Choosing Aaron by Tessa Stone completely pulls you into the world of Wintermoon. Mara’s journey was emotional from the very beginning. Imagine sensing your fated mate at such a young age, only for him to not even know you exist. Feeling rejected by her own mate caused Mara and her lioness to leave Wintermoon Academy behind for 15 years, protecting her heart from more pain.
Aaron’s story was just as captivating. Watching everyone around him find their fated mates and build families while he longed for the same, never realizing his own mate had already crossed his path, made his character even more compelling. When he finally feels the pull leading him back to Mara, she refuses to open herself up to the possibility of rejection again. But Aaron’s determination to fight for her love no matter the cost, even if it leads to death, made me root for him even harder.
This book gave me the perfect mix of romance, longing, heartbreak, and second-chance love. Mara and Aaron’s chemistry was undeniable, and their story kept me emotionally invested the entire time. If you love paranormal romance with fated mates, strong emotional tension, and a hero willing to risk everything for love, Choosing Aaron is definitely worth reading.
Aaron Needs Financial Compensation After Dealing with These People
While I very much enjoyed this book, I got so tired of all of the supernaturals CONSTANTLY bringing up how Aaron “rejected” Mara. From Kade to Damon to Torin to Meekah, they all judged Aaron unfairly. Despite what happened between him and Mara when they were both teenagers, Aaron kept trying to prove himself, kept trying to earn the trust of the Solaris Pride; kept trying to learn his mate’s culture. And yet, everyone around him wanted him to be perfect on day one. It got to a point where I had to ask, “Are these people really his friends?” They didn’t give him the grace to learn, make mistakes, evolve, and adapt. It was annoying.
However, that’s not to say that Aaron didn’t make completely preventable mistakes. At some point, you have to use your common sense, and towards the end of this book, common sense just wasn’t in the room with him.
And while I loved Nala as a character, Mara has a lot of growing up to do in order to redeem her character for me personally. Mama was AGGY. She whined the entire book. She couldn’t see through her own trauma, and while I commend her for seeing Nicole and seeking the healing that she desperately needed, her pity party got pretty old with me, lion shifter holding a grudge or not. She has a very “it’s all about me” attitude.
All of this to say, these are very realistic actions. Tessa does a great job of creating layered characters, whether they are good, bad, or morally ambiguous. They all have depth, and there’s always room for growth, and sometimes, even redemption, with the characters within this universe. Can’t wait until Crowing Aaron.
In my opinion, this is the second Wintermoon Academy book. Even though the title says book one, I think the book with Torin and Nala‘s mating felt like the first to me.
It’s always interesting when an author revisits a narrative, but from a different point of view. I remember Aaron from other Wintermoon stories as a supporting character. It’s very interesting to get his story from his point of view; revisiting events with a different perspective. I am excited about the fourth coming book about him and the Blackwoods.
Well, I don’t usually enjoy sequels to story lies that involve the children of the original characters, Tessa Stone, so far has kept my interest. I don’t know that I would read about any of the other children, as I’m not as interested in them as characters, but so far this book has been the best.
I would like an omnibus for winter moon, however. With all of the different series within the whole story, and the way that stone has released books. The timeline is jumbled and characters are starting to blend together.
Watching Aaron grow from a boy to a man was spectacular to watch. Where Torrin seemed more strait laced and practical in his book, Aaron wasn’t. I like when things don’t go according to plan in Wintermoon. Theirs next generation of Shifter’s are about to show out. I’m here for it! Wintermoon needs the uncertainty that is coming with Aaron and Josiah. I'm so glad Aaron was finally able to detach from Nala. I enjoyed this book. Mara was annoying at times. I felt she could’ve communicated better. Angie, will always get on my nerves. Seriously, she doesn’t deserve Jacob.
The issues with Mara’s parents needed better resolution. I guess The Crowning of Aaron will fix this. I'm looking forward to Aaron and Josiah shaking things up!
From the very beginning I felt for Marra cause why don’t Aaron see her? He couldn’t recognize when a girl is interested in him? I guess not because he was too busy looking at Nyla whom with someone else. Now when the mate bond hit Marra, she should had least sent Aaron a smoke signal or something #lol cause Aaron knew nothing and it wasn’t his fault he was still acting weird. Those 15yrs she was heartbroken was definitely on her, cause Aaron had no idea of the mate bond. I can understand why Angie was upset about Marra father wanting to kill her son Aaron, cause his daughter Marra knew more about the mate bond than her son. When they finally got together Marra been cutting up, but I’m glad they finally managed to get it together.
Aaron and Mara are really going through it they are having one of the most difficult love story ever it's like they're working backwards, they don't have good communication skills. He has the means to take care of her properly but he's moving so slow I'm baffled anyway well done I look forward to this couple getting it together.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️ I loved this rejected mate trope in this story! There were so many good scenes in this story that I loved them all! I can’t wait for the second part of this. Also please note this is a slowww burn and the author does make that clear in the beginning!
This was a great read. I hated what Mara had to go through but she also paid a part in it as well as her dad he could’ve went ape because of she was my daughter oh I’m going to the academy for answers. I’m glad he was able to earn her trust again
Outstanding story. Loved both characters and routed for their success. Nice seeing other characters evolve and grow into adulthood. Can’t wait for the conclusion.