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Shifter Guardians Academy #2
Edge of Steel
My mates rejected me, and now they’ve come crawling back. It’s too little, too late....
When the men I’d been falling for spurned me and then left me in the woods to die, I vowed to cut them out of my life for good.
But the Moon had other plans for me.
It turns out Heath, Aiden, Elijah, and Wyatt are my Fated. A rare blessing of perfect mates from our celestial deity.
One I absolutely do not want.
But now I’m stuck with them at Guardian training camp, where I'll continue my quest to earn a permanent place among our kind’s elite military force. Within their ranks, I’ll finally have safety for myself and my beast.
I don’t need bonds, and I definitely don’t need my Fated, who only want me now because the Moon told them they’re supposed to.
But these four powerful shifters aren’t giving up so easily. They’ve come to camp ready to claim what they think is theirs.
They’ll find my claws are out and my swords are sharp.
Game on, boys.
When the men I’d been falling for spurned me and then left me in the woods to die, I vowed to cut them out of my life for good.
But the Moon had other plans for me.
It turns out Heath, Aiden, Elijah, and Wyatt are my Fated. A rare blessing of perfect mates from our celestial deity.
One I absolutely do not want.
But now I’m stuck with them at Guardian training camp, where I'll continue my quest to earn a permanent place among our kind’s elite military force. Within their ranks, I’ll finally have safety for myself and my beast.
I don’t need bonds, and I definitely don’t need my Fated, who only want me now because the Moon told them they’re supposed to.
But these four powerful shifters aren’t giving up so easily. They’ve come to camp ready to claim what they think is theirs.
They’ll find my claws are out and my swords are sharp.
Game on, boys.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
1039 people are currently reading
2770 people want to read
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May 12, 2026
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT????
(I hope she makes them grovel)
update: wanted to love it but it just didn't do it for me...
(I hope she makes them grovel)
update: wanted to love it but it just didn't do it for me...
Want to Read
March 22, 2026Thank GOD the release has been moved up to April!!
November 24, 2025
june of 2026 ?? I am too old for this game
April 29, 2026
Man, I wanted to love this one. I've been foaming at the mouth with the promo work on this one but it barely gets a full three for me and I wanted to skim SO MUCH. spoilers.
I want to start with the idea of groveling. Whining and pining to me isn't a grovel, it's just a normal reaction. They didn't really do much they wouldn't have done anyway to say sorry and they always were protecting her. None of them sacrificed anything, nothing in their lives changed and honestly they were stuck with her at summer camp so there was nothing really to do, so this aspect just fell super flat for me.
While we are on the topic. Damn this camp thing bored me. Between battles they did s'mores and lake time? It all felt very juvenile especially in comparison to the last book when the whole plot was pressed pretty seriously. The wraiths are a real problem and we need to be working on getting out from under our tyrant dad. That's all sort of *poof* in this one. Yes we had a little follow up with the moms and we get some movement, mostly done off screen by side characters and just relayed to us. So while plot is happening elsewhere we are listening to jealous inner monologue about the precious perfect pretty mate. Whicchhh
Brings in my next issue. We get it. Truthfully. They messed up and didn't do what they needed to for their mate. They hurt her, but every single pov being this recurring narrative, half the time I didn't even check who the chapter was because it didn't matter. They all had the same thing happening so it didn't matter if it was Heath or Aiden Or Elijah or wyatt. Interchangeable this book which I didn't really think that last book.
Overall this was a huge filler book in a location that really didn't lend too much of a story outside of training. The guys were in their own heads and felt bad but to be honest didn't do too much to actually fix anything. A grovel means sacrificing your pride or something else and none of them did that. They just were in close proximity until she gave in. I just wanted more and I have to keep this off my tbr because if I hype the next one in my brain for a year I have a feeling I'll be disappointed.
I want to start with the idea of groveling. Whining and pining to me isn't a grovel, it's just a normal reaction. They didn't really do much they wouldn't have done anyway to say sorry and they always were protecting her. None of them sacrificed anything, nothing in their lives changed and honestly they were stuck with her at summer camp so there was nothing really to do, so this aspect just fell super flat for me.
While we are on the topic. Damn this camp thing bored me. Between battles they did s'mores and lake time? It all felt very juvenile especially in comparison to the last book when the whole plot was pressed pretty seriously. The wraiths are a real problem and we need to be working on getting out from under our tyrant dad. That's all sort of *poof* in this one. Yes we had a little follow up with the moms and we get some movement, mostly done off screen by side characters and just relayed to us. So while plot is happening elsewhere we are listening to jealous inner monologue about the precious perfect pretty mate. Whicchhh
Brings in my next issue. We get it. Truthfully. They messed up and didn't do what they needed to for their mate. They hurt her, but every single pov being this recurring narrative, half the time I didn't even check who the chapter was because it didn't matter. They all had the same thing happening so it didn't matter if it was Heath or Aiden Or Elijah or wyatt. Interchangeable this book which I didn't really think that last book.
Overall this was a huge filler book in a location that really didn't lend too much of a story outside of training. The guys were in their own heads and felt bad but to be honest didn't do too much to actually fix anything. A grovel means sacrificing your pride or something else and none of them did that. They just were in close proximity until she gave in. I just wanted more and I have to keep this off my tbr because if I hype the next one in my brain for a year I have a feeling I'll be disappointed.
April 30, 2026
The groveling was an A-performance. I love them all.
April 28, 2026
Over it.
**SPOILERS**
This book begins where the last ended. Avery is recovering from the attack. The quad knows she’s a rare female prime shifter, a Siberian tiger. They feel awful. Avery states she doesn’t want to see them. Yeah, how long does that last *sigh*.
Avery is released and spends the summer at home recuperating. The guys “give her space,” but the python George continues to spy on her. They are researching prime females and still “performing” for the awful sexist father! They are looking forward to seeing Avery at Guardian training camp.
Camp begins and they are on her like white on rice. She tells them she doesn’t want to see them, they ignore her. Great, like every other rejected mate book out there.
**THOUGHTS/OPINIONS**
I have NEVER not finished a book. But I made myself this loose promise…that if Avery forgave these idiots in this book I was done. We are 71 pages into the book and Avery is allowing the basilisk Elijah to come into her room and touch her face. She speaks softly to him. She allows him into her presence. I’m thoroughly grossed out!!! These men haven’t groveled at all! Staying away is not groveling!!! Going all cave shifter on her when she sits with another quad is gross! Frankly Avery SHOULD hook up with another quad…give these a-holes a taste of their own medicine! I honestly don’t know how much more of this book I can read! I have a disgusting taste in my mouth from reading this far!!!! These men are unredeemable! They only want her now because they’re fated, and she’s a prime Siberian tiger!!! I don’t buy their repentant act at all! I hate the author for having Avery give in 71 pages in! I’m so grossed out.
Ok, I just can’t NOT finish a book. So I did. It doesn’t really get better. She forgives them waaay too quickly. BUT there is another quad who is interested in her. I liked that. I didn’t like that she shut them down quickly. Again, the guys should feel ALL the pain Avery went through…along with feeling her uh “get off” on other men, lol. Yeah, I’m a bit “evil” but I feel as if the strong FMC should dish out as good as she gets. The guys put her through literal H-E-L-L! They had sexual relations with other latent females, they paraded those sl*ts in front of her, they were even going to BOND one of them. Why can’t Avery go through the same process before reuniting with her fated?!!! Oh, and to make matters incredibly worse…YOU HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR TO GET THE FINAL BOOK! Yup, not a few months…a freaking year!!! What’s the point?! I mean, you’ll forget about this series by the time the third one is out. It’s a really poor idea to have a three book series (unless it’s in print) where the last book is a year away. *SIGH* there are so many reasons this book doesn’t work. Actually, I’m kinda glad the third book is a year away, because maybe I will forget about this series and just call it a day!!
**SPOILERS**
This book begins where the last ended. Avery is recovering from the attack. The quad knows she’s a rare female prime shifter, a Siberian tiger. They feel awful. Avery states she doesn’t want to see them. Yeah, how long does that last *sigh*.
Avery is released and spends the summer at home recuperating. The guys “give her space,” but the python George continues to spy on her. They are researching prime females and still “performing” for the awful sexist father! They are looking forward to seeing Avery at Guardian training camp.
Camp begins and they are on her like white on rice. She tells them she doesn’t want to see them, they ignore her. Great, like every other rejected mate book out there.
**THOUGHTS/OPINIONS**
I have NEVER not finished a book. But I made myself this loose promise…that if Avery forgave these idiots in this book I was done. We are 71 pages into the book and Avery is allowing the basilisk Elijah to come into her room and touch her face. She speaks softly to him. She allows him into her presence. I’m thoroughly grossed out!!! These men haven’t groveled at all! Staying away is not groveling!!! Going all cave shifter on her when she sits with another quad is gross! Frankly Avery SHOULD hook up with another quad…give these a-holes a taste of their own medicine! I honestly don’t know how much more of this book I can read! I have a disgusting taste in my mouth from reading this far!!!! These men are unredeemable! They only want her now because they’re fated, and she’s a prime Siberian tiger!!! I don’t buy their repentant act at all! I hate the author for having Avery give in 71 pages in! I’m so grossed out.
Ok, I just can’t NOT finish a book. So I did. It doesn’t really get better. She forgives them waaay too quickly. BUT there is another quad who is interested in her. I liked that. I didn’t like that she shut them down quickly. Again, the guys should feel ALL the pain Avery went through…along with feeling her uh “get off” on other men, lol. Yeah, I’m a bit “evil” but I feel as if the strong FMC should dish out as good as she gets. The guys put her through literal H-E-L-L! They had sexual relations with other latent females, they paraded those sl*ts in front of her, they were even going to BOND one of them. Why can’t Avery go through the same process before reuniting with her fated?!!! Oh, and to make matters incredibly worse…YOU HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR TO GET THE FINAL BOOK! Yup, not a few months…a freaking year!!! What’s the point?! I mean, you’ll forget about this series by the time the third one is out. It’s a really poor idea to have a three book series (unless it’s in print) where the last book is a year away. *SIGH* there are so many reasons this book doesn’t work. Actually, I’m kinda glad the third book is a year away, because maybe I will forget about this series and just call it a day!!
April 28, 2026
DNF at 28%. The groveling was meh at best and they’re still treating her like an adorable little child who is just playing at being a warrior. Their attitudes toward her are very condescending. She is a grown woman with more life experience than any of them and the author has them telling her she’s being a brat? And then when she does relent to have a conversation with any of them it’s all about how since she’s their fated she should stop being unreasonable and holding a grudge about them purposely breaking her heart. Oh and, well Aiden MIGHT have been half in love with her?! It’s so nice that at least one of the guys might possibly have had (halfway) feelings (insert massive eyeroll). And the stupid repetitive “we had reasons…but I won’t tell you the reasons…but I’ll be mad at you for not knowing the reasons.” Yes Heath actually pretty much says exactly that in one scene. Awesome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2026
ED just cannot write a series, I’m sorry. This is the third one of hers that the first book has been a winner and the second has been an absolute snore! They are just hanging out at training camp, lamping around. All the men meld together except Elijah and even then….it took me a week to read I kept putting it down every few pages. Fighting with the other males was just repetitive and doesn’t constitute grovel. I didn’t care at all about the silly mystery of the mom’s deaths. Little sisters were cute but it couldn’t carry the book. The thing with the belladonna was out of a children’s book. Finally DNF at 70%.
April 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (it has to be a 6 star read)
I received an ARC for this book, although all my opinions listed in this review will be completely honest and spoiler free. I was to be ordering the paperback on release day regardless whether I received an ARC or not that’s how much I loved the first book.
Listen to me when I say if you loved Clash of claws you will love Edge of steel just as much if not more!
I was quite frankly obsessed with Clash of claws so much so that I’ve reread it multiple times. I’ve read many books this year (2026) and still have not come across one that could compare to what I have felt about it. Usually series in a similar genre and tropes like this will have a great first book and then the rest feels like filler or ends in a predictable way. Yet not only was this book just as good as the first, I would say it was better!
Where do you even start… Avery will always be my favourite FMC Elizabeth Dear has ever written if not of all the books I’ve ever read. She has character, sass and also doesn’t take crap from anyone. Not only do her badass tendencies not vanish once she gets attention from any boys but she shows them how wrong they all are about her. I mean come on her weapons she wears makes me want some of my own….
This book has plot, yearning, grovelling, and everything you want in between (can’t spoil too much🤭). I was kicking my feet, crying, screaming, holding my breath, and giggling all within the space of 8 hours. There was no dallying around plot points, everything flowed, there was action throughout… it just got better and better. I was quite literally sat with my head unable to look up from my kindle.
These men have had my heart the whole time even though I was team Avery waiting for them to make up for that last ending but boy did Avery make sure they paid their dues.
Wyatt is most definitely my favourite man with his flirty tendencies and enjoying riling up Avery iykyk. In this book Wyatt was *chefs kiss* especially when someone goes for Avery. Not to mention George who scares everyone by just existing 🐍 (who cares if he can choke a man out 😌) yet cuddles up to Avery every chance he gets. Another one of my favourite characters which I feel is so overlooked is Ian, their sibling relationship makes me laugh every time. I would read a whole series about him as well.
I wish I could scream about this book from the rooftops. How has Elizabeth managed to make me want this series to never end, just so I won’t have to say goodbye to these characters when the series isn’t even completed yet?!
The only bad thing about this is…
How am I supposed to wait for the next book now. I cannot wait till this book is released so I can discuss it fully with my theories on how things are gonna go down. 👀🤫
I’m stockpiling them like Elijah and his nests. 😏
In all honesty I loved how this book ended where I still want to read more while also not having my soul ripped out of me by the wraiths at the same time. It’s hard to say much without giving things away, but this book was extremely well done and this series is most certainly underrated. I will most likely edit my review to add moments, quotes, things I’ve highlighted and certain plot moments I loved when it’s fully released.
This is my first ARC review that I have written. I’ve found hard to put into words how much I love this series, whilst also not giving anything away but if you’ve made it this far… please pick up this book it will be the best thing you’ve ever done but be aware it will make you compare ever future book you read to this and in turn will make you have reread this series just to feel those feelings and emotions you felt the first time all over again.
I received an ARC for this book, although all my opinions listed in this review will be completely honest and spoiler free. I was to be ordering the paperback on release day regardless whether I received an ARC or not that’s how much I loved the first book.
Listen to me when I say if you loved Clash of claws you will love Edge of steel just as much if not more!
I was quite frankly obsessed with Clash of claws so much so that I’ve reread it multiple times. I’ve read many books this year (2026) and still have not come across one that could compare to what I have felt about it. Usually series in a similar genre and tropes like this will have a great first book and then the rest feels like filler or ends in a predictable way. Yet not only was this book just as good as the first, I would say it was better!
Where do you even start… Avery will always be my favourite FMC Elizabeth Dear has ever written if not of all the books I’ve ever read. She has character, sass and also doesn’t take crap from anyone. Not only do her badass tendencies not vanish once she gets attention from any boys but she shows them how wrong they all are about her. I mean come on her weapons she wears makes me want some of my own….
This book has plot, yearning, grovelling, and everything you want in between (can’t spoil too much🤭). I was kicking my feet, crying, screaming, holding my breath, and giggling all within the space of 8 hours. There was no dallying around plot points, everything flowed, there was action throughout… it just got better and better. I was quite literally sat with my head unable to look up from my kindle.
These men have had my heart the whole time even though I was team Avery waiting for them to make up for that last ending but boy did Avery make sure they paid their dues.
Wyatt is most definitely my favourite man with his flirty tendencies and enjoying riling up Avery iykyk. In this book Wyatt was *chefs kiss* especially when someone goes for Avery. Not to mention George who scares everyone by just existing 🐍 (who cares if he can choke a man out 😌) yet cuddles up to Avery every chance he gets. Another one of my favourite characters which I feel is so overlooked is Ian, their sibling relationship makes me laugh every time. I would read a whole series about him as well.
I wish I could scream about this book from the rooftops. How has Elizabeth managed to make me want this series to never end, just so I won’t have to say goodbye to these characters when the series isn’t even completed yet?!
The only bad thing about this is…
How am I supposed to wait for the next book now. I cannot wait till this book is released so I can discuss it fully with my theories on how things are gonna go down. 👀🤫
I’m stockpiling them like Elijah and his nests. 😏
In all honesty I loved how this book ended where I still want to read more while also not having my soul ripped out of me by the wraiths at the same time. It’s hard to say much without giving things away, but this book was extremely well done and this series is most certainly underrated. I will most likely edit my review to add moments, quotes, things I’ve highlighted and certain plot moments I loved when it’s fully released.
This is my first ARC review that I have written. I’ve found hard to put into words how much I love this series, whilst also not giving anything away but if you’ve made it this far… please pick up this book it will be the best thing you’ve ever done but be aware it will make you compare ever future book you read to this and in turn will make you have reread this series just to feel those feelings and emotions you felt the first time all over again.
May 2, 2026
slightly repetitive and tiresome at times, but still mostly entertaining and addictive!! good fun for my rh girlies. and i love the basilisk 😝
Did Not Finish
January 3, 2026JUNE?....too much time...
April 30, 2026
Elizabeth Dear books are hard to rate, because all of her books are 4 star reads, in terms of my enjoyment of them. Objectively, though, this isn’t a 4 star book. It could have had more character depth, I've got some nitpicks, it's probably more 3. But I’m still giving it 4, because I had a really good time with it. Is she the best writer out there? No. But her stories just goes down so smooth and easy, and they make me smile.
This is the second book in this paranormal RH trilogy. It's got a fairly common plot, “underestimated, secretly powerful shifter heroine goes to supernatural college, and has a rejected mate situation with an RH group.” I don't mean that in a bad way - there's a reason that's a common plot. People like reading it, I am people.
At the end of the first book, Clash of Claws, after Avery's 4 guys cruelly rejected her, they all learned that they were fated mates. The guys immediately regretted rejecting her, tried to take it back, and she was Not Having It. In this book, they’re all in close proximity together, at a summer training camp for their world's sort-of military force.
Elizabeth Dear has a formula, and similar to Suzanne Wright, she’s one of those authors where her formula just works for me. All of her heroines have the same badass confident personality, supportive parents, and a queer brother with the same sassy personality. All of her heroes have the same personality where they simp for the heroine, but are also tough (normally I find simp heroes boring, but her plots have enough action that it works for me to have a sweet central relationship with exterior conflict). Her books aren't anything deep or unique, but they're a delicious snack, in a flavor that I like.
All that being said…this wasn’t her best book. I was never bored, but the setting of the training camp started feeling a little stagnant. Clash of Claws also had 1 main setting – their shifter college – so I’m not sure why it didn’t work as well, in this book. Maybe because the first book had a bigger cast, and the 1 setting was less isolated. This book also started feeling a bit "rinse and repeat" in terms of their daily life at training camp, whereas the first book also had more variety to its rhythm.
I see some reviews complaining that the guys didn’t grovel enough. I’m fine with the level of grovel, but that could be because Elizabeth Dear writes such good-guy heroes. She did maybe too good of a job explaining their reasons for their bad behavior, and where they were coming from. So even though they needed to own up to their shit, it never felt THAT bad, to me. "He screwed her over because of stupidity, not malice" is always a softer grovel scenario than, "he did it to be intentionally malicious." Sure, they did need to grovel, but it's hard for me to get too worked up about it, when we know the guys are nice and meant well (even when "they meant well" went wrong, like in this case). I've read plenty of books where the hero was intentionally malicious! This is much softer.
I’m also getting tired of reading groveling – maybe I’m burnt out on that trope. Or, maybe I’ve read too many books where “he spends the whole story groveling” gets boring. So, I was fine with them simply showing up for her, over and over (and killing her enemies, helping cover up her kills, and one of them nearly dying for her). Could they have done more grovel actions? Yeah. I love "he kills her enemies" as a grovel move, it's one of the best. But "he sacrifices something for her" is also part of a good grovel. And this book was missing that. (And I know she can write it, because in her other fun RH, A Knights Revenge trilogy, the guys sacrifice their relationships with their families and their social standing for their heroine). So yeah, the grovel could have been a smidge better. But, that didn’t bother me much, I enjoyed the level of grovel there was: not too much that I got bored by it, but not too little.
I do think Elizabeth Dear bit off more than she could chew, in terms of writing a 4 guy RH (all her others RHs have had 3 guys). I like all these guys, but they feel a bit less fleshed out than some of her past heroes. I like Wyatt, but he doesn’t bring much to the table. You could delete him and the story wouldn't be impacted, much. I don't want to delete Wyatt, but this story hasn't really made a case for why it's a 4 guy RH, when she's better at writing 3. The last few chapters felt rushed, it felt like Avery and her guys were saying “I love yous” too fast. Their relationship needed a bit more development, before we got to that.
I had fun with this book, and I’m eager for book 3. I can also understand why it’s getting some bad reviews. Elizabeth Dear would have to REALLY screw up, in order for me to give one of her books a bad review. And this book wasn’t that level. It's not her best, but even her "mid" books are like candy, to me.
This is the second book in this paranormal RH trilogy. It's got a fairly common plot, “underestimated, secretly powerful shifter heroine goes to supernatural college, and has a rejected mate situation with an RH group.” I don't mean that in a bad way - there's a reason that's a common plot. People like reading it, I am people.
At the end of the first book, Clash of Claws, after Avery's 4 guys cruelly rejected her, they all learned that they were fated mates. The guys immediately regretted rejecting her, tried to take it back, and she was Not Having It. In this book, they’re all in close proximity together, at a summer training camp for their world's sort-of military force.
Elizabeth Dear has a formula, and similar to Suzanne Wright, she’s one of those authors where her formula just works for me. All of her heroines have the same badass confident personality, supportive parents, and a queer brother with the same sassy personality. All of her heroes have the same personality where they simp for the heroine, but are also tough (normally I find simp heroes boring, but her plots have enough action that it works for me to have a sweet central relationship with exterior conflict). Her books aren't anything deep or unique, but they're a delicious snack, in a flavor that I like.
All that being said…this wasn’t her best book. I was never bored, but the setting of the training camp started feeling a little stagnant. Clash of Claws also had 1 main setting – their shifter college – so I’m not sure why it didn’t work as well, in this book. Maybe because the first book had a bigger cast, and the 1 setting was less isolated. This book also started feeling a bit "rinse and repeat" in terms of their daily life at training camp, whereas the first book also had more variety to its rhythm.
I see some reviews complaining that the guys didn’t grovel enough. I’m fine with the level of grovel, but that could be because Elizabeth Dear writes such good-guy heroes. She did maybe too good of a job explaining their reasons for their bad behavior, and where they were coming from. So even though they needed to own up to their shit, it never felt THAT bad, to me. "He screwed her over because of stupidity, not malice" is always a softer grovel scenario than, "he did it to be intentionally malicious." Sure, they did need to grovel, but it's hard for me to get too worked up about it, when we know the guys are nice and meant well (even when "they meant well" went wrong, like in this case). I've read plenty of books where the hero was intentionally malicious! This is much softer.
I’m also getting tired of reading groveling – maybe I’m burnt out on that trope. Or, maybe I’ve read too many books where “he spends the whole story groveling” gets boring. So, I was fine with them simply showing up for her, over and over (and killing her enemies, helping cover up her kills, and one of them nearly dying for her). Could they have done more grovel actions? Yeah. I love "he kills her enemies" as a grovel move, it's one of the best. But "he sacrifices something for her" is also part of a good grovel. And this book was missing that. (And I know she can write it, because in her other fun RH, A Knights Revenge trilogy, the guys sacrifice their relationships with their families and their social standing for their heroine). So yeah, the grovel could have been a smidge better. But, that didn’t bother me much, I enjoyed the level of grovel there was: not too much that I got bored by it, but not too little.
I do think Elizabeth Dear bit off more than she could chew, in terms of writing a 4 guy RH (all her others RHs have had 3 guys). I like all these guys, but they feel a bit less fleshed out than some of her past heroes. I like Wyatt, but he doesn’t bring much to the table. You could delete him and the story wouldn't be impacted, much. I don't want to delete Wyatt, but this story hasn't really made a case for why it's a 4 guy RH, when she's better at writing 3. The last few chapters felt rushed, it felt like Avery and her guys were saying “I love yous” too fast. Their relationship needed a bit more development, before we got to that.
I had fun with this book, and I’m eager for book 3. I can also understand why it’s getting some bad reviews. Elizabeth Dear would have to REALLY screw up, in order for me to give one of her books a bad review. And this book wasn’t that level. It's not her best, but even her "mid" books are like candy, to me.
April 29, 2026
I hate to say this, and I feel like I’m becoming a broken record, but unfortunately, this book was extremely predictable and boring.
I’m not sure if it’s just that authors feel a need to pander to whatever fad/trend is going on on TikTok or within the so-called book tok community. But every single book, especially in the reverse harem trope is starting to look like each other. It’s like mad Libs they’re just putting in different scenarios a little bit different plots, but the overall is just a carbon copy of each other. All the MMC‘s are this weird cookie cutter cut and paste of one another. The sex scenes are all the same. (and speaking of sex scenes. This book had some of the absolute worst. Like can a girl get aroused before the MMC shoves his fingers or his dick inside her. Only for it to be a wham Bam thank you ma’am scenario and leaves us readers with absolutely nothing but an incredibly boring and lackluster sex scene. Come on authors try a little bit for fucks sake )The villains are all the same. The FMC’s are all the same. Don’t get me wrong. I love a chocolate chip cookie. I can enjoy a chocolate chip cookie. But if a chocolate chip cookie was the only cookie I could ever eat for the rest of my life it would get old real quick. And that’s what’s happening within the why choose book community and a couple others. Like the omega verse.
This was book two of a trilogy. And it’s always so unfortunate to me that the authors make book two usually a filler book and boring as hell. The first 50% of this book was the most lame and unimaginative groveling ever. The author didn’t even try to use her imagination or make it anything interesting or it wasn’t even worthy groveling in my opinion.
And another thing that was annoying is the MMC’s telling literally every single other man or male in this book to fuck off or they were gonna kill them. Only for all the other men/males to come back and not listen to them, and then the MMC’s not kill them only to threaten them again. Over and over and over again. It was so lame and had me rolling my eyes.
Let’s not even start about the stupid and boring fucking guardians camp. Literally most boring read ever.
And then, of course, like every single other book, towards the end, it gets a little bit interesting. She forgives them, like we didn’t know that was gonna happen. All while they all pretend not to have a clue who the bad guy could be. Even though a child Could’ve figured that out on its own. Again, the author wasn’t even trying to make it difficult to think who the bad guy was.
And then came the lackluster and weird ending.
I almost wanna give it two stars after writing this review. I feel like we’re giving authors way too much leeway and too much praise when it’s not really deserved. All these four and five stars, I’m sorry but fuck all the way off. It is such a lie, and you are blowing smoke of these author’s ass as what these author should be doing is spending way less time on TikTok and Instagram and spending more time trying to be original and put actual passion into these books.
I’m not sure if it’s just that authors feel a need to pander to whatever fad/trend is going on on TikTok or within the so-called book tok community. But every single book, especially in the reverse harem trope is starting to look like each other. It’s like mad Libs they’re just putting in different scenarios a little bit different plots, but the overall is just a carbon copy of each other. All the MMC‘s are this weird cookie cutter cut and paste of one another. The sex scenes are all the same. (and speaking of sex scenes. This book had some of the absolute worst. Like can a girl get aroused before the MMC shoves his fingers or his dick inside her. Only for it to be a wham Bam thank you ma’am scenario and leaves us readers with absolutely nothing but an incredibly boring and lackluster sex scene. Come on authors try a little bit for fucks sake )The villains are all the same. The FMC’s are all the same. Don’t get me wrong. I love a chocolate chip cookie. I can enjoy a chocolate chip cookie. But if a chocolate chip cookie was the only cookie I could ever eat for the rest of my life it would get old real quick. And that’s what’s happening within the why choose book community and a couple others. Like the omega verse.
This was book two of a trilogy. And it’s always so unfortunate to me that the authors make book two usually a filler book and boring as hell. The first 50% of this book was the most lame and unimaginative groveling ever. The author didn’t even try to use her imagination or make it anything interesting or it wasn’t even worthy groveling in my opinion.
And another thing that was annoying is the MMC’s telling literally every single other man or male in this book to fuck off or they were gonna kill them. Only for all the other men/males to come back and not listen to them, and then the MMC’s not kill them only to threaten them again. Over and over and over again. It was so lame and had me rolling my eyes.
Let’s not even start about the stupid and boring fucking guardians camp. Literally most boring read ever.
And then, of course, like every single other book, towards the end, it gets a little bit interesting. She forgives them, like we didn’t know that was gonna happen. All while they all pretend not to have a clue who the bad guy could be. Even though a child Could’ve figured that out on its own. Again, the author wasn’t even trying to make it difficult to think who the bad guy was.
And then came the lackluster and weird ending.
I almost wanna give it two stars after writing this review. I feel like we’re giving authors way too much leeway and too much praise when it’s not really deserved. All these four and five stars, I’m sorry but fuck all the way off. It is such a lie, and you are blowing smoke of these author’s ass as what these author should be doing is spending way less time on TikTok and Instagram and spending more time trying to be original and put actual passion into these books.
May 1, 2026
I did in fact read the second book, like I said I would (not in one night this time, though, because I have a life), so here is my humble opinion about it.
This book was so boring it pissed me off and no i wont read the 3rd book it can go to hell.
It’s actually 1.5 stars
This book was so boring it pissed me off and no i wont read the 3rd book it can go to hell.
It’s actually 1.5 stars
May 5, 2026
I was promised grovel and I did not get it. I got a bunch of apologies and sad looks. I was pretty bored and started skimming towards the end. I doubt I'll read the 3rd book.
May 4, 2026
Confusing how all the personalities disappeared into one “love her so much, will never betray her again” shapeless blob. It is like all the writing quality and intrigue went out the window, exceedingly difficult to finish.
May 6, 2026
Solidly disappointing
We took a bada$$ FMC and turned her into an idiot. I don't understand how we got here....
From a distance, Avery is a pretty solid FMC. She's smart, witty, self sufficient and reliable. For some reason the author decided she should turn her into whipped cream in the Georgia summer. She is relatively strong in her resistance to the guys but the second she learns a single piece of backstory she is all in (and they are as well, in all the most inappropriate moments).
The guys are not terrible this time around. They aren't great either. Elijah is still a favorite but the others are more greed incentivized than anything. Lots of pretty words without a lot of substance. George the python is more reliable and attractive, which is a big statement coming from the reptile phobic.
The biggest problem in this book is their collective wilful ignorance. They could get slapped in the face with a suspect list and still not know who to investigate. Right to the bitter last page, Avery embraces poor decisions and goes with the manipulative group of guys and their stranger danger grandpa who just happens to name drop the shifty group with ties to murdering women. Yeah, sure, definitely jump in the car with him. I'm sure his promise of safety is completely legit.
The action moments have an excessive amount of standing around while the support staff do all the work. It's like Avery has decided to stoop to the lowest common denominator and embrace the overly pampered guardian role the minute she gets in.
There were noticeable typos and screwy detail errors, adding to the frustration of reading a disappointing book. I'm annoyed enough that the idea of waiting a full year for the final installment of the series has me tapping out.
We took a bada$$ FMC and turned her into an idiot. I don't understand how we got here....
From a distance, Avery is a pretty solid FMC. She's smart, witty, self sufficient and reliable. For some reason the author decided she should turn her into whipped cream in the Georgia summer. She is relatively strong in her resistance to the guys but the second she learns a single piece of backstory she is all in (and they are as well, in all the most inappropriate moments).
The guys are not terrible this time around. They aren't great either. Elijah is still a favorite but the others are more greed incentivized than anything. Lots of pretty words without a lot of substance. George the python is more reliable and attractive, which is a big statement coming from the reptile phobic.
The biggest problem in this book is their collective wilful ignorance. They could get slapped in the face with a suspect list and still not know who to investigate. Right to the bitter last page, Avery embraces poor decisions and goes with the manipulative group of guys and their stranger danger grandpa who just happens to name drop the shifty group with ties to murdering women. Yeah, sure, definitely jump in the car with him. I'm sure his promise of safety is completely legit.
The action moments have an excessive amount of standing around while the support staff do all the work. It's like Avery has decided to stoop to the lowest common denominator and embrace the overly pampered guardian role the minute she gets in.
There were noticeable typos and screwy detail errors, adding to the frustration of reading a disappointing book. I'm annoyed enough that the idea of waiting a full year for the final installment of the series has me tapping out.
May 3, 2026
I cannot in good conscience give this book higher than 1 star. Either I was straight up lied to repeatedly (about the groveling) or the author is color blind and mixed up her green and red flag piles because wtf was this book?
According to Google AI search "To grovel is to humble oneself in an abject, servile manner—often by begging or acting with extreme obedience to show submission, fear, or to seek forgiveness. It literally means to lie or crawl face-down on the ground, but it is frequently used figuratively to describe behaving in a pathetic or intensely apologetic way."
According to this book it means "have an oh shit moment and freak out because that person you all coveted but couldn't be with for reasons and instead of politely calling it off you decided to destroy and humiliate because if you're unhappy they must be unhappy too. After they call you out on your hurtful bs it is then proper to stalk, harass, touch without consent, knowing lie to them (because why be honest now) attack (verbally and physically) anyone who looks at object of your desire, etc. You can continue to treat them as less than deserving and call them brats because they are acting up and you are in the right because of course you are. Basically never stop being an ass because you are fated so basically she has no choice but to accept you in the end."
I am so disgusted.
Romance was a shit show. Characters were TSTL. Our badass female from book one is now a stalking victim who gets gaslighted to love them because they are fated and determined to not give her a choice.
The guys are pathetic. I will admit I do think they realize the gravity of the situation and how bad they fucked up so that was one small positive. But they did absolutely nothing to prove to her they were sorry, that they cared about her, and actually wanted her to choose them again because she wanted them and not because they were fated so it was happening regardless. And they had the nerve to be mad that she didn't forgive instantly.
Also, I get fated are super special in this world but if my daughter's fated where not only cruel but left her alone in the woods with baddies attacking knowing that they are trained to work in groups because single fighters die easier, I would not just go oh "boys will be boys." Her dad's were mad but then brushed it off as soon as they learned they were fated to her. It was all justified in their mines because fated. I lost the respect for her dad's at that point.
The plot was none existent in this book. It was basically how not to grovel and force someone to accept your fated bond, oh and the moms were killed by the same group. Which the reader already knew and if the characters were 1% smart they would have known sooner.
Wtf is with all the "touch her and die" threats you supposedly morally grey characters? This is not TikTok. You are not here to check a box or have a hashtag. If you would have actually followed through once, then none of this book would have happened. That's right you only have yourselves to blame for letting the enemies not only live but repeatedly attack your most precious fated. I am supposed to believe these people who can't see what is happening in front of them will defeat the big baddie and save all the shifters so that women can be treated respectfully if they have a beast soul too? Nope. White flag. I'm done.
According to Google AI search "To grovel is to humble oneself in an abject, servile manner—often by begging or acting with extreme obedience to show submission, fear, or to seek forgiveness. It literally means to lie or crawl face-down on the ground, but it is frequently used figuratively to describe behaving in a pathetic or intensely apologetic way."
According to this book it means "have an oh shit moment and freak out because that person you all coveted but couldn't be with for reasons and instead of politely calling it off you decided to destroy and humiliate because if you're unhappy they must be unhappy too. After they call you out on your hurtful bs it is then proper to stalk, harass, touch without consent, knowing lie to them (because why be honest now) attack (verbally and physically) anyone who looks at object of your desire, etc. You can continue to treat them as less than deserving and call them brats because they are acting up and you are in the right because of course you are. Basically never stop being an ass because you are fated so basically she has no choice but to accept you in the end."
I am so disgusted.
Romance was a shit show. Characters were TSTL. Our badass female from book one is now a stalking victim who gets gaslighted to love them because they are fated and determined to not give her a choice.
The guys are pathetic. I will admit I do think they realize the gravity of the situation and how bad they fucked up so that was one small positive. But they did absolutely nothing to prove to her they were sorry, that they cared about her, and actually wanted her to choose them again because she wanted them and not because they were fated so it was happening regardless. And they had the nerve to be mad that she didn't forgive instantly.
Also, I get fated are super special in this world but if my daughter's fated where not only cruel but left her alone in the woods with baddies attacking knowing that they are trained to work in groups because single fighters die easier, I would not just go oh "boys will be boys." Her dad's were mad but then brushed it off as soon as they learned they were fated to her. It was all justified in their mines because fated. I lost the respect for her dad's at that point.
The plot was none existent in this book. It was basically how not to grovel and force someone to accept your fated bond, oh and the moms were killed by the same group. Which the reader already knew and if the characters were 1% smart they would have known sooner.
Wtf is with all the "touch her and die" threats you supposedly morally grey characters? This is not TikTok. You are not here to check a box or have a hashtag. If you would have actually followed through once, then none of this book would have happened. That's right you only have yourselves to blame for letting the enemies not only live but repeatedly attack your most precious fated. I am supposed to believe these people who can't see what is happening in front of them will defeat the big baddie and save all the shifters so that women can be treated respectfully if they have a beast soul too? Nope. White flag. I'm done.
April 16, 2026
The obsession I have with this series…
“After a moment, he sighed, relenting. “How did she look?” “Like a goddess sent by the Moon to break hearts and slay wraiths.””
The groveling, the slowest burn, the action and fighting, secrets!
If you had the pleasure of reading Clash of Claws, you know the cliffhanger that ended with. We pick right back up in the world of shifters, guardians, and secrets as Avery no longer wants to associate with her Fated, and does everything in her power to keep the distance. However, it’s hard when they’re all in close quarters for guardian training. However, she doesn’t let them deter her as she continues to be a fierce fighter and loyal friend and sister.
The men are put to the test in more ways than one, and try not to destroy other males in Avery’s presence. However, Avery isn’t the only one hating the Blackwell Quad and their inner animals. Other quads will do their best to win over Avery’s heart and her beast, but the pull to her Fated is strong. Will her heart ever heal, or will she leave the men who she was falling for forever?
As Avery’s internal battle wages on, other forces at be strive to make her suffer. Unexpected events and challenges continue to arise but not everything is as it seems. Does danger just follow Avery, or does someone or something have a hand in trying to end her? Book two ends on a cliffhanger and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end!
Edge of Steel is perfect if you love shifter romances, fated mates, political intrigue, touch her and die vibes, enemies to lovers, mutual pining, morally gray MMC’s, urban fantasy elements, strong and ferocious heroine, and lovable purple snakes.
100 stars!
“After a moment, he sighed, relenting. “How did she look?” “Like a goddess sent by the Moon to break hearts and slay wraiths.””
The groveling, the slowest burn, the action and fighting, secrets!
If you had the pleasure of reading Clash of Claws, you know the cliffhanger that ended with. We pick right back up in the world of shifters, guardians, and secrets as Avery no longer wants to associate with her Fated, and does everything in her power to keep the distance. However, it’s hard when they’re all in close quarters for guardian training. However, she doesn’t let them deter her as she continues to be a fierce fighter and loyal friend and sister.
The men are put to the test in more ways than one, and try not to destroy other males in Avery’s presence. However, Avery isn’t the only one hating the Blackwell Quad and their inner animals. Other quads will do their best to win over Avery’s heart and her beast, but the pull to her Fated is strong. Will her heart ever heal, or will she leave the men who she was falling for forever?
As Avery’s internal battle wages on, other forces at be strive to make her suffer. Unexpected events and challenges continue to arise but not everything is as it seems. Does danger just follow Avery, or does someone or something have a hand in trying to end her? Book two ends on a cliffhanger and will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end!
Edge of Steel is perfect if you love shifter romances, fated mates, political intrigue, touch her and die vibes, enemies to lovers, mutual pining, morally gray MMC’s, urban fantasy elements, strong and ferocious heroine, and lovable purple snakes.
100 stars!
May 9, 2026
4.25⭐️
I want book 3 soooo bad🥹 This series has been such an enjoyable read for me. It check all of my boxes- Why choose, Slow Burn, Grovelling men, Fantasy/Shifters, Rejected Mates…the list could go on because it’s literally everything I look for in a why choose series. I love the FMC, and I like all of the men. Also I automatically will enjoy a second book if there’s still tension between the FMC and her love interests. Like please make me WORK for it🤭 I will now be in my feels until book 3 comes out and we finally (hopefully) get our bonded group🫶
I want book 3 soooo bad🥹 This series has been such an enjoyable read for me. It check all of my boxes- Why choose, Slow Burn, Grovelling men, Fantasy/Shifters, Rejected Mates…the list could go on because it’s literally everything I look for in a why choose series. I love the FMC, and I like all of the men. Also I automatically will enjoy a second book if there’s still tension between the FMC and her love interests. Like please make me WORK for it🤭 I will now be in my feels until book 3 comes out and we finally (hopefully) get our bonded group🫶
April 30, 2026
No spoilers in my written review but spoilers in the highlighted quotes. You’ve been warned.
Sigh. I’m really sad this book is over. This was by far the best book 2 in a trilogy I have read in a very long time by an indie author.
I’m sad we have to wait until next year for the last book. But also, worth it bc I have no doubt it will be amazing.
I truly believe this series will be that pinnacle series for ED. Her gold crown achievement. Mark my word.
Anyhoo. Not wanting to spoil. The author’s content warnings are enough. Even as an anxious reader-this cliffy wasn’t terrible.
What are you doing reading our reviews??? Go back to book one and start this series!!!
Sigh. I’m really sad this book is over. This was by far the best book 2 in a trilogy I have read in a very long time by an indie author.
I’m sad we have to wait until next year for the last book. But also, worth it bc I have no doubt it will be amazing.
I truly believe this series will be that pinnacle series for ED. Her gold crown achievement. Mark my word.
Anyhoo. Not wanting to spoil. The author’s content warnings are enough. Even as an anxious reader-this cliffy wasn’t terrible.
What are you doing reading our reviews??? Go back to book one and start this series!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
What groveling??? Groveling where??
I was looking forward to this new release since I loved Avery in the first novel, she was bada**!! But after finishing book 2 I’m so disappointed. She was honestly pathetic. They would not give her space, were acting super territorial, and even ruined the camp experience by destroying obstacle courses out of jealousy.
Avery wasn’t pissed enough for me! And of course she forgave them quickly, I guess a handful of lame apologies were good enough for her.
I was looking forward to this new release since I loved Avery in the first novel, she was bada**!! But after finishing book 2 I’m so disappointed. She was honestly pathetic. They would not give her space, were acting super territorial, and even ruined the camp experience by destroying obstacle courses out of jealousy.
Avery wasn’t pissed enough for me! And of course she forgave them quickly, I guess a handful of lame apologies were good enough for her.
Want to Read
February 7, 2026What do you mean june... thats like dacades away 😭
May 1, 2026
I believe this is one of the most anticipated releases of this year in the why choose community, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. It picks up right where book one ended, in a pretty bad cliffhanger, and shows the world men are actually able in properly apologizing. I know there are always readers out there looking for books with real groveling, and I really feel like this one fits. Quite often I personally feel like the fmc forgives too easily, but for me the balance is done perfectly this time. So if you love that kind of trope, I believe this series is perfect for it.
That being said, there is more to this series than that. I totally love the battle parts, seeing how badass our fmc and her men are, and I even love the parts the side characters play in them. They don’t overwhelm the story, but definitely add to it. Overall, this series offers a lot and knows how to balance it all perfectly. It’s spicy but not too much, there is action and suspense but with some slower moments in between. I truly love it, and I can’t wait for book three! There is still a cliffhanger at the end of this one, but it’s luckily not as bad as it was with the first one.
That being said, there is more to this series than that. I totally love the battle parts, seeing how badass our fmc and her men are, and I even love the parts the side characters play in them. They don’t overwhelm the story, but definitely add to it. Overall, this series offers a lot and knows how to balance it all perfectly. It’s spicy but not too much, there is action and suspense but with some slower moments in between. I truly love it, and I can’t wait for book three! There is still a cliffhanger at the end of this one, but it’s luckily not as bad as it was with the first one.
May 1, 2026
This sequel did not disappoint! These men had some SERIOUS groveling to do after the events of the last book. And I'm so happy that Avery stayed true to her convictions and did not forgive them until they had continuously demonstrated how badly they messed up (as well as getting some additional background information regarding their actions). I was eating up ALL the displays of possessiveness and jealousy as well as their obvious yearning! The mystery behind Avery's and Elijah's mothers' murders is getting more and more interesting, and the way the book ended leaves me very curious as to what answers Avery will find out. I'm so sad there's only one more book with these characters but I'm ready for it!
May 1, 2026
I’m a tired mom… I can’t be staying up till midnight reading multiple nights in a row. But here I am… on night number 3 because these books are just SO GOOD.
Moondamnit!!! Read these!!
I read Clash of Claw’s almost a year ago and then did the audiobook at the beginning of this week. It was PHENOMENAL. And this book…. Omg. I’m in love with 4 men and a woman. They are all perfect. The plot is perfect. The spice is perfect. ELIZABETH DEAR IS PERFECT.
After reading this, my inner animal is licking her claws and flicking her tail 💅🏻
Moondamnit!!! Read these!!
I read Clash of Claw’s almost a year ago and then did the audiobook at the beginning of this week. It was PHENOMENAL. And this book…. Omg. I’m in love with 4 men and a woman. They are all perfect. The plot is perfect. The spice is perfect. ELIZABETH DEAR IS PERFECT.
After reading this, my inner animal is licking her claws and flicking her tail 💅🏻
May 1, 2026
George and Elijah continue to be my favorites. George, especially. Such a good widdle snake fren.
May 5, 2026
4.75⭐️
May 11, 2026
3.5 stars
can’t deny I was very entertained by this lol
can’t deny I was very entertained by this lol
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