Declan: Heart of a Tiger

Royal Taiga Streak #1

by J.R. Loveless

Will the truth bring them together, or tear them apart?

When a battered shifter rescued from a lifetime of trauma ends up as the top tiger’s mate, Declan is faced with possible war. With his nephew safe, and a new mate to secure, he should be focused on them. Instead he’s facing a challenge that will end up changing everything, or his death.

Sean grew up in a cage never dreaming of freedom, until the chance to save another brings him into the light. Now he’s met a man he can’t imagine living without. Only they both face a trial neither of them may survive. Can love give them the strength to win?

This is Book One in the series and while the MCs do receive their happy ending, there is an overall story arc which must be read in order to enjoy the story. Each book will feature its own main couple.

Content advisory warning: off page non-con, violence, child abuse, and PTSD. (Please use "Look Inside" feature on Amazon before purchase/download.)

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal, Gay, Dark, M M Paranormal

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2020

About the author

J.R. Loveless began her adventure in writing romance at the young age of twelve. Her foray into creating her own worlds and telling her characters’ life stories was triggered by her own love of reading. She currently resides in South Florida with her dog and two cats, volunteers for an animal rescue in her spare time, and works as a manager for a financial lending institute. Someday she hopes to begin writing as a full-time career and bringing more of her ideas to life.

Her journey into gay romance began in 2005 when she began posting her original fiction on a forum for feedback and readers’ pleasure. In 2010, a good friend urged her to submit to a publishing company, and the day she received the acceptance and contract was the best day of her life. Since then, she has been noted to be one of the most purchased audio books after Fifty Shades of Grey on Audiobook.com, received best gay romantic fiction for Touch Me Gently in the 2011 TLA Gaybies, and even received an award for Chasing Seth in 2012.

J.R. adores her fans and loves hearing from them.

Please subscribe to her website for Newsletters, Blog Post updates, and more! Receive a free short friends to lovers novelette titled White Rain just for subscribing! www.jrloveless.com

Also, if you're on Facebook, her reader group receives exclusive first looks, exclusive WIP snippets, and general interaction with polls, questions, pics, and even some giveaways! http://www.facebook.com/groups/justre...

Reviews

[Jinx]

😑 I’m so tired of fated mate equaling dub-con. How can someone who has spent what felt like the entirety of their life being abused in unimaginable ways and watching others be raped and abused as well be healed enough mentally to consent to sex with someone just because fate deemed it so.

I’m not talking about months or years after being rescued I’m talking about days, DAYS!! Sean wasn’t in full control of himself but Declan was, at least until he wasn’t leading him to “claiming” Sean in public no less. 😒

After that I had no choice but to bow out because although I know one should never put a time frame on someone’s healing It still didn’t feel like enough time had passed to where I felt comfortable to continue reading. 😕

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one tore my heart out, threw it on the ground & jump up & down on it. Sean has been held captive & physically abused since he can remember, by his father. He is chained to a wall in the basement. He has never been allowed to shift either. His father kidnaps & abuses other shifter children, physically & sexually, and locks them in cages. When they die, Sean is the one that has to bury their bodies in the back yard. Sean does everything he can to protect the children, even taking beatings on their behalf. When he helps the newest shifter child to escape, he knows this is the last for him & that his father will end up killing him. The little one runs back to his streak, never knew that is was a group of tigers are called, & tells his Uncle Declan, who is the Alpha, about Sean and the ones being held captive & leads him back to the house. Declan knows that his nephew has been near his mate as he can smell him on Ronnie. Declan ends up saving Sean & the kids. With all the abuse that Sean went through, he knows that Declan will never hurt him and he helps Sean to start to heal, both physically & emotionally. We find out the reasoning why Sean is unable to shift & the witch that put him in that position. We also find out the truth behind Sean's father. I can't wait for the next book in the series as there is something evil coming, plus we have other characters in this series that need to find their true mates. And there is a story behind Doc & who I believe is his true mate. The book kept me on the edge of my seat & will be one that I will read multiple times.

ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews in exchange for an honest review.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out so intense. Poor Sean, he's just never had a chance. His "father" has kept him in a basement for years, and periodically brings in more kids. And, as you can guess, nothing good ever happens. One day, though, something special happens, and a little boy gets taken, and Sean discovers that the new little boy can escape, and not only that, he is from closeby. So, away he goes. And he brings back his uncle, Declan.

I really loved both Sean and Declan. Sean is so much stronger than anyone knows and he manages to survive and not just survive but also protect many other people too. I really just wanted to hug him and protect him because he really needed all that love.

I think that Declan is all kinds of protective, and he really does care very much for all his people.

[P Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one emotional story, so keep those tissues at hand because you’ll definitely need them.

There were many heart wrenching moments in this story. Sweet, beautiful Sean had a heart of gold and it shined like a beacon. Love and kindness literally pored out of him whether it was towards the young ones or ones that hurt him. I welled up on many occasions for everything he went through and the horrific and traumatising things he saw.

Declan was protective, caring and attentive. I loved how he was always at hand to help his fragile mate. He was patient and never hesitated to remind Sean how beautiful and worthy he was.

Fantastic book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

NOTE: please check the warning list at the end of the blurb; the issues covered might be triggers for some.

I’ve read this book countless times and I still cry my eyes out!

[Barbara➰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out rough for me. I don't care for sexual abuse, and while Sean didn't suffer the sexual abuse, others in the story did. It was hard to read what they went through even without that. Sean's life was heartbreaking.

But, for me, that aside, it took me forever to finish this. I put it down, read something else for a while then picked it back up again. It was too drawn out. A lot of repetition, and scenes I found unnecessary. That being said, I will try the next one when it comes out. There's a few side characters I'm interested in.

[Coline Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! From the first page to the last I couldn't hardly put it down because I had to know how this captivating, mind grabbing, emotional filled tale played out. Whether it made me cry over how these shifters were treated, cheer when they were saved, or sigh happily at the way the events played out I thoughly enjoyed this fast paced well written shifter romance.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.75 stars

I dig shifter stories and was quick to pick this one up. But I have to say, I finished this one with mixed feelings. Even though I’m definitely looking forward to what happens next in the series, I did have some issues with this book.

Sean has a huge heart and a kind soul, which is saying something considering the way he was raised. The abuse he and many other shifter children have suffered is unconscionable. But he’s done his best to take care of the other kids, keep them as safe as possible, and lay their bodies to rest when he couldn’t stop Carl. He’s had little exposure to the outside world, apart from occasional TV, but he has an innate intelligence that helps him learn quickly. He doesn’t understand about mates, but he feels the pull to Declan and finds it easy to trust the man.

Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sean has been held captive for most of his life by a man who calls himself his father. His father has been kidnapping and torturing/abusing shifter children for as long as he can remember. When he helps one child escape, he expects to be killed not rescued and his tormentor killed. Declan is the Alpha of the Royal Tiaga streak and a tiger shifter. He instantly recognizes that Sean is his mate. He has his hands full as they try to identify the children that were rescued with Sean and the bodies of those that didn’t make it. He also has to try and help Sean adjust to his new life and help him find his shifted form since he has never been allowed to shift before. My heart absolutely broke for Sean as he struggles with his feelings of inadequacy and shame at what he has been through. He has major trauma to try and overcome but he has Declan by his side every step of the way. Declan also has trouble realizing that something so horrible has been just outside the edge of his clan’s lands. This is such a sweet story as these two explore their growing love and as they prepare for the repercussions of what has happened. These two are so sweet together. Sean is so strong and innocent all at the same time. I look forward to the unraveling of the mystery that is being set up. They have a HFN but there is definitely conflict heading their way in the upcoming books in this series. I look forward to reading them all!

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at around 30% I can't do it anymore

[Eileen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 33%
Second attempt with the author failed. I actually think the beginnings are quite good. After that it really starts.
Declan is insensitive as fuck. It's all about him. He takes everything a b s o l u t e l y personal. Poor Alpha, poor Baby with your fragile ego, have your little Alpha feelings been hurt... 🥺🙄🤮?
Sorry bro, it's not about you right now. So be quiet... 😡😤
Especially because Sean has been abused his whole life, had to see other children been raped, abused and killed by his "father", only to have to bury them himself. And so much worse.
So Declan, you have no right to be offended, because Sean doesn't jump this first sec on your manhood, but is scared and unsure of this situation and himself. He doesn't know you... 😡😤🖕🏻
It's not about you right now, Declan. You, insensitive, unempathetic and disgusting as fuck shifter ?! 😤🤮🤦🏻‍♀️
And how can you even write such a love interest and think his actions are good, healthy and natural? 🤮🤮🤮
And right now the sex scene at 32%. Wtf?
Sean associates sex with violence. What does Declan do? He goes into "mating fever", doesn't ask for Sean's consent, and rapes him !!! 🤮🤮🤮
The young man, who doesn't know the difference between rape and sex, is forced to have his first time sex with his mate on a cold random table. In his doctor's office. Need I say more? I get the cold puke. I thought I were in the wrong movie... 🤮🤮🤮
Not even a relatively okay-ish storyline can save this story to be good, readable or enjoyable. At least it's not as disgusting as Seth's story by the author, in which she proves to support racist ideas, Macho Alphas, toxic masculinity, animal cruelty as a dramatic effect, and even more insensitivity. My last book by the author... 🤮🤮🤮

What I think is quite scary too... Are the numerous positive reviews! Guys, this is not normal and healthy behaviour! No one should be coerced into sex in this way! It's your choice, you definitely have to give your consent and nobody has the right to take advantage of your vulnerability! Declan is insensitive, too pushy, thinks only about himself and not about Sean's mental and physical well being! 😳😳😳

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was brutal. Truly. With an opening scene as dark as the one we got I was worried about the trajectory, that an average length novel could provide the turnaround necessary to believe in a love between fated mates and a healing of the soul. There were some issues with Declan's actions throughout, but for the most part, the author did a really wonderful job at showing Sean's gradual development and blossoming into a wonderfully sweet alpha-mate and the family members that banded around him giving him strength and a sense of belonging.

Sean was the star of the story as were all the other victims that grew and thrived under the loving conditions of the streak that rescued them. Declan was a pretty good match and he had his really great moments, but I can't say I was a fan of withholding information and the scene in the doctor's office was super sketch because of it. Those two things combined into something that made me uncomfortable. Declan's inability to keep a cool head got in the way of his perception and intuition at times, but overall his loving care of Sean and his utter devotion to him swung my affections in his favor by the end.

As for world building, there's a complex hierarchy not only within the streak but between them and various groups of shifters and while it could have become quite confusing, it was handled simply so we didn't get bogged down in the details. Things really started to ramp up near the end and the prophecy is both interesting and foreboding enough to have me eager for the next book in the series. There are some truly intriguing side characters that I'm really looking forward to seeing how they get their own happy ending with their mates.

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pulse-pounding, heart wrenching, sweet start (yes, it was all that and more) to what is looking to be a must-read series

This does start on a tragic note but rest assured it is part of the deeper storyline not just random violence for shock value.
I have a sneaking suspicion there is a darker force directing the horror show. A few clues are dropped here and there and some of the events reinforce that suspicion.

Sean is innocence and hope personified. Where he finds the strength to forgive is beyond me. He is all heart and nurture.
I wanted to roll him up in bubble wrap and keep him safe
Declan is the alpha of the Taiga Streak and he might actually be worse than me when it comes to the bone-deep need to protect Sean

I am not sure how to describe everything without giving spoilers
This is an MM shifter, mage, romantic suspense (non mpreg).
It ticked all the boxes for me
A bit of darkness
That strong emotional connection that comes from family, pack
Those subtle twists and hints of danger that bring the reader to the edge of suspense
And the sweetest romance (seriously loved the connection between these two) that will melt your heart

The author did a great job of introducing the characters and bringing the world she created to technicolor. The story flows easily centering on Sean and Declan while in the background building the long-running plot and introducing. Really enjoyed the strong secondary characters (who obviously will play major roles in future episodes) There was a couple scene/plot errors but nothing that will alter how you perceive the events of the story.

And I am looking forward to finding out what caused the cliffy we were are left hanging on ...

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good/horrible start to the story with Sean held captive and being abused along with others. Sean's life in the balance Declan does the only thing to save his fated mate. Sean has learn all about shifters because of his captivity, but there’s one thing Declan was holding back not telling him.
I feel I've read this before but don’t know how. Sean was not dealing with the collar stopping from moving into his animal form. A good shifter romance and its not without its problems and dramas. Includes trauma with emotions for the children that didn’t get away. The ending for the story with a HEA.
Sean was 21 he had never shifted into his animal form being held captive by his horrible father (understatement there). Sean helped a kidnapped cub escape he knew he would pay with his life. Alpha Declan wanted little Ronnie found. But when Ronnie returns for help for Sean and the others they jump into action without a second to spare .

[Susan Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention right away. Action filled the pages up with mistreated shifters and a hero who saves the day. Declan meets his fated mate Sean who has been kept captive for years. There are so many things Sean has missed by being locked up by a crazy human. Declan and Sean slowly build their relationship, but then there was a lull in the story and im actually going to say there could have been a couple less sex scenes. Im all for steamy romance but it seemed like at one part of the book there was too many in a row. It needed the characters to have a little more story in those areasir cut a scene or two.

I loved Declan as the Alpha. Sean was a sweet character. The abusive background of his life was awful. Good story. I love shifter books. This one i really enjoyed. 4 stars. I detracted one star for the area that could have been omitted to make story move along and yeah Declan calling Sean "baby" and "sexy" got annoying after a while.

[Siobhan Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how my heart absolutely broke for Sean and everything he endured, he showed so much resilience and strength. Alpha Declan is upset after learning his nephew Robbie was taken but after he is found he races to the rescue where he was held captive and lo and behold finds his mate at death's door. The journey is problematic and fraught with sadness because Sean knows nothing about mating and how the world really works. The pack was warm and welcoming and everyone of them was nice and didn't hold anything against Sean. Declan was patient and understanding but had trouble in helping the abused cubs as he didn't know how to help them deal with their grief. So many interesting characters to be explored and the darkness that draws closer seems like it pull be a big bad to rip everyone apart. Great world building and an intriguing plot with so much potential for the series.

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family of the heart

When his nephew Robbie went missing Declan, Alpha of the Royal Taiga Streak could never of imagined what was to follow. When Robbie suddenly some hours after his disappearance appeared panicked and covered in a delicious scent, he told them that he had been snatched by a man and taken to a cabin where there were other captives and how one of them had helped him escape.
Sean has been collared and chained in the cabin for years and true his best to care for the other younger captives, he has taken a big risk helping Robbie escape but it's the only hope for the others to be rescued!
This story is compelling and a page turner, a shifter story at its very best!. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the second book.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shifter Sean has had a terrible upbringing until he is rescued by tiger Alpha Declan and his streak.

Sean broke my heart. I loved the way Declan was with him. He was caring and patient with was really sweet to watch. Sean has so much to learn. I enjoyed watching him exploring his new free world.

The tension and fallout from the kidnappings grows while Declan tries to hold it all together.

A story of pain, loss, hope and healing. Family and acceptance.

I look forward to book 2.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story! Your heart will break for Sean and all the other children and you will want someone to come help them and do some real damage to their abuser/murderer. Declan finds out about what is going on and comes to the rescue in true alpha shifter style. We have lots of plot threads weaving around in addition to Sean and Declan and their fated mates one. The author has set up a very interesting world with wheels within wheels that will be explored in future books. I love the set up, the romance is steamy and I am very much looking forward to more books in the series.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan - Heart of a Tiger

I found this book by accident whilst looking for another and after reading the first chapter on Amazon via 'look inside' I had to buy it to find out what happened next, I was not disappointed (well I was, but only because there wasn't a second book available yet 😁). There is a trigger warning on the book so check that out first but I highly recommend this story, I like the plot and the way the characters are written. The MCs get their HEA and I can't wait to continue the story in the next book.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional story for sure. Sean had a monster for a father, kidnapping kid shifters and torturing them for years while Sean also suffered and had to take care of them. I loved he was Declan’s. Awesome heart and bravery but lack of self confidence while Declan was a sweetheart to him showing him the ropes. All the ropes 💚💙 I love shifters stories and their soulmates. This one checks all my cases.

[Shawn Cha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book was just so heartbreaking. In most book you read it’s so short that the MC always get over things so fast but in reality we know that years of abuse doesn’t go away so easily and it’s like a process of learning to find and love yourself again. To see all the horror Sean had to go through broke my heart. Some parts of the book was dark and realistic so I give that a 5.

[Sammy Goode · Rating 4 out of 5]

All his life all Sean had known was pain and heartache. Being held captive, in chains, in his father's basement, watching one shifter child after another being abducted and some beaten to death before his very eyes, life took on a kind of warped balance. Sean needed to stay alive in order to take care of those who were with him and also caged and often abused but he longed for death to put him out of his own misery. When a young boy is brought to the basement Sean cannot allow more death to happen and so he helps young Ronnie escape but not before he extracts a promise from the young boy to get his Alpha, Uncle Declan, to help them.

When Declan runs to pick up and hug the returning Ronnie he is shocked to smell his mate all over the boy. Without a moment to lose, he gets to the house where Sean is being held but he might be too late. Sean has been beaten for allowing Ronnie to escape and is near death. It will take an unbreakable bond of Declan's blood to sustain Sean and save him.

J.R.Loveless has released the first in a new series and it promises to be quite exciting, With incredible emotion and stark description we learn of how abused Sean and the others with him have been and watch as their lives change for the good. But memories haunt them all and life is not magically okay once they are in Declan's streak. First off Sean is wearing a collar that both prevents him from shifting and from properly healing. Once that is off it's anyone's guess as to what kind of shifter Sean is, if he will be able to shift at all and just how painful and dangerous it will be to him. Then there are the bodies buried in the yard of the house where they were all kept and trying to discover just whose children they are. Plus those who return with Sean still don't know who their parents are or even if they will want them back.

There are so many layers to this book--it is incredible and that doesn't even begin to unpack what the "coming danger" is that still lurks out there waiting to descend. While Dec and Sean get their happy ever after, this is definitely a cliff hanger ending and it really whet my appetite for the next installment. I did feel that there is an awful lot of page time spent by various characters reassuring Sean he is worthy of all that is happening to him after he is rescued and that tended to get repetitive. However, other than that I have to admit this story is pretty riveting and definitely captured my full attention. I loved how kind and considerate Declan is to Sean--not your typical rough alpha yet still a strong man nonetheless. Their love story is definitely a highlight of the book.

For thse needing a paranormal fix and willing to endure the wait and see aspect of the novel at the end then this story is a perfect match.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book one of a series, and the larger plot, of a conspiracy against shifters, is intriguing enough that I'm invested in reading future installments. The overall world building, with shifters from different species and a complicated network of clans, is developed with detail and care. My one caveat with this story concerns the central romance. At 21, Sean is the oldest survivor of a human who captured and tortured shifter children. Declan is the alpha of the nearby clan, a tiger shifter who knows on first sight (smell?) that Sean is his mate. He rescues Sean and the others, which is good. And then he... *spoiler warning* conceals from Sean that they're mates because that will somehow 'protect' him (usually, when people withhold vital information, it's about control, not protection) and then sexually bonds with Sean in a 'mating fever' before he can obtain Sean's informed consent. I didn't love that a character who's been through as much trauma as Sean has was subjected to that, or the way that after the fact he was sort of fine with not having the understanding, or choice, before Declan literally pounces on him and seals the deal. Declan talks a lot about how Sean is worthy and equal to his role of 'alpha mate' but his actions don't always respect Sean's autonomy, and honestly, given the details of Sean's past, I also didn't love how the character lingers on the "caveman thrill" he gets from being Sean's only sexual partner. I get the "protective alpha" archetype, but Declan crossed a few too many lines for my comfort. While I didn't love Declan as a partner for Sean, I did really like a lot of the supporting characters, particularly Sean's fellow captives and adopted family, as well as the various members of Declan's clan that work to make them feel at home in their new environment. I have nothing but respect for Sean: he's kind, resilient, and capable of facing every challenge thrown his way, and while he's marked by the trauma of his past he never gives up-- definitely hero material.

* I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan: Heart of a Tiger is the first book in the Royal Taiga Streak by author J.R. Loveless. This story is told in dual POV and I felt it really needed that perspective. This story is not a light and fluffy read. It deals with some issues that are pretty heavy. The abuse in the first part of the book against children can be a trigger for sensitive readers.

Sean has survived being beaten, chained up, forced to watch things no kid should ever see. He has retained his kindness, love, and to put others before himself. He is an omega who has no clue what animal he is, he was never allowed to shift.

I personally felt Sean’s pain and joys in this book. He has many layers and is very well developed.

Declan is an Alpha. When one of his pack children goes missing he is worried. When they come back smelling of his mate he is determined to find his mate before it is too late. A tiger shifter in charge of a Streak. He can be ruthless, but he is also loving and kind.

I loved Declan he is a great mate and even better friend to have.

This story is really well done. It is a heavy read, but I am excited to see where this series goes next. I will be following it and finding out what happens next.



Five Shooting Stars

[Levi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giga eyeroll!

This story shouldn't had been written as it is now...! It was promising, than Declan happened, with his pushy behavior his obsession with sex! I can't believe this character had been invented...it speaks volumes of the author's state of mind/talent (or lack of it).

I get the concept of a smut! i do, i try to avoid with all cost but that not always possible! But this book though...! It's so wrong in so many levels...! Just no...!

I do not recommend! it's awful!

DNF at 38%

[LWM · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHOA - if you're adversely affected by angst; severe child, psychological & physical abuse, and heavy emotional trauma, this book isn't for you.

Sean is a young shifter who has never shifted, prevented from doing so by magic and an immovable collar he has always worn. He believes he is the son of a despicable, sadistic human, Carl McNeely, who has imprisoned, chained, or caged all the other young shifter children he's kidnapped, tortured, and abused, hiding them from the outside world in his cemented basement, along with Sean, his alleged son. Sean sacrifices and intervenes as much as he's able to keep damage to the other children to a minimum, but is unable to prevent fatalities or maiming and torturous abuse to the other captives. He steadfastly buried the ones he was unable to protect, never forgetting every name, age, or individual details of all fourteen shifter children who perished at the hands of Carl. When Carl takes Alpha Declan's nephew, Sean manages to set Ronnie free to retrieve his Uncle and enforcers to save the five others still kept prisoner with him, believing and accepting that he's going to be certainly killed for his betrayal.

Sean does survive, and meets Ronnie's uncle who happens to be not just the Alpha, but Sean's dates lifemate. The storyline and plot are captivating, but as mentioned earlier, is filled with very moving scenes as the survivors and Sean run the gamut of feelings, anguish, and torturous memories, especially Sean. He's forever earned the others' devotion and trust through his endeavors to keep them as safe as he could, and caring for them when they were savagely hurt; however, no one has ever shown Sean the tenderness, love and gentleness that Declan demonstrates, and he is confused and insecure about being the center of Declan's world. Here's this strong, gorgeous and powerful Alpha treating and looking at him as though he were precious and equally as beautiful, and Sean doesn't understand how Declan would want someone who was uneducated, unskilled, and utterly helpless in the face of technology, modern conveniences, ideas, and other things that he's never been exposed to. Our story ends on a slight cliffhanger, but Sean's reunited with his parents and younger brother, and learns why he ended up being taken and tortured . So yes, while I loved the plotline and outcome, I've got issues about a book cover misrepresenting any of the main characters. Declan is described as having bright green eyes and silky, long blond hair. The cover depicts a muscular male with ahort, dark hair and eyes. As Sean is undernourished and therefore skinny, he couldn't be the guy on the cover, especially since he also has bright, deep sapphire blue eyes. I hate when the marketing is so far removed from the actual book details. Unprofessional to say the least, so, a two star deduction.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rescue mission brings you to your True Mate. Now can you save him, too?

What a stunning start to a new series! The characters come alive; the world is vibrant. Yes, there is past abuse, rape & murder. Shifter violence, and witchery. There is also courage, innocence, loyalty, heartbreak, and reunions. Held captive his entire life and not allowed to shift, Sean has tried to protect the other stolen shifter children; burying them when it wasn't enough. Helping the newest boy escape was all he could do, hoping against hope that he would send help to rescue the six of them who were left alive. Declan is Alpha of his streak. When he mounts a rescue, he finds his True Mate, dying. Wouldn't you do anything to save your mate? As Sean learns about the world, and finally gets to embrace his inner animal, a threat arises that threatens everything he & Declan hold dear. This is a cliffhanger. There is a HFN. I can't wait for the next book!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing!! Sean has been held captive for most of his young life trying to protect other young shifters from his ruthless father. When his father brings home another young boy to terrorize, he helps him to escape and bring back help. Declan is the Alpha of the young boy that escaped, and Sean’s fated mate. He rescues the young man and all the other shifters who have been held captive. This was a fantastic story with some awesome world building!! Get ready for an emotional ride, you won’t regret it! I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[RACHEL REED · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was such am emotional and heartfelt read.
Keep the tissues handy because you'll definitely need them for this one.

This is book 1 in the series and can be read as a standalone.
A great start to an amazing series!

Seeing Sean emotionally and physically abused by his father no less was absolutely heartwrenching.
How he had to deal with his father harming the other shifter children was absolutely abhorrent.

Sean was such a well fleshed out and engaging character.
I didn't expect this one to be so dark but I enjoyed it anyways.

Read the trigger warnings before heading into this one.

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovable life mates

If I were to sum up Sean in one word, it’d be resilient. His capacity to love, care and forgive blew me away but oh his past devastated and enraged me. I really want to hug him and feed him all the chocolate and ice cream he can handle. I’m so happy he has Declan—and some very special others—to protect, spoil, adore and love him. Featuring lots of hurt/comfort, the beginnings of an intriguing mystery and a delightful cast of characters, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to seeing how everything plays out in this world.