I love Amy Award's curvy sports series, so I was so excited to see what she'd do in this pen name with one of my favorite subgenres- shifter romance. And I enjoyed this listen.
Taryn wakes up in complete darkness. No idea who she is, where she is, or why she’s being held captive. When she’s finally released, she finds herself in one of the harshest places imaginable: a Siberian prison island ominously known as the Island of the Damned. What she doesn’t expect? Gorgeous, mysterious men who shift into wolves, cryptic whispers about her past, and a powerful bond that defies explanation. Though Taryn feels like an ordinary human, she quickly learns that nothing about her situation is ordinary. The Wolf Guard know exactly who she is, but are forbidden from telling her. Her memories must return on their own. Until then, the heart, and the bond she shares with these fierce shifters, are all she can rely on.
This special edition collects all four Fate of the Wolf Guard books, focusing on Taryn and her dynamic with August, Vasily, Joachim, and Grigori. It’s a “why choose” shifter romance, rich with action, mythology, romance, and humor. While the setup might sound like pure paranormal fantasy fluff, there’s much more beneath the surface. As the case with Amy (Aidy’s other penname), there is a lot of heart to this and plenty of meaningful connection.
I love the curvy girl power in Aidy/Amy’s writing. Taryn is relatable and empowering. She embraces her curves, her strength, and her femininity. Her growth, from scared and unsure to bold and self-aware, is inspiring without feeling forced. Shown not told.
And of course who wouldn’t love a delicious pack of protective mates? Each of the male leads has a distinct voice and emotional depth. The romantic connections feel authentic, blending slow-burn tenderness with fierce loyalty and passion. Yes, there’s spice, but the emotion and heart is here too.
The setting here also plays a great role in the story. The icy, unforgiving Siberian setting is vivid and immersive, and ups the stakes. Weather, wolves, ancient bloodlines - oh my! It’s all tied together beautifully.
The audio is LONG (it’s got several books after all), so definitely worth the credit/buy. Its narrated by Stephanie Rose and Curt Bonnem, who have narrated the whole series. I’ve loved Stephanie’s performance so far. She always captures such emotional depth and range, embodying each heroine beautifully and here she’s perfect as Taryn. I’ve had mixed feelings about Curt- but in part because the few I’ve listened to I felt his book didn’t match the alpha. But here I liked him as the guards. Perhaps because we have more character variety here he fit more for more (I also listened to Book 1 in the series).
Overall, a fun, flirty paranormal romance with heart, heat, and great tie in to the series. What starts as a mystery about a lost woman in a dangerous land evolves into an empowering, romantic, and myth-rich journey of self-discovery and fated mate connection. If you love the shifter genre, why choose dynamics, and plenty of heart and heat, this listen is enjoyable.
Includes the books:
Unclaimed
Untamed
Undone
Undefeated
What to expect
-shifter
-fated mates
-why choose
-amnesia
-prisoner/guards
-found family
-heroine coming into her power
-forced proximity