Sixteen-year-old Henley Abbott is just trying to make it through high school in the small town of Edison, Washington where she has lived her entire life. Constantly feeling alone, she’s surprised when she finds herself intrigued by the new boy in town, Cohen Davenport. With the entire town talking about the new and secretive family, Henley refuses to join in on the rumors swirling about them and … them and attempts to keep her distance.
However, as Cohen becomes intrigued by Henley, the pair seems to find a spark in a kindling friendship.
As the intensity of their relationship builds, Henley discovers a dark secret plaguing Cohen and his elusive family. He reveals a twisted past that has kept his family on the run…for decades.
Cohen should keep his distance. It is too dangerous to bring Henley into his life, but he can’t stay away from her.
And, Henley doesn’t want him to.
As Henley overcomes her own fears and trepidations, she finds herself engrossed in a battle that could destroy them both. Only their connection could help them all survive.
Intensely romantic and extremely thrilling, this novel will pull readers in from the very first page. Fans of Twilight, The Guardian Series, and the Marked Saga will instantly fall in love with this new paranormal series.
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Shadowed: Book 1 in the Shadow and Moon Series by Michelle Areaux was such an awesome story that I have read. This is book is number one in this awesome start to a brand new series and I can not wait to read the next book. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thought this was a great book. I found the storyline well written and it drew me in from the beginning. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)
The synopsis for ‘Shadowed,’ first in a new series by author Michelle Areaux, boasts that “fans of Twilight, The Guardian Series, and the Marked Saga will instantly fall in love with this new paranormal series.” What it doesn’t tell you, is that in spots it’s practically just the same story with a few tweaks to details.
Henley, our main character is the same ‘quiet, awkward outcast,’ we saw in Bella. Her gorgeous new neighbor/school mate, the same wickedly attractive, yet emotionally conflicted recluse. He has a matching brother-sister combo rather than a full set of four, but the personalities are represented. There’s the darkly dangerous one of their own kind and the entire family hiding a secret.. which by the way, is called something else, but may as well be the same. They even still have some sparkle, you’ll see what I mean.
Honestly, before I decided the lines were too close not to practically be considered a rewrite, a moment that occurs outside the school which shot my brows upward. It had me thinking it’s quite literally.. nearly the same scene as one between Edward and Bella. Now, since I’d half-read that Twilight novel, I had to look it up to see if I was mis-remembering.. but no. It’s there.
There’s a constant swing happening between present and past tense verbiage, even within the same sentences. Sometimes it’ll occur three times back to back. As the copy I received was an unedited ARC, it’s entirely possible that such things will be cleaned up, but in my experience those are not the kinds of issues that change. Here’s hoping.
“I stood there frozen in place; my breathing slows as I anxiously waited..”
Her dialogue is stiff, like she’s trying to craft every sentence with perfect grammar.. and has no idea how actual conversations might sound. Likewise, these kids talk like they’re out of the 80’s.. accusing others of treating them like ‘scum.’ I can’t recall the last time I heard a teen use that word. And please, for the love of all that is good in the world.. stop repeating the same things back to back, just to fill space.
“It was cool,” I rambled on.
“That’s cool,” Cohen said coolly.
Really?
“..I decided to go for a run. Sometimes when I needed to clear my head or just think, I would lace up my sneakers and go for a long run.”
Yep.
We know.
You said that. And that kind of thing happens all throughout the book.
It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read. And that’s the best thing I can say about it.
I am so excited for this series! This first book in it had me captivated from the start. Henley is an outcast. Her only friend is Amy and they are fine being on the outside. Then Cohen and his odd family move in next store and Henley can’t ignore her fascination with them. Cohen seems to be captivated by her too. They have a rocky start to their friendship but soon they discover how compatible they really are. The crushes they have on each other can’t be ignored. Then Cohen drops a truth bomb on Henley and Amy about his family and why they seem so odd. Cohen is taking a chance on trusting them. Soon there are people after them and conspiracies coming to light in the small town in Washington. I loved this book! The mystery and suspense of everything was addicting. I totally didn’t expect the truth to be what it was. It’s totally unique! This is a great start to what I know will be an awesome young adult paranormal series. I can’t suggest this book enough. I am eagerly waiting for more!