Review of Entwined by Fate by S.A. Price

So, this book is by sisters Stella and Audra Price, and I received it from the author as an e-ARC to review.

This story is about snake shifters. Yes, snake shifters and I felt the sisters Price really made that work.

Let's have the blurb first:

Thirty females of the Ophidian race have gone missing, most from the transient nest of Las Vegas, a rogue and unofficial nest run by the Saint, John Merrick. Believed to be dead by every Archon in the states, Merrick leads a quiet and unassuming life, saving those of his race that are lost and need it most. It's a solitary existence, one that he hates every day. He yearns for his mate, the woman he left over a decade before, and the woman who thinks him dead to this day.

When Elise Rizdon gets the official invitation to the Archon meeting in Ohio by the leader of a new Midwestern nest, she never expected to see the love of her life at the woman's side, a man she was told was dead and buried. She lost him once upon a time, and she never fully recovered. Focusing on the issues, and not the man that has always made her body burn is not going to be easy. A disturbing event is on the horizon, one that threatens all Ophidian's and their way of life. In order to survive they will have to work together, give up old grudges and take chances on the things that matter most. Love, life and the continuation of their race.


Now, this book was surprisingly sweet. I've read a little bit by Stella and Audra before and I have to say I had certain expectations and this story was very different. It was sweeter and a bit more sentimental than I had expected and while the main couple was Elise and Merrick, it didn't feel like the book spent as much time on them as you might expect. There were shifter politics, missing girls, a cult and other budding and established relationships going on in this book so Elise and Merrick weren't always the center of attention. That was a little disappointing to me since they had waited so long to be together and I felt like I ended up waiting forever for them to have their moment, too.

Elise was a more refined and sweet, yet strong and resolute character.

Merrick was a bit of a rogue, but he was also a bit of a saint.

The two complimented each other very well.

I like how Merrick wanted to take care of her and be there for her, but I also liked how he knew she and her people were stronger than him and his and therefore knew she could handle the shit storm his choices unleashed. He didn't try to coddle her, but he did try to make up for it.

I was annoyed though, by how long it took for them to finally get their time and how it seemed like the book wasn't about them as much as I would have liked. Not to mention that I would have made him suffer a bit more for putting me through what he put Elise through. Well intentioned or no, I would not have been that understanding about his life choices. In the end though, they were faced with the choice to either hold on to their pride and their fears or to let go of the past and embrace a hope for their future. I felt like that's a choice we can all relate to. To choose pride and hurt or love and forgiveness.

In the end, I felt it was an enjoyable read and had its sweet moments.

I gave Entwined by Fate a B-.

You can purchase it here