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Haven

(Haven #1)

Mary Lindsey (Goodreads Author)

3.84 · Rating details · 656 ratings · 294 reviews

We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere, He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t ...more

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Hardcover, 371 pages

Published November 7th 2017 by Entangled: Teen

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Nov 07, 2017 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: publisher-arc

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Aaron "Rain" Ryland had to grow up tough to survive life on the streets in the city with his mother. Nicknamed Rain early on after his mother said that Rain was the dark cloud that followed her in life Rain never expected to amount to much or succeed in life. When Rain's mother passes away suddenly however Rain thinks he's been left all alone until a court orders him to head to the small town of New Wurzburg t "We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Aaron "Rain" Ryland had to grow up tough to survive life on the streets in the city with his mother. Nicknamed Rain early on after his mother said that Rain was the dark cloud that followed her in life Rain never expected to amount to much or succeed in life. When Rain's mother passes away suddenly however Rain thinks he's been left all alone until a court orders him to head to the small town of New Wurzburg to live with an aunt Rain never knew existed.

After arriving in New Wurzburg Rain finds himself drawn to a group of kids that seem to be on the outside of the rest of the students in school or more specifically Rain is drawn to Friederike Burkhart. There is just something different about Freddie, the tough as nails leader of the group of outsiders, that grabs Rain's attention. Freddie tries to warn Rain that danger surrounds her but Rain has never backed down from a challenge a day in his life and he's not about to start now but he never expected that a whole new world would be found in this little town.

Haven by Mary Lindsey is a young adult fantasy read that would best be described as a bit of Beauty and the Beast meets Twilight with a gender swapping tale that breaks all of the genre molds. Gone is the story featuring a weak female that needs to be saved replaced with a street smart and tough male lead that doesn't back down from anything.

The story begins a lot like Twilight in the fact that the main character gets sent to this supernatural town to live with an aunt that is a cop. But quickly a reader finds that Rain is nothing like the timid Bella and Freddie is nothing like the sparkly vampire in the fact that there is a beast lurking inside of her.

There was a whole hidden world to discover within the pages of Haven that was rather well done with giving the town it's own unique take of the tales that we have known. The town is full of Watchers and Weavers which are other names for what most would call werewolves and witches with mentions of the world containing vampires and zombies to add to the layers of world building. With all the rules of this unique world slowly built throughout the story it certainly became quite fascinating to learn about.

The plot within this book was also unique to those it's compared to in other ways beside the main character being a tough male lead. Once a reader is introduced to the dark world hiding in the small town the author also infused a murder mystery into the story along with the politics of this world. A lot of different unique supporting characters and details of the world are brought in to keep the pages turning until the very end.

When finished reading Haven I'd rate this one at 4.5 stars and it certainly became a book that I'd recommend checking out for the young adult fantasy fans. I would warn though that this does contain sexual situations so it may not be suitable for the younger readers.

I received an advance copy from the publisher.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress.... ...more

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Oct 25, 2017 Dianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, arc-read, dark-fantasy, suspense, ya-paranormal-romance, strong-female-characters, strong-male-characters, ya-mystery-thriller

Is Rain Ryland dark and dangerous or has life and the school of hard knocks never allowed him to fit in? After his mother’s death, he has the chance to start over, leaving the nightmares of the city behind and moving to a small town with the aunt he never met. Meeting his aunt the first time was a shock, but meeting Friederike Burkhart would become a life-changing event in more ways than he ever could imagine. Rain is about to enter the world of witchcraft and shapeshifters, it won’t make life a Is Rain Ryland dark and dangerous or has life and the school of hard knocks never allowed him to fit in? After his mother’s death, he has the chance to start over, leaving the nightmares of the city behind and moving to a small town with the aunt he never met. Meeting his aunt the first time was a shock, but meeting Friederike Burkhart would become a life-changing event in more ways than he ever could imagine. Rain is about to enter the world of witchcraft and shapeshifters, it won’t make life any easier, but it just may be a place where he finally belongs.

HAVEN by Mary Lindsey is breaking some young adult paranormal molds, and I mean shattering them! Forget what you thought you knew about the genre, because this time out, the damsel in distress is more than capable of taking care of herself, all she needs is a little support and the backing of her pack, until she meets Rain and finds he may be the missing link she has always felt.

Mary Lindsey has tossed out the rule book, turned tables on the genre and given us a young man who discovering a hidden world, and he is not afraid to stand up to the bullies who live in it. Actually, that chip on his shoulder that Rain came to New Wurzburg with is easily being whittled away, thanks to his aunt, the stories she tells and the desperate need for one young man to be something, beside a teen labeled as trouble. Feel the grit, the tension, and the turmoil as well as the longings that rage inside Rain as we see this tale from his eyes and his heart. Moments of sweetness, heartache and insecurity will pull on your heartstrings as one teen finds a girl he can are about and she becomes like the fuel to his fire of determination as he vows to stop at nothing to keep her safe when the paranormal world is against her.

Mary Lindsey has a fresh, fast-paced and tension-filled tale that is magnetic from start to finish!

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC edition from Entangled Publishing.

Publisher: Entangled: Teen (November 7, 2017)
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Genre: YA Paranormal Suspense
Print Length: 400 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Nov 21, 2017 destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries] rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya, review-copies, paranormal

We've all heard the Beauty and the Beast story in some format or another, but in Haven, Beauty is the beast. When Rain's mother passes away, he's taken in by his aunt in Haven, a small town with a big past and even bigger secrets. He thinks his life's finally going to get peaceful and quiet for once, until he falls for Freddie, a girl who's a lot scarier than she seems.

"I believe we all hide a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

I really wanted to love this bo ...more

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Apr 26, 2017 Victoria Scott rated it it was amazing

Lindsay writes a hero with kindling and gasoline. Then she lights a match with break-neck pacing, and scorches a path to readers' hearts. Don't blink for a moment. ...more

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May 09, 2018 Merphy Napier rated it it was ok

Shelves: retelling

Going into this, I didn't realize it was a supernatural romance - if you're not aware, it's good to know going in as I know that isn't the genre for everyone. I don't read a lot of supernatural romance and it was definitely a miss for me.

I think my biggest issue with this book was that everything happened too fast. We're thrown into a story and the characters are connected with each other upon first meeting, we're thrown into the plot from the very start, and the characters aren't given any time ...more

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Nov 14, 2017 Jen ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, romance, arcs, im-the-only-one-i-walk-alone, paranormal

***3.5/5 Stars***

Time had simply been a bookmark. Something that held his place while he waited to finish the story.

Haven was a paranormal tale that wove mystery and suspense throughout the pages. It definitely leaned heavily on the mystery side, and we started out just as clueless as Rain Ryland. When Rain arrived in the little town of New Wurzburg, to live with his Aunt Ruby, he realized that something felt off. And as Rain started school, met his Aunt's coworkers and even got a job, thing ***3.5/5 Stars***

Time had simply been a bookmark. Something that held his place while he waited to finish the story.

He’d never feared losing something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl, though. She was different. And he wanted her.

While I easily guessed what the paranormal element was, there was so much shrouded in mystery that I wasn't able to decipher. I loved being as lost as Rain sometimes, and I had fun trying to figure it all out right along with him! Rain was by far my favorite thing about this book. You know I'm a sucker for a tortured soul, and with his history of a hard life and being raised on the streets, it drew me right into him. Rain wasn't expecting much in this little town, but moving in with his Aunt Ruby was the new start he desperately needed. He slowly started to make connections, find hope and even some happiness. And I have a good feeling that a lot of people will fall in love Rain just as much as I did. He was intense, put his heart on the line and I loved that he jumped in feet first. His intentions proved again and again that he had a heart of gold, despite his hard past. And when Rain first met Friederike Burkhart, I loved how he saw her.

“So, you want me to listen to my instincts.”
“Yes.”
He reached out and pulled her to him by a belt loop on her jeans. Her eyes widened as she crashed into him. The contact with her long, muscular body made the blood roar in his ears and other places. “My instincts aren’t telling me to go home. They’re telling me to do this.” He took her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his.

I was so addicted to Rain, that I thought I'd easily love Freddie and their romance too. And while Freddie was intense, tough and struggled with her father's recent passing, I just couldn't connect to her. Which made me not connect to the insta-love romance either. But I still loved watching him fall in love with her. And I loved even more how Rain vowed to protect Freddie, when he learned that her life was on the line. Sigh, Rain was beyond amazing. I desperately wanted to love and be obsessed with everything that he was, yet I wasn't. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you connect to Freddie and the romance much better than I did!

Never had he been kissed like that— like the world revolved around that moment. And he wanted more. He wanted everything.

But I still had a lot of fun reading Haven despite my inability to connect to Freddie or the romance. So if you love stories that keep you guessing until the very end and have characters that will do anything to protect the ones they love, then definitely check this book out! After finishing Haven I picked up Shattered Souls by this author, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I completely connect with that duology!

“I’m not afraid of dying,” Rain said. “I’m afraid of dying for nothing.”
Looking up, Petra met his eyes directly, and it struck him again how large and nonhuman they looked. “You’ll make a difference. It’s not for nothing.”

PS I loved Petra! She's a girl who is hmmm yeah I'm not going to tell you that lol. But she was by far my favorite secondary character and I wish I got to spend more time with her!

*ARC kindly provided by Entangled:Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more of my reviews, please visit:

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Nov 12, 2017 Alyssa rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-releases

This book was excellent! I'm so glad Entangled introduced the book to me. I would have missed it and that would have been a shame (and I would have never known)!

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Haven by Mary Lindsey
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: November 7, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere, He’s us ...more

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Sep 29, 2017 Sabrina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, 2017

Checkout my full review on my blog! https://omgbooksandmorebooks.blogspot...

Also, checkout my interview with the author here! https://omgbooksandmorebooks.blogspot...

“We all hold a monster inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.”

Before I start my review, I have found a new OTP to add to my list of OTPs. Freddie and Rain.

This book takes on a unique perspective of Beauty and the Beast. Who says the guy always has to be the beast? I really enjoyed how fresh and unique this ...more

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Oct 27, 2017 Beth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: scifi, romance, netgalley, own, kindle, witches, magic, sex, young-adult, shifter

Rain is in for a few shocks. He had more family, outside his mother who recently passed away. That his aunt, his mother’s identical, twin wants custody of him. That he is overwhelming welcome back to his mother’s hometown, when he and his mother had been living homeless on the streets. And the biggest shock is his connection to an unusual girl that sits in the front of the class at his new school.

Rain’s meeting with Fred, Friederike, was life-changing. He immediately knew something was different ...more

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May 25, 2017 Mary Lindsey added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: young-adult, stand-alone, books-i-ve-written, shifters, witches

This book was so much fun to write. Huge hugs to all the readers who make it possible for me to do what I love the most. Thank you.

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Oct 20, 2017 Kristin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, ya, paranormal-romance, thriller

Haven is an amazing story that sort of reminded me of Twilight at the beginning. Rain is sent to live with his estranged aunt when his mother passes away. He's sent to this small rural town where he realizes that something isn't quite right. At his new school he notices that there is this one group of students who seem to be separated from the rest of the class. Something isn't right with them. Regardless, he finds himself captivated by one of them and pretty soon is immersed in their world. A w Haven is an amazing story that sort of reminded me of Twilight at the beginning. Rain is sent to live with his estranged aunt when his mother passes away. He's sent to this small rural town where he realizes that something isn't quite right. At his new school he notices that there is this one group of students who seem to be separated from the rest of the class. Something isn't right with them. Regardless, he finds himself captivated by one of them and pretty soon is immersed in their world. A world that is filled with magic and things that go bump in the night. Don't worry though, no one sparkles in this novel.

Haven was a book that I was aware of but didn't have any idea what it was about. So, I was really excited when I received a surprise box in the mail from the publisher with a copy of Haven inside. I immediately put down the book I was reading (I was only a chapter in anyways) and started reading Haven. I almost finished it in one sitting, too. The story the author created definitely has a way of pulling you in. There's so much mystery behind it because you have no idea what's going on. Why does Rain keep finding this girl naked and hiding from her cousins. Why is everyone acting so weird around him. And why is the local police officer giving him cryptic messages to stay away. So many things don't add up, except for the fact that you know that something isn't quite right and it all centers around the girl.

The fact that Rain had been living on the streets with him mother since birth gives him this edge. He's not afraid to stand his ground and fight. He's able to piece together things that he sees when it comes to his classmates and Freddie. He always managed to keep his cool even when everything took a nose dive into crazy territory. Where most people would have lost their minds and probably ended up dead or in a psych ward, Rain looked at it with a calculating gaze. I also liked that he was loyal to the core and would die for those he loved. So, when his aunt and Freddie are threatened, he takes it upon himself to rise up to the challenge. He didn't back down, he didn't cower, and he didn't turn tail and run. Rain may be one of my favorite characters.

I couldn't seem to put Haven down. It had mystery, thriller, romance, and fantasy. Basically, it was exactly what I was looking for in an October pre-halloween read. I'm not a huge fan of mystery, thriller, horror, or any other book you'd initially think of when you think of Hallween reads. However, this was so well balanced with my love of fantasy and romance that the "who done it" portions didn't bore me. I was so invested in what was really going on and who the crazy person was, as well as trying to figure out what Freddie was, that I just wanted to be left alone so that I would read it to the end. I'm so glad and appreciative that the publisher sent me a copy of this book because I would have missed out on an amazing story otherwise. ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 Stacee rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2017, netgalley, theyre-tattoos-not-ink-or-tats, title-in-the-story

I went into this book without knowing anything about it. I didn’t even read the synopsis.

I liked Rain and Freddie well enough. They’re both tough and struggling and yet, still fighting. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow and change. There were a lot of other characters and honestly, it was a bit too much for me to keep track of. There were a few stand outs: Merrick, Bridgette, and Petra, I’m looking at you.

Plot wise, it was a bit slow. Much like the overload of characters, it seemed like ...more

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Oct 24, 2017 chloe yeung ♡ rated it really liked it

Shelves: review-copy

I received an ARC from Rockstar Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review.

I remember hosting the cover reveal blitz for this book. All tour hosts were sent book excerpts. I read it and thought, THIS IS SO AMAZING and decided to request for an ARC of this. I love judging books by their covers - Haven has a really cool cover and that makes it even more appealing.

Anyway... here's what I think of this book - 400 pages? It didn't feel like 400 pages. I couldn't put THIS down. I was I received an ARC from Rockstar Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review.

I remember hosting the cover reveal blitz for this book. All tour hosts were sent book excerpts. I read it and thought, THIS IS SO AMAZING and decided to request for an ARC of this. I love judging books by their covers - Haven has a really cool cover and that makes it even more appealing.

Anyway... here's what I think of this book - 400 pages? It didn't feel like 400 pages. I couldn't put THIS down. I was so concentrated on my Kindle - it was as if we were having a staring contest. I think I finished this in two days because it was just so good and I couldn't stop reading it :)

This book = werewolves + wine + cruel people + a hot girl + ROMANCE. LOTS OF IT.

There is a little bit of graphic violence in the book, and I cringed so hard when reading parts with it. Still, I have to give credit to the author for writing such detailed and realistic scenes. It was as if I was seeing them with my own eyes.

I LOVE THE ROMANCE IN THIS BOOK. RAIN AND FREDDIE ARE SO PERFECT TOGETHER AND I LOVE IT WHEN THEY TRY TO PROTECT EACH OTHER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. THEY ARE SO SWEET and deserve to live happily ever after <3

There are also some really cold-blooded people in this story. They are so heartless and power-hungry and only care about themselves. They torture and even kill people when they become "useless". And that "slavery" part! It's so terrible! I am so grateful I don't live in New Wurzburg.

I feel so bad for Rain and Freddie. They don't deserve to be treated so badly by the evil people around them. At first, I disliked Freddie's cousins, because I thought they were douche bags, but at last they become super supportive and even risk their lives for her, so I changed my opinion.

Freddie is such a great character. She's effortlessly cool, and the shape-shifting part is just, AAHHH 😍. Horrible and life-threatening things keep happening to her and I just want to offer her ice cream + hugs + overflowing love. Same goes for Rain. He is a really wonderful boy and is willing to risk everyone for the people he loves, and it breaks my heart to read about the dreadful stuff that go on in his life all the time.

Rain is an orphan, and he has never experienced any love in his life until he goes to New Wurzburg to live with his aunt, Ruby. Ruby and Freddie offer him love, and when I got to the part where he realizes that he has got something to live for, and something to die for, my heart just melted. I highlighted the whole page on my Kindle. I want to read it over and over and over again. I love that warm feeling it gives me when I read it. ...more

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Oct 07, 2017 Danielle's rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-books-including-netgalley

Juicy enough to sink my teeth into it!

Haven is a mystery suspense novel which ideally you don't want to find out too much about it before you read it. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He and his mother have fluttered from place to place his whole life. Rain has learned to be tough to protect himself, and streetwise to survive. The world is hard and the dice rolls haven't been in his favour. His mother, unfortunately, has met a tragic end and Rain isn't ol ...more

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Sep 05, 2017 Brenda Drake rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I’m a sucker for a wounded bird type character and I completely fell in love with Rain! Lindsey creates an addictively dark world full of secrets and dangers, which caused me to hold my breath at the turn of each page, worrying what would come next. The characters were so well developed that I felt I knew each one personally, and many I wasn’t sure I could trust. From Rain and Freddie’s romance to the world building and magic to the creepy dark side of the characters, it was so intense that I co ...more

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Jun 23, 2017 Melissa (YA Book Shelf) added it

Definitely the freshest, most unique, and most well developed mythology around shifters that I've ever read. Add to that the great characters in Rain, Freddie, Grant, Petra, Ruby, and beyond (those are just my favorites), and you get a compelling story that'll keep you turning pages well past your bedtime. Can't wait to read more from Mary Lindsey! ...more

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Oct 12, 2017 Lisa Richards rated it it was amazing

This is probably one of the best YA Paranormals I've read this year. It's told from the rare male's POV, Rain's, which really adds a whole different layer to this story. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out what's going on but this one kept me guessing right up till the ending. Make sure you have nothing else going on before starting this because you will be unable to put it aside. At 400 pages, I flew through it and it left me wanting yet more. I loved the fierce Freddie and she didn't put u ...more

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Apr 17, 2017 Sandra Mather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When disaffected teen Rain Ryland's mother dies, he leaves his city life wrought with disconnection, homelessness, and fear to move in with his aunt in a small town. He believes he can finally have love, connection, and a place to belong. This electrifying tale will take you on Rain's unexpected journey into a secret world of witchcraft and shapeshifters.

Lindsey has done an excellent job with this. Her world-building skills are above par and the book is riveting. I want more!

I had read the ARC ...more

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Jul 26, 2018 madeline rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2018, nope-in-the-trash

all i can say is that this was ... a constant cringe.

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Oct 17, 2017 Erin Arkin rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017

I loved the cover of Haven by Mary Lindsey and when I read an excerpt of this book, I realized this book is one I needed to read. This tale that will have you wondering who really is the monster throughout the entire book and you won’t stop trying to figure out what is going on in New Wurzburg.

Rain Ryland hasn’t had an easy life. He and his mother have lived in shelters and on the street throughout his entire life so when his mother dies, and he finds out he has an aunt who will take him in, he I loved the cover of Haven by Mary Lindsey and when I read an excerpt of this book, I realized this book is one I needed to read. This tale that will have you wondering who really is the monster throughout the entire book and you won’t stop trying to figure out what is going on in New Wurzburg.

Rain Ryland hasn’t had an easy life. He and his mother have lived in shelters and on the street throughout his entire life so when his mother dies, and he finds out he has an aunt who will take him in, he is a bit surprised and a lot confused as to why his mother preferred to live that way as opposed to relying on family.

When Rain gets to New Wurzburg, he senses something different about the people and the town, but he has never really fit in anywhere, so he isn’t that surprised that he stands out here too. Rain is immediately drawn to Freddie and despite her doing her best to push him away, Freddie is also drawn to Rain. I thought the way the relationship was developed between these two characters was well done. Freddie does her best to keep Rain out of danger and her life but there are external factors at work that she just can’t stop.

I loved how Lindsey developed the characters in this book. Not only Rain and Freddie but also Grant, Petra, and Ruby. We get to learn everything that is going on right along with Rain and pieces of information come from every angle. I thought it was interesting how we get Ruby’s story which provided more information on why Rain’s mother made the decisions she did. I really loved how Ruby and Rain’s relationship developed and how they became family.

Freddie’s family was interesting to say the least. With a pack mentality, there were those that accepted her place and others that weren’t supportive. As she continues to search for the truth behind her father’s death, she is definitely not as secure in her leadership as she would hope. As we start to learn more about Freddie and her family as well as their relationship with the weavers, thing start to become clearer. Add to that the groups intentions for Rain and the pace and danger begin to pick up.

That’s about all I can say without ruining anything. Just know that Lindsey wrote a story that not only has well developed characters, but she built them around a paranormal story that had me unable to put the book down until I knew how things were going to end. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more from Lindsey in the future. If you are looking for a story that will have you turning the pages to see what happens, consider checking this one out.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 Kelly Lacey rated it it was amazing

Haven is the story about teenage shapeshifters in Texas USA. Automatically the comparison will be to books such as Twilight. The ingredients of the book are similar in many ways, shapeshifters, teen romance and adults in power etc but for me, Mary Lindsey created a world that drew me in. The core of the story is about self-worth and finding your place in the world.

Rain is a wonderful character and he will be relatable to many people, not just teenage boys. We have all at some point been an outsi ...more

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Nov 14, 2017 Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I went into this book with a little trepidation. Teen romance, werewolves, witches, pack mentality, men having issues with a woman coming into power.. yada yada yada. I was expecting the usual YA fluff that you get. But hell, I do have a deep love for this genre and was hoping it was done in a way that kept my interest. Well, I got that and a WHOLE LOT MORE!

The beginning was typical in itself - kid from the wrong side of the tracks gets taken in by his aunt. Goes to school, is the odd guy out (h ...more

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Jun 28, 2018 Misty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, reviewed, sister-picks

This book is a hidden gem! I can't believe it's not more popular. It's AMAZING! An absolute favorite! I can't wait to read it again!

This book could be considered either Young Adult or New Adult. It was amazing - so good! The story sucked you in from the very beginning. It had mystery, action, sexy romance, paranormal elements, and such amazing characters! It even had a really impressive theme of "hope and loyalty - of battling oppression and subjugation of those perceived as less." (That was a ...more

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Jan 18, 2017 Anna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: hot-ya

Holy crap that was awesome. I got to beta read Hide from Me and it's her best book yet. It's scary and intense and Rain is hot hot hot. ...more

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Nov 02, 2017 Tanya (Girl Plus Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, arc

Rain Ryland’s life has been spent living on the streets, in shelters and barely getting by with his mother. Her death brings a new start in a new town with an aunt he never knew existed. After surviving the tough city streets virtually on his own, life in the small town of New Wurzburg should be a breeze. But things aren’t what they seem in the insular little town and Rain quickly finds himself in the midst of life and death situations and secrets people would kill to keep hidden.

With the YA mar Rain Ryland’s life has been spent living on the streets, in shelters and barely getting by with his mother. Her death brings a new start in a new town with an aunt he never knew existed. After surviving the tough city streets virtually on his own, life in the small town of New Wurzburg should be a breeze. But things aren’t what they seem in the insular little town and Rain quickly finds himself in the midst of life and death situations and secrets people would kill to keep hidden.

With the YA market saturated with fantasy novels, I was thrilled to find that the paranormal genre is still alive and kicking in Mary Lindsey’s Haven. Not only that, but Haven is turning the usual tropes on their heads and providing a story that is new and fresh and utterly unputdownable. You’ll find no brooding guys who act like caveman or damsels in distress waiting to be saved. What you do get is a main character who is searching for his purpose and a place to belong and a girl who is strong and capable but in need of support (whether she’s willing to admit it or not).

Rain comes to New Wurzburg with a past that isn’t pretty. Living on the streets, an addict mother, and time spent in juvenile detention left Rain street-savvy and self-sufficient but also craving family, stability and a sense of belonging. While he has a taste of that with his aunt, it’s when he meets Freddie Burkhart at school that things seem to click into place. But his arrival have also set events in motion that he can’t possibly comprehend and he’s met with silence and evasiveness when he questions strange occurrences. The more Rain pushes for information the more immersed he becomes in the mysterious, and violent secret world churning just below the surface of everyday life. And eventually he’ll have to decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the life that’s within his reach.

I loved the world and the mythology that Mary Lindsey created in Haven. I was sucked right in from the very beginning and reveled in the sinister atmosphere. I was questioning every new occurrence and trying to develop theories of what could be going on. I was suspicious of practically every character and that only increased as the story progressed. I trusted no one! There was sketchy behavior, odd explanations, eyes always watching, veiled threats. The feeling of unease only grew and the intensity amped up until I was flipping pages at lightning speed, dying to know what would happen next. And I was never disappointed.

I realize I’m keeping things a bit vague, but believe me it’s better to go in to this one without knowing too much in advance. Lindsey kept the story moving at a breakneck pace with action and mystery, suspense and a little romance that all blended together perfectly. While I typically bemoan the fact that there are too few stand-alone novels being published, this is one book I would love see turned into a series. Haven is a mature YA paranormal that I highly recommend! ...more

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Oct 26, 2017 Angela Cuéllar rated it really liked it

Shelves: earc-netgalley-copy

pooled ink Reviews:

Haven is both a haven and a hell, filled with chilling secrets and too many mysteries drenched in blood. Teeming with werewolves and witches straining against each other and amongst themselves in a never-ending turf war, one long-forgotten stranger arrives just in time to become the answer for some and the bone between others.
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/11/03/haven/ ...more

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Jun 05, 2017 Cindy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc

I received an ARC of Hide from Me at BookCon. It's long at 400 pages, but reads fast. It's from a male point of view (Aaron/Rain) which really worked for me since the heroine (Freddie) and her cousins have so many secrets that I don't want to give away in a summary. There were lots of strong secondary characters (My favorite was Petra) which makes me hope there's a second book coming, though it appears to be a stand alone book. The world building is amazing. It's complex, but well-explained and ...more

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Nov 13, 2017 Rebekah added it

Shelves: 2017, dnf

no review or rating from me as I DNF the book.

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Nov 06, 2017 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite, mature-upper-young-adult, paranormal-romance, bad-boy, alpha-male, fantasy, romance, entangledteen

Mary Lindsey just brought back my love of YA Paranormal with this swoon-worthy shifter romance and amazing storyline. Not since Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls) has a shifter romance held me so captivated, gripped to such beautiful characters. What a fantastic story. Lindsey is no doubt a remarkably talented writer and storyteller.

I'm not going to give away any spoilers, as I want you, the reader, to experience the thrill I did in discovering Rain and Freddie's story, and their beautiful yet s ...more

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Sep 07, 2017 Lisa (lifeinlit) rated it really liked it

Shelves: finished-copy, 2017

I had no idea what to expect going into this one, and I ended up completely loving it! I hadn't read the synopsis, but when I received the book and saw the beautiful cover I decided to make it my next "blind" read. And what a great read it was! I was hooked from page 1 and thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were really unique, as was the story. I loved that this read as a contemporary, yet had a really fun paranormal/fantasy twist. This is definitely one I would recommend to readers t ...more

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Genres

Young Adult

64 users

Fantasy

56 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

50 users

Romance

30 users

Mystery

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Fiction

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Fantasy > Supernatural

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Romance > Paranormal Romance

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Shapeshifters > Werewolves

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Fantasy > Magic

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About Mary Lindsey

Mary Lindsey

964 followers

Mary Lindsey is a multi-award-winning, RITA nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her ever-patient husband, two cantankerous Cairn Terriers, and twenty-six bossy chickens.

Mary also writes under the pseudonym Marissa Clarke ...more

Other books in the series

Haven (2 books)

Books by Mary Lindsey

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Quotes from Haven

“We all hold a monster inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed.” — 8 likes

“He didn’t miss them. He didn’t miss any of his life, really, especially the last year. Time had simply been a bookmark. Something that held his place while he waited to finish the story.” — 4 likes

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