Seven Years

Seven #1

by Dannika Dark

An addictive page-turner that will keep you up all night!
Dark secrets unravel in the thrilling first installment of the USA Today Bestselling Seven series. Audie Awards Finalist for Paranormal


It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier.

Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?

This series contains:
- Friends to lovers
- Brother's best friend
- Opposites attract
- Tortured Hero
- Multicultural
- Cinnamon Roll Hero
- Found Family
- Rock Star Romance
- Second Chance Romance
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Redemption Story
- Other Supernaturals
- Disability rep
- LGBTQA+ rep

Destiny will find you.
------------------------------------------------------------
Book 1 - Seven Years
Book 2 - Six Months
Book 3 - Five Weeks
Book 4 - Four Days
Book 5 - Three Hours
Book 6 - Two Minutes
Charming (side-world novel)
Book 7 - One Second
Book 8 - Winter Moon
Seven Series Companion: An Insider's Guide

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy

332 pages, ebook

First published October 20, 2013

About the author

Dannika Dark is a nine-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, APA Audie Awards Finalist, and AudioFile Earphones Award winner. Her pulse-pounding urban fantasies and paranormal romances are an addiction that has thrilled readers for more than a decade. She does not support the use of AI.




ABOUT THE BOOKS
All Dannika Dark novels are written in the same universe (Mageriverse). Characters in this flawed world (much like our own) confront prejudice, constraints, and societal problems as they search for purpose or love. Diverse characters building a found family are at the heart of every story. Villains get their just deserts, and love conquers all.

THE MAGERI SERIES Urban Fantasy Romance
When a young woman unwittingly receives the gift of immortality from a Mage, she must leave everything behind. But her conviction is put to the ultimate test when she falls for her mortal enemy.
Enemies to lovers, found family, hidden magic, forced proximity, soul mates, protective mate, diverse supernaturals.
Primary genre: Fantasy
Start reading STERLING


THE SEVEN SERIES Paranormal Romance
Austin Cole and his brothers are forming a pack, and the last thing on their minds is getting tethered to a mate. But the more they resist, the harder they fall.
Found family, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, rock star romance, tortured hero, grumpy/sunshine, biker romance, alpha hero, cinnamon roll hero, multicultural
Primary Genre: Romance
Start reading SEVEN YEARS


THE CROSSBREED SERIES Urban Fantasy Romance
Raven Black is a rogue who hunts criminals for fun. But when a secret organization offers her a job, she’ll need to rise to the challenge. Half-Mage, half-Vampire, she’s caught between two worlds. Will desire become her biggest distraction when she’s paired up with a Vampire?
Found family, wicked banter, morally grey characters, slow burn, emotional scars, "I would burn down the world for you," diverse characters, who hurt you?
Primary Genre: Fantasy
Start reading KEYSTONE


THE BLACK ARROWHEAD SERIES Paranormal Romance
Brave women and fiercely loyal men form an unconventional pack in this edge-of-your-seat paranormal romance with plenty of twists and turns.
Found family, friends to lovers, anxiety/disability rep, past trauma, multicultural, different worlds
Primary Genre: Romance
Start reading THE VOW

Reviews

[Bry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love that we are in a day and age when people can self publish their works – Amazon in this case. But this means that the final product are not put through the rigors that a publishing house puts works through. And this book needed rigor. A lot of it.

This book suffered from the authors over imaginative mind – frankly she was like a child sugared up on 12 pounds worth of gummy bears. Every dramatic idea, wet dream, and fantasy Dannika Dark has ever had seems to be in this book.

Here’s just a tiny run down on some of the themes/situations you will find in this book (should you be brave enough to read it):
(Warning: Slight spoilers although I won’t say which characters they pertain to.)

· Second chance love
· Death
· Murder
· Unknown parentage/adoption
· Unknown supernatural abilities
· Unknown supernatural world
· Abandonment
· Stalker
· Cheating
· Near death
· Magic
· Ominous prophecies
· Diamond theft (!!!)
· Hit men/assassins
· Bounty hunters

Seriously I could keep going, and going, and going.

An editor would have shaved this down immensely! What happened was one of the new theme/situations would occur but it would be like water off a ducks back because the characters were already so completely inundated by all the other shit on their plate. I mean seriously, you can only respond to so many things before you go catatonic or murder someone. Thus all of the reactions to these things were luke warm at best. No big freak outs, no panic attacks, almost no disbelief because the author didn’t have time to convince them.

An editor also would have caught the GLARING inconsistencies. Frankly, a beta editor would have caught them. Or even just a friend reading a glass of wine while perusing the book. For instance…a guy named Lorenzo continually shows his interest for Lexi, the main female character and asks her out several times. Yet, later in the book she says he never asks her out. Another one is that Austin, the main male character, grey up with Lexi and her brother Wes. They knew each other since she was 5 and he was 8. Austin ate dinner with their family like 3 times a week for his entire life. Yet, she never met his parents, didn’t even know their names, had no clue if he had siblings (which turns out he has 5!)

An editor also would have kept the author from dating her book so much with specific references to current bands and songs. Ick. I hate that. I am also just not a fan of the bands she chose to insert into the story, so double thumbs down there.

All in all, what a waste. I saw this book on first reads and was totally interested. When I didn’t win it I bought it on Amazon and for $4 and started reading immediately even though I have 3 library books waiting to be read that need to be returned soon. And well yeah – as I said in my comments...this book made me roll my eyes COUNTLESS times. I’m surprised they aren’t stuck that way. It also made me nearly face palm myself a dozen times, only I was smart enough not to do that because I thought I might break my own nose. Never again Ms. Dark. Never again.

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Years was really good read. I had a blast reading this fast paced, exceptionally sexy mix of urban fantasy with second chance romance story. It definitely was a winner for me! Dannika Dark surprised me with enaging start to incredible series. I think it made me fall in love with urban fantasy all over again.



Story follows twenty-seven year old Lexi Knight. She’s your normal, average woman. She works in candy shop, have a douchbag ex boyfriend and dead brother, that was everything to her. When he died in tragic accident few years ago, her life slowly fell apart. Not only did she lost her brother but also his best friend, Austin, she loved from the age of five. Austin run away after the funeral and didn’t come back to visit in seven years.

So when she sees him after all this years, her stupid heart can’t stop beating faster. Austin has a lot to explain to her, and when he finally tells her the truth, it’s not exactly what she thought it would be. Well, she definitely didn’t expect him to tell her his a shifter.



I adored Austin. He was wonderful love interest and a fantastic mix of rugh alpha male, with sweet, gentle, loveable man. Not normal controlling and demanding douche, but the swoon worthy, girlie parts tingling version of alpha. Perfect. And the tattoos, bad boy vibe, being a shifter was a totall turn on. And he is dirty talker. Swoon!

Lexi and Austin relationship was fifty shades of hot! There is nothing better than reading a scene that doesn’t exactly involve sex, but sensual foreplay that leaves you all fucked over. Sometimes, I have more fun reading ‘not sex’ scenes like that. And in Seven Years, Dannika Dark, created some really steamy, off-the-charts hot erotic snippets, that left me begging for more. So freaking arousing!

"When I stepped back, I plucked one of the candies from the cluster and ripped away the wrapper with my teeth. Immediately, I sucked on it and then held out my tongue, spinning the candy in circles.

Austin’s eyes were following every movement as he watched the whole affair. His lips parted as he eyed my mouth. “Keep doing that,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
Then he shocked the hell out of me when he leaned down and licked the other side. I felt his tongue slide against mine and I froze. Then he did it again, only this time more slowly until he pulled the candy away and began sucking on my candy-coated tongue as he cupped my face in his warm hands.
The tingles were roaring.

Suckers fell to the floor with a whack! My right leg wrapped around his waist as he lifted me up by my thighs.

The kiss was deep, wet, and salacious. My chin burned from how rough he was with his whiskers as we angled our heads to the left, then the right, and nibbled each other’s lips while discovering our groove. That comfortable groove you get into once you learn someone through their kiss—their moves, their rhythm, the intensity of how they use their tongue, even where on your mouth they linger during the kiss. Upper lip, lower lip, left side kisser, or all over the place."

This scene will be literally burned in my mind forever. I’m still tingling, while thinking about it.

Overall, Seven Years is enticing, sexy and beautifully written story. I adored almost every aspect of this book, because it’s fast paced, realistic and so, so hot!. This intense and evocative romance is awsome read for every fan of alpha wolves, second chance romance stories and steam junkies.

[Kayleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look, I LOVE Shifter books. Like seriously, I have such a thing for them. To the point where if I like the characters and the premise of the plot enough, I can overlook some pretty atrocious writing.

I have an unhealthy attraction to fictional, possessive, alpha-males. I can overlook a lot of borderline abusive behaviour if the male lead is hawt enough and if the female lead is kickass enough. If the shifter culture is fleshed out properly, too. Most importantly, if there is an engaging plot.

This book? Has none of that.

I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet, because I don't feel like spending a lot of time on this review.

The Bad.

• The pacing
• The writing
• The characterisations - why are all these men trying to fucking rape her?
• The plot
• Info-dumps
• TMI - like, woah. I didn't need the in-depth, two paragraph long description of her mother's kitchen when I was reading the book, and I still don't need it now.
• Misandry
• Obsessed with looks - which I will comment on shortly.
• Tries so hard to be 'feminist' and fails epicly
• Casual treatment of rape

The Good.

• Sweet Fuck All.

Ok, I need to share this quote with you because this is what really killed this book for me:

"A woman could be stranded on a deserted island with no sign of life for thousands of miles, and as soon as a rescue ship comes her way, she'll be combing her hair with sticks and squashing berries to rub on her cheeks"

No? Do you know what women would be doing? Screaming desperately for help. They wouldn't give two shits about how they look.

This woman is so fucking obsessed with looks and it just drives me up the wall. This portrayal that the female psyche is so fucking shallow makes me so angry. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being conscious of your appearance - God knows I can be vain enough at times, but I would never let it define me. That's all Dannika Dark seems to do - allow people's images to define them. The best looking are, of course, the ones we are all told to like and the ones we are told to hate are, of course, the lesser attractive characters. It's embarrassing.

But I think the thing that really put me off this book is the author's casual use of rape as a device to show us just how attractive the MC is. Like, is this for fucking real? Rape - just casually thrown in to show how much guys want her. It's fucking disgusting and disgraceful.

I am so surprised I didn't end up DNFing this.

Please, do yourselves a favour and leave this one alone.

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I actually finished this on Friday (apparently). It's now Monday and I when I saw that I had not yet marked it as "finished" this morning...I had to go back and check to see if I did or not. Finish it, that is.

And apparently I had. So in a nutshell that's this book. I remember enjoying it while I was reading it. I love the whole I've-loved-you-since-childhood-but-you-are/were-my-brother's-BFF trope; however, 3 days after finishing it, I forgot about it, couldn't remember the ending, or even if I finished it.

I may or may not read the next one...if I remember...

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven years ago, my world ended.
Seven years later, my new life began.

Meet Alexia (Lexi) Knight. Seven years ago, Lexi lost her brother in a tragic car accident. And her life was forever changed. Not long after, her father abandoned them. So Lexi assumed the responsibility of looking after her Mother and little sister, Maizy. Not only did she lose her brother and father, but after the funeral, her brother's best friend and also practically a member of their family, Austin, left. Lexi felt the pain of Austin's absence as much as she did her brother's. You see, she had been in love with Austin since she was five years old. Then, seven years later, sitting at the Dairy Queen with her Mom and sister, who walks in but Austin. But this is not the same Austin she remembers. This one is not only seven years older but harder, menacing even, with a grim expression and tattoos that weren't there before. Where has he been all these years and why is he back now?




What if Shifters really did exist, living in secret among humans?

Meet Austin Cole. Losing his best friend, Wes, was the worst pain Austin has ever felt. Was his death really an accident or was there more to it? And then there is Wes's sister, Lexi. The feelings he had started to have towards her had to be wrong. She was his best friend's little sister. But there is more to Austin than we realize. Austin Cole is a shapeshifter. His animal is a wolf. And, Austin has come home to assume the responsibility of packmaster to his family. His family of five brothers. Will Lexi ever forgive him for leaving? Once he finally gets the courage to talk to Lexi, though, many new factors come into play. He wants to tell her everything about himself and about her brother's death but will she accept him after she knows the truth?

As truths come out, Lexi and her family are in great danger. And Austin assumes the responsibility of protecting them. That's what a packmaster does, protect those that he loves.

I really did love this book. I have gotten used to the style of writing of Dannika Dark through the Mageri Series. I loved the characters in this book. Lexi is so strong and tries to assume so much responsibility. And, of course, Austin is the best of an Alpha Male! But, Lexi demands her independence and Austin gives it to her. This book is not a cliff hanger but comes to such a sweet conclusion. As I understand it, each book in the series will be about a different member of their family. And, there are so many other characters I want to learn about. Not only am I so looking forward to getting to know Austin's brothers better, I want to know more about Lexi's neighbor, Naya. And I think there is a story there with April, Lexi's co-worker. So, I will be so looking forward to the next book in this series.

note: Due to some mature content, this book is for age appropriate readers only.

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Paranormal Stars

I did the audio for Seven Years. I took a gamble with it and it paid off. I knew it was a paranormal romance, there were a lot of books in the series and a lot of people love this series, so why not right?

First off, if you want to get into a paranormal romance series, the seven series is it. Seven years is a fun, light, fast pace romance read that hits all the right spots. When I am in that paranormal mood, I want to be sucked into a new world and I want an alpha male and a confused Heroine. I got that.

Lexi Knight is your typical Heroine. She’s takes care of her baby sister, she’s trying to get over her brother’s death and she’s trying to get over her brother’s best friend leaving. Yes, it’s a brother’s best friend book, oh my! I really liked Lexi. I liked that she was really strong and I love how protective she was towards her baby sister, at times I wanted the baby sister to be her own baby, but that’s just me. I love a single mama book.

Lexi’s narrator is good too. The book is in her POV and so as much as I love having male narrators too, Nicole Pool did the voice justice. I wasn’t disappointed I didn’t get Austin’s voice. What I enjoyed from Nicole’s voice is that she could transition to other characters easily and she made them all sound different. You could tell she’s a seasoned narrator. It makes me want to do the audio for book two because she is the narrator too.

Austin comes back and he’s there to take care of Lexi. I liked Austin, I love how protective he was towards Lexi and as the alpha male, well you know he’s all sorts of possessive. I also loved his brothers and I love how they all took Lexi under their wings.

What I really liked about this story is how Lexi didn’t understand what was going on and the paranormal world had to be explained to her, which was great because it filled in a lot of questions for me. I also liked that so many guys were interested in Lexi, so it made Austin SUPER jealous and it was really cute to read. There are some damsel in distress moments that I love to get in a paranormal read.

I liked that the book ended, although I could read another book on the characters. I’m so glad I picked up on this series and I can’t dive into the next book!

[Denisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book?! Holy shit!


It's the first time when I've read this author and well, I didn't really expect anything too wow from it. I mean, I've read a lot of shifter books, so it's pretty hard for me to be impressed by one anymore (even really great authors get a "meh" from me lately...).

So I dunno, maybe it's the fact that I haven't read any shifter books in a while or maybe I was PMSing, but the truth is that I absolutely LOVED this one!


I found some new stuff that I haven't encountered before and I really loved the characters. And did I say that I found new ideas? I know that it doesn't seem like much but I absolutely MISSED thinking "oh, I didn't think of that " or "hey, this idea seems new". And the writing was pretty engaging, I could barely put the book down! It even made me laugh a few times!


So go go Dannika Dark, I haven't read your books before this but I'm sure I will continue doing so in the future!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in Dannika Dark's Seven Years series was intriguing to me, as was the mystery behind Lexi and how she discovered she was really a shifter. I enjoyed Dannika's worldbuilding, as well as the buildup towards the end of the mystery surrounding Lexi's past.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was missing one vital ingredient...

I think it's pretty widely known that I like my Alpha males to be very ALPHA in a growly, possessive, bossy and controlling way. Unfortunately, the one thing I really, really and truly love about shifter romances is the possessive Alpha, and in this one, he's not particularly possessive. Well, not in the way I have grown to love.

I'm all for authors having their own takes and bringing something new to the table but unfortunately, it doesn't work for all readers. The Seven series brings us Alpha's who can have multiple women sharing their beds and it's not uncommon for the women to be referred to as b-i-t-c-h-e-s. Yes, yes, I KNOW that shouldn't be a problem considering what they are, but come on, what woman is going to like being called that. Again, I know that our hero didn't like other men referring to the heroine as that, but we still have to witness others doing it.

Anyways, this story was good, kept my attention from start to finish and brought a new breed of shifters to the fore. The narration was OK, but it drove me a little batty that the narrator took the acting side a little too seriously. There's this one scene where the heroine screams at the hero...and I just about jumped out of my skin. It was a wee bit too real. Oh, and she does a little girls voice for one of the characters and it grated on my nerves a bit.

Glad I gave this one a go and I would definitely consider going back for more.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I reached the 20% mark of the book I was sure that no one was going to shift and werewolves didn't exist. I was so wrong. After Austin dropped the bomb wolves were the main theme in the book. And I couldn't be more satisfied with that.

The book was HOT!!! [No explanation is needed ;)]

It gave off a sexy vibe.

I LOVED the book!! What's not to love/like? Hot males who happen to be shifting to wolves and being possessive and protective, a man who knows what to get for his woman, serious danger and 2 alpha males after the same woman.

Don't you love it when a man knows what to get for his lady? With the exception of Lorenzon I think that I am fond of all the other characters that weren't the bad guys. Prince is a whole different story. I am not sure how to feel about him. I am pretty sure that I am overreacting but you never know...

[Aisling Zena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

I loved this! So much. The story pulled me right in. I loved the characters, I loved the scenery, I loved the intrigue and adventure.

This story wasn't really what I thought it would be - and I mean that in a good way. I didn't necessarily doubt that I'd like it, but I thought it would be more of a damsel in distress/female character jumps immediately in to bed with hot guy....nope, nope and nope! I love Lexi, she was badass all on her own. A lot of the time....you read a book and the girl is all "I don't need a man" and she goes about protecting herself in like...the most dumbass ways possible...not so much the case here. Lexi can take pretty damn good care of herself, but will she accept the help when she knows she needs it? damn straight.

I really loved this book....although, some of the characters I completely loathed........and some of them, I wasn't really aware of their role, I assume they will be key players in the companion books... and this book didn't end in a cliffhanger, but it definitely left me wanting. I do believe this will be yet another rare occurrence where I have to dive into the rest of the companion novels - These brothers really intrigued me.

[Dannika Dark]

Seven years is now available for purchase. Enjoy!

AMAZON

SEVEN YEARS (US) – http://amzn.to/1a8iiEB
SEVEN YEARS (UK) http://amzn.to/174JeVh

BARNES & NOBLE
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seven...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like shifter romances? Then check out Dannika Dark's Seven series. Of course, this recommendation is based on my reading experience with the first book: Seven Years which I really enjoyed. The characters are likable, the paranormal elements were interesting, and the romance component was present but relatively light. I thought there was a lot of build up and anticipation in terms of the romance/relationship development, which I enjoyed and it made me feel more engaged. My only complaint was that although Seven Years was told in first person perspective from the female lead: Lexi, there was no perspective while she was in wolf form. When she shifted, it just faded to when she shifted back; it was like it never happened. Of course this wasn't a dealbreaker for me personally, but I thought it was a bit odd that a shifter story would skip over the very component that makes it a shifter story. Regardless, I found Seven Years to be a great first installment that captured me enough to make me pick up the next book, and I'm pretty excited about the series!

My favorite quote:
“Sometimes you just need to let go when things fall apart in order to keep yourself together.”

The Seven series includes the following installments as of April 2015:
#1-Seven Years
#2-Six Months
#3-Five Weeks
#4-Four Days
#5-Three Hours
#6-Two Minutes
#6.5-Seven world novel
#7-One Second

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I gave this audiobook an A for both the story and narration at AudioGals*

Seven Years is a paranormal romance (PNR) that promises to be the start of another addicting, shifter/werewolf based series! Both the story and the narration are fantastic, reminding me of why I became obsessed with PNR when I first started listening to audiobooks. There is just something magical about a well told, original fantasy that you can settle into based on the narration and can allow it to transfix you into feeling as if you were actually being transported to another world. When you further factor in a convincing, heart melting romance with a sexy alpha hero, and plenty of twists and turns and spine tingling suspense, then, in my book you have the perfect recipe for a must listen. Seven Years fits this mold perfectly.

For the full review, see AudioGals.

[Grace A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read, hot sizzling scenes, and great lovable characters.
Lexi, the main character, has been infatuated with Austin since forever but Austin was her brother’s best friend, so she was relegated to “Lil’ Sis”. Austin left town after Lexi’s brother died in an accident, which felt like abandonment to Lexi. Seven years later, Austin, now sexy, tattooed, hunk of a man, came around on the day Lexi’s family marked her brother’s death. And before long, the ghost of past emotions came bubbling up again; but that wasn’t the only thing that bubbled up with Austin showing up. Family secrets, secretive supernatural world under her nose and she was all in the middle of all the action.
I really enjoyed it. 4 stars!

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what I was thinking when I purchased this one, being that werewolves and shifters don't appeal to me in the least. It probably was one that I purchased based upon the super-hot cover, without bothering to read the blurb. Oh well, nobody to blame but myself.

As far as the story goes, it was middle of the road for me. Perhaps if I really enjoyed the whole werewolf/shifter thing, I would have enjoyed it a bit more. Alas, I don't and the story didn't hold much appeal to me.

The H/h were likable and had decent chemistry. However, I never really connected with the story. Again, this is probably due to the paranormal canine issues. I can accept vampires, but the werewolf/shifter thing is just too odd for me. Maybe it has to do with the quasi-bestiality vibe that it gives me. Maybe it's because I can't decide if I want to kiss them or pet them. Either way, woof, woof, just doesn't do it for me.

[Beanbag Love · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the feel of a first novel which is why I'm bumping up what might have been a 2 star review to 3 stars.

There's just an amateurish feel to the whole thing and the romance feels like it takes forever. Information is dealt out in a clunky, info-dump fashion and some of that info comes oddly late when, realistically, it would have been important to impart immediately.

I will read the next one and I hope that this author's writing, with experience, evolves into a more mature style.

There are hot guys though, and the world is somewhat interesting. Shifter groups seem like outlaw MCs in a way which is intriguing. Some of them need to get their butts kicked by some females (they're pretty sexist), but I'm assuming that will come.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally an urban fantasy novel where the heroine is not an 18 year old, naive, virgin. This a very entertaining, sexy and fun book. I definitely recommend it!

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

January 27 2019 Update: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book more the second time around. I liked Lexi’s independence and devotion to her mom and sister. I am baffled at how ignorant Lexi’s mom chose to be abut her husband, his behavior and his occupation. Austin was one of the better alphas I’ve read, he wasn’t so dominant that he took away the females choices.
____________________________
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had all the makings of a great book, so I am not quite sure why it was just okay.

Lexi Knight was grieving her brother's death when her brother's best friend Austin Cole comes back to town. He tells Lexi that her brother's death wasn't an accident as they previously thought, but a murder. In fact, Lexi's family was still in danger from the group who murdered her brother but Austin was there to protect them. This began Lexi's discovery that she isn't human, but a shifter. Also, Lexi began unraveling the story behind her brothers murder.

There was romance, there was a plot, the writing was good but I just didn't connect with the characters in a way that would allow me to truly care about their plight. I liked the story enough that I will continue with the series. I hope the series proves to be as enjoyable as I think it will be.

[Wendy]

48% DNF, unfortunately not happening for me.

[Marisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like most books I've read recently this book jumped the shark somewhere around the middle of the story. Which is a shame because I really enjoyed the beginning.

I liked Alexia. I liked Austin. Unfortunately not enough time was spent developing the other characters, making many things that happened seem to come out of left field.

For example, it is widely known to everyone in the book that Alexia has no business sense. The author spent some time making this fact known. However, when the owner of the business passes he gives the store to Alexia. Why? Were he and Alexia good friends? Were they more like family? We don't know because no time was given to their relationship.

Another story line that just seemed unnecessary was Alexia's ex-boyfriend, Beckett. I feel like that could have been cut out completely and it wouldn't have changed the main plot one bit. I actually skimmed most of the parts that involved him.

Then there was Alexia's coworker, April, who appears briefly throughout the book.

The one night spent with Austin and Alexia, after a huge deal was made about Alexia being in "heat" (seriously...heat?).

And the conclusion with Alexia's father. It all just seemed so...flimsy.

So yeah, I was a bit let down by this book, which sucks.

[Valentina "TinchyB" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy hell!What did I read just now!?I love the mad ass posessive alphas,and this one was little slow in woo-ha department,but still hot as hell! This book was worth waiting for! Can't wait for Lorenzo's story...think that one might be even better if that's possible!

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Seven Years Stars

Hmm, this is my 4th re-listen? Or more who knows. But I never reviewed this book because I didn’t think I could put into words how this book sparked my love of shifters.

Lexi is a character who isn’t sure of who or what she is, but throughout the book, she gets the shock of a lifetime. But it’s more than that. She learns who she is and what she is.

She doesn’t accept it right away because it’s so far out of her realm of normal. But she knows deep down that what everyone is saying is true.

She is insecure about herself throughout a lot of this book. And sometimes I found her to be childish for a 28-year-old, but what I liked is that Austin for all his awesomeness never once makes her feel childish.
He allows her to feel what she feels and for her to come to conclusions on her own.

I think I liked that best. I also love all the characters in this book, you get the sense of family and friends and that’s pretty cool.
Each character has a place and that place is within the pack/family. I love this series because of that each time I re-listen I find new things I love.

This time it was how Denver takes a stance and is so very protective of Maze, but it was when he got jealous, that little step back he takes is what I loved about this listen. He is will to do what it takes for Maze. I Loved that.

I can’t say enough great things about Nicole Poole’s narration. She brings these characters to life in ways I have never heard before. She has a voice for every character in a way that its natural and effortless and that can’t be easy when you have so very many characters.

Fabulous book, amazing listening, definitely a must listen.

*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*

[LoveYourShelf (LAB☺) · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @50%

I just couldn't make myself keep going. The h was terrible, and did not behave at all like a normal person would. I know this is paranormal fiction, but come on.

*SPOILERS*SPOILERS*SPOILERS*

She's stuck up a tree in a deserted cemetery with a vicious dog trying to get her and she throws her phone because she is angry? Really?

You take your little 6 year old sister to the indoor play land. Then leave her unattended while you go out of sight in the hallway so you can "get a hold of yourself". But hey, you told her not to go anywhere. So what if the creepy ex boyfriend lured her out into the parking lot. Don't call the cops or anything....

Your beloved brother was killed in a motorcycle accident 7 years ago. Each year on the anniversary of his death you break down in depression. Then you find out from an old family friend/brother's best friend who you have always had a crush on that he was actually murdered. Then you go to the laundry mat with the old family friend/brother's best friend, who by the way is not wearing a shirt, and do not ask for further details on your beloved brother.

I've got way too many books on my TBR for this to take up anymore of my time.....

[itsmeesahara❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im a fan of Shifters story, I love love them thats why I took a chance on this series Seven by Dannika Dark.

Seven years was a nice read I just find it hard to process that the shifters here doesn't have enhanced abilities aside from slow aging and Lexi's reaction to being a shifter bugged me. At first she was in denial then all of sudden it seems that she took it all in stride.. Its also disappointing that they got together in the end, it was quite a long wait for me. I also wish there's more POV of Austin 😁

I still somehow enjoyed reading it. I also loved meeting the rest of the pack - Austin's brothers especially Denver 😍. There is a lot to take in with this new world and a lot of characters to look forward to.

Favorite quote/lines:

“Seven years, not a word, and you just show up and think everything is okay? Get away from me, and get off Wes’s grave.”

“It’s not the size of a man’s wallet that counts, Naya.”
Her ruby lips turned up in a carnivorous smile. “Hon, that’s the only bulge in the pants that really counts in the long run.”

“A pack bonded in ways humans didn’t, and it was a way of life that felt natural the more I became immersed in it.”

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 2/3 "Good Start to a New (to me) Series" Stars!

I enjoyed this book. It was definitely a good start to the series. It is full of very good characters and world building. I liked both MCs. Austin is a super sweetheart but very much an Alpha. Lexie is a good character too but she has a couple of TSTL moments. Also, sometimes she was a total badass, but sometime she was completely helpless. Kind of confused me a bit. Can she kick butt or not? Also, the reason this is a rounded up to 4 star for me is Austin and Lexie constantly sent mixed signals to each other. I wasn't sure if they would be mates or not. I'm still not exactly sure if they are together forever or if this is a HFN situation. Plus, there was an incident with another man. I thought it was inappropriate. With PNR I like when there is no other person in the whole universe for the other one. With them it seemed they maybe could be with someone else and be happy or ok. I am definitely in for the next book in the series. There are a lot of characters whose stories I'm interested in. Happy reading!

[Chris Horsefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this first book in this series! I was intrigued by the story line and decided to try it out since it was only .99. Boy did I fall in love with the characters and the writing of Ms. Dark! She writes with fun, sarcasm and causes you to fall in love with the characters from the very beginning! I love the paranormal genre and this series is definitely one of my top faves! Austin and Lexi are so meant for each other and they will just capture your heart! So many characters to fall in love with and look forward to reading more in the other books in this series! If you love paranormal romance, you will love this book! I love how Ms. Dark takes you into the shifter world making you feel as if you are right there in the middle of everything! Lots of action, intensity, fun and romance!

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so bloody frustrating. I can deal with a slow buildup when the sexual tension escalates until they can't wait any longer, but I never felt like either of these characters were really bothered about ending up together and it definitely didn't feel like they'd loved each other secretly for years. That spark was missing and having to wait til 95% for either of them to say anything to each other was just annoying. But the drama kept me reading and the whole family dynamic was interesting so I'll probably try the next book and cross my fingers there's some chemistry.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Years is a marvelous start to a fascinating new series by Dannika Dark.

Complex characters that exude sexual chemistry and charm highlight this new and exciting world of Dark's imagination. Intriguing pack dynamics with plenty of hot alpha wolves you'll want to sink your teeth into, I mean the pages. Seven is a provocative new series, I look forward to Dark's next venture into this pack's world.