Forsaken Desire

Ruthless Wolves #1

by Allie Santos

Lucian

I rejected my mate, and it led to her death—or so I thought until she turned up at my whole, healthy, and with no memory of me. I knew the agony of losing her once. A hollowness I couldn’t survive. So I kept her close. She was my only anchor, the reason I breathed.

She couldn’t know how desperately I hungered for her, because to her, we’d just met. And before her memories returned and shattered our fragile bond, I’d make her mine in every way.

Because she wouldn’t leave me.
Not even if she wanted to.

Rejected Mates, Fated Mates, Shifters, & MF. Please check CWs.

Genres: Fantasy, Omegaverse, Shapeshifters

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

Reviews

[Serialbookstarter:Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had potential but the problem was the prologue— it should have been the first chapter and carries on Into the angst of the rejection for a bit. The way it was setup with the rejection being glossed over along with ow drama it made this book fall flat and might I say boring. Then add a 4 year time jump
And an fmc with amnesia and you have nothing to
Keep That page turning emotional roller coaster going. There were alot of boring sex scenes and that was it. The smut couldn’t save this one because this reader just wasn’t invested— skim skim. It’s like that dud of a firework. You hear the sizzle and expect a great show and a loud boom and then it fizzles and lets out a wet burp!

[Camille]

DNF. 🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱

[Danny Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is between 2.5 and 3 stars. I really do need plot over smut, and this is what this was. Smut on top of smut. And those scenes weren't anything to write home about. Author gives warning how much we're going to dislike Lucien the H, but he was small time for me. Also, the writing felt a bit disjointed. It does open up strong with the rejection, but then fizzled out. She runs. There's a car accident. Some involvement from the bad wolves, and then she's in prison with memory lose with a tattoo of Lucien's name. Fast forward 4 years she's out and working in his hotel. She's sent to drop of towels to the Alpha's room. And batta boom batta bang however that goes, she recognizes him as her mate. This time he's all in. They have so many sexual encounters I was skipping. So when they sleep together the first time and she knows his name is Lucien yet doesn't question his name or the same one tattooed on her I was thinking there's no help for this character. She even says "your the only Lucien I know." Yet she doesn't question it? Anyways, ow trouble, pack trouble. Bad people messing with her, but it's obvious who they are. She starts to remember what happened before with Lucien. Oh, for those four years she had all the betrayal pains because Lucien was giving it up to every woman over the age of 18, and has basically slept with hookers, strippers, and hotel staff. While having an arranged engagement with the queen bitch Cierra who he also slept with. Overall I needed more. Smut can not carry a book. There was no backbone to the story. It could have been though with the plot, but personally failed for me. Darn. Oh, and it ends on a cliffy, so I'm going to have to read that.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆
3.5🌶
Imagine meeting the supposed love of your life only to have him reject you. The debilitating heartbreak ripping you into 2 only to be washed away by a car accident and losing all memories prior to that event.

Fate has a cruel way of remedying her earlier mistakes. Joey is finally freed from prison for the car accident that killed her dad.
Luckily, she's released to a nearby town to restart her life.

Lucian has spent every minute looking for the mate he rejected. Her death via an accident is hard for him to believe. Yet, he finds her working at the local hotel and alive?

Intrigue, betrayal, business, and pack politics are always ripe for ulterior motives. This story is jam-packed with all of it, but I a way that draws you in and has you rooting for the mates to have their very own HEA. This book does end in a cliffhanger, so know the resolution is not immediate. but the journey is worth the ride.

I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Ashlie McCabe]

ARC REVIEW:

Okay, so this book hooked me right from the start. It’s fast-paced, no slow burn here, and I was all in immediately. I love me some fated mates, and their dynamics were done so well. Josephine and Lucian? Fantastic! Their chemistry was so well written (even if he pissed me off in the beginning). And then there’s Cierra, I knew I would love to hate her. Like just let goooooooo. The cliffhanger-BRO.


I’ll say this:
If you like fated mates, wolves, and a story that doesn’t drag the slow burn, this one’s a super fun ride. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something you can’t put down.

[Nicolina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I honestly don’t understand the high ratings for this book. Normally, I’d assume I’m the problem, but in this case… I’m pretty confident I’m not 😂.

This isn’t romance. This is smut, pure and simple. If you’re looking for plot, character depth, or even basic logic, you won’t find it here. Think porn in book form. 📕

The writing was clunky, the pacing uneven, and the “story” never really came together.

Plot rundown:

The FMC starts off at a fancy hotel with her dad, who’s checking out a new pack’s territory. She wanders into the alpha’s (and hotel owner’s) office, because apparently security is optional, and instantly discovers he’s her mate. He rejects her on the spot, then strolls to another office where she watches him through a window getting a blowjob from the Other Woman. Heartbroken, she runs away.

Fast-forward four years: the FMC has been in jail for supposedly killing her dad in a drug-fueled car accident. (We never get real details about this, by the way.) She moves back to the same town, conveniently gets a job at the same hotel, and bumps into the MMC again. He’s suddenly ready to accept her now. She doesn’t remember the past, so she goes along with it.

From there… nothing much happens. We get half a scene of plot followed by endless pages of smut (which was not even good but boring). Add in petty jealousy, the MMC’s childhood fiancée, and lots of women tearing each other down.

By the end, the FMC regains her memory, almost gets killed by the Other Woman, and that’s basically it.

Characters? Flat.
• The MMC: “cruel but hot” is his entire personality. Even his pack hates him.
• The FMC: painfully naïve, borderline dumb, and hard to root for.
• The Other Woman: pure cliché “evil rival” written straight out of Bad Romance Tropes 101.

The whole “rejection and memory loss” concept could’ve been interesting, but the execution was messy and shallow. Honestly, I’ve read Wattpad stories with stronger writing and more coherent plots.

Final verdict: skip it.

[A.B. Shepherd · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this is book one of two, I really don't care enough about the characters or story to read on.

[Sarah Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well …. where do I start? It’s full of intriguing suspense, secrets, betrayal and I had to remind myself to breathe throughout reading this. It was addictive!

I absolutely detested Lucian in the first few chapters but that all changed as the story progressed. Joey was definitely good for him and they both complemented each other perfectly as fated mates should.

I was completely hooked on the drama that Cierra bought to the table. I really like the tension that a scorned woman causes but I’m hoping she’ll get her comeuppance in the next book.

The ending was great! I mean, it made me scream and want to throw my phone. How dare it end like that! BUT I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. Fantastic read!!!!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need book 2 now. 😆

The MMC, while he started out a jerk-hole towards the FMC, he regretted losing her after he rejected her. Then, when he was told she died, he did sleep around. None of it was on-page except for when others mentioned it. When they reunited, he didn’t do anything with anyone else. The MMC was all about his mate when she came back.

This book has tons of spice, almost every chapter after the MMC and FMC reunited. 🤭

The book ended on a cliffhanger- I didn't think it was that cliffy. The OW beat the FMC and dumped her in a nearby river, and the MMC was able to save her but just barely. At this point, the FMC remembered her past and realized that the MMC rejected her years ago.

[Jeanet Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Santos did it again. An heartbreaking, intriguing and steamy shifter read with captivating characters.


I was hooked right from the start and finished it in a couple of days.


My heart goes out to our FMC Josephine, who start of getting her heart broken. OMG, I feel for her.

She travels to a new pack with her father, finds her fated mate and gets rejected. 

It sounds like a typical shifter story, but no, don't miss this.

Can't wait for book two.


4⭐

4🌶️

[Lisa Kimbrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

I’m soooo sad this was a cliffhanger!!! I need to know what’s NEXT!!!! But this was an awesome read. I could barely put it down, it was so captivating that kept saying just one more chapter and then I’ll go to bed.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒
🐺Touch-Her-And-D!e
🐺Rejected Mates
🐺Ex con x Alpha
🐺Amnesia
🐺"Princess"
🐺Obsessed MMC
🐺Literally k!lls for her
🐺Enemies-to-strangers-to-lovers

𝗧𝗟𝗗𝗥: 𝗚𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗪❗❗❗

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔°❀⋆.ೃ࿔°❀⋆.ೃ࿔°❀⋆.ೃ࿔

Okay, where do I even begin with this?

I've never been one for rejected mates. I thought, if I was a werewolf and rejected by my mate, I would never be able to forgive him, so I think because of my self-inserts, I was never really interested in the trope. However, Allie Santos has never failed me with her literary masterpieces, so I figured - why not give it a go?

And Thank Moon I did!

The story follows Josephine (Joey) Garcia, a recently freed ex-convict with no memory of her past, and Lucian, an Alpha who owns the hotel that Joey is working at. From the very beginning, all my sympathy lay with Joey. She really got the short end of the stick with life from her father's fate to being rejected by Lucian so cruelly that I just wanted to slap some sense into the guy! Joey's amnesia is artfully written because it's not overbearing. The reader isn't reminded every chapter that Joey can't remember her past - Santos sprinkles it in. Through moments where Lucian touches her tattoo, when she's accosted by Sasha and Galina (I read that as Glinda first and thought - huh, a crossover 🤔), and more, the reader sees bits and pieces of Joey's past, learning about them as she remembers them.

Joey isn't weak, though. She accepts her shortcomings and is aware of the wolf hierarchy, but it doesn't stop her from defying those who do wrong against her. Multiple times, she rebels against Lucian's possessive behavior and it's satisfying to see Joey's stubbornness portrayed maturely! A lot of the time, I've read FMCs who are stubborn just for the sake of being stubborn and are so immature about it, but Joey and Lucian have conversations, so their reactions are warranted.

Moving onto Lucien...phew 🫠this man is sin and sweetness wrapped up in one messy Alpha. Lucian is possessive, demanding, and expects obedience, even at times from Joey, but he's never overbearing with her. He gives her the time she needs to go at her own pace, even if the Alpha within him wants to spoil her (I mean, look, Joey, if you don't want Hermes or a new iPhone, I'll gladly take it 👀😂). Lucian is demanding in such a 🥵way, though at times I was like, dude, come on! Just give her some breathing room 😂

What shocked me the most was the scene between Lucian and Dillon. I swore I choked on my spit because what the heck?? I can't spoil it, so you're going to have to trust me when I say that this scene most definitely cements Lucian's character as someone who doesn't take nonsense from anyone, especially when it comes to his mate. Lucian is deliciously protective and yearning to repent for his mistakes. At first, I didn't believe it, especially after the first scene where we meet him, but he seems genuinely willing to own up for his misgivings.

I will admit, the use of "channel" quickly became a little awkward to read 🤧There's only so many times you can say the word before it becomes a bit overused. This leads to my thoughts on the spicy scenes, and Santos didn't disappoint with those! I think nearly every chapter had an iteration of a spicy scene, and even though Joey was inexperienced, it wasn't written as a detriment, which I think is an important message to pass on to readers.

Lucian...Lucian is a man you want to be devouring you because...well, I'll let this quote speak for itself 😍

“Run as hard as you want, Princess, but you won’t escape me.”

He says sooo much more, but I won't write them all here because you need to read the story and find out for yourself! Lucian is pulling no punches when it comes to his girl!

Now to our least favorite character...Cierra. Oh boy, did I want Cierra's event with Toby to go down exactly how Lucian wanted. Joey has more empathy than I do for that situation, but Santos wrote Cierra as an antagonist you love to hate, but also kind of feel sorry for? There are moments where I did feel sorry for Cierra's situation, but she was always ready to find some way to dispel any sympathy I had for her. She was cunning, I'll give her that, but she was broken in a way.

My romance-twisted brain has me wondering if there's anything for Cierra and Alex...but I think Alex deserves better. Honestly, I wish he and Joey had more scenes together; they were totally a brother/sister duo!

Samantha is also another character I want to see! I kind of shipped her with Alex, so I hope we have a cheeky little sequel or novella for Alex (can you tell he's one of my favorites 😂)! I'm hoping in the next book we get more of Samantha and Joey, because their friendship is honestly so sweet and relatable! I think Joey could find a lot more in common with Samantha despite the species difference.

As for the setting, I think Oregon makes a lot of sense! It's colder with more forests, and I like that Santos didn't dwell too much on describing the scenery because it gave us an opportunity to focus more on the character development. I think most readers are generally aware of what the setting of a werewolf novel is (forests, big packs, etc), and even if there are new readers, Santos gives just enough for them to visualize the place without drawing attention away from the events between the characters.

That being said, I would have LOVED to see more description of the ball room during the charity event and how it relates to Joey. Maybe it could have given her some kind of recollection. I feel like these moments where the setting/conversation could have connected to Joey's past were overlooked for the chemistry between Joey and Lucian. I also wish we had more development for Lucian. His family seems pretty complex and I didn't quite understand who was married to who, and what his relationship with them was like. I gathered that he was somewhat close to Alex, but the rest of his relationships felt too vague. I'm curious what the point was to introduce his family. Maybe that will be revealed in the next book.

I also wished there were more events - more of Joey making choices that would impact the drive of the story. It was very much plot driven, and the characters reacted to what was happening, but they didn't cause those events. I wanted to see more of Joey taking control of the narrative, having consequences for her actions (Lucian implies this several times when she starts to disobey him - will we see what happens when she does?) I think it would serve her character development well and also tie into her backstory!

When it comes to the car crash that killed Joey's father and induced her amnesia, was it Cierra's fault? Why? Did Cierra know Joey was Lucian's mate?

Another thing I want to see more of is Lucian's acceptance of Joey. Of course, he already accepted her, but I feel like it's because she's his bonded, so he feels when she's in pain and when he's not around her, rather than because he wants her for her. I wonder if Santos did this on purpose to expand more in the next book, but it makes me curious if Lucian is with Joey only because of the bond, and if that will change their dynamic after what happened in the end.

Overall, this is a must read! If you love werewolves, pining, angst, lots, LOTS of spice and "Princess", then this book is for you!!

[Your_bookish_fantasy Kerri-louise Whitham · Rating 5 out of 5]

**🅽︎🅾︎ 🆂︎🅿︎🅾︎🅸︎🅻︎🅴︎🆁︎🆂︎**
𝔻𝕖𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕠𝕗- FORSAKEN DESIRE


ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤-
(out of 5 stars, my rating scale is at the end)
📚 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌡️ 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲🌶🌶🌶🌶/ 5
♟️𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹- >>>🌑<<<
🎃: 𝐶𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑦𝑙𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 🌑: 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑦 ⚔️: ᵒᵒᵒʰʰʰ ˢᵗᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ••• 💀: 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 M̶E̶N̶U̶ 😳 -𝑖 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠!!
☠️: P͟I͟T͟C͟H͟ F͟C͟u͟K͟I͟N͟G͟ B͟L͟A͟C͟K͟!


𝕂𝕖𝕪 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠:
•📖#214  𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
•𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁?
A matter of hours!
•# dual 𝗣𝗢𝗩
•𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲- 26 Aug 2025
•𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁 or 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 driven? CHARACTER
•𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 & 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼- Book 1 of 2 Ruthless Wolves
•𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 on 𝗞𝗨? ✅️ YES
•𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲- FAST
•𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲? ✅️YES
•𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? (Disability, plus size, mental health etc...) 🚫 NO
•𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀; 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒚, 𝑬𝒎𝒐𝒕𝑖𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍, 𝑯𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌, 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚, 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈



🚨🅲︎🅷︎🅴︎🅲︎🅺︎ 🆃︎🅷︎🅴︎ 🆃︎🆆︎!🚨


●𝕋ℝ𝕆ℙ𝔼𝕊
🔥REJECTED mates
😈𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 & 𝔅𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔶𝔞𝔩𝔰
💌ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ
👩‍❤️‍👨𝙵𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚜
🍭𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕟𝕪 𝕍 𝔾𝕣𝕦𝕞𝕡𝕪
🧐Aɢᴇ Gᴀᴘ
☠️𝕋𝕠𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕕...
🤍𝑉𝑖𝑟𝑔𝑖𝑛 𝐹𝑀𝐶
🧨𝕊𝕒𝕤𝕤𝕪 𝔽𝕄ℂ
💪𝒜𝓁𝓅𝒽𝒶 ℋℯ𝓇ℴ
🌕𝑊𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑜𝑙𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
🍆ᏦᏁᎾᎿᎿᎨᏁᎶ
🤬woman scorned


So a quick FYI, I am a STRICT reviewer, and I am NOT. A. CRYER!
Also- small warning- THE MMC SERIOUSLY FCUKS UP IN THE BEGINNING! YOU WILL CRY AND BE SERIOUSLY ANGRY! BUT DONT THROW THE BOOK- KEEP GOING! Just... be warned, this is going to be a bumpy ride!

🌍𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕨𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘:
I was barely 5% in, and I was crying! My god, that's some heartbreaking writing!

The pacing was fast throughout the book, with wonderful writing that made you - no, forced you to feel every emotion the characters went through.

I fell into the world Allie Santos built and could see everything so clearly like a memory. The drama and tension was delicious, and it just kept on going, more layers of Deception were added, sprinkled with the multitude of females that had already had or really wanted to have the alpha and it will have you kicking your legs with angst! I even snapped at my husband because I felt the drama so deep in my bones that it radiated into my own mood!

And the spice! Well, this is the best kind of romantasy, as it is so smothered in smut that it just edges on the genre of erotica but the plot is strong and the development throughout the story keeps the spice blending into the story and needed to complete the scenes.

🧝‍♂️ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
I loved the main cast, but the side characters had their own places, too. I really enjoyed how the story grew wider and deeper with each character introduced because we got some of their stories, too, giving us more history and connections to sink our teeth into.
I really loved all the characters. Each one had the perfect perso amity for it's place in the pack and the story - there were no weak links or disappointments, which is very rare for me to say!


🪧𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This was my first Allie Santos read, and I am now a huge fan and will auto read everything by her! This was heartbreaking, steamy, full of jealousy, and oh so sweet passion!

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***********************

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕤:
⭐️ DNF

⭐️⭐️
I managed to finish it but it was rubbish. I won't keep a physical copy and won't recommend it, but  it's a shame as the plot could have made a good book in another authors hands

⭐️⭐️.5
It was OK. I wish i didn't start this one as It didn't do it for me as I struggled to read it. It had an interesting premise that fell flat but I had to see what happened in the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don't regret reading it, and I will read the next one, but this one did have a few flaws. [These could be repetative writing, gaps or plot holes, better character growth or world building, areas needing more detail]
Generally, the book lacked depth and became confusing. The plot resonated with me even though it annoyed me on the whole.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to the right people, but I wanted more! Sadly, it's easily forgettable with a few issues I just couldn't overlook/get past.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good book! I loved it, but... I needed more! I really did enjoy it, but it had a few parts that needed more detail or added history/background or lore. But that's because the story or characters were memorable, and the plot was strong with brilliant twists. I would re-read if I needed to catch up for the next book and would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Great book! I truly wish the story had been thought about more, or the author had been given more time as this book is so close to brilliance! I will likely read again and will definitely be recommending to all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW! Absolutely amazing book! Well written with great characters and a plot so memorable that it will stay with me. I will definitely read this again, I will be recommending it and sharing it with the whole world! Also- I NEED A PHYSICAL COPY!

🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
This is my God level tier. The book must be perfectly memorable. Even after reading 50+ more books, I will remember character names and emotions along with the plot. If there is a special edition, then I need to own it! If there is a conversation on books- I'm talking about this!

 SPICE SCALE:
🌶️– segsual language and a little on-page action

🌶️🌶️– a lot of segsual language and some on-page open door action, may be occurring a couple of times

🌶️🌶️🌶️– a lot of explicit action and dirty talk, occurring frequently with 2/3 lurvers

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – super graphic and explicit, occurring 4 or more times, can be more grey and taboo themed.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ – Kinks and Fet!shism, explicit and super graphic. It is likely to be tushy play, toys, play rooms, and more darker / taboo fantasies and realities.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucian rejected her coldly and without mercy. Now she doesn’t remember him or the heartbreaking devastation he left behind. When he sees her again, he's 100% obsessed and nothing will stop him from claiming with her.

After devouring the Moretti Academy and Crimson Coven books, I became a full-fledged Allie Santos fangirl. Forsaken Desire felt like stepping back into her signature style: a possessive, over the top MMC and a soft but not weak heroine. Lucian is relentless in his pursuit, desperate to reclaim the mate he once rejected, even if her lost memories come back with a vengeance. Then sprinkle in other women drama because Santos really knows how to twist the knife 🗡️and make you lean in to beg for it to hurt more.

Character building: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
Lucian is obsessively devoted to her. His need to claim her is instinctive, primal, and barely contained.

Josephine isn’t just grappling with the shock of finding a mate, she’s stepping into a pack that expected Cierra to become Luna. Josephine’s arrival upends years of tradition, ambition, and quiet expectations.

Plot & world-building ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2
The pack politics add a layer of suspense that elevates the romance. Cierra thought she'd be the future Luna, but Josephine now stands in her way. What happens when Josephine’s secret comes out? She believes she killed someone and the guilt has shaped everything. Lucian is still haunted by the way he once rejected her and hopes she never remembers. But secrets don’t stay buried, and when the truth surfaces, it threatens the fragile bond they’ve begun to rebuild.

Fun factor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There’s just so much delicious drama: pack politics, buried memories, and a Luna rivalry that simmers with tension. Santos delivers emotional wreckage with teeth, and I devoured every moment. If you’re craving a romance that’s messy, magnetic, and full of bite 🐺, Forsaken Desire absolutely delivers.

Tropes:
✔️Paranormal shifters
✔️Pack politics and power plays
✔️Fated/Rejected mates
✔️OTT MMC
✔️Amnesiac
✔️Second Chance
✔️Spice - scorching ❤️‍🔥
✔️Virgin FMC
✔️Other woman drama (Heavy dose)

[Kim Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My God, this was so good!

Plot: 1000/10
MMC: incredibly hot Alpha wolf shifter (yes please) 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
FMC: Sweet, damaged Josephine, (I seriously wanted to reach through the book and give her a hug).

This is shifter romance between Lucian and Josephine, and you'll understand why the author warns you in her author notes why you shouldn't rage throw your kindle/book at the beginning.

Lucian is a d*ck, plain and simple at least in the beginning. He flat out rejects Josephine, who is a sweet, sweet girl. She (and him) discovers that they are a scent match and well, then he does that.
I was so unhappy however, we skip a little time and realize Josephine has been imprisoned and has totally no memory.

And this is where Lucian became my favorite, he's all about Josephine 10000% and he fights for her, when I say all about her, i mean all about her 😉😉

Lucian is incredibly hot, possessive and over the top, everything you love in an Alpha and a wolf shifter.
He's the Alpha....and runs his pack with an iron fist and fear.
The beginning of them getting to know each other and Josephine figuring out how she is his and her place in the pack is amazing.

This book hits all the marks, hot alpha MMC, sweet, damaged FMC, another woman drama.

This is a cliffhanger, and I offered to give my first born to the author to write faster so I could have part 2.

Allie Santos is an incredible writer,
and I loved this story!

Grab this one, you won't regret it!!!

[Jasmine Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING 4.75

Imagine you’re at a hotel in a new town you’re hoping to move to with your dad. You are minding your business you realize your fated mate is near. No sooner than when you start to get excited, he rejects you. But does the rejection really count if you get amnesia? Now based on the description alone I was excited about this book and Allie did not disappoint! Unfortunately(fortunately?) that is what happens to our FMC Josephine. She is dealt an unthinkable hand but she makes it through and she kinda gets a temporary factory reset to one of the most painful and I’d say embarrassing moments of her life. Our MMC Lucian.. he definitely is ranking pretty high on the fictional characters I’d love to slap. He’s not number 1 because when the FMC reappears in his life he WAS NOT LETTING HER GO! When some of his possessiveness showed I did give him a figurative side eye because I still hadn’t forgiven him for rejecting her in the first place🙄. I really enjoyed this fast paced book and cannot wait to read the next part!(ends on a cliffhanger)

Thank you to Allie for the copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own💜💜

[Lisa Bing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite the wild and emotional reading ride of a series opener. Josephine is shocked to find her mate at the new pack’s hotel, only to have him reject her. Lucian didn’t think he needed the fuss of a fated mate when he had an arranged mating with a family friend so he was beyond cruel with her. This led to a future Joey could never have predicted. Amnesia, jail time, the loss of her father…heart breaking! Lucian realized what he’d done and had people searching for her, only to be told she’d died. Racked with guilt but not quite believing, he was in limbo and quite the cranky alpha. Imagine his surprise when she showed up in his room?! Yep, the heat between them scorched my reader and I love how he tried to redeem himself. There are secrets, omissions, danger, obsessive behaviour, angst and a fair bit of action to go with that steam. I was madly flipping pages until I hit the wicked cliffy at the end. Lol! I'm really hoping the next installment comes soon so I can see how their story continues to unfold. Definitely recommend!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I begin. I absolutely love second chance shifter romances. From the very beginning, I was drawn into this wild love hate feeling for our main male character, Lucian. While some might hate this I loved it. I love how Lucian is such a deep character that you feel for him along with hate him at the same time. You can feel how much he regrets his mistakes and how much love he has for Josephine. Now Josephine is one of my absolute favorite characters I have ever read about. She has this naturally caring characteristic about her that just draws you in. Even after everything that she has been through, she still pushes through and doesn’t give up. Where most would slump into a sadness and depression; She pushes forward and keeps moving on.
While I would like to say that the ending was a shock I honestly was not all that surprised with how the cliff hanger ended up. That being said, I still loved it and cannot wait to find out what happens next.

[Kyrie Mangus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruthless Wolves Duet

Allie came in and dropped us book one of a duet and left us begging for more while she ran laughing. This book is amazing, and she hit it out of the ball park with this one. Hands down my new favorite of hers, and Im not patiently waiting for the second part of the story after she left us hanging.

Josephine is our little sweet damaged FMC that you want to sweep up in a hug and protect her with all you got. She does not deserve what she gets coming to her, but the author does good in her storytelling.

Lucien!!! He's the hot, sexy, possessive shifter MMC, but he's also a very massive Alpha Ahole who you want to st@b. Just once.

Again, this is book one of a rejected second chance fated mates story that ends with a cliffhanger. And no amount of begging or bribing the author, she's not giving up the conclusion any faster. Buckle up, though, because the ride is good.

[Nicole Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️Thoughts❤️

This book was so good! It delivers every emotion you crave from a rejected mate story. Take Allie’s advice to heart about our heroine; you’ll want to chuck your Kindle more than once, but trust the process and keep reading!

Lucian is brutally cruel to Josephine, and after a heartbreaking rejection, fate takes a darker twist: Josephine loses her memory. She doesn’t remember her mate, their bond, or the pain she endured before she wakes up. Lucian, who has been a complete wreck since letting her go, is stunned to find her alive and back in his territory. This time, he refuses to lose her again—binding her to him in every possible way. And somehow, despite his cruel, selfish behavior in the beginning, you will end up forgiving him.

As secrets unravel, Josephine is the one who continues to suffer, caught in a much larger game. The stakes rise with every chapter, and it’s impossible not to ache for her.

With Book 2 just around the corner, I can’t wait to see how this wild, emotional ride comes to an end.

🖤Fated Mates, but our MC rejects her at first
🖤Forced Proximity
🖤Second Chance
🖤FMC is has amnesia
🖤Paranormal / Shifters
🖤Ends on a cliffhanger

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️
Steamy:🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
Type📣: Book 1 of 2
Recommend: Yes.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love me a rejected-mates story, and I went into this fully prepared to want to strangle Lucian - and I was absolutely correct. When it comes to MMCs, he’s rough. The man is a serious manwhore; he’s promised to another woman and then nearly kills his true mate with the rejection. UGH.

Luckily, I’m a sucker for a man who grovels, and Lucian spends most of this book on his knees (be still, my beating heart). Josephine, on the other hand, is a total sweetheart who doesn’t deserve half the crap she gets, but she somehow keeps finding the strength to trust her (admittedly terrible) mate. I loved her character and the way the big betrayal played out.

This one ends on a cliffhanger and yes, it hurts (cough, me, cough) but it’s a solid read for anyone who loves their fantasy romance a little messy, emotional, and full of fated-mates angst. It’s definitely insta-lovey, but that’s part of the charm when it comes to shifter stories.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up!

The angst in this is so f-ing good. I live for books that make my chest tight, and this one was perfection. Like, rejected mate? Amnesia? He has been feeling all the regrets for years, and even while together? The secrets? I WAS SAT.

The spice was immaculate and plentiful, the feelings were over the top, and as you'd expect from a shifter romance, were mates were almost instant and strong. And while I did like Lucian's growth, he deserves what's coming for him. He needs to grovel a LOT, and I'm so ready to read about him doing it, because with the way he was already acting, his 'sorry' is about to be legendary.

And I just know our girl Joey is not about to go easy on him. Seeing her put all the pieces together was sad but also exciting for what's to come. She is a tough cookie, and I need her to find her happiness and peace.

Allie, you have me hooked, and I need more immediately!!

Thank you so much for the e-arc, I'll be at your door until I can get the next book :)

Quotes:

He looked violent, hungry, and wild — close to losing control.
Another growl against my core sent waves of pleasure through my pussy.

"Let that pretty pussy suck on my fingers."

"You take my cock like you should.
Because it belongs inside you. I am yours, Princess. Always."

[Ally Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

That dedication! I grew up watching all the telenovelas. Give me all the angst Drama heartbreak im ready!

Josephine has amnesia. Lucian does not. Who was a complete ass to their mate? Not Josephine. She's got some things going on, and when she meets her mate, she can not believe it. He's a bit (or a lot) of a manwh0re. He's suddenly a reformed man. He only wants her, but he's got a guilty conscience. He can never let her remember the heartbreak he caused.

As soon as I read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it. The dedication just confirmed it for me. This book had it all messy drama, angst, 🌶, danger, and 1 unhinged alpha. You would not believe how quickly I finished this, only to turn around and read it again. Fair warning it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I'm seriously going to need book 2 ASAP.

[Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Let's be honest, rejected mates and memory loss plot was enough to hooked me up! And definitely the story delivered...we had a hot MC with morally gray actions, then a silly and innocent FMC that is somehow being manipulated without knowing it and if you add crazy women wanting to separate them with questionable methods you know it's the perfect recipe for drama, heartbroken and misunderstanding which was chaotic but also addictive in a strange way like OMG how is that possible!? Really, she did that?! And as I said you ended up being completely hooked up. The story isn't for the faint heart specially if you are not open to certain situations that involve OW so take that into consideration...yeah, you might get mad but weirdly is part of the development. Yes, highly recommend, don't be afraid and give it a try!"

[Nadia Hinojosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the ruthless Wolves duet. This is my second time reading a book by Allie Santos and I am loving it. You can be sure I will be reading more of her books in the future!
So Lucian is not hot and smexy, he also makes you want to st@b him! I feel so sorry for the FMC for being stuck with him, she could do so much better were my first thoughts upon meeting him. I felt like she deserved someone who would appreciate her. He does tend to grow on you like a fungus. But honestly, I could not put this book down! I just had to keep reading to see what he would do next…
Thank you, Allie Santos, for a truly riveting read! I loved this book and cannot wait to read the ending to this awesome story. You have acquired a fan in me!!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

‼️arc review‼️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Dark, angsty, unforgettable!

Allie, you've blown me away. AGAIN! 🫦

Holy cliffhanger! 😩 That's gonna hurt!

Forsaken Desire hooked me from the very first line. Lucian’s pain and desperation practically bleed off the page—you can feel how broken he was after losing his mate, Joey. Then the twist: she’s alive, standing right in front of him, with no memories of their love or his rejection. My heart was torn in two!

The dynamic between them is raw, obsessive, and hauntingly romantic. Lucian’s possessiveness is dark, but it comes from such deep devotion that I couldn’t help but root for him.

If you love tortured heroes, fated mates, and a love so consuming it’s almost dangerous, this is the story for you.

Remember check your trigger warnings! ⚠️

[Nora Ellen (Nbbookery) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey, you epic baddie, you. I really enjoyed the characters in this story! Josephine and Lucian were on fire about 93% of the story, and it's just setting them up for an explosion in book two! I love how she sees past his status and wealth, to the person beneath, which few have ever done. Lucian is haunted by the loss of his mate, but the world gave him a second chance with Joey, and he's determined to not have a repeat. Although they both have demons, they have such a good connection. I absolutely loved how Lucian never let Joey feel like less and treats her as the best part of his life. I can't wait for the epic grovel he's due to dish out. Joey is going to flip his world upside down and off of a cliff.

[Caitlin Saville · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review.

Okay so this book grabbed me right away and did not let go. No slow burn here, you’re dropped straight into the drama and I was hooked. I’m a sucker for fated mates and Josephine and Lucian’s dynamic was everything. Even if Lucian had me side-eyeing him hard in the beginning. And then there Cierra, whew! I knew she’d be one of those characters I’d love to hate and she did not disappoint.

The pacing is quick, the spice is plentiful, and the cliffhanger???? I need book two.

If you’re into fated mates, wolves, and a story that cuts the slow burn in favour of fast moving tension (and heat) this one’s a fun, binge able read. Definitely one to pick up if you’re looking for something you won’t want to put down.

[Gina_M_N · Rating 1 out of 5]

***SPOILER ALERT***

junk read. This is so badly written, completely ridiculous, no body asks questions, and when the do they don't get answered, but that's ok, you get to read chapter upon chapter of fucking, don't get me wrong, I enjoy books with SOME, bedroom adventures, but this was all smut and a bad story, and the end was so fuckin dumb, well not the end the cliffhanger, when did she tell her that she got run off the road? I don't remember reading that, why did she assume that's what happened, didn't she say early on she was tested and was drugged up, when did Cierra have time to do anything being that she was on her knees when Josephine crawled out in pain, but was driving?

[Rachel Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivated from beginning to end!! I didn't want to stop, once I started!
This book had drama, lots of emotions, secrets, and a few revelations.
I can't forget the spice though. It was off the charts hot!! 🥵
Once Lucian recognized his mate in Josephine, he knew he couldn't let her go.
Their chemistry was undeniable.
As truths slowly come to light, there a new challenges to face. My heart did hurt for Josephine. She definitely got the bad end of things.
There was a bit of a cliffhanger, but I'm more curious to see what's going to happen in book 2!! I have a few suspicions and even more questions.
I think this was a fantastic book!