This was great. Samael is a reaper, and has been sent to a small town where his next target is. But he didn't expect for his target to be a beautiful, captivating woman. She's dealing with a dangerous stalker, and he can't help but look out for her.

When things take a turn for the worst, Sam realizes that he doesn't want to follow the rules, yet again, and in protecting Adrianne, he may have to give up everything he is. Swoony and spicy, looking forward to meeting the next brother!

Samael by N.J. Walters is a fast-paced, emotional paranormal romance that pulls you in from the start. Samael, an emotionless reaper, finds himself grounded—quite literally—by his father, Death. Banished to the small town of Redemption, he’s given a final chance to prove he still has empathy by reaping the soul of a woman named Adrianne. But what should be a simple task becomes the hardest assignment of his existence.

As Samael gets to know Adrianne, he finds himself torn between duty and desire, struggling with the knowledge that her time is almost up. The story offers a compelling perspective on how our choices not only shape our own lives but also deeply affect those around us.

This book has everything I enjoy in a romance: a fast burn, open-door heat, and a plot that goes beyond just the romance. The emotional tension and high stakes made it hard to put down. If you’re a fan of supernatural love stories with heart and heat, Samael is definitely worth the read. I’m excited to dive into more books by N.J. Walters!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing for this ARC!

This book is a 3.5 stars for me. I liked the book overall and the end was actioned packed. I was on to something of who the stalker would be but also wasn't so predictable that I knew exactly who, and in the end my guess was half correct. Personally, with stories like this I do not love a predictable 'this is who my stalker was' so the fact it was not easily pointed out or guessed made it that much better. I also think the relationship between these characters is pretty cute and watching the MMC character fall in love was adorable.
I think the story is a little tough because its a third person POV, which is not what many people are used to, including myself. I also think the book at times felt very disconnected emotionally, but I also have to remember that our MMC was emotionally disconnected from the world, so of course he would give off those vibes and the reader would feel those. Ultimately making that well done, just more of something to be aware of when choosing this book. The one thing about this book that I didn't like for this situation was the fact of how easily trusting our FMC was given her stalker situation. As a woman myself who once lived in a small town and then moved to a bigger city, I just cannot imagine being able to trust someone you just met days ago to stay in your house and end up ultimately doing other things. That part of the story was a little bothersome because to me it did not make much sense for how always concerned she seemed to be.
I did overall like the story and this would be a book that I would wait to read a second book for to see how the story continues and what happens next.

Samael was enjoyable to read and a nice combination of thriller, romance and fantasy/paranormal components. Samael is a Reaper that was banished to Redemption by Death with the goal of learning compassion but instead he found the love of his immortal life. He isn’t supposed to interfere with the FMC’s impending death but finds himself falling more in love with her each day as he tries to support/protect her from her stalker.

What I liked: I enjoyed the Reaper/Death storyline and that the FMC was a kind, selfless, loving person and not insufferable like many FMCs that are faced with similar situations that she experiences. Chester is perfect.

What I didn’t like: the book is written in 3rd person and I’m not a fan. I’d much prefer 1st person POV. I kept wanting more “thrill” and was waiting for some shocking twist to happen. It didn’t but I still enjoyed the story. Some of the banter seemed like fluff but the relationship was cute/sweet enough.

Overall I do look forward to reading more from this author.

A big thanks to Entangled Publishing for letting me read an eARC of this book!

I wanted this to be something that it wasn't. I was thinking this would be a lot less mundane. I was only able to get through 14%. The synopsis sounded up my alley but the story was giving me more of a trendy drama series type of vibe.

I'm betting this isn't an awful read, especially if you like a stalker/mystery/romance vibe. It just isn't for me.

I was really intrigued by the premise of the story. A reaper, son of the grim reaper cast away to a small town to learn compassion, falls in love with the one soul he has been sent to reap. It was not a super long book, so it was a fairly quick read. The characters had great chemistry together. I would rate the book 3.25 stars. For the most part I liked the book, I read it in less than two days but there were a couple parts that just lack a little something for me, but I can't really express exactly what it was. But thanks so much to entangled publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my thoughts!

Samael by N.J. Walters is a suspenseful and emotional paranormal romance that pulled me in right away. Sam, a reaper sent to claim a human soul, never expected to fall for the very person he was meant to reap—and that twist made for such a compelling story.

The romance is both tender and steamy, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. I really enjoyed this heartfelt love story and the layers of tension and emotion woven throughout.

Big thanks to Entangled Publishing for the gifted ARC—I had a great time reading this one!

I had a hard time reading this as I found the prose juvenile at best with adult themes. Others seemed to enjoy it so I’m not go to belabor my critique and just say I found the prose disjointed and not well developed.

On the positive side the story did jump right in so for those looking for a quick read this may be for you.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary ARC from Entangled Publishing through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

I was hooked from the very first page! Slow burn, mystery, fantasy, excitement; it’s everything you could ask for! I couldn’t put it down! 10/10 recommend!

Nothing against this book or this author but it was not for me. I ended up DNFing due to it being in the third person and I struggled to get into it.

✨✨ARC Review✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️ Spice in Chps: 13,17&22

‼️‼️TW/CW‼️‼️
- References to death/dying
- Scenes of stalking
- Violence
- Gun violence
💕💕Tropes💕💕
- Small town
- Paranormal being X human
- Touch her and 💀
- One bed
❤️❤️Quotes I loved ❤️❤️
- He understood their lives were a mere blink of an eye compared to his, their deaths inevitable. Why, then, was he outraged on Adrianne’s behalf? What did it matter how her end came? It came for all humans—that was an irrevocable truth.
- Destiny was a runaway train about to barrel into them.
- You’re stubborn and mysterious and temporary.”
✨✨Onto the review✨✨
Thank you Entagled for gifting me this book!
This book was addicting I flew through the first 60% in an hour and then slowly read the last 40% only because life started needing my attention but I really think I could have read this whole book in one sitting!
If you love a dark and brooding shadow daddy this MMC definitely gives off those vibes! I totally recommend this book for people who loved the Netflix show Lucifer or for someone wanting an Urban Fantasy!
Samael comes out April 21st!

Well, for my first foray into this author’s work, I can say that I’m incredibly impressed! This is a bit of a “Meet Joe Black/Death (kinda) Takes a Holiday” twist on reapers. While Samael isn’t THE lead reaper, he’s the oldest son. And he’s lost his way. So when he’s plopped down in a small town with a mission that has yet to be revealed, he figures he’s in for some odd times. Oh, how wrong and right he is….

Adrianne is so much more than an assignment. Or a subject to observe. Nope. She’s fast become the reason for someone’s existence. But what can come of this? The questions of how this could end up kept me wondering which way the wind would blow, and I can’t be upset by the result.

So. One son has found love. And life beyond Death work. It looks like he may not be the only one, either. I look forward to what’s hit town and how the next book will go.

I enjoyed reading this book. It hooked me from the beginning, especially from the author's writing style. Everything flowed easily and I felt immersed in the story throughout.

It's a quick read as well which is perfect for a weekend evening when I read it.

As far as the characters, I really liked the MMC and the FMC. I do feel like there could be more depth to their characters and/or more back story to both. At times, the reluctance to tell their stories to one another felt repetitive, but I also feel that's part of growth. Their banter and chemistry is sizzling on the page and although super quick, they're meant for one another. It's a heartbreaking story wrapped up in redemption.

I loved the ending. I loved the full circle moments that happened and felt it the strongest part of the story. I also love how it ended with the next MMC for the next story.

Overall, good read and very happy to have read it!

Thanks to Entangled for the eARC of this story! <3

The grim reaper’s son is sent to a small town to learn compassion— but then he falls in LOVE instead.

This was the perfect blend of romance and mystery for me. It kept me totally wrapped into the story I stayed up until almost 2am to finish it in one sitting. The pacing? Perfect. The banter? Flawless. The cantankerous cat? A purrfect side character. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!

(I was given an advance reader copy for free in exchange for an honest review)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7483688794
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/e8342e9f-8edc-435d-a600-0083e25bb5d3

Absolutely obsessed from the first page. The character development. The plot. The backstories. Everything just keeps you sucked in and on your toes. Paranormal. Romance. Thriller. It truly has everything you could want in a book. I’ve never read a book quite like this which makes it even more amazing. The end had me just wanting more. Truly an amazing book & I already cannot wait for the next two to be released.

Samael, written by N.J. Walters, is the inaugural installment in the captivating Blackwell Brothers Redemption series. From the very first page of this enthralling paranormal romance, I found myself completely engrossed and eagerly craving more. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Phew, let me calm down from the roller coaster ride that was that ending! So many emotions about this story, this couple is in a no-win situation, and only one of them knows it. That doesn’t stop their attraction, the bond between them growing, even as they try to step back. That doesn’t stop their actions, reactions, and stumbling into a relationship that makes no sense, but they are helpless to avoid. These two put each other through the wringer, and they brought along with them. The happiness and joy, the contentment and love that came out of it all, it sure made everything worth it for them <3

This book hooks you from the first line and doesn’t let go. Love Her. Protect Her. Reap Her Soul. is a sharp, emotional, and surprisingly tender supernatural romance that knows exactly what it’s doing—and does it well.

Samael Blackwell, son of Death himself, is the kind of antihero you hate to love… until you absolutely do. He’s a centuries-old soul reaper with too much swagger and too little patience for rules. But when he’s exiled to a nowhere town called Redemption with a final chance to get it right, things get complicated—fast. His final assignment? Adrianne Sharp. She’s fierce, closed off, and carrying trauma she doesn’t talk about. The twist? She’s not just his next soul. She’s the soul. The one who might finally break through his armor—or completely destroy him.

The chemistry between Sam and Adrianne is electric. Their dynamic walks a razor’s edge between forbidden and inevitable, and the stakes feel real. Every moment they share builds tension—not just romantic, but existential. The question hanging over the story isn’t just will they get together? but should they? And that’s where this book shines.

What starts as a reaper-on-a-redemption-arc story grows into something deeper—about grief, choice, and what it means to be worthy of love and forgiveness. The pacing is tight, the dialogue crackles, and the emotional beats hit hard without getting melodramatic.

If you’re into morally gray characters, impossible choices, and a romance that dares to ask what if saving someone means losing yourself?, this one deliver