ARC Review: Haven by Mary Lindsey

Haven
Author: Mary Lindsey
Series: Haven (Book 1)
Publication: Entangled: Teen (November 7, 2017)

Description: "We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

My Thoughts: Rain Ryland grew up on the streets and in shelters in Houston. His only relative is his drug addicted mother who nicknamed him Rain because he represented the storm of trouble and ruin that followed her around. Despite that and the neglect, Rain managed to grow up to be kind and willing to fight for the underdog. Once his mother ODs Rain finds himself shipped off to an aunt he didn't know he had in New Wurzberg, a small town in the hill country of Texas.

Once in New Wurzburg, Rain finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy and a culture he couldn't have even imagined. He falls for Freddie Burkholdt who is a girl with more than her fair share of secrets. Freddie is reeling from the recent death of her father in what she was told was a farming accident. It doesn't take long to determine that her father was murdered and Rain is determined to find out who killed him.

This is an urban fantasy story with werewolves and witches living secretly in New Wurzburg. There is currently conflict between the traditional power structure and the new power structure that Freddie's father advocated for before his death. Since many of the witches are in control of the town it was easy to engineer a coverup and it makes it hard to know who was involved in the murder because hiding things is just second nature for them.

This is also a romance as Rain falls for Freddie and feels that he finally has something to live for. I liked the relationship between Rain and Freddie and could completely understand why she kept trying to play down the romance because she wanted to keep him safe. I liked that Rain wouldn't be set aside and kept trying to convince Freddie that he knew his own mind and what he wanted.

I liked the magical system in the story and the world building. I liked some of the side characters like Grant and Petra who were witches of Rain and Freddie's generation.

Fans of romance and urban fantasy will enjoy this well told tale.

Favorite Quote:

"This is a bad idea." She brushed her hair over her shoulder.

"You say that a lot."

"Well, you have a lot of bad ideas."

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.