Review: War of Hearts by S. Young

New York Times Bestselling author Samantha Young writing as S. Young.

WAR OF HEARTS by S. YOUNG

Publication date: October 1, 2019

Series: Standalone

Genre: paranormal romance

 

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.

Purchase your copy now!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

About the Author:

S. Young is the pen name for New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young. Her debut adult paranormal romance War of Hearts (A True Immortality Novel) will be published October 2019.

You can find her on:

Twitter | Goodreads | Website | Facebook


REVIEW

War of Hearts by S. Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

   “A wolf is only as strong as his heart, and my heart belongs completely to you."

I've been a reader of Samantha Young's for many years, but I'd never read any of her paranormal books. When I saw the announcement for War of Hearts, I was so eager to check it out. I haven't been able to find a ton of new books in the genre to catch my eye, so this was a more than welcome treat! You get a little bit of everything with this one: action, suspense, forbidden love, and mystery regarding Thea's identity. It's all firmly packed together in one heart-pounding package. I read this book in a 24 hour period, completely drawn in from page one. Which is quite remarkable considering the detailed paranormal world that was introduced here. Typically you have some dry spells in the plot where you're just taking in information, but for me it felt so natural and seamless. There wasn't a moment of boredom or difficulty in holding my attention.

Thea Quinn is on the run from a monster. After miraculously surviving the plane crash that her parents perished in, she was taken in by a man who became her worst nightmare. Horrifically abused, and used for her rare supernatural talents, she barely escaped the prison she escaped from. She'd rather die fighting than give up her freedom, so she travels from city to city, always looking behind her shoulder. Thea is a proud woman, very strong mentally and physically, and she has a soft heart despite the tragedy and mistreatment she's been through. This heroine is one of the most badass I've read in quite a while. Her power is almost limitless, yet untapped. Without full knowledge of what type of supernatural being she is, she lacks the awareness of her capabilities. They're used only when necessary-for others' protection as well as her own.

Conall is the alpha of the last wolf pack in Scotland, Clan MacLennan. Though they can't compare in size to many other packs, their strength is undeniable. His parents were both alphas and head of the pack before they died, and he's continuing their legacy. His home and family at Loch Torridon are everything to him. He's protective, fierce, confident, trustworthy and honorable. Someone you could trust with your life if the situation arose. But what if he were the one working with your enemy to deliver you to the devil? He's the last person you want tracking you because once he has your scent there's no escaping him. Out of desperation to help his fatally ill sister, he agrees to deliver Thea in exchange for a miracle cure. What should have been a fairly simple job for him gets complicated fast.

Conall is expecting a cold blooded killer, but after his first run-in he immediately starts to question everything he's been told about her. Nothing is quite adding up and his intuition is pricking him at the most inconvenient time. He grew attracted pretty quickly but fights it hard, knowing that his sister's life must come first. Of course, she wasn't about to roll over and accept defeat easily so it became a battle of wills between the two of them. There were a lot of adrenaline fueled fight scenes, narrow escapes, and betrayal as they made their way back to Scotland. Thea has become a target from another unknown source that puts everyone's lives in danger even further.

I loved the revelations about Thea and the history regarding her identity. I was absolutely riveted after the truth came out and couldn't put it down. Even though the romance had limited time to develop in between the main conflicts, it never felt rushed. Thea and Connall had the kind of tension and chemistry that make you just a little bit giddy as you wait for their resistance to snap. There were a million reasons why they shouldn't be together, but one very big reason why none of them mattered.

    There was right and there was wrong; there was loyalty and responsibility. Everything he felt now was complicated and confusing.

This couple was incredible and easily one of my favorites from the author. Even though this is listed as a standalone, the epilogue leads you to believe that there is still more to be told in this world. You're definitely going to want to get in on this addictive book now, as soon as it's out! I cannot recommend this one enough.

FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON: 

View all my reviews