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Dark Forest Pack #1
Claiming Rys
All that time apart and yet the pull between them is as strong as ever…
Rys
Ten years ago Gabriel Mason betrayed me in the worst way. He made me question my instincts because I’d trusted him with a bone-deep certainty, and for that I will never forgive him.
Seeing him again after all this time sparks memories I thought I’d buried so far down they’d never surface. He’s as beautiful as I remember, but I’m older and wiser now, and I refuse to make the same mistakes again.
Gabriel
Rys Calder, wolf shifter and the biggest regret of my life. I loved him, and yet I didn’t share with him the one thing that eventually became our undoing. I broke his trust and I’ve carried that guilt for years. I knew seeing him again would hurt, but no matter how many times I’d imagined it, being on the receiving end of his cold stares and indifference hurt more than I’d anticipated.
Thrown together again with a killer on the loose, will the past continue to haunt them, or can they move past it and claim the future that fate always had in store for them?
Claiming Rys is an MM paranormal romance with second chances, fated mates, pining, angry alphas, and feisty ex-hunters.
Rys
Ten years ago Gabriel Mason betrayed me in the worst way. He made me question my instincts because I’d trusted him with a bone-deep certainty, and for that I will never forgive him.
Seeing him again after all this time sparks memories I thought I’d buried so far down they’d never surface. He’s as beautiful as I remember, but I’m older and wiser now, and I refuse to make the same mistakes again.
Gabriel
Rys Calder, wolf shifter and the biggest regret of my life. I loved him, and yet I didn’t share with him the one thing that eventually became our undoing. I broke his trust and I’ve carried that guilt for years. I knew seeing him again would hurt, but no matter how many times I’d imagined it, being on the receiving end of his cold stares and indifference hurt more than I’d anticipated.
Thrown together again with a killer on the loose, will the past continue to haunt them, or can they move past it and claim the future that fate always had in store for them?
Claiming Rys is an MM paranormal romance with second chances, fated mates, pining, angry alphas, and feisty ex-hunters.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2022
About the author
Annabelle Jacobs
48 books377 followersAnnabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her three rowdy children, and two cats.
An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.
An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 16, 2024
This book is free on Amazon (Canada) today (12/27/2023). 🙂
✅ Shifters, faes, and witches
✅ Dual POVs
✅ Pace / Quick read
✅ MM smut
✅(🆗) Plot
✅(🆗) MM romance (second chance)
🆗 Kind of insta-love
🆗 Characters
🆗 World building
🆗❌ Solving of the mystery and demise of the villain are very anticlimactic
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: forced drug use
This book is a mix of police investigation and “second chance” romance, set in a paranormal setting where humans and non-humans cohabit the best they can. Rys is an alpha, and Gabriel is a human, ex-hunter, and also ex-lover of Rys. Their relationship ended brutally 10 years ago when Rys found out that Gabriel was a hunter and killed a member of Rys’ pack, but now they are forced to work together to find out who is targeting non-humans and having them killed.
The world-building is rather simple: humans and non-humans living together. We don’t know much about any special regulation or how the society works with both groups living together and humans being aware that shifters, witches, and faes were living among them. We are just told that they are aware of it, that there are hunters that are paid to hunt down any out-of-control non-human or human, and that they are allowed to kill them if necessary.
Honestly, I was hoping for more from this book. I wanted some angst and groveling, considering that Gabriel betrayed Rys 10 years ago, and was now back in his life. What I got instead was some hatred mixed with desire and longing, and once they gave themselves a chance to talk and explain everything that happened 10 years ago, they made up and everything was resolved. It shows maturity, and I like that about the characters, but at the same time, I didn’t get the angst and drama I was hoping for.
While the blurb mentions a killer on the loose that Rys and Gabriel must find, the plot is secondary to the romance in this book. The police investigation serves as a way for Gabriel to be thrown back into Rys’ life, but for most of the book, Gabriel and his partner just ask a few questions and try to recognize people of interest in a nightclub. There is not much time spent on the elaboration of the criminal aspect of the book, and not many details about it either… And, after spending 85% of the book seemingly going nowhere with the investigation, everything is figured out and resolved in a few very anticlimactic chapters. The villain is identified and found, and there is a final confrontation that was very underwhelming.
Another issue I had with this book is the lack of depth of the characters. Both Rys and Gabriel were just bland and okay, nothing more. Because of that, I didn’t care that much about them, so I didn’t really care about their relationship either, which is a problem when most of the book focuses on them and their relationship. Even though we got some backstories and inner thoughts, thanks to the dual POV, they were both unimpressive. Rys was described as an “impressive alpha” at one point and I just stopped reading and made a stupid face because we didn’t see him act as an alpha or even interact with his pack, besides Talis and Axel. He called one meeting and worked with the police, but that’s it. He didn’t appear or feel like a strong, charismatic leader, but more like a regular shifter helping the police.
I do not think that I will continue this series, because the next book focuses on two of the secondary characters, and while they were slightly more intriguing than the main characters, I am not intrigued and don’t care enough about them to want to read their book. This was a nice quick read, but nothing special or super impressive.
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✅ Shifters, faes, and witches
✅ Dual POVs
✅ Pace / Quick read
✅ MM smut
✅(🆗) Plot
✅(🆗) MM romance (second chance)
🆗 Kind of insta-love
🆗 Characters
🆗 World building
🆗❌ Solving of the mystery and demise of the villain are very anticlimactic
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: forced drug use
The naive boy I’d been ten years ago died the day I discovered that my soulmate was a fucking hunter.
This book is a mix of police investigation and “second chance” romance, set in a paranormal setting where humans and non-humans cohabit the best they can. Rys is an alpha, and Gabriel is a human, ex-hunter, and also ex-lover of Rys. Their relationship ended brutally 10 years ago when Rys found out that Gabriel was a hunter and killed a member of Rys’ pack, but now they are forced to work together to find out who is targeting non-humans and having them killed.
The world-building is rather simple: humans and non-humans living together. We don’t know much about any special regulation or how the society works with both groups living together and humans being aware that shifters, witches, and faes were living among them. We are just told that they are aware of it, that there are hunters that are paid to hunt down any out-of-control non-human or human, and that they are allowed to kill them if necessary.
Honestly, I was hoping for more from this book. I wanted some angst and groveling, considering that Gabriel betrayed Rys 10 years ago, and was now back in his life. What I got instead was some hatred mixed with desire and longing, and once they gave themselves a chance to talk and explain everything that happened 10 years ago, they made up and everything was resolved. It shows maturity, and I like that about the characters, but at the same time, I didn’t get the angst and drama I was hoping for.
While the blurb mentions a killer on the loose that Rys and Gabriel must find, the plot is secondary to the romance in this book. The police investigation serves as a way for Gabriel to be thrown back into Rys’ life, but for most of the book, Gabriel and his partner just ask a few questions and try to recognize people of interest in a nightclub. There is not much time spent on the elaboration of the criminal aspect of the book, and not many details about it either… And, after spending 85% of the book seemingly going nowhere with the investigation, everything is figured out and resolved in a few very anticlimactic chapters. The villain is identified and found, and there is a final confrontation that was very underwhelming.
Another issue I had with this book is the lack of depth of the characters. Both Rys and Gabriel were just bland and okay, nothing more. Because of that, I didn’t care that much about them, so I didn’t really care about their relationship either, which is a problem when most of the book focuses on them and their relationship. Even though we got some backstories and inner thoughts, thanks to the dual POV, they were both unimpressive. Rys was described as an “impressive alpha” at one point and I just stopped reading and made a stupid face because we didn’t see him act as an alpha or even interact with his pack, besides Talis and Axel. He called one meeting and worked with the police, but that’s it. He didn’t appear or feel like a strong, charismatic leader, but more like a regular shifter helping the police.
I do not think that I will continue this series, because the next book focuses on two of the secondary characters, and while they were slightly more intriguing than the main characters, I am not intrigued and don’t care enough about them to want to read their book. This was a nice quick read, but nothing special or super impressive.
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June 1, 2023
All right, I'm just gonna come out and say it. Because it needs to be said.
No one can write shifters better than Annabelle Jacobs.
No one. No human. No non-human.
No one.
There, I said what I said, and I stand behind it.
Why? Let's start at the beginning.
Paranormal romance isn't easy to create. More precisely, superb paranormal romance isn't easy to write. Many authors focus on the human half and the paranormal aspect is like a backpack they wear. I don't want it to be something they can take on and off. I don't want someone who can simply become a wolf. I want it to be an integral part of them, the second half of their heartbeat, steady and solid in the background. I don't want to be told about their wolf, I want to know already because I can feel it. I never question or forget that I am among wolves in one of AJ's shifter stories. I get full-body shivers just thinking about them.
Rys and Gabriel have history. They have harbored feelings and hidden secrets. They haven’t exchanged words or laid eyes on each other in a decade. That’s about to change. They live in a world full of wolves, fae, witches, and of course humans. Young and reckless Rys ran into Gabriel before he was eighteen and was mesmerized. They went from zero to a hundred in seconds. Unfortunately, they crashed and burned before they had a chance to understand or grasp their rarity. Truth be told, they know very little about one another. Hormones ruled and conversations were on the ‘later’ list. Now Rys is the Alpha of his pack and very much a man. He’s a master of control and restraint. Or he was until Gabriel appears again with pieces to the puzzle that became them. Is it too late for them to mend what was broken? Not only have they lost ten years but they are on different paths now. What if fate made a mistake? Maybe their future is just not meant to be.
Wolves are very tactile creatures. Driven by sensory stimuli, they are controlled by six powers; their natural instinct plus the remaining five senses. They must touch, need to scent, and would be a fool to ignore their gut. Let’s just say, Rys has been a fool. There’s a monster on the loose and Rys and Gabriel need to pull together to solve the case. But Rys isn’t sure he can ignore his wolf anymore or that he even wants to. Wolves are also very family-centric and Rys doesn’t discriminate against species. He loves all of his pack, wolves or not, and will do anything to protect them. Gabriel used to be a hunter but he broke free from those chains. With each step forward, he hopes to atone for his past mistakes. And losing Rys was the biggest of all. There is a twisted murder mystery but the romance and redemption forge to the front. There are knots to unravel and clearly more to come. I loved bossy cousins, besties, betas, and their burning passion. Rys and Gabriel are clearly the focal points here but I simply cannot wait to broaden our view. I have questions!!! And I’ll patiently wait. *whispers* But Nick is next? When is this wondrous wicked witch coming?!?!
Beware of: Second chances, enemies to lovers, and diverse couples. Hazy secondary characters with great potential. And two promised hearts defy denial.
This book is for: If you’re searching for first-rate shifters in an intricate world, don’t miss this thrilling start.
Book UNfunk
No one can write shifters better than Annabelle Jacobs.
No one. No human. No non-human.
No one.
There, I said what I said, and I stand behind it.
Why? Let's start at the beginning.
Paranormal romance isn't easy to create. More precisely, superb paranormal romance isn't easy to write. Many authors focus on the human half and the paranormal aspect is like a backpack they wear. I don't want it to be something they can take on and off. I don't want someone who can simply become a wolf. I want it to be an integral part of them, the second half of their heartbeat, steady and solid in the background. I don't want to be told about their wolf, I want to know already because I can feel it. I never question or forget that I am among wolves in one of AJ's shifter stories. I get full-body shivers just thinking about them.
Rys and Gabriel have history. They have harbored feelings and hidden secrets. They haven’t exchanged words or laid eyes on each other in a decade. That’s about to change. They live in a world full of wolves, fae, witches, and of course humans. Young and reckless Rys ran into Gabriel before he was eighteen and was mesmerized. They went from zero to a hundred in seconds. Unfortunately, they crashed and burned before they had a chance to understand or grasp their rarity. Truth be told, they know very little about one another. Hormones ruled and conversations were on the ‘later’ list. Now Rys is the Alpha of his pack and very much a man. He’s a master of control and restraint. Or he was until Gabriel appears again with pieces to the puzzle that became them. Is it too late for them to mend what was broken? Not only have they lost ten years but they are on different paths now. What if fate made a mistake? Maybe their future is just not meant to be.
Wolves are very tactile creatures. Driven by sensory stimuli, they are controlled by six powers; their natural instinct plus the remaining five senses. They must touch, need to scent, and would be a fool to ignore their gut. Let’s just say, Rys has been a fool. There’s a monster on the loose and Rys and Gabriel need to pull together to solve the case. But Rys isn’t sure he can ignore his wolf anymore or that he even wants to. Wolves are also very family-centric and Rys doesn’t discriminate against species. He loves all of his pack, wolves or not, and will do anything to protect them. Gabriel used to be a hunter but he broke free from those chains. With each step forward, he hopes to atone for his past mistakes. And losing Rys was the biggest of all. There is a twisted murder mystery but the romance and redemption forge to the front. There are knots to unravel and clearly more to come. I loved bossy cousins, besties, betas, and their burning passion. Rys and Gabriel are clearly the focal points here but I simply cannot wait to broaden our view. I have questions!!! And I’ll patiently wait. *whispers* But Nick is next? When is this wondrous wicked witch coming?!?!
Beware of: Second chances, enemies to lovers, and diverse couples. Hazy secondary characters with great potential. And two promised hearts defy denial.
This book is for: If you’re searching for first-rate shifters in an intricate world, don’t miss this thrilling start.
Book UNfunk
August 2, 2022
I would classify this as shifter–lite. It takes place in a world where humans, shifters and fae live somewhat peacefully.
A second chance MM romance with the emphasis being on the mystery, and the boiling tension between these two past lovers. This slow burn is filled with so much angst and hate/longing it became a little frustrating.
This book had so much potential, but it failed to show Rys as an actual alpha. He seemed so off-kilter the entire book it was hard to picture him being strong enough to lead a pack.
There is little to no world building, and lacked backgrounds on the main characters. It felt like I was reading part two and missed the first book.
The mystery was fairly easily solved, and the build-up was anticlimactic, but I still enjoyed the story. Not sure if I'll continue the series though.
A second chance MM romance with the emphasis being on the mystery, and the boiling tension between these two past lovers. This slow burn is filled with so much angst and hate/longing it became a little frustrating.
His very presence called to something deep in my soul, threatening to unravel everything I’d worked so hard at to bury our connection.Rys was seventeen when he falls hard for Gabriel. They had a brutal falling out that led to them not seeing each other for ten years. Now Gabriel is investing a crime that involves Rys pack. There are multiple miscommunications as the reason these two haven't spoken.
This book had so much potential, but it failed to show Rys as an actual alpha. He seemed so off-kilter the entire book it was hard to picture him being strong enough to lead a pack.
There is little to no world building, and lacked backgrounds on the main characters. It felt like I was reading part two and missed the first book.
The mystery was fairly easily solved, and the build-up was anticlimactic, but I still enjoyed the story. Not sure if I'll continue the series though.
July 27, 2022
ENEMIES TO LOVERS AND THEN SOME IN THIS NEW SHIFTER SERIES OPENER
Can I have another five stars please?
This is, hands down, my favourite shifter book from Annabelle so far and, considering I’ve pretty much 5*-ed nearly all of her releases, that’s saying something.
Enemies to lovers with a second chance plotline is so hard to pull off.
If the past relationship was troublesome, why would someone want to try again? Or you might get some piddling little misunderstanding splitting a couple up.
Here we get neither. Rys and Gabriel were full on properly in love, both foolish teenagers keeping secrets.
When that situation blew up in a violent incident, it left them both reeling, Rys seething with hatred and hurt and Gabriel sorrowful and alone again.
How Annabelle then uses the investigation at the heart of this series to draw them back together and reveal hints to the reader of more than either man originally knew about the other is very clever.
The setting in and around Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park is perfect, allowing for supernatural creatures of all types to live in and around Rys’ pack.
Chuck in a gateway to the Fae world and you just know things are going to get complicated!
I’m not going into the plot itself because it works best when it’s slowly revealed as Rys and Gabriel reconnect with all their spikey feelings firmly in place.
I will say though, when they finally move beyond their past and admit all the emotions are still in place, it’s scorching hot and powerfully moving.
As all the clues to who’s behind the deaths Gabriel has been investigating with Rys’ cousin Max begin to line up, tensions rise and the connection between them brings its own dangerous risks.
In an adrenaline-packed final few chapters – although there is a series long narrative still in play – the story weaves its threads into a stunning conclusion.
There are so many amazing characters in this book, even though Rys and Gabriel are the focus, I was drawn to the others too and I can’t wait for more in the series.
I've already pre-ordered Redeeming Nick 😁
Can I have another five stars please?
This is, hands down, my favourite shifter book from Annabelle so far and, considering I’ve pretty much 5*-ed nearly all of her releases, that’s saying something.
Enemies to lovers with a second chance plotline is so hard to pull off.
If the past relationship was troublesome, why would someone want to try again? Or you might get some piddling little misunderstanding splitting a couple up.
Here we get neither. Rys and Gabriel were full on properly in love, both foolish teenagers keeping secrets.
When that situation blew up in a violent incident, it left them both reeling, Rys seething with hatred and hurt and Gabriel sorrowful and alone again.
How Annabelle then uses the investigation at the heart of this series to draw them back together and reveal hints to the reader of more than either man originally knew about the other is very clever.
The setting in and around Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park is perfect, allowing for supernatural creatures of all types to live in and around Rys’ pack.
Chuck in a gateway to the Fae world and you just know things are going to get complicated!
I’m not going into the plot itself because it works best when it’s slowly revealed as Rys and Gabriel reconnect with all their spikey feelings firmly in place.
I will say though, when they finally move beyond their past and admit all the emotions are still in place, it’s scorching hot and powerfully moving.
As all the clues to who’s behind the deaths Gabriel has been investigating with Rys’ cousin Max begin to line up, tensions rise and the connection between them brings its own dangerous risks.
In an adrenaline-packed final few chapters – although there is a series long narrative still in play – the story weaves its threads into a stunning conclusion.
There are so many amazing characters in this book, even though Rys and Gabriel are the focus, I was drawn to the others too and I can’t wait for more in the series.
I've already pre-ordered Redeeming Nick 😁
October 5, 2023
I love how Annabelle Jacobs writes shifter books. Can't wait to read the next ones.. 4 stars
February 26, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
WOW. This was such a surprise. I wasn’t in the mood for any kind of mystery, but this was surprisingly entertaining.
The second chance trope was done so well. I could feel the hurt for Rys and Gabriel. This gave me all of the feels that I was actually angry with what had happened. The tension between them was there and it felt so intense. And Rys is SO FUCKING HOT 😭
I loved the worldbuilding too. Eventhough I was new to the magic, fae, shifters and hunters world it was all so fascinating to read. They were told in depth and even though some of the reviews said it was lacking, I found it easy to catch up on seeing that this was only standalone. I was soo attached to the side characters too. Made me curious to see what’s next for Axel, Talis, Nick and Falon. Axel and Talis? Let’s gooooo
The mystery left me all curious and I think both mystery and romance complemented each other I love it. I also absolutely adore the writing. Not just easy, but addicting. It’s a new-to-me author and definitely not the last.
Overall, this book was soo fun to read. Even in foul mood, it worked. It really focused in detail on the tropes, themes and worldbuilding and who doesn’t need that kind of entertainment? 😍
Suck that there wasn’t any hate sex though. They had so many chance to go for it lmao.
WOW. This was such a surprise. I wasn’t in the mood for any kind of mystery, but this was surprisingly entertaining.
The second chance trope was done so well. I could feel the hurt for Rys and Gabriel. This gave me all of the feels that I was actually angry with what had happened. The tension between them was there and it felt so intense. And Rys is SO FUCKING HOT 😭
I loved the worldbuilding too. Eventhough I was new to the magic, fae, shifters and hunters world it was all so fascinating to read. They were told in depth and even though some of the reviews said it was lacking, I found it easy to catch up on seeing that this was only standalone. I was soo attached to the side characters too. Made me curious to see what’s next for Axel, Talis, Nick and Falon. Axel and Talis? Let’s gooooo
The mystery left me all curious and I think both mystery and romance complemented each other I love it. I also absolutely adore the writing. Not just easy, but addicting. It’s a new-to-me author and definitely not the last.
Overall, this book was soo fun to read. Even in foul mood, it worked. It really focused in detail on the tropes, themes and worldbuilding and who doesn’t need that kind of entertainment? 😍
Suck that there wasn’t any hate sex though. They had so many chance to go for it lmao.
August 1, 2022
Let me tell you, Annabelle Jacobs is the queen of shifter stories (I love her regent's park series).
It was a really good one, and a promising start for a new series. Can't wait for the next one!
It was a really good one, and a promising start for a new series. Can't wait for the next one!
January 23, 2023
I LOVE Annabelle Jacobs' shifter books. Claiming Rhys is probably one of my favourites and this series is looking like it's going to be a belter. With the introduction of other "other" beings I'm excited about what's going to happen next.
July 31, 2022
3.5 stars
The second-chance romance works for me here ... I can understand the animosity, the anger, and the hurt between Rys and Gabriel. I also understand why the separation happens. It's justified. The reunion happens VERY fast, it should be labelled as insta in my book... but at the same time, because of the thick emotions from both me, it doesn't feel rushed.
I also like the mystery enough.
What stops me from moving this book from "really like" to "love" territory is that I am annoyed with the lack of background, especially regarding the history of Rys and Gabriel. Honestly, I've kept putting the book down, wondering if there's another series that prelude this one, and looking for information about it on Goodreads of the author's website. Because the talk about Rys' father going to fae land, or Gabriel's heritage, or Axel and Talis' weird connection, makes it seem like it's available off pages and it disturbs my reading experience...
I still look forward to the next books, of course.
The second-chance romance works for me here ... I can understand the animosity, the anger, and the hurt between Rys and Gabriel. I also understand why the separation happens. It's justified. The reunion happens VERY fast, it should be labelled as insta in my book... but at the same time, because of the thick emotions from both me, it doesn't feel rushed.
I also like the mystery enough.
What stops me from moving this book from "really like" to "love" territory is that I am annoyed with the lack of background, especially regarding the history of Rys and Gabriel. Honestly, I've kept putting the book down, wondering if there's another series that prelude this one, and looking for information about it on Goodreads of the author's website. Because the talk about Rys' father going to fae land, or Gabriel's heritage, or Axel and Talis' weird connection, makes it seem like it's available off pages and it disturbs my reading experience...
I still look forward to the next books, of course.
August 3, 2022
"Blue eyes caught mine, and it took all my willpower to remain unaffected by their depths. I'd lost myself there once before, and look how that had ended."
What do you do when you unexpectedly come face to face with the man who shattered your heart 10 years ago? Now what if that man was your fate given mate? Rys finds himself in this exact situation and I can honestly say he handled it about as well as I would have given the perceived circumstances. Notice I said perceived, because 10 years ago assumptions were made and we all know what they say about those who assume.
My heart hurt for both Gabriel and Rys. Rys for spending so much time hurting after feeling betrayed by the one man he should have always been able to count on, his mate. Then there's Gabriel. Gabriel who made a big mistake, but not the one Rys thinks he made. They were young and naïve when they first met, but the miscommunications of their youth led to some very hostile feelings as an adult in Rys. It seems 10 years hasn't dampened the strong emotions still rolling through the alpha wolf shifter.
Though animosity may be the strongest thing Rys is feeling towards Gabriel, he also can't help but feel the mating pull he has tried so hard to forget. Gabriel isn't uninfluenced either, though it takes him much longer to discover the fate aspect of his feelings. All he knows is just seeing Rys again causes his heart to hurt. They may have been young, but they loved each other with all they had back then.
I loved the start to this new paranormal series by Ananabelle Jacobs. Rys and Gabriel's book had me glued to the pages. From the romance to the suspense I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. I know Nick is the MC for the next one, and I really am excited for his story, but I can't help but hope that book 3 is going to be about Talis and a certain commitment phobic fae. I'm looking at you Axel. Based on their actions in this book, there's definitely a story there and I for one am begging for Jacobs to tell it.
What do you do when you unexpectedly come face to face with the man who shattered your heart 10 years ago? Now what if that man was your fate given mate? Rys finds himself in this exact situation and I can honestly say he handled it about as well as I would have given the perceived circumstances. Notice I said perceived, because 10 years ago assumptions were made and we all know what they say about those who assume.
My heart hurt for both Gabriel and Rys. Rys for spending so much time hurting after feeling betrayed by the one man he should have always been able to count on, his mate. Then there's Gabriel. Gabriel who made a big mistake, but not the one Rys thinks he made. They were young and naïve when they first met, but the miscommunications of their youth led to some very hostile feelings as an adult in Rys. It seems 10 years hasn't dampened the strong emotions still rolling through the alpha wolf shifter.
Though animosity may be the strongest thing Rys is feeling towards Gabriel, he also can't help but feel the mating pull he has tried so hard to forget. Gabriel isn't uninfluenced either, though it takes him much longer to discover the fate aspect of his feelings. All he knows is just seeing Rys again causes his heart to hurt. They may have been young, but they loved each other with all they had back then.
I loved the start to this new paranormal series by Ananabelle Jacobs. Rys and Gabriel's book had me glued to the pages. From the romance to the suspense I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. I know Nick is the MC for the next one, and I really am excited for his story, but I can't help but hope that book 3 is going to be about Talis and a certain commitment phobic fae. I'm looking at you Axel. Based on their actions in this book, there's definitely a story there and I for one am begging for Jacobs to tell it.
July 29, 2022
4.25 stars from me. Good start to a new shifter series from Annabelle, set in one of my favourite places, Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
Yes, we had some red and very dead herrings thrown into the mix, but working out who the bad guy is was fairly painless. Some great characters that I hope get their own HEA's.
Yes, we had some red and very dead herrings thrown into the mix, but working out who the bad guy is was fairly painless. Some great characters that I hope get their own HEA's.
August 3, 2022
New series by Annabelle! Yay! I like this! While still in a magical parallel universe (which Annabelle has proven to do really well), this one has more of a crime mystery element that kept me riveted to the pages. I can see many books coming, and I am very excited about them
November 7, 2023
Shifters from Europe are interesting. They have king, alpha, beater, betas, omegas where females only give birth. In other books.
The story here is all about. This Fae drug that causes issues with shifters
The story here is all about. This Fae drug that causes issues with shifters
August 3, 2022
Reading a new PNR series by Annabelle Jacobs I'm not worried about not feeling the romance (I made that experience lately with new-to-me authors, so I needed to play safe for a change) and I was not disappointed. Sure sometimes Gabriel's guilt trip was a bit much and Rys's pettiness would better suit the 17-year-old he once was when their love story crashed in the worst way and of course 10 years after that crash they should have grown up and not keeping secrets after finally talking with each other again but why should paranormal beings act differently than full humans.
Don't know if it was insta-love 10 years ago because we don't get much information about that time, only bits and pieces of the accident and watching the pettiness, jealousy, possessiveness, secret attraction and all the other stuff born out of mistrust and guilt it isn't really insta now – until the dam breaks and nothing is stopping the mating anymore. Both guys don't care that Gabriel has no real idea what he's getting into – another one of Rys's less than stellar character traits.
So while I could feel and even enjoy the connection between Rys and Gabriel and also had a nice time getting introduced to the other characters who surely get their own book, there are some issues I didn't expect in a Annabelle Jacobs book.
As important as the past was for Claiming Rys we don't get much about it and nearly nothing at all about the 10 years between. Would have gone a long way to know the guys and how they acted in their teens and how they became the men they are now. Maybe that way understanding some of their current behavior would have been easier.
I enjoyed the mystery and their investigation attempt but looking back after we got the solution it felt elaborate and overly constructed, like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Yes, we don't get all the jigsaw pieces, so there is still more to it than this book is showing. One can hope though.
My main issue: the world building. That part was a disappointment. It's not up to the usual Annabelle Jacobs standards. At the start there was a possibility for a darker kind of PNR with hunters as some kind of private militia protected by the law and higher-ups and called to capture and kill feral paranormals as well as sometimes full humans. Such a change in governmental rules and structures has to have an impact on society and of course there should be an impact visible with gateways into a different realm and only vague rules how to interact with the Fae. But as soon as the promise is made, it's also forgotten. We don't get much about that world and what we get doesn't always fit together. It's like Claiming Rys is a spin-off and all the world building was done already in another book. That notion intensifies with the introduction of Rys's father and the storyline about Gabriel's mother. Suppose I have to follow up one of Ms. Jacobs other series before I think about adding the next book of this series to my TBR list. I can't remember having that issue there.
Don't know if it was insta-love 10 years ago because we don't get much information about that time, only bits and pieces of the accident and watching the pettiness, jealousy, possessiveness, secret attraction and all the other stuff born out of mistrust and guilt it isn't really insta now – until the dam breaks and nothing is stopping the mating anymore. Both guys don't care that Gabriel has no real idea what he's getting into – another one of Rys's less than stellar character traits.
So while I could feel and even enjoy the connection between Rys and Gabriel and also had a nice time getting introduced to the other characters who surely get their own book, there are some issues I didn't expect in a Annabelle Jacobs book.
As important as the past was for Claiming Rys we don't get much about it and nearly nothing at all about the 10 years between. Would have gone a long way to know the guys and how they acted in their teens and how they became the men they are now. Maybe that way understanding some of their current behavior would have been easier.
I enjoyed the mystery and their investigation attempt but looking back after we got the solution it felt elaborate and overly constructed, like taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Yes, we don't get all the jigsaw pieces, so there is still more to it than this book is showing. One can hope though.
My main issue: the world building. That part was a disappointment. It's not up to the usual Annabelle Jacobs standards. At the start there was a possibility for a darker kind of PNR with hunters as some kind of private militia protected by the law and higher-ups and called to capture and kill feral paranormals as well as sometimes full humans. Such a change in governmental rules and structures has to have an impact on society and of course there should be an impact visible with gateways into a different realm and only vague rules how to interact with the Fae. But as soon as the promise is made, it's also forgotten. We don't get much about that world and what we get doesn't always fit together. It's like Claiming Rys is a spin-off and all the world building was done already in another book. That notion intensifies with the introduction of Rys's father and the storyline about Gabriel's mother. Suppose I have to follow up one of Ms. Jacobs other series before I think about adding the next book of this series to my TBR list. I can't remember having that issue there.
August 9, 2022
Oh man. It is for sure time for me to quit trying with this Author.
It never works out.
I didn't like this at all. It didn't make any sense to me. And although I am a tad bit interested in the secondary characters getting their story, I think it might be in my best interest to just let it go.
Not for me.
It never works out.
I didn't like this at all. It didn't make any sense to me. And although I am a tad bit interested in the secondary characters getting their story, I think it might be in my best interest to just let it go.
Not for me.
February 4, 2023
Not my favorite from this author, who tends to be fairly middle-of-the-road for me. Past relationship isn't really my jam, and I didn't love it here. Mase is filled with guilt and Rys is a judgemental asshole, and I really just didn't love that whole dynamic and how it played out. They BOTH lied about big shit, but somehow Mase's lies are the only ones that matter or are ever really seen as bad, which was so fucking hypocritical of Rys it drove me crazy. The world-building here was weak, the mystery/case was pretty lame, and I just didn't have any real interest in the main characters at all. I also found the dynamic not what I was looking for--based on the title, I thought we might be in for a bit of dynamic flipping with the Alpha werewolf being "claimed" but we got the standard fair, which just wasn't what I'd been wanting. I liked the background characters a lot more than the main ones, though, so I'll probably at least read the next book.
August 1, 2022
ok but the whole betrayal thing just felt a bit over exaggerated to me though.
i can't wait to read Talis and Axel's story😭.
i can't wait to read Talis and Axel's story😭.
September 13, 2022
I wanted to like this book, really, but I never connected with the characters, except on a superficial level. Though they talked out their issues from previous encounters, I never bought into the "I love yous" at the end of the story. It's great that they're soulmates and all, but again, I felt nothing but 'meh, whatever'.
OK, lets go further. I felt like the author made a minimum effort when building the world the Rys, Gabriel, Max, Nick, Talis, and the others belong in. We're told about the pack of which Rys is Alpha, but beyond Talis, one of his betas and best friend, and little tiny glimpses of Sasha, the other beta (and one of only two very minor female characters), we never get to see Rys interact with anyone in his main pack. Is Rys a good alpha? Everyone in the story thinks so, but personally I have no idea because we, the audience, never get to experience that relationship. It's frustrating because this is a great area for character development the author shows no interest in. sigh.
We're told about Gabriel meeting the pack, but again, we never see him interact or the reactions he receives when they're told he's Rys' soulmate. The audience is never let inside the pack so there's no way to gauge whether Rys' leadership style works for everyone.
The mystery of the poison making shifters go feral is better written than the pack stuff, but the solving of the case and the ending just felt a little too fast and a little too pat, almost like the author just wanted to be done and over with story after she got the HEA she wanted between Rys and Gabriel. Also:
OK, lets go further. I felt like the author made a minimum effort when building the world the Rys, Gabriel, Max, Nick, Talis, and the others belong in. We're told about the pack of which Rys is Alpha, but beyond Talis, one of his betas and best friend, and little tiny glimpses of Sasha, the other beta (and one of only two very minor female characters), we never get to see Rys interact with anyone in his main pack. Is Rys a good alpha? Everyone in the story thinks so, but personally I have no idea because we, the audience, never get to experience that relationship. It's frustrating because this is a great area for character development the author shows no interest in. sigh.
We're told about Gabriel meeting the pack, but again, we never see him interact or the reactions he receives when they're told he's Rys' soulmate. The audience is never let inside the pack so there's no way to gauge whether Rys' leadership style works for everyone.
The mystery of the poison making shifters go feral is better written than the pack stuff, but the solving of the case and the ending just felt a little too fast and a little too pat, almost like the author just wanted to be done and over with story after she got the HEA she wanted between Rys and Gabriel. Also:
July 27, 2022
4.5
Best shifter book I've read. Will definitely be trying this author's work again.
Good story line and world building, likeable characters, potential future pairings hinted at without overshadowing the main couple. AND an alpha wolf that's vers! First time I've read an alpha who does that and I hope it's not the last.
Also, considering Rys and Gabriel are soulmates, the enemies-to-lovers aspect was done really well.
Great start to a new series.
Best shifter book I've read. Will definitely be trying this author's work again.
Good story line and world building, likeable characters, potential future pairings hinted at without overshadowing the main couple. AND an alpha wolf that's vers! First time I've read an alpha who does that and I hope it's not the last.
Also, considering Rys and Gabriel are soulmates, the enemies-to-lovers aspect was done really well.
Great start to a new series.
March 1, 2023
New to me author and this book did NOT disappoint. I loved Gabriel and Rys. They had the perfect balance of lovers to ex lovers to enemies to second chances that felt real and believable. The side characters introduced so far who appear to all be going on to be MCs in future books are a fun mix of personalities I can’t wait to get to know better. On to Nick!
October 3, 2023
March 2023 - attempted to read
(The first 30% was pretty good. Then skimmed & skipped until dnfing around the 60% mark.)
reason why this was DNF'd:
🆃🅷🅴 🅰🅻🅿🅷🅰 🅸🆂 🅽🅾 🅰🅻🅿🅷🅰.
I wanted this:
But I got this:
MCs:
• Gabriel Mason aka Mase. Part "other" . Consultant working with the paranormal police division.
• Rys. Wolf-shifter and Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack.
The MCs first met when:
Rys was 17. Gabriel was 19.
What kept them apart for 10 years:
Rys found out about Gabriel's job as a hunter. He thinks that Gabriel killed a shifter.
Rys plans to never forgive Gabriel, even though:
» They were only together for 2 months.
» They were both young and naive.
» They're soulmates.
Even though Rys remembers this:
● Gabriel standing there, bloodied dagger in hand, staring at Tombs with a mixture of horror and fear in his expression.
● I could still see the look of horror on his face. Hear him call my name as I turned and ran. “Rys, wait. It’s not what you think. I didn’t kill him. I’m sorry.”
And this happened:
“He tried to talk to me, but I left him in that f'ing forest, packed my stuff, and ran home with my tail between my legs.”
“He tried to message and call, so I deleted them and blocked his number.”
Rys is SO hurt bc Gabriel didn't chase after him:
R: When I ran off into the forest, you knew where I was going. You could've followed me, made me listen."
G: I stared at him, lost for words. "Would you have? Would I have even got close enough for you to hear me?" I was pretty sure the rest of the pack would've stopped me from entering their territory.
R: "Maybe, maybe not. But you didn't even try!"
Rys runs off yet again.🏃♂️
(Turns out, Gabriel couldn't have run after Rys because .
Rys cannot forgive or forget.
At 6%: I get the feeling you don’t trust Gabriel Mason.”
I couldn’t stop the harsh, bitter laugh that escaped. “No.” And I never would again.
At 13%: “Gabriel Mason betrayed my trust once, and personally I’ll never trust him again.
At 33%:“I want him as much now as I did back then.” I rubbed a hand over my eyes. “Maybe even more.” Because he’d grown into a beautiful man. Because now he wasn’t a hunter. “But I can’t forget or forgive what he did.
Gabriel repeatedly says he's sorry:
☛ "I'm so f'ing sorry." I repeated the words I'd said over and over, and just like always, they fell on deaf ears.
☛ "I'm so sorry for keeping it a secret and having you find out the way that you did."
☛ "I'm sorry, Rys. I'm sorry Tombs killed him, and I'm so f'ing sorry you had to see it."
(58%) The MCs both say sorry before having sex.
Rhys still has trust issues: But although I didn’t hate Gabriel anymore—not that I was sure I ever truly had—I didn’t trust him enough to share a part of me that would leave me vulnerable and open.
The not-so-tough alpha says:
He wanted this as much as I did, and thank F, because if he’d asked me to stop, I’d have cried. 😭
When the alpha bottoms, I was done.
👎 Too many boring conversations, that really slowed down the pacing.
👎 Gives a 2nd book vibe. Small bits of info. about other characters (like Ry's dad), made the story seem disjointed.
👎 Inadequate character descriptions. Gabriel is somewhat described. Rys is only described as tall, wide and muscular. (The book cover will have to do.)
👎 Additional characters included, setting them up for future books.
👎 Too many F-words. 296 to be exact.
(The first 30% was pretty good. Then skimmed & skipped until dnfing around the 60% mark.)
reason why this was DNF'd:
🆃🅷🅴 🅰🅻🅿🅷🅰 🅸🆂 🅽🅾 🅰🅻🅿🅷🅰.
I wanted this:
But I got this:
MCs:
• Gabriel Mason aka Mase. Part "other" . Consultant working with the paranormal police division.
• Rys. Wolf-shifter and Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack.
The MCs first met when:
Rys was 17. Gabriel was 19.
What kept them apart for 10 years:
Rys found out about Gabriel's job as a hunter. He thinks that Gabriel killed a shifter.
Rys plans to never forgive Gabriel, even though:
» They were only together for 2 months.
» They were both young and naive.
» They're soulmates.
Even though Rys remembers this:
● Gabriel standing there, bloodied dagger in hand, staring at Tombs with a mixture of horror and fear in his expression.
● I could still see the look of horror on his face. Hear him call my name as I turned and ran. “Rys, wait. It’s not what you think. I didn’t kill him. I’m sorry.”
And this happened:
“He tried to talk to me, but I left him in that f'ing forest, packed my stuff, and ran home with my tail between my legs.”
“He tried to message and call, so I deleted them and blocked his number.”
Rys is SO hurt bc Gabriel didn't chase after him:
R: When I ran off into the forest, you knew where I was going. You could've followed me, made me listen."
G: I stared at him, lost for words. "Would you have? Would I have even got close enough for you to hear me?" I was pretty sure the rest of the pack would've stopped me from entering their territory.
R: "Maybe, maybe not. But you didn't even try!"
Rys runs off yet again.🏃♂️
(Turns out, Gabriel couldn't have run after Rys because .
Rys cannot forgive or forget.
At 6%: I get the feeling you don’t trust Gabriel Mason.”
I couldn’t stop the harsh, bitter laugh that escaped. “No.” And I never would again.
At 13%: “Gabriel Mason betrayed my trust once, and personally I’ll never trust him again.
At 33%:“I want him as much now as I did back then.” I rubbed a hand over my eyes. “Maybe even more.” Because he’d grown into a beautiful man. Because now he wasn’t a hunter. “But I can’t forget or forgive what he did.
Gabriel repeatedly says he's sorry:
☛ "I'm so f'ing sorry." I repeated the words I'd said over and over, and just like always, they fell on deaf ears.
☛ "I'm so sorry for keeping it a secret and having you find out the way that you did."
☛ "I'm sorry, Rys. I'm sorry Tombs killed him, and I'm so f'ing sorry you had to see it."
(58%) The MCs both say sorry before having sex.
Rhys still has trust issues: But although I didn’t hate Gabriel anymore—not that I was sure I ever truly had—I didn’t trust him enough to share a part of me that would leave me vulnerable and open.
The not-so-tough alpha says:
He wanted this as much as I did, and thank F, because if he’d asked me to stop, I’d have cried. 😭
When the alpha bottoms, I was done.
👎 Too many boring conversations, that really slowed down the pacing.
👎 Gives a 2nd book vibe. Small bits of info. about other characters (like Ry's dad), made the story seem disjointed.
👎 Inadequate character descriptions. Gabriel is somewhat described. Rys is only described as tall, wide and muscular. (The book cover will have to do.)
👎 Additional characters included, setting them up for future books.
👎 Too many F-words. 296 to be exact.
July 29, 2022
Claiming Rys is the first book in the Dark Forest Pack. Rhys has stepped up to be Alpha of his pack but there’s trouble brewing. He is called because a neighboring pack has a member that has gone feral. The hunters are called, and they are quite aggressive in taking down the feral pack member. Gabriel has joined the paranormal police department. Someone is killing non-humans and he hopes to figure it out. This was everything I had hoped it would be. A fantastic second chance romance with enemies to loves and fated mates. The world building was top notch with well developed and complex characters. Overall, a phenomenal read. Well written with pacing that just flowed and kept me enthralled!
August 24, 2022
A solid enemies to lovers story with a side order of second chance romance.
The reasons behind both were solid and I liked the way the mystery enabled their romance to reignite. And when it ignited, boy, did it go hard and fast.
I guessed the bad guy early on but not the mechanics of how he was doing things.
The world-building could be a little bit more involved but it can be a delicate balance to getting that spot on.
There's plenty of prospective couples to feed into other books. I really liked Max and I'm looking forward to his story.
The reasons behind both were solid and I liked the way the mystery enabled their romance to reignite. And when it ignited, boy, did it go hard and fast.
I guessed the bad guy early on but not the mechanics of how he was doing things.
The world-building could be a little bit more involved but it can be a delicate balance to getting that spot on.
There's plenty of prospective couples to feed into other books. I really liked Max and I'm looking forward to his story.
August 9, 2022
I really enjoyed the second chance aspect of this book, it was nicely done and super fun to read. I wish that the plot of the book was developed a little more but this was still a super enjoyable read for me.
**I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion**
**I received an arc of this book and this is my honest opinion**
September 18, 2022
DNF @ 44%. Emphasis was on the mystery and not the romance. Plot felt like middle school teenage girl drama. World building and background were like swiss cheese.
July 28, 2022
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Claiming Rys is the first book in the Dark Forest Pack by Annabelle Jacobs. Rys Calder has stepped up to be the Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack and there is trouble brewing in his area. He is called upon by a neighboring pack when one of their members goes feral and is brought down by hunters aggressively. Rys never expects to see his ex Gabriel Mason at the scene trying to save the wolf brought down by the hunters. Gabriel has joined the paranormal police department in hopes of discovering who is killing non-humans under suspicious circumstances. He has been trying to make up for his past for years and facing Rys is the last thing he expects. Rys is hostile after having his heart crushed by Gabriel in the past but the draw between the two men is too much to ignore. The dangers facing non-humans though are getting worse and Rys and Gabriel are found in the middle of it.
Rys Calder stepped up to the pack Alpha after his father found love in the Fae realm. He has great betas who support him and a pack that needs him. He has always struggled with his past with Gabriel and when Gabriel comes back into his life unexpectedly his instincts and their chemistry are off the charts. Trust doesn’t come as easily as the rush of instincts as his past with Gabriel because Rys still struggles with what happened to them. The chemistry between the two is too much to ignore and the men find themselves thrust together and taking steps towards a future.
Rys Calder was a beautiful creature, and yet the way he looked at me proved to be my undoing in the end.
Gabriel Mason made mistakes as a teenager that haunt him to this day. These choices lead him to lying to Rys and losing him. Gabriel is trying to right his wrongs by joining the paranormal police force and solving crimes and helping human and non-humans alike. He understands Rys hostility towards him but gets frustrated that he’s never been able to explain what happened all those years ago. Gabriel, like Rys, feels the instinctual draw towards each other but struggles to see what goes beyond giving into their physical needs.
His gaze dipped to my mouth and my heart stopped. The world around us ceased to exist and I felt a pull in my chest that I thought I imagined ten year ago.
Rys and Gabriel are forced to acknowledge all that went wrong in the past to help save others in the present. This new urban fantasy world brings together human, non-humans as well as Fae and magic users. The world is cohesive and the crimes that occur are a great balance of magical and interesting. The story introduces several secondary characters, Axel in particular, who I look forward to having their own books as well as seeing where the overarching crime/mystery continues.
4 stars for Gabriel and Rys putting the past behind them and trusting fate and each other.
Claiming Rys is the first book in the Dark Forest Pack by Annabelle Jacobs. Rys Calder has stepped up to be the Alpha of the Dark Forest Pack and there is trouble brewing in his area. He is called upon by a neighboring pack when one of their members goes feral and is brought down by hunters aggressively. Rys never expects to see his ex Gabriel Mason at the scene trying to save the wolf brought down by the hunters. Gabriel has joined the paranormal police department in hopes of discovering who is killing non-humans under suspicious circumstances. He has been trying to make up for his past for years and facing Rys is the last thing he expects. Rys is hostile after having his heart crushed by Gabriel in the past but the draw between the two men is too much to ignore. The dangers facing non-humans though are getting worse and Rys and Gabriel are found in the middle of it.
Rys Calder stepped up to the pack Alpha after his father found love in the Fae realm. He has great betas who support him and a pack that needs him. He has always struggled with his past with Gabriel and when Gabriel comes back into his life unexpectedly his instincts and their chemistry are off the charts. Trust doesn’t come as easily as the rush of instincts as his past with Gabriel because Rys still struggles with what happened to them. The chemistry between the two is too much to ignore and the men find themselves thrust together and taking steps towards a future.
Rys Calder was a beautiful creature, and yet the way he looked at me proved to be my undoing in the end.
Gabriel Mason made mistakes as a teenager that haunt him to this day. These choices lead him to lying to Rys and losing him. Gabriel is trying to right his wrongs by joining the paranormal police force and solving crimes and helping human and non-humans alike. He understands Rys hostility towards him but gets frustrated that he’s never been able to explain what happened all those years ago. Gabriel, like Rys, feels the instinctual draw towards each other but struggles to see what goes beyond giving into their physical needs.
His gaze dipped to my mouth and my heart stopped. The world around us ceased to exist and I felt a pull in my chest that I thought I imagined ten year ago.
Rys and Gabriel are forced to acknowledge all that went wrong in the past to help save others in the present. This new urban fantasy world brings together human, non-humans as well as Fae and magic users. The world is cohesive and the crimes that occur are a great balance of magical and interesting. The story introduces several secondary characters, Axel in particular, who I look forward to having their own books as well as seeing where the overarching crime/mystery continues.
4 stars for Gabriel and Rys putting the past behind them and trusting fate and each other.
February 18, 2024
Claiming Rys
By Annabelle Jacobs
When paranormal beings start going feral with no warning, Pack Alpha Rys Calder and Police Special Consultant Gabriel 'Mase' Mason have to work together along with other characters to find the answers. Given Rys and Mase's past history together Rys isn't making it easy for Mase. He still feels Mase's betrayal as if it were yesterday instead of years ago. While Mase still feels heavy guilt from his past actions.
This is the first book I've read by this author. The storyline was pretty good. There's angst, regret, love, and mystery. Rys and Mase are easy to like and definitely have chemistry. The other characters are quite likeable too.
This is the first book in a series of four. The storyline that begins here continues into the next book. So only half your answers to the mysteries are answered. Which, in all honesty, it was close enough to just telling us all the answers that I feel the author could've answered those remaining questions here and given a new background story in the following book instead of continuing on.
The next book is about a fae Dathal and a witch, Nick. Dathal was introduced at the very end of this book and Nick was barely in book one. There was a great lead up throughout this book about Talis and Axel. So I assumed they would be the next couple. Their story isn't actually until book three. So that was a disappointment considering we don't know Dathal at all and barely know Nick. It just made no sense. Even making Max and Jake the couple for book two would've made more sense because we know so much about Max already, but it is what it is. So at any rate this book is pretty much a cliffhanger.
I honestly don't know if I'll read the remaining books. I saw several knock out reviews for this author, but in all honesty I didn't get their hype. As much as I liked the characters and the storyline the emotions didn't go nearly deep enough for me. I felt I was watching it all from the sidelines and was not an actual part of the story. Which giving 5 stars, for me, means I feel I'm right there in the story and a part of all the action. Nevertheless it was a good story. So I gave the next best of 4 stars.
By Annabelle Jacobs
When paranormal beings start going feral with no warning, Pack Alpha Rys Calder and Police Special Consultant Gabriel 'Mase' Mason have to work together along with other characters to find the answers. Given Rys and Mase's past history together Rys isn't making it easy for Mase. He still feels Mase's betrayal as if it were yesterday instead of years ago. While Mase still feels heavy guilt from his past actions.
This is the first book I've read by this author. The storyline was pretty good. There's angst, regret, love, and mystery. Rys and Mase are easy to like and definitely have chemistry. The other characters are quite likeable too.
This is the first book in a series of four. The storyline that begins here continues into the next book. So only half your answers to the mysteries are answered. Which, in all honesty, it was close enough to just telling us all the answers that I feel the author could've answered those remaining questions here and given a new background story in the following book instead of continuing on.
The next book is about a fae Dathal and a witch, Nick. Dathal was introduced at the very end of this book and Nick was barely in book one. There was a great lead up throughout this book about Talis and Axel. So I assumed they would be the next couple. Their story isn't actually until book three. So that was a disappointment considering we don't know Dathal at all and barely know Nick. It just made no sense. Even making Max and Jake the couple for book two would've made more sense because we know so much about Max already, but it is what it is. So at any rate this book is pretty much a cliffhanger.
I honestly don't know if I'll read the remaining books. I saw several knock out reviews for this author, but in all honesty I didn't get their hype. As much as I liked the characters and the storyline the emotions didn't go nearly deep enough for me. I felt I was watching it all from the sidelines and was not an actual part of the story. Which giving 5 stars, for me, means I feel I'm right there in the story and a part of all the action. Nevertheless it was a good story. So I gave the next best of 4 stars.
July 31, 2022
I'll round this up to 4* as I think the groveling was sufficient. LOL I think Gabriel was suitably sorry for how things ended and when you find out more, it makes sense and once Rhys knows the truth he does move on from it. And they were 17 and 19. Too young anyway. (The mother in me talking) Although this is pretty close to inst-love (although they have background) as it's about less than a week from meeting again after 10 years to bonded.
I liked the mystery although I was pretty sure who was behind it although it's not completely solved. There is set up for a few other couples, Max the cop and his roommate, Talis the beta and Axel the fae guarding the portal and Nick the bartender. It's an interesting world where shifter/paranormal are out and mostly accepted but packs of "hunters" go after paranormals who have lost control and many are killed - sometimes more for sport than from any desire to protect the public.
So I think I would definitely check out future books and maybe some of the background will be fleshed out more then. There is information about Rhys' father who moved to the fae realm with his wife and a few other things that kind of leave you wondering what that's about, but I'm pretty good and just shrugging and moving on.
I liked the mystery although I was pretty sure who was behind it although it's not completely solved. There is set up for a few other couples, Max the cop and his roommate, Talis the beta and Axel the fae guarding the portal and Nick the bartender. It's an interesting world where shifter/paranormal are out and mostly accepted but packs of "hunters" go after paranormals who have lost control and many are killed - sometimes more for sport than from any desire to protect the public.
So I think I would definitely check out future books and maybe some of the background will be fleshed out more then. There is information about Rhys' father who moved to the fae realm with his wife and a few other things that kind of leave you wondering what that's about, but I'm pretty good and just shrugging and moving on.
July 27, 2022
This was a good book. It takes a second chance trope and spins it more than just that. Gabriel and Rys have an unfortunate history of lies and betrayal that sullied what should have been a beautiful soulmate bond. 10 years later neither one of them has completely gotten over it but they have to set it aside to solve a dangerous problem. Watching these two interact was as painful as it was sad in the beginning. Rys is full of hurt and anger while Gabriel is full of guilt. They both have secrets and so much pain they really need to talk through that it gets a bit uncomfortable. But despite everything that has happened in the past, they are both inexorably pulled together and have to face the past in order to move on. I really enjoyed this one because despite being soulmates, they had to put in some effort for it to all work. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses..not that there's anything wrong with that. It just made for a refreshing change in a plot line. I can’t wait to see what happens next because I have become quite invested in the Dark Forest Pack.
July 27, 2022
This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint! Well written, action and mystery packed, steamy romance with fated soul mates! This book had it all! Rys and Gabriel have history and have never been able to shake their feelings for one another! Ten years have passed since and the spark is still there ; what was one love turned hate blooms into something so amazing! Excellent world building and side characters! Cannot wait for them all to get their HEA! I received this book from GRR and these are my honest opinions!
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