Ransom’s Revenge is a shifter romance novella and the first mini-installant to the Broken Shifters series by Julie K. Cohen. Ransom needs to escape the anti-shifter research lab, but first, he needs out of the small cage he has been confined in. Elise roams free, ignoring him the best she can no matter the draw, until she finally aids in his escape because he will take his freedom even if she cannot. Elise needs to return to the lab, but shifters don’t leave others behind. Ransom might not trust her, but he will have what is his, and there is far more to Elise than what meets the eye.
We start this novella by finding Ransom imprisoned by the WSSO (World Shifter Suppressor Organization) for whatever horrific experiments they wish to run. He’s full of anger, distrust, and a large dose of resentment when it comes to Elise. He believes her to be an enemy just like the humans that fill the lab he’s trapped in, but no matter his feelings, his wolf calls to her, and he associates this confusing occurrence with more anger. It takes him a good while to realise what this calling means, but when it cements, he wants to hate it; it’s like he physically couldn’t fight it though, and in all honesty, he doesn’t try. Ransom has a large amount of hate when it comes to humans, as is expected, and because he almost sees Elise as an extension of them now, he is rather prejudiced in his opinion of her. But despite all of this, he still wants to help her escape along with himself, knowing a lab is no place for a shifter. Naturally, and quickly, his opinion of Elise changes; he sees her as a strong, fierce protector who is almost tortured by her past. So, he becomes protective of her, not wanting to be parted from her, save her, and keep her for himself even though he feels he couldn’t possibly be worthy of her—no one is, in his opinion. Ransom is a fierce, strong, hard man, with a code of honour when it comes to shifters and saving his own, but with Elise, he becomes softer, and this is clearly shown in his later interactions with her and by a comment made by his pack. He hates when she’s in pain, so he’d rather sacrifice himself if needed, or he’d easily burn the world down if it would bring Elise even a small measure of peace.
Elise is alone in every sense of the word, so the lone wolf title is fitting no matter how cold the name feels. Her past is so very sad, and my heart ached for her throughout the entire novella; she has lost so much, and in the process, she had lost the will to fight for anyone, including herself, until Ransom. She is drawn to him, and when he asks for her help, she realises slowly that she needs to change his fate, even if it draws her closer to her own, no matter how much it hurts her for him to leave. She had never spoken to Ransom in the time he had been in the lab, but he had become somewhat of an anchor, a familiarity; she so desperately needed to get through the day, and in helping him leave, she would be alone again. She is such a strong character who doesn’t believe herself to be any longer or doesn’t see herself worthy of being saved anymore, which is why I loved how much Ransom wanted to—she needed him. Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time they have crossed paths, and you felt her longing in this memory, and the fact that her past has been connected to his for a long time—unbeknownst to both—I loved this aspect of fate being a little minx as usual. I felt all her emotions; I felt Ransom’s anger for her like it was my own, and I hated how her past had warped how she viewed touches and how she viewed Ransom’s interest in her, but I loved how Ransom wanted to change that and show her how he felt for her and how he wanted her to be his—I have no doubt he’ll show her every day just how worthy and loved she is. There is a moment when they part later in the book—not for long—and I understood her actions, but it made me so sad that she felt the need to save him and herself from the heartache of losing someone else she loves. Elise will break your heart.
There was so much I loved about Ransom’s Revenge: in just a short amount of time, you get dropped into a world where shifters, a genetic occurrence that started due to a virus over two hundred years ago, are well-known and not seen as worthy of citizenship. They aren’t hunted ‘legally’ but an organisation will do anything to get a hold of them for experiments to see if they can change their basic nature. This aspect reminded me of my favourite series (Breeds by Lora Leigh), which helped me fall in love with the world of high-stakes survival with the aspect of mates that always makes me swoon. Ransom and Elise’s meeting is not cute in the least; he resents her ‘freedom’ but they need each other to escape, and he soon realises his judgement of her was unfounded as she was every bit as trapped as he. His wolf still called for her, and Ransom struggled to understand why, for the length of this novella, and Elise couldn’t believe he would want her. Having suffered so much pain and loss, it’s understandable, but they can’t fight the draw they feel. I loved how easily they both jumped to protect the other and how desperately Ransom wanted to keep her with him no matter what. It was such a fast-paced novella, but I got a real sense for each character; I was so deeply invested in the emotions thrumming throughout, and the spice was also a lovely hit. So, naturally, this is a Five out of Five Stars read.
I’d recommend Ransom’s Revenge to anyone who loves shifter romance with soulmates, a fair dose of spice, and a HEA. Ransom has a fierce drive to survive his oppressors, to fight for those of his own, and to claim what is his. Elise has lost herself along the way but will not let anyone harm Ransom anymore; no matter what it takes, she’ll get him to safety. These characters hit the mark of protective, possessive, survivors, and destined lovers. This novella can be read as a stand-alone, but it is the first little instalment of the Broken Shifters series by Julie K. Cohen. You best believe I’ve already started in on this series, and I cannot get enough!
Favourite Quotes
“The need to touch her, to keep her close, had risen too easily in him. Oddly enough, touching her quieted his wolf, but not the man in him. He wanted more of her, more than the freedom to stroke her hair or inhale her sensuous scent.”
– page 9
““You’re afraid of me,” he said, though he didn’t smell any fear on her. “I’m afraid of losing you,” she said.”
– page 13
“Just the scent of him, even when he’d left a room, always stirred her, made her feel less dead inside.”
– page 24
““Why?” He wasn’t a shifter of many words, but he didn’t have to be. Somehow, she understood him better than she understood herself. “Because you needed it.””
– page 26
““Say it, El. You’re mine.””
– page 54
Finer Details:
Title: Ransom’s Revenge (Broken Shifters #0.5)
Author: Julie K. Cohen
Pages: 92
Publisher: Julie K. Cohen
Publication: 2021
Language: English
Rating: 5/5