Scarlet

by Kari Robins

They say not to go out into the woods at night. But one girl refuses to heed their warnings. After a death, Kassidy (Scarlet) grows to despise the wolves. Kill by kill, she fights her way through the ranks until she is the best. She will see the end of the wolves once and for all.

Conri, their Sage, loses control of the packs. His attempt to break free goes horribly wrong. Shot in the back, he stumbles through the woods and right into the arms of a huntsman.

She only meant to stay with him one night.

About the author

Kari Robins has always preferred the written word to the spoken word. She has been writing flash fiction since she was in middle school. She would write stories instead of taking notes in class.

A high school teacher encouraged to become an author. She didn’t listen to her back then, but she is now. She has one novel to be released in June of 2021 and many more to come.

Kari is a working mom and wife. She recently graduated from college to become a teacher for Technology and Engineering but the COVID-19 pandemic changed her plans and she begin writing again.

Reviews

[Rheanne Elledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I didn’t realize this was a red riding hood retelling before I read/listened to this book because it seems so obvious now but I LOVED THIS.

I received a free ALC copy (audiobook copy) and this is my honest review.

This book was exactly what I needed. This was my first time listening to a romance book as spicy as this and I felt a little awkward. I listened to it in the car with my husband in the vehicle. I knew he couldn’t hear it over his noise cancelling head phones and tv show but I still felt so weird thinking he would maybe hear some of the more spicy parts. I definitely think if I tried to listen to this in a cafe or in public at all I would be convinced that everyone around me could hear it. I actually ended up really enjoying listening to the narrator while reading the ebook at the same time.

Looking at my notes for this book while reading, I am laughing. My first note was that right away I knew I LOVED this narrators voice (her name is Lucy Bond, fyi). I may have to find more books narrated by her. BUT 3 notes later is that biggest disappointment is that this book wasn’t a dual narration since it is dual POV. I will say that the narrator handled both POVs beautifully, this is just my personal preference. This is why I ended up reading the ebook copy while listening because it helped me distinguish exactly WHO was talking (especially says there are characters talking in their own heads and each others heads).

So back to this being a red riding hood retelling, but spicy. Kassi (AKA Scarlet) is a hunter. She hates the wolves for killing people close to her and vows to end them for her revenge. She was taught that once a human turns into a werewolf they are stuck in that form…

At the start of this seasons hunt, Scarlet finds a man stumbling alone in the woods and he has been shot in the back with an arrow. Scarlet is inexplicably drawn to help him and even feels a connection to him to tell him everything about her.

Conri is a werewolf, and they’re Sage (leader of all the alphas), but he is running from his pack and the evil wolf who is trying to replace him as Sage. He has no choice but to trust the human in the woods. But, he didn’t expect this feelings for her. He wants her, and his wolf wants to claim her, but he refuses to cross that line until he can tell her the truth about him.

Ugh!!! This book was unbelievably amazing. I didn’t know how spicy it was going to be going in to it. I would rate it medium-low for a spicy book (maybe 2.5 out of 5 peppers) because there is a lot of talk and the explicit scenes are great but it isn’t dark. But I really needed a well written spicy romance book and this satisfied that craving.

The first thing I did after finishing this book was check if book 2 was released yet, and it sadly isn’t at this time. I cannot wait to read it and see what is next for Scarlet, Conri, and the packs.

[Amanda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book. It was my first ARC ever and I was super excited. I read this book in 20 hours. And that was with taking care of a sick 6yo.

Overall thoughts: this book was engaging, very fast paced, very accessible, and emotionally light. To me it felt like a NA dark romantasy. It is a more grown up retelling of Red Riding Hood with a satisfying amount of spice, and a resolution that feels neatly packaged and tied up. There is danger on the horizon and dark times promised for book two. This would be a good book for someone just getting into the dark fantasy genre or for someone coming up for air after a deep plunge into it.

Pros- incredibly fast paced, good spice with a bit of consensual rough handling. Tropes are all my favorites: mild enemies to lovers, one bed, fated mates. A strong female narrator that can handle business. Good set up for darker plot in remaining trilogy. Fun to read. Short and easy, great book for breaking a reading slump or filling a small gap in reading schedule.

Cons - a little light on plot, in my personal opinion. I know it is supposed to focus on building the bond between the main characters to give them their foundation to face the coming trials of books 2 & 3, but I could have used more. The long awaited only *complete* sex scene had some parts that made me stumble. Some things were being done that their positions wouldn’t allow so it broke my immersion and kinda made it lose its impact for me. The end tied up a little too neatly for me. I’d have like some more emotional struggle from Scarlet. A little more pain. It felt a little like a deus ex machina for me.

I’d recommend it, I was pleased. I enjoyed it and felt it was time well spent. I’m looking forward to book 2.

[Amanda lubbers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Riding Hood vibes, but with red riding hood falling unknowingly for the wolf.

I received and arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. I actually ended up really liking this book. It kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading. I really like the Conri/Wolfe situation. I’ve never read a werewolf story where the man and wolf are not one and the same mentally.

My biggest complaint was that I wanted more. The story moves very quickly at times and I feel like there could have been more meat to it. There’s also a lot of repetitive phrases, at one point there were 5 sentences in a row that started with “I”. Not a huge turn off for me though and I am excited to see how the story continues.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet was an unexpected surprise! This is not your typical werewolf romance. The plot starts off slowly, but builds nicely until you can't put the book down. Scarlet is a skilled hunter of werewolves and a human. Conri is the leader of all werewolf alphas, the Werewolf Sage, who is running from his past. Fate brings them together. They are enemies but they cannot deny their attraction. Can they overcome their differences to accept their true mate?
Warning: Scarlet reaches a satisfactory conclusion but the plot has unanswered questions which leaves you eager for the next book in the series.

[Palistha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlet is an adult retelling of Red Riding Hood where she falls for the wolf unknowingly. This is a fantasy romance novel. I loved and enjoyed the book. It was a fast-paced and quick read. The MMC Conri has not accepted his wolf form so, we can see the fight that happens within himself between his human and wolf form. I liked that plot as it felt a little different. The book lays all the groundwork needed for the next books in the series.

If you are starting out in the dark fantasy or need a quick refresher after a deep dive into it, this would be the perfect book for you. The book has just the right amount of spice too.

[Georgia Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on myindiebookshelf . com and wasn't disappointed. It was a well-written fun, romping, loose retelling of Red Riding Hood. I do wish the author had given more history to the MCs at the beginning. The reader is dropped into the story when Kassie and Conri first meet, and it would have been great to know their lives before they met. The middle did get muddled for a minute, but I blew through the end. Overall, I would recommend this if you like spicy fated mates and shifter fantasy stories - I know I do!

[Marisa P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this reimagining of the Little Red Riding story and I look forward to the rest in the series. Scarlet is definitely no little girl on the way to grandma's house in this one. I would say the spice in this book is fairly mild compared to some other books that I've read, but it was enough and not just spice for spice sake. I read this book in about two days but could have very easily done it in one. Definitely would recommend if you like fairy tale reimagining.

[Marie-Claude Carrière · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. I don't usually read books with werewolf but was intrigued in this one with the authors blurb, the beautiful cover and the nod to the red riding hood.

I was captured by Scarlet's story from the beginning and will be waiting impatiently for the second book.

Great plot, with a fast pace. There's always something happening and no time to get bored by this novel. I loved that there was a strong independent FMC with great values.

**Thank you for this ARC opportunity.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Luna Sage Series, my first book by this author, and a first I thoroughly enjoyed. I fell in love with Conri right from the beginning (and you will too), he’s likable, unique, and an engaging character. This book is fast paced, action packed, with good steam and kept me entertained throughout and turning the pages. Looking forward to seeing what’s next!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased this book on Kindle and I read it in 3 days with working full time. I enjoyed the characters and thought Conri and Scarlet were very well developed. I cannot wait to read more in the series as the end of the book leaves you wanting to get the next book. This was written very well. Look forward to reading more of the authors books.

[Jess Reads2Much · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this as an audiobook ARC, and I wanted to like it, but this supposedly super skilled werewolf hunter was too stupid to like. It was so obvious he was a wolf from the first moment she met him and she's like, what is different about him? I couldn't help but giggle

[LadyAReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Scarlet is a great spicy retelling of little red riding hood. The twists and spice this version take will leave your mouth watering. If you enjoy retellings with any spice at all I highly recommend this book 5/5🌟

[JenHentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a hunter who hurts wolves- she saves and falls in love with a man she finds hurt in the forest. A tale about finding your true self and accepting it.

[Cassandra Doon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great short read.
Really impressed