War of Hearts by S. Young, Samantha Young Published by Samantha Young on October 1, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance, Werewolves & Shifters
Pages: 447
Read it as: eBook
Source: Purchased
My rating:
Check it out in Goodreads
Synopsis
Thea Quinn has no idea what she is. All she knows is that her abilities have been a plague upon her life since she was a child. After years of suffering at the hands of a megalomaniac, Thea escaped and has been on the run ever since.
The leadership and protection of his pack are of the utmost importance to Conall MacLennan, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan, the last werewolf pack in Scotland. Which is why watching his sister slowly die of a lycanthropic disease is emotional torture. When Conall is approached by a businessman who offers a cure for his sister in exchange for the use of Conall’s rare tracking ability, Conall forges an unbreakable contract with him. He has to find and retrieve the key to the cure: dangerous murderer, Thea Quinn.
Thea’s attempts to evade the ruthless werewolf are not only thwarted by the Alpha, but by outside dangers. With no choice but to rely on one another for survival, truths are revealed, intensifying a passionate connection they both fight to resist. At war with themselves and each other, Conall and Thea’s journey to Scotland forces them to face a heartrending choice between love and betrayal.
The year has barely started, but I already know this is one of the best books I’ll read in 2020.
Right off the bat this year I joined the Romancetheque book club. Our January pick was another book by Samantha Young. So while chatting about it, someone recommended this other title by the author. I checked it out on Goodreads and what I read really piqued my interest. It was a total spur of the moment thing that got me to get the ebook and start reading. I’m so, so happy I did.
This book, you guys… I loved it so much, as you may have already guessed from the 5-star rating.
It feels like the book is longer than it actually is (in the best way)
I’m not sure if it was just me, but I was hella shocked when after I finished the book, I realized just how many pages it was. 447 may seem long for a romance book, but it’s still shorter than what it felt like. There are distinct stages in the development of this story that gave it a structure more akin to what you’d normally see across an entire series.
And it was awesome.
I couldn’t get enough of it. Oh, the characters just decided they’d work together now and there’s still half the book to go? Please gimme, because if it was this good so far, then it can only get better, right? Completely right.
I enjoyed it every step of the way.
It mixes paranormal elements and ties them together with an explanation
When I first read the synopsis, I did hesitate about reading this book. I like books about werewolves, can be persuaded to read about vampires, or any other supernatural creature. I just… don’t really like all of them together in the same world. Every time I’ve read books like that it’s been boring or too convoluted.
In the beginning of War of Hearts, there is only mention of werewolves, since our male lead is one. But as the story progresses, the real scenario begins to unfold. It’s not a spoiler, don’t worry! I won’t lie, it irked me a little at first, but once some things are explained, it all just works.
Brilliantly paced romance
In a world where our leads are jumping at each other from nearly the beginning, this reasonably-paced romance? I’m calling it a slow burn.
Before, I mentioned these stages of the story, and this has a lot to do with the romance as well. It. Just. Works.
I truly love how it’s paced, it went perfectly with how the other conflicts were developing, and all of that combined had me glued to my phone reading everything as fast as I could, while at the same time wishing it would never end.
Enemies to Lovers
This story is also the very definition of enemies to lovers. Enemies, to relcutant allies, to friends to lovers, actually. The author takes the beloved trope and really makes the most of it with how she wrote it. Thea won’t go without a fight, and Conall has a sister to save…
Thea and Conall are amazing characters with very tough choices to make. Those difficult moments, those were what made it all so amazing.
It’s a standalone that is also part of a series
My favorite kind of series, when each book is connected but also its own thing. I get the full complete story of Conall and Thea, but also a really nice introduction to what the sequel will be. There are hints of unresolved things, but nothing that really bothers you. In the end, you’re just dying for another story written just as incredibly as this one and you’re happy you can do it.
Kiss of Vengeance, the second book is out now! I’ve already got it in my ebook library and I can’t wait to read it!
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