Author: K. Loraine & Meg Anne

Series: The Mate Games: Death

First Published: 19 February 2024

“I’d slay my own sire to save her.”  

I will start by saying that I wI will start by saying that I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank so much Meg and Kim for sending a copy my way!

This is a sequel; I will try and keep my review as spoiler free as possible but just be wary if you haven’t read first book, Haunting Beauty.

She’s everything I want, and I hate her for it.

Hate might not be the right emotion for what Dahlia stirs in me. But I can’t have her, so telling myself I don’t want her is the only option. Especially since my dog won’t leave her alone. While I’ve been doing my best to avoid the woman I crave, my pup has taken on the role of her protector. He follows her every chance he gets. That’s probably for the best because there’s a serial killer on the loose and he’s got his sights set on her. At least, that’s what the ghosts keep saying. With her beast out of commission it’s up to the rest of us to keep her safe.

Her fae outcast

Her rogue captain

And me…her reluctant shadow

As much as I should stay away, fate keeps throwing us together and it’s not hard to see the reason why. Dahlia is unlocking me piece by piece.

My memories might be slow to return, but my power isn’t. Since arriving at Blackwood it’s grown by leaps and bounds, bringing one truth into sharp focus. I need her, forbidden as she is. She’s the light to my darkness and despite our differences our powers are clearly connected. If I have any hope of solving the mystery of who I am, Dahlia and I will have to work together to stop the Ripper before he gets what he wants. Her.

She is the key to all of it. And without her, I will never again be whole.

This series is like crack to me, and I cannot get enough! Hunted Beast is a perfect continuation of this series. Honestly, each series gets better and better. Thankfully, we pick up right where the cliffhanger for Haunting Beauty picks up. There is no rest for the wicked as Dahlia and her guys get thrown into the deep end!

We drive right into Tor’s curse and the surrounding mystery of the ripper. We get the answers to some questions, but there are still tons more to explore–like what is Death doing? Can Tor’s curse be broken? What is happening with Cas? I am scrambling to piece together it all together. We end on another cliffhanger, which has me counting down the days till the release of the third book, Hateful Prince.

I adore that K. Loraine and Meg Anne have slowly introduced us to the wider world. I love their take on the Fae and how they have twisted in some classic fairytale characters. I am intrigued by The Shadow Court, and I am hoping we get to see more of them, especially given Kai’s allegiance to them. Also, the reveal about who Cain is blew my mind. It makes so much sense now his identity is revealed. I will be interested to see if we get any more of his kind included in the rest of the series.

I listened to this one on audio, and like always with this series, the audio production was incredible. The narrators had done an amazing job bringing Dalilah and the gang to life. I am obsessed. Honestly, the audio is the best way to experience this series.

I adore Dahlia. I love the duality that she has been able to digest that the supernatural world exists and juggling her buddying relationships with Tor, Caine, Kai and Cas, while also trying to keep up with her life and stick to a writing deadline. The way her publisher refuses to let her deviate from her deadline feels realistic. She cannot catch a break. Honestly, if I were in her shoes – and boy do I want to be – I know I would not have handled everything as well as she is.

Given the events at the end of Haunting Beauty, Dahlia does not spend a lot of time with Tor. But we do get some development in her relationship with Kai. It is so sweet watching Kai be the guy who steps up and takes care of Dahlia. The caretaking scenes where he looks after her after the ghost attacks had me swooning. I also love watching him battle his dragon’s territorial nature to try and wrangle Cain and Cas because he knows Dahlia needs them. I adore that Daliah made Cas grovel for her forgiveness after his actions in the first book. I loved watching Cas struggle to admit his wrong and realise there are consequences to his actions. He was all pouty and grumbly, which was hilarious and left me in stitches. The spice in here is A+ and left me needing a cool shower. That woods scene! Perfection. Hats off to these amazing writers for writing the most dynamic and increasing hot spice.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, K. Loarine and Meg Anne write my perfect paranormal romance. I will never get enough. I adore the way they balance the high-stakes plot with a spicy, why choose romance. Let the countdown begin for the release of the next book, Hateful Prince.