With Hearts of Flame (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Dark Academia Romantasy Novel of Vampires and Dragons Featuring Stenciled Edges and Illustrated Endpapers (Bloodwing Academy, 4)
Briar Boleyn
The Gamma's Second Chance (Crescent Lake Book 3)
by Allie Carstens
About this book
Nolan Shepard is no stranger to rejection. His fated mate shunned him without remorse. His long-time girlfriend left him to pursue her dreams. The once optimistic gamma is now alone, jaded, and constantly blaming himself for his failed relationships.
So when Cassandra arrives in Crescent Lake to help his alpha and luna, Nolan can’t stand her happy-go-lucky attitude, her endless smiles, or the intense emotions she elicits in him whenever they’re together. Which is all the time. He tells himself he wants nothing to do with her and pushes her away at every turn, knowing it would end in disaster if he gives in.
As time passes, he finds it harder to resist Cassandra and harder to ignore his growing feelings for her. She’s an effervescent ray of sunshine, but the question still remains--does he deserve a second chance at love?
The Crescent Lake Series is a collection of steamy, 18+, werewolf shifter romance novels. While the books feature only one couple’s story each and can conceivably be read as standalone novels, all the characters are heavily featured in every book, and there are some minor overarching plot points that continue throughout the series. Because of this, it is recommended to read the series from the beginning for proper context, world-building, and to avoid any spoilers.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B0D48CKRDJ
Reader Reviews
March 17, 2025
I love this whole series. I never thought I would be into romance novels, but these are special. Good stories, not fluff. There's romance, but also good character development and fun supernatural elements (werewolves, witches, a few vampires). I was so excited to read Nolan's story that I skipped book 2 (sorry, Reid). It did not disappoint. All the male leads in this series have a flaw, and it just makes them more lovable imo. Nolan has anxiety and is insecure after being rejected. He's grumpy,...
February 15, 2025
Nolan was Haven’s gamma and protector who took his job seriously. Rejected by his fated mate at the Mating Ball and being a friend to Rachel who lost her mate was dealing with all the dejection in his life. Cassandra was the acolytes sent to help Haven. When Cassandra came to Crescent Lakes, there were no extra rooms in the pack house so Nolan was the only one who had a spare room. Cassandra personality was happy and always smiling but to Nolan no one can be that happy. But Seb knew that he had...
October 2, 2024
In the shifterverse, fated mates are used to explain love at first sight. But, what happens when your fated mate deserts you for a match with a higher status partner? After being dumped by his fated mate, Nolan has given up on love and settled into a life of stoicism and routine. His life is overshadowed by sadness, guilt and self hatred because of his experience. Nolan's life is disrupted when Cassandra moves to California to help Haven, the pack Luna. Because Nolan, as Gamma, is responsible...
May 20, 2026
This book really pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing Nolan (the Gamma) struggle with the scars of his past made his journey toward Cassandra so much more meaningful. I loved the 'grumpy vs. sunshine' dynamic between them, Cassandra’s infectious optimism was the perfect foil to Nolan’s protective, guarded nature. It’s a touching reminder that everyone deserves a second chance at love, even when they’ve stopped looking for it. Allie Carstens writes emotional growth so well! )
October 3, 2025
Still waters run deep. It's a great and super sexy read. I think this might be my favorite so far in the series though I am super curious about what the future holds for these two. )
