Red-Haired Ash Reads

After reading the Stay A Spell series and loving it, I was so excited to see the announcement that Cross was writing a spin-off set in the future with their kids. I couldn’t wait to see how all the couples were as parents and what those kids were like. Well, I am not disappointed at all with this first book and I can’t wait for the next book.

Celine Cruz is an Aura Witch and daughter of Mateo and Evie (Wolf Gone Wild). Celine was a sweet woman who just wants to help everyone in any way she can. She is a therapist who does art therapy for kids and also struggles with her own anxiety. Ronan is a wolf who hasn’t shifted since he was 12 because of trauma. He came to New Orleans to start over and make a career, but he also starts going to therapy to deal with his past traumas. 

Ronan and Celine have instant attraction and chemistry. Ronan knows right away she is his but doesn’t really understand fully what that means until later when he realizes she is his mate. While this is a fated mates situation, there is still relationship building and dates that happen, which personally is my favorite kind of fated mates story. These two have a lot of trauma and family issues to work through to make their relationship work. Also there is the issue of Ronan’s career in cage fighting and how it affects their relationship. I really enjoyed the progression of Ronan and Celine’s relationship. It was a bit slow building but they were actually working together to build a strong relationship and making a future for themselves, as it should be. 

This book discusses a lot of heavy topics with the death of parents, PTSD, stalking, and kidnapping. While there are a lot of heavy topics and scenes in this, the overall book was hopeful and budding with new love. I love when a romance with heavy topics can balance it well with the romance and not leave you feeling depressed at the end. Also there are therapy scenes in this, which I love to see. I love when characters know they have shit they need to deal with and they actually seek help, even if it was a bit reluctantly at first. 

Overall, this was a wonderful start for this spin-off series. I really loved Ronan and Celine and their journey towards love. Also it was great seeing all the previous couples pop up in this. I can’t wait to read the next one. 

TW: anxiety; death of mother in car accident; PTSD and survivors guilt; toxic ex-boyfriend discussed; stalking discussed; drugged, kidnapped and threatened with rape

*ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*

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