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Bloodlore #1
The Reveal
In the wake of a monstrous world war, a mortal woman’s submission to an enigmatic vampire is the only way to live in this enthralling paranormal romance from USA Today bestselling author Megan Crane.
It’s a different world now, Winter Bishop. Get used to it. Or die.
For the three years since the Reveal, when monsters rose from the shadows, I’ve been just another human trying to maintain normalcy in a world where life is short and brutal. Coexisting with werewolves, zombies, and vampires—each alarmingly true to their myths—isn’t easy.
Now I’ve been summoned by Ariel Skinner, the charismatic king of the vampires, who holds my missing brother’s life in his hands. To save him, I must do everything Ariel says. His quicksilver gaze and the way he makes my body hum should scare me, but the wildfire chemistry is just too hot.
I should have known that Ariel would want more.
Because there’s a greater cataclysm to come, and it will make everything worse. To help stop it, Ariel needs me. And whatever fresh hell arises, with every beat of my disastrously mortal heart, I need him.
After all, I’m only human.
It’s a different world now, Winter Bishop. Get used to it. Or die.
For the three years since the Reveal, when monsters rose from the shadows, I’ve been just another human trying to maintain normalcy in a world where life is short and brutal. Coexisting with werewolves, zombies, and vampires—each alarmingly true to their myths—isn’t easy.
Now I’ve been summoned by Ariel Skinner, the charismatic king of the vampires, who holds my missing brother’s life in his hands. To save him, I must do everything Ariel says. His quicksilver gaze and the way he makes my body hum should scare me, but the wildfire chemistry is just too hot.
I should have known that Ariel would want more.
Because there’s a greater cataclysm to come, and it will make everything worse. To help stop it, Ariel needs me. And whatever fresh hell arises, with every beat of my disastrously mortal heart, I need him.
After all, I’m only human.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
182 people are currently reading
5274 people want to read
About the author
Megan Crane
67 books704 followersUSA Today bestselling, multi-award-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 150 books and shows no sign of slowing down. She publishes contemporary romance and paranormal romance as Megan Crane (and briefly M.M. Crane) with an extensive backlist of women’s fiction, rom-coms, chick lit, and young adult novels—among other things. She’s also won a large and loyal fanbase as Caitlin Crews with Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books. And for Midwestern small town coziness, found families, romance, and some paranormal scariness thrown in, Megan partners with Nicole Helm to publish as Hazel Beck.
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
Megan has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.
You can find out more than you ever wanted to know about her at www.megancrane.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 11, 2025
2 Stars
One Liner: Good premise, but not impressed by the narration
Winter Bishop is having a hard time coexisting with werewolves, vampires, and zombies. For three years since the Reveal, it had been a constant battle for normalcy. However, things get worse when she is summoned by Ariel Skinner, the king of vampires, who has the key to her missing brother’s life. Ariel needs Winter for something, and she is worried if it would be the end of her!
The story comes in Winter’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Not sure if I picked the book at the wrong time or if the writing style wouldn’t have worked for me at any time, but this was… boring.
I am not really the target audience since post-apocalyptic settings are not my thing. However, the blurb said vampires and werewolves, so I wanted to give it a try. My mistake!
Despite the slow pace throughout, I did enjoy the beginning. The setting, the situation, the introduction of three tenants, the grandma, etc., were intriguing. However, I started to lose interest after 30% or so. Even the dark MMC (king of vampires) didn’t excite me.
Also, I could have done without the mention of ‘enormous c*ck’ so many times. I started to imagine a bottle gourd (calabash gourd/ lauki), which probably wasn’t what the author had in mind. I hope not!
The FMC was also a hit or a miss, and slid into ‘miss’ as the story progressed. Probably someone the NA readers may like, but not a character I want to bother with. The spice is not for adult readers, though. Don’t give this to YA readers, lol. Not that it was interesting; there was no real emotional connection, so it was just a collection of acts.
NGL, the side characters like Maddox and Savi were a lot more interesting than the FMC. Even Ty was somehow interesting, though all he did was growl for most of the book.
The climax was decent, though not as intense as it was projected to be. The twists were easy enough to guess, both of them. The ending is a cliffhanger, one you shouldn’t be surprised about. This seems to be a duology, so the story will end in the next book. I don’t think I’ll be reading it.
To summarize, The Reveal certainly has a good premise and strong bones, but the narration didn’t work for me. I wasn’t really a fan of the FMC, which affected my reading experience. Do check out other reviews before you decide!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheReveal
One Liner: Good premise, but not impressed by the narration
Winter Bishop is having a hard time coexisting with werewolves, vampires, and zombies. For three years since the Reveal, it had been a constant battle for normalcy. However, things get worse when she is summoned by Ariel Skinner, the king of vampires, who has the key to her missing brother’s life. Ariel needs Winter for something, and she is worried if it would be the end of her!
The story comes in Winter’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Not sure if I picked the book at the wrong time or if the writing style wouldn’t have worked for me at any time, but this was… boring.
I am not really the target audience since post-apocalyptic settings are not my thing. However, the blurb said vampires and werewolves, so I wanted to give it a try. My mistake!
Despite the slow pace throughout, I did enjoy the beginning. The setting, the situation, the introduction of three tenants, the grandma, etc., were intriguing. However, I started to lose interest after 30% or so. Even the dark MMC (king of vampires) didn’t excite me.
Also, I could have done without the mention of ‘enormous c*ck’ so many times. I started to imagine a bottle gourd (calabash gourd/ lauki), which probably wasn’t what the author had in mind. I hope not!
The FMC was also a hit or a miss, and slid into ‘miss’ as the story progressed. Probably someone the NA readers may like, but not a character I want to bother with. The spice is not for adult readers, though. Don’t give this to YA readers, lol. Not that it was interesting; there was no real emotional connection, so it was just a collection of acts.
NGL, the side characters like Maddox and Savi were a lot more interesting than the FMC. Even Ty was somehow interesting, though all he did was growl for most of the book.
The climax was decent, though not as intense as it was projected to be. The twists were easy enough to guess, both of them. The ending is a cliffhanger, one you shouldn’t be surprised about. This seems to be a duology, so the story will end in the next book. I don’t think I’ll be reading it.
To summarize, The Reveal certainly has a good premise and strong bones, but the narration didn’t work for me. I wasn’t really a fan of the FMC, which affected my reading experience. Do check out other reviews before you decide!
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheReveal
October 23, 2025
This was such a pleasant, funny, light, pnr, nice read!
I was really surprised by how witty and comedic it was, more so than the what was actually happening. Decent storyline and a lot more spice than I expected.
This was something you can just get through that isn’t too heavy, not too high fantasy even though the elements that are involved. A good mix of all different creatures. I always love this, having a mix of werewolves, vamps, etc.
The inner monologue was honestly my favourite and I loved the FMC for this.
Thank you for the arc NetGalley, Montlake and Megan Crane 🖤
[ ✩ 3.5 ]
________________________________________________
This was such a good cleanser after my read precious to this!
Rtc
I was really surprised by how witty and comedic it was, more so than the what was actually happening. Decent storyline and a lot more spice than I expected.
This was something you can just get through that isn’t too heavy, not too high fantasy even though the elements that are involved. A good mix of all different creatures. I always love this, having a mix of werewolves, vamps, etc.
The inner monologue was honestly my favourite and I loved the FMC for this.
Thank you for the arc NetGalley, Montlake and Megan Crane 🖤
[ ✩ 3.5 ]
________________________________________________
This was such a good cleanser after my read precious to this!
Rtc
October 3, 2025
Ok to start out thanks to Netgalley, the author and the punisher for the advanced audio of this , I am giving that and the narrator 5 stars. She did phenomenal and helped bring this to life and add that spark to the story. The story itself has a lot of potential. The post apocalyptic world was well thought out and enjoyable to read. My main gripe was I just couldn’t get behind the romance of Winter (love her name) and Ariel (really struggled cuz all I kept thinking was the little mermaid) it felt so rushed and I didn’t really feel the connection between them. Looking forward to the series as a whole and seeing where some of the side characters end up going.
August 29, 2025
This was a great start to the series. I’m super intrigued where the author is going to take it next. I enjoyed the wide cast of characters and I could totally envision what this small town would be like after an event such as the reveal. I also can’t wait to see Winter grow as an oracle. I’m not fully sold on her and Ariel but I was getting there at the end. Maddox and Ty are interesting and at this point, I would love to see a book focusing on them. But then there’s Savi and I want her story too. This was a unique read and one I’m glad I dove into. I hope the next book comes soon!
December 30, 2025
‘the reveal’ is a paranormal romance that follows our main character, winter, as she navigates a post-apocalyptic world overtaken by monsters. things only get worse when she’s summoned by the vampire king, ariel skinner, who holds her brother hostage to force her into helping him. but the more time she spends with ariel, the harder it becomes to resist him.
while the premise of this book sounded intriguing and cover is gorgeous, this book unfortunately lacked good execution. it was very difficult to follow at times as there were no clear transitions between scenes and a lot of winter’s internal monologues spelt out everything for the reader. there was no nuance or room for my own interpretation when it came to events and characters, as the author quickly explained everything to conveniently fit the narrative she chose.
I also can’t get behind the romance - it lacked chemistry between the two characters and it quickly became a purely physical relationship that didn’t explore any emotional connection. I think the romance had a lot of potential but the way it felt like a bunch of random sex scenes strung together instead of a developing relationship took away any meaningful connection between these two characters.
final thoughts - this book had a lot of potential to be a really interesting story with differing paranormal elements, but when it came to the execution, it missed the mark.
thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
while the premise of this book sounded intriguing and cover is gorgeous, this book unfortunately lacked good execution. it was very difficult to follow at times as there were no clear transitions between scenes and a lot of winter’s internal monologues spelt out everything for the reader. there was no nuance or room for my own interpretation when it came to events and characters, as the author quickly explained everything to conveniently fit the narrative she chose.
I also can’t get behind the romance - it lacked chemistry between the two characters and it quickly became a purely physical relationship that didn’t explore any emotional connection. I think the romance had a lot of potential but the way it felt like a bunch of random sex scenes strung together instead of a developing relationship took away any meaningful connection between these two characters.
final thoughts - this book had a lot of potential to be a really interesting story with differing paranormal elements, but when it came to the execution, it missed the mark.
thank you to NetGalley, Montlake Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2025
..... I knew something was up with Briar! I just didn't think that!
Well paced, very descriptive, spice was spicy! Will definitely keep an eye out for Book 2 once it's released, as I feel this world is about to get a heck of a lot crazier.
Wasn't sure how I was going to like this, and honestly struggled in some parts, but now that I've finished I can say I liked it.
Well paced, very descriptive, spice was spicy! Will definitely keep an eye out for Book 2 once it's released, as I feel this world is about to get a heck of a lot crazier.
Wasn't sure how I was going to like this, and honestly struggled in some parts, but now that I've finished I can say I liked it.
October 7, 2025
A fun, fast paced urban romantasy. I really enjoyed the writing style in this one, it's funny, suspenseful and easy to get hooked on the story. No elaborate world set up that takes up the first 40% of the book, just hitting the ground running.
There is a motley crew of characters and super natural creatures which I enjoyed. Gran is adorable. I did find myself pretty invested early on, but there was a bit of a lull in the middle. As for the romance part, honestly that isn't even what made this book enjoyable. I didn't really care for the relationship between our main character and her romantic interest. He seemed kind of flat and is in and out of the storyline. I would have liked this to be a little more developed than meet, lust, then we are now together without anything seeming to actually develop on a deeper level, we are just to know that it happened and to trust the author.
Definitely a good read for those who like some urban fantasy with some romance and humor thrown it. As well as for those who don't have the patience with elaborate world building.
There is a motley crew of characters and super natural creatures which I enjoyed. Gran is adorable. I did find myself pretty invested early on, but there was a bit of a lull in the middle. As for the romance part, honestly that isn't even what made this book enjoyable. I didn't really care for the relationship between our main character and her romantic interest. He seemed kind of flat and is in and out of the storyline. I would have liked this to be a little more developed than meet, lust, then we are now together without anything seeming to actually develop on a deeper level, we are just to know that it happened and to trust the author.
Definitely a good read for those who like some urban fantasy with some romance and humor thrown it. As well as for those who don't have the patience with elaborate world building.
August 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was… fine. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t blow me away either.
The setup was interesting enough — a dark, gritty romance with secrets waiting to come out. There were moments where the tension hooked me, and the writing style itself wasn’t bad. I could see where the story wanted to go, but it didn’t always land for me.
The main issue was that the characters felt a little flat. The FMC had potential, but I wanted more depth to her struggles, and the MMC… other than being tall, broody, and apparently irresistible, I couldn’t tell you much about him. The plot itself was predictable, and while there was some steam, it felt more repetitive than exciting.
Overall, a decent read if you’re looking for something quick and dramatic, but not one that will stick with me long-term. Solid 3 stars.
This was… fine. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t blow me away either.
The setup was interesting enough — a dark, gritty romance with secrets waiting to come out. There were moments where the tension hooked me, and the writing style itself wasn’t bad. I could see where the story wanted to go, but it didn’t always land for me.
The main issue was that the characters felt a little flat. The FMC had potential, but I wanted more depth to her struggles, and the MMC… other than being tall, broody, and apparently irresistible, I couldn’t tell you much about him. The plot itself was predictable, and while there was some steam, it felt more repetitive than exciting.
Overall, a decent read if you’re looking for something quick and dramatic, but not one that will stick with me long-term. Solid 3 stars.
October 25, 2025
This was so painfully boring 😭
September 30, 2025
This was a dark and steamy paranormal romance with Ann Rice vibes.
This was more of an urban fantasy than romance but with a lot of smut. The story was focused on bringing down the big bad death goddess hell bent on destroying the world with double crosses and blood. In the process of achieving that a human put to use what at first appeared to be a rag tag group of other women that were bunking together in the post apocalyptic world. Put through the power of good 🍆 that human had her eyes opened, learned to accept herself, help her family heal and shed some blood for the good side.
The narrator on this one was entertaining, a solid 4.5/5
PNR/ Urban Fantasy
Post Apocalypse Romance
Ann Rice Vibes
The Chosen One
Family & Friends
Betrayals & Double Crosses
So much Blood
And the power of a good schtupping.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ several very explicit scenes
This was more of an urban fantasy than romance but with a lot of smut. The story was focused on bringing down the big bad death goddess hell bent on destroying the world with double crosses and blood. In the process of achieving that a human put to use what at first appeared to be a rag tag group of other women that were bunking together in the post apocalyptic world. Put through the power of good 🍆 that human had her eyes opened, learned to accept herself, help her family heal and shed some blood for the good side.
The narrator on this one was entertaining, a solid 4.5/5
PNR/ Urban Fantasy
Post Apocalypse Romance
Ann Rice Vibes
The Chosen One
Family & Friends
Betrayals & Double Crosses
So much Blood
And the power of a good schtupping.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ several very explicit scenes
October 5, 2025
I ate this book up! It was a supernatural fantasy bounding with all the creatures you would like to see in a first book of a series. Mystery, magic, thriller, romance. I loved the characters and can't wait to see more of them. The plot moved along well and interestingly. I understand people's criticism of the MCs' insta-attraction but I don't feel like it detracted from the overall book. The audiobook narrator was /chef's kiss. Definitely recommend this one.
October 13, 2025
Apologies for the late review, and thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.
This book didn’t immediately grab me, but I stuck with it because I wanted to see where it was heading. What kept me from fully loving it was the writing style — I found myself a little bored in parts, and at times it felt like I was being given information, world-building, or backstory that didn’t feel essential.
The apocalyptic vibe at the beginning was intriguing though. We meet Winter, who’s just trying to get by in a world turned upside down by The Reveal — when, three years prior, all the paranormal creatures came out of hiding and “revealed” themselves to humanity, not without bloodshed first. Now, as society tries to rebuild, Winter rents out cottages on her property to strangers just to make ends meet. But when she’s summoned by the Vampire King to a dangerous part of town, she risks everything for a chance to find her brother who has been missing and highly addicted to vampire blood — whilst also uncovering secrets her grandmother may have been keeping all along.
I think I might have enjoyed this one more in audio format, but I’d definitely be willing to give the next book a go when it comes out. The spice was actually great, and the scenes between Winter and Ariel were easily the best part for me.
I still think this book has perfect spooky season vibes and I would rate it for anyone looking for a good Halloween read with a perfect spice to story ratio.
This book didn’t immediately grab me, but I stuck with it because I wanted to see where it was heading. What kept me from fully loving it was the writing style — I found myself a little bored in parts, and at times it felt like I was being given information, world-building, or backstory that didn’t feel essential.
The apocalyptic vibe at the beginning was intriguing though. We meet Winter, who’s just trying to get by in a world turned upside down by The Reveal — when, three years prior, all the paranormal creatures came out of hiding and “revealed” themselves to humanity, not without bloodshed first. Now, as society tries to rebuild, Winter rents out cottages on her property to strangers just to make ends meet. But when she’s summoned by the Vampire King to a dangerous part of town, she risks everything for a chance to find her brother who has been missing and highly addicted to vampire blood — whilst also uncovering secrets her grandmother may have been keeping all along.
I think I might have enjoyed this one more in audio format, but I’d definitely be willing to give the next book a go when it comes out. The spice was actually great, and the scenes between Winter and Ariel were easily the best part for me.
I still think this book has perfect spooky season vibes and I would rate it for anyone looking for a good Halloween read with a perfect spice to story ratio.
October 9, 2025
This book had me hanging on every word. The world building was amazing. Megan Crane did an amazing job with the suspense, tension and conflict to keep me wanting to flip those kindle pages. What a fun post apocalyptic, vampire romance with lots of creatures—werewolves, zombies, vamps and more. The steamy scenes were hot. The more I read the more twists and turns. Winter learns about herself and her family once she meets Ariel, king of the vampires. Then there’s the women she rents her cottages to. There’s a lot to learn about them. One is a werewolf and the other two may or may not be human. The author did an amazing job with the setting making it feel almost real! I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to see where the series heads. I received this book from Montlake and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
November 17, 2025
It was fun to read a modern post-apocalyptic monster novel with a sarcastic narrator. Winter’s sarcasm kept the book fun and engaging and made it feel a bit more realistic (not every “chosen one” is going to accept the role with grace). While I enjoyed the book, I wish there had been more emotional depth between Winter and Ariel beyond the purely physical. Honestly, if I had to hear Winter describe how big Ariel’s dick was one more time, I was going to lose it. Furthermore, they really made Ariel have a magic dick. Also, I wish the power dynamic between the two had been more balanced, or that Winter had been given a bit more agency. Finally, the big battle at the end felt a little too easy and could have used more tension or challenge (it was obvious that Samuel was going to betray them).
August 17, 2025
I picked up this book and it really grabbed me from the start. The world felt original and dark, full of monsters and survival, and I liked the way Winter and Gran navigated it all. Gran was amazing, so smart and calm, and she made the story feel grounded while everything else was chaotic. Winter was very interesting too. The pacing was fast, which kept me hooked. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the creativity of the world, and the side characters, and I am curious to see how Winter grows in the next book. Overall, a solid 4 stars. Thank you so much to the author, Montlake, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving a honest review
October 11, 2025
What I read wasn't what I expected and I'm not mad. The spice content was a lot more than I thought would be in it but overall it was a fun different book to read. It is a dystopian/apocalypse? Style story with the magical creatures taking over the world and the FMC lives in a human safe zone. When she's on the verge of being kicked out of her home she does what she needs to to collect money and ends up tangled in a mess she never wanted. Her family secrets and drama drive the story along with the new friends/arrangements she has created. This story was a blast to listen too and I can't wait for book 2!
thank you netgalley and brilliance audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!
thank you netgalley and brilliance audio for the opportunity to listen to this book!
November 7, 2025
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ohhhh, now this was an interesting story. I've read several of Megan Crane's books under her various pen names, but this might just be one of the more complex, imaginative stories she's put out yet. A sassy heroine who fought for her family and got pulled into a world of dangerous supernatural beings. A vampire king who seemed to be enamored with her--or was it the prophecies his community believed in? And neighboring towns where the humans mostly hid at home, but the paranormal creatures wandered about causing chaos. Can't wait to see what will unfold in book two.
Ohhhh, now this was an interesting story. I've read several of Megan Crane's books under her various pen names, but this might just be one of the more complex, imaginative stories she's put out yet. A sassy heroine who fought for her family and got pulled into a world of dangerous supernatural beings. A vampire king who seemed to be enamored with her--or was it the prophecies his community believed in? And neighboring towns where the humans mostly hid at home, but the paranormal creatures wandered about causing chaos. Can't wait to see what will unfold in book two.
September 11, 2025
“Maybe monsters aren’t the only thing that’s been revealed in these last few years. Maybe the truth about the Reveal is that it’s a mirror, where we see who we really are.”
˚ ༘ .˚🃏🐺୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
I’m honestly a little conflicted about how to sum up this book, because it was such a ride—fun, emotional, and so much more action-packed than I expected.
The story drops us into a brutal new world after the Reveal, when monsters came out of the shadows and humans had to learn to coexist with werewolves, zombies, and vampires. Winter Bishop has been doing her best to just survive, until she gets summoned by Ariel Skinner—the infuriatingly charismatic vampire king—who holds her brother’s fate in his hands.
Winter is such a badass, but not because she was born that way—she was forced into it. I loved watching her balance that ferocity with moments of vulnerability and softness. And Ariel… yeah, he’s hot. I didn’t totally love how their early encounters felt more like transactions than intimacy (😭), but once we got to see his warmer and more protective side, I was hooked.
The side characters delivered in a big way too—Maddox, Ty, Gran, Auggie, Savi—they each added so much life and fun. I’m hoping we get more of their POVs in future books.
And the plot? Absolute chaos in the best possible sense. We go from zombies in the trash to a high-stakes, emotional action sequence that left me reeling. Total whiplash, but the kind that kept me glued to the page.
˚ ༘ .˚🃏🐺୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ
I’m honestly a little conflicted about how to sum up this book, because it was such a ride—fun, emotional, and so much more action-packed than I expected.
The story drops us into a brutal new world after the Reveal, when monsters came out of the shadows and humans had to learn to coexist with werewolves, zombies, and vampires. Winter Bishop has been doing her best to just survive, until she gets summoned by Ariel Skinner—the infuriatingly charismatic vampire king—who holds her brother’s fate in his hands.
Winter is such a badass, but not because she was born that way—she was forced into it. I loved watching her balance that ferocity with moments of vulnerability and softness. And Ariel… yeah, he’s hot. I didn’t totally love how their early encounters felt more like transactions than intimacy (😭), but once we got to see his warmer and more protective side, I was hooked.
The side characters delivered in a big way too—Maddox, Ty, Gran, Auggie, Savi—they each added so much life and fun. I’m hoping we get more of their POVs in future books.
And the plot? Absolute chaos in the best possible sense. We go from zombies in the trash to a high-stakes, emotional action sequence that left me reeling. Total whiplash, but the kind that kept me glued to the page.
November 16, 2025
I was so so lucky enough to have won this as an ARC, and it did no o o o o t disappoint.
The world is fresh and bristling with monsters that you know are more than meets the eye, a heroine determined to ignore fate until fate sinks its fangs in her throat and uh oh she just might like it, and magical intrigue galore. I really dug this book, and can't wait for the next one 😍
The world is fresh and bristling with monsters that you know are more than meets the eye, a heroine determined to ignore fate until fate sinks its fangs in her throat and uh oh she just might like it, and magical intrigue galore. I really dug this book, and can't wait for the next one 😍
October 6, 2025
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: October 7 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
There’s something uniquely intriguing about a story that blends danger, desire, and the shadows of a new world order.
This book gave me that but not in a way that swept me off my feet. It pulled me in just enough to keep turning the pages, but I often found myself stepping back, trying to decide how I really felt. Now that I’ve finished, I can say it was…okay. Not unforgettable, but far from disappointing.
Megan Crane knows how to build tension. There’s a dark, smoldering tone to this world she’s created…one where vampires rule, humanity bends, and survival comes at a high emotional cost. That atmosphere felt thick with intensity. Even though the story didn’t always keep me emotionally attached, there were definitely moments that stirred something deeper. There’s heat, there’s chemistry, and there’s a real sense of risk in the choices the characters have to make.
The relationship at the center of the book was hard to look away from. It had sharp edges and unpredictable turns. Ariel, the vampire king, is written to be both magnetic and dangerous, and Winter, flawed, human, and trying so hard not to fall apart, was someone I could understand, even when I didn’t fully connect to her. I didn’t always feel the emotional weight between them as much as I wanted to, but there was a charge in the air that kept the pages turning.
The writing had strong moments. I found myself liking the little glimpses into this shattered world. The way power, control, and survival are handled felt real for a post Reveal society. There were ideas and scenes that made me pause, consider, and reread. I appreciated that. Even when I wasn’t fully invested in every character or twist, I never felt bored. The story had a pace that carried me along, even when my heart wasn’t always in it.
This book wasn’t exactly a perfect match for me. It didn’t completely sweep me into the romance the way I hoped, and there were times I felt like something deeper was just out of reach. Still, I can recognize how this will really work for a lot of readers. The atmosphere, the tension, the push and pull between power and vulnerability, that’s the kind of stuff that can really hit home for fans of paranormal romance. And for readers who enjoy darker dynamics, this one might feel like a hidden gem.
So yes, I liked it but I didn’t love it. It sits somewhere in the middle for me. I’m glad I read it, and I can absolutely see its strengths, even if it didn’t fully land in my personal favorites. It’s a solid book with a strong concept, an intriguing world, and characters that will resonate more deeply with others than they did with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Crane, and Montlake for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Paranormal romance, enemies to lovers, fantasy romance
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: October 7 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
There’s something uniquely intriguing about a story that blends danger, desire, and the shadows of a new world order.
This book gave me that but not in a way that swept me off my feet. It pulled me in just enough to keep turning the pages, but I often found myself stepping back, trying to decide how I really felt. Now that I’ve finished, I can say it was…okay. Not unforgettable, but far from disappointing.
Megan Crane knows how to build tension. There’s a dark, smoldering tone to this world she’s created…one where vampires rule, humanity bends, and survival comes at a high emotional cost. That atmosphere felt thick with intensity. Even though the story didn’t always keep me emotionally attached, there were definitely moments that stirred something deeper. There’s heat, there’s chemistry, and there’s a real sense of risk in the choices the characters have to make.
The relationship at the center of the book was hard to look away from. It had sharp edges and unpredictable turns. Ariel, the vampire king, is written to be both magnetic and dangerous, and Winter, flawed, human, and trying so hard not to fall apart, was someone I could understand, even when I didn’t fully connect to her. I didn’t always feel the emotional weight between them as much as I wanted to, but there was a charge in the air that kept the pages turning.
The writing had strong moments. I found myself liking the little glimpses into this shattered world. The way power, control, and survival are handled felt real for a post Reveal society. There were ideas and scenes that made me pause, consider, and reread. I appreciated that. Even when I wasn’t fully invested in every character or twist, I never felt bored. The story had a pace that carried me along, even when my heart wasn’t always in it.
This book wasn’t exactly a perfect match for me. It didn’t completely sweep me into the romance the way I hoped, and there were times I felt like something deeper was just out of reach. Still, I can recognize how this will really work for a lot of readers. The atmosphere, the tension, the push and pull between power and vulnerability, that’s the kind of stuff that can really hit home for fans of paranormal romance. And for readers who enjoy darker dynamics, this one might feel like a hidden gem.
So yes, I liked it but I didn’t love it. It sits somewhere in the middle for me. I’m glad I read it, and I can absolutely see its strengths, even if it didn’t fully land in my personal favorites. It’s a solid book with a strong concept, an intriguing world, and characters that will resonate more deeply with others than they did with me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Crane, and Montlake for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Paranormal romance, enemies to lovers, fantasy romance
August 4, 2025
Review: The Reveal, A Fresh Take on Monsters, Mayhem, and Human Survival
The Reveal is one of those stories that pulls you in right from the start and doesn’t let go. From the first chapter, I was hooked, following the main character as her perception of the world slowly unraveled and reassembled itself was a fast-paced, thrilling experience. I loved watching her come to terms with the truth that had been hidden in plain sight and watching enemies shift into allies, monsters into something more complex, and dreams into something terrifyingly real. The start of this journey was wild, addictive, and left me eager for more.
The concept itself felt refreshingly original. A post-apocalyptic world ruled by monsters, with humans hanging on by a thread, wasn’t something I’d encountered before, and it gave the story a creative edge that set it apart from other fantasy or supernatural reads. The worldbuilding was a major strength, particularly in the way different monsters coexisted and interacted with gifted humans. I actually wished there had been more time spent developing this ecosystem and the rules of this new society, it’s a compelling foundation that deserves even deeper exploration in future installments.
Gran was a standout character for me. I loved her quiet wisdom, her strategic long game, and the sense that she always knew more than she let on. She added emotional weight to the story and helped ground some of the more chaotic plot elements.
As for the romance, it took me by surprise. I didn’t expect the level of spice, which isn’t necessarily a negative, but I felt the relationship between Winter and Ariel leaned too heavily on intense attraction without as much emotional depth. Their bond felt more driven by instinct and compulsion than a connection that was allowed to evolve naturally. Some of the intimate scenes also felt repetitive and occasionally disrupted the pacing, making me wish for a bit more balance between action, worldbuilding, and romance.
I also found that key story moments, especially during big reveals or conflicts, were sometimes glossed over or resolved too conveniently. This may have been a pacing issue, as things moved so quickly that there wasn’t always space for tension to build or resolutions to fully land.
That said, if you're a fan of fast-paced fantasy, supernatural romance, and unique post-apocalyptic settings, The Reveal is an entertaining ride. It’s bursting with imagination, high stakes, and an evolving world I’d love to see explored even further.
The Reveal is one of those stories that pulls you in right from the start and doesn’t let go. From the first chapter, I was hooked, following the main character as her perception of the world slowly unraveled and reassembled itself was a fast-paced, thrilling experience. I loved watching her come to terms with the truth that had been hidden in plain sight and watching enemies shift into allies, monsters into something more complex, and dreams into something terrifyingly real. The start of this journey was wild, addictive, and left me eager for more.
The concept itself felt refreshingly original. A post-apocalyptic world ruled by monsters, with humans hanging on by a thread, wasn’t something I’d encountered before, and it gave the story a creative edge that set it apart from other fantasy or supernatural reads. The worldbuilding was a major strength, particularly in the way different monsters coexisted and interacted with gifted humans. I actually wished there had been more time spent developing this ecosystem and the rules of this new society, it’s a compelling foundation that deserves even deeper exploration in future installments.
Gran was a standout character for me. I loved her quiet wisdom, her strategic long game, and the sense that she always knew more than she let on. She added emotional weight to the story and helped ground some of the more chaotic plot elements.
As for the romance, it took me by surprise. I didn’t expect the level of spice, which isn’t necessarily a negative, but I felt the relationship between Winter and Ariel leaned too heavily on intense attraction without as much emotional depth. Their bond felt more driven by instinct and compulsion than a connection that was allowed to evolve naturally. Some of the intimate scenes also felt repetitive and occasionally disrupted the pacing, making me wish for a bit more balance between action, worldbuilding, and romance.
I also found that key story moments, especially during big reveals or conflicts, were sometimes glossed over or resolved too conveniently. This may have been a pacing issue, as things moved so quickly that there wasn’t always space for tension to build or resolutions to fully land.
That said, if you're a fan of fast-paced fantasy, supernatural romance, and unique post-apocalyptic settings, The Reveal is an entertaining ride. It’s bursting with imagination, high stakes, and an evolving world I’d love to see explored even further.
October 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Ms. Crane for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
While this was not perfect, it was a lot of fun. I liked the post-apocalyptic monster angle and I loved that Winter’s world felt very relatable. She’s a mere human surviving (barely) in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest (Oregon, I think?) human settlement. Most of the rest of the humans are gone, eaten or killed by the “monsters” (and there are SO MANY monsters) when the big reveal happened a few years back. Right from the beginning this was a fun, gripping read that was easy to stay interested in. The identity of two of Winter’s tenants was fairly obvious to me, and the third was left so obviously uninvolved that you just KNOW she had to be involved somehow, right? (Right.)
One part that pulled me back a little was Winter’s relationship with Ariel, which seemed a bit abrupt, and the pacing thereof. Winter just meets this guy and suddenly they’re just, I don’t know, having sex every night? I get he’s super attractive and magnetic and all but, Winter darling, WHY? why is he interested in you? and what are you doing here? Think for a second!!! A significant portion of the middle of the book was spent on this. I didn’t mind it especially, and Winter herself was so engaging that I had no problem continuing on, but it was a little weird.
I also thought it was odd that each of the monster groups was researching how to defeat Vinca on their own without really meeting to discuss, or planning, or whatever. They just thought, hmm, guess I’ll show up to the showdown with a plan and hope all the plans just mesh, good idea!? In retrospect this sort of plot hole seems like more of a big deal. It didn’t really lessen my reading enjoyment overall but this book would have been even better if that portion of the plot had tightened up a bit.
I did really like Gran, and I was interested in Augie and how he plans to dry out (if he can). It looks as though there might be more books in this series and I’m looking forward to reading more stories set in the world of monsters. The concept is a lot of fun and I really like Megan Crane’s writing style so I’ll be back.
While this was not perfect, it was a lot of fun. I liked the post-apocalyptic monster angle and I loved that Winter’s world felt very relatable. She’s a mere human surviving (barely) in a post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest (Oregon, I think?) human settlement. Most of the rest of the humans are gone, eaten or killed by the “monsters” (and there are SO MANY monsters) when the big reveal happened a few years back. Right from the beginning this was a fun, gripping read that was easy to stay interested in. The identity of two of Winter’s tenants was fairly obvious to me, and the third was left so obviously uninvolved that you just KNOW she had to be involved somehow, right? (Right.)
One part that pulled me back a little was Winter’s relationship with Ariel, which seemed a bit abrupt, and the pacing thereof. Winter just meets this guy and suddenly they’re just, I don’t know, having sex every night? I get he’s super attractive and magnetic and all but, Winter darling, WHY? why is he interested in you? and what are you doing here? Think for a second!!! A significant portion of the middle of the book was spent on this. I didn’t mind it especially, and Winter herself was so engaging that I had no problem continuing on, but it was a little weird.
I also thought it was odd that each of the monster groups was researching how to defeat Vinca on their own without really meeting to discuss, or planning, or whatever. They just thought, hmm, guess I’ll show up to the showdown with a plan and hope all the plans just mesh, good idea!? In retrospect this sort of plot hole seems like more of a big deal. It didn’t really lessen my reading enjoyment overall but this book would have been even better if that portion of the plot had tightened up a bit.
I did really like Gran, and I was interested in Augie and how he plans to dry out (if he can). It looks as though there might be more books in this series and I’m looking forward to reading more stories set in the world of monsters. The concept is a lot of fun and I really like Megan Crane’s writing style so I’ll be back.
October 5, 2025
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.
Winter has been living with her grandmother in a small town... that also happens to be protected from monsters. Because three years ago the world changed due to the Reveal -- the time when monsters came out of the shadows, killing humans in a bloodbath that has left a lot of distrust between them. When Winter hears that the vampire king -- Ariel -- is holding her brother hostage, she agrees to work with him. At first, it's just doing everything he says, but quickly things between them heat up, and Winter can no longer deny that there's something about him that makes her body feel like singing. As much as Winter can't send the fact that she feels owned by him, she'll need his help as something more dangerous than she could have ever imagined begins to threaten the world and everyone in it -- both humans and supernaturals alike.
This was a great start to a series, and I'll be interested to see where it goes. I loved the chemistry between Winter and Ariel -- which, can I just say, I did not expect it to be as spicy as it was. And I'm totally okay with it. Because the spice was absolutely well done and HOT HOT HOT. I enjoyed the world building here where you have the Reveal, which brought to light all these supernatural monsters into the everyday world, and I love this death goddess who is threatening everyone, not just humanity. I really liked the side characters, because this book had a large cast of secondary characters that were all interesting to learn about and I'll be curious to see if we get to see more of them in upcoming books. I also liked the idea of the oracle needing to accept their fate versus just being outright told that they had to, because it added a little extra layer to Winter's character where she outright refused to accept her role until it came to a point that she just couldn't ignore it anymore. Again, I thought this was a great start to a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Especially considering the audio narrator did such a fantastic job, so I'm hoping to see her come back for the next one.
Winter has been living with her grandmother in a small town... that also happens to be protected from monsters. Because three years ago the world changed due to the Reveal -- the time when monsters came out of the shadows, killing humans in a bloodbath that has left a lot of distrust between them. When Winter hears that the vampire king -- Ariel -- is holding her brother hostage, she agrees to work with him. At first, it's just doing everything he says, but quickly things between them heat up, and Winter can no longer deny that there's something about him that makes her body feel like singing. As much as Winter can't send the fact that she feels owned by him, she'll need his help as something more dangerous than she could have ever imagined begins to threaten the world and everyone in it -- both humans and supernaturals alike.
This was a great start to a series, and I'll be interested to see where it goes. I loved the chemistry between Winter and Ariel -- which, can I just say, I did not expect it to be as spicy as it was. And I'm totally okay with it. Because the spice was absolutely well done and HOT HOT HOT. I enjoyed the world building here where you have the Reveal, which brought to light all these supernatural monsters into the everyday world, and I love this death goddess who is threatening everyone, not just humanity. I really liked the side characters, because this book had a large cast of secondary characters that were all interesting to learn about and I'll be curious to see if we get to see more of them in upcoming books. I also liked the idea of the oracle needing to accept their fate versus just being outright told that they had to, because it added a little extra layer to Winter's character where she outright refused to accept her role until it came to a point that she just couldn't ignore it anymore. Again, I thought this was a great start to a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book. Especially considering the audio narrator did such a fantastic job, so I'm hoping to see her come back for the next one.
December 13, 2025
The Reveal by Megan Crane
~ Excellent introduction to a new paranormal apocalyptic world that is populate with Humankind and The Kind. Scary mythical monsters are real and humans are working hard to survive ~ a small group decides to work together hoping they will be able to thwart a dark evil threat that could make the Reveal worse than what has already happened ~ Riveting read ~
What I liked:
* Winter Bishop: barista, grandmother’s caretaker, mortgage to pay, worried about her twin brother, taking in boarders, summoned by the Vampire King, chosen for something she hadn’t expected
* Ariel: Vampire King, ancient Spartan, has an interesting backstory, in league with the werewolves and a sorcerer, intriguing, intriguing, can see him with Winter
* Sarah Jessup Brown: grandmother of Winter and August, reads an interesting deck of cards, there for her grandchildren when their parents disappeared, wise, intriguing
* Maddox: Winter’s classmate, rents from Winter, werewolf, knows she is the mat of the Alpha, strong, has an agenda for her future, there for Winter
* Ty: Alpha of the werewolves, fated mate to Maddox, impatiently patient waiting for Maddox to be ready, part of the trio working to vanquish an enemy
* Savi: Sorceress, on the run, avoiding various family members, renting from Winter, member of the team that will vanquish the enemy
* August “Auggie” Bishop: Winter’s twin, charismatic, handsome, addicted to vampire blood, makes a big decision at the end of the book
* The impact of The Reveal and the mythology and prophecies related to the evil goddess
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Knowing that there will be another book to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how hard times bring out the best and worst in people – and the worst was obvious in a few of the characters in this story
* Having to wait for the next book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
~ Excellent introduction to a new paranormal apocalyptic world that is populate with Humankind and The Kind. Scary mythical monsters are real and humans are working hard to survive ~ a small group decides to work together hoping they will be able to thwart a dark evil threat that could make the Reveal worse than what has already happened ~ Riveting read ~
What I liked:
* Winter Bishop: barista, grandmother’s caretaker, mortgage to pay, worried about her twin brother, taking in boarders, summoned by the Vampire King, chosen for something she hadn’t expected
* Ariel: Vampire King, ancient Spartan, has an interesting backstory, in league with the werewolves and a sorcerer, intriguing, intriguing, can see him with Winter
* Sarah Jessup Brown: grandmother of Winter and August, reads an interesting deck of cards, there for her grandchildren when their parents disappeared, wise, intriguing
* Maddox: Winter’s classmate, rents from Winter, werewolf, knows she is the mat of the Alpha, strong, has an agenda for her future, there for Winter
* Ty: Alpha of the werewolves, fated mate to Maddox, impatiently patient waiting for Maddox to be ready, part of the trio working to vanquish an enemy
* Savi: Sorceress, on the run, avoiding various family members, renting from Winter, member of the team that will vanquish the enemy
* August “Auggie” Bishop: Winter’s twin, charismatic, handsome, addicted to vampire blood, makes a big decision at the end of the book
* The impact of The Reveal and the mythology and prophecies related to the evil goddess
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Knowing that there will be another book to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how hard times bring out the best and worst in people – and the worst was obvious in a few of the characters in this story
* Having to wait for the next book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
August 3, 2025
Never once does Ariel ask for consent, never once does he ask Winter for her input, her consent, or her preference. He just “knows” her body wants him, and feels free to take it, and it’s always Ariel making every decision with Winter being a passive participant in her own body’s pleasure — so if that’s not the vibe you’re looking for in a romance, you may want to skip this book.
Here she is, at the mercy of a vampire king who can bring her to orgasm with almost no effort, who captivates her body and makes her come again and again, proving he has power over her — power she wants to enjoy … and her thoughts are on both how she enjoys it, and how it unsettles it, how it screws with her head to know that this isn’t really her choice. Even if she said no, she has no way of keeping him from using his vampire powers or physical strength against her. And then he forcibly bonds them.
I don’t mind morally grey characters, but … my biggest gripe is, and will always be that a vampire meant to be 2,500 years old finds a 20 some year old girl to be the one. While that is still here, it’s helped with the idea of Ariel deliberately courting Winter and deliberately charming her because ehs’s an oracle, and a powerful one, and he wants that power for himself. He’s an asshole, and he’s using her, and being calculated in every aspect of their relationship.
And, personally, I kind of like it. He’s an asshole, but he’s not the biggest threat. He’s all machismo and pride and feels ever so slightly other. Maybe not a 2,500 year old other, but other enough to not feel like a teenager in a leather coat. Winter makes friends, which I like, learns to trust herself and learns to trust others. She’s young and a little aimless, but she’s well meaning and only a little passive. I’m curious to see her in the next book to see if she grows as a character.
The world building is well done, the cast of characters are solid, and it’s a well written, quick read. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
Here she is, at the mercy of a vampire king who can bring her to orgasm with almost no effort, who captivates her body and makes her come again and again, proving he has power over her — power she wants to enjoy … and her thoughts are on both how she enjoys it, and how it unsettles it, how it screws with her head to know that this isn’t really her choice. Even if she said no, she has no way of keeping him from using his vampire powers or physical strength against her. And then he forcibly bonds them.
I don’t mind morally grey characters, but … my biggest gripe is, and will always be that a vampire meant to be 2,500 years old finds a 20 some year old girl to be the one. While that is still here, it’s helped with the idea of Ariel deliberately courting Winter and deliberately charming her because ehs’s an oracle, and a powerful one, and he wants that power for himself. He’s an asshole, and he’s using her, and being calculated in every aspect of their relationship.
And, personally, I kind of like it. He’s an asshole, but he’s not the biggest threat. He’s all machismo and pride and feels ever so slightly other. Maybe not a 2,500 year old other, but other enough to not feel like a teenager in a leather coat. Winter makes friends, which I like, learns to trust herself and learns to trust others. She’s young and a little aimless, but she’s well meaning and only a little passive. I’m curious to see her in the next book to see if she grows as a character.
The world building is well done, the cast of characters are solid, and it’s a well written, quick read. Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 4, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the gifted audio book. Absolutely love this. The narrator did amazing bringing to life, each character and the different voices. You could even feel she did a great job voicing the male characters as well as the women characters. It was a very well done . I will definitely be looking for more audiobooks that this narrator has narrated as well as continuing the story because the storyline is very well done I truly enjoyed the reveal situation of all these mythical creatures or the creatures you thought weren’t real and now Pooff, they exist lol . But I enjoyed this story a lot. I can’t wait to see where the Author continues this. I really liked the main character winter, but I really didn’t feel her and Ariel in the beginning. It seemed more like a rushed Insta Love, where i felt more of an enemies to lovers vibe maybe their relationship will change more as it goes because near the end, I started to feel where Ariel seemed to open up and have more of a connection with winter. But besides that, I absolutely enjoyed the character, interactions, and the character growth. I love the werewolves Ty and Maddox . I could really see how a town would be after an event like the reveal happened. Very well description make you feel like you’re really there and I would love to see more of the side characters and I would love to know more of savis story. I will definitely be listening to more of this series. I hope it’s done by the same narrator and I hope to hear more about the other characters and more about what happened to her brother and how he ended up in this situation he was in I wanna know more about Augie and how he ended up with Ariel to begin with. Also, every time I hear his name it just feels too girly for a couple hundred-year-old vampire lol but I’m hoping Moore will get explained as we go . also, I almost forgot the spice was really spicy and I enjoyed every moment of winter and Ariel‘s spice.
October 26, 2025
*3.5 stars*
Intriguing take on the (near) end of the world…
A dystopian romance which finds the heroine in a daily struggle for survival. Oh and shifters are real! I quickly hit the download button, dove right in and then started adding items to both the pro and con columns. I liked a bunch of things and had reservations about others…
Winter was a solitary figure though she still had family, a job and a home. What might have felt only common-place in a Walking Dead scenario had become her daily life. For my sake, I was happy that (for the most part) the gruesome parts of the ‘monsters that lived and fed in the world now’ were glossed over. On the other hand, I felt like I wasn’t getting the full story…
Told completely from Winter’s point of view, I felt like I missed so much by not feeling/hearing from the rest of the characters. Front and center of course would be Ariel, the mysterious, charismatic and uncontested leader of the undead. His involvement with her brother seemed honestly quite creepy and without hearing his side, it stayed like that for much of the read.
What I did like – a lot – was the story itself. A fresh take on a ‘world ending’ scenario, it offered its own unique take on a familiar theme and it was an intriguing one. Also, I’ve read this author before and the writing style and flow of the book was (as expected) really enjoyable. I think the big thing for me was I wanted (needed) more insight from the other characters that contributed so much to the progression of the story.
Would I read more of this series? Absolutely. I will be at the front of the line needing to know more about Winter’s lodgers and how they all fit into a story arc that is nowhere near finished…
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake
Intriguing take on the (near) end of the world…
A dystopian romance which finds the heroine in a daily struggle for survival. Oh and shifters are real! I quickly hit the download button, dove right in and then started adding items to both the pro and con columns. I liked a bunch of things and had reservations about others…
Winter was a solitary figure though she still had family, a job and a home. What might have felt only common-place in a Walking Dead scenario had become her daily life. For my sake, I was happy that (for the most part) the gruesome parts of the ‘monsters that lived and fed in the world now’ were glossed over. On the other hand, I felt like I wasn’t getting the full story…
Told completely from Winter’s point of view, I felt like I missed so much by not feeling/hearing from the rest of the characters. Front and center of course would be Ariel, the mysterious, charismatic and uncontested leader of the undead. His involvement with her brother seemed honestly quite creepy and without hearing his side, it stayed like that for much of the read.
What I did like – a lot – was the story itself. A fresh take on a ‘world ending’ scenario, it offered its own unique take on a familiar theme and it was an intriguing one. Also, I’ve read this author before and the writing style and flow of the book was (as expected) really enjoyable. I think the big thing for me was I wanted (needed) more insight from the other characters that contributed so much to the progression of the story.
Would I read more of this series? Absolutely. I will be at the front of the line needing to know more about Winter’s lodgers and how they all fit into a story arc that is nowhere near finished…
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake
October 11, 2025
This was not what I expected. It was so much more!
The story takes place after the Reveal, an apocalyptic cataclysm that threw the world into chaos when all paranormals came out of hiding and took over. Blood was shed. A lot of blood. But things have since quieted down in Winter’s small town.
Winter is just trying to stay under the radar and keep her life together, protecting her home and caring for her grandmother. Who knew mortgages were still a thing after the Reveal? Now she is renting out cabins to “the Kind.” As if that were not enough, she is being summoned by the vampire king, the alpha werewolf is suddenly on her doorstep, and her haunting dreams are starting to feel more like prophecies. Surviving just got a whole lot more complicated.
You know when a blurb makes you think you know what kind of story you are getting? This one completely surprised me, and I loved it. The world overrun by paranormal creatures, where humanity is just trying not to get eaten, is thrilling, fresh, and immersive.
Winter is the kind of heroine who steps up. She adapts to this new world, becoming a protector, strong and selfless, never taking anything for herself until the vampire king, Ariel, arrives. He’s the prettiest kind of poison, deadly, alluring, and drawing you into his web before you even see it coming. The worst kind of danger because you want him to be dangerous. Their connection feels fated, and I loved watching it evolve.
The plot, the side characters, the intrigue, it is all there. I have questions, I have theories, and I cannot wait to see how everything builds and inevitably explodes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Megan Crane for this gifted e-copy!
The story takes place after the Reveal, an apocalyptic cataclysm that threw the world into chaos when all paranormals came out of hiding and took over. Blood was shed. A lot of blood. But things have since quieted down in Winter’s small town.
Winter is just trying to stay under the radar and keep her life together, protecting her home and caring for her grandmother. Who knew mortgages were still a thing after the Reveal? Now she is renting out cabins to “the Kind.” As if that were not enough, she is being summoned by the vampire king, the alpha werewolf is suddenly on her doorstep, and her haunting dreams are starting to feel more like prophecies. Surviving just got a whole lot more complicated.
You know when a blurb makes you think you know what kind of story you are getting? This one completely surprised me, and I loved it. The world overrun by paranormal creatures, where humanity is just trying not to get eaten, is thrilling, fresh, and immersive.
Winter is the kind of heroine who steps up. She adapts to this new world, becoming a protector, strong and selfless, never taking anything for herself until the vampire king, Ariel, arrives. He’s the prettiest kind of poison, deadly, alluring, and drawing you into his web before you even see it coming. The worst kind of danger because you want him to be dangerous. Their connection feels fated, and I loved watching it evolve.
The plot, the side characters, the intrigue, it is all there. I have questions, I have theories, and I cannot wait to see how everything builds and inevitably explodes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Megan Crane for this gifted e-copy!
June 27, 2025
The Reveal tells the story of a different kind of post-apocalyptic world, one that is ruled by everyone’s favourite monsters and where the very survival of humankind is fraught. As a concept, this isn’t something I had come across before and, for this reason, it felt like a fresh and creative perspective.
I have to say the world building was a particular strength; seeing how these powerful monsters would co-habit the world alongside each other and engage with gifted humans was interesting and I would have liked to delve into this more thoroughly as a system. My favourite character was, by far, Gran and I loved the fact she had an all-knowing presence and played the long game with her family.
For me, it was unexpectedly spicy, not that I minded this, but I clearly missed the hint in the blurb about wildfire chemistry! I’m also not sure I would agree fully as the relationship between Winter and Ariel was borne more from an overwhelming compulsion and didn’t move much beyond this dynamic. It just felt there wasn’t much substance to the foundation of their relationship. I also found some of the intimate scenes or references a bit repetitive and oddly paced throughout the story leaving little room for other detail.
There was a bit of disappointment that the major storytelling scenes skimmed over so much of the action or seemed too convenient at times in order to drive the story forward. Again, I think this might have been a pacing issue from a narrative point of view, hence the rating.
Overall, it’s an entertaining read if you’re into fast paced fantasy and supernatural romances.
I have to say the world building was a particular strength; seeing how these powerful monsters would co-habit the world alongside each other and engage with gifted humans was interesting and I would have liked to delve into this more thoroughly as a system. My favourite character was, by far, Gran and I loved the fact she had an all-knowing presence and played the long game with her family.
For me, it was unexpectedly spicy, not that I minded this, but I clearly missed the hint in the blurb about wildfire chemistry! I’m also not sure I would agree fully as the relationship between Winter and Ariel was borne more from an overwhelming compulsion and didn’t move much beyond this dynamic. It just felt there wasn’t much substance to the foundation of their relationship. I also found some of the intimate scenes or references a bit repetitive and oddly paced throughout the story leaving little room for other detail.
There was a bit of disappointment that the major storytelling scenes skimmed over so much of the action or seemed too convenient at times in order to drive the story forward. Again, I think this might have been a pacing issue from a narrative point of view, hence the rating.
Overall, it’s an entertaining read if you’re into fast paced fantasy and supernatural romances.
July 2, 2025
Thank you SO much for allowing me to ARC this! I'm so grateful for the opportunity and can't wait for the next one!
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but this was my first Megan Crane read—and it definitely won’t be my last. The world-building was immersive, the pacing kept me turning pages, and I was instantly drawn in by that stunning cover.
Winter, our fierce and determined heroine, is surviving in a gritty post-apocalyptic world, caring for her grandmother while fending off the creatures that lurk in the dark. (I’ll admit, the constant use of the generic term “Monsters” for everything from zombies to vampires was a bit repetitive at first—but it faded as the story gained momentum.)
I found myself rooting for Winter and her unlikely bonds with some of the powerful monsters she encounters. There’s definitely a dose of spice, and those dynamics added a thrilling edge to the narrative.
If I had one wish for improvement, it would be a deeper emotional connection between the two main characters. There were glimpses of something more beneath the surface, but the emotional depth wasn’t fully fleshed out. I craved a bit more growth and complexity in their relationship.
That said, the plot was gripping, the side characters added richness to the world, and overall, it was a fun, dark, and addictive ride. I’d absolutely recommend this to fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but this was my first Megan Crane read—and it definitely won’t be my last. The world-building was immersive, the pacing kept me turning pages, and I was instantly drawn in by that stunning cover.
Winter, our fierce and determined heroine, is surviving in a gritty post-apocalyptic world, caring for her grandmother while fending off the creatures that lurk in the dark. (I’ll admit, the constant use of the generic term “Monsters” for everything from zombies to vampires was a bit repetitive at first—but it faded as the story gained momentum.)
I found myself rooting for Winter and her unlikely bonds with some of the powerful monsters she encounters. There’s definitely a dose of spice, and those dynamics added a thrilling edge to the narrative.
If I had one wish for improvement, it would be a deeper emotional connection between the two main characters. There were glimpses of something more beneath the surface, but the emotional depth wasn’t fully fleshed out. I craved a bit more growth and complexity in their relationship.
That said, the plot was gripping, the side characters added richness to the world, and overall, it was a fun, dark, and addictive ride. I’d absolutely recommend this to fans of dark fantasy and paranormal romance
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