This is a strange book for me because I really liked the setting and most of the plot, but the characters were annoying sometimes, especially in the beginning.

I love that the setting of this book was away from the beach. The mountain and the cave were really fun to read about.

Callie and M'tok grew on me. They spent a lot of time together and got to know each other throughout the book. I think they work well as a couple and balance each other out.

The misunderstanding at the beginning was pretty unbelievable, though. Why didn't Callie mention what she heard when she was arguing with M'tok for over a month? And why didn't M'tok try a different tactic with Callie when his attempts weren't working?

Callie is so stubborn that she fights against almost everything, even if it goes against your own self-interests. She loves Harry Potter books and references them a lot.

M'tok is fastidious and likes for things to be just-so. When Callie won't give him the time of day, he decides to kidnap her, and he's sometimes sneaky and manipulative to try to win her over. Some of his actions are somewhat understandable because of the differences in culture, but he still handled things badly. ( )

2.5 - 3 stars
Definitely wasn't my favorite, but not my least favorite either. ( )

This is M’tok and Callie's book.

First of all there is a forward note from the author.
'Foreword
In this book, I touch very lightly on depression. Out of respect for mental health issues, I wanted to say this in advance of you starting the book. If you feel this will be triggering for you, this is a heads-up that perhaps you might want to skip this book.
Also after publication the author issues this post on social media

"Hey guys! Just a quick note that I've seen some feedback on Callie and M'tok's book and wanted to let you all know that I'm also adding the following trigger warning to the front of the book:

Please be aware that this story includes a kidnapping plot (as so many of my barbarian books do!), but this one also involves some spiked tea (don’t worry, she gets him back). Some readers are not a fan of a story that touches on this element and if you would find this upsetting, I'd advise skipping this story. I'll write another one soon enough!
(I could go into a lot of detail as to why I picked this particular plot, or why it didn't ping my radar enough to add the warning at the beginning, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what I think. Reading is a unique experience and you can't read a book 'wrong' any more than I can tell you how to read it. I know my readers look for a fun, fluffy read about good-hearted barbarians and the women that love them, and picking up a book with a distressing storyline can ruin that. So I apologize for anyone that felt I sprung it on them, and I'm correcting this so it won't catch anyone by surprise in the future.
We start the book at the time just before Lauren and the newcomers arrive from the island.

We know from previous books in the series that this couple resonated but Callie wasn't happy.
Callie is struggling to adjust to her situation on the planet, she is desperately homesick, she thought resonance wouldn't be an issue she and the other remaining women had to deal with as the available men were taken except for the twins.

It touches on stories of the other couples that are either resonated already or have their stories coming up.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.
No cheating.
HEA in form of HFN and see couples progress of HEA through further books.

I do think the initial buzz of the series where fans wanted more and more has gone off the boil for me.
The initial series was great but now the author has brought out the spin off series the fans wanted it does feel a bit that it has run its course.
Regarding the warnings issues by the author I would take it in the spirit the series intended, it's not meant to be a dark read.
( )

I think that Callie and M'Tok are both stubborn and hardheaded. They don't always stop and think before they act. I also think that they are both very set in their feelings and it's hard for them to see what the other one is saying or wants. Once they get through the stubbornness though, things are good. ( )