I received an ARC for this one. It comes out 3/30/2026.
This story had alot of heart. What stayed with me most was Iris and the way her inner monologue revealed just how deeply her lack of self worth ran. She thinks of herself as not smart enough and not worthy of more and that made her such a painful but compelling character to read. Her low self esteem felt very real and it made me want so badly to see her find safety, love and confidence.
At first, I struggled with the way Iris was cared for because it felt almost infantilizing. But once more of her history was revealed, that choice made sense. It added another layer to her character and made the way she was treated feel meaningful.
Zeke is a strong hero. I loved that he is masculine, protective and clearly a provider, but he also had emotional intelligence and depth. He knew who he was and because of that his ego never felt overinflated. One of the things I appreciated most about him was that when his family’s safety was at risk, he understood that real strength meant calling in the authorities. He did what needed to be done to protect the people he loved and that made me respect him.
Both Iris and Zeke come from deeply damaging families so the found family element in this book was especially moving. I loved the support they found with the neighbors and their spouses and that sense of community meant even more for Iris. Watching her be surrounded by people who cared for her was one of the most satisfying parts of the story.
And Dizzy absolutely stole my heart. The moment when she says her godfather’s name as her first word while reaching for him in the casket was such an emotional scene. It was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time, and it is one of those moments that will stay with me.
This was an emotional, tender romance with a lot of depth. It balanced pain, healing, family wounds and love in a way that really worked for me. My only lingering issue is that Zeke apparently does not recognize Hallmark Christmas movies as the art form they are, but no character is perfect.
This story carries so much emotional depth, and what stayed with me most was Iris. Her inner monologue offers such an honest look at how deeply her lack of self-worth is rooted. She constantly questions her intelligence and whether she deserves more out of life, which makes her both heartbreaking and incredibly compelling to read. Her struggles with self-esteem feel authentic, and it made me want to see her finally experience safety, love, and confidence.
Zeke is a strong and well-balanced hero. He’s protective, dependable, and confident in his role as a provider, but what really stood out was his emotional awareness. He has a clear sense of who he is, and because of that, his confidence never comes across as arrogance. One of the moments that solidified my respect for him was when his family’s safety was threatened. He recognized that true strength meant involving the authorities and did what was necessary to protect the people he loves.
Both Iris and Zeke come from deeply toxic family backgrounds, which makes the found family element even more impactful. I loved the sense of community they built with their neighbors and the support they received from those around them. For Iris especially, being surrounded by people who genuinely care about her was incredibly powerful, and watching her slowly accept that love was one of the most rewarding parts of the story.
The pacing flows smoothly, and I appreciated how the book maintains continuity with the rest of the series while still standing strongly on its own. The chapters are well-paced and easy to get through, making it an engaging and accessible read. Although the story is written in third person POV, something I don’t always connect with, it was handled so well here that I barely noticed. Instead, it enhanced the emotional connection to the characters, which made the story even more immersive.
Packed full of drama this story drew me in and kept me engaged. I enjoyed the story and there were a few twists I didn't see coming.
This is book 3 in a series and the last one. It tied up the loose ends from the other series well. That said any of the books can be read on their own too.
I knew part of the story to expect based on the tagline and the excerpt, however, there were so many other facets to the story I wasn't expecting. It kept me reading and wanting to know what happened.
The story flowed and the continuity yet independence from the other stories was done really well. The chapters were a reasonable length and overall the story was easy to read. This was written in the 3rd person pov which I struggle with sometimes but in this series I don't even realise it is that for the most part. This is definitely a good thing as it helps with building connections with the characters.
The found family trope is always a favourite and I loved the continuation of this. The connections to the characters were still there for the supporting characters and Zeke and Iris in their story. I was rooting for them both and loved the development of Iris's character. I think a lot of people will connect and resonate with her.
There was no 3rd act break up in any of the series and I kept waiting for something like this to happen. I enjoyed that it didn't and while there was open door spice in all 3 books there were still major storylines in each too.
I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by Sian.
This is the third book in the Devoted Brothers series. When I decided to read this book I had no idea this was the third in a series. I really dislike starting a series in the middle when there is an issue or conflict across the series. Zeke is a man who is on active duty and go on service tours throughout the year. When he returns home from tour he is met by his cousin and best friend Enzo who has met a young woman with a baby that he wants to get serious about. Zeke is instantly smitten by Iris but he holds himself back because he would never poach on his cousin’s woman. Unfortunately Enzo dies and their family despise Iris so Zeke steps in to guide and assist her. Zeke is truly a great, upstanding guy. He is honest, loyal and dependable. Iris has been taken advantage of her whole life. In many ways she is subservient and submissive, doing whatever people tell her to. She’s had a difficult like and Zeke tries to restore her confidence, and help to get her educated since she dropped out of high school. As these two meander along and get comfortable with each other Iris’s past comes knocking on the door. I wish I had read the previous two books to understand the complete history with the villain but in this last book they were able to finally destroy him. This is a slow burn because Zeke doesn’t want to pressure Iris, and she doesn’t think that he likes her. Great story of a guy who helps a young woman and falls in love and is surrounded by great friends who love and support him. I really enjoyed the writing style since this was my first book by this author.
This book blew me away! I loved everything about it. Iris and Zeke are goals for sure. Iris has been throwing so much starting at such a young age that is so hard for the human brain to comprehend how she turned out as good and kind as she did. Zeke is the absolute best man for her. He is kind, strong, supportive, and has his own past that makes him just right for Iris. The twists and turns in this story and how their lives have always been connected to some degree without them ever knowing makes this story even better. The girl friend group that Iris finds herself with is everything she could ever want or need. They are a "framily" of the best kind. I truly enjoyed seeing this aspect in the story because we all need those friends in our lives. The plot of this story was there and knew what it was doing! It reels you in and let's it settle before reeling you in again and again! All of the side characters were absolutely amazing and I don't think this story would have been the same if they weren't involved. I love it when you love the side characters as much as you do the main characters but they support rather than overwhelm the story. Absolute Perfection!
If you're looking for a book with found family, hurt/comfort, military MMC, Strong FMC, he chooses her over all else, a bit of mystery, and a hard earned HEA then you will definitely want to read Zeke!
Thank you Siân Upton and The Author Agency for the absolute pleasure of reading this I enjoyed everything about it!
"His words words, all of them, conversational, appraising, or filthy had a way of undoing her"
This book was up and down for me. 3.5 stars rounded up. Slow burn in a physical sense, but emotionally it definitely starts strong. A lot of family drama, but not between the two characters which was nice, and great examples of found family. Some suspense, thriller vibes which was a fun element. A couple good twists I wasn't expecting.
Iris was such a rockstar, and it was awesome to see her grow into her confidence, and find her support system. I liked the military elements and felt like they were explained well, with Iris being new to the world. I also loved how patient Zeke was. With Iris, his friends and the monents with Lorena was great. The epilogue was very sweet <3
Zeke is book 3 in the Devoted Brother series, but I am reading out of order & enjoying it. The author did a great job of interspersing details and it still making sense. I am reading book 1 now. If you enjoy a single mom, found family, healing through love, friends to lovers and strong protective vibes (but not toxic) I reccomend checking Zeke by Sian Upton out!
Zeke was such a powerful and emotional read that completely pulled me in.
Zeke and Iris’s story is rooted in grief, healing, and finding connection in the middle of everything they’ve been through. Their relationship is a slow burn, but it’s built on understanding, trust, and emotional growth, which made it feel incredibly real.
Zeke, as someone coming home from deployment, carries a lot internally, and watching him navigate that while also stepping into a supportive role for Iris and her daughter added so much depth to his character.
Iris’s journey stood out to me as well. As a mother, she’s doing everything she can to protect her child while also navigating her own past. There were moments in her story that felt very grounded and relatable, especially in the way she responds to her environment and situations around her.
What made this story even stronger was the sense of found family. The support system around Iris and the way she was embraced added a layer that made everything feel more complete.
Overall, this was an emotional, character-driven story that stayed with me long after finishing.
This story delves deep into the emotional struggles of Iris, a character plagued by self-doubt and a lack of self-worth. Her inner turmoil is raw and relatable, drawing us in with its authenticity.
Zeke, the hero, is a well-rounded character who balances strength with emotional depth. His protective nature and emotional intelligence make him a compelling figure. The found family element adds depth to the story.
The plot highlights the significance of community and support for military families living there. We appreciated the unexpected twists and turns in the story, including the revelation of secrets.
For readers who have followed the series from the beginning, there is a consistent subplot that unfolds throughout the books, providing answers and holding the antagonistic characters accountable.
This romance novel unfolds at a gradual pace, focusing on the personal development of its characters, life-altering opportunities, the concept of found family, endearing characters, suspense, love, enduring friendships, and offers a glimpse into the lives of military personnel and their families. The characters are well-developed.
Zeke follows the story of Marine Zeke and his cousin's friend Iris. Zeke has a complicated family, and absent German father and a very opinionated Hispanic mother who belongs to a judgemental and loud family. Iris has a traumatic past, narrowly escaping a sex ring, and has a very young baby when she first meets Zeke. Their love story takes place in the back drop of family corruption and a loyal Marine found family, who have to uncover a scary mystery following Zeke and Iris.
Im not sure about this one, I really am not. There are beautiful moments scattered throughout this book, notably, Zeke and Lorenas relationship. The way he helps to discipline her but show her what respect, communication and love looks like was honestly so powerful.
But I did find a lot of the story too convulted with too many characters and then at other times, over written - clarifying the already clear. The main characters are enjoyable but I didnt get in to this as much as I had hoped. Ill keep an eye for the author to try again though for sure.
*Just about 4 stars* This was my first read by the author and even though it's the third book in this series, you can read it as a standalone but you may experience it better if you start it all from the beginning. It was a good story and I liked the chemistry and relationship between Zeke & Iris but I had some trouble getting into the start as I was a bit confused but after some chapters, it picked up for me. There were suspenseful moments but it also mixed with heartfelt scenes.
When Zeke first meets Iris, there's something about her that ignites a spark but seeing her with his cousin and best friend, he decides she's off limits. But there's a way about her that draws him to her. When tragedy strikes, he takes it upon him to take care of her and her daughter but he may be called back to service again. Even though their bond continues to grow, it's hard to deny that they'd soon have to say goodbye but danger's lurking nearby. Zeke will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Will it all be okay in the end and will Zeke & Iris have a chance together?...
Zeke by Sian Upton Book 3 in The Devoted Brothers series
Tropes: Nervous hero / Fool in love Secrets from the past Single mom Found family Protective partner Healing through love Friends to lovers
Iris has been dealing with a very trauma filled past and almost be trafficked. She is trying to rebuild her life for her and her little girl. She is living under Enzo’s protection, he is a paramedic that has feeling for her. When tragedy happens and the grief hits her and Zeke they bond as friends but Zeke has been attracted to her since the first moment he saw her. Zeke was a Marine that had returned home from deployment. The more time that they spend with each other the deeper the feeling develops for both. Zeke wins me over with how he treats Dizzy, Iris’s daughter. Love a big protective man that loves babies.
An emotional, deeply layered story about healing, found family, and a slow-burn romance. Zeke is the kind of strong, protective, loyal MMC. He is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe. But his growing connection to Iris is complicated… especially when she’s the same woman his cousin has feelings for. Iris is quietly resilient, rebuilding her life after a traumatic past with the help of Enzo, the paramedic giving her a safe place to land. When tragedy strikes, grief weaves their lives even closer together, creating a powerful story of love, loss, and second chances. The emotional depth and the way healing is portrayed truly stand out, making the romance feel earned and unforgettable. Thank you to the author for the eARC, this is my honest review.
This is the third book in this impressive series, and this is Zeke and Iris’s story. Zeke returns from deployment, and is drawn to the mysterious Iris, and single mom of a little daughter. Iris has a traumatic past, and is rebuilding her life, and learning to trust again, and Enzo, who is a paramedic, and Zeke’s cousin, is helping her start over. Grief binds Zeke and iris together, in what they di not expect. This is a well written emotional roller coaster, with found family, friendships, loss, grief, secrets, trauma, trust, loyalty, friends / lovers, healing, romance, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and tragic, addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
I have to truly say I loved this book. Zeke is an emotional, character driven romance that balances tension, healing, and heartfelt moments. The story centers on complicated pasts, trust, and the slow building of connection. This makes it easy to root for the characters from the very beginning. The author writing feels warm and immersive, with strong themes of family, protection, and finding safety in unexpected places. The pacing of the story keeps you engaged without feeling rushed, and the chemistry between the characters feels genuine and earned. Overall, it’s a very satisfying read for fans of emotional romance with depth, heart, and meaningful character growth through a touch of hope throughout. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
Zeke’s story brings lots of drama, heartbreak, and finally the conclusion to the Greer presence in all of their lives.
Zeke and Iris meet and have a connection until he realizes his beloved cousin, Enzo might have feelings for her.
But then with the tragic death of Enzo, Iris is thrust into Zeke’s life and day by day into his heart. Yet danger is still present and Iris is at the center of the new danger.
What I loved about the book was the slow burn between Zeke and Iris, and his reluctance to cause Iris any undue stress or further trauma once he understood her back story.
There is an eventual happy ending, and finally Greer and the military connections to the other team members and the trafficking ring are exposed and prosecuted.
An intriguing page turner. I liked the premise of this narrative and thought it was written nicely. Zeke and Iris were wonderful characters. I think their draw to each other was natural and believable. The character growth and development was evident in this book. And some of the situations that occured in this came off as something that would actually happen in real life. It's a decent read that I enjoyed. So if you like a single mom romance with a protective partner, found family, dark secrets from the past, and friends to lovers, then this is the book for you. Thanks so much to the author and the author agency for a copy of this. All opinions are my own and freely expressed.
I really loved this book. I thought this was a very deep, heartfelt book and it blew me away. Iris and Zeke where amazing characters. I loved how they both come from such traumatic families yet were amazing together. Iris reading her inner thought I could tell she questioned her self-worth and it broke my heart I wished I could have hugged her so much. Zeke was a strong emotional intelligent man and a very strong protector. Overall, I really loved this book i thought the author did a wonderful job with the characters and hitting my emotional side. I will most certainly be reading more of this author in the future,
his is the third book in the Devoted Brothers series, and it is another found family emotional rollercoaster ride. It was something of a privilege to watch Zeke and Iris grow into their relationship, first as friends of Enzo, then as roommates and eventually lovers. Ms. Upton shares every moment and every thought, making sure the reader can believe each development. Surrounding this very slow burn romance is plenty of complicated everyday life for their neighbourhood found family, including Zeke's deployment and raising Iris's adorable daughter Dizzy. In addition, there is a background suspense plot as well. Certainly never a dull moment in this book! I really enjoyed the way Zeke supported Iris as she built herself up, learned new things, and reached for what she wanted. In case this sounds like every moment was completely serious, rest assured that Zeke, Iris, and their friends bantered, nicknamed, and joked around as well. I thought this story was both charming and compelling and I enjoyed it to the very end. I was given an ARC and volunteered to write a review.
Siân created an emotional story full of depth, found family, healing and a romance that builds slowly and perfectly.
Zeke is a strong and protective MMC and when it came to the safety of his family, he would do what needed to be done to ensure their safety. He feels a pull to the mysterious Iris when he comes home from deployment but she is the same woman his cousin has feelings for.
Iris, she is rebuilding her life after a traumatic past and staying with Enzo, the paramedic who is helping her start over. When tragedy strikes, grief brings
Fable Rating: 4/5 ⭐ Goodreads Rating: 4/5 ⭐ Genre: Military Romance Tropes: 🖤Nervous hero / Fool in love 🖤Secrets from the past 🖤Single mom 🖤Found family 🖤Protective partner 🖤Healing through love 🖤Friends to lovers Format: ebook Pages: 528 Spice: 3 🌶️ MCs: Iris and Zeke S/S: Check trigger warnings for any book
This is book 3 in The Devoted Brothers series. Thank you The Author Agency and Sian Upton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Lillian - @lillianbookreviews on instagram
This was a new author for me and I must say the fact that it was written in third person pov kinda took points off at least for me. I struggled with it for that reason but I kept reading to see if I would enjoy the book. However I kept reading and it won me over. It took some time but after some chapters, it picked up for me. I had my doubts but I ended up enjoying the journey that Zeke and Iris took.
So this was a slow build romance that took me on a ride that I had no idea was coming. There is grief that breaks your hard, then so much corruption you had no idea was possible it comes out of no where and gets you. The way that Zeke is slow to love Iris and treats her as something to be cherished after she was treated so poorly in the past has me swooning. Absolutely loved it!- Tasha
This was such an emotional rollercoaster. But so well written. Filled with so much depth. The hurt and corruption really grabs you. The way Zeke was slow to let himself become a part of Iris’s life was so sweet and kind. He treated her like she was everything. This was such a heartwarming story and I let myself completely fall into this. The Chung reaction was amazing and so worthwhile.
This book completely captivated me! I adored every aspect of it. Iris and Zeke are truly inspiring as a couple. Iris has endured so much from a young age, and it’s remarkable to see how she has emerged as such a kind and compassionate individual. Zeke is the ideal partner for her—he’s kind, strong, and supportive, with a past that makes him perfectly suited for Iris.
Not a must but would be really helpful to get the whole story line, go an read Eric and Ruben. There was a lot that went down in this book. The way Zeke was patient and caring and took her daughter in as his own, precious! Love how she over came her battles and into her own self. Such a good book!
Dark secrets from the past Single Mom Found Family Protective Partner Nervous Hero/Fool in Love (with a protective steak) Healing through Love Friends to Lovers 3RD Person POV
Who doesn’t love a protective MMC? Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC! 🖤
This book was a bit confusing for me. There were a lot of different plot elements that could have been several books. By the end it all makes sense and I think Sian did a good job bringing all the webs and tied them together.
I like Zeke and Iris together but I found it confusing that he would draw lines and make choices for her when the whole point was to give her autonomy back and be supportive.
I did enjoy Iris develop and grow in her own person, finding her strength after such a hard and traumatic upbringing. I am a big Iris fan!
However the book on a whole was a bit too long for me and a bit repetitive.
With a big heart and a deep sense of honor and integrity, Zeke was a lovely MMC. I am always a sucker for a single parent romance where the new partner treats the kids as their own. And Zeke hits that note. Iris starts the story with a naïveté but a life filled with trauma. Watching her grow throughout the story, especially when surrounded by this found family was a rewarding journey.
There was a sense of authenticity to this series that made it an enjoyable military romance.
⚠️ This does have a lot of characters and plot points that have built throughout the trilogy. For that reason, I’d suggest reading it in order.
Overall, this was a solid end to an enjoyable trilogy.
🌟 I was kindly provided an ARC, but my review is honest and completely my own.
For Fans Of: 🪖 Single Mom 🪖 Friends to Lovers 🪖 Secrets from the Past 🪖 Protective MMC 3rd Person POV
Well written and indepth emotionally charged story. I can't go into detail without spoilers, so all I can say is I was pleasantly surprised , and I enjoyed it even when I was blubbering.
My first Siân Upton book, and it will not be my last. Thank you for the opportunity x