Sheltering Her: Lore of the Fields #2

by Becca Ray Blackwell

Genres: Fantasy Romance, Monster Romance

438 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2026

About the author

Becca Ray Blackwell is a Monster Romance author based in the Appalachian Mountains. Fascinated by creatures, biology, and folklore, she loves exploring different worlds through stories of imperfect couples healing, growing, and navigating unique situations as a team. As somebody constantly avoiding boredom, Becca’s books aim to incorporate elements of humor, enchantment, suspense, horror, and shameless amounts of spice. Both a scientist and a self-identified witchy bitch, Becca is fascinated by the interplay of explainable phenomena and unexplainable magic. This is reflected in the elements of fantasy and science fiction found in every novel.

Social Media: @beccaray_author

Reviews

[Alicia (weird.reads.books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 Stars

Yep. Yeah. Yep. I’m grinning like an idiot at 2am, writing this review, and acting like I don’t have work in 5 hours. Sheltering Her took me on a fantastic emotional journey. It’s the second book in this series, and although this focuses on a different couple, you have to read the first book before this one. While this is the second book in the series and focuses on a different couple, you definitely need to read book one first. Blackwell brilliantly builds on the world she established, leaving just enough breadcrumbs to keep you curious about what's next. I absolutely loved the setting and the incredibly creepy forest monsters. They sound so cool and would totally fit in with my macabre aesthetic. I seriously want art of them.

Viv, our FMC, is deeply relatable to me. She suffers through so much for being just in her 20s. That constant anxiety of housing insecurity and the panic of not having money for basic necessities felt so incredibly real. Finding out she’s a goddess (we don’t say demigoddess here. It’s derogatory!) didn’t just make her trauma and insecurities magically vanish. The author nailed the nuance of wanting to stay unnoticed, or feeling humiliated because you're plus-sized and struggling to keep up physically. However, Viv is still a force to be reckoned with. Her passion made her chapters a total comfort to read.

Theo, our monster MMC, is our mysterious bar owner from book one. His journey to redemption was so compelling as he went to help goddesses for an atonement for all the lives he took as a hitman. The way he treats our goddess is exactly how she should be treated. He worships her and would give her the world if he could. He’s seriously the devoted monster anyone could want as their partner.

The book wouldn’t have been complete without Viv’s cat, Nurghle, who accidentally traveled to this new world with her. I loved him so much and was happy to have my own cat companion with me while reading this book. 🐈‍⬛

The plot and pacing were fantastic. We run into some familiar faces we absolutely want to punch, which is exactly when the true conflict kicks off. The corporate shills of E.A.R.T.H. are as morally reprehensible as ever. I'd be riding a wave of pure contentment with the romance and delicious spice, only to get a spike of anxiety because those E.A.R.T.H. jerks showed up to ruin the vibe!

Sheltering Her is a brilliant addition to the series. If you’re looking for a good blend of cozy vibes, good spice, and some bits of dark humor and horror, I recommend the Lore of the Field series.

Thank you to Becca Ray Blackwell for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Emily Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big thank you to Becca Ray Blackwell for the ARC of Sheltering Her.

I wish I could give this 6 stars. I absolutely loved this book and everything about it. I 1000% believe Theo is the perfect man - he is a 10/10, absolutely no notes (other than how do I get myself a Theo???). His devotion to Vivian is written so well and I love how they both heal each other in the best ways possible.

🪓 Dual POV
🪓 Primal play
🪓 Special 🍆 & 4 armed MMC
🪓 Plus size FMC
🪓 Feral & normal forms
🪓 One bed
🪓 Animal companion

This was the best written plus size FMC I have read. As a plus sized woman myself, I found that I was learning to love my size right along side Vivian. The way Becca writes Theo’s response to Vivian’s worry about it made me all warm and fuzzy in the best way. I can truly say this made me have to stop and rethink about how I view myself versus how I should view myself.

I was very excited to see in the Thank You that there are 5 MORE books expected in this series!!!!! Please please please keep them coming Becca!!!

[Tiffany Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and then some. It is book two of the Lore of the Fields series. I already enjoyed book one, but Theo and Vivian’s story just spoke to me. The world building continued to be stunning and unique, while the plot is exciting and keeps you guessing. The book is full of culture, varying races, and landscapes, politics, and best of all, pets! The spice is phenomenal; it will make you blush, and the tension and yearning will have you kicking your feet! I love that the series has continued to represent a plus-size FMC without it being her entire personality or major hindrance. She’s relatable, enjoyable, and SO deserving of her HEA. I cannot say enough good things about this book or series. I highly recommend it for monster lovers who enjoy shifters, intense spice scenes, and still a heavy plot.

[Jenn Castner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super grateful for this ARC!

This book was a good time. Similar to the first in the series, it was simple, well written, and I am SAT for Theo.

I think was took it down to 3/5 was that it felt like a lot of story. The two main characters had to deal with several things on their own, which was good, but I preferred their story together and felt like the individual stuff took away what I was wanting.

Again, well written, and I really like this author. I would absolutely recommend!

[GiveMeBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING LOVE STORY!!

I am so glad I was chosen as an ARC reader. After finishing the first book I was hoping to get more. I was in LOVE with Grayson and Faeryn. But Theo and Vivian have LITERALLY stolen my heart.

The two of them really are a perfect match. He is strong, possessive, confident, driven, ambitious, and carrying the weight of the world. While Vivian is clever, resilient, compassionate, and oh so fierce. Reading how their love bloomed so organically and quickly felt like a big hug at the end of the day. Oh so right.

Now the drama. I was waiting most of the book for the big capture and when I say it comes like the last few chapters, I was stressed OUT!!!! I was initially prepping myself to say the action or climax was lacking but that’s not exactly how it went down. I was pleasantly surprised when it really started to get crazy.

All in all AMAZING book, I want more of them their story is just so beautiful!! You will love it!!

I love it so much I think I might read it again. Just to be thorough.

[Sinful Stacks✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sheltering Her was such a beautiful blend of fantasy, romance, healing, and found family. Vivian and Theo were both deeply lovable characters carrying heavy pasts, and I loved watching them build not only a home together but a life where they could finally heal.

The world-building was immersive, the romance felt genuine, and the spice was perfectly balanced with the emotional depth of the story. If you love protective heroes, resilient heroines, emotional healing, and fantasy romance with plenty of heart, this one is absolutely worth reading.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐
3.5🌶
Dual POV

Monster romance
Fantasy setting
Forced proximity
Plus size rep
Disability rep (amputee)
Protective MMC
Touch her & die
Self love & healing
Found family
Mates
Dirty talk
Praise
Large size difference
Extra appendages
Dual form sex
Primal play
Multiple Os
DP/DVP
Aftercare
No 3rd Act Breakup
HEA

I absolutely adored this one. While I really enjoyed Finding Her, I think Sheltering Her took everything I loved about the first book and elevated it. It's fast-paced, with immersive yet easy-to-follow worldbuilding that perfectly balances cozy moments with exciting action.

One thing I appreciated right away is that Becca does a great job balancing this as both a continuation and a new couple's story. I still recommend reading the series in order, as the first book introduces the world, the overarching conflict, and several returning characters in a way that makes this one even more rewarding. That said, I read book one quite a while ago without doing a reread, and I had no trouble jumping back in. The author naturally weaves in the reminders you need without making it feel repetitive.

The world itself continues to be one of the strongest parts of this series. While I'd still categorize this as monster romance, it blends fantasy, mythology, and larger societal themes in a way that makes the setting feel incredibly unique. The premise surrounding the demigoddesses, their magical fields, and the exploitation of their power creates an overarching conflict that feels much bigger than the individual romances. I also loved seeing more of the world beyond what we experienced in book one, from the mountain setting to the creepy skeletal creatures that ended up becoming one of my favorite unexpected additions to the story. I'll have to remember to befriend monstrous wildlife in exchange for protection!

Vivian completely won me over as a character. After spending years surviving homelessness on Earth, all she really wants is something that's hers: a safe place to sleep, food to eat, and the chance to finally stop living in survival mode. Life has been incredibly hard on her, but it never hardens her. She remains compassionate, generous, and willing to care for others, even after everything she's been through. Watching her slowly build a home instead of simply surviving was incredibly satisfying.

I also really appreciated the plus-size representation. Vivian's body is acknowledged realistically without ever becoming the focus of her identity. She understands her own limits and adapts to them without much thought, whether that means pacing herself on difficult hikes, recognizing when she needs a break, or taking gambles on whether she'll be fast enough to run away when danger strikes. There is one vulnerable moment where she feels embarrassed that she needs to stop and rest while hiking with Theo, allowing old insecurities from past experiences to briefly resurface. Rather than dismissing her feelings or making her body into an issue, Theo quietly accepts that she's tired, adjusts without hesitation, and that simple action reinforces how safe she feels with him. It was such a refreshing interaction, and the story strikes a lovely balance between body positivity and realism that I don't often see done this well.

Theo may honestly be one of the greenest flag monster romance MMCs I've ever read.
Everything he does comes from a place of genuine care. His love language is absolutely acts of service, and instead of trying to decide what Vivian needs, he asks her. When she says she wants a home, he builds one. When she needs support, he quietly provides it. When she's struggling, he meets her where she is instead of trying to rush her healing. Their relationship is built on trust, communication, patience, and countless small acts of kindness that slowly grow into something much bigger.

I especially loved that the romance never relied on unnecessary miscommunication or internal relationship drama. Theo and Vivian communicate like adults, support one another through incredibly difficult circumstances, and face the external conflict together. It made their relationship feel so refreshing and emotionally secure.

Theo's own journey was just as compelling. After years of carrying guilt over the violence in his past, he's devoted himself to putting more good into the world than harm. His redemption isn't built around one grand gesture; it's found in the quiet choices he makes every day to protect, nurture, and create instead of destroy. Watching Vivian help him embrace every part of himself, including the parts of his quadmos culture he had been taught to hide, was every bit as meaningful as watching him love her exactly as she was.

Speaking of that... I absolutely loved the monster romance aspects. This book NAILED IT.

Theo's Quadmos design was such a fun to read about (and dream about). Four arms? Yes, please. Two dicks? He sure knows how to use them. His massive strongman build felt refreshingly different from the standard sculpted romance MMC, and I loved that both main characters embraced one another's bodies without hesitation or judgment. Their chemistry felt incredibly natural, and once the spice arrived... wow. Between the praise, the dirty talk, and Theo's endless consideration for Vivian's comfort and confidence, every spicy scene felt like an extension of their emotional connection rather than something separate from it. These two are feral for each other and I ATE IT UP.

The supporting cast was equally wonderful. Ida quickly became one of my favorite side characters, and I loved the thoughtful disability representation through her story. Her relationship with Vivian was one of genuine mutual care, and it was wonderful watching both women help one another build better lives. The found family that gradually develops throughout the story only made everything stronger.

By the end, I found myself just... happy. Happy that these two people, after lives filled with hardship, guilt, loneliness, and survival, found someone who saw them completely and loved them without asking them to become anyone else. They didn't fix each other. They created a space where each of them could finally heal.

Between the thoughtful worldbuilding, mature communication, heartfelt romance, wonderful representation, fantastic monster elements, and an overarching series plot that has me i
invested, this was an effortless five-star read for me.

I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.

[Shawna Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

🌶️ Okay, let’s get the spice out of the way first, shall we? Do NOT read this book if you are triggered or disgusted by reading rough play, simulated brutality, very vulgar talk and predator/prey sexual play. This is a book written strictly for adults of specific tastes.

And let’s not forget our male lead not only prefers to Hulk out, but he comes with two penises which come out A LOT. In explicit detail.

That said, having enjoyed the characters and the mystery behind the first installment, Finding Her, and not being scared away by the sexuality found within, I decided to read this because I had loved Theo’s character and wanted to know more, seeing as this book covers his turn to find love, and being a bit disappointed….

Not that this doesn’t have a decent starting point- Theo has found a new demigoddess while out on yet another wilderness search. Or rather she finds him… it’s winter, Theo had broken a leg out in the deep snow and she heals him before trying to find help getting him to shelter. Theo, knowing he must get back to the safety of town before the coming blizzard hits, hikes out, even while still partially wounded.

It’s now summer, and he’s back to see if he can find the demigoddess, Vivian, who had been unable to return to help Theo and has felt guilty all this time, believing he had perished in the snow.

When Theo and Vivian meet again, she is surprisingly easy to warn about the E.A.R.T.H group and when he offers to help her out by building her a cabin in her field and helping plant crops so she can survive winter, she’s all for it. Along the way these two become friends and then lovers. When it’s time for Theo to leave at summer’s end, he promises to return, but little does Vivian realize he means to return for good.

Nothing wrong with this, their banter together is fun, the fact that Vivian managed to keep hold of her pet cat before she was whisked from Earth and deposited into her protective meadow is adorable, and Theo’s constantly feeding the cat hoping it will quickly grow into a proper-sized guard monster made me laugh.

The problem is this lackadaisical existence up in the mountains goes on for a massive chunk of the story. It’s a long dry spell high in the mountains, and then a bunch of depraved sex and then finally some conflict which is all loosely tied together with a rough sketch of a storyline.

Where’s the E.A.R.T.H. squads hunting down demigoddesses to use them to solve the energy crisis? Where are the evil doctors and the cryotubes and torturous and deviant greedy people behind the struggle?

Nothing like this happens until after 60% of the story has passed, and their inclusion is more whimper than a bang. All too quickly that crisis is averted and we’re back to the idyllic meadow and yet more overly descriptive and very dirty sex until nearly the end… and even that wasn’t that worrying.

In the first book we had danger and a rescue from a research facility… we had horror elements from the woods, corrupt government plots, escaping prisoners and a mystery to solve when here it’s mostly just rough sex in the grass and some PTSD.

I’m not saying this is bad, because Theo and Vivian are interesting characters… there just isn’t much conflict like we had before. The horrific creatures living in the woods aren’t nearly as scary and the villains feel more like a joke here. We do get cameos from book one, but they feel forced into the storyline rather than natural, especially Dia, who was a waste here for the two seconds she’s in the book.

Viv’s crippled friend is a serious concern at first but then becomes an afterthought who is now having her best life like nothing is ever wrong and just hanging out with all of Theo’s “friends” that show up? Ida’s sass and grit just mellows with town life and is no longer important, nor are we given reason to care.

Which is a shame.

As a follow-up novel this left me with no interest in spending more time in this universe. As it is the author has created seven distinct humanoid species on this planet and has said she like to write a book for each one to have their own love story with a demigoddess… but if you can’t keep an audience riveted to the page and desperately wanting the next book, then it doesn’t matter what you planned when you fail to keep readers hooked.

And here is one who has certainly got off the hook.

[Bree_pepperjelly_and_wine]

A.R.C Read
What do all those hands do?

Trigger Warnings:
Open door spice
Murder
Isolation
Confinement
Abduction/Trafficking
Drugging
Dismemberment
Gun violence
General violence
Light religious trauma?

The series is an interconnected world, each book is a new couple but they're not really standalones. They should be read in order for full understanding on what's happening. In this book the main male character, Theo, was a side character in book 1 'Finding Her'. The timeline of the two books are interwoven -a bold choice imo- and it worked without a hitch.

I enjoyed book 1 'Finding Her' more than book 2 'Sheltering Her'. Oddly enough the dynamic between Grayson and Faeryn spoke to me more than Theo and Vivian. Grayson fought his over-protective nature to make space for Faeryn's autonomy a lot and I love seeing an MMC squirm a bit for the FMC. Theo gives into his over-protective mode more often and to higher degrees. That's less my jam but I know that'll be a selling point on his personality for maaaaany many readers.

There was an increase in telling instead of showing from book 1 to book 2, making the overall emotional impact feel more towards the 'vibes and clarity' end of the spectrum and less towards the 'engagement and interpretation' end.

Theo and Vivian have more distinct voices, a good point of growth to see in an author's second novel!

Vivian is a lively protagonist, I loved her prowess and determination to keep her home free and clear of unwanted guests. We also get an increase in Goddess lore via Vivian's experiences -they're pretty cool creatures and so much more than "just a human woman".

Side characters continue to feel like they actually exist outside of the protagonist's interactions with them.

'Sheltering Her' takes place in a new region of Trebianna, fleshing out the world a bit more. This area has a light eerie feel. Like a pretty fairy whimsical land that will eat you after dark vibes.
There were some things I thought for sure would be making a comeback from early chapters that did but in a way I wasn't expecting, so that was a nice surprise.

The pacing was mostly slow. Plot points were gate-kept by time-dependent milestones such as isolationism guaranteed by weather accessibility, forced-proximity guaranteed by construction and passing seasons, etc..

The story is heavily plot-driven, the protagonists mostly react to things that get thrown at them.
There are flashbacks for both Theo and Vivian. I think his overall worked better than hers but neither detracted from my reading experience -which was a concern of mine when flashbacks started.

I struggled with gauging timelines, specifically travel timelines. Sometimes things described as 'half-a-day's travel' would be done more than twice in a single day (a day is 40 hours long?). Vivian would be feeling bad about herself and her walking capacity when realistically she's a walking/hiking champion to be making that trip! Earth days and Trebianna days would mean she'd need a daily nap lol.

A full-on beef I have with 'Sheltering Her' is whenTheo confines Vivian. I really dislike how it violates the overall trajectory of trust in their relationship. And it's not a historical precedent behavior on Theo's part -trapping loved ones to prevent them from straying into harm (proven with Grayson and Faeryn being out in the open and Theo enabling it even when he disagreed) so it's not like it's a lapse in character growth. It's just an unfounded, imo, deviation in character.

Another reviewer said the last conflict of the book achieved very little in regards to the narrative and I agree. I also agree that it felt like a 'set up for a future book' but it still left me feeling a bit unfulfilled in this book.

Loved the wild "animals" and the domestic one. I'm also glad Nurghle gets to eat some meat. Cats are obligate carnivores, a fact I could not shake from my mind even with magic berries on the table.

Overall a lore expansion and vibes book.

[Lindz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the amazing privilege to be able to advance read ‘Sheltering Her’ by the talented Becca Ray Blackwell and this hit every box for me!!
If you're new to monster romance with some sci-fi vibes then “Finding Her” is a great intro. However, if you're like me and “you do this”...I'm talking moderate to pro-level monster romance with ALL THE SMUT then “Sheltering Her” is for you. Graysen & Faeryn story made my chest hurt and my heart clenched; while Theo & Viv took that hurt, ripped my heart out and then proceeded to beat me with it 😅. There are some heavy topics addressed in this book, so please be mindful of any triggers you may have going in. Theo deserves so much love and hugs 🫂. When you finally get his backstory it puts a lot of things into perspective. Especially considering he wasn't present a lot in Book 1. He was a living weapon for a long time and still somewhat views himself with that same lens despite leaving that life and putting his skills to better use. Which leads to his meeting our FMC, Vivian, the latest demigoddess transplant to Trebianna dropped off by her mother. Sidenote, in this book there's actually context in regards to the absentee Goddess of life mother that the FMCs all have (heads up she's a real piece of work. You will want to punch her and commit acts of blasphemous violence iykyk). Also special shoutout to Theo because once he found out the treatment she shows her daughters especially Vivian; despite him being a devout person he said “fuck her” and immediately stopped his worship. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Theo and Vivian were two people that found safety, acceptance, and a home with each other. The yearning and angst of these two were both painful and cathartic. They saw themselves through the harsh eyes of those around them for so long that it became their own twisted self-image. Thankfully, they found one another and began to see that they are more complex & nuanced than they realized. Vivian is a newly realized “demi-goddess” that never had anything of her own and was beaten down all her life. Theo, is a Quadmos haunted and ashamed of his past; constantly putting his life, safety, and happiness aside to write the wrongs of his past. Yet together, they are a couple that sees the power and beauty in each other. Vivian is capable of healing more than just Theo's physical wounds but his mental and emotional ones as well. Theo's strength provides a safe space for Vivian to explore and make the mistakes she couldn't afford to make before. This book is a healing journey for both the characters and reader; if you struggle with anything that the characters go through. I look forward to any and all future stories from this amazing author!!

[Vanessa Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheltering Her is book 2 of the interconnected standalones that is Becca Ray Blackwell’s Lore of the Fields Series.
I (dare I say) loved this book even more than book 1?!
More found family?
Absolutely, give me 14 of them.
More interesting Pets (and a cat sidekick)?
Sign me tf up!
Darker, Racier, Monster-er Spice?!
He has 4 arms and double of…other things…. Just saying. Oh and did I mention the primal play?!?

In Sheltering her, we meet Vivi, who before being literally dumped on an undisclosed blueberry field in the middle of nowhere on the colorful planet of Trebianna (and with her stray Black cat) was unhoused and surviving the concrete jungle of New York City. Everywhere she was displaced to, she manages to carve out space for herself and make a makeshift home out of it. Her coping-mechanism-sarcasm, her determination to press on regardless of her circumstances, and her penchant for collecting stray alien pets won me over from the beginning. I loved seeing her journey from being constantly displaced to building her forever home, both metaphorically and literally as the story progresses.

Then there’s the MMC, Theo, who was my absolute FAVORITE side character in Book 1. He is calm, collected, thinks things over, and logical… that is until he meets Vivi and the feral side he keeps tampered inside himself wants to come out and play…
In Book 1, we see that he protects what is his: his friends, his family, his heart, and now in Book 2: the woman who is quickly making herself at home in his heart.

While Theo and Vivi’s story is a standalone, it is an interconnected series with an overarching plot, and in Book 2 we have a bit of a time overlap with events in book 1. The themes of “home is where your heart is” and the continuation of found family, with a bit more plot action and bad guys than in Book 1, make this a perfect blend of exciting yet cozy romance read by the fire. The spice in here will have you kicking your feet, giggling like a school girl AND clutching your pearls.

A very enjoyable read that left me feeling like I frolicked in a vast meadow in a Hayao Miyazaki film, complete with the quaint cottage in the distance, the sun warming my hair, and the wind gently jostling my dress. 5 stars.

[Breonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely surprised me in the best way. Sheltering Her is such a fun blend of sci-fi, fantasy, romance, humor, and emotional character growth that I didn't want to put it down. It was every bit as good as the first book, and I already can't wait to continue the series!

First things first, the humor in this book was such an unexpected highlight! Vivian and her cat stole so many scenes. Their dynamic was absolutely perfect and brought so much personality to the story. I couldn't stop smiling at moments like:

"I need..."

"What do you need..."

"My cat."

It was exactly the kind of humor that kept the story feeling light, even during the intense moments, and honestly, it was so relatable.

In addition, the friendships that developed throughout the story were so strong and beautifully written, especially between Vivian and Ida. Their bond felt genuine and supportive, and it became one of the emotional anchors of the book. The moment, "My heart melted. This friendship was well worth facing my fears at being consumed in the woods that day," perfectly captured how special their friendship was. I always love seeing strong female friendships written this well.

And Theo... oh my gosh, I adored him! The romance was tender, protective, and full of chemistry. "My soul felt the relief of his company after a period of absence" perfectly sums up how deeply these two belonged together. Their relationship developed naturally, making every sweet moment, and every spicy one, even better. And yes... the spice was somehow even spicier than the first book, which I honestly didn't think was possible!! 🔥🔥🔥

This book gave me everything I was hoping for: a to die for love interest, wonderful friendships, plenty of laughs, a kick-ass feline sidekick, and a story with real emotional depth. The character development throughout the story was fantastic, making every relationship and emotional moment feel earned. If you enjoy sci-fi fantasy romances that balance heart, humor, and heat, I definitely recommend picking this one up. I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

[Astridae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Becca for sharing the world of Trebianna and all your characters in these stories . I know it’s only book #2, but I think this is my favorite installment yet for the Lore of the Fields series.

Now that we know how these goddesses get to Trebianna from book 1, we get to experience that transition from Earth to Trebianna with Vivian. We even get to meet their mom, not that she acts much like one. She’s a piece of work for sure and I hope one of her daughters tells her that one day.

One thing I’ve always been bothered by in fantasies where a person is transported to another world is what if they have a pet? Well finally I have my answer, pet parents can join in on the interdimensional fun too. Vivian’s cat Nurghle also goes to Trebianna and lives his best kitty life. If I had to go to another world, I would absolutely want to take my cats with me, and I would be constantly worried about them, so seeing Vivian worry about and care for her cat was something I was so happy to see in this book.

I also really enjoyed getting to know more about Theo and his history. He was gone quite a bit in the first book, and this one explains why since some of the timelines overlap.

I absolutely adored the development and dynamic of Theo and Vivian’s relationship. It was both cozy and nurturing and very spicy. They both have their hurts, old and new, but that doesn’t mean they’re fragile and the intimacy reflects that. Vivian has her scars and develops new ones in this story, there are stakes, and she has to survive with or without Theo there to help. It makes those moments between them as they navigate their relationship all the more intense.

Sheltering Her has situated itself as one of my favorite reads this summer, and I definitely pre-ordered a shelf trophy. I’m looking forward to more in this series (fingers crossed there will be a Dia book, she’s a total badass)

[Svetla Stoyanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to be part of their ARC team.

This is the second book of the series and although it is advised to read the first one beforehand I think this one is descriptive enough to hold its own.

The things I liked about the book is that the concept is a bit unexpected is the best way I can describe it. A human girl is getting sick on Earth and is transported to a different planet for her own good, however that planet is not as good as it might appear. You will have to read the book to find out the reason for it, which I think is a clever idea on the authors part.

I have to admit the first book was a bit slow to begin with and things did not pick up until a lot later. However this one had a totally different pace to it. We meet our protagonist at the very beginning and things get rolling, not always in the right direction for them, but we do care and want to follow them through their journey. They both have their demons to come to terms with but in this book the author manages to capture this in a way that kept us invested throughout the whole book. I did enjoy this book a lot more than the first one.

The reason for my 3.5 starts is that there are things that did not make sense and if they don’t then the credibility of the character crumbles. One of them was the fact that the MFC have never had an orgasm when she was on earth, that was a bit far-fetched and it did not feel believable.

The last conflict in the book I did not see much point in it as very little was achieved with or without it. Maybe the author is setting the scene for the next book(s). A lot of the characters we met in the first one are in that one too and I am sure we will follow some of their journey in the books to follow as well.

I still think this is a good book and I recommend it to anyone that enjoys new beginnings and unexpected handsome helpers supporting you through them.

[Amy Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becca Ray Blackwell has done it again! After falling in love with the Lore of the Fields universe in book one, I had sky-high expectations for Sheltering Her. It didn't just meet them—it completely obliterated them.

The story brilliantly balances the soft, cozy domesticity of Vivian’s new sanctuary with the absolute, blood-soaked brutality of the outside world. The slow-burn romance between Vivian and Theo is pure magic, and the emotional payoff is massive.

🚨 STOP READING HERE IF YOU WANT TO GO IN BLIND! MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS BELOW! 🚨

What absolutely ruined me (in the best way possible) was the incredible depth of the plot twists:

Theo's Past & The Four Arms: Watching a broody, multi-limbed hero battle his violent history while quietly working as a bartender broke my heart. Those four arms make for some of the most shamelessly spicy, comforting scenes in the book—but watching him use them to fiercely shield Vivian from a monster pack had me sobbing.

The Divine Intervention Betrayal: The reveal that Vivian’s "gifted paradise home" wasn't a blessing, but a cruel trap engineered by divine forces, completely changed the stakes. The tension when the sanctuary borders began collapsing was unreal.

The Vow is Broken: The absolute highlight of the book is the climax. When the outside horrors finally breach their safe haven, Theo is forced to break his vow of peace. His transformation back into a lethal, terrifying protector to save Vivian was breathtakingly beautiful.

This book proves that love doesn't always tame the beast—sometimes, it redefines the violence into an act of pure, selfless devotion. Becca Ray Blackwell’s blend of biological monster lore and emotional trauma recovery is unmatched. I am officially desperate for Book 3!

Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy of this book, and this is my honest review

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheltering Her is a lovely follow up on Finding Her. Some of it actually runs parallel to book 1. What I loved most about this one was that the main element of the story was a journey of healing. It wasn’t just for Vivian but also for Theo, who was trying to make up for all he’d done as an G.P.O. agent. Vivian grew up on another planet (our Earth) and sees the world in a different way, helping Theo put things into perspective. Theo starts out wanting nothing more than to build her a shelter because she’s a demi‑goddess who needs protection. But somewhere in the moments where her sass, her stubborn independence, her willingness to try things herself changes things and he starts healing too.

I loved the tension between them but there were times I wanted to shake them so they’d stop circling and almost‑touching, and just get on with it! I have no patience… When they finally stop dancing around each other, I felt relief and as if they were coming home to each other. It was a beautiful moment. Theo gave Vivian confidence she didn’t have at the beginning. Vivian trusted him enough to step forward. Also, Theo is hot AF and she’s only (semi) human ;)

For the world building, it was nice to see another part of the world. It made the story feel bigger, richer, and more alive. It reminded me that this universe is sprawling, magical, and full of places I still want to explore.
My favourite part was Vivian taming of the wild animals. It showed Vivian’s strength in a quietly powerful way.

In the end, Sheltering Her has multiple layers. Is it about danger? Yes. But it’s also about choosing safety, each other again and again, and trusting in your other half. It’s about two people who have been hurt learning how to breathe, how to trust, how to love without flinching. Simply put, I loved this book and cannot recommend it enough.

[Taryne Main-Ruhle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My early reader review of Sheltering Her

Becca is a master of bringing the smallest details full circle, always showing purpose and relevance in every description, event, and memory. She interweaves humor into her writing and so much personality that it’s hard to believe these people aren’t real. There’s not a single side character that felt left out or lacking in depth or authenticity. In fact, I ADORE so many of them.

One of my favorite aspects of SH was the fact the couple is forced to navigate a major trauma together. It really healed something in me to read about Theo’s attentiveness and how he uses his gentle AND his feral parts to help Vivian heal. I’m the kind of romance girlie that needs the drama and angst to really invest in the couple and boy did Becca deliver.

I know we are, as romance readers, supposed to fall hard for the MMC. But as a bisexual girlie, I fear I’ve found my new religion in Vivian. She is MY GIRL (Theo would tear me limb from limb for this I know LOL). Viv is soft, vulnerable, funny, but also fierce, wild, and determined to protect what she loves. A badass healer that will fight when she has to. I would go feral for her too. 😉

Sheltering Her features big girl rep that made me reflect on my own feelings about my bigger body. Becca does not shy away from the reality of being a big girl in SH, but rather confronts it and rebrands the experience, from thigh chafing to terms like “love handles” and “rolls”. Theo’s unconditional love and devotion to our girl Viv is soul touching, enough to make me feel just a little better in my own meat sack. If you need a little self-love boost or even just a reminder that big girls can get it too, Sheltering Her is the book for you.

[WhoaJack · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Releasing: July 31st
⭐⭐⭐⭐.75

Oh my Queen , Becca, you have outdone yourself 🔥✨

I didn't know I had such an underlying need for a 4 armed feral MMC who's an absolute simp for his woman and is the after care king but here I am and there Theo is 🙂‍↕️ When I read finding her I was like oh cool a four armed mysterious bar owner, I'm sure he's up to something but it's probably like not even a big deal, oh how I didn't even know. I loved fire daddy Graysen but THEO IS KING. The touch her and die is strong with this one 🫦
Oh and be still my beating heart I've never felt so seen with a character like I did with Vivian. Bodily representation is so important, it gets so tiring reading about the most toned fresh out their teens women in books, Vivian crushes those standards and is the volumptious goddess of Theo's dreams. She embraces her body in the comfortability and safety of their love and I just 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 I really needed to read someone like that💖✨

Compared to Finding Her, this story gets wee bit more gruesome but it still somehow is so cozy. The cabin they make together, befriending the spooky wendigo creatures, the glowing night fauna, Nurghle the cat. Even little jars filled with herbs and blood are somehow homey💐 The stakes are high since E.A.R.T.H. is still out there searching for Vivian, Faeryn and any other Demigoddess who find themselves in Treibianna at the hands of their uncaring Goddess mother but the power of a Demigoddess and her mate can withstand anything thrown at them, so long as they are together🔥

Absolutely loved this book, it read so quickly and clean and exciting. I loved the characters and I'm especially excited for some of the side characters and really hoping the next book is about the two homosexual Arielnan's living next door to ida😉

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Author: beccaray_autho
POV: Dual first person
Gene: Paranormal/Monster Romance
Triggers: Explicit open door that can be taboo, Primal play, Chasing, Graphic violence, etc.
Read Time: 7 - 10 hours
Expected Publishing Date: OUT NOW
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

❤️ World Building: This is in the same world as the 1st book, Finding Her, but we are in a different location for the most part. We get to learn more about what it’s like living in the “field” the Goddess puts her daughters into.

❤️ The Characters: I love spin offs with side characters get their own story! But we still see other side characters from the previous book. Vivian and Theo were just ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE together! And I love Ida and how spunky she is.

❤️ The Story: This was a great story! It’s set in the same time frame as the last book as well. We learn a lot more about the E.A.R.T.H corporation, and the old job that Theo worked for as a hitman. There was danger, conflict, and tension with periods of cozy bliss.

❤️‍🔥Overall: I loved this book, it’s an interconnected stand alone, and while I mentioned the first book and encourage you to read it, you don’t necessarily have to read it before this one.

The Wendigo Fact Inspired by the shadow creatures: The wendigo is not just an entity on its own, it also forms a part of a belief system of Algonquin-speaking people. Some of them include the Ojibwe, the Saulteaux, the Naskapi, and the Innu. Albeit with some variations, the wendigo was mostly described as a supernatural creature with malevolent cannibalistic tendencies. Source: https://hcemagazine.com/gods-and-mons...

[Lisa Ann D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

𒀯 You 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 this. You aren’t a princess. You aren’t a goddess. You’re a fed-up woman with an axe who wants some goddamn peace. 𒀯
━

eARC review
Sheltering Her: Lore of the Fields 2
by Becca Ray Blackwell
━

Finding Her brought me to love the tale created here; but Sheltering Her cemented it! I want to drown myself in this world. Brilliant.

I feel like the author doesn’t weigh the novel down in ‘hot tropes’ or ‘gotcha pieces’. The writing feels mature and seasoned. Now, mature doesn’t mean ‘ not fun’… trust me there is a whole lot of fun within.
I think what it boils down to for me is: everything contributed to being organic to the story. No BS, no filler. Nothing went off track, the plot and pacing were so well executed. It’s rare for me to say- but this is an elusive SIX STAR NOVEL in my opinion.

★★★★★ 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀
━
𒀯𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦:
Special anatomy 🍆 & more
Found Family
Animal Companion 🐈‍⬛
Crappy past
Caretaking
Plus Sized FMC
One Bed
Touch Her and Die
“Mine”
Feral & Norm forms
Kneel for Her
Craving
Dom/Sub
Primal play— spicy spice assortment
Worships Her
𝗖𝗢𝗭𝗬 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗖
━

√ Epilogue YES
X Cliffhanger NO
-

𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
PLOT 5 Plus+
MAIN CHARACTERS 5
WRITING STYLE 5
ENJOYMENT 5
SETTING 5
MISCELLANEOUS 5 Plus+
OTHER 5
SECONDARY CHARACTERS 5
ENGAGEMENT 5 Plus+
EASE OF READING 5
━𒀯━
𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗨𝗟!

-
“Stay here.” | set Nurghle on the mattress.
“Mommy is going to go look for a dead body.” 🐈‍⬛
━━━𒀯━━

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀.
❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗙𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
✨🌈✨

[Bookwyrm_in_KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year I advance read the first Lore of the Fields book and was blown away by the world building. Book 2, Sheltering Her, takes us on the journey of a new demigoddess who is plucked from earth and unceremoniously dropped on a new planet with basically no knowledge of the dangers facing a her in this new world.

Vivian is so resilient. She's been dealt a bad hand from day 1: a neglectful deity mother who abandoned her to the not so gentle care of her mafioso father, running away and squatting from age 12 until her 20s when she's whisked away to another world that wants to exploit her brand new goddess powers. Theo is peak book boyfriend material. He's strong, but gentle, is determined to protect the goddesses dumped in his world and is absolutely, completely feral for Vivian. And Theo's special anatomy definitely helps make the spicy scenes extra spicy. 🥵 

The E.A.R.T.H. group is still on their BS and there are hints that there might be a mole in the rebel group that's been working to protect and rescue the goddesses held by E.A.R.T.H. I have a feeling their days are numbered, though, because there are an ever growing number of monsters and goddesses who are out for their heads.

And the side characters are a wonderful found family for Vivian. Her neighbor Ida is the parental figure she never had. Nurghle is the bestest kitty. And Theo's old assassin teammates are ready to throw down and protect them all. 

Thank you Becca Ray Blackwell for the opportunity to advance read for you again. 💜

[Miya readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

Did I go to sleep late because I couldn’t put it down? Maaaaayyyybbbeee!
Did I finish the last 4 chapter discreetly while working because I just HAD to know how it ended? Absofreakinlutley!!!

Becca has absolutely knocked it out of the park once again! I give it ♾️ ⭐️! Just when I thought I could not find another comfort read like Finding Her, Theo has proved me wrong. So many questions from book one are answered right from the start so make sure to read it before. We have the MMC Theo, a pub owner and ex hit man. He is plagued by his dark past and decides to help others as a form of redemption. He runs into Vivian a demigodess who saves his life during a hiking trip. Vivian also has a cruel and tortured upbringing and is left to fend for herself on a strange named Trebianna along with her black kitty named Nurghle. Theo vows to return to Vivian and help shelter her and give her a better life. Theo tries to protect Vivian from the evil E.A.R.T.H. trying to kidnap Vivian and use her as a “battery”. The world building just keeps getting better, the action, the yearning, the primal play and THE SPICE! It had me giggling and blushing like crazy! The love scene with Theo in hiss feral form was so taboo! Theo’s pillow talk had me kicking my feet, whew! I was at the edge of seat, I was sad, angry and nervous. I have teared up reading before but this one pulled my heart strings and had tears running down my face! This series will definitely be a reread for me.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold retriever, he falls first demon/monster shifter who is also an entrepreneur, and is kind as well as protective? Uh yes please. I love this interconnected series by Becca. This is my second book I’ve read by Becca and I love the characters, their humor and personality traits (good and bad), and their relationship journey. This follows Theo who was mentioned in book 1 as the bar owner who goes away for the summer. This book shows where he goes and what he did while away.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved Finding Her and was excited to get Sheltering Her as an arc. I finished it in 2.5 days…2 of which I was on a family vacation. I spent my down time and stayed up late because I just needed to know where the characters were going. I loved that the villains are the same throughout the series but the other details allow for completely different plots and characters. The interconnected aspect allows you to follow different FMC who have 1 thing in common but their past and present are completely different. You get to see how the different main characters handle the problem in their own way while watching them grow in their own skin, navigate their specific issues/complications, and come into their bravery and female warrior self.

Favorite part - the forest animals. I loved them so much. I hope they return.

[RomanceReader92 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheltering Her is the second instalment in the Lore of the Fields by Becca Ray Blackwell. It is a series of interconnected standalones but you need to read them in order. It’s the only way they would make sense. A major aspect of book 1 would be completely ruined if you didn’t start there.

Our fmc Vivian is in her early twenties and is a waitress at a diner in New York. Our mmc Theo is the owner of the pub (from book 1) and is looking to atone for his past and his own perceived indiscretions.

I didn’t think it was possible as I loved book 1 but I honestly think I enjoyed this book even more. The way Becca further expanded on this world from the previous book was incredible. The creatures were super creepy, the forest sounded amazing with all those shades of blue and the crystals. Vivian was such a live wire. She was strong and brave but also caring. Theo was such a sweetheart, always trying to be the gentleman and do the right thing by Viv. They were vulnerable with each other and so sweet together. Viv’s cat Nurghle completely stole my heart. I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it.

I received this book as an ARC from the author. My review was given freely and it is my own honest thoughts. No AI was used to create this review. Please check trigger warnings as there is potentially some triggering content/topics mentioned.

[Orchid · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 📚

I think this might be one of my favorite summer reads so far, and dare I say, it's even better than Book 1! The stakes are higher than ever, as the story expands further into its lore, introducing new regions like Cyciciah, while uncovering the villain's sinister, long-term plans for Trebianna. I look forward to seeing how the plot will continue to unfold in Book 3 👀

As for the characters, Vivian was strong, resilient, and kind, while Theo was protective, nurturing, and supportive. Their relationship is so precious; I love how they uplifted one another and accepted each other's flaws. The author also thoughtfully depicted their mental health struggles, which made them more relatable and human. Lastly, the spicy scenes did not disappoint - passionate, kinky, and steamy 🔥 Also, shoutout to Nurghle and their forest pets! They were such an adorable addition to the story.

I WOULD RECOMMEND IF 📒

If you're looking for a spicy, monster romance novel featuring themes such as "four-armed MMC," "ex hitman MMC," "plus sized FMC," "size difference," "one bed," "found family," "touch her and d!e," "primal play," "cute animal companions," "double peen," and "HEA," then this is the book for you.

[Jenna Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Becca, you did it again!

This book completely stole my heart and melted it into a puddle of goop. I came for the monsters and danger, but I stayed for Vivian and Theo. They were both carrying so much pain, guilt, and loneliness. Seeing these two deeply broken people slowly become each other's safe place was incredibly emotional. Their healing wasn't instant or perfect…it was messy and full of patience. Theo's journey of learning he was worthy of love despite his past, alongside Vivian finding the home and acceptance she'd always longed for, had me tearing up more than once…especially at the end.

I also really appreciated the mental health representation. It felt honest and compassionate, showing that healing isn't linear and that it's okay to struggle while still deserving love and happiness. Vivian and Theo reminded each other that they weren't defined by their trauma. I absolutely loved it.

This is also very spicy 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ but it’s some down right good monster smut! So f that’s your thing, then you’ll love this book for that too 😏

[Rain Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so honored to have the opportunity to read this ARC, and somehow this sequel managed to surpass a first book that I already absolutely adored.

One of my favorite parts was getting to meet so many wonderful new characters while also spending more time with familiar faces I had already grown attached to. It felt like returning to a world I didn't realize I'd missed so much.

The atmosphere was phenomenal. It balanced cozy moments with thrilling action and genuine emotional depth so effortlessly that I was completely immersed from beginning to end. This book put me through the emotional wringer and I definitely cried more than once.

Now that I've finished, I'm already dealing with the inevitable book hangover because this story has refused to leave my head. It's the kind of sequel that expands everything I loved about the first book while carving out its own identity, and I couldn't have asked for more.

I truly hope the author continues writing in this world because I'll be first in line to read whatever comes next.

[Kara McCrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. Not only did it expand upon the lore we got in the first book, but it gave us even more world building along with a closer look at our favorite bartender Theo. It was interesting to see what he was really up to during his long stints away from the bar, and to learn more of his history and how that made him who he is. Giant, loveable, capable and 4 arms? That's a yes from me 🤣
And of course we got to meet our female lead Vivian and really grow to love her. For all the crap she went through in her life, Vivian was so strong (emotionally and physically) and she's just one of those leads you just want to root for. She felt relatable in a lot of ways and I just really loved her.

This book feels like an exploration into learning to overcome ones trauma and to fight for oneself.
I would absolutely recommend it to anyone to read no matter if the monsterous part is more your thing, or if you're here for some good world building and plot.
However in my opinion this story is best read in order, so I would suggest reading book 1, Finding Her, for the best experience and the best background into the world and it's many characters.

[Mimi Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love emotionally demanding stories and Sheltering Her did make my heart beat faster, shatter it and fill it with warmth all at the same time.
When characters have had a difficult life, deal with trauma and pain, have tried to survive difficult events and finally find that one spark that makes them feel positive things again!
Vivian and Theo’s journey had me so involved. You get to experience how they slowly open up to the idea of being cared for by another being, finding comfort, understanding and a place they can call home. I just love those two so much.🥹
Oh and no worries the book promised high spice and it delivered!🔥🔥 Aren’t you curious to know what our dear Theo can do with his arms?!?!? Their dynamic in those moments was so exciting, I bet you will love it as much as I did!

I’m so eager to see what’s next in store for us with this series!!

Thank you so much Becca Ray Blackwell for this steamy and heartfelt ARC!💕

[Katie McJunkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Can I just say this series is sooooo good. I love that it’s interconnected and we got to see what was happening with a side character during the first book. The way it all came together to help make sense was so freaking good!!

Viv cracked me up! She was so funny and even though she thought she was weak she showed her strength at every turn. And Theo was every woman’s dream doting on his woman and making sure she was cared for. The way Viv would crack jokes or talk about earth and Theo would be so confused kept their flirty banter so fun.

The action was packed and bled in at perfect times to always keep you on your toes. And the spice!!! I meannnnn who wouldn’t want a man with 4 arms and 2…well you know! 😉

I HOPE there is a book 3 in this series I’d love to see what happens next!!!