Zauroczona

Shadow Beast Shifters #5

by Jaymin Eve, Marcin A. Dobkowski (Translator)

Nienawidzę wampirów. Serio. Nic nie irytuje mnie bardziej niż ich arogancja i przekonanie o własnej wyższości. Ich wieczne życie, nadludzka siła i ten wkurzający nawyk patrzenia na ciebie jak na przekąskę. Ucieszyłam się więc, gdy opuściłam ich świat na zawsze.

A przynajmniej sądziłam, że pożegnałam Valdor na dobre. Los to jednak podstępny skurwiel! Podczas mojej wizyty niechcący obudziłam starożytnego Mistrza Wampirów. A teraz ten stary pryk żąda, bym wzięła udział w rytuale wyboru partnerek. Widocznie kilka tysięcy lat snu sprawiło, że stracił kontakt z rzeczywistością. Ja? Partnerką wampira? Absurd!

Na szczęście mam plan! Będę udawać zakochaną w Lucienie! Tylko że w Valdorze miłość potrafi być śmiertelnie niebezpieczna. Szczególnie gdy w grę wchodzą starożytna magia i zakazane rytuały krwi, a stawką jest moje serce… dosłownie i w przenośni.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Magic

462 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2022

About the author

Jaymin Eve is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and sci-fi novels filled with epic love stories, great adventures, and plenty of laughs. She lives in Australia with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a couple of crazy pets. To date, she has sold over three million ebooks, and still can't believe that she gets to create fantasy worlds as a job. 

For action, adventure, romance, and a guaranteed HEA, start one of her series today.

Reading order:

Secret Keepers series (Paranormal Romance) House of Darken. House of Imperial. House of Leights. House of Royale.

Storm Princess Saga (PNR/Fantasy)
The Princess Must Die. The Princess Must Strike. The Princess Must Reign.

Curse of the Gods (Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance series) UpperYA/NA
Trickery. Persuasion. Seduction. Strength. Neutral. Pain.

Supernatural Prison (UF/PNR romance -shifter, vampire, fae, magic user) Upper YA/NA
Dragon Marked. Dragon Mystics. Dragon Mated. Broken Compass. Magical Compass.

NYC Mecca Series (UF/PNR Romance - shifters) Upper YA
Queen Heir. Queen Alpha. Queen Fae. Queen Mecca.

Hive Trilogy (UF/PNR Romance - vampires) Upper YA
Ash. Anarchy. Annihilate.

Walker Saga (Fantasy/adventure/romance - gods, mermaids, dragons) YA
First World. Spurn. Crais. Regali. Nephilius. Dronish. Earth.

Stay updated:

http://www.jaymineve.com

https://www.facebook.com/JayminEve.Au...

Reviews

[Mikky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm beginning to think that my loving Mira and Shadow's story (the first 3 books in this series) was an outlier. A fluke some may say. I was actually very excited about Simone getting a book. This however was not how I thought it would turn out. This was a snoozefest. Particularly the last 3 or so hours were SO DAMN boring. There I said it. I'm not sorry about it. The only thing that kept me going in this story was finally getting to the point where Mira and Shadow have the naming ceremony for their overpowered kid.

This novel gave me the gift of reminding me of how much I dislike kids/babies in the novels I read. There have been exceptions. This book was not one of them. I also disliked how Simone dropped the C-word in her inner monologue out of the blue. Personally, I'm not a fan of the word and it caught me totally off guard. It just plain felt unnecessary.

The hero was kinda meh for me. He never really pulled me in. Even in Shadow and Mira's story. I don't know what I was expecting with his character development but what I got sure didn't impress me. Simone was also meh for me. While gathering my thoughts to write this review it seems like the overall story just didn't pull me in which consequently made the characters really dull to read about.

The one good thing about this book was a detail about the narration. I ADORE when authors do the dual narrated thing where the male narrator narrates everything a male character says and vice versa for the female narrator and it then gets spliced together. That is what I call audiobook heaven. Second only to our lord and savior Graphic Audio. The annoying part of this narration however is that no one told the male narrator that Shadow has a very specific accent that he completely ignored it (or didn't want to risk butchering it?). That took me out of the story every single time. That was the best part of the first three audiobooks.

For the first time ever I got up and wrote down a quote from an audiobook because it bothered me that much. It goes as follows "We didn't speak as we talked.". I'm sorry but huh? They weren't communicating psychically as far as I know so my question remains. Huh?

Books written by Jaymin Eve are either a complete hit or complete miss for me and unfortunately there have been a lot of misses lately. I still like the story concepts she comes up with enough to keep giving her novels a try. I've found gems before and I'll keep searching for more. This book clearly was not for me and that's about as deep as it goes.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

This really could be rounded up to an enthusiastic 5 star read for me. The story is that amazing in a light, escapist kind of way. There were just a few glitches that, while totally personal preference in nature, kept me from hitting that last star. Rest assured, however, this is truly a can’t-put-down, drink it all up and beg for more kind of story!

The small, personal glitches? Well, anyone who has read my reviews knows I’m a story-centric reader. Anything that drags away from the overall awesomeness of a great story annoys me. And, while sex is often a great and integral part of many stories, if I’m completely emerged in the overall romance and unfolding plot, pages and pages of super graphic (and often unnecessary) sex scenes just annoy me. See? That very point could be the main reason people read this book and series, so….. *shrugs*

The other thing that chafes me to no end is the over use of one word - it could be any word - but is extra obvious and irritating when the word is the F-bomb, given it’s natural tendency to call attention to itself. Even so, when ANY word is used for every stinking adjective, verb or noun in the story (exaggerating a bit… but not much) it drives me crazy! Good grief, get a thesaurus! Find another word that fits! And often, in this case, the placement of said word doesn’t even match the sentiment! GRRRR.

Other than those two pet-peeves used in abundance, this is a romance/urban fantasy lovers dream book! It has every single thing one would want. Lucian and Simone are both fabulous characters in their own right and together…. *sigh* Perfection! Utter and complete perfection! The plotline is also riveting while still incorporating a sense of nostalgia and warmth (weird, considering there are heads being torn off here and there!) Ms. Eve has truly outdone herself with this foray into the incredible world of beast shifters!!

[H-e-l-e-n-a · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐
Simone & Lucien ❤️
Esta historia es la combinación de Vampiros con La Selección.

Simone es llamada a Valdor y obligada a participar en una competencia para que un Maestro seleccione una pareja.
Lucien le propone participar también, escogerla y liberarla de su compromiso para que pueda regresar a La Tierra.
ajá.. ya sabemos como terminará eso 🤣

Me gustó mucho su dinámica, como todo lo que hacían era para llegar al final y bla bla 😏
Lucien es 😍😍
Simone toda una Badass que no se deja de nadie, ni del Granmaster de Valdor 💪🏻

Gracias al de arriba porque la excesiva aparición de Mera en el anterior libro no se repitió en este. 👏🏻👏🏻
Necesito más aparición de Bowley 🥺 Ojalá regrese con Simone.

_
“Anyone who touched you and didn’t appreciate the fucking gift they were given deserves to die.”
_
And there he went again, romancing me like a psychopath. Guess I was one too since I liked it. 🤣
_
“You burn brighter than any star I’ve ever seen. One day I’d like to kill your parents for ever making you believe that you were less. There’s nothing less about you, Simone Lewison. Not now and not before.” 😍
_
“There’s no reason for living without you, Simone,” he murmured. “My love for you is beyond anything I’ve ever felt. It’s beyond any words I can give you, but I promise my actions will always speak of my utter devotion toward you. You’ll never want for anything again, emotional or material.”❤️

[Bookiemonster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. Where to start with this one?
I have waited for this book for what feels like so goddamn long, my mind constantly pondering over the different things that happened and why Simone was compelled to not talk about it.
When the book cover, and plot was released for the book, I knew, I goddamn knew, it was going to be good.
Simone finally got her own story and I am so happy for her, but lets start with a few things that annoyed me first. The bad before the good.

Crimson? Seriously? This nickname annoyed the ever-loving crap out of me. It felt forced and like, Lucien is such a cool and HOT name already, but also very simple. 2 syllables. Why you gotta nickname him? I tried. I tried to understand the “background” behind the nickname but every time it was used, it urked me to the point where I just changed it to imagining Simone was saying Lucien. Dear author, not everyone needs a nickname or couple name. Also side note: I was very very disappointed in the name Mera and Shadow gave their child. You would think a god would get maybe a better or unique name, no?

Another thing that I was disappointed to see was Simone’s “pick me” character. No matter how many times she tried to justify herself with her background, it always felt like she needed validation and was throwing a pity party for herself. Her character honestly gave me whiplash.
At the start of the book, she changes in between saying that it’s not Luciens fault, she was the cause of her problems, but then, she would blame him? There are many other times like this but I can’t quote them cause spoilers.

Next thing; Mera. Mera already has had 3 of her own books, and I loved every single one of them, but in this? She bothered me with how much she tried to insert herself into everything, and also kind of how much she was in this book. I understand that Mera is powerful, but why she gotta act like big dog all the time? Honestly reading outside of her POV, I don’t understand how she has friends at all.

Apart from the above, I absolutely ate this book up. I live in New Zealand so the date the book was released, it actually was a day after here which bummed me out a little bit but definitely worth the anticipation. I was SHOCKED that we got two babies in one book, and honestly, low key a needing a book for them.
I loved the idea of a vamp-shifter romance and the small twist towards the end got me - not gonna lie.
Do not get me started on the sex scenes, because HOT DAMN.
Lucien has always been intriguing to me while reading the first 3 books and being introduced to his character in the first. Why? Because vampires. Still haven’t gotten over the teen faze as much as I would like to think so. Also vamp sex? Now that was something. I loved seeing him vulnerable and open and possessive. Definitely a perfect match for Simone. One question though - Shadow and Mera had sex without condoms, Angel and Reece had sex without condoms, and now both have kids… we all know what’s coming right? It’s definitely certain isn’t it?
I’m also glad that this wasn’t another “saving the world” book because that would have been disappointing.

Now I just need to sit around for maybe a few months, in wait of Sam and Len’s book, because we all knew it was coming and confirmation was bliss.

[Jessica Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️

Crimson B 😍🔥❤️

This book is about Simone and Lucien, and god did it have me on a choke hold!! I’ve been waiting to find out about what happened with Simone for ages now! I had my doubts as their book was very heavily teased but I was not disappointed!

The chemistry they have is insane, there are a couple of things I wish we got to see/ know more about but this hasn’t left me feeling like anything is missing.

I loved how their story line ended aswell! After the first Mira and Angel both ending in pregnancy I was hoping Simone’s wouldn’t end the same way and that Jaymin stuck true to Simone saying she didn’t care if she had kids or not and I’m glad it’s not a finally get your happily ever after and fall pregnant straight away with all the books.

Again I listened to this on audible and it’s duet narration and it’s simply amazing!! Oh and the spice 🥵🌶🥵🌶🥵🌶🥵

I definitely recommend this book and this series. Just remember to read the trigger warnings before reading.

I’m not usually a fan of vampire books but after reading this Jaymin has convinced me to read some more.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like the main characters in this book were just secondary characters to Mera and Shadow. This whole book felt rushed. I had big expectations. Those expectations were not met.
DNF at 95%. I stopped reading when the other tier 1 vampires voted the main characters grandmaster vampires but said “its cool we don’t need you, go hang out with Shadow and Mera whenever you want”. This couple could have been so much more than part of Shadow and Mera’s little group.
I was in a mood when I read this, I must have been, because it seemed so high school. Couple names and besties and just…yuck. It worked in the other books in the series but not this one.
I guess I get it, the friendship between Mera and Simone is important but does Simone really need a room in Mera’s house? Why did Simone have to rush to the birth of her friends baby if she couldn’t hold the baby?
Also, I hated EVERYTHING to do with Carter. What a dumb wasted character. I’m a little confused about… all of the Carter parts of the book. The author did a poor job of turning him into a crazed psycho. Like he was a little weird but basically normal, then Simone decided he was unhinged with one random experience, then he went completely nutso and turned into a total villain.

God I hated this book. I feel like I skimmed the entire thing because I have so many questions but I think it just wasn’t for me. I loved the “princess with an animal sidekick” stuff but it all felt unfinished. The entire selection process was just weird and gross. Absolutely no one wanted to participate but they all did it anyway.

[Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucien and Simone!

4.5 for me!

Love the push and pull of these two characters. Super interesting twist in this storyline. I liked Simone before her book but this made me love her.

Great character growth, angst, and thrills!

Happy reading,
DD🥂

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book finally reveals what went down between Simone and Lucien. Sort of. This is probably the only time I've ever said this, but I wish we got some flashback scenes. There's a lot of telling for what went down before, but no showing. And in the end it came across as pretty pathetic reasoning for all parties. I really wish we had gotten some of that firsthand, because the build-up is half the fun.
Anyway, Simone has to go back to Valdor, the vampire realm she swore she'd never set foot in again. Because of reasons (I'm avoiding spoilers) she has to participate in a selection process for a senior vampire to find a mate.
There's so much action in this one, and we get a lot of world building for this portion of the realm. Simone winds up with an awesome sidekick, and things get a little bloody. Very epic ending, and I can't wait for Len's story next!

[Alex(Books-In-A-Storm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one so much. It was fucking amazing. I don't know why I waited to long to read it. Fun, sexy and kickass. I need the next book asap.

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. There was a weird, WTH?, factor for me though with the whole fang piercing certain areas though that was a bit too much. But other than that, it was a fun read.

[Paranormal Kiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I really liked the story of Lucien and Simone. It was fast-paced and interesting. I enjoyed reading along as Simone went through the selection process. Seeing Lucien give into his feelings for Simone was another highlight.

I must admit I was disappointed that we didn't get to read from the beginning of of their time together, when they first went to Valdor. We find out parts of what happened during that time. But, I still feel like I missed the beginning of their romance, though it didn't come into fruition until this book.

Overall, a great addition to the series. I look forward to Len's book next.

[Lorrie (Clockworkbookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Reads #274/250
3.5⭐️

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I buy either the plot or the romance of this book.

The reason that Simona was called to Valdor was built up in the first part of the book (I didn't read the book description), but then the actual reason was so lackluster. okay, so she touched the sacred stone. That's like a cultural but not capital offense that was only committed because of Simone's ignorance and not ill will, and the whole book she's like "I have to atone and take responsibility for my actions" when pretty much all she did was trust someone she shouldn't have because she was having an emotional response. I thought she killed somebody, or like did something actually morally questionable. lame.

I just feel like the whole courting competition thing was kind of basic and low-stakes because a)it's clear that Simone is going to end up with Lucian so the other guy doesn't really matter b)there's not even an incentive to win. The plan is that Simone loses and is eliminated and then Lucian withdraws and the whole thing is over. The only thing at stake was that the trials were dangerous (which duh). Even the actual scenes where Simona is competing felt uncomplicated and unmemorable.

The climax was pretty similar to earlier books in the series Simona is like super-besties with the native animals and then shifts into a different, more powerful being So, the plot was nothing special.

I think that the main reason that I don't buy the romance is that Lucian and Simone were pretty flat characters. They both had one obvious struggle and were written as the stereotypical "alpha-male" and "defiant heroine that ultimately submits to the power of her mate". Their relationship didn't make me feel anything because I didn't feel connected to either of the characters.

Overall, this felt very similar to the original couple in this series and was not groundbreaking.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read, but it felt rushed at times. I wished for actual flashbacks to Simone's first time in Valdor and flashbacks to when she was a girl with her parents. There was all this implied anguish, but it felt fake because I couldn't see the details. The whole book seemed rather like an extended epilogue to Shadowshine's story with a novella about Simone and Lucien thrown in the middle.

The Carter character and Selection process felt like an afterthought to Lucien and Simone's boning.

I enjoyed the animal friends and Simone's snark once I was 70% through, but after the dramatic resolution, last few chapters were rather dull. We got more Library time, but I was already so finished with the book that I didn't enjoy these scenes.

Maybe I'm just being crabby, but I felt like Simone and Lucien could have had a better story. Based on the number of 5 star reviews, my opinion isn't popular. So, if you loved the Shadowbeast Shifters world, I'm sure you'll love this. 🐾

[Mistress OP · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I've been pleasantly surprised by this author's newer offerings. I hope the woman is bad/jealous theme though drops from her writing. It's in all her books. It's boring. I hope'n for better out of her because I've dug the more expansive themes and visuals she's been doing as of late. This out of all her series has been the best so for so...I'm hope'n.

[꧁༺ L̴E̴X̴I̴E̴ ༻꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all knew that if love was the most dangerous emotion in the worlds, hope was a close second.

In earlier books, Simone was never really more than a blip on the radar. As Mera's best friend, she was there but tended to fade into the background. Compelled changes that completely. This is Simone's story and while some kind of connection with the warrior vampire, Lucien, was teased at before, we finally learn what exactly happened in Valdor.

As a bookshop owner, Simone seems content with her boring life on the fringes of the Torma pack but that all changes when she receives summons to return to Valdor. With a death sentence hanging over her head, there are no easy options when she attracts the attention of an ancient and powerful vampire. Forced to compete in the Selection, which is basically a deadly version of the Bachelor, she has to rely on Lucien and her own strength to see them through.

Turned out I was living a story worthy of an urban fantasy heroine, and curse my soul, I was going to enjoy every second of it.

As a bond begins to form between the two of them though, we get to see a new side to Simone, one that's fiery and confident and loyal above all. Her innate wisdom also had me clapping as she surprised everyone with her insight, especially Lucien.

"Love is not weakness," I told him, as serious as I'd ever felt. "If you've been missing half of your soul, then you've been missing half of your strength... Logic doesn't have to fade under love. I promise."

This book is also important just for learning about the origins of shifters and their place in the universe. While we know that Shadow created them on a drunken whim, we never learned how he created them, due to the whole drunk thing. So, this was definitely a revelation but also served to explain all the underlying connections between the tight-knit group of powerful warriors and the fiery females that have entered their lives.

I loved seeing Simone turn sidekick to heroine as she stepped up to own her story. The only thing that kept this from being 5 stars was her near-constant comparisons to Mera. Throughout the beginning, it felt like Simone's hero worship of Mera was peppered throughout her own personality. Like, a large part of her as a character was tied to her position as Mera's BFF and her own love of fantasy books.

It was one of my least favorite tropes in books, when the unassuming, plain heroine suddenly had the attention of every desirable male - and female - for absolutely no reason. It wasn't like I thought of myself as nothing, or even particularly plain, but there was no good reason for both of these gorgeous, powerful, master vampires to be pursuing me like this.

Simone stepped up though to join the ranks of the powerful beings as an equal though and her story held my interest from start to finish.

[Liz Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
2.5🔥

Simone and Lucien

I was coming from a big slump so even though I struggled at first to finish this I knew I had to keep going
This was ok almost a 4.5 but at the end, it just kept dragging and I got bored
I liked their chemistry as a couple and they as individuals were ok too
I did have to stop and look around for the camera like in ¨The Office ¨ bc there were so many cringe and cheesy scenes.
As always we had the basic girl who gets brave and powerful out of nowhere, dresses like Elena from the Vampire Diaries, and couples with excessive PDA but “it's fine since they are supernaturals “.

Side note> I had to roll my eyes every 15min when they justified a completely normal reaction as something from their vampire/shifter nature. For example, her best friend will leave and the heroine was like I miss my bestie already, that's because as a shifter I need my pack, and I'm like no gurl you just miss your friend as any normal person would do.

[~ jj. (the literary overdose)✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

“One day, though, we will face these battles together. I’m not a queen to cower behind her king. I stand at your side, or I don’t stand with you at all.”

I honestly have mixed feelings about this book….

While I loved that Simone and Lucien got their own spin off from Mera and Shadows story, delving deeper into what actually went down during Simone’s stay in Valdor when the whole world was literally going to shit, I can’t help but laugh because all the females have been going through what I can only describe as a mix between a super saiyan power up and a Pokémon evolution 😂

don’t get me wrong I am SO here for the woman’s rights power movement these stories have got going on, it almost makes me wish I had a whole woven in the stars destiny adventure out there for me, but I haven’t been able to think of Mera’s, Angels or Simone’s “rebirths” as anything less than some ultimate super saiyan form, ladies, if you want a female version of Dragon Ball Z, just read this entire series.

With THAT being said, I would say I’m about 60/40 on my feelings, the story was of course a never ending shit show of otherworldly power displays, arguments, possessive alpha males with their melodramatic mood swings, our fmc’s nearly dying… ACTUALLY dying, and spice scenes so hot my brain repeatedly short circuited (yeah THAT good)

I think Lucien could’ve had a better back story… I feel like it was solely focused on just Simone, okay granted it was technically her story, however all I got from our bleach blonde bronzed god was that:

1. He was the most powerful vampire in Valdor.. obviously, as if his other sexy God like friends weren’t an indication of how powerful they were to begin with
2. His brooding knew NO limits… if looks could kill, I’m sure we’d all have been dead 100 times over
3. He excels in the art of being a stubborn asshole… Alphahole?? Since he spent a small portion of the story constantly reminding Simone how he’d rather be alone - blah blah blah and refusing to acknowledge the pull from her blood or blood call bonds due to the trauma he faced with his parents.. understandable, but at the same time you’re over a 1000 years old, literally grow up

Oh and he refers to her as; B as in her blood type, then Bee as in creature responsible for sustaining Earth, and finally Queen Bee cause hell yeah she is 🙂‍↕️✨

[Dominika · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ 3.5/5


• "Nikt nigdy nie powiedział mi, że jest ze mnie dumny. Zwłaszcza nie moi rodzice. Okej, nigdy tak naprawdę nie zrobiłam niczego, co zasługiwałoby na uznanie, ale i tak miło byłoby to usłyszeć."

• "Miłość nie jest słabością – powiedziałam tak poważnie jak nigdy. – Jeśli brakowało ci połowy duszy, to brakowało ci też połowy siły. Powinieneś rozważyć, czy przypadkiem słabość twoich rodziców nie wynikała z ich osobowości, a nie z oddania się sobie nawzajem. (...) Logika nie musi zanikać pod wpływem miłości. Jestem tego pewna."

• "Bycie związanym nie oznacza, że jest się w więzieniu. To tylko znaczy, że ma się kogoś, z kim można dzielić to życie."

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD!

I had been wanting to read about Simone’s story FOREVER and it did not disappoint. I am so happy all the characters from the rest of the series were involved in this one so well. Simone and Lucien’s story was absolutely beautiful, and I love how sassy she is! We didn’t know all that much about her before this so I’m glad we got the insight into what happened with her time in Valdor. I can’t wait to read Len and Sam’s story next!

[Sheena ☆ Book Sheenanigans · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
3.5🌶
🎧Duet narration audiobook 🎧

I really enjoyed this book. I was so excited for Simone and Lucian's story, but I definitely think i wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did if I had read it and not listened to it. The narrators did an amazing job!

[Tiersa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

I love the spin off from Mera and Shadow's life. Great story line with a side of steamy love. Can't wait for the next book

[Zuza R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trochę inaczej wyobrażałam sobie ich książkę, ale i tak dobrze się bawiłam. Uwielbiam to, że wracamy też do starych bohaterów – I’m in love.
3,25/5!

[skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

These books are mindlessly addicting but the writing is so dramatic.

Tell me why every single chapter ends like this:

I pushed my worries away. Today I would be by my best friend’s side as she brought a god-baby into the world, and tomorrow…
Tomorrow I would return to the land that had almost stolen everything from me.
Including my heart… and my life.

😭😭😭

[Julotlinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

In comparison with the last book, this one was a masterpiece. But alas, I compare with all the books I have read.

This is a fun little read, very smutty, very predictable, but I was still surprised by that little plot twist at the end. I liked the main characters, and the whole competition was kinda fun. I also liked seeing more about Len, who will star in the next book. But I found Mere again so annoying, actually most of the the side characters were boring and annoying. The whole baby thing was also so freaking weird, and I just don’t love babies. Like, I get the babies are kinda gods and stuff, but why were they so freaking weird, please? The writing style is something I really dislike too, sorry but calling your friend ‘bestie’ the whole time while you are 28/30 is weird as fuck. Same as the couple names they apparently all need to have. Have your fun but these people are supposed to be 28/30 or like 1000, why do they act like this.

Either way, I kinda enjoyed this one, but I also cringed at a lot of parts and skipped most of the baby stuff.

[Laura Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This warrior vampire protected me, cared for me, and gave freely of his blood to me”- Simone



It feels so good to be back in this world.. in all of Jaymins books this is my favorite world that she’s created. I love all her series but I’m especially attached to Shadow and Mera.. Angel and Reese .. and now I’m so in love with Simone and Lucien ..


These characters are completely different and as interesting and full of so much fire .. it’s hard to say who’s my favorite at this point.. Lucien has big energy and he’s so different then the Lucien from the previous books, where he was a jokester almost.. here he’s every bit of the scary vampire, he is full on protector and so very hot .. they have some serious heat between them ..


While they fight for their freedom in Valdor and everything they go though we get to meet interesting side characters along the way.. I want a bowley!! I also still want an Inky .. just saying .. besides the baddies that we meet there are some precious new characters that are so powerful I really hope they get a book in the future .. I completely loved this book.. there was no part I thought was lacking .. it had everything and more .. I can’t wait for Lens book!!

[Steven Smithen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Where to begin? With all authors we love we always expect certain things in their books and Jaymin Eve is no different. In Jaymin's books we've come to expect badass alpha men and kickass alpha women that are their equal in all things.

Compelled definitely delivers. First, I must admit that Simone wasn't a character that I even considered in this series. Angel from Deserted is my favorite character. With that said Simone is all that Mera and Angel are and a whole lot more. Simone is easily likeable and relatable.

Summoned by the Vampire Masters Simone learns that she is to take part in a mate selection. Confused as to why a wolf shifter is to be a part of a vampire mate contest she grudgingly agrees since her life is on the line from a previous visit to the vampire home.

Follow Lucien and Simone as they try to navigate the vampire politics and subterfuge that are in play in this action adventure. Not to mention some steamy romance.

This book is my favorite in the series and a definite must read.

[Priyanka · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an enjoyable read but I wouldn't say it's memorable. Expected a lot going in, and Jaymin's one of my favourite go-to authors for PNR.

What worked for me -
The world building

The supporting characters (Shadow!!!!)

Lucien❤️

What didn't work for me -
As much as I love reading about the OG's from the first three books, I wish not all 5-6 chapters were about them completely. It took away from Simone's story.

I love when the characters finally get the love and attention they deserve, that they find a new family after all the struggles they have faced - but I don't want to be constantly reminded of their past (not trying to be insensitive here)

The romance bit felt kinda repetitive.
..

It's still a good enough read though!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling 🥰

Jaymin has done it again! I was completely sucked back into my favorite world and devoured this book on release day. I could not wait and could not put it down.
So happy with how Simone and Lucien’s story turned out..gave me all the feels 🥰 and of course...loved all the appearances of our favorite family/pack members (Mera,Shadow,Angel,etc).
Won’t be posting spoilers..go read it for yourselves and enjoy the ride 🧛🐺🩸

Amazing job Jaymin! Looking forward to Len and Sam next 🥰