Quick Summary: An action-packed fated mate romance thriller

My Review: Crimson Moon Falling by J. L. Brannick is book #3 in the Riley Blackthorne Series. This final installment in the epic trilogy is categorized as "General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." The novel is scheduled for release on 9/11/26.

About the Book: "...an Alpha and his mate work to uncover a corrupt government’s insidious plot before war erupts."

In My Own Words: The terrorizing forces that have relentlessly pursued, bombarded, and threatened Riley Blackthorne have finally been called out of the shadows. Both she and her fated mate, Conall, have fought against the unknown and the unnamed but not without casualties. The cost of being free from the dark malevolence that has surrounded them leaves heart-deep scars. Can their love for each other lead to healing and a much needed rebirth concerning their bond?

About the Characters: Every character in book #3 was well placed and utilized. From Riley and Conall to his pack and the other surrounding packs in the area to the government antagonists and the other agents of chaos, no stone was left unturned. All became clear.

New characters that helped to bring closure to the mystery surrounding those who have been lost along the way brought the story full circle. The questions that needed answers were finally put to rest.

About the Couple: The final assessment of this mated power couple revealed much. Truths and confessions met harsh realities, allowing Riley and Conall to find a brand new respect for each other and for what was theirs.

About the Conflict/Action/Drama: JLB put her foot in the conflict/action/drama arc, so much so that I was beside myself with nail-biting anxiousness. The tension was ever present. The violations, the betrayal, the obsessive energy, the shadowed spectres, and the poisonous vipers were everywhere. I could barely breathe from one situation to the next.

My Favorites (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

🖤 - Fated Connection
✨ - Symbiosis
🖤 - Pack Loyalty & Lies
✨ - Seraphina
🖤 - Soldiers Until the End
✨ - Death Genesis
🖤 - The Phoenix Chronicles

My Final Say: This conclusive end was spectacular. It gets 100 dark hearts from this reader. I loved it and then some. It was a wholly satisfying, while at the same time, it left me reeling.

Why I Liked/Loved:

👑 - I loved that Riley presented herself like the boss queen she is. (Much respect!)

🛡️ - I loved that Conall was a warrior protector for his mate. He handled his business with all the alpha attitude I like, yet he did not get in the way of her power or efforts. (This showed growth. Still, he is growing, even though the story came to an end.)

🙌 - The packs came to understand and appreciate all that was going on. They could not help but to see how the Luna contributed to the fight. (Even the ones who acted the fool had no choice but to witness the greatness that Riley possessed.)

⚔️ - The revolution! I really liked how everything came to a head. Sides were chosen...or were they? (I cannot say any more, but please know that I want to.)

🥀 - I loved that this story showed so many "death is only the beginning" moments.

🌀 - I super liked how the crazy lived on. A specific thread-teaser manifested a peculiar "if you know, you know" vibe. (It set the stage for more to come. I mean, if JLB decides to go on beyond this trilogy and create an extended world, I would not hesitate to follow it until the very end.)

Other: Readers who enjoy supernatural romances that offer non-stop action, intrigue, suspense, and drama, this is the book and the series you want to read...like yesterday. I have read all three books, and hands down, they are brilliant. Honestly, the books need to be made into a NetGalley series or Prime movie. (You can quote me on that.)

❤️‍🔥 Book 1: Black Moon Rising (Riley Blackthorne, #1) -> In My Own Words: Gifted children with special abilities are being kidnapped off pack lands. When an Alpha and his team decide to enlist the help of a young woman with a number of abilities herself, they get more than they bargained for.

Status:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 💎
Released: February 12, 2026

❤️‍🔥 Book 2: Cold Moon Burning (Riley Blackthorne #2) -> In My Own Words: Conall and his pack have reunited with Riley and Parker after a strained period of imposed isolation, only to find that manipulative forces, rabid cruelty, intentional betrayals, and fractured relationships still play a part in what goes down.

Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 💎
Released: April 29, 2026

❤️‍🔥 Book 3: Crimson Moon Falling
Release Date: September 11, 2026

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Besties Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Level: 💎
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +

*** Potential readers will need to read any and all content warnings from the author/publisher. There are definite triggers. ***

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Smart Mouth Publishing LLC), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very, very much for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work of fiction. I have thoroughly enjoyed the world of Riley Blackthorne.

I was so happy to be back in Riley’s world as I so enjoyed the previous book. In this series ender, Riley is dealing with the effects of the implants she has, and things aren’t going well. Add to that, there’s another disappearance that is almost exactly like her father’s, so she is determined to find out what’s going on. I didn’t know this was the concluding book in the series until it was over, and I’m a little bummed. However, this book was an excellent ending to a great series. There is one tiny thread I’m hoping the author pursues in the future. If not, I’ll still read whatever she writes. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.