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Abigail Freeman has lived all her life in the hills above Signal Bend, Missouri. Like the grandmother who raised her and taught her all she knew, Abigail leads a traditional, solitary life mostly outside the prickly borders of the modern world. Some call her a witch, some call her a freak, but others call her an old soul and a good woman, the kind of country-bred that’ll drop everything to help a stranger. And just about everybody loves her pies.
Mel Lind has lived long enough in Signal Bend to be considered a local. A longstanding patch in the Night Horde MC, and lead electrician at Signal Bend Construction, he’s built up a decent life for himself. After years of family obligation, he’s glad to be living solo, no external expectations to shape himself around, no compromises, no burdens on his shoulders but his own.
When Abigail comes home to find her property ransacked, death and destruction in every direction, she knows it’s too much for her to handle alone. So she calls the only help she feels she can the Night Horde.
It’s Mel who answers her call. That simple coincidence changes both their lives forever.
At the same time Abigail and Mel realize a bond is forming between them, the Horde discover a schism forming among them. When the club is in turmoil, Signal Bend suffers for it. That dark history has repeated several times.
This time, Mel has someone other than himself to keep safe. And Abigail needs him safe, too.
Mel Lind has lived long enough in Signal Bend to be considered a local. A longstanding patch in the Night Horde MC, and lead electrician at Signal Bend Construction, he’s built up a decent life for himself. After years of family obligation, he’s glad to be living solo, no external expectations to shape himself around, no compromises, no burdens on his shoulders but his own.
When Abigail comes home to find her property ransacked, death and destruction in every direction, she knows it’s too much for her to handle alone. So she calls the only help she feels she can the Night Horde.
It’s Mel who answers her call. That simple coincidence changes both their lives forever.
At the same time Abigail and Mel realize a bond is forming between them, the Horde discover a schism forming among them. When the club is in turmoil, Signal Bend suffers for it. That dark history has repeated several times.
This time, Mel has someone other than himself to keep safe. And Abigail needs him safe, too.
- GenresContemporary
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2025
14 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Susan Fanetti
84 books1,418 followersI was born and raised in the Midwest, but I was transplanted into the dusty soil of Northern California and have apparently taken root there. An inveterate geek and gamer, I am a fan of many things considered pop culture and maybe even lowbrow.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
As a reader, my favorite genres are science fiction and fantasy, but as a writer, I've found my home in romance--or perhaps it's better to say simply "love stories." I have a yen to try other genres, too, at some point, but for now my muse wants to tell stories about lovers and families.
I write for the joy of it, and I write stories that I want to read. If others like them, too, that's just the cherry on top. I’m not interested in rules and formulae. I follow my muse and my characters and let them take me where they want to go, wherever that might be. I like big emotions, dark and light.
I like complicated characters with flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths, and I like each character’s strengths and weaknesses to be different from those of other characters. I’m much more concerned that my characters be interesting and diverse than that they be widely considered to be likable. I try to create people, not types.
Likewise, I want my stories each to be distinct from the others. Once I’ve told a story, I don’t want to tell it again. So even within a series, one of my books might be very different from the next. Some might be very dark, others equally mild.
That isn’t to say there aren’t trends and recurrences in my work. I’m drawn to certain themes and settings, and my muse has her favorite toys and tools. But I guard against those tendencies becoming a formula.
Find my blog at www.susanfanetti.com
Find my FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsusanf...
A note: I don't spend much time here on Goodreads. I try not to read any reviews of my own work. Besides, this is a site for readers, but since I write at a fairly manic pace, and read and edit for other writers, I don't have much time to read recreationally. Mainly, I log on to update my info. So if you message me here, it might be a while before I see it.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 26, 2025
I loved reading about Abigail, such a sweet soul. I loved Mel and Abigail together, but for a book based in the biker world, I thought it was a bit too tame
September 20, 2025
Beautiful Epilogue!
The theme in the beginning was not my kind of story, however, once the club action kicked in with the club drama piqued my interest and I felt the pace picked up.
My biggest challenge was that Mel and Abigail leaned a little too heavy on their inner musings and it started to feel repetitive after a while.
An easy read that I was able to pick up when I had a spare moment, but chilled enough that I didn’t fuss when I had to take a break.
That epilogue was beautiful, and at this point of the book, I didn’t want it to end. I was left with a smile and happy that I had pre ordered Freak!
The theme in the beginning was not my kind of story, however, once the club action kicked in with the club drama piqued my interest and I felt the pace picked up.
My biggest challenge was that Mel and Abigail leaned a little too heavy on their inner musings and it started to feel repetitive after a while.
An easy read that I was able to pick up when I had a spare moment, but chilled enough that I didn’t fuss when I had to take a break.
That epilogue was beautiful, and at this point of the book, I didn’t want it to end. I was left with a smile and happy that I had pre ordered Freak!
September 10, 2025
Susan Fanetti is one of three authors that gets a special "collection" shelf on my Kindle because I've acquired, consistently and deeply enjoyed, if not loved, usually loved, almost every single one of her many books I've read. The other two authors that I've carved out a special place for are Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Mary Balogh. I like to think about why these three seemingly very different writers have been the most reliable for me and whose books I look forward to the most and tend to also try and read sparingly so I don't go through their entire catalogs too quickly. On the surface, yes, they seem to write wildly different kinds of stories but here's where I think I've landed on what they share in common: They know how take what seems ordinary and make it extraordinary through a deep understanding of the human psyche, people's motivations, experiences that bring both joy and pain and ultimately - and maybe most importantly - growth. And, of course, they know how to write all of that really, reeeaaaaallly well in a way that makes literally everything else seem much less important than reading just. one. more. page.
"Freak" is no exception. Abigail is an amazing heroine. She's easily lovable AND complex. That's not really an easy kind of character to write. She could've easily become a trite representation of goodness and kindness, but Ms. Fanetti gave her so much depth and conscious choice in being the wonderful person she was. I loved her. I also loved how Abigail's un-conventional (?) or perceived to be less than desirable body image was handled, particularly in her most significant conflict with Mel. It was refreshingly different but no less poignant. I ached for her in that segment but I also ached for Mel. And, in the way only a skilled writer could pull off, he wasn't in the wrong, either. Neither of them were. I love that Ms. Fanetti understands and really thrives in her understanding that maybe not ALL, but MOST of the world exists in gray - not black and white. Life is complex. People are complex.
Mel is...Mel is...just fantastic. His awakening to his capacity to love was wonderful and heartfelt to read. I love that he didn't spend an inordinate amount of time denying his feelings or running from them because why would he? They felt good! Those feelings felt good and boy did he let himself marinate in them. If this book could be described in a physical feeling it would be a neck nuzzle. A warm, welcome, promising, tingly, comforting, loving neck nuzzle delivered by Mel. He knew what he liked and he didn't hesitate to share it wih the FMC. That was refreshing, too.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the series arc develops. Ms. Fanetti is so good at building dread. Before the third act drama that is the pivotal catalyst for the series arc I was on pins and needles carefully peeking at the next page to see when the other shoe would drop. I have some favorite characters from the original Signal Bend series that I hope to see more of as the next books come out. I've tried to think of how to characterize Ms. Fanetti's writing in just a few words and of course that's not really possible but if I had to...maybe shiny, gritty and authentic? I don't know. Like a piece of quartz - elemental, earthy and true. Anyway - this read was over too fast! Looking forward to the next in the series.
If I were to have any criticism, it would be that maybe I could have used a little more showing rather than telling of Abigail and Mel's relationship development. While I was totally satisfied with the romance the intention of the book did seem to be in a little bit of a power struggle between Mel and Abigail's story and serving as a set up for the rest of the series' overarching conflict. But, I loved the characters as individuals and as a pairing so very much so I was able to glide over any background critique my brain may have been signaling me while I gobbled this up.
"Freak" is no exception. Abigail is an amazing heroine. She's easily lovable AND complex. That's not really an easy kind of character to write. She could've easily become a trite representation of goodness and kindness, but Ms. Fanetti gave her so much depth and conscious choice in being the wonderful person she was. I loved her. I also loved how Abigail's un-conventional (?) or perceived to be less than desirable body image was handled, particularly in her most significant conflict with Mel. It was refreshingly different but no less poignant. I ached for her in that segment but I also ached for Mel. And, in the way only a skilled writer could pull off, he wasn't in the wrong, either. Neither of them were. I love that Ms. Fanetti understands and really thrives in her understanding that maybe not ALL, but MOST of the world exists in gray - not black and white. Life is complex. People are complex.
Mel is...Mel is...just fantastic. His awakening to his capacity to love was wonderful and heartfelt to read. I love that he didn't spend an inordinate amount of time denying his feelings or running from them because why would he? They felt good! Those feelings felt good and boy did he let himself marinate in them. If this book could be described in a physical feeling it would be a neck nuzzle. A warm, welcome, promising, tingly, comforting, loving neck nuzzle delivered by Mel. He knew what he liked and he didn't hesitate to share it wih the FMC. That was refreshing, too.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the series arc develops. Ms. Fanetti is so good at building dread. Before the third act drama that is the pivotal catalyst for the series arc I was on pins and needles carefully peeking at the next page to see when the other shoe would drop. I have some favorite characters from the original Signal Bend series that I hope to see more of as the next books come out. I've tried to think of how to characterize Ms. Fanetti's writing in just a few words and of course that's not really possible but if I had to...maybe shiny, gritty and authentic? I don't know. Like a piece of quartz - elemental, earthy and true. Anyway - this read was over too fast! Looking forward to the next in the series.
If I were to have any criticism, it would be that maybe I could have used a little more showing rather than telling of Abigail and Mel's relationship development. While I was totally satisfied with the romance the intention of the book did seem to be in a little bit of a power struggle between Mel and Abigail's story and serving as a set up for the rest of the series' overarching conflict. But, I loved the characters as individuals and as a pairing so very much so I was able to glide over any background critique my brain may have been signaling me while I gobbled this up.
September 11, 2025
Mixed opinion
Normally, I can't wait to start a new book about the Horde, but the last couple have been so-so.
Ms. Fanetti clearly has a gift for creating stories that linger and characters that lift from the pages, but this book is a mixed bag.
I wish there was more about the first connection of Mel and Abigail. It's just kinda rushed over, and I didn't feel their connection because of it.
The last half of the book was better and I hope the next book has characters connections like Isaac and Lily.
Normally, I can't wait to start a new book about the Horde, but the last couple have been so-so.
Ms. Fanetti clearly has a gift for creating stories that linger and characters that lift from the pages, but this book is a mixed bag.
I wish there was more about the first connection of Mel and Abigail. It's just kinda rushed over, and I didn't feel their connection because of it.
The last half of the book was better and I hope the next book has characters connections like Isaac and Lily.
September 17, 2025
Well, this book irritated me the most out of all of Susan’s books. Took me 4 days to read. The main hero and heroine fell in love for no reason at all. Heronin internal dialog was on repet. Everything was just totally meh. They irritated me to the max. The story irritated me. I don’t know what went wrong here. That being said, I’ll still read every next book by Susan.
December 23, 2025
It would have been better if there wasn’t so very much inner dialogue. I skipped several pages throughout the book because of it.
Read
December 28, 2025DNF. Too wordy and I didn’t realize the characters were older people
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews