Declan

by Heather Dahlgren

From USA Today bestselling author Heather Dahlgren comes the next chapter in the Shattered Souls MC.

Declan has always been the protector. As the SAA of the Shattered Souls MC, he’s tough, ruthless when necessary, and loyal to a fault. But even the hardest men have a soft side, one they keep buried deep. For Declan, that soft spot has always been Lena, the one woman he can’t have.

Lena has spent her life loving Declan from a distance. As her brother Wesley’s best friend, he’s always kept her at arm’s length. But what Wesley doesn’t know is that Declan has been protecting her for years, in ways no one else ever realized.

When Lena finds herself drowning in trouble she turns to the only man she trusts. Declan handles it, like he always does, but this time, the lines between them blur. What starts as a desperate plea for help ignites a fire neither of them can put out. Their passion is undeniable, their connection impossible to ignore, but they both know Wesley can never find out.

For Declan, loyalty has always come first. But when Wesley discovers the truth, he’s forced to make an impossible choice—his best friend or the woman he’s loved in secret for far too long. And when Lena walks away, challenging him to be the man she knows he can be, Declan has to decide if he’s willing to fight for the only thing that’s ever truly mattered.

Brotherhood. Betrayal. Undeniable passion. In the world of the Shattered Souls, love might just be the riskiest gamble of all.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2025

About the author

Heather Dahlgren writes Contemporary Romance, sprinkling each book with a bit of humor, a lot of naughty and true love. She self-published her first book in 2014 and continues to do so today. Her over active mind promises the stories are in no short supply.

Heather grew up and still resides at the Jersey shore. She loves being so close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pine Barrens. She is surrounded by the best of both worlds.

She is married to her high school sweetheart and has three kids. There is nothing more important in the world to her then her family.

When Heather isn’t writing you can find her getting lost in a great book, spending time with family and helping her fellow authors.

Follow Heather on:
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/HeatherDahlgren
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00LNTFE2G
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bdyss9

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan and Lena

This is the first book in the Shattered Souls MC series and it started out as a five-star read for me. Declan is the club’s SAA so when his best friend’s sister is in need of help its Declan who will do everything, he can to keep her safe. That complicates things because Lena has loved Declan for years but since she is the VP’s sister, Declan knows of that line that’s not to be crossed. That’s easier said than done because the level of chemistry is about to become undeniable. I cannot wait to see where this series will go.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is her brother‘s best friend and off-limits, but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t in love with him, hasn’t been in love with him for years. When she runs into some trouble, he’s the first one she goes to, she knows she will protect her. He is always kept his distance, but he has always known. She was the one. If he had to stay away to keep her safe to keep the peace he would. He would do anything for her burn the whole world down. So when she comes to him and he sees marks on her arms, he is ready to do battle. He also knows he can’t keep his distance anymore. When they come together, it’s explosive and passionate as they have both been pining for each other for years. H and tumble biker who grew up without much of a family and he’s been running from his feelings for years. She knows it could blow up her relationship with her brother, but she can’t help that she loves him. These characters are both well written and easy to quickly invest in. There is a little bit of MC drama, but not so much that it overpowers their romance story. There is some good world building with other characters making you want to continue reading the series. They get their happily ever after and I hope I get to see them again later stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BM · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like MC romance, an alpha, protective male who has hidden feelings for his best friend's sister, and would do anything for her, then this book is for you. Shattered souls are more than just the club name.
Declan has grown up with Wesley and Lena. They have shared a difficult childhood and Declan regards Wesley as his brother, but Lena is definitely not a sister.
Lena has hidden feelings for Declan, trusts and relies on him in need. When she gets into serious trouble, he is the one she turns to for help. Her saviour in more ways than one, her comforter and confidante, but when the situation develops into more, a hidden relationship is becoming wearisome. Declan allows his fear to drive his actions and keeps falling down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan has been in love with his best friend, Wesley's younger sister, Lena for years. He never acts on it until he finds out she feels the same as him. Once they cross the line, there is no way he will be able to walk away from her.

They decide to keep their budding relationship secret for the time being, but his brothers are one by one picking up the vibes that something is going on. Of course, just when they are close to letting Wesley know, he finds out.

I loved these two, Declan makes some missteps but that only due to try not torch his friendship with her brother. Looking forward to the next in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GKP2460 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in the Shattered Souls MC, Cali Chapter is Declan. It's the best friends sister, forbidden love story of Declan and Lena. Declan and Wesley have been best friends for years as well as brothers in the club. But Declan and Lena fought for years to stay away from each other. She’s off limits and Declan knows that. As SAA of the club he's a protector and that protection covers Lena so when trouble comes for her Declan is the first one she calls. Their story isn't an easy path and tough choices have to be made but it all comes together.

"It’s messy sometimes. Loud. Wild. But it’s real. It’s ours. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Declan and Lena
Genre- MC Romance, and not the kind with sparkles and rainbows
Heat- open door, explicit, pierced hero.
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- graphic violence, language, extortion.
Tropes- Brother’s Best Friend, Fight Club, The Gambler, Friends to Lovers.
What I liked- I liked the exquisite buildup between Declan and Lena. It was more than sexual tension. And I liked that Lena was very much imperfect and given to less than wise choices because it made her seem more realistic.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan and Lena have secretly loved each other for years but neither acted on their feelings because of Wesley, her brother and his best friend. When danger comes to Lena Declan goes into protective mode and before they know it sparks are flying between them. I loved these two for each other and how they brought out the best in each other. Declan is book one and a great start to the Shattered Souls Cali: MC series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is the protector of his club, and she has spent years loving him from a distance. When trouble comes for Lena Declan will stop at nothing to keep her safe but when the feelings between the ignites will he be able to keep his heart from combusting. She is his best friend's sister who is also the VP. Is trouble on the horizon for these two. This story kept me glued to the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan

An excellent read. I absolutely loved Declan and Lena’s story ❤️❤️❤️ A definite page turner and very entertaining. 100% recommend this book to everyone ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ you will not be disappointed 😎🖤

[Amy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!!
I really enjoyed reading Declan, once I started reading this book I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The chemistry between Lena and Declan was steamy HOT and I loved their story!!