An Impossible Bride

Brides of Beshtast #4

by Juniper Kerry

Jayla knows there’s something wrong with her. All the other women who volunteered for the Bride program have met their matches and settled down. It’s been five years, but Jayla is still alone. The closest she’s ever gotten to a connection is with Frey, a sexy, solemn warrior who seemed interested for a while, but he’s made it quite clear he won’t have her. Not that she cares. If he doesn’t want her, that’s his problem… at least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.

Desperate to understand what’s holding her back from finding a true bond, Jayla books an appointment with a doctor who might be able to help. It’s a risk, but it’s one she has to take. Unfortunately, the answers she seeks may be far more disturbing than she could have expected.

This is a bad idea, and Frey knows it. He should give Jayla the distance she needs. They’ve had five years to form a bond, but it has not happened. Five years of orbiting around each other, sparking and snapping at each other, with no pair-bond in sight. Where once they looked at each other with interest, now they fight every time they try to talk. Frey knows Jayla hates him by now; she wants nothing to do with him.

But when he hears that she’s planning a dangerous journey alone, he knows he has to go with her. Even if they aren’t meant to be together; even if she hates the sight of him now; he can still protect her. And when he learns that her condition is even more dangerous than he imagined, Frey will be there to help her… whether she likes it or not.

Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2021

About the author

Juniper Kerry has been reading romance since she was twelve, and mistakenly took one of her mother's books to summer camp with her. Since then, she has been hooked on romance of all kinds, but she has a particular penchant for science fiction, supernatural, and OV romance. Who doesn't love a monster with a heart?

Juniper has a degree in English literature and anthropology from Smith College, as well as an MA from Simmons University. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two young boys, and lazy basset hound named Barney.

Reviews

[Fay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only the second book from this author that I have read. I have to say that I loved this so much. Definitely adding to the favourite author list after this. Jayla is and always has been in love with Frey. She tried to act on it once and the rejection after put up barriers between them that were nigh impossible to break down. She knows she is sick and has requested a lift to the doctor, who comes to get her but Frey. The only person and the last person she wants to see. Frey knows that he cares for Jayla but there is no sign of the pair-bond which is part of his species. He is honest to a fault and doesn't want to hurt Jayla by admitting it is there when it isn't and in so doing actually hurts her more. They were friends once and he cannot let that go despite what he has said to her. When he finds out she is ill he will stop at nothing to support her and make sure that she gets better. Thing is will anything ever change between them? Can they go on hurting each other when it is the last either of them wants to do but without a pair-bond where does that leave them?
Total soft spot for the Doc and Nicky. So happy to see that they are getting their own tale, cannot wait!

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really empathised with Jayla, the female lead, in this story. The depth of emotion she felt for the male lead, Frey, was genuinely heartbreaking, given that he kept telling her he wasn’t feeling what he was supposed to for them to have a permanent relationship.

Then to discover she had cancer and have to race to a specialist with Frey coming as support, to have emergency surgery, and then to have Frey turn around and say that NOW he felt everything he was supposed to was heartbreaking in a different way.

And, yet, because this was a dual POV story (which I love), to be able to also see Frey’s anxieties and fears and to understand why he made the choices he did, was also moving.

This story was dual POV, well written, and a great addition to the series. I particularly liked the relationship and individual development and interaction, and several of the secondary characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayla finds that her headaches are coming more often and she's been getting nose bleeds. . Frey goes to pick up Jayla to take her to the city to see the doctor there. He is waiting for a bondmate but he wants Jayla and he's not felt the bondmate with her. Jayla is devastated because Frey is all she's ever wanted. Everytime Frey does anything with Jayla he tells her that he shouldn't do anything which hurts her more. Julia runs test and then tells Jayla that she has cancer. Julia sends Jayla to Sothach to the doctor there. Doc fixes Jayla and next when Frey sees her he is struck by the mate bond. That's the only part that I really didn't like. How can he feel it now and not 5 years before. To me his explanation is a copout. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frey and Jayla . . .

Jayla is worried there may be something wrong with her. It has been 5 years, yet no alien has claimed her and all the other women who volunteered for the Bride program are matched. She thought Frey would choose her, but he hasn’t. She doesn’t realize he has been waiting for the mate-bond to appear. She decides to go to a doctor to see what is wrong. Frey insists on going too so that he can protect her, even though the two of them constantly fight each other now. What will she find out about her condition? Could it be interfering with the bond that would normally appear? Can it be corrected? Will Frey continue to be there for her as he has all along?

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the Brides of Beshtast series a well written story that kept me turning pages. This is Jayla and Frey's story along with their friends Doc and Nicky there is suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, villains, and romance. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story! Characters that will steal your heart. A storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat and glued to your kindle! For me it was a love- hate deal as the characters face their demons. You will feel their emotions and struggles. A definite must read.