. But it didnt take away from the story. Overall would recommend.

[Ashlyn]

This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time.

I can’t stand third person writing but this was just so good!

The way Declan was a hard a** but also the biggest softie. The way he was there for her I’m sorry I mean their daughter was perfect. Was he bossy heck yeah but he noticed she was overwhelmed and handled business.

My only complaint is that I didn’t get to see him interact with his son. Or know how many kids he ended up getting out of Amber 😂

[lexicondst]

Just meh Wolf Love

I was excited for Declan's story after Devon's. But it went on too long, the sex scenes got formulaic, and the FMC didn't inspire empathy. Declan did not give off polished gangster at all, so why was trying to be a politician? I would normally gravitate towards a survivor of DV but she seemed like someone confused her being a Sub with being a woman with no agency. I'm going to try one more but I might be done with the series.

[Naee.Reads]

I…. it just keeps getting better…

So I’m new to all of this in my reading journey, but never in my life have I wanted to be mated with someone so dang on bad!!!! Declan is the best type of…. Man? Wolf? Mixture? Whatever, he’s amazing at it!!!! I also love how family oriented he is & how he so effortlessly jumped into claiming his person & his new child. THATS. A. GOOD. MAN. SAVANNAH!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[Ursula]

Declan is another hit from Dria Andersen. I LOVE Declan but Amber and her messy family had me stressed out! Someone who shall remain nameless (ahem…Ambers mama), needed the taste smacked out of their mouth.

I l especially loved Declan and Devons dynamic and brotherly bond, it was really beautiful to see across both books. Dria knows how to craft a story with the perfect mix of action, love, high stakes, various relationship dynamics, humor, found family, and healing. Another 5 star read for me!

[Shirley]

Declan did not play!!

Whew, I don't know what took Amber so long to get with the program. Declan was not playing with her. He meant she was her mate and he was going to have her. Declan stepped into stepdaddy role and was ten toes down behind both of them. I really enjoyed this book and this series. I loved their love for each other and their found family. This is a new author me but I'm definitely checking out more of her catalog!!

[Renee]

Slow burn

This was a great read.bunny made me mad because you got this great mate showing you love s d queen treatment yet you kept making excuses.Making him pay for what the last man did.I'm so glad he best Cyprus I loved the visual you painted.Felt like I was right there. She is so green who she just kept found dumb stuff.I would love an update on all he did for the Westside and to catch up on the crew

[JazzReads]

Love me some Declan and Amber. I read other books by this author and I feel like this one had fighting and killing which I found interesting especially reading the other books. I love that Declan bonded with Amber daughter and made her feel safe as they moved forward with the union. I couldn’t stand Amber mom and I wanted her brother to move in with them. Overall I really like this book and I will be reading more books by this author.

[Johnsons Buzz]

Worth the Wait

Dria Andersen will never disappoint on an Urban Paranormal. This was a good read that brought back some of my favorite characters from her other works. Amber was trying to be a fixer until she met the ultimate fixer in Declan. An Alpha male will always allow an Alpha Female the opportunity to enjoy her soft girl era!!! Well done!!! ​

[Donnica Carter]

Loved 🥰

Absolutely loved this book so much!!! Both brothers were super dominant. But Declan had a way. Even though Amber was promised to someone else he stopped at nothing because she was his mate.

Loving that I found Dera Anderson. Now I have to find every book she has ever written 😂😂

[Kia]

Declan got his family

Declan got his brother back and now he got a mate with a daughter. This man couldn’t wait to start his family and for his mate to have a child he is so ready to claim as his own is the icing on the cake. Overall this series shows how even if you have a rough start you can hustle hard to find a better life.