Bewitching Rhaego by Victoria Aveline

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catching the bewitching beauty was easy. Keeping her? That’ll be more challenging…

Being kidnapped by aliens was bad enough. But participating in a contest where she’s chased down (quite literally) and forced to marry the demon who caught her? That was a nightmare. Or so Aurora thought. But when the giant, horned warrior who catches her turns out to be unexpectedly sweet, she’s forced to rethink everything…

Rhaego hadn’t intended to catch Aurora. He was supposed to win a different abducted human on behalf of her fated mate. But one look at her stole his breath along with all his best intentions. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants her. Still…how could he expect a divine female like Aurora to stay with a blight like him once his mission is complete?

Gathering the abducted humans and smuggling them out of his homecity, Tuva, will be no easy feat. When it’s all said and done, can Rhaego and Aurora turn their marriage of convenience into a happily ever after?

Bewitching Rhaego

The Chase That Changed Everything

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚🩷🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋😀😍🤨
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration

🛡️ Audiobook Review: Bewitching Rhaego (Clecanian, #8)

Author: Victoria Aveline
Genre: Science Fiction Romance
Narrator: Stephen Dexter

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Aurora

Aurora’s journey begins in terror: abducted from Earth while on a quiet research mission in the Smoky Mountains, she awakens on a strange world where human women are bartered as unwilling brides. Her dread intensifies when she’s sent to a city of towering red aliens with massive horns — creatures who resemble demons from ancient lore. Forced into a brutal marriage ritual known as The Chase, Aurora must flee through the forest, only to be captured by the alien destined to claim her. Yet beneath her fear lies resilience, and Aurora proves she’s far more than a pawn in the queen’s cruel game.

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: Rhaego

Rhaego, born in Tuva, knows his return home will mark the end of his ties to the city of his birth. The manipulative queen of Tremanta has begun “gifting” human women to loyal cities, treating them as commodities. Rhaego despises this practice, recognizing the trauma these women have endured. Alongside his loyal team, he intercepts shipments to protect them. His closest friend, Marcel, suffers deeply after his fated mate Diana is stolen away — a bond revealed by the mystical change in his eyes. Determined to help, Rhaego risks everything to defy the queen and reclaim Diana, even if it means exile.

📚 The Plot

Rhaego and Marcel devise a daring plan to rescue Diana during The Chase, the annual tradition where males pursue females to spark mating instincts. Knowing Diana will be among the captives, Rhaego enters the ritual, risking betrayal and banishment to save his friend’s mate. But fate has its own designs: Aurora becomes entwined in his mission, and together they must navigate danger, loyalty, and the pull of destiny.

🌟 What I Loved

• Rhaego’s vulnerability struck me most. Branded a “blight” since birth, he carries the weight of rejection and self-doubt. Aurora’s compassion and strength help him see his worth, creating a romance that feels both tender and hard-won.
• This installment is easily my favorite in the series so far. Victoria Aveline continues to expand her universe with fresh intrigue, and I’m eager to see where she takes us next.

💔 What Could Have Been Stronger

• The cultural backdrop of the bride hunts and marriages felt underdeveloped. Rhaego’s history of multiple short-lived marriages seemed to contradict the premise of abducted humans being “essential” for compatibility. A deeper explanation would have enriched the world-building.
• The pacing sagged in the middle. A touch more danger or action could have kept the tension alive.

🎙️ Narration

Stephen Dexter delivers once again. His deep yet gentle voice lends gravity to Rhaego’s struggles and warmth to Aurora’s resilience. While I usually prefer dual or duet narration for romance, Dexter’s solo performance pairs beautifully with Aveline’s storytelling. Having listened to all eight books in this series, I can say his narration elevates the experience every time.

💬 Final Thoughts

This book blends high-stakes rescue, reluctant romance, and themes of self-worth into a compelling listen. Aurora and Rhaego’s story is both harrowing and heartfelt, and despite a few uneven moments, it shines as a standout in the series.

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