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Mystics of Mercy Ridge #1
Ever Marked
If life’s a game, I’m tired of losing.
Some people are marked for greatness, some have all the luck, and some catch their boyfriend boning his secretary in the middle of the work day.
Sick of being replaceable, I throw a dart at a map and ghost the jerk, ready to build a life that can't be packed up in an hour like I never existed at all.
But my fresh start comes to a bloody halt when I hit a dangerous man with more scars than sense on my way into town, someone that even the hospital is afraid to touch. Add in the ghostly roommate that came with my house, my rugged new boss that’s weirdly obsessed with feeding me, and a shy genius that can create tech that almost seems magical? I finally feel like I’ve found a home worth fighting for.
But my ex isn’t the only one freaking out that I disappeared without a trace.
Knowing I’d never go offline for weeks unless something terrible happened, my gaming partner leaves the virtual world behind to track me down and bring me home with him… even if it means eliminating anyone that stands in his way. It quickly becomes clear that Mercy Ridge is more than just strange, and the people who live here are more than just human.
The craziest part? They claim I’m a supernatural just like them. And their tattoos? Proof they’re my fated mates.
But if I really am what they say? People will stop at nothing to try to claim me to use my powers for themselves, or hunt me down for being a threat.
And if the most dangerous monsters look just like everyone else... can I even trust the four men that claim I'm theirs?
*Gamer girl fmc
*Human (or so she thought) swept up into a supernatural world
*Rare supernatural believed to be a myth
*Shadow Demon Stalker mmc
*Alpha shifter mmc
*Shy tech mage mmc
*Fated Mates
*Obsessive men that are all in
- Book 1 of a Duet
Some people are marked for greatness, some have all the luck, and some catch their boyfriend boning his secretary in the middle of the work day.
Sick of being replaceable, I throw a dart at a map and ghost the jerk, ready to build a life that can't be packed up in an hour like I never existed at all.
But my fresh start comes to a bloody halt when I hit a dangerous man with more scars than sense on my way into town, someone that even the hospital is afraid to touch. Add in the ghostly roommate that came with my house, my rugged new boss that’s weirdly obsessed with feeding me, and a shy genius that can create tech that almost seems magical? I finally feel like I’ve found a home worth fighting for.
But my ex isn’t the only one freaking out that I disappeared without a trace.
Knowing I’d never go offline for weeks unless something terrible happened, my gaming partner leaves the virtual world behind to track me down and bring me home with him… even if it means eliminating anyone that stands in his way. It quickly becomes clear that Mercy Ridge is more than just strange, and the people who live here are more than just human.
The craziest part? They claim I’m a supernatural just like them. And their tattoos? Proof they’re my fated mates.
But if I really am what they say? People will stop at nothing to try to claim me to use my powers for themselves, or hunt me down for being a threat.
And if the most dangerous monsters look just like everyone else... can I even trust the four men that claim I'm theirs?
*Gamer girl fmc
*Human (or so she thought) swept up into a supernatural world
*Rare supernatural believed to be a myth
*Shadow Demon Stalker mmc
*Alpha shifter mmc
*Shy tech mage mmc
*Fated Mates
*Obsessive men that are all in
- Book 1 of a Duet
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2025
1577 people are currently reading
1159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
April 28, 2025
Insta-love on steroïds. Most of our FMC 'Ever''s love interets are madly and obsessively in love with her after talking for about 2 minutes.. no scratch that, 30 seconds. They don't know anything about her at this point mind you, expect that she's kinda nice and pretty. I guess this is what magic 'mates' are for, right? No need to build an actual romance between characters with that nifty trick.
Of course she has a traumatic past, as all FMC must have. It makes it hard for her to trust or open up to people easily- or so she claims, yet she makes sure to trauma-dump her whole life's story to all the love interests within five minutes of meeting them.
On multiple occasions a LI she just met (and I mean just met) asks her to hand over her phone without giving his reason for it and she immediately does, no questions asked. So again, where did that distrust of others go? Or is she just that submissive? Or stupid?
One of the MCs is a serial-killer. Ever at some point says serial-killers are hot (before she even knows the guy she's into is one). Love that nonexistent moral compass when a sexy guy is involved Ever! Very fetching! The guy fantasizes in his head about killing a guy for -checks notes- looking at his girl. That he just met. Oh, yes! this man who has a whole life and people who love him, erase him from this mortal plane for the sin of looking at the person you consider 'yours', that's SO hot! ... is what I'm apparently supposed to think. I don't.
"I'm not sure why the comment annoys me so much. You'd think it'd be a good thing that a boss cared about his employees' safety, yet the internalized misogyny rubs me the wrong way"... A line from our lovely Ever.
First of all "internalized (?) misogyny"? Here she's saying Ledger's (one of the LI) comment about her asking her male coworker for help if there's any trouble is internalized misogyny. This alone tells me the author is throwing words around she has no understanding of, very common words at that. Internalized misogyny is what women experience, hence the 'internalized' part. Jesus.
Also, are we being for real? This whole book reeks of internalized misogyny. All the love interests treat the FMC like a child. Oh she needs to be protected, oh she needs to be provided for, they know what's good for her..[etc] is all the LIs' internal monologues are about. Not to mention the passing ideas of kidnapping and locking her up to keep her safe. It's fine if they stalk her and do things on her behalf without asking because they're hot and obsessed with her I guess. Ledger tells her he will buy her grocery whether she wants to or not, again like she's an effing child and of course she goes along with it because 'he'll do it anyway, what can I do about it', that's her reasoning. He tells her they're going to eat lunch together, again no asking involved and of course they do because she can't register the disrespect of it all for some reason. Or maybe she does and doesn't care, maybe she is that submissive. He takes her phone out of her hand WHILE she's talking with her ex, without asking of course and proceeds to threathen him and call her 'his', mind you they still barely know each other. Again, the fucking audacity and disrespect. Genuinely who does this man thinks he is? The complete lack of respect for boundaries and a person's agency and autonomy. People find that attractive???
The whole book is kind, mistreated and damaged girl must be protected and taken care of by big, powerful, competent, alpha (it hurts me to even write that word) men. Honestly it's what the vast majority of romance books lately are like and I'm really, really sick of it. And why is every FMC now so goddamn submissive? Can't we have some variety once in a while?
Not to mention every guy is very casually willing and eager to kill people, and apparently that's sexy of them as long as it's on the FMC's behalf and sometimes not even. Psychopaths are in, guys!
I know I might sound harsh on this book and like I want every book to be morally sound - I absolutely don't. I'm saying all this because the romance genre is flooded with those tropes to the point it's become very mainstream, it just so happens this book is what might finally break the camel's back for me. I'm just so tired of it.
Anyway.
Thing(s) I liked: Myles.
Except for the part where his inner monologues are all about how Ever is god's gift to mankind (she is not) and how he must protect her. So basically like all the other guys, no variety there. Also his generalizations of women (which connects back to the whole misogyny thing):
"He's got the whole alpha-daddy thing going for him that girls go crazy for" ...?.. I can't express how much I don't go crazy for that.
"Women love dogs". People in general love dogs, also no, some women hate dogs.
But I do love an awkward nerd so I'll take what I can get.
Stopped around the halfway mark.
Of course she has a traumatic past, as all FMC must have. It makes it hard for her to trust or open up to people easily- or so she claims, yet she makes sure to trauma-dump her whole life's story to all the love interests within five minutes of meeting them.
On multiple occasions a LI she just met (and I mean just met) asks her to hand over her phone without giving his reason for it and she immediately does, no questions asked. So again, where did that distrust of others go? Or is she just that submissive? Or stupid?
One of the MCs is a serial-killer. Ever at some point says serial-killers are hot (before she even knows the guy she's into is one). Love that nonexistent moral compass when a sexy guy is involved Ever! Very fetching! The guy fantasizes in his head about killing a guy for -checks notes- looking at his girl. That he just met. Oh, yes! this man who has a whole life and people who love him, erase him from this mortal plane for the sin of looking at the person you consider 'yours', that's SO hot! ... is what I'm apparently supposed to think. I don't.
"I'm not sure why the comment annoys me so much. You'd think it'd be a good thing that a boss cared about his employees' safety, yet the internalized misogyny rubs me the wrong way"... A line from our lovely Ever.
First of all "internalized (?) misogyny"? Here she's saying Ledger's (one of the LI) comment about her asking her male coworker for help if there's any trouble is internalized misogyny. This alone tells me the author is throwing words around she has no understanding of, very common words at that. Internalized misogyny is what women experience, hence the 'internalized' part. Jesus.
Also, are we being for real? This whole book reeks of internalized misogyny. All the love interests treat the FMC like a child. Oh she needs to be protected, oh she needs to be provided for, they know what's good for her..[etc] is all the LIs' internal monologues are about. Not to mention the passing ideas of kidnapping and locking her up to keep her safe. It's fine if they stalk her and do things on her behalf without asking because they're hot and obsessed with her I guess. Ledger tells her he will buy her grocery whether she wants to or not, again like she's an effing child and of course she goes along with it because 'he'll do it anyway, what can I do about it', that's her reasoning. He tells her they're going to eat lunch together, again no asking involved and of course they do because she can't register the disrespect of it all for some reason. Or maybe she does and doesn't care, maybe she is that submissive. He takes her phone out of her hand WHILE she's talking with her ex, without asking of course and proceeds to threathen him and call her 'his', mind you they still barely know each other. Again, the fucking audacity and disrespect. Genuinely who does this man thinks he is? The complete lack of respect for boundaries and a person's agency and autonomy. People find that attractive???
The whole book is kind, mistreated and damaged girl must be protected and taken care of by big, powerful, competent, alpha (it hurts me to even write that word) men. Honestly it's what the vast majority of romance books lately are like and I'm really, really sick of it. And why is every FMC now so goddamn submissive? Can't we have some variety once in a while?
Not to mention every guy is very casually willing and eager to kill people, and apparently that's sexy of them as long as it's on the FMC's behalf and sometimes not even. Psychopaths are in, guys!
I know I might sound harsh on this book and like I want every book to be morally sound - I absolutely don't. I'm saying all this because the romance genre is flooded with those tropes to the point it's become very mainstream, it just so happens this book is what might finally break the camel's back for me. I'm just so tired of it.
Anyway.
Thing(s) I liked: Myles.
Except for the part where his inner monologues are all about how Ever is god's gift to mankind (she is not) and how he must protect her. So basically like all the other guys, no variety there. Also his generalizations of women (which connects back to the whole misogyny thing):
"He's got the whole alpha-daddy thing going for him that girls go crazy for" ...?.. I can't express how much I don't go crazy for that.
"Women love dogs". People in general love dogs, also no, some women hate dogs.
But I do love an awkward nerd so I'll take what I can get.
Stopped around the halfway mark.
August 15, 2025
This was fun and quirky. It doesn't take itself too seriously and I love a why choose where the men are all in from the jump. Arson is one of the best representations of an unhinged, obsessed golden retriever I have read in a while. The introduction of her final mate threw things off a bit. I was enjoying her getting to know the guys and them winning her over and it felt like that got derailed. Still enjoyed myself and I like that it's only a duet.
February 1, 2025
Decent read just felt a bit shallow. The world is not very fleshed out and the characters are one dimensional.
Main gripes:
• Our inventor FMC made a game emulator, something that exists in abundance, and passed it off as an invention. She called it a universal game console. Wish a bit more research was done when trying to create a tech-inspired plot.
• The conflict with her ex-boyfriend has a huge, gaping plot hole: he tracks her down in Mercy Ridge via a tracker on her phone despite location services not working in Mercy Ridge. The FMC was told she had to turn off location services for her phone to function to protect the city’s seclusion and safety when she first arrived, so how did her ex-track her through her phone? This was the central conflict in the story and it wasn’t logically sound.
Main gripes:
• Our inventor FMC made a game emulator, something that exists in abundance, and passed it off as an invention. She called it a universal game console. Wish a bit more research was done when trying to create a tech-inspired plot.
• The conflict with her ex-boyfriend has a huge, gaping plot hole: he tracks her down in Mercy Ridge via a tracker on her phone despite location services not working in Mercy Ridge. The FMC was told she had to turn off location services for her phone to function to protect the city’s seclusion and safety when she first arrived, so how did her ex-track her through her phone? This was the central conflict in the story and it wasn’t logically sound.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
Audio:
4-5 stars for Auri Alden and Jarman Day!
Book: 3.5- 4 stars
Went in blind and it was a pleasant surprise. It was fluffy, easy read, and only like 1 or 2 smutty scenes which was a great change of pace compared to the last couple books I’ve read haha! This also does end on a cliffhanger and the next audio isn’t out yet..
I will wait for the audio to get back into this world.
4-5 stars for Auri Alden and Jarman Day!
Book: 3.5- 4 stars
Went in blind and it was a pleasant surprise. It was fluffy, easy read, and only like 1 or 2 smutty scenes which was a great change of pace compared to the last couple books I’ve read haha! This also does end on a cliffhanger and the next audio isn’t out yet..
I will wait for the audio to get back into this world.
February 6, 2025
if you’ve read and liked any of Jillian West’s 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, then this book/series should be next on your list.
Ever (Everest) finds her way to Mercy Ridge after finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her. on her way there, she literally runs into Arson with her car. and from there her journey truly begins. Mercy Ridge turns out to be a sanctuary for supernaturals called mysts and Ever has no idea.
“”𝘐’𝘮 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳.” 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
i think most of the sections i highlighted were things Arson said 🤣🤭 and of course he was my fav of all of Ever’s men. Arson is the unhinged psycho shadow demon (and also stalker) who is like a hyper little puppy, Ledger is the overprotective alpha wolf shifter who takes care of everyone (and owns a bookstore), Myles is the shy and nerdy tech mage, and Bellamy is her online best friend mimic who has always had her back and wants to steal her away. they all have different relationships with her and all have to come to terms with being one of hers and working together.
while in Mercy Ridge, Ever begins to learn more about herself and also how the supernatural world works. all while trying to finish creating her universal gaming system.
this is a great first book to the series. it sets up the world and all the different characters and side. and while you had the plot of Ever and her gaming system and her ex, you also have another overarching plot and extend into the next book. it is a shower burn and starts to heat up more towards the end.
the book does end in a cliffhanger and i can’t wait until the next book. i am not sure how many books will be in the series, but excited to see Ever discover more about herself.
MFMMM
multi-POV
fated mates/mate marks
mixed supernaturals
sanctuary town
mid/slow burn
gamer girl fmc
psycho shadow demon mmc
stalker mmc
possessive/obsessive mmcs
nerdy, shy mmc
virgin mmc
cliffhanger
Ever (Everest) finds her way to Mercy Ridge after finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her. on her way there, she literally runs into Arson with her car. and from there her journey truly begins. Mercy Ridge turns out to be a sanctuary for supernaturals called mysts and Ever has no idea.
“”𝘐’𝘮 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳.” 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
i think most of the sections i highlighted were things Arson said 🤣🤭 and of course he was my fav of all of Ever’s men. Arson is the unhinged psycho shadow demon (and also stalker) who is like a hyper little puppy, Ledger is the overprotective alpha wolf shifter who takes care of everyone (and owns a bookstore), Myles is the shy and nerdy tech mage, and Bellamy is her online best friend mimic who has always had her back and wants to steal her away. they all have different relationships with her and all have to come to terms with being one of hers and working together.
while in Mercy Ridge, Ever begins to learn more about herself and also how the supernatural world works. all while trying to finish creating her universal gaming system.
this is a great first book to the series. it sets up the world and all the different characters and side. and while you had the plot of Ever and her gaming system and her ex, you also have another overarching plot and extend into the next book. it is a shower burn and starts to heat up more towards the end.
the book does end in a cliffhanger and i can’t wait until the next book. i am not sure how many books will be in the series, but excited to see Ever discover more about herself.
MFMMM
multi-POV
fated mates/mate marks
mixed supernaturals
sanctuary town
mid/slow burn
gamer girl fmc
psycho shadow demon mmc
stalker mmc
possessive/obsessive mmcs
nerdy, shy mmc
virgin mmc
cliffhanger
March 26, 2025
This was such a cute and wholesome RH. The guys were 10/10's. No criticism, I absolutely loved this. Can't wait for book 2!
February 4, 2025
Very good
Was pleasantly surprised that this book sucked me in So thoroughly as it did. I'm not sure what held me in such rapt attention cause there weren't any action scenes and stuff like that. But the characters kept you entertained throughout whole thing easily. Can't wait to see what happens next. Would recommend.
Was pleasantly surprised that this book sucked me in So thoroughly as it did. I'm not sure what held me in such rapt attention cause there weren't any action scenes and stuff like that. But the characters kept you entertained throughout whole thing easily. Can't wait to see what happens next. Would recommend.
August 17, 2025
DNF @78%
I really did try.
This book is cheesy, insta-love fated mates ridiculousness with interchangeable dudes who growl and thump their chests. At first I dug in because I wanted brain candy but ugh. The narrative reads like a YA, with these grown-ass adults being idiots, and the arrival of mate #4 was just a bridge too far for me as he swept in and acted like everyone had to do what he says. He's annoying. The FMC is annoying. And her name - Ever - is annoying. Myles, Arson (yes, that's really his stupid name too), and ... I think the last guy's name is Ledger... they're oookay, but just cartoonishly over the top.
And the story is just nonsense. We're supposed to believe that Ever is this grown up foster kid tech genius who had such a shitty time in foster care (fair enough) that she never lets anyone get close to her because she has serious trust issues. But also that she knows nothing about supes, even though she is one (and apparently never manifested any power to give it away). She wanders into this supernatural sanctuary town via giant coincidence and/or fate. On the way into town runs over - yes really - a dude who happens to be her fated mate. We know this because when she touches him, a tattoo appears on his arm that matches hers. She moves into a house next to two guys who also happen to be her fated mates - touch-tattoo o-rama - and then another guy turns up who she knew online (how does he even track her to this town that we're told is not in any map or database??) and touch-tattoo powers activate. Like, the first 4 dudes she touches in 2 days, fated mates. I gotta say, I'd fucking stop touching people.
And Ever, despite not knowing about supes, fated mates, magic towns, anything, just fucking rolls with it. Does not bat an eye. Just thinks to herself, well, I was looking for a place to put down roots and build a life, guess this is it. This despite the fact that fated mate #1 - the one she ran over with her car, for those keeping track - is some psycho serial killer who jokes about skinning people as a hobby. Ever is completely unphased.
It's stupid. Seriously.
I really did try.
This book is cheesy, insta-love fated mates ridiculousness with interchangeable dudes who growl and thump their chests. At first I dug in because I wanted brain candy but ugh. The narrative reads like a YA, with these grown-ass adults being idiots, and the arrival of mate #4 was just a bridge too far for me as he swept in and acted like everyone had to do what he says. He's annoying. The FMC is annoying. And her name - Ever - is annoying. Myles, Arson (yes, that's really his stupid name too), and ... I think the last guy's name is Ledger... they're oookay, but just cartoonishly over the top.
And the story is just nonsense. We're supposed to believe that Ever is this grown up foster kid tech genius who had such a shitty time in foster care (fair enough) that she never lets anyone get close to her because she has serious trust issues. But also that she knows nothing about supes, even though she is one (and apparently never manifested any power to give it away). She wanders into this supernatural sanctuary town via giant coincidence and/or fate. On the way into town runs over - yes really - a dude who happens to be her fated mate. We know this because when she touches him, a tattoo appears on his arm that matches hers. She moves into a house next to two guys who also happen to be her fated mates - touch-tattoo o-rama - and then another guy turns up who she knew online (how does he even track her to this town that we're told is not in any map or database??) and touch-tattoo powers activate. Like, the first 4 dudes she touches in 2 days, fated mates. I gotta say, I'd fucking stop touching people.
And Ever, despite not knowing about supes, fated mates, magic towns, anything, just fucking rolls with it. Does not bat an eye. Just thinks to herself, well, I was looking for a place to put down roots and build a life, guess this is it. This despite the fact that fated mate #1 - the one she ran over with her car, for those keeping track - is some psycho serial killer who jokes about skinning people as a hobby. Ever is completely unphased.
It's stupid. Seriously.
April 16, 2025
Surprisingly good.
But I’m not gonna lie I have not read a decent supernatural romance in AWHILE. So I’m probably overrating it because it was above average.
I’m going to read the second book, however, book 2 is always bad in supernatural romance sagas bc it’s always about some sort of “prophecy” or battle between species because the female Mc is some sort of wanted gift… or a combination of both… which is what this one seems like it’s going to be lol
But I’m not gonna lie I have not read a decent supernatural romance in AWHILE. So I’m probably overrating it because it was above average.
I’m going to read the second book, however, book 2 is always bad in supernatural romance sagas bc it’s always about some sort of “prophecy” or battle between species because the female Mc is some sort of wanted gift… or a combination of both… which is what this one seems like it’s going to be lol
March 30, 2025
This was amazing. I loved how it started, and the ending made me scream. I need the next book like yesterday.
March 15, 2025
I never bother with reviews but I have read the gas station then hitting with car scene most verbatim in another book. This may be a coincidence but it felt too similar like a rewrite of scenes from that story down to having a reaper/shadow daddy.
February 8, 2025
Ever Marked is the first book in the Mystics of Mercy Ridge duet. This does end in a cliffhanger.
You have:
✨mid/slow burn
✨Gamer girl fmc,
✨Magical Awakening/thrown in the Supernatural world
✨ FMC on the Run
✨Rare supernatural believed to be a myth, Shadow Daddy-Stalker mmc, Alpha shifter mmc, Shy tech mage mmc
✨Fated Mates & mate marks
✨Small, magical Sanctuary town for refugees/people wanting to have a new start
✨ "My Girlfriend" "my future wife" 🫠 🥹
✨ MFMMM
✨possessive/obsessive mmcs
✨Touch Her and get hürt/☠️
✨Cliffhanger
Oh, how I've missed reading J. Kearston's books. And this absolutely proved why. Ever was so damn relatable, in a good way and such a cinnamon roll. Her guys, Arson, Ledger, Miles, and even Bellamy were also so freaking sweet and Ever is so lucky to have them. I truly enjoyed this and can't wait for the next book!!
You have:
✨mid/slow burn
✨Gamer girl fmc,
✨Magical Awakening/thrown in the Supernatural world
✨ FMC on the Run
✨Rare supernatural believed to be a myth, Shadow Daddy-Stalker mmc, Alpha shifter mmc, Shy tech mage mmc
✨Fated Mates & mate marks
✨Small, magical Sanctuary town for refugees/people wanting to have a new start
✨ "My Girlfriend" "my future wife" 🫠 🥹
✨ MFMMM
✨possessive/obsessive mmcs
✨Touch Her and get hürt/☠️
✨Cliffhanger
Oh, how I've missed reading J. Kearston's books. And this absolutely proved why. Ever was so damn relatable, in a good way and such a cinnamon roll. Her guys, Arson, Ledger, Miles, and even Bellamy were also so freaking sweet and Ever is so lucky to have them. I truly enjoyed this and can't wait for the next book!!
July 17, 2025
Let down
I actually waited for the second book to come out before starting the series because I wanted to read the whole set. But after reading 75% of the 1st book I finally just quit. It reads like a children's book. The main characters (who are supposed to be a reverse harem) act more like roommates than they do anything else. It feels like a bunch of guys hanging out with 1 girl in a almost brotherly sister kind of way. There's is no spice, no romance, and really no character development. It is just a constant backtrack to everybody saying the same phrase over and over again of how they're not worth each other's time or how they don't deserve each other. It's almost childlike in its writing. I don't think this book is really meant for adults I don't see how it is a reverse harem or how there's any romance or any mate in this book when everybody just acts Friends and that's it. There's really no plot line I still don't know what the story is truly about or who the bad guy is. I am 70% done with the 1st book and there's still no clear directive of who or what the bad guy or situation is. There's really no plot line I still don't know what the story is about. The author talks about sex trafficking talks about abandonment Talks about Bond groups but doesn't go any further into it It's just dribble. I'm glad this is a free book from kindle because I just returned both I don't even care to read the second one or finish the 1st. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.
I actually waited for the second book to come out before starting the series because I wanted to read the whole set. But after reading 75% of the 1st book I finally just quit. It reads like a children's book. The main characters (who are supposed to be a reverse harem) act more like roommates than they do anything else. It feels like a bunch of guys hanging out with 1 girl in a almost brotherly sister kind of way. There's is no spice, no romance, and really no character development. It is just a constant backtrack to everybody saying the same phrase over and over again of how they're not worth each other's time or how they don't deserve each other. It's almost childlike in its writing. I don't think this book is really meant for adults I don't see how it is a reverse harem or how there's any romance or any mate in this book when everybody just acts Friends and that's it. There's really no plot line I still don't know what the story is truly about or who the bad guy is. I am 70% done with the 1st book and there's still no clear directive of who or what the bad guy or situation is. There's really no plot line I still don't know what the story is about. The author talks about sex trafficking talks about abandonment Talks about Bond groups but doesn't go any further into it It's just dribble. I'm glad this is a free book from kindle because I just returned both I don't even care to read the second one or finish the 1st. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.
August 7, 2025
this just wasn't for me.
March 3, 2025
3.9/4 The wish fulfillment was out of control but I liked it because all of these stories are so similar in a way that I like. Reminded me of magic of discovery
January 30, 2025
Ever Marked
This story was so good. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I loved it
Ever is so much fun, she just wants to start over after finding out her boyfriend cheated on her. She didn't realize that throwing a dart on a map would change everything for her.
This story was so good. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I loved it
Ever is so much fun, she just wants to start over after finding out her boyfriend cheated on her. She didn't realize that throwing a dart on a map would change everything for her.
January 25, 2025
I’m in my J Kearston era and it’s going WONDERFULLY.
So happy I was able to snag an arc. This book was insanely good and I couldn’t put it down!
I love unhinged possessive MMC and we get a few of them! I was unsure of Myles at first but oh man I do enjoy him so much now.
It ends on a cliffy which is always rough but I am so excited for the next book.
So happy I was able to snag an arc. This book was insanely good and I couldn’t put it down!
I love unhinged possessive MMC and we get a few of them! I was unsure of Myles at first but oh man I do enjoy him so much now.
It ends on a cliffy which is always rough but I am so excited for the next book.
February 2, 2025
*Reverse Harem
*Paranormal
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Unknown FMC
*Sanctuary Town
*Different Supes
*Building Harem (4)
*Mid Burn
*Book 1 / ?
Super series starter
I’ve read a fair few J Kearston books and this is my favourite so far!! Everest is our FMC and her backstory is a sad one meaning she has never put down ties and after a crappy excuse for a boyfriend she runs again, finding herself in Mercy Falls and unbeknownst to her in the midst of supernaturals 😅 she takes everything in her stride and won’t tolerate being messed with so when things begin to get a little hit questionable she needs to know what’s happening!
Thankfully she seems to have surrounded herself with men who will do absolutely anything for her 😍 Arson is the protective unhinged one; Ledger the alpha and caretaker; Myles the shy and sweet one; the hen Bellamy her best friend and rock … they each have different kinds of relationship with Ever as her fated mates and help her through the discovery she isn’t actually human 😧 and it’s that very fact which puts her in grave danger….as apparent with that cliffhanger😵
*Paranormal
*Multi-1st-PoV
*Unknown FMC
*Sanctuary Town
*Different Supes
*Building Harem (4)
*Mid Burn
*Book 1 / ?
Super series starter
I’ve read a fair few J Kearston books and this is my favourite so far!! Everest is our FMC and her backstory is a sad one meaning she has never put down ties and after a crappy excuse for a boyfriend she runs again, finding herself in Mercy Falls and unbeknownst to her in the midst of supernaturals 😅 she takes everything in her stride and won’t tolerate being messed with so when things begin to get a little hit questionable she needs to know what’s happening!
Thankfully she seems to have surrounded herself with men who will do absolutely anything for her 😍 Arson is the protective unhinged one; Ledger the alpha and caretaker; Myles the shy and sweet one; the hen Bellamy her best friend and rock … they each have different kinds of relationship with Ever as her fated mates and help her through the discovery she isn’t actually human 😧 and it’s that very fact which puts her in grave danger….as apparent with that cliffhanger😵
February 27, 2025
I'm glad there's a second book because I was confused on how everything was going to wrap up with so many unanswered questions. This was alright, alot of missing things and some parts didn't flow well. Some important scenes would happen and then we will skip to the next chapter. Ever wasn't my favorite person. Might read the 2nd book. Who knows.
August 20, 2025
2.25 stars ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Ever Marked☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 "I like the way you sound in the morning. We're on the phone and without a warning. I realize your laugh is the best sound 🎶
After catching her boyfriend with his secretary, Ever(h) ghosts her old life and lands in Mercy Ridge, a place that feels more like home than anywhere she’s ever known. Between a scarred stranger no hospital dares to treat, a ghostly roommate, a rugged boss intent on feeding her, and a shy genius with impossible tech, she starts to believe she finally belongs.
─── .¸✿¸.•❤•.❀• THOUGHTS¸•❀.•❤•.¸✿¸.⋆ ───
She knew nothing about the supernatural, and honestly, she wouldn’t have even been able to find the town if she wasn’t supernatural herself. She never would have made it through Myles’s wards. Yet suddenly she had multiple men lusting after her - look at her go!! But seriously, the fact that she was clueless made her even more intriguing. More people wanted to claim her simply because she wasn’t originally part of the group. That put everyone else on high alert, making sure others knew she was with them
[Bell]
She went MIA when she entered Mercy Ridge, and Bell was extremely concerned about her. With nothing solid to go on, he searched until he finally found her - BROKE Arson’s leg in the process. That decision created tension and mistrust between the guys, but over time they slowly started working together. What made the difference was Ever. She trusted him, and that trust opened the door for him to become part of the group. When the mate bond revealed that he truly belonged with them, it all made sense. He just needed time to prove it, and they all needed to figure out how to fit together.
[Arson]
Arson!!! I love him 💌💗😭🤍. He is the unhinged golden retriever boy, completely obsessed with her, to the point where she thought he was a ghost stalking her - when really, it was just a demon using his shadows. He is so head over heels for her 🤍❤️💗💌💖. The thing about Arson is that he never had malicious intent when he watched her. He just wanted to be near her. He never used it to his advantage to see things he shouldn’t or to cross boundaries. He was never weird about it. He simply put her first, and what made it so beautiful was how much it meant to him that, for the first time, someone accepted him exactly as he was.
[Ledger]
The secondhand embarrassment I felt when Ledger was trying to prove he was a shifter and couldn’t shift… brutal. She assumed he was lying about the supernatural the whole time and was ready to leave town for good because she thought the entire town was playing her. But the thing is, he was so down bad for her that he literally made up a job just to keep her around. He gave her a position as an “employee” even though she wasn’t actually doing anything - it was just his excuse to have her close.
[Myles]
NERD OFF. I loved them. He was able to freely express what he liked and share his special interests, and she actually listened and shared hers in return. Myles was such a sweetheart, and I loved watching him slowly gain confidence around her. He was still an awkward mess, but that just made him even more endearing.
─── .¸✿¸.•❤•.❀• OVERALL¸•❀.•❤•.¸✿¸.⋆ ───
Don’t be fooled!!! The dialogue will make you cringe and give you severe secondhand embarrassment. But you can’t really go wrong with it. It’s fun, after all. Just don’t go in with high expectations.
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ Ever Marked☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
⁺₊★·.´🎧✩°｡ 0:56 ──♡───── 3:32 ⁺₊🎧★·.·´
🎶 "I like the way you sound in the morning. We're on the phone and without a warning. I realize your laugh is the best sound 🎶
After catching her boyfriend with his secretary, Ever(h) ghosts her old life and lands in Mercy Ridge, a place that feels more like home than anywhere she’s ever known. Between a scarred stranger no hospital dares to treat, a ghostly roommate, a rugged boss intent on feeding her, and a shy genius with impossible tech, she starts to believe she finally belongs.
─── .¸✿¸.•❤•.❀• THOUGHTS¸•❀.•❤•.¸✿¸.⋆ ───
“No timeline, no rush. But,” he swallows, anxiously stroking his thumb across the back of my hand, “you’re it for us, Ever. You could cast us aside and take new mates, using a potion to claim them if they aren’t your fated. But we’ll wear your mark for the rest of our lives; yours whether you want us or not. No other center will consider a marked man for their bond group, and even if they did, we wouldn’t want them. None of them would be you.”
She knew nothing about the supernatural, and honestly, she wouldn’t have even been able to find the town if she wasn’t supernatural herself. She never would have made it through Myles’s wards. Yet suddenly she had multiple men lusting after her - look at her go!! But seriously, the fact that she was clueless made her even more intriguing. More people wanted to claim her simply because she wasn’t originally part of the group. That put everyone else on high alert, making sure others knew she was with them
[Bell]
“Just because we’re mates doesn’t mean I’ve stopped being her friend, it simply confirmed what I’ve always known; we’re good together. That hasn’t changed, it’s made us a stronger team. We have plenty of time to explore where to go from here, but in a few weeks I’ll need to go back home long enough to tie up loose ends with work and my apartment. But make no mistake; I’m not going anywhere without her.”
She went MIA when she entered Mercy Ridge, and Bell was extremely concerned about her. With nothing solid to go on, he searched until he finally found her - BROKE Arson’s leg in the process. That decision created tension and mistrust between the guys, but over time they slowly started working together. What made the difference was Ever. She trusted him, and that trust opened the door for him to become part of the group. When the mate bond revealed that he truly belonged with them, it all made sense. He just needed time to prove it, and they all needed to figure out how to fit together.
[Arson]
“She… watched over me when I was vulnerable? Me?”
“You’re… touching me.”
“Oh.”
Arson!!! I love him 💌💗😭🤍. He is the unhinged golden retriever boy, completely obsessed with her, to the point where she thought he was a ghost stalking her - when really, it was just a demon using his shadows. He is so head over heels for her 🤍❤️💗💌💖. The thing about Arson is that he never had malicious intent when he watched her. He just wanted to be near her. He never used it to his advantage to see things he shouldn’t or to cross boundaries. He was never weird about it. He simply put her first, and what made it so beautiful was how much it meant to him that, for the first time, someone accepted him exactly as he was.
[Ledger]
“You do realize she’s going to judge you hardcore for this, right?”
“What do you mean? She needs something to do or she’s going to know that I created a position just to hire her.”
“You’re my boss, Ledger. Bosses don’t take their employees out for lunch dates.”
The secondhand embarrassment I felt when Ledger was trying to prove he was a shifter and couldn’t shift… brutal. She assumed he was lying about the supernatural the whole time and was ready to leave town for good because she thought the entire town was playing her. But the thing is, he was so down bad for her that he literally made up a job just to keep her around. He gave her a position as an “employee” even though she wasn’t actually doing anything - it was just his excuse to have her close.
[Myles]
“You’re amazing, Myles. Far too good to me, but fuck, I couldn’t do this without you.” She grimaces. “It really doesn’t bother you if I use you like this?”
“It’s my pleasure. Seriously.”
NERD OFF. I loved them. He was able to freely express what he liked and share his special interests, and she actually listened and shared hers in return. Myles was such a sweetheart, and I loved watching him slowly gain confidence around her. He was still an awkward mess, but that just made him even more endearing.
─── .¸✿¸.•❤•.❀• OVERALL¸•❀.•❤•.¸✿¸.⋆ ───
Don’t be fooled!!! The dialogue will make you cringe and give you severe secondhand embarrassment. But you can’t really go wrong with it. It’s fun, after all. Just don’t go in with high expectations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
Within the first 10% of the book, I knew I was going to love it.
By 21% in, I was disappointed it was only going to be a duet because I knew I wasn't going to be able to get enough of these characters.
I love books where there's an unhinged, knife-happy, golden retriever type of MC. Luckily for me, we meet a guy just like that early on in this book who becomes a mate to our FMC, Ever. He's intimidating, tough, ruthless, but with Ever? Absolutely gooey cinnamon roll! I love him.
We also have a quiet, shy, nerdy (virgin) MC in Myles, a viking-looking guy who's also attentive, can cook, and is a book store owner (can he get any better??), and finally a long-time best friend gamer who's played with Ever for years, but haven't met until he tracks her down when she does radio silent.
Admittedly, not a lot goes on in this book. Ever learns that supernaturals exist, that she herself isn't a human, and gets to know a few of the guys in her new little town better (who end up being her mates). She's also got a project that she's working on and is trying to finish up so an investor can take it on. Despite not much ACTIVELY going on, I really enjoyed it. You get to know the characters really well, and there's just enough happening to keep things interesting enough.
I can't wait to start book two, especially with the cliffhanger!
By 21% in, I was disappointed it was only going to be a duet because I knew I wasn't going to be able to get enough of these characters.
I love books where there's an unhinged, knife-happy, golden retriever type of MC. Luckily for me, we meet a guy just like that early on in this book who becomes a mate to our FMC, Ever. He's intimidating, tough, ruthless, but with Ever? Absolutely gooey cinnamon roll! I love him.
We also have a quiet, shy, nerdy (virgin) MC in Myles, a viking-looking guy who's also attentive, can cook, and is a book store owner (can he get any better??), and finally a long-time best friend gamer who's played with Ever for years, but haven't met until he tracks her down when she does radio silent.
Admittedly, not a lot goes on in this book. Ever learns that supernaturals exist, that she herself isn't a human, and gets to know a few of the guys in her new little town better (who end up being her mates). She's also got a project that she's working on and is trying to finish up so an investor can take it on. Despite not much ACTIVELY going on, I really enjoyed it. You get to know the characters really well, and there's just enough happening to keep things interesting enough.
I can't wait to start book two, especially with the cliffhanger!
April 6, 2025
Ever Marked is the type of book that I live for. J. Kearston knocked it out of the park. I liked all the MCs. Ever was cool. She's smart and quirky, and I liked her sense of humor. Her thought spirals left me in awe. I think at one point clown masks were mentioned. Ever found herself a mixed harem, and I do mean mixed, from personalities to the type of supe. I liked all of them, but Arson was my favorite. When done right, I love a psychopath, and Arson is crazier than a cat in a handbag, but he's so much more. He's smarter and more insightful than people give him credit for. Some of my favorite lines came from him.
Is there such a thing as a cozy paranormal romance? If so, this might be one. The story is set in an idyllic, supernatural-only mountain town and is lighter than expected. I loved the idea of a gamer girl breaking out on her own. Inventing something new and creative. Between Ever discovering the supernatural, the banter, mate marks, business deals, and adorable mates, I was having a blast. Things were going so well, then bam! Cliffhanger! I don't know where Kearston is taking the story, but I'm ready for it. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Is there such a thing as a cozy paranormal romance? If so, this might be one. The story is set in an idyllic, supernatural-only mountain town and is lighter than expected. I loved the idea of a gamer girl breaking out on her own. Inventing something new and creative. Between Ever discovering the supernatural, the banter, mate marks, business deals, and adorable mates, I was having a blast. Things were going so well, then bam! Cliffhanger! I don't know where Kearston is taking the story, but I'm ready for it. I can't wait to see what happens next.
September 2, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this. After all of the stress filled books I lean towards, this was such a breeze.
There were some issues that I'd normally not be happy about but at the moment this is exactly what I needed.
Insta love, not normally for me. The guys are head over heels for her after the first 5 seconds. I'd like some more relationship building as well. They're also a little overbearing.
Myles was *chefs kiss*. I love that guy. His awkwardness and lack of self esteem made him so adorable but he managed to drop it super quick which was upsetting.
Arson was hilarious and clearly has a bit of stalker tendencies which is nice sometimes.
Ledge and Bell were lacking slightly IMHO but oh well. They all can't be winners.
I'll definitely be hopping into the next book asap. Going to need to see how the cliffhanger ends up.
There were some issues that I'd normally not be happy about but at the moment this is exactly what I needed.
Insta love, not normally for me. The guys are head over heels for her after the first 5 seconds. I'd like some more relationship building as well. They're also a little overbearing.
Myles was *chefs kiss*. I love that guy. His awkwardness and lack of self esteem made him so adorable but he managed to drop it super quick which was upsetting.
Arson was hilarious and clearly has a bit of stalker tendencies which is nice sometimes.
Ledge and Bell were lacking slightly IMHO but oh well. They all can't be winners.
I'll definitely be hopping into the next book asap. Going to need to see how the cliffhanger ends up.
June 25, 2025
"Here, you can borrow my emotional support girlfriend for a while, you've earned it."
Arson was my favorite! He reminded me of my all-time favorite vampire... Aaron
Totally unhinged and completely unapologetic ❤️
Tropes:
❗ RH (4 MMCs)
❗ No MM
❗ Insta-love
❗ Fated mates
❗ "Human" swept into supernatural world
❗ Obsessive MMCs
❗ Found Family
❗ Light read but a definite good time
The story continues with Ever Bound which comes out July 17th! I am excited to find out what happens next 💗
Arson was my favorite! He reminded me of my all-time favorite vampire... Aaron
Totally unhinged and completely unapologetic ❤️Tropes:
❗ RH (4 MMCs)
❗ No MM
❗ Insta-love
❗ Fated mates
❗ "Human" swept into supernatural world
❗ Obsessive MMCs
❗ Found Family
❗ Light read but a definite good time
The story continues with Ever Bound which comes out July 17th! I am excited to find out what happens next 💗
Read
February 2, 2025Found my new book boyfriend
I like a fated mate trope done well. The author did a great job of not having it be over the top while still having the guys all in from the start. Arson is my favorite but really only by a small margin because they each had something to make me love them.
I liked that Ever was strong but still caring. She grew up tough but instead of making that her defining characteristic, the author made it an aspect of her personality while still allowing her to connect with others.
I had been struggling to get through several books in a row but these was an easy, enjoyable read that made me sad I have to wait for the next. I was even able to tune out my husband talking to me earlier when I got to the last 10%, much to his chagrin.
I like a fated mate trope done well. The author did a great job of not having it be over the top while still having the guys all in from the start. Arson is my favorite but really only by a small margin because they each had something to make me love them.
I liked that Ever was strong but still caring. She grew up tough but instead of making that her defining characteristic, the author made it an aspect of her personality while still allowing her to connect with others.
I had been struggling to get through several books in a row but these was an easy, enjoyable read that made me sad I have to wait for the next. I was even able to tune out my husband talking to me earlier when I got to the last 10%, much to his chagrin.
July 27, 2025
5⭐️ 🥹🥹🥹🥹 FINALLY IVE READ ANOTHER 5 stars read
Ever runs away from her normal life to a goddamn not known small city, but little does she know that it’s a paranormal city and she is one herself. And yeah she immediately finds her fated mates and the story goes here.
Ever is pretty clever and fund and the humor of this book was totally next level. The MmCs are super cool with different powers and the most i like Myles the techno mage as it’s totally something new in the paranormal books world for me.
It had pretty few spice like 2/5 but the plot is thickening and i can’t wait to read the next and final book of this duology
Ever runs away from her normal life to a goddamn not known small city, but little does she know that it’s a paranormal city and she is one herself. And yeah she immediately finds her fated mates and the story goes here.
Ever is pretty clever and fund and the humor of this book was totally next level. The MmCs are super cool with different powers and the most i like Myles the techno mage as it’s totally something new in the paranormal books world for me.
It had pretty few spice like 2/5 but the plot is thickening and i can’t wait to read the next and final book of this duology
February 15, 2025
J. Kearston never lets her readers down and Ever Marked, the first book into the Mystics of Mercy Ridge series is no exception. If you're a fan of fated mates with a supernatural twist with a spunky, sassy fun loving, gaming girl finally able to ditch her loser cheating boyfriend for her own plethora of sexy af men then this is the one for you! Seriously the chemistry in this one was off the charts and the guys just kept coming!!! And that ending?!? I need the next book stat!
January 30, 2025
Ever Marked is the book to read if you want a gamer FMC! Everly is what every gamer girl wishes to be. Hot, at the top of her game and a girl who knows her worth. She is a superb FMC who rises above her trauma to come out on top. This book has it all, drama, enough snark to keep you laughing and a hot and heavy plot that keeps drawing you back in. Totally worth the read and then the reread.
March 8, 2025
OBSESSED!!
I cannot recommend this series enough, I could not put down .
I love a good reverse harem style book but this was so well written, flowed well and captured my attention from the first few pages -
Definitely recommend worth the read !! Cannot wait to see what happens next with Ever - by Joe jumping into book two !! #readitnow
I cannot recommend this series enough, I could not put down .
I love a good reverse harem style book but this was so well written, flowed well and captured my attention from the first few pages -
Definitely recommend worth the read !! Cannot wait to see what happens next with Ever - by Joe jumping into book two !! #readitnow
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