A Soul to Heal: Duskwalker Brides, Book Two

There are a plethora of reasons, why this book has my heart, and I would like to tell you about it. This is the second book of the Duskwalker's brides series. I loved the first one, and I could never imagine, that I will love a Mavka more, than Orpheus, but I was so wrong.In this book, we have Nameless, who we met in the first one, when he was irritating the living hell out of Orpheus. When the book starts, he is still less developed compared to him. He is childishly naive and enthusiastic. He is building his new home and dreaming about having his own human.Our fmc is Delora, she struggles with many issues. She had a marriage in which she was neglected and abused and cheated on. Because of this, she suffers from depression and a loss of will to live. She is thrown in the Veil, and lands on Nameless, and so their adventure begins.As Nameless is still a silly Mavka, and Delora is struggling with her issues, their relationship is developing through quite some hardships, but they seem to find a way. Nameless does everything in his power to protect and cherish Delora and make her happy.Where he is a cinnamon roll in the day, he is a naughty Duskwalker at night with his newfound purple peen. He is greedy and primal, but his priority is still to make Delora happy this way too. There are not many spicy scenes in the book, but the ones we can read are just chef's kiss.As it often happens in the real world, unprotected sex leads to surprise pregnancy, and a baby Mavka named Fyodor. They are genderless, and it is so well written in the book. Sometimes the use of they/them can be a little confusing, but it is not the case here. The struggles of pregnancy, especially at the start of a complicated relationship, the childbirth and having a new baby is so well depicted.We often meet Orpheus and Reia too, as they are there to help and support Nameless and Delora. It is interesting to see them from an outside point of view.We also meet a new Mavka, Kitty, who will be the main character in the next book.The story outside of Nameless and Delora's blooming relationship and family revolves again around the Demon King, but it just hints the possible future affairs in the following books.Did I mention, that Delora is a plus size woman? Maybe not, because finally, that is not her main personality trait. She has some self confidance issues to begin with, but Nameless cures that with his unconditional and never ceasing adoration for her. And it was so priceless to read as a plus size person, that Nameless had no prejudice or any negative stereotypical thoughts about her being fat, just as it should be in the real world. For him, she just looked different in shape than Reia, and he even liked, that she is bigger, because this way, she fit better in his arms. 🥺Reting:Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Spice: 🍆🍆🍆🍆 (for the quantity, not the quality)I recommend this book, if you want to read a story:-with an fmc, who has mental issues-a cinnamon roll mmc, who is supportive and adoring-a genderless character with they/them pronouns-very jummy, primal spice scenes

I loved this book and the series in general. It's not as spicy as the first book. The characters are going through too much to really have time, lol. But you don't miss it because it was all interesting. The book is very emotional and covers a lot about depression in its many forms and causes.Abuse ptsdSelf hatePost partum (almost made me cry cause I've been there)The book is truly about healing and moving on and its beautiful.I love that the FMC is a big girl that for once doesn't hate herself for it. She does suffer some self hate but the hatred is due to her ACTIONS not her body. Which is an important distinction.She really only had one moment of physical insecurity and you can tell that it is more a result of past abuse than low self esteem.At the end of the day she is mostly indifferent to her looks, which makes sense because only vain people care one way or another. Not there is anything wrong with a bit of vanity but it bothers me that some writers think that those are the only 2 choices. Either you think you're hot stuff or you hate yourself.Every description of her body comes from the MMC and he clearly adores every bit of it which goes a long way to making her beauty come to life and the sex scenes sexy and not fetish like. She has stretch marks and large natural breasts that aren't perky (finally someone who understands what natural breasts look like)And neither of those are ever mentioned in a negative light or presented as detriments.I am so sick of reading lines like "she had a scattering of stretch marks around her thighs but they didn't detract from her beauty"Like we all need to know that yes she has stretch marks but they aren't THOSE KIND of stretch marks, you know, the UGLY ones.Or worse, when authors go out of their way to make sure you know they are CURVY, not fat. Because apparently only perfect hourglass figures are deserving of love.This book did not have ANY kind of those lines or negative language about her body and I loved it.FMC never had a single thought about whether she was pretty enough for MMC (as if fat and pretty are mutually exclusive terms *eye roll*) or questioned why he wanted her and it was so refreshing.All of her doubts are regarding her ACTIONS and that's a pretty legitimate reason to doubt yourself as opposed to doubting yourself because of the genetics you were born with and the way your body processes food.Just finally, a fat girl that isn't fat first.She's just a girl, who happens to be fat.

Opel Reyne has become one of my favourite authors. I absolutely loved the first book in this series and this second one did not disappoint. Beautifully and thoughtfully written.Great to see the previous characters again.Delora suffered such trauma & her depression was so well written.-(It's not a depressing story though)Magnar is just an absolute sweetheart I want to marry him myself!I loved that she was a big girl and that Magnar desired her more because of it.(I get tired of reading about the usual skinny gorgeous babe!)It is long and could probably have been condensed slightly but the story is such a refreshing change from the usual fantasy/paranormal romance, it's worth it. I can't wait for the next one!

Having read the first book in this series I was hooked from the start. But I love the difference we got in this book as we delved into Delors’s character who had a different background to deal with.!!- Might be a SPOILER ALERT-!!I absolutely loved Magnar as he was so caring and also very understanding; plus he really helped to show the adult development stage. Fyodor was a great way for me to understand the duskwalkers all together.I loved the connection the characters had even with Delores depression. Would write more but I’m not great at this!Can’t wait to read the third book!

Loved book 2 just as much as book one. A brilliant and unique series so different from the norm and excellent writing style too.

I’ve been waiting for this one and it didn’t disappoint! Such a sweet love story with incredible heat and action. I can’t wait for the next one!

I really enjoyed this. As a fat woman I loved having a fellow fat character. It was especially enjoyable that their size was not their personality and they had depth. I also enjoyed that a character (spoilers) had they/them inclusive pronouns, which honestly should happen more these days. Definitely less spicy than book one but still great!I didn’t necessarily love some of the language about Delora’s body. It wasn’t fat phobic but maybe just a word or two I don’t love. (Like moist for some ppl lol).I really enjoyed the emotions journey these character went on and I cried a bunch at one point so they really connected with me. Can’t wait for more from this series, it’s an absolute yes from me.