War of Hearts: A True Immortality Novel

when i first started this book i was like “HELL YEA” and then around the 50% mark i was like “oh they’re dumb” and then at the 60% mark i was like “oh god come on!!” and then everything after that was me like rolling my eyes annoyed. it started so strong but the characters fell flat really fast (like as soon as they got together), the adventure wasn’t terrible but i just felt like the execution wasn’t there? idk. i feel like if i never read the kate andrews series, i would LOVE this book. but sadly ive read that series, and this book gives like great value brand kate andrews. anyways just read ilona andrews.

Thanks to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive the arc for “War of Hearts” by S. Young. When Samantha said she was going to dabble in the paranormal romance realm, I could not WAIT for the book to come out. But then I received an ARC copy for review and I all but canceled my plans for the day (not really cause I had to go to work) and devoured it. And devour I did. I love a book with a strong female character and Thea Quinn fits the bill. She doesn’t know who (don’t we all) or more importantly, what she is. She has some powers and abilities that she hasn’t really been able to control, and have been a problem for her, her whole life. She has been on the run for quite some time and when we meet her, she is just surviving in Budapest. Trying her best to stay unseen and under the radar. But as we all know...a good story doesn’t just let the main character go through the motions, nope...the proverbial shit needs to hit the fan. And that fan comes in the form of Conall MacLennan, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan, the last werewolf clan in Scotland. And, in my opinion, hot enough that I needed to break out my hand fan and cool myself down. But Thea isn’t the only one who isn’t having a great time in life right now, Conall has had better days. He is forcing (himself) into a marriage to help his pack and his sister is dying from a lycanthropic disease. So when a wealthy businessman approaches him with a cure, Conall will do whatever it takes. And whatever it takes is brining this man one thing; Thea Quinn. Thea and Conall clash as one would think, but when outside dangers forces the two to come together for the sake of survival. Survival turns into friendship which turns into passion, that is *insert fanning gif here*. I love Samantha Young’s writing, her story telling, and her character development. And I am not disappointed with War of Hearts. You become engrossed in the story right away and literally can not put down the story until you are able to see how everything comes together. One thing that Samantha Young does that I love is she not only builds up the main characters, but you get to know and love the secondary characters and want to know everything about them. Long story short, this story is amazing and I can’t wait for what is next in the paranormal romance genre for S. Young.

A new to me author. Even better she is a fellow Scot! What a great start to what I really hope will be long series! There is a great mix of action/adventure, PNR and there is even some light hearted banter! Thea is truly mysterious as even she doesn't really know what she is or the extent of her powers. She has been on the run so long, she no longer knows who she can trust. Conall knows there is something hinky to the offer made by the wealthy American. But desperate Alpha shifters do what they must to save their sisters. Conall may be big and growly but that covers a totally gooey centre of a big old teddy bear. I just love that the Scottish characters "sound right" in my head. No matter how well researched sometimes non-Scots just can't get the pacing of the language right or use the wrong slang words for the area for example. Thea and Conall can't understand their connection but he makes her feel safe and she'll take a lot on face value for that feeling. Conall feels horrible that he is going to hand Thea over to a man that he discovers has abused her most of her young adult life. I truly hope that this world expands. Maybe with some across the pond escapades with new allies? I really want to see more of Caledonia and James, they were like #couplegoals even though they were technically not a couple!

THIS. WAS. EPIC. I mean, I haven't felt like this after finishing a book since The Winter King, by C.L. Wilson. Like rooting so much for the main characters, and feeling like I just read a series instead of a standalone book. Because it feels like so much happened! Then I go check the actual length of the book and I'm just amazed that it doesn't even get to 500 pages. It felt like much longer than that but I read it in a breeze! This book just feels so complete. It has everything. It gives us a nice set up of the stakes, introduces us to the characters, let them know, respect and trust each other, and only then does the book finally start bringing them together. I loved that. I don't really even LIKE supernatural books where there's a mix of supernatural creatures. I like my werewolves books being ONLY about werewolves. But this one... I could look past that pet peeve of mine, because the actual story was so entertaining and well-executed. I just enjoyed this so much, and I'm so happy I get another book in this world soon!

3.5 stars This was my first paranormal romance of Samantha Young’s and I really did enjoy it! PNR holds a special place in my heart so when I heard SY would be writing a new book in this subgenre, I was jumping for joy. And not only is it PNR, it’s SHIFTER PNR! War of Hearts dives us into a fantastic, new paranormal world that I’m really hoping we get more of. I loved the main characters (there’s even a scene where they’re forced to share a bed in a hotel) and even though the book wasn’t perfect, I definitely say give it a try if you love this author or PNR! Thea Quinn is on the run from her abuser. She’s indestructible, has insane healing abilities, but doesn’t fit into the vampire/werewolf/witch/etc mold, and has no idea what she is. Conall MacLennan is the alpha of the Scotland werewolf pack, and in order to save his dying sister, he makes a deal to deliver Thea to a man in exchange for her healing blood. He’s told Thea is a lying, manipulative murderer, so why is it when he finds her and the more time he spends around her, the more he doubts that that’s who she is? Thea and Conall are BADASS. Thea can kick ass like nobodies business – she’s had to learn to defend herself since being on the run for years. I also felt for her too. She’s been through so much awful things that you can’t help but hurt for her. As the alpha of one of the most powerful werewolf packs in the world, obviously Conall can hold his own too. He’s gruff and intense and 6 1/2 feet of gorgeousness. I loved all the action and fight scenes Thea and Conall get into. Samantha Young did a fantastic job at keeping you on the edge of your seat and glued to the pages with all the action! As much as I loved Thea and Conall’s characters, I had some issues with the romance, particularly with the pacing of it. It’s pretty much non-existent for a good chunk of the first half of the book, except for some underlying chemistry. But that was fine, because I was loving the slow burn. But then the “oops, there’s only one bed in this hotel room” thing happened (which I’m a sucker for), and things moved at a warped speed. Yes, it is a fated mates kind of romance, which normally I love, but in this case I think it was a bit too fast for them to start saying “I love yous” so soon. Also, it was pretty obvious what Thea was pretty early on in the book. But I don’t know if it’s because I read a ton of PNR/fantasy romance? Still, this is a solid read I would recommend if you love shifter romances. It’s full of action, with great main characters. We get to travel all across Europe along with Thea and Conall. We’re left with a little tease at the end and I do actually want more books from this world. I also have a feeling that many of SY’s contemporary readers will want to give this a try, and I say go for it! Thanks to the author for generously providing me an ARC to review. Amazon Ebook: https://amzn.to/2osd1Zb Amazon Hardcover: https://amzn.to/2n7Lo7u Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2ppccRb Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!