It’s a bit rude to expect me to embrace immortality while I’m still grieving my own death.
Part of me would love to continue wallowing, but training to bring spring is my best shot at returning home to the mortal world.
To my patients. To the people who need me.
Trouble is, I can’t get my magic to work, I’m the worst in my class, and—to top it all off—I apparently have a mate.
I want nothing more than to get back to my old life, but it’s clear Fate has other plans.
Briar
I’ve never cared much about mortals.
Until her.
After two months trapped in a tiny apartment, I should be grateful to be back with my fellow Blooms. But I can’t stop thinking about the vibrant woman who found and cared for me.
Eager to throw myself into teaching and forget my time earthside, I step into my classroom only to find her sitting there.
She doesn’t recognize me, but she’s going to hate me once she learns the truth…
It’s my fault she’s dead.
✨💜Tropes💜✨
- 🐰 Bunny shifters
- 🐇 Rejected mate
- 🖌️ Artist and therapist FMC
- 🥕Tattooed single dad
- 🌷 Hot for teacher
- 💐 Public play
- 🐰 Art projects but make it spicy
- 🐇 They both have flavored 💦
⁉️Do you love a rejected mates storyline or does it break your heart too much? Because who could Reject their mate?!
More by L.R.
- Author: L.R. Friedman
- Release Date: May 5, 2026
- Genre: Fantasy Romance
- My Rating:
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
- 🌶️🌶️/5
For those tending to everyone else’s needs at the expense of your own. It’s never too late to savor some sunshine and bloom
💋 Inked in Bloom book 2 in the Hallowed Harbingers series! You do need to have read book 1 to understand what is happening in this one but characters from book 1 Etched in Frost do make some appearances!
Spoilers Ahead
🖌️We meet Monroe, a therapist in DC, who specialist in grief with her Painting of Hope. A group she started for her best friend who had passed years earlier. After Charlotte passed away Monroe took it upon herself to watch out for Charlotte’s parents as she felt they were also like her parents too. She also took in Jessica, Charlotte’s adorable rabbit. I think Monroe wants everyone to be okay, happy to talk about their feelings and hopefully find a way to move on from their grief. With that big heart of hers how could she not save the cute little brown bunny stuck in the chain link fence?
Who knew that the bunny she decided to foster while he was healing would flip her whole world around.
Most deaths are unexpected, unnecessary, and ugly
Taken far too soon from the people that rely on her, Monroe must find a way back to make sure the ones she loves are okay without her.
Logically, I know there’s no wrong way to grieve… but it’s strange grieving for myself. A person I no longer am. A life I no longer claim
Now I have not died.. Obviously but I have been grieving myself or the person/life I thought I would have. Well or at least be capable of still being able to dance, or play soccer or move my body the way it used to. I’ve been grieving for a while and it hasn’t gotten easier. Kinda wish I had someone like Monroe to talk to about it
🐰How was a bunny supposed to get unstuck from a chain link fence themselves? They don’t, lucky for Briar when a beautiful woman helps him out and takes him to the vet. Two months stuck in the mortal world really took its toll on Briar especially with the seasonal sickness. Lucky for him he had an amazing sweet- although a little different- human take care of him.
But enough was enough as he had been away from home too long and needed to get home to his young daughters. Two months was way too long and the seasonal sickness was making him worse. Who doesn’t love a single dad, I love the relationships we get to see with Briar and his girls. Each one a little bit of a trouble maker, with the biggest hearts who love their dad more than anything. He never thought that when he got back to the immortal worlds would the women who took care of him be sitting in his shifting class for new Blooms.
It’s my fault she’s dead
🌷I freaking loved this book. The tension, hurt, attraction and everything in between these two had my heart! This is my second rejected mates book and I absolutely love it!
I haven’t wanted to face this truth-done everything I could to avoid it. Now, all at once, I’m slammed by three realizations: 1. Briar Bloom is my mate. 2. He’s clearly unaware of that fact. 3. I need to keep it that way.
This one had a twist I definitely didn’t see coming! Absolutely loved the Briar’s girls, they will steal your heart. The friendship between Monroe and Cherri was beautiful, I could go on and on about these two! Just do yourself the favor and read this book!
Favorite Scenes
I’ve recently been in a why choose mood, and after a delicious slow burn, things are finally heating up under the full moon. Heading into my bathroom, I brush my teeth, listening to our heroine get railed against the window by her ex while her two new boyfriends watch from outside.
I knew instantly what this book was from things heating up under the moon and of course my mind went straight to that scene. If you also want to learn more about the book Monroe is reading check out Celestial Heaven Duet: Wicked in the Pines and Midnight with the Hex also by L.R. Friedman
“Keep his conversation between us? I would hate for whoever’s been stuck with me to somehow find out. It’s not their fault I don’t want this.”
I’m not trying to be unkind. I get that a mate is a blessing to most Blooms-just not me.
The ball of his through works, but he nods in agreement. “And if I learn who it is, would you want to know?”
“No. I’d rather not know. I shift on my heels. “Ideally, Fate will find them someone new and they’ll be none the wiser.”
I could not imagine what Briar was going through when Monroe literally told her mate (without her knowing) that she didn’t want him. I don’t think I could have handled that, I probably would have broken down, but Briar held his own. Even if he may have been dying on the inside.
“I wish you were always here,” Taylor says, carefully coloring her paper like she didn’t just say six words that splinter my ribs.
“Me too,” Milloe and Lilliana agree in unison
I temper the prickling sensation building behind my eyes
“I love being here,” I admit, unable to say more
“Bond or no bond, I’ll always choose you Monroe.”
My mouth falls open.
“I’ve fallen for every iteration of you. I’d claim them all and every one to come.”
I allow his words to sin in and stare at the band clutched between his quivering fingers. One side is wood and on the other, Ivy threads though moss and tiny blossoms suspended in time. “Is that what I think it is?”
“I know it’s unusual for Blooms to marry, but the girls were adamant that it’s a symbol of eternal love and devotion for mortals. At least that’s what it seems like in their fairy tales.” He titles his head, glancing through his spectacles at the token. “I made it for you because I don’t need a claiming bite or mate mark to tell me how I feel. I love you, and no matter what, you have a place here- a home – with our family
Favorite Quotes
This mark is everything I’ve ever wanted, a lost fragment of my family, found- finally, someone to share my afterlife with.
Now imagine you get your mate mark, but your mate wants nothing to do with you… I would be devastated. I have no idea how Briar was able to keep this to myself. Well he did do what he could in secret for her which I absolutely loved
Whether an immortal or not, everyone leaves a mark. And where these is love, one is truly never forgotten
Gotta love Fate and her riddles
Hallowed Harbingers
- Etched in Frost
- Inked in Bloom
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