Book Review: Ericksen by Sarah Westill

Title: Ericksen

Author: Sarah Westill

Series: Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria

Page Length: 282

Publication Date: Nov. 3, 2022

Synopsis: Wintervail will bring more than gifts and snow…

Evidence of an assassin has gone missing, along with a teenage girl. The only witness to the crime refuses to answer any of Melody’s questions, instead hiring Vayden Dossett, a reward seeker, to recover his daughter. The problem? Months ago, Melody rejected a matchmaking recommendation with Vayden. If Melody allows their past to interfere, she’ll lose the chance to prove she’s capable of handling a tough case.

Vayden is used to the prejudice and scorn his gen-common genetics bring out in people. He wanted Melody to be different. She wasn’t, and he refuses to waste time proving himself to her. Personal emotions have no place when a child has been kidnapped. Finding the girl is Vayden’s only priority, regardless of who he must work with to accomplish the goal.

Setting aside their differences isn’t as easy as setting aside their attraction they soon discover. And while Vayden learns Melody has been lied to about her genetic gift, Melody realizes Vayden isn’t at all what she’s been led to believe. Dark secrets soon to come to light, and with winter creeping in, they’re in a race against arctic winds to find answers…

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Review:

Ericksen is another fabulous addition to the Gen-Heirs: Guardians of Sziveria series. Entertaining and immersive, the story follows Vayden, a gen-common seeker, and Melody, a gen-heir government investigator, as they reluctantly work together to find a missing teenager. It’s suspenseful and intense as the pair races against time to find the teen before it’s too late. But many obstacles stand in their way, including missing files, dangerous threats, and the growing feelings between them.

Ericksen takes place during the holiday season, and I love all of the traditions and heartwarming scenes that take place, especially the one with Vayden’s amazing family. The jovial, warm, and happy holiday season juxtaposes the dark, deadly, and dangerous kidnapping investigation as well as the prejudice and abuses the protagonists’ experience.

Melody and Vayden are both dynamically developed protagonists, and they have a wonderful romance! Vayden is smart, strong, and sexy, and he has a strong bond with his family. I love how he cares for his sister and her daughters, and how selfless he is in his career and family life. Plus, the way he feels about Melody even when he doesn’t even realize it is so wonderful. Their love story has some enemies-to-lovers vibes as well as a second-chance romance feel since they went on one unsuccessful date in the past. Their relationship has so many obstacles, but their chemistry is sizzling from the start, and their opposites-attract love story is super swoon-worthy.

This story is a bit different from the others in the series, as Vayden doesn’t have a genetic gift, and all of the other protagonists do. Seeing this world from the perspective of a character with no genetic gifts is really interesting. And I love Melody’s genetic gift! If I could have any of the abilities the characters in the series have, it would totally be hers! So cool. She’s an interesting character, and she learns a lot about herself, Vayden, her family, and society as a whole. Melody has been so sheltered and manipulated, and she’s been lied to her entire life. Seeing her gain autonomy and start to think for herself with the help and support of Vayden, his family, and others is one of my favorite parts of the story.

Melody also suffers from significant abuse from her parents, especially her mother. The verbal, emotional, and physical abuse is used as a means to control Melody, and the more time she spends away from her family and with Vayden, the more Melody sees how cruel and wrong her mother is. Vayden’s family stands in stark contrast to Melody’s. Warm, loving, and accepting, Vayden’s family is everything Melody’s is not, and I think their supportive and unbreakable love for each other is a shock to Melody who has never experienced this in her life. I love how quickly and easily they welcome Melody into their fold and how safe and secure they make her feel. It’s definitely an eye-opening experience for her. Melody’s relationship with her young sister is also warm and loving and spotlights some of the key themes of the story.

Ericksen also explores some of the prejudices and racism faced in this society. If you don’t have a gift, you are considered gen-common and are looked down upon by many of those in the upper echelons of society who have gifts. This is so ingrained in society that people without genetic gifts aren’t provided the same opportunities as those who have them. Melody is from a family who insists she marry someone with power and influence, and Vayden, and his gen-common status, does not fit the bill. It’s interesting to see Melody shed the misinformation she learned from her parents as she spends more time with Vayden.

I loved Ericksen and would definitely recommend it to readers who like romantic suspense or paranormal romance. It’s suspenseful and intriguing, and the romance is swoon-tastic! Special thanks to Sarah Westill for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.