Held: Skullstalker Brides Book 2 Author Isabelle Taylor

Book Review

5 out of 5 stars!


First and foremost! This is the second part to the duology. The books are set within the same world and there's mention of events from the previous book. Some spoilers but if you wish to read this one as a standalone it won't ruin anything.


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"So, this is how I die. It's even more dramatic than I expected." - Briar


At least that's what she thought would happen. Brair ran from part of her past into the woods and toward the forbidden cave. Running into Wick because for once the rumors townsfolk whispered about were correct! Which given her predicament and limited choices death by a Skullstalker was the better poison.


Instead, the two form an odd friendship. Due to a curse from a wizard who couldn't handle being told no, Brair needs to sleep with someone once a day or die. Wick helps her out with that but also being her bodyguard throughout her journey to getting her cure. She tries to keep her distance and not get attached but Wick is nothing like she expected or heard about. He's the first truly nice man Briar's ever been with, and she has no idea how to process that. But would he even want to have her by his side longer than this trip?

"Fleeing from a flame only to get saved by a flame." - Briar


I was ready to dive into this read! I personally loved this installment more than book one, no shade toward Slate or Ruby! But Wick and Briar's characters and dynamic is more my vibe! She's very much the distrusting black cat while he's this giant puppy of a golden retriever! Minus the wings and the slight blood lust frenzy. Turns out Briar isn't the only one hoping for a cure!


I could relate to Briar on a personal level. She has rules in place and the walls surrounding her heart are solid. She's a very headstrong, independent woman who does things on her own terms. Trusting is extremely difficult, and she's used to how "men" treat her that when Wick shows her what a non-toxic man is she has no idea how to compute! Waiting for the other shoe to drop at any moment. Yet the one being who looks and has sliced humans apart is the one who also respects her boundaries and refuses to hurt her!?


Wick is certainly husband material! Because of his intense curse he's not been able to get close to ANYONE without very dire consequences for the other party. When something happens that allows him to remain cool and calm, he jumps at the chance to talk to a human! Realizing quickly, he has no understanding about them! I utterly adored how genuine and honest Wick was. Throwing Briar for a loop on multiple occasions because she's still fighting the last battle.


"You know what? Sure. A down-on-her-luck thief and her gentleman Skullstalker guard." - Briar


Do read through the CWs. This book does contain language, genuine fear of dying, violence, and bloodshed. Briar has a rough and unforgiving past. A story of one of the hard lessons she had to learn involving an animal. Tense moments toward the end of the read and a really heart wrenching scene between the two.


Because of Briar's curse the spice happens quickly. I respected the fact that Isabelle helped you understand how annoying and exhausting this curse is. Especially when you don't have a set partner and being with someone new every night gets old fast! The curse turning things into more of a pressing chore than pleasure. Until she gets with Wick! The man is a caring lover even though he's a virgin in all ways romance and intimacy! But he enjoys the things Briar does or introduces him to. Finding out quickly that they have the same tastes and thrills! Plus, he has some extra qualities that Briar knows has ruined her from ever going back to humans!


We get a very HEA ending for the two! I cried a lot with some of the final scenes! These two were my favorite and I didn't want the book to end! I love Isabelle's writing, and she helped you understand the differences between the two. Mortal vs immortal and both keeping their distance from others because of various reasons. Dual POVs helping to see how they actually felt about things.


Enjoy the read with a thief and her Skullstalker bodyguard as they adventure together. And don't forget to give the author some stars!


Amazon.com: Held: a steamy monster romance (Skullstalker Brides Book 2) eBook : Taylor, Isabelle: Kindle Store


Skullstalker Brides (2 book series) Kindle Edition


Held (a steamy monster romance) by Isabelle Taylor, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®


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