'Once Bitten' in the 'Tooth & Claw' series by Heather Guerre is a paranormal romance novel that follows the story of Jules, a woman recovering from an emotionally abusive marriage, who meets Max, a man who is instantly drawn to her. Their budding romance helps Jules heal, but a devastating event halfway through the book tests their relationship, leading to emotional and physical trauma for Jules. The book delves into themes of love, transformation, and overcoming past traumas, set in a world filled with supernatural beings and intricate power dynamics.
The writing style in 'Once Bitten' is described as deceivingly sweet, lulling readers into a false sense of security before delivering unexpected twists and turns. The author, Heather Guerre, skillfully balances elements of romance, violence, and supernatural politics, creating a story that keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested in the characters' journeys.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes high levels of content warnings due to graphic depictions of emotional abuse, torture, and violence, particularly surrounding the trauma experienced by the female lead.
Has Romance?
The book features a prominent romance plot that drives much of the character development.
From The Publisher:
A wounded heart…
It took Jules too long to escape her abusive marriage. Now that she's free, she has no intention of ever risking her heart again. Once a dreamer, she's resigned herself to spending the rest of her life alone, fading into the background of other people's happiness. That is, until she meets Max.
A healing love…
Max knew he'd have to journey beyond his pack's borders to find his mate. He hadn't expected her to be a quiet, skinlocked woman with shadows in her eyes and a wall around her heart. Dismantling that wall will take time and care, but he knows it will be worth it to claim Jules as his mate.
An unforgivable betrayal…
But courtship is neither simple nor straightforward between skinlocked humans and wolf-kin. When an ancient enemy forces Max to choose between his own people and the woman he loves, the consequences will be irrevocable, and only a love that defies all odds can keep them together.
Ratings (9)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (21):
Read It (10) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (7) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
This has a lot of good stuff. Both partners have issues from their past that play out in their current relationship in ways that make sense. At 40% I was like "huh, they're together and it all looks good. What's going to keep us busy for the rest of the book?" The thing that happens is *not* something I expected, and it takes us to some itneresting places. Both characters could have communicated about it better, sooner and I found their failure to do so moderately annoying. Still, it was enjoyable all in all.
Warning: this has an HFN for the main couple but in terms of the larger arc of the series it ends on a significant cliffhanger and the next volume isn't out yet.
What can you read after
Once Bitten?
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