He’ll mark her flesh. She’ll claim his heart.Always the dutiful daughter, Lady Joselyn is weeks away from marrying a rival lord in order to secure the future of her father’s house. However, she suddenly finds herself in the clutches of an ancient beast she’s only ever heard of in legends. More terrifying than that is the beast’s master, a wild man who insists Joselyn is his bride by right, and … Joselyn is his bride by right, and plans to seal his claim in blood.
Wyvern-rider, Hollen, has finally captured the woman of his dreams, though he quickly learns waiting for her was less than half the battle. His new bride wants nothing to do with him and Hollen knows he only has one chance to change her mind. To win her over, he’ll do whatever he must, even if it means keeping secrets.
Their wills pitted against each other, Joselyn will go to any lengths to free herself from this savage and fulfill her marital contract. Her father’s life depends upon it. But even as she plots her escape, Joselyn begins to wonder if one can also be bound by a duty to their own heart.
Author’s Note: This is not a shifter romance. The Dokiri men are savage enough in their manly forms. That being said, this book features subdued sexual content. Enjoy the heat but don’t expect to get singed.
Trigger warning: This novel plays on the trope of abduction. While Dokiri men won’t let anything keep them from the woman they love, even that woman herself, all sexual acts in this book are consensual.
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Hollen the Soulless is the first book in the Dokiri Brides Series. It’s both beautiful and brutal. It’s a slow-burn romance between a proud noblewoman and a chief of a Dokiri clan who has a heart of gold. It’s rich with world building, especially the Dokiri culture. There are some action scenes, but not like in Sven the Collector, the prequel novella, which was more of an adrenaline pumping story. If you’re interested in a fantasy that will pull at your heartstrings, then you’ll easily get wrapped up in Lady Joselyn and Chief Hollen’s story.
This book is pretty dark and includes torture and near rape by bad people. If this distresses you, like it does me, then I would like to put you at ease by letting you know that it does have a happy ending. Future books will feature Hollen’s brothers and their brides. I especially want to follow the youngest brother, Sigvard, as he comes to terms with his own personal struggles. My heart really went out to him! And, I’m looking forward to reading about Erik the Tempered. He’s the next brother in line for a bride!
I received an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Wyverns, romance, and characters I fell in love with! Definitely grab this slow-burn fantasy romance!
3 stars
Well I finished this one, I think some things could be tightened in the story line. The pacing also felt off.
Shane East did a great job narrating!
I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.