Series: Dark Protectors, #12
Traits & Tropes: marriage of convenience; suspense/danger
Genre/Setting: Paranormal; Contemporary
Publication Date: 10/13/20
Heat Rating: 3/5
Rating: 2/5
Adare O’Cearbhaill is an elite vampire soldier but he’ll always be a gruff, honorable Highlander at heart. As such, he knows his duty and though he does not believe in love, he stepped in five years ago to save his friend’s human sister-in-law by mating her with a bite only. He’s given her freedom despite keeping tabs on her all this time, but when she puts herself in danger, he can no longer keep his distance, even though she’s not interested in his protection.
Grace Cooper has finally made a name for herself as a photographer and would rather go back to the simplicity of her life before she knew anything about immortals. She’s skeptical about her supposed role in the epic battle that’s said to be forthcoming. She has a birthmark, but she doesn’t believe it means anything special. Unfortunately, her mating brand is quickly fading, along with her health. She’s determined to find a solution on her own, but when she draws enemies to her, Adare is there to keep her safe. With her health in danger from multiple threats, her best chance at survival is to make her mating a real one and Adare will accept nothing less.
I enjoyed the action and fast pacing of this book, but Grace ruined a lot of it for me. She seemed to want to do nothing but fight and consistently made rash decisions with no thought and stupid mistakes, putting herself and everyone else in danger, just for the sake of defying Adare and doing things for herself. I would’ve liked and respected her more if she’d actually tried to be a team with Adare or even any other character or if she’d respected that others knew more than she did. Instead she kept trying to be a martyr in the name of independence. Grace didn’t come off as strong, independent or perceptive to me; just seemed neurotic and her conversations with Adare were nearly always arguments and often about the same issues, which just became repetitive and tedious. I wound up liking strong, silent Adare more than I expected to. He was very much a protective alpha, but he had an underlying loneliness and vulnerability that was endearing. Adare definitely had emotional closedness and guilt to deal with that I don’t think was adequately addressed between him and Grace. I think a bit more discussion between them about his past and losing his family would’ve helped, but of course they could barely speak at all without fighting so I’m not sure when that would’ve happened. They definitely had passion, but I struggled to believe them as a couple, especially after she pushed him away for so long. Grace’s issues over her medical condition and lost memories also got old and her secrecy over it just lead to her making even more stupid decisions.
I’ve only read one previous book in this series, Hero’s Haven, and I enjoyed that one enough to want to continue with this one. I followed the story fine, but with so many appearances from interconnected characters from previous books, I’d say this series is best read in order. There was quite a bit of world-building done here in several chapters that didn’t include the hero and heroine at all. I’m sure these scenes will be necessary to the story arc of the rest of the series, but I found them to be distracting and a bit too frequent, often pulling me out of the story at times when I was annoyed by Grace’s attitude and already struggling to stay invested.
Overall, I didn’t feel like there was much romance between these two. Up until the last chapter I was thinking I’d probably just give up on this series, but Benny was so adorable and sweet, I’ll likely follow up and read his story just because I liked him so much.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3343635802
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/428820467
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