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Not All Men #2
Tainted Touch
I swore I was done being a victim. Fate never asked what I wanted.
My stalker isn’t finished with me.
After delivering my stepfather’s severed head to my door, he’s grown bolder—more obsessed, more certain that I belong to him.
I should feel safe.
Instead, I feel watched.
Caged.
Tainted.
The doctors at Phoenix Pride say my body isn’t what they thought it was. My heats aren’t normal. My biology isn’t safe. But trust doesn’t grow in a graveyard, and I’ve been lied to too many times to believe I’m suddenly the priority.
Julian’s attack drags me straight back into the orbit of the man I tried to escape—the guardian who has controlled my life for years. The compound holds me hostage, its leaders hiding corruption behind polished smiles and procedural lies.
Every truth I uncover costs me. The men around me are more protective than ever, but even they can’t shield me from the betrayals inside our walls.
And then there’s Torin Ashford—Draven’s oldest friend and our newest ally. He seems to hate me more than I hate myself—treating me like poison, when all I want is to believe I’m worth more.
I don’t want fate deciding who gets to claim me.
I don’t want instincts whispering lies in my mind.
I don’t want bonds tightening around my throat.
I want a choice.
My chromius doesn’t.
The deeper I dig into the corruption surrounding me, the clearer it becomes—monsters aren’t born.
They’re made.
And if the world insists on trying to control me, it might regret what it forces me to become.
Tainted Touch is the second book in the Not All Men series. It’s a glacial-burn paranormal why choose romance filled with political power plays, obsessive protectors, escalating danger, and a heroine learning exactly how sharp her claws can be.
Please read the author’s note within for content disclosure—or you can find it on my website.
My stalker isn’t finished with me.
After delivering my stepfather’s severed head to my door, he’s grown bolder—more obsessed, more certain that I belong to him.
I should feel safe.
Instead, I feel watched.
Caged.
Tainted.
The doctors at Phoenix Pride say my body isn’t what they thought it was. My heats aren’t normal. My biology isn’t safe. But trust doesn’t grow in a graveyard, and I’ve been lied to too many times to believe I’m suddenly the priority.
Julian’s attack drags me straight back into the orbit of the man I tried to escape—the guardian who has controlled my life for years. The compound holds me hostage, its leaders hiding corruption behind polished smiles and procedural lies.
Every truth I uncover costs me. The men around me are more protective than ever, but even they can’t shield me from the betrayals inside our walls.
And then there’s Torin Ashford—Draven’s oldest friend and our newest ally. He seems to hate me more than I hate myself—treating me like poison, when all I want is to believe I’m worth more.
I don’t want fate deciding who gets to claim me.
I don’t want instincts whispering lies in my mind.
I don’t want bonds tightening around my throat.
I want a choice.
My chromius doesn’t.
The deeper I dig into the corruption surrounding me, the clearer it becomes—monsters aren’t born.
They’re made.
And if the world insists on trying to control me, it might regret what it forces me to become.
Tainted Touch is the second book in the Not All Men series. It’s a glacial-burn paranormal why choose romance filled with political power plays, obsessive protectors, escalating danger, and a heroine learning exactly how sharp her claws can be.
Please read the author’s note within for content disclosure—or you can find it on my website.
573 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2026
About the author
Letty Frame
27 books659 followersLetty Frame is an English paranormal and omegaverse reverse harem romance author who writes the kind of fated-mates stories every broken soul deserves. With big feelings, fierce men, and heroines who rise from the ashes, #whychoose has become her guiding motto.
Navigating chronic illness and mental health, Letty’s life is chaotic but perfect—and that messy, beautiful honesty lies at the heart of her stories. She writes broken characters, fate-driven romances, and hard-won happily-ever-afters that no one resents them for… except, arguably, their author.
After all, what could a mentally ill romance author want more than a happy ever after?
A traumatised, emotionally devastating journey to earning it.
Navigating chronic illness and mental health, Letty’s life is chaotic but perfect—and that messy, beautiful honesty lies at the heart of her stories. She writes broken characters, fate-driven romances, and hard-won happily-ever-afters that no one resents them for… except, arguably, their author.
After all, what could a mentally ill romance author want more than a happy ever after?
A traumatised, emotionally devastating journey to earning it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 19, 2026
I have reread book one, Don’t Touch, at least twenty times, so I went into this sequel with enormous excitement.
After waiting almost a year and a half for book two, I have to admit that I was disappointed. It felt like a filler book rather than a necessary continuation of the story, and finding out the series will be longer than a duet was frustrating, especially when this instalment didn’t move the plot forward in any meaningful way.
Maeve and Her Mates
My heart aches for Maeve. Giving her so many mates only for most of them to be unworthy feels cruel, and the fact that only two truly behave like mates is upsetting. The constant addition of twins into every storyline has also become repetitive, especially since the twins are consistently the worst characters in the room. Julien is one of the weakest written mates I have ever seen, and even if he threw himself in front of a bullet, I still wouldn’t find him worthy. Hadrian is little better. He constantly talks about his trauma but never once shows himself to be emotionally useful. His snippy, dismissive comments, especially when Maeve is being vulnerable, gave off major misogynistic vibes. Both twins came across with the emotional intelligence of sulky teenagers.
Draven and Luc, on the other hand, remain the heart of this series. They are emotionally mature, consistently supportive, patient, and protective. They are the only ones who feel like true mates, and they repeatedly put the others in their place. Their scenes carried the book for me.
As for the newest addition to Maeve’s men… I do not understand why the author keeps adding males who belittle her, insult her breakdowns, and openly disrespect her. I know he will inevitably get a redemption arc, but right now he is simply unpleasant. And even after realising he is a mate, he neither rejects her nor improves. He just stays mean. It makes no sense.
Maeve’s Journey
Can this girl ever get a break? She went through hell in book one, genuinely earned trauma, yet in book two she never gets a moment to breathe. Instead of meaningful progression, we get chapters of circling conversations and emotional regression. Her storyline felt stagnant: from nearly touching someone to test a mate bond, to harming herself, to emotionally shutting down completely. There were moments when her reactions felt unprovoked because the pacing around her trauma was uneven.
The scenes at the compound were especially hard to read. This place is drenched in trauma for her, yet she is somehow put in the position of leading everyone else. Draven and Luc had slip-ups, but at least they tried. Most others seemed absent or unhelpful. The entire Graves family sequence felt like a humiliation ritual instead of meaningful plot progression.
The Stalker Plot
The stalker storyline is intriguing, but it feels messy and inconsistent. We know one brother is the true mate and one is obsessed, yet their behaviour contradicts itself. At times the stalker acts like he believes Maeve is his property, willing to hurt anyone near her, and then suddenly shifts to bizarre scenes of tearing clothes and bleeding in her room. If he were truly deranged and possessive, he would be eliminating her actual mates first, not ignoring them. The logic of his violence does not track.
It also seems like Maeve knows more than she says. She mentioned once that he was someone she once trusted, but that thread never reappears.
Side Characters and Pacing
There were bright spots. I loved meeting Esme, especially after only knowing the rough outline of her story from the other series. Finally seeing her on the page felt exciting. But her introduction was immediately undercut by a dragon treating her dismissively.
It is frustrating that this author repeatedly introduces male love interests by making them openly rude or belittling without any context, reason, or emotional groundwork. It creates an instant disconnect and makes it difficult to invest in these men later when their redemption arcs inevitably arrive.
We already know this dragon will be important to Esme, which makes his behaviour even harder to swallow.
The detail about dragons being born in threes also gave me a bit of an ick. Twins and triplets tend to be written very poorly by this author. Too similar in some ways, strangely disconnected in others, and often defined only by their sibling bond instead of functioning naturally within a pack. It makes me nervous to see how this new trio will be handled moving forward.
Ari, though, remains my favourite of all the side characters. We already knew parts of her story from Nora’s books (finding her mates, being rejected, becoming pregnant, and building a life away from that heartbreak ), but book one gave us a far deeper look into her struggles, especially her OCD, and her resilience was portrayed beautifully. She is prickly and elegant, hopeful yet hurting, and I adore her. It’s clear the author sees her men as redeemable, but I’m still unconvinced.
I did find it interesting when Maeve interacted with Tarun, and he appeared genuinely fearful of the truth about his past with Ari coming out in front of his family. That moment was intriguing, and it deserved follow-through. I would happily read entire books focused solely on Ari and the layers of her story.
Nora was also a lovely presence, a small ball of light and grounding, especially meaningful after her own series explored hope and depression with such nuance. But her helpful, compassionate insights often felt brushed aside, which was disappointing given how influential she could have been.
Unfortunately, the pacing dragged. Entire sections felt like filler or side quests stretched far beyond their purpose. Scenes that could have been resolved in a chapter were expanded into ten. The prison sequence in particular overstayed its welcome long after it had accomplished what it needed to. The slow pacing, combined with emotional loops and repetitive conversations, left the middle of the book feeling directionless.
The Romance and Emotional Tone
Maeve regresses dramatically from book one, which does make sense after what she endured, but the execution felt muddled. She was sometimes cruel without cause, unwilling to accept anything from anyone even Ari, Nora, Draven, and Luc. Her emotional walls made sense, but the writing around them lacked clarity.
The book feels like it takes place over a single week because of how little progress is made in the central plot.
And the nicknames… “little light” made me physically cringe, and “sweet angel” nearly made me close my Kindle.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this book was a let-down for me. I read it immediately after finishing book one, and the difference in quality and structure was obvious. Most of this instalment could have been condensed into a handful of chapters added to book one. The plot wandered, the pacing faltered, and many characters felt directionless.
Still, there were things I enjoyed.
⭑⭑⭑
One for the long-awaited release happening
One for the beautiful female friendships
One for Draven and Luc
I truly hope book three regains the strength, clarity, and momentum the series once had. There is so much potential here, and I desperately want to love this world the way I loved book one.
After waiting almost a year and a half for book two, I have to admit that I was disappointed. It felt like a filler book rather than a necessary continuation of the story, and finding out the series will be longer than a duet was frustrating, especially when this instalment didn’t move the plot forward in any meaningful way.
Maeve and Her Mates
My heart aches for Maeve. Giving her so many mates only for most of them to be unworthy feels cruel, and the fact that only two truly behave like mates is upsetting. The constant addition of twins into every storyline has also become repetitive, especially since the twins are consistently the worst characters in the room. Julien is one of the weakest written mates I have ever seen, and even if he threw himself in front of a bullet, I still wouldn’t find him worthy. Hadrian is little better. He constantly talks about his trauma but never once shows himself to be emotionally useful. His snippy, dismissive comments, especially when Maeve is being vulnerable, gave off major misogynistic vibes. Both twins came across with the emotional intelligence of sulky teenagers.
Draven and Luc, on the other hand, remain the heart of this series. They are emotionally mature, consistently supportive, patient, and protective. They are the only ones who feel like true mates, and they repeatedly put the others in their place. Their scenes carried the book for me.
As for the newest addition to Maeve’s men… I do not understand why the author keeps adding males who belittle her, insult her breakdowns, and openly disrespect her. I know he will inevitably get a redemption arc, but right now he is simply unpleasant. And even after realising he is a mate, he neither rejects her nor improves. He just stays mean. It makes no sense.
Maeve’s Journey
Can this girl ever get a break? She went through hell in book one, genuinely earned trauma, yet in book two she never gets a moment to breathe. Instead of meaningful progression, we get chapters of circling conversations and emotional regression. Her storyline felt stagnant: from nearly touching someone to test a mate bond, to harming herself, to emotionally shutting down completely. There were moments when her reactions felt unprovoked because the pacing around her trauma was uneven.
The scenes at the compound were especially hard to read. This place is drenched in trauma for her, yet she is somehow put in the position of leading everyone else. Draven and Luc had slip-ups, but at least they tried. Most others seemed absent or unhelpful. The entire Graves family sequence felt like a humiliation ritual instead of meaningful plot progression.
The Stalker Plot
The stalker storyline is intriguing, but it feels messy and inconsistent. We know one brother is the true mate and one is obsessed, yet their behaviour contradicts itself. At times the stalker acts like he believes Maeve is his property, willing to hurt anyone near her, and then suddenly shifts to bizarre scenes of tearing clothes and bleeding in her room. If he were truly deranged and possessive, he would be eliminating her actual mates first, not ignoring them. The logic of his violence does not track.
It also seems like Maeve knows more than she says. She mentioned once that he was someone she once trusted, but that thread never reappears.
Side Characters and Pacing
There were bright spots. I loved meeting Esme, especially after only knowing the rough outline of her story from the other series. Finally seeing her on the page felt exciting. But her introduction was immediately undercut by a dragon treating her dismissively.
It is frustrating that this author repeatedly introduces male love interests by making them openly rude or belittling without any context, reason, or emotional groundwork. It creates an instant disconnect and makes it difficult to invest in these men later when their redemption arcs inevitably arrive.
We already know this dragon will be important to Esme, which makes his behaviour even harder to swallow.
The detail about dragons being born in threes also gave me a bit of an ick. Twins and triplets tend to be written very poorly by this author. Too similar in some ways, strangely disconnected in others, and often defined only by their sibling bond instead of functioning naturally within a pack. It makes me nervous to see how this new trio will be handled moving forward.
Ari, though, remains my favourite of all the side characters. We already knew parts of her story from Nora’s books (finding her mates, being rejected, becoming pregnant, and building a life away from that heartbreak ), but book one gave us a far deeper look into her struggles, especially her OCD, and her resilience was portrayed beautifully. She is prickly and elegant, hopeful yet hurting, and I adore her. It’s clear the author sees her men as redeemable, but I’m still unconvinced.
I did find it interesting when Maeve interacted with Tarun, and he appeared genuinely fearful of the truth about his past with Ari coming out in front of his family. That moment was intriguing, and it deserved follow-through. I would happily read entire books focused solely on Ari and the layers of her story.
Nora was also a lovely presence, a small ball of light and grounding, especially meaningful after her own series explored hope and depression with such nuance. But her helpful, compassionate insights often felt brushed aside, which was disappointing given how influential she could have been.
Unfortunately, the pacing dragged. Entire sections felt like filler or side quests stretched far beyond their purpose. Scenes that could have been resolved in a chapter were expanded into ten. The prison sequence in particular overstayed its welcome long after it had accomplished what it needed to. The slow pacing, combined with emotional loops and repetitive conversations, left the middle of the book feeling directionless.
The Romance and Emotional Tone
Maeve regresses dramatically from book one, which does make sense after what she endured, but the execution felt muddled. She was sometimes cruel without cause, unwilling to accept anything from anyone even Ari, Nora, Draven, and Luc. Her emotional walls made sense, but the writing around them lacked clarity.
The book feels like it takes place over a single week because of how little progress is made in the central plot.
And the nicknames… “little light” made me physically cringe, and “sweet angel” nearly made me close my Kindle.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this book was a let-down for me. I read it immediately after finishing book one, and the difference in quality and structure was obvious. Most of this instalment could have been condensed into a handful of chapters added to book one. The plot wandered, the pacing faltered, and many characters felt directionless.
Still, there were things I enjoyed.
⭑⭑⭑
One for the long-awaited release happening
One for the beautiful female friendships
One for Draven and Luc
I truly hope book three regains the strength, clarity, and momentum the series once had. There is so much potential here, and I desperately want to love this world the way I loved book one.
March 29, 2026
good
I’m really liking this story- but it feels like Julian’s arc got dropped somewhere along the line. He was hurt…. Then ok? We all just accept it? A bit less trust; but what? Nothing?
I’m really liking this story- but it feels like Julian’s arc got dropped somewhere along the line. He was hurt…. Then ok? We all just accept it? A bit less trust; but what? Nothing?
February 19, 2026
I struggled a bit with this one. We are now two books in and it feels like Mauve’s growth is absolutely glacial. Instead we see her constantly lashing out and doubting everyone around her. While she certainly has good reason, I feel like the story is dragging as a result and it was hard to focus. Especially since we learn she has three other mates too. There are a lot of pieces that are interesting but I don’t think that characters are in a substantively different place than they were at the beginning of the book. She hasn’t really deepened any of the relationships, except for maybe with Draven. She wasn’t able to touch anyone in this book. I’m just wondering where this is all going and how long it’s going to take to get there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2026
Possibly the best FMC ever in a story made ridiculously over complicated, messy and dissatisfying
Let's start with the most important thing - this book was due almost a year ago, was supposed to be the second in a duet and is now just the second of a series of undetermined length. Book one was perfection that this author has not managed on any other story. Book 2 has been delayed almost a year while the author spat out a bundle of unrelated poor quality stories. And now it's being dragged out like dead pegasus beating.
Maeve is one of the most impressive FMCs I've read in forever. Her fortitude and humor and intelligence are perfect foils for the trauma response she has, which is completely reasonable and in line with her experience. I don't understand the clothing choices the author makes, even with touch aversion, since displaying herself does attract unwanted attention but it's the least of the issues in this story.
Luc is fine, if not an excellent MMC. While Draven is relatively better than most, his obsession with claiming he was rejected bugs me since he knows that Maeve has no way of identifying the mate bonds. Hadrian is getting better but his constant snark toward Maeve is unfounded. Julian is a fool with little to no value. Torin is a prime example of the author screwing up the story by jumping sharks in the desert - he is absolute garbage, irredeemable in his scorn and tormenting treatment toward Maeve and has absolutely zero value for the plot.
Add in the stalker bananas, the unidentified rando ( not to be confused with the stalker) and the nonsense around the Graves family and tribunal as a whole and you've got the most overly complicated, increasingly shitty story possible.
Honestly, I would not be so pissed if the FMC was more like Ari and Nora (or any of the author's other FMCs at all) but Maeve is a pillar character deserving of an exceptional story that is being mangled by the author.
Let's start with the most important thing - this book was due almost a year ago, was supposed to be the second in a duet and is now just the second of a series of undetermined length. Book one was perfection that this author has not managed on any other story. Book 2 has been delayed almost a year while the author spat out a bundle of unrelated poor quality stories. And now it's being dragged out like dead pegasus beating.
Maeve is one of the most impressive FMCs I've read in forever. Her fortitude and humor and intelligence are perfect foils for the trauma response she has, which is completely reasonable and in line with her experience. I don't understand the clothing choices the author makes, even with touch aversion, since displaying herself does attract unwanted attention but it's the least of the issues in this story.
Luc is fine, if not an excellent MMC. While Draven is relatively better than most, his obsession with claiming he was rejected bugs me since he knows that Maeve has no way of identifying the mate bonds. Hadrian is getting better but his constant snark toward Maeve is unfounded. Julian is a fool with little to no value. Torin is a prime example of the author screwing up the story by jumping sharks in the desert - he is absolute garbage, irredeemable in his scorn and tormenting treatment toward Maeve and has absolutely zero value for the plot.
Add in the stalker bananas, the unidentified rando ( not to be confused with the stalker) and the nonsense around the Graves family and tribunal as a whole and you've got the most overly complicated, increasingly shitty story possible.
Honestly, I would not be so pissed if the FMC was more like Ari and Nora (or any of the author's other FMCs at all) but Maeve is a pillar character deserving of an exceptional story that is being mangled by the author.
April 3, 2026
I think I genuinely loved book 2 of the Not All Men Series even more the book 1.
Admittedly, this series isn't everybody's cup of tea since it's a pretty dark story that revolves around specific mental health issues. So definitely check out the trigger warnings before picking up one of the books.
I like that the second book brings some big revelations and further deepens the bond between her and her mates. The slow burn is still burning slowly 🐌 🔥.
And the cliffhanger 🤯, pleeeeeease 🙏 release book 3 soon.
So I 100% recommend the series.
Admittedly, this series isn't everybody's cup of tea since it's a pretty dark story that revolves around specific mental health issues. So definitely check out the trigger warnings before picking up one of the books.
I like that the second book brings some big revelations and further deepens the bond between her and her mates. The slow burn is still burning slowly 🐌 🔥.
And the cliffhanger 🤯, pleeeeeease 🙏 release book 3 soon.
So I 100% recommend the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2026
I need the next one NOW pls
February 15, 2026
love it 🥰
I absolutely LOVE this series so far! I cant wait for Draven to realize she didnt reject him i feel so bad for him i hope she bonds with him first then luc those 2 are so good for her hades is finally starting to get her too and it seems juls is slowly getting there too. I cant wait to see how she reacts to a new mate popping up! Hope book 3 comes soon i cant wait to read more! 🩷🧡💛💚🩵💙💜
I absolutely LOVE this series so far! I cant wait for Draven to realize she didnt reject him i feel so bad for him i hope she bonds with him first then luc those 2 are so good for her hades is finally starting to get her too and it seems juls is slowly getting there too. I cant wait to see how she reacts to a new mate popping up! Hope book 3 comes soon i cant wait to read more! 🩷🧡💛💚🩵💙💜
April 26, 2026
DNF -
Finished book 1. 67% into book 2.
*review shared for series*
The FMC is INSUFFERABLE. Book 1.. okay. She is traumatized. We get it. She has work to do. She needs time to heal. But I thought it would be better in book 2. IT DOESNT. Her internal thoughts are a cesspool. I LOVE books with mates because even if there is some bullying at first, in their soul they know and care for the person. But she does NOT. She doesn't even care if they die. As the reader we usually get to see what they actually feel and it makes us feel better. In these books it just made me feel sick. These books are so long with absolutely NOTHING ACUTALLY HAPPENING. Everything is always bad and reading about it from the fmc's perspective feels so icky. I give up.
Finished book 1. 67% into book 2.
*review shared for series*
The FMC is INSUFFERABLE. Book 1.. okay. She is traumatized. We get it. She has work to do. She needs time to heal. But I thought it would be better in book 2. IT DOESNT. Her internal thoughts are a cesspool. I LOVE books with mates because even if there is some bullying at first, in their soul they know and care for the person. But she does NOT. She doesn't even care if they die. As the reader we usually get to see what they actually feel and it makes us feel better. In these books it just made me feel sick. These books are so long with absolutely NOTHING ACUTALLY HAPPENING. Everything is always bad and reading about it from the fmc's perspective feels so icky. I give up.
February 28, 2026
"You think we need one more?"
This is Book 2 in the Not All Men series by Letty Frame. This is not a standalone so make sure you read Don't Touch first, and if you want to get the background on the full cast of characters you can also read the Second Chances series starting with Death Is Easy. This is a slow-burn, shifter, reverse harem/why choose where our girl, Maeve, has about as much trauma as anyone can handle. Letty writes a lot about struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, unaliving so definitely read the content warnings before diving in. If you've come this far hopefully you've at least read the first book, if not, please stop here so you don't accidently hit a surprise.
After Book 1, Maeve finds herself in the hospital - she thinks she's been taken back to the compound - but thankfully she's still at the pack. Her stalker has left her a disturbing gift, and of course her first instinct is that Adrian, her guarding who she has never trusted, did the deed. They (Maeve, Lucifer, Hadrian, and Draven) head back to the compound to find out what happened since something odd is going on with Julian. Maeve doesn't realize and doesn't trust that the men in her life currently are all her mates, because she won't touch anything, she won't know that until she does. They agree to not talk about it with her until she's ready. Only she's not ready for another one to come along - one she despises with everything she is - and the feeling is mutual. But is that the end of her harem or are there more?
I love this series so far. Maeve's character is a tough read though because had hardened herself into an Ice Princess persona that lashes out first and rubs people the wrong way. We see glimpes of her insecurities and trauma and how hard it is for her to move past it. Not only does she suffer through something horrific, but we discover the people that were supposed to be helping her, really have been working against that for 6 years. She's got a lot to unpack. Most of her men understand that and are working to support her - they all are a little broken too - but they'll have their work cut out for them. I think the character story is developing and trust is building in Book 2, but they will have a lot of work in Book 3 - can't wait!
This is Book 2 in the Not All Men series by Letty Frame. This is not a standalone so make sure you read Don't Touch first, and if you want to get the background on the full cast of characters you can also read the Second Chances series starting with Death Is Easy. This is a slow-burn, shifter, reverse harem/why choose where our girl, Maeve, has about as much trauma as anyone can handle. Letty writes a lot about struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD, self-harm, unaliving so definitely read the content warnings before diving in. If you've come this far hopefully you've at least read the first book, if not, please stop here so you don't accidently hit a surprise.
After Book 1, Maeve finds herself in the hospital - she thinks she's been taken back to the compound - but thankfully she's still at the pack. Her stalker has left her a disturbing gift, and of course her first instinct is that Adrian, her guarding who she has never trusted, did the deed. They (Maeve, Lucifer, Hadrian, and Draven) head back to the compound to find out what happened since something odd is going on with Julian. Maeve doesn't realize and doesn't trust that the men in her life currently are all her mates, because she won't touch anything, she won't know that until she does. They agree to not talk about it with her until she's ready. Only she's not ready for another one to come along - one she despises with everything she is - and the feeling is mutual. But is that the end of her harem or are there more?
I love this series so far. Maeve's character is a tough read though because had hardened herself into an Ice Princess persona that lashes out first and rubs people the wrong way. We see glimpes of her insecurities and trauma and how hard it is for her to move past it. Not only does she suffer through something horrific, but we discover the people that were supposed to be helping her, really have been working against that for 6 years. She's got a lot to unpack. Most of her men understand that and are working to support her - they all are a little broken too - but they'll have their work cut out for them. I think the character story is developing and trust is building in Book 2, but they will have a lot of work in Book 3 - can't wait!
February 21, 2026
I have reread book one, Don’t Touch, at least twenty times, so I went into this sequel with enormous excitement—and it absolutely delivered.
Maeve’s story continues to pull me in with its emotional depth, resilience, and intensity. She is one of those characters who goes through so much, enough to break anyone, yet she keeps getting back up even when it’s exhausting and overwhelming. I am truly in awe of her strength and determination as she fights for her independence and continues to grow.
Maeve has multiple mates, each bringing a different dynamic to her journey, and I loved getting to know them more. The complexity of their relationships adds layers to the story and keeps things intriguing. There are so many personalities at play, and it makes the world feel rich and engaging. I’m especially intrigued by the “brother” storyline (IYKYK), and I cannot wait to see how that develops.
The story continues to expand in such an interesting way, introducing new elements, deeper connections, and plenty of mystery. There are so many threads building at once, and I am completely invested in seeing how everything unfolds. The emotional moments, tension, and character interactions kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I also loved seeing familiar faces and how the friendships and relationships continue to evolve. There is something really special about the connections in this world, and it adds so much heart to the story.
The writing is immersive, the characters are compelling, and the overall story just keeps getting better and better. I devoured this book and was completely wrapped up in Maeve’s journey.
That ending has me absolutely desperate for more, and I cannot wait for book three. There is so much potential still to come, and I am fully invested in this series.
Maeve’s story continues to pull me in with its emotional depth, resilience, and intensity. She is one of those characters who goes through so much, enough to break anyone, yet she keeps getting back up even when it’s exhausting and overwhelming. I am truly in awe of her strength and determination as she fights for her independence and continues to grow.
Maeve has multiple mates, each bringing a different dynamic to her journey, and I loved getting to know them more. The complexity of their relationships adds layers to the story and keeps things intriguing. There are so many personalities at play, and it makes the world feel rich and engaging. I’m especially intrigued by the “brother” storyline (IYKYK), and I cannot wait to see how that develops.
The story continues to expand in such an interesting way, introducing new elements, deeper connections, and plenty of mystery. There are so many threads building at once, and I am completely invested in seeing how everything unfolds. The emotional moments, tension, and character interactions kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I also loved seeing familiar faces and how the friendships and relationships continue to evolve. There is something really special about the connections in this world, and it adds so much heart to the story.
The writing is immersive, the characters are compelling, and the overall story just keeps getting better and better. I devoured this book and was completely wrapped up in Maeve’s journey.
That ending has me absolutely desperate for more, and I cannot wait for book three. There is so much potential still to come, and I am fully invested in this series.
March 26, 2026
Tainted Touch is book 2 in the Not All Men series by Letty Frame. I waited forever for this one!! Book 1, Don’t Touch, was easily a 5 star book for me. Book 1 is still my favorite so far but Tainted Touch is still up there! Book 2 picks up immediately where we left off and I admit I had to go reread the last few chapters of Don’t Touch to remind me where all of our main characters are at. I will admit that the first third of this book did confuse me a little bit as our characters are put in this weird position of returning to the compound and the events that get them there and then the events that happen right after are a bit difficult to follow. Once we get out of there though is when the book really picks up and doesn’t let up until the cliffhanger at the end! A few important notes - similar to the first book this is a very very slow burn, as we have all of our players (well maybe) but romance is impossible at this time. Just as before though, I really don’t mind it because that means my other favorite tropes are front and center - touch her and die and a healing fmc. Another interesting thing about this book that I mentioned in my review for the first book - I don’t think one single main character is a reliable narrator. I love them all, truly, but I don’t know that any of them can be relied on with their perceptions of the world. Because of this it is very hard to tell who the bad guys actually are and so I am wary of anyone and everyone! I just know I will be waiting forever for book 3 but I have to know what happens next!
February 26, 2026
We waited a while for this book and i was excited to dive into it, this book picks up exactly where book 1 ends and we dive straight into the drama!
I love a slow burn, theres nothing better then the tension growing as this is definitely the slowest slow burn i have ever read - however due to Maeve’s trauma this is understandable - i am hoping we see her touch at least one mate soon though! In this book we’re introduced to what i think is 2 more mates - and some major grovelling is needed by one of them!
The stalker story is interesting however i still don’t understand why Adrian speared Julian - and this seems to just be accepted by everyone…i’m hoping when the full story comes together it will all make sense!
I enjoyed the banter between mates and we are slowly seeing a softening side of Maeve, even if she only lets bits and pieces show for different mates.
Overall 4/5 ⭐️ and 0 🌶️
I love a slow burn, theres nothing better then the tension growing as this is definitely the slowest slow burn i have ever read - however due to Maeve’s trauma this is understandable - i am hoping we see her touch at least one mate soon though! In this book we’re introduced to what i think is 2 more mates - and some major grovelling is needed by one of them!
The stalker story is interesting however i still don’t understand why Adrian speared Julian - and this seems to just be accepted by everyone…i’m hoping when the full story comes together it will all make sense!
I enjoyed the banter between mates and we are slowly seeing a softening side of Maeve, even if she only lets bits and pieces show for different mates.
Overall 4/5 ⭐️ and 0 🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
What I love about Maeve is her resilience and strength. No matter how many times she is put down and trod upon, she gets back up and keeps on going. Horrific things happened to her, and they made her who she is today, but they didn't stop her from trying to live a decent life. Some might argue what kind of life - but it’s her life. She gets to set the rules and set what can happen to her. Unfortunately, too many people in her life are trying to control her and that makes things very frustrating.
This book was difficult to read because of the trauma, but I’m really glad I stuck with it. It’s a great second book, and I’m very much looking forward to the third in the series. Please start with book one, Don’t Touch, or things won’t make much sense.
This book was difficult to read because of the trauma, but I’m really glad I stuck with it. It’s a great second book, and I’m very much looking forward to the third in the series. Please start with book one, Don’t Touch, or things won’t make much sense.
February 25, 2026
Slow burn follow up
Letty Frame is famous for her detailed plot based books and Tainted Touch is no exception.
We pick up after Maeve's meltdown at the end of book 1 with Maeve in hospital.
And Julian injured.
Of all the mate groups in Letty's books, this one is so far my favourite. It's 6 ( almost 7) broken people, who are mostly on the same page and just want to not have to survive anymore. They just want freedom and to keep each other free and happy.
I like that we got more of the dynamics with Adrian and Helen. There are still so many unanswered questions about the Graves family.
My hope for the next book is that Maeve will start a form of exposure therapy after she was able to tolerate recurring comfort from Ari in book 1.
Letty Frame is famous for her detailed plot based books and Tainted Touch is no exception.
We pick up after Maeve's meltdown at the end of book 1 with Maeve in hospital.
And Julian injured.
Of all the mate groups in Letty's books, this one is so far my favourite. It's 6 ( almost 7) broken people, who are mostly on the same page and just want to not have to survive anymore. They just want freedom and to keep each other free and happy.
I like that we got more of the dynamics with Adrian and Helen. There are still so many unanswered questions about the Graves family.
My hope for the next book is that Maeve will start a form of exposure therapy after she was able to tolerate recurring comfort from Ari in book 1.
March 3, 2026
Screaming for the next one!!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 1 🌶️
Read if you like:
Traumatized FMC
Why Choose
OTT Obsessed MMCs
Shifters
Fated Mates
Slow Burn
Rejected Mates
Letty truly has a gift to show her characters that are struggling. Everything Maeve was going through I could feel. I wanted to rip my heart out and give it to her so she could feel warm again.
There was a lot of growth and change happening. I loved seeing Nora, Ari and Maeve be close.
I struggled with the MMCs in this one. In book one I was really rooting for them but after this I’m rooting for one maybe two but Maeve deserves more, better.
Life better get better for our girl and QUICK!
I cannot wait for more! Seriously I need it now!!
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Spice: 1 🌶️
Read if you like:
Traumatized FMC
Why Choose
OTT Obsessed MMCs
Shifters
Fated Mates
Slow Burn
Rejected Mates
Letty truly has a gift to show her characters that are struggling. Everything Maeve was going through I could feel. I wanted to rip my heart out and give it to her so she could feel warm again.
There was a lot of growth and change happening. I loved seeing Nora, Ari and Maeve be close.
I struggled with the MMCs in this one. In book one I was really rooting for them but after this I’m rooting for one maybe two but Maeve deserves more, better.
Life better get better for our girl and QUICK!
I cannot wait for more! Seriously I need it now!!
February 23, 2026
Still unsure
I still do not know if I like this series or not. It is a really harsh and angry book. I do not have real triggers and do not suffer any mental health issues and I could not continuously read this book. I had to switch to lighter topics in between.
I also struggle to like Maeve or feel real sympathy for her even though she experienced so much trauma. It is unbelievable that it is still piling on and that makes me tired to read about it. I keep on waiting for the tide to turn.
As an afterthought the word “gag” is used so many times it makes the action seem childish.
I will read book 3 if I come across it.
I still do not know if I like this series or not. It is a really harsh and angry book. I do not have real triggers and do not suffer any mental health issues and I could not continuously read this book. I had to switch to lighter topics in between.
I also struggle to like Maeve or feel real sympathy for her even though she experienced so much trauma. It is unbelievable that it is still piling on and that makes me tired to read about it. I keep on waiting for the tide to turn.
As an afterthought the word “gag” is used so many times it makes the action seem childish.
I will read book 3 if I come across it.
February 25, 2026
Maeve's story continues to wreck me but the wee bits of growth we see in this book give me such hope for her future. Draven and Luc are ideal mates for her but I'm still on the fence about Hades, Jules and now Torin. These three have yet to show the support and connection that I want for her. I'm hoping the author pulls off the miracle they need to get their redemption arc ;) With another mate in the background, I'm dying to see how this all comes together for Maeve. I'm hooked on her and cannot wait for more to see her come into her full power and place in this world. She's epic and it's going to be awesome when she sees that herself :D
February 25, 2026
“Knowledge is always a weapon. Ignorance is always a danger.”
This quote sums up what I really loved about this book. The FMC says this and it’s so true.
The book is well written. Maeve’s journey to accepting herself is ongoing. The author does a great job of differentiating the relationships between the characters. Relationships take work and the ones in this book are no exception. They are complicated and sometimes ugly. The characters aren’t lovey dovey right away and they don’t always like each other.
The author states that it is a glacial burn, so I was expecting the slow pace but I would have liked more romance in the story and to have it move along a bit more.
March 15, 2026
Ooo it’s getting good!
Tainted carries straight in from don’t. Maeve finds herself been stalked and her not mate injured.
We follow her as he comes to terms with her body and what her previous pack has done to her. Who needs enemies when you have an adored family like these. The dinner scene was brilliant in a really terrible way.
I really like that nobody really gets on until it comes to Maeve then they find themselves pulling together. I do hope the friendship between her mates continues to grow.
Torin really needs a redemption arc as right now I’m not sold.
Looking forward to the next book as this will be a brilliant series when it’s finished.
Tainted carries straight in from don’t. Maeve finds herself been stalked and her not mate injured.
We follow her as he comes to terms with her body and what her previous pack has done to her. Who needs enemies when you have an adored family like these. The dinner scene was brilliant in a really terrible way.
I really like that nobody really gets on until it comes to Maeve then they find themselves pulling together. I do hope the friendship between her mates continues to grow.
Torin really needs a redemption arc as right now I’m not sold.
Looking forward to the next book as this will be a brilliant series when it’s finished.
July 9, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
It had been long enough since I read the previous book that I could've used a recap. This installment drops in the middle of a story, assuming you recall every detail of the previous book. I spent half the book figuring things out by context and trying to remember prior details. It definitely lessened my enjoyment of the book, which is a shame, because it's a great plot with likeable and interesting characters. This would be better served by reading books 1 and 2 back- to- back. It also ends on a cliff hanger, which means I might have to reread the series when book 3 comes out.
It had been long enough since I read the previous book that I could've used a recap. This installment drops in the middle of a story, assuming you recall every detail of the previous book. I spent half the book figuring things out by context and trying to remember prior details. It definitely lessened my enjoyment of the book, which is a shame, because it's a great plot with likeable and interesting characters. This would be better served by reading books 1 and 2 back- to- back. It also ends on a cliff hanger, which means I might have to reread the series when book 3 comes out.
February 17, 2026
Don’t touch
Mauve faces many challenges as she tries to understand how she continues to have to fight for her independence from a Tyrant that has caused her more harm than good. She has 4 mates with 3 being Graves and one being her boss( however she is in denial) . And until she can handle being touch or let herself touch them she will not know for sure. Then comes a 5th mate that she also hates with a possible 6 in the background and a 7th who is a stalker. We are now left with a gaping cliffhanger…
Mauve faces many challenges as she tries to understand how she continues to have to fight for her independence from a Tyrant that has caused her more harm than good. She has 4 mates with 3 being Graves and one being her boss( however she is in denial) . And until she can handle being touch or let herself touch them she will not know for sure. Then comes a 5th mate that she also hates with a possible 6 in the background and a 7th who is a stalker. We are now left with a gaping cliffhanger…
February 26, 2026
This is the sequel to one of my favourite books so it would be hard for it not to really good for me.
I'm always excited to read more about Maven and her mates.
I did struggle a bit with adding one more mate who was an ass for most of the book but I guess it will be worth it in the end.
I have to admit though that I wished this book would have moved things along a bit more 'cause it feels like we are almost at the same point we were at the of book one.
Anyways, good book and eager to read the next one.
I'm always excited to read more about Maven and her mates.
I did struggle a bit with adding one more mate who was an ass for most of the book but I guess it will be worth it in the end.
I have to admit though that I wished this book would have moved things along a bit more 'cause it feels like we are almost at the same point we were at the of book one.
Anyways, good book and eager to read the next one.
October 9, 2026
Im at 67% read and seriously considering DNFing. ATM i HATE Torin & this may be my last straw. This dude knows the FMC is traumatized and has issues but going on & on about breaking her and is both combative & unnecessarily rude & mean.
Like the second book Survival is Hard, I feel like this is a filler book. I assume it was sold/pitched as setting up the last book in the trilogy, then jave an info dump & overlong cimplicated last seties finale. The rambelings if the mates and the cloack & dagger of the Gray family is just boring.
Like the second book Survival is Hard, I feel like this is a filler book. I assume it was sold/pitched as setting up the last book in the trilogy, then jave an info dump & overlong cimplicated last seties finale. The rambelings if the mates and the cloack & dagger of the Gray family is just boring.
February 19, 2026
I have been looking forward to continuing Maeve’s story, and this books absolutely did not disappoint! Maeve is one of those characters who goes through so much, enough to break anyone, yet she keeps getting back up even when it’s exhausting and overwhelming. I am in awe of her strength. I love getting to know Maeve’s not-mates, but I’m so intrigued by the “brother” (IYKYK). I can’t wait to see more about that! I can’t wait for book 3 - all the positive muse vibes to Letty Frame!
February 21, 2026
Wow , this series / universe just keeps getting better and better. Maeve is so brave and strong i just love her. The guy's are all so different and I am intrigued by them all. I devoured this chunky book up and I am desperately wanting the next book with the ending. I loved seeing some familiar faces and I can't wait to see how the friendships / relationships progress. Amazing five star read that I would definitely recommend.
March 5, 2026
So far I’m loving the story line. When she mentioned glacially slow she was not lying at all. I was really hoping by the end of this book there would have been at least one touch from her to a mate for confirmation but alas, I got nothing lol. I’m not sure if there is only 1 more book or 2 but I assume 2 due to how much still needs to be answered and how slow the pace is for mate confirmation. Either way, I’ll be reading.
Did Not Finish
March 15, 2026I like the first book enough to rate it 5 stars but I reached 20% and I’m BOOOOORED , and I’m firm believer in DNFing if I’m not feeling it, I’ve read enough of the reviews to know that there’s no progress whatsoever so I’m not feeling bad about dnfing , also I HATE THE TWINS I disliked Julian from the beginning and my feelings haven’t changed, but luc and daddy d??? If I had it in me I could read the book just for them and Maeve ovi.
February 15, 2026
Wow
I didn't want the book to end. The story is chaotic at times, switching quickly between characters. I love how the characters bounce off each other but still putting Maeve above everything. The calling of her torchered soul hits you deep inside as her outward demeanor cuts. I can't wait for the next book
I didn't want the book to end. The story is chaotic at times, switching quickly between characters. I love how the characters bounce off each other but still putting Maeve above everything. The calling of her torchered soul hits you deep inside as her outward demeanor cuts. I can't wait for the next book
February 18, 2026
Mavae, I am heartbroken for her. She's strong, but how much more can she take? This has some really eye-opening moments, and I'm curious who the new man will be. I think I know, then BAM! Left field, lol, eager for more.
February 28, 2026
Letty con questo secondo libro si è superata. Piano piano vediamo come Maeve inizia a capire come affrontare le sue paure e come personaggio è cresciuta tantissimo. Personalmente non vedo l'ora di leggere il terzo per vedere come evolverà la storia.
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