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Shadow and Moon #1
Shadowed
Sixteen-year-old Henley Abbott is just trying to make it through high school in the small town of Edison, Washington where she has lived her entire life. Constantly feeling alone, she’s surprised when she finds herself intrigued by the new boy in town, Cohen Davenport. With the entire town talking about the new and secretive family, Henley refuses to join in on the rumors swirling about them and attempts to keep her distance. However, as Cohen becomes intrigued by Henley, the pair seems to find a spark in a kindling friendship. As the intensity of their relationship builds, Henley discovers a dark secret plaguing Cohen and his elusive family. He reveals a twisted past that has kept his family on the run...for decades. Cohen should keep his distance. It is too dangerous to bring Henley into his life, but he can’t stay away from her. And, Henley doesn’t want him to. As Henley overcomes her own fears and trepidations, she finds herself engrossed in a battle that could destroy them both. Only their connection could help them all survive. Intensely romantic and extremely thrilling, this novel will pull readers in from the very first page.
350 pages
First published January 2, 2020
About the author
Michelle Areaux
46 books221 followersMichelle Areaux is a wife, mother, and seventh grade Language Arts teacher.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky and a Master’s degree in Literacy from Asbury University.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky and a Master’s degree in Literacy from Asbury University.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 7, 2020
ARC provided by Kingston Publishing Company, Michelle Areaux, and XpressoTours. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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01-07: The synopsis for 'Shadowed,' first in a new series by author Michelle Areaux, boasts that "fans of Twilight, The Guardian Series, and the Marked Saga will instantly fall in love with this new paranormal series." What it doesn't tell you, is that in spots it's practically just the same story with a few tweaks to details.
Henley, our main character is the same 'quiet, awkward outcast,' we saw in Bella. Her gorgeous new neighbor/school mate, the same wickedly attractive, yet emotionally conflicted recluse. He has a matching brother-sister combo rather than a full set of four, but the personalities are represented. There's the darkly dangerous one of their own kind and the entire family hiding a secret.. which by the way, is called something else, but may as well be the same. They even still have some sparkle, you'll see what I mean.
Honestly, before I decided the lines were too close not to practically be considered a rewrite, a moment that occurs outside the school which shot my brows upward. It had me thinking it's quite literally.. nearly the same scene as one between Edward and Bella. Now, since I'd half-read that Twilight novel, I had to look it up to see if I was mis-remembering.. but no. It's there.
There's a constant swing happening between present and past tense verbiage, even within the same sentences. Sometimes it'll occur three times back to back. As the copy I received was an unedited ARC, it's entirely possible that such things will be cleaned up, but in my experience those are not the kinds of issues that change. Here's hoping.
"I stood there frozen in place; my breathing slows as I anxiously waited.."
Her dialogue is stiff, like she's trying to craft every sentence with perfect grammar.. and has no idea how actual conversations might sound. Likewise, these kids talk like they're out of the 80's.. accusing others of treating them like 'scum.' I can't recall the last time I heard a teen use that word. And please, for the love of all that is good in the world.. stop repeating the same things back to back, just to fill space.
"It was cool," I rambled on.
"That's cool," Cohen said coolly.
Really?
"..I decided to go for a run. Sometimes when I needed to clear my head or just think, I would lace up my sneakers and go for a long run."
Yep.
We know.
You said that. And that kind of thing happens all throughout the book.
It's not the worst thing I've ever read. And that's the best thing I can say about it.
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01-06: I'm hopeful this will be good. I'm a sucker for taglines like 'dark secrets' and 'twisted past'.. especially when it leads to something like keeping an entire family on the run and a character trying to keep another one at arm's length for their own good.
But I always worry about things set in my home state, as they're often full of misconceptions and written by people who've either never been here at all, or lived here only briefly with no real experience with the area.
For years now, I've had to explain over and over to people that the weather and general atmosphere in 'Twilight,' isn't even 100% consistent for Forks.. let alone the rest of the state.
January 3, 2020
Henley Abbott is a sixteen year old girl who knows she doesn't fit in with the kids in school and she accepts that. When new neighbor Cohen Davenport moves next door she is intrigued but thee is something odd about his secretive family. Everyone is talking about the family but Cohen doesn't bother getting pulled into it and Cohen finds himself intrigued by Cohen. Secrets come out and Henley has to decide if she is willing to stand by Cohen's side because these secrets could destroy everything.
This was a bit of a surprise. I knew there was a paranormal element but did not expect what it turned out to be. Reminded me a bit of twilight but without as much angst. Story pulls you in right away and you can read it in one sitting. Great story, look forward to more from this author.
This was a bit of a surprise. I knew there was a paranormal element but did not expect what it turned out to be. Reminded me a bit of twilight but without as much angst. Story pulls you in right away and you can read it in one sitting. Great story, look forward to more from this author.
February 1, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout. I have become a fan of Michelle Areaux over the last year and have always enjoyed her stories. This time though I struggled, and for many reasons. One of those could be I read a copy not fully edited. I found discrepancies in what was going on, such as one sentence being at Henley’s house next being at Cohen’s house. I had also noticed redundancy several times.
When mysterious neighbors move into the neighborhood the entire town sets afire with rumors. Henley is drawn to the dark and handsome boy that moved next door, sends mixed signals of interest and indifference. I had moments where I had to make sure we were not back in Forks, and thank goodness Cohen and his family didn’t sparkle.
This story had potential to be so much more, and it fell flat.
With hope the final edit has fixed many of the discrepancies and redundant lines. I’m tempted to pick a copy up just to see, if I do I will edit my review.
Will I read book two? That I’m very unsure on, part of me likes to give a series a second chance , but this time I’m not exactly hungry for more.
When mysterious neighbors move into the neighborhood the entire town sets afire with rumors. Henley is drawn to the dark and handsome boy that moved next door, sends mixed signals of interest and indifference. I had moments where I had to make sure we were not back in Forks, and thank goodness Cohen and his family didn’t sparkle.
This story had potential to be so much more, and it fell flat.
With hope the final edit has fixed many of the discrepancies and redundant lines. I’m tempted to pick a copy up just to see, if I do I will edit my review.
Will I read book two? That I’m very unsure on, part of me likes to give a series a second chance , but this time I’m not exactly hungry for more.
January 2, 2020
I am so excited for this series! This first book in it had me captivated from the start. Henley is an outcast. Her only friend is Amy and they are fine being on the outside. Then Cohen and his odd family move in next store and Henley can't ignore her fascination with them. Cohen seems to be captivated by her too. They have a rocky start to their friendship but soon they discover how compatible they really are. The crushes they have on each other can't be ignored. Then Cohen drops a truth bomb on Henley and Amy about his family and why they seem so odd. Cohen is taking a chance on trusting them. Soon there are people after them and conspiracies coming to light in the small town in Washington. I loved this book! The mystery and suspense of everything was addicting. I totally didn't expect the truth to be what it was. It's totally unique! This is a great start to what I know will be an awesome young adult paranormal series. I can't suggest this book enough. I am eagerly waiting for more!
January 9, 2020
Across the street from where Henley lives new neighbors have arrived. In the town where she lives, with only 130 residents, that is an oddity. A family with 2 boys and a girl. As soon as Henley drops her eye on Cohen, she feels warm and confused. Who is this boy? What is his story? One moment he seems to seek contact, the other time he keeps his distance. How should she handle that. Then he tells the story of his father and why the family has moved so often. With the knowledge of this story come the dangerous situations in which Henley ends up. But despite all the dangers she cannot deny it ..... she has fallen in love with Cohen.
The world that the writer presents ..... it could just be true .....
A sweet story in which 2 young people, who are not fully accepted in their society, find their way to each other
Recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The world that the writer presents ..... it could just be true .....
A sweet story in which 2 young people, who are not fully accepted in their society, find their way to each other
Recommended
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 4, 2020
This book is about Henley a sixteen year old girl who is so used to be an outcast, she only had one friend and that was Amy. But then Cohen moved in across from her home and she couldn't help but to feel connected to him even if it meant putting her own life in danger.
The book begin with a lot of similarities to twilight, in face the author mentions twilight in the first few pages. This made me want to put the book down, I didn't wanted to read a book like twilight but instead I decided to give it a chance, I'm glad I did too. I wasn't expecting the type of paranormal creature him and his family were. it was a shocker but one that made the story so interesting. I definitely would recommend this book to other readers/lover of paranormal books , romance. I look forward to read the next book of this series. :)
The book begin with a lot of similarities to twilight, in face the author mentions twilight in the first few pages. This made me want to put the book down, I didn't wanted to read a book like twilight but instead I decided to give it a chance, I'm glad I did too. I wasn't expecting the type of paranormal creature him and his family were. it was a shocker but one that made the story so interesting. I definitely would recommend this book to other readers/lover of paranormal books , romance. I look forward to read the next book of this series. :)
January 12, 2020
I know I always say that I love whatever type of book I have read but it's true and I love Paranormal romances. I did the blitz on Shadowed and decided it sounded so good and so intriguing that when Michelle offered me a copy, I could not turn it down!
Now, it turned out that it wasn't exactly what I expected with some characters I didn't care for but overall, I enjoyed the read. I cannot say which characters I didn't care for as that would be a spoiler but it kept me entertained throughout. It was a quick read and had a unique spin on some Paranormal characters you don't usually see in this manner. If you love Paranormal YA reads and are looking for something unique, give it a go!
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Michelle Areaux and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Now, it turned out that it wasn't exactly what I expected with some characters I didn't care for but overall, I enjoyed the read. I cannot say which characters I didn't care for as that would be a spoiler but it kept me entertained throughout. It was a quick read and had a unique spin on some Paranormal characters you don't usually see in this manner. If you love Paranormal YA reads and are looking for something unique, give it a go!
3⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Michelle Areaux and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
January 2, 2020
Paranormal romances are my catnip, I freaking love them, doesn't matter what they are about, I love reading ALL of the stories. Shadowed is a bit different. It was entertaining, so I definitely recommend checking it out, but I probably won't be checking out the 2nd book in the series because it was just a bit too weird for me. I wasn't completely bought in by the story and characters and what makes Cohen's family a bit different.
Overall, if you are looking for a quick YA paranormal read with a unique spin, Shadowed is worth the consideration! I give it a 3 outta 5 stars.
PS: Thank you to Michelle Areaux and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
Overall, if you are looking for a quick YA paranormal read with a unique spin, Shadowed is worth the consideration! I give it a 3 outta 5 stars.
PS: Thank you to Michelle Areaux and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
January 10, 2020
I hate having to give less than positive reviews, but this one was really difficult. I was reading an unedited ARC, so some things may get resolved before release.
The bad: Tense flips back and forth constantly and is very distracting. Dialogue is stilted and unnatural. There's a lot of storytelling that isn't actually telling anything. There are parts that are frighteningly close to Twilight for my comfort. Some find it romantic, but a boy / man who has been around for 50+ years falling for a 16 year old makes me really uncomfortable. Her parents also leave her alone A LOT.
The good: The idea is reasonable - I'd love a good zombie story! Execution could use some help.
Can't recommend at this time. Maybe with some edits.
The bad: Tense flips back and forth constantly and is very distracting. Dialogue is stilted and unnatural. There's a lot of storytelling that isn't actually telling anything. There are parts that are frighteningly close to Twilight for my comfort. Some find it romantic, but a boy / man who has been around for 50+ years falling for a 16 year old makes me really uncomfortable. Her parents also leave her alone A LOT.
The good: The idea is reasonable - I'd love a good zombie story! Execution could use some help.
Can't recommend at this time. Maybe with some edits.
January 8, 2020
The small town of Edison, Washington, will never be the same after the new neighbors move in.
What if the government made a mistake years ago and are trying to cover it up by experimenting and killing innocent people?
To my mom, I should dress more like the popular kids at school. But to me, well, I have already accepted my fate as the school loser. I just wish she would come to terms with the idea, too.
Henley couldn’t wait to leave Edison. She and her best friend, Amy, have always been outsiders in their high school and plan to go to college far, far away from their hometown until Cohen arrives. He’s handsome, mysterious, kind, and has a dark secret.
Cohen’s family is hiding a secret and they are in danger so when he falls for Henley she is not safe either. Will he stay in Edison or move to a new location?
The story has an old, familiar plotline with girl falling for mysterious new boy in town who has a dark secret so I was hoping to read something new and unique that would grab me, but it fell short. The novel had a fine beginning, but it soon became predictable and hurried.
Overall, Cohen’s family secret is notable and unusual and I have high hopes for book 2 of the series.
Thank you to Ms. Areaux for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
What if the government made a mistake years ago and are trying to cover it up by experimenting and killing innocent people?
To my mom, I should dress more like the popular kids at school. But to me, well, I have already accepted my fate as the school loser. I just wish she would come to terms with the idea, too.
Henley couldn’t wait to leave Edison. She and her best friend, Amy, have always been outsiders in their high school and plan to go to college far, far away from their hometown until Cohen arrives. He’s handsome, mysterious, kind, and has a dark secret.
Cohen’s family is hiding a secret and they are in danger so when he falls for Henley she is not safe either. Will he stay in Edison or move to a new location?
The story has an old, familiar plotline with girl falling for mysterious new boy in town who has a dark secret so I was hoping to read something new and unique that would grab me, but it fell short. The novel had a fine beginning, but it soon became predictable and hurried.
Overall, Cohen’s family secret is notable and unusual and I have high hopes for book 2 of the series.
Thank you to Ms. Areaux for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
January 5, 2020
After reading this book I had to take a little time to compose myself and get my thoughts clear in my head before I put them in a review.
Wow this book was amazingly written. Once I started I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. This book has twists and turns you don’t know what’s happening. will they all get there happily ever after or will it all go wrong. To find out what happens go buy the book. You won’t be disappointed I wasn’t.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow this book was amazingly written. Once I started I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. This book has twists and turns you don’t know what’s happening. will they all get there happily ever after or will it all go wrong. To find out what happens go buy the book. You won’t be disappointed I wasn’t.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 12, 2020
Wow, I did get into this story about Henley and Cohen. Henley has always lived in a small town. Cohen and his family just moved in and are the talk of the town. Henley has always been an outsider in her town, with only one friend. Cohen has never stayed in one place long and never really talked to others. They have something going on from the first moment their eyes meet. Can they come together? Will Cohen stay away to keep her safe? Who really are the Cohen family?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2020
I wanted to like Shadowed by Michelle Areaux. There are times I did like this book. The relationship between Henley and Cohen is romantic and cute. I love the backstory on Cohen.
Unfortunately I just kept running into too many similarities to Twilight (Dir. C. Hardwicke, 2008) the movie. I do not want to give away the book, but after the fifth event which runs parallel to the Twilight movie I was saying to myself, “Seriously?!”
The book is well-written. It reads quickly. My only problem with it, is that I felt like I was in a rerun of a movie.
Unfortunately I just kept running into too many similarities to Twilight (Dir. C. Hardwicke, 2008) the movie. I do not want to give away the book, but after the fifth event which runs parallel to the Twilight movie I was saying to myself, “Seriously?!”
The book is well-written. It reads quickly. My only problem with it, is that I felt like I was in a rerun of a movie.
February 1, 2020
A great start to this series. This is the first book in the Shadow and Moon series. The book pulls you right in from the start and keeps you there till the end. The story will take you on an adventure. The characters evolve well and the story flows well. I am looking forward to read the next book in this series.
I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2020
A quick and intriguing YA paranormal romance, with a unique twist. Although I enjoyed reading it, it felt like some parts needed more development. Still it was an entertaining read and I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2020
She is just a trainee and wants to go further but she has to prove herself first. She needs to go on a dangerous mission but she will soon become the Hunter rather than the hunter. Can she prove herself? Can she complete her mission? See if she can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 6, 2020
I thought this was a great book. I found the storyline well written and it drew me in from the beginning. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series. I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
January 11, 2020Good story with romance and suspense and mystery. The characters are well done and the story is involving.
February 1, 2020
What a thrilling read this book was. Totally gripping and superb storyline. The book kept me gripped from first to last page.
February 3, 2020
This is a first book for me by Michelle. This story is well written and has a pretty good cast of characters. I look forward to the next book!
February 12, 2020
Really good paranorma romance read, first book in series and I loved it, cant wait to read the next book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 16, 2020
Henley is a sixteen year old girl who knows she doesn't fit in. This is the first book from this author that I read. It was well written.
October 7, 2021
I loved this book. The characters and plot is interesting and keeps you reading to find out what happens next. Can't wait for book two
February 8, 2020
Shadowed: Book 1 in the Shadow and Moon Series by Michelle Areaux was such an awesome story that I have read. This is book is number one in this awesome start to a brand new series and I can not wait to read the next book. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romances.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews