Hunger in His Blood by Zoey Draven
Brides of the Kylorr #3
Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance
April 1, 2025- Self Published
ARC

Review by Angela

Look, I’m always, ALWAYS up for a new Zoey Draven book, but add in a rejected mate, surprise pregnancy storyline with angst, and lots of groveling by the MMC when he realizes he messed up and made the mistake of his life? Oh, hell yeah. And I’m not even a fan of the surprise baby trope.

This book features Kaldur of House Kaalium, High Lord of Vyaan, and his human kyrana, or blood mate, Erina. If you’ve read the previous two books in the series, and if you haven’t you really should, then you are familiar with this world and the five brothers who rule as Kyzaires over their lands. Kaldur is the third brother to find his mate, and he is not exactly enthused when he discovers her identity, even though he has suffered for years with a strange restlessness that seems to finally be soothed by her presence. A keeper (think housekeeper) at his estate is the last woman who he wants to form an attachment with. There is a lot of backstory as to the reasons why he makes the decisions he does, but he ultimately, offers her a contract as a blood giver and hopes this will be the way to keep her close, but not become attached emotionally.

Erina is a woman who despite her lonely childhood in an orphanage has managed to keep her innate kindness and wonder at the world. She writes and illustrates her own stories and dreams of a loving relationship with children and a home. She finds Kaldur fascinating and has harbored a tenderness for him since she first came into his employ. When she accidentally cuts herself while cleaning up a mess caused by him and his mistress, their relationship suddenly changes. She accepts the contract to be his blood giver, hoping that her life may change for the better.

Y’all. I knew as soon as I started reading this book that my emotions were in trouble. I knew heartbreak and pain were ahead for Erina. I knew that Kaldur would have to do some major groveling to get back into her heart to make up for his nasty behavior. And I was right. I should not have opened this book before bedtime because it was 3 am before I knew it and was deeeeep in the middle of Erina’s grief and despair.

Kaldur is a playboy (FOR REASONS), and I can’t say that I loved how this book started out with him and his mistress in the middle of sexual shenanigans, but it did introduce the villain of the book and the cause of the relationship turmoil for the main couple. Kaldur and Erina’s relationship starts off well enough, a gentle, surface level getting to know each other while being intensely attracted and fighting a growing intimacy. I won’t get into the hows and whys that lead to the big misunderstanding and their separation, but I will say I was applauding Erina as she made the decision to strike out on her own and leave Kaldur behind. But my heart literally hurt when I was reading what led up to her decision.

From that point on there is so much groveling. So much. Kaldur knows his actions and words were unforgivable and once he finds her and brings her home is almost desperate to right his wrongs. I don’t normally feel drawn to surprise pregnancy books, but I did enjoy the trope here. The latter part of the book is pretty much groveling, gifts, deep conversations, and spicy sex scenes. There are beautiful moments between the two, and Erina discovering she has finally found her place in the world and the family she’s always been wishing for. There is an epilogue that sets up their HEA nicely.

I really adore this author. Zoey Draven never misses. I know I’m in for an emotional adventure with every new release. I can’t wait to find see the remaining three Kaalium siblings find their happily ever afters.

Final grade- A