This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
Alas, I must say that I enjoyed this sequel because I was past the ‘introductory’ material and partly because much of what I wanted to get answered from the first one was answered though in a way that left the door wide open still.
In this installment, things don’t slow down for Natalya in the slightest. There are a lot of brands in the fire for her. At the beginning, Nat is still getting used to being back into the bosom of her family with the addition of a great-aunt from up north on a long term visit who makes her life miserable. Alex is now adjusting to marriage and pending fatherhood, but he takes the time to arrange for her to personally train for the upcoming pack entrance trials. Nat observes that something is off with her parents, but until her dad disappears she wasn’t aware of how bad the issue was. Her dad owes a blood debt that has been called in full. He either achieves whatever task is set for him or forfeits his life. So when he is gone too long, off to the rescue go Nat, Alex and Thorn who Nat is still breaking her heart over. When they track down her dad, Alex has to leave them because his wife goes into labor so it is up to Nat and Thorn to complete the first task in her father’s stead. The first task offers some difficulty, but then there is worse to come that results in Natalya off on a mission to fulfill the debt and she can only call upon Nick and her resourceful therapy group friends to help her see it through.
The plot was tighter in this one since there wasn’t as much world building required- though there was the introduction of the fae- and it was a direct continuation of what had gone on before in the first book with the addition of her father’s debt. There was excitement, danger and light amounts of romance. The exciting moments when Nick and the gang joined her were my favorite parts and I was thrilled to finally read Thorn confess what happened five years ago when with no explanation, he left Natalya. I’m not big on love triangles and so the whole Nick-Natalya-Thorn thing was not quite something I fancied. To be honest, there’s not much chance for a romance because she spends so much time getting out of bad situations with the help of one or the other of the men and her friends and she has an obvious preference. I have to admit that for the most part Nat tries really hard not to use anyone and goes for honesty in her dealings with both men. I think for me its just that I have a decided preference too, but I don’t want to see the other one hurt because they’re both hero types. The last portion of the story gets back to the pack trial and I didn’t see the result of that turning out the way it did. Nat’s one of those heroines that gets through on a lot of guts and luck.
As to characters, Natalya is still struggling with her hang-ups, but there is an obvious growth as she learns to deal and show a core of strength. Nick proved himself loyal, worthy and allowed his feelings to finally surface, but in one action he does something that Nat finds difficult to get past. Thorn was still the conflicted man who knows what he wants, but duty is always there to pull him back. Aggie gets some scenes, but for me I just adore Nat’s grandmother who is the fount of wisdom and some humor. And yes, Evil Erica with all her envy and jealousy is back and in rare form.
It was an entertaining read. I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next for Nat and the gang.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC copy for review purposes.
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This looks like a great read…thanks for sharing! How many books are to be in this series?
ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi pc!
I’m not sure, but this is the second one and there was evidence that this will continue further.
Thanks for commenting and good luck!
I agree, it looks good. Thank you for the giveaway.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi! ^^
I’m still persistent ^^ what did you choose to make Natalya have such phobia?( dirt etc)
thank you a lot for this new opportunity to win
oups forgot email
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
Nat is OCD about cleanliness, but she’s a hoarder of winter holiday ornaments and decorations too.
Good luck, Miki!
Congrats on the new release. Kept sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway and great review.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Thanks for the chance to win! I can’t wait to read Kept!!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Hi, I have not begun this series yet. How many books will it be when complete?
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I am not sure Mary maybe if you go to her author page it will address that. Thanks for entering!
howdy…
i bought the first book of this series…and i like it..
i hope i win this one so i can continue read the stories 🙂
thx 4 the chance 🙂
-nurma-
chikojubilee at gmail dot com
Thanks for the chance to win! I can’t wait to read Kept!!
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Glad to hear Grandma Stravinsky is just as awesome as ever in this book, and I can’t wait for more Nick! 🙂
Nick and Grandma are my favs too.
Thanks for commenting, Jordan!
Love this and can´t wait for my chance to read, =)
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Saturday!
//Linda
I enjoyed the review, it made me more determined to read Coveted, which is on my TBR shelf. I’m looking forward to reading it so I can be ready for Kept – both books sound fantastic.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I laughed so hard during Coveted! I was glad that you signed a copy for me at Rose’s Bookhouse! Hope to see ya there again signing some more! P.S. can’t wait to read Kept!
This sounds really interesting, I think I am going to go grab a copy of the first one so that I can catch up with everyone :).
–Alicia
dmr8888 at yahoo dot com
Shawntelle. Is the time.machine ready. Been waiting since forever for book 2. I have.my whole book club on edge. Hehe
Congrats on the new release!!
Love the review this book and looking forward to read it. It’s sounds great and can’t wait to read about Nat and the gang.
Thanks for sharing this post 🙂
filiafantasy at gmail dot com
I finished Coveted last week so I’m anxious to get to Kept.
acm05atjuno.com
Yay!! I can’t wait for Kept , I read the Coveted and now am counting down the days for Kept. 🙂
Oh, I have Coveted in my TBR. Would love to win this. Thanks for the review@
Ren
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
I’ve heard about this series! Oh my… a giveaway! Yay! I’ve a chance to read it then!
Thank you so much for the giveaway! Really looking forward to this one!
ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com
Coveted was awesome and I loved it. I can hardly believe that Kept is finally coming out. I was just dying for this book to hit bookshelves. I want to see if Nick can steal Natalya’s heart or if Thorn will step up and finally admit what he wants instead of letting duty always get in the way. Dont get me wrong, I am all for doing what is expected but sometimes you have to throw caution to the wind in order to follow your heart. I do like Thorn but right now I am rooting for Nick. 😉 Thanks… Read more »
Very nice review, especially about the characters.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Congrats on the release of Kept Shawntelle and bravo, you are lucky to have such terrific covers! 😀 I’m so excited to read your Coveted series.
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
This sounds like a great book, can’t wait to read it!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
would love to win & read! PICK ME!!
Shawntelle, sounds like a great book!
I would love!! to win a copy of kept ,shawntelle i loved reading coveted and i love all your characters, especially Nat i like that shes strong and loyal and at the same time she is flawed and that makes her more realistic and interesting to read about, hope you continue the series for along time, and cant wait to read kept.