What do you think?
Blood Bound #1
Crown of Crimson and Crows
Four ruthless vampires. Enemies by history. Allies by necessity. Bound by the gods themselves to…me.
Hidden in the human world, I was meant to live quietly, unaware of the power bound beneath my skin. But magic doesn’t stay buried forever. Neither do secrets. When the bindings on my power begin to crack, the truth is finally set free—and so are the men fate tied me to.
The King of fire who would rather kill me than kiss me.
The Prince of starlight, my childhood friend, whose tie to me could cost him everything.
The King of ice, whose cruelty is only matched by his coldness.
And the King of earth and blood, whose feral nature and death toll is feared by every being in all four kingdoms.
These are the men destined to love me…if we can only stop trying to kill one another first.
But when the truth about me is uncovered, they say my power could fracture our world. That demons are hunting me. That war is coming—whether I’m ready or not.
What they don’t say is how impossible it will be to resist.
Because the bond doesn’t ask.
It claims.
And when my magic finally awakens, it won’t just bind me to my destiny—it will decide the fate of the very realm.
Hidden in the human world, I was meant to live quietly, unaware of the power bound beneath my skin. But magic doesn’t stay buried forever. Neither do secrets. When the bindings on my power begin to crack, the truth is finally set free—and so are the men fate tied me to.
The King of fire who would rather kill me than kiss me.
The Prince of starlight, my childhood friend, whose tie to me could cost him everything.
The King of ice, whose cruelty is only matched by his coldness.
And the King of earth and blood, whose feral nature and death toll is feared by every being in all four kingdoms.
These are the men destined to love me…if we can only stop trying to kill one another first.
But when the truth about me is uncovered, they say my power could fracture our world. That demons are hunting me. That war is coming—whether I’m ready or not.
What they don’t say is how impossible it will be to resist.
Because the bond doesn’t ask.
It claims.
And when my magic finally awakens, it won’t just bind me to my destiny—it will decide the fate of the very realm.
Audible Audio
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Tessa Hale
25 books3,840 followersAuthor of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.
What a FREE novella from me? You can download one via BookFunnel: https://BookHip.com/NWRWMZA
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,225 reviews
September 9, 2026
3.8
🧙♀️ Witches and vampires. YES PLEASE! 🧛♂️
Yes, I was bound to her. There was nothing I could do to change that. So I would protect her. But I would never love her.
I really enjoyed this one! It was fun, entertaining, fast-paced, and had exactly the kind of chaos I’m here for. And you know I love a good why choose… so what could possibly be better than one girl sharing a fated bond with four kings who are literally enemies?! 😂🔥
The plot moved quickly, and while I had a lot of fun with it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that some of it felt a little… familiar. Men with wings? Check. Fated mates? Check. 👀 Main characters named Rhys and Soraya referred to as Rae? (Sounds like Rhys and Feyre)😬 It gave me some serious ACOMAF vibes. I’ve never actually finished that book, though, so maybe I’m completely wrong and my brain is just making connections where there aren’t any. 😂
Either way, I loved the ending! And that cliffhanger?! RUDE. 😩 Now I definitely need to know what happens next.
🧙♀️ Witches and vampires. YES PLEASE! 🧛♂️
Yes, I was bound to her. There was nothing I could do to change that. So I would protect her. But I would never love her.
I really enjoyed this one! It was fun, entertaining, fast-paced, and had exactly the kind of chaos I’m here for. And you know I love a good why choose… so what could possibly be better than one girl sharing a fated bond with four kings who are literally enemies?! 😂🔥
The plot moved quickly, and while I had a lot of fun with it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that some of it felt a little… familiar. Men with wings? Check. Fated mates? Check. 👀 Main characters named Rhys and Soraya referred to as Rae? (Sounds like Rhys and Feyre)😬 It gave me some serious ACOMAF vibes. I’ve never actually finished that book, though, so maybe I’m completely wrong and my brain is just making connections where there aren’t any. 😂
Either way, I loved the ending! And that cliffhanger?! RUDE. 😩 Now I definitely need to know what happens next.
September 24, 2026
so as a chronic migraine girlie, where are my four hot crazy boyfriends ??
NO LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN. THE ENDING WAS DIABOLICAL. I NEED MORE. I NEED THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW.
NO LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN. THE ENDING WAS DIABOLICAL. I NEED MORE. I NEED THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW.
September 1, 2026
”Looking at Kian was like gazing at an impressionist painting of one of my favorite places. It wasn’t an exact replica, but something about it felt like home.”
i was desperate to start this spinoff series & i’m glad to report back that i’m so invested already. Rae was instantly likable to me, despite being introduced to a new world & having spotty memories, she kept her wits about her. the 4 mmc’s : Rhys, Kian, Nyx and Torrin all had something different to offer. Kian is my current favorite, but i already loved Rhys from before. the tension between Rae and him? scorching off the page.
i loved how the mmc’s were also slowly introduced one after another, usually they’re all thrown together so this was a nice change. it also wasn’t that steamy either, so there’s more time for their chemistry to build up. Rae is a witch and the men are all vampires, which is a perfect recipe for me in a why choose scenario. i’m so obsessed with the audiobook too, it was pure ear candy.
i cannot wait to get my hands on the next one! the drama in the last chapters of this book kept me on edge. I’m curious to see where things go from here.
➘ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bloom Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i was desperate to start this spinoff series & i’m glad to report back that i’m so invested already. Rae was instantly likable to me, despite being introduced to a new world & having spotty memories, she kept her wits about her. the 4 mmc’s : Rhys, Kian, Nyx and Torrin all had something different to offer. Kian is my current favorite, but i already loved Rhys from before. the tension between Rae and him? scorching off the page.
i loved how the mmc’s were also slowly introduced one after another, usually they’re all thrown together so this was a nice change. it also wasn’t that steamy either, so there’s more time for their chemistry to build up. Rae is a witch and the men are all vampires, which is a perfect recipe for me in a why choose scenario. i’m so obsessed with the audiobook too, it was pure ear candy.
i cannot wait to get my hands on the next one! the drama in the last chapters of this book kept me on edge. I’m curious to see where things go from here.
➘ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bloom Books for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 2, 2026
Vampires?? Witches?? And Demons??? Sign me up! Crown of Crimson and Crows is the first book in a planned why choose trilogy full of magic, intrigue, and spice. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting; the plot and world building were so good. Not to mention all the chemistry and lust simmering between the FMC and her four brooding vampire mates, because it was to die for. I just know we're going to get even more plot and a slow burning romance worth all the waiting and tension in the next book. Everybody needs to lock in and hop onto this romantasy, because you are not gonna want to miss out on all the forbidden attraction and magical happenings to come in this series.
What to expect:
🐦⬛Enemies to Lovers🐦⬛
🩸Fated Mates🩸
🐦⬛Touch Her & Die🐦⬛
🩸Blood Play🩸
🐦⬛Royal Vampires🐦⬛
🩸Plot & Intrigue🩸
🐦⬛Primal Play🐦⬛
~All the thanks to Tessa Hale for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
What to expect:
🐦⬛Enemies to Lovers🐦⬛
🩸Fated Mates🩸
🐦⬛Touch Her & Die🐦⬛
🩸Blood Play🩸
🐦⬛Royal Vampires🐦⬛
🩸Plot & Intrigue🩸
🐦⬛Primal Play🐦⬛
~All the thanks to Tessa Hale for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
September 2, 2026
4.5✨A new addicting why choose romance has entered the fucking building, baby!!! And it’s paired with the most elite cast of narrators, making this a full-cast duet narration audiobook that is an absolute MUST-listen. Literal perfection. All of my favorite narrators are basically in one place, and I am a giddy, happy bitch.
I ate up her other series, so I knew I was going to love this one, but dare I say… I might love it even more? 👀👀 Because I absolutely do.
I cannot help myself. I have a thing for vampires and blood play so I just knew I was in for a good fucking time. PLUSSSSS our FMC is a witch… except she doesn’t actually remember who she is because her memories were taken, and she was hidden away in the human realm for her own protection.
And who was made to protect her, you ask?
Oh, I don’t know… just the vampire who is low-key her enemy, wants absolutely nothing to do with her, and also happens to be her fated mate.
He’s not exactly thrilled about that last part, and dare I say… I already love him. 😂
Let me just say, I am a SUCKER for a hidden identity trope, and I really love the way it’s done here because she genuinely has no idea who she is. She’s basically ripped out of the only life she’s ever known in the human realm and thrown into an entirely different world, where she’s suddenly learning that the supernatural actually exists… and surprise! She’s one of them.
So yeah. Homegirl is understandably a little shell-shocked. 😂
But I can already feel a REALLY good story brewing, and I’m locked tf in, I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting to see where this is going.
We’re introduced to each of her mates one by one, and apparently, it’s extremely rare for someone to have more than two mates.
She has four.
And so far, the first two could not be more opposite.
You’ve got the golden-retriever-adjacent type. He’s not overly sunshine and rainbows, but he is so fucking down bad for her. They actually had a friendship before she was ripped away, which just makes me even more invested in whatever the hell happened between them.
And then we have the grumpy, broody vampire who only drinks animal blood, seems tortured, closed off, and like he desperately needs to crack his witches back…PLEASE THE TENSION IS SO GOOD 🫠🫠 OH he also has money and drives a very nice car.
The combination of those things is exactly why I’m so drawn to him. 😂 Let’s see if he remains my favorite.
But basically, they’re out here collecting her mates like fucking Pokémon, and we’re all just along for the ride. And so far that ride is filled with tension, banter, supernatural chaos, and me immediately needing to know what the fuck happens next.
And in true Tessa fashion, of course this ended on a wicked fucking cliffhanger. She really does love leaving us on our hands and knees begging for more.
All of her books have such insane bingeability. You literally cannot stop reading once you start. It gives me that addictive CW show feeling that I’m pretty sure we’ve all been chasing, the kind where you tell yourself, just one more chapter, and suddenly it’s 3 a.m.
The spice that we got was so good. I NEED MORE. I love when the why choose starts why choosing.
I absolutely fucking loved this audiobook. I had an absolute blast, and I am already impatiently waiting for more.
I ate up her other series, so I knew I was going to love this one, but dare I say… I might love it even more? 👀👀 Because I absolutely do.
I cannot help myself. I have a thing for vampires and blood play so I just knew I was in for a good fucking time. PLUSSSSS our FMC is a witch… except she doesn’t actually remember who she is because her memories were taken, and she was hidden away in the human realm for her own protection.
And who was made to protect her, you ask?
Oh, I don’t know… just the vampire who is low-key her enemy, wants absolutely nothing to do with her, and also happens to be her fated mate.
He’s not exactly thrilled about that last part, and dare I say… I already love him. 😂
Let me just say, I am a SUCKER for a hidden identity trope, and I really love the way it’s done here because she genuinely has no idea who she is. She’s basically ripped out of the only life she’s ever known in the human realm and thrown into an entirely different world, where she’s suddenly learning that the supernatural actually exists… and surprise! She’s one of them.
So yeah. Homegirl is understandably a little shell-shocked. 😂
But I can already feel a REALLY good story brewing, and I’m locked tf in, I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting to see where this is going.
We’re introduced to each of her mates one by one, and apparently, it’s extremely rare for someone to have more than two mates.
She has four.
And so far, the first two could not be more opposite.
You’ve got the golden-retriever-adjacent type. He’s not overly sunshine and rainbows, but he is so fucking down bad for her. They actually had a friendship before she was ripped away, which just makes me even more invested in whatever the hell happened between them.
And then we have the grumpy, broody vampire who only drinks animal blood, seems tortured, closed off, and like he desperately needs to crack his witches back…PLEASE THE TENSION IS SO GOOD 🫠🫠 OH he also has money and drives a very nice car.
The combination of those things is exactly why I’m so drawn to him. 😂 Let’s see if he remains my favorite.
But basically, they’re out here collecting her mates like fucking Pokémon, and we’re all just along for the ride. And so far that ride is filled with tension, banter, supernatural chaos, and me immediately needing to know what the fuck happens next.
And in true Tessa fashion, of course this ended on a wicked fucking cliffhanger. She really does love leaving us on our hands and knees begging for more.
All of her books have such insane bingeability. You literally cannot stop reading once you start. It gives me that addictive CW show feeling that I’m pretty sure we’ve all been chasing, the kind where you tell yourself, just one more chapter, and suddenly it’s 3 a.m.
The spice that we got was so good. I NEED MORE. I love when the why choose starts why choosing.
I absolutely fucking loved this audiobook. I had an absolute blast, and I am already impatiently waiting for more.
September 3, 2026
3.5 🌟
yeah sometimes all you need is a fun why choose book where she happens to be fated mates with 4 vampire kings 😜🥵🩸
happy spooky season hehe ⋆⊹👻.•🍂₊🕸️⋆.ೃ࿔
yeah sometimes all you need is a fun why choose book where she happens to be fated mates with 4 vampire kings 😜🥵🩸
happy spooky season hehe ⋆⊹👻.•🍂₊🕸️⋆.ೃ࿔
September 7, 2026
review to come!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Every time the craving for a paranormal why choose/reverse harem hits, Tessa Hale is my ultimate go-to.
Having devoured her entire back catalog and unashamedly rereading the favorites, it's safe to say Crown of Crimson and Crows hits every single sweet spot. The first installment in the Blood Bound series delivers everything we know and love from Hale.
It follows Rae, a hidden human whose dormant magic breaks free, forcibly binding her fate to four ruthless, royal vampire kings and princes: Rhys, Kian, Nyx, and Torrin. The catch? Her four mates are literal mortal enemies. Watching these distinct, morally gray alpha males attempt to "work together" for Rae’s sake makes for pure, unadulterated gold. The chemistry is electric, the slow burn is torture in the best way, and that cliffhanger will leave you utterly desperate for book two.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
❤️ Fated Mates
👑 Royal Vampires
🌸 Childhood Friends to Lovers
☠️ Touch Her and D!e
💗 Why Choose
🖤 Primal Play
🗡️ Mates Who Are Enemies
🌶️ "My Wife" Energy
🩸 Blood Play
Having devoured her entire back catalog and unashamedly rereading the favorites, it's safe to say Crown of Crimson and Crows hits every single sweet spot. The first installment in the Blood Bound series delivers everything we know and love from Hale.
It follows Rae, a hidden human whose dormant magic breaks free, forcibly binding her fate to four ruthless, royal vampire kings and princes: Rhys, Kian, Nyx, and Torrin. The catch? Her four mates are literal mortal enemies. Watching these distinct, morally gray alpha males attempt to "work together" for Rae’s sake makes for pure, unadulterated gold. The chemistry is electric, the slow burn is torture in the best way, and that cliffhanger will leave you utterly desperate for book two.
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
❤️ Fated Mates
👑 Royal Vampires
🌸 Childhood Friends to Lovers
☠️ Touch Her and D!e
💗 Why Choose
🖤 Primal Play
🗡️ Mates Who Are Enemies
🌶️ "My Wife" Energy
🩸 Blood Play
August 3, 2026
This book was everything I expected it to be.
Fast paced with Slowburn romance, vampires & witches, a wonderful bunch of quirky and diverse characters, a fantastic and sassy heroine, cute familiars, unique world building and powers— I ATE THIS UP!
I can’t emphasis on how much I loved Rae. She was flat out amazing.
Rhys, you grumpy cinnamon roll, I can’t wait to see you bowing down to Rae. His and Rae banter had me laughing throughout the book! I loved that, she challenged him all the time.
Kian was such a beautiful character. An amazing childhood friend & mate. Loved his bond with Rae.
I loved Nyx and his familiar Odin. There was something so attractive about his coldness. The possibilities about the greenhouse scene🔥.
GIVE ME MORE OF TORRIN PLEASE 🙏!!! He is feral? God, I’m feral for him!
Suffice to say, I can’t pick a favourite.
Ms. Tessa, what was that ending😭😭😭😭!!!
Seriously can’t wait for book 2 & 3!
-Royal Vampires
-Why choose.
-Fated mates.
-Mates are enemies.
-Forbidden romance.
-First in a trilogy.
-TW, Safe, and highly recommended.
-Sep 1st!
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DblqBp...
Fast paced with Slowburn romance, vampires & witches, a wonderful bunch of quirky and diverse characters, a fantastic and sassy heroine, cute familiars, unique world building and powers— I ATE THIS UP!
I can’t emphasis on how much I loved Rae. She was flat out amazing.
Rhys, you grumpy cinnamon roll, I can’t wait to see you bowing down to Rae. His and Rae banter had me laughing throughout the book! I loved that, she challenged him all the time.
Kian was such a beautiful character. An amazing childhood friend & mate. Loved his bond with Rae.
I loved Nyx and his familiar Odin. There was something so attractive about his coldness. The possibilities about the greenhouse scene🔥.
GIVE ME MORE OF TORRIN PLEASE 🙏!!! He is feral? God, I’m feral for him!
Suffice to say, I can’t pick a favourite.
Ms. Tessa, what was that ending😭😭😭😭!!!
Seriously can’t wait for book 2 & 3!
-Royal Vampires
-Why choose.
-Fated mates.
-Mates are enemies.
-Forbidden romance.
-First in a trilogy.
-TW, Safe, and highly recommended.
-Sep 1st!
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DblqBp...
July 17, 2026
˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
as ive predicted, tessa hale never disappoints! this book was so good and addicting! everything was so fast paced and im literally so invested in all of these characters!
and i loved that there are vampires and witches too, so like how could that possibly go wrong..
that cliffhanger in the end was in-fucking-sane and i cant wait for book 2! and like wdym sorays is literally fated to four kings who are fucking enemies??
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
tessa hale always EATS! so when i saw this was on read now, i HAD TO get it, no explanations needed, eeeeek!!
as ive predicted, tessa hale never disappoints! this book was so good and addicting! everything was so fast paced and im literally so invested in all of these characters!
and i loved that there are vampires and witches too, so like how could that possibly go wrong..
that cliffhanger in the end was in-fucking-sane and i cant wait for book 2! and like wdym sorays is literally fated to four kings who are fucking enemies??
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶˗ˋ୨♡୧ˊ˗︶︶︶⊹︶︶︶
₊˚⊹♡ pre-read ♡⊹˚₊ ↴
tessa hale always EATS! so when i saw this was on read now, i HAD TO get it, no explanations needed, eeeeek!!
August 22, 2026
Ahhh this was soooo good! Tessa Hale’s first foray into vampires and I was HOOKED! This is the start of a brand new series so a great place to jump in. I loved how intricate this world is already and I was so invested in everything going on with the enemy vampires, the magic, the fated bonds, her trying to find her mates, the tension!
We follow Rae, she’s been living in the human world studying botany when her entire world gets thrown upside down when she finds out she’s actually a witch whose memories were wiped and she’s fated to multiple vampire heroes! She starts off with 2 through most of the story and they are searching for the other 2 as the story continues on. It made for such great tension, with the enemy kingdoms, some wanting to be there more than others, her figuring out her history and magic, and the pull of her blood. We get to learn about all the heroes and I loved how different they all are, have different motivations and backgrounds, and I just cannot get over how this author always makes her heroes feel so unique from each other within her why choose romances. Ahh this book just worked for me so well, I was screaming at some of the hero reveals and seeing how it all played out. I’m so invested and cannot wait for more now with this trilogy!
I received an ALC & ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own. The audiobook is full cast narration and fantastic, I always recommend this author on audio if you can!
We follow Rae, she’s been living in the human world studying botany when her entire world gets thrown upside down when she finds out she’s actually a witch whose memories were wiped and she’s fated to multiple vampire heroes! She starts off with 2 through most of the story and they are searching for the other 2 as the story continues on. It made for such great tension, with the enemy kingdoms, some wanting to be there more than others, her figuring out her history and magic, and the pull of her blood. We get to learn about all the heroes and I loved how different they all are, have different motivations and backgrounds, and I just cannot get over how this author always makes her heroes feel so unique from each other within her why choose romances. Ahh this book just worked for me so well, I was screaming at some of the hero reveals and seeing how it all played out. I’m so invested and cannot wait for more now with this trilogy!
I received an ALC & ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own. The audiobook is full cast narration and fantastic, I always recommend this author on audio if you can!
September 7, 2026
i read this, it was entertaining enough, i didn’t particularly love nor get invested in anyone, but i will probably still continue the series!! slightly different with the collecting-mates-along-the-way vibe, instead of a pre-formed group, but i didn’t mind it. good fun for a quick, easy read. very tessa hale core with ridiculously overprotective and slightly absurd mating bonds. exactly what i expected!
September 1, 2026
This is my first Tessa Hale book and I’m kind of legitimately slapping myself in the face that I hadn’t read her work sooner.
This is why choose, vampires, royalty, demons, witches, fated mates, rejected mates, hidden identity, slow burn, tension, a teensy bit of other woman drama, fantasy, politics, found family, familiars, elemental magic, spice… did I mention… delicious… delectable… drool inducing, blush inducing, squirm inducing tension…
These men… these vampires… are possessive, dangerous, jealous, angry, territorial, soft spots only for her… well some of them… some of them kind of… hate her… and… they are all super duper incredibly ridiculously hot…
Four ruthless vampires. Enemies by history. Allies by necessity. Bound by the gods themselves… to HER…
Our female main character has been hidden in the human world… meant to live unaware of the power bound beneath her skin.
But magic doesn’t stay buried forever. And neither do secrets.
When the bindings on her power begin to crack, the truth is finally set free, and so are the men fated for her…
The king of fire who would rather kill her than kiss her.
The prince of starlight, her childhood friend, whose ties to her could cost him everything.
The king of ice (my PERSONAL FAVORITE), whose cruelty is only matched by his coldness.
And the king of earth and blood, whose feral nature and death toll is feared by every being in all four kingdoms.
I haven’t been this giddy about a why choose series in a hot minute. I devoured this book so fast. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I could literally not put this book down.
The world is incredible, the magic is so fun, I love the world building. The visuals and history are stunning and layered and while it’s intricate it’s also easy to follow and get absorbed into.
Also it hurts ok. This is peak emotional turmoil.
“His words were weapons, and I had no armor for them.”
When I finished the book…. I had a wee suspicion… that’s all I’m going to say…
I could be completely wrong but if I think something might be coming…. I’m going to legitimately rip off my clothes and run around the block I’ll be so pumped up and excited.
I swear to you. This is why choose perfection. Peak why choose deliciousness.
You want some torture? He says “I’m sorry. I hate myself for wanting you. It feels like a betrayal, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to reconcile that.”
And she wants to turn around and look at him but it hurts too much. Because even if she could somehow make him love her, it would mean killing a part of him. And how could she ever want that? So she doesn’t turn around. Instead she simply forces out a single strangled word: “Okay.” And walks away.
You guys I was crawling on the floor. I was on my hands and knees sobbing and screaming in frustration.
If you are famished, starving, ravenous for your next delicious why choose paranormal fantasy romance series…
RUNNNNNN TO READ THIS BECAUSE IT COMES OUT TODAY!!
Happy reading… sorry in advance… I’ll be here to hold you when the tears slips down your checks… ok love you bye
This is why choose, vampires, royalty, demons, witches, fated mates, rejected mates, hidden identity, slow burn, tension, a teensy bit of other woman drama, fantasy, politics, found family, familiars, elemental magic, spice… did I mention… delicious… delectable… drool inducing, blush inducing, squirm inducing tension…
These men… these vampires… are possessive, dangerous, jealous, angry, territorial, soft spots only for her… well some of them… some of them kind of… hate her… and… they are all super duper incredibly ridiculously hot…
Four ruthless vampires. Enemies by history. Allies by necessity. Bound by the gods themselves… to HER…
Our female main character has been hidden in the human world… meant to live unaware of the power bound beneath her skin.
But magic doesn’t stay buried forever. And neither do secrets.
When the bindings on her power begin to crack, the truth is finally set free, and so are the men fated for her…
The king of fire who would rather kill her than kiss her.
The prince of starlight, her childhood friend, whose ties to her could cost him everything.
The king of ice (my PERSONAL FAVORITE), whose cruelty is only matched by his coldness.
And the king of earth and blood, whose feral nature and death toll is feared by every being in all four kingdoms.
I haven’t been this giddy about a why choose series in a hot minute. I devoured this book so fast. I stayed up way past my bedtime because I could literally not put this book down.
The world is incredible, the magic is so fun, I love the world building. The visuals and history are stunning and layered and while it’s intricate it’s also easy to follow and get absorbed into.
Also it hurts ok. This is peak emotional turmoil.
“His words were weapons, and I had no armor for them.”
When I finished the book…. I had a wee suspicion… that’s all I’m going to say…
I could be completely wrong but if I think something might be coming…. I’m going to legitimately rip off my clothes and run around the block I’ll be so pumped up and excited.
I swear to you. This is why choose perfection. Peak why choose deliciousness.
You want some torture? He says “I’m sorry. I hate myself for wanting you. It feels like a betrayal, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to reconcile that.”
And she wants to turn around and look at him but it hurts too much. Because even if she could somehow make him love her, it would mean killing a part of him. And how could she ever want that? So she doesn’t turn around. Instead she simply forces out a single strangled word: “Okay.” And walks away.
You guys I was crawling on the floor. I was on my hands and knees sobbing and screaming in frustration.
If you are famished, starving, ravenous for your next delicious why choose paranormal fantasy romance series…
RUNNNNNN TO READ THIS BECAUSE IT COMES OUT TODAY!!
Happy reading… sorry in advance… I’ll be here to hold you when the tears slips down your checks… ok love you bye
September 24, 2026
“𝘐 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴.”
I went into this book somewhat blind and absolutely LOVED it. I’ve been in the mood for a good why choose that would sink its teeth into me, and this book did NOT disappoint. The plot and pacing kept me flipping pages and I absolutely fell in love with the world and its characters.
Rae is such a baddie FMC. I loveeed her character so much and was feral for all of the revelations. I’m such a sucker for a fated mates plot, and I loved all the intricate different relationships between Rae and the MMCs (I mean who wouldn’t want to read about four very different but very feral vampire enemy kings). The banter and sass was everythinggg that I need in a romantasy.. Also I’m such a sucker for possessive grumpy MMCs and this book DELIVERS. Like yes, immediate yes. I’m firmly why choose here and refuse to pick a favorite. Also also animal sidekicks are my favvvvorite and I’m always here for a book with them.
I can’t wait to see how all of these relationships grow and expand, and after that jaw dropping ending…. I am soooo ready for the next book!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨:
🩸Why Choose Romantasy
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Royal Vampires
🩸Possessive (Grumpy) MCs
🩸Childhood Friends to Lovers
🩸Forced Proximity
🩸Touch Her and 💀
🩸Primal Play
🩸Mates Who Are Mortal Enemies
🩸“My Wife”
🩸Blood Play
🩸Flirty Banter
🩸Animal Familiars
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
I went into this book somewhat blind and absolutely LOVED it. I’ve been in the mood for a good why choose that would sink its teeth into me, and this book did NOT disappoint. The plot and pacing kept me flipping pages and I absolutely fell in love with the world and its characters.
Rae is such a baddie FMC. I loveeed her character so much and was feral for all of the revelations. I’m such a sucker for a fated mates plot, and I loved all the intricate different relationships between Rae and the MMCs (I mean who wouldn’t want to read about four very different but very feral vampire enemy kings). The banter and sass was everythinggg that I need in a romantasy.. Also I’m such a sucker for possessive grumpy MMCs and this book DELIVERS. Like yes, immediate yes. I’m firmly why choose here and refuse to pick a favorite. Also also animal sidekicks are my favvvvorite and I’m always here for a book with them.
I can’t wait to see how all of these relationships grow and expand, and after that jaw dropping ending…. I am soooo ready for the next book!
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨:
🩸Why Choose Romantasy
🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Royal Vampires
🩸Possessive (Grumpy) MCs
🩸Childhood Friends to Lovers
🩸Forced Proximity
🩸Touch Her and 💀
🩸Primal Play
🩸Mates Who Are Mortal Enemies
🩸“My Wife”
🩸Blood Play
🩸Flirty Banter
🩸Animal Familiars
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
September 2, 2026
4.25
If you guys follow me at all, you know I am a WHY-CHOOSE girlie. But when that why-choose is a PARANORMAL why-choose… AND a new series?! I was like, GIVE THIS TO ME NOW.
Oh, and it’s written by Tessa Halle, whom I absolutely adore. AND!!! The audio is FULL-CAST narration?! Like… I was SO excited when I got this ALC.
This is a paranormal why-choose with fated mates, witches, hidden identities, vampires, and warring kingdoms. Basically, everything I love rolled into one book.
Our FMC Rae is just living her best life and minding her business in the human realm when she is ripped away from everything she has ever known. She’s thrown into a whole new realm filled with witches, vampires, and warring kingdoms that she wants absolutely NOTHING to do with.
Let me tell you, I loved Rae. Even while going through this incredibly traumatic experience, she is still cracking jokes at the expense of the men around her. QUEEN BEHAVIOR.
She also has no memory of growing up or leaving the kingdom she is apparently supposed to rule. And then she finds out she doesn’t have one, not two, but FOUR fated mates… so naturally, she has to go on a quest to track them all down.
And these men…
Kain — childhood friends to mates and a TOTAL simp. I love him.
Rhys — the grumpy asshole who absolutely does NOT want to be mated to Rae, but also cannot stop obsessing over her.
Nyx — another grump who LOVES pushing Rhys’s buttons. 😂
TORRIN — our feral daddy who basically just wants to scream MINE.
I am already OBSESSED with this story and cannot wait to see where it goes from here. Tessa never disappoints, and the full-cast audio was such a fun addition.
Thank you. Must Love Audio for this ALC because I am fully invested now!
If you guys follow me at all, you know I am a WHY-CHOOSE girlie. But when that why-choose is a PARANORMAL why-choose… AND a new series?! I was like, GIVE THIS TO ME NOW.
Oh, and it’s written by Tessa Halle, whom I absolutely adore. AND!!! The audio is FULL-CAST narration?! Like… I was SO excited when I got this ALC.
This is a paranormal why-choose with fated mates, witches, hidden identities, vampires, and warring kingdoms. Basically, everything I love rolled into one book.
Our FMC Rae is just living her best life and minding her business in the human realm when she is ripped away from everything she has ever known. She’s thrown into a whole new realm filled with witches, vampires, and warring kingdoms that she wants absolutely NOTHING to do with.
Let me tell you, I loved Rae. Even while going through this incredibly traumatic experience, she is still cracking jokes at the expense of the men around her. QUEEN BEHAVIOR.
She also has no memory of growing up or leaving the kingdom she is apparently supposed to rule. And then she finds out she doesn’t have one, not two, but FOUR fated mates… so naturally, she has to go on a quest to track them all down.
And these men…
Kain — childhood friends to mates and a TOTAL simp. I love him.
Rhys — the grumpy asshole who absolutely does NOT want to be mated to Rae, but also cannot stop obsessing over her.
Nyx — another grump who LOVES pushing Rhys’s buttons. 😂
TORRIN — our feral daddy who basically just wants to scream MINE.
I am already OBSESSED with this story and cannot wait to see where it goes from here. Tessa never disappoints, and the full-cast audio was such a fun addition.
Thank you. Must Love Audio for this ALC because I am fully invested now!
September 7, 2026
A fun, fast read. Multiple mates and multiple vampires. Will be continuing this series!
August 25, 2026
4.5⭐️ this was SO good and SOOO bingeworthy!! A why choose vampire x witch romance that I was head over HEEELS for. 4 fated mates. Slow burn, high tension & so much banter EEK. MMC’s who hate that they’re drawn to her but protect her with all their strength. Omg I need book 2 NOW.
September 15, 2026
If you like Untamed Magic, RH, Touch Her and 💀, Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine, Fated Mates, & Vampire Kings, you would love this book!
The Male characters were really well done for this book. Each had similar backgrounds but all turned out way different. We didn't really get a chance to see how each one benefits the main female character's magic yet. I'm going to assume that this will start happening in the second book. This book focuses mainly on introducing all of her mates and gives us an idea of what is happening. The main female character has not only been unaware of her magic for most of her life so learning it would be hard as it is, she is one of the first known cases of having four fated mates, marking her as one of the most powerful people to exist. It's no surprise that there are some who want to exploit this power.
Overall, it was super easy to get into. It was fast paced and interesting.
Trigger warnings are minimal for the first book. I expect more chaos as the series continues. Mild Spice. Again, I expect this to increase as the series continues. I am looking forward to the next in the series!
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
The Male characters were really well done for this book. Each had similar backgrounds but all turned out way different. We didn't really get a chance to see how each one benefits the main female character's magic yet. I'm going to assume that this will start happening in the second book. This book focuses mainly on introducing all of her mates and gives us an idea of what is happening. The main female character has not only been unaware of her magic for most of her life so learning it would be hard as it is, she is one of the first known cases of having four fated mates, marking her as one of the most powerful people to exist. It's no surprise that there are some who want to exploit this power.
Overall, it was super easy to get into. It was fast paced and interesting.
Trigger warnings are minimal for the first book. I expect more chaos as the series continues. Mild Spice. Again, I expect this to increase as the series continues. I am looking forward to the next in the series!
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
July 17, 2026
Tessa Hale’s “Crown of Crimson and Crows,” the first book in the “Blood Bound” series, is a paranormal why-choose romance featuring a witch and the four rival vampire kings she is fated to bond with as they team up to take on the demons threatening their world.
When Soraya “Rae” Morningstar was eight years old, her grandmother, Olympia, witnessed a vision depicting Rae’s death at the hands of demons. To protect her, Olympia gave Rae to Rhys, the Dark King and ruler of the House of Firelight, who took her to the human world.
Fifteen years later, Rae returns to Lumaria and discovers that she is a Luminary, a witch whose power comes from light. She is also fated to four males, including the four leaders of the Nocturnae: Torrin, the Feral King of the House of Blood Moon; Kian, the Prince of Starlight; Nyx, the Cruel King of the House of Demilune; and Rhys. Rae must find each of them and complete the fated ritual to strengthen their bonds and fully unlock her magic, all while racing to gain control of her powers before the Demon King finds her.
Unfortunately, “Crown of Crimson and Crows” reads much younger than I expected from an adult paranormal romance. While the book is marketed as a why-choose romance with four mates, there are only two minimally descriptive spicy scenes, and the spice is limited to one male rather than involving multiple partners. Readers picking this up specifically for the why-choose or reverse-harem elements may find the romance and spice underwhelming.
The writing also feels immature at times and could have benefited from a stronger editorial pass. Phrases such as “get dead” appear repeatedly, while expressions like “holy creepin’ cacti” are used in place of stronger language. These choices often pulled me out of the story rather than adding to the fantasy setting.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that clearly sets up the next installment in the series. While the premise has potential, the execution ultimately left me wanting more depth, stronger editing, and a romance that better delivers on the why-choose elements promised by the premise.
I received an ARC through Edelweiss via Bloom Books and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Soraya “Rae” Morningstar was eight years old, her grandmother, Olympia, witnessed a vision depicting Rae’s death at the hands of demons. To protect her, Olympia gave Rae to Rhys, the Dark King and ruler of the House of Firelight, who took her to the human world.
Fifteen years later, Rae returns to Lumaria and discovers that she is a Luminary, a witch whose power comes from light. She is also fated to four males, including the four leaders of the Nocturnae: Torrin, the Feral King of the House of Blood Moon; Kian, the Prince of Starlight; Nyx, the Cruel King of the House of Demilune; and Rhys. Rae must find each of them and complete the fated ritual to strengthen their bonds and fully unlock her magic, all while racing to gain control of her powers before the Demon King finds her.
Unfortunately, “Crown of Crimson and Crows” reads much younger than I expected from an adult paranormal romance. While the book is marketed as a why-choose romance with four mates, there are only two minimally descriptive spicy scenes, and the spice is limited to one male rather than involving multiple partners. Readers picking this up specifically for the why-choose or reverse-harem elements may find the romance and spice underwhelming.
The writing also feels immature at times and could have benefited from a stronger editorial pass. Phrases such as “get dead” appear repeatedly, while expressions like “holy creepin’ cacti” are used in place of stronger language. These choices often pulled me out of the story rather than adding to the fantasy setting.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that clearly sets up the next installment in the series. While the premise has potential, the execution ultimately left me wanting more depth, stronger editing, and a romance that better delivers on the why-choose elements promised by the premise.
I received an ARC through Edelweiss via Bloom Books and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
April 22, 2026👑 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒂𝒍 👑
Prepare your eyes for the most PERFECT cover to enter my vampire era with! The Crown of Crimson and Crows cover is here! There are so many details I am obsessed with, from the bl00d dripping from the crown to the little teases threaded through the background 👀
And did I mention that this paperback WILL BE IN BOOKSTORES!? The Deluxe Edition with @bloom_books will have:
♥️ Spot Gloss!
♥️ Exclusive Sprayed Edges!
♥️ My longest & most epic story yet!
You can preorder your copy everywhere now in ebook and paperback, and you can save 25% at Barnes & Noble with the code BLOOM25!
The biggest thank you to @trcdesignscat for bringing this cover to life! She is a true magician!
I’ll be back soon with some more exciting teases and reveals, including some absolutely INCREDIBLE audio news 😉
Preorder the Deluxe Edition paperback now: https://geni.us/CrwnofCrmsnPB
Preorder from Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/CrwnofCrmsnBN
Preorder the ebook: https://geni.us/RhyseBook
Prepare your eyes for the most PERFECT cover to enter my vampire era with! The Crown of Crimson and Crows cover is here! There are so many details I am obsessed with, from the bl00d dripping from the crown to the little teases threaded through the background 👀
And did I mention that this paperback WILL BE IN BOOKSTORES!? The Deluxe Edition with @bloom_books will have:
♥️ Spot Gloss!
♥️ Exclusive Sprayed Edges!
♥️ My longest & most epic story yet!
You can preorder your copy everywhere now in ebook and paperback, and you can save 25% at Barnes & Noble with the code BLOOM25!
The biggest thank you to @trcdesignscat for bringing this cover to life! She is a true magician!
I’ll be back soon with some more exciting teases and reveals, including some absolutely INCREDIBLE audio news 😉
Preorder the Deluxe Edition paperback now: https://geni.us/CrwnofCrmsnPB
Preorder from Barnes & Noble: https://geni.us/CrwnofCrmsnBN
Preorder the ebook: https://geni.us/RhyseBook
September 4, 2026
5 Stars!
FOUR VAMPIRE KINGS. ONE WITCH. AND AN AUDIOBOOK THAT WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS.
This was my first read by this author and let me tell you what a flippin' good time I had. Four possessive vampire kings, a powerful witch, fated mates, demons, secrets, and enough tension to combust... I was HERE FOR IT.
Rae discovers that basically everything she thought she knew about herself is a lie-and suddenly she's caught between four VERY different vampire kings while her magic awakens and a war is brewing.
The audiobook?!
OMG, a MUST!
A huge thank you to the team at @mustloveaudio for the complimentary ALC. The full-cast narration was flawless. @voicedbyvanessa, Jason Clarke, Shane East, Connor Crais, Anthony Palmini, Samantha Brentmoor, and James Cassidy
It genuinely felt like a movie playing in my ears.
Here are the tropes:
• WHY CHOOSE
• Vampire Kings
• Powerful Witch FMC
• Fated Mates
• Enemies to Lovers
• Royal Vampires
• Possessive/Protective MMCs
• Slow Burn
• Touch Her & Die
• Demons & Secrets
• Cliffhanger
The spice is definitely more slow-burn in this first book, but honestly? I think it works because there is SO much tension building between Rae and her mates. Along with lots of yearning which I am such an addict for.
And that ending?! Immediately need book two.
If you love why-choose fantasy with vampires, fated mates, possessive men, a powerful FMC and a whole lot of supernatural chaos, add this one to your TBR - and l definitely recommend considering the audiobook.
FOUR VAMPIRE KINGS. ONE WITCH. AND AN AUDIOBOOK THAT WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS.
This was my first read by this author and let me tell you what a flippin' good time I had. Four possessive vampire kings, a powerful witch, fated mates, demons, secrets, and enough tension to combust... I was HERE FOR IT.
Rae discovers that basically everything she thought she knew about herself is a lie-and suddenly she's caught between four VERY different vampire kings while her magic awakens and a war is brewing.
The audiobook?!
OMG, a MUST!
A huge thank you to the team at @mustloveaudio for the complimentary ALC. The full-cast narration was flawless. @voicedbyvanessa, Jason Clarke, Shane East, Connor Crais, Anthony Palmini, Samantha Brentmoor, and James Cassidy
It genuinely felt like a movie playing in my ears.
Here are the tropes:
• WHY CHOOSE
• Vampire Kings
• Powerful Witch FMC
• Fated Mates
• Enemies to Lovers
• Royal Vampires
• Possessive/Protective MMCs
• Slow Burn
• Touch Her & Die
• Demons & Secrets
• Cliffhanger
The spice is definitely more slow-burn in this first book, but honestly? I think it works because there is SO much tension building between Rae and her mates. Along with lots of yearning which I am such an addict for.
And that ending?! Immediately need book two.
"What happened?"
"I saw her today."
"You mean you were stalking her?" he challenged.
"Potato, po-tah-to."
If you love why-choose fantasy with vampires, fated mates, possessive men, a powerful FMC and a whole lot of supernatural chaos, add this one to your TBR - and l definitely recommend considering the audiobook.
September 8, 2026
A new why choose fantasy romance!? Yeahhh I obviously ate it up! BUT THAT ENDING??? Not cool. I need the 2nd book in this series to release like TODAY!!😆😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the series I have been unsuccessfully looking for since I read Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac almost 6 years ago.
I am a Why Choose skeptic. I try so many and they rarely work super well for me—usually because they feel too spice forward, with not enough character work. I also love possessive MMCs which often feels incompatible with the very concept of sharing.
This one was a knock-out. I have been sleeping on Tessa Hale and now fear for my former TBR because I now need to go diving into her back catalog even though I don’t have time for that much side questing.
It’s hot, it’s fun, it’s still soooooo full of possessive and feral and tense moments with each individual relationship. There’s the absolute perfect amount of plot and world building. It’s actually not as spicy as I thought which feels so smart and intentional for a first book. The FMC Rae is so easy to root for. I loved every side character.
The ending had me SCREAMING because what do you mean that’s it for now and I have to wait?!
Oh, and it’s full cast DUET narration. With a perfectly cast Vanessa Moyen as Rae and an absolutely stacked lineup of narrators. Palmini. Crais. Clarke. East. Insane.
Run, don’t walk!!!!
(Thank you Tessa & team for letting me read this one early!)
I am a Why Choose skeptic. I try so many and they rarely work super well for me—usually because they feel too spice forward, with not enough character work. I also love possessive MMCs which often feels incompatible with the very concept of sharing.
This one was a knock-out. I have been sleeping on Tessa Hale and now fear for my former TBR because I now need to go diving into her back catalog even though I don’t have time for that much side questing.
It’s hot, it’s fun, it’s still soooooo full of possessive and feral and tense moments with each individual relationship. There’s the absolute perfect amount of plot and world building. It’s actually not as spicy as I thought which feels so smart and intentional for a first book. The FMC Rae is so easy to root for. I loved every side character.
The ending had me SCREAMING because what do you mean that’s it for now and I have to wait?!
Oh, and it’s full cast DUET narration. With a perfectly cast Vanessa Moyen as Rae and an absolutely stacked lineup of narrators. Palmini. Crais. Clarke. East. Insane.
Run, don’t walk!!!!
(Thank you Tessa & team for letting me read this one early!)
September 2, 2026
3.75☆ Sometimes a girl just needs a why choose book with four sexy vampire kings. And this book delivered. The audiobook with the full cast did so well and kept me engaged the entire time!
This was such a quick, addictive read that I flew through it. Rae, our FMC, is a witch living in the human realm with her memories erased. But when she starts uncovering the truth, she realizes that pretty much everyone close to her has been lying to her… including the fact that she’s mated to four very hot vampires.
The tension in this book was SO good. I loved the possessiveness, the bonds, the chemistry, and the way the relationships started developing. There was also some really interesting worldbuilding that made me want to know more about the supernatural world Rae is a part of.
This isn’t quite four stars because I wish it was a bit longer but I still would recommend this book to my romantasy lovers.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced why choose romance with vampire kings, fated bonds, secrets, possessive men, and plenty of tension, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Ty Tessa for reaching out and offering an e-arc, alc and physical arc proof!
This was such a quick, addictive read that I flew through it. Rae, our FMC, is a witch living in the human realm with her memories erased. But when she starts uncovering the truth, she realizes that pretty much everyone close to her has been lying to her… including the fact that she’s mated to four very hot vampires.
The tension in this book was SO good. I loved the possessiveness, the bonds, the chemistry, and the way the relationships started developing. There was also some really interesting worldbuilding that made me want to know more about the supernatural world Rae is a part of.
This isn’t quite four stars because I wish it was a bit longer but I still would recommend this book to my romantasy lovers.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced why choose romance with vampire kings, fated bonds, secrets, possessive men, and plenty of tension, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Ty Tessa for reaching out and offering an e-arc, alc and physical arc proof!
September 9, 2026
I am UNWELL after that cliffhanger. How am I possibly supposed to wait for the next one ohmygod??
Rae is perfect and wonderful and only deserves good things and honestly all the men in her life need to stop telling her what to do because she's a baddie and so much more powerful than them I TRULY hope she puts them in their place. Except Kian he's wonderful and I love him too 🥰
So much happened in this book I can't even imagine where it's going to go especially because, I say again, THE ENDING. But the slow burn?? The yearning?? The four fated mates?? Yes please 🙂↕️
Rae is perfect and wonderful and only deserves good things and honestly all the men in her life need to stop telling her what to do because she's a baddie and so much more powerful than them I TRULY hope she puts them in their place. Except Kian he's wonderful and I love him too 🥰
So much happened in this book I can't even imagine where it's going to go especially because, I say again, THE ENDING. But the slow burn?? The yearning?? The four fated mates?? Yes please 🙂↕️
August 24, 2026
3 ⭐️
4 ⭐️ audio
Thank you must love audio for the advanced listeners copy, in exchange for an honest review.
We first met Rhys in Crescent Kingdom, and I was interested to see where his story would go as the main character and in a why choose setting.
The audiobook was stacked and the narration was excellent. Honestly, that was the strongest part of this experience for me, because the storyline itself was pretty boring.
I’m starting to feel like Tessa has a formula for her books, and once you recognize it, you can see the script playing out before you. There just wasn’t much here that surprised me or kept me invested.
Also, I have questions. The men are out here fighting with staffs, the women are dressed in ancient garb… but the kingdom has cameras? I’m sorry, what exactly is the technological timeline here?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the audiobook and narration.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the actual story.
Overall, a mid-3 for me. I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series. I feel like I can already predict exactly where this is going based off her past work.
4 ⭐️ audio
Thank you must love audio for the advanced listeners copy, in exchange for an honest review.
We first met Rhys in Crescent Kingdom, and I was interested to see where his story would go as the main character and in a why choose setting.
The audiobook was stacked and the narration was excellent. Honestly, that was the strongest part of this experience for me, because the storyline itself was pretty boring.
I’m starting to feel like Tessa has a formula for her books, and once you recognize it, you can see the script playing out before you. There just wasn’t much here that surprised me or kept me invested.
Also, I have questions. The men are out here fighting with staffs, the women are dressed in ancient garb… but the kingdom has cameras? I’m sorry, what exactly is the technological timeline here?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the audiobook and narration.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the actual story.
Overall, a mid-3 for me. I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series. I feel like I can already predict exactly where this is going based off her past work.
September 3, 2026
Audio review 🎧
Solid 4.5 stars!
After Rhys's cameo in the last book of the Wolves of Crescent Creek series, I was super excited to learn more about his backstory. And boy did Tessa Hale not disappoint! What a fun, action-packed start to a trilogy.
I had a great time getting to know this new cast of characters, and the full cast audiobook really brought out each of their individual eccentricities and quirks. Each voice felt super distinct and the narrators did a great job embodying their characters fully. I wasn't familiar with Anthony Palmini's game before this, but he did so well with Kian that I will definitely be paying attention now 👀
This does end on a cliffhanger (standard procedure if you know Tessa's style) but I can't wait to see where this trilogy goes next!
Solid 4.5 stars!
After Rhys's cameo in the last book of the Wolves of Crescent Creek series, I was super excited to learn more about his backstory. And boy did Tessa Hale not disappoint! What a fun, action-packed start to a trilogy.
I had a great time getting to know this new cast of characters, and the full cast audiobook really brought out each of their individual eccentricities and quirks. Each voice felt super distinct and the narrators did a great job embodying their characters fully. I wasn't familiar with Anthony Palmini's game before this, but he did so well with Kian that I will definitely be paying attention now 👀
This does end on a cliffhanger (standard procedure if you know Tessa's style) but I can't wait to see where this trilogy goes next!
September 4, 2026
*spanish + english review*:
Tengo que decir que este libro me sorprendió. Fui completamente a ciegas y la pasé demasiado bien. Al comienzo me sentía con los vibes de Vampire Diaries así que fue un insta hooked para mi. Es un libro que es más enfocado en el desarrollo de conexiones entre los personajes porque nuestra FMC tiene 4 fated mates🙈😜🤣. Aún tenemos muchas preguntas e interrogantes de la historia por lo cual estoy bien motivada a continuar la serie cuando salgan los próximos libros.
Also ese final, NECESITO SABER QUE ESTÁ PASANDO.
Y aunque es un why choose mi machito es Rhys🖤
Tropes / Vibes:
🧛 Vampires
🧛 Why Choose
🧛 Touch Her and Die
🧛 Fated Mates
🧛 Witches
¿Lo recomiendo?
SI! Pienso que si te gustan los vampiros y el romance te va a gustar, entretiene y es fácil de leer. Este es el primer libro de lo que será una trilogía.
Gracias a Bloom Books y NetGalley por este ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
_______________
ENGLISH:
I have to say, this book surprised me! I went in completely blind and had such a freaking good time. At the beginning, I was getting Vampire Diaries vibes, so I was instantly hooked.
This book is definitely more focused on developing the connections between the characters, especially since our FMC has 4 fated mates 🙈😜🤣. We still have A LOT of questions and things we need answers to, which honestly has me pretty motivated to continue the series when the next books come out.
Also… THAT ENDING?!? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. 😭
And even though this is a why choose, my man is Rhys 🖤
Tropes / Vibes:
🧛 Vampires 🧛 Why Choose
🧛 Touch Her and Die
🧛 Fated Mates
🧛 Witches
Would I recommend it?
YES! If you’re into vampires and romance, I think you’ll have a good time with this one. It’s entertaining, easy to read, and definitely leaves you wanting more. This is the first book in what will be a trilogy.
Thanks to Bloom Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tengo que decir que este libro me sorprendió. Fui completamente a ciegas y la pasé demasiado bien. Al comienzo me sentía con los vibes de Vampire Diaries así que fue un insta hooked para mi. Es un libro que es más enfocado en el desarrollo de conexiones entre los personajes porque nuestra FMC tiene 4 fated mates🙈😜🤣. Aún tenemos muchas preguntas e interrogantes de la historia por lo cual estoy bien motivada a continuar la serie cuando salgan los próximos libros.
Also ese final, NECESITO SABER QUE ESTÁ PASANDO.
Y aunque es un why choose mi machito es Rhys🖤
Tropes / Vibes:
🧛 Vampires
🧛 Why Choose
🧛 Touch Her and Die
🧛 Fated Mates
🧛 Witches
¿Lo recomiendo?
SI! Pienso que si te gustan los vampiros y el romance te va a gustar, entretiene y es fácil de leer. Este es el primer libro de lo que será una trilogía.
Gracias a Bloom Books y NetGalley por este ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta.
_______________
ENGLISH:
I have to say, this book surprised me! I went in completely blind and had such a freaking good time. At the beginning, I was getting Vampire Diaries vibes, so I was instantly hooked.
This book is definitely more focused on developing the connections between the characters, especially since our FMC has 4 fated mates 🙈😜🤣. We still have A LOT of questions and things we need answers to, which honestly has me pretty motivated to continue the series when the next books come out.
Also… THAT ENDING?!? I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. 😭
And even though this is a why choose, my man is Rhys 🖤
Tropes / Vibes:
🧛 Vampires 🧛 Why Choose
🧛 Touch Her and Die
🧛 Fated Mates
🧛 Witches
Would I recommend it?
YES! If you’re into vampires and romance, I think you’ll have a good time with this one. It’s entertaining, easy to read, and definitely leaves you wanting more. This is the first book in what will be a trilogy.
Thanks to Bloom Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2026
First of all, a huge thank you to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book ahead of its September 1st release!
This was such an interesting read, and it honestly hooked me from the very beginning. This was actually my first time reading a Why Choose romance, so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect going into it, but I ended up really enjoying the dynamic between the FMC and the four vampires.
I especially liked the premise of her living in the mortal world without truly belonging there, while these vampires are searching for her and trying to bring her back to the world she actually comes from. The different kingdoms, powers, vampire dynamics, and overall world definitely made me curious to learn more.
Since this feels very much like the introduction to a larger series, I understand that there is still a lot left to explore. That being said, I do think some parts felt a little rushed. I would have happily read another 50–100 pages if it meant getting more world-building, more explanation of the different powers and kingdoms, and more time to develop the relationships between the FMC and each of the vampires individually.
I also really want to see more from our FMC moving forward. Now that she has returned to her world and is beginning to understand who she really is, I’m hoping we get to see a stronger, more confident, and slightly more badass version of her in the next book.
And THAT ENDING?! 👀 It definitely leaves us with a small cliffhanger because I genuinely have questions about who was involved, what exactly happened, and what it means for the story moving forward.
Overall, this was a fun and intriguing introduction to the world and series. There are definitely aspects I wish had been explored in more detail, but the story kept me interested enough that I absolutely want to know what happens next.
Definitely curious about book two! 🧛🏻♂️✨
Rating: 4 ⭐️
This was such an interesting read, and it honestly hooked me from the very beginning. This was actually my first time reading a Why Choose romance, so I wasn’t completely sure what to expect going into it, but I ended up really enjoying the dynamic between the FMC and the four vampires.
I especially liked the premise of her living in the mortal world without truly belonging there, while these vampires are searching for her and trying to bring her back to the world she actually comes from. The different kingdoms, powers, vampire dynamics, and overall world definitely made me curious to learn more.
Since this feels very much like the introduction to a larger series, I understand that there is still a lot left to explore. That being said, I do think some parts felt a little rushed. I would have happily read another 50–100 pages if it meant getting more world-building, more explanation of the different powers and kingdoms, and more time to develop the relationships between the FMC and each of the vampires individually.
I also really want to see more from our FMC moving forward. Now that she has returned to her world and is beginning to understand who she really is, I’m hoping we get to see a stronger, more confident, and slightly more badass version of her in the next book.
And THAT ENDING?! 👀 It definitely leaves us with a small cliffhanger because I genuinely have questions about who was involved, what exactly happened, and what it means for the story moving forward.
Overall, this was a fun and intriguing introduction to the world and series. There are definitely aspects I wish had been explored in more detail, but the story kept me interested enough that I absolutely want to know what happens next.
Definitely curious about book two! 🧛🏻♂️✨
Rating: 4 ⭐️
September 17, 2026
Babes… I am OBSESSED.🫠🩸
Witches? Vampires?
Four dangerously powerful vampire kings?
Fated bonds? Enemies by history?
Then a heroine discovering she has been hiding an entire magical identity…..👀
SIGN. ME. UP. 🤌🏾🔥
Rae has been living a quiet life in the human world completely unaware of just how much power is buried inside her. Then the bindings start breaking and she’s thrown into a world of vampire royalty, witches, demons, ancient magic + secrets and four men who have very complicated feelings about being fated to HER. 👀
BABES. THE MEN. 🫠
We get four very different personalities. There’s the one who would seemingly rather kill her than admit he wants her, the childhood friend who has that softer connection with her, the cold and cruel king who had me VERY curious, and then there’s the Feral King…
Rhys….yeah that’s my babe😈. Love them all but Tessa knew what she was doing gifting me his copy🤌🏾🔥🔥
Rae’s relationship with Kyrie brought some much needed warmth to all the political drama, danger, and who the hell can I trust energy surrounding her.
And this freaking WORLD.👏🏾
We seriously have it all babes🤌🏾🔥. Vampires, witches, demons, fated bonds… there is SO much happening. But it was so much fun discovering it alongside Rae.
But that ENDING
THAT CLIFFHANGER.
If you're craving a why choose paranormal romance with vampires, witches, fated mates and a heroine who is NOT afraid to give these terrifying vampire kings some attitude…
🩸 ADD. THIS. TO. THE. TBR. 🩸
Witches? Vampires?
Four dangerously powerful vampire kings?
Fated bonds? Enemies by history?
Then a heroine discovering she has been hiding an entire magical identity…..👀
SIGN. ME. UP. 🤌🏾🔥
Rae has been living a quiet life in the human world completely unaware of just how much power is buried inside her. Then the bindings start breaking and she’s thrown into a world of vampire royalty, witches, demons, ancient magic + secrets and four men who have very complicated feelings about being fated to HER. 👀
BABES. THE MEN. 🫠
We get four very different personalities. There’s the one who would seemingly rather kill her than admit he wants her, the childhood friend who has that softer connection with her, the cold and cruel king who had me VERY curious, and then there’s the Feral King…
Rhys….yeah that’s my babe😈. Love them all but Tessa knew what she was doing gifting me his copy🤌🏾🔥🔥
Rae’s relationship with Kyrie brought some much needed warmth to all the political drama, danger, and who the hell can I trust energy surrounding her.
And this freaking WORLD.👏🏾
We seriously have it all babes🤌🏾🔥. Vampires, witches, demons, fated bonds… there is SO much happening. But it was so much fun discovering it alongside Rae.
But that ENDING
THAT CLIFFHANGER.
If you're craving a why choose paranormal romance with vampires, witches, fated mates and a heroine who is NOT afraid to give these terrifying vampire kings some attitude…
🩸 ADD. THIS. TO. THE. TBR. 🩸
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