Flock (The Ravenhood)

This book is about Cecilia and her relationship with 2 men in the new town she moved to among a slightly bigger plot. Between the night and day differences of the main male characters and Cecilia’s continued confusion and emotional rollercoaster, I literally couldn’t stop reading. I’ve never read a Why Choose before but I think I like it lol. Plenty of spice, twists and emotions to keep you hooked! Plus it ends on a cliffhanger! Time for Exodus!

Words cannot adequately express the emotional journey I embarked upon when I delved into Ravenhood. It is a literary masterpiece that fearlessly pushes the boundaries of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. To say that I will never recover from the impact it had on me would be an understatement. This series has become my absolute favorite, forever etching its place in my heart and mind.

From the very first page, I was spellbound by the author's ability to weave an intricate tapestry of raw emotions, taking me on a rollercoaster ride of joy, sorrow, love, and despair. It is a testament to the author's profound understanding of human psychology and their exceptional skill in translating these complex emotions into words that resonate deeply within.

The characters in this series are not mere figments of imagination; they are living, breathing entities that become your confidants, friends, and even adversaries. Their struggles and triumphs become your own, and you find yourself emotionally invested in their every move. The author's masterful character development allows you to witness their growth, often pushing them to the very limits of their emotional capacities.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this series is its ability to challenge societal norms and delve into controversial themes without flinching. It fearlessly confronts issues that are often brushed under the rug, forcing readers to reevaluate their own perspectives and beliefs. It is a testament to the power of literature to ignite introspection and foster empathy.

The author's ability to paint vivid imagery with words transports you to the heart of every scene, making you feel as though you are an active participant rather than a mere observer. The writing style is both poignant and evocative, ensuring that the impact of each sentence lingers long after you turn the final page.

The plot is intricately constructed, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess that they are able to maintain a perfect balance between heart-wrenching moments and breathtaking revelations. Every narrative thread is meticulously woven together, resulting in a satisfying and emotionally charged conclusion.

This series is a tour de force that pushes the boundaries of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's soul. Its exploration of complex themes and fearless confrontation of societal norms make it a true work of art. I am forever grateful to have embarked on this emotional journey and consider it my favorite series so far. If you are prepared to have your emotional boundaries pushed to their limits, then this series is an absolute must-read. Just be warned, you may never fully recover from its profound impact.

This book surprised me in more ways than one. Halfway through, it became something I would not normally read, but the plot and underlying suspense kept me turning the pages. Kate Stewart is a talented writer who skillfully incorporates many different elements into this one book.

The cliffhanger left me utterly shocked, and now I need to move on to the next book just to find out what happens—and who the Frenchman is.

This book is definitely not your classic romance, but it is filled with plot twists like no other. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because the writing is amazing, and the story kept me hooked even though some elements are not what I would normally read. I can't wait to discover what secrets lie in the next book.

I finished book one in a day. So good! First two or so chapters I was alittle lost but that’s also because I went into this book with no knowledge of the plot, but after chapter 3 I was hooked and Kate’s writing flows so well it easily became a one day read. I never was one to lean towards a why choose but this may have changed that for me. I love Sean, I love Dom, and Cecilia is so real for all the drama. I can’t say too much without spoiling anything but I have already started Exodus. Especially with that ending how can you not?!? You want tension, suspense, plot twists, and spice. Definitely try this one out.

I annotated the crap out of this book so enjoy some of my favorites above & pray for me during book two. I’m actually freaking out.

So I’m going to review all 4 books without giving anything away (the best I can). Let me start by saying that if you’re on the fence about reading this, YHIS IS YOUR SIGN! Ravenhood is not my usual style but I wanted to try something different and i’m so glad I did. The characters are raw and latch on to you. I felt these characters emotions in every chapter. When they cried, I cried; when they laughed, I laughed; you get it. This series will stick with me for a very long time. Kate Stewart, you are chefs kiss 🤌

"Flock" by Kate Stewart is a captivating mix of romance, suspense, and emotional intensity. It tells the story of Cecilia, a young woman who gets entangled in a complex relationship with two mysterious men. The plot is gripping and keeps you hooked, but be prepared for a roller-coaster of emotions and some steamy scenes. It's the first book in the Ravenhood series and ends on a cliffhanger, making you eager to dive into the next installment. If you enjoy dark, twisty love stories with a bit of edge, "Flock" is a great pick.

First of all I'd like to state that the writer is excellent and the first book in particular had some beautiful passages that resonate with the reader, perfectly conveying the tone and emotions of the characters. The characterizations are very good and one can easily see the motives of all the MCs as she made them all come alive in their wounded, tragic stories. I won't rehash the plot or characters because other reviewers have done so but I do want to make a rather important observation on something in each book and which affected my reading. Before I go further, I would probably read another book by the author, and may have given 5 stars except for a rather glaring problem that never got better in all three books...

As a fluent French speaker living in a Francophone country, I am very well-acquainted with all sorts of dialects and particularly those in Paris. And here's the problem: "The Frenchman" characterizes himself as a violent person raised except for a short period of time in the US mostly in France. It is his education, his intelligence and his outward appearance that makes him rise from his origins. But he readily admits that he is, for lack of a better word, a thug with (it seems) North African / Sephardic origins. The dialect for someone like this would be like the "Beurs" of Paris , particularly Saint Denis or Barbès which would fit his personality and his origins perfectly.

But the French that is used in all three books is often stilted and sounds like something from Google Translate, or something a non-native speaker would use. Definitely not the way the main characters would have spoken! I initially found it slightly jarring but by the last book I was flipping through just to avoid reading it. Yes, I know, most people reading this don't speak French but for those of us who do, the rather stilted French was annoying. One example is in the overuse of the F word that was like a cop out instead of using variants -- if you're going to use the word you need to use the French expressions which have a lot of variety. Believe me, the French know how to curse rather colourfully!

The thing is, with a bit of research on the entire culture of the culture of "The Frenchman" especially in the last book, the story would have been far richer and more accurate. There was nothing polite and cultured about him except what he'd learned and adapted to, and whether he was from the French countryside or Marseilles before he came to land in Paris, he would have been a victim and a product of his background.

The "Beur" culture in Paris in particular is very rich and combines both the Arab/Jewish culture of North Africa as well as the French culture. Its uniqueness and contribution to the French culture is very important. Anyone interested in what "The Frenchman's" French should have sounded like, listen to this song which was featured in Ocean's Twelve for the laser dance of the French actor Vincent Cassel. The intonation and accent are the first thing I thought of when reading about him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akFZtK0GVU4 "The Frenchman" is a product of his background and he is not ashamed of it, in fact he admits it and revels in it because he has come so very far from his early days. Despite being a wounded wolf, he is the protector of so very many and proud of it. A gentle good guy might have wanted to accomplish what he did, but it would have been impossible. "The Frenchman" did what he did because of who he was and still is.

My advice for anyone writing a book and using a second language to add variety, please please please do research to give the characters the correct phrases. I don't mean swearing, I mean slang if the MC is a product of that background. If not, then just preface a paragraph by saying, "He turned to his brother and spoke in their native language." Then put their conversation in italics. It works and would have made the books more accurate.

This book has been suggested several times based on the genre of books I’ve read. I decided to finally give it a go and check it out.

The story begins with the FMC Cecilia who after HS graduation goes to live with her estranged father. She was raised outside of Atlanta GA by her mother who was poor, and a promiscuous drunk. However, Cecilia loves her mom and is agreed to live with her very wealthy father so she can eventually take care of her mom. Her father was not in her life. She stayed with him a couple times when she was younger but once she hit puberty, he didn’t request her to come. He never gave her money throughout her life aside from court orders child support. He didn’t try to have a relationship with her at all. This left Cecilia broken in some ways - any child that has a father absent or mother is definitely different than those who have one present in their lives. Girls who have a father who never treats them with love will impact their daughters self worth often causing “daddy issues”. Cecilia is text book neglect by a lacking a father and then having to grow up fast to take care of her immature mother. Anyway, her father sends her an offer to live with him for one year, work in the shop at his tech company and go to community college in Triple Falls NC. If she completes the year - and follows his rules - she’ll inherit millions of dollars and a large stake in his business.

Little does Cecilia know that on her first day of reporting to work for orientation for all new employees, the good looking blonde guy (Sean) in his mid 20’s is going to change her life as she knew it within a short 24 hours.

The book definitely captivated me. It’s a lot of frustration and intrigue to find out the whys and what’s happening, and how, not to mention romance and sharp turns that left my head spinning. It’s a romance with mystery yet not what you think 🤔? Idk how to truly describe it. The relationship between her and her father break my heart. The FMC is only 18/19 in this book but she is extremely immature emotionally. She makes a lot of mistakes and acts like a full on brat at times. If only some people would have spoken up sooner……

I give this book and series 3 stars for the graphic sex scenes. But the characters, plot and themes are trite and shallow. Read it if you’re okay with the typical themes of rich people are the enemy and the older man/younger woman “Harlequin “ romance plot with a twist of Robin Hood. Please!! From the reviews mentioning plot twists and emotional roller coaster I gave it a go. I got through book one and part of book two before I was just bored and disgusted with the shallow dialogue and themes. Really disappointed as I think the writer has potential, but she needs some maturity.