Into the Night by Reece Barden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Griffin’s looking for a fresh start. After a chance encounter with a stranger who knew about who or what he is than Griffin did, he moves to Sutton to find out more about the beast inside him. The last thing he expects or wants is to meet another like him, one that threatens to bring out the monster within he’s kept locked up for so long. When Kali disappears from her home while recovering from a vicious attack, nobody knows where she’s gone or who’s taken her. A rarity among her shifter community, and shunned because of the prophecy around her, there are plenty that would be happier if she was never found. If Kali’s going to escape, she’s going to have to do it alone. Griffin didn’t grow up around here. Raised as a human, he knows nothing of curses, but he does know how he reacts whenever Kali is near. She’s his, even the beast he keeps locked inside him agrees on that one. He’ll will move heaven and earth to get Kali back to her family, even if it kills him. 

Dark monster romance with some primal play. Dual POV with lots of heat.

Into the Night

Feral, Flirty, and Full of Secrets

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💚💜🤎❤️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏
Character development: ☺️🙁😍🥰
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Duet Narration

🧍🏻‍♀️ The Heroine: Kali

Kali’s arrival in Sutton marks a desperate bid for autonomy. Fleeing the oppressive atmosphere of Zora Hills, where she’s been harassed and ostracized, Kali seeks refuge with her cousin Evan, owner of The Devil’s Claw bar. Her persecution stems from a chilling prophecy: her future children are foretold to bring ruin to her people—shifters who teeter on the edge of losing control to their beasts. The narrative uses Kali’s pale hair and outsider status to symbolize her role as both scapegoat and potential catalyst for change. Her father’s quiet support underscores the town’s rigid power dynamics, especially the looming influence of Jed, a wealthy antagonist whose unchecked cruelty reflects the community’s moral decay.

🧍🏽 The Hero: Griffin

Griffin’s arc is a study in suppressed rage and identity fragmentation. Haunted by escalating volatility, he’s nudged toward self-exile by a mysterious forest ranger named John. The suggestion to abandon his life and retreat into the wilderness foreshadows Griffin’s latent shifter nature—something he himself is unaware of. His internal struggle is visceral, with anger described as clawing at his insides, hinting at the beast within. Griffin’s journey is less about discovery and more about surrender: to instinct, to transformation, and ultimately to the primal bond he forms with Kali.

📖 Plot Snapshot

The plot intertwines two arrivals—Kali’s escape to Sutton and Griffin’s relocation to the forest—both driven by trauma and the need for reinvention. When Griffin wakes up covered in blood after a violent incident involving his apartment manager, the ranger service offers him a lifeline: a job and a place to disappear. Meanwhile, Kali begins working at The Devil’s Claw, unknowingly stepping into Griffin’s orbit. Their convergence is inevitable, and the tension between their human selves and beastly instincts drives the narrative’s emotional core.

👍 Narrative Strengths

• Shifter Lore & Identity Conflict: Kali’s awareness of her shifter nature contrasts sharply with Griffin’s ignorance, creating a compelling dynamic. Her recognition of his beast before he does adds layers of tension and intimacy.
• Erotic Intensity: The intimate scenes are unapologetically raw and steamy, amplifying the primal energy between the leads. Griffin’s possessiveness borders on feral, and the moment his beast kidnaps Kali—without his conscious knowledge—underscores the loss of control that defines his arc.
• Beast vs. Man: Griffin’s duality is portrayed with nuance. His beast is not just a metaphor for rage but a separate entity with its own desires and secrets, including hiding Kali from Griffin himself.


👎 Narrative Weaknesses

• Series Continuity Overlap: The subplot involving missing girls from Book 1 bleeds into this installment, occasionally muddying the pacing and focus. While it adds continuity, it may distract from the central relationship and character development in Book 2.


🎙️ Narration Analysis

The audiobook employs duet narration, enhancing immersion through alternating perspectives.

• Michael Rutland delivers Griffin’s chapters with a deep, velvety tone that balances menace and vulnerability. His expressiveness adds emotional weight to Griffin’s internal conflict.
• Macie Miller brings Kali to life with a soft yet assertive voice, capturing both her fragility and resilience.
Together, their performances elevate the tension and intimacy, making the duet format particularly effective for a story rooted in duality and transformation.

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