A Fated Reckoning

by Jamye Smith

In this hate-to-love fated mates romantic fantasy (romantasy) - a vampire and fae warrior must survive deadly trials to break a soul-shattering curse in this slow-burn second chance romance.

I loved him once. Now I cling to the hate, currently measured in the inches of steel I've driven into his chest.

Two centuries ago, Mikael didn't just break my heart - he shattered us. The vampire I trusted above all others betrayed me and ignited a war that left our people in ruins. To end the slaughter, I bargained with the Fates and drained the land of magic, and broke myself in ways time can't mend. What survived was a fae warrior turned city ruler, burying her past beneath liquor, duty, and the bond I severed.

When Mikael returns, alive when he shouldn't be, I do what any rational woman stab him in the heart.

But death isn't on the table for him. He's come back with a confession, and a curse - the amulet he stole came with a price. The one you love most will die.

My soul has fractured into four pieces. To break the curse before it kills me, we must recover each fragment. Riddles sear themselves into our skin, igniting with every touch - skin to skin, bond to bond - dragging us into the closeness I swore never to endure again.

As the curse frays, so does the magic suppressing our bond, unraveling every feeling I've spent two centuries trying to destroy. Each fragment recovered cracks the walls I've built wider, revealing truths I buried beneath denial and rage.

When the final riddle is solved, I'll face the cruelest truth of breaking the curse may cost me the person I love most.

I'm terrified it's still him.


📚 PERFECT FOR FANS OF:
Quicksilver by Callie Hart - When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker - Serpent and Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent - Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox - No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

🌟 EPIC FANTASY WORLD: Multi-species cast (pixies, ice dragons, siren priestesses, beasts) - Post-war landscape - Magical Wastelands - Political intrigue

📖 FORMAT: Complete standalone with HEA - No cliffhanger - First Person POV

✨TROPES AND ✨
💔 Hate-to-Love Romance - Former lovers must learn to trust again
🔥 Fated Mates/Soul Bond - Destined for each other but torn apart by betrayal
🗡️ Second Chance Romance - 200 years of separation, one chance to make it right
🧛 Vampire x Fae Warrior - Forbidden love between two powerful species
⚔️ Forced Proximity - Curse requires constant touch to survive trials
🐌 Slow Burn - Emotional walls crumble piece by piece
🎯 Touch Her and Die - Overprotective MMC who'd burn the world for her
😈 Morally Gray Hero - Vampire with secrets and a dark past
👑 Powerful Heroine - Fae warrior who rules a free city
🌶️ Spicy Romance - explicit intimate scenes
🔮 Quest/Trials Structure - Four deadly trials to recover soul fragments
💀 Deadly Stakes - World-ending consequences if they fail
😏 Banter and Wit - Sharp dialogue and tension-filled exchanges

CONTENT WARNINGS:
Violence - War trauma - On-page character death - Explicit sexual content - Grief - Betrayal - Blood - Torture (off-page) - Themes of sacrifice and loss

This is Book 1 in an interconnected series of standalones featuring different coup

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fae, Vampires, Second Chance, Romance, Fantasy Romance

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 24, 2026

Reviews

[ℛℰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
“You are what I desire in the daylight, and what fills my dreams at night.”

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚

❤️‍🔥Forbidden romance
⚔️Second Chance romance
❤️‍🔥Vampire x fae
⚔️Trials & curses
❤️‍🔥Fated mates
⚔️The MMC is down bad on his knees for her
❤️‍🔥 she stabs him

༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. This was full of romance and trials and action. I loved the main characters and their chemistry. I loved that they would do anything for each others. I must admit it was a little boring and in the middle, I felt meh and like they were going in circles around each other but anyway that didn’t last long. I also loved that second chance romance usage in the story . It is rarely used in romantasy in fact I cannot recall if I have read a second chance romance in a romantasy before.
The end was PERFECT but I wanted more and more. I didn’t want to leave the story or the main characters . Also the MMC’s name is Mikael and she calls him Kai and I love that name so it is a bonus for me. Did I mention that he has light blond hair. Do not get me started on the gorgeous fanarts. You have to see them!!


ఌ︎𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭ꨄ

The e-arc is finally in my hands!!! Last Jan author Jamye sent the first four chapters and let me tell you I couldn’t put them down till I finished them I literally had an exam the next day and I had to wake up early but I couldn’t just leave the book and I waaaas in deep need for the rest of the chapters !! And now it is in my hands!!!!

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jamye Smith, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3 / 5 ⭐️

A Fated Reckoning was so full of anticipation, strength, and tension!!
I will admit, while I did love the romance between Mikael and Bryn, but I preferred their characters individually as opposed to being together.

Their second chance relationship dynamic was just so full of heartbreak and emotion, and I found myself wishing they would just both be happy even without each other. Granted, the moments between them were so heartfelt and so full of yearning, but perhaps I just did not feel the pull between them as much as I should have.

Bryn's journey was just so cathartic for me. The way she, and Mikael both confronted their pains and their griefs was just done so beautifully. I would reread this book for their journey alone. It was quite a bittersweet ending as well, because I found myself wanting more.

Overall this was such an enjoyable read, but the romance was just not very convincing for me. Everything else was so good!

♡ pre-read ♡

jay told me i must read this so i requested it last night <3 tysm bb

[Margaret Minoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️ | 2 🌶️

Thank you Jamye Smith for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team. I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

First and foremost, I rarely give below a 3-star review, and am an avid ARC reader – which made me extremely excited for this ARC opportunity. The premise of a fae falling in love with a vampire, only to have her heart broken by a crushing betrayal immediately caught my attention and was the main reason I signed up for the ARC. I appreciated the way the history between Bryn and Mikael was revealed gradually, and I enjoyed learning more about their past as the story unfolded.

The story is told from Bryn’s POV. I usually enjoy single-POV standalones, but in the case of A Fated Reckoning, I struggled to connect with Bryn as a character. Her inner conflict between loving and hating Mikael was intense, and the quick shifts between those powerful emotions made it difficult for me to stay grounded in her perspective – I was getting some serious whiplash. There were also hints that Bryn might be struggling with alcoholism, which is a heavy topic and one I would have been interested in being explored more in depth alongside the main storyline.

The pacing of the story felt fast for me. A lot happens throughout the storyline, as Bryn and Mikael face terrorizing trails to regain parts of Bryn’s soul. Sometimes, I found myself wishing there had been more detail exploring the locations of each trial and the challenges and less focus on the sexual tension between our FMC and MMC. Slowing down in those moments might have added more depth to the world building and the character’s journey.

Mikael was another area where the delivery fell short of my expectations. I love a morally grey MMC with a wicked tongue and dark humor, but at times his laid-back attitude made me want to say, “seriously dude?” and shake my head.

Overall, A Fated Reckoning had interesting ideas and a premise that really drew me in. While the story didn’t fully work out for me personally, I can see readers who enjoy a face-paced romantasy enjoying this story.

As an ARC reader, it’s never easy for me to leave a less-than-stellar review. I am grateful for the chance to read and review this book early and appreciate the opportunity to support the author.

[Shannon K G · Rating 3 out of 5]

First I will say I really enjoyed the artwork throughout the book.
This book has your general outline of enemies to lovers with a curse. Its an easy enough and faster paced read for those looking for a standalone.
I didn't feel as strongly for the characters as I'd hoped, but it was enough to have me push through to the end.
There were some moments that just threw me off. Such as reading an event happening in the beginning and then having a character explain it to another character moment for moment later. I don't want to read it twice is all.

I appreciate the eArc from The NerdFam in exchange for an honest opinion

[Laura Kazlauskaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It's easier to hate the ghost of a person, the one that wronged me, than the one trying to make up for what they did.”

This was my first arc ever that I’ve been given by an NetGalley. I’ve been hearing about this book in threads and especially about MMC so I had to try to get this arc.

Let’s start at the beginning - our FMC ,Bryn, is a fae that had bonded herself to forbidden love match - vampire. They shared an epic romance until everything fell apart. Her mate betrayed her, used her knowledge, and ultimately started a war against Fae.

When we meet Bryn, she is completely broken. Reckless, self-destructive, and drowning in alcohol, she rules over the small fae city of Varithen. Even after two centuries, her hatred toward her former mate is still raw. She lives in a constant state of rage, trying to numb herself night after night—with alcohol, with distractions, with anything that helps her forget.

And then… Mikael comes back.

What follows is an intense emotional journey filled with trials, forcing both of them to confront what most of us try to bury—pain, betrayal, guilt, and the possibility of forgiveness.

The dynamic between Bryn and Mikael is heavy, complicated, and deeply emotional. You can feel the weight of their past in every interaction, which makes their story both frustrating and addictive at the same time.

If you enjoy second-chance romance with a darker edge, emotional tension, and characters who are far from perfect, this book delivers exactly that.

A strong and gripping read—and definitely a memorable first ARC experience.

[Kate Dash · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Jamye Smith, Nerd Fam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you love romantasy packed with angst, yearning, emotional damage, and a vampire MMC who would quite literally burn down kingdoms and then make you a cup of tea afterward, A Fated Reckoning is worth adding to your TBR.
At its heart, this is a second-chance romance between Bryn, a fae ruler carrying centuries of pain and resentment, and Mikael, the vampire who broke her heart and helped shatter her world. When a deadly curse forces them back together, they're sent on a journey filled with trials, soul fragments, old wounds, and feelings neither of them ever truly escaped.
What I enjoyed most was the emotional core of the story. Jamye Smith does a great job revealing the history between Bryn and Mikael gradually, allowing readers to understand both the depth of Bryn's anger and the complicated love still lingering beneath it. Their relationship is messy, painful, frustrating, and at times incredibly touching—which feels fitting for two people carrying two hundred years of unresolved grief.
Mikael was definitely a highlight for me. The man is absolutely gone for this woman, and I am always weak for an MMC whose response to conflict is essentially, "Yes, I deserve that stabbing, but I'm still not leaving."
The curse and trial elements kept the story moving and added emotional weight beyond the romance itself. Each challenge forced the characters to confront parts of themselves they'd rather avoid, making the journey feel meaningful rather than simply a series of obstacles.
That said, there were moments where the pacing slowed for me, particularly in the middle section. At times it felt like Bryn and Mikael were circling the same emotional conversations before finally moving forward. I also would have loved a little more exploration of the world and the trials themselves.
Still, the ending delivered exactly what I wanted: emotion, payoff, and enough heartache to make the happy moments feel earned.
Tropes & Themes
✨ Second Chance Romance
✨Vampire x Fae
✨ Fated Mates
✨Trials & Curses
✨ Betrayal and Forgiveness
✨ She Literally Stabs Him
✨Soulmates Who Need Therapy
✨ Angst With a Capital A
✨One Bed
A heartfelt romantasy filled with yearning, forgiveness, and a vampire hero who never stopped loving his mate—even when she was actively trying to kill him.

[Mandy Enchantedbookduo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating
4.5 💎
1.5 🌶️

Quick Summary
Jamye does an excellent job of easing readers into the complex backstory behind Bryn’s deep hatred for Mikael. Watching that intense resentment slowly thaw adds real emotional depth to the story. Mikael’s determination to prove their bond still exists, while refusing to settle for anything less than all of Bryn, tore at my heart strings. The curse and the trials to break it are especially well executed, forcing both characters to confront buried emotions. Overall, the journey is an emotional ride, but worth all the angst.

While Reading Thoughts
📓Considering there is a big backstory to why Bryn hates Mikael, the author does an amazing job of bringing you up to speed
📓Bryn has soo much hate thrilling through her veins toward Mikael and it is interesting to see how that has to slowly thaw.
📓Mikael is determined to make Bryn see that there bond is still there but he will not take less than everything
📓Loved the curse and the trials to break it, so well done
📓The feelings that that the trials bring to the forefront that Bryn & Mikael have to confront is an emotional ride
📓I feel like there is more to their story

Words that linger
🍷“You’re mine to protect. Always. No matter what comes.”
🍷“The scent of you—the way you taste—has never left me. I’d know you anywhere, in any lifetime.”
🍷“So, you either want me to be on my knees in front of you, or holding your wood?”
🍷“I’d worship at your feet for all eternity, doing anything you wished, if it could make up for what I did. I’d serve your every whim and desire—kill your enemies, destroy empires, or simply make you tea.”

Tropes
🍺Angst
🍺One bed
🍺Bonded mates
🍺Forbidden love
🍺Trials

[Mylou Polman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

“You are what I desire in daylight and what fills my dreams at night.” 👀⭐️❤️

I had a fun time reading this book!!
However, in the middle section, my reading pace slowed down a bit. I felt like the characters were going in circles at times, and the pacing felt somewhat uneven for me. Some moments moved very slowly, while others suddenly felt rushed.

The romance between the two characters felt genuine, but it still didn’t completely convince me. I actually think it could have been beautiful character development if they had chosen their own separate paths, especially since the story sometimes seemed to hint in that direction.

I also felt that Bryn switched her feelings toward Michael very quickly, which occasionally made parts of their relationship feel underdeveloped. The topic of alcoholism, which came up multiple times throughout the story, also could have been explored more deeply. You can tell it’s a huge aspect of Bryn’s character, but I think it deserved more attention and development.

At times, there could have been less focus on the sexual tension during the trials and more focus on the trials themselves. Some of the trials felt rushed and were suddenly over before they had really been explored, which was a bit disappointing because I was hoping for more depth there.

That being said, I still enjoyed the book overall, even though there were certain parts that could have been developed further. And a huge plus point: it’s a standalone! The story ends with proper closure, which I really appreciated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this ARC!

[Kendra Gomez]

Unfortunately I had to DNF due to the constant love and hate of Bryn towards Mikael. It is too repetitive for my liking and from what I skimmed through, it never stopped 🫣 IF I didn't have so many other arcs to read I would push through, but with the list I have I decided to just put an end to it.

I am also not really a fan of single person POV and it took me a while to even figure out whose POV this book was in; there is no world building whatsoever as well so overall it just fell flat and repetitive.

Thank you so much to Jamye for the gifted arc.

[kelseys.inthelibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was well written. I loved the shared history between the MCs. I’m also a sucker for a second chance romance, especially with fated mates involved! That said, I wish the trials and the curse had a bit more depth. I’m also not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope, and it felt like 200 years of heartbreak could’ve been avoided with one honest conversation 😬 3.75⭐️

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You have been my northern star. The light that kept me from succumbing to my darkest hours.”

Whew, the lines dropped in this book! Mikael and Bryn are from two different worlds, but found each other and bonded their souls together, only to be torn apart by betrayal. After 200 years, a curse brings them back together. But curses have their own kind of magic, and maybe it’ll just bring them back together.

Ok a vampire / fae romance? Say less. I always forget how much I love a vampire book and then I read one. And I’m like oh yeah. THIS. Shadow daddy who?

“Only a fool would think shadows are a threat to a vampire”

I’m going to add that the social media advertising from the author really helped me visualize these characters. I loved it so much, I had to preorder a copy as well!

I love that this was a standalone, no big cliffhanger, just two people beating back the darkness of the world, of themselves, to find their way to each other. Five stars! I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to the author for the arc! 🖤🖤

[Kalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an e-arc from the author.
This was such a bingeable read. I'm not usually one for second chance romances but this is by far my favorite. Betrayal, longing, THE TENSION, vampires, fae. and trials - this book had all my favorite buzzwords and delivered. I loved the journey the FMC and MMC went on and the slow burn that ensued. I appreciated that even though they had history their romance was still perfectly paced. We experienced so many aspects of their world and different creatures. The ending definitely shook me and had me throwing my kindle, but in the best way. t
This is also a standalone so it wraps up nicely for those that aren't fans of cliffhangers.

[Ahana M Rao (Heart’s Content) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find this review of Fated Reckoning on my blog, Heart’s Content!

A big shout out and thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the blurb of this book, I couldn’t imagine not journeying through this story. Then I saw the art on the author’s page and thought I would really miss out on something if I didn’t venture down the emotional adventure that A Fated Reckoning promises to be.

If you’re here for a one-liner review, just to help you decide if a blogger recommends this book or not, here’s my one line review for you:

I have never before felt more compelled, controlled by and involved in a book as much as I did while reading A Fated Reckoning. I was simply a puppet whose strings the author had taken into her hands long before the first page was read. So yes, definitely yes. Go, go, go.

If you’re here for the long review, ::rubs hands:: let’s begin!

The writing is—quite obviously—the most absorbing aspect in A Fated Reckoning. There are no frills to be had in this heart wrenching, deeply emotional read. The book dives straight into the ‘meat’ of the story and you’re introduced immediately to the emotion of pain, before even any other character. ‘She’ rides with us through the whole journey and she’s our first friend in this story and letting go of her is the hardest and most important task in this tale. I have never before felt so much aversion towards a MMC, and it’s even more surprising because we do not get to do a deep dive into the past where we see the MMC betraying the FMC. No, we’re just told. In fact, as I read the book, even two chapters in, I hoped we didn’t see the past because I was so upset with the MMC, I didn’t care to see their good times. I didn’t care, I was just angry, and hurt and did not believe he deserved a chance. I would’ve been happy if he’d been booted out of the scene the moment he appeared. How do you hate someone that’s done nothing offensive as far as the readers have witnessed? Get Smith to write it and she’ll tell you how.

I went from angry, to severely annoyed, to mildly irritated, to exhausted, to devastated, to tears and ended with feeling absolutely wrung out and empty—but in a good way. Like I’d finally exhausted everything bottled up in my mind and heart. I do think it hit harder because I went from 25% to 100% in practically one sitting.

The world in this story is built with such ease that I realised only in the end that this was the first book in the series and I shouldn’t have been as comfortable as I was, reading it. I will say the author did a great job choosing the magical elements in her story. She picked magical beings that are extremely familiar to the readers and slowly wove her lore around them.

I think that the world that the author was really creating was not the mythical one that fantasies generally spend their time building, but the one between her MCs. The story of their broken connection, the consequences of it and the possibility of a closure to be found. There are also subtle but strong mentions of alcoholism and mental health that make their presence known at many points in the story.

The characters are the heart of this story. While there are quite a few secondary and tertiary characters in AFR when it begins, and more that get introduced on the journey the main characters take, the author has done a fantastic job of fleshing them out just enough to suit the roles they play in this book. Additionally our connection to the FMC—our primary narrator—is so strong that it’s so easy to separate the threads of connections and characters around her.

There was nothing about AFR that was overwhelming, other than the emotions in it. I’m still reeling from feeling so much about a situation I didn’t even get to witness reading. Aren’t we all usually ‘show not tell’ readers? How was just ‘telling’ without any of the ‘showing’ so intense? I can’t make sense of it. Go Smith!

The pace in this story was very even, but it feels fast. Like I mentioned earlier, I read this book in one sitting from 25% to 100%. It does get a bit faster in some places and more leisurely in others, but that’s only because of the nature of how the scenes make us feel and has nothing to do with the pacing of the story itself.

The plot in this story feels very straightforward, but the path it takes is unpredictable to us as readers. While there’s one plot-line that’s extremely predictable, I don’t think the author particularly tries to hide it from us. Instead, she’s leading us to look right at it, while she pulls off the most obvious plot twist right under our noses that we never see coming! ::claps:: Bravo! Bravo! There was one scene while reading that lead me to believe perhaps I’d found a plot-hole, however, there’s the smallest of scenes that addresses it—doesn’t reveal, just mentions—and I was left sitting there wondering if there’s more to the story and this is another one of those things the author is going to reveal in time.

Four and a half stars!! There are themes in this story that can be difficult for some, so please check trigger warnings as always! This book, when it releases will be absolutely free for KU subscribers! Happy reading!

[Tonje Lien · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was your average enemies to lovers trope. It has trials and rivaling kingdoms and the fmc and mmc caught up in that somehow.

This was fast paced, wich can be good, but in this instanse I found it to bee too fast. The very quick I hate him and cannot stand him to kissing was very fast, even though they were mates it felt whiplashy to me. I would love for the world and the places to be more explored, her drinking and mental health could also benefit from mentioning more about. It could have been much deeper than it was.

All in all I enjoyed the story but some things were a bit lacking for me that reads a lot of these books daily.

Thank you netgalley and the author for an arc of this book! I review it voluntairy!

[SpicyAmoeba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 40%.

Thank you for an early ARC review. I am grateful for it, but… there are areas I want to point out if only to provide constructive criticism.

I really don’t want this to come off as turn of the nose and I might fail… so bear with me. The pacing, character development, and world-building feel a bit amateur, similar to the quality of The Lady of Darkness, which I know is many people’s cup of tea, it’s just not mine.

Let’s start off with the pacing.

I felt like the plot was sped through and acted only as half-hearted excuses to put the main characters in compromised positions to “realize” their love for one another (well… more for Bryn to realize her love again because Mikael was already preaching it). I was barely 20% of the way through before Bryn was naked in front of Mikael and thinking about her attraction to him. It didn’t make much sense to me and the progression did not feel natural. My advice would be to slow it down. Not to a crazy extent where you have a slow-burn (unless you want that!), but enough to make it feel organic, like real reconciliation.

I don’t want to go too much into the use of cliches like the double infinities and tattoo riddles, but it all felt tossed in just to say “hey look, it’s here!” with very low stakes. They supposedly have a very short amount of time to solve all of this and they use most of it meandering, traveling, and taking breaks. Where is the sense of urgency? Rushing the characters a bit more OR giving them a longer timeline can help with this.

This is an extremely personal opinion, but the characters felt flat. I understand this is supposed to be a second chance romance, but I didn’t find myself rooting for either of them. As I mentioned before, Mikael starts out lovesick, Bryn is an indecisive mess, and the tension is already at its breaking point from the first moment they come face-to-face rather than gradually building. Side characters? Paper thin in their existence. Their purpose is to be carried by the wind and show up when it’s convenient for the plot. I admit, this one is a hard one to provide advice for since everyone’s expectation for characters is different and it’s understandable that you’d want to keep them true to a certain presentation you have in mind. I think creating a stronger sense of mistrust between Mikael and Bryn in the beginning would help tremendously and bringing out more personality in side characters in their mannerisms and dialogue goes a long way.

In terms of world-building, there is some. Kind of. And the very small tidbit of information you get is thrown at you repetitively to the point where I felt like my long-term memory was questioned. Yes, I get there was a war. Yes, I get Bryn made some sort of sacrifice. No need to repeat it every chapter early on. It’s ok to keep multiple mentions of past events, just space them out more.

Overall, I think this book suffers from very common mistakes made in early writing that refine with time. I commend the author for taking the steps to self-publish and I in no way want to deter them from continuing to write. Keep on keeping on and just know that this is the opinion of one person, and I only offer suggestions for improvement.

[Sasha | omgitssmk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking a look at my surroundings, I calmly scan over the division of the lands below. Each of these areas hold many different creatures ranging from Pixies, Dragons, Fae, and even Humans (like myself), but there is one special type my eyes are looking for among the vast lands of ice, fire, ash, ocean, sand, and luscious greenery….Vampires.

We've all heard of the stories that whisper of the nightmares and despair that these creatures have brought - but not many have been able to see through that pain and suffering that many species have dealt with at the hands of them. In fact, many turn a blind eye to the legend of a bond so powerful between a certain Fae and Vampire that it's hard to find any real direction to lead me to the path of where they reside.

I take a deep breath and look over to my right at my mate who is perched upon the tree next to mine. He overlooks the horizon looking for the same hope that we promised each other - to find the legend fated mates to help assist in our own trials we are looking to accomplish. He runs his fingers through his black hair and snaps his gaze to mine; instantly knowing I was looking from our bond that ties us together. Smirking, he sends a thought through my mind while the morning light catches slightly on his sharpened canines.

"We will find them."

I give a slight nod and send through the trust that I believe him.
My mate jumps to the thickened branch below and extends his hand for me to take so that we can venture forward on our journey together. As I slide my hand into his and he throws me across his back to continue our trek, I know that we are going to get through this - because if there is anything that the legend has proven to us, is that love ALWAYS finds a way.

If you are anything like me, Fated Mates and Fated Bonds are an immediate YES when it comes to my choices in reading material & I tend to find myself often day dreaming what it would be like to have my own fated or bonded mate. And after reading A Fated Reckoning by Jayme Smith, gifted by NetGalley as an ARC for review, I instantly found myself wrapped up in imagining my own adventures and trials that my mate and I would have to endure if we were placed in the same position as our MMC and FMC are within this story.

Before we get into the details, as with all of my reviews, I like to give an overview of the tropes to potential readers so that they can have a feel of what to expect if they were to pick up this FANTASTIC fantasy read…

🧛Bonded Mates
🧛Only One Bed
🧛Slow Burn x Second Chance Romance
🧛Magical Trials
🧛Fae FMC x Vampire MMC
🧛Yearning & Redemption

So far so good, right?

And when thinking about the premise of the book…..

We have Bryn, our strong and defiant FMC, after having a long day of work from her side, decides to head down to the local "watering hole" where she soothes not only the stresses of the day but her longing ache that has been within her for the past 200 years with glasses of various mixtures as she does on her daily routine schedule. One night during her alcohol dependent routine, a familiar voice reaches out to her which causes her to stop in her tracks. Surely this has to be a dream because she hasn't heard that voice in the last 200 years. She immediately whips her head around to find none other than her "ex-bonded" mate, Mikael, on a mission to find her and just so happens to lock eyes with her across the room. All of her bottled up anger starts to surface from the Battle that had caused their end 200 years ago, and just as she is goes to give him a piece of her mind, he provides her with information that abruptly leaves her in shock & confusion - a curse has been placed upon her and she is set to die if she does not find the four pieces of her soul in time.

Frustrated with the sudden arrival and news of her demise, Bryn starts to realize those headaches and blackouts that have been recently happening have been going on for a reason and that this might just be connected to the fate of her life Mikael is referring to. And the only way to stop it? She will need to reconnect with Mikael on a journey to collect those lost pieces of her soul before it is too late.

While the main goal is to save Bryn, Mikael is also looking to rekindle that romance and love that they once had as bonded mates and he will stop at nothing to make Bryn realize that both him and her are "end game". The only issue is that Bryn cannot forgive him for what he had done those 200 years ago and she's not sure if she will even be able to give him her heart based on the little time left they have to find the parts of her missing soul. In fact, Bryn is still left with the pondering question of why Mikael had even betrayed her to cause their relationship to end in the first place.

A little bit of fantasy, a little bit of romance, and a little bit of mystery and trials/games?
Let's all join together and say…. "COUNT. ME. IN."

There is so much that A Fated Reckoning by Jayme Smith has to offer when this book releases on JUNE 24th that would satisfy any Romantasy lover's craving for both adventurous plot and sweet, slow burn romance. I highly recommend that you take a chance in reading this upcoming release as it's surely going to keep your on your toes with the high paced storyline and gentle romance mixed within.

When thinking in terms of my opinion towards the book, something that I'd like to note is that I'm the first person to say that I'm normally not a "second chance romance" fan. I'm not sure what it is about that trope, but I tend to find myself cringing at the rekindling of a romance and how easy it usually is for the MMC and FMC to join back together when they had such emotional damage between each other in the past. With A Fated Reckoning, however, I was quite surprised to find how smooth the second chance romance element came into play - in fact, I felt like it blended so well that I didn't mind the anticipated gestures or comments from either MCs related to the second chance romance trope. In fact, I actually found myself enjoying it as Mikael is probably one of the greenest flags out there come "second chance romance" men. The man will say exactly how he feels, provides the PERFECTED amount of devotion and the YEARNING? Oh the yearning and patience this man has for her is TOP. TIER. I saw someone else comment in a review stating "Please, Sir. Can I Have Some More?" And I couldn't agree more because the things that Mikael says is something that we ALL wish our partners (or non-existent partners) would say to us. IYKYK and if you don't, by all means, pick up this book when it releases JUNE 24, 2026, so that you can join the Mikael Fan Club too.

Another thing to note is how well I felt the pacing of this story was as we delve into the trials and romance between the MCs. I tend to find with most standalone fantasy books that the pacing can feel somewhat loose when trying to gather world building, thoughts, romance, adventure, and full blown plot within each page of the story. So much so that it feels like the plot really only begins towards the end of a story when we have 20 pages left to read; thus, the path from start to finish usually results in having to have at least a duet/duology created. This author choose a really great way to feel as though you weren't missing anything as you went on the journey with the MCs. Of course there were areas that I would have liked to understand more and have further world building in place, but the details that were provided were enough, in my opinion, to satisfy understanding what was happening and the reason why as you venture through the areas the MCs visited on their journey to finding Bryn's lost pieces of soul. So I would say to keep that in mind as you are reading through - there are areas and different "species/worlds" that I would have like to have delved a little more into to understand the division between each area but with a standalone book, there is only so much that an author can do without needing to increase the page limit to well past the normal standalone amount. That isn't to say that I wouldn't have minded if the book were to expand further past the 400 pages so that we, as readers, would have been able to have a more immerse experience as we read through the trails and games adventure together.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with this ARC given by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op and, just like with others, was kind of disappointed to find my journey with Bryn and Mikael coming to an end. I really enjoyed the dynamic tension between both characters and how they feed off of each other really well that helped me in realizing just how healing their emotional journey was for not only their romance but within themselves as well. Definitely pick up this read if you are looking for a standalone Romantasy to add to your current TBR as it's definitely a really great read to include without the commitment of 3424832043 books which usually is the case when it comes to fast-paced fantasy choices such as this.

[Kat Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5. This was such a fun read. I loved the dynamic between our main characters. Our MMC is such a down bad simp I loved him. But I also loved their push and pull with one another. This is a standalone fantasy romance full of trials, curses, bonded souls & groveling. What more could you want?!?

[Erin Arkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a reader who thrives on heavy emotional angst, high-stakes magical trials, and the kind of romantic tension that practically leaps off the page, Jamye Smith’s A Fated Reckoning deserves an immediate spot on your TBR. Bringing together a deeply compelling blend of fae and vampire lore, this novel delivers a fantasy romance that completely pulls you in from the very first page, anchoring its action with a well-executed second-chance romance.

The story centers on Bryn, a powerful fae warrior turned city ruler, and Mikael, a vampire who was once the keeper of her heart—and the architect of her ruin. Two centuries prior, Mikael’s betrayal ignited a war that tore their world apart. To stop the bloodshed, Bryn bartered with the Fates, draining the land of its magic and fracturing her own soul into four pieces.

When Mikael unexpectedly returns to her side, Bryn greets him the only way a fierce, guarded warrior would: by driving several inches of steel straight into his chest. But Mikael cannot die. He has returned bearing a terrible confession and an even worse curse tied to the amulet he originally stole: the one he loves most is destined to die. To save Bryn’s fraying soul, the estranged pair are forced to work together, traversing dangerous trials to recover the missing fragments of her soul before time runs out.

What makes this book shine are the layered character arcs and the weight of the history between the main characters:

Bryn’s Arc: Bryn is an exceptional protagonist. She isn't just physically formidable; her emotional armor is built from two centuries of tightly guarded grief, liquor, and duty. Her journey throughout the trials is one of profound vulnerability. As she recovers each piece of her fractured soul, the walls she meticulously built around her heart begin to crack. Watching her navigate the transition from pure, protective rage to acknowledging the deeply buried grief underneath is moving.

Mikael’s Arc: Mikael carries the burden of being the "betrayer," and his arc is heavily focused on redemption, accountability, and unrelenting devotion. He doesn't expect easy forgiveness from Bryn, nor does he push past her boundaries. Instead, he endures her wrath and proves his loyalty through actions rather than empty words. The complexity of his past choices adds a tragic, desperate edge to his character that makes him impossible to dislike.

The romantic dynamic is a masterclass in the slow-burn trope. Because of the curse, riddles physically sear themselves onto their skin, igniting a literal and figurative spark every single time they touch. Forced into proximity, the magic suppressing their original fated bond begins to unravel. The tension between them is palpable, built on years of shared history, lingering love, and intense denial. Smith handles the "enemies-to-allies-to-lovers" progression beautifully, making every stolen glance and accidental touch feel incredibly earned.

A Fated Reckoning is a satisfying romantic fantasy. It balances a fast-paced, action-driven plot filled with deadly riddles and high stakes alongside an intimate, character-focused story of healing and forgiveness. If you are looking for a fresh, gripping fantasy world to lose yourself in, and you love second-chance romance with a fierce heroine and a protective, repentant hero, you absolutely want to pick this one up. It's a gripping ride from start to finish!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

A Fated Reckoning by Jamye Smith
4.5☆

This book’s main course was romantic emotional damage with a side of trials, heartbreak, and just enough yearning to keep me slightly unwell in the best way.

The structure of the story keeps things moving phenomenally. Curses, trials, unraveling truths, each piece slotting in without making your brain work too hard. It’s fast-paced but never overwhelming, giving you little breadcrumbs of world-building as you go.

Bryn, a fae FMC who kicks things off with the energy of “let’s burn it all down and I’ll light the match.” She starts off as a beautifully chaotic storm of avoidance, pain, and denial… but her redemption was absolutely earned. It’s the kind where she claws her way through trauma, faces the ugliest parts of herself, and comes out stronger than ever. Fighter isn’t just a name for her, it’s stitched into her very soul.

“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜, 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙟𝙖𝙬, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙄 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚.”

And then there’s Mikael. Let me just take a moment to compose myself.

This man is the greenest flying flag to ever exist in vampire history. He knows what he wants, he says it with his whole chest, and he has been down catastrophically for Bryn for TWO. HUNDRED. YEARS. No toxic nonsense, no morally grey games. Just devotion, yearning, and lines that will have you pausing mid-sentence like, “please, sir. Can I have some more?”

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪—𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚—𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙛𝙩 𝙢𝙚. 𝙄’𝙙 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚, 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.”

Their romance is second chance, but make it emotionally layered. There’s MESSY history here, complicated and rooted. No cheap drama, no flimsy breakup. Literal centuries of love, loss, and unresolved feelings simmering under the surface. The tension is thick with these two, and the slow burn payoff is epically tender.

“𝙄’𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.”

By the time we hit the end, everything wraps up cleanly, which is satisfying for a standalone. Not gonna lie, I wish more Romantasy books WERE standalones. The quick payoff is more addicting in my opinion, knowing there’s a definite end to the story in a single book rather than multiple. But even so, I just wanted a little more…a teeny, tiny epilogue snack…a final moment with these characters, after everything they survived.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪. 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙚. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.”

It’s fast-moving romantasy packed with creative trials, emotional healing, and a love story powered by devotion that refuses to quit. You’ll be intrigued, a little wrecked, occasionally furious, and fully invested.

*Thank you to Jamye Smith for this arc opportunity.

[Nonfictionally Yours · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She said we each had to choose our own path—but he is my only path."

5☆

WOW. WOW. WOW. This book gave me everything I was looking for. SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE DONE TO PERFECTION.

When I say I want yearning, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN!!! Every single thing that came out of Mikaels mouth was pure poetry. I adored his character. He was such a softie for Bryn but would literally end the world for her. His devotion towards her was unlike anything. He was so patient and unrelenting when it came to loving Bryn, I was in tears.

I love how fierce our FMC, Bryn, is. She's so realistically written that she feels incredibly relatable. After having her heart broken she has her walls built up very high and she's very hesitant to get close to Mikael again. She's mean sometimes and sometimes she can't help but reminisce over what used to be and I adored that. Her and Mikael have this push and pull dynamic that literally made me want to tie them together with a rope and force them to admit their feelings 😭

Even though the plot involves trials, it was done in such a unique way and there were so many more aspects woven in together that I looked forward to every single challenge they had to face. The ending of this book literally had me sobbing and picking up my jaw off the floor, because what?? Where did that even come from? I did not expect this book to take the turn it did and it really had me questioning whether I was going to be left utterly broken but Jamye Smith put my heart back together in the last chapter. I'm utterly grateful 🙏🧎🏻‍♀️

If you like second chance romance and fated mates, this book is literally written for you.

[Kate Bellamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating
4/5

spice
2/5

If you are looking for a Romantasy with fated mates, hate to love, and the MMC yearning for her the whole time, then this is the book for you. A Fated Reckoning is a standalone by Jamye Smith. Firstly, I would like to thank the nerd fam and the author Jamye Smith for giving me this ARC. Importantly, this book does contain topics and events that may be triggering, so please check your trigger/ content warnings before reading.

All I can say is that the ending had me screaming. I was in shock from the events that had unfolded at the end of the book. I do hope to see more of these characters even in another book. At the start, there was a bit of mystery to these characters' past and what had pushed them apart. Over time, you learn about their past. The trials showed more about the characters as they progressed through each one; Bryn seems so tough from the start, but over time, you could see how she was hurt and just put her walls so high that no one could climb them. Additionally, the action did not focus just on the trials, but there were other things that did occur. The story was mainly plot driven, and would keep you on your toes and wanting to find out more.

Bryn and Mikael's relationship shows how they still deep down loved each other, even when they hated each other (even if it was only one-sided). There was a lot that these characters went through, and I wished that we could see more of them. I loved them together so much. I do have to say I loved how this book came with artwork. I am obsessed with it. Seeing how these two slowly break down each other's walls and fall in love all over again was amazing. I hope you pick up this book and read it on release day. Happy reading

[Nawelle Feral Reader Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Jamye Smith and NerdFam for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not usually a second-chance romance reader, but after a run of particularly dark and emotionally devastating books, A Fated Reckoning was exactly the change of pace I needed.

This standalone romantasy follows Bryn and Mikael, fated mates separated by betrayal, heartbreak, and two hundred years of anger. When a curse forces them back together on a quest to recover fragments of Bryn’s shattered soul, they’re forced to confront the truth of their past while navigating deadly trials, ancient magic, and a bond neither of them ever truly escaped.

What I enjoyed most was the emotional journey. Bryn’s anger felt justified, and watching her slowly unravel the walls she’d built around herself was incredibly satisfying. Mikael is the definition of devoted—patient, protective, and completely gone for Bryn. The yearning in this book was excellent, and some of his declarations had me swooning.

I also loved the quest structure, riddles, magical trials, and the variety of fantasy creatures woven throughout the world. The pacing dipped a little in the middle for me and certain parts felt like a bit like filler, but I remained invested in Bryn and Mikael’s story from beginning to end.

If you enjoy fated mates, second chances, forced proximity, soul bonds, and an MMC who would quite literally give up everything for the woman he loves, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Mj Cruickshank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley Jamye Smith and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my arc x

I do love it when a man has to grovel, and boy does our MMC have to grovel in this book.

Centuries have passed since Bryn's bonded mate, Mikael, betrayed her, leading to the death of thousands of Fae and Vampires in the battle between them called The Hollow Reckoning.

Shunned by her Father and the King, who hold her responsible for losing the war, Bryn has carved out a life for herself overseeing the City of Varithen collecting debts and maintaining order.

One night Mikael appears, having braved the barren Wastelands, the land in between the Fae and Vampire kingdoms to warn her that her life has been cursed. Together they must work to solve the riddles, restore her soul and save her life.

This was such a sweet love story, a tale of forgiveness and second chance romance, I really enjoyed it. The banter and chemistry between the characters was top notch, and the forced proximity trope of them having to complete trials together worked really well. This man really years for her, if she doesn't want him I'll have him!

"You blessed me with warmth when there was once only a cold shell of a man. The light you exude extinguished the darkness that had engulfed me".

Need I say more? Go read it!

[Ghalz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for providing me this ARC
˖ ᡣ𐭩 ⊹ ࣪ ౨ৎ˚₊
⭐⭐⭐️,75 rounded up to 4 ⭐️

I honestly don't know what to think about this book. It was okay for a read, it had really good elements but I did expect more since i went into it thinking its more fantasy then romance.

"The hope I hold onto is that one day the truth will be known. Until then, know that you blessed me with warmth when there was once oly a cold shell of a man. Your are more worthy of life, even if it costs me my own."

The story is about two lovers, a fae and a vampire, their love was so deep that they chose to become bonded mates. Which is a very sacred ritual to do for both their kinds, and the decision is not taken lightly. One day, that loves becomes tainted by betrayal that Mikael commited that cost a lot to both of them.

Bryn lived the next 200 years of her life resenting her ex-lover, she lost a lot because of him and she could never fanthom seeing him again. Their two kingdoms are separated by a wasted land where no magic can exist since the fatal battle where everything came to an end. Since then, vampires and fae don't come across each other. I really felt the hurt of Bryn from the betrayal of Mikael. I was intrigued by what was the reason for his actions, and oh boy, the author delivered with that one. I did not see it coming and I loved seeing the groveling, but even with that, I still felt like it was a bit rushed.

Both sides were very valid and you understand that once you get into the book and understand what actually happened in the battle. Bryn is so sassy and hotheaded I'd say which actually made me enjoy her character even more. I loved the way she did not back down from anything and even with the conflicting emotions she was going through, she was still able to overcome the past.

I would like to say that the trials were very interesting and the last few pages of the book were intriguing, but I still would have wanted to see a better coherence with the events since the plot did feel rushed and empty sometimes.

If you love a good second chance romance, a fae-vampire duo, a lot of yearning and groveling, then this book is for you!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books. #afatedreckoning #thenerdfam

This book was SO FUN. I loved the initial set up with the FMC and MMC both being immortal with a lot of life under their belts. The fact that it was a second chance romance as well with the YEARNING?! Obsessed.

I love a book with trials but do think they’ve been over saturated lately - but the way Jamye Smith incorporated the trials felt so unique and fresh and felt more like a quest fantasy which I LOVED. The way the world expanded upon each trial and the worldbuilding that revealed itself was so interesting to watch unfold and was a great way to give the readers an insight to the history the characters had that we didn’t see.

The characters themselves were so real and had very real flaws and obstacles they had to overcome. I don’t think that any hurdle was solved too easily or fell into a plot trap designed to help the characters.

Overall I loved this SO much and am so excited to see what the author writes next in this world!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Jamye for the opportunity to be part of your arc team.

💫Second chance love
💫Magical trials
💫Vampires, Fae, Dragons, Sirens, Fates, Monsters
💫Bonded mates
💫Betrayal
💫Sacrifice

I loved the 2nd chance love element much more than I thought I would.
Mikael fought blood, sweat and tears to win Bryn back. This man has a way with words 🥵🔥 that will have you melting.

Even though the curse didnt make so much sense to me. Especially after 200 hundred years... I loved the trials and challenges they had to face to restore Bryn's soul.

Bryn is strong and fierce 💪 and has the will power of a beast for being able to stay angry for so long..

I loved the element of facing your issues to be a better person, forgiveness, 2nd chances and sacrifice.

The ending was surprising. I thought she would come back as a vampire fae hybrid... But i still really enjoyed the book. It was a solid 4 stars 🌟 for me. 😀

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for this early copy of A Fated Reckoning. I’m giving this 4.5⭐️ and rounding to 5⭐️.

I initially saw the art and read the first 4 chapters and was hooked. I knew I needed to read this immediately.

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know I’m a sucker for a second chance romance. It gets me every time and I’ll never tire of it. That’s mainly what drew me to this and it delivered. I felt the chest pains while I was reading each interaction between Brynn and Mikael. I thought the plot and action was perfectly balanced with the tension and yearning of the romantic part of the book. I enjoyed reading each trial they went though to break the curse. I also enjoyed reading about Brynn’s alcohol dependency and how she overcame it. I like that it was addressed throughout and wasn’t just mentioned early and then glossed over. I know this is a standalone and I loved the happy ending, but I love Brynn and Mikael and wish I didn’t have to say goodbye to them!

[vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 glowing stars!

i received a free arc of this book (thank you, jamye! you are the sweetest). this review is completely honest.

a fated recknoning is a fast-paced, action-packed, and sizzling hot second chance romance between vampire and fae. i had so much fun reading it, and if not for my busy schedule, would have definitely devoured it in less than three sittings. my three topmost favorite things about this book:

(i) the yearning was top-tier and i don't say this lightly. mikael, what a man! i was down on my knees for that man. not to mention their chemistry was also top-tier, but the yearning will always come first to me.

(ii) the world building! i love how we encountered different kinds of beings from mythology, from dragons to sirens to mermaids. and different kinds of terrains and weather too! the variety was immensely fun to read.

(iii) the pacing. i always end up having trouble with the pacing at some point, but this book just kept moving onwards and upwards. there are absolutely no fillers, and i truly appreciate that. each chapter was just as enjoyable and just as thrilling!

if you want to potentially meet your next book boyfriend and are a fan of riddles that rhyme, honestly what are you even doing. go pick up this book!

[Becc_Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Book Review•

“𝓘’𝓭 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹 𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓽𝔂, 𝓭𝓸𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓷𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓭, 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓾𝓹 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭”.

“𝓨𝓸𝓾. 𝓘 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓻𝓾𝓲𝓷𝓼 𝓶𝓮. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽’𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮”.

I was given the chance to read this arc by @netgalley and I’m so grateful!

It was a brilliant read! I loved it!

It was soo refreshing to actually start off with them already being mated and bonded and see the bond needing to be repaired.

It was a real journey of emotional strength, trust and love. With some bloodshed of course! You can’t have a vampire without some drama!

The trials weren’t your usual killing ones but they still brought an intensity to them! Some dragons too!

The ending nearly had me! I cried! 😭
I don’t know if a book 2 is something being considered or not but I’d love to read more of these characters! 🩷

This book is being released June 24th and I highly recommend it 😍😍

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐ | 🌶️🌶️

I really liked this one! The beginning definitely pulled me in.

Over 200 years ago, Bryn was betrayed by her vampire mate, Mikael, leading to catastrophic events that changed both of their lives. When he suddenly reappears and tells her she's been cursed, the two are forced to team up to break it. Through it all, she begins to realize that Mikael's betrayal may not have happened the way she always believed.

I absolutely loved how crazy Mikael was for Bryn. After all those years, he never lost his devotion to her and was completely obsessed. His confessions were everything. Bryn, understandably, despises him after what happened, and she's constantly battling her feelings for him. The bond between them is still there, but it's hard for her to see past the pain of his betrayal. I loved watching her slowly admit the truth about her feelings to herself.

The trials were a lot of fun. They had to solve riddles, navigate dangerous challenges, and survive some genuinely risky situations. Thankfully, we get a HEA, but wow... you definitely go through some emotional damage before getting there.

Would definitely recommend!

Thank you to the author for my early copy! 💜