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Blood & Betrayal (Golden Wolf Series Book Two): Paranormal suspense with slowburn romance
In the Ashwood pack, love binds, prophecy bleeds, and peace is never free.
Abby found sanctuary in the hidden wolf pack of Ashwood - but that doesn’t mean she and her sons are safe.
Bound to the pack’s rising leader, Abby can no longer stand apart from pack law, ritual, or the violence buried beneath their mercy. Her youngest son carries a prophecy the wolves both revere and fear, and as winter closes in, so do threats that must be confronted.
With old enemies stirring and the pack’s fragile peace fracturing, Abby and her family are forced to navigate ancient customs, political betrayal, and the cost of loving fiercely in a world where power is inherited through blood - and paid for in sacrifice.
Meanwhile, her human friend Diana finds herself drawn to Mara, the stoic wolf assigned to protect her from Abby’s ex-husband - still at large, still hunting, and already proven capable of murder. As the pack’s leaders face the consequences of a mercy they granted years ago, prophecy promises there will be a great loss before the snow melts.
Slow-burning and emotionally rich, Blood & Betrayal deepens the Golden Wolf series’ exploration of motherhood, desire, and moral ambiguity - where survival means choosing what kind of wolf you’re willing to become.
For readers of Alix E. Harrow, Ava Reid, and Patricia Briggs - for fans of romantasy with bite.
Tropes include: established couples, slowburn sapphic romance, pack politics, prophecy, fierce motherhood, morally complex antagonists, found family, power awakening, queer-inclusive relationships, and shifters.
Abby found sanctuary in the hidden wolf pack of Ashwood - but that doesn’t mean she and her sons are safe.
Bound to the pack’s rising leader, Abby can no longer stand apart from pack law, ritual, or the violence buried beneath their mercy. Her youngest son carries a prophecy the wolves both revere and fear, and as winter closes in, so do threats that must be confronted.
With old enemies stirring and the pack’s fragile peace fracturing, Abby and her family are forced to navigate ancient customs, political betrayal, and the cost of loving fiercely in a world where power is inherited through blood - and paid for in sacrifice.
Meanwhile, her human friend Diana finds herself drawn to Mara, the stoic wolf assigned to protect her from Abby’s ex-husband - still at large, still hunting, and already proven capable of murder. As the pack’s leaders face the consequences of a mercy they granted years ago, prophecy promises there will be a great loss before the snow melts.
Slow-burning and emotionally rich, Blood & Betrayal deepens the Golden Wolf series’ exploration of motherhood, desire, and moral ambiguity - where survival means choosing what kind of wolf you’re willing to become.
For readers of Alix E. Harrow, Ava Reid, and Patricia Briggs - for fans of romantasy with bite.
Tropes include: established couples, slowburn sapphic romance, pack politics, prophecy, fierce motherhood, morally complex antagonists, found family, power awakening, queer-inclusive relationships, and shifters.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 24, 2026
Holy sh*t!!! This book was amazing!!! I adored the first one but this one kept me on the edge of my seat! The writing was beautiful, the plot was tense but also tender, so much love filled these pages. And there’s going to be a third book! That made my day :)
June 27, 2026
I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC and thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent world building and detailed characters. This genre is quite new to me, but I enjoyed it and will be going back and reading book 1!
May 18, 2026
After I was done with book 1, I couldn’t wait to start this. We get to learn a little more about the world, the magik, powers and bloodlines. Action packed and fast paced, I was a little disappointed about how August meet his end. But it was a really great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
4.25 stars
Blood & Betrayal is an excellent continuation of the Golden Wolf series, seamlessly picking up where Blood & Binding left off while expanding both the world and the stakes in meaningful ways.
While the first book focused heavily on healing, found family, and the developing romance between Abby and Marcus, this installment shifts its attention toward pack politics, the darker aspects of the pack's history, and the dangerous consequences that arise when the past refuses to stay buried. The result is a story that feels larger in scope while still maintaining the emotional heart that made the first book so enjoyable.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was Abby's character development. In the first book, she was a softer character finding safety and stability after immense upheaval. Here, she truly comes into her own. As threats emerge and tensions rise within the pack, Abby embraces her role as a protector, leader, mother, and partner. Watching her discover her inner strength and stand up to those who question her place within the pack was incredibly satisfying. She evolves into a fierce and capable heroine without losing the compassion that made her so likable in the first place.
The action throughout the novel is both thrilling and emotionally impactful. There are several intense moments that kept me fully invested, and some heartbreaking developments that hit surprisingly hard. At the same time, Celadon balances the heavier moments with welcome touches of humor that help keep the story from becoming overwhelmingly dark.
I also enjoyed the continued expansion of the supporting cast. A developing side-character romance adds another layer to the story while deepening the worldbuilding and strengthening readers' connection to the town and the pack as a whole. The series continues to feel like more than just a romance, creating a community of characters that readers can genuinely care about.
The ending was particularly well done. I loved the flashback sequence that sheds additional light on the pack's history while simultaneously setting up future conflicts. It left me eager to see where the story goes next and what secrets still remain hidden.
Overall, Blood & Betrayal is a strong second installment that successfully builds upon the foundation established in book one. With compelling character growth, engaging pack politics, emotional stakes, exciting action, and intriguing hints about what's to come, this series continues to get better with each book.
Thank you to the Ember Celadon for providing an advance review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Blood & Betrayal is an excellent continuation of the Golden Wolf series, seamlessly picking up where Blood & Binding left off while expanding both the world and the stakes in meaningful ways.
While the first book focused heavily on healing, found family, and the developing romance between Abby and Marcus, this installment shifts its attention toward pack politics, the darker aspects of the pack's history, and the dangerous consequences that arise when the past refuses to stay buried. The result is a story that feels larger in scope while still maintaining the emotional heart that made the first book so enjoyable.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was Abby's character development. In the first book, she was a softer character finding safety and stability after immense upheaval. Here, she truly comes into her own. As threats emerge and tensions rise within the pack, Abby embraces her role as a protector, leader, mother, and partner. Watching her discover her inner strength and stand up to those who question her place within the pack was incredibly satisfying. She evolves into a fierce and capable heroine without losing the compassion that made her so likable in the first place.
The action throughout the novel is both thrilling and emotionally impactful. There are several intense moments that kept me fully invested, and some heartbreaking developments that hit surprisingly hard. At the same time, Celadon balances the heavier moments with welcome touches of humor that help keep the story from becoming overwhelmingly dark.
I also enjoyed the continued expansion of the supporting cast. A developing side-character romance adds another layer to the story while deepening the worldbuilding and strengthening readers' connection to the town and the pack as a whole. The series continues to feel like more than just a romance, creating a community of characters that readers can genuinely care about.
The ending was particularly well done. I loved the flashback sequence that sheds additional light on the pack's history while simultaneously setting up future conflicts. It left me eager to see where the story goes next and what secrets still remain hidden.
Overall, Blood & Betrayal is a strong second installment that successfully builds upon the foundation established in book one. With compelling character growth, engaging pack politics, emotional stakes, exciting action, and intriguing hints about what's to come, this series continues to get better with each book.
Thank you to the Ember Celadon for providing an advance review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 3, 2026
I’m always wary of Book 2. It’s almost never as good as Book 1. But this one delivers. The character development and world building are so great!
This one was much more intense than the last. It had me on the edge of my seat several times. The heartbreak was beautifully written and it took everything I had to keep my composure.
And I would be negligent if I didn’t mention that the spice was perfectly spicy. Not too graphic that I felt weird reading it in public but spicy enough to get a bit of a fire going.
Desperately waiting for the next one. Hopefully I don’t have to wait too long.
This one was much more intense than the last. It had me on the edge of my seat several times. The heartbreak was beautifully written and it took everything I had to keep my composure.
And I would be negligent if I didn’t mention that the spice was perfectly spicy. Not too graphic that I felt weird reading it in public but spicy enough to get a bit of a fire going.
Desperately waiting for the next one. Hopefully I don’t have to wait too long.
July 18, 2026
Following Abby, Marcus and the rest of the pack from book one, we meet new characters, see new loves begin to bloom, and face unimaginable loss. I enjoyed Blood & Betrayal immensely, my only complaint is book three hasn't been released yet.
Ember has mastered telling stories with plot lines both intricate and easy to follow at the same time, and the characters have a level of depth that many of the genre lack.
If you're looking for something a little different to cleanse your reading palette, I do recommend trying this series.
Ember has mastered telling stories with plot lines both intricate and easy to follow at the same time, and the characters have a level of depth that many of the genre lack.
If you're looking for something a little different to cleanse your reading palette, I do recommend trying this series.
June 9, 2026
ARC review
I enjoy this book , I love the fact that it was still a new ish world to the FMC so I could learn the world with her . Love the twist and the turns.
The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it was written in a 3rd person view and because at the start I didn’t know the characters that well I got very confused on who’s pov I was reading .
I enjoy this book , I love the fact that it was still a new ish world to the FMC so I could learn the world with her . Love the twist and the turns.
The only thing I didn’t like about it was that it was written in a 3rd person view and because at the start I didn’t know the characters that well I got very confused on who’s pov I was reading .
June 15, 2026
What continues to stand out in this series is the pack traditions and politics. This book leans even further into leadership struggles, shifting alliances, and the messy consequences of power. Everyone has an agenda, everyone believes they’re doing the right thing, and the fallout is compelling and frustrating in places. Consequences of decisions are often visited on the generations after and this book highlights this really well.
Compared to the first book, this one definitely raises the stakes, there are more deaths, more sex, and a noticeably darker edge to the story overall. It feels like the series is settling into something more politically driven and layered, especially in how Abby’s role within the pack evolves. I really enjoyed seeing her navigate a world where the “safe” illusion from book one has been stripped away, forcing her to confront the cracks in the system and push back against traditions that no longer serve everyone.
Tzila remains a standout character for me. She isn’t framed as a victim, but as a survivor, and she’s quietly become one of my favourites in the series. Can see some of the dark places grief has taken her, and as one character said in one of my favourite quotes in the book “grief untended festers into ideology” aaahhh its so good! And she definitely embodies this so well while still holding true to the core values she holds.
I’m not really a fan of stories with multiple POV, but appreciate the story needed it to add depth for the storylines as one character cannot be there for all of it and we need to understand the complexity of emotions and motivations for all of the characters. However with so many POVs, if you want the romance, the politics, the family drama, or the action, there's likely a storyline you'll gravitate toward
If book one was about establishing the world, this one is about testing it, and breaking parts of it.
A solid continuation of the series. Impatient for Book 3.
Compared to the first book, this one definitely raises the stakes, there are more deaths, more sex, and a noticeably darker edge to the story overall. It feels like the series is settling into something more politically driven and layered, especially in how Abby’s role within the pack evolves. I really enjoyed seeing her navigate a world where the “safe” illusion from book one has been stripped away, forcing her to confront the cracks in the system and push back against traditions that no longer serve everyone.
Tzila remains a standout character for me. She isn’t framed as a victim, but as a survivor, and she’s quietly become one of my favourites in the series. Can see some of the dark places grief has taken her, and as one character said in one of my favourite quotes in the book “grief untended festers into ideology” aaahhh its so good! And she definitely embodies this so well while still holding true to the core values she holds.
I’m not really a fan of stories with multiple POV, but appreciate the story needed it to add depth for the storylines as one character cannot be there for all of it and we need to understand the complexity of emotions and motivations for all of the characters. However with so many POVs, if you want the romance, the politics, the family drama, or the action, there's likely a storyline you'll gravitate toward
If book one was about establishing the world, this one is about testing it, and breaking parts of it.
A solid continuation of the series. Impatient for Book 3.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for allowing me the honour and pleasure of reading and ARC copy of her second book in the Golden Wolf series.
I absolutely loved this novel. The continuing story of Abby and Marcus and the Clan. But at this point August is going to court, and he escapes. Now his plans are being put into action against the wolf clan.
This story moves away from the slow burn aspect of the romance, and settles into pre-established relationships that are building and deepening. Plus it looks at side characters and their romances.
We are also looking deeper into all the side characters, and their motivations for how they behave. It becomes much more plot driven rather than character driven. But the characters are developed much more deeply.
Abby is also seen to be developing her wolf abilities, and we are learning more about what Beni knows.
There is so much payoff in this book, and the action scenes are actioning, and also really moving. Like sad.
I absolutely loved this book, and I love the characters. By the end of the story, in fact by quarter of the way in we are starting to understand Tzila much more, and so I actually began to like her. Though I felt she was caught up in stuff she couldn't control anymore.
I highly recommend this story. I can't wait for the next book.
This world is so well thought out. Really well written, for a trad published book as well as an indie book (which this is). And it is so evident the author has really developed this world thoroughly.
What are agents doing resting on this series. Get it an agent, get it trad published, and get it a movie series! NOW!
I absolutely loved this novel. The continuing story of Abby and Marcus and the Clan. But at this point August is going to court, and he escapes. Now his plans are being put into action against the wolf clan.
This story moves away from the slow burn aspect of the romance, and settles into pre-established relationships that are building and deepening. Plus it looks at side characters and their romances.
We are also looking deeper into all the side characters, and their motivations for how they behave. It becomes much more plot driven rather than character driven. But the characters are developed much more deeply.
Abby is also seen to be developing her wolf abilities, and we are learning more about what Beni knows.
There is so much payoff in this book, and the action scenes are actioning, and also really moving. Like sad.
I absolutely loved this book, and I love the characters. By the end of the story, in fact by quarter of the way in we are starting to understand Tzila much more, and so I actually began to like her. Though I felt she was caught up in stuff she couldn't control anymore.
I highly recommend this story. I can't wait for the next book.
This world is so well thought out. Really well written, for a trad published book as well as an indie book (which this is). And it is so evident the author has really developed this world thoroughly.
What are agents doing resting on this series. Get it an agent, get it trad published, and get it a movie series! NOW!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2026
I was unexpectedly obsessed after book one and had to pick up book two as soon as I could. The romance is very much present, but what I really appreciated is that it isn’t confined to just the main couple—there’s meaningful page time given to other relationships across the Ashwood universe. The queer romance in particular is part of the fabric of the world and its people.
What surprised me most was the scale. It has the expansiveness and quiet political weight you’d expect from Frank Herbert, where power shifts often happen in conversation, and implication rather than spectacle. At the same time, it stays anchored in a core ensemble whose histories follow them like ghosts.
The ensemble cast continues to be a real strength. The new characters feel fully integrated rather than added on, and the twists genuinely caught me off guard. I also found myself unexpectedly angry at certain characters’ selfish decisions—not in a detached “villain doing villain things” way, but in a very human sense of watching poor choices ripple outward and cause real damage.
What surprised me most was the scale. It has the expansiveness and quiet political weight you’d expect from Frank Herbert, where power shifts often happen in conversation, and implication rather than spectacle. At the same time, it stays anchored in a core ensemble whose histories follow them like ghosts.
The ensemble cast continues to be a real strength. The new characters feel fully integrated rather than added on, and the twists genuinely caught me off guard. I also found myself unexpectedly angry at certain characters’ selfish decisions—not in a detached “villain doing villain things” way, but in a very human sense of watching poor choices ripple outward and cause real damage.
July 5, 2026
I don’t normally read (paranormal) romance but a friwnd recomended book 1 in this dark fantasy series while it was on sale - read thst review to see how I was HOOKED. I have been waiting for the next book to drop.. and it delivered. The pace has stepped up now the groundwork was set in b1. I laughed out loud, I cried (I will not forgive the author for the second time i cried in this book). We had a variety of spicy scenes with diff couples - and a teaser of what might come in book 3. The incel-like villian group are reunited with their leader and there’s everything the comes from that - I cant decide whether to hate or pity his mate. Again we see lots of strong female characters and I cant wait for book 3 and see whats next for all my fave characters (woof, Oskar, YuYu).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a good second book. Think strength of werewolves, mixed with navigating the confusing flux of genuine human emotion and experience, whilst sipping cups of tea through pointed subtle pack maneuverings, and sex, there's also the sex.
Expect a few shocks and surprises, don't say I didn't warn you that there'll probably be a tear or two. I encourage everyone to pour themselves a cup of herbal tea and settle back to read the next installment of the pack from Ashwood.
Expect a few shocks and surprises, don't say I didn't warn you that there'll probably be a tear or two. I encourage everyone to pour themselves a cup of herbal tea and settle back to read the next installment of the pack from Ashwood.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was an ARC reader for this publication.
This book defies the mantra that a sequel isn't as good as the original. It successfully builds on the previous book, Blood and Binding.
I absolutely loved it. It had an intriguing story, fascinating characters and was surprisingly funny.
Highly recommend and can't wait for the third book in the Golden Wolf series.
This book defies the mantra that a sequel isn't as good as the original. It successfully builds on the previous book, Blood and Binding.
I absolutely loved it. It had an intriguing story, fascinating characters and was surprisingly funny.
Highly recommend and can't wait for the third book in the Golden Wolf series.
August 22, 2026
The continuation of Abby’s story was just as good as the first book and left wishing I could start book 3 today. The world building is excellent and the characters are vibrant as they struggle with their own issues ranging from bigotry to misogyny—there is an excellent story being told while taking a critical look at what is wrong in their world.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well that was a wild ride. Book Two in the series and it did not disappoint. This book had multiple points of view and very easy to follow. Oh, but make sure you have some tissues handy. Definitely add this to your TBR.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews