Bound by Thorns

Dragon Soul #3

by Sean Michael

Meet the Beteferoce five dragon shifters, each with a strong elemental power. And each with a fierce desire to find his soul mate…

Park ranger Luke Beteferoce likes the quiet of the forest—a place he can be alone. The dragon shifter keeps himself busy maintaining his territory in the park…that is, until he meets ex-soldier Greyson Paulson. Suddenly, Luke finds himself thinking of all sorts of scenarios that involve Greyson. And with the kind of tension he’s feeling, hot, sweaty, nonkinky sex is only the beginning.

While he’s perfectly fine being left alone, Greyson finds he enjoys the company of the bossy yet tender park ranger. Soon, trying to fight the heat between them is a losing he’s ready to give in to the irresistible lust he feels for Luke. Greyson may not be ready to completely submit, but he still can’t stop himself from following every command Luke whispers his way.

Luke hasn’t felt this kind of connection and satisfaction with anyone ever before, leading him to discover Greyson’s marked as his mate. But with Greyson battling his own limitations and lack of experience, it’s going to take Luke more than hours-long hot sex to convince Greyson to stay and accept his destiny.

Book three in the Dragon Soul series

This book is approximately 73,000 words



One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Paranormal, Dragons, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2017

About the author

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third story is about Luke Beteferoce the Park ranger /Dragon and Greyson Paulson the ex-soldier. Greyson stays in an isolated cabin in Luke’s territory and he is so broken and suicidal that he does care whether he lives or freezes to death.

The book follows the same pattern as book 1 and book 2. So, there is lots of food, sex and snugness. And a dragon flight for Greyson.

[Rain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wounded combat vet decides to hide himself away in an isolated cabin in the woods. He is unprepared for winter, perhaps that was on purpose as he doesn’t feel there is much to live for.

The man answered the door in a pair of boxers and nothing else, long blond hair covering his shoulders, beard masking a heavy frown. Fuck, that lean body was covered in scars, most of them concentrated on one thigh. Luke tried hard not to stare, but damn, they were brutal. Made him wonder what had happened to the guy.

Those woods are being patrolled by a dragon/park ranger, who takes an instant protective stance over the healing man.

He found himself flying too close again, sniffing hard, seeking the stranger’s scent to make sure the guy was still alive.

Gay dragon shifter
Wounded farmer military
Hurt/comfort
Insta-lust
Bonded life mates
Toys/shaving/kink
Virgin
Standalone

This book felt like it was 85% sex, and that the sex felt coerced at times. Wish I had liked this story better, it had such an amazing beginning.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Sean Michael - caretaker Luke and needy Greyson - comfort, food and sex with instant shifter mate love.

[Charly · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same from the series

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 5/10

PROS:
- I love reading about characters who are imperfect, whether physically or mentally. Especially when the other guy still finds him unbearably sexy regardless of his illness/injury.
- The mate-claiming doesn’t take long here, but at least there’s a *little* bit of connection before Luke starts thinking about eternity. It’s been a couple months since I read Books 1 and 2 in this series, but I feel like I remember the previous stories being more along the lines of “I smell that you are my mate, so I shall claim you as such this moment.”
- I liked the “I’m a dragon” conversation in this one. It’s different than in the previous books, for one thing, and it didn’t go at all like I expected it to, for another. Luke’s powers are also a little different than either of the previous brothers, and I found them pretty fun. (see cons below also)

CONS:
- According to the publisher’s blurb, each book in this series is about one of the “Beteferoce brothers: five dragon shifters, each with a strong elemental power.” I’ve seen small hints here and there of the characters’ “elemental powers,” but this is an intriguing idea that the author simply hasn’t developed in any meaningful way. This story (as well as all of the previous ones) focuses on sex and little else, to its detriment.
- The story feels claustrophobic in its focus on only the two guys and only the physical aspect of their relationship. I liked some of the sex scenes very much. The problem is that when there’s nothing else going on in the story, they all run together, and then even the good sex scenes start to seem rather mundane. There are only a couple of times in which other characters appear in the story (only via phone / webcam), and those scenes are at the very end of the book and are almost pitifully brief.

Overall comments: Luke is a caretaker Dom (which is pretty typical of this author), which makes for some pretty sweet scenes. I actually liked the beginning of the book better than the end, though: once the sex starts, things get boring, and once Greyson’s physical disability starts to “heal,” the book isn’t near as interesting in my opinion.

[J.P. Sayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure about this one, I think with the death of his previous soul mate it kind of made this a little harder to get in to it with the talk about the past and the present. Though it took a while to get resolution I did enjoy the finale

[Avid Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound by Thorns (Dragon Soul #3) by Sean Michael
4 stars
M/M Shifter Romance
Triggers: Unspoken depression, magical healing
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.

Luke is used to being alone. Despite having brothers who have settled down and found their mates, Luke believes that he will not find his. Plus, he likes living alone, where he can fly whenever he wants and helps to find lost hikers.

Greyson is depressed, lonely and doesn't really know what to do with himself. He finds himself alone at a cabin in the middle of nowhere - he's kind of ready to give up. He is not prepared for the weather, not is he prepared to be in the cabin very long.

When Luke and Greyson find each other, it is more grumble at first sight. Greyson doesn't really want help, but Luke can't fight his instincts.

They had a great friendship and even though Luke knows it's more, I felt that Greyson was able to believe so quickly that it made the story more realistic. If your souls knows another, you'd just believe them.

I do wish we would have gotten to see more brothers in the story, but I can't wait for the next one.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've gotta admit, I think that Grey and Luke may be my favorite couple in this series so far.

If you've been following my reviews of Dragon Soul, you know that I've had a couple of issues with how things developed between the brothers and their soul mates. There was still more sex than story in Bound by Thorns (which isn't really an issue, just worth mentioning) but I think what I liked most about their story was that Luke was totally up front with Grey about who and what he was. His revelation came a lot earlier than his brothers and even better, Grey accepted it a lot better than the other soul mates. 

I'm also a push over for broken characters and Grey was broken enough that Luke felt the need to save him. Their relationship grew from there, even though it was inevitable. Bound by Thorns gave me hope for the rest of the series. Two brothers left to go and I'm kind of looking forward to meeting them. Even though at least one of them is destined to be a heart breaker. 

I received Bound by Thorns in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads

I just love this flipping series!!! Before this series I had never read a shifter book about Dragons, I have tried to read others and they just don't compare. You don't have to read the previous books in the series to understand and love this book but it will give you some back story and insight. Luke is a park ranger and he loves it, he can be alone and he can shift to his dragon form. Greyson is an ex-soldier who rents a cabin in the forest, basically to kill himself because he feels like since he is no longer a soldier and is wounded he isn't ever going to be anything again. Luke checks up on Greyson, realizes he isn't prepared for the harsh winter and is on the verge of basically dying and he takes him home. These two have HOT chemistry and even hotter sex when they get to it. HOLY crap batman.....these two together are something else. I just love Luke's caring ways and I love how Greyson just accepts Luke and his dragon and doesn't blink an eye. I am shocked that we didn't see any of the brother from the previous books, there is a phone conversation but no meeting face to face or anything. The only thing I hated about this book was that at the end it said the next book in the series wouldn't be until NEXT year!!!

[Gowri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of a story at all!!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the least liked of the series so far. I'm still liking the set up but this book was just way to easy. Luke a park ranger saves Grey, a broken war vet. who has rented a very remote cabin in the middle a winter in his park. Grey has given up and just wants to be left alone and in comes Luke saying he's a dragon and his soul mate and bingo Grey believes with no problem. Nope sorry just can't like that very much. There's needs to be a little bit of " yeah you're nuts guy" from Grey.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ 3.5 Stars ~

Bound by Thorns is book three in the Dragon Souls series. There are five dragon brothers, each with an inherent elemental power and each looking for their soul mate. Each of these books can be read as standalones, but there is an overarching storyline which is embellished upon in each book.

I will say that this one was a mixed bag for me. It drags a bit to begin with, but once these two men are definitely established as a couple on the page, then things take off quite nicely. It helps that both of these men are so likable. When you appreciate the characters, then you are willing to compensate for the lack of witty repartee. This book is quintessential Sean Michael, and on that front, it hits a home run. It is romantic erotica at its finest. There is practically no angst, no cliffhangers or tears, but there is a solid connection between the main characters, and some very hot sex. If you read the first two books in the series, you will find out a little more of the process of what happens when dragons mate, which will explain a lot about the way Greyson reacts to Luke and why he needs what he does from the dragon.

Luke Beteferoce is a dragon. He’s lived and worked in the quiet of the forest for years. Even for a dragon, he tends to be a loner. He never expects to find his soul mate; after all, how could he in the frozen north of Canada? No one should be renting out cabins at this time of year; it’s too cold and barren in the forest. So why is there smoke coming from the most remote cabin of all? Frustrated, angry at the intrusion, and determined to get rid of whoever it is, Luke comes face to face with Greyson and is stunned by his attraction to the man.

Greyson Paulson is back from the war. Riddled with survivor’s guilt even though he was wounded to the point of never being able to walk without crutches again, Greyson has come to the wilderness to find peace and quiet for his mind and his soul and, probably, his body. He just never expected to find it in the arms of the hot park ranger who won’t leave him alone. Surviving winter was never his goal. But there is a magnetic pull to Luke, and submitting to the dragon feels like his destiny. Only, he’s never submitted to anyone before, and the things Luke says he wants to do to him leave him feeling unsure and full of trepidation.

The broken warrior is not a new theme for Michael. He writes them well and this time is no exception. The dragon theme is interesting and the overall storyline intriguing, with tattoos done by a random fae, and why all the brothers are finding their soul mates in such quick succession. It’s a good series for Sean Michael, and if you are a fan of his work, then this will work for you. Need some kinky dragon love in your life, with a HEA? Then this book is definitely for you!

Reviewed by Carrie for The Novel Approach

[F. Thot Fitzgerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first two in the series and thought maybe I was too harsh. So I tried again with the third. It’s longer and I had hoped it’d be better. I was wrong.

Overall, this novel did not meet my expectations. I wouldn’t recommend it. It seems like other people enjoyed, happy for them. I feel like I wasted my life.

Setting/world-building: 1/5
The author doesn’t have a setting. Truly, I cannot remember one moment where the landscape was described. Y’all, please note, that they’re in a forest. Yet, there are no descriptions of said forest. The characters mention the snow and forest but there isn’t any actual description. That goes for the cabins too. Also, re: magic and dragons. Nothing is explained. Honestly, you could read this and completely assume it wasn’t a paranormal romance. We have a book about dragon shifters that reads like a contemporary romance novel with no magic. 🙄

Character development: 1/5
There wasn’t a character arc or much of a change. It’s just a book of two men sexing it up. I expected hot,sweaty sex. I got mediocre sex. Also, there are no internal or external motivators. The characters don’t have any desires except for having sex. Mediocre sex. Lastly, we barely get any character descriptions and this dragon mate is also blonde/blue eyed. Every dragon mate in the series has been blonde and blue eyed, typically with long hair too. There’s a significant lack of character description. In fact, after reading the book I didn’t feel like I knew these characters. I don’t know their wants, their backstory, their personalities, etc. They could be any regular joe on the street.

One last point on characters, why is everyone obsessed with drinking milk? Literally every meal is served with a glass of homogenized milk. I gagged thinking of it. And every book in this series the MCs all drink milk. 🤢🤢🤢

Plot: 1/5
There is none. 🥸

Writing: 1/5
I did not enjoy the writing style. Some scenes read like a to-do list where every tiny action is narrated, for no reason. It makes reading the story boring. My imagination contributes nothing to this story.

Example-
“He gave Greyson his coffee, then changed out the container and stuck his own mug on the stand. Getting down a couple of plates, he dished up the eggs and sausages.”

This is one example, but the whole book is written like this. It’s like a diary, not a story. My imagination and I are disengaged.

Also, there’s a lack of descriptions using other senses besides sight. No descriptions re: smell, taste, sound or touch. You learn that things taste and smell good, but the actual taste/scent is never described. It’s like the only sense the narrator uses is sight. And the only time I recall touch being used to describe the scene was in reference to heat.

Diversity: 1/5
I didn’t finish this book so I’ll consider all three of the series I’ve read. Everyone is a white man. Either one with dark hair or blonde and blue eyes. Everyone. Literally everyone. Think about that. 🧐

[Beaumont · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

Greyson is an ex-soldier with physical and mental injuries from his service. He’s never had sex and he’s never kissed anyone (this is one of my least favorite tropes, but I decided to give it a shot since the last couple books in the series were fun).

The good:

Always happy to see a bit more of Shae and Jake (they’re still my favorite, though the first book overall is the roughest to read editing-wise).

I like that for the most part in these books there’s no abusive relationship happening masquerading as romance. The guys are always some degree of kinky but both partners take care of each other.

I really liked that Grey just believed Luke about being a dragon. He had been through too much (and saw actual sand monsters) to get worked up about that. I didn’t mind the denial phases in the first two books but it was nice to skip it this time.

I liked that Grey was aware of the whole dragon and soulmate thing before the bonding started officially. Again, I didn’t dislike that it happened by accident the last two books (I actually liked it quite a bit), but it was fun having this too. He does have some of the same hang ups Bryan had (“men don’t do that”).

I really appreciate these books celebrating being a sub and/or bottoming. A lot of books make everyone do all roles so that they appear equal and neither is “too queer” or “too feminine.” It’s got roots in misogyny and queerphobia and it sucks when that happens.


The less good:

The power of their sex and love and dragon magic end up magically fixing Grey’s physical injury and his PTSD, and includes things like offering cocoa and massage instead of pain pills for severe injuries. It rides the line of a magical dick fixing mental and physical health issues to make someone “whole.”

Still some inconsistencies (Luke said he didn’t really know what a bond entails, then later gives details about how things are with his brothers and their mates, stuff like that) and people not totally acting like people. The usual for this series but nothing brain-breaking.

“Stud” is less commonly used but there’s more of that weird shushing that happens during sex. I think it’s supposed to be a shyness thing? Bryan did it in book 2. Both guys are doing it in book 3, and Grey does it a LOT, sometimes 3x a page. It’s odd.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Dragon Soul series but can be read as a stand alone. This book is so hot & steamy, I really want my own dragon shifer *fans herself*.

Luke is a Park Ranger and a loner. So different from his other siblings, Luke likes the quiet comfort and solitude he finds in his mountains. Isolated in the mountains during the winter Luke is able to get a break from human contact and let his inner dragon free. When he notices smoke coming from what was supposed to be an abandoned cabin Luke goes to check things out. What he finds is a shell of a man, bent on getting drunk and slowly withering away to nothing in the middle of nowhere. When it is clear that the man can't be trusted to take care of himself Luke takes charge and drags the man back to his home until spring when they are able to get him out of the snowed in mountain.

Grey is ex-military who has escaped to the solitude of the mountain after a brutal near death injury. He is tired and ready to give up on life when a sexy Park Ranger takes control and removed Grey from the dangerous situation he has placed himself in. However the longer these two are in each other's presence the stronger the connection between them grows and soon the findthemselves all wound up in each others arms.

This book is a fast paced and steamy love story with a HEA. I received an eARC of this book compliments of the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. All ratings and opinions stated are my own.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really like these one. We have the story of Greyson, who is an ex-soldier who wants nothing but to be alone & Luke who is the Park Ranger who also wants nothing but to be alone. But then all of a sudden, he is willing to go with Luke & this is before there is any acknowledgement of the attraction between the two. He also turns into kind of a wimp IMO. His internal dialog did kind of got on my nerves at times. But Luke does make him feel whole, wanted & loved. As with the other books, there is a lot of eating, sleeping & sex. But in this story, that made sense as Grey had a lot of healing to do. He was seriously injured while in the service and has a very hard time getting around. I have a feeling that there is going to be some type of major battle, especially since Grey mention seeing something in the sand that no one else saw while he was stationed overseas. I still can't wait for Mark's story since he already had a soul mate whom he lost. Plus the Fae, I can't remember his name, stated that he only tattooed 4 soul mates & I can't wait to find out what that really means. I still wished there was someway that the "human" (they're not really human anymore) soul mates could transform into dragons, that would be so very cool. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

ARC rec'd from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

•´¸.•*´¨)FANTASY MIXED¸.•*¨)
ღ✿•*¨WITH PASSION.ღ✿•*¨

"Looks like we have electricity, as well as chemistry."

From the book that started all comes the third installment of the Beteferoce brothers. Five ancient dragon with powers that saved both them and their mates to be.

For Luke, he was a loner. Unlike his brothers, he sorted isolation. Becoming a park ranger kept him out of people's way. Until a bad winter brought ex soldier and veteran Greyson. "Now he had a soul mate to protect. Now he had a purpose."

Riddled with scars, Greyson only wanted to end it all. Seeking refuge in an isolated cabin, his solitude was interrupted by the gruff ranger. Getting Greyson to safety, Luke was determined to learn all his secrets. What Greyson received was a secret so big, so extraordinary that it would take more than the eyes and imagination to believe.

So far I am loving this even more. It seems the more author Sean Michael tells these tales, the more tempting they become and the more riddled it is with man love. Not complaining. My stars reflect my total enjoyment

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Netgalley.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I'm not sure that I understand which elemental power that Luke is associated with. And I don't see where the thorns of the title played into the story at all. If Luke is supposed to have a connection with the earth, it seemed very tenuous as compared to Jake and Deke's connection to their elements. Were the thorns supposed to refer to a connection to the earth? Were they metaphorical references to Grey's past?

I would have liked to have seen Grey and Luke explore Grey's potential magic more, especially if that magic were somehow connected to and enhanced by the dragon elemental magic.

I do like that each brother, and each soul mate, are unique and fully developed characters and that no two situations are the same. I loved the emotional development between Luke and Grey, and the sex was delightfully hot.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5

For the full review visit https://wp.me/p220KL-cAi

From that review: " The third in the Dragon Soul series which charts the journeys of the dragon Beteferoce brothers as they find their soul mates we come to the third and youngest brother, Luke Beteforoce.  A Park Ranger who isolates himself in the deep regions of the park he's assigned to, he's surprised to find someone in a cabin that should be empty for the winter, a person totally unprepared for the winter and bare conditions of the structure the man has rented.  Greyson, wounded, depressed, is giving up until a massive Park Ranger appears and makes saving him his  project."

Visit http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords... for more reviews and such.

[Andrae · Rating 2 out of 5]

He fed his soul mate, then he made love to him. Then he watched Grey sleep again. It was a constant cycle, but it felt right, felt like this was how it was supposed to happen.

NO NO NO

This was not how it was supposed to happen.

If you wanted a complete spoilery summary of this book. That quote is it.

That is the entire book.

I am not kidding.

This book was truly so fucking boring and stupid.

A complete snooze fest.

And on top of that the sex was bad.

This was my first little experiment reading erotica, or really any romance for that matter, and I HATED it.

AND the dialogue…

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHVPSDJAVSJWOMLWQ

[BookloverIAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series gets better with each book. Sean Michael is a wonderful writer who tells a compelling love story with beautiful details about the main characters surroundings, their physical descriptions, their past and present that so intimately entwine to sink/suck you into each story.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars

Bound by thorns is the third book in the Dragon Soul series and I must say so far it’s my favorite! I really fell in love with Luke and Grey. Their love is so sweet and pure. There’s plenty of hot sex too! I’m loving this series! I can’t recommend it enough!

[Sheilad37 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book in series. Wish there was more interaction with the other brothers. Stand alone read. Light on plot.

[Sarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Phoenix · Rating 2 out of 5]

Booooring. They never leave the cabin, and the few times they do, it's glossed over. 2 stars.

[Kobie · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't like this as much as the other 3 I've read.

[n · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was no conflict in this. At all. Except for some bickering at the beginning. But everything was consensual and I learned a lot about freezing milk.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Luke is my favourite brother so far.

[NeRdyWYRM · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is exactly what I expected from a Sean Michael title. Erotica with a side helping of romance. Very little plot. BUT THAT'S OKAY! Like I said, it's what I expected. I read book #1 in this series just to make sure I wasn't going to be missing anything dire if I skipped ahead to book #3, and of course, I skipped ahead and missed nothing but a lot of sex and I didn't get to find out about Deke and Bryan who I liked from book #1. I can always go back when I'm in the mood for some more erotica, so no biggie.

In a perfect world, the brothers would get all their matings out of the way in the first five books and then maybe we'd end up with some follow-ons about ancient feuding families or an evil fae or declining magic where they all had to use their good-guy, contributors-to-society mojo to overcome something along with their mates and allies, I don't know. But that probably won't happen, more's the pity. It would be good if it did though.

Back to this title. It was well-edited. There were some improvements from book #1 in that this one was much less repetitive. I got tired of hearing about steak, pizza, steak, steak and more steak, so thankfully Luke was into variety. There was a lot of sex, but again, I expected that. I do, however, detest when an author tries to convey a BDSM dynamic just by using nicknames like 'pet' or 'sir' or 'boy' and I kind of felt like that was the case here. There's some light stuff, but nothing I would have expected from the dragon brothers.

They're all centuries- or millennia-old Doms with uncountable years of experience with subs and yet, it wasn't very D/s. Kinky, sure. Toys, restraints, spanking, edging, C&B play, that kind of thing was all present. Hardcore BDSM? Nah. Still, I liked it. It was a one-hander on more than one occasion. Some people won't like the lack of a tangible plot beyond the mating process—because that's really what this boils down to—but I don't care. Like I said, it's what I expected going in. It was Sean Michael, and as always, that's what was delivered.

An ARC of Bound by Thorns (Dragon Soul #3) provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

[Jessie H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book of the series so far. Still no overall plot but this one kind of read like a slice-of-life fanfic that focused on the characters and the romance. I can get behind that.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, when I started reading these books, I was a little excited, because Sean Michael, right? But I was also a little bit on the fence about the whole dragon shifter thing. But I have to say, I am loving these books more and more with each new release.

And I was really impressed with this novel! In the previous books in this series, the characters had a little chemistry and connection, but I didn't feel like the focus was on their emotional bond so much as it was about physically bonding and cramming as much smutty goodness into 200 pages as is possible, but this book brought it to a completely different level.

Luke is by far my favorite of the five brothers thus far, and for a good reason. He's all fucking heart. He's the mushy teddy bear brother that all of the other ones made fun of growing up but you know he's got the biggest heart and he looked out for everyone because he does the same thing with his mate. I also really liked Greyson, which was a surprise to me.

In most books where there's a "hero"-like character that falls in love with the "damsel"-like character, I end up disliking the "damsel" so to speak because they're written poorly and often seem like a weak character, but Greyson could give as good as he got. He was still upset about things that had happened in his life and he did go to the winter woods to die alone, but he didn't fight Luke when he wanted to keep checking up on him. Greyson wanted to live.

And though he took his time settling in, once he was settled, he didn't take no shit from Luke. Even though Luke was a dragon shifter and very obviously bigger than him, he didn't let him overpower him. They were equals in every sense, and I think a lot of that had to do with Luke's caring nature. Luke was interested in Greyson's body, but he was also interested in his mind and his wellbeing and making sure that he was content and happy where he was.

Everything about this book was good. It's by far the best in the series and if these books keep improving like this, Sean Michael is going to have an amazing series in this. I would definitely recommend this book, but it should not be read as a standalone, FYI. There's a lot of customs and quirky things about dragon shifters that Michael wrote about in detail in the first two books that were left out of this one because it's assumed that the reader has read them already.

Amazing book, can't wait to get my hands on the next one!



Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.