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Tenebrae Cove #3
Out of the Dark
Aurin Leeming has always known Salem’s secret. He knows what he is, his fears, and every secret he’s tried to hide. He knows every form Salem can morph into, and he loves every single one.
When Salem is gravely injured and close to death, he’s taken to a special place to heal. With the magic of the old gods and with Aurin by his side, he regains his strength, and he knows he must go back to Tenebrae Cove to face the truth.
A truth he’s spent eons hiding, and for good reason.
But Aurin and Salem take more than the truth home with them, and Salem’s secret is soon about to quadruple in size. As secrets come to light, it’s no longer just Salem the consortium needs to protect.
Secrets never stay hidden forever.
There comes a time when they all must come out of the dark.
When Salem is gravely injured and close to death, he’s taken to a special place to heal. With the magic of the old gods and with Aurin by his side, he regains his strength, and he knows he must go back to Tenebrae Cove to face the truth.
A truth he’s spent eons hiding, and for good reason.
But Aurin and Salem take more than the truth home with them, and Salem’s secret is soon about to quadruple in size. As secrets come to light, it’s no longer just Salem the consortium needs to protect.
Secrets never stay hidden forever.
There comes a time when they all must come out of the dark.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2026
About the author
N.R. Walker
155 books5,524 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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August 15, 2026
Out of the Dark is the third book in the Tenebrae Cove series by N.R. Walker. This is Salem and Aurin’s book. It’s not at all like the other two, in that they aren’t fighting against any specific danger. It’s much sweeter and heart warming but also filled with plenty of revelations.
At the end of book two, we knew that Salem was gravely injured. He and Aurin are taken by Cern up to the mountain to heal. We learn so much more about who lives up there and about Cern. We also are able to feel the deep love and commitment between Salem and Aurin. Aurin won’t leave his side while he recuperates.
“In his darkest moment, when he’d thought he was about to truly depart this world, Aurin had been his light home.”
When Salem is healed and they are ready to return to the cove, their lives once again take a drastic turn. Which brings Salem and Aurin even closer. It also brings the entire group within Tenebrae Cove closer together.
“Oh my goodness, is this heaven?”
“Heaven is wherever you are. So yes, since you are here, it must be.”
This book was so overwhelmingly sweet and romantic. This group has pulled even tighter together, their commitment to one another stronger than ever. There are two new members to their consortium and they seem to fit in perfectly. The ending is definitely the lead in to who the next book will focus on. It’s not a cliff hanger. But still leaves us wondering what will happen next with this group we’ve grown to love so much, and with this character that we will be soon learning so much more about. So plenty of questions were answered in this book, and we were left with new ones that I can’t wait to find out more about!!!
At the end of book two, we knew that Salem was gravely injured. He and Aurin are taken by Cern up to the mountain to heal. We learn so much more about who lives up there and about Cern. We also are able to feel the deep love and commitment between Salem and Aurin. Aurin won’t leave his side while he recuperates.
“In his darkest moment, when he’d thought he was about to truly depart this world, Aurin had been his light home.”
When Salem is healed and they are ready to return to the cove, their lives once again take a drastic turn. Which brings Salem and Aurin even closer. It also brings the entire group within Tenebrae Cove closer together.
“Oh my goodness, is this heaven?”
“Heaven is wherever you are. So yes, since you are here, it must be.”
This book was so overwhelmingly sweet and romantic. This group has pulled even tighter together, their commitment to one another stronger than ever. There are two new members to their consortium and they seem to fit in perfectly. The ending is definitely the lead in to who the next book will focus on. It’s not a cliff hanger. But still leaves us wondering what will happen next with this group we’ve grown to love so much, and with this character that we will be soon learning so much more about. So plenty of questions were answered in this book, and we were left with new ones that I can’t wait to find out more about!!!
August 11, 2026
3.5 Stars
This wasn’t quite what I was hoping for from Aurin and Salem’s long-anticipated story, but I ended up having a nice time regardless of diverted expectations.
The first surprise was that Aurin and Salem are already an established couple when this story begins, which, if you know me, isn’t my favourite thing in the world of romance reading. I like established couples if I’ve followed them from the beginning of their relationship, but we didn’t get any flashbacks or details really, on how or when these two got together—they just were.
As a couple, Aurin and Salem were as lovely and well-matched as I expected they would be, and I appreciated the ease with which their relationship was shown here. That being said, I couldn’t help feeling a bit cheated that we didn’t get to witness how they fell in love, especially considering all the secrecy that clearly entailed, due to Salem’s long-debated identity.
What I enjoyed most was the baby element. Not quite mpreg, this was a cool take on shifter pregnancies. I greatly enjoyed the cute-as-heck additions to the Tenebrae Cove consortium, loving to see Aurin and Salem become whirlwind fathers and watching all their friends became absolute saps for the scene-stealing little ones.
We learnt quite a bit in this instalment, particularly about the old gods and Salem’s history, which I appreciated. I had Google on standby whenever new-to-me mythology terms and lore were hinted at, which came in very handy indeed, and I liked that the story still felt open-ended enough that Walker can keep churning out sequels for the foreseeable future.
Tenebrae Cove Series
Book 1 - Under the Surface (3.5 Stars)
Book 2 - In Too Deep (3.5 Stars)
Book 3 - Out of the Dark (3.5 Stars)
This wasn’t quite what I was hoping for from Aurin and Salem’s long-anticipated story, but I ended up having a nice time regardless of diverted expectations.
The first surprise was that Aurin and Salem are already an established couple when this story begins, which, if you know me, isn’t my favourite thing in the world of romance reading. I like established couples if I’ve followed them from the beginning of their relationship, but we didn’t get any flashbacks or details really, on how or when these two got together—they just were.
As a couple, Aurin and Salem were as lovely and well-matched as I expected they would be, and I appreciated the ease with which their relationship was shown here. That being said, I couldn’t help feeling a bit cheated that we didn’t get to witness how they fell in love, especially considering all the secrecy that clearly entailed, due to Salem’s long-debated identity.
What I enjoyed most was the baby element. Not quite mpreg, this was a cool take on shifter pregnancies. I greatly enjoyed the cute-as-heck additions to the Tenebrae Cove consortium, loving to see Aurin and Salem become whirlwind fathers and watching all their friends became absolute saps for the scene-stealing little ones.
We learnt quite a bit in this instalment, particularly about the old gods and Salem’s history, which I appreciated. I had Google on standby whenever new-to-me mythology terms and lore were hinted at, which came in very handy indeed, and I liked that the story still felt open-ended enough that Walker can keep churning out sequels for the foreseeable future.
Tenebrae Cove Series
Book 1 - Under the Surface (3.5 Stars)
Book 2 - In Too Deep (3.5 Stars)
Book 3 - Out of the Dark (3.5 Stars)
July 25, 2026
So, after the terrible experience with the previous book, I still decided to give this one a try for the sake of completing the story... well...
It's definitely better than book #2, though honestly I think it would have been impossible to do any worse. Maybe 2.5 stars?
That said, being better doesn't make it a good book. I think (and hope) this is the last one in the series. I had a sliver of hope for this one, i was curious about Salem but...
The book begins right where book #2 left off, so the main characters' relationship is already established. We don't actually get to see them fall in love, at some poin in the story we're simply told what happened, like a rushed recap. We also still get the utter nonsense of multiple POVs, and at times it felt more like Sawyer and Ciaran's part 2 than Aurin and Salem's story.
The purpose of this book seems to be explaining everything that was left unclear before, but it doesn't do that particularly well.
The plot is ridiculous. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you read it, you'll understand why LOL
It's also so flat and overly descriptive that even the plot itself lacks any real excitement. There's barely any spice either, but honestly, at this point, that's probably for the best.
It's not a good book, and I'm so, so disappointed in Walker.
Please, go on a spiritual retreat and come back writing the way you used to.
It's definitely better than book #2, though honestly I think it would have been impossible to do any worse. Maybe 2.5 stars?
That said, being better doesn't make it a good book. I think (and hope) this is the last one in the series. I had a sliver of hope for this one, i was curious about Salem but...
The book begins right where book #2 left off, so the main characters' relationship is already established. We don't actually get to see them fall in love, at some poin in the story we're simply told what happened, like a rushed recap. We also still get the utter nonsense of multiple POVs, and at times it felt more like Sawyer and Ciaran's part 2 than Aurin and Salem's story.
The purpose of this book seems to be explaining everything that was left unclear before, but it doesn't do that particularly well.
The plot is ridiculous. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you read it, you'll understand why LOL
It's also so flat and overly descriptive that even the plot itself lacks any real excitement. There's barely any spice either, but honestly, at this point, that's probably for the best.
It's not a good book, and I'm so, so disappointed in Walker.
Please, go on a spiritual retreat and come back writing the way you used to.
July 29, 2026
Disappointed by this one
After the action packed narrative of book two, I expected more from Salem and Aurin's romance.
For starters we didn't get any insight into how they met and fell in love, instead it was a fait accompli with them already "my love-ing" left, right and centre.
There's an unexpected turn for the mPreg too, which then meant the rest of the plotline turned into something quite different than what I'd hoped.
The rest of the gang turned into saps, there's bizarre new plot twists involving portals and weird unexplained entities and, most disappointing of all, there's zero on page intimacy.
After the over the top tentacles sex of books one and two, this was such a let down, especially for two characters in a committed relationship already.
Adding in more mythology from other cultures randomly just made the whole book such a disjointed storyline.
I've no clue if this is the last book, or if there'll be a spinoff but seriously, so many ideas thrown together into a book that really couldn't make up its mind about what story it wanted to tell.
There's gaping plot holes left open all over this and the epilogue just adds more confusion.
A real disappointment even with the cute offspring.
After the action packed narrative of book two, I expected more from Salem and Aurin's romance.
For starters we didn't get any insight into how they met and fell in love, instead it was a fait accompli with them already "my love-ing" left, right and centre.
There's an unexpected turn for the mPreg too, which then meant the rest of the plotline turned into something quite different than what I'd hoped.
The rest of the gang turned into saps, there's bizarre new plot twists involving portals and weird unexplained entities and, most disappointing of all, there's zero on page intimacy.
After the over the top tentacles sex of books one and two, this was such a let down, especially for two characters in a committed relationship already.
Adding in more mythology from other cultures randomly just made the whole book such a disjointed storyline.
I've no clue if this is the last book, or if there'll be a spinoff but seriously, so many ideas thrown together into a book that really couldn't make up its mind about what story it wanted to tell.
There's gaping plot holes left open all over this and the epilogue just adds more confusion.
A real disappointment even with the cute offspring.
July 27, 2026
I enjoyed this one so much better than the last two. It was sweet and low angst. My biggest complaint is we don’t get to see how Aurin and Salem’s relationship developed. They’re already an established couple. I think the author did them an injustice by not including how they met and hid their relationship for so long. Also, unless I totally missed it, we never find out why they aren’t bonded like the others. Aurin mentions being a bit jealous of the others and seeing how they are bonded but that’s the end of it. Did I miss it?
I do hope she continues with Hadeom. I have strong suspicions there 🤔
I do hope she continues with Hadeom. I have strong suspicions there 🤔
September 6, 2026
Ok, I'm still a little unsure on the way characters other than the MCs get POV's, but I also like getting to know what's going on in the background? Although, with 3rd person omniscient, I'm not really sure why the chapters are allocated to a specific character anyway?
I really liked finding out more about Salem though, and his relationship with Aurin was pre-established but very sweet. The clutch thing was adorable too! I wish we'd found out more about Aurin though because I don't feel like I really know anything about him still other than he's gold and sparkly. Will they ever have the same kind of bond?
Hadeom is also intriguing, as is his link to Salem and to Cern... Hopefully we find out more in the next book. I have my thoughts on who Hadeom actually is, and I'm intrigued to see what happens next.
I really liked finding out more about Salem though, and his relationship with Aurin was pre-established but very sweet. The clutch thing was adorable too! I wish we'd found out more about Aurin though because I don't feel like I really know anything about him still other than he's gold and sparkly. Will they ever have the same kind of bond?
Hadeom is also intriguing, as is his link to Salem and to Cern... Hopefully we find out more in the next book. I have my thoughts on who Hadeom actually is, and I'm intrigued to see what happens next.
August 16, 2026
I liked both Aurin and Salem and enjoyed getting to see their story arc play out. But the series has been very jumbled for me. Also, I thought this was a three-part series, but we are left with a big bombshell and a lot of questions at the end of Out of the Dark which may mean we might be getting another (final?) Tenebrae Cove book featuring Salem’s father?
I like the premise of the series, and I'm always up for shapeshifters, but these are short books with a lot of characters packed in and more with each installment. Each of those characters plays a minor part, but the inclusion of so many of them makes an already disjointed story feel even more fractured to me.
I will say Out of the Dark is my favorite in the series so far. But that bombshell at the end... I need to know what happens next!
I like the premise of the series, and I'm always up for shapeshifters, but these are short books with a lot of characters packed in and more with each installment. Each of those characters plays a minor part, but the inclusion of so many of them makes an already disjointed story feel even more fractured to me.
I will say Out of the Dark is my favorite in the series so far. But that bombshell at the end... I need to know what happens next!
Read
August 25, 2026Rating withheld because I knew I wasn't going to love it but I needed to see out the last book. I think this series is just not for me.
August 13, 2026
Mejor que el anterior. Tampoco era tan díficil. Mejor hilada la historia pero siento que ha habido agujeros de guión. Vamos a dejarlo así y a esperar si será una trilogía cerrada o va a seguir.
No lo sé.
No lo sé.
July 24, 2026
Loved this whole series
Tenebrae, an amazing place. Suspend belief and enjoy the story. From the first book to this the story unfolds. I have to confess to a tear in my eye when the younglings appeared.
I really hope this is not the last book in the series
Tenebrae, an amazing place. Suspend belief and enjoy the story. From the first book to this the story unfolds. I have to confess to a tear in my eye when the younglings appeared.
I really hope this is not the last book in the series
September 19, 2026
Not one single sex scene, what the hell? We know they had sex, but it is not descriptive and I am disappointed. But I still loved this book and I can't wait for the last one.
July 20, 2026
Loved Aurin and Salem's story. 🖤💛🖤💛
Don't want to get spoilers don't look: But the babies!!!!!! So loved that part of their story.
Don't want to get spoilers don't look: But the babies!!!!!! So loved that part of their story.
July 29, 2026
Another fun story set in Tenebrae Cove, though I did like book 2 slightly more than this one, simply because I laughed so much because if Fray in that one 🤣
I was super intrigued my Salem prior to this story, and still am, to be honest! Whilst I really liked him as a character, and how he cares for Aurin, I still feel like he’s very mysterious, but I suppose he is to the rest of the consortium as well, so that makes sense. Aurin is such a cutie; I only wish we got to see more of them together as a couple throughout the book. Perhaps we will get more of that in the futures, since we do seem to be getting more and more POVs throughout the story.
Danger keeps looming, even with the big one from the previous book handled, and there are still a lot of loose threads and unexplored plot points. I really hope they will all come together eventually!
I will say that the “quadrupling in size” mentioned in the blurb was super adorable. I didn’t expect it from this series, but I did predict it before it was stated on page, and I got super cute images in my head based on the descriptions, and I’m very excited to see what happens next for the consortium!
I was super intrigued my Salem prior to this story, and still am, to be honest! Whilst I really liked him as a character, and how he cares for Aurin, I still feel like he’s very mysterious, but I suppose he is to the rest of the consortium as well, so that makes sense. Aurin is such a cutie; I only wish we got to see more of them together as a couple throughout the book. Perhaps we will get more of that in the futures, since we do seem to be getting more and more POVs throughout the story.
Danger keeps looming, even with the big one from the previous book handled, and there are still a lot of loose threads and unexplored plot points. I really hope they will all come together eventually!
I will say that the “quadrupling in size” mentioned in the blurb was super adorable. I didn’t expect it from this series, but I did predict it before it was stated on page, and I got super cute images in my head based on the descriptions, and I’m very excited to see what happens next for the consortium!
July 30, 2026
Following on from the fight at the end of the last book, Salem is seriously injured and he and Aurin go into the mountains to Cren to recover.
This was such a cute book. After Salem is better they celebrate with the Faun and Aurin ends up pregnant.
Cute babies follow and a cute story.
This was such a cute book. After Salem is better they celebrate with the Faun and Aurin ends up pregnant.
Cute babies follow and a cute story.
July 24, 2026
oh wow
This had so many twists. I laughed and I cried.
I loved learning about Salem. I loved watching the whole family grow.
This had so many twists. I laughed and I cried.
I loved learning about Salem. I loved watching the whole family grow.
July 26, 2026
5⭐️
Cause of Death: Cuteness Overload. I swear this book was trying to give me cavities.
From the very first page, the absolute devotion between Salem and Aurin had me smiling like an idiot. The “my love,” “my beloved”, “my darling”, the quiet moments, the unwavering support… these two are everything. And then this book somehow gets even sweeter with a few surprises that I absolutely did not see coming. No spoilers, but trust me when I say I was kicking my feet and grinning the entire time.
One of my favorite things about this series is that it never feels like you’re only reading about one couple. The entire consortium feels like family, and every single character has a purpose. Whether it’s Ciaran’s steady leadership, Kellan’s endless patience, Tobin’s loyalty, or Fray showing up every other chapter to say the most unhinged thing imaginable (seriously, I laughed out loud more than once), everyone adds something special to the story.
The world-building continues to blow me away. It’s not just the incredible ocean creatures and cephamorphs, but now we’re diving even deeper into the ancient mythology surrounding the wilderness, the gods, and the bigger mysteries hiding beneath the surface. Every answer seems to reveal three more questions, and I loved every second of it. The lore keeps expanding without ever feeling overwhelming.
And can we please talk about Sawyer for a second? At this point, can somebody just make the poor man mythical already? Give him gills. Antlers. A magical shell. Something. He’s earned it.
This series has become one of those worlds I never want to leave. It’s funny, heartfelt, suspenseful, endlessly imaginative, and overflowing with found family. By the end, my heart was so full, and that epilogue has me desperately needing the next book already.
Now excuse me while I go recover from this overwhelming level of adorable. 🐙🐈⬛🥹💚
Cause of Death: Cuteness Overload. I swear this book was trying to give me cavities.
From the very first page, the absolute devotion between Salem and Aurin had me smiling like an idiot. The “my love,” “my beloved”, “my darling”, the quiet moments, the unwavering support… these two are everything. And then this book somehow gets even sweeter with a few surprises that I absolutely did not see coming. No spoilers, but trust me when I say I was kicking my feet and grinning the entire time.
One of my favorite things about this series is that it never feels like you’re only reading about one couple. The entire consortium feels like family, and every single character has a purpose. Whether it’s Ciaran’s steady leadership, Kellan’s endless patience, Tobin’s loyalty, or Fray showing up every other chapter to say the most unhinged thing imaginable (seriously, I laughed out loud more than once), everyone adds something special to the story.
The world-building continues to blow me away. It’s not just the incredible ocean creatures and cephamorphs, but now we’re diving even deeper into the ancient mythology surrounding the wilderness, the gods, and the bigger mysteries hiding beneath the surface. Every answer seems to reveal three more questions, and I loved every second of it. The lore keeps expanding without ever feeling overwhelming.
And can we please talk about Sawyer for a second? At this point, can somebody just make the poor man mythical already? Give him gills. Antlers. A magical shell. Something. He’s earned it.
This series has become one of those worlds I never want to leave. It’s funny, heartfelt, suspenseful, endlessly imaginative, and overflowing with found family. By the end, my heart was so full, and that epilogue has me desperately needing the next book already.
Now excuse me while I go recover from this overwhelming level of adorable. 🐙🐈⬛🥹💚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2026
This is a paranormal romance, featuring Salem and Aurin, and is book three in the Tenebrae Cove series.
Salem recovers from his injuries with Aurin by his side, then returns to Tenebrae Cove to come clean about the ancient secret he’s hidden for centuries.
This was a great continuation of this series. I really enjoyed learning more about Salem and Aurin, they have kept their relationship a secret for years but they come clean with the group. I absolutely loved the surprise pregnancy and I immediately went down a rabbit hole to see little baby octopi. 🐙
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM paranormal romance
Small town
Established couple
Mimic x Cephamorphs shifter
Hurt x Comfort
Secrets revealed
Surprise pregnancy
Mystery
Found family
HEA hint
Salem recovers from his injuries with Aurin by his side, then returns to Tenebrae Cove to come clean about the ancient secret he’s hidden for centuries.
This was a great continuation of this series. I really enjoyed learning more about Salem and Aurin, they have kept their relationship a secret for years but they come clean with the group. I absolutely loved the surprise pregnancy and I immediately went down a rabbit hole to see little baby octopi. 🐙
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 3 in series
MM paranormal romance
Small town
Established couple
Mimic x Cephamorphs shifter
Hurt x Comfort
Secrets revealed
Surprise pregnancy
Mystery
Found family
HEA hint
July 24, 2026
story line: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: *****
audio: ****
4.5
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: *****
audio: ****
4.5
August 1, 2026
Here's NR Walker's "Out of the Dark." It's the third novel in the Tenebrea Cove series.
["Aurin Leeming has always known Salem’s secret. He knows what he is, his fears, and every secret he’s tried to hide. He knows every form Salem can morph into, and he loves every single one.
When Salem is gravely injured and close to death, he’s taken to a special place to heal. With the magic of the old gods and with Aurin by his side, he regains his strength, and he knows he must go back to Tenebrae Cove to face the truth.
A truth he’s spent eons hiding, and for good reason.
But Aurin and Salem take more than the truth home with them, and Salem’s secret is soon about to quadruple in size. As secrets come to light, it’s no longer just Salem the consortium needs to protect.
Secrets never stay hidden forever.
There comes a time when they all must come out of the dark."]
This started a little slow. Then again, the previous book ended on a few cliffhangers. And not to nitpick, but I feel like a lot of the bigger secrets were just...freely given in the first two or so chapters with zero lead-up. But when it picked up? It fucking picked up. Talk about a whirl-wind (nothing like the second novel, but still wooow).
These two were cute. I wish we could have seen their falling, but seeing them already in love was just as sweet. They were dedicated to each other to the extreme. And the "take more than the truth home with them"? Oh yeah. So much more. ;) But that was prefect, too! I could have read pages and pages, chapters and chapters of just that (even if--especially if--it added nothing to the plot).
Again, not sure if there's going to be another book or not...I could be here for it. Or even a spin off..or both.
#underthesurface #intoodeep #outofthedark #tenebreacove #tenebreacoveseries #nrwalker #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["Aurin Leeming has always known Salem’s secret. He knows what he is, his fears, and every secret he’s tried to hide. He knows every form Salem can morph into, and he loves every single one.
When Salem is gravely injured and close to death, he’s taken to a special place to heal. With the magic of the old gods and with Aurin by his side, he regains his strength, and he knows he must go back to Tenebrae Cove to face the truth.
A truth he’s spent eons hiding, and for good reason.
But Aurin and Salem take more than the truth home with them, and Salem’s secret is soon about to quadruple in size. As secrets come to light, it’s no longer just Salem the consortium needs to protect.
Secrets never stay hidden forever.
There comes a time when they all must come out of the dark."]
This started a little slow. Then again, the previous book ended on a few cliffhangers. And not to nitpick, but I feel like a lot of the bigger secrets were just...freely given in the first two or so chapters with zero lead-up. But when it picked up? It fucking picked up. Talk about a whirl-wind (nothing like the second novel, but still wooow).
These two were cute. I wish we could have seen their falling, but seeing them already in love was just as sweet. They were dedicated to each other to the extreme. And the "take more than the truth home with them"? Oh yeah. So much more. ;) But that was prefect, too! I could have read pages and pages, chapters and chapters of just that (even if--especially if--it added nothing to the plot).
Again, not sure if there's going to be another book or not...I could be here for it. Or even a spin off..or both.
#underthesurface #intoodeep #outofthedark #tenebreacove #tenebreacoveseries #nrwalker #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
August 23, 2026
a very odd disappointment
This series was really frustrating and an odd disappointment because having read some of this authors other books including Cronin’s key and the Kite series, reading this series was like reading another author!…one that was a far cry from the previous books which were so good.
There was not enough depth to any of the characters, and if you are assuming the blurbs mean that each book focus on separate couples as many others do in this genre…you’d be wrong. The first book does indeed focus on sawyer and Cairan and the second starts to be about Tobin and fray but then it gets muddled with other viewpoints. This book has Aurin and Salem’s relationship already established, it was like stepping into this story half way through with mention throughout of things they’ve said and done in the past. There is no intimacy and what there has been in the series was not done well. The dialogue is awful at times with some very mushy sentiment that felt ridiculous, these characters are supposed to be older but this isn’t explained only to say that time runs differently for them…no idea what that means and it felt like the author didn’t either!
There’s many loose ends and unanswered questions still, Aurin is troubled by the lack of bond with Salem but this is not addressed, Sawyer is feeling left out and his humanity leaving him feeling inadequate but again, this isn’t dealt with either. Without giving spoilers, the last few chapters are very short and everything is given an overview of how things have gone…instead of having the experience of the author showing us…we are simply told a brief skimmed version. The end leaves more questions of who Hadeom is. There’s no real plot direction or climax to a story with this book either. This series had such potential but instead it was as though the author lost their way and didn’t put in the effort of depth, descriptions and imaginative plots which would have made this a fantastic read.
This series was really frustrating and an odd disappointment because having read some of this authors other books including Cronin’s key and the Kite series, reading this series was like reading another author!…one that was a far cry from the previous books which were so good.
There was not enough depth to any of the characters, and if you are assuming the blurbs mean that each book focus on separate couples as many others do in this genre…you’d be wrong. The first book does indeed focus on sawyer and Cairan and the second starts to be about Tobin and fray but then it gets muddled with other viewpoints. This book has Aurin and Salem’s relationship already established, it was like stepping into this story half way through with mention throughout of things they’ve said and done in the past. There is no intimacy and what there has been in the series was not done well. The dialogue is awful at times with some very mushy sentiment that felt ridiculous, these characters are supposed to be older but this isn’t explained only to say that time runs differently for them…no idea what that means and it felt like the author didn’t either!
There’s many loose ends and unanswered questions still, Aurin is troubled by the lack of bond with Salem but this is not addressed, Sawyer is feeling left out and his humanity leaving him feeling inadequate but again, this isn’t dealt with either. Without giving spoilers, the last few chapters are very short and everything is given an overview of how things have gone…instead of having the experience of the author showing us…we are simply told a brief skimmed version. The end leaves more questions of who Hadeom is. There’s no real plot direction or climax to a story with this book either. This series had such potential but instead it was as though the author lost their way and didn’t put in the effort of depth, descriptions and imaginative plots which would have made this a fantastic read.
July 25, 2026
3* Some interesting aspects to it, but way more of the crying and emoting that book 2 was full of. Tbf, it's kind of understandable why, but this required a huge amount of suspension of disbelief. But, it has kittens in it, which are sort of a redemption.
There's, and there's not really, a lot happening here. Salem and Aurin are a couple, with Aurin fretting over the extent of Salem's injuries, and them having travelled deep into Cern's mountain to heal. That aspect was quite interesting, with explanations of who and what Cern is, who Fyn is, and what really goes on in the woods. There's partying, rejoicing, a rebirth ceremony and there's honey mead and lots of sex, thankfully not on screen, as the previous books had far too much of it. There's far too much mushy, lovey dovey stuff, and it's as if love's young dream has just descended on them. There's a lot of pronouncements, too. There's also a definite feel of one masculine character in this pairing (though not an alpha) and one who's far less masculine, so I wasn't surprised by how that played into the tale. Sigh.
And then the book descends into 'WTF am I reading?' and everything accelerates and Kellen makes a diagnosis and then there are 6. The 4 additional characters weren't believable. Cutesy and OTT, yes, with everyone besotted. I mean, that many blokes mooning over cuteness? Serious suspension of disbelief was needed at this point.
Not sure I'll read book 4 unless it's in KU and I've still got free KU, but an expected someone becomes a lead and a local. He, at this point, begins to sound like one of Barbara Elsborg's tortured PNR leads that I love, so I might take a chance on it, though until now, he's been kinda boring because of the holding back on detail.
There's, and there's not really, a lot happening here. Salem and Aurin are a couple, with Aurin fretting over the extent of Salem's injuries, and them having travelled deep into Cern's mountain to heal. That aspect was quite interesting, with explanations of who and what Cern is, who Fyn is, and what really goes on in the woods. There's partying, rejoicing, a rebirth ceremony and there's honey mead and lots of sex, thankfully not on screen, as the previous books had far too much of it. There's far too much mushy, lovey dovey stuff, and it's as if love's young dream has just descended on them. There's a lot of pronouncements, too. There's also a definite feel of one masculine character in this pairing (though not an alpha) and one who's far less masculine, so I wasn't surprised by how that played into the tale. Sigh.
And then the book descends into 'WTF am I reading?' and everything accelerates and Kellen makes a diagnosis and then there are 6. The 4 additional characters weren't believable. Cutesy and OTT, yes, with everyone besotted. I mean, that many blokes mooning over cuteness? Serious suspension of disbelief was needed at this point.
Not sure I'll read book 4 unless it's in KU and I've still got free KU, but an expected someone becomes a lead and a local. He, at this point, begins to sound like one of Barbara Elsborg's tortured PNR leads that I love, so I might take a chance on it, though until now, he's been kinda boring because of the holding back on detail.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sensational! What an epic read! I have been dying for this third book and it was spectacular. First of all, it’s a truly low angst book, full of so much swoon and sweetness. It also ties up, very very satisfyingly, a lot of the questions we had after the first two books.
I’m going to keep this as spoiler free as possibke but expect a lot of twists and reveals, i did not expect some of the answers and i loved that in a fairly short book what we are questioning is the construct of beliefs and the lines if divide we choose to create between generes and ultimately the r life systems we hold in life. I was expecting it to be that thought provoking.
The other thing is it’s actually quite visual and scenes set and secondary characters introduces are quite inviting and allow for the imagination to run wild. Great world building and story telling.
Then ofcourse there is the romance between an established couple/s which is so epically swoony and sweet and comfortable and yet brimming with chemistry
And finally I adored the new beginnings 1 again can’t give anything away here.
Also that epilogue, i hope there is more I’m definitely up for some further exploration there 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
I’m going to keep this as spoiler free as possibke but expect a lot of twists and reveals, i did not expect some of the answers and i loved that in a fairly short book what we are questioning is the construct of beliefs and the lines if divide we choose to create between generes and ultimately the r life systems we hold in life. I was expecting it to be that thought provoking.
The other thing is it’s actually quite visual and scenes set and secondary characters introduces are quite inviting and allow for the imagination to run wild. Great world building and story telling.
Then ofcourse there is the romance between an established couple/s which is so epically swoony and sweet and comfortable and yet brimming with chemistry
And finally I adored the new beginnings 1 again can’t give anything away here.
Also that epilogue, i hope there is more I’m definitely up for some further exploration there 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
July 28, 2026
This story opens where book 2 leaves off so should be read in order. Surprises are in store for the consortium when Aurin and Salem return from visiting Cern on the mountain. Yes, Cern and the "folk" who live up there with him have healed Salem but are they more than they seem? And was it more than the mead Aurin drank before spending all night making love with Salem that is now making him feel so blah and tired? Hmm. Hard to review this one without spoilers.
Let's just say that nothing is as it first seems and that this story is all about family of the heart. Salem and Aurin are at the center of their new family and are surrounded by the love of their consortium family, which includes the human Sawyer. Even the two new guys who arrived in book two have chipped in and helped out and are working to make Tenebrae Cove a better place for everyone. Add to that the mysterious Cern an all the creatures who live on the mountain with him, and Sawyer's boss, whom no one can read and turns out to be the most mysterious of all.
Let's just say if you've read books one and two, you shouldn't miss out on this one. Great story. Great series.
Let's just say that nothing is as it first seems and that this story is all about family of the heart. Salem and Aurin are at the center of their new family and are surrounded by the love of their consortium family, which includes the human Sawyer. Even the two new guys who arrived in book two have chipped in and helped out and are working to make Tenebrae Cove a better place for everyone. Add to that the mysterious Cern an all the creatures who live on the mountain with him, and Sawyer's boss, whom no one can read and turns out to be the most mysterious of all.
Let's just say if you've read books one and two, you shouldn't miss out on this one. Great story. Great series.
August 3, 2026
I was so excited to dive back into the Tenebrae Cove series by @nrwalkerauthor with book 3, Out of the Dark and although this book took things in a direction I was not expecting, I enjoyed every moment of it!
This series has an ongoing, overarching plotline and is one that definitely needs to be read in order!
After the events at the end of the last book, things were definitely up in the air and we got lots of answers and then as the book progressed of course now I have lots of theories. I loved the world building in this series, the crossing between genres and mythologies, it’s very engaging.
Salem and Aurin were just so adorable, I loved their relationship, learning about their past and how things came to be. I adored the direction their story took, so darn precious!
I love the consortium and how they’re interwoven into the story, we get actual written perspectives which I enjoy so much, especially Sawyer, someone build that man a Submarine!
I was so excited that we got glimpses into our forest friends and I cannot wait for more from them (I’m hoping). I’m also dying for more from Hadeom, I have theories! I’m ready for the next book now, thank you!
This series has an ongoing, overarching plotline and is one that definitely needs to be read in order!
After the events at the end of the last book, things were definitely up in the air and we got lots of answers and then as the book progressed of course now I have lots of theories. I loved the world building in this series, the crossing between genres and mythologies, it’s very engaging.
Salem and Aurin were just so adorable, I loved their relationship, learning about their past and how things came to be. I adored the direction their story took, so darn precious!
I love the consortium and how they’re interwoven into the story, we get actual written perspectives which I enjoy so much, especially Sawyer, someone build that man a Submarine!
I was so excited that we got glimpses into our forest friends and I cannot wait for more from them (I’m hoping). I’m also dying for more from Hadeom, I have theories! I’m ready for the next book now, thank you!
October 1, 2026
Should Have Been A Novella
This series is getting a bit out of hand. I’m a big NR Walker fan but I’m quickly learning this series is the exception. The premise is interesting, the characters are somewhat unique, but I finish every book with more questions than answers and a disconnect from the characters and story as a whole. Book one was the strongest of the three but every book since has felt like it moves further and further away from an actual quality storyline.
This book luckily had fewer POV shifts than the last book but it was still a lot of shifting away from the main two characters. I started this book intrigued to finally learn more about Salem and yet we got almost nothing. There was no backstory, no flashbacks, very few answers and almost no romance beyond what we were told rather than shown.
I feel a disconnect to the overall story, the characters in it and the romances. And with so many more questions than answers, I’m not sure I’ll be interested to pick up book four.
Tropes: Shifters, MPreg, Multiple POV, Found Family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 0/5
Relationship: MM
This series is getting a bit out of hand. I’m a big NR Walker fan but I’m quickly learning this series is the exception. The premise is interesting, the characters are somewhat unique, but I finish every book with more questions than answers and a disconnect from the characters and story as a whole. Book one was the strongest of the three but every book since has felt like it moves further and further away from an actual quality storyline.
This book luckily had fewer POV shifts than the last book but it was still a lot of shifting away from the main two characters. I started this book intrigued to finally learn more about Salem and yet we got almost nothing. There was no backstory, no flashbacks, very few answers and almost no romance beyond what we were told rather than shown.
I feel a disconnect to the overall story, the characters in it and the romances. And with so many more questions than answers, I’m not sure I’ll be interested to pick up book four.
Tropes: Shifters, MPreg, Multiple POV, Found Family
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 0/5
Relationship: MM
July 31, 2026
Aurin has always known Salem’s secret and loved every part of him, in every form. After Salem is gravely injured, ancient magic helps him heal — but returning to Tenebrae Cove means facing the truth he’s hidden for eons. That truth is about to grow even bigger, bringing new revelations and new dangers. As secrets surface, it’s clear the consortium now has far more than just Salem to protect. Some truths can’t stay in the dark forever.
This story was full of emotions and heartfelt moments, with the consortium, their friends, and their allies doing everything they could to heal and protect Aurin and Salem. The extra surprise they brought back from their time in the woods was genuinely delightful, adding warmth and hope to the danger surrounding them. I loved how the consortium pulled together, defending and supporting them against every threat, showing just how strong their bonds have become. There was so much to smile about throughout, and it left me eager to find out what happens next for everyone in Tenebrae Cove. This was an MM story with mature content.
This story was full of emotions and heartfelt moments, with the consortium, their friends, and their allies doing everything they could to heal and protect Aurin and Salem. The extra surprise they brought back from their time in the woods was genuinely delightful, adding warmth and hope to the danger surrounding them. I loved how the consortium pulled together, defending and supporting them against every threat, showing just how strong their bonds have become. There was so much to smile about throughout, and it left me eager to find out what happens next for everyone in Tenebrae Cove. This was an MM story with mature content.
September 6, 2026
2.5
While I liked this one better than the mess that was book 2, I can't really say I was a huge fan.
We have an established couple, there so much that is told afterwards and never shown. Like I would've loved the after festival thingy steamy times because that was important to what happens next. After the smut fest that were the previous books we get nothing here, which isn't a bad thing per se, but I think we needed to witness that one time plotwise. We still got too many chapters from other people's POV. I wanted to be shown everything that was happening between Salem and Aurin instead there was someone else's POV and then we get one of their chapters and things have already happened. At one point I thought I skipped a chapter or was distracted because of how rushed some parts seemed. There was so much wasted potential and it made me sad. I've loved so much if this author's previous books and I miss them!
While I liked this one better than the mess that was book 2, I can't really say I was a huge fan.
We have an established couple, there so much that is told afterwards and never shown. Like I would've loved the after festival thingy steamy times because that was important to what happens next. After the smut fest that were the previous books we get nothing here, which isn't a bad thing per se, but I think we needed to witness that one time plotwise. We still got too many chapters from other people's POV. I wanted to be shown everything that was happening between Salem and Aurin instead there was someone else's POV and then we get one of their chapters and things have already happened. At one point I thought I skipped a chapter or was distracted because of how rushed some parts seemed. There was so much wasted potential and it made me sad. I've loved so much if this author's previous books and I miss them!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Whoa, this book has a LOT of things to unpack! But what a ride!
One of the things I love most about Nic's writing is that she is so good at showing the reader, rather than telling the reader. So much of the description is efficient and effective and building the picture in the reader's eye (if your mind works like mine does) and this talent really shines in this book where so much of the action is unique and unusual.
I don't want to spoil the plot as there are some pretty big elements to this story that you wouldn't want to know before you start reading - and I want every reader to gasp and whimper in surprise like I did!
Most definitely not a standalone - I reckon you'd have a very confused face if you tried to read this one first! I am loving this series so much and am now back on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment!
One of the things I love most about Nic's writing is that she is so good at showing the reader, rather than telling the reader. So much of the description is efficient and effective and building the picture in the reader's eye (if your mind works like mine does) and this talent really shines in this book where so much of the action is unique and unusual.
I don't want to spoil the plot as there are some pretty big elements to this story that you wouldn't want to know before you start reading - and I want every reader to gasp and whimper in surprise like I did!
Most definitely not a standalone - I reckon you'd have a very confused face if you tried to read this one first! I am loving this series so much and am now back on tenterhooks waiting for the next instalment!
August 13, 2026
I loved the easy vibes this brought. It was kind of a nice little palate cleanser. I love how we got a little more of the world revealed to us, that was a lot of fun. However, the entire book just felt a little like an interlude. Book 2 could have ended it with how it finished, so I was glad to see we'd be getting more. However, this book really felt like it didn't have it own heart, it feels like the set up for what comes next. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to see where this world goes, this book just needed something more for me, it's just missing something to make me love it. I enjoyed seeing all the characters post thier own stories though.
September 10, 2026
wow. This series keeps getting better. And it is generally not my style but this writer is so good. The characters are well written and deep, there are good explanations for everything, and the love is just stunning. I admit I had to stop reading for a few hours because I was afraid that something bad was going to happen, (Spoiler, it didn't). But I had to keep reading, it was just that good. As usual with this author, I learned so much as I read, there were things that I googled only because they were in this book. I am just amazed at the writing. I very much hope that there will be a 4th book.
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