Lola is a book lover with a *slight* romance obsession and a passion for love. Especially love between sassy women and huge, growly magical men ;)
When she's not reading or writing up a storm, she's hanging out with her husband and three kids, or baking something sugary that she *probably* shouldn't eat (but will).
A guide to her books can be found on her website. All of her series can be read entirely on their own, so there's no necessary reading order.
I think I was expecting more from Dare’s perspective. It was a nice ending to the series but I wanted more. There was not a conflict except the internal for Rae.
We got a peek of these pair in a couple of scenes in Merrily and Darke book, but I was a bit worried about how both of their personalities would work together. On one side, Darius had been described like a person people, always with someone or in some party and making bargains, but once we got a good explanation of how his magic taxes him we realize that's not who he is, that was just a reflection of the magic messing his life. On the other side, we got Rae with a very tragic past that make her very skittish of people in general and has several trust issues. At the beginning of the book I was worried that their different personalities would crash so much that their relationship would not feel authentic, but nothing further from the truth! There were some misunderstandings and small conflicts in the first half of the story, but personally I felt like these difficulties just cemented the base of their relationship and permitted the growth of companionship en trust between them. I felt like the struggles of both main characters were so clearly and naturally represented that I was able to empathize with them in a more deep level and in my opinion that definitely was a positive point for the story. I loved how Darius always tried to give Rae the space and time she needed to process even if it was killing him (especially at the beginning), and how unknowingly Rae fell in love with him despite how hard it was for her to accept and trust someone new in her life. And I really felt like the spicy scenes here were perfectly timed with the storyline. This story was the perfect final part to this series, but I hope Lola wants to come back to these world, and we will get a peek of these characters again in the future!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
H: Darius Scorch-Apathy h: Raven Levin- Rae/The Wraith/Shadow- Shadow assassin Throughout the previous books (book 1- Callum, book 2-Livy and book 3-Mer) now is Darius book. We get to know what's going on with him. He has apathy which turns into depression if he is not constantly doing something or being stimulated in some way. After the rest of his family found his mate, he decided to work at the cafe store in an attempt to find his mate by doing favors/bargains with people. We learned in Book 3 that there might be a chance that Rae might be his mate. Rae went through her own hell when she was younger and was being held by her dad, and he tried his best to k*ll here. There the shadows took over her, and she slowly lost being a vampire and thanks to the shadows that kept her alive. Meeting Darius and actually consenting on a bargain and after she bit him, he realized she was his mate. Soon shadow realized that her biting Darius is forcing her to once again become a vampire, and her shadows slowly went to Darius. I felt like this story didn’t have a lot going on with the characters (drama I mean) that the little issues that came up was resolved within a chapter or two. I liked this story, can't say that is my favorite maybe because I was ready to get this series to be over.
**Even though book 1- that felt over-whelming by all the characters being added, it was still my favorite**
TLDR: An unexpectedly sweet (and sassy!) end to the quartet! Kat + Rae= World Domination?
I was so excited for this book that I checked BookSprout every few days to see if the arc popped up there without notifying me (it hadn't and never has before but I was just TOO PUMPED).
Rae & Darius's relationship captivated me before they were got their own book. Dare's desperation for a mate versus Rae's distrust of everyone makes for a rather engaging read (especially since Dare wants to focus on Rae and she wants him to get a life and some hobbies). However, my favourite thing in the book is Rae's developing friendship with Kat. In a world of magic and immortals, their friendship is beautifully ordinary: a friendship forged from being involved with the same family and having similar struggles and desires. Their text conversations truly ground the story in a beautiful way.
While I think there could be a bit more world-building in these books (I would love to know more about outside the city), these books are what they set out to be: easy-read paranormal romances for when the real world is just a bit much.
This is an incredibly exciting collection. We get to hear about the final Fae Royal, Darius and Rae (Shadow) in this final book. It makes you wonder why the fates have chosen two mates who are so totally opposite of each other, putting someone who attracts everyone’s attention with someone who can’t even look at another person in the eye. Yet, on a deeper level we find both are so lost, so lonely, just going through the motions of what they know, that just possibly they could save each other. I really loved the side friendship that developed between Rae and Kat, they fit so perfectly on so many levels, it was just what the series needed. As with the other books in this series, you get good writing, humor, threats, surprises, a scorching hot relationship, uniquely crafted characters, and an intensely pulse raising storyline that keeps you interested and guessing. The emotions, wow! This is a GREAT series about family, friendship, and loyalty. "This is my honest review of an advanced reader copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."
I didn't quite understand the effects of Darius's magic in the other books. I understood it in this book more. I liked Dare giving Rae space but her also obsessing over him. The web page dedicated to Dare cracked me up. Rae or Raven turning back into a vampire and it being revealed her evil father was the one who sabotaged Grayson's friends. Rae & Dare bonding over video games & takeout foods was cute. Their love scenes were pretty hot. The transition and fear of Rae becoming more dependent on Darius was well-written, but I didn't like the, Darius buys her everything that is super expensive & etc. Female characters going from strength and not materialistic to dependent and spoiled annoys me. Again, the meshing of the fae's and their mates was corny but cute. Rae proving her strength & training without magic by fighting Dare was great. Rae also softening to the idea of Darius going with her was cute. I really enjoyed this series. Each female character and each male character were different enough that it wasn't like re-reading the same book like it can be with Lola Glass's book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I finished Pretty Little Shadow by Lola Glass last night and I LOVED IT! I DEVOURED it!! I think this may be my favorite book in this series, although I loved them all. Dare and Rae were adorable together and so sweet. The way Dare wooed Rae and continued to show up for her while she was scared of what they had together made me kick my feet like a giddy girl. We all know how much I LOVE fated mates so I gobbled this story and it pulled me out of the rest of the funk that the end of Fury Bound put me in with its cliffhanger. If you love fated mates and haven’t read Lola Glass yet, what are you waiting for?! I have read pretty much ALL her books and I haven’t met one I didn’t devour. Her books always make my heart happy by the end and I have loved reading them all. This one is included and I recommend it and the whole series!
PRETY LITTLE SHADOW is my favorite out of the four books in the FATED MATES BONDS series. We get to visit with everyone from the previous three books, PLUS we get to witness the most tortured of all the Fae Royalty, Darius, find his fated mate and finally find peace. Speaking of his fated mate, Rae is such a black cat—a lovable, damaged, secretly sensitive black cat. Their story is so, so good. *** Recommended ***
MMC: ✨Darius FMC: ✨Rae HEA/Cliffhanger: ✨HEA Series: ✨Book 4of4: Fated Mates Bonds Tropes: 👉paranormal romance 👉vampire romance 👉fae soulmates romance 👉touch him and ☠️ Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑 💥18+ 💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book so much! I loved this series so much! I loved the ending, but I'm also kinda devastated that it's over. I'm gonna miss these characters so much
Rae and Dare were a great example of how sometimes your own anxieties and hangups can be your biggest obstacles, and it was so nice to read them working through things together and separately to get the HEA they both deserved. Also, their family helping them figure things out? The best. I love a good found/chosen family storyline. Anyway, great ending, but I'm sad it's over. Maybe someday we'll get more stories in Rumor? I'm sure there are lots of other characters to tell there. Please, Lola? Please?.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved al the characters from this world (and I loved the world) but I just knew I'd love Dare's story a bit more. And I did. What a perfect charry on top of the cake, to end a series with a bang. These characters are so believable. They're flawed, but endearing. I love that we get to see them build friendships with other people, and we get windows into the lives of the other characters from the book, and I love that we can see actual growth, the MC's learning from their mistakes and being different the next time. Dare is fun, Rae is, too. They're so cute together. UGH!
My only problem is that this is the end of the series. Lola, I beg you, start a new series in this world. It's so interesting. I haven't had enough, haha!
Review of an Advance copy received from author This was my least favourite of the series. For me it peaked with Liv and Niall. I don’t know if it’s Glass’ writing style that I don’t get on with but she tells as opposed to shows it makes the books short and snappy but I struggle to immerse myself in it. One thing I really didn’t enjoy about this one was Rae’s hard boundaries being slowly erased - I understand that they were there because of trauma and she can finally trust someone but it felt like she was making all the compromises here. Also I’d be HELLA mad about not being able to teleport anymore? Yeh yeh she’s alive again but like now she has to drive??? Nahhh man
I just loved this the last romance with the Fae Royals with Darius and Rae. It’s my favourite of the series although I have really enjoyed every single story this series has to offer.
Opposites attract in this beautifully written story, light to darkness, a few surprises, explosive chemistry, lots of steamy sizzle, with much loved characters playing a part in the storyline and just the right amount of witty moments to entertain you throughout their journey.
A fabulous ending to this page-turning highly recommended series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There’s just something about the way Lola writes fated mates that keeps me coming back for more. Dare and Rae were absolute perfection together and I was so glad they finally got their happily ever after. I mean we knew way before them that they were going to be fated. It was inevitable.
But I loved that they had this this slow burn, friends to lovers vibes going. Even though they were fated Rae gave as good as she could and Dare let her set the pace. Even the meddling crazy friends took a step or little step back.
I loved the friendship that Rae and Kat developed. It was cute and fun and just fit them both. I’m sad this series and these characters are done but I can’t wait to see what world Lola takes us too next.
I loved Rae and Dare so much! They were so much fun. They did need more communication though. I loved watching Rae bloom through the book. I also loved watching her become friends with Kat. I was so happy to see Dare get his HEA. He so deserved it and was willing to do anything for it. I loved watching them both grow into emotional people in this book. It was so good! I hope there is more in this world. I want to know what happened with the Angel and Grayson's family in the prison.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was waiting for these two the whole series! It was a cute, quick read and a solid ending for the story. However, I would have liked an extended epilogue like years or decades down the road. Whatever happened to the people they were trying to break out of prison? Can Fae royals who’ve mated with other magical beings still have children? Do they ever have any children? There’s just some plot holes that make the ending a little less than 5 stars for me.
Since Rae met Darius, this has been the story I have been waiting for. Rae is a loaner, but she always does the right thing and is loyal to the people that she considers her found family. I like her cheekiness and the fact she doesn’t back down. Darius is more of an extrovert than I expected, even though it is to fulfil a need. I love his commitment to Rae and how he is so understanding. I hope this is not the last book set in this world as there was so many good characters that need to to have their story told. This is a great read, with heart and an excellent 5 star read!
It's the end of the series and it was such a fun ride. Dare and Rae are a great team eventhough he lacks listening skills and she lacks communication. But Dare finally gets his mate after many years of bargains and Rae gets her found family. Everyone is so sweet and supportive of each other even with some unhinged moments. This series was fun, sweet with lots of spice thrown in.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a fun read! Felt so relieved reading and watching Dare get his mate finallyyyyy. Also she stalks him?? YES please!
The banter between the two was so fun but the deep conversations and seeing them learn h0w to make it work really made this such a good read.
Ive loved this whole series, the friendships and found family vibes really show throughout each book and seeing both sides of theirs in this one, I loved!
This was more real, their story felt more solid somehow. They both had communication issues but this story really showed how them addressed those issues head on. How they made mistakes and overthought things. It felt more real this way, which I liked. He’s a total cinnamon roll with her and she’s just as prickly as a cactus but it all works out for the best. Which I enjoyed immensely.
This book was cute and fun. Seeing introductions of these characters in the last series and then being together this series was fun. Rae with her loner black cat personality and Dare with his vibrant personality and lust magic were an awesome match. Loved that communication was a big one of this book. I hope Lola has another series or book releasing soon because I love her books.
No !! This can’t be the end of the Fated Nate Bonds series ! Rae and Darius are perfect together and I loved Rae and Kat’s friendship developing so effortlessly, especially with Rae being such an introvert. This book was the perfect ending to the whole series, it has love, adversity, history, everything you want in a love story.5✨’s & 5🌶️’s for the heat !.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.25⭐️… The romance between the antisocial Rae and the social butterfly Darius began sweetly, and the way Darius helps Rae come out of her shell once they discover they are fated mates is beautifully portrayed. By the end, my interest waned slightly. Each book presents an issue for the couple to work through, but this particular one felt a bit stretched due to its length. I wish the world had been explored a bit more. Despite this, it was still an enjoyable series, so I rounded up the rating.
This was my favorite book of the series. Darius and Raven (Rae) were the most amazing couple. I even got teary eyed near the end because of how much he loves her. Lola knows how to do fated mates. Rae may not have wanted to be fated in the beginning but boy did she need a family and I was so sad at how alone she was. She went through a horrifying experience by her own father when she was younger. Darius is able to break through and when she realizes that she loves him, it’s everything.
This was my favorite out of this series. I think it’s because I liked Rae (FMC) the most out of all of the FMCs in the series. I also really wanted Dare (MMC) to have a good ending after reading about him in the other 3 books. I appreciate this author’s novellas, but I truly love it when she writes a full length book.
It was an amazing story to read. Both learning how to survive their trauma in past and present lives. Finding love and mate for ever in life. You just got keep trying to find peace within yourselves the rest will fall in place. Just because a woman is small doesn't mean she's not mighty.😎😎
What a great ending to the series! Loved the emotional development of both characters and getting to see everyone paired off with the perfect match. Really nice to have all the loose ends tied off cleanly and without it feeling rushed or not fully thought through. Spicy minaret HOT and I definitely enjoyed reading their back and forth.