Scarlet Sorrow: A Tried and True Novel

by Charli Rahe

A family never spoken of, a past shrouded in deception where hybrid humans walk the surreal landscapes of hidden islands now severed from the world. Scarlett and her cousins are taken from sheltered lives in Chicago and thrust into a life they never imagined filled with secrets and betrayals, where power and ancestry count for more than kindness. After being inducted into a university where they learn to call the elements to become Mother’s Guardians, they discover they’re something more than human while wading through the politics of Tidings and attempting to cultivate relationships with family left behind. Scarlett finds herself torn between the charismatic future Prime of her people and a dangerous outsider who’s set his sights on her.

518 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2023

About the author

Charli Rahe is a member the Chicago Writers Association and the Romance Writers of America. She is frequently found curled up with a book, her MacBook with her pets or crafting. She is originally from Chicago, and settled in the suburbs with her husband, daughter, and twin sons.

Reviews

[Crystal P]

3.5 stars rounded to 4. I enjoyed this book despite having a few issues with it. It read easily enough once I stopped trying to catalog all the names - there are A LOT of names. I feel like the way the names were assigned were kind of cool, but the amount of names along with the greater families and the adopted kids was a tad overwhelming.

The story and the world building were intriguing enough the keep the pages turning. My main issues may have resulted simply from the age of the kids and how all conflict seemed to be wrapped up in relationships and marriages.

Scarlett is still a bit of a mystery and I am very curious about her heritage and where the story will continue to take her. I dislike how she hasn’t kicked one guy to the curb, but can appreciate that she is 19 and in a world that values power couples and places emphasis on surnames and this clouding her mind; however, she was raised in Chicago and should have seen though the bs and had little patience for it very early on.

Slate is a mysterious character and I am pulling for him despite a few of his own red flags that came out in the last 15% or so of the book, and these did not include his promiscuity.

I would and may read more.

[Ashli Ferguson]

Absolutely loved it! I cannot wait to see where this story goes!

[Dana Mohn]

Can’t wait for the next!

Lots of names/characters in the beginning, which can sometimes throw people off but she did an amazing job of world building. You are immediately invested in the characters and their journey into a new world and a new way of life. Frustration abounds when the they don’t do what you want then to do but hey, that is that makes a good story, right?! I want to smack Slate for being an idiot and jump on him at all once. I think Scarlett has that same feeling so I’m amongst good company. Haha Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!!!

[Ashley Yungbluth]

"Scarlet Sorrow" is book one in the "A Tried and True" series by Charli Rahe. At first, I wasn't sure what to think of this book, but as I read on, I couldn't quit reading it. I am enjoying the characters and Scarlet's story. She is learning so much about herself and her family. There is a little bit of a love triangle going on, and I'm not sure who she will pick in the end, but it is interesting to get her take on it. My favorite part is when her and her brother stay back, and he tells her a secret that she is not allowed to share with anyone. This book left me on a cliffhanger, and I will be reading the next one in the series when I get a chance.

[Jessica Wolke]

"It was either that or die. I thought testing myself to my limit was preferable to dying"

Dark, funny, sexy. I found my heart breaking right along with the characters. The feelings this book gives you are ridiculous and the ending makes it a painful wait for the next book.

[Emily]

I have conflicted feelings about this book, which made rating it difficult. On the plus side, I really enjoyed the world building, which was the absolute strength of the entire book and makes me want to continue the series.

And while there were a ton of characters thrown at you, which made it hard to track, I was able to get over that as the book progressed after making my own tracking sheet, which helped.

On the downside, I just didn’t like most of the characters, mainly because I just couldn’t relate to any of them. So much of the drama is tied up in relationships and some pretty juvenile stuff, which irritated me when I was that age, and still irritates me to this day. And I dislike cliffhanger endings, which is a personal pet peeve, because I don’t wanna have to go read book 2 if book 1 wasn’t my cup of tea to resolve a major plot point

I’m left with this mixed feelings of this series has a lot of potential, but it’s also not quite my cup of tea, so not sure if I would continue it. All in all, I think it was an okay read for me, but I can see why people love the series.

[Elizabeth]

This book was awful. There are terrible editing mistakes. The main character Scarlett is told oh we are from this place called Tidings. Her mom and uncle don't explain any customs to her and are very vague. She finds out she has random brothers and then hooks up with an adopted brother. Very creepy and poorly written. DNF after 200 pages. I couldn't get over all the incensly behavior. And the names of the characters are as if a 5 year old named them- diamond, coyote, rainbow.

[Jen]

I absolutely could not hit preorder on the next in the series fast enough! It's like JLA and King had a fantasy, action, romance baby. So many characters with depth and backstory set in a unique new world described in stunning clarity. It takes the reader on one hell of a ride!

[Malerie Wolke]

Very sexy, strong powerful characters. A YA romance novel set in a magical fantasy realm. I hope someone makes this into a movie!

[Lindsay]

Woah

This book was so much fun. I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend if you like flirty banter 🔥 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Lindsi Fisher]

FANTASTIC storyline. There are some moments where the writing gets a little splotchy and there are still some grammatical/spelling errors in the edition I’m reading, but the storyline is fabulous.

[Jsmh]

I'm 1/3 into this book that I am reading due to its super high ratings.

So far I'm rolling my eyes at it. EVERYONE is the most stunningly beautiful person ever. The younger males are all sexual predators. The females are all helpless against them. Everyone "falls in lust" at the drop of a hat. Good grief. That is the sum total of the story so far at over 1/3 into the novel. There is no plot as of yet.

At 48%, something besides hormones finally happened. Maybe a story will develop now.

The second half of this book is very occasional things happening surrounded by a lot of post teen sexual shenanigans. The first half is nothing but the latter. Not my cup of tea.

[Britni Johnston]

I was lucky enough to be able to read these books last year and to say I’m more obsessed now is an understatement! The depth of these characters is captivating and you just can’t wait to read and learn more about them! Truly can’t wait to read all of these books again to see things I missed the first time and to fall in love even more!