Review--Heart of the Lion by Alyssa Rose Ivy

Sometimes love needs a second chance…

Lion shifter Asher cannot believe his bad luck when he is sent back to his hometown to protect the girl who shattered his heart. He is a member of an elite supernatural force, not a babysitter. But it only takes a glance to remember why he loved Kelley so much. And soon he discovers that the love of his life is being targeted by a horrific breed of supernatural creatures.

Kelley is an artist trying to make her mark on the world while struggling to understand why anyone would want to hurt her. The last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of the only man she ever loved.

As the attacks grow more serious, Kelley and Asher’s feelings for each other reignite, and both must decide if they are ready to put their hearts on the line for a second time.

*New Adult Paranormal Romance* 

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Alyssa Rose Ivy returns to The Heart Chronicles with Heart of the Lion! While this story is a new one with new characters, we do get an appearance from Hope and Carter who were our first “Heart” couple! This one involves Asher, who I want to say was in the first book, but it’s been awhile since I read that one and a new character, Kelley, who was the love of his life that he lost—not from death, but a breakup. But he is about to be reunited with her when he’s assigned to protect her from an impending danger in his old hometown.

It’s been seven years since Kelley last saw Asher, since she broke up with him and ended the best relationship she’s ever had. When she sees him back in town all of a sudden, she’s not sure what to think or feel. She had a recent break in at her home where some destroyed all of her paintings and it turns out that is partly why Asher is back.

Something strange in happening in their small little town, something involving a very powerful and not too friendly group of supernaturals known as the Elvelos. They are after Kelley for some reason and Asher is going to have to figure out what that reason is along with figuring out a way to end them and protect the woman he loves.

This story was pretty awesome! I love that it’s a new story too, for my memory on the first installment in this trilogy wasn’t too sharp! But I did recognize Hope and Carter when they made a comeback appearance. The pacing was nicely set at a gradually building one. There’s enemies somewhere in the little town that both Kelley and Asher grew up in and it goes far deeper than they think.

I’m a sucker for romances that start out as friendships. Asher and Kelley were friends once upon a time ago and were even something more than that too, but then something happened, something that led Kelley to end things between them. Asher always thought it had something to do with her mom dying, but it’s something much deeper than that!

Like with all Alyssa’s books, this one had me clicking my kindle pages at light speed! I couldn’t get enough of it! And naturally, while I was reading I was trying to see the potential for the next Heart couple. Though I believe we saw Asher before, there wasn’t much else to go on who the next couple could be. For now, I’m leaning towards Kelley’s BFF, Janie, but only time will tell!

Perhaps the one thing that left me slightly disheartened with this one were the details of the Elvelos. They were there and then they weren’t. There was even one they had hoped to question, but it kind of fizzled out and away. I just wasn’t sure who the group really was since there was never an “interrogation” moment. And when matters were resolved, I still felt like things were quite clear on what happened to this group either. Little things in the long run, I suppose but it nagged at me since I pretty much binged read this one!

But all in all, Heart of the Lion was yet another enjoyable paranormal read! I truly can never get enough of Alyssa’s books and I am eagerly awaiting for the next Chronicles installment!


Overall Rating 4/5 stars