Cover Image: Unforsaken

Unforsaken

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DNF 37%
It just did not work for me. The characters were boring...and espesially Tayla. I don`t know, it was too slow a start for me, with not much to grasp.

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Oh, snap! Can you say FREAKING AMAZING?! Because that’s what this book was!

It’s not often a debut author in this genre does as well as Cassie Laelyn, and I’m not gonna bore you all with repetitions of the plot and whatnot. Just know that the pace was fast and fascinating, the dialogues witty – just the way I like them -, and the tension between the characters – not to mention the steamy scenes – were exactly what the doctor ordered!

I loved almost all the characters – ok, let’s be honest, EJ was the best, but even so, they all did well in my list – and the interactions between them. Raven and Tayla were a great couple – and may I just say, that scene in his kitchen when he first got her to his house was…

Good God, I nearly died from the sexual tension right on the spot!

By the way, there’s something suspicious about River and Raine’s descend to Earth, I’m just sayin’…

Can’t wait to read more of this series! It’s sure to be a blast!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

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Such an amazing story! I was hanging on so many chapters of this book and have several late night reading sessions to find out what happened. They relationship between the two main characters was fateful and intense as they are tethered together in a way that neither of them really understand or can explain.

The full cast of characters bring about a lovely diversity of personalities and attributes that help carry along the plot of the story. But obviously the main focus is on our main couple and their struggles to be honest with each other about the things happening and also to open themselves up to Fate. Let things happen the way it needs to happen and quit fighting so hard to mold an outcome that you think is appropriate.

The underlying spiritual elements of Fate and Destiny in this story were big hooks for me and what kept me mentally engaged along with all the incredibly sexy scenes between our love interests. I've heavily promoted this story on my Instagram and look forward to reading the next installment!

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Every once in a while, I realize that I've locked myself into a reading rut. I stick with the same authors, genres and/or publishers without even realizing it. It's not exactly a comfort zone, I strayed away from that a long time ago. It's more like a force of habit. I have to consciously do a different search when I'm looking for ARCs or new reads. It was during one of those searches that I found the second book in The Fallen Guardians series. On a whim, I checked out the publisher and found out that the first book was also available for review. So... here we are...

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I should probably mention that I'm very happy that I stumbled upon Cassie Lealyn's new series. The world building included a refreshing take on fallen angels with a mythological twist. Even though this was the first book in a new series and there was a lot of background to cover, it wasn't a distraction from Tayla and Raven. Raven's brothers, their connection to the woman he was sworn to protect and other forces just added to the story. The fact that Raven was "broken" and Tayla was the one person who could make him whole. The only problem was, she shouldn't have been.

This story had pretty much everything I love about PNR. The supporting characters were intriguing, not to mention witty. There was enough danger and mystery to keep the pages turning. The take on fallen angels was unique and the romance was both hot and sweet. Unforgotten is next and after meeting Aric in Unforsaken, I can't wait to read what happens next.

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Cassie Laelyn is a new author to me, but I thought I'd give her a try since I'm havi g a hard time finding quality sy-fi/paran romance books at the moment.

The storyline was ok. I didn't feel like this was anything that I've not read before. It was a basic team of fallen angels saving the world, not owe haven't seen before. There was the normal conflicted Hero and Heroine that had no idea until ¾ into the book.

For me this fell flat. I felt that there was missing bits, it was rushed and then just suddenly over. We were introduced to characters that sounded like they might be important, but not given a lot of information on them.

I won't rush out to get the next book, but I could see me picking it up on the cheap.

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This book was so much more than I expected. I love the world the author has created and the characters she has populated it with. Raven and Tayla and the rest of the characters are so well conceived they practically leap off the pages. The bad guy is even someone you want to know more about and maybe secretly root for. The tension builds and builds as the story unfolds. I'm totally hooked and can't wait to see what Fate has in store for everyone.

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New Author for me and first book in “The Fallen Guardians” Series. It was amazing, I couldn’t put it down. Just the kind of Paranormal Romance I’m into. Raven is Banished from the Heavens, is now Head Guardian and tasked with Protecting a Chosen by Fate. Tayla is a mortal who is running from the nightmares that plague her since she was attacked. She is Ravens to protect till she has fulfilled her path.
This book will not disappoint! Their story will melt your heart. Can’t wait forward to book 2!

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Hidden deep in the Snowy Mountains, lives a brotherhood of immortal Guardians, banished from the Heavens. After centuries of exile, Head Guardian Raven can taste Hell. One wrong move could destroy his soul. When Fate assigns him a female mortal to protect, his forbidden desire becomes a distraction he can't afford. Giving in to temptation risks plummeting into the fiery pits of Hell, dragging her along with him. Tayla Eason is on the run, escaping a horrific attack on her life. When she lands in the arms of the sexy, alluring man who saved her, the shadows of her past swiftly close in. But when Fate throws a twist, Tayla's forced to choose between saving Raven's soul or fleeing before the creatures strike again. In an ultimate test of love, the two must battle against the almighty Fate. But will it be enough to save them both?
This was a new series by a debut author, so I took it with a grain of salt and wasn’ t sure what to expect. I was very happy I tried it as the author did an excellent job with creating a new world with characters that I really liked. I read through it fairly quickly. I liked both main characters and look forward to reading the books of the side characters we were introduced to. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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*this book was given time in exchange for an honest review*
3-3.5 stars...
The first installment in the Fallen Guardians series gives us an outline of who/what/when. If you’re a fan a JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood..this had a similar vibe to me. Instead of Lessers, you have Fallen. Instead of Scribe Virgin, you have Fate. There were w lot of similarities, but that’s where it ended...it’s not the same caliber.
Raven, the Leader of the Guardians, has made a pact with Fate. He’s also tasked to watch over a Chosen (sound familiar?). Raven has been tasked to protect Chosens before, but there’s something different about Tayla. While trying to lead his team, he’s also trying to figure out this what this unique pull is towards Tayla..and what exactly Fate has in store for them.
Tayla resides alone, and was attending college. She encounters a Fallen, who almost kills her. This opens her work into the the Guardians and Fate.
She realizes someone is always following her, which leads to the introduction of Raven and his world.
Good story line, but I kept comparing it to BDB series due to all the similarities. I found the characters to but a bit cheesy, and Tayla was quite annoying.
There were some good key parts, and I’m not invested into the other characters-I just wish there was a bit more to it.

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Raven, an exiled Guardian, is tasked at protecting Tayla, a mortal who's path is important to Fate.

A good read about good vs. evil. Both Raven and Tayla act outside of their own best interests. The author delves into the world of your prescribed path as determined by Fate along with the concept of free will. Liked the interaction between the main characters, although Tayla acted rashly (and honestly, quite stupidly multiple times for someone who has been attacked). Nice set up to a series that I will continue to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This story was so awesome. It took me a but at first to get into it, (sometimes I hate too much info or background, I'm impatient), but when the story picked up, I couldn't put it down. At one point I actually hated Fate and the Angels. I cried so hard my heart hurt. Whenever I read a story that gives me such strong emotions, I know it's a gr8 story. I recommend this

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Great twist to the angel mythology. I'm looking forward to this series. Wonderful alpha characters that can carry their own stories. I can't wait.

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This book took me awhile to get into, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for me

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

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This is my first time reading Cassie Laelyn. I'm pleasantly surprised with how much I love this book!
Great debut book for Cassie Laelyn, a well delivered and promising first book. Unforsaken is the first in The Fallen Guardians series with engaging characters and an entertaining storyline, I enjoyed this story and will look to explore more in this series and by this author

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Overall I enjoyed Cassie Laelyn's Unforsaken story. Totally unique and intriguing plot. I liked how the story progressed and the romance.

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Out of this world PNR. If you enjoy books by Rebecca Zanetti and Alexandra Ivy. Then you need to pick up a copy of Unforsaken by Cassie Laelyn. This is the first title in The Fallen Guardian series. With captivating characters and a great plot. This new paranormal romance is sure to please any PNR fan. Unforsaken had a nice pace and loads of steamy romance. A wonderful debut to this series. I can’t wait for the second book.

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Fallen angels, brooding guardians... yep, gotta request the arc. And yay, I was granted the arc for Unforsaken. The story is a bit slow however, since this is the first in a new series. So Cassie Laelyn needs some time to describe how the guardians Raven, Aric and EJ live on earth to protect chosen ones to reach their destined fate. And all because Raven was punished by fate centuries ago.
And now he is feeling punished again, since he feels a forbidden attraction to his chosen one, Tayla. Since the tragic death of her parents, Tayla lives alone. And when she is being attacked, she feels vulnerable. But then a sexy and brooding man comes to the rescue. But why does he feel so familiar? And why does it feel like Tanya is forgetting something?
When the truth is revealed and Raven and Tanya give in to their mutual attraction, the story keeps twisting and turning. With the arrival of River and Raine, the story gets stranger and stranger. So... you'll end up with more questions than with what you started. But it is a nice ride! Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

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Discovering debut authors can be a great thing – and Cassie Laelyn is proof of that. When I stumbled across “Unforsaken” I directly felt compelled to read this book.

Let me throw my thoughts right out as they hit me …

Reading the plot I was reminded of something that resides in the neighborhood of the Immortal Guardians written by Dianne Duvall. And I was not wrong – while the author (and I confirmed that with her) did not know anything about this book series – she managed to create a series so different – yet so fitting for that genre.

If this imaginary world would be a town – Dianne Duvall’s Immortals would live on one side of the mountain while Cassie Leelyn’s Fallen Guardians would call the other side their home. And Ravens new best friends would probably be called Roland and Zach.

I loved the world she created even if it took me a while to get into it as you are thrown directly in the middle of it from the first page on. But hey – I had to start the Black Dagger Brotherhoods first book by JR Ward three times until I could finally make myself finish it – and that was just because the world was too complex to get into at the beginning. (I almost gave up and just went into it again because people kept telling me how good it was) SO – don’t give up on a book just because the complex new world takes a minute to get used to.

After I allowed the story to form pictures in my mind – it was easy – the plot unfolded and I loved what I read. The series has great potential and the secondary characters we were introduced to all have great prospects of becoming the next leads in further books. I especially hope a certain “Fallen” gets his book and it works out like I hope – if I am allowed to cross reference to Ms. Duvall again I would say one word “Bastien”.

The only thing stopping me to give 5 stars was that I had no heart stopping moment. If you follow my reviews, you know that my 5 Star Books all need to make me cry or laugh and Unforsaken left me hanging there. Not sure why as all the ingredients were present – my only suspicion is that I could not fully connect with Tayla.

While we heard a lot about Raven and his background / motivations and it made him falling for her believable. Tayla’s motivation and her falling for Raven felt like it was only based on his looks and I even thought she only felt sorry for him.

Do not misunderstand – this is a great storyline and beautiful developed especially for a debut – but I will remain true to myself – if it does not squeeze my heart , makes me tear up or laugh out loud – I can not give that last star.

On the other hand I have no doubt that the writing of this author will develop further during the course of the series and most probably already the next book in that series could hit that spot. There was not much missing and with further books the background of the series will deepen and leave more possibilities to the character development. But even if it doesn’t this series is worth exploring as other readers might totally feel different about my last Star issue.

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First let me state that I received an Advance Reader Copy, (ARC), but this in no way influences my review. I always leave an honest review. Also this author is new to me, but this won’t be the last book of hers I read.

OMG!!! This story was so awesome. It took me a but at first to get into it, (sometimes I hate too much info or background, I'm impatient), but when the story picked up, I couldn't put it down. At one point I actually hated Fate and the Angels. I cried so hard my heart hurt. Whenever I read a story that gives me such strong emotions, I know it's a gr8 story. I recommend this read 5 Thumbs up,

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The debut novel that's this good. Wow.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!
This was a gripping story that quickly had me completely engrossed.

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