Van Doren Series Book 1: Loren by Crea Reitan

 

Van Doren Book 1

I will kill to keep him.

Oakley

It’s a new start - brand new school in a completely different state. For the first time, I now have the freedom to be unapologetically me. But as my luck would have it, I have shit taste in men. The first man to pay me a compliment has so many red flags, I think I’m in a storm. Life can’t get any worse… until he turns into a stalker.

Then my stalker ends up brutally murdered, I walk blindly into a serial killer’s nest, and I catch the attention of a sociopath.

Loren

The moment I see Oakley walk into the cafe, I know he’s mine. I may be here to finish a job, but it’s impossible to concentrate on anything but him. My fascination quickly turns into an obsession, which might be fortunate for him because I think he’s trying to get himself killed.

Which is fine; I’ll protect him. It doesn’t matter how many lives I have to end to make Oakley mine.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/212703222-loren

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I have been beyond curious about Loren since I first saw him in Lucky Shot. He made another recent sort of appearance/mention and I really wanted him to get his own book and I am so glad he finally did! Loren is a sociopath. But that is not all he is. He is protective and loyal and though he says he isn’t sure he can feel love, he shows it in his actions when it comes to his family and his friend, Noah. But even more when he meets Oakley. He knows he is different in how he feels and views the world. And knows that he is lucky to have his father and his many brothers not only with him but understand him and give him the outlets he needs to be who he is in a safe way. Because sometimes Loren needs to let out the killer in him and the way to do that is through the contracts set up through his family and have it unleashed on the bad people of the world. And it’s how he meets Oakley. 

Oakley becomes unfortunate to cross paths with an abuser that Loren is after. And the moment Loren sees Oakley, everything in him changes. Love at first sight. Possession. Obsession. Loren knows Oakley is meant to be his. And he will do anything for Oakley to make him happy and safe. Especially when trouble seems to find Oakley by accident. But he has a guardian angel (or maybe villain) watching over him. Oakley and his friends are family. They’ve looked out for one another for a very long time and have gone away for school to protect one of his friends. But there is one thing that Oakley has always wanted and that is love. He wants someone to look at him and love him and keep him. And finding Loren? The man who is different and protective and real and saves him from trouble? Well, Oakley can’t resist. Especially when he gets to know Loren and sees him for who he is and not what others judge him on. I adored this book! Like I said, I was so excited to get Loren’s story. He is such an interesting character and to see how he views the world was so unique. I loved how he cared for Oakley in his own way. And I loved all the Van Dorens. I can’t wait to get all their stories and how they are connected to Oakley and his friends. This was a great one to kick off the series and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.