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Blood of the Forgotten
He’s lived in the shadows his whole life. She’s losing herself to them.
Hutch is a hunter who knows every dark corner of the underground world and has the scars to prove it. Hayden has no past, her mind fraying under the grip of a demon that threatens to erase her entirely. When their paths collide, survival demands an uneasy alliance. But the deeper they go into a world run by demons and a sinister crime lord, the harder it becomes to ignore the fragile bond pulling them together—a bond that might save them… or destroy them both.
Hutch is a hunter who knows every dark corner of the underground world and has the scars to prove it. Hayden has no past, her mind fraying under the grip of a demon that threatens to erase her entirely. When their paths collide, survival demands an uneasy alliance. But the deeper they go into a world run by demons and a sinister crime lord, the harder it becomes to ignore the fragile bond pulling them together—a bond that might save them… or destroy them both.
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Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 3, 2025
While this is a story about literal demons that inhabit people and try to take over their bodies to murder and cause mayhem, this is also a story about the psychological demons that haunt people from their past trauma.
Hutch is essentially a demon hunter that works for a Mafia style boss. With a difficult past and emotional walls that he uses to keep everyone else out, he finds himself having to work with Hayden to complete his latest mission.
Hayden has been infected by a Forgotten, demons that fight to take over human bodies to commit murder and other unsavory deeds. With no memory of her past and a constant battle to keep the demon from taking control, she finds herself with no real options but to work with the demon hunter that just might have to kill her.
When they are forced to work together they have to learn to trust the other, and at the same time they just might help each do some healing from their own scars and trauma. That is, if the secrets between them dont destroy the fragile bond they have built.
I am absolutely in love with Hutch. If you like your book boyfriends strong but a little broken, broody with a secret soft side, then you will love him too.
Hayden is an awesome FMC. Even though she doesn't remember who she is and anything much about her past, she is mentally tough and draws a line when it comes to what she thinks is right.
This one really pulled at my heartstrings and the ending left me hurting but hopeful. I am 100% going to need the next book ASAP! I need some resolution and I need to know what happens next for Hayden and Hutch.
Thank you to JM Cavender for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with Hutch and Rily.
Hutch is essentially a demon hunter that works for a Mafia style boss. With a difficult past and emotional walls that he uses to keep everyone else out, he finds himself having to work with Hayden to complete his latest mission.
Hayden has been infected by a Forgotten, demons that fight to take over human bodies to commit murder and other unsavory deeds. With no memory of her past and a constant battle to keep the demon from taking control, she finds herself with no real options but to work with the demon hunter that just might have to kill her.
When they are forced to work together they have to learn to trust the other, and at the same time they just might help each do some healing from their own scars and trauma. That is, if the secrets between them dont destroy the fragile bond they have built.
I am absolutely in love with Hutch. If you like your book boyfriends strong but a little broken, broody with a secret soft side, then you will love him too.
Hayden is an awesome FMC. Even though she doesn't remember who she is and anything much about her past, she is mentally tough and draws a line when it comes to what she thinks is right.
This one really pulled at my heartstrings and the ending left me hurting but hopeful. I am 100% going to need the next book ASAP! I need some resolution and I need to know what happens next for Hayden and Hutch.
Thank you to JM Cavender for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. I really enjoyed this book and fell in love with Hutch and Rily.
November 6, 2025
baby’s first ARC read ✔️
this book was my first full-blown novel in the realm of paranormal/supernatural romance, and i have to say, i liked it more than i was expecting to. i do have to caution a disclaimer that to me, this read as more of a supernatural lit-fic with a subplot of romance. even so, as someone who does primarily read romance, i thoroughly enjoyed the story.
i am such a sucker for an MMC with a tortured past, so i of course was hooked with Hutch right away. i was also really impressed with Hayden’s character because she didn’t let her memory loss or the fact that she was literally demon-possessed put a tamper on her sass or wit which i absolutely loved.
as for the actual storyline, the beginning of the book did kind of leave me wanting more. i think we really could have benefitted from a prologue from Hutch’s perspective - even after getting the blurb from Tenebrae - or at least a more introductory style opening to the book. the opening we did get felt almost rushed to me (?), as if the writing style we saw there was something that would come immediately after we had a chance to familiarize ourselves with the characters.
however, i think the author’s method of just chucking us straight into the story was useful in preparing us for what to expect. i also have to say that all of the action in the story was so perfectly timed and structured, with buildup given in just the right amount for each event. really looking forward to seeing how the story will continue and the fate of our main characters!
this book was my first full-blown novel in the realm of paranormal/supernatural romance, and i have to say, i liked it more than i was expecting to. i do have to caution a disclaimer that to me, this read as more of a supernatural lit-fic with a subplot of romance. even so, as someone who does primarily read romance, i thoroughly enjoyed the story.
i am such a sucker for an MMC with a tortured past, so i of course was hooked with Hutch right away. i was also really impressed with Hayden’s character because she didn’t let her memory loss or the fact that she was literally demon-possessed put a tamper on her sass or wit which i absolutely loved.
as for the actual storyline, the beginning of the book did kind of leave me wanting more. i think we really could have benefitted from a prologue from Hutch’s perspective - even after getting the blurb from Tenebrae - or at least a more introductory style opening to the book. the opening we did get felt almost rushed to me (?), as if the writing style we saw there was something that would come immediately after we had a chance to familiarize ourselves with the characters.
however, i think the author’s method of just chucking us straight into the story was useful in preparing us for what to expect. i also have to say that all of the action in the story was so perfectly timed and structured, with buildup given in just the right amount for each event. really looking forward to seeing how the story will continue and the fate of our main characters!
November 27, 2025
“...no one is purely good or bad. There are so many layers to a person. We are complex creatures, and I think that’s what makes us beautiful.”
This novel is a paranormal, urban fantasy that explores the resilience of a good soul in the midst of evil and darkness. The story opens with a demon-possessed FMC, Hayden, being hunted by the demon hunter MMC, Hutch. What should have been an enmity becomes an alliance as both Hutch and Hayden search for the elusive Eric Allen and at the same time, protecting his family from the clutches of the mafia-like LSSO. The alliance is not without its romantic tension as both characters fight the growing attraction between them - an attraction that Hutch fights because he doesn’t fully trust Hayden to fight the demon trying to take her over.
The novel has several twists and turns that constantly keep you guessing. Just as you finally reach some conclusion, a new revelation comes along that shatters whatever it was that you guessed before. The novel’s rollercoaster ride reflects the rollercoaster of emotions and struggles within Hayden. Overly conscious of the demon inside her, she fights the evil within, constantly trying to overcome the Forgotten. Hayden’s fight against the demon and to recollect her lost memories reflects the human struggle to overcome trauma and the brain’s protective mode of forgetting. In this sense, the Forgotten is not just the demon trying to possess Hayden but also the memories that she can’t quite remember.
Be ready for more surprises. More revelations. More twists and turns. The Blood of the Forgotten is definitely one interesting ride.
This novel is a paranormal, urban fantasy that explores the resilience of a good soul in the midst of evil and darkness. The story opens with a demon-possessed FMC, Hayden, being hunted by the demon hunter MMC, Hutch. What should have been an enmity becomes an alliance as both Hutch and Hayden search for the elusive Eric Allen and at the same time, protecting his family from the clutches of the mafia-like LSSO. The alliance is not without its romantic tension as both characters fight the growing attraction between them - an attraction that Hutch fights because he doesn’t fully trust Hayden to fight the demon trying to take her over.
The novel has several twists and turns that constantly keep you guessing. Just as you finally reach some conclusion, a new revelation comes along that shatters whatever it was that you guessed before. The novel’s rollercoaster ride reflects the rollercoaster of emotions and struggles within Hayden. Overly conscious of the demon inside her, she fights the evil within, constantly trying to overcome the Forgotten. Hayden’s fight against the demon and to recollect her lost memories reflects the human struggle to overcome trauma and the brain’s protective mode of forgetting. In this sense, the Forgotten is not just the demon trying to possess Hayden but also the memories that she can’t quite remember.
Be ready for more surprises. More revelations. More twists and turns. The Blood of the Forgotten is definitely one interesting ride.
September 9, 2021
I love the way J.M. Cavender draws you in from the beginning. The book is engaging. Absolutely does not have any slow places like some books. I had a hard time putting the book down. I’d say, after this chapter I’ll stop. When I got to the end of the chapter, I had to read the next chapter just to see what was going to happen next. This happened all throughout the book.
December 12, 2025
First, I want to thank JM Cavender for putting the time and effort into writing this book and sharing it with the world. Second, I also want to thank her for giving me the opportunity to ARC read it in exchange for my honest review.
Blood of the Forgotten is what I would call a Paranormal Urban Fantasy, though there is a bit of a romantic sub-plot to this novel. The main plot is about a demon hunter, the MMC named Hutch, who through his work and past trauma has basically lost his way and become kind of cold and numb; he’s a wounded and scarred morally grey type of MMC which personally I love. Then we have our FMC, Hayden, who has be unknowingly (and potentially unwillingly) possessed by a Forgotten, these are the very demons that Hutch is fighting to destroy. While we don’t fully get an explanation of how Hayden got into this predicament what we do get is a fierce young woman who is fighting against not only a demon trying to take control of her but also a massive memory loss and being purposely kept in the dark about who she is by those around her, primarily by Hutch. Hayden is also a damaged character with trauma, in what others might consider character flaws or even a difficult personality she finds her strength armed with her sass and a stubborn determination she is willing to do what is right even when those around her and the demon inside try to tell her she isn’t strong enough or good enough.
This story is not just a paranormal battle of good vs evil, it actually speaks to each of our struggles with doing what’s right or what’s easy. Do we cave to pressure or do we stand tall against it?
While I’m giving this a 3 star rating I want to say that it is a good novel, I did enjoy the plot and the overall message of good vs evil with the flawed morally grey characters. My issues stem from not getting enough information/explanation about the Forgotten and even some of the things like certain weapons being talked about, I had to Google several things as I wasn’t sure what they were. The setting is in Nashville and if you aren’t familiar with that city you may not know exactly what some of the locations are, I personally didn’t have an issue with this part, it can be another issue that readers may encounter trying to picture the setting more clearly. There is some action interspersed but mostly towards the end, for the main story it is a slower pace building on solving the main issue. There is a theme of romance but it is fairly minor, our MCs don’t particularly care for each other that the start then move into a frenemy sort of situation and then there are some feelings that eventually develop. There is no spice, and the romance plot isn’t really even one where there is much tension or yearning it’s very minimal. I’d say this story, while having some darker elements and a few curse words, would be good for YA/NA readers. It was a bit of a slow pace but, again, the overall story was good.
As always, not everyone likes every book but that does not necessarily mean a book is bad. What I may like, others may hate but at the end of the day an author has taken time to create something new for the world and been brave enough to share it and for that I’m always thankful.
Blood of the Forgotten is what I would call a Paranormal Urban Fantasy, though there is a bit of a romantic sub-plot to this novel. The main plot is about a demon hunter, the MMC named Hutch, who through his work and past trauma has basically lost his way and become kind of cold and numb; he’s a wounded and scarred morally grey type of MMC which personally I love. Then we have our FMC, Hayden, who has be unknowingly (and potentially unwillingly) possessed by a Forgotten, these are the very demons that Hutch is fighting to destroy. While we don’t fully get an explanation of how Hayden got into this predicament what we do get is a fierce young woman who is fighting against not only a demon trying to take control of her but also a massive memory loss and being purposely kept in the dark about who she is by those around her, primarily by Hutch. Hayden is also a damaged character with trauma, in what others might consider character flaws or even a difficult personality she finds her strength armed with her sass and a stubborn determination she is willing to do what is right even when those around her and the demon inside try to tell her she isn’t strong enough or good enough.
This story is not just a paranormal battle of good vs evil, it actually speaks to each of our struggles with doing what’s right or what’s easy. Do we cave to pressure or do we stand tall against it?
While I’m giving this a 3 star rating I want to say that it is a good novel, I did enjoy the plot and the overall message of good vs evil with the flawed morally grey characters. My issues stem from not getting enough information/explanation about the Forgotten and even some of the things like certain weapons being talked about, I had to Google several things as I wasn’t sure what they were. The setting is in Nashville and if you aren’t familiar with that city you may not know exactly what some of the locations are, I personally didn’t have an issue with this part, it can be another issue that readers may encounter trying to picture the setting more clearly. There is some action interspersed but mostly towards the end, for the main story it is a slower pace building on solving the main issue. There is a theme of romance but it is fairly minor, our MCs don’t particularly care for each other that the start then move into a frenemy sort of situation and then there are some feelings that eventually develop. There is no spice, and the romance plot isn’t really even one where there is much tension or yearning it’s very minimal. I’d say this story, while having some darker elements and a few curse words, would be good for YA/NA readers. It was a bit of a slow pace but, again, the overall story was good.
As always, not everyone likes every book but that does not necessarily mean a book is bad. What I may like, others may hate but at the end of the day an author has taken time to create something new for the world and been brave enough to share it and for that I’m always thankful.
November 27, 2025
This story is such a well written and unique take into demons (or the “forgotten”) as they are dubbed in this world. Any previous books I have read surrounding this topic were all from the point of view of outside sources and their experience dealing with the demon. It was interesting to read about the possession from a dual perspective, both people watching and experiencing the possessed person, as well as the person actually being possessed.
This story features our main character Hayden, and her struggle to deal with a past she has no memory of, that the forgotten has effectively walled off from her consciousness, as well as the seductive pull of the forgotten. This story gives us a front row seat to watch as Hayden fights the entity within her, and its desire to erase her true self completely, and she has to determine if the base primitive urges it feeds off of, or rather who she truly is at her core are truly stronger.
Hutch is also the type of mmc we love, gruff with a hard and thick exterior, emotions that dwell deep and are hard to bring to the surface, and a traumatic past that makes him question whether he is, or could ever be, a good man. He is a hunter of the forgotten and has intimate experience with the ins and outs of how they converge with their victims.
In an interesting plot twist, Hayden and Hutch find themselves thrown together, needing one another to overcome and unravel a vast criminal network where the betrayal and secrets run deep, and they are on a time crunch to get all the answers they need, before the clock runs out and innocent lives are taken.
This story was high stakes and adrenaline building, but at its core it also explored human existence and morality, and how inner strength and vulnerability can be used to combat trauma.
I was on the edge of my seat for this entire emotional roller coaster and can’t wait to read more!
This story features our main character Hayden, and her struggle to deal with a past she has no memory of, that the forgotten has effectively walled off from her consciousness, as well as the seductive pull of the forgotten. This story gives us a front row seat to watch as Hayden fights the entity within her, and its desire to erase her true self completely, and she has to determine if the base primitive urges it feeds off of, or rather who she truly is at her core are truly stronger.
Hutch is also the type of mmc we love, gruff with a hard and thick exterior, emotions that dwell deep and are hard to bring to the surface, and a traumatic past that makes him question whether he is, or could ever be, a good man. He is a hunter of the forgotten and has intimate experience with the ins and outs of how they converge with their victims.
In an interesting plot twist, Hayden and Hutch find themselves thrown together, needing one another to overcome and unravel a vast criminal network where the betrayal and secrets run deep, and they are on a time crunch to get all the answers they need, before the clock runs out and innocent lives are taken.
This story was high stakes and adrenaline building, but at its core it also explored human existence and morality, and how inner strength and vulnerability can be used to combat trauma.
I was on the edge of my seat for this entire emotional roller coaster and can’t wait to read more!
November 21, 2025
Solid 5⭐️s
It’s a paranormal mafia thriller with the slowest of slow burns with zero spice and I honestly feel that you won’t even miss it because the plot grabs you by the throat from page one. It would have taken away from that experience.
We’ve got an FMC who’s literally possessed by a demon called the Forgotten. She has no memories, her brain is basically a battleground, and she’s doing everything she can to keep this thing locked down.
Meanwhile, she’s being hunted by a demon hunter who, plot twist, also works for his family’s mafia. So yeah, the demon world and the mafia world are basically braided together like a chaotic little cosmic friendship bracelet.
The vibes? Worlds colliding. Constant danger. Zero trust. Maximum tension. The angst is chef’s kiss.
Our MMC is peak broody, like “I don’t trust anyone because life ruined me” energy. He is beautifully messed up. She’s a little more sunshine, but she’s also literally fighting demons inside her body, so relatable but also terrifying.
Watching these two try to work together, trust each other, and maybe fall for each other? Do they get their happily ever after?? Maybe??? You’ll have to read it and emotionally unravel like I did.
I need book two immediately because I did not get enough of Hayden and Hutch. I am feral for more.
Thank you to the author for this great read!
It’s a paranormal mafia thriller with the slowest of slow burns with zero spice and I honestly feel that you won’t even miss it because the plot grabs you by the throat from page one. It would have taken away from that experience.
We’ve got an FMC who’s literally possessed by a demon called the Forgotten. She has no memories, her brain is basically a battleground, and she’s doing everything she can to keep this thing locked down.
Meanwhile, she’s being hunted by a demon hunter who, plot twist, also works for his family’s mafia. So yeah, the demon world and the mafia world are basically braided together like a chaotic little cosmic friendship bracelet.
The vibes? Worlds colliding. Constant danger. Zero trust. Maximum tension. The angst is chef’s kiss.
Our MMC is peak broody, like “I don’t trust anyone because life ruined me” energy. He is beautifully messed up. She’s a little more sunshine, but she’s also literally fighting demons inside her body, so relatable but also terrifying.
Watching these two try to work together, trust each other, and maybe fall for each other? Do they get their happily ever after?? Maybe??? You’ll have to read it and emotionally unravel like I did.
I need book two immediately because I did not get enough of Hayden and Hutch. I am feral for more.
Thank you to the author for this great read!
November 28, 2025
Thank you J.M. Cavender for this ARC!
Blood of the Forgotten is definitely not my normal read. This book was about demons who take over people and the mafia-like people that fight them. But then it gets even more complicated from that as mafia things tend to. This story follows Hayden, a girl taken over by a Forgotten demon Tenebrae, and Hutch, the mafia hunter who spends his time taking out Forgotten. As they join forces, like get complicated around attempted murders, mafia subplots, and demon politics.
While not my normal read, I truly enjoyed it. It started a bit slow but once you started understanding the world it flew by. You find yourself caught off guard by the twists and rooting for who you think the good guys are. Definitely worth a read!!
Blood of the Forgotten is definitely not my normal read. This book was about demons who take over people and the mafia-like people that fight them. But then it gets even more complicated from that as mafia things tend to. This story follows Hayden, a girl taken over by a Forgotten demon Tenebrae, and Hutch, the mafia hunter who spends his time taking out Forgotten. As they join forces, like get complicated around attempted murders, mafia subplots, and demon politics.
While not my normal read, I truly enjoyed it. It started a bit slow but once you started understanding the world it flew by. You find yourself caught off guard by the twists and rooting for who you think the good guys are. Definitely worth a read!!
November 27, 2025
Started this early this morning and couldn’t seem to put it down.
It drew me in almost instantly. I loveeeee the demon aspect, this honestly was one of the coolest books I’ve read in a long time. The aspect of a forgotten taking over Hayden and she is working with hutch the demon killer.
The secrets, trust issues, all built up but still had to work together, i think hutch is a top book boyfriend contender 🖤
The ending has me a bit emotional but im ready to dive into book 2!!!
It drew me in almost instantly. I loveeeee the demon aspect, this honestly was one of the coolest books I’ve read in a long time. The aspect of a forgotten taking over Hayden and she is working with hutch the demon killer.
The secrets, trust issues, all built up but still had to work together, i think hutch is a top book boyfriend contender 🖤
The ending has me a bit emotional but im ready to dive into book 2!!!
November 28, 2025
4.5/5
I loved the slow burn and banter between Hutch and Hayden. Hutch is very much reminiscent of a mafia type, which for the most part so far is great but every now and then dangles over too stereotypical before hutch is then snapped back to being complex with his past. Every nugget of lore is dangled in front to made me want to read more. The pacing of the story works well and keeps the plot moving. Hayden is the damsel in distress who can also fight for herself that is the mystery in this mafia/supernatural feeling story. I loved learning more about her and her past. I did get a tad confused on how The Forgotten worked a few times but honestly that didn’t take away from the story. Ugh the twist near the end and the cliffhanger have sucked me in and I’m excited to see more from this author!
I loved the slow burn and banter between Hutch and Hayden. Hutch is very much reminiscent of a mafia type, which for the most part so far is great but every now and then dangles over too stereotypical before hutch is then snapped back to being complex with his past. Every nugget of lore is dangled in front to made me want to read more. The pacing of the story works well and keeps the plot moving. Hayden is the damsel in distress who can also fight for herself that is the mystery in this mafia/supernatural feeling story. I loved learning more about her and her past. I did get a tad confused on how The Forgotten worked a few times but honestly that didn’t take away from the story. Ugh the twist near the end and the cliffhanger have sucked me in and I’m excited to see more from this author!
November 15, 2025
Blood of the Forgotten absolutely owned my attention from page one and refused to give it back. This is the kind of paranormal romantic thriller that grabs you by the throat, whispers “just one more chapter,” and suddenly it’s 3am…
Hayden is such a standout FMC… fierce, sarcastic, and stubbornly compassionate even while battling a LITERAL demon that’s eating away at her memories. I loved that her possession didn’t weaken her personality; if anything, it sharpened her grit. Every scene with her had this heartbreaking mix of vulnerability and fire.
And then there’s Hutch… the broody, haunted demon hunter who is equal parts danger, devotion, and deep emotional damage. The layers to his past hit so much harder than I expected, and the way his guarded edges crash against Hayden’s chaos created the best tension. Their push-pull dynamic?? Chef’s kiss. Loved every second of it! 🫶🏼🙌
What really stuck with me was the theme of fighting your own darkness (literally and figuratively) and trying to stay yourself when everything is trying to tear you apart. *Can absolutely relate 👀* It was emotional without ever losing the thrill factor.
The ending… yeah… that’s all I will say about that 😩
If you love demon hunters, possession, morally gray men, snarky heroines, slow burn tension, and nonstop suspense, this one is an absolute must-read.
Hayden is such a standout FMC… fierce, sarcastic, and stubbornly compassionate even while battling a LITERAL demon that’s eating away at her memories. I loved that her possession didn’t weaken her personality; if anything, it sharpened her grit. Every scene with her had this heartbreaking mix of vulnerability and fire.
And then there’s Hutch… the broody, haunted demon hunter who is equal parts danger, devotion, and deep emotional damage. The layers to his past hit so much harder than I expected, and the way his guarded edges crash against Hayden’s chaos created the best tension. Their push-pull dynamic?? Chef’s kiss. Loved every second of it! 🫶🏼🙌
What really stuck with me was the theme of fighting your own darkness (literally and figuratively) and trying to stay yourself when everything is trying to tear you apart. *Can absolutely relate 👀* It was emotional without ever losing the thrill factor.
The ending… yeah… that’s all I will say about that 😩
If you love demon hunters, possession, morally gray men, snarky heroines, slow burn tension, and nonstop suspense, this one is an absolute must-read.
December 6, 2025
Urban fantasy is a newer genre for me, so a book set in contemporary times about a MMC Demon Hunter (not the KPop kind) and an FMC who is possessed by a demon was entirely unique.
The book opens with an action scene that sets the stage for world and character building. I love when world/character building come through plot and dialogue rather than exposition. In this book we continue to learn more about the characters and the world of demon hunting for the duration of the book, kind of like meeting someone in real life.
The action scenes in this book are great, especially the last one. The ending of the book will probably leave people split, but I loved it. It felt genuine to the story and sets the stage for the story to continue.
On a technical level, at times there were references to characters, typically introduced in dialogue that were new with no explanation or context in a way that made me feel I’d missed something. I went back to check a few times. They would be explained later, but I think referring to them by their role relationship instead of their would give a little context and the reader would be more likely to realize that they had been introduced yet.
There were also a few instances where characters that had been mentioned earlier were referenced or re-appeared later that would I would have like to have a little context. Just a quick reminder for readers like me that don’t always remember names.
Adding in those references would provide more clarity for the reader.
This is a great debut novel. The writing has some room to mature, which is to be expected from a new author.
If I could do half stars, I would do a 3.5. Usually I round down, but in this case I went up because I did enjoy the story, the main characters were developed, and I think the technical issues mentioned above are minor and may be a me thing.
Can’t wait for the second one!
The book opens with an action scene that sets the stage for world and character building. I love when world/character building come through plot and dialogue rather than exposition. In this book we continue to learn more about the characters and the world of demon hunting for the duration of the book, kind of like meeting someone in real life.
The action scenes in this book are great, especially the last one. The ending of the book will probably leave people split, but I loved it. It felt genuine to the story and sets the stage for the story to continue.
On a technical level, at times there were references to characters, typically introduced in dialogue that were new with no explanation or context in a way that made me feel I’d missed something. I went back to check a few times. They would be explained later, but I think referring to them by their role relationship instead of their would give a little context and the reader would be more likely to realize that they had been introduced yet.
There were also a few instances where characters that had been mentioned earlier were referenced or re-appeared later that would I would have like to have a little context. Just a quick reminder for readers like me that don’t always remember names.
Adding in those references would provide more clarity for the reader.
This is a great debut novel. The writing has some room to mature, which is to be expected from a new author.
If I could do half stars, I would do a 3.5. Usually I round down, but in this case I went up because I did enjoy the story, the main characters were developed, and I think the technical issues mentioned above are minor and may be a me thing.
Can’t wait for the second one!
November 23, 2025
Absolutely loved this book!!
Hayden wakes up not knowing who she is or how she got there. But she covered in dirt and blood. She knows something dark is inside her but she refuses to let it have control.
Hutch is hunting that exact darkness; The Forgotten. Hayden can just be a means to an end, right? He can get rid of her after, right? Well Hayden turns out to be nothing that he expected, him and fighting the Forgotten inside her. What if she can lead him directly to the answers he's been searching for?
At first I thought that the FMC was going to be really annoying and a damsel in distress but turn she's intelligent, sassy, strong, funny and all around a good character! (Absolutely love her dialog and use of 'good gravy')
The MMC? No complaints there, absolutely wonderful with the dark and broody! The growth within Hutch is lovely to see for an MMC!
I didn't feel as if any of the the main characters had to give up any of their strengths in order to progress the story. I really hate that! Ex: the FMC is a bad ass at the beginning but then has to have the MMC save her every time after that.
I'm used to seeing is authors neglect one of the MCs, but there was no such thing both characters were well cared for and thought out!
The tension between the two building up was *chefs kiss* not too fast, not too slow!
This book is so much more than just a Demon inhabiting a human body. I love the good vs evil, the light vs dark, the Ying and Yang, all throughout this book.
"Without evil, good doesn't exist".
I was not expecting all the twists and turns along the way! This book continued to not give too much away and still keep me interested throughout! I can not wait to find out what happens next!
Book two immediately!!
Hayden wakes up not knowing who she is or how she got there. But she covered in dirt and blood. She knows something dark is inside her but she refuses to let it have control.
Hutch is hunting that exact darkness; The Forgotten. Hayden can just be a means to an end, right? He can get rid of her after, right? Well Hayden turns out to be nothing that he expected, him and fighting the Forgotten inside her. What if she can lead him directly to the answers he's been searching for?
At first I thought that the FMC was going to be really annoying and a damsel in distress but turn she's intelligent, sassy, strong, funny and all around a good character! (Absolutely love her dialog and use of 'good gravy')
The MMC? No complaints there, absolutely wonderful with the dark and broody! The growth within Hutch is lovely to see for an MMC!
I didn't feel as if any of the the main characters had to give up any of their strengths in order to progress the story. I really hate that! Ex: the FMC is a bad ass at the beginning but then has to have the MMC save her every time after that.
I'm used to seeing is authors neglect one of the MCs, but there was no such thing both characters were well cared for and thought out!
The tension between the two building up was *chefs kiss* not too fast, not too slow!
This book is so much more than just a Demon inhabiting a human body. I love the good vs evil, the light vs dark, the Ying and Yang, all throughout this book.
"Without evil, good doesn't exist".
I was not expecting all the twists and turns along the way! This book continued to not give too much away and still keep me interested throughout! I can not wait to find out what happens next!
Book two immediately!!
November 19, 2025
Listen.… I cracked open Blood of the Forgotten thinking, “Oh cool, a paranormal romantic thriller, this’ll be fun,” and suddenly I’m knee deep in demons, memory loss, moral dilemmas, and a demon hunter with enough trauma to power an entire dark romance franchise. I have never read a thriller before, and now I’m in love; with the genre, not the demon. Probably. Maybe. TBD.
Hayden? Oh, she is my girl. She’s everything my younger self was: strong but soft, kind but chaotic, confident but screaming internally 24/7. The “I have no idea who I am but I WILL argue with you anyway” vibe? Relatable content and the way she’s being hunted by a demon while also trying to figure out why the universe hates her…. honestly same, babe.
Then there’s Hutch. Closed off. Broody. Paranoid with a capital P. And you know what? Fair. If I had lived his life I’d be duct-taping salt circles around my bed too. Their banter? Their bickering? Their “I hate you but also why is my heart doing jumping jacks when you breathe near me”? I was emotionally compromised.
The plot had me pacing like I was the one being hunted. Hutch offering Hayden a deal, help wipe out a family or face her own fate? EXCUSE ME?? That’s not a deal, that’s emotional blackmail wrapped in demon grease and moral tension and I ate it up like the unhinged reader I am.
And The Forgotten?? Barely talked about, but lurking like that one unanswered text that haunts your dreams. Mystery? Present. Answers? Absolutely not. My sanity? Missing.
Overall? A solid, chaotic, scream into a pillow 4 star ride and now I have yet another series to drown in because my TBR said “No more,” and I said, “Fight me.”
Hayden? Oh, she is my girl. She’s everything my younger self was: strong but soft, kind but chaotic, confident but screaming internally 24/7. The “I have no idea who I am but I WILL argue with you anyway” vibe? Relatable content and the way she’s being hunted by a demon while also trying to figure out why the universe hates her…. honestly same, babe.
Then there’s Hutch. Closed off. Broody. Paranoid with a capital P. And you know what? Fair. If I had lived his life I’d be duct-taping salt circles around my bed too. Their banter? Their bickering? Their “I hate you but also why is my heart doing jumping jacks when you breathe near me”? I was emotionally compromised.
The plot had me pacing like I was the one being hunted. Hutch offering Hayden a deal, help wipe out a family or face her own fate? EXCUSE ME?? That’s not a deal, that’s emotional blackmail wrapped in demon grease and moral tension and I ate it up like the unhinged reader I am.
And The Forgotten?? Barely talked about, but lurking like that one unanswered text that haunts your dreams. Mystery? Present. Answers? Absolutely not. My sanity? Missing.
Overall? A solid, chaotic, scream into a pillow 4 star ride and now I have yet another series to drown in because my TBR said “No more,” and I said, “Fight me.”
November 27, 2025
Blood of the Forgotten starts with a haunting premise: Tenebrae, an ancient demon, has attached itself to a girl and is pushing her toward terrible acts she’s trying desperately to resist. From there we follow Hutch, a demon hunter still tied to his mentor’s code, and Hayden—eventually revealed as Rily—a girl with no memory besides a name and the feeling that something inside her isn’t her own.
The beginning of the book was slow for me, and at times I struggled to stay fully invested. The story felt a little disjointed early on, and I didn’t feel that deep pull into the plot until about halfway through. But when the twist hit around 58%, it finally grabbed me. From that point on, I had to know what happened next.
The writing is genuinely beautiful and the worldbuilding around the Forgotten is so well done. I really enjoyed the layered character development—especially Hutch’s trauma and Rily’s fight to hold onto herself. Their dynamic is a slow burn with tension, distrust, fear, loyalty, and something deeper simmering underneath it all.
By the end, though, I was left confused in a way I’m pretty sure is intentional. The epilogue jumps forward, and suddenly Rily has thought Hutch was dead for two years… but the book never clearly explains why. I’m hoping book two will answer that, because it left me feeling like I had missed a key moment.
Overall: beautiful writing, strong characters, gripping second half, and a cliffhanger ending that sets up a compelling continuation. A slower start, but worth the ride—and I’ll definitely be reading the sequel to see where Rily and Hutch go from here.
The beginning of the book was slow for me, and at times I struggled to stay fully invested. The story felt a little disjointed early on, and I didn’t feel that deep pull into the plot until about halfway through. But when the twist hit around 58%, it finally grabbed me. From that point on, I had to know what happened next.
The writing is genuinely beautiful and the worldbuilding around the Forgotten is so well done. I really enjoyed the layered character development—especially Hutch’s trauma and Rily’s fight to hold onto herself. Their dynamic is a slow burn with tension, distrust, fear, loyalty, and something deeper simmering underneath it all.
By the end, though, I was left confused in a way I’m pretty sure is intentional. The epilogue jumps forward, and suddenly Rily has thought Hutch was dead for two years… but the book never clearly explains why. I’m hoping book two will answer that, because it left me feeling like I had missed a key moment.
Overall: beautiful writing, strong characters, gripping second half, and a cliffhanger ending that sets up a compelling continuation. A slower start, but worth the ride—and I’ll definitely be reading the sequel to see where Rily and Hutch go from here.
December 3, 2025
First of all, thank you to the author for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me the same wonderfully eerie vibes of Ninth House - so I suspect lovers of that series will enjoy this one as well. It is set in Nashville, TN and the surrounding area leaning towards paranormal/magical realism. The demon lore was interesting, and although you are going to feel lost at first, I feel that is intentional as our FMC is also very lost in her current state. I think that while you do find out a lot of back story during the book, again, she does not know everything yet, so you do not know everything yet. The MMC is very secretive, so you won't get more than what you need from him either. It does not take away from understanding the story, however, and that, to me, is super impressive writing.
Their relationship was very antagonistic at first and I loved the FMC's sarcasm and dry wit. I do feel like I needed a little bit more basis for why their dynamic transitioned but it was still very believable! The only thing I was not sure about were the chapter headings as I do not follow where they are from, but this is a minor detail and also could be reader error. Or maybe we will find out more as the series progresses!
I would recommend this book to any fan of the magical realism genre, especially fans of Alex and Darlington and I will absolutely be continuing on with any more books the author adds to the series!
I really enjoyed this book. It gave me the same wonderfully eerie vibes of Ninth House - so I suspect lovers of that series will enjoy this one as well. It is set in Nashville, TN and the surrounding area leaning towards paranormal/magical realism. The demon lore was interesting, and although you are going to feel lost at first, I feel that is intentional as our FMC is also very lost in her current state. I think that while you do find out a lot of back story during the book, again, she does not know everything yet, so you do not know everything yet. The MMC is very secretive, so you won't get more than what you need from him either. It does not take away from understanding the story, however, and that, to me, is super impressive writing.
Their relationship was very antagonistic at first and I loved the FMC's sarcasm and dry wit. I do feel like I needed a little bit more basis for why their dynamic transitioned but it was still very believable! The only thing I was not sure about were the chapter headings as I do not follow where they are from, but this is a minor detail and also could be reader error. Or maybe we will find out more as the series progresses!
I would recommend this book to any fan of the magical realism genre, especially fans of Alex and Darlington and I will absolutely be continuing on with any more books the author adds to the series!
November 9, 2025
Dive in to this dark paranormal fantasy that’s also a romantic thriller!!
Blood of the Forgotten was such a unique story, dealing with one’s inner demons(both literal and figurative) and the fight to do good even after making mistakes.
Hayden, our FMC, is possessed by a demon and struggles to keep her humanity. I enjoyed how fierce she was and yet even when facing such turmoil and tragedy she still had empathy and kindness for others.
And Hutch? Oh my, there’s just something about a dark and brooding MMC that has scars both externally and internally that gets to me! Even though he is a demon hunter he helps Hayden and try’s to protect her from the underground world she’s found herself getting swept into, and he’s all too familiar with.
Their bond throughout the story was a great slow-burn enemies-to-allies with so much tension and yearning. I’m excited to see what’s next and get more of their story! Bring on a book 2!! 🫶🏻
“Of course, he had to make the simplest meal taste like something off a five-star brunch menu”
“The two versions of him weren’t separate at all. They were pieces of the same man, fractured and imperfect, yet inexplicably whole.”
These are just a couple of snippets of pieces that I loved while reading this book.
Thank you J. M. Cavender for the ARC copy!
Blood of the Forgotten was such a unique story, dealing with one’s inner demons(both literal and figurative) and the fight to do good even after making mistakes.
Hayden, our FMC, is possessed by a demon and struggles to keep her humanity. I enjoyed how fierce she was and yet even when facing such turmoil and tragedy she still had empathy and kindness for others.
And Hutch? Oh my, there’s just something about a dark and brooding MMC that has scars both externally and internally that gets to me! Even though he is a demon hunter he helps Hayden and try’s to protect her from the underground world she’s found herself getting swept into, and he’s all too familiar with.
Their bond throughout the story was a great slow-burn enemies-to-allies with so much tension and yearning. I’m excited to see what’s next and get more of their story! Bring on a book 2!! 🫶🏻
“Of course, he had to make the simplest meal taste like something off a five-star brunch menu”
“The two versions of him weren’t separate at all. They were pieces of the same man, fractured and imperfect, yet inexplicably whole.”
These are just a couple of snippets of pieces that I loved while reading this book.
Thank you J. M. Cavender for the ARC copy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ wow where do I even begin?
First of all I want to thank the author for reaching out and sending me a copy of her book.
I’m well and truly stunned at how much I adored this book I loved every single Second of this book. Hutch was such a great character to follow along with as he had such deep issues and he had a cold exterior but he loves hard.
Hayden was such a strong fmc who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
Hutch is a demon hunter and Hayden was possessed by one of the very demon he hunts so you can see how interesting that is as a story line.
This book was so unique and I loved following along and finding out more about the forgotten.
Tropes:
Paranormal romantic thriller/dark urban fantasy
Demon hunter
Slow burn
Forced proximity
“She could’ve let him talk all night withought once getting bored”
“I’m the guy who got lost in the fray a long time ago. Then you came along.”
“I think we needed each other.and as someone who’s always had a front-row seat to this shitty world, I almost missed the one good thing that crossed my path.”
“He was determined to face the world alone,always by himself she wanted to remind him that he wasn’t alone anymore.”
“Mark my worlds this is not the last hope hill sees of up.”
With the way this book ended?!! I need book 2 right this second.
I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters😩.
First of all I want to thank the author for reaching out and sending me a copy of her book.
I’m well and truly stunned at how much I adored this book I loved every single Second of this book. Hutch was such a great character to follow along with as he had such deep issues and he had a cold exterior but he loves hard.
Hayden was such a strong fmc who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
Hutch is a demon hunter and Hayden was possessed by one of the very demon he hunts so you can see how interesting that is as a story line.
This book was so unique and I loved following along and finding out more about the forgotten.
Tropes:
Paranormal romantic thriller/dark urban fantasy
Demon hunter
Slow burn
Forced proximity
“She could’ve let him talk all night withought once getting bored”
“I’m the guy who got lost in the fray a long time ago. Then you came along.”
“I think we needed each other.and as someone who’s always had a front-row seat to this shitty world, I almost missed the one good thing that crossed my path.”
“He was determined to face the world alone,always by himself she wanted to remind him that he wasn’t alone anymore.”
“Mark my worlds this is not the last hope hill sees of up.”
With the way this book ended?!! I need book 2 right this second.
I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters😩.
November 17, 2025
Let me start by saying this was not my usual read, and it did take me a little while to become invested, which is why I gave it 3.5 (which good reads wont let me choose) stars instead of 4.
This book is dark fantasy meets emotional gut punch. Yes, there are literal demons trying to hijack human bodies and wreak absolute chaos, but Cavender also dives deep into the psychological demons of trauma, memory, and the parts of ourselves we’re afraid to face.
Hutch? I’m obsessed. He’s basically a demon hunter working for a mafia-style boss, all walls and weaponry on the outside, but broken and soft in all the ways that make you want to fix him. If broody, morally gray, emotionally guarded book boyfriends are your kryptonite, you’ll love him!
Then there’s Hayden. Infected by a Forgotten demon, battling for control of her own mind, and stripped of her past. Yet, she’s mentally tough, resilient, and stubbornly anchored in what she believes is right. She is such a strong FMC, even when she’s not sure who she is.
Throw these two together on a mission where he might have to kill her and she might lose herself entirely? Bring on the tension, forced trust, and found in the dark connection. Watching them slowly learn each other’s scars, and maybe help heal them, had me hooked.
This book is dark fantasy meets emotional gut punch. Yes, there are literal demons trying to hijack human bodies and wreak absolute chaos, but Cavender also dives deep into the psychological demons of trauma, memory, and the parts of ourselves we’re afraid to face.
Hutch? I’m obsessed. He’s basically a demon hunter working for a mafia-style boss, all walls and weaponry on the outside, but broken and soft in all the ways that make you want to fix him. If broody, morally gray, emotionally guarded book boyfriends are your kryptonite, you’ll love him!
Then there’s Hayden. Infected by a Forgotten demon, battling for control of her own mind, and stripped of her past. Yet, she’s mentally tough, resilient, and stubbornly anchored in what she believes is right. She is such a strong FMC, even when she’s not sure who she is.
Throw these two together on a mission where he might have to kill her and she might lose herself entirely? Bring on the tension, forced trust, and found in the dark connection. Watching them slowly learn each other’s scars, and maybe help heal them, had me hooked.
November 19, 2025
I was hooked from page one. This is truly unlike anything I’ve ever read. A paranormal mafia thriller with the slowest of slow-burn romantic subplots, and yes, it’s as wild and addictive as it sounds. The Forgotten, literal demons trying to hijack human bodies, collide with a gritty mafia world, creating a fast-paced, uniquely layered plot. But what really pulled me in were the emotional demons both characters are battling just as fiercely. Hutch is the grumpy, guarded demon hunter with a wrecked past and a soft side he refuses to admit exists. Strong, broody, and undeniably broken in the most compelling way. Hayden, infected by a Forgotten and fighting to keep control of her own mind, doesn’t remember who she is…but she refuses to let the darkness win. She’s tough, resilient, and knows exactly where to draw her lines. Forced to work together, they’re battling monsters on the outside and inside, all while learning how to trust each other in a world where trust is deadly. The ending hit me right in the emotions and definitely feels like it could set up a book two… but it also stands strong on its own. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 27, 2025
This paranormal romantic thriller was a suspenseful, action-filled ride that I didn’t know I needed.
💭My Thoughts:
Hunter is emotionally stunted, broody, morally grey and full of anger that when released makes him the deadliest of hunters. His character’s traumatized past and walled heart makes him the perfect aloof MMC, and I was dying to to see someone break through his hard exterior. Hayden, the FMC, is haunted by a past she can’t remember and a force that is threatening to take her humanity. The way the author portrays her struggle to stay in control while trying to cover up her vulnerability fills the story not only with tension but pulled at my heartstrings as I watched her try to protect her heart and not lose herself to the demon trying to take over. These two wounded souls and their tenuous partnership brings a forbidden attraction that I couldn’t wait to see explode on the page.
I was swept into the intricacies of the plot and this supernatural world weaved into the normalcy of a contemporary urban setting. The writing is well done and the world and characters captivated me, and I loved that I became fully immersed in the story. If you love a fresh, action-packed suspenseful narrative with flawed but redemptive characters wrapped inside a thriller, then this is a must read. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in the Untainted world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💭My Thoughts:
Hunter is emotionally stunted, broody, morally grey and full of anger that when released makes him the deadliest of hunters. His character’s traumatized past and walled heart makes him the perfect aloof MMC, and I was dying to to see someone break through his hard exterior. Hayden, the FMC, is haunted by a past she can’t remember and a force that is threatening to take her humanity. The way the author portrays her struggle to stay in control while trying to cover up her vulnerability fills the story not only with tension but pulled at my heartstrings as I watched her try to protect her heart and not lose herself to the demon trying to take over. These two wounded souls and their tenuous partnership brings a forbidden attraction that I couldn’t wait to see explode on the page.
I was swept into the intricacies of the plot and this supernatural world weaved into the normalcy of a contemporary urban setting. The writing is well done and the world and characters captivated me, and I loved that I became fully immersed in the story. If you love a fresh, action-packed suspenseful narrative with flawed but redemptive characters wrapped inside a thriller, then this is a must read. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in the Untainted world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 2, 2025
I had the honor of getting to ARC-read this one early, and friends… I finished it yesterday and so good.
In this world, demons are called Forgottens, and Hayden has one living inside her. She’s constantly fighting the urge to let it take over her body—and lose herself in the process. Then she meets Hutch, a demon hunter whose entire purpose is to destroy Forgottens.
The two of them are forced to work together, even though Hutch doesn’t trust easily and is convinced Hayden won’t be able to resist the darkness forever… and that he might have to be the one to end her. Meanwhile, we’re over here watching that slow-slow-slow burn start to spark between them. 👀🔥
And when I say slow burn, I mean it—but it’s worth every page.
The ending? It ties up enough to satisfy you, but definitely leaves things open for book two.
Also, this is not my usual genre—it's paranormal/thriller with a little mafia-style edge—and it STILL hooked me. There were a few spots I had to push through, but most of the time I couldn’t put it down. And once I hit a certain point, I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading. I honestly think the moments I struggled were just because it’s outside my typical genre.
Completely intriguing from start to finish. Highly recommend this one, besties. 📚✨
In this world, demons are called Forgottens, and Hayden has one living inside her. She’s constantly fighting the urge to let it take over her body—and lose herself in the process. Then she meets Hutch, a demon hunter whose entire purpose is to destroy Forgottens.
The two of them are forced to work together, even though Hutch doesn’t trust easily and is convinced Hayden won’t be able to resist the darkness forever… and that he might have to be the one to end her. Meanwhile, we’re over here watching that slow-slow-slow burn start to spark between them. 👀🔥
And when I say slow burn, I mean it—but it’s worth every page.
The ending? It ties up enough to satisfy you, but definitely leaves things open for book two.
Also, this is not my usual genre—it's paranormal/thriller with a little mafia-style edge—and it STILL hooked me. There were a few spots I had to push through, but most of the time I couldn’t put it down. And once I hit a certain point, I genuinely didn’t want to stop reading. I honestly think the moments I struggled were just because it’s outside my typical genre.
Completely intriguing from start to finish. Highly recommend this one, besties. 📚✨
November 22, 2025
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was grateful to be approached and given an ARC of this book - when I heard the pitch I was instantly sold.
I loved how this book not only dealt with physical demons, but also the metaphorical demons of past trauma.
Hutch was my kind of MMC. May be something for therapy but I love a MMC with a tough past that is really closed off in the name of self preservation. But deep down there’s that softness and vulnerability.
Hayden is a great FMC. I loved how resilient she is given what’s going on inside her mind. Also loved her sarcasm it really provided a lightness in such an intense story.
Without spoilers the story really holds you all the way through. I normally have trouble reading books without companion audio, but I had no trouble getting through this one. It’s been so long since I’ve had a book where “one more chapter” turns into reading well into the night.
I would recommend this book to anyone that vibes with paranormal or thriller books and those that like a little bit of romance but don’t want it to be the focus of the story.
I loved how this book not only dealt with physical demons, but also the metaphorical demons of past trauma.
Hutch was my kind of MMC. May be something for therapy but I love a MMC with a tough past that is really closed off in the name of self preservation. But deep down there’s that softness and vulnerability.
Hayden is a great FMC. I loved how resilient she is given what’s going on inside her mind. Also loved her sarcasm it really provided a lightness in such an intense story.
Without spoilers the story really holds you all the way through. I normally have trouble reading books without companion audio, but I had no trouble getting through this one. It’s been so long since I’ve had a book where “one more chapter” turns into reading well into the night.
I would recommend this book to anyone that vibes with paranormal or thriller books and those that like a little bit of romance but don’t want it to be the focus of the story.
November 30, 2025
A romantic thriller?? Say less!
A good, face paced, unique plot read! I was intrigued the whole way through, the story was paced very well. This book takes on a modern day society that also deals with supernatural beings, kinda like a Vampire Diaries situation. But Forgotten are NOT vampires, just making that clear hehe as it is made within the novel. It is a dual POV of two characters who get thrust into working together, right place right time or wrong place haha depending on how you look at it. The story itself spans just over a week and so much good stuff happens! I really enjoyed the writing style, the choices the author made with some key details I really liked! There was some fun twist and like oh shoot didn’t see that coming moments that are always fun. The last 60 pages or so did have me STRESSED but things concluded in a way that gave me closure and I could end the read feeling good haha. Sometimes when books will be series(as this will be) the first book can be focuses too much on world building and be a build up like a filler book before the “real” stuff starts to happen. This was NOT the case with this story, it could be a stand alone. It concludes in a way that leaves the reader satisfied and it was a full fledged, well rounded story. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! I did have the pleasure of reading this as an advanced copy so I just want to thank the author for that!
A good, face paced, unique plot read! I was intrigued the whole way through, the story was paced very well. This book takes on a modern day society that also deals with supernatural beings, kinda like a Vampire Diaries situation. But Forgotten are NOT vampires, just making that clear hehe as it is made within the novel. It is a dual POV of two characters who get thrust into working together, right place right time or wrong place haha depending on how you look at it. The story itself spans just over a week and so much good stuff happens! I really enjoyed the writing style, the choices the author made with some key details I really liked! There was some fun twist and like oh shoot didn’t see that coming moments that are always fun. The last 60 pages or so did have me STRESSED but things concluded in a way that gave me closure and I could end the read feeling good haha. Sometimes when books will be series(as this will be) the first book can be focuses too much on world building and be a build up like a filler book before the “real” stuff starts to happen. This was NOT the case with this story, it could be a stand alone. It concludes in a way that leaves the reader satisfied and it was a full fledged, well rounded story. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! I did have the pleasure of reading this as an advanced copy so I just want to thank the author for that!
Read
December 3, 2025DNF at 73%
The author reached out to me and asked me to read this and I really really tried. I struggled to get into it from the beginning so I was making myself read 10% a day.
Here’s where it really lost me, when Randolph (who’s supposedly this awful mafia boss and beat his wife, son, and nephew) starts answering all Hutch’s questions and being super helpful. Pretty much every single character would do stuff that just made no sense and didn’t align with who they’d been thus far in the story.
There was also a lot of assumed knowledge in this book and I found that really frustrating. I had to Google what different kinds of knives were because it was never explained and if I didn’t live in Nashville, I would struggle to understand any of the locations that are mentioned.
I think the premise of the story is really interesting however I think it would’ve made more sense in a city more well known like Los Angeles or New York if the author wanted it to take place in a real life city. But I think it would’ve been much better if it was not a real city, and the author spent some time world building an urban fantasy world.
The author reached out to me and asked me to read this and I really really tried. I struggled to get into it from the beginning so I was making myself read 10% a day.
Here’s where it really lost me, when Randolph (who’s supposedly this awful mafia boss and beat his wife, son, and nephew) starts answering all Hutch’s questions and being super helpful. Pretty much every single character would do stuff that just made no sense and didn’t align with who they’d been thus far in the story.
There was also a lot of assumed knowledge in this book and I found that really frustrating. I had to Google what different kinds of knives were because it was never explained and if I didn’t live in Nashville, I would struggle to understand any of the locations that are mentioned.
I think the premise of the story is really interesting however I think it would’ve made more sense in a city more well known like Los Angeles or New York if the author wanted it to take place in a real life city. But I think it would’ve been much better if it was not a real city, and the author spent some time world building an urban fantasy world.
November 9, 2025
Paranormal Romantic Thriller, you say? Sign me up!
This modern day story is about a demon hunter who stumbles upon a girl possessed by the Forgotten (demon) he’s been tracking for years. What he doesn’t expect is his hesitation in ending her life to send this Forgotten back to hell.
Hayden is the FMC and is full of sarcasm (a language I speak fluidly), bravery, and determination with a mature dialogue.
Hutch, the MMC, is the perfect blend of broody, stabby, and witty as he tries to outrun his haunted past.
The pieces fit together well and the plot was well-paced. The romance has the kind of slow burn and tension that leaves you talking to your kindle at 2am (“Just give in already!”). The suspense had me hanging on, struggling to stop with “just one more chapter.” How can a person sleep when they need to know what happens next?
If these tropes sound good to you, then you should definitely grab this debut by JM Cavender:
Demon Hunter + Girl Possessed
Crime Lord
Broody, Stabby MMC
Snarky, Brave FMC
Dissociative Fugue
Underworld
Solid Suspense Plot
Modern Day
Slow Burn
This modern day story is about a demon hunter who stumbles upon a girl possessed by the Forgotten (demon) he’s been tracking for years. What he doesn’t expect is his hesitation in ending her life to send this Forgotten back to hell.
Hayden is the FMC and is full of sarcasm (a language I speak fluidly), bravery, and determination with a mature dialogue.
Hutch, the MMC, is the perfect blend of broody, stabby, and witty as he tries to outrun his haunted past.
The pieces fit together well and the plot was well-paced. The romance has the kind of slow burn and tension that leaves you talking to your kindle at 2am (“Just give in already!”). The suspense had me hanging on, struggling to stop with “just one more chapter.” How can a person sleep when they need to know what happens next?
If these tropes sound good to you, then you should definitely grab this debut by JM Cavender:
Demon Hunter + Girl Possessed
Crime Lord
Broody, Stabby MMC
Snarky, Brave FMC
Dissociative Fugue
Underworld
Solid Suspense Plot
Modern Day
Slow Burn
December 2, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This is a Dark urban mafia type of paranormal thriller with some slow burn romance mixed in and let me tell you, it’s an absolute ride! Was hooked within the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. It has several twists and turns that kept me on a rollercoaster of emotion! The writing is very well done and the pace to me was also done well!
This story features our main character Hayden, whom is possessed by a forgotten which is like a demon. She has no memories of her previous life and is a constant battle with said forgotten and to regain her lost memories. Shes an amazing fmc
Hutch a forgotten hunter is the type of mmc that we all love. He’s dark, broody, has a traumatic past. Absolutely love the dynamics between Hutch and Hayden
All in all this is a great unique story filled with twists and turns and totally worth the read. It’s good vs evil but done in the best way! The ending though I’m still processing, but I really hope there is more to come!
Thank you to the Author J.M. Cavender for the Arc❤️ These are my honest opinions
This is a Dark urban mafia type of paranormal thriller with some slow burn romance mixed in and let me tell you, it’s an absolute ride! Was hooked within the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. It has several twists and turns that kept me on a rollercoaster of emotion! The writing is very well done and the pace to me was also done well!
This story features our main character Hayden, whom is possessed by a forgotten which is like a demon. She has no memories of her previous life and is a constant battle with said forgotten and to regain her lost memories. Shes an amazing fmc
Hutch a forgotten hunter is the type of mmc that we all love. He’s dark, broody, has a traumatic past. Absolutely love the dynamics between Hutch and Hayden
All in all this is a great unique story filled with twists and turns and totally worth the read. It’s good vs evil but done in the best way! The ending though I’m still processing, but I really hope there is more to come!
Thank you to the Author J.M. Cavender for the Arc❤️ These are my honest opinions
December 7, 2025
Blood of the Forgotten grabs you from the first page and drags you straight into the shadows right alongside its characters. Hutch, a hardened hunter who's spent his whole life navigating the darkest corners of the underground world, is the kind of brooding, broken hero you can't help but root for. Hayden, on the other hand, is a mystery unraveling in real time-her memories gone, her mind slowly slipping under the control of a demon determined to consume her.
The chemistry simmers beneath every scene, and the stakes rise with every choice they make.Their alliance is far from easy—built on distrust, sharp edges, and necessity The worldbuilding is gritty and atmospheric, filled with demons and hidden power structures Every chapter deepens the tension, making it impossible not to keep turning pages.
If you're craving a paranormal romantic thriller filled with shadowy secrets, supernatural danger, and two flawed strangers drawn together by fate and fear, Blood of the Forgotten delivers. It's a haunting, addictive ride from start to finish.
The chemistry simmers beneath every scene, and the stakes rise with every choice they make.Their alliance is far from easy—built on distrust, sharp edges, and necessity The worldbuilding is gritty and atmospheric, filled with demons and hidden power structures Every chapter deepens the tension, making it impossible not to keep turning pages.
If you're craving a paranormal romantic thriller filled with shadowy secrets, supernatural danger, and two flawed strangers drawn together by fate and fear, Blood of the Forgotten delivers. It's a haunting, addictive ride from start to finish.
November 11, 2025
Blood of the Forgotten
By: J.M. Cavender
Releases: November 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🖤Demon Hunter
😈 Slow Burn
🖤Supernatural Romance
😈 Healing Trauma Together
🖤 Forced Proximity
Hayden is our FMC and Hutch is our MMC. Hayden is possessed by a demon known as the forgotten and this demon is causing her to lose her memory. Hutch is our demon hunter.
This book is a slow burn very much at the beginning I want to say about 1/4 of the beginning of the book and then after that you know it starts picking up, which gets really good. I do love the tension we get between our characters since they aren’t able to give in due to what’s going on their life.
It definitely kept me guessing throughout the whole story, which is something that I really do enjoy because I like being wrong when I’m reading and not always expecting it you know? It did leave on a cliffhanger so I’m hoping we get a book 2!
By: J.M. Cavender
Releases: November 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
🖤Demon Hunter
😈 Slow Burn
🖤Supernatural Romance
😈 Healing Trauma Together
🖤 Forced Proximity
Hayden is our FMC and Hutch is our MMC. Hayden is possessed by a demon known as the forgotten and this demon is causing her to lose her memory. Hutch is our demon hunter.
This book is a slow burn very much at the beginning I want to say about 1/4 of the beginning of the book and then after that you know it starts picking up, which gets really good. I do love the tension we get between our characters since they aren’t able to give in due to what’s going on their life.
It definitely kept me guessing throughout the whole story, which is something that I really do enjoy because I like being wrong when I’m reading and not always expecting it you know? It did leave on a cliffhanger so I’m hoping we get a book 2!
November 16, 2025
This is not a typical genre for me but I enjoyed this read! You are thrown into the action from the first page which immediately grabs your attention. I loved the main characters! They were so well developed and you continue to unravel more layers and learn more about them throughout the story. Both the MMC and FMC have traumatic pasts that you continue to learn more about as you read. This book focuses on overcoming these inner demons (sometimes literally) and the main characters finding accidental love on this journey.
I love a good slow burn and this book certainly provides! The chemistry between the main characters is great and sometimes you just want to yell at them and tell them to get together already. I know there will be more coming to this story and will be excited to see what happens next!
I love a good slow burn and this book certainly provides! The chemistry between the main characters is great and sometimes you just want to yell at them and tell them to get together already. I know there will be more coming to this story and will be excited to see what happens next!
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