The Siren's Reaper: A Fated mates Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine romance

Tangled Fates #2

by Leona Reed

Hazel

I’m a siren who can’t sing.
But I don’t need magic when I have my daggers. A well-placed blade is more effective at shutting people up anyway.
I built my life on being untouchable, content in the shadows… until he barged into my life with a smile that screams trouble.
Dean Blackburn.
The Grim Reaper with the personality of a caffeinated golden retriever. He’s cocky, arrogant, and grins like a goof when I glare at him.
He’s hellbent on tearing down my carefully built walls, but getting close to me is a death sentence.
For twelve years, I’ve been hiding from the monster who thinks he owns me. And when he finally claws his way back, I’m forced to face the truth.
The only thing more terrifying than my past is losing the only love I’ve ever known.

Dean

I’m the Grim Reaper, the Horseman of Death, and for eighteen years, I believed I’d never have a soulmate… until fate dropped her in my path.
Hazel Seagrave.
Finding out my fated mate is a gorgeous, sharp-tongued, dagger-obsessed Siren who is completely unfazed by my charms?
Best. Day. Ever.
She thinks her past is a death sentence for everyone around her, but she’s forgetting who I am.
If some two-bit Mermen King thinks he can hunt what’s mine to cherish… he’s about to learn I'll set his whole kingdom on fire to protect my mate.

The Siren’s Reaper is a romantasy with fated mates, mythical creatures, and a chaotic found family. It’s the second book in an interconnected series that can be read as a standalone.

Genres: Fantasy

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

About the author

Leona Reed is a self-proclaimed introvert perfectly content in a world of books and daydreams, where stories are endless and reality takes a backseat. When she’s not creating swoon-worthy book boyfriends, she’s is reading about one. Writing romance is her happy place—and she’s more than happy to take you along for the ride.

Reviews

[Krisha Thakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the first book, my standards were insanely high, so I was waiting very eagerly for Dean and Hazel’s story, I’m obsessed. I absolutely loved this book.

Tropes:
* 10-year age gap,
* reverse grumpy x sunshine,
* black cat x ex-golden retriever,
* fated mates,
* fantasy romance,
* siren x grim reaper,
* he falls first and harder,
* simp hero,
* moderate spice.

if I thought I enjoyed reading Nevaeh’s monologues, Dean just topped that by miles. He was funny, unhinged, slightly crazy, but also so, so soft. The way he was obsessed with all three of his girls? Adorable. I loved Dean. I loved Hazel. And I really loved the first half of the book the tension, the chemistry, the banter, the fun moments…

The first book set a really strong benchmark when it came to balance
every conflict was offset with humor and lighter moments. This book started that way too, but somewhere in the second half, that balance dipped. It got a little too serious, a little too heavy, and the fun elements felt diluted. Because of that, the pacing felt slightly off to me.

Secondly, in the first book, the focus stayed firmly on Anxo, Nevaeh, and little August. Here, I felt like that focus shifted a bit. At some point, Dean and Hazel took a backseat while other characters and monologues got more space and I didn’t love that. Even during the main action sequence, it felt like Anxo had more importance than Dean… in Dean’s own book.

I get that Anxo is the conquer and has his strengths, especially in a war involving sirens, but Dean is the grim reaper. Hazel is an absolute badass, seen her rip through armies, and her power only grew stronger here but I really wanted to see that same level of badassery from Dean too. Instead, he felt more like emotional support in parts where I expected him to dominate. I would’ve loved to see more of his power, his presence, his role in the war he was literally fighting to protect his people.

That said, I still loved this book. I missed these characters so much, and it felt so good to be back in this world. I’m definitely going to reread this multiple times.

Hoping to get Zale’s book next or August’s? Because I really want an August book. I need that second-generation story, I need to see all of them older, and still unhinged.

Thank you so much for the ARC copy.

[Geeky Author · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ **3.5/5 Stars**

A cute and nostalgic sequel that unfortunately suffered from some very noticeable editing issues.

I was genuinely excited to dive back into the Tangled Fate world, and thankfully, the book itself did not disappoint when it came to:

* the storyline
* the romance
* and the main couple.

Dean and Hazel were absolutely adorable together.

Their chemistry felt natural, and despite Dean occasionally acting like an arrogant overgrown child, he still managed to be protective, caring and charming enough to win me over.

There’s just something very endearing about him once you get past all the attitude 😭

And Hazel balanced him really well. Together, they had that sweet, easy dynamic that made the romance enjoyable to read.

One of my favorite parts, though, was getting to revisit all the older characters again. There’s always something comforting and nostalgic about returning to a familiar fictional world and seeing everyone again.

And let me just say: Anxo and Naveah will forever remain my favorites. ❤️

Every glimpse of them made me ridiculously happy.

Now unfortunately, the biggest issue with this book was the editing.

There were:

* grammatical mistakes
* awkward phrasing
* noticeable errors
* and sections that clearly needed tightening up.

It happened often enough that it genuinely interrupted the reading experience at times, which is frustrating because underneath all of that, there was actually a really enjoyable story here.

This book desperately needed: one final, thorough edit before publication.

Because with cleaner execution, I honestly think my rating would’ve been much higher.

[Samantha Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ah- mazing! I have been waiting impatiently for this book to come out since we found out that Hazel and Dean were mates in the final chapter of The Princess Of Death. And this book doesn’t disappoint one bit. If you loved Nevaeh in the last book you will absolutely adore Dean! This has the hurt them and die troupe, reverse grumpy and sunshine troupe. I absolutely cannot get enough of this book. Also did I mention there is a prank war between Hazel and Dean! Obsessed!

Hazel has my heart. I absolutely adored her in The Princess Of Death and this book only made me love her even more. My heart broke for her but I loved seeing how this family helped her heal along the way.

Can Dean be my Mate? Honestly from the first meeting of Dean I fell in love with him! He is so funny and he is totally that guy who would burn the world down for the people he loves. And you see this through the whole book.

I absolutely adore all the family pieces! Also I’m obsessed with Diamond! This book had me laughing out loud and then in the feels the next minute. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. And cannot wait to do a reread. I’m also hoping with everything crossed that this isn’t the last book because I don’t want to leave this world at all. If you need a sign to read this book this is definitely it!!

[heart_in_pages_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 The Siren’s Reaper
By Leona Reed

∆Rate : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

∆Tropes:
• Fated mates
• Reverse grumpy x sunshine
• He falls first
• Prank wars
• Found family
• Protective MMC
• Romantasy

I genuinely don’t even know how to explain how much I loved this book without SCREAMING!!!
It had me giggling over the prank wars, blushing at the banter, then suddenly sitting there emotional over everything these characters went through.

One minute Dean was making me laugh and the next my heart was breaking for Hazel.
And can we TALK about the chemistry??? The tension, the teasing, the “he’s obsessed with her but she acts annoyed” energy was EVERYTHING.

Dean is literally the human version of sunshine and Hazel trying to resist him made it even better. Their scenes together were so addictive I kept saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly half the book was gone.

But what really made this a 5 star read for me was the emotions. The healing, the fear, the love, the protectiveness, the family dynamics .it all felt so real. I felt every single emotion right along with them.

By the end I was fully stressed, emotional, kicking my feet, and refusing to put my Kindle down because I NEEDED everyone to be okay.

Thank you @authorleonareed for the ARC 🤍
I’m never recovering from this book and honestly?
I don’t want tooo ! Just loved itttt !

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much to Leona Reed for having the honor to read this ARC copy. Im so so grateful!

This was such a great follow-up from the first book! I loved that it was its own book but still felt connected to the first one. I will say the book stoll felt pretty fast paced, but in an odd way it works so well with the storyline.

I dont think you guys understand how much im OBSESSED with this super psychotic family. They are what a found family should feel and be like. The MMC and the FMC of this story. OMG. My babies. Dean, the most golden retriever man anyone can be. And I thought Anxo was bad, Dean has him BEAT! Hazel, my broken badass baby. She is still my second favorite of the series bc i dont think anyone can match Nevaeh's freak, but I love them all. (ps, her surprise pov chapter, I SQUEALED)

The story was just so perfect for them. The way they complimented each other in all the emotions, personality and their little quirks. That ending?! Omg i was SOBBING. It was such a fantastic way to wrap up the lives of everyone. As happy as I am that everyone there HEA, I don't want to say goodbye to them....

[blissreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I’ve been given the opportunity to read and honest and spoiler free review this book by the author.

Where do I even start? Hazel and Dean are hilarious together the prank wars and banter was too good. How she was always grumpy and he was devilishly annoying and flirty to her was so funny.

The build up and love between them was my favorite part no matter the fight bantering or pranking they always found each other.

The found family they all have is so strong and loving always being there for one another. August is so so cute!!!! The relationship have is adorable.

I was kicking my feet, giggling,blushing, on the edge of my seat, gasping, putting the book down for a minute all the feelings!!!! This book had so much feeling love,loss,anger,grief, doubt, family, pride and most of all courage and bravery.

Near the end of the book was a rollercoaster I was on the edge of my seat I couldn’t put it down. The ending was worthwhile and a perfect conclusion to the story.

I highly recommend this book. Along with her other novel called princess of death.

[Drey Blackbeak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es un libro objetivamente bastante malo. Los personajes son demasiado mary sues en el sentido de que todo les sale bien hasta el punto de lo ridículo. También son todos bastante estúpidos, pero oye, se les acaba tomando cariño. Aunque, repito, son gilipollas. El protagonista tiene casi 40 años y se comporta como un niñato. 40 años y con dos hijas la criaturita. Haciendo una guerra de bromas con su mate.

En fin, bastante malillo, pero está bien para pasar el rato. Me recuerda a wattpad.

[Rah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The characters and the story are great. Dean, my god man. He is so down bad for Hazel. The term ‘golden retriever’ was made for him.

It says this is a standalone, and technically that’s true, but I recommend reading the first book in the series before attempting this one. I didn’t, and there was some confusion.

Needs another pass with an editor. There seems to be a typo or grammatical error in every chapter.

[Duong Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely have been dying for the release of this book. I am so happy the witty and snarky banter from book 1 was not lost here. The love the Horsemen Crew have for each other is felt all across this book and Dean and Hazel deserve their happiness. If you enjoyed the chaos of Nevaeh, you'll love the chaos of Nevaeh and Hazel. 

[Kriti · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 🌟

i really wanted to love this book. but. it was so fkn boring and disappointing. these 2 stars are only for moments that had august or neveah

and idk if i just got the unedited copy or what .. but the book had so many errors. some dialogues were outright terrible and incomplete and incomprehensible. wtf?

after the first book i had really high hopes. bleh 🙄

[Hiba · Rating 4 out of 5]

oooo this book was so adorable and fun :)

[Linnreadsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc reader

I absolutely adored this book

[chinka · Rating 3 out of 5]

arc review °❀⋆.

so i don’t really know how to feel about this one – i wasn’t sure what was i supposed to expect by that book but it was ok and fun (sometimes a lil bit boring :(()