Being sheltered never did anyone any favors—especially me.
Going to college didn’t mean I escaped the watchful eye of my parents. They say the cameras outside my home are for my protection, but I knew better.
When I manage to escape to a party without being seen, I find myself staring right into the wicked golden eyes of Rafe Crimson. I know immediately that he's bad news, that I should walk, no, run away…
Yet, I don’t.
Instead, I find a way to see him again. Only our second meeting is nothing like our first. There’s something animalistic about Rafe this time and before I can stop what’s happening, he turns me into a werewolf.
Suddenly, I’m thrust into a world of magic and shifters, forced to become one of them. When I think my situation can’t get any worse, I learn there are others after me, all thanks to Rafe—the man I’ve grown to despise. For reasons unknown, these people want me and it seems that they’re willing to do whatever it takes to have me.
Much too late, I begin to realize that I might have made a mistake. One that not only changed my life, but could also cost me it, too.Will I be able to survive the supernatural powers awakening within me? Or am I doomed to lust for a man I hate and run from a world I might actually belong in?
This award-winning, enemies to lovers, paranormal romance will hold you captivated until the very last page! Fans of Heather Renee, Kelly St. Clare, and Elizabeth Briggs will love this!
Jade is a normal college student living her life and enjoying it to the best of her abilities. Yeah, she is a bit of a loner and keeps to herself but she never really was THAT girl who needed to be surrounded by people; She has her best friend Tracey. On the weekends Jade gets a little braver and the two of them go out and party. No matter what though, they always manage to look out for each other and keep each other safe. One night at a party, Jade locks eyes with the king of bad boys: Rafe Crimson and that's when everything changes because Jade has always been a sucker for the bad boys. Everything she thought she knew, and her life before gets turned on its head because of one night; Will Jade be able to sort her new life out whilst pretending that nothing has changed?
I love the stories that A Lonergan comes up with! She manages to tell a story that plays out like a movie in your head. The attention to detail is phenomenal, each detail has been carefully looked over and explained which makes things so much clearer for the reader. There are plenty of twists and turns in this book and it is great to see how Jade comes to terms with things. Each character has their own personality and you really do get a sense of who they are and what they stand for. Yes, it is only book one and I am sure that things will get severely shaken up but you do get a solid foundation and are quick to form attachments.
Jade as a main character is fantastic. She actually has feelings and acts like a real person would, which is refreshing to have in a story- not everyone is a kick-butt heroine. She does struggle and at times wants to give up, which makes her so relatable to pretty much everyone, in my opinion. All through the story, we see that she has a vulnerable side, yet she is still a headstrong and stubborn woman that wants to be able to do things on her own. She makes no apologies as to who she is and owns it, she wants the respect- and she wants to earn it rather than it just be given to her and she expects the same in others.
Rafe is a butt, to be honest, but you know that there is something lying under the surface. When that reason/feeling comes into the picture I am sure all will be explained and it will make everything he has done slot into place and make sense. He is THE man and when he meets Jade nothing is black and white anymore- it's all gray and he can't make sense of it. He wants to give her time and he does try, yet everything in him is protesting to just hurry up and stake the claim. He is overbearing but you know his heart is in the right place and you find yourself rooting for him.
This is a first in the series and I can not wait to read the next installment- I am chomping at the bit to get more! I highly recommend this book to all fans of shifters and magic. A Lonergan has become one of my favorite authors as she makes a story real. It is easy to get lost in her books and she always has you wanting more. This is another book full of great characters, a fantastic plot, and it is all so easy to feel for the characters throughout.
Jade is a normal student with overprotective parents who just wants to survive collega and live her best life. That goes very well until she meets Rafe Crimson, who is a bad boy with a huge secret. One night changes her whole life.
Jade and Rafe are great characters with their own flaws. The author writes them so that they feel very real. Their emotions and actions are really portarted on their characters. The story is has a great plotline and is sometimes very mysterious. Why did Rafe bite Jade? There attraction to each other is full with tension and changeable emotions and thoughts. Tracy is an amazing best friend to Jade. I love the magically elements and the details that the author writes. I am curious to read more about Rafe and Jade
This book is a great start to the series. Kasi and Michael are very talented narrators. They seamlessly elevated the story with their duo performance. I was lost in the world listening till the very end. I was taken aback by something that happened early on-and I do wish Jade would have held onto the anger a bit longer. There’s a bit of every supernatural in this book. I was happy to see that there’s shifters, and witches. There’s a mystery surrounding Jade and the Crimson pack that I’m curious to see where it leads. The book does end in a cliffhanger, but oh my gosh!! It’s so good that it leaves you waiting anxiously to see what happens next!! If you enjoy paranormal romance then consider grabbing this series.
Well this was interesting to say the least abs I have to admit there were some times when I just wanted to slap a dnf on this book. Only thing I didn’t like was that most of the books basically felt like filled abs fluff. I hope book 2 is better which I feel like it is
I'm going to write this in a way I won't give anything away so please excuse the rambling. Something truly awful happens to the main character something completely unforgivable early on and one of the perpetrators basically gets away with it due to the nature of their relationship prior to the incident. I couldn't read any more of this due to the total lack of realistic expectations of someone's character no one can forgive that so quickly and it just made me so angry.
For the first time in a long time have I felt the urge to become one with a wolf and run free. This story, that contains shifters, witches and vampires is so wonderfully written that you truly feel you’re in the story from the minute you start reading the first page. The main character Jade is a college student who has never had to work for the things she’s has in her life. However, she is super shy and the only way she feels truly alive is when she parties on the weekends at Frat houses or private residences. She has one friend that she parties with and feels that this is the only person she connects to. Attracted to bad boys leads her into so many different scenarios. Being attracted to one certain individual at a party changes her life forever. So enters Rafe into her life and the pack who is soon to become, unknown to her, her family. I was able to read this ARC provided to me by the author. It is in no way affiliated with Goodreads.
This review is for the whole trilogy. This series had a lot of potential, I loved the premise to start, but overall it fell flat for me. Some spoilers below!
It had absolutely no spice (even the kiss scenes were lackluster) and in a series like this, where there are definitely adult themes and a lot of action, to not at least have some spice kinda ruins it, but that’s just my opinion. I enjoy the spice as an emotional contrast to all the fighting and kidnapping/torture etc, but I also think it helps me connect with the main relationship. In this case, I definitely didn’t connect with the relationship between Rafe and Jade - she doesn’t ever even admit she loves him (maybe in the last book last chapter? but I must have missed it). When they finally claim each other in the last book it honestly felt like she just kinda gave in and decided to settle with him. She never thinks how much she loves him she just all of a sudden thinks well he is it for me I guess? And then the “mate bond snaps into place” but the author doesn’t really explain what the means exactly and then they claim each other later that night and then the story is over, that’s it. Jade had a lot of baggage with him turning her against her will and being kidnapped and tortured, so I do kinda understand her hesitancy at first but I was reading this as a romance novel and honestly it’s really just more of a paranormal thriller with a few kisses thrown in.
I think I had the biggest issues with Jade’s character throughout the whole series. I couldn’t really follow what she was thinking or feeling at times. I was mostly okay with her character and actions until she was kidnapped. There were so many things that happened that I just did not understand. Like at one point she hugs the villain and is claiming to want revenge against Rafe - and I thought it was all a ploy but then it actually seems real and she really is planning to work with Damian against Rafe. With the way she acted at one point I was nervous the book would actually pair her and Damian together. It isn’t until Damian actively starts physically abusing her that it seems again like she is playing him. It was just too confusing - I need the author to clearly spell out what the character is thinking/feeling, instead of just hoping the reader extrapolates to the correct point. Then there were time jumps while she was in captivity and I had trouble keeping up with how long she was supposed to have been there. Overall the second book has very little interaction between Jade and Rafe and until about midway into the third book Jade is still very much not interested in being Rafe’s mate.
Also, there were parts of the books that were very confusing, like the author forgot to include details and I would reread sections and it still didn’t make sense until a bit later. Sometimes I think the author did that for suspense, but it just felt like it was missing sections. For example, someone dies at one point and the author explains someone is dead and someone is carrying their body and how there is a tree branch stuck in them, but doesn’t give a name of who died. Then a page later a name is mentioned and I assume that is who they were talking about - things like that happened multiple times through the series. Then there are things that the author definitely keeps hidden for suspense - like why Rafe changed Jade to begin with. Which is okay for suspense but it took until the end of book 3 for him to tell her and that bothered me - she should have pushed him more to tell her right from the beginning and he should have wanted to. The reasons he didnt tell her don’t make any sense, and it would have helped her understand everything better. Maybe a better editor would have helped smooth out those issues.
Overall it wasn’t a bad series, but the lack of real romance kinda killed it for me since I really didn’t feel any connection with Rafe and Jade beyond being told they were mates. It’s not a series I would reread.
I really wanted to like this series and I did enough to finish it but honestly, the story in the end definitely fell short for me and was way more of a YA novel than I was expecting. Obviously, there was something that held my attention enough to keep reading but I'm not sure what it was. I feel A. Lonergan had a lot off great ideas and concepts she wanted to add in and instead of choosing a few and perfecting them she added them all. Sometimes less is more.
Pros: I like the premise of the story Good characters - MFC is a bit annoying at times.
Cons: Very very very slow moving. I definitely think the story was way too drawn out and did not need to be three books, two at best. There was a lot of filler. I wanted more moments of characters building. We would start to see that and then it got cut off and would progress into a pointless scene.
Not a lot of chemistry between Jade and Rafe. The whole second and third book I was honestly wanting to read more about Tracy and Knox's story than continue the one I was reading.
The ending felt like a cop out
Didn't like all of Rafe's secret keeping through the books
This book was terrible. But I loved it! 🤣 I’ve never felt so conflicted about a book. The writing was sub-par, the MFC was annoying, the way things were explained were unclear (not in a good/mysterious way) and I saw numerous typos. The cliches were chiche-ing and almost everything that happened was semi-predictable. But tell me why I couldn’t stop reading it and even dreamed about it last night. And also why did I immediately buy book 2! I want to know what is going on with the rogue wolves and why is Jade “different” and WHEN will she finally admit to herself that she likes Rafe (the alpha)? This is not a literary masterpiece and it honestly felt like a high schooler wrote it. But it’s got me hooked (for now) and wanting more.
I can't with this book - I forced myself to page 86 (26%) before giving up. The way Jade thinks is immature and she goes on repeatedly about how she loves bad boys, drinking, and sneaking around the security cameras her parents installed. Rafe turns her against her will and no one wants to tell her anything about what is happening. He assaults her and drugs her and everyone is just "well, is what it is" - and they're supposed to be the main couple??? She totally forgives her "friend" Tracey with no explanation because she's "so selfless". It has been a while since I have rolled my eyes so hard at a book before reading this one. Even with not knowing what the hell is going on I have no desire to go any further for answers.
A. Lonergan’s books always keep me on the edge of my seat, wanting more and Take Me definitely did that and did not disappoint! Once I started the book, I could not stop reading! I loved this werewolf shifter/ enemies to almost lovers (You know what I mean, if you’ve already read it 😉) book! Our protagonist Jade is pretty badass and I love her attitude and wittiness! A girl who’s not afraid to speak her mind! And our designated bad boy, Rafe.. I don’t even know where to even begin, trying to explain him! 😍 He can turn me into a werewolf any day though! I was so sad when I got to the ending! Lonergan leaves us with a major cliffhanger! 😂 So eager to get my hands on book 2! 💜
Such a great start to a new series. It took me a couple chapters to really get into the story but you won’t be disappointed. The characters are somewhat predictable but still fresh. This book is only the beginning because there is a mystery thread that isn’t resolved at the end. The world building was a bit different than what i was used to which was a nice change. However, I was not prepared for the story to end on a cliffhanger. You’ve been warned. I can’t wait for the next book!!! Luckily, I won’t have to wait long!
Highly recommend if you enjoy shifter romance and mystery. PG-13 content. Read on Kindle Unlimited.
At first, I wasn’t hooked, I couldn’t seem to get attached to the character.
Then the main event happened and some new characters showed up and I was giggling and needing to turn the page to find out more.
I don’t have a lot to say about the book, I enjoyed it more once it picked up, I liked the characters entering but there were still a lot of unanswered questions throughout that I wish were explored a bit more. But you can bet I’ll be waiting and reading the second book as soon as it comes out. Totally not down with the cliff hanger though, that was harsh.
I am loving the dual POV storyline and how everything is coming together. I thought it was really clever to make Rafes POV a little mysterious, but enough hints to tie in everything Jade is going through. I am loving how she is turned and it’s not just a shifter and shifter story. I would have liked to hear more about how she really came to her senses about being a werewolf rather than just accepting it, but maybe it could happen. There’s so much left unsaid- I can’t wait to read books 2 & 3!
I really enjoy the story as a whole.. jade was for forced into a world that she didn't even know it existed, and is dealing with it the best way she can.. I did had a hard time in the beggining with her.. but as the book progresses it makes you understand her a little more.. rafe for his part went from creepy vibes to dude... make up your mind.. lol... i definetly want to know more about mav and the rest of the gang.. the cliffhanger definitely got me hooked for the next book..
I was sucked into this story so fast! I absolutely loved every second of the story. We meet Jade, your typical college student. She’s enjoying life partying it up, drawn to the bad boys. The. She meets Rafe, the bad boy that changes everything. But is this change for the better or the worst. Join Jade as she tries to figure everything out. You will not regret the journey!
Probably more like a 3.5. This hooked me, but tbh I felt like I was missing something the whole time. Like I literally checked to make sure there wasn’t a prequel or anything that I was supposed to read before this. It was a long book for not learning ANYTHING about the pack or Rafe or why he turned Jade. No info about ANYTHING. Maddening. But I finished it and am moving onto book 2. Hopefully I’ll finally get some answers there!
This book was absolutely captivating. I fell head over heels for the characters and storyline. And that ending! OMG! The anticipation for book two is real y'all. If you love wolf shifters, fierce FMCs, and delicious bad boys you won't go wrong reading this one.
What a great story! Loved this book from the very beginning. The characters are just so good! Love them so much! But I must say I did get confused every now in then like we finish Jade's chapter and then we bounce to Rafe's and i don't know it confused me sometimes. But other than that I loved it! Can't wait to read book 2!!!
Jade is a strong main character that I love the have in a book! She didn't let what happened to her bring her all the way down. She fought and learned how to live with the events that happened.
Rafe though needs to get it together and stop hiding so many secrets.
I enjoyed this take on Warewolves, Witches, and Vampires. Jade is a spitfire and can hold her own. Rafe is an Alpha and we all know Alphas don't care to follow the rules unless they're their own. However, I do feel that this is headed with Jade and Rafe together in the end, or at least I'm hoping for an HEA.
What a great start to this trilogy! I’m completely in love with Jade & cannot wait for the next book! The world building totally pulled me in. I highly recommend reading this amazing book as soon as you can!
Another great book. There are twists and turns and things unexpected in this book. I would probably do the same thing as the MC did in this book. Be careful what fire you play with it you don't want burned. Things are not as they seem.
I read this book from start to finish, just couldn't get into it. Not even the cliffhanger could get me to read the second book, which sucks cos this series could have been promising. All the ingredients are there but somehow the flavours don't marry.
This book keeps you reading even when you know you should be working,cleaning,eating,sleeping,anything but reading a book for pleasure. Now on to the next one! Thank god it's available and I don't have to wait!
This book was phenomenal! I finished it in 3 hours because I just couldn’t put it down! The descriptions really make you feel like you are in the story. I lovvvveeeddd it seriously even if it ended on a huge cliff hanger!
It's not a terrible book I just found her so young and he was not forthcoming about anything which I've seen before but constantly referring to her dying and him there then not again and again. I lost interest in this story
Well I didn't expect this. Take me packed a punch. Great FMCs love the dynamics of the parental relationship in contrast to the packs. I'm off to get reading book 2!!
It took me a little to get into it at first and I struggled for the first half to get attached to Jade but dear gods did I absolutely live for Rafe's POV. This had one of my favourite cast of characters, absolutely loved the Guardians.
This book was so good! I liked how the fmc didn’t just readily accept the changes in her life, she was skeptical and unhappy like a real person would be. Highly recommend!